Anti-neuroinflammatory effects of ethanolic extract of black chokeberry (Aronia melanocapa L.) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV2 cells and ICR mice

Quinic Acid Alleviates Behavior Impairment by Reducing Neuroinflammation and MAPK Activation in LPS-Treated Mice

Compared to other organs, the brain has limited antioxidant defenses. In particular, the hippocampus is the central region for learning and memory and is highly susceptible to oxidative stress. Glial cells are the most abundant cells in the brain, and sustained glial cell activation is critical to the neuroinflammation that aggravates neuropathology and neurotoxicity. Therefore, regulating glial cell activation is a promising neurotherapeutic treatment. Quinic acid and its derivatives possess anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Although previous studies have evidenced quinic acid's benefit on the brain, in vivo and in vitro analyses of its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in glial cells have yet to be established. This study investigated quinic acid's rescue effect in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced behavior impairment. Orally administering quinic acid restored social impairment and LPS-induced spatial and fear memory. In addition, quinic acid inhibited proinflammatory mediator, oxidative stress marker, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in the LPS-injected hippocampus. Quinic acid inhibited nitrite release and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation in LPS-stimulated astrocytes. Collectively, quinic acid restored impaired neuroinflammation-induced behavior by regulating proinflammatory mediator and ERK activation in astrocytes, demonstrating its potential as a therapeutic agent for neuroinflammation-induced brain disease treatments.

Magnetic Ligand Fishing Using Immobilized Cyclooxygenase-2 for Identification and Screening of Anticoronary Heart Disease Ligands From Choerospondias axillaris

Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity is an effective way for treatment of coronary heart disease. And as an important source of COX-2 inhibitors, bioactive compounds of Choerospondias axillaris and pharmacological mechanisms remained lacking in prospective researches. Therefore, for the purpose of accelerating the discovery of natural products targeting designed inhibitors, the COX-2 microreactor composed of functionalized microspheres and magnetic ligand fishing was developed and applied in Choerospondias axillaris, and the physicochemical properties of the COX-2 functionalized microspheres were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore, the bioactive compounds singled out from ethanol decoction without prepurification were dissociated and identified by ultraperformance liquid chromatography plus Q-Exactive Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS/MS). Consequently, 21 bioactive compounds consisting of 6 organic acids, 8 flavonoids, and 7 others were separated and characterized from Choerospondias axillaris, which were reported to participate in the COX-2 inhibitory pathway to varying degrees. Therefore, this method could provide a prospective solution for the extraction and identification of active pharmaceutical ingredients and the rapid screening of some enzyme inhibitors in the complex mixtures.

The Efficacy of Black Chokeberry Fruits against Cardiovascular Diseases

Epidemiological studies have emphasized the association between a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and a lower frequency of occurrence of inflammatory-related disorders. Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa L.) is a valuable source of biologically active compounds that have been widely investigated for their role in health promotion and cardiovascular disease prevention. Many in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that consumption of these fruits is associated with significant improvements in hypertension, LDL oxidation, lipid peroxidation, total plasma antioxidant capacity and dyslipidemia. The mechanisms for these beneficial effects include upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, decreased oxidative stress, and inhibition of inflammatory gene expression. Collected findings support the recommendation of such berries as an essential fruit group in a heart-healthy diet. The aim of this review was to summarize the reports on the impact of black chokeberry fruits and extracts against several cardiovascular diseases, e.g., hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, as well as to provide an analysis of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of these fruits in the abovementioned disorders.

Protective Role of Natural Products in Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Focus on Nitric Oxide Pathway

In spite of therapeutic modalities such as surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) remains an incurable fatal disease. This necessitates further therapeutic options that could enhance the efficacy of existing modalities. Nitric Oxide (NO), a short-lived small molecule, has been revealed to play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of GBM. Several studies have demonstrated that NO is involved in apoptosis, metastasis, cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, and many other processes implicated in GBM pathobiology. Herein, we elaborate on the role of NO as a therapeutic target in GBM and discuss some natural products affecting the NO signaling pathway.

Therapeutic effect of Shinkiwhan, herbal medicine, regulates OPG/RANKL/RANK system on ovariectomy-induced bone loss rat

[Purpose]

Although physical activity is required to prevent or ameliorate osteoporosis, medicine prescription should precede it, since it may be limited in severe osteoporosis patients. Furthermore, osteoporosis has a great effect on physical activity disorders that accompany fractures and pain, and therefore, research on treatment or prevention to decrease the number of patients is required. The purpose of this study was to discover candidate substances from natural products with an effective pharmacological action and to prepare basic data to help patients.

[Methods]

To prepare the osteoporosis model, ovariectomy (OVX) was performed using surgical methods. The prepared prescription [Shinkiwhan (SKH), a Korean medicine] was administered orally at a dose of 210 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks. After completion of the animal experiment, the bone mineral density (BMD) was analyzed using double-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The analysis of the effect of drugs on bones was performed using histological analysis and immunostaining.

[Results]

SKH increased the BMD in the OVX rats. Furthermore, SKH significantly increased the expression of osteoprotegerin and downregulated receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand and phosphorylation of c-jun N-terminal kinases in the bones of the OVX model.

[Conclusion]

Our findings suggest a protective effect of SKH against BMD loss in the OVX model.

Immunomodulatory activity and protective effects of chokeberry fruit extract on Listeria monocytogenes infection in mice

Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) fruit extracts (CE) are rich in polyphenols and usually exhibit immunomodulatory, anti-viral and anti-bacterial effects. We have previously shown that the CE used in this study activated macrophages and stimulated effector T cell differentiation in vitro. When applied orally to healthy mice, CE increased the proportion of CD11c+ dendritic cells in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue. CE-pretreated BALB/c mice readily eradicated orally ingested Listeria monocytogenes as evidenced by a slighter decrease in body weight and number of bacteria recovered from the spleen and reduced spleen size compared to the control infected mice. CE pretreatment in infected mice resulted in higher proportions of CD11b+ macrophages and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells both in the gut and the spleen. Phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species production and the proportions of activated CD86+ macrophages (CD11b+) and dendritic cells (CD11c+) were also enhanced in CE-pretreated infected mice. Furthermore, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and IL-6 was increased in CE-pretreated infected mice and similar results were obtained in peritoneal macrophages in vitro. This effect of CE was associated with increased phosphorylation of IκB and Notch1 production. Finally, CE pretreatment elevated the proportion of perforin-producing cells in the spleen compared to control infected mice. This study demonstrates that prophylactic treatment with CE leads to more rapid eradication of bacterial infection with L. monocytogenes predominantly through increased activity of myeloid cells in the gut and in the spleen.

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Anthocyanin-Rich Water-Soluble Aronia Dry Extracts

Aronia fruits contain many valuable components that are beneficial to human health. However, fruits are characterized by significant variations in chemical composition dependent on the growing conditions and harvesting period. Therefore, there is a need to formulate the extracts with a precisely defined content of health-promoting substances. Aronia dry extracts (ADE) were prepared from frozen pomace applying water extraction, followed by purification and spray-drying. Subsequently, the content of anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and polyphenols was determined. The high-quality chokeberry pomace enabled obtaining extracts with anthocyanin content much higher than the typical market standards. Moreover, it was found that the antioxidant capacity of aronia extracts exceeded those found in other fruit preparations. Antioxidant and free-radical scavenging properties were evaluated using a 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy (DPPH-EPR) test and Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) assay. The inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the level of inflammatory markers have been also investigated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264 cells. It was revealed that ADE standardized to 25% of anthocyanins depresses the level of markers of inflammation and lipid peroxidation (Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and malondialdehyde (MDA)) in in vitro conditions. Additionally, it was confirmed that ADE at all analyzed concentrations did not show any cytotoxic effect as demonstrated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.

Effect of black chokeberry on skeletal muscle damage and neuronal cell death

[Purpose]

Numerous epidemiological studies have shown that it is possible to prescribe exercise for neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson’s disease. However, despite the availability of diverse scientific knowledge, the effects of exercise in this regard are still unclear. Therefore, this study attempted to investigate a substance, such as black chokeberry (Aronia melanocapa L.) that could improve the ability of the treatment and enhance the benefits of exercising in neurodegenerative diseases.

[Methods]

The cell viability was tested with 2,3-bis[2-methyloxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolim-5-carboxanilide and the cells were stained with ethidium homodimer-1 solution. The mRNA expression levels were evaluated by microarray. The active compounds of black chokeberry ethanolic extract (BCE) were analyzed by gas chromatography. The chemical shift analysis in the brain was performed using magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

[Results]

BCE treatment decreased hydrogen peroxide-induced L6 cell death and beta amyloid induced primary neuronal cell death. Furthermore, BCE treatment significantly reduced the mRNA levels of the inflammatory factors, such as IL-1α, Cxcl13, IL36rn, Itgb2, Epha2, Slamf8, Itgb6, Kdm6b, Acvr1, Cd6, Adora3, Cd27, Gata3, Tnfrsf25, Cd40lg, Clec10a, and Slc11a1, in the primary neuronal cells. Next, we identified 16 active compounds from BCE, including D-mannitol. In vivo, BCE (administered orally at a dosage of 50 mg/kg) significantly regulated chemical shift in the brain.

[Conclusion]

Our findings suggest that BCE can serve as a candidate for neurodegenerative disease therapy owing to its cyto-protective and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, BCE treatment is expected to prevent damage to the muscles and neurons of the athletes who continue high intensity exercise. In future studies, it would be necessary to elucidate the effects of combined BCE intake and exercise.

Effect of Korean Magnolia obovata Extract on Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of Korean Magnolia obovata crude extract (KME) on plateletderived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).

METHODS

KME composition was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). VSMCs were isolated from the aorta of a Sprague-Dawley rat, incubated in serum free-Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium in the presence or absence of KME (10, 30, 100, and 300 μg/mL), then further treated with PDGF-BB (10 ng/mL). VSMC proliferation was detected using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and VSMC migration was determined using the Boyden chamber and scratch wound healing assays. Western blot analysis was used to detect phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (p-ERK1/2), protein kinase B (p-Akt), and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (p-SAPK/JNK). The antimigration and proliferation effects of KME were tested using aortic sprout outgrowth.

RESULTS

The HPLC analysis identified honokiol (0.45 mg/g) and magnolol (0.34 mg/g) as the major components of KME. KME (30, 100, and 300 μg/mL) significantly decreased the proliferation and migration of PDGF-BB-stimulated (10 ng/mL) VSMCs and the PDGF-BB-induced phosphorylation of EKR1/2, Akt, and SAPK/JNK (P<0.05). Furthermore, PDGF-BBinduced VSMCs treated with 300 μg/mL of KME showed reduction in aortic sprout outgrowth.

CONCLUSION

KME could inhibit abnormal proliferation and migration of VSMCs by down-regulating the phosphorylation of EKR1/2 and Akt. Thus, KME might be a functional food for preventing vascular disorders.

Smallanthus sonchifolius leaf attenuates neuroinflammation

[Purpose]

Yacon, Smallanthus sonchifolius, has anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer potential. However, its neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory effects are unknown. Moreover, activation of microglia has been considered a mechanism in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the neuroprotective effects of an ethanolic yacon leaf extract (YLE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation in vitro and in vivo.

[Methods]

The viability of microglial BV2 cells was tested with 2,3-bis[2-methyloxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolim-5-carboxanilide. The production of nitric oxide (NO) was determined by the Griess reagent. mRNA expression and protein levels of inflammatory mediators were evaluated by the real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively. In addition, we performed histological analysis in mice treated with an intraperitoneal injection of LPS (250 μg/kg).

[Results]

Our results showed that treatment with YLE significantly reduced NO production in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. YLE also decreased mRNA levels of the inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor alpha, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and interleukin-1 beta. In vivo, YLE (40 mg/kg daily for seven days) significantly diminished LPS-induced tissue damage in the dentate gyrus and cornu amonis regions of the hippocampus by regulating the levels of inflammatory factors.

[Conclusion]

Our findings support the protective effects of YLE against the development of neurodegeneration.