Early surgical intervention for unusually located cardiac fibroelastomas.

Papillary fibroelastomas are the second most common primary cardiac tumor in adults. Over 80% of fibroelastomas occur on the cardiac valves, usually on the left side of the heart, while the remaining lesions are typically scattered throughout the atria and ventricles. Although the optimal timing for surgery is controversial and depends on tumor size and location, prompt surgical resection is warranted in patients at high risk of embolism. A tumor on the cardiac valve can be removed using the slicing excision technique without leaflet injury. Here we present two cases of papillary fibroelastomas occurring on the ventricular surface of the aortic valve and in the right ventricle.

Inhibitory effect of Psidium guajava water extract in the development of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing, and inflammatory skin disease associated with eczematous symptoms and IgE hyperproduction. Psidium guajava is an important food crop and medicinal plant with anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic activities, supporting its traditional uses. Our previous studies have shown that P. guajava extract inhibits Th2 chemokine expression by suppressing the activation of NF-κB and STAT1 co-stimulated with TNF-α and INF-γ. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of P. guajava water extract (PGW) on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. Treatment of cream containing PGW onto DNCB-induced AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice ameliorated lesion intensity scores, levels of IgE, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), TNF-α, and IL-4 in serum and ears. In contrast, PGW increased level of the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10. Histological analyses demonstrated decreased thickening of the epidermis/dermis as well as dermal infiltration by inflammatory cells. These results suggest that cream containing PGW may be a potential therapeutic modality for AD and adjunctive agent to control pruritus in AD.

Psidium guajava extract inhibits thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) production in human keratinocytes by inducing heme oxygenase-1 and blocking NF-κB and STAT1 activation.

Psidium guajava (P. guajava) is a food and medicinal plant with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic activities that support its traditional uses. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of P. guajava ethyl acetate extract (PGEA) on atopic dermatitis and to investigate the possible mechanisms by which PGEA inhibits cytokine-induced Th2 chemokine expression in HaCaT human keratinocyte cells. We found that PGEA suppressed the IFN-γ/TNF-α-co-induced production of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) protein and mRNA in HaCaT cells. Additionally, PGEA inhibited the TNF-α/IFN-γ-co-induced activation of NF-κB and STAT1 and increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein and mRNA. HO-1 inhibitor enhanced the suppressive effects of PGEA on TNF-α/IFN-γ-co-induced TARC production and gene expression. Collectively, these data demonstrate that PGEA inhibits chemokine expression in keratinocytes by inducing HO-1 expression and it suggests a possible therapeutic application in atopic dermatitis and other inflammatory skin diseases.

Ethyl acetate extract of Psidium guajava inhibits IgE-mediated allergic responses by blocking FcεRI signaling.

Psidium guajava (P. guajava) is an important food crop and medicinal plant with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic activities, supporting its traditional uses. However, its precise effects remain unknown. We investigated the effects of P. guajava ethyl acetate extract (PGEA) on IgE-mediated allergic responses in rat mast RBL-2H3 cells. PGEA reduced antigen (DNP-BSA)-induced release of ß-hexosaminidase and histamine in IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells. In addition, it inhibited antigen-induced IL-4 and TNF-α mRNA expression and protein production in IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells. PGEA also suppressed antigen-induced COX-2 mRNA and protein expression in these cells, as well as antigen-induced activation of NFAT and reactive oxygen species. Moreover, it inhibited antigen-induced activation of NF-κB and degradation of IκB-α. To identify the mechanisms underpinning the inhibition of degranulation and cytokine production by PGEA, we examined the activation of intracellular FcεRI signaling molecules. PGEA suppressed antigen-induced phosphorylation of Syk, LAT, Gab2, and PLCγ2 but not Lyn, and inhibited antigen-induced phosphorylation of downstream signaling intermediates including MAP kinases and Akt. Collectively, the anti-allergic effects of PGEA in vitro suggest its possible therapeutic application to inflammatory allergic diseases, in which its inhibition of inflammatory cytokine production and FcεRI-dependent signaling events in mast cells may be hugely beneficial.

Suppression of PMA-induced tumor cell invasion and metastasis by aqueous extract isolated from Prunella vulgaris via the inhibition of NF-kappaB-dependent MMP-9 expression.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) plays an important role in the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effects of tumor cell migration and invasion by aqueous extract isolated from Prunella vulgaris (PVAE) using in vitro and in vivo assays. PVAE reduced PMA-induced activation of MMP-9 and further inhibited cell invasion and migration. PVAE suppressed PMA-enhanced expression of MMP-9 protein, mRNA and transcription activity levels through suppression of NF-kappaB activation without changing the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase level. PVAE inhibited PMA-induced NF-kappaB nuclear translocation, which is upstream of PMA-induced MMP-9 expression and invasion. Furthermore, pretreatment with NF-kappaB activation inhibitor inhibited the PMA-induced MMP-9 expression and activity. PVAE repressed the PMA-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, which is upstream signaling molecules in MMP-9 expression. We confirmed that the inhibitory effect of PVAE on lung metastasis and tumor cell growth using B16-F10 melanoma cells or B16-F1 melanoma cells in C57BL/6 mice. The oral administrations of PVAE reduced the lung metastasis and tumor cell growth by B16-F10 or B16-F1 melanoma cells. These results suggested that the anti-metastatic effect of PVAE is mediated through the suppression of MMP-9 expression by the inhibition of NF-kappaB via ERK1/2 signaling pathway as well as MMP-9 activity.

Immunostimulatory activity of aqueous extract isolated from Prunella vulgaris.

Prunella vulgaris (P. vulgaris) has been used as a traditional medicine in the clinical treatment of herpetic keratitis and for its antioxidative and antimicrobial activities. In this study, we examined the immunostimulatory and antitumor activity of P. vulgaris in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Thus, we investigated the effects of an aqueous extract of P. vulgaris (PVAE) on macrophage function. We found that PVAE stimulated macrophage phagocytic activity, nitric oxide (NO) production and cytostatic activity. In addition, PVAE induced gene expression and production of macrophage-related cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6. Transient transfection revealed that NF-kappaB mediated the PVAE-induced increases in macrophage-related cytokine expression levels. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP Kinase) were also significantly activated by the PVAE-induced NF-kappaB activation. Pretreatment with NF-kappaB inhibitor and MAP Kinase inhibitors inhibited the NO production and the phagocytic activity induced by PVAE. This demonstrates that PVAE stimulates macrophage activation via NF-kappaB transactivation and MAP kinase activation.