The protective effects of MPLC isolated glycyrrhizin and mangiferin against brain toxicity in rats

Reversed-Phase Medium-Pressure Liquid Chromatography Purification of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters Using AQ-C18

Omega-3 fatty acids are in high demand due to their efficacy in treating hypertriglyceridemia and preventing cardiovascular diseases. However, the growth of the industry is hampered by low purity and insufficient productivity. This study aims to develop an efficient RP-MPLC purification method for omega-3 fatty acid ethyl esters with high purity and capacity. The results indicate that the AQ-C18 featuring polar end-capped silanol groups outperformed C18 and others in retention time and impurity separation. By injecting pure fish oil esters with a volume equivalent to a 1.25% bed volume on an AQ-C18 MPLC column using a binary isocratic methanol-water (90:10, v:v) mobile phase at 30 mL/min, optimal omega-3 fatty acid ethyl esters were obtained, with the notable purity of 90.34% and a recovery rate of 74.30%. The total content of EPA and DHA produced increased from 67.91% to 85.27%, meeting the acceptance criteria of no less than 84% set by the 2020 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. In contrast, RP-MPLC significantly enhanced the production efficiency per unit output compared to RP-HPLC. This study demonstrates a pioneering approach to producing omega-3 fatty acid ethyl esters with high purity and of greater quantity using AQ-C18 RP-MPLC, showing this method's significant potential for use in industrial-scale manufacturing.

Pachira macrocarpa Schltdl. & Cham., HPLC Profile, and Neuroprotective Potential via Regulation of JNK, miRNA132, and miRNA-125b

In this study, we investigated the polyphenolic profile of Pachira macrocarpa Schltdl. & Cham. by HPLC analysis and we also isolated three compounds from the ethyl acetate leaf extract, which were identified by different spectral data as vitexin 1, luteolin 2, and ferulic acid 3. Moreover, we investigated the three isolated compounds and the plant extract for their therapeutic potential against AlCl3 exposure-induced neurotoxicity in rats. This investigation aims to determine whether vitexin, luteolin, and ferulic acid in Pachira macrocarpa Schltdl. & Cham. extract (P. macrocarpa) have the ability to treat AlCl3-induced brain toxicity in rats. Six groups of rats were created: group 1 (normal group), group 2 treated with AlCl3, and groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 treated with AlCl3 with vitexin, luteolin, ferulic acid, and P. macrocarpa extract, respectively, for 28 days. Neurotoxicity was assessed by measuring plasma IL-8 and IL-33 as well as brain superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GSR), B-cell lymphoma-2 (BcL-2), B-cell lymphoma-2 associated-x (Bax), and neurogranin using the ELISA technique and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), miRNA-125b, and miRNA-132 levels using western blot and PCR. HPLC analysis identified major phenolics and flavonoids. Among the phenolics identified, chlorogenic acid was prevalent (2159.14 μg/g), and regarding flavonoids, rutin was prevalent (204.69 μg/g). A significant elevation of IL-8 and IL-33 as well as brain Bax, neurogranin, and JNK levels and of miRNA-125b gene expression levels was observed following AlCl3 exposure. However, significant depletion of SOD, GSR, BcL-2, total protein, and miRNA-132 gene expression was observed in AlCl3-treated rats. Administration of the P. macrocarpa extract and its isolated compounds significantly increased SOD, GSR, BcL-2, total protein, and miRNA132 gene expression and decreased IL-8 and IL-33 as well as brain Bax, neurogranin, and JNK levels and brain miRNA-125b gene expression compared to AlCl3-treated rats. P. macrocarpa extract and its isolated compounds ameliorated AlCl3-induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in rats.

Recent advances in glycyrrhizin metabolism, health benefits, clinical effects and drug delivery systems for efficacy improvement; a comprehensive review

BACKGROUND

Glycyrrhizin (GL) is a major active constituent of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) that is considered one of the oldest and most frequently employed botanicals in Chinese medicine and worldwide, with most effects attributed to its rich GL content. Structurally, GL a triterpene saponin that is widely used as a flavoring agent in foodstuffs and cosmetics, and also proposed for various clinical applications with a myriad of health benefits. Pharmacological and biological activities of GL include antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer activities (in vitro and in vivo). Currently, there is no comprehensive review on GL biological effects and its action mechanisms.

PURPOSE

This review summarizes GL pharmacological actions from a molecular biology perception, presented on its metabolism and side effects based on in vitro, in vitro and clinical studies. Moreover, the potential of GL as a nanomedicine delivery system is also summarized. The progress in drug delivery research using GL presented herein is expected to provide a theoretical basis for developing other novel drugs formulations.

METHODS

A systematic review was carried out in several electronic databases (Science Direct, SpringerLink, CNKI, PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier, and Scopus), using the following key words: glycyrrhizin "AND" bioactivity "OR" clinic "OR" therapeutic "OR" drug delivery. This search included manuscripts published between 1989 and 2021.

RESULTS

126 researches were selected and summarized in this review. The analysis of these studies indicated that GL has antiviral activity against different viruses. Further, GL efficiently suppressed the respiratory manifestations associated with COVID-19 by reducing the expression of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) that employed by the virus as an entry point. Otherwise, GL was found to induce antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulatory, and anticancer activity. Besides, diminution the particle size of GL to nanometer size significantly augments their action and biodistribution.

CONCLUSION

This article summarizes the pharmacological actions of GL. The potential of GL as a nanomedicine delivery system is also presented. Nevertheless, most studies reported provide no deep insight of GL health effects warranting for more future studies to elucidate its action mechanism and potential therapeutic benefits through preclinical and clinical trials.

Tentatively Identified (UPLC/T-TOF-MS/MS) Compounds in the Extract of Saussurea costus Roots Exhibit In Vivo Hepatoprotection via Modulation of HNF-1α, Sirtuin-1, C/ebpα, miRNA-34a and miRNA-223

Saussurea costus is a plant traditionally used for the treatment of several ailments. Our study accomplished the UPLC/T-TOF-MS/MS analysis of a methanol extract of Saussurea costus roots (MESC), in addition to lipoidal matter determination and assessment of its in vivo hepatoprotective activity. In this study, we were able to identify the major metabolites in MESC rather than the previously known isolated compounds, improving our knowledge of its chemical constituents. The flavones apigenin, acacetin, baicalein, luteolin, and diosmetin, and the flavonol aglycones quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, gossypetin, and myricetin and/or their glycosides and glucuronic derivatives were the major identified compounds. The hepatoprotective activity of MESC was evaluated by measuring catalase activity using UV spectrophotometry, inflammatory cytokines and apoptotic markers using ELISA techniques, and genetic markers using PCR. Paracetamol toxicity caused a significant increase in plasma caspase 2, cytokeratin 18 (CK18), liver tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), miRNA-34a, and miRNA-223, as well as a significant decrease in liver catalase (CAT) activity and in the levels of liver nuclear factor 1α (HNF-1α), sirtuin-1, and C/ebpα. Oral pretreatment with MESC (200 mg/kg) showed a significant decrease in caspase 2, CK18, TNF-α, IL-6 and a significant increase in liver CAT activity. MESC decreased the levels of liver miRNA-34a and miRNA-223 and induced HNF-1α, sirtuin-1, and C/ebpα gene expression. The histological examination showed a significant normalization in rats pretreated with MESC. Our findings showed that Saussurea costus may exert a potent hepatoprotective activity through the modulation of the expression of cellular cytokines, miRNA-34a, and miRNA-223.

In Vitro Cytotoxic Activity and Phytochemical Characterization (UPLC/T-TOF-MS/MS) of the Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Rind Extract

Reusing food waste is becoming popular in pharmaceutical industries. Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) rind is commonly discarded as a major solid waste. Here, the in vitro cytotoxic potential of watermelon rind extracts was screened against a panel of human cancer cell lines. Cell cycle analysis was used to determine the induction of cell death, whereas annexin V-FITC binding, caspase-3, BAX, and BCL-2 mRNA expression levels were used to determine the degree of apoptosis. VEGF-promoting angiogenesis and cell migration were also evaluated. Moreover, the identification of phytoconstituents in the rind extract was achieved using UPLC/T-TOF-MS/MS, and a total of 45 bioactive compounds were detected, including phenolic acids, flavonoids aglycones, and their glycoside derivatives. The tested watermelon rind extracts suppressed cell proliferation in seven cancer cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner. The cytotoxicity of the rind aqueous extract (RAE) was higher compared with that of the other extracts. In addition to a substantial inhibitory effect on cell migration, the RAE triggered apoptosis in HCT116 and Hep2 cells by driving the accumulation of cells in the S phase and elevating the activity of caspase-3 and the BAX/BCL-2 ratio. Thus, a complete phytochemical and cytotoxic investigation of the Citrullus lanatus rind extract may identify its potential potency as an anticancer agent.

Berberine-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers mitigate warm hepatic ischemia/reperfusion-induced lesion through modulation of HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling and autophagy

OBJECTIVE

Berberine (BBR) is a known alkaloid that has verified its protective effects against ischemia/reperfusion (I/RN) lesion in multiple organs but its poor oral bioavailability limited its use. Despite the previous works, its possible impact on the warm hepatic I/RN-induced lesion is not clear. Accordingly, a nanostructured lipid carrier of BBR (NLC BBR) was developed for enhancing its efficiency and to inspect its protective mechanistic against warm hepatic I/RN.

METHODS

NLC BBR formula was evaluated pharmaceutically. Wistar rats were orally pre-treated with either BBR or NLC BBR (100 mg/kg) for 2 weeks followed by hepatic I/RN (30 min/24 h). Biochemical, ELISA, qPCR, western blot, histopathological, and immunohistochemical studies were performed.

KEY FINDINGS

Optimized NLC BBR was prepared with a particle size of 130 ± 8.3 nm. NLC BBR divulged its aptitude to safeguard the hepatic tissues partly due to anti-inflammatory capacity through downsizing the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB trajectory with concomitant rebating of TNF-α, iNOS, COX-2, and MPO content. Furthermore, NLC BBR antiapoptotic trait was confirmed by boosting the prosurvival protein (Bcl-2) and cutting down the pro-apoptotic marker (Bax). Moreover, its antioxidant nature was confirmed by TAC uplifting besides MDA subsiding. On the other hand, NLC BBR action embroiled autophagy flux spiking merit exemplified in Beclin-1 and LC3-II enhancement. Finally, NLC BBR administration ascertained its hepatocyte guarding action by recovering the histopathological ailment and diminishing serum transaminases.

CONCLUSION

NLC BBR purveyed reasonable shielding mechanisms and subsided incidents contemporaneous to warm hepatic I/RN lesion in part, by moderating HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB inflammatory signaling, autophagy, and apoptosis.

The genus Glycyrrhiza (Fabaceae family) and its active constituents as protective agents against natural or chemical toxicities

Licorice is the dried roots and rhizomes of various species of the genus Glycyrrhiza (Fabaceae) that have been used in folk medicine from ancient times. Many important research projects have established several beneficial effects for this medicinal herb, including antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiprotozoal, antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective. Licorice contains important bioactive components, such as glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic, glycyrrhizinic acid), liquiritigenin, liquiritin, and glycyrrhetinic acid. The protective effects of licorice and its main chemical components against toxins and toxicants in several organs including the brain, heart, liver, kidney, and lung have been shown. In this comprehensive review article, the protective effects of these constituents against natural, industrial, environmental, and chemical toxicities with attention on the cellular and molecular mechanism are introduced. Also, it has been revealed that this plant and its main compounds can inhibit the toxicity of different toxins by the antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties as well as the modulation of Inhibitor of kappaB kinase (IKK), Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), p38, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways. More high-quality investigations in both experimental and clinical studies need to firmly establish the efficacy of licorice and its main constituents against toxic agents.

Anti-angiogenic Activity of Major Phenolics in Tamarind Assessed with Molecular Docking Study on VEGF Kinase Proteins

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The waste products of the tamarind canning industry have been discarded; however, it has potential health benefits. Herein, the study was carried out HPLC profiling of phenolic constituents of Tamarindis indica pericarp and seeds. Furthermore, the cytotoxic activity against HUH-7 cells was evaluated and assessed with molecular docking study on angiogenesis-related VEGF kinase proteins in addition to evaluating the level of released VEGF in treated HUH-7 cells by ELISA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Folin-ciocalteu and AlCl3 assays were used for quantification of total phenolics (TPC) and total flavonoids (TFC) contents, respectively. Molecular docking study was done on VEGF kinase proteins.

RESULTS

TPC and TFC of pericarp and seeds were 0.35±0.02 g GAE g-1 DE and 0.12±0.009 g CE g-1 DE, 0.39±0.01 g GAE g-1 DE and 0.03±0.006 g CE g-1 DE, respectively. In pericarp, 8 phenolics were tentatively identified, where (+)-catechin was the major (27,386.04 μg g-1 DE) followed by gallic acid and naringenin (931.47, 500.42 μg g-1 DE) respectively. While in seeds, 11 phenolics were tentatively identified, where naringenin was the major (95,305.47 μg g-1 DE) followed by (+)-catechin and rutin (54,930.29, 15,361.66 μg g-1 DE) respectively. Aqueous and methanol seeds extracts exhibit cytotoxic effect with IC50 27.4±1.81 and 13.4±0.94 μg mL-1, respectively, it was more potent than aqueous and methanol pericarp extracts which had IC50 132±5.82 and 61.6±3.16 μg mL-1. The tested phenolics were fit on the active sites of VEGF kinase targets with varied degree of interactions. The cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic activities were confirmed in light of phenolics docking interactions.

CONCLUSION

Results demonstrate for the first time that phenolics could inhibit angiogenesis via inhibiting kinase proteins, which could therefore be developed as antiangiogenic drugs.