Triterpene Acids from Mesona procumbens Exert Anti-inflammatory Effects on LPS-Stimulated Murine Macrophages by Regulating the MAPK Signaling Pathway

Abstract

Five new triterpene acids, mesonaic acids A–C (1–3), 2α,3α,19α-trihydroxy-24-nor-4(23),12-oleanadien-28-oic acid (4), and 3α,19α,22α-trihydroxy-2-oxo-12-ursen-28-oic acid (5), and 10 known triterpene acid compounds (6–15) were isolated from a methanolic extract of Mesona procumbens. Triterpenes 1–3 possess unusual hexacyclic skeletons with a 13α,27-cyclopropane ring. Regarding their anti-inflammatory activity, compounds 1–3, 6, and 7 inhibited NO production with EC50 values lower than 15 μM, which were better than that of the positive control quercetin. Compounds 1–3, 6, and 7 markedly decreased levels of the inducible iNOS and COX-2 proteins in macrophages by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB through interference with the MAPK signaling pathway. Based on these data, compounds 1–3, 6, and 7 have great potential as NO inhibitors.

Anti-inflammatory sesquiterpene and triterpene acids from Mesona procumbens Hemsley

“…M. procumbens extracts have been shown with pharmacological potentialities for many inflammation-associated disorders ( Huang et al, 2012 ; Huang et al, 2021 ). Given the isolated compounds 1 ‒ 7 from M. procumbens , we examined these isolates to see whether they similarly exhibit anti-inflammatory activities by using the LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cell model.…”

“…Having gone through rigorous and comprehensive interrogations against the literature and chemical databases, the five triterpene acids ( 1 – 5 ) and one sesquiterpene ( 7 ) discovered herein are new chemical entities; mesoeudesmol B ( 7 ) featuring a proximadiol core structure, in particular, is the first of its kind isolated from the extract of M. procumbens Hemesley. Of them, three triterpene acids ( 1 , 2, and 6 ) showed strong anti-inflammatory activities with the EC 50 values of 20.3, 21.1, and 20.2 μM comparable to quercetin (EC 50 values of 24.1 μM) and 15 triterpene acids isolated from our previous study, all presenting strong and promising anti-inflammatory potentials ( Huang et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Numerous pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammatory ( Huang et al, 2012 ), antioxidant ( Lin et al, 2018 ), antihypertensive ( Yeh et al, 2009 ), antimutagenic ( Yen et al, 2001 ), DNA damage protection ( Yen et al, 2000 ), liver fibrosis prevention ( Shyu et al, 2008 ), and renal protective activities, from M. procumbens extracts have been independently reported from time to time ( Yang et al, 2008 ). In addition, some such chronic inflammations such as cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, pulmonary, and autoimmune diseases reported ( Singh et al, 2019 ) can be improved by natural products for they possess some yet-unknown chemo-preventive activities ( Azab et al, 2016 ; Huang et al, 2021 ).…”

The Antioxidant and Hypolipidemic Effects of Mesona Chinensis Benth Extracts

“…Of note, MTF and simvastatin showed similar effects in reducing lipid accumulation ( Figure 8 ). MCB attenuated postprandial glucose levels by improving the antioxidant status [ 16 ]. MTF was also able to increase the consumption of glucose ( Figure 8 ).…”

“…The tea prepared through MCB extracts improved dyslipidemia via MAPK and AMPK pathways [ 15 ]. The consumption of MCB attenuated postprandial glucose levels and improved the antioxidant status induced by a high carbohydrate meal in overweight subjects [ 16 ]. The content of caffeic acid in MCB is also high.…”