Ulva pertusa, a Marine Green Alga, Attenuates DNBS-Induced Colitis Damage via NF-κB/Nrf2/SIRT1 Signaling Pathways

Marine Natural Products in Inflammation-Related Diseases: Opportunities and Challenges

In recent decades, the potentiality of marine natural products (MNPs) in the medical field has been increasingly recognized. Natural compounds derived from marine microorganisms, algae, and invertebrates have shown significant promise for treating inflammation-related diseases. In this review, we cover the three primary sources of MNPs and their diverse and unique chemical structures and bioactivities. This review aims to summarize the progress of MNPs in combating inflammation-related diseases. Moreover, we cover the functions and mechanisms of MNPs in diseases, highlighting their functions in regulating inflammatory signaling pathways, cellular stress responses, and gut microbiota, among others. Meanwhile, we focus on key technologies and scientific methods to address the current limitations and challenges in MNPs.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Algae-Derived Biomolecules in Gut Health: A Review

Under physiological conditions, the inflammatory response acts as a biological defense against tissue damage or infection, and is rapidly resolved once the infection is cleared. However, chronic inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), have become increasingly widespread in the last decades, placing a burden on the quality of life of affected people and on healthcare systems worldwide. Available drug therapies are often ineffective due to the chronic nature of these diseases, and prolonged administration of drugs can result in severe side effects for the patient or a lack of efficacy. In addition, there is the growing problem of bacterial resistance to synthetic antibiotics. Together, these factors have led to a strong research focus on the discovery of natural products capable of treating IBD. Recently, there has been a growing interest in compounds derived from marine sources, mainly algae, due to their bioactive secondary metabolites with anti-inflammatory properties well known in the literature. Based on this evidence, this review aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of algae-derived biomolecules in IBD. In particular, interesting species from green algae (e.g., Chlorella vulgaris and Ulva pertusa), brown algae (e.g., Macrocystis pyrifera and Ecklonia cava) and red algae (e.g., Porphyra tenera and Grateloupia turuturu) are included in this review due to their proven anti-inflammatory properties. For this purpose, an extensive literature search was conducted using several databases. The results suggest that both macroalgae and microalgae have remarkable potential for IBD therapy due to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of their bioactive compounds. However, while the preclinical evidence is encouraging, further and long-term clinical studies are needed to better understand their mechanisms of action in order to determine the true efficacy of marine algae in the treatment of IBD.

Ulva pertusa Modulated Colonic Oxidative Stress Markers and Clinical Parameters: A Potential Adjuvant Therapy to Manage Side Effects During 5-FU Regimen

One of the most used chemotherapy agents in clinical practice is 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), a fluorinated pyrimidine in the category of antimetabolite agents. 5-FU is used to treat a variety of cancers, including colon, breast, pancreatic, and stomach cancers, and its efficacy lies in its direct impact on the patient's DNA and RNA. Specifically, its mechanism blocks the enzymes thymidylate synthetase and uracil phosphatase, inhibiting the synthesis of uracil, which cannot be incorporated into nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA. Despite being one of the most used drugs in oncology, it is associated with several significant side effects, including inflammation of the mouth, loss of appetite, and reduction in blood cells. In our study, we examined the reduction of side effects in a 5-FU regimen administered at doses of 15 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg for 14 days in 6-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats. On the 14th day, the rats were treated orally for 2 weeks with 100 mg/kg of Ulva pertusa, a well-known seaweed from the Ulvaceae family, which has demonstrated powerful biological properties. The administration of this green alga alleviated the side effects of 5-FU, improving several parameters including body weight, food intake, and diarrhea index. It also helped reduce side effects in the blood, kidneys, and liver. Histological and molecular analyses were conducted on serum and colon tissues from the rats, examining changes in colon structure and the release of oxidative stress markers such as iNOS, COX-2, and nitrotyrosine. Several biochemical indicators, including SOD, CAT, GSH, MDA, and ascorbic acid, were also evaluated. Overall, our data indicated Ulva pertusa to be a promising therapeutic against 5-FU's adverse effects, therefore, it could be worthwhile to investigate the possibility of using this alga in safer cancer treatment formulations. Certainly, future preclinical and clinical studies could assess the alga's efficacy in diverse cancer treatment regimens, exploring its role as an adjuvant therapy that may reduce chemotherapy-related toxicity without compromising therapeutic outcomes.

Rebalance of mitophagy by inhibiting LRRK2 improves colon alterations in an MPTP in vivo model

Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are common genetic causes of Parkinson's disease (PD). Studies demonstrated that variants in LRRK2 genetically link intestinal disorders to PD. We aimed to evaluate whether the selective inhibitor of LRRK2, PF-06447475 (PF-475), attenuates the PD induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in central nervous system (CNS) and in the gastrointestinal system. CD1 mice received four intraperitoneal injections of MPTP (20 mg/kg, total dose of 80 mg/kg) at 2 h intervals (day 1). After 24 h PF-475 was administered intraperitoneally at the doses of 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg for seven days. LRRK2 inhibition reduced brain α-synuclein and modulated mitophagy pathway and reduced pro-inflammatory markers and α-synuclein aggregates in colonic tissues through the modulation of mitophagy proteins. LRRK2 inhibition suppressed MPTP-induced enteric dopaminergic neuronal injury and protected tight junction in the colon. Results suggested that PF-475 may attenuate gastrointestinal dysfunction associated to PD.

Biotinylated polyaminoacid-based nanoparticles for the targeted delivery of lenvatinib towards hepatocarcinoma

In this work, we describe the development of targeted polymeric nanoparticles loaded with lenvatinib for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A synthetic brush copolymer (PHEA-g-BIB-pButMA-g-PEG-biotin) was synthesized from α-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)-D,L-aspartamide (PHEA) by a three-step reaction involving atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) to graft hydrophobic polybutylmethacrylate pendant groups and further conjugation with biotinylated polyethylene glycol via carbonate ester. Subsequently, lenvatinib-loaded nanoparticles were obtained and characterized demonstrating colloidal size, negative zeta potential, biotin exposure on the surface and the ability to release lenvatinib in a sustained manner. Lenvatinib-loaded nanoparticles were tested in vitro on HCC cells to evaluate their anticancer efficacy compared to free drug. Furthermore, the enhanced in vivo efficacy of lenvatinib-loaded nanoparticles on nude mice HCC xenograft models was demonstrated by evaluating tumor burdens, apoptotic markers and histological scores after administration of lenvatinib-nanoparticles via intraperitoneal or oral route. Finally, in vivo biodistribution studies were performed, demonstrating the ability of the prepared drug delivery systems to significantly accumulate in the solid tumor by active targeting, due to the presence of biotin on the nanoparticle surface.

The Protective Role of Troxerutin (Trox) in Counteracting Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma (ATC) Progression

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a rare thyroid neoplasm characterized by aggressiveness and a high mortality rate. Troxerutin (Trox) is a bioflavonoid widely found in various fruits and vegetables with numerous protective effects, including anticancer activities. To evaluate the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of Trox, in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted in a model of ATC. Human ATC 8305C cell lines were treated with increasing concentrations of Trox (10 μg/mL, 30 μg/mL, 100 μg/mL, 300 μg/mL), and our results revealed that Trox treatment was able to reduce the viability of ATC cells and migratory capacity, reducing the expression of anti-apoptotic factors, such as B-cell lymphoma (bcl-2), and increasing the expression of pro-apoptotic factors, such as Caspase-3 and BID, activating oxidative stress mediators, such as manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species modulator 1 (ROMO-1). Furthermore, Trox modulates NF-κB pathway markers, such as NIK and TRAF-6. Further confirmation was obtained through in vivo studies, in which Trox treatment, at doses of 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg, reduced morphological alteration, decreasing mast cell accumulation. Therefore, the use of Trox could be considered a promising strategy to counteract the progression of ATC.

Marine Algae and Deriving Biomolecules for the Management of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Potential Clinical Therapeutics to Decrease Gut Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Markers?

The term "inflammatory bowel disease" (IBD) describes a class of relapse-remitting conditions that affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Among these, Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are two of the most globally prevalent and debilitating conditions. Several articles have brought attention to the significant role that inflammation and oxidative stress cooperatively play in the development of IBD, offering a different viewpoint both on its etiopathogenesis and on strategies for the effective treatment of these conditions. Marine ecosystems may be a significant source of physiologically active substances, supporting the search for new potential clinical therapeutics. Based on this evidence, this review aims to comprehensively evaluate the activity of marine algae and deriving biomolecules in decreasing pathological features of CD and UC. To match this purpose, a deep search of the literature on PubMed (MEDLINE) and Google Scholar was performed to highlight primary biological mechanisms, the modulation of inflammatory and oxidative stress biochemical parameters, and potential clinical benefits deriving from marine species. From our findings, both macroalgae and microalgae have shown potential as therapeutic solutions for IBD due to their bioactive compounds and their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities which are capable of modulating markers such as cytokines, the NF-κB pathway, reactive oxidative and nitrosative species (ROS and RNS), trefoil factor 3 (TFF3), lactoferrin, SIRT1, etc. However, while we found promising preclinical evidence, more extensive and long-term clinical studies are necessary to establish the efficacy and safety of marine algae for IBD treatment.

Potentials of Ulva spp.-derived sulfated polysaccharides as gelling agents with promising therapeutic effects

Ulvan, a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from Ulva spp., has garnered significant attention in the food and pharmaceutical industries due to its potential health benefits. These include immunomodulation, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-cancer effects. Nonetheless, practical applications in these fields remain limited due to an incomplete understanding of its gelation mechanisms. Additionally, the underlying mechanisms of its gelation have not been completely understood and thoroughly reviewed. The primary objective is to provide current insights into ulvan's gelling mechanisms and potential health impacts. This review also delves into the existing applications of ulvan polysaccharides. By unraveling these aspects, the information provided in this work is expected to deepen our understanding of ulvan's gelation mechanisms and its prospective role in enhancing health, holding promise for advancements in the fields of food science and disease prevention. This work's theoretical insights contribute significantly to a deeper understanding of these aspects, which holds paramount importance in unleashing the full potential of ulvan and elevating its scientific significance.

The Ocean's Pharmacy: Health Discoveries in Marine Algae

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) represent a global health challenge, constituting a major cause of mortality and disease burden in the 21st century. Addressing the prevention and management of NCDs is crucial for improving global public health, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies, early interventions, and innovative therapeutic approaches to mitigate their far-reaching consequences. Marine organisms, mainly algae, produce diverse marine natural products with significant therapeutic potential. Harnessing the largely untapped potential of algae could revolutionize drug development and contribute to combating NCDs, marking a crucial step toward natural and targeted therapeutic approaches. This review examines bioactive extracts, compounds, and commercial products derived from macro- and microalgae, exploring their protective properties against oxidative stress, inflammation, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, metabolic diseases, and cancer across in vitro, cell-based, in vivo, and clinical studies. Most research focuses on macroalgae, demonstrating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, gut health modulation, metabolic health promotion, and anti-cancer effects. Microalgae products also exhibit anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and anti-cancer properties. Although studies mainly investigated extracts and fractions, isolated compounds from algae have also been explored. Notably, polysaccharides, phlorotannins, carotenoids, and terpenes emerge as prominent compounds, collectively representing 42.4% of the investigated compounds.

Novel Findings on CCR1 Receptor in CNS Disorders: A Pathogenic Marker Useful in Controlling Neuroimmune and Neuroinflammatory Mechanisms in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is recognized as the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide. Even if PD etiopathogenesis is not yet fully understood, in recent years, it has been advanced that a chronic state of inflammation could play a decisive role in the development of this pathology, establishing the close link between PD and neuroinflammation. In the broad panorama of inflammation and its several signaling pathways, the C-C chemokine receptor type 1 (CCR1) could play a key pathogenic role in PD progression, and could constitute a valuable target for the development of innovative anti-PD therapies. In this study, we probed the neuroprotective properties of the CCR1 antagonist BX471 compound in a mouse model of MPTP-induced nigrostriatal degeneration. BX471 treatments were performed intraperitoneally at a dose of 3 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 30 mg/kg, starting 24 h after the last injection of MPTP and continuing for 7 days. From our data, BX471 treatment strongly blocked CCR1 and, as a result, decreased PD features, also reducing the neuroinflammatory state by regulating glial activation, NF-κB pathway, proinflammatory enzymes, and cytokines overexpression. Moreover, we showed that BX471's antagonistic action on CCR1 reduced the infiltration of immune cells, including mast cells and lymphocyte T activation. In addition, biochemical analyses carried out on serum revealed a considerable increase in circulating levels of CCR1 following MPTP-induced PD. In light of these findings, CCR1 could represent a useful pathological marker of PD, and its targeting could be a worthy candidate for the future development of new immunotherapies against PD.

5-HT-treated mouse B cells alleviate ulcerative colitis via RIPK1: Insights from proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses

5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) exerts various physiological effects on the intestine through different signaling pathways and molecular transmission mechanisms, including pro- and anti-inflammatory effects. Adoptive transfer of regulatory B cells (Bregs) into colitis mice has exhibited significant therapeutic benefits. We aimed to elucidate the mechanism through which 5-HT-treated B cells alleviate ulcerative colitis. To this end, we analyzed the proteomic and phosphoproteomic profiles of 5-HT-stimulated B cells from naïve mice. We identified 3124 phosphorylation sites in proteins via tandem mass tagging and found 110 differential peptides after protein phosphorylation. Furthermore, we obtained three differential proteins, RIPK1, ATXN2l, and Q8C5K5 through integration of both proteomic datasets. We discovered and validated that 5-HT binds to 5-HT7R and increases the expression of RIPK1 in B cells. We propose a theoretical and experimental basis for further research on the RIPK1 signaling pathway, kinase prediction, and phosphorylation sites in ulcerative colitis. SIGNIFICANCE: Some researchers demonstrated that 5-HT can effectively suppress colitis through a variety of molecular mechanisms. Our study discovered and consistently validated the 5-HT/5-HT7R/RIPK1 pathway, further clarifying the molecular mechanism through which 5-HT stimulates B cells to alleviate intestinal inflammation.

Rebalancing NOX2/Nrf2 to limit inflammation and oxidative stress across gut-brain axis in migraine

Migraine is one of the most common neurological illnesses, and it is characterized by complicated neurobiology. It was confirmed the influence of inflammation and oxidative stress in migraines and also in distal organs such as the intestine. Indeed, the constant bidirectional communication between the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, known as the gut-brain axis, has become an attractive target involved in different human disorders. Herein, we explored the role of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) in nitroglycerin (NTG)-induced migraine in mice models to discover the mechanism by which, during migraine attack, oxidative stress is sustained within trigeminal neurons and GI. Considering the inverse relationship between NOX2 and Nrf2, Nrf2 upregulation seems to be a promising approach to decrease NOX2 expression and consequently limit oxidative stress and inflammation spread in neurological and non-neurological diseases. With this aim, we exploited tempol's Nrf2-inducer ability to better understand the involvement of Nrf2/NOX2 axis in migraine and associated GI comorbidities. Behavioral tests confirmed that tempol, in a dose-dependent manner, moderated clinical signs of migraine and abdominal pain. Moreover, we demonstrated that the decrease in migraine-related symptomatology was strongly linked to the modulation of Nrf2/NOX2 signaling pathway in the brain and colon. In the brain, the rebalancing of Nrf2/NOX2 prevented neuronal loss, decreased glia reactivity while inhibiting NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In the colon, Nrf2 upregulation and consequent NOX2 decrease reduced the histological damage, mast cells infiltration as well as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β release. Furthermore, the attenuation of inflammation and oxidative stress led to the restoration of the intestinal barrier through TJs replacement. Taken as a whole, data suggested that the regulation of Nrf2/NOX2 balance is a successful way to reduce neurological and related intestinal impairments during migraine and could be of relevance for migraine-like attacks in humans.

Natural compounds target programmed cell death (PCD) signaling mechanism to treat ulcerative colitis: a review

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a nonspecific inflammatory bowel disease characterized by abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, weight loss, and colon shortening. However, UC is difficult to cure due to its high drug resistance rate and easy recurrence. Moreover, long-term inflammation and increased disease severity can lead to the development of colon cancer in some patients. Programmed cell death (PCD) is a gene-regulated cell death process that includes apoptosis, autophagy, necroptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis. PCD plays a crucial role in maintaining body homeostasis and the development of organs and tissues. Abnormal PCD signaling is observed in the pathological process of UC, such as activating the apoptosis signaling pathway to promote the progression of UC. Targeting PCD may be a therapeutic strategy, and natural compounds have shown great potential in modulating key targets of PCD to treat UC. For instance, baicalin can regulate cell apoptosis to alleviate inflammatory infiltration and pathological damage. This review focuses on the specific expression of PCD and its interaction with multiple signaling pathways, such as NF-κB, Nrf2, MAPK, JAK/STAT, PI3K/AKT, NLRP3, GPX4, Bcl-2, etc., to elucidate the role of natural compounds in targeting PCD for the treatment of UC. This review used (ulcerative colitis) (programmed cell death) and (natural products) as keywords to search the related studies in PubMed and the Web of Science, and CNKI database of the past 10 years. This work retrieved 72 studies (65 from the past 5 years and 7 from the past 10 years), which aims to provide new treatment strategies for UC patients and serves as a foundation for the development of new drugs.

Anti-inflammatory potential of ulvan

Green seaweeds are a widespread group of marine macroalgae that could be regarded as biorenewable source of valuable compounds, in particular sulfated polysaccharides like ulvans with interesting biological properties. Among them, anti-inflammatory activity represents an interesting target, since ulvans could potentially avoid side effects of conventional therapies. However, a great variability in ulvan content, composition, structure and properties occurs depending on seaweed specie and growth and processing conditions. All these aspects should be carefully considered in order to have reproducible and well characterized products. This review presents some concise ideas on ulvan composition and general concepts on inflammation mechanisms. Then, the main focus is on the importance of adequate selection of extraction, depolymerization and purification technologies followed by an updated survey on anti-inflammatory properties of ulvans through modulation of different signaling pathways. The potential application in a number of diseases, with special emphasis on inflammaging, gut microbiota dysbiosis, wound repair, and metabolic diseases is also discussed. This multidisciplinary overview tries to present the potential of ulvans considering not only mechanistic, but also processing and applications aspects, trusting that it can aid in the development and application of this widely available and renewable resource as an efficient and versatile anti-inflammatory agent.

Preventive Effect of Ecklonia cava Extract on DSS-Induced Colitis by Elevating Intestinal Barrier Function and Improving Pathogenic Inflammation

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, is a complex gastrointestinal disorder with a multifactorial etiology, including environmental triggers, autoimmune mechanisms, and genetic predisposition. Despite advancements in therapeutic strategies for IBD, its associated mortality rate continues to rise, which is often attributed to unforeseen side effects of conventional treatments. In this context, we explored the potential of Ecklonia cava extract (ECE), derived from an edible marine alga known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, in mitigating IBD. This study investigated the effectiveness of ECE as a preventive agent in a murine model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Our findings revealed that pretreatment with ECE significantly ameliorated colitis severity, as evidenced by increased colon length, reduced spleen weight, and histological improvements demonstrated by immunohistochemical analysis. Furthermore, ECE significantly attenuated the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines and mediators and the infiltration of immune cells known to be prominent features of colitis in mice. Notably, ECE alleviated dysbiosis of intestinal microflora and aided in the recovery of damaged intestinal mucosa. Mechanistically, ECE exhibited protective effects against pathogenic colitis by inhibiting the NLRP3/NF-κB pathways known to be pivotal regulators in the inflammatory signaling cascade. These compelling results suggest that ECE holds promise as a potential candidate for IBD prevention. It might be developed into a functional food for promoting gastrointestinal health. This research sheds light on the preventive potential of natural compounds like ECE in the management of IBD, offering a safer and more effective approach to combating this challenging disease.

High-sulfated derivative of polysaccharide from Ulva pertusa improves Adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome by suppressing oxidative stress

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is characterized by proteinuria, hyperlipidemia, and hypoalbuminemia. Ulva pertusa, a green seaweed, is a nutritional supplement. In this study, the high-sulfated derivative of Ulva pertusa polysaccharide (HU) was prepared by combining U pertusa polysaccharide with chlorosulfonic acid. The NS rat model was established by tail vein single injection of Adriamycin (6.0 mg kg-1). Normal rats were used as the control group. NS rat models were treated with HU or U (173 mg kg-1 day-1). After treatment for 6 weeks, we assessed urine protein, renal function, and blood lipids, and observed morphology and histologic injury of the kidney and glomerular microstructure. Furthermore, we detected antioxidant enzyme activity and expression level of the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway to explore the potential mechanism of HU. Results showed that HU not only alleviated hyperlipidemia and hypoalbuminemia, but also reduced urine protein by inhibiting podocyte detachment, thickening of the glomerular basement membrane, and expression of kidney fibrosis markers (collagens I and IV). In addition, HU enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity (GSH-Px, CAT, SOD) in both serum and the kidney, which may be due to upregulating the expression of Nrf2 and downregulating the expression of Keap1. In conclusion, HU appears to be effective in attenuating NS in rats through suppressing oxidative stress by regulating the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

bFGF-like Activity Supported Tissue Regeneration, Modulated Neuroinflammation, and Rebalanced Ca2+ Homeostasis following Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is a well-defined debilitating traumatic event to the spinal cord that usually triggers permanent changes in motor, sensory, and autonomic functions. Injured tissue becomes susceptible to secondary mechanisms caused by SCIs, which include pro-inflammatory cytokine release, the activation of astrocytes and microglia, and increased neuronal sensibility. As a consequence, the production of factors such as GFAP, IBA-1, TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, and S100-β slow down or inhibit central nervous system (CNS) regeneration. In this regard, a thorough understanding of the mechanisms regulating the CNS, and specifically SCI, is essential for the development of new therapeutic strategies. It has been demonstrated that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was successful in the modulation of neurotrophic activity, also promoting neurite survival and tissue repair, thus resulting in the valuable care of CNS disorders. However, bFGF therapeutic use is limited due to the undesirable effects developed following its administration. Therefore, the synthetic compound mimetic of bFGF, SUN11602 (with chemical name 4-[[4-[[2-[(4-Amino-2,3,5,6-tetramethylphenyl)amino]acetyl]methylamino]-1-piperidinyl]methyl]benzamide), has been reported to show neuroprotective activities similar to those of bFGF, also demonstrating a good pharmacokinetic profile. Here, we aimed to investigate the neuroprotective activity of this bFGF-like compound in modulating tissue regeneration, neuroinflammation, and Ca2+ overload by using a subacute mouse model of SCI. SUN11602 (1, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg) was administered orally to mice for 72 h daily following the in vivo model of SCI, which was generated by the extradural compression of the spinal cord. The data obtained demonstrated that SUN11602 treatment considerably decreased motor alteration and diminished the neuroinflammatory state through the regulation of glial activation, the NF-κB pathway, and kinases. Additionally, by controlling Ca2+-binding proteins and restoring neurotrophin expression, we showed that SUN11602 therapy restored the equilibrium of the neuronal circuit. Because of these findings, bFGF-like compounds may be an effective tool for reducing inflammation in SCI patients while enhancing their quality of life.

Serum Pentraxin 3 as Promising Biomarker for the Long-Lasting Inflammatory Response of COVID-19

Currently, biological markers for COVID-19 disease severity still constitute the main goal of enhancing an efficient treatment to reduce critical consequences such as an abnormal systemic inflammatory response. In this regard, the latest research has shown that Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), a highly conserved innate immunity protein, may serve as a valuable biochemical marker. Based on this evidence, we conducted a case-control study to compare the PTX3 serum levels and several immune-inflammatory mediators of 80 healthcare workers who were subdivided into subjects who were previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 (n = 40) and individuals who were never infected (n = 40). Using a commercially available Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), PTX3 and various immune-inflammatory protein levels were assessed in serum samples, while also considering possible variables (e.g., gender-related differences). We have shown elevated levels of PTX3 and other inflammatory proteins in previously infected COVID-19-positive subjects (p < 0.001). Moreover, the obtained data also indicate a degree of severity influenced by gender, as shown by the subgroup analysis, in which PTX3 expression was more pronounced in previously COVID-19-positive males (p < 0.001) than in females (p < 0.05) compared to the respective controls. In addition, our data further validate, through a direct comparison of previously COVID-19-positive subjects, greater pro-inflammatory levels in males than in females. Overall, our results may support the validity of PTX3 as a systemic biomarker in prolonged systemic inflammatory responses in the context of COVID-19. Thus, PTX3 modulation could constitute an effective therapeutic strategy for improving the recovery from COVID-19 and its systemic long-term consequences.

Prolyl oligopeptidase inhibition ameliorates experimental pulmonary fibrosis both in vivo and in vitro

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive disease characterized by lung remodeling due to excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. Although the etiology remains unknown, aberrant angiogenesis and inflammation play an important role in the development of this pathology. In this context, recent scientific research has identified new molecules involved in angiogenesis and inflammation, such as the prolyl oligopeptidase (PREP), a proteolytic enzyme belonging to the serine protease family, linked to the pathology of many lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a selective inhibitor of PREP, known as KYP-2047, in an in vitro and in an in vivo model of pulmonary fibrosis.

METHODS

The in vitro model was performed using human alveolar A549 cells. Cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 10 μg/ml and then, cells were treated with KYP-2047 at the concentrations of 1 μM, 10 μM and 50 μM. Cell viability was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) bromide colorimetric assay, while inflammatory protein expression was assessed by western blots analysis. The in vivo model was induced in mice by intra-tracheal administration of bleomycin (1 mg/kg) and then treated intraperitoneally with KYP-2047 at doses of 1, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg once daily for 12 days and then mice were sacrificed, and lung tissues were collected for analyses.

RESULTS

The in vitro results demonstrated that KYP-2047 preserved cell viability, reduced inflammatory process by decreasing IL-18 and TNF-α, and modulated lipid peroxidation as well as nitrosative stress. The in vivo pulmonary fibrosis has demonstrated that KYP-2047 was able to restore histological alterations reducing lung injury. Our data demonstrated that KYP-2047 significantly reduced angiogenesis process and the fibrotic damage modulating the expression of fibrotic markers. Furthermore, KYP-2047 treatment modulated the IκBα/NF-κB pathway and reduced the expression of related pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines. Moreover, KYP-2047 was able to modulate the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, highly involved in pulmonary fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this study demonstrated the involvement of PREP in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis and that its inhibition by KYP-2047 has a protective role in lung injury induced by BLM, suggesting PREP as a potential target therapy for pulmonary fibrosis. These results speculate the potential protective mechanism of KYP-2047 through the modulation of JAK2/STAT3 and NF-κB pathways.

Sirtuin family in autoimmune diseases

In recent years, epigenetic modifications have been widely researched. As humans age, environmental and genetic factors may drive inflammation and immune responses by influencing the epigenome, which can lead to abnormal autoimmune responses in the body. Currently, an increasing number of studies have emphasized the important role of epigenetic modification in the progression of autoimmune diseases. Sirtuins (SIRTs) are class III nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent histone deacetylases and SIRT-mediated deacetylation is an important epigenetic alteration. The SIRT family comprises seven protein members (namely, SIRT1-7). While the catalytic core domain contains amino acid residues that have remained stable throughout the entire evolutionary process, the N- and C-terminal regions are structurally divergent and contribute to differences in subcellular localization, enzymatic activity and substrate specificity. SIRT1 and SIRT2 are localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm. SIRT3, SIRT4, and SIRT5 are mitochondrial, and SIRT6 and SIRT7 are predominantly found in the nucleus. SIRTs are key regulators of various physiological processes such as cellular differentiation, apoptosis, metabolism, ageing, immune response, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial function. We discuss the association between SIRTs and common autoimmune diseases to facilitate the development of more effective therapeutic strategies.

Efficacy of the Radical Scavenger, Tempol, to Reduce Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in a Murine Model of Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronically relapsing inflammatory skin disease, predominantly common in children; it is characterized by an eczematous pattern generally referable to skin dryness and itchy papules that become excoriated and lichenified in the more advanced stages of the disease. Although the pathophysiology of AD is not completely understood, numerous studies have demonstrated the complex interaction between genetic, immunological, and environmental factors, which acts to disrupt skin barrier function. Free radicals play a key role by directly damaging skin structure, inducing inflammation and weakening of the skin barrier. Tempol (4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl) is a membrane-permeable radical scavenger, known to be a stable nitroxide, which exhibits excellent antioxidant effects in several human disorders, such as osteoarthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases. Considering the few existing studies on dermatological pathologies, this study aimed to evaluate tempol, in a cream formulation, in a murine model of AD. Dermatitis was induced in mice via dorsal skin application of 0.5% Oxazolone, three times a week for two weeks. After induction, mice were treated with tempol-based cream for another two weeks at three different doses of 0.5%, 1% and 2%. Our results demonstrated the ability of tempol, at the highest percentages, to counteract AD by reducing the histological damage, decreasing mast cell infiltration, and improving the skin barrier properties, by restoring the tight junction (TJs) and filaggrin. Moreover, tempol, at 1% and 2%, was able to modulate inflammation by reducing the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of the activated B cell (NF-κB) pathway, as well as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β expression. Topical treatment also attenuated oxidative stress by modulating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), and heme oxygenase I (HO-1) expression levels. The obtained results demonstrate the numerous advantages provided by the topical administration of a tempol-based cream formulation, in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress through modulation of the NF-κB/Nrf2 signaling pathways. Therefore, tempol could represent an alternative anti-atopic approach to treating AD, thereby improving skin barrier function.

New Insights into the Mechanism of Ulva pertusa on Colitis in Mice: Modulation of the Pain and Immune System

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) involving Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in which abdominal pain, discomfort, and diarrhea are the major symptoms. The immune system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of IBD and, as indicated by several clinical studies, both innate and adaptative immune response has the faculty to induce gut inflammation in UC patients. An inappropriate mucosal immune response to normal intestinal constituents is a main feature of UC, thus leading to an imbalance in local pro- and anti-inflammatory species. Ulva pertusa, a marine green alga, is known for its important biological properties, which could represent a source of beneficial effects in various human pathologies. We have already demonstrated the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic effects of an Ulva pertusa extract in a murine model of colitis. In this study, we aimed to examine thoroughly Ulva pertusa immunomodulatory and pain-relieving properties. Colitis was induced by using the DNBS model (4 mg in 100 μL of 50% ethanol), whereas Ulva pertusa was administered daily at the dosage of 50 and 100 mg/kg by oral gavage. Ulva pertusa treatments have been shown to relieve abdominal pain while modulating innate and adaptative immune-inflammatory responses. This powerful immunomodulatory activity was specifically linked with TLR4 and NLRP3 inflammasome modulation. In conclusion, our data suggest Ulva pertusa as a valid approach to counteract immune dysregulation and abdominal discomfort in IBD.

Targeting SIRT1/FoxO3a/Nrf2 and PI3K/AKT Pathways with Rebamipide Attenuates Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis in Rats

Rebamipide is a quinolone derivative that has been commonly used for the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers. However, the molecular mechanisms of rebamipide against acetic acid-evoked colitis have not been adequately examined. Hence, the current study aimed to investigate the ameliorative effect of rebamipide in a rat model of acetic acid-evoked ulcerative colitis and the linked mechanisms pertaining to SIRT1/FoxO3a/Nrf2 and PI3K/AKT pathways. Herein, colitis was induced by the intrarectal administration of 3% acetic acid solution in saline (v/v) while rebamipide was administered by oral gavage (100 mg/kg/day) for seven days before the colonic insult. The colonic injury was examined by macroscopical and microscopical examination. The current findings demonstrated that rebamipide significantly improved the colonic injury by lowering the colonic disease activity index and macroscopic mucosal injury score. Moreover, it mitigated the histopathological aberrations and microscopical damage score. The favorable outcomes of rebamipide were driven by combating inflammation evidenced by dampening the colonic expression of NF-κBp65 and the pro-inflammatory markers CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6. In the same context, rebamipide curtailed the colonic pro-inflammatory PI3K/AKT pathway as seen by downregulating the immunostaining of PI3K and p-AKT(Ser473) signals. In tandem, rebamipide combated the colonic pro-oxidant events and augmented the antioxidant milieu by significantly diminishing the colonic TBARS and replenishing GSH, SOD, GST, GPx, and CAT. In the same regard, rebamipide stimulated the colonic upstream SIRT1/FoxO3a/Nrf2 axis by upregulating the expression of SIRT1, FoxO3a, and Nrf2, alongside downregulating Keap-1 gene expression. These antioxidant actions were accompanied by upregulation of the protein expression of the cytoprotective signal PPAR-γ in the colons of rats. In conclusion, the present findings suggest that the promising ameliorative features of rebamipide against experimental colitis were driven by combating the colonic inflammatory and oxidative responses. In perspective, augmentation of colonic SIRT1/FoxO3a/Nrf2 and inhibition of PI3K/AKT pathways were engaged in the observed favorable outcomes.

Effects of Medicinal Plants and Phytochemicals in Nrf2 Pathways during Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and Related Colorectal Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are related to nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) dysregulation. In vitro and in vivo studies using phytocompounds as modulators of the Nrf2 signaling in IBD have already been published. However, no existing review emphasizes the whole scenario for the potential of plants and phytocompounds as regulators of Nrf2 in IBD models and colitis-associated colorectal carcinogenesis. For these reasons, this study aimed to build a review that could fill this void. The PubMed, EMBASE, COCHRANE, and Google Scholar databases were searched. The literature review showed that medicinal plants and phytochemicals regulated the Nrf2 on IBD and IBD-associated colorectal cancer by amplifying the expression of the Nrf2-mediated phase II detoxifying enzymes and diminishing NF-κB-related inflammation. These effects improve the bowel environment, mucosal barrier, colon, and crypt disruption, reduce ulceration and microbial translocation, and consequently, reduce the disease activity index (DAI). Moreover, the modulation of Nrf2 can regulate various genes involved in cellular redox, protein degradation, DNA repair, xenobiotic metabolism, and apoptosis, contributing to the prevention of colorectal cancer.

Icosapent ethyl alleviates acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis via modulation of SIRT1 signaling pathway in rats

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a global inflammatory bowel disease. This study aimed to assess the effects of icosapent ethyl on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats as well as the underlying mechanisms involved. 36 male Wister rats were equally divided into six groups: control, UC, mesalamine 100 mg/kg, icosapent 150mg/kg, icosapent 300 mg/kg, and EX527-icosapent 300 mg/kg groups. Except for control group, UC was induced by acetic acid instillation into colon. Drugs were administered once daily for one week then under thiopental anaesthesia, colons were excised. Colitis macroscopic and microscopic scores were assessed. A part of colon was homogenized for detection of malondialdehyde (MDA), inerleukin1 (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), superoxide dismutase (SOD), phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) and caspase 3 levels. Silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and nuclear factor erythroid 2 (Nrf2) mRNA expressions were detected. Mallory-stained colonic sections were examined for collagen fibres detection. Immunohistochemistry of NF-κB and p53 expressionsin colonic sections were assessed. Acetic acid induced colitis with increments in MDA, IL-1β, TNF-α, and caspase 3 levels while decreased SOD, pAkt, SIRT1, HO-1, and Nrf2 with increased collagen fibres as well as NF-κB and p53. Icosapent decreased macro& microscopic colitis scores, MDA, IL-1β, TNF-α, and caspase 3 levels while increased SOD, pAkt, SIRT1, HO-1, and Nrf2 with decreased collagen fibres as well as NF-κB and p53. The effects of icosapent 300 mg/kg were similar to mesalamine. Icosapent effects were antagonized by EX527. Icosapent alleviated acetic acid-induced colitis via its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects mediated in part by SIRT1 pathway activation.

A Combination of Xyloglucan, Pea Protein and Chia Seed Ameliorates Intestinal Barrier Integrity and Mucosa Functionality in a Rat Model of Constipation-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a gastrointestinal disorder that affects the large intestine, which encompasses several symptoms including, but not limited to, abdominal pain, bloating and dysmotility. In particular, IBS associated with constipation (IBS-C) is characterized by hard and dry stools and inadequate evacuation and difficulty in defecation. Although several drugs ameliorate intestinal modifications and constipation-associated features, management of IBS is still a challenge. Natural compounds including Xyloglucan and pea protein (XP) and Chia seed powder (CS) are widely known to possess beneficial effects in counteracting several gastrointestinal disorders. Here, we aimed to assess the combined effects of XP and CS to treat constipation-related alterations in an IBS-C rat model. IBS-C was induced by gastric instillation of 2 mL of cold water (0-4 °C) for 14 days and Xiloglucan, Pea protein and Chia seeds (XP + CS) treatment was orally administered for 7 days. On day 22, colon tissues were collected for histological analysis. Our results showed that XP + CS administration attenuated constipation-related parameters by increasing body weight and food and water intake. Upon XP + CS treatment, from day 14 to 22, stool moisture content was restored to physiological level. Colonic tissues from IBS-C rats depicted a disruption of the organ architecture accompanied by edema. Loss of colonic structure was reflected by the marked reduction of tight junction protein expression, Occludin and zona occludens-1 (ZO-1). Administration of XP + CS treatment in IBS-C rats significantly ameliorated the colonic histological parameters and exerted a positive effect on barrier integrity by restoring the expression of Occludin and zona occludens-1 (ZO-1). Our findings demonstrated that the efficacy of XP and CS in managing constipation in rats is due to the ability of these compounds to form a protective barrier fortifying intestinal integrity and gut functionality.