Suppression of Hepatitis B Virus Production and Inflammatory Response in vitro and in vivo by Mormodica charantia Compound EMCDO

Abstract

Eight compounds were purified from Mormodica charanti, and their chemical structures were determined in this study. Their anti-HBV and anti-inflammation activities were investigated. Compound EMCDO exhibited the most efficient effect in terms of reducing HBV surface antigen, e antigen and viral DNA levels in HBV particles or surface antigen-producing cells 2.2.15 and PLC/PRF/5, respectively. Tumor suppressor p53 played a significant role in EMCDO-mediated anti-HBV effects. Pretreatment with EMCDO prevented 2.2.15 cells-induced tumor formation in a nude mice subcutaneous model. The anti-HBV and anti-tumor activities of EMCDO were better than those of oltipraz, an inhibitor of HBV transcription. EMCDO reduced the proinflammatory cytokines and mediators in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The LPS-upregulated phosphorylation level of I was reduced in the presence of EMCDO. The transcription activity of NF-B was increased in cells treated with EMCDO. Utilization of a mouse ear edema model further confirmed the activity of EMCDO against TPA-elicited inflammation.

Alternative Control of Alternaria Brown Spot in Tangerine

“…Leaves of bitter melon contain alkaloids (mormodicin) [17], exhibiting anti-fungal activity against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Cladosporium cucumerium [18]. Antimicrobial substances were identified in extracts from M. charantia [19] [21]. In general, these terpenoids protect plants against fungi, bacteria and herbivores, promote germination of seeds [22], participate in vegetal growth through hormones [23], being commonly denominated as cucurbitacins [24].…”

“…According Colturato [25] the fungicides used to control tangerine alternate spot are pyraclostrobin and trifloxystrobin, both having in their formulation the radicals methyl and methoxy found in the structures from terpenoids identified in M. charantia [19] [20] [21]. The treatment with the fungicides pyraclostrobin and trifloxystrobin are efficient to control the disease, since the losses caused by the disease are less than 50% compared to the control treatment [25].…”