Inhibition of ROS and inflammation by an imidazopyridine derivative X22 attenuate high fat diet-induced arterial injuries

Design, Synthesis, Antitumor Activity and NMR-Based Metabolomics of Novel Amino Substituted Tetracyclic Imidazo[4,5-b]Pyridine Derivatives

Newly prepared tetracyclic imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine derivatives were synthesized to study their antiproliferative activity against human cancer cells. Additionally, the structure-activity was studied to confirm the impact of the N atom position in pyridine nuclei as well as the chosen amino side chains on antiproliferative activity. Targeted amino substituted regioisomers were prepared by using uncatalyzed amination from corresponding chloro substituted precursors. The most active compounds 6 a, 8 and 10 showed improved activity in comparison to standard drug etoposide with IC50 values in a nanomolar range of concentration (0.2-0.9 μM). NMR-based metabolomics is a powerful instrument to elucidate activity mechanism of new chemotherapeutics. Multivariate and univariate statistical analysis of metabolic profiles of non-small cell lung cancer cells before and after exposure to 6 a revealed significant changes in metabolism of essential amino acids, glycerophospholipids and oxidative defense. Insight into the changes of metabolic pathways that are heavily involved in cell proliferation and survival provide valuable guidelines for more detailed analysis of activity metabolism and possible targets of this class of bioactive compounds.

Eutectic solutions for healing: a comprehensive review on therapeutic deep eutectic solvents (TheDES)

OBJECTIVE

TheDES are formed by mixing a Hydrogen Bond Donor (HBD) and a Hydrogen Bond Acceptor (HBA) in appropriate molar ratios. These solvents have been shown to enhance drug solubility, permeability, and delivery. The main objective of the present article is to review these advantages of TheDES.

SIGNIFICANCE

TheDES show unique properties, such as low toxicity, biodegradability, improved bioavailability and enhanced drug delivery of poorly soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients. They are also biocompatible in nature which makes them a promising candidate for various therapeutic applications, including drug formulations, drug delivery and other biomedical uses. The development and utilization of TheDES shows significant advancement in pharmaceutical research, providing new opportunities for improving drug delivery.

METHODS

The current study was carried out by conducting a systematic literature review that identified relevant papers from indexed databases. Numerous studies and research are cited and quoted in this article to demonstrate the effectiveness of TheDES in enhancing drug solubility, permeability, and delivery. All chosen articles were selected considering their significance, quality, and approach to addressing issues.

RESULT

As a result, various TheDES were identified that can be formulated in different ways: one component can act as a vehicle for an API, either HBD or HBA can be an API, both HBD and HBA can be APIs, or the individual components of DES are not therapeutically active but the resulting DES possesses therapeutic activity. Additionally, TheDES were also recognized to enhance drug delivery and solubility for different APIs, including NSAIDs, anesthetic drugs, antifungals, and others.

Novel Curcumin Analogue L6H4 in Treating Liver Fibrosis and Type 2 Diabetes

Purpose

The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the curcumin analogue L6H4 in attenuating liver fibrosis and alleviating insulin resistance in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Methods

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet to induce insulin resistance, followed by streptozotocin injection to induce diabetes. The rats were then treated with L6H4 for eight weeks. Body weight, metabolic parameters, liver function, and liver histopathology were evaluated. Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess the expression of TGF-β1, TIMP-2, and MMP-2 in liver tissues. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA and Spearman rank correlation test.

Results

L6H4 treatment effectively reversed the weight gain associated with a high-fat diet and improved metabolic parameters in diabetic rats. Liver function markers, such as ALT and AST, were reduced after L6H4 treatment. Histological analysis showed improved liver morphology and reduced fibrosis in L6H4-treated rats. Electron microscopy revealed improved ultrastructural features of hepatocytes. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated downregulation of TGF-β1 and TIMP-2 expression and restoration of MMP-2 expression in the liver tissue of L6H4-treated rats. Correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between TGF-β1 and TIMP-2 expression.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that L6H4 has therapeutic potential in attenuating liver fibrosis and alleviating insulin resistance in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The hepatoprotective effect of L6H4 may be attributed to its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to target molecules involved in fibrosis. Further research is warranted to explore the potential of L6H4 as a treatment option for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes.

Flavonoids from Lycium barbarum leaves attenuate obesity through modulating glycolipid levels, oxidative stress, and gut bacterial composition in high-fat diet-fed mice

Traditional herbal therapy made from Lycium barbarum leaves has been said to be effective in treating metabolic diseases, while its exact processes are yet unknown. Natural flavonoids are considered as a secure and reliable method for treating obesity. We thus made an effort to investigate the processes by which flavonoids from L. barbarum leaves (LBLF) reduce obesity. To assess the effectiveness of the intervention following intragastric injection of various dosages of LBLF (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg⋅bw), obese model mice developed via a high-fat diet were utilized. Treatment for LBLF may decrease body weight gain, Lee’s index, serum lipids levels, oxidative stress levels, and hepatic lipids levels. It may also enhance fecal lipids excretion and improve glucose tolerance. Additionally, LBLF therapy significantly restored gut dysfunction brought on by a high-fat diet by boosting gut bacterial diversities and altering the composition of the gut bacterial community by elevating probiotics and reducing harmful bacteria.

Deep Eutectic Solvents as Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Delivery Systems in the Treatment of Metabolic Related Diseases

Metabolic related diseases such as cancer, diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis are major challenges for human health and safety worldwide due to their associations with high morbidity and mortality. It is of great significance to develop the effective active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) delivery systems for treatment of metabolic diseases. With their unique merits like easy preparation, high adjustability, low toxicity, low cost, satisfactory stability and biodegradation, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are unarguably green and sustainable API delivery systems that have been developed to improve drug solubility and treat metabolic related diseases including cancer, diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. Many reports about DESs as API delivery systems in the therapy of cancer, diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis exist but no systematic overview of these results is available, which motivated the current work.

Camellia nitidissima Chi flower extract alleviates obesity and related complications and modulates gut microbiota composition in rats with high-fat-diet-induced obesity

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential anti-obesity effects of Camellia nitidissima Chi flower extract (Cnfe) by examining its effects in terms of the regulation of lipid levels and modulation of gut microbiota in rats with high-fat-diet-induced obesity.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrated that Cnfe significantly decreased weight gain by reducing appetite and decreasing high-fat food intake. Further, Cnfe restored normal lipid metabolism and improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in rats fed a high-fat diet. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot results showed that Cnfe significantly decreased the expression of genes and proteins involved in adipogenesis and lipogenesis, and upregulated the expression of lipolysis genes. 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing of feces showed that Cnfe dramatically reversed dysbacteriosis in rats with high-fat-diet-induced obesity by decreasing the abundance of Firmicutes and increasing that of Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia at the phylum level.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrate that Cnfe is a potential anti-obesity prebiotic nutrient that can prevent weight gain, ameliorate obesity-related dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia, inhibit liver fat accumulation, and modulate gut microbiota. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

The imidazopyridine derivative X22 prevents diabetic kidney dysfunction through inactivating NF-κB signaling

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is considered a chronic inflammatory renal disease induced by hyperglycemia. Therefore, even meticulous control of blood glucose levels cannot prevent the progression of DKD efficiently. Management of the inflammatory response could be one of the most promising strategies for treatment. We previously validated an imidazopyridine derivative (X22) as an active compound in suppressing lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation. However, its potential for protection against DKD has not been exanimated. In the present study, streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic mice were used to study the effect of X22 on DKD associated inflammation and fibrosis by Q-PCR and immunoblotting assays. The results showed that X22 significantly inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) and fibrosis biomarkers. At the same time, kidney function was dramatically improved. To elucidate the mechanism of action of X22, we examined its effects on the NRK-52E cell line. Strikingly, X22 restored the protein level of IKB-α and blocked the nuclear translocation of P65. Collectively, the data indicate that X22 can attenuate diabetic kidney dysfunction and inflammatory injury and may represent a potential agent for the treatment of DKD. It could be a potential agent for use in the treatment of DKD.

A potential high risk for fatty liver disease was found in mice generated after assisted reproductive techniques

Abnormal gametogenesis and embryonic development may lead to poor health status of the offspring. The operations involved in the assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) occur during the key stage of gametogenesis and early embryonic development. To assess the potential risk of abnormal lipid metabolism in the liver of adult ARTs offspring, two ARTs mice models derived from preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD group) and in vitro cultured embryos without biopsy (IVEM group) were constructed. And control mice were from in vivo naturally conceived (Normal group). The results showed that ARTs offspring had increased body weight and body fat content comparing to normal group. An increasing volume and amount of lipid droplets as well as lipid droplet fusion were found in the hepatocytes of ARTs mice, and a significantly increased liver TG content was also shown in the ARTs mice, which due to the increased TG synthesis and decreased TG transport in the liver. All the results indicated that the manipulations involved in ARTs might play an important role in the lipid accumulation of adult offspring. By analyzing the DNA methylation profiles of 7.5dpc embryos, we proposed that methylation deregulation of the genes related to liver development in ARTs embryos might contribute to the abnormal phenotype in the offspring. The study demonstrated that ARTs procedures have adverse effect on liver development which resulted in abnormal lipid metabolism and induced the potential high risk of fatty liver in adulthood.

MD2 Blockage Protects Obesity-Induced Vascular Remodeling via Activating AMPK/Nrf2

OBJECTIVE

Obesity and increased free fatty acid (FFA) levels are tightly linked with vascular oxidative stress and remodeling. Myeloid differentiation 2 (MD2), an important protein in innate immunity, is requisite for endotoxin lipopolysaccharide responsiveness. This study shows that palmitic acid (PA) also bonds to MD2, initiating cardiac inflammatory injury. However, it is not clear whether MD2 plays a role in noninflammatory systems such as obesity- and FFA-related oxidative stress involved in vascular remodeling and injury. The aim of this study is to examine whether MD2 participates in reactive oxygen species increase and vascular remodeling.

METHODS

Male MD2^-/- mice and wild-type littermates with a C57BL/6 background were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to establish obesity-induced vascular remodeling. Rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were treated with PA to induce oxidative stress and injury.

RESULTS

In vivo, MD2 deficiency significantly reduced HFD-induced vascular oxidative stress, fibrosis, and remodeling, accompanied with AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) activation and nuclear factor erythroid (Nrf2) upregulation. In VSMCs and RAECs, inhibition of MD2 by neutralizing monoclonal antibody to MD2 or small interfering RNA knockdown significantly activated the AMPK/Nrf2-signaling pathway and reduced PA-induced oxidative stress and cell injury.

CONCLUSIONS

It was demonstrated that the deletion or inhibition of MD2 protects against HFD/FFA-induced vascular oxidative stress and remodeling by activating the AMPK/Nrf2-signaling pathway.

Pharmacological Potential and Synthetic Approaches of Imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine and Imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine Derivatives

The structural resemblance between the fused imidazopyridine heterocyclic ring system and purines has prompted biological investigations to assess their potential therapeutic significance. They are known to play a crucial role in numerous disease conditions. The discovery of their first bioactivity as GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulators divulged their medicinal potential. Proton pump inhibitors, aromatase inhibitors, and NSAIDs were also found in this chemical group. Imidazopyridines have the ability to influence many cellular pathways necessary for the proper functioning of cancerous cells, pathogens, components of the immune system, enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, etc. The collective results of biochemical and biophysical properties foregrounded their medicinal significance in central nervous system, digestive system, cancer, inflammation, etc. In recent years, new preparative methods for the synthesis of imidazopyridines using various catalysts have been described. The present manuscript to the best of our knowledge is the complete compilation on the synthesis and medicinal aspects of imidazo[4,5-b]pyridines and imidazo[4,5-c]pyridines reported from the year 2000 to date, including structure–activity relationships.

A novel imidazopyridine derivative, X22, attenuates sepsis-induced lung and liver injury by inhibiting the inflammatory response in vitro and in vivo

Sepsis remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Despite years of extensive research, effective drugs to treat sepsis in the clinic are lacking. In this study, we found a novel imidazopyridine derivative, X22, which has powerful anti-inflammatory activity. X22 dose-dependently inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced proinflammatory cytokine production in mouse primary peritoneal macrophages and RAW 264.7 macrophages. X22 also downregulated the LPS-induced proinflammatory gene expression in vitro. In vivo, X22 exhibited a significant protection against LPS-induced death. Pretreatment or treatment with X22 attenuated the sepsis-induced lung and liver injury by inhibiting the inflammatory response. In addition, X22 showed protection against LPS-induced acute lung injury. We additionally found that pretreatment with X22 reduced the inflammatory pain in the acetic acid and formalin models and reduced the dimethylbenzene-induced ear swelling and acetic acid-increased vascular permeability. Together, these data confirmed that X22 has multiple anti-inflammatory effects and may be a potential therapeutic option in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

The Interplay of Reactive Oxygen Species, Hypoxia, Inflammation, and Sirtuins in Cancer Initiation and Progression

The presence of ROS is a constant feature in living cells metabolizing O2. ROS concentration and compartmentation determine their physiological or pathological effects. ROS overproduction is a feature of cancer cells and plays several roles during the natural history of malignant tumor. ROS continuously contribute to each step of cancerogenesis, from the initiation to the malignant progression, acting directly or indirectly. In this review, we will (a) underline the role of ROS in the pathway leading a normal cell to tumor transformation and progression, (b) define the multiple roles of ROS during the natural history of a tumor, (c) conciliate many conflicting data about harmful or beneficial effects of ROS, (d) rethink the importance of oncogene and tumor suppressor gene mutations in relation to the malignant progression, and (e) collocate all the cancer hallmarks in a mechanistic sequence which could represent a "physiological" response to the initial growth of a transformed stem/pluripotent cell, defining also the role of ROS in each hallmark. We will provide a simplified sketch about the relationships between ROS and cancer. The attention will be focused on the contribution of ROS to the signaling of HIF, NFκB, and Sirtuins as a leitmotif of cancer initiation and progression.