Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Sulfated Polysaccharide from Sargassum Swartzii in Macrophages via Blocking TLR/NF-Κb Signal Transduction.

This study involves enzymatic extraction of fucoidan from Sargassum swartzii and further purification via ion-exchange chromatography. The chemical and molecular characteristics of isolated fucoidan is evaluated concerning its anti-inflammatory potential in RAW 264.7 macrophages under LPS induced conditions. Structural properties of fucoidan were assessed via FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. NO production stimulated by LPS was significantly declined by fucoidan. This was witnessed to be achieved via fucoidan acting on mediators such as iNOS and COX-2 including pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß), with dose dependent down-regulation. Further, the effect is exhibited by the suppression of TLR mediated MyD88, IKK complex, ultimately hindering NF-κB and MAPK activation, proposing its therapeutic applications in inflammation related disorders. The research findings provide an insight in relation to the sustainable utilization of fucoidan from marine brown algae S. swartzii as a potent anti-inflammatory agent in the nutritional, pharmaceutical, and cosmeceutical sectors.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Pleurotus ostreatus, a Culinary Medicinal Mushroom, in Wistar Rats.

Context. Pleurotus ostreatus (P.o) is a culinary mushroom which is commonly called as "oyster mushroom" belonging to the Basidiomycetous fungi of the order Agaricales and family Pleurotaceae. OBJECTIVES: The present study investigates the anti-inflammatory potential of P.o) is a culinary mushroom which is commonly called as "oyster mushroom" belonging to the Basidiomycetous fungi of the order Agaricales and family Pleurotaceae. Materials and Methods. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using suspensions of freeze-dried and powdered (SFDP) P.o) is a culinary mushroom which is commonly called as "oyster mushroom" belonging to the Basidiomycetous fungi of the order Agaricales and family Pleurotaceae. P.o) is a culinary mushroom which is commonly called as "oyster mushroom" belonging to the Basidiomycetous fungi of the order Agaricales and family Pleurotaceae. P.o) is a culinary mushroom which is commonly called as "oyster mushroom" belonging to the Basidiomycetous fungi of the order Agaricales and family Pleurotaceae. in vivo and in vitro assays. RESULTS: At doses of 500-1000 mg/kg, the SFDP of P.o) is a culinary mushroom which is commonly called as "oyster mushroom" belonging to the Basidiomycetous fungi of the order Agaricales and family Pleurotaceae. P.o) is a culinary mushroom which is commonly called as "oyster mushroom" belonging to the Basidiomycetous fungi of the order Agaricales and family Pleurotaceae. P.o) is a culinary mushroom which is commonly called as "oyster mushroom" belonging to the Basidiomycetous fungi of the order Agaricales and family Pleurotaceae. P.o) is a culinary mushroom which is commonly called as "oyster mushroom" belonging to the Basidiomycetous fungi of the order Agaricales and family Pleurotaceae. in vitro assays. P < 0.05). Dose-dependent inhibition of NO production was seen with in vitro assays. P.o) is a culinary mushroom which is commonly called as "oyster mushroom" belonging to the Basidiomycetous fungi of the order Agaricales and family Pleurotaceae. r = 0.95; P < 0.05). Dose-dependent inhibition of NO production was seen with Discussion and Conclusion. The promising activity of culinary mushroom P.o against inflammation suggests its potential application as a functional food during inflammatory conditions.P.o) is a culinary mushroom which is commonly called as "oyster mushroom" belonging to the Basidiomycetous fungi of the order Agaricales and family Pleurotaceae.

A keratinocyte and integrated fibroblast culture model for studying particulate matter-induced skin lesions and therapeutic intervention of fucosterol.

Increased levels of particulate matter (PM) air pollutants in East Asia have resulted in detrimental health impacts increasing morbidity and mortality. Epidemiological studies suggest a possible relation between the cutaneous exposure of PM and increased oxidative stress and inflammation which lead to skin lesions. The present study utilizes an integrated cell culture model of keratinocytes and fibroblasts to mimic viable skin layers and investigate the possible effects of PM exposure after penetration through corneocytes. The skin perfection is upheld by homeostatic functionality of epidermal cells and the integrity of connective tissues. Exposure to xenobiotics could alter the skin cell homeostasis aggravating premature skin aging. Stimulation of HaCaT keratinocytes by PM collected from Beijing, China (CPM) increased the intracellular ROS levels triggering a cascade of events aggravating inflammatory responses and connective tissue degradation. In HDF fibroblasts, treatment with preconditioned keratinocyte culture media augmented inflammatory responses, cellular differentiation, and connective tissue degradation. Above events were marked by the increased intracellular ROS, inflammatory mediators, pro-inflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-1 and -2 levels, collagenase, and elastase activity. Fucosterol treatment of keratinocytes dose-dependently attenuated the detrimental effects both in keratinocytes and fibroblasts restoring the conditions near to physiological levels. Further evaluations could be advanced on developing fucosterol, in forms such as rejuvenating cosmeceuticals which could attenuate detrimental responses of CPM exposure.

Beijing urban particulate matter-induced injury and inflammation in human lung epithelial cells and the protective effects of fucosterol from Sargassum binderi (Sonder ex J. Agardh).

Particulate matter (PM) air pollution has gradually become a widespread problem in East Asia. PM may cause unfamiliar inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and pulmonary tissue damage, and a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms is required in order to develop effective anti-inflammatory agents. In this study, fine dust collected from Beijing, China (CPM) (size < PM13 with majority < PM2.5) was evaluated for its oxidative stress- and inflammation-inducing effects, which cause cell damage, in A459 human lung epithelial cells. Oxidative stress was marked by an increase in intracellular ROS levels and the production of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Upon induction of oxidative stress, a marked increase was observed in the expression of key inflammatory mediators such as COX-2 and PGE2 and the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 via NF-kB and MAPK pathways. Cellular damage was marked by a reduction in viability, increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, formation of apoptotic and necrotic bodies, accumulation of sub-G1 phase cells, and DNA damage. Apoptosis was found to be mediated via the activation of caspases through the mitochondria-mediated pathway. Fucosterol, purified from the brown alga Sargassum binderi (Sonder ex J. Agardh) by bio-assay-guided fractionation and purification, exhibited potential therapeutic effects against CPM-induced detrimental effects. Further studies could focus on developing fucosterol, in forms such as steroidal inhalers, against PM-induced pulmonary tissue inflammation.

Hypoglycaemic activity of culinary Pleurotus ostreatus and P. cystidiosus mushrooms in healthy volunteers and type 2 diabetic patients on diet control and the possible mechanisms of action.

This study determined the oral hypoglycaemic effect of suspensions of freeze dried and powdered (SFDP) Pleurotus ostreatus (P.o) and Pleurotus cystidiosus (P.c), using healthy human volunteers and Type 2 diabetic patients on diet control at a dose of 50 mg/kg/body weight, followed by a glucose load. The possible hypoglycaemic mechanisms were evaluated using rats, by examining intestinal glucose absorption and serum levels of insulin, glucokinase (GK) and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK). The P.o and P.c showed a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in fasting and postprandial serum glucose levels of healthy volunteers and reduced the postprandial serum glucose levels and increased the serum insulin levels (P < 0.05) of Type 2 diabetic patients. The P.o and P.c increased the intestinal absorption of glucose but simultaneously reduced the serum glucose levels (P < 0.05) in rats. Both mushrooms reduced the serum GSK and promoted insulin secretion while P.c increased serum GK (P < 0.05). The hypoglycaemic activity of P.o and P.c makes mushrooms beneficial functional foods in diabetes mellitus. The mechanism of hypoglycaemic activity of P.o and P.c is possibly by increasing GK activity and promoting insulin secretion and thereby increasing the utilization of glucose by peripheral tissues, inhibiting GSK and promoting glycogen synthesis.

Oral hypoglycemic activity of culinary-medicinal mushrooms Pleurotus ostreatus and P. cystidiosus (higher basidiomycetes) in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats.

This study investigates the oral hypoglycemic activity of Pleurotus ostreatus (P.o.) and P. cystidiosus (P.c.) mushrooms on normal and alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Different doses (250, 500, 750, 1000, and 1250 mg/kg/body weight) of suspensions of freeze-dried and powdered (SFDP) P.o. and P.c. were administered to normal rats, and postprandial serum glucose levels were measured. Optimal time of activity was investigated using the dose 500 mg/kg. Hypoglycemic effect of a single dose of SFDP P.o. and P.c. (500 mg/kg) were investigated using diabetic male and female rats at different stages of estrous cycle and compared with metformin and glibenclamide. Chronic hypoglycemic activity of SFDP P.o. and P.c. (500 mg/kg) was studied using serum glucose levels and glycosylated hemoglobin levels. Maximally effective dose of SFDP P.o. and P.c. was 500 mg/kg. The highest reduction in the serum glucose level was observed 120 minutes after administration of mushrooms. A single dose of P.o. and P.c. significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the serum glucose levels of male diabetic rats. The hypoglycemic activity in female rats was highest in proestrous stage. The hypoglycemic effect of P.o. and P.c. is comparable with metformin and glibenclamide. Daily single administrations of P.o. and P.c. to diabetic rats exert apparent control on the homeostasis of blood glucose. SFDP P.o. and P.c. possessed marked and significant oral hypoglycemic activity. This study suggests the consumption of P.o. and P.c. mushrooms might bring health benefits to mankind as it shows hypoglycemic activity in rats.

An oxidized ergosterol from Pleurotus cystidiosus active against anthracnose causing Colletotrichum gloeosporioides.

This study was undertaken to study the antifungal activity of Pleurotus cystidiosus against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. This was achieved by fractionating the mushroom, P. cystidiosus initially to acetone (A), dichloromethane (D), and hexane (H) and studying the antifungal activity using the standard poisoned food technique. All the test solutions used were in the concentration of 20,000 ppm. The percentage inhibition of extracts A, D, and H was 12, 7, and 0.4%, respectively. Antifungal assay guided fractionation of the most active extract A resulted in four fractions; A1, A2, A3, and A4 having 12, 22, 0, and 17% percentage inhibitions, respectively. Fractions A2 and A4 were selected for further purifications. Normal phase column chromatography of A2 gave A2-1, A2-2, A2-3, and A2-4, with percentage inhibitions 7, 5, 26, and 13%, respectively. The fraction with the highest inhibitory activity (A2-3) was further separated using the Chromatotron and a single compound (A2-3-13) with 41% inhibition was isolated. Structure elucidation of this compound using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy proved this compound to be 3beta, 5alpha, 6beta-trihydroxyergosta-7,22-diene.

Structural studies on the neutral glycosphingolipids of Manduca sexta.

Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) have been implicated as playing major roles in cellular interactions and control of cell proliferation in muticellular organisms. Moreover GSLs and other sphingolipids such as sphingomyelins, ceramides and sphingosines serve a variety of roles in signal transduction. Hence, identification of structures of GSLs in different biota will shed light in understanding their physiological role. During this study, the major glycosphingolipid component present in the extracts of stage-12 and stage-17/18 metamorphosing adults of Manduca sexta was identified as mactosyl ceramide. We report the isolation of several ceramide disaccharides, a ceramide trisaccharide and a ceramide tetrasaccharide. The GSL structures were confirmed by high-resolution mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry. The identity of the monosaccharides was proved using exoglycosidases. The predominant sphingosine chain-length varied from C-14 (tetradecasphing-4-enine) to C-16 (hexadecasphing-4-enine) in these GSLs. Sphingosines of both chain lengths were accompanied by their doubly unsaturated counterparts tetradecasphinga-4,6-diene and hexadecasphinga-4,6-diene. It is also interesting to note the presence of tetradecasphinganine and hexadecasphinganine in minute amounts in the form of a GSL in the extracts of M. sexta. The varying degrees of unsaturation in the sphingosine moiety of GSLs in M. sexta may be biologically significant in insect metamorphosis. The ceramide trisaccharides and ceramide tetrasaccharide belong to the arthro-series, The observation of fucose in the M. sexta GSLs is the first report of the presence of fucose in an arthroseries GSL.

Presence of unsaturated sphingomyelins and changes in their composition during the life cycle of the moth Manduca sexta.

NMR and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry were used to show for the first time the presence of sphingomyelins in extracts of the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera). The sphingosine in the ceramide was identified as tetradecasphing-4-enine, and the fatty acids were C18:0, C20:0, C22:0, and C24:0 (compound 1). Heterogeneity in the ceramide was observed in sphingomyelins from M. sexta. All of the sphingomyelins were associated with their doubly unsaturated sphingosine, tetradecasphing-4,6-dienine (compound 2), which contained the same set of fatty acids as compound 1 and represents a novel set of sphingomyelins not previously reported in Lepidoptera. Lipid rafts were isolated from brains of M. sexta, and the association of these novel sphingomyelins with rafts was confirmed. The existence of the additional double bond was also observed in ceramide and ceramide phosphoethanolamine isolated from M. sexta. The levels of the doubly unsaturated ceramide showed modest changes during metamorphosis of M. sexta. These results suggest that Manduca sphingomyelins may participate in the formation of lipid rafts, in keeping with their function in vertebrates.