Protective Effect of Pimpinella anisoides Ethanolic Extract and Its Constituents on Oxidative Damage and Its Inhibition of Nitric Oxide in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Anethole Pretreatment Modulates Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion: The Role of JNK, p38, MMP-2 and MMP-9 Pathways

Anethole (AN) is one of the major constituents of several plant oils, demonstrating plentiful pharmacological actions. Ischemic stroke is the main cause of morbidity and death worldwide, particularly since ischemic stroke therapeutic choices are inadequate and limited; thus, the development of new therapeutic options is indispensable. This study was planned to explore the preventive actions of AN in ameliorating cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced brain damage and BBB permeability leakage, as well as to explore anethole’s potential mechanisms of action. The proposed mechanisms included modulating JNK and p38 as well as MMP-2 and MMP-9 pathways. Sprague–Dawley male rats were randomly assigned into four groups: sham, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), AN125 + MCAO, and AN250 + MCAO. Animals in the third and fourth groups were pretreated with AN 125 or 250 mg/kg orally, respectively, for two weeks before performing middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-induced cerebral ischemic/reperfusion surgery. Animals that experienced cerebral ischemia/reperfusion exhibited amplified infarct volume, Evans blue intensity, brain water content, Fluoro-Jade B-positive cells, severe neurological deficits, and numerous histopathological alterations. MCAO animals exhibited elevated MMP-9 and MMP-2 gene expressions, enzyme activities, augmented JNK, and p38 phosphorylation. On the other hand, pretreatment with AN diminished the infarct volume, Evans blue dye intensity, brain water content, and Fluoro-Jade B-positive cells, improved the neurological score and enhanced histopathological examination. AN effectively lowered MMP-9 and MMP-2 gene expression and enzyme activities and diminished phosphorylated JNK, p38. AN decreased MDA content, amplified GSH/GSSG ratio, SOD, and CAT, decreased the serum and brain tissue homogenate inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β), NF-κB, and deterred the apoptotic status. This study revealed the neuroprotective ability of AN against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats. AN boosted blood–brain barrier integrity via modulating MMPs and diminished oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis through the JNK/p38 pathway.

In vitro antioxidant and anti-denaturation effects of Buglossoides purpurocaerulea (L.) I. M. Johnst. fruit extract

Fruits from Buglossoides purpurocaerulea (L.) I. M. Johnst. were extracted with methanol through maceration. The phytochemical composition of obtained raw extract was investigated with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) analyses. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also quantified and in vitro antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH assay and the β-carotene bleaching test. In order to verify the anti-arthritic potential, the raw extract was evaluated for its anti-denaturation effect on heat-treated bovine serum albumin (BSA), chosen as a protein model. Linoleic and α-linolenic acids were the most abundant identified apolar constituents. HPTLC analyses allowed the identification of rosmarinic acid. The sample showed a concentration-dependent antioxidant activity and it was also proven to be effective in preventing the heat-induced denaturation of BSA, with an IC₅₀ value equal to 15.7 ± 0.5 µg/mL.

Phytochemical Profile and In Vitro Antioxidant and Photobiological Properties of Different Extracts from Prangos ferulacea Lindl

Interesting photobiological properties have been demonstrated for some Cachrys species, including C. libanotis L., C. sicula L., and C. pungens Jan. The present study was designed to assess the photocytotoxic activity of Prangos ferulacea Lindl. (synonym of C. ferulacea (L.) Calest.). This plant was previously considered a Cachrys species but, at present, it is part of the Prangos genus. P. ferulacea is an orophilous plant present in the eastern Mediterranean and in western Asia. Three different extraction techniques were utilized. Obtained extracts were compared both for their phytochemical content and for their photobiological properties on human melanoma cells irradiated with UVA light. The apoptotic responses, together with the antioxidant activity, were also assessed. P. ferulacea extracts were able to affect cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner, with the sample obtained through supercritical CO₂ extraction showing the highest activity (IC₅₀ = 4.91 μg/mL). This research points out the interesting content in the photoactive compounds of this species, namely furanocoumarins, and could provide a starting point for further studies aimed at finding new photosensitizing agents useful in cancer photochemotherapy.

Essential Oils of Foeniculum vulgare subsp. piperitum and Their in Vitro Anti-Arthritic Potential

Wild Foeniculum vulgare subsp. piperitum (C.Presl) Bég. flowers, fruits and leaves were extracted with steam distillation and obtained essential oils (EOs) were characterized using GC/MS. The study was designed to verify the potential effectiveness of fennel EOs in the treatment of inflammation and arthritis. Since tissue proteins denaturation is a major cause of arthritic diseases, fennel EOs and their main constituents were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the heat-induced proteins degradation using bovine serum albumin as a protein model. Moreover, the in vitro inhibitory effects of the three EOs on the pro-inflammatory mediator nitric oxide (NO) production were verified in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Estragole (28.81-33.40 %), anethole (24.16-27.40 %), fenchone (9.76-18.48 %), α-phellandrene (1.63-8.37 %) and limonene (5.54-6.05 %) were the major constituents. All the EOs showed a concentration-dependent biological activity, being the flower EO the most effective in inhibiting NO production (IC₅₀ =232.2±11.3 μg/mL). The leaf EO showed a very good bovine serum albumin (BSA) anti-denaturation activity (IC₅₀ =95.9±2.4 μg/mL). Moreover, four components were proved to be effective in protecting protein from heat-induced degradation, being α-phellandrene the most active compound (IC₅₀ =73.2±1.9 μg/mL).

Spices and Atherosclerosis

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world. Atherosclerosis, characterized by lipid accumulation and chronic inflammation in the vessel wall, is the main feature of cardiovascular disease. Although the amounts of fruits and vegetables present in the diets vary by country, diets, worldwide, contain large amounts of spices; this may have positive or negative effects on the initiation and development of atherosclerosis. In this review, we focused on the potential protective effects of specific nutrients from spices, such as pepper, ginger, garlic, onion, cinnamon and chili, in atherosclerosis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The mechanisms, epidemiological analysis, and clinical studies focusing on a variety of spices are covered in this review. Based on the integrated information, we aimed to raise specific recommendations for people with different dietary styles for the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease through dietary habit adjustments.

Italian folk plant-based remedies to heal headache (XIX-XX century)

BACKGROUND

Headache has been recognized since antiquity. From the late nineteenth to the early to mid-twentieth century, Italian folk remedies to treat headache were documented in a vast corpus of literature sources.

AIM

The purpose of this paper is to bring to light the plant-based treatments utilized by Italian folk medicine to heal headache in an attempt to discuss these remedies from a modern pharmacological point of view. Moreover, we compare the medical applications described by Hippocrates, Pliny the Elder, Dioscorides, Galen and Serenus Sammonicus with those utilized by Italian folk medicine to check if they result from a sort of continuity of use by over two thousand years.

RESULTS

A detailed search of the scientific data banks such as Medline and Scopus was undertaken to uncover recent results concerning the anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and analgesic activities of the plants. Fifty-eight (78.4%) plant-based remedies have shown in vivo, in vitro or in human trials a large spectrum of anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and analgesic activities. Moreover, thirty-one of remedies (41.9%) were already included in the pharmacopoeia between the 5th century BC and the 2nd century AD.

CONCLUSION

Italian folk medicine could be a promising source of knowledge and could provide evidences for active principles that have not as of yet been fully used for their potential.

Methanol Extracts of 28 Hieracium Species from the Balkan Peninsula - Comparative LC-MS Analysis, Chemosystematic Evaluation of their Flavonoid and Phenolic Acid Profiles and Antioxidant Potentials

INTRODUCTION

Hieracium s. str. represents one of the largest and most complex genera of flowering plants. As molecular genetics seems unlikely to disentangle intricate relationships within this reticulate species complex, analysis of flavonoids and phenolic acids, known as good chemosystematic markers, promise to be more reliable. Data about pharmacological activity of Hieracium species are scarce.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of the chemosystematic significance of flavonoids and phenolic acids of methanol extracts of aerial flowering parts of 28 Hieracium species from the Balkans. Additionally, investigation of antioxidant potentials of the extracts.

METHODS

Comparative qualitative and quantitative analysis of flavonoids and phenolic acids was performed by LC-MS. Multivariate statistical data analysis included non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS), unweighted pair-group arithmetic averages (UPGMA) and principal component analysis (PCA). Antioxidant activity was evaluated using three colorimetric tests.

RESULTS

Dominant phenolics in almost all species were luteolin type flavonoids, followed by phenolic acids. Although the investigated Hieracium species share many compounds, the current classification of the genus was supported by nMDS and UPGMA analyses with a good resolution to the group level. Hieracium naegelianum was clearly separated from the other investigated species. Spatial and ecological distances of the samples were likely to influence unexpected differentiation of some groups within H. sect. Pannosa. The vast majority of dominant compounds significantly contributed to differences between taxa. The antioxidant potential of the extracts was satisfactory and in accordance with their phenolics composition.

CONCLUSIONS

Comparative LC-MS analysis demonstrated that flavonoids and phenolic acids are good indicators of chemosystematic relationships within Hieracium, particularly between non-hybrid species and groups from the same location. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Biological and Nonbiological Antioxidant Activity of Some Essential Oils

Fifteen essential oils, four essential oil fractions, and three pure compounds (thymol, carvacrol, and eugenol), characterized by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, were investigated for biological and nonbiological antioxidant activity. Clove oil and eugenol showed strong DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free-radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 13.2 μg/mL and 11.7 μg/mL, respectively) and powerfully inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in human neutrophils stimulated by PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) (IC50 = 7.5 μg/mL and 1.6 μg/mL) or H2O2 (IC50 = 22.6 μg/mL and 27.1 μg/mL). Nutmeg, ginger, and palmarosa oils were also highly active on this test. Essential oils from clove and ginger, as well as eugenol, carvacrol, and bornyl acetate inhibited NO (nitric oxide) production (IC50 < 50.0 μg/mL). The oils of clove, red thyme, and Spanish oregano, together with eugenol, thymol, and carvacrol showed the highest myeloperoxidase inhibitory activity. Isomers carvacrol and thymol displayed a disparate behavior in some tests. All in all, clove oil and eugenol offered the best antioxidant profile.

Medicinal plants--prophylactic and therapeutic options for gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases in calves and piglets? A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases in calves and piglets lead to significant economic losses in livestock husbandry. A high morbidity has been reported for diarrhea (calves ≤ 35%; piglets ≤ 50%) and for respiratory diseases (calves ≤ 80%; piglets ≤ 40%). Despite a highly diverse etiology and pathophysiology of these diseases, treatment with antimicrobials is often the first-line therapy. Multi-antimicrobial resistance in pathogens results in international accordance to strengthen the research in novel treatment options. Medicinal plants bear a potential as alternative or additional treatment. Based on the versatile effects of their plant specific multi-component-compositions, medicinal plants can potentially act as 'multi-target drugs'. Regarding the plurality of medicinal plants, the aim of this systematic review was to identify potential medicinal plant species for prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases and for modulation of the immune system and inflammation in calves and piglets.

RESULTS

Based on nine initial sources including standard textbooks and European ethnoveterinary studies, a total of 223 medicinal plant species related to the treatment of gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases was identified. A defined search strategy was established using the PRISMA statement to evaluate 30 medicinal plant species starting from 20'000 peer-reviewed articles published in the last 20 years (1994-2014). This strategy led to 418 references (257 in vitro, 84 in vivo and 77 clinical trials, thereof 48 clinical trials in veterinary medicine) to evaluate effects of medicinal plants and their efficacy in detail. The findings indicate that the most promising candidates for gastrointestinal diseases are Allium sativum L., Mentha x piperita L. and Salvia officinalis L.; for diseases of the respiratory tract Echinacea purpurea (L.) MOENCH, Thymus vulgaris L. and Althea officinalis L. were found most promising, and Echinacea purpurea (L.) MOENCH, Camellia sinensis (L.) KUNTZE, Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Origanum vulgare L. were identified as best candidates for modulation of the immune system and inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

Several medicinal plants bear a potential for novel treatment strategies for young livestock. There is a need for further research focused on gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases in calves and piglets, and the findings of this review provide a basis on plant selection for future studies.

Anti-carcinogenic and Anti-bacterial Properties of Selected Spices: Implications in Oral Health

"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food", as said by the father of medicine, Hippocrates in 431 B.C. Nature has provided us with a variety of treatment modalities in the form of food. For the first 5,000 years of civilization, humans relied on herbs and foods for medicine. Only in the past 60 years have we forgotten our medicinal "roots" in favor of patented medicines. While pharmaceutical ingredients have their value, we should not overlook the well-documented, non-toxic and inexpensive healing properties of food. As an individual we consume food several times a day without a complete understanding of its innate qualities. As part of a daily diet, food plays a significant role in helping our bodies function at their best. There are hundreds of extremely nutritious foods, but the items in this article do more than providing healthy nutrients. Many of them consist of ingredients with hidden pharmaceutical qualities ranging from anti-inflammatory to anti-carcinogenic agent. They not only boost our innate immunity but also act as an adjunct to medicines for specific treatment. Prevention and management of symptoms can often be improved significantly through the foods we consume regularly. This paper overviews these beneficial traits of food ingredients, consumed on a daily basis, in various oral diseases.

Cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of kernel extract from Adenanthera pavonina on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated rat peritoneal macrophages

OBJECTIVE

To investigate mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity of Adenanthera pavonina (A. pavonina) extracts.

METHODS

Rat peritoneal macrophages were treated with different concentrations of lipopolysaccharide and H2O2 in the presence and absence of kernel extract from A. pavonina. Nitric oxide, Superoxide anion generation, cell viability and nuclear fragmentation were investigated.

RESULTS

The pre-treatment of kernel extract from A. pavonina suppressed nitric oxide, superoxide anion, cell death, nuclear fragmentation in lipopolysaccharide and H2O2 stimulated or induced macrophages, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that A. pavonina extract suppresses the intra cellular peroxide production.

5-Lipoxygenase Inhibition of the Fructus of Foeniculum vulgare and Its Constituents

The fruits of Foeniculum vulgare (Foeniculi Fructus) have been widely used in Chinese medicine as an antiemetic, ameliorating stomach ailments and as an analgesic. In order to establish its potential for antiallergic use, inhibitory actions of the fruiton 5-lipoxgenase (5-LOX) and β-hexosaminidase release were evaluated. The 70% ethanol extract of this plant material (FR) considerably inhibited 5-LOX-catalyzed leukotriene production from A23187-induced rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-1 cells. The IC₅₀ was 3.2 μg/ml. From this extract, 12 major compounds including sabinene, fenchone, γ-terpinene, α-pinene, limonene, p-anisylacetone, p-anisylaldehyde, estragole (4-allylanisole), trans-anethole, scopoletin, bergapten and umbelliferone were isolated. And it was found that several terpene derivatives including γ-terpinene and fenchone as well as phenylpropanoid, trans-anethole, showed considerable inhibitory action of 5-LOX. In particular, the IC₅₀ of trans-anethole was 51.6 μ M. In contrast, FR and the isolated compounds did not show considerable inhibitory activity on the degranulation reaction of β-hexosaminidase release from antigen-treated RBL-2H3 cells. Against arachidonic acid-induced ear edema in mice, FR and trans-anethole showed significant inhibition by oral administration at doses of 100-400 mg/kg. In conclusion, FR and several major constituents are 5-LOX inhibitors and they may have potential for treating 5-LOX-related disorders.

Illicium verum extract suppresses IFN-γ-induced ICAM-1 expression via blockade of JAK/STAT pathway in HaCaT human keratinocytes

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) signaling in keratinocytes plays an important role in mediating inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis and contact dermatitis. Illicium verum Hook. f. has been used in traditional medicine for treating skin inflammation, rheumatism, asthma, and bronchitis in Asia.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and regulatory mechanisms of Illicium verum extract (IVE) in the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, we examined the effect of IVE on IFN-γ-induced ICAM-1 expression in HaCaT cells. The levels of IFN-γ receptor α (IFN-γRα), phosphorylated Janus kinase 2 (pJak2), phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (pSTAT1), and suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) were analyzed by western blot. Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on the HaCaT cells was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and cell-surface enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of IVE and its constituents on the adherence of T lymphocytes to IFN-γ-treated HaCaT cells were also investigated.

RESULTS

IVE significantly inhibited IFN-γ-induced mRNA and protein expression of ICAM-1. IVE inhibited IFN-γ-induced IFN-γRα, pJak2 and pSTAT1 expression in HaCaT cells. The expression of SOCS1 was up-regulated by treatment of IVE. In addition, IVE and its constituents (p-anisaldehyde and trans-anethole) effectively suppressed IFN-γ-induced adherence of Jurkat T cells to HaCaT cells and ICAM-1 expression on the cell surface.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that the anti-inflammatory effects of IVE may contribute to therapeutic efficacy in IFN-γ-dependent inflammatory skin diseases by modulating the IFN-γ signal pathway.

Protective mechanism of anethole on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice

The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of anethole (trans-anethole, 1), a major component of Foeniculum vulgare, and its molecular mechanism during ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Mice were subjected to 60 min of partial hepatic ischemia followed by 1 and 6 h of reperfusion. Compound 1 (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) or the vehicle alone (10% Tween 80-saline) was orally administered 1 h prior to ischemia. After 1 and 6 h of reperfusion, serum alanine aminotransferase, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin 6 levels significantly increased, but these increases were attenuated by 1. Nuclear translocation of interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-1, release of high mobility group box (HMGB) 1 into the extracellular milieu, and the interactions between IRF-1 and histone acetyltransferase p300 increased after I/R. These increases were attenuated by 1. Compound 1 suppressed increases in toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 protein expression, phosphorylation of p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B, and phosphorylated c-Jun. The present findings suggest that 1 protects against hepatic I/R injury by suppression of IRF-1-mediated HMGB1 release and subsequent TLR activation.

Cytotoxic Properties of Marrubium globosum ssp. libanoticum and its Bioactive Components

Marrubium globosum Montbr. et Auch. ex Benth. ssp. libanoticum Boiss. (Lamiaceae) is a medicinal plant used in Lebanon for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, asthma, coughs and other pulmonary and urinary problems. The goal of our study was to assess the biological activity of M. globosum by testing different extracts of the aerial parts for their antiproliferative activity against human melanoma cells using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The chloroform fraction showed the greatest activity. The compounds isolated from the extracts were also tested: the mixture of (13 S)-9α,13α-epoxylabda-6β(19),16(15)-diol dilactone and (13 R)-9α,13α-epoxylabda-6β(19),16(15)-diol dilactone was the most active fraction, with an IC50 value of 29.2 ± 0.06 μg/mL.

Topical application of an ethanol extract prepared from Illicium verum suppresses atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Illicium verum is a traditional herbal medicine with anti-inflammatory properties used in Asia. However, its usefulness in the treatment of allergic diseases remains unclear. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antiallergic effects of I. verum extract (IVE) in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated the effects of IVE on compound 48/80-induced histamine release, and phorbol 12-myristate13-acetate and calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated cytokines secretion in MC/9 mast cells. Atopic dermatitis was induced in NC/Nga mice by exposure to extract of house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae). After a topical application of IVE on ear and skin lesions, we evaluated the severity of skin symptoms, ear thickness, inflammatory cell infiltration, and serum levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), histamine, interleukin (IL)-6, and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1. In addition, we determined the expression of IL-4, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), ICAM-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 in ear tissues.

RESULTS

IVE inhibited secretion of histamine, IL-4, IL-6, and TNF-α from mast cells in a dose-dependent manner. Topical application of IVE significantly reduced dermatitis scores, ear thickness, and serum levels of IgE, histamine, IL-6, and ICAM-1. Histopathological analysis demonstrated decreased epidermal thickening and dermal infiltration by inflammatory cells. In the ear lesions, IVE treatment reduced expression of IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α, TARC, RANTES, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1, but not IFN-γ.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that IVE inhibits atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions by suppressing the expression of cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules. These results suggest that IVE may be a potential therapeutic candidate for atopic dermatitis.

Illicium verum extract inhibits TNF-α- and IFN-γ-induced expression of chemokines and cytokines in human keratinocytes

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Illicium verum Hook. f. (star anise) has been used in traditional medicine for treatment of skin inflammation, rheumatism, asthma, and bronchitis. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of Illicium verum extract (IVE) in the human keratinocyte HaCaT cell line.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated the effectiveness of IVE in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)/interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-induced human keratinocytes. To measure the effects of IVE on chemokine and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in HaCaT cells, we used the following methods: cell viability assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting, and luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

IVE inhibited the expression of TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced mRNA and protein expression of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17), macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC/CCL22), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β. Furthermore, IVE decreased TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced mRNA expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). IVE inhibited nuclear factor (NF)-κB translocation into the nucleus, as well as phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα. IVE inhibited TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced NF-κB and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)1 activation in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, IVE significantly inhibited activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and Akt. Furthermore, IVE contained 2.14% trans-anethole and possessed significant anti-inflammatory activities.

CONCLUSIONS

IVE exerts anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing the expression of TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced chemokines, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and adhesion molecules via blockade of NF-κB, STAT1, MAPK, and Akt activation, suggesting that IVE may be a useful therapeutic candidate for inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis.

Cachrys pungens Jan inhibits human melanoma cell proliferation through photo-induced cytotoxic activity

OBJECTIVE

To date, plants belonging to the genus Cachrys have not been amply studied. In the present study, aerial components of Cachrys pungens Jan from Italy, were examined to assess their free radical-scavenging and antioxidant activity, and their phototoxicity on A375 melanoma cells. In view of potential pharmaceutical applications, a relationship between antioxidant, phototoxic activities and polyphenolic composition has also been investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Content of sterols, terpenes, fatty acids and coumarins was assessed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and GC. Total phenolic content was also determined. Antioxidant activity of the methanol extract and fractions of C. pungens Jan was assessed using DPPH scavenging assay and β-carotene bleaching test. Plant phototoxicity was also investigated in this human tumour cell line (amelanotic melanoma).

RESULTS

  Analysis of the chloroform extract was particularly interesting, as it led to identification of many coumarins, of which five were linear and one angular furanocoumarins. Methanol and ethyl acetate fractions exhibited substantial antioxidant activity. Moreover, chloroform extract and isolated coumarin fraction had strong phototoxic activity on UVA-induced A375 cells after irradiation at UVA dose of 1.08 J/cm.

CONCLUSIONS

Plant-derived natural compounds are an important source for development of cancer-fighting drugs. This study has demonstrated strong phototoxic activity of the coumarin fraction of C. pungens, a plant which, to our knowledge, has never been studied before. This investigation offers a new perspective for developing other formulations potentially useful in photodynamic therapy for treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers as well as melanomas.

Anthemis wiedemanniana essential oil prevents LPS-induced production of NO in RAW 264.7 macrophages and exerts antiproliferative and antibacterial activities in vitro

Anthemis wiedemanniana is known in folk medicine for the treatment of microbial infections, cancer and also urinary and pulmonary problems. In this study, the chemical composition of the essential oil from A. wiedemanniana was evaluated and its antibacterial activity was tested against 10 bacterial strains. The oil was also tested for its potentiality to inhibit nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages and for its cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines. A. wiedemanniana oil, rich of oxygenated monoterpenes (25.4%), showed a good antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and a good activity against the two Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris. Besides that, it exhibited a high inhibitory effect on the LPS-induced nitrite production and a strong cytotoxic activity, especially against amelanotic melanoma (C32) and large lung cell carcinoma (COR-L23) cell lines.