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

Chroogomphus rutilus Regulates Bone Metabolism to Prevent Periodontal Bone Loss during Orthodontic Tooth Movement in Osteoporotic Rats

Osteoporosis (OP) leads to the acceleration of tooth movement and aggravation of periodontal bone loss during orthodontic treatment. Chroogomphus rutilus (CR) is abundant in nutrients and demonstrates remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, the components of CR, including 35.00% total sugar, 0.69% reducing sugar, 14.40% crude protein, 7.30% total ash, 6.10% crude fat, 0.51% total flavonoids, 1.94% total triterpenoids, 0.32% total sterol, 1.30% total saponins, 1.69% total alkaloids, and 1.02% total phenol, were first systematically examined, followed by an investigation into its regulatory effects on bone metabolism in order to mitigate bone loss during orthodontic tooth movement in osteoporotic rats. The results of the imaging tests revealed that CR treatment reduced periodontal bone loss and normalized tooth movement in the OP. In conjunction with analyses of intestinal flora and metabolomics, CR enhances the prevalence of anti-inflammatory genera while reducing the production of inflammatory metabolites. Meanwhile, CR reduced the levels of periodontal inflammatory factors, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and promoted periodontal bone formation. These findings imply that CR is a potent supplementary therapy for controlling periodontal bone remodeling in patients with OP undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Osteoimmunology in Periodontitis: Local Proteins and Compounds to Alleviate Periodontitis

Periodontitis is one of the most common oral diseases resulting in gingival inflammation and tooth loss. Growing evidence indicates that it results from dysbiosis of the oral microbiome, which interferes with the host immune system, leading to bone destruction. Immune cells activate periodontal ligament cells to express the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL) and promote osteoclast activity. Osteocytes have active roles in periodontitis progression in the bone matrix. Local proteins are involved in bone regeneration through functional immunological plasticity. Here, we discuss the current knowledge of cellular and molecular mechanisms in periodontitis, the roles of local proteins, and promising synthetic compounds generating a periodontal regeneration effect. It is anticipated that this may lead to a better perception of periodontitis pathophysiology.

Zanthoxylum bungeanum seed oil inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by suppressing ERK/c-JUN/NFATc1 pathway and regulating cell cycle arrest in RAW264.7 cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim (ZBM), a traditional Chinese medicine, is traditionally used for osteoporosis treatment recorded in ancient Chinese medicine work Benjingshuzheng and reported to have the anti-bone loss activity in recent studies. However, the anti-osteoporotic activities of the seed of ZBM have not been elucidated yet. Our previous study found that Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim seed oil (ZBSO) was rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which were reported to prevent bone loss. Thus, we propose a hypothesis that ZBSO could be a potential natural resource for anti-bone loss.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate whether ZBSO could prevent bone loss by targeting osteoclastogenesis and investigate the potential mechanisms in receptor-activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)-induced RAW264.7 cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RAW264.7 cells were treated with RANKL in the presence or absence of ZBSO. The effect of ZBSO on osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption activity of RAW264.7 cells were evaluated by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, F-actin ring staining, and bone resorption assay. Differentially expression genes (DEGs) and relevant pathways of different cell groups were obtained from RNA sequencing and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis followed by KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. The effect of ZBSO on the RANKL-induced cell cycle change was analyzed by flow cytometry assay, and the expression of genes and proteins related to the selected pathways was further verified by RT-qPCR and western blot analysis.

RESULTS

The inhibitory effects of ZBSO on osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption activity in a dose-dependent manner were demonstrated by TRAP staining, F-actin ring staining, and bone resorption assay in RANKL-induced RAW264.7 cells. Osteoclast differentiation and cell cycle pathways were the most enriched pathways based on DEGs enrichment analysis among different cell groups. The reversion effect of ZBSO on the RANKL-induced RAW264.7 cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase was observed by flow cytometry assay. Western blot results showed that ZBSO markedly decreased RANKL-induced activation of ERK, as well as the phosphorylation of c-JUN and NFATc1 expression, and subsequently suppressed osteoclast-specific genes, such as Ctsk, Trap, and Dc-stamp.

CONCLUSIONS

ZBSO exhibited an inhibitory effect on osteoclastogenesis via suppressing the ERK/c-JUN/NFATc1 pathway and regulating cell cycle arrest induced by RANKL, suggesting that ZBSO may serve as a promising agent for anti-bone loss.

Zanthoxylum Species: A Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology in Relation to Cancer, Infectious Diseases and Sickle Cell Anemia

The health benefits and toxicity of plant products are largely dependent on their secondary metabolite contents. These compounds are biosynthesized by plants as protection mechanisms against environmental factors and infectious agents. This review discusses the traditional uses, phytochemical constituents and health benefits of plant species in genus Zanthoxylum with a focus on cancer, microbial and parasitic infections, and sickle cell disease as reported in articles published from 1970 to 2021 in peer-reviewed journals and indexed in major scientific databases. Generally, Z. species are widely distributed in Asia, America and Africa, where they are used as food and for disease treatment. Several compounds belonging to alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and lignans, among others have been isolated from Z. species. This review discusses the biological activities reported for the plant species and their phytochemicals, including anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-trypanosomal, antimalarial and anti-sickling properties. The safety profiles and suggestions for conservation of the Z. species were also discussed. Taken together, this review demonstrates that Z. species are rich in a wide range of bioactive phytochemicals with multiple health benefits, but more research is needed towards their practical application in the development of functional foods, nutraceuticals and lead compounds for new drugs.

Simiao Wan attenuates monosodium urate crystal-induced arthritis in rats through contributing to macrophage M2 polarization

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Simiao Wan (SMW) is a classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription to empirically treat gouty arthritis (GA) in TCM clinical practice. However, the potential mechanisms of SMW on GA are not fully evaluated.

AIM OF STUDY

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of macrophage polarization in the anti-GA activity of SMW.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were intragastricly treated with SMW for consecutive 7 days. On day 6, monosodium urate (MSU) crystal-induced arthritis (MIA) in the ankle joint was prepared. Paw volume, gait score and histological score were measured. Levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-10 in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), arginase (Arg)-1, phosphorylated (p)-p65, inhibitor of nuclear factor (NF)-κB (IκB)α, p-signal transducer and transcription activator (STAT)3 and p-Janus kinase (JAK)2 in synovial tissues were determined by Western blot.

RESULTS

The elevated paw volume, gait score and histological score in MIA rats were significantly decreased by SMW treatment. Meanwhile, SMW significantly decreased the IL-1β level and increased the IL-10 level in serum of MIA rats. Furthermore, SMW reduced the expressions of iNOS, p-p65 and enhanced the expressions of Arg-1, IκBα, p-STAT3 and p-JAK2 in synovial tissues of MIA rats.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that SMW attenuates the inflammation in MIA rats through promoting macrophage M2 polarization.

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.

Elucidation of Japanese pepper (Zanthoxylum piperitum De Candolle) domestication using RAD-Seq

Japanese pepper, Zanthoxylum piperitum, is native to Japan and has four well-known lineages (Asakura, Takahara, Budou, and Arima), which are named after their production area or morphology. Restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (RAD-Seq) was used to analyse 93 accessions from various areas, including these four lineages. Single nucleotide variant analysis was used to classify the plants into eight groups: the Asakura and Arima lineages each had two groups, the Takahara and Budou lineages each had one group, and two additional groups were present. In one Asakura group and two Arima groups, the plants were present in agricultural fields and mountains, thus representing the early stage of domestication of the Japanese pepper. The second Asakura lineage group was closely related to plants present in various areas, and this represents the second stage of domestication of this plant because, after early domestication, genetically related lineages with desirable traits spread to the periphery. These results demonstrate that domestication of Japanese pepper is ongoing. In addition, this study shows that spineless plants are polyphyletic, despite the spineless lineage being considered a subspecies of Japanese pepper.

Zanthoxylum piperitum alleviates the bone loss in osteoporosis via inhibition of RANKL-induced c-fos/NFATc1/NF-κB pathway

BACKGROUND

The fruit of Zanthoxylum piperitum (ZP) is an herbal medicine as well as a spice agent in Asia to treat carminative, stomachic, anthelmintic and degenerative diseases. Z. piperitum was reported to have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-osteoarthritic and osteosarcoma proliferation-control effects.

PURPOSE AND STUDY DESIGN

This study was conducted to determine the anti-osteoporotic effects and mechanisms of action of ZP.

METHODS

Female ICR mice underwent ovariectomies (OVX) and were orally administered ZP at 1, 10 and 100 mg/kg for 6 weeks. The femoral and tibial bones were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and histology to analyze the bone mineral density (BMD) and the number of osteoclasts. Raw 264.7 cells were stimulated by 100 ng/ml receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) for 7 days in the presence of ZP. RANKL-induced signaling molecules were analyzed in osteoclasts.

RESULTS

The levels of femoral and tibial BMD were significantly increased by ZP administration. Serum biomarkers such as osteocalcin, calcium, alkaline phosphatase and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase concentrations were markedly recovered to normal levels in ZP-treated osteoporotic mice. In addition, the number of osteoclasts in the head, trochanter and body of the femur was obviously decreased in the ZP treatment groups. Moreover, ZP treated-cells showed a reduction in the number of TRAP-positive multinuclear cells in RANKL-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells. ZP decreased the RANKL-activated NFATc1 and c-fos, transcription factors of osteoclast formation. The nuclear translocation of NF-κB and phosphorylation of ERK42/44 were inhibited by the ZP treatment in RANKL-induced osteoclasts.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, ZP exerts its inhibitory effect against bone resorption by regulating RANKL-mediated c-fos/NFATc1/NF-κB in osteoclast. ZP may prove to be a therapeutic agent for osteoporosis.

Xanthoplanine attenuates macrophage polarization towards M1 and inflammation response via disruption of CrkL-STAT5 complex

Monocyte infiltration and macrophage polarization are widely considered as pivotal steps for the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Previous studies suggested that zanthoxylum piperitum had strong analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, it remains unclear whether zanthoxylum piperitum inhibits inflammation via macrophage function. In the present study, we investigated the effects of xanthoplanine (the total alkaloid extract of zanthoxylum piperitum) on macrophage function. CCK-8 kit was performed to determine cell viability and the preferred concentration of xanthoplanine. We assayed the effects of xanthoplanine on markers of macrophage polarization and inflammation via quantitative PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and measured the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by flow cytometry. Immunoblots, co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence and Luciferase activity were performed to investigate the molecular mechanism of STAT signaling pathway in response to xanthoplanine. We found that xanthoplanine (50 and 100 μM) significantly reduced M1 polarization and promoted M2 polarization. The contents of inflammatory cytokines measured by ELISA were markedly decreased in macrophages pretreated with xanthoplanine, compared with those induced by LPS and IFN-γ. In parallel, xanthoplanine alleviated the production of ROS in macrophages induced by LPS and IFN-γ. Moreover, xanthoplanine alleviated STAT5 phosphorylation and blocked STAT5 nuclear translocation without alterations in CrkL expression, subsequently interrupting the interaction between p-STAT5 and CrkL. Likewise, xanthoplanine prominently attenuated the transcription activity of STAT5 induced by LPS and IFN-γ but did not affect the transcription activity of STAT1 and STAT3. Xanthoplanine attenuated M1 phenotypic switch and macrophage inflammation via blocking the formation of CrkL-STAT5 complex.

Paeonol ameliorates monosodium urate-induced arthritis in rats through inhibiting nuclear factor-κB-mediated proinflammatory cytokine production

Moutan Cortex has been widely used to treat various types of arthritis in traditional Chinese medicine. Paeonol is isolated as an active ingredient from Moutan Cortex. However, the effect and potential mechanism of paeonol on gouty arthritis have not been evaluated. In this study, rats were treated intragastrically with paeonol for consecutive 7 days. On Day 5, rats were intra-articularly injected with monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the ankle joints to induce MSU-induced arthritis (MIA). Paw volume was detected at various time points. Gait score was measured at 24 hr after MSU crystal injection. Ankle joints were collected for evaluation of histological score and expression of proinflammatory cytokines using hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry staining, respectively. Nuclear level of nuclear factor (NF)-κBp65 in synovial tissues was analyzed by western blot assay. NF-κB DNA-binding activity was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Paeonol markedly lowered the paw volume, gait score, and histological score in MIA rats. Mechanistically, paeonol markedly reduced the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in synovial tissues of MIA rats. In addition, the elevated level of p65 in nucleus and NF-κB DNA-binding activity in synovial tissues of MIA rats were reduced significantly by paeonol treatment. These findings suggest that paeonol exerts anti-inflammatory effect in MIA rats through inhibiting expression of proinflammatory cytokines and NF-κB activation.

Syk Plays a Critical Role in the Expression and Activation of IRAK1 in LPS-Treated Macrophages

To address how interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) is controlled by other enzymes activated by toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, we investigated the possibility that spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), a protein tyrosine kinase that is activated at an earlier stage during TLR4 activation, plays a central role in regulating the functional activation of IRAK1. Indeed, we found that overexpression of myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88), an adaptor molecule that drives TLR signaling, induced IRAK1 expression and that piceatannol, a Syk inhibitor, successfully suppressed the MyD88-dependent upregulation of IRAK1 under LPS treatment conditions. Interestingly, in Syk-knockout RAW264.7 cells, IRAK1 activity was almost completely blocked after LPS treatment, while providing a Syk-recovery gene to the knockout cells successfully restored IRAK1 expression. According to our measurements of IRAK1 mRNA levels, the transcriptional upregulation of IRAK1 was induced by LPS treatment between 4 and 60 min, and this can be suppressed in Syk knockout cells, providing an effect similar that that seen under piceatannol treatment. The overexpression of Syk reverses this effect and leads to a significantly higher IRAK1 mRNA level. Collectively, our results strongly suggest that Syk plays a critical role in regulating both the activity and transcriptional level of IRAK1.