Andrographolide: Regulating the Master Regulator NF-κB

Immunomodulators Containing Epicor, Colostrum, Vitamin D, Zinc, Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium Reduce Respiratory Exacerbations in Children and Adults with Chronic Pulmonary Diseases

(1) Background: A number of studies have demonstrated the connection between developing or exacerbating chronic respiratory diseases in adults and children. However, still, few studies focus on reducing exacerbations via immunomodulation. (2) Methods: In this pilot study, a total of 25 pediatric and adult patients with bronchial asthma (BA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)/persistent bacterial bronchitis (PBB) were included, administered over-the-counter (OTC) immunomodulators and followed up for 6 or 12 months. (3) Results: We observed a decrease in the frequency of exacerbations with slight improvements in functional respiratory indicators in adults on their second and third visits and a reduced number of exacerbations and improved spirometry indices in children with BA, although exacerbations requiring hospital admission remained at a similar rate. (4) Conclusions: We confirmed that the number of exacerbations of underlying chronic respiratory disease in adults and children could be reduced after the administration of OTC immunomodulators, probably by optimizing the immune resistance to common viral infections.

Remodeling tumor microenvironment with natural products to overcome drug resistance

With cancer incidence rates continuing to increase and occurrence of resistance in drug treatment, there is a pressing demand to find safer and more effective anticancer strategy for cancer patients. Natural products, have the advantage of low toxicity and multiple action targets, are always used in the treatment of cancer prevention in early stage and cancer supplement in late stage. Tumor microenvironment is necessary for cancer cells to survive and progression, and immune activation is a vital means for the tumor microenvironment to eliminate cancer cells. A number of studies have found that various natural products could target and regulate immune cells such as T cells, macrophages, mast cells as well as inflammatory cytokines in the tumor microenvironment. Natural products tuning the tumor microenvironment via various mechanisms to activate the immune response have immeasurable potential for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, it highlights the research findings related to natural products regulating immune responses against cancer, especially reveals the possibility of utilizing natural products to remodel the tumor microenvironment to overcome drug resistance.

Andrographis paniculata extract as an immunity modulator against cancer via telomerase inhibition

In accordance with the importance of telomerase inhibition as a potential target in cancer therapy, and increasing reports on the association between short telomeres and severe COVID-19 symptoms as well as extensive application of Andrographis paniculata as a remedy for both cancer and SARS-CoV-2, the present study aimed at investigating the impact of the plant’s extracts on telomerase activity (as an important enzyme regulating telomere length). Telomerase inhibition in MCF-7 cells treated with the Dichloromethane, ethanol, water, and methanol extracts of A. paniculata was assessed using Telomerase Repeated Amplification Protocol (TRAP). The above-mentioned extracts inhibited telomerase by 80.3 ± 1.4%, 78.5 ± 1.35%, 77.5 ± 1.81%, and 73.7 ± 1.81%, respectively. Furthermore, the flow cytometry analysis showed that the water and methanol extracts induced higher rates of total apoptosis by 32.8% and 25%, respectively, compared with dichloromethane (10.07%) and ethanol (10.7%) extracts. The inhibitory effect of A. paniculata on telomerase activity can be considered as a potential immunity modulator in cancer therapy; however, telomerase inhibition as a safe approach to SARS-CoV-2 is arguable. Two mechanisms can be considered accordingly; (a) reducing the existing population of short telomeres via telomerase inhibition in cancer cells (arresting proliferation and finally cell death) may decrease the susceptibility against SARS-CoV-2, especially in cancer patients or patients prone to cancer, and (b) increasing the population of short telomeres via telomerase inhibition in normal/somatic cells may increase the susceptibility against SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, the telomerase inhibition of A. paniculata as an immunity modulator in cancer and COVID-19 should be investigated, carefully.

Advances in ameliorating inflammatory diseases and cancers by andrographolide: Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and perspective

Andrographolide, a well-known natural lactone having a range of pharmacological actions in traditional Chinese medicine. It has long been used to cure a variety of ailments. In this review, we cover the pharmacokinetics and pharmacological activity of andrographolide which supports its further clinical application in cancers and inflammatory diseases. Growing evidence shows a good therapeutic effect in inflammatory diseases, including liver diseases, joint diseases, respiratory system diseases, nervous system diseases, heart diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, and inflammatory skin diseases. As a result, the effects of andrographolide on immune cells and the processes that underpin them are discussed. The preclinical use of andrographolide to different organs in response to malignancies such as colorectal, liver, gastric, breast, prostate, lung, and oral cancers has also been reviewed. In addition, several clinical trials of andrographolide in inflammatory diseases and cancers have been summarized. This review highlights recent advances in ameliorating inflammatory diseases as well as cancers by andrographolide and its analogs, providing a new perspective for subsequent research of this traditional natural product.

Andrographolide ameliorates aortic valve calcification by regulation of lipid biosynthesis and glycerolipid metabolism targeting MGLL expression in vitro and in vivo

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is caused by the initiation of the thickening and calcification of valve leaflets by valve interstitial cells (VICs). Cell metabolic changes during the CAVD process are a new field of basic research on this disease. The present study aimed to investigate whether andrographolide (AGP) could attenuate the calcification of aortic valves by regulating cell metabolism. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) metabolome analysis was utilized to investigate the changes in the metabolites of VICs from healthy and CAVD samples. Cell growth and the osteogenic differentiation of human VICs (hVICs) were assessed using a CCK8 assay and Alizarin Red S staining, respectively. The expression of two calcification-related markers, RUNX2 and ALP, was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunofluorescence staining. Molecular docking was used to detect the interaction between AGP and monoglyceride lipase (MGLL). The high-fat-fed ApoE-/- mice aortic valve calcification animal model was used to verify the effect of AGP on CAVD in vivo. Metabolome analysis showed that the metabolites of VICs from healthy and CAVD samples were highly enriched in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and glycerolipid metabolism. The top six highlighted metabolites were selected to reveal a high regulation of lipids in VICs from CAVD. AGP significantly suppressed the calcific differentiation of VICs while it decreased the accumulation of the above six metabolites, 1-monopalmitic, palmitic acid, glycerol, l-asparagine, tetraethylene glycol, and stearic acid induced by osteogenic medium (OM) stimulation. These metabolites were highly correlated with the calcific marker ALP and showed a positive correlation with CAVD. In the comprehensive assessment, MGLL, associated with glycerol synthesis, was selected as the molecular target of AGP in inhibiting the calcific phenotype of transforming hVICs. The in vivo results revealed that AGP visibly ameliorated aortic valve calcification by reducing Von Kossa and ALP staining, which was positively correlated with MGLL expression. AGP ameliorated aortic valve calcification by regulating lipid biosynthesis and glycerolipid metabolism targeting MGLL expression in vitro and in vivo. It is a potent therapeutic supplement that prevents the occurrence of heart valve calcification disease by regulating cell metabolism.