The role of radix hedysari polysaccharide on the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by high glucose

Recent advances in medicinal and edible homologous plant polysaccharides: Preparation, structure and prevention and treatment of diabetes

Medicinal and edible homologs (MEHs) can be used in medicine and food. The National Health Commission announced that a total of 103 kinds of medicinal and edible homologous plants (MEHPs) would be available by were available in 2023. Diabetes mellitus (DM) has become the third most common chronic metabolic disease that seriously threatens human health worldwide. Polysaccharides, the main component isolated from MEHPs, have significant antidiabetic effects with few side effects. Based on a literature search, this paper summarizes the preparation methods, structural characterization, and antidiabetic functions and mechanisms of MEHPs polysaccharides (MEHPPs). Specifically, MEHPPs mainly regulate PI3K/Akt, AMPK, cAMP/PKA, Nrf2/Keap1, NF-κB, MAPK and other signaling pathways to promote insulin secretion and release, improve glycolipid metabolism, inhibit the inflammatory response, decrease oxidative stress and regulate intestinal flora. Among them, 16 kinds of MEHPPs were found to have obvious anti-diabetic effects. This article reviews the prevention and treatment of diabetes and its complications by MEHPPs and provides a basis for the development of safe and effective MEHPP-derived health products and new drugs to prevent and treat diabetes.

Pharmacological action of Hedysarum polysaccharides: a review

Hedysarum, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine and food with a long history of clinical application, is used to improve health conditions and treat various diseases. Hedysarum polysaccharides (HPS), flavonoids, saponins, and alkaloids, are the primary components of Hedysarum. HPS is the most important natural active ingredient of Hedysarum, which has many pharmacological effects. Currently, HPS exhibits significant promise in drug development for various ailments such as tumors, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer's disease, and fibrosis. This review paper discusses the extraction, separation, and content determination techniques of HPS, along with the investigation of its chemical constituents. More importantly, we reviewed the anti-inflammatory pharmacological effects of HPS, such as inhibition of inflammatory factors and NF-κB signaling pathway; antitumor activity through apoptosis induction in tumor cells and blocking tumor cell proliferation and metastasis; antioxidant effects; regulation of various cytokines and immune cells; regulation of blood sugar levels, such as in type I and type II diabetes and in diabetic complications; improvement in symptoms of Alzheimer disease; anti-aging and anti-fibrosis properties; and improvement in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. This review paper establishes the theoretical foundation for future studies on the structure, mechanism, and clinical use of HPS.

Rosa centifolia petal extract induces endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasorelaxation in rat aorta and prevents accumulation of inflammatory factors in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

This study aims to investigate the vasorelaxation effects of a Rosa centifolia petal extract (ROSE CRYSTA®-70: ROSE-70) on the isolated aorta and the protective effect of ROSE-70 on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) dysfunction. ROSE-70 inhibited phenylephrine (PE) -induced contraction in an endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent manner; however, this relaxation was lower in the endothelium-denuded aorta. ROSE-70-induced relaxation was attenuated by L-N^G -nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor in the endothelium-intact aorta. Moreover, the relaxation in the endothelium-denuded aorta in response to increases in cAMP was inhibited by SQ22536, an adenylate cyclase inhibitor, and this relaxation was also attenuated by 4-aminopyridine, a voltage-activated K⁺ channel inhibitor. ROSE-70 contains high concentrations of quercetin, rutin, and other compounds. Pure quercetin and rutin also inhibited PE-induced contraction in an endothelium-dependent manner, although rutin-induced relaxation was milder in the endothelium-denuded aorta. ROSE-70 significantly increased the phosphorylation (at Ser1177) of eNOS in HUVECs. Moreover, ROSE-70 potently suppressed high glucose- and H₂ O₂ -induced accumulation of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) were investigated in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In this study, we defined the mechanism of ROSE-70-induced vasorelaxation in rat aorta and demonstrated that ROSE-70 has anti-inflammatory effects in endothelial cells. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Endothelial cells play a role in vascular homeostasis. Endothelial dysfunction is caused by a variety of risk factors such as hypertension, arteriosclerosis, hyperglycemia, and oxidative stress. ROSE-70 is a food ingredient and the powdered form of an extract from the rose petal with >70% of the content corresponding to rose petal polyphenols such as rutin, quercetin, and protocatechuic acid. This study revealed that vasorelaxation effects of ROSE-70 and the protective role of ROSE-70 on the dysfunction of endothelial cells by high glucose and superoxides were investigated for the first time. We showed the mechanisms of ROSE-70- induced endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and the protective effects of endothelial cells from high glucose and superoxide. ROSE-70 has been shown to have antiaging, skin elasticity-enhancing, skin-lightening, anti-allergic, sugar-absorbing, and lipolytic effects (URL: https://www.toyohakko-healthcare. com/en/rose_crysta70/). Therefore, the authors believe that ROSE-70 is an excellent food ingredient that has preventive and antiaging effects on lifestyle-related diseases.

Isolation, structures and bioactivities of the polysaccharides from Radix Hedysari: A review

Radix Hedysari, a well-known traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has a long history as a medicinal plant in China based on its wide spectrum of biological and pharmacological activities. Until now, many chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from Radix Hedysari, such as polysaccharides, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, trace elements and so on. Of these, Radix Hedysari polysaccharides are one of the most important active compounds of the Radix Hedysari and have various biological activities, including anti-tumor activity, antioxidant activity, anti-diabetic activity, immunity enhancement effect and regulation of intestinal flora. These beneficial biological activities are related to the chemical structure of the Radix Hedysari polysaccharides. The chemical structure of HPS is the basis of its biological activity, which is affected by many factors, such as the composition of monosaccharide, the size of relative molecular weight, the way of glycoside bond connection, the three-dimensional structure of polysaccharide, and so on. Different extraction and separation methods lead to different configurations of polysaccharides and different biological activities of polysaccharides. In general, the bioactivity of polysaccharides showed a certain dose-response or structure-activity relationship. At present, few studies of regarding the structure-function relationships of these polysaccharides have been reported, and it is not easy to relate the structures of HPS to their biological activities. Nevertheless, some relationships can be inferred as follows. This article is aimed to provide a systematic and up-to-date review on the extraction, purification, structural characterization, and biological activities of the Radix Hedysari polysaccharides to support its further therapeutic potentials and sanitarian functions. Furthermore, the possible development and a perspective for future research of Radix Hedysari polysaccharides are also discussed.

MicroRNA-9-5p promotes angiogenesis but inhibits apoptosis and inflammation of high glucose-induced injury in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells by targeting CXCR4

High glucose (HG) has the potential to cause vascular endothelial cell injury, while microRNAs (miRNAs) play a key role in treating endothelial cell injury. CXC chemokine receptor-4 (CXCR4) is reported to be expressed in vascular endothelial cells. Hence, this study investigated role of miR-9-5p in the angiogenesis and apoptosis of HG-induced human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) injury. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay verified that miR-9-5p targeted CXCR4. RT-qPCR and western blot analysis revealed that miR-9-5p was down-regulated, meanwhile CXCR4 was up-regulated in the HG-induced HUVECs. HUVECs were cultured in 30 mmol/L HG in vitro, and then transfected with miR-9-5p mimic or CXCR4 siRNA to identify the effect of miR-9-5p on cell activity, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and inflammation of HG-induced HUVECs. The results suggested that overexpression of miR-9-5p or silencing of CXCR4 in HG-induced HUVECs increased cell proliferation and tubule length, while decreasing the apoptosis rate and the expression of inflammatory factors. Furthermore, miR-9-5p inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), protein kinase B (AKT), and Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) proteins via downregulation of CXCR4. Therefore, overexpression of miR-9-5p suppressed the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway by inhibiting CXCR4, thereby reducing HG-induced injury in HUVECs.

Protective effect of polysaccharides from Radix Hedysari on gastric ulcers induced by acetic acid in rats

The potential anti-gastric ulcer effects of Hedysarum polysaccharides (HPS-50 and HPS-80) were explored in rats.

Oleanolic acid protects against oxidative stress‑induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell injury by activating AKT/eNOS signaling

Oxidative injury of vascular endothelial cells in the initial event of atherosclerosis (AS) in diabetes was assessed in the present study. The antioxidant effect of oleanolic acid (OA) has attracted much attention. In the present study the potential effects of OA on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were investigated. Cell viability was examined using the CCK‑8 assay. The activity of oxidative stress parameters was determined using commercial kits. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to detect the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and cell apoptosis. The expression levels of target genes and proteins were examined by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑qPCR) and western blot analysis. It was indicated that cell viability that was suppressed by high glucose was increased by the pretreatment of OA, and nitric oxide (NO) generation, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were recovered by OA. By contrast, it was observed that OA decreased the MDA content. Notably, the pretreatment of OA alleviated mitochondria damage by reducing the level of ROS and maintaining MMP. In addition, apoptosis that was caused by high glucose was reduced by OA. Pro‑apoptotic genes (caspase‑3, Fas, Fasl) and anti‑apoptotic gene (Bcl‑2) expression levels were decreased and increased in the OA groups, respectively. Furthermore, the activity of AKT/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) signaling was elevated by OA. Taken together, it was suggested that OA could protect against oxidative stress‑induced apoptosis of HUVECs, which was associated with AKT/eNOS signaling pathway.

Timosaponin B-II ameliorates scopolamine-induced cognition deficits by attenuating acetylcholinesterase activity and brain oxidative damage in mice

Timosaponin B-II (TB-II) is a main active saponin isolated from the rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge., which is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, the effect of TB-II on learning and memory was investigated in a scopolamine-induced mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The results of behavioral tests indicated that TB-II significantly increased the spontaneous alternation in the Y-maze test, and reversed the shortening of step-through latency induced by scopolamine in the passive avoidance test, showing protective effects on short-term and working memory. In the Morris water maze test, TB-II reduced the escape latency time in the training trial, and increased the swimming time in the target quadrant in the probe trial. Biochemical data demonstrated that TB-II significantly inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of mice. Moreover, TB-II markably attenuated the reduction in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, which are key biomarkers of brain oxidative stress. These results indicated that TB-II offers protection against scopolamine-induced deficits in learning and memory, possibly by inhibiting AChE and preventing oxidative stress damage. The findings suggested that TB-II has a potential therapeutic effect on cognitive and behavioral impairment.

Protective effect of trans-δ-viniferin against high glucose-induced oxidative stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells through the SIRT1 pathway

Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications. Trans-δ-viniferin (TVN), a polyphenolic compound, has recently attracted much attention as an antioxidant exhibiting a hypoglycemic potential. In the present study, we aimed at investigating the protective effect of TVN against high glucose-induced oxidative stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the potential mechanism involved. We found that TVN attenuated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, increased catalase (CAT) activity and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels to ameliorate cell survival induced by 35 mM glucose. Meanwhile, it inhibited high glucose-induced apoptosis by maintaining Ca(2+) and preserving mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) levels. The immunoblot analysis indicated that TVN efficiently regulated the cleavage of caspase family, p53, Bax and Bcl-2, all mediated by SIRT1. Furthermore, the increased level of SIRT1 induced by TVN was inhibited by nicotinamide and siRNA-medicated SIRT1 silencing (si-SIRT1), thereby confirming the significant role of SIRT1 in these events. In conclusion, our results indicated that TVN efficiently reduced oxidative stress and maintained mitochondrial function related with activating SIRT1 in high glucose-treated HUVECs. It suggested that TVN is pharmacologically promising for treating diabetic cardiovascular complications.

Octaphlorethol A isolated from Ishige foliacea prevents and protects against high glucose-induced oxidative damage in vitro and in vivo

We investigated the protective effect of octaphlorethol A (OPA) isolated from Ishige foliacea against high-glucose-induced oxidative damage, as indicated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, lipid peroxidation, and cell death, in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and in a zebrafish model. OPA treatment significantly and dose-dependently decreased ROS generation, lipid peroxidation, and cell death in HUVECs and in a zebrafish model. Our results show that OPA can protect HUVECs and zebrafish against high glucose by suppressing intracellular ROS generation, lipid peroxidation, and cell death.

Radix Hedysari polysaccharide suppresses lipid metabolism dysfunction in a rat model of non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease via adenosine monophosphate‑activated protein kinase pathway activation

Oxidative stress and excess hepatic lipid accumulation contribute to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Radix Hedysari polysaccharides (RHP) have attracted interest due to their antioxidant properties and immunomodulatory effects. However, the effect of RHP on hepatic lipid metabolism remains to be elucidated. In the present study, the response of Sprague-Dawley rat livers to a high-fat diet and RHP treatment was investigated by evaluating body weight, liver histology, hepatic lipid content, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity and lipid metabolism gene transcriptional profiles. The present study demonstrated that RHP ameliorated lipid metabolism disorders, regulated hepatic lipid content, improved liver inflammation and damage, activated AMPK via phosphorylation, upregulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and downregulated the mRNA expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c in rat livers, which reduced lipogenesis and increased lipolysis. Taken together, these results suggested that RHP effectively ameliorates lipid metabolism disorders in rat livers; thus, RHP may be a potential therapeutic agent in the prevention of hepatic steatosis.

Protective effects of timosaponin B-II on high glucose-induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

This study was designed to investigate the action of timosaponin B-II, a main bioactive compound in Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge, on the prevention from high glucose-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the potential mechanisms involved. The results showed that compared with the normal control group, exposure of HUVECs to high glucose media for 72 h resulted in a significant increase in lactates dehydrogenise release, reactive oxygen species production, Caspase-3 activity and the percentage of apoptotic cells (p<0.01). However, pretreatment with timosaponin B-II significantly increased the viability of HUVECs and decreased lactates dehydrogenise release, Caspase-3 activity and the apoptosis rate in a concentration-dependent manner (p<0.05). In addition, timosaponin B-II notably decreased the amount of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, as well as promoted glutathione peroxidase activity, endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity and nitric oxide release (p<0.05). These results suggest that timosaponin B-II has the antiapoptotic effect in endothelial cells through inhibition of high glucose-induced oxidative stress and has the potential for preventing diabetic cardiovascular complications.

Effect of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural derived from processed Cornus officinalis on the prevention of high glucose-induced oxidative stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and its mechanism

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of 5-HMF on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) injured by high glucose in vitro, and the mechanism underlying this process. Our results demonstrated that high glucose-induced oxidative stress in HUVECs was mainly mediated through activation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), Jun N-kinase 2/3 (JNK2/3) and plasma interleukin-8 (IL-8), and inactivation of phosphorylated protein kinase B (P-Akt). Treatment of HUVECs with media containing high glucose (4.5%) in the presence of 5-HMF (100, 200 and 400 μM) resulted in significant inhibition of high glucose-induced oxidative stress and expression of JNK1 and JNK2/3. Furthermore, 5-HMF rapidly inhibited high glucose-induced activation of IL-8, a downstream activator of P-Akt. Diabetes mellitus can cause a wide variety of vascular complications and high glucose can induce vascular endothelial cell apoptosis. Free radicals are formed disproportionately in diabetes by glucose oxidation. The finding of this study highlights the pharmacological application of 5-HMF for preventing cardiovascular and diabetes mellitus diseases, and provides the theoretical basis for further development of a Cornus officinalis agent for diabetes-associated vascular diseases.

Protection effect of endomorphins on advanced glycation end products induced injury in endothelial cells

Endomorphins (EMs) have a very important bridge-function in cardiovascular, endocrinological, and neurological systems. This study is to investigate the effects of EMs on the synthesis and secretion of vasoactive substances induced by advanced glycation end products in primary cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Firstly, HUVECs were stimulated with AGEs-bovine serum albumin (AGEs-BSA), bovine serum albumin (BSA), or both AGEs-BSA and EMs together, respectively. Then, HUVEC survival rate was calculated by MTT assay, the levels of NO, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were detected by colorimetric analysis, and the contents of endothelin-1 (ET-1) were detected by ELISA. The mRNA levels of eNOS and ET-1 were measured by RT-PCR. The expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) was detected by immunofluorescence assay. The results showed that the mRNA expression and secretion of eNOS were significantly enhanced after incubation with EMs compared to those with AGEs-BSA, while the secretion of NO and iNOS, mRNA expression, and secretion of ET-1 had opposite changes. The fluorescence intensity of p38MAPK in nuclear was decreased after pretreatment with EMs compared to incubation with AGEs-BSA. Conclusion. The present study suggests that EMs have certain protection effect on AGEs-BSA-induced injury in HUVEC.