Up-regulation of thioredoxin system by puerarin inhibits lipid uptake in macrophages

Disulfide stress and its role in cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of mortality in humans, and oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in disease progression. This phenomenon typically arises from weakening of the cellular antioxidant system or excessive accumulation of peroxides. This review focuses on a specialized form of oxidative stress-disulfide stress-which is triggered by an imbalance in the glutaredoxin and thioredoxin antioxidant systems within the cell, leading to the accumulation of disulfide bonds. The genesis of disulfide stress is usually induced by extrinsic pathological factors that disrupt the thiol-dependent antioxidant system, manifesting as sustained glutathionylation of proteins, formation of abnormal intermolecular disulfide bonds between cysteine-rich proteins, or irreversible oxidation of thiol groups to sulfenic and sulfonic acids. Disulfide stress not only precipitates the collapse of the antioxidant system and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, exacerbating oxidative stress, but may also initiate cellular inflammation, autophagy, and apoptosis through a cascade of signaling pathways. Furthermore, this review explores the detrimental effects of disulfide stress on the progression of various CVDs including atherosclerosis, hypertension, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, diabetic cardiomyopathy, cardiac hypertrophy, and heart failure. This review also proposes several potential therapeutic avenues to improve the future treatment of CVDs.

Puerarin Alleviates Blood Pressure via Inhibition of ROS/TLR4/NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling Pathway in the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus of Salt-Induced Prehypertensive Rats

BACKGROUND

Puerarin is an isoflavone compound isolated from the roots of a leguminous plant, the wild kudzu. Various functional activities of this compound in multiple diseases have been reported. However, the effect and mechanism of puerarin in improving blood pressure remain non-elucidated.

PURPOSE

The current study was designed to assess the preventive effects of puerarin on the onset and progression of hypertension and to verify the hypothesis that puerarin alleviates blood pressure by inhibiting the ROS/TLR4/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of salt-induced prehypertensive rats.

METHODS

Male Dahl salt-sensitive rats were fed low NaCl salt (3% in drinking water) for the control (NS) group or 8% (HS) to induce prehypertension. Each batch was divided into two group and treated by bilateral PVN microinjection with either artificial cerebrospinal fluid or puerarin through a micro-osmotic pump for 6 weeks. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) was recorded, and samples were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

We concluded that puerarin significantly prevented the elevation of blood pressure and effectively alleviated the increase in heart rate caused by high salt. Norepinephrine (NE) in the plasma of salt-induced prehypertensive rats also decreased upon puerarin chronic infusion. Additionally, analysis of the PVN sample revealed that puerarin pretreatment decreased the positive cells and gene level of TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4), NLRP3, Caspase-1 p10, NOX2, MyD88, NOX4, and proinflammatory cytokines in the PVN. Puerarin pretreatment also decreased NF-κBp65 activity, inhibited oxidative stress, and alleviated inflammatory responses in the PVN.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that puerarin alleviated blood pressure via inhibition of the ROS/TLR4/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway in the PVN, suggesting the therapeutic potential of puerarin in the prevention of hypertension.

Functional properties and molecular docking of different nanoparticles with ROS-sensitive phenylboronylated chitosan as the carrier

OBJECTIVE

To prepare chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) that enhance the oral bioavailability of puerarin (Pur) and render it responsive to reactive oxygen species (ROS).

SIGNIFICANCE

This research makes substantial progress towards the theory of intelligent drug delivery, offering a new reference for combining Pur with other natural medicinal active ingredients.

METHODS

The acylation reaction between chitosan and ROS-sensitive 3-carboxyphenylboronic acid (PBA) was used to synthesise ROS-sensitive phenylboronylated chitosan (PBACS). Subsequently, PBACS-PBA-Pur-NPs and PBACS-TPP-Pur-NPs were prepared via ion gelation after the addition of PBA and sodium tripolyphosphate(TPP), respectively. The physicochemical and functional properties of both NPs were compared, and their differences were preliminarily studied through molecular docking.

RESULTS

Reactive oxygen species-sensitive PBACS was successfully synthesised. Of the two NPs prepared, PBACS-TPP-Pur-NPs had a size of 127.2 ± 0.80 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.129 ± 0.0008, and an encapsulation rate of 95.75 ± 0.387 %, whereas PBACS-PBA-Pur-NPs had a size of 149.8 ± 0.1414 nm, PDI of 0.389 ± 0.0012, and an encapsulation rate of 91.77 ± 0.279 %. The micromorphology of the PBACS-TPP-Pur-NPs exhibited better physical properties. However, PBACS-PBA-Pur-NPs demonstrated a faster in vitro release and more significant in vitro anti-inflammatory effects. Pharmacokinetically, the AUC0-24, Tmax, and Cmax of PBACS-PBA-Pur-NPs were 3.485, 2.117, and 3.339 times higher, respectively, than those of Pur. The AUC0-24, Tmax, and Cmax of PBACS-TPP-Pur-NPs were 2.41, 1.33, and 2.03 times higher, respectively, than those of Pur. Molecular simulation revealed that the binding energy of PBACS-PBA-Pur -NPs was approximately -4.34 kcal/mol and that of PBACS-TPP-Pur-NPs was even lower, approximately -5.93 kcal/mol, suggesting that the NPs prepared with TPP are more densely packed than those designed with PBA, resulting in slower and reduced drug release.

CONCLUSION

The NPs constructed in this study effectively reduced inflammatory factors at the disease site, providing a theoretical and experimental basis for the application of nano drugs in inflammatory disease models. In addition, the molecular docking study of the two NPs offered insights into the relationship between the release and structure of subsequent nano drugs.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Protect Against Atherosclerosis Through Alleviating Foam Cell Formation and Macrophage Polarization

This study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (Ba) on atherosclerosis (AS). THP-1 monocyte was differentiated to THP-1 macrophage (THP-M) through phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. After pre-treatment by 108 cfu/ml Ba lasting 6 h, THP-M was induced with 100 mg/l ox-LDL lasting 48 h to form macrophage foam cell (THP-F). RT-qPCR and flow cytometry were employed to determine the polarization of THP-M and THP-F. ApoE-/- mice with high-fat and high-cholesterol diet were used for constructing an AS model to evaluate the effect of Ba on AS. Our in vitro results showed that Ba vegetative cells pre-treatment distinctly inhibited the levels of iNOS and CD16/CD32 (M1 macrophage markers), and increased the levels of FIZZ1, Ym1, Arg1, CD163, and CD206 (M2 macrophage markers), indicating that Ba pre-treatment promoted anti-inflammatory M2-like polarization both in THP-M and THP-F. Meanwhile, it also suppressed cholesterol uptake, esterification, and hydrolysis, and efflux by THP-M and THP-F. Additionally, our animal experiments demonstrated that Ba vegetative cells treatment suppressed high cholesterol, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and the release of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) in ApoE-/- AS mice. In a word, our results indicated that Ba may protect against AS through alleviating foam cell formation and macrophage polarization through targeting certain stages of AS.

Puerarin alleviates atherosclerosis via the inhibition of Prevotella copri and its trimethylamine production

OBJECTIVE

Puerarin (PU) is a natural compound that exhibits limited oral bioavailability but has shown promise in the treatment of atherosclerosis (AS). However, the precise mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PU and its mechanisms in mitigating AS in both mice and humans.

DESIGN

The impact of PU on AS was examined in ApoE -/- mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and in human patients with carotid artery plaque. To explore the causal link between PU-associated gut microbiota and AS, faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and mono-colonisation of mice with Prevotella copri (P. copri) were employed.

RESULTS

PU alleviated AS by modulating the gut microbiota, as evidenced by alterations in gut microbiota composition and the amelioration of AS following FMT from PU-treated mice into ApoE-/- mice fed HFD. Specifically, PU reduced the abundance of P. copri, which exacerbated AS by producing trimethylamine (TMA). Prolonged mono-colonisation of P. copri undermines the beneficial effects of PU on AS. In clinical, the plaque scores of AS patients were positively correlated with the abundance of P. copri and plasma trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) levels. A 1-week oral intervention with PU effectively decreased P. copri levels and reduced TMAO concentrations in patients with carotid artery plaque.

CONCLUSION

PU may provide therapeutic benefits in combating AS by targeting P. copri and its production of TMA.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR1900022488.

The beneficial health effects of puerarin in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases: from mechanisms to therapeutics

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading causes of death globally that seriously threaten human health. Although novel western medicines have continued to be discovered over the past few decades to inhibit the progression of CVDs, new drug research and development for treating CVDs with less side effects and adverse reactions are continuously being desired. Puerarin is a natural product found in a variety of medicinal plants belonging to the flavonoid family with potent biological and pharmacological activities. Abundant research findings in the literature have suggested that puerarin possesses a promising prospect in treating CVDs. In recent years, numerous new molecular mechanisms of puerarin have been explored in experimental and clinical studies, providing new evidence for this plant metabolite to protect against CVDs. This article systematically introduces the history of use, bioavailability, and various dosage forms of puerarin and further summarizes recently published data on the major research advances and their underlying therapeutic mechanisms in treating CVDs. It may provide references for researchers in the fields of pharmacology, natural products, and internal medicine.

Danlou Recipe promotes cholesterol efflux in macrophages RAW264.7 and reverses cholesterol transport in mice with hyperlipidemia induced by P407

INTRODUCTION

Liver X Receptor (LXR) agonists could attenuate the development of atherosclerosis but bring excess lipid accumulation in the liver. Danlou Recipe was believed to be a benefit for improving the lipid profile. Thus, it is unclear whether Danlou Recipe could attenuate hyperlipidemia without excess lipid accumulated in the liver of mice. This study aimed to clarify if Danlou Recipe could alleviate the progression of hyperlipidemia in mice without extra lipids accumulated in the liver.

METHODS

Male murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells and murine peritoneal macrophages were used for the in vitro experiments. Cellular cholesterol efflux was determined using the fluorescent cholesterol labeling method. Those genes involved in lipid metabolism were evaluated by qRT-PCR and western blotting respectively. In vivo, a mouse model of hyperlipidemia induced by P407 was used to figure out the effect of Danlou Recipe on reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) and hyperlipidemia. Ethanol extract of Danlou tablet (EEDL) was prepared by extracting the whole powder of Danlou Prescription from ethanol, and the chemical composition was analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC).

RESULTS

EEDL inhibits the formation of RAW264.7 macrophage-derived foam cells, and promotes ABCA1/apoA1 conducted cholesterol efflux in RAW264.7 macrophages and mouse peritoneal macrophages. In the P407-induced hyperlipidemia mouse model, oral administration of EEDL can promote RCT in vivo and improve fatty liver induced by a high-fat diet. Consistent with the findings in vitro, EEDL promotes RCT by upregulating the LXR activities.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that EEDL has the potential for targeting RCT/LXR in the treatment of lipid metabolism disorders to be developed as a safe and effective therapy.

Protective effects of KLF4 on blood-brain barrier and oxidative stress after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats through the Nrf2/Trx1 pathway

PURPOSE

To investigate the role of KLF4 in CI/R injury and whether Nrf2/Trx1 axis acted as a downstream pathway of KLF4 to exert the protective role in blood-brain barrier destruction after CI/R.

METHODS

The tMCAO rat model in vivo was constructed and received the intracerebroventricular injection of 5 μg/kg and 10 μg/kg rhKLF4 before operation. TTC, brain water content, neurological function, ELISA, behavioral tests, HE, TUNEL, and qRT-PCR were performed to detect the protective role of KLF4 on CIR. Double-fluorescence staining and western blot were performed to determine the localization and spatiotemporal expression in brain tissues. Furthermore, we also analyzed the effect of KLF4 on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and related mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. Nrf2 inhibitor tretinoin was applied, which was intraperitoneally injected into CIR rat. Evans blue staining was conducted. In vitro OGD/R models of bEnd.3 cells were also established, and received KLF4 overexpressed transfection and 12.5 µM tretinoin incubation. The permeability of bEnd.3 cells was evaluated by TEER and FITC-dextran leakage. BBB-related factors and oxidative stress were also analyzed, respectively. The tubular ability of KLF4 on OGD/R bEnd3 cells was also evaluated.

RESULTS

In vivo study confirmed that KLF4 was expressed in astrocyte, and its content increased with time. KLF4 protected against brain injury caused by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, reduced cerebral infarction area and oxidative stress levels, and promoted the recovery of behavioral ability in rats. Simultaneously, mechanism experiments confirmed that the repair effect of KLF4 on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was closely related to the Nrf2/Trx1 pathway. KLF4 exerted the neuroprotective effect through upregulating Nrf2/Trx1 pathway. Consistent with in vivo animal study, in vitro study also confirmed the effect of KLF4 on the permeability of bEnd.3 cells after OGD/R injury through Nrf2/Trx1 pathway.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, KLF4 played neuroprotective role in CIR induced MCAO and OGD/R, and the beneficial effects of KLF4 was partly linked to Nrf2/Trx1 pathway.

The Importance of Thioredoxin-1 in Health and Disease

Thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1) is a multifunctional protein ubiquitously found in the human body. Trx-1 plays an important role in various cellular functions such as maintenance of redox homeostasis, proliferation, and DNA synthesis, but also modulation of transcription factors and control of cell death. Thus, Trx-1 is one of the most important proteins for proper cell and organ function. Therefore, modulation of Trx gene expression or modulation of Trx activity by various mechanisms, including post-translational modifications or protein-protein interactions, could cause a transition from the physiological state of cells and organs to various pathologies such as cancer, and neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we not only discuss the current knowledge of Trx in health and disease, but also highlight its potential function as a biomarker.

TXNRD1 knockdown inhibits the proliferation of endothelial cells subjected to oscillatory shear stress via activation of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase/apoptosis pathway

Atherosclerosis is the main cause of cardiovascular disease, and fluid shear stress is a key factor regulating its occurrence and development. Oscillatory shear stress (Oss) is an important pro-atherosclerosis factor. Oss mainly occurs in areas that are susceptible to atherosclerosis, but the exact mechanism of atherosclerosis induction remains unclear. Therefore, starting from the atheroprone phenotype that Oss stimulates abnormal vascular endothelial cell proliferation, this study aimed to reveal the underlying mechanism of Oss-induced atherosclerosis formation and to identify new targets for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. In this study, the gene encoding thioredoxin reductase 1 (TXNRD1), which is closely related to atherosclerosis development and cell proliferation, was screened by analyzing the transcriptome sequencing data of static and Oss-treated human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Moreover, this study successfully verified that TXNRD1 mRNA and protein were significantly upregulated in Oss-treated HAECs. Oss significantly promoted the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of HAECs, whereas TXNRD1 knockdown impaired the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of Oss-treated HAECs, and this process was mainly achieved via activation of the apoptosis pathway. To further clarify whether Oss-sensitive TXNRD1 affects the apoptosis rate and proliferative ability of HAECs by regulating the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) pathway, we used NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) to inhibit eNOS activity and nitric oxide (NO) production. L-NAME significantly reversed the promoting effect of TXNRD1 knockdown on Oss-treated HAEC apoptosis, and it also abolished the inhibitory effect of TXNRD1 knockdown on the proliferation and S + G2 phase cell mass of Oss-treated HAECs. In conclusion, this study showed that TXNRD1 knockdown inhibited the proliferation of HAECs exposed to Oss by activating the eNOS/apoptosis pathway, revealing that TXNRD1 is involved in the dysregulation of Oss-induced endothelial cell proliferation. These findings provide new directions and insights into the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.

Recent advances of traditional Chinese medicine for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a common systemic disease with increasing morbidity and mortality worldwide. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with characteristics of multiple pathways and targets, presents advantages in the diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis.

AIM OF THE STUDY

With the modernization of TCM, the active ingredients and molecular mechanisms of TCM for AS treatment have been gradually revealed. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the existing studies on TCM therapies aimed at regulating AS over the past two decades.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using "atherosclerosis" and "Traditional Chinese medicine" as keywords, all relevant TCM literature published in the last 10 years was collected from electronic databases (such as Elsevier, Springer, PubMed, CNKI, and Web of Science), books and papers until March 2022, and the critical information was statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

In this review, we highlighted extracts of 8 single herbs, a total of 41 single active ingredients, 20 TCM formulae, and 25 patented drugs, which were described with chemical structure, source, model, efficacy and potential mechanism.

CONCLUSION

We summarized the cytopathological basis for the development of atherosclerosis involving vascular endothelial cells, macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells, and categorically elaborated the medicinal TCM used for AS, all of which provide the current evidence on the better management of atherosclerosis by TCM.

Salidroside inhibited cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis via Nrf2/Trx1 signaling pathway

Cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (CIRI) is still a serious problem threatening human health. Salidroside (SAL) is a natural phenylpropanoid glycoside compound with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ischemic properties. This study investigated the protective mechanism of SAL on middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)- and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model-induced CIRI via regulating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/thioredoxin 1 (Trx1) axis. The results indicated that SAL (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) not only effectively alleviated infarction rate, improved histopathological changes, relieved apoptosis by strengthening the suppression of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl-2 proteins and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) formation, but also increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and upregulated the expressions of Nrf2 and Trx1 on MCAO-induced CIRI rats. SAL also efficiently inhibited apoptosis and decreased oxidative stress in OGD/R-stimulated PC12 cells. Furthermore, blocking the Nrf2/Trx1 pathway using tretinoin, an Nrf2 inhibitor, significantly reversed the protective effect of SAL on OGD/R-induced oxidative stress. Moreover, SAL reduced the expression of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1 (ASK1) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family proteins. These results demonstrated that SAL inhibited oxidative stress through Nrf2/Trx1 signaling pathway, and subsequently reduced CIRI-induced apoptosis by inhibiting ASK1/MAPK.

Mechanistic View on the Effects of SGLT2 Inhibitors on Lipid Metabolism in Diabetic Milieu

Chronic hyperglycemia induces pathophysiologic pathways with negative effects on the metabolism of most substrates as well as lipids and lipoproteins, and thereby induces dyslipidemia. Thus, the diabetic milieu is commonly accompanied by different levels of atherogenic dyslipidemia, which is per se a major risk factor for subsequent complications such as atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, acute myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and nephropathy. Therefore, readjusting lipid metabolism in the diabetic milieu is a major goal for preventing dyslipidemia-induced complications. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a class of relatively newly introduced antidiabetes drugs (including empagliflozin, canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, etc.) with potent hypoglycemic effects and can reduce blood glucose by inducing glycosuria. However, recent evidence suggests that they could also provide extra-glycemic benefits in lipid metabolism. It seems that they can increase fat burning and lipolysis, normalizing the lipid metabolism and preventing or improving dyslipidemia. Nevertheless, the exact mechanisms involved in this process are not well-understood. In this review, we tried to explain how these drugs could regulate lipid homeostasis and we presented the possible involved cellular pathways supported by clinical evidence.

Pharmacological Activity, Pharmacokinetics, and Clinical Research Progress of Puerarin

As a kind of medicine and food homologous plant, kudzu root (Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi) is called an "official medicine" in Chinese folk medicine. Puerarin is the main active component extracted from kudzu root, and its structural formula is 8-β-D-grapes pyranose-4, 7-dihydroxy isoflavone, with a white needle crystal; it is slightly soluble in water, and its aqueous solution is colorless or light yellow. Puerarin is a natural antioxidant with high health value and has a series of biological activities such as antioxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-tumor effects, immunity improvement, and cardio-cerebrovascular and nerve cell protection. In particular, for the past few years, it has also been extensively used in clinical study. This review focuses on the antioxidant activity of puerarin, the therapy of diverse types of inflammatory diseases, various new drug delivery systems of puerarin, the "structure-activity relationship" of puerarin and its derivatives, and pharmacokinetic and clinical studies, which can provide a new perspective for the puerarin-related drug research and development, clinical application, and further development and utilization.

Puerarin: A protective drug against ischemia-reperfusion injury

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is a pathological process that occurs in numerous organs throughout the human body and is frequently associated with severe cellular damage and death. Puerarin is an isoflavone compound extracted from the root of Pueraria lobata and has pharmacological effects such as dilating cerebral vessels and anti-free radical generation in cerebral ischemic tissues. With the deepening of experimental research and clinical research on puerarin, it has been found that puerarin has a protective effect on ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) of the heart, brain, spinal cord, lung, intestine and other organs. In summary, puerarin has a vast range of pharmacological effects and significant protective effects, and it also has obvious advantages in the clinical protection of patients with organ IRI. With the deepening of experimental pharmacological research and clinical research, it is expected to be an effective drug for IRI treatment. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the protective effect of puerarin on I/R organ injury and its possible underlying molecular mechanisms.

Lipid scavenging macrophages and inflammation

Macrophages are professional phagocytes, indispensable for maintenance of tissue homeostasis and integrity. Depending on their resident tissue, macrophages are exposed to highly diverse metabolic environments. Adapted to their niche, they can contribute to local metabolic turnover through metabolite uptake, conversion, storage and release. Disturbances in tissue homeostasis caused by infection, inflammation or damage dramatically alter the local milieu, impacting macrophage activation status and metabolism. In the case of persisting stimuli, defective macrophage responses ensue, which can promote tissue damage and disease. Especially relevant herein are disbalances in lipid rich environments, where macrophages are crucially involved in lipid uptake and turnover, preventing lipotoxicity. Lipid uptake is to a large extent facilitated by macrophage expressed scavenger receptors that are dynamically regulated and important in many metabolic diseases. Here, we review the receptors mediating lipid uptake and summarize recent findings on their role in health and disease. We further highlight the underlying pathways driving macrophage lipid acquisition and their impact on myeloid metabolic remodelling.

Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, Senescence in Atherosclerosis: Thioredoxine-1 as an Emerging Therapeutic Target

Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) worldwide and intimately linked to aging. This pathology is characterized by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, gradual accumulation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) particles and fibrous elements in focal areas of large and medium arteries. These fibrofatty lesions in the artery wall become progressively unstable and thrombogenic leading to heart attack, stroke or other severe heart ischemic syndromes. Elevated blood levels of LDL are major triggering events for atherosclerosis. A cascade of molecular and cellular events results in the atherosclerotic plaque formation, evolution, and rupture. Moreover, the senescence of multiple cell types present in the vasculature were reported to contribute to atherosclerotic plaque progression and destabilization. Classical therapeutic interventions consist of lipid-lowering drugs, anti-inflammatory and life style dispositions. Moreover, targeting oxidative stress by developing innovative antioxidant agents or boosting antioxidant systems is also a well-established strategy. Accumulation of senescent cells (SC) is also another important feature of atherosclerosis and was detected in various models. Hence, targeting SCs appears as an emerging therapeutic option, since senolytic agents favorably disturb atherosclerotic plaques. In this review, we propose a survey of the impact of inflammation, oxidative stress, and senescence in atherosclerosis; and the emerging therapeutic options, including thioredoxin-based approaches such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-atherogenic strategy with promising potential of senomodulation.

The isoflavone puerarin exerts anti-tumor activity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by suppressing mTOR-mediated glucose metabolism

Puerarin (8-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4′, 7-dihydroxyisoflavone), a natural flavonoid compound isolated from the traditional Chinese herb Radix puerariae, have been demonstrated has potential anti-tumor effects via induction of apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation. However, the effect and molecular mechanism of puerarin in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains unknown. In this study, the tumor-suppressive effects of puerarin were determined by both in-vitro and in-vivo assays. The effects of puerarin on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs), and tumor growth and metastasis in PDAC xenograft mouse model were performed. Puerarin treatment significantly repressed PCC proliferation. Puerarin induced the mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis of PCCs by causing a Bcl-2/Bax imbalance. Moreover, puerarin inhibited PCC migration and invasion by antagonizing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In nude mouse model, PDAC growth and metastasis were reduced by puerarin administration. Mechanistically, puerarin exerted its therapeutic effects on PDAC by suppressing Akt/mTOR signaling. Importantly, puerarin bound to the kinase domain of mTOR protein, affecting the activity of the surrounding amino acid residues associated with the binding of the ATP-Mg²⁺ complex. Further studies showed that the inhibitory effects of puerarin on PCCs were abolished by a mTOR activator, indicating a crucial role of mTOR in anti-tumor effects of puerarin in PDAC. As a result, puerarin hindered glucose uptake and metabolism by downregulating the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) dependent upon HIF-1α and glucose transporter GLUT1. Therefore, these findings indicated that puerarin has therapeutic potential for the treatment of PDAC by suppressing glucose uptake and metabolism via Akt/mTOR activity.

Effects of puerarin on chronic inflammation: Focus on the heart, brain, and arteries

Age-associated increases in physical and mental stress, known as allostatic load, could lead to a chronic low-grade inflammation in the heart, brain, and arteries. This low-grade inflammation potentially contributes to adverse structural and functional remodeling, such as intimal medial thickening, endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffening, cardiac hypertrophy and ischemia, and cognitive decline. These cellular and tissue remodeling is the fertile soil for the development of age-associated structural and functional disorders in the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems in the pathogenesis of obesity, type II diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart dysfunction, and cognitive decline. Growing evidence indicates that puerarin, a polyphenol, extracted from Puerara Labota, efficiently alleviates the initiation and progression of obesity, type II diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, cardiac ischemia, cardiac arrythmia, cardiac hypertrophy, ischemic stroke, and cognition decline via suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation. This mini review focuses on recent advances in the effects of puerarin on the oxidative and inflammatory molecular, cellular, tissue events in the heart, brain, and arteries.