Cinnamic acid rescues behavioral deficits in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury by targeting miR-455-3p/HDAC2

Microglial histone deacetylase 2 is dispensable for functional and histological outcomes in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury

The Class-I histone deacetylases (HDACs) mediate microglial inflammation and neurological dysfunction after traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, whether the individual Class-I HDACs play an indispensable role in TBI pathogenesis remains elusive. HDAC2 has been shown to upregulate pro-inflammatory genes in myeloid cells under brain injuries such as intracerebral hemorrhage, thereby worsening outcomes. Thus, we hypothesized that HDAC2 drives microglia toward a pro-inflammatory neurotoxic phenotype in a murine model of controlled cortical impact (CCI). Our results revealed that HDAC2 expression was highly induced in CD16/CD32+ pro-inflammatory microglia 3 and 7d after TBI. Surprisingly, microglia-targeted HDAC2 knockout (HDAC2 miKO) mice failed to demonstrate a beneficial phenotype after CCI/TBI compared to their wild-type (WT) littermates. HDAC2 miKO mice exhibited comparable levels of grey and white matter injury, efferocytosis, and sensorimotor and cognitive deficits after CCI/TBI as WT mice. RNA sequencing of isolated microglia 3d after CCI/TBI indicated the elevation of a panel of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines in HDAC2 miKO mice over WT mice, and flow cytometry showed further elevated brain infiltration of neutrophils and B cells in HDAC2 miKO mice. Together, this study does not support a detrimental role for HDAC2 in microglial responses after TBI and calls for investigation into alternative mechanisms.

Cinnamic Acid and Caffeic Acid Effects on Gastric Tight Junction Proteins Analyzed in Xenopus laevis Oocytes

Analysis of secondary plant compounds for the development of novel therapies is a common focus of experimental biomedicine. Currently, multiple health-supporting properties of plant-derived molecules are known but still information on many mechanisms is scarce. Cinnamic acid and caffeic acid are two of the most abundant polyphenols in human dietary fruits and vegetables. In this study, we investigated cinnamic acid and caffeic acid effects on the gastric barrier, which is primarily provided by members of the transmembrane tight junction protein family of claudins. The Xenopus laevis oocyte has been established, in recent years, as a heterologous expression system for analysis of transmembrane tight junction protein interactions, by performing paired oocyte experiments to identify an effect on protein-protein interactions, in vitro. In our current study, human gastric claudin-4, -5, and -18.2. were expressed and detected in the oocyte plasma membrane by freeze fracture electron microscopy and immunoblotting. Oocytes were paired and incubated with 100 µM or 200 µM cinnamic acid or caffeic acid, or Ringer's solution, respectively. Caffeic acid showed no effect on the contact area strength of paired oocytes but led to an increased contact area size. In contrast, cinnamic acid-incubated paired oocytes revealed a reduced contact area and a strengthening effect on the contact area was identified. These results may indicate that caffeic acid and cinnamic acid both show an effect on gastric barrier integrity via direct effects on tight junction proteins.

Indol-3-ylglyoxylamide as Privileged Scaffold in Medicinal Chemistry

In recent years, indolylglyoxylamide-based derivatives have received much attention due to their application in drug design and discovery, leading to the development of a wide array of compounds that have shown a variety of pharmacological activities. Combining the indole nucleus, already validated as a "privileged structure," with the glyoxylamide function allowed for an excellent template to be obtained that is suitable to a great number of structural modifications aimed at permitting interaction with specific molecular targets and producing desirable therapeutic effects. The present review provides insight into how medicinal chemists have elegantly exploited the indolylglyoxylamide moiety to obtain potentially useful drugs, with a particular focus on compounds exhibiting activity in in vivo models or reaching clinical trials. All in all, this information provides exciting new perspectives on existing data that can be useful in further design of indolylglyoxylamide-based molecules with interesting pharmacological profiles. The aim of this report is to present an update of collection data dealing with the employment of this moiety in the rational design of compounds that are able to interact with a specific target, referring to the last 20 years.

Supramolecular Pd@methioine-EDTA-chitosan nanocomposite: an effective and recyclable bio-based and eco-friendly catalyst for the green Heck cross-coupling reaction under mild conditions

Supramolecular palladium(ii) supported on modified chitosan by dl-methionine using an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid linker (Pd@MET-EDTA-CS) was designed and prepared through a simple procedure. The structure of this novel supramolecular nanocomposite was characterized by different spectroscopic, microscopic and analytical techniques including FTIR, EDX, XRD, FESEM, TGA, DRS, TEM, AA, and BET. The obtained bio-based nanomaterial was successfully investigated, as a highly efficient and green heterogeneous catalyst, in the Heck cross-coupling reaction (HCR) for the synthesis of various valuable biologically active cinnamic acid ester derivatives from the corresponding aryl halides using several acrylates. Indeed, aryl halides containing I or Br survived very well under optimized conditions to afford the corresponding products compared to the substrates with Cl. The prepared Pd@MET-EDTA-CS nanocatalyst promoted the HCR in high to excellent yields and short reaction times with minimum Pd loading (0.0027 mol%) on its structure as well as without any leaching occurring during the process. The recovery of the catalyst was performed by simple filtration and the catalytic activity remained approximately constant after five runs for the model reaction.

Dietary (Poly)phenols in Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains one of the leading causes of death and disability in young adults worldwide. Despite growing evidence and advances in our knowledge regarding the multifaceted pathophysiology of TBI, the underlying mechanisms, though, are still to be fully elucidated. Whereas initial brain insult involves acute and irreversible primary damage to the brain, the processes of subsequent secondary brain injury progress gradually over months to years, providing a window of opportunity for therapeutic interventions. To date, extensive research has been focused on the identification of druggable targets involved in these processes. Despite several decades of successful pre-clinical studies and very promising results, when transferred to clinics, these drugs showed, at best, modest beneficial effects, but more often, an absence of effects or even very harsh side effects in TBI patients. This reality has highlighted the need for novel approaches that will be able to respond to the complexity of the TBI and tackle TBI pathological processes on multiple levels. Recent evidence strongly indicates that nutritional interventions may provide a unique opportunity to enhance the repair processes after TBI. Dietary (poly)phenols, a big class of compounds abundantly found in fruits and vegetables, have emerged in the past few years as promising agents to be used in TBI settings due to their proven pleiotropic effects. Here, we give an overview of the pathophysiology of TBI and the underlying molecular mechanisms, followed by a state-of-the-art summary of the studies that have evaluated the efficacy of (poly)phenols administration to decrease TBI-associated damage in various animal TBI models and in a limited number of clinical trials. The current limitations on our knowledge concerning (poly)phenol effects in TBI in the pre-clinical studies are also discussed.

Non-coding RNAs and Exosomal Non-coding RNAs in Traumatic Brain Injury: the Small Player with Big Actions

Nowadays, there is an increasing concern regarding traumatic brain injury (TBI) worldwide since substantial morbidity is observed after it, and the long-term consequences that are not yet fully recognized. A number of cellular pathways related to the secondary injury in brain have been identified, including free radical production (owing to mitochondrial dysfunction), excitotoxicity (regulated by excitatory neurotransmitters), apoptosis, and neuroinflammatory responses (as a result of activation of the immune system and central nervous system). In this context, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) maintain a fundamental contribution to post-transcriptional regulation. It has been shown that mammalian brains express high levels of ncRNAs that are involved in several brain physiological processes. Furthermore, altered levels of ncRNA expression have been found in those with traumatic as well non-traumatic brain injuries. The current review highlights the primary molecular mechanisms participated in TBI that describes the latest and novel results about changes and role of ncRNAs in TBI in both clinical and experimental research.

Piperazine-derived small molecules as potential Flaviviridae NS3 protease inhibitors. In vitro antiviral activity evaluation against Zika and Dengue viruses

Since 2011 Direct Acting antivirals (DAAs) drugs targeting different non-structural (NS) viral proteins (NS3, NS5A or NS5B inhibitors) have been approved for clinical use in HCV therapies. However, currently there are not licensed therapeutics to treat Flavivirus infections and the only licensed DENV vaccine, Dengvaxia, is restricted to patients with preexisting DENV immunity. Similarly to NS5 polymerase, the NS3 catalytic region is evolutionarily conserved among the Flaviviridae family sharing strong structural similarity with other proteases belonging to this family and therefore is an attractive target for the development of pan-flavivirus therapeutics. In this work we present a library of 34 piperazine-derived small molecules as potential Flaviviridae NS3 protease inhibitors. The library was developed through a privileged structures-based design and then biologically screened using a live virus phenotypic assay to determine the half-maximal inhibitor concentration (IC₅₀) of each compound against ZIKV and DENV. Two lead compounds, 42 and 44, with promising broad-spectrum activity against ZIKV (IC₅₀ 6.6 µM and 1.9 µM respectively) and DENV (IC₅₀ 6.7 µM and 1.4 µM respectively) and a good security profile were identified. Besides, molecular docking calculations were performed to provide insights about key interactions with residues in NS3 proteases' active sites.

Biological Activity of Hybrid Molecules Based on Major Constituents of Cinnammomun verum and Thymus vulgaris Essential Oils

Plants have been used by humans since ancient times due their antimicrobial and medicinal properties. Essential oils (EOs) are complex mixtures of secondary plant metabolites, including terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and other aromatic compounds. Cinnamomun verum and Thyme vulgaris EOs and their organic extracts exert numerous biological activities because of their major compounds, particularly thymol, carvacrol, eugenol, and benzoic and cinnamic acid. The structural motifs presented by these phytochemicals are responsible for their biological activities. Modification or hybridization of these structures could lead to new bio-based compounds with improved efficacy or multiple modes of action. In this work, we aimed to develop reliable methods of obtaining six hybrid molecules from the major constituents of C. verum and T. vulgaris EOs. For the first time, we tested their efficacy in the inhibition of the mycelium growth and spore germination of two of the most important phytopathogenic fungi, Fusarium oxysporum and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and one opportunistic human pathogen, Aspergillus niger. The cytotoxic activity of the obtained hybrids was assessed using the brine shrimp lethality assay. In addition, we report for the first time a biocatalytic process for the obtention of these bioactive hybrid molecules. The results of this work enable the possibility of using hybrid molecules based on the major constituents of EOs as active ingredients in strategic industries such as agriculture, aquaculture, and pharmaceuticals.

Protective Role of Natural Compounds under Radiation-Induced Injury

In recent years, evidence has shown the potential therapeutic effects of different natural compounds for the prevention and treatment of radiotherapy-induced mucositis (RIOM). RIOM represents one of the most frequent side effects associated with anti-neoplastic treatments affecting patients' quality of life and treatment response due to radiation therapy discontinuation. The innate radio-protective ability of natural products obtained from plants is in part due to the numerous antioxidants possessed as a part of their normal secondary metabolic processes. However, oxygen presence is a key point for radiation efficacy on cancer cells. The aim of this review is to describe the most recent evidence on radiation-induced injury and the emerging protective role of natural compounds in preventing and treating this specific damage without compromising treatment efficacy.

Research on the progress of Traditional Chinese medicine components and preparations on histone deacetylase inhibitors - Like effects in the course of disease treatment

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

During the treatment of diseases, histone deacetylases (HDAC) may have side effects such as strong immune inhibition and drug resistance, which may lead to damage of heart, liver and kidney. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a valuable and unique resource in China, which has good efficacy and safety. At present, it has been found that Chinese herbal compounds and active ingredients can effectively inhibit the expression of HDAC. Moreover, pharmacological studies have shown that these TCMs have shown therapeutic effects in the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, orthopedic diseases and skin diseases.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This article reviews the mechanism of action of HDAC, and introduces the epigenetic correlation between TCM and HDAC. We expounded the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi)-like inhibitory effect and clinical application of natural drugs, and summarized the research progress of TCM on HDAC in recent years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We collected relevant information published before March 2022 by searching the literature in various online databases such as PubMed, CNKI, Wanfang Database, Elsevier, Web of Science and China Biomedical Database. Search terms include "HDAC" or "HDACi", as well as "herb" or "herbal ingredient".

RESULTS

A large number of studies have proved that many TCMs and their chemical components have the effect of inhibiting HDAC activity, which is highly selective, acts on different HDAC subtypes, and plays a certain therapeutic effect in cancer, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, orthopedic diseases, skin diseases and other diseases by inhibiting the process of HDAC.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The review of this paper is helpful to understand and excavate the active components of TCM, further explore the role of plant drugs with HDACi-like effect in diseases, and provide ideas for the development of new HDACi.

MicroRNA-455-3p improves synaptic, cognitive functions and extends lifespan: Relevance to Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND

MicroRNA-455-3p is one of the highly conserved miRNAs involved in multiple cellular functions in humans and we explored its relevance to learning and memory functions in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our recent in vitro studies exhibited the protective role of miR-455-3p against AD toxicities in reducing full-length APP and amyloid-β (Aβ) levels, and also in reducing defective mitochondrial biogenesis, impaired mitochondrial dynamics and synaptic deficiencies. In the current study, we sought to determine the function of miR-455-3p in mouse models.

METHODS

For the first time we generated both transgenic (TG) and knockout (KO) mouse models of miR-455-3p. We determined the lifespan extension, cognitive function, mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial dynamics, mitochondrial morphology, dendritic spine density, synapse numbers and synaptic activity in miR-455-3p TG and KO mice.

RESULTS

MiR-455-3p TG mice lived 5 months longer than wild-type (WT) counterparts, whereas KO mice lived 4 months shorter than WT mice. Morris water maze test showed improved cognitive behavior, spatial learning and memory in miR-455-3p TG mice relative to age-matched WT mice and miR-455-3p KO mice. Further, mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics and synaptic activities were enhanced in miR-455-3p TG mice, while these were reduced in KO mice. Overall, overexpressed miR-455-3p in mice displayed protective effects, whereas depleted miR-455-3p in mice exhibited deleterious effects in relation to lifespan, cognitive behavior, and mitochondrial and synaptic activities.

CONCLUSION

Both mouse models could be ideal research tools to understand the molecular basis of aging and its relevance to AD and other age-related diseases.

Encapsulation of Cinnamic Acid on Plant-Based Proteins: Evaluation by HPLC, DSC and FTIR-ATR

Plant-based protein matrices can be used for the formulation of delivery systems of cinnamic acid. Pumpkin, pea and almond protein matrices were used for the formulation of dried complexes. The matrices were used in varying amounts (1%, 2%, 5% and 10%) whilst the amount of cinnamic acid was maintained constant. The obtained complexes were analyzed by HPLC, DSC and FTIR-ATR. The highest amounts of cinnamic acid were determined on complexes prepared by the lowest amounts of protein matrices, regardless of their type. The highest affinity for cinnamic acid adsorption was determined for the pumpkin protein matrix. DSC analysis revealed that adsorption of cinnamic acid caused an increase in the thermal stability of the almond protein matrix, while the other two matrices had the opposite behavior. The complexation of protein matrices and cinnamic acid was proven by recording the IR spectra. The obtained complexes could have potential applications in food products to achieve enrichment with cinnamic acid as well as proteins.

The miR-455-3p/HDAC2 axis plays a pivotal role in the progression and reversal of liver fibrosis and is regulated by epigenetics

Histone deacetylases (HDACs), especially HDAC2, play a role in alleviating liver fibrosis; however, the specific upstream regulation mechanism is unknown. Herein, TargetScan was used to predict the potential upstream targets of HDAC2, and the role of miR-455-3p was explored. The dual luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-455-3p binds to the 3' UTR of HDAC2 mRNA. Additionally, miR-455-3p was downregulated in the liver tissues of patients with cirrhosis and mice with liver fibrosis, as well as in primary HSCs isolated from fibrotic mouse livers and TGF-β-treated LX-2 cells. In contrast, it is highly expressed in the reversal stage of hepatic fibrosis and MDI-cultured LX-2 cells. Our functional analyses showed that miR-455-3p overexpression facilitated apoptosis and reduced the expression of pro-fibrotic markers and the proliferation of activated LX-2 cells. On the contrary, miR-455-3p inhibition converted inactivated LX-2 cells into activated, proliferative, fibrogenic cells. Interestingly, restoration of HDAC2 expression partially blocked the function of miR-455-3p. Downregulated miR-455-3p expression can be restored by DNA methyltransferases in activated LX-2 cells. Methylation-specific PCR, bisulfite sequencing PCR, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays indicated that the methylation level of miR-455-3p promoter CpG islands was elevated in TGF-β-treated LX-2 cells and that miR-455-3p was downregulated in activated LX-2 cells by DNA hypermethylation, which is mediated by DNMT3b and DNMT1. In conclusion, miR-455-3p acts as a liver fibrosis suppressor by targeting HDAC2, and its deficiency further aggravates the reversal phase of fibrosis. Thus, the epigenetics mediated miR-455-3p/HDAC2 axis may serve as a novel potential therapeutic target for clinical treatment of hepatic fibrosis.

The Influence of Ripeness on the Phenolic Content, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Pumpkins (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne)

Cucurbita moschata Duchesne (Cucurbitaceae) is a plant food highly appreciated for the content of nutrients and bioactive compounds, including polyphenols and carotenoids, which contribute to its antioxidant and antimicrobial capacities. The purpose of this study was to identify phenolic acids and flavonoids of Cucurbita moschata Duchesne using high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection–electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–DAD–ESI-MS) at different ripening stages (young, mature, ripened) and determine its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. According to the results, phenolic acids and flavonoids were dependent on the maturity stage. The mature fruits contain the highest total phenolic and flavonoids contents (97.4 mg GAE. 100 g⁻¹ and 28.6 mg QE. 100 g⁻¹).A total of 33 compounds were identified. Syringic acid was the most abundant compound (37%), followed by cinnamic acid (12%) and protocatechuic acid (11%). Polyphenol extract of the mature fruits showed the highest antioxidant activity when measured by DPPH (0.065 μmol TE/g) and ABTS (0.074 μmol TE/g) assays. In the antimicrobial assay, the second stage of ripening had the highest antibacterial activity. Staphylococcus aureus was the most sensitive strain with an inhibition zone of 12 mm and a MIC of 0.75 mg L⁻¹. The lowest inhibition zone was obtained with Salmonella typhimurium (5 mm), and the MIC value was 10 mg L⁻¹.

Downregulation of HOTAIR reduces neuronal pyroptosis by targeting miR-455-3p/NLRP1 axis in propofol-treated neurons in vitro

Propofol is one of the most common intravenous anesthetics which may cause neuronal cell death in young mice. HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) was abnormally expressed in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the effect of HOTAIR on propofol-induced pyroptosis of neurons and related mechanisms are still unknown. In this study, propofol treatment significantly reduced neuronal the viability of neurons, and promoted the expression of inflammation-related factors. Propofol treatment also promoted neuron death and neuronal pyroptosis. All the above effects might be related to the propofol-induced overexpression of HOTAIR. Interestingly, knockdown of HOTAIR by shRNA (sh-HOTAIR) significantly inhibited neuronal pyroptosis, but increased neuronal viability. Further analysis showed that HOTAIR and Nod-like receptor protein1 (NLRP1) were the targets of miR-455-3p, respectively. Notably, propofol treatment decreased the level of miR-455-3p, while increased the level of NLRP1. In addition, sh-HOTAIR increased the level of miR-455-3p, which further inhibited the expression of NLRP1 and the activation of NLRP1 inflammasome, thereby inhibiting neuronal pyroptosis. More importantly, NLRP1 overexpression decreased neuronal viability, and reactivated NLRP1 inflammasome, thus reversing the inhibitory effect of sh-HOTAIR on pyroptosis. Our findings indicated that HOTAIR inhibited propofol-induced pyroptosis of neurons by regulating miR-455-3p/NLRP1 axis, indicating that HOTAIR may be a potential therapeutic target for propofol-induced neurotoxicity.

RETRACTED: Long non-coding RNA GAS5 retards neural functional recovery in cerebral ischemic stroke through modulation of the microRNA-455-5p/PTEN axis

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. Concern was raised about the reliability of the Western blot results in Figs. 1C and 4B+J, which appear to have the same eyebrow shaped phenotype as many other publications tabulated here (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/149EjFXVxpwkBXYJOnOHb6RhAqT4a2llhj9LM60MBffM/edit#gid=0). The journal requested the corresponding author comment on these concerns and provide the raw data. However, the authors were not responsive to the request for comment. Since original data could not be provided, the overall validity of the results could not be confirmed. Therefore, the Editor-in-Chief decided to retract the article.

miR-455-3p alleviates propofol-induced neurotoxicity by reducing EphA4 expression in developing neurons

PURPOSE

Propofol, an aesthetic agent in paediatric patients, results in neurotoxicity in the developing neurons. To reduce side effects of propofol, the protective role of miR-455-3p (microRNA-455-3p) in developing rat brain was investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Primary hippocampal neurons were isolated from postnatal day 1 or 2 SD (Sprague-Dawley) rats. The neurons were exposed to various concentrations of propofol (0, 10, 30, or 50 μM) for 6 h. Propofol-induced cell viability was assessed by MTT assay, expression levels of miR-455-3p and EphA4 (erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular A4) in propofol-induced neurons were determined using qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively. Binding ability between miR-455-3p and EphA4 was predicted, and then validated by luciferase reporter assay. Neurons expressing miR-455-3p mimics, were treated with 50 μM propofol for 6 h, and apoptosis status was evaluated by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Exposure to propofol significantly decreased cell viability of developing neurons isolated from neonatal rats. Propofol decreased miR-455-3p expression, while increased EphA4 level in the neurons. miR-455-3p mimics increased propofol-induced reduce in cell viability, and attenuated propofol-induced cell apoptosis of neurons. MiR-455-3p could target EphA4, and decreased expression of EphA4 in neurons exposure to propofol. EphA4 knockdown counteracted with the promotive effects of propofol on cell viability and apoptosis of neurons.

CONCLUSION

Propofol treatment induces neurotoxicity and suppresses miR-455-3p levels in the developing hippocampal neurons. However, miR-455-3p could alleviate such neurotoxicity by reducing EphA4 expression, provided new insights into miR-455-3p as novel therapeutic target to prevent propofol-induced damages from bench to clinic.

Effects of seawater immersion on open traumatic brain injury in rabbit model

We emulated instances of open traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in a maritime disaster. New Zealand rabbit animal models were used to evaluate the pathophysiological changes in open TBI with and without the influence of artificial seawater. New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups. Control group consisted of only normal animals. Animals in TBI and TBI + Seawater groups underwent craniotomy with dura mater incised and brain tissue exposed to free-fall impact. Afterward, only TBI + Seawater group received on-site artificial seawater infusion. Brain water content (BWC) and permeability of blood-brain barrier (BBB) were assessed. Reactive oxygen species levels were measured. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were employed to detect: apoptosis-related factors Caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2; angiogenesis-related factors CD31 and CD34; astrogliosis-related factor glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP); potential neuron injury indicator neuron-specific enolase (NSE). Hematoxylin & eosin, Masson-trichrome and Nissl stainings were performed for pathological observations. Comparing to Control group, TBI group manifested abnormal neuronal morphology; increased BWC; compromised BBB integrity; increased ROS, Bax, CD31, CD34, Caspase-3 and GFAP expressions; decreased Bcl-2 and NSE expression. Seawater immersion caused all changes, except BWC, to become more significant. Seawater immersion worsens the damage inflicted to brain tissue by open TBI. It aggravates hypoxia in brain tissue, upregulates ROS expression, increases neuron sensitivity to apoptosis-inducing factors, and promotes angiogenesis as well as astrogliosis.

Cinnamic Acid Derivatives and Their Biological Efficacy

The role played by cinnamic acid derivatives in treating cancer, bacterial infections, diabetes and neurological disorders, among many, has been reported. Cinnamic acid is obtained from cinnamon bark. Its structure is composed of a benzene ring, an alkene double bond and an acrylic acid functional group making it possible to modify the aforementioned functionalities with a variety of compounds resulting in bioactive agents with enhanced efficacy. The nature of the substituents incorporated into cinnamic acid has been found to play a huge role in either enhancing or decreasing the biological efficacy of the synthesized cinnamic acid derivatives. Some of the derivatives have been reported to be more effective when compared to the standard drugs used to treat chronic or infectious diseases in vitro, thus making them very promising therapeutic agents. Compound 20 displayed potent anti-TB activity, compound 27 exhibited significant antibacterial activity on S. aureus strain of bacteria and compounds with potent antimalarial activity are 35a, 35g, 35i, 36i, and 36b. Furthermore, compounds 43d, 44o, 55g–55p, 59e, 59g displayed potent anticancer activity and compounds 86f–h were active against both hAChE and hBuChE. This review will expound on the recent advances on cinnamic acid derivatives and their biological efficacy.

Combined exposure of lead and cadmium leads to the aggravated neurotoxicity through regulating the expression of histone deacetylase 2

Lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are common heavy metals in the environment, exerting detrimental effects on central nervous system. Although increasing evidence demonstrated the Pb and Cd-induced neurotoxicity, the exact epigenetic mechanisms induced by combined exposure (co-exposure) of Pb and Cd are still unclear. In this study, the neurotoxicity of individual exposure and co-exposure to Pb and Cd in vivo (150 ppm and 5 ppm respectively) and in vitro (10 μM and 0.1 μM respectively) was investigated. The results showed that neurite outgrowth was inhibited by either individual or combined exposure to Pb/Cd, whereas the co-exposure aggravated the inhibitory effect in PC12 cells. The results of Morris Water Maze (MWM), Y maze and Golgi-Cox staining showed that either Pb or Cd alone exposure damaged the ability of learning and memory and decreased the dendritic spine density in both the hippocampal CA1 and DG area of Sprague---Dawley (SD) rats, and that the co-exposure aggravated the damages. Subsequently, histone deacetylase (HDAC) 2 was significantly increased in both hippocampal tissues and PC12 cells co-exposed to Pb and Cd, and the treatment of trichostatin A (TSA) and HDAC2-knocking down construct (shHDAC2) could markedly prevent neurite outgrowth impairment in PC12 cells. In summary, HDAC2 plays essential regulatory roles in neurotoxicity induced by the co-exposure to Pb and Cd, providing a potential molecular target for neurological intervention.

Foodomics Revealed the Effects of Extract Methods on the Composition and Nutrition of Peanut Oil

Processing technology has a significant effect on the functional quality of vegetable oil, but the exact mechanism is not yet very well known so far. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of extract methods on the composition and nutrition of peanut oil. Peanut oil was prepared by cold pressing, hot pressing, and enzyme-assisted aqueous extraction, and their trace components were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Serum and liver samples from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats fed with different extract oils were profiled by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and LC-MS. The component analysis showed that different process technologies cause differentiation of trace active ingredients. Metabolomics analysis revealed that a high-fat diet causes serum and hepatic metabolic disorders, which can be ameliorated by hot-pressed and hydroenzymatic peanut oil, including downregulation of partial amino acids, fatty acids, phospholipids, and carbohydrates in cold-pressed peanut oil as well as the upregulation of palmitic acid, uric acid, and pyrimidine in enzyme-assisted aqueous oils. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) uncovered strong associations between specific metabolic alterations and peanut oil trace components. The data obtained in this study offers a new insight on the roles of oil processing.