Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Ferula assafoetida Oleo-Gum-Resin (Asafoetida) against TNF-α-Stimulated Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs)

Abstract

Inflammation is the body’s biological reaction to endogenous and exogenous stimuli. Recent studies have demonstrated several anti-inflammatory properties of Ferula species. In this paper, we decided to study the anti-inflammatory effect of ethanolic extract of Ferula assafoetida oleo-gum-resin (asafoetida) against TNF-α-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs were cultured in a flat-bottom plate and then treated with ethanolic extract of asafoetida (EEA, 0-500 μg/ml) and TNF-α (0-100 ng/ml) for 24 h. We used the MTT test to assess cell survival. In addition, the LC-MS analysis was performed to determine the active substances. HUVECs were pretreated with EEA and then induced by TNF-α. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and adhesion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to HUVECs were evaluated with DCFH-DA and CFSE fluorescent probes, respectively. Gene expression of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin and surface expression of ICAM-1 protein were measured using real-time PCR and flow cytometry methods, respectively. While TNF-α significantly increased intracellular ROS formation and PBMC adhesion to TNF-α-induced HUVECs, the pretreatment of HUVECs with EEA (125 and 250 μg/ml) significantly reduced the parameters. In addition, EEA pretreatment decreased TNF-α-induced mRNA expression of VCAM-1 and surface protein expression of ICAM-1 in the target cells. Taken together, the results indicated that EEA prevented ROS generation, triggered by TNF-α, and inhibited the expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, leading to reduced PBMC adhesion. These findings suggest that EEA can probably have anti-inflammatory properties.

Zingiber officinale Roscoe Rhizome Extract Exerts Senomorphic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities on Human Endothelial Cells

“…The primary human endothelial cells obtained from the umbilical vein (HUVEC) were extensively investigated as a human model of endothelial cells to assess the effects of senolytic and senomorphic compounds [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. We observed that 10 µg/mL of ZOE exerts anti-inflammatory activity on LPS-stimulated yHUVEC by reducing the expression levels of IL-1β, IL-8, MCP-1, TNF-α, and ICAM-1.…”

Tp47-Induced Monocyte-Derived Microvesicles Promote the Adherence of THP-1 Cells to Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells via an ERK1/2–NF-κB Signaling Cascade

“…The posttreatment mRNA levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were measured by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) using previously described primers for real-time PCR analysis. The relative mRNA expression was presented as normalised VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 mRNA to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA by the 2 –ΔΔCT method ( 10 , 30 ). The levels of the ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 proteins in HUVECs were determined by Western blotting.…”

Chemistry, Bioactivity, and Prediction of the Quality Marker (Q-Marker) of Ferula Plants in China: A Review

“…For instance, the Kazakhs have used F. soongarica to treat headaches, colds and stomach aches, F. caspica can treat nervous breakdown, and F. lehmannii is used as an anti-parasitic, for anti-malnutrition and to cure cold and pain in the heart and abdomen [ 12 , 15 ]. A number of modern pharmacological and biological studies have indicated that Ferula has anticancer [ 19 , 20 ], anticarcinogenic [ 21 ], antimicrobial [ 22 ], antidiabetic [ 23 ], anti-flu [ 24 ], anti-inflammatory [ 25 , 26 ], and cardiovascular system effects [ 27 ], as well as use against Alzheimer’s disease [ 28 , 29 ] and in anti-neuropathic pain [ 30 ] activities.…”