Nauclea officinalis inhibits inflammation in LPS-mediated RAW 264.7 macrophages by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway

Strictosamide ameliorates LPS-induced acute lung injury by targeting ERK2 and mediating NF-κB signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Acute lung injury (ALI) ranks among the deadliest pulmonary diseases, significantly impacting mortality and morbidity. Presently, the primary treatment for ALI involves supportive therapy; however, its efficacy remains unsatisfactory. Strictosamide (STR), an indole alkaloid found in the Chinese herbal medicine Nauclea officinalis (Pierre ex Pit.) Merr. & Chun (Wutan), has been found to exhibit numerous pharmacological properties, particularly anti-inflammatory effects.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimes to systematically identify and validate the specific binding proteins targeted by STR and elucidate its anti-inflammatory mechanism in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Biotin chemical modification, protein microarray analysis and network pharmacology were conducted to screen for potential STR-binding proteins. The binding affinity was assessed through surface plasmon resonance (SPR), cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and molecular docking, and the anti-inflammatory mechanism of STR in ALI treatment was assessed through in vivo and in vitro experiments.

RESULTS

Biotin chemical modification, protein microarray and network pharmacology identified extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) as the most important binding proteins among 276 candidate STR-interacting proteins and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) pathway was one of the main inflammatory signal transduction pathways. Using SPR, CETSA, and molecular docking, we confirmed STR's affinity for ERK2. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that STR mitigated inflammation by targeting ERK2 to modulate the NF-κB signaling pathway in LPS-induced ALI.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that STR can inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway to attenuate LPS-induced inflammation by targeting ERK2 and decreasing phosphorylation of ERK2, which could be a novel strategy for treating ALI.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Vacuum Distillate from Panax ginseng Root on LPS-Induced RAW264.7 Cells

Panax ginseng has been widely applied as an important herb in traditional medicine to treat numerous human disorders. However, the inflammatory regulation effect of P. ginseng distillate (GSD) has not yet been fully assessed. To determine whether GSD can ameliorate inflammatory processes, a GSD was prepared using the vacuum distillation process for the first time, and the regulation effect on lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophages was assessed. The results showed that GSD effectively inhibited nitric oxide (NO) formation and activation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA in murine macrophage cell, but not cyclooxygenase-2 production. The mRNA expression pattern of tumor necrosis factor alpha and IL-6 were also reduced by GSD. Furthermore, we confirmed that GSD exerted its anti-inflammatory effects by downregulating c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation, and signaling pathway of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Our findings revealed that the inflammatory regulation activity of GSD could be induced by iNOS and NO formation inhibition mediated by regulation of nuclear factor kappa B and p38/JNK MAPK pathways.

Two new indole alkaloids from Nauclea officinalis and their evaluation for cytotoxic activities

Two new indole alkaloids, naucleamide H (1) and (±)-19-O-butylangustoline (8), along with seven known alkaloids, 3,14-dihydroangustine (2), (-)-naucleofficine D (3a), (+)-naucleofficine D (3b), nauclefine (4), angustidine (5),19-O-ethylangustoline (6) and angustine (7) were isolated from the water extract of Nauclea officinalis. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic analysis. Among them, the cytotoxicity of 1, 2, 6 and 8 were evaluated against six human cancer cell lines (HepG-2, SKOV3, HeLa, SGC 7901, MCF-7 and KB) in vitro for the first time with 5-fluorouracil as a positive control drug. The new compound 1 had a strong inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HepG-2 with an IC50 value of 19.59 μg/mL. The new compound 8 had a strong inhibitory effect on HepG-2, SKOV3, HeLa, MCF-7 and KB, IC50 value was 5.530, 23.11, 31.30, 32.42 and 37.26 μg/mL, respectively.

Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) agonists and L-arginine ameliorate diabetic nephropathy in rats by suppressing inflammation and fibrosis through NF-κβ pathway

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a condition that leads to end-stage chronic kidney disease characterized by inflammation and a deficiency of nitric oxide (NO). Cannabinoid receptor (CB2) activation by specific agonist reduces nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κβ) expression. Beta caryophyllene (BCP), a natural CB2 receptor activator, protects kidney function in several diseases. L-Arginine (LA) modulates several physiological processes by donating nitric oxide (NO). Hence, we tested a novel BCP-LA combination to treat DN and investigated its molecular mechanisms. BCP, LA, and combinations of both were evaluated in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage inflammation as well as in streptozotocin (55 mg/kg)-induced diabetes in SD rats. Diabetic rats were administered 200 mg/kg of BCP, 100 mg/kg of LA, and combination of both orally for 28 days. Biochemical markers and inflammatory cytokines were assessed in plasma; also, kidney tissue was examined for renal oxidative stress injury, NF-κβ expression, and histology. After 28 days of treatment, BCP and LA combination significantly lowered plasma glucose levels than the disease control group. BCP and LA also normalized renal markers and oxidative stress of diabetic rats. Plasma and RAW macrophage cell lines showed reduced levels of IL-6 and TNF-α (P < 0.001). Histopathological evaluations revealed that BCP and LA together decreased renal fibrosis and collagen deposition also improved nephrotic indices. Meanwhile, the effect of BCP and LA together significantly reduced the NF-κβ (P < 0.01) against diabetic rats. These results indicate that the innovative regimen BCP with LA may be a therapeutic treatment for DN, as it protects kidney tissue from diabetes via NF-κβ inhibition.

Anti-inflammatory kaurane diterpenoids of Erythroxylum bezerrae

Five unusual kaurane diterpenes, designated as bezerraditerpenes A-E (1-5), along with six known ones (6-11), were isolated from the hexane extract of the stems of Erythroxylum bezerrae. Their structures were elucidated based on the interpretation of the NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The anti-inflammatory potential of the diterpenes 1-11 was screened through cellular viability and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production on murine macrophage-like cells RAW 264.7. Diterpene 6 (cauren-6β-ol) showed potent cytotoxicity and increased ability to inhibit NO production. Diterpenes 1 (bezerraditerpene A), 2 (bezerraditerpene B), and 8 (ent-kaur-16-ene-3β,15β-diol) exhibited the same significant anti-inflammatory activity with NO CI₅₀ inhibition (3.21-3.76 μM) without cytotoxicity, in addition to decreasing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells.

Measurement of Pharmacokinetics and Tissue Distribution of Four Compounds from Nauclea officinalis in Rat Plasma and Tissues through HPLC-MS/MS

A rapid, sensitive, selective, and accurate HPLC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of chlorogenic acid, naucleactonin C, khaephuoside A 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl-1-O-β-apiofuroseyl(1 ⟶ 2)-β-D-glucopyranoside in rat plasma and tissues after oral administration of Nauclea officinalis extracts. Chloramphenicol was used as an internal standard (IS). The plasma and tissue samples were extracted by protein precipitation with methanol-ethyl acetate (1 : 1, v/v) including 0.1% (v/v) formic acid. The chromatographic separation was achieved by using an C18 column with gradient elution using mobile phase, which consisted of 0.1% formic acid water (A) and acetonitrile (B) and the flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. Mass spectrometric detection was performed in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode utilizing electrospray ionization (ESI) in negative mode. The developed method exhibited good linearity (determination coefficients, R ² ≥ 0.9849), and the lower limits of quantification were 2, 5, 5, and 25 ng/mL for chlorogenic acid, naucleactonin C, khaephuoside A, and 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl-1-O-β-apiofuroseyl(1 ⟶ 2)-β-D-glucopyranoside. The intraday and interday precisions (relative standard deviation, RSD) were less than 12.65%, while the accuracy was ranged from 86.31 to 114.17%. The recovery rate were 51.85-97.06%, 75.99-106.68%, 77.46-105.35%, and 68.36-103.75% for chlorogenic acid, naucleactonin C, khaephuoside A, and 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl-1-O-β-apiofuroseyl(1 ⟶ 2)-β-D-glucopyranoside the matrix effects were 50.17-116.62%, 86.75-115.99%, 45.79-87.44%, and 51.60-92.34% for chlorogenic acid, naucleactonin C, khaephuoside A, and 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl-1-O-β-apiofuroseyl(1 ⟶ 2)-β-D-glucopyranoside in different matrix. The developed method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study and tissue distribution of four compounds in rats after oral administration of Nauclea officinalis extracts.

Nauclea officinalis: A Chinese medicinal herb with phytochemical, biological, and pharmacological effects

Nauclea officinalis (N. officinalis), a medicinal plant of the genus Nauclea in the family Rubiaceae, is used in the treatment of fever, pneumonia, pharyngolaryngitis, and enteritis in China. Extracts of N. officinalis include alkaloids, phenolic acids, pentacyclic triterpenoids, and flavonoids, which exert all kinds of pharmacological effects, for instance anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antibacterial, and antiviral and therefore show good effectiveness. To gain a comprehensive and deep understanding, the medicinal chemistry and chemical biology of N. officinalis are summarized in this review to provide a theoretical basis. The pharmacological effects were reviewed to provide evidence or insights into potential opportunities for further studies and medicinal exploitation of N. officinalis.

Integrated metabolomics, network pharmacology and biological verification to reveal the mechanisms of Nauclea officinalis treatment of LPS-induced acute lung injury

BACKGROUND

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a severe inflammatory disease, underscoring the urgent need for novel treatments. Nauclea officinalis Pierre ex Pitard (Danmu in Chinese, DM) is effective in treating inflammatory respiratory diseases. However, there is still no evidence of its protective effect against ALI.

METHODS

Metabolomics was applied to identify the potential biomarkers and pathways in ALI treated with DM. Further, network pharmacology was introduced to predict the key targets of DM against ALI. Then, the potential pathways and key targets were further verified by immunohistochemistry and western blot assays.

RESULTS

DM significantly improved lung histopathological characteristics and inflammatory response in LPS-induced ALI. Metabolomics analysis showed that 16 and 19 differential metabolites were identified in plasma and lung tissue, respectively, and most of these metabolites tended to recover after DM treatment. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that the PI3K/Akt pathway may be the main signaling pathway of DM against ALI. The integrated analysis of metabolomics and network pharmacology identified 10 key genes. These genes are closely related to inflammatory response and cell apoptosis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI in mice. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry and western blot verified that DM could regulate inflammatory response and cell apoptosis by affecting the PI3K/Akt pathway, and expression changes in Bax and Bcl-2 were also triggered.

CONCLUSION

This study first integrated metabolomics, network pharmacology and biological verification to investigate the potential mechanism of DM in treating ALI, which is related to the regulation of inflammatory response and cell apoptosis. And the integrated analysis can provide new strategies and ideas for the study of traditional Chinese medicines in the treatment of ALI.

Influence of Cold Environments on Growth, Antioxidant Status, Immunity and Expression of Related Genes in Lambs

Cold climates may be a risk to the health and welfare of lambs during winter because cold environments alter the physiological processes of lambs, and we used cold environments with three different temperature gradients—an indoor heating control group (IHC) using electric heating; an indoor temperature group (IT) with intermittent and slight degrees of stimulation of coldness; an outdoor temperature group (OT) exposed to cold environments in an external natural environment. The results showed that the lambs in the OT group had a greater decrease in the average daily gain (ADG) and increase in the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and the feed-to-gain ratio (F:G) compared to the other two groups. The decrease in immunoglobulin A (IgA) and interleukin 2 (IL-2) contents and IL-2 gene expression, and the increase in tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) content and TNF-α and nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (NF-κB p65) gene expressions in the OT group suggested that the lambs had a compromised immune status in cold environments. Moreover, the decrease in catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) levels, and CAT, GPx, SOD1, SOD2, and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) gene expressions, and the increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) in the OT group suggested that the lambs had a lower antioxidant defense capacity in cold environments. Thus, in extreme cold, lambs kept outdoors could reduce growth, immune function and antioxidant status. However, shelter feeding in winter could relieve the stress of cold environments on lambs, and housing with heating equipment was more conducive to the improve growth, immune, and antioxidant function of the lambs.

An Artemisia ordosica extract: Effects on growth performance, immune, and inflammatory response in lipopolysaccharide-challenged broilers

Artemisia ordosica has been applied as a traditional Chinese/Mongolian medicine for treating csertain inflammatory ailments. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Artemisia ordosica alcohol extract (AOAE) supplemented in diets on growth performance, immune, and inflammatory response in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged broilers. A total of 240 one-day-old Arbor Acre male broilers were randomly allotted into 5 groups with 6 replicates (n = 8), which were basal diet group (CON), LPS-challenge and basal diet group (LPS), LPS-challenge and the basal diet added with low (500 mg/kg), middle (750 mg/kg), and high (1,000 mg/kg) dose of AOAE groups (AOAE-L, AOAE-M, and AOAE-H), respectively. On d 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28, all broilers were injected intra-abdominally either with LPS or an equivalent amount of saline. Results showed that dietary AOAE alleviated the LPS-induced decrease in average daily gain and average daily feed intake in the broilers (P < 0.05). Dietary AOAE supplementation reversed the increased spleen index and the decreased bursa index in LPS-challenged broilers (P < 0.05). Moreover, feeding AOAE could mitigate the elevation of IL-1β in serum, liver, and spleen, IL-2 in serum and liver, IL-6 in serum and spleen, and the decrease of IgG in spleen, IgM in serum, liver, and spleen, and IL-4 in serum of the LPS-challenged broilers (P < 0.05). This study also showed that AOAE supplementation alleviated the increase of mRNA expression of TLR4, MyD88, TRAF6, NF-κB p65, NF-κB p50, IL-1β, and IL-6, and the decrease of gene expression of IκBα and PPARγ in liver and/or spleen of broilers challenged by LPS (P < 0.05). We speculated that AOAE administration could effectively alleviate LPS-induced inflammation via decreasing over-production of proinflammatory cytokines, ultimately relieving the growth inhibition of broilers caused by LPS. In conclusion, 1,000 mg/kg AOAE has a strong capacity to enhance immunity and inhibit inflammation, and can be used as a potential novel feed additive with applications in treating inflammation-related diseases and bacterial infection in broilers.

An Acidic Polysaccharide with Anti-Inflammatory Effects from Blackened Jujube: Conformation and Rheological Properties

An acidic polysaccharide fraction (BJP-4) was isolated from blackened jujube, and its advanced structures and anti-inflammatory activity were investigated. X-ray diffraction showed that BJP-4 exhibits both crystalline and amorphous portions. Atomic force microscopy data suggested that it contains a large number of spherical lumps. Circular dichroism and Congo red experiments revealed that it has no triple-helix conformation. In steady shear flow results, the BJP-4 solution was a pseudoplastic non-Newtonian fluid with acid-base stability. BJP-4 (20 mg/mL) showed liquid-like properties (G″ > G′), while it performed weak gel-like behavior at a high concentration (40 mg/mL) (G′ > G″). The anti-inflammatory effects of BJP-4 were further evaluated through in vitro experiments. BJP-4 could down-regulate the over-secretion of inflammatory factors (NO, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS and COX-2) in RAW264.7 cells due to LPS stimulation. Moreover, it demonstrated that BJP-4 restrained the NF-κB signal pathway by regulating TLR4 expression, reducing IκBα phosphorylation level and NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation. In summary, this present study contributes to the application of blackened jujube polysaccharides in the foods and medicine field.

Two new neolignans and an indole alkaloid from the stems of Nauclea officinalis and their biological activities

A pair of new diastereoisomers neolignans (1-2) and a new alkaloid (7) were isolated from the stems of Nauclea officinalis: naucleaoxyneolignoside A (1), naucleaoxyneolignoside B (2), (2S,3S)-javaniside (7), together with nine known compounds, 2S-3,3-di-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-propane-1,2-diol (3), threo-1,2-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-propane-1,3-diol (4), nauclefine (5), angustidine (6), naucleoxoside A (8), naucleoxoside B (9), angustoline (10), (3S,19S)-3,14-dihydroangustoline (11), and (3S,19R)-3,14-dihydroangustoline (12).The structures of 1, 2 and 7 were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods and the known compounds were identified by comparison of their data with those reported in the literature. The absolution configurations of 1, 2, 7,11 and 12 were confirmed by the quantum chemical CD calculation method. Compounds 1-9 showed weak to moderate inhibitory activity on nitric oxide (NO) production induced by lipopolysaccharide in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells in vitro with IC₅₀ values comparable to that of dexamethasone. In addition, compounds 1-9 were evaluated for the antibacterial and cytotoxic effects, and the results revealed that these compounds showed no anti-bacterial activity, and compounds 3-6 showed modest cytotoxic activity.

Simultaneous determination of 11 alkaloids in rat plasma by LC-ESI-MS/MS and a pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of total alkaloids extracted from Naucleaofficinalis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Nauclea officinalis, a widely used Li medicine, has been used for the treatment of cold, fever, bronchitis, pneumonia, acute tonsillitis, and other ailments. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that the most abundant and active components in N. officinalis are alkaloids, which possess various biological properties such as antibacterial and antitumor activities.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the phytochemical profile of a selected group of alkaloids from the N. officinalis total alkaloids, and to determine the chemical profile of the alkaloids extracted from rat plasma. Further investigation was conducted to determine the pharmacokinetic behaviors of 11 selected major alkaloids, including pumiloside, naucleoxoside A, naucleoxoside B, nauclefine, angustidine, angustoline, (3S,19S)-3,14-dihydroangustoline,[α]_D²⁰: (-)191°, (3S,19R)-3,14-dihydroangustoline, [α]_D²⁰: (-) 294.7°, strictosamide, angustine, and 3,14-dihydroangustine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

N. officinalis total alkaloids were extracted with 79% ethanol and enriched with AB-8 macroporous resin. The phytochemical profile of alkaloids from the N. officinalis total alkaloids and the chemical profile of the alkaloids extracted from rat plasma were first analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. A simple, convenient, and sensitive LC-ESI-MS/MS method was subsequently developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of major active alkaloids in rat plasma after oral administration of N. officinalis total alkaloids. After addition of an internal standard (verapamil), plasma samples were pretreated first by protein precipitation with methanol and then underwent liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a Waters BEH C₁₈ column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 1.7 μm) at 30 °C, with gradient elution using a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution (A) and acetonitrile (B), a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min, and a total run time of 30 min. The detection was performed using an electrospray ionization triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer with multiple reaction monitoring and positive ionization mode.

RESULTS

Based on the fragmentation patterns of 11 authentic alkaloids and previous reports, 55 alkaloids were identified or tentatively identified in the N. officinalis total alkaloids. Among them, 25 alkaloids were absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract in rats after administration of the N. officinalis total alkaloids. The 11 alkaloids were selected for quantitative analysis. The established quantitative method was fully validated and proved to be sensitive and specific. Satisfactory linearity of the 11 alkaloids obtained in the respective concentration ranges (r > 0.9931). The lower limits of quantification for strictosamide was 20.86 ng/ml, and the other ten alkaloids were all less than 4.47 ng/ml in rat plasma. The intra-and inter-day precision was less than 15% for all 11 alkaloids in terms of relative standard deviation, and the accuracies ranged from -11.4% to 11.1% in terms of relative error. Extraction recovery, matrix effect, and stability were within the required limits in rat plasma.

CONCLUSION

The validated method was successfully applied to investigate the pharmacokinetics of the 11 alkaloids in rat plasma after oral administration of N. officinalis total alkaloids. Eleven alkaloids were rapidly absorbed to achieve a maximum plasma concentration with T_max from 0.25 h to 1.5 h after oral administration. The pharmacokinetic parameters and plasma concentration-time profiles will prove valuable in pre-clinical and clinical investigations on the disposition of N. officinalis total alkaloids.

The rapid profiling and simultaneous determination of 12 major alkaloids in Nauclea officinalis by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS

For the first time, we determined the phytochemical profile of alkaloids from N. officinalis using ultraperformance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). A rapid, specific, and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was subsequently developed and fully validated for the simultaneous determination of 12 major alkaloid constituents in N. officinalis: pumiloside; naucleoxoside A; naucleoxoside B; nauclefine; angustidine; angustoline; (3S,19S)-3,14-dihydroangustoline ([α]20D: (-)191°); (3S,19R)-3,14-dihydroangustoline ([α]20D: (-)294.7°); strictosamide; angustine; vincosamide; and 3,14-dihydroangustine. The analytes were detected with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) using positive scanning mode. Three pairs of epimers (naucleoxoside A and naucleoxoside B; (3S,19S)-3,14-dihydroangustoline ([α]20D: (-)191°) and (3S,19R)-3,14-dihydroangustoline ([α]20D: (-)294.7°); and strictosamide and vincosamide) were successfully separated using an ACQUITY UPLC® BEH C₁₈ column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 1.7 μm) at 30 °C, with a gradient mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution (A) and acetonitrile (B), a flow rate of 0.2 mL min^-1, and a total run time of 30 min. All calibration curves exhibited excellent linear regression (r > 0.999) within the test range. The precision, repeatability, and stability of the method toward the 12 alkaloid compounds were less than 2.0% in terms of the relative standard deviation (RSD) values. The mean recoveries for all compounds were between 98.7% and 101.1%, with RSD values ranging from 0.55% to 1.7% for N. officinalis samples.

Whitening and inhibiting NF-κB-mediated inflammation properties of the biotransformed green ginseng berry of new cultivar K1, ginsenoside Rg2 enriched, on B16 and LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells

Background

Main bioactive constituents and pharmacological functions of ripened red ginseng berry (Panax ginseng Meyer) have been frequently reported. Yet, the research gap targeting the beneficial activities of transformed green ginseng berries has not reported elsewhere.

Methods

Ginsenosides of new green berry cultivar K-1 (GK-1) were identified by HPLC-QTOF/MS. Ginsenosides bioconversion in GK-1 by bgp1 enzyme was confirmed with HPLC and TLC. Then, mechanisms of GK-1 and β-glucosidase (bgp1) biotransformed GK-1 (BGK-1) were determined by Quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction and Western blot.

Results

GK-1 possesses highest ginsenosides especially ginsenoside-Re amongst seven ginseng cultivars including (Chunpoong, Huangsuk, Kumpoong, K-1, Honkaejong, Gopoong, and Yunpoong). Ginseng root’s biomass is not affected with the harvest of GK-1 at 3 weeks after flowering period. Then, Re is bio-converted into a promising pharmaceutical effect of Rg2 via bgp1. According to the results of cell assays, BGK-1 shows decrease of tyrosinase and melanin content in α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone challenged-murine melanoma B16 cells. BGK-1 which is comparatively more effective than GK-1 extract shows significant suppression of the nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation and inflammatory target genes, in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.

Conclusion

These results reported effective whitening and anti-inflammatory of BGK-1 as compared to GK-1.

Immune Responses Are Differentially Regulated by Root, Stem, Leaf, and Flower Extracts of Female and Male CBD Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Plants

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has many applications, including the production of textiles, agricultural extracts, nutritional products, and botanicals enriched with cannabinoids and full-spectrum terpenes naturally present in the plant. In this study, the dynamics of distribution and accumulation of 10 main cannabinoids in hemp were quantified. Hemp bioactive compounds were evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. While all tissues of hemp showed moderate anti-inflammatory properties, female flowers demonstrated the highest activity. CBD showed the strongest anti-inflammatory activity with suppression of nitric oxide production at 2 μg/mL and the reduced expressions of the pro-inflammatory genes COX-2, IL-6, and TNF-α at as low as 2 ng/mL. The topical hemp inflorescences (1–50 μg/mL) and CBD alone (20–200 ng/mL) also improved mitochondrial respiration. These data contribute to the future development of agricultural and plant management techniques to produce hemp with specific metabolite profiles to selectively support immune health.

Comparative analysis of bioactive constituents and pharmacological activities from different parts of Nauclea officinalis

The stems of Nauclea officinalis have been utilized as a crude drug in China, so other parts of the plant are abandoned, resulting in a waste of traditional Chinese medicine resources. To determine the distribution and content of the alkaloids, phenolic acids and iridoid in different organs (stem, branch, leaf and bark) of this plant, a reliable method has been established using LC-MS/MS. Nine constituents, namely strictosamide, vincosamide, chlorogenic acid, sweroside, naucleamide B, protocatechuic acid, pumiloside, vanillic acid and cryptochlorogenic acid, were simultaneously determined in 6 min. Meanwhile, the antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities were evaluated for comparative analysis of the pharmacological activity of different parts of N. officinalis. The results showed that the content of active components in other organs of N. officinalis was higher than that in stems, and the pharmacological effects of branches and leaves were also better. The established approach could be helpful for the quality control of N. officinalis, and also provide necessary information for the rational utilization of resources.

α-Glucosidase inhibitory and anti-inflammatory activities of dammarane triterpenoids from the leaves of Cyclocarya paliurus

Diabetes mellitus is caused by chronic inflammation and affects millions of people worldwide. Cyclocarya paliurus leaves have been widely used in traditional folk tea as a remedy for diabetes, but the antidiabetic constituents remain to be further studied. The α-glucosidase inhibitory and anti-inflammatory activities were examined to evaluate their effects on diabetes mellitus, and bioassay-guided separation of C. paliurus leaves led to the identification of twenty dammarane saponins, including eleven new dammarane saponins (1-11). The structures of the isolates were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Bioactivity assay results showed that compounds 1 and 2 strongly inhibited α-glucosidase activity, with IC50 values ranging from 257.74 μM, 282.23 μM, and strongly inhibited the release of NO, with IC50 values of 9.10 μM, 9.02 μM. Moreover, compound 2 significantly downregulated the mRNA expression of iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, NF-κB, IL-6 and TNF-α in LPS-mediated RAW 264.7 cells and markedly suppressed the protein expression of iNOS, NF-κB/p65, and COX-2. Dammarane glucoside 2 exhibited the strongest α-glucosidase inhibitory and anti-inflammatory activities. In addition, the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of the dammarane saponins were investigated. In summary, C. paliurus leaves showed marked α-glucosidase inhibitory and anti-inflammatory activities, and dammarane saponins are responsible for regulating α-glucosidase, inflammatory mediators, and mRNA and the protein expression of proinflammatory cytokines, which could be meaningful for discovering new antidiabetic agents.

Paraquat-activated BV-2 microglia induces neuroinflammatory responses in the neuron model through NF-κB signaling pathway

Paraquat (PQ), a non-selective contact herbicide, has been generally accepted as one of the environmental neurotoxicants. Despite the direct evidence that PQ could induce inflammation responses in microglia, little is known about the effects of the inflammatory microglia on neurons. Thus in the present study, mouse primary cortical neurons and PC12 cells, widely-used in vitro neuron models for neurotoxicity research were applied to investigate the neuroinflammatory effects of PQ-activated microglia on neurons. We observed that the secretion levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in PC12 cells were markedly increased upon treatment with the supernatants of inflammatory BV2 microglia, and NF-κB p65 protein expression was also elevated. Specific inhibition of NF-κB by PDTC dramatically attenuated the increase of TNF-α and IL-6 release. These results suggested that PQ-induced inflammatory microglia exerts secondary inflammatory effects on neurons through activation of NF-κB pathway.

Inhibition of chikusetsusaponin IVa on inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 cell line via MAPK pathway

Chikusetsusaponin IVa (CHS-IVa), a saponin from herb Panacis japonicas, possesses extensive biological activities. However, the roles and underlying mechanisms of CHS-IVa on inflammation have not been fully clarified in the setting of murine macrophages. In this study, we found that CHS-IVa effectively reduced the expression of inflammatory mediators, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), cyclooxygenase (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells. Meanwhile, CHS-IVa could also evidently bate the contents of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in cell culture supernatants. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activity of CHS-IVa may be via diminishing the phosphorylation of extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Collectively, these findings will help to understand of the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of P. japonicas deeply, and suggest a validated therapeutic use as an anti-inflammatory medication.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) Honey Extract

Safflower honey is a unique type of monofloral honey collected from the nectar of Carthamus tinctorius L. in the Apis mellifera colonies of northwestern China. Scant information is available regarding its chemical composition and biological activities. Here, for the first time, we investigated this honey's chemical composition and evaluated its in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Basic physicochemical parameters of the safflower honey samples in comparison to established quality standards suggested that safflower honeys presented a good level of quality. The in vitro antioxidant tests showed that extract from Carthamus tinctorius L. honey (ECH) effectively scavenged DPPH and ABTS⁺ free radicals. In lipopolysaccharides (LPS) activated murine macrophages inflammatory model, ECH treatment to the cells inhibited the release of nitric oxide and down-regulated the expressions of inflammatory-relating genes (iNOS, IL-1β, TNF-α and MCP-1). The expressions of the antioxidant genes TXNRD, HO-1, and NQO-1, were significantly boosted in a concentration-dependent manner. ECH decreased the phosphorylation of IκBα and inhibited the nuclear entry of the NF-κB-p65 protein, in LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells, accompany with the increased expressions of Nrf-2 and HO-1, suggesting that ECH achieved the anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting NF-κB signal transduction and boosting the antioxidant system via activating Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling. These results, taken together, indicated that safflower honey has great potential into developing as a high-quality agriproduct.

Anti‑inflammatory activity of 3,5,6,7,3',4'‑hexamethoxyflavone via repression of the NF‑κB and MAPK signaling pathways in LPS‑stimulated RAW264.7 cells

Citrus peel has been used as a Traditional medicine in Asia to treat coughs, asthma and bronchial disorders. Therefore, the anti-inflammatory effects of 3,5,6,7,3′,4′-hexamethoxyflavone (quercetogetin, QUE) isolated from Citrus unshiu peel were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. The results showed that QUE repressed the production of prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide by suppressing LPS-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase. It also suppressed the production of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α cytokines, and decreased the nuclear translocation of NF-κB by interrupting the phosphorylation of NF-κB inhibitor α in macrophage cells. Based on the finding that QUE inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK protein expression in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells, it was confirmed that inhibition of inflammatory responses by QUE was mediated via the ERK pathway. Therefore, this study suggests that QUE has strong anti-inflammatory effects, making it a promising compound for use as a therapeutic agent in treating inflammatory lung diseases, such as emphysema.

3,4-seco-Dammarane Triterpenoid Saponins with Anti-Inflammatory Activity Isolated from the Leaves of Cyclocarya paliurus

Cyclocarya paliurus is commonly used for the prevention and treatment of hypertension, diabetes, and inflammation in South China. Although research on the anti-inflammatory effects of C. paliurus leaves has been reported, no active anti-inflammatory compounds have been identified. In the present study, RAW 264.7 cells were used to establish a bioactivity-guided identification model to verify the inhibitory effects of C. paliurus leaves on inflammation and identify the anti-inflammatory constituents. The active fraction was isolated to yield 18 dammarane triterpenoid saponins, including 11 new 3,4-seco-dammarane triterpenoid saponins (1-11), the structures of which were identified on the basis of analyses of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS) and comparison with literature data. Compounds 7, 8, 10, and 11 showed strong inhibition on nitric oxide (NO) productions, with IC50 values ranging from 8.23 to 11.23 μM. These four compounds significantly decreased the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, compound 7 decreased the expression of the proteins cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS), and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB/p65). In addition, the structure-activity relationships of the isolates were investigated. The results suggest that 3,4-seco-dammarane triterpenoid saponins may be used as potential anti-inflammatory drugs and warrant further investigation.

Dehydroepiandrosterone alleviates E. Coli O157:H7-induced inflammation by preventing the activation of p38 MAPK and NF-κB pathways in mice peritoneal macrophages

As an important metabolite in cholesterol metabolism, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) can modulate the immune function in animals and humans, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. The present study investigated the effect and mechanism of DHEA's anti-inflammatory action in primary mice peritoneal macrophages infected with E. coli O157:H7. The finding showed that DHEA improved the phagocytic ability in E. coli O157:H7-infected macrophages. DHEA inhibited the cytokines (including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β and interleukin-6) secretion in E. coli O157:H7-infected macrophages. The inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 protein level were significantly decreased in E. coli O157:H7-infected macrophages treated with DHEA. In addition, DHEA markedly decreased the phospho (p)-p38 MAPK protein level in E. coli O157:H7-infected macrophages. Furthermore, DHEA prevented the nuclear translocation of NF-κB by decreasing of p-IκB-α protein level in E. coli O157:H7-infected macrophage; and these effects of DHEA were heightened when the cells were pre-treated with p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580. Our data indicated that DHEA alleviates the pro-inflammatory mediator production in E. coli O157:H7-infected mice peritoneal macrophages; and this beneficial action associated with it prevents the activation of p38 MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathway.

Paraquat modulates microglia M1/M2 polarization via activation of TLR4-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway

Paraquat (PQ) is a widely characterized neurotoxicant able to induce a series of nervous system disorders, including neurobehavioral defects and neurodegenerative diseases. Despite the direct evidence that PQ could induce inflammatory responses in central nervous system and largely contribute to neurotoxicity, the putative adverse effects of PQ on the neuroimmune interactions have rarely been investigated. Therefore, the present study investigated underlying mechanisms of PQ-induced inflammatory response in BV-2 microglia cells. Proliferation, migration and phagocytosis of BV-2 cells upon PQ exposure were first investigated to demonstrate that PQ did stimulate BV-2 microglia into an active phenotype. Increased microglia M1 markers expression and decreased microglia M2 markers expression confirmed that PQ induces BV-2 cells towards M1 activation. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were determined using ELISA and western blotting assays, showing that paraquat significantly promote the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). The up-regulation of TLR4/MyD88 protein expressions and enhanced translocation of NF-κB p65 protein upon PQ exposure were further demonstrated. Taken together, our results suggested that PQ induces M1 microglia polarization by increased production of pro-inflammatory molecules, which could be explained by the activation of the TLR4-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway.

Triterpenoids from Ganoderma lucidum and Their Potential Anti-inflammatory Effects

Ganoderma lucidum, as food, tea, dietary supplement, and medicine, is widely used in China and Eastern Asian countries. In order to discover its anti-inflammatory constituents and provide some references for the usage of G. lucidum and G. sinense, two official species in China, the fruiting bodies of G. lucidum were studied, leading to the isolation of six new triterpenoids (1-6) and 27 known analogues (7-33). Compound 4 exhibited the most potent inhibition on nitric oxide (NO) production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. The production of IL-6 and IL-1β, as well as the expression of iNOS, COX-2, and NF-κB were dose-dependently reduced by 4. The phosphorylations of IκBα and IKKβ in LPS-induced macrophage cells were blocked by 4. Therefore, 4 could be used as a potential anti-inflammatory candidate and the total triterpenoids might be developed as value-added functional food for the prevention of inflammation. In combination of previous studies, it should be cautious for the interchangeable usage of G. lucidum and G. sinense.

Ginkgo biloba sarcotesta polysaccharide inhibits inflammatory responses through suppressing both NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Polysaccharides, common components of natural products extensively studied as dietary supplements and functional foods, have been found to have various activities. In the present study, a water-soluble polysaccharide, namely GBSP3a, was isolated and purified from G. biloba sarcotesta. The anti-inflammatory activity of GBSP3a in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages and the potential underlying molecular mechanisms were then assessed.

RESULTS

GBSP3a exerted its anti-inflammatory effect by remarkably inhibiting the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, including nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂ ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Excessive mRNA and protein expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were dose-dependently inhibited by GBSP3a in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Further research suggested that the anti-inflammatory effect of GBSP3a can be attributed to the modulation of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.

CONCLUSION

GBSP3a exhibits anti-inflammatory activity and exerts its anti-inflammatory effect probably through suppressing both NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathway, indicating that GBSP3a could be used for the development of anti-inflammatory agent or nutraceuticals. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Plasma Soluble Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor Level as a Predictor of the Severity of Community-Acquired Pneumonia

The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) mediates various cellular activities and is involved in proteolysis, angiogenesis, and inflammation. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between soluble uPAR (suPAR) levels and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) severity. A commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure the plasma suPAR levels in 67 healthy controls and 75 patients with CAP. Our results revealed that plasma suPAR levels were significantly elevated in patients with CAP compared with the controls, and antibiotic treatment was effective in reducing suPAR levels. The plasma suPAR levels were correlated with the severity of CAP based on the pneumonia severity index (PSI) scores. Furthermore, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulation significantly increased uPAR expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages. In conclusion, plasma suPAR levels may play a role in the clinical assessment of CAP severity; these findings may provide information on new targets for treatment of CAP.

Centipedegrass extracts regulate LPS-mediated aberrant immune responses by inhibiting Janus kinase

BACKGROUND

Centipedegrass extract (CGE) is rich in several polyphenolic compounds including C-glycosylflavonoids, such as maysin and its derivatives, and exerts antioxidant, anti-adipogenic and anticancer effects. However, the effect of CGE on the immune system is unclear.

PURPOSE

CGE might inhibit NO production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In this study, we propose a molecular mechanism for regulation of aberrant immune responses by CGE in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

STUDY DESIGN

We will preparation of Centipedegrass extract and purify partially in rich of maysin and its derivatives. And examine the effect of the CGE on immune system using LPS-induced RAW cells and animals.

METHODS

LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin-6 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA and protein levels of immune mediators were analyzed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting, respectively.

RESULTS

CGE inhibited LPS-induced NO production in a concentration-dependent manner by suppressing inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in LPS-stimulated cells; this effect was mediated by inhibition of the JAK/STAT pathway. However, CGE did not regulate the expression of other factors, including phosphorylated p38, c-jun N-terminal kinase, or extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. In addition, CGE increased T cells percentage in peripheral blood after oral administration.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that CGE suppresses LPS-induced production of NO and expression of iNOS by directly inhibiting JAK2 kinase activity and enhancing effects on the immune system in mice.

Esculentoside B inhibits inflammatory response through JNK and downstream NF-κB signaling pathway in LPS-triggered murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells

Natural compound esculentoside B (EsB), (2S,4aR,6aR,6aS,6bR,8aR,9R,10R,11S,12aR,14bS)-11-hydroxy-9-(hydroxymethyl)-2 methoxycarbonyl-2,6a,6b,9,12a-pentamethyl-10-[(2S,3R,4S,5R)-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid with molecular weight of 664.833, isolated from roots of Phytolacca acinosa Roxb has been widely used as a constituent of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, the anti-inflammatory capacity of EsB has not been reported yet. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate anti-inflammatory activities of EsB in LPS-treated macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. EsB could inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production. EsB also suppressed gene and protein expression levels of inducible isoform of NO synthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, EsB decreased gene expression and protein secretion levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. EsB remarkably suppressed nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) from cytosolic space. Phosphorylation of IκB was also inhibited by EsB. Moreover, EsB specifically down-regulated phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), but not p-p38 or phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2). Taken together, these results suggest that EsB has inhibitory effect on inflammatory response by inactivating NF-κB and p-JNK. It could be used as a new modulatory drug for effective treatment of inflammation-related diseases.

In Vitro and In Vivo Protective Effects of Flavonoid-Enriched Lotus Seedpod Extract on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Hepatic Inflammation

Endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plays an important role in the acceleration of hepatic inflammation. Natural medicinal plants that can prevent inflammation by targeting LPS have potential therapeutic clinical application. The aim of the study is to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of lotus seedpod extract (LSE), used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with hemostasis function and for eliminating bruise, on the LPS-induced hepatic inflammation and its underlying molecular mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, LSE and its purified compound (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC) dose-dependently inhibited the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- α , interleukin (IL)-6, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), without affecting cell viability in LPS-stimulated human hepatoma cell line HepG2. Molecular studies showed the anti-LPS effect of HLP or EGC might be mediated via downregulation of Toll-like receptor 4. (TLR4)-mediated both NF- κ B and p38 signaling, as demonstrated by the usage of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), a specific NF- κ B inhibitor. In vivo, LPS-induced hepatic inflammation was significantly ameliorated in LSE-fed mice as gauged by dose-dependent inhibition of serum levels of biochemical markers of liver damage, the changes of hepatic lobular architecture and the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators, as well as induction of anti-oxidant enzymes. As a result, our data presented the first evidence of EGC-enriched LSE as an anti-inflammatory agent in LPS-stimulated HepG2 cells and mice, and these findings may open interesting perspectives to the strategy in treatment for hepatic inflammation.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Populus deltoides Leaf Extract via Modulating NF-κB and p38/JNK Pathways

Populus deltoides, known as eastern cottonwood, has been commonly used as a medicinal plant. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory activity of P. deltoides leaf extract (PLE). PLE effectively inhibited the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, but not that of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E2. Proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels were also reduced by the extract. PLE inhibited the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and inhibitor of Kappa Bα (IκBα), and blunted LPS-triggered enhanced nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65. In mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, PLE effectively decreased the phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK), but not of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Taken together, these results suggest that anti-inflammatory activity of P. deltoides leaf extract might be driven by iNOS and NO inhibition mediated by modulation of the NF-κB and p38/JNK signaling pathways.

Inhibitory effect of different Dendrobium species on LPS-induced inflammation in macrophages via suppression of MAPK pathways

Dendrobii Caulis (DC), named 'Shihu' in Chinese, is a precious herb in traditional Chinese medicine. It is widely used to nourish stomach, enhance body fluid production, tonify "Yin" and reduce heat. More than thirty Dendrobium species are used as folk medicine. Some compounds from DC exhibit inhibitory effects on macrophage inflammation. In the present study, we compared the anti-inflammatory effects among eight Dendrobium species. The results provided evidences to support Dendrobium as folk medicine, which exerted its medicinal function partially by its inhibitory effects on inflammation. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Dendrobium species, mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7 was activated by lipopolysaccharide. The nitric oxide (NO) level was measured using Griess reagent while the pro-inflammatory cytokines were tested by ELISA. The protein expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) phosphorylation were evaluated by Western blotting analysis. Among the eight Dendrobium species, both water extracts of D. thyrsiflorum B.S.Williams (DTW) and D. chrysotoxum Lindl (DCHW) showed most significant inhibitory effects on NO production in a concentration-dependent manner. DTW also significantly reduced TNF-α, MCP-1, and IL-6 production. Further investigations showed that DTW suppressed iNOS and COX-2 expression as well as ERK and JNK phosphorylation, suggesting that the inhibitory effects of DTW on LPS-induced macrophage inflammation was through the suppression of MAPK pathways. In conclusion, D. thyrsiflorum B.S.Williams was demonstrated to have potential to be used as alternative or adjuvant therapy for inflammation.

Comparison of anti-inflammatory effect and protein profile between the water extracts from Formosan sambar deer and red deer

Velvet antler (VA), the unossified antler from members of the family Cervidae, has been used in traditional Chinese medicines and health foods for over 2000 years in enhancement of kidney function and treatment or prevention of cardiovascular, immunological and gynaecological disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of velvet antler water extracts from Formosan sambar deer (Rusa unicolor swinhoei, SVAE) and red deer (Cervus elaphus, RVAE). Results indicated that both SVAE and RVAE significantly reduced the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α ) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) productions in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells at concentrations above 200 μg mL⁻¹. SVAE seems to demonstrate a better anti-inflammatory effect than that of RVAE in vitro. Both SVAE and RAVE also enhanced the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The results of MTT assay indicated that SVAE and RVAE did not exhibit any cytotoxicity in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that the levels of 6 specific proteins were different between these two velvet antlers samples. Furthermore, the storage period was the major factor affecting the anti-inflammatory activity of SAVE. In this study, we demonstrated the difference of anti-inflammatory effect and the protein profile between SVAE and RVAE. SVAE showed better anti-inflammatory potential than RVAE. In the future, the anti-inflammatory active components and their related mechanisms should be further investigated.

Nucleosides isolated from Ophiocordyceps sinensis inhibit cigarette smoke extract-induced inflammation via the SIRT1-nuclear factor-κB/p65 pathway in RAW264.7 macrophages and in COPD mice

Background

Ophiocordyceps sinensis (C. sinensis) extracts have been found to have a therapeutic effect on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) plays an important role in the regulation of inflammatory mediators and correlates with lung function and COPD exacerbations. The objective of this work was to explore the anti-inflammatory effect and preliminary pathways of nucleosides from cultured C. sinensis on RAW264.7 macrophages and COPD mice.

Materials and methods

The nucleosides were extracted from cultured C. sinensis powder and further purified by macroporous resin D101 and glucan G10 columns. Inflammation and oxidative stress models in RAW264.7 macrophages and in mice were established by injection of cigarette smoke extract (CSE). We then examined how the isolated nucleosides regulated the production of the associated inflammatory mediators in vitro and in vivo by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot.

Results

The nucleosides inhibited inflammatory mediator expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, and nitric oxide in both the CSE-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and mice. Moreover, the nucleosides elevated SIRT1 activation and suppressed nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/p65 activation in vitro and in vivo. Nucleoside treatment significantly decreased the levels of the inflammatory mediators in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum of the CSE-induced mice. The nucleosides also altered the recruitment of inflammatory cells in BALF and improved characteristic features of the lungs in the CSE-induced mice.

Conclusion

These results show that the nucleosides suppressed COPD inflammation through the SIRT1–NF-κB/p65 pathway, suggesting that the nucleosides may be partly responsible for the therapeutic effects of cultured C. sinensis on COPD patients.

Lidanpaidu prescription alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute kidney injury by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway

The Lidanpaidu Prescription (LDP), a hospital preparation, composed of Chinese classical preparations, has been reported to have antiendotoxin, anticoagulant and other effects. However, its therapeutic effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) and the mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, we administered LPD pretreatment at different doses to examine the protective effects and mechanisms in LPS-induced AKI in mice. The kidney injury induced by LPS was assessed by histological examination. ELISA was used to detect the levels of inflammatory cytokines. The mRNA expression of the inflammatory genes IKKβ and TNF-α in kidney tissues was assessed by RT-PCR. Finally, Western blot was performed to assess the NF-κB signaling pathway related proteins, and the nuclear translocation of NF-kB P65 was detected by immunofluorescence laser confocal microscopy. The findings suggested that LDP significantly improved at 48 h animal survival (66.7%), compared with the LPS group (26.7%), determined by a Kaplan-Meier analysis. LDP attenuated the kidney histopathological changes induced by LPS and decreased the inflammatory cytokine levels in serum and renal tissue. Moreover, LDP markedly inhibited the expression of inflammatory genes and suppressed the activation of relevant proteins in the nucleus. In summary, these findings suggest that LDP reduces LPS-induced AKI via a mechanism related to the suppression of the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Asperuloside and Asperulosidic Acid Exert an Anti-Inflammatory Effect via Suppression of the NF-κB and MAPK Signaling Pathways in LPS-Induced RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Hedyotis diffusa is a folk herb that is used for treating inflammation-related diseases in Asia. Previous studies have found that iridoids in H. diffusa play an important role in its anti-inflammatory activity. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect and potential mechanism of five iridoids (asperuloside (ASP), asperulosidic acid (ASPA), desacetyl asperulosidic acid (DAA), scandoside methyl ester (SME), and E-6-O-p-coumaroyl scandoside methyl ester (CSME)) that are presented in H. diffusa using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. ASP and ASPA significantly decreased the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in parallel with the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), TNF-α, and IL-6 mRNA expression in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. ASP treatment suppressed the phosphorylation of the inhibitors of nuclear factor-kappaB alpha (IκB-α), p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). The inhibitory effect of ASPA was similar to that of ASP, except for p38 phosphorylation. In summary, the anti-inflammatory effects of ASP and ASPA are related to the inhibition of inflammatory cytokines and mediators via suppression of the NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, which provides scientific evidence for the potential application of H. diffusa.

A New Compound Isolated from the Reduced Ribose-Tryptophan Maillard Reaction Products Exhibits Distinct Anti-inflammatory Activity

In this study, a compound of 532.24 Da named BF-4 was separated from the ribose-tryptophan Maillard reaction products by solvent extraction and purified through reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. The purified compound BF-4 was identified as 3-((1 H-indol-3-yl)methyl)-8-(5-((1 H-indol-3-yl)methyl)-6-oxomorpholin-2-yl)-9-hydroxy-1,7,4-dioxazecan-2-one in accordance with 1D- and 2D-NMR spectra and LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. BF-4 significantly reduced the production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. It inhibited nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation through suppressing phosphorylation of IκBα, P65, P38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). The anti-inflammatory activity of BF-4 was comparable to dexamethasone, and more importantly, BF-4 showed less cytotoxicity than dexamethasone on the normal human liver cell LO2. The results indicate that BF-4 is a promising anti-inflammatory agent with pharmaceutical potential.

Scandoside Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effect Via Suppressing NF-κB and MAPK Signaling Pathways in LPS-Induced RAW 264.7 Macrophages

The iridoids of Hedyotis diffusa Willd play an important role in the anti-inflammatory process, but the specific iridoid with anti-inflammatory effect and its mechanism has not be thoroughly studied. An iridoid compound named scandoside (SCA) was isolated from H. diffusa and its anti-inflammatory effect was investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. Its anti-inflammatory mechanism was confirmed by in intro experiments and molecular docking analyses. As results, SCA significantly decreased the productions of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and inhibited the levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), TNF-α and IL-6 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. SCA treatment suppressed the phosphorylation of inhibitor of nuclear transcription factor kappa-B alpaha (IκB-α), p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). The docking data suggested that SCA had great binding abilities to COX-2, iNOS and IκB. Taken together, the results indicated that the anti-inflammatory effect of SCA is due to inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators via suppressing the nuclear transcription factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, which provided useful information for its application and development.

Melaleuca alternifolia Induces Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression in Murine RAW264.7 Cells through Activation of the Nrf2-ARE Pathway

Melaleuca alternifolia concentrate (MAC) is the refined essential oil of the Australian native plant Melaleuca alternifolia. MAC has been reported to suppress the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in both murine RAW264.7 macrophages and human monocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, the mechanisms involved in this effect remain unclear. This study aims to delineate the molecular mechanisms that drive the anti-inflammatory activity of MAC and its active component, terpinen-4-ol, in macrophages. The effects of MAC on RAW264.7 cells were studied using western blotting, real-time PCR, an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), and NF-[Formula: see text]B luciferase reporter assays. Our results showed that MAC significantly increased both the mRNA and protein levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) via p38 and JNK MAPK activation. In addition, we showed that MAC significantly increased the activation and nuclear translocation of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a key transcription factor regulating HO-1 induction. MAC was also associated with significant inhibition of iNOS expression, NO production, and NF-[Formula: see text]B activation. HO-1 was required for these anti-inflammatory effects as tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPPIX), an HO-1 inhibitor, abolished the effects of MAC on LPS-induced iNOS, NO, and NF-[Formula: see text]B activation. Our results indicate that MAC induces HO-1 expression in murine macrophages via the p38 MAPK and JNK pathways and that this induction is required for its anti-inflammatory activity.

Baicalin Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Liver Inflammation in Chicken by Suppressing TLR4-Mediated NF-κB Pathway

As a kind of potent stimulus, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has the ability to cause cell damage by activating toll-like receptor(TLR)4, then nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) translocates into the nucleus and changes the expression of related inflammatory genes. Baicalin is extracted from Radix Scutellariae, which possesses anti-inflammation, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. However, the effects of it on LPS-induced liver inflammation have not been fully elucidated. This study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Baicalin on the LPS-induced liver inflammation and its underlying molecular mechanisms in chicken. The results of histopathological changes, serum biochemical analysis, NO levels and myeloperoxidase activity showed that Baicalin pretreatment ameliorated LPS-induced liver inflammation. ELISA and qPCR assays showed that Baicalin dose-dependently suppressed the production of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were significantly decreased by Baicalin. TLR4 is an important sensor in LPS infection. Molecular studies showed that the expression of TLR4 was inhibited by Baicalin pretreatment. In addition, Baicalin pretreatment inhibited NF-kB signaling pathway activation. All results demonstrated the protective effects of Baicalin pretreatment against LPS-induced liver inflammation in chicken via negative regulation of inflammatory mediators through the down-regulation of TLR4 expression and the inhibition of NF-kB activation.

Pinus densiflora needle supercritical fluid extract suppresses the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators iNOS, IL-6 and IL-1β, and activation of inflammatory STAT1 and STAT3 signaling proteins in bacterial lipopolysaccharide-challenged murine macrophages

Background

Regulation of a persistently-activated inflammatory response in macrophages is an important target for treatment of various chronic diseases. Pine needle extracts are well known to have potent immunomodulatory effects. The current study was designed to evaluate the effects of Pinus densiflora needle supercritical fluid extract (PDN-SCFE) on bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages.

Methods

Cytotoxic effect of PDN-SCFE was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The levels of nitric oxide (NO) and the corresponding enzyme, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), were quantified by Griess and immunoblotting methods, respectively. The levels of cytokines were quantified using commercial ELISA kits. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis was performed to assess the mRNA expression of iNOS and cytokines. To elucidate the mechanism of action, the involvement of nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NFκB), mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathways were examined by an immunoblotting method. In addition, the cellular localization of NFκB was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining.

Results

MTT assay results indicated that PDN-SCFE is non-toxic to RAW 264.7 cells up to a maximum assayed concentration of 40 μg/mL. The PDN-SCFE exhibited a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on LPS-induced NO production by down regulating the expression of iNOS. In addition, the extract suppressed the LPS-induced expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) but not tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα). Mechanistic studies revealed that PDN-SCFE does not influence the NFκB and MAPK pathways. However, it showed a significant inhibitory effect on LPS-induced activation of STAT1 and STAT3 proteins in macrophages.

Conclusion

The present findings revealed that the anti-inflammatory activity of PDN-SCFE in LPS-challenged RAW 264.7 macrophages is probably caused by the suppression of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway.

Graphical Abstract

KH-type splicing regulatory protein mediate inflammatory response in gastric epithelial cells induced by lipopolysaccharide

To study differential expressions of KH-type splicing regulatory protein (KSRP) and inflammatory factors and to explore the relationship between them in Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced gastric epithelial cells (GES-1), cells were exposed to LPS for 24 h in the presence or absence of SC-514. Western blot and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) were used to analysis the contents of KSRP, inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The results showed that LPS decreased the expression of KSRP protein in GES-1 cells, but not KSRP mRNA, while increasing the levels of iNOS and COX-2 proteins and mRNAs in GES-1cells. High expression of KSRP induced low expressions and stabilities of iNOS and COX-2 in GES-1 cells, indicated that KSRP protein presented negative correlation with iNOS and COX-2 with LPS stimulation. In conclusion, the regulation of expression of KSRP was mainly achieved through post-translational modification. KSRP protein participated in regulating the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in their transcription and translation levels. In response to LPS or gram negative pathogenic microorganism, KSRP could regulate Toll-like receptor (TLR)/ Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signal pathway in GES-1 cells.