Immunomodulatory Effects of ZYM-201 on LPS-stimulated B Cells

Interactions of rumen microbiota and metabolites with meat quality-related genes to regulate meat quality and flavor of Tibetan sheep under nutrient stress in the cold season

AIM

The meat of Tibetan sheep has a unique flavor, delicious taste, and superior nutritional value. However, the change of grass will lead to a change in meat quality. This study aimed to explore the potential regulatory mechanisms of microbial metabolites with respect to meat quality traits of Tibetan sheep under nutrient stress in the cold season.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We determined and analyzed the longissimus dorsi quality, fatty acid composition, expression of genes, and rumen microbial metabolites of Tibetan sheep in cold and warm seasons. The shear force was decreased (P < .05), the meat color a*24 h value was increased (P < .05), and the contents of crude fat (EE) and protein (CP) were decreased in the cold season. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)-linoleic acid and docosahexaenoic acid increased significantly in the cold season (P < .05). The expressions of meat quality genes MC4R, CAPN1, H-FABP, and LPL were significantly higher in the warm season (P < .05), and the CAST gene was significantly expressed in the cold season (P < .01). The different microbial metabolites of Tibetan sheep in the cold and warm seasons were mainly involved in amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and digestive system pathway, and there was some correlation between microbiota and meat quality traits. There are similarities between microbial metabolites enriched in the lipid metabolism pathway and muscle metabolites.

CONCLUSION

Under nutritional stress in the cold season, the muscle tenderness of Tibetan sheep was improved, and the fat deposition capacity was weakened, but the levels of beneficial fatty acids were higher than those in the warm season, which was more conducive to healthy eating.

Sanguisorbae Radix Suppresses Colorectal Tumor Growth Through PD-1/PD-L1 Blockade and Synergistic Effect With Pembrolizumab in a Humanized PD-L1-Expressing Colorectal Cancer Mouse Model

Immune checkpoints such as programmed death-1 (PD-1) have been proven as antitumor targets by enhancing cytotoxic T cell activity. All immune checkpoint blockades are antibody therapeutics that have large size and high affinity, as well as known immune-related side effects and low responses. To overcome the limitation of antibody therapeutics, we have explored PD-1/PD-L1 (programmed death-ligand 1) blockades in traditional oriental medicine, which has a long history but has not yet studied PD-1/PD-L1 blockades. Sanguisorbae Radix extract (SRE) blocked PD-1 and PD-L1 binding in competitive ELISA. SRE effectively inhibited the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction, thereby improving T cell receptor (TCR) signaling and the NFAT-mediated luciferase activity of T cells. SRE treatment reduced tumor growth in the humanized PD-L1 MC38 cell allograft humanized PD-1 mouse model. Additionally, the combination of SRE and pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1 antibody) suppressed tumor growth and increased infiltrated cytotoxic T cells to a greater extent did either agent alone. This study showed that SRE alone has anticancer effects via PD-1/PD-L1 blockade and that the combination therapy of SRE and pembrolizumab has enhanced immuno-oncologic effects.

Phytotherapeutic Activities of Sanguisorba officinalis and its Chemical Constituents: A Review

Sanguisorba officinalis Linne (S. officinalis, Rosaceae) has been used as a medicinal plant for the treatment of burns, hematemesis, melena, intestinal infections, and dermatitis for a long time in China, Korea, and Japan. The therapeutic efficacy of this herb is intimately associated with its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, hemostatic, and anticancer activities. Its root contains triterpenoid saponins (zigyuglycoside I: C[Formula: see text]H[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] and ziyuglycoside II: C[Formula: see text]H[Formula: see text]O₈) and tannins (sanguiin H-6: C[Formula: see text]H[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text]). It has been recently revealed that these active constituents of S. officinalis possess antiwrinkle properties without cytotoxicity. They also have anticancer effects by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Moreover, they can inhibit proliferative tumorigenesis. The underlying mechanism involved in the pharmacological actions of these active constituents is mainly related to p38 MAPK signaling. Although various studies have reported its therapeutic activities and major chemical components, review articles that extensively organize various properties of S. officinalis and its major constituents are still scarce. Taken together, the objective of this paper is to provide overall pharmacological and phytochemical profiles of S. officinalis and its constituents (including ziyuglycoside I, ziyuglycoside II, and sanguiin H-6), and their potential roles in clinical applications for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, bleeding disorders, and cancer.

Syk and IRAK1 Contribute to Immunopharmacological Activities of Anthraquinone-2-carboxlic Acid

Anthraquinone-2-carboxlic acid (9,10-dihydro-9,10-dioxo-2-anthracenecarboxylic acid, AQCA) was identified as one of the major anthraquinones in Brazilian taheebo. Since there was no report explaining its immunopharmacological actions, in this study, we aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of AQCA-mediated anti-inflammatory activity using reporter gene assays, kinase assays, immunoblot analyses, and overexpression strategies with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated macrophages. AQCA was found to suppress the release of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin (PG) E₂ from LPS-treated peritoneal macrophages without displaying any toxic side effects. Molecular analysis revealed that AQCA was able to inhibit the activation of the nuclear factor (NF)-κB and activator protein (AP)-1 pathways by direct suppression of upstream signaling enzymes including interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) and spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk). Therefore, our data strongly suggest that AQCA-mediated suppression of inflammatory responses could be managed by a direct interference of signaling cascades including IRAK and Syk, linked to the activation of NF-κB and AP-1.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Activities of Anthraquinone-2-Carboxylic Acid

Anthraquinone compounds are one of the abundant polyphenols found in fruits, vegetables, and herbs. However, the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity and molecular mechanisms of anthraquinones have not been fully elucidated. We investigated the activity of anthraquinones using acute inflammatory and nociceptive experimental conditions. Anthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid (9,10-dihydro-9,10-dioxo-2-anthracenecarboxylic acid, AQCA), one of the major anthraquinones identified from Brazilian taheebo, ameliorated various inflammatory and algesic symptoms in EtOH/HCl- and acetylsalicylic acid- (ASA-) induced gastritis, arachidonic acid-induced edema, and acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing without displaying toxic profiles in body and organ weight, gastric irritation, or serum parameters. In addition, AQCA suppressed the expression of inflammatory genes such as cyclooxygenase- (COX-) 2 in stomach tissues and lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) treated RAW264.7 cells. According to reporter gene assay and immunoblotting analyses, AQCA inhibited activation of the nuclear factor- (NF-) κB and activator protein- (AP-) 1 pathways by suppression of upstream signaling involving interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK1), p38, Src, and spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk). Our data strongly suggest that anthraquinones such as AQCA act as potent anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive components in vivo, thus contributing to the immune regulatory role of fruits and herbs.

Anti-Diabetic and Hepato-Renal Protective Effects of Ziyuglycoside II Methyl Ester in Type 2 Diabetic Mice

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder caused by abnormal carbohydrate metabolism, and closely associated with abnormal lipid metabolism and hepato-renal dysfunction. This study investigated the anti-diabetic and hepato-renal protective properties of ziyuglycoside I (ZG01) derivative on type 2 diabetes. ZG01 was isolated from roots of Sanguisorba officinalis and chemically modified by deglycosylation and esterification to obtained ziyuglycoside II methyl ester (ZG02-ME). Here, we showed that ZG02-ME has stronger anti-diabetic activity than the original compound (ZG01) through decreasing blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and insulin levels in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes (db/db mice). We further found that ZG02-ME treatment effectively ameliorated serum insulin, leptin and C-peptide levels, which are key metabolic hormones, in db/db mice. In addition, we showed that elevated basal blood lipid levels were decreased by ZG02-ME treatment in db/db mice. Furthermore, treatment of ZG02-ME significantly decreased serum AST, ALT, BUN, creatinine, and liver lipid peroxidation in db/db mice. These results demonstrated that compared to ZG01, chemically modified ZG02-ME possess improved anti-diabetic properties, and has hepato-renal protective activities in type 2 diabetes.