Molecular understanding of Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases

The primary studies of epigallocatechin-3-gallate in improving brain injury induced by chronic high-altitude natural environment in rats by 7.0T high-field MR imaging

BACKGROUND

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is one of the most abundant and important bioactive polyphenolic compounds in green tea. However, despite its potent antioxidant effects, its neuroprotective effects on chronic high altitude (HA)-induced nerve damage have not been reported. The purpose of this study is to use quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) with pathology to dynamically evaluate the status of brain damage and the effect of EGCG.

METHODS

A model of HA environments-induced brain injury was established of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats in a natural plateau environment for 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 20 weeks. Behavioral alterations were then observed and assessed with the open field test (OFT) and Morris water maze (MWM) test. The microglial activation, nissl staining and neural degeneration by Fluoro Jade B in the hippocampus of the rats were observed by immunohistochemistry. In the rats, serum erythropoietin (EPO), hippocampal inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β [IL-1β], interleukin-6 [IL-6] and tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]), ferritin, oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px], catalase [CAT] and malondialdehyde [MDA]) were detected using ELISA kits and biochemical methods. Iron accumulation was observed by QSM and colorimetry. Iron metabolisms (ceruloplasmin [Cp], transferrin [Tf], divalent metal transport1 [DMT1] and hepcidin [Hep]) were detected using qPCR. Neural ultrastructural changes were evaluated with electron microscope. Salidroside treatment was chosen as the positive control group in ELISA, biochemical detection and electron microscopy.

RESULTS

The susceptibility values in the left and right hippocampus, the hippocampal ferritin, serum and hippocampal iron content increased significantly after HA exposure. The expression of hippocampal Cp and Hep decreased and the expression of Tf increased. Nissl staining revealed that the neurons of hippocampal CA1 region of h-20w group were small and irregular, atrophied, and nuclear shrinkage. Tissue oxidative stress and inflammatory indicators (MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) increased while antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH-Px) decreased. EGCG attenuated HA environments-induced cognitive impairment, iron accumulation, microglial activation and neural degeneration. The effects of EGCG in reducing EPO and the metal chelating property with respect to iron were dose-dependent, with effects of EGCG (50 mg/kg) being similar to those of salidroside (50 mg/kg).

CONCLUSIONS

EGCG can act as a neuroprotective agent against chronic HA environments-mediated neural injuries. QSM provides a potential complementary imaging technique to detect the effect of treating HA diseases.

Cardiovascular protective effects of natural flavonoids on intestinal barrier injury

Natural flavonoids may be utilized as an important therapy for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) caused by intestinal barrier damage. More research is being conducted on the protective properties of natural flavonoids against intestinal barrier injury, although the underlying processes remain unknown. Thus, the purpose of this article is to present current research on natural flavonoids to reduce the incidence of CVDs by protecting intestinal barrier injury, with a particular emphasis on intestinal epithelial barrier integrity (inhibiting oxidative stress, regulating inflammatory cytokine expression, and increasing tight junction protein expression). Furthermore, the mechanisms driving intestinal barrier injury development are briefly explored, as well as natural flavonoids having CVD-protective actions on the intestinal barrier. In addition, natural flavonoids with myocardial protective effects were docked with ZO-1 targets to find natural products with higher activity. These natural flavonoids can improve intestinal mechanical barrier function through anti-oxidant or anti-inflammatory mechanism, and then prevent the occurrence and development of CVDs.

Multifunctional Nanomedicine for Targeted Atherosclerosis Therapy: Activating Plaque Clearance Cascade and Suppressing Inflammation

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a prevalent inflammatory vascular disease characterized by plaque formation, primarily composed of foam cells laden with lipids. Despite lipid-lowering therapies, effective plaque clearance remains challenging due to the overexpression of the CD47 molecule on apoptotic foam cells, inhibiting macrophage-mediated cellular efferocytosis and plaque resolution. Moreover, AS lesions are often associated with severe inflammation and oxidative stress, exacerbating disease progression. Herein, we introduce a multifunctional nanomedicine (CEZP) targeting AS pathogenesis via a "cell efferocytosis-lipid degradation-cholesterol efflux" paradigm, with additional anti-inflammatory properties. CEZP comprises poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles encapsulated within a metal-organic framework shell coordinated with zinc ions (Zn2+) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), enabling CpG encapsulation. Upon intravenous administration, CEZP accumulates at AS plaque sites, facilitating macrophage uptake and orchestrating AS treatment through synergistic mechanisms. CpG enhances cellular efferocytosis, Zn2+ promotes intracellular lipid degradation, and EGCG upregulates adenosine 5'-triphosphate-binding cassette transporters for cholesterol efflux while also exhibiting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In vivo validation confirms CEZP's ability to stabilize plaques, reduce lipid burden, and modulate the macrophage phenotype. Moreover, CEZP is excreted from the body without safety concerns, offering a low-toxicity nonsurgical strategy for AS plaque eradication.

Redox imbalance driven epigenetic reprogramming and cardiovascular dysfunctions: phytocompounds for prospective epidrugs

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the major contributor to global mortality and are gaining incremental attention following the COVID-19 outbreak. Epigenetic events such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs have a significant impact on the incidence and onset of CVDs. Altered redox status is one of the major causative factors that regulate epigenetic pathways linked to CVDs. Various bioactive phytocompounds used in alternative therapies including Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) regulate redox balance and epigenetic phenomena linked to CVDs. Phytocompound-based medications are in the limelight for the development of cost-effective drugs with the least side effects, which will have immense therapeutic applications.

PURPOSE

This review comprehends certain risk factors associated with CVDs and triggered by oxidative stress-driven epigenetic remodelling. Further, it critically evaluates the pharmacological efficacy of phytocompounds as inhibitors of HAT/HDAC and DNMTs as well as miRNAs regulator that lowers the incidence of CVDs, aiming for new candidates as prospective epidrugs.

METHODS

PRISMA flow approach has been adopted for systematic literature review. Different Journals, computational databases, search engines such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and ResearchGate were used to collect online information for literature survey. Statistical information collected from the World Health Organization (WHO) site (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)) and the American Heart Association of Heart Disease and Stroke reported the international and national status of CVDs.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis of various studies is elucidated in the literature, shedding light on major risk factors such as socioeconomic parameters, which contribute highly to redox imbalance, epigenetic modulations, and CVDs. Going forward, redox imbalance driven epigenetic regulations include changes in DNA methylation status, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs expression pattern which further regulates global as well as promoter modification of various transcription factors leading to the onset of CVDs. Further, the role of various bioactive compounds used in herbal medicine, including TCM for redox regulation and epigenetic modifications are discussed. Pharmacological safety doses and different phases of clinical trials of these phytocompounds are elaborated on, which shed light on the acceptance of these phytocompounds as prospective drugs.

CONCLUSION

This review suggests a strong linkage between therapeutic and preventive measures against CVDs by targeting redox imbalance-driven epigenetic reprogramming using phytocompounds as prospective epidrugs. Future in-depth research is required to evaluate the possible molecular mechanisms behind the phytocompound-mediated epigenetic reprogramming and oxidative stress management during CVD progression.

Exploring the health benefits of food bioactive compounds from a perspective of NLRP3 inflammasome activation: an insight review

The food industry has been focusing on food bioactive compounds with multiple physiological and immunological properties that benefit human health. These bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and terpenoids, have great potential to limit inflammatory responses especially NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which is a key innate immune platform for inflammation. Current studies have revealed numerous food bioactive compounds with promising activities for unraveling immune metabolic disorders and excessive inflammatory responses by directly and indirectly regulating the NLRP3 inflammasome activation. This review explores the food hazards, including microbial and abiotic factors, that may trigger NLRP3-mediated illnesses and inflammation. It also highlights bioactive compounds in food that can suppress NLRP3 inflammasome activation through various mechanisms, linking its activation and inhibition to different pathways. Especially, this review provided further insight into NLRP3-related targets where food bioactive compounds can interact to block the NLRP3 inflammasome activation process, as well as mechanisms on how these compounds facilitate inactivation processes.

Bioactive Flavonoids in Protecting Against Endothelial Dysfunction and Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a common cardiovascular disease closely associated with factors such as hyperlipidaemia and chronic inflammation. Among them, endothelial dysfunction serves as a major predisposing factor. Vascular endothelial dysfunction is manifested by impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation, enhanced oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, leukocyte adhesion and hyperpermeability, endothelial senescence, and endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). Flavonoids are known for their antioxidant activity, eliminating oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby preventing the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, reducing platelet aggregation, alleviating ischemic damage, and improving vascular function. Flavonoids have also been shown to possess anti-inflammatory activity and to protect the cardiovascular system. This review focuses on the protective effects of these naturally-occuring bioactive flavonoids against the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis through their effects on endothelial cells including, but not limited to, their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, and lipid-lowering properties. However, more clinical evidences are still needed to determine the exact role and optimal dosage of these compounds in the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate therapeutic potential in human diseases: molecular mechanisms and clinical studies

Green tea has garnered increasing attention across age groups due to its numerous health benefits, largely attributed to Epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG), its key polyphenol. EGCG exhibits a wide spectrum of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancer, and neuroprotective properties, as well as benefits for cardiovascular and oral health. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent findings on the therapeutic potential of EGCG in various human diseases. Neuroprotective effects of EGCG include safeguarding neurons from damage and enhancing cognitive function, primarily through its antioxidant capacity to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during physiological stress. Additionally, EGCG modulates key signaling pathways such as JAK/STAT, Delta-Notch, and TNF, all of which play critical roles in neuronal survival, growth, and function. Furthermore, EGCG is involved in regulating apoptosis and cell cycle progression, making it a promising candidate for the treatment of metabolic diseases, including cancer and diabetes. Despite its promising therapeutic potential, further clinical trials are essential to validate the efficacy and safety of EGCG and to optimize its delivery to target tissues. While many reviews have addressed the anticancer properties of EGCG, this review focuses on the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways by which EGCG used in specific human diseases, particularly cancer, neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases. It serves as a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals, revealing the potential of EGCG in managing neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and metabolic diseases and highlighting its broader therapeutic values.

Natural epigallocatechin-3-gallocarboxylate nanoformulation loaded doxorubicin to construct a novel and low cardiotoxicity chemotherapeutic drug for high-efficiency breast cancer therapy

Anthracycline doxorubicin (DOX) remains the first-line chemotherapeutic drug for the efficient treatment of breast cancer, but its severe cardiotoxicity limits its long-term application in clinical tumor chemotherapy. Until now, the pathogenesis mechanism of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) is still not fully understood. According to current studies, the oxidative stress caused by the imbalance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) production and mitochondrial dysfunction in myocardial cells are closely related to DIC. Presently, the usual technology to solve the DIC problem is to use a multifunctional nanoplatform to load DOX and obtain a new medicinal agent, thereby enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs and reducing toxic side effects.Herein, the present investigation employed the Mannich condensation reaction, initiated by L-cysteine and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallocarboxylate (EGCG), to synthesize EGCG&Cys nanoformulation with both anti-tumor and anti-oxidant properties. The EGCG&Cys were then employed as the DOX carrier to construct a novel chemotherapeutic drug, EGCG&Cys(DOX), for high-efficiency breast cancer treatment. The tumor growth inhibition index of EGCG&Cys(DOX) in tumor-bearing mice was 12.56% superior to the DOX group with the same concentration. Meanwhile, the anti-oxidant properties of EGCG can effectively eliminate a large amount of free radicals produced by DOX and significantly alleviate DIC by improving mitochondrial functional pathways. Ultrasound echocardiography (UCG) showed that the mean LVEF and LEFS values in the 5 mg/kg DOX treatment group were significantly reduced by 54.4% and 63.4%, and the EGCG&Cys(DOX) group mice were consistent with those of the non-chemotherapy group. Moreover, electrocardiogram, serum biochemical indicators, and histopathological analysis results also demonstrate that the cardiotoxicity of EGCG&Cys(DOX) novel chemotherapy drugs is significantly reduced. Consequently, this study presents a new technology for preparing highly efficient and safe nano-chemotherapeutic drugs and an in-depth evaluation of the antitumor efficacy and safety of the synthesized novel drugs, which gave fresh life to the development of nanomedicine in the clinical treatment of breast cancer.

Potential of Natural Products in the Treatment of Glioma: Focus on Molecular Mechanisms

Despite the waning of traditional treatments for glioma due to possible long-term issues, the healing possibilities of substances derived from nature have been reignited in the scientific community. These natural substances, commonly found in fruits and vegetables, are considered potential alternatives to pharmaceuticals, as they have been shown in prior research to impact pathways surrounding cancer progression, metastases, invasion, and resistance. This review will explore the supposed molecular mechanisms of different natural components, such as berberine, curcumin, coffee, resveratrol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, quercetin, tanshinone, silymarin, coumarin, and lycopene, concerning glioma treatment. While the benefits of a balanced diet containing these compounds are widely recognized, there is considerable scope for investigating the efficacy of these natural products in treating glioma.

A Heart Rate Matched Patch for Mechano-Chemical Treatment of Myocardial Infarction: Optimal Design and Transspecies Application

After myocardial infarction (MI), ventricular dilation and the microscopic passive stretching of the infarcted border zone is the meaning contributor to the continuous expansion of myocardial fibrosis. Epicardial hydrogel patches have been demonstrated to alleviate this sequela of MI in small-animal models. However, these have not been successfully translated to humans or even large animals, in part because of challenges in attaining both the greater stiffness and slower viscoelastic relaxation that mathematical models predict to be optimal for application to larger, slower-beating hearts. Here, using borate-based dynamic covalent chemistry, we develop an injectable "heart rate matched" viscoelastic gelatin (VGtn) hydrogel with a gel point tunable across the stiffnesses and frequencies that are predicted to transspecies and cross-scale cardiac repair after MI. Small-animal experiments demonstrated that, compared to heart rate mismatched patches, the heart rate matched VGtn patches inhibited ventricular bulging and attenuated stress concentrations in the myocardium after MI. In particular, the viscoelastic patch can coordinate the microscopic strain at the infarction boundary. VGtn loaded with anti-fibrotic agents further reduced myocardial damage and promoted angiogenesis in the myocardium. The tuned heart rate matched patches demonstrated similar benefits in a larger-scale and lower heart rate porcine MI model. Results suggest that heart rate matched VGtn patches may hold potential for clinical translation.

AMPK and O-GlcNAcylation: interplay in cardiac pathologies and heart failure

Heart failure (HF) represents a multifaceted clinical syndrome characterized by the heart's inability to pump blood efficiently to meet the body's metabolic demands. Despite advances in medical management, HF remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In recent years, considerable attention has been directed toward understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying HF pathogenesis, with a particular focus on the role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and protein O-GlcNAcylation. This review comprehensively examines the current understanding of AMPK and O-GlcNAcylation signalling pathways in HF, emphasizing their interplay and dysregulation. We delve into the intricate molecular mechanisms by which AMPK and O-GlcNAcylation contribute to cardiac energetics, metabolism, and remodelling, highlighting recent preclinical and clinical studies that have explored novel therapeutic interventions targeting these pathways.

Comprehensive studies of the serine carboxypeptidase-like (SCPL) gene family in Carya cathayensis revealed the roles of SCPL4 in epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) synthesis and drought tolerance

Hickory (Carya cathayensis) nuts are rich in epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) with multiple health functions. EGCG also regulates plant growth, development and stress responses. However, research on the synthesis mechanism of EGCG and its function in hickory is currently limited. Herein, 44 serine carboxypeptidase-like (SCPL) members were identified from the hickory genome and classified into three major categories: SCPL-I, SCPL-II, and SCPL-III. In the CcSCPLs-IA branch, CcSCPL3/4/5/8/9/11/13 showed differential expression patterns in various tissues, especially with relatively high expression levels in plant roots, female flowers and seed coat. These proteins have a catalytic triad composed of serine (Ser), aspartic acid (Asp) and histidine (His). Ser-His in the triad and arginine (Arg) mediated the docking of CcSCPL3/4/5/11 with 1-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose (βG) and epigallocatechin (EGC), whereas the Asp of the triad did not. CcSCPL4 was further confirmed to promote the synthesis of EGCG in tobacco leaves. CcSCPL4 may function as monomer and be mainly localized within cellular structures outside the nucleus. Notably, the expression level of CcSCPL4 significantly changed after drought, cold, and salt stress, with the highest expression level under drought stress. Meanwhile CcSCPL4 over-expression could enhance the drought resistance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Arabidopsis. This study elucidates key enzymes for EGCG synthesis and their role in drought resistance, providing insights into the EGCG synthesis pathway and molecular breeding of hickory in future.

Natural small molecule compounds targeting Wnt signaling pathway inhibit HPV infection

BACKGROUND

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a major risk factor of HPV-related tumors, especially cervical cancer. To date, there is no specific drug for the treatment of HPV infection.

PURPOSE

To explore the role of canonical Wnt signaling pathway in HPV16 infection and to screen inhibitors against HPV16 infection from natural small molecule compounds targeting the canonicalWnt pathway.

METHODS

Wnt pathway inhibitor IWP-2 and FH535 were used to inhibit Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. HPV16-GFP pseudovirus infectivity were analyzed by fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence activated cell sorting. A small molecule screening of a total of CFDA-approved 29 natural compounds targeting the Wnt pathway was performed.

RESULTS

Wnt signaling pathway inhibitor suppressed HPV16-GFP pseudovirus infection in HaCat cells. Natural small molecule compounds screening identified 6-Gingerol, gossypol, tanshinone II2A, and EGCG as inhibitors of HPV16-GFP pseudovirus infection.

CONCLUSION

Wnt signaling pathway is involved in the process of HPV infection of host cells. 6-Gingerol, gossypol, tanshinone II2A, and EGCG inhibited HPV16-GFP pseudovirus infection and suppressed Wnt/β-catenin pathway in HaCat cells.

A recent update on the connection between dietary phytochemicals and skin cancer: emerging understanding of the molecular mechanism

Constant exposure to harmful substances from both inside and outside the body can mess up the body's natural ways of keeping itself in balance. This can cause severe skin damage, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. However, plant-derived compounds found in fruits and vegetables have been shown to protect against skin cancer-causing free radicals and other harmful substances. It has been determined that these dietary phytochemicals are effective in preventing skin cancer and are widely available, inexpensive, and well-tolerated. Studies have shown that these phytochemicals possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiangiogenic properties that can aid in the prevention of skin cancers. In addition, they influence crucial cellular processes such as angiogenesis and cell cycle control, which can halt the progression of skin cancer. The present paper discusses the benefits of specific dietary phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables, as well as the signaling pathways they regulate, the molecular mechanisms involved in the prevention of skin cancer, and their drawbacks.

Epigallocatechin gallate alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease through the inhibition of the expression and activity of Dipeptide kinase 4

BACKGROUND

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as the most prevalent glocal cause of chronic hepatic disease, with incidence rates that continue to rise steadily. Treatment options for affected patients are currently limited to dietary changes and exercise interventions, with no drugs having been licensed for the treatment of this disease. There is thus a pressing need for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Work from our group suggests that the primary bioactive ingredient in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), may help reduce liver fat content and protect against hepatic injury through the inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) expression and activity. The study investigated the potential pathways by which EGCG may improve NAFLD, identified the sites of interaction between EGCG and DPP4, and proposed novel clinical treatment strategies.

METHODS

A clinical randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the potential efficacy of EGCG in NAFLD patients. The study compared relevant indices before and after EGCG administration. Animal models of NAFLD were constructed using male C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet to observe the ameliorative effects of EGCG on the livers of the model mice and to investigate the potential pathways by which EGCG alleviates NAFLD. The interaction mechanism between EGCG and DPP4 was investigated using oleic acid and palmitic acid-treated HepG2 cell lines. Plasmids in which different sites had been disrupted were used to identify the effective interaction sites.

RESULTS

ECGC was found to suppress the accumulation of lipids, inhibit inflammation, remediate dysregulated lipid metabolism, and improve the pathogenesis of NAFLD via the inhibition of the expression and activity of DPP4.

CONCLUSIONS

The study results indicate that EGCG has a positive impact on improving NAFLD. These results highlight promising new opportunities to safely and effectively treat NAFLD in the clinic.

STUDY ID NUMBER

ChiCTR2300076741; https://www.chictr.org.cn/.

EGCG induces degradation of active folate in serum via H2O2 generation, while L-ascorbic acid effectively reverses this effect

Empirical studies have indicated that excessive tea consumption may potentially decrease folate levels within the human body. The main active component in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), significantly reduces the concentration of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) in both solution and serum. However, our findings also demonstrate that the pro-degradation effect of EGCG on 5-MTHF can be reversed by L-ascorbic acid (AA). Subsequent investigations suggest that EGCG could potentially expedite the degradation of 5-MTHF by generating hydrogen peroxide. In summary, excessive tea intake may lead to reduced folate levels in the bloodstream, yet timely supplementation of AA could potentially safeguard folate from degradation.

Bibliometric and visual analysis of immunisation associated with acute kidney injury from 2003 to 2023

Objective

This study aims to conduct a detailed bibliometric and visual analysis of acute kidney injury (AKI) and immune-related research conducted over the past two decades, focusing on identifying emerging trends and key areas of interest.

Methods

The Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) was utilised for the meticulous examination of various parameters including publication volume, authorship, geographic distribution, institutional contributions, journal sources, prevalent keywords and citation frequencies. Data were intricately visualised and interpreted using VOSviewer, CiteSpace and Excel 365 software.

Results

Analysis of the WoSCC database revealed 3,537 articles on AKI and immunisation, originating from 94 countries and regions, involving 3,552 institutions and authored by 18,243 individuals. Notably, the top five countries contributing to this field were the United States, China, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, with the United States leading with 35.76% of total publications. Among the 3,552 contributing institutions, those in the United States were predominant, with Harvard University leading with 134 papers and 3,906 citations. Key journals driving productivity included Frontiers in Immunology, Kidney International, Journal of the American Society of Nephrology and International Journal of Molecular Sciences, with Kidney International being the most cited, followed by Journal of the American Society of Nephrology and New England Journal of Medicine. Prominent authors in the field included Ronco Claudio, Okusa Mark D and Anders, Hans-Joachim. Co-citation clustering and timeline analysis highlighted recent research foci such as COVID-19, immune checkpoint inhibitors, regulated necrosis, cirrhosis and AKI. Keyword analysis identified "inflammation," "ischaemia-reperfusion injury," "sepsis," "covid-19," and "oxidative stress" as prevalent terms.

Conclusion

This study provides the first bibliometric analysis of AKI and immune research, offering a comprehensive overview of research hotspots and evolving trends within the field.

ROS-responsive sprayable hydrogel as ROS scavenger and GATA6+ macrophages trap for the prevention of postoperative abdominal adhesions

Postoperative abdominal adhesions are a common clinical problem after surgery and can cause many serious complications. Current most commonly used antiadhesion products are less effective due to their short residence time and focus primary on barrier function. Herein, we developed a sprayable hydrogel barrier (sHA-ADH/OHA-E) with self-regulated drug release based on ROS levels at the trauma site, to serve as a smart inflammatory microenvironment modulator and GATA6+ macrophages trap for non-adherent recovery from abdominal surgery. Sulfonated hyaluronic acid (HA) conjugates modified with adipic dihydrazide (sHA-ADH), and oxidized HA conjugates grafted with epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) via ROS-cleavable boronate bonds (OHA-E) were synthesized. sHA-ADH/OHA-E hydrogel was facilely fabricated within 5 s after simply mixing sHA-ADH and OHA-E through forming dynamic covalent acylhydrazones. With good biocompatibility, appropriate mechanical strength, tunable shear-thinning, self-healing, asymmetric adhesion, and reasonable in vivo retention time, sHA-ADH/OHA-E hydrogel meets the requirements of a perfect physical barrier. Intriguingly, sulfonic acid groups endowed the hydrogel with satisfactory anti-fibroblast and macrophage attachment capability, and were demonstrated for the first time to act as polyanion traps to prevent GATA6+ macrophages aggregation. Importantly, EGCG could be intelligently released by ROS triggering to alleviate oxidative stress and promote proinflammatory M1 macrophage polarize to antiinflammatory M2 phenotype. Further, the fibrinolytic system balance was restored to reduce fibrosis. Thanks to the above advantages, the sHA-ADH/OHA-E hydrogel exhibited excellent anti-adhesion effects in a rat sidewall defect-cecum abrasion model and is expected to be a promising and clinically translatable antiadhesion barrier.

Recent Updates on Epigenetic-Based Pharmacotherapy for Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is one of the most dominant pathological processes responsible in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) caused by cholesterol accumulation accompanied by inflammation in the arteries which will subsequently lead to further complications, including myocardial infarction and stroke. Although the incidence of atherosclerosis is decreasing in some countries, it is still considered the leading cause of death worldwide. Atherosclerosis is a vascular pathological process that is chronically inflammatory and is characterized by the invasion of inflammatory cells and cytokines. Many reports have unraveled the pivotal roles of epigenetics such as DNA methylation, post-translational histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in atherogenesis, which regulate the expression of numerous genes related to various responsible pathways. Many studies have been conducted to develop new therapeutical approaches based on epigenetic changes for combating atherosclerosis. This review elaborates on recent updates on the development of new atherosclerosis drugs whose mechanism of action is associated with the modulation of DNA methylation, posttranslational histone modifications, and ncRNA-based gene regulation.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate restores mitochondrial homeostasis impairment by inhibiting HDAC1-mediated NRF1 histone deacetylation in cardiac hypertrophy

Decompensated cardiac hypertrophy is accompanied by impaired mitochondrial homeostasis, whether histone acetylation is involved in this process is yet to be determined. The role of HDAC1-mediated NRF1 histone deacetylation was investigated in transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced hypertrophy in rats and phenylephrine (PE)-induced hypertrophic cardiomyocytes. Administration of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), an inhibitor of HDAC1, restored cardiac function, decreased heart/body weight and fibrosis, increased the ratio of mtDNA/nDNA and the percentage of LysoTracker+ CMs in TAC, compared with TAC without receiving EGCG. In PE-treated hypertrophic H9C2 cells, EGCG attenuated cell hypertrophy and increased LC3B II+MitoTracker+ puncta, as well as the ratio of mtDNA/nDNA. Interestingly, NRF1 but not PGC-1α expression was decreased in TAC- or PE-induced hypertrophic hearts or cells, respectively, while EGCG upregulated both NRF1 and PGC-1α in vitro. EGCG treatment also increased the interaction between PGC-1α and NRF1. In addition to inhibiting HDAC1 expression, EGCG decreased the binding of HDAC1 and increased the binding of acH3K9 or acH3K14 in the promotor regions of PGC-1α and NRF1. In neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, restored NRF1, TFAM and FUNDC1 were abolished by the overexpression of HDAC1. Collectively, data suggest that NRF1 reduction was averted by EGCG via inhibiting HDAC1-mediated histone deacetylation. Acetylation of NRF1 histone may play a key role in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis associated with cardiac hypertrophy.

Catechin-Functionalized Cationic Lipopolymer Based Multicomponent Nanomicelles for Lung-Targeting Delivery

Catechins from green tea are one of the most effective natural compounds for cancer chemoprevention and have attracted extensive research. Cancer cell-selective apoptosis-inducing properties of catechins depend on efficient intracellular delivery. However, the low bioavailability limits the application of catechins. Herein, a nano-scaled micellar composite composed of catechin-functionalized cationic lipopolymer and serum albumin is constructed. Cationic liposomes tend to accumulate in the pulmonary microvasculature due to electrostatic effects and are able to deliver the micellar system intracellularly, thus improving the bioavailability of catechins. Albumin in the system acts as a biocompatible anti-plasma absorbent, forming complexes with positively charged lipopolymer under electrostatic interactions, contributing to prolonged in vivo retention. The physicochemical properties of the nano-micellar complexes are characterized, and the antitumor properties of catechin-functionalized materials are confirmed by reactive oxygen species (ROS), caspase-3, and cell apoptosis measurements. The role of each functional module, cationic polymeric liposome, and albumin is revealed by cell penetration, in vivo animal assays, etc. This multicomponent micellar nanocomposite has the potential to become an effective vehicle for the treatment of lung diseases such as pneumonia, lung tumors, sepsis-induced lung injury, etc. This study also demonstrates that it is a great strategy to create a delivery system that is both tissue-targeted and biologically active by combining cationic liposomes with the native bioactive compound catechins.

EGCG-based nanoparticles: synthesis, properties, and applications

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a natural phenolic substance found in foods and beverages (especially tea) that exhibits a broad spectrum of biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Its potential in cardiovascular and brain health has garnered significant attention. However, its clinical application remains limited due to its poor physicochemical stability and low oral bioavailability. Nanotechnology can be used to improve the stability, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic profile of EGCG by encapsulating it within nanoparticles. This article reviews the interactions of EGCG with various compounds, the synthesis of EGCG-based nanoparticles, the functional attributes of these nanoparticles, and their prospective applications in drug delivery, diagnosis, and therapy. The potential application of nanoencapsulated EGCG in functional foods and beverages is also emphasized. Top-down and bottom-up approaches can be used to construct EGCG-based nanoparticles. EGCG-based nanoparticles exhibit enhanced stability and bioavailability compared to free EGCG, making them promising candidates for biomedical and food applications. Notably, the non-covalent and covalent interactions of EGCG with other substances significantly contribute to the improved properties of these nanoparticles. EGCG-based nanoparticles appear to have a wide range of applications in different industries, but further research is required to enhance their efficacy and ensure their safety.

Exploiting the Achilles' heel of cancer: disrupting glutamine metabolism for effective cancer treatment

Cancer cells have adapted to rapid tumor growth and evade immune attack by reprogramming their metabolic pathways. Glutamine is an important nitrogen resource for synthesizing amino acids and nucleotides and an important carbon source in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and lipid biosynthesis pathway. In this review, we summarize the significant role of glutamine metabolism in tumor development and highlight the vulnerabilities of targeting glutamine metabolism for effective therapy. In particular, we review the reported drugs targeting glutaminase and glutamine uptake for efficient cancer treatment. Moreover, we discuss the current clinical test about targeting glutamine metabolism and the prospective direction of drug development.

Navigating α-Synuclein Aggregation Inhibition: Methods, Mechanisms, and Molecular Targets

Parkinson's disease is a yet incurable, age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the aggregation of small neuronal protein α-synuclein into amyloid fibrils. Inhibition of this process is a prospective strategy for developing a disease-modifying treatment. We overview here small molecule, peptide, and protein inhibitors of α-synuclein fibrillization reported to date. Special attention was paid to the specificity of inhibitors and critical analysis of their action mechanisms. Namely, the importance of oxidation of polyphenols and cross-linking of α-synuclein into inhibitory dimers was highlighted. We also compared strategies of targeting monomeric, oligomeric, and fibrillar α-synuclein species, thoroughly discussed the strong and weak sides of different approaches to testing the inhibitors.

Generalised Periodontitis: Examining TAS2R16 Serum Levels and Common Gene Polymorphisms (rs860170, rs978739, rs1357949)

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the associations between TAS2R16 serum levels and common gene rs860170, rs978739, and rs1357949 polymorphisms in patients affected by generalized periodontitis. The study enrolled 590 patients: 280 patients with periodontitis and 310 healthy controls as a reference group. Patients underwent periodontal examination and radiographic analysis to confirm the periodontitis diagnosis. Blood samples were collected, and the DNA salting-out method was used for DNA extraction from peripheral venous blood. Genotyping of TAS2R16 (rs860170, rs978739, and rs1357949) was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and serum level analysis was performed for both periodontitis-affected patients and reference group subjects. The analysis of TAS2R16 rs860170 (TT, CT, and CC) showed a statistically significant difference between generalized periodontitis and the reference group (41.8%, 58.2%, and 0% vs. 38.7%, 56.1%, and 5.2%, p < 0.001). TAS2R16 rs860170 (TT, CT, and CC) showed a statistically significant difference between males in generalized periodontitis and reference groups (38.4%, 61.6%, and 0% vs. 32.9%, 56.6%, and 10.5%, p = 0.002). Female-specific analysis showed that the TAS2R16 rs978739 C allele was more frequent in generalized periodontitis compared to the reference group (37.5% vs. 28.7%, p = 0.016). Subjects aged 70 years and older demonstrated a statistically significant difference in TAS2R16 rs860170 (TT, CT, and CC) between generalized periodontitis and the reference group (42.8%, 57.2%, and 0% vs. 38.6%, 53.8%, and 7.6%, p = 0.003). TAS2R16 serum levels were elevated in generalized periodontitis compared to the reference group (0.112 (0.06) ng/mL vs. 0.075 (0.03) ng/mL, p = 0.002). Females carrying the TAS2R16 rs978739 C allele were more prone to generalized periodontitis development. Associations were found between TAS2R16 rs860170 polymorphisms, elevated TAS2R16 serum levels, and generalized periodontitis development.

Chinese herbal medicines: The modulator of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease targeting oxidative stress

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Plants are a natural treasure trove; their secondary metabolites participate in several pharmacological processes, making them a crucial component in the synthesis of novel pharmaceuticals and serving as a reserve resource foundation in this process. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with the risk of progression to hepatitis and liver cancer. The "Treatise on Febrile Diseases," "Compendium of Materia Medica," and "Thousand Golden Prescriptions" have listed herbal remedies to treat liver diseases.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

Chinese herbal medicines have been widely used for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD owing to their efficacy and low side effects. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during NAFLD, and the impact and potential mechanism of ROS on the pathogenesis of NAFLD are discussed in this review. Furthermore, common foods and herbs that can be used to prevent NAFLD, as well as the structure-activity relationships and potential mechanisms, are discussed.

METHODS

Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI database, Google Scholar, and WanFang database were searched for natural products that have been used to treat or prevent NAFLD in the past five years. The primary search was performed using the following keywords in different combinations in full articles: NAFLD, herb, natural products, medicine, and ROS. More than 400 research papers and review articles were found and analyzed in this review.

RESULTS

By classifying and discussing the literature, we obtained 86 herbaceous plants, 28 of which were derived from food and 58 from Chinese herbal medicines. The mechanism of NAFLD was proposed through experimental studies on thirteen natural compounds (quercetin, hesperidin, rutin, curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, salvianolic acid B, paeoniflorin, ginsenoside Rg1, ursolic acid, berberine, honokiol, emodin). The occurrence and progression of NAFLD could be prevented by natural antioxidants through several pathways to prevent ROS accumulation and reduce hepatic cell injuries caused by excessive ROS.

CONCLUSION

This review summarizes the natural products and routinely used herbs (prescription) in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. Firstly, the mechanisms by which natural products improve NAFLD through antioxidant pathways are elucidated. Secondly, the potential of traditional Chinese medicine theory in improving NAFLD is discussed, highlighting the safety of food-medicine homology and the broader clinical potential of multi-component formulations in improving NAFLD. Aiming to provide theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

The Potential of Epigallocatechin Gallate in Targeting Cancer Stem Cells: A Comprehensive Review

The dreadful scenario of cancer prevails due to the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which contribute to tumor growth, metastasis, invasion, resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy, and recurrence. CSCs are a small subpopulation of cells within the tumor that are characterized by self-renewal capability and have the potential to manifest heterogeneous lineages of cancer cells that constitute the tumor. The major bioactive green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has been fruitful in downgrading cancer stemness signaling and CSC biomarkers in cancer progression. EGCG has been evidenced to maneuver extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways in order to decrease the viability of CSCs. Cancer stemness is intricately related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), metastasis and therapy resistance, and EGCG has been evidenced to regress all these CSC-related effects. By inhibiting CSC characteristics EGCG has also been evidenced to sensitize the tumor cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, the use of EGCG in in vitro and in vivo cancer models raises concern about its bioavailability, stability and efficacy against spheroids raised from parental cells. Therefore, novel nano formulations of EGCG and adjuvant therapy of EGCG with other phytochemicals or drugs or small molecules may have a better prospect in targeting CSCs. However, extensive clinical research is still awaited to elucidate a full proof impact of EGCG in cancer therapy.

Insights into the Therapeutic uses of Plant Derive Phytocompounds onDiabetic Nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the primary consequences of diabetes mellitus, affecting many people worldwide and is the main cause of death under the age of sixty. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production rises during hyperglycemia and is crucial to the development of diabetic complications. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are produced excessively in a diabetic state and are accumulated in the kidney, where they change renal architecture and impair renal function. Another important targeted pathway for the formation of DN includes nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB), Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (Akt/mTOR), and autophagy. About 40% of individuals with diabetes eventually acquire diabetic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease that needs hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or kidney transplantation to survive. The current state of acceptable therapy for this kidney ailment is limited. The studies revealed that some naturally occurring bioactive substances might shield the kidney by controlling oxidative stress, renal fibrosis, inflammation, and autophagy. In order to provide new potential therapeutic lead bioactive compounds for contemporary drug discovery and clinical management of DN, this review was designed to examine the various mechanistic pathways by which conventional plants derive phytocompounds that are effective for the control and treatment of DN.

Epigallocatechin gallate inhibits ovarian cancer cell growth and induces cell apoptosis via activation of FOXO3A

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a bioactive component in tea, displays broad anti-cancer effects. Our study was designed to evaluate the anti-cancer effects of EGCG on ovarian cancer and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms. To evaluate the in vitro inhibitory effects of EGCG against ovarian cancer, MTT assay, colony formation assay, apoptosis assay, and wound healing assay, were performed. Besides, the inhibitory effects of EGCG on tumor growth in the xenograft animal model were evaluated by measuring tumor volume and tumor weight. Moreover, Western blotting and qPCR were used to evaluate the levels of target genes and proteins. Treatment with EGCG inhibited cell migration and cell survival, and promoted cell apoptosis in A2780 and SKOV3 cells. Interestingly, treatment with EGCG inhibited the tumor growth in the xenograft animal model. The mechanistic study revealed that treatment with EGCG induced the activation of FOXO3A and suppressed the expression of c-Myc both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings demonstrate that EGCG suppress ovarian cancer cell growth, which may be due to its regulation on FOXO3A and c-Myc.

Recent Strategies for Cancer Therapy: Polymer Nanoparticles Carrying Medicinally Important Phytochemicals and Their Cellular Targets

Cancer is a leading cause of death in the world today. In addition to the side effects of the chemotherapeutic drugs used to treat cancer, the development of resistance to the drugs renders the existing drugs ineffective. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel anticancer agents. Medicinally important phytochemicals such as curcumin, naringenin, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate, thymoquinone, kaempferol, resveratrol, genistein, and apigenin have some drawbacks, including low solubility in water, stability and bioavailability issues, despite having significant anticancer effects. Encapsulation of these natural compounds into polymer nanoparticles (NPs) is a novel technology that could overcome these constraints. In comparison to the free compounds, phytochemicals loaded into nanoparticles have greater activity and bioavailability against many cancer types. In this review, we describe the preparation and characterization of natural phytochemical-loaded polymer NP formulations with significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, their in vitro and in vivo anticancer activities, as well as their possible cellular targets.

The protective effects of EGCG was associated with HO-1 active and microglia pyroptosis inhibition in experimental intracerebral hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), which has high mortality and disability rate is associated with microglial pyroptosis and neuroinflammation, and the effective treatment methods are limited Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has been found to play a cytoprotective role by regulating the anti-inflammatory response to pyroptosis in other systemic diseases. However, the role of EGCG in microglial pyroptosis and neuroinflammation after ICH remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of EGCG pretreatment on neuroinflammation-mediated neuronal pyroptosis and the underlying neuroprotective mechanisms in experimental ICH. EGCG pretreatment was found to remarkably improved neurobehavioral performance, and decreased the hematoma volume and cerebral edema in mice. We found that EGCG pretreatment attenuated the release of hemin-induced inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α). EGCG significantly upregulated the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and downregulated the levels of pyroptotic molecules and inflammatory cytokines including Caspase-1, GSDMD, NLRP3, mature IL-1β, and IL-18. EGCG pretreatment also decreased the number of Caspase-1-positive microglia and GSDMD along with NLRP3-positive microglia after ICH. Conversely, an HO-1-specific inhibitor (ZnPP), significantly inhibited the anti-pyroptosis and anti-neuroinflammation effects of EGCG. Therefore, EGCG pretreatment alleviated microglial pyroptosis and neuroinflammation, at least in part through the Caspase-1/GSDMD/NLRP3 pathway by upregulating HO-1 expression after ICH. In addition, EGCG pretreatment promoted the polarization of microglia from the M1 phenotype to M2 phenotype after ICH. The results suggest that EGCG is a potential agent to attenuate neuroinflammation via its anti-pyroptosis effect after ICH.

Protective effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate counteracting the chronic hypobaric hypoxia-induced myocardial injury in plain-grown rats at high altitude

Exposure to hypobaric hypoxia (HH) environment causes stress to the body, especially the oxygen-consuming organs. Chronic HH conditions have adverse effects on the myocardium. Thus, we conducted this experiment and aim to evaluate such adverse effects and explore the therapeutic role of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in rats' heart under chronic HH conditions. For that purpose, we transported rats from plain to a real HH environment at high altitude for establishing the HH model. At high altitude, animals were treated with EGCG while the salidroside was used as the positive control. General physiological data were collected, and routine blood test results were analyzed. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) was examined to assess the structural and functional changes of the heart. Serum levels of cardiac enzymes and pro-inflammatory cytokines were examined. Oxidative markers in the left ventricle (LV) were detected. Additionally, ultrastructural and histopathological changes and apoptosis of the LV were assessed. Furthermore, the antioxidant stress-relevant proteins nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were detected. The experiment revealed that EGCG treatment decreased HH-induced elevation of cardiac enzymes and relieved mitochondrial damage of the LV. Notably, EGCG treatment significantly alleviated oxidative stress in the LV and inflammatory response in the blood. Western blot confirmed that EGCG significantly upregulated Nrf2 and HO-1. Therefore, EGCG may be considered a promising natural compound for treating the HH-induced myocardial injuries.

Natural compounds as lactate dehydrogenase inhibitors: potential therapeutics for lactate dehydrogenase inhibitors-related diseases

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a crucial enzyme involved in energy metabolism and present in various cells throughout the body. Its diverse physiological functions encompass glycolysis, and its abnormal activity is associated with numerous diseases. Targeting LDH has emerged as a vital approach in drug discovery, leading to the identification of LDH inhibitors among natural compounds, such as polyphenols, alkaloids, and terpenoids. These compounds demonstrate therapeutic potential against LDH-related diseases, including anti-cancer effects. However, challenges concerning limited bioavailability, poor solubility, and potential toxicity must be addressed. Combining natural compounds with LDH inhibitors has led to promising outcomes in preclinical studies. This review highlights the promise of natural compounds as LDH inhibitors for treating cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Synergetic EGCG and coenzyme Q10 DSPC liposome nanoparticles protect against myocardial infarction

At the site of myocardial infarction (MI), various phenomena such as oxidative stress and myocardial apoptosis can be observed. Both epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Macrophages have demonstrated a higher internalization rate of cationic liposomes, thereby increasing their bioavailability. This study utilized EGCG in synergy with CoQ10 as an antioxidant agent and distearyl phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) as the carrier, to create liposome nanoparticles known as CE-LNPs. The CE-LNPs exhibited favorable biocompatibility and were effectively engulfed by macrophages in vitro. In addition, the CE-LNPs effectively eradicated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in hypoxic cardiomyocytes, mitigated myocardial cell apoptosis, and sustained the functionality and proliferation of myocardial cells. The anti-apoptotic effect of the CE-LNPs was further validated through TUNEL and Annexin V FITC/PI experiments. The therapeutic efficacy of CE-LNPs was evaluated in a murine model of MI. CE-LNPs demonstrated a significant reduction in scar area in vivo, facilitating cardiac repair and improving cardiac function. These findings provide evidence that EGCG synergistically combined with CoQ10 in DSPC liposome nanoparticles offers protection against MI.

Mitochondria-targeting EGCG derivatives protect H9c2 cardiomyocytes from H2O2-induced apoptosis: design, synthesis and biological evaluation

Pathologies related to cardiovascular diseases mostly emerge as a result of oxidative stress buildup in cardiomyocytes. The heavy load of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in cardiac tissues corresponds to a surge in oxidative stress leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular apoptosis. Thus, scavenging the reactive oxygen species (ROS) linked to mitochondria can significantly improve cardio-protection. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major polyphenol found in green tea has been extensively studied for its profound health-beneficial activities. Herein, we designed and synthesized a series of mitochondrial-targeting EGCG derivatives, namely MitoEGCGn (n = 4, 6, 8) by incorporating triphenylphosphonium ion onto it using different linkers. MitoEGCGn were found to be non-toxic to H9c2 rat cardiomyocyte cells even at higher doses in comparison to its parent molecule EGCG. Interestingly, MitoEGCG4 and MitoEGCG6 protected the H9c2 cardiomyocyte cells from the oxidative damage induced by H2O2 whereas EGCG was found to be toxic and ineffective in protecting the cells from H2O2 damage. MitoEGCG4 and MitoEGCG6 also protected the cells from the H2O2-induced disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential as well as activation of apoptosis as revealed by pro-caspase 3 expression profile, DNA fragmentation assay, and AO/EtBr staining. Taken together, our study shows that the mitochondria targeting EGCG derivatives were able to effectively combat the H2O2-induced oxidative stress in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. They eventually augmented the mitochondrial health of cardiomyocytes by maintaining the mitochondrial function and attenuating apoptosis. Overall, MitoEGCG4 and MitoEGCG6 could provision a cardioprotective role to H9c2 cardiomyocytes at the time of oxidative insults related to mitochondrial dysfunction-associated injuries.

The role of redox-mediated lysosomal dysfunction and therapeutic strategies

Redox homeostasis refers to the dynamic equilibrium between oxidant and reducing agent in the body which plays a crucial role in maintaining normal physiological activities of the body. The imbalance of redox homeostasis can lead to the development of various human diseases. Lysosomes regulate the degradation of cellular proteins and play an important role in influencing cell function and fate, and lysosomal dysfunction is closely associated with the development of various diseases. In addition, several studies have shown that redox homeostasis plays a direct or indirect role in regulating lysosomes. Therefore, this paper systematically reviews the role and mechanisms of redox homeostasis in the regulation of lysosomal function. Therapeutic strategies based on the regulation of redox exerted to disrupt or restore lysosomal function are further discussed. Uncovering the role of redox in the regulation of lysosomes helps to point new directions for the treatment of many human diseases.

Impact of the Season on Total Polyphenol and Antioxidant Properties of Tea Cultivars of Industrial Importance in Northeast India

Tocklai vegetative (TV) cultivars are extensively planted in the tea-growing regions of Northeast India. The present investigation explores the impact of season on the total polyphenol (TP) content and the antioxidant activity of thirty-one TV cultivars (TV1-TV31) and four other commercially popular cultivars, namely, Betjan, Kharijan, S.3A/3, and T.3E/3. The TP content of the cultivars was observed to be highest in the monsoon season, with values ranging from 230.57 to 283.53 mg g-1. In the pre-monsoon season and autumn, the TP content ranged from 197.87 to 256.77 mg g-1 and from 169.97 to 223.50 mg g-1, respectively. Antioxidant activity was measured through DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays. The cultivars showed the highest antioxidant activity in the monsoon in tandem with TP content. A bivariate correlation indicated a highly significant (p ≤ 0.01) positive correlation of antioxidant activity with TP content (R2 = 0.83-0.96).

Research Progress of Flavonoids Regulating Endothelial Function

The endothelium, as the guardian of vascular homeostasis, is closely related to the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). As an early marker of the development of a series of vascular diseases, endothelial dysfunction is often accompanied by oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Natural flavonoids in fruits, vegetables, and Chinese herbal medicines have been shown to induce and regulate endothelial cells and exert anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, and anti-aging effects in a large number of in vitro models and in vivo experiments so as to achieve the prevention and improvement of cardiovascular disease. Focusing on endothelial mediation, this paper introduces the signaling pathways involved in the improvement of endothelial dysfunction by common dietary and flavonoids in traditional Chinese medicine and describes them based on their metabolism in the human body and their relationship with the intestinal flora. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the broad pharmacological activity and target development potential of flavonoids as food supplements and drug components in regulating endothelial function and thus in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This paper also introduces the application of some new nanoparticle carriers in order to improve their bioavailability in the human body and play a broader role in vascular protection.

Therapeutic Activity of Green Tea Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate on Metabolic Diseases and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases: The Current Updates

Green tea polyphenols have numerous functions including antioxidation and modulation of various cellular proteins and are thus beneficial against metabolic diseases including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases, and their comorbidities. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant polyphenol in green tea and is attributed to antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities, and the likelihood of targeting multiple metabolic pathways. It has been shown to exhibit anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-arteriosclerotic, and weight-reducing effects in humans. Worldwide, the incidences of metabolic diseases have been escalating across all age groups in modern society. Therefore, EGCG is being increasingly investigated to address the problems. This review presents the current updates on the effects of EGCG on metabolic diseases, and highlights evidence related to its safety. Collectively, this review brings more evidence for therapeutic application and further studies on EGCG and its derivatives to alleviate metabolic diseases and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases.

Beneficial effects of flavonoids on cardiovascular diseases by influencing NLRP3 inflammasome

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of global mortality and have a high incidence rate worldwide. The function of inflammasomes in CVDs has received a lot of attention recently, and the nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome may be a new target for the prevention and treatment of CVDs. Flavonoids, which are found in food and plant extracts, inhibited inflammation in CVDs by regulating the NLRP3 inflammasome. CB-Dock was used to investigate whether 34 flavonoids from natural products acted on NLRP3 inflammasome. In brief, the PDB format of NLRP3 was selected as a protein file, and 34 flavonoids in SDF format were selected as the ligand file, and then input to CB-Dock for molecular docking. The docking results showed that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), amentoflavone, baicalin, scutellarin, vitexin, silibinin, and puerarin had good binding affinities to NLRP3, which could be used as NLRP3 inhibitors, and aid in the discovery of lead compounds for the design and development of CVDs.

Oxidative Stress, Reductive Stress and Antioxidants in Vascular Pathogenesis and Aging

This review is focused on the mechanisms that regulate health, disease and aging redox status, the signal pathways that counteract oxidative and reductive stress, the role of food components and additives with antioxidant properties (curcumin, polyphenols, vitamins, carotenoids, flavonoids, etc.), and the role of the hormones irisin and melatonin in the redox homeostasis of animal and human cells. The correlations between the deviation from optimal redox conditions and inflammation, allergic, aging and autoimmune responses are discussed. Special attention is given to the vascular system, kidney, liver and brain oxidative stress processes. The role of hydrogen peroxide as an intracellular and paracrine signal molecule is also reviewed. The cyanotoxins β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA), cylindrospermopsin, microcystins and nodularins are introduced as potentially dangerous food and environment pro-oxidants.

Effect of Postnatal Epigallocatechin-Gallate Treatment on Cardiac Function in Mice Prenatally Exposed to Alcohol

Prenatal alcohol exposure affects the cardiovascular health of the offspring. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) may be a protective agent against it, but no data are available regarding its impact on cardiac dysfunction. We investigated the presence of cardiac alterations in mice prenatally exposed to alcohol and the effect of postnatal EGCG treatment on cardiac function and related biochemical pathways. C57BL/6J pregnant mice received 1.5 g/kg/day (Mediterranean pattern), 4.5 g/kg/day (binge pattern) of ethanol, or maltodextrin until Day 19 of pregnancy. Post-delivery, treatment groups received EGCG-supplemented water. At post-natal Day 60, functional echocardiographies were performed. Heart biomarkers of apoptosis, oxidative stress, and cardiac damage were analyzed by Western blot. BNP and Hif1α increased and Nrf2 decreased in mice prenatally exposed to the Mediterranean alcohol pattern. Bcl-2 was downregulated in the binge PAE drinking pattern. Troponin I, glutathione peroxidase, and Bax increased in both ethanol exposure patterns. Prenatal alcohol exposure led to cardiac dysfunction in exposed mice, evidenced by a reduced ejection fraction, left ventricle posterior wall thickness at diastole, and Tei index. EGCG postnatal therapy restored the physiological levels of these biomarkers and improved cardiac dysfunction. These findings suggest that postnatal EGCG treatment attenuates the cardiac damage caused by prenatal alcohol exposure in the offspring.

Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases ─ targeting cardiac ion channels

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, imposing an increasing global health burden. Cardiac ion channels (voltage-gated Na_V, Ca_V, K_Vs, and others) synergistically shape the cardiac action potential (AP) and control the heartbeat. Dysfunction of these channels, due to genetic mutations, transcriptional or post-translational modifications, may disturb the AP and lead to arrhythmia, a major risk for CVD patients. Although there are five classes of anti-arrhythmic drugs available, they can have varying levels of efficacies and side effects on patients, possibly due to the complex pathogenesis of arrhythmias. As an alternative treatment option, Chinese herbal remedies have shown promise in regulating cardiac ion channels and providing anti-arrhythmic effects. In this review, we first discuss the role of cardiac ion channels in maintaining normal heart function and the pathogenesis of CVD, then summarize the classification of Chinese herbal compounds, and elaborate detailed mechanisms of their efficacy in regulating cardiac ion channels and in alleviating arrhythmia and CVD. We also address current limitations and opportunities for developing new anti-CVD drugs based on Chinese herbal medicines.

Therapy-resistant breast cancer in focus: Clinically relevant mitigation by flavonoids targeting cancer stem cells

Significant limitations of the reactive medical approach in breast cancer management are clearly reflected by alarming statistics recorded worldwide. According to the WHO updates, breast malignancies become the leading cancer type. Further, the portion of premenopausal breast cancer cases is permanently increasing and demonstrates particularly aggressive patterns and poor outcomes exemplified by young patients with triple-negative breast cancer that lacks targeted therapy. Accumulating studies suggest the crucial role of stem cells in tumour biology, high metastatic activity, and therapy resistance of aggressive breast cancer. Therefore, targeting breast cancer stem cells is a promising treatment approach in secondary and tertiary breast cancer care. To this end, naturally occurring substances demonstrate high potential to target cancer stem cells which, however, require in-depth analysis to identify effective anti-cancer agents for cost-effective breast cancer management. The current article highlights the properties of flavonoids particularly relevant for targeting breast cancer stem cells to mitigate therapy resistance. The proposed approach is conformed with the principles of 3P medicine by applying predictive diagnostics, patient stratification and treatments tailored to the individualised patient profile. Expected impacts are very high, namely, to overcome limitations of reactive medical services improving individual outcomes and the healthcare economy in breast cancer management. Relevant clinical applications are exemplified in the paper.

The applications of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)-nanogold conjugate in cancer therapy

Cancer has recently increased the death toll worldwide owing to inadequate therapy and decreased drug bioavailability. Long-term and untargeted chemotherapeutic exposure causes toxicity to healthy cells and drug resistance. These challenges necessitate the development of new methods to increase drug efficacy. Nanotechnology is an emerging field in the engineering of new drug delivery platforms. The phytochemical epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the main component of green tea extract and its most bioactive component, offers novel approaches to cancer cell eradication. The current review focuses on the nanogold-based carriers containing EGCG, with an emphasis on the chemotherapeutic effects of EGCG in cancer treatment. The nanoscale vehicle may improve the EGCG solubility and bioavailability while overcoming constraints and cellular barriers. This article reviewed the phytochemical EGCG-based gold nanoplatforms and their major anticancer applications, both individually, and in combination therapy in a few cases.

Green tea actions on miRNAs expression – An update

Compounds derived from plants have been widely studied in the context of metabolic diseases and associated clinical conditions. In this regard, although the effects of Camellia sinensis plant, from which various types of teas, such as green tea, originate, have been vastly reported in the literature, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain elusive. A deep search of the literature showed that green tea's action in different cells, tissues, and diseases is an open field in the research of microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are important communicator molecules between cells in different tissues implicated in diverse cellular pathways. They have emerged as an important linkage between physiology and pathophysiology, raising the issue of polyphenols can act also by changing miRNA expression. miRNAs are short, non-coding endogenous RNA, which silence the gene functions by targeting messenger RNA (mRNA) through degradation or translation repression. Therefore, the aim of this review is to present the studies that show the main compounds of green tea modulating the expression of miRNAs in inflammation, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and liver. We provide an overview of a few studies that have tried to demonstrate the role of miRNAs associated with the beneficial effects of compounds from green tea. We have emphasized that there is still a considerable gap in the literature investigating the role and likely involvement of miRNAs in the extensive beneficial health effects of green tea compounds already described, indicating miRNAs as potential polyphenols' mediators with a promising field to be investigated.

Anti-Oxidative, Anti-Apoptotic, and M2 Polarized DSPC Liposome Nanoparticles for Selective Treatment of Atherosclerosis

Purpose

Oxidative stress is one of the main pathogenic factors of atherosclerosis. However, no antioxidants have brought positive effects on the treatment of atherosclerosis. To selectively treat atherosclerosis, various means such as antioxidation, anti-apoptosis, and M2 polarization are used. The ultimate goal is that multiple regulatory pathways can help to treat atherosclerosis.

Patients and Methods

In this study, Simvastatin (SIM) as a model drug, EGCG as an antioxidant agent, and distearyl phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) as major carriers were used to make liposome nanoparticles (SE-LNPs). The cytotoxicity, phagocytosis, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties of nanoparticles were tested in vitro. ApoE-/- atherosclerotic mice were treated with nanoparticles. The changes of aortic Oil red staining, blood lipid, HE, and Masson sections of the aortic root were observed.

Results

SE-LNPs exhibited a sustained release profile, potentially enabling the accumulation of the majority amount of drugs at the atherosclerotic plaque. The phagocytosis effect was stronger in RAW. The anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effects of the formulation were verified in vitro. SE-LNPs promoted the polarization of M2 macrophages. The therapeutic effect of SE-LNPs was assessed in the ApoE-/- mice model of atherosclerosis. SE-LNPs reduced reactive oxygen species and lipids in vivo. The results of Oil red staining, blood lipid, HE, and Masson sections of the aortic root showed the recovery of the focus.

Conclusion

Studies have shown that SE-LNPs could resist oxidation, and apoptosis, promote M2 polarization, and reduce blood lipids and lesions, which is a reliable and selective treatment for atherosclerosis.