Rosmarinic acid protects on rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis

Ameliorative potential of rosmarinic acid in a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome: Targeting MCP-1 and VEGF: A histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical study

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multidisciplinary endocrinopathy that affects women of reproductive age. It is characterized by menstrual complications, hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular issues. The current research investigated the efficacy of rosmarinic acid in letrozole-induced PCOS in adult female rats as well as the potential underlying molecular mechanisms. Forty female rats were divided into the control group, the rosmarinic acid group (50 mg/kg per orally, po) for 21 days, PCOS group; PCOS was induced by administration of letrozole (1 mg/kg po) for 21 days, and rosmarinic acid-PCOS group, received rosmarinic acid after PCOS induction. PCOS resulted in a marked elevation in both serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels and LH/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio with a marked reduction in serum estradiol and progesterone levels. A marked rise in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor (messenger RNA) in the ovarian tissue was reported. The histological analysis displayed multiple cystic follicles in the ovarian cortex with markedly thin granulosa cell layer, vacuolated granulosa and theca cell layers, and desquamated granulosa cells. Upregulation in the immune expression of TNF-α and caspase-3 was demonstrated in the ovarian cortex. Interestingly, rosmarinic acid ameliorated the biochemical and histopathological changes. In conclusion, rosmarinic acid ameliorates letrozole-induced PCOS through its anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenesis effects.

SIRT1/NFκB pathway mediates anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of rosmarinic acid on in a mouse model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is considered as a common liver disease. SIRT1, a pivotal sensor, controls activation of metabolic, inflammatory and apoptotic pathways. Rosmarinic acid (RA) has positive effects on the liver injuries; nevertheless, its mechanisms are not completely studied. The aim of this study was to explore the role of rosmarinic acid on the pathways involved by SIRT1 for amelioration of a mouse model of NASH. To do this, C57/BL6 mice were divided into four equal groups (6 in each group). Animals received saline and rosmarinic acid as the control groups. NASH was induced by methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet. In the NASH + RA group, Rosmarinic acid was injected daily in mice fed on an MCD diet. Rosmarinic acid decreased plasma triglyceride, cholesterol, liver Steatosis and oxidative stress. Rosmarinic acid administration also increased SIRT1, Nrf2 and PPARα and decreased SREBP1c, FAS, NFκB and caspase3 expressions. Moreover, TNFα, IL6, P53, Bax/Bcl2 ratio and caspase3 expressions decreased. Our study demonstrated that remarkable effects of rosmarinic acid on the mice with NASH might be due to activation of SIRT1/Nrf2, SIRT1/NFκB and SIRT1/PPARα pathways, which alleviate hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis.

Potential pre-activation strategies for improving therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells: current status and future prospects

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapy has been considered as a promising approach targeting a variety of intractable diseases due to remarkable multiple effect of MSCs, such as multilineage differentiation, immunomodulatory property, and pro-regenerative capacity. However, poor engraftment, low survival rate of transplanted MSC, and impaired donor-MSC potency under host age/disease result in unsatisfactory therapeutic outcomes. Enhancement strategies, including genetic manipulation, pre-activation, and modification of culture method, have been investigated to generate highly functional MSC, and approaches for MSC pre-activation are highlighted. In this review, we summarized the current approaches of MSC pre-activation and further classified, analysed the scientific principles and main characteristics of these manipulations, and described the pros and cons of individual pre-activation strategies. We also discuss the specialized tactics to solve the challenges in this promising field so that it improves MSC therapeutic functions to serve patients better.

Effects of rosmarinic acid on the inflammatory response in allergic rhinitis rat models after PM2.5 exposure

BACKGROUND

Studies have shown the promising prospects of rosmarinic acid (RosA) for the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of RosA on inflammatory reaction in rat models of allergic rhinitis (AR) after PM2.5 exposure.

METHODS

Allergic rhinitis rat models were established by ovalbumin sensitization, and PM2.5 was applied at a concentration of 1000 μg/m3 , 3 h a day for 30 consecutive days. RosA was administered via intraperitoneal injection (20 mg/kg/d) for seven consecutive days. Allergic nasal symptoms were recorded. The expressions of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, interferon (INF)-γ, and OVA-sIgE were determined by ELISA. Histopathological changes in nasal mucosa were observed by HE staining. mRNA expressions of T-bet and GATA-3 in nasal mucosa were detected by RT-PCR. NF-κBp65 in cell nuclei and IκBα in cytoplasm were analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTS

PM2.5 exposure worsened allergic nasal symptoms in AR rats, while RosA ameliorated these symptoms. Histopathologically, AR rats exhibited disorganized nasal mucosal epithelium, cell exfoliation, eosinophilic infiltration of lamina propria, gland swelling, and submucosal vascular congestion, which were aggravated by PM2.5 exposure and alleviated by RosA. RosA decreased the expressions of IL-4, IL-13, and increased the level of IFN-γ in PM2.5-exposed AR rats. After RosA intervention, the expressions of GATA-3 mRNA and NF-κBp65 in PM2.5-exposed AR rats were significantly reduced, while those of T-bet mRNA and IκBα were markedly increased.

CONCLUSION

Rosmarinic acid may alleviate symptoms of AR rat models exposed to PM2.5 through the modulation of the NF-κB pathway and Th1/Th2 balance.

Rosmarinic acid attenuates acrylamide induced apoptosis of BRL-3A cells by inhibiting oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress

Acrylamide (AA) is a common endogenous contaminant in food, with a complex toxicity mechanism. The study on liver damage to experimental animals caused by AA has aroused a great attention. Rosmarinic acid (RosA) as a natural antioxidant shows excellent protective effects against AA-induced hepatotoxicity, but the potential mechanism is still unclear. In the current study, the protective effect of RosA on BRL-3A cell damage induced by AA was explored. RosA increased the activity of SOD and GSH, reduced the content of ROS and MDA, and significantly reduced the oxidative stress (OS) damage of BRL-3A cells induced by AA. RosA pretreatment inhibited the MAPK signaling pathway activated by AA, and down-regulated the phosphorylation of JNK, ERK and p38. RosA pretreatment also reduced the production of calcium ions caused by AA. In addition, the key proteins p-IRE1α, XBP-1s, TRAF2 of the IRE1 pathway, and the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) characteristic proteins GRP78, p-ASK1, Caspase-12 and CHOP were also down-regulated by RosA. NAC blocked the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway and inhibited the ERS pathway. RosA reduced the rate of apoptosis and down-regulated the expression of Bax/Bcl-2 and Caspase-3, thereby inhibiting AA-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, RosA reduced the OS and ERS induced by AA in BRL-3A cells, thereby inhibiting cell apoptosis, and it could be used as a potential protective agent against AA toxicity.

Protective roles and mechanisms of rosmarinic acid in cyclophosphamide-induced premature ovarian failure

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of rosmarinic acid (RA) in a premature ovarian failure (POF) mouse model and the potential mechanisms. The POF model was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of 120 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (CP). Additionally, 40 mg/kg RA was administered for 7 days before CP injection. The concentration of sex hormones was determined by fluorescence immunohistochemistry. Histological analysis was performed after ovarian tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome was examined by western blot analysis and polymerase chain reaction. The expression of apoptosis markers of cytochrome c and caspase-3 was also detected by western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. The results showed that RA not only decreased the ovarian index in POF mice but also improved the abnormal secretion of reproductive hormones associated with POF. Treatment with RA suppressed the ovarian expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome and regulated the ovarian expression of apoptosis-related proteins. The results suggested that RA exhibited a protective effect against CP-induced POF potentially by suppressing apoptosis and the NLRP3 inflammasome.