Protective Effect of Casperome®, an Orally Bioavailable Frankincense Extract, on Lipopolysaccharide- Induced Systemic Inflammation in Mice

Viola yedoensis Makino alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal oxidative stress and inflammatory response by regulating the gut microbiota and NF-κB-NLRP3/ Nrf2-MAPK signaling pathway in broiler

Viola yedoensis Makino (Vy) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine widely used to treat inflammatory diseases. However, the regulatory effects of dietary Vy supplementation on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal damage in broilers and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, broilers were intraperitoneally injected with 1 mg/kg LPS on days 17, 19 and 21 to induce intestinal damage. Vy supplementation at 0.5, 1.5 and 4.5 % in the diet was administered separately for 21 days to investigate the potential protective effects of Vy supplementation against LPS-induced intestinal impairment in broilers. Vy supplementation improved intestinal morphology and restored growth performance. Vy supplementation attenuated intestinal inflammation by regulating the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) / NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway and inhibited its downstream pro-inflammatory factor levels. In addition, Vy supplementation relieved intestinal oxidative impairment by regulating the nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) / mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and downstream antioxidant enzyme activity. Vy supplementation reduced LPS-induced mitochondrial damage and apoptosis. Furthermore, Vy supplementation alleviated LPS-induced intestinal inflammation and oxidative damage in chickens by increasing the abundance of protective bacteria (Lactobacillus and Romboutsia) and reducing the number of pathogenic bacteria (unclassified_f_Ruminococcaceae, unclassified_f_Oscillospiraceae and norank_f_norank_o_Clostridia_vadinBB60_group). Overall, Vy supplementation effectively ameliorated LPS-induced intestinal damage by regulating the NF-κB-NLRP3/Nrf2-MAPK signaling pathway and maintaining intestinal microbiota balance. Vy supplementation can be used as a dietary supplement to protect broilers against intestinal inflammation and oxidative damage.

The Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory Activity of Selenium and Lecithin Combination Against ethanol-induced Gastric Ulcer in mice via Modulating IGF-1/PTEN/Akt/FoxO3a Signaling

Gastric ulcers are one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorders. The current study investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of selenium (Se) and lecithin (Lec) alone and in combination against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in mice, and their ability to modulate insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)/ Phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN)/ Protein kinase B (Akt)/ Forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a) signaling. The mice were divided into normal, ethanol, Se + ethanol, Lec + ethanol, Se + Lec + ethanol, and omeprazole + ethanol groups. Treatment with the selected doses was continued for 14 days before a single dose of absolute ethanol (5 ml/kg body weight) was administered to induce gastric ulcers in mice. The results showed that pretreatment with Se and Lec combination effectively decreased both the macro- and microscopic gastric lesions and increased the protection index compared to the ethanol group. Remarkably, the Se and Lec combination decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and cytochrome c and increased glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and thioredoxin reductase activities in gastric tissues. The Se and Lec combination increased prostaglandin E2 and interleukin-10 levels but decreased tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β levels compared to either treatment alone. Interestingly, this combination decreased the expression of IGF-1, p-Akt, and FoxO3a proteins and increased PTEN expression in gastric tissues. The gastric tissues examination by hematoxylin and eosin staining confirmed these results. Therefore, the Se and Lec combination showed superior protective effects against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in mice, compared to either treatment alone, through antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities, in addition to modulating IGF-1/PTEN/Akt/FoxO3a pathway signaling.

The journey of boswellic acids from synthesis to pharmacological activities

There has been a lot of interest in using naturally occurring substances to treat a wide variety of chronic disorders in recent years. From the gum resin of Boswellia serrata and Boswellia carteri, the pentacyclic triterpene molecules known as boswellic acid (BA) are extracted. We aimed to provide a detailed overview of the origins, chemistry, synthetic derivatives, pharmacokinetic, and biological activity of numerous Boswellia species and their derivatives. The literature searched for reports of B. serrata and isolated BAs having anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, hypolipidemic, immunomodulatory, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, anti-asthmatic, and clastogenic activities. Our results revealed that the cytotoxic and anticancer effects of B. serrata refer to its triterpenoid component, including BAs. Three-O-acetyl-11-keto-BA was the most promising cytotoxic molecule among tested substances. Activation of caspases, upregulation of Bax expression, downregulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), and stimulation of poly (ADP)-ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage are the primary mechanisms responsible for cytotoxic and antitumor effects. Evidence suggests that BAs have shown promise in combating a wide range of debilitating disease conditions, including cancer, hepatic, inflammatory, and neurological disorders.

Anatomical and Functional Effects of Oral Administration of Curcuma Longa and Boswellia Serrata Combination in Patients with Treatment-Naïve Diabetic Macular Edema

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor nowdays represents the standard of care for diabetic macular edema (DME). Nevertheless, the burden of injections worldwide has created tremendous stress on the healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the oral administration of Curcuma longa and Boswellia serrata (Retimix®) in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR) and treatment-naïve DME < 400 μm, managed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this retrospective study, patients were enrolled and divided into two groups, one undergoing observation (Group A, n 12) and one receiving one sachet a day of Retimix® (Group B, n 49). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography were performed at baseline, then at one and six months. A mixed-design ANOVA was calculated to determine whether the change in CMT and BCVA over time differed according to the consumption of Retimix®. The interaction between time and treatment was significant, with F (1.032, 102.168) = 14.416; η2 = 0.127; p < 0.001, indicating that the change in terms of CMT and BCVA over time among groups was significantly different. In conclusion, our results show the efficacy of Curcuma longa and Boswellia serrata in patients with non-proliferative DR and treatment-naïve DME in maintaining baseline CMT and BCVA values over time.

Phytosomes as Innovative Delivery Systems for Phytochemicals: A Comprehensive Review of Literature

Nowadays, medicinal herbs and their phytochemicals have emerged as a great therapeutic option for many disorders. However, poor bioavailability and selectivity might limit their clinical application. Therefore, bioavailability is considered a notable challenge to improve bio-efficacy in transporting dietary phytochemicals. Different methods have been proposed for generating effective carrier systems to enhance the bioavailability of phytochemicals. Among them, nano-vesicles have been introduced as promising candidates for the delivery of insoluble phytochemicals. Due to the easy preparation of the bilayer vesicles and their adaptability, they have been widely used and approved by the scientific literature. The first part of the review is focused on introducing phytosome technology as well as its applications, with emphasis on principles of formulations and characterization. The second part provides a wide overview of biological activities of commercial and non-commercial phytosomes, divided by systems and related pathologies. These results confirm the greater effectiveness of phytosomes, both in terms of biological activity or reduced dosage, highlighting curcumin and silymarin as the most formulated compounds. Finally, we describe the promising clinical and experimental findings regarding the applications of phytosomes. The conclusion of this study encourages the researchers to transfer their knowledge from laboratories to market, for a further development of these products.

Boswellic acids/Boswellia serrata extract as a potential COVID-19 therapeutic agent in the elderly

The most severe cases of COVID-19, and the highest rates of death, are among the elderly. There is an urgent need to search for an agent to treat the disease and control its progression. Boswellia serrata is traditionally used to treat chronic inflammatory diseases of the lung. This review aims to highlight currently published research that has shown evidence of potential therapeutic effects of boswellic acids (BA) and B. serrata extract against COVID-19 and associated conditions. We reviewed the published information up to March 2021. Studies were collected through a search of online electronic databases (academic libraries such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Egyptian Knowledge Bank). Several recent studies reported that BAs and B. serrata extract are safe agents and have multiple beneficial activities in treating similar symptoms experienced by patients with COVID-19. Because of the low oral bioavailability and improvement of buccal/oral cavity hygiene, traditional use by chewing B. serrata gum may be more beneficial than oral use. It is the cheapest option for a lot of poorer people. The promising effect of B. serrata and BA can be attributed to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, cardioprotective, anti-platelet aggregation, antibacterial, antifungal, and broad antiviral activity. B. serrata and BA act by multiple mechanisms. The most common mechanism may be through direct interaction with IκB kinases and inhibiting nuclear factor-κB-regulated gene expression. However, the most recent mechanism proposed that BA not only inhibited the formation of classical 5-lipoxygenase products but also produced anti-inflammatory LOX-isoform-selective modulators. In conclusion a small to moderate dose B. serrata extract may be useful in the enhancing adaptive immune response in mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19. However, large doses of BA may be beneficial in suppressing uncontrolled activation of the innate immune response. More clinical results are required to determine with certainty whether there is sufficient evidence of the benefits against COVID-19.

Yu Shi An Chang Fang Ameliorates TNBS-Induced Colitis in Mice by Reducing Inflammatory Response and Protecting the Intestinal Mucosal Barrier

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease that is related to the occurrence of colon cancer. This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanism by which Yu Shi An Chang Fang (YST) treated UC. 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) was used to construct the UC model. The body weight, fecal viscosity, and fecal bleeding of all mice were recorded every day to calculate the DAI value. The pathological changes in colon tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) reflecting inflammation and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) reflecting oxidative stress in colon tissues were all measured by their assay kits. The mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in colon tissues was detected by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR). The expression of proteins related to pyroptosis and the colonic mucosal barrier was analyzed by Western blot. As a result, TNBS caused decreases in body weight and colon lengths, triggered serious histological damage, promoted inflammation, oxidative stress, and pyroptosis, and destroyed the colonic mucosal barrier. The above changes caused by TNBS in colitis mice could be partially reversed by YST. In conclusion, YST ameliorates TNBS-induced UC in mice by reducing the inflammatory response and protecting the intestinal mucosal barrier.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities of frankincense: Targets, treatments and toxicities

The oleogum resins of Boswellia species known as frankincense have been used for ages in traditional medicine in India, China and the Arabian world independent of its use for cultural and religious rituals in Europe. During the past two decades, scientific investigations provided mounting evidence for the therapeutic potential of frankincense. We conducted a systematic review on the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities of Boswellia species and their chemical ingredients (e.g. 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β boswellic acid, α- and β-boswellic acids, 11-keto-β-boswellic acid and other boswellic acids, lupeolic acids, incensole, cembrenes, triterpenediol, tirucallic acids, and olibanumols). Frankincense acts by multiple mechanisms, e.g. by the inhibition of leukotriene synthesis, of cyclooxygenase 1/2 and 5-lipoxygenase, of oxidative stress, and by regulation of immune cells from the innate and acquired immune systems. Furthermore, frankincense modulates signaling transduction responsible for cell cycle arrest and inhibition of proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. Clinical trials showed the efficacy of frankincense and its phytochemicals against osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, asthma, psoriasis and erythematous eczema, plaque-induced gingivitis and pain. Frankincense revealed beneficial effects towards brain tumor-related edema, but did not reduce glioma size. Even if there is no treatment effect on brain tumors itself, the management of glioma-associated edema may represent a desirable improvement. The therapeutic potential against other tumor types is still speculative. Experimental toxicology and clinical trials revealed only mild adverse side effects. More randomized clinical trials are required to estimate the full clinical potential of frankincense for cancer therapy.

Protective Effect and Mechanism of Boswellic Acid and Myrrha Sesquiterpenes with Different Proportions of Compatibility on Neuroinflammation by LPS-Induced BV2 Cells Combined with Network Pharmacology

Frankincense and myrrha (FM), commonly used as a classical herbal pair, have a wide range of clinical applications and definite anti-inflammatory activity. However, anti-neuroinflammation effects and mechanisms are not clear. In this study, we adopted a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglial (BV2) cell model and a network pharmacology method to reveal the anti-neuroinflammatory effects and mechanisms of boswellic acid (BA) and myrrha sesquiterpenes (MS) with different proportions of compatibility. The data showed that the different ratios of BA and MS had different degrees of inhibition of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression, down-regulated the phosphor-nuclear factor kappa B/nuclear factor kappa B (p-NF-ҡB)/(NF-ҡB), phosphorylated protein kinase b/protein kinase b (p-AKT/AKT), and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) protein expression levels, and increased phospho-PI3 kinase (p-PI3K) protein expression levels. When the ratios of BA and MS were 10:1, 5:1, and 20:1, better effective efficacy was exhibited. According to the correlation analysis between the effect index and bioactive substances, it was suggested that 2-methoxy-5-acetoxy -fruranogermacr-1(10)-en-6-one (Compound 1), 3α-acetyloxylanosta-8,24-dien-21-oic acid (Compound 2), 11-keto-boswellic acid (Compound 3), and 3-acetyl-11-keto-β -boswellic acid (Compound 4) made important contributions to the treatment of neuroinflammation. Furthermore, based on the network pharmacological analysis, it was found that these four active compounds acted on 31 targets related to neuroinflammation and were involved in 32 signaling pathways which mainly related to the immune system, cardiovascular system, and nervous system, suggesting that BA and MS could be used to treat neuroinflammation.

Applicability of a Modified Rat Model of Acute Arthritis for Long-Term Testing of Drug Delivery Systems

Episodes of inflammation and pain are predominant features of arthritic joint diseases. Drug delivery systems (DDS) could reduce inflammation and pain long-term without chances of infection upon multiple injections. To allow for long-term evaluation of DDS, we modified a previously published acute arthritis model by extending follow-up periods between flare-ups. Unilateral synovial inflammation of the knee was induced by intra-articular injection of streptococcal cell wall peptidoglycan polysaccharide (PGPS), and flare-ups were induced by intravenous PGPS injections every 4 weeks for a total duration of 84 days. In PGPS-reactivated animals, joint swelling, pain behavior, post mortem synovitis, and osteophyte formation were notable features. Hepatitis, splenitis and inflammation of non-primed joints were observed as systemic side effects. To test the applicability of the modified arthritis model for long-term testing of DDS, the duration of anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of a corticosteroid released from two different polymer-based platforms was evaluated. The current modified arthritis model has good applicability for testing of DDS for a prolonged period of time. Furthermore, the novel autoregulatory polyesteramide (PEA) microsphere platform releasing triamcinolone acetonide (TAA) was benchmarked against poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and reduced joint swelling and pain behavior more potently compared to TAA-loaded PLGA microspheres.

Causal Relationship between Diet-Induced Gut Microbiota Changes and Diabetes: A Novel Strategy to Transplant Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in Preventing Diabetes

The incidence of metabolic disorders, including diabetes, has elevated exponentially during the last decades and enhanced the risk of a variety of complications, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In the present review, we have highlighted the new insights on the complex relationships between diet-induced modulation of gut microbiota and metabolic disorders, including diabetes. Literature from various library databases and electronic searches (ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar) were randomly collected. There exists a complex relationship between diet and gut microbiota, which alters the energy balance, health impacts, and autoimmunity, further causes inflammation and metabolic dysfunction, including diabetes. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is a butyrate-producing bacterium, which plays a vital role in diabetes. Transplantation of F. prausnitzii has been used as an intervention strategy to treat dysbiosis of the gut’s microbial community that is linked to the inflammation, which precedes autoimmune disease and diabetes. The review focuses on literature that highlights the benefits of the microbiota especially, the abundant of F. prausnitzii in protecting the gut microbiota pattern and its therapeutic potential against inflammation and diabetes.