Therapeutic potential of naringin: an overview

A dual regulatory effect of naringenin on bone homeostasis in two diabetic mice models

Objective: Naringenin (NAR), a flavanone in citrus fruits, has been reported to have both anti-diabetic and anti-osteoporotic effects. This study aimed to explore the effect of NAR on bone homeostasis under diabetic condition.

Methods: High fat diet and streptozotocin (STZ) induced type 1 diabetic (T1DM) and leptin receptor knockout (db/db) type 2 diabetic (T2DM) mice were used to evaluate NAR effects. Melbine (DMBG) was administrated as positive control. Body weight and fasting blood glucose were monitored weekly and monthly. After 8 weeks and 74 days treatment, bone mass was evaluated by microcomputed tomography ([Formula: see text]CT) including BV/TV, Tb.N, and Tb.Th, as well as histological and histomorphometric detection. Bone resorption rate indicated by C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTIX) and N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP) was examined by ELISA assays.

Results: NAR treatment reduced body weight and blood glucose in both diabetic models, and had better hypoglycemic effect than DMBG at early stage. High fat diet and STZ-treated mice lost while db/db mice gained bone mass. NAR improved bone microarchitecture by regulating the related parameters to the similar levels as the control. Osteoblast activity was little affected, but osteoclast function was decreased in NAR-treated STZ mice. Consistently, NAR reduced bone resorption rate which was increased in both diabetic models.

Conclusion: NAR exerts an anti-diabetic effect by lowering elevated level of blood glucose, regulating impaired bone mass, and reducing overactivated bone resorption rate in T1DM and T2DM conditions. Naringenin has a potential to prevent diabetes induced impairment in bone.

Investigation of the inhibitory activity of some dietary bioactive flavonoids against SARS-CoV-2 using molecular dynamics simulations and MM-PBSA calculations

Eventhough the development of vaccine against COVID-19 pandemic is progressing in different part of the world a well-defined treatment plan is not yet developed. Therefore, we investigate the inhibitory activity of a group of dietary bioactive flavonoids against SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M^pro), which are identified as one of the potential targets in the drug discovery process of COVID-19. After the initial virtual screening of a number of bioactive flavonoids, the binding affinity of three compounds - Naringin, Naringenin and Amentoflavone - at the active site of M^pro was investigated through MD Simulations, MM-PBSA and DFT Binding Energy calculations. From the MD trajectory analysis, Amentoflavone and Naringin showed consistent protein-ligand interactions with the aminoacid residues of the active site domains of M^pro. The excellent inhibitory activity of Amentoflavone and Naringin was established from its MM-PBSA binding energy values of -190.50 and -129.87 kJ/mol respectively. The MET165 residue of M^pro is identified as one of the key residue which contributed significantly to MM-PBSA binding energy through hydrophobic interactions. Furthermore, the DFT binding energy values of Amentoflavone (-182.92 kJ/mol) and Naringin (-160.67 kJ/mol) in active site molecular clusters with hydrogen bonds confirmed their potential inhibitory activity. These compounds are of high interest because of their wide availability, low cost, no side effects, and long history of use. We can prevent the severity of this disease for home care patients using these effective dietary supplements. We are hopeful that our results have implications for the development of prophylaxis of COVID-19.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Effect of Naringin Treatment on Postmenopausal Osteoporosis in Ovariectomized Rats: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Background

Osteoporosis is a major disease that affects the quality of life of middle-aged and old people, so it is very important to find efficient and safe drugs to treat osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of naringin on postmenopausal osteoporosis in ovariectomized (OVX) rats.

Methods

Chinese biomedical databases, CNKI, PubMed, EMBASE, and Wan Fang were searched for articles from inception to March 2020. Two independent researchers screened articles according to inclusion criteria. RevMan 5.3 was used for data analysis.

Results

Ten studies were included in the systematic review. The bone mineral density (BMD) significantly increased after naringin treatment (weighted mean difference, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.03–0.09; P < 0.01). There was no significant increase in BMD after estrogen treatment compared with naringin (weighted mean difference, 0.00; 95% CI, −0.00 to 0.01; P = 0.06). The trabecular bone volume (BV/TV) (weighted mean difference, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.85–2.34; P < 0.01) and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) (weighted mean difference, 6.65; 95% CI, 6.55–6.74; P < 0.01) significantly increased after using naringin.

Conclusions

Naringin had been shown to promote bone formation in OVX rats. However, the mechanism of naringin needs more research to confirm.

Naringin Ameliorates Haloperidol-Induced Neurotoxicity and Orofacial Dyskinesia in a Rat Model of Human Tardive Dyskinesia

Animal models of haloperidol (HAL)-induced neurotoxicity and orofacial dyskinesia (OD) have long been used to study human tardive dyskinesia (TD). Similar to patients with TD, these models show strong pathophysiological characteristics such as striatal oxidative stress and neural cytoarchitecture alteration. Naringin (NAR), a bioflavonoid commonly found in citrus fruits, has potent antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and neuroprotective properties. The present study evaluated the potential protective effects of NAR against HAL-induced OD in rats and the neuroprotective mechanisms underlying these effects. HAL treatment (1 mg/kg i.p. for 21 successive days) induced OD development, characterized by increased vacuous chewing movement (VCM) and tongue protrusion (TP), which were recorded on the 7th, 14th, and 21st day of drug treatment. NAR (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg) was administered orally 60 min before HAL injection for 21 successive days. On the 21st day, after behavioral testing, the rats were sacrificed, and the nitrosative and oxidative status, antioxidation power, neurotransmitter levels, neuroinflammation, and apoptotic markers in the striatum were measured. HAL induced OD development, with significant increases in the frequency of VCM and TP. NAR treatment (100 and 300 mg/kg) prevented HAL-induced OD significantly. Additionally, NAR treatment reduced the HAL-induced nitric oxide and lipid peroxide production, increased the antioxidation power and neurotransmitter levels in the striatum, and significantly reduced the levels of neuroinflammatory and apoptotic markers. Our results first demonstrate the neuroprotective effects of NAR against HAL-induced OD, suggesting that NAR may help in delaying or treating human TD in clinical settings.

Carbon Dots Fluorescence-Based Colorimetric Sensor for Sensitive Detection of Aluminum Ions with a Smartphone

In this work, blue emission carbon dots (CDs) are synthesized in the one-pot solvothermal method using naringin as precursor. The CDs are used to develop a ratiometric fluorescence sensor for the sensitive analysis of Al3+ with a detection limit of 113.8 nM. A fluorescence emission peak at 500 nm gradually appears, whereas the original fluorescence peak at 420 nm gradually decreases upon the increase in the Al3+ concentration. More importantly, the obvious color change of the CDs probe from blue to green under a 360 nm UV lamp can be identified by a smartphone and combined with the RGB (red/green/blue) analysis. This results in a visual and sensitive analysis of Al3+ with a detection limit of 5.55 μM. Moreover, the high recovery is in the 92.46–104.10% range, which demonstrates the high accuracy of this method for actual samples’ analysis. The use of a smartphone and the RGB analysis greatly simplifies the operation process, saves equipment cost, shortens the detection time, and provides a novel method for the instant, on-site, visual detection of Al3+ in actual samples.

Natural Antioxidants Improve the Vulnerability of Cardiomyocytes and Vascular Endothelial Cells under Stress Conditions: A Focus on Mitochondrial Quality Control

Cardiovascular disease has become one of the main causes of human death. In addition, many cardiovascular diseases are accompanied by a series of irreversible damages that lead to organ and vascular complications. In recent years, the potential therapeutic strategy of natural antioxidants in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases through mitochondrial quality control has received extensive attention. Mitochondria are the main site of energy metabolism in eukaryotic cells, including myocardial and vascular endothelial cells. Mitochondrial quality control processes ensure normal activities of mitochondria and cells by maintaining stable mitochondrial quantity and quality, thus protecting myocardial and endothelial cells against stress. Various stresses can affect mitochondrial morphology and function. Natural antioxidants extracted from plants and natural medicines are becoming increasingly common in the clinical treatment of diseases, especially in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Natural antioxidants can effectively protect myocardial and endothelial cells from stress-induced injury by regulating mitochondrial quality control, and their safety and effectiveness have been preliminarily verified. This review summarises the damage mechanisms of various stresses in cardiomyocytes and vascular endothelial cells and the mechanisms of natural antioxidants in improving the vulnerability of these cell types to stress by regulating mitochondrial quality control. This review is aimed at paving the way for novel treatments for cardiovascular diseases and the development of natural antioxidant drugs.

Targeting Neurological Manifestations of Coronaviruses by Candidate Phytochemicals: A Mechanistic Approach

The novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has made a wide range of manifestations. In this regard, growing evidence is focusing on COVID-19 neurological associations; however, there is a lack of established pathophysiological mechanisms and related treatments. Accordingly, a comprehensive review was conducted, using electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane, along with the author's expertize in COVID-19 associated neuronal signaling pathways. Besides, potential phytochemicals have been provided against neurological signs of COVID-19. Considering a high homology among SARS-CoV, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and SARS-CoV-2, revealing their precise pathophysiological mechanisms seems to pave the road for the treatment of COVID-19 neural manifestations. There is a complex pathophysiological mechanism behind central manifestations of COVID-19, including pain, hypo/anosmia, delirium, impaired consciousness, pyramidal signs, and ischemic stroke. Among those dysregulated neuronal mechanisms, neuroinflammation, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)/spike proteins, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and protease are of special attention. So, employing multi-target therapeutic agents with considerable safety and efficacy seems to show a bright future in fighting COVID-19 neurological manifestations. Nowadays, natural secondary metabolites are highlighted as potential multi-target phytochemicals in combating several complications of COVID-19. In this review, central pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic targets of SARS-CoV-2 has been provided. Besides, in terms of pharmacological mechanisms, phytochemicals have been introduced as potential multi-target agents in combating COVID-19 central nervous system complications.

Naringin inhibits the biofilms of metallo-β-lactamases (MβLs) producing Pseudomonas species isolated from camel meat

Food producing animals harbouring bacteria carrying drug resistance genes especially the metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) pose high risk for the human population. In addition, formation of biofilm by these drug resistant pathogens represents major threat to food safety and public health. In this study, metallo-β-lactamases (MβLs) producing Pseudomonas spp. from camel meat were isolated and assessed for their biofilm formation. Further, in vitro and in silico studies were performed to study the effect of flavone naringin on biofilm formation against isolated Pseudomonas spp. A total of 55% isolates were found to produce metallo-β-lactamase enzyme. Naringin mitigated biofilm formation of Pseudomonas isolates up to 57%. Disturbed biofilm architecture and reduced the colonization of bacteria on glass was observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). The biofilm related traits such as exopolysaccharides (EPS) and alginate production was also reduced remarkably in the presence of naringin. Eradication of preformed biofilms (32–60%) was also observed at the respective 0.50 × MICs. Molecular docking revealed that naringin showed strong affinity towards docked proteins with binding energy ranging from −8.6 to −8.8 kcal mol⁻¹. Presence of metallo-β-lactamase producers indicates that camel meat could be possible reservoir of drug-resistant Pseudomonas species of clinical importance. Naringin was successful in inhibiting biofilm formation as well as eradicating the preformed biofilms and demonstrated strong binding affinity towards biofilm associated protein. Thus, it is envisaged that naringin could be exploited as food preservative especially against the biofilm forming food-borne Pseudomonas species and is a promising prospect for the treatment of biofilm based infections.

In silico evaluation of flavonoids as effective antiviral agents on the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2

The novel coronavirus pandemic has spread over in 213 countries as of July 2020. Approximately 12 million people have been infected so far according to the reports from World Health Organization (WHO). Preventive measures are being taken globally to avoid the rapid spread of virus. In the current study, an in silico approach is carried out as a means of inhibiting the spike protein of the novel coronavirus by flavonoids from natural sources that possess both antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. The methodology is focused on molecular docking of 10 flavonoid compounds that are docked with the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, to determine the highest binding affinity at the binding site. Molecular dynamics simulation was carried out with the flavonoid-protein complex showing the highest binding affinity and highest interactions. The flavonoid naringin showed the least binding energy of -9.8 Kcal/mol with the spike protein which was compared with the standard drug, dexamethasone which is being repurposed to treat critically ill patients. MD simulation was carried out on naringin-spike protein complex for their conformational stability in the active site of the novel coronavirus spike protein. The RMSD of the complex appeared to be more stable when compared to that of the protein from 0.2 nm to 0.4 nm. With the aid of this in silico approach further in vitro studies can be carried out on these flavonoids against the novel coronavirus as a means of viral protein inhibitors.

Bioactive Herbal Extracts of Traditional Chinese Medicine Applied with the Biomaterials: For the Current Applications and Advances in the Musculoskeletal System

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated superior therapeutic effect for musculoskeletal diseases for thousands of years. Recently, the herbal extracts of TCM have received rapid advances in musculoskeletal tissue engineering (MTE). A literature review collecting both English and Chinese references on bioactive herbal extracts of TCM in biomaterial-based approaches was performed. This review provides an up-to-date overview of application of TCMs in the field of MTE, involving regulation of multiple signaling pathways in osteogenesis, angiogenesis, anti-inflammation, and chondrogenesis. Meanwhile, we highlight the potential advantages of TCM, opening the possibility of its extensive application in MTE. Overall, the superiority of traditional Chinese medicine turns it into an attractive candidate for coupling with advanced additive manufacturing technology.

Tamarix articulata Extracts Exhibit Antioxidant Activity and Offer Protection against Hydrogen Peroxide-Mediated Toxicity to Human Skin Fibroblasts

Tamarix articulata (TA) is a wild halophytic plant growing in extremely harsh environmental conditions in the deserts of Saudi Arabia. Evaluating the protective effect of the methanolic extract of different parts (fresh and dry leaves, stem, and root) of TA was determined by MTT assay using Hs27 skin fibroblasts as the cellular model. The study was designed and conducted in two sets. The first set assesses the toxicity profile of TA extracts in both concentration- and time-dependent ways on Hs27 cells. Our MTT results showed that methanolic extracts from all four parts of TA at varying doses (27.5, 55, 110, and 220 μg/mL) display negligible toxicity when exposed for 4 h. However, exposure of Hs27 cells to varying doses of all four TA extracts for 24 and 48 h promotes significant 23%, 24%, 26%, and 25% (p < 0.05) and 35%, 36%, 39%, and 41% (p < 0.05) cell toxicity at 220 μg/mL of all four TA extracts compared to untreated control cells. To evaluate the protection offered by TA extracts against H₂O₂, we perform a second set of experiments to preincubate Hs27 cells with the TA extracts in both dose- and time-dependent way. This is followed by 300 μM hydrogen peroxide- (H₂O₂-) mediated oxidative insult for 1 h. Using MTT assay, we found that methanolic extracts of TA at different time points (4, 24, and 48 h) and higher doses (220 μg/mL) provide significant protection in cell viability when challenged with H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in Hs27 cells. The protective effect was more pronounced at 48 h and 220 μg/mL and the amounts were 39%, 41%, 41%, and 44% for stem, root, fresh leaf, and dry leaf TA extracts (p < 0.05), respectively, compared to untreated cells (2–4%). Collectively, the current study demonstrates that methanolic extracts of TA contain potential bioactive compounds and offer significant protection against H₂O₂-mediated oxidative stress in Hs27 skin fibroblasts.

In Vitro and In Vivo Inhibitory Effect of Citrus Junos Tanaka Peel Extract against Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptotic Death of Lung Cells

Various stresses derived from both internal and external oxidative environments lead to the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causing progressive intracellular oxidative damage and ultimately cell death. The objective of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of Citrus junos Tanaka peel extract (CE) against oxidative-stress induced the apoptosis of lung cells and the associated mechanisms of action using in vitro and in vivo models. The protective effect of CE was evaluated in vitro in NCI-H460 human lung cells exposed to pro-oxidant H2O2. The preventive effect of CE (200 mg/kg/day, 10 days) against pulmonary injuries following acrolein inhalation (10 ppm for 12 h) was investigated using an in vivo mouse model. Herein, we demonstrated the inhibitory effect of CE against the oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of lung cells under a highly oxidative environment. The function of CE is linked with its ability to suppress ROS-dependent, p53-mediated apoptotic signaling. Furthermore, we evaluated the protective role of CE against apoptotic pulmonary injuries associated with the inhalation of acrolein, a ubiquitous and highly oxidizing environmental respiratory pollutant, through the attenuation of oxidative stress. The results indicated that CE exhibits a protective effect against the oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of lung cells in both in vitro and in vivo models.

Naringin attenuates renal interstitial fibrosis by regulating the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and inflammation

Interstitial fibrosis is a typical feature of all progressive renal diseases. The process of fibrosis is frequently coupled with the presence of pro-fibrotic factors and inflammation. Naringin is a dihydroflavone compound that has been previously reported to exhibit anti-fibrotic effects in the liver, where it prevents oxidative damage. In the present study, a rat model of renal interstitial fibrosis and fibrosis cell model were established to evaluate the effects of naringin on inflammatory proteins and fibrosis markers in kidney of rats and NRK-52E cells, and to elucidate the role of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in this mechanism. Compared with those in fibrotic NRK-52E cells that were stimulated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), gene expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen 1 (COL1A1), collagen 3 (COL3A1), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were all found to be significantly decreased in fibrotic NRK-52E cells following treatment with naringin (50, 100 and 200 ng/ml). Results from the histopathological studies showed that naringin treatment preserved the renal tissue structure and reduced the degree of fibrosis in the kidney tissues of rats that underwent unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). In addition, naringin administration reduced the expression of α-SMA, COL1A1, COL3A1, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the kidneys of rats following UUO. The current study, using western blot analysis, indicated that naringin also downregulated the activation of Smad2/3 and the expression of Smad4, high-mobility group protein B1, activator protein-1, NF-κB and cyclooxygenase-2 whilst upregulating the expression of Smad7 in fibrotic NRK-52E cells and rats in the UUO group. In conclusion, naringin could antagonize renal interstitial fibrosis by regulating the TGF-β/Smad pathway and the expression of inflammatory factors.

A Review of the Role of Flavonoids in Peptic Ulcer (2010-2020)

Peptic ulcers are characterized by erosions on the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract that may reach the muscle layer. Their etiology is multifactorial and occurs when the balance between offensive and protective factors of the mucosa is disturbed. Peptic ulcers represent a global health problem, affecting millions of people worldwide and showing high rates of recurrence. Helicobacter pylori infection and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most important predisposing factors for the development of peptic ulcers. Therefore, new approaches to complementary treatments are needed to prevent the development of ulcers and their recurrence. Natural products such as medicinal plants and their isolated compounds have been widely used in experimental models of peptic ulcers. Flavonoids are among the molecules of greatest interest in biological assays due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The present study is a literature review of flavonoids that have been reported to show peptic ulcer activity in experimental models. Studies published from January 2010 to January 2020 were selected from reference databases. This review refers to a collection of flavonoids with antiulcer activity in vivo and in vitro models.

Outgoing and potential trends of composition, health benefits, juice production and waste management of the multi-faceted Grapefruit Citrus Χ paradisi: A comprehensive review for maximizing its value

Grapefruit (GF) Citrus Χ paradisi Macfad (F. Rutaceae) is one of the major citrus fruits that encompass a myriad of bioactive chemicals and most unique among citrus fruits. Nevertheless, no study has yet to assess comprehensively its multitudinous constituents, health benefits, and valuable waste products. Hereto, the present review provides an updated comprehensive review on the different aspects of GF, its juice production, waste valorization, enhancement of its byproducts quality, and compared to other citrus fruits. Grapefruit uniqueness among other citrus fruits stands from its unique taste, flavor, and underlying complex chemical composition. Despite limonene abundance in peel oil and grapefruit juice (GFJ) aroma, nootkatone and sulfur compounds are the key determinants of its flavor, whereas flavanones contribute to its bitter taste and in conjunction with limonoids. Different postharvest treatments and juice processing are reviewed and in context to its influence on final product quality and or biological effects. Flavanones, furanocoumarins, and limonoids appear as the most prominent in GF drug interactions affecting its metabolism and or excretion. Valorization of GF peel is overviewed for its utilization as biosrobent, its oil in aromatherapy, limonene as antimicrobial or in cosmetics, fruit pectin for bioethanol production, or as biosorbent, and peel phenolics biotransformation. The present review capitalizes on all of the aforementioned aspects in GF and further explore novel aspects of its juice quality presenting the full potential of this valued multi-faceted citrus fruit.

Discovery and Development of Inflammatory Inhibitors from 2-Phenylchromonone (Flavone) Scaffolds

Flavonoids are compounds based on a 2-phenylchromonone scaffold. Flavonoids can be divided into flavonoids, flavonols, dihydroflavones, anthocyanins, chalcones and diflavones according to the oxidation degree of the central tricarbonyl chain, the connection position of B-ring (2-or 3-position), and whether the tricarbonyl chain forms a ring or not. There are a variety of biological activities about flavonoids, such as anti-inflammatory activity, anti-oxidation and anti-tumor activity, and the antiinflammatory activity is apparent. This paper reviews the anti-inflammatory activities and mechanisms of flavonoids and their derivatives reported in China and abroad from 2011 till date (2011-2020), in order to find a good drug scaffold for the study of anti-inflammatory activities.

Citrus Flavonoids as Promising Phytochemicals Targeting Diabetes and Related Complications: A Systematic Review of In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

The consumption of plant-based food is important for health promotion, especially concerning the prevention and management of chronic diseases. Flavonoids are the main bioactive compounds in citrus fruits, with multiple beneficial effects, especially antidiabetic effects. We systematically review the potential antidiabetic action and molecular mechanisms of citrus flavonoids based on in vitro and in vivo studies. A search of the PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection databases for articles published since 2010 was carried out using the keywords citrus, flavonoid, and diabetes. All articles identified were analyzed, and data were extracted using a standardized form. The search identified 38 articles, which reported that 19 citrus flavonoids, including 8-prenylnaringenin, cosmosiin, didymin, diosmin, hesperetin, hesperidin, isosiennsetin, naringenin, naringin, neohesperidin, nobiletin, poncirin, quercetin, rhoifolin, rutin, sineesytin, sudachitin, tangeretin, and xanthohumol, have antidiabetic potential. These flavonoids regulated biomarkers of glycemic control, lipid profiles, renal function, hepatic enzymes, and antioxidant enzymes, and modulated signaling pathways related to glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity that are involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes and its related complications. Citrus flavonoids, therefore, are promising antidiabetic candidates, while their antidiabetic effects remain to be verified in forthcoming human studies.

Osteoblast-derived lipocalin-2 regulated by miRNA-96-5p/Foxo1 advances the progression of Alzheimer's disease

Aim: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most frequent cause of dementia and characterized by the accumulation of β-amyloid peptides in plaques and vessel walls. This study proposed a hypothesis of an inhibitory role of miR-96-5p in AD via regulating Foxo1. Methods & methods: AD mouse models were established by injecting with 1% pentobarbital. Results: Knockdown of miR-96-5p in the presence of naringin was shown to reduce the expression of Foxo1 and contents of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, yet increase lipocalin-2 expression as well as hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde contents. Also, Foxo1-mediated lipocalin-2 inhibition attenuated AD. Conclusion: Our study shows downregulating miR-96-5p limited AD progression, highlighting miR-96-5p a potential therapeutic target in treating AD.

Naringin and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells repair articular cartilage defects in rabbit knees through the transforming growth factor-β superfamily signaling pathway

The present study aimed to assess the effect of a combination of naringin and rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on the repair of cartilage defects in rabbit knee joints and to assess possible involvement of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway in this process. After establishing an articular cartilage defect model in rabbit knees, 20 New Zealand rabbits were divided into a sham operation group (Sham), a model group (Mod), a naringin treatment group (Nar), a BMSC group (BMSCs) and a naringin + BMSC group (Nar/BMSCs). At 12 weeks after treatment, the cartilage was evaluated using the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS)'s macroscopic evaluation of cartilage repair scale, the ICRS's visual histological assessment scale, the Modified O'Driscoll grading system, histological staining (hematoxylin and eosin staining, toluidine blue staining and safranin O staining) and immunohistochemical staining (type-II collagen, TGF-β3 and SOX-9 immunostaining). Using the above grading systems to quantify the extent of repair, histological quantification and macro quantification of joint tissue repair showed that the Nar/BMSCs group displayed repair after treatment in comparison to the untreated Mod group. Among the injury model groups (Mod, Nar, BMSCs and Nar/BMSCs), the Nar/BMSCs group displayed the highest degree of morphological repair. The results of histological and immunohistochemical staining of the repaired region of the joint defect indicated that the BMSCs had a satisfactory effect on the repair of the joint structure but had a poor effect on the repair of cartilage quality. The Nar/BMSCs group displayed satisfactory therapeutic effects on both repair of the joint structure and cartilage quality. The expression level of type-II collagen was high in the Nar/BMSCs group. Additionally, staining of TGF-β3 and SOX-9 in the Nar/BMSCs group was the strongest compared with that of any other group in the present study. Naringin and/BMSCs together demonstrated a more efficient repair effect on articular cartilage defects in rabbit knees than the use of either treatment alone in terms of joint structure and cartilage quality. One potential mechanism of naringin action may be through activation and continuous regulation of the TGF-β superfamily signaling pathway, which can promote BMSCs to differentiate into chondrocytes.

A Dihydroflavonoid Naringin Extends the Lifespan of C. elegans and Delays the Progression of Aging-Related Diseases in PD/AD Models via DAF-16

Naringin is a dihydroflavonoid, which is rich in several plant species used for herbal medicine. It has a wide range of biological activities, including antineoplastic, anti-inflammatory, antiphotoaging, and antioxidative activities. So it would be interesting to know if naringin has an effect on aging and aging-related diseases. We examined the effect of naringin on the aging of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Our results showed that naringin could extend the lifespan of C. elegans. Moreover, naringin could also increase the thermal and oxidative stress tolerance, reduce the accumulation of lipofuscin, and delay the progress of aging-related diseases in C. elegans models of AD and PD. Naringin could not significantly extend the lifespan of long-lived mutants from genes in insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) and nutrient-sensing pathways, such as daf-2, akt-2, akt-1, eat-2, sir-2.1, and rsks-1. Naringin treatment prolonged the lifespan of long-lived glp-1 mutants, which have decreased reproductive stem cells. Naringin could not extend the lifespan of a null mutant of the fox-head transcription factor DAF-16. Moreover, naringin could increase the mRNA expression of genes regulated by daf-16 and itself. In conclusion, we show that a natural product naringin could extend the lifespan of C. elegans and delay the progression of aging-related diseases in C. elegans models via DAF-16.

Naringin Targets NFKB1 to Alleviate Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation/Reoxygenation-Induced Injury in PC12 Cells Via Modulating HIF-1α/AKT/mTOR-Signaling Pathway

This study was designed to investigate the effect of naringin in oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model and its mechanism. The target gene of naringin and the enriched pathways of the gene were searched and identified using bioinformatics analysis. Then OGD/R model was built using PC12 cells, after which the cells were treated with different concentrations of naringin. Subsequently, cell proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Meanwhile, the expression of NFKB1 in PC12 cells underwent OGD/R-induced injury was detected by qRT-PCR, while apoptosis-related and pathway-related proteins were checked by Western blot. DCF-DA kit was utilized to measure the level of ROS. Our results revealed that NFKB1, which was upregulated in MACO rats and OGD/R-treated PC12 cells, was a target gene of naringin. Naringin could alleviate OGD/R-induced injury via promoting the proliferation, and repressing the apoptosis of PC12 cells through regulating the expression of NFKB1 and apoptosis-associated proteins and ROS level. Besides, the depletion of NFKB1 was positive to cell proliferation but negative to cell apoptosis. Moreover, the depletion of NFKB1 enhanced the influences of naringin on cell proliferation and apoptosis as well as the expression of apoptosis-related proteins and ROS level. Western blotting indicated that both naringin treatment and depletion of NFKB1 could increase the expression of HIF-1α, p-AKT, and p-mTOR compared with OGD/R group. What's more, treatment by naringin and si-NFKB1 together could significantly increase these effects. Nevertheless, the expression of AKT and mTOR among each group was almost not changed. In conclusion, naringin could prevent the OGD/R-induced injury in PC12 cells in vitro by targeting NFKB1 and regulating HIF-1α/AKT/mTOR-signaling pathway, which might provide novel ideas for the therapy of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Naringin reduces body weight, plasma lipids and increases adiponectin levels in patients with dyslipidemia

Abstract. Naringin is a citrus-flavonoid which has been shown to have positive metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects. For this reason, we believe it would be interesting to study the effects of Naringin administration on body weight, BMI, lipid profile and adiponectin levels in patients with dyslipidemia, especially considering that dyslipidemias along with obesity and subsequent cardiometabolic complications are some of the most important public health issues plaguing our society today. A double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted in a group of 28 adult patients previously diagnosed with dyslipidemia who attended the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Therapeutics. Patients were divided into two groups; the first group (n = 14) received 450 mg of naringin every 24 hours, in the mornings, while the second group (n = 14) was given a homologated placebo over the course of a 90-day period. Significant differences were observed in naringin group compared to the placebo group in terms of decreased BMI (30.6 ± 3.19 vs 33.3 ± 3.23 kg/m2; p = 0.03), total cholesterol (182 ± 20.2 vs 245 ± 24.1 mg/dl; p < 0.01), LDL cholesterol (100 ± 17.5 vs 125 ± 38.3 mg/dl; p = 0.03) and an increase in adiponectin levels (0.82 ± 0.25 vs 0.59 ± 0.19 μg/ml; p = 0.01). Our results support the use of Naringin as a potential therapeutic agent which could play an important role in the management of metabolic disorders.

Citrus Peel Flavonoids as Potential Cancer Prevention Agents

Citrus fruit and in particular flavonoid compounds from citrus peel have been identified as agents with utility in the treatment of cancer. This review provides a background and overview regarding the compounds found within citrus peel with putative anticancer potential as well as the associated in vitro and in vivo studies. Historical studies have identified a number of cellular processes that can be modulated by citrus peel flavonoids including cell proliferation, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, metastasis, and angiogenesis. More recently, molecular studies have started to elucidate the underlying cell signaling pathways that are responsible for the flavonoids' mechanism of action. These growing data support further research into the chemopreventative potential of citrus peel extracts, and purified flavonoids in particular. This critical review highlights new research in the field and synthesizes the pathways modulated by flavonoids and other polyphenolic compounds into a generalized schema.

Naringin inhibits colorectal cancer cell growth by repressing the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

In recent years, the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) has increased and research into new treatment methods for CRC has become a hot topic. Naringin has an inhibitory effect on the PI3k/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in various tumor cell types and the effect of naringin is closely related to the occurrence and proliferation of tumor cells. The aim of this present study was to investigate whether naringin could inhibit the proliferation of CRC cells by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. This could provide a more mechanism-based treatment for CRC. MTT assays were used to detect the proliferation of CRC cells treated with various concentrations of naringin. The degree of apoptosis and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax) in CRC cells stimulated by naringin was detected using flow cytometry and western blot assays, respectively. The expression levels of PI3K/AKT/mTOR-related proteins [PI3K, AKT, mTOR, phosphorylated (p)-PI3K, p-AKT and p-mTOR] after naringin stimulation in CRC cells were detected using western blot assays. Naringin inhibited the proliferation of CRC cells in a dose-dependent manner. Naringin promoted the apoptosis of CRC cells and inhibited the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in a dose-dependent manner. The results demonstrated that naringin may be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of CRC, which may inhibit the proliferation of CRC cells and induce apoptosis by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

In Vitro Antibacterial and Antiproliferative Potential of Echinops lanceolatus Mattf. (Asteraceae) and Identification of Potential Bioactive Compounds

Many species belonging to the genus Echinops are widely used in traditional medicine to treat infectious diseases and cancers. The present study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and antiproliferative properties of Echinops lanceolatus Mattf. (Asteraceae). The activity of the methanolic extract and subsequent partition fractions was investigated against drug-resistant bacteria (Gram-negative and Gram-positive) and human tumor cell lines using broth microdilution and sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, respectively. Our findings revealed weak to moderate antibacterial activities of tested extracts, with the recorded minimal inhibitory concentrations ranging from 256 to 1024 µg/mL. The ethyl acetate fraction (EL-EA) was found to be the most effective. Likewise, that fraction displayed strong antiproliferative potential with recorded IC50 of 8.27 µg/mL and 28.27 µg/mL on A549 and HeLa cells, respectively. An analysis based on the ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) of the EL-EA fraction allowed the identification of 32 compounds, of which quinic acid and derivatives, cinnamic acid derivatives, dihydrokaempferol, naringenin-7-O-glucoside, apigenin-7-O-d-glucoside, naringin, apigenin, rhoifolin, coniferyl aldehyde, and secoisolariciresinol are well-known compounds of biological importance. This study is first to report on the biological activity and phytochemical profile of E. lanceolatus. We provide a baseline to consider E. lanceolatus as a valuable source of anti-infective and antiproliferative agents.

Naringin sensitizes the antibiofilm effect of ciprofloxacin and tetracycline against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm

The study aims to explore the combinatorial effect of naringin with antibiotics, ciprofloxacin and tetracycline on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. The antibiofilm efficacy of selected treatment regimes against P. aeruginosa biofilm were quantified by crystal violet assay, MTT assay, Congo red binding assay, and were visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. All the assays reflected antibiofilm activities, however, combinatorial performances of naringin with antibiotics were found to be more significant. A significant reduction in swimming and swarming motilities along with pellicle formation and altered colony morphology were observed as a result of combinatorial effect. The cytotoxicity of naringin and its antibiotic combinations was assayed on murine macrophage cell line. The applicability of such combinations was tested for their relative eradication against pre-formed biofilm on urinary catheter surface. This finding indicated that naringin potentiates the efficacy of both ciprofloxacin and tetracycline on P. aeruginosa biofilm in comparison to their solo treatment. The finding would help to open hitherto unexplored possibilities of establishing naringin as a potential antibiofilm agent and suggest on the possibility of its use in drug-herb combinations for managing biofilm-associated bacterial infections.

Fruits

Fruits come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and flavors. This chapter will cover selected fruits that are known to be healthy and highly nutritious. These fruits were chosen due to their common usage and availability. Since it is not possible to cover all health benefits or essential nutrients and important phytochemicals of the fruit composition, this chapter will focus on the key valuable constituents and their potential health effects.

Naringin Protects Against Interleukin 1β (IL-1β)-Induced Human Nucleus Pulposus Cells Degeneration via Downregulation Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-κB) Pathway and p53 Expression

Background

Low back pain (LBP) is regarded as a frequent disease that causes disability. We aimed to explore the effect of naringin on intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) in IL-1β-induced human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and its corresponding molecular mechanisms.

Material/Methods

Human NP cells were identified by toluidine blue and Safranin O staining. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. The expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-3, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4, ADAMTS-5, collagen II, aggrecan), inflammatory genes (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-6), kappa B kinase α (IκBα), p65 and p53 were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blotting. Immunofluorescence study was performed to detect the position and expression of p65 protein in IL-1β-induced human NP cells.

Results

Human NP cells were successfully separated from intervertebral disc tissue. We found that naringin could significantly reduce the expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-3, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4, and ADAMTS-5) and inflammatory genes in IL-1β-stimulated human NP cells, while collagen II and aggrecan were increased at mRNA and protein level. Immunofluorescence showed that naringin pretreatment decreased the p65 protein expression in the nucleus and suppressed the phosphorylation of IκBα and p65.

Conclusions

These results demonstrated that naringin could attenuate matrix metalloproteinase catabolism and inflammation in IL-1β-treated human nucleus pulposus cells via downregulating NF-κB pathway and p53 expression, suggesting that naringin has the potential to prevent and treat IDD.

Naringin targets Zeb1 to suppress osteosarcoma cell proliferation and metastasis

Naringin, a citrus bioflavonoid, has anti-inflammatory actions and cardio- and neuroprotective effects. In addition, naringin exhibits multiple antitumor actions in several cancer types, including osteosarcoma, the most common type of bone cancer. Here, we show that naringin inhibits proliferation and invasion and induces apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells by inhibiting zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (Zeb1), a transcriptional repressor of epithelial differentiation involved in tumor metastasis. Our expression analyses confirm that Zeb1 is highly expressed in osteosarcoma specimens and cell lines. The effects of naringin, which included downregulation of Cyclin D1, MMP2, and bcl-2, where reproduced by siRNA-mediated Zeb1 silencing, whereas Zeb1 overexpression increased proliferation, migration, and Cyclin D1, MMP2, and bcl-2 levels. In addition, naringin administration reduced tumor nodule formation and attenuated the expression of the above proteins in the livers of mice injected with MG63 osteosarcoma cells. Our study provides preclinical evidence for the potential therapeutic application of naringin in the treatment of osteosarcoma.

Citrus aurantium Ameliorates Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity

We aimed to study the effects of Citrus aurantium (C. aurantium) on renal functions in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The study involved male Wistar rats weighing 250–300 g that were fed and kept under standard conditions. Rats were randomly divided into control, cisplatin administered, C. aurantium 200 mg/kg, and C. aurantium 400 mg/kg groups. Cisplatin was administered at 5 mg/kg i.p. once at the start of study to induce nephrotoxicity. Blood and urine samples were obtained at alternative days for analysis. The body weight and urine output were monitored at regular intervals. Plasma and urinary sodium, potassium, and creatinine levels were measured at the end of study duration. Absolute excretion of sodium and potassium; sodium to potassium ratio; kidney weights; fractional excretion of sodium and potassium; and absolute creatinine clearance were determined to analyze the effects of C. aurantium. Histopathological changes of kidney tissues were studied to determine relevant effects. The results indicate that cisplatin lowered the total body weights while raising the urinary output and kidney weights, reversed by C. aurantium both dose and time dependently. Similarly, C. aurantium markedly normalized plasma, urinary sodium, potassium, and creatinine levels. Cisplatin-induced absolute sodium clearance, absolute potassium clearance, absolute creatinine clearance, sodium to potassium ratio, and fractional excretion of sodium and potassium were significantly reversed by C. aurantium. Histopathological analysis showed notable improvement in C. aurantium administered groups as compared to cisplatin-induced group. Study suggests that C. aurantium possesses excellent nephroprotective effects against cisplatin-induced toxicity.

In vitro and in silico anti-dengue activity of compounds obtained from Psidium guajava through bioprospecting

BACKGROUND

For decades, bioprospecting has proven to be useful for the identification of compounds with pharmacological potential. Considering the great diversity of Colombian plants and the serious worldwide public health problem of dengue-a disease caused by the dengue virus (DENV)-in the present study, we evaluated the anti-DENV effects of 12 ethanolic extracts derived from plants collected in the Colombian Caribbean coast, and 5 fractions and 5 compounds derived from Psidium guajava.

METHODS

The cytotoxicity and antiviral effect of 12 ethanolic extracts derived from plants collected in the Colombian Caribbean coast was evaluated in epithelial VERO cells. Five fractions were obtained by open column chromatography from the ethanolic extract with the highest selectivity index (SI) (derived from P. guajava, SI: 128.2). From the fraction with the highest selectivity (Pg-YP-I-22C, SI: 35.5), five compounds were identified by one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The antiviral effect in vitro of the fractions and compounds was evaluated by different experimental strategies (Pre- and post-treatment) using non-toxic concentrations calculated by MTT method. The DENV inhibition was evaluated by plate focus assay. The results were analyzed by means of statistical analysis using Student's t-test. Finally the antiviral effect in Silico was evaluated by molecular docking.

RESULTS

In vitro evaluation of these compounds showed that three of them (gallic acid, quercetin, and catechin) were promising antivirals as they inhibit the production of infectious viral particles via different experimental strategies, with the best antiviral being catechin (100% inhibition with a pre-treatment strategy and 91.8% with a post-treatment strategy). When testing the interactions of these compounds with the viral envelope protein in silico by docking, only naringin and hesperidin had better scores than the theoretical threshold of - 7.0 kcal/mol (- 8.0 kcal/mol and - 8.2 kcal/mol, respectively). All ligands tested except gallic acid showed higher affinity to the NS5 protein than the theoretical threshold.

CONCLUSION

Even though bioprospecting has recently been replaced by more targeted tools for identifying compounds with pharmacological potential, our results show it is still useful for this purpose. Additionally, combining in vitro and in silico evaluations allowed us to identify promising antivirals as well as their possible mechanisms of action.

Sciatic nerve regeneration by using collagen type I hydrogel containing naringin

In the present study, collagen hydrogel containing naringin was fabricated, characterized and used as the scaffold for peripheral nerve damage treatment. The collagen was dissolved in acetic acid, naringin added to the collagen solution, and cross-linked with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide powder (EDC; 0.10 mM) to form the hydrogel. The microstructure, swelling behavior, biodegradation, and cyto/hemocompatibility of the fabricated hydrogels were assessed. Finally, the healing efficacy of the prepared collagen hydrogel loaded with naringin on the sciatic nerve crush injury was assessed in the animal model. The characterization results showed that the fabricated hydrogels have a porous structure containing interconnected pores with the average pore size of 90 µm. The degradation results demonstrated that about 70% of the primary weight of the naringin loaded hydrogel had been lost after 4 weeks of storage in PBS. The in vitro study showed that the proliferation of Schwann cells on the collagen/naringin hydrogel was higher than the control group (tissue culture plate) at both 48 and 72 h after cell seeding and even significantly higher than pure collagen 72 h after cell seeding (*p < 0.005, **p < 0.001). The animal study implied that the sciatic functional index reached to -22.13 ± 3.00 at the end of 60th days post-implantation which was statistically significant (p < 0.05) compared with the negative control (injury without the treatment) (-82.60 ± 1.06), and the pure collagen hydrogel (-59.80 ± 3.20) groups. The hot plate latency test, the compound muscle action potential, and wet weight-loss of the gastrocnemius muscle evaluation confirmed the positive effect of the prepared hydrogels on the healing process of the induced nerve injury. In the final, the histopathologic examinations depicted that the collagen/naringin hydrogel group reduced all the histological changes induced from the nerve injury and showed more resemblance to the normal sciatic nerve, with well-arranged fibers and intact myelin sheath. The overall results implied that the prepared collagen/naringin hydrogel can be utilized as a sophisticated alternative to healing peripheral nerve damages.

Naringin mitigates myocardial strain and the inflammatory response in sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction through regulation of PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway

Sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SIMD) is a manifestation of severe sepsis and is the main cause of increased mortality in sepsis patients. Naringin (Nar) has been reported to possess various biological activities and pharmacological properties. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate whether Nar can protect rats from the effects of LPS-induced SIMD. SD Rats were pre-treated with Nar (50 and 100 mg/kg) for 7 days before administration of a single dose of LPS (10 mg/kg, i.p.) on the seventh day. We found that Nar treatment markedly improved the global strain and strain rate of longitudinal, circumference, and radial direction (GLS/GLSr, GCS/GCSr, GRS/GRSr) compared to the LPS group. The layer-specific strain decreased gradually from the endocardial layer to epicardial layer, and the most serious damage occurred in the endocardial layer. Moreover, Nar significantly decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and myocardial enzymes (CK, LDH, and AST) induced by LPS and attenuated the inflammation response. Finally, Nar also inhibited NF-κB nuclear translocation and the activity of iNOS in H9c2 cardiomyocytes by activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. These results suggest that naringin may possess novel therapeutic potential for protection against LPS-induced myocardial dysfunction.

Electrosprayed naringin-loaded microsphere/SAIB hybrid depots enhance bone formation in a mouse calvarial defect model

The burst release of active osteogenic factors, which is not beneficial to osteogenesis, is commonly encountered in bone tissue engineering. The aims of this study were to prepare naringin-loaded microsphere/sucrose acetate isobutyrate (Ng-m-SAIB) hybrid depots, reduce the burst release of naringin (Ng), and improve osteogenesis. The morphology and size distributions of electrosprayed Ng-microspheres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Ng-microspheres and Ng-m-SAIB depots were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and in vitro release studies. In vitro osteoblast-microsphere interactions and in vivo osteogenesis were assessed after implantation of Ng-m-SAIB depots. The addition of sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB) to monodisperse Ng-microspheres did not cause a change in the chemical structure. The performances of the microspheres in osteoblast-microsphere interactions were better when the naringin content was 4% than when it was at 2% and 6%. On the first day following the loading of Ng-microspheres (2%, 4%, and 6%) into SAIB depots, the burst release was reduced dramatically from 70.9% to 6.3%, 73.1% to 7.2%, and 73.9% to 9.9%, respectively. In addition, after 8 weeks, the new bone formation rate in the calvarial defects of SD rats receiving Ng-m-SAIB was 53.1% compared to 21.2% for the control group and 16.1% for the microsphere-SAIB group. These results demonstrated that Ng-m-SAIB hybrid depots may have promise in bone regeneration applications.

Prediction of VEGF-C as a Key Target of Pure Total Flavonoids From Citrus Against NAFLD in Mice via Network Pharmacology

Pure total flavonoids from Citrus (PTFC) effectively reduce the symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our previous microarray analysis uncovered the alterations of important signaling pathways in the treatment of NAFLD with PTFC. However, the underlying core genes that might be targeted by PTFC, which play important roles in the progression of NALFD are yet to be identified. In this study, we predicted the vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) as potential key molecular target of PTFC against NAFLD via network pharmacology analysis. The network pharmacology approach presented here provided important clues for understanding the mechanisms of PTFC treatment in the development of NAFLD.

Potential anticancer applications of the novel naringin-based ruthenium (II) complex

Ruthenium seems to be a promising alternative to platinum because of the wide range of oxidation states it has and its ability to form complexes with bioactive ligands. In this study, naringin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, was used to synthesize a novel ruthenium complex with potential anticancer activity. The characterization of the synthesized complex was done by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR and NMR studies. In addition, the complex was tested against Human A549 cell lines to determine the anticancer effect, and against human dermal fibroblasts (HDFa) to find any underlying toxicity. Further, the morphological changes of the cancer cells can be determined by using bio-atomic force microscopy. Results showed that the synthesized complex was able to induce anticancer effects against A549 with minimal impact to HDFa. In this study, we investigated the anticancer properties of naringin-ruthenium (II) complex using live- and dead-cell staining assay, MTT, Trypan blue, and lactate dehydrogenase assay. Further, morphological changes were observed in the A549 cells using Bio-AFM. The Bio-AFM results have proven the better cytotoxic behavior of naringin-ruthenium (II) complex. The cell viability results also provided the anticancer efficacy of the complex.

Naringin protects against perfluorooctane sulfonate-induced liver injury by modulating NRF2 and NF-κB in mice

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a persistent organic pollutant, has been demonstrated to cause multiple toxicities. In this study, we explored the role of naringin (Nar) in alleviating PFOS-caused mouse liver injury and its potential mechanisms. Male mice were intragastrically administered PFOS (10 mg/kg/day) alone or with Nar (100 mg/kg/day) for 3 weeks. Nar supplementation led to resumption of elevated serum hepatic enzyme activities and increased relative liver weight in PFOS-challenged mice. Moreover, Nar treatment increased hepatic expression of transcription factor NRF2 protein and its regulated antioxidative enzyme genes heme oxygenase‑1, superoxide dismutase and catalase, with an inhibition of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide production. Furthermore, simultaneous administration of Nar suppressed PFOS-induced elevation in NF-κB activity and generation of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 in the liver. In addition, Nar enhanced anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression, decreased pro-apoptotic Bax expression and inhibited caspase‑3 activation in liver tissue in mice exposed to PFOS. Our results indicate that Nar protects against PFOS-induced hepatotoxicity in mice via modulating oxidative, inflammatory and apoptotic pathways.

Phytoconstituent based dry powder inhalers as biomedicine for the management of pulmonary diseases

Pulmonary disease represents a major global health issue. They are commonly treated by various synthetic molecules. But, frequent high-dose of oral and injectable drugs may lead to severe side effects and this juncture demands inhaled formulations that facilitate effective drug delivery to the lower airways with negligible side effects. Natural phytoconstituents or phytoalexin (i.e. plant antibiotics) have showed an unique treatment array with minimum side effects and great capability to treat intrapulmonary and extrapulmonary diseases compared to synthetic drugs. Moreover, the progress of disciplines such as nanotechnology, material science and particle engineering allows further improvement of the treatment capability and efficiency. This article review and analyze literatures on inhaled phytoconstituents which were published in the last 10 years. Additionally, it will also offer the researcher with some basic background information for phytoconstituents profile, formulation requirements and drug delivery systems.

Preparation, characterization and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of a solid dispersion of Naringin

Naringin (NA) is one of typical flavanone glycosides widely distributed in nature and possesses several biological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic. The aim of this study was to develop solid dispersion (SD) and to improve the dissolution rate and oral bioavailability of NA. NA-SD was prepared by the traditional preparation methods using PEG6000, F68, or PVP K30 as carrier at different drug to carrier ratios. According to the results of solubility and in vitro dissolution test, the NA-PEG6000 (1:3) SD was considered as an optimal formulation to characterize by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, oral bioavailabilities of NA-PEG6000 (1:3) SD and NA-suspension with the same dosage were investigated in SD rats. The results confirmed the formation of SD and the pharmacokinetic parameters of NA-PEG6000 (1:3) SD (C_max = 0.645 ± 0.262 µg/ml, AUC_0-t = 0.471 ± 0.084 µg/ml h) were higher than that of NA-suspension (C_max = 0.328 ± 0.183 µg/ml, AUC_0-t  = 0.361 ± 0.093 µg/ml h). Based on the results, the SD is considered as a promising approach to enhance the dissolution rate and oral bioavailability of NA.