Beneficial effects of the traditional medicine Igongsan and its constituent ergosterol on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice

Potential Beneficial Effects and Pharmacological Properties of Ergosterol, a Common Bioactive Compound in Edible Mushrooms

Ergosterol is an important sterol commonly found in edible mushrooms, and it has important nutritional value and pharmacological activity. Ergosterol is a provitamin. It has been well established that edible mushrooms are an excellent food source of vitamin D2 because ergosterol is a precursor that is converted to vitamin D2 under ultraviolet radiation. The pharmacological effects of ergosterol, which include antimicrobial, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-neurodegenerative, and other activities, have also been reported. This review aims to provide an overview of the available evidence regarding the pharmacological effects of ergosterol and its underlying mechanisms of action. Their potential benefits and applications are also discussed.

Beneficial role of Pistacia lentiscus aqueous extract in experimental colitis: anti-inflammatory and potential therapeutic effects

BACKGROUND

Pistacia lentiscus L. (PL) is a flowering plant traditionally used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. The extracts of this plant are endowed with strong pharmacological activities. The aim of our current study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and potential therapeutic effects of PL leaves aqueous extract (PLAE) against Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The therapeutic effect of PLAE was evaluated after orally administration of 3% DSS alone or concomitantly with PLAE (50, 100 or 200 mg/Kg). Mucosal lesions were assessed by macroscopic and histopathological examination. In this context, hemorrhage, diarrhea, weight loss, and disease activity index (DAI) were determined daily throughout the experiment. In the same way, hematoxylin-eosin and Alcian blue staining of colonic mucosal were used to evaluate, respectively, mucosal damages and mucus production. Furthermore, the levels of nitric oxide (NO), and pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)] were measured in plasma, as well as in colonic explants and peritoneal macrophages cultures supernatants.

RESULTS

Administration of DSS + PLAE indicated a significant reduction in clinical score of acute colitis DAI compared to DSS alone administration. Interestingly, histological analysis of the mucosa showed that DSS + PLAE-treated groups exhibited almost normal histology evidenced by an intact epithelium structure and less inflammatory cell infiltration in the mucosa. Alcian bleu staining revealed that DSS + PLAE-treated groups displayed almost normal mucus production. Importantly, a significant decrease in pro-inflammatory mediators (NO, IL-6 and TNF-α) levels in dose-dependent manner was reported in plasma, and culture supernatants of colonic explants and peritoneal macrophages from DSS + PLAE-treated mice compared to the DSS group.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed that the systemic and local anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous leaves extract of PL improve the clinical signs of acute colitis. Our data suggest that PLAE has beneficial effects and could constitute a promising approach against acute ulcerative colitis by targeting the deregulated immune response.

Prunus serrulata var. spontanea inhibits mast cell activation and mast cell-mediated anaphylaxis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

A promising approach to treat a variety of diseases are considered as complementary and alternative herbal medicines. Prunus serrulata var. spontanea L. (Rosaceae) is used as herbal medicine to treat allergic diseases according to the Donguibogam, a tradition medical book of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We prepared the aqueous extract of the bark of P. serrulata (AEBPS) and aimed to investigate the effects in mouse anaphylaxis models and various types of mast cells, including RBL-2H3, primary cultured peritoneal and bone marrow-derived mast cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used ovalbumin (OVA)-induced active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) and immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) models, in vivo. The control drug dexamethasone (10 mg/kg) was used to compare the effectiveness of AEBPS (1-100 mg/kg). In vitro, IgE-stimulated mast cells were used to confirm the role of AEBPS (1-100 μg/mL). For statistical analyses, p values less than 0.05 were considered to be significant.

RESULTS

In ASA model, oral administration of AEBPS suppressed the hypothermia and increased level of serum histamine in a dose-dependent manner. AEBPS attenuated the serum IgE, OVA-specific IgE, and interleukin (IL)-4. Oral administration of AEBPS also blocked mast cell-dependent PCA. AEBPS suppressed degranulation of mast cells by reducing intracellular calcium level in mast cells. AEBPS inhibited tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-4 expression and secretion in a concentration-dependent manner through the reduction of nuclear factor-κB.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of these findings, AEBPS could serve as a potential therapeutic target for the management of mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation and as a regulator of mast cell activation.

The natural flavonoid galangin ameliorates dextran sulphate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis in mice: Effect on Toll-like receptor 4, inflammation and oxidative stress

This study was carried out to investigate the potential therapeutic effect of galangin, a promising active principle of honeybee propolis, in dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. We explored the possible underlying mechanisms for galangin action and the therapeutic benefit of adding galangin to the standard therapy sulphasalazine. A galangin dose of 40 mg/kg was selected based on a preliminary dose-selection study for investigation in a 4-week cyclical model of DSS-induced colitis. Mice received 3% DSS in their drinking water during the first and third weeks and were administered the treatments (40 mg/kg galangin, 100 mg/kg sulphasalazine and a combination of 20 mg/kg galangin and 50 mg/kg sulphasalazine) daily starting from the second week. Galangin significantly ameliorated DSS-induced histopathological alterations and tissue injury, down-regulated Toll-like receptor 4 expression, suppressed NF-κB p65 activation, lowered inflammatory cytokine levels and demonstrated antioxidant effects. The combination of galangin and sulphasalazine at half doses yielded comparable results to either drug alone at full dose. This study highlights galangin as a promising therapy for colitis management.