Anti-inflammatory effects of bangpungtongsung-san, a traditional herbal prescription

R-Phycoerythrin from Colaconema formosanum (Rhodophyta), an Anti-Allergic and Collagen Promoting Material for Cosmeceuticals

R-phycoerythrin (R-PE), a pigment complex found in red algae, was extracted and purified from a newly identified red alga, Colaconema formosanum, and its bioactivities were examined. It was revealed that R-PE treatment resulted in high cell viability (>70%) to the mammalian cell lines NIH-3T3, RBL-2H3, RAW264.7, and Hs68, and had no effect on cell morphology in NIH-3T3 cells. Its suppression effect was insignificant on the production of IL-6 and TNF-α in lipopolysaccharides-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. However, calcium ionophore A23187-induced β-hexosaminidase release was effectively inhibited in a dose-dependent manner in RBL-2H3 cells. Additionally, it was revealed to be non-irritating to bionic epidermal tissues. Notably, procollagen production was promoted in Hs68 cells. Overall, the data revealed that R-PE purified from C. formosanum exhibits anti-allergic and anti-aging bioactivities with no observed consequential toxicity on multiple mammalian cell lines as well as epidermal tissues, suggesting that this macromolecule is a novel material for potential cosmetic use.

In vitro evaluation of selligueain A effects on the proinflammatory mediators production in RAW264.7 murine macrophages

Introduction: Selligueain A derived from the roots of Polypodium feei was shown to have anti-inflammatory activity, which was tested in vivo on the rats’ paw edema induced by carrageenan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of selligueain A in vitro against the production of pro-inflammatory mediators. Methods: In this study, RAW264.7 cells were used as an inflammatory cell model, and observations were made on the inflammatory mediators nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The NO concentration was measured by the Griess reaction, and the iNOS enzyme and the TNF-α concentrations were determined by the ELISA method. Cell viability was assessed by the [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium] (MTS) test. Results: Selligueain A at concentrations of 100 and 150 µM suppressed the production of NO, iNOS, and TNF-α in RAW264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The concentration of 150 µM showed the highest inhibition of NO, iNOS, and TNF-α mediators with the percentage inhibition of 64.85, 55.01, and 48.54%, respectively. Conclusion: This study shows that selligueain A has anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of NO, iNOS, and TNF-α production in RAW264.7 macrophage cells.

Natural Sulfurs Inhibit LPS-Induced Inflammatory Responses through NF-κB Signaling in CCD-986Sk Skin Fibroblasts

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response leads to serious damage, up to and including tumorigenesis. Natural mineral sulfur, non-toxic sulfur (NTS), and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) have anti-inflammatory activity that may inhibit LPS-induced inflammation. We hypothesized that sulfur compounds could inhibit LPS-induced inflammatory responses in CCD-986Sk skin fibroblasts. We used Western blotting and real-time PCR to analyze molecular signaling in treated and untreated cultures. We also used flow cytometry for cell surface receptor analysis, comet assays to evaluate DNA damage, and ELISA-based cytokine detection. LPS induced TLR4 activation and NF-κB signaling via canonical and protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent pathways, while NTS and MSM downregulated that response. NTS and MSM also inhibited LPS-induced nuclear accumulation and binding of NF-κB to proinflammatory cytokines COX-2, IL-1β, and IL-6. Finally, the sulfur compounds suppressed LPS-induced ROS accumulation and DNA damage in CCD-986Sk cells. These results suggest that natural sulfur compounds could be used to treat inflammation and may be useful in the development of cosmetics.

Antidepressant and Anti-Neuroinflammatory Effects of Bangpungtongsung-San

Bangpungtongsung-san (BTS) is a traditional Korean medicine consisting of 18 herbs, some which have antidepressant effects. Here, we used an animal model of reserpine-induced depression and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglia to assess the antidepressant and anti-neuroinflammatory effects of BTS. Aside from a control group, C57BL/6 mice were administered reserpine (0.5 mg/kg) daily for 10 days via intraperitoneal injection. BTS (100, 300, or 500 mg/kg), vehicle (PBS), or fluoxetine (FXT, 20 mg/kg) was administered orally 1 h before reserpine treatment. Following treatment, a forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), and open field test (OFT) were performed, and immobility time and total travel distance were measured. Administration of BTS not only reduced immobility time in the FST and TST but also significantly increased the total travel distance in the OFT. Furthermore, reserpine-treated mice showed significantly elevated serum levels of corticosterone, a stress hormone; however, treatment with BTS significantly reduced corticosterone levels, similar to FXT treatment. Serotonin in reserpine-treated mice was significantly reduced compared to that in control mice, while BTS mice exhibited increased serotonin levels. BTS mice showed increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and a higher ratio of phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (p-CREB) to CREB (p-CREB/CREB) in the hippocampus. Additionally, reserpine-treated mice exhibited significantly elevated mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, but BTS mice showed reduced mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the hippocampus. To further demonstrate the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of BTS in vitro, we examined its anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglia. BTS significantly reduced the levels of NO, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in a dose-dependent manner via a decrease in the expression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65. Furthermore, the neuroprotective factor heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was upregulated via the nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (NRF2)/CREB pathway. Taken together, our data suggest that BTS has considerable potential as an anti-neuroinflammation and antidepressant agent, as it has clear effects on depressive behaviors and associated factors caused by reserpine-induced depression.

Cell Penetrating Peptide as a High Safety Anti-Inflammation Ingredient for Cosmetic Applications

Cosmeceutical peptides have become an important topic in recent decades in both academic and industrial fields. Many natural or synthetic peptides with different biological functions including anti-ageing, anti-oxidation, anti-infection and anti-pigmentation have been developed and commercialized. Current cosmeceutical peptides have already satisfied most market demand, remaining: "cargos carrying skin penetrating peptide with high safety" still an un-met need. To this aim, a cell-penetrating peptide, CPP_AIF, which efficiently transported cargos into epithelial cells was exanimated. CPP_AIF was evaluated with cell model and 3D skin model following OECD guidelines without using animal models. As a highly stable peptide, CPP_AIF neither irritated nor sensitized skin, also did not disrupt skin barrier. In addition, such high safety peptide had anti-inflammation activity without allergic effect. Moreover, cargo carrying activity of CPP_AIF was assayed using HaCaT cell model and rapid CPP_AIF penetration was observed within 30 min. Finally, CPP_AIF possessed transepidermal activity in water in oil formulation without disruption of skin barrier. All evidences indicated that CPP_AIF was an ideal choice for skin penetrating and its anti-inflammatory activity could improve skin condition, which made CPP_AIF suitable and attractive for novel cosmeceutical product development.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of compounds isolated from the rhizome of Ophiopogon japonicas

Background

Ophiopogon japonicas (L.f) Ker-Gawl has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine to cure acute and chronic inflammation and cardiovascular diseases including thrombotic diseases for thousands of years. Previous phytochemical studies showed that O. japonicus contained compounds with anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of this study was to identify and isolate compounds with anti-inflammatory activity from the rhizome of O. japonicas.

Methods

Compounds were isolated by various column chromatography and their structures were identified in terms of nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum (NMR) and mass spectrum (MS). To measure the anti-inflammatory effects of thirteen compounds in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, we used the following methods: cell viability assay, nitric oxide assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative real-time PCR analysis and western blotting analysis.

Results

One new and twelve known compounds (mainly homoisoflavonoids) were extracted from O. japonicas, in which 4′-O-Demethylophiopogonanone E (10) was considered as a new compound, additionally, compounds 4-O-(2-Hydroxy-1- hydroxymethylethyl)-dihydroconiferyl alcohol (2) and 5,7-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-(2′, 4′-dihydroxybenzyl) chroman-4-one (12) were isolated from the rhizome of O. japonicas for the first time. The isolated compounds Oleic acid (3), Palmitic acid (4), desmethylisoophiopogonone B [5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4′-hydroxybenzyl)-8- methyl- chromone] (5), 5,7-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-(4′-hydroxybenzyl) chromone (7) and 10 significantly suppressed the production of NO in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Especially compound 10 showed the strongest effect against the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β and IL-6 with the IC₅₀ value of 32.5 ± 3.5 μg/mL and 13.4 ± 2.3 μg/mL, respectively. Further analysis elucidated that the anti-inflammatory activity of compound 10 might be exerted through inhibiting the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and JNK in MAPK signaling pathways to decrease NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines production.

Conclusions

Our results indicated that 4′-O-Demethylophiopogonanone E can be considered as a potential source of therapeutic medicine for inflammatory diseases.

Prediction of cold and heat patterns using anthropometric measures based on machine learning

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association of body shape with cold and heat patterns, to determine which anthropometric measure is the best indicator for discriminating between the two patterns, and to investigate whether using a combination of measures can improve the predictive power to diagnose these patterns.

METHODS

Based on a total of 4,859 subjects (3,000 women and 1,859 men), statistical analyses using binary logistic regression were performed to assess the significance of the difference and the predictive power of each anthropometric measure, and binary logistic regression and Naive Bayes with the variable selection technique were used to assess the improvement in the predictive power of the patterns using the combined measures.

RESULTS

In women, the strongest indicators for determining the cold and heat patterns among anthropometric measures were body mass index (BMI) and rib circumference; in men, the best indicator was BMI. In experiments using a combination of measures, the values of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve in women were 0.776 by Naive Bayes and 0.772 by logistic regression, and the values in men were 0.788 by Naive Bayes and 0.779 by logistic regression.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with a higher BMI have a tendency toward a heat pattern in both women and men. The use of a combination of anthropometric measures can slightly improve the diagnostic accuracy. Our findings can provide fundamental information for the diagnosis of cold and heat patterns based on body shape for personalized medicine.

Hederagenin, a major component of Clematis mandshurica Ruprecht root, attenuates inflammatory responses in RAW 264.7 cells and in mice

Clematis mandshurica Ruprecht root has been used in Asia as a traditional anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antitumor agent. Its main active component is hederagenin, a naturally occurring triterpene, and in this study, we examined the anti-inflammatory effects of hederagenin in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot, and RT-PCR. In addition, its effects on acute inflammation in vivo were observed using a carrageenan-induced mouse hind paw edema assay. Furthermore, the changes on the histopathology and histomorphometry of hind paw skins were examined using carrageenan-treated mice. Treatment with hederagenin (10, 30 and 100μM) resulted in inhibited levels of protein expression of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated iNOS, COX-2, and NF-κB as well as production of NO, PGE2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 induced by lipopolysaccharide. Consistent with these results, hederagenin also dose-dependently reduced the lipopolysaccharide-induced mRNA levels of iNOS and COX-2, and of the above-mentioned cytokines. Interestingly, results of the carrageenan-induced mouse hind paw edema assay showed an anti-edema effect of hederagenin. Furthermore, hederagenin (30mg/kg) inhibited the carrageenan-induced increases in skin thicknesses, infiltrated inflammatory cells, and mast cell degranulation. These results suggest that hederagenin may possess anti-inflammatory activities.

Biomolecular evidence of anti-inflammatory effects by Clematis mandshurica Ruprecht root extract in rodent cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Clematis mandshurica Ruprecht root is widely used in Asia as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. This research investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of Clematis mandshurica Ruprecht root extract (CRE) using RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and carrageenan- (CA-) induced rat paw edema.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the culture supernatant, mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS and COX-2, protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in the extract were assayed. In addition, the effect of CRE on acute inflammation in vivo was observed using CA-induced rat hind paw edema assay. The changes on the histopathology and histomorphometry of hind paw skins-dorsum and ventrum pedis were observed using CA-treated rats.

RESULTS

Treatment with CRE (0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/mL) resulted in inhibited levels of protein expression of lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB, and MAPKs (ERK, JNK, and p38) as well as production of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NO, and PGE2 induced by LPS. Consistent with these results, CRE reduced the LPS-induced expressions of these cytokines, iNOS and COX-2 at the mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner. In particular, results of the CA-induced rat hind paw edema assay showed an anti-edema effect of CRE. In addition, treatment with CRE resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of CA-induced increases of skin thickness, mast cell degranulation, and infiltrated inflammatory, TNF-α, IL-1β, iNOS, and COX-2-positive cells in both dorsum and ventrum pedis skin, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that CRE exhibits anti-inflammatory activities via decreasing production of pro-inflammatory mediators through suppression of the pathways of NF-κB and MAPKs in LPS-induced macrophage cells. In addition, results of the CA-induced rat hind paw edema assay show an anti-edema effect of CRE. Our findings also support the traditional use of CRE in the inflammatory symptoms of rheumatic arthritis and acute icteric hepatitis. Thus, CRE may have therapeutic potential for a variety of inflammation-mediated diseases and may be developed into potent anti-inflammatory drugs.

U-Bang-Haequi Tang: A Herbal Prescription that Prevents Acute Inflammation through Inhibition of NF-κB-Mediated Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase

Since antiquity, medical herbs have been prescribed for both treatment and preventative purposes. Herbal formulas are used to reduce toxicity as well as increase efficacy in traditional Korean medicine. U-bang-haequi tang (UBT) is a herbal prescription containing Arctii fructus and Forsythia suspensa as its main components and has treated many human diseases in traditional Korean medicine. This research investigated the effects of UBT against an acute phase of inflammation. For this, we measured induction of nitric oxide (NO) and related proteins in macrophage cell line stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Further, paw swelling was measured in carrageenan-treated rats. Carrageenan significantly induced activation of inflammatory cells and increases in paw volume, whereas oral administration of 0.3 or 1 g/kg/day of UBT inhibited the acute inflammatory response. In RAW264.7 cells, UBT inhibited mRNA and protein expression levels of iNOS. UBT treatment also blocked elevation of NO production, nuclear translocation of NF-κB, phosphorylation of Iκ-Bα induced by LPS. Moreover, UBT treatment significantly blocked the phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases by LPS. In conclusion, UBT prevented both acute inflammation in rats as well as LPS-induced NO and iNOS gene expression through inhibition of NF-κB in RAW264.7 cells.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects and Mechanisms of Fatsia polycarpa Hayata and Its Constituents

Fatsia polycarpa, a plant endemic to Taiwan, is an herbal medicine known for treating several inflammation-related diseases, but its biological function needs scientific support. Thus, the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of the methanolic crude extract (MCE) of F. polycarpa and its feature constituents, that is, brassicasterol (a phytosterol), triterpenoids 3α-hydroxyolean-11,13(18)-dien-28-oic acid (HODA), 3α-hydroxyolean-11-en-28,13β-olide (HOEO), fatsicarpain D, and fatsicarpain F, were investigated. MCE and HOEO, but not brassicasterol, dose-dependently inhibited lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-)induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in RAW 264.7 macrophage line, whereas HODA, fatsicarpain D and fatsicarpain F were toxic to RAW cells. Additionally, MCE and HOEO suppressed LPS-induced production of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E₂, and interleukin-1β and interfered with LPS-promoted activation of the inhibitor kappa B kinase (IKK)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway, and that of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. In animal tests, MCE and HOEO effectively ameliorated 12-O-tetradecanoylphorobol-13 acetate- (TPA-)induced ear edema of mice. Thus, MCE of F. polycarpa exhibited an obvious anti-inflammatory activity in vivo and in vitro that likely involved the inhibition of the IKK/NF-κB pathway and the MAPKs, which may be attributed by triterpenoids such as HOEO.

Gelam honey attenuates carrageenan-induced rat paw inflammation via NF-κB pathway. PLoS One. 2013;8:e72365. [PMID: 24015236 PMCID: PMC3756081 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072365]

The activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of a number of inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Gelam honey in inflammation induced rats via NF-κB signalling pathway. Rats paw edema was induced by subplantar injection of 1% carrageenan into the right hind paw. Rats were pre-treated with Gelam honey at different doses (1 or 2 g/kg, p.o.) and NSAID Indomethacin (10 mg/kg, p.o.), in two time points (1 and 7 days). Our results showed that Gelam honey at both concentrations suppressed the gene expressions of NF-κB (p65 & p50) and IκBα in inflamed rats paw tissues. In addition, Gelam honey inhibited the nuclear translocation and activation of NF-κB and decreased the cytosolic degradation of IκBα dose dependently in inflamed rats paw tissues. The immunohistochemical expressions of pro-inflammatory mediators COX-2 and TNF-α were also decreased in inflamed rats paw tissues when treated with Gelam honey. The results of our findings suggest that Gelam honey exhibits its inhibitory effects by attenuating NF-κB translocation to the nucleus and inhibiting IκBα degradation, with subsequent decrease of inflammatory mediators COX-2 and TNF-α.

Inhibitory effects of traditional herbal formula pyungwi-san on inflammatory response in vitro and in vivo

Pyungwi-san (PWS) is a traditional basic herbal formula. We investigated the effects of PWS on induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α )) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF- κ B) as well as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in lipopolysaccharide-(LPS-) induced Raw 264.7 cells and on paw edema in rats. Treatment with PWS (0.5, 0.75, and 1 mg/mL) resulted in inhibited levels of expression of LPS-induced COX-2, iNOS, NF- κ B, and MAPKs as well as production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), nitric oxide (NO), IL-6, and TNF- α induced by LPS. Our results demonstrate that PWS possesses anti-inflammatory activities via decreasing production of pro-inflammatory mediators through suppression of the signaling pathways of NF- κ B and MAPKs in LPS-induced macrophage cells. More importantly, results of the carrageenan-(CA-) induced paw edema demonstrate an anti-edema effect of PWS. In addition, it is considered that PWS also inhibits the acute edematous inflammations through suppression of mast cell degranulations and inflammatory mediators, including COX-2, iNOS and TNF- α . Thus, our findings may provide scientific evidence to explain the anti-inflammatory properties of PWS in vitro and in vivo.

Bojesodok-eum, a herbal prescription, ameliorates acute iInflammation in association with the inhibition of NF-κB-Mediated nitric oxide and proInflammatory cytokine production. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:457370. [PMID: 23093981 PMCID: PMC3472669 DOI: 10.1155/2012/457370]

Bojesodok-eum (BSE) is a herbal prescription consisting of Coptidis Rhizoma and Scutellariae Radix as main components. This paper investigated the effects of BSE on the induction of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), and proinflammatory cytokines that are caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in murine macrophage cell line and on the paw edema formation in animals. Administration of BSE (0.3 g/kg and 1 g/kg) in rats significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema formation, as did dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory positive control drug. In cell model, treatment of BSE decreased the production of NO and PGE₂ in RAW264.7 cells stimulated by LPS. BSE also inhibited the expression of iNOS and COX-2 protein as well as COX activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Consistently, BSE suppressed the ability of LPS to produce TNF-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6. LPS treatment induced nuclear NF-κB level and I-κBα phosphorylation, which were inhibited subsequent treatment of BSE, suggesting its repression of LPS-inducible NF-κB activation. BSE abrogated the induction of NO, PGE₂, and proinflammatory cytokines, as well as iNOS and COX-2 protein expression in RAW264.7 cells stimulated by LPS as mediated with NF-κB inhibition.