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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2018) | Viewed by 34653

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Thomas T. Y. Wang

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Diet, Genomics and Immunology Laboratory, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
Interests: diet; cancer prevention
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Immunity and inflammation play critical roles, not only in defense against external insults, but also etiology and progression of diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancers. A role for nutrition in modulation of diseases is well documented, but the precise active components in diet, as well as mechanisms of action, remain unclear. It is possible that nutritional modulation of immune and inflammation may be an important mechanism by which diet or diet-derived compounds exert their health promoting, disease preventive effects. We invite the researchers to contribute original and review articles regarding the relationship between nutrition, immunity and inflammation. We stress that for in vitro and animal work the focus should be on physiologically achievable concentration of bioactive and not pharmacological dosage. We also welcome articles deal with individual differences and system approaches that is consistent with current emphasis on precision and individualized health care.

Dr. Thomas T. Y. Wang
Guest Editor

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 4993 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Antiangiogenic and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of a Maslinic Acid Derivative and its Potentiation using Zinc Chloride

by Ioana Zinuca Pavel, Rene Csuk, Corina Danciu, Stefana Avram, Flavia Baderca, Andreea Cioca, Elena-Alina Moacă, Ciprian-Valentin Mihali, Iulia Pinzaru, Danina Mirela Muntean and Cristina Adriana Dehelean

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(11), 2828; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20112828 - 10 Jun 2019

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4394

Abstract

Maslinic acid is a pentacyclic triterpene with a plethora of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, cardioprotective, and antitumor effects. New derivatives with improved properties and broad-spectrum activity can be obtained following structural changes of the compound. The present study was aimed to characterize a benzylamide derivative of maslinic acid—benzyl (2α, 3β) 2,3-diacetoxy-olean⁻12-en-28-amide (EM2)—with respect to the anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects in two in vivo experimental models. Consequently, the compound showed good tolerability and lack of irritation in the chorioallantoic membrane assay with no impairment of the normal angiogenic process during the tested stages of development. In the acute ear inflammation murine model, application of EM2 induced a mild anti-inflammatory effect that was potentiated by the association with zinc chloride (ZnCl₂). A decrease in dermal thickness of mice ears was observed when EM2 and ZnCl₂ were applied separately or in combination. Moreover, hyalinization of the dermis appeared only when EM2 was associated with ZnCl₂, strongly suggesting the role of their combination in wound healing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Nutrients, Immunity and Inflammation)

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24 pages, 10499 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anti-Inflammatory Response and Muscarinic Cholinergic Regulation during the Laxative Effect of Asparagus cochinchinensis in Loperamide-Induced Constipation of SD Rats

by Ji Eun Kim, Ji Won Park, Mi Ju Kang, Hyeon Jun Choi, Su Ji Bae, You Sang Choi, Young Ju Lee, Hee Seob Lee, Jin Tae Hong and Dae Youn Hwang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(4), 946; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20040946 - 21 Feb 2019

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 6361

Abstract

Several types of saponins and herbal plants containing saponins have been reported to have anti-inflammatory or laxative activities. To verify the therapeutic effects of saponin-enriched extracts of Asparagus cochinchinensis (SPA) on the anti-inflammatory response and on the cholinergic regulation in the gastrointestinal system, an alteration on the constipation phenotypes, on the inflammatory responses, and on the muscarinic cholinergic regulation were investigated in the transverse colons of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats with loperamide (Lop)-induced constipation after the treatment of SPA. Significant increases were observed on the total number of stools, the gastrointestinal transit, the thickness of the mucosal layer, the flat luminal surface, the number of paneth cells, and the lipid droplets in the Lop + SPA-treated group as compared to the Lop + Vehicle-treated group. SPA treatment induced the recovery of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β) and IL-6), inflammatory mediators (NF-κB and iNOS), the total number of infiltered mast cells, and mucin secretion. Also, some similar improvements were observed on the levels of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity and on the phosphorylation of myosin light chains (MLC) as well as the expression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors M2/M3 (mAChR M2/M3) and their mediators. The results presented herein provide the first strong evidence that SPA stimulates anti-inflammatory responses and the muscarinic cholinergic regulation when exerting its laxative effects in the chronic constipation of Lop-induced models. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Nutrients, Immunity and Inflammation)

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19 pages, 3493 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anti-Colitic Effects of Ethanol Extract of Persea americana Mill. through Suppression of Pro-Inflammatory Mediators via NF-κB/STAT3 Inactivation in Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis Mice

by Joo Young Hong, Kyung-Sook Chung, Ji-Sun Shin, Geonha Park, Young Pyo Jang and Kyung-Tae Lee

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(1), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20010177 - 5 Jan 2019

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4698

Abstract

Persea americana Mill, cv. Hass, also known as avocado, has been reported to possess hypolipidemic, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, cardioprotective, and photoprotective potencies. However, few studies have reported its anti-colitic effects. In this study, we investigated anti-colitic effects of ethanol extract of P. americana (EEP) in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitic mice and the involved molecular mechanisms. EEP effectively improved clinical signs and histological characteristics of DSS-induced colitis mice. In DSS-exposed colonic tissues, EEP reduced expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Moreover, EEP suppressed DSS-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Consistent with in vivo results, EEP also suppressed protein and mRNA expression levels of iNOS, COX-2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines via NF-κB and STAT3 inactivation in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. Taken together, our data indicate that ethanol extract of avocado may be used as a promising therapeutic against inflammatory bowel diseases by suppressing the NF-κB and STAT3 signaling pathway. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Nutrients, Immunity and Inflammation)

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16 pages, 1853 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chlorogenic Acid (CGA) Isomers Alleviate Interleukin 8 (IL-8) Production in Caco-2 Cells by Decreasing Phosphorylation of p38 and Increasing Cell Integrity

by Ningjian Liang and David D. Kitts

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(12), 3873; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19123873 - 4 Dec 2018

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 3682

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of six chlorogenic acid (CGA) isomers known to be present in coffee and other plant foods on modulating the inflammatory response induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines in the Caco-2 human intestinal epithelial cell line. Compared to caffeoylquinic acids (CQA), dicaffeoylquinic acids (DiCQA) had significantly stronger (p < 0.05) capacities to reduce phosphorylation of one of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) cascades, namely p38. Compared to the control, CQA isomers treatment resulted in around 50% reduction in an interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion, whereas DiCQA, at the same concentration, resulted in a 90% reduction in IL-8 secretion, compared to the control cells. CGA isomer treatment also showed a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the up-regulation of NFκB subunit p65 nuclear translocation by more than 1.5 times, compared to the control. We concluded that CGA isomers exert anti-inflammatory activity in a mixture of interferon gamma (IFNγ) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-challenged Caco-2 cells, by decreasing the phosphorylation of p38 cascade and up-regulating NFκB signaling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Nutrients, Immunity and Inflammation)

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12 pages, 3474 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrophilic Astragalin Galactoside Induces T Helper Type 1-Mediated Immune Responses via Dendritic Cells

by Jae Hyoung Jeon, Byung-Cheol Lee, Doman Kim, Daeho Cho and Tae Sung Kim

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(10), 3120; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19103120 - 11 Oct 2018

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3472

Abstract

A flavonoid Astragalin (kaempferol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, Ast) has several biological activities including anti-oxidant, anti-HIV, and anti-allergic effects. Nonetheless, its insolubility in hydrophilic solvents imposes restrictions on its therapeutic applications. In this study, we investigated the effects of water-soluble astragalin-galactoside (kaempferol-3-O-β-d-isomaltotrioside, Ast-Gal) on murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cell (DC) maturation and T helper (Th) cell-mediated immune responses. Ast-Gal significantly increased maturation and activation of DCs through the upregulation of surface markers, such as cluster of differentiation (CD)80, CD86, and Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II in a dose-dependent manner, while Ast had little effects. Additionally, Ast-Gal-treated DCs markedly secreted immune-stimulating cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-12. Importantly, Ast-Gal strongly increased expression of IL-12, a polarizing cytokine of Th1 cells. In a co-culture system of DCs and CD4⁺ T cells, Ast-Gal-treated DCs preferentially differentiates naïve CD4⁺ T cells into Th1 cells. The addition of neutralizing IL-12 monoclonal antibody (mAb) to cultures of Ast-Gal-treated DCs and CD4⁺ T cells significantly decreased interferon (IFN)-γ production, thereby indicating that Ast-Gal-stimulated DCs enhance the Th1 response through IL-12 production by DCs. Injection with Ast-Gal-treated DCs in mice increased IFN-γ-secreting Th1 cell population. Collectively, these findings indicate that hydrophilically modified astragalin can enhance Th1-mediated immune responses via DCs and point to a possible application of water-soluble astragalin-galactoside as an immune adjuvant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Nutrients, Immunity and Inflammation)

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16 pages, 1330 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Pectinase-Assisted Extraction on the Physicochemical and Biological Properties of Polysaccharides from Aster scaber

by Young-Ran Song, Su-Kyung Sung, Eun-Ju Shin, Chang-Won Cho, Chun-Ji Han and Hee-Do Hong

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(9), 2839; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19092839 - 19 Sep 2018

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4527

Abstract

The edible and medicinal perennial herb Aster scaber is known to have anticancer, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. However, the biological effects of its polysaccharides are not well understood. Here, we aimed to extract novel polysaccharides with enhanced biological properties from Aster scaber using enzyme-assisted methods. Amylase, cellulase, and pectinase were used to extract enzyme-assisted polysaccharide (ASEP)-A, ASEP-C, and ASEP-P, respectively. The yields, physicochemical properties, and immunostimulatory activities of the polysaccharides were investigated and compared with those of hot water extracted polysaccharide (ASWP). The highest yield (3.8%) was achieved for ASEP-P extracted using pectinase digestion. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and chemical composition analysis revealed that ASWP and three ASEPs were typical acidic heteropolysaccharides, mainly comprising rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, glucose, and galacturonic acid. Immunostimulatory activity assays on RAW264.7 macrophages showed ASEP-P to have the greatest immunostimulatory potential in terms of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokine productions and phagocytic activity. ASEP-P administration improved immune-enhancing effects in normal mice by improving the spleen index and splenic lymphocyte proliferation, and in immunosuppressed mice by modulating lymphocyte proliferation, natural killer (NK) cell activity, and leukocyte counts. The ASEP-P derived from pectinase hydrolysate of Aster scaber demonstrated efficacious immunostimulatory properties and has potential applications as an immune stimulator. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Nutrients, Immunity and Inflammation)

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17 pages, 4418 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Antioxidants in Reducing Accumulation of Fat in Hepatocyte

by Jung-Pyo Yang, Ji-Hun Shin, Seung-Hwan Seo, Sang-Gyun Kim, Sang Hyung Lee and Eun-Hee Shin

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(9), 2563; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19092563 - 29 Aug 2018

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 6898

Abstract

The progress of the hepatic steatosis (HS), a clinicopathological status, is influenced by cellular oxidative stress, lipogenesis, fatty acid (FA) oxidation, and inflammatory responses. Because antioxidants are gaining attention as potent preventive agents for HS, we aimed to investigate anti-lipogenic effects of the antioxidants vitamin C (VC), N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and astaxanthin (ATX) using hepatocytes. For this, we established an in vitro model using 1 mM oleic acid (OA) and human liver hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells; 10 μM antioxidants were evaluated for their ability to reduce fat accumulation in hepatocytes. Our results showed that all three antioxidants were effective to reduce fat accumulation for the molecular targets such as reduction in lipid droplets, triglyceride (TG) concentration, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and cell apoptosis, as well as in gene expressions of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related effectors, lipogenesis, and inflammatory cytokines. There were simultaneous increases in diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging effect, cell survival, AMPK phosphorylation, NRF2-related gene expression for cellular defense, and FA β-oxidation. However, among these, ATX more effectively inhibited ER stress and lipogenesis at the intracellular level than VC or NAC. Consequently, ATX was also more effective in inhibiting cell death, lipotoxicity, and inflammation. Our result emphasizes that ATX achieved greater lipotoxicity reduction than VC and NAC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Nutrients, Immunity and Inflammation)

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