TNF-α Inhibitors from natural compounds: An overview, CADD approaches, and their exploration for anti-inflammatory agents

Author(s):  
Igor José dos Santos Nascimento ◽  
Edeildo Ferreira da Silva-Júnior

: Inflammation is a natural process that occurs in the organism in response to harmful external agents. Despite being considered beneficial, exaggerated cases can cause severe problems for the body. The main inflammatory manifestations are pain, increased temperature, edema, decreased mobility, and quality of life for affected individuals. Diseases such as arthritis, cancer, allergies, infections, arteriosclerosis, neurodegenerative diseases, and metabolic problems are mainly characterized by an exaggerated inflammatory response. Inflammation is related to two categories of substances: pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. Among the pro-inflammatory mediators is tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). It is associated with immune diseases, cancer, and psychiatric disorders that increase its excretion. Thus, it becomes a target widely used in discovering new anti-inflammatory drugs. In this context, secondary metabolites biosynthesized by plants have been used for thousands of years and continue to be one of the primary sources of new drug scaffolds against inflammatory diseases. To minimize costs related to the drug discovery process, computer-aided drug design (CADD) techniques are broadly explored to increase the chances of success. In this review, the main natural compounds that are derived from alkaloids, flavonoids, terpene, and polyphenols as promising TNF-α inhibitors will be discussed. Finally, we applied a molecular modeling protocol involving all compounds described here, suggesting that their interactions with Tyr59, Tyr119, Tyr151, Leu57, and Gly121 residues are essential for the activity. Such findings may prove useful for research groups worldwide to design new anti-inflammatory TNF-α inhibitors.

Dose-Response ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 155932582096172
Author(s):  
Ilaria Floris ◽  
Thorsten Rose ◽  
Juan Antonio Collado Rojas ◽  
Kurt Appel ◽  
Camille Roesch ◽  
...  

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) are pro-inflammatory cytokines involved in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Indeed, immunotherapy blocking these 2 cytokines has been developed. Micro-immunotherapy (MI) also uses ultra-low doses (ULD) of pro-inflammatory cytokines, impregnated on lactose-sucrose pillules, to counteract their overexpression. The study has been conducted with 2 objectives: examine the anti-inflammatory effect in vitro and the capacity of 2 unitary medicines, TNF-α (27 CH) and IL-1β (27 CH), to reduce the secretion of TNF-α in human primary monocytes and THP-1 cells differentiated with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure; then, investigate the presence of particles possibly containing starting materials using tunable resistive pulse sensing technique. The results show that the unitary medicines, tested at 3 pillules concentrations (5.5, 11 and 22 mM), have reduced the secretion of TNF-α in both models by about 10−20% vs. vehicle control, depending on concentration. In this exploratory study, particles (150−1000 nm) have been detected in MI ULD-impregnated pillules and a hypothesis for MI medicines mode of action has been proposed. Conscious that more evaluations are necessary, authors are cautious in the conclusions because the findings described in the study are still limited, and future investigations may lead to different hypothesis.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (15) ◽  
pp. 3345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyung Jin Lim ◽  
Seon Gyeong Bak ◽  
Hee Ju Lim ◽  
Seung Woong Lee ◽  
Soyoung Lee ◽  
...  

Chronic and excessive inflammation can destroy host organs and cause inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of Alpinia katsumadai seed-derived 2,3,5,22,23-pentahydroxy-2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyl-tetracosa-6,10,14,18-tetraene (PHT) using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated J774 cells and a formalin-induced chronic paw inflammation mouse model. The in vitro results showed that PHT exhibited no cytotoxicity and decreased LPS-induced NO secretion. Additionally, PHT inhibited LPS-induced inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) protein expression. The quantitative real-time PCR results showed that PHT downregulated the gene expression of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) but not tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). PHT inhibited the LPS-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). In a mouse model, oral administration of 50 mg/kg PHT significantly alleviated both mouse paw thickness and volume. These results indicate that PHT has potential anti-inflammatory effects and should be considered a possible functional material.


Author(s):  
Jingshuang Li ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
Lili Zhang ◽  
Ni An ◽  
Wan Ni ◽  
...  

Abstract. Capsaicin, the main constituent in chili, is an extremely spicy vanillin alkaloid and is found in several Capsicum species in China. Traditionally, it has been used to treat inflammatory diseases such as allergic rhinitis, neuralgia after shingles, refractory female urethral syndrome, spontaneous recalcitrant anal pruritus, and solid tumors. Constant stimulation of the body by inflammatory factors can lead to chronic inflammation. Capsaicin possesses anti-inflammatory activity; however, the underlying mechanism is unknown. We investigated the effect of capsaicin on the secretion of macrophage inflammatory factors in a lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation model using 56 healthy, SPF grade, BALB/c mice. To this end, mice peritoneal macrophages were isolated and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (1 μg/mL) and capsaicin (25, 50, 75, or 100 μg/mL) for 24 h. At all concentrations tested, capsaicin significantly promoted the phagocytosis of neutral red dye by macrophages. Furthermore, the gene expression and secretion of inflammatory cytokines significantly increased after induction with lipopolysaccharide (P<0.01); the interleukin (IL)-6 level was 204 μg/mL, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α level was 860 μg/mL, and nitric oxide (NO) level was 19.8 μg/mL. However, the treatment with capsaicin reduced their levels (P<0.01) and protein expression of lipopolysaccharide-induced extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 and p65 (P<0.05). Overall, capsaicin reduced the secretion of inflammatory cytokines (P<0.01), interleukins, TNF-α (P<0.01), and NO by inhibiting the nuclear factor-kappa B and microtubule-associated protein kinase signaling pathways, and thereby reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in macrophages.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Wan Ling Chan ◽  
Emilia Tze Ying Yeo ◽  
Kelly Wang Ling Wong ◽  
Mun Ling See ◽  
Ka Yan Wong ◽  
...  

<P>Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder that eventually leads to severe cognitive impairment. Although the exact etiologies of AD still remain elusive, increasing evidence suggests that neuroinflammation cascades mediated by microglial cells are associated with AD. Piper sarmentosum Roxb. (PS) is a medicinal plant reported to possess various biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-psychotic and anti-oxidant activity. However, little is known about the anti-inflammatory activity of PS roots despite their traditional use to treat inflammatory- mediated ailments. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of extracts obtained from the roots of PS against beta-amyloid (Aβ)-induced microglial toxicity associated with the production of pro-inflammatory mediators. Method: BV2 microglial cells were treated with hexane (RHXN), dichloromethane (RDCM), ethyl acetate (REA) and methanol (RMEOH) extracts of the roots of PS prior to activation by Aβ. The production and mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory mediators were evaluated by Griess reagent, ELISA kits and RT-qPCR respectively. The phosphorylation status of p38α MAPK was determined via western blot assay. BV2 conditioned medium was used to treat SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and the neuroprotective effect was assessed using MTT assay. Results: PS root extracts, in particular RMEOH significantly attenuated the production and mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in Aβ-induced BV2 microglial cells. In addition, RHXN, REA and RMEOH extracts significantly reduced nitric oxide (NO) level and the inhibition of NO production was correlated with the total phenolic content of the extracts. Further mechanistic studies suggested that PS root extracts attenuated the production of cytokines by regulating the phosphorylation of p38α MAPK in microglia. Importantly, PS root extracts have protective effects against Aβ-induced indirect neurotoxicity either by inhibiting the production of NO, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in BV2 cells or by protecting SHSY5Y cells against these inflammatory mediators. Conclusions: These findings provided evidence that PS root extracts confer neuroprotection against Aβ- induced microglial toxicity associated with the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and may be a potential therapeutic agent for inflammation-related neurological conditions including Alzheimer’s disease (AD).</P>


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (16) ◽  
pp. 3573
Author(s):  
Lian-Chun Li ◽  
Zheng-Hong Pan ◽  
De-Sheng Ning ◽  
Yu-Xia Fu

Simonsinol is a natural sesqui-neolignan firstly isolated from the bark of Illicium simonsii. In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity of simonsinol was investigated with a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophages RAW264.7 cells model. The results demonstrated that simonsinol could antagonize the effect of LPS on morphological changes of RAW264.7 cells, and decrease the production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, as determined by Griess assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, simonsinol could downregulate transcription of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), TNF-α, and IL-6 as measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and inhibit phosphorylation of the alpha inhibitor of NF-κB (IκBα) as assayed by Western blot. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that simonsinol could inhibit inflammation response in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells through the inactivation of the nuclear transcription factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1208
Author(s):  
Mina Kim ◽  
Ji Yeong Kim ◽  
Hee Sun Yang ◽  
Jeong-Sook Choe ◽  
In Guk Hwang

Salvia plebeia has been used to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases, as well as colds and bronchitis. Macrophages have antioxidant defense mechanisms to cope with the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced as part of the immune response. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase (HO)-1 pathway in inflamed macrophages is an appealing target due to its protective effect against ROS-induced cell damage. In this study, nepetoidin B (NeB) was first isolated from S. plebeia and identified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. NeB reduced pro-inflammatory mediators (nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2) and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β) in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. In the NeB-treated group, catalase and superoxide dismutase levels were significantly higher, and ROS expression decreased. By activating Nrf2 signaling, NeB enhanced HO-1 expression. Furthermore, when the cells were pretreated with tin protoporphyrin (an HO-1 inhibitor), the anti-inflammatory effects of NeB were reduced. Therefore, NeB may activate the Nrf2/ HO-1 pathway. These results reveal the NeB isolated from S. plebeia exerts anti-inflammatory effects by modulating NF-κB signaling and activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 1554
Author(s):  
Dabin Choi ◽  
Wesuk Kang ◽  
Taesun Park

The critical roles of keratinocytes and resident mast cells in skin allergy and inflammation have been highlighted in many studies. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), the intracellular second messenger, has also recently emerged as a target molecule in the immune reaction underlying inflammatory skin conditions. Here, we investigated whether undecane, a naturally occurring plant compound, has anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory activities on sensitized rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) mast cells and HaCaT keratinocytes and we further explored the potential involvement of the cAMP as a molecular target for undecane. We confirmed that undecane increased intracellular cAMP levels in mast cells and keratinocytes. In sensitized mast cells, undecane inhibited degranulation and the secretion of histamine and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). In addition, in sensitized keratinocytes, undecane reversed the increased levels of p38 phosphorylation, nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) transcriptional activity and target cytokine/chemokine genes, including thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) and interleukin-8 (IL-8). These results suggest that undecane may be useful for the prevention or treatment of skin inflammatory disorders, such as atopic dermatitis, and other allergic diseases.


Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (24) ◽  
pp. 4426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming-Shun Wu ◽  
Levent Bless B. Aquino ◽  
Marjette Ylreb U. Barbaza ◽  
Chieh-Lun Hsieh ◽  
Kathlia A. De Castro-Cruz ◽  
...  

The use of foodstuff as natural medicines has already been established through studies demonstrating the pharmacological activities that they exhibit. Knowing the nutritional and pharmacological significance of foods enables the understanding of their role against several diseases. Among the foods that can potentially be considered as medicine, is sesame or Sesamum indicum L., which is part of the Pedaliaceae family and is composed of its lignans such as sesamin, sesamol, sesaminol and sesamolin. Its lignans have been widely studied and are known to possess antiaging, anticancer, antidiabetes, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Modern chronic diseases, which can transform into clinical diseases, are potential targets of these lignans. The prime example of chronic diseases is rheumatic inflammatory diseases, which affect the support structures and the organs of the body and can also develop into malignancies. In line with this, studies emphasizing the anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of sesame have been discussed in this review.


1998 ◽  
Vol 275 (1) ◽  
pp. G39-G46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven N. Lichtman ◽  
Jian Wang ◽  
John J. Lemasters

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a bacterial polymer that stimulates macrophages to release tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). In macrophages (RAW 264.7 and peritoneal cells), LPS binds to the CD14 surface receptor as the first step toward signaling. Liver macrophages, Kupffer cells, are the most numerous fixed-tissue macrophage in the body. The presence of CD14 on Kupffer cells and its role in LPS stimulation of TNF-α were examined. TNF-α release by Kupffer cells after LPS stimulation was the same in the presence and absence of serum. RAW 264.7 and peritoneal cells, which utilize the CD14 receptor, released significantly less TNF-α after LPS stimulation in the absence of serum because of the absence of LPS-binding protein. Phosphatidylinositol-phospholipase C treatment, which cleaves the CD14 receptor, decreased LPS-stimulated TNF-α release by RAW 264.7 cells but not by Kupffer cells. Deacylated LPS (dLPS) competes with LPS at the CD14 receptor when incubated in a ratio of 100:1 (dLPS/LPS). Such competition blocked LPS-stimulated TNF-α release from RAW 264.7 cells but not from Kupffer cells. Western and fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis directly demonstrated the presence of CD14 on RAW 264.7 cells and murine peritoneal cells but showed only minimal amounts of CD14 in murine Kupffer cells. LPS stimulation did not increase the amount of CD14 detectable on mouse Kupffer cells. CD14 expression is very low in Kupffer cells, and LPS-stimulated TNF-α release is independent of CD14 in these cells.


2019 ◽  
Vol 316 (3) ◽  
pp. R235-R242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davide Martelli ◽  
David G. S. Farmer ◽  
Michael J. McKinley ◽  
Song T. Yao ◽  
Robin M. McAllen

The splanchnic anti-inflammatory pathway has been proposed as the efferent arm of the inflammatory reflex. Although much evidence points to the spleen as the principal target organ where sympathetic nerves inhibit immune function, a systematic study to locate the target organ(s) of the splanchnic anti-inflammatory pathway has not yet been made. In anesthetized rats made endotoxemic with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 60 µg/kg iv), plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured in animals with cut (SplancX) or sham-cut (Sham) splanchnic nerves. We confirm here that disengagement of the splanchnic anti-inflammatory pathway in SplancX rats (17.01 ± 0.95 ng/ml, mean ± SE) strongly enhances LPS-induced plasma TNF-α levels compared with Sham rats (3.76 ± 0.95 ng/ml). In paired experiments, the responses of SplancX and Sham animals were compared after the single or combined removal of organs innervated by the splanchnic nerves. Removal of target organ(s) where the splanchnic nerves inhibit systemic inflammation should abolish any difference in LPS-induced plasma TNF-α levels between Sham and SplancX rats. Any secondary effects of extirpating organs should apply to both groups. Surprisingly, removal of the spleen and/or the adrenal glands did not prevent the reflex splanchnic anti-inflammatory action nor did the following removals: spleen + adrenals + intestine; spleen + intestine + stomach and pancreas; or spleen + intestine + stomach and pancreas + liver. Only when spleen, adrenals, intestine, stomach, pancreas, and liver were all removed did the difference between SplancX and Sham animals disappear. We conclude that the reflex anti-inflammatory action of the splanchnic nerves is distributed widely across abdominal organs.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document