Potassium Humate Inhibits Complement Activation and the Production of Inflammatory Cytokines In Vitro

The effect of combining humic and fulvic acids poultice on wound healing in male rats

Background

Finding new compounds to accelerate wound healing is critical today. Humic substances or fulvic acid each have anti-inflammatory properties.

Aims and Objectives

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of poultice 0.5% containing humic and fulvic acids on wound healing in male rats.

Materials and Methods

An animal model was arranged by making a full-thickness skin wound was created in each rat. Animals were randomly divided into control, sham, and treatment groups. To investigate the effect of humic and fulvic acids combining poultice, the wound area and histological analyses of the number of inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, and angiogenesis were evaluated for 21 days.

Results

The animals in the treated group showed higher wound healing percentage, angiogenesis, and fibroblast distribution compared with the control (P < 0.001). Moreover, the topical administration of humic and fulvic acids 0.5% poultice decreased the mean number of inflammatory cells significantly than the other groups (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The topical administration of a poultice containing humic and fulvic acid accelerated wound healing by increasing angiogenesis and fibroblast and reducing inflammatory cell distribution in a rat model.

Waste to Wealth: Near-Infrared/pH Dual-Responsive Copper-Humic Acid Hydrogel Films for Bacteria-Infected Cutaneous Wound Healing

The clinical applications of currently used photosensitizers are limited by high costs, inconvenient preparation, suboptimal biodegradability, and a lack of biological activity. Humic acids (HAs) show photothermal activity and can be used as a photosensitizer for photothermal therapy. In the presence of various functional groups, HAs are endowed with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The solubility of HAs is dependent on the pH value, which is soluble in neutral to alkaline conditions and undergoes a conformational change to a coiled and compact structure in acidic conditions. Additionally, Cu2+ is an emerging therapeutic agent for cutaneous wounds and can be chelated by HAs to form complexes. In this study, we explore the ability of HAs to modulate the inflammatory response, particularly macrophage polarization, and the potential underlying mechanism. We fabricate a near-infrared (NIR)/pH dual-responsive Cu-HAs nanoparticle (NP)-based poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel film loaded with SEW2871 (SEW), a macrophage recruitment agent, to treat bacteria-infected cutaneous wounds. The results show that HAs could promote M2 macrophage polarization in a dose-dependent manner. The Cu-HAs NPs successfully eradicated bacterial infection through NIR-induced local hyperthermia. This PVA@Cu-HAs NPs@SEW hydrogel film improves tissue regeneration by promoting M2 macrophage polarization, alleviating oxidative stress, enhancing angiogenesis, and facilitating collagen deposition. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of PVA@Cu-HAs NPs@SEW hydrogel film for the treatment of bacterially infected cutaneous wound healing.

Humic substances from composted fennel residues control the inflammation induced by Helicobacter pylori infection in AGS cells

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common human pathogen causing inflammation. Recent studies have suggested a sophisticated interplay between mitochondria, innate immunity and inflammatory response, thus proposing mitochondrial disfunction as the hallmark of severe inflammatory disorders. In this study, humic substances isolated from composted fennel residues (HS-FEN) were tested as potential therapeutical strategy to restore the mitochondrial physiology and control the inflammation associated with H. pylori infection. The molecular features of HS-FEN were characterized by infrared spectrometry, thermochemolysis-GC/MS, NMR spectroscopy, and high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC), which revealed the presence of aromatic polyphenolic components arranged in a rather stable conformation. In vitro results showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of HS-FEN, that was found to increase the expression level of OPA-1 and SOD-2 genes and in AGS cells stimulated with H. pylori culture filtrate (Hpcf) and concomitantly decrease the expression level of Drp-1 gene and IL-12, IL-17 and G-CSF proteins. The hydrophobic features of HS, their conformational arrangement and large content of bioactive molecules may explain the beneficial effects of HS-FEN, that may potentially become an interesting source of anti-inflammatory agents capable to counteract or prevent the H. pylori-related inflammatory disorders.

Influence of Humic Acids Isolated from Raised Bog Sphagnum Peat on Development of Th1/Th2 Immune Response

The course administration of humic acids isolated with sodium pyrophosphate from raised bog sphagnum peat reduces the parameters of a Th1-type immune response in C57BL/6 mice, the severity of an anaphylactic shock in outbred CD1 mice, and degranulation of mast cells after their immunization with ovalbumin. The addition of humic acids increases the stimulated production of IL-4, IL-10 and reduces the production of IL-2, IFNγ by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy donors.

Modification of the chemically induced inflammation assay reveals the Janus face of a phenol rich fulvic acid

Inflammation is an essential process as a reaction towards infections or wounding. Exposure to hazardous environmental pollutants can lead to chronic inflammations, where the resolving phase is delayed or blocked. Very contradictory studies have been reported on the pro- and anti-inflammatory effects of humic substances (HSs) leading to significant disagreements between researchers. To a certain extent, this can be attributed to the chemical heterogeneity of this group of xenobiotics. Here we show for the first time that pro- and anti-inflammatory effects can occur by one HSs. We adapted an assay that uses green fluorescence-labeled zebrafish larvae and CuSO₄ to indue an inflammation. In wild-type larvae, exposure to 50 µM CuSO₄ for 2 h activated the production of reactive oxygen species, which can be monitored with a fluorescence dye (H2DCFDA) and a microplate reader. This allows not only the use of wild-type fish but also a temporal separation of copper exposure and inflammatory substance while retaining the high throughput. This modified assay was then used to evaluate the inflammatory properties of a fulvic acid (FA). We found, that the aromatic structure of the FA protects from inflammation at 5 and 50 mg C/L, while the persistent free radicals enhance the copper-induced inflammation at ≥ 300 mg C/L.

Protective Roles of Shilajit in Modulating Resistin, Adiponectin, and Cytokines in Rats with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of Shilajit, a medicine of Ayurveda, on the serum changes in cytokines and adipokines caused by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

METHODS

After establishing fatty liver models by feeding a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks, 35 Wistar male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, including control (standard diet), Veh (HFD + vehicle), high-dose Shilajit [H-Sh, HFD + 250 mg/(kg·d) Shilajit], low-dose Shilajit [L-Sh, HFD + 150 mg/(kg·d) Shilajit], and pioglitazone [HFD + 10 mg/(kg·d) pioglitazone] groups, 7 rats in each group. After 2-week of gavage administration, serum levels of glucose, insulin, interleukin 1beta (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), adiponectin, and resistin were measured, and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated.

RESULTS

After NAFLD induction, the serum level of IL-10 significantly increased and serum IL-1β, TNF-α levels significantly decreased by injection of both doses of Shilajit and pioglitazone (P<0.05). Increases in serum glucose level and homeostasis model of HOMA-IR were reduced by L-Sh and H-Sh treatment in NAFLD rats (P<0.05). Both doses of Shilajit increased adiponectin and decreased serum resistin levels (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The probable protective role of Shilajit in NAFLD model rats may be via modulating the serum levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10, adipokine and resistin, and reducing of HOMA-IR.

Antiflammatory activity and potential dermatological applications of characterized humic acids from a lignite and a green compost

Long-term exposure to air pollution has been associated with the development of some inflammatory processes related to skin. The goal of modern medicine is the development of new products with antiflammatory action deriving from natural sources to improve environmental and economic sustainability. In this study, two different humic acids (HA) were isolated from from lignite (HA-LIG) and composted artichoke wastes (HA-CYN) and characterized by infrared spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, thermochemolysis-GC/MS, and high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC), while their antiflammatory activity was evaluated on HaCaT cells. Spectroscopic results showing the predominance of apolar aliphatic and aromatic components in HA-LIG, whereas HA-CYN revealed a presence of polysaccharides and polyphenolic lignin residues. The HA application on human keratinocyte pre-treated with Urban Dust revealed a general increase of viability suggesting a protective effect of humic matter due to the content of aromatic, phenolic and lignin components. Conversely, the gene expression of IL-6 and IL-1β cytokines indicated a significant decrease after application of HA-LIG, thus exhibiting a greater antiflammatory power than HA-CYN. The specific combination of HA protective hydrophobic components, viable conformational arrangements, and content of bioactive molecules, suggests an innovative applicability of humic matter in dermatology as skin protectors from environmental irritants and as antiflammatory agents.

Anti-Allergic Properties of Humic Acids Isolated from Pine-Sphagnum-Cotton Sedge Peat

The course administration of humic acids isolated by the sodium pyrophosphate method from pine-sphagnum-cotton sedge peat reduced the general anaphylaxis reaction in mice and guinea pigs immunized with ovalbumin and decreased serum content of IgG1 and IgE in mice. The serum from mice treated with humic acids and sensitized with ovalbumin did not increase the rate of degranulation of mast cells isolated from intact Wistar rats in the presence of ovalbumin in comparison with the serum of control animals.

Development and validation of standardization methods of aqueous sapropel extract

Methodological bases and uniform standardization criteria of humic compounds as substances for drug products have not been developed yet. This is due to the structural complexity of humic compounds, the variety of ways to extract them from natural objects, the impossibility of using many classical methods of analytical chemistry to identify and quantify humic substances (HS), the lack of standard samples. The identification of humic acids (HA) in the aqueous sapropel extract (ASE) is identified after extracting from ASE by alkaline hydrolysis by the quantification method. After further precipitation with a concentrated sulfuric acid solution characteristic dark brown color is appeared. It was carried out the HA extraction from the sample of ASE, the precipitation of HA, the oxidation of HA and Mohr’s salt titration in accordance with the methodology developed on the basis of SSTU 7083:2009. It was determined that the total mass fraction of HA in the ASE sample was 83.8 mg/g± 0.12%. The methods of identification and quantification of the total mass of HA in ASE have been developed and validated. The ASE has been standardized.

Immunomodulating Properties of Humic Acids Extracted from Oligotrophic Sphagnum magellanicum Peat

Humic acids extracted with sodium pyrophosphate from Oligotrophic Sphagnum magellanicum peat reduce mitogen-stimulated production of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 by mouse peritoneal macrophages and do not affect the secretion of IL-4 by lymphocytes. The studied humic acid sample stimulates the production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-12, TNFα, IL-1β, and IFNγ by immunocompetent mouse cells and human mononuclear cells. Course administration of humic acids to mice enhances the humoral immunity, increasing the number of antibody-forming cells in the spleen and the titer of antibodies in the blood serum after immunization with sheep red blood cells.

Effective Doses of Ionizing Radiation during Therapeutic Peat Mud Treatment from a Deposit in the Knyszyn Forest (Northeastern Poland)

Radioactivity measurements of 61 therapeutic peat mud samples from the Podsokoldy deposits, near Suprasl, were performed using gamma spectrometry. The authors identified the presence of 13 isotopes with the arithmetic mean of activity (in Bq kg^-1): ¹³⁷Cs-7, ⁴⁰K-24, ²⁰⁸Tl-1, ²¹²Bi-3, ²¹²Pb-2, ²²⁸Ac-2, ²¹⁰Pb-33, ²¹⁴Bi-11, ²¹⁴Pb-11, ²²⁶Ra-53, ²³⁴Th-47. The effective dose obtained during treatment with 15 peat mud baths (lasting 30 min) was 0.078 μSv. Use of peat mud compresses in the same number and period of exposure to the entire body surface caused absorption of a dose of 0.153 μSv. The authors discuss the probability of tissue radiation from isotopes present in the peat mud. In light of radiobiological knowledge, the therapeutic effect of ionizing radiation during peat mud therapy appears to be very unlikely.

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Water-Dispersible Humate-Coated Magnetite Nanoparticles: Relation of Coating Process Parameters to the Properties of Nanoparticles

Nowadays, there is a demand in the production of nontoxic multifunctional magnetic materials possessing both high colloidal stability in water solutions and high magnetization. In this work, a series of water-dispersible natural humate-polyanion coated superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles has been synthesized via microwave-assisted synthesis without the use of inert atmosphere. An impact of a biocompatible humate-anion as a coating agent on the structural and physical properties of nanoparticles has been established. The injection of humate-polyanion at various synthesis stages leads to differences in the physical properties of the obtained nanomaterials. Depending on the synthesis protocol, nanoparticles are characterized by improved monodispersity, smaller crystallite and grain size (up to 8.2 nm), a shift in the point of zero charge (6.4 pH), enhanced colloidal stability in model solutions, and enhanced magnetization (80 emu g⁻¹).

Humic Acid, a Polyphenolic Substance, Decreases Alveolar Bone Loss in Experimental Periodontitis in Rats

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biochemical, morphometric, and histopathological changes associated with experimental periodontitis in rats in response to local administration of humic acid. Thirty-eight Wistar rats were divided into 5 experimental groups: nonligated (NL) group, ligature-only (LO) group, and ligature + local administration of humic acid (20, 80, and 150 mg/kg body weight per day for 15 days, respectively; L-20, L-80, and L-150 groups). Changes in alveolar bone levels were clinically measured as the distance from the cementoenamel junction to the alveolar bone crest with a stereomicroscope. Tissues were histopathologically examined to assess the osteoclast numbers, osteoblastic activity, and inflammatory cell infiltration among the study groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay interleukin1β (IL-1β) and IL-10 levels in serum and gingival homogenates were evaluated. At the end of 15 days, the alveolar bone loss was significantly higher in the LO group compared to the NL, L-20, and L-150 groups (P < .05). The osteoclast number in the LO group was significantly higher than the NL, L-20, and L-150 groups (P < .05). Inflammatory cell infiltration was significantly higher in the LO and L-80 groups than the other groups (P < .05). The highest serum and gingival homogenate IL-10 levels were determined in the NL group (P < .05). The serum and gingival homogenate IL-1β levels in LO group were significantly higher than the NL, L-20, and L-150 groups (P < .05). Within the limits of this study, it can be suggested that humic acid, when administered locally at 20 and 80 mg/kg doses, may prevent alveolar bone loss in the rat model.

Effect of the Addition of Humic Substances as Growth Promoter in Broiler Chickens Under Two Feeding Regimens

Simple Summary

The rapid spread of antimicrobial-resistant genes in bacterial communities is a threat to human, animal, and environmental health that continues to progress inflexibly. Humic substances (HS) are promising complex molecules as an alternative to reduce the use of growth promoter antibiotics (GPA) in animal feeds. Improvements in productivity, intestinal health, immune response, and antioxidant status have been reported in broilers supplemented with HS. In the present study, broilers fed with an extract of HS (EHS) from a worm compost had similar carcass yield and excretion of coccidian oocysts but increased Clostridium perfringens and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) compared to broilers fed diets added with GPA. Broilers subjected to feed restriction had reduced growth performance and meat quality. These results confirm the growth-promoting effect of ESH, which could be explained by higher abundance of the beneficial LAB and by reducing the multiplication of harmful parasites in the gut of broilers.

Abstract

Humic substances (HS) from different sources have been evaluated to replace or reduce the use of growth promoter antibiotics (GPA) in the feeds of broiler chickens. The objective was to evaluate the growth performance, tibia measurements, nutrient balance, meat quality, and microbiological status of broiler fed with an HS extract (EHS) under ad libitum (ADLIB) or feed restriction (REST). Individually caged broilers (n = 180, 14–35 day of age) were assigned to a factorial arrangement of three dietary treatments: (1) positive control with bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD) and salinomycin; (2) negative control without BMD nor salinomycin, and (3) same as negative control with 0.25% EHS, and two feeding regimens 1) ADLIB or REST for 24 h on d 1, 7, and 14. Results were subjected to ANOVA. Positive control and EHS-fed broilers showed higher carcass yield (p < 0.05) and lower oocyst excretion (p < 0.01) compared to negative control birds. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) were higher in negative control and EHS-broilers compared to positive control (p < 0.01). In conclusion, higher carcass yield, lower C. perfringens and oocyst excretion were found in positive control and higher carcass yield, higher LAB and lower oocyst excretion were found in EHS-fed broilers. Broilers subjected to REST had reduced growth performance and meat quality. In conclusion, EHS could be used to increase the carcass yield and beneficial LAB in broilers.

The effects of humic water on endothelial cells under hyperglycemic conditions: inflammation-associated parameters

Humic waters (HW) are globally unique, deep underground, dark-brown waters containing humic acids, and they present numerous therapeutic activities including anti-inflammatory. In the present study, we use HW from source in Poland. Diabetes has become an epidemic and is a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. Hyperglycemia in diabetes is responsible for damaging of the endothelium and increases inflammation on the surface of the vascular lining. The inflammatory process in diabetes is associated with the secretion of inflammatory cytokines by endothelial cells, e.g., tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), and with the reduction of cell proliferation. In the study, we used cultures of endothelial cells (HUVEC line-human umbilical vein endothelial cells) with the addition 30 mM/L of glucose in the culture medium which imitated the conditions of uncontrolled diabetes. The addition of HW in the proper volume to the culture medium causes reduction of inflammation by significant decrease in inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα and IL-6 and also leads to enhancement of the cell proliferation. It appears that the adverse effects of hyperglycemia on vascular endothelial cells may be corrected by addition of humic water. The above promising results of in vitro tests provide an opportunity to the possible use of humic water in the supportive treatment of endothelial dysfunction disorders in diabetes. However, this issue requires further clinical research.

The effect of leonardite and lignite on the health of weaned piglets

A three-week trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of leonardite and lignite, natural sources of humic substances, on selected indicators of health status of weaned piglets. A total of 45 weaned piglets were assigned to three dietary treatments: Control - basal diet without any medication; Leonardite or Lignite - diet supplemented with lignite or leonardite at a dose of 20 g/kg, respectively. Leonardite differed from lignite in the content of humic substances and minerals. Diarrhoea incidence and severity, growth performance, haematological and biochemical status, biomarkers of oxidative stress, serum fatty acid (FA) profile and faecal microbiota composition were monitored. Significantly lower faecal score, diarrhoea incidence, serum biomarkers of oxidative stress, higher body weight gain and no mortality were observed in leonardite and lignite group. The supplemented groups had or tended to have higher haematocrit, haemoglobin, erythrocyte counts, iron, cholesterol and lower urea in blood. Increased serum minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium) were detected in the leonardite group. Different effects of leonardite and lignite on serum FA profile were detected. Significantly lower proportion of saturated FA, higher unsaturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated (PUFA) n-3 FA and PUFA n6/n3 ratio were detected in leonardite group compared to lignite group. Both treatments decreased microbial diversity and richness of faecal microbiota at the genus level. Specifically, lower relative abundance of Firmicutes, Bacteroides, Anaerovibrio, Oscillospira, SMB53, Ruminococcus, and a tendency to a higher abundance of Prevotella was found compared to control group. Natural humic materials may provide benefit to piglets' heath in the difficult post-weaning period.

Humic acids: Structural properties and multiple functionalities for novel technological developments

Humic acids (HAs) are macromolecules that comprise humic substances (HS), which are organic matter distributed in terrestrial soil, natural water, and sediment. HAs differ from the other HS fractions (fulvic acid and humins) in that they are soluble in alkaline media, partially soluble in water, and insoluble in acidic media. Due to their amphiphilic character, HAs form micelle-like structures in neutral to acidic conditions, which are useful in agriculture, pollution remediation, medicine and pharmaceuticals. HAs have undefined compositions that vary according to the origin, process of obtainment, and functional groups present in their structures, such as quinones, phenols, and carboxylic acids. Quinones are responsible for the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HAs, which are useful for wound healing and have fungicidal/bactericidal properties. Phenols and carboxylic acids deprotonate in neutral and alkaline media and are responsible for various other functions, such as the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of HAs. In particular, the presence of phenolic groups in HAs provides antioxidant properties due to their free radical scavenging capacity. This paper describes the main multifunctionalities of HAs associated with their structures and properties, focusing on human health applications, and we note perspectives that may lead to novel technological developments. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review to address this topic from this approach.

The Antiinflammatory Properties of Humic Substances: A Mini Review

Humic substances are effective in the suppression of delayed type hypersensitivity, rat paw oedema, a graft-versus-host reaction and contact hypersensitivity in rats. They reduce the C-reactive protein levels of patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee and the wheel and flare reaction of patients suffering from hay fever. They have also been described as cardioprotective and pro-angiogenic. Toxicity studies have indicated that potassium humate is safe in humans up to a daily dosage of 1 g/kg, whereas fulvic acid is safe in humans up to a daily dosage of 1.8 g per adult. The antiinflammatory action of potassium humate can be contributed to the inhibition of the release of inflammatory-related cytokines, an adhesion molecule, oxidants and components of the complement system.