scholarly journals Unveiling the Properties of Thai Stingless Bee Propolis via Diminishing Cell Wall-Associated Cryptococcal Melanin and Enhancing the Fungicidal Activity of Macrophages

Antibiotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 420
Author(s):  
Ketsaya Mamoon ◽  
Patcharin Thammasit ◽  
Anupon Iadnut ◽  
Kuntida Kitidee ◽  
Usanee Anukool ◽  
...  

Cryptococcus neoformans, a life-threatening human yeast pathogen, has the ability to produce melanin, which is one of the common virulence factors contributing to cryptococcal pathogenesis. This virulence factor is closely associated with the cryptococcal cell wall, specifically chitin and chitosan polysaccharides, a complex structure that is essential for maintaining cellular structure and integrity. In this study, we aim to investigate the effects of two stingless bee (SLB) propolis from Tetragonula laeviceps and Tetrigona melanoleuca against cell wall-associated melanin in C. neoformans, and its immune response in RAW 264.7 macrophage. The ethanolic extract of SLB propolis (EEP) has strongly exhibited anti-cryptococcal activity. Moreover, EEP from both sources reduced chitin/chitosan and melanin production against C. neoformans in a dose-dependent manner. Likewise, the mRNA expression level of CDA1, IPC1-PKC1 and LAC1 genes involved in the cryptococcal melanization pathway was significantly decreased at 2 mg/mL in EEP treatment. Additionally, pretreatment with EEP prior to yeast infection dramatically reduced intracellular replication of C. neoformans in RAW 264.7 macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. This study might be a new insight to use a natural powerful source, not only acting to target cell wall-associated molecules, but also being capable to explore a novel strategy by which dysregulation of these molecules leads to promote immunomodulatory activity.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yury E. Tsvetkov ◽  
Ema Paulovičová ◽  
Lucia Paulovičová ◽  
Pavol Farkaš ◽  
Nikolay E. Nifantiev

Chitin, a polymer of β-(1→4)-linked N-acetyl-d-glucosamine, is one of the main polysaccharide components of the fungal cell wall. Its N-deacetylated form, chitosan, is enzymatically produced in the cell wall by chitin deacetylases. It exerts immunomodulative, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal activities with various medical applications. To study the immunobiological properties of chitosan oligosaccharides, we synthesized a series of β-(1→4)-linked N-acetyl-d-glucosamine oligomers comprising 3, 5, and 7 monosaccharide units equipped with biotin tags. The key synthetic intermediate employed for oligosaccharide chain elongation, a disaccharide thioglycoside, was prepared by orthogonal glycosylation of a 4-OH thioglycoside acceptor with a glycosyl trichloroacetimidate bearing the temporary 4-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl group. The use of silyl protection suppressed aglycon transfer and provided a high yield for the target disaccharide donor. Using synthesized chitosan oligomers, as well as previously obtained chitin counterparts, the immunobiological relationship between these synthetic oligosaccharides and RAW 264.7 cells was studied in vitro. Evaluation of cell proliferation, phagocytosis, respiratory burst, and Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg polarized cytokine expression demonstrated effective immune responsiveness and immunomodulation in RAW 264.7 cells exposed to chitin- and chitosan-derived oligosaccharides. Macrophage reactivity was accompanied by significant inductive dose- and structure-dependent protective Th1 and Th17 polarization, which was greater with exposure to chitosan- rather than chitin-derived oligosaccharides. Moreover, no antiproliferative or cytotoxic effects were observed, even following prolonged 48 h exposure. The obtained results demonstrate the potent immunobiological activity of these synthetically prepared chito-oligosaccharides.


2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eun-Jin Yang ◽  
Ji-Young Moon ◽  
Jung-Soon Lee ◽  
Jaesook Koh ◽  
Nam Ho Lee ◽  
...  

TheAcanthopanax koreanumfruit is a popular fruit in Jeju Island, but the byproducts of the alcoholic beverage prepared using this fruit are major agricultural wastes. The fermentability of this waste causes many economic and environmental problems. Therefore, we investigated the suitability of usingA. koreanumfruit waste (AFW) as a source of antiinflammatory agents. AFWs were extracted with 80% EtOH. The ethanolic extract was then successively partitioned with hexane, , EtOAc, BuOH, and water. The results indicate that the fraction (100 g/mL) of AFW inhibited the LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin () production in RAW 264.7 cells by 79.6% and 39.7%, respectively. These inhibitory effects of the fraction of AFWs were accompanied by decreases in the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins and iNOS and COX-2 mRNA in a dose-dependent pattern. The fraction of AFWs also prevented degradation of IB- in a dose-dependent manner. Ursolic acid was identified as major compound present in AFW, and extracts by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Furthermore using pure ursolic acid as standard and by HPLC, AFW and extracts was found to contain 1.58 mg/g and 1.75 mg/g, respectively. Moreover, we tested the potential application of AFW extracts as a cosmetic material by performing human skin primary irritation tests. In these tests, AFW extracts did not induce any adverse reactions. Based on these results, we suggest that AFW extracts be considered possible anti-inflammatory candidates for topical application.


INDIAN DRUGS ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (11) ◽  
pp. 58-60
Author(s):  
N Solanki ◽  
◽  
S. K Bhavsar

Ficus racemosa is used in traditional system of medicine for various health problems and diseases, and is commonly known as Gular fig. The main objective was to study its effects against streptozotocin induced diabetic neuropathy by structural and functional marker. Investigation of diabetic neuropathy was carried out through functional and structural assessment in streptozotocin induced in diabetic rats. Diabetic rats were treated for 28 days in dose dependent manner of Ficus racemosa aqueous extract (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) and ethanolic extract (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg). Study showed marked protection observed by Ficus racemosa in hippocampus region of brain and sciatic nerve tissues. Ficus racemosa treatment showed improvement in functional and structural markers, which strongly suggest its protective role in diabetic neuropathy.


2005 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 397-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgit Jarosch ◽  
Nicholas C. Collins ◽  
Nina Zellerhoff ◽  
Ulrich Schaffrath

The fungus Magnaporthe grisea, the causal agent of rice blast disease, is a major pathogen of rice and is capable of producing epidemics on other cultivated cereals, including barley (Hordeum vulgare). We explored the requirements for basal resistance of barley against a compatible M. grisea isolate using both genetic and chemical approaches. Mutants of the RAR1 gene required for the function of major resistance gene-mediated resistance and mutants of the ROR1 and ROR2 genes required for full expression of cell-wall-penetration resistance against powdery mildew pathogens were examined for macroscopic and microscopic alterations in M. grisea growth and symptoms. RAR1 contributed to resistance in epidermis and mesophyll at different stages of fungal infection dependent on the MLO/mlo-5 status. Whereas no ROR2 effect was detected, ROR1 was found to contribute to cell-wall-penetration resistance, at least in the epidermis. Application of the actin agonist cytochalasin E promoted cell wall penetration by M. grisea in a dose-dependent manner, demonstrating an involvement of the actin cytoskeleton in penetration resistance.


Author(s):  
Deepsikha Bharali ◽  
Dipankar Saha

Objective: The aim and objectives of the present work is to determine pharmacological activity upon ethnopharmacological survey. The present study deals with phytochemical screening and analgesic as well as muscle relaxant activity of leaves of Mirabilis jalapa.Methods: The present study is aimed at phytochemical screening and evaluating the analgesic and muscle relaxant activities of ethanolic leaf extract of Mirabilis jalapa by using hot plate method and rota rod method respectively [1, 2]. The Phytochemical screening of the extract was done according to the standard procedures to reveal the presence of the active constituents like Alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, glycosides, tannins, saponins, steroids, carbohydrates etc [3-5].Results: The analgesic and muscle relaxant activity study were dose dependent. The EEMJ extracts (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg) and the standard drug Diclofenac sodium (25 mg/kg) shows significant increase in the reaction time when compared with control at 30 min, 60 min, 90 min and 120 min and the effect of standard was found to be highest during the study. Another study was designed to evaluate the skeletal muscle relaxant properties of ethanolic extract of leaves of Mirabilis jalapa. Linn by taking the EEMJ extracts (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg) and standard drug Lorzepam (10 mg/kg). Both the extracts and standard drug show decrease in the fall of time in a dose dependent manner when compared with control at 15 min, 30 min, 45 min respectively. Conclusion: Therefore, from the above study it is revealed that Mirabilis jalapa showing better pharmacological activities (Analgesic and Muscle relaxant) in dose dependent manner.


2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1400901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shih-Chang Chien ◽  
Yen-Hsueh Tseng ◽  
Wei-Ning Hsu ◽  
Fang-Hua Chu ◽  
Shang-Tzen Chang ◽  
...  

Dendropanax dentiger has been used as a folk medicine since ancient times. In our current study, we observed that D. dentiger exhibited a significant anti-inflammatory activity, which could efficiently inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage inflammation assay. (9 Z,16 S)-16-Hydroxy-9,17-octadecadiene-12,14-diynoic acid (HODA) was isolated from the leaves of D. dentiger following a bioactivity guided fractionation protocol. Our data indicated that HODA significantly inhibited the NO production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells (IC50 = 4.28 μM). Consistent with these observations, the mRNA and protein expression levels of iNOS were also inhibited by HODA in a dose-dependent manner. HODA also reduced the translocation of NF-κB into nuclear fractions. Meanwhile, HODA enhanced Nrf-2 activation and its downstream antioxidant gene HO-1. We concluded that HODA possessed significant anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activity; the compound may have a potential for development as a chemoprevention agent.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eun-Jin Yang ◽  
Young Min Ham ◽  
Kyong-Wol Yang ◽  
Nam Ho Lee ◽  
Chang-Gu Hyun

During our ongoing screening program designed to determine the anti-inflammatory potential of natural compounds, we isolated sargachromenol fromSargassum micracanthum. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of sargachromenol on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in murine RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and the underlying mechanisms. Sargachromenol significantly inhibited the LPS-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2(PGE2) in a dose-dependent manner. It also significantly inhibited the protein expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in a dose-dependent manner in LPS-stimulated macrophage cells. Further analyses showed that sargachromenol decreased the cytoplasmic loss of inhibitorκBα(IκBα) protein. These results suggest that sargachromenol may exert its anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-stimulated macrophage cells by inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. In conclusion, to our knowledge, this is the first study to show that sargachromenol isolated fromS. micracanthumhas an effective anti-inflammatory activity. Therefore, sargachromenol might be useful for cosmetic, food, or medical applications requiring anti-inflammatory properties.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (02) ◽  
pp. 671-680
Author(s):  
Merin Babu ◽  
Uma K.H ◽  
Sherin Joseph ◽  
Amoolya Sree ◽  
Sabin Scariya ◽  
...  

Objective: Evaluation of Anti-urolithiatic and Larvicidal activity of Alternanthera sessilis. Method: The whole plant of Alternanthera sessilis were extracted using ethanol as solvent. Then it was evaluated for its phytochemicals and later on in vitro anti-urolithiatic study was conducted on the plant using the methods titrimetry, simultaneous flow static model, turbidimetry and gravimetric. The plant showing larvicidal effect was determined by larvicidal assay method. Result: The ethanolic extract of the plant showed the presence of various phytochemicals like phenols, flavonoids, tannins, sterols, saponins. The anti urolithiatic activity conformed that the plant can effectively mineralise calcium oxalate in a dose dependent manner when compared to control and standard. The plant also possesses larvicidal activity and the percentage mortality exhibited a dose dependent manner. Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of the plant possessed anti- urolithiatic as well as larvicidal activity.


Author(s):  
Yamini N ◽  
Lahari S ◽  
Phani deepthi V

Using an in vitro model, the anti-thrombolytic efficacy of ethanolic extracts of Ocimum kilimandscharicum Linn was investigated. The researchers discovered that different concentrations of the extract had significant anti-thrombolytic activity in a dose-dependent manner , which was comparable to a standard drug. As a result of the presence of flavonoids and polyphenols in the plant extract, it can be concluded that it has a promising future in the treatment of thrombosis. This knowledge will be useful in the clinical development of thrombolytic therapeutics by identifying more potent anti-thrombolytic principles from natural resources..    


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lluvia Arteaga Figueroa ◽  
Leticia Barbosa Navarro ◽  
Martin Patiño Vera ◽  
Vera L. Petricevich

Bougainvillea xbuttianais used as an analgesic in folk medicine in Mexico. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of the ethanolic extract fromB. xbuttianaon macrophages activities. The phytochemical screening was performed for determine the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenes, and saponins. The effects ofB. xbuttianawere analyzed using the macrophages activities as determined by the H2O2release, spreading and phagocytic index, vacuoles formation percentage, and mediators production. The viability percentage was determined in live cells after fixing and staining with crystal violet. The presence of H2O2in macrophages was performed by using the peroxidase-phenol red solution. The cytokine production was determined by two assays, ELISA for detection of IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γand biological assay for TNF detection. The results showed that theBxbextract dose-dependent manner produces (a) an increase in levels of H2O2and spreading and vacuoles formation percentages, (b) a decrease in phagocytic index and in the amounts of TNF, IL-6, and IFN-γ, and (c) an increase significant in IL-10 and NO production. This study indicates that the ethanolic extract fromBougainvillea xbuttianawas able to activate macrophages. The combination of these results suggests that this extract has an immunomodulator effect.


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