METHODS: In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity of ZCA was investigated and compared with that of nonintercalated CA. Evaluations were based on the capacity of ZCA and CA to modulate the release of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), IL-1β, and IL-10 in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Additionally, the expression of proinflammatory enzymes, ie, cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), were examined.

RESULTS: Although both ZCA and CA downregulated nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-1β, and IL-6, ZCA clearly displayed better activity. Similarly, expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase were inhibited in samples treated with ZCA and CA. The two compounds effectively inactivated the transcription factor NF-κB, but the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, was significantly upregulated by ZCA only.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of extracts obtained from the roots of PS against beta-amyloid (Aβ)-induced microglial toxicity associated with the production of pro-inflammatory mediators.

METHOD: BV2 microglial cells were treated with hexane (RHXN), dichloromethane (RDCM), ethyl acetate (REA) and methanol (RMEOH) extracts of the roots of PS prior to activation by Aβ. The production and mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory mediators were evaluated by Griess reagent, ELISA kits and RT-qPCR respectively. The phosphorylation status of p38α MAPK was determined via western blot assay. BV2 conditioned medium was used to treat SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and the neuroprotective effect was assessed using MTT assay.

RESULTS: PS root extracts, in particular RMEOH significantly attenuated the production and mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in Aβ-induced BV2 microglial cells. In addition, RHXN, REA and RMEOH extracts significantly reduced nitric oxide (NO) level and the inhibition of NO production was correlated with the total phenolic content of the extracts. Further mechanistic studies suggested that PS root extracts attenuated the production of cytokines by regulating the phosphorylation of p38α MAPK in microglia. Importantly, PS root extracts have protective effects against Aβ-induced indirect neurotoxicity either by inhibiting the production of NO, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in BV2 cells or by protecting SHSY5Y cells against these inflammatory mediators.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The influx of immune cells, release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and subsequent accumulation of synovial fluid (swelling) and pain manifest into the disease. The present study used CFA induced Balb/c mice model and treated them intraperitoneally with andrographolide and dexamethasone (used as a positive control) on alternate days for six days. After 6 days, blood and peritoneal macrophages were collected to evaluate the expression of various arthritic markers and paw edema was measured on all days.

RESULTS: The in vitro and ex vivo experiments showed that andrographolide treated animal group had reduced paw edema, cell cytotoxicity and nitric oxide production than dexamethasone treated animal group. Further, the study revealed the mechanistic role of andrographolide in treatment of arthritis by suppressing battery of molecules like COX-2, NF-κB, p-p38, CD40, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 involved in arthritis.

METHODS: In this article, several studies on stingless bee honey that pointed out the numerous therapeutic profiles of this honey in terms of its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, as well as moisturizing properties are reviewed. All of these therapeutic properties are related to wound healing properties.

RESULTS: Antioxidant in stingless bee honey could break the chain of free radicals that cause a detrimental effect to the wounded area. Furthermore, the antimicrobial properties of stingless bee honey could overcome the bacterial contamination and thus improve the healing rate. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory attribute in this honey could protect the tissue from highly toxic inflammatory mediators. The moisturizing properties of the honey could improve wound healing by promoting angiogenesis and oxygen circulation.

Methods: The designed anti-tuberculosis nanodelivery composite, MgLH-PAS, was prepared by a novel co-precipitation method using MgNO3 as well MgO as starting materials.

Results: The designed nano-formulation, PAS-MgLH, showed good antimycobacterial and antimicrobial activities with significant synergistic anti-inflammatory effects on the suppression of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated inflammatory mediators in RAW 264.7 macrophages. The designed nano-formulation was also found to be biocompatible with human normal lung cells (MRC-5) and 3T3 fibroblast cells. Furthermore, the in vitro release of PAS from PAS-MgLH was found to be sustained in human body simulated phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solutions of pH 7.4 and pH 4.8.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanol extract of E. maculata resin exudate, its methylene chloride and n-butanol fractions, as well as the isolated compounds.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: the ethanol extract was partitioned by methylene chloride, and n-butanol saturated with water. The fractions were chromatographed to isolate pure compounds. In-vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanol extract, the fractions at a dose of 200 mg/kg, and the isolated compounds (20 mg/kg) was estimated using carrageenan-induced rat paws edema method against indomethacin (20 mg/kg). The activity was supported by histopathological and biochemical parameters.

RESULTS: Three isolated compounds were identified as aromadendrin (C1), 7-O-methyl aromadendrin (C2), and naringenin (C3). Our findings demonstrated that the tested fractions significantly reduced the paw edema starting from the 3rd to the 5th hour as compared to the positive control, compounds C2 and C3 showed the greatest significant reduction in paw edema. The ethanol extract, fractions, C2, and C3 demonstrated an anti-inflammatory potential through reducing the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and PGE2, as well as COX-2 protein expression compared to the negative control. These results were supported by molecular docking, which revealed that the isolated compounds had high affinity to target COX-1 and COX-2 active sites with docking scores ranging from -7.3 to -9.6 kcal mol-1 when compared to ibubrofen (-7.8 and -7.4 kcal mol-1, respectively). Molecular dynamics simulations were also performed and confirmed the docking results.