Honokiol alleviates acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity via decreasing generation of acetaminophen-protein adducts in liver

Paeonia lactiflora Pall. ameliorates acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis via inhibiting the PKC-ERK pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (PLP), a traditional Chinese medicine, is recognized for its antioxidative and anti-apoptotic properties. Despite its potential medicinal value, the mechanisms underlying its efficacy have been less explored, particularly in alleviating acute liver injury (ALI) caused by excessive intake of acetaminophen (APAP).

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to elucidate the role and mechanisms of PLP in mitigating oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by APAP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

C57BL/6 male mice were pre-treated with PLP for seven consecutive days, followed by the induction of ALI using APAP. Liver pathology was assessed using HE staining. Serum indicators, immunofluorescence (IF), immunohistochemical (IHC), and transmission electron microscopy were employed to evaluate levels of oxidative stress, ferroptosis and apoptosis. Differential expression proteins (DEPs) in the APAP-treated and PLP pre-treated groups were analyzed using quantitative proteomics. Subsequently, the potential mechanisms of PLP pre-treatment in treating ALI were validated using western blotting, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis.

RESULTS

The UHPLC assay confirmed the presence of three compounds, i.e., albiflorin, paeoniflorin, and oxypaeoniflorin. Pre-treatment with PLP was observed to ameliorate liver tissue pathological damage through HE staining. Further confirmation of efficacy of PLP in alleviating APAP-induced liver injury and oxidative stress was established through liver function serum biochemical indicators, IF of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and IHC of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) detection. However, PLP did not demonstrate a significant effect in alleviating APAP-induced ferroptosis. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy and TUNEL staining indicated that PLP can mitigate hepatocyte apoptosis. PKC-ERK pathway was identified by proteomics, and subsequent molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and SPR verified binding of the major components of PLP to ERK protein. Western blotting demonstrated that PLP suppressed protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation, blocking extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and inhibiting oxidative stress and cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that PLP possesses hepatoprotective abilities against APAP-induced ALI, primarily by inhibiting the PKC-ERK cascade to suppress oxidative stress and cell apoptosis.

Honokiol and magnolol: A review of structure-activity relationships of their derivatives

Honokiol (HK) and magnolol (MAG) are typical representatives of neolignans possessing a wide range of biological activities and are employed as traditional medicines in Asia. In the past few decades, HK and MAG have been proven to be promising chemical scaffolds for the development of novel neolignan drugs. This review focuses on recent advances in the medicinal chemistry of HK and MAG derivatives, especially their structure-activity relationships. In addition, it also presents a comprehensive summary of the pharmacology, biosynthetic pathways, and metabolic characteristics of HK and MAG. This review can provide pharmaceutical chemists deeper insights into medicinal research on HK and MAG, and a reference for the rational design of HK and MAG derivatives.

Caesalpinia bonducella Counteracts Paracetamol-Instigated Hepatic Toxicity via Modulating TNF-α and IL-6/10 Expression and Bcl-2 and Caspase-8/3 Signalling

Paracetamol is the most predominantly used antipyretic and analgesic drug. As paracetamol is metabolised mostly in the liver, both deliberate and unintentional overdoses of paracetamol are reported to provoke severe hepatotoxicity, including liver failure. Caesalpinia bonducella seed is well known for its medicinal and therapeutic properties. However, there is no report on its potential protective effects against paracetamol-instigated hepatotoxicity. Therefore, we studied the protective effects of aqueous seed extract of Caesalpinia bonducella (ASECB) on paracetamol-instigated hepatotoxicity in rats. Thirty female albino rats were divided into five groups: control, paracetamol-intoxicated, ASECB + paracetamol, silymarin + paracetamol, and ASECB alone. The rats were assessed for liver enzyme markers (alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase), antioxidant activity (superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase), lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde), histopathological, cytokine levels (pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10), and protein expression (pro-apoptotic markers caspase 3 and caspase 8 and anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-2) after the 8-day study period. Repercussions of paracetamol intoxication induced upregulation of liver enzyme markers, antioxidant depletion, malondialdehyde production, decreased expression of Bcl-2 and IL-10, and overexpression of apoptotic and pro-inflammatory mediators, which were attenuated by pre-treatment with ASECB. ASECB markedly mitigated paracetamol-instigated liver injury by suppressing caspase-8/3 signalling and inflammatory infiltration in liver tissue by significantly reducing TNF-α and IL-6. In conclusion, ASECB pre-treatment exerts potent liver protection against paracetamol-instigated hepatotoxicity evidenced by mitigation of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, inflammation, and apoptosis.

Progress of research on the role of active ingredients of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium in liver injury

BACKGROUND

Liver is a vital organ responsible for metabolizing and detoxifying both endogenous and exogenous substances in the body. However, it is susceptible to damage from chemical and natural toxins. The high incidence and mortality rates of liver disease and its associated complications impose a significant economic burden and survival pressure on patients and their families. Various liver diseases exist, including cholestasis, viral and non-viral hepatitis, fatty liver disease, drug-induced liver injury, alcoholic liver injury, and severe end-stage liver diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCA). Recent research has shown that flavonoids found in Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP) have the potential to normalize blood glucose, cholesterol levels, and liver lipid levels. Additionally, these flavonoids exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, prevent oxidation and lipid peroxidation, and reduce liver toxicity, thereby preventing liver injury. Given these promising findings, it is essential to explore the potential of active components in CRP for developing new drugs to treat liver diseases.

OBJECTIVE

Recent studies have revealed that flavonoids, including hesperidin (HD), hesperetin (HT), naringenin (NIN), nobiletin (NOB), naringin (NRG), tangerine (TN), and erodcyol (ED), are the primary bioactive components in CRP. These flavonoids exhibit various therapeutic effects on liver injury, including anti-oxidative stress, anti-cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrosis, and anti-tumor mechanisms. In this review, we have summarized the research progress on the hepatoprotective effects of HD, HT, NIN, NOB, NRG, TN, ED and limonene (LIM), highlighting their underlying molecular mechanisms. Despite their promising effects, the current clinical application of these active ingredients in CRP has some limitations. Therefore, further studies are needed to explore the full potential of these flavonoids and develop new therapeutic strategies for liver diseases.

METHODS

For this review, we conducted a systematic search of three databases (ScienceNet, PubMed, and Science Direct) up to July 2022, using the search terms "CRP active ingredient," "liver injury," and "flavonoids." The search data followed the PRISMA standard.

RESULTS

Our findings indicate that flavonoids found in CRP can effectively reduce drug-induced liver injury, alcoholic liver injury, and non-alcoholic liver injury. These therapeutic effects are mainly attributed to the ability of flavonoids to improve liver resistance to oxidative stress and inflammation while normalizing cholesterol and liver lipid levels by exhibiting anti-free radical and anti-lipid peroxidation properties.

CONCLUSION

Our review provides new insights into the potential of active components in CRP for preventing and treating liver injury by regulating various molecular targets within different cell signaling pathways. This information can aid in the development of novel therapeutic strategies for liver disease.

Honokiol Inhibits the Inflammatory Response and Lipid Metabolism Disorder by Inhibiting p38α in Alcoholic Liver Disease

Alcoholic liver disease is one of the leading causes of liver-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, but effective treatments are still lacking. Honokiol, a lignin-type natural compound isolated from the leaves and bark of Magnolia plants, has been widely studied for its beneficial effects on several chronic diseases. Accumulating studies have revealed that honokiol displays a potential therapeutic effect on alcoholic liver disease. In this study, the protective activity of honokiol on alcoholic liver disease was confirmed due to its significant inhibitory activity on the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β) in EtOH-fed mice and in EtOH-induced AML-12 cells. Meanwhile, the expression of the lipid metabolic parameter sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c was also reduced. However, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α was increased in animal and cell experiments, which indicates that the activity of honokiol was related to its regulated activity on lipid metabolism. The result showed that honokiol significantly inhibited the expression level of p38α in vivo and in vitro. Blocking p38α inhibited the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c but promoted the expression level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α compared with the honokiol-treated group. Moreover, the forced expression level of p38α further produced the opposite effect on inflammatory cytokines and lipid metabolism indicators. Furthermore, p38α has been related to the activation of the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway. In our study, honokiol significantly inhibited the activation of the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway mediated by p38α. In conclusion, the results suggest that honokiol might be an effective regulator of p38α by downregulating the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway, thereby reducing the inflammatory response and lipid metabolism disorder in alcoholic liver disease.

Honokiol alleviated neurodegeneration by reducing oxidative stress and improving mitochondrial function in mutant SOD1 cellular and mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting both upper and lower motor neurons (MNs) with large unmet medical needs. Multiple pathological mechanisms are considered to contribute to the progression of ALS, including neuronal oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Honokiol (HNK) has been reported to exert therapeutic effects in several neurologic disease models including ischemia stroke, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Here we found that honokiol also exhibited protective effects in ALS disease models both in vitro and in vivo. Honokiol improved the viability of NSC-34 motor neuron-like cells that expressed the mutant G93A SOD1 proteins (SOD1-G93A cells for short). Mechanistical studies revealed that honokiol alleviated cellular oxidative stress by enhancing glutathione (GSH) synthesis and activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway. Also, honokiol improved both mitochondrial function and morphology via fine-tuning mitochondrial dynamics in SOD1-G93A cells. Importantly, honokiol extended the lifespan of the SOD1-G93A transgenic mice and improved the motor function. The improvement of antioxidant capacity and mitochondrial function was further confirmed in the spinal cord and gastrocnemius muscle in mice. Overall, honokiol showed promising preclinical potential as a multiple target drug for ALS treatment.

Honokiol reduces cadmium-induced oxidative injury and endosomal/lysosomal vacuolation via protecting mitochondrial function in quail (Coturnix japonica) liver tissues

Cadmium (Cd) pollution in environment is toxic to birds. This study aimed to assess antagonistic effect of honokiol (HNK) on Cd-induced quail (Coturnix japonica) liver tissue damage and Cd-induced vacuolation in hepatocytes. We found that HNK alleviated Cd-induced liver pathological damage marked by elevated serum liver biochemical indicators, disordered antioxidant levels and trace elements in quails. HNK reduced Cd-induced liver cell apoptosis as assessed by western blotting and TUNEL staining. The ultrastructure of hepatocytes under transmission electron microscope revealed that Cd induced mitochondrial damage in addition to abnormal enlargement and increased vacuolar structure of cells. Mitochondrial damage and vacuolization were reduced in the HNK + Cd group. Cd induced an increase in the levels of endosomal/lysosomal-related genes, while HNK treatment reversed this effect. Finally, we demonstrated that vacuolation in buffalo rat liver 3A (BRL 3A) cells occurred primarily due to Cd-induced oxidative stress damage that reduces mitochondrial ATP content and indirectly led to dysfunction of ATP-dependent lipid kinase PIKfyve complex. In summary, we are the first to report that Cd induces abnormal enlargement of endosome/lysosomes in quail liver cells and HNK alleviated this phenomenon by reducing mitochondrial damage and increasing intracellular ATP level. This study demonstrated the toxic effect of Cd pollution on birds and how HNK mitigated these effect at the cellular level. Overall, more research on Cd pollution and HNK use in animal husbandry is warranted.

Plants and their Bioactive Compounds as a Possible Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury-Induced Multi-Organ Dysfunction Syndrome

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Traumatic brain injury is an outcome of the physical or mechanical impact of external forces on the brain. Thus, the silent epidemic has complex pathophysiology affecting the brain along with extracranial or systemic complications in more than one organ system, including the heart, lungs, liver, kidney, gastrointestinal and endocrine system. which is referred to as Multi-Organ Dysfunction Syndrome. It is driven by three interconnected mechanisms such as systemic hyperinflammation, paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity, and immunosuppression-induced sepsis. These multifaceted pathologies accelerate the risk of mortality in clinical settings by interfering with the functions of distant organs through hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, acute lung injury, neurogenic pulmonary edema, reduced gastrointestinal motility, Cushing ulcers, acute liver failure, acute kidney injury, coagulopathy, endocrine dysfunction, and many other impairments. The pharmaceutical treatment approach for this is highly specific in its mode of action and linked to a variety of side effects, including hallucinations, seizures, anaphylaxis, teeth, bone staining, etc. Therefore, alternative natural medicine treatments are widely accepted due to their broad complementary or synergistic effects on the physiological system with minor side effects.

CONCLUSION

This review is a compilation of the possible mechanisms behind the occurrence of multiorgan dysfunction and reported medicinal plants with organoprotective activity that have not been yet explored against traumatic brain injury and thereby, highlighting the marked possibilities of their effectiveness in the management of multiorgan dysfunction. As a result, we attempted to respond to the hypothesis against the usage of medicinal plants to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

Effects and contributory factors of sulfur-fumigation on the efficacy and safety of medicinal herbs evaluated by meta-analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Sulfur-fumigation undoubtedly alters the chemical and metabolic profiles, but controversially affects the efficacy and safety of medicinal herbs.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To comprehensively evaluate the effects of sulfur-fumigation on the efficacy and safety of medicinal herbs using a meta-analysis approach and further investigate the potential contributory factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Literatures were retrieved on PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese VIP Information and Wanfang, and the outcomes involved activities and toxicities were extracted using standard data extraction forms. The effects of sulfur-fumigation on the efficacy and safety of medicinal herbs were evaluated by meta-analysis approaches.

RESULTS

A total of sixteen studies were included in this study. Sulfur-fumigation reduced the efficacies of medicinal herbs with immune activity [thymus index (SMD = -1.81; P < 0.00001); spleen index (SMD = -1.11; P < 0.0001)], anti-oxidative activity [MDA (SMD = 2.60; P = 0.04); SOD (SMD = -2.21; P < 0.00001)], analgesic activity [heat tolerate time (SMD = -2.51; P = 0.001); writhing time (SMD = 0.36; P = 0.006)], anti-platelet aggregation activity (SMD = -1.84; P = 0.001), and anti-inflammatory activity [ear swelling degree (SMD = 0.47; P = 0.006)]. The reductions might be ascribed to sulfur-fumigation significantly reduced the contents of active ingredients in medicinal herbs, leading to dramatic decrease in the absorption of these ingredients and their metabolites in vivo. Furthermore, sulfur-fumigation induced the toxicities of medicinal herbs, mainly on hepatotoxicity, which might due to fumigation-induced residues of sulfur dioxide and heavy metal, and generations of sulfur-containing derivatives and toxic metabolites. Besides, administrated with sulfur-fumigated medicinal herbs with high sulfur ratio and/or higher dosage showed more significant toxicity.

CONCLUSION

Sulfur-fumigation reduced the efficacy and safety of medicinal herbs, indicating sulfur-fumigation might not a feasible approach to process medicinal herbs. However, with obvious limitations, much more rigorous designed-trials are still needed to confirm the conclusion.

Protective effects and possible mechanisms of Centella asiatica (L.) urban extract against acute and chronic liver injury: Evidence from in vivo and in vitro studies

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) has become a significant health care problem worldwide. Centella asiatica (L.) urban was traditionally used to prevent or treat various diseases, yet whether it works on hepatic injury remains unclear. In this study, multiple experimental models with different damage degrees and types of liver injury have been established to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of an n-butanol extract of Centella asiatica (CA-BU). Our results revealed that CA-BU improved hepatocyte L02 cells survival from H2 O2 -induced oxidative damage in a concentration-dependent manner. We further verified the hepatoprotective effects of CA-BU in mice models of acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury (one of the most common DILIs clinically) and CCl4 -induced acute chemical liver injury, and a rat model of chronic alcoholic steatohepatitis. Furthermore, network pharmacology approaches were performed to explore the underlying mechanisms, and we predicted AKT1, EGFR, VEGFA, and STAT3 as the potential therapeutic targets. In follow-up studies, we will focus on targets verification and provide a deeper insight into the mechanisms of CA-BU against liver damage. Finally, we hope that these findings will provide new ideas and insights for the treatment of acute or chronic liver injury in the clinic.

Hepatoprotective effect of Omega-3 PUFAs against acute paracetamol-induced hepatic injury confirmed by FTIR

Acute paracetamol over dose-induced hepatotoxicity is considered an important medical hazard especially among women. Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3 PUFAs) daily doses are nowadays recommended for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is considered a reliable method in analyzing cellular alterations and is now efficiently used to diagnose several diseases and the efficacy of drugs even in the early stages. The aim of our study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of Omega-3 PUFAs against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats confirmed through measuring protein alterations in hepatocytes by FTIR. Rats were pretreated with Omega-3 PUFAs (50 and 100 mg/kg) for 21 days prior to oral ingestion of paracetamol. FTIR results revealed that Omega-3 PUFAs (50 mg/kg) limited the toxic effects of paracetamol by restoring the hepatic amide I to amide II ratio. In addition; biochemical analyses demonstrated that serum ALT, AST, Cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and Il-6 levels as well as hepatic TNF-α, MDA, NOx levels were decreased. Besides; serum HDL-cholesterol level and hepatic GSH level were increased. Histopathological examinations of hepatic sections validated the hepatoprotective potential. The overall effect of this dose was comparable to those of the usual recommended hepatoprotective supplement; silymarin. In conclusion; it would be recommended to use Omega-3 PUFAs in low doses on daily bases as a hepatoprotective agent.

Isatidis Folium alleviates acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice by enhancing the endogenous antioxidant system

Isatidis Folium (IF) has been clinically combined with acetaminophen (APAP), but the rationality of combinational therapy is still ambiguous. In the present study, the protective effect and related mechanism of IF on APAP-induced hepatotoxicity were evaluated. Hepatic histopathology and blood biochemistry investigations clearly demonstrated that IF could restore APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. Liver distribution study indicated that the hepatoprotective effect of IF on APAP is attributed to the reduction of N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) in liver, which is a known hepatotoxic metabolite of APAP. Further study suggested the reduction is not via decreasing the generation of NAPQI through inhibiting the enzyme activities of CYP 1A2, 2E1, and 3A4 but via accelerating the transformation of NAPQI to NAPQI-GSH by promoting GSH and decreasing GSSG contents in liver. Furthermore, IF significantly enhanced the hepatic activities of GSH-associated enzymes in APAP-treated mice. In summary, IF could alleviate APAP-induced hepatotoxicity by reducing the content of NAPQI via enhancing the level of GSH and the followed generation of NAPQI-GSH which might be ascribed to the upregulation of GSH-associated enzymes.