AIP1, a Water-Soluble Fraction from Artemisia iwayomogi, Suppresses Thymocyte Apoptosis in Vitro and Down-Regulates the Expression of Fas Gene

Inhibitory Effect of Chemical Constituents Isolated from Artemisia iwayomogi on Polyol Pathway and Simultaneous Quantification of Major Bioactive Compounds

Blocking the polyol pathway plays an important role preventing diabetic complications. Therefore, aldose reductase (AR) and advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) formation has significant effect on diabetic complications. Artemisia iwayomogi has long been used as treatment of various diseases in Korea. However, no literatures have reported on AR and AGEs formation inhibitory activities of A. iwayomogi. For these reasons, we aimed to assess that A. iwayomogi had potential as anti-diabetic complications agents. We led to isolation of two coumarins (1 and 2), nine flavonoids (3–11), five caffeoylquinic acids (12–16), three diterpene glycosides (17–19), and one phenolic compound (20) from A. iwayomogi. Among them, hispidulin (4), 6-methoxytricin (6), arteanoflavone (7), quercetin-3-gentiobioside (10), 1,3-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (13), and suavioside A (18) were first reported on the isolation from A. iwayomogi. Not only two coumarins (1 and 2), nine flavonoids (3–11), and five caffeoylquinic acids (12–16) but also extracts showed significant inhibitor on AR and AGEs formation activities. We analyzed contents of major bioactive compounds in Korea's various regions of A. iwayomogi. Overall, we selected Yangyang, Gangwon-do, from June, which contained the highest amounts of bioactive compounds, as suitable areas for cultivating A. iwayomogi as preventive or therapeutic agent in the treatment of diabetic complications.

Four-Week Repeated Oral Toxicity Study of AIP1, a Water-soluble Carbohydrate Fraction from Artemisia iwayomogi in Mice

Artemisia iwayomogi, a member of the Compositae, is a perennial herb easily found in Korea and used as a traditional medicine to treat liver disease. AIP1, a water-soluble carbohydrate fraction from Artemisia iwayomogi, showed anti-tumor and immuno-modulating activities in animal studies. A subacute toxicological evaluation of AIP1 was performed for 4 weeks in ICR mice. After administration of AIP1 (0, 20, 100, 500 mg/kg/day), the clinical signs, mortalities, body weight changes, hematology, blood clinical biochemistry, urinalysis, organ histopathology, organ weights and gross finding were examined. The results showed that there were no significant differences in body weight changes, food intakes, water consumptions, or organ weights among different dose groups. Also we observed no death and abnormal clinical signs during the experimental period. Between the groups orally treated with AIP1 and the control group, there was no statistical significance in hematological test or serum biochemical values. Histopathological examination showed no abnormal changes in AIP1 groups. These results suggest that no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of the oral administration of AIP1 for 4 weeks was considered to be more than 500 mg/kg/ day in mice under the condition investigated in current study.

The effect of aqueous cinnamon extract on the apoptotic process in acute myeloid leukemia HL-60 cells

BACKGROUND

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is an acute leukemia diagnosed by translocation of chromosomes 15 and 17 [T (15,17)] and aggregation of neoplastic promyelocytes which are incapable of being converted into mature cells. Today, many tend to use medicinal herbs in studies and clinical applications for treatment of cancers. Cinnamon with scientific name "cinnamomumzelanicum" is a shrub of Laurales order, lauraceae family with cinnamomum genus. It is a medicinal shrub with anti-proliferation effect on tumor cells. This study was conducted to determine the effects of aqueous cinnamon extract on HL-60 cells as a model for APL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this in vitro experimental study, HL-60 cell line was cultured under the influence of cinnamon extract's concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 2 mg/ml in with intervals of 24, 48, and 72 h. Growth inhibition and toxic effects of cinnamon extract were evaluated through tetrazolium salt reduction. The effect of this herb on the cell cycle was studied by flow cytometry. The Hoechst stain was used to detect apoptotic cell nuclei.

RESULTS

Cinnamon extract inhibited the growth of HL-60 cells as correlated with concentration and time. After 72 h of treating HL-60 cells with 0.01 mg/l cinnamon extract, the growth of cells was inhibited by 90.1%. Cinnamon extract stopped the cell cycle in G1 phase and the Hoechst staining verified the apoptotic process in those cells.

CONCLUSION

Considering the inhibitory property of cinnamon extract, we recommend it as a single drug or besides other medications for treating promyelocytic leukemia.

Artemisia iwayomogi Extract Attenuates High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity by Decreasing the Expression of Genes Associated with Adipogenesis in Mice

The objective of the present study was to determine whether Artemisia iwayomogi (AI) extract reduces visceral fat accumulation and obesity-related biomarkers in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), and if so, whether these effects are exerted by modulation of the expression of genes associated with adipogenesis and inflammation. AI extract supplementation for 11 weeks significantly prevented HFD-induced increments in body weight, visceral adiposity, adipocyte hypertrophy, and plasma levels of lipids and leptin. Additionally, AI extract supplementation resulted in downregulation of adipogenic transcription factors (PPARγ2 and C/EBPα) and their target genes (CD36, aP2, and FAS) in epididymal adipose tissue compared to the HFD alone. The AI extract effectively reversed the HFD-induced elevations in plasma glucose and insulin levels and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index. Furthermore, the extract significantly decreased gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα, MCP1, IL-6, IFNα, and INFβ) in epididymal adipose tissue and reduced plasma levels of TNFα and MCP1 as compared to HFD alone. In conclusion, these results suggest that AI extract may prevent HFD-induced obesity and metabolic disorders, probably by downregulating the expression of genes related to adipogenesis and inflammation in visceral adipose tissue.

Phenolic compounds from Artemisia iwayomogi and their effects on osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

One new (4) and twelve known phenolic compounds (1-3, 5-13) were isolated from a 70% MeOH extract of the aerial parts of Artemisia iwayomogi. The new compound was identified as 7,8-dimethoxy-coumarin-9-O-(6'-O-(E)-coumaroyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4) and named iwayomin. The effects of compounds 1-13 on the function of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were examined by evaluating cell viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, collagen synthesis, and mineralization in the presence of each compound. Compounds 3, 4, 7, and 9 showed potential in stimulating osteoblastic bone formation and may be useful for the prevention and/or treatment of osteoporosis.

A Carbohydrate Fraction, AIP1, from Artemisia Iwayomogi Reduces the Action Potential Duration by Activation of Rapidly Activating Delayed Rectifier K Channels in Rabbit Ventricular Myocytes

We investigated the effects of a hot-water extract of Artemisia iwayomogi, a plant belonging to family Compositae, on cardiac ventricular delayed rectifier K(+) current (I(K)) using the patch clamp technique. The carbohydrate fraction AIP1 dose-dependently increased the heart rate with an apparent EC(50) value of 56.1+/-5.5 microg/ml. Application of AIP1 reduced the action potential duration (APD) in concentration-dependent fashion by activating I(K) without significantly altering the resting membrane potential (IC(50) value of APD(50): 54.80+/-2.24, IC(50) value of APD(90): 57.45+/-3.47 microg/ml). Based on the results, all experiments were performed with 50 microg/ml of AIP1. Pre-treatment with the rapidly activating delayed rectifier K(+) current (I(Kr)) inhibitor, E-4031 prolonged APD. However, additional application of AIP1 did not reduce APD. The inhibition of slowly activating delayed rectifier K(+) current (I(Ks)) by chromanol 293B did not change the effect of AIP1. AIP1 did not significantly affect coronary arterial tone or ion channels, even at the highest concentration of AIP1. In summary, AIP1 reduces APD by activating I(Kr) but not I(Ks). These results suggest that the natural product AIP1 may provide an adjunctive therapy of long QT syndrome.

TOP1 and 2, polysaccharides from Taraxacum officinale, attenuate CCl(4)-induced hepatic damage through the modulation of NF-kappaB and its regulatory mediators

In this work, we estimate the inhibitory effect of two polysaccharides from Taraxacum officinale (TOP) on CCl(4)-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in Sprague-Dawley rats. TOP1 and 2 (304, 92 mg/kg bw) were administered for 7 days via a stomach sonde, and hepatitis was induced by a single dose of CCl(4) (50% CCl(4)/olive oil; 0.5 mL/kg bw) administration. CCl(4) significantly elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities. Histopathological observation further revealed that CCl(4)-induced moderate levels of inflammatory cell infiltration, centrilobular fatty change, apoptosis, and necrosis. However, TOPs pretreatment markedly decreased AST and ALT activities as well as hepatic lesions. TOPs also increased free radical scavenging activity, as exhibited by a lowered TBARS concentration. TOPs pretreatment also reversed other hepatitis-associated symptoms, including GSH depletion, inhibited anti-oxidative enzyme activities, up-regulation of NF-kappaB and increased expression of its regulatory inflammatory mediators, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and interleukin (IL)-1beta. These results suggest that TOPs have a hepatoprotective effect by modulating inflammatory responses and ameliorating oxidative stress.

A carbohydrate fraction, AIP1 from Artemisia iwayomogi suppresses pulmonary eosinophilia and Th2-type cytokine production in an ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma. Down-regulation of TNF-alpha expression in the lung

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by reversible airway obstruction, airway hyperreactivity, and remodeling of the airways. The incidence of asthma is on the rise despite ongoing intensive asthma research. Artemisia iwayomogi, a member of the Compositae, is a perennial herb easily found around Korea and has been used as a traditional anti-inflammatory medicine in liver diseases. We investigated suppressive effects of AIP1, a water-soluble carbohydrate fraction from A. iwayomogi on ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma in BALB/c mice and studied the possible mechanisms of its anti-allergic action. AIP1 significantly reduced pulmonary eosinophilia and Th2 cytokine expression in the lungs as well as serum IgE levels. Flow cytometric analysis of lung-infiltrating cells showed that the surface levels of CD11c and MHC II in CD11c+MHC II+ cells, potent dendritic cells, decreased in animals treated with AIP1. Expression of TNF-alpha, one of several proinflammatory cytokines released into the airway during episodes of asthma, was down-regulated by AIP1 injection, suggesting that reduced expression of TNF-alpha could account for the suppression of pulmonary eosinophilia and Th2-type cytokine production by AIP1.