In Mexico Agave angustifolia has traditionally been used to treat inflammation. The aim of this study was to measure the anti-inflammatory effect of the extract of A. angustifolia, the isolation and identification of active compounds. From the acetone extract two active fractions were obtained, (AsF13 and AaF16). For the characterization of pharmacological activity, the acute inflammatory model of mouse ear edema induced with TPA was used. The tissue exposed to TPA and treatments were subjected to two analysis, cytokine quantification (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α) and histopathological evaluation. The active fraction (AaF16) consisted principally of 3-O-[(6'-O-palmitoyl)-β-D-glucopyranpsyl] sitosterol. In AaF13 fraction was identified β-sitosteryl glucoside (2) and stigmasterol (3). The three treatments tested showed a concentration-dependent anti-inflammatory effect (AaAc E_max = 33.10%, EC₅₀ = 0.126 mg/ear; AaF13 E_max = 54.22%, EC₅₀ = 0.0524 mg/ear; AaF16 E_max = 61.01%, EC₅₀ = 0.050 mg/ear). The application of TPA caused a significant increase on level of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα compared with basal condition, which was countered by any of the experimental treatments. Moreover, the experimental treatments induced a significant increase in the levels of IL-4 and IL-10, compared to the level observed when stimulated with TPA. Therefore, the anti-inflammatory effect of Agave angustifolia, is associated with the presence of 3-O-[(6'-O-palmitoyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl] sitosterol.

Inflammation and oxidative stress play major roles in endothelial dysfunction, and are key factors in the progression of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the effect of three subfractions (SFs) from the Cucumis sativus aqueous fraction to reduce inflammatory factors and oxidative stress induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) in human microvascular endothelial cells-1 (HMEC-1) cells. The cells were cultured with different concentrations of Ang II and 0.08 or 10 μg/mL of SF1, SF2, or SF3, or 10 μmol of losartan as a control. IL-6 (Interleukin 6) concentration was quantified. To identify the most effective SF combinations, HMEC-1 cells were cultured as described above in the presence of four combinations of SF1 and SF3. Then, the effects of the most effective combination on the expression of adhesion molecules, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) were evaluated. Finally, a mass spectrometry analysis was performed. Both SF1 and SF3 subfractions decreased the induction of IL-6 by Ang II, and C4 (SF1 and SF3, 10 μg/mL each) was the most effective combination to inhibit the production of IL-6. Additionally, C4 prevented the expression of adhesion molecules, reduced the production of ROS, and increased the bioavailability of NO. Glycine, arginine, asparagine, lysine, and aspartic acid were the main components of both subfractions. These results demonstrate that C4 has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Oral immunization is a goal in vaccine development, particularly for pathogens that enter the host through the mucosal system. This study was designed to explore the immunogenic properties of theTaenia crassicepsprotective peptide GK-1 administered orally. Mice were orally immunized with the synthetic GK-1 peptide in its linear form with or without theBrucellalumazine synthase (BLS) protein adjuvant or as a chimera recombinantly bound to BLS (BLS-GK-1). Mice were boosted twice with GK-1 only at 15-day intervals. A significant rate of protection of 64.7% was achieved in GK-1-immunized mice, and that rate significantly increased to 91.8 and 96% when mice were primed with GK-1 coadministered with BLS as an adjuvant and BLS as a carrier, respectively. Specific antibodies and T cell activation and proliferation accompanied the protection induced, revealing the potent immunogenicity of GK-1. Through immunohistochemical studies, GK-1 was detected in T and B cell zones of the Peyer's patches (PP) and mesenteric lymph nodes. In the latter, abundant proliferating cells were detected by 5′-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation. No proliferation was detected in PP. Altogether, these results portray the potent immunogenic properties of GK-1 administered orally and reinforce the usefulness of BLS as an adjuvant and adequate vaccine delivery system for oral vaccines.

The extract, fractions, and compounds of the Bouvardia ternifolia root were evaluated as an antiarthritic using a complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) model in mice and NF-κB inhibition in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Four active compounds, including two new compounds, ternifoliol and ternifolial, were isolated by open column chromatography and identified by spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques, resulting in benzochromone-like structures with aromatic rings and hydroxyl groups, which could be responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity and inhibitory NF-κB. Changes in the joint cytokine profile monitored the antiarthritic effect. A decrement was observed in the local concentration of the following cytokines with different treatments: IL-17 by 64% and 70.3% with the aqueous extract (BtAq), ethyl acetate extract (BtAcOEt), and M3 fraction; interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) by 10.2% and 15.7% with BtAq and the M4 fraction, respectively; IL-6 with M1, M2, M3, and M4 between 42% and 64%; necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) by 60.9% with M4. Conversely, the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) increased between 94% and 99% with M1, M2, M3, and M4. Kidney IL-6 decreased with BtAq, M1, M2, M3, and M4 between 68.9% and 85.8%. TNF-α decreased with BtAcOEt, BtAq, M1, M2, and M4 between 34% and 80.2%. The NF-κB pathway was inhibited with BtAcOEt (90.1%), M1 (85%), M2 (93.5%), M3 (84.5%), M4 (90.3%), ternifoliol (75.6%), bouvardin (20.4%), and scopoletin (89%). We conclude that B. ternifolia modulated the inflammatory response at the joint and kidney levels and the NF-κB pathway.