Delivery of astragalus polysaccharide by ultrasound microbubbles attenuate doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in rodent animals

Natural Products for Preventing and Managing Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity: A Comprehensive Review

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline anticancer agent that is highly effective in the treatment of solid tumors. Given the multiplicity of mechanisms involved in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, it is difficult to identify a precise molecular target for toxicity. The findings of a literature review suggest that natural products may offer cardioprotective benefits against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, both in vitro and in vivo. However, further confirmatory studies are required to substantiate this claim. It is of the utmost importance to direct greater attention towards the intricate signaling networks that are of paramount importance for the survival and dysfunction of cardiomyocytes. Notwithstanding encouraging progress made in preclinical studies of natural products for the prevention of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, these have not yet been translated for clinical use. One of the most significant obstacles hindering the development of cardioprotective adjuvants based on natural products is the lack of adequate bioavailability in humans. This review presents an overview of current knowledge on doxorubicin DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, with a focus on the potential benefits of natural compounds and herbal preparations in preventing this adverse effect. As literature search engines, the browsers in the Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science databases and the ClinicalTrials.gov register were used.

The Antioxidant Action of Astragali radix: Its Active Components and Molecular Basis

Astragali radix is a traditional medicinal herb with a long history and wide application. It is frequently used in prescriptions with other medicinal materials to replenish Qi. According to the classics of traditional Chinese medicine, Astragali radix is attributed with properties such as Qi replenishing and surface solidifying, sore healing and muscle generating, and inducing diuresis to reduce edema. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that some extracts and active ingredients in Astragali radix function as antioxidants. The polysaccharides, saponins, and flavonoids in Astragali radix offer beneficial effects in preventing and controlling diseases caused by oxidative stress. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive research on the effective components and molecular mechanisms through which Astragali radix exerts antioxidant activity. In this paper, we review the active components with antioxidant effects in Astragali radix; summarize the content, bioavailability, and antioxidant mechanisms; and offer a reference for the clinical application of Astragalus and the future development of novel antioxidants.

Advances in Plant Polysaccharides as Antiaging Agents: Effects and Signaling Mechanisms

Aging refers to the gradual physiological changes that occur in an organism after reaching adulthood, resulting in senescence and a decline in biological functions, ultimately leading to death. Epidemiological evidence shows that aging is a driving factor in the developing of various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, immune system disorders, cancer, and chronic low-grade inflammation. Natural plant polysaccharides have emerged as crucial food components in delaying the aging process. Therefore, it is essential to continuously investigate plant polysaccharides as potential sources of new pharmaceuticals for aging. Modern pharmacological research indicates that plant polysaccharides can exert antiaging effects by scavenging free radicals, increasing telomerase activity, regulating apoptosis, enhancing immunity, inhibiting glycosylation, improving mitochondrial dysfunction regulating gene expression, activating autophagy, and modulating gut microbiota. Moreover, the antiaging activity of plant polysaccharides is mediated by one or more signaling pathways, including IIS, mTOR, Nrf2, NF-κB, Sirtuin, p53, MAPK, and UPR signaling pathways. This review summarizes the antiaging properties of plant polysaccharides and signaling pathways participating in the polysaccharide-regulating aging process. Finally, we discuss the structure-activity relationships of antiaging polysaccharides.

Role of oxidative stress and inflammation-related signaling pathways in doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a powerful and commonly used chemotherapeutic drug, used alone or in combination in a variety of cancers, while it has been found to cause serious cardiac side effects in clinical application. More and more researchers are trying to explore the molecular mechanisms of DOX-induced cardiomyopathy (DIC), in which oxidative stress and inflammation are considered to play a significant role. This review summarizes signaling pathways related to oxidative stress and inflammation in DIC and compounds that exert cardioprotective effects by acting on relevant signaling pathways, including the role of Nrf2/Keap1/ARE, Sirt1/p66Shc, Sirt1/PPAR/PGC-1α signaling pathways and NOS, NOX, Fe²⁺ signaling in oxidative stress, as well as the role of NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD, HMGB1/TLR4/MAPKs/NF-κB, mTOR/TFEB/NF-κB pathways in DOX-induced inflammation. Hence, we attempt to explain the mechanisms of DIC in terms of oxidative stress and inflammation, and to provide a theoretical basis or new idea for further drug research on reducing DIC. Video Abstract.

Glucose fluctuation promotes cardiomyocyte apoptosis by triggering endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro

Glucose fluctuation is more harmful than sustained hyperglycemia, but the effect on cardiomyocyte apoptosis have not yet been clarified. In this study, we aim to identify the effect of glucose fluctuation on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and explore the underlying mechanism. Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin (STZ) and divided into three groups: controlled diabetic group (C-STZ); uncontrolled diabetic group (U-STZ) and glucose fluctuated diabetic group (GF-STZ). After twelve weeks, echocardiography, Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and Masson staining were adopted to assess the cardiac function and pathological changes. TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptotic cells. Expressions of apoptosis-related proteins and key molecules in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathway were determined via western blots. Further, primary cardiomyocytes incubated in different glucose conditions were treated with the inhibitor of ER stress to explore the causative role of ER stress in glucose fluctuation-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. In vivo, we demonstrated that glucose fluctuation promoted cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and were more harmful to cardiomyocytes than sustained hyperglycemia. Moreover, glucose fluctuation significantly triggered ER stress signaling pathway. In vitro, primary cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by glucose fluctuation and the activation of ER stress were significantly attenuated by 4-PBA, which is an ER stress inhibitor. Above all, glucose fluctuation can promote cardiomyocyte apoptosis through triggering the ER stress signaling pathway in diabetic rats and in primary cardiomyocytes.