Anti-Inflammatory Properties of <i>Bellevalia saviczii</i> Root Extract and Its Isolated Homoisoflavonoid (<i>Dracol</i>) Are Mediated by Modification on Calcium Signaling
Monica Savio,
Mohammed Farhad Ibrahim,
Chiara Scarlata,
Matteo Orgiu,
Giuseppe Accardo,
Abdullah Shakur Sardar,
Francesco Moccia,
Lucia Anna Stivala,
Gloria Brusotti
Affiliations
Monica Savio
Department of Molecular Medicine, Immunology and General Pathology Unit, via Ferrata 9, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Mohammed Farhad Ibrahim
Department of Drug Sciences, viale Taramelli 12, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Chiara Scarlata
Department of Molecular Medicine, Immunology and General Pathology Unit, via Ferrata 9, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Matteo Orgiu
Department of Biology and Biotechnology “L. Spallanzani” via Forlanini 6, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Giuseppe Accardo
Department of Molecular Medicine, Immunology and General Pathology Unit, via Ferrata 9, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Abdullah Shakur Sardar
Department of Biology, College of Education, University of Salahaddin-Erbil, Erbil 44001, Iraq
Francesco Moccia
Department of Biology and Biotechnology “L. Spallanzani” via Forlanini 6, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Lucia Anna Stivala
Department of Molecular Medicine, Immunology and General Pathology Unit, via Ferrata 9, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Gloria Brusotti
Department of Drug Sciences, viale Taramelli 12, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Bellevalia saviczii is a medicinal plant used as anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory herbal remedy in Iraqi-Kurdistan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of its extract and the isolated homoisoflavonoid (Dracol) by studying the Ca2+-dependent NF-kB pathway. Nuclear translocation of p65 NF-kB subunit, as parameter of NF-kB activation, was visualized in human leukemic monocytes by immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses, after cell treatment with B. saviczii root extract or Dracol followed by Lipopolysaccharide stimulation. In parallel, Ca2+ signals responsible for NF-kB activation and levels of inflammatory cytokines were investigated. LPS-induced p65 translocation was evident in monocytes and both treatments, in particular that with Dracol, were able to counteract this activation. Intracellular Ca2+ oscillations were halted and the cytokine release reduced. These results confirm the traditional anti-inflammatory efficacy of B. saviczii and identify one of the molecules in the extract which appears to be responsible of this action.
