Glycoprotein isolated from Ulmus davidiana Nakai regulates expression of iNOS and COX-2 in vivo and in vitro.

This study was carried out to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of a 116-kDa glycoprotein isolated from Ulmus davidiana Nakai (UDN glycoprotein, 116 kDa) in lipopolysaccaride (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-treated A/J mouse. In LPS (1 microg/ml)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, we found that UDN glycoprotein has dose-dependent blocking effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inducible nitric oxide (NO) production. In addition, the results obtained from electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and western blot analysis showed that UDN glycoprotein dose-dependently inhibits DNA binding activity of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB), and activities of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and manganese-superoxide dismutases (Mn-SOD) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Similar results after treatment with UDN glycoprotein were also brought in the DSS-stimulated A/J mouse colitis. The increased disease activity index (DAI) and the shortened large intestine in DSS (5%)-treated A/J mouse were normalized by treatment with UDN glycoprotein [40 mg/kg body weight (BW)]. These intestinal protective activities of UDN glycoprotein are caused by blockage of plasmic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) formation, nitric oxide (NO) production, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, accompanying the inhibition of colonic inflammatory signal mediators (NF-kappaB, iNOS, and COX-2). These results in this study were presumably come from anti-oxidative effect of UDN glycoprotein in either LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells or DSS-stimulated A/J mouse colitis. Therefore, we speculate that UDN glycoprotein has anti-inflammatory potential at the early inflammation stage.     

Glycoprotein isolated from Ulmus davidiana Nakai modulates inflammatory related factors in mouse colonic tissues

This study was carried out to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of a 116kDa glycoprotein isolated from Ulmus davidiana Nakai (UDN glycoprotein) in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-treated mice. In DSS-treated mouse, the results showed that pretreatment with UDN glycoprotein [40mg/kg body weight (BW)] normalized the augment of disease activity index (DAI) level and shortening of the large intestine. In addition, UDN glycoprotein inhibited myeloperoxidase (MPO) activation, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) formation, nitric oxide (NO) production and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, whereas increased the activity of anti-oxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)], accompanying the inhibition of pro-inflammatory-related signal mediators [colonic nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)] in DSS-stimulated mice colitis. These results speculate that UDN glycoprotein may be useful for prevention of inflammatory disease and colorectal carcinogenesis.     

Inhibitory effect of phytoglycoprotein on tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 at initiation stage of colon cancer in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-treated ICR mice

This study was carried out to investigate the chemopreventive potentials of plant originated glycoprotein (UDN glycoprotein, 116 kDa) isolated from the stems of Ulmus davidiana Nakai (UDN) on aberrant crypt foci (ACF) formation in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-treated ICR mice. UDN glycoprotein was administered to mice at 0.01% and 0.02% levels for 5 weeks. The mice were treated with 20 mg/kg DMH twice a week for 2 weeks in presence of UDN glycoprotein and killed at week 6. We found that UDN glycoprotein has inhibitory effects on the frequency of colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF), activation of colonic proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and release of plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in DMH-treated mice. In addition, UDN glycoprotein has anti-oxidative effects on the formation of plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and the production of plasma inducible nitric oxide (NO) in DMH-treated mouse. Also, 0.02% UDN glycoprotein suppressed the DNA binding activities of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1), accompanying the inhibitions of its subunits (p50, p65, c-Jun, and c-Fos), pro-inflammatory proteins [inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)], and pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6] on DMH-stimulated ACF formation. On the basis of these results, we assume that UDN glycoprotein may be useful for colon cancer prevention at initiation stage.     

Protective effect of glycoprotein isolated from Ulmus davidiana Nakai on carbon tetrachloride-induced mouse liver injury

This study was carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of glycoprotein isolated from the stems of Ulmus davidiana Nakai (UDN), which has been used as an anti-inflammatory agent in folk medicine. We evaluated lipid peroxidation in glucose/glucose oxidase (G/GO)-induced BNL CL.2 cells and measured thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), nitric oxide (NO), antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)), activity of cytotoxic-related signals (hepatic cytochrome c, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1)) and levels of plasma lipids (triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC)) in carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4,) 1.0 mL kg(-1))-induced A/J mouse. The results in G/GO-induced BNL CL.2 cells showed that UDN glycoprotein had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation. The results in carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4,) 1.0 mL kg(-1))-induced A/J mouse indicated that treatment with UDN glycoprotein (40 mg kg -1) lowered LDH activity and TBARS formation, and increased NO production and antioxidant enzymes activity, compared with control. Also, our finding from CCl(4)-treated mice after pretreatment with UDN glycoprotein demonstrated that the activity of cytotoxic-related signals decreased but the levels of plasma lipids increased, compared with CCl(4) treatment alone. Here, we speculate that UDN glycoprotein has a protective character to CCl(4)-induced mouse liver injury.     

Rhus verniciflua Stokes glycoprotein (36kDa) has protective activity on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in mice

This study was carried out to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of the glycoprotein isolated from Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS), which has traditionally been used for healing of inflammatory diseases. We evaluated the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] activities in treatment with carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) in vivo. When mice were treated with CCl(4) in the absence of RVS glycoprotein, the activities of ALT, LDH, and TBARS were increased, while the antioxidant enzymes activities were decreased. However, when the mice were treated with CCl(4) in the presence of RVS glycoprotein, the activities of ALT, LDH, and TBARS were significantly reduced and SOD, CAT, and GPx activities were remarkably increased. In addition, RVS glycoprotein increased the nitric oxide (NO) production and decreased the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) activation in CCl(4)-treated mice. Collectively, these results pointed out that RVS glycoprotein can inhibit lipid peroxidation, enhance the activities of antioxidant enzymes, increase the NO production, and decrease the NF-κB and AP-1 activations. Therefore, we speculate that RVS glycoprotein protects from liver damage through its radical scavenging ability.     

Glycoprotein isolated from Cudrania tricuspidata Bureau inhibits iNO and COX-2 expression through modulation of NF-κB in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7cells

Glycoprotein of Cudrania tricuspidata Bureau (CTB glycoprotein) was isolated from CTB fruits which have been used to heal various disorders of the injury and lung as an herbal agent in Korea since long time ago. The CTB glycoprotein was identified to have a molecular weight of 75kDa and consists of carbohydrate (72.5%) and protein moiety (27.5%). To know inhibitory ability of CTB glycoprotein for inflammation mediated by reactive oxygen radicals, firstly we tested about anti-oxidative activity (DPPH, superoxide anion, and hydroxyl radicals) in cell-free system, and then evaluated changes of inflammation-related signals [intracellular reactive oxygen species (iROS), nitric oxide (NO), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), COX-2, and iNOS] in the LPS (1μg/ml)-treated RAW 264.7cells. The results in this study showed that CTB glycoprotein (100μg/ml) has a strong scavenging activity against DPPH, superoxide anion, and hydroxyl radicals without any pro-oxidant activity in vitro. In the inflammation-related signals, expression of iROS, NO, NF-κB, COX-2, and iNOS were inhibited by treatment with CTB glycoprotein (50μg/ml) in the presence of LPS (1μg/ml). Taken together, our data obtained from these experiments indicated that CTB glycoprotein suppresses expression of the inflammatory-related proteins (iNOS and COX-2) through regulation of NF-κB. Thus, we speculate that CTB glycoprotein may have therapeutic potential for inflammation-associated disorders.     

150 kDa glycoprotein isolated from Solanum nigrum Linne stimulates caspase-3 activation and reduces inducible nitric oxide production in HCT-116 cells.

This study was carried out to investigate the apoptotic effects of glycoprotein (SNL glycoprotein, 150-kDa) isolated from Solanum nigrum Linne, which has been used as an antipyretic and anticancer agent in folk medicine. We found that SNL glycoprotein consists of carbohydrate content (69.74%) and protein content (30.26%), which contains more than 50% hydrophobic amino acids such as glycine and proline. SNL glycoprotein showed remarkable cytotoxic and apoptotic effects at 40 microg/ml of SNL glycoprotein for 4 h in HCT-116 cells. In the activity of the apoptotic related proteins [caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP)], the results showed that SNL glycoprotein (40 microg/ml) has a stimulatory effect on caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage in HCT-116 cells. Moreover, SNL glycoprotein blocked nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation and reduced inducible nitric oxide (iNO) production. Interestingly, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC, for NF-kappaB inhibitor) and N omega-Nitro-L-arginine methylester hydrochloride (L-NAME, for NO inhibitor) effectively stimulated the caspase-3 activation in HCT-116 cells. The results in this experiment indicated that SNL glycoprotein induces apoptosis through the NF-kappaB activation and inducible nitric oxide (iNO) production in HCT-116 cells. Here, we speculate that SNL glycoprotein is one of the chemotherapeutic agents and of the modulators for apoptotic signals in HCT-116 cells.     

Hepatoprotective and hypolipidaemic effects of glycoprotein isolated from Gardenia jasminoides ellis in mice

The present study was performed to investigate the hepatoprotective and hypolipidaemic effects of a 27 kDa glycoprotein isolated from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis (GJE glycoprotein) in glucose/glucose oxidase (G/GO)-treated BNL CL.2 cells, as well as in CCl4, Triton WR-1339 and corn oil-treated mice. In G/GO-treated BNL CL.2 cells, the results showed that GJE glycoprotein has an inhibitory effect on G/GO-induced cytotoxicity and intracellular reactive oxygen species production. In addition, GJE glycoprotein has an anti-oxidant effect against the lipid peroxidation process in the Fe2+/ascorbic acid system. In CCl4 (1.0 mL/kg)-treated mice, pretreatment with GJE glycoprotein (80 mg/kg) blocked lactate dehydrogenase release and the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. In addition, in these mice GJE resulted in increased nitric oxide production and the activation of anti-oxidant enzymes, accompanied by the inhibition of the cytotoxic-related signals hepatic cytochrome c, nuclear factor-kappaB and activator protein-1. In both Triton WR-1339 (400 mg/kg) and corn oil (1.0 g/kg)-treated mice, pretreatment with GJE glycoprotein (80 mg/kg) lowered the levels of plasma lipoproteins (triglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein). On the basis of these results, we assume that GJE glycoprotein can ameliorate liver function, because it has hepatoprotective and hypolipidaemic activities.     

4-Hydroxykobusin inhibits the induction of nitric oxide synthase by inhibiting NF-kappaB and AP-1 activation

We recently isolated a novel lignan, 4-hydroxykobusin from Geranium thunbergii (Liu et al., Arch. Pharm. Res., 29, 1109-1113, 2006). Here, we studied its effect on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene in RAW264.7 cells. 4-Hydroxykobusin inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in a concentration-dependent manner and blocked the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). To identify the mechanistic basis for its inhibition of iNOS induction, we examined the effect of 4-hydroxykobusin on the transactivation of iNOS gene by luciferase reporter activity using -1.59 kb flanking region. The lignan suppressed the reporter gene activity and the LPS-induced reporter activations of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) were also significantly blocked by 4-hydroxykobusin. These findings suggest that the inhibition of LPS-induced NO formation by 4-hydroxykobusin is due to its inhibition of NF-kappaB and AP-1 activation.     

Glycoprotein (116 kD) isolated from Ulmus davidiana Nakai protects from injury of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-treated BNL CL.2 cells

Ulmus davidiana Nakai (UDN) has been used for a long time to cure inflammation in oriental medicine. To evaluate the cytoprotective effects of the UDN glycoprotein, we measured cytotoxicity, the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), activity of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), nitric oxide (NO) production, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) formation in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-treated BNL CL.2 cells. In TPA-treated BNL CL.2 cells, the results showed that UDN glycoprotein has dose-dependent blocking activities against TPA-induced cytotoxicity and NF-kappaB activation. In cytotoxic-related events, UDN glycoprotein (200 microg/ml) has an inhibitory effect on intracellular ROS production, NO production, and TBARS formation, without any toxic effects in the BNL CL.2 cells. These results suggest that UDN glycoprotein has cytoprotective abilities against TPA-induced oxidative cell injury.     

Involvement of inducible nitric oxide synthase in blood flow decrease in vein induced by hen-egg white lysozyme

Our in vivo assay system developed to search for allergy-preventive substances, assesses the blood flow decrease in tail vein microcirculation of mice subjected to sensitization with hen-egg white lysozyme (HEL). The blood flow decrease appears to be regulated by various factors such as nitric oxide (NO), thromboxane (TX) A(2), prostacyclin (PGI(2)) and endothelin (ET)-1 together with cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, COX-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS). In this study, we examined in detail the roles of iNOS in this assay system using an iNOS knockout (KO) mouse. We found that the blood flow decrease in the HEL-sensitized iNOS KO mice was slightly weaker than that in their wild type (WT) mice. This blood flow decrease was not affected by a selective COX-1 inhibitor, a selective COX-2 inhibitor and a PGI(2) agonist unlike the case of the WT mice. However, it was inhibited by a nonselective NOS inhibitor, a specific TXA(2) synthase inhibitor and a specific ET-1 receptor blocker as in the case of the WT mice. The present results indicate that the blood flow decrease occurs via two pathways; one is an iNOS-independent response involving TXA(2) and ET-1, and the other is an iNOS-dependent response involving COX-1, COX-2 and PGI(2). cNOS appears to play some roles in the blood flow decrease and iNOS acts as an exacerbation factor. Our method using HEL-sensitized should be useful for searching for agents that can prevent allergy via new mechanisms.     

Nafamostat mesilate attenuates colonic inflammation and mast cell infiltration in the experimental colitis

Serine proteases are important in the pathogenesis of intestinal inflammation. Recent studies have shown that nafamostat mesilate (NM) can inhibit the colonic mucosal inflammation induced by TNBS in rats. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of NM on a DSS-induced colitis. Colitis was induced in female BALB/c mice by 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 6 days. NM (2 or 20mg/kg body weight) was orally administered once a day for 6 days during treatment of the mice with DSS. The inflammatory response of the colon was assessed 1 week after DSS treatment. NM at a high dose, but not at a low dose significantly decreased disease activity index (DAI) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) induced by DSS. Furthermore, NM (20mg/kg) inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the colonic tissues treated with DSS. The increase in chymase activity by DSS treatment was also attenuated by the administration of NM (20mg/kg). NM (20mg/kg) significantly decreased the colonic mucosal injury and the infiltrated mast cell number induced by DSS. These results indicate that NM might inhibit the colonic inflammation through inhibition of both chymase activity and mast cell infiltration in colon tissues of DSS-induced colitis.     

Protective effect of gentiopicroside against dextran sodium sulfate induced colitis in mice

This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of the pure compound gentiopicroside (Gent) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in a mouse model and to explore the possible related mechanisms. Experimental colitis was induced in ICR mice by dissolving 5% DSS in their drinking water for 7 days. Gent (200, 100, and 50 mg/kg) and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA, 100 mg/kg) were oral administrated once a day for 7 days. Anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated by comparing extend of colonic mucosal injury assessed by disease activity index (DAI), colon length, histopathological examination, and biochemical test. The possible mechanisms of Gent activities were explored by evaluating expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 using real-time fluorogenic PCR and expression levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) using Western blotting. The results showed that oral administration of Gent significantly attenuated DSS-induced loss of body weight, diarrhea, shortening of colon length and histological changes, associated with the decrease in the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the colon. In addition, the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and the overexpression of COX-2 and iNOS proteins in the colon were down-regulated by Gent treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that Gent treatment can exert anti-inflammatory effects on experimental acute colitis through attenuating the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS and COX-2, and it may present the therapeutic potential in the treatment of colitis.     

Monotropein isolated from the roots of Morinda officinalis ameliorates proinflammatory mediators in RAW 264.7 macrophages and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis via NF-κB inactivation

We previously demonstrated that monotropein isolated from the roots of Morinda officinalis (Rubiaceae) has anti-inflammatory effects in vivo. In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of monotropein in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model. Monotropein was found to inhibit the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) mRNA in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. Treatment with monotropein decreased the DNA binding activity of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Consistent with these findings, monotropein also suppressed phosphorylation and degradation of inhibitory κB-α (IκB-α), and consequently the translocations of NF-κB. In the DSS-induced colitis model, monotropein reduced disease activity index (DAI), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and inflammation-related protein expressions by suppressing NF-κB activation in colon mucosa. Taken together, these findings suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of monotropein are mainly related to the inhibition of the expressions of inflammatory mediators via NF-κB inactivation, and support its possible therapeutic role in colitis.     

Glycoprotein isolated from Rhus verniciflua Stokes inhibits inflammation-related protein and nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells

Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) has traditionally been used for medical purpose, such as healing of inflammatory diseases in South Korea. Glycoprotein (36 kDa) was isolated from RVS fruit, purified and used to evaluate the inhibitory effect on inflammatory-related proteins and nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 200 ng/ml)-stimulated RAW 264.7 (murine macrophage cell line). Our results were showed that RVS glycoprotein has a strong antioxidative activity against lipid peroxyl radicals in cell-free system, and inhibits NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. To elucidate the inhibitory effect of RVS glycoprotein on activities of inflammatory-related proteins, we firstly evaluated the amount of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and expression of intracellular protein kinase C (PKC), nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, and activator protein-1 (AP-1). The results in the present study showed that RVS glycoprotein (200 microg/ml) inhibits ROS production and PKCalpha translocation, and down-regulates the expression of NF-kappaB and AP-1. Such upstream signals consequently inhibited the levels of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression. Therefore, we speculate that RVS glycoprotein inhibits the inflammatory-related protein and can act as an anti-inflammatory agent.     

Quercetin prevents oxidative stress and NF-kappaB activation in gastric mucosa of portal hypertensive rats

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of quercetin on oxidative stress and activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) in an experimental model of portal hypertensive gastropathy induced by partial portal vein ligation (PPVL). Portal pressure was significantly elevated in PPVL rats. Transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activities were not significantly modified, indicating absence of liver injury. Histological analysis of gastric sections showed a lost of normal architecture, with edema and vasodilatation. The cytosolic concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and the lipoperoxidation measurement by chemiluminiscence were significantly increased. Superoxide dismutase activity in gastric mucosa was significantly reduced. Portal hypertensive gastropathy induced a marked activation of NF-kappaB, accompanied by a decrease in IkappaB protein levels and a significant induction of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein. Administration of quercetin markedly alleviated histological abnormalities and inhibited oxidative stress and NF-kappaB activation. IkappaB decrease and induction of iNOS protein were partially prevented by quercetin. Quercetin treatment, by abolishing the NF-kappaB signal transduction pathway, may block the production of noxious mediators involved in the pathogenesis of portal hypertensive gastropathy.