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Hu Q, Hou S, Xiong B, Wen Y, Wang J, Zeng J, Ma X, Wang F. Therapeutic Effects of Baicalin on Diseases Related to Gut-Brain Axis Dysfunctions. Molecules 2023; 28:6501. [PMID: 37764277 PMCID: PMC10535911 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28186501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut-brain axis is an active area of research. Several representative diseases, including central nervous system disorders (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and depression), metabolic disorders (obesity-related diseases), and intestinal disorders (inflammatory bowel disease and dysbiosis), are associated with the dysfunctional gut-brain axis. Baicalin, a bioactive flavonoid extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis, is reported to exert various pharmacological effects. This narrative review summarizes the molecular mechanisms and potential targets of baicalin in disorders of the gut-brain axis. Baicalin protects the central nervous system through anti-neuroinflammatory and anti-neuronal apoptotic effects, suppresses obesity through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and alleviates intestinal disorders through regulatory effects on intestinal microorganisms and short-chain fatty acid production. The bioactivities of baicalin are mediated through the gut-brain axis. This review comprehensively summarizes the regulatory role of baicalin in gut-brain axis disorders, laying a foundation for future research, although further confirmatory basic research is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qichao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (Q.H.); (S.H.); (J.W.)
| | - Shuyu Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (Q.H.); (S.H.); (J.W.)
| | - Baoyi Xiong
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, China;
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
| | - Yueqiang Wen
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China;
| | - Jundong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (Q.H.); (S.H.); (J.W.)
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Jinhao Zeng
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, China;
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Xiao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (Q.H.); (S.H.); (J.W.)
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Medical Supplies Center of PLA General of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
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Li J, Wu Y, Dong S, Yu Y, Wu Y, Xiang B, Li Q. Research Progress on Neuroprotective Effects of Isoquinoline Alkaloids. Molecules 2023; 28:4797. [PMID: 37375352 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal injury and apoptosis are important causes of the occurrence and development of many neurodegenerative diseases, such as cerebral ischemia, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Although the detailed mechanism of some diseases is unknown, the loss of neurons in the brain is still the main pathological feature. By exerting the neuroprotective effects of drugs, it is of great significance to alleviate the symptoms and improve the prognosis of these diseases. Isoquinoline alkaloids are important active ingredients in many traditional Chinese medicines. These substances have a wide range of pharmacological effects and significant activity. Although some studies have suggested that isoquinoline alkaloids may have pharmacological activities for treating neurodegenerative diseases, there is currently a lack of a comprehensive summary regarding their mechanisms and characteristics in neuroprotection. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the active components found in isoquinoline alkaloids that have neuroprotective effects. It thoroughly explains the various mechanisms behind the neuroprotective effects of isoquinoline alkaloids and summarizes their common characteristics. This information can serve as a reference for further research on the neuroprotective effects of isoquinoline alkaloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Li
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310013, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310013, China
| | - Yarong Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310013, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310013, China
| | - Shuze Dong
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310013, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310013, China
| | - Ye Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310013, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310013, China
| | - Yuhao Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310013, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310013, China
| | - Benhan Xiang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310013, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310013, China
| | - Qin Li
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310013, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310013, China
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Sharawy N, Imam AAA, Aboulhoda BE, Khalifa MM, Morcos GNB, Abd Algaleel WA, Moustafa PE, Abdelbaset MA, Shoukry T. Iron dyshomeostasis and time-course changes in iron-uptake systems and ferritin level in relation to pro-inflammatory microglia polarization in sepsis-induced encephalopathy. Front Physiol 2022; 13:953206. [PMID: 36035473 PMCID: PMC9413069 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.953206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Encephalopathy is a frequent and lethal consequence of sepsis. Recently, a growing body of evidence has provided important insights into the role of iron dyshomeostasis in the context of inflammation. The molecular mechanisms underlying iron dyshomeostasis and its relationship with macrophage phenotypes are largely unknown. Here, we aimed to characterize the changes in iron-transporter and storage proteins and the microglia phenotype that occur during the course of sepsis, as well as their relationship with sepsis-induced encephalopathy. We used a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) murine model that closely resembles sepsis-induced encephalopathy. Rats were subjected to CLP or sham laparotomy, then were neurologically assessed at 6 h, 24 h, and 3 days after sepsis induction. The serum and brain were collected for subsequent biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical assessment. Here, an iron excess was observed at time points that followed the pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization in CLP-induced encephalopathy. Our results revealed that the upregulation of non-transferrin-bound iron uptake (NTBI) and ferritin reduction appeared to be partially responsible for the excess free iron detected within the brain tissues. We further demonstrated that the microglia were shifted toward the pro-inflammatory phenotype, leading to persistent neuro-inflammation and neuronal damage after CLP. Taken together, these findings led us to conclude that sepsis increased the susceptibility of the brain to the iron burden via the upregulation of NTBI and the reduction of ferritin, which was concomitantly and correlatively associated with dominance of pro-inflammatory microglia and could explain the neurological dysfunction observed during sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nivin Sharawy
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmad Abdel-Aliem Imam
- Preclinical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, William Carey University, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
- Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
- *Correspondence: Ahmad Abdel-Aliem Imam, ; Basma Emad Aboulhoda,
| | - Basma Emad Aboulhoda
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
- *Correspondence: Ahmad Abdel-Aliem Imam, ; Basma Emad Aboulhoda,
| | - Mohamed Mansour Khalifa
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
- Department of Human Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - George N. B. Morcos
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, King Salman International University, El-Tor, Egypt
| | | | | | | | - Tarek Shoukry
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Geetha RG, Ramachandran S. Recent Advances in the Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Plant-Derived Alkaloid Rhynchophylline in Neurological and Cardiovascular Diseases. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13081170. [PMID: 34452133 PMCID: PMC8400357 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13081170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhynchophylline (Rhy) is a plant-derived indole alkaloid isolated from Uncaria species. Both the plant and the alkaloid possess numerous protective properties such as anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-hypertensive, anti-rhythmic, and sedative effects. Several studies support the significance of the anti-inflammatory activity of the plant as an underlying mechanism for most of the pharmacological activities of the alkaloid. Rhy is effective in protecting both the central nervous system and cardiovascular system. Cerebro-cardiovascular disease primarily occurs due to changes in lifestyle habits. Many previous studies have highlighted the significance of Rhy in modulating calcium channels and potassium channels, thereby protecting the brain from neurodegenerative diseases and related effects. Rhy also has anticoagulation and anti-platelet aggregation activity. Although Rhy has displayed its role in protecting the cardiovascular system, very little is explored about its intervention in early atherosclerosis. Extensive studies are required to understand the cardioprotective effects of Rhye. This review summarized and discussed the various pharmacological effects of Rhy in neuro- and cardioprotection and in particular the relevance of Rhy in preventing early atherosclerosis using Rhy-loaded nanoparticles.
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