Anti-inflammatory activity of methyl ferulate isolated from Stemona tuberosa Lour

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of methyl ferulate (MF) isolated from the roots of Stemona tuberosa (S. tuberosa) Lour (Stemonaceae) in lipopolysaccharide activated macrophage cells.MethodsMethanol extracts of a root powder of S. tuberosa were prepared for isolation of a potential anti-inflammatory agent using ultrasound extraction combined with repeated chromatography on silica gel. After the quantitative analyses, anti-inflammatory activity of the isolated compound was evaluated by measurement of cytokine release, NO generation, expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and phosphorylation of mitogen activated protein kinases including p38 and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase using quantitative kits and Western blotting with specific antibodies.ResultsThe isolation process yielded a potential anti-inflammatory compound with a purity level of 99% determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The compound was identified as MF by using nuclear magnetic resonance. MF strongly inhibited the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines from macrophages, including IL-6, TNFα, IFNγ, yet it did not affect the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase were clearly reduced in MF-treated macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. cyclooxygenase-2 expression and NO generation by macrophages were also suppressed when the cells were treated with MF.ConclusionsThe data suggested that MF is a possible inhibitor of the mitogen activated phosphor kinase pathway and could be a potential anti-inflammatory agent isolated for the first time in medicinal plant S. tuberosa

Neutral Polysaccharide from the Leaves of Pseuderanthemum carruthersii: Presence of 3-O-Methyl Galactose and Anti-Inflammatory Activity in LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Cells

Pseuderanthemum carruthersii (Seem.) Guillaumin is a native tree in Vietnam. The water extract of the leaves from this tree gives a highly viscous product that has been used to heal wounds and treat inflammations. Our previous studies showed that the leaves of P. carruthersii have a high content of polysaccharides. In this study, the structure and influence of the neutral polysaccharide from Pseuderanthemum carruthersii (PCA1) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells were investigated. The PCA1 isolated from P. carruthersii is a galactan-type polysaccharide, containing galactose (77.0%), 3-O-methyl galactose (20.0%), and arabinose (3.0%). Linkage analysis of PCA1 showed that both the 3-O-methyl galactose and galactose were 1,4-linked. The presence of 3-O-methyl galactose units as part of the polysaccharide is important and can be used as a chemotaxonomic marker. The molecular weight of the PCA1 was 170 kDa. A PCA1 concentration of 30–40 μg/mL strongly inhibited TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6 inflammatory cytokine production, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) release. PCA1 had inhibitory activities on pro-inflammatory cytokine and ROS release in LPS-stimulated mouse macrophages in vitro through MAPK signaling

Preference and willingness to pay for nutritional counseling services in urban Hanoi [version 1; referees: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]

Background: Despite substantial achievement in reducing malnutrition rates in Vietnam, there has been an increasing rate of overweight individuals in urban areas, which may result in a high burden of non-communicable diseases. Nutritional counseling clinics have been introduced in several settings; however, little is known about the preference for this service among urban clients. This study aimed to assess the preference and willingness to pay (WTP) for nutritional counseling services among urban clients. Methods: We interviewed 429 clients who attended Hanoi Medical University Nutritional Counseling Clinic (Hanoi, Vietnam). WTP was determined using double-bounded dichotomous-choice questions and open-ended questions. Results: In total, 78.6% respondents were willing to use nutritional counseling services. The mean amount of WTP for one-time service and one-year package was 96,100VND (~$4.3) and 946,400VND (~$41.9), respectively. Clients’ willingness to use the service was higher among females, those seeking counseling for elderly people and those who preferred face-to-face counseling services (p<0.05). WTP was higher among those who were over 35 years old, those seeking services for the elderly people, those having poor nutritional status, and those having under-6 year old children (p<0.05). Conclusions: The preference and WTP for nutritional counseling services in urban Hanoi were relatively high. Scaling up this service is necessary to actively prevent and control the spread of non-communicable diseases