Protection against LPS-induced cartilage inflammation and degradation provided by a biological extract of Mentha spicata

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A variety of mint [<it>Mentha spicata</it>] has been bred which over-expresses Rosmarinic acid (RA) by approximately 20-fold. RA has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity <it>in vitro </it>and in small rodents; thus it was hypothesized that this plant would demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory activity <it>in vitro</it>. The objectives of this study were: a) to develop an <it>in vitro </it>extraction procedure which mimics digestion and hepatic metabolism, b) to compare anti-inflammatory properties of High-Rosmarinic-Acid <it>Mentha spicata </it>(HRAM) with wild-type control <it>M. spicata </it>(CM), and c) to quantify the relative contributions of RA and three of its hepatic metabolites [ferulic acid (FA), caffeic acid (CA), coumaric acid (CO)] to anti-inflammatory activity of HRAM.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>HRAM and CM were incubated in simulated gastric and intestinal fluid, liver microsomes (from male rat) and NADPH. Concentrations of RA, CA, CO, and FA in simulated digest of HRAM (HRAM_sim) and CM (CM_sim) were determined (HPLC) and compared with concentrations in aqueous extracts of HRAM and CM. Cartilage explants (porcine) were cultured with LPS (0 or 3 μg/mL) and test article [HRAM_sim(0, 8, 40, 80, 240, or 400 μg/mL), or CM_sim(0, 1, 5 or 10 mg/mL), or RA (0.640 μg/mL), or CA (0.384 μg/mL), or CO (0.057 μg/mL) or FA (0.038 μg/mL)] for 96 h. Media samples were analyzed for prostaglandin E₂(PGE₂), interleukin 1β (IL-1), glycosaminoglycan (GAG), nitric oxide (NO) and cell viability (differential live-dead cell staining).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>RA concentration of HRAM_simand CM_simwas 49.3 and 0.4 μg/mL, respectively. CA, FA and CO were identified in HRAM_simbut not in aqueous extract of HRAM. HRAM_sim(≥ 8 μg/mL) inhibited LPS-induced PGE₂and NO; HRAM_sim(≥ 80 μg/mL) inhibited LPS-induced GAG release. RA inhibited LPS-induced GAG release. No anti-inflammatory or chondroprotective effects of RA metabolites on cartilage explants were identified.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our biological extraction procedure produces a substance which is similar in composition to post-hepatic products. HRAM_simis an effective inhibitor of LPS-induced inflammation in cartilage explants, and effects are primarily independent of RA. Further research is needed to identify bioactive phytochemical(s) in HRAM_sim.</p

Application of doubled haploid technology in breeding of Brassica napus

Brassica is the most economically important genus in the Brassicaceae family. Among Brassica crops, oilseeds have the highest economic value, reflected in the fatty acid composition of the oil. Resistance to fungal pathogens and insect pests is frequently investigated in the selection of Brassicas. Cultivars resistant to Sclerotinia would be desirable for both ecological and economic reasons. Cabbage seedpod weevil and root maggot could be controlled by introgression of resistance genes and analysis of qualitative traits. Haploids of rapeseed are used to produce haploid calli for in vitro mutation selection. Homozygous rapeseed plants are generated by culturing microspores from flower buds of F1 plants. The doubled haploid production system enables breeders to develop homozygous genotypes from heterozygous parents in one generation. Since the development of ‘canola’, rapeseed low in erucic acid and glucosinolates, research has shifted towards reduction of linolenic acid. Finally, selection methods for improved seed meal and cold tolerance are introduced, and the use of interspecific crosses is discussedVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij

Modifiable lifestyle factors are associated with lower pain levels in adults with knee osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND: With no cure or effective treatments for osteoarthritis (OA), the need to identify modifiable factors to decrease pain and increase physical function is well recognized