Anti-angiogenesis effect of β-D-mannuronic acid (M2000) as a novel NSAID with immunosuppressive properties under experimental model

Alginate Oligosaccharide Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Apoptosis and Inflammatory Response of Rumen Epithelial Cells through NF-κB Signaling Pathway

AOS alleviates inflammatory responses; however, whether it exerts an effect on the rumen or regulates rumen inflammatory reaction remains unknown. In this study, firstly, the ovine ruminal epithelial cells (ORECs) were treated with 0, 200, 400, 600, and 800 µg/mL AOS, hoping to explore whether AOS hurt cell health. The results showed that compared with the AOS-0 group, the AOS-400 group could significantly increase (p < 0.05) cell viability, reduce (p < 0.05) reactive oxygen species (ROS) and interleukin (IL)-6 content, and have no adverse effect on cells. Secondly, we used LPS to construct an in vitro inflammatory model of rumen epithelial cells and then explored the protective role of AOS on rumen epithelial cells. The study was divided into three groups: the control group (CON), LPS, and LPS + AOS. The results demonstrated that the LPS + AOS group significantly increased the cell viability and reduced the ROS level in comparison with the LPS group (p < 0.05). Pretreatment with AOS also repressed (p < 0.05) the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and immunoglobulin (Ig)A from ORECs in the culture medium following LPS. In terms of tight junction (TJ) proteins, AOS treatment also significantly increased (p < 0.05) the zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1) and Occludin expression. The apoptosis rate, Caspase3, Caspase9, BAD, and BCL-2/BAX were decreased (p < 0.05) after AOS treatment, and the expression of BCL-2 was increased (p < 0.05). In addition, the expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were inhibited (p < 0.05) with the addition of AOS. At the protein level, pretreatment of AOS decreased (p < 0.05) the expression of MyD88 and the phosphorylation level of inhibitor κB α (IκBα) after the LPS challenge. Taken together, our results indicated that AOS could alleviate the LPS-induced apoptosis and inflammatory response of rumen epithelial cells through the NF-κB signaling pathway, which may be a promising strategy for treating apoptosis and inflammation in sheep breeding.

Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the essential oil isolated from Cupressus arizonica Greene fruits

Background

Cupressus arizonica Greene is a coniferous tree with great importance in fragrance and pharmaceutical industries. Essential oils from C. arizonica (EC) have shown potential antioxidant, and anti-microbial activities. This study aimed at investigating the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects/mechanisms of EC.

Methods

The EC was evaluated for anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities on male Wistar rats using a formalin test and carrageenan-induced paw edema, respectively. Also, we pre-treated some of the animals with naloxone and flumazenil in the formalin test to find out the possible contributions of opioid and benzodiazepine receptors to EC anti-nociceptive effects. Finally, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was used to identify the EC’s constituents.

Results

EC in intraperitoneal doses of 0.5 and 1 g/kg significantly decrease the nociceptive responses in both early and late phases of the formalin test. From a mechanistic point of view, flumazenil administration 20 minutes before the most effective dose of EC (1 g/kg) showed a meaningful reduction in the associated anti-nociceptive responses during the early and late phases of the formalin test. Naloxone also reduced the anti-nociceptive role of EC in the late phase. Furthermore, EC at the doses of 1, 0.5, and 0.25 g/kg significantly reduced paw edema from 0.5 hours after carrageenan injection to 4 hours. GC/MS analysis showed that isolated EC is a monoterpene-rich oil with the major presence of α-pinene (71.92%), myrcene (6.37%), δ-3-carene (4.68%), β-pinene (3.71%), and limonene (3.34%).

Conclusions

EC showed potent anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities with the relative involvement of opioid and benzodiazepine receptors.

Influence of β-D-mannuronic Acid, as a New Member of Non-steroidal Anti- Inflammatory Drugs Family, on the Expression Pattern of Chemokines and their Receptors in Rheumatoid Arthritis

BACKGROUND

Based on the encouraging results of phase III clinical trial of β-Dmannuronic acid (M2000) (as a new anti-inflammatory drug) in patients with RA, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of this drug on the expression of chemokines and their receptors in PBMCs of RA patients.

METHODS

PBMCs of RA patients and healthy controls were separated and the patients' cells were treated with low, moderate and high doses (5, 25 and 50 μg/mL) of M2000 and optimum dose (1 μg/mL) of diclofenac, as a control in RPMI-1640 medium. Real-time PCR was used for evaluating the mRNA expression of CXCR3, CXCR4, CCR2, CCR5 and CCL2/MCP-1. Cell surface expression of CCR2 was investigated using flow cytometry.

RESULTS

CCR5 mRNA expression reduced significantly, after treatment of the patients' cells with all three doses of M2000 and optimum dose of diclofenac. CXCR3 mRNA expression was downregulated significantly followed by the treatment of these cells with moderate and high doses of M2000 and optimum dose of diclofenac. CXCR4 mRNA expression declined significantly after the treatment of these cells with moderate and high doses of M2000. CCL2 mRNA expression significantly reduced only followed by the treatment of these cells with a high dose of M2000, whereas, mRNA and cell surface expressions of CCR2 diminished significantly followed by the treatment of these cells with a high dose of M2000 and optimum dose of diclofenac.

CONCLUSION

According to our results, M2000 through the down-regulation of chemokines and their receptors may restrict the infiltration of immune cells into the synovium.

All-Trans Retinoic Acid Grafted Poly Beta-Amino Ester Nanoparticles: A Novel Anti-angiogenic Drug Delivery System

Purpose: Developing chemotherapy with nanoplatforms offers a promising strategy for effective cancer treatment. In the present study, we propose a novel all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) grafted poly beta-amino ester (PBAE) copolymer for preparing nanoparticles (NPs). Methods: ATRA grafted PBAE (ATRA-g-PBAE) copolymer was synthesized by grafting ATRA to PBAE; it was characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared, and thermogravimetric analysis. ATRA-g-PBAE NPs were prepared by the solvent displacement method. Design-Expert software was employed to optimize size of NPs. The morphology was evaluated by transmission electron microscope, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy was applied for drug release. Cytotoxicity was evaluated toward HUVEC cell line, and the 3D collagencytodex model was used to evaluate anti-angiogenic property of PBAE, ATRA, and NPs. Results: The optimum size of the NPs was 139.4 ± 1.41 nm. After 21 days, 66.09% ± 1.39 and 42.14% ± 1.07 of ATRA were released from NPs at pH 5.8 and 7.4, respectively. Cell culture studies demonstrated antiangiogenic effects of ATRA-g-PBAE NPs. Anti-angiogenesis IC50 was 0.007 mg/mL for NPs (equal to 0.002 mg/mL of ATRA) and 0.005 mg/mL for free ATRA. Conclusion: This study proposes the ATRA-g-PBAE NPs with inherent anti-angiogenic effects as promising carrier for anticancer drugs with purpose of dual drug delivery.

β-D-Mannuronic Acid (M2000) as a Landmark in Pharmacology

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this article is to retrace the studies of β-D-Mannuronic Acid (M2000) as a new immunosuppressive drug with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) property in miscellaneous aspects including in vitro, in vivo examinations, clinical trials and related to clinical trials studies. Our goal is to compare the effect of this drug with other similar drugs through varied researches and to follow tolerability, biocompatibility, potency, safety, and efficacy of this medication in different studies, as well as to evaluate its therapeutic effectiveness in various diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Different methods were applied in the studies of β-D-Mannuronic Acid under in vitro, in vivo examinations, and clinical trials phase I, II and III and related investigations to these clinical trials using different techniques showing the efficacy of this medication in the treatment of various diseases.

RESULTS

The administration of β -D-Mannuronic Acid showed the greatest tolerability and biocompatibility compared to diclofenac, piroxicam, and dexamethasone without or very low side effects. The drug has shown a punchy effect on many molecules which participate either in physiologic or in pathogenic activities in animal models and human. This new drug not only revealed the anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties but also based on the results of various investigations, β-D-Mannuronic Acid showed the antidiabetic, cardioprotective and anti-tumoral effects.

CONCLUSION

β-D-Mannuronic Acid (M2000) as a novel immunosuppressive drug with NSAID properties along with antidiabetic, cardioprotective and anti-tumoral efficacy showed great tolerability and safety profile. In addition, it has no or mild adverse events compared with many other medicines, therefore this medicament could be considered as a landmark in pharmacology and represent turn point in the treatment of different diseases based on the experimental and in vitro studies explained and clinical and related studies proved.

International multicenter randomized, placebo-controlled phase III clinical trial of β-D-mannuronic acid in rheumatoid arthritis patients

BACKGROUND

The oral administration of drug β-D-mannuronic acid (M2000) showed a potent therapeutic effect in phase I/II study in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Here, our aim is to assess the efficacy and safety of this new drug in RA patients under a multinational, randomized placebo-controlled phase III clinical trial.

METHOD

Patients (n = 288) with active disease at baseline and inadequate response to conventional drugs were randomly allocated to three groups; (1) receiving mannuronic acid at a dose of two capsules (500 mg) per day orally for 12 weeks, (2) placebo-controlled, and (3) conventional. The primary endpoints were the America College of Rheumatology 20 response (ACR20), 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) and Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (M-HAQ-DI). In addition, the participants were followed-up for safety assessment.

RESULTS

In this phase III trial, after 12 weeks of treatment, there was a significant reduction in ACR20 between mannuronic-treated patients compared to placebo and conventional groups. Moreover, there was a similar significant improvement for DAS28 following mannuronic therapy. The statistical analysis showed a significant reduction in the swollen and tender joint count in mannuronic-treated patients compared with the placebo group. On the other side, mannuronic acid showed no-to-very low adverse events in comparison to placebo.

CONCLUSION

The results of this multinational, phase III clinical trial provided a potent evidence base for the use of β-D-mannuronic acid as a new highly safe and efficient drug in the treatment of RA.