Kaempferia parviflora extract inhibits TNF-α-induced release of MCP-1 in ovarian cancer cells through the suppression of NF-κB signaling

Kaempferia parviflora Extracellular Vesicle Loaded with Clarithromycin for the Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection

Purpose

Kaempferia parviflora extracellular vesicles (KPEVs) have been reported as promising nanovesicles for drug delivery. This study aimed to load clarithromycin (CLA) into KPEVs (KPEVS-CLA) and determine the physical properties, drug-releasing efficiency, gastric cell uptake, anti-H. pylori activities, and anti-inflammatory responses in comparison with free CLA and KPEVs.

Methods

The size and surface charge of KPEVs-CLA were evaluated using dynamic light scattering and visualized using a transmission electron microscope. The encapsulation efficiency (EE%), loading capacity (LC%), and drug release of KPEVs-CLA were examined using HPLC. Anti-H. pylori growth and anti-adhesion were evaluated. IL-8 gene expression, NF-κB signaling proteins, and anti-inflammatory profiles were examined using qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and Bio-Plex immunoassay, respectively. Anti-chemotaxis was then examined using a Transwell assay.

Results

KPEVs-CLA were intact and showed a negative surface charge similar to that of KPEVs. However, slightly enlarged KPEVs were observed. CLA was successfully loaded into KPEVs with EE of 93.45% ± 2.43%, LC of 9.3% ± 3.02%. CLA release in the PBS and gastric mimic buffer with Fickian diffusion (n ≤ 0.43) according to Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model (R2=0.98). KPEVs-CLA was localized in the gastric cells' cytoplasm and perinuclear region. Anti-H. pylori growth and anti-H. pylori adhesion of KPEVs-CLA were compared with those of free CLA with no cytotoxicity to adenocarcinoma gastric cells. KPEVs-CLA significantly reduced IL-8, G-CSF, MIP-1α, and MIP-1β levels. Moreover, KPEVs-CLA showed a superior effect over CLA in reducing G-CSF, MIP-1α, and NF-κB phosphorylation and monocyte chemotactic activities.

Conclusion

KPEVs serve as potential carriers of CLA. They exhibited a higher efficiency in inhibiting gastric cell inflammation mediated by H. pylori infection than free CLA. The establishment of KPEVs-CLA as a nanodrug delivery model for H. pylori treatment could be applied to other plant extracellular vesicles or loaded with other cancer drugs for gastric cancer treatment.

Inhibitory actions of oxyresveratrol on the PI3K/AKT signaling cascade in cervical cancer cells

The phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling plays a critical role in cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. This signal transduction axis in HPV-positive cervical cancer has been proved to be directly activated by E6/E7 proteins of the virus enhancing cervical cancer progression. Hence, the PI3K/AKT pathway is one of the key therapeutic targets for HPV-positive cervical cancer. Here we discovered that oxyresveratrol (Oxy) at noncytotoxic concentration specifically suppressed the phosphorylation of AKT but not ERK1/2. This potent inhibitory effect of Oxy was still observed even when cells were stimulated with fetal bovine serum. Inhibition of AKT phosphorylation at serine 473 by Oxy resulted in a significant decrease in serine 9 phosphorylation of GSK-3β, a downstream target of AKT. Dephosphorylation of GSK-3β at this serine residue activates its function in promoting the degradation of MCL-1, an anti-apoptotic protein. Results clearly demonstrated that in association with GSK-3β activation, Oxy preferentially downregulated the expression of anti-apoptotic protein MCL-1. Furthermore, results from the functional analyses revealed that Oxy inhibited cervical cancer cell proliferation, at least in part through suppressing nuclear expression of Ki-67. Besides, the compound retarded cervical cancer cell migration even the cells were exposed to a potent enhancer of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, TGF-β1. In consistent with these data, Oxy reduced the expression of β-catenin, N-cadherin, and vimentin. In conclusion, the study disclosed that Oxy specifically inhibits the AKT/GSK-3β/MCL-1 axis resulting in reduction in cervical cancer cell viability, proliferation, and migration.

The potential role of interleukins and interferons in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer poses significant challenges and remains a highly lethal disease with limited treatment options. In the context of ovarian cancer, interleukins (ILs) and interferons (IFNs), important cytokines that play crucial roles in regulating the immune system, have emerged as significant factors influencing its development. This article provides a comprehensive review of the involvement of various ILs, including those from the IL-1 family, IL-2 family, IL-6 family, IL-8 family, IL-10 family, and IL-17 family, in ovarian cancer. The focus is on their impact on tumor growth, metastasis, and their role in evading immune responses within the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, the article conducts an in-depth examination of the oncogenic or antitumor roles of each IL in the context of ovarian cancer pathogenesis and progression. Besides, we elucidated the enhancements in the treatment of ovarian cancer through the utilization of type-I IFN and type-II IFN. Recent research has shed light on the intricate mechanisms through which specific ILs and IFNs contribute to the advancement of the disease. By incorporating recent findings, this review also seeks to inspire further investigations into unexplored mechanisms, fostering ongoing research to develop more effective therapeutic strategies for ovarian cancer. Moreover, through an in-depth analysis of IL- and IFN-associated clinical trials, we have highlighted their promising potential of in the treatment of ovarian cancer. These clinical trials serve to reinforce the significant outlook for utilizing ILs and IFNs as therapeutic agents in combating this disease.

Impaired healing in an incision wound in corneal stroma in a lumican-null mouse

PURPOSE

We investigated healing pattern of an incisional wound in corneal stroma of lumican-null (KO) mice.

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice (wild-type, WT) and lumican-null (knockout, KO) mice were used. A linear full-thickness incision was produced in one cornea of each mouse. After intervals of healing, the corneas were processed for the following analyses. Histology was employed to measure the distance between each edge of the disrupted Descemet's membrane at the center of the cornea. Immunohistochemistry and real-time RT-PCR were employed to evaluate the expression of wound healing-related components in the tissue. Cultured ocular fibroblasts were obtained from cornea and sclera of WT and KO postnatal day 1 pups. The cells were subjected to examination for cell proliferation and expression of wound healing-related gene products. In vitro gel contraction assay was used to asses cell contractile activity of WT and KO cells.

RESULTS

At day 5 of incision, the distance between the disrupted Descemet's membrane was larger in a KO mouse as compared with a WT mouse. Myofibroblast appearance in the wound was suppressed by the loss of lumican. The loss of lumican downregulated TGFβ1's effects on mRNA expression of α-smooth muscle actin and collagen Ia1 in cultured ocular fibroblasts. Cell proliferation rate increased in injured stroma, which was further supported by in vitro datum of cell proliferation augmentation by the loss of lumican. Loss of lumican suppressed cell-mediated gel contraction.

CONCLUSION

Loss of lumican perturbs the healing of penetrating incision in mouse corneal stroma in association with suppression of myofibroblast generation.

Combination of Pinocembrin and Epidermal Growth Factor Enhances the Proliferation and Survival of Human Keratinocytes

Re-epithelialization is delayed in aged skin due to a slow rate of keratinocyte proliferation, and this may cause complications. Thus, there has been development of new therapies that increase treatment efficacy for skin wounds. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been clinically used, but this agent is expensive, and its activity is less stable. Therefore, a stable compound possessing EGF-like properties may be an effective therapy, especially when combined with EGF. The current study discovered that pinocembrin (PC) effectively synergized with EGF in increasing keratinocyte viability. The combination of PC and EGF significantly enhanced the proliferation and wound closure rate of the keratinocyte monolayer through activating the phosphorylation of ERK and Akt. Although these effects of PC were like those of EGF, we clearly proved that PC did not transactivate EGFR. Recent data from a previous study revealed that PC activates G-protein-coupled receptor 120 which further activates ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation. Therefore, this clearly indicates that PC possesses a unique property to stimulate the growth and survival of keratinocytes through activating a different receptor, which subsequently conveys the signal to cross-talk with the effector kinases downstream of the EGFR, suggesting that PC is a potential compound to be combined with EGF.

Resveratrol Enhances Cytotoxic Effects of Cisplatin by Inducing Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Ovarian Adenocarcinoma SKOV-3 Cells through Activating the p38 MAPK and Suppressing AKT

In the current study, we identified a mechanism of resveratrol (RES) underlying its anti-cancer properties against human ovarian adenocarcinoma SKOV-3 cells. We investigated its anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects in combination with cisplatin, using cell viability assay, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence study and Western blot analysis. We discovered that RES suppressed cancer cell proliferation and stimulated apoptosis, especially when combined with cisplatin. This compound also inhibited SKOV-3 cell survival, which may partly be due to its potential to inhibit protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation and induce the S-phase cell cycle arrest. RES in combination with cisplatin strongly induced cancer cell apoptosis through activating the caspase-dependent cascade, which was associated with its ability to stimulate nuclear phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), well recognized to be involved in transducing environmental stress signals. RES-induced p38 phosphorylation was very specific, and the activation status of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was not mainly affected. Taken together, our study provides accumulated evidence that RES represses proliferation and promotes apoptosis in SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells through activating the p38 MAPK pathway. It is interesting that this active compound may be used as an effective agent to sensitize ovarian cancer to apoptosis induced by standard chemotherapies.

Kaempferia parviflora Extracts Protect Neural Stem Cells from Amyloid Peptide-Mediated Inflammation in Co-Culture Model with Microglia

The existence of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress surrounding amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), has been demonstrated and may result in the activation of neuronal death and inhibition of neurogenesis. Therefore, dysregulation of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress is one possible therapeutic target for AD. Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex Baker (KP), a member of the Zingiberaceae family, possesses health-promoting benefits including anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammation in vitro and in vivo with a high level of safety; however, the role of KP in suppressing Aβ-mediated neuroinflammation and neuronal differentiation has not yet been investigated. The neuroprotective effects of KP extract against Aβ₄₂ have been examined in both monoculture and co-culture systems of mouse neuroectodermal (NE-4C) stem cells and BV-2 microglia cells. Our results showed that fractions of KP extract containing 5,7-dimethoxyflavone, 5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone, and 3,5,7,3',4'-pentamethoxyflavone protected neural stem cells (both undifferentiated and differentiated) and microglia activation from Aβ₄₂-induced neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in both monoculture and co-culture system of microglia and neuronal stem cells. Interestingly, KP extracts also prevented Aβ₄₂-suppressed neurogenesis, possibly due to the contained methoxyflavone derivatives. Our data indicated the promising role of KP in treating AD through the suppression of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress induced by Aβ peptides.

Puerarin: A review of its mechanisms of action and clinical studies in ophthalmology

BACKGROUND

Pueraria is the common name of the dried root of either Pueraria montana var. lobata (Willd.) Maesen & S.M.Almeida ex Sanjappa & Predeep (syn. Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi) or Pueraria montana var. thomsonii (Benth.) M.R.Almeida (syn. Pueraria thomsonii Benth.). Puerarin is a C-glucoside of the isoflavone daidzein extracted from Pueraria. It has been widely investigated to explore its therapeutic role in eye diseases and the molecular mechanisms.

PURPOSE

To collect the available literature from 2000 to 2022 on puerarin in the treatment of ocular diseases and suggest the future required directions to improve its medicinal value.

METHOD

The content of this review was obtained from databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and the Wanfang Database.

RESULTS

The search yielded 428 articles, of which 159 articles were included after excluding duplicate articles and articles related to puerarin but less relevant to the topic of the review. In eleven articles, the bioavailability of puerarin was discussed. Despite puerarin possesses diverse biological activities, its bioavailability on its own is poor. There are 95 articles in which the therapeutic mechanisms of puerarin in ocular diseases was reported. Of these, 54 articles discussed the various signalling pathways related to occular diseases affected by puerarin. The other 41 articles discussed specific biological activities of puerarin. It plays a therapeutic role in ophthalmopathy via regulating nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-ĸB), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), PI3K/AKT, JAK/STAT, protein kinase C (PKC) and other related pathways, affecting the expression of tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), superoxide dismutase (SOD), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and other cytokines resulting in anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects. The clinical applications of puerarin in ophthalmology were discussed in 25 articles. Eleven articles discussed the toxicity of puerarin. The literature suggests that puerarin has a good curative effect and can be used safely in clinical practice.

CONCLUSION

This review has illustrated the diverse applications of puerarin acting on ocular diseases and suggested that puerarin can be used for treating diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular occlusion, glaucoma and other ocular diseases in the clinic. Some ocular diseases are the result of the combined action of multiple factors, and the effect of puerarin on different factors needs to be further studied to improve a more complete mechanism of action of puerarin. In addition, it is necessary to increase the number of subjects in clinical trials and conduct clinical trials for other ocular diseases. The information presented here will guide future research studies.

DHA- and EPA-Enriched Phosphatidylcholine Suppress Human Lung Carcinoma 95D Cells Metastasis via Activating the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ

The antineoplastic effects of docosahexaenoic acid-containing phosphatidylcholine (DHA-PC) and eicosapentaenoic acid-containing phosphatidylcholine (EPA-PC) were explored, and their underlying mechanisms in the human lung carcinoma 95D cells (95D cells) were investigated. After treatment of 95D cells with DHA-PC or EPA-PC, cell biological behaviors such as growth, adhesion, migration, and invasion were studied. Immunofluorescence and western blotting were carried out to assess underlying molecular mechanisms. Results showed that 95D cells proliferation and adherence in the DHA-PC or EPA-PC group were drastically inhibited than the control group. DHA-PC and EPA-PC suppressed the migration and invasion of 95D cells by disrupting intracellular F-actin, which drives cell movement. The protein expression of PPARγ was induced versus the control group. Furthermore, critical factors related to invasion, including matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9), heparanase (Hpa), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), were drastically downregulated through the PPARγ/NF-κB signaling pathway. C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and cofilin were significantly suppressed via DHA-PC and EPA-PC through the PPARγ/phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/serine-threonine protein kinase (AKT) signaling pathway. DHA-PC and EPA-PC reversed the PPARγ antagonist GW9662-induced reduction of 95D cells in migration and invasion capacity, suggesting that PPARγ was directly involved in the anti-metastasis efficacy of DHA-PC and EPA-PC. In conclusion, DHA-PC and EPA-PC have great potential for cancer therapy, and the antineoplastic effects involve the activation of PPARγ. EPA-PC showed more pronounced antineoplastic effects than DHA-PC, possibly due to the more robust activation of PPARγ by EPA-PC.

Molecular Mechanisms of Cassia fistula against Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Using Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Approaches

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is one of the deadliest reproductive tract malignancies that form on the external tissue covering of an ovary. Cassia fistula is popular for its anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties in conventional medications. Nevertheless, its molecular mechanisms are still unclear. The current study evaluated the potential of C. fistula for the treatment of EOC using network pharmacology approach integrated with molecular docking. Eight active constituents of C. fistula were obtained from two independent databases and the literature, and their targets were retrieved from the SwissTargetPrediction. In total, 1077 EOC associated genes were retrieved from DisGeNET and GeneCardsSuite databases, and 800 potential targets of eight active constituents of C. fistula were mapped to the 1077 EOC targets and intersected targets from two databases. Ultimately, 98 potential targets were found from C. fistula for EOC. Finally, the protein-protein interaction network (PPI) topological interpretation revealed AKT1, CTNNB1, ESR1, and CASP3 as key targets. This is the first time four genes have been found against EOC from C. fistula. The major enriched pathways of these candidate genes were established by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) investigations. To confirm the network pharmacology findings, the molecular docking approach demonstrated that active molecules have higher affinity for binding to putative targets for EOC suppression. More pharmacological and clinical research is required for the development of a drug to treat EOC.

Integrated analysis of the M2 macrophage-related signature associated with prognosis in ovarian cancer

Background

M2 macrophages play an important role in cancer development. However, the underlying biological fator affecting M2 macrophages infiltration in ovarian cancer (OV) has not been elucidated.

Methods

R software v 4.0.0 was used for all the analysis. The expression profile and clinical information of OV patients enrolled in this study were all downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases.

Results

The CIBERSORT algorithm was used to quantify the M2 macrophage infiltration in OV tissue, which was found a risk factor for patients survival. Based on the limma package, a total of 196 DEGs were identified between OV patients with high and low M2 macrophage infiltration, which were defined as M2 macrophages related genes. Finally, the genes PTGFR, LILRA2 and KCNA1 were identified for prognosis model construction, which showed a great prediction efficiency in both training and validation cohorts (Training cohort, 1-year AUC = 0.661, 3-year AUC = 0.682, 8-year AUC = 0.846; Validation cohort, 1-year AUC = 0.642, 3-year AUC = 0.716, 5-year AUC = 0.741). Clinical correlation showed that the riskscore was associated with the worse clinical features. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that in high risk patients, the pathway of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), TNF-α signaling via NFKB, IL2/STAT5 signaling, apical junction, inflammatory response, KRAS signaling, myogenesis were activated. Moreover, we found that the PTGFR, LILRA2 and KCNA1 were all positively correlated with M2 macrophage infiltration and PTGFR was significantly associated with the pathway of autophagy regulation. Moreover, we found that the low risk patients might be more sensitive to cisplatin, while high risk patient might be more sensitive to axitinib, bexarotene, bortezomib, nilotinib, pazopanib.

Conclusions

In this study, we identified the genes associated with M2 macrophage infiltration and developed a model that could effectively predict the prognosis of OV patients.

Molecular Targets of Pinocembrin Underlying Its Regenerative Activities in Human Keratinocytes

Pinocembrin is one of the well-known compounds in the group of flavonoids. The pharmacological activities of pinocembrin in association with wound-healing activities have been reported. However, its effects on the aspect of cellular interaction underlying growth and survival are still unidentified in human keratinocytes. Our previous study reported that Boesenbergia rotunda potently stimulated survival and proliferation of a human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). On the basis that pinocembrin is revealed to be one of the major constituents of this plant, we aimed to define the survival- and proliferation-enhancing effects of this compound at the cellular level. Results from the current study confirmed that pinocembrin induced an increase in HaCaT cell number. At the signaling perspective, we identified that pinocembrin significantly triggered ERK1/2 and Akt activation. The stimulating effects of pinocembrin were clearly inhibited by MEK and PI3K inhibitors authenticating that proliferation- and survival-promoting activities of pinocembrin were mainly acted on these two signaling cascades. Altogether, we successfully identified that pinocembrin functions to induce keratinocyte proliferation and survival, at least by provoking MAPK and PI3K pathways. Our study encourages the fact that pinocembrin is one of the interesting natural flavonoid compounds to be developed as a wound closure-promoting agent.

Quantitative analysis of methoxyflavones discriminates between the two types of Kaempferia parviflora

INTRODUCTION

Kaempferia parviflora or black ginger is abundantly cultivated because its rhizomes contain methoxyflavones that have many pharmacological properties. K. parviflora can be divided into two types, based on morphological characteristics, but differences in their chemical compositions have never been explored.

OBJECTIVES

This research aims to find chemical markers that can be used to differentiate between the two types of K. parviflora, the red-leaf and green-leaf types, by quantifying the amounts of methoxyflavones.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

K. parviflora samples were collected from 39 locations in Thailand. Their genetic diversity was assessed by a genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) technique to construct the population structure. Their chemical compositions were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection to determine the methoxyflavone contents.

RESULTS

The population structure based on >3,000 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers showed that the samples can be divided into two groups, which were consistent with the classification by leaf margin color (red-leaf and green-leaf types). HPLC analysis revealed 3,5,7,3',4'-pentamethoxyflavone (PMF), 5,7-dimethoxyflavone (DMF), 5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone (TMF), 3,5,7-trimethoxyflavone and 3,5,7,4'-tetramethoxyflavone as major methoxyflavones that can be used as chemical markers. The red-leaf type showed higher amounts of PMF, TMF and 3,5,7,4'-tetramethoxyflavone than the green-leaf type, while the green-leaf type showed higher amounts of DMF and 3,5,7-trimethoxyflavone than the red-leaf type.

CONCLUSION

These results provide another approach to discriminate the two types of K. parviflora using chemical profiles alongside genetic and morphological analyses. Therefore, a specific type of K. parviflora can be selected over the other based on preferences for a certain methoxyflavone.

The Leaf Extract of Mitrephora chulabhorniana Suppresses Migration and Invasion and Induces Human Cervical Cancer Cell Apoptosis through Caspase-Dependent Pathway

Cervical cancer is rated to be the leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Since screening test and conventional treatments are less accessible for people in developing countries, an alternative use of medicinal plants exhibiting strong anticancer activities may be an affordable means to treat cervical cancer. Mitrephora chulabhorniana (MC) is the newly identified species; however, its biological functions including anticancer activities have been largely unexplored. Hence, in this study, we were interested in investigating anticancer effects of this plant on the human cervical cell line (HeLa). MC extract was profiled for phytochemicals by TLC. This plant was tested to contain alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenes. HeLa cells were treated with MC extract to investigate the anticancer activities. Cytotoxicity and viability of cells treated with MC were determined by MTT assay and Trypan blue exclusion assay. Cell migration was tested by wound healing assay, and cell invasion was determined by Transwell assay. The level of caspase 7, caspase 9, and PARP was determined by western blot analysis. We found that the leaf extract of MC strongly reduced cancer cell survival rate. This finding was consistent with the discovery that the extract dramatically induced apoptosis of cervical cancer cells through the activation of caspase 7 and caspase 9 which consequently degraded PARP protein. Furthermore, MC extract at lower concentrations which were not cytotoxic to the cancer cells showed potent inhibitory activities against HeLa cervical cancer cell migration and invasion. Mitrephora chulabhorniana possesses its pharmacological properties in inhibiting cervical cancer cell migration/invasion and inducing apoptotic signaling. This accumulated information suggests that Mitrephora chulabhorniana may be a beneficial source of potential agents for cervical cancer treatment.

Oxyresveratrol Inhibits TNF-α-Stimulated Cell Proliferation in Human Immortalized Keratinocytes (HaCaT) by Suppressing AKT Activation

Psoriasis is a complex inflammatory disease characterized by hyperproliferative keratinocyte caused by active PI3K/AKT signaling. TNF-α concentrated in the psoriatic lesions stimulates AKT activation. We previously discovered that oxyresveratrol inhibited inflammation via suppressing AKT phosphorylation, therefore oxyresveratrol may possess a conserved property to block AKT activation and proliferation in keratinocyte in response to TNF-α. Our current study proved that oxyresveratrol exhibited potent anti-proliferative effects against TNF-α. These effects are explained by the findings that oxyresveratrol could potentially inhibit TNF-α-stimulated AKT and GSK3-β activation in a dose-dependent manner, and its inhibitory pattern was comparable to that of a specific PI3K inhibitor. Results from immunofluorescence supported that oxyresveratrol effectively inhibited AKT and GSK3-β activation in individual cells upon TNF-α stimulation. Furthermore, functional assay confirmed that oxyresveratrol repressed the expansion of the HaCaT colony over 3 days, and this was caused by the ability of oxyresveratrol to induce cell cycle arrest at S and G2/M phases and the reduction in the expression of a proliferative marker (Ki-67) and a survival marker (MCL-1). Given the importance of TNF-α and the PI3K/AKT pathway in the psoriatic phenotype, we anticipate that oxyresveratrol, which targets the TNF-α-stimulated PI3K/AKT pathway, would represent a promising psoriasis therapy in the near future.

Anti-psoriatic and anti-inflammatory effects of Kaempferia parviflora in keratinocytes and macrophage cells

Kaempferia parviflora (KP) has been used as folk medicine for curing various conditions, including anti-inflammatory diseases. However, anti-psoriatic effects in an aspect of suppression of NF-κB activation have not been explored. Therefore, our current study aimed to elucidate the anti-inflammation of KP in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells and anti-psoriatic effects of KP in cytokine-induced human keratinocytes, HaCaT cells. We discovered that KP extract significantly suppressed LPS-induced inflammation at both gene expression and protein production. Specifically, dramatic reduction of nitric oxide (NO) was explored by using Griess method. Consistently, data from RT-qPCR, ELISA, and western blot analysis confirmed that crucial inflammatory and psoriatic markers including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-17, IL-22, and IL-23 were significantly decreased by the action of KP. These events were associated with the results from immunofluorescence study and western blot analysis where the activation of NF-κB upon LPS stimulation was clearly inhibited by KP through its ability to suppress IκB-α degradation resulting in inhibition of NF-κB nuclear translocation. Furthermore, KP extract significantly inhibited LPS-stimulated phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 in a dose-dependent manner, along with inhibition of ERK1/2 activation in both TNF-α- and EGF-induced HaCaT cells. Interestingly, HaCaT cells exposed to 15 μg/mL of KP also exhibited significant decrease of cell migration and proliferation. Our results revealed that KP extract has a potential to be developed as a promising agent for treating inflammation and psoriasis, in part through targeting the proliferation and the NF-κB pathways.