Pyromeconic acid-enriched Erigeron annuus water extract as a cosmetic ingredient for itch relief and anti-inflammatory activity.

Erigeron annuus (EA), traditionally used to treat disorders such as diabetes and enteritis, contains a variety of chemicals, including caffeic acid, flavonoids, and coumarins, providing antifungal and antioxidative benefits. However, the ingredients of each part of the EA vary widely, and there are few reports on the functionality of water extracts in skin inflammation and barrier protection. We assessed the therapeutic properties of the extract of EA without roots (EEA) and its primary ingredient, pyromeconic acid (PA), focusing on their antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative capabilities using HMC-1(human mast cells) and human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells).

A Mixture of and Leaf Extracts Improves Muscle Atrophy by Activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway and Inhibiting FoxO3a In Vitro and In Vivo.

Muscle atrophy, which is defined as a decrease in muscle mass and strength, is caused by an imbalance between the anabolism and catabolism of muscle proteins. Thus, modulating the homeostasis between muscle protein synthesis and degradation represents an efficient treatment approach for this condition. In the present study, the protective effects against muscle atrophy of ethanol extracts of L.

Induction of Peptide-specific CTL Activity and Inhibition of Tumor Growth Following Immunization with Nanoparticles Coated with Tumor Peptide-MHC-I Complexes.

Tumor peptides associated with MHC class I molecules or their synthetic variants have attracted great attention for their potential use as vaccines to induce tumor-specific CTLs. However, the outcome of clinical trials of peptide-based tumor vaccines has been disappointing. There are various reasons for this lack of success, such as difficulties in delivering the peptides specifically to professional Ag-presenting cells, short peptide half-life , and limited peptide immunogenicity.

Induction of antigen-specific immune tolerance using biodegradable nanoparticles containing antigen and dexamethasone.

Purpose: Dexamethasone (Dex) has long been used as a potent immunosuppressive agent in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, despite serious side effects. In the present study, Dex and model antigen ovalbumin (OVA) were encapsulated with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) to deliver Dex and OVA preferentially to phagocytic cells, reducing systemic side effects of Dex. The OVA-specific immune tolerance-inducing activity of the nanoparticles (NPs) was examined.

Polymeric Nanoparticles Containing Both Antigen and Vitamin D Induce Antigen-Specific Immune Suppression.

The active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (aVD), is known to exert beneficial effects in the treatment of autoimmune diseases because of its immunosuppressive effects. However, clinical application of aVD remains limited because of the potential side effects, particularly hypercalcemia. Encapsulation of aVD within biodegradable nanoparticles (NPs) would enhance the delivery of aVD to antigen presenting cells, while preventing the potential systemic side effects of aVD.

Thapsigargin Increases IL-2 Production in T Cells at Nanomolar Concentrations.

Thapsigargin (TGN) is a potent and selective inhibitor of sarco-endoplasmic Ca-ATPase, leading to rapid elevation of cytoplasmic Ca concentration. Previous reports have shown that TGN increases the production of various cytokines from macrophages and dendritic cells. Here, we examine the effects of TGN on murine T cells.