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A broad range of cytokines are secreted during the inflammatory response by the immune system. Some cytokines promote inflammation, while others inhibit inflammation. Inflammatory cytokines work in harmony when they encounter external pathogens or internal dangers. Inflammation is resolved after the cause is eliminated. However, if the cause persists, it can lead to significant diseases. The pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα is a biomarker for the inflammatory response. The AO herbal mixture extracted from 10 medicinal herbs has been investigated for its ability to control the inflammatory process and to inhibit TNFα activity. To find the treatment for inflammation related diseases, we examined whether the AO herbal extract is able to affect the activities of other cytokines. Here we present that the AO herbal extract is able to inhibit pro-inflammatory factor activities including IL-1α. However, it does not affect the activities of IL-1β and IL-6. Interestingly, it promotes the activity of anti-inflammatory factors including IL-4 and IL-13. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inflammatory response is one of the first defenses our body has to fight against potential endangerments. It plays a critical role in host defense, clearing and slowing the infection in the case of microbial invasion. During an inflammatory response, a variety of cytokines are produced by cells and trigger or enhance the specific inflammation response. TNFα, one of these factors, plays a crucial role in many immune and inflammatory processes, such as proliferation, apoptosis, necrosis, and cell survival. It acts in orchestrating the cytokine cascade and the major regulator of inflammatory cytokine production. Abnormality of TNFα signaling leads to many diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn's disease, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Due to the importance of TNFα, regulating TNFα activity is a key to treat the related diseases. There is a long history of using medicinal herbs to treat diseases related to inflammation. We searched for an ingredient that has the ability to inhibit TNFα, we examined AO herbal extract, containing 10 individual herbs and most of these herbs have anti-inflammatory activity within humans. We have tested the anti-inflammatory ability of AO herbal extract on mice. Furthermore, we used macrophage cell from young mice and found that AO extract has the ability to reduce the inflammation by inhibiting TNFα level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is an important plasma protein in cholesterol homeostasis and plays a key role in the progression of glomerulosclerosis (GS). We conducted this investigation to explore whether all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) could regulate the apoE expression in the pathological process of GS. 120 Wistar rats were divided into three groups at random: sham operation group (SHO), glomerulosclerosis model group without treatment (GS), GS model group treated with ATRA (GA); n=40, respectively. The disease of GS in rat was established by uninephrectomy and adriamycin (5mg/kg) injection. At the end of 9 and 13weeks, 20 rats in each group were killed and the relevant samples were collected. 24-hour urine total protein (24UTP), 24-hour urine excretion for albumin (24Ualb), serum total protein (TP) and serum albumin (Alb), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), serum and urine apoE and glomerulosclerosis index (GSI) were measured. The protein expressions of collagen IV (Col-IV), fibronectin (FN) and apoE in glomeruli were determined by immunohistochemistry. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of apoE mRNA in kidney. TP and Alb in GA group in 9/13-week were increased than those of GS group, however, the differences were not statistically significant. Compared with group GS at 9/13weeks, values of 24UTP, 24Ualb, BUN, Scr, TC, TG, HDL, LDL, serum and urine apoE, and GSI in GA group that were significantly reduced, and protein expressions of Col-IV, FN and apoE in glomeruli and expression of apoE mRNA in renal tissue were significantly down-regulated by ATRA (P <0.01). In conclusion, ATRA can regulate the expression of apoE, reduce the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and step down the progression of GS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: β-glucan is an immuno-stimulating agent that has been used to treat cancer and infectious disease for many years with varying and unpredictable efficacy. Recent studies have unraveled the action mode of yeast-derived β-glucan in combination with anti-tumor monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in cancer therapy. It has demonstrated that particulate or large molecular weight soluble β-glucans are ingested and processed by macrophages. These macrophages secrete the active moiety that primes neutrophil complement receptor 3 (CR3) to kill iC3b-opsonized tumor cells. In vitro and in vivo data demonstrate that successful combination therapy requires complement activation and deposition on tumors and CR3 expression on granulocytes. Pre-clinical animal studies have demonstrated the efficacy of combined β-glucan with anti-tumor mAb therapy in terms of tumor regression and long-term survival. Clinical trials are underway using anti-epidermal growth factor receptor mAb (cetuximab) in combination with β-glucan for metastatic colorectal cancer. This review provides a brief overview of this combination therapy in cancer and describes in detail the β-glucan composition and structure, mechanism of action, and preclinical studies in human carcinoma xenograft models. It is proposed that the addition of β-glucan will further improve the therapeutic efficacy of anti-tumor mAbs in cancer patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]