Inhibition of methanol extract from the aerial parts of Saururus chinensis on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide and prostagladin E2 production from murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells

The chromosome-level genomes of the herbal magnoliids Warburgia ugandensis and Saururus chinensis

Warburgia ugandensis and Saururus chinensis are two of the most important medicinal plants in magnoliids and are widely utilized in traditional Kenya and Chinese medicine, respectively. The absence of higher-quality reference genomes has hindered research on the medicinal compound biosynthesis mechanisms of these plants. We report the chromosome-level genome assemblies of W. ugandensis and S. chinensis, and generated 1.13 Gb and 0.53 Gb genomes from 74 and 27 scaffolds, respectively, using BGI-DIPSEQ, Nanopore, and Hi-C sequencing. The scaffold N50 lengths were 82.97 Mb and 48.53 Mb, and the assemblies were anchored to 14 and 11 chromosomes of W. ugandensis and S. chinensis, respectively. In total, 24,739 and 20,561 genes were annotated, and 98.5% and 98% of the BUSCO genes were fully represented, respectively. The chromosome-level genomes of W. ugandensis and S. chinensis will be valuable resources for understanding the genetics of these medicinal plants, studying the evolution of magnoliids and angiosperms and conserving plant genetic resources.

Saururus chinensis-controlled allergic pulmonary disease through NF-κB/COX-2 and PGE2 pathways

Saururus chinensis is a perennial herb found in the northeastern regions of Asia, including Korea, China, and Japan, and is used in traditional medicine. Studies have identified the four major constituents in Saururus chinensis water extract (LHF618^®) as miquelianin (11.75 ± 0.092 mg/g), rutin (1.20 ± 0.008 mg/g), quercitrin (2.38 ± 0.389 mg/g), and quercetin (0.068 ± 0.017 mg/g). Saururus chinensis can improve the symptoms of ovalbumin- or fine dust-induced allergic pulmonary disease by suppressing the effects of WBCs and neutrophils in BALF and IgE in the serum. Saururus chinensis dose-dependently recovered morphological changes such as mucous hyper secretion (from 2.7 ± 0.46 to 0.6 ± 0.65), pulmonary epithelial cell hyperplasia (from 2.4 ± 0.55 to 0.7 ± 0.67), and inflammatory cell infiltration (from 2.3 ± 0.45 to 0.6 ± 0.43), and effectively controlled cDNA levels and protein levels of IL-13. It inhibited NF-κB translocation and COX-2 protein synthesis and suppressed the expression of PGE₂. Our results show that Saururus chinensis controlled allergic pulmonary disease via the anti-inflammatory pathways, NF-κB/COX-2 and PGE₂. Saururus chinensis may be a promising drug candidate against fine dust-induced allergic pulmonary disease.

Potent Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Actions of the Chloroform Extract of Dendropanax morbifera Mediated by the Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway

Dendropanax morbifera LEVEILLE (DP) has been used in traditional Korean medicines to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases. Although the in vitro anti-inflammatory potential of this plant is understood, its in vivo efficacy and underlying molecular mechanism of anti-inflammatory effects are largely unknown. We elucidated the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities and the underlying molecular mechanisms of DP using in vitro and in vivo models. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophages were used to analyze the in vitro anti-inflammatory potential of DP extract and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. In vivo animal models of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear edema and acetic acid-induced writhing response tests were used to analyze the in vivo anti-inflammatory effects and anti-nociceptive effects of DP extract, respectively. Methanolic extract of DP (DPME) significantly inhibited the release of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in LPS-activated macrophages. Among the five sub-fractions, the chloroform fraction (DP-C) showed the most potent suppressive effects against pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines in LPS-stimulated macrophages. These effects were attributed to inhibition of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) nuclear translocation and c-Jun N terminal kinase (JNK) 1/2 phosphorylation and to activation of NF-E2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1) signaling. DP-C exhibited strong protective in vivo effects in TPA-induced ear edema mouse model and acetic acid-induced writhing response test. Our data suggest that DP-C has potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities and may be a promising treatment against a variety of inflammatory diseases.

Protective Effects of Manassantin A against Ethanol-Induced Gastric Injury in Rats

Manassantin A, a neolignan isolated from Saururus chinensis, is a major phytochemical compound that has various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, neuroleptic, and human acyl-CoA : cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitory activities. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of manassantin A against ethanol-induced acute gastric injury in rats. Gastric injury was induced by intragastric administration of 5 mL/kg body weight of absolute ethanol to each rat. The positive control group and the manassantin A group were given oral doses of omeprazole (20 mg/kg) or manassantin A (15 mg/kg), respectively, 1 h prior to the administration of absolute ethanol. Our examinations revealed that manassantin A pretreatment reduced ethanol-induced hemorrhage, hyperemia, and epithelial cell loss in the gastric mucosa. Manassantin A pretreatment also attenuated the increased lipid peroxidation associated with ethanol-induced acute gastric lesions, increased the mucosal glutathione (GSH) content, and enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β were clearly decreased in the manassantin A-pretreated group. In addition, manassantin A pretreatment enhanced the levels of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, COX-2, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and reduced the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) overproduction and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) phosphorylation. Collectively, these results indicate that manassantin A protects the gastric mucosa from ethanol-induced acute gastric injury, and suggest that these protective effects might be associated with COX/PGE2 stimulation, inhibition of iNOS production and NF-κB activation, and improvements in the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory status.

Saururus chinensis Baill induces apoptosis through endoplasmic reticulum stress in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells

In this study, we examined the mechanism underlying the effect of Saururus chinensis Baill (saururaceae) on hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. HepG2 cells and Chang cells were exposed to various concentrations of S. chinensis Baill extract (SC-E) for 24 h. SC-E affected more significantly HepG2 cells than Chang cells in terms of cell viability and ATP production. Therefore, current study examined detailed mechanism how SC-E affected HepG2 cell survival. We found that SC-E (75 and 150 μg/ml) induced apoptosis via oxidative stress. SC-E also caused CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) activation by dissociating the binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP) from inositol-requiring 1α (IRE1α) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and induced Bax, cytochrome c release to cytosol, caspase-3 activation, and poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage, resulting in HepG2 cell apoptosis. Furthermore, SC-E caused ER Ca(2+) leakage into the cytosol; ER dilation and mitochondrial membrane damage were observed in transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Taken together, our results demonstrated that SC-E induced cancer cell apoptosis specifically through ER stress.

Inhibitory effects of Saururus chinensis and its components on stomach cancer cells

Saururus chinensis (SC) Baill. (Saururaceae), a perennial herb commonly called Chinese lizard's tail or Sam-baekcho in Korea, has been used in the treatment of edema, gonorrhea, jaundice, and inflammatory diseases. Recently, several reports have been commissioned to examine the anti-cancer activities of this plant. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory activity and mechanism of action on SC and its components against stomach cancer cells. SC extracts displayed cytotoxic effects on AGS cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, SC increased the number of annexin V-positive apoptotic bodies and phosphorylated JNK and p38 in AGS cells. SC also down-regulated anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) genes and up-regulated apoptotic (Bax) genes in AGS cells. We further confirmed that caspase activation plays an important role in SC-induced apoptosis in AGS cells. Furthermore, we examined erythro-Austrobailignan-6 and meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid, major active constituents of SC, which induced apoptosis in both the AGS and NCI-N87 stomach cancer cell lines. Taken together, our data provide the evidence that SC and its components induce apoptosis in stomach cancer cells, making it a potential candidate as a chemotherapeutic drug.

Anti-proliferative neolignans from Saururus chinensis against human cancer cell lines

Activity-guided fractionation of an 80% EtOH extract from the aerial parts of Saururus chinensis led to isolation of three anti-proliferative neolignans (1-3) along with four flavonoids (4-7) and four aristolactams (8-11). Their chemical structures were identified by analysis of spectroscopic data. All compounds 1-11 were evaluated for their activities against 28 human cancer cell lines using an in vitro cell proliferation assay. Compounds 1-3 showed potent anti-proliferative activities against cervical (C33a, IC50=0.01 µM for 1; 0.28 µM for 2; 2.80 µM for 3) and lung (NCI-H460, IC50=0.05 µM for 1; 1.37 µM for 2; 6.46 µM for 3) cancer cells without any remarkable cytotoxic effects on human normal lung cells as a control. Taken together, these data demonstrated the identification of anti-proliferative neolignans which are active components of S. chinensis.

A methylene chloride fraction of Saururus chinensis induces apoptosis through the activation of caspase-3 in prostate and breast cancer cells

The aerial parts of Saururus chinensis (SC) have been used for the treatment of edema, fever, jaundice, and inflammatory diseases in Korean folk medicine for centuries. However, the mechanism by which SC exerts these anti-tumorigenic activities in human prostate and breast cancer cells has not yet been fully understood. In this study, we report on the methylene chloride fraction from SC exerting cytotoxicity against prostate and breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Specifically, SC exerted the most potent cytotoxicity in LNCaP and MCF-7 cells. SC was shown to down-regulate various angiogenetic (VEGF), proliferative (Cyclin D₁, anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) gene products in these cells. SC also increased the number of annexin V-positive apoptotic bodies and the sub-G1 DNA contents of the cell cycle undergoing apoptosis through caspase-3 activation in both LNCaP and MCF-7 cells. We further confirmed that caspase-3 plays an important role in SC-induced apoptosis in LNCaP and MCF-7 cells through the use of the caspase-3 inhibitor. Moreover, we observed that SC potentiated paclitaxel-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells and sauchinone is a major active constituent of SC, which could induce apoptosis in the cells. Taken together, our data provide the evidence that SC induces apoptosis depending on caspase-3 activation and overcomes the natural biological resistance to chemotherapy found in human prostate and breast cancer cells.

Ethanol extracts of Saururus chinensis suppress ovalbumin-sensitization airway inflammation

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aerial part of Saururus chinensis has been used in folk medicine to treat several inflammatory diseases in China and Korea. Previously, our group reported that anti-asthmatic activity of an ethanol extract of Saururus chinensis (ESC) might occur, in part, via the inhibition of prostaglandin D(2) (PGD(2)) and leukotriene C(4) (LTC(4)) production, and degranulation reaction in vitro, as well as through the down-regulation of interleukin (IL)-4 and eotaxin mRNA expression in an in vivo ovalbumin-sensitization animal model. However, the effects of Saururus chinensis on eicosanoid generation, as well as Th2 cytokines and eotaxin production in an in vivo asthma model, have not been fully investigated. Moreover, it has not been determined whether ESC can ameliorate airway inflammation in vivo. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic activity of Saururus chinensis on ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized airway inflammation and its major phytochemical compositions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Asthma was induced in BALB/c mice by ovalbumin-sensitization and inhalation. ESC (10-100 mg/kg) or dexamethasone (5 mg/kg), a positive control, was administered 7 times orally every 12 h from one day before the first challenge to 1 h before the second challenge. The recruitment of inflammatory cells and hyperplasia of goblet cells were evaluated by H&E and PAS staining. Levels of Th2 cytokines, eotaxin, PGD(2) and LTC(4) were measured to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of ESC in OVA-sensitized mice. Contents of major components were analyzed by HPLC using a reversed-phase C18 column.

RESULTS

ESC (10 mg/kg) suppressed allergic airway inflammation by inhibition of the production of IL-4 (P<0.001), IL-5 (P<0.05), IL-13 (P<0.001), eotaxin (P<0.001), PGE(2) (P<0.001), LTC(4) (P<0.001) in lung extract and IgE level (P<0.001) in the serum. In addition, ESC (50 mg/kg) reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells and hyperplasia of goblet cells in the lung tissues. The anti-inflammatory effect of ESC was comparable to that of the positive control drug, dexamethasone. Its major phytochemical composition includes manassantin A, B and sauchinone.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that ESC decreased inflammation and mucus secretion in the OVA-induced bronchial asthma model, and its anti-asthmatic activity may occur in part via the inhibition of Th2 cytokines and eotaxin protein expression, as well as through prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and leukotriene C(4) (LTC(4)) generation. This effects may be attributed particularly to the presence of manassantin A, B and sauchinone major component evidenced by a HPLC analysis.

In-vitro and in-vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of the methanol extract of the roots of Morinda officinalis

The anti-inflammatory effects of the methanol extract of the roots of Morinda officinalis (MEMO) (Rubiaceae) were evaluated in-vitro and in-vivo. The effects of MEMO on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced responses in the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 were examined. MEMO potently inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Consistent with these results, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at the protein level, and of iNOS, COX-2 and TNF-α at the mRNA level, was also inhibited by MEMO in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, MEMO inhibited the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation induced by LPS, and this was associated with the prevention of degradation of the inhibitor κB (IκB), and subsequently with attenuated p65 protein in the nucleus. The anti-inflammatory effect of MEMO was examined in rats using the carrageenan-induced oedema model. The antinociceptive effects of MEMO were assessed in mice using the acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction test and the hot-plate test. MEMO (100, 200 mg kg−1 per day, p.o.) exhibited anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects in these animal models. Taken together, the data demonstrate that MEMO has anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity, inhibiting iNOS, COX-2 and TNF-α expression by down-regulating NF-κB binding activity.

Anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and anti-nociceptive activities of Saururus chinensis extract

ETHNOPHARMACOLGICAL RELEVANCE: The aerial parts of Saururus chinensis Baill. are used for the treatment of edema and inflammatory diseases in the Oriental folk medicine.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to elucidate anti-inflammatory and related activities of the ethanol extract (SC) of the dried aerial parts of Saururus chinensis Baill.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Anti-angiogenic and anti-nociceptive activities of SC were analyzed using the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay and acetic acid-induced writhing response, respectively. Anti-inflammatory activity of SC was evaluated using acetic acid-induced vascular permeability, carrageenan-induced air pouch formation and analyses of nitrite content and induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) level in the macrophage cells.

RESULTS

SC dose-dependently displayed a strong inhibition in the CAM angiogenesis. SC showed significant anti-nociceptive activity in the writhing model. The anti-inflammatory activity of SC was also assessed in the two in vivo models, such as vascular permeability and air pouch models in mice. SC suppressed production of nitric oxide and induction of iNOS and cyclooxygenase-2 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages.

CONCLUSION

The aerial parts of Saururus chinensis possess potent anti-angiogenic and anti-nociceptive activities in addition to anti-inflammatory activity, which partly supports its therapeutic efficacy.

Saucernetin-7 isolated from Saururus chinensis induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells

In the present study, we investigated the effect of saucernetin-7 (a biologically active compound isolated from the underground parts of Saururus chinensi) on the induction of apoptosis and the putative pathways of its action in HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells. Saucernetin-7-treated HL-60 cells displayed several features of apoptosis, including DNA fragmentation, DNA laddering by agarose gel electrophoresis, and externalization of annexin-V targeted phosphatidylserine (PS) residues. z-VAD-fmk (a broad-caspase inhibitor) almost completely suppressed saucernetin-7-induced DNA ladder formation, thereby implicating the caspase cascade in the apoptotic process. We also observed that saucernetin-7 caused the activations of caspase-3, -8 and -9, and that it induced Bid cleavage, the mitochondrial translocation of Bax from the cytosol, and cytochrome c release from mitochondria, but it had no effect on Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL levels. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that saucernetin-7 is a potent inducer of apoptosis and that its activity is facilitated by caspase-8 activation, Bid cleavage, Bax translocation to mitochondria, release of cytochrome c into cytoplasm, and subsequently caspase-3 activation, which offers a potential mechanism for the apoptosis-inducing activity of saucernetin-7.

Anti-inflammatory activities of ent-16αH,17-hydroxy-kauran-19-oic acid isolated from the roots of Siegesbeckia pubescens are due to the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages via NF-κB inactivation

To isolate the anti-inflammatory components in Siegesbeckia pubescens root, we performed activity-guided fractionation using a carrageenan-induced edema rat model. Antinociceptive effects were followed using acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction and hot plate tests in mice. Chloroform extract was subjected to silica gel and octadesyl silane (ODS) column chromatography, and a diterpene was isolated which was identified as ent-16alphaH,17-hydroxy-kauran-19-oic acid (siegeskaurolic acid). Pretreatment with siegeskaurolic acid (20 or 30 mg/kg/day, p.o.) exhibited anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects in these animal models. To investigate the mechanisms underlying this anti-inflammatory action, we investigated the effect of siegeskaurolic acid on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced responses in a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. Siegeskaurolic acid was found to significantly inhibit the productions of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Consistent with these findings, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins, and iNOS, COX-2, and TNF-alpha mRNAs were found to be inhibited by siegeskaurolic acid. Furthermore, siegeskaurolic acid inhibited the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation induced by LPS, and this was associated with the prevention of inhibitor kappaB degradation (I kappaB), and subsequently with decreased nuclear p65 and p50 protein levels. Taken together, our data indicate that the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of siegeskaurolic acid may be due to iNOS, COX-2 and TNF-alpha inhibition via the down-regulation of NF-kappaB binding activity.

Preventive effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBB) on the lipopolysaccharide-induced expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 via suppression of nuclear factor-kappaB in RAW 264.7 cells

During our ongoing efforts to identify bioactive natural products with anti-inflammatory activity, we produced an extract from Ginkgo biloba (GBB) which contains higher levels of the active principles terpene and biflavonoid than EGb, the standard commercially available extract. In the present study, we examined and compared the effects of these two extracts on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production by the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. Our data indicate that GBB is a more potent inhibitor of NO and PGE2 production than EGb 761, and it also significantly decreased tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha release. Consistent with these observations, the protein and mRNA expression levels of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were found to be inhibited by GBB in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, GBB inhibited the LPS-induced DNA binding activity of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), which was associated with the prevention of IkappaB degradation, and subsequently with decreased p65 protein level in the nucleus. These results suggest that GBB inhibits LPS-induced iNOS, COX-2 and TNF-alpha expressions through the down-regulation of NF-kappaB-DNA binding activity.

In vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of the methanol extract of Inonotus obliquus

The mushroom Inonotus obliquus (Fr.) Pilát (Hymenochaetaceae), has been traditionally used for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes in Russia, Poland and most of Baltic countries. This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of the methanol extract from Inonotus obliquus (MEIO) in vivo and in vitro. MEIO (100 or 200 mg/(kgday), p.o.) reduced acute paw edema induced by carrageenin in rats, and showed analgesic activity, as determined by an acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction test and a hot plate test in mice. To reveal the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of MEIO, we examined its effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced responses in a murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. MEIO was found to significantly inhibit the productions of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Consistent with these observations, MEIO potently inhibited the protein and mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Furthermore, MEIO inhibited the LPS-induced DNA binding activity of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), and this was associated with the prevention of inhibitor kappaB degradation and a reduction in nuclear p65 protein levels. Taken together, our data indicate that the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive properties of MEIO may be due to the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression via the down-regulation of NF-kappaB binding activity.

Saucernetin-8 isolated from Saururus chinensis induced the differentiation of human acute promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells

The present work was performed to investigate the effects of saucernetin-8 on proliferation and differentiation of human leukemia HL-60 cells as well as the underlying mechanisms for these effects. Saucernetin-8 exhibited a potent antiproliferative activity against HL-60 cells. This compound was also found to be a potent inducer of differentiation in human leukemia derived HL-60 cells through the examination of differentiation markers, as assessed by nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test, esterase activity assay, phagocytic activity assay, morphology change, and expression of CD14 and CD66b surface antigens. These results suggest that saucernetin-8 induces the differentiation of human leukemia cells to granulocytes and monocytes/macrophages lineage. Moreover, DNA flow-cytometry indicated that saucernetin-8 induced a G1 phase arrest of HL-60 cells. The protein and mRNA expression levels of p21 were up-regulated during saucernetin-8-dependent HL-60 cell differentiation, whereas the level of c-myc was down-regulated. Taken together, our results suggest that saucernetin-8 may have potential as a therapeutic agent in human leukemia.

ESP-102, a standardized combined extract of Angelica gigas, Saururus chinensis and Schizandra chinensis, significantly improved scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice

We assessed the effects of oral treatments of ESP-102, a standardized combined extract of Angelica gigas, Saururus chinensis and Schizandra chinensis, on learning and memory deficit. The cognition-enhancing effect of ESP-102 was investigated in scopolamine-induced (1 mg/kg body weight, s.c.) amnesic mice with both passive avoidance and Morris water maze performance tests. Acute oral treatment (single administration prior to scopolamine treatment) of mice with ESP-102 (doses in the range of 10 to 100 mg/kg body weight) significantly reduced scopolamine-induced memory deficits in the passive avoidance performance test. Another noteworthy result included the fact that prolonged oral daily treatments of mice with much lower amounts of ESP-102 (1 and 10 mg/kg body weight) for ten days reversed scopolamine-induced memory deficits. In the Morris water maze performance test, both acute and prolonged oral treatments with ESP-102 (single administration of 100 mg/kg body weight or prolonged daily administration of 1 and 10 mg/kg body weight for ten days, respectively, significantly ameliorated scopolamine-induced memory deficits as indicated by the formation of long-term and/or short-term spatial memory. In addition, we investigated the effects of ESP-102 on neurotoxicity induced by amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta25-35) or glutamate in primary cultured cortical neurons of rats. Pretreatment of cultures with ESP-102 (0.001, 0.01 and 0.1 mug/ml) significantly protected neurons from neurotoxicity induced by either glutamate or Abeta25-35. These results suggest that ESP-102 may have some protective characteristics against neuronal cell death and cognitive impairments often observed in Alzheimer's disease, stroke, ischemic injury and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Anti-inflammatory effect of caffeic acid methyl ester and its mode of action through the inhibition of prostaglandin E2, nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-α production

The anti-inflammatory effects of caffeic acid (CA), caffeic acid methyl ester (CM) and di-O-acetylcaffeic acid (DAC) were investigated in rats using the carrageenin-induced edema model and the antinociceptive effects of these compounds were also assessed in mice by means of the acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction test and hot plate test. CM (10mg/kg, p.o.) showed the most potent anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects in these animal models. To investigate the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory action, we examined the effects of these compounds on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO and PGE2 responses in the murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. Our data indicate that CM is the most potent inhibitor of NO and PGE2 production and it also significantly decreased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) release. Consistent with these observations, the protein and mRNA expression levels of iNOS and COX-2 were found to be inhibited by CM in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, CM inhibited the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation induced by LPS, which was associated with the prevention of the degradation of the inhibitor kappaB, and subsequently with decreased p65 protein levels in the nucleus. Taken together, our data indicate that the anti-inflammatory properties of CM might result from the inhibition of iNOS, COX-2 and TNF-alpha expression through the down-regulation of NF-kappaB binding activity.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of the extract from Kalopanax pictus, Pueraria thunbergiana and Rhus verniciflua

The combined extracts obtained from three Chinese herb medicine, Kalopanax pictus, Pueraria thunbergiana and Rhus verniciflua, have been used as therapeutics for diabetes mellitus in Korea. In the present study, we have investigated their possible anti-inflammatory effects by comparing the potency of individual extracts with that of the combined extracts. An individual water extract prepared from Kalopanax pictus, Pueraria thunbergiana, and Rhus verniciflua was named K-1, P-1, and R-1, respectively. Simultaneously, we also prepared the combined extracts from above three plant materials by identical methods and named KPR-1. These four extracts were further fractionated into the EtOAc extracts, and these were designated as K-2, P-2, R-2, and KPR-2, respectively. These eight samples were subjected to the nitrite assays in LPS-induced macrophage 264.7 cells. KPR-2 exhibited the most pronounced effect on the inhibition of NO production among all the extracts. KPR-2 also significantly decreased PGE2, and TNF-alpha release. In addition, KPR-2 showed in vivo anti-inflammatory activity against acute paw edema induced by carrageenan in rats. When analgesic activity was measured by the acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction and hot plate test, KPR-2 showed a dose-dependent inhibition in animal models. These results suggested that the mixture extract and successive fractionation could lead to the better use of anti-inflammatory medicinal crude drugs.

Inhibition of Methanol Extract from the Fruits of Kochia scoparia on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Nitric Oxide, Prostagladin E2, and Tumor Necrosis Factor-.ALPHA. Production from Murine Macrophage RAW 264.7 Cells

In an attempt to search for bioactive natural products exerting antiinflammatory activity, we have evaluated the effects of the methanol extract of the fruits of Kochia scoparia (L.) CHARD. (Chenopodiaceae) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha release by the macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. Our data indicate that this extract is a potent inhibitor of NO production and it also significantly decreased PGE(2) and TNF-alpha release. Consistent with these observations, the protein and mRNA expression level of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 was inhibited by MeOH extracts of Kochia scoparia (KSM) in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, KSM inhibited the LPS-induced DNA binding activity of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), which was associated with prevention of the inhibitor kappaB degradation. These results suggest that the methanol extract of K. scoparia inhibits LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 expression by blocking NF-kappaB activation.

Anti-inflammatory and Anti-nociceptive Effects of the Methanol Extract of Fomes fomentarius

In an attempt to find bioactive natural products with an anti-inflammatory activity, we evaluated the effects of the methanol extract of Fomes fomentarius (MEFF) on in vivo anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities. MEFF (50, 100 mg/kg/d, p.o.) reduced acute paw edema induced by carrageenin in rats, and showed MEFF analgesic activity, as determined by an acetic acid-induced writhing test and a hot plate test in mice. To investigate the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory action of MEFF, we examined the effect of MEFF on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced responses in murine macrophages cell line RAW 264.7. MEFF potently inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Consistent with these observations, inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) levels were reduced by MEFF in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, MEFF suppressed nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. These findings suggest that the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive properties of the methanol extract of MEFF may result from the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression through the down-regulation of NF-kappaB binding activity.

Suppression of RelA/p65 transactivation activity by a lignoid manassantin isolated from Saururus chinensis

In our search for NF-kappaB inhibitors from natural resources, we have previously identified two structurally related dilignans, manassantin A and B as specific inhibitors of NF-kappaB activation from Saururus chinensis. However, their molecular mechanism of action remains unclear. We here demonstrate that manassantins A and B are potent inhibitors of NF-kappaB activation by the suppression of transciptional activity of RelA/p65 subunit of NF-kappaB. These compounds significantly inhibited the induced expression of NF-kappaB reporter gene by LPS or TNF-alpha in a dose-dependent manner. However, these compounds did not prevent the DNA-binding activity of NF-kappaB assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay as well as the induced-degradation of IkappaB-alpha protein by LPS or TNF-alpha. Further analysis revealed that manassantins A and B dose-dependently suppressed not only the induced NF-kappaB activation by overexpression of RelA/p65, but also transactivation activity of RelA/p65. Furthermore, treatment of cells with these compounds prevented the TNF-alpha-induced expression of anti-apoptotic NF-kappaB target genes Bfl-1/A1, a prosurvival Bcl-2 homologue, and resulted in sensitizing HT-1080 cells to TNF-alpha-induced cell death. Similarly, these compounds also suppressed the LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and nitric oxide production. Taken together, manassantins A and B could be valuable candidate for the intervention of NF-kappaB-dependent pathological condition such as inflammation and cancer.