Ginkgo bilobaextract may alleviate viral myocarditis by suppression of S100A4 and MMP‐3

Potential Targets of Natural Products for Improving Cardiac Ischemic Injury: The Role of Nrf2 Signaling Transduction

Myocardial ischemia is the leading cause of health loss from cardiovascular disease worldwide. Myocardial ischemia and hypoxia during exercise trigger the risk of sudden exercise death which, in severe cases, will further lead to myocardial infarction. The Nrf2 transcription factor is an important antioxidant regulator that is extensively engaged in biological processes such as oxidative stress, inflammatory response, apoptosis, and mitochondrial malfunction. It has a significant role in the prevention and treatment of several cardiovascular illnesses, since it can control not only the expression of several antioxidant genes, but also the target genes of associated pathological processes. Therefore, targeting Nrf2 will have great potential in the treatment of myocardial ischemic injury. Natural products are widely used to treat myocardial ischemic diseases because of their few side effects. A large number of studies have shown that the Nrf2 transcription factor can be used as an important way for natural products to alleviate myocardial ischemia. However, the specific role and related mechanism of Nrf2 in mediating natural products in the treatment of myocardial ischemia is still unclear. Therefore, this review combs the key role and possible mechanism of Nrf2 in myocardial ischemic injury, and emphatically summarizes the significant role of natural products in treating myocardial ischemic symptoms, thus providing a broad foundation for clinical transformation.

The molecular mechanisms of ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) activity in signaling pathways: A comprehensive review

BACKGROUND

One of the most unique plants that have ever grown on the planet is Ginkgo biloba L., a member of the Ginkgoaceae family with no close living relatives. The existence of several differently structured components of G. biloba has increased the chemical variety of herbal therapy. Numerous studies that investigated the biochemical characteristics of G. biloba suggest this plant as a potential treatment for many illnesses.

PURPOSE

Review the molecular mechanisms involved in the signaling pathways of G. biloba activity in varied circumstances and its potential as a novel treatment for various illnesses.

METHODS

Studies focusing on the molecular processes and signaling pathways of compounds and extracts of G. biloba were found and summarized using the proper keywords and operators from Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus without time restrictions.

RESULTS

G. biloba exerts its effects through its anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-cancer, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, antiviral, antibacterial, pulmoprotective, renoprotective, anti-osteoporosis, anti-melanogenic, retinoprotective, otoprotective, adipogenic, and anti-adipogenic properties. The most important mechanisms involved in these actions are altering the elevation of ROS formation, inhibiting NADPH oxidases activation, altering the expression of antioxidant enzymes, downregulating MAPKs (p38 MAPK and ERK, and JNK) and AP-1, increasing cAMP, inactivating Stat5, activating the AMPK signaling pathway, affecting Stat3/JAK2, NF-κB, Nrf-2, mTOR, HGF/c-Met, Wnt/β-catenin and BMP signaling pathways, and changing the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, the release of Cyc from mitochondria to cytosol, the protein cleavage of caspases 3, 7, 8, 9, and 12, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, and MMPs levels.

CONCLUSIONS

G. biloba and its components have gained attention in recent years for their therapeutic benefits, such as their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and apoptotic effects. By understanding their molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways, potential novel medicines might be developed in response to the rising public desire for new therapies.

Appendectomy Mitigates Coxsackievirus B3-Induced Viral Myocarditis

Appendix has a distinct abundance of lymphatic cells and serves as a reservoir of microbiota which helps to replenish the large intestine with healthy flora. And it is the primary site of IgA induction, which shapes the composition of the intestinal microbiota. Recent population-based cohort studies report that appendectomy is associated with an increased risk of acute myocardial infarction and ischemic heart disease. Here, whether appendectomy has an effect on the occurrence and development of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)-induced viral myocarditis is studied. 103 TCID50 CVB3 was inoculated i.p. into appendectomized and sham-operated mice. RNA levels of viral load and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the hearts and the intestine were detected by RT-PCR. Compared to sham-operated mice, appendectomized mice exhibited attenuated cardiac inflammation and improved cardiac function, which is associated with a systemic reduced viral load. Appendectomized mice also displayed a reduction in cardiac neutrophil and macrophage infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Mechanistically, we found that CVB3 induced an early and potent IL-10 production in the cecal patch at 2 days post infection. Appendectomy significantly decreased intestinal IL-10 and IL-10+ CD4+ Treg frequency which led to a marked increase in intestinal (primary entry site for CVB3) anti-viral IFN-γ+ CD4+ T and IFN-γ+ CD8+ T response and viral restriction, eventually resulting in improved myocarditis. Our results suggest that appendix modulates cardiac infection and inflammation through regulating intestinal IL-10+ Treg response.

S100 proteins in cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases have become a serious threat to human health and life worldwide and have the highest fatality rate. Therefore, the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases have become a focus for public health experts. The expression of S100 proteins is cell- and tissue-specific; they are implicated in cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and inflammatory diseases and cancer. This review article discusses the progress in the research on the role of S100 protein family members in cardiovascular diseases. Understanding the mechanisms by which these proteins exert their biological function may provide novel concepts for preventing, treating, and predicting cardiovascular diseases.

Inflammatory mechanisms of Ginkgo Biloba extract in improving memory functions through lncRNA-COX2/NF-κB pathway in mice with status epilepticus

PURPOSE

This study was to explore whether Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) improve memory impairment by alleviating neuroinflammation signaling in mice with status epilepticus.

METHODS

The status epilepticus (SE) mice model was established by pilocarpine and treated with 100 mg / kg of GBE for 14 days. Spontaneous alternation of Y-maze and new object recognition were used to explore memory impairment. To examine glial cell activation, we performed immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. The activation of NF-κB signaling and the expression level of lncRNA-COX2 were detected by Western blot and qRT-PCR, respectively. Adeno-associated virus lncRNA-COX2 was injected into mice for overexpression of lncRNA-COX2.

RESULTS

After GBE treatment, the spontaneous alternation rate and the recognition coefficient in SE mice were both increased. Moreover, activation of glial cells, NF-κB signaling and lncRNA-COX2 were significantly decreased in SE mice. In the GBE-treated SE mice with lncRNA-COX2 overexpression, NF-κB signaling was up-regulated again; the reduced level of inflammation factors was reversed; the GBE-rescued spontaneous alternation rate of Y-maze was eliminated.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that GBE reduces the hippocampal inflammation by down-regulating lncRNA-COX2 / NF-κB signaling in the SE mice, leading to the decrease of neuronal damage and the improvement of memory functions.

Dissecting the cellular landscape and transcriptome network in viral myocarditis by single-cell RNA sequencing

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)-induced myocarditis is commonly employed to study viral pathogenesis in mice. Chronically affected mice may develop dilated cardiomyopathy, which may involve the mediation of immune and nonimmune cells. To dissect this complexity, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing on heart cells from healthy and myocarditic mice, leading us to note significant proportions of myeloid cells, T cells, and fibroblasts. Although the transcriptomes of myeloid cells were mainly of M2 phenotype, the Th17 cells, CTLs, and Treg cells had signatures critical for cytotoxic functions. Fibroblasts were heterogeneous expressing genes important in fibrosis and regulation of inflammation and immune responses. The intercellular communication networks revealed unique interactions and signaling pathways in the cardiac cellulome, whereas myeloid cells and T cells had upregulated unique transcription factors modulating cardiac remodeling functions. Together, our data suggest that M2 cells, T cells, and fibroblasts may cooperatively or independently participate in the pathogenesis of viral myocarditis.

Protective role of nutraceuticals against myocarditis

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium that mostly affects young adults. The disease is commonly caused by viral infection, medications, autoimmune disorders, and inflammatory conditions. Nearly 50% of the cases of myocarditis are due to post-viral immune response in a setting of an identifiable or non-identifiable infection. The clinical manifestation is nonspecific ranging from asymptomatic courses to sudden death in infants and young patients. This review describes the properties of phytochemicals as plant-derived active ingredients which can be used in the prevention and treatment of myocarditis and its associated risk factors. Meanwhile, it has illustrated epidemiological analyses, mechanism of action, and the metabolism of phytochemicals in animal and human clinical trials. We also mentioned the precise mechanism of action by which phytochemicals elicit their anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects and how they regulate signal transduction pathways. Nevertheless, comprehensive clinical trials are required to study the properties of phytochemicals in vivo, in vitro, and in silico for a proper management of myocarditis. Our findings indicate that phytochemicals function as potent adjunctive therapeutic drugs in myocarditis and its related complications.

Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomal MicroRNA-133a Restrains Myocardial Fibrosis and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Viral Myocarditis Rats Through Suppressing MAML1

Myocarditis is a disease characterized by localized or diffuse inflammation of the myocardium without efficient treatment. This study explored the regulatory mechanism of microRNA-133 (miR-133) secreted from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome (BMSC-Exo) on myocardial fibrosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in viral myocarditis (VMC) rats through regulating mastermind-like 1 (MAML1). BMSCs in rats were isolated and cultured to identify their immune phenotype and osteogenic and adipogenic ability, and BMSC-Exo were extracted and identified. Exosomes were obtained through ultracentrifugation, which were identified by transmission electron microscope and western blot analysis. The rats were injected with Coxsackie B3 virus for preparation of VMC model, and cardiomyocytes were isolated, cultured and grouped in the same way as animal experiments (NC^Exo, Ad-miR-133a^Exo, Adas-miR-133a^Exo). In vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted to figure out the roles of exosomal miR-133a and MAML1 in inflammation, apoptosis, EMT, fibrosis, and cell viability. The targeting relationship between miR-133a and MAML1 was verified by dual luciferase reporter gene assay. BMSC-Exo raised miR-133a expression in VMC rats and effectively improved the VMC rat cardiac function and myocardial fibrosis, increased cardiomyocyte viability and inhibited the EMT process. Elevated miR-133a in exosomes strengthened the improvements. Silenced miR-133a effectively reversed the effects of BMSC-Exo on VMC rats. miR-133a targeted MAML1. Inhibition of MAML1 improved cardiac function and myocardial fibrosis in VMC rats and could reverse the effect of miR-133a-silenced exosomes on VMC rats. Our study suggests that elevated exosomal miR-133a suppresses myocardial fibrosis and EMT in rats with VMC via down-regulating MAML1, thereby inhibiting the progression of myocarditis.

Oxidative stress and inflammatory response of ghrelin on myocardial and aortic tissues in insulin-resistant rats

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to clarify the effects of ghrelin on myocardial and aortic tissues in insulin-resistant rats.

METHODS

Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following groups: control (Group 1), insulin resistance (IR, Group 2), ghrelin (Group 3) and IR+Ghrelin (Group 4) groups. Levels of HOMA-IR, fibronectin, hydroxyproline, collagen-1, collagen-3, matrix metalloproteinase-3, and matrix metalloproteinase-9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and oxidative stress parameters as protein carbonyl (PCO), lipid hydroperoxides (LHPs), malondialdehyde, total thiol were determined in myocardial tissue. Expressions of IL-6, NF-κB and TNF-α mRNAs were detected by RT-qPCR. Aorta tissue was stained Masson trichrome.

KEY FINDINGS

The HOMA-IR level decreased in the IR+Ghrelin group compared with the IR group (P < 0.001). The PCO and LHP concentrations were higher in the IR group compared with control rats (P < 0.05). The PCO level was reduced by ghrelin in the IR+Ghrelin group compared with the IR group (P < 0.001). Ghrelin treatment reduced the mRNA expression levels of IL-6, NF-κB and TNF-α in the IR+Ghrelin group compared with the IR group (P < 0.001). There was no difference among the groups in the histology of aortic tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

Ghrelin, a regulator of appetite and energy homeostasis, may be effective in regulating oxidative stress and the inflammatory response when impaired by IR. Therefore, ghrelin may reduce the risks of myocardial dysfunction in IR.

Evidence that Ginkgo Biloba could use in the influenza and coronavirus COVID-19 infections

Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic invades the world. Public health evaluates the incidence of infections and death, which should be reduced and need desperately quarantines for infected individuals. This article review refers to the roles of Ginkgo Biloba to reduce the risk of infection in the respiratory tract, the details on the epidemiology of corona COVID-19 and influenza, and it highlights how the Ginko Biloba could have been used as a novel treatment.Ginkgo Biloba can reduce the risk of infection by several mechanisms; these mechanisms involve Ginkgo Biloba contains quercetin and other constituents, which have anti-inflammatory and immune modulator effects by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines concentrations. Cytokines cause inflammation which have been induced the injuries in lung lining.Some observational studies confirmed that Ginkgo Biloba reduced the risk of asthma, sepsis and another respiratory disease as well as it reduced the risk of cigarette smoking on respiratory symptoms. While other evidences suggested the characters of Ginkgo Biloba as an antivirus agent through several mechanisms. Ginkgolic acid (GA) can inhibit the fusion and synthesis of viral proteins, thus, it inhibit the Herpes Simplex Virus type1 (HSV-1), genome replication in Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and the infections of the Zika Virus (ZIKV). Also, it inhibits the wide spectrum of fusion by inhibiting the three types of proteins that have been induced fusion as (Influenza A Virus [IAV], Epstein Barr Virus [EBV], HIV and Ebola Virus [EBOV]).The secondary mechanism of GA targeting inhibition of the DNA and protein synthesis in virus, greatly have been related to its strong effects, even afterward the beginning of the infection, therefore, it potentially treats the acute viral contaminations like (Measles and Coronavirus COVID-19). Additionally, it has been used topically as an effective agent on vigorous lesions including (varicella-zoster virus [VZV], HSV-1 and HSV-2). Ginkgo Biloba may be useful for treating the infected people with coronavirus COVID-19 through its beneficial effect. To assess those recommendations should be conducted with random control trials and extensive population studies.