Berberine, A Phytoalkaloid, Inhibits Inflammatory Response Induced by LPS through NF-Kappaβ Pathway: Possible Involvement of the IKKα.

Berberine (BBR), a plant alkaloid, is known for its therapeutic properties of anticancer, cardioprotective, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective activities. The present study was to determine the molecular mechanism of BBR's pharmacological activity in human monocytic (THP-1) cells induced by arachidonic acid (AA) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The effect of BBR on AA/LPS activated proinflammatory markers including TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-8 and COX-2 was measured by ELISA or quantitative real-time PCR.

Variable Secondary Metabolite Profiles Across Cultivars of L. and Salisb.

spp. (Zingiberaceae) are used as a spice and coloring agent. Their rhizomes and essential oils are known for medicinal properties, besides their use in the flavoring and cosmetic industry.

Interactions of different lipoproteins with supported phospholipid raft membrane (SPRM) patterns to understand similar in-vivo processes.

To better understand how lipoproteins interact and enter endothelium and participate in cellular processes, we investigated preferential lipid partitioning of triglyceride rich lipoproteins (TGRL), chylomicrons (CM), low density lipoproteins (LDL), very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and their lipolysis products using supported phospholipid raft membrane (SPRM) patterns. We prepared SPRM patterns with Texas red labeled phospholipid patterns and Marina blue labeled raft patterns and added Atto-520 labeled lipoproteins (TGRL, CM, VLDL, LDL) and their lipolysis products in separate experiments and characterized these interactions using fluorescence microscopy. We observed that VLDL and LDL preferentially interacted with raft patterns.

Metabolomics of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal: Advances and applications.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Withania somnifera L. (Solanaceae), commonly known as Ashwagandha or Indian ginseng, is used in Ayurveda (Indian system of traditional medicine) for vitality, cardio-protection and treating other ailments, such as neurological disorders, gout, and skin diseases.

Aim Of The Review: We present a critical overview of the information on the metabolomics of W.

Dry leaf extracts of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers attenuate oxidative stress and inflammatory condition in human monocytic (THP-1) cells.

Background: Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers is known for its therapeutic value in Indian traditional medicine for treating diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, jaundice and cardiac diseases. However, information regarding its protective role against inflammatory diseases at the molecular level is limited.

Terpenes and isoprenoids: a wealth of compounds for global use.

Role of terpenes and isoprenoids has been pivotal in the survival and evolution of higher plants in various ecoregions. These products find application in the pharmaceutical, flavor fragrance, and biofuel industries. Fitness of plants in a wide range of environmental conditions entailed (i) evolution of secondary metabolic pathways enabling utilization of photosynthate for the synthesis of a variety of biomolecules, thereby facilitating diverse eco-interactive functions, and (ii) evolution of structural features for the sequestration of such compounds away from the mainstream primary metabolism to prevent autotoxicity.

Biochemical properties of a bacterially-expressed Bowman-Birk inhibitor from Rhynchosia sublobata (Schumach.) Meikle seeds and its activity against gut proteases of Achaea janata.

Crude proteinase inhibitors (CPIs) extracted from the seeds of Rhynchosia sublobata, a wild relative of pigeon pea showed pronounced inhibitory activity on the larval gut trypsin-like proteases of lepidopteran insect pest - Achaea janata. Consequently, a full-length cDNA of Bowman-Birk inhibitor gene (RsBBI1) was cloned from the immature seeds of R. sublobata.

Effects of extracts prepared from modified porous poly(ether imide) microparticulate absorbers on cytotoxicity, macrophage differentiation and proinflammatory behavior of human monocytic (THP-1) cells.

Remaining uremic toxins in the blood of chronic renal failure patients represent one central challenge in hemodialysis therapies. Highly porous poly(ether imide) (PEI) microparticles have been recently introduced as candidate absorber materials, which show a high absorption capacity for uremic toxins and allow hydrophilic surface modification suitable for minimization of serum protein absorption. In this work, the effects of extracts prepared from PEI microparticles modified by nucleophilic reaction with low molecular weight polyethylene imine (Pei) or potassium hydroxide (KOH), on human monocytic (THP-1) cells are studied.

Influence of nanoporous poly(ether imide) particle extracts on human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs).

Accumulated uremic toxins like indoxyl sulphate, hippuric acid and p-cresyl sulphates in renal failure patients stimulate proinflammatory effects, and consequently kidney and cardiovascular diseases. Low clearance rate of these uremic toxins from the blood of uremic patients by conventional techniques like hemodialysis is due to their strong covalent albumin binding (greater than 95%) and hydrophobic nature, which led to alternatives like usage of hydrophobic adsorber's in removing these toxins from the plasma of kidney patients. Polymers like polyethylene, polyurethane, polymethylmethacrylate, cellophane and polytetrafluoroethylene were already in use as substitutes for metal devices as dialysis membranes.

Genetic engineering of AtAOX1a in Saccharomyces cerevisiae prevents oxidative damage and maintains redox homeostasis.

This study aimed to validate the physiological importance of Arabidopsis thaliana alternative oxidase 1a (AtAOX1a) in alleviating oxidative stress using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism. The AOX1a transformant (pYES2AtAOX1a) showed cyanide resistant and salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM)-sensitive respiration, indicating functional expression of AtAOX1a in S. cerevisiae.

Effect of extracts of poly(ether imide) microparticles on cytotoxicity, ROS generation and proinflammatory effects on human monocytic (THP-1) cells.

Current haemodialysis techniques are not capable to remove efficiently low molecular weight hydrophobic uremic toxins from the blood of patients suffering from chronic renal failure. With respect to the hydrophobic characteristics and the high level of protein binding of these uremic toxins, hydrophobic adsorber materials might be an alternative to remove these substances from the plasma of the chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Here nanoporous microparticles prepared from poly(ether imide) (PEI) with an average diameter of 90 ± 30 μm and a porosity around 88 ± 2% prepared by a spraying/coagulation process are considered as candidate adsorber materials.

Adsorption capacity of poly(ether imide) microparticles to uremic toxins.

Uremia is a phenomenon caused by retention of uremic toxins in the plasma due to functional impairment of kidneys in the elimination of urinary waste products. Uremia is presently treated by dialysis techniques like hemofiltration, dialysis or hemodiafiltration. However, these techniques in use are more favorable towards removing hydrophilic than hydrophobic uremic toxins.

Importance of the alternative oxidase (AOX) pathway in regulating cellular redox and ROS homeostasis to optimize photosynthesis during restriction of the cytochrome oxidase pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Background And Aims: The importance of the alternative oxidase (AOX) pathway, particularly AOX1A, in optimizing photosynthesis during de-etiolation, under elevated CO2, low temperature, high light or combined light and drought stress is well documented. In the present study, the role of AOX1A in optimizing photosynthesis was investigated when electron transport through the cytochrome c oxidase (COX) pathway was restricted at complex III.

Methods: Leaf discs of wild-type (WT) and aox1a knock-out mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana were treated with antimycin A (AA) under growth-light conditions.

Ocimum sanctum leaf extracts attenuate human monocytic (THP-1) cell activation.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ocimum sanctum (OS), commonly known as Holy basil/Tulsi, has been traditionally used to treat cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and manage general cardiac health. The present study is designed to evaluate the antiinflammatory effect of O. sanctum and its phenolic compound and eugenol (EUG) in human monocytic (THP-1) cells and validate its traditional use for treating cardiovascular diseases.

Stem-bark of Terminalia arjuna attenuates human monocytic (THP-1) and aortic endothelial cell activation.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Terminalia arjuna - stem bark extract is traditionally used as cardiotonic in Ayurvedic medicine.

Aim Of The Study: The present study was aimed to evaluate the molecular basis for cardioprotective potential of Terminalia arjuna (TA) stem bark, using cell cultures of human monocytic (THP-1) and human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs).

Materials And Methods: Inhibitory effect of alcoholic (TAAE) and aqueous (TAWE) extracts of TA-stem bark was assessed on human 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, lipoprotein lipase (LpL) and lipid peroxidation in rat (wistar) liver and heart homogenates.

Gum resin of Boswellia serrata inhibited human monocytic (THP-1) cell activation and platelet aggregation.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Stem bark gum resin extract of Boswellia serrata is traditionally used in India for its hemostatic, antiinflammatory and cardiovascular health effects and it is named as Śallakī in Ayurvedic medicine.

Aim Of The Study: This study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidative and antithrombotic properties of stem bark gum resin extracts of Boswellia serrata (BS).

Materials And Methods: The inhibitory activity of the BSWE and BSAE on FeCl(3) induced lipid peroxidation (in vitro) in rat liver and heart homogenates was measured spectrophotometrically.

VLDL lipolysis products increase VLDL fluidity and convert apolipoprotein E4 into a more expanded conformation.

Our previous work indicated that apolipoprotein (apo) E4 assumes a more expanded conformation in the postprandial period. The postprandial state is characterized by increased VLDL lipolysis. In this article, we tested the hypothesis that VLDL lipolysis products increase VLDL particle fluidity, which mediates expansion of apoE4 on the VLDL particle.

Apolipoprotein E3- and nitric oxide-dependent modulation of endothelial cell inflammatory responses.

Objective: Although apolipoprotein E3 (apoE3) is known to be atheroprotective, its mechanisms of protection in endothelial cells remain unclear.

Methods And Results: Cultured human aortic endothelial cells were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in the presence of human recombinant apoE3 solubilized in dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine liposomes. Using flow cytometry and real-time polymerase chain reaction, a significant increase of inflammatory cell adhesion proteins (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and E-Selectin), and MCP-1, interleukin-8, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 gene expression was observed within 5 hours of TNF-alpha exposure, which was markedly attenuated in cells coincubated with apoE3.

Development of the light-harvesting chlorophyll antenna in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is regulated by the novel Tla1 gene.

The Chlamydomonas reinhardtii tla1 (truncated light-harvesting chlorophyll antenna size) mutant was generated upon DNA insertional mutagenesis and shown to specifically possess a smaller than wild type (WT) chlorophyll antenna size in both photosystems. Molecular and genetic analysis revealed that the exogenous plasmid DNA was inserted at the end of the 5' UTR and just prior to the ATG start codon of a hitherto unknown nuclear gene (termed Tla1), which encodes a protein of 213 amino acids. The Tla1 gene in the mutant is transcribed with a new 5' UTR sequence, derived from the 3' end of the transforming plasmid.

C-terminal interactions of apolipoprotein E4 respond to the postprandial state.

Increased triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TGRLs) in the postprandial state are associated with atherosclerosis. We investigated whether the postprandial state induced structural changes at the apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4) C terminus, its principal lipid binding domain, using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of a site-directed spin label attached to the cysteine of apoE4-W264C. Spin coupling between labels located in the C termini was followed after mixing with preprandial and postprandial human plasma samples.