scholarly journals Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Bellevalia saviczii Root Extract and Its Isolated Homoisoflavonoid (Dracol) Are Mediated by Modification on Calcium Signaling

Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (18) ◽  
pp. 3376
Author(s):  
Monica Savio ◽  
Mohammed Farhad Ibrahim ◽  
Chiara Scarlata ◽  
Matteo Orgiu ◽  
Giuseppe Accardo ◽  
...  

Bellevalia saviczii is a medicinal plant used as anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory herbal remedy in Iraqi-Kurdistan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of its extract and the isolated homoisoflavonoid (Dracol) by studying the Ca2+-dependent NF-kB pathway. Nuclear translocation of p65 NF-kB subunit, as parameter of NF-kB activation, was visualized in human leukemic monocytes by immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses, after cell treatment with B. saviczii root extract or Dracol followed by Lipopolysaccharide stimulation. In parallel, Ca2+ signals responsible for NF-kB activation and levels of inflammatory cytokines were investigated. LPS-induced p65 translocation was evident in monocytes and both treatments, in particular that with Dracol, were able to counteract this activation. Intracellular Ca2+ oscillations were halted and the cytokine release reduced. These results confirm the traditional anti-inflammatory efficacy of B. saviczii and identify one of the molecules in the extract which appears to be responsible of this action.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shao-Peng Lin ◽  
Jue-Xian Wei ◽  
Shan Ye ◽  
Jiasong Hu ◽  
Jingyi Bu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and purpose: Artemisinin has been in use as an anti-malarial drug for almost half a century in the world. There is growing evidence that artemisinin also possesses potent anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties. However, the efficacy of artemisinin treatment in neurocognitive deficits associated with sepsis remains unknown. Here, we evaluate the possible protective effects and explore the underlying mechanism of artemisinin on cognitive impairment resulting from sepsis.Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were pretreated with either vehicle or artemisinin, and then injected with LPS to establish an animal model of sepsis. The cognitive function was then assessed using the Morris water maze. Neuronal damage and neuroinflammation in the hippocampus were evaluated by immunohistochemical and ELISA analysis. Additionally, the protective mechanism of artemisinin was determined in vitro.Results: The results showed that artemisinin preconditioning attenuated LPS-induced cognitive impairment, neural damage, and microglial activation in the mouse brain. The in vitro experiment revealed that artemisinin could reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppress the microglial migration in the BV2 microglia cells. Meanwhile, western blot demonstrated that artemisinin suppressed nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa-B and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e. tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6) by activating adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinaseα1 (AMPKα1) pathway. Furthermore, knock-down of AMPKα1 markedly abolished the anti-inflammatory effects of artemisinin.Conclusion: Artemisinin is a potential therapeutic agent for sepsis-associated neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment, and its effect was probably mediated by the activation of AMPKα1 signalling pathway in microglia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsin-Ling Yang ◽  
Ting-Yu Yang ◽  
Yugandhar Vudhya Gowrisankar ◽  
Chun-Huei Liao ◽  
Jiunn-Wang Liao ◽  
...  

Oxidative stress is an important contributing factor for inflammation. Piper methysticum, also known as Kava-kava, is a shrub whose root extract has been consumed as a drink by the pacific islanders for a long time. Flavokawain A (FKA) is a novel chalcone derived from the kava plant that is known to have medicinal properties. This study was aimed at demonstrating the antioxidant molecular mechanisms mediated by FKA on lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced inflammation in BALB/c mouse-derived primary splenocytes. In vitro data show that the nontoxic concentrations of FKA (2-30 μM) significantly suppressed the proinflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) release but induced the secretion of interleukin-10 (IL-10), an anti-inflammatory cytokine. It was also shown that FKA pretreatment significantly downregulated the LPS-induced ROS production and blocked the activation of the NFκB (p65) pathway leading to the significant suppression of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-1β protein expressions. Notably, FKA favored the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 leading to the downstream expression of antioxidant proteins HO-1, NQO-1, and γ-GCLC via the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway signifying the FKA’s potent antioxidant mechanism in these cells. Supporting the in vitro data, the ex vivo data obtained from primary splenocytes derived from the FKA-preadministered BALB/c mice (orally) show that FKA significantly suppressed the proinflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) secretion in control-, LPS-, or Concanavalin A- (Con A-) stimulated cells. A significant decrease in the ratios of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6/IL-10; TNF-α/IL-10) showed that FKA possesses strong anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, BALB/c mice induced with experimental pancreatitis using cholecystokinin- (CCK-) 8 showed decreased serum lipase levels due to FKA pretreatment. We conclude that with its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, chalcone flavokawain A could be a novel therapeutic agent in the treatment of inflammation-associated diseases.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (16) ◽  
pp. 3697
Author(s):  
Tae-Kyeong Lee ◽  
Bora Kim ◽  
Dae Won Kim ◽  
Ji Hyeon Ahn ◽  
Hyejin Sim ◽  
...  

This current study investigates the facilitative effects and mechanisms of decursin, a major component of Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN), and AGN root extract on hair growth in mice. We perform high-performance liquid chromatography on AGN extract to show it contains 7.3% decursin. Hairs in mouse dorsal skin are shaved distilled in water, 0.15% decursin, and 2% AGN root extract (0.15% decursin in the diluted extract) and topically applied twice a day for 17 days. Hematoxylin and eosin staining are done to examine the morphological changes in the hair follicles. To compare the effects of decursin and AGN extract on inflammatory cytokines in the dorsal skin, Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry for tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-1β as pro-inflammatory cytokines, and IL-4 and IL-13 as anti-inflammatory cytokines are conducted. The results show that the application of decursin and AGN extract confer effects on hair growth. Hair growth is significantly facilitated from seven days after the treatments compared to that in the control group, and completely grown hair was found 17 days after the treatments. The protein levels and immunoreactivity of TNF-α and IL-1β in this case are significantly decreased, whereas the IL-4 and IL-13 levels and immunoreactivity are significantly increased compared to those in the control group. Additionally, high-mobility group box 1, an inflammatory mediator, is elevated by the topical application of decursin and AGN extract. Taken together, the treatment of mouse dorsal skin with AGE root extract containing decursin promotes hair growth by regulating pro- and/or anti-inflammatory cytokines. We, therefore, suggest that AGN root extract as well as decursin can be utilized as materials for developing hair growth-facilitating treatments.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (08) ◽  
pp. 1875-1893
Author(s):  
Da-Sol Kim ◽  
Kyoung-Eun Park ◽  
Yeon-Ju Kwak ◽  
Moon-Kyoung Bae ◽  
Soo-Kyung Bae ◽  
...  

Inflammation regulation is essential for maintaining healthy functions and normal homeostasis of the body. Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is a gram-negative anaerobic bacterium and a major pathogen that causes oral inflammation and other systemic inflammations. This study aims to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb root extracts (APL-ME) in Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells and find anti-inflammatory effect compounds of APL-ME. The anti-inflammatory effects of APL-ME were evaluated anti-oxidant activity, cell viability, nitrite concentration, pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1[Formula: see text], interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-[Formula: see text], and anti-inflammatory cytokine (interleukin-10 (IL-10)). Also, Inflammation related genes and proteins, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), expression were decreased by APL-ME and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling proteins expression was regulated by APL-ME. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC/MS)-MS analysis results indicated that several components were detected in APL-ME. Our study indicated that APL-ME suppressed nitrite concentrations, pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1[Formula: see text], IL-6 and TNF-[Formula: see text] in P. gingivalis LPS induced RAW 264.7 cells. However, IL-10 expression was increased by ALP-ME. In addition, protein expressions of COX-2 and iNOS were inhibited APL-ME extracts dose-dependently. According to these results, APL-ME has anti-inflammatory effects in P. gingivalis LPS induced RAW 264.7 cells.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 413
Author(s):  
Jihae Park ◽  
Jee Taek Kim ◽  
Soo Jin Lee ◽  
Jae Chan Kim

Angiogenin (ANG) is involved in the innate immune system and inflammatory disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of ANG in an endotoxin induced uveitis (EIU) rat model and the pathways involved. EIU rats were treated with balanced salt solution (BSS), a non-functional mutant ANG (mANG), or wild-type ANG (ANG). The integrity of the blood-aqueous barrier was evaluated by the infiltrating cell and protein concentrations in aqueous humor. Histopathology, Western blot, and real-time qRT-PCR of aqueous humor and ocular tissue were performed to analyze inflammatory cytokines and transcription factors. EIU treated with ANG had decreased inflammatory cells and protein concentrations in the anterior chamber. Compared to BSS and mANG, ANG treatment showed reduced expression of IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α, and Myd88, while the expression of IL-4 and IL-10 was increased. Western blot of ANG treatment showed decreased expression of IL-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), IL-1β, TNF-α, and phosphorylated NF-κB and increased expression of IL-10. In conclusion, ANG seems to reduce effectively immune mediated inflammation in the EIU rat model by reducing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, while increasing the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines through pathways related to NF-κB. Therefore, ANG shows potential for effectively suppressing immune-inflammatory responses in vivo.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayanta Talukdar ◽  
Bhaskar Bhadra ◽  
Santanu Dasgupta ◽  
Vinod Nagle

Abstract Background: Natural astaxanthin as a potent anti-oxidant and broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory bioactive molecule plays important role in modulating the immune response, speculated to be a potential supplement to alleviate cytokine release storm in COVID-19. Objective: Review of published literature to summarize the rationale for possible benefits of natural astaxanthin to support COVID-19 patients. Methods: Retrieved relevant literature from electronic databases including Google scholar, PubMed, Scopus, etc. and reviewed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) Statement. We adapted the article as scoping review. Results: Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is reported as a common feature in COVID-19, which can lead to potentially fatal, hyper-inflammatory acute respiratory distress condition, diagnosed with elevated serum level of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6, CRP, etc. that positively correlated with disease severity. Anti-inflammatory drug, like tocilizumab, etc. are under clinical trials as anti-CRS therapy. Astaxanthin can potentially alleviate CRS by regulating inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting the activities of NF-kB, TNF-α, JAK/STAT-3, etc. Available pre-clinical and clinical trials data support its excellent safety, and potential therapeutic and health benefits. Conclusions: Natural astaxanthin has tremendous potential as co-adjunctive supplement, desiring necessary clinical supports on its efficacy and beneficial against COVID-19.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1519-1519
Author(s):  
Sarah Cox ◽  
Leela Noronha ◽  
Joaquin De Leon ◽  
Aubrey Gilchrist ◽  
Seong-Ho Lee ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives The objective was to evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory effects of Sorghum polyphenolic extracts on raw 264.7 cells. Methods Sorghum polyphenols were extracted using a 70% ETOH and 5% citric acid solvent. Raw 264.7 cells were treated with either vehicle 1.25, or 0.625 mg/ml polyphenol extract from either a novel high polyphenol sorghum or SC84. Supernatant was harvested and Nitric Oxide was measured at a 12 hour time point. ELISA assay was performed to measure the concentrations of 12 anti-inflammatory associated cytokines. Cell morphology changes were observed at 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours using light microscopy. 84 genes associated with inflammation were measured via QPCR. Western blot analysis measured the expression of LC3 as well as STAT1, STAT3 and NF-kB nuclear translocation. Results Nitric Oxide was reduced by the sorghum extract (not significant). Cell morphology changed by  developing vacuole like structures and an apparent decrease in cell number. ELISA analysis showed that Il-6 and Il-10 were significantly reduced in all treatments. SC84 extract showed an increase in G-CSF production in activated macrophages. QPCR revealed LPS and IFNY activated cells treated with HP extract showed an increase in the expression of 9 and decreased expression of 14 cytokine related genes compared to cells that had only been activated by LPS and IFN Y. When LPS and IFN Y activated cells were cotreated with SC84 extract, 15 cytokine related genes were upregulated and 16 cytokine related genes were downregulated. LC3 expression was measured via western blot and showed a dose dependent with 1.25 mg/ml showing statistical significance. STAT3 nuclear translocation induce by LPS/IFN Y was attenuated by sorghum polyphenols. Conclusions The sorghum polyphenols modulated immune response via a reduction in Th2 promoting cytokines IL-6 and IL-10. LC3 II expression increased with the concentration of the HP polyphenol extract treatment, suggesting autophagy. Funding Sources All funding was provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pieter H. Anborgh ◽  
Igor Kolotilin ◽  
Nisha Owens ◽  
Abdulla Azzam Mahboob

Development of efficient therapies for COVID-19 is the focus of intense research. The cytokine release syndrome was underlined as a culprit for severe outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a crucial role in human immune responses and elevated IL-6 plasma levels have been associated with the exacerbated COVID-19 pathology. Since non-structural protein 10 (NSP10) of SARS-CoV-2 has been implicated in the induction of IL-6, we designed Peptide (P)1, containing sequences corresponding to amino acids 68-96 of NSP10, and examined its effect on cultured human cells. Treatment with P1 strongly increased IL-6 secretion by the lung cancer cell line NCI-H1792 and the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 and revealed profound cytotoxic activity on Caco-2 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. Treatment with P2, harbouring a mutation in the zinc knuckle motif of NSP10, caused no IL-6 induction and no cytotoxicity. Pre-treatment with plant-produced human anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-37b and IL-38 effectively mitigated the induction of IL-6 secretion. Our results suggest a role for the zinc knuckle motif of NSP10 in the onset of increased IL-6 plasma levels of COVID-19 patients and for IL-37b and IL-38 as therapeutics aimed at attenuating the cytokine release syndrome.


Hypertension ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace S Pham ◽  
Amber S Fairley ◽  
Keisa W Mathis

Hypertension is prevalent in the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), occurring with alarming frequency in reproductive-age women. Recent studies implicate the adaptive immune system in the development and maintenance of hypertension, and neuroimmune pathways may regulate this source of inflammation. One example is the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP), an endogenous nerve-to-spleen mechanism that regulates splenic pro-inflammatory cytokine release. We hypothesized that this pathway is impaired in SLE and that chronic stimulation of the CAP at the level of the efferent vagus nerve would attenuate hypertension in SLE. Starting at 30 and 32 weeks of age, female NZBWF1 SLE mice and NZW control mice were treated with the pharmacologic efferent vagal stimulators CNI-1493 (CNI; 8mg/kg; twice weekly; i.p.) or galantamine (GAL; 4mg/kg; daily; i.p.), or saline. At 34 weeks of age, we measured mean arterial pressure (MAP), finding that MAP (mmHg) in SLE mice was elevated compared to controls (139.83 ± 4.56 vs. 120.70 ± 2.96; n=4-6/group, p = 0.002), while the rise in MAP was prevented by CNI (134.45 ± 3.07)and GAL (129.25 ± 3.97) in SLE mice. We further hypothesized that splenocytes isolated from SLE mice conditioned by efferent vagal stimulation would release fewer pro-inflammatory cytokines in the presence of norepinephrine, which stimulates splenic β2 adrenergic receptors. We incubated isolated splenocytes for 24 hours at 37°C with and without norepinephrine (100 μM), then measured pro-inflammatory cytokines in the supernatant via ELISA. Compared to control mice, splenocytes from SLE mice secreted 70.7% and 146.5% higher concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α (8.24 vs. 4.83 and 2.79 vs. 1.13 pg/mL, respectively; n=2/group) in the presence of norepinephrine. Compared to saline-treated SLE mice, splenocytes from CNI and GAL-treated SLE mice released fewer cytokines when incubated with norepinephrine (8.24 vs. 5.31 and 5.79 pg/mL IL-6; 2.79 vs. 2.18 and 0.81 pg/mL TNF-α; n=2/group). These in vivo and in vitro data suggest that stimulation of the CAP at the level of the efferent vagus may promote anti-inflammatory splenocyte activity, which may be protective against hypertension in the setting of chronic inflammation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (18) ◽  
pp. 4559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Banabihari Giri ◽  
Kasey Belanger ◽  
Marissa Seamon ◽  
Eric Bradley ◽  
Sharad Purohit ◽  
...  

In this study, we used macrophage RAW264.7 cells to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory actions of niacin. Anti-inflammatory actions of niacin and a possible role of its receptor GPR109A have been studied previously. However, the precise molecular mechanism of niacin’s action in reducing inflammation through GPR109A is unknown. Here we observed that niacin reduced the translocation of phosphorylated nuclear kappa B (p-NF-κB) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the nucleus of RAW264.7 cells. The reduction in the nuclear translocation in turn decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 in RAW264.7 cells. We observed a decrease in the nuclear translocation of p-NF-κB and the expression of inflammatory cytokines after knockdown of GPR109A in RAW264.7 cells. Our results suggest that these molecular actions of niacin are mediated via its receptor GPR109A (also known as HCAR2) by controlling the translocation of p-NF-κB to the nucleus. Overall, our findings suggest that niacin treatment may have potential in reducing inflammation by targeting GPR109A.


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