Experimental removal of nematode parasites increases growth, sprint speed, and mating success in brown anole lizards

Parasites interact with nearly all free-living organisms and can impose substantial fitness costs by reducing host survival, mating success, and fecundity. Parasites may also indirectly affect host fitness by reducing growth and performance. However, experimentally characterizing these costs of parasitism is challenging in the wild because common antiparasite drug formulations require repeated dosing that is difficult to implement in free-living populations, and because the extended-release formulations that are commercially available for livestock and pets are not suitable for smaller animals. To address these challenges, we developed a method for the long-term removal of nematode parasites from brown anole lizards (Anolis sagrei) using an extended-release formulation of the antiparasite drug ivermectin. This treatment eliminated two common nematode parasites in captive adult males and dramatically reduced the prevalence and intensity of infection by these parasites in wild adult males and females. Experimental parasite removal significantly increased the sprint speed of captive adult males, the mating success of wild adult males, and the growth of wild juveniles of both sexes. Although parasite removal did not have any effect on survival in wild anoles, parasites may influence fitness directly through reduced mating success and indirectly through reduced growth and performance. Our method of long-term parasite manipulation via an extended-release formulation of ivermectin should be readily adaptable to many other small vertebrates, facilitating experimental tests of the extent to which parasites affect host phenotypes, fitness, and eco-evolutionary dynamics in the wild.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of methanol extract of Piper betle Linn. (Piper betle L.) leaves and stems by inhibiting NF-κB/MAPK/Nrf2 signaling pathways in RAW 264.7 macrophages

Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are closely linked to various diseases. However, previous studies have demonstrated that plant extracts could prevent and alleviate these adverse outcomes. Piper betle Linn. (Piper betle L.) is a cosmopolitan plant that belongs to the Piperaceae family, whose leaves are edible and possess several health benefits. This study sought to characterize the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of a methanol extract of Piper betle L. leaves and stems (MPBLLS). MPBLLS was found to have a dose-dependent radical scavenging effect, as demonstrated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay. Additionally, MPBLLS inhibited the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated production of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E₂ by reducing the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in RAW 264.7 macrophages without affecting cell viability. Furthermore, our findings suggested that the inhibitory effects of MPBLLS on pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6 were due to the inhibition of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. MPBLLS and hydroxychavicol, a major constituent of MPBLLS, suppressed LPS-induced translocation of NF-κB p65 from cytoplasm to nucleus. Interestingly, MPBLLS increased nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) protein levels and transcription levels of Nrf2 target genes in a dose-dependent manner. Collectively, our findings suggest that MPBLLS could serve as a basis for the development of novel orally-administered therapies due to its inhibitory effects on oxidative and inflammatory stress. DATA AVAILABILITY: The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

Contrasting effects of sleep fragmentation and angiotensin-II treatment upon pro-inflammatory responses of mice

Disordered sleep promotes inflammation in brain and peripheral tissues, but the mechanisms that regulate these responses are poorly understood. One hypothesis is that activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) from sleep loss elevates blood pressure to promote vascular sheer stress leading to inflammation. As catecholamines produced from SNS activation can directly regulate inflammation, we pharmacologically altered blood pressure using an alternative approach-manipulation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Male C57BL6/J mice were treated with angiotensin or captopril to elevate and reduce blood pressure, respectively and then exposed to 24-h of sleep fragmentation (SF) or allowed to sleep (control). Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine gene expression and as endothelial adhesion gene expression as well as serum glucocorticoids (corticosterone) were measured. RAS manipulation elevated cytokines and endothelial adhesion expression in heart and aorta while SF increased cytokine expression in peripheral tissues, but not brain. However, there were interactive effects of angiotensin-II and SF upon cytokine gene expression in hippocampus and hypothalamus, but not prefrontal cortex. SF, but not RAS manipulation, elevated serum corticosterone concentration. These findings highlight the contrasting effects of RAS manipulation and SF, implying that inflammation from SF is acting on different pathways that are largely independent of RAS manipulation.

Regulation of Conformational Changes in C-reactive Protein Alters its Bioactivity

The acute phase C-reactive protein (CRP) is mainly synthesized and secreted by the liver in a cytokine-mediated response to infection or inflammation and circulates as a pentamer (pCRP) in plasma. Recent studies indicate that CRP is not only a marker but is directly involved in inflammation. CRP has a vital role in host defense and inflammation, metabolic function and scavenging through its ability for calcium depended binding to exogenous and endogenous molecules having phosphocholine followed by activation of the classical complement pathway. Accumulating evidence indicates that pCRP dissociates into monomeric CRP (mCRP) and most proinflammatory actions of CRP are only expressed following dissociation of its native pentameric assembly into mCRP. The dissociation of CRP into mCRP altogether promotes the ligand-binding capability. mCRP emerges to be the main conformation of CRP that participates in the regulation of local inflammation, however, little is identified concerning what triggers the significantly enhanced actions of mCRP and their binding to diverse ligands. The separation of mCRP from pCRP may be a direct relationship between CRP and inflammation. Here we review the current literature on CRP dissociation and its interaction with different ligands. The possibility to avoid the generation of the proinflammatory potential of mCRP has driven therapeutic approaches by targeting the dissociation mechanism of pCRP or inhibition of mCRP itself during inflammation.

The Modulatory Role of Growth Hormone in Inflammation and Macrophage Activation

Inflammation is a body's response to remove harmful stimuli and heal tissue damage, which is involved in various physiology and pathophysiology conditions. If dysregulated, inflammation may lead to significant negative impacts. Growth hormone (GH) has been shown responsible for not only body growth but also critical in the modulation of inflammation. In this review, we summarize the current clinical and animal studies about the complex and critical role of GH in inflammation. Briefly, GH excess or deficiency may lead to pathological inflammatory status. In inflammatory diseases, GH may serve as an inflammatory modulator to control the disease progression and promote disease resolution. The detailed mechanisms and signaling pathways of GH on inflammation, with a focus on the modulation of macrophage polarization, are carefully discussed with potential direction for future investigations.

Neutrophil-Derived COX-2 has a Key Role during Inflammatory Hyperalgesia

Inflammation is a vital process for the injured tissue restoration and one of its hallmarks is inflammatory hyperalgesia. The cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway is strongly related to the inflammatory and painful process. Usually, the COX-1 isoform is described as homeostatic, while COX-2 is characterized as inducible in inflammatory conditions. Although it is well known that neutrophil cells are the first to arrive at the inflamed site and the major source of COX-2 is still unknown, the specific role of neutrophil-derived COX-2 in the pain process is. Thus, in the present study, we demonstrate for the first time that neutrophil-derived COX-2 plays a key role in peripheral inflammatory hyperalgesia. Conditional knockout mice for COX-2 in neutrophils (COX-2 ^{fl/fl: Mrp8cre±}) exhibited higher pain sensitivity after carrageenan (CG) injection and long-lasting IL-1β-induced hyperalgesia compared with the control group (COX-2 ^fl/fl). Also, CG-induced inflammation in COX-2 ^{fl/fl: Mrp8cre±} mice showed COX-1 overexpression, and increased neutrophil migration and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β and CXCL1). These findings revealed that neutrophil COX-2 has an important role in the regulation of inflammatory hyperalgesia.

The phytoactive constituents of Eugenia selloi B.D. Jacks (pitangatuba): Toxicity and elucidation of their anti-inflammatory mechanism(s) of action

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Purified subfraction from Eugenia selloi fruit, showed anti-inflammatory activity.

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It were identified isomers of quercetrin, vanillic acid, and coumaric acid.

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S8 reduced NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, MDC and MCP-1 levels in macrophages.

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S8 reduced neutrophil migration and ICAM-1 expression in mice.

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S8 showed scavenging capacity against ROO^•, HOCl and NO^• biological radicals.

We determined the phytochemical composition, anti-inflammatory mechanism of action, ROS/RNS scavenging capacity and systemic toxicity of a purified subfraction (S8) of Eugenia selloi. The composition of S8 was assessed by LC-ESI-QTOF-MS; the anti-inflammatory activity in RAW264.7 macrophages through NF-κB activation and biomarkers by multiplex in THP-1 cells; neutrophil migration, intravital microscopy and ICAM-1 expression in mice; NETs formation and CD11b expression; S8 scavenging capacity of ROS/RNS; toxicity in Galleria mellonella larvae model. Coumaric acid, quercetrin and vanillic acid were identified. S8 decreased NF-κB activation, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, MDC and MCP-1 levels, reduced neutrophil migration and ICAM-1 expression in mice; S8 did not interfere NET formation and CD11b expression, exhibited high antioxidant and showed negligible toxicity. E. selloi proved to be a promising, yet underexplored source of bioactive compounds, which can be useful employed in agribusiness and in the pharmaceutical and food industry to develop new products or human health supplies.

Jelly Fig (Ficus awkeotsang Makino) Exhibits Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Activities by Regulating Reactive Oxygen Species Production via NFκB Signaling Pathway

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Ficus awkeotsang Makino extract (FAE) on Hs68 fibroblasts and BALB/c nude-mouse models are evaluated in this study. FAE was found to be non-toxic and showed high levels of DPPH, H₂O₂, and hydroxyl radical scavenging abilities; a ferrous chelating capacity; as well as ferric-reducing antioxidant capability. The antioxidant activity of FAE was strongly associated with polyphenolic content (flavonoids at 10.3 mg QE g⁻¹ and total phenol at 107.6 mg GAE g⁻¹). The anti-inflammatory activity of FAE and the underlying molecular mechanisms were also investigated. The a* value of the mouse dorsal skin after treatment with FAE at 1.5 mg/mL in addition to chronic UVB exposure was found to decrease by 19.2% during a ten-week period. The anti-inflammatory effect of FAE was evidenced by the decreased accumulation of inflammatory cells and skin thickness. Expression levels of UVB-induced inflammatory proteins, including ROS, NF-κB, iNOS, COX-2, and IL-6, were significantly reduced upon FAE treatment in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, our results suggest that the inhibition of ROS and UVB-induced activation of the NF-κB downstream signaling pathway by FAE, indicating considerable potential as a versatile adjuvant against free radical damage in pharmaceutical applications.

Selection balancing at innate immune genes: adaptive polymorphism maintenance in Toll-like receptors

Balancing selection is a classic mechanism for maintaining variability in immune genes involved in host–pathogen interactions. However, it remains unclear how widespread the mechanism is across immune genes other than the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Although occasional reports suggest that balancing selection (heterozygote advantage, negative frequency-dependent selection, and fluctuating selection) may act on other immune genes, the current understanding of the phenomenon in non-MHC immune genes is far from solid. In this review, we focus on Toll-like receptors (TLRs), innate immune genes directly involved in pathogen recognition and immune response activation, as there is a growing body of research testing the assumptions of balancing selection in these genes. After reviewing infection- and fitness-based evidence, along with evidence based on population allelic frequencies and heterozygosity levels, we conclude that balancing selection maintains variation in TLRs, though it tends to occur under specific conditions in certain evolutionary lineages rather than being universal and ubiquitous. Our review also identifies key gaps in current knowledge and proposes promising areas for future research. Improving our understanding of host–pathogen interactions and balancing selection in innate immune genes are increasingly important, particularly regarding threats from emerging zoonotic diseases.

In Vitro and In Vivo Anticancer Activity of Basil (Ocimum spp.): Current Insights and Future Prospects

Simple Summary

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a medicinal herb of the family Lamiaceae that contains a variety of potential bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, phenolics, and essential oils. Ocimum basilicum can boost phagocytic action of neutrophils and immunostimulant effect, antimicrobial activity due to linalool by having inhibitory action toward all tested microorganism, and additionally, rosmarinic acid shows inhibition in DNA synthesis, as well as protein synthesis when experimented on hepatoma-derived cell line (HepG2), this resulted by lower DNA fragments plus suppression on caspase-3 activation, which blocks apoptosis. The aim of this review is to spotlight and discuss the anti-cancer activity of basil (Ocimum) and its implications in cancer prevention and treatment. Antioxidants and other bioactive compounds in basil leaves show important potential anti-cancer activity regards to cell death and viability inhibition, cytotoxicity, inducing apoptosis, slowing down tumor growth and especially on cell cycle arrest both in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract

Background: Cancer is an irregular proliferation of cells that starts with a gene mutation that alters cellular function, is triggered by several factors, and can be inherited or acquired. The aim of this review is to discuss the anticancer activity of basil and its components’ strength, focusing on its implication in cancer prevention and treatment. Methods: This systematic review involves all of the studies published from 1 January 2010 through 1 January 2022. Results: In this review, 16 research articles are included to discuss the potential anticancer ability of the extracts of various Ocimum basilicum varieties at various dosages, applied to different cancer cells. Of those 16 articles, 2 were in vivo studies, 13 were in vitro studies, and 1 study conducted both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Antioxidants and other bioactive compounds in basil leaves show important potential anticancer activity at dosage of 4 mg/mL as aqueous extract or essential oil up to 200 µg/mL could slow-down tumor growth and progression with regards to cell death and viability inhibition. At dosages from 50 to 500 µg/mL is effective as anti-proliferative activities. cytotoxicity, inducing apoptosis, slowing down tumor growth, and especially cell cycle arrest, both in vivo and in vitro. Human studies show effects at dosages from 1 to 2.5 mg/daily on general vital activities and on reducing cytokines activity. Conclusions: Based on 16 published studies, basil demonstrates important anticancer activities in vivo and vitro models, and it could act as a potential cancer.

Effect of Dietary Zinc Methionine Supplementation on Growth Performance, Immune Function and Intestinal Health of Cherry Valley Ducks Challenged With Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of supplemental zinc methionine (Zn-Met) on growth performance, immune function, and intestinal health of meat ducks challenged with avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC). A total of 480 1-day-old Cherry Valley male ducks were randomly assigned to 8 treatments with 10 replicates, each replicate containing 10 ducks. A 4 × 2 factor design was used with four dietary zinc levels (0, 30, 60, 120 mg Zn/kg in the form Zn-Met was added to the corn-soybean basal diet) and challenged with or without APEC at 8-days-old ducks. The trial lasted for 14 days. The results showed that a dietary Zn-Met supplementation significantly increased body weight (BW) of 14 days and BW gain, and decreased mortality during 7-14-days-old ducks (p < 0.05). Furthermore, dietary 30, 60, 120 mg/kg Zn-Met supplementation noticeably increased the thymus index at 2 days post-infection (2 DPI) and 8 DPI (p < 0.05), and 120 mg/kg Zn-Met enhanced the serum IgA at 2 DPI and IgA, IgG, IgM, C3 at 8 DPI (p < 0.05). In addition, dietary 120 mg/kg Zn-Met supplementation dramatically increased villus height and villus height/crypt depth (V/C) of jejunum at 2 DPI and 8 DPI (p < 0.05). The TNF-α and IFN-γ mRNA expression were downregulated after supplemented with 120 mg/kg Zn-Met in jejunum at 8 DPI (p < 0.05). Moreover, dietary 120 mg/kg Zn-Met supplementation stimulated ZO-3, OCLN mRNA expression at 2 DPI and ZO-2 mRNA expression in jejunum at 8 DPI (p < 0.05), and improved the MUC2 concentration in jejunum at 2 DPI and 8 DPI (p < 0.05). At the same time, the cecal Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus counts were increased (p < 0.05), and Escherichia coli counts were decreased (p < 0.05) after supplemented with Zn-Met. In conclusion, inclusion of 120 mg/kg Zn-Met minimizes the adverse effects of APEC challenge on meat ducks by improving growth performance and enhancing immune function and intestinal health.

An Optimized Two-Herb Chinese Food as Medicine Formula Reduces Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in the Treatment of Lung Cancer in Mice

Chemotherapy is considered a most effective way to treat cancer. However, it is very common that chemotherapy causes unbearable mental and physical side effects to cancer patients, which ultimately reduces the patients’ confidence of overcoming diseases and compromises the treatment of chemotherapy. Cisplatin (DDP), a widely used anticancer agent for various types of cancers, also damages nontumor cells and tissues, which are mostly related to the activation of the inflammation pathway. Previously, we have discovered a few rational formulas of food as medicine materials that reduced systemic inflammation in in vitro and in vivo models. Hence, this study reports the ability of an optimized traditional Chinese anti-inflammatory formulation capable of synergizing the antitumor effect of DDP in vitro and in vivo. More significantly, by formulation of two anti-inflammatory herbal medicine, the Chrysanthemum × morifolium (Ramat.) Hemsl [Asteraceae] and Lonicera japonica Thunb [Caprifoliaceae] with a mediator Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC [Fabaceae], a best formula relieved the kidney damage imposed by DDP. Treatments of various combinations of major chemical components of the three herbs also exhibited a similar trend for lowering the DDP-induced nephrotoxicity; however, contrary to that of the formula of herbal extracts, all chemical formulas could not recover the body weight and food intake of the tumor-bearing mice treated by DDP. Our findings suggested that the therapeutic index of DDP-based chemotherapy was able to be improved by minimizing toxicities from the two-herb formula to inhibit the inflammation in mouse tumor models and DDP-induced acute kidney injury mouse models.

Teucrium polium (L.): Phytochemical Screening and Biological Activities at Different Phenological Stages

The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes in the content of phytochemical compounds and in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities of Teucrium polium L. aerial parts and root methanolic extracts at different phenological stages (vegetative, flowering, and seeding). The T. polium extracts were analyzed using gas chromatography−mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and their antioxidant properties were tested with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO), ferrous ions (Fe2+), and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) methods. Forty-nine compounds were identified with the majority of germacrene D, t-cadinol, β-pinene, carvacrol, bicyclogermacrene, α-pinene, and limonene. The results show that the extracts significantly differ between different phenological stages of the plant material used in terms of the phytochemical composition (total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, total alkaloids, and total saponin contents) and bioactivities (antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory) (p < 0.05). The highest total contents of phenolics (72.4 ± 2.5 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dry weight), flavonoids (36.2 ± 3.1 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g dry weight), alkaloids (105.7 ± 2.8 mg atropine equivalent (AE)/g dry weight), and saponins (653 ± 6.2 mg escin equivalent (EE)/g dry weight), as well as antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities, were measured for the extract of the aerial parts obtained at the flowering stage. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for the extracts were varied within 9.4−300 µg/mL, while the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were varied within 18.75−600 µg/mL. In addition, they were more active on Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative bacteria. The data of this work confirm that the T. polium extracts have significant biological activity and hence can be used in the pharmaceutical industry, clinical applications, and medical research, as well as cosmetic and food industries.

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.

Health benefits and biological activities of spiny monkey orange (Strychnos spinosa Lam.): An African indigenous fruit tree

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Spiny monkey orange (Strychnos spinosa Lam.) is an African endemic fruit tree that is widely consumed by humans and animals for its nutritional value. In folk medicine, different parts of S. spinosa are widely used for the management of the health and well-being of humans and livestock.

AIM

We provide a critical appraisal on the ethnobotanical uses, nutritional and pytochemical as well as the biological activities of S. spinosa.

METHODS

Articles were mined from online databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, SciELO and SpringerLink. We captured research outputs that aligned with the scope of the review.

RESULTS

Strychnos spinosa remains a commonly consumed fruit due to its high nutritional (e.g. carbohydrates, crude protein and fats) content and energy. In folk medicine, different parts of S. spinosa are prescribed as remedy for diverse medical conditions especially for treating malaria, diabetes, snakebites, skin-related conditions and sexually transmitted infections in humans as well as sleeping sickness in livestock. Together with essential oils, more than 25 compounds have been profiled using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and approximately 45 compounds have been isolated and structurally elucidated using diverse spectroscopic techniques such as UV-visible, Infrared (IR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and mass spectroscopy (MS). Strychnos spinosa exerts varying degrees of biological activities against different microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) and parasites (plasmodia, trypanosomes and ticks) responsible for many diseases in humans and livestock. Furthermore, low to moderate enzyme-inhibitory effects of S. spinosa extracts suggest its ability to mitigate pains, inflammations and diabetics as well as snakebite venom. Increasing evidence from the in vivo studies support the use of the plant as a popular remedy for managing diabetics in folk medicine. The low cytotoxic effect of the plant extracts against different cell lines could be an indication of its relative safety.

CONCLUSION

Strychnos spinosa exhibits various health-promoting benefits due to its diverse nutritional and phytochemical constituents. Given that the majority of the existing evidence on these aforementioned therapeutic properties and safety are in vitro-based, the clinical significance of these results remain limited.

Spectral, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Pyretic, Leishmanicidal, and Molecular Docking Studies, Against Selected Protein Targets, of a New Bisbenzylisoquinoline Alkaloid

A new bisbenzylisoquinoline named as chondrofolinol (1) and four reported compounds (2–5) were isolated and characterized from the roots of Berberis glaucocarpa Stapf. Anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, and leishmanicidal studies were performed against carrageenan-induced paw edema, yeast-induced pyrexia, and the promastigotes of Leishmania tropica, respectively. The new compound significantly reduced the paw volume in carrageenan-induced paw edema and rectal temperature in yeast-induced pyrexia at 10 and 20 mg/ kg of body weight. Chondrofolinol caused almost 100% inhibition of the promastigotes of Leishmania tropica. All the compounds displayed minimal cytotoxicity against THP-1 monocytic cells. In order to ascertain the potential macromolecular targets of chondrofolinol responsible for the observed anti-inflammatory and anti-leishmanial activities, a molecular docking study was carried out on relevant protein targets of inflammation and Leishmania. Protein targets of human endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 2 (ERAP2) and human matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) for inflammation and protein targets of N-myristoyltransferase (NMT), tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS), and uridine diphosphate-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGPase) for Leishmania major were selected after thorough literature search about protein targets responsible for inflammation and Leishmania major. Chondrofolinol showed excellent docking to ERAP2 and to MMP-1. The Leishmania major protein targets with the most favorable docking scores to chondrofolinol were NMT, TyrRS, and UGPase. The study indicated that bisbenzylisoquinoline and isoquinoline alkaloids possess anti-pyretic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-leishmanial properties with minimal cytotoxicity and therefore, need to be further explored for their therapeutic potential.

Role of Phenolic Compounds in Human Disease: Current Knowledge and Future Prospects

Inflammation is a natural protective mechanism that occurs when the body's tissue homeostatic mechanisms are disrupted by biotic, physical, or chemical agents. The immune response generates pro-inflammatory mediators, but excessive output, such as chronic inflammation, contributes to many persistent diseases. Some phenolic compounds work in tandem with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to inhibit pro-inflammatory mediators' activity or gene expression, including cyclooxygenase (COX). Various phenolic compounds can also act on transcription factors, such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) or nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), to up-or downregulate elements within the antioxidant response pathways. Phenolic compounds can inhibit enzymes associated with the development of human diseases and have been used to treat various common human ailments, including hypertension, metabolic problems, incendiary infections, and neurodegenerative diseases. The inhibition of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) by phenolic compounds has been used to treat hypertension. The inhibition of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzyme represents a type 2 diabetes mellitus therapy, and cholinesterase inhibition has been applied to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD). Phenolic compounds have also demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties to treat skin diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Plant extracts and phenolic compounds exert protective effects against oxidative stress and inflammation caused by airborne particulate matter, in addition to a range of anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-aging, antibacterial, and antiviral activities. Dietary polyphenols have been used to prevent and treat allergy-related diseases. The chemical and biological contributions of phenolic compounds to cardiovascular disease have also been described. This review summarizes the recent progress delineating the multifunctional roles of phenolic compounds, including their anti-inflammatory properties and the molecular pathways through which they exert anti-inflammatory effects on metabolic disorders. This study also discusses current issues and potential prospects for the therapeutic application of phenolic compounds to various human diseases.

Synergistic anti-inflammatory activity of apigenin and curcumin co-encapsulated in caseins assessed with lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages

Dietary polyphenols are potential anti-inflammatory agents, and their combinations with enhanced biological activities may lower toxicity and side effects. The objective of this work was to investigate the potential synergistic anti-inflammatory activities of apigenin and curcumin co-nanoencapsulated in sodium caseinate, with comparison to unencapsulated polyphenol combinations. Non-toxic concentrations of apigenin, curcumin, and their combinations in the free and co-encapsulated forms were studied in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Combinations of free polyphenols produced stronger inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production, more significant at a higher proportion of curcumin, which was further enhanced after co-encapsulation. The enhanced reduction of NO was concomitant with the decreased expression of iNOS, the enhanced inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines of IL-6 and TNF-α, and the reduced production of intracellular reactive oxygen species. The potential multi-target effects and the enhanced solubility, proximity, and bioavailability of AP and CUR after co-encapsulation contributed to the synergistic activities. These results demonstrated that co-nanoencapsulation of apigenin and curcumin may enable the practical application utilizing the synergistic anti-inflammation effects to improve health.

Inflammation and convergent placenta gene co-option contributed to a novel reproductive tissue

The evolution of pregnancy exposes parental tissues to new, potentially stressful conditions, which can trigger inflammation.¹ Inflammation is costly^2,3 and can induce embryo rejection, which constrains the evolution of pregnancy.¹ In contrast, inflammation can also promote morphological innovation at the maternal-embryonic interface as exemplified by co-option of pro-inflammatory signaling for eutherian embryo implantation.^1,4,5 Given its dual function, inflammation could be a key process explaining how innovations such as pregnancy and placentation evolved many times convergently. Pelvic brooding ricefishes evolved a novel “plug” tissue,^6,7 which forms inside the female gonoduct after spawning, anchors egg-attaching filaments, and enables pelvic brooders to carry eggs externally until hatching.^6,8 Compared to pregnancy, i.e., internal bearing of embryos, external bearing should alleviate constraints on inflammation in the reproductive tract. We thus hypothesized that an ancestral inflammation triggered by the retention of attaching filaments gave rise to pathways orchestrating plug formation. In line with our hypothesis, histological sections of the developing plug revealed signs of gonoduct injuries by egg-attaching filaments in the pelvic brooding ricefish Oryzias eversi. Tissue-specific transcriptomes showed that inflammatory signaling dominates the plug transcriptome and inflammation-induced genes controlling vital processes for plug development such as tissue growth and angiogenesis were overexpressed in the plug. Finally, mammalian placenta genes were enriched in the plug transcriptome, indicating convergent gene co-option for building, attaching, and sustaining a transient tissue in the female reproductive tract. This study highlights the role of gene co-option and suggests that recruiting inflammatory signaling into physiological processes provides a fast-track to evolutionary innovation.

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Pelvic brooding induces tissue-specific changes in gene expression

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Inflammatory signaling characterizes transcriptome of the egg-anchoring plug

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Similar to embryo implantation, the plug likely evolved from an inflammatory response

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Mammalian placenta genes were independently co-opted into the plug

Three-Dimensional RAW264.7 Cell Model on Electrohydrodynamic Printed Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Scaffolds for In Vitro Study of Anti-Inflammatory Compounds

Inflammation plays an essential role in the human immune system, and anti-inflammatory compounds are important to promote health. However, the in vitro screening of these compounds is largely dependent on flat biology. Herein, we report our efforts in establishing a 3D inflammation murine macrophage model. Murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells were cultured on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds fabricated through an electrohydrodynamic jetting 3D printer and their behavior were examined. Cells on PCL scaffolds showed a 3D shape and morphology with multilayers and a lower proliferation rate. Moreover, macrophages were not activated by scaffold material PCL and 3D microenvironment. The 3D cells showed greater sensitivity to lipopolysaccharide stimulation with higher production activity of nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthases (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Additionally, the 3D macrophage model showed lower drug sensitivity to commercial anti-inflammatory drugs including aspirin, ibuprofen, and dexamethasone, and natural flavones apigenin and luteolin with higher IC₅₀ for NO production and lower iNOS and COX-2 inhibition efficacy. Overall, the 3D macrophage model showed promise for higher accurate screening of anti-inflammatory compounds. We developed, for the first time, a 3D macrophage model based on a 3D-printed PCL scaffold that provides an extracellular matrix environment for cells to grow in the 3D dimension. 3D-grown RAW 264.7 cells showed different sensitivities and responses to anti-inflammatory compounds from its 2D model. The 3D cells have lower sensitivity to both commercial and natural anti-inflammatory compounds. Consequently, our 3D macrophage model could be applied to screen anti-inflammatory compounds more accurately and thus holds great potential in next-generation drug screening applications.

Medicinal Plants for Mitigating Pain and Inflammatory-Related Conditions: An Appraisal of Ethnobotanical Uses and Patterns in South Africa

In South Africa, traditional medicine remains the first point of call for a significant proportion of the population seeking primary healthcare needs. This is particularly important for treating common conditions including pain and inflammation which are often associated with many disease conditions. This review focuses on the analysis of the trend and pattern of plants used for mitigating pain and inflammatory-related conditions in South African folk medicine. An extensive search was conducted using various scientific databases and popular ethnobotanical literature focusing on South African ethnobotany. Based on the systematic analysis, 38 sources were selected to generate the inventory of 495 plants from 99 families that are considered as remedies for pain and inflammatory-related conditions (e.g., headache, toothache, backache, menstrual pain, and rheumatism) among different ethnic groups in South Africa. The majority (55%) of the 38 studies were recorded in three provinces, namely, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Western Cape. In terms of the number of mentions, the most popular plants used for pain and inflammatory-related conditions in South Africa were Ricinus communis L. (10), Aloe ferox Mill. (8), Pentanisia prunelloides subsp. latifolia (Hochst.) Verdc. (8), Dodonaea viscosa Jacq var. angustifolia (L.f) Benth. (8), (L.) W.T.Aiton. (7) Ruta graveolens L. (7), and Solanum aculeastrum Dunal. (7). The top five plant families represented were Asteraceae (13%), Fabaceae (8%), Apocynaceae (4.3%), Asparagaceae (4%), and Lamiaceae (4%). An estimated 54% of the recorded plants were woody (trees and shrubs) in nature, while the leaves (27%) and roots (25%) were the most dominant plant parts. The use of plants for alleviating pain and inflammatory-related conditions remains popular in South African folk medicine. The lagging ethnobotanical information from provinces such as North West, Gauteng, and Free State remains a gap that needs to be pursued meticulously in order to have a complete country-wide database.

Turning Waste into Beneficial Resource: Implication of Ageratum conyzoides L. in Sustainable Agriculture, Environment and Biopharma Sectors

The annual herb, Ageratum conyzoides L. (Asteraceae), is distributed throughout the world. Although invasive, it can be very useful as a source of essential oils, pharmaceuticals, biopesticides, and bioenergy. However, very limited information exists on the molecular basis of its different utility as previous investigations were mainly focused on phytochemical/biological activity profiling. Here we have explored various properties of A. conyzoides that may offer environmental, ecological, agricultural, and health benefits. As this aromatic plant harbors many important secondary metabolites that may have various implications, biotechnological interventions such as genomics, metabolomics and tissue-culture can be indispensable tools for their mass-production. Further, A. conyzoides acts as a natural reservoir of begomoviruses affecting a wide range of plant species. As the mechanisms of disease spreading and crop infection are not fully clear, whole-genome sequencing and various advanced molecular technologies including RNAi, CRISPER/Cas9, multi-omics approaches, etc., may aid to decipher the molecular mechanism of such disease development and thus, can be useful in crop protection. Overall, improved knowledge of A. conyzoides is not only essential for developing sustainable weed control strategy but can also offer potential ways for biomedicinal, environment, safe and clean agriculture applications.

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis in the context of lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation: A molecular, cellular and behavioral review

The continuous generation of new neurons occurs in at least two well-defined niches in the adult rodent brain. One of these areas is the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus (DG) in the hippocampus. While the DG is associated with contextual and spatial learning and memory, hippocampal neurogenesis is necessary for pattern separation. Hippocampal neurogenesis begins with the activation of neural stem cells and culminates with the maturation and functional integration of a portion of the newly generated glutamatergic neurons into the hippocampal circuits. The neurogenic process is continuously modulated by intrinsic factors, one of which is neuroinflammation. The administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been widely used as a model of neuroinflammation and has yielded a body of evidence for unveiling the detrimental impact of inflammation upon the neurogenic process. This work aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on the effects of the systemic and central administration of LPS upon the different stages of neurogenesis and discuss their effects at the molecular, cellular, and behavioral levels.

Osteopathic model of the development and prevention of occupational musculoskeletal disorders

Context

The direct and indirect costs of work-related musculoskeletal disorders are significant. Prevention is the most effective way to control these costs. To do that, we must understand how these disorders develop.

Objectives

To use the five models of osteopathic care to illustrate how cellular processes and neural reflexes interact to create work-related musculoskeletal pathology and to provide evidence-informed musculoskeletal injury and disability prevention recommendations.

Methods

A literature review of electronic databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, OVID, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PEDro, and OSTMED.DR) from inception to October 16, 2019 and hand-search of publication references was performed for systematic reviews, cohort studies, case-control studies, and randomized controlled trials. The search terms reflected topics related to occupational injury and injury prevention, and included supplementary laboratory studies and narrative reviews related to the biological aspects of musculoskeletal injury. The eligible studies contained the following criteria: (1) the population of working age; (2) exposures to known risk factors, musculoskeletal disorders, and psychosocial factors; (3) written in English; (4) full text papers published in peer-reviewed journals; and (5) systematic review, cohort study, case-control study, and randomized controlled trial methodology. Studies were excluded if they included outcomes of productivity and costs only or outcomes that were assessed through qualitative methods only.

Results

The literature search resulted in 1,074 citations; 26 clinical studies and 14 systematic reviews were used in this review. A comprehensive workplace musculoskeletal disorder prevention program should match demands to capacity, correct dysfunctional movement patterns, and limit tissue vulnerability (biomechanical-structural model); restore alpha-gamma balance, tonic-phasic synergistic function, and autonomic balance (neurological model); maximize physiologic reserve (metabolic-energy model) component of a prevention program; optimize respiration and circulation (respiratory-circulatory model); and address cognitive distortions (behavioral-biopsychosocial model).

Conclusions

The presented osteopathic model of the development and prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders suggests that a combination of preventive interventions will be more effective than any single preventive intervention.

Time-Dependent Protective and Pro-Resolving Effects of FPR2 Agonists on Lipopolysaccharide-Exposed Microglia Cells Involve Inhibition of NF-κB and MAPKs Pathways

Prolonged or excessive microglial activation may lead to disturbances in the resolution of inflammation (RoI). The importance of specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs) in RoI has been highlighted. Among them, lipoxins (LXA4) and aspirin-triggered lipoxin A4 (AT-LXA4) mediate beneficial responses through the activation of N-formyl peptide receptor-2 (FPR2). We aimed to shed more light on the time-dependent protective and anti-inflammatory impact of the endogenous SPMs, LXA4, and AT-LXA4, and of a new synthetic FPR2 agonist MR-39, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-exposed rat microglial cells. Our results showed that LXA4, AT-LXA4, and MR-39 exhibit a protective and pro-resolving potential in LPS-stimulated microglia, even if marked differences were apparent regarding the time dependency and efficacy of inhibiting particular biomarkers. The LXA4 action was found mainly after 3 h of LPS stimulation, and the AT-LXA4 effect was varied in time, while MR-39′s effect was mainly observed after 24 h of stimulation by endotoxin. MR-39 was the only FPR2 ligand that attenuated LPS-evoked changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential and diminished the ROS and NO release. Moreover, the LPS-induced alterations in the microglial phenotype were modulated by LXA4, AT-LXA4, and MR-39. The anti-inflammatory effect of MR-39 on the IL-1β release was mediated through FPR2. All tested ligands inhibited TNF-α production, while AT-LXA4 and MR-39 also diminished IL-6 levels in LPS-stimulated microglia. The favorable action of LXA4 and MR-39 was mediated through the inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. AT-LXA4 and MR39 diminished the phosphorylation of the transcription factor NF-κB, while AT-LXA4 also affected p38 kinase phosphorylation. Our results suggest that new pro-resolving synthetic mediators can represent an attractive treatment option for the enhancement of RoI, and that FPR2 can provide a perspective as a target in immune-related brain disorders.

Energy expenditure across immune challenge severities in a lizard: consequences for innate immunity, locomotor performance and oxidative status

Reptiles, like other vertebrates, rely on immunity to defend themselves from infection. The energetic cost of an immune response is liable to scale with infection severity, prompting constraints on other self-maintenance traits if immune prioritization exceeds energy budget. In this study, adult male side-blotched lizards (Uta stansburiana) were injected with saline (control) or high (20 µg g-1 body mass) or low (10 µg g-1 body mass) concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to simulate bacterial infections of discrete severities. The costs and consequences of the immune response were assessed through comparisons of change in resting metabolic rate (RMR), energy metabolites (glucose, glycerol, triglycerides), innate immunity (bactericidal ability), sprint speed and oxidative status (antioxidant capacity, reactive oxygen metabolites). High-LPS lizards had the lowest glucose levels and greatest sprint reductions, while their RMR and bactericidal ability were similar to those of control lizards. Low-LPS lizards had elevated RMR and bactericidal ability, but glucose levels and sprint speed changes between those of high-LPS and control lizards. Levels of glycerol, triglycerides, reactive oxygen metabolites and antioxidant capacity did not differ by treatment. Taken together, energy expenditure for the immune response varies in a non-linear fashion with challenge severity, posing consequences for performance and self-maintenance processes in a reptile.

Lipopolysaccharide Regulates Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines, Corticosterone, and Melatonin in Toads

Glucocorticoids and melatonin (MEL) show integrated and complex immunomodulatory effects, mostly described for endotherms, yet underexplored in amphibians. In this context, the RT-qPCR of molecules mediating inflammatory processes in amphibians is a valuable tool to explore the relationships among molecular biology, endocrine mediators, and immune response in these animals. In this study, toads (Rhinella diptycha) received an intraperitoneal saline injection or lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 2 mg/kg). Six hours post-injection, we analyzed plasma corticosterone (CORT) and MEL levels and pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, and C1s). We found increased CORT and decreased MEL levels in response to LPS. Also, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 were upregulated in LPS-injected toads compared with saline-injected toads. Overall, our results demonstrate an LPS-induced inflammatory response with endocrine and immune modulation in R. diptycha toads, exhibiting expected patterns for an inflammatory stimulus within this time frame (6 h post-injection). Toads were responsive to LPS by secreting different cytokines, such as proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6, related to immune cell attraction to inflammatory sites and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, which limits the rate of leukocyte infiltration, inflammation, and downregulates the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Increased circulating CORT levels are probably associated with the activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-interrenal axis by the LPS and the endocrine actions of IL-6. Furthermore, decreased circulating MEL levels are likely due to inhibited MEL secretion by the pineal gland by inflammatory stimuli, indicating the activation/existence of the immune-pineal axis in amphibians.

The Effect of Lipoteichoic Acid from Lactobacillus plantarum on Dental Pulp Inflammation

ObjectiveLactobacillus plantarum, a bacterium located in deep caries, has a virulence factor in the form of lipoteichoic acid (LTA), which is found in the bacterial cell wall. LTA is able to trigger a neutrophils response in the dental pulp inflammation process within the first 6 to 24 hours. The quantity of bacteria is one factor influencing the increase in number of neutrophils in addition to the quality of the bacteria. This study seeks to analyze the effect of lipoteichoic acid of Lactobacillus plantarum (LTA-Lp) in the dental pulp inflammation by observing the number of neutrophil cells in a histopathological view.

Materials and Methods The LTA was isolated from L. plantarum. The left upper molar of Rattus novergicus was mechanically perforated under anesthesia to induce dental pulp inflammation. The perforated tooth was then induced by 10 and 15 µg/mL of LTA-Lp and then restored by a temporary filling. The perforated tooth in the control group was only restored by a temporary filling. After 24, 48, and 72 hours, the tooth was extracted and then stained with hematoxylins and eosin to observe the neutrophils in the dental pulp via a light microscope.

Result The number of neutrophils in the dental pulp after induction by 15 µg/mL of LTA-Lp is higher than 10 µg/mL of LTA-Lp and both controls. There were significant differences in the number of neutrophils in the dental pulp, in each group on 24, 48, and 72 hours after LTA-Lp inducing ( p < 0.05).

Conclusion The LTA-Lp dose of of 10 and 15 µg/mL affected the dental pulp inflammation by affecting the number of neutrophils.

Two methoxy derivatives of resveratrol, 3,3',4,5'-tetramethoxy-trans-stilbene and 3,4',5-trimethoxy-trans-stilbene, suppress lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation through inactivation of MAPK and NF-κB pathways in RAW 264.7 cells

Background

3,3′,4,5′-tetramethoxy-trans-stilbene (3,3′,4,5′-TMS) and 3,4′,5-trimethoxy-trans-stilbene (3,4′,5-TMS) are two methoxy derivatives of resveratrol. Previous researches have proved that resveratrol and its analogues have anti-inflammatory effect through suppressing mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways. This study aims to study whether 3,3′,4,5′-TMS and 3,4′,5-TMS alleviate inflammation and the underlying mechanism.

Methods

RAW 264.7 macrophage cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation and pretreated with 3,3′,4,5′-TMS or 3,4′,5-TMS. Cell viability was measured with the 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Nitric oxide (NO) release was detected by Griess reagent. The secretions of pro-inflammatory cytokines were assessed by ELISA kits. Protein expressions of signaling molecules were determined by Western blotting. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was detected by fluorescence staining and malondialdehyde (MDA) assay.

Results

3,3′,4,5′-TMS and 3,4′,5-TMS suppressed LPS-induced NO release and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) secretions in a dose-dependent manner in RAW 264.7 cells. 3,3′,4,5′-TMS and 3,4′,5-TMS significantly down-regulated the LPS-induced expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and partially suppressed the activation of MAPK (phosphorylation of p38, JNK, ERK), and NF-κB (phosphorylation of IKKα/β, p65 and IκBα) signaling pathways; where phosphorylation of ERK and p65 was mildly but not significantly decreased by 3,3′,4,5′-TMS. LPS-induced NF-κB/p65 nuclear translocation was inhibited by both 3,3′,4,5′-TMS and 3,4′,5-TMS. Moreover, both resveratrol derivatives decreased the ROS levels.

Conclusions

3,3′,4,5′-TMS and 3,4′,5-TMS significantly suppress LPS-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells through inhibition of MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways and also provide anti-oxidative effect. This study reveals potential therapeutic applications of 3,3′,4,5′-TMS and 3,4′,5-TMS for inflammatory diseases.

Quantification of the inflammatory responses to pro-and anti-inflammatory agents in Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum

Inflammation is a form of innate immune response of living organisms to harmful stimuli. In marine bivalves, inflammation is a common defense mechanism. Several studies have investigated the morphological features of inflammation in bivalves, such as hemocyte infiltration. However, the molecular and biochemical responses associated with inflammation in marine bivalves remain unexplored. Here, we investigated changes in nitric oxide (NO) levels, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) activity, and allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) gene expression levels in hemolymph samples collected from Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) exposed to pro- and anti-inflammatory substances. These included the pro-inflammatory agent lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) ibuprofen and diclofenac, all widely used in vertebrates. Our study showed that NO levels, COX-2 activity, and AIF-1 expression increased in response to the treatments with LPS and decreased in response to the treatments with NSAIDs in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that the mechanism of inflammatory responses in bivalves is very similar to that of vertebrates, and we propose that inflammatory responses can be quantified using these techniques and used to determine the physiological status of marine bivalves exposed to biotic or abiotic stresses.

Anti-Inflammation Activity of Flavones and Their Structure-Activity Relationship

Flavones are an important class of bioactive constituents in foods, and their structural diversity enables them to interact with different targets. In particular, flavones are known for their anti-inflammatory activity. Herein, we summarized commonly applied in vitro, in vivo, and clinical models in testing anti-inflammatory activity of flavones. The anti-inflammatory structure-activity relationship of flavones was systematically mapped and supported with cross comparisons of that with flavanones, flavanols, and isoflavones. Hydroxyl groups (-OH) are indispensable for the anti-inflammatory function of flavones, and -OH at the C-5 and C-4' positions enhance while -OH at the C-6, C-7, C-8, and C-3' positions attenuate their activity. Moreover, the C2-C3 single bond, -OH at the C-3 and B-ring positions undermine flavone aglycones' activity. Most of the flavone aglycones function through NF-κB, MAPK, and JNK-STAT pathways, and their possible cell binding targets are kinase, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), G-protein coupled receptors, and estrogen receptors. However, the structure and anti-inflammatory activity relationship of flavones were unclear, and further research shall be conducted to close the gap in order to guide development of evidence-based functional foods.

Alpha- and beta- adrenergic receptors regulate inflammatory responses to acute and chronic sleep fragmentation in mice

Sleep is a recuperative process, and its dysregulation has cognitive, metabolic, and immunological effects that are largely deleterious to human health. Epidemiological and empirical studies have suggested that sleep fragmentation (SF) as result of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and other sleep abnormalities leads to pronounced inflammatory responses, which are influenced by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms contributing to SNS regulation of SF-induced inflammation are not fully understood. To assess the effects of the SNS upon inflammatory responses to SF, C57BL/6j female mice were placed in automated SF chambers with horizontally moving bars across the bottom of each cage at specified intervals to disrupt sleep. Mice were first subjected to either control (no bar movement), acute sleep fragmentation (ASF), or chronic sleep fragmentation (CSF) on a 12:12-h light/dark schedule. ASF involved a bar sweep every 120 s for 24 h, whereas CSF involved a bar sweep every 120 s for 12 h (during 12 L; resting period) over a period of 4 weeks. After exposure to these conditions, mice received an intraperitoneal injection of either phentolamine (5 mg/kg BW; an α-adrenergic receptor blocker), propranolol (5 mg/kg BW; a β-adrenergic receptor blocker), or vehicle (saline). Serum corticosterone concentration, brain and peripheral cytokine (IL1β, TNFα, and TGFβ) mRNA expression, and body mass were assessed. ASF and CSF significantly elevated serum corticosterone concentrations as well as cytokine mRNA expression levels compared with controls, and mice subjected to CSF had decreased body mass relative to controls. Mice subjected to CSF and treated with phentolamine or propranolol had a greater propensity for a decrease in cytokine gene expression compared with ASF, but effects were tissue-specific. Taken together, these results suggest that both α- and β-adrenergic receptors contribute to the SNS mediation of inflammatory responses, and adrenergic antagonists may effectively mitigate tissue-specific SF-mediated inflammation.

Protective effect of (+)-catechin against lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 cells through downregulation of NF-κB and p38 MAPK

Catechin, a flavonol belonging to the flavonoid group of polyphenols is present in many plant foods. The present study was done to evaluate the effect of catechin on various inflammatory mediators using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The effect of catechin on total cyclooxygenase (COX) activity, 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), myeloperoxidase, nitrite and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) level, secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were assessed in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The expression of COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, nuclear factor-ĸB (NF-κB) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) genes were also investigated. The effect was further analyzed using human PBMCs by assessing the level of TNF-α and IL-10. The study demonstrated that the inflammatory mediators such as COX, 5-LOX, nitrite, iNOS, and TNF-α were significantly inhibited by catechin in a concentration-dependent manner whereas IL-10 production was up-regulated in RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, catechin down-regulated the mRNA level expression of COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, NF-κB and p38 MAPK. The current study ratifies the beneficial effect of catechin as a dietary component in plant foods to provide protection against inflammatory diseases.

Chemical profiling, in vitro antioxidant, membrane stabilizing and antimicrobial properties of wild growing Murraya paniculata from Amarkantak (M.P.)

The excessive usage of antibiotics in humans and veterinary medicine has lead to the emergence of antibiotic resistance and now requires the use of novel antibiotics. There has been increased interest towards plants as source of drugs because of their pharmacological potency and long traditional usage. The aim of the current study was to evaluate bioactive components, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of the leaf extracts of Murraya paniculata, a plant traditionally used in Indian medicinal system. Evaluations were made for phytochemical analysis, antioxidant, membrane stabilizing, and antimicrobial activities. The methanol extract displayed the highest flavonoid and phenolic content, the acetone extract demonstrated considerable ABTS inhibitory activity (IC50value:555.18 ± 1.68 µg/mL) and the hexane extract exhibited highest H2O2 radical scavenging activity (IC50value: 509.84 ± 3.03 µg/mL). The aqueous extract displayed 19.4 ± 0.66% RBC hemolysis and 80.5 ± 0.66% protection caused by hypotonic solution at high concentration of the extract. The fractions of hexane extract revealed a higher zone of inhibition than crude extract. The major components found in the fractions were cyclohexane (40.11%) and 3-(6-Methoxy-3-methyl-2-benzofuranyl) Cyclohexanone (13.68%) as analyzed by GC-MS/MS technique. The current results validate the traditional use of the M. paniculata and warrant its potential in drug development programs in further investigations.

Recovery from discrete wound severities in side-blotched lizards (Uta stansburiana): implications for energy budget, locomotor performance, and oxidative stress

Wounding events (predation attempts, competitive combat) result in injuries and/or infections that induce integrated immune responses for the recovery process. Despite the survival benefits of immunity in this context, the costs incurred may require investment to be diverted from traits contributing to immediate and/or future survival, such as locomotor performance and oxidative status. Yet, whether trait constraints manifest likely depends on wound severity and the implications for energy budget. For this study, food intake, body mass, sprint speed, and oxidative indices (reactive oxygen metabolites, antioxidant capacity) were monitored in male side-blotched lizards (Uta stansburiana) healing from cutaneous wounds of discrete sizes (control, small, large). Results indicate that larger wounds induced faster healing, reduced food consumption, and led to greater oxidative stress over time. Granted wounding did not differentially affect body mass or sprint speed overall, small-wounded lizards with greater wound area healed had faster sprint speeds while large-wounded lizards with greater wound area healed had slower sprint speeds. During recovery from either wound severity, however, healing and sprint performance did not correspond with food consumption, body mass loss, nor oxidative status. These findings provide support that energy budget, locomotor performance, and oxidative status of a reptile are linked to wound recovery to an extent, albeit dependent on wound severity.

Cancer vs. SARS-CoV-2 induced inflammation, overlapping functions, and pharmacological targeting

Inflammation is an intrinsic defence mechanism triggered by the immune system against infection or injury. Chronic inflammation allows the host to recover or adapt through cellular and humoral responses, whereas acute inflammation leads to cytokine storms resulting in tissue damage. In this review, we present the overlapping outcomes of cancer inflammation with virus-induced inflammation. The study emphasises how anti-inflammatory drugs that work against cancer inflammation may work against the inflammation caused by the viral infection. It is established that the cytokine storm induced in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection contributes to disease-associated mortality. While cancer remains the second among the diseases associated with mortality worldwide, cancer patients' mortality rates are often observed upon extended periods after illness, usually ranging from months to years. However, the mortality rates associated with COVID-19 disease are robust. The cytokine storm induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection appeared to be responsible for the multi-organ failure and increased mortality rates. Since both cancer and COVID-19 disease share overlapping inflammatory mechanisms, repurposing some anticancer and anti-inflammatory drugs for COVID-19 may lower mortality rates. Here, we review some of these inflammatory mechanisms and propose some potential chemotherapeutic agents to intervene in them. We also discuss the repercussions of anti-inflammatory drugs such as glucocorticoids and hydroxychloroquine with zinc or antiviral drugs such as ivermectin and remdesivir against SARS-CoV-2 induced cytokine storm. In this review, we emphasise on various possibilities to reduce SARS-CoV-2 induced cytokine storm.

Role of micronize purified flavonoid fraction and ethanol Graptophyllum pictum extract on experimental anal ulcer healing. Study on Wistar rat

Aim of the study To evaluate the role of micronized purified flavanoid fraction and ethanol Graptophyllum pictum extract in the treatment of anal ulcer.

Method Twenty-eight Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups. Groups 2, 3 and 4 the anus were induced with croton oil, but was not induced on group 1. Groups 1 and 2 were treated with normal saline, while groups 3 and 4 were treated with micronized purified flavanoid fraction, and ethanol G. pictum extract, respectively. On 9th days blood sample were taken from the retro-orbital region, and Wistar was killed by cervical dislocation under ether anesthesia. The anal canal was resected up 2 cm from anal opening, weighted, photographically taken to measure the percentage of residual ulcer, and then prepared for microscopic examination. Elisa methods were done for superoxide dismutase and malondialdedhyde. The total leukocyte in the anal specimen was counted under 400 magnification power. superoxide dismutase, anal coefficient, and total leukocyte for statistical analysis were using ANOVA and LSD, while malondialdedhyde and percentage of ulcers were using Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney.

Result Treatment with ethanol G. pictum extract dose of 100 mg/kg BW significantly reduces the percentage of anal ulcer, the edema, leukocyte infiltration, and malondialdedhyde, and increase the superoxide dismutase in comparison without treatment. Treatment with micronized purified flavanoid fraction did not reduce the leukocyte, anal coefficient, and percentage of anal ulcer, only increase malondialdedhyde and decrease superoxide dismutase significantly.

The Anti-inflammatory Effects of the Bioactive Compounds Isolated from Alpinia officinarum Hance Mediated by the Suppression of NF-kappaB and MAPK Signaling

This study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of Alpinia officinarum Hance extract (AOE) and identify its main active ingredients. AOE was obtained using a 95% ethanol extraction method. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used to induce an inflammatory response in RAW264.7 cells. The results showed that AOE exerts anti-inflammatory effects via inhibition of prostaglandin E₂ secretion and cyclooxygenase -2 (COX-2) production. We further analyzed the components of AOE using high-performance liquid chromatography and found that AOE is comprised of several bioactive flavonoids including quercetin (Q), kaempferol (K), galangin (G), and curcumin (C). These four flavonoids effectively inhibited nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α production. Moreover, they reduced COX-2 and inducible NO synthase expressions via regulation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells and c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling pathways. Furthermore, we compared and contrasted the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of these four flavonoids at the same dose in the LPS-induced cell inflammation model. The results showed that C is the most effective inhibitor of LPS-induced NO production. However, only Q and K effectively attenuated LPS-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 elevations. In conclusion, AOE and its major bioactive compounds exert anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced inflammation. As A. officinarum Hance is much cheaper than any of its four flavonoids, especially G, we suggest using AOE as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Lack of CD34 delays bacterial endotoxin-induced lung inflammation

Background

CD34, a pan-selectin binding protein when glycosylated, has been shown to be involved in leukocyte migration to the site of inflammation. However, only one report is available on the expression and role of CD34 in neutrophil recruitment during acute lung inflammation.

Methods

We proceeded to study the role of CD34 in lung neutrophil migration using mouse model of endotoxin induced acute lung inflammation and studied over multiple time points, in generic CD34 knock-out (KO) strain.

Results

While there was no difference in BAL total or differential leukocyte counts, lung MPO content was lower in LPS exposed KO compared to WT group at 3 h time-point (p = 0.0308). The MPO levels in CD34 KO mice begin to rise at 9 h (p = 0.0021), as opposed to an early 3 h rise in WT mice (p = 0.0001), indicating that KO mice display delays in lung neutrophil recruitment kinetics. KO mice do not loose endotoxin induced lung vascular barrier properties as suggested by lower BAL total protein at 3 h (p = 0.0452) and 24 h (p = 0.0113) time-points. Several pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, KC, MIP-1α, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12 p70 sub-unit; p < 0.05) had higher levels in WT compared to KO group, at 3 h. Lung immunofluorescence in healthy WT mice reveals CD34 expression in the bronchiolar epithelium, in addition to alveolar septa.

Conclusion

Thus, given CD34′s pan-selectin affinity, and expression in the bronchiolar epithelium as well as alveolar septa, our study points towards a role of CD34 in lung neutrophil recruitment but not alveolar migration, cytokine expression and lung inflammation.

Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effects, and bioaccessibility of Tigzirt propolis

This work aims to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of Tigzirt propolis native to Algeria. We divided 48 male Wistar rats into 8 groups. We orally administered ethyl acetate extract of propolis (EAP), pure polyphenols compounds, or diclofenac 5 days before induction of inflammation by of carrageenan (100 μg/ml, i.p.). We determined the development of paw edema, biological parameters, myeloperoxidase activity, TNF-α, and prostaglandin E2 and measured the oxidative status parameters, as well. Finally, we analyzed the absorption and bioaccessibility of propolis in rats' plasma using GC-MS after orally dosing rats (250 mg/kg). The pretreatment by 200 and 250 mg/kg of propolis significantly reduced the edema rates after the third hour. Propolis can restore the disruption of homeostasis as well as markers of inflammation induced by carrageenan in Wistar rats, and an increase of the enzymatic activities. Furthermore, the inflammation was better resolved in rats that received propolis than in those treated with pure polyphenols. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Propolis is a natural mixture that bees produce by mixing gathered resin and gums to bee saliva and wax. Our research investigated the effect of Tigzirt propolis on the inhibition of biomarkers of inflammation and the development of paw edema. Propolis extract helped to reduce PGE2, TNF-α, myeloperoxidase, and malondialdehyde levels and increase the total antioxidant levels in plasma. Our findings emphasized the use of phenolic extract of propolis in industries such as nutraceuticals for the prevention of inflammatory diseases. It can also protect the body against damage under oxidative stress.

The stingless bee honey protects against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage and lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in vitro

Oxidative stress, DNA damage, and unresolved inflammation are the predisposing factors of many chronic and degenerative diseases, including cancer. Stingless bee honey (SBH) is recognized to have high medicinal value by traditional medicine practitioners and has been used to treat various illnesses traditionally. This study aimed to determine the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and genoprotective effects of SBH by using in vitro cell culture models. The sugar content, total phenolic content, radical scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of SBH were determined in this study. Then, the protective effect of SBH against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced cell death and DNA damage was studied by using WIL2-NS human lymphoblastoid cell line, while the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 murine macrophages cell line was used to study the anti-inflammatory effects of SBH. Results from this present study showed that the major sugar contents of SBH were fructose (19.39 + 0.01%) and glucose (14.03 ± 0.03%). Besides, the total phenolic content, the radical scavenging activity, and the FRAP value of SBH were 15.38 ± 0.02 mg GAE/100 g of honey, 34.04 ± 0.21%, and 206.77 + 1.76 μM AAE/100 g honey respectively. Pretreatment with SBH protected WIL2-NS cells from H₂O₂-induced cell death and DNA damage (p < 0.001). Moreover, SBH was also able to attenuate the production of nitric oxide by inhibiting the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells (p < 0.001). In conclusion, SBH is rich in total phenolic content and possesses strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and genoprotective properties. Our current findings suggest that SBH might be useful in the prevention and treatment of many diseases caused by oxidative stress and inflammation assuming the observed effects are also achievable in vivo.

Pro- and anti-inflammatory responses of common carp Cyprinus carpio head kidney leukocytes to E.coli LPS as modified by different dietary plant oils

Dietary lipids could modify fatty acid (FA) composition in fish tissues. Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) such as arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaneoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are able to modulate the immune status in fish through an inflammatory process but their availability may be limited when fish are exclusively fed plant oils. This study was conducted to evaluate how to maximise the utilisation of dietary plant oil for an efficient inflammatory response in common carp head kidney leukocytes (HKLs) exposed to a gram-negative bacterial endotoxin, Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides (LPS). HKLs were isolated from fish fed cod liver oil (CLO), linseed oil (LO), sesame oil (SO) a blend of SO and LO (SLO, v:v 1:1), and these plant oil diets supplemented with DHA (SO + DHA, SOD) or ARA (LO + ARA, LOA) for 6 weeks. Cells were then exposed to LPS at a dose of 10 μg/mL for 4 and 24 h. Peroxidase activity, total Ig, and NO levels were measured in the culture medium, while cells were used for expression analyses of candidate genes in pattern recognition (tlr-4), eicosanoid metabolism (pge2, 5-lox), pro-inflammatory (il-1, il-6, il-8, tnf-α, nf-kb, inos, cxc), anti-inflammatory (il-10, nf-kbi, tgf-β1) responses, and cytoprotective (gpx-1, prdx-3) processes. Results showed that LPS induced significantly inflammatory responses, evidenced by a high level of almost all the targeted humoral immune parameters and/or gene expression. Expression of inflammatory cytokines and other inflammatory mediators was upregulated after 4 h-LPS exposure and reverted to basal levels after 24 h. HKLs from fish fed SLO, LOA, or SOD diet exhibited a more efficient regulation of acute inflammatory processes than those fed CLO diet. The results indicate that the immune competence of fish fed plant oil mixture was comparable to the one of fish fed fish oil diet. Moreover, the supplementation of ARA or DHA induced similar immunomodulation in common carp.

Evaluation of Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Potential of 80% Methanol Leaf Extract of Otostegia integrifolia Benth (Lamiaceae)

Introduction

Pain and inflammatory disorders are the most prevalent syndromes. Different herbs were used for treatment of pain and inflammation including members of the genus Otostegia. As a result, this research investigated the in vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of 80% methanol leaf extract of Otostegia integrifolia in mice.

Methods

The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the plant was evaluated using hot plate method, acetic-acid induced writhing test, and carrageenan and formalin induced paw edema. Three experimental groups (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) received the extract while morphine 10 mg/kg and aspirin 150 mg/kg were used as a positive control for analgesic and anti-inflammatory tests accordingly. Distilled water (10 mL/kg) was used as negative control.

Results

From the experimental groups, OI400 displayed significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities (P<0.001). In acetic acid induced writhing tests, the number of writhes decreased significantly (P<0.001) in all experimental groups. Similarly, OI400 reduced the mean paw edema significantly in carrageenan and formalin induced paw edema (P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

In general, the results obtained in this study demonstrated that the extract exhibited significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential in mice.

3'-Hydroxypterostilbene Inhibits 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)/12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-Acetate (TPA)-Induced Mouse Skin Carcinogenesis

BACKGROUND

A natural pterostilbene analogue isolated from the herb Sphaerophysa salsula, 3'-hydroxypterostilbene (HPSB), exhibits antiproliferative activity in several cancer cell lines; however, the inhibitory effects of HPSB on skin carcinogenesis remains unclear.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effects of HPSB on two-stage skin carcinogenesis in mice and its potential mechanism.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects of HPSB in the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-stimulated acute skin inflammation and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)/TPA-induced two-stage skin carcinogenesis model. In addition, the effects of HPSB on the modulation of the phase I and phase II metabolizing enzymes in the DMBA-induced HaCaT cell model were investigated.

RESULTS

The results provide evidence that topical treatment with HPSB significantly inhibits TPA-induced epidermal hyperplasia and leukocyte infiltration through the down-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), matrix metalloprotein-9 (MMP-9), and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) protein expression in mouse skin. Furthermore, HPSB suppresses DMBA/TPA-induced skin tumor incidence and multiplicity via the inhibition of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Cyclin B1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) expression in the two-stage skin carcinogenesis model. In addition, pretreatment with HPSB markedly reduces DMBA-induced cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) gene expression in human keratinocytes; however, HPSB does not significantly affect the gene expression of the phase II enzymes.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to show that topical treatment with HPSB prevents mouse skin tumorigenesis. Overall, our study suggests that natural HPSB may serve as a novel chemopreventive agent capable of preventing carcinogen activation and inflammation-associated tumorigenesis.