The Effect of Osthole on Transient Receptor Potential Channels: A Possible Alternative Therapy for Atopic Dermatitis

Introduction

Chronic recurrent skin inflammation and severe itching in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) significantly impair their quality of life. The H4 histamine receptor plays a key role in histamine-induced itching. During the skin inflammation associated with AD, pro-inflammatory mediators (interleukins, cytokines) are released from neurons. Ultimately, a cascade of reactions leads to the activation and sensitization of transient receptor potential channels (TRP), which exacerbate the inflammation and itching associated with AD. Osthole (OST) is a natural coumarin with a proven versatile pharmacological effect: anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory. However, the molecular mechanism of OST in relieving inflammation in histamine-mediated itching is not yet clear.

Purpose

In the studies presented, the possible effect of the OST action on the inhibition of the gene expression of the histamine H4 receptor and the key genes of the TRP channels as well as on the concentration of proinflammatory interleukins was analyzed.

Methods

Inflammation was induced in a 3D skin model and a keratinocyte cell line Normal Human Epidermal Keratinocytes (NHEK) identical to that of AD, and then OST was administered at various doses. The concentrations of IL-4/-13 were determined by ELISA. RNA was isolated from the 3D skin cells and the NHEK cell line, and the qPCR method was used to determine the expression of: IL-4α, H4R, TRPV1, TRPV4, TRPM8 analyzed.

Results

The study showed that OST significantly reduced the secretion of IL-4/-13 in a keratinocyte cell line and in a 3D skin model. In addition, OST was found to significantly decrease the gene expression of IL-4α, H4R, TRPV1, TRPV4 and increase TRPM8 in both the NHEK cell line and the organotypic 3D skin model.

Conclusion

The data obtained provide the first in vitro evidence of itch relief following the application of OST to atopic skin. Research on the use of OST as an active component of emollients in the treatment of AD should be continued in the future.

Serum cytokine levels in children with spectrum autism disorder: Differences in pro- and anti-inflammatory balance

BACKGROUND

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) is a developmental and neurological disorder that affects all aspects of social communication, with limited and stereotypical interest, and atypical responses to sensory stimuli. Diagnosis of ASD is currently phenotype based with no reliable laboratory test available to assist clinicians. Researches have shown that individuals with autism often exhibit dysfunction of cytokines.

METHODS

A total of 42 patients with ASD and 20 matched controls participants were recruited for the study. Diagnosis was conducted by medical specialists and based on the International Classification of Mental and Behavioral Disorders - ICD-10, DSM-5 and CARS sore. Whole blood samples were collected and serum IL's and chemokin levels were made using ELISA kits.

RESULTS

Results demonstrated that in comparison to the controls, the individuals with autism showed significantly higher concentration of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-13. We also demonstrated significant correlations between the levels of cytokines which implies the presence of an interactive network between them. The results of ROC analysis indicated the 4-factors (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-13) could be potential biomarkers in diagnosis of ASD.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, serum levels of cytokine differed among children with ASD. However, the findings of this support the possibility of using an appropriate selection of serum cytokine for the diagnosis ASD and emphasize the need to standardize quantitative methods for serum analysis.

A novel concept of immunological and allergy interactions in autism spectrum disorders: Molecular, anti-inflammatory effect of osthole

BACKGROUND

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by Diagnosis and Statistic Manual 5 (DSM-5) as persistent social interaction and communication deficient across multiple contexts. Various immunological findings have been reported in children with ASD, and co-existing allergic problems have been recorded in children diagnosed with ASD. Osthole, the effective component of Chinese traditional medicine, is reported to have anti-inflammatory effects. This study assessed the anti-inflammatory effect of osthole on the histamine-induced inflammatory responses in PBMC cells.

METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC's) from children with: (1) ASD group with co-existing allergies/asthma (n = 29); (2) ASD group without allergy/asthma (n = 29); (3) Allergy group (n = 30) and from typically developing age-matched control subjects (n = 28) were stimulated with either histamine, FXF, osthole or mixture of this substances. mRNA COX-2 gene expression, COX-2 production and inhibitory effect of tested substances on COX-2 were assessed after stimulation.

RESULTS

Children with ASD may show either an innate proinflammatory response or increased activity of COX-2 which could display more impaired behavioral profile than children with non-inflamed. This study indicated that COX-2 may be involved in pathogenesis of ASD and/or allergy, and osthole could be used to decrease the effects of COX-2 in inflammation and ASD development. High incidence of allergy in ASD patients may indicate immune dysregulation that could be of relevance to the pathophysiology, symptomatology or neuroimmunology of ASD.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that fexofenadine (FXF - antihistamine drug) and osthole exhibit selective COX-2 enzyme inhibitory activity. The selective COX-2 activity of osthole may explain further the anti-inflammatory properties of osthole in relieving congestion in allergic rhinitis, and as distinctive effects between FXF and osthole were observed, individual antihistamines may have different modes of action via the COX enzyme system.

High Expression of IL-1RI and EP₂ Receptors in the IL-1β/COX-2 Pathway, and a New Alternative to Non-Steroidal Drugs-Osthole in Inhibition COX-2

BACKGROUND

Osthole (7-methoxy-8-isopentenylcoumarin) is natural coumarin isolated from the fruit of Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson, which is commonly used in medical practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in various diseases including allergies and asthma disorders.

PURPOSE

Osthole was tested for the anti-histamine, anti-allergic, and inhibitory effects of COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) in children with diagnosed allergies. Additionally, we hypothesize that stated alterations in children with diagnosed allergies including increased expression of interleukin 1-β receptor type 1 (IL-1 type I) and E-prostanoid (EP) 2 receptors, as well as raised expression, production, and activity of COX-2 and IL-1β in incubated medium are approximately connected. Furthermore, we establish the mechanisms included in the changed regulation of the COX-2 pathway and determine whether osthole may be COX-2 inhibitor in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

METHOD

PBMCs were obtained from peripheral blood of healthy children (control, n = 28) and patients with diagnosed allergies (allergy, n = 30). Expression of the autocrine loop components regulating PGE₂ production and signaling namely IL-1 type I receptor (IL-1RI), cyclooksygenaze-2 (COX-2), E-prostanoid (EP) 2, and also histamine receptor-1 (HRH-1) was assessed at baseline and after stimulation with histamine, osthole, and a mixture of histamine/osthole 1:2 (v/v). This comprised the expression of histamine receptor 1 (HRH-1), IL-1RI, COX-2, EP₂ receptor, and the secretion of IL-1β and COX-2 in cultured media and sera.

RESULTS

Compared with control group, basal mRNA expression levels of HRH-1, IL-1RI, COX-2, and EP₂ were higher in the allergy group. Histamine-induced EP₂ and COX-2 expression mRNA levels were also increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Osthole successively inhibits PGE₂ and COX-2 mRNA expression. Furthermore, osthole reduces the secretion of COX-2 protein in signaling cellular mechanisms. Changed EP₂ expression in children with allergies provides higher IL-1RI induction, increasing IL-1β capacity to increase COX-2 expression. This effects in higher PGE₂ production, which in turn increases its capability to induce IL-1RI.

Role of Milk-Derived Opioid Peptides and Proline Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Opioid peptides released during digestion of dietary proteins such as casein, were suggested to contribute to autism development, leading to the announcement of opioid excess hypothesis of autism. This paper examines role of enzyme proline dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPPIV; EC 3.4.14.5) and it is exogenous substrate, β-casomorphin-7 (BCM7) in autism etiology. Our study included measurements of DPPIV and BCM7 concentrations in serum and urine, which were analyzed with ELISA assays and activity of DPPIV was measured by colorimetric test. The effect of opioid peptides from hydrolysed bovine milk on DPPIV gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in autistic and healthy children was determined using the Real-Time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) method. Our research included 51 healthy children and 86 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD, ICDF84). We determined that the concentration of BCM7 in serum was significantly, 1.6-fold, higher in the ASD group than in controls (p < 0.0001). Concentration of DPPIV was found to also be significantly higher in serum from ASD children compared to the control group (p < 0.01), while we did not notice significant difference in enzymatic activity of serum DPPIV between the two study groups. We confirmed correlation according to the gender between analyzed parameters. The inspiration for this study emanated from clinical experience of the daily diet role in relieving the symptoms of autism. Despite this, we have concluded that milk-derived opioid peptides and DPPIV are potentially factors in determining the pathogenesis of autism; conducted studies are still limited and require further research.

Cytokines concentrations in serum samples from allergic children-Multiple analysis to define biomarkers for better diagnosis of allergic inflammatory process

BACKGROUND

Allergic diseases can expand at any age as a result of complicated interaction of environmental and genetic factors. Through the years, studies have found that allergic diseases are primarily described by elevated Th2 pathway activation, leading to increased serum IgE levels, allergen reactivity, blood eosinophil counts and secreted interleukins.

METHODS

A total of 20 patients with allergy and 20 matched controls participants were recruited for the study. A study was designed with the framework of an ongoing project at the Regional Children's Hospital in Olsztyn on the analysis of the immune profile of children with allergy and asthma. Diagnosis was conducted by medical specialists. Whole blood samples were collected and serum IL's and chemokin levels were made using ELISA kits.

RESULTS

Results demonstrated that in comparison to the controls, the individuals with allergy showed significantly higher concentration of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-13 and TNF-α. We also demonstrated significant correlations between the levels of cytokines which implies the presence of an interactive network between them. The results of ROC analysis indicated the 3-factors (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-8) could be additional, helpful biomarkers in better diagnosis of allergy.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, serum levels of cytokine differed among children with allergy. However, the findings of this support the possibility of using an appropriate selection of serum cytokine for the diagnosis allergy and emphasize the need to standardize quantitative methods for serum analysis.