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Kou Z, Tran F, Dai W. Heavy metals, oxidative stress, and the role of AhR signaling. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2024; 482:116769. [PMID: 38007072 PMCID: PMC10988536 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2023.116769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcriptional factor pivotal in responding to environmental stress and maintaining cellular homeostasis. Exposure to specific xenobiotics or industrial compounds in the environment activates AhR and its subsequent signaling, inducing oxidative stress and related toxicity. Past research has also identified and characterized several classes of endogenous ligands, particularly some tryptophan (Trp) metabolic/catabolic products, that act as AhR agonists, influencing a variety of physiological and pathological states, including the modulation of immune responses and cell death. Heavy metals, being non-essential elements in the human body, are generally perceived as toxic and hazardous, originating either naturally or from industrial activities. Emerging evidence indicates that heavy metals significantly influence AhR activation and its downstream signaling. This review consolidates current knowledge on the modulation of the AhR signaling pathway by heavy metals, explores the consequences of co-exposure to AhR ligands and heavy metals, and investigates the interplay between oxidative stress and AhR activation, focusing on the regulation of immune responses and ferroptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyue Kou
- Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, 341 East 25(th) Street, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
| | - Franklin Tran
- Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, 341 East 25(th) Street, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
| | - Wei Dai
- Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, 341 East 25(th) Street, New York, NY 10010, United States of America.
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Ma Y, Zhao C, Hu H, Yin S. Liver protecting effects and molecular mechanisms of icariin and its metabolites. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2023; 215:113841. [PMID: 37660725 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2023.113841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
As a detoxification and metabolism organ, the liver plays a vital role in human health. However, an excessive consumption of drugs and toxins, exposure to pathogenic viruses, and unhealthy living habits can lead to liver damage, which may even develop into liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Epimedium brevicornum Maxim. is a traditional Chinese medicine and dietary supplement in which the flavonoid icariin is a main functional component. Although the protective mechanisms of icariin and its metabolites against liver injury are not yet comprehensively understood, an increasing number of studies have confirmed their liver-protective and anticancer effects. Indeed, icaritin, one of the metabolites of icariin, is currently utilized as an active component of an anti-cancer drug. This paper presents a review of the molecular mechanisms through which icariin and its metabolites actively protect against the occurrence and development of liver injury, and, thus, provides a comprehensive reference for further research and their application in liver protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurong Ma
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Chong Zhao
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Hongbo Hu
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Shutao Yin
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China.
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Zhang X, Tang B, Wen S, Wang Y, Pan C, Qu L, Yin Y, Wei Y. Advancements in the Biotransformation and Biosynthesis of the Primary Active Flavonoids Derived from Epimedium. Molecules 2023; 28:7173. [PMID: 37894651 PMCID: PMC10609448 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28207173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Epimedium is a classical Chinese herbal medicine, which has been used extensively to treat various diseases, such as sexual dysfunction, osteoporosis, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and brain diseases. Flavonoids, such as icariin, baohuoside I, icaritin, and epimedin C, are the main active ingredients with diverse pharmacological activities. Currently, most Epimedium flavonoids are extracted from Epimedium plants, but this method cannot meet the increasing market demand. Biotransformation strategies promised huge potential for increasing the contents of high-value Epimedium flavonoids, which would promote the full use of the Epimedium herb. Complete biosynthesis of major Epimedium flavonoids by microbial cell factories would enable industrial-scale production of Epimedium flavonoids. This review summarizes the structures, pharmacological activities, and biosynthesis pathways in the Epimedium plant, as well as the extraction methods of major Epimedium flavonoids, and advancements in the biotransformation and complete microbial synthesis of Epimedium flavonoids, which would provide valuable insights for future studies on Epimedium herb usage and the production of Epimedium flavonoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety Quick Testing and Smart Supervision Technology for State Market Regulation, Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Bingling Tang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Sijie Wen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yitong Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Chengxue Pan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Lingbo Qu
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yulong Yin
- Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Yongjun Wei
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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Puopolo T, Chang T, Liu C, Li H, Liu X, Wu X, Ma H, Seeram NP. Gram-Scale Preparation of Cannflavin A from Hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) and Its Inhibitory Effect on Tryptophan Catabolism Enzyme Kynurenine-3-Monooxygenase. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11101416. [PMID: 36290320 PMCID: PMC9598531 DOI: 10.3390/biology11101416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Inhibitors targeting kynurenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO), an enzyme in the neurotoxic kynurenine pathway (KP), are potential therapeutics for KP metabolites-mediated neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders. Although phytochemicals from Cannabis (C. sativa L.) have been reported to show modulating effects on enzymes involved in the KP metabolism, the inhibitory effects of C. sativa compounds, including phytocannabinoids and non-phytocannabinoids (i.e., cannflavin A; CFA), on KMO remain unknown. Herein, CFA (purified from hemp aerial material at a gram-scale) and a series of phytocannabinoids were evaluated for their anti-KMO activity. CFA showed the most active inhibitory effect on KMO, which was comparable to the positive control Ro 61-8048 (IC50 = 29.4 vs. 5.1 μM, respectively). Furthermore, a molecular docking study depicted the molecular interactions between CFA and the KMO protein and a biophysical binding assay with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique revealed that CFA bound to the protein with a binding affinity of 4.1×10−5 M. A competitive SPR binding analysis suggested that CFA and Ro 61-8048 bind to the KMO protein in a competitive manner. Our findings show that C. sativa derived phytochemicals, including CFA, are potential KMO inhibitors, which provides insight into the development of therapeutics targeting the KP and its related pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tess Puopolo
- Bioactive Botanical Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
- George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Tanran Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Bioactive Botanical Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Huifang Li
- Bioactive Botanical Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Xu Liu
- Yunnan Hempmon Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kunming 650032, China
| | - Xian Wu
- Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Hang Ma
- Bioactive Botanical Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
- George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
- Correspondence: (H.M.); (N.P.S.)
| | - Navindra P. Seeram
- Bioactive Botanical Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
- George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
- Correspondence: (H.M.); (N.P.S.)
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