Ursolic acid reduces hepatocellular apoptosis and alleviates alcohol-induced liver injury via irreversible inhibition of CASP3 in vivo

The Antitumor and Sorafenib-resistant Reversal Effects of Ursolic Acid on Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Targeting ING5

Inhibitor of growth 5 (ING5) has been reported to be involved in the malignant progression of cancers. Ursolic acid (UA) has shown remarkable antitumor effects. However, its antitumor mechanisms regarding of ING5 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. Herein, we found that UA significantly suppressed the proliferation, anti-apoptosis, migration and invasion of HCC cells. In addition, ING5 expression in HCC cells treated with UA was obviously downregulated in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Additionally, the pro-oncogenic role of ING5 was confirmed in HCC cells. Further investigation revealed that UA exerted antitumor effects on HCC by inhibiting ING5-mediated activation of PI3K/Akt pathway. Notably, UA could also reverse sorafenib resistance of HCC cells by suppressing the ING5-ACC1/ACLY-lipid droplets (LDs) axis. UA abrogated ING5 transcription and downregulated its expression by reducing SRF and YY1 expression and the SRF-YY1 complex formation. Alb/JCPyV T antigen mice were used for in vivo experiments since T antigen upregulated ING5 expression by inhibiting the ubiquitin-mediated degradation and promoting the T antigen-SRF-YY1-ING5 complex-associated transcription. UA suppressed JCPyV T antigen-induced spontaneous HCC through inhibiting ING5-mediated PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. These findings suggest that UA has the dual antitumoral functions of inhibiting hepatocellular carcinogenesis and reversing sorafenib resistance of HCC cells through targeting ING5, which could serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for HCC.

Role of ursolic acid in preventing gastrointestinal cancer: recent trends and future perspectives

Gastrointestinal malignancies are one of the major worldwide health concerns. In the present review, we have assessed the plausible therapeutic implication of Ursolic Acid (UA) against gastrointestinal cancer. By modulating several signaling pathways critical in cancer development, UA could offer anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and anti-metastatic properties. However, being of low oral bioavailability and poor permeability, its clinical value is restricted. To deliver and protect the drug, liposomes and polymer micelles are two UA nanoformulations that can effectively increase medicine stability. The use of UA for treating cancers is safe and appropriate with low toxicity characteristics and a predictable pharmacokinetic profile. Although the bioavailability of UA is limited, its nanoformulations could emerge as an alternative to enhance its efficacy in treating GI cancers. Further optimization and validation in the clinical trials are necessary. The combination of molecular profiling with nanoparticle-based drug delivery technologies holds the potential for bringing UA to maximum efficacy, looking for good prospects with GI cancer treatment.

Network toxicology and molecular docking for the toxicity analysis of food contaminants: A case of Aflatoxin B1

The present study aims to promote network toxicology and molecular docking strategies for the efficient evaluation of the toxicity of food contaminants. With the example of liver injury induced by the food contaminant Aflatoxin B1(AFB1), this study effectively investigated the putative toxicity of food contaminants and the potentially molecular mechanisms. The study found that AFB1 regulates multiple signalling pathways by modulating core targets such as AKT1, BCL2, TNF, CASP3, SRC and EGFR. These pathways encompass Pathways in cancer, PI3K-Akt signalling pathway, Endocrine resistance, Lipid and atherosclerosis, Apoptosis and other pathways, subsequently impacting immunotoxicity, inflammatory responses, apoptosis, cytogenetic mutations, and ultimately leading to liver injury. We provide a theoretical basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms of AFB1 hepatotoxicity and for the prevention and treatment of cancers caused by the food contaminant AFB1. Furthermore, our network toxicology and molecular docking methods also provide an effective method for the rapid evaluation of the toxicity of food contaminants, which effectively solves the cost and ethical problems associated with the use of experimental animals.

Palm Kernel Cake Extracts Obtained from the Combination of Bacterial Fermentation and Enzymic Hydrolysis Promote Swine Small Intestine IPEC-J2 Cell Proliferation and Alleviate LPS-Induced Inflammation In Vitro

Co-fermentation with bacteria and enzymes can reduce sugar content in palm kernel cake (PKC); however, the chemical changes and their effects on cell functionality are unclear. This study investigated the active components in pre-treated PKC extracts and their effects on pig small intestine IPEC-J2 cell proliferation and LPS-induced inflammation. The extracts contained 60.75% sugar, 36.80% mannose, 1.75% polyphenols and 0.59% flavone, as determined by chemical analyses, suggesting that the extracts were palm kernel cake oligosaccharides (PKCOS). Then, we found that 1000 µg/mL PKCOS counteracted the decrease in cell viability (CCK8 kit) caused by LPS induction by 5 µg/mL LPS (p < 0.05). Mechanistic studies conducted by RNA-seq and qPCR analyses suggested PKCOS promoted cell proliferation through the upregulation of TNF-α, PI3KAP1, MAP3K5 and Fos in the PI3K/MAPK signalling pathway; alleviated inflammation caused by LPS via the downregulation of the target genes Casp3 and TNF-α in association with apoptosis; and regulated the expression of the antioxidant genes SOD1, SOD2 and GPX4 to exert positive antioxidant effects (p < 0.05). Furthermore, PKCOS upregulated SLC5A1 (encoding SLGT1), HK and MPI in the glycolytic pathway (p < 0.05), suggesting cell survival. In summary, PKCOS has positive effects on promoting swine intestine cell proliferation against inflammation.

Ethanol extracts of Isochrysis zhanjiangensis alleviate acute alcoholic liver injury and modulate intestinal bacteria dysbiosis in mice

BACKGROUND

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is responsible for 3.3 million deaths per annum. Efficacious therapeutic modalities or drug treatments for ALD have not yet been found, so it is urgent to seek new agents for preventing ALD and its related disease. Many experiments have indicated that modulating the gut microbiota and regulating the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) inflammatory pathway can provide a new target for prevention and treatment of ALD. Marine microalgae have their natural metabolic pathways to synthesize various of bioactive compounds as promising candidates for hepatoprotection. In this study, we investigated ethanol extracts from Isochrysis zhanjiangensis (EEIZ) to evaluate their ability to alleviate acute alcoholic liver injury, regulate TLR4/NF-κB inflammatory pathway and modulate intestinal bacteria dysbiosis in mice for ALD treatment.

RESULTS

In the acute ALD mouse model, EEIZ reduced levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, triacylglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein, while increasing the level of high-density lipoprotein. Besides, TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88, NF-κB and tumor necrosis factor-α expression levels in liver tissue were effectively downregulated by EEIZ. Furthermore, treatment with EEIZ enhanced intestinal homeostasis and significantly alleviated the damage caused by alcohol.

CONCLUSION

EEIZ showed effective hepatoprotective activity against alcohol-induced acute liver injury in mice as it could alleviate hepatocyte damage, suppress the TLR4/NF-κB inflammatory pathway and regulate the intestinal flora structure. EEIZ could be a good candidate for preventing acute alcoholic liver injury. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Catalpolaglycone disrupts mitochondrial thermogenesis by specifically binding to a conserved lysine residue of UCP2 on the proton leak tunnel

BACKGROUND

Catalpol (CAT), a naturally occurring iridoid glycoside sourced from the root of Rehmannia glutinosa, affects mitochondrial metabolic functions. However, the mechanism of action of CAT against pyrexia and its plausible targets remain to be fully elucidated.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to identify the specific targets of CAT for blocking mitochondrial thermogenesis and to unveil the unique biological mechanism of action of the orthogonal binding mode between the hemiacetal group and lysine residue on the target protein in vivo.

METHODS

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/ carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP)-induced fever models were established to evaluate the potential antipyretic effects of CAT. An alkenyl-modified CAT probe was designed to identify and capture potential targets. Binding capacity was tested using in-gel imaging and a cellular thermal shift assay. The underlying antipyretic mechanisms were explored using biochemical and molecular biological methods. Catalpolaglycone (CA) was coupled with protein profile identification and molecular docking analysis to evaluate and identify its binding mode to UCP2.

RESULTS

After deglycation of CAT in vivo, the hemiacetal group in CA covalently binds to Lys239 of UCP2 in the mitochondria of the liver via an ɛ-amine nucleophilic addition. This irreversible binding affects proton leakage and improves mitochondrial membrane potential and ADP/ATP transformation efficiency, leading to an antipyretic effect.

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight the potential role of CA in modulating UCP2 activity or function within the mitochondria and open new avenues for investigating the therapeutic effects of CA on mitochondrial homeostasis.

Recent progress in the development of ursolic acid derivatives as anti-diabetes and anti-cardiovascular agents

Ursolic acid (UA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid, which exhibits many biological activities, particularly in anti-cardiovascular and anti-diabetes. The further application of UA is greatly limited due to its low bioavailability and poor water solubility. Up to date, various UA derivatives have been designed to overcome these shortcomings. In this paper, the authors reviewed the development of UA derivatives as the anti-diabetes anti-cardiovascular reagents.

Exploring the mechanism of JiGuCao capsule formula on treating hepatitis B virus infection via network pharmacology analysis and in vivo/vitro experiment verification

The JiGuCao capsule formula (JCF) has demonstrated promising curative effects in treating chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in clinical trials. Here, we aimed to investigate JCF's function and mechanism in diseases related to the hepatitis B virus (HBV). We used mass spectrometry (MS) to identify the active metabolites of JCF and established the HBV replication mouse model by hydrodynamically injecting HBV replication plasmids into the mice's tail vein. Liposomes were used to transfect the plasmids into the cells. The CCK-8 kit identified cell viability. We detected the levels of HBV s antigen (HBsAg) and HBV e antigen (HBeAg) by the quantitative determination kits. qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the genes' expression. The key pathways and key genes related to JCF on CHB treatment were obtained by network pharmacological analysis. Our results showed that JCF accelerated the elimination of HBsAg in mice. JCF and its medicated serum inhibited HBV replication and proliferation of HBV-replicating hepatoma cells in vitro. And the key targets of JCF in treating CHB were CASP3, CXCL8, EGFR, HSPA8, IL6, MDM2, MMP9, NR3C1, PTGS2, and VEGFA. Furthermore, these key targets were related to pathways in cancer, hepatitis B, microRNAs in cancer, PI3K-Akt signaling, and proteoglycans in cancer pathways. Finally, Cholic Acid, Deoxycholic Acid, and 3', 4', 7-Trihydroxyflavone were the main active metabolites of JCF that we obtained. JCF employed its active metabolites to perform an anti-HBV effect and prevent the development of HBV-related diseases.

A review of edible plant-derived natural compounds for the therapy of liver fibrosis

Liver fibrosis has a high incidence worldwide and is the common pathological basis of many chronic liver diseases. Liver fibrosis is caused by the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix and concomitant collagen accumulation in livers and can lead to the development of liver cirrhosis and even liver cancer. A large number of studies have provided evidence that liver fibrosis can be blocked or even reversed by appropriate medical interventions. However, the antifibrosis drugs with ideal clinical efficacy are still insufficient. The edible plant-derived natural compounds have been reported to exert effective antifibrotic effects with few side-effects, representing a kind of promising source for the treatment of liver fibrosis. In this article, we reviewed the current progress of the natural compounds derived from dietary plants in the treatment of liver fibrosis, including phenolic compounds (capsaicin, chlorogenic acid, curcumin, ellagic acid, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, resveratrol, sinapic acid, syringic acid, vanillic acid and vitamin E), flavonoid compounds (genistein, hesperidin, hesperetin, naringenin, naringin and quercetin), sulfur-containing compounds (S-allylcysteine, ergothioneine, lipoic acid and sulforaphane) and other compounds (betaine, caffeine, cucurbitacin B, lycopene, α-mangostin, γ-mangostin, ursolic acid, vitamin C and yangonin). The pharmacological effects and related mechanisms of these compounds in in-vivo and in-vitro models of liver fibrosis are focused.

Exploring the immunomodulatory effects and mechanisms of Xinjiang fermented camel milk-derived bioactive peptides based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

Purpose: Fermented camel milk from Xinjiang is rich in probiotics and has immunomodulatory effects as an important source of bioactive peptides. However, it is not clear whether it is the probiotic or the bioactive peptide that acts. The present study aimed to extract and identify bioactive peptides from fermented camel milk in Xinjiang and investigate their immunomodulatory effects and mechanisms based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods: Four probiotic bacteria were used to ferment the fresh camel milk and the bioactive peptides were extracted and isolated by ultrafiltration and column chromatography. Network pharmacology predicts targets and pathways of action. GeneCards and OMIM-GENE-MAP database were used in order to search disease target genes and screen common target genes. Then we used STRING web to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) interaction network of the common target protein. The key targets were analyzed by GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) analysis through the David database. The "drug (bioactive peptide)-disease-targets-pathway" network was established and molecular docking was used for prediction. Results: Two fractions were obtained by UV spectrophotometer; whey acidic protein, α-lactalbumin, and peptidoglycan recognition protein 1 were the main protein-like components of Xinjiang fermented camel milk-derived bioactive peptides. The repeat sequence of peptidoglycan recognition protein 1 was selected and then seven bioactive peptides were obtained. Bioactive peptides had 222 gene targets, anti-inflammatory diseases had 2598 gene targets, and immune regulation had 866 gene targets, the intersection of which was 66 in common gene targets. Gene ontology and KEGG analysis reveals that bioactive peptides mainly play a vital role in the signaling pathways of lipid and atherosclerosis, pathways in cancer. The molecular docking results showed that the seven bioactive peptides bound well to the top four scoring proteins. Conclusion: The immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of Xinjiang fermented camel milk-derived bioactive peptides were initially investigated by network pharmacology and molecular docking, providing a scientific basis for future studies.

Natural Compounds with Aldose Reductase (AR) Inhibition: A Class of Medicative Agents for Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease (FLD), which includes both non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic fatty liver disease (ALD), is a worldwide health concern. The etiology of ALD is long-term alcohol consumption, while NAFLD is defined as an abnormal amount of lipid present in liver cells, which is not caused by alcohol intake and has recently been identified as a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome (such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and obesity). Inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolic dysregulation are all known to play a role in FLD progression. Alternative and natural therapies are desperately needed to treat this disease since existing pharmaceuticals are mostly ineffective. The aldose reductase (AR)/polyol pathway has recently been shown to play a role in developing FLD by contributing to inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and fat accumulation. Herein, we review the effects of plantderived compounds capable of inhibiting AR in FLD models. Natural AR inhibitors have been found to improve FLD in part by suppressing inflammation, oxidative stress, and steatosis via the regulation of several critical pathways, including the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) pathway, cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) pathway, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, etc. This review revealed that natural compounds with AR inhibitory effects are a promising class of therapeutic agents for FLD.

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

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

Active Compounds Screening and Hepatoprotective Mechanism of Shuganning Injection Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation

Objective: The study aimed to analyze the core active compounds and the potential mechanism of Shuganning injection (SGNI) through network pharmacology with biological experiments. Methods: Active compounds and targets of SGNI were screened from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and Targetnet database, whereas the liver disease-related targets were identified through the Genecards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man databases. The “compound-target” and “protein-protein interaction” networks construction, core target identification, and pathway enrichment were then performed. Finally, the exploration of the mechanism of action for SGNI against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury in the HepaRG cells and validation of three identified protein targets was also carried out through western blot assay, including tumor protein p53 (p53, TP53), transcription factor Jun (Jun), and Caspase 3 (CASP3). Results: The result showed that a total of 312 active compounds of SGNI and 408 liver disease-related targets, as well as 131 core targets were revealed through databases, such as prostaglandin G/H synthase 1, prostaglandin G/H synthase 2, and nuclear factor NF-kappa B (NF-kB) p65 subunit (RELA). The core targets of SGNI were involved in regulating hepatitis B signaling pathway, NF-kB signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway. Moreover, results of molecular docking in this study indicated that chlorogenic acid, geniposide, baicalin, indirubin, and ganoderic acid A could act on RELA, JUN, TP53, TNF, CASP3, Caspase 8 (CASP8) and nuclear factor NF-kB p105 subunit (NFKB1). Similarly, results of western blot revealed that SGNI reduced the expression of p53, Jun, and Caspase 3 proteins in HepaRG cells as compared with the APAP group ( P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Conclusion: The present study verified the therapeutic effects and mechanism of SGNI on liver diseases and pointed out new directions for further research.

Ursolic acid alleviates tetrandrine-induced hepatotoxicity by competitively binding to the substrate-binding site of glutathione S-transferases

BACKGROUND

Tetrandrine (TET), a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from Stephania tetrandra S. Moore, is the only approved medicine in China for silicosis. However, TET-induced hepatotoxicity has raised safety concerns. The underlying toxic targets and mechanism induced by TET remain unclear; there are no targeted detoxification strategies developed for TET-induced hepatotoxicity. Ursolic acid (UA), a pentacyclic triterpene with liver protective effects, may have detoxification effects on TET-induced hepatotoxicity.

PURPOSE

This study aims to explore toxic targets and mechanism of TET and present UA as a potential targeted therapy for alleviating TET-induced hepatotoxicity.

METHODS

A TET-induced liver-injury model was established to evaluate TET toxicity and the potential UA detoxification effect. Alkenyl-modified TET and UA probes were designed to identify potential liver targets. Pharmacological and molecular biology methods were used to explore the underlying toxicity/detoxification mechanism.

RESULTS

TET induced liver injury by covalently binding to the substrate-binding pocket (H-site) of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and inhibiting GST activity. The covalent binding led to toxic metabolite accumulation and caused redox imbalance and liver injury. UA protected the liver from TET-induced damage by competitively binding to the GST H-site.

CONCLUSION

The mechanism of TET-induced hepatotoxicity is related to irreversible binding with the GST H-site and GST-activity inhibition. UA, a natural antidote, competed with TET on H-site binding and reversed the redox imbalance. This study revealed the hepatotoxic mechanism of TET and provided a targeted detoxifying agent, UA, to alleviate hepatotoxicity caused by GST inhibition.

Ursolic acid inhibits the cholesterol biosynthesis and alleviates high fat diet-induced hypercholesterolemia via irreversible inhibition of HMGCS1 in vivo

BACKGROUND

In hypercholesteremia, the concentrations of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are enhanced in serum, which is strongly associated with an increased risk of developing atherosclerosis. Ursolic acid (UA), a pentacyclic terpenoid carboxylic acid, was found to alleviate hypercholesterolemia and hypercholesterolemia-induced cardiovascular disease. However, the specific targets and molecular mechanisms related to the effects of UA in reducing cholesterol have not been elucidated.

PURPOSE

In this study, we aimed to illustrate the target of UA in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and to reveal its underlying molecular mechanism.

METHODS

Nontargeted metabolomics was conducted to analyze the metabolites and related pathways that UA affected in vivo. The main lipid metabolism targets of UA were analyzed by target fishing and fluorescence colocalization in mouse liver. Molecular docking, in-gel fluorescence scan and thermal shift were assessed to further investigate the binding site of the UA metabolite with HMGCS1. C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks to induce hypercholesteremia. Liver tissues were used to verify the cholesterol-lowering molecular mechanism of UA by targeted metabolomics, serum was used to detect biochemical indices, and the entire aorta was used to analyze the formation of atherosclerotic lesions.

RESULTS

Our results showed that hydroxy‑3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A synthetase 1 (HMGCS1) was the primary lipid metabolism target protein of UA. The UA metabolite epoxy-modified UA irreversibly bonds with the thiol of Cys-129 in HMGCS1, which inhibits the catalytic activity of HMGCS1 and reduces the generation of precursors in cholesterol biosynthesis in vivo. The contents of TC and LDL-C in serum and the formation of the atherosclerotic area in the entire aorta were markedly reduced with UA treatment in Diet-induced hypercholesteremia mice.

CONCLUSION

UA inhibits the catalytic activity of HMGCS1, reduces the generation of downstream metabolites in the process of cholesterol biosynthesis and alleviates Diet-induced hypercholesteremia via irreversible binding with HMGCS1 in vivo. It is the first time to clarify the irreversible inhibition mechanism of UA against HMGCS1. This paper provides an increased understanding of UA, particularly regarding the molecular mechanism of the cholesterol-lowering effect, and demonstrates the potential of UA as a novel therapeutic for the treatment of hypercholesteremia.

Cinnamaldehyde Regulates the Generation of γ-aminobutyric Acid to Exert Sedation via Irreversible Inhibition of ENO1 in the Cerebellar Granular Layer

SCOPE

Glutamate (Glu) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are the major excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters that control information flow in the brain. GABA dysfunction is a general vulnerability factor for mental illness. Cinnamaldehyde (CA) is found to have sedation in a mental illness model. However, the specific targets and molecular mechanisms related to the sedative effects of CA have not been elucidated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Metabolomics analysis and target fishing showed CA could increase the expression of GABA in vivo, and α-enolase (ENO1) is the primary target protein of CA associated with sedation. CA mainly binds with ENO1 in the cerebellar granular layer of brain, which influences the first transformations of the input signals arriving in the cerebellar cortex. The α,β-unsaturated aldehyde group of CA blocks the hydroxy group of Ser40, which induces a loss in ENO1 activation. CA also disturbs the glycolysis pathway and influences the tricarboxylic acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, which activate gluconeogenesis to provide energy to the brain. This mechanism is verified in zebrafish with ENO1 or glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) deficiency.

CONCLUSIONS

CA demonstrates sedation and alleviates GABA dysfunction via covalent binding ENO1, which shows the potential to improve the therapy of mental illness.

1-O-Actylbritannilactone Ameliorates Alcohol-Induced Hepatotoxicity through Regulation of ROS/Akt/NF-κB-Mediated Apoptosis and Inflammation

1-O-Acetylbritannilactone (ABL) is a marker component of Inula britannica L. and is reported to exhibit multiple pharmacological activities, including antiaging, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic properties. Although the protective effect of Inula britannica L. on animal models of liver injury has been widely reported, the effect of ABL on alcohol-induced liver damage has not been confirmed. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effect of ABL against alcohol-induced LO2 human normal liver cell injury and to further clarify the underlying mechanism. Our results revealed that ABL at concentrations of 0.5, 1, and 2 μM could remarkably suppress the decreased viability of LO2 cells stimulated by alcohol. In addition, ABL pretreatment improved alcohol-induced oxidative damage by decreasing the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the excessive consumption of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), while increasing the level of catalase (CAT) in LO2 cells. Moreover, Western blotting analysis showed that ABL pretreatment activated protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation, increased downstream antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression, and decreased the phosphorylation level of the caspase family including caspase 9 and caspase 3 proteins, thereby attenuating LO2 cell apoptosis. Importantly, we also found that ABL significantly inhibits the activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway by reducing the secretion of proinflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL-1β). In conclusion, the current research clearly suggests that the protective effect of ABL on alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity may be achieved in part through regulation of the ROS/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway to inhibit inflammation and apoptosis in LO2 cells. (The article path map has not been seen.).

PET Imaging of Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal Domain Inhibitors for the Noninvasive Assessment of Metabolic Changes in the Liver and Brain of Early-Stage Alcoholic Liver Disease

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) has a significant impact on human health and is one of the leading causes of liver disease mortality. The early and exact diagnosis of ALD is very important since the early stage of disease progression can be reversible. Although ALD can be evaluated by ultrasound, CT, or MRI, there is still no imaging technique sufficient in the diagnosis of early-stage ALD. Of the current studies, epigenetic modulation plays a significant role in the development and progression of ALD. In this work, we evaluate whether BRDs play a vital role in the early-stage ALD using our new PET imaging probe of BET proteins, [¹¹C]CW22. PET/CT imaging of [¹¹C]CW22 and [¹⁸F]FDG was used to identify early-stage lesions of livers and brains in the mice model. We found that the average uptake values of livers and brains in early-stage ALD were significantly increased for [¹¹C]CW22 PET/CT imaging but only slightly changed in [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT imaging. Consistently, we also found that BRD 3, 4 protein expression levels were significantly higher in the liver and brain tissues of early-stage ALD. Furthermore, through Pmod software, we found that [¹¹C]CW22 PET/CT uptakes in the brain stem, cerebellum, and midbrain were significantly up-regulated in the early-stage ALD. In conclusion, BRDs were important mediators of damage in early-stage ALD. [¹¹C]CW22 PET/CT imaging can detect the early-phase alcohol-induced damage of livers and brains, which will likely lead to human trials in the future.

Hepatoprotective Activity of Pirdot Leaves (Saurauia vulcani Korth) Ethanol Extract in Laboratory Rats (Rattus norvegicus) and Characterization of Bioactive Compounds Using a Molecular Docking Approach

AIM: The hepatoprotective activities of  bioactive compounds Pirdot were investigated in vivo and in silico. METHODS: In this study, the completely randomized design non-factorial was experimentally to assess the value of SGPT and SGOT and twenty four adult male rats were divided into four groups : group G0, control group; group G1, a treated group received 0.1 ml sheep red blood cell; group G2, a treated group received 500 mg ethanol extract Pirdot; group G3, a group treated received 500 mg ethanol extract Pirdot and 0,1 ml sheep red blood cell. On thirty one days of treatment, the blood of all rats group were taken to value SGPT and SGOT using DiaLab kit. Furthermore, the molecular docking study was done to analyse molecular interaction that COX-2 and  TNF-α were the primary target protein of bioactive compounds of Pirdot associated with hepatoprotective activities. In addition, it tends to be the target of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen. RESULTS: The results show SGOT and SGPT value significantly [p<0.05] decreased on Group G2 and G3. Moreover, the bioactive compounds of Pirdot, such as Pomolic acid and Ursolic acid tend to be the potential compound on liver protection. Moreover, Pomolic acid has a good binding affinity -14.6 kcal mol-1 with COX-2 Protein and the binding affinity of cis-3-O-p-hydroxycinnamoyl Ursolic acid was -15.1 kcal mol-1 associated with TNF-α Protein. CONLUSION:  Pirdot Leaves (Saurauia vulcani Korth.)  Ethanol Extract showed Hepatoprotective activity in rats (Rattus norvegicus). Molecular docking approach showed that pomolic acid has a good binding affinity with COX-2 Protein and TNF-α Protein.

The Potential Application of Chinese Medicine in Liver Diseases: A New Opportunity

Liver diseases have been a common challenge for people all over the world, which threatens the quality of life and safety of hundreds of millions of patients. China is a major country with liver diseases. Metabolic associated fatty liver disease, hepatitis B virus and alcoholic liver disease are the three most common liver diseases in our country, and the number of patients with liver cancer is increasing. Therefore, finding effective drugs to treat liver disease has become an urgent task. Chinese medicine (CM) has the advantages of low cost, high safety, and various biological activities, which is an important factor for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases. This review systematically summarizes the potential of CM in the treatment of liver diseases, showing that CM can alleviate liver diseases by regulating lipid metabolism, bile acid metabolism, immune function, and gut microbiota, as well as exerting anti-liver injury, anti-oxidation, and anti-hepatitis virus effects. Among them, Keap1/Nrf2, TGF-β/SMADS, p38 MAPK, NF-κB/IκBα, NF-κB-NLRP3, PI3K/Akt, TLR4-MyD88-NF-κB and IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathways are mainly involved. In conclusion, CM is very likely to be a potential candidate for liver disease treatment based on modern phytochemistry, pharmacology, and genomeproteomics, which needs more clinical trials to further clarify its importance in the treatment of liver diseases.

Potential value and chemical characterization of gut microbiota derived nitrogen containing metabolites in feces from Periplaneta americana (L.) at different growth stages

The American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.), is able to highly survive in various complicated environments around the globe, and often considered as a pest. In contrast, billions of P. americana have been massively reared in China and extensively used as a medicinal insect, due to its function for preventing and treating ulceration and heart failure. Considering the possibility that microbiota-derived metabolites could be an effective source to identify promising candidate drugs, we attempted to establish a rapid method for simultaneous determination of gut microbiota metabolites from medicinal insects. In this study, network pharmacology approach and ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) technique were employed to reveal the potential pharmacological activity and dynamics variation of nitrogen-containing metabolites (NCMs) originated from the gut microbiota of breeding P. americana at different growth stages. A metabolites-targets-diseases network showed that NCMs are likely to treat diseases such as ulceration and cancer. The analysis of NCMs' content with the growth pattern of P. americana indicated that the content of NCMs declined with P. americana aging. Both principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis suggested that 8-hydroxy-2-quinolinecarboxylic acid and 8-hydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone are the potential differential metabolic markers for discriminating between nymphs and adults of P. americana. Moreover, the developed UPLC method showed an excellent linearity (R² > 0.999), repeatability (RSD < 2.6%), intra- and inter-day precisions (RSD < 2.2%), and recovery (95.5%–99.0%). Collectively, the study provides a valuable strategy for analyzing gut microbiota metabolites from insects and demonstrates the prospects for discovering novel drug candidates from the feces of P. americana.

Systematic characterization of the absorbed components of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and their metabolic pathways in rat plasma by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-Q-Exactive Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry combined with network pharmacology

Ligustri Lucidi Fructus is a dried and mature fruit of Ligustrum lucidum Ait., which has the effects of nourishing liver and kidney. Herein, an accurate and sensitive method was established for the separation and identification of the absorbed constituents and metabolites of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus in rat plasma based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-Q-Exactive Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 73 prototype constituents and 148 metabolites were identified or characterized in administered plasma, and the possible metabolic pathways of constituents mainly involved hydroxylation, sulfation, demethylation, and glucuronidation. Besides, the network pharmacology was further investigated to illuminate its potential mechanism of treatment for liver injury by the biological targets regulating related pathways. Network pharmacological analysis showed that target components through 399 targets regulate 220 pathways. The docking results showed that 36 key target components were closely related to liver injury. Overall, the study clearly presented the metabolic processes of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and gave a comprehensive metabolic profile of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus in vivo first. Combining with network pharmacology and molecular docking discovered potential drug targets and disclose the biological processes of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, which will be a viable step toward uncovering the secret mask of study for traditional Chinese medicine.

Protection of Ficus pandurata Hance against acute alcohol-induced liver damage in mice via suppressing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ficus pandurata Hance (FPH) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, which is commonly used for liver protection in the folk of Southeast China. However, the medicinal part and pharmacological mechanism have not been clarified yet.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to investigate the medicinal part of FPH for liver protection and uncover the potential mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Acute alcoholic liver damage (ALD) mice model induced by intragastric administration with 50% alcohol was used to evaluate the liver protection of FPH. Different parts of FPH, including the root (FPHR), stem (FPHS), leaf (FPHL), and whole plant (FPHWP), were selected to investigate the liver-protected efficacy and determine which part is the medicinal part. Acute oral toxicity (AOT) test was performed to determine the acute toxicity of FPH on Kunming mice. The liver-protected effect of FPH was determined by evaluating the liver function, liver morphological changes, and liver pathological changes. The underlying mechanism was investigated by evaluating the effect on oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in liver tissues via ELISA, H&E staining, Western Blot, and TUNEL staining assays.

RESULTS

In the screening test for medicinal parts of FPH, all of the extracts from FPHR, FPHS, FPHL, and FPHWP could alleviate the acute ALD of mice, including reducing abnormal levels of AST, ALT, and relative liver weight. Especially, the alleviated efficacies of FPHS and FPHL were better than those of FPHWP and FPHR, showing that the aerial part (FPHAP, including the stem and leaf), is probably the medicinal part of FPH against acute ALD. In the AOT test, FPHAP at the maximum administration dosage (480 g/kg, calculated based on the quantity of crude material) did not induce obvious abnormality and death of mice, and had no significant influence on body weight, as well as the relative organ weight, showing that the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of FPHAP was 480 g/kg on Kunming mice. In the anti-acute ALD study, FPHAP significantly reduced the levels of AST, ALT, LDH, ROS, MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-6, alleviated the morphology of liver injury, increased the levels of SOD and GSH, up-regulated the expressions of Nrf-2, HO-1 and NQO1, and reduced apoptosis of liver cells in acute ALD mice, indicating that FPHAP could significantly alleviate acute ALD by suppressing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

FPH could protect acute alcohol-induced liver damage of mice by suppressing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Our study provides scientific evidence for the therapeutic effect of Ficus pandurata Hance in acute ALD mice and suggests its potential development in humans for liver protection, supporting its traditional application.

Natural Compounds: A Potential Treatment for Alcoholic Liver Disease?

Excessive alcohol intake is a direct cause of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). ALD usually manifests as fatty liver in the initial stage and then develops into alcoholic hepatitis (ASH), fibrosis and cirrhosis. Severe alcoholism induces extensive hepatocyte death, liver failure, and even hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Currently, there are few effective clinical means to treat ALD, except for abstinence. Natural compounds are a class of compounds extracted from herbs with an explicit chemical structure. Several natural compounds, such as silymarin, quercetin, hesperidin, and berberine, have been shown to have curative effects on ALD without side effects. In this review, we pay particular attention to natural compounds and developing clinical drugs based on natural compounds for ALD, with the aim of providing a potential treatment for ALD.

Sinapic Acid Reduces Oxidative Stress and Pyroptosis via Inhibition of BRD4 in Alcoholic Liver Disease

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is one of the main causes of death in chronic liver disease. Oxidative stress and pyroptosis are important factors leading to ALD. Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) is a factor that we have confirmed to regulate ALD. As a phenolic acid compound, sinapic acid (SA) has significant effects in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and liver protection. In this study, we explored whether SA regulates oxidative stress and pyroptosis through BRD4 to play a protective effect in ALD. Male C57BL/6 mice and AML-12 cells were used for experiments. We found that SA treatment largely abolished the up-regulation of BRD4 and key proteins of the canonical pyroptosis signalling in the liver of mice fed with alcohol, while conversely enhanced the antioxidant response. Consistantly, both SA pretreatment and BRD4 knockdown inhibited oxidative stress, pyroptosis, and liver cell damage in vitro. More importantly, the expression levels of BRD4 and pyroptosis indicators increased significantly in ALD patients. Molecule docking analysis revealed a potent binding of SA with BRD4. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that SA reduces ALD through BRD4, which is a valuable lead compound that prevents the ALD process.