Gintonin absorption in intestinal model systems

Eyelash serums: A comprehensive review

BACKGROUND

Eyelash serums, both prescription and over-the-counter, are gaining popularity for enhancing the appearance of eyelashes through various biologically active molecules. Categorized into prostaglandin analogs and non-prostaglandin analogs, these serums claim increased strength, length, luster, and thickness. Current United States law also requires no efficacy or safety assessments by the Food and Drug Administration before approving products for consumer use, potentially posing health risks for patients seeking over-the-counter eyelash enhancements.

AIMS

Our aims include exploring proposed benefits and adverse effects associated with eyelash serums, while providing evidence-based clinical recommendations on their use. We aim to contribute valuable insights to the understanding of eyelash serums and their respective safety considerations.

METHODS

The authors conducted a comprehensive electronic search across databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central, and Google Scholar to evaluate eyelash serum ingredients. Articles were evaluated by two independent researchers for relevance, and the ingredients discussed were analyzed and given clinical recommendations for eyelash serums based off the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine.

RESULTS

Results highlight bimatoprost's efficacy, supported by numerous studies evaluating safety and adverse effects. Other prostaglandin ingredients show potential benefits, but further studies are encouraged to enhance the understanding of respective safety profiles. While non-prostaglandins ingredients show promising data, more studies are needed due to a lack of formal evidence in eyelash serum use.

CONCLUSION

As the cosmeceutical market for eyelash serums is growing, dermatologists need to be knowledgeable about evidence-based information regarding prescription and over-the-counter eyelash serum products before making recommendations to patients.

A critical review of a typical research system for food-derived metal-chelating peptides: Production, characterization, identification, digestion, and absorption

In the past decade, food-derived metal-chelating peptides (MCPs) have attracted significant attention from researchers working towards the prevention of metal (viz., iron, zinc, and calcium) deficiency phenomenon by primarily inhibiting the precipitation of metals caused by the gastrointestinal environment and exogenous substances (including phytic and oxalic acids). However, for the improvement of limits of current knowledge foundations and future investigation directions of MCP or their derivatives, several review categories should be improved and emphasized. The species' uniqueness and differences in MCP productions highly contribute to the different values of chelating ability with particular metal ions, whereas comprehensive reviews of chelation characterization determined by various kinds of technique support different horizons for explaining the chelation and offer options for the selection of characterization methods. The reviews of chelation mechanism clearly demonstrate the involvement of potential groups and atoms in chelating metal ions. The discussions of digestive stability and absorption in various kinds of absorption model in vitro and in vivo as well as the theory of involved cellular absorption channels and pathways are systematically reviewed and highlighted compared with previous reports as well. Meanwhile, the chelation mechanism on the molecular docking level, the binding mechanism in amino acid identification level, the utilizations of everted rat gut sac model for absorption, and the involvement of cellular absorption channels and pathway are strongly recommended as novelty in this review. This review makes a novel contribution to the literature by the comprehensive prospects for the research and development of food-derived mineral supplements.

Preparation and Evaluation of Novel Supersaturated Solid Dispersion of Magnolol : Theme: Advancements in Amorphous Solid Dispersions to Improve Bioavailability

This article aimed to design a new type of supersaturated solid dispersion (NS-SD) loaded with Magnolol (Mag) to raise the oral bioavailability in rats. In the light of the solubility parameters, phase solubility experiments, inhibition precipitation experiment, and in vitro release experiment, Plasdone-630 (PS-630) was selected as the optimum carrier. In addition, Mag-NS-SD was prepared by adding Monoglyceride (MG) and Lecithin High Potency (LHP) into the Mag-S-SD (Mag:PS-630 = 1:3), so as to reduce the dosage of carrier and improve the release rate. Using central composite design of response surface method, the prescription was further optimized. As the optimized condition was Mag:PS-630: MG: LHP = 1:3:0.8:0.266, the drug release rate was the fastest. Besides, after 45 min, the release rate was nearly 100%. The constructed Mag-S-SD and Mag-NS-SD were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and infrared absorption spectrum. The XRD patterns of Mag-S-SD and Mag-NS-SD indicated that all APIs were amorphous. The IR spectra of Mag-S-SD and Mag-NS-SD demonstrated the existence of hydrogen bonding in the systems. Furthermore, in vivo pharmacokinetic study in rats revealed that compared with Mag and Mag-S-SD, Mag-NS-SD significantly increased the bioavailability (the relative bioavailability was 213.69% and 142.37%, separately). In this study, Mag-NS-SD was successfully prepared, which could improve the oral bioavailability and may increase the clinical application.

Effect of carbon chain length on the hydrolysis and transport characteristics of alkyl gallates in rat intestine

Phenolipids such as alkyl gallates (A-GAs) have been approved by food industry as non-toxic antioxidant additives. However, their digestion and absorption mechanisms in the intestine have not yet been clarified. In this research, the hydrolysis and transport characteristics of A-GAs with fatty alcohols of various chain lengths (C1:0, C2:0, C3:0, C4:0, C8:0, C12:0 and C16:0) were estimated by the everted-rat-gut-sac model (ERGSM) for the first time. High-performance liquid chromatography measurements proved that measurable peaks corresponding to methyl gallate (G-C1:0), ethyl gallate (G-C2:0), propyl gallate (G-C3:0) and butyl gallate (G-C4:0) were discovered in the serosal fluids, which showed the short-chain alkyl gallates can cross the membrane in the form of esters. Besides, all A-GAs were hydrolyzed to GA in the mucosal solution, which contributed evidently to the transport of GA across the membrane of the small intestine. Meanwhile, the hydrolysis rate of A-GAs and transport rate of GA initially increased and then decreased with the chain length, exhibiting a maximum for octyl gallate (G-C8:0). In general, all A-GAs have the behavior of sustained-release. In consequence, the production of A-GAs should be an effective method to extend action time and further increases biological activities of GA.

Preparation and Evaluation of Self-emulsifying Drug Delivery System (SEDDS) of Cepharanthine

The aim of this article was to design a self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) of loaded cepharanthine (CEP) to improve the oral bioavailability in rats. Based on the solubility determination and pseudo-ternary phase diagram, isopropyl palmitate (IPP) was chosen as the oil phase. Meanwhile, Cremophor RH40 and Macrogol 200 (PEG 200) were chosen as the emulsifier and co-emulsifier, respectively. This prescription was further optimized by using central composite design of response surface methodology. The optimized condition was CEP:IPP:Cremophor RH40:PEG 200=3.6:30.0:55.3:11.1 in mass ratio with maximum drug loading (36.21 mg/mL) and the minimum particle size (36.70 nm). The constructed CEP-SEDDS was characterized by dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, in vitro release and stability studies. The dissolution level of CEP-SEDDS was nearly 100% after 30 min in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 6.8) which was higher than that of the pure CEP (approximately 20%). In addition, in vivo pharmacokinetic study in rats showed that CEP-SEDDS dramatically improved bioavailability compared with active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) (the relative bioavailability was 203.46%). In this study, CEP-SEDDS was successfully prepared to enhance the oral bioavailability which might facilitate to increase its better clinical application.

Neuroprotective Potentials of Panax Ginseng Against Alzheimer's Disease: A Review of Preclinical and Clinical Evidences

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is a major health concern in the increasingly aged population worldwide. Currently, no clinically effective drug can halt the progression of AD. Panax ginseng C.A. Mey. is a well-known medicinal plant that contains ginsenosides, gintonin, and other components and has neuroprotective effects against a series of pathological cascades in AD, including beta-amyloid formation, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. In this review, we summarize the effects and mechanisms of these major components and formulas containing P. ginseng in neuronal cells and animal models. Moreover, clinical findings regarding the prevention and treatment of AD with P. ginseng or its formulas are discussed. This review can provide new insights into the possible use of ginseng in the prevention and treatment of AD.

Biological evidence of gintonin efficacy in memory disorders

Gintonin is a novel glycolipoprotein, which has been abundantly found in the root of Korean ginseng. It holds lysophosphatidic acids (LPAs), primarily identified LPA C18:2, and is an exogenous agonist of LPA receptors (LPARs). Gintonin maintains blood-brain barrier integrity, and it has recently been studied in several models of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Gintonin demonstrated neuroprotective activity by providing action against neuroinflammation-, apoptosis- and oxidative stress-mediated neurodegeneration. Gintonin showed an emerging role as a modulator of synaptic transmission and neurogenesis and also potentially regulated autophagy in primary cortical astrocytes. It also ameliorated the toxic agent-induced and genetic models of cognitive deficits in experimental NDDs. As a novel agonist of LPARs, gintonin regulated several G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) including GPR40 and GPR55. However, further study needs to be investigated to understand the underlying mechanism of action of gintonin in memory disorders.

Ongoing Research on the Role of Gintonin in the Management of Neurodegenerative Disorders

Neurodegenerative disorders, namely Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and multiple sclerosis (MS), are increasingly major health concerns due to the increasingly aged population worldwide. These conditions often share the same underlying pathological mechanisms, including elevated oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and the aggregation of proteins. Several studies have highlighted the potential to diminish the clinical outcomes of these disorders via the administration of herbal compounds, among which gintonin, a derivative of ginseng, has shown promising results. Gintonin is a noncarbohydrate/saponin that has been characterized as a lysophosphatidic acid receptor (LPA Receptor) ligand. Gintonin may cause a significant elevation in calcium levels [Ca2+]i intracellularly, which promotes calcium-mediated cellular effects via the modulation of ion channels and cell surface receptors, regulating the inflammatory effects. Years of research have suggested that gintonin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects against different models of neurodegeneration, and these effects may be employed to tackle the neurological changes. Therefore, we collected the main scientific findings and comprehensively presented them, covering preparation, absorption, and receptor-mediated functions, including effects against Alzheimer’s disease models, Parkinson’s disease models, anxiety and depression-like models, and other neurological disorders, aiming to provide some insights for the possible usage of gintonin in the management of neurodegenerative conditions.

Bioavailability and prebiotic potential of Carapax Trionycis, a waste from soft-shelled turtle processing

BACKGROUND

Carapax Trionycis is the shell of the soft-shelled turtle. It is rich in minerals, amino acid, peptides, and other nutrients. Current processing and consumption of soft-shelled turtle leads to the waste of huge quantities of Carapax Trionycis in the form of spent materials. In this study, the bioavailability, prebiotic activity, and physicochemical properties of Carapax Trionycis using different processing methods were investigated. The vinegar-quenched Carapax Trionycis (V-CT), fine powders (D0.18, D0.10), and superfine powders (D0.05, D0.025) of Carapax Trionycis were prepared by the vinegar-quenching method, common grinding, and the superfine grinding method.

RESULTS

The average particle sizes of D0.18, D0.10, D0.05, and D0.025 were 147.82, 77.35, 36.65, and 2.24 μm, respectively. Superfine grinding changed the surface morphology of Carapax Trionycis and promoted the release of active ingredients. D0.025 had the highest polypeptide (8.15%), polysaccharide (1.21%), total free amino acid (232.36 mg 100 g^-1 ) and water-soluble extract content (10.74%), and showed the highest calcium release rate (55.64%) after in vitro digestion. The apparent permeability (P_APP ) of the resulting Carapax Trionycis samples in the dialysis tubing model and the everted intestinal sac model increased significantly with the decrease in the Carapax Trionycis particle sizes. Furthermore, the five Carapax Trionycis samples significantly stimulated the growth of the tested probiotics and increased lactic acids production after 48 h fermentation compared to the control. The Carapax Trionycis powder prepared by superfine grinding displayed better prebiotic activity than other samples as it significantly induced a greater proliferation of probiotic bacteria and higher production of lactic acid, as well as greater release of free calcium.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that Carapax Trionycis superfine powder D0.025 had the highest active ingredient content, calcium bioavailability, and prebiotic activity. Our approach of developing Carapax Trionycis superfine powder as natural calcium supplement or potential prebiotic would therefore broaden the scope of soft-shelled turtle processing waste utilization in an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable approach in the future. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Pharmacological potential of ginseng and its major component ginsenosides

Ginseng has been used as a traditional herb in Asian countries for thousands of years. It contains a large number of active ingredients including steroidal saponins, protopanaxadiols, and protopanaxatriols, collectively known as ginsenosides. In the last few decades, the antioxidative and anticancer effects of ginseng, in addition to its effects on improving immunity, energy and sexuality, and combating cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and neurological diseases, have been studied in both basic and clinical research. Ginseng could be a valuable resource for future drug development; however, further higher quality evidence is required. Moreover, ginseng may have drug interactions although the available evidence suggests it is a relatively safe product. This article reviews the bioactive compounds, global distribution, and therapeutic potential of plants in the genus Panax.

Impact of Drug Metabolism/Pharmacokinetics and their Relevance Upon Traditional Medicine-based Cardiovascular Drug Research

BACKGROUND

The representative cardiovascular herbs, i.e. Panax, Ligusticum, Carthamus, and Pueraria plants, are traditionally and globally used in the prevention and treatment of various cardiovascular diseases. Modern phytochemical studies have found many medicinal compounds from these plants, and their unique pharmacological activities are being revealed. However, there are few reviews that systematically summarize the current trends of Drug Metabolism/Pharmacokinetic (DMPK) investigations of cardiovascular herbs.

METHODS

Here, the latest understanding, as well as the knowledge gaps of the DMPK issues in drug development and clinical usage of cardiovascular herbal compounds, was highlighted.

RESULTS

The complicated herb-herb interactions of cardiovascular Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herb pair/formula significantly impact the PK/pharmacodynamic performance of compounds thereof, which may inspire researchers to develop a novel herbal formula for the optimized outcome of different cardiovascular diseases. While the Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity (ADME/T) of some compounds has been deciphered, DMPK studies should be extended to more cardiovascular compounds of different medicinal parts, species (including animals), and formulations, and could be streamlined by versatile omics platforms and computational analyses.

CONCLUSION

In the context of systems pharmacology, the DMPK knowledge base is expected to translate bench findings to clinical applications, as well as foster cardiovascular drug discovery and development.

Active ginseng components in cognitive impairment: Therapeutic potential and prospects for delivery and clinical study

Cognitive impairment is a state that affects thinking, communication, understanding, and memory, and is very common in various neurological disorders. Among many factors, age-related cognitive decline is an important area in mental health research. Research to find therapeutic medications or supplements to treat cognitive deficits and maintain cognitive health has been ongoing. Ginseng and its active components may have played a role in treating chronic disorders. Numerous preclinical studies have confirmed that ginseng and its active components such as ginsenosides, gintonin, and compound K are pharmacologically efficacious in different models of and are linked to cognitive impairment. Among their several roles, they act as an anti-neuroinflammatory and help fight against oxidative stress and modulate the cholinergic signal. These roles may be involved in enhancing cognition and attenuating impairment. There have been some clinical studies on the activity of ginseng in cognitive impairment, but many ginseng species and active compounds remain to be investigated. In addition, new formulations of active ginseng components such as nanoparticles and liposomes could be used for preclinical and clinical models of cognitive impairment. Here, we discuss the therapeutic potential of active ginseng components in cognitive impairment and their chemistry and pharmacokinetics and consider prospects for their delivery and clinical study with respect to cognitive impairment.

Gintonin stimulates autophagic flux in primary cortical astrocytes

Background

Gintonin (GT), a novel ginseng-derived exogenous ligand of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptors, has been shown to induce cell proliferation and migration in the hippocampus, regulate calcium-dependent ion channels in the astrocytes, and reduce β-amyloid plaque in the brain. However, whether GT influences autophagy in cortical astrocytes is not yet investigated.

Methods

We examined the effect of GT on autophagy in primary cortical astrocytes using immunoblot and immunocytochemistry assays. Suppression of specific proteins was performed via siRNA. LC3 puncta was determined using confocal microscopy.

Results

GT strongly upregulated autophagy marker LC3 by a concentration- as well as time-dependent manner via G protein–coupled LPA receptors. GT-induced autophagy was further confirmed by the formation of LC3 puncta. Interestingly, on pretreatment with an mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, rapamycin, GT further enhanced LC3-II and LC3 puncta expression. However, GT-induced autophagy was significantly attenuated by inhibition of autophagy by 3-methyladenine and knockdown Beclin-1, Atg5, and Atg7 gene expression. Importantly, when pretreated with a lysosomotropic agent, E-64d/peps A or bafilomycin A1, GT significantly increased the levels of LC3-II along with the formation of LC3 puncta. In addition, GT treatment enhanced autophagic flux, which led to an increase in lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 and degradation of ubiquitinated p62/SQSTM1.

Conclusion

GT induces autophagy via mTOR-mediated pathway and elevates autophagic flux. This study demonstrates that GT can be used as an autophagy-inducing agent in cortical astrocytes.