piplartine and Disease-Models--Animal

piplartine has been researched along with Disease-Models--Animal* in 14 studies

Other Studies

14 other study(ies) available for piplartine and Disease-Models--Animal

ArticleYear
Meta-substituted piperlongumine derivatives attenuate inflammation in both RAW264.7 macrophages and a mouse model of colitis.
    Bioorganic chemistry, 2021, Volume: 117

    Piperlongumine (PL) has been showed to have multiple pharmacological activities. In this study, we reported the synthesis of three series of PL derivatives, and evaluation of their anti-inflammatory effects in both lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced Raw264.7 macrophages and a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse model of colitis. Our results presented that two meta-substituent containing derivatives 1-3 and 1-6, in which γ-butyrolactam replaced α,β-unsaturated δ-valerolactam ring of PL, displayed low cytotoxicity and effective anti-inflammatory activity. Molecular docking also showed that the meta-substituted derivative, compared with the corresponding ortho- or para-substituted derivative, had significant interactions with the amino acid residues of CD14, which was the core receptors recognizing LPS. In vitro and in vivo studies, 1-3 and 1-6 could inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the excessive production of reactive nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species. Oral administration of 100 mg/kg/day of 1-3 or 1-6 alleviated the severity of clinical symptoms of colitis in mice, and significantly reduced the colonic tissue damage to protect the colonic tissue from the DSS-induced colitis. These results suggested that meta-substituted derivatives 1-3 and 1-6 were potential anti-inflammatory agents, which may lead to future pharmaceutical development.

    Topics: Animals; Cells, Cultured; Colitis; Dextran Sulfate; Dioxolanes; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Inflammation; Lipopolysaccharides; Macrophages; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Molecular Docking Simulation; Molecular Structure; Nitric Oxide; RAW 264.7 Cells; Structure-Activity Relationship

2021
Piperlongumine attenuates angiotensin-II-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis by inhibiting Akt-FoxO1 signalling.
    Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 2021, Volume: 82

    Cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis are closely related to cardiac dysfunction, especially diastolic dysfunction. Limited medications can be used to simultaneously delay cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in clinical practice. Piperlongumine (PLG) is an amide alkaloid extracted from Piper longum and has been shown to have multiple biological effects, including anticancer and antioxidant effects. However, the role of PLG in cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis is not clear.. The aim of this study was to reveal the role of PLG in cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis and the associated mechanism.. Cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis were induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) in vivo and in vitro. The effect of PLG in vivo, in vitro and its mechanism were investigated by proliferation and apoptosis assays, western blot, real-time PCR, immunofluorescence, histochemistry, echocardiography, flow cytometry and chromatin immunoprecipitation.. Proliferation and apoptosis assays showed that 2.5 μM PLG slightly inhibited proliferation and did not promote apoptosis. Treatment with 5 mg/kg PLG obviously inhibited Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in vivo. In vitro studies of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) showed that the anti-hypertrophic effect of PLG was mediated by reducing the phosphorylation of Akt and thereby preserving the level of Forkhead box transcription factor O1 (FoxO1), since knockdown of FoxO1 by siRNA reversed the protective effect of PLG on NRCMs. In addition, PLG significantly decreased the Ang II-induced expression of profibrotic proteins in neonatal cardiac fibroblasts by reducing the expression of Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and the recruitment of KLF4 to the promoter regions of transforming growth factor-β and connective tissue growth factor.. We demonstrate the cardioprotective effects of PLG in both cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis and the potential value of PLG for developing novel medications for pathological cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.

    Topics: Angiotensin II; Animals; Apoptosis; Cardiomegaly; Cardiomyopathies; Dioxolanes; Disease Models, Animal; Fibroblasts; Fibrosis; Heart Failure; Kruppel-Like Factor 4; Myocytes, Cardiac; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Phosphorylation; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Rats; Signal Transduction

2021
Antiparasitic activity of piplartine (piperlongumine) in a mouse model of schistosomiasis.
    Acta tropica, 2020, Volume: 205

    Schistosomiasis is one of the most important parasitic infections in terms of its negative effects on public health and economics. Since praziquantel is currently the only drug available to treat schistosomiasis, there is an urgent need to identify new anthelmintic agents. Piplartine, also known as piperlongumine, is a biologically active alkaloid/amide from peppers that can be detected in high amounts in the roots of Piper tuberculatum. Previously, it has been shown to have in vitro schistosomicidal effects. However, its anthelmintic activity in an animal host has not been reported. In the present work, in vivo antischistosomal properties of isolated piplartine were evaluated in a mouse model of schistosomiasis infected with either adult (patent infection) or juvenile (pre-patent infection) stages of Schistosoma mansoni. A single dose of piplartine (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg) or daily doses for five consecutive days (100 mg/kg/day) administered orally to mice infected with schistosomes resulted in a reduction in worm burden and egg production. Treatment with the highest piplartine dose (400 mg/kg) caused a significant reduction in a total worm burden of 60.4% (P < 0.001) in mice harbouring adult parasites. S. mansoni egg production, a process responsible for pathology in schistosomiasis, was also significantly inhibited by piplartine. Studies using scanning electron microscopy revealed substantial tegumental alterations in parasites recovered from mice. Since piplartine has well-characterized mechanisms of toxicity, is easily available, and is cost-effective, our results indicate that this bioactive molecule derived from medicinal plants could be a potential lead compound for novel antischistosomal agents.

    Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Mice; Piper; Piperidones; Schistosomiasis mansoni; Schistosomicides

2020
Piperlongumine produces antidepressant-like effects in rats exposed to chronic unpredictable stress.
    Behavioural pharmacology, 2019, Volume: 30, Issue:8

    Piperlongumine, an alkaloid compound extracted from Peper longum L, has been reported to produce neuroprotective effects in the brain and exert various pharmacological activities such as antitumor, antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the antidepressant-like effects and the possible mechanism of action of piperlongumine in a chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) model. We found that, with venlafaxine as a positive control, orally administered piperlongumine (12.5 and 25 mg/kg) for 7 days, not a single dose, significantly reduced immobility time in the forced swimming test, but did not alter locomotor activity in the open field test, indicating that piperlongumine has antidepressant-like effects without nonspecific motor changes. Then, using the CUS model of depression, piperlongumine was administrated orally for 4 weeks, followed by sucrose preference and forced swimming tests to evaluate the depressive-like behaviors. We found that piperlongumine reversed both the decreased sucrose preference and increased immobility time in rats exposed to CUS. In addition, piperlongumine also reversed the increase in proinflammatory cytokine levels in the hippocampus of rats in the CUS model. Altogether, the present study demonstrated that piperlongumine exhibits the antidepressant-like effects in rats, which may be mediated by the inhibition of the neuronal inflammation in the hippocampus.

    Topics: Animals; Antidepressive Agents; Behavior, Animal; Brain; Cytokines; Depression; Dioxolanes; Disease Models, Animal; Hippocampus; Male; Motor Activity; Neuroprotective Agents; Rats; Stress, Psychological; Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

2019
Piperlongumine Induces Apoptosis and Synergizes with Doxorubicin by Inhibiting the JAK2-STAT3 Pathway in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.
    Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2019, Jun-25, Volume: 24, Issue:12

    Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks major effective target molecules and chemotherapy remains the current main treatment. However, traditional chemotherapy drugs, such as doxorubicin (DOX), cause serious side effects and have a poor prognosis. Piperlongumine (PL), a natural alkaloid, has showed selective anticancer effects and is expected to become a new strategy against TNBC. In our research, cell viability, colony formation, flow cytometry, Western blot, and tumor xenograft model assays were established to evaluate the suppression effect of PL and DOX alone and in combination. Data showed that PL could effectively inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in two TNBC cell lines. We also demonstrated for the first time that the combination treatment of PL and DOX synergistically inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis in TNBC cells. The suppression of STAT3 activation was indicated to be a mechanism of the anticancer effect. Moreover, the effectiveness of this combination was confirmed in a tumor xenograft model. These results revealed that inhibition of the JAK2-STAT3 pathway was a key anticancer mechanism when treated with PL alone or combined with DOX, suggesting that the combination of PL and chemotherapy drugs may be a potential strategy for the clinical treatment of TNBC.

    Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Dioxolanes; Disease Models, Animal; Doxorubicin; Drug Synergism; Female; Humans; Janus Kinase 2; Mice; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Signal Transduction; STAT3 Transcription Factor; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

2019
GKN2 promotes oxidative stress-induced gastric cancer cell apoptosis via the Hsc70 pathway.
    Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR, 2019, Aug-05, Volume: 38, Issue:1

    The GKN2 is a secretory protein, whose levels decrease in gastric cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the expression, function and mechanism of action of GKN2 in gastric cancer.. Molecular biology assays were performed to elucidate the function and underlying mechanisms of GKN2 in gastric cancer under stress-induced condition in vivo and in vitro. Clinical specimens were used to assess the correlation of GKN2 and prognosis.. We found that overexpression of GKN2 significantly enhanced apoptosis and growth arrest in vitro. GKN2 expression increased in gastric cancer cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide and promoted reactive oxygen species-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and resulted in increased cell apoptosis via inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway and activation of JNK signaling pathway through the direct interaction of GKN2 with Hsc70. Trefoil factor 1 might contribute to the tumor suppressing effects of GKN2. MiR-216a downregulated GKN2 expression. GKN2 also inhibited xenograft tumor growth and was an independent and significant prognostic factor for patients with gastric cancer treated with oxaliplatin.. Taken together, our data indicate that GKN2 may increase sensitivity of GC cells to the drugs which increase ROS levels in tumors. Inhibition of the interaction between GKN2 and Hsc70 could attenuate the effects induced by GKN2. GKN2 overexpression could be used to determine the subgroup of patients to obtain the more favorable outcome of oxaliplatin treatment and may be used as biomarker of the prognosis of this cancer.

    Topics: Adult; Aged; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Carrier Proteins; Caspases; Cell Line, Tumor; Dioxolanes; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Gene Expression; Gene Knockdown Techniques; Genes, Reporter; HSC70 Heat-Shock Proteins; Humans; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Male; Mice; Middle Aged; NF-kappa B; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Protein Binding; Signal Transduction; Stomach Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

2019
Piperlongumine Improves Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Amyloidogenesis by Suppressing NF-KappaB Pathway.
    Neuromolecular medicine, 2018, Volume: 20, Issue:3

    Amyloidogenesis is known to cause Alzheimer's disease. Our previous studies have found that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) causes neuroinflammation and amyloidogenesis through activation of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB). Piperlongumine (PL) is an alkaloid amide found naturally in long pepper (Piper longum) isolates; it was reported to have inhibitory effects on NF-κB activity. We therefore investigated whether PL exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-amyloidogenic effects by inhibiting NF-κB. A murine model of LPS-induced memory impairment was made via the intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of LPS (0.25 mg/kg/day, i.p.). We then injected PL (1.5 or 3.0 mg/kg/day, i.p.) for 7 days in three groups of mice to observe effects on memory. We also conducted an in vitro study with astrocytes and microglial BV-2 cells, which were treated with LPS (1 µg/mL) or PL (0.5 or 1.0 or 2.5 µM). Results from our behavioral tests showed that PL inhibited LPS-induced memory. PL also prevented LPS-induced beta-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation and inhibited the activities of β- and γ-secretases. The expression of inflammatory proteins also was decreased in PL-treated mice, cultured BV-2, and primary astrocyte cells. These effects were associated with the inhibition of NF-κB activity. A docking model analysis and pull-down assay showed that PL binds to p50. Taken together, our findings suggest that PL diminishes LPS-induced amyloidogenesis and neuroinflammation by inhibiting NF-κB signaling; PL therefore demonstrates potential for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

    Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Animals; Astrocytes; Cell Death; Cells, Cultured; Cytokines; Dioxolanes; Disease Models, Animal; Inflammation; Lipopolysaccharides; Male; Memory; Mice; Microglia; NF-kappa B p50 Subunit; Piper

2018
Piperlongumine Suppresses Dendritic Cell Maturation by Reducing Production of Reactive Oxygen Species and Has Therapeutic Potential for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
    Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950), 2016, 06-15, Volume: 196, Issue:12

    Piperlongumine (PLM) is a natural product from the plant Piper longum that inhibits platelet aggregation, atherosclerosis plaque formation, and tumor cell growth. It has potential value in immunomodulation and the management of autoimmune diseases. In this study, we investigated the role of PLM in regulating the differentiation and maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), a critical regulator of immune tolerance, and evaluated its clinical effects in a rheumatoid arthritis mouse model. We found that PLM treatment reduced LPS-induced murine bone marrow-derived DC maturation, characterized by reduced expression of CD80/86, secretion of MCP-1, IL-12p70, IL-6, TNFα, IFN-γ, and IL-23, and reduced alloproliferation of T cells; however, PLM does not affect cell differentiation. Furthermore, PLM reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by DCs and inhibited the activation of p38, JNK, NF-κB, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Conversely, PLM increased the expression of GSTP1 and carbonyl reductase 1, two enzymes that counteract ROS effects. ROS inhibition by exogenous N-acetyl-l-cysteine suppressed DC maturation. PLM treatment improved the severity of arthritis and reduced in vivo splenic DC maturation, collagen-specific CD4(+) T cell responses, and ROS production in mice with collagen-induced arthritis. Taken together, these results suggest that PLM inhibits DC maturation by reducing intracellular ROS production and has potential as a therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis.

    Topics: Acetylcysteine; Alcohol Oxidoreductases; Animals; Arthritis, Experimental; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; B7-1 Antigen; B7-2 Antigen; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Cell Differentiation; Cell Proliferation; Collagen; Cytokines; Dendritic Cells; Dioxolanes; Disease Models, Animal; Glutathione S-Transferase pi; Interferon-gamma; Interleukin-12; Interleukin-6; Mice; Reactive Oxygen Species; Signal Transduction

2016
Piperlongumine attenuates collagen-induced arthritis via expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and inhibition of the activation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes.
    Molecular medicine reports, 2015, Volume: 11, Issue:4

    Piperlonguminine (PL), a key compound from the Piper longum fruit, is known to exhibit anti‑tumor and anti‑inflammatory activities. However, little is known about its effects on collagen‑induced arthritis (CIA). Fibroblast‑like synoviocytes (FLS) have a pivotal role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Myeloid‑derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are able to suppress T cell responses and have important roles in the regulation of autoimmune arthritis. The current study investigated whether PL alters the progression of RA. It was determined that PL reduces the arthritis score and histopathologic lesions in a mouse model of CIA. PL also reduces the expression levels of serum anti‑collagen II antibodies (anti‑CⅡ), tumor necrosis factor‑α (TNF‑α), interleukin (IL)‑1β, IL‑23 and IL‑17 in CIA mice. In draining lymph nodes (DLNs), MDSCs were significantly expanded, however, the number of Th17 cells was markedly decreased by PL treatment. Additionally, PL reduced secretion of IL‑1β, IL‑23 and IL‑17 by TNF‑α‑stimulated human RA FLS. PL significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of TNF‑α‑stimulated human RA FLS. These results indicate that PL may be a candidate therapeutic agent for the treatment of RA, via the expansion of MDSCs and the inhibition of the Th17 response and activation of FLS.

    Topics: Animals; Antibodies; Arthritis, Experimental; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Cattle; Cell Movement; Collagen Type II; Cytokines; Dioxolanes; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Fibroblasts; Inflammation Mediators; Lymphocyte Count; Male; Mice; Myeloid Cells; Synovial Membrane; Th17 Cells

2015
Piperlongumine and immune cytokine TRAIL synergize to promote tumor death.
    Scientific reports, 2015, May-18, Volume: 5

    Malignant transformation results in increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Adaption to this toxic stress allows cancer cells to proliferate. Recently, piperlongumine (PL), a natural alkaloid, was identified to exhibit novel anticancer effects by targeting ROS signaling. PL induces apoptosis specifically in cancer cells by downregulating several anti-apoptotic proteins. Notably, the same anti-apoptotic proteins were previously found to reduce tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis in cancer cells. Therefore, we reasoned that PL would synergize with TRAIL to stimulate potent apoptosis in cancer cells. We demonstrate for the first time that PL and TRAIL exhibit a synergistic anti-cancer effect in cancer cell lines of various origins. PL resulted in the upregulation of TRAIL receptor DR5, which potentiated TRAIL-induced apoptosis in cancer cells. Furthermore, such upregulation was found to be dependent on ROS and the activation of JNK and p38 kinases. Treatment with combined PL and TRAIL demonstrated significant anti-proliferative effects in a triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 xenograft model. This work provides a novel therapeutic approach for inducing cancer cell death. Combination of PL and TRAIL may suggest a novel paradigm for treatment of primary and metastatic tumors.

    Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Cell Death; Cell Line, Tumor; Dioxolanes; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Synergism; Female; Humans; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Reactive Oxygen Species; Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; Signal Transduction; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

2015
Piperlonguminine downregulates endothelial protein C receptor shedding in vitro and in vivo.
    Inflammation, 2014, Volume: 37, Issue:2

    Endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR) plays an important role in coagulation and inflammation. EPCR can be shed from the cell surface, and this is mediated by tumor necrosis factor-α-converting enzyme (TACE). Piperlonguminine (PL), an important component of Piper longum fruits, is known to exhibit antihyperlipidemic, antiplatelet, and antimelanogenesis activities. However, little is known about the effects of PL on EPCR shedding. Here, we investigated this issue by monitoring the effects of PL on phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and on cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-mediated EPCR shedding and underlying mechanisms. PL induced potent inhibition of PMA, and CLP induced EPCR shedding through suppression of TACE expression. And treatment with PL resulted in reduced PMA-stimulated phosphorylation of p38, extracellular regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Given these results, PL might have potential as an anti-sEPCR shedding reagent against PMA- and CLP-mediated EPCR shedding.

    Topics: ADAM Proteins; ADAM17 Protein; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antigens, CD; Cells, Cultured; Dioxolanes; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endothelial Protein C Receptor; Enzyme Activation; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; Fruit; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Humans; Interleukin-6; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Phosphorylation; Phytotherapy; Piper; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Receptors, Cell Surface; Sepsis; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Time Factors; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

2014
Piperlongumine alleviates lupus nephritis in MRL-Fas(lpr) mice by regulating the frequency of Th17 and regulatory T cells.
    Immunology letters, 2014, Volume: 161, Issue:1

    Recent data have shown that piperlongumine (PL), an important component of Piper longum fruits, is known to possess anti-inflammatory and vascular-protective activities. This study aimed to examine the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of PL on lupus-prone MRL-Fas(lpr) mice. Female MRL-Fas(lpr) mice were intraperitoneally treated with PL (2.4 mg kg(-1) d(-1)) for 10 weeks, and the proteinuria level was biweekly monitored. After the mice were euthanized, serum biochemical parameters and renal damage were determined. Splenocytes of MRL-Fas(lpr) mice were isolated for in vitro study. Treatment of the mice with PL significantly attenuated the progression of proteinuria and glomerulonephritis. The improvement was accompanied by decreased serum levels of nephritogenic anti-dsDNA antibodies, IL-6, IL-17, IL-23 and TNF-α. Treatment of the mice with PL suppressed the frequency of Th17 cells and increased the regulatory T cells (Tregs). In vitro, the levels of IL-6, IL-17, IL-23 and TNF-α were significantly decreased in the cultures of splenocytes from PL-treated mice compared with those from vehicle-treated mice. In addition, PL treatment impeded activation of the JAK/STAT3 signaling in splenocytes. Of great important, the survival of MRL-Fas(lpr) mice were improved by PL treatment. In summary, PL effectively ameliorates lupus syndrome in MRL-Fas(lpr) mice by suppressing the pathogenic Th17 cells and increasing the Tregs as well as inhibiting activation of the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway. This study sheds new light on the immune-modulatory role of PL.

    Topics: Animals; Autoantibodies; Complement C3; Cytokines; Dioxolanes; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Immunoglobulin G; Janus Kinases; Kidney; Kidney Function Tests; Lupus Nephritis; Lymphocyte Count; Mice; Mice, Inbred MRL lpr; Proteinuria; STAT3 Transcription Factor; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; Th17 Cells

2014
Piperlongumine inhibits atherosclerotic plaque formation and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by suppressing PDGF receptor signaling.
    Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 2012, Oct-19, Volume: 427, Issue:2

    Piperlongumine (piplartine, PL) is an alkaloid found in the long pepper (Piper longum L.) and has well-documented anti-platelet aggregation, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties; however, the role of PL in prevention of atherosclerosis is unknown. We evaluated the anti-atherosclerotic potential of PL in an in vivo murine model of accelerated atherosclerosis and defined its mechanism of action in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in vitro. Local treatment with PL significantly reduced atherosclerotic plaque formation as well as proliferation and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation in an in vivo setting. PL treatment in VSMCs in vitro showed inhibition of migration and platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB)-induced proliferation to the in vivo findings. We further identified that PL inhibited PDGF-BB-induced PDGF receptor beta activation and suppressed downstream signaling molecules such as phospholipase Cγ1, extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 and Akt. Lastly, PL significantly attenuated activation of NF-κB-a downstream transcriptional regulator in PDGF receptor signaling, in response to PDGF-BB stimulation. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate a novel, therapeutic mechanism by which PL suppresses atherosclerosis plaque formation in vivo.

    Topics: Animals; Apolipoproteins E; Carotid Arteries; Cell Proliferation; Dioxolanes; Disease Models, Animal; Ligation; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle; NF-kappa B; Phosphorylation; Plaque, Atherosclerotic; Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; Signal Transduction

2012
In vivo growth-inhibition of Sarcoma 180 by piplartine and piperine, two alkaloid amides from Piper.
    Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas, 2006, Volume: 39, Issue:6

    Piplartine {5,6-dihydro-1-[1-oxo-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-propenyl]-2(1H)pyridinone} and piperine {1-5-(1,3)-benzodioxol-5-yl)-1-oxo-2,4-pentadienyl]piperidine} are alkaloid amides isolated from Piper. Both have been reported to show cytotoxic activity towards several tumor cell lines. In the present study, the in vivo antitumor activity of these compounds was evaluated in 60 female Swiss mice (N = 10 per group) transplanted with Sarcoma 180. Histopathological and morphological analyses of the tumor and the organs, including liver, spleen, and kidney, were performed in order to evaluate the toxicological aspects of the treatment with these amides. Administration of piplartine or piperine (50 or 100 mg kg(-1) day(-1) intraperitoneally for 7 days starting 1 day after inoculation) inhibited solid tumor development in mice transplanted with Sarcoma 180 cells. The inhibition rates were 28.7 and 52.3% for piplartine and 55.1 and 56.8% for piperine, after 7 days of treatment, at the lower and higher doses, respectively. The antitumor activity of piplartine was related to inhibition of the tumor proliferation rate, as observed by reduction of Ki67 staining, a nuclear antigen associated with G1, S, G2, and M cell cycle phases, in tumors from treated animals. However, piperine did not inhibit cell proliferation as observed in Ki67 immunohistochemical analysis. Histopathological analysis of liver and kidney showed that both organs were reversibly affected by piplartine and piperine treatment, but in a different way. Piperine was more toxic to the liver, leading to ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes, accompanied by microvesicular steatosis in some areas, than piplartine which, in turn, was more toxic to the kidney, leading to discrete hydropic changes of the proximal tubular and glomerular epithelium and tubular hemorrhage in treated animals.

    Topics: Alkaloids; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Benzodioxoles; Cell Proliferation; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Kidney; Liver; Mice; Neoplasm Transplantation; Piper; Piperidines; Piperidones; Plant Extracts; Plant Roots; Polyunsaturated Alkamides; Sarcoma 180; Spleen

2006