Anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory activities of Connarus semidecandrus Jack ethanol extract in UVB-irradiated human keratinocytes.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Connarus semidecandrus Jack (Family: connaraceae) is a medicinal plant known for its wide distribution throughout Southeast Asia. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, it has been traditionally used for treating fever, skin irritation, and colic. AIM OF THE STUDY: Numerous individuals suffer from skin issues, including wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and inflammation, due to environmental factors. Although many drugs are available to treat skin problems, chemical drugs have many shortcomings and side effects. Therefore, natural products are attractive potential medicines for alleviating skin troubles. We recently showed that Connarus semidecandrus Jack ethanol extract (Cs-EE) has anti-alopecia potential. This paper aims to explore the potential skin-protective effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of Connarus semidecandrus Jack in UVB-induced human keratinocytes (HaCaT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Before utilization, Cs-EE was dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and was preserved at a temperature of -20 °C. The phytochemical constituents of Cs-EE were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS). Sequentially, HaCaT cells were exposed to varying concentrations of Cs-EE prior to ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation. Evaluations of cellular responses in HaCaT cells, including assessments of cell viability, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage, and gene and protein expressions, were carried out. To explore the specific signaling pathway involved, we conducted a luciferase assay in addition to validating these pathways using Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Nitric oxide (NO) and intracellular reactive oxygen species were decreased. Melanin production through the activation of melanocytes by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) was also inhibited by Cs-EE. Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of key factors such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9 exhibited a remarkable decrease. In addition, the phosphorylation of TAK1 within the signaling cascade exhibited a decline, and the activities of the transcription factor AP-1 were decreased according to a luciferase reporter assay. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these findings suggest that the anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and anti-apoptotic effects of Cs-EE indicate the compound's potential usefulness as a natural component in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.

Connarus semidecandrus Jack Exerts Anti-Alopecia Effects by Targeting 5α-Reductase Activity and an Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway.

There is a growing demand for hair loss treatments with minimal side effects and recurrence potential. Connarus semidecandrus Jack has been used as a folk medicine for fever in tropical regions, but its anti-alopecia effects remain unclear. In this study, the anti-androgenic alopecia effect of an ethanol extract of Connarus semidecandrus Jack (Cs-EE) was demonstrated in a testosterone-induced androgenic alopecia (AGA) model, in terms of the hair-skin ratio, hair type frequency, and hair thickness. The area of restored hair growth and thickened hair population after Cs-EE treatment showed the hair-growth-promoting effect of Cs-EE. Histological data support the possibility that Cs-EE could reduce hair loss and upregulate hair proliferation in mouse skin by shifting hair follicles from the catagen phase to the anagen phase. Western blotting indicated that Cs-EE reduced the expression of the androgenic receptor. Cs-EE treatment also inhibited programmed cell death by upregulating Bcl-2 expression at the mRNA and protein levels. The anti-alopecia effect of Cs-EE was confirmed by in vitro experiments showing that Cs-EE had suppressive effects on 5-α reductase activity and lymph node carcinoma of the prostate proliferation, and a proliferative effect on human hair-follicle dermal papilla (HDP) cells. Apoptotic pathways in HDP cells were downregulated by Cs-EE treatment. Thus, Cs-EE could be a potential treatment for AGA.

The complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic analysis of Euurobracon yokahamae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).

Euurobracon yokahamae is a parasitoid wasp found solely in Asia, and is endangered in some countries. The complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of E. yokahamae was sequenced using next-generation sequencing (NGS). The mitogenome of this species is 14,974bp long and encodes for 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs, and 2 ribosomal RNAs. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial genome of braconid species was performed. Tree topology showed that E. yokahamae was closely related to another species of the same genus.

Hexatoma crane flies (Diptera, Limoniidae) of Korea.

Hexatoma Latreille, 1809 is a large genus of short-palped crane flies with a worldwide distribution. Accounting for more than 60 percent of global species, 362 extant species occur in Asia. Prior to our study, Hexatoma crane flies on the Korean Peninsula (both the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea) had been studied for 90 years starting in 1930, but only three species had been recorded, with one of them being a misidentification. This study adds six species to the fauna of the Korean Peninsula, all of which belong to the subgenus H. (Eriocera) Macquart, 1838. General information on genus and subgenus morphological characters is presented in this paper, with a redescription of each species based on Korean specimens, as well as illustrations of both sexes, the elevation range, the period of activity, habitat information, general distribution, and a distribution map for the Korean Peninsula. Three species H. (E.) ilwola Podenas, sp. nov., H. (E.) pianigra Podenas, sp. nov. and H. (E.) serenensis Podenas, sp. nov. are described as new to science. Hexatoma (E.) lygropis (Alexander, 1920) is deleted from the Korean species list as a misidentification. This publication is a continuation of our previous work on short-palped crane flies (Limoniidae) from Korea.

New Atypophthalmus (Diptera: Limoniidae) from South Korea.

Two new species of crane flies belonging to the genus Atypophthalmus Brunetti, 1911, A. (Atypophthalmus) kleini Podenas, sp. nov. and A. (Microlimonia) jeju Podenas Podeniene, sp. nov. collected in South Korea in 2017 and 2019 are described and illustrated. Larvae and female pupa for A. (Microlimonia) jeju sp. nov. are described. The pupa for the subgenus A. (Microlimonia) is described for the first time. An updated list and key for adults of all Korean Atypophthalmus are presented.

New Lipsothrix (Diptera: Limoniidae) from Korea.

Lipsothrix odaesana Podenas Petersen, sp. nov. from South Korea is described and illustrated. It is the only species of Lipsothrix Loew, 1873 recorded so far from the Korean Peninsula. Elevation range, period of activity, habitat information and a distribution map are presented.

Libnotes crane flies (Diptera: Limoniidae) from Jeju Island (South Korea).

The Korean species of Libnotes (Laosa) Edwards, 1926 and L. (Libnotes) Westwood, 1876 from Jeju Island are taxonomically revised. L. (Laosa) charmosyne (Alexander, 1958) and L. (Libnotes) divaricata (Alexander, 1924) are new records for South Korea and L. (Libnotes) byersiana n. sp. is described. An identification key for all Korean Libnotes, redescriptions and illustrations of the three currently known Jeju species are presented.

First description of the last instar larva and pupa of the aquatic crane fly Limnorimarga limonioides (Alexander, 1945) (Diptera: Limoniidae).

Descriptions, illustrations and habitat characteristics are given for the previously unknown larvae and pupae of the East Palaearctic monotypic aquatic crane fly genus Limnorimarga Alexander, 1945 collected from Korea in hygropetric habitats. Diagnostic features and phylogenetic relationships are discussed.

Trigonostemon reidioides modulates endothelial cell proliferation, migration and tube formation via downregulation of the Akt signaling pathway.

Trigonostemon reidi`oides (TR) is used as a Thai traditional medicine for the treatment of drug addiction, asthma, food poisoning, constipation and snake bites. The present study investigated the effects and molecular mechanisms of the ethanolic extract of TR (ETR) on mitogen-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) responses, proliferation, adhesion, migration and tube formation. ETR treatment inhibited mitogen-induced HUVEC proliferation by downregulation of cell cycle-associated proteins, including cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases, which induced retinoblastoma protein hypophosphorylation. The present study also demonstrated that ETR treatment suppressed mitogen-induced HUVEC adhesion, migration, invasion and tube formation, and that these anti-angiogenic activities were mediated by inactivation of mitogen-induced Akt and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, but not of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p70 ribosomal S6 kinase or MMP-9. Collectively, the results of the present study suggested pharmacological functions and molecular mechanisms of ETR in regulating endothelial cell fates, and supported further evaluation and development of ETR as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment and prevention of angiogenesis-associated diseases, including cancer.

Regulatory effects and molecular mechanism of Trigonostemon reidioides on lipopolysaccharide­induced inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 cells.

Trigonostemon reidioides (Kurz) Craib has been traditionally used for the treatment of vomiting and asthma in Cambodia. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of the anti­inflammatory effect of T. reidioides extract remains unknown. The present study investigated the anti­inflammatory activity and molecular action of an ethanol extract of T. reidioides (ETR) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)­induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Nitric oxide assays, ELISA, reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were used. ETR treatment inhibited the production of nitric oxide by downregulating inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, while exhibiting no significant cytotoxicity compared with macrophages treated with LPS­alone. Consequently, ETR decreased the production of certain proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)­1ß, IL­6 and tumor necrosis factor­α. Additionally, ETR inhibited the activation of mitogen­activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including extracellular signal­regulated kinase, c­Jun N­terminal kinase and p38 MAPK, as well as the phosphatidylinositol 3­kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. These effects were mediated by inhibition of the nuclear localization of nuclear factor κ­B (NF­κB). Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrate that ETR may exert an anti­inflammatory effect by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory mediators and cytokines via downregulation of the NF­κB, PI3K/Akt and the MAPK signaling pathways in LPS­stimulated macrophages. Based on these results, we hypothesize that ETR may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory disorders.

Rhipidia crane flies (Diptera: Limoniidae) from Korea.

Korean species of the crane fly genus Rhipidia Meigen, 1818 (Diptera: Limoniidae), are taxonomically revised. Rhipidia (Rhipidia) serena, new species, is described and figured. Rhipidia (R.) longa Zhang, Li, Yang, 2014, R. (R.) maculata Meigen, 1818 and R. (R.) sejuga Zhang, Li, Yang, 2014 are recorded for the first time in Korea. Previously known species, Rhipidia (R.) septentrionis Alexander, 1913 is redescribed and illustrated. Identification key for all Korean Rhipidia species is given. Most antennae, wings, male and female terminalia of all species are illustrated for the first time.

Metalimnobia crane flies (Diptera: Limoniidae) from Korea.

Korean species of the crane fly genus Metalimnobia Matsumura, 1911 (Diptera: Limoniidae), are taxonomically revised. Metalimnobia (Metalimnobia) channpayna new species, is described and figured, M. (M.) bifasciata (Schrank, 1781), M. (M.) quadrinotata (Meigen, 1818) and M. (M.) zetterstedti (Tjeder, 1968) are listed for the first time in Korea, new information for previously known species, M. (M.) quadrimaculata (Linnaeus, 1760) is added. Identification key for all Korean Metalimnobia species is given. Wings, male and female terminalia are illustrated for all species.

Heterangaeus Alexander, 1925 crane flies (Diptera: Pediciidae) of Korea.

The Korean crane fly species of the genus Heterangaeus Alexander, 1925 (Diptera: Pediciidae) is taxonomically revised. H. gloriosus gloriosus (Alexander, 1924) is redescribed. A new species Heterangaeus koreanus n. sp., which is the first species of Pediciidae from South Korea, is described and illustrated.

New Dicranoptycha Osten Sacken, 1859 Crane flies (Diptera: Limoniidae) of North and South Korea.

Two new species of Dicranoptycha Osten Sacken, 1859, crane flies (Diptera, Limoniidae) from the Korean peninsula are described, illustrated and compared with already known and related species. An identification key and check-list of all Korean Dicranoptycha is presented.

New species of Antocha Osten Sacken, 1860 crane flies (Diptera: Limoniidae) for South Korea.

New species Antocha (Antocha) koreana from South Korea is described and illustrations of the distinguishing morphological features, including wing venation, male and female genitalia and male antenna, are provided with a discussion on distinguishing newly described species from other similar species. Habitat information for new species is presented. Antocha (Antocha) subconfluenta Alexander, 1930 is new record for Korean fauna and first record from outside Japan.