Astragaloside IV synergizes with ferulic acid to suppress hepatic stellate cells activation in vitro

The possible pathogenesis of liver fibrosis: therapeutic potential of natural polyphenols

Liver fibrosis is the formation of a fibrous scar resulting from chronic liver injury, independently from etiology. Although many of the mechanical details remain unknown, activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a central driver of liver fibrosis. Extracellular mechanisms such as apoptotic bodies, paracrine stimuli, inflammation, and oxidative stress are critical in activating HSCs. The potential for liver fibrosis to reverse after removing the causative agent has heightened interest in developing antifibrotic therapies. Polyphenols, the secondary plant metabolites, have gained attention because of their health-beneficial properties, including well-recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, in the setting of liver fibrosis. In this review, we present an overview of the mechanisms underlying liver fibrosis with a specific focus on the activation of resident HSCs. We highlight the therapeutic potential and promising role of natural polyphenols to mitigate liver fibrosis pathogenesis, focusing on HSCs activation. We also discuss the translational gap from preclinical findings to clinical treatments involved in natural polyphenols in liver fibrosis.

A strategy for deciphering the bioactive metabolites of Farfarae Flos by the inter-individual variability of the antitussive effect

Farfarae Flos is a commonly used traditional herb for the treatment of respiratory disorders. In this study, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry combined with the mass defect filter method was used for the qualitative analysis of Farfarae Flos metabolites in the lung tissues. Then a method for the simultaneous determination of 14 Farfarae Flos metabolites was developed and validated in terms of specificity, linearity, precision and accuracy, matrix effect and recovery. The method was applied to compare the lung tissue of Farfarae Flos treated mice, and 10 caffeoylquinic acid metabolites were higher in the mice with better antitussive effect. Further network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking results showed that these metabolites played an important role in the antitussive effect of Farfarae Flos. This study presented a novel strategy for deciphering the active compounds of herbal medicine by inter-individual variability of bioactivities.

Pharmacokinetics-based comprehensive strategy to identify multiple effective components in Huangqi decoction against liver fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Huangqi decoction (HQD) has been used to treat chronic liver diseases since the 11th century, but the effective components in HQD against liver fibrosis have not been definitively clarified.

PURPOSE

To investigate and identify multiple effective components in HQD against liver fibrosis using a pharmacokinetics-based comprehensive strategy.

METHODS

The absorbed representative components in HQD and their metabolites were detected in human plasma and urine using high-resolution mass spectrometry combined with a database-directed method, and then pharmacokinetics in multiple HQD components in human plasma was analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple-quadruple mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the anti-fibrotic effect of potential effective HQD components was studied in LX-2 cells and that of a multi-component combination of HQD (MCHD) was verified in a mouse CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis model.

RESULTS

Twenty-four prototype components in HQD and 17 metabolites were identified in humans, and the pharmacokinetic characteristics of 14 components were elucidated. Among these components, astragaloside IV, cycloastragenol, glycyrrhizic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid, liquiritigenin, and isoliquiritigenin downregulated the mRNA expression of α-SMA; cycloastragenol, calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, formononetin, glycyrrhetinic acid, liquiritin, and isoliquiritin downregulated the mRNA expression of Col I; and calycosin, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, cycloastragenol, and glycyrrhetinic accelerated the apoptosis of LX-2 cells. MCHD reduced serum aminotransferase activity and hepatic collagen fibril deposition in mice with CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

Using the pharmacokinetics-based comprehensive strategy, we revealed that multiple effective HQD components act together against liver fibrosis.

Astragaloside IV Synergizing with Ferulic Acid Ameliorates Pulmonary Fibrosis by TGF-β1/Smad3 Signaling

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to research the interventional effect and mechanism of astragaloside IV (Ast) synergizing with ferulic acid (FA) on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) induced by bleomycin in mice.

METHODS

The mice were randomly divided into seven groups with 10 mice in each group, namely, a sham operation group, a model group, a miRNA-29b (miR-29) group, a miR-29b negative control group (NC group), a FA group, an Ast group, and a combination group. A mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis was established by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. Samples were collected after 28 days of continuous administration. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson staining were used to observe pathological changes in the lung tissue, and the degree of fibrosis was evaluated using the hydroxyproline content. Changes in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and Smad3 in the lung were observed using immunohistochemistry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the serum. PCR was used to detect the expression of the miR-29b, TGF-β1, Smad3, and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) genes. Western blotting was used to detect the content of the TGF-β/Smad3 protein.

RESULTS

Ferulic acid combined with astragaloside IV reduced the degree of pulmonary fibrosis and the synthesis of hydroxyproline in lung tissue. The combination of the two also regulated the oxidative stress response ， TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway and miR-29b in lung tissue.

CONCLUSION

Astragaloside IV combined with ferulic acid regulated the oxidative stress of lung tissues and TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling through miR-29b, thereby reducing the degree of pulmonary fibrosis. This provides a reference direction for the clinical treatment of IPF patients.

Astragaloside IV Synergizes with Ferulic Acid to Alleviate Hepatic Fibrosis in Bile Duct-Ligated Cirrhotic Rats

BACKGROUND

Due to the multi-factorial etiology of hepatic fibrosis, multi-target therapeutics based on combinatory drugs is known to be a promising strategy for the disease.

AIMS

The present study attempted to test the hypothesis that astragaloside IV combined with ferulic acid synergistically inhibits activation of hepatic stellate cells in vivo.

METHODS

Bile duct-ligated rats were treated with astragaloside IV or/and ferulic acid for 28 days. Liver fibrosis was measured by histological examination. The oxidative stress-related biomarkers were measured with spectrophotometry. Expressions of mRNA and protein were measured by real-time PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTS

Bile duct-ligated rat treatment with astragaloside IV and ferulic acid in combination resulted in synergistic alleviation of hepatic fibrosis. Simultaneously, activation of hepatic stellate cells was significantly inhibited by the combination therapy when compared with astragaloside IV or ferulic acid alone. Interestingly, astragaloside IV, but not ferulic acid, induced accumulation of Nrf2 in the nucleus, synthesized antioxidant enzymes through negative regulation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β, scavenged reactive oxygen species, and, in turn, suppressed hepatic stellate cells activation in bile duct-ligated rats. Conversely, ferulic acid, but not astragaloside IV, suppressed TGF-β1 and its receptors expression, which resulted in downregulation of Smad3 and Smad4.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the combination of astragaloside IV and ferulic acid synergistically induces deactivation of hepatic stellate cells through inhibition of the TGF-β pathway and activation of the Nrf2 pathway, and suggest that combination of astragaloside IV and ferulic acid is a promising candidate for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.

Hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effects of copper-nicotinate complex against fatty liver in rat model

Aim:

The current study was designed to evaluate the potential hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effects of copper-nicotinate complex (CNC) against methionine- and choline-deficient diet (MCDD)-induced fatty liver in rats.

Materials and Methods:

Forty male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into one of four equal-sized groups (G1-G4). The G1 group was fed a balanced diet and kept under normal conditions; the G2 group received CNC orally at a dose of 0.043 mg/kg body weight, 3 times/week for 4 weeks, and a balanced diet; the G3 group was fed an MCDD for 4 weeks; and the G4 group was fed an MCDD and administered CNC at the same dose and route as G2. Blood samples were collected for the determination of serum enzyme activity. After 4 weeks of treatment, liver specimens were collected for the evaluation of the oxidative/antioxidative markers, cytokine gene expression, and histopathological examination.

Results:

CNC improved MCDD-induced liver dysfunctions by recovering serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase activities to their normal levels. The glutathione (GSH) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity significantly decreased, while lipid peroxidation (as reflected by malondialdehyde [MDA]) markedly increased in the liver tissue of the MCDD group. After cotreatment with MCDD and CNC, the GSH level and SOD activity markedly increased and the MDA level significantly decreased to return to normal levels. After cotreatment with MCDD and CNC, significant downregulation of the mRNA expression of hepatic interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 genes was found. Moreover, CNC reduced fatty liver complications by reducing the number of hepatic vacuolations, degenerative changes in the hepatocytes, and hemorrhage.

Conclusion:

CNC has the potential to limit tissue injury and possibly prevent the progression to severe liver disease caused by an MCDD.

Astragaloside IV Protects Against Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-Induced Endothelial Cell Injury by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Background

Endothelial injury is the main mechanism of atherosclerosis, and is caused by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is the primary active ingredient of the Chinese herb Huangqi, and exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in cardiovascular diseases. This study investigated the protective effect of AS-IV in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Material/Methods

HUVEC cells were induced with ox-LDL to establish an in vitro atherosclerosis model. Then HUVECs were pretreated for 1 h with AS-IV at different concentrations (10, 20, and 50 μM) and then exposed to ox-LDL (100 μg/mL) for 48 h. The cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, apoptosis, migration, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and NADPH oxidase activity of HUVECs were measured. qRT-PCR was performed to measure the mRNA expressions of Nrf2, HO-1, TNFα, and IL-6. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure the supernatant contents of TNFα and IL-6.

Results

Exposure of HUVECs to ox-LDL reduced cell viability and migration, induced apoptosis, and increased intracellular ROS production and NADPH oxidase. Pretreatment with AS-IV (10, 20, and 50 μM) significantly enhanced the cell viability and migration, suppressed LDH release, apoptosis, ROS production, and NADPH oxidase in HUVECs, in a concentration-dependent manner. The AS-IV (50 μM) alone did not show significant differences from control. AS-IV increased mRNA expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 and decreased mRNA expressions of TNFα and IL-6 in the ox-LDL-HUEVC cells. Furthermore, AS-IV reduced supernatant contents of TNFα and IL-6.

Conclusions

Astragaloside IV prevents ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell injury by reducing apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response.

Emodin suppresses activation of hepatic stellate cells through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and Smad signaling pathways in vitro

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that emodin inhibits extracellular matrix (ECM)-related gene expression in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) by blocking canonical or/and noncanonical components of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) intracellular signaling. Here, we demonstrate that emodin suppressed the gene expression of HSCs activation markers type I collagen, fibronectin, and α-smooth muscle actin, as well as HSCs proliferation. Mechanistically, emodin suppresses TGFβ1, TGFβ receptor II, TGFβ receptor I, and Smad4 gene expression, as well as Smad luciferase activity. Simultaneously, emodin reduced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38^MAPK ) activity but not c-Jun N-terminal kinases and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 phosphorylation in HSC-T6 cells. Interestingly, deprivation of TGFβ using a neutralizing antibody abolished emodin-mediated inhibitions of the both Smad transcriptional activity and p38^MAPK phosphorylation. Furthermore, emodin-mediated inhibition of HSCs activation could be partially blocked by PD98059 inhibition of p38^MAPK or short hairpin RNA-imposed knockdown of Smad4. Conversely, simultaneous inhibition of Smad4 and p38^MAPK pathways completely reverses the effects of emodin, suggesting that Smad and p38^MAPK locate downstream of TGFβ1 and regulate collagen genes expression in HSCs. Collectively, these data suggest that emodin is a promising candidate for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.

The Bioactive Extract of Pinnigorgia sp. Induces Apoptosis of Hepatic Stellate Cells via ROS-ERK/JNK-Caspase-3 Signaling

The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a significant phenomenon during the pathogenesis of liver disorders, including liver cirrhosis and fibrosis. Here, we identified that the extract from a gorgonian coral Pinnigorgia sp. (Pin) induced apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells. Pin inhibited the viability of HSC-T6 cells and increased their subG1 population, DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in a concentration-dependent manner. The Pin-induced ROS generation and apoptotic effects were significantly reversed by a thiol antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Additionally, Pin induced ERK/JNK phosphorylation and pharmacological inhibition of ERK/JNK rescued the Pin-induced cell death. Pin-activated ERK/JNK were significantly reduced after the administration of NAC; however, the inhibition of ERK/JNK failed to change the Pin-induced ROS production. Similarly, pinnigorgiol A, a pure compound isolated from Pin, elicited ROS production and apoptosis in HSC-T6 cells. The pinnigorgiol A-induced apoptosis was retrained by NAC. Together, it appears that Pin leads to apoptosis in HSC-T6 cells through ROS-mediated ERK/JNK signaling and caspase-3 activation. Pinnigorgiol A serves as a bioactive compound of Pin and may exhibit therapeutic potential by clearance of HSCs.