Oxidative stress, consequences and ROS mediated cellular signaling in rheumatoid arthritis

There are numerous extra- and intra-cellular processes involved in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Augmented ROS generation can cause the damage of biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acid and lipids. ROS act as an intracellular signaling component and is associated with various inflammatory responses, chronic arthropathies, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is well documented that ROS can activate different signaling pathways having a vital importance in the patho-physiology of RA. Hence, understanding of the molecular pathways and their interaction might be advantageous in the development of novel therapeutic approaches for RA.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of anti-arthritic, antioxidant efficacy of fucoidan from Undaria pinnatifida (Harvey) Suringar

Seaweed and their constituents have been traditionally employed for the management of various human pathologic conditions such as edema, urinary disorders and inflammatory anomalies. The current study was performed to investigate the antioxidant and anti-arthritic effects of fucoidan from Undaria pinnatifida. A noteworthy in vitro antioxidant potential at 500μg/ml in 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging assay (80% inhibition), nitrogen oxide inhibition assay (71.83%), hydroxyl scavenging assay (71.92%), iron chelating assay (73.55%) and a substantial ascorbic acid equivalent reducing power (399.35μg/mg ascorbic acid equivalent) and total antioxidant capacity (402.29μg/mg AAE) suggested fucoidan a good antioxidant agent. Down regulation of COX-2 expression in rabbit articular chondrocytes in a dose (0-100μg) and time (0-48h) dependent manner, unveiled its in vitro anti-inflammatory significance. In vivo carrageenan induced inflammatory rat model demonstrated a 68.19% inhibition of inflammation whereas an inflammation inhibition potential of 79.38% was recorded in anti-arthritic complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritic rat model. A substantial ameliorating effect on altered hematological and biochemical parameters in arthritic rats was also observed. Therefore, findings of the present study prospects fucoidan as a potential antioxidant that can effectively abrogate oxidative stress, edema and arthritis-mediated inflammation and mechanistic studies are recommended for observed activities.

Applications of Chondrocyte-Based Cartilage Engineering: An Overview

Chondrocytes are the exclusive cells residing in cartilage and maintain the functionality of cartilage tissue. Series of biocomponents such as different growth factors, cytokines, and transcriptional factors regulate the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiation to chondrocytes. The number of chondrocytes and dedifferentiation are the key limitations in subsequent clinical application of the chondrocytes. Different culture methods are being developed to overcome such issues. Using tissue engineering and cell based approaches, chondrocytes offer prominent therapeutic option specifically in orthopedics for cartilage repair and to treat ailments such as tracheal defects, facial reconstruction, and urinary incontinence. Matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte transplantation/implantation is an improved version of traditional autologous chondrocyte transplantation (ACT) method. An increasing number of studies show the clinical significance of this technique for the chondral lesions treatment. Literature survey was carried out to address clinical and functional findings by using various ACT procedures. The current study was conducted to study the pharmacological significance and biomedical application of chondrocytes. Furthermore, it is inferred from the present study that long term follow-up studies are required to evaluate the potential of these methods and specific positive outcomes.

Cordyceps militaris as a Bio Functional Food Source: Pharmacological Potential, Anti-Inflammatory Actions and Related Molecular Mechanisms

Cordyceps militaris (C. militaris) is a medicinal mushroom possessing a variety of biofunctionalities. It has several biologically important components such as polysaccharides and others. The diverse pharmacological potential of C. militaris has generated interest in reviewing the current scientific literature, with a particular focus on prevention and associated molecular mechanisms in inflammatory diseases. Due to rising global demand, research on C. militaris has continued to increase in recent years. C. militaris has shown the potential for inhibiting inflammation-related events, both in in vivo and in vitro experiments. Inflammation is a multifaceted biological process that contributes to the development and severity of diseases, including cancer, colitis, and allergies. These functions make C. militaris a suitable functional food for inhibiting inflammatory responses such as the regulation of proinflammatory cytokines. Therefore, on the basis of existing information, the current study provides insights towards the understanding of anti-inflammatory activity-related mechanisms. This article presents a foundation for clinical use, and analyzes the roadmap for future studies concerning the medical use of C. militaris and its constituents in the next generation of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Oleanolic acid (OA) regulates inflammation and cellular dedifferentiation of chondrocytes via MAPK signaling pathways

Oleanolic acid (OA) is a bioactive triterpenoid in medicinal plants. It possesses various pharmacological properties, including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor effects. The effects of OA in chondrocytes, however, are not well characterized. Here, we used rabbit articular chondrocytes as a cellular model to investigate the effects and regulatory mechanisms of OA on dedifferentiation and pro-inflammation. OA promoted dedifferentiation of chondrocytes by inhibiting type II collagen and pro-inflammatory activity by increasing cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. Furthermore increased phosphorylation of p38 kinases and down-regulated phosphorylation of ERK was observed. Inhibition of p38 with SB203580 in OA-treated cells rescued the expression of type II collagen and suppressed the expression of COX-2. However, ERK inhibition with PD98059 accelerated the OA-induced inflammatory responses. These results suggest that OA induces loss of type II collagen expression via the p38 pathway and induces inflammation through the p38 and ERK pathways in rabbit articular chondrocytes.

Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using Euphorbia wallichii Extract and Assessment of their Bio-functionalities

BACKGROUND

Silver nanoparticles synthesized by the bio-green method have been applied to various biomedical applications. These procedures are simple, eco-friendly and serve as an alternative to complex chemical methods for the preparation of nanomaterials.

OBJECTIVE

In the present study, phytosynthesis of silver nanoparticles, to examine their antioxidant potential, toxic effects towards bacterial-, fungal-strains, brine shrimp nauplii and cancer cells was focused.

METHODS

Methanolic extract of Euphorbia wallichii roots was used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The synthesis was monitored and confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectrometric analysis, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRD).

RESULTS

The synthesized particles were average 63±8 nm in size. Involvement of phenolic (46.7±2.4 µg GAE/mg) and flavonoid (11.7±1.2 µg QE/mg) compounds as capping agents was also measured. Nanoparticles showed antioxidant properties in terms of free radical scavenging potential (59.63±1.0 %), reducing power (44.52±1.34 µg AAE/mg) and total antioxidant capacity (60.48±2.2 µg AAE/mg). The nanoparticles showed potent cytotoxic effects against brine shrimp nauplii (LD50 66.83 µg/ml), proliferation and cell death of HeLa cells as determined by MTT (LD50 0.3923 µg/ml) and TUNEL assays, respectively. Antimicrobial results revealed that silver nanoparticles were found to be more potent against pathogenic fungal (maximum active against A. fumigatus, MIC 15 µg/disc) and bacterial strains (maximum active against S. aureus, MIC 3.33 μg/disc) than the E. wallichii extract alone.

CONCLUSION

These results support the advantages of using an eco-friendly and cost-effective method for synthesis of nanoparticles with antioxidant, cytotoxic and antimicrobial potential.

Lactic Acid Bacteria Fermented Cordyceps militaris (GRC-SC11) Suppresses IgE Mediated Mast Cell Activation and Type I Hypersensitive Allergic Murine Model

Cordyceps militaris (C. militaris) has various biomedical applications in traditional oriental medicine for different diseases including inflammatory and immune-dysregulated diseases. It is a reservoir of nutritional components such as cordycepin, polysaccharides, and antioxidants. To improve its bioactivity, we fermented C. militaris with a Pediococcus pentosaceus strain isolated from a salted small octopus (SC11). The current study aimed to evaluate whether P. pentosaceus (SC11) fermentation could enhance the anti-allergic potential of C. militaris cultured on germinated Rhynchosia nulubilis (GRC) against a type I hypersensitive reaction in in vitro and in vivo studies. Total antioxidant capacity and cordycepin content were significantly increased in GRC after SC11 fermentation. GRC-SC11 showed significantly enhanced anti-allergic responses by inhibiting immunoglobulin E (IgE)/antigen-induced degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells, compared to GRC. The results demonstrated the significant inhibition of phosphorylated spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk)/ p38/GRB2-associated binding protein 2 (Gab2)/c-jun in IgE/Ag-triggered RBL-2H3 cells. Furthermore, suppressed mRNA levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in IgE/Ag-activated RBL-2H3 cells were observed. GRC-SC11 significantly ameliorated IgE-induced allergic reactions by suppressing the ear swelling, vascular permeability, and inflammatory cell infiltration in passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) BALB/c mice. In conclusion, GRC fermented with P.pentosaceus exerted enhanced anti-allergic effects, and increased the cordycepin content and antioxidants potential compared to GRC. It can be used as bio-functional food in the prevention and management of type I allergic diseases.

In Vitro, In Silico Elucidation of Antiurease Activity, Kinetic Mechanism and COX-2 Inhibitory Efficacy of Coagulansin A of Withania coagulans

Urease enzyme plays a crucial role in the survival of Helicobacter pylori that contributes to different diseases, including peptic ulcer (gastric and duodenal ulcers). Coagulansin A is the steroidal lactone (withanolide) found in plants of solanaceae family such Withania coagulans. The current study was carried out to examine the in vitro urease, COX-2 inhibitory activity and effect on type II collagen expression of coagulansin A. Moreover, we investigated cytotoxic effects on rabbit articular chondrocytes through MTT assay. COX-2 and type II collagen expressions were determined through a Western blot method. Molecular docking and simulation studies of urease (PDBID 4H9M) and COX-2 (PDBID 5F1A) proteins were also performed as an in silico approach. Results showed that COX-2 expression was decreased dose dependably, significantly higher expression of type II collagen was observed at higher doses. In the current study, coagulansin A was found as non-toxic, and showed notable urease inhibitory activity in non-competitive manner with IC50 23.14 μm in comparison to reference drug thiourea 17.81 μm. Significant decrease in COX-2 expression (40%) and increase in type II collagen (20%) were observed as compared to control. In silico results unveiled the strong binding affinities of coagulansin A with both of these urease and COX-2 proteins. Therefore, herein we proposed the significant antiurease potential of this compound that could be used in treating different diseases such as ulcers. Moreover, detailed in vivo studies and molecular mechanism based studies are suggested.

Undaria pinnatifida a Rich Marine Reservoir of Nutritional and Pharmacological Potential: Insights into Growth Signaling and Apoptosis Mechanisms in Cancer

Seaweeds are an important part of diet consumed in a different part of the world such as New Zealand, Ireland, Wales, and Asian countries including Korea, China, and Japan. In addition, seaweed is nutritious sources possessing health improving effects and therapeutic potential. Recently, one of the widely eaten seaweed species Undaria pinnatifida (U. pinnatifida) has got much attention because of its pharmacological properties for the prevention of various ailments, including cancer, inflammation, and other diseases. It is rich in all essential amino acids, physiologically significant fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and has a variety of bioactive constituents which include fucoidan, carotenoids, and fucoxanthin. The present study reviews the nutritional aspects, key bioactivities specifically focusing on anticancer potential along with apoptosis and growth signaling mechanisms of U. pinnatifida or its constituents. It exhibited anticancer effects both in vitro and in vivo studies in a variety of experimental models. Due to a variety of pharmacological properties of U. pinnatifida can not only fulfilling nutritional necessities, but it can be used for treating, curing and preventing cancer.

Oxidative stress-mediated epigenetic remodeling, metastatic progression and cell signaling in cancer

Cancer is a serious public health issue and cases are rising at a high rate around the world. Altered production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causes oxidative stress (OS) which plays a vital role in cancer development by disrupting signaling pathways and genomic integrity in the cellular microenvironment. In this study, we reviewed the regulation of noncoding RNAs, histone modifications, and DNA methylation which OS is involved in. These mechanisms promote cancer growth, metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. There is significant potential to improve patient outcomes through the development of customized medications and interventions that precisely address the role of OS in the onset and progression of cancer. Redox-modulating drugs, antioxidant-based therapies, and measures to restore regular cellular activity and OS-modulated signaling pathways are some examples of these strategies. One other hypothesis rationalizes the cancer-suppressing effect of OS, which acts as a two-edged condition that warns against the use of antioxidants for cancer treatment and management. The present study was executed to review the impact of OS on epigenetic machinery, the evolution of metastatic cancer, and how OS mediates cellular signaling. Along with, insights into the potential of targeting OS-mediated mechanisms for cancer therapy.