Meroterpenoid-Rich Fraction of the Ethanol Extract of Sargassum Serratifolium Suppresses Collagen-Induced Rheumatoid Arthritis in DBA/1J Mice Via Inhibition of Nuclear Factor κB Activation

The beneficial effects of ethanolic extract of Sargassum serratifolium in DNCB-induced mouse model of atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic complex inflammatory skin disorder that requires sustainable treatment methods due to the limited efficacy of conventional therapies. Sargassum serratifolium, an algal species with diverse bioactive substances, is investigated in this study for its potential benefits as a therapeutic agent for atopic dermatitis. RNA sequencing of LPS-stimulated macrophages treated with ethanolic extract of Sargassum serratifolium (ESS) revealed its ability to inhibit a broad range of inflammation-related signaling, which was proven in RAW 264.7 and HaCaT cells. In DNCB-induced BALB/c or HR-1 mice, ESS treatment improved symptoms of atopic dermatitis within the skin, along with histological improvements such as reduced epidermal thickness and infiltration of mast cells. ESS showed a tendency to improve serum IgE levels and inflammation-related cytokine changes, while also improving the mRNA expression levels of Chi3l3, Ccr1, and Fcεr1a genes in the skin. Additionally, ESS compounds (sargachromanol (SCM), sargaquinoic acid (SQA), and sargahydroquinoic acid (SHQA)) mitigated inflammatory responses in LPS-treated RAW264.7 macrophages. In summary, ESS has an anti-inflammatory effect and improves atopic dermatitis, ESS may be applied as a therapeutics for atopic dermatitis.

Opuntia monacantha: Validation of the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity of its polyphenolic rich extract in silico and in vivo via assessment of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Opuntia monacantha belongs to the cactus family Cactaceae and is also known by cochineal prickly pear, Barbary fig or drooping prickly pear. It was traditionally used to treat pain and inflammation. O. monacantha cladodes showed pharmacological effects such as antioxidant potential owing to the presence of certain polysaccharides, flavonoids, and phenols.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This research aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory as well as the anti-arthritic potential of ethanol extract of Opuntia monacantha (E-OM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vivo edema in rat paw was triggered by carrageenan and used to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity, while induction of arthritis by Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) rat model was done to measure anti-arthritic potential. In silico studies of the previously High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) characterized metabolites of ethanol extract was performed by using Discovery Studio 4.5 (Accelrys Inc., San Diego, CA, USA) within active pocket of glutaminase 1 (GLS1) (PDB code: 3VP1; 2.30 Å).

RESULTS

EOM, particularly at 750 mg/kg, caused a reduction in the paw edema significantly and decreased arthritic score by 80.58% compared to the diseased group. It revealed significant results when histopathology of ankle joint was examined at 28th day as it reduced inflammation by 18.06%, bone erosion by 15.50%, and pannus formation by 24.65% with respect to the diseased group. It restored the altered blood parameters by 7.56%, 18.47%, and 3.37% for hemoglobin (Hb), white blood count (WBC), and platelets, respectively. It also reduced rheumatoid factor RF by 13.70% with concomitant amelioration in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels by 19%, and 34.16%, respectively, in comparison to the diseased group. It notably decreased mRNA expression levels of COX-2, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1, NF-κβ and augmented the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in real time PCR with respect to the diseased group and piroxicam. HPLC analysis previously performed showed that phenolic acids and flavonoids are present in E-OM. Molecular docking studies displayed pronounced inhibitory potential of these compounds towards glutaminase 1 (GLS1), approaching and even exceeding piroxicam.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, Opuntia monacantha could be a promising agent to manage inflammation and arthritis and could be incorporated into pharmaceuticals.

Connection between Osteoarthritis and Nitric Oxide: From Pathophysiology to Therapeutic Target

Osteoarthritis (OA), a disabling joint inflammatory disease, is characterized by the progressive destruction of cartilage, subchondral bone remodeling, and chronic synovitis. Due to the prolongation of the human lifespan, OA has become a serious public health problem that deserves wide attention. The development of OA is related to numerous factors. Among the factors, nitric oxide (NO) plays a key role in mediating this process. NO is a small gaseous molecule that is widely distributed in the human body, and its synthesis is dependent on NO synthase (NOS). NO plays an important role in various physiological processes such as the regulation of blood volume and nerve conduction. Notably, NO acts as a double-edged sword in inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have shown that NO and its redox derivatives might be closely related to both normal and pathophysiological joint conditions. They can play vital roles as normal bone cell-conditioning agents for osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes. Moreover, they can also induce cartilage catabolism and cell apoptosis. Based on different conditions, the NO/NOS system can act as an anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory agent for OA. This review summarizes the studies related to the effects of NO on all normal and OA joints as well as the possible new treatment strategies targeting the NO/NOS system.

Sargahydroquinoic acid isolated from Sargassum serratifolium as inhibitor of cellular basophils activation and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in mice

Basophils and mast cells are characteristic effector cells in allergic reactions. Sargahydorquinoic acid (SHQA), a compound isolated from Sargassum serratifolium (marine alga), possesses various biochemical properties, including potent antioxidant activities. The objective of the present study was to investigate inhibitory effects of SHQA on the activation of human basophilic KU812F cells induced by phorbol myristate acetate and A23187 (PMACI), a calcium ionophore. Furthermore, we confirmed the inhibitory effects of SHQA on the activation of rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells induced by compound 48/80 (com 48/80), bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMCMCs) induced by anti-dinitrophenyl(DNP)-immunoglobulin E (IgE)/DNP-bovine serum albumin (BSA), DNP/IgE and on the reaction of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) mediated by IgE. SHQA reduced PMACI-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium levels. Western blot analysis revealed that SHQA downregulated the activation of ERK, p38, and NF-κB in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, SHQA suppressed the production and gene expression of various cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1 β, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-8 in PMACI-induced KU812F cells and IL-4 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- α in com 48/80-induced RBL-2H3 cells. It also determined the inhibition of PMACI, com 48/80- and IgE/DNP-induced degranulation by reducing the release of β -hexosaminidase. Furthermore, it attenuated the IgE/DNP-induced PCA reaction in the ears of BALB/c mice. These results suggest that SHQA isolated from S. serratifolium is a potential therapeutic functional food material for inhibiting effector cell activation in allergic reactions and anaphylaxis in animal model.

Meroterpenoid-Rich Ethanoic Extract of Sargassum macrocarpum Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice

Colitis is a colon mucosal disorder characterized by intestinal damage and inflammation. This current study aimed to evaluate the effect of meroterpenoid-rich ethanoic extract of a brown algae, Sargassum macrocarpum (MES) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice and explore the possible mechanisms. Mice were given 4% DSS in drinking water for 7 days to induce colitis, followed by 3 days of regular water. MES (12 mg/kg body weight) or celecoxib (10 mg/kg body weight) was administrated orally to mice on a daily basis during these 10 days. Both MES and celecoxib supplementations significantly attenuated DSS-induced weight loss, shortening of colon length, elevated myeloperoxidase activity as well as histomorphological changes of colon. MES and celecoxib reduced the inflammation level of colon tissue, as indicated by its suppression on a panel of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor α, and interferon γ, and a group of inflammatory proteins, including intracellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular adhesion molecule 1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, MMP-13, and inducible nitric oxidase. In addition, their administration down-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum. Moreover, the supplementation of MES suppressed the DSS-induced hyperactivation of Akt, JNK, and NF-κB signaling pathways. Taken together, our results demonstrate that MES ameliorates DSS-induced colitis in mice, suggesting that MES may have therapeutic implications for the treatment of colitis.

Green Synthesis of Silver and Gold Nanoparticles via Sargassum serratifolium Extract for Catalytic Reduction of Organic Dyes

The green synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) using bio-materials has attained enormous attention in recent years due to its simple, eco-friendly, low-cost and non-toxic nature. In this work, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized by the marine algae extract, Sargassum serratifolium (SS). The characteristic studies of bio-synthesized SS-AgNPs and SS-AuNPs were carried out by using ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) absorption spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Phytochemicals in the algae extract, such as meroterpenoids, acted as a capping agent for the NPs’ growth. The synthesized Ag and Au NPs were found to have important catalytic activity for the degradation of organic dyes, including methylene blue, rhodamine B and methyl orange. The reduction of dyes by SS-AgNPs and -AuNPs followed the pseudo-first order kinetics.

Foeniculum vulgare seed extract exerts anti-cancer effects on hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors. The prognosis of HCC is very poor due to the absence of symptoms and a lack of effective treatments. Studies have shown that various Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) extracts exhibit anti-cancer effects on malignant tumors such as skin cancer and prostate cancer. However, the anti-tumor activity of Foeniculum vulgare and its underlying molecular mechanisms towards HCC are unknown. Here, we provide fundamental evidence to show that the 75% ethanol extract of Foeniculum vulgare seeds (FVE) reduced cell viability, induced apoptosis, and effectively inhibited cell migration in HCC cells in vitro. HCC xenograft studies in nude mice showed that FVE significantly inhibited HCC growth in vivo. Mechanistic analyses showed that FVE reduced survivin protein levels and triggered mitochondrial toxicity, subsequently inducing caspase-3 activation and apoptosis. Survivin inhibition effectively sensitized HCC cells to FVE-induced apoptosis. Moreover, FVE did not induce a decrease in survivin or apoptotic toxicity in normal liver cells. Collectively, in vivo and in vitro results suggest that FVE exerts inhibitory effects in HCC by targeting the oncoprotein survivin, suggesting FVE may be a potential anti-cancer agent that may benefit patients with HCC.

Inhibiting role of long non-coding RNA LINC01197 in inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis through the microRNA-150/THBS2 axis

PURPOSE

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a commonly diagnosed systemic autoimmune disease. Aberrant expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is closely linked to the development of RA. This study was conducted to explore the functions of the lncRNA LINC01197 in RA progression.

METHODS

Differentially expressed lncRNAs/microRNAs/mRNAs in patients with RA were analyzed using RNA microarrays. A mouse model with RA was established and RA-fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS) were acquired for in vitro experiments. The function of LINC01197 in inflammation and RA progression in mice and its role in the viability of RA-FLS were determined by experiments involving its overexpression or suppression. The sub-cellular localization of LINC01197 was determined and the downstream molecules involved in LINC01197-mediated events were identified.

RESULTS

LINC01197 was poorly expressed in the synovial tissues in the RA model mice. Overexpression of LINC01197 reduced RA severity in mice and inhibited proliferation and inflammatory responses as well as promoted apoptosis in RA-FLS. Online predictions and dual luciferase reporter gene assays suggested that LINC01197 could bind to miR-150 and further regulate THBS2 expression. LINC01197 promoted THBS2 expression through miR-150 sponging and inactivated the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, thus alleviating RA inflammation.

CONCLUSION

The current study suggested that LINC01197 sponged miR-150 to promote THBS2 expression, leading to TLR4/NF-κB inactivation, and ameliorated RA inflammation. These findings may offer new insights into RA treatment.

Pharmacological and natural products diversity of the brown algae genus Sargassum

Sargassum (F. Sargassaceae) is an important seaweed excessively distributed in tropical and subtropical regions.