Artichoke Extract Directly Suppresses Inflammation and Apoptosis in Hepatocytes During the Development of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Artichoke water extract protects against Lead-induced hepatotoxicity by activating Nrf2 signaling and inhibiting NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Lead (Pb), a predominant heavy metal in the environment, causes significant harm to mammalian organs by activating oxidative stress and inflammation. Artichoke (Cynarascolymus L.) is a conventional edible botanical remedy known for its diverse pharmacological attributes, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

AIM

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of artichoke water extract (AWE) on Pb-induced liver toxicity and the potential underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We identified and quantified the chemical compounds in AWE using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Fifty male C57BL/6J mice (8-week-old) were randomly divided into five groups with ad libitum access to a standard diet and water. Over six weeks of experiments, the control group was orally administered 100 μL/day of distilled water. The Pb group received orally a Pb solution at 25 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day. The Pb + AWE (0.8) group received a combination of Pb solution (25 mg/kg BW) and AWE (0.8 g/kg BW) daily. Next, the Pb + AWE (1.6) group received a combination of Pb solution (25 mg/kg BW) and AWE (1.6 g/kg BW) daily. The Pb + vitamin C group received a combination of Pb solution (25 mg/kg BW) and vitamin C (50 mg/kg BW) daily. We evaluated tissue Pb levels, serum biochemical indices, liver function parameters, and histopathology post-experiment. HepG2 cells were cultured to investigate AWE's role and underlying mechanism of action on Pb-induced pyroptosis.

RESULTS

Ninety-six major compounds were identified and quantified in AWE using UPLC-MS/MS. Treatment with AWE at 0.8 and 1.6 g/kg body weight (BW) significantly reduced tissue Pb accumulation, induced fecal Pb excretion, improved lipid profiles, and attenuated liver injury. In addition, AWE treatment increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-OHdG production, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1 beta expression in Pb-exposed mice and HepG2 cells. Mechanistically, the in vivo and in vitro results showed that AWE's antioxidant role was related to the activation of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling. Its anti-inflammatory effect was associated with the inhibition of Pb-induced pyroptosis by inhibiting the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3)/caspase-1/gasdermin D (GSDMD) pathway.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that AWE protects against Pb-induced liver toxicity potentially through its chelating, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.

"Protective effects of artichoke extract and Bifidobacterium longum on male infertility in diabetic rats"

Background

Diabetes is a major global health concern and plays a significant role in male infertility and hormonal abnormalities by altering the tissue structure of spermatogenic tubes and decreasing the number of spermatogonia. This study investigated the effect of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L) hydroalcoholic extract and Bifidobacterium longum probiotic on sexual hormones, oxidative stress, apoptosis pathway, and histopathological changes in testicular tissues of diabetic rats to find an adjuvant therapy to manage the infertility complications of diabetes.

Methods

In this experiment, 96 male-rats were randomly selected from eight groups. Control, Sham (normal saline), DM group (IP injected with 60 mg/kg STZ), Cynara (400 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract of Cynara scolymus L), BBL (received 1 × 109 CFU/ml/day Bifidobacterium longum), DM + Cynara, DM + BBL, and DM + Cynara + BBL groups. After 48 days of orally gavage, serum level of FBS (fasting blood sugar), Malondi-aldehyde (MDA), Total-Anti-Oxidant Capacity (TAC), FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone), LH (Luteinizing hormone), Testosterone, Testis mRNA-expressions of Protamin (prm1), BCL2, and Caspase-9 genes, as well as stereological changes were measured.

Results

In comparison to the diabetic group, the hydroalcoholic extract of Cynara scolymus L combined with the probiotic Bifidobacterium longum resulted in a substantial decrease in FBS (p < 0.001) and MDA(p < 0.05) concentrations, and the expression of the Caspase-9 gene (1.33-fold change). In addition, serum levels of TAC, LH, FSH, Testosterone were significantly increased (p < 0.05). mRNA expression of protamine (p = 0.016) and BCL2 (0.72-fold change) were detected. Furthermore, in comparison with diabetic rats, the Cynara scolymus L-and Bifidobacterium longum-treated groups showed a significant increase in the number of sexual lineage cells, total weight, sperm count, motility, normal morphology, volume of the testis, and volume and length of seminiferous tubules (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The findings demonstrated that Cynara scolymus L extract and Bifidobacterium longum supplement had great therapeutic potential, including antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-diabetic, fertility index improvement, and sex hormone modulators.

Pueraria lobata antioxidant extract ameliorates non-alcoholic fatty liver by altering hepatic fat accumulation and oxidative stress

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Pueraria lobata is essential medicinal and edible homologous plants widely cultivated in Asian countries. Therefore, P. lobata is widely used in the food, health products and pharmaceutical industries and have significant domestic and international market potential and research value. P. lobata has remarkable biological activities in protecting liver, relieving alcoholism, antioxidation, anti-tumor and anti-inflammation in clinic. However, the potential mechanism of ethyl acetate extract of Pueraria lobata after 70% alcohol extraction (APL) ameliorating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not been clarified.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the ameliorative effect of P. lobata extract on human hepatoma cells and injury in rats, and to evaluate its therapeutic potential for ameliorating NAFLD.

METHODS

Firstly, the effective part of P. lobata extract was determined as APL by measuring its total substances and antioxidant activity. And then the in vitro and in vivo models of NAFLD were adopted., HepG2 cells were incubated with palmitic acid (PA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In order to evaluate the effect of APL, Simvastatin and Vitamin C (VC) were used as positive control. Various parameters related to lipogenesis and fatty acid β-oxidation were studied, such as intracellular lipid accumulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS), Western Blot, mitochondrial membrane potential, apoptosis, and the mechanism of APL improving NAFLD. The chemical components of APL were further determined by HPLC and UPLC-MS, and molecular docking was carried out with Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway related proteins.

RESULTS

APL significantly reduced lipid accumulation and levels of oxidative stress-related factors in vitro and in vivo. Immunohistochemical、Western Blot and PCR analysis showed that the expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were up-regulated in APL treatment. The Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 can block the rescue by APL of cellular oxidative stress and lipid accumulation induced by H2O2 and PA, demonstrating its dependence on Nrf2. UPLC/MS analysis showed that there were 3'-hydroxyl puerarin, puerarin, 3'-methoxy puerarin, daidzein, genistin, ononin, daidzin and genistein.

CONCLUSION

This study further clarified the mechanism of P. lobata extract in improving NAFLD, which provided a scientific basis for developing new drugs to protect liver injury and laid a solid foundation for developing P. lobata Chinese herbal medicine resources.

Effects of different natural products in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Due to a scarcity of appropriate therapeutic approaches capable of ameliorating or eliminating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), many researchers have come to focus on natural products based on traditional medicine that can be utilized to successfully treat NAFLD. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects exerted by seven natural products (curcumin, silymarin, resveratrol, artichoke leaf extract, berberine, catechins, and naringenin) on patients with NAFLD. For this purpose, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) exclusively. The selected studies were evaluated for methodological quality via the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool, and data analysis software was used to analyze the data accordingly. The RCTs from the earliest available date until September 2022 were collected. This process resulted in 37 RCTs with a total sample size of 2509 patients being included. The results of the network meta-analysis showed that artichoke leaf extract confers a relative advantage in reducing the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels (SUCRA: 99.1%), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (SUCRA: 88.2%) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (SUCRA: 88.9%). Naringenin conferred an advantage in reducing triglyceride (TG) levels (SUCRA: 97.3%), total cholesterol (TC) levels (SUCRA: 73.9%), and improving high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (SUCRA: 74.9%). High-density catechins significantly reduced body mass index (BMI) levels (SUCRA: 98.5%) compared with the placebo. The Ranking Plot of the Network indicated that artichoke leaf extract and naringenin performed better than the other natural products in facilitating patient recovery. Therefore, we propose that artichoke leaf extract and naringenin may exert a better therapeutic effect on NAFLD. This study may help guide clinicians and lead to further detailed studies.

An Overview of the Versatility of the Parts of the Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.), Its By-Products and Dietary Supplements

Cynara scolymus, also known as the globe artichoke or artichoke, is grown as a food, mainly in the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, and Egypt, as well as in Asia and South America. It has also been associated with various health benefits and is used in plant-based dietary supplements and herbal infusions. Its edible parts, consisting of the head or capitula, flower, and leaves, have shown various biological activities, including anti-cancer, hepatoprotective and antimicrobial potential. The leaves are mainly used in infusions and extracts for their health-promoting properties, although all their edible parts may also be consumed as fresh, frozen, or canned foods. However, its primary health-promoting activity is associated with its antioxidant potential, which has been linked to its chemical composition, particularly its phenolic compounds (representing 96 mg of gallic acid equivalent per 100 g of raw plant material) and dietary fiber. The main phenolic compounds in the heads and leaves are caffeic acid derivatives, while the flavonoids luteolin and apigenin (both present as glucosides and rutinosides) have also been identified. In addition, heat-treated artichokes (i.e., boiled, steamed or fried), their extracts, and waste from artichoke processing also have antioxidant activity. The present paper reviews the current literature concerning the biological properties of different parts of C. scolymus, its by-products and dietary supplements, as well as their chemical content and toxicity. The literature was obtained by a search of PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, Web of Knowledge, ScienceDirect, and Scopus, with extra papers being identified by manually reviewing the references.

Wild Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus subsp. sylvestris, Asteraceae) Leaf Extract: Phenolic Profile and Oxidative Stress Inhibitory Effects on HepG2 Cells

Cynara cardunculus subsp. sylvestris (wild artichoke) is widespread in Sicily, where it has been used for food and medicinal purposes since ancient times; decoctions of the aerial parts of this plant have been traditionally employed as a remedy for different hepatic diseases. In this study, the phenolic profile and cell-free antioxidant properties of the leaf aqueous extract of wild artichokes grown in Sicily (Italy) were investigated. The crude extract was also tested in cells for its antioxidant characteristics and potential oxidative stress inhibitory effects. To resemble the features of the early stage of mild steatosis in humans, human HepG2 cells treated with free fatty acids at the concentration of 1.5 mM were used. HPLC-DAD analysis revealed the presence of several phenolic acids (caffeoylquinic acids) and flavonoids (luteolin and apigenin derivatives). At the same time, DPPH assay showed a promising antioxidant power (IC50 = 20.04 ± 2.52 µg/mL). Biological investigations showed the safety of the crude extract and its capacity to counteract the injury induced by FFA exposure by restoring cell viability and counteracting oxidative stress through inhibiting reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation and increasing thiol-group levels. In addition, the extract increased mRNA expression of some proteins implicated in the antioxidant defense (Nrf2, Gpx, and SOD1) and decreased mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β), which were modified by FFA treatment. Results suggest that the total phytocomplex contained in wild artichoke leaves effectively modulates FFA-induced hepatic oxidative stress.

The Phytochemical Synergistic Properties of Combination of Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction and Cynara cardunculus Extract in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered one of the leading causes of liver-related morbidity and mortality. NAFLD is a cluster of liver disorders that includes the accumulation of fat in the liver, insulin resistance, diffuse steatosis, lobular inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and, in the latter stages, liver cancer. Due to the complexity of the disease and the multifactorial basis for the development of liver dysfunction, there is currently no unique drug treatment for NAFLD and the pharmacological options are inconclusive. In recent years, natural products have been studied for their potential beneficial effect in both preventing and treating fatty liver and its consequences in both local and systemic effects related to NAFLD. In particular, bergamot polyphenolic fraction (BPF), which is rich in natural polyphenols, and Cynara cardunculus wild type (which contains large quantities of sesquiterpenes, caffeic acid derivatives and luteolin) have both been investigated in both pre-clinical settings and clinical studies showing their effect in counteracting NAFLD-related health issues. In the present review we summarize the experimental and clinical evidence on the effect of BPF and Cynara extract alone or in their combination product (Bergacyn®) in NAFLD. In particular, data reported show that both extracts may synergize in counteracting the pathophysiological basis of NAFLD by inhibiting lipid accumulation in liver cells, oxidative stress and inflammation subsequent to liver syeatosis and, in the latter stages, liver fibrosis and tissue degeneration. Moreover, due to its powerful vasoprotective effect, the combination of BPF and Cynara extract (Bergacyn®) leads to improved endothelial dysfunction and cardioprotective response in both animal models of NAFLD, in veterinary medicine and in humans. Thus, supplementation with BPF and Cynara cardunculus extract and their combination product (Bergacyn®) represent a novel and potentially useful approach in preventing and treating NAFLD-associated complications.

Natural Foods for the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide. The etiology of NAFLD is highly heterogeneous, which occurs and develops under the joint action of metabolism, inflammation, genetics, environment, and gut microbiota. At present, the principal therapeutic modalities targeting NAFLD are lifestyle interventions such as weight loss through diet and exercise. At present, there is no established therapy for the treatment of NAFLD, and many therapies are associated with a variety of side effects. A great number of in vitro and in vivo experiments have indicated that there are many natural foods that have therapeutic potential for NAFLD. This review summarizes the natural foods and their mechanisms that were found in recent years, furthermore, provides further information relevant to the treatment of NAFLD.

Harnessing the Power of Purple Sweet Potato Color and Myo-Inositol to Treat Classic Galactosemia

Classic Galactosemia (CG) is a devastating inborn error of the metabolism caused by mutations in the GALT gene encoding the enzyme galactose-1 phosphate uridylyltransferase in galactose metabolism. Severe complications of CG include neurological impairments, growth restriction, cognitive delays, and, for most females, primary ovarian insufficiency. The absence of the GALT enzyme leads to an accumulation of aberrant galactose metabolites, which are assumed to be responsible for the sequelae. There is no treatment besides the restriction of dietary galactose, which does not halt the development of the complications; thus, additional treatments are sorely needed. Supplements have been used in other inborn errors of metabolism but are not part of the therapeutic regimen for CG. The goal of this study was to test two generally recognized as safe supplements (purple sweet potato color (PSPC) and myo-inositol (MI)) that may impact cellular pathways contributing to the complications in CG. Our group uses a GalT gene-trapped mouse model to study the pathophysiology in CG, which phenocopy many of the complications. Here we report the ability of PSPC to ameliorate dysregulation in the ovary, brain, and liver of our mutant mice as well as positive results of MI supplementation in the ovary and brain.