Fisetin protects liver from binge alcohol-induced toxicity by mechanisms including inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and oxidative stress

Alternanthera brasiliana L. extract alleviates carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury and fibrotic changes in mice: Role of matrix metalloproteinases and TGF-β/Smad axis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Alternanthera brasiliana L. is a flowering plant belonging to the family Amaranthaceae and is popularly known as "penicillin". It is used in folk medicine to treat infections, coughs, wound healing, and inflammatory diseases.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We investigated the effect of Alternanthera brasiliana L. leaves hydroalcoholic extract (AB) against oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrotic changes in an experimental model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injury and fibrosis in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-six male Balb/C mice were randomized into five groups: normal control, AB control, CCl₄ control, CCl₄ + AB-200 mg/kg, and CCl₄ + AB-400 mg/kg. In mice, liver injury was induced by intraperitoneal injection of CCl₄ (20% in corn oil, 5 ml/kg body weight) thrice a week for six consecutive weeks. AB extract at two doses (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight) was administered orally for six consecutive weeks. Liver injury-related serum markers (ALT, AST, ALP), antioxidants (GSH, GST, SOD, and vitamin C), pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-18, ultrasonographic and histological alterations, proteins of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), nuclear factor-κB (p65) (NF-κB), nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), and TGF-β/Smad signaling were accessed. LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis of AB was performed.

RESULTS

AB treatment significantly decreased the CCl₄-induced rise in serum ALT, AST, and ALP activities and improved the histological alterations. Compared with the CCl₄-treated group, treatment with AB significantly restored the hepatic antioxidants and reduced the pro-inflammatory cytokines in the liver. The antioxidant activity of AB may be attributed to its terpenoid constituents, which was confirmed by LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis. The CCl₄-induced rise in expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and decrease in TIMP-1 were markedly restored in the AB-treated groups. Further findings revealed a significant reduction in the protein levels of phospho-NF-κB (p65), NLRP3, TGF-β, pSmad2/3, collagen I, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the AB treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The hepatoprotective effect of AB may be attributed to the high content of terpenoid compounds and alleviates liver injury and associated fibrotic changes through modulating MMPs, NF-κB (p65), and the TGF-β/Smad axis.

Sinigrin Attenuates the Dextran Sulfate Sodium-induced Colitis in Mice by Modulating the MAPK Pathway

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an intestinal inflammatory disease characterised by the loss of intestinal crypts, edema, mucosal ulceration, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the mucosa. The current study aimed to investigate the protective and therapeutic effects of sinigrin and underlying mechanisms in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse model of ulcerative colitis. DSS-induced colitis models were used to demonstrate sinigrin's therapeutic/protective action. Mice were orally administered with sinigrin (15 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg) for a period of 12 days in both prophylactic and therapeutic models. Animal weights, stool consistency, and bleeding parameters were measured throughout the experimental period. After the experimental period, colon lengths were measured, and colon tissues were harvested to determine the levels of oxidative stress-inducing factors (nitrates and MDA levels) and anti-oxidant components (GSH, SOD, and catalase). Furthermore, gene expression analysis, IL-17 levels, and inflammatory marker expressions were measured using RT-qPCR, ELISA, and immunohistochemical methods respectively. Furthermore, histopathological observations and elucidation of the mechanism of action were determined using H&E analysis and Western blot analysis. Sinigrin treatment (in both prophylactic and therapeutic models) significantly mitigated the DSS-induced body weight loss, attenuated the colon length shrinkage, and improved the disease index score (p < 0.001). Further results revealed that sinigrin's protective/therapeutic effect is associated with a significant attenuation of pro‑inflammatory cytokine production (p < 0.001), reversing the anti-oxidant enzyme levels (p < 0.001) and substantial improvement (2 folds) of the disruption of the colonic morphology in colon tissues compared to DSS control. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that sinigrin treatment remarkably reduced the DSS-induced myeloperoxidase, neutrophil elastase, and CD68 expression in colon tissues. Additionally, sinigrin successfully abrogated the DSS-induced IL-17 levels (p < 0.001) and improved the colonic barrier in colon tissues. Overall, these results demonstrated that sinigrin exerts protective and therapeutic effects on DSS‑induced colitis, by enhancing the anti-oxidant enzymes and suppressing the intestinal inflammatory cascade of markers by regulating the MAPK pathway.

Protective Effects of Fisetin in the Mice Induced by Long-Term Scrotal Hyperthermia

Exposure to heat in the male reproductive system can lead to transient periods of partial or complete infertility. The current study aimed to examine the beneficial effects of  Fisetin against spermatogenic disorders in mice affected by long-term scrotal hyperthermia. For this purpose, hyperthermia was induced daily by exposure to the temperature of 43 °C for 20 min for 5 weeks. Except for the Healthy group, six other groups were exposed to heat stress: two treated groups including Preventive and Curative which received oral administration of fisetin (10 mg/kg/day) starting immediately before heat exposure and 15 consecutive days after the end of the heat exposure, respectively. And for each treated group, two groups including Positive Control (Pre/Cur+PC group) and vehicle (Pre/Cur+DMSO group) were considered. Our results showed that the testicular volume; the density of spermatogonia, primary spermatocyte, round spermatid, and Sertoli and Leydig cells; and sperm parameters, as well biochemical properties of the testis tissue, were remarkably higher in both Preventive and Curative groups compared to the other hyperthermia-induced groups and were highest in Preventive ones. Unlike the c-kit gene transcript which was significantly increased in the  Fisetin treatment groups (specially the Preventive group), the expression of HSP72 and NF-kβ genes, Caspase3 protein, and DFI in sperm cells were significantly more decreased in Preventive and Curative groups compared to other hyperthermia-induced groups and were lowest in Preventive ones. Overall,  Fisetin exerts preventive and curative effects against spermatogenic disorders induced by long-term scrotal hyperthermia.

Protective Mechanism of Edible Food Plants against Alcoholic Liver Disease with Special Mention to Polyphenolic Compounds

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is one type of liver disease, causing a global healthcare problem and mortality. The liver undergoes tissue damage by chronic alcohol consumption because it is the main site for metabolism of ethanol. Chronic alcohol exposure progresses from alcoholic fatty liver (AFL) to alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH), which further lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular cancer. Therapeutic interventions to combat ALD are very limited such as use of corticosteroids. However, these therapeutic drugs are not effective for long-term usage. Therefore, additional effective and safe therapies to cope with ALD are urgently needed. Previous studies confirmed that edible food plants and their bioactive compounds exert a protective effect against ALD. In this review article, we summarized the hepatoprotective potential of edible food plants and their bioactive compounds. The underlying mechanism for the prevention of ALD by edible food plants was as follows: anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, lipid regulation, inhibition of apoptosis, gut microbiota composition modulation, and anti-fibrosis.

Red yeast rice prevents chronic alcohol-induced liver disease by attenuating oxidative stress and inflammatory response in mice

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is characterized by dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, steatohepatitis, edema, necrosis, etc. Studies have reported that some dietary nutrition factors have beneficial effects in improving ALD. Red yeast rice (RYR), a traditional herbal supplement, has been confirmed to lower cholesterol mainly due to its component monacolin K. However, the effect of RYR on ALD has not been investigated. In this study, mice were supplemented with a daily oral gavage of 4 g/kg 50% ethanol for 8 weeks to induce a chronic ALD. RYR (150 mg kg^-1  day^-1 ) was supplied to ALD mice in treatment group. The results showed that RYR supplementation significantly attenuated hyperlipidemia, elevated circulating inflammatory cytokines, hepatic structural damage, and oxidative stress in mice supplemented with alcohol with no effects on body weight. Moreover, RYR significantly suppressed alcohol-induced hepatic NF-κB activation and apoptosis. Our results suggest that RYR is capable of preventing ALD mainly by attenuating hepatic oxidative stress and inflammatory response. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: RYR was known for cholesterol-lowering effect through its main component monacolin K. The current study revealed that RYR was capable of ameliorating ALD, which is characterized by profound dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, steatohepatitis, edema, etc. Our results indicated that the protective effect of RYR on ALD is largely achieved by regulating lipid metabolism, and closely related to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of RYR. This study provides research foundation for the development of RYR-related food or pharmaceutical products, especially targeting for ALD.

Flavonols as potential antiviral drugs targeting SARS-CoV-2 proteases (3CLpro and PLpro), spike protein, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and angiotensin-converting enzyme II receptor (ACE2)

The novel coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) represents the actual greatest global public health crisis. The lack of efficacious drugs and vaccines against this viral infection created a challenge for scientific researchers in order to find effective solutions. One of the promising therapeutic approaches is the search for bioactive molecules with few side effects that display antiviral properties in natural sources like medicinal plants and vegetables. Several computational and experimental studies indicated that flavonoids especially flavonols and their derivatives constitute effective viral enzyme inhibitors and possess interesting antiviral activities. In this context, the present study reviews the efficacy of many dietary flavonols as potential antiviral drugs targeting the SARS-CoV-2 enzymes and proteins including Chymotrypsin-Like Protease (3CLpro), Papain Like protease (PLpro), Spike protein (S protein) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), and also their ability to interact with the angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) receptor. The relationship between flavonol structures and their SARS-CoV-2 antiviral effects were discussed. On the other hand, the immunomodulatory, the anti-inflammatory and the antiviral effects of secondary metabolites from this class of flavonoids were reported. Also, their bioavailability limitations and toxicity were predicted.

Protective effect of fisetin against subchronic chlorpyrifos-induced toxicity on oxidative stress biomarkers and neurobehavioral parameters in adult male albino mice

Chlorpyrifos (CPF), a chlorinated organophosphate insecticide that is widely used in agriculture and public health, has neurotoxic effects in animals. In addition to acetylcholinesterase inhibition, CPF has been shown to induce alterations such as oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Fisetin is a dietary flavonol that protects the brain tissue against oxidative stress by modulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes. This study was designed to investigate the protective role of fisetin against brain oxidative damages and neurobehavioral parameters induced by subchronic oral exposure to CPF in albino mice. Adult albino mice (males, n = 32, weighing 20 ~ 25 g) were assigned randomly into 4 groups and treated accordingly for 7 weeks as follows: Group 1(S/OIL): served as the control group and were given 2 ml/kg of soya oil; Group 2 (CPF): received CPF (6.6 mg/kg; 1/5th of the LD₅₀); Group 3 (FIS): fisetin (15 mg/kg) and Group 4 (FIS + CPF): received fisetin at 15 mg/kg, followed by CPF (6.6 mg/kg) 30 min later. Co-treatment with FIS + CPF mitigated the increase in brain malondialdehyde concentration (0.28 ± 0.02 nmol/mg) and orchestrated the increase in the activities of catalase (81.35 ± 7.26 µ/mg), superoxide dismutase (93.03 ± 6.63 IU/mL), glutathione peroxidase (68.76 ± 3.554 nmol/mL) and acetylcholinesterase (11.59 ± 0.72 nmol/min/mL) when compared to the CPF group. The result showed that deficits in motor strength and excitability scores induced by subchronic CPF were mitigated by fisetin administration. It was concluded that fisetin has a protective potential in mitigating against oxidative stress and damages in the brain tissues, induced by subchronic exposure to CPF in adult male albino mice.

Oral flavonoid fisetin treatment protects against prolonged high-fat-diet-induced cardiac dysfunction by regulation of multicombined signaling

Excess high-fat diet (HFD) intake predisposes the occurrence of obesity-associated heart injury, but the mechanism is elusive. Fisetin (FIS), as a natural flavonoid, has potential activities to alleviate obesity-induced metabolic syndrome. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of FIS against HFD-induced cardiac injury remain unclear. The present study was to explore the protective effects of FIS on cardiac dysfunction in HFD-fed mice. We found that FIS alleviated HFD-triggered metabolic disorder by reducing body weight, fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, and insulin resistance. Moreover, FIS supplements significantly alleviated dyslipidemia in both mouse hearts and cardiomyocytes stimulated by metabolic stress. FIS treatment abolished HFD-induced inflammatory response in heart tissues through suppressing TNF receptor-1/TNF receptor-associated factor-2 (Tnfr-1/Traf-2) signaling. Furthermore, FIS induced a strong reduction in the expression of fibrosis-related genes, contributing to the inhibition of fibrosis by inactivating transforming growth factor (Tgf)-β1/Smads/Erk1/2 signaling. Collectively, these results demonstrated that FIS could be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of obesity-associated cardiac injury.

Typhaneoside prevents acute myeloid leukemia (AML) through suppressing proliferation and inducing ferroptosis associated with autophagy

Leukemia remains a fatal disease for most patients and effective therapeutic strategies are urgently required. Typhaneoside (TYP) is a major flavonoid in the extract of Pollen Typhae, showing significant biological and pharmacological effects. In the present study, we explored the effects of TYP on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) progression. The results indicated that TYP markedly reduced the cell viability of AML cells and arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase by regulating the expression of associated proteins. In addition, TYP significantly induced apoptosis in AML cells by promoting the activation of Caspase-3. Intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation were highly detected in AML cells after treatment with TYP. Moreover, TYP clearly induced ferroptosis in AML cells, and this process was iron-dependent and attendant with mitochondrial dysfunction. We also found that TYP significantly triggered autophagy in AML cells by promoting the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling, contributing to ferritin degradation, ROS accumulation and ferroptotic cell death ultimately. In conclusion, the findings above provided solid evidences that TYP could be a promising therapeutic agent to prevent AML progression by inducing apoptosis, ROS production, autophagy and ferroptosis.

Aldose Reductase Inhibitors of Plant Origin in the Prevention and Treatment of Alcoholic Liver Disease: A Minireview

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is caused by heavy alcohol consumption over a long period. Acetaldehyde-mediated toxicity, oxidative stress, and imbalance of lipid metabolism are generally considered involved in the initiation of ALD. There is an increasing requirement for alternative and natural medicine to treat ALD. Recently, aldose reductase (AR) has been reported to be involved in the development of ALD by affecting inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolism. Here, we review the effect of plant-derived AR inhibitors on ALD in rodents. And we conclude that AR inhibitors of plant origin may enhance antioxidant capacity, inhibit lipid peroxidation and inflammatory cytokines expression, and activate AMP-activated protein kinase thereby subsequently suppressing alcohol-induced lipid synthesis in liver to achieve ALD protection. This review reveals that natural AR inhibitor may be potential therapeutic agent for ALD.

Protective effect of 7,3',4'-flavon-3-ol (fisetin) on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is a leading cause of drug-induced acute liver failure in clinic. Fisetin (FST) is a phenolic compound that has been isolated from many natural products.

PURPOSE

Our aim is to study the protection effect and mechanisms of FST on APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in endogenous metabolism and metabolomics in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

FST was i.g. administered to mice at 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg for 7 days and a single dose of APAP (400 mg/kg) was given on the last day. Serum and tissue were collected for biochemical analysis. L-02 cells were used to assess cell viability. LC-MS was used to study the metabolic fingerprinting in vivo and vitro. PCA and OPLS-DA were used to search the potential biomarkers (VIP > 1, p < 0.05). The pathway analysis was conducted on Metaboanalyst 4.0. Then liver oxidative stress indices and glutathione markers were examined using PCR and kits.

RESULTS

ALT, AST, liver histological observation and cell viability results showed that FST could reverse APAP induced toxicology in mice and L-02 cells. In metabolomics study, 26 metabolites in vitro and 60 metabolites in vivo were identified by searching in the library and most of them decreased to normal level in FST treatment. It is observed in pathway analysis that the most significant pathway was glutathione metabolism. Furthermore, the results of mRNA and immunofluorescence showed that FST suppressed ROS formation in liver tissue and L-02 cells, as well as restored the expression of GPX1, GST and other antioxidative enzymes genes.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that FST prevented APAP-induced hepatotoxicity by regulating glutathione metabolism and the expression of related antioxidative signals.

Protective Effects of Five Structurally Diverse Flavonoid Subgroups against Chronic Alcohol-Induced Hepatic Damage in a Mouse Model

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) has become one of the major global health problems, with augmented morbidity and mortality. Evidence indicates that flavonoids can reduce the risk of ALD owing to their biological properties. However, the effect of structurally different flavonoid subclasses on alleviating alcohol-induced liver damage in a same model has never been studied. In this study, mice were supplemented with five kinds of flavonoid subgroups, apigenin (flavone), quercetin (flavonol), naringenin (flavanone), (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (flavanol), and genistein (isoflavone), in the same dose (0.3 mmol kg⁻¹ body weight) and then given 50% alcohol by gastric perfusion for five consecutive weeks. The results demonstrated that genistein and naringenin had greater benefits in terms of mitigating fibrosis and apoptosis, respectively, in the liver. Lipid deposition, partial inflammatory-related factors (nuclear factor kappa B p65, cyclooxygenase-2, and interleukin-6 levels), and hepatic histopathological alterations were similarly attenuated by five kinds of flavonoids. All the flavonoids also showed different degrees of influence on protecting against alcoholic liver injury on other aspects, such as serum biochemistry makers, hepatic lipid accumulation, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant capacities, and inflammation.

Fisetin Attenuates Metabolic Dysfunction in Mice Challenged with a High-Fructose Diet

Excess fructose consumption can lead to metabolic syndrome, including insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hepatic injury, which are associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. The present study was to investigate whether fisetin improved multiple disturbances induced by fructose consumption. First, fisetin was found to be nontoxic to mice after an 8 week treatment. Second, the mice fed with a high-fructose (HFru)-diet for 8 weeks exhibited insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hepatic injury, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Fisetin supplementation effectively improved the undesirable results mentioned above when compared to the HFru group. Meanwhile, fisetin significantly suppressed the nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) pathway and activated the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway in mice fed with HFru. Our findings demonstrated that fisetin exerted the beneficial effects in HFru-feeding mice, which might be associated with suppression of NF-κB and activation of the Nrf2 pathway.

Cellular crosstalk mediated by platelet-derived growth factor BB and transforming growth factor β during hepatic injury activates hepatic stellate cells

Apoptotic hepatocytes release factors that activate hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), thereby inducing hepatic fibrosis. In the present study, in vivo and in vitro injury models were established using acetaminophen, ethanol, carbon tetrachloride, or thioacetamide. Histology of hepatotoxicant-induced diseased hepatic tissue correlated with differential expression of fibrosis-related genes. A marked increase in co-staining of transforming growth factor β receptor type II (TGFRIIβ) – desmin or α-smooth muscle actin – platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ), markers of activated HSCs, in liver sections of these hepatotoxicant-treated mice also depicted an increase in Annexin V – cytokeratin expressing hepatocytes. To understand the molecular mechanisms of disease pathology, in vitro experiments were designed using the conditioned medium (CM) of hepatotoxicant-treated HepG2 cells supplemented to HSCs. A significant increase in HSC proliferation, migration, and expression of fibrosis-related genes and protein was observed, thereby suggesting the characteristics of an activated phenotype. Treating HepG2 cells with hepatotoxicants resulted in a significant increase in mRNA expression of platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ). CM supplemented to HSCs resulted in increased phosphorylation of PDGFRβ and TGFRIIβ along with its downstream effectors, extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 and focal adhesion kinase. Neutralizing antibodies against PDGF-BB and TGFβ effectively perturbed the hepatotoxicant-treated HepG2 cell CM-induced activation of HSCs. This study suggests PDGF-BB and TGFβ as potential molecular targets for developing anti-fibrotic therapeutics.

Capsaicin, the pungent principle of peppers, ameliorates alcohol-induced acute liver injury in mice via modulation of matrix metalloproteinases

Alcohol, the most common cause for hepatic injury, may further deteriorate the hepatic tissue when left unattended. Capsaicin, the pungent principle of chilli peppers, possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and is a proven dietary antioxidant in various ailments. However, its role in alcohol-induced hepatic injury is unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of capsaicin on the hepatic tissue of mice treated with alcohol. Acute liver injury was induced in mice by oral gavage of 5 doses of 10 mL/kg of 50% ethyl alcohol at an interval of 12 h. The tissue antioxidant levels along with the mitochondrial functional parameters and matrix metalloproteinase levels were evaluated in the hepatic tissues of mice following alcohol challenge. The results showed that alcohol intake significantly attenuated the hepatic antioxidant levels and mitochondrial function. These changes were accompanied by enhanced serum hepatic injury markers and matrix metalloproteinases. However, capsaicin treatment (10 and 20 mg/kg, oral) throughout the experimental period caused a drastic improvement in the hepatic tissue of the alcohol-treated mice, reflected by the normalization of hepatic enzyme and protein levels along with restored histological alterations. These results indicate that capsaicin, as a dietary intervention, may prevent alcohol-induced acute liver injury.

Barbaloin loaded polydopamine-polylactide-TPGS (PLA-TPGS) nanoparticles against gastric cancer as a targeted drug delivery system: Studies in vitro and in vivo

Gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-associated death worldwide. Although a decrease in its incidence is observed, gastric cancer still poses a major clinical challenge due to poor prognosis and limited treatments. Barbaloin (BBL) is a main medicinal composition of the Chinese traditional medicine aloe vera. BBL has various bioactivities, including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. Polydopamine (pD)-based surface modification is easy to functionalize polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) surfaces with ligands and/or additional polymeric layers. In the present study, BBL-loaded formulations was developed with pD-modified NPs, which was synthesized by polylactide-TPGS (PLA-TPGS) (pD-PLA-TPGS/NPs). And galactosamine (Gal) was conjugated on the prepared NPs (Gal-pD-PLA-TPGS/NPs) for targeting the gastric cancer cells. Here, we found that BBL-loaded Gal-pD-PLA-TPGS/NPs showed the highest cellular uptake efficacy in gastric cancer cells. Gal-pD-PLA-TPGS/NPs more significantly reduced the gastric cancer cell viability. Further, greater apoptosis, autophagy and ROS generation was induced by Gal-pD-PLA-TPGS/NPs in gastric cancer cells. Additionally, compared to the other two NPs, Gal-pD-PLA-TPGS/NPs most markedly decreased ATP levels in gastric cancer cells. In vivo, Gal-pD-PLA-TPGS/NPs were specifically targeted to tumor site. Moreover, Gal-pD-PLA-TPGS/NPs exhibited the most anti-tumor effects, as evidenced by the lowest tumor volume and tumor weight. Of note, there was no significant difference was observed in body and liver weight, as well as the histological changes in major organs isolated from each group of mice. Together, the findings indicated that BBL-loaded Gal-pD-PLA-TPGS/NPs could be targeted to gastric cancer cells to suppress tumor progression without toxicity.

Natural antioxidant polyphenols on inflammation management: Anti-glycation activity vs metalloproteinases inhibition

The diet polyphenols are a secondary metabolites of plants able to act on inflammation process. Their anti-inflammatory activity is articulated through several mechanisms that are related to their antioxidative and radical scavengers properties. Our work is focused on a novel approach to inflammatory disease management, based on anti-glycative and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) inhibition effects, as a connected phenomena. To better understand these correlation, polyphenols Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) studies were also reported. The antioxidant polyphenols inhibit the AGEs at different levels of the glycation process in the following ways: (1) prevention of Amadori adduct oxidation; (2) trapping reactive dycarbonyl compounds; (3) attenuation of receptor for AGEs (RAGE) expression. Moreover, several flavonoids with radical scavenging property showed also MMPs inhibition interact directly with MMPs or indirectly via radical scavengers and AGEs reduction. The essential polyphenols features involved in these mechanisms are C2-C3 double bond and number and position of hydroxyl, glycosyl and O-methyl groups. These factors induce a change in molecular planarity interfering with the hydrogen bond formation, electron delocalization and metal ion chelation. In particular, C2-C3 double bond improve the antioxidant and MMPs inhibition, while the hydroxylation, glycosylation and methylation induce a positive and negative correlation, respectively.

Polydatin alleviates alcohol-induced acute liver injury in mice: Relevance of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and hepatic antioxidants

BACKGROUND

Alcohol, a most commonly consumed beverage, is the foremost cause of liver injury throughout the world. Polydatin, a stilbenoid glucoside, was known to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and is being investigated for use in various disorders.

PURPOSE

The present study was intended at investigating the hepatoprotective efficacy of polydatin against acute-alcohol induced liver injury model in mice.

STUDY DESIGN

C57BL/6 mice were fed with five doses of 50% ethyl alcohol (10ml/kg body weight) to induce acute liver injury. Effect of polydatin against alcohol induced hepatic injury was investigated by giving 50 or 100mg/kg polydatin, orally, for 8 days.

METHODS

Serum markers of liver injury, morphology, histology and fibrosis of liver tissue, levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and the mitochondrial respiratory enzyme activities in liver tissue were investigated. The activities and the protein expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and -9), the expression of NF-κB in the liver tissue were also studied.

RESULTS

Polydatin pre-treatment significantly alleviated the alcohol induced hepatic injury by reducing the serum liver injury markers, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), attenuating oxidative stress and restoring antioxidant balance in the hepatic tissue. Simultaneously, polydatin pre-treatment also prevented alcohol induced mitochondrial damage and refurbished the matrix metalloproteinases levels of the hepatic tissue.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the present study suggest that polydatin may have a potential benefit in preventing alcohol-induced acute hepatic injury.

Protective Effects of Genistein and Puerarin against Chronic Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury in Mice via Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Anti-apoptotic Mechanisms

This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of genistein or puerarin on chronic alcohol-induced liver injury in vivo and to explore the underlying mechanisms of hepatoprotective effects. Mice were administered genistein or puerarin (0.3 mmol kg(-1) body weight) and gastrically infused with 50% alcohol once per day for 5 weeks. Levels of serum transaminases, serum and hepatic lipids, hepatic antioxidant capacities, inflammation, apoptosis, and histopathological sections were analyzed. Results showed that genistein and puerarin exhibited similar effects in ameliorating alcohol-induced liver injury. However, genistein is more effective than puerarin in decreasing levels of malondialdehyde (1.05 ± 0.0947 vs 1.28 ± 0.213 nmol/mg pro, p < 0.05), tumor necrosis factor α (3.12 ± 0.498 vs 3.82 ± 0.277 pg/mg pro, p < 0.05), interleukin-6 (1.46 ± 0.223 vs 1.88 ± 0.309 pg/mg pro, p < 0.05), whereas puerarin is more effective than genistein in ameliorating serum activities or levels of alanine transaminase (35.8 ± 3.95 vs 42.6 ± 6.56 U/L, p < 0.05) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (1.12 ± 0.160 vs 1.55 ± 0.150 mmol/L, p < 0.05). In conclusion, both genistein and puerarin effectively alleviate hepatic damage induced by chronic alcohol administration through potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, or anti-apoptotic mechanisms.