Observations of Forsythia koreana methanol extract on mast cell-mediated allergic reactions in experimental models

Phillyrin reduces ROS production to alleviate the progression of intervertebral disc degeneration by inhibiting NF-κB pathway

BACKGROUND

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is an increasingly important cause of low back pain (LBP) that results in substantial health and economic burdens. Inflammatory pathway activation and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) play vital roles in the progression of IDD. Several studies have suggested that phillyrin has a protective role and inhibits inflammation and the production of ROS. However, the role of phillyrin in IDD has not been confirmed.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of phillyrin in IDD and its mechanisms.

STUDY DESIGN

To establish IDD models in vivo, ex-vivo, and in vitro to verify the function of phillyrin in IDD.

METHOD

The effects of phillyrin on extracellular matrix (ECM) degeneration, inflammation, and oxidation in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells were assessed using immunoblotting and immunofluorescence analysis. Additionally, the impact of phillyrin administration on acupuncture-mediated intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) in rats was evaluated using various techniques such as MRI, HE staining, S-O staining, and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

RESULT

Pretreatment with phillyrin significantly inhibited the IL-1β-mediated reduction in the degeneration of ECM and apoptosis by alleviating activation of the NF-κB inflammatory pathway and the generation of ROS. In addition, in vivo and ex-vivo experiments verified the protective effect of phillyrin against IDD.

CONCLUSION

Phillyrin can attenuate the progression of IDD by reducing ROS production and activating inflammatory pathways.

A comprehensive perspective of traditional Arabic or Islamic medicinal plants as an adjuvant therapy against COVID-19

COVID-19 is a pulmonary disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. More than 200 million individuals are infected by this globally. Pyrexia, coughing, shortness of breath, headaches, diarrhoea, sore throats, and body aches are among the typical symptoms of COVID-19. The virus enters into the host body by interacting with the ACE2 receptor. Despite many SARS-CoV-2 vaccines manufactured by distinct strategies but any evidence-based particular medication to combat COVID-19 is not available yet. However, further research is required to determine the safety and effectiveness profile of the present therapeutic approaches. In this study, we provide a summary of Traditional Arabic or Islamic medicinal (TAIM) plants' historical use and their present role as adjuvant therapy for COVID-19. Herein, six medicinal plants Aloe barbadensis Miller, Olea europaea, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Nigella sativa, Cassia angustifolia, and Ficus carica have been studied based upon their pharmacological activities against viral infections. These plants include phytochemicals that have antiviral, immunomodulatory, antiasthmatic, antipyretic, and antitussive properties. These bioactive substances could be employed to control symptoms and enhance the development of a possible COVID-19 medicinal synthesis. To determine whether or if these TAIMs may be used as adjuvant therapy and are appropriate, a detailed evaluation is advised.

A review on the relationship of mast cells and macrophages in breast cancer - Can herbs or natural products facilitate their anti-tumor effects?

Breast cancer is an inflammation-related cancer whose tumor microenvironment is largely infiltrated by inflammatory cells. These inflammatory cells including mast cells and macrophages have been elucidated to be vital participants in breast tumor proliferation, survival, invasion and migration. However, the functions of mast cells and macrophages in breast cancer are quite distinct based on recent data. Mast cells exhibit both anti-tumoral and pro-tumoral functions on breast cancer, while high number of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are strongly correlated with poor prognosis and higher risk of distant metastasis in breast cancer patients. Besides, many natural products/extracts have been reported to regulate mast cells and macrophages. In this review, the roles of mast cells and macrophages play in breast cancer are discussed and a summary of those natural products/herbs regulating the functions of mast cells or macrophages is also presented.

Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms of Koreanaside A, a Lignan Isolated from the Flower of Forsythia koreana, against LPS-Induced Macrophage Activation and DSS-Induced Colitis Mice: The Crucial Role of AP-1, NF-κB, and JAK/STAT Signaling

The current treatment options for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are unsatisfactory. Therefore, novel and safer therapies are needed. We previously reported that koreanaside A (KA) showed high radical scavenging activity and suppressed vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) expression in vascular smooth muscle cells. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in its anti-inflammatory effect have not been reported. KA inhibited pro-inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nitric oxide (NO), and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂). KA inhibited the production and mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induced by LPS. KA downregulated the myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88)-dependent inflammatory gene expressions in the MyD88-overexpressed cells. KA suppressed the LPS-induced transcriptional and DNA-binding activities of activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). KA was found to inhibit the phosphorylation of Janus kinase 1/2 (JAK1/2) and signal transducers and activators of transcription 1/3 (STAT1/3). In DSS-induced colitis mice, KA relieved the symptoms of colitis by suppressing inflammatory cell infiltration, restoring tight junction (TJ)- and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related protein expression, and inactivating AP-1, NF-κB, and STAT1/3. Therefore, KA reduced inflammatory responses by downregulating AP-1, NF-κB, and JAK/STAT signaling in LPS-induced macrophages and DSS-induced colitis mice.

Lignans From Forsythia x Intermedia Leaves and Flowers Attenuate the Pro-inflammatory Function of Leukocytes and Their Interaction With Endothelial Cells

Aim of the study: Taking into account that overactivated leukocytes are an important factor in the development of many chronic diseases, we investigated the activity of phytochemically characterized (HPLC-DAD-MSⁿ) extracts from forsythia leaves and flowers on the pro- and anti-inflammatory functions of leukocytes (effects on IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α, and TGFβ release) and their adherence to endothelial cells. Using bio-guided fractionation, we isolated the active compounds and determined their biological activity, and we included the positive control quercetin. Methods: The effect on IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-8, and TGF-α production by leukocytes was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The surface expression of adhesion molecules was analyzed with flow cytometry, and the neutrophil attachment to the endothelial cells was assessed fluorimetrically. The effects on p38MAPK, ERK1/2 and JNK phosphorylation were determined using western blots. Results: Leaf extracts had the effect of decreasing TNF-α production in neutrophils and monocyte/macrophage cells. The bio-guided fractionation led to the isolation of the following lignan aglycones: (+)-pinoresinol, (+)-epipinoresinol, (-)-matairesinol, (+)-phillygenin, and (-)-arctigenin. Only phillygenin was able to stimulate the anti-inflammatory function of macrophages by inducing TGF-β release and IL-10 receptor surface expression. Arctigenin, phillygenin, and a metabolite produced by the gut microbiota, enterolactone, decreased TNF-α and IL-1β production and neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells, probably by attenuating the p38 and ERK kinase pathways. Conclusion:Forsythia x intermedia is a valuable source of active lignans, which may be potential candidates for treating inflammatory diseases that are associated with the excessive production of cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β.

The Inhibitory Effects of Forsythia Koreana Extracts on the Metastatic Ability of Breast Cancer Cells and Bone Resorption by Osteoclasts

Background:

Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease in women. The patients with advanced breast cancer develop metastasis to bone. Bone metastasis and skeletal-related events by breast cancer are frequently associated with the invasiveness of breast cancer cells and osteoclasts-mediated bone resorption. Forsythia koreana is used in oriental traditional medicine to treat asthma, atopy, and allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effects of F. koreana extracts on the invasion of breast cancer cells and bone resorption by osteoclasts.

Methods:

Cell viability was measured by an MTT assay and the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells were detected by a Boyden chamber assay. The formation of osteoclasts and pit was detected using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and calcium phosphate-coated plates, respectively. The activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and cathepsin K were evaluated by gelatin zymography and a cathepsin K detection kit.

Results:

The fruit and leaf extracts of F. koreana significantly inhibited the invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells at noncytotoxic concentrations. The fruit extract of F. koreana reduced the transforming growth factor β1-induced migration, invasion and MMPs activities of MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, the fruit, branch, and leaf extracts of F. koreana also inhibited the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand-induced osteoclast formation and osteoclast-mediated bone-resorbing activity by reducing the activities of MMPs and cathepsin K.

Conclusions:

The extracts of F. koreana may possess the potential to inhibit the breast cancer-induced bone destruction through blocking invasion of breast cancer cells, osteoclastogenesis, and the activity of mature osteoclasts.

Cysteine induces longitudinal bone growth in mice by upregulating IGF-I

Cysteine (Cys) is known to exert various effects, such as antioxidant, antipancreatitic and antidiabetic effects. However, the effects of Cys on longitudinal bone growth have not been elucidate to date. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Cys on bone growth. Growth-plate thickness and bone parameters, such as bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular number (Tb.N), connectivity density (Conn.D) and total porosity were analyzed by means of micro-computed tomography (μCT). The levels of serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hepatic IGF-I mRNA expression was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The phosphorylation of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) was investigated by western blot analysis. Our results revealed that Cys increased IGF-I mRNA expression in HepG2 cells. The thickness of the growth plates was increased following treatment with Cys. Moreover, BV/TV, Tb.Th, TbN, Conn.D and total porosity were improved following treatment with Cys. Hepatic IGF-I mRNA expression and serum IGF-I levels were increased by Cys. The levels of phosphorylated JAK2 and STAT5 were elevated by Cys. The findings of our study indicate that Cys increases the thickness of growth plates through the upregulation of IGF-I, which results from the phosphorylation of JAK2-STAT5. Thus, our data suggest that Cys may have potential for use as a growth-promoting agent.

Taurine, a major amino acid of oyster, enhances linear bone growth in a mouse model of protein malnutrition

Oysters (Oys) contain various beneficial components, such as, antioxidants and amino acids. However, the effects of Oys or taurine (Tau), a major amino acid in Oys on bone growth have not been determined. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of Oys or Tau on linear bone growth in a mouse model of protein malnutrition. To make the protein malnutrition in a mouse, we used a low protein diet. Growth plate thickness was increased by Oys or Tau. Bone volume/tissue volume, trabecular thickness, trabecular number, connection density, and total porosity were also improved by Oys or Tau. Oys or Tau increased insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels in serum, liver, and tibia-growth plate. Phosphorylations of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) were increased by Oys and by Tau. These findings show that Oys or Tau may increase growth plate thickness by elevating IGF-1 levels and by promoting the phosphorylations of JAK2-STAT5, and suggest that Oys or Tau are growth-promoting substances of potential use in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Topical application of Taglisodog-eum inhibits the development of experimental atopic dermatitis

AIM OF STUDY

Taglisodog-eum (Tuo Li Xiao Du Yin), a standardized herbal formula, has been widely used to modulate diverse carbuncles in oriental medicine. However, it is still unclear whether Taglisodog-eum (TSE) can exert a beneficial role in dermatological disease. In this study, we examined the effect of topical application of TSE on experimental atopic dermatitis (AD) and elucidated its action mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To test the effect of TSE treatment on IgE production in vitro, U266B1 cells and primary CD19(+) B cells isolated from AD-induced mice were treated with TSE under LPS/IL-4 stimulation and then IgE level in the culture supernatant was measured by ELISA. To evaluate the effect of TSE treatment on the production of AD related pathogenic cytokines, CD4(+) T cells isolated from AD-induced mice were treated with TSE under PMA/ionomycin stimulation, then the level of cytokine expression was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA. The effects of TSE on the NFκB promoter activity in T cells and on the expression level of Aicda (activation-induced cytidine deaminase) in B cells were examined. To further examine the in vivo efficacy of TSE on AD progression, TSE was topically applied to ears of mice with atopic dermatitis induced by painting of DNCB and house dust mite extract. AD Progression was estimated by following criteria: (a) ear thickness, clinical score, (b) serum total IgE and mite specific IgE level by ELISA, (c) histological examination of ear tissue by H&E staining and (d) cytokine profile of total ear cells and draining lymph node CD4(+) T cells by quantitative real time PCR and ELISA.

RESULTS

Treatment of TSE to the U266B1 cell line and primary CD19(+) B cells isolated from AD-induced mice inhibited IgE production. Treatment of TSE down-regulated the expression of several cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, TNF-α and IFN-γ) in CD4(+) T cells isolated from AD-induced mice. Topical application of TSE on the ears of AD-induced mice decreased the severity and progression of disease by reducing ear thickness, clinical scores including dryness, edema. TSE treatment reduced the infiltration of lymphocytes to the inflamed site analyzed by histological evaluation. TSE treatment also decreased serum IgE level and expression of AD-associated pathogenic cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) in total ear cells and dLN CD4(+) T cells by inhibiting the translocation of NFκB into nucleus.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates that protective effect of Taglisodog-eum (TSE) in experimental atopic dermatitis is mediated by inhibiting IgE production and the levels of Th2 type cytokines, suggesting the beneficial effect of TSE on modulating atopic dermatitis.

Phillyrin attenuates high glucose-induced lipid accumulation in human HepG2 hepatocytes through the activation of LKB1/AMP-activated protein kinase-dependent signalling

Phillyrin, an active constituent found in many medicinal plants and certain functional foods, has anti-obesity activity in vivo. The aim of our study was to provide new data on the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the role of phillyrin in the prevention of high glucose-induced lipid accumulation in human HepG2 hepatocytes. We found that phillyrin suppressed high glucose-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. Phillyrin strongly inhibited high glucose-induced fatty acid synthase (FAS) expression by modulating sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) activation. Moreover, use of the pharmacological AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor compound C revealed that AMPK is essential for suppressing SREBP-1c expression in phillyrin-treated cells. Finally, we found that liver kinase B1 (LKB1) phosphorylation is required for the phillyrin-enhanced activation of AMPK in HepG2 hepatocytes. These results indicate that phillyrin prevents lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells by blocking the expression of SREBP-1c and FAS through LKB1/AMPK activation, suggesting that phillyrin is a novel AMPK activator with a role in the prevention and treatment of obesity.

Hepatoprotective effect of pinoresinol on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage in mice

Forsythiae Fructus is known to have diuretic, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study examined the hepatoprotective effects of pinoresinol, a lignan isolated from Forsythiae Fructus, against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver injury. Mice were treated intraperitoneally with vehicle or pinoresinol (25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) 30 min before and 2 h after CCl4 (20 microl/kg) injection. In the vehicle-treated CCl(4 )group, serum aminotransferase activities were significantly increased 24 h after CCl4 injection, and these increases were attenuated by pinoresinol at all doses. Hepatic glutathione contents were significantly decreased and lipid peroxidation was increased after CCl4 treatment. These changes were attenuated by 50 and 100 mg/kg of pinoresinol. The levels of protein and mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2, were significantly increased after CCl4 injection; and these increases were attenuated by pinoresinol. Nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and phosphorylation of c-Jun, one of the components of activating protein 1 (AP-1), were inhibited by pinoresinol. Our results suggest that pinoresinol ameliorates CCl4)-induced acute liver injury, and this protection is likely due to anti-oxidative activity and down-regulation of inflammatory mediators through inhibition of NF-kappaB and AP-1.

Pinoresinol from the fruits of Forsythia koreana inhibits inflammatory responses in LPS-activated microglia

The activation of microglia plays an important role in a variety of brain disorders by the excessive production of inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and proinflammatory cytokines. We investigated here whether pinoresinol isolated from the fruits of Forsythia koreana Nakai inhibits the inflammatory responses in LPS-activated microglia. Pinoresinol inhibited the production of NO, PGE(2), TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 in LPS-activated primary microglia. Also, pinoresinol attenuated mRNA and protein levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and proinflammatory cytokines in LPS-activation. However, most of these inhibitory effects of pinoresinol have been mediated by extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation and the NF-kappaB dependent. The results suggest that pinoresinol attenuates inflammatory responses of microglia and could be potentially useful in modulation of inflammatory status in brain disorders.

Anti-inflammatory activity of phylligenin, a lignan from the fruits of Forsythia koreana, and its cellular mechanism of action

AIM OF THE STUDY

The fruits of Forsythia koreana have long been used in Chinese medicine to treat inflammatory disorders. However, the pharmacological data is not sufficient to clearly establish a scientific rationale for the anti-inflammatory medicinal use of this plant material, and the search for its active principles has been limited so far.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Phylligenin (lignan) was isolated from the fruits of Forsythia koreana and its anti-inflammatory activity was examined.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Phylligenin (1-100 microM) and the methanol extract of Forsythia koreana fruits inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-mediated prostaglandin E(2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-mediated nitric oxide (NO) synthesis from lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 cells. In the mechanism study, phylligenin inhibited iNOS expression and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation but had no effect on COX-2 expression. Moreover, phylligenin significantly inhibited mouse carrageenan-induced paw edema by intraperitoneal administration (22.1-34.7% inhibition at 12.5-100 mg/kg). These pharmacological properties indicate that phylligenin possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo, and may provide the scientific rationale for anti-inflammatory use of the fruits of Forsythia koreana.