The potential of artemisinins as anti-obesity agents via modulating the immune system

Artemisinins ameliorate polycystic ovarian syndrome by mediating LONP1-CYP11A1 interaction

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a prevalent reproductive disorder in women of reproductive age, features androgen excess, ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovaries. Despite its high prevalence, specific pharmacologic intervention for PCOS is challenging. In this study, we identified artemisinins as anti-PCOS agents. Our finding demonstrated the efficacy of artemisinin derivatives in alleviating PCOS symptoms in both rodent models and human patients, curbing hyperandrogenemia through suppression of ovarian androgen synthesis. Artemisinins promoted cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1 (CYP11A1) protein degradation to block androgen overproduction. Mechanistically, artemisinins directly targeted lon peptidase 1 (LONP1), enhanced LONP1-CYP11A1 interaction, and facilitated LONP1-catalyzed CYP11A1 degradation. Overexpression of LONP1 replicated the androgen-lowering effect of artemisinins. Our data suggest that artemisinin application is a promising approach for treating PCOS and highlight the crucial role of the LONP1-CYP11A1 interaction in controlling hyperandrogenism and PCOS occurrence.

Modulation of alveolar macrophage and mitochondrial fitness by medicinal plant-derived nanovesicles to mitigate acute lung injury and viral pneumonia

Acute lung injury (ALI) is generally caused by severe respiratory infection and characterized by overexuberant inflammatory responses and inefficient pathogens-containing, the two major processes wherein alveolar macrophages (AMs) play a central role. Dysfunctional mitochondria have been linked with distorted macrophages and hence lung disorders, but few treatments are currently available to correct these defects. Plant-derive nanovesicles have gained significant attention because of their therapeutic potential, but the targeting cells and the underlying mechanism remain elusive. We herein prepared the nanovesicles from Artemisia annua, a well-known medicinal plant with multiple attributes involving anti-inflammatory, anti-infection, and metabolism-regulating properties. By applying three mice models of acute lung injury caused by bacterial endotoxin, influenza A virus (IAV) and SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus respectively, we showed that Artemisia-derived nanovesicles (ADNVs) substantially alleviated lung immunopathology and raised the survival rate of challenged mice. Macrophage depletion and adoptive transfer studies confirmed the requirement of AMs for ADNVs effects. We identified that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) enclosed in the vesicles is a major molecular effector mediating the regulatory roles of ADNVs. Specifically, GABA acts on macrophages through GABA receptors, promoting mitochondrial gene programming and bioenergy generation, reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory signals, thereby enhancing the adaptability of AMs to inflammation resolution. Collectively, this study identifies a promising nanotherapeutics for alleviating lung pathology, and elucidates a mechanism whereby the canonical neurotransmitter modifies AMs and mitochondria to resume tissue homeostasis, which may have broader implications for treating critical pulmonary diseases such as COVID-19.

Tehranolid and Artemisinin Effects on Ameliorating Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis by Modulating Inflammation and Remyelination

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Artemisinin (ART) is a natural sesquiterpene lactone with an endoperoxide bond that is well-known for its anti-inflammatory effects in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the most commonly used animal model of MS. Tehranolide (TEH) is a novel compound with structural similarity to ART. In this study, we aimed to investigate the ameliorating effect of TEH on EAE development by targeting proteins and genes involved in this process and compare its effects with ART. Female C57BL/6 mice were immunized with MOG35-55. Twelve days post-immunization, mice were treated with 0.28 mg/kg/day TEH and 2.8 mg/kg/day ART for 18 consecutive days, and the clinical score was measured daily. The levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were assessed in mice serum and splenocytes by ELISA. We also evaluated the mRNA expression level of cytokines, as well as genes involved in T cell differentiation and myelination in the spinal cord tissue by qRT-PCR. Administration of TEH and ART significantly alleviated EAE signs. A significant reduction in IL-6 and IL-17 secretion and IL-17 and IL-1 gene expression in spinal cord were observed in the TEH-treated group. ART had similar or less significant effects. Moreover, TGF-β, IL-4, and IL-10 genes were stimulated by ART and TEH in the spinal cord, while the treatments did not affect IFN-γ expression. Both treatments dramatically increased the expression of FOXP3, GATA3, MBP, and AXL. Additionally, the T-bet gene was reduced after TEH administration. The compounds made no changes in RORγt, nestin, Gas6, Tyro3, and Mertk mRNA expression levels in the spinal cord. The study revealed that both TEH and ART can effectively modulate the genes responsible for inflammation and myelination that play a crucial role in EAE. Interestingly, TEH demonstrated a greater potency compared to ART and hence may have the potential to be evaluated in interventions for the management of MS.

Novel Bis-Artemisinin-Phloroglucinol hybrid molecules with dual anticancer and immunomodulatory Activities: Synthesis and evaluation

Bis-(10-deoxydihydroartemisinin)-phloroglucinol (9), has been synthesized in a one-step reaction and has demonstrated strong inhibition to cancer cell proliferation and immunosuppressive activity. The structure modification of the compound reduced its cytotoxicity, and among the analogs, bis-(10-deoxydihydroartemisinin)-phloroglucinol phenyl decanoate (16) showed significant reduction of ear swelling in a mouse model for DNFB-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity without observable toxicity in a dose-dependent manner.

Ergolide covalently binds NLRP3 and inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis

BACKGROUND

NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3)-mediated pyroptosis plays a key role in various acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Targeted inhibition of NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis may be a potential therapeutic strategy for various inflammatory diseases. Ergolide (ERG) is a sesquiterpene lactone natural product derived from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb, Inula britannica. ERG has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities, but the target is remains unknown.

HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE

This study performed an in-depth investigation of the anti-inflammatory mechanism of ERG in NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis and NLPR3 inflammasome related sepsis and acute lung injury model.

METHODS

ELISA and Western blot were used to determine the IL-1β and P20 levels. Co-immunoprecipitation assays were used to detect the interaction between proteins. Drug affinity response target stability (DARTS) assays were used to explore the potential target of ERG. C57BL/6J mice were intraperitoneally injected with E. coli DH5α (2 × 10⁹ CFU/mouse) to establish a sepsis model. Acute lung injury was induced by intratracheal administrationof lipopolysaccharide in wild-type mice and NLRP3 knockout mice with or without ERG treatment.

RESULTS

We showed that ERG is an efficient inhibitor of NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in the first and second signals of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ERG irreversibly bound to the NACHT domain of NLRP3 to prevent the assembly and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. ERG remarkably improved the survival rate of wild-type septic mice. In lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury model, ERG alleviated acute lung injury of wild-type mice but not NLRP3 knockout mice.

CONCLUSION

Our results revealed that the anti-pyroptosis effect of ERG are dependent on NLRP3 and NLRP3 NACHT domain is ERG's direct target. Therefore, ERG can serve as a precursor drug for the development of novel NLRP3 inhibitors to treat NLRP3 inflammasome mediated inflammatory diseases.

Artesunate, a new antimalarial clinical drug, exhibits potent anti-AML activity by targeting the ROS/Bim and TFRC/Fe2+ pathways

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Artesunate, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2020 as a new treatment for severe malaria, also shows anti-tumour activity against acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). However, the underlying molecular mechanism(s) of artesunate-induced apoptosis and differentiation of AML is not clearly elucidated.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

The biological effects of artesunate on AML were explored in vitro, using cells from AML patients and leukaemia cell lines, and in vivo, using female C57BL/6 or nude nu/nu BALB/c mice. Underlying mechanisms in vitro were examined with the Trypan blue dye exclusion assay, western blotting and flow cytometry. Effects of artesunate in C57BL/6 mice intravenously injected with murine AML cells (C1498-GFP) were assessed by numbers of AML cells and by survival.

KEY RESULTS

In vitro, artesunate promoted apoptosis and differentiation in both leukaemia cell lines and patient-derived primary leukaemia cells. Mechanistically, artesunate promoted cell apoptosis by triggering reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and increasing expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bim. Interestingly, transferrin receptor 1 (TFRC)-mediated regulation of intracellular iron homeostasis also played an essential role in AML cell differentiation induced by artesunate. In vivo, artesunate slowed AML progression and prolonged survival in a mouse leukaemia model. Notably, artesunate displayed no apparent toxicity towards healthy haematopoietic stem cells, bone marrow mononuclear cells or experimental animals.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Artesunate is a safe agent with significant anti-leukaemia effects in mice and may serve as a promising chemotherapeutic strategy for patients with AML, based on two different mechanisms, targeting the ROS/Bim and the TFRC/Fe²⁺ pathways.

Pharmacological Treatments and Natural Biocompounds in Weight Management

The obesity pandemic is one of society’s most urgent public health concerns. One-third of the global adult population may fall under obese or overweight by 2025, suggesting a rising demand for medical care and an exorbitant cost of healthcare expenditure in the coming years. Generally, the treatment strategy for obese patients is largely patient-centric and needs dietary, behavioral, pharmacological, and sometimes even surgical interventions. Given that obesity cases are rising in adults and children and lifestyle modifications have failed to produce the desired results, the need for medical therapy adjunct to lifestyle modifications is vital for better managing obesity. Most existing or past drugs for obesity treatment target satiety or monoamine pathways and induce a feeling of fullness in patients, while drugs such as orlistat are targeted against intestinal lipases. However, many medications targeted against neurotransmitters showed adverse events in patients, thus being withdrawn from the market. Alternatively, the combination of some drugs has been successfully tested in obesity management. However, the demand for novel, safer, and more efficacious pharmaceutical medicines for weight management does exist. The present review elucidates the current understanding of the available anti-obesity medicines of synthetic and natural origin, their main mechanisms of action, and the shortcomings associated with current weight management drugs.

Chinese medicinal herbs as potential prodrugs for obesity

Obesity is a leading worldwide health threat with ever-growing prevalence, it promotes the incidence of various diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, hypertension, and certain cancers. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used to control body weight and treat obesity for thousands of years, Chinese medicinal herbs provide a rich natural source of effective agents against obesity. However, some problems such as complex active ingredients, poor quality control, and unclear therapeutic mechanisms still need to be investigated and resolved. Prodrugs provide a path forward to overcome TCM deficiencies such as absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (ADME) properties, and toxicity. This article aimed to review the possible prodrugs from various medicinal plants that demonstrate beneficial effects on obesity and seek to offer insights on prodrug design as well as a solution to the global obesity issues.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties In Vitro and Hypoglycaemic Effects of Phenolics from Cultivated Fruit Body of Phellinus baumii in Type 2 Diabetic Mice

Dietary intervention in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a hotspot in international research because of potential threats to human health. Phellinus baumii, a wild fungus traditionally used as a food and medicine source, is now cultivated in certain East Asian countries, and is rich in polyphenols, which are effective anti-inflammatory ingredients useful in treatment of T2DM, with fewer side effects than drugs. To examine the hypoglycaemic effects of Phellinus baumii phenolics (PPE), the metabolite profiles of T2DM mice induced by streptozotocin after PPE intervention were systematically analyzed. Here, 10 normal mice were given normal saline as control group, and 50 model mice were randomly assigned to five groups and daily intragastric administrated with saline, metformin (100 mg/kg), and PPE (50, 100, 150 mg/kg of body weight), for 60 days. The pro-inflammatory factor contents of lipopolysaccharide stimulation of RAW 264.7 cells were decreased in a dose-dependent manner after PPE treatment, we propose that PPE could exert anti-inflammatory properties. PPE could also effectively reduce blood glucose levels, increased insulin sensitivity, and improved other glucolipid metabolism. Q-PCR results suggested that the hypoglycemic effects of PPE might be through activating IRS1/PI3K/AKT pathway in diabetic mice. These results suggest that PPE has strong potential as dietary components in the prevention or management of T2DM.

Canonical transient receptor potential channels and their modulators: biology, pharmacology and therapeutic potentials

Canonical transient receptor potential channels (TRPCs) are nonselective, high calcium permeability cationic channels. The TRPCs family includes TRPC1, TRPC2, TRPC3, TRPC4, TRPC5, TRPC6, and TRPC7. These channels are widely expressed in the cardiovascular and nervous systems and exist in many other human tissues and cell types, playing several crucial roles in the human physiological and pathological processes. Hence, the emergence of TRPCs modulators can help investigate these channels’ applications in health and disease. It is worth noting that the TRPCs subfamilies have structural and functional similarities, which presents a significant difficulty in screening and discovering of TRPCs modulators. In the past few years, only a limited number of selective modulators of TRPCs were detected; thus, additional research on more potent and more selective TRPCs modulators is needed. The present review focuses on the striking desired therapeutic effects of TRPCs modulators, which provides intel on the structural modification of TRPCs modulators and further pharmacological research. Importantly, TRPCs modulators can significantly facilitate future studies of TRPCs and TRPCs related diseases.

Exploration of artemisinin derivatives and synthetic peroxides in antimalarial drug discovery research

Malaria is a life-threatening infectious disease caused by protozoal parasites belonging to the genus Plasmodium. It caused an estimated 405,000 deaths and 228 million malaria cases globally in 2018 as per the World Malaria Report released by World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019. Artemisinin (ART), a "Nobel medicine" and its derivatives have proven potential application in antimalarial drug discovery programs. In this review, antimalarial activity of the most active artemisinin derivatives modified at C-10/C-11/C-16/C-6 positions and synthetic peroxides (endoperoxides, 1,2,4-trioxolanes, 1,2,4-trioxanes, and 1,2,4,5-tetraoxanes) are systematically summarized. The developmental trend of ART derivatives, and cyclic peroxides along with their antimalarial activity and how the activity is affected by structural variations on different sites of the compounds are discussed. This compilation would be very useful towards scaffold hopping aimed at avoiding the unnecessary complexity in cyclic peroxides, and ultimately act as a handy resource for the development of potential chemotherapeutics against Plasmodium species.