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Cai M, Xu YC, Deng B, Chen JB, Chen TF, Zeng KF, Chen S, Deng SH, Tan ZB, Ding WJ, Zhang SW, Liu B, Zhang JZ. Radix Glycyrrhizae extract and licochalcone a exert an anti-inflammatory action by direct suppression of toll like receptor 4. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 302:115869. [PMID: 36309116 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Radix Glycyrrhizae (GL), a herbal medicine that is widely available, has shown advantages for a variety of inflammatory diseases. Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway has been shown to play a key role in the progression of inflammation. AIM OF THE STUDY The purpose of this study was to investigate the involvement of TLR4 in the anti-inflammatory mechanism of GL extract and its active constituent on acute lung injury (ALI). MATERIALS AND METHODS A model of inflammation produced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was established in C57BL/6 mice and macrophages derived from THP-1. To screen the active components of GL, molecular docking was used. Molecular dynamics and surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) were used to study the interaction of a specific drug with the TLR4-MD2 complex. TLR4 was overexpressed by adenovirus to confirm TLR4 involvement in the anti-inflammatory activities of GL and the chosen chemical. RESULTS We observed that GL extract significantly reduced both LPS-induced ALI and the production of pro-inflammatory factors including TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. Additionally, GL inhibited the binding of Alexa 488-labeled LPS (LPS-488) to the membrane of THP-1 derived macrophages. GL drastically reduce on the expression of TLR4 and the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-B (NF-κB). Furthermore, molecular docking revealed that Licochalcone A (LicoA) docked into the LPS binding site of TLR4-MD2 complex. MD2-LicoA binding conformation was found to be stable using molecular dynamic simulations. SPRi indicated that LicoA bound to TLR4-MD2 recombinant protein with a KD of 3.87 × 10-7 M. LicoA dose-dependently reduced LPS-488 binding to the cell membrane. LicoA was found to significantly inhibit LPS-induced lung damage and inflammation. Furthermore, LicoA inhibited TLR4 expression, MAPK and NF-κB activation in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effects of GL and LicoA on LPS-induced inflammation and TLR4 signaling activation were partly eliminated by TLR4 overexpression. CONCLUSION Our findings imply that GL and LicoA exert inhibitory effects on inflammation by targeting the TLR4 directly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Cai
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China; Guangzhou Emergency Medical Command Center, Guangzhou, 510030, China.
| | - You-Cai Xu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China.
| | - Bo Deng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China.
| | - Jun-Bang Chen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China.
| | - Ting-Fang Chen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China.
| | - Ke-Feng Zeng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China.
| | - Si Chen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China.
| | - Sui-Hui Deng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China.
| | - Zhang-Bin Tan
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China.
| | - Wen-Jun Ding
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China.
| | - Shuang-Wei Zhang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China.
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China.
| | - Jing-Zhi Zhang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China.
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Yang L, Wang D, Zhang Z, Jiang Y, Liu Y. Isoliquiritigenin alleviates diabetic symptoms via activating AMPK and inhibiting mTORC1 signaling in diet-induced diabetic mice. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 98:153950. [PMID: 35114453 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.153950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the effects of isoliquiritigenin (ISL), a chalcone compound isolated from licorice, on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MATERIALS AND METHODS 8-week-old C7BL/6 mice were used to establish the T2DM animal model by feeding with high-fat-high-glucose diet (HFD) combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The animals were treated with ISL for 3 weeks. Blood glucose levels, oral glucose tolerance, and insulin tolerance were examined, serum parameters were determined, histologic sections were prepared, activities of enzymes related to glucolipid metabolism were analyzed, and the mitochondrial function was investigated to evaluate effects of ISL on metabolism. The underlying mechanisms of ISL alleviating insulin resistance and restoring metabolic homeostasis were analyzed in HepG2 and INS-1 cells. RESULTS ISL exhibits a potent activity in relieving hyperglycemia of type 2 diabetic mice. It alleviates insulin resistance and restores metabolic homeostasis without obvious adversary effects in HFD-induced diabetic mice. The metabolic benefits of ISL treatment include promoting hepatic glycogenesis, inhibiting hepatic lipogenesis, reducing hepatic steatosis, and sensitizing insulin signaling. Mechanistically, ISL activates adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibits mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). It also suppresses mitochondrial function and reduces ATP production. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate that ISL is able to significantly reduce blood glucose level and alleviate insulin resistance without obvious side effects in diabetic mice, hence uncovering a great potential of ISL as a novel drug candidate in prevention and treatment of T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Doudou Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Zhixin Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Yu Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Ying Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China.
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Gao J, Wang R, Liu J, Wang W, Chen Y, Cai W. Effects of novel microecologics combined with traditional Chinese medicine and probiotics on growth performance and health of broilers. Poult Sci 2022; 101:101412. [PMID: 34920387 PMCID: PMC8683594 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2021.101412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we prepared a kind of novel microecologics, namely Chinese medicine-probiotic compound microecological preparation (CPCMP), which is composed of 5 traditional Chinese medicine herbs (Galla Chinensis, Andrographis paniculata, Arctii Fructus, Glycyrrhizae Radix, and Schizonepeta tenuifolia) fermented by Aspergillus niger and a kind of compound probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum A37 and L. plantarum MIII). The effects of the CPCMP in broilers on growth performance, serum parameters, immune function, and intestinal health were investigated. A total of 450 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into 6 treatment groups with 5 replicates, 15 birds per replicate. Treatments consisted of: blank control, CPCMP, positive control, commercial CPCMP, traditional Chinese medicine, and probiotics groups, which were birds fed with basal diet supplemented with no extra additives, 0.2% CPCMP, 0.0035% chlortetracycline, 0.2% commercially available CPCMP, 0.2% fermented traditional Chinese medicines, and 0.2% compound probiotics, respectively. CPCMP obviously increased the average body weight and average daily gain (P < 0.05, compared with any other group) and decreased the feed:gain ratio of broilers (P < 0.05, compared with the blank control, commercial CPCMP, traditional Chinese medicine, or probiotics group). Moreover, it significantly increased glutathione peroxidase and secretory immunoglobulin A levels and spleen/bursa indices (P < 0.05 for all, compared with the blank control, commercial CPCMP, traditional Chinese medicine, or probiotics group). Villus heights in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were also elevated by CPCMP treatment (P < 0.05, compared with any other group). Furthermore, CPCMP substantially increased jejunal mRNA levels of occludin and zonula occludens-1 (P < 0.05, compared with the blank control, positive control, or probiotics group) and facilitated the growth and colonization of beneficial cecal bacteria, such as Olsenella, Barnesiella, and Lactobacillus. Overall results show that the CPCMP prepared in our work contributes to improving growth performance, serum parameters, immune function, and intestinal health of broilers and exerts synergistic effects of traditional Chinese medicines and probiotics to some extent. Our findings suggest that CPCMP is a promising antibiotic substitute in the livestock and poultry industry in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Gao
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Chinese Traditional Medicine, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of High-throughput Drug Screening Technology, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei 430062, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Chinese Traditional Medicine, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of High-throughput Drug Screening Technology, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei 430062, China
| | - Jingxuan Liu
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Chinese Traditional Medicine, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of High-throughput Drug Screening Technology, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei 430062, China
| | - Wenling Wang
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Chinese Traditional Medicine, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of High-throughput Drug Screening Technology, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei 430062, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Chinese Traditional Medicine, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of High-throughput Drug Screening Technology, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei 430062, China
| | - Wentao Cai
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Chinese Traditional Medicine, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of High-throughput Drug Screening Technology, State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei 430062, China.
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Ng SL, Khaw KY, Ong YS, Goh HP, Kifli N, Teh SP, Ming LC, Kotra V, Goh BH. Licorice: A Potential Herb in Overcoming SARS-CoV-2 Infections. J Evid Based Integr Med 2021; 26:2515690X21996662. [PMID: 33787349 PMCID: PMC8020229 DOI: 10.1177/2515690x21996662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The management of the global pandemic outbreak due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been challenging with no exact dedicated treatment nor established vaccines at the beginning of the pandemic. Nonetheless, the situation seems to be better controlled with the recent COVID-19 vaccines roll-out globally as active immunisation to prevent COVID-19. The extensive usage and trials done in recent outbreak in China has shown the effectiveness of traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) in improving the wellbeing of COVID-19 patients. Therefore, COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment guidelines has listed a number of recommended concoctions meant for COVID-19 patients. Licorice, more commonly known as Gancao in Chinese Pinyin, is known as one of the most frequently used ingredients in TCM prescriptions for treatment of epidemic diseases. Interestingly, it is deemed as food ingredient as well, where it is normally used in Western cuisines' desserts and sweets. The surprising fact that licorice appeared in the top 10 main ingredients used in TCM prescriptions in COVID-19 has drawn great attention from researchers in revealing its biological potential in overcoming this disease. To date, there are no comprehensive review on licorice and its benefits when used in COVID-19. Thus, in this current review, the possible benefits, mechanism of actions, safety and limitations of licorice were explored in hope to provide a quick reference guide for its preclinical and clinical experimental set-up in this very critical moment of pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swee Li Ng
- Biofunctional Molecul Exploratory Research Group (BMEX), School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Kooi-Yeong Khaw
- Biofunctional Molecul Exploratory Research Group (BMEX), School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Yong Sze Ong
- Biofunctional Molecul Exploratory Research Group (BMEX), School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Hui Poh Goh
- Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong, Brunei Darussalam
| | - Nurolaini Kifli
- Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong, Brunei Darussalam
| | - Siew Phooi Teh
- Biofunctional Molecul Exploratory Research Group (BMEX), School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Long Chiau Ming
- Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong, Brunei Darussalam
| | - Vijay Kotra
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Quest International University, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Bey Hing Goh
- Biofunctional Molecul Exploratory Research Group (BMEX), School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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Yang EJ, Song KS. The ameliorative effects of capsidiol isolated from elicited Capsicum annuum on mouse splenocyte immune responses and neuroinflammation. Phytother Res 2020; 35:1597-1608. [PMID: 33124100 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Capsidiol, is an anti-fungal phytoalexin produced by plants of Solanaceae. Capsidiol was examined in cultures of primary splenocytes (SPLCs) isolated from healthy C57BL/6 mice and from those with induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as a mouse model for autoimmune neurodegenerative multiple sclerosis (MS). We also examined the impact of capsidiol in IFN-γ-stimulated mouse BV2 microglial cells. Capsidiol resulted in a significant reduction in the anti-CD3/CD28 (αCD3/CD28)-induced IFN-γ+ CD4+ (Th1) and IFN-γ+ CD8+ (Tc1) populations as well as in the production of cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-17A, IL-6, IL-2, TNF-α, and IP-10). Specifically, the CD4+ and CD8+ populations (T-bet+ IFN-γ- , T-bet+ IFN-γ+ , and T-bet- IFN-γ+ ) and cytokine production mediated by Th1/Tc1 polarization were diminished by 25 μM capsidiol. MOG35-55 restimulation of SPLCs from EAE mice resulted in an increase in antigen-specific T cells, including Th1, IL-17A+ CD4+ (Th17), and IL-17A+ CD8+ (Tc17) populations. By contrast, capsidiol resulted in a decrease in the proportions of Th17 and Tc17 cells; MOG35-55 -specific cytokine production was also diminished by capsidiol. Capsidiol treatment resulted in diminished levels of IFN-γ-induced nitric oxide and IL-6; expression of iNOS and COX-2 were suppressed by 50 μM capsidiol in IFN-γ-stimulated BV2 cells. This is the first report of capsidiol-mediated immunomodulatory and antineuroinflammatory activities that may serve to prevent neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Ju Yang
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Sik Song
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
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The "Treatise on the spleen and stomach" ( Pí Wèi Lùn) as the first record of multiple sclerosis in the medical literature - A hypothesis based on the analysis of clinical presentation and herbal medicine. J Tradit Complement Med 2020; 10:288-300. [PMID: 32670824 PMCID: PMC7340878 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2020.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The “Treatise on the spleen and stomach” (Pí Wèi Lùn) is the work of the scholar and physician Li Gao (Jin-Yuan dynasties, 1115–1368 C.E., China). Li Gao described a clinical presentation that today would fall under the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and proposed the treatment with herbal medicine and nutritional guidelines. The PWL is well known for its application in the treatment of MS and autoimmune conditions. However, this theoretical “MS” has not yet been analyzed through a scientific investigation, and research on its herbal formulations for MS is scant. Methods We analyzed the PWL “MS” clinical presentation considering biomedical diagnostic criteria and neurological correlates. To support our review, we searched Pubmed for studies on the PWL main herbal formulas and their herbs/isolates used for the believed “MS” which treated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)/MS. Results We found a very close correlation between the PWL “MS” and the current MS diagnosis. Twenty four studies on the herbs-isolates showed significant amelioration of EAE, neuronal damage, and demyelination. Discussion Collectively, Astragali radix, Ginseng radix, Glycyrrhizae radix, and berberine containing Phellodendri cortex reduced the severity of EAE through different signaling pathways and mechanisms of action. These herbs provided a wide range of properties such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-microglial activation, anti-infiltration of leukocytes, apoptotic/anti-apoptotic balance, and neuronal protection. Conclusion Our review proposes that the PWL is the first record of MS in the medical literature. Its formulas and herbs-isolates offer a fertile area for MS research and an invaluable potential for its treatment. We propose that the Pí Wèi Lùn is the first record of MS in the medical literature. All twenty four studies on the PWL’s selected herbs/isolates showed improvement of EAE. Different signaling pathways/mechanisms of action provided synergistic properties. In the PWL, the gastrointestinal system is key for MS and science supports it. The PWL offers a fertile area of research and enormous potential for MS treatment.
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Paudel YN, Angelopoulou E, Semple B, Piperi C, Othman I, Shaikh MF. Potential Neuroprotective Effect of the HMGB1 Inhibitor Glycyrrhizin in Neurological Disorders. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:485-500. [PMID: 31972087 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid), a bioactive triterpenoid saponin constituent of Glycyrrhiza glabra, is a traditional medicine possessing a plethora of pharmacological anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiaging properties. It is a known pharmacological inhibitor of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a ubiquitous protein with proinflammatory cytokine-like activity. HMGB1 has been implicated in an array of inflammatory diseases when released extracellularly, mainly by activating intracellular signaling upon binding to the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). HMGB1 neutralization strategies have demonstrated disease-modifying outcomes in several preclinical models of neurological disorders. Herein, we reveal the potential neuroprotective effects of glycyrrhizin against several neurological disorders. Emerging findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of glycyrrhizin against several HMGB1-mediated pathological conditions including traumatic brain injury, neuroinflammation and associated conditions, epileptic seizures, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Glycyrrhizin's effects in neurological disorders are mainly attributed to the attenuation of neuronal damage by inhibiting HMGB1 expression and translocation as well as by downregulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines. A large number of preclinical findings supports the notion that glycyrrhizin might be a promising therapeutic alternative to overcome the shortcomings of the mainstream therapeutic strategies against neurological disorders, mainly by halting disease progression. However, future research is warranted for a deeper exploration of the precise underlying molecular mechanism as well as for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yam Nath Paudel
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor 46150, Malaysia
| | - Efthalia Angelopoulou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - Bridgette Semple
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne 3800, Australia
- Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Christina Piperi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - Iekhsan Othman
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor 46150, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Farooq Shaikh
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor 46150, Malaysia
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