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Qin X, Xu X, Hou X, Liang R, Chen L, Hao Y, Gao A, Du X, Zhao L, Shi Y, Li Q. The pharmacological properties and corresponding mechanisms of farrerol: a comprehensive review. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2022; 60:9-16. [PMID: 34846222 PMCID: PMC8635655 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2021.2006723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Farrerol, a typical natural flavanone isolated from the traditional Chinese herb 'Man-shan-hong' [Rhododendron dauricum L. (Ericaceae)] with phlegm-reducing and cough-relieving properties, is widely used in China for treating bronchitis and asthma. OBJECTIVE To present the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, vasoactive, antitumor, and antimicrobial effects of farrerol and its underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS The literature was reviewed by searching PubMed, Medline, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases between 2011 and May 2021. The following key words were used: 'farrerol,' 'flavanone,' 'anti-inflammatory,' 'antioxidant,' 'vasoactive,' 'antitumor,' 'antimicrobial,' and 'molecular mechanisms'. RESULTS Farrerol showed anti-inflammatory effects mainly mediated via the inhibition of interleukin (IL)-6/8, IL-1β, tumour necrosis factor(TNF)-α, NF-κB, NO, COX-2, JNK1/2, AKT, PI3K, ERK1/2, p38, Keap-1, and TGF-1β. Farrerol exhibited antioxidant effects by decreasing JNK, MDA, ROS, NOX4, Bax/Bcl-2, caspase-3, p-p38 MAPK, and GSK-3β levels and enhancing Nrf2, GSH, SOD, GSH-Px, HO-1, NQO1, and p-ERK levels. The vasoactive effects of farrerol were also shown by the reduced α-SMA, NAD(P)H, p-ERK, p-Akt, mTOR, Jak2, Stat3, Bcl-2, and p38 levels, but increased OPN, occludin, ZO-1, eNOS, CaM, IP3R, and PLC levels. The antitumor effects of farrerol were evident from the reduced Bcl-2, Slug, Zeb-1, and vimentin levels but increased p27, ERK1/2, p38, caspase-9, Bax, and E-cadherin levels. Farrerol reduced α-toxin levels and increased NO production and NF-κB activity to impart antibacterial activity. CONCLUSIONS This review article provides a theoretical basis for further studies on farrerol, with a view to develop and utilise farrerol for treating of vascular-related diseases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojiang Qin
- School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
- CONTACT Xiaojiang Qin School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Xinrong Xu
- School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Xiaomin Hou
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi, China
| | - Ruifeng Liang
- School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Liangjing Chen
- School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Yuxuan Hao
- School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Anqi Gao
- School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Xufeng Du
- Department of Exercise Rehabilitation, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Liangyuan Zhao
- Department of Exercise Rehabilitation, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Yiwei Shi
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanxi Medical University Affiliated First Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Qingshan Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chronic Inflammatory Targeted Drugs, School of Materia Medica, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
- Qingshan Li School of Pharmaceutical Science, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
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Farrerol maintains the contractile phenotype of VSMCs via inactivating the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. Mol Cell Biochem 2020; 475:249-260. [PMID: 32840737 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-020-03878-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Farrerol, a dihydroflavone isolated from Rhododendron dauricum L., can inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and exert a protective effect on H2O2-induced vascular endothelial cells injury. In this study, we investigated the effects of farrerol on VSMC phenotypic modulation and balloon injury-induced vascular neointimal formation and explored the underlying mechanisms. Serum-starved rat thoracic aorta SMCs (RASMCs) were first pretreated with farrerol (3, 10, and 30 μM, respectively), U0126 (a MEK kinase inhibitor), and SB203580 (a p38 kinase inhibitor), and followed by treatment with serum (10% FBS). The expression of several VSMC-specific markers, including α-SMA, SM22α, and OPN, were analyzed by western blot. Phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was also investigated. Farrerol inhibited the serum-induced transition of RASMCs from the contractile to the synthetic phenotype, and this was associated with a decrease in α-SMA and SM22α expression, and an increase in OPN expression. Farrerol also inhibited serum-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38MAPK in RASMCs. Moreover, U0126 and SB203580 both inhibited the serum-induced phenotypic transition of RASMCs. These findings indicate that farrerol can maintain the contractile phenotype of VSMCs partly via inactivating the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Using a rat model of carotid artery balloon injury, inhibition of VSMC phenotypic transition and suppression of neointimal formation were confirmed in vivo following the perivascular application of farrerol. Our results suggested that farrerol could be a promising lead compound for the treatment of vascular proliferative diseases.
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Farrerol Directly Targets GSK-3 β to Activate Nrf2-ARE Pathway and Protect EA.hy926 Cells against Oxidative Stress-Induced Injuries. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2020; 2020:5967434. [PMID: 32082480 PMCID: PMC7007950 DOI: 10.1155/2020/5967434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress-mediated endothelial injury is considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular diseases. Farrerol, a typical natural flavanone from the medicinal plant Rhododendron dauricum L., has been reported to show protective effects against oxidative stress-induced endothelial injuries in our previous study. However, its action molecular mechanisms and targets are still unclear. In the present study, we determined whether farrerol can interact with glycogen synthase kinase 3β- (GSK-3β-) nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2- (Nrf2-) antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling, which is critical in defense against oxidative stress. Our results demonstrated that farrerol could specifically target Nrf2 negative regulator GSK-3β and inhibit its kinase activity. Mechanistic studies proved that farrerol could induce an inhibitory phosphorylation of GSK-3β at Ser9 without affecting the expression level of total GSK-3β protein and promote the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 as well as the mRNA and protein expression of its downstream target genes heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) in EA.hy926 cells. Further studies performed with GSK-3β siRNA and specific inhibitor lithium chloride (LiCl) confirmed that GSK-3β inhibition was involved in farrerol-mediated endothelial protection and Nrf2 signaling activation. Moreover, molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies revealed that farrerol could bind to the ATP pocket of GSK-3β, which is consistent with the ATP-competitive kinetic behavior. Collectively, our results firstly demonstrate that farrerol could attenuate endothelial oxidative stress by specifically targeting GSK-3β and further activating the Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway.
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Farrerol alleviates high glucose-induced renal mesangial cell injury through the ROS/Nox4/ERK1/2 pathway. Chem Biol Interact 2020; 316:108921. [PMID: 31838053 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2019.108921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Hyperproliferation and oxidative stress induced by hyperglycemia in mesangial cells plays crucial roles in the pathological process of diabetic nephropathy. Farrerol, isolated from rhododendron leaves, possesses broad anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties towards several diseases, but its role in diabetic neuropathy remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of farrerol in high glucose induced mesangial cell injury, and to explore underlying molecular mechanisms. Our results showed that high glucose in vitro conditions significantly stimulated cell proliferation, inflammatory cytokine secretion, extracellular matrix deposition, excessive oxidative stress, and NADPH oxidase activity in mesangial cells. Levels of NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) expression, ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and TGF-β1/Smad2 activation were significantly induced by high glucose conditions in mesangial cells. Inversely, farrerol treatments at 40, 60, and 80 μM concentrations, dose-dependently alleviated this molecular damage by high glucose in mesangial cells. We also found that restoration of Nox4 expression abolished the protective effects of farrerol on high glucose-induced proliferation and reactive oxygen species generation. Furthermore, pretreatment with the Nox4 inhibitor diphenyliodonium or the ERK1/2 pathway inhibitor PD98059, displayed similar ameliorated effects of farrerol on high glucose-induced mesangial cell damage. Taken together, these data suggest that farrerol displays protective effects on high glucose induced mesangial cell injury, partly through the Nox4-mediated ROS/ERK1/2 signaling pathway. These observations may provide novel insights into the application of farrerol as a diabetic neuropathy treatment.
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Li Y, Zeng Y, Meng T, Gao X, Huang B, He D, Ran X, Du J, Zhang Y, Fu S, Hu G. Farrerol protects dopaminergic neurons in a rat model of lipopolysaccharide-induced Parkinson's disease by suppressing the activation of the AKT and NF-κB signaling pathways. Int Immunopharmacol 2019; 75:105739. [PMID: 31351366 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2019.105739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation, characterized by the activation of microglia, is one of the major pathologic processes of Parkinson's disease (PD). Overactivated microglia can release many pro-inflammatory cytokines, which cause an excessive inflammatory response and eventually damage dopaminergic neurons. Therefore, the inhibition of neuroinflammation that results from the overactivation of microglia may be an method for the treatment of PD. Farrerol is a 2,3-dihydro-flavonoid obtained from Rhododendron, and it possesses various biological functions, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant activities. However, the effect of farrerol on neuroinflammation has not been investigated. The present study uncovered a neuroprotective role for farrerol. In vitro, farrerol markedly decreased the production of inflammatory mediators, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in BV-2 cells. This anti-inflammatory effect was regulated via inhibiting NF-κB p65 and AKT phosphorylation. Furthermore, we found that farrerol alleviated microglial activation and dopaminergic neuronal death in rats with LPS-induced PD. Pretreatment with farrerol markedly improved motor deficits in rats with LPS-induced PD. Taken together, our results indicate that the neuroprotective effect of the farrerol, which prevents microglial overactivation in rats with LPS-induced PD, may provide a potential therapy for patients suffering from PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhang Li
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
| | - Yalong Zeng
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Tianyu Meng
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
| | - Xiyu Gao
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
| | - Bingxu Huang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
| | - Dewei He
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
| | - Xin Ran
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
| | - Jian Du
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
| | - Yufei Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
| | - Shoupeng Fu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
| | - Guiqiu Hu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
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Qin X, Hou X, Zhang K, Li Q. α 1D-adrenoceptor involves the relaxation effect of farrerol in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 853:169-183. [PMID: 30768980 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the relaxation effect of farrerol on rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and its underlying mechanism. VSMCs were cultured primarily and were used to examine the relaxation effect of farrerol. Cells surface and length were measured by dynamic observation, or by rhodamine-phalloidin labeling and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Cells contractive activity were tested using collagen gel contraction assay. The [Ca2+]in was measured with molecular probe fluo-4-AM. The mRNA and protein expression of regulatory proteins for contraction were measured. In addition, rat aortic VSMCs were transfected with lentivirus-mediated α1D-adrenoceptor gene-shRNA, then the effect of farrerol were detected by the above experimental methods. The results revealed that 10 μΜ AngⅡ promoted cell contraction, increased [Ca2+]in and enhanced collagen contraction in rat aortic VSMCs. 10 μΜ AngⅡ not only increased expression of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and smooth muscle protein 22α (SM22α), but also increased phosphorylation level of myosin light chain (MLC) and myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (MYPT1). The above effects induced by AngⅡ could be significantly inhibited by farrerol in a concentration dependent manner. When the cells were transfected with lentivirus mediated α1D-adrenoceptor gene-shRNA, the effects of farrerol on changes induced by AngⅡ in rat aortic VSMCs were markedly reversed. In conclusion, farrerol could produce relaxtion effect in rat aortic VSMCs precontracted by 10 μΜ AngⅡ, which was involved in downregulation expression of MLCK and SM22α, and inhibition phosphorylation level of MYPT1 and MLC via activating α1D-adrenoceptor gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojiang Qin
- School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, No. 56, Xinjian South Road, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China; Shanxi University of Chinese medicine, No. 121, Daxuejie, Jinzhong 030619, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Xiaomin Hou
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, No. 56, Xinjian South Road, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Shanxi Medical University, No. 56, Xinjian South Road, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Qingshan Li
- Shanxi University of Chinese medicine, No. 121, Daxuejie, Jinzhong 030619, Shanxi Province, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science, Shanxi Medical University, No. 56, Xinjian South Road, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China.
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Cui B, Zhang S, Wang Y, Guo Y. Farrerol attenuates β-amyloid-induced oxidative stress and inflammation through Nrf2/Keap1 pathway in a microglia cell line. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 109:112-119. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.10.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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Piao L, Zang M, Gu Y, Liu B. Development and validation of a sensitive UHPLC-MS/MS method for quantitative analysis of farrerol in rat plasma: Application to pharmacokinetic and bioavailability studies. Biomed Chromatogr 2017; 31. [PMID: 28493423 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.4005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 05/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Li Piao
- Department of Gynecology; the First Hospital of Jilin University; Changchun Jilin 130021 China
| | - Mingcui Zang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery; the First Hospital of Jilin University; Changchun Jilin 130021 China
| | - Yue Gu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery; the First Hospital of Jilin University; Changchun Jilin 130021 China
| | - Baohua Liu
- Department of Emergency; the First Hospital of Jilin University; Changchun Jilin 130021 China
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