Search

Streptochlorin, a small compound derived from marine actinomycete, has been shown to have anti-angiogenic, anti-tumor, and anti-allergic activities. However, the anti-inflammatory effects and underlying mechanisms have not yet been reported. In the present study, we investigated the effect of streptochlorin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo. Streptochlorin attenuated the production of proinflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide, cyclooxygenase-2, pro-interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells through inhibition of the Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR)-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-ß (TRIF)-dependent signaling pathway. Furthermore, streptochlorin suppressed the infiltration of immune cells such as neutrophils into the lung and proinflammatory cytokine production such as IL-6 and TNF-a in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in the LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI) mouse model. Streptochlorin has potent anti-inflammatory effects through regulating TRIF-dependent signaling pathways, suggesting that streptochlorin may provide a valuable therapeutic strategy in treating various inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses water extract of the plant cinnamomum cassia (CCWE)) for angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel formation, for cancer therapy. Topics discussed include the effect of CCWE on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) proliferation; the effect of CCWE on endothelial cell viability; and the effect of CCWE on endothelial cell tube formation.

The article discusses the result of nodakenin, a significant natural resource and anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory medicinal material on atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions. It states the investigation of inhibitory effect of nodakenin on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions in imprinting control region (ICR) mice. An overview on the study involving the animal care conducted in the Yonsei University at Wonju, South Korea is also presented.

Carpesium macrocephalum (CM) Fr. et Sav. (Compositae) has been used in Chinese folk medicine as an analgesic, hemostatic, antipyretic, and to suppress inflammatory conditions. In the present study we aimed to provide scientific evidence for the anti-inflammatory properties of CM extract and evaluate the intrinsic mechanisms involved in both in vitro and in vivo experimental models. In in vitro findings, CM significantly inhibited the LPS-stimulated release of proinflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, prostaglandin E2, and interleukin-6 in RAW264.7 macrophages in a concentration-dependent fashion. The attenuation of inflammatory responses in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells by CM was closely associated with the suppression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) phosphorylation, IκB-α degradation, and phosphorylation of Akt. CM treatment also attenuated the phosphorylation of STAT through TRIF dependent pathways in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. In vivo studies revealed that CM extract concentration dependently suppressed the acetic acid-induced vascular permeability in mice. Considering the data obtained regulation of multiple signaling mechanisms involving TRIF and Akt/NF-κB pathways might be responsible for the potent anti-inflammatory action of CM, substantiating its traditional use in inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the effect of eriodictyol, derived from the painted maple and yerba santa, on mast cell degranulation and on an allergic response in an animal model. It further investigates its effect on the expression of the ceramide kinase (CERK) involved in calcium-dependent degranulation, and on ceramide activation by multiple cytokines. It reports that eriodictyol appeared to inhibit mast-cell degranulation by inhibiting sphingolipid metabolism.

The article presents a study which investigates the Anethum graveolens flower (AGF) extract which inhibits a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in macrophages. The study employs western blotting, immunocytochemistry, and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results suggest that AGF exerts an anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by inhibiting iNOS expression.

Studies previously reported that melittin, a major bioactive component of bee venom, inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation through suppression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and Akt activation and through enhancement of proapoptotic protein expression. In this study, the effects of melittin were investigated on the tyrosine phosphorylation of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) beta receptor (Rβ) and its downstream intracellular signal transduction. When combined with PDGF-Rβ inhibitor, melittin exhibited a synergic inhibitory effect on PDGF-BB-induced rat aortic VSMC proliferation. In addition, melittin inhibited PDGF-Rβ phosphorylation in a concentration-dependent manner. Accordingly, the downstream signal transduction of PDGF-Rβ, such as ERK1/2, Akt, and PLCγ1 phosphorylation, was also inhibited by melittin in the same manner. These findings suggest that, in addition to suppressing NF-κB activation, the antiproliferative effect of melittin in VSMC may be mediated, at least in part, by the inhibition of PDGF-Rβ tyrosine phosphorylation and its downstream intracellular signal transduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antithrombotic and antiplatelet activities of Korean red ginseng extract (KRGE) were examined on rat carotid artery thrombosis in vivo and platelet aggregation in vitro and ex vivo. The KRGE significantly prevented rat carotid arterial thrombosis in vivo in a dose-dependent manner. Administration of the KRGE to rats significantly inhibited adenosine diphosphate (ADP)- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation ex vivo, although it failed to prolong coagulation times such as activated partial thromboplastin and prothrombin time indicating that the antithrombotic effect of the red ginseng may be due to its antiplatelet aggregation rather than anticoagulation effect. In line with the above observations, the red ginseng inhibited the U46619-, arachidonic acid-, collagen- and thrombin-induced rabbit platelet aggregations in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner, with IC50 values of 390 ± 15, 485 ± 19, 387 ± 11 and 335 ± 15 µg/ml, respectively. Consistently, serotonin secretion was also inhibited by ginseng in the same pattern. These results suggest that the red ginseng has a potent antithrombotic effect in vivo, which may be due to the antiplatelet rather than the anticoagulation activity, and the red ginseng intake may be beneficial for individuals with high risks of thrombotic and cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the author discusses a research related to the inhibition of apoptosis of C2C12 myoblasts by a Eupatorium chinense var. simplicifolium (EUC) root extract. Topics discussed include muscular dystrophy are associated with an increase in oxidative stress, treatments for muscular dystrophy include gene therapy, and muscle cell transplantation, and EUC is a perennial herb with anti-palsy and anti-hypertension effects.