Astragaloside IV Suppresses Hepatic Proliferation in Regenerating Rat Liver after 70% Partial Hepatectomy via Down-Regulation of Cell Cycle Pathway and DNA Replication.

Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is one of the major bio-active ingredients of huang qi which is the dried root of Astragalus membranaceus (a traditional Chinese medicinal plant). The pharmacological effects of AS-IV, including anti-oxidative, anti-cancer, and anti-diabetic effects have been actively studied, however, the effects of AS-IV on liver regeneration have not yet been fully described. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the effects of AS-IV on regenerating liver after 70% partial hepatectomy (PHx) in rats. Differentially expressed mRNAs, proliferative marker and growth factors were analyzed. AS-IV (10 mg/kg) was administrated orally 2 h before surgery. We found 20 core genes showed effects of AS-IV, many of which were involved with functions related to DNA replication during cell division. AS-IV down-regulates MAPK signaling, PI3/Akt signaling, and cell cycle pathway. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and cyclin D1 expression were also decreased by AS-IV administration. Transforming growth factor ß1 (TGFß1, growth regulation signal) was slightly increased. In short, AS-IV down-regulated proliferative signals and genes related to DNA replication. In conclusion, AS-IV showed anti-proliferative activity in regenerating liver tissue after 70% PHx.

Brazilin isolated from Caesalpinia sappan L. inhibits rheumatoid arthritis activity in a type-II collagen induced arthritis mouse model.

BACKGROUND: Caesalpinia sappan L. extracts exhibit great therapeutic potential, and have been shown to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to understand the anti-rheumatoid activity of brazilin that was isolated from ethyl acetate extract of C. sappan L. The evaluations were conducted in mice with type-II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). METHODS: Brazilin was purified via preparative HPLC and identified by mass spectrometry and 1H/13C NMR analysis. DBA/1J mice were divided into four groups (n=10). Three groups of mice received intradermal injections of inducer bovine type-II collagen (BTIIC; 2 mg/ml in 0.05 ml acetic acid) and 0.1 ml of booster complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). A second injection of BTIIC with booster incomplete Freund's adjuvant (ICFA) was given subsequently after 21 days. On 22nd day, purified brazilin (10 mg/kg body weight) or the disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug methotrexate (3 mg/kg body weight) was administered intraperitoneally daily or every three days for 21 days, respectively to two groups of mice. At the 42nd day, mice sera were collected, and the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and stress enzyme markers in serum were measured using standard immunoassay methods. The microstructure and morphometric analyses of the bones were assessed using high-resolution microfocal computed tomography. RESULTS: Brazilin isolated from C. sappan reduced the arthritis index score and the extent of acute inflammatory paw edema in CIA-mice. The bone mineral density was significantly (p<0.05) lower in only-CIA mice, and appeared to increase commensurate with methotrexate and brazilin administration. Brazilin prevented joint destruction, surface erosion, and enhanced bone formation as revealed by microstructural examinations. Brazilin markedly attenuated mouse CIA and reduced the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6. CONCLUSIONS: Brazilin purified from C. sappan L. shows protective efficacy in CIA mouse, and may be useful to treat chronic inflammatory disorders including rheumatoid arthritis.

Gene expression analysis of inflammation-related genes in macrophages treated with α-(1 → 3, 1 → 6)-D-glucan extracted from Streptococcus mutans.

Streptococcus mutans is a gram-positive bacterium that causes tooth decay. The exopolyssacharides, mostly glucans synthesized by the bacterium are responsible for establishing pathogenic bio-films associated with dental caries disease. The regulatory immune and inflammatory reactions implicated by the synthesized glucans are still not clearly understood. In this study, a water-soluble exopolyssacharide (WSP) was extracted from culture of Str. mutans. The structural properties of WSP, [α-(1 â†’ 3, 1 â†’ 6)-D-glucan] were confirmed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Furthermore, the effects of WSP on the global gene expression of the macrophage-like RAW 264.7 cells were analyzed using mRNA-seq analysis. Using Gene Ontology analysis, we compiled a total of 24,421 genes that were upregulated or downregulated by more than 5.0-fold and 0.3-fold, respectively. Most of the transcripts were grouped under immune response and inflammation-related gene categories. Among the 802 immunity-related genes analyzed, chemokine ligand 7 (Ccl7), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were upregulated after WSP exposure. In addition, among a total of 344 genes related to inflammation, Ccl7, IL-1α and IL-6 were upregulated. These results suggest that [α-(1 â†’ 3, 1 â†’ 6)-D-glucan] from Str. mutans produces activates macrophages and may contribute to the immune and inflammatory response to periodontal disease.

The SUMO Conjugase Ubc9 Protects Dopaminergic Cells from Cytotoxicity and Enhances the Stability of α-Synuclein in Parkinson's Disease Models.

Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) is a widespread regulatory mechanism of post-translational modification (PTM) that induces rapid and reversible changes in protein function and stability. Using SUMO conjugase Ubc9-overexpressing or knock-down cells in Parkinson's disease (PD) models, we demonstrate that SUMOylation protects dopaminergic cells against MPP+ or preformed fibrils (PFFs) of α-synuclein (α-syn)-induced toxicities in cell viability and cytotoxicity assays. In the mechanism of protection, Ubc9 overexpression significantly suppressed the MPP+ or PFF-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, while Ubc9-RNAi enhanced the toxicity-induced ROS production. Further, PFF-mediated protein aggregation was exacerbated by Ubc9-RNAi in thioflavin T staining, compared with NC1 controls. In cycloheximide (Chx)-based protein stability assays, higher protein level of α-syn was identified in Ubc9-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) than in EGFP cells. Since there was no difference in endogenous mRNA levels of α-syn between Ubc9 and EGFP cells in quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), we assessed the mechanisms of SUMO-mediated delayed α-syn degradation via MG132, proteasomal inhibitor, and PMA, lysosomal degradation inducer. Ubc9-mediated SUMOylated α-syn avoided PMA-induced lysosomal degradation because of its high solubility. Our results suggest that Ubc9 enhances the levels of SUMO1 and ubiquitin on α-syn and interrupts SUMO1 removal from α-syn. In immunohistochemistry, dopaminergic axon tips in the striatum and cell bodies in the substantia nigra from Ubc9-overexpressing transgenic mice were protected from MPTP toxicities compared with wild-type (WT) siblings. Our results support that SUMOylation can be a regulatory target to protect dopaminergic neurons from oxidative stress and protein aggregation, with the implication that high levels of SUMOylation in dopaminergic neurons can prevent the pathologic progression of PD.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Extracellular ß-Glucan Isolated from the King Oyster Mushroom Pleurotus eryngii (Agaricomycetes) and Its Sulfated Form on Signaling Molecules Involved in Innate Immunity.

The aim of this study was to determine, using murine RAW 264.7 macrophages, the immunomodulatory effect of extracellular ß-glucan isolated from Pleurotus eryngii (PEBG) and its sulfated derivative (PEBG-S) on signaling molecules implicated in host innate immunity. ß-Glucan was extracted and purified from the mycelial culture using optimal medium concentrations. It was then chemically converted to its sulfated form. Monosaccharide composition of ß-glucan was characterized with p-aminobenzoic acid ethyl ester-derivatized sugars through highperformance liquid chromatography analysis. Fourier transform infrared structural analysis showed an S=O bond at 1250 cm-1 and C-S-O binding at 815 cm-1 in PEBG-S. 13C nuclear magnetic resonance analysis showed 1,3-linked α-D-mannopyranosyl and 1,3-ß-D-glucopyranosyl in PEBG-S. A concentration-dependent increase of nitric oxide production was noticed in RAW 264.7 cells treated with PEBG-S or PEBG; those treated with PEBG-S showed less cytotoxicity than those treated with PEBG. Cellular levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1ß, and interleukin-6 were increased by PEBG and PEBG-S treatment, suggesting that they have immunomodulatory activity. Real-time polymerase chain reaction array revealed that the expression levels of nuclear factor-κB and Toll-like receptor signaling genes in cells were upregulated by PEBG and PEBG-S. Moreover, the expression of the ß-glucan receptor dectin-2 was significantly upregulated by PEBG and PEBG-S treatment, reflecting immune activation through the dectin-2-Syk-(CARD9/Bcl-10/MALT1) pathway. Our results suggest that PEBG-S could be used as an effective adjuvant or immune enhancer that can be sustainably produced by recycling the by-product of mycelial culture.

Mutan: A mixed linkage α-[(1,3)- and (1,6)]-d-glucan from Streptococcus mutans, that induces osteoclast differentiation and promotes alveolar bone loss.

Mutan is an extracellular polysaccharide of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) that consists of α-(1,3)-linked glucose residues in main chains and α-(1,6) bonds in side chains. In the present study, mutan was isolated from S. mutans, and its structural characteristics were determined using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The effects of mutan on RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in RAW 264.7 cells were examined. Furthermore, microCT and morphometric analyses were used to determine the contribution of mutan to alveolar bone loss in the maxilla of a rat periodontitis model. Mutan increased (more than 2-fold) RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in a dose-dependent manner. Mutan also enhanced the alveolar bone loss in the rat maxilla 2.3-fold. In mutan-treated rats, the bone mineral density, bone volume, trabecular number, and trabecular thickness decreased, whereas trabecular separation significantly increased. In addition, mutan and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced similar microarray profiles in RAW 264.7 cells. A total of 43 genes related to osteoclastogenesis were differentially expressed after either mutan or LPS treatment. Five-fold increases in the expression of several genes, including IL-1ß, IL-1α, IL-6, and chemokine ligands, were observed in mutan-treated RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest a molecular mechanism for the inflammation induced by S. mutans during the establishment of periodontal disease.

Anti-inflammatory activity of sappanchalcone isolated from Caesalpinia sappan L. in a collagen-induced arthritis mouse model.

Sappanchalcone, a bioactive flavonoid isolated from the heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan L. possesses anti-inflammatory effects. We studied the efficacy of sappanchalcone in attenuating collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis. Sappanchalcone was purified to homogeneity from the chloroform fraction of the methanolic extract of C. sappan, and identified using mass spectrometry and (1)H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. CIA-induced male DBA/1J mice were divided into control, sappanchalcone-treated, and methotrexate-treated groups (n = 10 per group). Paw swelling, arthritis severity, radiographic and histomorphometric changes were assessed to measure the protective role of sappanchalcone against chronic disease progression. Sappanchalcone administration significantly reduced clinical arthritis and inflammatory edema in paws. Bone mineral density and trabecular structure were maintained in CIA mice administered sappanchalcone. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and 1L-1ß) were significantly lower in the serum of sappanchalcone-treated mice as compared with the control group. Our results suggest that sappanchalcone could be used as an anti-inflammatory and bone-protective agent during the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Bacterial community dynamics of salted and fermented shrimp based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis.

The Korean traditional seafood jeotgal is consumed directly or as an additive in other foods to improve flavor or fermentation efficiency. Saeujot, made from salted and fermented tiny shrimp (SFS; Acetes japonicus), is the best-selling jeotgal in Korea. In this study, we reveal the microbial diversity and dynamics in naturally fermented shrimp by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The population fingerprints of the predominant microbiota and its succession were generated by DGGE analysis of universal V3 16S rDNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons. Overall, 17 strains were identified from sequencing of 30 DGGE bands. The DGGE profiles showed diverse bacterial populations in the sample, throughout the fermentation of SFS. Staphylococcus equorum, Halanaerobium saccharolyticum, Salimicrobium luteum, and Halomonas jeotgali were the dominant bacteria, and their levels steadily increased during the fermentation process. Certain other bacteria, such as Psychrobacter jeotgali and Halomonas alimentaria appeared during the early-fermentation process, while Alkalibacterium putridalgicola, Tetragenococcus muriaticus, and Salinicoccus jeotgali appeared during the late-fermentation process. The members of the order Bacillales were found to be predominant during the fermentation of SFS. Furthermore, S. equorum was identified as the dominant bacterial isolate by the traditional method of culturing under aerobic and facultative anaerobic conditions. We expect that this information will facilitate the design of autochthonous starter cultures for the production of SFS with desired characteristic sensory profiles and shorter ripening times.