Biological activities of Boesenbergia rotunda parts and extracting solvents in promoting osteogenic differentiation of pre-osteoblasts

The Nephroprotective Activity of Boesenbergia Rotunda Rhizome by Reducing Creatinine, Urea Nitrogen, Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase, and Malondialdehyde Levels in the Blood and Attenuating the Expression of Havcr1 (KIM-1), Lcn2 (NGAL), Casp3, and Casp7 Genes in the Kidney Cortex of Cisplatin-Induced Sprague-Dawley Rats

Background

Cisplatin chemotherapy induces nephrotoxicity by producing reactive oxygen species, hence, discovering add-on nephroprotective drugs for patients with cancer is challenging. Boesenbergia rotunda has been reported for its antioxidant properties.

Purpose

This study aims to explore the nephroprotective mechanism of the ethanol extract of Boesenbergia rotunda rhizome (EEBR) in cisplatin-induced rats.

Methods

The rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups: the normal control (treated with saline); the negative control (cisplatin-induced without any treatment); the positive control (treated with quercetin 50 mg/kg BW); and 3 treatment EEBR (125 mg/kg BW; 250 mg/kg BW; 500 mg/kg BW) groups for 10 days. The % relative organ weight, kidney histopathology, and nephrotoxicity biomarkers expression were evaluated.

Results

EEBR decreased creatinine, urea nitrogen, glutamic pyruvate transaminase, and malondialdehyde levels in the blood of cisplatin-induced rats. An insignificant increase in GOT was observed in rats treated with the highest dose of EEBR. EEBR did not significantly alter the BW and the % kidney relative weight. An abnormal shape of the Bowman capsule is observed in the negative control group. EEBR reduced the expression of Havcr1 (KIM-1), Lcn2 (NGAL), Casp3, and Casp7 genes in rats' kidneys.

Conclusion

Boesenbergia rotunda could be considered a potential candidate for add-on therapy in cisplatin-treated patients, but further studies are needed to verify its efficacy and safety.

Boesenbergia rotunda displayed anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic efficacy in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats

This study evaluated the cardioprotective properties of Boesenbergia rotunda extract (BrE) against doxorubicin (DOX) induced cardiotoxicity. Rats received oral gavage of BrE for 28 days and DOX (5 mg/kg/week for 3 weeks). Thereafter the animals were sacrificed, blood and cardiac samples were collected for biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical analyses. The results indicated that BrE attenuated DOX triggered body and cardiac weight loss and prevented against cardiac injury by mitigating histopathological alterations in cardiac tissues as well as serum cardiac function enzymes. BrE significantly reduced serum levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), troponin T (TnT) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) in DOX-treated rats. Furthermore, BrE alleviated cardiotoxicity by reducing DOX instigated oxidative stress and potentiating the level of glutathione, as well as the activities superoxide dismutase and catalase in cardiac tissues. In addition, BrE significantly decreased the characteristic indices of DOX-induced cardiac inflammation and apoptosis. Immuno-histochemical analysis revealed that BrE decreased the stain intensity of p53 and myeloperoxidase (MPO) proteins compared to the DXB alone group. In conclusion, our results indicated that BrE modulated oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis to attenuate DOX-induced cardiac damage.

Inhibitory Effect of Isopanduratin A on Adipogenesis: A Study of Possible Mechanisms

The root of Boesenbergia rotunda, a culinary plant commonly known as fingerroot, has previously been reported to possess anti-obesity activity, with four flavonoids identified as active principles, including pinostrobin, panduratin A, cardamonin, and isopanduratin A. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the antiadipogenic potential of isopanduratin A remain unknown. In this study, isopanduratin A at non-cytotoxic concentrations (1-10 μM) significantly suppressed lipid accumulation in murine (3T3-L1) and human (PCS-210-010) adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Downregulation of adipogenic effectors (FAS, PLIN1, LPL, and adiponectin) and adipogenic transcription factors (SREBP-1c, PPARγ, and C/EBPα) occurred in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells treated with varying concentrations of isopanduratin A. The compound deactivated the upstream regulatory signals of AKT/GSK3β and MAPKs (ERK, JNK, and p38) but stimulated the AMPK-ACC pathway. The inhibitory trend of isopanduratin A was also observed with the proliferation of 3T3-L1 cells. The compound also paused the passage of 3T3-L1 cells by inducing cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, supported by altered levels of cyclins D1 and D3 and CDK2. Impaired p-ERK/ERK signaling might be responsible for the delay in mitotic clonal expansion. These findings revealed that isopanduratin A is a strong adipogenic suppressor with multi-target mechanisms and contributes significantly to anti-obesogenic activity. These results suggest the potential of fingerroot as a functional food for weight control and obesity prevention.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Effects of Boesenbergia rotunda Polyphenol Extract in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Rats

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion