International immunopharmacology
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Int. Immunopharmacol. · Nov 2010
Anti-asthmatic effect of schizandrin on OVA-induced airway inflammation in a murine asthma model.
Asthma comprises a triad of reversible airway obstruction, bronchial smooth muscle cell hyperreactivity to bronchoconstrictors, and chronic bronchial inflammation. Clinical and experimental findings have established eosinophilia as a sign of allergic disorders. In the present investigation, we evaluated the anti-asthmatic effects of schizandrin and its underlying mechanisms in an in vivo murine asthmatic model. ⋯ Additionally, schizandrin suppresses the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a dose-dependent manner, and inhibits goblet cell hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissue. Thus, schizandrin has anti-asthmatic effects, which seem to be partially mediated by reduction of oxidative stress and airway inflammation, in a murine allergic asthma model. These results indicate that schizandrin may be an effective novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of allergic asthma.
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Int. Immunopharmacol. · Sep 2010
Clinical TrialLong-term intrathecal morphine and bupivacaine upregulate MOR gene expression in lymphocytes.
Several studies have shown that opioids may suppress the immune system either by binding to mu-opioid receptors (MOR) expressed in immune cells or by activating these receptors within the central nervous system. ⋯ This preliminary study suggests that opioids must be used with care in patients who are already immunosuppressed by disease or by other, concurrently administered drugs.
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Int. Immunopharmacol. · Aug 2010
Sulfuretin isolated from heartwood of Rhus verniciflua inhibits LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines expression via the down-regulation of NF-kappaB in RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells.
It has been reported that Rhusverniciflua exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer activities. However, little is known about biological activity of sulfuretin, a flavonoid isolated from R.verniciflua. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect and the underlying molecular mechanisms of sulfuretin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. ⋯ In addition, sulfuretin attenuated LPS-induced DNA binding and the transcriptional activities of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB), which was accompanied by a parallel reduction of degradation and phosphorylation of inhibitory kappa B-alpha (I kappaB-alpha) and consequently by decreased nuclear translocation of p65 subunit of NF-kappaB. Furthermore, pretreatment with sulfuretin significantly inhibited the LPS-stimulated activation of I kappaB kinase beta (IKK beta). Taken together, these results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of sulfuretin in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages is associated with the suppression of NF-kappaB transcriptional activity via the inhibitory regulation of IKKbeta phosphorylation.
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Int. Immunopharmacol. · Aug 2010
Protective effect of chloral hydrate against lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced acute lethal liver injury and zymosan-induced peritonitis in mice.
In recent years, certain anesthetics have been shown to have protective effects against acute inflammation in experimental animals, an observation that may yield new options for adjunctive treatment of acute inflammation. In this study, we investigated the effects of chloral hydrate (CH) on the acute inflammatory response in BALB/c mice using lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine (LPS/D-GalN)-induced acute lethal liver injury and zymosan A-induced peritonitis models. The survival of mice following LPS/D-GalN treatment was significantly improved by a single injection with chloral hydrate, which could be administered simultaneously or as late as 3 h after challenge with LPS/D-GalN; liver injury was also attenuated. ⋯ Chloral hydrate also attenuated the inflammatory response in zymosan A-induced acute peritonitis, a model of mild inflammation. In conclusion, treatment with only a single injection of chloral hydrate could significantly attenuate acute inflammation in mice treated with LPS/D-GalN and zymosan A. These effects are also likely associated with the inhibition of NF-kappaB activity.