Total flavonoids of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) improve MC903-induced atopic dermatitis-like lesions

Targeting chemokine-receptor mediated molecular signaling by ethnopharmacological approaches

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Infection and inflammation are critical to global human health status and the goal of current pharmacological interventions intends formulating medications/preventives as a measure to deal with this situation. Chemokines and their cognate receptors are major regulatory molecules in many of these ailments. Natural products have been a keen source to the drug development industry, every year contributing significantly to the growing list of FDA approved drugs. A multiverse of natural resource is employed as a part of curative regimen in folk/traditional/ethnomedicine which can be employed to discover, repurpose, and design potent medications for the diseases of clinical concern.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This review aims to systematically document the ethnopharmacologically active agents targeting the infectious-inflammatory diseases through the chemokine-receptor nexus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Articles related to chemokine/receptor modulating ethnopharmacological anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious natural sources, bioactive compounds, and formulations have been examined with special emphasis on women related diseases. The available literature has been thoroughly scrutinized for the application of traditional medicines in chemokine associated experimental methods, their regulatory outcomes, and pertinence to women's health wherever applicable. Moreover, the potential traditional regimens under clinical trials have been critically assessed.

RESULTS

A systematic and comprehensive review on the chemokine-receptor targeting ethnopharmaceutics from the available literature has been provided. The article discusses the implication of traditional medicine in the chemokine system dynamics in diverse infectious-inflammatory disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, allergic diseases, inflammatory diseases, neuroinflammation, and cancer. On this note, critical evaluation of the available data surfaced multiple diseases prevalent in women such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, breast cancer, cervical cancer and urinary tract infection. Currently there is no available literature highlighting chemokine-receptor targeting using traditional medicinal approach from women's health perspective. Moreover, despite being potent in vitro and in vivo setups there remains a gap in clinical translation of these formulations, which needs to be strategically and scientifically addressed to pave the way for their successful industrial translation.

CONCLUSIONS

The review provides an optimistic global perspective towards the applicability of ethnopharmacology in chemokine-receptor regulated infectious and inflammatory diseases with special emphasis on ailments prevalent in women, consecutively addressing their current status of clinical translation and future directions.

Sea Buckthorn Flavonoid Extracted by High Hydrostatic Pressure Inhibited IgE-Stimulated Mast Cell Activation through the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway

Sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.), as one of the Elaeagnaceae family, has the significant function of anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, and other physiological activities. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) extraction has the advantages of being easy and efficient, while maintaining biological activity. In this study, sea buckthorn flavonoid (SBF) was extracted with HHP and purified sea buckthorn flavonoid (PSBF) was isolated by AB-8 macroporous resin column. HPLC analysis was used to quantified them. In addition, the effect of anti-allergy in RBL-2H3 cells by SBF, PSBF, and their flavonoid compounds was evaluated. The results demonstrate the conditions for obtaining the maximum flavonoid amount of SBF: 415 MPa for 10 min, 72% ethanol concentration, and a liquid to solid ratio of 40 mL/g, which increased the purity from 1.46% to 13.26%. Both SBF and PSBF included rutin, quercitrin, quercetin, isorhamnetin, and kaempferol. In addition, quercitrin, kaempferol, and SBF could regulate Th1/Th2 cytokine balance. Moreover, extracellular Ca2+ influx was reduced by quercitrin and PSBF. Furthermore, rutin, quercetin, iso-rhamnetin, and SBF could also inhibit P-p38 and P-JNK expression, thereby suppressing the phosphorylation of the MAPK signaling pathways. Overall, SBF is effective for relieving food allergy and might be a promising anti-allergic therapeutic agent.

Optimizing the Solvent Selection of the Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) Pomace: Phenolic Profiles and Antioxidant Activity

Sea buckthorn pomace (SBP) is a by-product of sea buckthorn processing that is rich in bioactive compounds. In this study, different active ingredients were extracted by using different solvents (water, methanol, ethanol, glycerol, ethyl acetate, and petroleum ether) combined with an ultrasonic assisted method. The correlation between the active ingredients and antioxidant properties of the extract was studied, which provided a research basis for the comprehensive utilization of SBP. This study revealed that the 75% ethanol extract had the highest total phenolic content (TPC) of 42.86 ± 0.73 mg GAE/g, while the 75% glycerol extract had the highest total flavonoid content (TFC) of 25.52 ± 1.35 mg RTE/g. The ethanol extract exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity at the same concentration compared with other solvents. The antioxidant activity of the ethanol, methanol, and glycerol extracts increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Thirteen phenolic compounds were detected in the SBP extracts using UPLC-MS/MS analysis. Notably, the 75% glycerol extract contained the highest concentration of all identified phenolic compounds, with rutin (192.21 ± 8.19 μg/g), epigallocatechin (105.49 ± 0.69 μg/g), and protocatechuic acid (27.9 ± 2.38 μg/g) being the most abundant. Flavonols were found to be the main phenolic substances in SBP. A strong correlation was observed between TPC and the antioxidant activities of SBP extracts. In conclusion, the choice of solvent significantly influences the active compounds and antioxidant activities of SBP extracts. SBP extracts are a valuable source of natural phenolics and antioxidants.

Effect of Polyphenols in Sea Buckthorn Berry on Chemical Mediator Release from Mast Cells

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is a deciduous shrub of the Elaeagnaceae family and is widely distributed in northern Eurasia. Sea buckthorn berry (SBB) has attracted attention for its use in many health foods, although its physiological function remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of SBB extract and its fractions on Type-I allergy using mast cell lines. Among these fractions, SBB fraction with the highest amount of antioxidant polyphenols significantly inhibited the release of chemical mediators such as histamine and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) from the stimulated mast cells. This fraction also inhibited the influx of calcium ions (Ca2+) and the phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in proteins, including spleen tyrosine kinase, which is associated with signal transduction during the release of chemical mediators. The active SBB fraction contained isorhamnetin as its major flavonol aglycon. Isorhamnetin inhibited histamine and LTB4 release from the stimulated cells and suppressed intracellular Ca2+ influx. These results indicate that isorhamnetin is the primary substance responsible for the antiallergic activity in SBB. In conclusion, SBB may alleviate Type-I allergy by inhibiting the release of chemical mediators from mast cells, and polyphenols may contribute to this effect.

Probiotic-fermented Portulaca oleracea L. alleviated DNFB-induced atopic dermatitis by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Probiotic fermentation is a mild and safe biological method to boost the performance of herbs. Portulaca oleracea L. (PO), with folklore records of purgative, anti-dermatological and anti-epidemic effects, has been demonstrated to possess anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties. However, the potential of PO for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) has not been sufficiently explored.

AIM OF STUDY

This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic benefits of PO and fermented Portulaca oleracea L. (FPO) and explore their intrinsic mechanisms.

METHODS

By utilizing 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced AD mice as a model, the histopathology of the lesions was observed using H&E and toluidine blue staining methods; the levels of immunoglobulin E (Ig E), histamine (HIS), and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in serum were measured using ELISA, whereas, the expression of inflammatory cytokines in skin lesion was measured using ELISA and immunohistochemistry experiments. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IKKα, NF-κB mRNA was measured using qPCR; and the expression of TNF-α、p-IKKα, p-IκBα, p-NF-κB was measured using western blotting.

RESULTS

Both 20 mg/mL PO and FPO alleviated mast cell infiltration and lesion pathology, reduced serum levels of Ig E, HIS and TSLP, down-regulated the expression of AD-related inflammatory cytokines, such as, TNF-α, interferon-γ, and interleukin-4, and increased filaggrin expression. Furthermore, they inhibited the expression of TNF-α, IKKα, and NF-κB genes and TNF-α, p-IKKα, p-NF-κB and p-IκBα proteins associated with the NF-κB signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

PO and FPO has a positive therapeutic potential on AD, indicating that it may be employed as alternative therapies for AD.

In vitro and in vivo exploration of the anti-atopic dermatitis mechanism of action of Tibetan medicine Qi-Sai-Er-Sang-Dang-Song decoction

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tibetan medicine Qi-Sai-Er-Sang-Dang-Song Decoction(QSD, ཆུ་སེར་སེང་ལྡེང་སུམ་ཐང་།)is a traditional Tibetan medical formulation with demonstrated clinical benefits in atopic dermatitis (AD). However, its potential mechanism and molecular targets remain to be elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to explore the activity and mechanism of QSD on AD in multiple dimensions by combining in vitro and in vivo experiments with network pharmacology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The AD effect of QSD was investigated by evaluating the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW264.7 cells. AD-like skin lesions in female BALB/c mice were induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). QSD or dexamethasone (positive control) were gavagely administered daily for 15 consecutive days. The body weight and skin lesion severity were recorded throughout the study. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot (WB) analysis were used to illuminate the molecular targets associated with the anti-AD effects of QSD. Meanwhile, the ingredients of QSD in the blood were revealed and analyzed by Ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) method. Network pharmacology was used to predict the targets and mechanism of active ingredient therapy for AD. In addition, the network pharmacology outcomes were further verified by molecular docking.

RESULT

After treatment with QSD, the levels of NO and IL-6 were decreased in the cell supernatant. Herein, QSD markedly decreased the eosinophil and mast cells infiltration in the dorsal skin of the 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene. Moreover, QSD reconstructed the epidermal barrier by increasing the content of collagen fibers and changing the arrangement of DNCB-treated mice. QSD not only inhibited the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) but also inhibited phosphorylation of p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) proteins in the dorsal skin. Four active ingredients were identified through UPLC-Q-TOF/MS, including (-)-epicatechin, kaempferol-7-O-glucoside, cassiaside, and questin. After the network pharmacological analysis, six core targets of QSD closely related to AD were obtained, including TNF-α, IL-6, Caspase-3 (CASP3), Epidermal growth factor (EGFR), Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG), and Neurotrophic Receptor Tyrosine Kinase 1 (NTRK1). Meanwhile, through Gene ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment, the Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway occupies an important position in the QSD treatment of AD. The molecular docking results showed that the six core targets are stable in binding to the four active ingredients as indicated by the molecular docking results.

CONCLUSIONS

The anti-AD effect of QSD might be related to the reconstruction of the epidermal barrier and inhibition of inflammation, which regulated the MAPK pathway. Hence, it provided a promising idea for the study of Tibetan medicine prescriptions for the treatment of AD.

Bibliometric Study of Adaptogens in Dermatology: Pharmacophylogeny, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Mechanisms

Background

Adaptogens are a class of medicinal plants that can nonspecifically enhance human resistance. Most of the plant adaptogens have relevant applications in dermatology, but there are still few studies related to their particular action and co-operative mechanisms in topical skin application.

Methods

Plant adaptogens related articles and reviews that published between 1999 and 2022 were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Various bibliographic elements were collected, including the annual number of publications, countries/regions, and keywords. CiteSpace, a scientometric software, was used to conduct bibliometric analyses. Also, the patsnap global patent database was used to analyze the patent situation of plant adaptogens in the field of cosmetics up to 2021.

Results

We found that the effects of plant adaptogens on skin diseases mainly involve atopic dermatitis, acne, allergic contact dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, and androgenetic alopecia, etc. And the effects on skin health mainly involve anti-aging and anti-photoaging, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, whitening, and anti-hair loss, etc. Also, based on the results of patent analysis, it is found that the effects of plant adaptogens on skin mainly focus on aging retardation. The dermatological effects of plant adaptogens are mainly from Fabaceae Lindl., Araliaceae Juss. and Lamiaceae Martinov., and their mainly efficacy phytochemical components are terpenoids, phenolic compounds and flavonoids.

Conclusion

The plant adaptogens can repair the skin barrier and maintain skin homeostasis by regulating the skin HPA-like axis, influencing the oxidative stress pathway to inhibit inflammation, and regulating the extracellular matrix (ECM) components to maintain a dynamic equilibrium, ultimately achieving the treatment of skin diseases and the maintenance of a healthy state.

Fruits of Hippophaë rhamnoides in human leukocytes and Caco-2 cell monolayer models—A question about their preventive role in lipopolysaccharide leakage and cytokine secretion in endotoxemia

Preparations from Hippophaë rhamnoides L. (sea buckthorn) have been traditionally used in the treatment of skin and digestive disorders, such as gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, uterine erosions, as well as oral, rectal, and vaginal mucositis, in particular in the Himalayan and Eurasian regions. An influence of an aqueous extract from the fruits of H. rhamnoides (HR) on leakage of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli through gut epithelium developed from the human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) monolayer in vitro and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) translocation were the principal objectives of the study. Additionally, the effect of HR on the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukins: IL-8, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-6; tumor necrosis factor: TNF-α) by the Caco-2 cell line, human neutrophils (PMN), and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was evaluated. The concentration of LPS on the apical and basolateral sides of the Caco-2 monolayer was evaluated with a Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay. GLUT2 translocation was evaluated using an immunostaining assay, whereas secretion of cytokines by cell cultures was established with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay. HR (500 μg/ml) significantly inhibited LPS leakage through epithelial monolayer in vitro in comparison with non-treated control. The treatment of Caco-2 cells with HR (50–100 μg/ml) showed GLUT2 expression similar to the non-treated control. HR decreased the secretion of most pro-inflammatory cytokines in all tested models. HR might prevent low-grade chronic inflammation caused by metabolic endotoxemia through the prevention of the absorption of LPS and decrease of chemotactic factors released by immune and epithelial cells, which support its use in metabolic disorders in traditional medicine.