Hepatoprotective effect of 10% ethanolic extract from Curdrania tricuspidata leaves against ethanol-induced oxidative stress through suppression of CYP2E1

Hepatoprotective dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from the fruits of Kadsura coccinea

The phytochemical investigations on the fruits of Kadsura coccinea led to the isolation of six undescribed dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans named kadcolignans B-G, together with eleven previously described analogues. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic methods including NMR, HRESIMS, and CD experiments. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their hepatoprotective activity by measuring the levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in FFA-induced HepG2 cells. As a result, compounds 4, 5, 9, 13, and 15 showed potent inhibitory effects on hepatocyte lipid accumulation at a concentration of 100 μM. Our research not only broadens the understanding on the chemical composition of K. coccinea but also provides experimental and theoretical evidences supporting the fruit's active ingredients in alleviating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Antioxidant Peptides from Monkfish Swim Bladders: Ameliorating NAFLD In Vitro by Suppressing Lipid Accumulation and Oxidative Stress via Regulating AMPK/Nrf2 Pathway

In this study, we investigate the ameliorating functions of QDYD (MSP2), ARW (MSP8), DDGGK (MSP10), YPAGP (MSP13) and DPAGP (MSP18) from monkfish swim bladders on an FFA-induced NAFLD model of HepG2 cells. The lipid-lowering mechanisms revealed that these five oligopeptides can up-regulate the expression of phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) proteins to inhibit the expression of the sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) proteins on increasing lipid synthesis and up-regulating the expression of the PPAP-α and CPT-1 proteins on promoting the β-oxidation of fatty acids. Moreover, QDYD (MSP2), ARW (MSP8), DDGGK (MSP10), YPAGP (MSP13) and DPAGP (MSP18) can significantly inhibit reactive oxygen species' (ROS) production, promote the activities of intracellular antioxidases (superoxide dismutase, SOD; glutathione peroxidase, GSH-PX; and catalase, CAT) and bring down the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) derived from lipid peroxidation. Further investigations revealed that the regulation of these five oligopeptides on oxidative stress was achieved through activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway to raise the expression levels of the heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) protein and downstream antioxidant proteases. Therefore, QDYD (MSP2), ARW (MSP8), DDGGK (MSP10), YPAGP (MSP13) and DPAGP (MSP18) could serve as candidate ingredients to develop functional products for treating NAFLD.

A pectic polysaccharide from fresh okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) beneficially ameliorates CCl4-induced acute liver injury in mice by antioxidation, inhibition of inflammation and modulation of gut microbiota

Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (Linn.) Moench], as a well-known medicinal and food plant, has important physiological activities and health benefits, and polysaccharide is its main bioactive component. In this study, a pectic polysaccharide (OPS-50) prepared from fresh okra pods by three-phase partitioning and gradient (NH4)2SO4 precipitation at a saturation of 50% was employed in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-caused acute liver damage in mice to evaluate the hepatoprotective potential. Results indicated that OPS-50 was mainly composed of a limited linear homogalacturonan backbone and abundant rhamnogalacturonan-I domains as side chains. OPS-50 exerted positively protective effects on acute liver damage induced by CCl4 in mice through relieving weight reduction and organ damage, ameliorating liver function and dyslipidemia, alleviating oxidative stress, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, modulating gut microbiota, and promoting short-chain fatty acid secretion. Moreover, liver histopathology demonstrated the protective benefit of OPS-50 on CCl4-caused acute liver damage in mice. Therefore, our data suggested that the pectic OPS-50, as a dietary supplement, have great potential in preventing and treating chemical liver damages.

Anti-diabetic potential of Masclura tricuspidata leaves: Prenylated isoflavonoids with α-glucosidase inhibitory and anti-glycation activity

Investigation of chemical constituents of Masclura tricuspidata leaves resulted in the isolation of 47 isoflavonoids possessing prenyl groups with different numbers and structures. Among them, sixteen compounds named cudracusisoflavones A-P (1-16) were first isolated from nature. The isoflavonoids isolated from M. tricuspidata leaves showed anti-diabetic effects as measured by inhibition on α-glucosidase activity and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) formations. Especially, cudracusisoflavone L (12), a new compound, together with gancaonin M (27), erysenegalensein E (41) and millewanin G (44) showed strong α-glucosidase inhibition with IC₅₀ values <10.0 μM. In addition, cudracusisoflavones A (1), D (4), M (13) and N (14), together with known prenylated isoflavonoids efficiently inhibited methylglyoxal (MGO)- or glyoxal (GO)-induced AGE formations. Structure activity relationship together with molecular docking analysis suggested the importance of hydroxy group and linear type of prenyl moiety for α-glucosidase inhibition. Conclusively, diverse prenylated isoflavonoids in M. tricuspidata leaves might ameliorate glycotoxicity-induced metabolic diseases.

Molecular mechanism of heavy metals (Lead, Chromium, Arsenic, Mercury, Nickel and Cadmium) - induced hepatotoxicity - A review

Heavy metals pose a serious threat if they go beyond permissible limits in our bodies. Much heavy metal's viz. Lead, Chromium, Arsenic, Mercury, Nickel, and Cadmium pose a serious threat when they go beyond permissible limits and cause hepatotoxicity. They cause the generation of ROS which in turn causes numerous injuries and undesirable changes in the liver. Epidemiological studies have shown an increase in the levels of such heavy metals in the environment posing a serious threat to human health. Epigenetic alterations have been seen in the event of exposure to such heavy metals. Apoptosis, caspase activation as well as ultrastructural changes in the hepatocytes have also been seen due to heavy metals. Inflammation involving TNF-alpha, pro-inflammatory cytokines, MAPK, ERK pathways have been seen in the event of heavy metal hepatotoxicity. All these have shown that these heavy metals pose a serious threat to human health in particular and the environment as a whole.

Protective Effect of Cudrania tricuspidata Extract against High-Fat Diet Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease through Nrf-2/HO-1 Pathway

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common chronic disease affecting a wide range of the world’s population and associated with obesity-induced metabolic syndrome. It is possibly emerging as a leading cause of life-threatening liver diseases for which a drug with a specific therapeutic target has not been developed yet. Previously, there have been reports on the benefits of Cudrania tricuspidata (CT) for treating obesity and diabetes via regulation of metabolic processes, such as lipogenesis, lipolysis, and inflammation. In this study, we investigated the ameliorative effect of orally administered 0.25% and 0.5% (w/w) CT mixed with high-fat diet (HFD) to C57BL/6J mice for 7 weeks. It was found that body weight, fat mass, hepatic mass, serum glucose level, and liver cholesterol levels were significantly reduced after CT treatment. In CT-treated HFD-fed mice, the mRNA expression levels of hepatic lipogenic and inflammatory cytokine-related genes were markedly reduced, whereas the expression level of epididymal lipogenic genes was increased. The mRNA expression level of beta-oxidation and Nrf-2/HO-1 genes significantly increased in CT-treated obese mice livers. We propose that CT alleviates hepatic steatosis by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

The Inhibition Effect of the Seaweed Polyphenol, 7-Phloro-Eckol from Ecklonia Cava on Alcohol-Induced Oxidative Stress in HepG2/CYP2E1 Cells

The liver is vulnerable to oxidative stress-induced damage, which leads to many diseases, including alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Liver disease endanger people's health, and the incidence of ALD is increasing; therefore, prevention is very important. 7-phloro-eckol (7PE) is a seaweed polyphenol, which was isolated from Ecklonia cava in a previous study. In this study, the antioxidative stress effect of 7PE on HepG2/CYP2E1 cells was evaluated by alcohol-induced cytotoxicity, DNA damage, and expression of related inflammation and apoptosis proteins. The results showed that 7PE caused alcohol-induced cytotoxicity to abate, reduced the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO), and effectively inhibited DNA damage in HepG2/CYP2E1 cells. Additionally, the expression levels of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and Akt increased, while γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), Bcl-2 related x (Bax), cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and JNK decreased. Finally, molecular docking proved that 7PE could bind to BCL-2 and GSH protein. These results indicate that 7PE can alleviate the alcohol-induced oxidative stress injury of HepG2 cells and that 7PE may have a potential application prospect in the future development of antioxidants.

Intracellular ethanol-mediated oxidation and apoptosis in HepG2/CYP2E1 cells impaired by two active peptides from seahorse (Hippocampus kuda bleeler) protein hydrolysates via the Nrf2/HO-1 and akt pathways

Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda Bleeler) are representative marine species in aquaculture, with special value of medicine and food. In this study, the protective effects of two peptides from seahorse hydrolysates (SHP-1 and SHP-2) against ethanol-mediated oxidative stress in HepG2/CYP2E1 cells were investigated. Firstly, SHP-1 and SHP-2 presented no cytotoxicity. Compared with the ethanol-treated groups, SHP-1 and SHP-2 increased cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. Secondly, SHP-1 and SHP-2 markedly reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) activity, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels and remarkably enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) activities. SHP-1 and SHP-2 also down-regulated the expressions of GGT, bax, c-caspase-8/-9/-3, p-Akt, p-IκB-α, p-p65, p-ERK, and p-p38 but up-regulated SOD, GSH, NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and bcl-2 levels, as revealed by Western blot analysis. Moreover, SHP-1 and SHP-2 increased the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), reduced DNA damage, and suppressed the nuclear translocation of p65. These results suggest that two peptides from seahorse hydrolysates can be considered a potential functional biomaterial and further improve the use value of seahorse in aquaculture.

Cudraflavanone B Isolated from the Root Bark of Cudrania tricuspidata Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Responses by Downregulating NF-κB and ERK MAPK Signaling Pathways in RAW264.7 Macrophages and BV2 Microglia

A prenylated flavonoid, cudraflavanone B, is isolated from Cudrania tricuspidata. In this study, we investigated its anti-inflammatory and anti-neuroinflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 and BV2 cells. In our initial study of the anti-inflammatory effects of cudraflavanone B the production of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 was attenuated in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 and BV2 cells. These inhibitory effects were related to the downregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. In addition, cudraflavanone B suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in LPS-induced RAW264.7 and BV2 cells. Moreover, the evaluation of the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of cudraflavanone B revealed that the compound attenuated the nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway in LPS-induced RAW264.7 and BV2 cells. In addition, cudraflavanone B inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways in these LPS-stimulated cells. Thus, cudraflavanone B suppressed nuclear factor-κB, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase mediated inflammatory pathways, demonstrating its potential in the treatment of neuroinflammatory conditions.

Anti-Metastatic Effect of Gold Nanoparticle-Conjugated Maclura tricuspidata Extract on Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Purpose

We aimed to study green-synthesized gold nanoparticles (GNPs) from Maclura tricuspidata (MT) root (MTR), stem (MTS), leaf (MTL), and fruit (MTF) extracts and evaluate their anti-metastatic properties in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Maclura tricuspidata belongs to the Moraceae family and is widely used as a traditional medicinal plant given its biological activities.

Methods

We quantified the phenolic and flavonoid contents, reducing capacity, and antioxidant activity of all four extracts. The facile and optimum synthesis of MT-GNPs was visualized using UV-vis spectra and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Surface morphology, selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and fast Fourier transform (FFT) pattern of MT-GNPs were assessed using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The crystallized gold pattern of MT-GNPs was evaluated using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The functionalizing ligands of MT-extracts and MT-GNPs were determined using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The photocatalytic capabilities of MT-GNPs were assessed by measuring the reduction of rhodamine B and methylene blue. Cell viability assay was detected using Cell Counting Kit-8 solution. Anti-migratory and anti-invasive effects were assessed using cell migration and invasion assays. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and phospholipase D (PLD) enzymatic activities were measured using gelatin zymography and Amplex Red PLD assay, respectively. Western blotting and luciferase assay were used to detect protein expression.

Results

All extracts had high phenolic and flavonoid contents and strong antioxidant and reducing capacities. Results from UV-Vis spectra, DLS, HR-TEM, EDS, XRD, and FT-IR showed the successful formation of MT-GNP with surface morphology, crystallinity, reduction capacity, capsulation, and stabilization. MTR-GNPs and MTS-GNPs had better catalytic activities than MTL-GNPs and MTF-GNPs for reduction of methylene blue and rhodamine B. Moreover, MTS-GNPs and MTR-GNPs exhibited the highest anti-migratory and anti-invasive potential and seemed to be more biologically active than the MTS and MTR extracts. Treatment with MT-GNPs decreased the enzymatic activity, translation levels of MMP-9 and PLD1. Our results showed that MTS-GNPs and MTR-GNPs could dramatically reverse transforming growth factor-β-induced vimentin and N-cadherin upregulation and E-cadherin downregulation.

Conclusion

The application of GNPs as a potential treatment approach for hepatocellular carcinoma can improve therapeutic efficiency.

A Comparative Study on Physicochemical, Photocatalytic, and Biological Properties of Silver Nanoparticles Formed Using Extracts of Different Parts of Cudrania tricuspidata

Green-synthesized silver nanoparticles (SNPs) have great potential for biomedical applications, due to their distinctive optical, chemical, and catalytic properties. In this study, we aimed to develop green-synthesized SNPs from extracts of Cudrania tricuspidata (CT) roots (CTR), stems (CTS), leaves (CTL), and fruit (CTF) and to evaluate their physicochemical, photocatalytic, and biological properties. CTR, CTS, CTL, and CTF extracts were evaluated and compared for their total phenol and flavonoid content, reducing capacity, and antioxidant activity. The results revealed that CTR, CTS, CTL, and CTF extracts have high phenol and flavonoid content, as well as a powerful antioxidant and reducing capacity. CTR and CTS extracts showed the strongest effects. The results from UV-Vis spectra analysis, dynamic light scattering, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy showed the successful formation of CT-SNPs with surface morphology, crystallinity, reduction capacity, capsulation, and stabilization. Synthesized CT-SNPs successfully photocatalyzed methylene blue, methyl orange, rhodamine B, and Reactive Black 5 within 20 min. The CTR- and CTS-SNPs showed better antibacterial properties against different pathogenic microbes (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enteritidis) than the CTL- and CTF-SNPs. CTS- and CTR-SNPs showed the most effective cytotoxicity and antiapoptosis properties in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2 and SK-Hep-1). CT-SNPs also seemed to be more biologically active than the CT extracts. The results of this study provide evidence of the establishment of CT extract SNPs and their physicochemical, photocatalytic, and biological properties.

The Protective Effect of the Polysaccharide Precursor, D-Isofloridoside, from Laurencia undulata on Alcohol-Induced Hepatotoxicity in HepG2 Cells

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) threatens human health, so it is imperative that we find ways to prevent or treat it. In recent years, the study of polysaccharides has shown that they have different kinds of bioactivities. Among them are many biological effects that have been attributed to polysaccharide precursors. D-Isofloridoside (DIF) is one of the polysaccharide precursors from the marine red alga Laurencia undulata. This study evaluated the effect of DIF on alcohol-induced oxidative stress in human hepatoma cells (HepG2). As a result, DIF attenuated alcohol-induced cytotoxicity, reduced the amount of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and effectively reduced alcohol-induced DNA damage in HepG2 cells. In addition, a western blot showed that, after DIF treatment, the expression levels of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and B-cell lymphoma-2 (bcl-2) increased, while the expression levels of γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), BCL2-associated X (bax), cleaved caspase-3, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase) signal transduction proteins reduced. This showed that DIF may protect cells by reducing the amount of intracellular ROS and inhibiting intracellular oxidative stress and apoptotic processes. Finally, molecular docking demonstrated that DIF can bind to SOD, GGT, B-cell lymphoma-2, and bax proteins. These results indicated that DIF can protect HepG2 cells from alcohol-induced oxidative stress damage, making it an effective potential ingredient in functional foods.

Treatment with Gold Nanoparticles Using Cudrania tricuspidata Root Extract Induced Downregulation of MMP-2/-9 and PLD1 and Inhibited the Invasiveness of Human U87 Glioblastoma Cells

In this study, we aimed to elucidate the anti-invasive effects of Cudrania tricuspidata root-gold nanoparticles (CTR-GNPs) using glioblastoma cells. We demonstrated the rapid synthesis of CTR-GNPs using UV-vis spectra. The surface morphology, crystallinity, reduction, capsulation, and stabilization of CTR-GNPs were analyzed using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Furthermore, CTR-GNPs displayed excellent photocatalytic activity as shown by the photo-degradation of methylene blue and rhodamine B. Cell migration and invasion assays with human glioblastoma cells were performed to investigate the anti-invasive effect of CTR-GNPs on U87 cells that were treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. The results show that CTR-GNPs can significantly inhibit both basal and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced migration and invasion ability. Importantly, treatment with CTR-GNPs significantly decreased the levels of metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/-9 and phospholipase D1 (PLD1) and protein but not PLD2, which is involved in the modulation of migration and the invasion of glioblastoma cells. These results present a novel mechanism showing that CTR-GNPs can attenuate the migration and invasion of glioblastoma cells induced by PMA through transcriptional and translational regulation of MMP-2/-9 and PLD1. Taken together, our results suggest that CTR-GNPs might be an excellent therapeutic alternative for wide range of glioblastomas.

Water Extract of Curcuma longa L. Ameliorates Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Our aim was to investigate whether hot water extract (CLW) of Curcuma longa L. could prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). HepG2 cells were treated with free fatty acid (FFA) mixture (oleic acid: palmitic acid, 2:1) for 24 h to stimulate in vitro fatty liver. In addition, C57BL/6 mice were fed 60 kcal% high-fat (HF) diet for eight weeks to induce fatty liver in vivo. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) productions were increased by FFA and HF-diet, but supplementation with CLW significantly decreased these levels. CLW treatment ameliorated antioxidant activities that were suppressed by exposure to the FFA and HF-diet. Cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) and fatty acid transport proteins (FATP2 and FATP5) were increased in HF-diet groups, while CLW suppressed their expression levels. Moreover, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) expression levels were down-regulated in the CLW groups compared to HF-diet groups. On the other hand, 5′ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT-1) expressions were up-regulated in the CLW groups. HF-diet fed mice showed high hepatic triglycerides (TG) content compared to the normal diet mice. However, the administration of CLW restored the hepatic TG level, indicating an inhibitory effect against lipid accumulation by CLW. These results suggest that CLW could be a potentially useful agent for the prevention of NAFLD through modulating fatty acid uptake.

Protective Effects of Salidroside on Lead Acetate-induced Oxidative Stress and Hepatotoxicity in Sprague-Dawley Rats

Lead has heavy metal toxicity which endangers human and animal health. Salidroside (SDS) is a natural antioxidant that has extensive pharmacological usage. However, its protective effects on lead-induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity has not been reported. In this study, we established an animal model to evaluate the protective effects of SDS on chronic lead exposure induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity. Forty healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were assigned to control group (control, animals were provided with distilled water, n = 10); lead acetate-exposed group (PbAc, animals received lead acetate solution of 500 ppm for 60 days, n = 10); low dosage of SDS-treated group (PbAc-SDS-L, lead acetate exposed animals were given intragastric SDS 150 mg/kg body weight for 60 days, n = 10); and high dosage of SDS-treated group (PbAc-SDS-H, lead acetate exposed animals were given intragastric SDS 300 mg/kg body weight for 60 days, n = 10). The results showed that lead exposure caused a significant increase in serum ALP, AST, ALT, and TB (P < 0.01), and these were reversed after treatment with salidroside for 60 days. Compared to the control, the liver GSH, SOD, and GSH-Px were decreased significantly after lead acetate exposure (P < 0.01). However, after treatment with SDS for 60 days, those were dose-dependently reversed. Similarly, MDA was significantly increased in the PbAc group (P < 0.01), and it was significantly decreased in SDS treatment group. Moreover, SDS ameliorated lead-induced congestion and necrosis of hepatocytes. In addition, the RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry results revealed that the PbAc group showed a significant increase in the protein and mRNA of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) in rat liver. Treatment with SDS significantly reversed CYP2E1 and NOX2 expressions in the liver of lead-exposed rats. The results above indicated that SDS has obvious antioxidant activity; it can cure liver injury caused by lead acetate by inhibiting oxidative stress and increasing the antioxidant stress activity, thus improving the liver tissue structure.

Cudrania tricuspidata Extract Protects against Reflux Esophagitis by Blocking H2 Histamine Receptors

Cudrania tricuspidata has been used in East Asia as a folk medicine for symptoms such as inflammation, allergy, and gastritis. Administration of C. tricuspidata extract to pylori-ligated rat stomachs reduces gastric acid secretion and alleviates esophagus damage caused by gastric reflux. Therefore, in this study we aimed to investigate whether C. tricuspidata extracts inhibit reflux esophagitis by blocking H₂ histamine receptor (H₂R). Dimaprit, a H₂R specific agonist, induced intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production in U937 cells. Pretreatment with C. tricuspidata extracts significantly blocked dimaprit-induced cAMP production in a concentration-dependent manner. To extracted C. tricuspidata with different ethanol concentrations to determine the optimum method. We found that the 70% ethanol extract showed the most potent H₂R antagonistic effect against dimaprit-induced cAMP production. However, water extract did not show any H₂R blocking effect. These findings suggest that C. tricuspidata extracted using ethanol specifically inhibits gastric acid secretion and reduces esophageal injury by blocking H₂R in a competitive manner. Therefore, C. tricuspidata extracts may be used in food or medicine to prevent H₂R-related diseases, such as gastric hyperacidity and reflux esophagitis.

Scandenolone from Cudrania tricuspidata fruit extract suppresses the viability of breast cancer cells (MCF-7) in vitro and in vivo

Scandenolone, an isoflavone, has shown anti-cancer potential. In this study, we extracted scandenolone from Cudrania tricuspidata fruit and evaluated its anti-breast cancer effects as well as toxicity in cell and animal models. In cell model, scandenolone suppressed the breast cancer MCF-7 cells viability, ceased mitotic cell cycle, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, up-regulated cleaved caspase-3 and promoted the phosphorylation of p53. Additionally, this isoflavone promoted cell apoptosis and induced a sustained activation of the phosphorylation of p38 and ERK, but not JNK and Akt. The effects were further verified in a human MCF-7 breast cancer xenograft model, where scandenolone efficiently suppressed the cancer growth and increased apoptotic cells in tumor tissue. However scandenolone has also shown certain toxicity to normal hepatocytes and breast epithelial cells. It could be concluded that scandenolone suppressed the growth of breast cancer cells, but its toxicity towards normal cells might limit its potential clinical use.

Bioactive compounds from Cudrania tricuspidata: A natural anticancer source

The tumor is becoming a critical threat to our lives in these years. Searching for antitumor substances from natural products is a great interest of scientists. Cudrania tricuspidata (C. tricuspidata) is a regional plant containing 158 flavonoids and 99 xanthones, and others ingredients with favorable bioactivity. This review comprehensively analyzes the antitumor compounds from C. tricuspidata against different tumors, and 78 flavonoids plus xanthones are considered as underlying antineoplastic. Importantly, the structure of preylation groups is the primary source of antitumor activity among 45 flavonoids plus xanthones, which could be a direction of structural modification for a better antitumor ability. Additionally, the fruits are also preferable sources of antitumor compounds compared to the roots and barks due to the abundant isoflavones and sustainability. However, many studies only focused on the cells viability inhibition of the compounds, the underlying molecular mechanisms, and the intracellular targets remain ambiguous. In conclusion, C. tricuspidata has a great potential for anti-tumor prevention or therapy, but more attention should be paid to deeper research in vitro and in vivo models.

Effects of Dietary Protein from Different Sources on Biotransformation, Antioxidation, and Inflammation in the Rat Liver

In this work, the effects of different sources of meat protein on liver metabolic enzymes were investigated. Rats were fed for 90 days with semisynthetic diets in which casein was fully replaced by isolated soybean, fish, chicken, pork, or beef proteins. Then, liver proteomics was performed using iTRAQ and LC-ESI-MS/MS. The results indicated that intake of meat protein diets significantly reduced the protein levels of CYP450s, GSTs, UGTs, and SULTs compared to those of the casein and soybean protein diet groups. The total antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation values did not differ between four meat protein diet groups and the casein diet group. However, GSH activity in the fish, chicken, and beef protein groups was significantly higher than those of the casein and soybean protein groups. The beef protein diet significantly upregulated the expression of immune-related proteins. The Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway was suggested to involve the diet-mediated regulation of biotransformation, inflammation, and redox status.