scholarly journals Anti-Osteoarthritic Effects of Terminalia Chebula Fruit Extract (AyuFlex®) in Interleukin-1β-Induced Human Chondrocytes and in Rat Models of Monosodium Iodoacetate (MIA)-Induced Osteoarthritis

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (23) ◽  
pp. 8698
Author(s):  
Hae Lim Kim ◽  
Hae Jin Lee ◽  
Dong-Ryung Lee ◽  
Bong-Keun Choi ◽  
Seung Hwan Yang

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a general joint illness caused by the destruction of joint cartilage, and is common in the population of old people. Its occurrence is related to inflammatory reactions and cartilage degradation. AyuFlex® is an aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula fruit, and T. chebula has been utilized extensively in several traditional oriental medications for the management of diverse diseases. Pre-clinical and clinical research has shown its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effectiveness. Nevertheless, the mechanism underlying the anti-arthritic effects of AyuFlex® remains unclear. In the current research, we proposed the ameliorating effects of AyuFlex® with respect to the incidence of OA and described the latent signalization in interleukin (IL)-1β-treated chondrocytes and MIA-incurred OA in a rat model. In vitro, AyuFlex® decreased oxidative stress and induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators as well as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), while also increasing the levels of collagen synthesis-related proteins. Mechanistically, we identified that AyuFlex® disrupted nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation via the inhibition of NF-κB p65 and extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. The ameliorating effects of AyuFlex® were also observed in vivo. AyuFlex® significantly inhibited the MIA-incurred increase in OA symptoms such as oxidative stress, cartilage damage, and changes in cytokines and MMPs revelation in arthrodial cartilage. Therefore, our results suggest that AyuFlex® attenuates OA progression in vivo, indicating that AyuFlex® can be suggested as an excellent therapeutic remedy for the care of OA.

1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 577-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
K H Holt ◽  
B G Kasson ◽  
J E Pessin

The Ras guanylnucleotide exchange protein SOS undergoes feedback phosphorylation and dissociation from Grb2 following insulin receptor kinase activation of Ras. To determine the serine/threonine kinase(s) responsible for SOS phosphorylation in vivo, we assessed the role of mitogen-activated, extracellular-signal-regulated protein kinase kinase (MEK), extracellular-signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), and the c-JUN protein kinase (JNK) in this phosphorylation event. Expression of a dominant-interfering MEK mutant, in which lysine 97 was replaced with arginine (MEK/K97R), resulted in an inhibition of insulin-stimulated SOS and ERK phosphorylation, whereas expression of a constitutively active MEK mutant, in which serines 218 and 222 were replaced with glutamic acid (MEK/EE), induced basal phosphorylation of both SOS and ERK. Although expression of the mitogen-activated protein kinase-specific phosphatase (MKP-1) completely inhibited the insulin stimulation of ERK activity both in vitro and in vivo, SOS phosphorylation and the dissociation of the Grb2-SOS complex were unaffected. In addition, insulin did not activate the related protein kinase JNK, demonstrating the specificity of insulin for the ERK pathway. The insulin-stimulated and MKP-1-insensitive SOS-phosphorylating activity was reconstituted in whole-cell extracts and did not bind to a MonoQ anion-exchange column. In contrast, ERK1/2 protein was retained by the MonoQ column, eluted with approximately 200 mM NaCl, and was MKP-1 sensitive. Although MEK also does not bind to MonoQ, immunodepletion analysis demonstrated that MEK is not the insulin-stimulated SOS-phosphorylating activity. Together, these data demonstrate that at least one of the kinases responsible for SOS phosphorylation and functional dissociation of the Grb2-SOS complex is an ERK-independent but MEK-dependent insulin-stimulated protein kinase.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruipeng Li

Abstract Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disorder that affects the elderly population. The pathogenesis of OA is related to cartilage degradation and inflammatory response. Schisandrin C (Sch C), a dibenzocyclooctadiene derivative of Schisandra chinensis, has been demonstrated to exert anti-inflammatory effect in various inflammation diseases. However, the effect of Sch C on OA remains unclear. Thus, we aimed to investigate its action on chondrocytes and explore the mechanism associated with the inflammatory response. Methods: In this study, we chose rabbits and SW1353 cells as in vivo/in vitro models. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP3), Nitric oxide (NO), IL-1β and TNF-α were detected by ELISA kits. The expression of MAPK/NF-κB related signaling molecules were determined by western blot. Results: In vitro, Sch C suppressed the IL-1β-induced production of NO and PGE2. Additionally, Sch C significantly decreased IL-1β-induced p65 phosphorylation and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, as evidenced by the reduced phosphorylation of p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK). Moreover, Sch C prevented cartilage damage in rabbit OA model with lower Mankin’s score than the model group. Sch C also inhibited the level of inflammatory cytokines in the articular cavity flushing fluid in rabbit OA model. Conclusions: Our study suggested that Sch C inhibited the IL-1β-induced inflammation and cartilage degradation through suppressing the MAPK and NF-κB signal pathways, indicating a potential in OA treatment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akihiro Yachie

Since Yachie et al. reported the first description of human heme oxygenase (HO)-1 deficiency more than 20 years ago, few additional human cases have been reported in the literature. A detailed analysis of the first human case of HO-1 deficiency revealed that HO-1 is involved in the protection of multiple tissues and organs from oxidative stress and excessive inflammatory reactions, through the release of multiple molecules with anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory functions. HO-1 production is induced in vivo within selected cell types, including renal tubular epithelium, hepatic Kupffer cells, vascular endothelium, and monocytes/macrophages, suggesting that HO-1 plays critical roles in these cells. In vivo and in vitro studies have indicated that impaired HO-1 production results in progressive monocyte dysfunction, unregulated macrophage activation and endothelial cell dysfunction, leading to catastrophic systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Data from reported human cases of HO-1 deficiency and numerous studies using animal models suggest that HO-1 plays critical roles in various clinical settings involving excessive oxidative stress and inflammation. In this regard, therapy to induce HO-1 production by pharmacological intervention represents a promising novel strategy to control inflammatory diseases.


2012 ◽  
Vol 123 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting-Hsing Chao ◽  
Shih-Ya Tseng ◽  
Yi-Heng Li ◽  
Ping-Yen Liu ◽  
Chung-Lung Cho ◽  
...  

Cilostazol is an anti-platelet agent with vasodilatory activity that acts by increasing intracellular concentrations of cAMP. Recent reports have suggested that cilostazol may promote angiogenesis. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of cilostazol in promoting angiogenesis and vasculogenesis in a hindlimb ischaemia model and have also examined its potential mechanism of action in vitro and in vivo. We found that cilostazol treatment significantly increased colony formation by human early EPCs (endothelial progenitor cells) through a mechanism involving the activation of cAMP/PKA (protein kinase A), PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)/Akt/eNOS (endothelial NO synthase) and ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase)/p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) signalling pathways. Cilostazol also enhanced proliferation, chemotaxis, NO production and vascular tube formation in HUVECs (human umbilical vein endothelial cells) through activation of multiple signalling pathways downstream of PI3K/Akt/eNOS. Cilostazol up-regulated VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)-A165 expression and secretion of VEGF-A in HUVECs through activation of the PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway. In a mouse hindlimb ischaemia model, recovery of blood flow ratio (ipsilateral/contralateral) 14 days after surgery was significantly improved in cilostazol-treated mice (10 mg/kg of body weight) compared with vehicle-treated controls (0.63±0.07 and 0.43±0.05 respectively, P<0.05). Circulating CD34+ cells were also increased in cilostazol-treated mice (3614±670 compared with 2151±608 cells/ml, P<0.05). Expression of VEGF and phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt/eNOS and ERK/p38 MAPK in ischaemic muscles were significantly enhanced by cilostazol. Our data suggest that cilostazol produces a vasculo-angiogenic effect by up-regulating a broad signalling network that includes the ERK/p38 MAPK, VEGF-A165, PI3K/Akt/eNOS and cAMP/PKA pathways.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Yanfei Du ◽  
Jun Ma ◽  
Yu Fan ◽  
Xinyu Wang ◽  
Shuzhan Zheng ◽  
...  

Fibrosis is the final common pathology of most chronic diseases as seen in the heart, liver, lung, kidney, and skin and contributes to nearly half of death in the developed countries. Fibrosis, or scarring, is mainly characterized by the transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) secreted by myofibroblasts. Despite immense efforts made in the field of organ fibrosis over the past decades and considerable understanding of the occurrence and development of fibrosis gained, there is still lack of an effective treatment for fibrotic diseases. Therefore, identifying a new therapeutic strategy against organ fibrosis is an unmet clinical need. Naringenin, a flavonoid that occurs naturally in citrus fruits, has been found to confer a wide range of pharmacological effects including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer benefits and thus potentially exerting preventive and curative effects on numerous diseases. In addition, emerging evidence has revealed that naringenin can prevent the pathogenesis of fibrosis in vivo and in vitro via the regulation of various pathways that involved signaling molecules such as transforming growth factor-β1/small mother against decapentaplegic protein 3 (TGF-β1/Smad3), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), sirtuin1 (SIRT1), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), or reactive oxygen species (ROS). Targeting these profibrotic pathways by naringenin could potentially become a novel therapeutic approach for the management of fibrotic disorders. In this review, we present a comprehensive summary of the antifibrotic roles of naringenin in vivo and in vitro and their underlying mechanisms of action. As a food derived compound, naringenin may serve as a promising drug candidate for the treatment of fibrotic disorders.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiyuan Yan ◽  
Yingchi Zhang ◽  
Gaohong Sheng ◽  
Bowei Ni ◽  
Yifan Xiao ◽  
...  

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease. Its development is highly associated with inflammatory response and apoptosis in chondrocytes. Selonsertib (Ser), the inhibitor of Apoptosis Signal-regulated kinase-1 (ASK1), has exhibited multiple therapeutic effects in several diseases. However, the exact role of Ser in OA remains unclear. Herein, we investigated the anti-arthritic effects as well as the potential mechanism of Ser on rat OA. Our results showed that Ser could markedly prevent the IL-1β-induced inflammatory reaction, cartilage degradation and cell apoptosis in rat chondrocytes. Meanwhile, the ASK1/P38/JNK and NFκB pathways were involved in the protective roles of Ser. Furthermore, intra-articular injection of Ser could significantly alleviate the surgery induced cartilage damage in rat OA model. In conclusion, our work provided insights into the therapeutic potential of Ser in OA, indicating that Ser might serve as a new avenue in OA treatment.


1997 ◽  
Vol 110 (12) ◽  
pp. 1373-1386 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.R. Walker ◽  
C.B. Shuster ◽  
D.R. Burgess

Research over the past few years has demonstrated the central role of protein phosphorylation in regulating mitosis and the cell cycle. However, little is known about how the mechanisms regulating the entry into mitosis contribute to the positional and temporal regulation of the actomyosin-based contractile ring formed during cytokinesis. Recent studies implicate p34cdc2 as a negative regulator of myosin II activity, suggesting a link between the mitotic cycle and cytokinesis. In an effort to study the relationship between protein phosphorylation and cytokinesis, we examined the in vivo and in vitro phosphorylation of actin-associated cortical cytoskeletal (CSK) proteins in an isolated model of the sea urchin egg cortex. Examination of cortices derived from eggs or zygotes labeled with 32P-orthophosphate reveals a number of cortex-associated phosphorylated proteins, including polypeptides of 20, 43 and 66 kDa. These three major phosphoproteins are also detected when isolated cortices are incubated with [32P]ATP in vitro, suggesting that the kinases that phosphorylate these substrates are also specifically associated with the cortex. The kinase activities in vivo and in vitro are stimulated by fertilization and display cell cycle-dependent activities. Gel autophosphorylation assays, kinase assays and immunoblot analysis reveal the presence of p34cdc2 as well as members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family, whose activities in the CSK peak at cell division. Nocodazole, which inhibits microtubule formation and thus blocks cytokinesis, significantly delays the time of peak cortical protein phosphorylation as well as the peak in whole-cell histone H1 kinase activity. These results suggest that a key element regulating cortical contraction during cytokinesis is the timing of protein kinase activities associated with the cortical cytoskeleton that is in turn regulated by the mitotic apparatus.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinpeng Lv ◽  
Songzhou Jiang ◽  
Ying Yang ◽  
Ximei Zhang ◽  
Rongyin Gao ◽  
...  

FGIN-1-27 is a synthetic mitochondrial diazepam binding inhibitor receptor (MDR) agonist that has demonstrated pro-apoptotic, anti-anxiety, and steroidogenic activity in various studies. Here we report, for the first time, the anti-melanogenic efficacy of FGIN-1-27 in vitro and in vivo. FGIN-1-27 significantly inhibited basal and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-, 1-Oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG)- and Endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced melanogenesis without cellular toxicity. Mushroom tyrosinase activity assay showed that FGIN-1-27 did not directly inhibit tyrosinase activity, which suggested that FGIN-1-27 was not a direct inhibitor of tyrosinase. Although it was not capable of modulating the catalytic activity of mushroom tyrosinase in vitro, FGIN-1-27 downregulated the expression levels of key proteins that function in melanogenesis. FGIN-1-27 played these functions mainly by suppressing the PKA/CREB, PKC-β, and MAPK pathways. Once inactivated, it decreased the expression of MITF, tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2, and inhibited the tyrosinase activity, finally inhibiting melanogenesis. During in vivo experiments, FGIN-1-27 inhibited the body pigmentation of zebrafish and reduced UVB-induced hyperpigmentation in guinea pig skin, but not a reduction of numbers of melanocytes. Our findings indicated that FGIN-1-27 exhibited no cytotoxicity and inhibited melanogenesis in both in vitro and in vivo models. It may prove quite useful as a safer skin-whitening agent.


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