Fisetin Inhibits UVA-Induced Expression of MMP-1 and MMP-3 through the NOX/ROS/MAPK Pathway in Human Dermal Fibroblasts and Human Epidermal Keratinocytes.

Fisetin is a flavonoid found in plants and has been reported to be effective in various human diseases. However, the effective mechanisms of ultraviolet-A (UVA)-mediated skin damage are not yet clear. In this study, we investigated the protective mechanisms of fisetin regarding UVA-induced human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKs) damages. Fisetin showed a cytoprotective effect against UVA irradiation and suppressed matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-1, and MMP-3 expression. In addition, fisetin was rescued, which decreased mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species production, and the downregulation of MAPK/AP-1 related protein and NADPH oxidase (NOX) mRNA levels. Furthermore, UVA-induced MMP-1 and MMP-3 were effectively inhibited by siRNAs to NOX 1 to 5 in HDFs and HEKs. These results indicate that fisetin suppresses UVA-induced damage through the NOX/ROS/MAPK pathway in HDFs and HEKs.

Roles of JNK/Nrf2 Pathway on Hemin-Induced Heme Oxygenase-1 Activation in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is highly induced in various human disease states, including cancer, indicating that HO-1 is an emerging target of cancer therapy. In this study, we investigated that the mechanisms of hemin-induced HO-1 expression and its signaling pathways in human breast cancer cell. We used MCF-7 cells, a human breast cancer cell line. Hemin increased HO-1 expression in MCF-7 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Hemin enhanced HO-1 expression through the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) signaling pathway. Hemin also induced activation of Nrf2, a major transcription factor of HO-1 expression. These responses in MCF-7 cells were completely blocked by pretreatment with brazilin, a HO-1 regulator. These results indicated that brazilin inhibits hemin-induced HO-1 expressions through inactivation of JNK/Nrf2 in MCF-7 cells. Thus, our findings suggest that HO-1 is an important anticancer-target of brazilin in human breast cancer.

Oral administration of Ulmus davidiana extract suppresses interleukin-1ß expression in LPS-induced immune responses and lung injury.

BACKGROUND: Ulmus davidiana (UD) is a traditional Korean herb medicine that is used to treat inflammatory disorders. UD has been shown to modulate a number of inflammatory processes in vitro or in vivo studies. However, the molecular mechanisms of UD on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury remain to be understood. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study is to determine the effect of UD bark water extract on LPS-induced immune responses and lung injury using both in vitro and in vivo models. METHODS: RAW 264.7 cells and a rat model of acute lung injury (ALI) were used to study the effects of UD on several parameters. Nitrite level, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and plasma transaminase activities in blood were also determined. Pathological investigations were also performed. RESULTS: LPS infusion resulted in elevated IL-1ß mRNA expression, nitrite levels, TNF-α expression, and IL-1ß expression in RAW 264.7 cells. LPS infusion also increased levels of nitrite/nitrate, total protein, LDH, and TNF-α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, but reduced SOD levels in ex vivo and in vivo models. UD administration ameliorated all these inflammatory markers. In particular, treatment with UD reduced LPS-induced nitrite production in RAW 264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. UD treatment also counteracted the LPS-induced increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activity in rat plasma, leading to a significant reduction in ALT and AST activity. CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed that UD treatment reduces LPS-induced nitrite production, IL-1ß mRNA expression, and TNF-α expression. In addition, LPS-induced decrease in SOD level is significantly elevated by UD administration. These results indicate that UD extract merits consideration as a potential drug for treating and/or preventing ALI.

4-O-Carboxymethylascochlorin Inhibits Expression Levels of on Inflammation-Related Cytokines and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Through NF-κB/MAPK/TLR4 Signaling Pathway in LPS-Activated RAW264.7 Cells.

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) are known to play important roles in inflammatory diseases such as arteriosclerosis and plaque instability. The purpose of this study was to perform the effect of 4-O-carboxymethylascochlorin (AS-6) on MMP-9 expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine macrophages and signaling pathway involved in its anti-inflammatory effect. Effect of AS-6 on MAPK/NF-κB/TLR4 signaling pathway in LPS-activated murine macrophages was examined using ELISA, Western blotting, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and fluorescence immunoassay. MMP-9 enzyme activity was examined by gelatin zymography. AS-6 significantly suppressed MMP-9 and MAPK/NF-κB expression levels in LPS-stimulated murine macrophages. Expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), COX2, MMP-9, JNK, ERK, p38 phosphorylation, and NF-κB stimulated by LPS were also decreased by AS-6. Moreover, AS-6 suppressed TLR4 expression and dysregulated LPS-induced activators of transcription signaling pathway. The results of this study showed that AS-6 can inhibit LPS-stimulated inflammatory response by suppressing TLR4/MAPK/NF-κB signals, suggesting that AS-6 can be used to induce the stability of atherosclerotic plaque and prevent inflammatory diseases in an in vitro model.

Cardiovascular Safety Pharmacology of Sibutramine.

Sibutramine is an anorectic that has been banned since 2010 due to cardiovascular safety issues. However, counterfeit drugs or slimming products that include sibutramine are still available in the market. It has been reported that illegal sibutramine-contained pharmaceutical products induce cardiovascular crisis. However, the mechanism underlying sibutramine-induced cardiovascular adverse effect has not been fully evaluated yet. In this study, we performed cardiovascular safety pharmacology studies of sibutramine systemically using by hERG channel inhibition, action potential duration, and telemetry assays. Sibutramine inhibited hERG channel current of HEK293 cells with an IC50 of 3.92 µM in patch clamp assay and increased the heart rate and blood pressure (76 Δbpm in heart rate and 51 ΔmmHg in blood pressure) in beagle dogs at a dose of 30 mg/kg (per oral), while it shortened action potential duration (at 10 µM and 30 µM, resulted in 15% and 29% decreases in APD50, and 9% and 17% decreases in APD90, respectively) in the Purkinje fibers of rabbits and had no effects on the QTc interval in beagle dogs. These results suggest that sibutramine has a considerable adverse effect on the cardiovascular system and may contribute to accurate drug safety regulation.

Suppression of TPA-induced tumor cell invasion by sulfuretin via inhibition of NF-κB-dependent MMP-9 expression.

Cell invasion is required for neoplastic metastasis. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which degrades the extracellular matrix, is a major component in the process of cancer cell invasion. Sulfuretin is one of the major flavonoids isolated from Rhus verniciflua. Sulfuretin has been used to reduce oxidative stress, platelet aggregation, the inflammatory response and mutagenesis. However, the effect of sulfuretin on breast cancer metastasis is unknown. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of sulfuretin on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion in MCF-7 cells. Sulfuretin inhibited TPA-induced transcriptional activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). We demonstrated that sulfuretin mediated the inhibition of TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and that cell invasion in MCF-7 cells involved suppression of the NF-κB pathway. Therefore, inhibiting MMP-9 expression by sulfuretin may have therapeutic potential for controlling breast cancer invasiveness.

Brazilin inhibits UVB-induced MMP-1/3 expressions and secretions by suppressing the NF-κB pathway in human dermal fibroblasts.

Brazilin (7, 11b-dihydrobenz[b]indeno[1,2-d]pyran-3,6a,9,10 (6H)-tetrol), the major component of Caesalpinia sappan L., is a natural red pigment used for histological staining. Recent studies have shown that brazilin exhibits distinct biological effects, including anti-hepatotoxicity, antiplatelet activity, and anti-inflammatory activities. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of brazilin on MMP-1 and -3 expressions in human dermal fibroblasts exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation. Brazilin showed protective effect on UVB-induced loss of cell viability of fibroblasts. Brazilin also blocked significantly UVB-induced Reactive Oxygen Species generation in fibroblasts. Brazilin inhibited UVB-induced MMP-1/3 expressions and secretions in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, UVB-induced NF-κB activation was completely blocked by treatment with brazilin. These findings suggest that brazilin inhibits UVB-induced MMP-1/3 expressions and secretions by suppressing of NF-κB activation in human dermal fibroblasts. Thus, brazilin might be used as a potential agent for treatment of UV-induced skin photoaging.

Dependence potential of propofol: behavioral pharmacology in rodents.

Propofol is an anesthetic commonly used to provide sedation or to induce and maintain an anesthetic stated. However, there are reports which indicate propofol may cause psychological dependence or be abused. In the present study, we used various behavioral tests including climbing test, jumping test, conditioned place preference, and self-administration test to assess the dependence potential and abuse liability of propofol compared to a positive control (methamphetamine) or a negative control (saline or intralipid). Among the tests, the conditioned place preference test was conducted with a biased method, and the selfadministration test was performed under a fixed ratio (FR) 1 schedule, 1 h per session. No difference was found in the climbing test and jumping test, but propofol (30 mg/kg, i.p.) increased the rewarding effect in the conditioned place preference test, and it showed a positive reinforcing effect compared to the vehicle. These results indicate that propofol tends to show psychological dependence rather than physical dependence, and it seems not to be related with dopaminergic system.

Estrogen receptor α induces down-regulation of PTEN through PI3-kinase activation in breast cancer cells.

Estrogen receptor α (ERα) mediates most of the biological effects of estrogen in mammary epithelial cells and stimulates growth signals involving phosphoinositide-3-OH kinase (PI3K)/Akt in breast cancer cells. Phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) is a critical counter-regulator of PI3K signaling and is thus one of the major tumor suppressors in breast cancer. Inhibition of PI3K with an inhibitor, wortmannin, increased the level of PTEN protein in ERα-positive MCF-7 cells, while levels in ERα-negative MDA-MB 231 cells were not altered. In addition, the level of PTEN protein in MCF-7 cells was significantly lower than that in MDA-MB 231 cells, which correlated with high levels of phospho-Akt and phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5,-trisphosphate (PIP3). However, PTEN mRNA expression as measured by real-time PCR showed no differences in either cell line. Notably, the levels of casein kinase 2 (CK2) and phospho-PTEN (Ser380/Thr382/383) in MCF-7 cells were lower than those in MDA-MB 231 cells, indicating that the down-regulation of PTEN protein in MCF-7 cells is caused by low levels of CK2 expression, leading to accelerated PTEN degradation. Collectively, these results suggest that ERα induces the down-regulation of PTEN through PI3K activation in breast cancer cells.

Cordycepin inhibits TPA-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression by suppressing the MAPK/AP-1 pathway in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM), plays an important role in breast cancer cell invasion. NF-kappaB and AP-1 are known to induce MMP-9 expression. We investigated whether cordycepin, an NF-kappaB or AP-1 inhibitor, can modulate MMP-9 expression and cell invasion in MCF-7 cells. Toxicity of cordycepin was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. MMP-9 expression was determined by real-time PCR, Zymography, and Western blot analysis. AP-1 activation was assayed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). MAPK signaling was evaluated by Western blotting with specific p-ERK, and ERK, p-p38, p38, p-JNK, JNK antibodies. Cordycepin suppressed AP-1 activation, but not NF-kappaB activation in 12-O-tetradecanoylpho-bol-13-acetate (TPA)-treated MCF-7 cells. Cordycepin inhibits TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion by suppressing AP-1 activation. Also, cordycepin suppressed the MAPK signaling pathway. Cordycepin is a potent inhibitor of TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and blocks strongly the ability of AP-1 activation via MAPK signaling pathway in MCF-7 cells.

Simultaneous double dislocation of the interphalangeal joint in a finger.

Isolated traumatic dislocation of the distal and proximal interphalangeal joints of the fingers is a common occurrence. However, simultaneous dislocation of both interphalangeal joints in a single finger appears to be a rare event. We report five cases of simultaneous dislocation of both interphalangeal joints in a single finger with a review of the literature.

Enhanced production of manganese peroxidase from immobilized Phanerochaete chrysosporium due to the increased autolysis of chlamydospore-like cells.

The autolysis of chlamydospore-like cells in Phanerochaete chrysosporium immobilized in polyurethane foam correlated with the production of manganese peroxidase (MnP). The maximum specific activity of MnP was 1055 U g dry mycelium(-1) in the immobilized culture, compared with 260 U g dry mycelium(-1) in the submerged culture. Scattered mycelial pellets were formed in the immobilized culture in which almost all of the chlamydospore-like cells were subject to autolysis. However, highly crowded pellets were formed in the free culture, in which only the chlamydospore-like cells in the exterior were subject to autolysis. We propose that the enhanced production of MnP in immobilized cultures of P. chrysosporium is due to increased autolysis of the chlamydospore-like cells.

Inhibitory effect of 6-hydroxy-7-methoxychroman-2-carboxylic acid phenylamide on nitric oxide and interleukin-6 production in macrophages.

6-Hydroxy-7-methoxychroman-2-carboxylic acid phenylamide (CP compound) is a novel chemically synthetic compound with vitamin E-like chemical structure. In the present study, the CP compound was discovered to inhibit nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin (IL)-6 productions in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. Further, CP compound attenuated LPS-induced synthesis of mRNA and protein levels of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), in parallel, and inhibited iNOS promoter activity. In the similar way, CP compound inhibited LPS-induced synthesis of IL-6 transcript but also IL-6 promoter activity. These results indicate that CP compound could down-regulate LPS-induced iNOS and IL-6 expression at the transcription step. As a mechanism of the anti-inflammatory action shown by CP compound, suppression of LPS-induced activation of both nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) has been documented. Finally, CP compound could provide an invaluable tool to investigate LPS-induced NF-kappaB and AP-1 activation, in addition to its therapeutic potential in NO- and IL-6-associated inflammatory diseases.