In vitro assessment of three different artemisia species for their antioxidant and anti-fibrotic activity

Artemisia argyi ethanol extract ameliorates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-induced liver fibrosis by modulating gut microbiota and hepatic signaling

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Artemisia argyi (AA), a herbal medicine traditionally used in Asian countries, to treat inflammatory conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, arthritis, allergic asthma and colitis. However, the mechanism of action of this plant with regard to hepatitis and other liver-related diseases is still unclear.

AIM

This study aimed to investigate the effects of AA ethanol extract on NASH-related fibrosis and gut microbiota in a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD)-induced mouse model.

METHODS

Male C57BL/6J mice were fed CDAHFD, with or without AA ethanol extract treatment. Biochemical markers, lipid profiles, hepatic mRNA expression levels of key genes, and the fibrosis area were assessed. In vitro, TGF-β-stimulated human hepatic stellate LX-2 cells and mouse primary hepatic stellate cells (mHSCs) were used to elucidate the effects of AA ethanol extract on fibrosis and steatosis. 16S rRNA sequencing, QIIME2, and PICRUST2 were employed to analyze gut microbial diversity, composition, and functional pathways.

RESULTS

Treatment with the AA ethanol extract improved plasma and liver lipid profiles, modulated hepatic mRNA expression levels of antioxidant, lipolytic, and fibrosis-related genes, and significantly reduced CDAHFD-induced hepatic fibrosis. Gut microbiota analysis revealed a marked decrease in Acetivibrio ethanolgignens abundance upon treatment with the AA ethanol extract, and its functional pathways were significantly correlated with NASH/fibrosis markers. The AA ethanol extract and its active components (jaceosidin, eupatilin, and chlorogenic acid) inhibited fibrosis-related markers in LX-2 and mHSC.

CONCLUSION

The AA ethanol extract exerted therapeutic effects on CDAHFD-induced liver disease by modulating NASH/fibrosis-related factors and gut microbiota composition. Notably, AA treatment reduced the abundance of the potentially profibrotic bacterium (A. ethanolgignens). These findings suggest that AA is a promising candidate for treating NASH-induced fibrosis.

Herbal Additives Substantially Modify Antioxidant Properties and Tocopherol Content of Cold-Pressed Oils

The aim of the study was to examine combinations of base oils and herbal additives with a view to obtaining macerates with improved health benefits. Base oils were cold-pressed from the seeds of black cumin, borage, evening primrose, safflower, walnut, common hazel, and oilseed rape, as well as the flesh of sea-buckthorn fruits. They were then supplemented with herbs, including basil, thyme, and sage, in order to create macerates. Total antioxidant activity and tocopherol level were analyzed in oils, macerates, and oil cakes. Additionally, chemical properties of oil cakes—such as the level of fibre, vitamin C, β-carotene, and lutein—were also examined. Supplementation with herbs caused diversified effects on antioxidant activity and tocopherol level in macerates depending on the base oil, herb, and supplementation method. The obtained results indicate that tocopherol level does not play a decisive role in determining the antioxidant properties of oils, macerates, and oil cakes, suggesting significant involvement of other antioxidants. Among the tested macerates, the most promising one seems to be oilseed rape oil enriched with sage or basil to maximize its health benefits. The study can serve as a starting point for the development and implementation of functional macerates and oil cakes in healthy nutrition.

Artemisinin and artemisinin derivatives as anti-fibrotic therapeutics

Fibrosis is a pathological reparative process that can occur in most organs and is responsible for nearly half of deaths in the developed world. Despite considerable research, few therapies have proven effective and been approved clinically for treatment of fibrosis. Artemisinin compounds are best known as antimalarial therapeutics, but they also demonstrate antiparasitic, antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-fibrotic effects. Here we summarize literature describing anti-fibrotic effects of artemisinin compounds in in vivo and in vitro models of tissue fibrosis, and we describe the likely mechanisms by which artemisinin compounds appear to inhibit cellular and tissue processes that lead to fibrosis. To consider alternative routes of administration of artemisinin for treatment of internal organ fibrosis, we also discuss the potential for more direct oral delivery of Artemisia plant material to enhance bioavailability and efficacy of artemisinin compared to administration of purified artemisinin drugs at comparable doses. It is our hope that greater understanding of the broad anti-fibrotic effects of artemisinin drugs will enable and promote their use as therapeutics for treatment of fibrotic diseases.

Aryl variation and anion effect on CT-DNA binding and in vitro biological studies of pyridinyl Ag(I) complexes

Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of five ligands ((E)-2-((pyridin-2-ylmethylene)amino)phenol L1, 2-(pyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]thiazole L2, (E)-N-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)methanimine L3, (E)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-N-(p-tolyl)methanimine L4 and (E)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)methanimine L5 along with fifteen silver(I) complexes of L1 - L5, with a general formula [AgL₂]⁺X^- (L = Schiff base and X = NO₃^-, ClO₄^- or CF₃SO₃^-) is reported. The structures of complexes [Ag(L4)₂]NO₃, [Ag(L5)₂]NO₃, [Ag(L3)₂]ClO₄, [Ag(L4)₂]ClO₄ and [Ag(L5)₂]CF₃SO₃ were determined unequivocally by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Calf-thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (CT-DNA), bovine serum albumin (BSA) binding studies, antioxidant, and antibacterial studies were performed for all complexes. Complexes [Ag(L2)₂]NO₃, [Ag(L5)₂]NO₃, [Ag(L1)₂]ClO₄ and [Ag(L3)₂]ClO₄ whose ligands have an OH^- and F^- as substituents or with a thiophene or thiazole moiety showed better antibacterial activities with lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values compared to the standard ciprofloxacin, against most of the bacterial strains tested. Similarly, complexes [Ag(L1)₂]NO_3,[Ag(L2)₂]NO_3,[Ag(L3)₂]NO₃ and [Ag(L5)₂]NO₃ with the NO₃^- anion, [Ag(L1)₂]ClO₄ and [Ag(L2)₂]ClO₄ with ClO₄^- anion, and [Ag(L5)₂]CF₃SO₃ with CF₃SO₃^- anion showed higher activities for antioxidant studies. Complexes [Ag(L4)₂]ClO₄ and [Ag(L4)₂]CF₃SO₃ with the Methyl substituent and CF₃SO₃^- as the anion, displayed high antioxidant activities in FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) than the standard ascorbic acid. Spectroscopic studies of all the complexes revealed their moderate to high interaction with calf thymus DNA via an intercalation mode. In addition, the relatively moderate interaction of most of the complexes with BSA was through a static quenching mechanism.

Sensory attribute and antioxidant capacity of Maillard reaction products from enzymatic hydrolysate of bovine bone marrow extract

Abstract

Maillard reaction and Maillard reaction products (MRPs) are commonly used in food industry, with various sensory and functional properties. Bovine bone marrow extract (BBME) was subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis, followed by the Maillard reaction to enhance its sensory attributes. The antioxidant and antihypertensive activities of BBME, its hydrolysate and their MRPs were assessed. (3⁷) orthogonal experimental design was used to obtain the optimal reaction conditions for generation of MRPs with improved sensory characteristics. The optimal conditions were: processing temperature, 120 °C; processing time, 60 min; xylose concentration, 2.5% (w/v); cysteine concentration, 2%; Vitamin B1, 1.2%; Hydrolyzed vegetable protein, 6%; and sample to liquid ratio, 1:1. The total content of free amino acid in BBME decreased from 86.18 to 25.50 g L^-1 in EH-BBME-MRPs. In addition, EH-BBME and EH-BBME-MRPs contained significantly higher amount of low molecular weight peptides (< 1000 Da; 47.2% and 21.84%, respectively) compared to other samples. They also exhibited enhanced antioxidant activities against DPPH, ABTS and hydroxyl free radicals, and presented improved FRAP activity and reducing power. EH-BBME-MRPs also exhibited higher antihypertensive activity compared to other samples. The results indicate that MRPs derived from BBME hydrolysate are promising components for improving food flavor and also provide health benefits.

Graphic abstract