Current knowledge and development of hederagenin as a promising medicinal agent: a comprehensive review

An updated review of the pharmacological effects and potential mechanisms of hederagenin and its derivatives

Hederagenin (HG) is a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid that can be isolated from various medicinal herbs. By modifying the structure of HG, multiple derivatives with superior biological activities and safety profiles have been designed and synthesized. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that HG and its derivatives display multiple pharmacological activities against cancers, inflammatory diseases, infectious diseases, metabolic diseases, fibrotic diseases, cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, and depression. Previous studies have confirmed that HG and its derivatives combat cancer by exerting cytotoxicity, inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, modulating autophagy, and reversing chemotherapy resistance in cancer cells, and the action targets involved mainly include STAT3, Aurora B, KIF7, PI3K/AKT, NF-κB, Nrf2/ARE, Drp1, and P-gp. In addition, HG and its derivatives antagonize inflammation through inhibiting the production and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators by regulating inflammation-related pathways and targets, such as NF-κB, MAPK, JAK2/STAT3, Keap1-Nrf2/HO-1, and LncRNA A33/Axin2/β-catenin. Moreover, anti-pathogen, anti-metabolic disorder, anti-fibrosis, neuroprotection, and anti-depression mechanisms of HG and its derivatives have been partially elucidated. The diverse pharmacological properties of HG and its derivatives hold significant implications for future research and development of new drugs derived from HG, which can lead to improved effectiveness and safety profiles.

Irvingia gabonensis baill. (African Mango): A comprehensive review of its ethnopharmacological significance, unveiling its long-standing history and therapeutic potential

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex O'Rorke) Baill. (IG) is a multipurpose tree native to tropical Africa such as Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Gabon, and Cameroon with high ethnomedicinal values.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This review emphasizes the ethnopharmacological significance, phytochemical, and functional properties of African mango, focusing on its potential for human health and industrial applications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Literature published on IG was traced by different databases, including the Egyptian Knowledge Bank database (EKB), ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google Scholars, Research Gate, Web of Science, Elsevier, and Scopus. Numerous keywords were used to achieve an inclusive search in the databases, like 'African Mango', 'Bush Mango', 'Irvingia gabonensis', 'Wild Mango', 'Dika Nut', 'Phytochemistry', 'Traditional uses', 'Functional foods', 'Polyphenols', 'Ogbono', 'Ellagic acid and its derivatives', and 'Pharmacological activities'.

RESULTS

Different parts of IG have been employed in traditional medicine and recorded a great success. The ripe fruit pulp was consumed fresh or processed into juice and wine documented for anti-diarrheal, anti-diabetic, anti-ulcer, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. The kernels, which are widely traded and incorporated into traditional dishes, remain an integral part of culinary traditions. Seeds have folkloric uses for weight loss and are popular as blood thinners and anti-diabetics. Where the bark is reported for dysentery, colic, scabies, toothache, and various skin conditions. In Senegal, the stem bark is employed for gonorrhea, hepatic disorders, and gastrointestinal ailments. The leaves possess the potential to enhance renal and hepatic functions, safeguarding these vital organs against the detrimental effects of toxic substances. Pulp is rich in vitamin C, carbohydrates, and proteins. Oil is the major constituent of the seed, which is mainly composed of myristic and lauric acids. The defatted extracts are characterized by flavonoid glycosides and ellagic acid derivatives. Despite their widespread use, IG extracts are still inadequately characterized phytochemically and merit further investigation within the realm of scientific research. Encouragingly, toxicity studies have demonstrated the relative safety of IG extract at the administered doses.

CONCLUSION

The review extends our knowledge of the health benefits of IG, where these effects could be attributed to the phytochemicals present.

Advancements and challenges in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic research on the traditional Chinese medicine saponins: a comprehensive review

Recent research on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) saponin pharmacokinetics has revealed transformative breakthroughs and challenges. The multicomponent nature of TCM makes it difficult to select representative indicators for pharmacokinetic studies. The clinical application of saponins is limited by their low bioavailability and short half-life, resulting in fluctuating plasma concentrations. Future directions should focus on novel saponin compounds utilizing colon-specific delivery and osmotic pump systems to enhance oral bioavailability. Optimizing drug combinations, such as ginsenosides with aspirin, shows therapeutic potential. Rigorous clinical validation is essential for practical applications. This review emphasizes a transformative era in saponin research, highlighting the need for clinical validation. TCM saponin pharmacokinetics, guided by traditional principles, are in development, utilizing multidisciplinary approaches for a comprehensive understanding. This research provides a theoretical basis for new clinical drugs and supports rational clinical medication.

Hederagenin protects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury via attenuating ALOX5-mediated ferroptosis

Hederagenin (HDG), a medical herb, is known for its beneficial activities against diverse diseases. The cardioprotective effect of HDG has been preliminarily disclosed, but the efficacy and underlying mechanism by which HDG protects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury have not been elucidated yet. To simulate MI/R injury, the left anterior descending artery was occluded for 30 min and then reperfusion for 120 min in a rat model, and the cellular model of hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) injury was constructed in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Hematoxylin-eosin, Prussian blue, and 2,3,5-triphenyl-2H-tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining were conducted to assess the histological injury, iron deposition, and myocardial infarction. Myocardial enzymes and oxidative stress-related factors were detected using their commercial kits. Lipid peroxidation was measured using BODIPY581/591 probe, and iron content was detected. Cell counting kit (CCK)-8, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL), and flow cytometry assays were performed to assess cell viability and apoptosis. Protein levels were investigated by western blot. The interaction between HDG and 5-lipoxygenase (ALOX5) was verified using molecular docking. Our findings indicated that HDG significantly attenuated myocardial dysfunction by reducing infarction and myocardial injury. HDG significantly attenuated myocardial apoptosis in vitro and in vivo, as well as alleviating oxidative stress via reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and maintaining the balance between antioxidant and oxidant enzymes. Meanwhile, HDG inhibited I/R-induced ferroptosis in myocardium and cardiomyocytes, including reducing lipid peroxidation and iron level. Moreover, the binding relationship between HDG and ALOX5 was verified, and HDG could concentration dependently downregulate ALOX5. Furthermore, ALOX5 overexpression eliminated the inhibition of HDG on H/R-induced apoptosis, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. HDG ameliorated myocardial dysfunction and cardiomyocyte injury by reducing apoptosis, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis through inhibiting ALOX5, providing a new perspective on the prevention and treatment of MI/R injury.

Widely Targeted Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology Reveal the Nutritional Potential of Yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge) Leaves and Flowers

Yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge) is a unique oilseed tree in China with high edible and medicinal value. However, the application potential of yellowhorn has not been adequately explored. In this study, widely targeted metabolomics (HPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS) and network pharmacology were applied to investigate the nutritional potential of yellowhorn leaves and flowers. The widely targeted metabolomics results suggested that the yellowhorn leaf contains 948 non-volatile metabolites and 638 volatile metabolites, while the yellowhorn flower contains 976 and 636, respectively. A non-volatile metabolite analysis revealed that yellowhorn leaves and flowers contain a variety of functional components beneficial to the human body, such as terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, lignans and coumarins, phenolic acids, amino acids, and nucleotides. An analysis of volatile metabolites indicated that the combined action of various volatile compounds, such as 2-furanmethanol, β-icon, and 2-methyl-3-furanthiol, provides the special flavor of yellowhorn leaves and flowers. A network pharmacology analysis showed that various components in the flowers and leaves of yellowhorn have a wide range of biological activities. This study deepens our understanding of the non-volatile and volatile metabolites in yellowhorn and provides a theoretical basis and data support for the whole resource application of yellowhorn.

Exploring the mechanism of action of Sparganii Rhizoma-Curcumae Rhizoma for in treating castration-resistant prostate cancer: a network-based pharmacology and experimental validation study

Sparganii Rhizoma-Curcumae Rhizoma (SR-CR) is a classic drug pair for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), but its mechanism has not been clarified. The study aims to elucidate the potential mechanism of SR-CR in the management of CRPC. The present study employed the TCMSP as well as the SwissTargetPrediction platform to retrieve the chemical composition and targets of SR-CR. The therapeutic targets of CRPC were identified through screening the GeneCards, Disgenet, and OMIM databases. Subsequently, the Venny online platform was utilized to identify the shared targets between the SR-CR and CRPC. The shared targets were enrichment analysis using the Bioconductor and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) databases. The active ingredients and core targets were verified through molecular docking and were validated using PC3 cells in the experimental validation phase. A total of 7 active ingredients and 1126 disease targets were screened from SR-CR, leading to a total of 59 shared targets. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis resulted in 1309 GO entries. KEGG pathways analysis yielded 121 pathways, primarily involving cancer-related signaling pathways. The results from molecular docking revealed stable binding interactions between the core ingredients and the core targets. In vitro cellular assays further demonstrated that SR-CR effectively suppressed the activation of the Prostate cancer signaling pathway in PC3 cells, leading to the inhibition of cell proliferation and promotion of apoptosis. The SR-CR exert therapeutic effects on CRPC by inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis through the Prostate cancer signaling pathway.

An integrated strategy of UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis, network pharmacology, and molecular docking to explore the chemical constituents and mechanism of Zixue Powder against febrile seizures

Febrile seizures (FS) are the most common type of seizures for children. As a commonly used representative cold formula for resuscitation, Zixue Powder (ZP) has shown great efficacy for the treatment of FS in clinic, while its active ingredients and underlying mechanism remain largely unclear. This study aimed to preliminarily elucidate the material basis of ZP and the potential mechanism for the treatment of FS through ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS), network pharmacology, and molecular docking. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was firstly applied to characterize the ingredients in ZP, followed by network pharmacology to explore the potential bioactive ingredients and pathways of ZP against FS. Furthermore, molecular docking technique was employed to verify the binding affinity between the screened active ingredients and targets. As a result, 75 ingredients were identified, containing flavonoids, chromogenic ketones, triterpenes and their saponins, organic acids, etc. Through the current study, we focused on 13 potential active ingredients and 14 key potential anti-FS targets of ZP, such as IL6, STAT3, TNF, and MMP9. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis showed that inflammatory response, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction were the main anti-FS signaling pathways. Licochalcones A and B, 26-deoxycimicifugoside, and hederagenin were screened as the main potential active ingredients by molecular docking. In conclusion, this study provides an effective in-depth investigation of the chemical composition, potential bioactive components, and possible anti-FS mechanism of ZP, which lays the foundation for pharmacodynamic studies and clinical applications of ZP.

Hederagenin Induces Apoptosis of Human Hepatoma HepG2 Cells via the Mitochondrial Pathway

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to assess the antitumor effects of hederagenin (HDG) in liver cancer (LC) cells and explore the related mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HepG2 cells were treated with HDG and cisplatin, respectively. The CCK8 assay was used to detect cell activity, DAPI staining was used to detect the proportion of living cells, TUNEL assay to detect the proportion of apoptotic cells, flow cytometry to detect the membrane potential, fluoroscopic electron microscopy to detect microstructural changes to the mitochondrial, and western blot analysis and high-content screening to detect apoptosisrelated proteins.

RESULTS

Treatment with HDG inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells, decreased the proportion of viable cells, increased the proportion of apoptotic cells, and significantly increased the proportion of cells in the G1 phase. Fluorescence staining showed that HDG damaged the mitochondria of HepG2 cells and significantly decreased the number of mitochondria. Flow cytometry showed that HDG decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential of HepG2 cells. Observations by electron microscopy showed that HDG caused swelling and vacuole formation of the mitochondria of HepG2 cells. HDG significantly reduced the average fluorescence intensity of Bcl-2 in HepG2 cells and significantly increased that of the pro-apoptosis proteins Bax, Cytochrome-c, and Caspase-3.

CONCLUSION

HDG induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells via the mitochondrial pathway.

Hederagenin inhibits high glucose-induced fibrosis in human renal cells by suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome activation through reducing cathepsin B expression

Diabetic nephropathy is a major complication of diabetes mellitus and is related to dysfunction of renal cells. Hederagenin is a triterpenoid saponin from some Chinese herbs with anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic activities. However, its role in diabetic nephropathy progression is still obscure. This study aimed to explore the effects of hederagenin on renal cell dysfunction in vitro. Human renal mesangial cells (HRMCs) and human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HRPTEpiCs) were cultured under high glucose (HG) conditions to mimic diabetic nephropathy-like injury. Cell proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8. mRNA and protein levels were determined by qRT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. The secretion levels of fibrosis-related biomarkers were analyzed by ELISA. Results showed that hederagenin reduced HG-induced proliferation increase in HRMCs and HRPTEpiCs. Hederagenin attenuated HG-induced increase in mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, and IL-1β. Hederagenin also suppressed HG-induced increase in mRNA and secretion levels of FN, Col. IV, PAI-1, and TGF-β1. NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 attenuated HG-induced fibrosis of renal cells, and its activator nigericin reversed the suppressive effect of hederagenin on HG-induced fibrosis. Bioinformatics analysis predicted cathepsin B (CTSB) as a target of hederagenin to modulate NOD-like receptor (NLR) pathway. Hederagenin decreased CTSB level, and CTSB overexpression reversed the suppressive effect of hederagenin on HG-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and fibrosis in HRMCs and HRPTEpiCs. In conclusion, hederagenin attenuates HG-induced fibrosis of renal cells by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation via reducing CTSB expression, indicating a therapeutic potential of hederagenin in diabetic nephropathy.

Hederagenin Upregulates PTPN1 Expression in Aβ-Stimulated Neuronal Cells, Exerting Anti-Oxidative Stress and Anti-Apoptotic Activities

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalently neurodegenerative disease characterized by neuronal damage which is associated with amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation. Hederagenin is a triterpenoid saponin, exerting anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumoral, and neuroprotective activities. However, its role in AD progression is still obscure. The aim of this study was to explore the influences of hederagenin on Aβ-caused neuronal injury in vitro. Neuronal cells were treated with Aβ25-35 (Aβ) to establish a cellular model of AD. Cell viability was assessed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Oxidative stress was evaluated by detecting reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Apoptosis was investigated using TUNEL staining and caspase-3 activity assays. Protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 1 (PTPN1) was screened by bioinformatics analysis. Protein levels of PTPN1 and protein kinase B (Akt) were measured by western blotting. Hederagenin (2.5, 5, and 10 μM) alone did not affect viability of neuronal cells, but relieved Aβ-induced viability reduction. Hederagenin mitigated Aβ-induced increase in ROS accumulation and decrease in SOD activity. Hederagenin attenuated Aβ-induced increase in apoptotic rate and caspase-3 activity. PTPN1 was screened as a target of hederagenin against AD by bioinformatics analysis. Hederagenin treatment resisted Aβ-induced decrease in PTPN1 mRNA and protein levels in neuronal cells. PTPN1 silencing attenuated the suppressive functions of hederagenin in Aβ-stimulated oxidative stress and apoptosis. Hederagenin mitigated Aβ-induced Akt signaling inactivation by upregulating PTPN1 expression. In conclusion, hederagenin attenuates oxidative stress and apoptosis in neuronal cells stimulated with Aβ by promoting PTPN1/Akt signaling activation.

Advances in the anti-tumor potential of hederagenin and its analogs

Hederagenin is a pentacyclic triterpenoid that is widely distributed as the main pharmaceutical ingredient in various medicinal plants. Similarly as other pentacyclic triterpenoids, hederagenin has various pharmacological effects such as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, and anti-viral activities. In particular, the anti-tumor activity of hederagenin indicates its potential for development into highly effective chemotherapeutic agents. Studies revealed that hederagenin effectively suppresses the growth of various tumor cell lines in vitro and interacts with several molecular targets that play essential roles in various cellular signaling pathways. The compound suppresses transformation, inhibits proliferation, and induces apoptosis in tumor cells. In this review, we highlight research progress on the source, pharmacokinetics, pharmacological activity, and mechanism of action of hederagenin and the anti-tumor activity of its analogs by integrating and analyzing relevant domestic and international studies and providing a basis for their further development and application.

Pharmacological overview of hederagenin and its derivatives

Hederagenin is a pentacyclic triterpenoid isolated from plants and widely distributed in a variety of medicinal plants. By integrating and analyzing external related literature reports, the latest research progress on the pharmacological effects and structural modification of hederagenin was reviewed. Hederagenin has a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, anti-neurodegenerative, antihyperlipidemic, antidiabetic, anti-leishmaniasis, and antiviral activities. Among them, it shows high potential in the field of anti-tumor treatment. This paper also reviews the structural modifications of hederagenin, including carboxyl group modifications and two hydroxyl group modifications. Future research on hederagenin will focus on prolonging its half-life, improving its bioavailability and structural modification to enhance its pharmacological activity, accelerating the preclinical research stage of hederagenin for it to enter the clinical research stage as soon as possible.

Dissecting the multifaced function of transcription factor EB (TFEB) in human diseases: From molecular mechanism to pharmacological modulation

The transcription factor EB (TFEB) is a transcription factor of the MiT/TFE family that translocations from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in response to various stimuli, including lysosomal stress and nutrient starvation. By activating genes involved in lysosomal function, autophagy, and lipid metabolism, TFEB plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Dysregulation of TFEB has been implicated in various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, and inflammatory diseases. Therefore, modulating TFEB activity with agonists or inhibitors may have therapeutic potential. In this review, we reviewed the recently discovered regulatory mechanisms of TFEB and their impact on human diseases. Additionally, we also summarize the existing TFEB inhibitors and agonists (targeted and non-targeted) and discuss unresolved issues and future research directions in the field. In summary, this review sheds light on the crucial role of TFEB, which may pave the way for its translation from basic research to practical applications, bringing us closer to realizing the full potential of TFEB in various fields.

Modified Hederagenin Derivatives Demonstrate Ex Vivo Anthelmintic Activity against Fasciola hepatica

Infection with Fasciola hepatica (liver fluke) causes fasciolosis (or fascioliasis) and poses a considerable economic as well as welfare burden to both the agricultural and animal health sectors. Here, we explore the ex vivo anthelmintic potential of synthetic derivatives of hederagenin, isolated in bulk from Hedera helix. Thirty-six compounds were initially screened against F. hepatica newly excysted juveniles (NEJs) of the Italian strain. Eleven of these compounds were active against NEJs and were selected for further study, using adult F. hepatica derived from a local abattoir (provenance unknown). From these eleven compounds, six demonstrated activity and were further assessed against immature liver flukes of the Italian strain. Subsequently, the most active compounds (n = 5) were further evaluated in ex vivo dose response experiments against adult Italian strain liver flukes. Overall, MC042 was identified as the most active molecule and the EC₅₀ obtained from immature and adult liver fluke assays (at 24 h post co-culture) are estimated as 1.07 μM and 13.02 μM, respectively. When compared to the in vitro cytotoxicity of MDBK bovine cell line, MC042 demonstrated the highest anthelmintic selectivity (44.37 for immature and 3.64 for adult flukes). These data indicate that modified hederagenins display properties suitable for further investigations as candidate flukicides.

Identification of potential quality markers of Zishen Yutai pill based on spectrum-effect relationship analysis

Introduction: The current quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is difficult to attribute to clinical efficacy due to the complexity of TCM. Zishen Yutai pill (ZYP), a well-known traditional Chinese patent medicine, has been widely used to prevent recurrent miscarriage and treat threatened abortion. However, the chemical components of ZYP are unknown, and there is no convincing quality control method applied on ZYP. Although ZYP has been found to promote endometrial receptivity and treat impending abortion, the substantial basis of the therapeutic effects is unclear. The aim of this study was to clarify the quality markers correlated with the potential medicinal activities and provide a theoretical foundation for scientific quality control and product quality improvement of ZYP. Methods: The chemical constituents of ZYP were comprehensively analyzed by offline two-dimensional liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (2DLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS). The efficacy of the 27 ZYP orthogonal groups was investigated using the HTR-8/SVneo oxidative damage model and migration model in vitro, as well as the endometrial receptivity disorder mouse model and premature ovarian failure mouse model in vivo. Based on the efficacy and mass spectral results, spectrum-effect relationship analysis was used to identify the chemical components with corresponding pharmacological activities. Results: A total of 589 chemical components were found in ZYP, of which 139 were not identified in the literature. The potential quality markers for ZYP were successfully identified through orthogonal design and spectrum-effect relationship analysis. By combining mass spectrum data and pharmacological results of 27 orthogonal groups, 39 substances were identified as potential quality markers. Conclusion: The approaches used in this study will provide a feasible strategy for the discovery of quality markers with bioactivity and further investigation into the quality evaluation of TCM.

Paeoniae Radix Rubra extract attenuates cerebral ischemia injury by inhibiting ferroptosis and activating autophagy through the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Paeoniae Radix Rubra (PRR), the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. or Paeonia veitchii Lynch, has been widely used to promote blood circulation and eliminate blood stasis in Chinese clinical practice, but its effect on cerebral ischemia is still rarely reported.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study aimed to assess the potential therapeutic possibilities of the extract of PRR (PRRE) on cerebral ischemia, further exploring the underlying mechanism, and preliminary screening of the corresponding active components.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The neuroprotective effects of PRRE in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) injury and mouse hippocampal neuronal cells (HT22 cell line) following oxidative stress were confirmed. The mechanism was investigated using immunohistochemical staining, western blotting, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and immunofluorescence. The active components of PRRE were analysed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and molecular docking.

RESULTS

The in vivo study showed that PRRE reduced infarct volume and improved neurological deficits in rats, and the expression of GPX4, FTH1, Beclin1, LC3 II, and p-Akt was upregulated in the rat hippocampi. In addition, the vitro research indicated that PRRE can also alleviate H₂O₂-induced HT22 cell damage by regulating cytokines such as malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the expressions of GPX4 and Beclin1 were observed to be elevated. The PI3K/Akt signalling pathway was inhibited by LY294002, an inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). Furthermore, the effective components of PRRE in regulating ferroptosis and autophagy are mainly defined as albiflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoyl paeoniflorin, oleanolic acid, and hederagenin.

CONCLUSION

PRRE exerts neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischaemic injury by inhibiting ferroptosis and activating autophagy through the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway. This study provides an experimental basis for the potential application of PRRE as a novel therapeutic drug, and PI3K/Akt-associated ferroptosis and autophagy as therapeutic targets for cerebral ischemia.

Dipsacus and Scabiosa Species-The Source of Specialized Metabolites with High Biological Relevance: A Review

The genera Dipsacus L. and Scabiosa L. of the Caprifoliaceae family are widely distributed in Europe, Asia, and Africa. This work reviews the available literature on the phytochemical profiles, ethnomedicinal uses, and biological activities of the most popular species. These plants are rich sources of many valuable specialized metabolites with beneficial medicinal properties, such as triterpenoid derivatives, iridoids, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. They are also sources of essential oils. The genus Dipsacus has been used for centuries in Chinese and Korean folk medicines to treat bone (osteoporosis) and joint problems (rheumatic arthritis). The Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Chinese Pharmacopoeia include Dipsaci radix, the dried roots of D. asperoides C.Y.Cheng & T.M.Ai. In addition, S. comosa Fisch. ex Roem & Schult. and S. tschiliiensis Grunning are used in traditional Mongolian medicine to treat liver diseases. The current scientific literature data indicate that these plants and their constituents have various biological properties, including inter alia antiarthritic, anti-neurodegenerative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities; they have also been found to strengthen tendon and bone tissue and protect the liver, heart, and kidney. The essential oils possess antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticidal properties. This paper reviews the key biological values of Dipsacus and Scabiosa species, as identified by in vitro and in vivo studies, and presents their potential pharmacological applications.

Hederagenin ameliorates renal fibrosis in chronic kidney disease through blocking ISG15 regulated JAK/STAT signaling

Interstitial fibrosis is the key pathological characteristics of chronic kidney diseases (CKD). In this study, we reported that hederagenin (HDG) can effectively improve the renal interstitial fibrosis and its mechanism. We constructed CKD animal models of ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) respectively to observe the improvement effect of HDG on CKD. The results showed that HDG can effectively improve the pathological structure of kidney and the renal fibrosis in CKD mice. Meanwhile, HDG can also significantly reduce the expression of α-SMA and FN induced by TGF-β in Transformed C3H Mouse Kidney-1 (TCMK1) cells. Mechanistically, we performed transcriptome sequencing on UUO kidneys treated with HDG. By real time PCR screening of the sequencing results, we determined that ISG15 plays an important role in the intervention of HDG in CKD. Subsequently, we knocked-down ISG15 in TCMK1 and found that ISG15 knock-down significantly inhibited TGF-β-induced fibrotic protein expression and JAK/STAT activation. Finally, we performed electrotransfection and used liposomes to transfect ISG15 overexpression plasmids to up-regulate ISG15 in kidney and cells, respectively. We found that ISG15 can aggravate renal tubular cell fibrosis and abolish the protection of HDG on CKD. These results indicated that HDG significantly improves renal fibrosis in CKD by inhibiting ISG15 and its downstream JAK/STAT signaling pathway, which provides a new drug and research target for the subsequent treatment of CKD.

Hederagenin Suppresses Inflammation and Cartilage Degradation to Ameliorate the Progression of Osteoarthritis: An In vivo and In vitro Study

Osteoarthritis (OA), a common degenerative joint disease, is characterized by the progressive degradation of articular cartilage and inflammation. Hederagenin (HE) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin extracted from many herb plants. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-lipid peroxidative, anti-cancer, and neuroprotective activities. However, its effect on OA has not been investigated. Our study found that HE may be a potential anti-OA drug. In vitro, HE could suppress extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation via up-regulating aggrecan and Collagen II levels as well as downregulating MMPs and ADAMTS5 levels. It could also reduce proinflammatory and inflammatory cytokines or enzymes production, including TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, COX-2, NO, and PGE₂. Besides, HE markedly reduced IL-1β-induced C28/I2 cell apoptosis and ROS accumulation. Mechanistically, HE exerted chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects by partly inhibiting JAK2/STAT3/MAPK signalling pathway and the crosstalk of the two pathways. Also, HE exhibited anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative effect via targeting Keap1-Nrf2/HO-1/ROS/Bax/Bcl-2 axis. In vivo, HE significantly reduced monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) induced cartilage destruction of rats with a lower OARSI score and inflammatory cytokine levels, further demonstrating its protective effects in OA progression. These results suggest that HE is a potential compound for the development of drugs to treat OA.

Autophagy in cancer resistance to paclitaxel: Development of combination strategies

Paclitaxel, a compound naturally occurring in yew, is a commonly used drug for the treatment of different types of cancer. Unfortunately, frequent cancer cell resistance significantly decreases its anticancer effectivity. The main reason for the resistance development is the paclitaxel-induced phenomenon of cytoprotective autophagy occurring by different mechanisms of action in dependence on a cell type and possibly even leading to metastases. Paclitaxel also induces autophagy in cancer stem cells, which greatly contributes to tumor resistance development. Paclitaxel anticancer effectivity can be predicted by the presence of several autophagy-related molecular markers, such as tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 13 in triple-negative breast cancer or cystine/glutamate transporter encoded by the SLC7A11 gene in ovarian cancer. Nevertheless, the undesired effects of paclitaxel-induced autophagy can be eliminated by paclitaxel co-administration with autophagy inhibitors, such as chloroquine. Interestingly, in certain cases, it is worthy of potentiating autophagy by paclitaxel combination with autophagy inducers, for instance, apatinib. A modern strategy in anticancer research is also to encapsulate chemotherapeutics into nanoparticle carriers or develop their novel derivatives with improved anticancer properties. Hence, in this review article, we summarize not only the current knowledge of paclitaxel-induced autophagy and its role in cancer resistance but mainly the possible drug combinations based on paclitaxel and their administration in nanoparticle-based formulations as well as paclitaxel analogs with autophagy-modulating properties.

Exploring the mechanism of astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of multiple system atrophy based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease, it causes functional degradation of multiple organs and systems throughout the body. Astragalus membranaceus (AM), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, has been used to improve muscle wasting-related disorders for a long history. In this study, we used network pharmacology and molecular docking to predict the mechanism underlying AM for the treatment of MSA. We screened the active compounds of AM and its related targets, as well as the target proteins of MSA. We made a Venn diagram to obtain the intersecting targets and then constructed a protein-protein interaction network to find the core targets and build an active ingredient-target network map. After subjecting the intersecting targets to gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analysis, the binding ability of core compounds and core target proteins were validated by molecular docking. A total of 20 eligible compounds and 274 intersecting targets were obtained. The core components of treatment are quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin, and the core targets are TP53, RELA, and TNF. The main biological processes are related to cellular responses and regulation. Molecular functions are mainly associated with apoptosis, inflammation, and tumorigenesis. Molecular docking results show good and standard binding abilities. This study illustrates that AM treats MSA through multiple targets and pathways, and provides a reference for subsequent research.

α‑hederin overcomes hypoxia‑mediated drug resistance in colorectal cancer by inhibiting the AKT/Bcl2 pathway

Currently, chemoresistance is a major challenge that directly affects the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). In addition, hypoxia is associated with poor prognosis and therapeutic resistance in patients with cancer. Accumulating evidence has shown that α‑hederin has significant antitumour effects and that α‑hederin can inhibit hypoxia‑mediated drug resistance in CRC; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, viability and proliferation assays were used to evaluate the effect of α‑hederin on the drug resistance of CRC cells under hypoxia. Sequencing analysis and apoptosis assays were used to determine the effect of α‑hederin on apoptosis under hypoxia. Western blot analysis and reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR were used to measure apoptosis‑related protein and mRNA expression levels. Furthermore, different mouse models were established to study the effect of α‑hederin on hypoxia‑mediated CRC drug resistance in vivo. In the present study, the high expression of Bcl2 in hypoxic CRC cells was revealed to be a key factor in their drug resistance, whereas α‑hederin inhibited the expression of Bcl2 by reducing AKT phosphorylation in vitro and in vivo, and promoted the apoptosis of CRC cells under hypoxia. By contrast, overexpression of AKT reversed the effect of α‑hederin on CRC cell apoptosis under hypoxia. Taken together, these results suggested that α‑hederin may overcome hypoxia‑mediated drug resistance in CRC by inhibiting the AKT/Bcl2 pathway. In the future, α‑hederin may be used as a novel adjuvant for reversing drug resistance in CRC.

Exploration of the Use of Natural Compounds in Combination with Chemotherapy Drugs for Tumor Treatment

Currently, chemotherapy is the main treatment for tumors, but there are still problems such as unsatisfactory chemotherapy results, susceptibility to drug resistance, and serious adverse effects. Natural compounds have numerous pharmacological activities which are important sources of drug discovery for tumor treatment. The combination of chemotherapeutic drugs and natural compounds is gradually becoming an important strategy and development direction for tumor treatment. In this paper, we described the role of natural compounds in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs in synergizing, reducing drug resistance, mitigating adverse effects and related mechanisms, and providing new insights for future oncology research.

Pentacyclic triterpenes modulate farnesoid X receptor expression in colonic epithelial cells: implications for colonic secretory function

The nuclear bile acid receptor, farnesoid X receptor (FXR), is an important regulator of intestinal and metabolic function. Previous studies suggest that pentacyclic triterpenes (PCTs), a class of plant-derived bioactive phytochemical, can modulate FXR activity and may therefore offer therapeutic benefits. Here, we investigated the effects of a prototypical PCT, hederagenin (HG), on FXR expression, activity, and antisecretory actions in colonic epithelial cells. T₈₄ cells and murine enteroid-derived monolayers were employed to assess HG effects on FXR expression and activity in colonic epithelia. We measured mRNA levels by qRT-PCR and protein by ELISA and immunoblotting. Transepithelial Cl⁻ secretion was assessed as changes in short circuit current in Ussing chambers. We determined HG treatment (5–10 μM) alone did not induce FXR activation but significantly increased expression of the receptor, both in T₈₄ cells and murine enteroid-derived monolayers. This effect was accompanied by enhanced FXR activity, as assessed by FGF-15/19 induction in response to the synthetic, GW4064, or natural FXR agonist, chenodeoxycholic acid. Effects of HG on FXR expression and activity were mimicked by another PCT, oleanolic acid. Furthermore, we found FXR-induced downregulation of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator Cl⁻ channels and inhibition of transepithelial Cl⁻ secretion were enhanced in HG-treated cells. These data demonstrate that dietary PCTs have the capacity to modulate FXR expression, activity, and antisecretory actions in colonic epithelial cells. Based on these data, we propose that plants rich in PCTs, or extracts thereof, have excellent potential for development as a new class of “FXR-targeted nutraceuticals”.

Hederagenin ameliorates cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury via inhibiting long non-coding RNA A330074k22Rik/Axin2/β-catenin signalling pathway

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI), a kidney disease with high morbidity and mortality, is characterized by a dramatic decline in renal function. Hederagenin (HDG), a pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin isolated from astragalus membranaceus, has been shown to have significant anti-inflammatory effects on various diseases. However, the effects of HDG on renal injury and inflammation in AKI has not been elucidated.

METHODS

In this research, mice model of AKI was established by intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin in vivo, the inflammatory model of renal tubular epithelial cells was established by LPS stimulation in vitro, and HDG was used to intervene in vitro and in vivo models. Transcriptome sequencing was used to analyze the alterations of LncRNA and mRNA expression in AKI model and LncRNA-A330074k22Rik (A33) knockdown cells, respectively. Renal in situ electrotransfer knockdown plasmid was used to establish mice model of AKI with low expression of A33 in kidney.

RESULTS

The results showed that HDG effectively alleviate cisplatin-induced kidney injury and inflammation in mice. Transcriptome sequencing results showed that multiple LncRNAs in kidney of AKI model exhibited significant changes, among which LncRNA-A33 had the most obvious change trend. Subsequent results showed that A33 was highly expressed in kidney of AKI mice and LPS-induced renal tubular cells. After in situ renal electroporation knockdown plasmid down-regulated A33 in kidney of AKI mice, it was found that inhibition of A33 could significantly relieve cisplatin-induced kidney injury and inflammation of AKI, while HDG could effectively suppress the expression of A33 in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Subsequently, transcriptome sequencing was again used to analyze the changes in mRNA expression of renal tubular cells after A33 knockdown by siRNA. The results showed that a large number of inflammation-related signaling pathways were down-regulated, Axin2 and its downstream β-catenin signal were significantly inhibited. Cell recovery test showed that HDG inhibited Axin2/β-catenin signal by down-regulating A33, and improved kidney injury and inflammation of AKI.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, HDG significantly ameliorated cisplatin-induced kidney injury through LncRNA-A330074k22Rik/Axin2/β-catenin signal axis, which providing a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of AKI.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of ocotillol derivatives fused with 2-aminothiazole via A-ring as modulators of P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance

Overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) plays a key role in the development of multidrug resistance (MDR), the major reason for the failure of chemotherapy in clinics. Ocotillol and its derivatives had been reported with good P-gp-mediated tumor MDR reversal activity in vitro. Herein, a series of ocotillol derivatives fused with 2-aminothiazole (2-AT) via A-ring were designed and synthesized to further improve the tumor MDR reversal potency. These compounds were evaluated for their MDR reversal activity against the KBV cells by MTT assay. Among them, the most promising derivative against P-gp-mediated MDR was compound 12 with 2-AT and glycine in the A-ring. Rhodamine123 (Rh123) accumulation assay, Western blot assay, and P-gp-Glo™ assay showed that compound 12 efficiently inhibited the efflux function of P-gp by stimulating P-gp ATPase rather than downregulating its expression. Moreover, compound 12 sensitized KBV cells to paclitaxel arrested cells in the G₂/M phase and induced cell apoptosis. Importantly, compound 12 significantly inhibited the growth of KBV cell-derived xenograft tumors in nude mice by increasing the sensitivity of paclitaxel in vivo. Finally, the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of ocotillol derivatives were further investigated. In summary, compound 12 has the potential to overcome MDR in cancer caused by P-gp.

Regioselective Hydroxylation of Oleanolic Acid Catalyzed by Human CYP3A4 to Produce Hederagenenin, a Chiral Metabolite

Oleanolic acid (OA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid widely found in plants and foods as an aglycone of triterpenoid saponins or as a free acid. OA exhibits beneficial activities for humans, including antitumor, antivirus, and hepatoprotection properties without apparent toxicity. The metabolites produced by the cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes are critical for the evaluation of the efficacy and safety of drugs. In this study, the potential metabolites of OA were investigated by P450-catalyzed oxidation reactions. Among the various tested human P450s, only human CYP3A4 was active for the hydroxylation of OA. The major metabolite was characterized by a set of analyses using HPLC, LC–MS, and NMR. It was found to be 4-epi-hederagenenin, a chiral product, by regioselective hydroxylation of the methyl group at the C-23 position. These results indicated that CYP3A4 can hydroxylate an OA substrate to make 4-epi-hederagenenin. Possible drug–food interactions are discussed.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of hederagenin derivatives with improved aqueous solubility and tumor resistance reversal activity

Multidrug resistance (MDR) has become a major obstacle to malignancies treatment by chemotherapeutic drugs, therefore, it is important to develop MDR reversal agents with high activity. We have previously found that the hederagenin (HD) derivative HBQ showed good tumor MDR reversal activity in vitro and in vivo but had poor solubility. In this study, to enhance the aqueous solubility and tumor MDR reversal activity of HBQ, three series of HD derivatives were designed and synthesized. Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic-substituted, PEGylated, and ring-A substituted derivatives significantly reversed the MDR phenotype of KBV (multidrug-resistant oral epidermoid carcinoma) cells toward paclitaxel at a concentration of 10 μM in MTT assays. The PEGylated derivatives 10c-10e had increased aqueous solubility compared with HBQ by 18-657 fold, while maintaining tumor MDR reversal activity. The most in vitro active compound 10c possessed good chemical stability to an esterase over 24 h and enhanced the sensitivity of KBV cells to paclitaxel and vincristine with IC₅₀ values of 4.58 and 0.79 nM, respectively. Mechanism studies indicated that compound 10c increased the accumulation of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrates rhodamine 123 and Flutax1 in KBV cells and MCF-7T (paclitaxel-resistant breast carcinoma) cells, that is to say, compound 10c exerted the reversal effect of tumor MDR by inhibiting the efflux function of P-gp. Finally, the structure-activity relationships were further investigated by analyzing the relationship between structure and tumor MDR reversal activity of HD derivatives. This study highlights the potential of PEGylated HD derivatives such as compound 10c for the development of tumor MDR reversal agents and provides information for the further improvement of the aqueous solubility and tumor MDR reversal activity of HD derivatives in the future.

Bioactive Phytochemicals Isolated from Akebia quinata Enhances Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion by Inducing PDX-1

Chocolate vine (Akebia quinata) is consumed as a fruit and is also used in traditional medicine. In order to identify the bioactive components of A. quinata, a phytosterol glucoside stigmasterol-3-O-β-d-glucoside (1), three triterpenoids maslinic acid (2), scutellaric acid (3), and hederagenin (4), and three triterpenoidal saponins akebia saponin PA (5), hederacoside C (6), and hederacolchiside F (7) were isolated from a 70% EtOH extract of the fruits of A. quinata (AKQU). The chemical structures of isolates 1-7 were determined by analyzing the 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic data. Here, we evaluated the effects of AKQU and compounds 1-7 on insulin secretion using the INS-1 rat pancreatic β-cell line. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) was evaluated in INS-1 cells using the GSIS assay. The expression levels of the proteins related to pancreatic β-cell function were detected by Western blotting. Among the isolates, stigmasterol-3-O-β-d-glucoside (1) exhibited strong GSIS activity and triggered the overexpression of pancreas/duodenum homeobox protein-1 (PDX-1), which is implicated in the regulation of pancreatic β-cell survival and function. Moreover, isolate 1 markedly induced the expression of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and Akt, which regulate the transcription of PDX-1. The results of our experimental studies indicated that stigmasterol-3-O-β-d-glucoside (1) isolated from the fruits of A. quinata can potentially enhance insulin secretion, and might alleviate the reduction in GSIS during the development of T2DM.

P. Cardoso D, U. Ferreira MJ. Overcoming Multidrug Resistance: Flavonoid and Terpenoid Nitrogen-Containing Derivatives as ABC Transporter Modulators

Multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer is one of the main limitations for chemotherapy success. Numerous mechanisms are behind the MDR phenomenon wherein the overexpression of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter proteins P-glycoprotein (P-gp), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) is highlighted as a prime factor. Natural product-derived compounds are being addressed as promising ABC transporter modulators to tackle MDR. Flavonoids and terpenoids have been extensively explored in this field as mono or dual modulators of these efflux pumps. Nitrogen-bearing moieties on these scaffolds were proved to influence the modulation of ABC transporters efflux function. This review highlights the potential of semisynthetic nitrogen-containing flavonoid and terpenoid derivatives as candidates for the design of effective MDR reversers. A brief introduction concerning the major role of efflux pumps in multidrug resistance, the potential of natural product-derived compounds in MDR reversal, namely natural flavonoid and terpenoids, and the effect of the introduction of nitrogen-containing groups are provided. The main modifications that have been performed during last few years to generate flavonoid and terpenoid derivatives, bearing nitrogen moieties, such as aliphatic, aromatic and heterocycle amine, amide, and related functional groups, as well as their P-gp, MRP1 and BCRP inhibitory activities are reviewed and discussed.

Hederagenin protects mice against ovariectomy-induced bone loss by inhibiting RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption

AIMS

Postmenopausal osteoporosis and other osteolytic bone diseases are often caused by the elevation in osteoclastogenesis and/or increased osteoclastic bone resorption, leading to excessive bone loss. Hederagenin (Hed) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin extracted from various natural medicinal plants and exhibits numerous biological activities and may offer benefits against bone-related conditions. We evaluated the effects of Hed on osteoclast formation and bone resorption in vitro and the in vivo therapeutic benefits in the mouse model of ovariectomy (OVX)-induced bone loss.

MAIN METHODS

In vitro, osteoclast formation were determined by TRAcp staining; bone resorption were examined using Hydroxyapatite resorption assay and Podosomal actin belt formation assay; Related molecular mechanisms were determined by western blot assay. Construction of OVX mice by bilateral oophorectomy to simulate bone loss in vivo.

KEY FINDINGS

In vitro cellular assays showed that Hed inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and osteoclast bone (hydroxyapatite) resorption as well as marker gene expression from BMM culture. Mechanistically, Hed attenuated RANKL-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and MAPK signaling pathway (ERK and p38) activation which curbed the downstream induction of c-Fos and NFATc1. Consistent with the in vitro findings, Hed administration effectively protected OVX mice from bone loss by reducing osteoclast number and activity on bone surface.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our data provided promising evidence for the potential use of Hederagenin in the treatment of osteoclast-mediated osteolytic bone diseases such as postmenopausal osteoporosis.