Geraniol prevents CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity via suppression of hepatic oxidative stress, pro-inflammation and apoptosis in rats

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a classic chemical hepatotoxicant that triggers liver damage through hepatic exacerbation of oxidative stress. Geraniol (GRL) is a natural bioactive acyclic monoterpene with several pharmacological effects. We thus explored whether GRL could prevent CCl4-triggered hepatic toxicity. Rats were divided and administered GRL (100 mg/kg) and/or CCl4 (1 ml/kg of 1:1 v/v CCl4: olive oil) in Control group, GRL group, CCl4 group, GRL + CCl4 groups 2 times per week for 4 consecutive weeks. CCl4 caused significantly (p < 0.05) elevated serum activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and total bilirubin (TB), whereas the albumin (ALB) and total protein (TP) levels were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced relative to the control group. The liver activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased significantly (p < 0.05), while malondialdehyde (MDA) level evidently elevated in comparison to the control group. The CCl4 exposure caused significant increases in proinflammatory interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), apoptotic caspase-3 and caspase-9 levels, whereas the anti-inflammatory interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were reduced in consistent with histopathological changes compared to the control. On the contrary, the GRL administration prevented the hepatic toxicity and lesions through restoration of liver status markers, antioxidant enzyme activities, MDA, cytokines and apoptosis in comparison to the CCl4 group. Altogether, the findings reveal that GRL could abrogate CCl4-provoked hepatic toxicity via inhibition of hepatic oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in rats.

Antioxidant Properties Mediate Nephroprotective and Hepatoprotective Activity of Essential Oil and Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of the High-Altitude Plant Skimmia anquetilia

There are many high-altitude plants such as Skimmia anquetilia that are unexplored for their possible medicinal values. The present study was conducted to examine the antioxidant activities of Skimmia anquetilia (SA) using in vitro and in vivo models. The SA hydro-alcoholic extracts were investigated using LC-MS for their chemical constituents. The essential oil and hydro-alcoholic extracts of SA were evaluated for pharmacological properties. The antioxidant properties were evaluated using in vitro DPPH, reducing power, cupric reducing antioxidant power, and metal chelating assays. The anti-hemolytic activity was carried out using a human blood sample. The in vivo antioxidant activities were evaluated using CCL₄-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity assay. The in vivo evaluation included histopathological examination, tissue biochemical evaluation such as the kidney function test, catalase activity, reduced glutathione activity, and lipid peroxidation estimation. The phytochemical investigation showed that the hydro-alcoholic extract contains multiple important active constituents such as L-carnosine, acacetin, linoleic acid, leucylleucyl tyrosine, esculin sesquihydrate, etc., similar to the components of SA essential oil reported in a previous study. The high amount of total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) reflect (p < 0.001) a high level of reducing power, cupric reducing, and metal chelating properties. This significantly (p < 0.001) inhibited enlargement of the liver, with a significant reduction in ALT (p < 0.01) and AST (p < 0.001). Highly significant improvement in the functioning of the kidney was noted using the blood urea and creatinine (p < 0.001) levels. Tissue-based activities showed a major rise in catalase, reduced glutathione, and reduced lipid peroxidation activities. We conclude from this study that the occurrence of a high quantity of flavonoid and phenolic contents had strong antioxidant properties, leading to hepatoprotective and nephroprotective activity. Further active constituent-specific activities should be evaluated.

Effects of combined binding of chlorogenic acid/caffeic acid and gallic acid to trypsin on their synergistic antioxidant activity, enzyme activity and stability

The combined application of multiple natural polyphenols in functional foods may provide better health benefits. The binding of polyphenols with different structures to proteins will affect their respective functions. Spectroscopy and molecular docking were used to investigate the competitive binding of chlorogenic acid (CGA)/caffeic acid (CA) and gallic acid (GA) to trypsin. The effects of different molecular structures and the order of adding the three phenolic acids on the binding were assessed. The stability of trypsin and its docked complexes with CGA/CA/GA was evaluated by molecular dynamics simulation. The effects of the binding process on the activity and thermal stability of trypsin, as well as on the antioxidant activity and stability of CGA/CA/GA were explored. The competitive binding of CGA/CA and GA to trypsin affected their synergistic antioxidant effects. The results may provide a reference for the combined application of CGA/CA and GA in food and pharmaceutical fields.

The Role of Selected Flavonoids from Bajakah Tampala (Spatholobus littoralis Hassk.) Stem on Cosmetic Properties: A Review

Cosmetics made from natural ingredients are increasingly popular because they contain bioactive compounds which can provide many health benefits, more environmentally friendly and sustainable. The health benefits obtained from natural-based ingredients include anti-aging, photoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. This article reviewed the potential of selected flavonoids from bajakah tampala (Spatholobus littoralis Hassk.) as the native plant in Indonesia. We present in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical research data on the use of selected flavonoids that have been reported in other extracts.

Potential Therapeutic Implications of Caffeic Acid in Cancer Signaling: Past, Present, and Future

Caffeic acid (CA) has been present in many herbs, vegetables, and fruits. CA is a bioactive compound and exhibits various health advantages that are linked with its anti-oxidant functions and implicated in the therapy and prevention of disease progression of inflammatory diseases and cancer. The anti-tumor action of CA is attributed to its pro-oxidant and anti-oxidant properties. CA’s mechanism of action involves preventing reactive oxygen species formation, diminishing the angiogenesis of cancer cells, enhancing the tumor cells’ DNA oxidation, and repressing MMP-2 and MMP-9. CA and its derivatives have been reported to exhibit anti-carcinogenic properties against many cancer types. CA has indicated low intestinal absorption, low oral bioavailability in rats, and pitiable permeability across Caco-2 cells. In the present review, we have illustrated CA’s therapeutic potential, pharmacokinetics, and characteristics. The pharmacological effects of CA, the emphasis on in vitro and in vivo studies, and the existing challenges and prospects of CA for cancer treatment and prevention are discussed in this review.

Potential Therapeutic Implications of Caffeic Acid in Cancer Signaling: Past, Present, and Future

Caffeic acid (CA) has been present in many herbs, vegetables, and fruits. CA is a bioactive compound and exhibits various health advantages that are linked with its anti-oxidant functions and implicated in the therapy and prevention of disease progression of inflammatory diseases and cancer. The anti-tumor action of CA is attributed to its pro-oxidant and anti-oxidant properties. CA’s mechanism of action involves preventing reactive oxygen species formation, diminishing the angiogenesis of cancer cells, enhancing the tumor cells’ DNA oxidation, and repressing MMP-2 and MMP-9. CA and its derivatives have been reported to exhibit anti-carcinogenic properties against many cancer types. CA has indicated low intestinal absorption, low oral bioavailability in rats, and pitiable permeability across Caco-2 cells. In the present review, we have illustrated CA’s therapeutic potential, pharmacokinetics, and characteristics. The pharmacological effects of CA, the emphasis onin vitro and in vivostudies, and the existing challenges and prospects of CA for cancer treatment and prevention are discussed in this review.

A quick selection of natural deep eutectic solvents for the extraction of chlorogenic acid from herba artemisiae scopariae

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) were successfully employed as green alternatives to the traditional ones for the extraction of chlorogenic acid from herba artemisiae scopariae. Significantly, the method of solvent effect theory chemical calculation assistance to guide the NADES selection for the extraction was proposed. Proline–malic acid was successfully screened as the suitable solvent using the calculation results and it gave the best chlorogenic acid yield of 3.77 mg g⁻¹ among the NADES tested with a solvation free energy of −5.86 × 10⁶ kJ mol⁻¹ from the calculation. The calculation-assisted method saves costs and material resources for the applications of the green alternative NADES and provides a research route that can be used for the extraction of target active molecules in the traditional Chinese medicine and food industry.

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) were successfully employed as green alternatives to the traditional ones for the extraction of chlorogenic acid from herba artemisiae scopariae.

Chemical and Pharmacological Aspects of Caffeic Acid and Its Activity in Hepatocarcinoma

Caffeic acid (CA) is a phenolic compound synthesized by all plant species and is present in foods such as coffee, wine, tea, and popular medicines such as propolis. This phenolic acid and its derivatives have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic activity. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the anticarcinogenic activity of this compound against an important type of cancer, hepatocarcinoma (HCC), considered to be of high incidence, highly aggressive and causing considerable mortality across the world. The anticancer properties of CA are associated with its antioxidant and pro-oxidant capacity, attributed to its chemical structure that has free phenolic hydroxyls, the number and position of OH in the catechol group and the double bond in the carbonic chain. Pharmacokinetic studies indicate that this compound is hydrolyzed by the microflora of colonies and metabolized mainly in the intestinal mucosa through phase II enzymes, submitted to conjugation and methylation processes, forming sulphated, glucuronic and/or methylated conjugates by the action of sulfotransferases, UDP-glucotransferases, and o-methyltransferases, respectively. The transmembrane flux of CA in intestinal cells occurs through active transport mediated by monocarboxylic acid carriers. CA can act by preventing the production of ROS (reactive oxygen species), inducing DNA oxidation of cancer cells, as well as reducing tumor cell angiogenesis, blocking STATS (transcription factor and signal translation 3) and suppression of MMP2 and MMP-9 (collagen IV metalloproteases). Thus, this review provides an overview of the chemical and pharmacological parameters of CA and its derivatives, demonstrating its mechanism of action and pharmacokinetic aspects, as well as a critical analysis of its action in the fight against hepatocarcinoma.

Safety assessment of Morus nigra L. leaves: Acute and subacute oral toxicity studies in Wistar rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Morus nigra L. is a plant native to Asia, and well adapted to the Brazilian climate. It is popularly known as "amoreira preta", and is part of the National List of Plants of Interest to the Brazilian Unified Health System. It is used in folk medicine mainly to soften the effects of menopause, as anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antihypertensive. However, information on safe doses and use is still precarious.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To identify the chemical composition of the ethanolic extract of Morus nigra L. leaves (EEMN), as well as perform a toxicological study in male and female rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical composition of the extract was performed by HPLC/DAD. In the acute study, the dose administered was 2000 mg/kg, and signs of toxicity and mortality was observed. In the sub-acute study, the extract was administered at doses of 500, 750 and 1000 mg/kg for 28 days. Behavioral changes, object recognition test, renal and hepatic tissue assessments, biochemical and hematological parameters were determined. The extract was administered orally to male and female rats in both studies.

RESULTS

Quercetin and caffeic acid showed as major compounds in the extract. In the acute treatment, the extract was classified as safe (category 5), according to the protocol. In the subacute study, there was a decrease in AST in males (750 and 1000 mg/kg) and females (1000 mg/kg), reduction of total cholesterol in females (750 and 1000 mg/kg), and increase in renal and hepatic change the LPO levels.

CONCLUSION

The present investigation showed that EEMN did not present significant toxic effects when administered orally. Moreover, presented a potentially protective action of organs and possesses hypocholesterolemic activity, thus, it is shown as a promising natural source to be used in pharmacology.

Caffeic acid ameliorates colitis in association with increased Akkermansia population in the gut microbiota of mice

Emerging evidence shows that dietary agents and phytochemicals contribute to the prevention and treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). We first reported the effects of dietary caffeic acid (CaA) on murine experimental colitis and on fecal microbiota. Colitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice by administration of 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Mice were fed a control diet or diet with CaA (1 mM). Our results showed that dietary CaA exerted anti-inflammatory effects in DSS colitis mice. Moreover, CaA could significantly suppress the secretion of IL-6, TNFα, and IFNγ and the colonic infiltration of CD3⁺ T cells, CD177⁺ neutrophils and F4/80⁺ macrophages via inhibition of the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway. Analysis of fecal microbiota showed that CaA could restore the reduction of richness and inhibit the increase of the ratio of Firmicute to Bacteroidetes in DSS colitis mice. And CaA could dramatically increase the proportion of the mucin-degrading bacterium Akkermansia in DSS colitis mice. Thus, CaA could ameliorate colonic pathology and inflammation in DSS colitis mice, and it might be associated with a proportional increase in Akkermansia.

Phytochemical characterization and bioactivity of Lycium europaeum: A focus on antioxidant, antinociceptive, hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects

In this study, the antioxidant, antinociceptive, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective properties and the bioactive composition of Lycium europaeum were investigated. Polyphenols and total tannin contents were measured by colorimetric methods The antioxidant activity in vitro was evaluated using the reducing power, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical and phosphomolybdenum assays. The hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity effects were studied using carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver and renal injuries in mice. The analgesic activity was explored using the hot-plate and acetic acid tests in mice. Results showed that the methanol fraction of L. europaeum (LEM) had the highest level of total phenolic, total tannin, and flavonoid. HPLC-DAD analysis revealed the presence of twelve compounds among them caffeic acid was the major compound (140.18μg/g of extract). This fraction also showed the best antioxidant activity in vitro in the three used assays. In vivo, in the mice studies, CCl₄ administration induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity by a significant rise in the levels of serum liver biomarkers (gamma glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and aminotransferases) and serum renal biomarkers (urea, creatinine, and uric acid). Similarly, levels of lipid peroxidation (MDA) in both tissues were found increased by CCl₄ intoxication. Pretreatment with LEM and quercetin significantly restored the majority of these biological parameters to normal levels, as well as an improvement of histopathological changes. In addition, LEM showed an interesting analgesic activity. LEM decreased significantly the number of writhing induced by acetic acid and prolonged the reaction time in response to thermal stimulus in mice. Therefore, it was speculated that the obtained results highlighted the potential use of L. europaeum as a source of bioactive compounds with pharmacological advantages.

Metabolic and microbial signatures in rat hepatocellular carcinoma treated with caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment remains lack of effective chemopreventive agents, therefore it is very attractive and urgent to discover novel anti-HCC drugs. In the present study, the effects of chlorogenic acid (ChA) and caffeic acid (CaA) on HCC induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) were evaluated. ChA or CaA could reduce the histopathological changes and liver injury markers, such as alanine transarninase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bile acid, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. The underlying mechanisms were investigated by a data integration strategy based on correlation analyses of metabonomics data and 16 S rRNA gene sequencing data. ChA or CaA could inhibit the increase of Rumincoccaceae UCG-004 and reduction of Lachnospiraceae incertae sedis, and Prevotella 9 in HCC rats. The principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis were applied to reveal the metabolic differences among these groups. 28 different metabolites showed a trend to return to normal in both CaA and ChA treatment. Among them, Bilirubin, L-Tyrosine, L-Methionine and Ethanolamine were correlated increased Rumincoccaceae UCG-004 and decreased of Lachnospiraceae incertae sedis and Prevotella 9. These correlations could be identified as metabolic and microbial signatures of HCC onset and potential therapeutic targets.

Chlorogenic Acid Ameliorates Experimental Colitis by Promoting Growth of Akkermansia in Mice

Chlorogenic acid (ChA)—one of the most abundant polyphenol compounds in the human diet—exerts anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ChA on gut microbiota in ulcerative colitis (UC). Colitis was induced by 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in C57BL/6 mice, which were on a control diet or diet with ChA (1 mM). The histopathological changes and inflammation were evaluated. Fecal samples were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. ChA attenuated several effects of DSS-induced colitis, including weight loss, increased disease activity index, and improved mucosal damage. Moreover, ChA could significantly suppress the secretion of IFNγ, TNFα, and IL-6 and the colonic infiltration of F4/80⁺ macrophages, CD3⁺ T cells, and CD177⁺ neutrophils via inhibition of the active NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, ChA decreased the proportion of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. ChA also enhanced a reduction in fecal microbiota diversity in DSS treated mice. Interestingly, ChA treatment markedly increased the proportion of the mucin-degrading bacterium Akkermansia in colitis mice. ChA acted as the intestine-modifying gut microbial community structure, resulting in a lower intestinal and systemic inflammation and also improving the course of the DSS-induced colitis, which is associated with a proportional increase in Akkermansia.

Evaluation of acute and subacute toxicity of hydroethanolic extract of Dolichandra unguis-cati L. leaves in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Dolichandra unguis-cati L. is a native climbing plant of Brazil, popularly known as "unha de gato". It has been traditionally used mainly as an antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor agent, yet little toxicological information is found in the literature.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To identify the chemical composition of the hydroethanolic extract obtained from the leaves of Dolichandra uniguis-cati and to evaluate the acute and subacute toxicity in male and female rats, in order to assess the safety profile of this plant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the acute study, a single dose (2000mg/kg) of the extract was orally administered to male and female rats. In the subacute study, the extract was orally administered to male and female rats at doses 100, 200 and 400mg/kg for 28 days. Behavioral changes, catalase and tbars evaluations, biochemical, hematological and histopathological analysis were determined. The extract' chemical composition was accessed through UHPLC/MS.

RESULTS

Chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, vanillinic acid, p-coumaric acid, rosmarinic acid, trans-cinnamic acid, luteolin, apigenin, quercitrin and quercetin were identified in the extract. In the acute treatment, the extract was classified as safe (category 5), according to the OECD guide. In relation to the subacute study, females showed a reduction in AST (100, 200 and 400mg/kg), ALT (200mg/kg) and BUN (100 and 200mg/kg) levels, while male rats 400mg/kg presented an increase in AST levels. The Chol dosage significantly decreased in female rats in a dose-dependent manner, whereas for male rats this parameter showed no statistically significant reductions. No behavioral and histopathological changes were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the hydroethanolic extract of Dolichandra unguis-cati leaves did not present relevant toxic effects when administered orally to male and female rats. The extract also showed a potential hypocholesterolemic activity.