chikusetsu-saponin-iva and Disease-Models--Animal

Chronic metabolic inflammation in adipose tissue plays an important role in the development of obesity-associated diseases. Our previous study indicated that total saponins of Panax japonicus (SPJ) rhizoma and Chikusetsu saponin V, one main component of SPJ, could exert the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. The present study aimed to investigate the in vivo and Ex vivo anti-inflammatory activities of another main component of SPJ, namely Chikusetsu saponin IVa (CS). CS could significantly inhibited HFD-induced lipid homeostasis, and inhibited inflammation in adipose tissue, as reflected by the decreased mRNA expression levels of inflammation-related genes and secretion of the chemokines/cytokines, inhibited the accumulation of adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) and shifted their polarization from M1 to M2, suppressed HFD-induced expression of NLRP3 inflammasome component genes and decreased IL-1β and Caspase-1 production in mice. Moreover, CS treatment also inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). Meanwhile, CS treatment inhibited an NLRP3-induced ASC pyroptosome formation and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pyroptosis. Furthermore, CS treatment suppressed HFD-induced NF-κB signaling in vivo and LPS-induced NF-κB activation as reflected by the fact that their phosphorylated forms and the ratios of pNF-κB/NF-κB, pIKK/IKK, and pIκB/IκB were all decreased in EAT from HFD-fed mice treated with CS as compared with those of HFD mice. Taking together, this study has revealed that CS effectively inhibits HFD-induced inflammation in adipose tissue of mice through inhibiting both NLRP3 inflammasome activation and NF-κB signaling. Thus, CS can serve as a potential therapeutic drug in the prevention and treatment of inflammation-associated diseases.

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphate; Adipose Tissue; Animals; Diet, High-Fat; Disease Models, Animal; Gene Expression Regulation; Homeostasis; Inflammasomes; Lipid Metabolism; Lipopolysaccharides; Macrophages; Male; Mice; NF-kappa B; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; Oleanolic Acid; Panniculitis; Saponins; Signal Transduction

The effects of various oleanolic acid glycosides obtained from medicinal herbs on gastrointestinal transit (GIT) and ileus were investigated in fasted mice. Ileus was induced by the peritoneal-irritation or by the laparotomy with manipulation. One hour after the oral administration, three oleanolic acid 3-O-monodesmosides (oleanolic acid 3-O-glucuronide (3, 50 mg/kg), momordin Ic (4, 25 and 50 mg/kg), and momordin I (6, 25 mg/kg)) significantly accelerated GIT, but two oleanolic acid 3-O-monodesmosides (28-deglucosyl-chikusetsusaponins IV (8) and V (10)), oleanolic acid 3,28-O-bisdesmosides (momordin IIc (5), chikusetsusaponins IV (7) and V (9)), and their common aglycon (oleanolic acid (1)) (50 mg/kg) showed no significant effect. On the other hand, oleanolic acid 28-O-monodesmoside (compound O (2, 50 mg/kg)) significantly inhibited GIT. 4 (5-25 mg/kg) and 6 (12.5 and 25 mg/kg) also significantly prevented the inhibition of GIT induced by the peritoneal injection of acetic acid. 2 and 9 (50 mg/kg) significantly potentiated the inhibition of GIT, whereas 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 10 (50 mg/kg) showed no significant effect. 3, 4, 6, and 10 (50 mg/kg) significantly prevented the inhibition of GIT induced by laparotomy with manipulation, while 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, and 9 (50 mg/kg) showed no significant effect. These results indicate that the 3-O-glycoside moiety seems to be essential to show the GIT accelerating activity, and the 28-O-glucoside moiety reduce the activity. The accelerations of GIT by 3, 4, and 6 were completely abolished by the pretreatment with streptozotocin (100 mg/kg, i.v.), but not by the pretreatment with capsaicin (75 mg/kg in total, s.c.). These results suggest that sympathetic nervous system, but not capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves, be involved in the enhancements of GIT by 3, 4, and 6. It is worthy to study their therapeutical effect in the prevention of the inhibition of GIT, including ileus, in clinic.

Topics: Animals; Capsaicin; Disease Models, Animal; Gastrointestinal Transit; Glucuronates; Glycosides; Intestinal Obstruction; Laparotomy; Male; Mice; Oleanolic Acid; Saponins; Streptozocin; Triterpenes