Evaluation of selected traditional Chinese medical extracts for bone mineral density maintenance: A mechanistic study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the development of a minimal traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula using selected TCM ingredients and evaluating their biological activity with bone-specific in vitro tests. Finally, determining if the minimal formula can maintain bone mineral density (BMD) in a low bone mass (LBM)/osteoporosis (OP) model system. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixteen different TCM plant extracts were tested for estrogenic, osteogenic and osteoclastic activities. Despite robust activation of the full-length estrogen receptors α and ß by Psoralea corylifolia and Epimedium brevicornu, these extracts do not activate the isolated estrogen ligand binding domains (LBD) of either ERα or ERß; estrogen (17-ß estradiol) fully activates the LBD of ERα and ERß. E. brevicornu and Drynaria fortunei extracts activated cyclic AMP response elements (CRE) individually and when combined these ingredients stimulated the production of osteoblastic markers Runx2 and Bmp4 in MC3T3-E1 cells. E. brevicornu, Salvia miltiorrhiza, and Astragalus onobrychis extracts inhibited the Il-1ß mediated activation of NF-κß and an E. brevicornu/D. fortunei combination inhibited the development of osteoclasts from precursor cells. Further, a minimal formula containing the E. brevicornu/D. fortunei combination with or without a third ingredient (S. miltiorrhiza, Angelica sinensis, or Lycium barbarum) maintained bone mineral density (BMD) similar to an estradiol-treated control group in the ovariectomized rat; a model LBM/OP system. CONCLUSION: A minimal formula consisting of TCM plant extracts that activate CRE and inhibit of NF-κß activation, but do not behave like estrogen, maintain BMD in a LBM/OP model system.

Gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon) root extract protects against glycation and related inflammatory and oxidative stress while offering UV absorption capability.

Glycation and advanced glycation end products (AGE) damage skin which is compounded by AGE-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. Lip and facial skin could be susceptible to glycation damage as they are chronically stressed. As Gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon) root (GR) has an extensive traditional medicine history that includes providing multiple skin benefits, our objective was to determine whether GR extract and its base naphthoquinone, shikonin, might protect skin by inhibiting glycation, increasing oxidative defenses, suppressing inflammatory responses and offering ultraviolet (UV) absorptive potential in lip and facial cosmetic matrices. We show GR extract and shikonin dose-dependently inhibited glycation and enhanced oxidative defenses through nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element activation. Inflammatory targets, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB) and tumor necrosis factor alpha, were suppressed by GR extract and shikonin. Glyoxalase 1 (GLO1) and glutathione synthesis genes were significantly upregulated by GR extract and shikonin. GR extract boosted higher wavelength UV absorption in select cosmetic matrices. Rationale for the use of GR extract and shikonin are supported by our research. By inhibiting glycation, modulating oxidative stress, suppressing inflammation and UV-absorptive properties, GR extract and shikonin potentially offer multiple skin benefits.

Lithospermum erythrorhizon Root and its Naphthoquinones Repress SREBP1c and Activate PGC1α Through AMPKα.

OBJECTIVE: To examine specific molecular mechanisms involved in modulating hepatic lipogenesis and mitochondria biogenesis signals by Lithospermum erythrorhizon (gromwell) root extract. METHODS: Stable cell lines with luciferase reporter constructs were generated to examine sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, coactivator 1 (PGC1) α promoter activity and estrogen-related receptor (ERR) α response element activity. Gene expression of SREBP1c, stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase 1, and PGC1α was measured by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Lipogenesis was measured in human hepatoma cells with Nile red staining and flow cytometry. Phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) α was determined by using ELISA and Western blot. RESULTS: Gromwell root extract and its naphthoquinones dose-dependently repressed high glucose and liver X receptor α induction of SREBP1c promoter activity and gene expression. Hepatic lipogenesis was repressed, and PGC1α promoter and gene expression and ERRα response element activity were increased by gromwell root extract. Gromwell root extract, shikonin, and α-methyl-n-butyrylshikonin increased AMPKα phosphorylation, and inhibition of AMPK blunted the repression in SREBP1c promoter activity by gromwell root extract and its naphthoquinones. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest that gromwell root extract and its naphthoquinones repress lipogenesis by increasing the phosphorylated state of AMPKα and stimulating mitochondrial biogenesis signals.

Identification of glabridin as a bioactive compound in licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) extract that activates human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ).

Licorice, the root and stolons of the Glycyrrhiza plant (Fabaceae), has been used for centuries as a food additive (sweetener), in cosmetics, and in traditional medicine. In this research, we provide evidence that licorice extract activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and, as identified through HPLC fractionation and mass spectroscopy, one of the activating phytochemicals is glabridin. Glabridin was shown to bind to and activate PPARγ. It was also shown to activate PPARγ-regulated gene expression in human hepatoma cells similar to known PPARγ ligands and that the expression was blocked by a PPARγ specific antagonist.

Immunomodulatory effects of Lippia sidoides extract: induction of IL-10 through cAMP and p38 MAPK-dependent mechanisms.

Lippia sidoides is an aromatic shrub that grows wild in the northeastern region of Brazil. In local traditional medicine, the aerial portions of this species are used as anti-infectives, antiseptics, spasmolytics, sedatives, hypotensives, and anti-inflammatory agents. In this research, we evaluate the potential immunological properties of Lippia extract through in vitro analysis of its ability to modulate intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels and interleukin-10 (IL-10) production. These results show that Lippia extract increases intracellular cAMP through the inhibition of phosphodiesterase activity. They also demonstrate that Lippia extract increases IL-10 production in THP-1 monocytes through both an increase in intracellular cAMP and the activation of p38 MAPK. These results suggest that the Lippia-mediated inhibition of phosphodiesterase activity and the subsequent increase in intracellular cAMP may explain some of the biological activities associated with L. sidoides. In addition, the anti-inflammatory activity of L. sidoides may also be due, in part, to its ability to induce IL-10 production through the inhibition of cyclic nucleotide-dependent phosphodiesterase activity and by its activation of the p38 MAPK pathway.

Identification of evodiamine as the bioactive compound in evodia (Evodia rutaecarpa Benth.) fruit extract that activates human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ).

The dried unripe fruit from Evodia rutaecarpa Benth., known as Wu zhu yu in China, has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine. In this research, we provide evidence that evodia fruit extract activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and, as identified through HPLC fractionation and mass spectroscopy, the activating phytochemical is evodiamine. Evodiamine was shown to bind to and activate PPARγ. It was also shown to activate PPARγ-regulated gene expression in human hepatoma cells similar to known PPARγ ligands and that the expression was blocked by a PPARγ specific antagonist.

The RAP1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor Epac2 couples cyclic AMP and Ras signals at the plasma membrane.

Epac-1 and -2 (exchange proteins directly activated by cyclic AMP) are guanine-nucleotide exchange factors for the GTPases Rap1 and -2. Epac2 but not Epac1 was found to possess a RA (Ras association) domain similar to that found in the Ras effector Ral-GDS. This domain specifically bound Ras-GTP, enabling oncogenic Ras to translocate Epac2 from the cytosol to the plasma membrane. Consequently, a small pool of plasma membrane-bound Rap1 was activated at the expense of bulk Rap1 located on intracellular organelles. Whereas translocation of Epac2 was not mimicked by challenge with epidermal growth factor alone, costimulation with forskolin, prostaglandin E2, or an Epac-selective cyclic AMP analog-induced rapid relocation of GFP-Epac2 but not -Epac1 to the plasma membrane in a Ras-dependent manner. Deletion of the cyclic AMP-binding domain overcame the need for nucleotide, suggesting that this domain normally masked the RA domain in the resting GEF. Thus, Epac2 can respond to costimulation by agonists that jointly elevate Ras-GTP and cyclic AMP levels, activating a specific pool of Rap1 at the plasma membrane. Therefore, despite its previous description as a Ras antagonist or independently functioning GTPase, Rap1/Krev-1 may additionally act downstream of Ras in cells that express the cyclic AMP-regulated GEF, Epac2.

Measuring Ras-family GTP levels in vivo--running hot and cold.

The detection of Ras-family GTPase activity is important in the determination of cell signaling events elicited by numerous ligands and cellular processes. This has been made much easier in recent years by the use of glutathione S-transferase (GST)-fused Ras binding domains. These domains from downstream effectors such as Raf and RalGDS preferentially bind the GTP-bound Ras proteins enabling their extraction and subsequent quantification by immunoblotting. Despite this advance, effectors that efficiently discriminate between GTP- and GDP-bound states are not available for many Ras-family members. While this hampers the ability to detect activity in tissue specimens, it is still possible to metabolically label cells with (32)Pi to load the GTP/GDP pool with labeled nucleotides, immunoprecipitate the Ras protein and detect the bound label following thin layer chromatographic separation and exposure to film or a phosphorimager. Using a transfection system and antibodies that recognize epitope tags one can test the ability of a protein to work as a GEF or GAP for a certain GTPase. Alternatively, if an immunoprecipitating antibody is available to the target GTPase, then analysis of endogenous GTP/GDP ratio is possible. Here we describe the detection of M-Ras and Rap1 activity by GST-RBD pull-down as well as that of Rheb and epitope-tagged R-Ras by classical metabolic labeling and immunoprecipitation.

Rheb binds tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) and promotes S6 kinase activation in a rapamycin- and farnesylation-dependent manner.

Recently the tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) tumor suppressor gene product has been identified as a negative regulator of protein synthesis upstream of the mTOR and ribosomal S6 kinases. Because of the homology of TSC2 with GTPase-activating proteins for Rap1, we examined whether a Ras/Rap-related GTPase might be involved in this process. TSC2 was found to bind to Rheb-GTP in vitro and to reduce Rheb GTP levels in vivo. Over-expression of Rheb but not Rap1 promoted the activation of S6 kinase in a rapamycin-dependent manner, suggesting that Rheb acts upstream of mTOR. The ability of Rheb to induce S6 phosphorylation was also inhibited by a farnesyl transferase inhibitor, suggesting that Rheb may be responsible for the Ras-independent anti-neoplastic properties of this drug.

A growing family of guanine nucleotide exchange factors is responsible for activation of Ras-family GTPases.

GTPases of the Ras subfamily regulate a diverse array of cellular-signaling pathways, coupling extracellular signals to the intracellular response machinery. Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) are primarily responsible for linking cell-surface receptors to Ras protein activation. They do this by catalyzing the dissociation of GDP from the inactive Ras proteins. GTP can then bind and induce a conformational change that permits interaction with downstream effectors. Over the past 5 years, approximately 20 novel Ras-family GEFs have been identified and characterized. These data indicate that a variety of different signaling mechanisms can be induced to activate Ras, enabling tyrosine kinases, G-protein-coupled receptors, adhesion molecules, second messengers, and various protein-interaction modules to relocate and/or activate GEFs and elevate intracellular Ras-GTP levels. This review discusses the structure and function of the catalytic or CDC25 homology domain common to almost all Ras-family GEFs. It also details our current knowledge about the regulation and function of this rapidly growing family of enzymes that include Sos1 and 2, GRF1 and 2, CalDAG-GEF/GRP1-4, C3G, cAMP-GEF/Epac 1 and 2, PDZ-GEFs, MR-GEF, RalGDS family members, RalGPS, BCAR3, Smg GDS, and phospholipase C(epsilon).

RasGRP4 is a novel Ras activator isolated from acute myeloid leukemia.

Although a number of genetic defects are commonly associated with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a large percentage of AML cases are cytogenetically normal. This suggests a functional screen for transforming genes is required to identify genetic mutations that are missed by cytogenetic analyses. We utilized a retrovirus-based cDNA expression system to identify transforming genes expressed in cytogenetically normal AML patients. We identified a new member of the Ras guanyl nucleotide-releasing protein (RasGRP) family of Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factors, designating it RasGRP4. Subsequently, cDNA sequences encoding rodent and human RasGRP4 proteins were deposited in GenBank. RasGRP4 contains the same protein domain structure as other members of the RasGRP family, including a Ras exchange motif, a CDC25 homology domain, a C1/diacyglycerol-binding domain, and putative calcium-binding EF hands. We show that expression of RasGRP4 induces anchorage-independent growth of Rat1 fibroblasts. RasGRP4 is a Ras-specific activator and, interestingly, is highly expressed in peripheral blood leukocytes and myeloid cell lines. Unlike other RasGRP proteins, RasGRP4 is not expressed in the brain or in lymphoid cells. We demonstrated that 32D myeloid cells expressing RasGRP4 have elevated levels of activated Ras compared with control cells, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) treatment greatly enhanced Ras activation. PMA induced membrane localization of RasGRP4 and 32D cells expressing RasGRP4 were capable of cytokine-independent proliferation in the presence of PMA. We conclude that RasGRP4 is a member of the RasGRP family of Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factors that may play a role in myeloid cell signaling growth regulation pathways that are responsive to diacylglycerol levels.