Hydroethanolic extract of Gentiana kurroo Royle rhizome ameliorates ethanol-induced liver injury by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrogenesis in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Gentiana kurroo Royle is a medicinal plant mentioned as Traymana in Ayurveda. In the folklore, it is used to cure fever, stomach ache, skin diseases and liver disorders. However, limited reports are available on the therapeutic potential of Gentiana kurroo Royle against alcohol-induced liver damage.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To assess the effectiveness of the hydroethanolic extract of Gentiana kurroo Royle rhizome (GKRE) against alcohol-induced liver injury and explore the mechanism of action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

GKRE was characterized using UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. The binding affinity of the identified compound was studied in silico. In vitro studies were performed in the Huh-7 cell line. An acute oral toxicity study (2 g/kg BW) of GKRE was done in rats following OECD 420 guidelines. In the efficacy study, rats were treated with 50% ethanol (5 mL/kg BW, orally) for 4 weeks, followed by a single intraperitoneal dose of CCl4 (30%; 1 mL/kg BW) to induce liver injury. After 4th week, the rats were treated with GKRE at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg BW doses for the next fifteen days. The biochemical and antioxidant parameters were analyzed using commercial kits and a biochemistry analyzer. Histopathology, gene and protein expressions were studied using qRT PCR and western blotting.

RESULTS

Thirteen compounds were detected in GKRE. Few compounds showed a strong interaction with the fibrotic and inflammatory proteins in silico. GKRE reduced (p < 0.05) the ethanol-induced ROS production and inflammation in Huh-7 cells. The acute oral toxicity study revealed no adverse effect of GKRE in rats at 2 g/kg BW. GKRE improved (p < 0.05) the body and liver weights in ethanol-treated rats. GKRE improved (p < 0.05) the mRNA levels of ADH, SREBP1c and mitochondrial biogenesis genes in the liver tissues. GKRE also improved (p < 0.05) the liver damage markers, lipid peroxidation and levels of antioxidant enzymes in the liver. A reduced severity (p < 0.05) of pathological changes, fibrotic tissue deposition and caspase 3/7 activity were observed in the liver tissues of GKRE-treated rats. Further, GKRE downregulated (p < 0.05) the expression of fibrotic (TGFβ, αSMA and SMADs) and inflammatory markers (TNFα, IL6, IL1β and NFκB) in the liver.

CONCLUSION

GKRE showed efficacy against alcohol-induced liver damage by inhibiting oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation and fibrogenesis in the liver.

Seco-iridoid glycosides from the Gentiana olivieri Griseb and their bioactivities

The ethanol extract of the Gentiana olivieri Griseb plant was subjected to an investigation to ascertain the presence of its iridoid constituents. By means of HPLC and TLC monitoring, a total of thirteen previously unreported seco-iridoid glucosides olivierisecoside A-M, as well as seven known seco-iridoid glycosides and one known iridoid glycoside were isolated. Their structures were elucidated by a comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis and ECD calculations. The absolute configuration of olivierisecoside D was further confirmed through single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. All the identified compounds were characterized as aromatic conjugated seco-iridoid glucosides, with olivierisecoside F-I representing a particularly rare subtype known as the morroniside type seco-iridoids. In vitro testing of the isolated compounds revealed their potential anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects. The results showed olivieroside B and 6'-gentisoyl-8-epi-kingiside have good anti-inflammatory activities in LPS induced RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, olivierisecoside M exhibited some improvements in PA-induced L02 and HepG2 cells damage, known compound loganin showed slight hepatoprotective effect in PA-induced HepG2 cells damage.

A Study of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma Class Differences Based on Chemical Composition and Core Efficacy

(1) Background: Establishment of a method for evaluating Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma (GRR) classes based on chemical composition and core efficacy; (2) Methods: Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to determine the chemical constituents of GRR-first class (GF) and GRR-second class (GS). The cell viability, liver function, oxidative stress enzyme activity, and inflammatory factor levels of GF and GS on H2O2-induced HepG2 cells were determined with CCK-8, ELISA, and biochemical methods, and the antioxidant activity of the two was evaluated using bioefficacy; ELISA, biochemical methods, real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) method, and Western blot (WB) were used to determine the liver function, oxidative stress enzyme activity, inflammatory factor levels, and expression of related genes and proteins in mice with acute liver injury (ALI) model induced with 0.3% CCl4 olive oil solution after gavage administration; (3) Results: GF and GS had the same types of components, but the cyclic enol ether terpenes such as morinlon goside c, loganin, gentiopicroside, and swertiamarin differed significantly between the two; the effect of GF on CCl4-induced acute hepatic injury in C57BL/6 mice was stronger compared to GS. It helped alleviate weight loss, increase hepatic and splenic indices, improve hepatic lobular structure and hepatocyte status, inhibit collagen deposition, enhance oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory-related genes and protein expression, and decrease apoptotic genes and proteins more significantly than GS; (4) Conclusions: In this study, we established a GRR class evaluation method combining chemical composition and core medicinal effects, which can rapidly determine the differential composition of GF and GS, detect the quality of GRR through antioxidant bioefficacy, and validate it with in vivo experiments, which provides references for the evaluation of the class of GRR and the rational use of medication in the clinic.

Environmental endocrine disruptors and pregnane X receptor action: A review

The pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a kind of orphan nuclear receptor activated by a series of ligands. Environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs) are a wide class of molecules present in the environment that are suspected to have adverse effects on the endocrine system by interfering with the synthesis, transport, degradation, or action of endogenous hormones. Since EEDs may modulate human/rodent PXR, this review aims to summarize EEDs as PXR modulators, including agonists and antagonists. The modular structure of PXR is also described, interestingly, the pharmacology of PXR have been confirmed to vary among different species. Furthermore, PXR play a key role in the regulation of endocrine function. Endocrine disruption of EEDs via PXR and its related pathways are systematically summarized. In brief, this review may provide a way to understand the roles of EEDs in interaction with the nuclear receptors (such as PXR) and the related pathways.

Amarogentin has protective effects against sepsis-induced brain injury via modulating the AMPK/SIRT1/NF-κB pathway

Amarogentin (AMA), a secoiridoid glycoside that is mainly derived from SwertiaandGentiana roots, has been confirmed to exhibit antioxidative, tumor-suppressive and anti-diabetic properties. This research intends to investigate the protective effect of AMA against sepsis-induced brain injury and its mechanism. NSC-34 and HT22 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce an in-vitro sepsis model and then treated with varying concentrations (1, 5, 10 µM) of AMA. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated. The intensity of inflammation and oxidative stress were assessed by different methods. The AMPK/SIRT1/NF-κB pathway expression was determined by WB. An in-vitro sepsis model was set up with cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in adult C57/BL6J mice, and different concentrations (25, 50, 100 mg/kg) of AMA were applied for treatment. Neurological function was evaluated using the modified neurological severity scores (mNSS), and the brain tissue damage was measured using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining and Nissl staining. Tissue apoptosis was tested using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. Then, the AMPK inhibitor Compound C (CC) was administered to confirm AMA-mediated mechanism. Our finding illustrated that AMA mitigated LPS-induced neuronal damage, inflammation and oxidative stress, activated the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway and choked NF-κB phosphorylation. Furthermore, AMA improved neurological functions of sepsis mice by reliving neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Inhibition of AMPK attenuated the protective effect of AMA on neurons or the mice's brain tissues. In conclusion, AMA protected against sepsis-induced brain injury by modulating the AMPK/SIRT1/NF-κB pathway.

Gentiopicroside targets PAQR3 to activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and ameliorate disordered glucose and lipid metabolism

The obstruction of post-insulin receptor signaling is the main mechanism of insulin-resistant diabetes. Progestin and adipoQ receptor 3 (PAQR3), a key regulator of inflammation and metabolism, can negatively regulate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Here, we report that gentiopicroside (GPS), the main bioactive secoiridoid glycoside of Gentiana manshurica Kitagawa, decreased lipid synthesis and increased glucose utilization in palmitic acid (PA) treated HepG2 cells. Additionally, GPS improved glycolipid metabolism in streptozotocin (STZ) treated high-fat diet (HFD)-induced diabetic mice. Our findings revealed that GPS promoted the activation of the PI3K/AKT axis by facilitating DNA-binding protein 2 (DDB2)-mediated PAQR3 ubiquitinated degradation. Moreover, results of surface plasmon resonance (SPR), microscale thermophoresis (MST) and thermal shift assay (TSA) indicated that GPS directly binds to PAQR3. Results of molecular docking and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) revealed that GPS directly bound to the amino acids of the PAQR3 NH₂-terminus including Leu40, Asp42, Glu69, Tyr125 and Ser129, and spatially inhibited the interaction between PAQR3 and the PI3K catalytic subunit (P110α) to restore the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In summary, our study identified GPS, which inhibits PAQR3 expression and directly targets PAQR3 to restore insulin signaling pathway, as a potential drug candidate for the treatment of diabetes.

Mitochondrial Targeting Therapeutics: Promising Role of Natural Products in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide, and its prevalence is still growing rapidly. However, the efficient therapies for this liver disease are still limited. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been proven to be closely associated with NAFLD. The mitochondrial injury caused reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and oxidative stress can aggravate the hepatic lipid accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis. which contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of NAFLD. Therefore, pharmacological therapies that target mitochondria could be a promising way for the NAFLD intervention. Recently, natural products targeting mitochondria have been extensively studied and have shown promising pharmacological activity. In this review, the recent research progress on therapeutic effects of natural-product-derived compounds that target mitochondria and combat NAFLD was summarized, aiming to provide new potential therapeutic lead compounds and reference for the innovative drug development and clinical treatment of NAFLD.

Veratrilla baillonii Franch Ameliorates Diabetic Liver Injury by Alleviating Insulin Resistance in Rats

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex and polygenic disorder with diverse complications. Veratrilla baillonii Franch (V. baillonii) has been applied in the intervention and treatment a diverse range of diseases, including diabetes. In this study, we revealed that water extracts of V. baillonii (WVBF) can ameliorate liver injury and insulin resistance in T2DM rat model. To elucidate the anti-diabetic mechanisms of WVBF, we performed liver transcriptome analysis that displayed WVBF treatment significantly suppressed many gene expressions involved in insulin resistance. Furthermore, functional experiments showed that WVBF treatment reduced the pathological damages of liver and pancreas, which may be regulated by Foxo1, Sirt1, G6pc, c-Met, Irs1, Akt1, Pik3r1. These results indicated that WVBF improves diabetic liver injury and insulin resistance in diabetic rats. Therefore, this study demonstrated WVBF could be used as a promising therapeutic agent for intervention and treatment of diabetes.

Quantitative analysis of the profiles of twelve major compounds in Gentiana straminea Maxim. Roots by LC-MS/MS in an extensive germplasm survey in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau

ETHNOBOTANICAL RELEVANCE

Gentiana straminea Maxim. is a well-known Tibetan traditional herb, which has been used to treat rheumatic arthritis, iceteric hepatitis, and other diseases for thousands years. However, there is still lack of comprehensive active constituents profiling of this species throughout the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP).

AIM OF STUDY

This study was designed to provide a comprehensive quality map of G.straminea germplasm based on twelve active constituents (loganic acid, gentiopicroside, swertiamarin, sweroside, 6-O-β-D-glucosylgentiopicroside, oleanic acid, morroniside, trilobatin, isoorientin, isovite, Shanzhisidemethylester and quercetin) on the QTP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

G.straminea root samples collected throughout QTP in the flowering period were analyzed by the LC-MS/MS. Statistics analysis methods PCA, clustering and ecological regions analysis for G.straminea constituents differentiation was demonstrated.

RESULTS

The active constituents varied greatly across the QTP; the majority of constituents were secoiridoid derivatives, with gentiopicroside being the most abundant compound. Most constituents were significantly affected by the latitudes and altitudes other than longitudes. PCA and hierarchical clustering analysis showed that all samples could be separated into six distinct groups, and 15 populations showed the highest constituent abundances. Further, geographical region analysis showed that the highest quality populations mainly located near the source region of Yellow River, especially in the Qinghai and Sichuan areas. Additionally, correlation analysis showed that there were relationships among genetiopicroside, loganic acid, and other compounds, which might be related to the enzymatic pathways involved in the metabolism of these constituents.

CONCLUSION

LC-MS/MS method allowed separation of quality profiling of G.straminea on the QTP, 15 populations showed the highest constituent abundances. In six geographical groups, the highest quality populations mainly located near the source region of Yellow River, especially in the Qinghai and Sichuan areas, which may be due to the climate caused by the westerlies and Indian Ocean monsoons in the QTP.

Hepatoprotective species from the Chilean medicinal flora: Junellia spathulata (Verbenaceae)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Chilean population relies on medicinal plants for treating a wide range of illnesses, especially those of the gastrointestinal system. Junellia spathulata (Gillies & Hook.) Moldenke var. spathulata (Verbenaceae), called as "verbena-azul-de-cordilleira", is a medicinal plant native to Argentina and Chile traditionally used for treating digestive disorders. Although the species of the genus are important as therapeutic resources for the Andean population, the plants are very scarcely studied.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

The purpose of the present study was to find out the main constituents and investigate the protective effect of J. spathulata against oxidative stress induced by the potent oxidant 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) in human hepatoblastoma cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The crude methanol extract of J. spathulata and an iridoid obtained by chromatographic processes were tested to access the hepatoprotective effect and cytotoxicity in HepG2 cell. In addition, the reducing power of the samples and their ability to scavenge free radicals were evaluated using FRAP and ORAC assay systems.

RESULTS

The iridoid asperuloside, the main compound of the crude methanol extract of J. spathulata, was isolated and identified by means of NMR analysis. The crude methanol extract of J. spathulata and asperuloside protected HepG2 cells against oxidative damage triggered by AAPH-derived free radicals. This effect can be credited to the ability of the extract and asperuloside to protect the liver cells from chemical-induced injury, which might be correlated to their free radical scavenging potential.

CONCLUSIONS

This study experimentally evidenced the ethnopharmacological usefulness of J. spathulata as a treatment of digestive disorders. Our result could stimulate further investigations of hepatoprotective agents in other Chilean Junellia species.

Effects of Gentiopicroside on Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Gastric Cancer Cells

Gastric cancer (GC) cells were sorted into six groups: NC, different concentrations of gentiopi-croside, pcDNA-NC, pcDNA-Nrf2, pcDNA-NC + gentiopicroside, and pcDNA-Nrf2 + gentiopicroside. The detection and comparison of cell survival and apoptosis showed that the activity of GC cells decreased and the apoptosis rate increased after gentiopicroside treatment. Western blot detection was performed to determine the expression levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax), Bcl-2, Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein 1 (Keap1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and antioxidant response element (ARE). Kits were used to determine the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity. The MDA content, NADPH oxidase activity, and Keap1 and Bax expression levels increased, and the SOD activity and Bcl-2, PCNA, Nrf2, and ARE expression levels decreased. Nrf2 overexpression increased the cell activity, SOD activity, and Nrf2, ARE, PCNA, and Bcl-2 expression levels and reduced the apoptosis rate, MDA content, NADPH oxidase activity, and Bax and Keap1 expression levels. At the same time, Nrf2 overexpression reversed the effects of gentiopicroside on oxidative stress and apoptosis of GC cells. These results suggest that gentiopicroside probably promotes oxidative stress and apoptosis of GC cells by inhibiting the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.

In Vivo Hepatoprotective and Nephroprotective Activity of Acylated Iridoid Glycosides from Scrophularia hepericifolia

Phytochemical investigation of the chloroform fraction obtained from Scrophularia hypericifolia aerial parts led to the isolation of nine acylated iridoid glycosides. The new compounds were identified as 6-O-α-L(2″-acetyl, 3″,4″-di-O-trans-cinnamoyl) rhamnopyranosyl-6'-acetyl catalpol (6'-acetyl hypericifolin A) (1), 6-O-α-L(2″, 4″-diacetyl, 3″-O-trans-cinnamoyl) rhamnopyranosyl-6'-acetyl catalpol (6'-acetyl hypericifolin B) (2), 6-O-α-L(2″-acetyl, 3″,4″-di-O-trans-cinnamoyl) rhamnopyranosyl catalpol (hypericifolin A) (3) and 6-O-α-L(2″, 4″-diacetyl, 3″-O-trans-cinnamoyl) rhamnopyranosyl catalpol (hypericifolin B) (4). Previously reported compounds were identified as laterioside (5), 8-O-acetylharpagide (6), 6-O-α-L(4'-O-trans-cinnamoyl) rhamnopyranosyl catalpol (7), lagotisoside D (8) and harpagoside (9). Identification achieved via analyses of physical and spectral data including 1D, 2D NMR and High Resolution Electrospray Ionization Mass spectroscopy (HRESIMS). Compounds 2-4 and 6 were subjected to biological evaluation against paracetamol-induced toxicity. The biochemical parameters aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) as well as total bilirubin were used to access the liver condition. Measurement of serum levels of urea, creatinine, sodium and potassium cations were indicators for kidney condition. Liver and kidney samples were subjected to histopathological study. The best protection was found in the group treated with 3 followed by 4 and 6, while 2 was almost inactive.

Genus Gentiana: A review on phytochemistry, pharmacology and molecular mechanism

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

As the largest genus of Gentianaceae family, the Gentiana genus harbors over 400 species, widely distributed in the alpine areas of temperate regions worldwide. Plants from Gentiana genus are traditionally used to treat a wide variety of diseases including easing pain dispelling rheumatism, and treating liver jaundice, chronic pharyngitis and arthritis in China since ancient times. In this review, a systematic and constructive overview of the traditional uses, phytochemistry, molecular mechanisms, toxicology and pharmacological activities of the researched species of genus Gentiana is provided.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The used information in this review is based on various databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Wiley online library, Wanfang Data, Web of Science) through a search using the keyword "Gentiana" in the period of 1981-2019. Besides, other ethnopharmacological information was acquired from Chinese herbal classic books and Chinese pharmacopoeia 2015 edition.

RESULTS

The plants from Gentiana genus have a long tradition of various medicinal uses in Europe and Asia. Phytochemical studies showed that the main bioactive components isolated from this genus includes iridoids xanthones and flavonoids. These compounds and extracts isolated from this genus show a wide range of protective activities including hepatic protection, gastrointestinal protection, cardiovascular protection, immunomodulation, joint protection, pulmonary protection, bone protection and reproductive protection. Molecular mechanism studies also indicated several potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of certain diseases by plants from this genus. Besides, natural products from this plant show no significant animal toxicity, cytotoxicity or genotoxicity.

CONCLUSION

This review summarized the traditional medicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and molecular mechanism of genus Gentiana, providing references and research tendency for plant-based drug development and further clinical studies.

Veratrilla baillonii Franch Could Alleviate Lipid Accumulation in LO2 Cells by Regulating Oxidative, Inflammatory, and Lipid Metabolic Signaling Pathways

Based on the pathological theory of lipid metabolism and using network pharmacology, this study was designed to investigate the protective effect of water extract of Veratrilla baillonii (WVBF) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) model using LO2 cells and to identify the potential mechanism underlying the effect. The components of V. baillonii were identified from the public database of traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database (TCMSP). Cytoscape software was used to construct the related composite target network. Then, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were carried out for critical nodes. The BioGPS database was used to determine the distribution of the target in tissues and organs. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of V. baillonii was further investigated using an in vitro hepatocyte NAFLD model. Fourteen active components were then selected from the 27 known compounds of V. baillonii. The targets of gene enrichment analysis were mainly distributed in the lipid catabolism-related signaling pathway. Network analysis revealed that five target genes of TNF, MAPK8, mTOR, NF-ĸB, and SREBP-1c were key nodes and played important roles in this process. Organ localization analysis indicated that one of the core target site of V. baillonii was liver tissue. The results of the in vitro study revealed that WVBF can alleviate the inflammatory response and lipid accumulation in LO2 hepatocytes by inhibiting oxidative stress and the adipocytokine signaling pathway. Genes and proteins related to the lipid synthesis, such as SREBP-1C, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and fatty acid synthase (FASN), were significantly decreased, and PPARα expression is significantly increased with WVBF administration. In conclusion, V. baillonii may regulate local lipid metabolism and attenuate oxidative stress and inflammatory factors through the PPARα/SREBP-1c signaling pathway. The present study also indicates that multiple components of V. baillonii regulate multiple targets and pathways in NAFLD. The findings highlight the potential of V. baillonii as a promising treatment strategy for nonalcoholic fatty liver injury.

Amarogentin from Gentiana rigescens Franch Exhibits Antiaging and Neuroprotective Effects through Antioxidative Stress

In the present study, the replicative lifespan assay of yeast was used to guide the isolation of antiaging substance from Gentiana rigescens Franch, a traditional Chinese medicine. A compound with antiaging effect was isolated, and the chemical structure of this molecule as amarogentin was identified by spectral analysis and compared with the reported data. It significantly extended the replicative lifespan of K6001 yeast at doses of 1, 3, and 10 μM. Furthermore, amarogentin improved the survival rate of yeast under oxidative stress by increasing the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and these enzymes' gene expression. In addition, this compound did not extend the replicative lifespan of sod1, sod2, uth1, and skn7 mutants with K6001 background. These results suggested that amarogentin exhibited antiaging effect on yeast via increase of SOD2, CAT, GPx gene expression, enzyme activity, and antioxidative stress. Moreover, we evaluated antioxidant activity of this natural products using PC12 cell system, a useful model for studying the nervous system at the cellular level. Amarogentin significantly improved the survival rate of PC12 cells under H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress and increased the activities of SOD and SOD2, and gene expression of SOD2, CAT, GPx, Nrf2, and Bcl-x1. Meanwhile, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) of PC12 cells were significantly reduced after treatment of the amarogentin. These results indicated that antioxidative stress play an important role for antiaging and neuroprotection of amarogentin. Interestingly, amarogentin exhibited neuritogenic activity in PC12 cells. Therefore, the natural products, amarogentin from G. rigescens with antioxidant activity could be a good candidate molecule to develop drug for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Gentiopicroside Ameliorates Oxidative Stress and Lipid Accumulation through Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 Activation

The activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is closely related to the alleviation of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by regulating oxidative stress and lipid homeostasis. Gentiopicroside (GPS), an iridoid glycoside found in the Gentianaceae, possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, the protective effects of GPS on lipid accumulation and oxidative damage have not been investigated thoroughly in free fatty acid- (FFA-) induced HepG2 cells and tyloxapol- (Ty-) induced hyperlipidemia mice. Cell counting kit-8 assays, Oil Red O staining, Western blotting analysis, extraction of nuclear and cytosolic proteins, and biochemical index assay were employed to explore the mechanisms by which GPS exerts a protective effect on FFA-induced HepG2 cells and Ty-induced hyperlipidemia mouse model. This paper demonstrates that GPS could effectively alleviate NAFLD by elevating cell viability, reducing fatty deposition, downregulating TG, and activating nucleus Nrf2 in FFA-induced HepG2 cells. Meanwhile, GPS significantly regulated the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway, Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), and GPS-inhibited sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) expression in FFA-stimulated lipid accumulation of HepG2 cells and Ty-treated mice. Interestingly, we highlight that PI3K/AKT inhibitor (LY294002) markedly increased the expression of Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, PPARα, and downregulated SREBP-1c in FFA-stimulated HepG2 cells. For these reasons, we found that the deletion of Nrf2 could lose the protective effects of GPS on the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and PPARα activation and SREBP-1c inactivation in FFA-stimulated HepG2 cells and Ty-treated mice. GPS treatment had no effect on abnormal lipogenesis and antioxidant enzymes in Ty-induced Nrf2^−/− mice. This work gives a new explanation that GPS may be a useful therapeutic strategy for NAFLD through upregulation of the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, which can alleviate oxidative damage and lipid accumulation.

The Effects of Natural Iridoids and Anthocyanins on Selected Parameters of Liver and Cardiovascular System Functions

The old adage says, "you are what you eat." And although it is a banality repeated by many with a grain of salt, it also has quite a bit of truth in it, as the products we eat have a considerable impact on our health. Unfortunately, humanity is eating worse from one year to another, both in terms of product quality and eating habits. At the same time, it is brought up frequently that plant products should form the basis of our diet. This issue was also reflected in the new version of the food pyramid. Iridoids and anthocyanins are groups of plant compounds with proven beneficial effects on health. Both groups affect the cardiovascular system and the liver functions. Although many mechanisms of action and the therapeutic effects of these compounds have already been learned, intensive animal and clinical research is still underway to explore their new curative mechanisms and effects or to broaden our knowledge of those previously described. In this article, we review the effects of natural iridoids and anthocyanins on selected parameters of liver and cardiovascular system functions.

Pharmacokinetics and metabolic profiles of swertiamarin in rats by liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Swertiamarin, a typical compound of secoiridiod glycosides with various pharmacological effects which is the major iridoid glicoside of Swertia. In this study, we have established a fast and sensitive LC-MS/MS method. The aim was to conduct pharmacokinetic studies of swertiamarin in vivo of rats. Gentiopicroside was used as internal standard and a C18 column was employed for the separation of analytes. The selected reaction monitoring transitions were m/z 375→177, 357.1→195 for swertiamarin and the internal standard, respectively, in a positive ion mode. The results showed that swertiamarin had a good linearity in the range of 2-8000 ng/mL (r ＞ 0.997) and its limit of detection (LLOD) was 0.5 ng/mL. The developed method subsequently successfully used in the pharmacokinetic study of swertiamarin in rats after oral administration (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg). We obtained a series of pharmacokinetic parameters, and the half-time of swertiamarin was 1 h, while the oral bioavailability was between 5.6-7.6%. Six metabolites of swertiamarin were identified based on accurate mass measurements of protonated molecules and their MS/MS spectrum by ultra-high-performance chromatography/tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Furthermore, metabolites were classified into three groups and the metabolic pathway of swertiamarin was proposed. The finding may help for the understanding of effectiveness and safety of swertiamarin.

The hepatoprotective activities of Kalimeris indica ethanol extract against liver injury in vivo

Kalimeris indica (L.) Sch. Bip. is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and a portion of food used for cooking in China. It has been demonstrated that an ethanol extract of K. indica has an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production on murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induction. In this study, the hepatoprotective effects of the total phenolics of K. indica (TPK), the total triterpenes of K. indica (TTK), and the total flavones of K. indica (TFK) from ethanol extracts of K. indica were evaluated in Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG)/LPS-induced liver injury in vivo. The treatments of TPK, TTK, and TFK improved liver injury in mice. Additionally, all treatments significantly not only reduced the hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content and hepatic total nitric oxide synthase (tNOS) but also induced the hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity. The treatments of TPK and TTK significantly reduced the hepatic inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The treatments of TPK, TTK, and TFK reduced the serum total bilirubin (T-Bil), and only TFK treatment reduced the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Our results suggest that TPK, TTK, and TFK from ethanol extracts of K. indica might play an essential protective role against BCG/LPS-induced liver injury in vivo.

Simultaneous Evaluation of the Influence of Panax ginseng on the Pharmacokinetics of Three Diester Alkaloids after Oral Administration of Aconiti Lateralis Radix in Rats Using UHPLC/QQQ-MS/MS

Objectives

To investigate whether Panax ginseng (P. ginseng) could affect the metabolism of Diester Alkaloids (DAs) derived from Aconiti Lateralis Radix in vivo.

Methods and Results

24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized for 7-day treatment with P. ginseng (low, middle, and high), or vehicle. Aconiti Lateralis Radix was administered orally to each group on the 8th day. Plasma samples were collected, and Xevo TQ-S was used to detect the concentration of aconitine, mesaconitine, and hypaconitine in plasma. We describe a fast and reproducible method to detect the concentration of aconitine, mesaconitine, and hypaconitine in plasma. Compared to the control group, the AUC_(0-t) of three DAs increased in both the middle and high dosing groups. The Vz/F of three DAs in these groups as well as the CLz/F of aconitine in all P. ginseng groups and the CLz/F of mesaconitine and hypaconitine in P. ginseng middle and high groups were decreased compared to the control group.

Conclusion

Orally administrated P. ginseng potentially inhibits the metabolism of DAs from Aconiti Lateralis Radix in rats.

Scabiosa Genus: A Rich Source of Bioactive Metabolites

The genus Scabiosa (family Caprifoliaceae) is considered large (618 scientific plant names of species) although only 62 have accepted Latin binominal names. The majority of the Scabiosa species are widely distributed in the Mediterranean region and some Scabiosa species are used in traditional medicine systems. For instance, Scabiosa columbaria L. is used traditionally against diphtheria while S. comosa Fisch. Ex Roem. and Schult. is used in Mongolian and Tibetan traditional medical settings to treat liver diseases. The richness of Scabiosa species in secondary metabolites such as iridoids, flavonoids and pentacyclic triterpenoids may contribute to its use in folk medicine. Details on the most recent and relevant pharmacological in vivo studies on the bioactive secondary metabolites isolated from Scabiosa species will be summarized and thoroughly discussed.