Curcumin as a therapeutic agent for blocking NF-κB activation in ulcerative colitis

An integrated metabolism in vivo analysis and network pharmacology in UC rats reveal anti-ulcerative colitis effects from Sophora flavescens EtOAc extract

Ulcerative colitis (UC), an immune system disease, is characterized by long duration and easy relapse. Sophora flavescens (S. flavescens), also named "Kushen", is a traditional Chinese medicine, widely used to treat UC in clinics. Alkaloids and flavonoids are the main constituents of S. flavescens. Previous studies indicated that the effects of S. flavescens against UC mainly attribute to its alkaloids. In view of the clinical applications of its flavonoids and our preliminary experiments on the effects of S. flavescens treatment, we speculated that flavonoids also could exert an anti-UC effect, but its efficacy and mechanism are still not yet to be revealed. Herein, we examined the pharmacodynamic effects of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of S. flavescens EtOAc (SFE) against dextran sodium sulfate-induced UC rats for the first time. Pharmacodynamic effects indicated that SFE could significantly alleviate the loss in the body weight and shortening of the colon length, reduce colon bleeding and improve colon tissue damage of UC rats. A total of 28 prototypes and 41 metabolites were unambiguously or tentatively detected in rat's plasma and urine. Among them, 28 prototypes and 3 phase I metabolites shared 40 UC targets, the targets contributed to 51 metabolic pathways in 5 modules. Additionally, genistein, formononetin, isokurarinone, kurarinone, maackiain, kushenol N, trifolirnizin, kuraridin and norkurarinone were suggested to be potential active compounds in SFE for treating UC by comprehensively investigating the results of network pharmacology analysis, metabolic analysis in vivo, and previous researches. Finally, a combination of metabolic analysis in vivo with network pharmacology can elucidate the material basis and pharmacodynamic effect of traditional Chinese medicines, and lay the foundation for further clarify the anti-UC mechanism of SFE.

Targeting NF-κB pathway for treating ulcerative colitis: comprehensive regulatory characteristics of Chinese medicines

Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) is a kind of multi-functional nuclear transcription factor involved in regulating gene transcription to influence pathological evolution of inflammatory and immune diseases. Numerous literature evidence that NF-κB pathway plays an essential role in pathogenic development of ulcerative colitis (UC). UC is a chronic non-specific inflammatory bowel disease, and until now, therapeutic agents for UC including aminosalicylates, corticosteroids and immune inhibitors still cannot exert satisfied effects on patients. In recent years, Chinese medicines suggest the advantages of alleviating symptoms and signs, decreasing side-effects and recurrence, whose one of mechanisms is related to regulation of NF-κB pathway. In this review, we categorize Chinese medicines according to their traditional therapeutic functions, and summarize the characteristics of Chinese medicines targeting NF-κB pathway in UC treatment. It indicates that 85 kinds of Chinese medicines’ compounds and formulae can directly act on NF-κBp65; while 58 Chinese medicines’ ingredients and formulae indirectly suppress NF-κBp65 by regulation of its upstream or other related pathways. Moreover, by the analysis of Chinese medicines’ category based on their traditional functions, we conclude the category of dampness-drying and detoxificating medicine targeting NF-κB pathway accounts for primary status for amelioration of UC. Simultaneously, this review also contributes to the choices of Chinese medicine category and provides curative potential of Chinese medicines for clinical UC treatment.

Targeting NLRP3 Inflammasome in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Putting out the Fire of Inflammation

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of inflammatory conditions of the colon and small intestine, comprised of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Among the complicated pathogenic factors of IBD, the overaction of inflammatory and immune reaction serves as an important factor. Inflammasome is a form of innate immunity as well as inflammation. Among all kinds of inflammasomes, the NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is the most studied one, and has been revealed to be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of IBD. Here, in this review, the association between the NLRP3 inflammasome and IBD will be discussed. Furthermore, several NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors which have been demonstrated to be effective in the alleviation of IBD will be described in this review.

Re: A Meta-Analysis of the Clinical Use of Curcumin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

We read with interest the article by Ng et al [...].

Role of NLRP3 inflammasome in inflammatory bowel diseases

Inflammasomes are multiprotein intracellular complexes which are responsible for the activation of inflammatory responses. Among various subtypes of inflammasomes, NLRP3 has been a subject of intensive investigation. NLRP3 is considered to be a sensor of microbial and other danger signals and plays a crucial role in mucosal immune responses, promoting the maturation of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and IL-18. NLRP3 inflammasome has been associated with a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The role of NLRP3 in IBD is not yet fully elucidated as it seems to demonstrate both pathogenic and protective effects. Studies have shown a relationship between genetic variants and mutations in NLRP3 gene with IBD pathogenesis. A complex interaction between the NLRP3 inflammasome and the mucosal immune response has been reported. Activation of the inflammasome is a key function mediated by the innate immune response and in parallel the signaling through IL-1β and IL-18 is implicated in adaptive immunity. Further research is needed to delineate the precise mechanisms of NLRP3 function in regulating immune responses. Targeting NLRP3 inflammasome and its downstream signaling will provide new insights into the development of future therapeutic strategies.

Chlorogenic Acid Attenuates Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice through MAPK/ERK/JNK Pathway

Objective

Observe the protective effect of chlorogenic acid on dextran sulfate-induced ulcerative colitis in mice and explore the regulation of MAPK/ERK/JNK signaling pathway.

Methods

Seventy C57BL/6 mice (half males and half females) were randomly divided into 7 groups, 10 in each group: control group (CON group), UC model group (UC group), and sulfasalazine-positive control group (SASP group), chlorogenic acid low dose group (CGA-L group), chlorogenic acid medium dose group (CGA-M group), chlorogenic acid high dose group (CGA-H group), and ERK inhibitor + chlorogenic acid group (E+CGA group). The effects of chlorogenic acid on UC were evaluated by colon mucosa damage index (CMDI), HE staining, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and Western blot. The relationship between chlorogenic acid and MAPK/ERK/JNK signaling pathway was explored by adding ERK inhibitor.

Results

The UC models were established successfully by drinking DSS water. Chlorogenic acid reduces DSS-induced colonic mucosal damage, inhibits DSS-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in colon, and reduces ERK1/2, p -ERK, p38, p-p38, JNK, and p-JNK protein expression. ERK inhibitor U0126 reversed the protective effect of chlorogenic acid on colon tissue.

Conclusion

Chlorogenic acid can alleviate DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice, which can significantly reduce tissue inflammation and apoptosis, and its mechanism is related to the MAPK/ERK/JNK signaling pathway.

Progress in active compounds effective on ulcerative colitis from Chinese medicines

Ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the colon, has a rising incidence worldwide. The known pathogenesis is multifactorial and involves genetic predisposition, epithelial barrier defects, dysregulated immune responses, and environmental factors. Nowadays, the drugs for UC include 5-aminosalicylic acid, steroids, and immunosuppressants. Long-term use of these drugs, however, may cause several side effects, such as hepatic and renal toxicity, drug resistance and allergic reactions. Moreover, the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of UC shows significantly positive effects, low recurrence rate, few side effects and other obvious advantages. This paper summarizes several kinds of active compounds used in the experimental research of anti-UC effects extracted from TCM, mainly including flavonoids, acids, terpenoids, phenols, alkaloids, quinones, and bile acids from some animal medicines. It is found that the anti-UC activities are mainly focused on targeting inflammation or oxidative stress, which is associated with increasing the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-4, IL-10, SOD), suppressing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-23, NF-κB, NO), reducing the activity of MPO, MDA, IFN-γ, and iNOS. This review may offer valuable reference for UC-related studies on the compounds from natural medicines.