Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Gingerol on Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Cells by Inhibiting NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Therapeutic potential of traditional herbal plants and their polyphenols in alleviation of mercury toxicity

Mercury (Hg) is a major environmental contaminant significantly impacting human health. As a naturally occurring element, mercury has been extensively mobilized into aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems over thousands of years, largely due to anthropogenic activities such as mining and metal extraction. Acute mercury toxicity causes extensive physiological damage, affecting vital organs including the kidneys, heart, liver, brain, and skin. Phytochemicals, known for their diverse pharmacological properties, have shown promise in mitigating metal-induced toxicities, including mercury. These compounds exhibit protective effects against mercury-induced multi-organ damage through mechanisms such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition, and anti-inflammatory activity. This review explores the therapeutic potential of traditional herbal plants and their phytoconstituents in alleviating mercury-induced toxicity. Key findings highlight several plants with hepatoprotective effects, mitigating necrosis and anatomical distortion in liver cells. Phytochemicals such as quercetin, rutin, salicylic acid, ferulic acid, 6-gingerol, and 6-shogaol play pivotal roles in downregulating molecular pathways activated by mercury exposure. Other bioactive compounds, including acetogenin and gallic acid, exhibit potent antioxidant properties, with mechanisms such as ROS scavenging and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. This review also highlights certain compounds, such as aloe-emodin and gentisic acid, which exhibit potential for mitigating mercury toxicity through mechanisms like inhibiting oxidative stress and enhancing cellular defense pathways. However, these compounds remain underexplored, with no significant studies conducted to evaluate their efficacy against mercury-induced toxicity, presenting a critical area for future research. These findings underscore the potential of phytochemicals as effective agents in combating mercury toxicity through antioxidant mechanisms, cellular signalling regulation, and heavy metal chelation.

Recent Trends in Nanoparticulate Delivery System for Amygdalin as Potential Therapeutic Herbal Bioactive Agent for Cancer Treatment

Cancer is the deadliest and most serious health problem. The mortality rate of cancer patients has increased significantly worldwide in recent years. There are several treatments available, but these treatments have many limitations, such as non-specific targeting, toxicity, bioavailability, solubility, permeability problems, serious side effects, and a higher dose. Many people prefer phytomedicine because it has fewer side effects. However, amygdalin is a naturally occurring phytoconstituent. It has many harmful effects due to the cyanide group present in the chemical structure. Many scientists and researchers have given their thoughts associated with amygdalin and its toxicities. However, there is a need for a more advanced, effective, and newer delivery system with reduced toxicity effects of amygdalin. Nanotechnology has become a more refined and emerging medical approach, offering innovative research areas to treat cancer. This review focuses on the use of amygdaline as herbal medicine encapsulating into several nanoparticulate delivery systems such as silver nanoparticles, graphene oxide nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, nanofibers, nanocomposites, niosomes, and magnetic nanoparticles in the treatment of cancer. In addition, this article provides information on amygdalin structure and physical properties, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and challenges with amygdalin.

Therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action of ginger and its bioactive components on inflammatory response, oxidative stress, the immune system, and organ failure in sepsis: a comprehensive systematic review

CONTEXT

Sepsis refers to a usually lethal medical condition that results from an extreme, uncontrolled, and multifaceted immune system response to infection. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe; Zingiberaceae) is 1 of the most popular spice. It is widely used as a traditional herb and as medicine in the treatment of some inflammatory conditions, such as vomiting, pain, cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, because of its varied medical characteristics, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antitumor effects.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the potential roles of ginger and its elements in sepsis.

DATA SOURCES

This systematic review article was conducted and reported by following the guideline of the Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA). Electronic databases, including Web of Sciences, Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and ProQuest, were searched using related key words up to January 2023.

DATA EXTRACTION

Among 141 found articles, 48 eligible articles were included and reviewed for their details. Data were extracted, including the first author's name, year of publication, name of origin country, study design, number and type of subject, dosage and type of intervention, study duration, assay, and main results.

DATA ANALYSIS

The data from the included articles showed that ginger and its bioactive elements, such as gingerol (1-300 µg/mL or 1-100 mg/kg for 24 hours to 14 days), shogaol (0.2-100 µg/mL or 10-40 mg/kg body weight for 24 hours to 8 days), gingerdione (1-100 µg/mL for 20-48 hours), and zingerone (2-20 µM for 4 hours to 8 days), can be effective in sepsis via suppressing the gene expression and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidant agents, downregulating immune response, and protecting against sepsis-induced organ failures in experimental and animal models.

CONCLUSION

Ginger has potential therapeutic effects in sepsis. Human clinical trials are recommended.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42023373613.

Dietary anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial medicinal plants and its compounds in bovine mastitis associated impact on human life

Bovine mastitis (BM) is the most common bacterial mediated inflammatory disease in the dairy cattle that causes huge economic loss to the dairy industry due to decreased milk quality and quantity. Milk is the essential food in the human diet, and rich in crucial nutrients that helps in lowering the risk of diseases like hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. The main causative agents of the disease include various gram negative, and positive bacteria, along with other risk factors such as udder shape, age, genetic, and environmental factors also contributes much for the disease. Currently, antibiotics, immunotherapy, probiotics, dry cow, and lactation therapy are commonly recommended for BM. However, these treatments can only decrease the rise of new cases but can't eliminate the causative agents, and they also exhibit several limitations. Hence, there is an urgent need of a potential source that can generate a typical and ideal treatment to overcome the limitations and eliminate the pathogens. Among the various sources, medicinal plants and its derived products always play a significant role in drug discovery against several diseases. In addition, they are also known for its low toxicity and minimum resistance features. Therefore, plants and its compounds that possess anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties can serve better in bovine mastitis. In addition, the plants that are serving as a food source and possessing pharmacological properties can act even better in bovine mastitis. Hence, in this evidence-based study, we particularly review the dietary medicinal plants and derived products that are proven for anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects. Moreover, the role of each dietary plant and its compounds along with possible role in the management of bovine mastitis are delineated. In this way, this article serves as a standalone source for the researchers working in this area to help in the management of BM.

Development of raft-forming liquid formulations loaded with ginger extract-solid dispersion for treatment of gastric ulceration

Raft-forming liquid formulations incorporating ginger extract solid dispersion (GE-SD) were developed to achieve prolonged delivery of 6-gingerol in the stomach and thus increase the effectiveness of gastric ulcer treatment. The solubility of 6-gingerol in 0.1 N HCl (pH 1.2) was maximized (15 mg/mL) by combining ginger extract with PVP K30 at 1:3 w/w ratio to produce a solid dispersion. The nature of GE-SD was confirmed by PXRD and FT-IR analysis. PXRD pattern showed miscibility of GE and PVP K30 in amorphous solid dispersion and the FT-IR spectra confirmed the formation of hydrogen bond between GE and PVP K30. GE-SD-loaded raft-forming liquids were prepared using sodium alginate as a gel former and HPMC as a release-controlling agent. The formulations exhibited rapid floating behavior in 0.1 N HCl (<30 s) and remained afloat on the surface over 8 h. The formed raft structures provided sufficient strength (>7.5 g) and allowed sustained release of more than 70 % of the 6-gingerol content over 8 h in 0.1 N HCl. Raft-forming formulations incorporating ginger extract demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells (IC50 = 5.13 ± 0.07 μg/mL). Exposure to the formulations also had a significant cytotoxic effect on AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells with an IC50 of 17.45 ± 0.29 μg/mL. In addition, the raft-forming formulations enhanced the migratory behavior of L929 mouse fibroblasts in the scratch wound model. Taken together, these findings reveal the benefits of gastro-retentive, GE-SD-loaded raft-forming liquid formulations for improving the treatment of gastric ulcers.

Green-synthesized silver nanoparticles from Zingiber officinale extract: antioxidant potential, biocompatibility, anti-LOX properties, and in silico analysis

INTRODUCTION

Zingiber officinale extract has emerged as a compelling candidate for green synthesis of nanoparticles, offering diverse applications across medicine, cosmetics, and nutrition. This study delves into the investigation of in vitro toxicity and explores the biomedical utility of green-synthesized silver nanoparticles derived from ginger extract (GE-AgNPs).

METHODS

We employed established protocols to evaluate in vitro aspects such as antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory potential, and biocompatibility of GE-AgNPs. Additionally, molecular docking was employed to assess their anti-lipoxygenase (anti-LOX) activity.

RESULTS

Our findings highlight that the extraction of ginger extract at a pH of 6, utilizing a cosolvent blend of ethanol and ethyl acetate in a 1:1 ratio, yields heightened antioxidant capacity attributed to its rich phenolic and flavonoid content. In the context of silver nanoparticle synthesis, pH 6 extraction yields the highest quantity of nanoparticles, characterized by an average size of 32.64 ± 1.65 nm. Of particular significance, GE-AgNPs (at pH 6) demonstrated remarkable efficacy in scavenging free radicals, as evidenced by an IC50 value of 6.83 ± 0.47 µg/mL. The results from the anti-LOX experiment indicate that GE-AgNPs, at a concentration of 10 µg/mL, can inhibit LOX activity by 25%, outperforming ginger extract which inhibits LOX by 17-18%. Notably, clionasterol exhibited higher binding energy and enhanced stability (-8.9 kcal/mol) compared to nordihydroguaiaretic acid. Furthermore, a cell viability study confirmed the safety of GE-AgNPs at a concentration of 17.52 ± 7.00 µg/mL against the L929 cell line.

CONCLUSION

These comprehensive findings underscore the significant biomedical advantages of GE-AgNPs and emphasize their potential incorporation into cosmetic products at a maximum concentration of 10 µg/mL.

From co-delivery to synergistic anti-inflammatory effect: Studies on chitosan-stabilized Janus emulsions having chloroquine phosphate and flavopiridol in Complete Freund's Adjuvant induced arthritis rat model

For the first time, the co-delivery of chloroquine phosphate and flavopiridol by intra-articular route was achieved to provide local joint targeting in Complete Freund's Adjuvant-induced arthritis rat model. The presence of paired-bean structure onto the dispersed oil droplets of o/w nanosized emulsions allows efficient entrapment of two drugs (85.86-96.22 %). The dual drug-loaded emulsions displayed a differential in vitro drug release behavior, near normal cell viability in MTT assay, better cell uptake (internalization) and better reducing effect of mean immunofluorescence intensity of inflammatory proteins such as NF-κB and iNOS at in vitro RAW264.7 macrophage cell line. The radiographical study, ELISA test, RT-PCR study and H & E staining also indicated a reduction in joint tissue swelling, IL-6 and TNF-α levels diminution, fold change diminution in the mRNA expressions for NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-6 and PGE2 and maintenance of near normal histology at bone cartilage interface respectively. The results of metabolomic pathway analysis performed by LC-MS/MS method using the rat blood (plasma) collected from disease control and dual drug-loaded emulsions treatment groups revealed a new follow-up study to understand not only the disease progression but also the formulation therapeutic efficacy assessment.

Galantamine mitigates testicular injury and disturbed spermatogenesis in adjuvant arthritic rats via modulating apoptosis, inflammatory signals, and IL-6/JAK/STAT3/SOCS3 signaling

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects the joints and the endocrine system via persistent immune system activation. RA patients have a higher frequency of testicular dysfunction, impotence, and decreased libido. This investigation aimed to evaluate the efficacy of galantamine (GAL) on testicular injury secondary to RA. Rats were allocated into four groups: control, GAL (2 mg/kg/day, p.o), CFA (0.3 mg/kg, s.c), and CFA + GAL. Testicular injury indicators, such as testosterone level, sperm count, and gonadosomatic index, were evaluated. Inflammatory indicators, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), p-Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB p65), and anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10), were assessed. Cleaved caspase-3 expression was immunohistochemically investigated. Protein expressions of Janus kinase (JAK), signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT3), and Suppressors of Cytokine Signaling 3 (SOCS3) were examined by Western blot analysis. Results show that serum testosterone, sperm count, and gonadosomatic index were increased significantly by GAL. Additionally, GAL significantly diminished testicular IL-6 while improved IL-10 expression relative to CFA group. Furthermore, GAL attenuated testicular histopathological abnormalities by CFA and downregulated cleaved caspase-3 and NF-κB p65 expressions. It also downregulated JAK/STAT3 cascade with SOCS3 upregulation. In conclusion, GAL has potential protective effects on testicular damage secondary to RA via counteracting testicular inflammation, apoptosis, and inhibiting IL-6/JAK/STAT3/SOCS3 signaling.

Pepsin Hydrolysate from Surimi Industry-Related Olive Flounder Head Byproducts Attenuates LPS-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in RAW 264.7 Macrophages and In Vivo Zebrafish Model

Fish head byproducts derived from surimi processing contribute about 15% of the total body weight, which are beneficial to health because they contain essential nutrients. In this study, olive flounder (OF) was the target species in order to maximize the byproduct utilization. In RAW 264.7 macrophages, the seven hydrolysates from OF head byproducts were examined for their inhibitory potential against inflammation and the oxidative stress induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The pepsin hydrolysate (OFH-PH) demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory activity via the down-regulation of NO production, with an IC50 value of 299.82 ± 4.18 µg/mL. We evaluated the inhibitory potential of pro-inflammatory cytokines and PGE2 to confirm these findings. Additionally, iNOS and COX-2 protein expressions were confirmed using western blotting. Furthermore, the results from the in vivo zebrafish model demonstrated that OFH-PH decreased the LPS-elevated heart rate, NO production, cell death, and intracellular ROS level, while increasing the survival percentage. Hence, the obtained results of this study serve as a platform for future research and provide insight into the mediation of inflammatory disorders. These results suggest that OFH-PH has the potential to be utilized as a nutraceutical and functional food ingredient.

Phytochemical profile and anti-inflammatory activity of the hull of γ-irradiated wheat mutant lines (Triticum aestivum L.)

Wheat (Triticum aestivum Linn.; Poaceae) is the second most cultivated food crop among all global cereal crop production. The high carbohydrate content of its grains provides energy, multiple nutrients, and dietary fiber. After threshing, a substantial amount of wheat hull is produced, which serves as the non-food component of wheat. For the valorization of these by-products as a new resource from which functional components can be extracted, the hull from the seeds of cultivated wheat mutant lines bred after γ-irradiation were collected. Untargeted metabolite analysis of the hull of the original cultivar (a crossbreeding cultivar., Woori-mil × D-7) and its 983 mutant lines were conducted using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry technique. A total of 55 molecules were tentatively identified, including 21 compounds found in the Triticum species for the first time and 13 compounds not previously described. Among them, seven flavonolignans with a diastereomeric structure, isolated as a single compound from the hull of T. aestivum in our previous study, were used as the standards in the metabolite analysis. The differences in their collision cross-section values were shown to contribute to the clear distinction between tricine-lignan stereoisomers. To select functionally active agents with anti-inflammatory activity among the identified compounds, the wheat hull samples were evaluated for their inhibitory effect on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. As a result of multivariate analysis based on the results of chemical and biological profiles of the wheat hull samples, 10 metabolites were identified as key markers, contributing to the distinction between active and inactive mutant lines. Considering that one of the four key markers attributed to anti-inflammatory activity has been identified to be a flavonolignan, the wheat hull could be a valuable source of diverse tricin-lignan type compounds and used as a natural health-promoting product in food supplements.

Investigations of the gingerol oil colon targeting pellets for the treatment of ulcerative colitis

The clinical treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) faces great challenges due to lifetime medication. In this study, Gingerol oil was extracted and purified by the process easily scale-up and cost effective, with productivity 2.72 ± 0.38% (w/w, versus crude drugs). The quality control of gingerol oil was fully established by HPLC fingerprint with 4 common peaks identified as 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 6-shogaol and 10-gingerol. The similarities of 6 batches of gingerol oil are within 0.931-0.999. The protective effects of gingerol oil are equivalent to or even stronger than that of 6-gingerol on inflammation and oxidative stress of HT-29 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide and H2O2, as well as on UC in mice caused by dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS). Our research conclusions coincide well with the holistic view of Traditional Chinese Medicine and network pharmacology. The absorption kinetics of gingerol oil were conducted using the in situ intestinal perfusion in rats and comparable absorption were achieved in the jejunum, ileum and colon segments within 2 h. Thus, gingerol oil colon targeting pellets were prepared by extrusion-spherization technique. The cumulative dissolution behaviors and mechanisms were observed and analyzed by fitting to dissolution model. Our studies provided reliable theoretical and experimental support for the gingerol oil as reliable therapeutic choice of UC.

Anti-Inflammatory Study and Phytochemical Characterization of Zingiber officinale Roscoe and Citrus limon L. Juices and Their Formulation

Zingiber officinale and Citrus limon, well known as ginger and lemon, are two vegetals widely used in traditional medicine and the culinary field. The juices of the two vegetals were evaluated based on their inflammation, both in vivo and in vitro. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to characterize different juices from Zingiber officinale Roscoe and Citrus limon. After the application of the HPLC method, different compounds were identified, such as 6-gingerol and 6-gingediol from the ginger juice and isorhamnetin and hesperidin from the lemon juice. In addition, the two juices and their formulation were assessed for their anti-inflammatory activity, in vitro by utilizing the BSA denaturation test, in vivo using the carrageenan-induced inflammation test, and the vascular permeability test. Important and statistically significant anti-inflammatory activities were observed for all juices, especially the formulation. The results of our work showed clearly that the Zingiber officinale and Citrus limon juices protect in vivo the development of the rat paw edema, especially the formulation F composed of the Zingiber officinale and Citrus limon juices, which shows an anti-inflammatory activity equal to -35.95% and -44.05% using 10 and 20 mg/kg of the dose, respectively. Our work also showed that the formulation was the most effective tested extract since it inhibits the vascular permeability by -37% and -44% at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively, and in vitro via the inhibition of the denaturation of BSA by giving a synergetic effect with the highest IC50 equal to 684.61 ± 7.62 μg/mL corresponding to the formulation F. This work aims to develop nutraceutical preparations in the future and furnishes the support for a new investigation into the activities of the various compounds found in Zingiber officinale Roscoe and Citrus limon.

Diverse Galactooligosaccharides Differentially Reduce LPS-Induced Inflammation in Macrophages

The effects of natural and synthetic galactooligosaccharides (GOS) on inflammation were explored by investigating the structure-activity relationship between the degree of GOS polymerization and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, together with the potential underlying mechanism of their anti-inflammatory effects. The results demonstrated that GOS had strong anti-inflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages, including the inhibition of nitric oxide production and the reduced expression of pro-inflammatory mediators (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor α), induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), and proteins related to the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway. GOS4, which has the highest degree of polymerization, exerted the strongest anti-inflammatory activity among the GOS examined. More importantly, our findings confirmed the anti-inflammatory effects of GOS on RAW264.7 macrophages via the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. Our experimental results could provide further support for the exploration of GOS in human nutrition and health.

Bullatine A exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the ROS/JNK/NF-κB pathway and attenuating systemic inflammatory responses in mice

CONTEXT

Aconiti brachypodi Radix (Xue-shang-yi-zhi-hao) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that is capable of anti-analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Bullatine A (BA) is one of the major active ingredients of this plant, and most of the previous studies reported that it has anti-analgesic effects. However, the mechanism of BA anti-inflammatory remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the anti-inflammatory activities of BA, both in vitro and in vivo, and elucidates its mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vitro, BA (10, 20, 40 and 80 μM) was added to 1 µg/mL of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated microglia BV2 cells and immortalized murine bone marrow-derived macrophages, respectively. After 6 h, the mRNA and protein levels of inflammatory factors were determined by real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting. In vivo, C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control, model (5 mg/kg dose of LPS) and treated groups (LPS with 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg dose of BA) to evaluate the anti-inflammatory efficacy of BA.

RESULTS

BA significantly inhibited LPS-induced expression of inflammatory factors, such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and COX-2. Further investigations showed that BA reduced the translocation of NF-κB p65 (38.5%, p < 0.01). BA also reduced the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) (11.2%, p < 0.05) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation (24.2%, p < 0.01). Furthermore, BA treatment attenuated the LPS-primed inflammatory response and liver and lung damage in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

BA can inhibit the inflammatory response in part through the ROS/JNK/NF-κB signalling pathway, providing a theoretical basis for the clinical application of BA in the treatment of periphery inflammatory diseases.

Recent advances in natural products as potential inhibitors of dengue virus with a special emphasis on NS2b/NS3 protease

Dengue virus (DENV) is an arbovirus widespread through tropical and subtropical areas. It is transmitted to humans through Aedes mosquitoes. Infections with DENV can lead to a series of complications, including dengue fever, dengue haemorrhagic fever, or dengue shock syndrome, which might manifest through secondary infections because of a vulnerable immune system. To date, only one tetravalent DENV vaccine is approved to be administered to children whom have been previously DENV-infected and between 9 and 16 years of age. One of the key targets in discovering DENV antiviral agents is the NS2b/NS3 protease. This protease is a crucial enzyme complex for the proteolytic and cleavage activities of the translated polyprotein during DENV life cycle. Several studies were conducted to discover potential antivirals from natural sources or synthetic compounds and peptides. In this review, we describe the recent studies from the past five years dealing with isolated natural products as potential inhibitors of DENV with a greater focus on inhibiting the NS2b/NS3 protease. This review describes recent discoveries in anti-DENV potential of isolated phytochemicals belonging to different groups including fatty acids, glucosides, terpenes and terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolics, chalcones, acetamides, and peptides. Curcumin, quercetin, and myricetin were found to act as non-competitive inhibitors for the NS2b/NS3 protease enzyme. In some studies, the molecular targets of some of these compounds are yet to be identified using in-silico and in-vitro approaches. So far, none of the isolated natural products was tested clinically for the management of DENV infections. The discussed studies demonstrate that natural products are a rich source of potential anti-DENV compounds. However, not all of these compounds were studied for their kinetic molecular mechanism and type of inhibition. In-silico studies provided an ample number of phytochemical hits to be tested experimentally as DENV protease inhibitors. In conclusion, derivatives of these natural products can be designed and synthesised, which could enhance their specificity and efficacy towards the protease. Other sources of natural products, such as fungi, bacterial toxins, marine organisms, and animals, should also be explored towards discovering more potential and effective DENV NS2b/NS3 protease inhibitors.

Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory therapeutic potential of gingerols and their nanoformulations

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), a member of the Zingiberaceae family, is one of the most popular spices worldwide, known since ancient times, and used both as a spice and a medicinal plant. The phenolic compounds found in ginger are predominantly gingerols, shogaols, and paradols. Gingerols are the major phenolic compounds found in fresh ginger and contain mainly 6-gingerol as well as 4-, 5-, 8-, 10-, and 12-gingerols. Gingerols possess a wide array of bioactivities, such as antioxidant and anticancer, among others. Regarding the different array of biological activities and published data on the mechanisms underlying its action, the complex interaction between three key events, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and immunity, appears to contribute to a plethora of pharmacological activities of this compound. Among these, the immunomodulatory properties of these compounds, which attract attention due to their effects on the immune system, have been the focus of many studies. Gingerols can alleviate inflammation given their ability to inhibit the activation of protein kinase B (Akt) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways, causing a decrease in proinflammatory and an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines. However, given their low bioavailability, it is necessary to develop new and more effective strategies for treatment with gingerols. In order to overcome this problem, recent studies have addressed new drug delivery systems containing gingerols. In this review, the immunomodulatory activities of gingerol and its underlying mechanisms of action combined with the contributions of developed nanodrug delivery systems to this activity will be examined.

Bioactive components of Banxia Xiexin Decoction for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases based on flavor-oriented analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Banxia Xiexin Decoction (BXD) was first recorded in a Chinese medical classic, Treatise on Febrile Diseases and Miscellaneous Diseases, which was written in the Eastern Han dynasty of China. This ancient prescription consists of seven kinds of Chinese herbal medicine, namely, Pinellia ternata, Rhizoma Coptidis, Radix scutellariae, Rhizoma Zingiberis, Ginseng, Jujube, and Radix Glycyrrhizaepreparata. In clinic practice, its original application in China mainly has focused on the treatment of chronic gastritis for several hundred years. BXD is also effective in treating other gastrointestinal diseases (GIDs) in modern medical application. Despite available literature support and clinical experience, the treatment mechanisms or their relationships with the bioactive compounds in BXD responsible for its pharmacological actions, still need further explorations in more diversified channels. According to the analysis based on the five-flavor theory of TCM, BXD is traditionally viewed as the most representative prescription for pungent-dispersion, bitter-purgation and sweet-tonification. Consequently, based on the flavor-oriented analysis, the compositive herbs in BXD can be divided into three flavor groups, namely, the pungent, bitter, and sweet groups, each of which has specific active ingredients that are possibly relevant to GID treatment.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This paper summarized recent literatures on BXD and its bioactive components used in GID treatment, and provided the pharmacological or chemical basis for the further exploration of the ancient prescription and the relative components.

METHOD

ology: Relevant literature was collected from various electronic databases such as Pubmed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Citations were based on peer-reviewed articles published in English or Chinese during the last decade.

RESULTS

Multiple components were found in the pungent, bitter, and sweet groups in BXD. The corresponding bioactive components include gingerol, shogaol, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol in the pungent group; berberine, palmatine, coptisine, baicalein, and baicalin in the bitter group; and ginsenosides, polysaccharides, liquiritin, and glycyrrhetinic acid in the sweet group. These components have been found directly or indirectly responsible for the remarkable effects of BXD on GID.

CONCLUSION

This review provided some valuable reference to further clarify BXD treatment for GID and their possible material basis, based on the perspective of the flavor-oriented analysis.

Ginger for Healthy Ageing: A Systematic Review on Current Evidence of Its Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anticancer Properties

The world's population is ageing at an accelerated pace. Ageing is a natural, physiological but highly complex and multifactorial process that all species in the Tree of Life experience over time. Physical and mental disabilities, and age-related diseases, would increase along with the increasing life expectancy. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a plant that belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, native to Southeast Asia. For hundreds of years, ginger has been consumed in various ways by the natives of Asian countries, both as culinary and medicinal herb for the treatment of many diseases. Mounting evidence suggests that ginger can promote healthy ageing, reduce morbidity, and prolong healthy lifespan. Ginger, a well-known natural product, has been demonstrated to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties, as well as an outstanding antiviral activity due to a high concentration of antiviral compounds. In this review, the current evidence on the potential role of ginger and its active compounds in the prevention of ageing is discussed.

Daurisoline alleviated experimental colitis in vivo and in vitro: Involvement of NF-κB and Wnt/β-Catenin pathway

Daurisoline (DS) is one of the most abundant alkaloids extracted from the rhizome of Menispermum Dauricum DC, which is traditionally used to treat inflammatory diseases, especially intestinal inflammation. In this study, we established lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages in vitro and Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice model in vivo to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of DS and its underlying mechanisms. Disease activity index (DAI) was detected during drug intervention. The colon length, macroscopic changes and histopathological scores were adopted to observe the physiological status and the colon injury. The apoptosis of intestinal mucosa was detected using TUNEL. In addition, involved molecular indicators were measured by ELISA kits, RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence (IF), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blotting. The vitro experiments indicated that DS significantly suppressed the production of Nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH), as well as inhibited the expression of NF-κB signaling pathway in RAW 264.7 cells induced by LPS. Consistent with the vitro experimental results, different doses of DS significantly reduced the incidence of diarrhea, DAI, shortening of the colon, visible damage and histological damage in DSS-induced colitis mice. Moreover, DS treatment decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory mediators cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and interleukin (IL)-1β, and increased the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 in colon tissues. RT-qPCR, western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses further demonstrated that DS inhibits the expression of Wnt/β-Catenin pathway. We reported for the first time that DS may be an active ingredient in treating ulcerative colitis. Its mechanism might be related to the regulation of the NF-κB and Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of (9Z,11E)-13-Oxooctadeca-9,11-dienoic Acid (13-KODE) Derived from Salicornia herbacea L. on Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Murine Macrophage via NF-kB and MAPK Inhibition and Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Activation

Glasswort (Salicornia herbacea L.) is a halophyte that exhibits antioxidant and antidiabetic effects. Only a few studies have been conducted on its antioxidant effects. Here, we isolated an antioxidant using an activity-based purification method, and the resulting compound was identified as (9Z,11E)-13-Oxooctadeca-9,11-dienoic acid (13-KODE). We investigated its ability to suppress inflammatory responses and the molecular mechanisms underlying these abilities using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. We studied the anti-inflammatory effects of 13-KODE derived from S. herbacea L on RAW 264.7 macrophages. 13-KODE inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production by suppressing inducible NO synthase and suppressed LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1β expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages. LPS-mediated nuclear localization of NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation were inhibited by 13-KODE. 13-KODE significantly reduced LPS-induced production of reactive oxygen species and increased the expression of nuclear factor erythroid-2 like 2 (Nfe2I2) and heme oxygenase 1. Overall, our results indicate that 13-KODE may have potential for treating inflammation.

Pretreatment with 6-Gingerol Ameliorates Sepsis-Induced Immune Dysfunction by Regulating the Cytokine Balance and Reducing Lymphocyte Apoptosis

Sepsis is characterized by an initial net hyperinflammatory response, followed by a period of immunosuppression, termed immunoparalysis. During this immunosuppressive phase, patients may have difficulty eradicating invading pathogens and are susceptible to life-threatening secondary hospital-acquired infections. Due to progress in antimicrobial treatment and supportive care, most patients survive early sepsis. Mortality is more frequently attributed to subsequent secondary nosocomial infections and multiorgan system failure. 6-Gingerol is the major pharmacologically active component of ginger. Although it is known to exhibit a variety of biological activities, including anti-inflammation and antioxidation, the role of 6-gingerol in sepsis-induced immune dysfunction remains elusive. Thus, we investigated whether 6-gingerol improves septic host response to infections during sepsis. 6-Gingerol-treated mice showed significantly lower mortality in polymicrobial sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture LPS via enhanced bacterial clearance in the peritoneum, blood, and organs (liver, spleen, and kidney) and inhibited the production of TNF-α and IL-6 in TLR2 and/or TLR4-stimulated macrophages. In addition, we demonstrated that survival improvement of secondary infection following septic insult was associated with an initial response of enhanced neutrophil numbers and function at the infection site, reduced apoptosis of immune cells, and a shift from a T helper cell type 2 (Th2) to a T helper cell type 1 (Th1) cytokine balance in the hypoinflammation phase. Our overall findings suggest that 6-gingerol potentially restores sepsis-induced immune dysfunction by shifting the balance of Th1/Th2 and by regulating apoptosis of immune cells.

Tanshinone IIA sodium sulfonate attenuates inflammation by upregulating circ-Sirt1 and inhibiting the entry of NF-κB into the nucleus

Inflammation is a biological process that exists in a large number of diseases. NF-κB has been proven to play a pivotal role in the development of inflammation. New drugs aimed at inhibiting the expression of NF-κB have gained attention from researchers. Sirt1 has an anti-inflammatory function, and the circRNA encoded by the Sirt1 gene may also play roles in the anti-inflammatory reaction of Sirt1. In the present study, LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells were used as an inflammatory cell model, and tanshinone IIA sodium sulfonate (TSS) was used as a therapeutic drug. We found that TSS downregulated LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-1β expression nearly threefold. LPS reduced Circ-sirt1 mRNA expression by one-third, while TSS started this phenomenon. In addition, overexpression/knockdown of Circ-sirt1 neutralized the function of TSS by regulating the translocation of NF-κB. Thus, we proved that TSS has an anti-inflammatory function by upregulating circ-Sirt1 and subsequently inhibiting the translocation of NF-κB. An in vivo experiment was also performed to confirm the protective function of TSS on inflammation. These results indicated that TSS is a potential treatment for inflammation.

Effects of dietary supplementation with Artemisia argyi alcohol extract on growth performance, blood biochemical properties and small intestinal immune markers of broilers challenged with lipopolysaccharide

ContextBroilers are prone to immunological stress when subjected to unsuitable environmental conditions (such as virus attack, nutrient deficiency and high stocking density), lowering immunity and resulting in inflammatory bowel diseases. The herb-feed additive Artemisia argyi has been applied in poultry production, and its extract may improve small intestinal immune capacity.AimsThis study was conducted to investigate the effect of A. argyi alcohol extract (AAAE) on growth performance and blood biochemical and small intestinal immune markers of broilers challenged with a proinflammatory substance, lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The study also examined possible mechanisms of action, and aimed to clarify whether AAAE could be applied as a feed additive.MethodsIn total, 192 one-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were allocated to four groups following a 2×2 factorial arrangement (including six replicates with eight birds per replicate) with two dietary AAAE rates (0 or 750mg/kg) and two immune stress treatments (LPS or saline injection). Blood and small intestine were sampled on Days21 and 35.Key resultsDietary AAAE alleviated the LPS-induced decrease in bodyweight, average daily gain and average daily feed intake, and mitigated the elevated serum alanine aminotransferase, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone concentrations at Day21 and/or Day35 in LPS-challenged broilers. AAAE significantly (P&lt;0.05) attenuated LPS-induced increases in intestinal immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG and IgM) and interleukin (IL-1β and IL-6) concentrations. Moreover, the small intestinal mRNA abundances of the genes TLR4, MyD88, NF-κBp65, IL-1β and IL-6 in LPS-challenged broilers were decreased (P&lt;0.05) in response to dietary AAAE treatment.ConclusionsThese results further demonstrated that AAAE at 750mg/kg enhanced small intestinal tissue immune capacity of broilers, thereby alleviating LPS-induced immune stress damage in broilers. Its mechanism of action may be related to the mediating of TLR4/NF-κB pathways.ImplicationsDietary AAAE can be used to improve the immune function of broilers, and to provide a new scientific theoretical basis for the development of new anti-stress feed additives.

Integrated network pharmacology and cellular assay for the investigation of an anti-obesity effect of 6-shogaol

This study explored the anti-obesity effect of 6-shogaol and the underlying mechanisms by using Network pharmacology for the prediction and verification of molecular targets and pathways of 6-shogaol against obesity. Furthermore, the results were verified by molecular docking and cell experiments. A total of 86 core targets of 6-shogaol towards obesity were identified. Among them, AKT1 and PIK3CA were confirmed by using the molecular docking. In 3T3-L1 preadipocyte model, 6-shogaol significantly inhibited proliferation and differentiation, reducing the accumulation of lipid droplets. Compared with the control group, the inhibition rates of 6-shogaol on TG and TC were 90.8% and 40.0%, respectively. Additionally, 6-shogaol down-regulated the expression of PPAR-γ and C/EBP-α, while it decreased the phosphorylation of IRS-1, PI3K and AKT. This study, for the first time, confirmed the effect of 6-shogaol on improving obesity through PI3K/AKT pathway. An anti-obesity bioactivity study was further recommended for the development of novel anti-obesity products.

Cameroonian Spice Extracts Modulate Molecular Mechanisms Relevant to Cardiometabolic Diseases in SW 872 Human Liposarcoma Cells

The molecular pathophysiology of cardiometabolic diseases is known to be influenced by dysfunctional ectopic adipose tissue. In addition to lifestyle improvements, these conditions may be managed by novel nutraceutical products. This study evaluatedthe effects of 11 Cameroonian medicinal spice extracts on triglyceride accumulation, glucose uptake, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and interleukin secretion in SW 872 human adipocytes after differentiation with 100 µM oleic acid. Triglyceride content was significantly reduced by all spice extracts. Glucose uptake was significantly increased by Tetrapleura tetraptera, Aframomum melegueta and Zanthoxylum leprieurii. Moreover, Xylopia parviflora, Echinops giganteus and Dichrostachys glomerata significantly reduced the production of ROS. Concerning pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, we observed that Tetrapleura tetraptera, Echinops giganteus, Dichrostachys glomerata and Aframomum melegueta reduced IL-6 secretion. In addition, Xylopia parviflora, Monodora myristica, Zanthoxylum leprieurii, and Xylopia aethiopica reduced IL-8 secretion, while Dichrostachys glomerata and Aframomum citratum increased it. These findings highlight some interesting properties of these Cameroonian spice extracts in the modulation of cellular parameters relevant to cardiometabolic diseases, which may be further exploited, aiming to develop novel treatment options for these conditions based on nutraceutical products.

α‑rhamnrtin‑3‑α‑rhamnoside exerts anti‑inflammatory effects on lipopolysaccharide‑stimulated RAW264.7 cells by abrogating NF‑κB and activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway

α-rhamnrtin-3-α-rhamnoside (ARR) is the principal compound extracted from Loranthus tanakae Franch. & Sav. However, its underlying pharmacological properties remain undetermined. Inflammation is a defense mechanism of the body; however, the excessive activation of the inflammatory response can result in physical injury. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of ARR on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages and to determine the underlying molecular mechanism. A Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was performed to assess cytotoxicity. Nitric oxide (NO) production was measured via a NO colorimetric kit. Levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂) and proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and IL-6, were detected using ELISAs. Reverse transcription-quantitative (RT-q)PCR analysis was performed to detect the mRNA expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), IL-6 and IL-1β in LPS-induced RAW246.7 cells. Western blotting, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry analyses were performed to measure the expression levels of NF-κB and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway-related proteins to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the inflammatory response. The results of the cytotoxicity assay revealed that doses of ARR ≤200 µg/ml exhibited no significant effect on the viability of RAW264.7 cells. The results of the Griess assay demonstrated that ARR inhibited the production of NO. In addition, the results of the ELISAs and RT-qPCR analysis discovered that ARR reduced the production of the proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and IL-6, as well as the proinflammatory mediators, PGE₂, iNOS and COX-2, in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that ARR inhibited LPS-induced activation of TNF-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and NF-κB p65 signaling molecules, while reversing the downregulation of the NOD-like receptor family CARD domain containing 3 (NLRC3) signaling molecule, which was consistent with the results of the western blotting analysis. Immunofluorescence results indicated that ARR reduced the increase of NF-κB p65 nuclear expression induced by LPS. Furthermore, the results of the western blotting experiments also revealed that ARR upregulated heme oxygenase-1, NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 and Nrf2 pathway molecules. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that ARR may exert anti-inflammatory effects by downregulating NF-κB and activating Nrf2-mediated inflammatory responses, suggesting that ARR may be an attractive anti-inflammatory candidate drug.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Diet: Role in Healthy Aging

Inflammation is a physiological process involved in the defenses of the body and the repair of tissues. It is acutely activated by infections, trauma, toxins, or allergic reactions. However, if it becomes chronic, inflammation can end up stimulating the development of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, neurological disease, or cancer. Additionally, during aging, inflammation becomes increasingly more chronic. Furthermore, we found that certain foods, such as saturated fats, have pro-inflammatory activity. Taking this into account, in this review we have discussed different diets with possible anti-inflammatory activity, the commonly ingested components of each diet and their active compounds. In addition, we have proposed some dietary guidelines, as well as a list of compounds present in foods with anti-inflammatory activity, outlining how to combine them to achieve optimal anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, we can conclude that the compounds in our diet with anti-inflammatory activity could help alleviate the inflammatory processes derived from diseases and unhealthy diets, and thereby promote healthy aging.

Benzoylaconine Modulates LPS-Induced Responses Through Inhibition of Toll-Like Receptor-Mediated NF-κB and MAPK Signaling in RAW264.7 Cells

Previous studies have shown that benzoylaconine (BAC), a representative monoester alkaloid, has a potential anti-inflammatory effect. This study investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms using the mode of LPS-activated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Our findings showed that BAC significantly suppressed the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, including IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, ROS, NO, and PGE₂. BAC treatment also effectively downregulated the elevated protein levels of iNOS and COX-2 induced by LPS in a dose-dependent manner. In this study, we found that BAC inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB activation by reducing the phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα by western blotting and blocking the nuclear translocation of p65 using an immunofluorescence assay. The elevated protein levels of JNK, p38, and ERK phosphorylation after LPS stimulation were restored effectively by BAC treatment. The protein expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and LPS-induced phosphorylation of TAK1, which is a crucial upstream regulatory factor of TLR-induced MAPK and NF-κB signaling, were inhibited by BAC in activated RAW264.7 macrophages. Moreover, BAC decreased the levels of TAK1 phosphorylation and pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators associated with MAPK and NF-κB activation, similar to TLR4 inhibitor TAK-242. These findings demonstrated that BAC exhibited an anti-inflammatory effect by the inhibition of TLR-induced MAPK and NF-κB pathways, indicating that it could potentially be used for treating inflammatory diseases.

Iridoids with anti-inflammatory effect from the aerial parts of Morinda officinalis How

Morinda officinalis How was widely applied to alleviate symptom like impotence, menstrual disorders, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. To expand resources usage, phytochemistry of the aerial parts was studied and the structures of compounds were elucidated based on NMR, HRESIMS, IR and UV. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory effect and possible mechanism were investigated by Griess kit, RT-qPCR, ELISA, western blot and molecular docking on LPS-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells. Herein, we isolated and identified 16 iridoid derivatives, including seven new iridoids officinaloside A-G (1-7) and nine known iridoids. All the compounds were safe to RAW 264.7 cells. Luckily, compounds 5 and 6 showed inhibitory effect on production of NO, and decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines at mRNA and protein levels in a dose-dependent way. The possible mechanism of their anti-inflammation may be the affinity interaction between 5 with COX-2 protein, and 6 with iNOS protein. Overall, compounds 5 and 6 exert promising effects in inhibiting inflammatory cytokines, indicating that they could be used as lead compounds for developing health products or clinical practice for inflammation, which provides a scientific basis for further sustainable development and usage of the aerial parts of Morinda officinalis How.

Anti-inflammatory activity of the water extract of Chloranthus serratus roots in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells mediated by the Nrf2/HO-1, MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Chloranthus serratus is a traditional Chinese medicine for treating arthritis and bruises.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the dose-effect relationship and molecular mechanisms of the water extract of C. serratus roots (WECR) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cell viability was detected by CCK-8 method. One-step method, DCFH-DA fluorescence probe method and immunofluorescence method were used to detect nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and p65 nuclear transcription, respectively. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. Western blotting was taken to determine the contents of the relevant proteins in the nuclear transcription factor E2 related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathways.

RESULTS

The concentrations of 3, 30 and 300 μg/mL were optimized as low, medium and high concentrations of the WECR, respectively, and 1 μg/mL was selected as the optimal concentration of LPS to activate macrophages. The dose of the positive drug dexamethasone was 0.13 mg/mL. The WECR could not only inhibit LPS-induced cell differentiation and the overexpression of NO, IL-6, TNF-α, PGE₂ and ROS but also promote the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1, and down-regulate the phosphorylation levels of ERK, JNK, p38 and p65. After the WECR treatment, the expression levels of iNOS and COX-2 mRNA and nuclear translocation of p65 were all inhibited.

CONCLUSIONS

The WECR exerts its anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the MAPK and NF-κB pathways, activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and down-regulating inflammatory factor levels in a dose-dependent manner.

Anti-inflammatory action of physalin A by blocking the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Physalis Calyx seu Fructus is typically used to treat inflammatory diseases such as upper respiratory tract infection and acute tonsillitis in clinical practice of China. Physalin A, a main active ingredient of this traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been reported for its significant anti-tumor activity. However, most reports focused on the studies of its anti-tumor activity, the anti-inflammatory activity of physalin A and its molecular mechanism are still not elucidated clearly.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory activities both in vitro and in vivo and molecular mechanism of physalin A.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The potential anti-inflammatory properties of physalin A were evaluated in vitro by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, and in vivo via two typical acute inflammation murine models. Some important inflammation-related molecules were analyzed by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting.

RESULTS

The results showed that physalin A inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema of rats and capillary permeability of mice induced by acetic acid in vivo. Furthermore, physalin A also significantly reduced the release of inflammatory mediators nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW 264.7 in vitro. Further investigations indicated that physalin A can down-regulate the high expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in a dose-dependent manner. Physalin A remarkably blocked the degradation of inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B alpha (IκB-α) and the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 induced by LPS in RAW 264.7 cells. However, physalin A did not significantly inhibit the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) family proteins c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) or extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) or p38.

CONCLUSIONS

All the results clearly illustrated that the anti-inflammatory action of physalin A is due to the inactivation of NF-κB signal pathway, but is irrelevant to the MAPKs pathway.

Lactobacillus plantarum KSFY06 Prevents Inflammatory Response and Oxidative Stress in Acute Liver Injury Induced by D-Gal/LPS in Mice

AIM

The purpose of this study is to investigate the preventive effect of Lactobacillus plantarum KSFY06 (LP-KSFY06) on D-galactose/lipopolysaccharide (D-Gal/LPS)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice.

METHODS

We evaluated the antioxidant capacity of LP-KSFY06 in vitro, detailed the effects of LP-KSFY06 on the organ index, liver function index, biochemical index, cytokines, and related genes, and noted the accompanying pathological changes.

RESULTS

The results clearly showed that LP-KSFY06 can remove 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline -6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) free radicals in vitro. The analysis of the organ index and pathology demonstrated that LP-KSFY06 significantly prevented ALI. Biochemical and molecular biological analysis showed that LP-KSFY06 prevented a decrease in the antioxidant-related levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and also prevented an increase in aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and nitric oxide (NO) levels. LP-KSFY06 upregulated the anti-inflammatory factor interleukin (IL)-10 and downregulated the pro-inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). These oxidative and inflammatory indicators were consistent with the results of gene detections. Furthermore, we determined that LP-KSFY06 downregulated Keap1, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), caspase-1, nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), IL-18, and mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14 or p38), upregulated Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 (NQO1), B-cell inhibitor-α (IκB-α), and thioredoxin (Trx) mRNA expression. These may be related to the regulation of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) and NLRP3/NF-κB pathways.

CONCLUSION

LP-KSFY06 is an effective multifunctional Lactobacillus with strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory ability that can prevent D-gal/LPS-induced ALI in mice and assist in maintaining health.

Regioselectivity of aminomethylation in 3-acetyl-7-hydroxycoumarins: Mannich bases and Betti bases

The atomic electron density distribution in 3-acetyl-7-hydroxycoumarin was analysed to elucidate the regioselectivity of aminomethylation.

Dietary Cameroonian Plants Exhibit Anti-Inflammatory Activity in Human Gastric Epithelial Cells

In Cameroon, local plants are traditionally used as remedies for a variety of ailments. In this regard, several papers report health benefits of Cameroonian spices, which include antioxidant and anti-microbial properties, whereas gastric anti-inflammatory activities have never been previously considered. The present study investigates the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of hydro-alcoholic extracts of eleven Cameroonian spices in gastric epithelial cells (AGS and GES-1 cells). The extracts showed antioxidant properties in a cell-free system and reduced H₂O₂-induced ROS generation in gastric epithelial cells. After preliminary screening on TNFα-induced NF-κB driven transcription, six extracts from Xylopia parviflora, Xylopia aethiopica, Tetrapleura tetraptera, Dichrostachys glomerata, Aframomum melegueta, and Aframomum citratum were selected for further studies focusing on the anti-inflammatory activity. The extracts reduced the expression of some NF-κB-dependent pro-inflammatory mediators strictly involved in the gastric inflammatory process, such as IL-8, IL-6, and enzymes such as PTGS2 (COX-2), without affecting PTGS1 (COX-1). In conclusion, the selected extracts decreased pro-inflammatory markers by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling in gastric cells, justifying, in part, the traditional use of these spices. Other molecular mechanisms cannot be excluded, and further studies are needed to better clarify their biological activities at the gastric level.

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Simonsinol on Lipopolysaccharide Stimulated RAW264.7 Cells through Inactivation of NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Simonsinol is a natural sesqui-neolignan firstly isolated from the bark of Illicium simonsii. In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity of simonsinol was investigated with a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophages RAW264.7 cells model. The results demonstrated that simonsinol could antagonize the effect of LPS on morphological changes of RAW264.7 cells, and decrease the production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, as determined by Griess assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, simonsinol could downregulate transcription of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), TNF-α, and IL-6 as measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and inhibit phosphorylation of the alpha inhibitor of NF-κB (IκBα) as assayed by Western blot. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that simonsinol could inhibit inflammation response in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells through the inactivation of the nuclear transcription factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway.

Tizoxanide Inhibits Inflammation in LPS-Activated RAW264.7 Macrophages via the Suppression of NF-κB and MAPK Activation

Tizoxanide is the main active metabolite of nitazoxanide. Nitazoxanide and tizoxanide have a broad-spectrum anti-infective effect, including parasites, bacteria, and virus. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of tizoxanide on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and revealed underlying molecular mechanisms. The results showed that tizoxanide significantly suppressed production of NO as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, the levels of gene expression of these cytokines were inhibited significantly by tizoxanide that was discovered using RT-PCR. The increased protein levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase, heme oxygenase-1, and cyclooxygenase-2 by LPS in the cells were also reduced by tizoxanide. Moreover, we found that tizoxanide inhibited the phosphorylation of IKK-α and degradation of IκB by LPS in macrophage cells. The increased protein levels of p65 induced by LPS in the cytoplasm and nucleus were both decreased by tizoxanide, and the nuclear translocation of p65 was also restrained in cell imaging. In addition, tizoxanide considerably also inhibited LPS-activated JNK, p38, and ERK phosphorylation in RAW264.7 cells. Taken together, our results suggested that tizoxanide exerts anti-inflammatory effects, by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppressing of the activation of the NF-κB and the MAPK signaling pathways in LPS-treated macrophage cells.

Water-separated part of Chloranthus serratus alleviates lipopolysaccharide- induced RAW264.7 cell injury mainly by regulating the MAPK and Nrf2/HO-1 inflammatory pathways

Background

Chloranthus serratus (Chloranthaceae) has been used to treat bruises, rheumatoid and bone pain. However, the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of C. serratus in vitro have not been fully elucidated. The present study aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory activity and potential mechanisms of C. serratus’s separated part of water (CSSPW) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells.

Methods

The concentrations of CSSPW were optimized by CCK-8 method. Nitric oxide (NO) content was detected by one-step method. The levels of inflammatory cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Immunofluorescence and DCFH-DA fluorescent probes were used to detect p65 nuclear translocation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, respectively. Western blotting was used to assay the protein expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and nuclear transcription factor E2 related factor 2/haem oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1) pathways.

Results

The final concentrations of 15 ng/mL, 1.5 μg/mL and 150 μg/mL were selected as low, medium and high doses of CSSPW, respectively. CSSPW treatment significantly reduced the generation of NO, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), prostaglandinE₂ (PGE₂), iNOS mRNA and COX-2 mRNA in response to LPS stimulation. Furthermore, the protein expression of the MAPK and NF-κB pathways was suppressed by CSSPW treatment, as well as p65 nuclear translocation and ROS production. In contrast, the protein expression of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway was markedly upregulated.

Conclusions

CSSPW exerts its anti-inflammatory effect via downregulating the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, inhibiting the activation of NF-κB and MAPK pathways, as well as activating Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells.

Treatment with 6-Gingerol Regulates Dendritic Cell Activity and Ameliorates the Severity of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

SCOPE

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating autoimmune disorder, with increasing incidence worldwide but unknown etiology. 6-Gingerol (6-GIN), a major dietary compound found in ginger rhizome, has immunomodulatory activity. However, its role in autoimmune diseases, as well as the underlying mechanisms, are unclear. In this study, it is evaluated if 6-GIN can effectively ameliorate the clinical disease severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of MS.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Clinical scores of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice are recorded daily. Inflammation of periphery and neuroinflammation of EAE mice are determined by flow cytometry analysis, ELISA, and histopathological analysis, and results show that 6-GIN significantly inhibits inflammatory cell infiltration from the periphery into the central nervous system and reduces neuroinflammation and demyelination. Flow cytometry analysis, ELISA, and quantitative PCR show that 6-GIN could suppress lipolysaccharide-induced dendritic cell (DC) activation and induce the tolerogenic DCs. Immunoblot analysis reveals that the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase, two critical regulators of inflammatory signaling, are significantly inhibited in 6-GIN-treated DCs.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study demonstrate that 6-GIN has significant potential as a novel anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as MS via direct modulatory effects on DCs.

The Study of Dried Ginger and Linggan Wuwei Jiangxin Decoction Treatment of Cold Asthma Rats Using GC-MS Based Metabolomics

Dried ginger is the monarch drug in Linggan Wuwei Jiangxin (LGWWJX) decoction, which is used to treat cold asthma. The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the effects of dried ginger and LGWWJX decoction for treatment of cold asthma rats at the metabolomics level using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). OVA and ice water-induced cold asthma were induced in SD rats. The effects of dried ginger and LGWWJX decoction were evaluated by general morphological observation, hematoxylin and eosin staining, inflammatory cell count, IgE, IL-4, IFN-γ quantitation, and visceral index. GC-MS-based metabolomics was performed and analyzed using multivariate statistical analysis. Biomarker identification, pathway analysis, correlations between identified biomarker, and efficacy indices were performed. The results showed that dried ginger and LGWWJX decoction had obvious effects on cold asthma rats. Thirty-seven metabolites (15 in serum and 22 in urine) associated with cold asthma were identified. These metabolites were mainly carbohydrates, fatty acids and their products, organic acids, and others. Seven pathways were identified by MetaboAnalyst 4.0 metabolic pathway analysis. After intervention with dried ginger and LGWWJX decoction, the majority of altered metabolites and metabolic pathways returned to control levels. LGWWJX decoction regulated more metabolites of carbohydrates and fatty acids, which contribute to energy metabolism and oxidative stress in cold asthma, than dried ginger. We concluded that dried ginger and LGWWJX decoction both were effective for treatment of cold asthma. LGWWJX decoction was more effective than dried ginger for treatment of cold asthma. This study evaluated the effects of dried ginger and LGWWJX decoction on cold asthma at the metabolomics level. It provides a reference for the research on the compatibility of Chinese Medicine.

Protective effects of pterostilbene on ulcerative colitis in rats via suppressing NF-κB pathway and activating PPAR-γ

Our study aimed to investigate the protective effects and potential mechanisms of pterostilbene on rats with ulcerative colitis (UC). We established 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis rat model. Rats were randomly divided into three groups, including control group, model group, and pterostilbene group (30 mg/kg). Disease activity index (DAI) including body weight, stool consistency, and gross bleeding was measured. The concentration of superoxide dismutases (SODs), glutathione superoxide (GSH-px), malondialdehyde (MDA), and methylpropanediol (MPO) in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-17, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor–alpha (TNF-α) in serum were also analyzed by ELISA kits. Histological evaluations of colons were conducted. The levels of peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor–γ (PPAR-γ), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), ZO-1, and Occludin were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Compared with model group, pterostilbene notably suppressed the production of TNF-α, IL-17, IL-1β, IL-6, MDA and MPO in serum, and markedly increased the SOD and GSH-Px activity in serum. Pterostilbene significantly attenuated macroscopic damage and histological injury, when compared with model rats. Furthermore, pterostilbene also markedly activated the expression of PPAR-γ, ZO-1, and Occludin, and suppressed the expression of NF-κB. The protective effects of pterostilbene might be associated with suppression of NF-κB and activation of PPAR-γ. Pterostilbene might be a promising therapeutic agent for colitis treatment.

Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Leaf Oil from Cinnamomum subavenium In Vitro and In Vivo

The study determined the chemical constituents and anti-inflammatory effects of leaf oil from Cinnamomum subavenium (CS-LO) that has been used in folk medicine to treat various symptoms including inflammation. The anti-inflammatory effects of the oil were evaluated by LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and the Carr-induced hind mouse paw edema model, respectively. In vitro, nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂), TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β were significantly decreased by CS-LO, and the expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) protein was blocked as well. In in vivo, the malondialdehyde (MDA) and paw edema levels were decreased by CS-LO, and the same result came up on the NO and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-a) of serum at the 5th h after Carr injection. In addition, iNOS and COX-2 immunoreactive cells of the paw tissue were decreased significantly by CS-LO (200 mg/kg) in histological examination. The present findings indicated that CS-LO have anti-inflammatory properties, and the effects might be caused through inhibiting iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 expression via affecting NF-κB pathway, which will provide a power scientific basis for CS-LO to be used as the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Nanogold-core multifunctional dendrimer for pulsatile chemo-, photothermal- and photodynamic- therapy of rheumatoid arthritis

This investigation reports a novel nanoGold-core multifunctional dendrimer for pulsatile chemo-, photothermal- and photodynamic- therapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Architecturally, the nanocomposites comprised of a nanoGold (Au) at the focal whose surface is functionalized by hydroxy-terminated thiolated-dendrons following Au-thiol bond formation to produce nanoGold-core multifunctional dendrimer (Au-DEN). The surface hydroxyl groups of Au-DEN were then conjugated with methotrexate (MTX; a disease-modifying first line anti-rheumatic drug; DMARD; 74.29 ± 0.48% loading) to form Au-DEN-MTX-NPs (Particle size: 100.15 ± 28.36 nm; poly dispersibility index, PDI: 0.39 ± 0.02; surface zeta potential, ζ: -22.45 ± 1.06 mV). MTX was strategically selected to serve as an anti-rheumatic DMARD as well as a targeting ligand to attain selective localization of the formulation in arthritic tissue via folate receptors upregulated on arthritic tissues. The docking study was performed to confirm the viable binding efficiency of MTX towards β-folate receptors that are overexpressed on arthritic tissues taking folic acid as a reference standard. The IR780, a NIR active bioactive was also loaded in Au-DEN-MTX NPs to offer photothermal benefit upon irradiation with NIR laser (wavelength: 808 nm). The hypothesis was tested by elucidation of in vitro drug release profile, photothermal activity, cellular uptake (Fluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy; CLSM), cell viability assay (MTT protocol) and Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, the hemolytic toxicity and stability studies were also investigated to determine the blood compatibility as well as ideal storage condition of NPs. The outcome of this investigations presents developed multifunctional targeted NPs to be potential therapeutics for the improved treatment of RA. The approach can also be applied to other clinical interventions involving countering inflammatory conditions.

6-Gingerol Attenuates Ischemia-Reperfusion-Induced Cell Apoptosis in Human AC16 Cardiomyocytes through HMGB2-JNK1/2-NF-κB Pathway

Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a key factor in deterioration of myocardial function. The c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) activation and the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) nuclear translocation have been found in I/R injury. 6-Gingerol, an important bioactive ingredient of ginger, has been reported to have cardiovascular pharmacological effects. However, the molecular mechanism through which it is beneficial is unclear. In this work, I/R induced the increase in the apoptosis and reactive oxygen species level in AC16 cardiomyocytes. 6-Gingerol administration decreased cardiomyocyte apoptosis and improved oxidative stress indexes. 6-Gingerol administration also inhibited I/R-induced HMGB2 expression upregulation and JNK activation and reduced Cleaved Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARP) and Caspase-3 expression. HMGB2 treatment mimicked the effect of I/R-induced cell damage, which was reversed by 6-gingerol administration. On the other hand, transcriptional activity of NF-κB was reduced in 6-gingerol treated cells. Thus, overall results indicated that 6-gingerol administration protected I/R-induced cardiomyocytes apoptosis via JNK/NF-κB pathway in the regulation of HMGB2. This work supported the efficacy of 6-gingerol on cardiovascular disease and partially revealed its mechanism, which was helpful for understanding the therapeutic effects of this natural drug.