Artemisia argyi attenuates airway inflammation in lipopolysaccharide induced acute lung injury model

Artemvulactone E isolated from Artemisia vulgaris L. ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in both RAW264.7 and zebrafish model

Introduction

Natural plants are valuable resources for exploring new bioactive compounds. Artemisia vulgaris L. is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb that has been historically used for treating multiple diseases. Active compounds isolated and extracted from A. vulgaris L. typically possess immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Artemvulactone E (AE) is a new sesquiterpene lactone isolated and extracted from A. vulgaris L. with unclear biological activities.

Methods

The immunoregulatory effects of AE on macrophages were assessed by ELISA, RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence, and western blot assay. The effect of AE on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -relates signaling pathways was examined by western blot assay. In zebrafish models, the larvae were yolk-microinjected with LPS to establish inflammation model and the effect of AE was evaluated by determining the survival rate, heart rate, yolk sac edema size, neutrophils and macrophages infiltration of zebrafish. The interaction between AE and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was examined by molecular docking and dynamic stimulation.

Results

AE reduced the expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6), inflammatory mediators iNOS and COX-2, as well as decreases the production of intracellular NO and ROS in LPS-stimulated macrophages. In addition, AE exerted its anti-inflammatory effect synergistically by inhibiting MAPK/JAK/STAT3-NF-κB signaling pathways. Furthermore, AE enhanced the survival rate and attenuated inflammatory response in zebrafish embryos treated with LPS. Finally, the molecular dynamics results indicate that AE forms stable complexes with LPS receptor TLR4 through the Ser127 residue, thus completely impairing the subsequent activation of MAPK-NF-κB signaling.

Conclusion

AE exhibits notable anti-inflammatory activity and represents as a potential agent for treating inflammation-associated diseases.

Protective effects of Jing-Si-herbal-tea in inflammatory cytokines-induced cell injury on normal human lung fibroblast via multiomic platform analysis

Objectives

The protective effects and related mechanisms of Jing-Si herbal tea (JSHT) were investigated in cellular damage mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, on normal human lung fibroblast by multiomic platform analysis.

Materials and Methods

The in silico high-throughput target was analyzed using pharmacophore models by BIOVIA Discovery Studio 2022 with ingenuity pathway analysis software. To assess cell viability, the study utilized the MTT assay technique. In addition, the IncuCyte S3 ZOOM System was implemented for the continuous monitoring of cell confluence of JSHT-treated cytokine-injured HEL 299 cells. Cytokine concentrations were determined using a Quantibody Human Inflammation Array. Gene expression and signaling pathways were determined using next-generation sequencing.

Results

In silico high-throughput target analysis of JSHT revealed ingenuity in canonical pathways and their networks. Glucocorticoid receptor signaling is a potential signaling of JSHT. The results revealed protective effects against the inflammatory cytokines on JSHT-treated HEL 299 cells. Transcriptome and network analyses revealed that induction of helper T lymphocytes, TNFSF12, NFKB1-mediated relaxin signaling, and G-protein coupled receptor signaling play important roles in immune regulatory on JSHT-treated cytokine-injured HEL 299 cells.

Conclusion

The findings from our research indicate that JSHT holds promise as a therapeutic agent, potentially offering advantageous outcomes in treating virus infections through various mechanisms. Furthermore, the primary bioactive components in JSHT justify extended research in antiviral drug development, especially in the context of addressing coronavirus.

A prospective review of the health-promoting potential of Jing Si Herbal Tea

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has gained considerable attention over the past few years for its multicomponent, multitarget, and multi-pathway approach to treating different diseases. Studies have shown that TCMs as adjuvant therapy along with conventional treatment may benefit in safely treating various disorders. However, investigations on finding effective herbal combinations are ongoing. A novel TCM formula, "Jing Si Herbal Tea (JSHT)," has been reported recently for their health-promoting effects in improving overall body and mental health. JSHT is a combination of eight herbs recognized in Chinese herbal pharmacopoeia for their anti-viral, anti-aging, and anti-cancer properties as well as protective effects against cardiovascular, metabolic, neural, digestive, and genitourinary diseases. Thus, to better understand the beneficial effects of the ingredients of JSHT on health, this review intends to summarize the preclinical and clinical studies of the ingredients of JSHT on human health and diseases, and possible therapeutic effects with the related mode of actions and future prospects for their application in complementary therapies.

Anti-inflammatory role of Artemisia argyi methanol extract by targeting the caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome in macrophages

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Artemisia argyi possesses pharmacological activities against various immunopathological conditions associated with inflammation.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study explored the inhibitory role of Artemisia argyi methanol extract (Aa-ME) in inflammatory responses and the underlying mechanism in macrophages.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome was activated in J774A.1 macrophage by Pam3CSK4 treatment and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) transfection. Aa-ME-mediated in vitro anti-inflammatory action was examined using MTT assay, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), nitric oxide (NO) generation assay, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Aa-ME-mediated in vivo anti-inflammatory action was examined in LPS-stimulated lethal septic mice.

RESULTS

Aa-ME inhibited caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome-stimulated pyroptosis and the secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 in J774A.1 macrophages. Aa-ME also inhibited NO generation by downregulating inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression in LPS-primed and caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome-triggered J774A.1 cells. The mechanism study revealed Aa-ME suppressed the auto-proteolytic activation of caspase-11 and gasdermin D (GSDMD) in J774A.1 cells and also interfered with caspase-11-mediated direct recognition of LPS. Moreover, Aa-ME alleviated LPS-induced lethal sepsis in mice by increasing their survival rate without significant toxicity.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest a novel mechanism by which Aa-ME alleviates inflammatory responses by deactivating caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome in macrophages.

Recuperative herbal formula Jing Si maintains vasculature permeability balance, regulates inflammation and assuages concomitants of "Long-Covid"

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a worldwide health threat that has long-term effects on the patients and there is currently no efficient cure prescribed for the treatment and the prolonging effects. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have been reported to exert therapeutic effect against COVID-19. In this study, the therapeutic effects of Jing Si herbal tea (JSHT) against COVID-19 infection and associated long-term effects were evaluated in different in vitro and in vivo models. The anti-inflammatory effects of JSHT were studied in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and in Omicron pseudotyped virus-induced acute lung injury model. The effect of JSHT on cellular stress was determined in HK-2 proximal tubular cells and H9c2 cardiomyoblasts. The therapeutic benefits of JSHT on anhedonia and depression symptoms associated with long COVID were evaluated in mice models for unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS). JSHT inhibited the NF-ƙB activities, and significantly reduced LPS-induced expression of TNFα, COX-2, NLRP3 inflammasome, and HMGB1. JSHT was also found to significantly suppress the production of NO by reducing iNOS expression in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Further, the protective effects of JSHT on lung tissue were confirmed based on mitigation of lung injury, repression in TMRRSS2 and HMGB-1 expression and reduction of cytokine storm in the Omicron pseudotyped virus-induced acute lung injury model. JSHT treatment in UCMS models also relieved chronic stress and combated depression symptoms. The results therefore show that JSHT attenuates the cytokine storm by repressing NF-κB cascades and provides the protective functions against symptoms associated with long COVID-19 infection.

Iso-seco-tanapartholide induces p62 covalent oligomerization to activate KEAP1-NRF2 redox pathway in rheumatoid arthritis

SQSTM1/p62 sequesters intracellular aberrant proteins and mediates their selective autophagic degradation. p62 oligomerization posttranslational modification enhances its sequestration function and positively regulates the KEAP1-NRF2 redox pathway. However, the regulation of p62 covalent oligomerization has yet been poorly characterized. Here, we identified a natural small-molecule sesquiterpene, Iso-seco-tanapartholide (IST) modified p62 cysteine residues, which induced p62 to form crosslinked oligomers between TBS and TBS or TBS and PB1 domains in a covalently non-disulfide-linked manner. Using LC-MS/MS analysis and complementary approaches, we revealed that Cys residues of p62 were necessary for IST-induced covalent oligomer. This oligomerization promoted p62 recruitment of KEAP1 for degradation by autophagosomes and released NRF2 to the nucleus to activate the expression of downstream genes with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities. Accordingly, IST-mediated p62/NRF2 activation conferred protection from oxidative and inflammatory destruction of rheumatoid arthritis in vitro and in vivo. In contrast, p62-knockdown cells displayed a reduced anti-oxidant response and increased pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in response to TNF-α stimulation. Hence, our findings uncover an unrecognized role of IST in the regulation of p62 oligomerization and provide a new strategy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Iso-seco-tanapartholide from Artemisia argyi inhibits the PFKFB3-mediated glycolytic pathway to attenuate airway inflammation in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In traditional Chinese folk medicine, Artemisia argyi H.Lév. & Vaniot (A. argyi) has been used for thousands of years, and it is clinically used to treat bronchitis and asthma. However, the mechanism of action of A. argyi on respiratory tract inflammation is not clear. Accumulating evidence that phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3) is actively expressed in inflammation. Here, we found that iso-seco-tanapartholide (IST), a sesquiterpene isolated from A. argyi, exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity and significant inhibition of PFKFB3 expression. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of IST on airway inflammation and revealed its possible mechanisms.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the protective effect and possible mechanism of IST in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vitro, RAW264.7 cells and BMDMs were stimulated with LPS, and the level of NO and inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were detected by Griess reagent and ELISA, respectively. The effect of IST on the levels of PFKFB3 and its downstream proteins (p-STAT3, p-p65) in cells was assayed by western blotting. Lactate and glycolytic phenotypes were detected by lactate kit and Seahorse assay. In vivo, a mouse model of acute lung injury was induced by LPS, and the levels of inflammatory factors were measured by ELISA. Expression of PFKFB3 and its downstream proteins (p-STAT3, p-p65) in mouse alveolar macrophages by western blotting analysis. Lung permeability assessment by Evans Blue dye assay. H&E staining and Immunocytochemistry were used to observe the protection of IST against lung injury.

RESULTS

IST significantly reduced LPS-induced expression of PFKFB3 and its downstream proteins (p-STAT3, p-p65). The inhibition of PFKFB3 has an impact on the glycolytic phenotype, such as a reduction in the rate of extracellular acidification (ECAR) and elevated lactate levels, and an increase in the rate of cellular oxygen consumption (OCR). Furthermore, IST inhibited LPS-induced NO release and increased the expression of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. In vivo, IST reduced pulmonary edema in LPS-induced acute lung injury, improved lung function, and reduced levels of inflammatory factors and lactate secretion.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that IST improves the characteristics of ALI by inhibiting the expression of the PFKFB3-mediated glycolytic pathway and may be a potential anti-inflammatory agent for inflammation-related lung diseases.

Artemisiae argyi Water Extract Alleviates Obesity-Induced Metabolic Disorder

Artemisiae argyi is a well-known traditional herbal medicine used in East Asia. Although the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of A. argyi have been reported, its efficacy in improving obesity has not been yet evaluated. In this study, mice were fed a normal diet (AIN-93), a high-fat diet (HFD, 60% of kcal from fat), and an HFD with 0.1% of A. argyi water extract for 16 weeks. The body weight and body fat in A. argyi-fed mice significantly decreased via upregulation of the mRNA expression of fatty acid oxidation-related genes, with a simultaneous decrease in plasma lipid content and leptin levels. A. argyi water extract also ameliorated hepatic steatosis by restricting lipogenesis via lowering the activities of fatty acid synthase and phosphatidic acid phosphatase. Consistently, hepatic histological analysis indicated that A. argyi water extract decreased hepatic lipid accumulation in accordance with the hepatic H, E and Oil Red O-stained area. Additionally, A. argyi ameliorated the impaired glucose homeostasis by increasing the mRNA expression of AMP-activated kinase and glycolysis-related genes. In conclusion, our results indicate that A. argyi can be used to treat obesity-related metabolic conditions.

Effects of Artemisia argyi Powder on Egg Quality, Antioxidant Capacity, and Intestinal Development of Roman Laying Hens

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with Artemisia argyi (A. argyi) on egg quality, serum biochemical, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal development in Roman laying hens. A total of 432 (34-week-old) Roman hens were randomly divided into control group and three experimental groups. The control group was fed a basal diet, and the experimental group was fed a basal diet with 1%, 2%, and 3% A. argyi powder, respectively. The results showed that dietary supplementation of 2% A. argyi to the diet increased egg weight and egg white weight, and the daturic acid (C17:0), stearic acid (C18:0), eicosadienoic acid (C20:2), docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3), α-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3), linoleic acid (C18:2n-6c), and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in egg yolk. Meanwhile, the addition of 1∼3% A. argyi decreased serum urea. Moreover, dietary supplementation of 1% A. argyi promoted the antioxidative capacity of the hens by increasing hepatic T-SOD and CAT activities, as well as GSH-Px content. However, the addition of 3% A. argyi to the diet significantly increased the content of malondialdehyde in serum and liver and destroyed the intestinal morphology by increasing duodenal crypt depth. In conclusion, the addition level of A. argyi promoting egg quality and antioxidant capacity was at 2% and 1%, respectively.

Artemisiaside A: A new Lignan Glycoside and its Analogues From the Aerial Parts of Artemisia argyi

Chemical analysis of the aerial parts of Artemisia argyi H. Lév. & Vaniot led to the isolation of 6 lignans, including a new lignan glycoside, artemisiaside A, using various chromatographic techniques. Detailed spectroscopic (including 1D, 2D- nuclear magnetic resonance) and high resolution mass spectroscopy procedures, and electronic circular dichroism were used to ascertain the structural orientations of these compounds. The anti-inflammatory activities of compounds 1 to 6 were evaluated by measuring their inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 LPS-activated macrophages. At 50 μM, compound 1 showed moderate anti-inflammatory activity with an inhibition rate of 61.2%.

Efficacy and Safety of Complementary Therapy With Jing Si Herbal Tea in Patients With Mild-To-Moderate COVID-19: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background

Since late 2019, there has been a global COVID-19 pandemic. To preserve medical capacity and decrease adverse health effects, preventing the progression of COVID-19 to severe status is essential. Jing-Si Herbal Tea (JSHT), a novel traditional Chinese medicine formula was developed to treat COVID-19. This study examined the clinical efficacy and safety of JSHT in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, we enrolled 260 patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. The enrolled patients were divided into the JSHT (n = 117) and control (n = 143) groups. Both groups received standard management. The JSHT group was treated with JSHT as a complementary therapy.

Results

Compared with standard management alone, JSHT combined with standard management more effectively improved the reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction cycle threshold value, C-reactive protein level, and Brixia score in the adult patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19, especially in the male and older patients (those aged ≥60 years). The results revealed that the patients treated with JSHT combined with standard management had 51, 70, and 100% lower risks of intubation, Medisave Care Unit admission, and mortality compared with those receiving standard management only.

Conclusions

JSHT combined with standard management more effectively reduced the SARS-CoV-2 viral load and systemic inflammation and alleviated lung infiltrates in the patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19, especially in the male and older patients (those aged ≥60 years). JSHT combined with standard management may prevent critical status and mortality in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. JSHT is a promising complementary therapy for patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19.

Jing Si Herbal Drink as a prospective adjunctive therapy for COVID-19 treatment: Molecular evidence and mechanisms

Background

SARS-CoV-2 has led to a sharp increase in the number of hospitalizations and deaths from pneumonia and multiorgan disease worldwide; therefore, SARS-CoV-2 has become a global health problem. Supportive therapies remain the mainstay treatments against COVID-19, such as oxygen inhalation, antiviral drugs, and antibiotics. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been shown clinically to relieve the symptoms of COVID-19 infection, and TCMs can affect the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. Jing Si Herbal Drink (JSHD), an eight herb formula jointly developed by Tzu Chi University and Tzu Chi Hospital, has shown potential as an adjuvant treatment for COVID-19 infection. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) of JSHD as an adjuvant treatment in patients with COVID-19 infection is underway

Objectives

This article aims to explore the efficacy of the herbs in JSHD against COVID-19 infection from a mechanistic standpoint and provide a reference for the rational utilization of JSHD in the treatment of COVID-19.

Method

We compiled evidence of the herbs in JSHD to treat COVID-19 in vivo and in vitro.

Results

We described the efficacy and mechanism of action of the active ingredients in JSHD to treat COVID-19 based on experimental evidence. JSHD includes 5 antiviral herbs, 7 antioxidant herbs, and 7 anti-inflammatory herbs. In addition, 2 herbs inhibit the overactive immune system, 1 herb reduces cell apoptosis, and 1 herb possesses antithrombotic ability.

Conclusion

Although experimental data have confirmed that the ingredients in JSHD are effective against COVID-19, more rigorously designed studies are required to confirm the efficacy and safety of JSHD as a COVID-19 treatment.

Long non-coding RNA OIP5-AS1 aggravates acute lung injury by promoting inflammation and cell apoptosis via regulating the miR-26a-5p/TLR4 axis

Background

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a pulmonary disorder that leads to acute respiration failure and thereby results in a high mortality worldwide. Increasing studies have indicated that toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a promoter in ALI, and we aimed to explore the underlying upstream mechanism of TLR4 in ALI.

Methods

We used lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce an acute inflammatory response in vitro model and a murine mouse model. A wide range of experiments including reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blot, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry, hematoxylin–eosin staining, RNA immunoprecipitation, luciferase activity and caspase-3 activity detection assays were conducted to figure out the expression status, specific role and potential upstream mechanism of TLR4 in ALI.

Result

TLR4 expression was upregulated in ALI mice and LPS-treated primary bronchial/tracheal epithelial cells. Moreover, miR-26a-5p was confirmed to target TLR4 according to results of luciferase reporter assay. In addition, miR-26a-5p overexpression decreased the contents of proinflammatory factors and inhibited cell apoptosis, while upregulation of TLR4 reversed these effects of miR-26a-5p mimics, implying that miR-26a-5p alleviated ALI by regulating TLR4. Afterwards, OPA interacting protein 5 antisense RNA 1 (OIP5-AS1) was identified to bind with miR-26a-5p. Functionally, OIP5-AS1 upregulation promoted the inflammation and miR-26a-5p overexpression counteracted the influence of OIP5-AS1 upregulation on cell inflammatory response and apoptosis.

Conclusion

OIP5-AS1 promotes ALI by regulating the miR-26a-5p/TLR4 axis in ALI mice and LPS-treated cells, which indicates a promising insight into diagnostics and therapeutics in ALI.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-021-01589-1.

Natural product derived phytochemicals in managing acute lung injury by multiple mechanisms

Acute lung injury (ALI) and its more severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) as common life-threatening lung diseases with high mortality rates are mostly associated with acute and severe inflammation in lungs. With increasing in-depth studies of ALI/ARDS, significant breakthroughs have been made, however, there are still no effective pharmacological therapies for treatment of ALI/ARDS. Especially, the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) is ravaging the globe, and causes severe respiratory distress syndrome. Therefore, developing new drugs for therapy of ALI/ARDS is in great demand, which might also be helpful for treatment of COVID-19. Natural compounds have always inspired drug development, and numerous natural products have shown potential therapeutic effects on ALI/ARDS. Therefore, this review focuses on the potential therapeutic effects of natural compounds on ALI and the underlying mechanisms. Overall, the review discusses 159 compounds and summarizes more than 400 references to present the protective effects of natural compounds against ALI and the underlying mechanism.

TopBP1 deficiency impairs the localization of proteins involved in early recombination and results in meiotic chromosome defects during spermatogenesis

Topoisomerase IIβ-binding protein 1 (TopBP1) is BRCT domain-containing protein that is required for DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair and DNA damage responses; however, its function during the early stage of spermatogenesis is still unclear. To investigate the physiological role of TopBP1, we have generated germ cell-specific TopBP1-depleted mouse model. TopBP1-deleted mice were infertile, showed a loss of germ cells and had meiotic defects. Conditional TopBP1 deletion resulted in reduced testis size, reduced number of epididymal sperm, increased apoptosis, and severely compromised fertility. TopBP1 deficiency caused defects in DMC1 and Rad51 foci formation, abnormal synaptonemal complexes and meiotic chromosome defects. Collectively, these results suggest that TopBP1 deficiency during spermatogenesis impairs the localization of proteins involved in early recombination at DSBs, results in meiotic chromosome defects and leads to infertility.

BML-111 alleviates acute lung injury through regulating the expression of lncRNA MALAT1

BML-111 is a lipoxin receptor agonist that plays a vital role on inflammation. MALAT1 is reported to mediate lung injury. ALI rat model was established using the method of venous cannula. Pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVEC) of rats were isolated using immunomagnetic separation method. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe the lung injury degree. Real-time PCR and western blot were performed to detect the genes expression. ELIAS was used to determine the level of TNF-α and IL-6. RNA pull-down and RIP were carried out to affirm the relationship between MALAT1 and TLR4. The lung injury score and lung wet/dry weight ratio was significantly increased in ALI rats, while BML-111 treatment significantly decreased it, the HE staining directly revealed the lung injury. The expression of MALAT1 was decreased, while TLR4 was increased in ALI rats, BML-111 stimulation significantly reversed it. MALAT1 targets TLR4 to regulate its expression. TLR4 regulated the inflammation and cell apoptosis of PMVEC via NF-κB and p38 MAPK signaling pathway. The down-regulated MALAT1 mediates the mechanism of ALI by regulating of NF-κB and p38 MAPK signaling pathways via TLR4, while BML-111 stimulation significantly alleviated the ALI by regulating the expression of MALAT1.