Evaluation of the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of a flavonoid glycoside from Boldoa purpurascens

The anti-inflammatory effect of 4′,5-dihydroxy-6,7-methylenedioxyflavonol 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-xylopyranoside, a constituent of the leaves of Boldoa purpurascens Cav. (Nyctaginaceae), was evaluated for its anti-inflammatory activity in the dextran 1% induced rat paw oedema model (acute inflammation) and the cotton pellet induced granuloma rat model (chronic inflammation). Flavonoid glycoside at doses of 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg, indomethacin at a dose of 7 mg/kg and the vehicle were administered orally. The compound showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in the acute phase in a dose dependent manner, most notably at the highest test dose 10 mg/kg. Also in the cotton pellet induced granuloma model, the compound showed a dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity, with the highest effect at 10 mg/kg. In both assays, the test compound was more active than indomethacin tested at 7 mg/kg.     

两粤黄檀乙醇提取物化学成分分析及抗炎活性研究

为了研究壮药两粤黄檀的化学成分及其抗炎活性,阐明其药理作用机制,该研究采用小鼠二甲苯致炎耳廓肿胀法、角叉菜胶致炎足肿胀急性炎症模型,观察不同剂量两粤黄檀乙醇提取物对小鼠耳廓肿胀度、肿胀率及足肿胀度的影响,并利用液相色谱-质谱(LC-MS)、热裂解气相色谱-质谱(PY-GC/MS)等技术分析提取物的化学成分,结合网络药理学方法对其抗炎活性成分以及作用机制进行初步研究。结果表明:(1)两粤黄檀乙醇提取物具有良好的抗炎活性,高剂量组(8 g·kg~(-1))可以显著抑制二甲苯致小鼠耳廓肿胀度、角叉菜胶致炎足趾肿胀,其抑制率均高于50%;(2)从两粤黄檀乙醇提取物中共鉴定得到60个化合物,包括毛蕊异黄酮、芒柄花黄素、血根碱、胡椒碱、β-谷甾醇等多种抗炎活性成分;(3)网络药理学分析显示,两粤黄檀发挥抗炎作用的核心靶点为PIK3CA、EGFR、MAPK、SRC、STAT3、CYP19A1、IL2、MAOA等,涉及c GMP-PKG、cAMP、Focal adhesion、Rap1等信号通路。该研究结果为两粤黄檀的进一步开发利用提供了重要参考。     

The effect of age, season and growth conditions on anti-inflammatory activity in Eucomis autumnalis (Mill.) Chitt. Plant extracts

Eucomis (Family Hyacinthaceae) bulbs are greatly valued in traditionalmedicine for the treatment of a variety of ailments, predominantly thoseinvolving pain, fever and inflammation. The COX-1 assay was used to screenethanolic extracts prepared from the dried leaves, bulbs and roots of E. autumnalis (subspecies autumnalis) to determine the variation ofanti-inflammatory activity with age and season of harvest. Young plantswere found to have large amounts of COX-1 inhibitory activity, particularlyin the leaves. As the plant matured, greater activity was associated with thebulb and root extracts. The anti-inflammatory activity of the leaf, bulb androot extracts varied slightly throughout the year, with the greatest levelsdetected towards the end of the growing season, shortly before the onsetof dormancy. A seaweed application (Kelpak) decreased the anti-inflammatory activity of the leaf, bulb and root extracts, while increasedtemperature/increased light intensity had no significant effect on theCOX-1 inhibitory activity of the leaf extracts. The bulb extracts fromtreated plants harvested towards the end of the growing season showed asignificant decrease in anti-inflammatory activity, while the anti-inflammatory activity of the corresponding not root extracts increased.     

猫须草抗炎活性成分研究

为了研究猫须草(Clerodendranthus spicatus)抗炎活性成分,该研究采用活性追踪的方法,利用硅胶、MCI柱色谱以及HPLC等分离技术,对猫须草抗炎活性部位进行分离纯化,通过波谱数据分析和文献比对鉴定化合物结构,并利用LPS诱导的RAW 264.7巨噬细胞炎症模型进行抗炎活性评价。结果表明:(1)从猫须草抗炎活性部位分离得到10个化合物,分别鉴定为泡桐素(1)、鼠尾草素(2)、对苯二甲酸二辛酯(3)、N-(N-苯甲酰基-L-苯丙酰基)-L-苯基丙醇(4)、fragransin B₁(5)、6,7,8,4''-四甲氧基黄酮(6)、N-反式-阿魏酰酪胺(7)、N-顺式-阿魏酰酪胺(8)、trans-N-cinnamoyltyramine(9)、新海胆灵 A(10),其中化合物1、4、8-10为首次从该植物中分离得到。(2)抗炎结果显示,猫须草抗炎活性成分主要存在于中低极性部位,从中分离得到的大部分化合物显示出一定的NO生成抑制活性,其中酰胺类成分(7-9)均具有较好的抗炎活性,表明该类成分是猫须草抗炎作用的主要成分之一。该研究丰富了猫须草抗炎物质基础,为其开发利用提供科学依据。     

络石藤与地瓜藤抑制NO活性及差异性化学成分研究

络石藤为药典记载的常用中药，而地瓜藤在民间部分地区用作络石藤。为明确两种药材抗炎活性及相关化学成分间的差异，初步探讨其可能的药效物质基础，该研究通过检测不同浓度络石藤与地瓜藤醇提物对RAW264.7细胞存活率的影响，采用Griess试剂法测定LPS诱导的RAW264.7细胞上清液NO释放量，利用UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS技术对络石藤与地瓜藤醇提物中的化学成分进行分析，并结合多元统计学中的OPLS-DA模型鉴定两种药材的差异性化学成分。结果表明：(1)两种药材皆具有一定的NO抑制作用，络石藤粗提物的抑制作用稍强于地瓜藤。(2)络石藤与地瓜藤的化学成分存在明显差异，络石藤中的21个差异性成分主要为木脂素类，而地瓜藤中的10个差异性成分主要为黄酮类。综上认为，差异性化学成分可能是造成这两种药材抗炎活性差异的主要活性物质。该研究结果为络石藤与地瓜藤的抗炎药效物质基础和质量控制提供了理论依据。     

The effect of nitrogen and sucrose concentrations on the growth of Eucomis autumnalis (Mill.) Chitt. plantlets in vitro, and on subsequent anti-inflammatory activity in extracts prepared from the plantlets

Large amounts of anti-inflammatory activity are present in extractsprepared from Eucomis plants. Extracts prepared from in vitroplantlets grown on a modified Murashige and Skoog medium supplementedwith 1 mg &ell^–1 NAA and 1 mg &ell^–1 BA, were tested intwo cyclooxygenase assays (COX-1 and COX-2). Ethanol extracts showedhigh levels of COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory activity, with a COX-2/COX-1inhibition ratio of 1.1. Further experimental work aimed to determine thefactors affecting the accumulation of anti-inflammatory compounds inin vitro plantlets. High concentrations of sucrose (40 g &a,p;ell^–1) inthe culture medium significantly increased the number of shoots initiated,but had no effect on the subsequent anti-inflammatory activity. Lowconcentrations of sucrose (10 g &ell^–1) led to a significantdecrease in COX-1 inhibition. Changig the amount of nitrogen in the medium(but not the ratio of nitrate to ammonium ions) had no significant effect onthe COX-1 inhibitory activity of the extracts.     

Evaluation of Antioxidant,Anti-Inflammatory and Antityrosinase Potential of Extracts from Different Aerial Parts of Rhanterium suaveolens from Tunisia

The genus Rhanterium (Asteraceae) is a widely distributed medicinal plant throughout western North Africa and some Rhanterium species are used in folk medicine. The aim of research was to investigate methanolic extracts from different parts (flowers, leaves, and stems) of Tunisian Rhanterium suaveolens as potential sources of bioactive products useful for healthy purposes. In particular, were analyzed the phenolic composition of these extracts and their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tyrosinase properties. The phytochemical analyses were performed using standard colorimetric procedures, HPLC-DAD and HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS. Then, several in vitro cell-free assays have been used to estimate the antioxidant/free radical scavenging capability of the extracts. Moreover, in vitro, and in vivo anti-melanogenesis activities of these extracts were tested, respectively, with the tyrosinase inhibition assay and the Zebrafish embryo model. Finally, the anti-inflammatory potential of these extracts in an in vitro model of acute intestinal inflammation in differentiated Caco-2 cells was evaluated. The R. suaveolens extracts under study appeared particularly rich in flavonols and hydroxycinnamic acids and all extracts appeared endowed with good antioxidant/free radical scavenging properties, being the flower extracts slightly more active than the others. Moreover, R. suaveolens flowers extract was able to inhibit in vitro tyrosinase activity and exhibited bleaching effects on the pigmentation of zebrafish embryos. Furthermore, all extracts showed good anti-inflammatory activity in intestinal epithelial cells as demonstrated by the inhibition of TNF-α-induced gene expression of IL-6 and IL-8. R. suaveolens aerial parts may be considered as a potential source of whitening agents, as well as of agents for the treatment of disorders related to oxidative stress and inflammation.     

Novel anti-inflammatory actions of amlodipine in a rat model of arteriosclerosis induced by long-term inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis

Amlodipine (a new class of calcium channel antagonist) has been shown to limit the progression of arteriosclerosis and decrease the incidence of cardiovascular events. The mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of amlodipine, however, remain unclear. Therefore, we hypothesized that amlodipine attenuates the development of arteriosclerosis through the inhibition of inflammation in vivo. Long-term inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) by administration of a NO synthase inhibitor, N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), to rats induces coronary vascular inflammation [monocyte infiltration, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression, increased activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)], and arteriosclerosis. Here, we used the rat model to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of amlodipine in vivo. Treatment with amlodipine markedly inhibited the L-NAME-induced increase in vascular inflammation, oxidative stress, and local ACE and Rho activity and prevented arteriosclerosis. Interestingly, amlodipine prevented the L-NAME-induced increase in MCP-1 receptor CCR2 expression in circulating monocytes. Amlodipine markedly attenuated the high mortality rate at 8 wk of treatment. These data suggest that amlodipine attenuated arteriosclerosis through inhibiting inflammatory disorders in the rat model of long-term inhibition of NO synthesis. The anti-inflammatory effects of amlodipine seem to be mediated not only by the inhibition of local factors such as MCP-1 but also by the decrease in CCR2 in circulating monocytes. Inhibition of the MCP-1 to CCR2 pathway may represent novel anti-inflammatory actions of amlodipine beyond blood pressure lowering.     

Antibacterial and ulcer healing effects of organoselenium compounds in naproxen induced and Helicobacter pylori infected Wistar rat model

Aim of the present study was to evaluate in vitro toxicity and in vivo antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, and antioxidant activities of two organoselenium compounds, selenocystine (SeCys) and ebselen (Ebs). The study was conducted in experimentally induced ulcers in rodent model infected with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). In vitro toxicological studies on normal spleenic lymphocytes revealed that SeCys and Ebs were non-toxic to the cells even at 100 μM concentration. Antibacterial activity was observed at 500 μg/mL concentration of either of the compounds against H. pylori. In vivo studies after treatment with SeCys and Ebs (500 μg/kg/day) resulted in significant reduction in ROS production and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in gastric tissue. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of both the compounds were also confirmed by their ability to lower GSH reduction, to induce the expression of antioxidant genes such as GPx-4, and MnSOD and to suppress inflammatory genes namely COX-2, TNF-α and TGF-β. In addition, the immunomodulatory activity of both the compounds was evident by enhance of the CD4 levels and maintenance of the IgG, IL-6 and IL-10 levels. Persistent treatment (500 μg/kg, for 28 days) with both the compounds showed considerable (p < 0.05) ulcer healing property supporting its role in gastro protection. In conclusion, the results of our study suggest that both SeCys and Ebs possess broad spectrum of activities without any potential toxicity.     

BmSPI38同型串联多聚体在大肠杆菌中的表达和抗真菌活性

本研究旨在通过蛋白质工程手段获得结构均一性更好、活性更高、抗真菌能力更强的家蚕蛋白酶抑制剂BmSPI38的串联多聚体蛋白。利用原核表达技术获得BmSPI38串联多聚体蛋白,并通过蛋白酶抑制剂胶内活性染色、蛋白酶抑制实验和真菌生长抑制实验等探讨串联多聚体化对BmSPI38的结构均一性、抑制活性和抗真菌能力的影响。活性染色结果表明,基于多肽柔性接头的串联表达能够极大提高BmSPI38蛋白的结构均一性。蛋白酶抑制实验表明,基于接头的串联三聚体化和四聚体化能提高BmSPI38对微生物蛋白酶的抑制能力。孢子萌发实验表明,His₆-SPI38L-tetramer对球孢白僵菌（Beauveria bassiana）分生孢子萌发的抑制能力显著强于His₆-SPI38-monomer。真菌生长抑制实验显示,能够通过串联多聚体化来增强BmSPI38对酿酒酵母（Saccharomyces cerevisiae）和白色念珠菌（Candida albicans）的抑制能力。本研究成功实现BmSPI38的串联多聚体在大肠杆菌中的异源活性表达,并证实可通过串联多聚体化来增强BmSPI38的结构均一性和抗真菌能力,不仅可为培育抗真菌转基因家蚕提供重要的理论依据和新策略,还将推动BmSPI38的外源生产及在医疗领域的应用。     

马尾松PmPGK1和PmGPIC基因的克隆和表达分析

为了解马尾松（Pinus massoniana）磷酸甘油酸激酶1（PGK1）与胞质溶胶葡萄糖磷酸异构酶（GPIC）的功能，采用RACE技术克隆了PmPGK1和PmGPIC基因，并进行了生物信息学分析与亚细胞定位，采用实时荧光定量PCR技术分析PmPGK1和PmGPIC的表达特性。结果表明，PmPGK1和PmGPIC全长为2 106和1 848 bp，分别编码507和566个氨基酸。PmPGK1和PmGPIC分别定位于叶绿体和胞质溶胶。PmPGK1表达量为新叶 > 老叶 > 新茎 > 根 > 花；而PmGPIC为老叶 > 花 > 新叶 > 新茎 > 根。低温胁迫24 h，PmPGK1和PmGPIC的表达量均随时间延长先降低后升高，且PmGPIC的表达量在处理2 h后即降至较低水平；高浓度CO₂胁迫24 h，PmPGK1的表达量随时间延长呈降低-升高-再降低的变化趋势，PmGPIC的表达下调但变化较不显著。因此，推测PmPGK1主要参与卡尔文循环及叶绿体/质体糖酵解，PmGPIC主要参与细胞质基质糖酵解；PmPGK1、PmGPIC活性在低温胁迫下均受抑制；PmPGK1活性在CO₂胁迫下受到显著抑制，而PmGPIC活性的影响不大。     

A novel synthetic small molecule DMFO targets Nrf2 in modulating proinflammatory/antioxidant mediators to ameliorate inflammation

Abstract

Inflammation is a protective immune response against invading pathogens, however, dysregulated inflammation is detrimental. As the complex inflammatory response involves multiple mediators, including the involvement of reactive oxygen species, concomitantly targeting proinflammatory and antioxidant check-points may be a more rational strategy. We report the synthesis and anti-inflammatory/antioxidant activity of a novel indanedione derivative DMFO. DMFO scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS) in in-vitro radical scavenging assays and in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. In acute models of inflammation (carrageenan-induced inflammation in rat paw and air pouch), DMFO effectively reduced paw oedema and leucocyte infiltration with an activity comparable to diclofenac. DMFO stabilised mast cells (MCs) in in-vitro A23187 and compound 48/80-induced assays. Additionally, DMFO stabilised MCs in an antigen (ovalbumin)-induced MC degranulation model in-vivo, without affecting serum IgE levels. In a model of chronic immune-mediated inflammation, Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis, DMFO reduced arthritic score and contralateral paw oedema, and increased the pain threshold with an efficacy comparable to diclofenac but without being ulcerogenic. Additionally, DMFO significantly reduced serum TNFα levels. Mechanistic studies revealed that DMFO reduced proinflammatory genes (IL1β, TNFα, IL6) and protein levels (COX2, MCP1), with a concurrent increase in antioxidant genes (NQO1, haem oxygenase 1 (HO-1), Glo1, Nrf2) and protein (HO-1) in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Importantly, the anti-inflammatory/antioxidant effect on gene expression was absent in primary macrophages isolated from Nrf2 KO mice suggesting an Nrf2-targeted activity, which was subsequently confirmed using siRNA transfection studies in RAW macrophages. Therefore, DMFO is a novel, orally-active, safe (even at 2?g/kg p.o.), a small molecule which targets Nrf2 in ameliorating inflammation.     

Dual inducible expression of recombinant GFP and targeted antisense RNA in Lactococcus lactis

The food-grade status and probiotic activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) make them attractive hosts for production and oral delivery of therapeutic heterologous vaccines and other proteins, yet these bacteria currently do not achieve recombinant protein expression at levels comparable to those seen in Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Limited levels of expressed recombinant protein per cell most likely constrain the vaccine’s immunogenic potential with respect to the magnitude and specificity of the immune response. With the goal of increasing recombinant protein expression per cell in Lactococcus lactis IL1403, a model LAB, we have constructed and evaluated a new vector that permits simultaneously-induced expression of GFP, a model recombinant protein, and antisense RNA inhibition of the clpP-encoded intracellular protease. While silencing of the rational target clpP does not lead to increased GFP per cell, the new dual-expression system provides an efficient and potentially high-throughput metabolic engineering tool for strain improvement.     

Glucocorticoid-mediated anti-inflammatory effect through NFκB is preserved in the absence of Dexras1

Glucocorticoids effectively mediate the resolution of inflammation, but long-term use of glucocorticoids inevitably causes metabolic side effects. However, it is unknown if metabolic effectors such as Dexras1, a dexamethasone-stimulated protein, play a role in the anti-inflammatory outcome of dexamethasone. Here, we demonstrate that Dexras1 is required for the dexamethasone-induced upregulation of annexin A1 expression, but is not involved in the reduction of inflammation as evidenced by decreased pro-inflammatory parameters. In the absence of Dexras1, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced interleukin-6 expression was suppressed when murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells were treated with dexamethasone. Similar observations were made in the blood of Dexras1 knockout mice. Furthermore, dexamethasone suppressed the LPS-stimulated increase of NFκB-p65 in both control and Dexras1-absent RAW264.7 cells. Interestingly, depletion of Dexras1 resulted in the loss of pERK production. These results suggest that Dexras1 is involved primarily in the metabolic side effects and its inhibition preserves the anti-inflammatory action of glucocorticoids. Thus, the inhibition of Dexras1 will be an excellent target for reducing steroid-induced side effects.     

Synthesis of some new amide-linked bipyrazoles and their evaluation as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents

Four series of new bipyrazoles comprising the N-phenylpyrazole scaffold linked to polysubstituted pyrazoles or to antipyrine moiety through different amide linkages were synthesized. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. In vitro COX-1/COX-2 inhibition study revealed that compound 16b possessed the lowest IC₅₀ value against both COX-1 and COX-2. Moreover, the effect of the most promising compounds on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) protein expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated rat monocytes was also investigated. The results revealed that some of the synthesized compounds showed anti-inflammatory and/or analgesic activity with less ulcerogenic potential than the reference drug diclofenac sodium and are well tolerated by experimental animals. Moreover, they significantly inhibited iNOS and COX-2 protein expression induced by LPS stimulation. Compounds 16b and 18 were proved to display anti-inflammatory activity superior to diclofenac sodium and analgesic activity equivalent to it with minimal ulcerogenic potential.     

The anti-inflammatory effects of soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitors are independent of leukocyte recruitment

Excess leukocyte recruitment to the lung plays a central role in the development or exacerbation of several lung inflammatory diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are cytochrome P-450 metabolites of arachidonic acid reported to have multiple biological functions, including blocking of leukocyte recruitment to inflamed endothelium in cell culture through reduction of adhesion molecule expression. Inhibition of the EET regulatory enzyme, soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) also has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects in vivo including reduced leukocyte recruitment to the lung. We tested the hypothesis that the in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of sEH inhibitors act through the same mechanisms as the in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of EETs in a rat model of acute inflammation following exposure to tobacco smoke. Contrary to previously published data, we found that sEH inhibition did not reduce tobacco smoke-induced leukocyte recruitment to the lung. Furthermore, sEH inhibition did not reduce tobacco smoke-induced adhesion molecule expression in the lung vasculature. Similarly, concentrations of EETs greater than or equal to their reported effective dose did not reduce TNFα induced expression of the adhesion molecules. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of sEH inhibitors are independent of leukocyte recruitment and EETs do not reduce the adhesion molecules responsible for leukocyte recruitment in vitro. This demonstrates that the widely held belief that sEH inhibition prevents leukocyte recruitment via EET prevention of adhesion molecule expression is not consistently reproducible.     

Insecticidal compound isolated from Syzygium lineare Wall. (Myrtaceae) against Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

A new crystal compound 2,5-diacetoxy-2-benzyl-4,4,6,6-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione was isolated from the leaves of Syzygium lineare. The insecticidal activity of the compound was assessed against fourth instar larvae of Spodoptera litura. Its activity was better than the positive control azadirachtin. The compound was responsible for growth inhibition on S. litura. It induced larval, pupal and adult deformities even at low concentration. The compound may be useful as a botanical pesticide.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of licochalcone A isolated from Glycyrrhiza inflata

Licochalcone A was isolated from the roots of Glycyrrhiza inflata and evaluated for its anti-inflammatory activity in xylene-induced mice ear edema and carrageenan-induced paw edema tests. At the same time, the inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis by licochalcone A was also studied in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse macrophage cells. At 5 mg/ ear, licochalcone A showed remarkable effects against acute inflammation induced by xylene, and at the doses of 2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg (p.o.), licochalcone A reduced significantly paw edema induced by carrageenan compared to the control at the fourth hour. Both COX-2 activity and expression were significantly inhibited by licochalcone A at all the test doses. Therefore, licochalcone A could be a useful compound for the development of new anti-inflammatory agents.     

A new mutation inEscherichia coli K12,isfA, which is responsible for inhibition of SOS functions

A new mutation inEscherichia coli K12,isfA, is described, which causes inhibition of SOS functions. The mutation, discovered in a ΔpolA ⁺ mutant, is responsible for inhibition of several phenomena related to the SOS response inpolA ⁺ strains: UV- and methyl methanesulfonate-induced mutagenesis, resumption of DNA replication in UV-irradiated cells, cell filamentation, prophage induction and increase in UV sensitivity. TheisfA mutation also significantly reduces UV-induced expression of β-galactosidase fromrecA::lacZ andumuC′::lacZ fusions. The results suggest that theisfA gene product may affect RecA^* coprotease activity and may be involved in the regulation of the termination of the SOS response after completion of DNA repair. TheisfA mutation was localized at 85 min on theE. coli chromosome, and preliminary experiments suggest that it may be dominant to the wild-type allele.