Lunasin reduces the susceptibility of IL-10 deficient mice to inflammatory bowel disease and modulates the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition that can cause severe damage to the gastrointestinal tract leading to lower quality of life and productivity. Our goal was to investigate the protective effect of the soy peptide lunasin in an in vivo model of susceptibility to IBD and to identify the potential mechanism of action in vitro. In IL-10 deficient mice, oral administration of lunasin reduced the number and frequency of mice exhibiting macroscopic signs of susceptibility to inflammation and significantly decreased levels of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-18 by up to 95%, 90%, 90%, and 47%, respectively, in different sections of the small and large intestines. Dose-dependent decrease of caspase-1, IL-1ß, and IL-18 in LPS-primed and ATP-activated THP-1 human macrophages demonstrated the ability of lunasin to modulate the NLRP3 inflammasome. We demonstrated that lunasin can decrease susceptibility to IBD in genetically susceptible mice by exerting anti-inflammatory properties.

Bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory activity of native fruits from Brazil.

The purpose of this study was to extract, identify, and quantify the phenolic compounds in grumixama (Eugenia brasilienses Lam.) and guabiju (Myrcianthes pungens), native fruits from southern region of Brazil, and to explore their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The phenolic compounds were extracted with acidified water and acidified methanol and evaluated for their bioactive constituents, antioxidant capacity, and anti-inflammatory properties. Spectrophotometric quantification shows tannins to be the most prevalent at 2.3 to 5.8 g/100g fresh fruit with acidified methanol containing higher concentrations of different phenolics than acidified water. HPLC analysis indicates that gallic acid, catechin, vanillic acid, and ellagic acid are the most prevalent phenolics in the two fruits extracts. Scavenging of DPPH and NO radicals showed inhibition by as much as 95% and 80%, respectively, at 2.5 gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/mL of the extract. At 50 µg GAE/mL, the release of pro-inflammatory molecules NO and IL-6 was significantly reduced with acidified methanol extract having higher inhibitory activity. Our results revealed that these native fruits, grown in the south of Brazil, are rich sources of phenolic compounds and have great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

Utilization of tofu processing wastewater as a source of the bioactive peptide lunasin.

The goal of our study was to design a simple and feasible method to obtain lunasin, a naturally-occurring bioactive peptide, from tofu whey wastewater. A combination of alcoholic precipitation of high-molecular weight proteins from the whey, isoelectric precipitation of lunasin enriched material, and purification via gel filtration chromatography was selected as the best approach using tofu whey prepared at the laboratory scale. This process was applied to tofu whey produced by a local tofu factory and 773 mg of 80% purity lunasin was obtained per kg of dry tofu whey. Significant reduction of nitric oxide, and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 over lipopolysaccharide activated murine macrophages demonstrate its biological activity. Our three-step process is not only simpler and faster than the previously reported methods to obtain lunasin but provides a sustainable approach for the valorization of a waste product, promoting the better utilization of soybean nutrients and active compounds.

BG-4 from Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia) Differentially Affects Inflammation In Vitro and In Vivo.

BG-4 isolated from bitter gourd has been reported for anti-cancer properties. The objective was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of BG-4 in vitro and in vivo. Comparative study of the anti-inflammatory properties of BG-4 in vitro and in vivo was conducted on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated mouse macrophages, and on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. BG-4 reduced the production of pro-inflammatory markers in LPS-activated macrophages. On the other hand, intraperitoneal administration of BG-4 in DSS-induced colitis led to colon shortening, elevated neutrophils infiltration and myeloperoxidase activity, presence of blood in the stool, and loss of body weight, with differential systemic and local effects on pro-inflammatory cytokines in vivo. The results demonstrated that BG-4 differentially affected inflammation in vitro and in vivo.