Inhibitory effects of coumarin and acetylene constituents from the roots of Angelica furcijuga on d-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury in mice and on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages

Pharmacological and phytochemical insights on the pancreatic β-cell modulation by Angelica L. roots

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Angelica roots are a significant source of traditional medicines for various cultures around the northern hemisphere, from indigenous communities in North America to Japan. Among its many applications, the roots are used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus; however, this application is not mentioned often. Ethnopharmacological studies have reported the use of A. japonica var. hirsutiflora, A. furcijuga, A. shikokiana, and A. keiskei to treat diabetes symptoms, and further reports have demonstrated the three angelica roots, i.e., A. japonica var. hirsutiflora, A. reflexa, and A. dahurica, exhibit insulin secretagogue activity.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to phytochemically characterize and compare angelica roots monographed in the European Pharmacopeia 11th, isolate major plant metabolites, and assess extracts and isolates' capability to modulate pancreatic β-cell function.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Root extracts of Angelica archangelica, Angelica dahurica, Angelica biserrata, and Angelica sinensis were phytochemically profiled using liquid chromatography method coupled with mass spectrometry. Based on this analysis, simple and furanocoumarins were isolated using chromatography techniques. Extracts (1.6-50 μg/mL) and isolated compounds (5-40 μmol/L) were studied for their ability to modulate insulin secretion in the rat insulinoma INS-1 pancreatic β-cell model. Insulin was quantified by the homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence method.

RESULTS

Forty-one secondary metabolites, mostly coumarins, were identified in angelica root extracts. A. archangelica, A. dahurica, and A. biserrata root extracts at concentration of 12.5-50 μg/mL potentiated glucose-induced insulin secretion, which correlated with their high coumarin content. Subsequently, 23 coumarins were isolated from these roots and screened using the same protocol. Coumarins substituted with the isoprenyl group were found to be responsible for the extracts' insulinotropic effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Insulinotropic effects of three pharmacopeial angelica roots were found, the metabolite profiles and pharmacological activities of the roots were correlated, and key structures responsible for the modulation of pancreatic β-cell function were identified. These findings may have implications for the traditional use of angelica roots in treating diabetes. Active plant metabolites may also become lead structures in the search for new antidiabetic treatments.

Phytochemicals with Chemopreventive Activity Obtained from the Thai Medicinal Plant Mammea siamensis (Miq.) T. Anders.: Isolation and Structure Determination of New Prenylcoumarins with Inhibitory Activity against Aromatase

With the aim of searching for phytochemicals with aromatase inhibitory activity, five new prenylcoumarins, mammeasins K (1), L (2), M (3), N (4), and O (5), were isolated from the methanolic extract of Mammea siamensis (Miq.) T. Anders. flowers (fam. Calophyllaceae), originating in Thailand. The stereostructures of 1–5 were elucidated based on their spectroscopic properties. Among the new compounds, 1 (IC₅₀ = 7.6 µM) and 5 (9.1 µM) possessed relatively strong inhibitory activity against aromatase, which is a target of drugs already used in clinical practice for the treatment and prevention of estrogen-dependent breast cancer. The analysis through Lineweaver–Burk plots showed that they competitively inhibit aromatase (1, Ki = 3.4 µM and 5, 2.3 µM). Additionally, the most potent coumarin constituent, mammea B/AB cyclo D (31, Ki = 0.84 µM), had a competitive inhibitory activity equivalent to that of aminoglutethimide (0.84 µM), an aromatase inhibitor used in therapeutics.

A REVIEW ON ANOMALIN: A NATURAL BIOACTIVE PYRANOCOUMARIN FROM THE PAST TO THE FUTURE

Anomalin is a seselin-type pyranocoumarin isolated for the first time from Angelica anomala Avé-Lal, but is also found in several other plant species, especially in Apiaceae. This lipophilic molecule possesses pharmacologically beneficial activities for human health. The major scientific databases Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed up to the end of 2021 and the combining terms anomalin, praeruptorin, isolation, structure elucidation, and biological activity were used in the research of this review. This review focuses on the sources, structural properties, and biological functions of anomalin and provides future trends in the investigation of anomalin, particularly in therapies for many common diseases such as anti-inflammatory and neurodegenerative illnesses. As a potential bioactive molecule, prospective studies on anomalin should be done through supported clinical trials. At the end, this review confirms the significant pharmacological potential of anomalin.

Bioactive C17 and C18 Acetylenic Oxylipins from Terrestrial Plants as Potential Lead Compounds for Anticancer Drug Development

Bioactive C₁₇ and C₁₈ acetylenic oxylipins have shown to contribute to the cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and potential anticancer properties of terrestrial plants. These acetylenic oxylipins are widely distributed in plants belonging to the families Apiaceae, Araliaceae, and Asteraceae, and have shown to induce cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis of cancer cells in vitro and to exert a chemopreventive effect on cancer development in vivo. The triple bond functionality of these oxylipins transform them into highly alkylating compounds being reactive to proteins and other biomolecules. This enables them to induce the formation of anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective phase 2 enzymes via activation of the Keap1–Nrf2 signaling pathway, inhibition of proinflammatory peptides and proteins, and/or induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress, which, to some extent, may explain their chemopreventive effects. In addition, these acetylenic oxylipins have shown to act as ligands for the nuclear receptor PPARγ, which play a central role in growth, differentiation, and apoptosis of cancer cells. Bioactive C₁₇ and C₁₈ acetylenic oxylipins appear, therefore, to constitute a group of promising lead compounds for the development of anticancer drugs. In this review, the cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of C₁₇ and C₁₈ acetylenic oxylipins from terrestrial plants are presented and their possible mechanisms of action and structural requirements for optimal cytotoxicity are discussed.

Coumarins as Modulators of the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE Signaling Pathway

The Keap1/Nrf2/ARE system is a central defensive mechanism against oxidative stress which plays a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of many diseases. Nrf2 is a redox-sensitive transcription factor controlling a variety of downstream antioxidant and cytodefensive genes. Nrf2 has a powerful anti-inflammatory activity mediated via modulating NF-κB. Therefore, pharmacological activation of Nrf2 is a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment/prevention of several diseases that are underlined by both oxidative stress and inflammation. Coumarins are natural products with promising pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory efficacies. Coumarins are found in many plants, fungi, and bacteria and have been widely used as complementary and alternative medicines. Some coumarins have shown an ability to activate Nrf2 signaling in different cells and animal models. The present review compiles the research findings of seventeen coumarin derivatives of plant origin (imperatorin, visnagin, urolithin B, urolithin A, scopoletin, esculin, esculetin, umbelliferone, fraxetin, fraxin, daphnetin, anomalin, wedelolactone, glycycoumarin, osthole, hydrangenol, and isoimperatorin) as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents, emphasizing the role of Nrf2 activation in their pharmacological activities. Additionally, molecular docking simulations were utilized to investigate the potential binding mode of these coumarins with Keap1 as a strategy to disrupt Keap1/Nrf2 protein-protein interaction and activate Nrf2 signaling.

4-hydroxybenzo[d]oxazol-2(3H)-one ameliorates LPS/D-GalN-induced acute liver injury by inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways in mice

The purpose of this study was to synthesize 4-hydroxybenzo[d]oxazol-2(3H)-one (HBO) and to investigate its protective effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced acute liver injury. HBO (C₇H₅O₃N) was synthesized based on 2-nitro-resorcinol and identified by physicochemical analysis. In the animal experiment, mice were pretreated with HBO (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) for 10 days. At the end of pretreatment, the animals were injected with LPS (10 µg/kg)/D-GalN (700 mg/kg). The results showed that HBO significantly alleviated liver injury induced by LPS/D-GalN in mice. It remarkably decreased inflammatory response by reducing the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Moreover, HBO notably attenuated hepatocyte apoptosis by inhibiting the release of Cytochrome C (Cyt C) from mitochondria into the cytoplasm and regulating the expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family. Furthermore, the result showed that HBO inhibited the expressions of nuclear factor kappa-B p50 (NF-κBp50), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), as well as the phosphorylation of inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B (IκB), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase-α/β (IKK-α/β), nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (NF-κBp65), suggesting that HBO had a certain influence on the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. In addition, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was also affected by HBO, as evidenced by the decrease in the phosphorylation levels of extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38). In conclusion, our study suggested that HBO could protect against LPS/D-GalN-induced liver injury, moreover, treatment with HBO appeared to be capable of further regulating the TLR4/NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.

A Review of Biologically Active Natural Products from a Desert Plant Cistanche tubulosa

An Orobanchaceae plant Cistanche tubulosa (SCHENK) WIGHT (Kanka-nikujuyou in Japanese), which is one of the authorized plant resources as Cistanches Herba in both Japanese and Chinese Pharmacopoeias, is a perennial parasitic plant growing on roots of sand-fixing plants. The stems of C. tubulosa have traditionally been used for treatment of impotence, sterility, lumbago, and body weakness as well as a promoting agent of blood circulation. In recent years, Cistanches Herba has also been widely used as a health food supplement in Japan, China, and Southeast Asian countries. Here we review our recent studies on chemical constituents from the stems of C. tubulosa as well as their bioactivities such as vasorelaxtant, hepatoprotective, and glucose tolerance improving effects.

Profiling Auspicious Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activity of Two Herbal Molecules: Hyperforin and Hyuganin C

Cholinergic therapy based on cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitory drugs is the mainstay for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, an extensive research has been continuing for the discovery of drug candidates as inhibitors of acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase. In this study, two natural molecules, e. g. hyperforin and hyuganin C were tested in vitro for their AChE and BChE inhibitory activity. Both of the compounds were ineffective against AChE, whereas hyperforin (IC₅₀ =141.60±3.39 μm) and hyuganin C (IC₅₀ =38.86±1.69 μm) were found to be the highly active inhibitors of BChE as compared to galantamine (IC₅₀ =46.58±0.91 μm) which was used as the reference. Then, these molecules were further proceeded to molecular docking experiments in order to establish their interactions at the active site of BChE. The molecular docking results indicated that both of them are able to block the access to key residues in the catalytic triad of the enzyme, while they complement some of the hydrophobic residues of the cavity, what is consistent with our in vitro data. While both compounds were predicted as mutagenic, only hyuganin C showed hepatotoxicity in in silico analysis. According to whole outcomes that we obtained, particularly hyuganin C besides hyperforin are the promising BChE inhibitors, which can be the promising compounds for AD therapy.

Pharmacological and Nutritional Effects of Natural Coumarins and Their Structure-Activity Relationships

Coumarins are fused benzene and pyrone ring systems with a wide spectrum of bioactivities, including antitumor, anti-inflammation, antiviral, and antibacterial effects. In this paper, the current development of coumarin-based drugs is introduced, and their structure-activity relationship is discussed by reviewing the relevant literature published in the past 20 years. Coumarin molecules can be customized by the target site to prevent systemic side effects by virtue of structural modification. The ortho-phenolic hydroxyl on the benzene ring has remarkable antioxidant and antitumor activities. Coumarins with aryl groups at the C-4 position have good activities in anti-HIV, antitumor, anti-inflammation, and analgesia. C-3 phenylcoumarins have strong anti-HIV and antioxidant effects. Tetracycline pyranocoumarins can significantly inhibit HIV; osthol structural analogues have antimicrobial activity. Praeruptorin C and its derivatives play an important role in lowering blood pressure and dilating coronary arteries, and khellactone derivatives have significant inhibitory effects on AIDS, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. It is concluded that the specific site on the core structure of coumarin exhibits one or more activities due to the electronic or steric effects of the substituents. This review is intended to be conducive to rational design and development of more active and less toxic agents with a coumarin scaffold.

Peucedanum japonicum extract attenuates allergic airway inflammation by inhibiting Th2 cell activation and production of pro-inflammatory mediators

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The root of Peucedanum japonicum Thunberg is traditionally used to treat coughs, colds, headache and inflammatory diseases in Korea and Japan. Its effects on allergic lung inflammation have not been investigated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the anti-asthmatic effects of Peucedanum japonicum extract (PJE) using a murine model of asthma and a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage cell line.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice underwent two rounds of sensitization with ovalbumin 1 week apart followed by four intranasal ovalbumin challenges on days 13-16. The control group received saline only. Two ovalbumin-sensitized groups were orally administered vehicle or PJE (200mg/kg) 5 days a week starting 1 week before the first ovalbumin sensitization. The third group was orally administered the asthma medication Montelukast (10mg/kg) on days 12-16. All animals were sacrificed on day 17. The lungs were assessed for histological features, inflammatory cell infiltration, Th2 cell activation and GATA-binding protein-3 (GATA-3) expression. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was assessed for type 2 cytokine levels. The effect of PJE on the in vitro Th2 polarization of naïve CD4⁺ splenocytes and the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines by LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells was evaluated.

RESULTS

PJE treatment inhibited OVA-induced inflammatory cell infiltration, eosinophilia, Th2 activation, and GATA-3 expression in the lung, reduced the interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13 levels in BALF, down-regulated Th2 activation in vitro, and inhibited the macrophage production of inducible nitric oxide, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6.

CONCLUSION

PJE attenuated allergic airway inflammation by inhibiting Th2 cell activation and macrophage production of inflammatory mediators. Peucedanum japonicum may be candidate therapy for allergic lung inflammation.

Pteryxin - A promising butyrylcholinesterase-inhibiting coumarin derivative from Mutellina purpurea

Pteryxin is a dihydropyranocoumarin derivative found in Apiaceae family. In this study, pteryxin, which was previously isolated from the fruits of Mutellina purpurea, was investigated for its inhibitory potential against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), which are the key enzymes in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The compound was tested in vitro using ELISA microplate reader at 100 μg/ml and found to cause 9.30 ± 1.86% and 91.62 ± 1.53% inhibition against AChE and BChE, respectively. According to our results, pteryxin (IC₅₀ = 12.96 ± 0.70 μg/ml) was found to be a more active inhibitor of BChE than galanthamine (IC₅₀ = 22.16 ± 0.91 μg/ml; 81.93± 2.52% of inhibition at 100 μg/ml). Further study on pteryxin using molecular docking experiments revealed different possible binding modes with both polar and hydrophobic interactions inside the binding pocket of BChE. Top docking solution points out to the formation of two hydrogen bonds with the catalytic residues S198 and H438 of BChE as well as a strong π - π stacking with W231. Therefore, pteryxin as a natural coumarin seems to be a strong BChE inhibitor, which could be considered as a lead compound to develop novel BChE inhibitors for AD treatment.

Quantitative Determination of Stilbenoids and Dihydroisocoumarins in Shorea roxburghii and Evaluation of Their Hepatoprotective Activity

A simultaneous quantitative analytical method for 13 stilbenoids including (-)-hopeaphenol (1), (+)-isohopeaphenol (2), hemsleyanol D (3), (-)-ampelopsin H (4), vaticanols A (5), E (6), and G (7), (+)-α-viniferin (8), pauciflorol A (9), hopeafuran (10), (-)-balanocarpol (11), (-)-ampelopsin A (12), and trans-resveratrol 10-C-β-d-glucopyranoside (13), and two dihydroisocoumarins, phayomphenols A₁ (14) and A₂ (15) in the extract of Shorea roxburghii (dipterocarpaceae) was developed. According to the established protocol, distributions of these 15 polyphenols (1-15) in the bark and wood parts of S. roxburghii and a related plant Cotylelobium melanoxylon were evaluated. In addition, the principal polyphenols (1, 2, 8, 13-15) exhibited hepatoprotective effects against d-galactosamine (d-galN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury in mice at a dose of 100 or 200 mg/kg, p.o. To characterize the mechanisms of action, the isolates were examined in in vitro studies assessing their effects on (i) d-GalN-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes; (ii) LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse peritoneal macrophages; and (iii) tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced cytotoxicity in L929 cells. The mechanisms of action of these polyphenols (1, 2, and 8) were suggested to be dependent on the inhibition of LPS-induced macrophage activation and reduction of sensitivity of hepatocytes to TNF-α. However, none of the isolates reduced the cytotoxicity caused by d-GalN.

Hepatoprotective Limonoids from Andiroba (Carapa guianensis)

Three gedunin-type limonoids, gedunin (1), 6α-acetoxygedunin (2), and 7-deacetoxy-7-oxogedunin (3), which were isolated from the seed and flower oils of andiroba (Carapa guianensis Aublet, Meliaceae), exhibited hepatoprotective effects at doses of 25 mg/kg, p.o. against d-galactosamine (d-GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury in mice. To characterize the mechanisms of action of 1-3 and clarify the structural requirements for their hepatoprotective effects, 17 related limonoids (1-17) isolated from the seed and/or flower oils of C. guianensis were examined in in vitro studies assessing their effects on (i) d-GalN-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes, (ii) LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse peritoneal macrophages, and (iii) tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced cytotoxicity in L929 cells. The mechanisms of action of 1-3 are likely to involve the inhibition of LPS-induced macrophage activation and reduced sensitivity of hepatocytes to TNF-α; however, these compounds did not decrease the cytotoxicity caused by d-GalN. In addition, the structural requirements of limonoids (1-17) for inhibition of LPS-induced NO production in mouse peritoneal macrophages and TNF-α-induced cytotoxicity in L929 cells were evaluated.

Qualitative analysis and enantiospecific determination of angular-type pyranocoumarins in Peucedani Radix using achiral and chiral liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

Angular-type pyranocoumarins (APs), the derivatives of khellactone, are widely documented as the main active constituents in Peucedani Radix (Chinese name: Qian-hu). Owing to the natural occurrence of chiral centers, enantiomers of APs are extensively distributed in the original plant, and enantioselective performances have been definitely demonstrated for these enantiomers. In current study, the chemical characterization of the major and minor APs in Peucedani Radix was performed using ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and hybrid ion trap-orbitrap mass spectrometry. On the other hand, a heart-cut two-dimensional achiral-chiral liquid chromatography combining triple quadropole-linear ion trap mass spectrometry system (2D LC-MS/MS) was developed for simultaneous enantiospecific quantification of eighteen coumarins, including seven pairs of enantiomers. Eleven APs (1-11) were recruited to propose UV absorption characteristics and electrospray ionization fragmentation patterns of APs. A total of 42 components were categorized into APs based on their UV spectral properties and identified according to the proposed mass fragmentation pathways, while two linear-type furanocoumarins (12-13) were unambiguously assigned by further purification. A Capcell core RP-C18 column was employed in the primary LC dimension to achieve efficient racemic separation for the main chemical constituents (1-9 and 12-13) in Peucedani Radix, while a Chiralpak AD-RH column was utilized in the secondary dimension to contribute enantioselective separation for seven enantiomerically enriched components (1, 3 and 5-9). Collectively, the results provided the chemical evidences for revealing the material basis of the therapeutic effects of Peucedani Radix, and the developed 2D LC-MS/MS system in the present study is expected to be an ideal tool for the quality control of Peucedani Radix as well as a reliable technique for complex matrices containing both achiral and chiral components.

Mechanism underlying anti-hyperalgesic and anti-allodynic properties of anomalin in both acute and chronic inflammatory pain models in mice through inhibition of NF-κB, MAPKs and CREB signaling cascades

The numerous mediators of pain and inflammation are products of injury-induced gene expression that lead to changes in the nervous system and immune responses. These multiple molecules and mechanisms suggest novel strategies that could be used for analgesic drug development. The present study investigated the possible anti-hyperalgesic effects of anomalin in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced acute and chronic inflammatory pain models. Acute pretreatment of mice with anomalin (10 and 50mg/kg, i.p.) produced a significant anti-nociceptive effect against CFA- and carrageenan-induced mechanical hyperalgesia and allodynia. In a chronic pain model, administration of anomalin inhibited CFA-induced hyperalgesia, and it did not cause any apparent toxicity. Another set of experiments observed that anomalin inhibited CFA- and carrageenan-induced paw edema in acute and chronic models. To elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-nociceptive effect of anomalin, the various pain signaling pathways [NF-κB, cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPKs)/AP-1] that are involved were examined. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) pretreatment of anomalin exhibited potent inhibitory effects on direct mediators of hyperalgesia (iNOS and COX-2). The release of CFA-induced plasma nitrite and paw tissue hyperalgesic cytokine (TNF-α) was reduced remarkably. In addition, the adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) in plasma and substance P (SP) in paw tissue were markedly suppressed by anomalin. These results demonstrate that anomalin exhibits an analgesic effect in a consistent manner and that its mechanisms involve the inhibition of the NF-κB, CREB, and MAPKs/AP-1 signaling pathways.

Impact of organic and conventional carrots on intestinal and peripheral immunity

BACKGROUND

Studies on health effects of organic (ORG) products are still limited and often contradictory. We have investigated the impact of ORG and conventional (CV) carrots from two consecutive harvest years on mouse peripheral and intestinal immunity.

RESULTS

Danish carrots (Bolero variety) were grown in three ORG (O1, O2 and O3) and one CV cropping system (D-CV). Italian carrots (Maestro and Excelso varieties) were grown in one ORG and one CV field for each variety. Immune phenotypes of blood, spleen and intestinal lymphocytes, and cytokine serum levels were analyzed in mice fed the different carrots for 30 days. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed in mice fed the Danish carrots. The consumption of the 'more organic' O2 and O3 carrots induced some changes in lymphocyte populations, including an increase in regulatory T cells. In Italian carrots more differences between ORG and CV were observed in the first as compared to the second year. No relevant differences were observed in cytokine secretion. PCA showed a clear separation among mice fed the O1, O2, O3 and D-CV carrots.

CONCLUSIONS

Although a great variability was observed between the two years, an immune stimulation was found after the ORG carrot consumption.

Protective effect of the methanol extract from Cryptotaenia japonica Hassk. against lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in vitro and in vivo

Background

In folk medicine, the aerial part of Crytotaenia japonica Hassk. (CJ), is applied for treatment of the common cold, cough, urinary problems, pneumonia, and skin rashes. In this paper, the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of CJ methanol extract was tested using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory models.

Methods

We measured nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and inflammatory cytokine levels from LPS-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. Also, several cellular signaling molecules which regulate the expressions of these inflammatory markers were examined. Finally, we tested whether oral administration of CJ methanol extract might affect the serum cytokine levels in LPS-injected mice.

Results

CJ methanol extract reduced NO release via iNOS protein inhibition. The extract was also shown to decrease the secretions of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-12. Analysis of signaling molecules showed that CJ inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT1, p38, JNK and ERK1/2 as well as IκBα degradation. Finally, CJ decreased the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in LPS-injected mice.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated the anti-inflammatory activity of CJ methanol extract and its possible underlying mechanisms that involve modulation of IκBα, MAPK, and STAT1 activities.

Systems Biology in a Commercial Quality Study of the Japanese Angelica Radix: Toward an Understanding of Traditional Medicinal Plants

The commercial quality of Japanese Angelica radices — Angelica acutiloba Kitagawa (Yamato-toki) and A. acutiloba Kitagawa var. sugiyama Hikino (Hokkai-toki) — used in Kampo traditional herbal medicines, was studied by use of omics technologies. Complementary and alternative medical providers have observed in their clinical experience that differences in radix commercial quality reflect the differences in pharmacological responses; however, there has been little scientific examination of this phenomenon. The approach of omics, including metabolomics, transcriptomics, genomics, and informatics revealed a distinction between the radix-quality grades based on their metabolites, gene expression in human subjects, and plant genome sequences. Systems biology, constructing a network of omics data used to analyze this complex system, is expected to be a powerful tool for enhancing the study of radix quality and furthering a comprehensive understanding of all medicinal plants.

Medicinal halophytes: potent source of health promoting biomolecules with medical, nutraceutical and food applications

Salt-tolerant plants grow in a wide variety of saline habitats, from coastal regions, salt marshes and mudflats to inland deserts, salt flats and steppes. Halophytes living in these extreme environments have to deal with frequent changes in salinity level. This can be done by developing adaptive responses including the synthesis of several bioactive molecules. Consequently, several salt marsh plants have traditionally been used for medical, nutritional, and even artisanal purposes. Currently, an increasing interest is granted to these species because of their high content in bioactive compounds (primary and secondary metabolites) such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, vitamins, sterols, essential oils (terpenes), polysaccharides, glycosides, and phenolic compounds. These bioactive substances display potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumoral activities, and therefore represent key-compounds in preventing various diseases (e.g. cancer, chronic inflammation, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disorder) and ageing processes. The ongoing research will lead to the utilisation of halophytes as a new source of healthy products as functional foods, nutraceuticals or active principles in several industries. This contribution focuses on the ethnopharmacological uses of halophytes in traditional medicine and reviews recent investigations on their biological activities and nutraceuticals. The work is distributed according to the different families of nutraceuticals (lipids, vitamins, proteins, glycosides, phenolic compounds, etc.) discussing the analytical techniques employed for their determination. Information about the claimed health promoting effects of the different families of nutraceuticals is also provided together with data on their application.

Suppression of LPS-induced inflammatory and NF-κB responses by anomalin in RAW 264.7 macrophages

The treatment of inflammatory diseases today is largely based on interrupting the synthesis or action of the mediators that drive the host's response to injury. It is on the basis of this concept that most of the anti-inflammatory drugs have been developed. In our continuous search for novel anti-inflammatory agents from traditional medicinal plants, Saposhnikovia divaricata has been a focus of our investigations. Anomalin, a pyranocoumarin constituent of S. divaricata, exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity. To clarify the cellular signaling mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory action of anomalin, we investigated the effect of anomalin on the production of inflammatory molecules in LPS-stimulated murine macrophages. The anomalin dose-dependently inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA and protein expression in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage. Molecular analysis using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) revealed that several pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were reduced by anomalin, and this reduction correlated with the down-regulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, anomalin suppressed the LPS-induced phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα. To further study the mechanisms underlying its anti-inflammatory activity, an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) using a (32) P-labeled NF-κB probe was conducted. LPS-induced NF-κB DNA binding was drastically abolished by anomalin. The present data suggest that anomalin is a major anti-inflammatory agent and may be a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of inflammatory disorders.

Stereoselective metabolism of (±)-praeruptorin A, a calcium channel blocker from Peucedani Radix, in pooled liver microsomes of rats and humans

(±)-Praeruptorin A (PA) is the major component of Peucedani Radix. The present study investigated stereoselectivity in PA metabolism in liver microsomes of rats (RLMs) and humans (HLMs), for the first time. PA was enantioseparated by semi-preparative chiral HPLC. Metabolic profiles of the dextrorotatory (dPA) and the levorotatory (lPA) forms in HLMs and RLMs were determined using LC-MS/MS. (-)-cis-Khellactone (D1) prepared from basic hydrolysis of dPA, and (3'R, 4'R)-4'-angeloyl-khellactone (L8) and (3'R, 4'R)-3'-angeloyl-khellactone (L9) isolated from a scale-up incubation of lPA with rat plasma were unambiguously identified by LC-MS/MS and NMR analysis. Other metabolites were tentatively identified using LC-MS/MS. In the absence of NADPH-regenerating system, dPA remained intact, however, lPA yielded L8 and L9 via a carboxylesterase(s)-mediated process. In the presence of NADPH-regenerating system, lPA produced 9 (L1-9) metabolites in both species, while dPA generated 12 (D1-12) and 6 (D1-3, 6, 9 and 10) metabolites in RLMs and HLMs, respectively. Hydrolysis, oxidation and acyl migration were demonstrated to be the predominant pathways for both enantiomers. Both enantiomers were eliminated faster in RLMs than in HLMs, while lPA showed greater species difference. PA enantiomers exhibited stereoselective metabolism in RLMs and HLMs, implying chiral discrimination in their actions.

Characterization of metabolism of (+)-praeruptorin B and (+)-praeruptorin E in human and rat liver microsomes by liquid chromatography coupled with ion trap mass spectrometry and time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Peucedani Radix is a Chinese medicinal herb noted for its effects on treatments of respiratory and pulmonary disorders. As a part of a systematic pharmacokinetic evaluation of the herb in our laboratory, the present study investigated, for the first time, the metabolic profile of (+)-praeruptorin B (dPB) and (+)-praeruptorin E (dPE), two main bioactive constituents of Peucedani Radix in pooled liver microsomes of rats (RLMs) and humans (HLMs). dPE was eliminated faster than dPB in both species. The incubation of dPB with RLMs and HLMs resulted in eight (B1-B8) and nine (B1-B9) metabolites, respectively, while both RLMs and HLMs converted dPE into 13 metabolites (E1-13). Structures of all the metabolites were proposed through comparing their mass data obtained via tandem mass spectrometry on an MSD ion trap system (IT-MS/MS) coupled with high-resolution mass measurement by time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) with those of the respective parent compound. B1 and E1 were unambiguously identified as (-)-cis-khellactone. The formations of all the metabolites were NADPH-dependent. Oxidation and hydrolysis were demonstrated to be two predominant metabolic pathways of dPB and dPE. Oxidation initiated at either the C-3' or C-4' substituent, while hydrolysis only started from the C-3' substituent. Fragmentation of all metabolites followed similar pathways to those of the parent pyranocoumarins. The information on metabolic properties of dPB and dPE and the mass fragmentation profiles of their metabolites obtained in the present study will aid in characterization of metabolic profiles of other angular-type pyranocoumarins and further investigation of in vivo fates of these pyranocoumarins and the herb.

The herbal medicine compound falcarindiol from Notopterygii Rhizoma suppresses dendritic cell maturation

Dendritic cells (DCs) are important for regulating the immune response. We report an herbal medicine compound called falcarindiol that affects DC function. Ethanol extracts of 99 crude drugs that are the main components of 210 traditional Japanese medicines (Kampo medicine) approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan were prepared and screened using the murine epidermal-derived Langerhans cell line XS106. Notopterygii Rhizoma strongly suppressed major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression in XS106 cells. Activity-guided fractionation led to the isolation and identification of falcarindiol as a principal active compound in Notopterygii Rhizoma. Falcarindiol (1-5 microM) dose-dependently suppressed MHC II expression in XS106 cells. Fresh-isolated bone marrow-derived DCs were examined for the production of MHC II, CD80, CD86, interleukin (IL)-12p70, and IL-10. Treatment of bone marrow-derived DCs with 5 muM falcarindiol significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced phenotype activation and cytokine secretion and inhibited MHC II expression by CD40 ligation, but not phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate + ionomycin or IL-12. Falcarindiol inhibited DC maturation by blocking the canonical pathway of nuclear factor-kappaB and phosphorylated p38. Topical application of 0.002 and 0.01% falcarindiol before sensitization dose-dependently suppressed delayed-type hypersensitivity to ovalbumin (p < 0.01). Falcarindiol induces immunosuppressive effects in vitro and in vivo and might be a novel therapy for autoimmune or allergic diseases.

Absolute stereostructures of olibanumols A, B, C, H, I, and J from olibanum, gum-resin of Boswellia carterii, and inhibitors of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages

Three new monoterpenes, olibanumols A (1), B (2), and C (3), and three new triterpenes, olibanumols H (4), I (5), and J (6), were isolated from olibanum, the exuded gum-resin from Boswellia carterii BIRDW. Their structures including the absolute configuration were determined by chemical and physicochemical evidence. Among the constituents, olibanumols A (1), H (4), and I (5), and isofouquierol (12) exhibited nitric oxide production inhibitory activity in lipopolysaccharide-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Hepatoprotective amide constituents from the fruit of Piper chaba: Structural requirements, mode of action, and new amides

The 80% aqueous acetone extract from the fruit of Piper chaba (Piperaceae) was found to have hepatoprotective effects on D-galactosamine (D-GalN)/lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury in mice. From the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction, three new amides, piperchabamides E, G, and H, 33 amides, and four aromatic constituents were isolated. Among the isolates, several amide constituents inhibited D-GalN/tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced death of hepatocytes, and the following structural requirements were suggested: (i) the amide moiety is essential for potent activity; and (ii) the 1,9-decadiene structure between the benzene ring and the amide moiety tended to enhance the activity. Moreover, a principal constituent, piperine, exhibited strong in vivo hepatoprotective effects at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg, po and its mode of action was suggested to depend on the reduced sensitivity of hepatocytes to TNF-alpha.

Comparative study on the protective effects of Yinchenhao Decoction against liver injury induced by alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate and carbon tetrachloride

OBJECTIVE

To optimize the animal model of liver injury that can properly represent the pathological characteristics of dampness-heat jaundice syndrome of traditional Chinese medicine.

METHODS

The liver injury in the model rat was induced by alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4) ) respectively, and the effects of Yinchenhao Decoction (, YCHD), a proved effective Chinese medical formula for treating the dampness-heat jaundice syndrome in clinic, on the two liver injury models were evaluated by analyzing the serum level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), asparate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), malondialchehyche (MDA), total bilirubin (T-BIL), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) as well as the ratio of liver weight to body weight. The experimental data were analyzed by principal component analytical method of pattern recognition.

RESULTS

The ratio of liver weight to body weight was significantly elevated in the ANIT and CCl(4) groups when compared with that in the normal control (P<0.01). The contents of ALT and T-BIL were significantly higher in the ANIT group than in the normal control (P<0.05,P<0.01), and the levels of AST, ALT and ALP were significantly elevated in CCl(4) group relative to those in the normal control P<0.01). In the YCHD group, the increase in AST, ALT and ALP levels was significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), but with no significant increase in serum T-BIL. In the CCl(4) intoxicated group, the MDA content was significantly increased and SOD, GSH-PX activities decreased significantly compared with those in the normal control group, respectively (P<0.01). The increase in MDA induced by CCl(4) was significantly reduced by YCHD P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

YCHD showed significant effects on preventing liver injury progression induced by CCl(4), and the closest or most suitable animal model for damp-heat jaundice syndrome may be the one induced by CCl(4).

Purple carrot (Daucus carota L.) polyacetylenes decrease lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of inflammatory proteins in macrophage and endothelial cells

Carrots ( Daucus carota L.) contain phytochemicals including carotenoids, phenolics, polyacetylenes, isocoumarins, and sesquiterpenes. Purple carrots also contain anthocyanins. The anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and phytochemicals from purple carrots was investigated by determining attenuation of the response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A bioactive chromatographic fraction (Sephadex LH-20) reduced LPS inflammatory response. There was a dose-dependent reduction in nitric oxide production and mRNA of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha) and iNOS in macrophage cells. Protein secretions of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were reduced 77 and 66% in porcine aortic endothelial cells treated with 6.6 and 13.3 microg/mL of the LH-20 fraction, respectively. Preparative liquid chromatography resulted in a bioactive subfraction enriched in the polyacetylene compounds falcarindiol, falcarindiol 3-acetate, and falcarinol. The polyacetylenes were isolated and reduced nitric oxide production in macrophage cells by as much as 65% without cytotoxicity. These results suggest that polyacetylenes, not anthocyanins, in purple carrots are responsible for anti-inflammatory bioactivity.

Protective effects of amide constituents from the fruit of Piper chaba on D-galactosamine/TNF-alpha-induced cell death in mouse hepatocytes

The methanolic extract from the fruit of Piper chaba (Piperaceae) was found to have a hepatoprotective effect on D-galactosamine (D-GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury in mice. From the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction, a new amide constituent named piperchabamide E together with twenty known amide constituents (e.g., piperine, piperchabamides A-D, and piperanine) and two aromatic constituents were isolated as the hepatoprotective constituents. With regard to structure-activity relationships, the amide moiety and the 1,9-decadiene structure between the benzene ring and amide moiety were suggested to be important for strong inhibition of D-GalN/tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced death of hepatocytes. Furthermore, a principal amide constituent, piperine, dose-dependently inhibited increase in serum GPT and GOT levels at doses of 2.5-10 mg/kg (p.o.) in D-GalN/LPS-treated mice, and this inhibitory effect was suggested to depend on the reduced sensitivity of hepatocytes to TNF-alpha.

Bioactive constituents from Chinese natural medicines. XXIII. Absolute structures of new megastigmane glycosides, sedumosides A(4), A(5), A(6), H, and I, and hepatoprotective megastigmanes from Sedum sarmentosum

The methanol-eluted fraction of the hot water extract from the whole plant of Sedum sarmentosum (Crassulaceae) was found to show hepatoprotective effect on D-galactosamine-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes. From the active fraction, five new megastigmane glycosides, sedumosides A(4), A(5), A(6), H, and I, were isolated together with 22 megastigmane constituents. Their absolute stereostructures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. Among them, sedumoside F(1) (IC(50)=47 microM), (3S,5R,6S,9R)-megastigmane-3,9-diol (61 microM), and myrsinionosides A (52 microM) and D (62 microM) were found to show the strong hepatoprotective activity.

Structures of New Flavonoids, Erycibenins D, E, and F, and NO Production Inhibitors from Erycibe expansa Originating in Thailand

A new flavanol, erycibenin D, and two new flavans, erycibenins E and F, were isolated from the stems of Erycibe expansa originating in Thailand. The structures of new flavonoids were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. In addition, the inhibitory activities of the isolated constituents from E. expansa on lipopolysaccharide-activated nitric oxide production in mouse peritoneal macrophages were examined. Among the principal constituents, two isoflavones, clycosin (IC50 = 13 microM) and erythrinin B (18 microM), and two rotenoids, deguelin (26 microM) and rotenone (27 microM), were found to show potent inhibitory activity.