scholarly journals Diterpenes from Euphorbia as Potential Leads for Drug Design

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 1934578X0800300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Barile ◽  
Gabriella Corea ◽  
Virginia Lanzotti
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Prostaglandin E ◽  
Plant Metabolites ◽  
Sar Studies ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Oxide Synthase ◽  
Rare Classes ◽  
First Time

In the course of our chemical survey of bioactive plant metabolites, a large number of diterpenes have been isolated from Euphorbia species that showed interesting pharmacological activities. In particular, over sixty jatrophane, modified jatrophane, segetane, pepluane, and paraliane diterpenoids, fifty of them reported for the first time, were extracted, purified and characterized from Euphorbia dendroides, E. characias, E. peplus, E. amygdaloides, and E. paralias. The compounds based on jatrophane and modified jatrophane skeletons were shown to be potent inhibitors of P-glycoprotein, a membrane protein that confers upon cells the ability to resist lethal doses of certain cytotoxic drugs by pumping them out of the cells, thus resulting in a reduced cytotoxic effect. Those belonging to the rare classes of pepluane and paraliane were shown to be promising anti-inflammatory agents in vivo. In addition, by using LPS-stimulated J774 murine macrophages, it was demonstrated that the effect is ascribable to the reduction in the production of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2 and TNF-α by inhibiting the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2 and TNF-α mRNA, respectively, through the down-regulation of NF-κB binding activity. The isolation of structurally-related analogues allowed us to perform SAR studies, which gave information on the key pharmacophoric elements of these new classes of promising drugs.

Increasing dihydrobiopterin causes dysfunction of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in rats in vivo

2011 ◽  
Vol 301 (3) ◽  
pp. H721-H729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katsuhiko Noguchi ◽  
Naobumi Hamadate ◽  
Toshihiro Matsuzaki ◽  
Mayuko Sakanashi ◽  
Junko Nakasone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Nitric Oxide Synthase ◽  
Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Enos Uncoupling ◽  
Nos Inhibitor ◽  
Oxide Synthase ◽  
Endothelial Nitric Oxide ◽  
First Time

An elevation of oxidized forms of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), especially dihydrobiopterin (BH2), has been reported in the setting of oxidative stress, such as arteriosclerotic/atherosclerotic disorders, where endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is dysfunctional, but the role of BH2 in the regulation of eNOS activity in vivo remains to be evaluated. This study was designed to clarify whether increasing BH2 concentration causes endothelial dysfunction in rats. To increase vascular BH2 levels, the BH2 precursor sepiapterin (SEP) was intravenously given after the administration of the specific dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor methotrexate (MTX) to block intracellular conversion of BH2 to BH4. MTX/SEP treatment did not significantly affect aortic BH4 levels compared with control treatment. However, MTX/SEP treatment markedly augmented aortic BH2 levels (291.1 ± 29.2 vs. 33.4 ± 6.4 pmol/g, P < 0.01) in association with moderate hypertension. Treatment with MTX alone did not significantly alter blood pressure or BH4 levels but decreased the BH4-to-BH2 ratio. Treatment with MTX/SEP, but not with MTX alone, impaired ACh-induced vasodilator and depressor responses compared with the control treatment (both P < 0.05) and also aggravated ACh-induced endothelium-dependent relaxations ( P < 0.05) of isolated aortas without affecting sodium nitroprusside-induced endothelium-independent relaxations. Importantly, MTX/SEP treatment significantly enhanced aortic superoxide production, which was diminished by NOS inhibitor treatment, and the impaired ACh-induced relaxations were reversed with SOD ( P < 0.05), suggesting the involvement of eNOS uncoupling. These results indicate, for the first time, that increasing BH2 causes eNOS dysfunction in vivo even in the absence of BH4 deficiency, demonstrating a novel insight into the regulation of endothelial function.

Abstract 18060: TRAIL Promotes Angiogenesis and Ischemia-Induced Neovascularisation via NOX4, H2O2 and Nitric Oxide-Dependent Mechanisms

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda A Di Bartolo ◽  
Sian P Cartland ◽  
Leonel Prado-Lourenco ◽  
Nor Saadah M Azahri ◽  
Thuan Thai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Angiogenic Factor ◽  
Tubule Formation ◽  
Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitor ◽  
Therapeutic Implications ◽  
Synthase Inhibitor ◽  
Oxide Synthase ◽  
First Time

Background: Angiogenesis and neovascularization are essential processes that follow ischemia insults. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) not only induces endothelial cell (EC) death and inhibits angiogenesis, but also promotes EC migration, invasion and proliferation in vitro . These seemingly opposite effects make its role in angiogenesis in vivo unclear. Using TRAIL -/- and wild-type mice, we sought to determine the role of TRAIL in angiogenesis and neovascularisation. We also sought mechanisms in vitro . Methods and Results: Reduced vascularisation assessed by real-time in vivo 3D Vevo ultrasound imaging and CD31 staining was observed in TRAIL -/- mice 28 d after hindlimb ischemia. Moreover, reduced capillary formation and increased apoptosis was evident in TRAIL -/- muscles even at 3 d after ischemic surgery. We have previously shown that fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), a potent angiogenic factor, regulates TRAIL gene expression in vascular smooth muscle cells. Indeed, FGF-2 also regulates TRAIL expression in ECs, and FGF-2-inducible proliferation, migration and tubule formation was inhibited with siRNA targeting TRAIL. Notably, both FGF-2 and TRAIL significantly increased NOX4 expression. TRAIL-inducible angiogenic activity in ECs was inhibited with siRNAs targeting NOX4, and consistent with these, NOX4 mRNA was reduced in 3 d ischemic hindlimbs of TRAIL -/- mice. TRAIL stimulated intracellular H 2 O 2 levels in ECs, and TRAIL-inducible proliferation, migration and tubule formation was inhibited with not only PEG-catalase, a H 2 O 2 scavenger, but also blocked with L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. Conclusions: This is the first demonstration showing that TRAIL promotes angiogenesis in vivo . We show for the first time that the TRAIL stimulates NOX4 expression to mediate nitric oxide-dependent angiogenic effects. This has significant therapeutic implications such that TRAIL may improve the angiogenic response to ischemia and increase perfusion recovery in patients with CVD and diabetes.

scholarly journals Astrovirus-Induced Synthesis of Nitric Oxide Contributes to Virus Control during Infection

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 1564-1574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew D. Koci ◽  
Laura A. Kelley ◽  
Diane Larsen ◽  
Stacey Schultz-Cherry
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Small Animal ◽  
Innate Immune Responses ◽  
Vitro Analysis ◽  
Oxide Synthase ◽  
First Time

ABSTRACT Astrovirus is one of the major causes of infant and childhood diarrhea worldwide. Our understanding of astrovirus pathogenesis trails behind our knowledge of its molecular and epidemiologic properties. Using a recently developed small-animal model, we investigated the mechanisms by which astrovirus induces diarrhea and the role of both the adaptive and innate immune responses to turkey astrovirus type-2 (TAstV-2) infection. Astrovirus-infected animals were analyzed for changes in total lymphocyte populations, alterations in CD4+/CD8+ ratios, production of virus-specific antibodies (Abs), and macrophage activation. There were no changes in the numbers of circulating or splenic lymphocytes or in CD4+/CD8+ ratios compared to controls. Additionally, there was only a modest production of virus-specific Abs. However, adherent spleen cells from infected animals produced more nitric oxide (NO) in response to ex vivo stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. In vitro analysis demonstrated that TAstV-2 induced macrophage production of inducible nitric oxide synthase. Studies using NO donors and inhibitors in vivo demonstrated, for the first time, that NO inhibited astrovirus replication. These studies suggest that NO is important in limiting astrovirus replication and are the first, to our knowledge, to describe the potential role of innate immunity in astrovirus infection.

scholarly journals Phenolic Compounds and Ginsenosides in Ginseng Shoots and Their Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Capacities in LPS-Induced RAW264.7 Mouse Macrophages

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 2951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan Yao ◽  
Qiang Xue ◽  
Ke Li ◽  
Xinxin Cao ◽  
Liwei Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Phenolic Compounds ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Raw264.7 Cells ◽  
Inflammatory Factors ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Mouse Macrophages ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Oxide Synthase ◽  
First Time

We conducted this study for the first time to evaluate changes in the composition and contents of phenolic compounds and ginsenosides in ginseng shoot extracts (GSEs) prepared with different steaming times (2, 4, and 6 h) at 120 °C, as well as their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 mouse macrophages (RAW264.7 cells). The results show that total phenol and flavonoid contents were both significantly higher in steamed versus raw GSEs, and the same trend was found for 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) and 2,2′-azobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+) scavenging capacities. Among the 18 ginsenosides quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with the aid of pure standards, polar ginsenosides were abundant in raw GSEs, whereas less-polar or rare ginsenosides appeared after steaming at 120 °C and increased with steaming time. Furthermore, steamed GSEs exhibited a greater ability to inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells at the same concentration. Relative expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), IL-6, TNF-α, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNAs were attenuated by the GSEs, probably due to the enrichment of less-polar ginsenosides and enhanced antioxidant activity in steamed GSEs. These findings, combined with correlation analysis, showed that less-polar ginsenosides were major contributors to the inhibition of the overproduction of various inflammatory factors, while the inhibitory effects of total phenols and total flavonoids, and their antioxidant abilities, are also important.

Increased prostaglandin E generation and enhanced nitric oxide synthase activity in the non-insulin-dependent diabetic embryo during organogenesis

1998 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia Jawerbaum ◽  
Elida T. Gonzalez ◽  
Virginia Novaro ◽  
Alicia Faletti ◽  
Debora Sinner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Nitric Oxide Synthase ◽  
Congenital Abnormalities ◽  
Prostaglandin E ◽  
No Donor ◽  
Insulin Dependent ◽  
Nos Inhibitor ◽  
Insulin Dependent Diabetic ◽  
Oxide Synthase

Embryonic development, prostaglandin E (PGE) generation and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity during organogenesis were evaluated in an experimental rat model of non-insulin- dependent diabetes (NIDD) generated by neonatal administration of streptozotocin. Gross malformations were detected in 5% of NIDD embryos and these embryos were all non-viable; in the other 95%, growth was retarded but no congenital abnormalities were found. Control embryos were all alive and not malformed. The NIDD 11-day embryos secreted more PGE into the incubation medium than did controls. The NO donor SIN–1 increased PGE production in both control and NIDD embryos. A NOS inhibitor (L-NMMA) reduced PGE generation in both experimental groups, suggesting a modulatory role of NO on embryonic PGE production. Activity of NOS was higher in NIDD 11-day embryos than in controls. Treatment in vivo of control and NIDD rats (Days 7–11 of gestation) with a NOS inhibitor (L-NAME; 5 mg kg-1 i.p.) reduced embryonic PGE production and induced a higher resorption rate and an increase in neural-tube defects. The results suggest that NO modulates PGE generation in the organogenetic embryo. In the NIDD model, overproduction of NO is observed, this NO probably enhancing embryonic PGE production. The relationship between PGE generation and the appearance of congenital abnormalities is discussed.

scholarly journals Knockdown of TRIM8 Attenuates IL-1β-induced Inflammatory Response in Osteoarthritis Chondrocytes Through the Inactivation of NF-κB Pathway

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 096368972094360
Author(s):  
Ruoxi Liu ◽  
Hao Wu ◽  
Huanjin Song
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
Degenerative Joint Disease ◽  
Joint Disease ◽  
Prostaglandin E ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Osteoarthritis Chondrocytes ◽  
Oa Chondrocytes ◽  
Oxide Synthase

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease associated with inflammatory response. Tripartite motif 8 (TRIM8) is a member of TRIM family that has been found to regulate inflammation. The present study was aimed to evaluate the role of TRIM8 in OA chondrocytes. Our results showed that TRIM8 expression was significantly increased in interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β)-stimulated OA chondrocytes. To knock down the TRIM8 expression in chondrocytes, the chondrocytes were transfected with si-TRIM8. Knockdown of TRIM8 attenuated IL-1β-induced production of inflammatory mediators including nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2. The increased expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes were suppressed by TRIM8 knockdown. The IL-1β-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines including TNF-α and IL-6 was significantly decreased after transfection with si-TRIM8. Besides, knockdown of TRIM8 mitigated the IL-1β-induced decrease in aggrecan and collagen-II proteins expression and increase in matrix-degrading enzymes in chondrocytes. Furthermore, TRIM8 knockdown prevented IL-1β-induced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation in chondrocytes. Taken together, these findings indicated that knockdown of TRIM8 attenuates IL-1β-induced inflammatory response in OA chondrocytes through the inactivation of NF-κB pathway. Thus, targeting TRIM8 might provide therapeutic treatment for OA.

scholarly journals Anti-Inflammatory Effects and Mechanisms ofFatsia polycarpaHayata and Its Constituents

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsueh-Ling Cheng ◽  
Nurkholis ◽  
Shi-Yie Cheng ◽  
Shen-Da Huang ◽  
Yan-Ting Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
Prostaglandin E ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Oxide Synthase ◽  
Inducible Nitric Oxide

Fatsia polycarpa, a plant endemic to Taiwan, is an herbal medicine known for treating several inflammation-related diseases, but its biological function needs scientific support. Thus, the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of the methanolic crude extract (MCE) ofF. polycarpaand its feature constituents, that is, brassicasterol (a phytosterol), triterpenoids 3α-hydroxyolean-11,13(18)-dien-28-oic acid (HODA), 3α-hydroxyolean-11-en-28,13β-olide (HOEO), fatsicarpain D, and fatsicarpain F, were investigated. MCE and HOEO, but not brassicasterol, dose-dependently inhibited lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-)induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in RAW 264.7 macrophage line, whereas HODA, fatsicarpain D and fatsicarpain F were toxic to RAW cells. Additionally, MCE and HOEO suppressed LPS-induced production of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, and interleukin-1βand interfered with LPS-promoted activation of the inhibitor kappa B kinase (IKK)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway, and that of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. In animal tests, MCE and HOEO effectively ameliorated 12-O-tetradecanoylphorobol-13 acetate- (TPA-)induced ear edema of mice. Thus, MCE ofF. polycarpaexhibited an obvious anti-inflammatory activityin vivoandin vitrothat likely involved the inhibition of the IKK/NF-κB pathway and the MAPKs, which may be attributed by triterpenoids such as HOEO.

scholarly journals Interaction among beta-endorphin, nitric oxide and prostaglandins during ovulation in rats

Reproduction ◽  
2003 ◽  
pp. 469-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
AG Faletti ◽  
C Mohn ◽  
M Farina ◽  
A Lomniczi ◽  
V Rettori
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Prostaglandin E ◽  
Stimulatory Action ◽  
Beta Endorphin ◽  
Oxide Synthase ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Ovulatory Process ◽  
Prostaglandin Synthesis Inhibitors ◽  
Enos Protein

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between beta-endorphin and nitric oxide (NO) during the ovulatory process in rats. Immature rats were treated with equine chorionic gonadotrophin-hCG to induce ovulation. An intrabursal injection of beta-endorphin stimulated nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity. This effect was completely reversed when naltrexone was co-injected with beta-endorphin. The stimulatory action of beta-endorphin on NOS activity was studied to determine whether it was exerted via prostaglandins. Treatment with prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) completely reversed the beta-endorphin-induced stimulation of NOS activity. Moreover, intrabursal injection of meloxicam, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase 2, increased NOS activity, but this effect was not altered by co-injection with beta-endorphin. The presence of both endothelial NOS (eNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS) in the ovary at 10 h after hCG treatment was studied by western blot analysis. Local administration of beta-endorphin inhibited the expression of eNOS protein, whereas expression of iNOS protein was not detectable. Ovarian beta-endorphin content was diminished at 10 h after hCG injection. Treatment with prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors in vivo augmented the ovarian beta-endorphin content. In conclusion, these results indicate that beta-endorphin stimulates the activity of ovarian NOS indirectly by inhibiting prostaglandin production.

scholarly journals Role of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the regulation of VCAM-1 expression in gut inflammation

1999 ◽  
Vol 277 (3) ◽  
pp. G572-G576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigeyuki Kawachi ◽  
Adam Cockrell ◽  
F. Stephen Laroux ◽  
Laura Gray ◽  
D. Neil Granger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Nitric Oxide Synthase ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Chronic Colitis ◽  
Antibody Technique ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Factor Α ◽  
Oxide Synthase

The objectives of this study were to assess the role of the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) on vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) expression in vivo in an acute model of inflammation induced in iNOS-deficient (iNOS−/−) mice and compare these data to those obtained by pharmacological inhibition of iNOS in a CD4+ T lymphocyte-dependent model of chronic colitis. VCAM-1 expression was quantified in vivo using the dual radiolabel monoclonal antibody technique. We found that intraperitoneal injection of 10 μg/kg tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) enhanced VCAM-1 expression by approximately twofold in the colon, cecum, and stomach but not small intestine in iNOS−/−mice compared with TNF-α-injected wild-type mice. Injection of wild-type mice with 25 μg/kg TNF-α further enhanced VCAM-1 expression by approximately twofold compared with wild-type mice injected with 10 μg/kg TNF-α; however, VCAM-1 expression was not further enhanced in any gastrointestinal organ system in iNOS−/− mice. In a second series of experiments, we found that continuous inhibition of iNOS using oral administration of N G-iminoethyl-l-lysine did not alter the enhanced levels of VCAM-1 expression in the colon nor did it alter the severity of colonic inflammation in SCID mice reconstituted with CD4+, CD45RBhigh T cells. We conclude that iNOS may regulate VCAM-1 expression in acute inflammation; however, this effect is modest and tissue specific and occurs only when VCAM-1 expression is submaximal. iNOS does not appear to modulate VCAM-1 expression in an immune model of chronic colitis.

Tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency exaggerates intimal hyperplasia after vascular injury

2005 ◽  
Vol 289 (2) ◽  
pp. R299-R304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao-Hung Wang ◽  
Shu-Hong Li ◽  
Richard D. Weisel ◽  
Paul W. M. Fedak ◽  
Agnes Hung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Vascular Injury ◽  
Superoxide Production ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Neointimal Formation ◽  
Inflammatory Reactions ◽  
Oxide Synthase ◽  
First Time

Decreased levels of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), an absolute cofactor for nitric oxide synthase (NOS), lead to uncoupling of NOS into a superoxide v. nitric oxide producing enzyme, and it is this uncoupling that links it to the development of vascular disease. However, the effects of in vivo deficiency of BH4 on neointimal formation after vascular injury have not been previously investigated. Hph-1 mice, which display 90% deficiency in guanine triphosphate cyclohydrolase I, the rate limiting enzyme in BH4 synthesis, were used. Hph-1 and wild-type mice, treated with either vehicle or BH4 ( n = 15 per group), were subjected to wire-induced femoral artery injury, and NOS expression and activity, inflammation, cell proliferation, superoxide production, and neointimal formation were assessed. The major form of NOS expressed over vessel wall after vascular injury was endothelial NOS. Hph-1 mice exhibited lower NOS activity (2.8 ± 0.3 vs. 4.5 ± 0.4 pmol/min/mg protein, P < 0.01), and higher aortic superoxide content (5.2 ± 2.0 × 105 cpm vs. 1.6 ± 0.7 × 105 cpm, P < 0.01) compared with wild-type controls, indicating uncoupling of NOS. Treatment of hph-1 mice with BH4 significantly increased NOS activity (from 2.8 ± 0.3 to 4.1 ± 0.4 pmol·min−1·mg protein−1, P < 0.05), and attenuated superoxide production (from 5.2 ± 2.0 × 105 cpm to 0.8 ± 0.7 × 105 cpm, P < 0.05). Hph-1 mice also had higher inflammatory reactions and more cell proliferation after vascular injury. Furthermore, hph-1 mice responded by a marked increase in neointimal formation at 4 wk after vascular injury, compared with wild-type controls (intima:media ratio: 4.5 ± 0.5 vs. wild-type 0.7 ± 0.1, P < 0.001). Treatment of hph-1 mice with BH4 prevented vascular injury-induced increase in neointimal formation (intima:media ratio: 1.4 ± 0.1 vs. hph-1, P < 0.001). Treatment had no effect on wild-type controls. In summary, we describe, for the first time, that in vivo BH4 deficiency facilitates neointimal formation after vascular injury. Modulation of BH4 bioavailability is an important therapeutic target for restenosis.

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