Typhonium giganteum Lectin Exerts A Pro-Inflammatory Effect on RAW 264.7 via ROS and The NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Lectins of the Araceae family: Insights, distinctions, and future avenues-A three-decade investigation

The Araceae family boasts >3000 species of flowering plants that thrive across the tropics. Among the focal points of study within this family are lectins, proteins with affinity for binding carbohydrates. This review endeavors to gather data gleaned from numerous studies conducted over the past three decades on lectins extracted from Araceae plants. Our examination spans their extraction and purification methods, their specific interactions with carbohydrates, their molecular structures, and various physicochemical characteristics. Furthermore, we investigated the biological activities of these lectins and investigated the outcomes of cloning their genes. Despite their apparent similarities, these lectins exhibit notable distinctions, particularly regarding their unique preferences in interacting with erythrocytes from animals and humans, their sugar affinities, the critical amino acids for their functionality, the molecular weights of their subunits and their respective topologies, and ultimately, their dimerization and 3D β-prism-II structure, which reportedly diverge from those observed in other GNA-related lectins. These discrepancies not only deepen our understanding of monocot lectins but also render these proteins inherently captivating. This review marks the inaugural attempt at consolidating almost all published reports on lectins from the Araceae family, with the aim of furnishing glycobiology scientists with essential insights into potential laboratory challenges, the characteristics of these lectins, and avenues for future research.

Ginseng Stem-and-Leaf Saponins Mitigate Chlorpyrifos-Evoked Intestinal Toxicity In Vivo and In Vitro: Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Response and Apoptosis

In recent years, the phenomenon of acute poisoning and organ damage caused by organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) has been a frequent occurrence. Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is one of the most widely used organophosphorus pesticides. The main active components of ginseng stems and leaves are total ginseng stem-and-leaf saponins (GSLSs), which have various biological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-tumor activities. We speculate that these could have great potential in the treatment of severe diseases and the relief of organophosphorus-pesticide-induced side effects; however, their mechanism of action is still unknown. At present, our work aims to evaluate the effects of GSLSs on the antioxidation of CPF in vivo and in vitro and their potential pharmacological mechanisms. Mice treated with CPF (5 mg/kg) showed severe intestinal mucosal injury, an elevated diamine oxidase (DAO) index, the decreased expression of occlusive protein-1 (ZO-1) and occlusive protein, an impaired intestinal mucosal oxidation system and intestinal villi relaxation. In addition, chlorpyrifos exposure significantly increased the contents of the inflammatory factor TNF-α and the oxidative-stress-related indicators superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione SH (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC); elevated the level of lipid peroxide malondialdehyde (MDA); reversed the expression of Bax and caspase; and activated NF-κB-related proteins. Interestingly, GSLS supplementation at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly reversed these changes after treatment. Similar results were observed in cultured RAW264.7 cells. Using flow cytometry, Hoechst staining showed that GSLSs (30 μg/mL, 60 μg/mL) could improve the cell injury and apoptosis caused by CPF and reduce the accumulation of ROS in cells. In conclusion, GSLSs play a protective role against CPF-induced enterotoxicity by inhibiting NF-κB-mediated apoptosis and alleviating oxidative stress and inflammation.

Chemical components and monoamine oxidase B inhibition activities from the tubers of Sauromatum giganteum (Engl.) Cusimano & Hett

The rhizome tuber of Sauromatum giganteum is known as 'Bai Fuzi' in China and has been ethnomedicinally used to treat various neurological diseases. It is considered to possess anti-Parkinson's disease (PD) potential, but the active compounds responsible for that is still unclear. In this work, nineteen compounds were isolated and identified from rhizome tuber of this plant, among which four were firstly reported, i.e. berberine (1), nicotinamide (2), rutin (3) and 5-caffeoylquinic acid (4). Six compounds (1, 3, 4, 8, 14 and 15) exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against MAO-B with IC50 of 118.8, 45.6, 96.2, 65.8, 40.0, and 49.8 µM, and two compounds (3 and 4) displayed significant protective effect on 6-OHDA-induced PC-12 cell model. The molecular docking of the bioactive compounds and MAO-B was carried out to explore the binding mode. The findings revealed the potential of S. giganteum as anti-PD herb and its inclusion in TCM could be explored.

Pinellia ternata lectin induces inflammation through TLR4 receptor and mediates PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis to regulate NF-κB signaling pathway

Pinellia ternata, a widely used traditional Chinese medicine, contains a strong mucosal irritant that is connected with Pinellia ternata lectin (PTL) in its tubers. The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanisms by which PTL induces inflammation. We found that in RAW264.7 cells, PTL activated the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and NF-κB pathways, which resulted in the release of proinflammatory cytokines. Flow cytometry and laser confocal microscopy analysis showed that FITC-labeled PTL bound to the macrophages' surface. Based on kinetic analyses and protein-protein docking simulations, PTL was shown to bind toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4).it was demonstrated that PTL binds highly to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). TLR4 knock-down or knockout resulted in a decrease in both cytokine release and PI3K/Akt/mTOR and NF-κB pathway activation in PTL-stimulated macrophages or mice. RNA-seq analysis showed that genes involved in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway were strongly upregulated in response to PTL stimulation, confirming that the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is linked to the inflammatory effect of PTL in RAW264.7 cells. These findings reveal that PTL can mediate inflammation through TLR4 and activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR to regulate NF-κB signaling pathways.

γ-Glutamylcysteine attenuates amyloid-β oligomers-induced neuroinflammation in microglia via blocking NF-κB signaling pathway

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurogenerative disease, characterized by progressive memory loss and cognitive deficits. Intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and amyloid-β (Aβ)-formed neuritic plaques are major pathological features of AD. Aβ evokes activation of microglia to release inflammatory mediators and ROS to induce neurotoxicity, leading to neurodegeneration. γ-Glutamylcysteine (γ-GC), an intermediate dipeptide of the GSH-synthesis pathway and possessing anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties, represents a relatively unexplored option for AD treatment. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of γ-GC on Aβ oligomer (AβO)-induced neuroinflammation and the associated molecular mechanism in microglia. The results showed that γ-GC reduced AβO-induced release of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and nitric oxide (NO), and the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). γ-GC decreased ROS and MDA production and increased the GSH level, GSH/GSSG ratio, and SOD activity in AβO-treated microglia. Mechanistically, γ-GC inhibited activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and upregulated the nuclear receptor-related 1 (Nurr1) protein expression to suppress the transcriptional effect of NF-κB on the inflammatory genes. Besides, γ-GC suppressed the AβO-induced neuroinflammation in mice. These findings suggested that γ-GC might represent a potential therapeutic agent for anti-neuroinflammation.

Effect of mineral excipients on processing traditional Chinese medicines: an insight into the components, pharmacodynamics and mechanism

Traditional Chinese medicines are an important class of natural products mainly derives from animals, plants and minerals, most of which need to be improved and processed before clinical use due to their own hard texture, impurities or toxicity. As an important part of solid excipients, mineral excipients that contain some metal elements play indispensable and unique roles in the pretreatment process of traditional Chinese medicine. However, deficiency of holistic understanding of the effect of mineral excipients hinders their application and development. This article reviews several mineral excipients including alumen, talci pulvis, soil, soda lime, halloysitum rubrum and cinnabaris systemically. Their processing significance on traditional Chinese medicines were revealed from components, pharmacodynamics and mechanism aspects. Furthermore, prospect and problems including processing technologies, quality standards of mineral excipients and processing mechanism were put forward. This review supply comprehensive information for better and scientific usage of mineral excipients in processing traditional Chinese medicines.

Comparative Study on Curcumin Loaded in Golden Pompano (Trachinotus blochii) Head Phospholipid and Soybean Lecithin Liposomes: Preparation, Characteristics and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

In this study, we compared the characteristics and in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of two curcumin liposomes, prepared with golden pompano head phospholipids (GPL) and soybean lecithin (SPC). GPL liposomes (GPL-lipo) and SPC liposomes (SPC-lipo) loaded with curcumin (CUR) were prepared by thin film extrusion, and the differences in particle size, ζ-potential, morphology, and storage stability were investigated. The results show that GPL-lipo and SPC-lipo were monolayer liposomes with a relatively small particle size and excellent encapsulation rates. However, GPL-lipo displayed a larger negative ζ-potential and better storage stability compared to SPC-lipo. Subsequently, the effects of phospholipids in regulating the inflammatory response of macrophages were evaluated in vitro, based on the synergistic effect with CUR. The results showed that both GPL and SPC exerted excellent synergistic effect with CUR in inhibiting the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced secretion of nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and pro-inflammatory genes (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin 1β (IL-β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6)) in RAW264.7 cells. Interestingly, GPL-lipo displayed superior inhibitory effects, compared to SPC-lipo. The findings provide a new innovative bioactive carrier for development of stable CUR liposomes with good functional properties.

The Toxicity and Attenuation Methods of Toxic Chinese Materia Medica for its Reasonable Application: A Review

Over a millennia, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used to treat various diseases in China. In recent years, more and more Chinese materia medica (CMM) have been studied in scientific research projects, applied in clinical practice, and their extracts have even appeared in some health products. However, the toxicity of some CMM is often overlooked, including hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, etc. In this review, the toxic components and their toxicological mechanisms of some toxic CMM were listed according to the chemical structure classification of toxic components. Afterwards, the traditional methods (processing and compatibility) and modern methods (structural modification, biotransformation, etc.) of attenuation of CMM were discussed. Since ancient times, it has been said that "fight fire with fire, fight poison with poison," and toxic CMM are of great significance in the treatment of difficult and severe diseases. The rational application of toxic CMM and their components in clinical practice was also exemplified in this review. While the pharmacological effects of TCMs have been emphasized, the scientific attenuation and rational application of toxic components should be concerned. We hope this review can provide a reference for future related research.

Chrysophanol demonstrates anti-inflammatory properties in LPS-primed RAW 264.7 macrophages through activating PPAR-γ

Sepsis is a life-threatening disease. Inflammation is a major concomitant symptom of sepsis Chrysophanol, an anthraquinone derivative isolated from the rhizomes of rheumpalmatum, has been reported to have a protective effect against lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammation. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. The aim of this study was to explore the effect and mechanism of chrysophanol on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced anti-inflammatory effect of RAW264.7 cells and its involved potential mechanism. The mRNA and protein expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and PPAR-γ were measured by qRT-PCR and western blotting, the production of TNF-α, IL-1β was evaluated by ELISA. Then, the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 was also detected by western blotting. And NF-κB p65 promoter activity was analyzed by the Dual-Luciferase reporter assay system as well. Meanwhile, PPAR-γ inhibitor GW9662 was performed to knockdown PPAR-γ expression in cells. Our data revealed that LPS induced the up-regulation of TNF-α, IL-1β, iNOS and NF-κB p65, the down-regulation of PPAR-γ were substantially suppressed by chrysophanol in RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, our data also figured out that these effects of chrysophanol were largely abrogated by PPAR-γ inhibitor GW9662. Taken together, our results indicated that LPS-induced inflammation was potently compromised by chrysophanol very likely through the PPAR-γ-dependent inactivation of NF-κB in RAW264.7 cells.