Viridicatol from Marine-derived Fungal Strain Penicillium sp. SF-5295 Exerts Anti-inflammatory Effects through Inhibiting NF-kappaB Signaling Pathway on Lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 and BV2 Cells

Viridicatol (1) has previously been isolated from the extract of the marine-derived fungus Penicillium sp. SF-5295. In the course of further biological evaluation of this quinolone alkaloid, anti-inflammatory effect of 1 in RAW264.7 and BV2 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was observed. In this study, our data indicated that 1 suppressed the expression of well-known pro-inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and consequently inhibited the production of iNOS-derived nitric oxide (NO) and COX-2-derived prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in LPS stimulated RAW264.7 and BV2 cells. Compound 1 also reduced mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). In the further evaluation of the mechanisms of these anti-inflammatory effects, 1 was shown to inhibit nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 and BV2 cells. Compound 1 blocked the phosphorylation and degradation of inhibitor kappa B (IkappaB)-alpha in the cytoplasm, and suppressed the translocation of NF-kappaB p65 and p50 heterodimer in nucleus. In addition, viridicatol (1) attenuated the DNA-binding activity of NF-kappaB in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 and BV2 cells.

Single-dose oral toxicity of fermented rice extracts [FREs]: a 14-day observation

The aim of present research was to determine the acute oral toxicity of fermented rice extracts [FREs], in female and male ICR mice. To investigate the toxicity and identify target organs, FREs were orally administered once to male and female ICR mice at doses of 0 [vehicle control], 500, 1000, or 2000 mg/kg body weight [BW]. Effects on mortality, BW, and clinical signs were monitored over 14 days, including changes in the weights and histopathological characteristics of 14 organs, as described in the Korea Food and Drug Administration [KFDA] Guidelines [2009-116, 2009]. No treatment-related mortality was observed during the 14-day observation period in either gender. In addition, no FRE-related change was observed in BW or organ weight [OW], clinical indicators, or histopathological findings in this study. Our results suggest that the FRE is non-toxic in mice and is therefore likely to be safe for clinical use. The approximate LD and LD[50] in mice after single oral dose of FRE are greater than 2000 mg/kg in female and male ICR mice. Additionally, no specific target organ or negative clinical indicator was detected in this study.

A New Record of Penicillium antarcticum from Marine Environments in Korea

During a survey of marine fungi from the waters surrounding Jeju Island, Korea, several Penicillium strains were isolated from seawater and marine sponges. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer and RNA polymerase subunit II, four strains were identified as Penicillium antarcticum, a fungus that, to the best of our knowledge, had not been previously reported in Korea. Here, we provide detailed descriptions of the morphological characteristics and extracellular enzyme activities of the four strains.