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Balakrishnan R, Azam S, Cho DY, Su-Kim I, Choi DK. Natural Phytochemicals as Novel Therapeutic Strategies to Prevent and Treat Parkinson's Disease: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:6680935. [PMID: 34122727 PMCID: PMC8169248 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6680935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second-most common neurodegenerative chronic disease affecting both cognitive performance and motor functions in aged people. Yet despite the prevalence of this disease, the current therapeutic options for the management of PD can only alleviate motor symptoms. Research has explored novel substances for naturally derived antioxidant phytochemicals with potential therapeutic benefits for PD patients through their neuroprotective mechanism, targeting oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, abnormal protein accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, neurotrophic factor deficit, and apoptosis. The aim of the present study is to perform a comprehensive evaluation of naturally derived antioxidant phytochemicals with neuroprotective or therapeutic activities in PD, focusing on their neuropharmacological mechanisms, including modulation of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, growth factor induction, neurotransmitter activity, direct regulation of mitochondrial apoptotic machinery, prevention of protein aggregation via modulation of protein folding, modification of cell signaling pathways, enhanced systemic immunity, autophagy, and proteasome activity. In addition, we provide data showing the relationship between nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and PD is supported by studies demonstrating that antiparkinsonian phytochemicals can activate the Nrf2/antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathway and Nrf2-dependent protein expression, preventing cellular oxidative damage and PD. Furthermore, we explore several experimental models that evaluated the potential neuroprotective efficacy of antioxidant phytochemical derivatives for their inhibitory effects on oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the brain. Finally, we highlight recent developments in the nanodelivery of antioxidant phytochemicals and its neuroprotective application against pathological conditions associated with oxidative stress. In conclusion, naturally derived antioxidant phytochemicals can be considered as future pharmaceutical drug candidates to potentially alleviate symptoms or slow the progression of PD. However, further well-designed clinical studies are required to evaluate the protective and therapeutic benefits of phytochemicals as promising drugs in the management of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rengasamy Balakrishnan
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Research Institute of Inflammatory Disease (RID), Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Shofiul Azam
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Duk-Yeon Cho
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - In Su-Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Research Institute of Inflammatory Disease (RID), Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Kug Choi
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Research Institute of Inflammatory Disease (RID), Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
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Uebel T, Hermes L, Haupenthal S, Müller L, Esselen M. α-Asarone, β-asarone, and γ-asarone: Current status of toxicological evaluation. J Appl Toxicol 2020; 41:1166-1179. [PMID: 33236787 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Asarone isomers are naturally occurring in Acorus calamus Linné, Guatteria gaumeri Greenman, and Aniba hostmanniana Nees. These secondary plant metabolites belong to the class of phenylpropenes (phenylpropanoids or alkenylbenzenes). They are further chemically classified into the propenylic trans- and cis-isomers α-asarone and β-asarone and the allylic γ-asarone. Flavoring, as well as potentially pharmacologically useful properties, enables the application of asarone isomers in fragrances, food, and traditional phytomedicine not only since their isolation in the 1950s. However, efficacy and safety in humans are still not known. Preclinical evidence has not been systematically studied, and several pharmacological effects have been reported for extracts of Acorus calamus and propenylic asarone isomers. Toxicological data are rare and not critically evaluated altogether in the 21st century yet. Therefore, within this review, available toxicological data of asarone isomers were assessed in detail. This assessment revealed that cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and mutagenicity as well as carcinogenicity were described for propenylic asarone isomers with varying levels of reliability. The toxicodynamic profile of γ-asarone is unknown except for mutagenicity. Based on the estimated daily exposure and reported adverse effects, officials restricted or published recommendations for the use of β-asarone and preparations of Acorus calamus. In contrast, α-asarone and γ-asarone were not directly addressed due to a limited data situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Uebel
- Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lena Hermes
- Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Lena Müller
- Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Melanie Esselen
- Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Dong H, Cong W, Guo X, Wang Y, Tong S, Li Q, Li C. β-asarone relieves chronic unpredictable mild stress induced depression by regulating the extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway. Exp Ther Med 2019; 18:3767-3774. [PMID: 31616508 PMCID: PMC6781814 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.8018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the effect of β-asarone treatment in a rat model of depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and to further explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. A rat model of depression was established by subjecting rat to CUMS and treated with various concentrations of β-asarone (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg/day) and fluoxetine (20 mg/kg/day). Next, behavioral tests, including an open field, sucrose preference and forced swimming tests, were performed. In addition, the apoptosis of hippocampal neuronal cells was determined by flow cytometry, gene expression levels were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and protein levels were determined by western blot assay. The results revealed that β-asarone significantly mitigated CUMS-induced depression-like behavior, evidenced by the increased sucrose intake, crossing and rearing numbers, and decreased immobility time in the forced swimming test. Furthermore, β-asarone significantly decreased the apoptosis rate of hippocampal neuronal cells in rats subjected to CUMS. β-asarone was also found to enhance CREB, BDNF, Trk-B and Bcl-2 levels, and reduce Bad level in the hippocampus of CUMS-treated rats. In addition, the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway inhibited by CUMS was promoted by β-asarone treatment. In conclusion, the present study findings indicated the antidepressant-like effects of β-asarone on CUMS-induced depression in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiying Dong
- Institute of Pathology, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang 161006, P.R. China
| | - Weiliang Cong
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang 161000, P.R. China
| | - Xiwen Guo
- School of Mental Health, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang 161006, P.R. China
| | - Yuhua Wang
- School of Mental Health, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang 161006, P.R. China
| | - Shengju Tong
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang 161000, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Cardiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang 161000, P.R. China
| | - Chengchong Li
- School of Mental Health, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang 161006, P.R. China
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β-asarone induces cell apoptosis, inhibits cell proliferation and decreases migration and invasion of glioma cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 106:655-664. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.06.169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
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Yang Q, Deng Z, Zhang F, Sun P, Li J, Zheng W. Development of an LC-MS/MS method for quantification of two isomeric phenylpropenes and the application to pharmacokinetic studies in rats. Biomed Chromatogr 2017; 32. [PMID: 29027249 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.4115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Yang
- Jiaozhou People's Hospital; Qingdao China
| | - Zhipeng Deng
- Institute of Materia Medica; Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences; Jinan China
- Key Laboratory for Biotech-Drugs Ministry of Health; Jinan China
- Key Laboratory for Rare and Uncommon Diseases of Shandong Province; Jinan China
| | - Fang Zhang
- Institute of Materia Medica; Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences; Jinan China
- Key Laboratory for Biotech-Drugs Ministry of Health; Jinan China
- Key Laboratory for Rare and Uncommon Diseases of Shandong Province; Jinan China
- School of Medicine and Life Sciences; University of Jinan-Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences; Jinan China
| | - Peilu Sun
- Institute of Materia Medica; Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences; Jinan China
- Key Laboratory for Biotech-Drugs Ministry of Health; Jinan China
- Key Laboratory for Rare and Uncommon Diseases of Shandong Province; Jinan China
| | - Jun Li
- Institute of Materia Medica; Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences; Jinan China
- Key Laboratory for Biotech-Drugs Ministry of Health; Jinan China
- Key Laboratory for Rare and Uncommon Diseases of Shandong Province; Jinan China
| | - Wanjin Zheng
- Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology; Jinan China
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Wang N, Zhang Q, Luo L, Ning B, Fang Y. β-asarone inhibited cell growth and promoted autophagy via P53/Bcl-2/Bclin-1 and P53/AMPK/mTOR pathways in Human Glioma U251 cells. J Cell Physiol 2017; 233:2434-2443. [PMID: 28776671 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Glioma is the most common type of primary brain tumor and has an undesirable prognosis. Autophagy plays an important role in cancer therapy, but it is effect is still not definite. P53 is an important tumor suppressor gene and protein that is closely to autophagy. Our aim was to study the effect of β-asarone on inhibiting cell proliferation in human glioma U251 cells and to detect the effect of the inhibition on autophagy through the P53 signal pathway. For cell growth, the cells were divided into four groups: the model, β-asarone, temozolomide (TMZ), and co-administration groups. For cell autoghapy and the P53 pathway, the cells were divided into six groups: the model, β-asarone, 3MA, Rapa, Pifithrin-µ, and NSC groups. The counting Kit-8 assay and flow cytometry (FCM) were then used to measure the cell proliferation and cycle. Electron microscopy was used to observe autophagosome formation. Cell immunohistochemistry/-immunofluorescence, FCM and Western blot (WB) were used to examine the expression of Beclin-1 and P53. The levels of P53 and GAPDH mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. Using WB, we determined autophagy-related proteins Beclin-1, LC3-II/I, and P62 and those of the P53 pathway-related proteins P53, Bcl-2, mTOR, P-mTOR, AMPK, P-AMPK, and GAPDH. We got the results that β-asarone changed the cellular morphology, inhibited cell proliferation, and enhanced the expression of P53, LC3-II/I, Beclin-1, AMPK, and pAMPK while inhibiting the expression of P62, Bcl-2, mTOR, and pmTOR. All the data suggested that β-asarone could reduce the cell proliferation and promote autophagy possible via the P53 pathway in U251 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanbu Wang
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Qinxin Zhang
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Laiyu Luo
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Baile Ning
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yongqi Fang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, P.R. China
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Chellian R, Pandy V, Mohamed Z. Pharmacology and toxicology of α- and β-Asarone: A review of preclinical evidence. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2017; 32:41-58. [PMID: 28732807 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2017.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Revised: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asarone is one of the most researched phytochemicals and is mainly present in the Acorus species and Guatteria gaumeri Greenman. In preclinical studies, both α- and β-asarone have been reported to have numerous pharmacological activities and at the same time, many studies have also revealed the toxicity of α- and β-asarone. PURPOSE The purpose of this comprehensive review is to compile and analyze the information related to the pharmacokinetic, pharmacological, and toxicological studies reported on α- and β-asarone using preclinical in vitro and in vivo models. Besides, the molecular targets and mechanism(s) involved in the biological activities of α- and β-asarone were discussed. METHODS Databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google scholar were searched and the literature from the year 1960 to January 2017 was retrieved using keywords such as α-asarone, β-asarone, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, pharmacological activities (e.g. depression, anxiety). RESULTS Based on the data obtained from the literature search, the pharmacokinetic studies of α- and β-asarone revealed that their oral bioavailability in rodents is poor with a short plasma half-life. Moreover, the metabolism of α- and β-asarone occurs mainly through cytochrome-P450 pathways. Besides, both α- and/or β-asarone possess a wide range of pharmacological activities such as antidepressant, antianxiety, anti-Alzheimer's, anti-Parkinson's, antiepileptic, anticancer, antihyperlipidemic, antithrombotic, anticholestatic and radioprotective activities through its interaction with multiple molecular targets. Importantly, the toxicological studies revealed that both α- and β-asarone can cause hepatomas and might possess mutagenicity, genotoxicity, and teratogenicity. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, further preclinical studies are required to confirm the pharmacological properties of α-asarone against depression, anxiety, Parkinson's disease, psychosis, drug dependence, pain, inflammation, cholestasis and thrombosis. Besides, the anticancer effect of β-asarone should be further studied in different types of cancers using in vivo models. Moreover, further dose-dependent in vivo studies are required to confirm the toxicity of α- and β-asarone. Overall, this extensive review provides a detailed information on the preclinical pharmacological and toxicological activities of α-and β-asarone and this could be very useful for researchers who wish to conduct further preclinical studies using α- and β-asarone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjithkumar Chellian
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Vijayapandi Pandy
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Zahurin Mohamed
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Wang N, Zhang Q, Ning B, Luo L, Fang Y. β-Asarone promotes Temozolomide’s entry into glioma cells and decreases the expression of P-glycoprotein and MDR1. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 90:368-374. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.03.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2017] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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Huang L, Deng M, Fang Y, Li L. Dynamic changes of five neurotransmitters and their related enzymes in various rat tissues following β-asarone and levodopa co-administration. Exp Ther Med 2015; 10:1566-1572. [PMID: 26622527 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2015.2704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the dynamic changes of five neurotransmitters and their associated enzymes in the rat plasma and brain tissues following the co-administration of β-asarone and levodopa (L-dopa). The rats were divided into five groups, including the control group and four treatment groups that were intragastrically co-administered β-asarone and L-dopa and sacrificed at 1, 5, 18 and 48 h, respectively. Neurotransmitter levels in the brain tissues and plasma were detected using high performance liquid chromatograph and the related enzymes of dopamine (DA) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results indicated that the striatal levels of L-dopa and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) peaked at 1 h and then returned to the normal levels, while the striatal levels of DA were stable within 48 h. In the cortex and hippocampus tissue, L-dopa, DA, DOPAC and homovanillic acid (HVA) levels peaked at 1 h and then returned to normal levels. In the plasma, L-dopa, DA, DOPAC and HVA levels peaked at 1 h. Compared with the control group, L-dopa, DA and HVA levels were higher between 18 and 48 h, whereas the DOPAC level was lower. By contrast, no statistically significant differences were observed in the serotonin (5-HT) levels among the plasma, hippocampus, cortex and striatum. Furthermore, the DA/L-dopa ratio in the brain tissues and plasma increased in the first 5 h, while (DOPAC + HVA)/DA ratios demonstrated a significant reduction. Striatal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) levels were higher compared with the control group; however, catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and monoamine oxidase B levels were reduced. In the rat plasma, TH and COMT peaked at 1 h, while AADC peaked at 5 h. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that the co-administration of L-dopa and β-asarone may be used to maintain a stable striatal DA level within 48 h. In addition, this treatment may promote DA generation by AADC and reduce the metabolism of DA by COMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Huang
- Laboratory Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China ; Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P.R. China
| | - Minzhen Deng
- Laboratory Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Yongqi Fang
- Laboratory Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Ling Li
- Laboratory Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
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Cartus AT, Stegmüller S, Simson N, Wahl A, Neef S, Kelm H, Schrenk D. Hepatic Metabolism of Carcinogenic β-Asarone. Chem Res Toxicol 2015; 28:1760-73. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.5b00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander T. Cartus
- Food Chemistry
and Toxicology, University of Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schroedinger-Strasse 52, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Simone Stegmüller
- Food Chemistry
and Toxicology, University of Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schroedinger-Strasse 52, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Nadine Simson
- Food Chemistry
and Toxicology, University of Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schroedinger-Strasse 52, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Andrea Wahl
- Food Chemistry
and Toxicology, University of Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schroedinger-Strasse 52, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Sylvia Neef
- Food Chemistry
and Toxicology, University of Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schroedinger-Strasse 52, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Harald Kelm
- Inorganic Chemistry, University of Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schroedinger-Strasse
52, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Dieter Schrenk
- Food Chemistry
and Toxicology, University of Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schroedinger-Strasse 52, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
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Patel DN, Ho HK, Tan LL, Tan MMB, Zhang Q, Low MY, Chan CL, Koh HL. Hepatotoxic potential of asarones: in vitro evaluation of hepatotoxicity and quantitative determination in herbal products. Front Pharmacol 2015; 6:25. [PMID: 25750624 PMCID: PMC4335289 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2015.00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
α and β asarones are natural constituents of some aromatic plants, especially species of the genus Acorus (Araceae). In addition to reports of beneficial properties of asarones, genotoxicity and carcinogenicity are also reported. Due to potential toxic effects of β-asarone, a limit of exposure from herbal products of ~2 μg/kg body weight/day has been set temporarily until a full benefit/risk assessment has been carried out by the European Medicines Agency. Therefore, it is important to monitor levels of β-asarone in herbal products. In this study, we developed a simple, rapid and validated GC-MS method for quantitative determination of asarones and applied it in 20 pediatric herbal products after detecting high concentrations of β-asarone in a product suspected to be implicated in hepatotoxicity in a 3 month old infant. Furthermore, targeted toxicological effects were further investigated in human hepatocytes (THLE-2 cells) by employing various in vitro assays, with the goal of elucidating possible mechanisms for the observed toxicity. Results showed that some of the products contained as much as 4–25 times greater amounts of β-asarone than the recommended levels. In 4 of 10 samples found to contain asarones, the presence of asarones could not be linked to the labeled ingredients, possibly due to poor quality control. Cell-based investigations in THLE-2 cells confirmed the cytotoxicity of β-asarone (IC50 = 40.0 ± 2.0 μg/mL) which was associated with significant lipid peroxidation and glutathione depletion. This observed cytotoxic effect is likely due to induction of oxidative stress by asarones. Overall, the results of this study ascertained the usability of this GC-MS method for the quantitative determination of asarones from herbal products, and shed light on the importance of controlling the concentration of potentially toxic asarones in herbal products to safeguard consumer safety, especially when the target consumers are young children. Further investigations of the toxicity of asarones are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhavalkumar N Patel
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore Singapore
| | - Han K Ho
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore Singapore
| | - Liesbet L Tan
- Health Products Regulation, Vigilance, Compliance and Enforcement Division, Health Sciences Authority, Singapore Singapore
| | - Mui-Mui B Tan
- Health Products Regulation, Vigilance, Compliance and Enforcement Division, Health Sciences Authority, Singapore Singapore
| | - Qian Zhang
- Health Products Regulation, Vigilance, Compliance and Enforcement Division, Health Sciences Authority, Singapore Singapore
| | - Min-Yong Low
- Applied Sciences Group, Pharmaceutical Division, Health Sciences Authority, Singapore Singapore
| | - Cheng-Leng Chan
- Health Products Regulation, Vigilance, Compliance and Enforcement Division, Health Sciences Authority, Singapore Singapore
| | - Hwee-Ling Koh
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore Singapore
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Xue Z, Guo Y, Zhang S, Huang L, He Y, Fang R, Fang Y. Beta-asarone attenuates amyloid beta-induced autophagy via Akt/mTOR pathway in PC12 cells. Eur J Pharmacol 2014; 741:195-204. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Revised: 07/28/2014] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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β-Asarone protects PC12 cells against OGD/R-induced injury via attenuating Beclin-1-dependent autophagy. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2012; 33:737-42. [PMID: 22543703 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2012.35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To explore the effects of β-asarone from Acorus Tatarinowii Schott on autophagy in an ischemic stroke model of PC12 cells. METHODS The ischemic stroke model of PC12 cells was made by OGD/R (2 h oxygen-glucose deprivation followed by 24 h reperfusion). Drug administration was started 1 h before OGD and last for 3 h. Then the cells were incubated in the drug-free and full culture medium under normoxic conditions for 24 h. After the treatments, Beclin-1, intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were analyzed using flow cytometry. Cell viability was measured using MTT assay. Cell morphology was studied under inverted phase contrast microscope, and autophagosomes were observed under transmission electron microscope. RESULTS Pretreatment with β-asarone (20, 30, or 45 μg/mL) or the calcium channel antagonist nimodipine (10 μmol/L) significantly increased the cell viability and MMP, and decreased Beclin-1 expression and [Ca(2+)](i) in OGD/R-treated PC12 cells. Under inverted phase contrast microscope, pretreatment with β-asarone or nimodipine dramatically increase the number of cells and improved the cellular morphology. Autophagosomes were found in OGD/R-treated PC12 cells as well as in drug plus OGD/R-treated PC12 cells. CONCLUSION β-Asarone protects PC12 cells against OGD/R-induced injury partly due to attenuating Beclin-1-dependent autophagy caused by decreasing [Ca(2+)](i) and increasing MMP.
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