Dihydromyricetin improves glucose and lipid metabolism and exerts anti-inflammatory effects in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized controlled trial

Dihydromyricetin ameliorates diabetic renal fibrosis via regulating SphK1 to suppress the activation of NF-κB pathway

Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is a flavonoid from vine tea with broad pharmacological benefits, which improve inflammation by blocking the NF-κB pathway. A growing body of research indicates that chronic kidney inflammation is vital to the pathogenesis of diabetic renal fibrosis. Sphingosine kinase-1 (SphK1) is a key regulator of diabetic renal inflammation, which triggers the NF-κB pathway. Hence, we evaluated whether DHM regulates diabetic renal inflammatory fibrosis by acting on SphK1. Here, we demonstrated that DHM effectively suppressed the synthesis of fibrotic and inflammatory adhesion factors like ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 in streptozotocin-treated high-fat diet-induced diabetic mice and HG-induced glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs). Moreover, DHM significantly suppressed NF-κB pathway activation and reduced SphK1 activity and protein expression under diabetic conditions. Mechanistically, the results of molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and cellular thermal shift assay revealed that DHM stably bound to the binding pocket of SphK1, thereby reducing sphingosine-1-phosphate content and SphK1 enzymatic activity, which ultimately inhibited NF-κB DNA binding, transcriptional activity, and nuclear translocation. In conclusion, our data suggested that DHM inhibited SphK1 phosphorylation to prevent NF-κB activation thus ameliorating diabetic renal fibrosis. This supported the clinical use and further drug development of DHM as a potential candidate for treating diabetic renal fibrosis.

Comparative analysis of whole chloroplast genomes of three common species of Nekemias from vine tea

Nekemias grossedentata (N. grossedentata) is a medicinal and edible plant. The young leaves and tender stems are specifically utilized to manufacture vine tea, which is traditionally employed in the treatment of conditions such as the common cold fever, sore throat, jaundice hepatitis, and other ailments. The morphologically of N. grossedentata similar to Nekemias cantoniensis (N. cantoniensis) and Nekemias megalophylla (N. megalophylla), which lead to a chaotic market supply. Numerious studies have confirmed that chloroplast genomes and chromatography play important role in plant classification. Here, the whole chloroplast (cp) genomes of the three Nekemias species were sequenced in Illumina sequencing platform. Meanwhile, their chromatographic fingerprints have constructed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The annotation results demonstrated that the three chloroplast genomes were typical quadripartite structures, with lengths of 162,147 bp (N. grossedentata), 161,981 bp (N. megalophylla), and 162,500 bp (N. cantoniensis), respectively. A total of 89 (N. grossedentata) /86 (N. megalophylla and N. cantoniensis) protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA gene and 8 rRNA genes were annotated. The IR/SC boundary regions were relatively conserved across the three species, although three regions (rps19-rpl2, rpl32-trnL-UAG, ccsA-ndhD) exhibited nucleotide diversity values (Pi) of variable sites higher than 1%. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that N. grossedentata had a closer genetic relationship with N. megalophylla than that of N. cantoniensis. Moreover, the chromatographic fingerprints revealed that the main functional components and genetic relatedness of three species were highly similar with their morphological results. In conclusion, N. grossedentata and N. megalophylla can be consider as the origin plants of vine tea. This study provides appropriate information for species identification, phylogeny, quality assessment of three medicinal plants of the genus Nekemias and will contribute to the standardization of vine tea raw materials.

Development of pectin/chitosan-based electrospun biomimetic nanofiber membranes loaded with dihydromyricetin inclusion complexes for wound healing application

Accidents and surgical procedures inevitably lead to wounds, presenting clinical challenges such as inflammation and microbial infections that impede the wound-healing process. This study aimed to address these challenges by developing a series of novel wound dressings known as electrospun biomimetic nanofiber membranes. These membranes were prepared using electrostatic spinning technique, incorporating hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin/dihydromyricetin inclusion complexes. The prepared electrospun biomimetic nanofiber membranes exhibited randomly arranged fiber morphology with average fiber diameters ranging from 200 to 400 nm, resembling the collagen fibers in the native skin. These membranes demonstrated excellent biocompatibility, hemocompatibility, surface hydrophilicity, and wettability, while also releasing dihydromyricetin in a sustained manner. In vitro testing revealed that these membranes, loaded with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin/dihydromyricetin inclusion complexes, displayed higher antioxidant potential and inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Furthermore, these membranes significantly reduced the M1 phenotypic transition in RAW264.7 cells, even when stimulated by lipopolysaccharides, effectively restoring M2 polarization, thereby shortening the inflammatory period. Additionally, the in vivo wound healing effects of these membranes were validated. In conclusion, this study introduces a promising nanofiber membrane with diverse biological properties that holds promise for addressing various crucial aspects of the wound-healing process.

Role of microglia in diabetic neuropathic pain

Approximately one-third of the patients with diabetes worldwide suffer from neuropathic pain, mainly categorized by spontaneous and stimulus-induced pain. Microglia are a class of immune effector cells residing in the central nervous system and play a pivotal role in diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP). Microglia specifically respond to hyperglycemia along with inflammatory cytokines and adenosine triphosphate produced during hyperglycemic damage to nerve fibers. Because of the presence of multiple receptors on the microglial surface, microglia are dynamically and highly responsive to their immediate environment. Following peripheral sensitization caused by hyperglycemia, microglia are affected by the cascade of inflammatory factors and other substances and respond accordingly, resulting in a change in their functional state for DNP pathogenesis. Inhibition of receptors such as P2X reporters, reducing cytokine expression levels in the microglial reactivity mechanisms, and inhibiting their intracellular signaling pathways can effectively alleviate DNP. A variety of drugs attenuate DNP by inhibiting the aforementioned processes induced by microglial reactivity. In this review, we summarize the pathological mechanisms by which microglia promote and maintain DNP, the drugs and therapeutic techniques available, and the latest advances in this field.

Multiple molecular and cellular mechanisms of the antitumour effect of dihydromyricetin (Review)

Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is a natural flavonoid compound with multiple antitumour effects, including inhibition of proliferation, promotion of apoptosis, inhibition of invasion and migration, clearance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induction of autophagy. For example, DHM can effectively block the progression of the tumour cell cycle and inhibit cell proliferation. In different types of cancer cells, DHM can regulate the PI3K/Akt pathway, mTOR, and NF-κB pathway components, such as p53, and endoplasmic reticulum stress can alter the accumulation of ROS or induce autophagy to promote the apoptosis of tumour cells. In addition, when DHM is used in combination with various known chemotherapy drugs, such as paclitaxel, nedaplatin, doxorubicin, oxaliplatin and vinblastine, it can increase the sensitivity of tumour cells to DHM and increase the therapeutic effect of chemotherapy drugs. In the present review, the multiple molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the antitumour effect of DHM, as well as its ability to increase the effects of various traditional antitumour drugs were summarized. Through the present review, it is expected by the authors to draw attention to the potential of DHM as an antitumour drug and provide valuable references for the clinical translation of DHM research and the development of related treatment strategies.

Identification of dihydromyricetin as a natural DNA methylation inhibitor with rejuvenating activity in human skin

Changes in DNA methylation patterning have been reported to be a key hallmark of aged human skin. The altered DNA methylation patterns are correlated with deregulated gene expression and impaired tissue functionality, leading to the well-known skin aging phenotype. Searching for small molecules, which correct the aged methylation pattern therefore represents a novel and attractive strategy for the identification of anti-aging compounds. DNMT1 maintains epigenetic information by copying methylation patterns from the parental (methylated) strand to the newly synthesized strand after DNA replication. We hypothesized that a modest inhibition of this process promotes the restoration of the ground-state epigenetic pattern, thereby inducing rejuvenating effects. In this study, we screened a library of 1800 natural substances and 640 FDA-approved drugs and identified the well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecule dihydromyricetin (DHM) as an inhibitor of the DNA methyltransferase DNMT1. DHM is the active ingredient of several plants with medicinal use and showed robust inhibition of DNMT1 in biochemical assays. We also analyzed the effect of DHM in cultivated keratinocytes by array-based methylation profiling and observed a moderate, but significant global hypomethylation effect upon treatment. To further characterize DHM-induced methylation changes, we used published DNA methylation clocks and newly established age predictors to demonstrate that the DHM-induced methylation change is associated with a reduction in the biological age of the cells. Further studies also revealed re-activation of age-dependently hypermethylated and silenced genes in vivo and a reduction in age-dependent epidermal thinning in a 3-dimensional skin model. Our findings thus establish DHM as an epigenetic inhibitor with rejuvenating effects for aged human skin.

Chinese herbal medicines: The modulator of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease targeting oxidative stress

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Plants are a natural treasure trove; their secondary metabolites participate in several pharmacological processes, making them a crucial component in the synthesis of novel pharmaceuticals and serving as a reserve resource foundation in this process. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with the risk of progression to hepatitis and liver cancer. The "Treatise on Febrile Diseases," "Compendium of Materia Medica," and "Thousand Golden Prescriptions" have listed herbal remedies to treat liver diseases.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

Chinese herbal medicines have been widely used for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD owing to their efficacy and low side effects. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during NAFLD, and the impact and potential mechanism of ROS on the pathogenesis of NAFLD are discussed in this review. Furthermore, common foods and herbs that can be used to prevent NAFLD, as well as the structure-activity relationships and potential mechanisms, are discussed.

METHODS

Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI database, Google Scholar, and WanFang database were searched for natural products that have been used to treat or prevent NAFLD in the past five years. The primary search was performed using the following keywords in different combinations in full articles: NAFLD, herb, natural products, medicine, and ROS. More than 400 research papers and review articles were found and analyzed in this review.

RESULTS

By classifying and discussing the literature, we obtained 86 herbaceous plants, 28 of which were derived from food and 58 from Chinese herbal medicines. The mechanism of NAFLD was proposed through experimental studies on thirteen natural compounds (quercetin, hesperidin, rutin, curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, salvianolic acid B, paeoniflorin, ginsenoside Rg1, ursolic acid, berberine, honokiol, emodin). The occurrence and progression of NAFLD could be prevented by natural antioxidants through several pathways to prevent ROS accumulation and reduce hepatic cell injuries caused by excessive ROS.

CONCLUSION

This review summarizes the natural products and routinely used herbs (prescription) in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. Firstly, the mechanisms by which natural products improve NAFLD through antioxidant pathways are elucidated. Secondly, the potential of traditional Chinese medicine theory in improving NAFLD is discussed, highlighting the safety of food-medicine homology and the broader clinical potential of multi-component formulations in improving NAFLD. Aiming to provide theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

Study on the molecular mechanism of dihydromyricetin in alleviating liver cirrhosis based on network pharmacology

Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is a bioactive flavonoid extracted from Hovenia dulcis, which has various activities. In the present study, the molecular mechanism of dihydromyricetin (DHM) in relieving liver cirrhosis was investigated through network pharmacology and experimental verification. The cell model was induced by TGF-β1 activating the human hepatic stellate cell line (HSC; LX-2). The protein levels of α-SMA, collagen I, and collagen III and pathway-related proteins within LX-2 cells were detected using Western blot. EdU staining was conducted to detect cell proliferation. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the expression levels of α-SMA and collagen I. Next, the drug targets of DHM were screened from the PubChem database. The differentially expressed genes in the liver cirrhosis dataset GSE14323 were identified. The expression of the identified drug targets in LX-2 cells was verified using qRT-PCR. The results showed that TGF-β1 treatment notably increased LX-2 cell viability, promoted cell proliferation, and elevated α-SMA, collagen I, and collagen III protein contents. DHM treatment could partially eliminate TGF-β1 effects, as evidenced by the inhibited cell viability and proliferation and reduced α-SMA, collagen I, and collagen III contents. After network pharmacology analysis, nine differentially expressed target genes (MMP2, PDGFRB, PARP1, BCL2L2, ABCB1, TYR, CYP2E1, SQSTM1, and IL6) in liver cirrhosis were identified. According to qRT-PCR verification, DHM could inhibit the expression of MMP2, PDGFRB, PARP1, CYP2E1, SQSTM1, and IL6, and enhance ABCB1 expression levels within LX-2 cells. Moreover, DHM inhibited mTOR and MAPK signaling pathways in TGF-β1-induced HSCs. In conclusion, DHM could inhibit HSC activation, which may be achieved via acting on MMP2, PDGFRB, PARP1, CYP2E1, SQSTM1, IL6, and ABCB1 genes and their downstream signaling pathways, including mTOR and MAPK signaling pathway.

A comprehensive review of vine tea: Origin, research on Materia Medica, phytochemistry and pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Vine tea is a popular folk tea that has been consumed in China for more than 1200 years. It is often used in ethnic medicine by ethnic groups in southwest China with at least 35 aliases in 10 provinces. In coastal areas, vine tea is mostly used to treat heatstroke, aphtha, aphonia, toothache, etc. In contrast, in the southwest inland regions, vine tea is mostly used to clear away heat and toxic materials, antiphlogosis and relieving sore-throat, lowering blood pressure and lipid levels, and alleviating fatigue. Three main species have been used as the source of vine tea, Nekemias grossedentata, Nekemias cantonensis and Nekemias megalophylla. Among them, the leaves of Nekemias grossedentata were considered as new food resource in complicance with regulations, according to the Food Safety Standards published by the Monitoring and Evaluation Department of the National Health and Family Planning Commission in China.

AIM OF THE STUDY

At present, the comprehensively summary of Materia Medica on the history and source of vine tea is currently unavailable. The current article summed up the Materia Medica, species origin and pharmacological effects of all 3 major species used in vine tea to fill the knowledge gaps. We also aim to provide a reference for future research on historical textual, resource development and medicinal utilization of vine tea.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adhering to the literature screening methodology outlined by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), this review encompasses 148 scholarly research papers from three database, paper ancient books, local chronicles and folklore through field investigations. We then comprehensively summarized and discussed research progresses in scientific and application studies of vine tea.

RESULTS

The historical records indicated that vine tea could have been used as early as Southern and Northern Dynasties (AC 420-589). Nekemias grossedentata, Nekemias cantonensis and Nekemias megalophylla, were used to considered as vine tea in the ethnic medicine. The main phytochemicals found in three plants are flavonoids, polyphenols and terpenoids, among which dihydromyricetin (DHM) is the most important and most studied active substance. The key words "Ampelopsis grossedentata" (Synonym of Nekemias grossedentata) and "dihydromyricetin/DHM" showed the highest frequency over the last 27 year based on the research trend analysis. And the ethnopharmacology studies drawn the main activities of vine tea are antioxidant, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective and anti-atherosclerosis activities.

CONCLUSIONS

This review systematically summarized and discussed vine tea from the following five aspects, history, genetic relationship, phytochemistry, research trend and ethnopharmacology. Vine tea has a long historical usage in Chinese ethnic medicine. Its outstanding therapeutic efficacies have attracted extensive attention in other places in the world at present. Nekemias cantonensis and Nekemias megalophylla are quite similar to Nekemias grossedentata in terms of many aspects. However, the current research has a narrow focus on mainly Nekemias grossedentata and DHM. We propose that future studies could be carried out to determine the synergistic effect of multi-components and multi-targets of vine tea including all 3 species to provide valuable knowledge.

Does Flavonoid Supplementation Alleviate Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

SCOPE

Higher flavonoid intake is associated with reduced risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, there is a large discrepancy in the effects of flavonoid supplementation on NAFLD. To fill such knowledge gap, we systematically reviewed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to critically assess flavonoid supplementation effect on liver function, lipid profile, inflammation, and insulin resistance in adults with NAFLD.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A systematic search was conducted from 4 databases from inception until May 2023. Twelve RCTs were included in the final analysis demonstrating beneficial effects of flavonoids on ALT (SMD = -3.59, p = 0.034), AST (SMD = -4.47, p = 0.001), GGT (SMD = -8.70, p = 0.000), CK-18M30 (SMD = -0.35, p = 0.042), TG (SMD = -0.37, p = 0.001), LDL-C (SMD = -0.38, p = 0.039), TC (MD = -0.25 mmol/l, p = 0.017), steatosis score (MD = -18.97, p = 0.30), TNF-α (MD = -0.88, p = 0.000), and NF-κB (MD = -1.62, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis suggests that flavonoid alleviates NAFLD through exerting favourable effects on liver function, lipid profile, and inflammation, indicating flavonoid supplementation presents a promising drug regimen for the management of NAFLD and its associated complications.

Preparation of Dihydromyricetin-Loaded Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery System and Its Anti-Alcoholism Effect

Intraperitoneal injection of dihydromyricetin (DMY) has shown promising potential in the treatment of alcoholism. However, its therapeutic effect is limited due to its low solubility, poor stability, and high gut-liver first-pass metabolism, resulting in very low oral bioavailability. In this study, we developed a DMY-loaded self-emulsifying drug delivery system (DMY-SEDDS) to enhance the oral bioavailability and anti-alcoholism effect of DMY. DMY-SEDDS improved the oral absorption of DMY by facilitating lymphatic transport. The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of DMY in the DMY-SEDDS group was 4.13-fold higher than in the DMY suspension group. Furthermore, treatment with DMY-SEDDS significantly enhanced the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in the liver of mice (p < 0.05). Interestingly, DMY-SEDDS also increased ADH activity in the stomach of mice with alcoholism (p < 0.01), thereby enhancing ethanol metabolism in the gastrointestinal tract and reducing ethanol absorption into the bloodstream. As a result, the blood alcohol concentration of mice with alcoholism was significantly decreased after DMY-SEDDS treatment (p < 0.01). In the acute alcoholism mice model, compared to saline treatment, DMY-SEDDS prolonged the onset of LORR (loss of righting reflex) (p < 0.05) and significantly shortened the duration of LORR (p < 0.01). Additionally, DMY-SEDDS treatment significantly reduced gastric injury in acute alcoholism mice. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the potential of DMY-SEDDS as a treatment in the treatment of alcoholism.

Research progress of dihydromyricetin in the treatment of diabetes mellitus

Diabetic Mellitus (DM), a chronic metabolic disorder disease characterized by hyperglycemia, is mainly caused by the absolute or relative deficiency of insulin secretion or decreased insulin sensitivity in target tissue cells. Dihydromyricetin (DMY) is a flavonoid compound of dihydroflavonol that widely exists in Ampelopsis grossedentata. This review aims to summarize the research progress of DMY in the treatment of DM. A detailed summary of related signaling induced by DMY are discussed. Increasing evidence implicates that DMY display hypoglycemic effects in DM via improving glucose and lipid metabolism, attenuating inflammatory responses, and reducing oxidative stress, with the signal transduction pathways underlying the regulation of AMPK or mTOR/autophagy, and relevant downstream cascades, including PGC-1α/SIRT3, MEK/ERK, and PI3K/Akt signal pathways. Hence, the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic implications of DMY in DM are still obscure. In this review, following with a brief introduction of the absorption, metabolism, distribution, and excretion characteristics of DMY, we summarized the current pharmacological developments of DMY as well as possible molecular mechanisms in the treatment of DM, aiming to push the understanding about the protective role of DMY as well as its preclinical assessment of novel application.

Preventive and therapeutic effects of natural products and herbal extracts on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common condition that is prevalent in patients who consume little or no alcohol, and is characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver. The disease is becoming increasingly common with the rapid economic development of countries. Long-term accumulation of excess fat can lead to NAFLD, which represents a global health problem with no effective therapeutic approach. NAFLD is a complex, multifaceted pathological process that has been the subject of extensive research over the past few decades. Herbal medicines have gained attention as potential therapeutic agents to prevent and treat NAFLD due to their high efficacy and low risk of side effects. Our overview is based on a PubMed and Web of Science database search as of Dec 22 with the keywords: NAFLD/NASH Natural products and NAFLD/NASH Herbal extract. In this review, we evaluate the use of herbal medicines in the treatment of NAFLD. These natural resources have the potential to inform innovative drug research and the development of treatments for NAFLD in the future.

Dihydromyricetin supplementation improves ethanol-induced lipid accumulation and inflammation

Introduction

Excessive alcohol consumption leads to a myriad of detrimental health effects, including alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). Unfortunately, no available treatments exist to combat the progression of ALD beyond corticosteroid administration and/or liver transplants. Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is a bioactive polyphenol and flavonoid that has traditionally been used in Chinese herbal medicine for its robust antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is derived from many plants, including Hovenia dulcis and is found as the active ingredient in a variety of popular hangover remedies. Investigations utilizing DHM have demonstrated its ability to alleviate ethanol-induced disruptions in mitochondrial and lipid metabolism, while demonstrating hepatoprotective activity.

Methods

Female c57BL/6J mice (n = 12/group) were treated using the Lieber DeCarli forced-drinking and ethanol (EtOH) containing liquid diet, for 5 weeks. Mice were randomly divided into three groups: (1) No-EtOH, (2) EtOH [5% (v/v)], and (3) EtOH [5% (v/v)] + DHM (6 mg/mL). Mice were exposed to ethanol for 2 weeks to ensure the development of ALD pathology prior to receiving dihydromyricetin supplementation. Statistical analysis included one-way ANOVA along with Bonferroni multiple comparison tests, where p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Dihydromyricetin administration significantly improved aminotransferase levels (AST/ALT) and reduced levels of circulating lipids including LDL/VLDL, total cholesterol (free cholesterol), and triglycerides. DHM demonstrated enhanced lipid clearance by way of increased lipophagy activity, shown as the increased interaction and colocalization of p62/SQSTM-1, LC3B, and PLIN-1 proteins. DHM-fed mice had increased hepatocyte-to-hepatocyte lipid droplet (LD) heterogeneity, suggesting increased neutralization and sequestration of free lipids into LDs. DHM administration significantly reduced prominent pro-inflammatory cytokines commonly associated with ALD pathology such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-17.

Discussion

Dihydromyricetin is commercially available as a dietary supplement. The results of this proof-of-concept study demonstrate its potential utility and functionality as a cost-effective and safe candidate to combat inflammation and the progression of ALD pathology.

Dihydromyricetin ameliorated nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in mice by regulating the composition of serous lipids, bile acids and ileal microflora

BACKGROUND

Dihydromyricetin (DMY) is a natural flavonoid with anti-nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) activity. However, the effects of DMY on the composition of lipids and bile acids (BAs) in serum, and gut microbiota (GM) in ileum of mice with NASH are not clear.

METHODS

After male C57BL/6 mice was fed with methionine and choline deficiency (MCD) diet and simultaneously administered with DMY (300 mg/kg/day) by gavage for 8 weeks, the pathological changes of liver tissue were observed by Oil Red O, hematoxylin eosin and Masson staining, the levels of serum alaninea minotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and liver triglyceride, malonic dialdehyde were detected by the detection kits, the composition and contents of serum lipids and BAs were detected by Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometry, the mRNA levels of hepatic BAs homeostasis-related genes were detected by RT-qPCR, and microbiological diversity in ileum was analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing.

RESULTS

The results showed that the significant changes including 29 lipids, 4 BAs (23-nor-deoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid, 7-ketodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid), 2 BA transporters (Mrp2 and Oatp1b2) and 8 GMs between MCD and DMY groups. Among them, DMY treatment significantly down-regulated 21 lipids, 4 BAs mentioned above, the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidota and the abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae, Faecalibacuium, significantly up-regulated 8 lipids and 5 GMs (Verrucomicrobiota, Bacteroidota, Actinobacteria, Akkermansiaceae and Akkermansia).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested that DMY may alleviate MCD diet-induced NASH through decreasing the serum levels of toxic BAs which regulated by liver Oatp1b2 and Mrp2, regulating the metabolism of related lipids, and up-regulating intestinal probiotics (Actinobacteria and Verrucomicrobiota at the phylum level; Akkermansiaceae at the family level; Akkermansiaat at the genus level) and inhibiting intestinal harmful bacteria (Firmicutes at the phylum level; Erysipelotrichaceae at the family level; Faecalibaculum at the genus level).

Dihydromyricetin inhibits African swine fever virus replication by downregulating toll-like receptor 4-dependent pyroptosis in vitro

African swine fever (ASF), caused by ASF virus (ASFV) infection, poses a huge threat to the pork industry owing to ineffective preventive and control measures. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop strategies, including antiviral drugs targeting ASFV, for preventing ASFV spread. This study aimed to identify novel compounds with anti-ASFV activity. To this end, we screened a small chemical library of 102 compounds, among which the natural flavonoid dihydromyricetin (DHM) exhibited the most potent anti-ASFV activity. DHM treatment inhibited ASFV replication in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, it inhibited porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and swine influenza virus replication, which suggested that DHM exerts broad-spectrum antiviral effects. Mechanistically, DHM treatment inhibited ASFV replication in various ways in the time-to-addition assay, including pre-, co-, and post-treatment. Moreover, DHM treatment reduced the levels of ASFV-induced inflammatory mediators by regulating the TLR4/MyD88/MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway. Meanwhile, DHM treatment reduced the ASFV-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species, further minimizing pyroptosis by inhibiting the ASFV-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Interestingly, the effects of DHM on ASFV were partly reversed by treatment with polyphyllin VI (a pyroptosis agonist) and RS 09 TFA (a TLR4 agonist), suggesting that DHM inhibits pyroptosis by regulating TLR4 signaling. Furthermore, targeting TLR4 with resatorvid (a specific inhibitor of TLR4) and small interfering RNA against TLR4 impaired ASFV replication. Taken together, these results reveal the anti-ASFV activity of DHM and the underlying mechanism of action, providing a potential compound for developing antiviral drugs targeting ASFV.

Exploring the Impact of Nutrition on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Management: Unveiling the Roles of Various Foods, Food Components, and Compounds

There is a need to introduce standardized treatment options for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) due to its global prevalence and the complications of this disease. Many studies have revealed that food-derived substances may be beneficial in dealing with this disease. Therefore, this review aims to evaluate the recently published studies on the food-derived treatment options for NAFLD. A comprehensive search of the PubMed database using keywords such as "NAFLD", "nutrition", "food", "derived", "therapy", and "guidelines" yielded 219 relevant papers for our analysis, published from 2004 to 2023. The results show the significant benefits of food-derived treatment in NAFLD therapy, including improvements in liver histology, hepatic fat amounts, anthropometric measures, lipid profile, and other metabolic measures. The availability of the substances discussed makes them a significant adjuvant in the treatment of this disease. The usefulness of Viusid as additional therapy to diet and physical activity should be emphasized due to improvements in liver histology; however, many other substances lead to a decrease in liver fat amounts including, e.g., berberine or omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, the synbiotic Protexin seems to be useful in terms of NAFLD treatment, especially because it is effective in both obese and lean subjects. Based on the latest research results, we suggest revising the therapeutic recommendations for patients suffering from NAFLD.

The great potential of flavonoids as candidate drugs for NAFLD

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has a global prevalence of approximately 25 % and is associated with high morbidity and high mortality. NAFLD is a leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Its pathophysiology is complex and still poorly understood, and there are no drugs used in the clinic to specifically treat NAFLD. Its pathogenesis involves the accumulation of excess lipids in the liver, leading to lipid metabolism disorders and inflammation. Phytochemicals with the potential to prevent or treat excess lipid accumulation have recently received increasing attention, as they are potentially more suitable for long-term use than are traditional therapeutic compounds. In this review, we summarize the classification, biochemical properties, and biological functions of flavonoids and how they are used in the treatment of NAFLD. Highlighting the roles and pharmacological uses of these compounds will be of importance for enhancing the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

Dihydromyricetin functions as a tumor suppressor in hepatoblastoma by regulating SOD1/ROS pathway

Background

Hepatoblastoma has an unsatisfactory prognosis, and traditional chemotherapy has strong side effects. Dihydromyricetin is a flavonoid extracted from a woody vine of the genus Serpentine in the family Vitaceae, with effects such as preventing alcoholic liver and reducing the incidence of liver cancer. However, the effect of DHM on hepatoblastoma and its specific pathway are still unclear.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of DHM on children's hepatoblastoma and its related mechanisms.

Methods

CCK-8 assays were used to measure proliferation. Apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Apoptotic cells were observed using Hoechst 33342 staining and fluorescence microscopy. Protein expression levels in HuH-6 and HepG2 cells were determined by western blotting.

Results

We found that DHM was able to inhibit the growth and increase cellular mortality in HuH-6 and HepG2 cells. Furthermore, DHM decreased the intracellular ROS level and increased the expression of SOD1. ROS scavenger NAC promoted apoptosis, while the use of SOD1 inhibitor LCS-1 weakened the ROS scavenging effect of DHM , and to some extent reduced the killing effect of DHM on hepatoblastoma cells.

Conclusion

These results suggest that regulating SOD1/ROS pathway to induce apoptosis is one of the potential mechanisms of DHM as a tumor suppressor in hepatoblastoma. Therefore, DHM may be a novel candidate for inhibiting hepatoblastoma growth and deserves further study.

Improving the solubility of pseudo-hydrophobic Alzheimer's Disease medicinal chemicals through co-crystal formulation

Natural products are ligands and potential inhibitors of Alzheimer's disease (AD) tau. Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is a CNS active natural product. Despite having signature polyphenolic character, DHM is ostensibly hydrophobic owing to intermolecular hydrogen bonds that shield hydrophilic phenols. Our research shows DHM becomes ionized at near-neutral pH allowing formulation of salts with transformed solubility. The MicroED co-crystal structure with trolamine reveals DHM salts as metastable solids with unlocked hydrogen bonding and a thermodynamic bent to solubilize in water. All salt formulations show better inhibitory activity against AD tau than the non-salt form, with efficacies correlating to enhanced solubilities. These results underscore the role of structural chemistry in guiding selection of solubilizing agents for chemical formulation. We propose DHM salts are appropriate formulations for research as dietary supplements to promote healthy aging by combating protein misfolding. Additionally, DHM is a suitable lead for medicinal chemistry and possible development of CNS pharmaceuticals.

Konjac glucomannan-dihydromyricetin complex improves viscosity and hydration capacity of konjac glucomannan as well as the thermal stability of dihydromyricetin

The nutritional benefits of soluble dietary fiber were mainly attributed to its viscosity and hydration capacity. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of the interaction between konjac glucomannan (KGM) and dihydromyricetin (DMY) on the viscosity and hydration capacity of KGM and the thermal stability of DMY. In contrary to most reports, the addition of DMY to KGM resulted in an increase of viscosity and hydration capacity determined via rheology and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy characterization. Meanwhile the prototype retention of DMY in the presence of heating condition at 60 °C and 100 °C were improved. The radical scavenging capacity of DMY under heating condition was improved at 100 °C via the quantification of ABTS⁺ and DPPH. KGM-DMY complex was a non-covalent compound connected by hydrogen bonds which was characterized with particle size analyses, zeta potential analyses, transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and isothermal titration calorimetry. This study was beneficial to the development of polyphenol-enriched nutrition based on KGM, especially in the aspects of satiety, appetite regulation and glucose regulation.

Dihydromyricetin attenuates intracerebral hemorrhage by reversing the effect of LCN2 via the system Xc- pathway

BACKGROUND

The limited understanding of the pathological mechanisms of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and the absence of successful therapies lead to poor prognoses for patients with ICH. Dihydromyricetin (DMY) has many physiological functions, such as regulating lipid and glucose metabolism and modulating tumorigenesis. Moreover, DMY has been proven to be an effective treatment of neuroprotection. However, no reports to date have been made regarding the impact of DMY on ICH.

PURPOSE

This investigation aimed to identify the role of DMY on ICH in mice and the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS/RESULTS

This study demonstrated that DMY treatment effectively reduced hematoma size and cell apoptosis of brain tissue, and improved neurobehavioral outcomes in mice with ICH. Transcriptional and network pharmacological analyses revealed that lipocalin-2 (LCN2) was a potential target of DMY in ICH. After ICH, LCN2 mRNA and protein expression in brain tissue increased and DMY could inhibit the expression of LCN2. The rescue experiment with the implementation of LCN2 overexpression verified these observations. Furthermore, after DMY treatment, there was a significant decrease in cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), phospho-extracellular regulated protein kinase (P-ERK), iron deposition, and the number of abnormal mitochondria, which were reversed by the overexpression of LCN2. Proteomics analysis suggests that SLC3A2 may be the downstream target of LCN2, promoting ferroptosis. Finally, LCN2 was shown to bind to SLC3A2 and regulate the downstream glutathione (GSH) synthesis and Glutathione Peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression and glutathione (GSH) synthesis, as determined by molecular docking and co-immunoprecipitation analysis.

CONCLUSION

Our study confirmed for the first time that DMY might offer a favorable treatment for ICH through its action on LCN2. The possible mechanism for this could be that DMY reverses the inhibitory effect of LCN2 on the system Xc-, lessening ferroptosis in brain tissue. The findings of this study offer a greater understanding of how DMY affects ICH at a molecular level and could be conducive to developing therapeutic targets for ICH.

Cytotoxicity and Biomineralization Potential of Flavonoids Incorporated into PNVCL Hydrogels

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of flavonoids incorporated into poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PNVCL) hydrogel on cell viability and mineralization markers of odontoblast-like cells. MDPC-23 cells were exposed to ampelopsin (AMP), isoquercitrin (ISO), rutin (RUT) and control calcium hydroxide (CH) for evaluation of cell viability, total protein (TP) production, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralized nodule deposition by colorimetric assays. Based on an initial screening, AMP and CH were loaded into PNVCL hydrogels and had their cytotoxicity and effect on mineralization markers determined. Cell viability was above 70% when MDPC-23 cells were treated with AMP, ISO and RUT. AMP showed the highest ALP activity and mineralized nodule deposition. Extracts of PNVCL+AMP and PNVCL+CH in culture medium (at the dilutions of 1/16 and 1/32) did not affect cell viability and stimulated ALP activity and mineralized nodules’ deposition, which were statistically higher than the control in osteogenic medium. In conclusion, AMP and AMP-loaded PNVCL hydrogels were cytocompatible and able to induce bio-mineralization markers in odontoblast-cells.

A UPLC-Q-TOF/MS and network pharmacology method to explore the mechanism of Anhua fuzhuan tea intervention in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

The possible mechanism by which the active components of Anhua fuzhuan tea act on FAM in NAFLD lesions was investigated.

Polyphenols as potential metabolism mechanisms regulators in liver protection and liver cancer prevention

BACKGROUND

Liver cancer is one of the common malignancies. The dysregulation of metabolism is a driver of accelerated tumourigenesis. Metabolic changes are well documented to maintain tumour growth, proliferation and survival. Recently, a variety of polyphenols have been shown to have a crucial role both in liver disease prevention and metabolism regulation.

METHODS

We conducted a literature search and combined recent data with systematic analysis to comprehensively describe the molecular mechanisms that link polyphenols to metabolic regulation and their contribution in liver protection and liver cancer prevention.

RESULTS

Targeting metabolic dysregulation in organisms prevents and resists the development of liver cancer, which has important implications for identifying new therapeutic strategies for the management and treatment of cancer. Polyphenols are a class of complex compounds composed of multiple phenolic hydroxyl groups and are the main active ingredients of many natural plants. They mediate a broad spectrum of biological and pharmacological functions containing complex lipid metabolism, glucose metabolism, iron metabolism, intestinal flora imbalance, as well as the direct interaction of their metabolites with key cell-signalling proteins. A large number of studies have found that polyphenols affect the metabolism of organisms by interfering with a variety of intracellular signals, thereby protecting the liver and reducing the risk of liver cancer.

CONCLUSION

This review systematically illustrates that various polyphenols, including resveratrol, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, dihydromyricetin, quercetin, catechins, curcumin, etc., improve metabolic disorders through direct or indirect pathways to protect the liver and fight liver cancer.

Dihydromyricetin Attenuates High-Intensity Exercise-Induced Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction Associated with the Modulation of the Phenotype of Intestinal Intraepithelial Lymphocytes

BACKGROUND

Exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome (GIS) has symptoms commonly induced by strenuous sports. The study aimed to determine the effect of dihydromyricetin (DHM) administration on high-intensity exercise (HIE)-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and the underlying mechanism involved with intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs).

METHODS

The HIE model was established with male C57BL/6 mice using a motorized treadmill for 2 weeks, and DHM was given once a day by oral gavage. After being sacrificed, the small intestines of the mice were removed immediately.

RESULTS

We found that DHM administration significantly suppressed HIE-induced intestinal inflammation, improved intestinal barrier integrity, and inhibited a HIE-induced increase in the number of IELs and the frequency of CD8αα⁺ IELs. Meanwhile, several markers associated with the activation, gut homing and immune functions of CD8αα⁺ IELs were regulated by DHM. Mechanistically, luciferase reporter assay and molecular docking assay showed DHM could activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR).

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that DHM exerts a preventive effect against HIE-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction, which is associated with the modulation of the quantity and phenotype of IELs in the small intestine. The findings provide a foundation to identify novel preventive strategies based on DHM supplementation for HIE-induced GIS.

Molecular mechanisms and promising role of dihydromyricetin in cardiovascular diseases

Vine tea, a Chinese herbal medicine, is widely used in traditional Asian medicine to treat common health problems. Dihydromyricetin (DMY) is the main functional flavonoid compound extracted from vine tea. In recent years, preclinical studies have focused on the potential beneficial effects of dihydromyricetin, including glucose metabolism regulation, lipid metabolism regulation, neuroprotection, and anti-tumor effects. In addition, DMY may play a role in cardiovascular disease by resisting oxidative stress and participating in the regulation of inflammation. This review is the first review that summaries the applications of dihydromyricetin in cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, myocardial hypertrophy, and diabetic cardiomyopathy. We also clarified the underlying mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in the above process. The aim of this review is to provide a better understanding and quick overview for future researches of dihydromyricetin in the field of cardiovascular diseases, and more detailed and robust researches are needed for evaluation and reference.

Identification of Hydroxylation Enzymes and the Metabolic Analysis of Dihydromyricetin Synthesis in Ampelopsis grossedentata

Ampelopsis grossedentata leaves are highly rich in dihydromyricetin. They have been used to make tea in China for centuries. Dihydromyricetin has many potential applications in foods and medicine. This are because it has five phenolic hydroxyl groups. However, the hydroxylases involving the biosynthesis of dihydromyricetin have not been identified and characterized. In this study, a series of hydroxylases genes, including flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H), flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase (F3'H), flavonoid 3',5'-hydroxylase (F3'5'H), and cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR), were identified after RNA sequencing. The full-length CDSs of AgF3H, AgF3'H, AgF3'5'H, and AgCPR genes were amplified from the cDNA library of leaves. The aforementioned enzymes were expressed and verified in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Through the substrate specificity assay, the functional AgF3'H, AgF3'5'H, and AgCPR in A. grossedentata were identified. The dihydromyricetin hydroxylation process in A. grossedentata was successfully identified. We found that substantial carbon flux occurred through the Naringenin (NAR)-Eriodictyol (ERI)-Dihydroquercetin (DHQ)-Dihydromyricetin (DHM) and NAR-Dihydrokaempferol (DHK)-DHQ-DHM pathways. This study provides some reference for the development and utilization of the germplasm resources and molecular breeding of A. grossedentata.

Effects of dietary dihydromyricetin supplementation on intestinal barrier and humoral immunity in growing-finishing pigs

In this study, we investigated the effect of dietary dihydromyricetin (DHM) supplementation on intestinal barrier and humoral immunity in growing-finishing pigs. The data showed that dietary DHM supplementation improved jejunal barrier function by upregulating the protein expressions of Occludin and Claudin-1 and the mRNA levels of MUC1 and MUC2. Dietary DHM supplementation increased the amylase, lipase, sucrase and maltase activities and the mRNA expression of nutrient transporter (SGLT1, GLUT2, PepT1) in the jejunum mucosa. Dietary DHM supplementation significantly reduced the E. coli population in the cecum and colon and increased the Lactobacillus population in the cecum. In addition, dietary DHM supplementation increased the contents of butyric acid and valeric acid in cecum and colon. In serum, dietary DHM supplementation reduced interleukin-1β (IL-1β) content and increased interleukin-10 (IL-10), Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and Immunoglobulin A (IgA) contents (p < 0.05). In addition, compared with the control group, dietary DHM supplementation improved secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) contents and down-regulated TNF-α protein expression in jejunum mucosa (p < 0.05). Together, this study demonstrated that dietary DHM supplementation improved intestinal barrier function, digestion and absorption capacity and immune function in growing-finishing pigs.

Dihydromyricetin Inhibited Migration and Invasion by Reducing S100A4 Expression through ERK1/2/β-Catenin Pathway in Human Cervical Cancer Cell Lines

Cervical cancer has a poor prognosis and is the fourth most common cancer among women. Dihydromyricetin (DHM), a flavonoid compound, exhibits several pharmacological activities, including anticancer effects; however, the effects of DHM on cervical cancer have received insufficient research attention. This study examined the antitumor activity and underlying mechanisms of DHM on human cervical cancer. Our results indicated that DHM inhibits migration and invasion in HeLa and SiHa cell lines. Mechanistically, RNA sequencing analysis revealed that DHM suppressed S100A4 mRNA expression in HeLa cells. Moreover, DHM inhibited the protein expressions of β-catenin and GSK3β through the regulated extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 signaling pathway. By using the ERK1/2 activator, T-BHQ, reverted β-catenin and S100A4 protein expression and cell migration, which were reduced in response to DHM. In conclusion, our study indicated that DHM inhibited cell migration by reducing the S100A4 expression through the ERK1/2/β-catenin pathway in human cervical cancer cell lines.

Study on effects of processing technology and storage on the composition of Ampelopsis grossedentata by untargeted metabolomics

Ampelopsis grossedentata is a traditional medicinal and edible plant rich in bioactive compounds. This paper focus on the white powder on the surface of A. grossedentata, and the effects of processing technology and storage time on the composition of bioactive compounds in Ampelopsis grossedentata extracts (AMP). 33 compounds in AMP were identified and 30 compounds were reported for the first time compared with standards by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS. Organic acid, phenol, and flavonoids were detected in powder samples. Through comparing the mass spectrum data of three processing samples (traditional method, fermentation and drying-only), five compounds in fermentation samples were higher than other groups, and the content of most compounds of the traditional process was decreased compared with drying-only process. For the storage time research, the powder on the surface was found to be more unstable than leaf parts after 24 h, suggesting that sealing preservation is crucial in the process after powder precipitation.

Dihydromyricetin alters myosin heavy chain expression via AMPK signaling pathway in porcine myotubes

Dihydromyricetin (DHM) has attracted wide concern for its excellent biological function and pharmacological activities and was reported to have a positive effect on skeletal muscle insulin resistance, slow-twitch fibers expression and AMPK signaling. Thus, we took porcine myotubes derived from skeletal muscle satellite cells as the object to investigate the effects of DHM on myosin heavy chain (MyHC) expression and its mechanism in this study. Data showed that DHM up-regulated protein expression of MyHC I and down-regulated the protein expression of MyHC IIb, accompanied by an increase of MyHC I mRNA level and a decrease of MyHC IIb mRNA level. Besides, DHM increased the activities of malate dehydrogenase and succinic dehydrogenase and reduced lactate dehydrogenase activity. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was phosphorylated and AMPKα1 mRNA level was increased by DHM. The AMPK signaling-related factors including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), sirtuin1 (Sirt1), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), and phospho-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase-β (p-CaMKKβ) were increased by DHM. Inhibition of the AMPK signaling by compound C and AMPKα1 siRNA significantly attenuated the effects of DHM on expressions of MyHC I, MyHC IIb, PGC-1α and Sirt1. As a whole, DHM increased MyHC I expression and decreased MyHC IIb expression by the AMPK signaling.

A network pharmacology approach to evaluate the synergistic effect of dihydromyricetin and myricitrin in vine tea on the proliferation of B16F10 cells

Aim of the study

Although vine tea has demonstrated broad-spectrum anti-cancer properties, its main active compounds, dihydromyricetin (DMY) and myricitrin (MYT), exert weaker effects than the tea extracts. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic inhibitory effects of DMY and MYT on B16F10 cell proliferation and their synergistic inhibitory effects.

Methods

The effect of vine tea extracts (VTEs) and their active compounds on B16F10 cells was analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, fluorescence staining, and flow cytometry. The synergistic effects were calculated by the combination index (CI), and its mechanism was discussed by network pharmacology.

Results

Different VTEs varied in their inhibition of B16F10 cell growth, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 4.45 to 12.95 μg/mL, Among these, Guangzhou Qingyuan (Level 2), appeared to have the most potent inhibitory effect. The IC₅₀ value of mix-use of DMY and MYT was 19.94∼64.4 μM, of which DMY: MYT = 8:1 had the minimum IC₅₀ value of 19.94 μM. Combinations in the 1:1∼8:1 range had stronger effects than the isolated active compound. When they were mixed at the ratio of 1:4∼8:1, CI < 1, showing a synergistic effect. The combination of DMY and MYT also significantly inhibited the tyrosinase activity in B16F10 cells, consistent with its impact on cell proliferation. The eight potential targets were identified by network pharmacology regulating melanin metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, and melanogenesis signaling. According to the analysis of protein-protein interactions, TP53, TNF, and TYR might be critical targets for preventing and treating melanoma.

Conclusion

We found that DMY and MYT induced apoptosis of B16F10 cells, and their combined application had a significant synergistic effect. The present findings indicated that vine tea had a multi-pathway and multi-target impact on the prevention and treatment of melanoma.

Dihydromyricetin ameliorates osteogenic differentiation of human aortic valve interstitial cells by targeting c-KIT/interleukin-6 signaling pathway

Aims: Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a chronic cardiovascular disease with high morbidity that lacks effective pharmacotherapeutics. As a natural flavonoid extracted from Ampelopsis grossedentata, dihydromyricetin (DHM) has been shown to be effective in protecting against atherosclerosis; yet, the therapeutic role of DHM in CAVD remains poorly understood. Herein, we aimed to clarify the therapeutic implications of DHM in CAVD and the underlying molecular mechanisms in human valvular interstitial cells (hVICs).

Methods and Results: The protein levels of two known osteogenesis-specific genes (alkaline phosphatase, ALP; runt-related transcription factor 2, Runx2) and calcified nodule formation in hVICs were detected by Western blot and Alizarin Red staining, respectively. The results showed that DHM markedly ameliorated osteogenic induction medium (OM)–induced osteogenic differentiation of hVICs, as evidenced by downregulation of ALP and Runx2 expression and decreased calcium deposition. The SwissTargetPrediction database was used to identify the potential AVC-associated direct protein target of DHM. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis revealed that c-KIT, a tyrosine-protein kinase, can act as a credible protein target of DHM, as evidenced by molecular docking. Mechanistically, DHM-mediated inhibition of c-KIT phosphorylation drove interleukin-6 (IL-6) downregulation in CAVD, thereby ameliorating OM-induced osteogenic differentiation of hVICs and aortic valve calcification progression.

Conclusion: DHM ameliorates osteogenic differentiation of hVICs by blocking the phosphorylation of c-KIT, thus reducing IL-6 expression in CAVD. DHM could be a viable therapeutic supplement to impede CAVD.

Present Status, Challenges, and Prospects of Dihydromyricetin in the Battle against Cancer

Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is a natural flavonoid compound extracted from Ampelopsis grossedentata that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. DHM has attracted intensive attention due to its numerous beneficial activities, such as hepatoprotection, cardioprotection, antioxidant, and anti-inflammation. In addition, DHM inhibits the progression of cancers such as lung cancer, hepatocellular cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, and malignant reproductive systems through multiple mechanisms, including antiangiogenesis, antiproliferation, apoptosis, and inhibition of invasion and migration. Notably, DHM also activates autophagy at different levels, exerting a dual-regulatory effect on cancers. Mechanistically, DHM can effectively regulate mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), noncoding RNA-mediated signaling, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), p53, and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress)-driven signaling in different types of cancers. DHM has also been shown to have inhibitory effects on various regulators that trigger epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Furthermore, DHM exhibits a remarkable anticancer reversal ability when used in combination with drugs such as adriamycin, nedaplatin, and other drugs. However, the low bioavailability of DHM limits its potential applications, which are improved through structural modification and the exploration of novel dosage forms. Therefore, DHM may become a promising candidate for treating malignancies alone or combined with conventional anticancer strategies used in clinical practice.

Dihydromyricetin-Encapsulated Liposomes Inhibit Exhaustive Exercise-Induced Liver Inflammation by Orchestrating M1/M2 Macrophage Polarization

Exhaustive exercise (EE) induced hepatic inflammatory injury has been well reported. Dihydromyricetin (DHM) has shown anti-inflammatory bioactivity and hepatoprotective effects but is limited by poor bioavailability. Here, high-bioavailability DHM-encapsulated liposomes were synthesized and explored for their therapeutic potential and regulatory mechanisms in a hepatic inflammatory injury model. The animal model was established by swimming-to-exhaustive exercise in C57BL/6 mice, and the anti-inflammatory effects were detected after administration of DHM or DHM liposome. NIR fluorescence imaging was used to assess the potential of liver targeting. The DHM liposome-induced macrophage polarization was measured by flow cytometry ex vivo. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of DHM was studied in cell line RAW264.7 in vitro. Liposome encapsulation enhanced DHM bioavailability, and DHM liposome could alleviate liver inflammation more effectively. Moreover, DHM liposome targeted hepatic macrophages and polarized macrophages into an anti-inflammatory phenotype. The SIRT3/HIF-1α signaling pathway could be the major mechanism of DHM motivated macrophage polarization. Our study indicates that DHM liposomes can alleviate liver inflammation induced by EE through sustained releasing and hepatic targeting. It is a promising option to achieve the high bioavailability of DHM. Also, this study provides new insights into the regional immune effect of DHM against inflammation.

Dihydromyricetin ameliorates diet-induced obesity and promotes browning of white adipose tissue by upregulating IRF4/PGC-1α

BACKGROUND

Promoting the browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) is a promising approach for the treatment of obesity and related comorbidities because it increases energy expenditure. In this study, we investigated whether Dihydromyricetin (DHM), a flavonoid component, could ameliorate diet-induced obesity through promoting the browning of WAT.

METHODS

Male C57BL/6 J mice were received a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity and subsequently were treated with DHM (100 mg/kg/day) or vehicle for 4 weeks. The effects of DHM on weight reduction and metabolic phenotype improvement were observed in the mice. The expression of genes and protein involved in browning of WAT were assessed in inguinal WAT (iWAT) of the mice. Then, the effect of DHM on the inducing browning program was verified in adipocytes differentiated from stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells of mouse iWAT. Finally, the mechanism by which DHM improves the browning of WAT was explored using RNA-seq and luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

We find that DHM reduces body weight, decreases WAT mass, improves glucose and lipid metabolic disorders, and ameliorates hepatic steatosis in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. Further studies show that DHM induces WAT browning, which is manifested by increased expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator (PGC)-1α and enhanced mitochondrial activity in iWAT and primary adipocytes. In addition, we also find that DHM enhances interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) expression, which is a key transcriptional regulator of PGC-1α.

CONCLUSION

Our findings identify that DHM prevents obesity by inducing the browning of WAT through the upregulation of IRF4/PGC-1α, which may have potential therapeutic implications for the treatment of obesity.

Dihydromyricetin Improves High-Fat Diet-Induced Hyperglycemia through ILC3 Activation via a SIRT3-Dependent Mechanism

SCOPE

Previous studies indicate that dihydromyricetin (DHM) effectively improved glucose homeostasis and alleviated insulin resistance in population-intervened trials, yet the underlying mechanism remains obscure.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Wild-type male mice and recombinase activating gene 1(Rag1)^-/- mice (lacking adaptive immunity lymphocytes) are fed with control, high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD+DHM diets for 8 weeks. DHM effectively protects HFD feeding mice against hyperglycemia by promoting group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) cells proliferation and interleukin 22 (IL-22) production. Furthermore, IL-22 secretion induced by DHM increases the expression levels of the tight junction (TJs) molecules to protect the intestinal barrier integrity, thereby decreasing the level of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), an endotoxin that is involved in the regulation of chronic tissue inflammation and insulin resistance. In addition, silent mating-type information regulation 2 homolog 3 (SIRT3) deficiency results in more serious obesity and intestinal barrier damage following HFD feeding and abolished DHM-mediated increase in IL-22 expression levels of ILC3 cells in SIRT3 knockout (SIRT3KO) mice. DHM reduces metabolic stress and enhances mitochondrial respiratory capacity to promote cell proliferation and IL-22 secretion by activating SIRT3 in ILC3 cells CONCLUSIONS: DHM improves IL-22 production of ILC3 cells and subsequently inhibits intestinal barrier dysfunction to alleviate hyperglycemia partially mediated by SIRT3.

Dihydromyricetin inhibits cancer cell migration and matrix metalloproteinases-2 expression in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma through extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is endemic in Southeast Asia and the main cause of treatment failure is metastasis. A lot of biological and pharmacological actions of dihydromyricetin (DHM) have been reported such as regulating glucose and anti-cancer effects. The effects of DHM on the cancer invasion and migration of NPC, however, are still unclear. We therefore investigated the in vitro anti-metastatic properties of DHM on three human NPC cell lines (HONE-1, NPC-39, and NPC-BM), as well as the underlying signaling pathways. Our study revealed that DHM could suppress the migration and invasion in NPC cells. Gelatin zymography assay and western blotting assays demonstrated that DHM suppressed the enzyme activity and protein expression of matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2). Mitogen-activated protein kinases were also investigated to elucidate the signaling pathway, which showed that phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) was inhibited after the treatment of DHM. In conclusion, our data revealed that DHM inhibited the migration and invasion of NPC cells by suppressing the expression of MMP-2 via down regulating the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

[Dihydromyricetin reduces lipid accumulation in LO2 cells via AMPK/mTOR-mediated lipophagy pathway and inhibits HepG2 cell proliferation in vitro]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the mechanism underlying the hepatoprotective effect of dihydromyricetin (DMY) against lipid accumulation in light of the lipophagy pathway and the inhibitory effect of DMY on HepG2 cell proliferation.

METHODS

LO2 cells were cultured in the presence of 10% FBS for 24 h and treated with 100 μg/mL DMY, or exposed to 50% FBS for 24 h followed by treatment with 50, 100, or 200 μg/mL DMY; the cells in recovery group were cultured in 50% FBS for 24 h and then in 10% FBS for another 24 h. Oil red O staining was used to observe the accumulation of lipid droplets in the cells, and the levels of TC, TG, and LDL and activities of AST, ALT and LDH were measured. The expression of LC3 protein was detected using Western blotting. AO staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to determine the numbers of autophagolysosomes and autophagosomes, respectively. The formation of autophagosomes was observed with MDC staining, and the mRNA expression levels of LC3, ATG7, AMPK, mTOR, p62 and Beclin1 were determined with q-PCR. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze the effect of 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL DMY on cell cycle and apoptosis of HepG2 cells; DNA integrity in the treated cells was examined with cell DNA fragmentation test.

RESULTS

DMY treatment and pretreatment obviously inhibited lipid accumulation and reduced the levels of TC, TG, LDL and enzyme activities of AST, ALT and LDH in LO2 cells (P < 0.05). In routinely cultured LO2 cells, DMY significantly promoted the formation of autophagosomes and autophagolysosomes and upregulated the expression of LC3 protein. DMY obviously attenuated high FBS-induced inhibition of autophagosome formation in LO2 cells, up- regulated the mRNA levels of LC3, ATG7, Beclin1 and AMPK, and downregulated p62 and mTOR mRNA levels (P < 0.05 or 0.01). In HepG2 cells, DMY caused obvious cell cycle arrest, inhibited cell proliferation, and induced late apoptosis and DNA fragmentation.

CONCLUSION

DMY reduces lipid accumulation in LO2 cells by regulating the AMPK/ mTOR-mediated lipophagy pathway and inhibits the proliferation of HepG2 by causing cell cycle arrest and promoting apoptosis.

Dihydromyricetin Enhances Intestinal Antioxidant Capacity of Growing-Finishing Pigs by Activating ERK/Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway

Oxidative stress is one of the main factors affecting animal health and reducing performance. The small intestine is the primary site of free-radical attacks. Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is a flavonoid compound with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other biological activities, which is mainly extracted from Rattan tea. However, the effects of DHM on the intestinal antioxidant function of growing-finishing pigs and related mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary DHM supplementation on the intestinal antioxidant capacity of growing-finishing pigs and its mechanism. Our results show that dietary 0.03% DHM increased the activities of the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and upregulated protein expressions of HO-1, NQO1, nuclear Nrf2, and phospho-ERK (p-ERK) in the jejunum of growing-finishing pigs. Again, we found that 20 μmol/mL and 40 μmol/mL DHM treatment significantly upregulated the protein expression of HO-1 and promoted the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and ERK phosphorylation in IPCE-J2 cells. ERK inhibitor PD98059 eliminated the DHM-induced upregulation of p-ERK, nuclear Nrf2, and HO-1. Our findings provided the first evidence that DHM enhanced the intestinal antioxidant capacity of growing-finishing pigs by activating the ERK/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Molecular Mechanism Underlying the Regulatory Effect of Vine Tea on Metabolic Syndrome by Targeting Redox Balance and Gut Microbiota

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a metabolic disorder that arises from the increasing prevalence of obesity. The pathophysiology seems to be largely attributable to the imbalance of lipid and glucose metabolism, redox signaling pathways, and gut microbiota. The increased syndromes, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease demands natural therapeutic attention for those at high risk. Vine tea, as a traditional medicinal and edible resource rich in flavonoids, especially for dihydromyricetin (DHM), exhibits promising health benefits on the intervention of MS, but the specific molecular mechanism has not been systematically elucidated. The present article aims to summarize the regulatory effects and biological targets of vine tea or DHM on MS, and analyze the underlying potential molecular mechanisms in cells, animals, and humans, mainly by regulating the redox associated signaling pathways, such as Nrf2, NF-κB, PI3K/IRS2/AKT, AMPK-PGC1α-SIRT1, SIRT3 pathways, and the crosstalk among them, and by targeting several key biomarkers. Moreover, vine tea extract or DHM has a positive impact on the modulation of intestinal microecology by upregulating the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) and increasing the relative abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila. Therefore, this review updated the latest important theoretical basis and molecular evidence for the development and application of vine tea in dietary functional products or drugs against MS and also imputed the future perspectives to clarify the deep mechanism among vine tea or DHM, redox associated signaling pathways, and gut microbiota.

The Anti-Adiposity Mechanisms of Ampelopsin and Vine Tea Extract in High Fat Diet and Alcohol-Induced Fatty Liver Mouse Models

Ampelopsis grossedentata (AG) is an ancient medicinal plant that is mainly distributed and used in southwest China. It exerts therapeutic effects, such as antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities, reductions in blood pressure and cholesterol and hepatoprotective effects. Researchers in China recently reported the anti-obesity effects of AG extract in diet-induced obese mice and rats. To verify these findings, we herein investigated the effects of AG extract and its principal compound, ampelopsin, in high-fat diet (HFD)- and alcohol diet-fed mice, olive oil-loaded mice, and differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. The results obtained showed that AG extract and ampelopsin significantly suppressed increases in the weights of body, livers and abdominal fat and also up-regulated the expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A in HFD-fed mice. In olive oil-loaded mice, AG extract and ampelopsin significantly attenuated increases in serum triglyceride (TG) levels. In differentiated 3T3-L1 cells, AG extract and ampelopsin promoted TG decomposition, which appeared to be attributed to the expression of hormone-sensitive lipase. In alcohol diet-fed mice, AG extract and ampelopsin reduced serum levels of ethanol, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and liver TG. An examination of metabolic enzyme expression patterns revealed that AG extract and ampelopsin mainly enhanced the expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase and suppressed that of cytochrome P450, family 2, subfamily e1. In conclusion, AG extract and ampelopsin suppressed diet-induced intestinal fat accumulation and reduced the risk of fatty liver associated with HFD and alcohol consumption.

Effects of dietary supplementation with Ampelopsis grossedentata extract on production performance and body health of hens

To investigate the potential of Ampelopsis grossedentata extract used as a feed additive, laying performance, egg quality, yolk cholesterol, plasma biochemical parameters, intestinal histology, and gut microbiota of hens (n = 60) were determined between basal diet (CK) and dietary supplementation with A. grossedentata extract (RT) for 11 weeks. The laying rate in RT group was 6.3 percentage points higher than in CK group together with feed conversion rate decreasing. Significant upregulation of immunoglobulin indexes and downregulation of lipid-related indexes in RT group were also found in comparison with CK group, suggesting that dietary supplementation with A. grossedentata extract benefited in immunity enhancing and blood-fat depressing. Meanwhile, the villus height in duodenum and villus height to crypt depth ratio in duodenum and jejunum of RT group were significantly higher than that of CK group, indicating that dietary supplementation with A. grossedentata extract facilitated nutrient adsorption via intestinal histology changing. Moreover, the richness, diversity, and composition of gut microbiota in RT group significantly altered with a comparison of CK group, including beneficial bacterium and pathogenic bacterium, revealing that dietary supplementation with A. grossedentata extract could modify gut microbiota communities to affect intestinal adsorption and pathogen invasion. In addition, the lipid metabolism-related insulin signing pathway was significantly enriched by gut microbiota in RT group, which were conducive to egg production elevation via facilitating blood lipid amelioration and insulin resistance alleviation. These results provided a basis for A. grossedentata extract served as a feed additive in the hen industry.

The Effect of Herbal Medicine and Natural Bioactive Compounds on Plasma Adiponectin: A Clinical Review

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are one of the major public health concerns globally. Most of the NCDs including insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, fatty liver disease, and coronary heart disease are related to obesity and are called obesity-related NCDs (OR-NCDs). However, adipocytes can reduce OR-NCDs by secreting adiponectin. Adiponectin has an inverse relationship with body fat. Obese people have impairment in differentiating pre-adipocytes to adipocytes, the process facilitated by adiponectin. Adiponectin directly increases insulin sensitivity and reduces obesity-related insulin resistance by down-regulating hepatic glucose production and increasing fatty acid (FA) oxidation in skeletal muscle. Considering the various beneficial effects of adiponectin on health, increasing adiponectin might be a promising approach to prevent and treat OR-NCDs. Recent studies have shown that nutraceuticals and medicinal compounds isolated from plants could prevent and treat various diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetes mellitus, obesity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, to our knowledge, the effect of these natural products, including herbal supplements and functional foods on adiponectin, has not yet been fully reviewed. The main aim of this review is to summarize the effects of nutraceuticals and herbal bioactive compounds on plasma adiponectin concentrations based on clinical studies. It can be concluded that medicinal plants, and herbal bioactive compounds, particularly curcumin, anthocyanins, resveratrol, soy, walnut, and dihydromyricetin can be used as adjunct or complementary therapeutic agents to increase plasma adiponectin, which could potentially prevent and treat NCDs.

The spleen-strengthening and liver-draining herbal formula treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by regulation of intestinal flora in clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

As a metabolic disease, one important feature of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the disturbance of the intestinal flora. Spleen-strengthening and liver-draining formula (SLF) is a formula formed according to the theory of "One Qi Circulation" (Qing Dynasty, 1749) of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which has shown significant therapeutic effect in patients with NAFLD in a preliminary clinical observation. In this study, we aim to explore the mechanism of SLF against NAFLD, especially its effect on glucolipid metabolism, from the perspective of intestinal flora.

METHODS

A prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study was designed to observe the efficacy and safety of SLF in the treatment of NAFLD. The study participants were randomly and evenly divided into control group and treatment group (SLF group). The control group made lifestyle adjustments, while the SLF group was treated with SLF on top of the control group. Both groups were participated in the study for 12 consecutive weeks. Furthermore, the feces of the two groups were collected before and after treatment. The intestinal flora of each group and healthy control (HC) were detected utilizing 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the SLF group showed significant improvements in liver function, controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), and liver stiffness measurement (LSM), meanwhile, patients had significantly lower lipid and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) with better security. Intestinal flora 16S rRNA gene sequencing results indicated reduced flora diversity and altered species abundance in patients with NAFLD. At the phylum level, Desulfobacterota levels were reduced. Although Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes did not differ significantly between HC and NAFLD, when grouped by alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels in NAFLD, Firmicutes levels were significantly higher in patients with ALT or AST abnormalities, while Bacteroidetes was significantly lower. Clinical correlation analysis showed that Firmicutes positively correlated with gender, age, ALT, AST, LSM, and Fibroscan-AST (FAST) score, while the opposite was true for Bacteroidetes. At the genus level, the levels of Alistipes, Bilophila, Butyricimonas, Coprococcus, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136 group Phascolarctobacterium, Ruminococcus, UCG-002, and UCG-003 were reduced, whereas abundance of Tyzzerella increased. There was no statistically significant difference in Firmicutes and Bacteroidota levels in the SLF group before and after treatment, but both bacteria tended to retrace. At the genus level, Coprococcus (Lachnospiraceae family), Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136 group (Lachnospiraceae family), and Ruminococcus (Ruminococcaceae family) were significantly higher in the SLF group after treatment, and there was also a tendency for Bilophila (Desulfovibrionaceae family) to be back-regulated toward HC.

CONCLUSIONS

SLF can improve liver function and glucolipid metabolism in patients with NAFLD and lower down liver fat content to some extent. SLF could be carried out by regulating the disturbance of intestinal flora, especially Coprococcus, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136 group, and Ruminococcus genus.

A multifaceted review on dihydromyricetin resources, extraction, bioavailability, biotransformation, bioactivities, and food applications with future perspectives to maximize its value

Natural bioactive compounds present a better alternative to prevent and treat chronic diseases owing to their lower toxicity and abundant resources. (+)-Dihydromyricetin (DMY) is a flavanonol, possessing numerous interesting bioactivities with abundant resources. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in DMY natural resources, stereoisomerism, physicochemical properties, extraction, biosynthesis, pharmacokinetics, and biotransformation. Stereoisomerism of DMY should be considered for better indication of its efficacy. Biotechnological approach presents a potential tool for the production of DMY using microbial cell factories. DMY high instability is related to its powerful antioxidant capacity due to pyrogallol moiety in ring B, and whether preparation of other analogues could demonstrate improved properties. DMY demonstrates poor bioavailability based on its low solubility and permeability with several attempts to improve its pharmacokinetics and efficacy. DMY possesses various pharmacological effects, which have been proven by many in vitro and in vivo experiments, while clinical trials are rather scarce, with underlying action mechanisms remaining unclear. Consequently, to maximize the usefulness of DMY in nutraceuticals, improvement in bioavailability, and better understanding of its actions mechanisms and drug interactions ought to be examined in the future along with more clinical evidence.