Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression by 4-[(2'-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnosyloxy)benzyl]isothiocyanate from Moringa oleifera

Direct and indirect antioxidant activity of polyphenol- and isothiocyanate-enriched fractions from Moringa oleifera

Moringa oleifera Lam. is a fast-growing, tropical tree with various edible parts used as nutritious food and traditional medicine. This study describes an efficient preparatory strategy to extract and fractionate moringa leaves by fast centrifugal partition chromatography (FCPC) to produce polyphenol and isothiocyanate (ITC) rich fractions. Characterization and further purification of these fractions showed that moringa polyphenols were potent direct antioxidants assayed by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), whereas moringa ITCs were effective indirect antioxidants assayed by induction of NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) activity in Hepa1c1c7 cells. In addition, purified 4-[(α-l-rhamnosyloxy)benzyl]isothiocyanate and 4-[(4'-O-acetyl-α-l-rhamnosyloxy)benzyl]isothiocyanate were further evaluated for their ORAC and NQO1 inducer potency in comparison with sulforaphane (SF). Both ITCs were as potent as SF in inducing NQO1 activity. These findings suggest that moringa leaves contain a potent mixture of direct and indirect antioxidants that can explain its various health-promoting effects.

'Moringa oleifera: study of phenolics and glucosinolates by mass spectrometry'

Moringa oleifera is a medicinal plant and an excellent dietary source of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and health-promoting phytochemicals (phenolic compounds, glucosinolates and isothiocyanates). Glucosinolates and isothiocyanates are known to possess anti-carcinogenic and antioxidant effects and have attracted great interest from both toxicological and pharmacological points of view, as they are able to induce phase 2 detoxification enzymes and to inhibit phase 1 activation enzymes. Phenolic compounds possess antioxidant properties and may exert a preventative effect in regards to the development of chronic degenerative diseases. The aim of this work was to assess the profile and the level of bioactive compounds in all parts of M. oleifera seedlings, by using different MS approaches. First, flow injection electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (FI-ESI-MS) fingerprinting techniques and chemometrics (PCA) were used to achieve the characterization of the different plant's organs in terms of profile of phenolic compounds and glucosinolates. Second, LC-MS and LC-MS/MS qualitative and quantitative methods were used for the identification and/or determination of phenolics and glucosinolates in M. oleifera.

Stable, water extractable isothiocyanates from Moringa oleifera leaves attenuate inflammation in vitro

Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) is an edible plant used as both a food and medicine throughout the tropics. A moringa concentrate (MC), made by extracting fresh leaves with water, utilized naturally occurring myrosinase to convert four moringa glucosinolates into moringa isothiocyanates. Optimum conditions maximizing MC yield, 4-[(α-L-rhamnosyloxy)benzyl]isothiocyanate, and 4-[(4'-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnosyloxy)benzyl]isothiocyanate content were established (1:5 fresh leaf weight to water ratio at room temperature). The optimized MC contained 1.66% isothiocyanates and 3.82% total polyphenols. 4-[(4'-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnosyloxy)benzyl]isothiocyanate exhibited 80% stability at 37°C for 30 days. MC, and both of the isothiocyanates described above significantly decreased gene expression and production of inflammatory markers in RAW macrophages. Specifically, both attenuated expression of iNOS and IL-1β and production of nitric oxide and TNFα at 1 and 5 μM. These results suggest a potential for stable and concentrated moringa isothiocyanates, delivered in MC as a food-grade product, to alleviate low-grade inflammation associated with chronic diseases.

Inhibitory effect of a callophycin A derivative on iNOS expression via inhibition of Akt in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells

In previous studies, (R)-2-isobutyl 3-methyl 3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole-2,3(9H)-dicarboxylate (1), a callophycin A derivative, was found to strongly inhibit nitrite production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, while (R)- or (S)-callophycin A showed only weak inhibition. We currently report additional studies to define the mechanisms underlying the inhibitory action of 1. Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was reduced at both protein and mRNA levels. Major upstream signaling molecules and transcription factors regulating iNOS expression were examined, but it was found that 1 did not affect the phosphorylated and total protein levels of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), nor did it mediate the degradation of the inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB α-isoform (IκBα). However, starting at early time points, 1 consistently inhibited the phosphorylation of protein kinase B/Akt at serine 473. In addition, 1 suppressed the protein expression of octamer-binding transcription factor-2 (Oct-2) and the expression of microRNA 155 (miR-155). In sum, compound 1 inhibits LPS-induced nitrite production by a unique and complex mechanism. Reduction of iNOS expression is accompanied by inhibition of Akt activation, Oct-2 protein expression, and miR-155 expression.

Moringa Fruit Inhibits LPS-Induced NO/iNOS Expression through Suppressing the NF-κB Activation in RAW264.7 Cells

In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.), a natural biologically active substance, by determining its inhibitory effects on pro-inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Extracts from different parts of moringa (root, leaf, and fruit) reduced LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) release in a dose-dependent manner. The moringa fruit extract most effectively inhibited LPS-induced NO production and levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The moringa fruit extract also was shown to suppress the production of inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. Furthermore, moringa fruit extract inhibited the cytoplasmic degradation of I κ B -α and the nuclear translocation of p65 proteins, resulting in lower levels of NF -κ B transactivation. Collectively, the results of this study demonstrate that moringa fruit extract reduces the levels of pro-inflammatory mediators including NO , IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 via the inhibition of NF -κ B activation in RAW264.7 cells. These findings reveal, in part, the molecular basis underlying the anti-inflammatory properties of moringa fruit extract.

Fatty acid composition and oxidative stability of breast meat from broiler chickens supplemented with Moringa oleifera leaf meal over a period of refrigeration

Effects of diets supplemented with or without Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) on fatty acid (FA) composition and oxidative stability of broiler breast meat during refrigerated storage was determined. Dietary treatments (T) were as follows: T1, positive control, 668g/ton Salinomycin and 500g/ton Albac; T2, T3 and T4 contained graded levels of MOLM at 1%, 3% and 5% of dry matter (DM) intake, respectively; and T5, a negative control (0% additives). Oxidative stability was evaluated by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) on day (D) 1-8 of storage at 4°C; and FA analysis was done on samples obtained on D1 and D8. Significant effects on TBARS were noted on day (D) 1, 3, 4 and 7; increased with increasing storage time, and with increase in MOLM supplementation. Highest (P<0.05) C18:0 and C15:0 levels were noted on D1 in T2; C20:0 in T4 on D8; C20:2, C20:3n6 and C22:6n3 in T2; C18:3n6 and P/S ratio in T4 on D1; and n-3 in T3. Thus, despite the high SFA content, additive supplementation of M. oleifera leaf meal up to 5% of the bird's DMI improved the FA profile and reduced lipid oxidation in broiler breast meat.

Suppression of nitric oxide synthase by thienodolin in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells

The measurement of nitric oxide in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells is used as a model for evaluating the anti-inflammatory or chemopreventive potential of substances. Thienodolin, isolated from a Streptomyces sp. derived from Chilean marine sediment, inhibited nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells (IC50 = 17.2 +/- 1.2 microM). At both the mRNA and protein levels, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was suppressed in a dose-dependent manner. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), one major upstream signaling pathway involved in the transcription of iNOS, were not affected by treatment of thienodolin. However, the compound blocked the degradation of IkappaBa resulting in inhibition of NF-kappaB p65 nuclear translocation, and inhibited the phosphorylation of signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1) at Tyr701. This study supports further exploration of thienodolin as a potential therapeutic agent with a unique mechanistic activity.

Suppression of Nitric Oxide Synthase by Thienodolin in Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 Murine Macrophage Cells

The measurement of nitric oxide in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells is used as a model for evaluating the anti-inflammatory or chemopreventive potential of substances. Thienodolin, isolated from a Streptomyces sp. derived from Chilean marine sediment, inhibited nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells (IC50 = 17.2 ± 1.2 μM). At both the mRNA and protein levels, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was suppressed in a dose-dependent manner. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), one major upstream signaling pathway involved in the transcription of iNOS, were not affected by treatment of thienodolin. However, the compound blocked the degradation of IκBα resulting in inhibition of NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation, and inhibited the phosphorylation of signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1) at Tyr701. This study supports further exploration of thienodolin as a potential therapeutic agent with a unique mechanistic activity.

Novel marine phenazines as potential cancer chemopreventive and anti-inflammatory agents

Two new (1 and 2) and one known phenazine derivative (lavanducyanin, 3) were isolated and identified from the fermentation broth of a marine-derived Streptomyces sp. (strain CNS284). In mammalian cell culture studies, compounds 1, 2 and 3 inhibited TNF-α-induced NFκB activity (IC₅₀ values of 4.1, 24.2, and 16.3 μM, respectively) and LPS-induced nitric oxide production (IC₅₀ values of >48.6, 15.1, and 8.0 μM, respectively). PGE₂ production was blocked with greater efficacy (IC₅₀ values of 7.5, 0.89, and 0.63 μM, respectively), possibly due to inhibition of cyclooxygenases in addition to the expression of COX-2. Treatment of cultured HL-60 cells led to dose-dependent accumulation in the subG1 compartment of the cell cycle, as a result of apoptosis. These data provide greater insight on the biological potential of phenazine derivatives, and some guidance on how various substituents may alter potential anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects.