Efficacy of Xixiancao (Herba Siegesbeckiae Orientalis) on interactions between nuclear factor kappa-B and inflammatory cytokines in inflammatory reactions of rat synovial cells induced by sodium urate

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the interaction between nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)and inflammatory cytokines in synovial cell inflammatory responses induced by sodium urate,and to evaluate the efficacy of Xixiancao(Herba Siegesbeckiae Orientalis)on these interactions.METHODS:The interactions between NF-κB and inflammatory cytokines/mediators in synovial cells in acute gouty arthritis were investigated.We observed the expressions of NF-κB,interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-8,and tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)in synovial cells at different timepoints in an in vitro model of synovial cell inflammatory responses induced by sodium urate and in an in vivo model of gouty arthritis.Changes in the expressions of NF-κB,IL-1β,IL-8,and TNF-αin synovial cells of all experimental groups were compared and observed after treatment with different doses of Xixiancao(Herba Siegesbeckiae Orientalis)and colchicine.The interactions between NF-κB and IL-1β,IL-8,and TNF-αwere analyzed.Pathological changes in synovial tissues were observed in rats with acute gouty arthritis.RESULTS:Compared with the blank group,the expression levels of NF-κB,IL-1β,IL-8,and TNF-αwere increased significantly at different timepoints in the in vitro model of synovial cell inflammatory responses induced by sodium urate,and in the in vivo model of gouty arthritis.Compared with the model group,the expressions of NF-κB,IL-1β,IL-8,and TNF-αin synovial cells induced by sodium urate were decreased in the different Xixiancao(Herba Siegesbeckiae Orientalis)dose groups and the colchicine group.The effect was more obvious in the high dose Xixiancao(Herba Siegesbeckiae Orientalis)group.The expression of NF-κB in synovial cells was positively correlated with the expressions of IL-1β,IL-8,and TNF-α.Histopathological examination of synovial tissues in the high dose Xixiancao(Herba Siegesbeckiae Orientalis)group and Colchicine group showed that the characteristics of acute gouty arthritis were reduced,and there was a trend towards a positive correlation between NF-κB and inflammatory cytokine expressions.CONCLUSION:The activation of NF-κB is associated with the activation of IL-1β,IL-8,and TNF-αduring the pathogenesis of acute gouty arthritis,leading to the continuation and enhancement of the inflammatory response.Expressions of IL-1β,IL-8,and TNF-αin synoviocytes during acute gouty arthritis effectively inhibit local inflammation.

New diterpenoid glucosides from Siegesbeckia pubescens

Five new diterpenoids isolated from Siegesbeckia pubescens, pubesides A similar toE, were established as ent-2 alpha ,15,16-trihydroxypimar-8(14)-en-2-O-beta -D-glucopyranoside (1), ent-15,16,19-trihydroxypimar-8(14)-en-19-O-beta -D-glucopyranoside (2), beta -D-glucopyranosyl-ent-15,16-dihydroxypimar-8(14)-en-19-oiclate (3), ent-2-oxo-15,16,19-trihydroxypimar-8(14)-en-19-O-beta -D-gluco-pyranoside (4), ent-2-oxo-15,16,19-trihydroxypimar-8(14)-en-19-O-beta -D-glucopyranoside-15,16-acetonide (5) by 1D and 2D NMR techniques.

Essential Oil from Siegesbeckia pubescens Induces Apoptosis through the Mitochondrial Pathway in Human HepG2 Cells

Siegesbeckia pubescens（SP） has been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of and inflammatory diseases. However, the activities of SP against hepatocellular carcinoma and the related mechanisms remain unclear. The present study aimed to examine the effects of the essential oil of SP（SPEO） on the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and the possible mechanisms. The growth inhibition of Hep G2 cells was analyzed by MTT assay. Hoechst 33258 and fluorescence microscopy were utilized to observe the nuclear morphological changes of apoptotic cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis and cell cycle. The expressions of the target proteins were detected by Western blotting. The results showed that SPEO obviously inhibited the proliferation of Hep G2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. SPEO activated a series of apoptotic proteins in Hep G2 cells, increasing expression levels of Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9, and decreasing the bcl-2 expression level. SPEO displayed promising anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activities in vitro, partly by inducing apoptosis in Hep G2 cells through activating the mitochondrial pathway.

A new ent-pimarane diterpenoid from Siegesbeckia pubescens

One new ent-pimarane diterpenoid ent-16-nor-3-oxo-pimar-8（14）-en-15-al （1） together with four known diterpenoids kirenol （2）, ent-2-oxo-15,16,19-trihydroxypimar-8（14）-ene （3）, darutigenol （4） and darutoside （5） were isolated from the ethanol extract of Siegesbeckia pubescens. The planar structures and relative configurations of these compounds were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis.

ent-Pimarane Diterpenoid Dimers from Sigesbeckia glabrescens with Potent Anti-inflammatory Activities

Chromatographic purification of Sigesbeckia glabrescens extracts led to three undescribed ent-pimarane diterpenoid dimers,named glabreside A—C(1-3).Their structures were confirmed by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses,and the structures of compound 1 and 3 were confirmed by X-ray crystallography.The results of anti-inflammatory activity assay showed that glabreside C(3)exhibited the most potent inhibition activity on nitric oxide(NO)production induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)in BV2 microglia compared with the other two compounds.Glabreside C also increased the protein expression level of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1),and suppressed inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)and cyclooxygenase 2(COX2)in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells.Mechanistically,glabreside C exerts its anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting AKT/MAPKs signaling pathway.These findings indicate the vital role of ent-pimarane diterpenoid dimers in explaining the anti-inflammatory activity of S.glabrescens and provide important evidence for further development and utilization of Sigesbeckiae Herba.These results also suggest that glabreside C is a potential lead compound for anti-inflammatory drugs.

Chemical Constituents of Siegesbeckia orientalis L.

The aerial parts of Siegesbeckia have been used as the traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of rheumatic arthritis, hypertension, malaria, neurasthenia, and snakebite. In order to find new and bioactive compounds, the chemical constituents of the aerial parts of S. orientalis L. were investigated and two new compounds, namely β-D-glucopyranosyl-ent-2-oxo-15,16-dihydroxy-pimar-8（14）-en-19-oic-late （compound 1 ） and [1 （10） E,4Z]-8β-angeloyloxy-9α-methoxy-6α, 15-dihydroxy-14-oxogermacra-1 （10）,4,11 （13）-trien-12-oic acid 12,6-1actone （compound 2）, as well as five known ent-pimarane diterpenes （compounds 3-7） were isolated. The structures of the two new compounds were identified by their physicochemical properties and spectral analysis, particularly oneand two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectral methods.

Study on Therapeutic Mechanism of Anti-Rheumatism Effect of Siegesbeckia Pubescens

Objective:To explore the mechanism of anti-rheumatic effect of the active fraction of Siegesbeckia pubescens(AFSP).Methods:Adjuvant arthritis(AA)model of rat was produced to observe the effect of AFSP on lymphocyte proliferation,interleukin-1 and-2(IL-1,-2)activity,pathologic section of ankle joint,and analgesic effect,in model rat.Results:AFSP could reduce the inflammatory pathologic response of ankle joint.It has good analgesic effect,the analgesic rate being 65%.AFSP could also strengthen T-lymphocyte proliferation,promote IL-2 activity and inhibit IL-1 activity.Compared with the control group,the difference was significant(P<0.01).Conclusion:By means of regulating the immune function of organism,AFSP could improve the local pathologic response to antagonize against rheumatism,therefore,it is an effective anti-rheumatism herbal medicine.