Oleanolic acid exerts neuroprotective effects in subarachnoid hemorrhage rats through SIRT1-mediated HMGB1 deacetylation

PARP-1 dependent cell death pathway (Parthanatos) mediates early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a neurological condition with high mortality and poor prognosis, and there are currently no effective therapeutic drugs available. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) dependent cell death pathway-parthanatos is closely associated with stroke. We investigated improvements in neurological function, oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier and parthanatos-related protein expression in rats with SAH after intraperitoneal administration of PARP-1 inhibitor (AG14361). Our study found that the expression of parthanatos-related proteins was significantly increased after SAH. Immunofluorescence staining showed increased expression of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) in the nucleus after SAH. Administration of PARP-1 inhibitor significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) level and the expression of parthanatos-related proteins. Immunofluorescence staining showed that PARP-1 inhibitor reduced the expression of 8-hydroxy-2' -deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and thus reduced oxidative stress. Moreover, PARP-1 inhibitor could inhibit inflammation-associated proteins level and neuronal apoptosis, protect the blood-brain barrier and significantly improve neurological function after SAH. These results suggest that PARP-1 inhibitor can significantly improve SAH, and the underlying mechanism may be through inhibiting parthanatos pathway.

Edaravone dexborneol attenuates oxidative stress in experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage via Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway

Background

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) serves as a disease characterized by high incidence rate, which is exceedingly prevalent and severe. Presently, there is no unambiguous or efficacious intervention for the neurological impairment following SAH. Administering multi-targeted neuroprotective agents to reduce oxidative stress (OS) and neuroinflammation caused by early brain injury (EBI) has been demonstrated to improve neurological function and prognosis following SAH. Edaravone dexborneol (EDB), a novel multi targeted neuroprotective medication, combines four parts edaravone (EDA) with 1 part (+)-borneol in proportion. Clinical trials conducted in China have revealed during 2 days of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), early administration of EDB leads to improved therapeutic outcomes compared to treatment in EDA monotherapy. Currently, there is no clear evidence that EDB can effectively treat SAH, therefore, our study aims to investigate its potential therapeutic effects and mechanisms on EBI after SAH.

Method

We used the intravascular threading method to establish a mouse model of SAH to explore whether EDA and EDB could produce anti-OS and anti-apoptosis effects. Behavioral assessment of mice was conducted using the balance beam experiment and the modified Garcia scoring system. Neuronal damage due to OS and Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway were detected through techniques of immunofluorescence, Western blotting, spectrophotometry. The group of EDA and EDB were injected intraperitoneally for 72 h after SAH.

Results

The experiment results indicated that EDB lead to remarkably positive results by significantly enhancing neurological function, reducing blood-brain barrier (BBB) injury, and effectively inhibiting neuronal apoptosis after SAH. Further examination indicated EDB significantly reduced the expression of Keap1 and increased the expression of Nrf2, and it inhibited MDA, and enhanced SOD activity after SAH. These outcomes surpassed the effectiveness observed in EDA monotherapy. However, the application of ML385 reversed the anti-OS effects of EDB and EDA.

Conclusion

Our experimental findings indicated that EDB could activate Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway to reduce OS damage, thereby protecting neurological function and enhancing behavioral abilities after SAH. These outcomes could facilitate the creation of new approaches for the clinical management of SAH.

Unlocking the Potential of Oleanolic Acid: Integrating Pharmacological Insights and Advancements in Delivery Systems

The growing interest in oleanolic acid (OA) as a triterpenoid with remarkable health benefits prompts an emphasis on its efficient use in pharmaceutical research. OA exhibits a range of pharmacological effects, including antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, immune-enhancing, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, antitumor, and antiviral properties. While OA demonstrates diverse pharmacological effects, optimizing its therapeutic potential requires overcoming significant challenges. In the field of pharmaceutical research, the exploration of efficient drug delivery systems is essential to maximizing the therapeutic potential of bioactive compounds. Efficiently delivering OA faces challenges, such as poor aqueous solubility and restricted bioavailability, and to unlock its full therapeutic efficacy, novel formulation strategies are imperative. This discussion thoroughly investigates different approaches and advancements in OA drug delivery systems with the aim of enhancing the biopharmaceutical features and overall efficacy in diverse therapeutic contexts.

Therapeutic Potential of Natural Compounds in Subarachnoid Haemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a common and fatal cerebrovascular disease with high morbidity, mortality and very poor prognosis worldwide. SAH can induce a complex series of pathophysiological processes, and the main factors affecting its prognosis are early brain injury (EBI) and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). The pathophysiological features of EBI mainly include intense neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, neuronal cell death, mitochondrial dysfunction and brain edema, while DCI is characterized by delayed onset ischemic neurological deficits and cerebral vasospasm (CVS). Despite much exploration in people to improve the prognostic outcome of SAH, effective treatment strategies are still lacking. In recent years, numerous studies have shown that natural compounds of plant origin have unique neuro- and vascular protective effects in EBI and DCI after SAH and long-term neurological deficits, which mainly include inhibition of inflammatory response, reduction of oxidative stress, anti-apoptosis, and improvement of blood-brain barrier and cerebral vasospasm. The aim of this paper is to systematically explore the processes of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in SAH, and to summarize natural compounds as potential targets for improving the prognosis of SAH and their related mechanisms of action for future therapies.

NAD-Dependent Protein Deacetylase Sirtuin-1 Mediated Mitophagy Regulates Early Brain Injury After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Background

This study focuses on the role of SIRT1 in neuroinflammation caused by early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and explores its mechanism in mitophagy after SAH.

Methods

C57BL/6J mice and primary microglia SAH in vivo and in vitro models were constructed to explore the expression level of SIRT1 in neuroinflammation after SAH. Subsequently, the brain edema content, blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage and neurological function scores of the mice were observed after using the SIRT1 inhibitor EX-527. q-PCR and Western blot were used to detect relevant genes and proteins, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α inflammatory factors. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the positive level of SIRT1 and the degree of mitochondria-lysosome fusion, and transmission electron microscopy was used to observe mitochondrial damage and autophagosome levels.

Results

In in vivo and in vitro experiments, we found that SIRT1 expression increased after SAH, and neurological deficits, brain edema, and blood-brain barrier damage after SAH were aggravated. Inhibiting SIRT1 further aggravates the aforementioned damage. In addition, EX-527 can also inhibit the level of mitophagy and aggravate neuroinflammation after SAH.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that SIRT1 promotes mitophagy and alleviates neuroinflammation after SAH.

Memory Recovery Effect of a New Bioactive Innovative Combination in Rats with Experimental Dementia

Alzheimer's disease manifests as a complex pathological condition, with neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and cholinergic dysfunction being a few of the many pathological changes. Due to the complexity of the disease, current therapeutic strategies aim at a multitargeted approach, often relying on a combination of substances with versatile and complementary effects. In the present study, a unique combination of α-lipoic acid, citicoline, extracts of leaves from olive tree and green tea, vitamin D3, selenium and an immune-supporting complex was tested in scopolamine-induced dementia in rats. Using behavioral and biochemical methods, we assessed the effects of the combination on learning and memory, and elucidated the mechanisms of these effects. Our results showed that, compared to its components, the experimental combination was most efficient in improving short- and long-term memory as assessed by the step-through method as well as spatial memory as assessed by T-maze and Barnes maze underlined by decreases in AChE activity (p < 0.05) and LPO (p < 0.001), increases in SOD activity in the cortex (p < 0.05) and increases in catalase (p < 0.05) and GPx (p < 0.01) activities and BDNF (p < 0.001) and pCREB (p < 0.05) levels in the hippocampus. No significant histopathological changes or blood parameter changes were detected, making the experimental combination an effective and safe candidate in a multitargeted treatment of AD.

Role of SIRT1 in sepsis-induced encephalopathy: Molecular targets for future therapies

Sepsis induces neuroinflammation, BBB disruption, cerebral hypoxia, neuronal mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell death causing sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). These pathological consequences lead to short- and long-term neurobehavioural deficits. Till now there is no specific treatment that directly improves SAE and its associated behavioural impairments. In this review, we discuss the underlying mechanisms of sepsis-induced brain injury with a focus on the latest progress regarding neuroprotective effects of SIRT1 (silent mating type information regulation-2 homologue-1). SIRT1 is an NAD+ -dependent class III protein deacetylase. It is able to modulate multiple downstream signals (including NF-κB, HMGB, AMPK, PGC1α and FoxO), which are involved in the development of SAE by its deacetylation activity. There are multiple recent studies showing the neuroprotective effects of SIRT1 in neuroinflammation related diseases. The proposed neuroprotective action of SIRT1 is meant to bring a promising therapeutic strategy for managing SAE and ameliorating its related behavioural deficits.

Sirtuins as Potential Targets for Neuroprotection: Mechanisms of Early Brain Injury Induced by Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a prevalent cerebrovascular disease with significant global mortality and morbidity rates. Despite advancements in pharmacological and surgical approaches, the quality of life for SAH survivors has not shown substantial improvement. Traditionally, vasospasm has been considered a primary contributor to death and disability following SAH, but anti-vasospastic therapies have not demonstrated significant benefits for SAH patients' prognosis. Emerging studies suggest that early brain injury (EBI) may play a crucial role in influencing SAH prognosis. Sirtuins (SIRTs), a group of NAD + -dependent deacylases comprising seven mammalian family members (SIRT1 to SIRT7), have been found to be involved in neural tissue development, plasticity, and aging. They also exhibit vital functions in various central nervous system (CNS) processes, including cognition, pain perception, mood, behavior, sleep, and circadian rhythms. Extensive research has uncovered the multifaceted roles of SIRTs in CNS disorders, offering insights into potential markers for pathological processes and promising therapeutic targets (such as SIRT1 activators and SIRT2 inhibitors). In this article, we provide an overview of recent research progress on the application of SIRTs in subarachnoid hemorrhage and explore their underlying mechanisms of action.

The activation of SIRT1 ameliorates BPDE-induced inflammatory damage in BEAS-2B cells via HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway

Benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE), the metabolite of environmental pollutant benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) could induce pulmonary toxicity and inflammation. SIRT1, an NAD+ -dependent histone deacetylase, is known to regulate inflammation in the occurrence and development of various diseases, but its effects on BPDE-induced acute lung injury are still unknown. The present study aimed to explore the role of SIRT1 in BPDE-induced acute lung injury. Here, human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells (BEAS-2B) cells were stimulated with BPDE at different concentrations (0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 μmol/L) for 24 h, we found that the levels of cytokines in the supernatant were increased and the expression of SIRT1 in cells was down-regulated, at the same time, BPDE stimulation up-regulated the protein expression of HMGB1, TLR4, and p-NF-κBp65 in BEAS-2B cells. Then the activator and inhibitor of SIRT1 were used before BPDE exposure, it was shown that the activation of SIRT1 significantly attenuated the levels of inflammatory cytokines and HMGB1, and reduced the expression of HMGB1, AC-HMGB1, TLR4, and p-NF-κBp65 protein; while these results were reversed by the inhibition of SIRT1. This study revealed that the SIRT1 activation may protect against BPDE-induced inflammatory damage in BEAS-2B cells by regulating the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway.

Phytocompounds and their molecular targets in immunomodulation: a review

Immune cells are important for the healthy function of every organ. The homeostasis of the immune system is selfregulated by T-cells, B-cells, and natural killer cells. The immunomodulation process of immune cells is part of the immunotherapy. According to therapeutic methods of immune responses are categorized as inducing (immunostimulant), amplification (immune booster), attenuation (immunomodulation), and prevention (immunosuppressive) actions. The prevalence of chronic immunological diseases like viral infections, allergies, and cancer is mainly due to the over-activation of the immune system. Further, immunomodulators are reported to manage the severity of chronic immunological disorders. Moreover, these immunomodulator-acting proteins are identified as potential molecular targets for the regulation of the immune system. Moreover, natural compound like phytocompounds are known to bind these targets and modulates the immune system. The specialized phytocompounds like curcumin, quercetin, stilbenes, flavonoids, and lignans are shown the immunomodulatory actions and ameliorate the immunological disorders. The present scenario of a COVID-19 pandemic situation has taught us the need to focus on strengthening the immune system and the development of the most promising immunotherapeutics. This review is focused on an overview of various phytocompounds and their molecular targets for the management of immunological disorders via immunosuppressants and immunostimulants actions.

The Critical Role of Sirt1 in Subarachnoid Hemorrhages: Mechanism and Therapeutic Considerations

The subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is an important cause of death and long-term disability worldwide. As a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylase, silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1) is a multipotent molecule involved in many pathophysiological processes. A growing number of studies have demonstrated that Sirt1 activation may exert positive effects on SAHs by regulating inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis. Thus, Sirt1 agonists may serve as potential therapeutic drugs for SAHs. In this review, we summarized the current state of our knowledge on the relationship between Sirt1 and SAHs and provided an updated overview of the downstream molecules of Sirt1 in SAHs.

The role of high mobility group box 1 in neuroinflammatory related diseases

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a ubiquitous and highly conserved non-histone DNA-binding protein with different biological functions according to its subcellular localization. It is widely believed that HMGB1, which is released into the extracellular space, plays a key role in the inflammatory response. In recent years, numerous studies have shown that the development of various neurological diseases such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebrovascular disease and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are inextricably linked to inflammation. We will review the mechanisms of HMGB1 and its receptors in nervous system inflammation to provide a basis for further development of new HMGB1-based therapies.

Progress in Research on TLR4-Mediated Inflammatory Response Mechanisms in Brain Injury after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is one of the common clinical neurological emergencies. Its incidence accounts for about 5-9% of cerebral stroke patients. Even surviving patients often suffer from severe adverse prognoses such as hemiplegia, aphasia, cognitive dysfunction and even death. Inflammatory response plays an important role during early nerve injury in SAH. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), pattern recognition receptors, are important components of the body's innate immune system, and they are usually activated by damage-associated molecular pattern molecules. Studies have shown that with TLR 4 as an essential member of the TLRs family, the inflammatory transduction pathway mediated by it plays a vital role in brain injury after SAH. After SAH occurrence, large amounts of blood enter the subarachnoid space. This can produce massive damage-associated molecular pattern molecules that bind to TLR4, which activates inflammatory response and causes early brain injury, thus resulting in serious adverse prognoses. In this paper, the process in research on TLR4-mediated inflammatory response mechanism in brain injury after SAH was reviewed to provide a new thought for clinical treatment.

Inflammation and immune cell abnormalities in intracranial aneurysm subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH): Relevant signaling pathways and therapeutic strategies

Intracranial aneurysm subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a cerebrovascular disorder associated with high overall mortality. Currently, the underlying mechanisms of pathological reaction after aneurysm rupture are still unclear, especially in the immune microenvironment, inflammation, and relevant signaling pathways. SAH-induced immune cell population alteration, immune inflammatory signaling pathway activation, and active substance generation are associated with pro-inflammatory cytokines, immunosuppression, and brain injury. Crosstalk between immune disorders and hyperactivation of inflammatory signals aggravated the devastating consequences of brain injury and cerebral vasospasm and increased the risk of infection. In this review, we discussed the role of inflammation and immune cell responses in the occurrence and development of aneurysm SAH, as well as the most relevant immune inflammatory signaling pathways [PI3K/Akt, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), STAT, SIRT, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), NLRP3, TLR4/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and Keap1/nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)/ARE cascades] and biomarkers in aneurysm SAH. In addition, we also summarized potential therapeutic drugs targeting the aneurysm SAH immune inflammatory responses, such as nimodipine, dexmedetomidine (DEX), fingolimod, and genomic variation-related aneurysm prophylactic agent sunitinib. The intervention of immune inflammatory responses and immune microenvironment significantly reduces the secondary brain injury, thereby improving the prognosis of patients admitted to SAH. Future studies should focus on exploring potential immune inflammatory mechanisms and developing additional therapeutic strategies for precise aneurysm SAH immune inflammatory regulation and genomic variants associated with aneurysm formation.

Recent advances in medicinal chemistry of oleanolic acid derivatives

Oleanolic acid (OA), a ubiquitous pentacyclic oleanane-type triterpene isolated from edible and medicinal plants, exhibits a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities and tremendous therapeutic potential. However, the undesirable pharmacokinetic properties limit its application and development. Numerous researches on structural modifications of OA have been carried out to overcome this limitation and improve its pharmacokinetic and therapeutic properties. This review aims to compile and summarize the recent progresses in the medicinal chemistry of OA derivatives, especially on structure-activity relationship in the last few years (2010-2021). It gives insights into the rational design of bioactive derivatives from OA scaffold as promising therapeutic agents.

Natural Compounds for SIRT1-Mediated Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation in Stroke: A Potential Therapeutic Target in the Future

Stroke is a fatal cerebral vascular disease with a high mortality rate and substantial economic and social costs. ROS production and neuroinflammation have been implicated in both hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke and have the most critical effects on subsequent brain injury. SIRT1, a member of the sirtuin family, plays a crucial role in modulating a wide range of physiological processes, including apoptosis, DNA repair, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress. Targeting SIRT1 to reduce ROS and neuroinflammation might represent an emerging therapeutic target for stroke. Therefore, we conducted the present review to summarize the mechanisms of SIRT1-mediated oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in stroke. In addition, we provide a comprehensive introduction to the effect of compounds and natural drugs on SIRT1 signaling related to oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in stroke. We believe that our work will be helpful to further understand the critical role of the SIRT1 signaling pathway and will provide novel therapeutic potential for stroke treatment.

The SIRT1-HMGB1 axis: Therapeutic potential to ameliorate inflammatory responses and tumor occurrence

Inflammation is a common complication of many chronic diseases. It includes inflammation of the parenchyma and vascular systems. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent histone deacetylase, which can directly participate in the suppression of inflammation. It can also regulate the activity of other proteins. Among them, high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) signaling can be inhibited by deacetylating four lysine residues (55, 88, 90, and 177) in quiescent endothelial cells. HMGB1 is a ubiquitous nuclear protein, once translocated outside the cell, which can interact with various target cell receptors including the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE), toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, and TLR4 and stimulates the release of pro-inflammatory cyto-/chemokines. And SIRT1 has been reported to inhibit the activity of HMGB1. Both are related to the occurrence and development of inflammation and associated diseases but show an antagonistic relationship in controlling inflammation. Therefore, in this review, we introduce how this signaling axis regulates the emergence of inflammation-related responses and tumor occurrence, providing a new experimental perspective for future inflammation research. In addition, it explores diverse upstream regulators and some natural/synthetic activators of SIRT1 as a possible treatment for inflammatory responses and tumor occurrence which may encourage the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs. Meanwhile, this review also introduces the potential molecular mechanism of the SIRT1-HMGB1 pathway to improve inflammation, suggesting that SIRT1 and HMGB1 proteins may be potential targets for treating inflammation.

Recent Advances Regarding the Molecular Mechanisms of Triterpenic Acids: A Review (Part I)

Triterpenic acids are phytocompounds with a widespread range of biological activities that have been the subject of numerous in vitro and in vivo studies. However, their underlying mechanisms of action in various pathologies are not completely elucidated. The current review aims to summarize the most recent literature, published in the last five years, regarding the mechanism of action of three triterpenic acids (asiatic acid, oleanolic acid, and ursolic acid), corelated with different biological activities such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, and antimicrobial. All three discussed compounds share several mechanisms of action, such as the targeted modulation of the PI3K/AKT, Nrf2, NF-kB, EMT, and JAK/STAT3 signaling pathways, while other mechanisms that proved to only be specific for a part of the triterpenic acids discussed, such as the modulation of Notch, Hippo, and MALAT1/miR-206/PTGS1 signaling pathway, were highlighted as well. This paper stands as the first part in our literature study on the topic, which will be followed by a second part focusing on other triterpenic acids of therapeutic value.

Storax, A Promising Botanical Medicine for Treating Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases: A Review

In recent years, the incidence and mortality of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases have been increasing year by year, which has become global burden and challenge. Based on the holistic thinking of “brain disease affects the heart” and “heart disease affects the brain,” as well as the characteristics of multi-target and multi-path effects of Chinese medicine, Chinese medicine is more advantageous in the treatment of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. As a botanical medicine, storax is known for its resuscitation, filth avoidance and pain-relieving effects in the treatment of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. By reviewing and collating the relevant domestic and international literature in the past 10 years, we have sorted out an overview of the medicinal parts, traditional uses and chemical composition of storax. For the first time, based on the idea of “cerebral and cardiac simultaneous treatment,” the pharmacological activities and mechanisms of heart and brain protection of storax for treating cardio-cerebrovascular diseases were summarized and analyzed, showing that storax has the pharmacological effects of anti-cerebral ischemia, regulation of blood-brain barrier, bidirectional regulation of the central nervous system, anti-myocardial ischemia, anti-arrhythmia, anti-thrombosis and anti-platelet aggregation. It mainly exerts its protective effects on the brain and heart through mechanisms such as inhibition of inflammatory immune factors, anti-oxidative stress, anti-apoptosis, pro-neovascularization and regulation of NO release. On the basis of the current findings and limitations, the future research strategies and perspectives of storax are proposed, with a view to providing a reference for further application and development of this medicine, as well as contributing new thoughts and visions for the clinical application of “treating brain-heart synchronously”.

Microbial transformation of pentacyclic triterpenes for anti-inflammatory agents on the HMGB1 stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by Streptomyces olivaceus CICC 23628

High mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) is a typical Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMPs) released in response to cellular inflammation. The pentacyclic triterpenes (PTs) are considered to be the natural inhibitors against HMGB1-related inflammation. To explore new lead compounds of PTs as anti-inflammatory agents, biotransformation of four PTs by Streptomyces olivaceus CICC 23628 was investigated in this study. As a result, thirteen unique 3,4-seco-triterpenes metabolites were isolated and twelve of them were first identified and reported. Structures of metabolites were determined based on HR-ESI-MS, 1D/2D NMR, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, all compounds were subjected to the bioassay on the model of HMGB1-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells to evaluate their anti-inflammatory activity through nitric oxide (NO) inhibition activity. Compounds 3b (3,4-seco-olean-12-en-4,21α,22β,24-tetrahydroxy-ol-3-oic acid) and 2b (3,4-seco-olean-12-en-4,21β,22β,24,29-pentahydroxy-ol-3-oic acid) exhibited NO inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values of 15.94 μM and 36.00 μM, respectively. Thus, indicating their potential as HMGB1 inhibitors and in developing potent anti-inflammatory agents. This work provides an operationally simple, efficient method for the rapid diversification of the PTs scaffold for a variety of distinctive 3,4-seco-triterpenes to facilitate the discovery of potential anti-inflammatory compounds.

Protective effects of wogonin on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and apoptosis of lung epithelial cells and its possible mechanisms

Background

Wogonin (5, 7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone) is a natural di-hydroxyl flavonoid extracted from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. This paper was intended to investigate the mechanism of action of wogonin in alleviating the inflammation and apoptosis in acute lung injury (ALI).

Materials and methods

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to establish the in vitro model of ALI. After wogonin treatment, the cell viability and apoptosis of LPS-induced A549 cells were, respectively, measured by CCK-8, TUNEL assays and acridine orange/ethidium bromide dual staining, while the contents of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers were estimated by RT-qPCR, ELISA assay, western blot analysis and commercial kits. Western blot was also conducted to assess the expression of proteins involved. Subsequently, the effect of wogonin on the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)-mediated high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) deacetylation was investigated. SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 was used to evaluate the regulatory effects of wogonin on SIRT1-mediated HMGB1 deacetylation in A549 cells under LPS stimulation.

Results

LPS induced inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis of A549 cells, which was abolished by wogonin. It was also found that wogonin promoted the HMGB1 deacetylation, accompanied by upregulated SIRT1 expression. However, SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 partially reversed the protective effects of wogonin on the inflammation and apoptosis of LPS-induced A549 cells.

Conclusion

Wogonin alleviated the inflammation and apoptosis in LPS-induced A549 cells by SIRT1-mediated HMGB1 deacetylation, which might represent the identification of a novel mechanism by which wogonin exerts protective effects on ALI and provide ideas for the application of wogonin to ALI treatment.

Advances in Research on Chemical Constituents and Their Biological Activities of the Genus Actinidia

Kiwi, a fruit from plants of the genus Actinidia, is one of the famous fruits with thousand years of edible history. In the past twenty years, a great deal of research has been done on the chemical constituents of the Actinidia species. A large number of secondary metabolites including triterpenoids, flavonoids, phenols, etc. have been identified from differents parts of Actinidia plants, which exhibited significant in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-oxidative, anti-bacterial, and anti-diabetic activities. In order to fully understand the chemical components and biological activities of Actinidia plants, and to improve their further research, development and utilization, this review summarizes the compounds extracted from different parts of Actinidia plants since 1959 to 2020, classifies the types of constituents, reports on the pharmacological activities of relative compounds and medicinal potentials.

Mechanism of chlorogenic acid in alveolar macrophage polarization in Klebsiella pneumoniae-induced pneumonia

Chlorogenic acid (CA) has been discovered to regulate macrophage polarization in pneumonia. This study aims to analyze the functional mechanism of CA in alveolar macrophage (AM) polarization and provide a theoretical basis for treatment of Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp)-induced pneumonia. Mice were infected with Kp, and treated with CA and silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) inhibitor (Selisistat). Mouse survival rate was recorded and bacterial burden was detected. AM polarization and pathologic change of lung tissues were evaluated. Expressions of SIRT1 and HMGB1 and cytokine levels were detected. MH-S cells were infected with Kp to establish the pneumonia cell model, followed by transfection of si-SIRT1 and HMGB1 overexpression vector. The HMGB1 expression in the nucleus and cytoplasm was detected. HMGB1 subcellular localization and HMGB1 acetylation level were detected. Kp led to high death rates, SIRT down-regulation and increases in inflammatory factor level and bacterial burden, and promoted M1 polarization. CA treatment improved mouse survival rate and promoted M2 polarization and SIRT1 expression. SIRT1 decreased HMGB1 acetylation level to inhibit nuclear to the cytoplasm translocation. Silencing SIRT1 or HMGB1 overexpression reversed the effect of CA on Kp-induced pneumonia. Overall, CA activated SIRT1 to inhibit HMGB1 acetylation level and nuclear translocation, thereby promoting M2 polarization in AMs and alleviating Kp-induced pneumonia.