Therapeutic Effect of Enzymatically Hydrolyzed Cervi Cornu Collagen NP-2007 and Potential for Application in Osteoarthritis Treatment.

Cervi cornu extracts have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various disorders, including osteoporosis. However, since it is not easy to separate the active ingredients, limited research has been conducted on their functional properties. In this study, we extracted the low-molecular-weight (843 Da) collagen NP-2007 from cervi cornu by enzyme hydrolyzation to enhance absorption and evaluated the therapeutic effect in monosodium iodoacetate-induced rat osteoarthritis (OA) model. NP-2007 was orally administered at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg for 21 days. We showed that the production of matrix metalloproteinase-2, -3, and -9, decreased after NP-2007 treatment. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and prostaglandin E2 were also reduced after treatment of NP-2007. Furthermore, the administration of NP-2007 resulted in effective preservation of both the synovial membrane and knee cartilage and significantly decreased the transformation of fibrous tissue. We verified that the treatment of NP-2007 significantly reduced the production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 in lipopolysaccharides-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by regulation of the NF-kB and MAPK signaling pathways. This study indicates that NP-2007 can alleviate symptoms of osteoarthritis and can be applied as a novel treatment for OA treatment.

Novel thrombolytic protease from edible and medicinal plant Aster yomena (Kitam.) Honda with anticoagulant activity: purification and partial characterization.

A thrombolytic protease named kitamase possessing anticoagulant property was purified from edible and medicinal plant Aster yomena (Kitam.) Honda. Kitamase showed a molecular weight of 50 kDa by SDS-PAGE and displayed a strong fibrin zymogram lysis band corresponding to the similar molecular mass. The enzyme was active at high temperatures (50°C). The fibrinolytic activity of kitamase was strongly inhibited by EDTA, EGTA, TPCK and PMSF, inhibited by Zn(2+). The Km and Vmax values for substrate S-2251 were determined as 4.31 mM and 23.81 mM/mg respectively. It dissolved fibrin clot directly and specifically cleaved the α, Aα and γ-γ chains of fibrin and fibrinogen. In addition, kitamase delayed the coagulation time and increased activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time. Kitamase exerted a significant protective effect against collagen and epinephrine induced pulmonary thromboembolism in mice. These results suggest that kitamase may have the property of metallo-protease like enzyme, novel fibrino(geno)lytic enzyme and a potential to be a therapeutic agent for thrombosis.

Celastrol from 'Thunder God Vine' protects SH-SY5Y cells through the preservation of mitochondrial function and inhibition of p38 MAPK in a rotenone model of Parkinson's disease.

Celastrol, a potent natural triterpene and one of the most promising medicinal molecules, is known to possess a broad range of biological activity. Rotenone, a pesticide and complex I inhibitor, is commonly used to produce experimental models of Parkinson's disease both in vivo and in vitro. The present study was designed to examine the effects of celastrol on cell injury induced by rotenone in the human dopaminergic cells and to elucidate the possible mechanistic clues in its neuroprotective action. We demonstrate that celastrol protects SH-SY5Y cells from rotenone-induced cellular injury and apoptotic cell death. Celastrol also prevented the increased generation of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) loss induced by rotenone. Similarly, celastrol treatment inhibited cytochrome c release, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio changes, and caspase-9/3 activation. Celastrol specifically inhibited rotenone-evoked p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in SH-SY5Y cells. These data suggest that celastrol may serve as a potent agent for prevention of neurotoxin-induced neurodegeneration through multiple mechanisms and thus has therapeutic potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Herinase: a novel bi-functional fibrinolytic protease from the monkey head mushroom, Hericium erinaceum.

Herinase, a new bi-functional fibrinolytic metalloprotease, was purified from a medicinal and edible mushroom Hericium erinaceum. The enzyme was monomeric with a molecular mass of 51 kDa. Analysis of fibrin zymography showed an active band with a similar molecular mass. The N-terminal sequence of herinase VPSSFRTTITDAQLRG was highly distinguished from known fibrinolytic enzymes. Moreover, the enzyme activity was strongly inhibited by EDTA and EGTA, indicating that herinase is a metalloprotease. Herinase exhibited high specificity for the substrate t-PA followed by plasmin. The K(m) and V(max) values for H-D-Ile-Pro-Arg-PNA were found to be 4.7 mg and 26.7 U/ml respectively. Similarly, fibrin plate assays revealed that it was able to degrade fibrin clot directly and also able to activate plasminogen. Herinase provoked a rapid degradation of fibrin and fibrinogen α chains and slower degradation of γ chains. It had no activity on the ß chains of fibrin and fibrinogen. This result suggests that herinase could possibly contain higher amount of α-fibrinogenase. The activity of herinase was stimulated by metal ions such as Ca(2+), Mg(2+), and Mn(2+), but inhibited by Cu(2+), Fe(2+), and Zn(2+). Herinase exhibited maximum activity at 30 °C and pH 7.0. These results demonstrate that herinase could be a novel fibrinolytic enzyme.

Antioxidant activity and protective effects of Tripterygium regelii extract on hydrogen peroxide-induced injury in human dopaminergic cells, SH-SY5Y.

The present work was conducted to investigate the antioxidant activity and neuroprotective effects of Tripterygium regelii extract (TRE) on H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis in human dopaminergic cells, SH-SY5Y. TRE possessed considerable amounts of phenolics (282.73 mg tannic acid equivalents/g of extract) and flavonoids (101.43 mg naringin equivalents/g of extract). IC(50) values for reducing power and DPPH radical scavenging activity were 52.51 and 47.83 microg, respectively. The H(2)O(2) scavenging capacity of TRE was found to be 57.68 microM x microg(-1) min(-1). By examining the effects of TRE on SH-SY5Y cells injured by H(2)O(2), we found that after incubation of cells with TRE prior to H(2)O(2) exposure, the H(2)O(2) induced cytotoxicity was significantly reversed and the apoptotic features such as change in cellular morphology, nuclear condensation and DNA fragmentation was inhibited. Moreover, TRE was very effective attenuating the disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptotic cell death induced by H(2)O(2). TRE extract effectively suppressed the up-regulation of Bax, Caspase-3 and -9, and down-regulation of Bcl-2. Moreover, TRE pretreatment evidently increased the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in SH-SY5Y cells. These findings demonstrate that TRE protects SH-SY5Y cells against H(2)O(2)-induced injury and antioxidant properties may account for its neuroprotective actions and suggest that TRE might potentially serve as an agent for prevention of neurodegenerative disease associated with oxidative stress.

The plant phenolic diterpene carnosol suppresses sodium nitroprusside-induced toxicity in c6 glial cells.

Carnosol, a naturally occurring bioactive phenolic diterpene originating from rosemary and sage, has been shown to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study examined possible protective effects of carnosol on sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced cytotoxicity in C6 glial cells. Carnosol (1-10 microM) dose-dependently attenuated SNP (100 microM)-induced cell death and NO production. SNP-induced apoptotic characteristics, including DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activation, and c-jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) phosphorylation, were significantly suppressed by carnosol (10 microM). In addition, carnosol pretreatment restored the level of reduced glutathione (GSH), which was diminished by SNP treatment. Although both SNP (100 microM) and carnosol (10 microM) stimulated the HO-1 expression time-dependently, SNP caused a temporal increase in HO-1 in early time periods (3-6 h) before cell death occurred. In contrast, carnosol induced the sustained expression of HO-1 until a late time point (24 h). The addition of 1 microM zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP), a specific HO inhibitor, with SNP or carnosol further reduced cell viability. Also, the addition of ZnPP inhibited the protective effect of carnosol against SNP-induced cytotoxicity in C6 cells. These results suggest that carnosol possesses abilities to inhibit SNP-mediated glial cell death through modulation of apoptotic events and induction of HO-1 expression.

Purification and characterization of fibrinolytic metalloprotease from Perenniporia fraxinea mycelia.

In this study we purified and characterized a fibrinolytic protease from the mycelia of Perenniporia fraxinea. The apparent molecular mass of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 42kDa by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), fibrin zymography and size exclusion using fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC). The first 20 amino acid residues of the N-terminal sequence were ASYRVLPITKELLPPEFFVA, which shows a high degree of similarity with a fungalysin metallopeptidase from Coprinopsis cinerea. The optimal reaction pH value and temperature were pH 6.0 and 35-40 degrees C, respectively. Results for the fibrinolysis pattern showed that the protease rapidly hydrolyzed the fibrin alpha-chain followed by the beta-chain. The gamma-gamma chains were also hydrolyzed, but more slowly. The purified protease effectively hydrolyzed fibrinogen, preferentially digesting the Aalpha-chains of fibrinogen, followed by Bbeta- and gamma-chains. We found that protease activity was inhibited by Cu(2+), Fe(3+), and Zn(2+), but enhanced by the additions of Mn(2+), Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) metal ions. Furthermore, the protease activity was inhibited by EDTA, and it was found to exhibit a higher specificity for the chromogenic substrate S-2586 for chymotrypsin, indicating that the enzyme is a chymotrypsin-like metalloprotease. The mycelia of P. fraxinea may thus represent a source of new therapeutic agents to treat thrombosis.

Purification, characterization, and cloning of fibrinolytic metalloprotease from Pleurotus ostreatus mycelia.

A fibrinolytic protease (PoFE) was purified from the cultured mycelia of the edible oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus, using a combination of various chromatographies. The purification protocol resulted in an 876-fold purification of the enzyme, with a final yield of 6.5%. The apparent molecular mass of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 32 kDa by SDS-PAGE, fibrin-zymography, and size exclusion using FPLC. The optimal reaction pH value and temperature were pH 6.5 and 35 degrees C, respectively. PoFE effectively hydrolyzed fibrinogen, preferentially digesting the A alpha-chain and the B beta-chain over the gamma-chain. Enzyme activity was enhanced by the addition of Ca2+, Zn2+, and Mg2+ ions. Furthermore, PoFE activity was potently inhibited by EDTA, and it was found to exhibit a higher specificity for the chromogenic substrate S-2586 for chymotrypsin, indicating that the enzyme is a chymotrypsin-like metalloprotease. The first 19 amino acid residues of the N-terminal sequence were ALRKGGAAALNIYSVGFTS, which is extremely similar to the metalloprotease purified from the fruiting body of P. ostreatus. In addition, we cloned the PoFE protein, encoding gene, and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The cDNA of cloned PoFE is 867 nucleotides long and consists of an open reading frame encoding 288 amino acid residues. Its cDNA showed a high degree of homology with PoMEP from P. ostreatus fruiting body. The mycelia of P. ostreatus may thus represent a potential source of new therapeutic agents to treat thrombosis.

Purification and characterization of a fibrinolytic protease from a culture supernatant of Flammulina velutipes mycelia.

In this study we purified a fibrinolytic enzyme from the culture supernatant of Flammulina velutipes mycelia by ion exchange and gel filtration chromatographies, it was designated as F. velutipes protease (FVP-I). This purification protocol resulted in 18.52-fold purification of the enzyme at a final yield of 0.69%. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 37 kDa by SDS-PAGE, fibrin-zymography and size exclusion by FPLC. This protease effectively hydrolyzed fibrin, preferentially digesting alpha-chain over beta-and gamma-gamma chain. Optimal protease activity was found to occur at a pH of 6.0 and a temperature of 20 to 30 degrees C. The protease activity was inhibited by Cu2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions, but was found to be enhanced by Mn2+ and Mg2+ ions. Furthermore, FVP-I activity was potently inhibited by EDTA and EGTA, and it was found to exhibit a higher specificity for chromogenic substrate S-2586 for chymotrypsin, indicating that the enzyme is a chymotrypsin-like metalloprotease. The first 20 amino acid residues of the N-terminal sequence of FVP-I were LTYRVIPITKQAVTEGTELL. They had a high degree of homology with hypothetical protein CC1G_11771, GeneBank Accession no. EAU86463.

A fibrinolytic enzyme from the medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris.

In this study we purified a fibrinolytic enzyme from Cordyceps militaris using a combination of ion-exchange chromatography on a DEAE Sephadex A-50 column, gel filtration chromatography on a Sephadex G-75 column, and FPLC on a HiLoad 16/60 Superdex 75 column. This purification protocol resulted in a 191.8-fold purification of the enzyme and a final yield of 12.9 %. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 52 kDa by SDS-PAGE, fibrin-zymography, and gel filtration chromatography. The first 19 amino acid residues of the N-terminal sequence were ALTTQSNV THGLATISLRQ, which is similar to the subtilisin-like serine protease PR1J from Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliase. This enzyme is a neutral protease with an optimal reaction pH and temperature of 7.4 and 37 degrees , respectively. Results for the fibrinolysis pattern showed that the enzyme rapidly hydrolyzed the fibrin alpha-chain followed by the gamma-gamma chains. It also hydrolyzed the beta-chain, but more slowly. The Aalpha, Bbeta, and gamma chains of fibrinogen were also cleaved very rapidly. We found that enzyme activity was inhibited by Cu2+ and Co2+, but enhanced by the additions of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions. Furthermore, fibrinolytic enzyme activity was potently inhibited by PMSF and APMSF. This enzyme exhibited a high specificity for the chymotrypsin substrate S-2586 indicating it 's a chymotrypsin-like serine protease. The data we present suggest that the fibrinolytic enzyme derived from the edible and medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris has fibrin binding activity, which allows for the local activation of the fibrin degradation pathway.