Red Bean Extract Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation and H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress in RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Characterization and In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Ginsenosides Extracted from Forest-Grown Wild Panax quinquefolius L

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) is known for its health benefits, which are attributed to various terpenoids. However, the specific composition and activities of these terpenoids in forest-grown wild American ginseng remain understudied. This study aimed to characterize the terpenoid composition, particularly triterpene saponins, in forest-grown wild American ginseng. The analysis revealed that triterpene saponins, notably American ginseng ginsenosides (AGGs), are the predominant active components, as identified through LC-MS/MS and HPLC. A subsequent in vitro evaluation of AGGs showcased their potent antioxidant capabilities, displaying the dose-dependent scavenging of free radicals and reducing agents. Moreover, AGGs demonstrated efficacy in reducing oxidative injury and intracellular ROS levels in RAW 264.7 macrophages treated with H2O2. In addition to their antioxidant properties, AGGs exhibited anti-inflammatory effects, significantly inhibiting NO and inflammatory substance production in lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. These findings highlight the potential of AGG-rich forest-grown wild American ginseng as a functional food with promising implications for improving human health.

Anti-inflammatory effects of Athyrium yokoscense extract via inhibition of the Erk1/2 and NF-κB pathways in bisphenol A-stimulated A549 cells

Bisphenol A is an environmental endocrine disruptor that has similar functions to estrogen in humans. However, few studies have investigated pulmonary inflammation induced by BPA, and the effect of Athyrium yokoscense extract on this inflammatory response is unknown. In this study, we investigated this effect in A549 human alveolar epithelial cells. BPA at concentrations higher than 100 µM were cytotoxic to A549 cells at 24 and 48 h after treatment; however, AYE (100 µg/mL) had a protective effect against BPA-induced cytotoxicity. AYE also inhibited the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 proteins, activities of phospholipase A2, COX-2, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, and proinflammatory mediators including prostaglandin E2, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 induced by BPA in A549 cells. This study demonstrated that BPA, which induces chronic lung disease, causes oxidative stress and inflammatory response in lung epithelial cell line, and found that AYE reduces BPA-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory response by down-regulating the Erk1/2 and NF-κB pathways.

Release of Bioactive Peptides from Erythrina edulis (Chachafruto) Proteins under Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion

The estimated and concerning rise in world population over the next few years and the consequent increase in food demand will lead to a deterioration in global food security. To avoid or reduce this world crisis, informed and empowered consumers are turning to sustainable and nutrient-rich foods that substitute animal products, also reducing their associated environmental impact. Moreover, due to the demonstrated influence of diet on the risk of high incidence and mortality of noncommunicable diseases, the current established food pattern is focused on the consumption of foods that have functionality for health. Among these new foods, traditional and underutilized plants are gaining interest as alternative protein sources providing nutritional and biological properties. In this work, the potential of Erythrina edulis (chachafruto) proteins as a source of multifunctional peptides after transit through the gastrointestinal tract has been demonstrated, with antioxidant and immunostimulating effects in both biochemical assays and cell culture. While low molecular weight peptides released during the digestive process were found to be responsible for protection against oxidative stress mediated by their radical scavenging activity, high molecular weight peptides exerted immunostimulating effects by upregulation of immunoresponse-associated biomarkers. The findings of this study support the promising role of chachafruto proteins as a new antioxidant and immunostimulatory ingredient for functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Dietary anthocyanins balance immune signs in osteoarthritis and obesity - update of human in vitro studies and clinical trials

Anthocyanins are known to change ligand-receptor bindings, cell membrane permeability, and intracellular signaling pathways. The beneficial effects of dietary anthocyanins have been chronologically demonstrated in interventional and observational studies, including fourteen human chondrocyte studies and related cell culture assays, nineteen human clinical trials in osteoarthritis patients, seven in vivo obesity assays, nineteen in vitro assays in preadipocytes and related cells, and twenty-two clinical trials in overweight/obese subjects, which are critically discussed in this update. Strawberries, cherries, berries, pomegranate, tropical fruits, rosehip, purple rice, purple corn, red beans, and black soybean, together with cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, peonidin, some 3-O-glycosides, metabolites, and acylated anthocyanins from a potato cultivar have shown the best outcomes. The set of these five key tests and clinical trials, taken together, contributes to the understanding of the underlying mechanisms and pathways involved. Furthermore, this set shows the value of anthocyanins in counteracting the progression of osteoarthritis/obesity. The interplay between the inflammation of osteoarthritis and obesity, and the subsequent regulation/immunomodulation was performed through isolated and food anthocyanins. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties of anthocyanins explain the findings of the studies analyzed. However, further interventional studies should be conducted to finally establish the appropriate doses for anthocyanin supplementation, dose-response, and length of consumption, to include dietary recommendations for osteoarthritis/obese patients for preventive and management purposes.

Antioxidant Activity and the Potential Mechanism of the Fruit From Ailanthus altissima Swingle

The fruits of Ailanthus altissima Swingle (AS) possess a variety of pharmacological activities. Its antioxidant activity and the potential mode of action have not yet been investigated. In in vitro studies, AS revealed the strong reducing power and DPPH scavenging effect, but hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and ferrous ions-chelating ability were not strong. Meanwhile, the oxidative stress RAW264.7 cell injury model was established, the low and medium-doses of AS showed significant protective effects on the viability of H₂O₂-treated cells by CCK-8 method. Besides, three doses of AS all increased the activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px and decreased the MDA level compared with the H₂O₂ group, suggesting it significantly relieved oxidative stress of cells. The active ingredients and related targets of AS were collected by HERB and Swiss Target Prediction database, the common targets of drugs and diseases database were conducted by GeneCards database platform and the Venny platform. We screened the core targets of AS like threonine kinase1 (AKT1), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), sirtuin-1 (SIRT1), mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase (MTOR) by STRING database, and the key pathways involved PI3K-AKT and FoxO signaling pathway by KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Besides, qRT-PCR revealed AS preconditioning significantly up-regulated the expression level of AKT1, SIRT1, MAPK1, and MTOR in model cells, and the effect was related to the regulation of FoxO and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In summary, AS showed significant antioxidant activity and its potential mechanism was regulating FoxO and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Antioxidant properties of anthocyanins and their mechanism of action in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis develops due to lipid accumulation in the arterial wall and sclerosis as result of increased hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress, lipid oxidation, and protein oxidation. However, improving antioxidant status through diet may prevent the progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It is believed that polyphenol-rich plants contribute to the inverse relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and chronic disease. Anthocyanins are flavonoid polyphenols with antioxidant properties that have been associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. The consumption of anthocyanins increases total antioxidant capacity, antioxidant defense enzymes, and HDL antioxidant properties by several measures in preclinical and clinical populations. Anthocyanins appear to impart antioxidant actions via direct antioxidant properties, as well as indirectly via inducing intracellular Nrf2 activation and antioxidant gene expression. These actions counter oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling in cells present in atherosclerotic plaques, including macrophages and endothelial cells. Overall, anthocyanins may protect against atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease through their effects on cellular antioxidant status, oxidative stress, and inflammation; however, their underlying mechanisms of action appear to be complex and require further elucidation.

Oenothein B boosts antioxidant capacity and supports metabolic pathways that regulate antioxidant defense in Caenorhabditis elegans

Oenothein B (OEB) has various biological functions, although few studies have focused on its effect on in vivo metabolic phenotypes. In the present study, the systematic antioxidant activity of OEB was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo, and the effect of OEB on metabolic pathways related to antioxidant capacity of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) was explored. Our findings indicate that OEB exhibits great antioxidant capacity and ability to scavenge free radicals and that OEB treatment can protect RAW 264.7 macrophages from oxidative damage by increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity and glutathione (GSH) content and the corresponding gene expression (sod2, cat, gpx1), while decreasing malonic dialdehyde (MDA) content. Moreover, OEB treatment significantly reduced ROS accumulation under oxidative stress conditions and increased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and decreased MDA content in C. elegans. Metabolomics analysis revealed that sixteen out of forty-two significantly altered metabolites were selected as potential biomarkers related to alterations in the antioxidant status of worms, including metabolic pathways involved in amino acid metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, lipid metabolism, and purine metabolism. Overall, our results provide new insights into the effects of OEB treatment on antioxidant capacity and metabolism that suggest that OEB could be a potentially good source of natural antioxidants.

HPLC fingerprint analysis of Phyllanthus emblica ethanol extract and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Phyllanthus emblica L. (P. emblica) as a medical plant has been used to treat diseases in Asia. It is famous for a wide range of biological activities, especially for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. However, quality control underlying the bioactivity of P. emblica fruits remains to be studied.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, we evaluated the HPLC fingerprint and bioactivity of polyphenols extracted from P. emblica fruits grown in different habitats.

RESULTS

P. emblica fruits collected from 10 different habitats in Guangdong, Fujian, Yunnan, and Guangxi provinces in China were used to establish a simple and reliable HPLC fingerprint assay. Simultaneous quantification of three monophenols was also performed to determine assay quality and consistency. Additionally, chemical assessment of the different ethanolic extract (PEEE) from 10 P. emblica fruits demonstrated that they exhibited antioxidant activity by enhancing reducing power and total antioxidant capacity, scavenging hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion. PEEE protected RAW264.7 cells from oxidative damage by increasing glutathione content and total superoxide dismutase activity, suppressing MDA content. PEPE also alleviated lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells by decreasing release of pro-inflammatory mediators. Notably, the PEEE samples from Yunnan province showed the optimal antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects among all the PEEE samples.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, The PEEE HPLC fingerprint may help improve P. emblica quality control, and P. emblica with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities may be potentially applied in functional foods or in adjuvant therapy for medicinal development.

In vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity of eucalyptus leaf polyphenols extract and its effect on chicken meat quality and cecum microbiota

While eucalyptus leaf polyphenols extract (EPE) has been evaluated for its various bioactivities, few studies thus far have focused on its systemic antioxidant activity or its effects in chickens in relation to meat quality or the intestinal microbiome. Therefore, the goal of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activity of EPE in vitro and in vivo, and to evaluate its effect on chicken meat quality and cecum microbiota. In this study, EPE scavenged DPPH free radical, ABTS free radical, and superoxide radical, and showed strong reducing power in chemical-based assay. EPE protected RAW264.7 cells from H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage by improving total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity and glutathione (GSH) content, decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Additionally, EPE dietary supplementation was found to increase chicken meat antioxidant levels and quality. Furthermore, chickens fed a diet supplemented with EPE had differentially changed cecal microbial compositions when compared to controls. EPE supplementation notably improved the α-diversity of the cecum. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and the relative abundance of Verrucomicrobia at the phylum level were clearly enhanced in the cecum with EPE supplementation (p < 0.05), with the relative abundance of Subdivision 5 genera incertae sedis and Aminivibrio enriched at genus level (p < 0.05). Therefore, these findings indicate that EPE is a good source of natural antioxidants and could be used as antioxidant supplements in animal feed and other foods, contributing to gut health improvement.

Folium nelumbinis (Lotus leaf) volatile-rich fraction and its mechanisms of action against melanogenesis in B16 cells

This study was aimed at determining the influence of Folium nelumbinis (Lotus leaf) extracts on melanogenesis in vitro models of melanoma cell line. The anticancer activity of four fractions, including petroleum ether (PEE), n-hexane (HE), ethanol (EE), and ethyl acetate (EAE) from F. nelumbinis on B16 cell lines (C57BL/6J melanoma cell), were evaluated after 24 and 48 h treatment. Results showed that PEE as well as volatile-rich fractions of linolenic acid and linolenic acid ethyl ester significantly (p < 0.05) reduced tyrosinase activity and melanin content in B16 melanoma cells model. Meanwhile, PEE and its primarily contained compound triggered apoptosis of B16 cells in a dose-dependent way. These results demonstrated that PEE possessed effective activities against melanin and tyrosinase generations through the induction of apoptosis. Moreover, a relation between the volatile-rich fractions of F. nelumbinis and the anticancer effects was demonstrated as well.

p-Coumaroyl Anthocyanin Mixture Isolated from Tuber Epidermis of Solanum tuberosum Attenuates Reactive Oxygen Species and Pro-inflammatory Mediators by Suppressing NF-κB and STAT1/3 Signaling in LPS-Induced RAW264.7 Macrophages

Previously, we first reported the identification of four p-coumaroyl anthocyanins (petanin, peonanin, malvanin, and pelanin) from the tuber epidermis of colored potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv JAYOUNG). In this study, we investigated the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of a mixture of peonanin, malvanin, and pelanin (10 : 3 : 3; CAJY). CAJY displayed considerable radical scavenging capacity of 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), increased mRNA levels of the catalytic and modulatory subunit of glutamate cysteine ligase, and subsequent cellular glutathione content. These increases preceded the inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. CAJY inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in a concentration-dependent manner at the protein, mRNA, and promoter activity levels. These inhibitions caused attendant decreases in the production of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂). CAJY suppressed the production and mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6. Molecular data revealed that CAJY inhibited the transcriptional activity and translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and STAT3. Taken together, these results suggest that the anthocyanin mixture exerts anti-inflammatory effects in macrophages, at least in part by reducing ROS production and inactivating NF-κB and STAT 1/3.

Hydrogen sulfide attenuates oxidative stress-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation via S-sulfhydrating c-Jun at Cys269 in macrophages

Oxidative stress and inflammation are closely related to cardiovascular diseases. Although hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has been shown to have powerful anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, its role in macrophage inflammation was poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of H₂S in the regulation of macrophage NLRP3 inflammasome activation. We reported here that H₂S attenuated hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which led to caspase-1 activation and IL-1β production in macrophages. Moreover, H₂S exerted its protective effects by lowering the generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS). Mechanistically, S-sulfhydration of c-Jun by H₂S enhanced its transcriptional activity on SIRT3 and p62, which contributed to the decrease of mtROS production. S-sulfhydration sites are investigated by site directed mutagenesis. Findings showed that S-sulfhydrated c-Jun exerted its protective influences via a c-Jun Cys269-dependent manner. Moreover, the protective effects of H₂S were absent in macrophage from SIRT3 knockout mice. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that H₂S attenuates oxidative stress-induced mtROS production and NLRP3 inflammasome activation via S-sulfhydrating c-Jun at cysteine 269 in macrophages.

Polyphenol-Rich Dry Common Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and Their Health Benefits

Polyphenols are plant metabolites with potent anti-oxidant properties, which help to reduce the effects of oxidative stress-induced dreaded diseases. The evidence demonstrated that dietary polyphenols are of emerging increasing scientific interest due to their role in the prevention of degenerative diseases in humans. Possible health beneficial effects of polyphenols are based on the human consumption and their bioavailability. Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are a greater source of polyphenolic compounds with numerous health promoting properties. Polyphenol-rich dry common beans have potential effects on human health, and possess anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory and anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic properties. Based on the studies, the current comprehensive review aims to provide up-to-date information on the nutritional compositions and health-promoting effect of polyphenol-rich common beans, which help to explore their therapeutic values for future clinical studies. Investigation of common beans and their impacts on human health were obtained from various library databases and electronic searches (Science Direct PubMed, and Google Scholar).

Melaleuca quinquenervia essential oil inhibits α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-induced melanin production and oxidative stress in B16 melanoma cells

BACKGROUND

Essential oils are odorous, volatile products of plant secondary metabolism, which are found in many leaves and stems. They show important biological activities, which account for the development of aromatherapy used in complementary and alternative medicine. The essential oil extracted from Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.T. Blake (paperbark) (MQ-EO) has various functional properties.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to investigate the chemical composition of MQ-EO by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and evaluate its tyrosinase inhibitory activity.

METHODS

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based metabolomics was used to identify 18 components in MQ-EO. The main components identified were 1,8-cineole (21.60%), α-pinene (15.93%), viridiflorol (14.55%), and α-terpineol (13.73%). B16 melanoma cells were treated with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) in the presence of various concentrations of MQ-EO or its major compounds. Cell viability was accessed by MTT assay and cellular tyrosinase activity and melanin content were determined by using spectrophotographic methods. The antioxidant mechanism of MQ-EO in α-MSH stimulated B16 cells was also investigated.

RESULTS

In α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-stimulated murine B16 melanoma cells, MQ-EO, 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, and α-terpineol significantly reduced melanin content and tyrosinase activity. Moreover, MQ-EO, 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, and α-terpineol decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. In addition, restored glutathione (GSH) levels, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase activities were increased in α-MSH-stimulated B16 cells. MQ-EO not only decreased apoptosis but also reduced DNA damage in α-MSH stimulated B16 cells. These results showed that MQ-EO and its main components, 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, and α-terpineol, possessed potent anti-tyrosinase and anti-melanogenic activities besides the antioxidant properties.

CONCLUSIONS

The active functional components of MQ-EO were found to be 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, and α-terpineol. Consequently, the results of present study suggest that MQ-EO is non-cytotoxic and can be used as a skin-whitening agent, both medically and cosmetically.

Comparative suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome activation with LPS-induced inflammation by blueberry extracts (Vaccinium spp.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammation effects of blueberry extracts through NLRP3 inflammasome.