Thermal treatment of luteolin-7-O-β-glucoside improves its immunomodulatory and antioxidant potencies

Humulus japonicus Extract Ameliorates Hepatic Steatosis Through the PPARα-Mediated Suppression of Alcohol-Induced Oxidative Stress

Humulus japonicus has been used to treat obesity, hypertension, and nonalcoholic fatty liver and to alleviate inflammation and oxidative stress. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of H. japonicus ethanol extracts (HE) and luteolin 7-O-β-d-glucoside (LU), which is identified as a major active component of H. japonicus, on ethanol-induced oxidative stress and lipid accumulation in primary hepatocytes. Mouse primary hepatocytes were treated with HE and stimulated with ethanol. The MTT test was used to determine cell viability. By using Western blotting, the effects of HE on the expression of different proteins were investigated. Experimental mice were given a 5% alcohol liquid Lieber-DeCarli diet to induce alcoholic fatty liver. We found that both HE and LU individually attenuated ethanol-induced lipid accumulation, lipogenic protein expression, and cellular oxidative stress in hepatocytes. Treatment with HE or LU increased PPARα and SOD1 expression and catalase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Small interfering RNA of PPARα reduced the effects of HE on oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, and levels of antioxidants. We also observed that orally administered HE treatment alleviated hepatic steatosis in a diet containing ethanol-fed mice. This study suggests HE as a functional food that can improve hepatic steatosis, thereby preventing hepatic injury caused by alcohol consumption.

Dietary factors and SARS-CoV-2 contagion: in silico studies on modulation of viral and host proteins by spice actives

The SARS-CoV-2 contagion has had a huge impact on world population. It has been observed that despite massive spread of the contagion in India particularly during the second wave, the overall case fatality rates remain low. This prompted us to look into dietary factors that can possibly modulate the viral impact and/or host response. In silico studies were carried out on forty-two commonly used spices and their 637 known active compounds with an aim of identifying such compounds that may have propensity to reduce viral impact or boost host immune response. We chose to study SARS-Cov-2 helicase on account of its functional importance in maintaining viral load within the host, and the human tank binding protein (TBK1) for its important role in host immunity. We carried out in silico virtual screening, docking studies with 637 phytochemical against these two proteins, using in silico methods. Upon assessing the strength of the ligand-target interactions and post simulation binding energy profile, our study identifies procyanidin-B4 from bay leaf, fenugreekine from fenugreek seed and gallotannin from pomegranate seed as active interactors that docked to viral helicase. Similarly, we identified eruboside B from garlic, gallotannin from pomegranate seed, as strong interacting partners to human TBK1. Our studies thus present dietary spice constituents as potential protagonists for further experimentation to understand how spices in the diet might help the hosts in countering the viral assault and mount a robust protective response against COVID and other infections.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Antileukemic, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Healing Activities Induced by a Polyphenol-Enriched Fraction Extracted from Leaves of Myrtus communis L

Natural products have offered a number of exciting approaches in cancer treatment over the years. In this study, we investigated the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of the polyphenol-enriched fraction extracted from Myrtus communis (PEMC) on acute and chronic leukemia. According to the UHPLC-MSⁿ, the fraction is rich in flavonoids. Protective activity of the PEMC was assessed by evaluating the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and hemolysis potential in a series of in vivo and in vitro assays, while the therapeutic approach consisted of the evaluation of cytotoxic activity of the PEMC against HL60 and K562 leukemia cell lines. Safety of the fraction was also evaluated on a non-cancerous Vero cell line and by an acute toxicity test performed in mice. The PEMC demonstrated a significant anti-inflammatory and healing potential. The activities found at the dose of 100 mg/kg were better than those observed using a reference drug. The PEMC demonstrated a significant antioxidant effect and a specific cytotoxicity towards HL60 (IC₅₀ = 19.87 µM) and K562 (IC₅₀ = 29.64 µM) cell lines being non-toxic to the Vero cell line. No hemolytic activity was observed in vitro and no toxicity effect was found in mice. Thus, the PEMC has a pharmacological potential as both preventive and therapeutic agent. However, further research is necessary to propose its mechanism of action.

Research Progress with Luteolin as an Anti-Tumor Agent

In this review, we outline the new expertise and research progress with luteolin as an antitumor agent, and clarify the related results from the aspects of tumor proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis, sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, angiogenesis, and immunotherapy. In recent years, with the development of medical technology, the early detection rate of tumors has increased significantly. However, the number of cancer patients remains high. Therefore, a new and reasonably effective tumor therapeutic drug is urgently demanded. Luteolin, a flavonoid and widespread in nature, attracts more and more attention due to its universal biological utility, especially in the study of antitumor activity. This article reviews the work published in the past 20 years on the role and mechanism of luteolin as an antitumor agent, showing that this compound has a variety of effects for antitumor treatment by acting on different cytokines. Although clinical studies have not yet been widely carried out, a series of basic studies have confirmed that luteolin is a reasonably effective antineoplastic agent or anticancer adjuvant. Besides, derivatives of luteolin have good application prospects.

Anti-hepatitis B virus activity of food nutrients and potential mechanisms of action

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is endemic in many parts of the world and is a significant cause of chronic liver damage and hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV therapeutics vary according to the disease stage. The best therapeutic option for patients with end-stage liver disease is liver transplantation, while for chronic patients, HBV infection is commonly managed using antivirals (nucleos(t)ides analogs or interferons). However, due to the accessibility issues and the high cost of antivirals, most HBV patients do not have access to treatment. These complications have led researchers to reconsider treatment approaches, such as nutritional therapy. This review summarizes the nutrients reported to have antiviral activity against HBV and their possible mechanism of action. Recent studies suggest resveratrol, vitamin E, lactoferrin, selenium, curcumin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, moringa extracts, chlorogenic acid, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate may be beneficial for patients with hepatitis B. The anti-HBV effect of most of these nutrients has been analyzed in vitro and in animal models. Different antiviral and hepatoprotective mechanisms have been proposed for these nutrients, such as the activation of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways, regulation of metabolic homeostasis, epigenetic control, activation of the p53 gene, inhibition of oncogenes, inhibition of virus entry, and induction of autophagosomes. In conclusion, scientific evidence indicates that HBV replication, transcription, and expression of viral antigens can be affected directly by nutrients. In the future, these nutrients may be considered to develop appropriate nutritional management for patients with hepatitis B.

SUMOylation as a Therapeutic Target for Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction is a prevalent and life-threatening cardiovascular disease. The main goal of existing interventional therapies is to restore coronary reperfusion while few are designed to ameliorate the pathology of heart diseases via targeting the post-translational modifications of those critical proteins. Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) proteins are recently discovered to form a new type of protein post-translational modifications (PTM), known as SUMOylation. SUMOylation and deSUMOylation are dynamically balanced in the maintenance of various biological processes including cell division, DNA repair, epigenetic transcriptional regulation, and cellular metabolism. Importantly, SUMOylation plays a critical role in the regulation of cardiac functions and the pathology of cardiovascular diseases, especially in heart failure and myocardial infarction. This review summarizes the current understanding on the effects of SUMOylation and SUMOylated proteins in the pathophysiology of myocardial infarction and identifies the potential treatments against myocardial injury via targeting SUMO. Ultimately, this review recommends SUMOylation as a key therapeutic target for treating cardiovascular diseases.

Potential Application of Plant-Based Functional Foods in the Development of Immune Boosters

Immune dysfunction, which is responsible for the development of human diseases including cancer, is caused by a variety of factors. Therefore, regulation of the factors influencing the immune response is a potentially effective strategy to counter diseases. Presently, several immune adjuvants are used in clinical practice to enhance the immune response and host defense ability; however, synthetic drugs can exert negative side effects. Thus, the search for natural products of plant origin as new leads for the development of potent and safe immune boosters is gaining considerable research interest. Plant-based functional foods have been shown to exert several immunomodulatory effects in humans; therefore, the application of new agents to enhance immunological and specific host defenses is a promising approach. In this comprehensive review, we have provided an up-to-date report on the use as well as the known and potential mechanisms of bioactive compounds obtained from plant-based functional foods as natural immune boosters. Plant-based bioactive compounds promote immunity through multiple mechanisms, including influencing the immune organs, cellular immunity, humoral immunity, nonspecific immunity, and immune-related signal transduction pathways. Enhancement of the immune response in a natural manner represents an excellent prospect for disease prevention and treatment and is worthy of further research and development using approaches of modern science and technology.

Effect of Heat Treatment and Light Exposure on the Antioxidant Activity of Flavonoids

The application of food processes can lead to a modification of both the structure and the activities of flavonoids. In this article, the effect of heat treatment and exposure to light on the antioxidant activity of 6 model flavonoid solutions (rutin, naringin, eriodictyol, mesquitol, luteolin, and luteolin 7-O-glucoside) was studied. The evolution of the antioxidant activity measured after heat treatment of 130 °C at 2 h and an exposure to visible light for 2 weeks is measured by the ABTS (2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt) method and represented by a new parameter called ΔTEAC. The model solution of Mesquitol showed the highest increase in ΔTEAC after a heat treatment, a value of 200 mM was obtained. The increase in ΔTEAC is always greater with thermal treatment than with light exposure. Thus, temperature and light lead to different degradation pathways of the flavonoid. In vivo measurements were carried out with solutions of naringin, erodictyol, and luteolin 7-O-glucoside. Heated solutions of flavonoids do not exhibit toxicity on cells. The specific activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxide have been determined and have shown an increased impact on the potential anti-cancer of these solutions by enhancing their cellular antioxidant activity, as well as modulation of the oxidative stress.

Heat treatment and protective potentials of luteolin-7-O-glucoside against cisplatin genotoxic and cytotoxic effects

Cisplatin is an effective chemotherapeutic agent that has pronounced adverse effects. Using flavonoids is currently eliciting considerable interest. During extraction and conditioning, they usually undergo several physical treatments such as heat treatment, although it is not known whether thermal treatment might influence the pharmacological effects of flavonoids such as luteolin-7-O-glucoside (L7G). This study was undertaken to explore the protective role of native and heated L7G against DNA damage and oxidative stress induced by cisplatin. Balb/c mice were administered L7G before a single intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (10 mg/kg). Animals were sacrificed 24 h after treatment with drugs. The geno-protective role of native and heated L7G was evaluated by comet assay. In addition to monitoring the activities of antioxidant enzymes, levels of malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione were assessed in the liver, kidney, brain, and spleen tissues. The results of the present study demonstrate that both heated and native L7G, at a dose of 40 mg/kg b.w, were able to reduce the genotoxicity of cisplatin. They attenuate the oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, catalase, GPx, SOD, and GSH) and tissue damage (creatinine, IFNγ). Heat treatment did not alter the antigenotoxic effect observed for native L7G and showed similar effects to those of native L7G for all of the evaluated parameters. Our study reveals that L7G attenuates the side effects of anticancer drug and heat treatment did not alter his antigenotoxic and antioxidant the potential.

Delivery luteolin with folacin-modified nanoparticle for glioma therapy

Background

Glioblastoma mutliforme is the most common and has the poorest prognosis of any malignant tumor of the central nervous system. Luteolin, the most abundant xanthone extracted from vegetables and medicinal plants, has been shown to have treatment effects in various cancer cell types. Luteolin is however, hydrophobic and has poor biocompatibility, which leads to low bioavailability.

Patients and methods

In this study, folic acid modifiedpoly(ethylene glycol)-poly(e-caprolactone) (Fa-PEG-PCL) nano-micelles was used to encapsulate the luteolin, creating luteolin loaded PEG-PCL (Lut/Fa-PEG-PCL) micelles to treat glioma both in vitro and in vivo.

Results

When compared with the free luteolin and Lut/MPEG-PCL, Lut/Fa-PEG-PCL induced a significant cell growth inhibition and more apoptosis of GL261 cells both in vitro and in vivo. The safety assessment also showed no obvious side effects were observed in mice which were administrated with free luteolin or Lut/MPEG-PCL and Lut/Fa-PEG-PCL.

Conclusion

These results suggested Lut/Fa-PEG-PCL may be used as an excellent intravenously injectable formulation for the treatment and chemoprevention.

The Stability and Activity Changes of Apigenin and Luteolin in Human Cervical Cancer Hela Cells in Response to Heat Treatment and Fe2+/Cu2+ Addition

Flavonoids are natural polyphenolic compounds with desired bio-functions but with chemical instability and sensitivity to temperature, oxygen, and other factors. Apigenin and luteolin, two flavones of the flavonoid family in plant foods, were; thus, assessed and compared for their stability, especially the changes in anti-cancer activity in response to the conducted heat treatments and the addition of ferrous or cupric ions. The two flavones in aqueous solutions showed first-order degradation at 20 and 37 °C. The addition of ferrous or cupric ions (except for Cu2+ at 37 °C) enhanced luteolin stability via forming the luteolin-metal complexes; however, Fe/Cu addition (especially at 37 °C) consistently impaired apigenin stability. Using the human cervical cancer Hela cells and two cell treatment times (24 and 48 h), it was evident that heat treatments (37 and 100 °C) or Fe/Cu addition could endow apigenin and luteolin with decreased activities in growth inhibition, DNA damage, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and apoptosis induction. In general, higher temperature led to greater decrease in these activities, while Fe2+ was more effective than Cu2+ to decrease these activities. The correlation analysis also suggested that the decreased ROS generation of the two flavones in the Hela cells was positively correlated with their decreased apoptosis induction. It is; thus, concluded that the two treatments can influence the two flavones' stability and especially exert an adverse impact on their anti-cancer activities.

Daphnetin attenuates LPS-induced osteolysis and RANKL mediated osteoclastogenesis through suppression of ERK and NFATc1 pathways

Aseptic prosthetic loosening and periprosthetic infection resulting in inflammatory osteolysis is a leading complication of total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Excessive bone destruction around the bone and prosthesis interface plays a key role in the loosening prostheses leading to revision surgery. The bacterial endotoxins or implant-derived wear particles-induced inflammatory response is the major cause of the elevated osteoclast formation and activity. Thus, agents or compounds that can attenuate the inflammatory response and/or inhibit the elevated osteoclastogenesis and excessive bone resorption would provide a promising therapeutic avenue to prevent aseptic prosthetic loosening in TJA. Daphnetin (DAP), a natural coumarin derivative, is clinically used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we report for the first time that DAP could protect against lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory bone destruction in a murine calvarial osteolysis model in vivo. This protective effect of DAP can in part be attributed to its direct inhibitory effect on RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation, fusion, and bone resorption in vitro. Biochemical analysis found that DAP inhibited the activation of the ERK and NFATc1 signaling cascades. Collectively, our findings suggest that DAP as a natural compound has potential for the treatment of inflammatory osteolysis.

Anabasis aretioides Coss. & Moq. phenolic compounds exhibit in vitro hypoglycemic, antioxidant and antipathogenic properties

Background Based on our previous ethnobotanical survey, the non-investigated Saharan plant Anabasis aretioides Coss. & Moq., growing in the region of Errachidia, was selected for pharmacological investigation. In Moroccan traditional medicine, A. aretioides is being used for diabetes treatment. Thus, the current work aims at evaluating the antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of the plant in relation to the digestive tract. Methods The different parts of the plant (aerial parts, roots, seeds) were extracted with methanol (MeOH) and screened in enzymatic assays for their inhibitory potential against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, as well as antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Furthermore, the phenolic compounds were analyzed using HPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS. Results The MeOH extracts of A. aretioides aerial parts, roots, and seeds, respectively, inhibited α-amylase (IC50 of 3148.07 μg/mL, 2440.20 μg/mL, 3395.71 μg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC50 of 2940.59 μg/mL, 3521.81 μg/mL, 3393.83 μg/mL). Moreover, compared to aerial parts and seeds, the plant roots exhibited higher antioxidant capacity and a potent reducing power. In resazurin microplate assay, the plant parts displayed a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 7.81 mg/mL to 31.25 mg/mL. Chemical analysis revealed 25 phenolic compounds, with chlorogenic acid as the main phenolic compound in the aerial parts, hesperidin in roots, and quercitrin in seeds. Conclusion Anabasis aretioides cited for treatment of diabetes shows promising antioxidant and antibacterial properties, as well as an ability to inhibit digestive enzyme, including α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Thus, our results explain in part the traditional use of this Saharan medicine and open doors for further in vivo mechanistic and functional studies.

Phytochemical characterization of polyphenolic compounds with HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS and evaluation of lipid-lowering capacity of aqueous extracts from Saharan plant Anabasis aretioides (Coss & Moq.) in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

OBJECTIVE

Anabasis aretioides (Coss & Moq.), a Saharan plant belonging to Chenopodiaceae family, is widely distributed in semi-desert areas from the Tafilalet region of Morocco. This plant is extensively used by local population against diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of the aqueous A. aretioides extract on lipid metabolism in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and to identify the polyphenolic compounds present. In addition, the in vitro antioxidant activity of the aqueous A. aretioides extract was also evaluated.

METHODS

The effect of an aerial part aqueous extract (APAE) of A. aretioides (5 mg/kg of lyophilized A. aretioides APAE) on plasma lipid profile was investigated in normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats (n = 6) after once daily oral administration for 15 days. The aqueous extract was tested for its 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity. Polyphenolic compounds in the extracts were definitively characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

In diabetic rats, oral administration of A. aretioides APAE provoked a significant decrease in both plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels from the first to the second week (P < 0.01). A significant decrease on plasma triglyceride levels was also observed in normal rats (P < 0.01), where the reduction was 53%. In addition, the phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of 12 polyphenolic compounds. Moreover, according to the DPPH radical-scavenging activity, the aqueous extract showed an in vitro antioxidant activity.

CONCLUSION

Aqueous A. aretioides APAE exhibits lipid-lowering and in vitro antioxidant activities. Many polyphenols were present in this extract and these phytoconstituents may be involved in the pharmacological activity of this plant.

Heated naringin mitigate the genotoxicity effect of Mitomycin C in BALB/c mice through enhancing the antioxidant status

A major problem with cancer chemotherapy is its severe toxic effects on non-target tissues. Assessment of natural products for their protective effect against anticancer drugs induced toxicity is gaining importance in cancer biology. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of native and thermal treated naringin on the protective effect against mitomycin C (MMC) induced genotoxicity. The genotoxicity in liver kidney and brain cells isolated from Balb/C mice were evaluated by performing the comet assay. Antioxidant and lipid peroxidation assays were carried out to understand the protective effects of these compounds. The comet assay showed that heated and native naringin were not genotoxic at the tested dose (40 mg/kg b.w) on liver, kidney and brain cells. A significant decrease in DNA damages was observed, at the tested doses (20 mg/kg b.w and 40 mg/kg b.w) suggesting a protective role of these molecules against the genotoxicity induced by mitomycin C on liver, kidney and brain cells. Moreover, administration of MMC (6 mg/kg b.w.) altered the activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase accompanied by a significant increase of lipid peroxidation. Pretreatment of mouse with heated and native naringin before MMC administration significantly raised the glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities followed by a reduced MMC-induced lipid peroxidation. Our study demonstrated that heat treatment of naringin preserve activities of native naringin. The genoprotective properties of heated and native naringin against MMC could be attributed to its antioxidant activities and its inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation.