Rubrofusarin-6-β-gentiobioside inhibits lipid accumulation and weight gain by regulating AMPK/mTOR signaling

Medicine and food homology substances: A review of bioactive ingredients, pharmacological effects and applications

In recent years, the idea of medicine and food homology (MFH), which highlights the intimate relationship between food and medicine, has gained international recognition. Specifically, MFH substances have the ability to serve as both food and medicine. Many foods have been reported to have good nutritional and medical values, not only for satiety but also for nourishing the body and treating diseases pharmacologically. As modern scientific research has progressed, the concept of MFH has been emphasized and developed in a way that has never been seen before. Therefore, in this paper, we reviewed the development history of MFH substances, summarized some typical bioactive ingredients, and recognized pharmacological effects. In addition, we further discussed the application of MFH substances in the food field, with the goal of providing ideas and references for the research and development of MFH in the food industry as well as the progress of related industries.

Protective Effects of Exogenous Melatonin Administration on White Fat Metabolism Disruption Induced by Aging and a High-Fat Diet in Mice

Obesity has emerged as a major risk factor for human health, exacerbated by aging and changes in dietary habits. It represents a significant health challenge, particularly for older people. While numerous studies have examined the effects of obesity and aging on fat metabolism independently, research on their combined effects is limited. In the present study, the protective action against white fat accumulation after a high-fat diet (HFD) exerted by exogenous melatonin, a circadian hormone endowed with antioxidant properties also involved in fat metabolism, was investigated in a mouse model. For this purpose, a battery of tests was applied before and after the dietary and melatonin treatments of the animals, including epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) histological evaluations, transcriptomic and lipidomic analyses, real-time PCR tests, immunofluorescence staining, Western blot, the appraisal of serum melatonin levels, and transmission electron microscopy. This study found that aged mice on a high-fat diet (HFD) showed increased lipid deposition, inflammation, and reduced antioxidant glutathione (GSH) levels compared to younger mice. Lipidomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed elevated triglycerides, diglycerides, ceramides, and cholesterol, along with decreased sphingomyelin and fatty acids in eWAT. The genes linked to inflammation, NF-κB signaling, autophagy, and lipid metabolism, particularly the melatonin and glutathione pathways, were significantly altered. The aged HFD mice also exhibited reduced melatonin levels in serum and eWAT. Melatonin supplementation reduced lipid deposition, increased melatonin and GSH levels, and upregulated AANAT and MTNR1A expression in eWAT, suggesting that melatonin alleviates eWAT damage via the MTNR1A pathway. It also suppressed inflammatory markers (e.g., TNF-α, NLRP3, NF-κB, IL-1β, and CEBPB) and preserved mitochondrial function through enhanced mitophagy. This study highlights how aging and HFD affect lipid metabolism and gene expression, offering potential intervention strategies. These findings provide important insights into the mechanisms of fat deposition associated with aging and a high-fat diet, suggesting potential intervention strategies.

Ilex paraguariensis A.St.-Hil. improves lipid metabolism in high-fat diet-fed obese rats and suppresses intracellular lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes via the AMPK-dependent and insulin signaling pathways

Background

Obesity is closely associated with several chronic diseases, and adipose tissue plays a major role in modulating energy metabolism.

Objective

This study aimed to determine whether Mate, derived from I. paraguariensis A.St.-Hil., ameliorates lipid metabolism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed obese Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.

Design

3T3-L1 adipocytes were cultured for 7 days, following which intracellular lipid accumulation and expression levels of lipid metabolism-related factors were examined. Dorsomorphin was used to investigate the potential pathways involved, particularly the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)- dependent pathway. Mate was administered to rat HFD-fed obese SD models for 8 consecutive weeks. The expression of lipid metabolism-related factors in the organs and tissues collected from dissected SD rats was evaluated.

Results

Mate suppressed intracellular lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, increased the protein and gene expression levels of AMPK, hormone sensitive lipase (HSL), calmodulin kinase kinase (CaMKK), liver kinase B1 (LKB1), protein kinase A (PKA), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ), insulin receptor b (IRβ), and insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) (Tyr465), and decreased those of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1C (Srebp1c), fatty acid synthase (FAS), peroxisome-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), and IRS1 (Ser1101). Furthermore, an AMPK inhibitor abolished the effects exerted by Mate on intracellular lipid accumulation and HSL and FAS expression levels. Mate treatment suppressed body weight gain and improved serum cholesterol levels in HFD-fed obese SD rats. Treatment with Mate increased the protein and gene expression levels of AMPK, PKA, Erk1/Erk2 (p44/p42), and uncoupling protein 1 and reduced those of mammalian target of rapamycin, S6 kinase, Srebp1c, ap2, FAS, Il6, Adiponectin, Leptin, and Fabp4 in rat HFD-fed obese SD models.

Discussion and conclusions

Mate suppressed intracellular lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and improved lipid metabolism in the epididymal adipose tissue of HFD-fed obese SD rats via the activation of AMPK-dependent and insulin signaling pathways.

A Review of the Chemistry and Biological Activities of Natural Colorants, Dyes, and Pigments: Challenges, and Opportunities for Food, Cosmetics, and Pharmaceutical Application

Natural pigments are important sources for the screening of bioactive lead compounds. This article reviewed the chemistry and therapeutic potentials of over 570 colored molecules from plants, fungi, bacteria, insects, algae, and marine sources. Moreover, related biological activities, advanced extraction, and identification approaches were reviewed. A variety of biological activities, including cytotoxicity against cancer cells, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, anti-microbial, antiviral, and anti-protozoal activities, have been reported for different pigments. Considering their structural backbone, they were classified as naphthoquinones, carotenoids, flavonoids, xanthones, anthocyanins, benzotropolones, alkaloids, terpenoids, isoprenoids, and non-isoprenoids. Alkaloid pigments were mostly isolated from bacteria and marine sources, while flavonoids were mostly found in plants and mushrooms. Colored quinones and xanthones were mostly extracted from plants and fungi, while colored polyketides and terpenoids are often found in marine sources and fungi. Carotenoids are mostly distributed among bacteria, followed by fungi and plants. The pigments isolated from insects have different structures, but among them, carotenoids and quinone/xanthone are the most important. Considering good manufacturing practices, the current permitted natural colorants are: Carotenoids (canthaxanthin, β-carotene, β-apo-8'-carotenal, annatto, astaxanthin) and their sources, lycopene, anthocyanins, betanin, chlorophyllins, spirulina extract, carmine and cochineal extract, henna, riboflavin, pyrogallol, logwood extract, guaiazulene, turmeric, and soy leghemoglobin.

Extract of Isatidis Radix Inhibits Lipid Accumulation in In Vitro and In Vivo by Regulating Oxidative Stress

Isatidis Radix (IR), the root of Isatis tinctoria L. belonging to Brassicaceae, has been traditionally used as a fever reducer. Although some pharmacological effects, such as anti-diabetes, anti-virus, and anti-inflammatory, have been reported, there is no study on the anti-obesity effect of IR. This study used 3T3-L1 cells, human mesenchymal adipose stem cells (hAMSCs), and a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model to confirm the anti-adipogenic effect of IR. Intracellular lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells and hAMSCs was decreased by IR treatment.IR extract especially suppressed reactive oxygen species (ROS) production through a cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36)-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway. Consequently, the expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), CCAAT-enhancer-binding proteins alpha (C/EBPα), and fatty acid synthesis (FAS) were inhibited by IR extract. In addition, β-oxidation-related genes were also decreased by treatment of IR extract. IR inhibited weight gain through this cascade in the HFD-induced obese mouse model. IR significantly suppressed lipid accumulation in epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT). Furthermore, the administration of IR extract decreased serum free fatty acid (FFA), total cholesterol (TC), and LDL cholesterol, suggesting that it could be a potential drug for obesity by inhibiting lipid accumulation.

Theoretical modelling of structure, vibrational and UV-vis absorbance spectra of rubrofusarin molecule

The structure of the rubrofusarin molecule (CAS: 3567-00-8, IUPAC name 5,6-dihydroxy-8-methoxy-2-methyl-4H-benzo[g]chromen-4-one, molecular formula C₁₅H₁₂O₅) and its possible rotational conformers and tautomer were investigated within DFT approach. It was noted that for a stable molecules the group symmetry is close to Cs. The smallest potential barrier for rotational conformers is associated with the methoxy group rotation. The rotation of hydroxyl groups leads to a stable states that are substantially higher in energy than the ground state. Modeling and interpretation of vibrational spectra for the case of the ground state molecule in the gas phase and methanol solution was carried out, the influence of the solvent is discussed. The modelling of electronic singlet transition within the TD-DFT approach and the interpretation of obtained UV-vis absorbance spectra were carried out. A relatively small shift in the two most active absorption bands wavelength takes place for methoxy group rotation conformer. At the same time the redshift of the HOMO-LUMO transition takes place for this conformer. Much larger long wavelength shift of the absorption bands was noted for the tautomer.

The ameliorative effect of probiotics on diet-induced lipid metabolism disorders: A review

High-fat diet induces lipid metabolism disorders that has become one of the grievous public health problems and imposes a serious economic and social burden worldwide. Safety probiotics isolated from nature are regarded as a novel supplementary strategy for preventing and improving diet-induced lipid metabolism disorders and related chronic diseases. The present review summarized the latest researches of probiotics in high fat diet induced lipid metabolism disorders to provide a critical perspective on the regulatory function of probiotics for future research. Furthermore, the screening criteria and general sources of probiotics with lipid-lowering ability also outlined to enlarge microbial species resource bank instantly, which promoted the development of functional foods with lipid-lowering strains from nature. After critically reviewing the lipid-lowering potential of probiotics both in vitro and in vivo and even in clinical data of humans, we provided a perspective that probiotics activated AMPK signaling pathway to regulate fat synthesis and decomposition, as well as affected positively the gut microbiota structure, intestinal barrier function and systemic inflammatory response, then these beneficial effects are amplified along Gut-liver axis, which regulated intestinal flora metabolites such as SCFAs and BAs by HMGCR/FXR/SHP signaling pathway to improve high fat diet induced lipid metabolism disorders effectively.

Jian Pi Tiao Gan Yin alleviates obesity phenotypes through mTORC1/SREBP1 signaling in vitro and in vivo

Background

Obesity has been considered as a leading cause of multiple metabolic syndromes, such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension cardiovascular diseases. Jian Pi Tiao Gan Yin (JPTGY), a Chinese herb preparation, is used to treat obesity of liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency. The mechanism of action of JPTGY in obesity remains unclear. This study evaluated the effect of JPTGY on obesity.

Methods

The mechanism of action of JPTGY on obesity was investigated in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice and palmitic acid-treated 3T3-L1 cells. Lipid droplet accumulation was detected using oil red O staining. Factors associated with lipid accumulation were detected by western blotting.

Results

Treatment with JPTGY reduced HFD-induced adiposity and body weight gain. JPTGY increased the levels of brown adipose tissue biomarkers in obese mice and palmitic acid-treated 3T3-L1 cells, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1-alpha (PGC-1α) and uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1). Meanwhile, the protein expression of white adipose tissue biomarkers, such as AGT, primary subtalar arthrodesis (PSTA), and endothelin receptor type A (EDNRA), was decreased in obese mice and palmitic acid-treated 3T3-L1 cells. JPTGY affects browning of 3T3-L1 cells through mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling. JPTGY decreased the expression levels of key adipogenic-specific proteins and lipogenic enzymes, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα), sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP), and FAS. Treatment with the mTOR activator MHY reversed JPTGY-mediated protein expression.

Conclusions

We concluded that JPTGY relieved obesity phenotypes through mTORC1/SREBP1 signaling in vitro and in vivo. JPTGY may benefit the attenuation of obesity.

Hispidulin inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion by promoting autophagy via regulation of PPARγ activation in prostate cancer cells and xenograft models

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the important factors of cancer deaths especially in the western countries. Hispidulin (4',5,7-trihydroxy-6-methoxyflavone) is a phenolic flavonoid compound proved to possess anticancer properties, but its effects on PCa are left to be released. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects and the relative mechanisms of Hispidulin on PCa development. Hispidulin administration inhibited proliferation, invasion, and migration, while accelerated apoptosis in Du145 and VCaP cells, which was accompanied by PPARγ activation and autophagy enhancement. The beneficial effects of Hispidulin could be diminished by PPARγ inhibition. Besides, Hispidulin administration suppressed PCa tumorigenicity in Xenograft models, indicating the anticancer properties in vivo. Therefore, our work revealed that the anticancer properties of Hispidulin might be conferred by its activation on PPARγ and autophagy.

Phenethyl Isothiocyanate Improves Lipid Metabolism and Inflammation via mTOR/PPARγ/AMPK Signaling in the Adipose Tissue of Obese Mice

Obesity is defined as excess adipose mass that causes serious health problems. Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) is a major and relatively nontoxic compound of the isothiocyanates. Although many studies have demonstrated that PEITC is a potent substance with physiological activities, such as anticancer activity, the precise mechanism for the effects of PEITC on inflammation and lipid metabolism in adipose tissue is not clear. Our study aimed to clarify the effects of PEITC supplements on the adipose tissue in obesity induced with a high-fat/cholesterol diet, and the underlying mechanisms. We induced obesity by feeding the mice with high fat with 1% cholesterol diet (HFCD) for 13 weeks. Mice were divided into five groups: normal diet (CON), HFCD, HFCD with 3 mg/(kg·d) gallic acid (HFCD+G), and HFCD with 30 and 75 mg/(kg·d) PEITC (HFCD+P30 and HFCD+P75, respectively). Using western blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis of the adipose tissue, we determined the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes and inflammation-related genes. In the HFCD, the expression level of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LOX-1), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), was higher compared with that in the CON. Moreover, in the HFCD, the expression of p-mechanical targets of the rapamycin (mTOR) was increased, whereas that of p-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was decreased compared with that in the CON. Nevertheless, these decreased expression levels of p-AMPK and increased levels of LOX-1, p-mTOR, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), NF-κB, and COX-2, were alleviated by PEITC supplementation. Therefore, we suggest that PEITC might be a potential preventive agent for ameliorating obesity-induced inflammation and adipogenesis by modulating the mTOR/AMPK/PPARγ pathway.

Milk Fat Globule Membrane Supplementation During Suckling Ameliorates Maternal High Fat Diet-Induced Hepatic Steatosis in Adult Male Offspring of Mice

BACKGROUND

Exposure to a maternal high-fat diet (HFD) predisposes offspring to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to explore whether milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) supplementation during suckling exerts a long-term protective effect on hepatic lipid metabolism in adult offspring exposed to maternal HFD.

METHODS

We fed 5-week-old female C57BL/6J mice either a HFD (60% kcal fat) or control diet (CD; 16.7% kcal fat) for 3 weeks before mating, as well as throughout gestation and lactation. After delivery, male offspring from HFD dams were supplemented with 1 g/(kg body weight·day) MFGM (HFD + MFGM group) or the same volume of vehicle (HFD group) during suckling. Male offspring from CD dams were also supplemented with vehicle during suckling (CD group). All offspring were weaned onto CD for 8 weeks. Histopathology, metabolic parameters, lipogenic level, oxidative stress, and mitochondria function in the liver were analyzed. A 1-way ANOVA and a Kruskal-Wallis test were used for multi-group comparisons.

RESULTS

As compared to the CD group, the HFD group had more lipid droplets in livers, and exhibited ∼100% higher serum triglycerides, ∼38% higher hepatic triglycerides, ∼75% higher serum aspartate aminotransferase, and ∼130% higher fasting blood glucose (P < 0.05). The changes of these metabolic parameters were normalized in the HFD + MFGM group. Phosphorylated mammalian targets of rapamycin and AKT were downregulated, but phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase was upregulated in the HFD + MFGM group as compared to the HFD group (P < 0.05). As compared to the CD group, the HFD group showed an ∼80% higher malondialdehyde level, and ∼20% lower superoxide dismutase activity (P < 0.05), which were normalized in the HFD + MFGM group. Additionally, mitochondria function was also impaired in the HFD group and normalized in the HFD + MFGM group.

CONCLUSIONS

MFGM supplementation during suckling ameliorates maternal HFD-induced hepatic steatosis in mice via suppressing de novo lipogenesis, reinforcing antioxidant defenses and improving mitochondrial function.

Screening of hypolipidemic active components in Jiang-Zhi-Ning and its preliminary mechanism research based on "active contribution value" study

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Jiang-Zhi-Ning (JZN) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula, which has the effect of lowering blood lipid level and softening blood vessels. It is clinically used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia with significant curative effect.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to screen the active components of JZN that are responsible for its blood lipids lowering effect and lay the foundation for elucidating pharmacodynamic material basis of the hypolipidemic effect of the formula.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The hyperlipidemia model was used to evaluate the efficacy of the JZN effective extraction with the TC and TG of rat plasma as evaluation index. Then the established ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MSn) method was utilized to analyze the components of JZN effective extraction and the absorbed components in rat plasma, the potential active components were screened by using the combined analysis results of in vivo and in vitro component identification. Then an established ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-QqQ-MSn) method was used to determine the content of potential active components and its natural ratio in JZN effective extraction, and a potential active components combination (PACC) was formed accordingly. Then a HepG2 cell hyperlipidemia model induced by sodium oleate was used to study the hypolipidemic activity of PACC by detecting the content of TG level in the model. Meanwhile, the real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to conduct preliminary research on its hypolipidemic mechanism. Then combined with the concept of "combination index" in the "median-effect principle", to calculate the half inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of PACC and each monomer component on inhibiting the TG level in the cell model. Subsequently, the "activity contribution study" was carried out, and the components with the sum of the "activity contribution value" of 85% were finally selected as the hypolipidemic active components of JZN.

RESULTS

The pharmacodynamics results showed that JZN effective extraction has displayed a good hypolipidemic effect. 45 components were identified in vitro, 108 components were identified from rat plasma, and 17 potential active components were screened out. The content determination result showed that the ratio of each potential active components in PACC as following: cassiaside C: rubrofusarin-6-O-gentiobioside: aurantio-obtusin-6-O-glucoside: hyperoside: isoquercitrin: quercetin-3-O-glucuronide: (E)-2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-glucoside: rutin: emodin-8-O-glucoside: astragalin: armepavine: N-nornuciferine: coclaurine: O-nornuciferine: nuciferine: N-norarmepavine: higenamine = 3.30: 16.06: 9.15: 23.94: 98.40: 417.45: 189.68: 8.62: 1.28: 5: 3.51: 14.57: 1.06: 1.35: 1: 5.64: 6.06, and the activity study results showed that it has displayed a good hypolipidemic activity. Finally, the hypolipidemic active components screened out by the "activity contribution study" were: quercetin-3-O-glucuronide, (E)-2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-glucoside, isoquercitrin, O-nornuciferine, hyperoside and rubrofusarin-6-O-gentiobioside.

CONCLUSIONS

A scientific and rational approach of screening the hypolipidemic active ingredients of JZN has been developed in the current study. In addition, the research revealed the blood lipid lowering mechanism of those ingredients, which provide a solid basis for further elucidating the hypolipidemic pharmacodynamic material basis and action mechanism of JZN.

Gomisin A Alleviates Obesity by Regulating the Phenotypic Switch between White and Brown Adipocytes

Although gomisin A (GA) alleviates cancer and inflammation, its anti-obesity effect and the underlying mechanism have not yet been elucidated. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to elucidate the anti-obesity effects of GA by investigating the phenotypic changes involved in the browning and whitening of adipocytes. Here, obesity was induced to C57BL/6J mice using a high-fat diet (HFD). We administrated GA and checked weight changes for 12 weeks. We found that GA decreased the weight of weight gain, epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), and liver in the mice. In addition, the administration of GA elevated the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol in the mice serum. Moreover, even after 12 weeks of treatment with GA, it did not cause any hepatic and renal toxicity. However, we found that GA induced the browning of eWAT and inhibited the whitening of brown adipose tissue. We further confirmed the anti-obesity mechanism of GA using 3T3-L1 cells, the human adipose mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs), and primary brown adipocytes (BAs) in vitroexperiments. We found that GA suppressed adipogenesis via the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Furthermore, GA-induced browning by increasing the expression levels of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in hAMSCs. The results of our study indicate that GA can inhibit weight gain by regulating the phenotypic changes involved in the browning and whitening of adipose tissues, which makes it a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of obesity.

The Extract of Arctium lappa L. Fruit (Arctii Fructus) Improves Cancer-Induced Cachexia by Inhibiting Weight Loss of Skeletal Muscle and Adipose Tissue

Background: Cachexia induced by cancer is a systemic wasting syndrome and it accompanies continuous body weight loss with the exhaustion of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. Cancer cachexia is not only a problem in itself, but it also reduces the effectiveness of treatments and deteriorates quality of life. However, effective treatments have not been found yet. Although Arctii Fructus (AF) has been studied about several pharmacological effects, there were no reports on its use in cancer cachexia. Methods: To induce cancer cachexia in mice, we inoculated CT-26 cells to BALB/c mice through subcutaneous injection and intraperitoneal injection. To mimic cancer cachexia in vitro, we used conditioned media (CM), which was CT-26 colon cancer cells cultured medium. Results: In in vivo experiments, AF suppressed expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and atrophy of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. As a result, the administration of AF decreased mortality by preventing weight loss. In adipose tissue, AF decreased expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) by restoring AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. In in vitro model, CM increased muscle degradation factors and decreased adipocytes differentiation factors. However, these tendencies were ameliorated by AF treatment in C2C12 myoblasts and 3T3-L1 cells. Conclusion: Taken together, our study demonstrated that AF could be a therapeutic supplement for patients suffering from cancer cachexia.

Rubrofusarin Attenuates Chronic Restraint Stress-Induced Depressive Symptoms

The aim of this study was to examine whether rubrofusarin, an active ingredient of the Cassia species, has an antidepressive effect in chronic restraint stress (CRS) mouse model. Although acute treatment using rubrofusarin failed, chronic treatment using rubrofusarin ameliorated CRS-induced depressive symptoms. Rubrofusarin treatment significantly reduced the number of Fluoro-Jade B-positive cells and caspase-3 activation within the hippocampus of CRS-treated mice. Moreover, rubrofusarin treatment significantly increased the number of newborn neurons in the hippocampus of CRS-treated mice. CRS induced activation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β and regulated development and DNA damage responses, and reductions in the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase pathway activity were also reversed by rubrofusarin treatment. Microglial activation and inflammasome markers, including nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 and adaptor protein apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD, which were induced by CRS, were ameliorated by rubrofusarin. Synaptic plasticity dysfunction within the hippocampus was also rescued by rubrofusarin treatment. Within in vitro experiments, rubrofusarin blocked corticosterone-induced long-term potentiation impairments. These were blocked by LY294002, which is an Akt inhibitor. Finally, we found that the antidepressant effects of rubrofusarin were blocked by an intracerebroventricular injection of LY294002. These results suggest that rubrofusarin ameliorated CRS-induced depressive symptoms through PI3K/Akt signaling.

Design, synthesis and evaluation of 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione-Based fibrates as potential hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective agents

Six novel target compounds 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (ADT) based fibrates were synthesized and evaluated. All the synthesized compounds were preliminarily screened by using the Triton WR-1339-induecd hyperlipidemia model, in which T1 exhibited more potent hypolipidemic property than positive drug fenofibrate (FF). T1 also significantly decreased serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterin (LDL) in methionine solution (Mets) induced hyperlipidemic mice. Moreover, hepatic transaminases (AST and ALT) were obviously ameliorated after treatment with T1 and the histological observation indicated that T1 ameliorated the injury in liver tissue and inhibited the hepatic lipid accumulation. In the livers of T1-administrated rat, the levels of PPARα related to lipids metabolism were up-regulated. Additional effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and H₂S releasing action confirmed and reinforced the activity of T1 as a potential multifunctional hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective agent.