The phytoestrogen, diosgenin, directly stimulates ovarian cell functions in two farm animal species

Diosgenin protects against cationic bovine serum albumin-induced membranous glomerulonephritis by attenuating oxidative stress and renal inflammation via the NF-κB pathway

CONTEXT

Membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) is a leading cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults. Diosgenin (DG) has been reported to exert antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the renoprotective activity of DG in a cationic bovine serum albumin-induced rat model of MGN.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fourty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into four groups. The MGN model was established and treated with a DG dose (10 mg/kg) and a positive control (TPCA1, 10 mg/kg), while normal control and MGN groups received distilled water by gavage for four consecutive weeks. At the end of the experiment, 24 h urinary protein, biochemical indices, oxidation and antioxidant levels, inflammatory parameters, histopathological examination, immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting were evaluated.

RESULTS

DG significantly ameliorated kidney dysfunction by decreasing urinary protein (0.56-fold), serum creatinine (SCr) (0.78-fold), BUN (0.71-fold), TC (0.66-fold) and TG (0.73-fold) levels, and increasing ALB (1.44-fold). DG also reduced MDA (0.82-fold) and NO (0.83-fold) levels while increasing the activity of SOD (1.56-fold), CAT (1.25-fold), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (1.55-fold) and GSH (1.81-fold). Furthermore, DG reduced Keap1 (0.76-fold) expression, Nrf2 nuclear translocation (0.79-fold), and induced NQO1 (1.25-fold) and HO-1 (1.46-fold) expression. Additionally, DG decreased IL-2 (0.55-fold), TNF-α (0.80-fold) and IL-6 (0.75-fold) levels, and reduced protein expression of NF-κB p65 (0.80-fold), IKKβ (0.93-fold), p-IKKβ (0.89-fold), ICAM-1 (0.88-fold), VCAM-1 (0.91-fold), MCP-1 (0.88-fold) and E-selectin (0.87-fold), and also inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 (0.64-fold).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest a potential therapeutic benefit of DG against MGN due to the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway, supporting the need for further clinical trials.

Fenugreek derived diosgenin as an emerging source for diabetic therapy

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease that endangers the entire body's tissues and organs. Diabetes impairs glucose and insulin regulation in the human body by causing pancreatic cell damage. Diabetes modifies pathways such as serine/threonine protein kinase (Akt) and Protein kinase C (PKC)/- glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) glucose absorption, and inhibits α-amylase and α-glucosidase, Sodium/glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT-1), and Na+-K+-ATPase activity. Diabetes may also be caused by a decrease in the expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) and its target genes, fatty acid synthase (FAS), stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase α (ACC), as well as a decrease in the levels of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), Caspase12, and Caspase3 proteins. Diabetes has long been linked to diseases of the cardiovascular, nervous, skeletal, reproductive, hepatic, ocular, and renal systems. Diosgenin, a steroidal compound derived from fenugreek, aids in the prevention of diabetes by altering cellular pathways in favor of healthy bodily functions. Diosgenin is a new nutraceutical on the market that claims to cure diabetes in particular. This article focuses on diosgenin extraction and purification, fenugreek bioactive compounds, pharmacological properties of diosgenin, mode of action of diosgenin to cure diabetes, and dosages.

Unraveling the mechanisms of Fenugreek seed for managing different gynecological disorders: steroidal saponins and isoflavones revealed as key bioactive metabolites

This study employed network pharmacology-based analysis and reverse molecular docking to investigate the molecular targets and pathways associated with gynecological disorders, particularly those related to steroidal hormones and their receptors, and the potential therapeutic effects of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) constituents. The STITCH 5.0 database was utilized to identify potential molecular targets, and a compound-target network was constructed. The main targets associated with gynecological disorders included estrogen receptor beta (ESR2), estrogen-related receptor gamma (GPER1), oxytocin receptor (OXTR), progesterone receptor (PGR), prolactin receptor (PRLR), and several enzymes involved in sex hormone biosynthesis. Additionally, network topological analysis revealed that specific compounds, such as quercetin, luteolin, genistein, and vitexin, had significant interactions with the identified targets. Reverse molecular docking analysis confirmed the interactions between the identified compounds and target proteins where quercetin, luteolin, genistein, 4'-methylgenistein, trigoneoside IIB, diosgenin, and vitexin possessed the highest combined docking scores, indicating their multi-target nature. The results highlighted the potential of steroidal saponins, isoflavones, and flavones as active constituents of fenugreek with implications for lactation, reproductive processes, and estrogenic activity. The chemical profiling of saponin-enriched and flavonoid-enriched fractions using UPLC/MS/MS further supported the presence of these bioactive compounds. In an animal model study, the steroidal saponins-enriched fraction of fenugreek seed exhibited a significant increase in the body weight of lactating female rats and serum prolactin levels while the flavonoids-enriched fraction showed an increase in serum estradiol levels and improved the histological structure of ovaries.

A Method for Improving Microbial Conversion of Diosgenin and Separation and Identification of the Product

Diosgenin, a hydrolysis product from Dioscorea plants, can be used as a precursor of steroid drugs (e.g., progesterone, testosterone, and glucocorticoid). However, traditional acid hydrolysis production wastes water and causes severe environmental pollution. The extraction of diosgenin through microbial transformation is the most green and environmentally friendly method at present. In order to improve the efficiency of the extraction of diosgenin through microbial transformation, we proposed a new method of strain mutagenesis. After mutagenesis, the response surface methodology was used to optimize the solid-state fermentation medium, thereby improving the diosgenin yield. We found that the optimal formulation was 5.5% sucrose, 0.6% NH4H2PO4, and 26.6% wheat bran. The final extraction rate of diosgenin reached 0.439% (the value of diosgenin per g. of starting plant dry material). Compared with 0.338% before optimization, it had increased 1.29 times. Furthermore, two other compounds were isolated from the fermentation products. These were identified as diosgenone (C27H41O3) and yuccagenone (C27H42O3). Traditional diosgenone is obtained through the oxidation of diosgenin with oxalic acid, but the method in this study is directly obtained from Dioscorea rhizome powder. The price of Dioscorea rhizome powder is much lower than diosgenin, thus greatly reducing the cost of obtaining diosgenone. This method provides a basis for subsequent research on other pharmacological compounds.

Therapeutic potential and research progress of diosgenin for lipid metabolism diseases

Diosgenin, a steroidal saponin, is a natural product found in many plants. Diosgenin has a wide range of pharmacological activities, and has been used to treat cancer, nervous system diseases, inflammation, and infections. Numerous studies have shown that diosgenin has potential therapeutic value for lipid metabolism diseases via various pathways and mechanisms, such as controlling lipid synthesis, absorption, and inhibition of oxidative stress. These mechanisms and pathways have provided ideas for researchers to develop related drugs. In this review, we focus on data from animal and clinical studies, summarizing the toxicity of diosgenin, its pharmacological mechanism, recent research advances, and the related mechanisms of diosgenin as a drug for the treatment of lipid metabolism, especially in obesity, hyperlipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis, and diabetes. This systematic review will briefly describe the advantages of diosgenin as a potential therapeutic drug and seek to enhance our understanding of the pharmacological mechanism, recipe-construction, and the development of novel therapeutics against lipid metabolism diseases.

Tribulus terrestris can suppress the adverse effect of toluene on bovine and equine ovarian granulosa cells

Influence of oil-related product toluene and herbal remedy puncturevine Tribulus terrestris L. (TT) on female reproduction is known. However, mechanisms of their action on ovaries in different species and potential protective effect of TT against adverse toluene action remain to be established. We studied effect of toluene, TT, and their combination on ovarian granulosa cells from two mammalian species (cows and horses). Viability, markers of proliferation (PCNA) and apoptosis (bax), steroid hormones, IGF-I, oxytocin, and prostaglandin F (PGF) release were analyzed by trypan blue exclusion test, quantitative immunocytochemistry, and EIA/ELISA. Toluene suppressed all analyzed parameters. In both species, TT stimulated proliferation and reduced progesterone, oxytocin, and PGF. In horses, TT inhibited testosterone and IGF-I. In both species, TT supported toluene effect on viability, steroids, IGF-I, and PGF, inverted its action on apoptosis. In cows, TT promoted toluene effect on proliferation. In horses, TT supported toluene effect on oxytocin but suppressed its influence on proliferation. In both species, toluene induced inhibitory action of TT on viability, steroids, IGF-I, and PGF, prevented its stimulatory action on proliferation. In cows, toluene supported inhibitory action of TT on oxytocin and prevented its stimulatory action on apoptosis. In horses, toluene induced stimulatory effect of TT on apoptosis. Our results indicate potential toxic toluene effect on farm animal ovaries, applicability of TT as a biostimulator of farm animal reproduction and as a protector against adverse influence of toluene on female reproduction.

Diosgenin Modulates Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disorder that results in excessive energy accumulated in adipose tissue causing dysfunction of adipocytes, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Diosgenin (DG), a steroidal saponin produced by several plants, has been reported to have antioxidant activity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of diosgenin on oxidative stress and inflammation in mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD).

METHODS

Thirty adult male mice were divided into three groups including the control group, mice fed with a normal diet; the HFD group, mice fed with a high-fat diet for 6 weeks; and the HFD+DG group, mice fed with a high-fat diet and diosgenin daily for 6 weeks. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) activities were evaluated. Histopathological changes in the adipose tissues have been investigated.

RESULTS

Data showed that diosgenin increased TAC activities with a concomitant decrease in MDA levels. As well, DG reduces the TNF and IL-6 levels. The histopathological changes in the adipose tissues due to high-fat consumption were restored upon DG supplementation.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that diosgenin is a promising agent for regulating obesity by increasing the levels of antioxidants, modifying oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which might prevent the onset of many diseases.

Stereoselective synthesis of (26R)-26-hydroxydiosgenin and its effect on the regulation of rat ovarian function

The stereoselective cyclization of a C-16 acetylated 22,26-dioxocholestene derivative to give the spirostane E and F rings, under alkaline conditions, yields exclusively the (26R)-26-hydroxydiosgenin. Both experimental and computational data support the formation of a single diastereoisomer. The effect of diosgenin and (26R)-26-hydroxydiosgenin on rat ovary is also investigated.

Diosgenin and galactomannans, natural products in the pharmaceutical sciences

Background

Diosgenin is an isospirostane derivative, which is a steroidal sapogenin and the product of acids or enzymes hydrolysis process of dioscin and protodioscin. Galactomannans are heteropolysaccharides composed of D-mannose and D-galactose, which are major sources of locust bean, guar, tara and fenugreek.

Methods

Literature survey was accomplished using multiple databases including PubMed, Science Direct, ISI web of knowledge and Google Scholar.

Results

Four major sources of seed galactomannans are locust bean (Ceratonia siliqua), guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), tara (Caesalpinia spinosa Kuntze), and fenugreek (T.foenum-graecum). Diosgenin has effect on immune system, lipid system, inflammatory and reproductive systems, caner, metabolic process, blood system, blood glucose and calcium regulation. The most important pharmacological benefits of galactomannan are antidiabetic, antioxidant, anticancer, anticholinesterase, antiviral activities, and appropriate for dengue virus and gastric diseases.

Conclusions

Considering the importance of diosgenin and galactomannans, the obtained findings suggest potential of diosgenin and galactomannans as natural products in pharmaceutical industries.

The flavonoid, kaempferol-3-O-apiofuranosyl-7-O-rhamnopyranosyl, as a potential therapeutic agent for breast cancer with a promoting effect on ovarian function

It is widely known that breast cancer cells eventually develop resistance to hormonal drugs and chemotherapies, which often compromise fertility. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the flavonoid, kaempferol-3-O-apiofuranosyl-7-O-rhamnopyranosyl (KARP), on 1) the viability of MCF-7 breast cancer cells and 2) ovarian function in rats. A dose-dependent decrease in MCF-7 cell survival was observed, and the IC50 value was found to be 48 μg/ml. Cells in the control group or those exposed to increasing concentrations of KARP experienced a similar generation of reactive oxygen species and induction of apoptosis. For the rats, estradiol levels correlated negatively to KARP dosages, although a recovery was obtained at administration of 30 mg/kg per day. Noteworthily, when compared against the control, this dosage led to significant increases in mRNA levels for CYP19, CYP17a, CCND2, GDF9, and INSL3 among the treatment groups, and ER1 and ER2 mRNA levels decreased in a dose-dependent manner. KARP shows great promise as an ideal therapy for breast cancer patients since it induced apoptosis and autophagy in cancerous cells without harming fertility in our animal model. Future investigations on humans are necessary to substantiate these findings and determine its efficacy as a general line of treatment.

Plant isoflavones can affect accumulation and impact of silver and titania nanoparticles on ovarian cells

Objectives. The application of nanoparticles is experiencing a rapid growth, but it faces a problem of their toxicity, especially adverse effects on female reproduction. Food and medicinal plants and their isoflavones can be protectors against environmental stressors, but their ability to abate the adverse effects of nanoparticles has not been studied yet. In the present study, we examined the effect of silver (AgNPs) and titanium dioxide (titania, TiO2NPs) nanoparticles alone or in combination with plant phytoestrogens/antioxidants (resveratrol, diosgenin, and quercetin) on accumulation of nanoparticles, and progesterone release by cultured porcine ovarian granulosa cells.Methods. Porcine granulosa cells were incubated in the presence of AgNPs or TiO2NPs (0.1, 1, 10 or 100 µg/ml) alone or in combination with resveratrol, diosgenin or quercetin (10 µg/ml) for 48 h. The accumulation of tested nanoparticles by granulosa cells was assessed under light microscope. Progesterone concentration in culture media was measured by ELISA kit.Results. Cells accumulated both AgNPs and TiO2NPs in a dose-dependent manner. AgNPs, but not TiO2NPs, at highest dose (100 µg/ml) resulted in a destruction of cell monolayer. Both Ag-NPs and TiO2NPs reduced progesterone release. Resveratrol, diosgenin, and quercetin promoted accumulation of both AgNPs and TiO2NPs in ovarian cells and inhibited the progesterone output. Furthermore, resveratrol and diosgenin, but not quercetin, prevented the suppressive action of both AgNPs, and TiO2NPs on progesterone release.Conclusions. These observations (1) demonstrate accumulation of AgNPs and TiO2NPs in ovarian cells, (2) confirm the toxic impact of AgNPs, and TiO2NPs on these cells, (3) confirm the inhibitory effects of plant polyphenols/phytoestrogens on ovarian steroidogenesis, (4) show the ability of these isoflavones to increase the accumulation of AgNPs and TiO2NPs, and (5) show their ability to reduce the suppressive effect of AgNPs and TiO2NPs on ovarian progesterone release. The suppressive effect of AgNPs and TiO2NPs on ovarian functions should be taken into account by their exposition. However, these adverse effects could be mitigated by some plant isoflavones.

A circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network plays a role in the protective effect of diosgenin on alveolar bone loss in ovariectomized rats

Background

The present study aimed to assess the perturbation in circular RNA (circRNA)/mRNA expression profiles and a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA coexpression network involved in the potential protective effect of diosgenin (DIO) on alveolar bone loss in rats subjected to ovariectomy (OVX).

Methods

The Wistar rats (female) manipulated with sham operation were classified as the SHAM group and the grouping of OVX rats administered with DIO, estradiol valerate or vehicle for 12 weeks was DIO group, EV group and OVX group respectively. Following treatments, the plasmatic levels of osteocalcin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha and the microstructure of alveolar bone were assayed. Based on microarray analyses, we identified differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs and mRNAs in alveolar bone of rats in both OVX and DIO group. The DE circRNAs and DE mRNAs involved in the bone metabolism pathway validated by RT-qPCR were considered key circRNAs/mRNAs. On the basis of these key circRNAs/mRNAs, we predicted the overlapping relative miRNAs of key circRNAs/mRNAs, and a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network was built.

Results

DIO showed an anti-osteopenic effect on the rat alveolar bone loss induced by OVX. In total, we found 10 DE circRNAs (6 downregulated and 4 upregulated) and 614 DE mRNAs (314 downregulated and 300 upregulated) in samples of the DIO group compared with those of the OVX group. However, only one circRNA (rno_circRNA_016717) and seven mRNAs (Sfrp1, Csf1, Il1rl1, Nfatc4, Tnfrsf1a, Pik3c2g, and Wnt9b) were validated by qRT-PCR and therefore considered key circRNA/mRNAs. According to these key circRNA/mRNAs and overlapping predicted miRNAs, a coexpression network was constructed. After network analysis, one circRNA-miRNA-mRNA axis (circRNA_016717/miR-501-5p/Sfrp1) was identified.

Conclusion

The mechanism of DIO inhibiting alveolar bone loss after OVX is possibly relevant to the simultaneous inhibition of osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis by mediating the expression of important molecules in the Wnt, PI3K, RANK/RANKL or osteoclastogenic cytokine pathways. The circRNA_016717/miR-501-5p/Sfrp1 axis may play important roles in these processes.

Biotic elicitors enhance diosgenin production in Helicteres isora L. suspension cultures via up-regulation of CAS and HMGR genes

In an attempt to find an alternative and potent source of diosgenin, a steroidal saponin in great demand for its pharmaceutical importance, Helicteres isora suspension cultures were explored for diosgenin extraction. The effect of biotic elicitors on the biosynthesis of diosgenin, in suspension cultures of H. isora was studied. Bacterial as well as fungal elicitors such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus niger were applied at varying concentrations to investigate their effects on diosgenin content. The HPLC based quantification of the treated samples proved that amongst the biotic elicitors, E. coli (1.5%) proved best with a 9.1-fold increase in diosgenin content over respective control cultures. Further, the scaling-up of the suspension culture to shake-flask and ultimately to bioreactor level were carried out for production of diosgenin. During all the scaling-up stages, diosgenin yield obtained was in the range between 7.91 and 8.64 mg l^-1, where diosgenin content was increased with volume of the medium. The quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed biotic elicitors induced the expression levels of regulatory genes in diosgenin biosynthetic pathway, the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR) and cycloartenol synthase (CAS), which can be positively correlated with elicited diosgenin contents in those cultures. The study holds significance as H. isora represents a cleaner and easy source of diosgenin where unlike other traditional sources, it is not admixed with other steroidal saponins, and the scaled-up levels of diosgenin achieved herein have the potential to be explored commercially.