Protective effect of Tremella fuciformis Berk extract on LPS-induced acute inflammation via inhibition of the NF-κB and MAPK pathways.

Tremella fuciformis Berk (TFB) has long been used as a traditional medicine in Asia. Although TFB exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, the mechanisms of action responsible have remained unknown. We confirmed the anti-inflammatory effects of Tremella fuciformis Berk extract (TFE) in RAW 264.7 cells and observed significantly suppressed LPS-induced iNOS/NO and COX-2/PGE2 production. TFE also suppressed LPS-induced IKK, IkB, and p65 phosphorylation, as well as LPS-induced translocation of p65 from the cytosol. Additionally, TFE inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of MAPKs. In an acute inflammation study, oral administration of TFE significantly inhibited LPS-induced IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α production and iNOS and COX-2 expression. The major bioactive compounds from TFB extract were identified as gentisic acid, protocatechuic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and coumaric acid. Among these compounds, protocatechuic acid showed the strongest inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells. Overall, these results suggest that TFE is a promising anti-inflammatory agent that suppresses iNOS/NO and COX-2/PGE2 expression, as well as the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.

Sarcodon aspratus Extract Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mouse Colon and Mesenteric Lymph Nodes.

Mushrooms have been previously investigated for their immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory properties. We examined whether the anti-inflammatory properties of Sarcodon aspratus ethanol extract (SAE) could elicit protective effects against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in vivo. Male C57/BL6 mice were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups: control (CON; n = 8), DSS-treated (DSS; n = 9), DSS+SAE at 50 mg/kg BW (SAE50; n = 8), and DSS+SAE at 200 mg/kg BW groups (SAE200; n = 9). DSS treatment induced significant weight loss, which was significantly recovered by SAE200. Although SAE did not affect DSS-mediated reductions in colon length, it improved diarrhea and rectal bleeding induced by DSS. SAE at 200 mg/kg BW significantly attenuated IL-6 and enhanced IL-10 expression in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), and significantly reduced IL-6 levels in splenocytes. SAE200 also significantly attenuated DSS-induced increase in IL-6 and IL-1ß, and reductions in IL-10 in colon tissue. High levels of SAE were also observed to significantly decrease inflammatory COX-2 expression that was upregulated by DSS in mice colon. These findings may have relevance for novel therapeutic strategies to mitigate inflammatory bowel disease-relevant inflammatory responses, via the direct and indirect anti-inflammatory activity of SAE. We also found that SAE harbors significant quantities of total fiber and ß-glucan, suggesting a possible role for these components in protection against DSS-mediated colitis.

Ethanol Extract of Sarcodon asparatus Mitigates Inflammatory Responses in Lipopolysaccharide-Challenged Mice and Murine Macrophages.

A number of compounds isolated from mushrooms have exhibited disease-modifying effects. We sought to investigate the mechanisms responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of an extract from the mushroom species Sarcodon asparatus (SAE). Male BALB/c mice (N=42; 6 weeks old) were randomly assigned to four treatment groups. Intraperitoneal administration of SAE significantly attenuated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated increases in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity. LPS also increased serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α, which were dose-dependently and significantly attenuated by SAE. Correlative relationships between serum ALT activity and proinflammatory cytokines suggested that SAE-mediated suppression of liver injury was partly attributable to the attenuation of serum inflammatory responses. SAE significantly decreased hepatic NO(•) production and subsequent 3-nitrotyrosine formation, and the hepatic NO(•) production significantly correlated with serum ALT and cytokine levels, suggesting that SAE mitigates liver injury in association with inflammatory processes, likely by suppressing NO(•) production. Anti-inflammatory activity and further mechanisms of SAE were evaluated using RAW264.7 with LPS challenge. Noncytotoxic levels of SAE significantly attenuated NO(•) production in RAW264.7 cells and also markedly suppressed the expression of iNOS and other proinflammatory mediators, including COX-2 and IL-6, which were upregulated in the presence of LPS. SAE inhibited the phosphorylation of p65, an observation that occurred independently of IKKαß-mediated IκBα phosphorylation. Collectively, our results demonstrate that SAE suppressed NO(•)-mediated inflammation by inhibiting p65 transcriptional activation without affecting IKKαß-mediated IκBα phosphorylation. Further studies are warranted to examine the major compounds responsible for these effects and the mechanisms responsible for the p65 phosphorylation observed.

Antioxidant and ACE Inhibitory Activity of Cultivated and Wild Angelica gigas Nakai Extracts Prepared Using Different Extraction Conditions.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological activities of cultivated Angelica gigas Nakai (CAG) and wild Angelica gigas Nakai (WAG) extracts prepared by extraction with water, 30% ethanol, 60% ethanol, or 90% ethanol. The electron donating ability of the WAG extracts was higher than that of the CAG extracts and 0.1% and 1.0% solutions of the comparative substance, L-ascorbic acid. The superoxide dismutase-like activity of the CAG extracts was higher than that of WAG extracts. Superoxide dismutase-like activity was highest (33.95%) in the CAG water extract. The total polyphenol content was highest in the 60% ethanol extracts of WAG. The nitrite scavenging ability of the CAG and WAG extracts was highest at a pH of 1.2. The tyrosinase inhibitory effect was highest (43.72%) in the water extract of WAG. The angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity was highest (83.84%) in the 60% ethanol extract of WAG. The results of the present study will be useful for understanding the antioxidant and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activities of Angelica gigas Nakai extracts.

Optimisation of microwave-assisted extraction for functional properties of Vitis coignetiae extract by response surface methodology.

BACKGROUND: Consumer preference for selection of natural substances, with their safe and beneficial effects on the human body as well as various physiological efficacies, is increasing. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to monitor the extraction characteristics of Vitis coignetiae (wild grape) and thereby optimise the functional properties of the resulting extract. RESULTS: A maximum total polyphenol content (TPC) of 415.74 mg per 100 g was obtained at a microwave power (MWP) of 102.36 W, an ethanol concentration (ETC) of 42.62% (by volume) and an extraction time (EXT) of 12.35 min. Electron-donating ability (EDA) reached a maximum of 69.20% at 125.65 W MWP, 41.81% ETC and 13.65 min EXT. The maximum nitrite-scavenging ability (NSA) obtained was 87.50% at 119.13 W MWP, 37.41% ETC and 13.20 min EXT. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed a maximum pseudo-activity (SDA) of 56.74% at 69.54 W MWP, 94.88% ETC and 10.32 min EXT. The effect of ETC was most prominent among the studied factors. CONCLUSION: Based on the superimposition of four-dimensional response surfaces with respect to TPC, EDA, NSA and SDA, the optimum ranges of extraction conditions were 70-150 W MWP, 30-50% ETC and 8-18 min EXT.

Pterostilbene from Vitis coignetiae protect H2O2-induced inhibition of gap junctional intercellular communication in rat liver cell line.

In this study, we identified various stilbenoids derived from Vitis coignetiae and investigated the protective effect of the main component, pterostilbene, against the inhibition of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) induced by H(2)O(2) in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells. We analyzed seven kinds of stilbenoids, pterostilbene, astringin, piceid, vitisin, rhaponticin, resveratrol, and rhapontigenin, using DAD/UV HPLC. Total stilbenoid content was 127.37+/-19.29 mg/100g dry weight. Pretreatment with 0.5, 1.0, and 5.0 microM pterostilbene for 24h was shown to recover GJIC blocked by 500 microM H(2)O(2). Pretreatment with pterostilbene prevented the inhibition of GJIC via the down-regulation of connexin43 phosphorylation by the inactivation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAP kinase. Our results suggest that pterostilbene may be a functional chemopreventative agent and that dietary exposure of pterostilbene would be helpful for improving health.

Physicochemical and microbiological qualities of steamed and irradiated ground black pepper (Piper nigrum L.).

The effects of steam and irradiation treatments on the physicochemical properties (moisture content, pH, extractable yield, reducing sugar, soluble pigment, antioxidant activity, piperine, Hunter's color, and sensory attributes) and microbiological quality (total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and yeasts and molds) of ground black pepper stored at refrigerated and room temperatures for 6 months were compared and evaluated. Irradiation resulted in a higher microbial reduction in pepper, with minimal effects on the proximate composition, functional components, color, and sensory attributes of the spice. Steamed peppers appeared darker, and a considerable decrease in the piperine content was observed after treatment and storage. This study illustrates that irradiation is a better decontamination method than steam treatment in eliminating microorganisms without apparently affecting the quality of the powdered spice. Storage at 4 degrees C enhanced the microbial quality and minimized the loss of piperine content in ground black peppers.

Physiological activities of garlic extracts as affected by habitat and solvents.

Physiological activities of Korean-grown garlic (GKG) and Chinese-grown garlic (GCG) were examined. Nitrite-scavenging activity (NSA), superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity, and electron-donating ability (EDA) of garlic extracted with water or with either 50% or 100% ethanol were measured. NSA was optimized at pH 1.2 and was highest in water and 50% ethanol extracts of both origins. SOD-like activities of water or 50% ethanol extracts from both Korea and China were 48.43-63.89% lower than those of 1% or 0.1% L-ascorbate solutions. SOD-like activities of GKG extracts were higher than those of GCG extracts, and those of water extracts of samples were highest. EDAs of GKG extracts were higher (32.51-43.74%) than those of GCG extracts, while those of both sample extracts were lower than 1% or 0.1% L-ascorbate solutions.