Mulberrofuran G Protects Ischemic Injury-induced Cell Death via Inhibition of NOX4-mediated ROS Generation and ER Stress.

The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effect of mulberrofuran G (MG) in in vitro and in vivo models of cerebral ischemia. MG was isolated from the root bark of Morus bombycis. MG inhibited nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) enzyme activity and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-induced NOX4 protein expression in SH-SY5Y cells. MG inhibited the expression of activated caspase-3 and caspase-9 and cleaved poly adenine dinucleotide phosphate-ribose polymerase in OGD/R-induced SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, MG protected OGD/R-induced neuronal cell death and inhibited OGD/R-induced reactive oxygen species generation in SH-SY5Y cells. In in vivo model, MG-treated groups (0.2, 1, and 5 mg/kg) reduced the infarct volume in middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion-induced ischemic rats. The MG-treated groups also reduced NOX4 protein expression in middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion-induced ischemic rats. Furthermore, protein expression of 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein/binding immunoglobulin protein, phosphorylated IRE1α, X-box-binding protein 1, and cytosine enhancer binding protein homologous protein, mediators of endoplasmic reticulum stress, were inhibited in MG-treated groups. Taken together, MG showed protective effect in in vitro and in vivo models of cerebral ischemia through inhibition of NOX4-mediated reactive oxygen species generation and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This finding will give an insight that inhibition of NOX enzyme activity and NOX4 protein expression could be a new potential therapeutic strategy for cerebral ischemia. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Chemical Constituents Isolated from the Root Bark of Cudrania tricuspidata and Their Potential Neuroprotective Effects.

Seventy-five compounds, including 21 new compounds (1-21), were isolated from the root bark of Cudrania tricuspidata. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by interpretation of their spectroscopic data. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their neuroprotective effects against 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced cell death, and nine compounds had activities with EC50 values of 1.9-30.2 µM. The 75 isolated compounds along with 34 previously reported xanthones were tested also for neuroprotective effects against the 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP(+)) and oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced cell death. Three compounds were active against MPP(+)-induced cell death with EC50 values of 0.2-10.3 µM, and 23 compounds were active in the OGD model with EC50 values of 2.9-35.5 µM.

Anti-inflammatory mechanism of α-viniferin regulates lipopolysaccharide-induced release of proinflammatory mediators in BV2 microglial cells.

α-Viniferin is an oligostilbene of trimeric resveratrol and has anticancer activity; however, the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of α-viniferin has not been completely elucidated thus far. Therefore, we determined the mechanism by which α-viniferin regulates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of proinflammatory mediators in BV2 microglial cells. Treatment with α-viniferin isolated from Clematis mandshurica decreased LPS-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). α-Viniferin also downregulated the LPS-induced expression of proinflammatory genes such as iNOS and COX-2 by suppressing the activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) via dephosphorylation of Akt/PI3K. Treatment with a specific NF-κB inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), indirectly showed that NF-κB is a crucial transcription factor for expression of these genes in the early stage of inflammation. Additionally, our results indicated that α-viniferin suppresses NO and PGE2 production in the late stage of inflammation through induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) regulated by nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2). Taken together, our data indicate that α-viniferin suppresses the expression of proinflammatory genes iNOS and COX-2 in the early stage of inflammation by inhibiting the Akt/PI3K-dependent NF-κB activation and inhibits the production of proinflammatory mediators NO and PGE2 in the late stage by stimulating Nrf2-mediated HO-1 signaling pathway in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. These results suggest that α-viniferin may be a potential candidate to regulate LPS-induced inflammation.

Neuroprotective Xanthones from the Root Bark of Cudrania tricuspidata.

Seventeen new prenylated xanthones (1-17) were isolated from an ethyl acetate-soluble extract of root bark of Cudrania tricuspidata together with 17 previously identified xanthones. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Six new compounds (3, 7, 8, 9, 15, and 16) and six known compounds (18-23) showed neuroprotective effects against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced cell death in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, with EC50 values of 0.7-16.6 µM.

Ombuin-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside from Gynostemma pentaphyllum is a dual agonistic ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α and δ/ß.

We demonstrated that ombuin-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (ombuine), a flavonoid from Gynostemma pentaphyllum, is a dual agonist for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) α and δ/ß. Using surface plasmon resonance (SPR), time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) analyses, and reporter gene assays, we showed that ombuine bound directly to PPARα and δ/ß but not to PPARγ or liver X receptors (LXRs). Cultured HepG2 hepatocytes stimulated with ombuine significantly reduced intracellular concentrations of triglyceride and cholesterol and downregulated the expression of lipogenic genes, including sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP1c) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1), with activation of PPARα and δ/ß. Activation of LXRs by ombuine was confirmed by reporter gene assays, however, SPR and cell-based FRET assays showed no direct binding of ombuine to either of the LXRs suggesting LXR activation by ombuine may be operated via PPARα stimulation. Ombuine-stimulated macrophages showed significantly induced transcription of ATP binding cassette cholesterol transporter A1 (ABCA1) and G1 (ABCG1), the key genes in reverse cholesterol transport, which led to reduced cellular cholesterol concentrations. These results suggest that ombuine is a dual PPAR ligand for PPARα and δ/ß with the ability to decrease lipid concentrations by reducing lipogenic gene expression in hepatocytes and inducing genes involved in cholesterol efflux in macrophages.

Anti-inflammatory constituents from the fruits of Vitex rotundifolia.

Three new diterpenes (7, 15 and 17) and two new neolignans (19 and 20) along with nineteen known compounds have been isolated from the fruits of Vitex rotundifolia. Their structures were elucidated by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR, HRESI-MS, and CD data. All isolates were tested for their inhibitory activities on LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 cells. Of these, compounds 3, 4, 7, 13, 15, 19, and 24 found to inhibit nitric oxide production with the IC50 values ranging from 11.3 to 24.5µM.

Catalposide is a natural agonistic ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARα) is a nuclear receptor that regulates the expression of genes related to cellular lipid uptake and oxidation. Thus, PPARα agonists may be important in the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia and hepatic steatosis. In this study, we demonstrated that catalposide is a novel natural PPARα agonist, identified from reporter gene assay-based activity screening with approximately 900 natural plant and seaweed extracts. Results of time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer analyses suggested that the compound interacted directly with the ligand-binding domain of PPARα. Cultured hepatocytes stimulated with catalposide exhibited significantly reduced cellular triglyceride concentrations, by 21%, while cellular uptake of fatty acids was increased, by 70% (P<0.05). Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that the increase in cellular fatty acid uptake was due to upregulation of fatty acid transporter protein-4 (+19% vs. the control) in cells stimulated with catalposide. Additionally, expression of genes related to fatty acid oxidation and high-density lipoprotein metabolism were upregulated, while that of genes related to fatty acid synthesis were suppressed. In conclusion, catalposide is hypolipidemic by activation of PPARα via a ligand-mediated mechanism that modulates the expression of in lipid metabolism genes in hepatocytes.

Acetylenic acid analogues from the edible mushroom Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius) and their effects on the gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma target genes.

A new acetylenic acid, (10E,14Z)-9-oxooctadeca-10,14-dien-12-ynoic acid (1), was isolated from the edible mushroom Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius), together with a known acetylenic acid, (10E,14Z)-9-hydroxyoctadeca-10,14-dien-12-ynoic acid (2) and their structures were determined through analysis of NMR and mass data. The new acetylenic acid (1) specifically activated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ with an EC(50) value of 1.88 µM as measured by a reporter gene assay. Expression of PPAR-γ target genes were significantly altered as well, supporting the hypothesis that compound 1 is a PPAR-γ potential agonist that regulates transcription of the PPAR-γ target genes.

Ethyl 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzoate is an agonistic ligand for liver X receptor that induces cholesterol efflux from macrophages without affecting lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells.

The present study reports a novel liver X receptor (LXR) activator, ethyl 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzoate (ETB), isolated from Celtis biondii. Using a reporter gene assay, time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET), and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis, we showed that ETB directly bound to and stimulated the transcriptional activity of LXR-α and LXR-ß. In macrophages, hepatocytes, and intestinal cells, ETB suppressed cellular cholesterol accumulation in a dose-dependent manner and induced the transcriptional activation of LXR-α/-ß-responsive genes. Notably, ETB did not induce lipogenic gene expression or cellular triglyceride accumulation in hepatocytes. These results suggest that ETB is a dual-LXR modulator that regulates the expression of key genes in cholesterol homeostasis in multiple cells without inducing lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells.

Polyhydroxylated macrolides from Seimatosporium discosioides and their effects on the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma.

Two new polyhydroxylated macrolides, seimatopolides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from an EtOAc extract of Seimatosporium discosioides culture medium. The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR, and their absolute configurations were determined using the modified Mosher's method. Seimatopolides A (1) and B (2) activated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ with EC(50) values of 1.15 and 11.05 µM, respectively. The expression of PPAR-γ target genes in HepG2 hepatocytes was significantly altered; in particular, expression of the gluconeogenic genes glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) was reduced upon stimulation with 1, supporting the proposal that compound 1 is both a PPAR-γ agonist and a possible therapeutic candidate for treatment of diabetes.

Iristectorigenin B isolated from Belamcanda chinensis is a liver X receptor modulator that increases ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells.

A novel liver X receptor (LXR) modulator, iristectorigenin B isolated from Belamcanda chinensis, stimulated the transcriptional activity of both LXR-α and LXR-ß. In macrophages, iristectorigenin B suppressed cholesterol accumulation in a dose-dependent manner and induced the transcriptional activation of LXR-α/-ß-responsive genes, ATP-binding cassette transporters A1 and G1. It did not induce hepatic lipid accumulation nor the expression of the lipogenesis genes sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, fatty acid synthase, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1. Iristectorigenin B thus is a dual-LXR agonist that regulates the expression of key genes in cholesterol homeostasis in macrophage cells without inducing hepatic lipid accumulation.

Moracenin D from Mori Cortex radicis protects SH-SY5Y cells against dopamine-induced cell death by regulating nurr1 and α-synuclein expression.

In our efforts to find neuroprotective materials of plant origin, several compounds were isolated from Mori Cortex Radicis. The protective effect against dopamine-induced cell death was examined, and the subsequent effects on the levels of expression of Parkinson's disease-associated nurr1 and α-synuclein were evaluated in a dopamine-induced system. Five compounds were isolated and moracenin D protected cell death against dopamine-induction in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. The effects of moracenin D on the levels of mRNA and protein expression of nurr1 and α-synuclein were subsequently examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis. Treatment with moracenin D resulted in an up-regulation of nurr1 mRNA levels and a down-regulation of α-synuclein mRNA levels. Additionally, the α-synuclein protein expression was decreased in accordance with an increase in nurr1 protein expression. These results demonstrate that the protective effects of moracenin D were presumably due to the correlative effects on the up-regulation of nurr1 and down-regulation of α-synuclein expressions against dopamine induction. Therefore, moracenin D can be considered as a candidate for therapy for Parkinson's disease.

Ursolic acid is a PPAR-α agonist that regulates hepatic lipid metabolism.

In this study, we confirmed that ursolic acid, a plant triterpenoid, activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α in vitro. Surface plasmon resonance and time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer analyses do not show direct binding of ursolic acid to the ligand-binding domain of PPAR-α; however, ursolic acid enhances the binding of PPAR-α to the peroxisome proliferator response element in PPAR-α-responsive genes, alters the expression of key genes in lipid metabolism, significantly reducing intracellular triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations in hepatocytes. Thus, ursolic acid is a PPAR-α agonist that regulates the expression of lipid metabolism genes, but it is not a direct ligand of PPAR-α.

Natural ortho-dihydroxyisoflavone derivatives from aged Korean fermented soybean paste as potent tyrosinase and melanin formation inhibitors.

Natural o-dihydroxyisoflavone (ODI) derivatives with variable hydroxyl substituent at the aromatic ring of isoflavone and three known isoflavones were isolated from five-year-old Korean fermented soybean paste (Doenjang) and evaluated as potent inhibitors on tyrosinase activity and melanin formation in melan-a cells comparing with other known isoflavones, 7,8,4'-trihydroxyisoflavone (1) and 7,3',4'-trihydroxyisoflavone (2) inhibited tyrosinase by 50% at a concentration of 11.21+/-0.8 microM and 5.23+/-0.6 microM (IC(50)), respectively, whereas, 6,7,4'-trihydroxyisoflavone (3), daidzein (4), glycitein (5) and genistein (6) showed very low inhibition activity. Furthermore, those compounds significantly suppressed the cellular melanin formation by 50% at a concentration of 12.23+/-0.7 microM (1), 7.83+/-0.7 microM (2), and 57.83+/-0.5(6) and show more activity than arbutin. But, compounds 3, 4, and 5 showed lower inhibition activity. This study shows that the position of hydroxyl substituent at the aromatic ring of isoflavone plays an important role in the intracellular regulation of melanin formation in cell-based assay system.

Effects of scoparone on dopamine biosynthesis and L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells.

The effects of scoparone on dopamine biosynthesis and L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells were investigated. PC12 cells treated with scoparone at concentrations of 100-200 microM showed a 128-136% increase in dopamine levels over the course of 24 hr. Scoparone significantly increased the secretion of dopamine into the culture medium. Under the same conditions, the activities of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) were enhanced by treatment with 200 microM scoparone for 6-48 hr, but the activity of TH was regulated for a longer period than that of AADC. The intracellular levels of cyclic AMP and Ca(2+) were increased by treatment with 200 microM scoparone. The levels of TH mRNA and the phosphorylation of cyclic AMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) were also significantly increased by treatment with 200 microM scoparone. In addition, scoparone at a concentration of 200 microM stimulated the activities of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC), and Ca(2+)/calmodulin kinase II (CaMK II). Finally, pretreatment with 200 microM scoparone reduced the cytotoxicity induced by L-DOPA (20-100 microM) at 24 hr. These results suggest that scoparone enhances dopamine biosynthesis by regulating TH activity and TH gene expression, which is mediated by the PKA, CREB, PKC, and CaMK II pathways, and protects cells from L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity by inducing cyclic AMP-PKA systems in PC12 cells.

Effect of scoparone on neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells.

The neurite outgrowth-promoting effects of scoparone isolated from the stem bark of Liriodendron tulipifera were investigated in PC12 cells. At a concentration of 200 microM, scoparone markedly induced neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells. Scoparone at 200 microM also enhanced the outgrowth of neurites from cells in the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF, 2 ng/ml). The levels of intracellular cyclic AMP and concentration of Ca2+ were also increased by 200 microM scoparone. In addition, scoparone at 200 microM increased the activities of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC) and Ca2+/calmodulin kinase II (CaMK II). However, scoparone-induced neurite outgrowth was blocked by a mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor (U0126), a PKA inhibitor (H89), a PKC inhibitor (GF109203X) and a CaMK II inhibitor (KN62). These kinase inhibitors also reduced the scoparone-induced neurite outgrowth associated with NGF. These results suggest that scoparone can induce neurite outgrowth by stimulating the upstream steps of ERK, PKA, PKC and CaMK II in PC12 cells.

The beneficial effect of the sap of Acer mono in an animal with low-calcium diet-induced osteoporosis-like symptoms.

The sap of Acer mono has been called 'bone-benefit-water' in Korea because of its mineral and sugar content. In particular, the calcium concentration of the sap of A. mono is 37.5 times higher than commercial spring water. In the current study, we examined whether A. mono sap could improve or prevent osteoporosis-like symptoms in a mouse model. Male mice (3 weeks old) were fed a low-calcium diet supplemented with 25, 50 or 100 % A. mono sap, commercial spring water or a high calcium-containing solution as a beverage for 7 weeks. There were no differences in weekly weight gain and food intake among all the groups. Mice that were given a low-calcium diet supplemented with commercial spring water developed osteoporosis-like symptoms. To assess the effect of sap on osteoporosis-like symptoms, we examined serum calcium concentration, and femur density and length, and carried out a histological examination. Serum calcium levels were significantly lower in mice that received a low-calcium diet supplemented with commercial spring water (the negative control group), and in the 25 % sap group compared to mice fed a normal diet, but were normal in the 50 and 100 % sap and high-calcium solution groups. Femur density and length were significantly reduced in the negative control and 25 % sap groups. These results indicate that a 50 % sap solution can mitigate osteoporosis-like symptoms induced by a low-calcium diet. We also examined the regulation of expression of calcium-processing genes in the duodenum and kidney. Duodenal TRPV6 and renal calbindin-D9k were up-regulated dose-dependently by sap, and the levels of these factors were higher than those attained in the spring water-treated control. The results demonstrate that the sap of A. mono ameliorates the low bone density induced by a low-calcium diet, most likely by increasing calcium ion absorption.

Effects of catalpalactone on dopamine biosynthesis and L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells.

The effects of catalpalactone on dopamine biosynthesis and L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells were investigated. Catalpalactone at 5-30µM decreased intracellular dopamine content with the IC(50) value of 22.1µM. Catalpalactone at 5-20µM, but not 30µM, did not alter cell viability. Catalpalactone at 20µM inhibited tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and aromatic-l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) activities. Catalpalactone also decreased cyclic AMP levels and inhibited TH phosphorylation. In addition, catalpalactone at 20µM reduced the increases in dopamine levels induced by L-DOPA (20-50µM). Catalpalactone (5-30µM) associated with L-DOPA (50-100µM) enhanced L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity at 48h, which was prevented by N-acetyl-l-cysteine. These results suggest that catalpalactone inhibited dopamine biosynthesis by reducing TH and AADC activities and enhanced L-DOPA-induced cytotoxiciy in PC12 cells.

Age-dependent changes in iron deposition in the gerbil hippocampus.

In this study, we focused on age-dependent changes in intracellular iron deposition in the gerbil hippocampus. At 1 month of age (PM 1), iron reactivity was weak in the gerbil hippocampus. At this time, cells in the polymorphic layer of the dentate gyrus showed weak iron reactivity. At PM 3, iron reactivity in cells had not changed significantly. Thereafter, iron reactivity in the CA1-3 regions and in the dentate gyrus increased with time until PM 18. At PM 24, iron reactivity in all the subfields was similar to that at PM 18. In animals aged PM 18-24, iron positive cells had various shapes, and had processes which contained iron. These results suggest that the increase of iron deposition may be associated with normal aging and that the iron deposition in the aged hippocampus is different according to hippocampal subfields.

Transient ischemia-induced changes of interleukin-2 and its receptor beta immunoreactivity and levels in the gerbil hippocampal CA1 region.

Interlukin-2 (IL-2) is an important cytokine in the brain: IL-2 and its receptors are involved with inflammatory processes. Chronological changes in IL-2 level in serum, and IL-2 and its receptor (IL-2 receptor beta, IL-2Rbeta) immunoreactivities and levels were examined in the hippocampal CA1 region after transient forebrain ischemia in gerbils. IL-2 level in serum significantly decreased 12 h after ischemia/reperfusion. IL-2 immunoreactivity was detected in the somata of pyramidal cells in sham-operated group. At 15 min after ischemia, IL-2 immunoreactivity was shown in non-pyramidal cells as well as pyramidal cells. One day after ischemia, IL-2 immunoreactivity was lowest, and IL-2 immunoreactivity is shown in non-pyramidal cells from 2 days after ischemia. Four days after ischemia, IL-2 immunoreactivity was shown in dying pyramidal cells. IL-2Rbeta immunoreactivity in the sham-operated and 15 min-3 min post-ischemic groups is detected in the cell membrane of pyramidal cells. From 3 h after ischemia, IL-2Rbeta immunoreactivity is found in cytoplasm and nuclei, but not in cell membrane. IL-2Rbeta immunoreactivity decreases from 6 h after ischemia and is shown mainly in non-pyramidal cells from 3 days after ischemia. The data of Western blot analyses for IL-2 and IL-2Rbeta was similar to the immunohistochemical data. IL-2 infusion into cerebrospinal fluid did not protect hippocampal neurons from ischemic damage. These results suggest that IL-2 and IL-2Rbeta show malfunction from 3 h after ischemia, and exogenous IL-2 does not protect ischemic neuronal damage.