3-methyl-1,2-cyclopentanedione down-regulates age-related NF-kappaB signaling cascade

Research progress on pharmacokinetics, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of kaempferol

Chronic inflammation (an abnormal state) and autoimmune disease (AD) can both cause multiple organ damage. AD is a heterogeneous group of diseases due to immune dysfunction. Chronic inflammation is closely related to AD and is an important part of AD. With the increasing prevalence of AD, researchers are constantly exploring new drugs with small side effects, considerable curative effects, and lower costs. Kaempferol, a flavonoid, possesses a range of biological functions, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-neoplastic, and immunomodulatory capabilities. This compound is prevalent in a variety of plant sources, such as vegetables, fruits, and medicinal herbs traditionally used in Chinese medicine. A plethora of empirical evidence from animal-based research supports the assertion that this particular substance exhibits both anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, with the curative effect being significant and application prospects. This article mainly summarizes and discusses the pharmacokinetics, drug delivery system, and the mechanism of kaempferol on immune cells, cytokines, signaling pathways, and other aspects. This paper summarizes the existing kaempferol drug delivery system, analyzes the possibility and limitations of kaempferol as a new anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory drug, and discusses how to apply it in clinical practice. Therefore, kaempferol can more effectively exert its anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects, thereby demonstrating therapeutic potential in clinical settings, while reducing patient burden.

Effects of Drying Methods on the Antioxidant Properties of Piper betle Leaves

Piper betle leaf powder is increasingly utilised as a health supplement. In this study, P. betle leaves were subjected to four different drying methods: convective air-drying, oven-drying, sun-drying, and no drying, with fresh leaves as control. Their antioxidant properties were then evaluated using colourimetric assays and GC-MS. Results showed that the sun-dried leaves had the highest (p < 0.05) total antioxidant capacity (66.23 ± 0.10 mg AAE/g), total polyphenol content (133.93 ± 3.76 mg GAE/g), total flavonoid content (81.25 ± 3.26 mg CE/g) and DPPH radical scavenging activity (56.48 ± 0.11%), and the lowest alkaloid content (45.684 ± 0.265 mg/gm). GC-MS analysis revealed that major constituents of aqueous extracts of fresh and sun-dried P. betle leaves were hydrazine 1,2-dimethyl-; ethyl aminomethylformimidate; glycerin; propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, methyl ester, (+/-)-; and 1,2-Cyclopentanedione. In conclusion, sun-dried leaves exhibited overall better antioxidant properties, and their aqueous extracts contained biologically active phytoconstituents that have uses in various fields.

Fenugreek seed ethanolic extract inhibited formation of advanced glycation end products via scavenging reactive carbonyl intermediates

Senescence is a natural phenomenon of growing old. It accelerates under certain conditions like diabetes mellitus resulting in early decline of bodily functions, which can be avoided by many claimed functional foods. The present study aims to investigate the anti-aging ability of Fenugreek seeds (Trigonellafoenum-graecum); a common ingredient of Indo-Pak cuisines. Briefly, the Fenugreek seeds extract (FgSE) in concentrationsof0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/ml inhibited the formation of Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) and fructosamine adducts in Bovine serum albumin (BSA)/fructose model in vitro. The BSA conformational analysis via Circular Dichorism and Congo red assays showed that it preserves secondary structure of BSA in aforementioned model. Although mechanistic studies revealed insignificant lysine blocking ability of Fenugreek by OPA assay, however carbonyl entrapping was found to be 24%, 34% and 42% at 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/ml, respectively. In vivo model of High Fructose diet (HFD) induced glycation, FgSE treatment in doses of 10, 25 & 50 mg/kg markedly improved Escape latency (p < 0.01) and preserved cognition in Morris Water Maze. Our data further exhibits significant decrease of CML (Nε-carboxymethyl lysine) levels in serum and hippocampus byFgSE treatment in comparison with HFD group. Therefore, we deduced that FgSE prevents glycation-induced memory decline via entrapping the reactive carbonyl intermediates, formed during production of AGEs. Hence, as a promising functional food it slows down the harmful process of glycation and aging associated morbidities.

Multifaceted Effects and Mechanisms of N-Acetylcysteine on Intestinal Injury in a Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus-Infected Porcine Model

SCOPE

This study investigates the potential effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on intestinal injury in a porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV)-infected porcine model.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Thirty-two piglets are randomly assigned to one of four groups: the control, PEDV, NAC, and NAC+PEDV. Piglets in the NAC+PEDV group are orally administrated with NAC (100 mg (kg·BW)^-1  day^-1 ) for 4 consecutive days after 2 days of PEDV infection. The results show that NAC administration decreases the diarrhea rate and improves intestinal morphology. The concentration of diamine oxidase and intestinal fatty-acid binding protein, as well as IL-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α in the plasma, is decreased by NAC. Intriguingly, NAC administration significantly increases the viral load in the jejunum and ileum and down-regulates the expression of interferon-related genes. Microarray and proteomic analyses show that the differentially expressed genes/proteins between NAC+PEDV and PEDV groups are highly enriched in substance transport. Furthermore, aquaporin 8/10 expression is significantly increased by NAC upon PEDV infection.

CONCLUSION

NAC administration alleviates PEDV-induced intestinal injury by inhibiting inflammatory responses and improving substance transport, but promotes viral replication by inhibiting interferon signaling. These results suggest NAC exhibits multifaceted effects upon PEDV infection, and thus caution is required when using NAC as a dietary supplement to prevent viral infection.

Valorization of Vine Prunings by Slow Pyrolysis in a Fixed-Bed Reactor

The paper aimed at studying the slow pyrolysis of vine pruning waste in a fixed bed reactor and characterizing the pyrolysis products. Pyrolysis experiments were conducted for 60 min, using CO2 as a carrier gas and oxidizing agent. The distribution of biochar and bio-oil was dependent on variations in heat flux (4244–5777 W/m2), CO2 superficial velocity (0.004–0.008 m/s), and mean size of vegetal material (0.007–0.011 m). Relationships among these factors and process performances in terms of yields of biochar (0.286–0.328) and bio-oil (0.260–0.350), expressed as ratio between the final mass of pyrolysis product and initial mass of vegetal material, and final value of fixed bed temperature (401.1–486.5 °C) were established using a 23 factorial design. Proximate and ultimate analyses, FT-IR and SEM analyses, measurements of bulk density (0.112 ± 0.001 g/cm3), electrical conductivity (0.55 ± 0.03 dS/m), pH (10.35 ± 0.06), and water holding capacity (58.99 ± 14.51%) were performed for biochar. Water content (33.2 ± 1.27%), density (1.027 ± 0.014 g/cm3), pH (3.34 ± 0.02), refractive index (1.3553 ± 0.0027), and iodine value (87.98 ± 4.38 g I2/100 g bio-oil) were measured for bio-oil. Moreover, chemical composition of bio-oil was evaluated using GC-MS analysis, with 27 organic compounds being identified.

A review on the pharmacokinetics of paeoniflorin and its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects

Increasing pharmacological evidence supports that paeoniflorin, a water-soluble monoterpene glycoside isolated from Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (Shaoyao in Chinese), has a wide range of medicinal properties including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antithrombotic, anticonvulsive, analgesic, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, antidepressant-like, antitumoral, and immune-regulatory activities; as well as enhancing cognition and attenuating learning impairment. In addition to pharmacodynamic studies, information on pharmacokinetics is also significant for the further development and utilization of paeoniflorin. The present review focuses on the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of paeoniflorin, especially main pharmacological activities of paeoniflorin on inflammation and immune function. According to the findings obtained both in vitro and in vivo, a broad application prospect has been opened for paeoniflorin. However, further studies are needed to clarity the direct molecular mechanisms and key targets underlying the beneficial effects of paeoniflorin on inflammation and immunity.

Detection of Maillard Reaction Product [5-(5,6-Dihydro-4H-pyridin-3-ylidenemethyl)furan-2-yl]methanol (F3-A) in Breads and Demonstration of Bioavailability in Caco-2 Intestinal Cells

[5-(5,6-Dihydro-4H-pyridin-3-ylidenemethyl)furan-2-yl]methanol, also called F3-A, has been isolated from hexose-lysine Maillard reaction (MR) models. Here we report on optimized conditions for the recovery of F3-A and concentrations found in bread. Recovery of F3-A was best achieved when samples were extracted with dichloromethane (DCM) at a solvent to sample ratio of 2:1 (v/v) after adjustment of the pH to 12. The amount of F3-A in whole wheat bread was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that in white bread; bread crust contained a significantly (P < 0.05) higher amount of F3-A (0.9-7.8 μg/100 g) than the bread crumb (not detectable-3.5 μg/100 g); and toasting increased F3-A concentration with a range of not detectable to 6.0 μg/100 g in the control bread and 4.0 and 17.7 μg/100 g in the dark-toasted white sandwich bread and 100% whole wheat sandwich bread, respectively. The in vitro permeability of F3-A was measured using Caco-2 cell monolayer. The apparent permeability coefficient (P_app) of F3-A is (6.01 ± 0.35) × 10^-5 cm/s, which is similar to that of propranolol, a highly passive transcellular absorbed drug. In conclusion, the concentration of F3-A recovered in bread varies with the type of bread and degree of toasting, and F3-A is bioavailable.

Elucidation of the chemical structure and determination of the production conditions for a bioactive Maillard reaction product, [5-(5,6-dihydro-4H-pyridin-3-ylidenemethyl)furan-2-yl]methanol, isolated from a glucose-lysine heated mixture

We previously isolated a bioactive molecule, named F3-A, from an aqueous glucose (Glc) and lysine (Lys) Maillard reaction (MR) model system. Herein, F3-A was verified as [5-(5,6-dihydro-4H-pyridin-3-ylidenemethyl)furan-2-yl]methanol (5) and was subsequently synthesized for confirmation of bioactivity. Using Taguchi and factorial designs, we determined that the conditions which best increased the yield of F3-A were at pH 6 with a sugar:amino acid ratio of 2:1 and heating time of 12 h at 100 °C. The MR mixtures containing glucose produced highest yield, compared to fructose, lactose, and sucrose. Both the F3-A recovered from Glc-Lys MR mixture and the synthesized product exhibited significant (P < 0.05), dose dependent, nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity in Caco-2 cells that was comparable to aminoguanidine (AG) and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), respectively. Finally, an additional inhibitory effect of F3-A was determined when coincubated with AG in cytokine-induced Caco-2 cells. This bioactivity points to a potential role in preventing intestinal inflammation.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Maillard reaction products isolated from sugar-amino acid model systems

We investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of both crude and ultrafiltrated Maillard reaction (MR) products (MRPs) derived from sugar-amino acid MR models, comprising fructose (Fru), glucose (Glu) or ribose (Rib) reacted with glycine (Gly) or lysine (Lys), respectively. Crude MRPs derived from Glu-Lys showed the greatest capacity (P < 0.05) to inhibit nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) production in interferon γ and phorbol ester-induced Caco-2 cells. Moreover, one ultrafiltrated fraction (MW < 1 kDa) recovered from Glu-Lys exhibited the greatest (P < 0.05) affinity to inhibit NO. This effect also corresponded to an inhibition of both iNOS transcription and translation. The NO and IL-8 inhibitory activities of crude MRPs were positively correlated with intracellular oxidation inhibitory activity. In conclusion, we have demonstrated an anti-inflammatory capacity of MRPs in inflamed Caco-2 cells that is specific to low molecular weight (MW < 1 kDa) Glu-Lys MRPs.

Molecular activation of NF-kappaB, pro-inflammatory mediators, and signal pathways in gamma-irradiated mice

The effects of gamma-irradiation on inflammatory gene expression, including NF-kappaB activation, in the kidney of C57/BL6 mice exposed to 1-9 Gy doses of (60)Co gamma-irradiation. Radiation enhanced the NF-kappaB activation and oxidative stress caused a dose-dependent disruption in the redox balance. The significance of this study is the new molecular information gained on gamma-irradiation effects through the activation of pro-inflammatory genes by NF-kappaB via the MAPK signaling pathway. Considering the exquisite sensitivity of NF-kappaB and other pro-inflammatory mediators to the redox status, we conclude that the activation of inflammatory processes by irradiation is likely initiated by increased oxidative stress.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor activation by a short-term feeding of zingerone in aged rats

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), members of the nuclear hormone receptor family, are key regulators of various metabolic pathways related to lipid and glucose metabolism as well as inflammation. We examined the effect of zingerone, a major ingredient of ginger, on PPAR, hepatic nuclear factor-4 (HNF-4), and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) expression in 21-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats. Two experimental groups receiving doses of either 2 or 8 mg/kg/day zingerone for 10 days were compared with young rats (6 months old) and an age-matched control group. For molecular work, the endothelial cell line YPEN-1 was used. Both the 2 and 8 mg/kg/day dose of zingerone significantly increased DNA binding activities of PPARs (2.8-fold). Expression of HNF-4 was also increased in the group receiving the 8 mg/kg/day dose. We further showed that zingerone partially prevented the age-related decline in PPAR expression. In vitro experiments revealed zingerone (10 microM) increased PPAR expression (2.5-fold) to a similar extent as the PPAR agonist fibrate (5 microM) and suppressed pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-kappaB activity. Collectively, our findings suggest that zingerone exerts its potent anti-inflammatory action by increasing HNF-4 and PPAR activities, while suppressing NF-kappaB activity.

Molecular mechanism of PPAR in the regulation of age-related inflammation

Evidence from many recent studies has linked uncontrolled inflammatory processes to aging and aging-related diseases. Decreased a nuclear receptor subfamily of transcription factors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) activity is closely associated with increased levels of inflammatory mediators during the aging process. The anti-inflammatory action of PPARs is substantiated by both in vitro and in vivo studies that signify the importance of PPARs as major players in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases. In this review, we highlight the molecular mechanisms and roles of PPARalpha, gamma in regulation of age-related inflammation. By understanding these current findings of PPARs, we open up the possibility of developing new therapeutic agents that modulate these nuclear receptors to control various inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, vascular diseases, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist action of 3-methyl-1,2-cyclopentanedione

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily that plays a pivotal role in regulating inflammatory gene expression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of coffee extract, 3-methyl-1,2-cyclopentanedione (3-MCP) on PPARs in vitro. Western blotting and luciferase assays using the PPAR response element (PPRE) construct revealed that 3-MCP induced PPARgamma-selective activation in YPEN-1 cells and that treatment with the PPARgamma selective antagonist, GW9662, was associated with a decrease in 3-MCP-induced PPARgamma activity. The 3-MCP also was shown to suppress reactive species generation and pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-kappaB activity through PPARgamma activation. Theses results indicate that 3-MCP is a novel PPARgamma agonist and suggests that this agent may have a potential to minimize inflammation.