Polysaccharide from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi ameliorates colitis via suppressing NF-κB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome activation

Sanziguben polysaccharides inhibit diabetic nephropathy through NF-κB-mediated anti-inflammation

Background

Sanziguben polysaccharides (SZP) are large amounts of classical Chinese medicines from Sanziguben (SZGB). Moreover, SZGB is a widely applied compound prescription for diabetic nephropathy (DN) treatment, but the role is still unclear. This study initially explores the mechanism of SZP in the treatment of DN.

Methods

The high-fat diet plus streptozotocin injections were used to replicate the DN models in male C57BL/6 mice. DN mice were divided into five groups: DN mice, DN mice treated with SZP(1.01 or 2.02 g/kg), DN mice treated with SZGB decoction(4.7 g/kg), and DN mice treated with metformin (300 mg/kg). HG and LPS plus TNFα stimulated human tubule epithelial (HK-2) cells to establish an in vitro model and treated with SZP (100 or 200 μg/mL).

Results

SZP was found to comprise sugar, protein, and uronic acid. Furthermore, SZP alleviated the progression of inflammation in vivo and in vitro by inhibiting the expression of NF-κB.

Conclusions

NF-κB plays a critical role in the development of DN induced by STZ and HG. Furthermore, SZP can attenuate the NF-κB‐mediated progression of diabetic nephropathy, improve DN through anti-inflammation.

Study on constituents of Scutellaria nepetifolia as a potent source of phytochemicals with NO inhibitory effect

Based on the long history of Scutellaria plants in east traditional medicines, several species of Scutellaria showed promising antioxidant, anti-inflammation and neuroprotection effects in pharmacological researches. Using bioassay-guided fractionation of various extract of Scutellaria nepetifolia, an endemic species that grows widely in Iran, based on on nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity against H₂O₂ induced NO production in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells led to the isolation of two iridoid compounds namely, as 6β-hydroxy 8-epiboshnaloside (1) and 1,5,9-epideoxy loganic acid (2) and Verbascoside (3). Finally, the interaction of isolated compounds with inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein was simulated by molecular docking study. It is the first report of these two iridoid glycosides from Scutellaria spp. All three isolated compounds showed strong interaction with iNOS enzyme in molecular docking simulations. So, they possibly contributed in the NO inhibitory effect of S. nepetifolia.

In-depth analysis of the mechanisms of aloe polysaccharides on mitigating subacute colitis in mice via microbiota informatics

Aloe polysaccharides (APs) are indigestible bioactive polysaccharides, while can be fermented by colonic microbiota. Although plant polysaccharides can alleviate subacute ulcerative colitis (SUC), the mechanisms APs regulated SUC via colonic microbiota have not been fully explored. Hence, to elucidate the complex interactions between the novel APs, colonic microbiota, SCFAs, and inflammation, the SUC mouse model and in-depth analysis were performed, including multiple bioinformatics analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM). After APs intervention, SCFAs and SCFAs-producing genus, including Akkermansia and Blautia, were increased in colon, and the colonic inflammation and barrier dysfunction were alleviated significantly in SUC mice. Spearman analysis found positive correlations between microbiota and SCFAs. PICRUSt2 and KEGG analysis revealed 6-pyruvoyltetra hydropterin synthase in folate biosynthesis metabolism pathway was activated, while phosphotransferase system was inhibited. SEM results further proved APs was beneficial to gut micro-ecological balance in mice via SCFAs metabolism and anti-inflammatory functions. Together, APs could be exploited to alleviate SUC as dietary therapeutics.

Aloe polysaccharides ameliorate acute colitis in mice via Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and short-chain fatty acids metabolism

Aloe polysaccharides (APs) are acetyl polysaccharides. It has been reported APs could protect mice from ulcerative colitis (UC), but the complex interactions between APs and the intestinal barrier were unclear. Here, we investigated the relationship between APs and UC, and determined the synergistic effects of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) metabolism on protecting intestinal barrier in acute UC mice. Results showed APs could scavenge free radicals in vitro. In vivo, APs had the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect both in serum and colon. Besides, the pathological results showed APs could alleviate colonic lesions. Furthermore, our study indicated treatment with APs effectively increased SCFAs production. The inhibition of acute UC in mice was correlated with the APs-mediated effects on improving the expression of ZO-1, occludin, Nrf2, HO-I, and NQO1. Thus, APs effectively promoted the intestinal barrier via Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and SCFAs metabolism, effectively ameliorating acute colitis in mice.

Crataegus pinnatifida polysaccharide alleviates colitis via modulation of gut microbiota and SCFAs metabolism

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) afflicted individual and most medications have side-effects. Crataegus pinnatifida (Hawthorn), which is a safe medicine and food homolog plant, has been reported to prevent colitis in murine. Yet the bioactivity component and the underlying molecular mechanism remain unclear. Here, we established a direct link between colitis induced by dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) in mice and polysaccharide HAW1-2 isolated from hawthorn. Our results showed HAW1-2 restored the pathological lesions in colon and inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. Meanwhile, IKKα/β, IκBα, NF-κB and the phosphorylation levels were inhibited significantly. These findings suggested HAW1-2 could alleviate the inflammation of colon. Further, we found the composition of gut microbiota was modified and Bacteroides including Alistipes and Odoribacter were significantly enriched. Besides, we showed Alistipes and Odoribacter were positively co-related with acetic acid and propionic acid while were negatively co-related with inflammatory cytokines. Finally, we demonstrated the anti-inflammation activity of HAW1-2 might be induced by acetic acid. Together, the present data revealed HAW1-2 could directly modify the gut microbiota, especially for Bacteroides, and generate SCFAs to inhibit colitis. It also implies microbiota-directed intervention in IBD patients should be particularly given more attention.

Edible and Herbal Plants for the Prevention and Management of COVID-19

Background: The outbreak of the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has now become a global pandemic spreading throughout the world. Unfortunately, due to the high infectiousness of the novel β-coronavirus, it is very likely to become an ordinary epidemic. The development of dietary supplements and functional foods might provide a strategy for the prevention and management of COVID-19.

Scope and Approach: A great diversity of potential edible and medicinal plants and/or natural compounds showed potential benefits in managing SARS, which may also combat COVID-19. Moreover, many plants and compounds have currently been proposed to be protective against COVID-19. This information is based on data-driven approaches and computational chemical biology techniques. In this study, we review promising candidates of edible and medicinal plants for the prevention and management of COVID-19. We primarily focus on analyzing their underlying mechanisms. We aim to identify dietary supplements and functional foods that assist in managing this epidemic.

Key findings and Conclusion: We infer that acetoside, glyasperin, isorhamnetin, and several flavonoid compounds may prevent and/or be effective in managing COVID-19 by targeting the viral infection, reducing the host cytokine storm, regulating the immune response, and providing organ protection. These bioactive dietary components (used either alone or in combination) might assist in the development of dietary supplements or functional foods for managing COVID-19.

Natural-Derived Polysaccharides From Plants, Mushrooms, and Seaweeds for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease impairing the gastrointestinal tract, and its incidence and prevalence have been increasing over time worldwide. IBD greatly reduces peoples' quality of life and results in several life-threatening complications, including polyp, toxic colonic dilatation, intestinal perforation, gastrointestinal bleeding, and cancerization. The current therapies for IBD mainly include drugs for noncritical patients and operation for critical patients. However, continuous use of these drugs causes serious side effects and increased drug resistance, and the demand of effective and affordable drugs with minimal side effects for IBD sufferers is urgent. Natural-derived polysaccharides are becoming a research hotspot for their therapeutic effects on IBD. This study focuses on the research progress of various natural polysaccharides from plants, seaweeds, and mushrooms for the treatment of IBD during recent 20 years. Regulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory status, gut microbiota, and immune system and protection of the intestinal epithelial barrier function are the underlying mechanisms for the natural-derived polysaccharides to treat IBD. The excellent efficacy and safety of polysaccharides make them promising candidates for IBD therapy.

Characterization of a novel polysaccharide from Moutan Cortex and its ameliorative effect on AGEs-induced diabetic nephropathy

This study aimed to investigate the structure of a new heteropolysaccharide (MC-Pa) from Moutan Cortex (MC), and its protection on diabetic nephropathy (DN). The MC-Pa composed of D-glucose and L-arabinose (3.31:2.25) was characterized with homogeneous molecular weight of 1.64 × 10⁵ Da, and the backbone was 4)-α-D-Glcp-(1 → 5-α-L-Araf-(1 → 3,5-α-L-Araf-(1→, branched partially at O-3 with α-L-Araf-(1 → residue with methylated-GC-MS and NMR. Furthermore, MC-Pa possessed strong antioxidant activity in vitro and inhibited the production of ROS caused by AGEs. In vivo, MC-Pa could alleviate mesangial expansion and tubulointerstitial fibrosis of DN rats in histopathology and MC-Pa could decrease significantly the serum levels of AGEs and RAGE. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis showed that MC-Pa can reduce the expression of main protein (FN and Col IV) of extracellular-matrix, down-regulate the production of inflammatory factors (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1), and therefore regulate the pathway of TGF-β1. The above indicated that MC-Pa has an improving effect on DN.

Polysaccharides obtained from natural edible sources and their role in modulating the immune system: Biologically active potential that can be exploited against COVID-19

BACKGROUND

The global crisis caused by the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, better known as COVID-19, brought the need to improve the population's immunity. The foods rich in polysaccharides with immunomodulation properties are among the most highly rated to be used as immune response modulators. Thus, the use of polysaccharides obtained from food offers an innovative strategy to prevent serious side effects of viral infections.

SCOPE AND APPROACH

This review revisits the current studies on the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2, its characteristics, target cell interactions, and the possibility of using polysaccharides from functional foods as activators of the immune response. Several natural foods are explored for the possibility of being used to obtain polysaccharides with immunomodulatory potential. And finally, we address expectations for the use of polysaccharides in the development of potential therapies and vaccines.

KEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

The negative consequences of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic across the world are unprecedented, thousands of lives lost, increasing inequalities, and incalculable economic losses. On the other hand, great scientific advances have been made regarding the understanding of the disease and forms of treatment. Polysaccharides, due to their characteristics, have the potential to be used as potential drugs with the ability to modulate the immune response. In addition, they can be used safely, as they have no toxic effects, are biocompatible and biodegradable. Finally, these biopolymers can still be used in the development of new therapies and vaccines.

Bioreactivity of decellularized animal, plant, and fungal scaffolds: perspectives for medical applications

Numerous biomedical applications imply supportive materials to improve protective, antibacterial, and regenerative abilities upon surgical interventions, oncotherapy, regenerative medicine, and others. With the increasing variability of the possible sources, the materials of natural origin are among the safest and most accessible biomedical tools. Animal, plant, and fungal tissues can further undergo decellularization to improve their biocompatibility. Decellularized scaffolds lack the most reactive cellular material, nuclear and cytoplasmic components, that predominantly trigger immune responses. At the same time, the outstanding initial three-dimensional microarchitecture, biomechanical properties, and general composition of the scaffolds are preserved. These unique features make the scaffolds perfect ready-to-use platforms for various biomedical applications, implying cell growth and functionalization. Decellularized materials can be repopulated with various cells upon request, including epithelial, endothelial, muscle and neuronal cells, and applied for structural and functional biorepair within diverse biological sites, including the skin and musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind scaffold and host tissue interactions remain not fully understood, which significantly restricts their integration into clinical practice. In this review, we address the essential aspects of decellularization, scaffold preparation techniques, and its biochemical composition and properties, which determine the biocompatibility and immunogenicity of the materials. With the integrated evaluation of the scaffold profile in living systems, decellularized animal, plant, and fungal scaffolds have the potential to become essential instruments for safe and controllable biomedical applications.

The main bioactive compounds of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. for alleviation of inflammatory cytokines: A comprehensive review

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi., a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine, has multiple biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antitumor, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects, and can be used to treat respiratory tract infections, pneumonia, colitis, hepatitis, and allergic diseases. The main active substances of S. baicalensis, baicalein, baicalin, wogonin, wogonoside, and oroxylin A, can act directly on immune cells such as lymphocytes, macrophages, mast cells, dendritic cells, monocytes, and neutrophils, and inhibit the production of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, and other inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and reactive oxygen species. The molecular mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of the active compounds of S. baicalensis include downregulation of toll-like receptors, activation of the Nrf2 and PPAR signaling pathways, and inhibition of the nuclear thioredoxin system and inflammation-associated pathways such as those of MAPK, Akt, NFκB, and JAK-STAT. Given that in addition to the downregulation of cytokine production, the active constituents of S. baicalensis also have antiviral and antibacterial effects, they may be more promising candidate therapeutics for the prevention of infection-related cytokine storms than are drugs having only antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory activities.

Polysaccharides from natural resources exhibit great potential in the treatment of ulcerative colitis: A review

The incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) is high. Despite the availability of various therapeutic agents for the treatment of UC, the routine treatment has limitations and serious side effects. Therefore, a new drug that safely and effectively treats UC is urgently needed. Polysaccharides from natural resources have recently become a hot topic of study for their therapeutic effects on UC. These effects are associated with the regulation of inflammatory cytokines, intestinal flora, and immune system and protection of the intestinal mucosa. This review focuses on the recent advances of polysaccharides from natural resources in the treatment of UC. The mechanisms and practicability of polysaccharides, including pectin, guar gum, rhamnogalacturonan, chitosan, fructan, psyllium, glycosaminoglycan, algal polysaccharides, polysaccharides from fungi and traditional Chinese medicine, and polysaccharide derivatives, are discussed in detail. The good efficacy and safety of polysaccharides make them promising drugs for treating UC.

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi polysaccharide ameliorates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis by improving intestinal barrier function and modulating gut microbiota

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a polysaccharide from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi on UC. Gut microbiota dysbiosis is a worldwide problem associating with ulcerative colitis. One homogeneous polysaccharide, named SP2-1, was isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. SP2-1 comprised mannose, ribose, rhamnose, glucuronic acid, glucose, xylose, arabinose, fucose in the molar ratio of 5.06:21.24:1.00:20.25:3.49:50.90:228.77:2.40, with Mw of 3.72 × 10⁶ Da. SP2-1 treatment attenuated body weight loss, reduced DAI, ameliorated colonic pathological damage, and decreased MPO activity of UC mice induced by DSS. SP2-1 also suppressed the levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Additionally, the intestinal barrier was repaired due to the up-regulated expressions of ZO-1, Occludin and Claudin-5. SP2-1 remarkably enhanced the levels of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid in DSS-treated mice. Furthermore, as compared with model group, the abundance of Firmicutes, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Roseburia were significantly increased with SP2-1 treatment. And SP2-1 could significantly inhibit the levels of Bacteroides, Proteobacteria and Staphylococcus. In conclusion, SP2-1 might serve as a novel drug candidate against UC.

Characterization of Low Molecular Weight Sulfate Ulva Polysaccharide and its Protective Effect against IBD in Mice

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been gradually considered a public health challenge worldwide. Sulfated polysaccharides, extracted from seaweed, have been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect on the disease. In this study, LMW-ulvan, a unique sulfate Ulva polysaccharide with low molecular weight, was prepared using the enzymatic method. The structural characterization of LMW-ulvan and its protective effect on colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) were studied. The results showed that LMW-ulvan with molecular weight of 2.56 kDa consists of 57.23% rhamnose (Rha), 28.76% xylose (Xyl), 7.42% glucuronic acid (GlcA), and 1.77% glucose (Glc). Its backbone contains (1→3,4)-linked Rha, (1→4)-linked Xyl, and (1→4)-linked GlcA with small amounts of (1→4)-linked Rha residues; sulfate substitution was at C-3 of Rha. LMW-ulvan was found to reduce DSS-induced disease activity index, colon shortening, and colonic tissue damage, which were associated with decreased oxidative stresses and inflammation, thus improving the expression of tight junction proteins. These results indicate that LMW-ulvan is able to improve colitis and may be a promising application for IBD.

Applications, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects, pharmacokinetics, toxicity of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. and its probably potential therapeutic effects on COVID-19: a review

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. (SB) is a common heat-clearing medicine in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It has been used for thousands of years in China and its neighboring countries. Clinically, it is mostly used to treat diseases such as cold and cough. SB has different harvesting periods and processed products for different clinical symptoms. Botanical researches proved that SB included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (1st, 2020) was consistent with the medicinal SB described in ancient books. Modern phytochemical analysis had found that SB contains hundreds of active ingredients, of which flavonoids are its major components. These chemical components are the material basis for SB to exert pharmacological effects. Pharmacological studies had shown that SB has a wide range of pharmacological activities such as antiinflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, liver protection, etc. The active ingredients of SB were mostly distributed in liver and kidney, and couldn't be absorbed into brain via oral absorption. SB's toxicity was mostly manifested in liver fibrosis and allergic reactions, mainly caused by baicalin. The non-medicinal application prospects of SB were broad, such as antibacterial plastics, UV-resistant silk, animal feed, etc. In response to the Coronavirus Disease In 2019 (COVID-19), based on the network pharmacology research, SB's active ingredients may have potential therapeutic effects, such as baicalin and baicalein. Therefore, the exact therapeutic effects are still need to be determined in clinical trials. SB has been reviewed in the past 2 years, but the content of these articles were not comprehensive and accurate. In view of the above, we made a comprehensive overview of the research progress of SB, and expect to provide ideas for the follow-up study of SB.

The important role of polysaccharides from a traditional Chinese medicine-Lung Cleansing and Detoxifying Decoction against the COVID-19 pandemic

The new coronavirus pneumonia, named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization, has become a pandemic. It is highly pathogenic and reproduces quickly. There are currently no specific drugs to prevent the reproduction and spread of COVID-19. Some traditional Chinese medicines, especially the Lung Cleansing and Detoxifying Decoction (Qing Fei Pai Du Tang), have shown therapeutic effects on mild and ordinary COVID-19 patients. Polysaccharides are important ingredients in this decoction. This review summarizes the potential pharmacological activities of polysaccharides isolated by hot water extraction from Lung Cleansing and Detoxifying Decoction, which is consistent with its production method, to provide the theoretical basis for ongoing research on its application.

Targeting epithelium-expressed sialyl Lewis glycans improves colonic mucosal wound healing and protects against colitis

Dysregulated healing of injured mucosa is a hallmark of many pathological conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease. Mucosal injury and chronic intestinal inflammation are also associated with alterations in epithelial glycosylation. Previous studies have revealed that inflammation-induced glycan sialyl Lewis A on epithelial CD44v6 acts as a ligand for transmigrating PMNs. Here we report that robust sialylated Lewis glycan expression was induced in colonic mucosa from individuals with ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease as well as in the colonic epithelium of mice with colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Targeting of sialylated epithelial Lewis glycans with mAb GM35 reduced disease activity and improved mucosal integrity during DSS-induced colitis in mice. Wound healing studies revealed increased epithelial proliferation and migration responses as well as improved mucosal repair after ligation of epithelial sialyl Lewis glycans. Finally, we showed that GM35-mediated increases in epithelial proliferation and migration were mediated through activation of kinases that signal downstream of CD44v6 (Src, FAK, Akt). These findings suggest that sialylated Lewis glycans on CD44v6 represent epithelial targets for improved recovery of intestinal barrier function and restitution of mucosal homeostasis after inflammation or injury.

Shen-Ling-Bai-Zhu-San Improves Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis by Inhibiting Caspase-1/Caspase-11-Mediated Pyroptosis

The traditional Chinese medicine Shen-ling-bai-zhu-san (SLBZS) is described in “Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang.” SLBZS has been shown to be effective against many gastrointestinal diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of SLBZS on experimental colitis in mice and to define the potential mechanisms. Our data suggest that compared to the model group, SLBZS treatment increases mouse body weight and colon length, decreases the DAI score, and improves colonic injury. SLBZS reduces the production of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α) in colon tissue and mouse colonic mucosal epithelial (MCME) cells. Mechanistically, SLBZS inhibits inflammation by inhibiting the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. Further mechanistic analyses showed that SLBZS attenuates the expression levels of pyroptosis-related genes, including NLRP3, ASC, and GSDMD-N in the colons of mice. In addition, SLBZS restores the levels of the colon tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin, suggesting that it protects colonic barrier integrity and ameliorates the progression of colitis. In this paper, we demonstrate that SLBZS attenuates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis injury in mice via the MAPK/NF-κB and pyroptosis signaling pathway. These results indicate that SLBZS is a potential drug for the treatment of UC.