Anti-Inflammatory Activities of an Anti-Histamine Drug, Loratadine, by Suppressing TAK1 in AP-1 Pathway

Upregulation of NK cell activity, cytokine expression, and NF-κB pathway by ginsenoside concentrates from Panax ginseng berries in healthy mice and macrophage cell lines

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Panax ginseng (P. ginseng) C.A. Meyer. Has been studied for decades for its various biological activities, especially in terms of immune-regulatory properties. Traditionally, it has been known that root, leaves, and fruits of P. ginseng were eaten for improving body's Qi and homeostasis. Also, these were used to protect body from various types of infectious diseases. However, molecular mechanisms of immunomodulatory activities of ginseng berries have not been systemically studied as often as other parts of the plant.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this research is to discover the regulatory effects of P. ginseng berries, more importantly, their ginsenosides, on innate immune responses and to elucidate the molecular mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ginseng berry concentrate (GBC) was orally injected into BALB/c mice for 30 days, and spleens were extracted for evaluation of immune-regulatory effects. Murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells were used for detailed molecular mechanism studies. Splenic natural killer (NK) cells were isolated using the magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) system, and the cytotoxic activity of isolated NK cells was measured using a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. The splenic immune cell population was determined by flow-cytometry. NF-κB promoter activity was assessed by in vitro luciferase assay. Expression of inflammatory proteins and cytokines of the spleen and RAW264.7 cells were evaluated using western blotting and real-time PCR, respectively.

RESULTS

The GBC enhanced cytotoxic activity of NK cells and the immune-regulation-related splenic cell population. Moreover, GBC promoted NF-κB promoter activity and stimulated the NF-κB signaling cascade. In spleen and RAW264.7 cells, expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was increased upon GBC application, while expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that P. ginseng berry can stimulate innate immune responses and help maintain a balanced immune condition, mostly due to the action of its key ginsenoside Re, along with other protopanaxadiol- and protopanaxatriol-type ginsenosides. Such finding will provide a new insight into the field of well-being diet research as well as non-chemical immune modulator, by providing nature-derived and plant-based bioactive materials.

Blocking H1R signal aggravates atherosclerosis by promoting inflammation and foam cell formation

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory arterial disease, in which abnormal lipid metabolism and foam cell formation play key roles. Histamine is a vital biogenic amine catalyzed by histidine decarboxylase (HDC) from L-histidine. Histamine H1 receptor (H1R) antagonist is a commonly encountered anti-allergic agent in the clinic. However, the role and mechanism of H1R in atherosclerosis have not been fully elucidated. Here, we explored the effect of H1R on atherosclerosis using Apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE-/-) mice with astemizole (AST, a long-acting H1R antagonist) treatment. The results showed that AST increased atherosclerotic plaque area and hepatic lipid accumulation in mice. The result of microarray study identified a significant change of endothelial lipase (LIPG) in CD11b+ myeloid cells derived from HDC-knockout (HDC-/-) mice compared to WT mice. Blocking H1R promoted the formation of foam cells from bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) of mice by up-regulating p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and LIPG signaling pathway. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that blocking H1R signal aggravates atherosclerosis by promoting abnormal lipid metabolism and macrophage-derived foam cell formation via p38 MAPK-LIPG signaling pathway. KEY MESSAGES: Blocking H1R signal with AST aggravated atherosclerosis and increased hepatic lipid accumulation in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed ApoE-/- mice. Blocking H1R signal promoted macrophage-derived foam cell formation via p38 MAPK-LIPG signaling pathway.

Evaluation of the Effect of Loratadine versus Diosmin/Hesperidin Combination on Vinca Alkaloids-Induced Neuropathy: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Neurological injury is a crucial problem that interferes with the therapeutic use of vinca alkaloids as well as the quality of patient life. This study was conducted to assess the impact of using loratadine or diosmin/hesperidin on neuropathy induced by vinca alkaloids. Patients were randomized into one of three groups as follows: group 1 was the control group, group 2 received 450 mg diosmin and 50 mg hesperidin combination orally twice daily, and group 3 received loratadine 10 mg orally once daily. Subjective scores (numeric pain rating scale, douleur neuropathique 4, and functional assessment of cancer therapy/gynecologic oncology group-neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-Ntx) scores), neuroinflammation biomarkers, adverse drug effects, quality of life, and response to chemotherapy were compared among the three groups. Both diosmin/hesperidin and loratadine improved the results of the neurotoxicity subscale in the FACT/GOG-Ntx score (p < 0.001, p < 0.01 respectively) and ameliorated the upsurge in neuroinflammation serum biomarkers. They also reduced the incidence and timing of paresthesia (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) and dysuria occurrence (p = 0.042). Both loratadine and diosmin/hesperidin attenuated the intensity of acute neuropathy triggered by vinca alkaloids. Furthermore, they did not increase the frequency of adverse effects or interfere with the treatment response.

Advances in clinical application of H1 antihistamines in the treatment of skin diseases

Histamine receptors are classified into 4 types: H1, H2, H3, and H4, each mediating distinct physiological effects and possessing its corresponding antagonistshat that can be used for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Among them, H1 antihistamines are the fundamental medications in dermatology and are widely used in many diseases such as urticaria and atopic dermatitis. In recent years, with the emergence of novel antihistamines and the discovery of new potential indications for traditional H1 antihistamines, the clinical application of antihistamines is facing new challenges. Further investigation of the novel mechanism for H1 antihistamines, the use of multiple doses of common drugs and potential indications will furnish vital insights for practical clinical application.

Amelioration of acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats by cetirizine and loratadine via regulation of the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signalling pathway and pro-inflammatory cytokine release

Objectives

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and ulcers in the rectum and the innermost layer of the large intestine. Our study aimed to elucidate the ameliorative effect of cetirizine (CTZ) and loratadine (LOR) against acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats via assessment of the PI3K/p-Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway and proinflammatory cytokine release.

Materials and Methods

Thirty-two rats were allocated into four groups (n=8). Group (I) was considered normal control. Acetic acid (AA) was injected intrarectally in groups (2-4). Group (2) was kept untreated. Group (3) was administered CTZ (20 mg/kg/day) for 7 days. Group (4) was administered LOR (10 mg/kg/day) for 7 days.

Results

AA showed severe macroscopic colonic lesions associated with increased ulcer number, area, and severity with significantly elevated PI3K, p-Akt, Nrf2, TNF-α, and IL-6 in colorectal tissue as compared to the normal control group. All the aforementioned indicators were greatly improved by CTZ and LOR therapy.

Conclusion

This is the first study to elucidate the ameliorative effect of CTZ and LOR against AA-induced UC in rats. CTZ and LOR treatment mitigates UC via amelioration of the PI3K/p-Akt/Nrf2 pathway and proinflammatory cytokine release.

Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Menopausal, and Anti-Cancer Effects of Lignans and Their Metabolites

Since chronic inflammation can be seen in severe, long-lasting diseases such as cancer, there is a high demand for effective methods to modulate inflammatory responses. Among many therapeutic candidates, lignans, absorbed from various plant sources, represent a type of phytoestrogen classified into secoisolariciresionol (Seco), pinoresinol (Pino), matairesinol (Mat), medioresinol (Med), sesamin (Ses), syringaresinol (Syr), and lariciresinol (Lari). Lignans consumed by humans can be further modified into END or ENL by the activities of gut microbiota. Lignans are known to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, together with activity in estrogen receptor-dependent pathways. Lignans may have therapeutic potential for postmenopausal symptoms, including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and psychological disorders. Moreover, the antitumor efficacy of lignans has been demonstrated in various cancer cell lines, including hormone-dependent breast cancer and prostate cancer, as well as colorectal cancer. Interestingly, the molecular mechanisms of lignans in these diseases involve the inhibition of inflammatory signals, including the nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway. Therefore, we summarize the recent in vitro and in vivo studies evaluating the biological effects of various lignans, focusing on their values as effective anti-inflammatory agents.

Role of Marine Bacterial Contaminants in Histamine Formation in Seafood Products: A Review

Histamine is a toxic biogenic amine commonly found in seafood products or their derivatives. This metabolite is produced by histamine-producing bacteria (HPB) such as Proteus vulgaris, P. mirabilis, Enterobacter aerogenes, E. cloacae, Serratia fonticola, S. liquefaciens, Citrobacter freundii, C. braakii, Clostridium spp., Raoultella planticola, R. ornithinolytica, Vibrio alginolyticus, V. parahaemolyticus, V. olivaceus, Acinetobacter lowffi, Plesiomonas shigelloides, Pseudomonas putida, P. fluorescens, Aeromonas spp., Photobacterium damselae, P. phosphoreum, P. leiognathi, P. iliopiscarium, P. kishitanii, and P. aquimaris. In this review, the role of these bacteria in histamine production in fish and seafood products with consequences for human food poisoning following consumption are discussed. In addition, methods to control their activity in countering histamine production are proposed.