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Zhai S, Wang R, Wang J, Xu X, Niu L, Guo M, Zhang Y, Shi Y, Tang X. Curcumol: a review of its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, drug delivery systems, structure-activity relationships, and potential applications. Inflammopharmacology 2024; 32:1659-1704. [PMID: 38520574 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-024-01447-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Curcumol (Cur), a guaiane-type sesquiterpenoid hemiketal, is an important and representative bioactive component extracted from the essential oil of the rhizomes of Curcumae rhizoma which is also known as "Ezhu" in traditional Chinese medicine. Recently, Cur has received considerable attention from the research community due to its favorable pharmacological activities, including anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-convulsant, and other activities, and has also exerted therapeutic effect on various cancers, liver diseases, inflammatory diseases, and infectious diseases. Pharmacokinetic studies have shown that Cur is rapidly distributed in almost all organs of rats after intragastric administration with high concentrations in the small intestine and colon. Several studies focusing on structure-activity relationship (SAR) of Cur have shown that some Cur derivatives, chemically modified at C-8 or C-14, exhibited more potent anti-cancer activity and lower toxicity than Cur itself. This review aims to comprehensively summarize the latest advances in the pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties of Cur in the last decade with a focus on its anti-cancer and hepatoprotective potentials, as well as the research progress in drug delivery system and potential applications of Cur to date, to provide researchers with the latest information, to highlighted the limitations of relevant research at the current stage and the aspects that should be addressed in future research. Our results indicate that Cur and its derivatives could serve as potential novel agents for the treatment of a variety of diseases, particularly cancer and liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sicheng Zhai
- School of Medical Engineering, Haojing College of Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Tongyi Avenue, Xi Xian New District, Xianyang City, 712046, Shaanxi Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Wang
- School of Medical Engineering, Haojing College of Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Tongyi Avenue, Xi Xian New District, Xianyang City, 712046, Shaanxi Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingyuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Basic and New Drug Research in Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Shiji Avenue, Xi Xian New District, Xianyang City, 712046, Shaanxi Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangdong Xu
- School of Medical Engineering, Haojing College of Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Tongyi Avenue, Xi Xian New District, Xianyang City, 712046, Shaanxi Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Le Niu
- School of Medical Engineering, Haojing College of Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Tongyi Avenue, Xi Xian New District, Xianyang City, 712046, Shaanxi Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Guo
- School of Medical Engineering, Haojing College of Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Tongyi Avenue, Xi Xian New District, Xianyang City, 712046, Shaanxi Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongling Zhang
- School of Medical Engineering, Haojing College of Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Tongyi Avenue, Xi Xian New District, Xianyang City, 712046, Shaanxi Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yajun Shi
- Key Laboratory of Basic and New Drug Research in Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Shiji Avenue, Xi Xian New District, Xianyang City, 712046, Shaanxi Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xuexue Tang
- School of Medical Engineering, Haojing College of Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Tongyi Avenue, Xi Xian New District, Xianyang City, 712046, Shaanxi Province, People's Republic of China.
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Zheng Y, Wang L, Wang J, Zhao T, Wang J. Modulation of the HIF-1α-NCOA4-FTH1 Signaling Axis Regulating Ferroptosis-induced Hepatic Stellate Cell Senescence to Explore the Anti-hepatic Fibrosis Mechanism of Curcumol. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:2821-2837. [PMID: 38351696 DOI: 10.2174/0109298673271261231213051410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Senescence of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) reduces extracellular matrix expression to reverse liver fibrosis. Ferroptosis is closely related to cellular senescence, but its regulatory mechanisms need to be further investigated. The iron ions weakly bound to ferritin in the cell are called labile iron pool (LIP), and together with ferritin, they maintain cellular iron homeostasis and regulate the cell's sensitivity to ferroptosis. METHODS We used lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to construct a pathological model group and divided the hepatic stellate cells into a blank group, a model group, and a curcumol 12.5 mg/L group, a curcumol 25 mg/L group, and a curcumol 50 mg/L group. HIF-1α-NCOA4- FTH1 signalling axis, ferroptosis and cellular senescence were detected by various cellular molecular biology experiments. RESULT We found that curcumol could induce hepatic stellate cell senescence by promoting iron death in hepatic stellate cells. Curcumol induced massive deposition of iron ions in hepatic stellate cells by activating the HIF-1α-NCOA4-FTH1 signalling axis, which further led to iron overload and lipid peroxidation-induced ferroptosis. Interestingly, our knockdown of HIF-1α rescued curcumol-induced LIP and iron deposition in hepatic stellate cells, suggesting that HIF-1α is a key target of curcumol in regulating iron metabolism and ferroptosis. We were able to rescue curcumol-induced hepatic stellate cell senescence when we reduced LIP and iron ion deposition using iron chelators. CONCLUSION Overall, curcumol induces ferroptosis and cellular senescence by increasing HIF-1α expression and increasing NCOA4 interaction with FTH1, leading to massive deposition of LIP and iron ions, which may be the molecular biological mechanism of its anti-liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zheng
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Chinese Medicine Science, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530222, Guangxi , China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Chinese Medicine Science, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530222, Guangxi , China
| | - Jiaru Wang
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530222, Guangxi , China
| | - Tiejian Zhao
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530222, Guangxi , China
| | - Jiahui Wang
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Chinese Medicine Science, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530222, Guangxi , China
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Liu C, Li S, Zhang C, Jin CH. Recent Advances in Research on Active Compounds Against Hepatic Fibrosis. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:2571-2628. [PMID: 37497688 DOI: 10.2174/0929867331666230727102016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Almost all chronic liver diseases cause fibrosis, which can lead to cirrhosis and eventually liver cancer. Liver fibrosis is now considered to be a reversible pathophysiological process and suppression of fibrosis is necessary to prevent liver cancer. At present, no specific drugs have been found that have hepatic anti-fibrotic activity. OBJECTIVE The research progress of anti-hepatic fibrosis compounds in recent ten years was reviewed to provide a reference for the design and development of anti-hepatic fibrosis drugs. METHODS According to the structure of the compounds, they are divided into monocyclic compounds, fused-heterocyclic compounds, and acyclic compounds. RESULTS In this article, the natural products and synthetic compounds with anti-fibrotic activity in recent ten years were reviewed, with emphasis on their pharmacological activity and structure-activity relationship (SAR). CONCLUSION Most of these compounds are natural active products and their derivatives, and there are few researches on synthetic compounds and SAR studies on natural product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, 133002, China
| | - Siqi Li
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, 133002, China
| | - Changhao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, 133002, China
| | - Cheng-Hua Jin
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, 133002, China
- Interdisciplinary of Biological Functional Molecules, College of Integration Science, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, 133002, China
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Fang Z, Li S, Yushanjiang F, Feng G, Cui S, Hu S, Jiang X, Liu C. Curcumol alleviates cardiac remodeling via the AKT/NF-κB pathway. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 122:110527. [PMID: 37392572 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac remodeling is the final stage of almost all cardiovascular diseases, leading to heart failure and arrhythmias. However, the pathogenesis of cardiac remodeling is not fully understood, and specific treatment schemes are currently unavailable. Curcumol is a bioactive sesquiterpenoid that has anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-fibrotic properties. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of curcumol on cardiac remodeling and elucidate its relevant underlying mechanism. Curcumol significantly attenuated cardiac dysfunction, myocardial fibrosis, and hypertrophy in the animal model of isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac remodeling. Curcumol also alleviated cardiac electrical remodeling, thereby reducing the risk of ventricular fibrillation (VF) after heart failure. Inflammation and apoptosis are critical pathological processes involved in cardiac remodeling. Curcumol inhibited the inflammation and apoptosis induced by ISO and TGF-β1 in mouse myocardium and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs). Furthermore, the protective effects of curcumol were found to be mediated through the inhibition of the protein kinase B (AKT)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. The administration of an AKT agonist reversed the anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects of curcumol and restored the inhibition of NF-κB nuclear translocation in TGF-β1-induced NRCMs. Our study suggests that curcumol is a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of cardiac remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Fang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan 430060, China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Shuang Li
- Department of Cardiology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Feierkaiti Yushanjiang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan 430060, China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Gaoke Feng
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan 430060, China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Shengyu Cui
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan 430060, China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Shan Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan 430060, China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Xuejun Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan 430060, China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, China.
| | - Chengyin Liu
- Department of Geriatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China.
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Bai YM, Liang S, Zhou B. Revealing immune infiltrate characteristics and potential immune-related genes in hepatic fibrosis: based on bioinformatics, transcriptomics and q-PCR experiments. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1133543. [PMID: 37122694 PMCID: PMC10140356 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1133543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The occurrence and progression of hepatic fibrosis (HF) is accompanied by inflammatory damage. Immune genes play a pivotal role in fibrogenesis and inflammatory damage in HF by regulating immune cell infiltration. However, the immune mechanisms of HF are inadequately studied. Therefore, this research aims to identify the immune genes and biological pathway which involved in fibrosis formation and inflammatory damage in HF and explore immune target-based therapeutics for HF. Methods The expression dataset GSE84044 of HF was downloaded from the GEO database. The crucial module genes for HF were screened according to weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). The crucial module genes were mapped to immune-related genes obtained from the ImmPort database to obtain the hepatic fibrosis immune genes (HFIGs). In addition, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional enrichment analyses were performed on HFIGs. Then, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was conducted on HFIGs and hub genes were identified from the PPI network. Moreover, immune infiltration analysis was performed to identified correlation between hub gene and immune cell infiltration. To verify the reliability of the GSE84044 expression profile data analysis, a rat model of CCl4-induced HF was established, followed by transcriptome sequencing and immunofluorescence analysis and quantitative reverse transcription (q-PCR) experiments were performed in HF rats and normal rat liver tissues. Finally, CMAP platform was used to explore immune target-based therapeutics for HF. Results In the bioinformatics analysis of GSE84044 data, 98 HFIGs were screened. These genes were mainly involved in inflammation-related biological pathways such as NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, NF-kappa B signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. From the PPI network, 10 hub genes were identified, including CXCL8, IL18, CXCL10, CD8A, IL7, PTPRC, CCL5, IL7R, CXCL9 and CCL2. Immune infiltration analysis showed that immune cells like neutrophils, natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages M1 and macrophages M2 were significantly correlated with the hepatic fibrosis process and hub gene expression was significantly correlated with these immune cells. Notably, most of the biological pathways HFIGs riched and all the hub gene expression except CXCL8 were validated in subsequent transcriptome and qRCR experiments. Finally, 15 small molecule compounds with the potential to reverse the high expression of hub genes were screen out as potential therapeutic agents for HF. Conclusion The immune genes CXCL8, IL18, CXCL10, CD8A, IL7, PTPRC, CCL5, IL7R, CXCL9 and CCL2 may play an essential role in the fibrosis formation and inflammatory damage in HF. The outcomes of this research provide a basis for the study of the immune mechanisms of HF and contribute to the diagnosis and prevention and treatment of HF in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ming Bai
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Shuang Liang
- Yinchuan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Bo Zhou
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Ningxia Regional Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- *Correspondence: Bo Zhou,
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The Complexity of Sesquiterpene Chemistry Dictates Its Pleiotropic Biologic Effects on Inflammation. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27082450. [PMID: 35458648 PMCID: PMC9032002 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27082450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sesquiterpenes (SQs) are volatile compounds made by plants, insects, and marine organisms. SQ have a large range of biological properties and are potent inhibitors and modulators of inflammation, targeting specific components of the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) signaling pathway and nitric oxide (NO) generation. Because SQs can be isolated from over 1600 genera and 2500 species grown worldwide, they are an attractive source of phytochemical therapeutics. The chemical structure and biosynthesis of SQs is complex, and the SQ scaffold represents extraordinary structural variety consisting of both acyclic and cyclic (mono, bi, tri, and tetracyclic) compounds. These structures can be decorated with a diverse range of functional groups and substituents, generating many stereospecific configurations. In this review, the effect of SQs on inflammation will be discussed in the context of their complex chemistry. Because inflammation is a multifactorial process, we focus on specific aspects of inflammation: the inhibition of NF-kB signaling, disruption of NO production and modulation of dendritic cells, mast cells, and monocytes. Although the molecular targets of SQs are varied, we discuss how these pathways may mediate the effects of SQs on inflammation.
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