scholarly journals Alleviation of Ulcerative Colitis Potentially through th1/th2 Cytokine Balance by a Mixture of Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng Extract and Persicaria tinctoria

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (22) ◽  
pp. 5230
Author(s):  
Evelyn Saba ◽  
Yuan Yee Lee ◽  
Man Hee Rhee ◽  
Sung-Dae Kim

Ginseng is a vastly used herbal supplement in Southeast Asian countries. Red ginseng extract enriched with Rg3 (Rg3-RGE) is a formula that has been extensively studied owing to its various biological properties. Persicaria tinctoria (PT), belonging to the Polygonaceae family, has also been reported for its anti-inflammatory properties. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is inflammation of the large intestine, particularly in the colon. This disease is increasingly common and has high probability of relapse. We investigated, separately and in combination, the effects of Rg3-RGE and PT using murine exemplary of UC induced by DSS (Dextran Sulfate Sodium). For in vitro and in vivo experiments, nitric oxide assay, qRT-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Western blot, ulcerative colitis introduced by DSS, Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and flow cytometry analysis were performed. The results obtained demonstrate that treatment with Rg3-RGE + PT showed synergism to suppress inflammation (in vitro) in RAW 264.7 cells via mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor κB pathways. Moreover, in C57BL/6 mice, this mixture exhibits strong anti-inflammatory effects in restoring colon length, histopathological damage, pro-inflammatory mediators, and cytokines amount, and decreasing levels of NLRP3 inflammasome (in vivo). Our results recommend that this mixture can be used for the prevention of UC as a prophylactic/therapeutic supplement.

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (03) ◽  
pp. 595-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Yu ◽  
Man Hee Rhee ◽  
Jongsung Lee ◽  
Seung Hyung Kim ◽  
Yanyan Yang ◽  
...  

Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is an herbal medicine prescribed worldwide that is prepared from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Araliaceae). Out of ginseng’s various components, ginsenosides are regarded as the major ingredients, exhibiting anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Although recent studies have focused on understanding the anti-inflammatory activities of KRG, compounds that are major anti-inflammatory components, precisely how these can suppress various inflammatory processes has not been fully elucidated yet. In this study, we aimed to identify inhibitory saponins, to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of the saponins, and to understand the inhibitory mechanisms. To do this, we employed in vitro lipopolysaccharide-treated macrophages and in vivo inflammatory mouse conditions, such as collagen (type II)-induced arthritis (CIA), EtOH/HCl-induced gastritis, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-triggered hepatitis. Molecular mechanisms were also verified by real-time PCR, immunoblotting analysis, and reporter gene assays. Out of all the ginsenosides, ginsenoside Rc (G-Rc) showed the highest inhibitory activity against the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-[Formula: see text], interleukin (IL)-1[Formula: see text], and interferons (IFNs). Similarly, this compound attenuated inflammatory symptoms in CIA, EtOH/HCl-mediated gastritis, and LPS/D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-triggered hepatitis without altering toxicological parameters, and without inducing gastric irritation. These anti-inflammatory effects were accompanied by the suppression of TNF-[Formula: see text] and IL-6 production and the induction of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in mice with CIA. G-Rc also attenuated the increased levels of luciferase activity by IRF-3 and AP-1 but not NF-[Formula: see text]B. In support of this phenomenon, G-Rc reduced TBK1, IRF-3, and ATF2 phosphorylation in the joint and liver tissues of mice with hepatitis. Therefore, our results strongly suggest that G-Rc may be a major component of KRG with useful anti-inflammatory properties due to its suppression of IRF-3 and AP-1 pathways.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiyue Zhang ◽  
Li Du ◽  
Jinrong Zhang ◽  
Chunyan Li ◽  
Jie Zhang ◽  
...  

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a respiratory disease that leads to death in severe cases. Hordenine (Hor), a barley-derived natural product, has various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidation activities. We investigated the effect of Hor on lipopolysaccharide-induced ALI and its potential mechanism. The anti-inflammatory effects of Hor were detected using in vivo and in vitro models by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and molecular docking simulations. Hor inhibited increases in the levels of inflammatory factors both in vivo and in vitro, and its anti-inflammatory effect inhibited activation of protein kinase B, nuclear factor-κB, and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. Hor alleviated lipopolysaccharide-induced ALI by inhibiting inflammatory cytokine increases in vivo and in vitro and shows potential for preventing inflammatory disease.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 437-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwang-Soo Baek ◽  
Young-Su Yi ◽  
Young-Jin Son ◽  
Sulgi Yoo ◽  
Nak Yoon Sung ◽  
...  

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (23) ◽  
pp. 7393
Author(s):  
Jung-Hwan Kim ◽  
Tae-Jin Park ◽  
Jin-Soo Park ◽  
Min-Seon Kim ◽  
Won-Jae Chi ◽  
...  

Luteolin (LT), present in most plants, has potent anti-inflammatory properties both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, some of its derivatives, such as luteolin-7-O-glucoside, also exhibit anti-inflammatory activity. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying luteolin-3′-O-phosphate (LTP)-mediated immune regulation are not fully understood. In this paper, we compared the anti-inflammatory properties of LT and LTP and analyzed their molecular mechanisms of action; we obtained LTP via the biorenovation of LT. We investigated the anti-inflammatory activities of LT and LTP in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. We confirmed from previously reported literature that LT inhibits the production of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2, as well as the expression of inducible NO synthetase and cyclooxygenase-2. In addition, expressions of inflammatory genes and mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β, were suppressed. LTP showed anti-inflammatory activity similar to LT, but better anti-inflammatory activity in all the experiments, while also inhibiting mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor-kappa B more effectively than LT. At a concentration of 10 μM, LTP showed differences of 2.1 to 44.5% in the activity compared to LT; it also showed higher anti-inflammatory activity. Our findings suggest that LTP has stronger anti-inflammatory activity than LT.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1343
Author(s):  
Balaji Venkataraman ◽  
Saeeda Almarzooqi ◽  
Vishnu Raj ◽  
Abdullah T. Alhassani ◽  
Ahmad S. Alhassani ◽  
...  

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic inflammatory disorders with increasing incidence and prevalence worldwide. Here, we investigated thymoquinone (TQ), a naturally occurring phytochemical present in Nigella sativa, for anti-inflammatory effects in colonic inflammation. To address this, we used in vivo (mice) and in vitro (HT-29 cells) models in this investigation. Our results showed that TQ treatment significantly reduced the disease activity index (DAI), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and protected colon microscopic architecture. In addition, TQ also reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and mediators at both the mRNA and protein levels. Further, TQ decreased phosphorylation of the activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) proteins and enhanced colon epithelial PPAR-γ transcription factor expression. TQ significantly decreased proinflammatory chemokines (CXCL-1 and IL-8), and mediator (COX-2) mRNA expression in HT-29 cells treated with TNF-α. TQ also increased HT-29 PPAR-γ mRNA, PPAR-γ protein expression, and PPAR-γ promoter activity. These results indicate that TQ inhibits MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways and transcriptionally regulates PPAR-γ expression to induce potent anti-inflammatory activity in vivo and in vitro models of colon inflammation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 56-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chan-Sik Kim ◽  
Kyuhyung Jo ◽  
Mi-Kyung Pyo ◽  
Jin Sook Kim ◽  
Junghyun Kim

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (14) ◽  
pp. 3574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hye-Sun Lim ◽  
Yu Jin Kim ◽  
Bu-Yeo Kim ◽  
Soo-Jin Jeong

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of bakuchiol on the inflammatory response and to identify the molecular mechanism of the inflammatory effects in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 mouse microglial cell line and mice model. The production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), TNF-α, and IL-6 was measured using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analysis. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation was determined by western blot analysis. In vitro experiments, bakuchiol significantly suppressed the production of PGE2 and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells, without causing cytotoxicity. In parallel, bakuchiol significantly inhibited the LPS-stimulated expression of iNOS, COX-2, and IL-6 in BV-2 cells. However, bakuchiol had no effect on the LPS-stimulated production and mRNA expression of TNF-α or on LPS-stimulated c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase phosphorylation. In contrast, p38 MAPK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation were inhibited by bakuchiol. In vivo experiments, Bakuchiol reduced microglial activation in the hippocampus and cortex tissue of LPS-injected mice. Bakuchiol significantly suppressed LPS-injected production of TNF-α and IL-6 in serum. These results indicate that the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of bakuchiol in activated microglia are mainly regulated by the inhibition of the p38 MAPK and ERK pathways. We suggest that bakuchiol may be beneficial for various neuroinflammatory diseases.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2620
Author(s):  
Mi-Jin Yim ◽  
Jeong Min Lee ◽  
Hyun-Soo Kim ◽  
Grace Choi ◽  
Young-Mog Kim ◽  
...  

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory condition of skin sebaceous follicles. To explore its effects on acne vulgaris, we investigated the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of Sargassum miyabei Yendo (a brown alga) ethanolic extract (SMYEE) on Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes)-stimulated inflammatory responses, both in vivo and in vitro. To induce inflammation in vivo, C. acnes was intradermally injected into the dorsal skin of mice, to which SMYEE was applied. The antimicrobial activity of SMYEE was evaluated by the determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). To explore in vitro anti-inflammatory effects, HaCaT cells were stimulated with C. acnes after treatment with SMYEE. The levels of IL-8 and the underlying molecular effects in C. acnes-stimulated HaCaT cells were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Mouse skin lesions improved after treatment with SMYEE (50 μg/mouse). Neutrophil infiltration was significantly reduced in SMYEE-treated compared to SMYEE-untreated skin lesions. SMYEE reversed the C. acnes-induced increase in IL-8 levels in HaCaT cells and suppressed dHL-60 cell migration. SMYEE also inhibited C. acnes-induced phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase and inhibited activator protein-1 signaling. SMYEE may be a useful treatment for C. acnes-induced acne vulgaris.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (04) ◽  
pp. 847-861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chia-Yang Li ◽  
Katsuhiko Suzuki ◽  
Yung-Li Hung ◽  
Meng-Syuan Yang ◽  
Chung-Ping Yu ◽  
...  

Aloe, a polyphenolic anthranoid-containing Aloe vera leaves, is a Chinese medicine and a popular dietary supplement worldwide. In in vivo situations, polyphenolic anthranoids are extensively broken down into glucuronides and sulfate metabolites by the gut and the liver. The anti-inflammatory potential of aloe metabolites has not been examined. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of aloe metabolites from in vitro (lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 macrophages) and ex vivo (LPS-activated peritoneal macrophages) to in vivo (LPS-induced septic mice). The production of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-[Formula: see text] and IL-12) and NO was determined by ELISA and Griess reagents, respectively. The expression levels of iNOS and MAPKs were analyzed by Western blot. Our results showed that aloe metabolites inhibited the expression of iNOS, decreased the production of TNF-[Formula: see text], IL-12, and NO, and suppressed the phosphorylation of MAPKs by LPS-activated RAW264.7 macrophages. In addition, aloe metabolites reduced the production of NO, TNF-[Formula: see text] and IL-12 by murine peritoneal macrophages. Furthermore, aloe administration significantly reduced the NO level and exhibited protective effects against sepsis-related death in LPS-induced septic mice. These results suggest that aloe metabolites exerted anti-inflammatory effects in vivo, and that these effects were associated with the inhibition of inflammatory mediators. Therefore, aloe could be considered an effective therapeutic agent for the treatment of sepsis.


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