Effectiveness and therapeutic value of phytochemicals in acute pancreatitis: A review

Redesigning Berberines and Sanguinarines to Target Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase for Enhanced Anti-Inflammatory Efficacy

Amino-berberine has remained underexplored due to limited biological evaluation and total synthesis approaches. In inflammation therapy, soluble Epoxide Hydrolase (sEH) is a promising target, yet natural scaffolds remain underutilized. Our study advances the field by redesigning natural compounds─berberine and sanguinarine─with strategic urea modifications and hydrogenated frameworks, creating novel sEH inhibitors with enhanced in vivo efficacy. Through total synthesis and structure-activity relationship studies of amino-berberine derivatives, chiral tetrahydroberberine (R)-14i (coded LXZ-42) emerged as the most potent lead, with an IC50 value of 1.20 nM. (R)-14i showed reduced CYP enzyme impact, potent therapeutic effects on acute pancreatitis, no acute in vivo toxicity, and superior pharmacokinetic properties, with an oral bioavailability of 89.3%. Structural insights from crystallography of (R)-14i bound to sEH revealed key interactions: three with the tetrahydroberberine framework and three hydrogen bonds with the urea group, highlighting (R)-14i as a novel lead for sEH-targeted therapies in inflammation.

Urolithin A's Role in Alleviating Severe Acute Pancreatitis via Endoplasmic Reticulum-Mitochondrial Calcium Channel Modulation

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), characterized by pancreatic acinar cell death, currently lacks effective targeted therapies. Ellagic acid (EA), rich in pomegranate, shows promising anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in SAP treatment. However, the roles of other forms of EA, such as plant extracellular vesicles (EVs) extracted from pomegranate, and Urolithin A (UA), converted from EA through gut microbiota metabolism in vivo, have not been definitively elucidated. Our research aimed to compare the effects of pomegranate-derived EVs (P-EVs) and UA in the treatment of SAP to screen an effective formulation and to explore its mechanisms in protecting acinar cells in SAP. By comparing the protective effects of P-EVs and UA on injured acinar cells, UA showed superior therapeutic effects than P-EVs. Subsequently, we further discussed the mechanism of UA in alleviating SAP inflammation. In vivo animal experiments found that UA could not only improve the inflammatory environment of pancreatic tissue and peripheral blood circulation in SAP mice but also revealed that the mechanism of UA in improving SAP might be related to mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) through the results including pancreatic tissue transcriptomics and transmission electron microscopy. Further research found that UA could regulate ER-mitochondrial calcium channels and reduce pancreatic tissue necroptosis. In vitro experiments of mouse pancreatic organoids and acinar cells also confirmed that UA could improve pancreatic inflammation by regulating the ER-mitochondrial calcium channel and necroptosis pathway proteins. This study not only explored the therapeutic effect of plant EVs on SAP but also revealed that UA could alleviate SAP by regulating ER-mitochondrial calcium channel and reducing acinar cell necroptosis, providing insights into the pathogenesis and potential treatment of SAP.

Nano-curcumin supplementation in patients with mild and moderate acute pancreatitis: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial

We aimed to investigate whether nano-curcumin as an anti-inflammatory agent is effective in patients with mild and moderate AP. This study was a double-blind, parallel-arm randomized controlled trial conducted at Taleghani hospital, Tehran, Iran. Eligible subjects with a diagnosis of mild and moderate AP were randomly assigned to receive either two doses of nano-curcumin (40 mg) or placebo (control) daily for 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was gastrointestinal (GI) ward length of stay (LOS). A total of 42 patients were randomly assigned to receive either nano-curcumin (n = 21) or placebo (n = 21). Compared with placebo, nano-curcumin supplementation decreased hospital LOS (RR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.502-0.894; p = 0.006), reduced the need for analgesics over time (OR = 0.576, 95% CI: 0.421-0.790; p = 0.001), and increased overall appetite score over the study period (β = 0.104, SE: 0.053; p = 0.049). No adverse effects or mortality were reported and there was no withdrawal during the study period. The results indicate that nano-curcumin as an adjuvant therapy is safe and may reduce GI ward LOS, analgesics requirement, and improve the overall appetite in patients with mild and moderate AP. Future multi-center trials with larger sample sizes are required to verify these findings. Clinical trial registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04989166.

New insights into regulatory cell death and acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis (AP) may be associated with both local and systemic complications. Although it is usually self-limiting, up to 20% of patients develop severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), which leads to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multiorgan dysfunction and failure affecting the lung, kidney, liver and heart. Patients who survive the condition frequently develop devastating long-term consequences such as diabetes mellitus, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, chronic pancreatitis (CP) and poor quality of life. A lack of specific targeted treatments is the main reason for high mortality and morbidity, indicating that more research on the pathogenesis of AP is needed. In the past decade, substantial advancements have been made in our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of AP, including mechanisms of calcium-mediated acinar cell injury and death, the cytoprotective role of the unfolded protein response (UPR) and autophagy in preventing sustained endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERs); however, the mechanism of parenchymal cell death is relatively poorly understood. This paper reviews the research progress of the regulatory cell death (RCD) mode in the pathogenesis of AP, providing some new insights and regulatory targets for the pathogenesis and treatment of AP, facilitating better targeted drug development.

Lycopene as a Potential Bioactive Compound: Chemistry, Extraction, and Anticancer Prospective

Lycopene, a potential bioactive agent, is a non-pro-vitamin A carotenoid recognized as a potent antioxidant. It is extracted from plants like tomatoes, watermelons, red carrots and papayas and has remarkable health benefits. A significant amount of research has been assisted to date to establish the anticancer activity of lycopene. Our review enhances information about the promising anticancer potential of this compound. The biological activity of lycopene has been described in several studies in regard to pancreatic, breast, prostate, liver, gastric, ovarian, kidney, skin, intestine, brain and spinal cord cancers. Lycopene resists cancer by inhibition of apoptosis, induction of cell proliferation, cell invasion, cell cycle development, metastasis and angiogenesis. The mechanisms of anticancer action of lycopene are attributed to the management of certain signal transduction pathways, such as modulation of insulin-like growth factors system, PI3K/Akt pathway, modification of important gene expression, inhibit the activity of sex steroid hormones, and the conversation of mitochondrial behavior. Hence, this review focuses on current knowledge of sources, extraction techniques, and chemistry of lycopene, as well as the prospective mechanisms of action related with its anticancer activity. Also, it summarizes the background information about lycopene and the most current research with consideration to its aspect in treating several types of cancer together with future directions.

Phytochemicals with protective effects against acute pancreatitis: a review of recent literature

CONTEXT

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an acute abdominal inflammatory disease with episodes ranging from mild to fulminant symptoms which could include necrosis, systemic inflammation and multiple organ dysfunction. Increasing experimental evidence demonstrates that specific bioactive ingredients from natural plants have a favourable therapeutic effect on AP.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review is to summarize the protective effects and potential mechanisms of action of phytochemicals on the attenuation of AP.

METHODS

Experimental studies in vivo or in vitro between January 2016 and June 2021 were sought in PubMed and Web of Science using the following search terms: ('phytochemicals' OR 'medicinal plant' OR 'traditional medicine') AND ('pancreatitis' OR 'pancreatic damage' OR 'pancreatic injury'). Data concerning the basic characteristics of phytochemicals, therapeutic dose and potential molecular mechanisms related to AP were extracted in this study.

RESULTS

A total of 30 phytochemicals with potential therapeutic effects were reviewed and summarized systematically. According to their molecular pathways in AP, the underlying mechanisms of the phytochemicals were illustrated in detail.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The phytochemicals with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant abilities may be efficient candidate drugs for AP treatment. Importantly, more preclinical investigations are needed to illustrate the efficacy of future phytochemicals.

Functional components profile and glycemic index of kidney beans

Low glycemic index (GI) diet has been considered as a strategy for type II diabetes patients. In the present study, the phenolics profile, α-amylase inhibitor activities, starch composition as well as the glycemic index of seven varieties of kidney beans were studied. An enzymatic inhibitory reaction model was employed to determine the α-amylase inhibitor activity, and the in vitro digestion model coupled with the 3, 5-dinitrosalicylic acid colorimetry method was adopted to evaluate the starch composition and glycemic index. The results showed that gallic acid was dominant in kidney beans, and the colored beans contained more phenolics than the white ones. In addition, the α-amylase inhibitor activities of kidney beans ranged from 1.659 ± 0.050 to 4.162 ± 0.049 U/g DW, among which the Y2 variety was the top-ranked. Furthermore, kidney beans starch demonstrated brilliant resistance to digestion with the contribution of resistant starch to total starch between 70.90 ± 0.39% and 83.12 ± 0.42%. Eventually, these kidney beans were categorized as low GI foods, which ranged from 32.47 ± 0.13 to 52.99 ± 0.56, the resistant starch makes dominant contribution to the low GI. These results indicate that kidney beans can be served as ingredients in functional low GI foods.

Piperine alleviates acute pancreatitis: A possible role for FAM134B and CCPG1 dependent ER-phagy

BACKGROUND

Acute pancreatitis was a common acute abdominal disease characterized by pancreatic acinar cell death and inflammation. Endoplasmic reticulum autophagy (ER-phagy) coud maintain cell homeostasis by degrading redundant and disordered endoplasmic reticulum and FAM134B and CCPG1 was main ER-phagy receptors. As a natural alkaloid, piperin is found in black pepper and has anti-inflammatory properties, whose effect on ER-phagy in pancreatitis has not been studied.

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the pivotal role of FAM134B and CCPG1 dependent ER-phagy for alleviating acute pancreatitis and explore the molecular mechanism of piperine in alleviating acute pancreatitis.

METHOD

In this study we investigated the role of ER-phagy in acute pancreatitis and whether piperine could alleviate pancreatitis through ER-phagy regulation. We first detected endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER-stress) and ER-phagy in different degrees of acute pancreatitis. Then we used ER-stress and autophagy regulators to explore the relationship between ER-stress and ER-phagy in acute pancreatitis and their regulation of cell death. Through using FAM134B^-/- and CCPG1^-/-, we investigated the mechanism of piperine in the treatment of acute pancreatitis.

RESULTS

In this study, we confirmed that with the progression of acute pancreatitis, the pancreatic endoplasmic reticulum stress increased continuously, but the ER-phagy increased first and then was inhibited. Meanwhile, in acute pancreatitis, ER-stress and ER-phagy interacted: endoplasmic reticulum stress can induce ER-phagy, but serious ER-stress would inhibit ER-phagy; and ER-phagy could alleviate ER-stress. Next, we found that piperine reduced ER-stress by enhancing FAM134B and CCPG1 dependent ER-phagy, thereby alleviating pancreatic injury.

CONCLUSION

Impaired ER-phagy was both a cause and a consequence of ER-stress in AP mice, which contributed to the transition from AP to SAP. Piperine targeting ER-phagy provided a new insight into the pharmacological mechanism of piperine in treating AP.

A novel resveratrol analog upregulates sirtuin 1 and inhibits inflammatory cell infiltration in acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis (AP), an inflammatory disorder of the pancreas, is a complicated disease without specific drug therapy. (R)-4,6-dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxy phenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indanone [(R)-TML104] is a synthesized analog of the natural product resveratrol sesquiterpenes (±) -isopaucifloral F. This study aimed to investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of (R)-TML104 on AP. The experimental AP model was induced by caerulein hyperstimulation in BALB/c mice. (R)-TML104 markedly attenuated caerulein-induced AP, as evidenced by decreased pancreatic edema, serum amylase levels, serum lipase levels, and pancreatic myeloperoxidase activity. In addition, (R)-TML104 significantly inhibited the expression of pancreatic chemokines C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 and the infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages. Mechanistically, (R)-TML104 activated AMP-activated protein kinase and induced sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression. (R)-TML104 treatment markedly induced the SIRT1-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) interaction and reduced acetylation of STAT3, thus inhibiting the inflammatory response mediated by the interleukin 6-STAT3 pathway. The effect of (R)-TML104 on SIRT1-STAT3 interaction was reversed by treatment with a SIRT1 inhibitor selisistat (EX527). Together, our findings indicate that (R)-TML104 alleviates experimental pancreatitis by reducing the infiltration of inflammatory cells through modulating SIRT1.

The anti-inflammatory mechanism of SAHA in acute pancreatitis through HDAC5/SLIT2/Akt/β-catenin axis

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is widely recognized to be an inflammation-related disease, in which HDAC was upregulated. The anti-inflammatory role of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), a HDAC inhibitor, has been documented. In this context, this research was implemented to figure out whether SAHA manipulated inflammation in AP. Subsequent to induction of AP mouse model, HDAC5 expression was detected. The binding of HDAC5 and SLIT2 was detected by Co-Immunoprecipitation and ChIP assays. SAHA treatment and gain- and loss-of-function approaches were used in AP mice and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pancreatic acinar cells. In mice, biochemical methods were implemented to measure activities of pancreatic lipase, trypsin, MPO and pancreatic edema, TUNEL staining to determine pancreatic cell apoptosis, and flow cytometry to assess the total number of leukocytes and neutrophils in pancreas. In pancreatic acinar cells, CCK-8 was performed to evaluate cell viability. HDAC5 exhibited overexpression in AP mice. Mechanical analysis showed that HDAC5 facilitated SLIT2 deacetylation to downregulate SLIT2, thus activating Akt/β-catenin pathway in pancreatic acinar cells. SAHA treatment, HDAC5 silencing, or SLIT2 overexpression diminished inflammation in AP in vivo and in vitro. SAHA treatment, HDAC5 silencing, or SLIT2 overexpression reduced activities of pancreatic lipase, trypsin, MPO, pancreatic edema, and cell apoptosis in AP mice as well as elevated viability of LPS-induced pancreatic acinar cells. SAHA might exert anti-inflammatory effects in AP mice via HDAC5/SLIT2/Akt/β-catenin axis.

Chlorogenic acid reduces inflammation in murine model of acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP) initiation and progression is still unknown, and effective treatment is limited to supportive care. Many phytochemicals have the potential to alleviate AP symptoms and may be a useful and effective supplement to standard AP treatment. The objective of the study was to examine the potential role of chlorogenic acid (CGA), a polyphenol known for anti-inflammatory effect, in the treatment of experimental AP in mice.

METHODS

Two intraperitoneal (ip) injections of L-arginine (dosage 400 mg/100 g BW) were given 1 h apart to generate the AP murine model. Mice were separated into two experimental groups after 12 h from the first L-arginine injection: AP mice treated with CGA (oral gavage (po) every 12 h; 20 mg/kg BW) and non-treated AP mice (po vehicle, 5% dimethyl sulfoxide every 12 h). Every 12 h, control mice were given an equivalent volume of vehicle. At 72 h, mice were slaughtered. Histology, as well as myeloperoxidase (MPO) and amylase activity assays, were performed on pancreatic tissues.

RESULTS

In murine mouse model of AP po administration of CGA decreased MPO vs. AP (40.40 ± 2.10 U vs. 7.39 ± 0.34; p < 0.001) as well as amylase activity vs. AP (1444 ± 56 mU/mL vs. 3340 ± 144 mU/mL, Fig. 2B; p < 0.001). When comparing CGA mice to AP mice, histological research demonstrated that the severity of AP was reduced following CGA treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study found that CGA might have anti-inflammatory effect on L-arginine-induced pancreatitis. Dietary intervention with CGA may be advised as a supportive treatment for AP, according to our findings.

Qing-Yi Decoction in the Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis: An Integrated Approach Based on Chemical Profile, Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking and Experimental Evaluation

Background: Qing-Yi Decoction (QYD) is a classic precompounded prescription with satisfactory clinical efficacy on acute pancreatitis (AP). However, the chemical profile and overall molecular mechanism of QYD in treating AP have not been clarified.

Methods: In the present study, a rapid, simple, sensitive and reliable ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS)-based chemical profile was first established. An integration strategy of network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking based identified ingredients was further performed to screen out the potential targets and pathways involved in the treatment of QYD on AP. Finally, SD rats with acute pancreatitis were constructed to verify the predicted results through a western blot experiment.

Results: A total of 110 compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, monoterpenes, iridoids, triterpenes, phenylethanoid glycosides, anthraquinones and other miscellaneous compounds were identified, respectively. Eleven important components, 47 key targets and 15 related pathways based on network pharmacology analysis were obtained. Molecular docking simulation indicated that ERK1/2, c-Fos and p65 might play an essential role in QYD against AP. Finally, the western blot experiments showed that QYD could up-regulate the expression level of ERK1/2 and c-Fos, while down-regulate the expression level of p65.

Conclusion: This study predicted and validated that QYD may treat AP by inhibiting inflammation and promoting apoptosis, which provides directions for further experimental studies.

A 5-Year Retrospective Cohort Study: Epidemiology, Etiology, Severity, and Outcomes of Acute Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology, etiology, severity, and outcomes of acute pancreatitis (AP) in the southern Sichuan region of China.

METHODS

All patients with first-attack AP between 2013 and 2018 in the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University were retrospectively identified. The etiology tendency was analyzed, and the relationship was defined with sex, aging, severity, length of stay, and mortality.

RESULTS

Three thousand twenty-eight patients were enrolled for analysis. Acute biliary pancreatitis had the highest incidence rate; the second and third most common causes were hypertriglyceridemic (14.4%) and alcoholic (14.2%), followed by idiopathic (13.6%), mixed etiology (12.9%), and miscellaneous (2.31%). Patients with alcoholic AP were more likely to be middle-aged males, whereas patients with acute biliary pancreatitis were more likely to be elderly females (P < 0.05). The overall mortality in the hospital was 1%, and there was no difference in each etiological groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Biliary disease was the predominant etiology of AP in southern Sichuan of China, and hypertriglyceridemia ranked second. The proportion of hypertriglyceridemic AP and mixed etiology AP gradually increased, whereas idiopathic AP decreased. There were different etiology proportion of AP according age, sex, and severity.

Synthesis of A-Type Proanthocyanidins and Their Analogues: A Comprehensive Review

Proanthocyanidins (PACs) are oligomers or polymers composed of units of flavanols. A-type PACs are a subclass of PACs characterized by the presence of at least a double linkage between two consecutive monomers of flavanol. These A-type PACs are found in some fruits and spices and possess potential health benefits as a result of their interesting biological activities, and consequently, their isolation and synthesis have given rise to great interest in the past. This review summarizes the synthetic efforts made to obtain both naturally occurring A-type PACs and their structurally simplified analogues. Most of the synthetic protocols reported involve the addition of a π-nucleophilic molecule over a molecule with two electrophilic carbons, such as a chalcone, a flavylium salt, or a flavanol derivative, among others. Synthesis of A-type PACs remains an issue at a very early stage of development compared to that of PACs with single linkages between monomers (B-type PACs), but the advances that are taking place in the last few years point to a significant development of the subject in the near future.

Marigold Supercritical Extract as Potential Co-adjuvant in Pancreatic Cancer: The Energetic Catastrophe Induced via BMP8B Ends Up With Autophagy-Induced Cell Death

The recent development of powerful "omics" technologies (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics) has opened new avenues in nutritional sciences toward precision nutrition, which is a genotype-directed nutrition that takes into account the differential responses to nutritional interventions based on gene variation (nutrigenetics) and the effect of nutrients on gene expression (nutrigenomics). Current evidence demonstrates that up to one third of the deaths caused by cancer could be prevented by acting on key risk factors, with diet being one of the most important risk factors due to its association with obesity. Additional factors such as composition of gut microbiome, the immune system, and the nutritional status will have an impact on the final outcome. Nutrient components and bioactive compounds from natural sources can have an impact on cancer progression or even the risk of cancer development by regulating gene expression and/or associated risk factors such as obesity and chronic inflammation. Nowadays, among the different methods to produce natural extracts, the green technology of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is quite popular, with a special interest on the use of supercritical CO₂ for the extraction of compounds with low polarity. The success of nutritional interventions based on the use of nutraceuticals requires several steps: (i) in vitro and preclinical demonstration of their antitumoral effects; (ii) knowledge of their mechanism of action and molecular targets, which will allow for identification of the specific subgroups of patients who will benefit from them; (iii) the study of genetic variants associated with the differential responses; and (iv) innovative approaches of formulations to improve the in vivo bioavailability of the bioactive ingredients. Herein, we investigate the antitumoral properties and mechanism of action of a supercritical CO₂ extract from Calendula officinalis, commonly known as marigold (marigold SFE) in the context of pancreatic cancer. Mechanistically, marigold SFE induces the expression of BMP8B, which leads to an energetic catastrophe ending up with autophagy-induced cell death (AICD). As metabolic reprogramming is a well-recognized hallmark of cancer, the direct impact of marigold SFE on pancreatic cancer cell metabolism encourages further research of its potential as a coadjuvant in pancreatic cancer therapy. Finally, we discuss innovative formulation approaches to augment the clinical therapeutic potential of marigold SFE in nutritional interventions.