METHOD: Male SD rats were divided into five groups (n = 8), injected with LPS and thereafter treated with LA (50 and 100 mg/kg) or vehicle orally for 14 days. After fourteen days of LA treatment, all the groups were humanely killed to investigate biochemical parameters followed by pro-inflammatory cytokine markers; tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β. Moreover, liver tissues were harvested for histopathological studies and evaluation of targeted protein expression with western blot and localisation through immunohistochemistry (IHC).
RESULTS: The study results showed that treatment of LA 50 and 100 mg/kg for 14 days were able to reduce the elevated level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, liver inflammation, and downregulated the expression of TLR4/NF-κB mediating proteins in liver tissues.
CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that treatment of LA has a protective role against LPS-induced liver inflammation in rats, thus, warrants further in-depth investigation through mechanistic approaches in different study models.
METHODS: Noni leaves (three doses) and black tea water extracts were fed to ovariectomized rats for 4 mo, and their effects (analyzed via mechanical measurements, micro-computed tomography scan, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction mRNA) were compared with Remifemin (a commercial phytoestrogen product from black cohosh).
RESULTS: The water extracts (dose-dependently for noni leaves) increased bone regeneration biomarker (runt-related transcription factor 2, bone morphogenetic protein 2, osteoprotegerin, estrogen receptor 1 [ESR1], collagen type I alpha 1A) expressions and reduced the inflammatory biomarkers (interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, nuclear factor [NF]-κB, and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand) mRNA expressions/levels in the rats. The extracts also improved bone physical and mechanical properties. The extracts demonstrated bone regeneration through improving bone size and structure, bone mechanical properties (strength and flexibility), and bone mineralization and density.
CONCLUSIONS: The catechin-rich extract favored bone regeneration and suppressed bone resorption. The mechanisms involved enhancing osteoblast generation and survival, inhibiting osteoclast growth and activities, suppressing inflammation, improving bone collagen synthesis and upregulating ESR1 expression to augment phytoestrogenic effects. Estrogen deficiency bone loss and all extracts studied (best effect from Morinda leaf at 300 mg/kg body weight) mitigated the loss, indicating benefits for the aged and menopausal women.
METHODS: Adult male rats with streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetes were given 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight VVSEE orally for 28 days. At the end of the treatment, body weights were determined, and the blood was collected for analyses of fasting blood glucose, insulin and liver enzyme levels. Following sacrifice, livers were harvested and their wet weights and glycogen contents were measured. Histologic appearances of the livers were observed under light microscopy, and the expression and distribution of inflammatory, apoptosis and proliferative markers in the livers were identified by molecular biologic techniques.
RESULTS: Treatment of rats with diabetes by VVSEE attenuates decreased body weight, liver weight and liver glycogen content. Additionally, increases in fasting blood glucose levels and liver enzyme levels and decreases in serum insulin levels were ameliorated. Lesser histopathologic changes were also observed: decreased inflammation and apoptosis, as indicated by decreased levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, NF-Kβ, IKK-β, IL-6, IL-1β) and apoptosis markers (caspase-3, caspase-9 and Bax). VVSEE treatment induces increase in hepatocyte regeneration, as indicated by increased PCNA and Ki-67 distribution in the livers of rats with diabetes. Several molecules identified in VVSEE via gas chromatography mass spectrometry might contribute to these effects.
CONCLUSIONS: The anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and pro-proliferative effects of VVSEE could account for its hepatoprotective actions in diabetes.
METHODS: Imiquimod-loaded fish oil bigel colloidal system was prepared using a blend of carbopol hydrogel and fish oil oleogel. Bigels were first characterized for their mechanical properties and compared to conventional gel systems. Ex vivo permeation studies were performed on murine skin to analyze the ability of the bigels to transport drug across skin and to predict the release mechanism via mathematical modelling. Furthermore, to analyze pharmacological effectiveness in skin cancer and controlling imiquimod-induced inflammatory side effects, imiquimod-fish oil combination was tested in vitro on epidermoid carcinoma cells and in vivo in Swiss albino mice cancer model.
RESULTS: Imiquimod-loaded fish oil bigels exhibited higher drug availability inside the skin as compared to individual imiquimod hydrogel and oleogel controls through quasi-Fickian diffusion mechanism. Imiquimod-fish oil combination in bigel enhanced the antitumor effects and significantly reduced serum pro-inflammatory cytokine levels such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6, and reducing tumor progression via inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor. Imiquimod-fish oil combination also resulted in increased expression of interleukin-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, which could also aid anti-tumor activity against skin cancer.
CONCLUSION: Imiquimod administration through a bigel vehicle along with fish oil could be beneficial for controlling imiquimod-induced inflammatory side effects and in the treatment of skin cancer.
OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine whether Gynura procumbens (GP) could improve vascular reactivity by suppressing inflammation in postmenopausal rats fed with five-times heated palm oil (5HPO) diet.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham [non-ovariectomized; grouped as control, GP extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg), atorvastatin (ATV, 10 mg/kg)] and postmenopausal (PM) groups [ovariectomized rats fed with 5HPO; grouped as PM, GP extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg) and ATV (10 mg/kg)]. Each group (n = 6) was either supplemented with GP extract or ATV orally once daily for 6 months.
RESULTS: In comparison with the untreated PM group, 250 and 500 mg/kg GP supplementation to PM groups reduced the systolic blood pressure (103 ± 2.7, 86 ± 2.4 vs. 156 ± 7.83 mmHg, p
AIM: This study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammation an analgesic activity of the aqueous extract of Launaea arborescens (AqELA) and its pathway of action.
METHODS: the investigation of anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects were done using formalin test, acetic acid test. For mechanism investigation, it was used hot plate test to induce opioid receptors, a histamine and serotonin test to induce edema paw, finally, for the TRPV1 receptor, it was used the capsaicin test.
RESULTS: The aqueous extract of Launaea arborescens showed a significant inhibition of abdominal writhing test 95% and 100% inhibition of licking paw using acid acetic test and formalin test respectively (EC: 47 mg/kg and 104 mg/kg). The analgesic effect of the aqueous extract of Launaea arborescens showed inhibition of sensation of pain after 120 min compared to morphine effect. The aqueous extract of Launaea arborescens reduced paw volume after 180 min and 120 min for histamine and serotonin respectively with dose-dependent. Concerning of TRPV1 receptors, the inhibition was showed at doses 100 mg and 300 mg.
CONCLUSION: Our results contribute towards validation of the traditional use of Launaea arborescens for inflammation ailment.
METHODS: Acute inflammation was produced by subplantar injection of 0.1 mL of 0.1% histamine into the right hind paw of each rat in the control and treatment groups. The degree of edema was measured before injection and at the time points of 30, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 min after injection. Changes of peritoneal vascular permeability were studied using Evans blue dye as a detector. Vascular permeability was evaluated by the amount of dye leakage into the peritoneal cavity in rats. To evaluate the inhibitory effect of AEBO on biochemical mediators of vascular permeability, the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were determined in histamine-treated paw tissues. The major constituents of AEBO were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis.
RESULTS: AEBO produced a significant inhibition of histamine-induced paw edema starting at 60 min time point, with maximal percentage of inhibition (60.25%) achieved with a dose of 150 mg/kg of AEBO at 60 min time point. Up to 99% of increased peritoneal vascular permeability produced by histamine was successfully suppressed by AEBO. The expression of biochemical mediators of vascular permeability, NO and VEGF, was also found to be downregulated in the AEBO treated group. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed that the major constituent in AEBO was acetic acid.
CONCLUSIONS: The experimental findings demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory activity of AEBO was due to its inhibitory effect on vascular permeability, which was suppressed as a result of the reduced expression of biochemical mediators (NO and VEGF) in tissues. Our results contribute towards the validation of the traditional use of Bixa orellana in the treatment of inflammatory disorders.
METHODS: The extract was prepared by soaking (1:20; w/v) the air-dried powdered leaves (20 g) in chloroform for 72 hrs followed by evaporation (40 degrees C) under reduced pressure to dryness (1.26 g) and then dissolved (1:50; w/v) in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The supernatant, considered as the stock solution with dose of 200 mg/kg, was diluted using DMSO to 20 and 100 mg/kg, and all doses were administered (s.c.; 10 ml/kg) in mice/rats 30 min prior to tests.
RESULTS: The extract exhibited significant (p<0.05) antinociceptive activity when assessed using the abdominal constriction, hot plate and formalin tests. The extract also produced significant (p<0.05) anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities when assessed using the carrageenan-induced paw edema and brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia tests. Overall, the activities occurred in a dose-independent manner.
CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that the lipid-soluble extract of S. nigrum leaves possessed antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic properties and confirmed the traditional claims.