Inflammopharmacology最新文献

Ursolic Acid (UA), a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpene, was isolated from Ochrosia elliptica. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) a prevalent endocrine disorder characterized by hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and chronic inflammation. In this study, we investigate the role of UA in alleviating the symptoms of PCOS, focusing on its biochemical, hormonal, and histopathological effects in a rat model. Using adult female Wistar Albino rats, PCOS was induced through letrozole administration. The rats were then treated with UA at two different doses (25 and 50 mg/kg), alongside a control group and a standard ovulation-inducing medication, clomiphene citrate (1 mg/kg). Biochemical analyses showed that PCOS induction significantly increased serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels by approximately 1.21-fold, while markedly reducing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities (p ≤ 0.05) by approximately 0.48-fold, relative to negative control. Treatment with UA (50 mg/kg) dose-dependently restored oxidative balance, reducing MDA (~ 0.82-fold) and elevating SOD (~ 2.39-fold) and CAT (~ 2.11-fold) activities toward PCOS values (p ≤ 0.05). Hormonally, PCOS rats exhibited elevated luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels by approximately 1.70-fold, compared to the negative control (p ≤ 0.05). Both doses of UA significantly lowered LH and testosterone, with the 50 mg/kg dose achieving reductions comparable to clomiphene citrate (p ≤ 0.05). Histopathological examination showed improved ovarian morphology with reduced cystic follicles and increased corpus lutea in UA-treated groups. Furthermore, UA downregulated key genes involved in steroidogenesis and oxidative stress response, suggesting a multifaceted mechanism of action. The findings highlight UA's potential as a novel therapeutic option for managing PCOS symptoms, emphasizing the need for further research into its efficacy and safety in clinical applications.

Numerous factors can lead to inflammation and enlargement of the colon, posing a serious health risk. This study investigated the protective effects of watercress (Nasturtium officinale) leaf methanolic extract against dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colonic inflammation in rats. Phytochemical analysis showed high levels of polyphenols, flavonoids, and condensed tannins in the methanolic extract, which exhibited the strongest in vitro anti-diabetic (α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes; Inhib. % 72.61 and 62.36%, respectively), anti-Alzheimer (AChE; Inhib. % 65.86 ± 0.15%), and anti-arthritic activity (protein denaturation and the proteinase enzyme activity; Inhib. % 58.09 ± 0.14 and 55.39 ± 0.14%, respectively) and was therefore selected for the in vivo study. Oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in colon tissue were evaluated using biochemical tests, histopathological examination, and assessment of mRNA levels of inflammatory markers (NF-κB, IL-6, IL-1β) and antioxidant enzymes (SOD1, CAT, GPx1). Watercress extract treatment successfully reinstated antioxidant enzyme activity and decreased inflammatory indicators in both pre-treated and post-treated cohorts. Histopathological examinations demonstrated a significant enhancement in the architecture of colon tissue and a decrease in inflammatory lesions. Molecular assays confirmed normalization of mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes and inflammatory markers disrupted by DSS administration (p ≤ 0.05). These findings indicate that the methanolic extract of watercress leaves exerts protective effects against DSS-induced colonic inflammation at biochemical, histological, and molecular levels, supporting its potential as a natural anti-inflammatory agent.

Inflammation-driven joint pathology remains a major cause of disability, motivating the search for safe multi-target therapies. We investigated the anti-inflammatory efficacy and tolerability of a lipid extract of Eryx snakes (LEES) in the rat model of adjuvant-induced arthritis (complete Freund's adjuvant). Arthritic rats received once-daily oral treatment from day 15 to day 30 with LEES (50 mg/kg) and were compared with reference drugs (methotrexate 0.05 mg/kg; leflunomide 5 mg/kg) and vehicle controls. Outcomes included paw volume (plethysmometry), local skin temperature (infrared thermometry), and mechanical pain threshold (plantar aesthesiometry); systemic effects were assessed by serum cytokine - interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) - complete blood counts, and histology of joint, liver and spleen. LEES attenuated paw edema and local hyperthermia, increased the mechanical pain threshold, and exerted immunomodulatory effects by regulating the circulating cytokine profile (lowering IL-6 and TNF-α with higher IL-10). Notably, LEES was superior to leflunomide in reducing paw edema and performed comparably to both reference drugs across other key efficacy endpoints. Semi-quantitative histological scoring confirmed that LEES effectively limited articular structural damage without inducing the hepato-splenic toxicity associated with methotrexate. These findings indicate that LEES possesses multimodal immunomodulatory and analgesic actions with a highly favorable tolerability profile, supporting its further preclinical development as a potential adjunct or alternative to existing therapies.

AD is a complex neurodegenerative disease that leads to progressive memory loss, worsening cognitive abilities, and synaptic dysfunction. The pathophysiology of the disease is driven by oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, which cause neuronal damage and may facilitate amyloid-beta aggregation and tau hyperphosphorylation. Current treatment strategies provide symptomatic improvement but do not address the multifactorial causes of the disease; therefore, multi-targeted approaches are critical. Putranjiva roxburghii is a medicinal plant with a wealth of ethnomedicinal literature from India. It contains a variety of phytochemicals, including flavonoids, lignans, glycosides, and triterpenoids, that collectively exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Preclinical studies suggest that it can scavenge ROS, decrease LPO, modulate cholinergic systems, and interfere with amyloid and tau pathology, supporting potential cognitive benefits. Notwithstanding the promising potential of these findings, challenges remain, including variable extraction methods, limited pharmacokinetic information, and the absence of clinical validation, which are obstacles to translation. This manuscript provides a limited examination of the phytochemical profile, neuroprotective mechanisms, and potential therapeutic applications in Alzheimer's disease (AD) attributed to P. roxburghii, and highlights the necessity for standardized formulations, molecular docking methodology, and rigorously designed clinical studies to determine its efficacy and safety in humans.