Antithrombotic activities of aqueous extract from Radix Ophiopogon japonicus and its two constituents

To provide further pharmacological evidence for its clinical use in thrombotic diseases, the antithrombotic activities of the aqueous extract of Radix Ophiopogon japonicus (ROJ-ext) were studied in mouse and rat models. The results showed that ROJ-ext remarkably decreased length of tail thrombus in mice at 48 h and 72 h after carrageenan injection at doses of 12.5 and 25.0 mg/kg. Meanwhile, ROJ-ext markedly inhibited thrombosis induced by arterial-venous (AV) shunt (silk thread) in rats at doses of 6.25 and 12.5 mg/kg. Furthermore, ROJ-ext and one of its components, ruscogenin, significantly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) in rats by oral administration of 12.5 mg/kg or 0.7 mg/kg for three times, however, ophiopogonin D 1.4 mg/kg only showed slight inhibition. On the other hand, ophiopogonin D (0.5-2.0 mg/kg, p.o.) and ruscogenin (0.25-1.00 mg/kg, p.o.) produced dose-related inhibition of venous thrombosis induced by tight ligation of the inferior vena cava for 6 h in mice by once oral administration. The findings of this study indicate that an aqueous extract of Radix Ophiopogon japonicus (ROJ-ext) exerted significant antithrombotic activity and ruscogenin and ophiopogonin D are two of its active components, which supported its therapeutic use for thrombotic diseases.     

Possible mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity of ruscogenin: role of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and nuclear factor-kappaB

Ruscogenin (RUS), first isolated from Ruscus aculeatus, also a major steroidal sapogenin of traditional Chinese herb Radix Ophiopogon japonicus, has been found to exert significant anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic activities. Our previous studies suggested that ruscogenin remarkably inhibited adhesion of leukocytes to a human umbilical vein endothelial cell line (ECV304) injured by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in a concentration-dependent manner. Yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, the in vivo effects of ruscogenin on leukocyte migration and celiac prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) level induced by zymosan A were studied in mice. Furthermore, the effects of ruscogenin on TNF-alpha-induced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation were also investigated under consideration of their key roles in leukocyte recruitment. The results showed that ruscogenin significantly suppressed zymosan A-evoked peritoneal total leukocyte migration in mice in a dose-dependent manner, while it had no obvious effect on PGE(2) content in peritoneal exudant. Ruscogenin also inhibited TNF-alpha-induced over expression of ICAM-1 both at the mRNA and protein levels and suppressed NF-kappaB activation considerably by decreasing NF-kappaB p65 translocation and DNA binding activity. These findings provide some new insights that may explain the possible molecular mechanism of ruscogenin and Radix Ophiopogon japonicus for the inhibition of endothelial responses to cytokines during inflammatory and vascular disorders.     

鲁斯可皂苷元对HL-60与EC V304细胞黏附的影响

目的考察麦冬中主要皂苷元鲁斯可皂苷元(Rusco-gen in)抑制细胞黏附的作用,为深入研究其抗炎作用机制提供依据。方法采用MTT比色法检测Ruscogen in对人原髓性白血病细胞株HL-60细胞与正常或肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)活化的人脐静脉内皮细胞株ECV304细胞黏附的影响及其对ECV304与HL-60细胞增殖的影响。结果Ruscogen in 0.1,1.0μmol.L-1预处理ECV304细胞后,均抑制TNF-α诱导的ECV304细胞与HL-60细胞黏附的增加,Ruscogen in 0.001,0.01,0.1μmol.L-1预处理HL-60后,亦抑制TNF-α诱导的ECV304细胞与HL-60细胞黏附的增加;同时Ruscogen in在实验浓度范围内不影响ECV304细胞与HL-60细胞的增殖及二者之间的正常黏附。结论Ruscoge-n in可通过抑制HL-60细胞与活化的ECV304细胞之间的黏附作用,发挥抗炎活性。     

Inhibitory effects of ethanol extract from Radix Ophiopogon japonicus on venous thrombosis linked with its endothelium-protective and anti-adhesive activities

The in-vivo inhibitory effects of the ethanol extract of Radix Ophiopogon japonicus (ROJ-ext) on venous thrombosis were studied in mouse and rat models and in-vitro endothelial cell-protective and anti-adhesive activities were observed in ECV304 cells injured by sodium dithionite and HL-60 adhesion to ECV304 cells injured by TNF-alpha. The in-vivo results showed that ROJ-ext significantly inhibited venous thrombosis induced by tight ligation of the inferior vena cava for 6 h in mice and for 24 h in rats by once oral administration at doses of 12.5 and 25 mg/kg. Meanwhile, ROJ-ext had no obvious effect on some coagulation parameters, which was different from warfarin, which remarkably prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT) and prothrombin time (PT) in rats at the same time. Histological analysis under light microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) of inferior vena cava indicated that ROJ-ext could protect endothelial cells from anoxic injury and alleviate inflammatory changes in the vein wall. On the other hand, the in-vitro studies approved that ROJ-ext significantly enhanced viability of ECV304 cells injured by sodium dithionite at the concentrations of 0.1, 1.0 and 10 mug/ml when given before and after the anoxic induction. Meanwhile, ROJ-ext remarkably inhibited adhesion of HL-60 cells to ECV304 cells injured by rh TNF-alpha at above concentrations in a dose-dependent manner. The findings of this study showed that ethanol extract of Radix Ophiopogon japonicus (ROJ-ext) inhibited venous thrombosis, which linked with its endothelial cell-protective and anti-adhesive activities. This lends scientific support to the therapeutic use of the plant for thrombotic diseases.     

Comparison of anti‐inflammatory activities of ruscogenin,a major steroidal sapogenin from Radix Ophiopogon japonicus,and Its succinylated derivative,RUS‐2HS

Ruscogenin (RUS), first isolated from Ruscus aculeatus, is also a major steroidal sapogenin of the traditional Chinese herb Radix Ophiopogon japonicus. It has robust anti‐inflammatory activities. In previous studies, a ruscogenin affinity column, derived from succinylated ruscogenin (RUS‐2HS), was used to purify an antibody of ruscogenin. A ruscogenin affinity column can also be used to explore its protein targets. However, until now there have been no related pharmacological reports about ruscogenin derivatives. Whether the activity groups of ruscogenin have been blocked during the derivation process remains unknown. The present study was performed to compare the anti‐inflammatory activities in vitro of RUS‐2HS and ruscogenin. Both compounds reduced tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α)‐induced adhesion of human pro‐myelocytic leukemia cells (HL‐60) to endothelial ECV304 cells with IC₅₀ values of 6.90 nM and 7.45 nM, respectively. They were also inhibited overexpression of ICAM‐1 in ECV304 cells at the mRNA level as evaluated by real‐time PCR and at the protein level evaluated by flow cytometry with similar potency. Such data demonstrate that the functional groups of ruscogenin were not blocked by derivation, suggesting further use of the ruscogenin affinity column for target investigation. Meanwhile, RUS‐2HS was found to have remarkable anti‐inflammatory activity for the first time, indicating it would be a new lead compound with improved bioavailability. Drug Dev Res 69: 196–202, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Niacin inhibits carrageenan-induced neutrophil migration in mice

Several emerging lines of evidence support an anti-inflammatory role for nicotinic acid (niacin); however, its role in the regulation of leukocyte migration in response to inflammatory stimuli has not been elucidated until now. Herein, we have examined the effect of nicotinic acid on neutrophil recruitment in experimentally induced inflammation. We demonstrated that nicotinic acid treatment inhibited interleukin (IL)-8-induced, leukotriene (LT)B₄-induced, and carrageenan-induced neutrophil migration into the pleural cavity of BALB/c mice and reduced neutrophil rolling and adherence in a mouse cremaster muscle preparation. Surprisingly, nicotinic acid treatment increased the level of the neutrophil chemoattractant KC in response to carrageenan. These results suggest that nicotinic acid plays an important role in the regulation of inflammation due to its ability to inhibit the actions of the neutrophil chemoattractants IL-8 and LTB₄. Further inhibition of chemoattractants leads to impairment of leukocyte rolling and adherence to the vascular endothelium in the microcirculation of inflamed tissues.     

The melanocortin peptide HP228 displays protective effects in acute models of inflammation and organ damage

The clinically efficacious melanocortin peptide HP228 has here been investigated for its anti-inflammatory efficacy. In this study we have investigated the efficacy of HP228 in murine acute models of inflammation and myocardial ischaemia. Systemic treatment of mice with HP228 inhibited neutrophil accumulation in zymosan; urate crystal and carrageenan induced inflammatory models. In the urate model this was due to inhibition of pro-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines, whilst different mechanisms exist for zymosan peritonitis and carrageenan-induced air-pouch inflammation. HP228 was next evaluated in a model of myocardial ischaemia, another condition where cytokines and neutrophils are thought to play a causal role. HP228 caused a 50% reduction in myocardial damage following reperfusion. HP228 therefore inhibits the most important facet of the host inflammatory response namely leukocyte migration. These data show for the first time that the clinically efficacious peptide HP228 displays protective effects in models of inflammation and organ damage.     

Inhibition of rat paw oedema and pleurisy by the extract from Mandevilla velutina.

This study reports the oral anti-inflammatory profile of the crude extract (CE) of Mandevilla velutina, a plant which has been previously demonstrated to selectively antagonize bradykinin response of the isolated tissues on rat paw oedema and pleurisy caused by different phlogistic agents. The CE (50 to 200 mg/kg), given 60 min before, inhibited in a dose-dependent manner bradykinin (BK) and cellulose sulphate-induced paw oedema, maximal inhibition of 59% and 65%, respectively. In the same range dose the CE also significantly antagonized pleural exudate and cell infiltration caused by these substances, maximal inhibition of 34% and 46%, respectively. In addition, the CE (100 and 200 mg/kg) also inhibited paw oedema induced by serotonin, PAF-acether and zymosan, maximal inhibition of 55%, 38% and 46%, respectively, but enhanced histamine oedema. However, the CE revealed only partial or no inhibition in pleural exudate caused by these agents. The CE (100 and 200 mg/kg) also inhibited in a dose and time-dependent manner carrageenan-induced paw oedema with a maximal inhibition of 44%, but only partially affected carrageenan-induced pleural exudate. The CE also partially inhibited dextran oedema, but even at a higher dose (400 mg/kg) it failed to interfere with Bothrops Jaracaca-induced paw oedema. The CE inhibited BK and to a lesser extent cellulose sulphate-induced cell migration, but failed to interfere with the differential leukocyte migration in the pleural cavity. These findings provide evidence that the CE from M. velutina, besides antagonizing kinin action, exhibit an oral anti-oedematogenic activity against a variety of phologistic agents, but it was more effective in inhibiting those models where kinins are more involved.     

Ruscogenin inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice: involvement of tissue factor, inducible NO synthase and nuclear factor (NF)-κB

Acute lung injury is still a significant clinical problem with a high mortality rate and there are few effective therapies in clinic. Here, we studied the inhibitory effect of ruscogenin, an anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic natural product, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury in mice basing on our previous studies. The results showed that a single oral administration of ruscogenin significantly decreased lung wet to dry weight (W/D) ratio at doses of 0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg 1 h prior to LPS challenge (30 mg/kg, intravenous injection). Histopathological changes such as pulmonary edema, coagulation and infiltration of inflammatory cells were also attenuated by ruscogenin. In addition, ruscogenin markedly decreased LPS-induced myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and nitrate/nitrite content, and also downregulated expression of tissue factor (TF), inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB p-p65 (Ser 536) in the lung tissue at three doses. Furthermore, ruscogenin reduced plasma TF procoagulant activity and nitrate/nitrite content in LPS-induced ALI mice. These findings confirmed that ruscogenin significantly attenuate LPS-induced acute lung injury via inhibiting expressions of TF and iNOS and NF-κB p65 activation, indicating it as a potential therapeutic agent for ALI or sepsis.     

Effect of Mycobacterium leprae lipids on BCG- and carrageenan-induced cellular recruitment in mouse pleurisy

Pathogenic mycobacteria survive inside macrophages and deactivate these cells, using a mechanism that is still poorly understood. Mycobacterial cell wall lipids constitute the first contact with the host cell. Although Mycobaterium leprae and M. bovis BCG share common antigens, they induce opposite inflammatory responses. Apolar M. leprae lipids have been shown to be anti-inflammatory by down-regulating macrophage activation and T-cell functions. We wonder if these lipids would influence cellular migration to BCG or to other inflammatory agent. We investigated the effect of M. leprae, its lipids or delipidated bacteria on acute and chronic BCG- or carrageenan-induced pleurisy. Previous injection of intact or delipidated M. leprae did not alter either the BCG- or carrageenan-induced pleural inflammatory reaction. However, M. leprae lipids enhanced carrageenan-induced acute cellular migration without impairing BCG inflow; moreover, they reduced BCG chronic response. Together these data suggest distinct mechanisms for intracellular deactivation and pleural cell recruitment exerted by mycobacterial structures.     

Protective effect of quercetin on the homocysteine-injured human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cell line (ECV304)

Homocysteine is responsible for the occurrence of many cardiovascular diseases for instance by injuring the vascular endothelial cells. Quercetin has many beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, but it is unknown whether it provides protection against homocysteine-injured vascular endothelial cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of quercetin on the homocysteine-injured human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cell line (ECV304) (i.e. morphology, viability and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) expression of ECV304 injured with 1.0 mM homocysteine) by determination of lipid peroxidant and endothelium-derived factors in the cultural medium of homocysteine-injured ECV304. Quercetin at 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 microM attenuated the morphological changes and increased viability of homocysteine-injured ECV304 in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 versus the homocysteine-injured group). At the same time, quercetin at 12.5, 25 and 50 microM decreased malondialdehyde level, endothelin release and NF-kappaB expression, and increased superoxide dismutase activity, nitric oxide and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha releases in homocysteine-injured ECV304 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 versus the homocysteine-injured group). These results suggest that quercetin has a protective effect on homocysteine-injured vascular endothelial cells by antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.     

氧化吲哚类化合物Z24抑制ECV304细胞增殖及迁移的实验研究

目的探讨氧化吲哚类化合物Z24对血管内皮细胞增殖及迁移的抑制作用.方法利用3H-TdR掺入DNA方法来检测Z24对人脐静脉内皮细胞ECV304增殖的影响;扫描电镜方法测定Z24对细胞骨架系统的影响;体外细胞迁移实验测定它对内皮细胞迁移的抑制效应;用免疫沉淀几Western印迹法检测它对ERK信号通路的影响.结果Z24能抑制EGF刺激后ECV304细胞的增殖,能显著抑制ECV304的骨架形成;ECV304的迁移减少;p-ERK水平下调.结论Z24能够抑制血管内皮细胞的增殖和迁移.这种抑制效应可能阻断MAPK信号通路发挥作用的.     

The protective role of endogenous glutathione in carrageenan-induced pleurisy in the rat.

In the present study we investigated the protective role of endogenous glutathione, a known free radical scavenger, in rats subjected to carrageenan-induced pleurisy. In vivo depletion of endogenous glutathione pools with L-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO, 1 g/kg for 24 h, intraperitoneally) enhances the carrageenan-induced degree of pleural exudation and polymorphonuclear leukocyte migration in rats subjected to carrageenan-induced pleurisy. Lung myeloperoxidase activity and lipid peroxidation were significantly increased in BSO pretreated rats. However, the inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase in lung samples was unaffected by BSO pretreatment. Immunohistochemical analysis for nitrotyrosine revealed a positive staining in lungs from carrageenan-treated rats, which was massively enhanced by BSO pretreatment. Furthermore, in vivo BSO pretreatment significantly increased peroxynitrite formation as measured by the oxidation of the fluorescent dye dihydrorhodamine 123, enhanced the appearance of DNA damage, the decrease in mitochondrial respiration and partially decreased the cellular level of NAD+ in ex vivo macrophages harvested from the pleural cavity of rats subjected to carrageenan-induced pleurisy. In vivo treatment with exogenous glutathione (50 mg/kg i.p.) significantly reverts the effects of BSO and exerts anti-inflammatory effects. Thus, endogenous glutathione plays an important protective role against carrageenan-induced local inflammation.     

Effect of compound IMMLG5521, a novel coumarin derivative, on carrageenan-induced pleurisy in rats

Accumulative evidences have showed that some coumarin derivatives have significantly anti-inflammatory effects. To investigate the potential anti-inflammatory effect of compound IMMLG5521, a novel coumarin derivative, carrageenan-induced pleurisy model in rats was employed. The results showed that IMMLG5521 (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) exhibited anti-inflammatory effects, reducing pleural exudate formation, decreasing total number of inflammation cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes infiltration, attenuating histological injury and reducing TNF-α, IL-1β, MIP-2 and IL-8 release. Further investigation revealed that the compound may exert its anti-inflammatory effect via inhibiting nuclear translocation of NF-кB in inflammatory cells collected from pleural exudates. Taken together, the present results suggested that IMMLG5521 inhibited acute inflammation in carrageenan-induced pleurisy model that could be, in part, related to a reduction of release of inflammatory factors, another part may be related to an inhibition of NF-кB activation.     

Scutellarin isolated from Erigeron multiradiatus inhibits high glucose-mediated vascular inflammation

Erigeron multiradiatus (Lindl.) Benth is a traditional Tibetan medicine herb long used to treat various diseases related to inflammation. Our previous phytochemical studies on E. multiradiatus resulted in the isolation of scutellarin, which is a known flavone glucuronide with comprehensive pharmacological actions. In present study, we investigated the inhibition action of scutellarin on high glucose-induced vascular inflammation in human endothelial cells (ECV304 cells). Consistent with previous reports, exposure of ECV304 cells to high glucose for 24 h caused an increase of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), and promoted cell adhesion between monocyte and ECV304 cells. However, pretreatment with scutellarin (0.1 and 1 microM) reversed these effects in a concentration-dependent manner. Scutellarin was able to inhibit the activation of NF-kappaB induced by high glucose in ECV304 cells. Furthermore, although oral administration of scutellarin (10 and 50 mg/kg) did not produce significant antihyperglycemic action, it lowered the serum MCP-1 levels significantly in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Therefore, our results suggest that scutellarin has anti-inflammation effect that may afford some protection against hyperglycemia-induced vascular inflammatory both in vitro and in vivo.     

溶血磷脂酰胆碱对ECV304细胞中血管内皮生长因子表达的影响(英文)

目的:研究溶血磷脂酰胆碱(LPC)对内皮细胞(EC)中血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)表达的影响。方法:在人脐静脉内皮细胞株ECV04培养基中加入不同浓度的LPC,培养不同时间,用基础酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)检测各组EC条件培养基中VEGF蛋白含量;用免疫组织化学法检测EC中VEGF蛋白及其受体的表达;用原位杂交检测VEGF信使核糖核酸(VEGF mRNA)的表达。结果:培养的ECV304能表达VEGF受体,在胞浆内呈棕色颗粒,当LPC刺激后,阳性增强。原位杂交结果显示,培养的ECV304中未见VEGF mRNA的表达,当LPC刺激后可见VEGF mRNA的高表达,在胞浆内呈棕色颗粒。ELISA结果显示LPC可使ECV304条件培养基中VEGF蛋白含量明显增加,且具有时间和剂量依赖性。结论:LPC能诱导ECV304表达高水平的VEGF。 (责任编辑 吕静)     

Effects of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug benoxaprofen on leucocyte migration.

Possible modes of action of the anti-inflammatory drug, benoxaprofen, have been explored. The drug caused inhibition of leucocyte migration, principally of mononuclear cells into the pleural cavity of rats undergoing carrageenan-induced pleurisy. Evidence was obtained from in vitro leucocyte migration and chemotaxis models that the drug acted directly on the mononuclear cells rather than by inhibition of chemotactic factors.     

Effects of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug benoxaprofen on leucocyte migration

Possible modes of action of the anti-inflammatory drug, benoxaprofen, have been explored. The drug caused inhibition of leucocyte migration, principally of mononuclear cells into the pleural cavity of rats undergoing carrageenan-induced pleurisy. Evidence was obtained from in vitro leucocyte migration and chemotaxis models that the drug acted directly on the mononuclear cells rather than by inhibition of chemotactic factors.     

Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of RDV-8 [C18H22N2O2S (ethyl 1-butyl-6-methyl-2-phenyl-4-thioxo-1,4-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate)] in a rat model of induced pleurisy and in vitro lymphoproliferation

RDV-8 [C(18)H(22)N(2)O(2)S (ethyl 1-butyl-6-methyl-2-phenyl-4-thioxo-1,4-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate)] is derived from the 4-thioxopyrimidine, and presents important clinical effects. The present study explored the RDV-8 effects in the proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), as well as in a pleurisy-induced rat model. PBMCs were directly plated in four different RDV-8 concentrations (0.0125, 0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/mL). RDV-8 decreased cell proliferation and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 synthesis. The interleukin 1 levels and the cytotoxic effect were not significantly affected by RDV-8 treatment. In the carrageenan-induced pleurisy model, the RDV-8 (3 mg/kg) treatment induced a significant reduction in the exudate volume, in the polymorphonuclear leukocyte migration and in the pleural exudate NO levels. The results indicate that RDV-8 may have an immunomodulatory effect, as well as anti-inflammatory actions suggesting that it could represent a new strategy in the inflammatory response modulation.     

Investigations on the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic activities of the leaves of Uncaria guianensis (Aublet) J. F. Gmelin

Uncaria guianensis (Aublet) J. F. Gmelin is an herbal medicine from tropical areas of South and Central America. We investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties of an ethanolic extract of U. guianensis leaves, containing alkaloids, flavonoids and phenol carboxylic acids, as revealed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Oral pre-treatment with U. guianensis inhibited zymosan-induced paw oedema (500 mg/paw) and pleural exudation (100 mg/kg) within 4 h (25–200 mg/kg). U. guianensis (100 mg/ kg) inhibited total leukocyte and neutrophil numbers in the pleural cavity 4 h after zymosan stimulation. Pre-treatment with U. guianensis (100 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited total leukocyte, neutrophil and eosinophil recruitment into the pleural cavity 24 h after LPS (250 ng/cavity, i.t.). Pre-treatment with U. guianensis inhibited paw oedema (25–200 mg/kg) induced by ovalbumin (OVA) within 1 h, and neutrophil and eosinophil recruitment into the mice pleural cavity 24 h after OVA (100 mg/kg). In vitro data revealed that U. guianensis impaired LPS-induced nitric oxide and CXCL8 generation by murine peritoneal macrophages, as well as OVA-induced interleukin-5 synthesis by previously sensitized spleen cells. These results demonstrate that U. guianensis leaves provide effective anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic activities.