Hesperidin improves motor disability in rat spinal cord injury through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanism via Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway

Hesperetin ameliorates spinal cord injury in rats through suppressing apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammatory response

Spinal cord injury (SCI), a fatal condition, is characterized by progressive tissue degradation and extreme functional deficits with limited treatment options. Hesperetin, a natural flavonoid with potent antioxidant, antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties, has yet to be systematically investigated for its therapeutic effects on neurological damage in rat models of SCI. In this study, rats were given oral hesperetin once daily for 28 days, and their locomotion and histopathological changes were assessed. The findings demonstrated that hesperetin alleviates neurological damage caused by SCI. The observed behavioral improvement could be due to an increase in the survival rate of neurons and oligodendrocytes. This improvement further boosted the ability to repair tissue and form myelin after SCI, ultimately resulting in better neurological outcomes. Furthermore, the present study revealed that hesperetin possesses potent antioxidant capabilities in the context of SCI, reducing the levels of harmful oxygen free radicals and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Additionally, hesperetin markedly inhibited injury-induced apoptosis, as assessed by caspase-3 immunofluorescence staining and the expression level of caspase-3, indicating the ability of hesperetin to prevent cell death after SCI. Finally, after SCI, hesperetin treatment effectively reduced the expression of inflammatory factors, including IL-1β, TNFα, and NF-kB, demonstrating the anti-inflammatory effect of hesperetin. Together, our results suggest that hesperetin should be considered a valuable therapeutic aid following SCI, as its positive effects on the nervous system, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects, may be crucial mechanisms through which hesperetin exerts neuroprotective effects against SCI.

Dietary Polyphenols: Review on Chemistry/Sources, Bioavailability/Metabolism, Antioxidant Effects, and Their Role in Disease Management

Polyphenols, as secondary metabolites ubiquitous in plant sources, have emerged as pivotal bioactive compounds with far-reaching implications for human health. Plant polyphenols exhibit direct or indirect associations with biomolecules capable of modulating diverse physiological pathways. Due to their inherent abundance and structural diversity, polyphenols have garnered substantial attention from both the scientific and clinical communities. The review begins by providing an in-depth analysis of the chemical intricacies of polyphenols, shedding light on their structural diversity and the implications of such diversity on their biological activities. Subsequently, an exploration of the dietary origins of polyphenols elucidates the natural plant-based sources that contribute to their global availability. The discussion extends to the bioavailability and metabolism of polyphenols within the human body, unraveling the complex journey from ingestion to systemic effects. A central focus of the review is dedicated to unravelling the antioxidant effects of polyphenols, highlighting their role in combating oxidative stress and associated health conditions. The comprehensive analysis encompasses their impact on diverse health concerns such as hypertension, allergies, aging, and chronic diseases like heart stroke and diabetes. Insights into the global beneficial effects of polyphenols further underscore their potential as preventive and therapeutic agents. This review article critically examines the multifaceted aspects of dietary polyphenols, encompassing their chemistry, dietary origins, bioavailability/metabolism dynamics, and profound antioxidant effects. The synthesis of information presented herein aims to provide a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and health enthusiasts, fostering a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between polyphenols and human health.

Propofol Ameliorates Spinal Cord Injury Process by Mediating miR-672-3p/TNIP2 Axis

Propofol has been found to have a protective effect against spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the underlying molecular mechanism of propofol regulating SCI process remains unclear. In this study, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced PC12 cells were used to build SCI cell models. Cell viability and apoptosis were determined by cell counting kit 8 assay, flow cytometry, and caspase-3 activity detection. The protein levels of apoptosis-related markers and TNFAIP3 interacting protein 2 (TNIP2) were assessed using western blot analysis, and the levels of inflammatory factors were detected using ELISA. Cell oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. The expression of microRNA (miR)-672-3p was examined by quantitative real-time PCR. SCI rat models were constructed to assess the effect of propofol in vivo. We found that propofol treatment promoted viability, while inhibited apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress of LPS-induced PC12 cells. Propofol decreased miR-672-3p expression, and miR-672-3p overexpression eliminated the inhibiting effect of propofol on LPS-induced PC12 cell injury. Besides, miR-672-3p targeted TNIP2, and TNIP2 knockdown reversed the protective effect of miR-672-3p inhibitor or propofol against LPS-induced PC12 cell injury. In vivo experiments, propofol treatment enhanced the motor function recovery and inhibited apoptosis of SCI rat models. In conclusion, propofol increased TNIP2 level by reducing miR-672-3p expression, thereby alleviating LPS-induced PC12 cell injury and improving the motor function of SCI rat models.

Neuroprotective Potential of Hesperidin as Therapeutic Agent in the Treatment of Brain Disorders: Preclinical Evidence-based Review

Neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) are progressive morbidities that represent a serious health issue in the aging world population. There is a contemporary upsurge in worldwide interest in the area of traditional remedies and phytomedicines are widely accepted by researchers due to their health-promoted effects and fewer side effects. Hesperidin, a flavanone glycoside present in the peels of citrus fruits, possesses various biological activities including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. In various preclinical studies, hesperidin has provided significant protective actions in a variety of brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, depression, neuropathic pain, etc. as well as their underlying mechanisms. The findings indicate that the neuroprotective effects of hesperidin are mediated by modulating antioxidant defence activities and neural growth factors, diminishing apoptotic and neuro-inflammatory pathways. This review focuses on the potential role of hesperidin in managing and treating diverse brain disorders.

A study on the effect of natural products against the transmission of B.1.1.529 Omicron

BACKGROUND

The recent outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic resulted in a successful vaccination program launched by the World Health Organization. However, a large population is still unvaccinated, leading to the emergence of mutated strains like alpha, beta, delta, and B.1.1.529 (Omicron). Recent reports from the World Health Organization raised concerns about the Omicron variant, which emerged in South Africa during a surge in COVID-19 cases in November 2021. Vaccines are not proven completely effective or safe against Omicron, leading to clinical trials for combating infection by the mutated virus. The absence of suitable pharmaceuticals has led scientists and clinicians to search for alternative and supplementary therapies, including dietary patterns, to reduce the effect of mutated strains.

MAIN BODY

This review analyzed Coronavirus aetiology, epidemiology, and natural products for combating Omicron. Although the literature search did not include keywords related to in silico or computational research, in silico investigations were emphasized in this study. Molecular docking was implemented to compare the interaction between natural products and Chloroquine with the ACE2 receptor protein amino acid residues of Omicron. The global Omicron infection proceeding SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was also elucidated. The docking results suggest that DGCG may bind to the ACE2 receptor three times more effectively than standard chloroquine.

CONCLUSION

The emergence of the Omicron variant has highlighted the need for alternative therapies to reduce the impact of mutated strains. The current review suggests that natural products such as DGCG may be effective in binding to the ACE2 receptor and combating the Omicron variant, however, further research is required to validate the results of this study and explore the potential of natural products to mitigate COVID-19.

Neuroprotective Potentials of Flavonoids: Experimental Studies and Mechanisms of Action

Neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, particularly those related to aging, are on the rise, but drug therapies are rarely curative. Functional disorders and the organic degeneration of nervous tissue often have complex causes, in which phenomena of oxidative stress, inflammation and cytotoxicity are intertwined. For these reasons, the search for natural substances that can slow down or counteract these pathologies has increased rapidly over the last two decades. In this paper, studies on the neuroprotective effects of flavonoids (especially the two most widely used, hesperidin and quercetin) on animal models of depression, neurotoxicity, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease are reviewed. The literature on these topics amounts to a few hundred publications on in vitro and in vivo models (notably in rodents) and provides us with a very detailed picture of the action mechanisms and targets of these substances. These include the decrease in enzymes that produce reactive oxygen and ferroptosis, the inhibition of mono-amine oxidases, the stimulation of the Nrf2/ARE system, the induction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor production and, in the case of AD, the prevention of amyloid-beta aggregation. The inhibition of neuroinflammatory processes has been documented as a decrease in cytokine formation (mainly TNF-alpha and IL-1beta) by microglia and astrocytes, by modulating a number of regulatory proteins such as Nf-kB and NLRP3/inflammasome. Although clinical trials on humans are still scarce, preclinical studies allow us to consider hesperidin, quercetin, and other flavonoids as very interesting and safe dietary molecules to be further investigated as complementary treatments in order to prevent neurodegenerative diseases or to moderate their deleterious effects.

Hepatoprotective effects of norgalanthamine on carbon tetrachloride induced-hepatotoxicity in mice

Norgalanthamine is a major component of Crinum asiaticum var. japonicum that exhibits several biological activities. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties of norgalanthamine in mice with carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injury. Norgalanthamine (1 and 10 mg/kg) was orally administered to mice for 7 or 14 days, after which liver injury was induced by CCl₄ (1.5 ml/kg, i.p.). The vehicle and positive controls consisted of phosphate-buffered saline and silymarin (100 mg/kg), respectively. In CCl₄-injured mice, norgalanthamine pretreatment significantly reversed the increases in serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin levels, and the decrease in the serum glucose level. In the liver, norgalanthamine restored the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, while reducing lipid accumulation and, concurrently, the expression of genes involved in lipid synthesis, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ and adipocyte protein-2. Norgalanthamine also ameliorated inflammation by down-regulating the expression of the pro-inflammatory mediators, TNF-α, IL-1β, and MCP-1, and up-regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. In addition, norgalanthamine decreased collagen deposition in liver tissue as shown on picrosirius red staining by down-regulating expression of the fibrosis-related genes αSMA and fibronectin. Collectively, these findings imply that norgalanthamine mitigates CCl₄-induced hepatic injury by increasing anti-oxidative activity, down-regulating pro-inflammatory mediators and fibrosis-related genes in the liver.HighlightsNorgalanthamine ameliorated the hepatotoxicity after CCl₄ injury.Norgalanthamine suppressed the activation of Kupffer cells and macrophages.Norgalanthamine down-regulated pro-inflammatory mediators.Norgalanthamine increased anti-oxidative activity via the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.Norgalanthamine downregulated fibrosis-related genes in the liver.

Modulation of integrin receptor by polyphenols: Downstream Nrf2-Keap1/ARE and associated cross-talk mediators in cardiovascular diseases

As a group of heterodimeric and transmembrane glycoproteins, integrin receptors are widely expressed in various cell types overall the body. During cardiovascular dysfunction, integrin receptors apply inhibitory effects on the antioxidative pathways, including nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-Kelch like ECH Associated Protein 1 (Keap1)/antioxidant response element (ARE) and interconnected mediators. As such, dysregulation in integrin signaling pathways influences several aspects of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as heart failure, arrhythmia, angina, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, platelet aggregation and coagulation. So, modulation of integrin pathway could trigger the downstream antioxidant pathways toward cardioprotection. Regarding the involvement of multiple aforementioned mediators in the pathogenesis of CVDs, as well as the side effects of conventional drugs, seeking for novel alternative drugs is of great importance. Accordingly, the plant kingdom could pave the road in the treatment of CVDs. Of natural entities, polyphenols are multi-target and accessible phytochemicals with promising potency and low levels of toxicity. The present study aims at providing the cardioprotective roles of integrin receptors and downstream antioxidant pathways in heart failure, arrhythmia, angina, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, platelet aggregation and coagulation. The potential role of polyphenols has been also revealed in targeting the aforementioned dysregulated signaling mediators in those CVDs.

Polyphenols Targeting Oxidative Stress in Spinal Cord Injury: Current Status and Future Vision

A spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when the spinal cord is deteriorated or traumatized, leading to motor and sensory functions lost even totally or partially. An imbalance within the generation of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defense levels results in oxidative stress (OS) and neuroinflammation. After SCI, OS and occurring pathways of inflammations are significant strenuous drivers of cross-linked dysregulated pathways. It emphasizes the significance of multitarget therapy in combating SCI consequences. Polyphenols, which are secondary metabolites originating from plants, have the promise to be used as alternative therapeutic agents to treat SCI. Secondary metabolites have activity on neuroinflammatory, neuronal OS, and extrinsic axonal dysregulated pathways during the early stages of SCI. Experimental and clinical investigations have noted the possible importance of phenolic compounds as important phytochemicals in moderating upstream dysregulated OS/inflammatory signaling mediators and axonal regeneration's extrinsic pathways after the SCI probable significance of phenolic compounds as important phytochemicals in mediating upstream dysregulated OS/inflammatory signaling mediators. Furthermore, combining polyphenols could be a way to lessen the effects of SCI.

Alendronate Enhances Functional Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury is a destructive disease characterized by motor/sensory dysfunction and severe inflammation. Alendronate is an anti-inflammatory molecule and may therefore be of benefit in the treatment of the inflammation associated with spinal cord injury. This study aimed to evaluate whether alendronate attenuates motor/sensory dysfunction and the inflammatory response in a thoracic spinal cord clip injury model. Alendronate was intraperitoneally administered at 1 mg/kg/day or 5 mg/kg/day from day (D) 0 to 28 post-injury (PI). The histopathological evaluation showed an alleviation of the inflammatory response, including the infiltration of inflammatory cells, and a decrease in gliosis. Alendronate also led to reductions in the levels of inflammation-related molecules, including mitogen-activated protein kinase, p53, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and pro-inflammatory mediators. Neuro-behavioral assessments, including the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scale for locomotor function, the von Frey filament test, the hot plate test, and the cold stimulation test for sensory function, and the horizontal ladder test for sensorimotor function improved significantly in the alendronate-treated group at D28PI. Taken together, these results suggest that alendronate treatment can inhibit the inflammatory response in spinal cord injury thus improving functional responses.

Effects of Polyphenols on Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Interconnected Pathways during Spinal Cord Injury

Despite the progression in targeting the complex pathophysiological mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) and spinal cord injury (SCI), there is a lack of effective treatments. Moreover, conventional therapies suffer from associated side effects and low efficacy, raising the need for finding potential alternative therapies. In this regard, a comprehensive review was done regarding revealing the main neurological dysregulated pathways and providing alternative therapeutic agents following SCI. From the mechanistic point, oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways are major upstream orchestras of cross-linked dysregulated pathways (e.g., apoptosis, autophagy, and extrinsic mechanisms) following SCI. It urges the need for developing multitarget therapies against SCI complications. Polyphenols, as plant-derived secondary metabolites, have the potential of being introduced as alternative therapeutic agents to pave the way for treating SCI. Such secondary metabolites presented modulatory effects on neuronal oxidative stress, neuroinflammatory, and extrinsic axonal dysregulated pathways in the onset and progression of SCI. In the present review, the potential role of phenolic compounds as critical phytochemicals has also been revealed in regulating upstream dysregulated oxidative stress/inflammatory signaling mediators and extrinsic mechanisms of axonal regeneration after SCI in preclinical and clinical studies. Additionally, the coadministration of polyphenols and stem cells has shown a promising strategy for improving post-SCI complications.

PPARα agonist relieves spinal cord injury in rats by activating Nrf2/HO-1 via the Raf-1/MEK/ERK pathway

Objective: To observe the inhibitory effects of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonist palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) on inflammatory responses and oxidative stress injury in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: The SCI rat model was established using modified Allen's method and the changes in rats’ joint motion were observed by Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan locomotor rating scale (BBB scale) at 1, 3 and 7 days after modeling, HE Staining and Nissl Staining has been carried out to evaluate the pathological lesion of spinal cords in rats. Besides, Immunohistochemical (IHC) was performed to detect the reactive oxygen species (ROS), expression levels of acrylamide (ACR) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) in rat spinal cords, and Western Blotting was applied to measure protein expression levels of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), BCL-2 associated X (BAX), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), phosphorylated (p)-Akt, HO-1, Nrf2, trithorax-1 (TRX-1), Raf-1, MEK, ERK, p-MEK and p-ERK.

Results: The PPARα agonist PEA could alleviate SCI in rats, inhibit inflammatory responses, mitigate oxidative stress injury, reduce the apoptotic rate and promote SCI rats motor function recovery. In addition, the PPARα agonist PEA was able to activate the phosphorylation of MEK and ERK, stimulate Nrf-2 translocation into the nucleus and up-regulate the expressions of HO-1 and TRX-1.

Conclusion: PPARα agonist PEA can relieve SCI in rats by inhibiting inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, which may involve a mechanism associated with the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 via the Raf-1/MEK/ERK pathway.

Effect of electroacupuncture on inhibition of inflammatory response and oxidative stress through activating ApoE and Nrf2 in a mouse model of spinal cord injury

INTRODUCTION

Electroacupuncture protects neurons and myelinated axons after spinal cord injury by mitigating the inflammatory response and oxidative stress, but how it exerts these effects is unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Spinal cord injury was induced in C57BL/6 wild-type and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) knockout (ApoE^-/- ) mice, followed by electroacupuncture or ApoE mimetic peptide COG112 treatment. Mice with spinal cord injury suffered loss of myelinated axons and hindlimb motor function through the detections of Basso mouse scale, histology, and transmission electron microscopy; electroacupuncture partially reversed these effects in wild-type mice but not in ApoE^-/- mice. Combining exogenous ApoE administration with electroacupuncture significantly mitigated the effects of spinal cord injury in both mouse strains, and these effects were associated with up-regulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines and down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines which were detected by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Combination treatment also reduced oxidative stress by up-regulating ApoE and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway through the detections of immunofluorescence and western blot analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that electroacupuncture protects neurons and myelinated axons following spinal cord injury through an ApoE-dependent mechanism.

A mechanistic review of the anticancer potential of hesperidin, a natural flavonoid from citrus fruits

Hesperidin, a phytoactive compound, is an abundant and economical dietary bioflavonoid possessing numerous biological and medicinal benefits. Several studies have strongly proven the significant chemotherapeutic potential of hesperidin. Therefore, this review aims to bring together the existing studies demonstrating hesperidin as a potential anticancer agent with its mode of action reported in the therapeutic strategies for numerous cancer types. Hesperidin acts via modulating multiple pathways involving cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, antiangiogenic, antimetastatic and DNA repair in various cancer cells. Hesperidin has been reported to alter several molecular targets related to carcinogenesis, such as reactive nitrogen species, cellular kinases, transcription factors, reactive oxygen species, drug transporters, cell cycle mediators and inflammatory cytokines. Collectively, this review provides significant insights for the potential of hesperidin to be a strong and promising candidate for pharmaceuticals, functional foods, dietary supplements, nutraceuticals and geared toward the better management of carcinoma.

Hesperidin prevents the combined toxicity of decabromodiphenyl ether and sodium nitrite in vitro

Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) and Sodium nitrite (SN) coexist in the processing meat and fish foods, but there is no research considering them together. The present study aimed to investigate the binary mixture's toxicity of BDE-209 and SN and explore the protective effect of hesperidin (Hsp) on the combined toxicity. Results showed that compared with the impact of BDE-209 or SN alone, the binary mixture had a synergistic toxic effect on impairing the viability of HepG2 cells, accompanied by oxidative stress, Ca²⁺ accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction. The increase of γ-H2AX fluorescent foci and micronuclei number also indicated its genotoxicity. Pretreatment of Hsp could significantly alleviate the above damage caused by the binary combination. These findings revealed the toxicological interaction of BDE-209 and SN and highlighted that food containing abundant natural flavonoids, as hesperidin, could reduce this toxicological risk.

Potential protective effect of hesperidin on hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced hepatocyte injury

Hesperidin (HDN) has been reported to have hydrogen radical- and hydrogen peroxide-removal activities and to serve an antioxidant role in biological systems. However, whether HDN protects hepatocytes (HCs) against hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced injury remains unknown. The present study aimed to explore the role of HDN in H/R-induced injury. HCs were isolated and cultured under H/R conditions with or without HDN treatment. HC damage was markedly induced under H/R, as indicated by cell viability, supernatant lactate dehydrogenase levels and alanine aminotransferase levels; however, HDN treatment significantly reversed HC injury. Oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathioneand reactive oxygen species) were increased markedly during H/R in HCs; however, this effect was significantly attenuated after exposure to HDN. Compared with those of the control group, the mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in HCs and the concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α in the supernatants increased significantly following H/R, and HDN significantly ameliorated these effects. Western blotting demonstrated that microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3α (MAP1LC3A, also known as LC3) and Beclin-1 protein expression levels increased, while sequestosome 1 levels decreased during H/R following exposure to HDN. The number of GFP-LC3 puncta in HCs following exposure to HDN was increased compared with that observed in HCs without HDN exposure under the H/R conditions after bafilomycin A1 treatment. In summary, the present study demonstrated that HDN attenuated HC oxidative stress and inflammatory responses while enhancing autophagy during H/R. HDN may have a potential protective effect on HCs during H/R-induced injury.

Hormetic Effects of Bioactive Compounds from Foods, Beverages, and Food Dressing: The Potential Role in Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a damage or trauma to the spinal cord resulting in a total or partial loss of motor and sensory function. SCI is characterized by a disequilibrium between the production of reactive oxygen species and the levels of antioxidant defences, causing oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. This review is aimed at highlighting the hormetic effects of some compounds from foods, beverages, and food dressing that are able to reduce oxidative stress in patients with SCI. Although curcumin, ginseng, and green tea have been proposed for SCI management, low levels of antioxidant vitamins have been reported in individuals with SCI. Mediterranean diet includes food rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Moreover, food dressing, including spices, herbs, and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), contains multiple components with hormetic effects. The latter involves the activation of the nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2, consequently increasing the antioxidant enzymes and decreasing inflammation. Furthermore, EVOO improves the bioavailability of carotenoids and could be a delivery system for bioactive compounds. In conclusion, Mediterranean dressing in addition to plant foods can have an important effect on redox balance in individuals with SCI.

Astaxanthin attenuates acute cerebral infarction via Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway in rats

OBJECTIVE

Acute cerebral infarction (ACI) is susceptible to cause disability or death of people. Astaxanthin (ATX) possesses the protective effect of organ injury. Therefore, the study was to explore the potential mechanism of protective effect with ATX on ACI.

METHODS

30 SD rats were divided into Sham, ACI, and ATX groups. The rats in the ATX group were pretreated with ATX by gavage for three days before surgery, while the rats in the other two groups were pretreated with saline. The model of ACI was established by thread embolization. 24 h after the operation, the neurological function was scored, and cerebral infarct area and pathological morphology of brains were measured; the edema of the brain was detected by dry/wet method; Western blot was applied to measure the translocation of Nrf-2 and the protein expression of HO-1, Bax and BCL-2; Brain cell apoptosis was assessed through TUNEL; ELISA was used to detect the oxidative stress factors of catalase (CAT) superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and the inflammatory factors of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6.

RESULT

Compared with the ACI group, ATX pretreatment can significantly improve neurological function; reduce the edema index of the brain, cerebral infarct area, cerebral pathological damage and apoptosis of brain cells. Moreover, ATX also can increase the protein expression of nuclear Nrf-2, HO-1, BCL-2, CAT, SOD, and GPX by decreasing the content of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MDA, Bax and cytosolic Nrf-2.

CONCLUSION

ATX might have a protective effect of acute cerebral infarction, and the mechanism is probably associated with suppressing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis by activating Nrf-2/HO-1signalling.

Citrus flavonoids and their antioxidant evaluation

The antioxidant ability is the link and bridge connecting a variety of biological activities. Citrus flavonoids play an essential role in regulating oxidative stress and are an important source of daily intake of antioxidant supplements. Many studies have shown that citrus flavonoids promote health through antioxidation. In this review, the biosynthesis, composition and distribution of citrus flavonoids were concluded. The detection methods of antioxidant capacity of citrus flavonoids were divided into four categories: chemical, cellular, animal and clinical antioxidant capacity evaluation systems. The modeling methods, applicable scenarios, and their relative merits were compared based on these four systems. The antioxidant functions of citrus flavonoids under different evaluation systems were also discussed, especially the regulation of the Nrf2-antioxidases pathway. Some shortcomings in the current research were pointed out, and some suggestions for progress were put forward.

Natural product derived phytochemicals in managing acute lung injury by multiple mechanisms

Acute lung injury (ALI) and its more severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) as common life-threatening lung diseases with high mortality rates are mostly associated with acute and severe inflammation in lungs. With increasing in-depth studies of ALI/ARDS, significant breakthroughs have been made, however, there are still no effective pharmacological therapies for treatment of ALI/ARDS. Especially, the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) is ravaging the globe, and causes severe respiratory distress syndrome. Therefore, developing new drugs for therapy of ALI/ARDS is in great demand, which might also be helpful for treatment of COVID-19. Natural compounds have always inspired drug development, and numerous natural products have shown potential therapeutic effects on ALI/ARDS. Therefore, this review focuses on the potential therapeutic effects of natural compounds on ALI and the underlying mechanisms. Overall, the review discusses 159 compounds and summarizes more than 400 references to present the protective effects of natural compounds against ALI and the underlying mechanism.

The Anti-Depressive Effects of Hesperidin and the Relative Mechanisms Based on the NLRP3 Inflammatory Signaling Pathway

There is increasing evidence showing that inflammation is associated with depression in humans. Hesperidin, a natural bioflavonoid, has performed excellent effects on depression. The aim of this research was to investigate the therapeutic effect of hesperidin on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced rats. The sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swimming test (FST), and open field test (OFT) were performed to measure the depression-related symptoms. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of rats and cellular supernatant. PCR and Western blot were used to monitor the differences of NLRP3, caspase-1, ASC activation in the levels of genes and proteins in the PFC of rats and microglia. The activation of microglia was determined using immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry assay. Our results show that hesperidin treatment significantly relieved depressive like behaviors in CUMS rats. In addition, hesperidin decreased the expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, NLRP3, caspase-1, and ASC in the PFC and microglia. This study investigated that hesperidin treatment ameliorated CUMS-induced depression by suppressing microglia and inflammation.

Hesperidin and SARS-CoV-2: New Light on the Healthy Function of Citrus Fruits

Among the many approaches to Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention, the possible role of nutrition has so far been rather underestimated. Foods are very rich in substances, with a potential beneficial effect on health, and some of these could have an antiviral action or be important in modulating the immune system and in defending cells from the oxidative stress associated with infection. This short review draws the attention on some components of citrus fruits, and especially of the orange (Citrus sinensis), well known for its vitamin and flavonoid content. Among the flavonoids, hesperidin has recently attracted the attention of researchers, because it binds to the key proteins of the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Several computational methods, independently applied by different researchers, showed that hesperidin has a low binding energy, both with the coronavirus "spike" protein, and with the main protease that transforms the early proteins of the virus (pp1a and ppa1b) into the complex responsible for viral replication. The binding energy of hesperidin to these important components is lower than that of lopinavir, ritonavir, and indinavir, suggesting that it could perform an effective antiviral action. Furthermore, both hesperidin and ascorbic acid counteract the cell damaging effects of the oxygen free radicals triggered by virus infection and inflammation. There is discussion about the preventive efficacy of vitamin C, at the dose achievable by the diet, but recent reviews suggest that this substance can be useful in the case of strong immune system burden caused by viral disease. Computational methods and laboratory studies support the need to undertake apposite preclinical, epidemiological, and experimental studies on the potential benefits of citrus fruit components for the prevention of infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

Exploiting Citrus aurantium seeds and their secondary metabolites in the management of Alzheimer disease

Fruit by-products are considered nature’s golden gift for human health and a good starting point to discover new drugs depending on the fact that they contain millions of bio-active compounds that are responsible for therapeutic activities. In this context, the main goal of this study is to recycle Citrus aurantium (C. aurantium) seeds to produce pharmaceutical molecules to be used in the prevention of the progressive neurological damage associated with Alzheimer disease (AD). Donepezil (0.75 mg/kg), hesperidin (125 and 250 mg/kg) and limonoids (50 and 100 mg/kg) were used for treatment of rats for 2 weeks prior to concomitant administration of AlCl₃ for three successive weeks. Protection against cognitive deterioration was observed among study group with insignificant difference from normal control group and significant difference from positive control group in the Y-Maze test. On the other hand, treatment with both doses of hesperidin (125 and 250 mg/kg) and high dose of limonoids only (100 mg/kg) produced improvement in psychological state, observed by significant increase in ambulation frequency in comparison to positive control group, however it was not as frequent as normal group, as it was significantly less than normal group in the open field test. Regarding acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and beta-amyloid (β amyloid) levels, the effect of limonoids low dose was the best as it didn’t have a significant effect when compared to normal control, also hesperidin in both doses showed insignificant effects on β amyloid levels when compared to normal control group. Our results encourage the use of C. aurantium seeds which are wasted in huge amounts, as Alzheimer prophylactic food additives.

Taurine and hesperidin rescues carbon tetrachloride-triggered testicular and kidney damage in rats via modulating oxidative stress and inflammation

AIMS

This study assessed the prophylactic or therapeutic effects of taurine (TR) and/or hesperidin (HES) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced acute kidney and testicular injury in rats.

MAIN METHODS

Rats were randomly divided into nine experimental groups including control; corn oil; CCl₄; HES/CCl₄; TR/CCl₄; HES + TR/CCl₄; CCl₄/HES; CCl₄/TR; and CCl₄/HES + TR groups. CCl₄ was intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of 2 ml /kg b.w. HES and TR were orally gavaged twice weekly 100 mg/kg b.w. for four weeks. Kidney function, inflammatory response, sexual hormones, and oxidative stress indicators were assessed. Histomorphological and immune-histochemical studies of the inflammatory marker nuclear factor kappa (NF-κB) in renal and testicular tissues were performed.

KEY FINDINGS

The results showed that the TR and/or HES treatment significantly suppressed CCl₄ induced rise of urea, uric acid, potassium, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels. However, significant restoration of sodium, testosterone, and luteinizing hormone was apparent in CCl₄ exposed rats received HES and/or TR. Also, the HES and/or TR treatment significantly rescues CCl₄ induced oxidative stress and inflammation. Moreover, the HES and/or TR dosing significantly repaired the CCl₄ evoked altered renal and testicular architecture and suppressed NF-κB immunoexpression. Notably, alleviating CCl₄ induced renal and testicular damage was more effective in the prophylactic groups than the therapeutic groups. Also, most of the estimated parameters of the HES + TR group did not significantly vary from those of single TR or HES.

SIGNIFICANCE

In conclusion, HES or TR could efficiently guard against CCl₄ nephro-and reprotoxic effects, but both bioactive combinations afford only a limited synergistic outcome.