trans-Cinnamaldehyde (tCIN), an active compound found in cinnamon, is well known for its antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. The β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) oligomer has been used for a variety of applications in nanotechnology, including pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. Here, we aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of tCIN self-included in β-CD complexes (CIs) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. RAW 264.7 macrophages were treated with increasing concentrations of β-CD, tCIN, or CIs for different times. β-CD alone did not affect the production of nitric oxide (NO) or reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, both tCIN and CI significantly reduced NO and ROS production. Thus, CIs may have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, similar to those of tCIN when used alone.

Poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA), naturally secreted from various strains ofBacillus, has anti-inflammatory activity. In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), inflammation is promoted and sustained by angiogenesis; however, the role played byγ-PGA in this condition is unclear. Therefore, we evaluatedγ-PGA effects on angiogenesis and inflammation in a dextran sulfate sodium- (DSS-) induced mouse colitis model. Experimental colitis was induced in male C57BL/6 mice by administering 3% DSS. Disease activity index (DAI), histopathological scores, microvascular density, myeloperoxidase activity, and VEGF-A and VEGFR2 expression were compared among control mice, DSS-treated mice, and mice receiving 3% DSS along withγ-PGA at 50 mg/kg body weight per day or 3% DSS withγ-PGA at 200 mg/kg body weight per day. We found thatγ-PGA significantly attenuated weight loss, DAI, and colon shortening.γ-PGA also significantly reduced histopathological evidence of injury. Moreover,γ-PGA significantly attenuated DSS-induced blood vessel densities. Furthermore,γ-PGA attenuated DSS-induced expression of VEGF-A and its receptor, VEGFR2. In addition,γ-PGA treatment led to reduced recruitment of leukocytes to the inflamed colon. Therefore, our results indicate thatγ-PGA has potential application in conditions marked by inflammatory-driven angiogenesis and mucosal inflammation.