Curcumin modulates nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB)-mediated inflammation in human tenocytes in vitro: role of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway

Aluminum induced oxidative stress, astrogliosis and cell death in rat astrocytes, is prevented by curcumin

Aluminum (Al) is recognized potent neurotoxic metal, which causes oxidative stress leading to intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and neuronal cell death in various neurodegenerative diseases. Among several medicinal plants with beneficial effects on health, curcumin acts as a multi-functional drug with antioxidant activity. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of curcumin against aluminum induced-oxidative stress and astrocytes death, in vitro ad in vivo. Incubation of cultured rat astrocytes with two concentrations of Al (37 μM and 150 μM) for 1 h provoked a dose-dependent reduction of the number of living cells as evaluated by Fluorescein diacetate and lactate dehydrogenase assay. Al-treated cells exhibited a reduction of both superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities. Pretreatment of astrocytes with curcumin (81 μM) prevented Al-induced cell death. Regarding in vivo study, rats were exposed acutely during three consecutive days to three different doses of Al (25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, i.p injection), together with curcumin treatment (30 mg/kg). For the chronic model, animals were exposed to Al (3 g/l) in drinking water from intrauterine age to 4 months ages, plus curcumin treatment (175 mg/kg). Data showed that both acute and chronic Al intoxication induced an obvious astrogliosis within motor cortex and hippocampus, while, such effects were restored by curcumin. We showed herein that Al was highly toxic, induced astrocytes death. Then, curcumin protected astrocytes against Al-toxicity. The cytoprotective potential of curcumin is initiated by stimulation of endogenous antioxidant system.

AphaMax®, an Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Aqueous Extract, Exerts Intestinal Protective Effects in Experimental Colitis in Rats

BACKGROUND

Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) is a unicellular cyanobacterium considered to be a "superfood" for its complete nutritional profile and beneficial properties. We investigated possible beneficial effects of an AFA extract, commercialized as AphaMax^®, containing concentrated amount of phycocyanins and phytochrome, in 2,4 dinitrobenzensulfonic acid(DNBS)-induced colitis in rats.

METHODS

Effects of preventive oral treatment of AphaMax^® (20, 50 or 100 mg/kg/day) in colitic rats were assessed and then macroscopic and microscopic analyses were performed to evaluate the inflammation degree. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and NF-κB, pro-inflammatory citockines, cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inducible NOS (iNOS) levels of expression were determined, as Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and nitrite levels.

RESULTS

AphaMax^® treatment attenuated the severity of colitis ameliorating clinical signs. AphaMax^® reduced the histological colonic damage and decreased MPO activity, NF-κB activation, as well as iNOS and COX-2 expression. AphaMax^® treatment improved the altered immune response associated with colonic inflammation reducing IL-1β, IL-6 expression. Lastly, AphaMax^® reduced oxidative stress, decreasing ROS and nitrite levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Preventive treatment with AphaMax^® attenuates the severity of the inflammation in DNBS colitis rats involving decrease of the NF-kB activation, reduction of iNOS and COX-2 expression, and inhibition of oxidative stress. Due its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant proprieties AphaMax^® could be a good candidate as a complementary drug in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment.

Curcumin Ameliorates Ovalbumin-Induced Atopic Dermatitis and Blocks the Progression of Atopic March in Mice

Curcumin, extracted from the roots of Curcuma longa, has been used as an anti-inflammatory agent since the time of Ayurveda. The present work was designed to evaluate the potential of curcumin in amelioration of ovalbumin (OVA) induced AD in mice. Female BALB/c mice were subjected to skin OVA-patch application for a period of 1 week followed by resting period of 2 weeks, and the same protocol was repeated thrice. Curcumin was administered daily at dose of 20 mg/kg (i.p.) for 7 consecutive days during last sensitization phase. The phytochemical ameliorated the OVA-induced skin pathology as evident by normalization of epidermal thickness and suppressed infiltration of inflammatory cells in dermal region. The expression of Th2 promoting cytokines (TSLP/IL-33) and Th2 cytokines (IL-4/IL-5/IL-13/IL-31) was suppressed markedly along with reduced STAT-6 phosphorylation and GATA-3 expression. Curcumin administration also restored the redox balance and phosphorylation status of P65-NF-κB. Additionally, the epicutaneously sensitized mice challenged with aerosolized OVA developed asthmatic features which were effectively thwarted back upon curcumin treatment as reflected by data on total/differential cells in BALF and mRNA expression of Th2 cytokines in lungs. Overall, our findings demonstrate that curcumin treatment blunts the development of AD as well as associated atopic march in experimental mice.

Magnetic responsive materials modulate the inflammatory profile of IL-1β conditioned tendon cells

Tendinopathies represent half of all musculoskeletal injuries worldwide. Inflammatory events contribute to both tendon healing and to tendinopathy conditions but the cellular triggers leading to one or the other are unknown. In previous studies, we showed that magnetic field actuation modulates human tendon cells (hTDCs) behavior in pro-inflammatory environments, and that magnetic responsive membranes could positively influence inflammation responses in a rat ectopic model. Herein, we propose to investigate the potential synergistic action of the magnetic responsive membranes, made of a polymer blend of starch with polycaprolactone incorporating magnetic nanoparticles (magSPCL), and the actuation of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF): 5 Hz, 4mT of intensity and 50% of duty cycle, in IL-1β-treated-hTDCs, and in the immunomodulatory response of macrophages. It was found that the expression of pro-inflammatory (TNFα, IL-6, IL-8, COX-2) and ECM remodeling (MMP-1,-2,-3) markers tend to decrease in cells cultured onto magSPCL membranes under PEMF, while the expression of TIMP-1 and anti-inflammatory genes (IL-4, IL-10) increases. Also, CD16⁺⁺ and CD206⁺ macrophages were only found on magSPCL membranes with PEMF application. Magnetic responsive membranes show a modulatory effect on the inflammatory profile of hTDCs favoring anti-inflammatory cues which is also supported by the anti-inflammatory/repair markers expressed in macrophages. These results suggest that magnetic responsive magSPCL membranes can contribute for inflammation resolution acting on both resident cell populations and inflammatory cells, and thus significantly contribute to tendon regenerative strategies. Statement of significance Magnetically-assisted strategies have received great attention in recent years to remotely trigger and guide cell responses. Inflammation plays a key role in tendon healing but persistent pro-inflammatory molecules can contribute to tendon disorders, and therefore provide a therapeutic target for advanced treatments. We have previously reported that magnetic fields modulate the response of human tendon cells (hTDCs) conditioned to pro-inflammatory environments (IL-1β-treated-hTDCs), and that magnetic responsive membranes positively influence immune responses. In the present work, we combined pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) and magnetic responsive membranes to guide the inflammatory profile of IL-1β-treated-hTDCs and of macrophages. The results showed that the synergistic action of PEMF and magnetic membranes supports the applicability of magnetically actuated systems to regulate inflammatory events and stimulate tendon regeneration.

A bioactive multi-functional heparin-grafted aligned poly(lactide-co-glycolide)/curcumin nanofiber membrane to accelerate diabetic wound healing

Curcumin is reported to possess excellent efficacy to treat wounds that exhibit impaired healing. Heparin shows high affinity for many growth factors that are key biological mediators during the wound healing process. In this study, we aimed to prepare wound dressing membranes, for sustained release of an exogenous factor curcumin as well as sequestering endogenous growth factors at the wound site, to promote wound healing in diabetic rats. Toward this end, we prepared aligned curcumin-loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanofiber membranes (PC NFMs), followed by high density surface grafting of heparin to fabricate PLGA/curcumin (PCH) NFMs. Both PC and PCH NFMs show high tensile strength, low cytotoxicity and suitable water vapor transmission rate for application as wound dressings. Nonetheless, the PCH NFM shows higher curcumin release rate than PC due to enhanced hydrophilicity, which leads to higher cell migration rate and induced oxidative stress protection of HS68 fibroblast cells in vitro. In vivo study indicated the PCH exhibits the fastest wound closure rate among all membranes with accelerated re-epithelization rate, higher angiogenesis rate and more collagen deposition at the wound site. The accelerated and better skin tissue regeneration could be suggested to correlate with the multi-functionality of nanofibers, where grafted heparin attracting and stabilizing the growth factors important for wound healing in situ, together with relieving the high oxidative stress and the inflammatory cascade from released curcumin during diabetic wound healing.

Carrier-free nanodrugs for safe and effective cancer treatment

Clinical applications of many anti-cancer drugs are restricted due to their hydrophobic nature, requiring use of harmful organic solvents for administration, and poor selectivity and pharmacokinetics resulting in off-target toxicity and inefficient therapies. A wide variety of carrier-based nanoparticles have been developed to tackle these issues, but such strategies often fail to encapsulate drug efficiently and require significant amounts of inorganic and/or organic nanocarriers which may cause toxicity problems in the long term. Preparation of nano-formulations for the delivery of water insoluble drugs without using carriers is thus desired, requiring elegantly designed strategies for products with high quality, stability and performance. These strategies include simple self-assembly or involving chemical modifications via coupling drugs together or conjugating them with various functional molecules such as lipids, carbohydrates and photosensitizers. During nanodrugs synthesis, insertion of redox-responsive linkers and tumor targeting ligands endows them with additional characteristics like on-target delivery, and conjugation with immunotherapeutic reagents enhances immune response alongside therapeutic efficacy. This review aims to summarize the methods of making carrier-free nanodrugs from hydrophobic drug molecules, evaluating their performance, and discussing the advantages, challenges, and future development of these strategies.

Chlorogenic Acid Potentiates the Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Curcumin in LPS-Stimulated THP-1 Cells

The anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin are well documented. However, the bioavailability of curcumin is a major barrier to its biological efficacy. Low-dose combination of complimentary bioactives appears to be an attractive strategy for limiting barriers to efficacy of bioactive compounds. In this study, the anti-inflammatory potential of curcumin in combination with chlorogenic acid (CGA), was investigated using human THP-1 macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Curcumin alone suppressed TNF-α production in a dose-dependent manner with a decrease in cell viability at higher doses. Although treatment with CGA alone had no effect on TNF-α production, it however enhanced cell viability and co-administration with curcumin at a 1:1 ratio caused a synergistic reduction in TNF-α production with no impact on cell viability. Furthermore, an qRT-PCR analysis of NF-κB pathway components and inflammatory biomarkers indicated that CGA alone was not effective in reducing the mRNA expression of any of the tested inflammatory marker genes, except TLR-4. However, co-administration of CGA with curcumin, potentiated the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin. Curcumin and CGA together reduced the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines [TNF-α (~88%) and IL-6 (~99%)], and COX-2 (~92%), possibly by suppression of NF-κB (~78%), IκB-β-kinase (~60%) and TLR-4 receptor (~72%) at the mRNA level. Overall, co-administration with CGA improved the inflammation-lowering effects of curcumin in THP-1 cells.

Emerging Therapeutic Effects of Herbal Plants in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by the failure of spontaneous resolution of inflammation with lifetime perseverance, becoming one of the major causes of disability in millions of people. It is mainly characterized by progressive erosion of cartilage in response to the formation of pannus leading to chronic polyarthritis and joint distortion. Early diagnosis and advances in molecular biology undoubtedly revolutionized therapeutic interventions in the past decade for better disease management. Despite favorable prospects, many patients still fail to respond to the current therapies urging a burning need to develop newer and safer medications. Herbal plants have been utilized since the ancient era and provided the base for massive bioactive compounds with flaunting therapeutic potential, many being advanced to drugs that are consumed worldwide for treating countless ailments. Scientific studies showed the involvement of several cellular mechanisms like oxidative stress suppression, downregulated synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines namely interleukins (IL-1, IL-6), TNF-α, NF-κB, demoted metalloproteinases induced cartilage destruction and augmentation of free radical scavenging and antioxidant activity in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A plethora of active phytoconstituents like flavonoids, saponins, terpenes, alkaloids, lactones, etc, have been isolated from herbal plants with proven curative actions. The present review enlists some of the herbal drugs that can be used to amend the effects of rheumatoid arthritis and impart symptomatic relief to patients.

In Vitro Evaluation of Curcumin-Encapsulated Chitosan Nanoparticles against Feline Infectious Peritonitis Virus and Pharmacokinetics Study in Cats

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is an important feline viral disease, causing an overridden inflammatory response that results in a high mortality rate, primarily in young cats. Curcumin is notable for its biological activities against various viral diseases; however, its poor bioavailability has hindered its potential in therapeutic application. In this study, curcumin was encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles to improve its bioavailability. Curcumin-encapsulated chitosan (Cur-CS) nanoparticles were synthesised based on the ionic gelation technique and were spherical and cuboidal in shape, with an average particle size of 330 nm and +42 mV in zeta potential. The nanoparticles exerted lower toxicity in Crandell-Rees feline kidney (CrFK) cells and enhanced antiviral activities with a selective index (SI) value three times higher than that of curcumin. Feline-specific bead-based multiplex immunoassay and qPCR were used to examine their modulatory effects on proinflammatory cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor (TNF)α, interleukin- (IL-) 6, and IL-1β. There were significant decrements in IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα expression in both curcumin and Cur-CS nanoparticles. Based on the multiplex immunoassay, curcumin and the Cur-CS nanoparticles could lower the immune-related proteins in FIP virus (FIPV) infection. The single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics profiles of curcumin and the Cur-CS nanoparticles were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Oral delivery of the Cur-CS nanoparticles to cats showed enhanced bioavailability with a maximum plasma concentration (C _max) value of 621.5 ng/mL. Incorporating chitosan nanoparticles to deliver curcumin improved the oral bioavailability and antiviral effects of curcumin against FIPV infection. This study provides evidence for the potential of Cur-CS nanoparticles as a supplementary treatment of FIP.

HSA-curcumin nanoparticles: a promising substitution for Curcumin as a Cancer chemoprevention and therapy

BACKGROUND

Many solutions have been evaluated to deal with "chemotherapy and radiation-resistant cancer cells' as well as "severe complications of chemotherapy drugs". One of these solutions is the use of herbal compounds with antioxidant properties. Among these antioxidant compounds, curcumin is identified as the strongest one to inhibit cancerous cells proliferation. However, its clinical trials have encountered many constraints, because curcumin is insoluble in water and unstable in physiological conditions. To overcome these limitations, in this study, curcumin was conjugated with human serum albumin (HSA) and its effects on breast cancer cell lines were also measured.

METHODS

After making of HSA-curcumin nanoparticles (NPs) by the desolvation technique, they were characterized by the FTIR, DLS, TEM, and SEM method. At the end, its anticancer effects have been examined using MTT test and apoptosis assay.

RESULTS

The FTIR graph confirmed that curcumin and HSA have been conjugated along with each other. Particles size was reported to be 220 nm and 180 nm by DLS and SEM, respectively. The zeta potential of HSA-curcumin NPs was -7 mV, while it was -37 mV for curcumin. The MTT and apoptosis assay results indicated that the toxicity of HSA-curcumin NPs on the normal cell are less than curcumin; however, its anti-cancer effects on the cancer cells are much greater, compared to curcumin.

CONCLUSION

HSA-curcumin NPs increase curcumin solubility in water as well as its stability in physiological and acidic conditions. These factors have the ability of overwhelming the limitations on using curcumin alone, and they could result in a significant increase in the toxicity of curcumin on the cancer cells without increasing its toxicity on the normal cells. Grapical abstract.

Aspirin enhances the sensitivity of colon cancer cells to cisplatin by abrogating the binding of NF-κB to the COX-2 promoter

Cisplatin is one of the most potent chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of colon cancer. Nevertheless, the unavoidability of the notable toxicity and the development of the acquired resistance severely restricted its clinical application. Aspirin and some other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been used to prevent colon tumorigenesis as chemopreventive agents. Here, we explored the possibility of aspirin as an adjuvant drug to boost the anti-cancer effect of cisplatin for colon cancer. We found that aspirin significantly enhanced the cisplatin-mediated inhibitions of cell proliferation, migration and invasion and the induction of apoptosis in colon cancer cells. The combined treatment of aspirin and cisplatin suppressed the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and the EMT-related proteins, up-regulated the levels of the cleaved PARP and Bax, and blocked the PI3K/AKT and RAF-MEK-ERK signaling pathway. In addition, we demonstrated that the enhanced effect of aspirin on the cisplatin-induced inhibition of tumor cell growth was also mediated through the suppression of the binding activity of NF-κB to the COX-2 promoter. The combination of aspirin and cisplatin effectively attenuated the translocation of NF-κB p65/p50 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, and abrogated the binding of NF-κB p65/p50 to the COX-2 promoter, thereby down-regulating COX-2 expression and PGE₂ synthesis. Moreover, the in vivo study also verified the enhanced anti-tumor activity of such combined therapy in colon cancer by targeting the NF-κB/COX-2 signaling. Our results provided new insights into understanding the molecular mechanisms of aspirin in sensitizing cisplatin-mediated chemotherapeutic effect in colon cancer and indicated a great potential of this combined therapy for cancer treatment.

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Modulates Tendon Cells Response in IL-1β-Conditioned Environment

Strategies aiming at controlling and modulating inflammatory cues may offer therapeutic solutions for improving tendon regeneration. This study aims to investigate the modulatory effect of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) on the inflammatory profile of human tendon-derived cells (hTDCs) after supplementation with interleukin-1β (IL-1β). IL-1β was used to artificially induce inflammatory cues associated with injured tendon environments. The PEMF effect was investigated varying the frequency (5 or 17 Hz), intensity (1.5, 4, or 5 mT), and duty-cycle (10% or 50%) parameters to which IL-1β-treated hTDCs were exposed to. A PEMF actuation with 4 mT, 5 Hz and a 50% duty cycle decreased the production of IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as well as the expression of TNFα, IL-6, IL-8, COX-2, MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-3, while IL-4, IL-10, and TIMP-1 expression increased. These results suggest that PEMF stimulation can modulate hTDCs response in an inflammatory environment holding therapeutic potential for tendon regenerative strategies. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:160-172, 2020.

In vitro anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin on mast cell-mediated allergic responses via inhibiting FcεRI protein expression and protein kinase C delta translocation

Allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction when exposed to certain environmental substances. It shows high relation between immunoglobulin E (IgE) binding to a specific receptor (FcεRI), pro-inflammatory cytokines, and mediators with allergic inflammation responses. Curcumin is a yellow pigment isolated from the turmeric. Curcumin possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well as exhibits significant chemopreventive activity. This study was aimed to investigate the in vitro assessment of the regulation of curcumin on allergic inflammatory responses on rat basophil leukemia (RBL)-2H3 and human pre-basophils (KU812) cell lines. Curcumin showed the activity against histamine and β-hexosaminidase releases from both IgE-mediated and A23187-induced cells degranulation. The morphological observation also confirmed that curcumin inhibits cells degranulation. IgE-mediated allergic responses and significantly induced mast cells intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Curcumin reduced ROS production from IgE-mediated or A23187-induced cells degranulation. Curcumin also successfully reduced FcεRI expressions and some pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13. Furthermore, curcumin inhibited protein kinase C (PKC)-δ translocation from cytosolic to particulate. These results suggested that curcumin can alleviate both the IgE-mediated and calcium ionosphere A23187-stimulated allergic responses through reducing the release of the allergic mediators.

Benefits of curcumin in brain disorders

Curcumin is widely consumed in Asia either as turmeric directly or as one of the culinary ingredients in food recipes. The benefits of curcumin in different organ systems have been reported extensively in several neurological diseases and cancer. Curcumin has got its global recognition because of its strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antimicrobial activities. Additionally, it is used in diabetes and arthritis as well as in hepatic, renal, and cardiovascular diseases. Recently, there is growing attention on usage of curcumin to prevent or delay the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. This review summarizes available data from several recent studies on curcumin in various neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington's disease, Prions disease, stroke, Down's syndrome, autism, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, anxiety, depression, and aging. Recent advancements toward increasing the therapeutic efficacy of curcuma/curcumin formulation and the novel delivery strategies employed to overcome its minimal bioavailability and toxicity studies have also been discussed. This review also summarizes the ongoing clinical trials on curcumin for different neurodegenerative diseases and patent details of curcuma/curcumin in India.

Bio-optimized Curcuma longa extract is efficient on knee osteoarthritis pain: a double-blind multicenter randomized placebo controlled three-arm study

Objectives

Comparison of two doses of bio-optimized Curcuma longa extract (BCL) in the management of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

A prospective, randomized, 3-month, double-blind, multicenter, three-group, placebo-controlled trial assessing Patient Global Assessment of Disease Activity (PGADA) and serum sColl2-1, a biomarker of cartilage degradation, as co-primary endpoints. Pain on visual analog scale (VAS), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and paracetamol/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) consumption were used as secondary endpoints.

Results

One hundred fifty patients with knee OA were followed for 90 days. Low and high doses of BCL showed a greater decrease of PGADA than placebo. Analysis of sColl2-1 showed in the placebo and BCL low-dose groups, but not in the BCL high-dose group, a transient but non-significant increase of sColl2-1 between T0 and T1. Thereafter, in all groups, sColl2-1 decreased between T1 and T3 (all p < 0.01), but no difference between the groups was found. Pain reduction at day 90 in the low- and high-dose BCL groups (− 29.5 mm and − 36.5 mm) was higher than that in the placebo (− 8 mm; p = 0.018). The global KOOS significantly decreased overtime, but changes were comparable across treatment arms. The ratio of patients with adverse events (AE) related to the product was similar in the placebo and treatment groups, but the number of AE linked to the product was higher in the high-dose BCL group compared to the placebo (p = 0.012).

Conclusions

BCL appeared safe and well-tolerated with no evidence of severe adverse effects. Efficacy analysis suggested positive trends for measurements of PGADA and serum levels of an OA biomarker and showed a rapid and significant decrease of pain in knee OA (Trial registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN12345678. Registered 21 September 2016—retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02909621?term=osteoarthritis+curcumin&rank=5—Evaluation of FLEXOFYTOL® Versus PLACEBO (COPRA) NCT02909621).

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13075-019-1960-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

PD123319, angiotensin II type II receptor antagonist, inhibits oxidative stress and inflammation in 2, 4-dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis in rat and ameliorates colonic contractility

Angiotensin II, the main effector of renin angiotensin system, plays an important role in the inflammatory process and most of its effects are mediated through the AT1 receptor activation. However, the knowledge about the AT2 receptor involvement in this process is still evolving. We previously found that in an experimental model of colitis, AT2 receptor activation can contribute to the impairment of the muscle contractility in vitro in the course of inflammation. Here, we investigated the potential alleviating effects of the in vivo treatment of PD123319 (1-[[4-(Dimethylamino)-3-methylphenyl]methyl]-5-(diphenylacetyl)-4,5,6,7- tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-6-carboxylic acid ditrifluoroacetate), AT2 receptor antagonist, in 2,4-dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS)-induced rat model of colitis. The effects of i.p PD123319 (0.3, 3 and 10 mg/kg) administration to rats subjected to intra-rectal DNBS instillation were investigated. The study revealed that the colon injury and the inflammatory signs were ameliorated by PD123319 when visualized by the histopathological examination. The colon shortening, myeloperoxidase activity, and colonic expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and iNOS were downregulated in a dose-dependent manner in DNBS-induced colitis rats treated with PD123319 and the anti-oxidant defense machinery was also improved. The mechanism of these beneficial effects was found in the ability of PD123319 to inhibit NF-κB activation induced by DNBS. The colonic contractility in inflamed tissues was also improved by PD123319 treatment. In conclusion, our data have demonstrated previously that undescribed proinflammatory effects for the AT2 receptors in DNBS-induced colitis in rats in which they are mediated likely by NF-κB activation and reactive oxygen species generation. Moreover, when the inflammatory process is mitigated by the AT2 receptor antagonist treatment, the smooth muscle is able to recover its functionality.

The reversal of MRP1 expression induced by low-frequency and low-intensity ultrasound and curcumin mediated by VEGF in brain glioma

Purpose: To explore the effect of curcumin and low-frequency and low-intensity ultrasound (LFLIU) on C6 and U87 cell, and whether LFLIU could inhibit multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) by increasing the sensitivity of curcumin via vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF)/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway targeting.

Methods: C6 and U87 cells were treated with various doses of curcumin and/or different intensities of LFLIU for 60 s. After 24 hrs, the effects of curcumin and/or LFLIU on the proliferation of C6 and U87 cells were examined. Real-time PCR and western blot analysis were used to detect the expression of VEGF and MRP1 at both mRNA and protein levels. The expression of MRP1 in C6 and U87 cells was also determined following stimulation with recombinant human VEGF and/or LY294002.

Results: Curcumin and LFLIU inhibited the proliferation of glioma cells in an intensity- or dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, survivin was significant after combined treatment compares with that of curcumin or LFLIU treatment alone. VEGF and MRP1 were highly expressed in C6 and U87 cells, curcumin and LFLIU alone or in combination could decrease the expression of both VEGF and MRP1. MRP1 expression was down-regulated following LY294002 treatment, which blocked after exposure to VEGF.

Conclusion: The synergistic effects, such as a higher inhibition rate, and lower expressions of MRP1 and VEGF, of combined curcumin and LFLIU against glioma was much better than that of a single treatment. The down-regulation of MRP1 may be related with the VEGF/PI3K/Akt pathway in glioma.

Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and PKPD Modeling of Curcumin in Regulating Antioxidant and Epigenetic Gene Expression in Healthy Human Volunteers

Curcumin is a major component of the spice turmeric ( Curcuma longa), often used in food or as a dietary supplement. Many preclinical studies on curcumin suggest health benefits in many diseases due to its antioxidant/anti-inflammatory and epigenetic effects. The few human studies and curcumin's unfavorable pharmacokinetics (PK) have limited its potential, leading researchers to study and develop formulations to improve its PK. The purpose of this clinical study is to describe the acute pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of commercially marketed curcumin in normal, healthy human volunteers. Twelve volunteers received a 4 g dose of curcumin capsules with a standard breakfast. Plasma samples were collected at specified time points and analyzed for curcumin and its glucuronide levels. RNA was extracted from leukocytes and analyzed for expression of select antioxidant and epigenetic histone deacetylase (HDAC) genes. Plasma levels of parent curcumin were below the detection limit by HPLC-ITMS/MS/MS. However, curcumin-O-glucuronide (COG), a major metabolite of curcumin, was detected as soon as 30 min. These observations of little to no curcumin and some levels of metabolite are in line with previous studies. PD marker antioxidant genes NRF2, HO-1, and NQO1 and epigenetic genes HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, and HDAC4 were quantified by qPCR. COG PK is well-described by a one-compartment model, and the PK/PD of COG and its effect on antioxidant and epigenetic gene expression are captured by an indirect response model (IDR). A structural population PK model was sequentially established using a nonlinear mixed-effect model program (Monolix Lixoft, Orsay, France). Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling (PBPK) and simulation using Simcyp correlated well with the observed data. Taken together, these results show that the bioavailability of the parent curcumin compound is low, and oral administration of curcumin can still deliver detectable levels of curcumin glucuronide metabolite. But most importantly, it elicits antioxidant and epigenetic effects which could contribute to the overall health beneficial effects of curcumin.

Controlled-release curcumin attenuates progression of tendon ectopic calcification by regulating the differentiation of tendon stem/progenitor cells

Tendon calcification is a common but intractable problem leading to pain and activity limitation when injury or tendinopathy progresses into the late stage. This is because tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) can undergo aberrant osteogenic differentiation under inflammatory conditions. This study aims to investigate the effect of curcumin, a natural anti-inflammatory agent, on regulating the differentiation of TSPCs in tendon calcification. With inflammatory stimulation, TSPCs showed higher alkaline phosphatase activity and more frequent formation of mineralized nodules which were verified in the culture system; however, curcumin significantly alleviated these pathological changes. In in vivo function analysis, chitosan microsphere-encapsulated curcumin was delivered to injured sites of rat tendon ectopic calcification model. The inflammation in the tendon tissues of the curcumin group was significantly relieved. Controlled-release curcumin partially rescued tendon calcification and enhanced tendon regeneration in animal model. This study demonstrates that controlled-release curcumin can manipulate the fate decision of TSPCs, and that it promotes the tenogenesis and inhibits the osteogenesis of TSPCs in a pathological microenvironment, which provides a possible new therapeutic strategy for tendon disease.

Curcumin and o-Vanillin Exhibit Evidence of Senolytic Activity in Human IVD Cells In Vitro

Curcumin and o-Vanillin cleared senescent intervertebral disc (IVD) cells and reduced the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) associated with inflammation and back pain. Cells from degenerate and non-mildly-degenerate human IVD were obtained from organ donors and from patients undergoing surgery for low back pain. Gene expression of senescence and SASP markers was evaluated by RT-qPCR in isolated cells, and protein expression of senescence, proliferation, and apoptotic markers was evaluated by immunocytochemistry (ICC). The expression levels of SASP factors were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Matrix synthesis was verified with safranin-O staining and the Dimethyl-Methylene Blue Assay for proteoglycan content. Western blotting and ICC were used to determine the molecular pathways targeted by the drugs. We found a 40% higher level of senescent cells in degenerate compared to non-mildly-degenerate discs from unrelated individuals and a 10% higher level in degenerate compared to non-mildly-degenerate discs from the same individual. Higher levels of senescence were associated with increased SASP. Both drugs cleared senescent cells, and treatment increased the number of proliferating as well as apoptotic cells in cultures from degenerate IVDs. The expression of SASP factors was decreased, and matrix synthesis increased following treatment. These effects were mediated through the Nrf2 and NFkB pathways.

Curcumin in tissue engineering: A traditional remedy for modern medicine

Curcumin is the principal polyphenolic compound present in turmeric with broad applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. It has some important inherent properties with the potential to facilitate tissue healing, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and antibacterial activities. Therefore, curcumin has been used for the treatment of various damaged tissues, especially wound injuries. There are different forms of curcumin, among which nano-formulations are of a great importance in regenerative medicine. It is also important to design sophisticated delivery systems for controlled/localized delivery of curcumin to the target tissues and organs. Although there are many reports on the advantages of this compound, further research is required to fully explore its clinical usage. The review describes the physicochemical and biological properties of curcumin and the current state of the evidence on its applications in tissue engineering. © 2018 BioFactors, 45(2):135-151, 2019.

Mechanisms of apoptosis modulation by curcumin: Implications for cancer therapy

Cancer incidences are growing and cause millions of deaths worldwide. Cancer therapy is one of the most important challenges in medicine. Improving therapeutic outcomes from cancer therapy is necessary for increasing patients' survival and quality of life. Adjuvant therapy using various types of antibodies or immunomodulatory agents has suggested modulating tumor response. Resistance to apoptosis is the main reason for radioresistance and chemoresistance of most of the cancers, and also one of the pivotal targets for improving cancer therapy is the modulation of apoptosis signaling pathways. Apoptosis can be induced by intrinsic or extrinsic pathways via stimulation of several targets, such as membrane receptors of tumor necrosis factor-α and transforming growth factor-β, and also mitochondria. Curcumin is a naturally derived agent that induces apoptosis in a variety of different tumor cell lines. Curcumin also activates redox reactions within cells inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production that leads to the upregulation of apoptosis receptors on the tumor cell membrane. Curcumin can also upregulate the expression and activity of p53 that inhibits tumor cell proliferation and increases apoptosis. Furthermore, curcumin has a potent inhibitory effect on the activity of NF-κB and COX-2, which are involved in the overexpression of antiapoptosis genes such as Bcl-2. It can also attenuate the regulation of antiapoptosis PI3K signaling and increase the expression of MAPKs to induce endogenous production of ROS. In this paper, we aimed to review the molecular mechanisms of curcumin-induced apoptosis in cancer cells. This action of curcumin could be applicable for use as an adjuvant in combination with other modalities of cancer therapy including radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

The therapeutic potential of curcumin: A review of clinical trials

Curcuma longa L., its derived extracts and even its major compound curcumin has a long history of use and doubtless effectiveness, reported through increasingly detailed in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo and even clinical trials. Regarding its biological effects, multiple health-promoting, disease-preventing and even treatment attributes has been remarkably highlighted. Clinical trials, although have increased in a progressive manner, significant disproportionalities have been stated in terms of biological effects assessment. In this sense, the present report aims to provide an extensive overview to curcumin therapeutic effects in human subjects. For that, clinical trials assessing the curcumin effect on inflammation, skin, eye, central nervous system, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, urogenital and metabolic disorders are here presented and discussed. A special emphasis was also given to curcumin activity on intoxications and multiple malignant diseases.

(+)-JQ1 attenuated LPS-induced microglial inflammation via MAPK/NFκB signaling

Background

Microglia activation is a crucial event in neurodegenerative disease. The depression of microglial inflammatory response is considered a promising therapeutic strategy. NFκB signaling, including IKK/IκB phosphotylation, p65 nucelus relocalization and NFκB-related genes transcription are prevalent accepted to play important role in microglial activation. (+)-JQ1, a BRD4 inhibitor firstly discovered as an anti-tumor agent, was later confirmed to be an anti-inflammatory compound. However, its anti-inflammatory effect in microglia and central neural system remains unclear.

Results

In the current work, microglial BV2 cells were applied and treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation and later administered with (+)-JQ1. In parallel, LPS and (+)-JQ1 was intracerebroventricular injected in IL-1β-luc transgenic mice, followed by fluorescence evaluation and brain tissue collection. Results showed that (+)-JQ1 treatment could significantly reduce LPS induced transcription of inflammatory cytokines both in vitro and in vivo. (+)-JQ1 could inhibit LPS induced MAPK but not PI3K signaling phosphorylation, NFκB relocalization and transcription activity. In animal experiments, (+)-JQ1 postponed LPS induced microglial and astrocytes activation, which was also dependent on MAPK/NFκB signaling.

Conclusions

Thus, our data demonstrated that (+)-JQ1 could inhibit LPS induced microglia associated neuroinflammation, via the attenuation of MAPK/NFκB signaling.

Role of a combination dietary supplement containing mucopolysaccharides, vitamin C, and collagen on tendon healing in rats

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mucopolysaccharide, vitamin C, and collagen supplementation on the healing of Achilles tendon in rats.

Methods

Sixteen rats were separated into 2 groups. Both Achilles tendons of all rats were transected 5 mm above the insertion and repaired using a Kessler suture. After the surgical repair, the study group received the daily recommended amount of the supplement by gastric gavage, while the control group received a placebo. At the end of the third week, the animals were sacrificed. The biomechanical properties of the groups were compared with ultimate tensile strength and stiffness tests. The biological properties of the 2 groups were assessed with a histomorphometric comparison to determine the amount of collagen type I (COL1), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) expression in 3 different tissue subgroups (collagen matrix, tenocytes, and endotenon fibroblasts).

Results

Analysis of histomorphometric results revealed that the rats receiving dietary supplements demonstrated a significant increase in PCNA (mean value of 86 in the control group and 168.85 in the trial group; p < 0.05) and TGF-β1 (mean value of 87.57 in the control group and 161.85 in the trial group; p < 0.05) in the endotenon fibroblasts of the repair site. However, there was no difference between the groups in PCNA or TGF-β1 when the collagen matrix and the tenocytes of the repair site were examined. Furthermore, no significant difference could be found between groups in COL1 in any of the 3 tissue subgroups (collagen matrix, tenocytes, and endotenon fibroblasts). The statistical analysis also indicated that the rats receiving supplements did not demonstrate a significant increase in the ultimate tendon tensile strength or stiffness.

Conclusion

The results of this study revealed no advantage to the oral administration of the trial supplement in collagen synthesis or biomechanical properties in rats after 3 weeks using the presented study design. However, the increased expression of PCNA and TGFβ1 seen in the endotenon fibroblasts of the repair site might play a role in the continuum of tendon healing.

Curcumin Inhibits Acute Vascular Inflammation through the Activation of Heme Oxygenase-1

Curcumin has several therapeutic properties such as anti-inflammatory effect. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has been showed to have cytoprotective effects in some pathological conditions. However, the role of HO-1 in anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin is unknown. In this study, we investigate whether the anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin in vascular may be involved in the activation of HO-1. New Zealand white rabbits were fed regular control diet or control diet added with 0.3% curcumin (wt/wt) for four weeks. Acute vascular inflammation of rabbits was induced by putting a collar on the left common carotid artery for 24 hours. HO-1 inhibitor and siRNA were used to investigate the role of HO-1 in the anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin in collared vascular. We also explored the mechanism of curcumin-induced activation of HO-1 in vitro. The serum bilirubin and vascular, liver, and spleen HO-1 mRNA levels were significantly increased in curcumin-treated rabbits. The vascular inflammation was significantly decreased in the curcumin-treated animals compared with the control. Treatment of the rabbits with an inhibitor of HO or HO-1 siRNA to knock down the carotid artery HO-1 abolished the ability of curcumin to inhibit vascular inflammation. Treatment of cultured human artery endothelial cells with curcumin induced the HO-1 expression through the activation of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and an antioxidant responsive element via the p38 MAPK signalling pathway. In conclusion, curcumin inhibits vascular inflammation in vivo and in vitro through the activation of HO-1.

Curcumin as a therapeutic agent for blocking NF-κB activation in ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, relapsing, remitting, and inflammatory disorder that afflicts millions of people around the world. It carries a substantial economic burden, reducing the quality of life, ability to work, and increasing disability. Conventional medical treatment of UC includes the use of aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressive drugs. However, these medicines are not always effective due to some serious side effects. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) is a key factor in the inflammatory setting and strongly affects the course of mucosal inflammation in UC. This review aims to describe the complex role of NF-κB in UC and discuss existing pharmacological attempts by curcumin for blocking NF-κB activation to develop new therapeutic strategies in UC. Several studies have shown intriguing pharmacologic effects associated with curcumin, which inhibits NF-κB expression by regulating NF-κB/IkB pathway and down-regulation expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as Interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. The efficacy of curcumin has been confirmed in several experimental models of UC. Furthermore, curcumin significantly induced clinical remission in active mild-to-moderate UC patients and reduced clinical relapse in quiescent UC patients. The inhibitory effects of curcumin on NF-κB and its unrivaled safety profile indicate that it remains effective for the treatment of UC. In addition, curcumin is a nontoxic, inexpensive, and easily available natural polyphenol. In conclusion, curcumin can be used as a potential and safe drug in the management of patients with remission and mild-to-moderate UC.

Protective Effects of Curcumin Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in the Nervous System

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R injury) is a common feature of ischemic stroke which occurs when blood supply is restored after a period of ischemia. Although stroke is an important cause of death in the world, effective therapeutic strategies aiming at improving neurological outcomes in this disease are lacking. Various studies have suggested the involvement of different mechanisms in the pathogenesis of I/R injury in the nervous system. These mechanisms include oxidative stress, platelet adhesion and aggregation, leukocyte infiltration, complement activation, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, and mitochondria-mediated mechanisms. Curcumin, an active ingredient of turmeric, can affect all these pathways and exert neuroprotective activity culminating in the amelioration of I/R injury in the nervous system. In this review, we discuss the protective effects of curcumin against I/R injury in the nervous system and highlight the studies that have linked biological functions of curcumin and I/R injury improvement.

"Immune Gate" of Psychopathology-The Role of Gut Derived Immune Activation in Major Psychiatric Disorders

Interaction between the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and brain functions has recently become a topic of growing interest in psychiatric research. These multidirectional interactions take place in the so-called gut-brain axis or more precisely, the microbiota-gut-brain axis. The GI tract is the largest immune organ in the human body and is also the largest surface of contact with the external environment. Its functions and permeability are highly influenced by psychological stress, which are often a precipitating factor in the first episode, reoccurrence and/or deterioration of symptoms of psychiatric disorders. In recent literature there is growing evidence that increased intestinal permeability with subsequent immune activation has a major role in the pathophysiology of various psychiatric disorders. Numerous parameters measured in this context seem to be aftermaths of those mechanisms, yet at the same time they may be contributing factors for immune mediated psychopathology. For example, immune activation related to gut-derived bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) or various food antigens and exorphins were reported in major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, alcoholism and autism. In this review the authors will summarize the evidence and roles of such parameters and their assessment in major psychiatric disorders.

Signalling mechanism(s) of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cells in tumour therapeutic resistance

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) leads to tumour progression, including tumour metastasis, disease recurrence and therapy resistance. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small group of cells that have the ability to undergo self-renewal and heterogeneous differentiation, which play a key role in the occurrence and development of cancer. EMT can promote tumour cells to develop stem cell characteristics, which makes tumours more difficult to treat. Therefore, exploring the role of EMT and CSCs in the metastasis of cancer is of great significance to guide tumour treatment and prognosis. In this review, we discuss EMT and CSCs in cancer progression and therapeutic resistance, with a special focus on the common characteristics and relationships between these processes, to explore the crucial relationships in the development of improved anti-tumour therapies.

AREAS COVERED

In this brief review article, the author has searched PubMed and Wikipedia for original research and reviewed articles to gather current information on the association of CSCs and EMT with therapeutic resistance characteristics, cancer growth and metastasis, which are believed to be regulated by the TGF-β, Wnt, Hedgehog (Hh), β-catenin, STAT3, Notch, and Nanog signalling pathways and other factors (miRNAs, microenvironment and additional cytokines).

The roles of inflammatory mediators and immunocytes in tendinopathy

Tendinopathy is a common disease of the musculoskeletal system, particularly in athletes and sports amateurs. In this review, we will present evidence for the critical role of inflammatory mediators and immunocytes in the pathogenesis of tendinopathy and the efficacy of current antiinflammatory therapy and regenerative medicine in the clinic. We hereby propose a hypothesis that in addition to pulling force there may be compressive forces being exerted on the tendon during physical activities, which may initiate the onset of tendinopathy. We performed literature searches on MEDLINE from the inception of this review to February 2018. No language restrictions were imposed. The search terms were as follows: ("Tendinopathy"[Mesh] OR "Tendon Injuries"[Mesh] OR "Tendinitis"[Mesh] OR "Tendon"[Mesh]) AND (Inflammation OR "Inflammatory mediator*" OR Immunocyte*) OR ("anti inflammatory*" OR "regenerative medicine"). Inclusion criteria included articles that were original and reliable, with the main contents being highly relevant to our review. Exclusion criteria included articles that were not available online or have not been published. We scanned the abstract of these articles first. This was then followed by a careful screening of the articles which might be suitable for our review. Finally, 84 articles were selected as references. This review article is written in the narrative form. The translational potential of this article: Understanding the mechanisms of inflammation and existing antiinflammatory and regenerative therapies is key to the development of therapeutic strategies in tendinopathy.

Phytochemicals as modulators of M1-M2 macrophages in inflammation

Macrophages are critical mediators of the innate immune response against foreign pathogens, including bacteria, physical stress, and injury. Therefore, these cells play a key role in the "inflammatory pathway" which in turn can lead to an array of diseases and disorders such as autoimmune neuropathies and myocarditis, inflammatory bowel disease, atherosclerosis, sepsis, arthritis, diabetes, and angiogenesis. Recently, more studies have focused on the macrophages inflammatory diseases since the discovery of the two subtypes of macrophages, which are differentiated on the basis of their phenotype and distinct gene expression pattern. Of these, M1 macrophages are pro-inflammatory and responsible for inflammatory signaling, while M2 are anti-inflammatory macrophages that participate in the resolution of the inflammatory process, M2 macrophages produce anti-inflammatory cytokines, thereby contributing to tissue healing. Many studies have shown the role of these two subtypes in the inflammatory pathway, and their emergence appears to decide the fate of inflammatory signaling and disease progression. As a next step in directing the pro-inflammatory response toward the anti-inflammatory type after an insult by a foreign pathogen (e. g., bacterial lipopolysaccharide), investigators have identified many natural compounds that have the potential to modulate M1 to M2 macrophages. In this review, we provide a focused discussion of advances in the identification of natural therapeutic molecules with anti-inflammatory properties that modulate the phenotype of macrophages from M1 to M2.

Cytokine alterations and cognitive impairment in major depressive disorder: From putative mechanisms to novel treatment targets

Overwhelming evidence indicates the involvement of immune-inflammatory processes in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Peripheral cytokine alterations serve as one of most consistently reported indices of subthreshold inflammatory state observed in MDD. Although cytokines cannot pass directly through the blood-brain barrier, a number of transport mechanisms have been reported. In addition, peripheral cytokines may impact central nervous system via downstream effectors of their biological activity. Animal model studies have provided evidence that cytokines might impact cognitive performance through direct and indirect effects on long-term potentiation, neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Therefore, it has been hypothesized that cytokine alterations might contribute to cognitive impairment that is widely observed in MDD and persists beyond episodes of acute relapse in the majority of patients. Although several studies have provided that peripheral cytokine alterations might be related to cognitive deficits in patients with MDD, the quality of evidence still leaves much to be desired due to methodological heterogeneity and limitations. In this article, we provide an overview of studies investigating the association between peripheral cytokine alterations and cognitive performance in MDD, discuss underlying mechanisms and neural substrates. Finally, we propose possible treatment targets related to cytokine alterations taking into account existing evidence for antidepressant efficacy of anti-inflammatory pharmacological treatment modalities.

NF-kB and Inflammatory Cytokine Signalling: Role in Skeletal Muscle Atrophy

Atrophy is a classical hallmark of an array of disorders that affect skeletal muscle, ranging from inherited dystrophies, acquired inflammatory myopathies, ageing (sarcopenia) and critical illness (sepsis). The loss of muscle mass and function in these instances is associated with disability, poor quality of life and in some cases mortality. The mechanisms which underpin muscle atrophy are complex; however, significant research has demonstrated an important role for inflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), mediated by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in muscle wasting. Moreover, activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is a key lynchpin in the overall processes that mediate muscle atrophy. The significance of NF-κB as a key regulator of muscle atrophy has been emphasised by several in vivo studies, which have demonstrated that NF-κB-targeted therapies can abrogate muscle atrophy. In this chapter, we will summarise current knowledge on the role of cytokines (TNF-α) and NF-κB in the loss of muscle mass and function and highlight perspectives towards future research and potential therapies to combat muscle atrophy.

Curcumin suppresses inflammatory cytokines and heat shock protein 70 release and improves metabolic parameters during experimental sepsis

CONTEXT

Curcumin has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and hypoglycaemic properties, besides reducing mortality in sepsis.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluates the biological activities of a curcumin dispersion formulated by spray-drying in experimental sepsis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Wistar rats were subjected to sepsis by caecal ligation and puncture (CLP), controls were sham operated. The animals were treated with curcumin dispersion (100 mg/kg, p.o.) or water for 7 days prior to CLP and at 2 h after surgery. One group was used to analyze curcumin absorption through HPLC; another had the survival rate assessed during 48 h; and from a third group, blood was collected by decapitation to analyze metabolic and inflammatory parameters.

RESULTS

The plasma curcumin levels reached 2.5 ng/mL at 4 h, dropped significantly (p < 0.001) at 6 h (1.2 ng/mL), and were undetectable at 24 h in both groups. Curcumin temporarily increased the survival rate of the septic rats by 20%. Moreover, it attenuated glycaemia (p < 0.05) and volemia (p < 0.05) alterations typically observed during sepsis, and decreased the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 in plasma (p < 0.001) and peritoneal lavage fluid (p < 0.05) of septic rats. Serum HSP70 levels were decreased (p < 0.01) at 24 h after CLP.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Our results show that the curcumin dispersion dose employed was not detrimental to the septic rats. In fact, it temporarily increased their survival rate, improved important metabolic parameters, reduced proinflammatory cytokines and HSP70 production.

RelA NF-κB subunit activation as a therapeutic target in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

It has been well established that nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) activation is important for tumor cell growth and survival. RelA/p65 and p50 are the most common NF-kB subunits and involved in the classical NF-kB pathway. However, the prognostic and biological significance of RelA/p65 is equivocal in the field. In this study, we assessed RelA/p65 nuclear expression by immunohistochemistry in 487 patients with de novo diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and studied the effects of molecular and pharmacological inhibition of NF-kB on cell viability. We found RelA/p65 nuclear expression, without associations with other apparent genetic or phenotypic abnormalities, had unfavorable prognostic impact in patients with stage I/II DLBCL. Gene expression profiling analysis suggested immune dysregulation and antiapoptosis may be relevant for the poorer prognosis associated with p65 hyperactivation in germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) DLBCL and in activated B-cell-like (ABC) DLBCL, respectively. We knocked down individual NF-κB subunits in representative DLBCL cells in vitro, and found targeting p65 was more effective than targeting other NF-κB subunits in inhibiting cell growth and survival. In summary, RelA/p65 nuclear overexpression correlates with significant poor survival in early-stage DLBCL patients, and therapeutic targeting RelA/p65 is effective in inhibiting proliferation and survival of DLBCL with NF-κB hyperactivation.