Studies on the structure-activity relationship of caffeate derivatives as neuroprotective agents

In the present study, novel ester derivatives of CAPE were designed and synthesized as neuroprotective agents. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of these compounds were evaluated at the cellular level, while the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability was predicted by parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA). The results revealed that phenolic hydroxyl groups and double bonds in the structure of CAPE had important effects on neuroprotective activities. Accordingly,a preliminary structure-activity relationship was summarized in this paper. In addition, we observed a significant improvement on BBB permeability. These results provided important references for the structural modification and optimization of CAPE in the future.     

Gintonin mitigates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by stabilization of Nrf2 signaling via stimulation of lysophosphatidic acid receptors

Gintonin (GT), a glycolipoprotein fraction isolated from ginseng, exerts neuroprotective effects in models of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. However, the in vivo role of GT in multiple sclerosis (MS) has not been clearly resolved. We investigated the effect of GT in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG_35-55)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS. GT alleviated behavioral symptoms of EAE associated with reduced demyelination, diminished infiltration and activation of immune cells (microglia and macrophage), and decreased expression of inflammatory mediators in the spinal cord of the EAE group compared to that of the sham group. GT reduced the percentages of CD4⁺/IFN-γ⁺ (Th1) and CD4⁺/IL-17⁺ (Th17) cells but increased the population of CD4⁺/CD25⁺/Foxp3⁺ (Treg) cells in the spinal cord, in agreement with altered mRNA expression of IFN-γ, IL-17, and TGF-ß in the spinal cord in concordance with mitigated blood–brain barrier disruption. The underlying mechanism is related to inhibition of the ERK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathways and the stabilization of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) via increased expression of lysophosphatidic acid receptor (LPAR) 1–3. Impressively, these beneficial effects of GT were completely neutralized by inhibiting LPARs with Ki16425, a LPAR1/3 antagonist. Our results strongly suggest that GT may be able to alleviate EAE due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities through LPARs. Therefore, GT is a potential therapeutic option for treating autoimmune disorders including MS.     

消痔栓抗炎消肿、镇痛作用的实验研究

通过动物实验研究消痔栓抗炎消肿、镇痛的作用机制。采用小鼠冰醋酸致痛观察消痔栓的镇痛作用,同时测定新鲜鸡蛋清致小鼠后足跖肿胀炎性组织中PGE2、NO、Pr含量。结果显示,消痔栓能显著抑制冰醋酸致痛小鼠扭体次数,明显降低新鲜鸡蛋清致小鼠后足跖肿胀炎性组织中PGE2、NO、Pr含量。结果表明,消痔栓的抗炎消肿、镇痛机制之一可能与降低炎性组织中的PGE2、NO、Pr的含量有关。     

The coastal medicinal plant Vitex rotundifolia: a mini-review on its bioactive compounds and pharmacological activity

Humans have long used natural remedies like plants and herbs to treat disease.Furthermore,research has been ongoing to find alternative pharmaceutical drugs based on traditionally used plants,as natural products show fewer side effects compared to synthetic drugs.Medicinal plants have long been targeted in drug development due to their bioactive compounds like alkaloids,flavonoids,and terpenoids.This is not only the case for terrestrial plants,but marine environments also provide a larger diversity of flora and fauna with medicinal bioactive compounds.Vitex rotundifolia,also known as Beach Vitex,is a coastal plant that has been traditionally used to treat a variety of diseases including premenstrual syndrome,headaches,migraines,colds,and eye pain.There have been many review papers on V.rotundifolia,emphasizing its taxonomy,distribution,and biological activity.Our current mini-review not only summarizes the pharmacology and bioactivity of V.rotundifolia,but it also provides new information on the main bioactive compounds of V.rotundifolia such as flavonoids,phenolic acid,and terpenes and their current pharmacological activity in vitro and in vivo research.This information can be useful for developing new pharmaceutical and nutraceutical agents to treat and manage disease.     

膜叶槌果藤水提物镇痛抗炎作用的实验研究

目的：研究膜叶槌果藤水提物镇痛抗炎作用。方法：小鼠分别连续灌胃给予膜叶槌果藤水提物高、中、低剂量（10.88,5.44,2.72 g/kg）7 d,采用扭体法、福尔马林致痛模型、二甲苯致耳肿胀模型及腹腔毛细血管通透性实验,观察其镇痛抗炎作用。结果：膜叶槌果藤水提物可显著抑制冰醋酸引起的小鼠扭体反应次数（P＜0.01）;对福尔马林致小鼠疼痛舔足第Ⅰ,Ⅱ时相累积时间均有显著减少（P＜0.05或P＜0.01）;对二甲苯致小鼠耳肿胀有显著的抑制作用（P＜0.05或P＜0.01）;对冰醋酸引起的毛细血管通透性也有显著的抑制作用（P＜0.01）。结论：膜叶槌果藤水提物具有显著的镇痛抗炎作用。     

木瓜提取物的抗炎活性研究

目的 研究不同部位木瓜提取物在细胞水平上的抗炎作用及机制.方法 依次用乙酸乙酯、正丁醇萃取已用65％乙醇抽提的木瓜粉末,得到乙酸乙酯、正丁醇及水溶性部位提取物;建立THP-1及L929细胞炎症模型,用MTr法检测3个部位提取物的抗炎活性.利用核转录因子(NF-κB)报告基因系统检测NF-κB的活性,并用半定量PCR检测药物处理后细胞内炎症反应相关基因的表达.结果 与对照组比较,用乙酸乙酯部位处理后的THP-1细胞内Toll样受体及其下游炎症因子的表达水平明显下降,且用该组上清液处理后的L929细胞的活细胞数明显高于其他组.结论 木瓜的乙酸乙酯部位提取物具较好的抗炎效果.     

新风胶囊对佐剂性关节炎模型大鼠的抗炎作用

目的:研究新风胶囊对佐剂性关节炎(AA)模型大鼠的抗炎作用。方法:取70只SD大鼠随机均分为正常对照组、模型对照(等容生理盐水)组、阳性对照中药[祛风止痛胶囊0.4 g(生药)/kg]组、阳性对照西药(来氟米特片2.1 mg/kg)组和新风胶囊低、中、高剂量[0.8、1.6、3.2 g(生药)/kg]组,依次记为A、B、C、D、E、F、G组,除A组外其余各组大鼠皮内注射弗氏完全佐剂复制AA模型,致炎第12天开始连续ig给药28 d。检测并计算各组大鼠给药前、后足趾肿胀度和关节炎指数,于末次给药24 h后检测各组大鼠血清及关节滑膜组织中白细胞介素1β(IL-1β)、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)含量并观察踝关节组织病理学形态变化。结果:与A组比较,B组大鼠足趾肿胀度和关节炎指数升高,血清及关节滑膜组织中IL-1β、TNF-α含量增加,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。与给药前比较,C、D、E、F、G组大鼠足跖肿胀度和关节炎指数降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。与B组比较,C、D、E、F、G组大鼠足趾肿胀度和关节炎指数降低,血清及关节滑膜组织中IL-1β、TNF-α含量降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01或P<0.05)。B组大鼠踝关节组织出现滑膜增生、炎性细胞浸润;C、D、F、G组大鼠滑膜增生和炎症情况较B组均减轻。结论:新风胶囊对AA模型大鼠具有抗炎作用,其机制可能与促进滑膜细胞凋亡、抑制滑膜增生有关。     

Hepatoprotective effect of mulberry water extracts on ethanol-induced liver injury via anti-inflammation and inhibition of lipogenesis in C57BL/6J mice

Many plant extracts and their bioactive substances are well recognized for their potential to exert as chemoprotective agents against common alcoholic liver injury. In this study, the effects of Mulberry water extracts (MWE) treatment in the prevention of alcohol-induced liver injury were investigated in mice. MWE contain many nutrients and bioactive substances, including fifteen types of polyphenols and anthocyanin compounds. The parameters of histopathology, immunohistochemistry, antioxidant defense and proinflammatory mediator demonstrated the inhibitory effect of MWE on alcohol-induced liver injury. Plasma and hepatic content analysis showed that MWE inhibited the levels of liver injury biomarkers (AST, ALT and ALP), triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol (TC). Furthermore, treatment with MWE lessened the expression of lipid synthesis-related proteins, increased the p-AMPK/AMPK ratio and PPAR-α. Fatty acid oxidation and export via microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) were both activated as well as carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT1). These results suggested that MWE prevents alcohol-induced liver injury through the activation of the AMPK and PPAR-α signal. This may be mediated by multiple pathways, including reduced lipid accumulation and lipid synthesis, increased fatty acid transport and fatty acid oxidation responses, decreased oxidative stress and facilitated anti-inflammation.     

Luffa cylindrica suppresses development of Dermatophagoides farinae-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in Nc/Nga mice

Abstract

Context: The fruit pulp of Luffa cylindrica Roemer (Cucurbitaceae) (LC) has been used to induce hemostasis, resolve phlegm and clear fever in traditional Korean medicine. However, the efficacy of LC has not been examined in atopic dermatitis (AD).

Objective: A 70% ethanol extract of LC was evaluated to determine anti-inflammation and anti-AD effects in vitro and in vivo.

Materials and methods: The inhibitory effects of LC on the production of PGE₂ and histamine were respectively measured in lipopolysaccharide-treated (1?μg/mL) RAW264.7 macrophages and phorbol-12 myristate 13-acetate (50?nM) and A23187 (1?µM)-stimulated HMC-1 mast cells. The production of AD-related chemokines (RANTES, TARC, and MDC) were evaluated in IFN-γ and TNF-α-stimulated (10?ng/mL, each) HaCaT keratinocytes. LC (10?mg/mouse/d) was topically applied to the dorsal skin and ears of Dermatophagoides farina (Pyroglyphidae)-sensitized Nc/Nga mice for 4?weeks.

Results: The IC₅₀ values of LC on PGE₂ and histamine production were 16.89 and 139.9?μg/mL, individually. The production of TARC and RANTES were inhibited 20% and 12% by LC (50?μg/mL) in HaCaT cells, respectively (p?<?0.05). In sensitized-NC/Nga mice, the plasma levels of IgE and histamine were suppressed 36% and 41% by LC, respectively (p?<?0.05). LC also reduced hemorrhage, hypertrophy, and hyperkeratosis of the epidermis and infiltration of mast cells in the dorsal skin and ear.

Discussion and conclusion: LC can inhibit AD-like skin lesions and reduce the generation of IgE via inhibition of the inflammatory responses. LC has potential as a therapeutic agent to treat allergic diseases, including AD.