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Anti-inflammatory effects of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) derived from cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus, Gb) were investigated in a complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-treated chronic arthritic rat model. This GAG produced a significant anti-edema effect as evidenced by inhibition of C-reactive protein (CRP) and rheumatoid factor, and interfered with atherogenesis by reducing proinflammatory cytokine levels of (1) vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), (2) interleukin-6, (3) prostaglandin E2-stimulated lipopolysaccharide in RAW 264.7 cells, and (4) tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production in normal splenocytes, in a dose-dependent manner. This GAG was also found to induce nitric oxide (NO) production in HUVEC cells and elevated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity levels. Histological findings demonstrated the fifth lumbar vertebrae (LV) dorsal root ganglion, which was linked to the paw treated with Gb GAG, was repaired against CFA-induced cartilage destruction. Further, combined indomethacin (5 mg/kg)–Gb GAG (10 mg/kg) inhibited more effectively CFA-induced paw edema at 3 h and 2 or 3 d after treatment to levels comparable to only the anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin. Ultraviolet (UV)-irritated skin inflammation also downregulated nuclear factor κB (NFκB) activity in transfected HaCaT cells. Data suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of GAG obtained from cricket (Gb) may be useful for treatment of inflammatory diseases including chronic arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The antihypertensive effects of both extracts and glycosaminoglycan derived fromIsaria sinclairii(IS) were investigated in a spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model. Groups of rats were treated orally with 30 mg/kg each of: (1) saline control or extracts of (2) water-IS (3) methanol-IS, (4) butanol-IS, (5) ethyl acetate-IS, or (6) captopril as positive control. The 30-mg/kg dose was administered with a standard diet every day for a period of 2 wk. The antihypertensive effects of the individual extracts were in the following order: methanol > water > ethyl acetate > butanol. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) obtained from IS as a water-soluble alcohol precipitation fraction produced an antihypertensive effect. One month following administration of GAG derived from IS to SHR animals there was a marked decrease in systolic blood pressure from 183 to 105 mm Hg and reduced diastolic blood pressure from 148 to 80 mm Hg compared to untreated control SHR rats. It was found that GAG produced an antihypertensive effect, which was more effective than the positive control captopril. In the SHR animal model a fall of 19% in body weight was observed in the group that received GAG. Data thus indicate that GAG derived fromI. sinclairiimay be a potent, naturally occurring antihypertensive agent. SHR (Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat); WKY (Wistar Kyoto Rat); glycosaminoglycan (GAG);I. sinclairii(IS); ISMC30:I. sinclairiimethanol extract 30 mg/kg; ISG2:I. sinclairiiglycosaminoglycan 2 mg/kg; IS GAG:I. sinclairiiglycosaminoglycan.This study was supported by the Rural Development Administration, Basic research project Pj006642 (2009–2012). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]