Methanol extract of Antrodia camphorata protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury by suppressing NF-κB and MAPK pathways in mice

Ergosterol Isolated from Antrodia camphorata Suppresses LPS-Induced Neuroinflammatory Responses in Microglia Cells and ICR Mice

Inflammation caused by microglial activation is important in neurodegenerative diseases. In this research, we tried to identify safe and effective anti-neuroinflammatory agents by screening a natural compounds library and found that Ergosterol can inhibit the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain enhancer of the activated B cells (NF-κB) pathway induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in microglia cells. Ergosterol has been reported to be an effective anti-inflammatory agent. Nevertheless, the potential regulatory role of Ergosterol in neuroinflammatory responses has not been fully investigated. We further investigated the mechanism of Ergosterol that regulates LPS-induced microglial activation and neuroinflammatory reactions both in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that Ergosterol can significantly decrease the pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by LPS in BV2 and HMC3 microglial cells, possibly by inhibiting the NF-κB, protein kinase B (AKT), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. In addition, we treated Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice with a safe concentration of Ergosterol following LPS injection. Ergosterol treatment significantly decreased microglial activation-associated ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 (IBA-1), NF-κB phosphorylation, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Moreover, Ergosterol pretreatment clearly reduced LPS-induced neuron damage by restoring the expression of synaptic proteins. Our data may provide insight into possible therapeutic strategies for neuroinflammatory disorders.

Fermented Taiwanofungus camphoratus Extract Ameliorates Psoriasis-Associated Response in HaCaT Cells via Modulating NF-𝜅B and mTOR Pathways

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease, and until now, it remains an incurable disease. Therefore, the development of new drugs or agents that ameliorate the disease will have marketing potential. Taiwanofungus camphoratus (TC) is a specific fungus in Taiwan. It is demonstrated to have anticancer, anti-inflammation, and hepatoprotective effects. However, the effects of TC fermented extract on psoriasis are under investigation. In this research, we studied the ability of TC on antioxidative activity and the efficacy of TC on interleukin-17 (IL-17A)-induced intracellular oxidative stress, inflammation-relative, and proliferation-relative protein expression in human keratinocytes. The results of a DPPH radical scavenging assay, reducing power assay, and hydroxyl peroxide inhibition assay indicated that TC has a potent antioxidant ability. Furthermore, TC could reduce IL-17A-induced intracellular ROS generation and restore the NADPH level. In the investigation of pathogenesis, we discovered TC could regulate inflammatory and cell proliferation pathways via p-IKKα/p-p65 and p-mTOR/p-p70S6k signaling pathways in human keratinocytes. In conclusion, TC showed characteristics such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-psoriatic-associated responses. It is expected to be developed as a candidate for oxidative-stress-induced skin disorders or psoriasis treatment.

Neogambogic acid relieves myocardial injury induced by sepsis via p38 MAPK/NF-κB pathway

Sepsis-associated myocardial injury, an invertible myocardial depression, is a common complication of sepsis. Neogambogic acid is an active compound in garcinia and exerts anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification properties. The role of neogambogic acid in sepsis-associated myocardial injury was assessed. Firstly, mice were pretreated with neogambogic acid and then subjected to lipopolysaccharide treatment to induce sepsis. Results showed that lipopolysaccharide treatment induced up-regulation of biomarkers involved in cardiac injury, including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), and troponin I (cTnI). However, pretreatment with neogambogic acid reduced levels of LDH, CK-MB, and cTnI, and ameliorated histopathological changes in the heart tissues of septic mice. Secondly, neogambogic acid also improved cardiac function in septic mice through reduction in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, and enhancement of ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and left ventricular systolic mean pressure. Moreover, neogambogic acid suppressed cardiac apoptosis and inflammation in septic mice and reduced cardiac fibrosis. Lastly, protein expression of p-p38, p-JNK, and p-NF-κB in septic mice was decreased by neogambogic acid. In conclusion, neogambogic acid exerted anti-apoptotic, anti-fibrotic, and anti-inflammatory effects in septic mice through the inactivation of MAPK/NF-κB pathway.

Paeoniflorin improves myocardial injury via p38 MAPK/NF-KB p65 inhibition in lipopolysaccharide-induced mouse

Background

Paeoniflorin (Pae) is an active compound with a variety of pharmacological effects. This aim was to investigate how Pae protects against myocardial injury and to explore its potential mechanism.

Methods

We established a BALB/c mouse model that was intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of RvE1 (25 µg/kg) or Pae (20 mg/kg) for 3 days, and then treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 mg/kg, i.p.). The mice were randomly divided into the sham group, the LPS group, the LPS + RvE1 group, the LPS + Pae group (n=8). Cardiac dysfunction was detected by HE staining and ELISA assay. The oxidative stress, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) and apoptosis were assessed. Furthermore, western blotting (WB) assay were employed to analyze the protective mechanisms.

Results

Pae improved LPS-induced cardiac function and impeded apoptosis. Pae significantly reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-1β. Furthermore, Pae decreased malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD). In addition, Pae attenuated the mPTP opening and MMP depolarization. Notably, Pae treatment inhibited the activation of p38 MAPK and NF-κB p65.

Conclusions

It was confirmed that Pae alleviated LPS-induced myocardial injury. Pae might be as a new drug candidate for myocardial ischaemic complications.

Fangchinoline attenuates cardiac dysfunction in rats with endotoxemia via the inhibition of ERK1/2 and NF-κB p65 phosphorylation

Background

Cardiac dysfunction is a complication commonly encountered by patients with endotoxemia. Fangchinoline (Fan) is a natural bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid. This study aimed to investigate the cardioprotective effect of Fan against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute cardiac dysfunction.

Methods

Rats were administered with Baicalin (100 mg/kg) and Fan (30 or 60 mg/kg) via intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) for 3 days, followed by LPS treatment (10 mg/kg, i.p.). The rats were randomly grouped (n=10): the control group, the LPS group, the LPS + Baicalin group, the LPS + Fan groups. Echocardiography and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining were performed to detect cardiac dysfunction. Cardiac function were also determined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), ELISA, and western blot, respectively. The protective mechanisms of Fan were analyzed by western blot and qRT-PCR.

Results

LPS induced the depression of cardiac function, myocardial inflammation, and apoptosis. These changes were associated with decreased GRP78 and GADD34, increased C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP) and cleaved caspase-12. Fan significantly reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines such as monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, and IL-6. Furthermore, Fan treatment increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA. Notably, Fan inhibited myocardial apoptosis following ER stress in the LPS-induced rat model and stimulated phosphorylation activation of ERK1/2 and NF-κB p65 proteins.

Conclusions

Fan deficiency alleviated LPS-induced endotoxemia in rats. Therefore, Fan may be a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of cardiac dysfunction.

In Vitro Cytotoxicity Study of Cyclophosphamide, Etoposide and Paclitaxel on Monocyte Macrophage Cell Line Raw 264.7

The presence of antineoplastic compounds in aquatic ecosystem is an emerging challenge for the society. Antineoplastic compounds released into the aquatic environment exhibit a potential threat to normal aquatic life. Particularly, antineoplastic compounds are responsible for direct or indirect interference with the cellular DNA of an organism and cause toxicity to cells. The present study focused on the assessment of in vitro toxic effect of cyclophosphamide, etoposide and paclitaxel on Raw 264.7 cell line (mouse monocyte macrophage cells). The inhibitory concentration of cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and paclitaxel was determined. The IC₅₀ values of these compounds were 145.44, 5.40, and 69.76 µg ml^-1 respectively. This is the first report on toxicity analysis of cyclophosphamide, paclitaxel and etoposide on Raw 264.7 cell line by reducing cell viability and indicating the cell cytotoxicity i.e., 69.58% for cyclophosphamide, 92.01% for etoposide and 88.85% for paclitaxel on concentration 250 µg ml^-1. The results of their cytotoxicity assessment highlight the need of improvement in sewage treatment technology for the efficient removal of these compounds from aquatic environment.

Advances in research into the mechanisms of Chinese Materia Medica against acute lung injury

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a common and serious disease. Numerous treatment options are available but they do not improve quality of life or reduce mortality for ALI patients. Here, we review the treatments for ALI to provide basic data for ALI drug therapy research and development. Chinese Materia Medica (CMM) has long been the traditional clinical approach in China for the treatment of ALI and it has proven efficacy. The continued study of CMM has disclosed new potential therapeutic ingredients for ALI. However, few reviews summarize the currently available CMM-based anti-ALI drugs. Therefore, the systematic analysis of research progress in anti-ALI CMM is of great academic and clinical value. The aim of the present review is to describe CMM-based research progress in ALI treatment. Data were compiled by electronic retrieval (CNKI, SciFinder, PubMeds, Google Scholar, Web of Science) and from articles, patents and ethnopharmacological literature in university libraries were systematically studied. This review introduces progress in research on the etiology and mechanisms of ALI, the anti-ALI theory and modes of action in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), anti-ALI active constituents of CMM, research progress in experimental methods of CMM anti-ALI, the anti-ALI molecular mechanisms of CMM, the anti-ALI efficacy of CMM formulae, and the potential toxicity of CMM and the antidotes for it. Scholars have investigated the anti-ALI molecular mechanism of CMM from various direction and have made substantial progress. This research explored the above aspects, enriched the anti-ALI theory of CMM and established the clinical significance and developmental prospects of ALI treatment by CMM. Because of the high frequency of drugs such as glucocorticoids or antibiotics, Western medicine lacks the advantages of CMM in terms of overall anti-ALI efficacy. In the future, the development of CMM-based anti-ALI therapies will become a major trend in the field of ALI drug development. Successful clinical safety and efficacy validations will promote and encourage the use of CMM. It provides fundamental theoretical support for the discovery and use of CMM resources through the comprehensive analysis of various anti-ALI CMM report databases.

p-Coumaric-Acid-Containing Adenostemma lavenia Ameliorates Acute Lung Injury by Activating AMPK/Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling and Improving the Anti-oxidant Response

Adenostemma lavenia is a perennial herb belonging to the Compositae family and is widely distributed in the tropical parts of Asia. It has been widely used as medicine in Taiwan with the whole plant used to treat pulmonary congestion, pneumonia, bacterial infections of the respiratory tract, edema, and inflammation. This study sought to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of A. lavenia in vitro and in animal models. The anti-inflammatory effects of ethyl acetate fractions of A. lavenia (EAAL) were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) and lung injury in mice. EAAL reduced proinflammatory cytokine responses. Preoral EAAL alleviated LPS-induced histological alterations in lung tissue and inhibited the infiltration of inflammatory cells and protein concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). EAAL prevented protein expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2); phosphorylation of I[Formula: see text]B-[Formula: see text], MAPKs, and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK); and activated anti-oxidant enzymes (catalase, SOD, and GPx), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in LPS-stimulated cells and lung tissues. Fingerprinting of EAAL was performed with HPLC to control its quality, and [Formula: see text]-coumaric acid was found to be a major constituent. This study suggests that EAAL is a potential therapeutic agent to treat inflammatory disorders.

Antcamphin M Inhibits TLR4-Mediated Inflammatory Responses by Upregulating the Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway and Suppressing the NLRP3 Inflammasome Pathway in Macrophages

The medicinal mushroom Antrodia cinnamomea has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory properties. However, the bioactive compounds in A. cinnamomea need further investigation. The present study aimed to understand the mechanism of action of antcamphin M, an ergostanoid isolated from A. cinnamomea mycelium and to clarify its underlying mechanisms of action. RAW264.7 cells were pretreated with the indicated concentrations of antcamphin M, prior to stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cell viability, production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE2), cytokines, and chemokines, as well as the inflammation-related signaling pathways were investigated. The study revealed that antcamphin M significantly decreased the LPS-induced production of NO, PGE₂, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and keratinocyte chemoattractant CXCL1 (KC), along with the levels of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins without significant cytotoxicity, indicating it had a better anti-inflammatory activity than that of gisenoside Rb1 and Rg1. Additionally, antcamphin M significantly inhibited the activation of MAPKs (p38, ERK, and JNK), NFκB, and components of the NLRP3 inflammasome (NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1) signaling pathways and also increased the levels of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). These findings suggest that antcamphin M possesses potent anti-inflammatory activities and could be a potential candidate for the development of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Treatment with 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethyl alcohol glycoside ameliorates sepsis-induced ALI in mice by reducing inflammation and regulating M1 polarization

The bioactive phenylethanoid 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethyl alcohol glycoside (DAG) is a component isolated from Sargentodoxa cuneata. The effects of DAG on acute lung injury (ALI) are largely unknown. Here, the effects of DAG on sepsis-induced ALI were investigated, and the related mechanisms were explored. Male C57BL/6 mice were used to establish a sepsis-induced ALI model. Levels of inflammatory cytokines were determined using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCRs (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Pathological changes in the lung tissues were evaluated using haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Mouse survival was quantified, and macrophage polarization was analyzed using flow cytometry. Our results showed that, in septic mice, pretreatment with DAG significantly improved survival, reduced histological damage in the lung, and suppressed the inflammatory response by inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB, STAT3, and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Moreover, DAG treatment reduced the percentage of M1 macrophages in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and spleen. In addition, DAG treatment decreased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppressed the activation of the NF-κB, STAT3, and p38 MAPK signaling pathways in LPS-induced MH-S cells. DAG treatment also reduced the relative abundances of M1 macrophages and M1 macrophage markers by suppressing the activation of the Notch1 signaling pathway. Thus, our results provided new insights for the development of drugs to treat ALI.

Antrolone, a Novel Benzoid Derived from Antrodia cinnamomea, Inhibits the LPS-Induced Inflammatory Response in RAW264.7 Macrophage Cells by Balancing the NF-κB and Nrf2 Pathways

Antrodia cinnamomea, a medicinal mushroom, has previously demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity, although the specific compound responsible for the effect remains unclear. The present study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory property of antrolone, a novel benzoid derived from A. cinnamomea mycelium, and to clarify the underlying mechanisms of action. To this end, murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells were treated with antrolone (0.1–30[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M) 30[Formula: see text]min prior to stimulation with lipopolysaccharides (LPS, 0.1[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g/ml) for 24[Formula: see text]h. Cell viability, nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and the signaling pathways involved in the inflammatory cascades were then investigated. Our results show that antrolone significantly decreased LPS-induced NO, PGE2, pro-inflammatory cytokine, and keratinocyte chemoattractant CXCL1 (KC) production and reduced levels of the proteins inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). These effects were independent of the effect of antrolone on macrophage cytotoxicity. Moreover, antrolone significantly inhibited the activation of the NF[Formula: see text]B, MAPK, and AKT pathways, while it increased nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) levels. Our findings suggest that antrolone exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity and may, therefore, be a lead compound for the development of an anti-inflammatory drug.

Protective Effects of Chymostatin on Paraquat-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice

This study aims to evaluate the role of chymostatin in paraquat-induced acute lung injury. Institute of Cancer Research mice were randomly distributed into the NS, DMSO, chymostatin, paraquat or chymostatin treatment groups. Six mice from each group were intraperitoneally injected with chloral hydrate at 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h after treatment administration. Blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture. Lung tissues were stained with haematoxylin and eosin for the observation of lung histology. The degree of pulmonary oedema was determined on the basis of lung wet-to-dry ratio (W/D). The serum activity of cathepsin G was determined through substrate fluorescence assay. The serum levels of endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (endocan), tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and high-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) were determined through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of endocan and nuclear NF-κBp65 in the lung were quantified through Western blot. Chymostatin alleviated the pathological changes associated with acute alveolitis in mice; decreased the lung W/D ratio, the activity of cathepsin G and the serum concentrations of TNF-a, IL-1β, IL-6 and HMGB1; and increased the serum concentration of endocan. Western blot results revealed that chymostatin up-regulated endocan expression and down-regulated nuclear NF-κBp65 expression in the lung. Chymostatin reversed the inflammatory effects of paraquat-induced lung injury by inhibiting cathepsin G activity to up-regulate endocan expression and indirectly inhibit NF-κBp65 activity.

Ginsenoside Rh2 Ameliorates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury by Regulating the TLR4/PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Raf-1/MEK/ERK, and Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathways in Mice

The anti-inflammatory effect of ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2) has labeled it as one of the most important ginsenosides. The purpose of this study was to identify the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of GRh2 using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge lung-injury animal model. GRh2 reduced LPS-induced proinflammatory mediator nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1β, and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10) production in lung tissues. GRh2 treatment decreased the histological alterations in the lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) protein content; total cell number also reduced in LPS-induced lung injury in mice. Moreover, GRh2 blocked iNOS, COX-2, the phosphorylation of IκB-α, ERK, JNK, p38, Raf-1, and MEK protein expression, which corresponds with the growth of HO-1, Nrf-2, catalase, SOD, and GPx expression in LPS-induced lung injury. An in vivo experimental study suggested that GRh2 has anti-inflammatory effects, and has potential therapeutic efficacy in major anterior segment lung diseases.

BML-111 alleviates acute lung injury through regulating the expression of lncRNA MALAT1

BML-111 is a lipoxin receptor agonist that plays a vital role on inflammation. MALAT1 is reported to mediate lung injury. ALI rat model was established using the method of venous cannula. Pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVEC) of rats were isolated using immunomagnetic separation method. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe the lung injury degree. Real-time PCR and western blot were performed to detect the genes expression. ELIAS was used to determine the level of TNF-α and IL-6. RNA pull-down and RIP were carried out to affirm the relationship between MALAT1 and TLR4. The lung injury score and lung wet/dry weight ratio was significantly increased in ALI rats, while BML-111 treatment significantly decreased it, the HE staining directly revealed the lung injury. The expression of MALAT1 was decreased, while TLR4 was increased in ALI rats, BML-111 stimulation significantly reversed it. MALAT1 targets TLR4 to regulate its expression. TLR4 regulated the inflammation and cell apoptosis of PMVEC via NF-κB and p38 MAPK signaling pathway. The down-regulated MALAT1 mediates the mechanism of ALI by regulating of NF-κB and p38 MAPK signaling pathways via TLR4, while BML-111 stimulation significantly alleviated the ALI by regulating the expression of MALAT1.

Asatone Prevents Acute Lung Injury by Reducing Expressions of NF-κB, MAPK and Inflammatory Cytokines

Asatone is an active component extracted from the Chinese herb Radix et Rhizoma Asari. Our preliminary studies have indicated that asatone has an anti-inflammatory effect on RAW 264.7 culture cells challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Acute lung injury (ALI) has high morbidity and mortality rates due to the onset of serious lung inflammation and edema. Whether asatone prevents ALI LPS-induced requires further investigation. In vitro studies revealed that asatone at concentrations of 2.5–20[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g/mL drastically prevented cytotoxicity and concentration-dependently reduced NO production in the LPS-challenged macrophages. In an in vivo study, the intratracheal administration of LPS increased the lung wet/dry ratio, myeloperoxidase activity, total cell counts, white blood cell counts, NO, iNOS, COX, TNF-[Formula: see text], IL-1[Formula: see text], and IL-6 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid as well as mitogen-activated protein kinases in the lung tissues. Pretreatment with asatone could reverse all of these effects. Asatone markedly reduced the levels of TNF-[Formula: see text] and IL-6 in the lung and liver, but not in the kidney of mice. By contrast, LPS reduced anti-oxidative enzymes and inhibited NF-[Formula: see text]B activations, whereas asatone increased anti-oxidative enzymes in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and NF-[Formula: see text]B activations in the lung tissues. Conclusively, asatone can prevent ALI through various anti-inflammatory modalities, including the major anti-inflammatory pathways of NF-[Formula: see text]B and mitogen-activated protein kinases. These findings suggest that asatone can be applied in the treatment of ALI.

Preventive Effects of Velvet Antler (Cervus elaphus) against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice by Inhibiting MAPK/NF-κB Activation and Inducing AMPK/Nrf2 Pathways

Velvet antler (Cervus elaphus) is a typical traditional animal medicine. It is considered to have various pharmacological effects including stimulation of the immune system, increase in the physical strength, and enhancement of sexual function. This paper aims to investigate the aqueous extract of velvet antler (AVA) in the mouse models of LPS-induced ALI. Inhibition of NO, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 productions contributes to the attenuation of LPS-induced lung inflammation by AVA. A 5-day pretreatment of AVA prevented histological alterations and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity in lung tissues. AVA significantly reduced the material (total number of cells and proteins) in the BALF. Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of iNOS and COX-2 and phosphorylation of IκB-α and MAPKs proteins are blocked in LPS-stimulated macrophages as well as LPS-induced lung injury in mice. Consistent with this concept, the phosphorylation of CaMKKβ, LKB1, AMPK, Nrf2, and HO-1 was activated after AVA treatment. The results from this study indicate AVA has anti-inflammatory effects in vivo and AVA is a potential model for the development of health food. In addition, its pathways may be at least partially associated with inhibiting MAPK/NF-κB activation and upregulating AMPK/Nrf2 pathways and the regulation of antioxidant enzyme activity.

Antrodia cinnamomea Oligosaccharides Suppress Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation through Promoting O-GlcNAcylation and Repressing p38/Akt Phosphorylation

Antrodia cinnamomea (AC), an edible fungus growing in Taiwan, has various health benefits. This study was designed to examine the potential inhibitory effects of AC oligosaccharides on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo. By trifluoroacetic acid degradation, two oligosaccharide products were prepared from AC polysaccharides at 90 °C (ACHO) or 25 °C (ACCO), which showed different oligosaccharide identities. Compared to ACCO, ACHO displayed better inhibitory effects on LPS-induced mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, TNF-α and MCP-1 in macrophage cells. Further, ACHO significantly suppressed the inflammation in lung tissues of LPS-injected C57BL/6 mice. The potential anti-inflammatory molecular mechanism may be associated with the promotion of protein O-GlcNAcylation, which further skewed toward the marked suppression of p38 and Akt phosphorylation. Our results suggest that the suppressive effect of AC oligosaccharides on inflammation may be an effective approach for the prevention of inflammation-related diseases.

Artemisia argyi attenuates airway inflammation in lipopolysaccharide induced acute lung injury model

Artemisia argyi is used as a health supplement, tea, and food source in Korea. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Artemisia argyi (AA) and its active compound, dehydromatricarin A (DA), on the attenuation of airway inflammation in a murine model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). The C57BL/6 mice were administered AA (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) and DA (10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg) by oral gavage from day 0 to 7 days and LPS treated by intranasal instillation 48 hours before the sacrifice. The treatment of AA and DA markedly decreased inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) compared with that in ALI-induced mice, which was accompanied by a significant reduction in the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 in BALF. Furthermore, the administration of AA and DA clearly decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) phosphorylation in comparison with that in the ALI-induced mice. The histological examination of the lung tissue revealed that the administration of AA and DA suppressed the inflammatory cell infiltration into the peribronchial and alveolar lesions induced by LPS instillation. Collectively, our results indicated that AA and DA effectively decreased the airway inflammatory response induced by LPS instillation. Therefore, AA and DA may offer a potential therapy for airway inflammatory disease.

Antiproliferative activity of the Antrodia camphorata secondary metabolite 4,7-dimethoxy-5-methylbenzo[d][1,3]dioxole and analogues

Both the traditional Chinese medicinal fungus, Antrodia camphorata, and its secondary metabolite, 4,7-dimethoxy-5-methylbenzo[d][1,3]dioxole, have been reported to possess promising anticancer activity. In this work the natural product and analogues bearing more polar substituents were synthesised and assessed for antiproliferative activity in the NCI-60 screen. Although each compound inhibited the growth of some cell lines at 10μM, none had sufficient activity to warrant further investigation.

3, 4-dihydroxybenzalacetone attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in acute lung injury via down-regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities through suppressing ROS-mediated MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways

3, 4-Dihydroxybenzalacetone (DBL) is a constituent of Phellinus linteus. This study demonstrated the protective effect of DBL on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injuries in mice. Pretreatment with DBL significantly improved LPS-induced histological alterations in lung tissues. In addition, DBL markedly reduced the total cell number, the leukocytes, the protein concentrations, and decreased the release of nitrite, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and the activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. DBL also inhibited the W/D ratio and myeloperoxidase activity in the lung tissues. Western blot analysis indicated DBL efficiently blocked the protein expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, MMP-2, MMP-9, and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K), AKT, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB. Moreover, DBL enhanced the expression of anti-oxidant proteins, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Based on our results, DBL might be a potential target for attenuating tissue oxidative injuries and nonspecific pulmonary inflammation.

Ugonin M, a Helminthostachys zeylanica Constituent, Prevents LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury through TLR4-Mediated MAPK and NF-κB Signaling Pathways

Helminthostachys zeylanica (L.) Hook. is plant that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries for the treatment of inflammation, fever, pneumonia, and various disorders. The aims of the present study are to figure out the possible effectiveness of the component Ugonin M, a unique flavonoid isolated from H. zeylanica, and to elucidate the mechanism(s) by which it works in the LPS-induced ALI model. In this study, Ugonin M not only inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as NO, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, as well as infiltrated cellular counts and protein content in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) mice, but also ameliorated the severity of pulmonary edemas through the score of a histological examination and the ratio of wet to dry weight of lung. Moreover, Ugonin M was observed to significantly suppress LPS-stimulated protein levels of iNOS and COX-2. In addition, we found that Ugonin M not only obviously suppressed NF-κB and MAPK activation via the degradation of NF-κB and IκB-α as well as ERK and p38MAPK active phosphorylation but also inhibited the protein expression level of TLR4. Further, Ugonin M treatment also suppressed the protein levels of MPO and enhanced the protein expressions of HO-1 and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, and CAT) in lung tissue of LPS-induced ALI mice. It is anticipated that through our findings, there is strong evidence that Ugonin M may exert a potential effect against LPS-induced ALI mice. Hence, Ugonin M could be one of the major effective components of H. zeylanica in the treatment of inflammatory disorders.

Therapeutic Potential of Medicinal Plants and Their Constituents on Lung Inflammatory Disorders

Acute bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) are essentially lung inflammatory disorders. Various plant extracts and their constituents showed therapeutic effects on several animal models of lung inflammation. These include coumarins, flavonoids, phenolics, iridoids, monoterpenes, diterpenes and triterpenoids. Some of them exerted inhibitory action mainly by inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and nuclear transcription factor-κB activation. Especially, many flavonoid derivatives distinctly showed effectiveness on lung inflammation. In this review, the experimental data for plant extracts and their constituents showing therapeutic effectiveness on animal models of lung inflammation are summarized.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Sanghuangporus sanghuang Mycelium

Acute lung injury (ALI) is characterized by inflammation of the lung tissue and oxidative injury caused by excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Studies have suggested that anti-inflammatory or antioxidant agents could be used for the treatment of ALI with a good outcome. Therefore, our study aimed to test whether the mycelium extract of Sanghuangporus sanghuang (SS-1), believed to exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, could be used against the excessive inflammatory response associated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced ALI in mice and to investigate its possible mechanism of action. The experimental results showed that the administration of SS-1 could inhibit LPS-induced inflammation. SS-1 could reduce the number of inflammatory cells, inhibit myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, regulate the TLR4/PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and the signal transduction of NF-κB and MAPK pathways in the lung tissue, and inhibit high mobility group box-1 protein 1 (HNGB1) activity in BALF. In addition, SS-1 could affect the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and Thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1) in the lung tissue and regulate signal transduction in the KRAB-associated protein-1 (KAP1)/nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor Nrf2/Kelch Like ECH associated Protein 1 (Keap1) pathway. Histological results showed that administration of SS-1 prior to induction could inhibit the large-scale LPS-induced neutrophil infiltration of the lung tissue. Therefore, based on all experimental results, we propose that SS-1 exhibits a protective effect against LPS-induced ALI in mice. The mycelium of S. sanghuang can potentially be used for the treatment or prevention of inflammation-related diseases.

Scutellaria baicalensis Ameliorates Acute Lung Injury by Suppressing Inflammation In Vitro and In Vivo

Scutellaria baicalensis has been widely used as both a dietary ingredient and traditional herbal medicine in Taiwan to treat inflammation, cancer, and bacterial and viral infections of the respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. This paper aims to investigate the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of S. baicalensis. In HPLC analysis, the fingerprint chromatogram of the water extract of S. baicalensis (WSB) was established. The anti-inflammatory effects of WSB were inverstigated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophage (RAW264.7) in vitro and LPS-induced lung injury in vivo. WSB attenuated the production of LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-[Formula: see text], interleukin-[Formula: see text] (IL-1[Formula: see text], and IL-6 in vitro and in vivo. Pretreatment with WSB markedly reduced the LPS-induced histological alterations in lung tissues. Furthermore, WSB significantly reduced the number of total cells and the protein concentration levels in the BALF. WSB blocked protein expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), phosphorylation of I[Formula: see text]B-[Formula: see text] protein and MAPKs in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and LPS-induce lung injury was also blocked. This study suggests that WSB possesses anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo, and the results suggested that WSB may be a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Sanghuangporus sanghuang by suppressing the TLR4-mediated PI3K/AKT/mTOR/IKKβ signaling pathway

Sanghuangporus sanghuang (SS) is a mushroom that belongs to the genus Sanghuangporus and it is commonly called “Sangwhang” in Taiwan.

Evaluation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities of ethanol extracts from different varieties of Sanghuang species

Sanghuangporus sanghuang is a rare fungal species that grows on wild mulberry trees, and its yield is much lower than that of valuable medicinal herbs.

Protective Effect of Astragaloside IV Against Paraquat-Induced Lung Injury in Mice by Suppressing Rho Signaling

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the protective effects of astragaloside IV (AS IV) against paraquat (PQ)-induced pulmonary injury in vivo. Fifty BALB/C mice were randomized into five groups: (1) control, (2) PQ, (3) PQ + dexamethasone (Dex, 5 mg/kg), (4) PQ + AS IV (50 mg/kg), and (5) PQ + AS IV (100 mg/kg). A single dose of PQ (50 mg/kg, i.p.) was intraperitoneally given to induced acute lung injury. Then, mice were treated with AS IV (50 and 100 mg/kg/day, orally) for 5 days. At the end of the experiment, animals were euthanized; then, the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues were collected for histological observation, biochemical assay, and Western blot analysis. Malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in lung tissues, and interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in BALF were determined. Histological examination indicated that AS IV attenuated lung damage caused by PQ. Biochemical results showed that AS IV treatment significantly reduced the levels of MDA, MPO, and inflammatory cytokines while increased the levels of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px compared with those in PQ group. Western blot results revealed that AS IV attenuated the Txnip/Trx expressions and inhibited Rho/ROCK/nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) signaling pathway in PQ-challenged mice. These findings suggested the protective effect of AS IV as a natural product on PQ-induced pulmonary injury.

Ilex kaushue and Its Bioactive Component 3,5-Dicaffeoylquinic Acid Protected Mice from Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a severe respiratory disease with high mortality rates worldwide. Recent reports suggest that human neutrophil elastase (HNE) plays a key role in the inflammatory response that is characteristic of ALI, which indicates that the development of HNE inhibitors could be an efficient treatment strategy. In the current study, an enzyme-based screening assay was used to identify effective HNE inhibitors from a number of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). Among them, a water extract of Ilex kaushue (IKWE) effectively inhibited HNE activity (IC₅₀, 11.37 ± 1.59 μg/mL). Using bioactivity-guided fractionation, one new compound and 23 known compounds were identified. Compound 6 (identified as 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid; 3,5-DCQA) exerted the most potent and selective inhibitory effect on HNE activity (IC₅₀, 1.86 ± 0.06 μM). In a cell-based assay, 3,5-DCQA not only directly reduced superoxide generation and elastase activity but also attenuated the Src family kinase (SRKs)/Vav signaling pathway in N-formyl-L-Met-L-Leu-L-Phe (fMLF)-stimulated human neutrophils. In an animal disease model, both 3,5-DCQA and standardized IKWE protected against lipopolysaccharide-induced ALI in mice, which provides support for their potential as candidates in the development of new therapeutic agents for neutrophilic inflammatory diseases.

Antiinflammatory and Antiphotodamaging Effects of Ergostatrien-3β-ol, Isolated from Antrodia camphorata, on Hairless Mouse Skin

Ergostatrien-3β-ol (EK100), isolated from the submerged whole broth of Antrodia camphorata, has antidiabetic, hyperlipidemic, and hepatoprotective activities. However, the antiphotodamage activity of EK100 has still not been revealed. Inflammation and collagen degradation contribute to skin photodamage and premature aging. In the present study, in vivo experiments were designed to investigate the antiinflammatory and antiphotodamaging activities of EK100 in hairless mice by physiological and histological analysis of the skin. Results indicated that topical application of EK100 (25 and 100 μM) for 10 weeks efficiently inhibited ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced wrinkle formation, erythema, and epidermal thickness in the mice skin. EK100 also restored UVB-induced collagen content reduction in hairless mice skin. In addition, the immunohistochemistry results indicated that EK100 significantly inhibited the UVB-induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) in the mouse skin. The expression of these proteins was similar to the Normal group after 100 μM EK100 treatment. EK100 inhibited collagen degradation in the skin through MMP-1 inhibition and antiinflammation. EK100 significantly reduced the transepidermal water loss (TEWL), indicating that EK100 protected skin from UVB-induced damage. Our findings strongly suggest that EK100 has significant beneficial antiinflammatory and antiphotoaging activities and that EK100 can be developed as an antiphotodamaging agent.

Picrasma quassiodes (D. Don) Benn. attenuates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury

Picrasma quassiodes (D.Don) Benn. (PQ) is a medicinal herb belonging to the family Simaroubaceae and is used as a traditional herbal remedy for various diseases. In this study, we evaluated the effects of PQ on airway inflammation using a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and LPS-stimulated raw 264.7 cells. ALI was induced in C57BL/6 mice by the intranasal administration of LPS, and PQ was administered orally 3 days prior to exposure to LPS. Treatment with PQ significantly attenuated the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). PQ also decreased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 in BALF. In addition, PQ inhibited airway inflammation by reducing the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and by increasing the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the lungs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that PQ blocked the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the lungs of mice with LPS-induced ALI. In the LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, PQ inhibited the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased the mRNA expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Treatment with PQ decreased the translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB to the nucleus, and increased the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and the expression of HO-1. PQ also inhibited the activation of p38 in the LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that PQ exerts anti-inflammatory effects against LPS-induced ALI, and that these effects are associated with the modulation of iNOS, HO-1, NF-κB and MAPK signaling. Therefore, we suggest that PQ has therapeutic potential for use in the treatment of ALI.

Kegan Liyan oral liquid ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury through inhibition of TLR4-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway and MMP-9 expression

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Kegan Liyan oral liquid (KGLY), a Chinese prescription modified from classic formulas Yin-Qiao-San (from TCM classic Wenbing Tiaobian) and Shen-Jie-San (first mentioned in Shanghan Wenyi Tiaobian), has been reported to exert heat-clearing and detoxifying effects and used extensively for the treatment of severe pulmonary diseases in clinics including influenza, cough and pneumonia.

AIM OF THIS STUDY

The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of KGLY on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice and to illuminate the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice were orally administrated with KGLY (50, 100 and 150mg/kg) before intratracheal instillation of LPS. 24h post LPS challenge, lung tissues and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected for lung wet/dry (W/D) weight ratio, histopathological examinations and biochemical analyses. The cell counts, protein concentration, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) in BALF, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were detected. Meanwhile, the activation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), as well as matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP-9) were determined by western blot assay.

RESULTS

KGLY significantly prolonged mice survival time and ameliorated LPS-induced edema, thickening of alveolar septa and inflammatory cell infiltration in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, KGLY markedly attenuated LPS-induced acute pulmonary inflammation via decreasing the expressions of cytokines and chemokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and MIP-2), enhanced the activities of anti-oxidative indicators (SOD and GSH), suppressed the levels of MPO and MDA, and down-regulated the expressions of TLR4, NF-κB and MMP9.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested that the relieving effect of KGLY against LPS-induced ALI might be partially due to suppression of oxidative stress and inflammatory response, inhibition of TLR4-mediated NF-κB activation, and down-regulation of MMP9 expression, indicating it may be a potential therapeutic agent for ALI.

Hepatoprotective Effect of Wheat-Based Solid-State Fermented Antrodia cinnamomea in Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Injury in Rat

Antrodia cinnamomea (A. cinnamomea) is an indigenous medical fungus in Taiwan and has multiple biological functions, including hepatoprotective and immune-modulatory effects. Currently, the commercially available A. cinnamomea are mainly liquid- and solid-state fermented A. cinnamomea. However, the hepatoprotective effect of solid-state fermented A. cinnamomea has never been reported. Here we evaluate the ability of air-dried, ground and non-extracted wheat-based solid-state fermented A. cinnamomea (WFAC) to protect against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic injury in vivo. The results showed that oral administration of WFAC dose dependently (180, 540 and 1080 mg/kg) ameliorated the increase in plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels caused by chronic repeated CCl4 intoxication in rats. WFAC significantly reduced the CCl4-induced increase in hepatic lipid peroxidation levels and hydroxyproline contents, as well as reducing the spleen weight and water content of the liver. WFAC also restored the hepatic soluble protein synthesis and plasma albumin concentration in CCl4-intoxicated rats, but it did not affect the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, or glutathione peroxidase. In addition, a hepatic morphological analysis showed that the hepatic fibrosis and necrosis induced by CCl4 were significantly ameliorated by WFAC. Furthermore, the body weights of control rats and WFAC-administered rats were not significantly different, and no adverse effects were observed in WFAC-administered rats. These results indicate that WFAC is a nontoxic hepatoprotective agent against chronic CCl4-induced hepatic injury.

Uncoupling Protein 2 Increases Susceptibility to Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice

Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is upregulated in patients with systemic inflammation and infection, but its functional role is unclear. We up- or downregulated UCP2 expression using UCP2 recombinant adenovirus or the UCP2 inhibitor, genipin, in lungs of mice, and investigated the mechanisms of UCP2 in ALI. UCP2 overexpression in mouse lungs increased LPS-induced pathological changes, lung permeability, lung inflammation, and lowered survival rates. Furthermore, ATP levels and mitochondrial membrane potential were decreased, while reactive oxygen species production was increased. Additionally, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) activity was elevated, which increased the sensitivity to LPS-induced apoptosis and inflammation. LPS-induced apoptosis and release of inflammatory factors were alleviated by pretreatment of the Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor SP600125 or the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580, but not by the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor PD98059 in UCP2-overexpressing mice. On the other hand, LPS-induced alveolar epithelial cell death and inflammation were attenuated by genipin. In conclusion, UCP2 increased susceptibility to LPS-induced cell death and pulmonary inflammation, most likely via ATP depletion and activation of MAPK signaling following ALI in mice.

Protective effects of ginsenoside Re on lipopolysaccharide-induced cardiac dysfunction in mice

Ginsenoside Re protected against lipopolysaccharide-induced cardiac dysfunction in miceviaERs and PI3K/AKT mediated NFκB inhibition.

4,7-Dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,3-benzodioxole from Antrodia camphorata inhibits LPS-induced inflammation via suppression of NF-κB and induction HO-1 in RAW264.7 cells

Several benzenoid compounds have been isolated from Antrodia camphorata are known to have excellent anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of 4,7-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,3-benzodioxole (DMB), one of the major benzenoid compounds isolated from the mycelia of A. camphorata. DMB significantly decreased the LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory molecules, such as nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in RAW264.7 cells. In addition, DMB suppressed the protein levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, DMB significantly suppressed LPS-induced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and this inhibition was found to be associated with decreases in the phosphorylation and degradation of its inhibitor, inhibitory κB-α (IκB-α). Moreover, we found that DMB markedly inhibited the protein expression level of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Furthermore, treatment with DMB significantly increased hemoxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression in RAW264.7 cells, which is further confirmed by hemin, a HO-1 enhancer, significantly attenuated the LPS-induced pro-inflammatory molecules and iNOS and TLR4 protein levels. Taken together, the present study suggests that DMB may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Lobeline improves acute lung injury via nuclear factor-κB-signaling pathway and oxidative stress

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a severe, life-threatening medical condition whose pathogenesis is linked to neutrophil infiltration of the lung. Activation and recruitment of neutrophils to the lung is mostly attributed to the production of chemokines NO, IL-6, for instance. This study aims to investigate lobeline ability in reducing NO production, and nitric oxide synthase (iNOs) expression. Lobeline was tested by inhibiting phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), NF-κB and IκBα in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. When RAW 264.7 macrophages were given lobeline with LPS, a significant concentration-dependent inhibition of NO production was detected. In vivo tests, mice were either treated with normal saline, 10mg/kg dexmethasone or 5, 10, 20mg/kg lobeline intraperitoneally, and after an hour, the administration of 5mg/kg of LPS was given intratracheally. External performance, cytokines, MAPK pathways and antioxidative enzymes (AOEs) were also carried out to evaluate the effects of these drugs. This is the first investigation in which lobeline was found to effectively inhibit acute lung edema, which may provide a potential target for treating ALI. Lobeline may utilize MAPKs pathways as well as AOEs activity to attenuate LPS-induced nonspecific pulmonary inflammation.

Antrodia cinnamomea Extract Inhibits Th17 Cell Differentiation and Ameliorates Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasiform Skin Inflammation

Antrodia cinnamomea (A. cinnamomea) is a Chinese medicinal herb that possesses a broad range of bioactivities, including anti-inflammation. Given that the proinflammatory cytokine IL-17 plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, we investigated whether A. cinnamomea could inhibit the development of Th17 cells, the main producer of IL-17, and exhibit therapeutic effects on an animal model of psoriasis. We found that A. cinnamomea extract (AC) inhibited the differentiation of Th17 cells as well as the production of IL-17A, IL-21, and IL-22 from these cells. This effect was associated with the inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation and RORγt expression. Notably, the oral administration of AC reduced psoriasis-like inflammation in imiquimod-mediated dermal damage, repressed the expression of IL-17A, IL-22, and TNF-α in skin lesions, and decreased the infiltration of CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells, and neutrophils into the dermis. Finally, serum levels of IL-17A were decreased in AC-treated mice with psoriasis-like skin inflammation. Taken together, these findings indicate that AC inhibits Th17 cell differentiation, suggesting a role for A. cinnamomea in the treatment of psoriasis and other Th17 cell-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Acanthopanax trifoliatus inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in vitro and in vivo

Acanthopanax trifoliatus is a well-known herb that is used for the treatment of bruising, neuralgia, impotence, and gout in Taiwan. This herb exhibits multifunctional activities, including anticancer, anti-inflammation, and antioxidant effects. This paper investigated the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of A. trifoliatus. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis established the fingerprint chromatogram of the ethyl acetate fraction of A. trifoliatus (EAAT). The anti-inflammatory effect of EAAT was detected using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of the mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7 in vitro and LPS-induced lung injury in vivo. The effects of EAAT on LPS-induced production of inflammatory mediators in RAW264.7 murine macrophages and the mouse model were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot. EAAT attenuated the production of LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 in vitro and in vivo. Pretreatment with EAAT markedly reduced LPS-induced histological alterations in lung tissues. Furthermore, EAAT significantly reduced the number of total cells and protein concentration levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Western blotting test results revealed that EAAT blocked protein expression of inducible NO synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, phosphorylation of Nuclear factor-kappa-B Inhibitor alpha (IκB-α) protein, and mitogen-activated protein kinases in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells as well as LPS-induced lung injury. This study suggests that A. trifoliatus may be a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Protective effect of total saponins of Aralia elata (Miq) Seem on lipopolysaccharide-induced cardiac dysfunction via down-regulation of inflammatory signaling in mice

TAS attenuates LPS-induced cardiomyocyte dysfunctionviadown-regulation of inflammatory signaling in mice.