Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways by angelan in murine macrophages

The angelica Polysaccharide: a review of phytochemistry, pharmacology and beneficial effects on systemic diseases

Angelica sinensis is a perennial herb widely distributed around the world, and angelica polysaccharide (APS) is a polysaccharide extracted from Angelica sinensis. APS is one of the main active components of Angelica sinensis. A large number of studies have shown that APS has hematopoietic, promoting blood circulation, radiation resistance, lowering blood glucose, enhancing the body immunity and other pharmacological effects in a variety of diseases. However, different extraction methods and extraction sites greatly affect the efficacy of APS. In recent years, with the emerging of new technologies, there are more and more studies on the combined application and structural modification of APS. In order to promote the comprehensive development and in-depth application of APS, this narrative review systematically summarizes the effects of different drying methods and extraction sites on the biological activity of APS, and the application of APS in the treatment of diseases, hoping to provide a scientific basis for the experimental study and clinical application of APS.

Angelica gigas: Signature Compounds, In Vivo Anticancer, Analgesic, Neuroprotective and Other Activities, and the Clinical Translation Challenges

Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) root is a medicinal herbal widely used in traditional medicine in Korea. AGN root ethanolic extract dietary supplements are marketed in the United States for memory health and pain management. We comprehensively reviewed the anticancer, analgesic, pro-memory and other bio-activities of AGN extract and its signature phytochemicals decursin, decursinol angelate, and decursinol a decade ago in 2012 and updated their anticancer activities in 2015. In the last decade, significant progress has been made for understanding the pharmacokinetics (PK) and metabolism of these compounds in animal models and single dose human PK studies have been published by us and others. In addition to increased knowledge of the known bioactivities, new bioactivities with potential novel health benefits have been reported in animal models of cerebral ischemia/stroke, anxiety, sleep disorder, epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease, sepsis, metabolic disorders, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and even male infertility. Herein, we will update PK and metabolism of pyranocoumarins, review in vivo bioactivities from animal models and human studies, and critically appraise the relevant active compounds, the cellular and molecular pharmacodynamic targets, and pertinent mechanisms of action. Knowledge gaps include whether human pyranocoumarin PK metrics are AGN dose dependent and subjected to metabolic ceiling, or metabolic adaptation after repeated use. Critical clinical translation challenges include sourcing of AGN extracts, product consistency and quality control, and AGN dose optimization for different health conditions and disease indications. Future research directions are articulated to fill knowledge gaps and address these challenges.

Cancer Chemoprevention with Korean Angelica: Active Compounds, Pharmacokinetics, and Human Translational Considerations

Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) is a major medicinal herb used in Korea and several other Asian countries. Traditionally, its dried root has been used to treat anemia, pain, infection and articular rheumatism, most often through boiling in water to prepare the dosage forms. AGN extract or AGN-containing herbal mixtures are sold in the US and globally as dietary supplements for pain killing, memory enhancement and post-menopausal symptom relief. Decursin (D) and its isomer decursinol angelate (DA) are the major chemicals in the alcoholic extracts of the root of AGN. The anti-cancer activity of AGN alcoholic extract has been established in a number of animal cancer models, including a transgenic model of prostate carcinogenesis. Cell culture structure-activity studies have uncovered distinct cellular and molecular effects of D and DA vs. their pyranocoumarin core decursinol (DOH) with respect to cancer cells and those associated with their microenvironment. Pharmacokinetic (PK) study by us and others in rodent models indicated that DOH is the major and rapid in vivo first-pass liver metabolite of D and DA. Cognizant of metabolic differences among rodents and humans, we carried out a first-in-human PK study of D/DA to inform the translational relevance of efficacy and mechanism studies with rodent models. The combined use of vigorous animal tests and human PK studies can provide stronger scientific rationale to inform design and execution of translational studies to move AGN toward evidence-based herbal medicine.

Structural characteristics and in vitro macrophage activation of acetyl fucoidan from Cladosiphon okamuranus

We investigated a structural characteristics of acetyl fucoidan (CAF) isolated from commercially cultured Cladosiphon okamuranus. The CAF-induced macrophage activation and its signaling pathways in murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7 were also investigated. From the results of methylation analysis, CAF consisted of alpha-1-->3 linked L: -fucosyl residues and substituted sulfate and acetyl groups at C-4 on the main chain. CAF induced production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in RAW 264.7 cells. Sulfate and acetyl groups of CAF involved in CAF-induced NO production. Neutralizing anti-Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), anti-CD14 and anti-scavenger receptor class A (SRA) but not anti-complement receptor type 3 monoclonal antibodies decreased CAF-induced NO production. The results of immunoblot analysis indicated that CAF activated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as p38 MAPK, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK). SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor) and SP600125 (SAPK/JNK inhibitor), but not U0126 (MAPK/ERK kinase 1/2 inhibitor) decreased CAF-induced NO production. The results suggested that CAF induced macrophage activation through membrane receptors TLR4, CD14 and SRA, and MAPK signaling pathways.

Macrophage receptors of polysaccharide isolated from a marine filamentous fungus Phoma herbarum YS4108

AIM

YCP, a novel (1,4)-alpha-D-glucan, was isolated from the mycelium of the marine filamentous fungus Phoma herbarum YS4108. In this work, we investigated a YCP-binding cellular receptor expressed by macrophages and the intracellular signal transduction pathways involved in YCP-induced macrophage activation.

METHODS

Fluorescence-labeled YCP (fl-YCP) was prepared using the CDAP-activation method. Fluorescence confocal laser microscopy and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) were used to analyze the effect of fl-YCP on macrophages. To characterize the properties of the YCP receptor, carbohydrates and antibodies were used to inhibit the binding of fl-YCP to macrophages. Moreover, we investigated the role of membrane receptors Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), Toll-like receptor 6 (TLR6) and complement receptor 3 (CR3). We also examined the role of the p38 kinase pathway in mediating nitric oxide (NO) production.

RESULTS

YCP had an in vitro stimulatory effect on the release of NO in macrophage, and fl-YCP can bind directly to receptors on the surface of macrophages in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Competition studies show that LPS, laminarin, anti-TLR4 antibody and anti-CD11b (CR3) antibody could inhibit fl-YCP binding to macrophages. Conversely, mannose, anti-TLR2 and anti-TLR6 antibody could not. Treatment of RAW264.7 cells with YCP resulted in significant activation of p38 in a time-dependent manner. The specific p38 inhibitor SB203580 abrogated YCP-induced NO generation. Treatment of RAW264.7 cells with anti-TLR4 antibody and anti-CR3 antibody significantly reduced YCP-induced NO production and p38 activation.

CONCLUSION

We have demonstrated that YCP-induced NO production occurs through the TLR4 and CR3 membrane receptors in a p38 kinase-dependent manner in macrophages.Acta Pharmacologica Sinica (2009) 30: 1008-1014; doi: 10.1038/aps.2009.93.

Immunomodulatory effects of polar lichens on the function of macrophages in vitro

Lichen species were collected from King George Island (Antarctica) and were screened for their immunomodulatory effect. Among the lichens tested, the methanol extract (CR-ME) of Caloplaca regalis showed the highest nitric oxide (NO) production in murine peritoneal macrophages. Therefore, this study further examined the ability of C. regalis to induce secretory and cellular responses in macrophages. Macrophages were treated with various concentrations of CR-ME for 18 h. The CR-ME treatment induced tumoricidal activity and increased the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and nitric oxide by macrophages. However, CR-ME had a little effect on the levels of reactive oxygen species, interleukin-1 and IFN-gamma in CR-ME-treated macrophages. The CR-ME-induced tumoricidal activity was partially abrogated by a NO inhibitor and the anti-TNF-alpha antibody. Thus, the tumoricidal effect of CR-ME appeared to be mainly mediated by NO and TNF-alpha production from macrophages. Treating the macrophages with a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor partially blocked the tumoricidal activation induced by CR-ME, whereas inhibitors of the other kinases did not have an inhibitory effect. These results suggest that CR-ME induces the tumoricidal activity via the p38 MAPK-dependent pathway. Furthermore, electrophoretic mobility shift assay analyses revealed that the CR-ME treatment induced the activation of the NF-kappaB transcription factor. Overall, these results indicate that the tumoricidal activity induced by CR-ME is mainly due to TNF-alpha and NO production, and the activation of macrophage by CR-ME is mediated probably via the p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB pathway. Our results may also provide some leads in the development of new immunomodulating drugs.

Anti-inflammatory effect of So-Pung-Tang, a Korean traditional prescription for cerebral infarction patients

So-Pung-Tang (Sopung), a prescription composed of 14 herbal mixtures, has been widely used in the treatment of cerebral infarction in Oriental Medicine. However, the mechanisms by which the formula affects on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in cerebral infarction patients remain unknown yet. The levels of secretory protein of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interlukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6, were significantly increased in both THP-1 differentiated macrophage-like cells (THP-1/M) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from cerebral infarction patients after stimulation. However, pretreatment with Sopung markedly inhibited the secretion of TNF-alpha and IL-6, but not IL-1beta, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated THP-1/M cells and PBMCs treated with LPS and phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Furthermore, Sopung significantly inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), but not p38 in THP-1/M cells. These data indicate that Sopung may be beneficial in the cessation of inflammatory processes of cerebral infarction through suppression of ERK1/2 and JNK activation.

Botanical polysaccharides: macrophage immunomodulation and therapeutic potential

Botanical polysaccharides exhibit a number of beneficial therapeutic properties, and it is thought that the mechanisms involved in these effects are due to the modulation of innate immunity and, more specifically, macrophage function. In this review, we summarize our current state of understanding of the macrophage modulatory effects of botanical polysaccharides isolated from a wide array of different species of flora, including higher plants, mushrooms, lichens and algae. Overall, the primary effect of botanical polysaccharides is to enhance and/or activate macrophage immune responses, leading to immunomodulation, anti-tumor activity, wound-healing and other therapeutic effects. Furthermore, botanical and microbial polysaccharides bind to common surface receptors and induce similar immunomodulatory responses in macrophages, suggesting that evolutionarily conserved polysaccharide structural features are shared between these organisms. Thus, the evaluation of botanical polysaccharides provides a unique opportunity for the discovery of novel therapeutic agents and adjuvants that exhibit beneficial immunomodulatory properties.

Effective prevention of lethal acute graft-versus-host disease by combined immunosuppressive therapy with prodigiosin and cyclosporine A

Prodigiosin (PDG), a bacterial metabolite, is a known T cell-specific immunosuppressant. Here, we compared its inhibitory potency and mode of action with cyclosporine A (CsA) in a mouse model. PDG efficiently inhibited T cell proliferation with an IC(50) of 3.37 ng/ml, a similar dose to that of CsA (IC(50) of 2.71 ng/ml). PDG inhibited only IL-2Ralpha expression, but not IL-2 expression, whereas CsA inhibited both. Exogenously added IL-2 reversed the suppressive activity of CsA, but not that of PDG. Moreover, although both PDG and CsA markedly reduced mortality rates in lethal acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), the combined treatment was more effective than either drug alone. These results demonstrate that PDG and CsA have similar inhibitory potencies, but different modes of action, and suggest that PDG has potential use as a supplementary immunosuppressant in combination with CsA for the treatment of GVHD.

RETRACTED: Activation of murine peritoneal macrophages by sulfated exopolysaccharide from marine microalga Gyrodinium impudicum (strain KG03): involvement of the NF-kappa B and JNK pathway

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief, as there are concerns about inappropriate re-use of published figures. In this study, the same Western blot has been used to represent different studies with different drugs (methoxychalcone vs ganodermanondiol), cell extracts (macrophages versus hepatocytes) and different targets (Nrf2 vs LKB1). The concern was initially raised in PubPeer, the response from author on PubPeer was not acceptable. The journal Editor in Chief requested the author to provide the explanation, however, the author was not able to fulfil this request. PubPeer - Activation of murine peritoneal macrophages by sulfated exop… [pubpeer.com]

Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and AP-1 by polysaccharide isolated from the radix of Platycodon grandiflorum in RAW 264.7 cells

The root of Platycodon grandiflorum has been widely used for the treatment of various diseases in oriental medicine. Our previous study showed that the PG, a polysaccharide isolated from P. grandiflorum, activates macrophages via Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). However, the associated biological mechanisms are not fully understood. To elucidate the molecular mechanism responsible for the macrophage activation, we investigated the effect of PG on the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) in RAW 264.7 cells, a murine macrophage cell line. Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with PG produced a marked induction of AP-1 DNA binding activity. Moreover, all three MAPKs were activated by PG, and PG-induced activation of MAPKs was abrogated by the treatment of PD98059, curcumin, and SB203580, specific inhibitors of MEK-1/2, stress-activated protein kinases/jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK), and p38 MAP kianse, respectively. The induction of AP-1 DNA binding activity by PG was also inhibited by these MAPK inhibitors. Moreover, supershift analysis identified that JunB and Fra-1 are major components involved in the PG-mediated induction of AP-1 DNA binding. Additionally, curcumin and SB203580 suppressed PG-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), whereas PD98059 showed an inhibitory effect only on the TNF-alpha production. Taken together, these results suggest that macrophage activation by PG is mediated, at least in part, by MAPKs and AP-1.

Experimental evidences and signal transduction pathways involved in the activation of NF-kappa B/Rel by angelan in murine macrophages

In our previous studies, we showed that angelan, a polysaccharide purified from Angelica gigas Nakai, activated macrophages to induce the translocation of NF-kappa B/Rel into nucleus and DNA binding to its cognate site in the promoter of iNOS gene [Immunopharmacology 43 (1999) 1; Immunopharmacology 49 (2000) 275]. In the present study, we showed that angelan induces the transcriptional activation of NF-kappa B/Rel and investigated the intracellular signal transduction pathways involved in the angelan-induced NF-kappa B/Rel activation by murine macrophages. Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with angelan resulted in significant activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and p38, while stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) was not activated by angelan. The specific p38 inhibitor SB203580 abrogated the angelan-induced NF-kappa B/Rel activation, whereas the selective MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (MEK-1) inhibitor PD98059 did not affect the NF-kappa B/Rel induction. Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with both anti-CD14 Ab and anti-CR3 Ab significantly blocked angelan-induced NF-kappa B/Rel activation. In conclusion, we demonstrate that angelan induces NF-kappa B/Rel activation through the CD14 and CR3 membrane receptor and p38 kinase that is critically involved in the signal transduction leading to NF-kappa B/Rel activation in murine macrophages.