Fractions of Boswellia Serrata Suppress LTA4, LTC4, Cyclooxygenase-2 Activities and mRNA in HL-60 Cells and Reduce Lung Inflammation in BALB/c Mice

BACKGROUND

Purified fractions from a Boswellia serrata Roxb. Ex. Colebr. (Burseraceae) extract (ETOH and DCM) contain biologically active compounds that are well known for having inflammation inhibitory properties. In this work, the purified fractions were tested in-vitro for LTC₄, LTA₄ and COX-2 activities using ELISA and qPCR was performed to determine gene regulation in human leukemia (HL-60) Cells. Two D-imaging tomography was performed to determine the anti-inflammatory activities of the fractions in BALB/c mouse model of lung inflammation.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate anti-inflammatory activities of bioactive compounds of Boswellia serrata purified fractions.

METHODS

In-vitro MTT assay was performed in HL-60 cell lines for measuring the toxicity/ viability of the cells. ELISA tests were performed for evaluating LTA₄, LTC₄ and COX-2 activities. qPCR was performed to evaluate the expression of mRNA in HL-60 cells. In-vivo experiments were performed in OVA sensitized and challenged BALB/c mice at two doses of Boswellia serrata purified fraction containing 6% Boswellic acid of 50 and 100mg/kg body weight were given orally and the standard drug dexamethasone (DXA, 4 mg/kg body weight) and reduction in lung inflammation was assessed by using an IVIS Xenogen in-vivo fluorescence imaging system.

RESULTS

A purified fraction of Boswellia serrata ETOH extracts reduced leukotriene-C₄-synthase activity by 52%, leuktotriene-A₄-hydrolase activity by 22% and COX-2 activity by 99% with an IC50 of 12.5μg/ml. Intragastric administration of the purified fraction of Boswellia serrata at two doses of 50mg/kg b.w. and 100mg/kg b.w., respectively along with 2-3% HPMC resulted in a ~51% (P value <0.01) reduction in OVA induced lung inflammation in BALB/c mice as observed by imaging tomography. Treatment of the OVA challenged mice with standard drug dexamethasone (DXA) reduced inflammation by ~66% with significant value (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

The present study describes that Boswellia serrata ethanolic extracts purified fraction (ETOH-BS) possess significant anti-inflammatory activities in HL-60 and in BALB/c and further supports for its use as Ayurvedic medicines traditionally in the treatment of lung disorders including allergy and asthma.

The Role of Leukotrienes Inhibitors in the Management of Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

BACKGROUND

Leukotrienes are powerful mediators of inflammation and interact with specific receptors in target cell membrane to initiate an inflammatory response. Thus, Leukotrienes (LTs) are considered to be potent mediators of inflammatory diseases including allergic rhinitis, inflammatory bowel disease and asthma. Leukotriene B4 and the series of cysteinyl leukotrienes (C4, D4, and E4) are metabolites of arachidonic acid metabolism that cause inflammation. The cysteinyl LTs are known to increase vascular permeability, bronco-constriction and mucus secretion.

OBJECTIVES

To review the published data for leukotriene inhibitors of plant origin and the recent patents for leukotriene inhibitors, as well as their role in the management of inflammatory diseases.

METHODS

Published data for leukotrienes antagonists of plant origin were searched from 1938 to 2019, without language restrictions using relevant keywords in both free text and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH terms) format. Literature and patent searches in the field of leukotriene inhibitors were carried out by using numerous scientific databases including Science Direct, PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Patents, US Patents, US Patent Applications, Abstract of Japan, German Patents, European Patents, WIPO and NAPRALERT. Finally, data from these information resources were analyzed and reported in the present study.

RESULTS

Currently, numerous anti-histaminic medicines are available including chloropheneremine, brompheniramine, cetirizine, and clementine. Furthermore, specific leukotriene antagonists from allopathic medicines are also available including zileuton, montelukast, pranlukast and zafirlukast and are considered effective and safe medicines as compared to the first generation medicines. The present study reports leukotrienes antagonistic agents of natural products and certain recent patents that could be an alternative medicine in the management of inflammation in respiratory diseases.

CONCLUSION

The present study highlights recent updates on the pharmacology and patents on leukotriene antagonists in the management of inflammation respiratory diseases.

Chronic respiratory morbidity in the Bhopal gas disaster cohorts: a time-trend analysis of cross-sectional data (1986-2016)

OBJECTIVES

In 1984, nearly 500,000 inhabitants of Bhopal city, India, were exposed to toxic gases that leaked from a nearby pesticide manufacturing plant. In 1985, four cohorts were established to assess the long-term health impact of exposure, namely, mild, moderate, severely exposed and unexposed groups. The self-reported morbidity data of these cohorts were collected by follow-up cross-sectional surveys at regular intervals over the last 35 years. The present study aimed to analyse the long-term trend of chronic (duration of symptoms >3 months) respiratory morbidity in the four cohorts, stratified by age groups.

STUDY DESIGN

The design of this study is a longitudinal analysis of cross-sectional respiratory morbidity data.

METHODS

Chronic respiratory morbidity data within the cohorts were analysed at 5-year intervals (first recorded data from 1986). Based on age at the time of exposure, subjects were stratified into four age groups: children (aged <10 years), teenagers (aged ≥10 to <20 years), younger adults (aged ≥20 to <40 years) and older adults (aged ≥40 years).

RESULTS

During the first decade, after exposure to the toxic gases, chronic respiratory morbidity in children and teenagers was high (up to 9.1%), which declined thereafter. Progressively increasing chronic respiratory morbidity was observed in both the younger and older adult age groups within all cohorts during the initial 5-10 years after exposure. Respiratory morbidity in both the younger and older adult age groups remained high for 15-20 years and thereafter recorded a declining trend. The highest respiratory morbidity observed during this study in the younger and older adult age groups was 38.6% and 59.5%, respectively; these values were both recorded in the severely exposed cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to toxic gases released during the Bhopal gas disaster has resulted in chronic respiratory morbidity of the exposed population; this morbidity has continued over decades. The age of the individuals at the time of exposure and exposure severity were crucial determinants of the long-term trend of respiratory morbidity.

Estrogenic and serotonergic butenolides from the leaves of Piper hispidum Swingle (Piperaceae)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Our previous work has demonstrated that several plants in the Piperaceae family are commonly used by the Q'eqchi Maya of Livingston, Guatemala to treat amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and pain. Extracts of Piper hispidum Swingle (Piperaceae), bound to the estrogen (ER) and serotonin (5-HT7) receptors.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the estrogenic and serotonergic activities of Piper hispidum extracts in functionalized assays, identify the active chemical constituents in the leaf extract, and test these compounds as agonists or antagonists of ER and 5-HT7.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effects of the Piper hispidum leaf extracts were investigated in estrogen reporter gene and endogenous gene assays in MCF-7 cells to determine if the extracts acted as an estrogen agonist or antagonist. In addition, the active compounds were isolated using ER- and 5-HT7 receptor bioassay-guided fractionation. The structures of the purified compounds were identified using high-resolution LC-MS and NMR spectroscopic methods. The ER- and 5-HT7-agonist effects of the purified chemical constituents were tested in a 2ERE-reporter gene assay in MCF-7 cells and in serotonin binding and functionalized assays.

RESULTS

Three butenolides including one new compound (1) were isolated from the leaves of Piper hispidum, and their structures were determined. Compound 1 bound to the serotonin receptor 5-HT(7) with IC(50) values of 16.1 and 8.3 microM, respectively, and using GTP shift assays, Compound 1 was found to be a partial agonist of the 5-HT(7) receptor. The Piper hispidum leaf extracts, as well as Compounds 2 and 3 enhanced the expression of estrogen responsive reporter and endogenous genes in MCF-7 cells, demonstrating estrogen agonist effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Extracts of Piper hispidum act as agonists of the ER and 5-HT(7) receptors. Compound 1, a new natural product, identified as 9,10-methylenedioxy-5,6-Z-fadyenolide, was isolated as the 5-HT(7) agonist. Compounds 2 and 3 are reported for the first time in Piper hispidum, and identified as the estrogen agonists. No inhibition of CYP450 was observed for any of these compounds in concentrations up to 1 microM. These activities are consistent with the Q'eqchi traditional use of the plant for the treatment of disorders associated with the female reproductive cycle.

Spasmolytic activity of a herbal drug isolated from Tephrosia purpurea in guinea pigs

We investigated the spasmolytic activity of herbal drugs isolated from Tephrosia purpurea on guinea pigs for the treatment of asthma in India. For this investigation, the herbal drug was extracted with 70% ethanol in soxhlet apparatus. After purification and isolution, the drug was used in experimental animals to observe prophylactic activity. For anaphylactic activity, horse serum 0.5 ml along with triple antigen (0.5 ml) was induced in guinea pigs. To observe prophylactic activity, male guinea pigs weighing about 250-450 gms were killed by cervical dislocation and the trachea was isolated. Each trachea was cut in to six segments. Each segment consists of three cartilage rings. Each end of tracheal muscles was attached to the bronchospasm transducers for isometric recording of the tension charges on a polygraph. The results of experiments clearly showed the spasmolytic activity of the drug. The preliminary phytochemical investigation, however shows the presence of glycoside saponins.

An optical method of estimating the relative output of a superficial unit for small applicators

The uncertainties associated with the measurement of the radiation output from a superficial x-ray unit are increased when using small applicators, as discussed in the text. The method described here uses two stages to measure the relative outputs: the first stage uses a large-diameter flat chamber to measure the radiation integrated over the applicator end, and the second stage uses an optical imaging system to investigate the shape of the beam. These are combined to produce a relative output for each applicator, which may then be transformed to an absolute output by applying the relative factors to a direct measurement of absolute output on one of the larger applicators.