Icariin attenuates cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis via down-regulation of NF-кB and up-regulation of Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling pathways in mice model.

Cystitis is a chronic bladder pain associated with frequency and nocturia. In the present study, Icariin a prenylated flavonoid extracted from Epimedium koreanum, was investigated against cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced cystitis pain in mice model. Preliminarily in an acute model, single dose of CYP (150 mg/kg; i.p) was administered followed by Icariin (5, 25 and 50 mg/kg, i.p.). The visceral sensitivity and nociceptive behaviors were significantly ameliorated by pretreatment with Icariin (25, 50 mg/kg) that were assessed by spontaneous pain scoring, von Frey test and clinical scoring. Further, in chronic model Icariin (25 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered for 10 consecutive days prior to CYP (75 mg/kg; i.p) challenged every 3rd day for the duration of 10 days. Icariin not only had a protective effect on edema including bladder wet weight and hemorrhage but also had a potential to reduce vascular permeability, mast cells infiltration and tissue fibrosis. Evidently, Icariin prevented the neutrophilia/lymphopenia caused by CYP, and markedly improved the antioxidant enzymes level including superoxide dismutase, glutathione sulfo-transferase, catalase, glutathione level and reduced Malondialdehyde level, myeloperoxidase activity and nitric oxide, and also decreased the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) in bladder. Icariin markedly enhanced the Nrf-2, heme oxygenase (HO-1) and IкB-α expression, while attenuated the expression level of Keap1, TLR-4, NF-кB, i-NOS, COX-2 and TRPV1 as compared to negative group. This research illustrated the anti-inflammatory properties of Icariin and effectively improved CYP-induced cystitis pain.

Euphorbia factor L1 inhibits osteoclastogenesis by regulating cellular redox status and induces Fas-mediated apoptosis in osteoclast.

Excessive bone resorption caused by increased osteoclast number or activity leads to a variety of bone diseases including osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis. Thus, the therapeutic strategy for these diseases has been focused primarily on the inhibition of osteoclast formation and function. This study shows that euphorbia factor L1 (EFL1), a diterpenoid isolated from Euphorbia lathyris, inhibited osteoclastogenesis and induced osteoclast apoptosis. EFL1 suppressed osteoclast formation and bone resorption at both initial and terminal differentiation stages. EFL1 inhibited receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced NFATc1 induction with attenuated NF-κB activation and c-Fos expression. EFL1 decreased the level of reactive oxygen species by scavenging them or activating Nrf2, and inhibited PGC-1ß that regulates mitochondria biogenesis. In addition, EFL1 induced apoptosis in differentiated osteoclasts by increasing Fas ligand expression followed by caspase activation. Moreover, EFL1 inhibited inflammation-induced bone erosion and ovariectomy-induced bone loss in mice. These findings suggest that EFL1 inhibits osteoclast differentiation by regulating cellular redox status and induces Fas-mediated apoptosis in osteoclast, and may provide therapeutic potential for preventing or treating bone-related diseases caused by excessive osteoclast.

Suppression of splenic lymphocyte proliferation by Eucommia ulmoides and genipin.

We investigated the modulation of innate and adaptive immune cell activation by Eucommia ulmoides Oliver extract (EUE) and its ingredient genipin. As an innate immunity indicator, the phagocytic activity of macrophages was determined by measuring engulfed, fluorescently labeled Escherichia coli. As a surrogate marker for the respective activation of cellular and humoral adaptive immunity, concanavalin A (Con A) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induction of primary splenocyte proliferation was assayed in in vitro and ex vivo systems. EUE and genipin suppressed the proliferation of primary splenic lymphocytes induced by Con A or LPS, but not macrophage phagocytosis. Oral administration of EUE and genipin to mice decreased splenic lymphocyte proliferation induced by Con A or LPS. These results revealed that E. ulmoides and genipin suppressed cellular and humoral adaptive immunity, and they suggest that E. ulmoides and genipin are promising candidates for immunosuppressive drugs that target diseases that involve excessive activation of adaptive immunity.

Suppression of IL-2 production and proliferation of CD4(+) T cells by tuberostemonine O.

Tuberostemonine stereoisomers are natural alkaloids found in Stemona tuberosa, that are known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-infective properties. Tuberostemonine alkaloids inhibit inflammation by suppressing the expression of inflammatory mediators such as cyclooxygenase and nitric oxide synthase. However, the direct immunomodulatory properties of tuberostemonine alkaloids in T cells have not been elucidated so far. In this study, the activities in T cells of tuberostemonine N (TbN) and a novel alkaloid, tuberostemonine O (TbO), isolated from S. tuberosa, were investigated. Although TbN did not have a significant effect on cytokine production in splenic T cells, TbO selectively suppressed interleukin (IL)-2 production. Moreover, TbO, but not TbN, significantly inhibited IL-2 production by primary CD4(+) T cells and delayed the T-cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Addition of excess recombinant IL-2 restored the decreased cell-division rates in TbO-treated CD4(+) T cells to control levels. Collectively, these findings suggest that the immunomodulatory effects of TbO occurred by the suppression of IL-2 expression and IL-2-induced T-cell proliferation, suggesting a potential beneficial role of tuberostemonine alkaloids for the control of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases caused by hyperactivated T cells.