Kochia scoparia fruit attenuates allergic airway inflammation in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine asthma model

Fractionation and identification of ocular protective compounds from kochiae fructus against oxidative damage in retinal pigment epithelium cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Kochiae Fructus, the ripe fruit of Kochia scoparia, is a traditional Chinese medicine commonly used to treat eye discomforts and vision problems. Although Kochiae Fructus is mentioned in many classical Chinese medical texts, its protective effects and the roles of its active phytochemicals in eye treatment still lack scientific exploration.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to clarify the protective effects and identify the active fractions and compounds of Kochiae Fructus against oxidative stress-induced retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell death.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Liquid-liquid partitioning was employed to prepare active fractions. Silica gel, RP-18, and Sephadex™ LH-20 gels were used as stationary phases to purify the compounds through column chromatography. Cell models were established by treating ARPE-19 (RPE cell line) with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), respectively.

RESULTS

The methanol aqueous fraction from ethyl acetate-soluble extract (KSEM) alleviated oxidant-induced RPE cell death in a dose-dependent manner and activated the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, a critical defense mechanism against oxidative damage. The isolated flavonols in fraction KSEM, hyperoside, quercetin, and kaempferol, reduced oxidant-induced cell mortality, with quercetin showing the strongest effect. Moreover, combination treatment revealed that hyperoside and kaempferol synergistically enhanced the protective effects of quercetin, making the combined treatment more efficient than quercetin alone.

CONCLUSIONS

The protective effects of Kochiae Fructus against oxidative damage in RPE cell was validated with the KSEM fraction. The compound quercetin was identified as the important contributor. However, the synergistic effect of the hyperoside, quercetin, and kaempferol mixture may play a dominant role in the protective action of Kochiae Fructus. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of Kochiae Fructus and its flavonol mixture as a basis for developing treatments targeting ocular diseases associated with oxidative damage in retina.

Lignosus rhinocerotis Cooke Ryvarden ameliorates airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion and airway hyperresponsiveness in a murine model of asthma

Lignosus rhinocerotis Cooke. (L. rhinocerotis) is a medicinal mushroom traditionally used in the treatment of asthma and several other diseases by the indigenous communities in Malaysia. In this study, the effects of L. rhinocerotis on allergic airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness were investigated. L. rhinocerotis extract (LRE) was prepared by hot water extraction using soxhlet. Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) study was performed in house dust mite (HDM)-induced asthma in Balb/c mice while airway inflammation study was performed in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma in Sprague-Dawley rats. Treatment with different doses of LRE (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg) significantly inhibited AHR in HDM-induced mice. Treatment with LRE also significantly decreased the elevated IgE in serum, Th2 cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and ameliorated OVA-induced histological changes in rats by attenuating leukocyte infiltration, mucus hypersecretion and goblet cell hyperplasia in the lungs. LRE also significantly reduced the number of eosinophils and neutrophils in BALF. Interestingly, a significant reduction of the FOXP3+ regulatory T lymphocytes was observed following OVA induction, but the cells were significantly elevated with LRE treatment. Subsequent analyses on gene expression revealed regulation of several important genes i.e. IL17A, ADAM33, CCL5, IL4, CCR3, CCR8, PMCH, CCL22, IFNG, CCL17, CCR4, PRG2, FCER1A, CLCA1, CHIA and Cma1 which were up-regulated following OVA induction but down-regulated following treatment with LRE. In conclusion, LRE alleviates allergy airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness, thus suggesting its therapeutic potential as a new armamentarium against allergic asthma.

Modulation of interleukin expression by medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites: A systematic review on anti-asthmatic and immunopharmacological mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Asthma is one of the most common chronic inflammatory conditions of the lungs in modern society. Asthma is associated with airway hyperresponsiveness and remodeling of the airways, with typical symptoms of cough, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Interleukins (IL) play an integral role in its inflammatory pathogenesis. Medicinal herbs and secondary metabolites are gaining considerable attention due to their potential therapeutic role and pharmacological mechanisms as adjunct tools to synthetic bronchodilator drugs.

PURPOSE

To systematically review the literature on the use of single or mixed plants extracts therapy in vivo experimental systems for asthma, emphasizing their regulations on IL production to improve lung.

METHODS

Literature searches were performed on PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science databases. All articles in English were extracted from 1999 up to September 2019, assessed critically for data extraction. Studies investigating the effectiveness and safety of plant extracts administered; inflammatory cell count, immunoglobulin E (IgE) production and regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine and T helper (Th) 1 and Th2-driven cytokine expression in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung of asthmatic animals were included.

RESULTS

Four hundred and eighteen publications were identified and 51 met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-six studies described bioactive compounds from plant extracts. The most frequent immunopharmacological mechanisms described included reduction in IgE and eosinophilic recruitment, decreased mucus hypersecretion and airway hyperreactivity, enhancement of the balance of Th1/Th2 cytokine ratio, suppression of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) and reversal of structural alterations.

CONCLUSION

Plant extract therapies have potential control activities on asthma symptoms by modulating the secretion of pro-inflammatory (IL-1β, IL-8), Th17 (IL-17), anti-inflammatory (IL-10, IL-23, IL-31, IL-33), Th1 (IL-2, IL-12) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13) cytokines, reducing the level of biomarkers of airway inflammation.

The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Fermented Herbal Roots of Asparagus cochinchinensis in an Ovalbumin-Induced Asthma Model

Introduction: Roots of Asparagus cochinchinensis, which have pharmacologically active ingredients, have received great attention because they show good therapeutic effects for various inflammatory diseases without specific toxicity. This study investigated the anti-asthmatic effects of a butanol extract of Asparagus cochinchinensis roots that had been fermented with Weissella cibaria (BAW) and its possible underlying cholinergic regulation. Methods: Alterations of the anti-asthmatic markers and the molecular response factors were measured in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma model after treatment with BAW. Results: Treatment with BAW decreased the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in lipopolysaccharides (LPS) activated RAW264.7 cells. The results of the animal experiments revealed lower infiltration of inflammatory cells and bronchial thickness, and a significant reduction in the number of macrophages and eosinophils, concentration of OVA-specific IgE, and expression of Th2 cytokines in the OVA + BAW treated group. In addition, a significant recovery of goblet cell hyperplasia, MMP-9 expression, and the VEGF signaling pathway was observed upon airway remodeling in the OVA + BAW treated group. Furthermore, these responses of BAW were linked to recovery of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) M3 downstream signaling pathway in epithelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and afferent sensory nerves of OVA + BAW-treated mice. Conclusion: Overall, these findings are the first to provide evidence that the therapeutic effects of BAW can prevent airway inflammation and remodeling through the recovery of cholinergic regulation in structural cells and inflammatory cells of the chronic asthma model.

Quantification Analysis and In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Effects of 20-Hydroxyecdysone, Momordin Ic, and Oleanolic Acid from the Fructus of Kochia scoparia

Background:

The fructus of Kochia scoparia Schrader (Chenopodiaceae) is a traditional herbal medicine that has been used for treating gonorrhea and dermatitis.

Objective:

We investigated the anti-inflammatory activities of three marker compounds, including 20-hydroxyecdysone, momordin Ic, and oleanolic acid, from the fructus of K. scoparia.

Materials and Methods:

The simultaneous analysis of three components was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography and high-performance thin-layer chromatography. We evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of the nine marker compounds by determining their anti-inflammatory activities in the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7.

Results:

Among three marker compounds, momordin Ic, but not 20-hydroxyecdysone and oleanolic acid, had inhibitory effects on the production of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in LPS-treated RAW264.7 macrophages. The effects of three marker compounds on prostaglandin E₂(PGE₂) were also evaluated. All three compounds significantly reduced PGE₂ production in LPS-treated cells.

Conclusions:

We suggest that momordin Ic is the most potent phytochemical of the fructus of K. scoparia as an anti-inflammatory agent.

SUMMARY

Simultaneous analysis of three phenylpropanoids in the Kochia scoparia was established using HPLC-PDA system

The momordin Ic had inhibitory effects on production of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in LPS-treated RAW264.7 macrophages

The momordin Ic, 20-hydroxyecdysone, and oleanolic acid significantly reduced PGE2 production in LPS-treated cells.

Abbreviations used: HPLC: High-performance liquid chromatography; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor alpha; IL-6: Interleukin-6; PGE²: Pro-inflammatory mediator prostaglandin E₂; LPS: Lipopolysaccharide.

Isoimperatorin attenuates airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in an ovalbumin-induced murine model of asthma

Isoimperatorin (IMP), an active natural furocoumarin, has numerous pharmacologic effects, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic, and anticancer activities. This study aimed to evaluate the preventive activity of IMP in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine model of asthma and to investigate its possible molecular mechanisms. Female BALB/c mice were sensitized on days 0 and 14 via intraperitoneal injection of 20μg OVA. On days 21-23 after the initial sensitization, the mice received an airway challenge with OVA (1% w/v in PBS) for 1h; meanwhile, IMP (10 or 30mg/kg once daily) was administered by gavage on days 18-23. Our results revealed that IMP significantly lowered the productions of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, eotaxin, and immunoglobulin (Ig)E in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), plasma, or lung tissues. Histological studies showed that IMP inhibited OVA-induced inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus production in the respiratory tract. In addition, pretreatment with IMP suppressed the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), extracellular-signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Together, these results suggest that IMP effectively inhibits airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion by downregulating the levels of Th2 cytokines and inhibiting NF-κB and MAPK pathways.

Kochia scoparia induces apoptosis of oral cancer cells in vitro and in heterotopic tumors

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Kochia scoparia grows commonly in China, Japan, and Korea and its mature fruit has been used throughout the area in traditional medicine to treat diseases including skin problems and inflammatory and allergic disease. More importantly, Kochia scoparia has been prescribed to treat the malignant tumor of head and neck region and breast mass. Although it has been proposed as an anti-cancer agent for several cancers, its exact in vivo anti-cancer properties and the molecular mechanisms underlying its effects are poorly understood.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the anti-cancer activity of the methanol extract of K. scoparia, mature fruit (MEKS) on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to explore its mode of action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To assess proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction by MEKS, MTT assays, cell analysis, ANNEXIN V and PI double staining, and Hoechst 33342 staining were performed. The activation of caspases and the MAP kinase p38 was evaluated using Western blot analysis. The anti-cancer properties of MEKS in vivo were elucidated in a heterotopic OSCC animal model.

RESULTS

After OSCC cells were treated with MEKS, the numbers of sub-G1 accumulated cells and apoptotic bodies increased, indicating that MEKS inhibited OSCC cell proliferation selectively through induction of apoptosis. Apoptosis of MEKS-treated OSCC cells was induced in a dose-dependent manner by caspase-3 and -9 activation. In addition, pretreatment with p38 inhibitor SB203580 in combination with MEKS significantly prevented MEKS-induced apoptosis in OSCC cells and also decreased cleaved capase 3, 9, and cleaved PARP activity in western blotting. MEKS treatment significantly increased the apoptosis of OSCC and inhibited tumour growth in our animal model.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, these results indicated that MEKS induced apoptosis of OSCC cells through caspase activation involving the p38 MAPK pathway. MEKS could be a promising anti-cancer candidate for OSCC treatment.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Kochia scoparia fruit on contact dermatitis in mice

The mature fruit of Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad. is widely administered in China and Korea as a medicinal herb for treatment of skin diseases, diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis. The present study investigated the effects of methanol extracts of K. scoparia dried fruit (MEKS) on ear swelling, histopathological changes (such as epidermal acanthosis, spongiosis and immune cell infiltration) and cytokine production in 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact dermatitis mice. Topical application of MEKS inhibited DNFB-induced ear thickness and weight increases, as well as DNFB-induced epidermal acanthosis, spongiosis and immune cell infiltration. In addition, treatment with MEKS significantly decreased the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in inflamed tissues. These data indicate that the mature fruit of K. scoparia has the potential to be administered for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases and that the anti-inflammatory action of K. scoparia is involved in the inhibition of type 1 T helper cell skewing reactions.

A novel pentapeptide originated from calf thymus named TIPP shows an inhibitory effect on lung allergic inflammation

Thymic immunosuppressive pentapeptide (TIPP) is a novel pentapeptide originally obtained from calf thymic immunosuppressive extract. In this study we aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect and mechanisms of TIPP in vivo with an ovalbumin-induced mouse allergic asthma model. We investigated the effects of TIPP on the infiltration of inflammation cells, immune cell subtypes, Th2 cytokines in BALF and IgE in serum, mRNA levels of IL-4, IL-10, TNF-α and eotaxin-1, expression of MCP-1, VCAM-1 and COX-2, and activation of MAP kinases and NF-κB. Our results showed that TIPP significantly inhibited the increase in Th2 cytokines and OVA-specific IgE production, mRNA levels of IL-4, TNF-α and eotaxin-1 and the expression of MCP-1, VCAM-1 and COX-2 in lung tissues, as well effectively resisting the balance changes of cells in BALF. In addition, it was found that the administration of TIPP attenuated the activation of MAP kinases and NF-κB in the lung tissues of the allergic mice. Our data suggest that TIPP effectively suppresses the allergic and inflammatory responses in allergic mice via blocking MAP kinases/NF-κB signalling pathway. The investigation indicated that TIPP may become an anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory drug.

Topical application of Kochia scoparia inhibits the development of contact dermatitis in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Kochia scoparia (Chenopodiaceae) has been reported to have anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-pruritic actions. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of externally applied Kochia scoparia water extract (KSW) in 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced contact dermatitis mouse model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To develop atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions, 100μL of 1% DNCB in acetone/olive oil (4:1) had been applied for three days on shaved dorsal skin. 1% KSW was topically applied to DNCB-induced mice. After KSW treatment, histological analysis was measured by hematoxylin eosin staining. The cytokine and pro-inflammatory expressions were examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting analysis.

RESULTS

Histological studies showed that hyperplasia of the epidermis and dermis in the KSW treated group was markedly decreased as compared with the DNCB group. The expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine such as IL-1β, and TNF-α mRNA were significantly reduced by topical application of KSW, whereas these cytokines were increased in DNCB-induced dorsal skin. In addition, NF-κB expression was inhibited by KSW treatment in DNCB-induced mice. Similarly, KSW treatment significantly suppressed the expression of several MAP kinases, including ERK1/2, p38, and JNK compared to their expression in DNCB-induced mice.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicated that KSW ameliorates contact dermatitis via inhibition of the production of several inflammatory mediators. Therefore, external application of KSW may be used for the treatment of contact dermatitis as an alternative therapy.

Bangpungtongseong-san, a traditional herbal medicine, attenuates chronic asthmatic effects induced by repeated ovalbumin challenge

Airway remodeling is characterized by airway wall thickening, subepithelial fibrosis, increased smooth muscle mass, angiogenesis and increased mucus secretion, which can lead to chronic and obstinate asthma and can obstruct pulmonary function. In this study, the effects of Bangpungtongseong-san water extract (BPTS) on airway remodeling were examined using a murine model of bronchial asthma induced by ovalbumin (OVA) challenge. We focused on the effects of BPTS on the regulation of chronic asthma. BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to 5 groups, some of which were sensitized and challenged with OVA for 4 weeks. After the final ovalbumin challenge, typical asthma-like morphological changes were observed in the lung tissue with hematoxylin and eosin staining, periodic acid-Schiff, as well as with Masson's trichrome staining. The levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and Smad3 were assessed by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. The expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and adhesion molecules, such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 were also detected by western blot analysis. Our results revealed that BPTS reduced the OVA-induced increase in the infiltration of leukocytes, mucus hyperplasia and collagen deposition. Compared with the OVA-challenged group, the BPTS group had lower expression levels of adhesion molecules, TGF-β1, Smad3 and VEGF proteins in the lung tissues. The results of the current study suggest that BPTS prevents asthma airway remodeling in chronic asthma by inhibiting the activation of the TGF-β1-Smad3-signaling pathway, as well as the expression of VEGF and adhesion molecules. BPTS may thus be a potential drug for the treatment of patients with changes that occur in the airways due to severe asthma.

Studies on the flavone glycosides from Fructus Kochiae

A series of flavone glycosides were isolated from Fructus Kochiae for the first time, including two new flavone glycosides. The structures were established by interpretation of their spectroscopic data. Two new flavone glycosides are quercetin 3-O-β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-galactopyranosyl-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1) and quercetin 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-galactopyranosyl-7-O-β-d-sophoroside (2). The others are quercetin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (3), quercetin 3-O-β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-galactopyranoside (4), quercetin 3-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (5), and quercetin 7-O-β-d-sophoroside (6).

Identifying core herbal treatments for urticaria using Taiwan's nationwide prescription database

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Urticaria is a common skin disease that has a high impact on a patient's daily life. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been frequently used for treatment of skin manifestations in addition to Western medicine. The aim of this study is to analyze a nationwide prescription database to explore the most commonly used CHM for urticaria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A nationwide CHM prescription database was used, and data from ambulatory visits of patients with a single diagnosis of urticaria (ICD-9 code: 708) were identified for the study. Association rule mining was applied to explore the core formula and popular combinations of CHM for urticaria.

RESULTS

A total of 33,355 ambulatory visits made by 12,498 patients were included in this study. On average, 6.18 CHMs were used per prescription. Xiao Feng San (XFS) and Cryptotympana pustulata Fabricius were the most commonly used herbal formula (HF) and single herb (SH), found in 49.44% and 24.67% of all prescriptions, respectively. XFS with Cryptotympana pustulata Fabricius were used most frequently in a two-combination CHM (9.95%). Moreover, XFS with Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad. plus Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz. were the most frequent three-combination CHM (3.46%). XFS was the core formula for urticaria since it was included in nearly all combinations prescribed for the treatment of urticaria.

CONCLUSIONS

XFS is the most important core herbal treatment used for urticaria in Taiwan, and Cryptotympana pustulata Fabricius with XFS is the most popular combination. Further well-designed clinical trials and animal model studies for urticaria are still needed to explore the efficacy and mechanism of CHM in urticaria.

A water extract of Samchulkunbi-tang attenuates airway inflammation by inhibiting inos and MMP-9 activities in an ovalbumin-induced murine asthma model

Background

In this study, we investigated the effect of Samchulkunbi-tang water extract (SCTE) in an established mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma. The effects of SCTE on the production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, eotaxin, and total and OVA-specific immunoglobulin E, inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity were measured.

Methods

Mice were sensitized on days 0 and 14 with an intraperitoneal injection of 20 μg ovalbumin (OVA) emulsified in 2 mg aluminum hydroxide in 200 μL PBS buffer. On days 21, 22, and 23, mice received an airway exposure to OVA (1%, w/v, in PBS) for 1 h. SCTE was administered orally to mice at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg per day from days 18 to 23.

Results

SCTE reduced the number of inflammatory cells, cytokines, and chemokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and iNOS expression and MMP-9 activity in mouse lung tissue. Histological studies using hematoxylin & eosin and periodic acid-schiff staining showed that SCTE substantially inhibited OVA-induced inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissue and goblet cell hyperplasia in the airway. SCTE also reduced IL-4 and IL-13 expression in concanavalin-A-stimulated splenocytes. These results were similar to those obtained with montelukast as a positive control.

Conclusions

Collectively, these results suggest that SCTE may be an effective oral treatment for allergic airway inflammation by virtue of its anti-inflammatory activity.