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The formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) has been considered to be a potential causative factor of injury to lens epithelial cells (LECs). Damage of LECs is believed to contribute to cataract formation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effect of AGEs on LECs both in vitro and in vivo. We examined the accumulation of argpyrimidine, a methylglyoxal-derived AGE, and the expression of apoptosis-related molecules including nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), Bax, and Bcl-2 in the human LEC line HLE-B3 and in cataractous lenses of Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, an animal model of type 2 diabetes. In cataractous lenses from twenty-one-week-old ZDF rats, LEC apoptosis was markedly increased, and the accumulation of argpyrimidine as well as subsequent activation of NF-κB in LECs were significantly enhanced. The ratio of Bax to Bcl-2 protein levels was also increased. In addition, the accumulation of argpyrimidine triggered apoptosis in methylglyoxal-treated HLE-B3 cells. However, the presence of pyridoxamine (an AGEs inhibitor) and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (a NF-κB inhibitor) prevented apoptosis in HLE-B3 cells through the inhibition of argpyrimidine formation and the blockage of NF-κB nuclear translocalization, respectively. These results suggest that the cellular accumulation of argpyrimidine in LECs is NF-κB-dependent and pro-apoptotic.

Context: Mollugo pentaphylla L. (Molluginaceae) extract (MPE) has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effect on MSU-induced gouty arthritis in a mouse model. Objective: This study examined the anti-inflammatory activities of an MPE in vitro and anti-osteoarthritis effects on monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis (OA) in vivo. Materials and methods: The dried whole plants of M. pentaphylla were extracted with 70% ethanol under reflux. The anti-inflammatory effect of MPE was evaluated in vitro in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)treated RAW264.7 cells. The anti-osteoarthritic effect of MPE was investigated in a Sprague-Dawley rat model of MIA-induced OA. Each seven male rats were orally administered MPE (75, 150 or 300 mg/kg) or the positive control drug indomethacin (1 mg/kg) 3 days before MIA injection and once daily for 11 days thereafter. After the treatment with MPE, no evidence of systemic adverse effects was observed in any study group. Results: MPE exhibited anti-inflammatory activity via inhibition of the production of NO (57.8%), PGE2 (97.1%) and IL-6 (93.2%) in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells at 200 lg/mL. In addition, MPE suppressed IL-1b (60.9%), TNF-a (37.9%) and IL-6 (40.9%) production and suppressed the synthesis of MMP-2, MMP-9 and COX-2 in the MIA-induced OA rat model. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that MPE exerts potent anti-inflammatory activities and protects cartilage in an OA rat model. This might be a potential candidate for therapeutic OA treatment.

BackgroundGamisoyo-san (GMSYS) is a traditional herbal formula used to treat insomnia, dysmenorrhea, and infertility in Korea. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect and action mechanisms of GMSYS in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.MethodsThe anti-inflammatory effects of GMSYS were investigated using nitric oxide (NO) assay and ELISAs for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The anti-inflammatory action mechanisms of GMSYS were evaluated using Western blotting for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and activation of nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs).ResultsGMSYS significantly inhibited the LPS-induced production of NO, PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-6 compared with the vehicle-treated cells. GMSYS consistently downregulated the expression of iNOS and COX-2 mRNA induced by LPS. In addition, pretreatment with GMSYS suppressed the LPS-induced activation of NF-κB and MAPKs such as p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK).ConclusionsOur results indicate that the anti-inflammatory effects of GMSYS in RAW 264.7 macrophages are associated with inhibition of the release of inflammatory mediators and cytokines through the suppression of MAPK and NF-κB activation. These findings suggest that GMSYS may be a useful therapeutic candidate for the prevention or treatment of inflammatory diseases.

BackgroundBenign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is non-cancerous condition of enlargement of the prostate, a common occurrence in older men. The immature fruits of Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Rafinesque (Rutaceae), Ponciri Fructus are widely used in traditional oriental medicine for the therapy of various diseases. However, little is known about the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of BPH. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of a Ponciri Fructus extract (PFE) on the development of BPH in a in a rat model of BPH induced by testosterone propionate (TP).MethodsMale Sprague Dawley rats were used as a model of BPH after its induction by daily subcutaneous injections of TP/corn oil, for a period of four weeks. PFE was administrated daily 1 h before TP/corn oil injection by oral gavage at a dose level of 200 mg/kg during the 4 weeks of TP/corn oil injections. All rats were sacrificed at the end of the experiment, we measured the relative prostate weight, the levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), histological changes, activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase), and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). In addition, we also measured the inhibition (%) of 5α-reductase in the prostatic tissue.ResultsOur findings indicate that PFE significantly inhibited the development of BPH; decreased the relative prostate weight, the level of testosterone and DHT in serum and prostatic tissue, prostatic hyperplasia, expression of PCNA, and increased the antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, PFE showed a weak inhibitory activity on 5α-reductase.ConclusionsThese results suggest that PFE may be used as a therapeutic agent for BPH via antiproliferative and antioxidant effects.