Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Licochalcone A via Regulation of ORAI1 and K+ Channels in T-Lymphocytes

Calcium signaling plays a vital role in the regulation of various cellular processes, including activation, proliferation, and differentiation of T-lymphocytes, which is mediated by ORAI1 and potassium (K⁺) channels. These channels have also been identified as highly attractive therapeutic targets for immune-related diseases. Licochalcone A is a licorice-derived chalconoid known for its multifaceted beneficial effects in pharmacological treatments, including its anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antitumorigenic properties. However, its anti-inflammatory effects involving ion channels in lymphocytes remain unclear. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate whether licochalcone A inhibits ORAI1 and K⁺ channels in T-lymphocytes. Our results indicated that licochalcone A suppressed all three channels (ORAI1, Kv1.3, and KCa3.1) in a concentration-dependent matter, with IC₅₀ values of 2.97 ± 1.217 µM, 0.83 ± 1.222 µM, and 11.21 ± 1.07 µM, respectively. Of note, licochalcone A exerted its suppressive effects on the IL-2 secretion and proliferation in CD3 and CD28 antibody-induced T-cells. These results indicate that the use of licochalcone A may provide an effective treatment strategy for inflammation-related immune diseases.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Gut Microbiome: Their Respective and Concert Effects on Healthcare

Advances in systems biology, particularly based on the omics approaches, have resulted in a paradigm shift in both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the gut microbiome research. In line with this paradigm shift, the importance of TCM and gut microbiome in healthcare, as well as their interplay, has become clearer. Firstly, we briefly summarize the current status of three topics in this review: microbiome, TCM, and relationship of TCM and microbiome. Second, we focused on TCM's therapeutic effects and gut microbiome's mediation roles, including the relationships among diet, gut microbiome, and health care. Third, we have summarized some databases and tools to help understand the impact of TCM and gut microbiome on diagnosis and treatment at the molecular level. Finally, we introduce the effects of gut microbiome on TCM and host health, with two case studies, one on the metabolic effect of gut microbiome on TCM, and another on cancer treatment. In summary, we have reviewed the current status of the two components of healthcare: TCM and gut microbiome, as well as their concert effects. It is quite clear that as the holobiont, the maintenance of the health status of human would depend heavily on TCM, gut microbiome, and their combined effects.

Immunosuppressive Effects of Natural α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyl-Based Compounds, and Their Analogs and Derivatives, on Immune Cells: A Review

The immune system is complex and pervasive as it functions to prevent or limit infections in the human body. In a healthy organism, the immune system and the redox balance of immune cells maintain homeostasis within the body. The failure to maintain the balance may lead to impaired immune response and either over activity or abnormally low activity of the immune cells resulting in autoimmune or immune deficiency diseases. Compounds containing α,β-unsaturated carbonyl-based moieties are often reactive. The reactivity of these groups is responsible for their diverse pharmacological activities, and the most important and widely studied include the natural compounds curcumin, chalcone, and zerumbone. Numerous studies have revealed the mainly immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory activities of the aforesaid compounds. This review highlights the specific immunosuppressive effects of these natural α,β-unsaturated carbonyl-based compounds, and their analogs and derivatives on different types of immune cells of the innate (granulocytes, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells) and adaptive (T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells) immune systems. The inhibitory effects of these compounds have been comprehensively studied on neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages but their effects on T cells, B cells, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells have not been well investigated. It is of paramount importance to continue generating experimental data on the mechanisms of action of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl-based compounds on immune cells to provide useful information for ensuing research to discover new immunomodulating agents.

Cardioprotection against ischemia/reperfusion by licochalcone B in isolated rat hearts

The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a major cause of heart injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion. The left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and the maximum up/down rate of left ventricular pressure (±dp/dt(max)) were documented by a physiological recorder. Myocardial infarct size was estimated macroscopically using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Coronary effluent was analyzed for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) release to assess the degree of cardiac injury. The levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were analyzed to determine the inflammation status of the myocardial tissue. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis analysis was performed using the In Situ Cell Death Detection Kit, POD. Accordingly, licochalcone B pretreatment improved the heart rate (HR), increased LVDP, and decreased CK and LDH levels in coronary flow. SOD level and GSH/GSSG ratio increased, whereas the levels of MDA, TNF-α, and CRP and activities of IL-8 and IL-6 decreased in licochalcone B-treated groups. The infarct size and cell apoptosis in hearts from licochalcone B-treated group were lower than those in hearts from the I/R control group. Therefore, the cardioprotective effects of licochalcone B may be attributed to its antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory activities.

Inhibition by licochalcone A, a novel flavonoid isolated from liquorice root, of IL-1beta-induced PGE2 production in human skin fibroblasts

Licochalcone A, a novel flavonoid isolated from the root of Glycyrrhiza inflata, has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory activity in animal models. In this study, we examined the effect of licochalcone A on the production of chemical mediators such as prostaglandin (PG)E2 and cytokines by interleukin (IL)-1beta in human skin fibroblasts. Licochalcone A (IC50 15.0 nM) inhibited PGE2 production, but not IL-6 and IL-8 production, in response to IL-1beta. NS-398 (IC50 1.6 nM), a COX-2 selective inhibitor, also suppressed the PGE2 production. Furthermore, licochalcone A and NS-398 suppressed PGF(2alpha) production by IL-1beta. However, licochalcone A (1 microM) had no effect on increased levels of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA and protein in cells. Dexamethasone (100 nM) not only inhibited PGE2, PGF(2alpha), IL-6 and IL-8 production but also strongly suppressed the expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein. Licochalcone A had no effect on COX-1-dependent PGE2 production, whereas indometacin (100 nM), a dual inhibitor of COX-1 and COX-2, was very effective. These results suggest that licochalcone A induces an anti-inflammatory effect through the inhibition of COX-2-dependent PGE2 production. Furthermore, it appears that the inhibitory effect of licochalcone A on PGE2 production in response to IL-1beta is quite different from that of the steroid.

Carp oil or oleic acid, but not linoleic acid or linolenic acid, inhibits tumor growth and metastasis in Lewis lung carcinoma-bearing mice

I examined the effects of carp oil, oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid on tumor growth and metastasis to the liver in mice implanted intrasplenically with highly metastatic Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) tumors. Carp oil (0.1 or 0.2 mL per mouse) significantly reduced tumor growth and metastasis to the liver. Carp oil at 100 or 1000 mg/L inhibited the DNA synthesis in LLC cells, the capillary-like tube formation of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) at 1000 mg/L and the adherence of LLC cells to HMVEC at 10 to 1000 mg/L (in vitro). Carp oil (0.2 mL per mouse) inhibited the angiogenesis induced by Matrigel supplemented with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and heparin (in vivo). Antitumor and antimetastatic actions of carp oil might be partly attributable to the inhibition of DNA synthesis in LLC cells and angiogenesis through the inhibition of the adherence of LLC cells to the microvascular endothelium. Oleic acid (0.1 or 0.2 mL per mouse) significantly inhibited the metastasis to the liver, but it had no effect on the primary solid-tumor growth. Oleic acid inhibited the angiogenesis in both in vitro and in vivo models. Oleic acid at 1000 micromol/L inhibited the DNA synthesis in LLC cells but did not affect the DNA synthesis in HMVEC. These inhibitory actions of oleic acid may be attributable to the inhibition of angiogenesis induced by the tumor. Linoleic acid and linolenic acid had no effect on tumor growth or metastasis to the liver.

Systematic analysis of post-administrative saiboku-to urine by liquid chromatography to determine pharmacokinetics of traditional Chinese medicine

To disclose the mystery of a traditional Chinese medicine and to identify biologically active components, we analysed post-administrative urine for Saiboku-To, an anti-asthmatic Chinese herbal remedy. Systematic analysis of the components appearing in the urine was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with normal- and reversed-phase modes in combination. beta-D-glucuronidase-treated urine was subjected to rapid-flow fractionation (RFF) to achieve fractional extraction of lipophilic components with exhaustive recovery rates. The extracts were analysed by HPLC equipped with a multi-channel UV-detector. In the first stage of HPLC, we conducted a normal-phase mode run to find magnolol derived from Magnolia officinalis, as the most hydrophobic component showing minimum retention time among the urinary products of Saiboku-To. In the next stage, mobile phase solvent composition for reversed-phase HPLC was optimized so as to retain magnolol up to 60 min. Under these conditions, other Saiboku-To urinary products, which were more polar than magnolol, appeared within 60 min. Our HPLC method used marker compounds like magnolol and could indicate the terminal peak position on the reversed-phase chromatography. We found a total of eight components in the post-administrative Saiboku-To urine. Structure identification of the isolated pure materials was achieved using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-, mass (MS)- and UV-spectra, and HPLC retention profiles. They were magnolol and 8,9-dihydroxydihydromagnolol stemming from M. officinalis, medicarpin and liquiritigenin from Glycyrrhiza glabra, baicalein, wogonin, and oroxylin A from Scutellaria baicalensis, and davidigenin of an unknown origin. The pharmacological mystery of Saiboku-To should be disclosed by resolving the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of these urinary products independently and synergistically.

5-lipoxygenase inhibitors and their anti-inflammatory activities

A wide variety of agents have been reported as 5-LO inhibitors. The majority of the series appear to be lipophilic reducing agents, including phenols, partially saturated aromatics, and compounds containing heteroatom-heteroatom bonds. Many of these are not selective 5-LO inhibitors, but often affect CO and other LOs as well. In vivo systemic activity for many of these has been, in general, disappointing, probably because of poor bioavailability caused by lipophilicity and metabolic instability (oxidation, and conjugation of phenolic compounds). However, topically a number of agents have shown promise for skin inflammation, with Syntex's lonapalene the most advanced of these. Most results published to date appear more disappointing in the allergy/asthma field. More excitingly, a few structural types are selective 5-LO inhibitors which have shown systemic activity in vivo and in the clinic. Abbott's zileuton (136) appears to be one of the leading compounds in this category, along with other hydroxamates such as BW-A4C (129) from Burroughs-Wellcome. Recent selective non-reducing agents such as Wyeth-Ayerst's Wy-50,295 (143) and the similar ICI compounds such as ICI 216800 (145) also hold promise. The enantiospecific effects of (106) and (145) are especially interesting for the design of new inhibitors. If compounds like these validate the hypothesis that inhibition of 5-LO will have a significant anti-inflammatory effect, a redoubling of effort throughout the industry to find second- and third-generation selective agents may be expected. Part of the difficulty in interpreting and comparing the 5-LO literature is the plethora of test methods and activity criteria. As pointed out in the introduction, inhibition of product release from cells, often stimulated with A23187, has commonly been used to demonstrate 5-LO inhibition. However, this type of assay cannot be assumed to be diagnostic for 5-LO inhibition. Only if specificity for 5-LO product generation and (ideally) activity in cell-free enzymes is also shown should mechanistic interpretations be made. Recently, a new class of compounds was found at Merck which inhibited LT biosynthesis without inhibiting 5-LO, but apparently by a novel, specific mechanism. L-655,240 (169) and L-663,536 (MK-886) (170) were both active in human ISN, with IC50 values in the low micromolar range. Both also orally inhibited GPB (< 1 mg/kg). MK-886 was effective in Ascaris-induced asthma in squirrel monkeys, in rat carrageenan pleurisy, in rat Arthus pleurisy, and (topically) in guinea-pig ear oedema induced by A23187.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)