The inhibitory effect of Gynostemma pentaphyllum on MCP-1 and type I procollagen expression in rat hepatic stellate cells

Progress in clinical and basic research of fuzheng Huayu formula for the treatment of liver fibrosis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Traditional Chinese medicine has great potential and advantages in the treatment of liver fibrosis, with Fuzheng Huayu formula (FZHY) serving as a prime example due to its remarkable efficacy in delaying and reversing liver fibrosis while simultaneously improving clinical symptoms for patients.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

In this paper, we present a comprehensive review of recent studies on the therapeutic potential of FZHY and its components/ingredients in the treatment of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, with the aim of providing insights for future research endeavors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted on FZHY, TCM319, traditional Chinese medicine 319, liver fibrosis and cirrhosis using multiple internationally recognized databases including PubMed, Embase, Springer, Web of science, SciVerse ScienceDirect, Clinical Trails. Gov, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP.

RESULTS

FZHY is widely used clinically for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis caused by various chronic liver diseases, with the effects of improving serum liver function, liver pathological histology, serological indices related to liver fibrosis, decreasing liver stiffness values and portal hypertension, as well as reducing the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma and morbidity/mortality in patients with cirrhosis. Numerous in vivo and in vitro experiments have demonstrated that FZHY possesses anti-fibrotic effects by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation, reducing inflammation, protecting hepatocytes, inhibiting hepatic sinusoidal capillarization and angiogenesis, promoting extracellular matrix degradation, and facilitating liver regeneration. In recent years, there has been a growing focus on investigating the primary active components/ingredients of FZHY, and significant strides have been made in comprehending their synergistic mechanisms that enhance efficacy.

CONCLUSION

FZHY is a safe and effective drug for treating liver fibrosis. Future research on FZHY should focus on its active components/ingredients and their synergistic effects, as well as the development of modern cocktail drugs based on its components/ingredients. This will facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms and targets of FZHY in treating liver fibrosis, thereby further guide clinical applications and drug development.

Gynostemma Glycosides Protect Retinal Ganglion Cells in Rats with Chronic High Intraocular Pressure by Regulating the STAT3/JAK2 Signaling Pathway and Inhibiting Astrocyte and Microglia Activation

Objective. To observe the protective effect of gynostemma glycosides on retinal ganglion cells in rats with chronically high intraocular pressure. Materials and Methods. A total of 60 rats were randomly divided into group A (the blank group, 10 rats) and chronic high IOP model group (50 rats). The IOP model group (IOP above 22 mmHg) was then randomly divided into an additional 5 groups (10 rats per group): group B (negative control group) treated with normal saline; group C treated with gynostemma glycosides 25 mg/(kg-d); group D treated with gynostemma glycosides 50 mg/(kg-d); group E treated with gynostemma glycosides 100 mg/(kg-d); and group F (positive control group) treated with VitB1 and VitB12. The eyes of each rat were monitored from day 1 to 14 (D1–D14). On day 14, rats were euthanized, after which retinal tissue and optic nerve were examined using real-time PCR, western blot, HE staining, LFB staining, and TUNEL assay. Results. Groups A, C, D, E, and F had significantly lower expression of CD11b, GFAP, Brn3α, and more TUNEL cells than in group B (all $P<0.05$ ). Moreover, the relative expression of STAT3 mRNA and JAK2 (mRNA and protein) in groups A, C, D, E, and F was significantly lower than in group B ( $P<0.05$ ), while in group E, the expression was lower than in group D ( $P<0.05$ ). Conclusion. Gynostemma glycosides protect retinal ganglion cells in rats with chronically high intraocular pressure possibly associated with the STAT3/JAK2 signaling pathway.

Triterpenoids from the genus Gynostemma: Chemistry and pharmacological activities

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

G. pentaphyllum, also known as Jiao-Gu-Lan, has been used traditionally as folk remedies for many diseases, including diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases in China and some countries in East and Southeast Asia. It is considered as an "immortality herb" in Guizhou Province, because it was consumed regularly by the elderly native inhabitants. Other species of the same genus Gynostemma such as G. longipes and G. laxum have been used as alternatives to G. pentaphyllum in ethno-medicine in Vietnam and other Asian countries.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The review aims to summarize up-to-date study results on Gynostemma species, including traditional usage, phytochemical profile, pharmacological activities, and toxicological studies, in order to suggest future research orientation and therapeutic applications on acute and chronic diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The relevant literature on the genus Gynostemma was gathered from secondary databases (Web of Science and PubMed), books, and official websites. The latest literature cited in this review was published in February 2020.

RESULTS

The genus Gynostemma has been widely used in traditional medicine, mainly for treatment of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and hepatosteatosis. To date, 328 dammarane-type saponins were isolated and structurally elucidated from Gynostemma species. Crude extracts, saponin-rich fractions (gypenosides), and pure compounds were reported to show a wide range of pharmacological activities in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. The most notable pharmacological effects were anti-cancer, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, and anti-inflammatory activities. Toxicological studies were conducted only on G. pentaphyllum, showing that the plant extracts were relatively safe in both acute and long-term toxicity experiments at the given dosage while no toxicological studies were reported for the other species.

CONCLUSIONS

The review summarizes current studies on traditional uses, phytochemistry, biological properties, and toxicology of medicinal Gynostemma species. Till now, the majority of publications still focused only on G. pentaphyllum. However, the promising preliminary data of other Gynostemma species indicated the research potential of this genus, both in phytochemical and pharmacological aspects. Furthermore, clinical data are required to evaluate the efficacy and undesired effects of crude extracts, standard saponin fractions, and pure compounds prepared from Gynostemma medicinal plants.

Protective Effect of Saponins-Enriched Fraction of Gynostemma pentaphyllum against High Choline-Induced Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction and Hepatic Damage in Mice

Choline as a quaternary amine nutrient is metabolized to trimethylamine by gut microbiota and subsequently oxidized to circulating trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a gut-derived metabolite associated with liver toxicity and cardiovascular disease. The study was to probe the possible vasoprotective and hepatoprotective effects of total saponins of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (TSGP) in 3% high-choline water-feeding mice. The purified TSGP was obtained with content of 83.0% saponins, and its antioxidant activities were evaluated in vitro. Furthermore, the mice fed with high choline for 8 weeks significantly expressed vascular endothelial dysfunction and liver oxidative stress (p < 0.01 vs. Normal). Administration of TSGP at 400 and 800 mg/kg·body weight (b.w.) significantly lowered the serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂) levels, as well as hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) formation, but effectively elevated the serum nitric oxide (NO), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and prostaglandin I₂ (PGI₂) levels, as well as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), T-superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in high choline-fed mice. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and oil red O staining also suggested that TSGP could exert the significant protection against endothelial dysfunction and liver injury in high choline-treated mice. These findings suggest that TSGP is of the saponins-enriched extract, and is a good candidate of dietary supplement and therapeutic application in vascular and hepatic oxidative injury.

Rapamycin liposome gutta inhibiting fungal keratitis of rats

AIM

To study the therapeutic effect of rapamycin liposome eyedrops on fungal keratitis (FK) and its effect on the expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1).

METHODS

This study adopted the thin film dispersion method to prepare rapamycin liposomes eyedrops, as well as used the orthogonal design to analyze and study main influencing factors that affected the quality of liposomes. Totally 96 healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group (A), FK blank control group (B), FK blank liposomes control group (C), and 30 FK rapamycin liposome treatment group (D). Groups B, C, and D were first prepared as FK animal models. The corneal response was recorded in details on day 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 after modeling. Six rats were obtained and immunohistochemistry and semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect the expression of MCP-1 protein and mRNA, respectively.

RESULTS

The severity of corneal lesions in the rapamycin treatment group was reduced, and the clinical score of the slit lamp examination was lower than that of Groups B and C (P<0.01). The expression of MCP-1 in rapamycin treatment group was significantly inhibited, comparing to that of groups B and C (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Liposome is a good drug carrier for rapamycin. Rapamycin has a good therapeutic effect on FK. It can reduce FK fungal burden and significantly inhibit the expression of MCP-1 protein and mRNA.

Natural gypenosides: targeting cancer through different molecular pathways

The second foremost cause of mortality around the word is cancer. Conventional therapies, such as radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy have limited accessibility owing to secondary resistance. Therefore, convenient, safe, and nonresistant drugs are urgently needed. Plant-derived natural products have attracted considerable interest owing to their high efficacy, low toxicity, and convenience. Gypenosides (Gyp) inhibit invasion, migration, metastasis, and proliferation and induce apoptosis in different cancers, including oral, lung, colorectal, hepatocellular, and leukemic cancers through different molecular pathways. This review summarizes Gyp studies on cancer to serve as a reference for further research and clinical trials.

Comparison of the Effects and Inhibitory Pathways of the Constituents from Gynostemma pentaphyllum against LPS-Induced Inflammatory Response

Saponins, the primary phytochemicals contributing to the health properties of G. pentaphyllum were frequently studied. However, compounds responsible for its bioactivities were still poorly understood. The saponin-rich fraction (GPMS), 3- O-[2G-( E)-Coumaroyl-3G- O-β-d-glucosyl-3R- O-β-d-glucosylrutinoside] (KCGG), gypenoside XLVI and gypenoside L were obtained by purification of G. pentaphyllum. The compounds were examined and compared with GPMS for their inhibitory effects on LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production. GPMS and KCGG differed in their inhibitory capacities against pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion. GPMS exhibited strong inhibition on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA expression but weak inhibition on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β mRNA expression. KCGG was better at inhibiting iNOS, IL-6, TNF-α, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA expression. GPMS showed similar inhibitory potency on mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation, as evidenced by their regulatory effects on LPS-induced P65 phosphorylation, NF-κB nuclear translocation, IκBα phosphorylation and degradation, IκKα/β phosphorylation, c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation, P38 phosphorylation, and COX-2 expression. KCGG was more powerful in inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, suggesting that KCGG might be used in the management of inflammatory-associated diseases in which NF-κB played pivotal roles. Furthermore, KCGG might be mainly responsible for the predominant effects of GPMS.

(R)-panaxadiol by whole cells of filamentous fungus Absidia coerulea AS 3.3382

The microbial transformation of 20(R)-panaxadiol (PD) by the fungus Absidia coerulea AS 3.3382 afforded three new and three known metabolites. The structures of the metabolites were characterized as 3-oxo-20(R)-panaxadiol (1), 3-oxo-7β- hydroxyl-20(R)-panaxadiol (2), 3-oxo-22β-hydroxyl-20(R)-panaxadiol (3), 3-oxo- 7β,22β-dihydroxyl-20(R)-panaxadiol (4), 3-oxo-7β,24β-dihydroxyl-20(R)-panaxadiol (5), and 3-oxo-7β,24α-dihydroxyl-20(R)-panaxadiol (6). Among them, 2-4 were new compounds. In addition, compounds 3 and 4 exhibited significant anti-hepatic fibrosis activity.

Treatment effects of the traditional Chinese medicine Shenks in bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis through regulation of TGF-beta/Smad3 signaling and oxidative stress

Pulmonary fibrosis is a kind of devastating interstitial lung disease due to the limited therapeutic strategies. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practices have put forth Shenks as a promising treatment approach. Here, we performed in vivo study and in vitro study to delineate the anti-fibrotic mechanisms behind Shenks treatment for pulmonary fibrosis. We found that regardless of the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment, Shenks was able to attenuate BLM-induced-fibrosis in mice, down regulate extracellular matrix genes expression, and reduce collagen production. The aberrantly high Smad3 phosphorylation levels and SBE activity in TGF-β-induced fibroblasts were dramatically decreased as a result of Shenks treatment. At the same time, Shenks was able to increase the expression of antioxidant-related genes, including Gclc and Ec-sod, while reduce the transcription levels of oxidative-related genes, such as Rac1 and Nox4 demonstrated by both in vivo and in vitro studies. Further investigations found that Shenks could decrease the oxidative productions of protein (3-nitrotyrosine) and lipid (malondialdehyde) and increase GSH content both in bleomycin treated mouse lungs and TGF-β stimulated fibroblasts, as well as inhibit the production of ROS stimulated by TGF-β to fight against oxidative stress. Overall, Shenks inhibited fibrosis by blocking TGF-β pathway and modulating the oxidant/antioxidant balance.

Oxymatrine liposome attenuates hepatic fibrosis via targeting hepatic stellate cells

AIM: To investigate the potential mechanism of Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide-labeled liposome loading oxymatrine (OM) therapy in CCl₄-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats.

METHODS: We constructed a rat model of CCl₄-induced hepatic fibrosis and treated the rats with different formulations of OM. To evaluate the antifibrotic effect of OM, we detected levels of alkaline phosphatase, hepatic histopathology (hematoxylin and eosin stain and Masson staining) and fibrosis-related gene expression of matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)-2, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 as well as type I procollagen via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. To detect cell viability and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), we performed 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo(-z-y1)-3,5-diphenytetrazoliumromide assay and flow cytometry. To reinforce the combination of oxymatrine with HSCs, we constructed fluorescein-isothiocyanate-conjugated Arg-Gly-Asp peptide-labeled liposomes loading OM, and its targeting of HSCs was examined by fluorescent microscopy.

RESULTS: OM attenuated CCl₄-induced hepatic fibrosis, as defined by reducing serum alkaline phosphatase (344.47 ± 27.52 U/L vs 550.69 ± 43.78 U/L, P < 0.05), attenuating liver injury and improving collagen deposits (2.36% ± 0.09% vs 7.70% ± 0.60%, P < 0.05) and downregulating fibrosis-related gene expression, that is, MMP-2, TIMP-1 and type I procollagen (P < 0.05). OM inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis of HSCs in vitro. RGD promoted OM targeting of HSCs and enhanced the therapeutic effect of OM in terms of serum alkaline phosphatase (272.51 ± 19.55 U/L vs 344.47 ± 27.52 U/L, P < 0.05), liver injury, collagen deposits (0.26% ± 0.09% vs 2.36% ± 0.09%, P < 0.05) and downregulating fibrosis-related gene expression, that is, MMP-2, TIMP-1 and type I procollagen (P < 0.05). Moreover, in vitro assay demonstrated that RGD enhanced the effect of OM on HSC viability and apoptosis.

CONCLUSION: OM attenuated hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting viability and inducing apoptosis of HSCs. The RGD-labeled formulation enhanced the targeting efficiency for HSCs and the therapeutic effect.

Chemical composition and anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects of the leaf and whole-plant samples of diploid and tetraploid Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino

Leaf and whole-plant samples of the diploid and tetraploid Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP) were investigated and compared for their chemical compositions, and their potential anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects. The highest levels of total flavonoids and phenolics were observed in the diploid leaf botanical (2L3) at 36.84mg rutin equiv/g and 41.15mg gallic acid equiv/g, respectively. The diploid leaf sample (2L2) had the highest amount of rutin and quercetin contents of 77.7μmol quercetin equiv/g. The tetraploid whole-plant botanical (4L3) had the highest total saponin content of 227.1mg gypenoside equiv/g. Extracts from all tested GP samples showed time- and dose-dependent antiproliferative effects in HT-29 cells, and the diploid leaf samples had the overall highest inhibitory activity. These extracts had different order of antiproliferative properties in the LNCaP cells, suggesting the potential selective inhibition of GP extracts against different types of cancer cells and the effect of the cell model in screening and evaluation of antiproliferative components. In addition, the diploid leaf extracts showed the strongest inhibitory effects on the expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and COX-2 mRNA at final concentrations of 0.2 and 1mg botanical equiv/ml media. The results from this study will be used to develop new nutraceutical products from G. pentaphyllum.

Chemical composition of five commercial Gynostemma pentaphyllum samples and their radical scavenging, antiproliferative, and anti-inflammatory properties

Five Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP) samples were investigated and compared for their chemical compositions and their antioxidant, antiproliferative, and anti-inflammatory effects. Extracts (50% acetone, 75% ethanol, and 100% ethanol) of the five GP samples (GP1-5) differed in their total phenolic, saponin, and flavonoid contents and in their rutin and quercetin concentrations. The highest level of total flavonoids was 63.5 mg of rutin equiv/g in GP4, and the greatest total phenolic content was 44.3 mg of gallic acid equiv/g in GP1 with 50% acetone as the extraction solvent. GP2 had the highest total saponin content of 132.6 mg/g with 100% ethanol as the extraction solvent. These extracts also differed in their scavenging capacity against DPPH and hydroxyl radicals, although they all showed significant radical scavenging capacity. The 100% ethanol extracts also showed dose-dependently strong inhibition on IL-6 and Ptgs2 mRNA expression and weak inhibition on TNF-α mRNA expression. In addition, GP1 had the highest antiproliferative activity at 3.2 mg equiv/mL concentration in HT-29 human colon cancer cells. The results from this study will be used to promote the application of G. pentaphyllum for improving human health.

An Experimental Study on the Antileukemia Effects of Gypenosides In Vitro and In Vivo

Purpose. Gypenosides (Gyp), found in Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino, have been used as folk medicine for centuries and have exhibited diverse pharmacological effects, including antileukemia effects in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, Gyp were used to examine effects on cell viability, cell cycle, and induction of apoptosis in vitro. They were administered in the diet to mice injected with WEHI-3 cells in vivo. Experimental design. Effects of Gyp on WEHI-3 cells were determined by flow cytometric assay and Western blotting. Results. Gyp inhibited the growth of WEHI-3 cells. These effects were associated with the induction of G0/G1 arrest, morphological changes, DNA fragmentation, and increased sub-G1 phase. Gyp promoted the production of reactive oxygen species, increased Ca2+ levels, and induced the depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential. The effects of Gyp were dose and time dependent. Moreover, Gyp increased levels of the proapoptotic protein Bax, reduced levels of the antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2, and stimulated release of cytochrome c, AIF (apoptosis-inducing factor), and Endo G (endonuclease G) from mitochondria. The levels of GADD153, GRP78, ATF6-α, and ATF4-α were increased by Gyp, resulting in ER (endoplasmic reticular) stress in WEHI-3 cells. Oral consumption of Gyp increased the survival rate of mice injected with WEHI-3 cells used as a mouse model of leukemia. Conclusions. Results of these experiments provide new information on understanding mechanisms of Gyp-induced effects on cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in vitro and in an in vivo animal model.