Calyptranthes grandifolia O.Berg (Myrtaceae) ethanolic extract inhibits TNF-α gene expression and cytokine release in vitro

Expression patterns of long non-coding RNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of non-segmental vitiligo

OBJECTIVE

We explored the patterns of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with non-segmental vitiligo.

METHODS

We used high-throughput RNA sequencing technology to generate sequence data from five patients with non-segmental vitiligo alongside five normal healthy individuals, and then performed bioinformatics analyses to detect the differential expression of lncRNA in PBMCs. Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway analyses were performed for functional annotation, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to verify gene expression. Target miRNAs and mRNAs of differentially expressed lncRNAs were predicted using bioinformatics analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 292 lncRNAs were differentially expressed in non-segmental vitiligo (fold change ≥ 2.0, P < .05), of which 171 were upregulated and 121 were downregulated. Six differentially expressed lncRNAs were selected, namely ENST00000460164.1, ENST00000393264.2, NR-046211.1, NR-135491.1, NR-135320.1, and ENST00000381108.3, for validation by qRT-PCR. The results showed that ENST00000460164.1 and NR-046211.1 were highly expressed in PBMCs of non-segmental vitiligo. An lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network containing two lncRNAs, 17 miRNAs, and 223 mRNAs was constructed.

CONCLUSION

Our results revealed patterns of differentially expressed lncRNAs in the PBMCs of non-segmental vitiligo individuals. ENST00000460164.1, and NR-046211.1 may be potential biomarkers and drug targets for the treatment of non-segmental vitiligo.

Antimicrobial and antileukemic effects: in vitro activity of Calyptranthes grandifolia aqueous leaf extract

Natural products are still a promising source of bioactive molecules. Food and Drug Administration data showed that approximately 49% of the approved molecules originate naturally or chemically-resemble these substances, of which more than 70% are being used in anticancer therapy. It is noteworthy that at present there are no scientific studies to prove the effectiveness and safety of a number of plants used in folk medicine such as in the case of Calyptranthes grandifolia O. Berg (Myrtaceae) originally from South America. The aim of the present study was to determine the biological potential and toxicological effects of the aqueous leaf extract of C. grandifolia. The main detected phytoconstituents were condensed tannins and flavonoids and a high quantity of polyphenols. Regarding the antimicrobial potential, the extract exerted inhibitory activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results also revealed the extract induced DNA damage in a concentration-dependent manner in RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, C. grandifolia produced cytotoxicity in leukemia cell lines (HL60 and Kasumi-1) without affecting isolated human lymphocytes but significantly inhibited JAK3 and p38α enzyme activity. Taken together, these findings add important information on the biological and toxicological effects of C. grandifolia, indicating that aqueous extract may be a source of natural antimicrobial and antileukemic constituents.