AKT-targeted anti-inflammatory activity of the methanol extract of Chrysanthemum indicum var. albescens.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Wild chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum indicum) is one of well-known medicinal plants traditionally used in Korea and China. As a variant of wild chrysanthemum, white wild chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum indicum var. albescens) is also ethnopharmacologically applied to treat various symptoms such as inflammatory diseases.

Thymoquinone: An IRAK1 inhibitor with in vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory activities.

Thymoquinone (TQ) is a bioactive component of black seed (Nigella sativa) volatile oil and has been shown to have anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. In the present study, we explored the molecular mechanisms that underlie the anti-inflammatory effect of TQ and its target proteins using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophage-like RAW264.7 and human monocyte-like U937 cells, together with LPS/D-galactosamine (GalN)-induced acute hepatitis and HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis mouse models.

TRBP maintains mammalian embryonic neural stem cell properties by acting as a novel transcriptional coactivator of the Notch signaling pathway.

Transactivation response element RNA-binding protein (TRBP; TARBP2) is known to play important roles in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication and microRNA biogenesis. However, recent studies implicate TRBP in a variety of biological processes as a mediator of cross-talk between signal transduction pathways. Here, we provide the first evidence that TRBP is required for efficient neurosphere formation and for the expression of neural stem cell markers and Notch target genes in primary neural progenitor cells Consistent with this, introduction of TRBP into the mouse embryonic brain increased the fraction of cells expressing Sox2 in the ventricular zone.

antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of the compound K-rich fraction BIOGF1K, prepared from .

Background: BIOGF1K, a compound K-rich fraction prepared from the root of , is widely used for cosmetic purposes in Korea. We investigated the functional mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities of BIOGF1K by discovering target enzymes through various molecular studies.

Methods: We explored the inhibitory mechanisms of BIOGF1K using lipopolysaccharide-mediated inflammatory responses, reporter gene assays involving overexpression of toll-like receptor adaptor molecules, and immunoblotting analysis.

Proteins that interact with calgranulin B in the human colon cancer cell line HCT-116.

Calgranulin B is released from immune cells and can be internalized into colon cancer cells to prevent proliferation. The present study aimed to identify proteins that interact with calgranulin B to suppress the proliferation of colon cancer cells, and to obtain information on the underlying anti-tumor mechanism(s) of calgranulin B. Calgranulin B expression was induced in colon cancer cell line HCT-116 by infection with calgranulin B-FLAG expressing lentivirus, and it led to a significant suppression of cell proliferation.

Pyrrole-Derivative of Chalcone, ()-3-Phenyl-1-(2-Pyrrolyl)-2-Propenone, Inhibits Inflammatory Responses via Inhibition of Src, Syk, and TAK1 Kinase Activities.

()-3-Phenyl-1-(2-pyrrolyl)-2-propenone (PPP) is a pyrrole derivative of chalcone, in which the B-ring of chalcone linked to β-carbon is replaced by pyrrole group. While pyrrole has been studied for possible Src inhibition activity, chalcone, especially the substituents on the B-ring, has shown pharmaceutical, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties via inhibition of NF-κB activity. Our study is aimed to investigate whether this novel synthetic compound retains or enhances the pharmaceutically beneficial activities from the both structures.

Low-mass-ion discriminant equation (LOME) for ovarian cancer screening.

Background: A low-mass-ion discriminant equation (LOME) was constructed to investigate whether systematic low-mass-ion (LMI) profiling could be applied to ovarian cancer (OVC) screening.

Results: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry was performed to obtain mass spectral data on metabolites detected as LMIs up to a mass-to-charge ratio () of 2500 for 1184 serum samples collected from healthy individuals and patients with OVC, other types of cancer, or several types of benign tumor. Principal component analysis-based discriminant analysis and two search algorithms were employed to identify discriminative low-mass ions for distinguishing OVC from non-OVC cases.

and anti-inflammatory activities of Korean Red Ginseng-derived components.

Background: Although Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has been traditionally used for a long time, its anti-inflammatory role and underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms have been poorly understood. In this study, the anti-inflammatory roles of KRG-derived components, namely, water extract (KRG-WE), saponin fraction (KRG-SF), and nonsaponin fraction (KRG-NSF), were investigated.

Methods: To check saponin levels in the test fractions, KRG-WE, KRG-NSF, and KRG-SF were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Korean Red Ginseng water extract arrests growth of xenografted lymphoma cells.

Background: Although numerous studies of the anticancer activities of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) have been performed, the therapeutic effect of KRG on leukemia has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the antileukemia activities of KRG and its cellular and molecular mechanisms.

Methods: An established leukemia tumor model induced by xenografted T cell lymphoma (RMA cells) was used to test the therapeutic activity of KRG water extract (KRG-WE).

MAPK/AP-1-Targeted Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Xanthium strumarium.

Xanthium strumarium L. (Asteraceae), a traditional Chinese medicine, is prescribed to treat arthritis, bronchitis, and rhinitis. Although the plant has been used for many years, the mechanism by which it ameliorates various inflammatory diseases is not yet fully understood.

Anticancer effect of joboksansam, Korean wild ginseng germinated from bird feces.

Background: Joboksansam, Korean bird wild ginseng, is an artificially cultivated wild ginseng germinated from bird feces. Although numerous pharmacologic activities of wild ginsengs have been reported, the beneficial effect of joboksansam in cancer has not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the in vivo and in vitro anticancer activities of joboksansam powder.

Molecular association of CD98, CD29, and CD147 critically mediates monocytic U937 cell adhesion.

Adhesion events of monocytes represent an important step in inflammatory responses induced by chemokines. The β1-integrin CD29 is a major adhesion molecule regulating leukocyte migration and extravasation. Although several adhesion molecules have been known as regulators of CD29, the molecular interactions between CD29 and its regulatory adhesion molecules (such as CD98 and CD147) have not been fully elucidated.

Hydroquinone Strongly Alleviates Focal Ischemic Brain Injury via Blockage of Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption in Rats.

Hydroquinone (HQ), a major benzene metabolite, occurs naturally in various plants and is manufactured for commercial use. Although HQ displays various biological effects, its neuroprotective effects following ischemic insults have not been investigated. In this study, we first examined neuroprotective effects of HQ in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischemia.

Cerbera manghas methanol extract exerts anti-inflammatory activity by targeting c-Jun N-terminal kinase in the AP-1 pathway.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Cerbera manghas L. (Apocynaceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used to ameliorate the clinical signs of inflammatory diseases and hypertension.

Aim Of Study: Although C.

Chemical Constituents Identified from Fruit Body of and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

is one of Cordyceps species with anti-oxidative, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, anti-angiogenic, and anti-nociceptive activities. This mushroom has recently demonstrated to have an ability to reduce 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis symptoms in NC/Nga mice. In this study, we further examined phytochemical properties of this mushroom by column chromatography and HPLC analysis.

Timosaponin AIII inhibits migration and invasion of A549 human non-small-cell lung cancer cells via attenuations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by inhibitions of ERK1/2, Src/FAK and β-catenin signaling pathways.

Timosaponin AIII (TAIII) is a type of steroidal saponins isolated from Anemarrhena asphodeloides. It was known to improve learning and memory deficits through anti-inflammatory effects. TAIII was also reported to induce autophagy preceding mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in HeLa cancer cells and inhibit the growth of human colorectal cancer cells, thus regarded as a potential candidate for anti-cancer agent.

Syk and IRAK1 Contribute to Immunopharmacological Activities of Anthraquinone-2-carboxlic Acid.

Anthraquinone-2-carboxlic acid (9,10-dihydro-9,10-dioxo-2-anthracenecarboxylic acid, AQCA) was identified as one of the major anthraquinones in Brazilian taheebo. Since there was no report explaining its immunopharmacological actions, in this study, we aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of AQCA-mediated anti-inflammatory activity using reporter gene assays, kinase assays, immunoblot analyses, and overexpression strategies with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated macrophages. AQCA was found to suppress the release of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin (PG) E₂ from LPS-treated peritoneal macrophages without displaying any toxic side effects.

PDK1 in NF-κB signaling is a target of Xanthium strumarium methanolic extract-mediated anti-inflammatory activities.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Xanthium strumarium L. (Asteraceae) has traditionally been used to treat bacterial infections, nasal sinusitis, urticaria, arthritis, chronic bronchitis and rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, edema, lumbago, and other ailments. However, the molecular mechanisms by which this plant exerts its anti-inflammatory effects are poorly characterized.

Effect of Polylysine on Scrapie Prion Protein Propagation in Spleen during Asymptomatic Stage of Experimental Prion Disease in Mice.

Prion diseases are incurable neurodegenerative disorders. Our previous study demonstrated that polylysine was effective in prolonging the incubation period in a rodent model and in alleviating the scrapie prion protein (PrP(Sc)) burden in the brain at the terminal stage of the disease. Here, we report that intraperitoneal administration of polylysine suppresses the accumulation of prions in the spleen during the early stages of the disease.

Src/Syk/IRAK1-targeted anti-inflammatory action of Torreya nucifera butanol fraction in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW264.7 cells.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Seed of Torreya nucifera (L.) Siebold & Zucc is used to treat several diseases in Asia. Reports document that T.

4-(Tert-butyl)-2,6-bis(1-phenylethyl)phenol induces pro-apoptotic activity.

Previously, we found that KTH-13 isolated from the butanol fraction of Cordyceps bassiana (Cb-BF) displayed anti-cancer activity. To improve its antiproliferative activity and production yield, we employed a total synthetic approach and derivatized KTH-13 to obtain chemical analogs. In this study, one KTH-13 derivative, 4-(tert-butyl)-2,6-bis(1-phenylethyl)phenol (KTH-13-t-Bu), was selected to test its anti-cancer activity.

Ginsenoside Rc from Korean Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) Attenuates Inflammatory Symptoms of Gastritis, Hepatitis and Arthritis.

Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is an herbal medicine prescribed worldwide that is prepared from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Araliaceae).

1-(2,3-Dibenzimidazol-2-ylpropyl)-2-methoxybenzene Is a Syk Inhibitor with Anti-Inflammatory Properties.

Inflammation is the protective action of our bodies against external pathogens by recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) via pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Proper regulation of inflammatory responses is required to maintain our body's homeostasis, as well as there are demands to develop proper acute or chronic inflammation. In this study, we elucidated the regulatory mechanism of NF-κB-mediated inflammatory responses by a novel compound, 1-(2,3-dibenzimidazol-2-ylpropyl)-2-methoxybenzene (DBMB).

Anti-Proliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Activities of 4-Methyl-2,6-bis(1-phenylethyl)phenol in Cancer Cells.

It has been found that 4-isopropyl-2,6-bis(1-phenylethyl)phenol (KTH-13), a novel compound isolated from Cordyceps bassiana, is able to suppress tumor cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis. To mass-produce this compound, we established a total synthesis method. Using those conditions, we further synthesized various analogs with structural similarity to KTH-13.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Activities of Anthraquinone-2-Carboxylic Acid.

Anthraquinone compounds are one of the abundant polyphenols found in fruits, vegetables, and herbs. However, the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity and molecular mechanisms of anthraquinones have not been fully elucidated. We investigated the activity of anthraquinones using acute inflammatory and nociceptive experimental conditions.