Anti-Inflammatory Effects of a Cordyceps sinensis Mycelium Culture Extract (Cs-4) on Rodent Models of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma

Pim1 inactivating induces RUNX3 upregulation that improves/alleviates airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in vitro and in vivo

PURPOSE

Our research aimed to evaluate whether proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase Pim-1 (Pim1) inactivation could attenuate asthma by promoting runt-related transcription factor 3 (Runx3) expression and explore the underlying molecular mechanism.

METHOD

Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 50 nM) was used to induce inflammation in BEAS-2B human airway epithelial cells. ELISA and immunofluorescence double staining confirmed inflammation modelling and differential expression of Pim1 and Runx3. Pim1 inhibitor (SGI-1776) and Runx3 siRNA (siRunx3) were used in this study. Apoptosis, inflammation, MUC5AC protein expression, Pim1 kinase and Runx3 protein expression, and PI3K/AKT/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway-associated protein expression were also assessed by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and western blot. The effects of Pim1 inactivation on airway inflammation, pathological injury and mucus secretion in wild-type and Runx3 knockout mice were observed by in vivo experiments.

RESULTS

The results of the in vitro experiments showed that PMA stimulation causes BEAS-2B cell apoptosis and promotes the MUC5AC expression. In addition, PMA stimulation activated the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway. SGI-1776 treatment partially reversed these effects, whereas siRunx3 attenuated the effects of SGI-1776 on PMA-stimulated BEAS-2B cells. In vivo experiments showed that in Runx3-KO asthmatic mice, inhibition of Pim1 kinase had less effect on airway inflammation, pathological injury and mucus secretion. Meanwhile, Pim1 kinase expression was higher in Runx3-KO asthmatic mice than in wild-type asthmatic mice. Furthermore, inhibition of Pim1 kinase inhibited activation of the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway, whereas these effects were attenuated in Runx3-KO mice.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that Pim1 inactivation can ameliorate airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion through upregulation of Runx3 and the effect could be mediated through modulation of the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway.

Dioscorea nipponica Makino: A comprehensive review of its chemical composition and pharmacology on chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a widespread ailment that significantly impacts global health. It is characterized by high prevalence, poor prognosis, and substantial healthcare costs, making it a major public health concern. The current clinical treatments for CKD are not entirely satisfactory, leading to a high demand for alternative therapeutic options. Chinese herbal medicine, with its long history, diverse varieties, and proven efficacy, offers a promising avenue for exploration. One such Chinese herbal medicine, Dioscorea nipponica Makino (DNM), is frequently used to treat kidney diseases. In this review, we have compiled studies examining the mechanisms of action of DNM in the context of CKD, focusing on five primary areas: improvement of oxidative stress, inhibition of renal fibrosis, regulation of metabolism, reduction of inflammatory response, and regulation of autophagy.

Fractional extraction and structural characterization of glycogen particles from the whole cultivated caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis

Ophiocordyceps sinensis (syn. Cordyceps sinensis) is a valuable medicinal fungus in traditional Chinese medicine, and one or more polysaccharides are the key constituents with important medical effects. Glycogen as a functional polysaccharide is widely identified in eukaryotes including fungi. However, there is no definitive report of glycogen presence in O. sinensis. In this study, we carefully fractionated polysaccharides from cultivated caterpillar fungus O. sinensis, which were then characterized via methods for glycogen analysis. According to the results, 1.03 ± 0.43 % of polysaccharides were quantified via amyloglucosidase digestion in the whole cultivated caterpillar fungus, which had a typical spherical shape under transmission electron microscope with an average peak radius of 37.63 ± 0.57 nm via size exclusion chromatography and an average chain length of 12.47 ± 0.94 degree of polymerization via fluorophore-assisted capillary electrophoresis. Taken together, this study confirmed that the polysaccharides extracted form O. sinensis were mostly glycogen.

Integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics reveal metabolites difference between wild and cultivated Ophiocordyceps sinensis

Ophiocordyceps sinensis is a traditional medicinal fungus endemic to the alpine and high-altitude areas of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. The scarcity of the wild resource has led to increased attention to artificially cultivated O. sinensis. However, little is known about the metabolic differences and the regulatory mechanisms between cultivated and wild O. sinensis. This study exploited untargeted metabolomics and transcriptomics to uncover the differences in accumulated metabolites and expressed genes between wild and cultivated O. sinensis. Metabolomics results revealed that 368 differentially accumulated metabolites were mainly enriched in biosynthesis of amino acids, biosynthesis of plant secondary metabolites and purine nucleotide metabolism. Cultivated O. sinensis contained more amino acids and derivatives, carbohydrates and derivatives, and phenolic acids than wild O. sinensis, whereas the contents of most nucleosides and nucleotides in wild O. sinensis were significantly higher than in cultivated O. sinensis. Transcriptome analysis indicated that 4430 annotated differentially expressed genes were identified between two types. Integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses suggested that IMPDH, AK, ADSS, guaA and GUK genes might be related to the synthesis of purine nucleotides and nucleosides. Our findings will provide a new insight into the molecular basis of metabolic variations of this medicinal fungus.

Extraction, Characterization, and Platelet Inhibitory Effects of Two Polysaccharides from the Cs-4 Fungus

Cardiovascular diseases are associated with platelet hyperactivity, and downregulating platelet activation is one of the promising antithrombotic strategies. This study newly extracted two polysaccharides (purified exopolysaccharides, EPSp and purified intercellular exopolysaccharides, IPSp) from Cordyceps sinensis Cs-4 mycelial fermentation powder, and investigated the effects of the two polysaccharides and their gut bacterial metabolites on platelet functions and thrombus formation. EPSp and IPSp are majorly composed of galactose, mannose, glucose, and arabinose. Both EPSp and IPSp mainly contain 4-Galp and 4-Glcp glycosidic linkages. EPSp and IPSp significantly inhibited human platelet activation and aggregation with a dose-dependent manner, and attenuated thrombus formation in mice without increasing bleeding risk. Furthermore, the EPSp and IPSp after fecal fermentation showed enhanced platelet inhibitory effects. The results have demonstrated the potential value of Cs-4 polysaccharides as novel protective ingredients for cardiovascular diseases.

Capsaicin suppresses ciliary function, while inducing permeability in bronchial epithelial cell cultures of COPD patients

Take Home Message: Capsaicin modified inflammatory response and caused toxicity in bronchial epithelial cultures from patients with COPD. More importantly, capsaicin decreased ciliary beat frequency and induced epithelial permeability and these effects were partially prevented by formoterol and roflumilast.

Tear gas is widely used to halt mass demonstrations. Studies have reported its adverse effects on multiple organ systems; however, its effect on individuals with chronic respiratory diseases and the underlying mechanisms of these effects are unclear. For the first time in the literature, we investigated the effects of capsaicin, the active ingredient of tear gas, on bronchial epithelial cell (BEC) cultures obtained from well-characterized groups of nonsmokers, smokers, and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). BEC cultures were incubated with 50-500 μM capsaicin in the absence and presence of formoterol (1μM) and roflumilast (0.1 μM) for 24 h. Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) were assessed at T1/4, T1/2, T1, T2, T4, T6, and T24 h, whereas the release of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin (IL)-8, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was measured at T24 h. Capsaicin (250 µM) significantly decreased CBF of all BEC cultures from T1/4 h to T24 h (p<0.05). Formoterol significantly prevented decreases in CBF induced by capsaicin. Higher concentrations of capsaicin (250-500 μM) significantly reduced TEER of BECs from nonsmokers (T2-T24 h), smokers (T24 h) and COPD patients (T2 and T24 h), which was partially prevented by roflumilast. Capsaicin (500 μM) decreased release of IL-8 (p<0.0001) and GM-CSF (p<0.05) while inducing release of LDH in BECs (p<0.05), and this was more prominent in BEC from patients with COPD. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that capsaicin can suppress ciliary activity and cytokine release from BECs, induce BEC culture permeability and cellular toxicity and that these effects can be partially prevented by formoterol and roflumilast.

Dioscorea nipponica Makino Relieves Ovalbumin-Induced Asthma in Mice through Regulating RKIP-Mediated Raf-1/MEK/MAPK/ERK Signaling Pathway

Purpose

Dioscorea nipponica Makino (DNM) is a traditional herb with multiple medicinal functions. This study is aimed at exploring the therapeutic effects of DNM on asthma and the underlying mechanisms involving RKIP-mediated MAPK signaling pathway.

Methods

An ovalbumin-induced asthma model was established in mice, which was further administrated with DNM and/or locostatin (RKIP inhibitor). ELISA was performed to detect the serum titers of OVA-IgE and OVA-IgG1, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) levels of inflammation-related biomarkers, and tissue levels of oxidative stress-related biomarkers. The expression of RKIP was measured by quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. HE staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of lung tissues. The protein expression of MAPK pathway-related proteins was detected by Western blot.

Results

Compared with the controls, the model mice exhibited significantly higher serum titers of OVA-IgE and OVA-IgG1, BALF levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, TGF-β1, and MCP-1, tissue levels of MDA and ROS, lower BALF levels of IL-10 and IFN-γ, and tissue level of GSH. DNM relieved the allergic inflammatory response and oxidative stress in the model mice. DNM also recovered the downregulation of RKIP and the pathological injury of lung tissues in asthma mice. In addition, the Raf-1/MEK/MAPK/ERK pathway in the model mice was blocked by DNM. Silencing of RKIP by locostatin weakened the relieving effects of DNM on asthma through activating the Raf-1/MEK/MAPK/ERK pathway.

Conclusion

DNM relieves asthma via blocking the Raf-1/MEK/MAPK/ERK pathway that mediated by RKIP upregulation.

Ajwain oil attenuates allergic response of ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis via alteration of inflammatory, oxidative stress, and Th1/Th2 responses

BACKGROUND

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an immune inflammatory-related disorder that affects the nasal mucosa. Free radicals play a crucial role in the expansion of allergic reaction and the researcher used the antioxidant therapy to treat the disease. Trachyspermum ammi L. (Ajwain oil) is popular traditional medicine. It has been proved their potential effect on various diseases. Ajwain oil showed anti-tumor, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties. Yet, the anti-allergic effect of Ajwain oil is still not explored. In this experimental study, an ovalbumin (OVX)-induced AR model was used to scrutinize the anti-allergic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Ajwain oil.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

OVX was used to establish the AR model (sensitization days 1, 8, and 15) and given the oral treatment of Ajwain oil and Montelukast for 13 days. The spleen, lungs, and body weight were estimated. Sneezing, nasal discharge and rubbing are also estimated. Immunoglobin-E (IgE), histamine, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and inflammatory cytokines were scrutinized.

RESULTS

Ajwain oil significantly (p < .001) suppressed sneezing, nasal discharge and nasal rubbing along with increasing the spleen, lung and body weight. Ajwain oil significantly (p < .001) decreased the level of IgE, histamine, MDA, Nrf2, HO-1, and increased the level of SOD. Ajwain oil significantly (p < .001) suppressed the number of eosinophils, neutrophils, macrophages, and epithelial cells. Ajwain oil significantly prevented the activation of the NF-κBp65 and STAT3 signaling pathways that led to enhancing the synthesis of anti-inflammatory cytokines and reducing the inflammatory, allergen-specific type 2T helper cells (Th2), Th17 cytokines.

CONCLUSION

The obtained data suggests that Ajwain oil has a promising anti-allergic against allergic rhinitis in mice via anti-allergic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Allergic rhinitis is a serious life-threatening disease. Inflammatory reaction plays an important role in the expansion of AR diseases. Ajwain oil considerably increased the spleen weight and reduced lung weight. Ajwain oil suppressed the nasal rubbing, sneezing, and nasal discharge. Ajwain oil considerably suppressed the immunoglobin and inflammatory cytokines. The result suggests that Ajwain oil having the potential effect against the allergic rhinitis.

Guanosine and uridine alleviate airway inflammation via inhibition of the MAPK and NF-κB signals in OVA-induced asthmatic mice

Asthma is one of the most common respiratory diseases. Lack of response or poor adherence to corticosteroids demands the development of new drug candidates for asthma. Endogenous nucleosides could be potential options since uridine has been reported to have an anti-inflammatory effect in asthma model. However, its molecular pathways and whether other nucleosides have similar therapeutic effects remain untouched. Thus, we herein report our investigation into the anti-inflammatory effects of guanosine and uridine, and the related inner signaling pathways in asthma model. Present study shows that administration of guanosine or uridine can reduce lung inflammation in OVA-challenged mice. Total cell counts in BALF, cytokines such as IL-4, IL-6, IL-13, OVA-specific IgE and mRNA level of Cxcl1, Cxlc3, IL-17 and Muc5ac were decreased in asthmatic mice after treatment. Besides, the production of IL-6 in LPS/IFN-γ induced THP-1 cells was also decreased by both nucleosides. In vivo and in vitro expressions of key molecules in the MAPK and NF-κB pathways were reduced after the treatment of both compounds. These findings suggest that guanosine has a similar potential therapeutic value in asthma as uridine and they exert anti-inflammatory effects through suppression of the MAPK and NF-κB pathways.