Anti-Helicobacter and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Sohamhyungtang in Helicobacter pylori-Infected Human Gastric Epithelial AGS cells

This study evaluated the anti-Helicobacter and anti-inflammatory effects of Sohamhyungtang (SHHT). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of SHHT against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) was determined by the agar dilution method. Expression of the H. pylori cagA gene in the presence of SHHT was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Inhibition of H. pylori urease by SHHT was determined by the phenol-hypochlorite assay. Antiadhesion activity of SHHT was measured by ureaphenol red reagent. Inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in AGS cells was measured with Griess reagent. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and IL-8 mRNA expression in AGS cells which were infected with H. pylori was determined by qRT-PCR. IL-8 level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The MIC of SHHT was 100 µg/mL and the expression of cagA gene was decreased about 25 folds in the presence of SHHT. H. pylori urease was inhibited 90% by SHHT. SHHT inhibited H. pylori adhesion on AGS cell in a concentration dependent manner. mRNA expression of iNOS and IL-8 and the production of NO and IL-8 were significantly decreased in the presence of SHHT. In conclusion, SHHT showed anti-Helicobacter activity and has potent anti-inflammatory effect on H. pylori-induced inflammation in human gastric epithelial AGS cells.

Comprehensive Evaluation of the Anti-Helicobacter pylori Activity of Scutellariae Radix

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of fractions and major aglycon compounds (baicalein, chrysin, oroxylin A, wogonin) of Scutellariae Radix. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) measurement, DPPH radical-scavenging assay, DNA protection assay, and urease inhibition analysis were performed. The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction showed the potent anti-Helicobacter activity, and therefore, compounds in the EtOAc fraction were subjected to further assay. The MICs of chrysin, oroxylin A, and wogonin against Helicobacter pylori 26695 were 6.25, 12.5 and 25 µg/mL, respectively. Baicalein exhibited the most effective DPPH radical-scavenging activity. DNA protection using Fenton reaction, chrysin, oroxylin A, and wogonin showed effective DNA protective effect. This result was also confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Regarding Jack bean urease (0.5 mg/mL, 50 unit/mg) inhibition, 20 mM ofbaicalein and chrysin inhibited urease activity by 88.2% and 72.5%, respectively.

The Role of the Ethylacetate Fraction from Hydnocarpi Semen in Acute Inflammation In Vitro Model

We previously reported that Hydnocarpi Semen (HS) has a wound healing effect on diabetic foot ulcer lesion in mice. In this study, ethylacetate (EtOAc) fraction from HS extract were evaluated for their wound healing activity by using in vitro acute inflammation model. GC and GC/MS analysis shows that the main constituents in EtOAc fraction are chaulmoogric acid, hydnocarpic acid, and gorlic acid. EtOAc fraction activated macrophages to increase the production of TNF-alpha. The fraction also increased the production of TGF-beta and VEGF, which induced fibroblast activation and angiogenesis. These results suggest that the mechanism that the fraction helps to enhance healing of skin wound is possibly associated with the production of TNF-alpha, as well as secretion of VEGF, TGF-beta and HS may have a new bioactive material for the treatment of skin wound.

Polyacetylene Compound from Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense Inhibited Caspase-1-mediated IL-1beta Expression

Our previous report showed that polyacetylene compound, 1-Heptadecene-11, 13-diyne-8, 9, 10-triol (PA) from the root of Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense has anti-inflammatory activity. In this study we investigated the role of the PA as inhibitor of caspase-1, which converts prointerleukin-1beta (proIL-1beta) to active IL-1beta and is activated by inflammasome involved in the inflammatory process. We tested the effect of PA on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1beta in murine macrophage cell line, RAW264.7. PA inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced IL-1beta production by macrophages at a dose dependent manner. PA also suppressed the activation of caspase-1. The mRNA level of ASC (apoptosis-associated spec-like protein containing a CARD), an important adaptor protein of inflammasome, was decreased in the PA treated group. Therefore our results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of PA is due to inhibit the caspase-1 activation.