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Simple Summary: In this study, we examined how extracts and bavachin from Psoralea corylifolia affect bovine and porcine rotaviruses in a lab setting. We evaluated whether these substances could prevent the virus from attaching to cells and whether they could stop it from replicating. We found that, in the virucidal assay, the extracts and bavachin were unable to reduce viral infectivity by neutralizing the virus before it entered the host cells. However, when it was applied after the virus had already infected cells, bavachin showed strong antiviral effects. It notably reduced the virus's ability to replicate, indicating its potential as a treatment for both bovine and porcine rotaviruses. Rotavirus is the main causative agent of viral gastroenteritis among young animals worldwide. Currently, no clinically approved or effective antiviral drugs are available to combat rotavirus infections. Herein, we evaluated the anti-rotaviral activities of extracts and bavachin isolated from Psoralea corylifolia L. (Fabaceae) (P. corylifolia) against the bovine rotavirus G8P[7] and porcine rotavirus G5P[7] in vitro. Two assay strategies were performed: (1) a virucidal assay to reduce viral infectivity by virus neutralization and (2) a post-treatment assay to assess viral replication suppression. The results from the virucidal assay showed that the extracts and bavachin did not exert anti-rotaviral activities. In the follow-up analysis after treatment, bavachin exhibited robust antiviral efficacy, with 50% effective concentration (EC50) values of 10.6 μM (selectivity index [SI] = 2.38) against bovine rotavirus G8P[7] and 13.0 μM (SI = 1.94) against porcine rotavirus G5P[7]. Bavachin strongly suppressed viral RNA synthesis in the early (6 h) and late stages (18 h) after rotaviral infection. These findings strongly suggest that bavachin may have hindered the virions by effectively inhibiting the early stages of the virus replication cycle after rotaviral infection. Furthermore, confocal imaging showed that bavachin suppressed viral protein synthesis, notably that of the rotaviral protein (VP6). These results suggest that bavachin has strong antiviral activity against rotaviruses, inhibits viral replication, and is a candidate natural therapeutic drug targeting rotaviral infection. The utilization of bavachin isolated from P. corylifolia may contribute to decreased mortality rates, lower medication expenses, and enhanced economic viability in domestic farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 20% of the world's population suffers from allergic diseases, including allergic asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis that severely reduce the patient's quality of life. The treatment of allergy has been developed, but there are still unmet needs. Ampelopsis brevipedunculata (Maxim.) Trautv. is a traditional medicinal herb with beneficial bioactivities, such as antioxidant, anti-hypertension, anti-viral, anti-mutagenic, and skin and liver (anti-hepatotoxic) protective actions. However, its anti-allergic effect has not been addressed. This study designed to investigate the pharmacological effect of an ethanol extract of A. brevipedunculata rhizomes (ABE) on mast cell and anaphylaxis models. For in vivo studies, we used ovalbumin-induced active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) and immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) models. In ASA model, oral administration of ABE (1, 10, and 100 mg/kg) attenuated the anaphylactic responses, such as hypothermia, serum histamine, and IgE productions. In PCA model, ABE also suppressed the plasma extravasation and swelling. The underlying mechanisms of action were identified in various mast cell types. In vitro, ABE (10, 30, and 60 µg/mL) inhibited the release of essential allergic mediators, such as histamine and β-hexosaminidase, in a concentration-dependent manner. ABE prevented the rapid increase in intracellular calcium levels induced by the DNP-HSA challenge. In addition, ABE downregulated the tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-4 by suppressing the activation of nuclear factor-κB. Collectively, this study is the first to identify the anti-allergic effect of ABE, suggesting that ABE is a promising candidate for treating allergic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cisplatin is a widely used anti-cancer drug for treating solid tumors, but it is associated with severe side effects, including nephrotoxicity. Various studies have suggested that the nephrotoxicity of cisplatin could be overcome; nonetheless, an effective adjuvant drug has not yet been established. Oleanolic acid acetate (OAA), a triterpenoid isolated from Vigna angularis, is commonly used to treat inflammatory and allergic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of OAA against cisplatin-induced apoptosis and necroptosis using TCMK-1 cells and a mouse model. In cisplatin-treated TCMK-1 cells, OAA treatment significantly reduced Bax and cleaved-caspase3 expression, whereas it increased Bcl-2 expression. Moreover, in a cisplatin-induced kidney injury mouse model, OAA treatment alleviated weight loss in the body and major organs and also relieved cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity symptoms. RNA sequencing analysis of kidney tissues identified lipocalin-2 as the most upregulated gene by cisplatin. Additionally, necroptosis-related genes such as receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK) and mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) were identified. In an in vitro study, the phosphorylation of RIPKs and MLKL was reduced by OAA pretreatment in both cisplatin-treated cells and cells boosted via co-treatment with z-VAD-FMK. In conclusion, OAA could protect the kidney from cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and may serve as an anti-cancer adjuvant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a chronic disorder affecting the colon and rectum, involves the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines causing damage to tight junctions (TJ) in the intestinal epithelial cells and chronic inflammation. The current mainstay of treatment, sulfasalazine, often causes adverse effects, thereby necessitating the exploration of alternative herbal medicines with fewer side effects. Portulaca oleracea L. (P. oleracea), a traditional medicinal herb, contains feruloyl amide compounds. We synthesized new compounds by conjugating ferulic acid (FA) with (±)-octopamine. Our study focused on novel FA derivatives that demonstrate protective effects against the intestinal epithelial barrier and inflammatory responses. In lipopolysaccharide-induced cells, C1 and C1a inhibited the production of inflammatory mediators. In Caco-2 cells, these compounds maintained the TJ protein expression, thereby demonstrating their protective effects on the epithelial barrier. In a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium-induced IBD, a treatment with these compounds ameliorated features including a body weight reduction, colon shortening, an increased disease activity index, and histopathological changes. Furthermore, C1a demonstrated greater efficacy than C1 at the same concentration. These findings suggest that the novel FA derivative (C1a) effectively alleviates clinical signs and inflammatory mediators in IBD, making these compounds potential candidates as natural medicines for the treatment of IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ampelopsis brevipedunculata (Maxim.) Trautv. has been used for a long time as a folk remedy. According to studies, it possesses anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. However, its effects on atopic dermatitis (AD) are poorly studied. Thus, we investigated the therapeutic effect of A. brevipedunculata (Maxim.) Trautv. extract (ABE‐M) on 2,4‐dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)‐induced AD. For in vitro analysis, keratinocytes cell lines (HaCaT cells) were used. To evaluate the gene and protein expression levels of cytokines and chemokines, TNF‐α/IFN‐γ‐stimulated HaCaT cells were treated with ABE‐M. The cells and the supernatant were collected, then gene and protein levels were analyzed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay analysis. For in vivo analysis, BALB/c mice (6 weeks) were randomly separated into five groups (n = 5). The mice were applied DNCB and phosphate‐buffered saline, dexamethasone (DX) or ABE‐M (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) was orally administrated for 28 days. At the end, ear tissues and blood were collected for histological analysis and evaluation of cytokines and chemokines. In keratinocytes, ABE‐M inhibited the protein and mRNA levels of chemokines, and cytokines exposed by TNF‐α/IFN‐γ. Similarly, the expression of chemokines was suppressed by ABE‐M in AD animal model induced by DNCB and the level of pro‐inflammatory cytokines was decreased in a dose‐dependent manner. Our research indicates that ABE‐M could be a candidate material that can be used to improve skin immunity enhancement, health, and beauty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lycium barbarum and scopoletin are widely used in oriental Eastern medicine and are often consumed as teas. In this study, proinflammatory cytokines expressed in human keratinocytes (HaCaT) were induced by skin diseases caused by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)/interferon gamma (IFN-γ). The inhibitory activity of L. barbarum EtOH extract (LBE) and scopoletin on proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines was investigated. In the DNCB-induced animal model, oral administration of LBE inhibited skin lesions and proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines and showed inhibitory effects in vitro. Additionally, as a result of examining the efficacy of scopoletin isolated from L. barbarum, scopoletin in HaCaT cells showed inhibitory effects on proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. It shows promise in the treatment of chronic skin diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rosa rugosa Thunb., is as a medicinal plant known for anti‐diabetic, and anti‐inflammatory activities. However, the specific active compounds responsible for the individual pharmacological effects of in R. rugosa extract (95% EtOH) remain unknown. Here, we hypothesized that terpenoid structure, the most abundant constituents in R. rugosa extract, are responsible for its anti‐inflammatory activity. We investigated the phytochemical substituents (compounds 1–13) and newly purified 11‐methoxy polisin A, and 13‐methoxy bisaborosaol F using NMR and ESI‐MS and to screened their effects on NO production in LPS‐induced macrophages. Rugosic acid A (RA) induced to ameliorate NO production, iNOS, and pro‐inflammatory cytokines associated with the NF‐κB. And, RA suppressed IL‐6 secretion and IL‐6‐mediated STAT3 activation in LPS‐mediated inflammation. In addition, RA was evaluated in LPS‐mediated acute lung injury (ALI) model similar to acute pneumonia. Our results suggested that RA was suppressed to translocate nuclear NF‐κB and IL‐6‐mediated STAT3 activation. Finally, RA led to amelioration of ALI by decreasing myeloperoxidase (MPO) and inhibiting phosphorylation of NF‐κB and STAT3. Our group originally found that R. rugosa extract had new methoxy compounds and RA may be alternative natural agent for acute pneumonia similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome by coronavirus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Asia, Vigna angularis (azuki bean) has been used as a traditional medicine to treat various diseases because of its biological properties. Osteoarthritis (OA) and osteoporosis (OP) are common regenerative bone diseases that are characterized by deterioration of joint and bone structure. In this study, we evaluated the effects of Vigna angularis extract (VAE) on monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)‐induced OA and ovariectomy (OVX)‐induced OP models. In the MIA‐induced OA results, severe OA was alleviated by the administration of VAE. Extensive local damage in the cartilage and hemorrhagic and edematous of surrounding tissues were decreased by VAE treatment. Articular cartilage was almost intact except for a focal mild abrasion, and the surface was glistening, similar to that of the normal joint. In the OVX‐induced OP results, bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) were recovered by VAE treatment, and it improved the microstructures of bone. These results show that VAE could inhibit OA and OP symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb has been known as an ethnopharmacological medicinal plant for antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects. Although various pharmacological studies of C. orbiculatus extract has been reported, an anti-inflammatory mechanism study of their phytochemical constituents has not been fully elucidated. In this study, compounds 1-17, including undescribed podocarpane-type trinorditerpenoid (3), were purified from C. orbiculatus and their chemical structure were determined by high-resolution electrospray ionization mass (HRESIMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic data. To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of compounds 1-17, nitric oxide (NO) secretion was evaluated in LPS-treated murine macrophages, RAW264.7 cells. Among compounds 1-17, deoxynimbidiol (1) and new trinorditerpenoid (3) showed the most potent inhibitory effects (IC50: 4.9 and 12.6 μM, respectively) on lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated NO releases as well as proinflammatory mediators, such as inducible nitric oxide (iNOS), cyclooxygenase- (COX-) 2, interleukin- (IL-) 1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α. Its inhibitory activity of proinflammatory mediators is contributed by suppressing the activation of nuclear transcription factor- (NF-) κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades including p65, inhibition of NF-κB (IκB), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. Therefore, these results demonstrated that diterpenoids 1 and 3 obtained from C. orbiculatus may be considered a potential candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthma is a common allergic airway inflammatory disease, characterized by abnormal breathing due to bronchial inflammation. Asthma aggravates the patient's quality of life and needs continuous pharmacological treatment. Therefore, discovery of drugs for the treatment of asthma is an important area of human health. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether Cynanchum atratum extract (CAE) modulates the asthma-like allergic airway inflammation and to study its possible mechanism of action using ovalbumin (OVA)-induced airway inflammation and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice, as well as a mast cell-based in vitro model. The histological analysis showed that CAE reduced the airway constriction and immune cell infiltration. CAE also inhibited release of β -hexosaminidase and expression of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- α , interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-5 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissues. In addition, CAE reduced the OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E, total IgE, IgG1, and IgG2a levels in the serum. In the LPS-induced ALI model, CAE suppressed the LPS-induced lung barrier dysfunction and the release of proinflammatory cytokines. Because allergic airway inflammatory responses are associated with the activation of mast cells, RBL-2H3 cells were used to evaluate the underlying mechanism of CAE effects. In RBL-2H3 cells, CAE down-regulated release of β -hexosaminidase and histamine by reducing the intracellular calcium influx. In addition, CAE suppressed the expression of proinflammatory cytokines by inhibiting nuclear translocation of nuclear factor- κ B. Taken together, our findings suggest that CAE may help in the prevention or treatment of airway inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, skin cream containing ziyuglycoside I isolated from Sanguisorba officinalis was manufactured and examined the protective effects of the skin cream against UVB-induced hairless mice. UVB-induced hairless mice were topically treated with the skin cream once a day for 5 weeks. Application of the skin cream did not exhibit side effect on body growth showing normal body weight and food efficiency in the mice. The skin cream treatment also was inhibited mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and MMP-2 protein expression in the mice. Furthermore, the skin cream treatment inhibits epidermal wrinkle formation, wrinkle depth, wrinkle thickness, and collagen degradation in UVB-induced hairless mice. Therefore, the skin cream was able to play a role in the attenuation of photoaging caused by UVB irradiation via downregulation of mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokine IL-1β, MMP-2, MMP-9, and suppression of MMP-2 proteins expression. The cream containing ziyuglycoside I showed the protective effects against UVB-induced photoaging mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ampelopsis brevipedunculata (Maxim.) Trautv. (AB), a traditional East Asian medicine, exhibits protective effects against several inflammatory diseases. Our search for an inhibitor of IL-6-induced JAK2/STAT3 activation revealed that AB ethanolic extract (ABE) had a significant inhibitory effect on IL-6-induced STAT3 expression in Hep3B cells. The isolation and purification of an EtOAc-soluble fraction of ABE (ABEA) using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) afforded 17 compounds. The structures of these compounds (1-17) were elucidated based on 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy as well as electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) data. ABE and ABEA were screened by a luciferase assay using Hep3B cells transfected with the STAT3 reporter gene. ABEA exhibited potent inhibitory effects on IL-6-induced STAT3 expression; moreover, these effects arose from the inhibition of the phosphorylation of the STAT3, JAK2, and ERK proteins in U266 cells. In addition, the compounds isolated from ABEA were measured for their inhibitory effects on IL-6-stimulated STAT3 expression. Of the compounds isolated, betulin showed the greatest inhibitory effects on IL-6-induced STAT3 activation in the luciferase assay (IC50 value: 3.12 μM). Because of its potential for inhibiting STAT3 activation, A. brevipedunculata could be considered a source of compounds of pharmaceutical interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoporosis is characterized by the deterioration of bone structures and decreased bone mass, leading to an increased risk of fracture. Estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women and aging are major factors of osteoporosis and are some of the reasons for reduced quality of life. In this study, we investigated the effects of n-trans-hibiscusamide (NHA) and its derivative 4-O-(E)-feruloyl-N-(E)-hibiscusamide (HAD) on receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation and an ovariectomized osteoporosis mouse model. NHA and HAD significantly inhibited the differentiation of osteoclasts from bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) and the expression of osteoclast differentiation-related genes. At the molecular level, NHA and HAD significantly downregulated the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling molecules. However, Akt and NF-κB phosphorylation was inhibited only after NHA or HAD treatment. In the ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporosis model, both NHA and HAD effectively improved trabecular bone structure. C-terminal telopeptide (CTX), a bone resorption marker, and RANKL, an osteoclast stimulation factor, were significantly reduced by NHA and HAD. The tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-stained area, which indicates the osteoclast area, was also decreased by these compounds. These results show the potential of NHA and HAD as therapeutic agents for osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]