Hepatoprotective effect of flavonoid-enriched fraction from Cyclocarya paliurus leaves on LPS/D-GalN-induced acute liver failure

Research Progress of Application and Interaction Mechanism of Polymers in Mineral Flotation: A Review

Polymers are composed of many smaller units connected by covalent bonds, with higher molecular weight and larger molecular structure. Due to their economical efficiency and easy modification, researchers have discovered the potential of polymers as the flotation reagent in mineral processing, including the roles of depressant, flocculant, and frother. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the utilization of polymers in mineral flotation, emphasizing their current applications and mechanistic investigations. The study categorizes polymers into three types: natural polymers, modified polymers, and synthesized polymers. Detailed discussions include the polymers structures, functional properties, adsorption mechanisms and specific application examples of each reagent are shown in the main text, which will provide a vital reference for the development of highly efficient and environmentally friendly reagents in mineral flotation.

Recent advances in methods of extraction, pre-concentration, purification, identification, and quantification of kaempferol

As a naturally widely-occurring dietary, cosmetic, and therapeutic flavonoid, kaempferol has gained much consideration for its nutritional and pharmaceutical properties in recent years. Although there have been performed a high number of studies associated with different aspects of kaempferol's analytical investigations, the lack of a comprehensive summary of the various methods and other plant sources that have been reported for this compound is being felt, especially for many biological applications. This study, aimed to provide a detailed compilation consisting of sources (plant species) and analytical information that was precisely related to the natural flavonoid (kaempferol). There is a trend in analytical research that supports the application of modern eco-friendly instruments and methods. In conclusion, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) is the most general advanced method used widely today for the extraction of kaempferol. During recent years, there is an increasing tendency towards the identification of kaempferol by different methods.

Phytochemical profiling, antioxidant potential and protective effect of leaves extract of tunisian Vitis vinifera autochthonous accessions against acute CCl4-injured hepatotoxicity in mice

Vitis vinifera leaves (VVL) are agro-industrial waste. In the current study, the phytochemical profile of V. vinifera leaves extracts (VVLE) of two Tunisian autochthonous accessions was determined via LC-UV-ESI/MS, and their antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties were also assessed. Mice were pretreated orally with VVLE (7.5, 15 and 30 mg/kg) for 7 days, and then received acutely and by i.p. a solution CCl₄ at 12% in sunflower oil (v/v). Serum levels of hepatic markers, oxidative stress indicators in liver tissue and histological changes were assessed. LC-UV-ESI/MS analysis revealed four phenolic compounds identified in both extracts with quercetin-3-O-glucuronide being the dominant constituent (23.32 ± 1.06 vs. 10.24 ± 0.12 mg/g DM, p < 0.05 for wild and cultivated accessions, respectively). The Antioxidant activity revealed a significant difference between the genotypes. Moreover, the VVLE of the wild "Nefza-I" ecotype was the most active based on antioxidant assays. Furthermore, the results showed that pre-treatment, especially with VVLE, of the wild ecotype "Nefza-I", attenuated CCl₄-induced acute liver injury in a dose-dependent manner, as demonstrated by the decrease in the activities of hepatic serum function markers. This was also evidenced by a decrease in the levels of lipoperoxidation and histological damage in the liver, as well as a restoration of antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD and catalase) and an increase in the hepatic glutathione content. Our results demonstrate that VVLE possesses protective effects on CCl₄-induced liver injury. Overall, the wild ecotype "Nefza-I" extract could serve as an effective protector against CCl₄-induced hepatocellular oxidative stress.

The phytochemicals and health benefits of Cyclocarya paliurus (Batalin) Iljinskaja

Cyclocarya paliurus (C. paliurus), a nutritional and nutraceutical resource for human and animal diets, has been constantly explored. The available biological components of C. paliurus were triterpenoids, polysaccharides, and flavonoids. Recent studies in phytochemical-phytochemistry; pharmacological-pharmacology has shown that C. paliurus performed medicinal value, such as antihypertensive, antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and immunological activities. Furthermore, C. paliurus and its extracts added to drinks would help to prevent and mitigate chronic diseases. This review provides an overview of the nutritional composition and functional applications of C. paliurus, summarizing the research progress on the extraction methods, structural characteristics, and biological activities. Therefore, it may be a promising candidate for developing functional ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine. However, a more profound understanding of its active compounds and active mechanisms through which they perform biological activities is required. As a result, the plant needs further investigation in vitro and in vivo.

The chemical composition and toxic effects of aqueous extracts of Cyclocarya paliurus leaves

Cyclocarya paliurus leaves, which possess various bioactivities, have been widely used in dietary supplements or as ingredients in functional foods. However, limited information is available about the toxicity or safety concerns. In the present work, the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and potential toxicity of the aqueous extracts of C. paliurus leaves (AECPL) were evaluated. Our results indicated that AECPL was rich in phenolics, flavonoids, and polysaccharides, which might be responsible for the health benefits of C. paliurus leaves. The MTD of AECPL was considered to be > 10,000 mg/kg BW in both male and female rats. The acute toxicity study was carried out by a 14-day repeat dose oral toxicity study. The results showed that the rats were all well-tolerated. No treatment-related mortality, abnormal clinical signs, body weight, or food consumption changes were reported during the study. Moreover, AECPL showed no adverse changes in the hematology, serum chemistry, urinalysis parameters, organ weights, gross finding, and histopathology. In this study, the non-observed-adverse-effect level of AECPL was 5,000 mg/kg BW/day, indicating AECPL was safe and can be used in the food industry.

Progress in Research on the Alleviation of Glucose Metabolism Disorders in Type 2 Diabetes Using Cyclocarya paliurus

Globally, the incidence of diabetes is increasing annually, and China has the largest number of patients with diabetes. Patients with type 2 diabetes need lifelong medication, with severe cases requiring surgery. Diabetes treatment may cause complications, side-effects, and postoperative sequelae that could lead to adverse health problems and significant social and economic burdens; thus, more efficient hypoglycemic drugs have become a research hotspot. Glucose metabolism disorders can promote diabetes, a systemic metabolic disease that impairs the function of other organs, including the heart, liver, and kidneys. Cyclocarya paliurus leaves have gathered increasing interest among researchers because of their effectiveness in ameliorating glucose metabolism disorders. At present, various compounds have been isolated from C. paliurus, and the main active components include polysaccharides, triterpenes, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. C. paliurus mainly ameliorates glucose metabolism disorders by reducing glucose uptake, regulating blood lipid levels, regulating the insulin signaling pathway, reducing β-cell apoptosis, increasing insulin synthesis and secretion, regulating abundances of intestinal microorganisms, and exhibiting α-glucosidase inhibitor activity. In this paper, the mechanism of glucose metabolism regulation by C. paliurus was reviewed to provide a reference to prevent and treat diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, obesity, and other metabolic diseases.

Advances on Cyclocarya paliurus polyphenols: Extraction, structures, bioactivities and future perspectives

Cyclocaryapaliurus (C. paliurus) is an edible and medicinal plant, distributed in southern China. As a kind of new food raw material, the leaves of C. paliurus are processed as tea products in daily life. C. paliurus is recognized as a good source to polyphenols, showing excellent bioactivities, which has attracted more and more attention. Polyphenols are important functional bioactive components in C. paliurus. C. paliurus polyphenols perform nutritional functions in anti-diabetes, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-obesity, anti-oxidant, and other activities. In this review, we summarize the research progress of extraction technologies, structural characteristics, and bioactivities of C. paliurus polyphenols. Other potential functions of C. paliurus polyphenols are prospected. This review provides a reference for further research and applications of C. paliurus polyphenols in a field of functional food and medicines.

Cyclocarya paliurus (Batalin) Iljinskaja: Botany, Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cyclocarya paliurus (Batalin) Iljinskaja (C. paliurus) also known as Sweet tea tree, Money tree, Money willow, green money plum, mountain willow and shanhua tree, is a native rare monocotyledonous plant in Southern China. It possesses numerous traditional benefits, including clearing heat, detoxification, producing saliva, slake thirst, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, dispelling wind and relieving itching. It is also effective in preventing and treating diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, dizziness and swelling and pain, as well as reducing cholesterol, and modulating the functions of the immune system. The stem, leaves and bark of this plant are all medicinal parts, but the leaves have the highest research value.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This article summarized the plant's botanical description, distribution, ethnopharmacology, phytochemical profiles and pharmacological for the first time, to provide possible directions for future development and research in brief.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The literature for this current manuscript was obtained from reports published from 1992 to May 2021 in diverse databases such as the China Knowledge Resource Integrated databases (CNKI), SciFinder, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, Elsevier and Pub-Med. The domestic and foreign references published about C. paliurus over recent years were collected, analyzed and summarized.

RESULTS

The botanical characteristics of the fruits of C. paliurus are unique in having a central nutlet surrounded by a circular wing to distinguish the living genera of Juglandaceae. In traditional medicine, C. paliurus leaves are used by the local people of Southern China to make tea to prevent diabetes. More than 210 compounds have been isolated from C. paliurus. Among them, the characteristic 3,4-seco-dammaranes accounted for the most. Other compounds include dammarane tetracyclic triterpenoids, various pentacyclic triterpenoids, flavonoids, isosclerones, phenolic derivatives and polysaccharides. The plant extracts and compounds have been reported to exert various pharmacological activities, such as anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-cancer, cytotoxic, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and anti-microbial activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Comprehensive literature analysis shows that C. paliurus extract and its compounds have a variety of biological activities for the treatment of various diseases. The current modern pharmacology research is mostly related to the records of ethnic pharmacology, mainly in vitro research, relatively few in vivo research. Therefore, future studies should focus on this aspect. In addition, we also would like to recommend further research should concentrate on toxicity studies and quality control of C. paliurus to fill the study gap, as well as to provide theoretical support for the further development of the potential functions and clinical applications of the plant.

The Study on the Mechanism of Hugan Tablets in Treating Drug-Induced Liver Injury Induced by Atorvastatin

Atorvastatin is a widely used lipid-lowering drug in the clinic. Research shows that taking long-term atorvastatin has the risk of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in most patients. Hugan tablets, a commonly used drug for liver disease, can effectively lower transaminase and protect the liver. However, the underlying mechanism of Hugan tablets alleviating atorvastatin-induced DILI remains unclear. To address this problem, comprehensive chemical profiling and network pharmacology methods were used in the study. First, the strategy of "compound-single herb-TCM prescription" was applied to characterize the ingredients of Hugan tablets. Then, active ingredients and potential targets of Hugan tablets in DILI treatment were screened using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and literature research. In the end, the mechanism of Hugan tablets in treating atorvastatin-induced DILI was elucidated. The results showed that Hugan tablets can effectively alleviate DILI induced by atorvastatin in model rats, and 71 compounds were characterized from Hugan tablets. Based on these compounds, 271 potential targets for the treatment of DILI were predicted, and 10 key targets were chosen by characterizing protein-protein interactions. Then, 30 potential active ingredients were screened through the molecular docking with these 10 key targets, and their biological activity was explained based on literature research. Finally, the major 19 active ingredients of Hugan tablets were discovered. In addition, further enrichment analysis of 271 targets indicated that the PI3K-Akt, TNF, HIF-1, Rap1, and FoxO signaling pathways may be the primary pathways regulated by Hugan tablets in treating DILI. This study proved that Hugan tablets could alleviate atorvastatin-induced DILI through multiple components, targets, and pathways.

Radioprotective Potential of Nutraceuticals and their Underlying Mechanism of Action

Radiations are an efficient treatment modality in cancer therapy. Besides the treatment effects of radiations, the ionizing radiations interact with biological systems and generate reactive oxygen species that interfere with the normal cellular process. Previous investigations of synthetic radioprotectors have shown less effectiveness, mainly owing to some limiting effects. The nutraceuticals act as efficient radioprotectors to protect the tissues from the deleterious effects of radiation. The main radioprotection mechanism of nutraceuticals is the scavenging of free radicals while other strategies are involved modulation of signaling transduction of pathways like MAPK (JNK, ERK1/2, ERK5, and P38), NF-kB, cytokines, and their protein regulatory genes expression. The current review is focused on the radioprotective effects of nutraceuticals including vitamin E, -C, organosulphur compounds, phenylpropanoids, and polysaccharides. These natural entities protect against radiation-induced DNA damage. The review mainly entails the antioxidant perspective and mechanism of action of their radioprotective activities on a molecular level, DNA repair pathway, anti-inflammation, immunomodulatory effects, the effect on cellular signaling pathways, and regeneration of hematopoietic cells.

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

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Adhatoda vasica Nees., which existed in a large; number of Tibetan medicine prescriptions for hepatopathy, used as an adjuvant to treat liver diseases.

HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE

Oxidative stress is the key player in the development and progression of liver pathogenesis. In recent years, research is increasingly being focused on exploitation of the active components from medicinal plants to combat the liver oxidative injury. In our study, we aimed to screen the active principles from A. vasica and clarify whether they could relieve oxidative damage induced by tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) and its potential mechanism via activating AMPK/p62/Nrf2 pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was adopted for analysis of chemical composition in the extracts. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the fractions was evaluated using DPPH, ABTS and reducing power assay. Along with this, the compounds in this fraction with highest antioxidant activity were analyzed using UPLC-MS. Based on this, the condition for extracting flavonoids of this subfraction was optimized via response surface method. CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell viability. Detection kits were used to measure the activity changes of AST, ALT, LDH and CAT as well as MDA and GSH levels induced by t-BHP. Detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was used DCFH-DA probe. DAPI staining and flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis. In terms of the mechanistic studies, the expression of proteins involved in AMPK/p62/Nrf2 pathway was measured using western blotting.

RESULTS

Eventually, 70% ethanol extract from leaf of A. vasica was chosen due to its highest active components compared with other extracts. Further, ethyl acetate fraction derived from 70% ethanol extract in A. vasica (AVEA) possess highest ability for scavenging DPPH and ABTS free radicals as well as strongest reducing power than other fractions. Chemical composition analysis showed that AVEA contained 17 compounds, including 1 quinazoline alkaloid, 12 flavonoid-C-glycosides and 4 flavonoid-O-glycosides. In addition, the conditions (ratio of solid-liquid 1:14, the concentration of ethanol 73%, and the temperature 65 °C) were selected to enrich the flavonoids in AVEA. Furthermore, AVEA could attenuate t-BHP induced hepatocyte damage via increasing the cell viability, restoring abnormal the activities of AST, ALT, LDH and CAT as well as the levels of MDA and GSH. ROS fluorescence intensity was reduced by AVEA. Meanwhile, it could inhibit the cell apoptosis of BRL 3 A cells, as evidenced by restoration of cell morphology and decreasing the number of apoptotic cells. Further mechanistic studies indicated AVEA could promote p-AMPK expression to further induce autophagy adaptor-p62 protein expression, which could autophagic degradation of Keap1, leading to Nrf2 release and translocation into nucleus to induce antioxidant genes (HO-1, NQO-1, GCLC and GCLM) expression.

CONCLUSION

In our study, AVEA was first to screen as the active fraction in A. vasica with alkaloids and abundant flavones. Moreover, the fraction potentiates its beneficial aspect by displaying the protective role on relieving t-BHP induced oxidative stress and activating AMPK/p62/Nrf2 pathway. AVEA helps maintain the redox homeostasis of hepatic cells and could be considered as an effective candidate against oxidative stress related liver disorders.

Radioprotective effects and mechanisms of animal, plant and microbial polysaccharides

Ionizing radiation is increasingly used to successfully diagnose many human health problems, but ionizing radiation may cause damage to organs/tissues in the living organisms such as the spleen, liver, skin, and brain. Many radiation protective agents have been discovered, with the deepening of radiation research. Unfortunately, these protective agents have many side effects, which cause drug resistance, nausea, vomiting, osteoporosis, etc. The polysaccharides extracted from natural sources are widely available and low in toxicity. In vivo and in vitro experiments have demonstrated that polysaccharides have anti-radiation activity through anti-oxidation, immune regulation, protection of hematopoietic system and protection against DNA damage. Recently, some studies have shown that polysaccharides were resistant to radiation. In the review, the anti-radiation activities of polysaccharides from different sources are summarized, and the anti-radiation mechanisms are discussed as well. It can be used to develop more effective anti-radiation management drugs.

Hepatoprotective Effect of the Ethanol Extract of Illicium henryi against Acute Liver Injury in Mice Induced by Lipopolysaccharide

The root bark of Illicium henryi has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat lumbar muscle strain and rheumatic pain. Its ethanol extract (EEIH) has been previously reported to attenuate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute kidney injury in mice. The present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activities and in vivo protective effects of EEIH against LPS-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice as well as explore its molecular mechanisms. The mice were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with EEIH at the doses of 1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/kg every day for 5 days. One hour after the last administration, the mice were administered i.p. with LPS (8 mg/kg). After fasting for 12 h, blood and liver tissues were collected to histopathological observation, biochemical assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and Western blot analyses. EEIH possessed 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid) disodium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging activities and ferric-reducing antioxidant capacity in vitro. The histopathological examination, serum biochemical analysis, and liver myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity showed that EEIH pretreatment alleviated LPS-induced liver injury in mice. EEIH significantly dose-dependently decreased the mRNA and protein expression levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and COX-2 in liver tissue of LPS-induced ALI mice via downregulating the mRNA and protein expressions of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and inhibiting the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65. Furthermore, EEIH markedly ameliorated liver oxidative and nitrosative stress burden in LPS-treated mice through reducing the content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and nitric oxide (NO) levels, restoring the decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, and up-regulating nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2). These results demonstrate that EEIH has protective effects against ALI in mice via alleviating inflammatory response, oxidative and nitrosative stress burden through activating the Nrf2 and suppressing the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways. The hepatoprotective activity of EEIH might be attributed to the flavonoid compounds such as catechin (1), 3',4',7-trihydroxyflavone (2), and taxifolin (7) that most possibly act synergistically.