Water extract of Zanthoxylum piperitum induces vascular relaxation via endothelium-dependent NO-cGMP signaling

Zanthoxylum Species: A Comprehensive Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological and Nutraceutical Applications

Zanthoxylum species (Syn. Fagara species) of the Rutaceae family are widely used in many countries as food and in trado-medicinal practice due to their wide geographical distribution and medicinal properties. Peer reviewed journal articles and ethnobotanical records that reported the traditional knowledge, phytoconstituents, biological activities and toxicological profiles of Z. species with a focus on metabolic and neuronal health were reviewed. It was observed that many of the plant species are used as food ingredients and in treating inflammation, pain, hypertension and brain diseases. Over 500 compounds have been isolated from Z. species, and the biological activities of both the plant extracts and their phytoconstituents, including their mechanisms of action, are discussed. The phytochemicals responsible for the biological activities of some of the species are yet to be identified. Similarly, biological activities of some isolated compounds remain unknown. Taken together, the Z. species extracts and compounds possess promising biological activities and should be further explored as potential sources of new nutraceuticals and drugs.

Antihypertensive and Vasodilatory Effects of Qingda Granules by Suppression of Calcium Influx and the AKT Pathway

The Qingda granule (QDG) formulation was simplified from the Qingxuan Jiangya Decoction, which has been used in China to treat hypertension for decades. However, the molecular mechanisms of QDG in antihypertension remain largely unknown. Therefore, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of QDG against elevated blood pressure and explored its underlying mechanism. QDG treatment decreased elevated blood pressure and increased the vascular elasticity of thoracic aortic rings to KCl stimulation in spontaneously hypertensive rats. QDG treatment increased the relaxation of isolated thoracic aortic rings precontracted with norepinephrine (NE) or KCl in an endothelium-independent manner, which was attenuated by treatment with verapamil, but not by treatment with TEA, 4-AP, Gli, or BaCl2. Moreover, QDG pretreatment attenuated the CaCl2-induced constriction of isolated thoracic aortic rings in K- or NE-containing Ca-free solutions. In addition, QDG pretreatment significantly inhibited the influx of Ca in A7r5 cells induced by a K- or NE-containing Ca solution and decreased the levels of p-AKT but had no effect on levels of total AKT protein in isolated thoracic aortic rings. Considering these results, QDG treatment attenuated elevated blood pressure and promoted the vasorelaxation of thoracic aortic rings by inhibiting the influx of Ca and activating the AKT pathway.

Bioactive Compounds and Biological Functions of Garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a widely consumed spice in the world. Garlic contains diverse bioactive compounds, such as allicin, alliin, diallyl sulfide, diallyl disulfide, diallyl trisulfide, ajoene, and S-allyl-cysteine. Substantial studies have shown that garlic and its bioactive constituents exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, immunomodulatory, cardiovascular protective, anticancer, hepatoprotective, digestive system protective, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, neuroprotective, and renal protective properties. In this review, the main bioactive compounds and important biological functions of garlic are summarized, highlighting and discussing the relevant mechanisms of actions. Overall, garlic is an excellent natural source of bioactive sulfur-containing compounds and has promising applications in the development of functional foods or nutraceuticals for the prevention and management of certain diseases.

Bioactive Compounds and Biological Functions of Garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a widely consumed spice in the world. Garlic contains diverse bioactive compounds, such as allicin, alliin, diallyl sulfide, diallyl disulfide, diallyl trisulfide, ajoene, and S-allyl-cysteine. Substantial studies have shown that garlic and its bioactive constituents exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, immunomodulatory, cardiovascular protective, anticancer, hepatoprotective, digestive system protective, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, neuroprotective, and renal protective properties. In this review, the main bioactive compounds and important biological functions of garlic are summarized, highlighting and discussing the relevant mechanisms of actions. Overall, garlic is an excellent natural source of bioactive sulfur-containing compounds and has promising applications in the development of functional foods or nutraceuticals for the prevention and management of certain diseases.

Marjoram Relaxes Rat Thoracic Aorta Via a PI3-K/eNOS/cGMP Pathway

Despite pharmacotherapeutic advances, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the primary cause of global mortality. Alternative approaches, such as herbal medicine, continue to be sought to reduce this burden. Origanum majorana is recognized for many medicinal values, yet its vasculoprotective effects remain poorly investigated. Here, we subjected rat thoracic aortae to increasing doses of an ethanolic extract of Origanum majorana (OME). OME induced relaxation in a dose-dependent manner in endothelium-intact rings. This relaxation was significantly blunted in denuded rings. N(ω)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3,-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) significantly reduced the OME-induced vasorelaxation. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels were also increased by OME. Moreover, wortmannin or LY294002 significantly reduced OME-induced vasorelaxation. Blockers of ATP-sensitive or Ca²⁺-activated potassium channels such as glibenclamide or tetraethylamonium (TEA), respectively, did not significantly affect OME-induced relaxation. Similarly, verapamil, a Ca²⁺ channel blocker, indomethacin, a non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitor, and pyrilamine, a H1 histamine receptor blocker, did not significantly modulate the observed relaxation. Taken together, our results show that OME induces vasorelaxation via an endothelium-dependent mechanism involving the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K)/ endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS)/cGMP pathway. Our findings further support the medicinal value of marjoram and provide a basis for its beneficial intake. Although consuming marjoram may have an antihypertensive effect, further studies are needed to better determine its effects in different vascular beds.

Zanthoxylum fruit extract from Japanese pepper promotes autophagic cell death in cancer cells

Zanthoxylum fruit, obtained from the Japanese pepper plant (Zanthoxylum piperitum De Candolle), and its extract (Zanthoxylum fruit extract, ZFE) have multiple physiological activities (e.g., antiviral activity). However, the potential anticancer activity of ZFE has not been fully examined. In this study, we investigated the ability of ZFE to induce autophagic cell death (ACD). ZFE caused remarkable autophagy-like cytoplasmic vacuolization, inhibited cell proliferation, and ultimately induced cell death in the human cancer cell lines DLD-1, HepG2, and Caco-2, but not in A549, MCF-7, or WiDr cells. ZFE increased the level of LC3-II protein, a marker of autophagy. Knockdown of ATG5 using siRNA inhibited ZFE-induced cytoplasmic vacuolization and cell death. Moreover, in cancer cells that could be induced to undergo cell death by ZFE, the extract increased the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and the JNK inhibitor SP600125 attenuated both vacuolization and cell death. Based on morphology and expression of marker proteins, ZFE-induced cell death was neither apoptosis nor necrosis. Normal intestinal cells were not affected by ZFE. Taken together, our findings show that ZFE induces JNK-dependent ACD, which appears to be the main mechanism underlying its anticancer activity, suggesting a promising starting point for anticancer drug development.

Zingiberis Siccatum Rhizoma, the active component of the Kampo formula Daikenchuto, induces anti-inflammatory actions through α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activation

BACKGROUND

We previously reported that Daikenchuto (DKT), a gastrointestinal prokinetic Japanese herbal (Kampo) medicine used for the treatment of postoperative ileus (POI), has characteristic potent anti-inflammatory activity. This effect may be partly mediated by the activation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). In this study, we identified the specific herbs in DKT that induce anti-inflammatory action.

METHODS

The herbal components of DKT were individually administered orally to each mouse four times before and after intestinal manipulation (IM) was carried out on the distal ileum. The anti-inflammatory activity of each crude drug was subsequently evaluated using immunohistochemical analyses of relevant molecules.

KEY RESULTS

Treatment with Zingiberis Siccatum Rhizoma (ZSR) but not the other components inhibited the infiltration of cluster of differentiation 68 (CD68)-positive macrophages as effectively as DKT treatment. Selective α7nAChR antagonists, such as methyllycaconitine citrate, or transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) antagonists, such as HC-030031, significantly inhibited the amelioration of macrophage infiltration by ZSR. The inhibition of macrophage infiltration by ZSR was abolished in both α7nAChR and 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 receptor (5-HT₄ R) knockout mice.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Daikenchuto-induced anti-inflammatory activity, which was mediated by inhibiting macrophage infiltration in POI, is dependent on the effects of ZSR. Zingiberis Siccatum Rhizoma activates TRPA1 channels possibly in enterochromaffin (EC) cells to release 5-HT, which stimulates 5-HT₄ R in the myenteric plexus neurons to release ACh, which in turn activates α7nAChR on macrophages to inhibit inflammation in POI.

Chemical composition, vasorelaxant, antioxidant and antiplatelet effects of essential oil of Artemisia campestris L. from Oriental Morocco

BACKGROUND

Artemisia campestris L. (Asteraceae) is a medicinal herb traditionally used to treat hypertension and many other diseases. Hence, this study is aimed to analyze the essential oil of A. campestris L (AcEO) and to investigate the antiplatelet, antioxidant effects and the mechanisms of its vasorelaxant effect.

METHODS

The chemical composition of AcEO was elucidated using GC/MS analysis. Then, the antioxidant effect was tested on DPPH radical scavenging and on the prevention of β-carotene bleaching. The antiplatelet effect was performed on the presence of the platelet agonists: thrombin and ADP. The mechanism of action of the vasorelaxant effect was studied by using the cellular blockers specified to explore the involvement of NO/GC pathway and in the presence of calcium channels blockers and potassium channels blockers.

RESULTS

AcEO is predominated by the volatiles: spathulenol, ß-eudesmol and p-cymene. The maximal antioxidant effect was obtained with the dose 2 mg/ml of AcEO. The dose 1 mg/ml of AcEO showed a maximum antiplatelet effect of, respectively 49.73% ±9.54 and 48.20% ±8.49 on thrombin and ADP. The vasorelaxation seems not to be mediated via NOS/GC pathway neither via the potassium channels. However, pretreatment with calcium channels blockers attenuated this effect, suggesting that the vasorelaxation is mediated via inhibition of L-type Ca²⁺ channels and the activation of SERCA pumps of reticulum plasma.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms the antioxidant, antiplatelet and vasorelaxant effects of A.campestris L essential oil. However, the antihypertensive use of this oil should be further confirmed by the chemical fractionation and subsequent bio-guided assays.

Chemical composition, vasorelaxant, antioxidant and antiplatelet effects of essential oil of Artemisia campestris L. from Oriental Morocco

BACKGROUND

Artemisia campestris L. (Asteraceae) is a medicinal herb traditionally used to treat hypertension and many other diseases. Hence, this study is aimed to analyze the essential oil of A. campestris L (AcEO) and to investigate the antiplatelet, antioxidant effects and the mechanisms of its vasorelaxant effect.

METHODS

The chemical composition of AcEO was elucidated using GC/MS analysis. Then, the antioxidant effect was tested on DPPH radical scavenging and on the prevention of β-carotene bleaching. The antiplatelet effect was performed on the presence of the platelet agonists: thrombin and ADP. The mechanism of action of the vasorelaxant effect was studied by using the cellular blockers specified to explore the involvement of NO/GC pathway and in the presence of calcium channels blockers and potassium channels blockers.

RESULTS

AcEO is predominated by the volatiles: spathulenol, ß-eudesmol and p-cymene. The maximal antioxidant effect was obtained with the dose 2 mg/ml of AcEO. The dose 1 mg/ml of AcEO showed a maximum antiplatelet effect of, respectively 49.73% ±9.54 and 48.20% ±8.49 on thrombin and ADP. The vasorelaxation seems not to be mediated via NOS/GC pathway neither via the potassium channels. However, pretreatment with calcium channels blockers attenuated this effect, suggesting that the vasorelaxation is mediated via inhibition of L-type Ca2+ channels and the activation of SERCA pumps of reticulum plasma.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms the antioxidant, antiplatelet and vasorelaxant effects of A.campestris L essential oil. However, the antihypertensive use of this oil should be further confirmed by the chemical fractionation and subsequent bio-guided assays.

Zanthoxylum piperitum reversed alveolar bone loss of periodontitis via regulation of bone remodeling-related factors

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Zanthoxylum piperitum (ZP) has been used to prevent toothache in East Asia.

AIM OF STUDY

In this study, we investigated the effects of ZP on periodontitis along with alveolar bone loss.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into 4 groups; non-ligated (NOR), ligated and treated vehicle (CTR), ligated and treated 1mg/mL ZP (ZP1), and ligated and treated 100mg/mL ZP (ZP100). Sterilized 3-0 nylon ligature was placed into the subgingival sulcus around the both sides of mandibular first molar. After topical application of 1 and 100mg/mL ZP for 2 weeks, mandibles was removed for histology. In addition, SaOS-2 osteoblast cells were treated 1, 10 and 100μg/mL ZP for 24h to analyze the expressions of alveolar bone-related markers.

RESULTS

Several alveolar bone resorption pits, which indicate cementum demineralization were decreased by ZP treatment. Topical ZP treatment inhibited periodontitis-induced alveolar bone loss. In addition, there were significant reduction of osteoclastic activities following topical ZP treatment in periodontium. The expression of RANKL was decreased in SaOS-2 osteoblast cells by treating ZP, while that of OPG was increased. ZP treatment increased the expressions of Runx2 and Osterix in SaOS-2 cells.

CONCLUSION

In summary, ZP treatment inhibited alveolar bone loss as well as maintained the integrity of periodontal structures via regulation of bone remodeling. ZP may be a therapeutic target for treating periodontitis.

Overview of Antagonists Used for Determining the Mechanisms of Action Employed by Potential Vasodilators with Their Suggested Signaling Pathways

This paper is a review on the types of antagonists and the signaling mechanism pathways that have been used to determine the mechanisms of action employed for vasodilation by test compounds. Thus, we exhaustively reviewed and analyzed reports related to this topic published in PubMed between the years of 2010 till 2015. The aim of this paperis to suggest the most appropriate type of antagonists that correspond to receptors that would be involved during the mechanistic studies, as well as the latest signaling pathways trends that are being studied in order to determine the route(s) that atest compound employs for inducing vasodilation. The methods to perform the mechanism studies were included. Fundamentally, the affinity, specificity and selectivity of the antagonists to their receptors or enzymes were clearly elaborated as well as the solubility and reversibility. All the signaling pathways on the mechanisms of action involved in the vascular tone regulation have been well described in previous review articles. However, the most appropriate antagonists that should be utilized have never been suggested and elaborated before, hence the reason for this review.

Ethyl rosmarinate relaxes rat aorta by an endothelium-independent pathway

Ethyl rosmarinate is an ester derivative of rosmarinic acid, a major constituent of Hyptis suaveolens. The present study investigated the vasorelaxant mechanism of ethyl rosmarinate in isolated rat aortic rings using an organ bath system. Ethyl rosmarinate (0.1 µM-3mM) produced concentration-dependent relaxation in aortic rings pre-contracted with phenylephrine (10 µM), exhibiting a pD2 value of 4.56 ± 0.08 and an Emax value of 93.82 ± 5.00% (in endothelium-intact rings), as well as a pD2 value of 4.42 ± 0.05 and an Emax value of 92.10 ± 3.78% (in endothelium-denuded rings). In the endothelium-denuded rings, the vasorelaxant effect of ethyl rosmarinate was reduced by only 4-aminopyridine (1mM); however, this was not the case with tetraethylammonium (5mM), glibenclamide (10 µM), barium chloride (1mM), and 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo [4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 1 µM). Ethyl rosmarinate also reduced the contraction induced by phenylephrine (10 µM) and caffeine (20mM) in a Ca(2+)-free solution, and inhibited the contraction induced by increasing extracellular Ca(2+) influx, which was induced by KCl (80 mM). Ethyl rosmarinate (10 µM) inhibits concentration-response curves for phenylephrine, while in the same concentration of ethyl rosmarinate has no effect on contractions induced by increasing concentrations of calcium in the presence of high extracellular potassium. Our results suggests that ethyl rosmarinate induces relaxation in aortic rings via an endothelium-independent pathway, which involves the opening of voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels and the blockade of both Ca(2+)release from intracellular stores and extracellular Ca(2+) influx. Moreover, ethyl-rosmarinate acts on the extracellular Ca(2+) influx inhibition by interacting with voltage-operated calcium channels (VOCCs) and receptor-operated calcium channels (ROCCs).

Antiviral effect of flavonol glycosides isolated from the leaf of Zanthoxylum piperitum on influenza virus

The ethanol extract of Zanthoxylum piperitum (L.) DC. showed in vitro antiviral activity against influenza A virus. Three flavonol glycosides were isolated from the EtOAc fraction of Z. piperitum leaf by means of activity-guided chromatographic separation. Structures of isolated compounds were identified as quercetin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (1), quercetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (2), kaempferol 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (3) by comparing their spectral data with literature values. The anti-influenza viral activity of isolates was evaluated using a plaque reduction assay against influenza A/NWS/33 (H1N1) virus. The compounds also were subjected to neuraminidase inhibition assay in influenza A/NWS/33 virus. Compounds 1-3 exhibited antiviral activity against an influenza A virus in vitro, and inhibited the neuraminidase activity at relatively high concentrations.

Coexisted components of Salvia miltiorrhiza enhance intestinal absorption of cryptotanshinone via inhibition of the intestinal P-gp

Cryptotanshinone, derived from the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge and Salvia przewalskii Maxim, is the major active component and possesses significant antibacterial, antidermatophytic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. The objective of this study was to investigate the intestinal absorptive characteristics of cryptotanshinone as well as the absorptive behavior influenced by co-administration of the diterpenoid tanshinones and danxingfang using an in vitro everted rat gut sac model. The results showed a good linear correlation between cryptotanshinone of absorption and the incubation time from 10 to 70min. The concentration dependence showed that a non-linear correlation existed between the cryptotanshinone absorption and the concentration at 100 μg/ml. Coexisting diterpenoid tanshinones and danxingfang could significantly enhance the absorption of cryptotanshinone. Coexisting diterpenoid tanshinones and danxingfang, which influenced cryptotanshinone's absorption, manifested as similar to that of the P-glycoprotein inhibitor. The underlying mechanism of the improvement of oral bioavailability was proposed that coexisting diterpenoid tanshinones and danxingfang could decrease the efflux transport of cryptotanshinone by P-glycoprotein.