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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a widespread inflammatory disease whose clinical manifestations are joint swelling, pain, and disability, affecting approximately 1% of individuals worldwide. Conventional anti-RA drugs currently used in clinic have severe side effects. The present study is aimed at investigating the antiarthritic effects of total saponins from Nigella glandulifera seeds (TSNGS) in rats with adjuvant-induced rheumatoid arthritis (AIA). Arthritis score, paw swelling, and body weight were monitored throughout the period of TSNGS treatment. The histopathological features and levels of cytokines, including IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17A, and OPG/RANKL signaling, were measured to determine the amelioration by TSNGS and its potential mechanisms on the inflammatory response and bone erosion. The differentiation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in serum was assessed by flow cytometry. The results demonstrate that TSNGS at 10 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, and 250 mg/kg inhibited AIA-induced clinical score, paw swelling, and histological changes. TSNGS reduced the immune-inflammatory reaction by restoring the secretion and expression of inflammatory cytokines and elevating the proportion of CD4+ CD25+ Tregs, accompanied by an increase in transcription factor Foxp3 levels. TSNGS also displayed bone protection by upregulation of the OPG/RANKL pathway. Collectively, TSNGS inhibited arthritis in AIA rats and so represents a potential novel treatment for RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neuroinflammation has been known to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Activation of microglia and astrocytes is a characteristic of brain inflammation. Epidemiological studies have shown that long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) delays the onset of AD and suppresses its progression. Methyl salicylate-2-O-β-D-lactoside (DL0309) is a new molecule chemically related to salicylic acid. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of DL0309.Findings: Our studies show that DL0309 significantly inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α; and the expression of the inflammation-related proteins iNOS, COX-1, and COX-2 by microglia and astrocytes. At a concentration of 10 μM, DL0309 prominently inhibited LPS-induced activation of NF-κB in glial cells by blocking phosphorylation of IKK and p65, and by blocking IκB degradation.Conclusions: We demonstrate here for the first time that DL0309 exerts anti-inflammatory effects in glial cells by suppressing different pro-inflammatory cytokines and iNOS/NO. Furthermore, it also regulates the NF-κB signaling pathway by blocking IKK and p65 activation and IκB degradation. DL0309 also acts as a non-selective COX inhibitor in glial cells. These studies suggest that DL0309 may be effective in the treatment of neuroinflammatory disorders, including AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the leaf of Elaeagnus pungens Thunb. (Family Elaeagnaceae) is a herb documented as an antiasthmatic remedy to treat the severe asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases in the early material medica "Bencao Gangmu" (Ming dynasty, about 442 years ago). This work is purposed to investigate the pharmacological effects and mechanism of total flavonoids from Elaeagnus pungens leaves (FLA) on asthma in vivo and vitro.Materials and methods: Female BALB/c mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of OVA with aluminum hydroxide and intranasal challenged with OVA. After treatment with FLA (10, 20 mg/kg p.o.), the behaviors of mice were observed by score evaluation. Enumeration of total cells and OVA-specific IgE assay in the blood were measured as well as enumeration of total cells and cytokines assay in the BALF. Furthermore, histopathological analysis was performed by HE staining. The in vitro relaxing action on muscle force of FLA (0.0316–10.0 mg/ml) was evaluated using isometric tension in tracheal rings, and VDLCC currents were recorded to explore the relaxation mechanism in the isolated tracheal rings and mouse ASM cells, respectively. In vitro anti-inflammatory actions were assessed with LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The production of inflammatory mediators and MAPK signaling pathway was estimated using ELISA and Western blotting analysis, respectively. The high dose of flavones from E. pungens leaf (20 mg/kg) can significantly improve the symptom of asthma breakout and relieve the lung swelling. FLA treatment decreased eosinophils and leukocytes numbers in blood and BLAF with a dosedependent manner. Furthermore, the inhibiting effect of FLA on the level of Ig E and inflammatory-related cytokines including TNF-α, IL-5 showed dose-independent. FLA relaxed high K + -induced contraction in a dose-dependent manner. The maximal relaxation produced by FLA was 99.7% (IC 50 = 0.46 mg/ml). The whole-cell VDLCC currents were abolished by FLA (3.16 mg/ml) and FLA significantly decreased the maximal amplitude of VDLCCs. No cytotoxic effect of FLA was observed in RAW264.7 cells under the tested concentrations (1–300 μg/mL). The increased IL-6 and NO by the stimulation of LPS in RAW264.7 cells were significantly inhibited by FLA in the dosedependent manner. Treatment with LPS in the presence of FLA, LPS-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and JNK was inhibited in the macrophages. Conclusion: FLA from Elaeagnus pungens leaf can alleviate the inflammation symptom via reducing the eosinophils and leukocytes numbers as well as the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This anti-inflammatory effect is related to the modulation of the MAPK signaling pathway. FLA can relax the precontracted TRs by blocking the VDLCCs, which interrupts extracellular Ca 2+ influx and inhibit the rise of [Ca 2+ ]i. It strongly suggests that these flavonoids components are the substances basis of Elaeagnus pungens leaves for allergic action, bronchospasm and inflammation in asthma. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psoriasis is an immune system meditated disease, especially T cells. It disturbed many people around the world and hard to therapy. Paeonia lactiflora Pall has been used as a medicine in china for thousands of years. Recent studies found that the main component of Paeonia lactiflora Pall can alleviates the immune response in many diseases. In this study, we researched the effects and possible mechanisms of total glucosides of paeony (TGP) on animal psoriasis. To study the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of TGP in 5% propranolol cream-induced psoriasis in guinea pigs and Imiquimod (IMQ) cream-induced psoriasis in mice. The effect of TGP was evaluated using a psoriasis-like model of guinea pigs and mice. Ear thickness was accessed, and pathology injury was observed by H&E staining. The levels of serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, IL-23, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, skin IL-17A, IL-22 and orphan nuclear receptor (RORγt) mRNA expression, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), total or phosphorylated signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT1, STAT3) were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), real time PCR, immunohistochemical staining, and western blotting, respectively. Compared with model group, TGP treatment decreased the ear thickness, improved pathology of psoriasis, alleviated IMQ-induced keratinocyte proliferation, reduced the inflammatory cytokine, and downregulated IL-17A, IL-22, and RORγt mRNA in mice. Further study indicated that TGP inhibited STAT1 and STAT3 phosphorylation in lesion skins of psoriasis-like mice. TGP alleviates the symptoms of psoriasis-like guinea pigs and mice, and the possible mechanism may relate to inhibit T helper 17 (TH17) cell differentiation and keratinocytes proliferation by inhibiting STAT1 and STAT3 phosphorylation. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigella glandulifera Freyn et Sint. (N. glandulifera) seeds are widely used in traditional Uyghur medicine for a variety of immuno-inflammatory diseases. The total saponins from N. glandulifera seeds (TSNGS) have been shown to have analgesic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects that can alleviate joint pain and swelling. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and progressive, debilitating autoimmune disease for which current treatments are not sufficiently effective and result in unsatisfactory side effects. This study aimed to mechanistically investigate the therapeutic effects of TSNGS on RA. Qualitative analysis of TSNGS was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-Q-Orbitrap-high-resolution mass spectrometry. Rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), IL-1β-induced HFLS-RAs, and VEGF-induced HUVECs were analyzed to determine the efficacy and mechanism of TSNGS on RA. Twenty-one compounds were identified in TSNGS. TSNGS (10, 50, or 250 mg/kg) reduced the severity of arthritis, indicated by a lower arthritis score, reduced paw swelling, and body weight in rats with CIA. TSNGS ameliorated histopathological changes involving inflammatory infiltration, bone degeneration, and angiogenesis in knee and ankle joints. TSNGS improved the immuno-inflammatory response by restoring the levels of the cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-4, and IL-10, and increasing the number of CD4+CD25+ Tregs in the peripheral circulation and Foxp3 levels in knee joints in rats with CIA. Furthermore, TSNGS increased the OPG/RANKL ratio and downregulated p-p65 in serum and joint synovia. Inhibition of angiogenesis by TSNGS was associated with recovery of the angiogenesis-related Ang/Tie-2 signaling pathway. It was established that TSNGS provides a therapeutic effect on RA by alleviating synovitis, bone degeneration, and angiogenesis via the OPG/RANKL/NF-κB and Ang/Tie-2 pathways and may be used for the treatment of RA. [Display omitted] • TSNGS may have potential as a novel treatment for RA. • TSNGS decreased the severity of arthritis in rats with CIA. • TSNGS reduced synovitis associated with RA via OPG/RANKL/NF-κB pathway. • TSNGS alleviated angiogenesis related to RA via Ang/Tie-2 signaling. • TSNGS upregulated the level of CD4+CD25+ Tregs and Foxp3 in rats with CIA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ginkgo biloba L. (Ginkgoaceae) is a traditional Chinese medicine known to treating stroke and other cardio-cerebrovascular diseases for thousands of years in China. Ginkgo diterpene lactones (GDL) attracted much attention because of their neuroprotective properties. To uncover the effects of GDL, which consist of ginkgolide A (GA), ginkgolide B (GB), and ginkgolide K (GK), on ischemic stroke, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms. We used middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) models mimicking the process of ischemia/reperfusion in vivo and in vitro, respectively. Anticoagulant effects of GDL were investigated on platelet activating factor (PAF), arachidonic acid (AA) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation both in vivo and in vitro. We also evaluated the effects of GDL on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response in primary cultured rats′ astrocytes. Infarct size, neurological deficit score, and brain edema were measured at 72 h after MCAO. Immunohistochemistry was utilized to analyze neurons necrosis and astrocytes activation. Expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrotic factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real time PCR. The levels of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) were assessed by real time PCR or Western blot. Compared with MCAO/R rats, GDL significantly reduced infarct size and brain edema, improved neurological deficit score. Meanwhile, GDL suppressed platelet aggregation, astrocytes activation, pro-inflammatory cytokines releasing, TLR4 mRNA expression and transfer of NF-κB from cytoplasm to nucleus. Furthermore, GDL alleviated OGD/R injury and LPS-induced inflammatory response in primary astrocytes, characterized by promoting cell viability, decreasing lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, and inhibiting IL-1β and TNF-α releasing. In summary, GDL attenuate cerebral ischemic injury, inhibit platelet aggregation and astrocytes activation. The anti-inflammatory activity might be associated with the downregulation of TLR4/NF-κB signal pathway. Our present findings provide an innovative insight into the novel treatment of GDL in ischemic stroke therapy. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]