Anti-inflammatory effect of Ulmus davidiana Planch (Ulmaceae) on collagen-induced inflammation in rats

Inhibitory Effect of Ulmus davidiana and Cornus officinalis Extracts on Osteoporotic Bone Loss In Vitro and In Vivo

Background and Objectives: Traditional herbal medicines are becoming more popular as a complementary medication as they have the advantages of being mostly harmless and safe, causing fewer side-effects than conventional medications. Here, we demonstrate the inhibitory effects of the combination of Ulmus davidiana (UD) and Cornus officinalis (CO) extracts on osteoporotic bone loss. Materials and Methods: This study presented osteogenic effects in primary cultured osteoblasts, pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell lines, and osteoclastogenic effects in osteoclasts derived from bone marrow monocytes, and finally, protective effects on bone loss in an ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporotic animal model. Results: A significant increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was observed following treatment with UD and CO mixtures (8:2, 7:3, and 5:5 ratios) and individual UD and CO extracts, with the highest ALP activity being detected for the treatment with UD and CO extracts at a 5:5 ratio. An optimal ratio of UD and CO (UC) extract promoted osteoblast differentiation in both pre-osteoblastic cells and primary osteoblasts by increasing osteoblastic markers such as Alpl, Runx2, and Bglap. However, treatment with the UC extract inhibited osteoclast differentiation with a decreased expression of osteoclastogenesis-related genes, including Ctsk, Acp5, Mmp9, and Nfatc1. In addition, UC treatment prevented osteoporotic bone loss in OVX mice and improved impaired skeletal structure parameters. Conclusions: This study suggests that combined UD and CO extracts may be a beneficial traditional medicine for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Anti-Obesity and Lipid Metabolism Effects of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

The root bark of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica (Japanese elm) is used in Korea and other East Asian countries as a traditional herbal remedy to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases and ailments such as edema, gastric cancer and mastitis. For this study, we investigated the lipid metabolism and anti-obesity efficacy of ethyl alcohol extract of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica root bark (UDE). First, HPLC was performed to quantify the level of (+)-catechin, the active ingredient of UDE. In the following experiments, cultured 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed murine model were studied for anti-obesity efficacy by testing the lipid metabolism effects of UDE and (+)-catechin. In the test using 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes, treatment with UDE inhibited adipocyte differentiation and significantly reduced the production of adipogenic genes and transcription factors PPARγ, C/EBPα and SREBP-1c. HFD-fed, obese mice were administered with UDE (200 mg/kg per day) and (+)-catechin (30 mg/kg per day) by oral gavage for 4 weeks. Weight gain, epididymal and abdominal adipose tissue mass were significantly reduced, and a change in adipocyte size was observed in the UDE and (+)-catechin treatment groups compared to the untreated control group (***p < 0.001). Significantly lower total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were detected in UDE-treated HFD mice compared to the control, revealing the efficacy of UDE. In addition, it was found that lipid accumulation in hepatocytes was also significantly reduced after administration of UDE. These results suggest that UDE has significant anti-obesity and lipid metabolism effects through inhibition of adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis.

Oral administration of Ulmus davidiana extract suppresses interleukin-1β expression in LPS-induced immune responses and lung injury

BACKGROUND

Ulmus davidiana (UD) is a traditional Korean herb medicine that is used to treat inflammatory disorders. UD has been shown to modulate a number of inflammatory processes in vitro or in vivo studies. However, the molecular mechanisms of UD on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury remain to be understood.

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of this study is to determine the effect of UD bark water extract on LPS-induced immune responses and lung injury using both in vitro and in vivo models.

METHODS

RAW 264.7 cells and a rat model of acute lung injury (ALI) were used to study the effects of UD on several parameters. Nitrite level, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and plasma transaminase activities in blood were also determined. Pathological investigations were also performed.

RESULTS

LPS infusion resulted in elevated IL-1β mRNA expression, nitrite levels, TNF-α expression, and IL-1β expression in RAW 264.7 cells. LPS infusion also increased levels of nitrite/nitrate, total protein, LDH, and TNF-α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, but reduced SOD levels in ex vivo and in vivo models. UD administration ameliorated all these inflammatory markers. In particular, treatment with UD reduced LPS-induced nitrite production in RAW 264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. UD treatment also counteracted the LPS-induced increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activity in rat plasma, leading to a significant reduction in ALT and AST activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The results revealed that UD treatment reduces LPS-induced nitrite production, IL-1β mRNA expression, and TNF-α expression. In addition, LPS-induced decrease in SOD level is significantly elevated by UD administration. These results indicate that UD extract merits consideration as a potential drug for treating and/or preventing ALI.

Ulmus macrocarpa Hance improves benign prostatic hyperplasia by regulating prostatic cell apoptosis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ulmus macrocarpa Hance (UMH), of the family Ulmaceae, is a deciduous tree, widely distributed throughout Korea. UMH has been used as a traditional oriental medicine in Korea for the treatment of urological disorders, including bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), lower urinary tract syndrome (LUTS), diuresis, and hematuria. To date, its possible protective effects against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have not been analyzed.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study investigated the effects of UMH on the development of BPH using a rat model of testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

BPH was induced by daily subcutaneous injections of testosterone propionate (TP) for four weeks. UMH was administrated daily by oral gavage at a dose of 150 mg/kg during the four weeks of TP injections. Animals were sacrificed, and their prostates were weighed and subjected to histopathological examination, TUNEL assay, and western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Treatment of BPH-model rats with UMH significantly reduced prostate weight, serum testosterone concentration and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) concentration in prostate tissue. TP-induced prostatic hyperplasia and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were significantly attenuated in UMH-treated rats. In addition, UMH administration markedly induced the activation of caspases-3, - 8, and - 9 in prostate tissues of BPH rats, accompanied by upregulation of expression of Fas, Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD), and Fas ligand (FasL) and a reduction in the ratio of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) to Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax).

CONCLUSIONS

UMH effectively inhibited the proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of prostate cells, suggesting it may be useful for the treatment of BPH.

Effects of herbal medicine on human uterine tumor-bearing nude mice

Aim:

Uterine leiomyomas are the most common benign uterine neoplasms associated with significant morbidity. Herbal formulas capable of restoring yin-yang balance by dispersing blood stasis may be useful for managing fibroid symptoms.

Materials and Methods:

In this study, the antitumor properties of three herbs viz., Trogopterus xanthipes Milen-Edwards, Paeonia lactiflora Pallas, and Ulmus davidiana Planch were evaluated in nude mice injected intravenously with human malignant myomas. Tumor fragments were xenografted subcutaneously through a flank incision in female mice. The mice entered the study for 8 weeks when their tumors reached the threshold volume (260 mm³). The mice were randomly allocated to receive subcutaneous injections of normal saline (Group 1; negative control), P. lactiflora Pallas (Group 2), U. davidiana Planch (Group 3), T. xanthipes Milen-Edwards (Group 4), and intravenous injections of paclitaxel (Group 5; positive control). The weight and tumor volume were measured, followed by histopathology.

Results:

A few cases of abdominal distention and death were observed in the negative control group. Furthermore, a considerable enlargement of the liver and spleen was observed in the negative control group at autopsy with a gradual increase in body weight during the experiment. The mean tumor volume which increased in negative control mice reduced in mice treated with herbal remedies or paclitaxel from day 14 onwards (P < 0.05). The degree of necrosis and apoptosis induction from herbal treatments was similar to that of paclitaxel.

Conclusion:

Collectively, three herbs viz., T. xanthipes Milen-Edwards, P. lactiflora Pallas, and U. davidiana Planch were able to induce necrosis and apoptosis of uterine leiomyoma cells, proving antitumor properties against uterine fibroids.

Anti-Allergic Effect of Ulmus davidiana Cortex on Contact Dermatitis Induced by Dinitrofluoro- Benzene in Mice

OBJECTIVE

The root bark of Ulmus davidiana var. Japonica (Ulmi Radicis cortex, URC) is a medicinal herb used for promoting diuresis and treating dampness. In Korea, URC has long been used as an efficacious therapy for inflammation, burns, frostbite and skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis.

METHODS

In the present study, we used 1-fluoro-2,4- dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact dermatitis (CD) mouse model to investigate the antiallergic and the anti-inflammatory effects of URC on skin lesion, histopathological changes and specific antibody production.

RESULTS

URC treatment, 10 mg/mL, effectively inhibited skin lesions induced by repeated paintings with DNFB. In the histopathological observation, topical application of URC inhibited spongiosis. In addition, URC lowered the production levels of total immunoglobulin and IgG2a in serum.

CONCLUSION

These data indicate that URC has an anti-inflammatory effect that produces an improvement of skin lesions in CD mice.

Ulmus davidiana var. japonica Nakai upregulates eosinophils and suppresses Th1 and Th17 cells in the small intestine

The bark of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica Nakai (Ulmaceae) has been used in traditional Korean medicine for chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Here we investigated the frequency and cytokine profile of the major immune cells in the small intestinal lamina propria (SI LP), spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) of mice treated orally with Ulmus davidiana var. japonica Nakai bark water extract (UDE) to address the immunomodulatory role of this herb in intestinal homeostasis. B6 mice were given 5g/kg UDE once daily for 14 days. They were then sacrificed, and cells were isolated from the spleen, MLNs, and SI LP. The proportion of B versus T lymphocytes, CD4⁺ versus CD8⁺ T lymphocytes, Th1 and Th17 cells, and Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells in the spleen, MLNs, and SI LP were analyzed. The frequency of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), including dendritic cells, macrophages, and eosinophils in the SI LP and the expression of costimulatory molecules on APCs were also evaluated. The numbers and frequencies of Th1 and Th17 cells in the SI LP were significantly reduced in the UDE-treated mice compared with PBS controls. In addition, the proportion of IL-4-producing eosinophils in the SI LP was significantly elevated in the UDE-treated mice compared with controls. Taken together, these data indicate that UDE up-regulates the number and frequency of SI LP eosinophils, which can down-regulate the Th1 and Th17 responses via IL-4 secretion and contribute to intestinal homeostasis.

Effects of sesamin on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced NIT-1 pancreatic β-cell damage

The protective effect of sesamin (SES) from sesame meal on NIT-1 pancreatic β-cells damaged by streptozotocin (STZ) in vitro was investigated. The cell viability, insulin secretion, the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) and the content of reduced glutathione (GSH) increased significantly when incubated with SES (400, 200 μg mL⁻¹). The content of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) production, and the activity of NO synthase (NOS), inducible NOS (iNOS), decreased significantly when incubated with SES. The destructive changes of NIT-1 cells were ameliorated when treated with SES under microscopic observation. These data suggested that SES had obvious protective effect on NIT-1 pancreatic β-cells damaged by STZ, which might be related to its effects of decreasing levels of β-cell-destroying factors such as oxidative stress and NO synthesis.

Protective effects of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica against OVA-induced murine asthma model via upregulation of heme oxygenase-1

AIM OF THE STUDY

Traditionally, the stem and root bark of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica (Ulmaceae) are Korean herbal medicines used for anti-inflammatory and anticancer therapy. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica ethanolic extract (UD) in a murine asthma model. Furthermore, we determined whether heme oxygenase (HO)-1 is required for the protective activity of UD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Airways of ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice exposed to OVA challenge developed eosinophilia, mucus hypersecretion and increased cytokine levels. UD was applied 1h prior to OVA challenge. Mice were administered UD orally at doses of 100 and 200mg/kg once daily on days 18-23. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected 48 h after the final OVA challenge. Levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 in BALF were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Lung tissue sections 4 microm in thickness were stained with Mayer's hematoxylin and eosin for assessment of cell infiltration and mucus production with PAS (periodic acid shift reagent) staining, in conjunction with ELISA, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses for HO-1 protein expression.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Orally administered UD significantly inhibited the number of OVA-induced inflammatory cells and IgE production, along with reduced T-helper (Th)2 cytokine levels, such as IL-4 and IL-5, in BALF and lung tissue. In addition, UD induced a marked decrease in OVA-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS), inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus production in lung tissue. These effects were correlated with HO-1 mRNA and protein induction. Our results indicate that UD protects against OVA-induced airway inflammation, at least in part, via HO-1 upregulation.