Inhibition of Acute Phase Inflammation by Laminaria japonica through Regulation of iNOS-NF- κ B Pathway

Exploring the possible mechanism involved in the anti-nociceptive effect of β-sitosterol: modulation of oxidative stress, nitric oxide and IL-6

Β-sitosterol is a phytosterol, documented to possess various activities including protection against inflammation, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. The current investigation was designed to explore the analgesic potential of β-sitosterol and the possible molecular mechanism involved in the observed effect. β-sitosterol was administered at varying doses of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg before subjecting the mice to acetic acid and formalin challenges. The number of writhings in acetic acid and the number of flinchings and foot tappings were quantified in the formalin test. For mechanistic studies, substance P (cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) stimulator) and L-Nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (nitric oxide synthetases (NOS) inhibitor) and L-arginine (nitric oxide precursor) were administered before β-sitosterol treatment. β-sitosterol (10, 20, 40 mg/kg) treatment significantly reduced acetic acid-induced writhings and ameliorated the formalin-induced inflammatory phase dose-dependently. Whereas, 40 mg/kg dose of β-sitosterol abrogated the formalin-induced neurogenic phase. Substance-P abrogated the effect of β-sitosterol in both neurogenic and inflammatory phases. Whereas, L-arginine only abrogated the inflammatory phase. In biochemical analysis, β-sitosterol treatment reduced the level of interleukin-6 (IL-6), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and increased the level of reduced glutathione (GSH). Furthermore, L-arginine and substance-P abrogated the GSH increasing and TBARS lowering effect of β-sitosterol (40 mg/kg). Overall, the current study delineated that β-sitosterol may induce an anti-nociceptive effect via inhibiting the IL-6, oxidative stress, cyclo-oxygenase and nitric oxide.

Brown Seaweed Food Supplementation: Effects on Allergy and Inflammation and Its Consequences

Multiple health benefits have been ascribed to brown seaweeds that are used traditionally as dietary component mostly in Asia. This systematic review summarizes information on the impact of brown seaweeds or components on inflammation, and inflammation-related pathologies, such as allergies, diabetes mellitus and obesity. We focus on oral supplementation thus intending the use of brown seaweeds as food additives. Despite the great diversity of experimental systems in which distinct species and compounds were tested for their effects on inflammation and immunity, a remarkably homogeneous picture arises. The predominant effects of consumption of brown seaweeds or compounds can be classified into three categories: (1) inhibition of reactive oxygen species, known to be important drivers of inflammation; (2) regulation, i.e., in most cases inhibition of proinflammatory NF-κB signaling; (3) modulation of adaptive immune responses, in particular by interfering with T-helper cell polarization. Over the last decades, several inflammation-related diseases have increased substantially. These include allergies and autoimmune diseases as well as morbidities associated with lifestyle and aging. In this light, further development of brown seaweeds and seaweed compounds as functional foods and nutriceuticals might contribute to combat these challenges.

Phytochemical analysis and anti-inflammatory activity of Cladophora aegagropila extract

Introduction: The aim of this research is centered on phytochemical analysis and anti-inflammatory activity of Cladophora aegagropila extract. Methods: Total flavonoid content in the appropriate ethanol extract of C. aegagropila was determined using the spectrometric method. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by the models of carrageenan-induced and allyl isothiocyanate-induced (AITC-induced) inflammation of hind limb in rats. Experimental animals were divided into 3 groups, 5 animals each: 1st group – control; the animals without therapy of induced inflammation, 2nd group – animals were treated with application of 5% ointment containing C. aegagropila; 3rd group – animals were treated with application of 5% ibuprofen. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity was performed by determination of dynamic change of thickness and volume of affected animal limb for carrageenan-induced inflammation for 8 days (with daily registration of records), and for AITC induced inflammation for 24 h (with registration of records after 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 6 h and 24 h since phlogogen was introduced). Results: Flavonoids content in C. aegagropila extract varied depending on ethanol concentration: usage of 40% ethanol led to 18.2 mg of flavonoid recovery on 1.0 g of dry raw material; 70% ethanol – 39.5 mg and 96% ethanol – 35.5 mg. Therapy of 5% ointment based on C. aegagropila extract decreased inflammatory response caused by the subplantar introduction of the corresponding phlogogen. Conclusion: The ointment from C. aegagropila extract shows anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting inflammation caused by AITC and carrageenan.

Enoxaparin prevents fibrin accumulation in liver tissues and attenuates methotrexate-induced liver injury in rats

Methotrexate (MTX) is a widely used drug for treatment of many malignant, rheumatic, and autoimmune diseases. However, hepatotoxicity remains one of the most serious side effects of MTX. The extrinsic coagulation pathway is activated after tissue injury through the release of tissue factor (TF) which activates a cascade of clotting factors including prothrombin and fibrinogen. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells express endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) as a source for nitric oxide (NO) that serves as vasodilator and antithrombotic factor. In the current study, we tested the possible role of coagulation system activation in MTX-induced hepatotoxicity. Our results showed that single-dose administration of MTX significantly altered rat liver functions with concurrent turbulence in redox status. Immunofluorescence staining showed accumulation of fibrin in the periportal hepatocytes and downregulation of eNOS expression in hepatic endothelial and sinusoidal cells following MTX treatment. Moreover, MTX administration increased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and NOSTRIN (eNOS traffic inducer) in the hepatic sinusoids. On the other hand, pre-treatment with enoxaparin rescued against MTX-induced liver injury with subsequent amelioration of liver redox status. Furthermore, it significantly prevented the effect of MTX on the expression of fibrin, iNOS, eNOS, and NOSTRIN. We concluded that liver tissue aggregation of the coagulation product, fibrin, may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of MTX-induced liver injury.