Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Bellevalia saviczii Root Extract and Its Isolated Homoisoflavonoid (Dracol) Are Mediated by Modification on Calcium Signaling

Phytochemical profile and antioxidant capacity of the endemic species Bellevalia sasonii Fidan

The study investigated total phenolic-flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, and phytochemical compounds across various parts (bulb, stem, leaf, and flower) of the endemic Bellevalia sasonii, commonly known as hyacinth, belonging to the Asparagaceae family. Phenolic content was highest in bulb extracts (117.28 μg GAE) and lowest in stems (45.11 μg GAE). Conversely, leaf extracts exhibited the highest flavonoid content (79.44 μg QEs), while stems showed the lowest (22.77 μg QEs). When the antioxidant activities were compared, by DPPH method leaf = flower > bulb > stem; in ABTS and CUPRAC methods bulb > flower > leaf > stem, respectively. Considering the results in general, it was revealed that bulbs and flowers displayed higher activity, while stem exhibited lower activity compared to other parts. The phytochemical analysis identified 53 active substances, with 27 absent in any extract and 15 detected across all extracts. The distribution of phytochemicals varied among parts, with bulbs, stems, flowers, and leaves also different numbers. The LC-MS/MS analysis revealed prominent metabolites including fumaric acid in leaves, caffeic acid in bulbs, and cosmosiin and quinic acid in flowers. This study provides foundational insights into B. sasonii, an important endemic plant in Türkiye, laying the groundwork for future research on its medicinal and ecological roles.

Ficus dubia Latex Extract Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis by Regulating the NF-κB Pathway in Inflammatory Human Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines

Colorectal cancer is one of the most diagnosed cancers that is associated with inflammation. Ficus dubia latex is recognized as a remedy with various therapeutic effects in traditional medicine, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. The present study aims to compare the anti-tumor activity of Ficus dubia latex extract (FDLE) against HCT-116 and HT-29 human colorectal cancer cell lines in normal and inflammatory condition and explore its mechanism of action. FDLE exhibited remarkable antiproliferative activity against HCT-116 and HT-29 colorectal cancer cell lines in both conditions using MTT and colony formation assays and more effective anti-proliferation was observed in inflammatory condition. Mechanistically, FDLE induced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase by down-regulating NF-κB, cyclin D1, CDK4 and up-regulatingp21 in both cell in normal condition. In inflammatory condition, FDLE not only exhibited stronger induction of cell cycle arrest in both cells by down-regulating NF-κB, cyclin D1, CDK4 and down-regulating p21, but also selectively induced apoptosis in HCT-116 cells by down-regulating NF-κB and Bcl-xl and up-regulating Bid, Bak, cleaved caspase-7 and caspase-3 through stronger ability to regulate these proteins. Our results demonstrated that the phytochemical agent in the latex of Ficus dubia could potential be used for treatment and prevention of human colorectal cancer, especially in inflammation-induced hyperproliferation progression.

HM-chromanone attenuates TNF-α-mediated inflammation and insulin resistance by controlling JNK activation and NF-κB pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Obesity is a major public health problem worldwide and causes inflammation and insulin resistance in adipose tissue. We investigated the ability of (E)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(2'-hydroxybenzyl)-4-chromanone (HM-chromanone) isolated from Portulaca oleracea to attenuate the activation of inflammatory cytokines and signaling pathways associated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-mediated inflammation and insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. TNF-α triggers the release of inflammatory cytokines and activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathways. In this study, HM-chromanone inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines [TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1] involved in inflammation and insulin resistance. Furthermore, TNF-α treatment increased c-Jun-NH2 terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation, whereas HM-chromanone significantly decreased JNK phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. TNF-α treatment increased the activation of inhibitor kappa B (IκB) kinase (IKK), IκBα, and NF-κBp65 compared with that of the control. However, HM-chromanone significantly blocked IKK, IκBα, and NF-κBp65 activation. Upon adipocyte stimulation with TNF-α, phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate (pIRS)-1 serine 307 levels increased and pIRS-1 tyrosine 612 levels decreased compared with those of the control. Upon treatment with HM-chromanone, serine 307 phosphorylation of IRS-1 was inhibited and tyrosine 612 phosphorylation of IRS-1 was increased. Thus, HM-chromanone improved TNF-α-mediated inflammation and insulin resistance by regulating JNK activation and the NF-κB pathway, thereby reducing inflammatory cytokine secretion and inhibiting serine phosphorylation of IRS-1 in the insulin signaling pathway. These results suggest the potential of HM-chromanone to improve inflammatory conditions and insulin resistance in adipocytes.

(E)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(2'-hydroxybenzyl)-4-chromanone isolated from Portulaca oleracea L. suppresses LPS-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophages by downregulating inflammatory factors

CONTEXT

Portulaca oleracea L. is herbaceous succulent annual plant, which belongs to the Portulacaceae family. Many studies have shown its wide spectrum of pharmacological activities such as anti-cancer and anti-diabetic effects.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to identify the anti-inflammatory effects of HM-chromanone isolated from Portulaca oleracea L. in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

LPS (1 μg/ml)-stimulated mouse RAW 264.7 macrophages were used to assess the anti-inflammatory effect of HM-chromanone (10-50 μM). Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. In addition, the production of intracellular ROS, superoxide anion, lipid peroxide, NO, and PGE2, and activity of antioxidant enzymes were analyzed. The expressions of iNOS, COX-2, IκB, NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were evaluated by western blot analysis.

RESULTS

HM-chromanone has demonstrated that there is no significant cytotoxic effect on the viability of RAW 264.7 macrophages. In LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, HM-chromanone treatment was found to significantly inhibit the production of intracellular ROS, superoxide anion and lipid peroxide, while enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, catalase, and GSH-px. Additionally, HM-chromanone treatment was observed to inhibit NO and PGE2 production by inhibiting the expression of iNOS and COX-2. Subsequently, HM-chromanone was observed to significantly suppress LPS-induced expression of IκB, NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Overall, our results suggested that HM-chromanone suppresses LPS-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophages by downregulating the expression of inflammatory factors.

A Comprehensive Review on Chemotaxonomic and Phytochemical Aspects of Homoisoflavonoids, as Rare Flavonoid Derivatives

Homoisoflavonoids (3-benzylidene-4-chromanones) are considered as an infrequent flavonoid class, possessing multi-beneficial bioactivities. The present study gives an overview on phytochemical aspects of homoisoflavonoids, including utilized plant species, parts, extracts, and separation techniques. Overall, these compounds have mainly been isolated and identified from bulbs and rhizomes of the plants belonging to Asparagaceae and Fabaceae families, particularly the genera of Ophiopogon, Dracaena, Scilla, Polygonatum, and Caesalpinia.