Anti-inflammatory effects of the Thai herbal remedy Yataprasen and biflavonoids isolated from Putranjiva roxburghii in RAW264.7 macrophages

Exochorda racemosa attenuates DSS-induced colitis in C57BL/6 J mice by regulating inflammatory factors, reducing oxidative stress, and modulating intestinal flora

BACKGROUND

Exochorda racemosa is a member of the genus Exochorda in the Rosaceae family. Its tender leaves and buds are favored as a unique wild vegetable by people in central China.

PURPOSE

This study systematically evaluated the pharmacological safety and anti-inflammatory efficacy of E. racemosa extracts, with concurrent identification and characterization of their primary bioactive components.

METHODS

The chemical composition of E. racemosa extract (ERE) was analyzed using HPLC and LC-MS techniques. The safety and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of ERE were evaluated using the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) in ICR mice and a dextran sodium sulfate-induced ulcerative colitis model in C57BL/6 J mice.

RESULTS

HPLC and LC-MS analyses revealed that ERE contained abundant flavonoid active ingredients. MTD study confirmed that ERE exhibited good safety. The symptoms of persistent weight loss, DAI, and shortened colon length in UC mice were suppressed by ERE. Pathological damage in colon tissues was attenuated by ERE, with a considerable reduction in histopathological scores and a substantial increase in the number of goblet cells. The levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in serum were significantly decreased following ERE treatment. Moreover, nitric oxide (NO) levels and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in colon tissues decreased, whereas glutathione (GSH) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in colon tissues increased after ERE treatment. Furthermore, ERE could regulate the intestinal microbial composition and maintain intestinal flora homeostasis, thereby inhibiting inflammatory responses.

CONCLUSION

ERE exhibited a favorable safety profile and alleviated UC through multiple mechanisms. It is expected to serve as a promising low-toxicity natural product for adjuvant treatment in UC.

Novel Insights into the Therapeutic Effect of Amentoflavone Against Aeromonas hydrophila Infection by Blocking the Activity of Aerolysin

Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila) is an opportunistic and foodborne pathogen widely spread in the environments, particularly aquatic environments. Diseases caused by A. hydrophila in freshwater aquaculture result in huge economic losses every year. The increasing emergence of antibiotic resistance has limited the application of antibiotics in aquaculture. Aerolysin (AerA), the main virulence factor produced by A. hydrophila, has been identified as a promising target for developing drugs controlling A. hydrophila infection. Here, we found that the natural compound amentoflavone (AMF) with the MIC of 512 μg/mL against A. hydrophila could dose-dependently reduce the hemolysis of AerA, ranging from 0.5 to 4 μg/mL. Molecular docking and dynamics simulation results predicted that AMF could directly bind to domain 3 of AerA via Pro333 and Trp375 residues. Then, the binding sites were confirmed by fluorescence quenching assays. The results of heptamer formation demonstrated that the binding of AMF could affect the formation of oligomers and result in the loss of pore-forming activity. Cell viability assay showed that AerA after treatment with AMF ranging from 0.5 to 4 μg/mL could significantly reduce AerA-mediated cytotoxicity. Moreover, experimental therapeutics results showed that channel catfish infected with A. hydrophila and then administered with 20 mg/kg AMF at intervals of 12 h for 3 days could increase the survival rate by 35% compared with the positive control after a 10-day observation. These findings provided a novel approach to developing anti-infective drugs and a promising candidate for controlling A. hydrophila infection in aquaculture.

Smilaxchina L. polyphenols inhibit LPS-induced macrophage M1 polarization to alleviate inflammation through NF-κB signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

As an important component of the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an important inducer of inflammation in humans. Smilax china L. is known for its diverse bioactive functions, particularly its anti-inflammatory effects.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the bioactive function of Smilax china L. polyphenols (SCLP) on LPS-induced inflammation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophages and mice were induced using LPS. The cytotoxicity of SCLP was investigated by MTT assay. Inflammatory factors were detected by ELISA and RT-PCR. The expression of NF-κB pathway-related proteins was analyzed by Western Blotting.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that SCLP significantly reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and inhibited M1 polarization of macrophages in both RAW264.7 macrophages and mice (p < 0.05). Western Blotting analysis revealed that the levels of NF-κB signaling pathway-associated proteins (p-p65, p-IKB, p-IKK) were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Notably, SCLP significantly downregulated the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins, while upregulating the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins in RAW264.7 macrophages (p < 0.05). Additionally, the levels of antioxidant enzymes were enhanced in mice, suggesting a potential reduction in the inflammatory response.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicated that SCLP might inhibit LPS-induced M1 polarization through the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby reducing inflammation. Consequently, SCLP might serve as a promising bioactive substance for preventing inflammation-related injury.

Phyto-Fingerprinting of Putranjiva roxburghii Wall. Leaf Extract and its In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Putranjiva roxburghii is an important medicinal plant utilized for remedy of female reproductive ailments. Its seed extract is being used as a uterine health booster due to the presence of several pharmaceutically important phytochemicals. However, the presence of phytochemicals in its leaf is still unexplored. The present study was designed to explore phytochemical finger printing and assessment of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of hydroalcoholic leaf extract of P. roxburghii (HALEPR). The qualitative, quantitative phytochemical of flavonoid, phenol and HRA-MS analysis of HALEPR carried out along with antioxidant and in vitro membrane stabilization and protein denaturation assay of anti-inflammatory activity were have been analyzed. Results of qualitative phytochemical screening of HALEPR denotes the existence of phenol, flavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins, steroids, saponins, tannins, anthroquinone and carbohydrates. The quantitative phytochemical of flavonoid and phenol was done which revealed the presents of total phenol and flavonoid. High resolution accurate-mass spectrometry (HRA-MS) study was also done for the identification of bioactive compounds from the HALEPR, which showed the presence of various phytochemicals such as luteolin 3'- (3″-acetylglucuronide), luteolin 4'-methyl ether 7-glucoside, quercetin-3β-D-glucoside, 8-hydroxyluteolin 4'-methyl ether 8-glucuronide, quercetin 3-xylosyl- (1- > 2) -rha mnosyl- (1- > 6) -glucoside, quercetin-3β-D-glucoside, myricetin 3- (3-6-diacetylglucosyl) - (1- > 4) - (2″,3″-diacetylrhamnoside), apigetrin, isorhamnetin, catechin 7,3'-Di-O-β-D glucopyranoside, luteolin 7-methylglucuronide, apigenin-8-C-α -l-arabinopyranoside, naringenin 7- O-β-D-glucoside 6″-acetate,ohobanin, shogaol, ginkgetin and amoritin. The HELPER is shown to have the presence of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities as demonstrated by DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl,2-picrylhydrazyl) and membrane lysis assays. Our findings reveal the presence of phytochemicals in HALEPR that have significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. The bioactivities were identified using chemical characterization like HRA/MS and biological assessments like anti-inflammatory and antioxidant assays. Future research may focus on isolating specific molecules, conducting in vivo tests, and creating HALEPR-based formulations for clinical application as anti-inflammatory drugs.

Development, Optimization, and Stability Study of a Yataprasen Film-Forming Spray for Musculoskeletal Pain Management

Yataprasen (YTPS) remedy ethanolic spray, one of the National Thai Traditional Medicine Formulary, is extensively employed in Thai traditional healthcare to manage musculoskeletal pain and inflammation. Despite its widespread use, the quality and stability of the YTPS formulation, critical to its efficacy, safety, and patient adherence, have not been comprehensively studied. This research developed and optimized a film-forming spray (FFS) formulation of YTPS ethanolic extract and conducted a 6-month stability evaluation. The FFS shares similarities with gel formulations, particularly in its ability to form a cohesive, semi-solid film upon application, enhancing localized drug delivery and prolonged contact time. Key physicochemical properties, including density (0.8450-0.9086 g/cm3), pH (4.72-4.95), spray angle (55.58-60.10°), evaporation time (1.04-1.27 min), and theoretical film thickness (7.72-13.97 µm), were analyzed across varying storage conditions. Active components β-amyrin and stigmasterol demonstrated retention rates of 96.78% and 68.22%, respectively, under refrigerated conditions, with degradation rates accelerating at higher temperatures. Significant variations in density, spray angle, film thickness, and stigmasterol concentration were observed. Additionally, the RP-HPLC method was validated for the accurate and precise quantification of the bioactive compounds such as β-amyrin and stigmasterol, demonstrating excellent linearity within a 10-100 µg/mL range for both compounds with excellent linearity R2 > 0.999. The results confirmed that YTPS-FFS exhibits good stability and that the validated HPLC method is reliable for routine quality control. These findings supported the potential of YTPS-FFS formulation as a standardized and effective dosage form for managing musculoskeletal conditions, advancing its role in modernized traditional medicine.

Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Yataprasen Thai Traditional Formulary and Its Active Compounds, Beta-Amyrin and Stigmasterol, in RAW264.7 and THP-1 Cells

Yataprasen (YTPS) remedy formulary, a national Thai traditional medicine formulary, comprises 13 herbal plants. It has been extensively prescribed to relieve osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal pain in the Thai traditional medicine healthcare system. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the bioactive compounds (β-amyrin and stigmasterol) of YTPS remedy formulary ethanolic extract, along with its composition. The YTPS formulary extract contains 70.30 nM of β-amyrin and 605.76 nM of stigmasterol. The YTPS formulary extract exhibited ABTS and DPPH free radical scavenging activity, with IC50 values of 144.50 ± 2.82 and 31.85 ± 0.18 µg/mL, respectively. The ethanolic extract of YTPS at a concentration of 1000 µg/mL showed a significant (p < 0.01) anti-inflammatory effect, mainly by reducing IL-6 and TNF-α release in response to LPS. NO production was prominently lowered by 50% at 24.76 ± 1.48 µg/mL, 55.52 ± 24.40 µM, and more than 570 µM of YTPS formulary extract, β-amyrin, and stigmasterol, respectively. Major components of YTPS, β-amyrin, and stigmasterol exerted significant anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting LPS-induced IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α secretion in THP-1 cells. Our findings suggest that the ethanolic extract from YTPS holds promise as an alternative topical treatment for osteoarthritis and inflammatory disorders, potentially with fewer side effects than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs).