Therapeutic potential of isobavachalcone, a natural flavonoid, in murine experimental colitis by inhibiting NF-κB p65

Current trends and research hotspots in the study of flavonoids for ulcerative colitis: A bibliometric study

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Flavonoids have been shown to exhibit significant potential in treating ulcerative colitis (UC), and their mechanism of action is receiving increasing attention. This study was devoted to the bibliometric analysis of articles and review articles in flavonoid therapy for UC research between 2011 and 2022 to show publication trends and research hotspots.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The literature search data for the bibliometric analysis were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection by searching for the terms "Flavonoids" and "Ulcerative colitis or Idiopathic Proctocolitis or colitis gravis or Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Ulcerative Colitis Type." Three software programs, Bibliometrix, CiteSpace, and VOSviewer, were used to perform a bibliometric analysis of the retrieved literature data.

RESULTS

There were 181 publications on flavonoids for UC during the 12 years, with an upward trend in annual publications and an annual growth rate of 27.11 %. China had the highest cumulative number of publications, and Kyung Hee University was the academic institution with the most publications in this research area. In recent years, intestinal flora, intestinal barrier, apoptosis, tight protein junctions, and TLR4/ NF-κB pathway have become hot spots for research on flavonoids for UC. Grape seed analogs have been extensively investigated for treating UC in the past three years.

CONCLUSION

The results of this bibliometric study demonstrate the current status and trends of research on flavonoids for the treatment of UC and provide relevant researchers with hot topics and the latest research directions.

Preclinical studies of natural flavonoids in inflammatory bowel disease based on macrophages: a systematic review with meta-analysis and network pharmacology

Flavonoid is a category of bioactive polyphenolic compounds that are extensively distributed in plants with specific pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. Importantly, natural flavonoids have shown the protected function on the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in animals and lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced inflammatory response in macrophages. The purpose of this systematic review is to explore the efficacy of natural flavonoids in animal models of IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) and potential mechanisms in macrophages by meta-analysis and network pharmacology in preclinical studies. Relevant foundation studies were searched from January 2010 to November 2023 in databases like PubMed, Elsevier ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. Then, OriginPro software was used to extract values from images, and the analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3. The retrieved data was analyzed according to the fixed-effects model and random-effects model. Subsequently, heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 statistics. Lastly, network pharmacology was applied to confirm mechanisms of natural flavonoids on IBD. According to the results of meta-analysis, we found the natural flavonoids exhibited powerful therapeutic effects against IBD, which not only reversed colonic shortness (WMD = 1.33, 95% CI (1.07, 1.59), P < 0.00001), but also reduced histological score (SMD =  - 2.66, 95% CI (- 3.77, - 1.95), P < 0.00001) between natural flavonoid treatment groups compared with the experimental IBD model. Furthermore, treatment with natural flavonoids decreased the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in macrophages. Mechanistically, our summarized data substantiate that natural flavonoids alleviate LPS-induced M1 macrophage polarization, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, maintain intestinal barrier, and inhibit the activation of the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in macrophages. Moreover, the results of network pharmacology also support this. This systematic review demonstrated the efficiency of natural flavonoids in treating IBD in preclinical research by meta-analysis and network pharmacology, which offered supporting evidence for clinical trial implementation. However, some limitations remain present, such as technique quality shortage, missed reports on account of negative results, failure to count sample size, and the risk of bias.

Inhibitory effects and mode of antifungal action of isobavachalcone on Candida albicans growth and virulence factors

The fungus Candida albicans causes various kinds of human infections, including oral thrush, vulvovaginitis and life-endangering bloodstream infections, the incidence of which are rising. Worsening this, the clinical antifungals are limited to a few, highlighting the necessity to develop novel antifungal therapies. In this study, the antifungal activities of isobavachalcone against C. albicans SC5314 and nine C. albicans clinical isolates were tested. The effects of isobavachalcone (IBC) on C. albicans virulence factors, such as hyphal formation, adhesion, biofilm formation and extracellular phospholipase production, as well as the underlying mechanism, were also evaluated. Antifungal susceptibility test revealed that IBC has significant anti-Candida activities, with both MIC and MFC being 4-5 μg/mL against all strains tested. Hyphal formation in RPMI-1640, Spider and GlcNAc medium, adhesion to abiotic polystyrene surfaces and surfaces of A549 cells, could be inhibited by IBC. Most important, IBC could inhibit the C. albicans biofilm formation and development. PI staining tests showed that IBC could increase the cell membrane permeability, suggesting the damages to the fungal cell membrane. IBC was further demonstrated to induce excessive ROS production in C. albicans planktonic cells and its mature biofilms, as revealed by DCFH fluorescence detection through flowcytometry and relative fluorescence intensity analysis (with a microplate reader). The roles of ROS in the antifungal activity of IBC were further confirmed through antioxidant rescue assays in MIC and biofilm formation tests. Compared to its antifungal activity, the cytotoxicity against mammalian cells was low, indicating its potential in developing antifungal therapies.

Isobavachalcone alleviates ischemic stroke by suppressing HDAC1 expression and improving M2 polarization

Ischemic stroke is a serious cerebrovascular condition. Isobavachalcone (ISO) has been documented to exhibit an anti-inflammatory effect across a variety of diseases; however, its protective impact on ischemic stroke remains unexplored. In this study, we evaluated the influence of ISO in both transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (tMCAO/R) rat models and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) cell models. We observed that pretreatment with 50 mg/kg ISO diminished the volume of brain infarction, reduced brain edema, and ameliorated neurological deficits in rats. A reduction in Nissl bodies was noted in the tMCAO/R group, which was reversed following treatment with 50 mg/kg ISO. TUNEL/NeuN double staining revealed a decrease in TUNEL-positive cells in tMCAO/R rats treated with ISO. Furthermore, ISO treatment suppressed the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and BAX, while elevating the expression of BCL-2 in tMCAO/R rats. The levels of CD86 and iNOS were elevated in tMCAO/R rats; conversely, ISO treatment enhanced the expression of CD206 and Arg-1. Additionally, the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β was elevated in tMCAO/R rats, whereas ISO treatment counteracted this effect. ISO treatment also increased the expression of TGF-β and IL-10 in the ischemic penumbra of tMCAO/R rats. It was found that ISO treatment hindered microglial M1 polarization and favored M2 polarization. Histone Deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) is the downstream target protein of ISO, with ISO treatment resulting in decreased HDAC1 expression in both tMCAO/R rats and OGD/R-induced cells. Overexpression of HDAC1 was shown to promote microglial M1 polarization and inhibit M2 polarization in OGD/R+ISO cells. Overall, ISO treatment mitigated brain damage following ischemic stroke by promoting M2 polarization and attenuated ischemic injury by repressing HDAC1 expression.

An integrated network pharmacology, molecular docking and experiment validation study to investigate the potential mechanism of Isobavachalcone in the treatment of osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

In many different plants, including Dorstenia and Psoralea corylifolia L., Isobavachalcone (IBC) is a naturally occurring flavonoid chemical having a range of biological actions, including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-bacterial. The "Theory of Medicinal Properties" of the Tang Dynasty states that Psoralea corylifolia L. has the ability to alleviate discomfort in the knees and waist. One of the most widespread chronic illnesses, osteoarthritis (OA), is characterized by stiffness and discomfort in the joints. However, there hasn't been much research done on the effectiveness and underlying processes of IBC in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the potential efficacy and mechanism of IBC in treating osteoarthritis, we adopted an integrated strategy of network pharmacology, molecular docking and experiment assessment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The purpose of this research was to determine the impact of IBC on OA and the underlying mechanisms. IBC and OA possible targets and processes were predicted using network pharmacology, including the relationship between IBC and OA intersection targets, Cytoscape protein-protein interaction (PPI) to obtain key potential targets, and GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis to reveal the probable mechanism of IBC on OA. Following that, in vitro tests were carried out to confirm the expected underlying processes. Finally, in vivo tests clarified IBC's therapeutic efficacy on OA.

RESULTS

We anticipated and validated that the impact of IBC on osteoarthritis is mostly controlled by the PI3K-AKT-NF-κB signaling pathway by combining the findings of network pharmacology analysis, molecular docking and Experiment Validation.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals the IBC has potential to delay OA development.

Hypersampsonone H attenuates ulcerative colitis via inhibition of PDE4 and regulation of cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a recurrent intestinal inflammatory disease which poses a serious threat to the life of patients. However, there are no specific drugs for UC yet. Hypericum sampsonii Hance (HS) is a Chinese herbal medicine traditionally used to treat enteritis and dysentery. Our previous studies have demonstrated that HS holds potential anti-UC effects, and a novel compound named Hypersampsonone H (HS-1) isolated from HS possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity. However, the beneficial effects of HS-1 on UC remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of HS-1 on UC and its potential mechanisms, both in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

The in vitro model was employed using LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of HS-1 and its possible mechanisms. Furthermore, the therapeutic efficacy and potential mechanisms of HS-1 against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis were assessed through histopathological examination, biochemical analysis, and molecular docking.

RESULTS

In vitro, HS-1 significantly reduced LPS-induced inflammatory responses, as indicated by inhibiting NO production, down-regulating the overexpression of COX-2 and iNOS, as well as regulating the imbalanced levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10. Moreover, HS-1 also inhibited the expression of PDE4, elevated the intracellular cAMP level, and promoted the phosphorylation of CREB, thereby activating the PKA/CREB pathway in RAW264.7 cells. In vivo, HS-1 demonstrated therapeutic capacity against DSS-induced colitis by alleviating the symptoms of colitis mice, regulating the abnormal expression of inflammatory mediators, protecting the integrity of intestinal epithelial barrier, and reducing tissue fibrosis. Consistently, HS-1 was found to decrease the expression of PDE4 isoforms, subsequently activating the cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway. Furthermore, the molecular docking results indicated that HS-1 exhibited a high affinity for PDE4, particularly PDE4D. Further mechanistic validation in vitro demonstrated that HS-1 possessed a synergistic effect on forskolin and an antagonistic effect on H-89 dihydrochloride, thereby exerting anti-inflammatory effects through the cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

We disclose that HS-1 serves as a promising candidate drug for the treatment of UC by virtue of its ability to reduce DSS-induced colitis via the inhibition of PDE4 and the activation of cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway.

Different therapies of Chinese herbal medicine for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: A network meta-analysis of double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Shuganjianpi Therapy (SGJP), Jianpi Therapy (JP), Shugan Therapy (SG), Jianpiwenshen Therapy (JPWS), and Shuganjianpiwenshen Therapy (SGJPWS), consisting of formulas from Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), have been tremendously applied to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, it remains uncertain when exploring the preferable option among different CHM therapies for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D).

AIM OF THE STUDY

To compare and rank the efficacy and safety of different CHM therapies for IBS-D.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials through mainstream databases from their inception to October 31, 2022. Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) applied one of the CHM therapies as the experimental group and placebo as the control group. Two authors independently extracted data into a form and evaluated the quality of the retrieved articles by the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. At least one of the following outcomes was assessed: Serotonin, Neuropeptide Y (NPY), Incidence of Adverse Events (AE), and Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS) with its subscales of Severity of Abdominal Pain (SAP), Frequency of Abdominal Pain (FAP), Severity of Abdominal Distension (SAD), Dissatisfaction with Bowel Habits (DBH), and Interference with Quality of Life (IQOL). A Bayesian network meta-analysis on a random-effect model was conducted using R 4.2.2 software.

RESULTS

1367 records were retrieved from databases in an initial search. Fourteen studies involving six interventions with 2248 participants were identified. Provided pairwise comparisons, the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) ranking, and cluster analysis, JPWS was the best option for ameliorating clinical symptoms simultaneously, which included IBS-SSS, SAP, FAP, SAD, DBH, and IQOL. As for AE, JPWS contributed to fewer adverse events than others as well. In respect of serum indicators, we noticed the dominance of SGJP in regulating both serotonin and NPY.

CONCLUSIONS

JPWS and SGJP were the most prominent CHM therapies for IBS-D in terms of clinical symptoms, including abdominal pain, distension, bowel habits, and improvement of quality of life. The effect of JP and SG for IBS-D required further investigation. As a potential candidate, SGJP may well treat IBS-D by mediating dysmotility, visceral hypersensitivity, and the gut-brain axis with an increase of NPY and a reduction of serotonin. For safety, JPWS was ideal for the fewest adverse events in the treatment of IBS-D. On account of a small sample size and possible geographical publication bias, more double-blinded and placebo-controlled trials with larger samples worldwide would be necessary for strengthening current evidence.

Oxyberberine ameliorates TNBS-induced colitis in rats through suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress via Keap1/Nrf2/NF-κB signaling pathways

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, unspecific inflammatory bowel disorder lacking effective therapeutic targets and radical drugs. Oxyberberine (OBB), a novel intestinal flora-elicited oxidative metabolite of berberine (BBR), has been revealed to exhibit diverse pharmacological properties.

PURPOSE

In this follow-up study, we attempted to shed light on the possible therapeutic effect and latent mechanism of OBB on 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-evoked UC in rats.

METHODS

UC rats were established via a gentle enema of TNBS. Rats were sacrificed after intragastric administration of drugs for seven days. The weight reduction, disease activity index, macroscopic and histological colonic alterations were assessed. Further investigation on molecular mechanisms was conducted by ELISA, qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, or Western blot.

RESULTS

OBB treatment remarkably decreased the weight loss, macroscopic scores, and colonal weight/length ratio, as well as mitigated the colonic pathological deterioration and MPO vitality in colitis rats, achieving a superior protective effect to BBR. Additionally, OBB modulated the disequilibrium between pro- and anti-inflammatory factors by promoting the production of IL-13 and IL-4, and lowering the contents of TNF-α, IL-2, IL-8, and IL-22. Furthermore, OBB pretreatment dramatically ameliorated oxidative stress via enhancing antioxidant defense genes expressions (including HO-1, GCLM, GCLC, and NQO-1), thereby increasing SOD and GSH, and decreasing MDA and ROS activities. Furthermore, OBB strikingly restrained the translocation of NF-κB p65 and phosphorylation of IκBα, promoted HO-1 expression, Keap1 degradation and Nrf2 nuclear translocation.

CONCLUSION

The study firstly indicated that OBB had a superior therapeutic effect than BBR against TNBS-elicited colitis in rats. The protective effect of OBB might be closely related to the modulation of Keap1/Nrf2/NF-κB-mediated inflammatory response and oxidant stress. The evidences highlight the potentiality of OBB as a prospective candidate for the amelioration of colitis.

Fighting cancer by triggering non-canonical mitochondrial permeability transition-driven necrosis through reactive oxygen species induction

Non-apoptotic necrosis shows therapeutic potential for the treatment of various diseases, especially cancer. Mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT)-driven necrosis is a form of non-apoptotic cell death triggered by oxidative stress and cytosolic Ca²⁺ overload, and relies on cyclophilin D (CypD). Previous reports demonstrated that isobavachalcone (IBC), a natural chalcone, has anticancer effect by apoptosis induction. Here, we found that IBC induced regulated necrosis in cancer cells. IBC triggered non-apoptotic cell death in lung and breast cancer cells mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). IBC caused mitochondrial injury and dysfunction as evidenced by mitochondrial Ca²⁺ overload, the opening of MPT pore, mitochondrial membrane potential collapse, and structural damages. IBC-triggered cell death could be remarkably reversed by the ROS scavengers, cyclosporin A (CsA) and hemin, whereas CypD silence and heme oxygenase-1 overexpression failed to do so. Protein kinase B, dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, and mitogen-activated protein kinases were not involved in IBC-induced necrosis as well. In addition, IBC showed an anticancer effect in a 4T1 breast cancer cell-derived allograft mouse model, and this effect was considerably reversed by CsA. Collectively, our results showed that IBC triggered non-canonical MPT-driven necrosis mediated by ROS in cancer cells, which might provide a novel strategy for fighting against cancer.

Treatment Effects of Natural Products on Inflammatory Bowel Disease In Vivo and Their Mechanisms: Based on Animal Experiments

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, non-specific inflammatory disease of the intestine that can be classified as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Currently, the incidence of IBD is still increasing in developing countries. However, current treatments for IBD have limitations and do not fully meet the needs of patients. There is a growing demand for new, safe, and highly effective alternative drugs for IBD patients. Natural products (NPs) are used in drug development and disease treatment because of their broad biological activity, low toxicity, and low side effects. Numerous studies have shown that some NPs have strong therapeutic effects on IBD. In this paper, we first reviewed the pathogenesis of IBD as well as current therapeutic approaches and drugs. Further, we summarized the therapeutic effects of 170 different sources of NPs on IBD and generalized their modes of action and therapeutic effects. Finally, we analyzed the potential mechanisms of NPs for the treatment of IBD. The aim of our review is to provide a systematic and credible summary, thus supporting the research on NPs for the treatment of IBD and providing a theoretical basis for the development and application of NPs in drugs and functional foods.

Phytochemicals and Regulation of NF-kB in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: An Overview of In Vitro and In Vivo Effects

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic relapsing idiopathic inflammatory conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract. They are mainly represented by two forms, ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). IBD can be associated with the activation of nuclear factors, such as nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB), leading to increased transcription of pro-inflammatory mediators that result in diarrhea, abdominal pain, bleeding, and many extra-intestinal manifestations. Phytochemicals can interfere with many inflammation targets, including NF-kB pathways. Thus, this review aimed to investigate the effects of different phytochemicals in the NF-kB pathways in vitro and in vivo models of IBD. Fifty-six phytochemicals were included in this study, such as curcumin, resveratrol, kaempferol, sesamol, pinocembrin, astragalin, oxyberberine, berberine hydrochloride, botulin, taxifolin, naringin, thymol, isobavachalcone, lancemaside A, aesculin, tetrandrine, Ginsenoside Rk3, mangiferin, diosgenin, theanine, tryptanthrin, lycopene, gyngerol, alantolactone, mangostin, ophiopogonin D, fisetin, sinomenine, piperine, oxymatrine, euphol, artesunate, galangin, and nobiletin. The main observed effects related to NF-kB pathways were reductions in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and augmented occludin, claudin-1, zonula occludens-1, and IL-10 expression levels. Moreover, phytochemicals can improve weight loss, stool consistency, and rectal bleeding in IBD. Therefore, phytochemicals can constitute a powerful treatment option for IBD in humans.

Protective effects of 4‐geranyloxy‐2,6‐dihydroxybenzophenonel on DSS ‐induced ulcerative colitis in mice via regulation of cAMP / PKA / CREB and NF‐κB signaling pathways

Hypericum sampsonii Hance has traditionally been used to treat enteritis and diarrhea. As one of the main benzophenones isolated from H. sampsonii, 4-geranyloxy-2,6-dihydroxybenzophenonel (4-GDB) has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory effects. However, the therapeutic effect and potential mechanisms of 4-GDB in ulcerative colitis (UC) remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the role of 4-GDB in UC using a dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis mouse model. Intragastric administration of 4-GDB (20 mg/kg/day) for 8 days significantly attenuated colonic injury, reduced the expression of inflammatory mediators, and improved colonic barrier function in mice with colitis. Furthermore, in vivo and in vitro experiments indicated that 4-GDB could activate cAMP/PKA/CREB and inhibit the NF-κB pathway. Collectively, 4-GDB may be a potential agent for treating UC by regulating the cAMP/PKA/CREB and NF-κB pathways.

Two Important Anticancer Mechanisms of Natural and Synthetic Chalcones

ATP-binding cassette subfamily G and tubulin pharmacological mechanisms decrease the effectiveness of anticancer drugs by modulating drug absorption and by creating tubulin assembly through polymerization. A series of natural and synthetic chalcones have been reported to have very good anticancer activity, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration lower than 1 µM. By modulation, it is observed in case of the first mechanism that methoxy substituents on the aromatic cycle of acetophenone residue and substitution of phenyl nucleus by a heterocycle and by methoxy or hydroxyl groups have a positive impact. To inhibit tubulin, compounds bind to colchicine binding site. Presence of methoxy groups, amino groups or heterocyclic substituents increase activity.

Sesquiterpene lactones-rich fraction from Aucklandia lappa Decne. alleviates dextran sulfate sodium induced ulcerative colitis through co-regulating MAPK and Nrf2/Hmox-1 signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Aucklandia lappa Decne. (ALDE) is the general name for Asteraceae plants Yunmuxiang, which has traditionally been proven to have the efficacy in relieving depression by regulating qi, alleviating cold by warming, attenuating pain in stomach and relieving diarrhea in intestines. Therefore, ALDE is always recommended as an herbal remedy for gastrointestinal dysfunction.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study was to explore the therapeutic potential and mechanism of action of the sesquiterpene lactone-rich fraction (SLRF) of ALDE extracts in vivo and in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An aqueous extract (AE) and SLRF of ALDE were prepared and the contents of the main components were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The therapeutic effects of the extracts were evaluated in C57BL/6 mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC). Body weight, disease activity index (DAI), and colon length were recorded, and histopathological changes in the colon were characterized using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity and possible mechanisms of the two main sesquiterpene lactones in ALDE (costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone) were studied by quantitative proteomic analysis. Finally, based on bioinformatic analysis, we used polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunofluorescence, and western blot experiments to verify the anti-inflammatory mechanism of the extracts in C57BL/6 mice.

RESULTS

The SLRF of ALDE significantly improved the pathological symptoms and inflammatory pathology of UC, whereas the AE had a weak protective effect. In RAW264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone significantly reduced the mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, suggesting that these two sesquiterpene lactones had strong anti-inflammatory activity. Quantitative proteomics results indicated that the anti-inflammatory mechanism of these lactones was associated with the NF-κB/MAPK and Nrf2-Hmox-1 pathways. These results were further validated in SLRF-treated mice.

CONCLUSION

This study confirmed that the SLRF of ALDE exerted protective activity against UC by regulating the Nrf2-Hmox-1, NF-κB, and MAPK pathways.

Investigation of the mechanism of Isobavachalcone in treating rheumatoid arthritis through a combination strategy of network pharmacology and experimental verification

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE

Isobavachalcone (IBC) is a natural chalcone compound widely distributed in traditional Chinese medicine Psoralea corylifolia L., and Tibetan medicine Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medik. Etc.. Among them, Psoralea corylifolia has the effect of tonifying the kidney and strengthening Yang, and it is recorded in the Medicinal theory that it can be used in managing rheumatism and arthralgia. In addition, It has been included in many prescriptions in traditional Chinese medicine as the main herb for managing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Similarly, Abelmoschus manihot is a common Tibetan medicinal herb and is a common medicinal material in Tibetan medicine and reported in ancient medicinal books such as Jing Zhu Ben Cao and Si Bu Yi Dian to possess the effect of Ganhuangshui and thus can be used in treating Huangshui diseases (such as RA). Previous research has demonstrated IBC to possess numerous biological activities, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and immunomodulatory. Nevertheless, its efficacy and potential mechanism in treating rheumatoid arthritis are yet to be investigated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed at investigating the therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of IBC in treating RA through a combined strategy of network pharmacology, in vitro, and in vivo evaluation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Swiss Target Prediction and GeneCards databases were consulted to predict the potential targets of IBC and RA. Additionally, the potential targets for IBC in treating RA were predicted by consulting databases such as String, Cytoscape, MCODE, and Cytohubba. R software was utilized for enrichment analysis of GO and KEGG pathways, followed by in vitro experimentation using cell lines and in vivo experimentation using animals to explore the potential mechanism of IBC in RA treatment.

RESULTS

By integrating the results of network pharmacological analysis, 17 genes were found to be strongly associated with RA, such as TNF, MAPK13, EGFR, PTGS2, MMP3, etc. The enrichment analysis indicated that IBC possessed tremendous therapeutic efficacy in managing RA through PI3K-AKT, rheumatoid arthritis, and TNF signaling pathways. The in vitro experimentation indicated that IBC inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promoted apoptosis and inhibition of inflammation of MH7A cell lines stimulated with TNF-α. The IBC might also have an increasing effect on the intracellular ROS and reducing effect on the mitochondrial membrane potential. The western blotting results indicated that IBC markedly inhibited the expression of p-PI3K, p-AKT, p-JAK1, p-STAT3 and SOCS3 proteins in TNF-α stimulated MH7A cells. Furthermore, we found that IBC also significantly reduced paw swelling and arthritis severity in CIA model rats through in vivo animal studies.

CONCLUSIONS

In short, this study explored the effect of IBC by combining network pharmacology prediction with in vitro and in vivo experimentation. The results indicated that IBC exerts its anti-rheumatoid arthritis effect by regulating cell proliferation and survival via PI3K/AKT and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. This may open a new horizon and provide a theoretical foundation for further development and utilization of IBC in RA management.

Isobavachalcone: A comprehensive review of its plant sources, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, pharmacological activities and related molecular mechanisms

Isobavachalcone (IBC), also known as isobapsoralcone, is a natural flavonoid widely derived from many medicinal plants, including Fabaceae, Moraceae, and so forth. IBC has been paid more and more attention by researchers in recent years due to its pharmacological activity in many diseases. This review aims to describe in detail the plant sources, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, pharmacological activities, and molecular mechanisms of IBC on various diseases. We found that IBC can be obtained not only by extraction but also by chemical synthesis. Pharmacokinetic studies have shown that IBC has low bioavailability, but can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and is widely distributed in the brain. Its pharmacological activities mainly include anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, neuroprotective, bone protection, and other activities. In particular, IBC shows strong anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory therapeutic potential due to its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. However, due to its hepatotoxicity, there may be more drug interactions. Therefore, more and more in-depth studies are needed for its clinical application. Mechanically, IBC can induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), inhibit AKT, ERK, and Wnt pathways, and promote apoptosis of cancer cells through mitochondrial or endoplasmic reticulum pathways. IBC can inhibit the NF-κB pathway and the production of multiple inflammatory mediators by activating NRF2/HO-1 pathway, thus producing anti-inflammatory effects. Moreover, we discussed the limitations of current research on IBC and put forward some new perspectives and challenges, which provide a strong basis for clinical application and new drug development of IBC in the future.

Anethole Ameliorates Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis in Mice: Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects

Anethole has possessed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant responses in numerous studies. Oxidative stress has a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of colitis. The current study is designed to determine the effect of anethole on acetic acid-induced colitis in mice in view of its possible anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In this study, 48 mice were grouped into 6 groups (n = 8), and colitis was induced with 0.2 ml of 7% acetic acid. Mice received intraperitoneally (i.p.) for 7 constant days normal saline and/or anethole at doses of 31.25, 62.5, 125, and 250 mg/kg, respectively. After treatments, the colon was dissected out, and histopathological changes, expression of inflammatory genes (IL-1β, TNF-α, and TLR4), and evaluation of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were assessed. The results showed that colitis is associated with edema and inflammatory responses in all layers and severe damage to the epithelium of the colon. Colitis causes a decrease in TAC, an increase in MDA levels, and an increase in inflammatory genes in the colon. Findings determined that anethole ameliorated the adverse effects of acetic acid-induced colitis in the colon. It is concluded that anethole, partially at least, possessed protective effects in acetic acid-induced colitis in mice through attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammatory response.

Recent development on COX-2 inhibitors as promising anti-inflammatory agents: The past 10 years

Cyclooxygenases play a vital role in inflammation and are responsible for the production of prostaglandins. Two cyclooxygenases are described, the constitutive cyclooxygenase-1 and the inducible cyclooxygenase-2, for which the target inhibitors are the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Prostaglandins are a class of lipid compounds that mediate acute and chronic inflammation. NSAIDs are the most frequent choices for treatment of inflammation. Nevertheless, currently used anti-inflammatory drugs have become associated with a variety of adverse effects which lead to diminished output even market withdrawal. Recently, more studies have been carried out on searching novel selective COX-2 inhibitors with safety profiles. In this review, we highlight the various structural classes of organic and natural scaffolds with efficient COX-2 inhibitory activity reported during 2011–2021. It will be valuable for pharmaceutical scientists to read up on the current chemicals to pave the way for subsequent research.

Naringin Exhibited Therapeutic Effects against DSS-Induced Mice Ulcerative Colitis in Intestinal Barrier-Dependent Manner

Naringin is a kind of multi-source food additive which has been explored broadly for its various biological activities and therapeutic potential. In the present study, the protective effect and mechanism of naringin on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice were investigated. The results showed that naringin significantly alleviated DSS-induced colitis symptoms, including disease activity index (DAI), colon length shortening, and colon pathological damage. The tissue and serum secretion of inflammatory cytokines, as well as the oxidative stress, were decreased accordingly upon naringin intervention. Naringin also decreased the proteins involved in inflammation and increased the expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins. Moreover, naringin increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes/Bacteroides and reduced the content of Proteobacteria to improve the intestinal flora disorder caused by DSS, which promotes the intestinal health of mice. It was concluded that naringin can significantly ameliorate the pathogenic symptoms of UC through inhibiting inflammatory response and regulating intestinal microbiota, which might be a promising natural therapeutic agent for the dietary treatment of UC and the improvement of intestinal symbiosis.