Ulmus davidiana ethanol extract inhibits monocyte adhesion to tumor necrosis factor-alpha-stimulated endothelial cells

Catechin and flavonoid glycosides from the Ulmus genus: Exploring their nutritional pharmacology and therapeutic potential in osteoporosis and inflammatory conditions

This review investigates the therapeutic effects of Ulmus species extracts, traditionally used as tea ingredients in East Asia, on bone health and inflammatory conditions. Through the analysis of 9757 studies, narrowing down to 56 pertinent ones, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of Ulmus extracts. The focus was on catechin glycosides (CG) and flavonoid glycosides (FG), key compounds identified for their potential benefits. The research highlights the extracts' role in enhancing bone mineral density (BMD) by stimulating osteoblast activity and suppressing osteoclast differentiation, suggesting a protective effect against osteoporosis. Furthermore, the extracts demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory properties by modulating inflammatory markers and pathways. The findings confirm the historical use of Ulmus extracts in East Asia for health benefits and recommend further exploration into functional foods and nutraceuticals. The review calls for more rigorous research, including clinical trials, to establish optimal use and integration into modern health solutions. It underscores the potential of Ulmus extracts in promoting bone health and managing inflammation, advocating for a bridge between traditional practices and contemporary scientific validation. In conclusion, Ulmus extracts, a material long consumed as tea ingredients in East Asia, exhibit significant potential for improving bone health and reducing inflammation. This review calls for additional research to explore their full therapeutic capabilities, emphasizing the need for optimized extraction methods and clinical trials. It reinforces the importance of bridging traditional knowledge with contemporary scientific approaches to health and dietary solutions, promoting overall wellness.

Anthocyanin-Rich Extract from Red Chinese Cabbage Alleviates Vascular Inflammation in Endothelial Cells and Apo E-/- Mice

Anthocyanins, the most prevalent flavonoids in red/purple fruits and vegetables, are known to improve immune responses and reduce chronic disease risks. In this study, the anti-inflammatory activities of an anthocyanin-rich extract from red Chinese cabbage (ArCC) were shown based on its inhibitory effects in cultured endothelial cells and hyperlipidemic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. ArCC treatment suppressed monocyte adhesion to tumor necrosis factor-α-stimulated endothelial cells. This was validated by ArCC's ability to downregulate the expression and transcription of endothelial adhesion molecules, determined by immunoblot and luciferase promoter assays, respectively. The regulation of adhesion molecules was accompanied by transcriptional inhibition of nuclear factor-κB, which restricted cytoplasmic localization as shown by immunocytochemistry. Administration of ArCC (150 or 300 mg/kg/day) inhibited aortic inflammation in hyperlipidemic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, as shown by in vivo imaging. Immunohistochemistry and plasma analysis showed that the aortas from these mice exhibited markedly lower leukocyte infiltration, reduced plaque formation, and lower concentrations of blood inflammatory cytokines than those observed in the control mice. The results suggest that the consumption of anthocyanin-rich red Chinese cabbage is closely correlated with lowering the risk of vascular inflammatory diseases.

Ethanol Extract of Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis Suppresses Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-Induced Inflammatory Response in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis, commonly known as Chinese cabbage, is a cruciferous vegetable traditionally consumed in east Asia. Although its habitual consumption could account for the low incidence of chronic vascular inflammation, the therapeutic and protective potential of phytochemicals derived from Chinese cabbage has been poorly studied. In this study, we identified the phenolic compounds, kaempferol and quercetin, from the ethanol extract of Chinese cabbage (EtCC). We show for the first time that EtCC contains effective phytochemicals that suppress tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced inflammatory response in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The EtCC inhibited TNF-α-induced monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. The antiadhesive activity of EtCC directly correlated with downregulation of expression and transcription of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). It was caused by an Nrf-2-dependent mechanism, leading to activation of antioxidant responsive element-driven promoter. Taken together, these results suggest that EtCC inhibits the expression of TNF-α-induced adhesion molecules through the indirect transcriptional modulation of VCAM-1 in endothelial cells. In conclusion, regular consumption of vegetables containing dietary phytochemicals might be a potential therapeutic strategy to protect against various stresses, to prevent several pathological conditions, and to treat chronic vascular inflammation, such as atherosclerosis.