Phytochemical characterization and hepatoprotective effect of active fragment from Adhatoda vasica Nees. against tert-butyl hydroperoxide induced oxidative impairment via activating AMPK/p62/Nrf2 pathway

Therapeutic Potential of Nutraceuticals against Drug-Induced Liver Injury

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) continues to be a major concern in clinical practice, thus necessitating a need for novel therapeutic approaches to alleviate its impact on hepatic function. This review investigates the therapeutic potential of nutraceuticals against DILI, focusing on examining the underlying molecular mechanisms and cellular pathways. In preclinical and clinical studies, nutraceuticals, such as silymarin, curcumin, and N-acetylcysteine, have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in attenuating liver injury induced by diverse pharmaceutical agents. The molecular mechanisms underlying these hepatoprotective effects involve modulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptotic pathways. Furthermore, this review examines cellular routes affected by these nutritional components focusing on their influence on hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, and stellate cells. Key evidence highlights that autophagy modulation as well as unfolded protein response are essential cellular processes through which nutraceuticals exert their cytoprotective functions. In conclusion, nutraceuticals are emerging as promising therapeutic agents for mitigating DILI, by targeting different molecular pathways along with cell processes involved in it concurrently.

Identification of hydroxyquinazoline alkaloids from Justicia adhatoda L. leaves, a traditional natural remedy with NF-κB and AP-1-mediated anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant activity

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Justicia adhatoda L. is used as traditional medicine in Nepal to treat cough, asthma, and inflammatory disorders, and is indicated as "Asuro". Leaves are used worldwide as herbal medicine due to cardiotonic, expectorant, anti-asthmatic, and bronchodilatory properties. The aim of this work was to study the phytochemical composition of leaves of Nepalese J. adhatoda and assess their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Secondary metabolites were extracted from dried leaves using methanol (JAME: J. adhatoda methanol extract). They were analysed by means of liquid chromatography coupled with multiple-stage mass spectrometry (LC-MSn). Anti-inflammatory potential was determined by the NF-κB and AP-1 inhibition assay, and DPPH, ABTS, and β-carotene bleaching assays were performed to assess its antioxidant properties.

RESULTS

JAME is a rich source of secondary metabolites, especially quinazoline alkaloids such as vasicine, vasicinone, vasicoline, and adhatodine. 7-Hydroxy derivatives of peganidine, vasicolinone, and adhatodine were also identified by means of MSn data and are here reported in J. adhatoda for the first time. JAME inhibited NF-κB and AP-1 expression in THP-1 cells to a greater extent than the positive control prednisolone. A moderate radical-quenching property was observed in DPPH and ABTS assays, but the anti-carotene bleaching activity was significantly higher than the reference BHT.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first insight into the phytochemical composition of Asuro leaves from Nepal and their bioactivity. Our results will contribute to the valorisation of this medicinal species still widely used in the traditional and complementary medicine.

Exploring the pharmacological and chemical aspects of pyrrolo-quinazoline derivatives in Adhatoda vasica

Adhatoda or Justicia is one of the biggest and complex genera of the Acanthaceae family. Adhatoda vasica is commonly known as 'Adosa'. It is an ayurvedic medicine with a medicinal history of more than a thousand years in India. Traditionally, it is used to treat cough, asthma, phlegm, bleeding hemorrhoids, for both adults and youth. This plant possesses antiarthritis, antiseptic, antimicrobial, anti-tuberculosis, anti-inflammatory and abortifacient properties. Alkaloids are the major phytoconstituents present in the plant in the form of pyrrolo-quinazoline derivatives viz vasicine, vasicinone, vasicinol, adhatodine, adhatodinine, adhavasinone and anisotine etc. The asserted objectives are to conduct a systematic review on the phytochemistry, pharmacology and traditional uses of A. vasica, as well as highlighting the challenges found in the research. This will promote the utilization of A. vasica at extract level and further development of new drug leads based on the compounds isolated and used for treatment of various ailments. The present review covers the literature survey from 1888 to 2023. The relevant data has been collected from various peer-reviwed journals, and books via Sci-Finder, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, EBSCO, online electronic journals, SpringerLink and Wiley. This paper aims to present a systematic review of known traditional applications, pharmacological and chemical aspects in Adhatoda vasica.

Kinsenoside from Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl. suppressed oxidative stress to attenuate aging-related learning and memory impairment via ERK/Nrf2 pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Anoectochilusroxburghii (Wall.) Lindl. (AR), as an exceptionally valuable traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used to treat hepatitis, cancer, diabetes, etc. But, the effects and the primary functioning element of AR on attenuating aging and aging-related learning and memory degradation has not yet been explored.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed at exploring the protective property of aqueous extract of AR (AEAR) on alleviation of aging and aging-related learning and memory impairment in vivo, and further investigating the main active ingredient and mechanism of AEAR.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

D-galactose (D-gal) induced aging mice and HT22 cells exposed with L-Glutamic acid (Glu) were used as in vivo and in vitro model, separately. The effects of AEAR on aging and aging-related learning and memory degradation were explored by using morris water maze test, immunohistochemistry staining, biochemistry assay, etc. The effects and mechanism of AEAR and Kinsenoside (Kin) on antioxidation in vitro were investigated by cell viability assay, biochemistry assay, qRT-PCR, western blotting and molecular docking studies.

RESULTS

Treatment with AEAR (containing 69.52 ± 0.85% Kin, i.g.) for 63 days, alleviated low growth rate, abnormal brain, liver and thymus index, and decline in learning and memory capability of aging mice. Meanwhile, AEAR inhibited the decreased activities of SOD and GSH-PX, the decline in the ratio of GSH to GSSG, and the increase of MDA in both serum and brain, and also promoted the Nrf2 nuclear translocation in brain of aging mice induced by D-gal. The effects of AEAR on alleviating abnormal physiological characteristics, attenuating learning and memory impairment, and inhibiting oxidative stress in aging mice was similar to or even better than that of Vc. In HT22 cells exposed with Glu, Kin increased the cell viability, up-regulated the activities of SOD and GSH-PX, enhanced the ratio of GSH to GSSG, and down-regulated MDA, which was superior to AEAR. Kin up-regulated the ratio of p-ERK1/2 to ERK1/2, promoted the Nrf2 nuclear translocation and its downstream target genes, i.e. HO-1, NQO-1, GCLC and GCLM expression at the mRNA and protein levels, which were consistent with AEAR. Further, molecular docking results also confirmed that Kin had strong binding energy with ERK1 and ERK2.

CONCLUSION

The present study indicated that Kin could alleviate the oxidative stress in aging mice via activating the ERK/Nrf2 signaling pathway, in order to attenuate aging and aging-related learning and memory impairment, as the main active ingredient of AR.

Revealing the mechanism of 755-nm long-pulsed alexandrite laser in inhibiting infantile hemangioma endothelial cells through transcriptome sequencing

Laser therapy has shown promising outcomes in treating infantile hemangiomas. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying laser treatment for IH remain incompletely elucidated. This study aimed to unravel the molecular mechanisms of laser therapy in IH treatment. We evaluated the inhibitory effects of laser treatment on the proliferation and promotion of apoptosis in human hemangioma endothelial cells (HemECs) through cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, Hoechst 33342 staining, and flow cytometric analysis. Transcriptome sequencing analysis of HemECs following laser treatment revealed a significant decrease in the expression level of the GSTM5 gene. The qRT-PCR and western blot analysis also showed that GSTM5 expression in HemECs was downregulated compared to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and concomitantly, the p62-Nrf2 pathway was suppressed. Using siRNA to downregulate GSTM5 expression, we observed that inhibiting GSTM5 expression could restrain cell proliferation, elevate intracellular ROS levels, and induce apoptosis in HemECs. Furthermore, upon inhibition of the p62-Nrf2 pathway using p62-specific siRNA, a significant decrease in GSTM5 expression and an elevation in intracellular ROS levels were noted in laser-treated HemECs. These findings suggested that laser treatment may operate by inhibiting the p62-Nrf2 pathway, thereby downregulating GSTM5 expression, elevating ROS levels, and consequently inducing apoptosis in HemECs.

Swertia mussotii prevents high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats by inhibiting expression the TLR4/MyD88 and the phosphorylation of NF-κB

CONTEXT

Swertia mussotii Franch. (Gentianaceae) is a source of the traditional Tibetan medicine, ZangYinChen, and is used to treat chronic hepatitis and many types of jaundice.

OBJECTIVE

This study explored the therapeutic effects and mechanism of S. mussotii on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in diet-induced hypercholesterolaemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After a week of adaptive feeding, 32 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: (1) Control, (2) Control-S, (3) Model, and (4) Model-S. During the 12 experimental weeks, we established the Model using a high-fat diet. Control-S and Model-S were given 1.0 g/kg S. mussotii water extract via gavage starting in the fifth week until the end of experiment.

RESULTS

When compared with Model rats, the S. mussotii water extract led to a reduction in high-density lipoproteins (43.9%) and albumin (13.9%) and a decrease in total cholesterol (54.0%), triglyceride (45.6%), low-density lipoproteins (8.6%), aspartate aminotransferase (11.0%), alanine aminotransferase (15.5%), alkaline phosphatase (19.1%), total protein (6.4%), and glucose (20.8%) in serum. A reduction in three cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα) was detected. Histopathological examination showed that liver steatosis was significantly relieved in S. mussotii-treated high-fat diet rats. S. mussotii also caused a downregulation in the expression of TLR4 (43.2%), MyD88 (33.3%), and a decrease in phosphorylation of NF-κB.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that S. mussotii may act as a potential anti-inflammation drug via inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. Further in vivo and in vitro studies are needed to validate its potential in clinical medicine.

Targeting Nrf2 in ischemia-reperfusion alleviation: From signaling networks to therapeutic targeting

The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a master regulator of redox balance and it responds to various cell stresses that oxidative stress is the most well-known one. The Nrf2 should undergo nuclear translocation to exert its protective impacts and decrease ROS production. On the other hand, ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a pathological event resulting from low blood flow to an organ and followed by reperfusion. The I/R induces cell injury and organ dysfunction. The present review focuses on Nrf2 function in alleviation of I/R injury. Stimulating of Nrf2 signaling ameliorates I/R injury in various organs including lung, liver, brain, testis and heart. The Nrf2 enhances activity of antioxidant enzymes to reduce ROS production and prevent oxidative stress-mediated cell death. Besides, Nrf2 reduces inflammation via decreasing levels of pro-inflammatory factors including IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α. Nrf2 signaling is beneficial in preventing apoptosis and increasing cell viability. Nrf2 induces autophagy to prevent apoptosis during I/R injury. Furthermore, it can interact with other molecular pathways including PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, miRNAs, lncRNAs and GSK-3β among others, to ameliorate I/R injury. The therapeutic agents, most of them are phytochemicals such as resveratrol, berberine and curcumin, induce Nrf2 signaling in I/R injury alleviation.

Protection Against Drug-Induced Liver Injuries Through Nutraceuticals via Amelioration of Nrf-2 Signaling

Hepatotoxicity caused by the overdose of various medications is a leading cause of drug-induced liver injury. Overdose of drugs causes hepatocellular necrosis. Nutraceuticals are reported to prevent drug-induced liver failure. The present article aims to review the protection provided by various medicinal plants against hepatotoxic drugs. Ayurveda is considered a conventional restorative arrangement in India. It is consistently used for ages and is still used today to cure drug-induced hepatotoxicity by focusing on antioxidant stress response pathways such as the nuclear factor erythroid-2 (Nrf-2) antioxidant response element signaling pathway. Nrf-2 is a key transcription factor that entangles Kelch-like ECH-associating protein 1, a protein found in the cell cytoplasm. Some antioxidant enzymes, such as gamma glycine cysteine ligase (γ-GCL) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), are expressed in Nrf-2 targeted genes. Their expression, in turn, decreases the stimulation of hepatic macrophages and induces the messenger RNA (mRNA) articulation of proinflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor α. This review will cover various medicinal plants from a mechanistic view and how they stimulate and interact with Nrf-2, the master regulator of the antioxidant response to counterbalance oxidative stress. Interestingly, therapeutic plants have become popular in the medical sector due to safer yet effective supplementation for the prevention and treatment of new human diseases. The contemporary study is expected to collect information on a variety of therapeutic traditional herbs that have been studied in the context of drug-induced liver toxicity, as nutraceuticals are the most effective treatments for oxidative stress-induced hepatotoxicity. They are less genotoxic, have a lower cost, and are readily available. Together, nutraceuticals exert protective effects against drug-induced hepatotoxicity through the inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Its mechanism(s) are considered to be associated with the γ-GCL/HO-1 and Nrf-2 signaling pathways. KEY TEACHING POINTSThe liver is the most significant vital organ that carries out metabolic activities of the body such as the synthesis of glycogen, the formation of triglycerides and cholesterol, as well as the formation of bile.Acute liver failure is caused by the consumption of certain drugs; drug-induced liver injury is the major condition.The chemopreventive activity of nutraceuticals may be related to oxidative stress reduction and attenuation of biosynthetic processes involved in hepatic injury via amelioration of the nuclear factor erythroid-2 (Nrf-2) signaling pathway.Nrf-2 is a key transcription factor that is found in the cell cytoplasm resulting in the expression of various genes such as gamma glycine cysteine ligase and heme oxygenase-1.Nutraceutical-rich phytochemicals possess high antioxidant activity, which helps in the prevention of hepatic injury.

Maternal oxidized soybean oil exposure in rats during lactation damages offspring kidneys via Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-κB signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Cooking oil is an indispensable component of the human diet. However, oils usually undergo thermal oxidation. Oxidized soybean oil (OSO) has been shown to have detrimental effects on humans and has emerged as a root cause of many chronic diseases. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of puerpera exposure to OSO on kidney damage in the mother and offspring using lactating rats as an experimental model.

RESULTS

Pathological sections and ultrastructure showed that OSO exposure resulted in various levels of damage to lactating rats and their offspring. OSO induced oxidative stress in the kidneys of lactating rats, as evidenced by increased levels of hydrogen peroxide, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-8. OSO increased the activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. OSO upregulated the expression of apoptosis-related genes, nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and nuclear factor κB-related inflammatory factor genes. In the offspring of the OSO-exposed mothers, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha contents were increased. Furthermore, OSO enhanced the levels of Nrf2, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1, heme oxygenase 1, and p65 and decreased B-cell lymphoma 2.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicated that the kidneys of two generations of rats were compromised by oxidative damage when fed OSO during lactation. This study provides evidence for increasing the genes expression of the Nrf2/heme oxygenase 1 pathway to alleviate the kidney damage caused by OSO in the mother and offspring. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Gegen Qinlian Decoction Relieves Ulcerative Colitis via Adjusting Dysregulated Nrf2/ARE Signaling

Objective

Oxidative stress has been proven to be essential in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effect of Gegen Qinlian decoction (GQ) on the Nrf2 pathway in the treatment of UC and explore the potential mechanism.

Methods

The UC rat model was induced by 5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) aqueous solution, and UC rats were treated with GQ orally. The effect of GQ on UC rats was recorded. Human clonal colon adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2) stimulated by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were employed in this study. After being stimulated with TNF-α for 2 hours, Caco-2 cells were cultured with GQ or its major components (puerarin, baicalin, berberine, and liquiritin) for 22 hours. In addition, the Nrf2 gene of Caco-2 cells was silenced and then cultured with GQ for 22 hours. The contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in colonic tissues and Caco-2 cells were detected by assay kits. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Caco-2 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot were employed to detect the mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2 and its related target genes in colon tissues and Caco-2 cells.

Results

GQ alleviated the injured colonic mucosa and activated the expression of Nrf2 in UC rats. In TNF-α stimulated Caco-2 cells and Nrf2 silenced Caco-2 cells, GQ also reversed the inhibitory effect of Nrf2. Furthermore, the major components of GQ could activate Nrf2 signaling in TNF-α stimulated cells as well. Moreover, the contents of SOD, GSH, MDA, and ROS were restored to normal after treatment with GQ or its major components. Among these components, puerarin, berberine, and liquiritin appear to have a better effect on activating Nrf2 in vitro. Overall, GQ can alleviate UC by increasing the activity of Nrf2/ARE signaling and enhancing the effect of antioxidant stress.

Identification of phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of Premna microphylla Turcz. stem through UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS

Premna microphylla Turcz. is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine totreatdysentery and appendicitis. Present study is focused to explore antioxidants and other compounds in the Premna microphylla Turcz. stem. Assessment of chemical composition was done with high sensitivity UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS and for Separation Thermo Hypersil Gold (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.9 µm) was used while electrospray ionization (ESI) was used for the mass spectrometry. 18 compounds were identified including Vitexin (1), Schaftoside (2), Vicenin-2 (3), Apigenin-6, 8-di-C-arabinoside (4), Apigenin-7-O-β-d-glucoside (5), Carnosic acid (6), Apigenin-8-C-β-d-xylopyranoside (7), Prostratin (8), Aurantio-obtusin-β-d-glucoside (9), Royleanone (10), 5-hydroxy-7,3',4'-Trimethoxy flavonols (11), 6-Hydroxy-5,6-dehydrosugiol (12), 14-deoxycoleon (13), Arucadiol (14), Obtusinone-B (15), Trehalose (16), Citric acid (17) and Betaine (18). Among these, 6 compounds including (6), (8), (9), (16), (17) and (18) were identified first time within this genus and plant. Study highlights the importance of Premna microphylla Turcz. stem extract for strong therapeutic potential against oxidation-related diseases.

Ameliorative potential of Adhatoda vasica against anti-tubercular drugs induced hepatic impairments in female Wistar rats in relation to oxidative stress and xeno-metabolism

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Adhatoda vasica Nees is widely used herb of indigenous system to treat various ailments especially upper respiratory tract infections. Not only, anti-tubercular efficacy of crude extract and phytoconstituents of A. vasica has been documented but its hepatoprotective role against various drugs mediated hepatic alterations in different animal models has also been observed.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide (H-R-Z) are anti-tubercular drugs normally prescribed by health professionals for the treatment of tuberculosis, however along with their medical effectiveness these drugs also exhibit hepatotoxicity among TB patients. Unexpectedly, substantial toxicological data on the metabolism of anti-TB drugs are available but the mystery behind these xenobiotics is too complex and partly implicit. In this study, we further explored the hepatotoxic effects of these xeno-metabolic products and their amelioration by Adhatoda vasica Nees by elucidating its mechanistic action.

METHODS

We generated a hepatotoxic rodent model by oral administration of H, R and Z (30.85, 61.7 and 132.65 mg/kg body weight) drugs for 25 days in Wistar rats. Additionally, to achieve hepatoprotection two different doses of Adhatoda vasica Nees ethanolic leaf extract (200 and 300 mg/kg body weight) were used along with H-R-Z dosage, orally and once daily for 25 days and tried to ascertain their mechanistic action. For this, initially phytoconstituents of the extract were evaluated followed by extract standardization using RP-HPLC and FTIR methods. Furthermore, antioxidant activity of the extract was analyzed by DPPH assay. Finally, different treated groups were analyzed for hepatic oxidative stress markers, antioxidant markers, histopathological changes and gene expression study including CYP2E1, CYP7A1, NAT, NR1I2 and UGT1A1 genes involved in phase I and phase II xeno-metabolism.

RESULTS

Estimated content of vasicine in RP-HPLC method and free-radical scavenging activity in DPPH assay was found to be 134.519 ± 0.00269μg/10mg of leaf extract and 47.81 μg/mL respectively. In H-R-Z treated group, a significant increase in the levels of thiobarbituric acid, significant reduction in the levels of GSH, and enzymatic markers and marked changes in hepatic histological architecture were observed. In addition, there was significance up-regulation of CYP7A and NAT genes, down-regulation of CYP2E1 gene and insignificant expression levels of NR1I2 and UGT1A1 genes were observed in H-R-Z group. Conversely, high dose of A. vasica extract effectively diminished these alterations by declining oxidative stress and boosting of antioxidant levels. In addition, it acted as bi-functional inducer of both phase I (CYP2E1) and phase II (NAT and UGT1A1) enzyme systems.

CONCLUSION

Hence, we concluded that anti-TB drugs exposure has potential to generate reactive metabolites that eventually cause hepatotoxicity by altering oxidant-antioxidant levels and their own metabolism. This study not only emphasized on xeno-metabolism mediated hepatic alterations but also explore the benefit of A. vasica on these toxic insults.