Abstract
Cordyceps militaris, an entomopathogenic ascomycete, produces edible medicinal mushrooms known to have medicinal and therapeutic functions. To develop the genetic transformation system in C. ...militaris, green fluorescent protein (GFP) mutants of C. militaris were generated by PEG-mediated protoplast transformation. The CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) targeting the class III histidine kinase of C. militaris (CmHk1) was then delivered into protoplasts of C. militaris through the transformation system. Mutations induced by the RNP in selected mutants were detected: 1 nt deletion (6 mutants), 3 nt deletion with substitution of 1 nt (1 mutant), insertion of 85 nts (1 mutant), 41 nts (2 mutants), and 35 nts (5 mutants). An in vitro sensitivity assay of the mutants indicated that knockout of CmHk1 reduced sensitivity to two fungicides, iprodione and fludioxonil, but increased sensitivity to osmotic stresses compared to the wild type. Summing up, the CRISPR/Cas9 RNP delivery system was successfully developed, and our results revealed that CmHk1 was involved in the fungicide resistance and osmotic stress in C. militaris.
The CRISPR/Cas9 RNP delivery system was developed and facilitated the functional characterization of CmHk1in Cordyceps militaris.
Inflammation is a natural host defensive process that is largely regulated by macrophages during the innate immune response. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are proline-directed serine and ...threonine protein kinases that regulate many physiological and pathophysiological cell responses. p38 MAPKs are key MAPKs involved in the production of inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). p38 MAPK signaling plays an essential role in regulating cellular processes, especially inflammation. In this paper, we summarize the characteristics of p38 signaling in macrophage-mediated inflammation. In addition, we discuss the potential of using inhibitors targeting p38 expression in macrophages to treat inflammatory diseases.
The ending of dual nomenclatural systems for pleomorphic fungi in 2011 requires the reconciliation of competing names, ideally linked through culture based or molecular methods. The phylogenetic ...systematics of
and its many genera have received extensive study in the last two decades, however resolution of competing names in
has not yet been addressed. Here we present a molecular phylogenetic investigation of
that enables identification of competing names in this family, and provides the basis upon which these names can be maintained or suppressed. The taxonomy presented here seeks to harmonize competing names by principles of priority, recognition of monophyletic groups, and the practical usage of affected taxa. In total, we propose maintaining nine generic names,
and
and the rejection of eight generic names,
,
,
,
and
. Two new generic names,
and
, and a new species,
, are described. New combinations are also proposed in the genera
and
Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling is an important therapeutic target to manage lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation. The transcription factor signal transducer and activator of ...transcription 3 (STAT3) has been identified as an important regulator of various immune-related diseases and has generated interest as a therapeutic target. Here, we investigated the time-dependent roles of STAT3 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. STAT3 inhibition induced expression of the pro-inflammatory genes
and
at early time points. STAT3 depletion resulted in regulation of nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB subunits p50 and p65 and IκBα/Akt/PI3K signaling. Moreover, we found that one Src family kinase, Lyn kinase, was phosphorylated in STAT3 knockout macrophages. In addition to using pharmacological inhibition of NF-κB, we found out that STAT3KO activation of NF-κB subunit p50 and p65 and expression of iNOS was significantly inhibited; furthermore, Akt tyrosine kinase inhibitors also inhibited iNOS and COX-2 gene expression during early time points of LPS stimulation, demonstrating an NF-κB- Akt-dependent mechanism. On the other hand,
expression was downregulated after prolonged treatment with LPS. Activation of NF-κB signaling was also suppressed, and consequently, nitric oxide (NO) production and cell invasion were repressed. Overall, our data indicate that STAT3 differentially regulates early- and late-phase TLR4-mediated inflammatory responses.
Cordyceps, comprising over 400 species, was historically classified in the Clavicipitaceae, based on cylindrical asci, thickened ascus apices and filiform ascospores, which often disarticulate into ...part-spores. Cordyceps was characterized by the production of well-developed often stipitate stromata and an ecology as a pathogen of arthropods and Elaphomyces with infrageneric classifications emphasizing arrangement of perithecia, ascospore morphology and host affiliation. To refine the classification of Cordyceps and the Clavicipitaceae, the phylogenetic relationships of 162 taxa were estimated based on analyses consisting of five to seven loci, including the nuclear ribosomal small and large subunits (nrSSU and nrLSU), the elongation factor 1α (tef1), the largest and the second largest subunits of RNA polymerase II (rpb1 and rpb2), β-tubulin (tub), and mitochondrial ATP6 (atp6). Our results strongly support the existence of three clavicipitaceous clades and reject the monophyly of both Cordyceps and Clavicipitaceae. Most diagnostic characters used in current classifications of Cordyceps (e.g., arrangement of perithecia, ascospore fragmentation, etc.) were not supported as being phylogenetically informative; the characters that were most consistent with the phylogeny were texture, pigmentation and morphology of stromata. Therefore, we revise the taxonomy of Cordyceps and the Clavicipitaceae to be consistent with the multi-gene phylogeny. The family Cordycipitaceae is validated based on the type of Cordyceps, C. militaris, and includes most Cordyceps species that possess brightly coloured, fleshy stromata. The new family Ophiocordycipitaceae is proposed based on Ophiocordyceps Petch, which we emend. The majority of species in this family produce darkly pigmented, tough to pliant stromata that often possess aperithecial apices. The new genus Elaphocordyceps is proposed for a subclade of the Ophiocordycipitaceae, which includes all species of Cordyceps that parasitize the fungal genus Elaphomyces and some closely related species that parasitize arthropods. The family Clavicipitaceae s. s. is emended and includes the core clade of grass symbionts (e.g., Balansia, Claviceps, Epichloë, etc.), and the entomopathogenic genus Hypocrella and relatives. In addition, the new genus Metacordyceps is proposed for Cordyceps species that are closely related to the grass symbionts in the Clavicipitaceae s. s. Metacordyceps includes teleomorphs linked to Metarhizium and other closely related anamorphs. Two new species are described, and lists of accepted names for species in Cordyceps, Elaphocordyceps, Metacordyceps and Ophiocordyceps are provided.
Taxonomic novelties: New family: Ophiocordycipitaceae G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora. New genera: Elaphocordyceps G.H. Sung & Spatafora, Metacordyceps G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora. New species: Metacordyceps yongmunensis G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora; Ophiocordyceps communis Hywel-Jones & Samson. New combinations: Cordyceps confragosa (Mains) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, C. ninchukispora (C.H. Su & H.-H. Wang) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora; Elaphocordycepscapitata (Holmsk.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. delicatistipitata (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. fracta (Mains) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. inegoënsis (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. intermedia (S. Imai) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung& Spatafora, E. japonica (Lloyd) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung& Spatafora, E. jezoënsis (S. Imai) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. longisegmentis (Ginns) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. minazukiensis (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. miomoteana (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. ophioglossoides (Ehrh.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. paradoxa (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. ramosa (Teng) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. rouxii (Cand.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. subsessilis (Petch) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. szemaoënsis (M. Zang) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. tenuispora (Mains) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. toriharamontana (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. valliformis (Mains) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. valvatistipitata (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. virens (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora; infraspecific: E. intermedia f. michinokuënsis (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. ophioglossoides f.alba (Kobayasi & Shimizu ex Y.J. Yao) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung& Spatafora, E. ophioglossoides f. cuboides (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora; Metacordycepsbrittlebankisoides (Z.Y. Liu, Z.Q. Liang, Whalley, Y.J. Yao & A.Y. Liu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, M. campsosterni (W.M. Zhang & T. H. Li) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, M. chlamydosporia (H.C. Evans) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, M. liangshanensis (M. Zang, D. Liu & R. Hu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, M. taii (Z.Q. Liang & A.Y. Liu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora; Ophiocordycepsagriotidis (A. Kawam.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. ainictos (A. Möller) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. amazonica (Henn.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. aphodii (Mathieson) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones& Spatafora, O. appendiculata (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. arachneicola (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. arbuscula (Teng) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. armeniaca (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. asyuënsis (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. aurantia (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. australis (Speg.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. barnesii (Thwaites) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones& Spatafora, O. bicephala (Berk.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. bispora (Stifler) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. brunneipunctata (Hywel-Jones) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. cantharelloides (Samson & H.C. Evans) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. carabidicola (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. cicadicola (Teng) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. clavata (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. coccidiicola (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. coccigena (Tul. & C. Tul.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. cochlidiicola (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. corallomyces (A. Möller) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. crassispora (M. Zang, D. R. Yang & C.D. Li) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. crinalis (Ellis ex Lloyd) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. cucumispora (H.C. Evans & Samson) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. curculionum (Tul. & C. Tul.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. cusu (Pat.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. cylindrostromata (Z.Q. Liang, A.Y. Liu & M.H. Liu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. dayiensis (Z.Q. Liang) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. dermapterigena (Z.Q. Liang, A.Y. Liu & M.H. Liu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. dipterigena (Berk. & Broome) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones& Spatafora, O. discoideicapitata (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. ditmarii (Quél.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. dovei (Rodway) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. elateridicola (Kobayasi& Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. elongata (Petch) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. elongatiperitheciata (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. elongatistromata (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. emeiensis (A.Y. Liu & Z.Q. Liang) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. engleriana (Henn.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. entomorrhiza (Dicks.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. evdogeorgiae (Koval) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. falcata (Berk.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. falcatoides (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. fasciculatistromata (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. ferruginosa (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. filiformis (Moureau) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones& Spatafora, O. formicarum (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. forquignonii (Quél.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. furcicaudata (Z.Q. Liang, A.Y. Liu & M.H. Liu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. gansuënsis (K. Zhang, C. Wang & M. Yan) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. geniculata (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. gentilis (Ces.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. glaziovii (Henn.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. goniophora (Speg.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. gracilioides (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones& Spatafora, O. gracilis (Grev.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. heteropoda (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. hiugensis (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. huberiana (Henn.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. humbertii (C.P. Robin) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. insignis (Cooke & Ravenel) G.H. Sung, J.M.
Although cadmium (Cd) is correlated with elevated levels of hepatic amino transferases, its influence on the degree of liver steatosis and fibrosis are unknown yet. We aimed to investigate the ...associations between the serum level of Cd and degree of liver steatosis/fibrosis.Clinical data were obtained from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys IV-VII. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation was defined as ≥ 33 IU/L for men and ≥ 25 IU/L for women. Significant steatosis was defined as a hepatic steatosis index ≥ 36, while significant fibrosis was defined as a fibrosis index (FIB-4) ≥ 2.67 and as an aspartate aminotransferase and platelet ratio index ≥ 0.7. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated after adjustment.The levels of serum Cd were assessable in 15,783 subjects. The serum cadmium concentrations were significantly associated with ALT elevation, significant liver steatosis and fibrosis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated serum Cd level in the forth quartile had a positive correlation with ALT elevation, hepatic steatosis index ≥ 36, FIB-4 ≥ 2.67 and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio ≥ 0.7 using the first quartile of serum Cd level as the reference, (adjusted odds ratios 1.90, 1.26, 1.73, and 2.53, respectively; P values <.001).The serum level of Cd was associated with liver steatosis and fibrosis. The evaluation of serum Cd may help for assessing an unexplained liver steatosis and fibrosis, and further prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses were conducted to address the evolution of Clavicipitaceae (Ascomycota). Data are presented here for approximately 5900 base pairs from portions of seven loci: the ...nuclear ribosomal small and large subunit DNA (
nrSSU and
nrLSU),
β-tubulin, elongation factor 1α (
EF-1α), the largest and second largest subunits of RNA polymerase II (
RPB1 and
RPB2), and mitochondrial ATP Synthase subunit 6 (
mtATP6). These data were analyzed in a complete 66-taxon matrix and 91-taxon supermatrix that included some missing data. Separate phylogenetic analyses, with data partitioned according to genes, produced some conflicting results. The results of separate analyses from
RPB1 and
RPB2 are in agreement with the combined analyses that resolve a paraphyletic Clavicipitaceae comprising three well-supported clades (i.e., Clavicipitaceae clade A, B, and C), whereas the tree obtained from
mtATP6 is in strong conflict with the monophyly of Clavicipitaceae clade B and the sister-group relationship of Hypocreaceae and Clavicipitaceae clade C. The distribution of relative contribution of nodal support for each gene partition was assessed using both partitioned Bremer support (PBS) values and combinational bootstrap (CB) analyses, the latter of which analyzed bootstrap proportions from all possible combinations of the seven gene partitions. These results suggest that CB analyses provide a more consistent estimate of nodal support than PBS and that combining heterogeneous gene partitions, which individually support a limited number of nodes, results in increased support for overall tree topology. Analyses of the 91-taxa supermatrix data sets revealed that some nodes were more strongly supported by increased taxon sampling. Identifying the localized incongruence of
mtATP6 and analyses of complete and supermatrix data sets strengthen the evidence for rejecting the monophyly of Clavicipitaceae and much of the current subfamilial classification of the family. Although the monophyly of the grass-associated subfamily Clavicipitoideae (e.g.,
Claviceps,
Balansia, and
Epichloë) is strongly supported, the subfamily Cordycipitoideae (e.g.,
Cordyceps and
Torrubiella) is not monophyletic. In particular, species of the genus
Cordyceps, which are pathogens of arthropods and truffles, are found in all three clavicipitaceous clades. These results imply that most characters used in the current familial classification of Clavicipitaceae are not diagnostic of monophyly.
Beauvericin is a mycotoxin which has insecticidal, anti-microbial, anti-viral and anti-cancer activities. Beauvericin biosynthesis is rapidly catalyzed by the beauvericin synthetase (BEAS) in ...Beauveria bassiana. Ca2+ plays crucial roles in multiple signaling pathways in eukaryotic cells. These Ca2+ signals are partially decoded by Ca2+ sensor calmodulin (CaM). In this report, we describe that B. bassiana BEAS (BbBEAS) can interact with CaM in a Ca2+-dependent manner. A synthetic BbBEAS peptide, corresponding to the putative CaM-binding motif, formed a stable complex with CaM in the presence of Ca2+. In addition, in vitro CaM-binding assay revealed that the His-tagged BbBEAS (amino acids 2421–2538) binds to CaM in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Therefore, this work suggests that BbBEAS is a novel CaM-binding protein in B. bassiana.
Flammulina velutipes is a fungus with health and medicinal benefits that has been used for consumption and cultivation in East Asia. F. velutipes is also known to degrade lignocellulose and produce ...ethanol. The overlapping interests of mushroom production and wood bioconversion make F. velutipes an attractive new model for fungal wood related studies. Here, we present the complete sequence of the F. velutipes genome. This is the first sequenced genome for a commercially produced edible mushroom that also degrades wood. The 35.6-Mb genome contained 12,218 predicted protein-encoding genes and 287 tRNA genes assembled into 11 scaffolds corresponding with the 11 chromosomes of strain KACC42780. The 88.4-kb mitochondrial genome contained 35 genes. Well-developed wood degrading machinery with strong potential for lignin degradation (69 auxiliary activities, formerly FOLymes) and carbohydrate degradation (392 CAZymes), along with 58 alcohol dehydrogenase genes were highly expressed in the mycelium, demonstrating the potential application of this organism to bioethanol production. Thus, the newly uncovered wood degrading capacity and sequential nature of this process in F. velutipes, offer interesting possibilities for more detailed studies on either lignin or (hemi-) cellulose degradation in complex wood substrates. The mutual interest in wood degradation by the mushroom industry and (ligno-)cellulose biomass related industries further increase the significance of F. velutipes as a new model.
Celtis choseniana is the traditional plant used at Korea as a herbal medicine to ameliorate inflammatory responses. Although Celtis choseniana has been traditionally used as a herbal medicine at ...Korea, no systemic research has been conducted on its anti-inflammatory activity. Therefore, the present study explored an anti-inflammatory effect and its underlying molecular mechanism using Celtis choseniana methanol extract (Cc-ME) in macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of Cc-ME was evaluated using RAW264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), pam3CSK4 (Pam3), or poly(I:C). In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of Cc-ME was investigated using acute inflammatory disease mouse models, such as LPS-induced peritonitis and HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis. The molecular mechanism of Cc-ME-mediated anti-inflammatory activity was examined by Western blot analysis and immunoprecipitation using whole cell and nuclear fraction prepared from the LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and HEK293 cells. Cc-ME inhibited NO production and mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX-2), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the RAW264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages induced by LPS, pam3, or poly(I:C) without cytotoxicity. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that Cc-ME contained anti-inflammatory flavonoids quercetin, luteolin, and kaempferol. Among those, the content of luteolin, which showed an inhibitory effect on NO production, was highest. Cc-ME suppressed the NF-κB signaling pathway by targeting Src and interrupting molecular interactions between Src and p85, its downstream kinase. Moreover, Cc-ME ameliorated the morphological finding of peritonitis and gastritis in the mouse disease models. Therefore, these results suggest that Cc-ME exerted in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated macrophages and mouse models of acute inflammatory diseases. This anti-inflammatory activity of Cc-ME was dominantly mediated by targeting Src in NF-κB signaling pathway during macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses.