Metabolomics based mechanistic insights to vasorelaxant and cardioprotective effect of ethanolic extract of Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai. seeds in isoproterenol induced myocardial infraction

Integration of network pharmacology and proteomics analysis to identify key target pathways of Ginsenoside Re for myocardial ischemia

BACKGROUND

Clinically, various diseases cause myocardial ischemia (MI), which further induces severe cardiac injury and leads to high mortality in patients. Ginsenoside Re, one of the major ginsenosides in ginseng, can regulate the level of oxidative stress in the injured myocardium. Thus, it may attenuate MI injury, but the related mechanism has not been comprehensively studied.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the anti-MI effect and comprehensively mechanisms of Ginsenoside Re.

STUDY DESIGN/METHODS

Oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), oxidative-induced cardiomyocyte injury, and isoproterenol-induced MI mice were used to explore their protective effect of Ginsenoside Re. An integrated approach of network pharmacology, molecular docking, and tandem mass tag proteomics was applied to determine the corresponding common potential targets of Ginsenoside Re against MI, such as target proteins and related pathways. The major anti-MI target proteins and related pathways were validated by immunofluorescence (IF) assay and Western blotting (WB).

RESULTS

Ginsenoside Re (1.32-168.93 µM) had low toxicity to normal cardiomyocytes, and increased the survival of oxidative stress-injured (OGD-induced injury or H2O2-induced injury) cardiomyocytes in this concentration range. It regulated the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in OGD-injured cardiomyocytes; stabilized the nuclear morphology, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and mitochondrial function; and reduced apoptosis. Meanwhile, Ginsenoside Re (5-20 mg/kg) alleviated cardiac injury in MI mice and maintained cardiac function. Through network pharmacology and proteomics, the relevant mechanisms revealed several key pathways of Ginsenoside Re anti-MI, including inhibition of MAPK pathway protein phosphorylation, downregulation of phosphorylated PDPK1, AKT, and STAT3, and upregulation of TGF-β3, ferroptosis pathway (upregulation of GPX4 and downregulation of phosphorylation level of MDM2) and AMPK pathway (regulating the synthesis of cholesterol in the myocardium by downregulation of HMGCR). The key proteins of these target pathways were validated by IF and/or WB.

CONCLUSION

Ginsenoside Re may target MAPK, AKT, ferroptosis pathways and AMPK pathway to prevent and/or treat MI injury and protect cardiomyocytes from oxidative damage.

Targeting the PANoptosis signaling pathway for myocardial protection: therapeutic potential of Xian Ling Gu Bao capsule

Introduction: Myocardial infarction (MI), the most prevalent ischemic heart disease, constitutes a primary cause of global cardiovascular disease with incidence and mortality. The pathogenesis of MI is exceedingly intricate, with PANoptosis playing a pivotal role in its pathological process. Xian Ling Gu Bao capsule (XLGB) contains various active components, including flavonoids, terpenes, and phenylpropanoids, and exhibits a wide range of pharmacological activities. However, it remains unclear whether XLGB can protect the myocardium from damage after MI. This study aimed to investigate the impact of XLGB on isoprenaline (ISO)-induced MI in mice and its potential mechanisms. Methods: This study assessed the protective effects of XLGB against ISO-induced MI through techniques such as echocardiography, HE staining, Masson staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, the potential mechanisms of XLGB's protective effects on MI were explored using bioinformatics, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations. These mechanisms were further validated through immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting. Results: The results demonstrated that various doses of XLGB exhibited a significant reduction in myocardial injury induced by myocardial infarction. Intriguingly, higher dosages of XLGB displayed superior therapeutic efficacy compared to the positive control metoprolol. This protective effect is primarily achieved through the inhibition of oxidative stress and the inflammatory processes. Furthermore, we have elucidated that XLGB protected the myocardium from MI-induced damage by suppressing PANoptosis, with a critical role played by the NLRP3/Caspase3/RIP1 signaling pathway. Of particular note, the primary compounds of XLGB were found to directly interact with NLRP3/Caspase3/RIP1, a discovery further validated through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. This suggests that NLRP3/Caspase3/RIP1 may be a therapeutic target for XLGB-induced myocardial protection. Conclusion: In summary, our findings reveal a novel property of XLGB: reverses myocardial damage following MI by inhibiting the NLRP3/Caspase3/RIP1-mediated PANoptosis pathway.

Cardioprotective and hypotensive mechanistic insights of hydroethanolic extract of Cucumis melo L. kernels in isoprenaline-induced cardiotoxicity based on metabolomics and in silico electrophysiological models

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) continue to threaten health worldwide, and account for a significant portion of deaths and illnesses. In both developing and industrialized nations, they challenge their health systems. There are several traditional uses of Cucurbitaceae seeds in Pakistan, India, Iran, and China, including treating cardiovascular, neurological, and urogenital diseases. Methods: In the present work, integrated techniques of metabolomics profiling and computational cardiomyocyte stimulation were used to investigate possible mechanisms of C. melo in isoprenaline (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction. In vitro, vasoconstrictions, paired atria, and in vivo invasive blood pressure measurement models were performed to explore the mechanism of action of C. melo hydroethanolic seed extract (Cm-EtOH). Results: Results showed that Cm-EtOH demonstrates NO-based endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) vasorelaxant response, negative chronotropic and inotropic response in the atrium, and hypotensive effects in normotensive rats. Results also revealed that Cm-EtOH decreases cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and reverts the altered gene expressions, biochemical, and metabolites in ISO-induced myocardial infarction (MI) rats. The extract additionally reversed ISO-induced MI-induced oxidative stress, energy consumption, and amino acid metabolism. Moreover, C. melo seeds increased EDRF function, energy production, and antioxidant capacity to treat myocardial and vascular disorders. In computational cardiomyocyte simulation, gallic acid reduced action potential duration, upstroke velocity (dV/dtmax), and effective refractory period. Conclusion: This study highlights the therapeutic potential of C. melo seeds to treat cardiovascular diseases and provides mechanistic insight into its antihypertensive and cardioprotective activities.

Fumaria indica (Hausskn.) Pugsley Hydromethanolic Extract: Bioactive Compounds Identification, Hypotensive Mechanism, and Cardioprotective Potential Exploration

Fumaria indica (Hausskn.) Pugsley (FIP), a member of the Papaveraceae family, has a documented history of use in traditional medicine to treat cardiovascular ailments, particularly hypertension, and has shown substantial therapeutic efficacy among native cultures worldwide. However, the identification of bioactive compounds and the mechanism of hypotensive effect with the cardioprotective potential investigations are yet to be determined. The study aimed to identify bioactive compounds, explore the hypotensive mechanism and cardioprotective potential, and assess the safety of Fumaria indica (Hausskn.) Pugsley hydromethanolic extract (Fip.Cr). LC ESI-MS/MS analysis was performed to identify the bioactive compounds. In vitro experiments were conducted on isolated rat aorta and atria, and an in vivo invasive BP measurement model was used. Acute and subacute toxicities were assessed for 14 and 28 days, respectively. Isoproterenol (ISO) was used to develop the rats' myocardial infarction damage model. The mRNA levels of NLRP3 inflammasome and the abundance level of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus were measured by qRT-PCR. The hypotensive effect of FIP bioactive compounds was also investigated using in silico methods. Fip. Cr LC ESI-MS/MS analysis discovered 33 bioactive compounds, including alkaloids and flavonoids. In isolated rat aorta, Fip.Cr reversed contractions induced by K+ (80 mM), demonstrating a calcium entry-blocking function, and had a vasorelaxant impact on phenylephrine (PE) (1 μM)-induced contractions unaffected by L-NAME, ruling out endothelial NO participation. Fip.Cr caused negative chronotropic and inotropic effects in isolated rat atria unaffected by atropine pretreatment, eliminating cardiac muscarinic receptor involvement. Safety evaluation showed no major adverse effects. In vivo, invasive BP measurement demonstrated a hypotensive effect comparable to verapamil. Fip.Cr protected the rats from ISO-induced MI interventions significantly in biometrical and cardiac serum biochemical indicators and histological examinations by reducing inflammation via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome and elevating Firmicutes and Lactobacillus levels. The network pharmacology study revealed that the FIP hypotensive mechanism might involve MMP9, JAK2, HMOX1, NOS2, NOS3, TEK, SERPINE1, CCL2, and VEGFA. The molecular docking study revealed that FIP bioactive compounds docked better with CAC1C_ HUMAN than verapamil. These findings demonstrated that Fip.Cr's hypotensive mechanism may include calcium channel blocker activity. Fip.Cr ameliorated ISO-induced myocardial infarction in rats by attenuating inflammation, which might be via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome and may prove beneficial for treating MI.

Mass Spectrometric Identification of Metabolites after Magnetic-Pulse Treatment of Infected Pyrus communis L. Microplants

The major goal of this study is to create a venue for further work on the effect of pulsed magnetic fields on plant metabolism. It deals with metabolite synthesis in the aforementioned conditions in microplants of Pyrus communis L. So far, there have been glimpses into the governing factors of plant biochemistry in vivo, and low-frequency pulsed magnestatic fields have been shown to induce additional electric currents in plant tissues, thus perturbing the value of cell membrane potential and causing the biosynthesis of new metabolites. In this study, sixty-seven metabolites synthesized in microplants within 3-72 h after treatment were identified and annotated. In total, thirty-one metabolites were produced. Magnetic-pulse treatment caused an 8.75-fold increase in the concentration of chlorogenic acid (RT = 8.33 ± 0.0197 min) in tissues and the perturbation of phenolic composition. Aucubin, which has antiviral and antistress biological activity, was identified as well. This study sheds light on the effect of magnetic fields on the biochemistry of low-molecular-weight metabolites of pear plants in vitro, thus providing in-depth metabolite analysis under optimized synthetic conditions. This study utilized high-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, metabolomics methods, stochastic dynamics mass spectrometry, quantum chemistry, and chemometrics, respectively. Stochastic dynamics uses the relationships between measurands and molecular structures of silylated carbohydrates, showing virtually identical mass spectra and comparable chemometrics parameters.

Plant Polyphenols and Their Potential Benefits on Cardiovascular Health: A Review

Fruits, vegetables, and other food items contain phytochemicals or secondary metabolites which may be considered non-essential nutrients but have medicinal importance. These dietary phytochemicals exhibit chemopreventive and therapeutic effects against numerous diseases. Polyphenols are secondary metabolites found in vegetables, fruits, and grains. These compounds exhibit several health benefits such as immune modulators, vasodilators, and antioxidants. This review focuses on recent studies on using dietary polyphenols to treat cardiovascular disorders, atherosclerosis, and vascular endothelium deficits. We focus on exploring the safety of highly effective polyphenols to ensure their maximum impact on cardiac abnormalities and discuss recent epidemiological evidence and intervention trials related to these properties. Kaempferol, quercetin, and resveratrol prevent oxidative stress by regulating proteins that induce oxidation in heart tissues. In addition, polyphenols modulate the tone of the endothelium of vessels by releasing nitric oxide (NO) and reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation to prevent atherosclerosis. In cardiomyocytes, polyphenols suppress the expression of inflammatory markers and inhibit the production of inflammation markers to exert an anti-inflammatory response. Consequently, heart diseases such as strokes, hypertension, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease could be prevented by dietary polyphenols.

Cardioprotective Effects of Aconite in Isoproterenol-Induced Myocardial Infarction in Rats

Background

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a severe clinical condition caused by decreased or complete cessation of blood flow to a portion of the myocardium. Aconite, the lateral roots of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx., is a well-known Chinese medicine for treatment of heart failure and related cardiac diseases. The present study is aimed at investigating the cardioprotective effect of aconite on isoproterenol- (ISO)- induced MI.

Methods

The qualitative analysis of aqueous extracts from brained aconite (AEBA) was conducted by HPLC. A rat model of MI induced by ISO was established to examine the effects of AEBA. The cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. The serum levels of SOD, CK-MB, cTnT, and cTnI were detected to estimate myocardial injury. The pathological changes of heart tissue were evaluated by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and Masson's trichrome staining. The expressions of abnormal vascular remodeling and hypoxia-related components and the levels of inflammation-associated genes and proteins were detected by RT-qPCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence.

Results

The contents of benzoylaconine, benzoylmesaconine, benzoylhypacoitine, and hypaconitine in AEBA were 1.35 μg/g, 37.35 μg/g, 57.10 μg/g, and 2.46 μg/g, respectively. AEBA obviously improved heart function through promoting echocardiographic parameters, radial strain, and circumferential strain. The data of TTC staining, HE staining, and Masson's trichrome staining disclosed that AEBA could significantly reduce infarct size, inhibit inflammatory cell infiltration, and decrease the myocardial fibrosis. Moreover, AEBA distinctly suppressed the serum levels of SOD, MDA, CK-MB, cTnT, and cTnI in ISO-induced rats. The results of RT-qPCR indicated that AEBA inhibited the expressions of hypoxia- and inflammation-related genes, including VEGF, PKM2, GLUT-1, LDHA, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and COX2. In addition, the western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses further confirmed the results of RT-qPCR.

Conclusion

In summary, our results indicate that the AEBA could improve ISO-induced myocardial infarction by promoting cardiac function, alleviating myocardial hypoxia, and inhibiting inflammatory response and fibrosis in heart tissue.

Antispasmodic activity of the ethanol extract of Citrullus lanatus seeds: Justifying ethnomedicinal use in Pakistan to treat asthma and diarrhea

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) belongs to the ground family, Cucurbitaceae, known for edible fruit. Besides nutritional benefits, the traditional herbal practitioners in Pakistan and India used their seeds to treat gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urinary disorders. In Northern Sudan, its seeds are often used as a laxative. Its root is laxative and emetic at a high dose. Its seeds are also used to treat bedwetting and urinary tract obstruction.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to elucidate the multi-target mechanisms of Citrullus lanatus seeds to treat asthma and diarrhea. The pharmacological experiments were designed and conducted, along with the pharmacology network and molecular docking predictions, to verify the seeds biopotency for antispasmodic and bronchodilator properties.

METHODS

LC ESI-MS/MS were performed to identify the potentially active compounds in hydroethanolic extract of Citrullus lanatus seeds, then to quantify them by HPLC. The quantified bioactive compounds of Citrullus lanatus, i.e., stigmasterol, quinic acid, malic acid, epicatechin, caffeic acid, rutin, p-coumaric acid, quercetin, ferulic acid, scopoletin, apigenin, and kaempferol were subjected to in silico studies for molecular docking. The hydroethanolic extract of Citrullus lanatus seeds was examined on isolated rabbit tissue, i.e., jejunum, trachea, and urinary bladder. The antiperistalsis, antidiarrheal and antisecretory studies were also performed in animal models.

RESULTS

In silico studies revealed that bioactive compounds of C. lanatus seeds interfere with asthma and diarrhea-associated target genes, which are a member of calcium mediate signaling, regulation of cytosolic calcium concentration, smooth muscle contraction, and inflammatory responses. It was also found that rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, and scopoletin were stronger binding to voltage-gated calcium channels, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, myosin light chain kinase, and phosphoinositide phospholipase C, thus, exerting calcium channel blocker activity. The hydroethanolic extract of C. lanatus seeds exerted a concentration-dependent relaxant response for the spasmolytic response on isolated jejunum and trachea preparations and caused relaxation of spastic contraction of K⁺ (80 mM). Furthermore, it caused a non-parallel rightward shift with suppression of calcium concentration-response curves. In animal models, the Cl.EtOH showed antiperistalsis, antidiarrheal and antisecretory response.

CONCLUSION

Thus, we confirm Citrullus lanatus seeds have some medicinal effects by regulating the contractile response through target proteins of calcium mediates signaling and can be a promising component in the medical treatment for asthma and diarrhea.