Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway is involved in ACTG-toxin H-mediated anti-inflammatory effect.

ACTG-toxin H (AH) originates from Alternaria sp. In this study, we explored the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory properties of AH. Treatment with AH inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced interleukin-6, IL-1β, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 expression and nitric oxide production.

Toll-like receptor 4-mediated immunoregulation by the aqueous extract of Mori Fructus.

The aqueous extract of Mori Fructus (MF) exerts a change of phenotype and a cytoprotective effect in macrophages. The present study was carried out to investigate the immunomodulating activity of MF on the expression of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), co-stimulatory molecules and also interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in macrophages and splenocytes. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a promising molecular target for immune-modulating drugs.

In vitro inhibition of coronavirus replications by the traditionally used medicinal herbal extracts, Cimicifuga rhizoma, Meliae cortex, Coptidis rhizoma, and Phellodendron cortex.

Background: A search for new anti-coronaviral drugs to treat coronaviral infections was motivated by an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Objectives: In order to find drugs that treat coronavirus infections, including SARS, we screened traditional medicinal herbal extracts and evaluated their antiviral activities on coronavirus replication.

Study Design: We employed a plaque assay to evaluate the effect of 22 medicinal herbal extracts on virus replication.

Scopoletin suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines and PGE2 from LPS-stimulated cell line, RAW 264.7 cells.

Scopoletin (1-50 microg/ml) inhibited the release of PGE2, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 and suppressed the expression of COX-2 in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that scopoletin might suppress the production of such pro-inflammatory cytokines and exert inhibitory activity on LPS-induced PGE2 production through the depression of COX-2 expression.

Anti-hypertensive effect of water extract of danshen on renovascular hypertension through inhibition of the renin angiotensin system.

A study was designed to elucidate the mechanism of anti-hypertensive effects of danshen in the two-kidney, one clip (2K1C) Goldblatt renovascular hypertensive model, which is the renin-angiotensin system (RAS)-dependent hypertensive model. We investigated the effects of water extracts of danshen on the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activities, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and hormone levels in the plasma of 2K1C rats. ACE activity was inhibited by the addition of danshen extract in a dose-dependent manner.

Tongkyutang inhibits mast cell-dependent allergic reactions and inflammatory cytokines secretion.

Background: Tongkyutang (TKT) is an Oriental herbal prescription, which has been successfully applied for the treatment of allergic disorders, mainly allergic-rhinitis in clinical medicine. However, its effect in experimental models remains unknown.

Methods: In a mouse model, the role of TKT was examined in mast cell-dependent allergic reactions and secretion of inflammatory cytokines.