Kushenol C from Sophora flavescens protects against UVB-induced skin damage in mice through suppression of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Sophora flavescens has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases such as viral hepatitis, fever, cancer, and pain. It is known to contain many bioactive compounds including prenylated flavonoids such as kurarinone, sophoraflavanone G, kuraridine and isoxanthohumol. These flavonoids have been confirmed to have anti-inflammatory, α-glucosidase inhibitory and antioxidant performances. However, the protective activities against UV-induced skin damage of kushenol C from S. flavescens have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we explored the protective effect of kushenol C against the skin damage induced by UVB in mice. Our results showed that kushenol C treatment significantly recovered UVB-induced skin damage, the degradation of collagen, mast cell infiltration, together with epidermal hyperplasia in mice. Furthermore, the treatment of kushenol C remarkably suppressed the generation of pro-inflammatory mediators in the mice irradiated by UVB. More so, treatment with kushenol C suppressed the oxidative stress in mice irradiated by UVB. In conclusion, these results showed that kushenol C from S. flavescens has potentialities to treat skin injury via suppressing skin damage induced by UVB and oxidative stress.

Long non-coding RNAs: key regulators of liver and kidney fibrogenesis.

Fibrosis is a pathological condition that is characterized by an abnormal buildup of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, such as collagen, in tissues. This condition affects various organs of the body, including the liver and kidney. Early diagnosis and treatment of fibrosis are crucial, as it is a progressive and irreversible process in both organs. While there are certain similarities in the fibrosis process between the liver and kidney, there are also significant differences that must be identified to determine molecular diagnostic markers and potential therapeutic targets. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a class of RNA molecules that do not code for proteins, are increasingly recognized as playing significant roles in gene expression regulation. Emerging evidence suggests that specific lncRNAs are involved in fibrosis development and progression by modulating signaling pathways, such as the TGF-ß/Smad pathway and the ß-catenin pathway. Thus, identifying the precise lncRNAs involved in fibrosis could lead to novel therapeutic approaches for fibrotic diseases. In this review, we summarize lncRNAs related to fibrosis in the liver and kidney, and propose their potential as therapeutic targets based on their functions. [BMB Reports 2023; 56(7): 374-384].

Diospyros lotus leaf extract and its main component myricitrin regulate pruritus through the inhibition of astrocyte activation.

Diospyros lotus is a deciduous plant native to Asian countries, including Korea, Japan and China, and southeast Europe. In traditional medicine, Diospyros lotus is used as an anticancer, antidiabetic and antipyretic agent. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Diospyros lotus leaf extract (DLE) in ameliorating histamine-independent pruritus. Activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in astrocytes contributes to pruritus. In this study, the effects of DLE and its main component, myricetin (MC), on the activation of STAT3, expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and production of lipocalin-2 (LCN2) in IL-6-treated astrocytes and chloroquine-injected mice were investigated through western blot, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, and immunofluorescence staining. DLE and MC inhibited STAT3 activation, GFAP expression and LCN2 release via inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 1 blockade in astrocytes. DLE and MC ameliorated scratching behavior, expression of GFAP, mast cell infiltration and serum IL-6 levels in chloroquine-injected mice. These results suggested that DLE and MC can be used as oral therapeutic agents for the treatment and management of pruritus.

Anti-inflammatory effects of Peucedanum japonicum Thunberg leaves extract in Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Peucedanum japonicum Thunberg are perennial herbaceous plants known to be cultivated for food and traditional medicinal purposes. P. japonicum has been used in traditional medicine to soothe coughs and colds, and to treat many other inflammatory diseases. However, there are no studies on the anti-inflammatory effects of the leaves. AIM OF THE STUDY: Inflammation plays an important role in our body as a defense response of biological tissues to certain stimuli. However, the excessive inflammatory response can lead to various diseases. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of P. japonicum leaves extract (PJLE) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nitric Oxide (NO) production assay measured by NO assay. Inducible NO synthase (iNOS), COX-2, MAPKs, AKT, NF-κB, HO-1, Nrf-2 were examined by western blotting. PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-6 were analyzed by ELSIA. Nuclear translocation of NF-κB was detected by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: PJLE suppressed inducible nitric oxygen synthase (iNOS) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (cyclooxygenase-2, COX-2) expression, increased heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) expression, and decreased nitric oxide production. And PJLE inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT, MAPK, and NF-κB. Taken together, PJLE down-regulated inflammatory factors such as iNOS and COX-2 by inhibiting the phosphorylation of AKT, MAPK, and NF-κB. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PJLE can be used as a therapeutic material to modulate inflammatory diseases.

Anti-inflammatory effect of red ginseng marc, Artemisia scoparia, Paeonia japonica and Angelica gigas extract mixture in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.

A normal inflammatory response is essential in protecting the body from foreign substances. However, excessive inflammation contributes to diseases such as oxidative stress, heart disease, and cancer. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of RAPA (red ginseng marc, Artemisia scoparia Waldst.et Kit, Paeonia japonica Miyabe & Takeda, and Angelica gigas Nakai extract mixture) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells (macrophages). RAPA suppressed the expression of inflammatory factors such as iNOS and COX-2 and decreased the production of nitric oxide. In addition, RAPA decreased the expression of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6. Furthermore, RAPA inhibited the phosphorylation of MAPKs such as JNK and ERK as well as IκB and NF-κB. In conclusion, RAPA inhibited production of inflammatory mediators via downregulation of the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The results of this study demonstrated that RAPA regulates excessive inflammatory responses at the cellular level. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate whether the same effect is observed in vivo through further research.