Aqueous and Methanolic Extracts of Caulerpa mexicana Suppress Cell Migration and Ear Edema Induced by Inflammatory Agents

Marine algae: A treasure trove of bioactive anti-inflammatory compounds

This comprehensive review examines the diverse classes of pharmacologically active compounds found in marine algae and their promising anti-inflammatory effects. The review covers various classes of anti-inflammatory compounds sourced from marine algae, including phenolic compounds, flavonoids, terpenoids, caretenoids, alkaloids, phlorotannins, bromophenols, amino acids, peptides, proteins, polysaccharides, and fatty acids. The anti-inflammatory activities of marine algae-derived compounds have been extensively investigated using in vitro and in vivo models, demonstrating their ability to inhibit pro-inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines, chemokines, and enzymes involved in inflammation. Moreover, marine algae-derived compounds have exhibited immunomodulatory properties, regulating immune cell functions and attenuating inflammatory responses. Specific examples of compounds with notable anti-inflammatory activities are highlighted. This review provides valuable insights for researchers in the field of marine anti-inflammatory pharmacology and emphasizes the need for further research to harness the pharmacological benefits of marine algae-derived compounds for the development of effective and safe therapeutic agents.

Nortopsentins as Leads from Marine Organisms for Anticancer and Anti-Inflammatory Agent Development

The marine environment is an excellent source of molecules that have a wide structural diversity and a variety of biological activities. Many marine natural products (MNPs) have been established as leads for anticancer drug discovery. Most of these compounds are alkaloids, including several chemical subclasses. In this review, we focus on the bis-indolyl alkaloid Nortopsentins and their derivatives with antiproliferative properties. Nortopsentins A-C were found to exhibit in vitro cytotoxicity against the P388 murine leukaemia cell line. Their structural manipulation provided a wide range of derivatives with significant anti-tumour activity against human cell lines derived from different cancer types (bladder, colon, gastric, CNS, liver, lung, breast, melanoma, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, pleural mesothelioma, renal, sarcoma, and uterus). In vivo assays on animal models also proved that Nortopsentins and related bis-indolyl compounds have potent anti-inflammatory activity. These remarks set the foundation for future investigations into the development of new Nortopsentin derivatives as new anticancer and anti-inflammatory agents.

Enhanced Transdermal Delivery of Pranoprofen Using a Thermo-Reversible Hydrogel Loaded with Lipid Nanocarriers for the Treatment of Local Inflammation

A biocompatible topical thermo-reversible hydrogel containing Pranoprofen (PF)-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) was studied as an innovative strategy for the topical treatment of skin inflammatory diseases. The PF-NLCs-F127 hydrogel was characterized physiochemically and short-time stability tests were carried out over 60 days. In vitro release and ex vivo human skin permeation studies were carried out in Franz diffusion cells. In addition, a cytotoxicity assay was studied using the HaCat cell line and in vivo tolerance study was performed in humans by evaluating the biomechanical properties. The anti-inflammatory effect of the PF-NLCs-F127 was evaluated in adult male Sprague Daw-ley^® rats using a model of inflammation induced by the topical application of xylol for 1 h. The developed PF-NLCs-F127 exhibited a heterogeneous structure with spherical PF-NLCs in the hydrogel. Furthermore, a thermo-reversible behaviour was determined with a gelling temperature of 32.5 °C, being close to human cutaneous temperature and thus favouring the retention of PF. Furthermore, in the ex vivo study, the amount of PF retained and detected in human skin was high and no systemic effects were observed. The hydrogel was found to be non-cytotoxic, showing cell viability of around 95%. The PF-NLCs-F127 is shown to be well tolerated and no signs of irritancy or alterations of the skin's biophysical properties were detected. The topical application of PF-NLCs-F127 hydrogel was shown to be efficient in an inflammatory animal model, preventing the loss of stratum corneum and reducing the presence of leukocyte infiltration. The results from this study confirm that the developed hydrogel is a suitable drug delivery carrier for the transdermal delivery of PF, improving its dermal retention, opening the possibility of using it as a promising candidate and safer alternative to topical treatment for local skin inflammation and indicating that it could be useful in the clinical environment.

Production and Characterization of Chitooligosaccharides: Evaluation of Acute Toxicity, Healing, and Anti-Inflammatory Actions

The search for promising biomolecules such as chitooligosaccharides (COS) has increased due to the need for healing products that act efficiently, avoiding complications resulting from exacerbated inflammation. Therefore, this study aimed to produce COS in two stages of hydrolysis using chitosanases derived from Bacillus toyonensis. Additionally, this study aimed to structurally characterize the COS via mass spectrometry, to analyze their biocompatibility in acute toxicity models in vivo, to evaluate their healing action in a cell migration model in vitro, to analyze the anti-inflammatory activity in in vivo models of xylol-induced ear edema and zymosan-induced air pouch, and to assess the wound repair action in vivo. The structural characterization process pointed out the presence of hexamers. The in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of COS was reaffirmed. The COS stimulated the fibroblast migration. In the in vivo inflammatory assays, COS showed an antiedematogenic response and significant reductions in leukocyte migration, cytokine release, and protein exudate. The COS healing effect in vivo was confirmed by the significant wound reduction after seven days of the experiment. These results indicated that the presence of hexamers influences the COS biological properties, which have potential uses in the pharmaceutical field due to their healing and anti-inflammatory action.

Macroalgae-A Sustainable Source of Chemical Compounds with Biological Activities

Nowadays, one of the most important research directions that concerns the scientific world is to exploit the earth’s resources in a sustainable way. Considering the increasing interest in finding new sources of bioactive molecules and functional products, many research studies focused their interest on demonstrating the sustainability of exploiting marine macroalgal biomass as feedstock for wastewater treatment and natural fertilizer, conversion into green biofuels, active ingredients in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products, or even for the production of functional ingredients and integration in the human food chain. The objective of the present paper was to provide an overview on the recent progress in the exploitation of different macroalgae species as a source of bioactive compounds, mainly emphasizing the latter published data regarding their potential bioactivities, health benefits, and industrial applications.

Extracts and Marine Algae Polysaccharides in Therapy and Prevention of Inflammatory Diseases of the Intestine

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a serious public health problem worldwide. Current therapeutic strategies that use anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, and biological treatments are often ineffective and have adverse health effects. In this regard, the use of natural compounds aimed at key pathogenic therapeutic targets in IBD attracts universal attention. Seaweed is a valuable source of structurally diverse biologically active compounds. The materials presented in the review indicate that seaweed extracts and polysaccharides are effective candidates for the development of drugs, biological food additives, and functional nutrition products for the treatment and prevention of IBD. The structural features of algal polysaccharides provide the possibility of exposure to therapeutic targets of IBD, including proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, nuclear factor NF-kB, intestinal epithelial cells, reactive oxygen and nitrogen. Further study of the relationship between the effect of polysaccharides from different types of algae, with different structure and molecular weights on immune and epithelial cells, intestinal microorganisms will contribute to a deeper understanding of their mechanisms and will help in the development of drugs, dietary supplements, functional foods for the treatment of patients with IBD.

Marine Alkaloids with Anti-Inflammatory Activity: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

Alkaloids are nitrogenous compounds with various biological activities. Alkaloids with anti-inflammatory activity are commonly found in terrestrial plants, but there are few records of the identification and characterization of the activity of these compounds in marine organisms such as fungi, bacteria, sponges, ascidians, and cnidarians. Seaweed are a source of several already elucidated bioactive compounds, but few studies have described and characterized the activity of seaweed alkaloids with anti-inflammatory properties. In this review, we have gathered the current knowledge about marine alkaloids with anti-inflammatory activity and suggest future perspectives for the study and bioprospecting of these compounds.

Seaweeds-derived compounds modulating effects on signal transduction pathways: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Recently, the study of marine natural products has gained interest due to their relevant biological activities. Specially, seaweeds produce bioactive compounds that could act as modulators of cell signaling pathways involved in a plethora of diseases. Thereby, the description of the molecular mechanisms by which seaweeds elicit its biological functions will certainly pave the way to the pharmacological development of drugs.

AIM

This review describes the molecular mechanisms by which seaweeds act and its possible utilization in the design of new drugs.

METHODS

This review was conducted according to the PRISMA-P guidelines for systematic reviews. Two independent authors searched into four different databases using combinations of keywords. Two more authors selected the articles following the eligibility criteria. Information extraction was conducted by two separated authors and entered into spreadsheets. Methodological quality and risk of bias were determined applying a 12-question Risk of Bias criteria tool.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

We found 2360 articles (SCOPUS: 998; PubMed: 678; Wiley: 645 and EBSCO: 39) using the established keywords, of which 113 articles fit the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. This work comprises studies in cell lines, and animal models, any clinical trial was excluded. The articles were published from 2005 up to March 31st 2018. The biggest amount of articles was published in 2017. Furthermore, the seaweeds tested in the studies were collected in 15 countries, mainly in Eastern countries. We found that the main modulated signaling pathways by seaweeds-derivate extracts and compounds were: L-Arginine/NO, TNF-α, MAPKs, PI3K/AKT/GSK, mTOR, NF-κB, extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis, cell cycle, MMPs and Nrf2. Finally, the articles we analyzed showed moderate risk of bias in almost all the parameters evaluated. However, the studies fail to describe the place and characteristics of sample collection, the sample size, and the blindness of the experimental design.

CONCLUSION

In this review we identified and summarized relevant information related to seaweed-isolated compounds and extracts having biological activity; their role in different signal pathways to better understand their potential to further development of cures for cancer, diabetes, and inflammation-related diseases.

Therapeutic effects of the total lignans from Vitex negundo seeds on collagen-induced arthritis in rats

BACKGROUND

The seeds of Vitex negundo, with rich lignans metabolites, have been widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic herbal medicine for the treatment of rheumatism and joint inflammation. The total lignans of Vitex negundo seeds (TOV) were suggested to play an important role in the treatment of arthritis.

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was designed to investigate the anti-arthritic effects of TOV on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats as well as its possible mechanisms.

METHODS

TOV was prepared by combined macroporous resin and polyamide column chromatography, and constituents of TOV were analyzed by HPLC. CIA model in rats was established by immunization with chicken type II collagen and then the rats were intragastrically administrated with TOV for 30 days. Rat arthritis was evaluated by measurements of hind paw edema, arthritis index score, weight growth and indices of thymus and spleen, and by histological examination. Levels of serum MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17A and TNF-α were also examined. In addition, the expression of COX-2, iNOS and IκB, p-IκB in synovial tissues was evaluated by western blotting. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of TOV were also evaluated in acetic acid-induced writhing and xylene-induced ear edema in mice, respectively. In addition, acute toxicity test was employed to preliminarily assess the safety of TOV.

RESULTS

TOV significantly inhibited the paw edema and decreased the arthritis index, with no influence on the body weight and the indices of thymus and spleen of CIA rats. Meanwhile, TOV dose-dependently reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells, synovial hyperplasia and attenuated cartilage damage. Additionally, the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A, TNF-α, MMP-3 and MMP-9 were markedly decreased, while the level of serum IL-10 was increased in TOV-treated rats. The significant reduction of the expression of COX-2, iNOS and p-IκB and the notable increase of IκB in synovial tissues were also observed in TOV-treated animals. TOV also significantly inhibited acetic acid-induced writhing and decreased xylene-induced ear edema in mice. Finally, the maximal tolerable dose (MTD) of TOV was determined to be 16.0 g/kg.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that TOV has significant anti-arthritic effects on collagen-induced arthritis in rats, which may be attributed to the inhibition of the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A, TNF-α, MMP-3 and MMP-9, and the increase of IL-10 in serum as well as down-regulation of the protein expression of COX-2 and iNOS in synovial tissues via suppressing the phosphorylation and degradation of IκB. Due to its high efficacy and safety, TOV can be regarded as a promising drug candidate for rheumatoid arthritis treatment.

The Bisindole Alkaloid Caulerpin, from Seaweeds of the Genus Caulerpa, Attenuated Colon Damage in Murine Colitis Model

Caulerpin (CLP), an alkaloid from algae of the genus Caulerpa, has shown anti-inflammatory activity. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the effect of CLP in the murine model of peritonitis and ulcerative colitis. Firstly, the mice were submitted to peritonitis to evaluate which dose of CLP (40, 4, or 0.4 mg/kg) could decrease the inflammatory infiltration in the peritoneum. The most effective doses were 40 and 4 mg/kg. Then, C57BL/6 mice were submitted to colitis development with 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and treated with CLP at doses of 40 and 4 mg/kg. The disease development was analyzed through the disease activity index (DAI); furthermore, colonic tissue samples were submitted to histological analysis, NFκB determination, and in vitro culture for cytokines assay. Therefore, CLP at 4 mg/kg presented the best results, triggering improvement of DAI and attenuating the colon shortening and damage. This dose was able to reduce the TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-17, and NFκB p65 levels, and increased the levels of IL-10 in the colon tissue. Thus, CLP mice treatment at a dose of 4 mg/kg showed promising results in ameliorating the damage observed in the ulcerative colitis.

Secondary Metabolites and Biological Activity of Invasive Macroalgae of Southern Europe

In this review a brief description of the invasive phenomena associated with algae and its consequences on the ecosystem are presented. Three examples of invasive algae of Southern Europe, belonging to Rodophyta, Chlorophyta, and Phaeophyta, were selected, and a brief description of each genus is presented. A full description of their secondary metabolites and biological activity is given and a summary of the biological activity of extracts is also included. In Asparagopsis we encounter mainly halogenated compounds. From Caulerpa, several terpenoids and alkaloids were isolated, while in Sargassum, meroterpenoids prevail.

Aqueous extract from Ipomoea asarifolia (Convolvulaceae) leaves and its phenolic compounds have anti-inflammatory activity in murine models of edema, peritonitis and air-pouch inflammation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ipomoea asarifolia (Desr.) Roem. and Schult.(Convolvulaceae), popularly known as salsa or salsa-brava, is a plant of which the decoction of leaves is used in folk medicine to treat various inflammatory disorders such of dermatitis, scabies, symptoms of syphilis, skin ulcers and external wounds. However, little is known about possible compounds and mechanisms of action of the plant to support the activities reported by popular use.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study aimed to identify bioactive molecules present in the crude extract of I. asarifolia leaves and investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of this extract in different experimental in vivo models to improve the understanding on that activity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Aqueous extract of I. asarifolia leaves was prepared by decoction (1:10 m/v) and its chromatographic profile was obtained by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) and liquid chromatography diode array detector coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-MS). The potential anti-inflammatory activity of the extract was assessed using the following in vivo models: xylene-induced ear edema (20, 30 and 40mg/kg), evaluating the degree of edema formation; carrageenan-induced peritonitis (10, 20 and 30mg/kg), evaluating leukocyte migration and cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-α) at 4h; zymosan-induced air pouch inflammation (20, 30 and 40mg/kg), evaluating the kinetics of leukocyte migration by total and differential counts at 6, 24 and 48h. The same tests were conducted using pure compounds identified in the aqueous extract from I. asarifolia leaves in different doses for each experimental model.

RESULTS

The compounds identified in the aqueous extract of I. asarifolia leaves by HPLC-DAD and LC-DAD-MS were rutin, chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid. The extract significantly reduced ear edema induced by xylene (81%, 85% and 86% for doses of 20, 30 and 40mg/kg, respectively, p<0.001), as well as cell migration in experimental models of peritonitis (70%, 78% and 83% for doses of 10, 20 and 30mg/kg, respectively, p<0.001) and air pouch inflammation (58%, 67% and 53% for doses of 20, 30 and 40mg/kg, respectively, p<0.001). In addition, the extract demonstrated the ability to significantly inhibit the production of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-α (p<0.001). The secondary metabolites tested (rutin, chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid) also showed the ability to significantly (p<0.001) decrease the parameters analyzed above.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to identify and confirm these phenolic compounds in I. asarifolia leaves extract and to suggest that these compounds contribute to the anti-inflammatory activity in vivo, as reported by ethnomedicinal use of this plant. Through the different experimental models performed, we can conclude that the results obtained with the aqueous extract from I. asarifolia leaves support its popular use for the treatment of inflammatory disorders.

Marine algal natural products with anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties

For their various bioactivities, biomaterials derived from marine algae are important ingredients in many products, such as cosmetics and drugs for treating cancer and other diseases. This mini-review comprehensively compares the bioactivities and biological functions of biomaterials from red, green, brown, and blue-green algae. The anti-oxidative effects and bioactivities of several different crude extracts of algae have been evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Natural products derived from marine algae protect cells by modulating the effects of oxidative stress. Because oxidative stress plays important roles in inflammatory reactions and in carcinogenesis, marine algal natural products have potential for use in anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Sosihotang via inhibition of nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases signaling pathways in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells

Sosihotang (SO) is an herbal medication, which has been widely used to treat fever, chill and vomiting due to common cold in east-Asian countries. In this study, to provide insight into the effects of SO on inflammation, we investigated its effect on pro-inflammatory mediator production in RAW 264.7 cells and mouse peritoneal macrophages using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. SO significantly inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 as well as gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), its synthesizing enzyme. In addition, SO inhibited nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation and suppressed extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 and c- Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) phosphorylation. Furthermore, we found SO suppresses the production of NO and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophage cells. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed SO contains many active anti-inflammatory constituents such as liquiritigenin, baicalin, baicalein, glycyrrhizin and wogonin. We first elucidated the inhibitory mechanism of SO on inflammation induced by LPS in macrophage cells. Our results suggest SO has potential to be developed as a therapeutic agent for various inflammatory diseases.

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of crude methanolic extract of red alga Bryothamnion triquetrum

The marine environment is an extraordinary reservoir of bioactive natural products, many of which exhibit chemical and structural features not found in terrestrial natural products. In this regard, the aim of this study was to investigate the possible antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of a crude methanolic extract of the red alga Bryothamnion triquetrum (BT-MeOH) in murine models. Groups of Swiss mice of both sexes (25-30 g) were used throughout the experiments. The potential antinociceptive of BT-MeOH was evaluated by means of the following tests: acetic acid-induced writhing, hot-plate test and glutamate- and formalin-induced nociception. The anti-inflammatory activity of BT-MeOH was investigated using the zymosan A-induced peritonitis test. The tests were conducted using 100 mg/kg (p.o.) BT-MeOH, 33.3 mg/kg (p.o.) dipyrone, 35.7 mg/kg (p.o.) indomethacin and 5.7 mg/kg (s.c.) morphine. The extract and all standard drugs were administered 40 min before the nociceptive/inflammatory stimulus. In the acetic acid-induced writhing test, BT-MeOH and dipyrone inhibited the nociceptive response by 55.9% (22.2 ± 2.0 writhings; p < 0.01) and 80.9% (9.6 ± 2.1 writhings; p < 0.01). In the hot-plate test, BT-MeOH did not increase the latency time of the animals in the time evaluated. In addition, BT-MeOH inhibited glutamate-induced nociception by 50.1%. While BT-MeOH did not inhibit the neurogenic phase in formalin-induced nociception, the inflammatory phase was inhibited by 53.1% (66.8 ± 14.2 s; p < 0.01). Indomethacin inhibited the inflammatory phase by 60.2% (56.8 ± 8.7 s; p < 0.01). In the zymosan-induced peritonitis test, BT-MeOH inhibited 55.6% (6.6 ± 0.2 × 10(6) leukocytes/mL; p < 0.01) of leukocyte migration, while indomethacin inhibited 78.1% (3.2 ± 0.1 × 10(6) leukocytes/mL; p < 0.01). Based on the results obtained in this study, we conclude that BT-MeOH has peripheral antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. However, more studies need to be conducted to confirm these properties.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Lycium Fruit water extract in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells

Lycium Fruit has been used as a traditional drug for low back pain and chronic cough in east-Asian countries. However, inhibitory effects of Lycium Fruit water extract (LFWE) on inflammation remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of LFWE on pro-inflammatory mediator production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. LFWE inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin (PG) E₂, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 production as well as their synthesizing enzyme inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 gene expression. Furthermore, LFWE inhibited phosphorylations of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 and c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinase (JNK) mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) as well as suppression of IκBα degradation and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB upon LPS stimulation. In addition, LFWE suppressed NO, PGE₂, TNF-α and IL-6 production in LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophage cells. Taken together, our results suggest that LFWE inhibits the production of various inflammatory mediators via blockade on the MAPKs and NF-κB pathways. This finding first explains the mechanism of anti-inflammatory effect by LFWE in LPS-stimulated macrophage cells.

Brominated compounds from marine sponges of the genus Aplysina and a compilation of their 13C NMR spectral data

Aplysina is the best representative genus of the family Aplysinidae. Halogenated substances are its main class of metabolites. These substances contribute greatly to the chemotaxonomy and characterization of the sponges belonging to this genus. Due to their pharmacological activities, these alkaloids are of special interest. The chemistry of halogenated substances and of the alkaloids has long been extensively studied in terrestrial organisms, while the number of marine organisms studied has just started to increase in the last decades. This review describes 101 halogenated substances from 14 species of Aplysina from different parts of the world. These substances can be divided into the following classes: bromotyramines (A), cavernicolins (B), hydroverongiaquinols (C), bromotyrosineketals (D), bromotyrosine lactone derivatives (E), oxazolidones (F), spiroisoxazolines (G), verongiabenzenoids (H), verongiaquinols (I), and dibromocyclohexadienes (J). A compilation of their (13)C NMR data is also part of the review. For this purpose 138 references were consulted.