Combination of 1,8-Cineole and Beta-Caryophyllene Synergistically Reverses Cardiac hypertrophy in Isoprenaline-Induced mice and H9c2 cells

Pharmacology of Non-Psychoactive Phytocannabinoids and Their Potential for Treatment of Cardiometabolic Disease

The use of Cannabis sativa by humans dates back to the third millennium BC, and it has been utilized in many forms for multiple purposes, including production of fibre and rope, as food and medicine, and (perhaps most notably) for its psychoactive properties for recreational use. The discovery of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) as the main psychoactive phytocannabinoid contained in cannabis by Gaoni and Mechoulam in 1964 (J Am Chem Soc 86, 1646-1647), was the first major step in cannabis research; since then the identification of the chemicals (phytocannabinoids) present in cannabis, the classification of the pharmacological targets of these compounds and the discovery that the body has its own endocannabinoid system (ECS) have highlighted the potential value of cannabis-derived compounds in the treatment of many diseases, such as neurological disorders and cancers. Although the use of Δ9-THC as a therapeutic agent is constrained by its psychoactive properties, there is growing evidence that non-psychoactive phytocannabinoids, derived from both Cannabis sativa and other plant species, as well as non-cannabinoid compounds found in Cannabis sativa, have real potential as therapeutics. This chapter will focus on the possibilities for using these compounds in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease and related metabolic disturbances.

Cardioprotective Potential of Cymbopogon citratus Essential Oil against Isoproterenol-induced Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy: Possible Involvement of NLRP3 Inflammasome and Oxidative Phosphorylation Complex Subunits

OBJECTIVE

Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf is a medicinal and edible herb that is widely used for the treatment of gastric, nervous and hypertensive disorders. In this study, we investigated the cardioprotective effects and mechanisms of the essential oil, the main active ingredient of Cymbopogon citratus, on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.

METHODS

The compositions of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil (CCEO) were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Cardiomyocytes were pretreated with 16.9 µg/L CCEO for 1 h followed by 10 µmol/L ISO for 24 h. Cardiac hypertrophy-related indicators and NLRP3 inflammasome expression were evaluated. Subsequently, transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) and target verification were used to further explore the underlying mechanism.

RESULTS

Our results showed that the CCEO mainly included citronellal (45.66%), geraniol (23.32%), and citronellol (10.37%). CCEO inhibited ISO-induced increases in cell surface area and protein content, as well as the upregulation of fetal gene expression. Moreover, CCEO inhibited ISO-induced NLRP3 inflammasome expression, as evidenced by decreased lactate dehydrogenase content and downregulated mRNA levels of NLRP3, ASC, CASP1, GSDMD, and IL-1β, as well as reduced protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, pro-caspase-1, caspase-1 (p20), GSDMD-FL, GSDMD-N, and pro-IL-1β. The RNA-seq results showed that CCEO inhibited the increase in the mRNA levels of 26 oxidative phosphorylation complex subunits in ISO-treated cardiomyocytes. Our further experiments confirmed that CCEO suppressed ISO-induced upregulation of mt-Nd1, Sdhd, mt-Cytb, Uqcrq, and mt-Atp6 but had no obvious effects on mt-Col expression.

CONCLUSION

CCEO inhibits ISO-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy through the suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome expression and the regulation of several oxidative phosphorylation complex subunits.

Aromatic Plant-Based Functional Foods: A Natural Approach to Manage Cardiovascular Diseases

Aromatic plants and their essential oils have shown beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system and, therefore, are potential raw materials in the development of functional foods. However, despite their undeniable potential, essential oils present several limitations that need to be addressed, such as stability, poor solubility, undesirable sensory effects, and low bioavailability. The present review provides a current state-of-the-art on the effects of volatile extracts obtained from aromatic plants on the cardiovascular system and focuses on major challenges that need to be addressed to increase their use in food products. Moreover, strategies underway to overcome these limitations are pointed out, thus anticipating a great appreciation of these extracts in the functional food industry.