Protective effect of isochlorogenic acid B on liver fibrosis in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis of mice

In vivo and in vitro anti-inflammation of Rhapontici Radix extract on mastitis via TMEM59 and GPR161

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Rhapontici Radix ethanol extract (RRE) is derived from the dried root of Rhaponticum uniflorum (L.) DC belonging to the Asteraceae family. RRE exhibits significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties; however, the potential of RRE in mastitis treatment requires further investigation.

AIM OF THIS STUDY

This research was performed to examine the protective properties of RRE against mastitis and the mechanisms underlying the effects of RRE.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

RRE components were analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS and DPPH methods. Isochlorogenic acid B (ICAB) was obtained commercially. MTT assay was utilized to assess RRE or ICAB cytotoxicity in bovine mammary alveolar (MAC-T) cells. Immunohistochemistry were used to investigate the pathological alterations in mammary tissue. The protein levels of inflammatory cytokines and mediators were analyzed using ELISA, and the expression of MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, as well as p65 nuclear translocation, were analyzed through Western blotting and immunofluorescence techniques, respectively. Target proteins of RRE were screened by RNA-seq and tandem mass tag analyses. Protein interaction was revealed and confirmed using co-immunoprecipitation and CRISPR/Cas9-based knockdown and overexpression of target genes.

RESULTS

ICAB was revealed as one of the main components in RRE, and it was responsible for 84.33% of RRE radical scavenging activity. Both RRE and ICAB mitigated the infiltration of T lymphocytes in the mammary glands of mice, leading to decreased levels of inflammatory mediators (COX-2 and iNOS) and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced MAC-T cells. Furthermore, RRE and ICAB suppressed the LPS-induced phosphorylation of NF-κB inhibitor and p65, thereby impeding p65 nuclear translocation in mouse mammary glands and MAC-T cells. In addition, RRE and ICAB attenuated the LPS-triggered activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2, p38, and extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2. Importantly, co-treated with LPS and ICAB in MAC-T cells, an upregulation of G-protein coupled receptor 161 (GPR161) and transmembrane protein 59 (TMEM59) was observed; the interact between TMEM59 and was found, leading to inhibition of NF-κB activity and inflammatory cytokine production.

CONCLUSION

ICAB is a prominent antioxidant in RRE. RRE and ICAB reduce mammary inflammation via MAPK and NF-κB pathways and the interaction between TMEM59 and GPR161 mediates the control of ICAB in NF-κB signaling.

Pharmacological profile of dicaffeoylquinic acids and their role in the treatment of respiratory diseases

Dicaffeoylquinic acids (DCQAs) are polyphenolic compounds found in various medicinal plants such as Echinacea species and Hedera helix, whose multi-constituent extracts are used worldwide to treat respiratory diseases. Besides triterpenes, saponins, alkamides, and other constituents, DCQAs are an important group of substances for the pharmacological activity of plant-derived extracts. Therefore, the pharmacological properties of DCQAs have been studied over the last decades, suggesting antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hypoglycaemic, cardiovascular protective, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective effects. However, the beneficial pharmacological profile of DCQAs has not yet been linked to their use in treating respiratory diseases such as acute or even chronic bronchitis. The aim of this review was to assess the potential of DCQAs for respiratory indications based on published in vitro and in vivo pharmacological and pre-clinical data, with particular focus on antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and respiratory-related effects such as antitussive or antispasmodic properties. A respective literature search revealed a large number of publications on the six DCQA isoforms. Based on this search, a focus was placed on 1,3-, 3,4-, 3,5-, and 4,5-DCQA, as the publications focused mainly on these isomers. Based on the available pre-clinical data, DCQAs trigger cellular mechanisms that are important in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as decreasing NF-κB activation, reducing oxidative stress, or activating the Nrf2 pathway. Taken together, these data suggest an essential role for DCQAs within herbal medicines used for the treatment of respiratory diseases and highlights the need for the identifications of DCQAs as lead substances within such extracts.

Laggera alata Attenuates Inflammatory Response by Regulating Macrophage Polarization in Rheumatoid Arthritis Mice

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of joint injury, which can induce the activation of inflammatory factors and polarization of tissue macrophages. Total phenolics from Laggera alata (TPLA) has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory effect in various diseases. However, its specific function in RA is still unknown. Here, the protective properties of TPLA were studied in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA)-induced RA mice. RA mouse model was established through the CIA induction. Arthritis score, hind paw thickness, and the body weight of the RA mice were evaluated in each group. H&E staining was conducted in hind paw and joint tissues for histopathological staining. The distal femur was analyzed by microCT, and bone loss-related indicators were assessed. The expression of macrophage polarization markers was detected by immunofluorescence staining in RA mice. The serum levels of inflammatory markers were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). TPLA reduced the CIA-induced arthritis score and hind paw thickness in mice. The body weight of the CIA mouse was significantly increased by TPLA treatment. TPLA improved the CIA-induced histopathological changes in the hind paw and joint tissues from the mice. TPLA inhibited the bone loss and alleviated bone destruction in CIA mouse model. TPLA altered the macrophage phenotype from M1 macrophages into M2 in CIA mice. TPLA suppressed the levels of inflammatory markers both in the serum and joint tissues of the CIA mice. TPLA mitigated RA development by suppressing inflammatory reaction through the inhibition of M1 microphage polarization.

Protective Effect of Caffeine and Chlorogenic Acids of Coffee in Liver Disease

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world due to its unique aroma and psychostimulant effects, mainly due to the presence of caffeine. In recent years, experimental evidence has shown that the moderate consumption of coffee (3/4 cups per day) is safe and beneficial to human health, revealing protective effects against numerous chronic metabolic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and hepatic diseases. This review focuses on two of coffee's main bioactive compounds, i.e., caffeine and chlorogenic acids, and their effects on the progression of chronic liver diseases, demonstrating that regular coffee consumption correlates with a lower risk of the development and progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. In particular, this review analyzes caffeine and chlorogenic acid from a pharmacological point of view and explores the molecular mechanism through which these compounds are responsible for the protective role of coffee. Both bioactive compounds, therefore, have antifibrotic effects on hepatic stellate cells and hepatocytes, induce a decrease in connective tissue growth factor, stimulate increased apoptosis with anti-cancer effects, and promote a major inhibition of focal adhesion kinase, actin, and protocollagen synthesis. In conclusion, coffee shows many beneficial effects, and experimental data in favor of coffee consumption in patients with liver diseases are encouraging, but further prospective studies are needed to demonstrate its preventive and therapeutic role in chronic liver diseases.

Chlorogenic Acid and its Isomers Attenuate NAFLD by Mitigating Lipid Accumulation in Oleic Acid-Induced HepG2 Cells and High-Fat Diet- Fed Zebrafish

Chlorogenic acid (Chl), isochlorogenic acid A (Isochl A), and isochlorogenic acid B (Isochl B) are naturally occurring phenolic compounds, which have been shown to exert a regulatory effect on lipid metabolism. However, the mechanism underlying this effect remains unclear. Herein, we investigated the inhibitory effects and underlying mechanisms of these three phenolic compounds on oleic acid (OA)-induced HepG2 cells and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed zebrafish. Lipid accumulation and triacylglycerol levels increased in OA-induced cells, which was attenuated by Chl, Isochl A, and Isochl B. Moreover, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) decreased, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels increased by Chl, Isochl A and Isochl B treatment. Western blot analysis demonstrated that Chl, Isochl A and Isochl B reduced the expression of lipogenesis-related protein, including fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Moreover, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha gamma (PPARα) was increased by Chl, Isochl A, and Isochl B treatment. In addition, our results indicated that Chl, Isochl A and Isochl B decreased lipid profiles and lipid accumulation in HFD-fed zebrafish. Thus, these findings highlight the potential of Chl, Isochl A, and Isochl B as effective agents for treating or/and ameliorating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Discovery of LH10, a novel fexaramine-based FXR agonist for the treatment of liver disease

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) was considered as a promising drug target in the treatment of cholestasis, drug-induced liver injury, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, the existing FXR agonists have shown different degrees of side effects in clinical trials without clear interpretation. MET-409 in clinical phase Ⅲ, has been proven significantly fewer side effects than that of other FXR agonists. This may be due to the completely different structure of FEX and other non-steroidal FXR agonists. Herein, the structure-based drug design was carried out based on FEX, and the more active FXR agonist LH10 (FEX EC50 = 0,3 μM; LH10 EC50 = 0.14 μM)) was screened out by the comprehensive SAR studies. Furthermore, LH10 exhibited robust hepatoprotective activity on the ANIT-induced cholestatic model and APAP-induced acute liver injury model, which was even better than positive control OCA. In the nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model, LH10 significantly improved the pathological characteristics of NASH by regulating several major pathways including lipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis. With the above attractive results, LH10 is worthy of further evaluation as a novel agent for the treatment of liver disorders.

Chinese herbal medicines: The modulator of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease targeting oxidative stress

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Plants are a natural treasure trove; their secondary metabolites participate in several pharmacological processes, making them a crucial component in the synthesis of novel pharmaceuticals and serving as a reserve resource foundation in this process. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with the risk of progression to hepatitis and liver cancer. The "Treatise on Febrile Diseases," "Compendium of Materia Medica," and "Thousand Golden Prescriptions" have listed herbal remedies to treat liver diseases.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

Chinese herbal medicines have been widely used for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD owing to their efficacy and low side effects. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during NAFLD, and the impact and potential mechanism of ROS on the pathogenesis of NAFLD are discussed in this review. Furthermore, common foods and herbs that can be used to prevent NAFLD, as well as the structure-activity relationships and potential mechanisms, are discussed.

METHODS

Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI database, Google Scholar, and WanFang database were searched for natural products that have been used to treat or prevent NAFLD in the past five years. The primary search was performed using the following keywords in different combinations in full articles: NAFLD, herb, natural products, medicine, and ROS. More than 400 research papers and review articles were found and analyzed in this review.

RESULTS

By classifying and discussing the literature, we obtained 86 herbaceous plants, 28 of which were derived from food and 58 from Chinese herbal medicines. The mechanism of NAFLD was proposed through experimental studies on thirteen natural compounds (quercetin, hesperidin, rutin, curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, salvianolic acid B, paeoniflorin, ginsenoside Rg1, ursolic acid, berberine, honokiol, emodin). The occurrence and progression of NAFLD could be prevented by natural antioxidants through several pathways to prevent ROS accumulation and reduce hepatic cell injuries caused by excessive ROS.

CONCLUSION

This review summarizes the natural products and routinely used herbs (prescription) in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. Firstly, the mechanisms by which natural products improve NAFLD through antioxidant pathways are elucidated. Secondly, the potential of traditional Chinese medicine theory in improving NAFLD is discussed, highlighting the safety of food-medicine homology and the broader clinical potential of multi-component formulations in improving NAFLD. Aiming to provide theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

The impact of obstructive sleep apnea on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by episodic sleep state-dependent collapse of the upper airway, with consequent hypoxia, hypercapnia, and arousal from sleep. OSA contributes to multisystem damage; in severe cases, sudden cardiac death might occur. In addition to causing respiratory, cardiovascular and endocrine metabolic diseases, OSA is also closely associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). As the prevalence of OSA and NAFLD increases rapidly, they significantly exert adverse effects on the health of human beings. The authors retrieved relevant documents on OSA and NAFLD from PubMed and Medline. This narrative review elaborates on the current knowledge of OSA and NAFLD, demonstrates the impact of OSA on NAFLD, and clarifies the underlying mechanisms of OSA in the progression of NAFLD. Although there is a lack of sufficient high-quality clinical studies to prove the causal or concomitant relationship between OSA and NAFLD, existing evidence has confirmed the effect of OSA on NAFLD. Elucidating the underlying mechanisms through which OSA impacts NAFLD would hold considerable importance in terms of both prevention and the identification of potential therapeutic targets for NAFLD.

Isochlorogenic acid B alleviates lead-induced anxiety, depression and neuroinflammation in mice by the BDNF pathway

Lead (Pb) can cause neurobehavioral abnormalities. Isochlorogenic acid B (ICAB), a dietary flavonoid found in tea, sweet potato, artichoke, propolis and several plants, exhibited potential neuroprotective properties. In this study, we aimed to investigate the mechanisms of Pb-induced anxiety, depression and neuroinflammation, and the neuroprotective effect of ICAB in mouse brains. We found that ICAB supplementation significantly improved behavioral abnormalities, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress induced by Pb. ICAB attenuated Pb-induced anxiety and depression behavior in mice, as indicated by decreasing the duration of immobility in tail suspension test and increasing the crossing number, rearing number and time in center in open field test. Accordingly, ICAB inhibited oxidative stress by decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) level and increasing the antioxidant enzyme activity. ICAB also inhibited Pb-induced inflammation in brain, as indicated by decreasing the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. ICAB increased the expression levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the phosphorylation of cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB), phosphoinositide 3-kinases-protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT). Furthermore, ICAB decreased the levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β) and p38. Collectively, this study demonstrated that ICAB improved Pb-induced anxiety, depression, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress by regulating the BDNF signaling pathway.

Chlorogenic acids: A pharmacological systematic review on their hepatoprotective effects

BACKGROUND

Liver diseases have a negative impact on global health and are a leading cause of death worldwide. Chlorogenic acids (CGAs), a family of esters formed between certain trans-cinnamic acids and quinic acid, are natural polyphenols abundant in coffee, tea, and a variety of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). They are reported to have good hepatoprotective effects against various liver diseases.

PURPOSE

This review aims to analyze the available literature on the hepatoprotective effect of CGAs, with particular emphasis on their mechanisms.

METHODS

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. PubMed and Web of Science databases were adopted to retrieve all relevant literature on CGAs for liver disease from 2013 to March 2023.

RESULTS

Research has indicated that CGAs play a crucial role in improving different types of liver diseases, including drug-induced liver injury (DILI), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), cholestatic liver disease (CLD), liver fibrosis, and liver cancer. CGAs display remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by activating erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and inhibiting toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Some important molecules such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), and other key physiological processes like intestinal barrier and gut microbiota have also been discovered to participate in CGAs-provided amelioration on various liver diseases.

CONCLUSION

In this review, different studies indicate that CGAs have an excellent protective effect against various liver diseases associated with various signaling pathways.

Puerarin alleviates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by upregulating the Nrf2 pathway

BACKGROUND

The incidence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is on the rise, and inflammation and oxidative stress play a key role in the progression of NASH. Puerarin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, but the effect and mechanism of action of puerarin on NASH need to be further explored.

AIM

To explore the effect and mechanisms of action of puerarin in the treatment of NASH.

METHODS

NASH was induced in C57BL/6 mice with a methionine and choline deficiency (MCD) diet. Mice were randomly divided into a normal diet group, a NASH model group, and a puerarin group. Each group were fed the corresponding diet for 4 wk. Serum and liver samples were collected to evaluate histological changes, inflammation, liver function, and oxidative stress.

RESULTS

Compared with the normal diet group, hepatic triglycerides and cholesterol were significantly increased in the NASH model group. Histological analysis showed that there was more significant fatty changes, inflammation, and fibrosis in the liver of mice in the NASH model group compared with those in the normal diet group. Compared with the normal diet group, glutathione and superoxide dismutase were significantly decreased, but malondialdehyde was significantly increased in the NASH model group. Compared with the NASH model group, serum triglycerides and cholesterol in the puerarin group were significantly reduced, and serum inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-1β) were significantly decreased in the puerarin group (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of fibrosis-related genes (αSMA, PAI-1, COL1A1, and TGFβ) in the liver of mice in the puerarin group were sharply decreased compared with those in the NASH model group. Compared with the NASH model group, glutathione and superoxide dismutase were significantly increased in the puerarin group. Nuclear NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression was significantly increased in the puerarin group compared with the NASH model group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Puerarin can significantly improve MCD diet-induced NASH. The mechanisms may be related to its anti-inflammation and anti-fibrosis effects and up-regulation of the Nrf2 pathway. Our study offers novel insights into the pathogenesis of NASH and provides further evidence for the potential use of puerarin as an anti-NASH agent.

Matrix metalloproteinases induce extracellular matrix degradation through various pathways to alleviate hepatic fibrosis

Liver fibrosis is the common consequence of various chronic liver injuries and is mainly characterized by the imbalance between the production and degradation of extracellular matrix, which leads to the accumulation of interstitial collagen and other matrix components. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their specific inhibitors, that is, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), play a crucial role in collagen synthesis and lysis. Previous in vivo and in vitro studies of our laboratory found repressing extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation by restoring the balance between MMPs and TIMPs can alleviate liver fibrosis. We conducted a review of articles published in PubMed and Science Direct in the last decade until February 1, 2023, which were searched for using these words "MMPs/TIMPs" and "Hepatic Fibrosis." Through a literature review, this article reviews the experimental studies of liver fibrosis based on MMPs/TIMPs, summarizes the components that may exert an anti-liver fibrosis effect by affecting the expression or activity of MMPs/TIMPs, and attempts to clarify the mechanism of MMPs/TIMPs in regulating collagen homeostasis, so as to provide support for the development of anti-liver fibrosis drugs. We found the MMP-TIMP-ECM interaction can result in better understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of hepatic fibrosis from a different angle, and targeting this interaction may be a promising therapeutic strategy for hepatic fibrosis. Additionally, we summarized and analyzed the drugs that have been found to reduce liver fibrosis by changing the ratio of MMPs/TIMPs, including medicine natural products.

Plants-based medicine implication in the evolution of chronic liver diseases

Hepatic disorders are considered major health problems, due to their high incidence, increased risk of chronicling or death and the costs involved in therapies. A large number of patients with chronic liver diseases use herbal medicines and dietary supplements in parallel with allopathic treatment. The current review provides a thorough analysis of the studies conducted on the most important species of medicinal plants used in this disease, bioactive compounds and on the activity of herbal medicines in the evolution of chronic liver diseases. However, a negative aspect is that there is frequently a lack of comprehensive data on the progression of the illness and the living standards of patients who are affected when evaluating the effects of these phytocomponents on the evolution of chronic liver disease, the patients' health, and their quality of life. It is essential to take this impairment into account when evaluating the long-term effects of herbal treatments on the health of individuals who suffer from liver illness. Bioactive phytocomponents may be a suitable source for the development of novel medications due to the correlation between traditional uses and medical advances. Additional high-quality preclinical examinations utilizing cutting-edge approaches are needed to assess safety and effectiveness and to detect, categorize, and standardize the active substances and their formulations for the most suitable therapeutic management of liver illnesses.

UHPLC-QTOF-MS-based untargeted metabolomics and mineral element analysis insight into the geographical differences of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat cv. "Hangbaiju" from different origins

Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat cv. "Hangbaiju" (HBJ), known as one of the "eight flavors of Zhejiang", is commonly used as a classical tea material for both food and medicine over three thousand years in China. The quality of HBJ is closely related to its geographical origins. However, the mechanism underlying the geographical differences of HBJ remains to be elucidated. In this study, an untargeted metabolomic strategy based on UHPLC-QTOF-MS was established to discover the differential metabolites in HBJ samples from four different origins and explore the possible relationship with mineral elements in planting soils by chemometric analysis. Eight compounds were screened and identified as the key differential metabolites in HBJ samples from different origins. Among them, four important pharmacodynamic compounds including L-arginine, rutin, chlorogenic acid and apigenin-7-O-glucoside are the most abundant in HBJ samples from Tongxiang region, which suggests that HBJ planted in Tongxiang has higher medicinal values. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the contents of soil mineral elements are positively correlated with those of chlorogenic acid, rutin, apigenin-7-O-glucoside in HBJ samples. Furthermore, an interrelationship model based on random forest algorithm was established to successfully predict the contents of differential metabolites in HBJ samples by soil mineral elements. All these results indicated that the contents of differential metabolites in HBJ samples seemed to be affected by soil mineral elements and therefore resulted in the geographical differences of HBJ.

The Pathogenesis of HCC Driven by NASH and the Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Natural Products

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a clinical syndrome with pathological changes that are similar to those of alcoholic hepatitis without a history of excessive alcohol consumption. It is a specific form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that is characterized by hepatocyte inflammation based on hepatocellular steatosis. Further exacerbation of NASH can lead to cirrhosis, which may then progress to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There is a lack of specific and effective treatments for NASH and NASH-driven HCC, and the mechanisms of the progression of NASH to HCC are unclear. Therefore, there is a need to understand the pathogenesis and progression of these diseases to identify new therapeutic approaches. Currently, an increasing number of studies are focusing on the utility of natural products in NASH, which is likely to be a promising prospect for NASH. This paper reviews the possible mechanisms of the pathogenesis and progression of NASH and NASH-derived HCC, as well as the potential therapeutic role of natural products in NASH and NASH-derived HCC.

Polyphenols in Ilex latifolia Thunb. inhibit human lung cancer cell line A549 by regulation of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway

Background

The leaves of the plant Ilex latifolia Thunb. can be made into Kuding tea, which is a drink rich in polyphenols. This study aimed to observe the effect of Ilex latifolia Thunb. polyphenols (ILTPs) on human lung cancer cell line A549 (A549 cells) by regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway.

Methods

In vitro cultured cells were treated with ILTPs; the proliferation of A549 cells and BEAS-2B human normal lung epithelial cells (Beas-2B cells) was observed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and the survival status of A549 cells was observed by fluorescence staining. The expression of A549 cells was observed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay and Western blot analysis, while the compound composition of ILTPs was detected using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Results

The experimental results showed that the proliferation of Beas-2B cells was unaffected by treatment with 0–500 μg/mL of ILTPs, whereas the decreased proliferation of A549 cells was observed with the increasing concentrations of ILTPs. Additionally, ILTPs elevated the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and promoted apoptosis in A549 cells. The results of qPCR experiments showed that ILTPs upregulated caspase-9 mRNA expression and downregulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in A549 cells. The Western blot analysis results also showed that ILTPs could reduce the protein expression of PI3K and Akt. The HPLC results showed that the main compounds present in the ILTPs were rutin, kaempferol, isochlorogenic acid A, isochlorogenic acid B, and isochlorogenic acid C.

Conclusions

Thus, this study indicated that the polyphenols of I. latifolia act as a class of natural functional food materials that potently suppress cancer by exerting their inhibitory effects on A549 cell proliferation through five key polyphenolic compounds.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-022-03568-3.

Immune and Metabolic Alterations in Liver Fibrosis: A Disruption of Oxygen Homeostasis?

According to the WHO, “cirrhosis of the liver” was the 11th leading cause of death globally in 2019. Many kinds of liver diseases can develop into liver cirrhosis, and liver fibrosis is the main pathological presentation of different aetiologies, including toxic damage, viral infection, and metabolic and genetic diseases. It is characterized by excessive synthesis and decreased decomposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). Hepatocyte cell death, hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, and inflammation are crucial incidences of liver fibrosis. The process of fibrosis is also closely related to metabolic and immune disorders, which are usually induced by the destruction of oxygen homeostasis, including mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and hypoxia pathway activation. Mitochondria are important organelles in energy generation and metabolism. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are key factors activated when hypoxia occurs. Both are considered essential factors of liver fibrosis. In this review, the authors highlight the impact of oxygen imbalance on metabolism and immunity in liver fibrosis as well as potential novel targets for antifibrotic therapies.

Inhibition of temperature-sensitive TRPV3 channel by two natural isochlorogenic acid isomers for alleviation of dermatitis and chronic pruritus

Genetic gain-of-function mutations of warm temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) channel cause Olmsted syndrome characterized by severe itching and keratoderma, indicating that pharmacological inhibition of TRPV3 may hold promise for therapy of chronic pruritus and skin diseases. However, currently available TRPV3 tool inhibitors are either nonselective or less potent, thus impeding the validation of TRPV3 as therapeutic target. Using whole-cell patch-clamp and single-channel recordings, we report the identification of two natural dicaffeoylquinic acid isomers isochlorogenic acid A (IAA) and isochlorogenic acid B (IAB) that selectively inhibit TRPV3 currents with IC₅₀ values of 2.7 ± 1.3 and 0.9 ± 0.3 μmol/L, respectively, and reduce the channel open probability to 3.7 ± 1.2% and 3.2 ± 1.1% from 26.9 ± 5.5%, respectively. In vivo evaluation confirms that both IAA and IAB significantly reverse the ear swelling of dermatitis and chronic pruritus. Furthermore, the isomer IAB is able to rescue the keratinocyte death induced by TRPV3 agonist carvacrol. Molecular docking combined with site-directed mutations reveals two residues T636 and F666 critical for the binding of the two isomers. Taken together, our identification of isochlorogenic acids A and B that act as specific TRPV3 channel inhibitors and gating modifiers not only provides an essential pharmacological tool for further investigation of the channel pharmacology and pathology, but also holds developmental potential for treatment of dermatitis and chronic pruritus.

Chlorogenic acid: Potential source of natural drugs for the therapeutics of fibrosis and cancer

Fibrosis and cancer is described by some epidemiological studies as chronic stages of different disease conditions typically characterized by uncontrolled accumulation of extra-cellular matrix (ECM), thereby leading to inflammation of tissues and organ (lungs, heart, liver and kidney) dysfunction. It is highly prevalent, and contributes to increased mortality rate worldwide. Currently, the therapeutical approaches involving selected medications (bemcentinib, pirfenidone and nintedanib) obtained synthetically, and used in clinical practices for fibrosis and cancer management and treatment has shown to be unsatisfactorily, especially during progressive stages of the disease. With regards to finding a more potent, effective, and promising curative for fibrosis and cancer, there is need for continuous experimental studies universally. However, phytochemical constituents’ particularly phenolic compounds [Chlorogenic acid (CGA)] obtained from coffee, and coffee beans have been predominantly utilized in experimental studies, due to its multiple pharmacological properties against various disease forms. Considering its natural source alongside minimal toxicity level, CGA, a major precursor of coffee have gained considerable attention nowadays from researchers worldwide, owing to its wide, efficacious and beneficial action against fibrosis and cancer. Interestingly, the safety of CGA has been proven. Furthermore, numerous experimental studies have also deduced massive remarkable outcomes in the use of CGA clinically, as a potential drug candidate against treatment of fibrosis and cancer. In the course of this review article, we systematically discussed the beneficial contributions of CGA with regards to its source, absorption, metabolism, mechanistic effects, and molecular mechanisms against different fibrosis and cancer categorization, which might be a prospective remedy in the future. Moreover, we also highlighted CGA (in vitro and in vivo analytical studies) defensive effects against various disorders.

Chemometric Profiling and Bioactivity of Verbena (Aloysia&nbsp;citrodora) Methanolic Extract from Four Localities in Tunisia

This research aimed to study the chemical composition of Aloysia citrodora methanolic extract and its biological activities as an antioxidant, and its antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities based on four bioclimatic collection stages. The contents of total phenols, total flavonoids and total tannins were determined. Nine phenolic compounds were identified by LC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. The major compound was acteoside, a phenylpropanoid which represented about 80% of the methanolic fraction in the various regions. The antioxidant activities of different locations were measured by different analytical assays, such as DPPH, ABTS and iron reducing power. The results showed that phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities varied with climatic and environmental factors. Moreover, there was a significant dependency between regions and biological activities. The use of a principal component analysis showed that there was a close relationship among phenylpropanoids, phenolic compounds and the studied biological activities.

The metabolite profiling of 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid in Sprague-Dawley rats using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography equipped with linear ion trap-Orbitrap MS

3,4-Dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,4-DiCQA) is a dicaffeoylquinic acid that possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, and hepatoprotective activities. This study developed a rapid and reliable method using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography equipped with linear ion trap-Orbitrap MS to identify the metabolites of 3,4-DiCQA in rat plasma, urine, feces, and tissues. The metabolic profile of 3,4-DiCQA was determined after an oral administration of 200 mg/kg to rats. A strategy of full scan-parent ions list acquisition coupled to diagnostic product ion analysis for screening and identification of target metabolites was used. A total of 67 metabolites, combined with accurate mass measurement, diagnostic ions, neutral losses, and reference standards, were observed and characterized for the first time. The results indicated that hydrolysis, methylation, hydrogenation, hydration, dehydroxylation, dehydrogenation, sulfate conjugation, and glucuronide conjugation were the major metabolic reactions of 3,4-DiCQA in vivo.

The Pharmacological Effects and Pharmacokinetics of Active Compounds of Artemisia capillaris

Artemisia capillaris Thunb. (A.capillaris, Yin-Chen in Chinese) is a traditional medicinal herb with a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties ranging from effects against liver dysfunction to treatments of severe cirrhosis and cancer. We used relevant keywords to search electronic databases, including PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar, for scientific contributions related to this medicinal herb and the pharmacokinetics of its components. The pharmaceutical effects of A.capillaris contribute to the treatment not only of viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular hepatoma, but also metabolic syndrome, psoriasis, and enterovirus in the clinic. The bioactive compounds, including scoparone, capillarisin, scopoletin, and chlorogenic acid, exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antisteatotic, antiviral, and antitumor properties, reflecting the pharmacological effects of A.capillaris. The pharmacokinetics of the main bioactive compounds in A. capillaris can achieve a maximum concentration within 1 hour, but only chlorogenic acid has a relatively long half-life. Regarding the use of the A. capillaris herb by health professionals to treat various diseases, the dosing schedule of this herb should be carefully considered to maximize therapeutic outcomes while lessening possible side effects.

The roles and mechanisms of hypoxia in liver fibrosis

Liver fibrosis occurs in response to any etiology of chronic liver injury. Lack of appropriate clinical intervention will lead to liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), seriously affecting the quality of life of patients, but the current clinical treatments of liver fibrosis have not been developed yet. Recent studies have shown that hypoxia is a key factor promoting the progression of liver fibrosis. Hypoxia can cause liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis can, in turn, profoundly further deepen the degree of hypoxia. Therefore, exploring the role of hypoxia in liver fibrosis will help to further understand the process of liver fibrosis, and provide the theoretical basis for its diagnosis and treatment, which is of great significance to avoid further deterioration of liver diseases and protect the life and health of patients. This review highlights the recent advances in cellular and molecular mechanisms of hypoxia in developments of liver fibrosis.

Pathogenesis of NASH and Promising Natural Products

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a common clinical condition that can lead to advanced liver diseases. The mechanism of the diaease progression, which is lacking effective therapy, remains obsure. Therefore, there is a need to understand the pathogenic mechanisms responsible for disease development and progression in order to develop innovative therapies. To accomplish this goal, experimental animal models that recapitulate the human disease are necessary. Currently, an increasing number of studies have focused on natural constituents from medicinal plants which have been emerged as a new hope for NASH. This review summarized the pathogenesis of NASH, animal models commonly used, and the promising targets for therapeutics. We also reviewed the natural constituents as potential NASH therapeutic agents.

Chamomile decoction mitigates high fat diet-induced anxiety-like behavior, neuroinflammation and cerebral ROS overload

An abundant literature suggests that obesity-associated with taking a high fat diet is related to an elevated risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. However, metabolic disorders may be involved in the induction of the anxiogenic-like symptoms. The current study was designed to elucidate the mechanisms by which a high fat diet (HFD) can cause several complications in the WISTAR rats (Rattus norvegicus) brain. Oxidative stress and inflammation as well as the putative protection afforded by chamomile decoction extract (CDE) were also studied.The results demonstrated that the increased body and brain weight, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities as well as hypercholezterolaemia in response to HFD taking were correlated with anxiogenic-like symptoms. Moreover, HFD feed caused a brain oxidative stress characterized by increased lipoperoxidation, inhibition of antioxidant enzyme activities such as SOD, CAT and GPx, depletion of a non-enzymatic antioxidant such as sulfhydryl groups and GSH. Importantly, the results also show that HFD also provoked a cerebral overload in reactive oxygen species such as OH^•, H₂O₂ and O2∙- as well as brain inflammation assessed by the overproduction of cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6.Interestingly, all neurobehavioral changes and all the biochemical and molecular disturbances were abolished in HFD-fed rats treated with CDE.Our results provide clear evidence that obesity and depression as well as anxiety are finely correlated and that M. recutita's decoction may prove to be a potential therapeutic agent to mitigate the behavioral disorders, the biochemical alterations and the neuroinflammation associated to the obesity.

Preventive effect of insect tea primary leaf (Malus sieboldii (Regal) Rehd.) extract on D-galactose-induced oxidative damage in mice

Insect tea is consumed as a health beverage in China. The insect tea primary leaf (ITPL) is rich in bioactive substances, which are also used as traditional Chinese medicine. This study investigated the role of ITPL in reducing the oxidative response induced by D-galactose in mice. Mice were intraperitoneally injected with D-galactose to induce oxidative damage. The effect of ITPL was tested by pathological observation, serum detection with kits, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot. The experimental results show that ITPL increased the thymus, brain, heart, liver, spleen, and kidney indices of oxidized mice. ITPL increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione levels and reduced nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels in the serum, liver, and spleen in oxidative damaged mice. The pathological observations show that ITPL reduced the oxidative damage of the liver and spleen in mice induced with D-galactose. Simultaneously, ITPL upregulated mRNA expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, cuprozinc-superoxide dismutase, manganese superoxide dismutase, catalase, heme oxygenase-1, nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2, γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase, and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1, and downregulated the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the liver and spleen of oxidized mice. ITPL had beneficial preventive effects on the oxidative damage caused by D-galactose in mice and was more effective as an antioxidant than vitamin C. The component analysis test by high-performance liquid chromatography indicated that ITPL contained the following seven compounds: neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, rutin, kaempferin, isochlorogenic acid B, isochlorogenic acid A, and hesperidin. ITPL is a plant with excellent antioxidant activities derived from its bioactive substances.

Herbal Medicine in the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases-Efficacy, Action Mechanism, and Clinical Application

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver disease with high prevalence in the developed countries. NAFLD has been considered as one of the leading causes of cryptogenic cirrhosis and chronic liver disease. The individuals with obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia, and hypertension cardiovascular disease have a high risk to develop NAFLD. The related critical pathological events are associated with the development of NAFLD including insulin resistance, lipid metabolism dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis. The development of NAFLD range from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Hepatic steatosis is characterized by fat accumulation, which represents the early stage of NAFLD. Then, inflammation triggered by steatosis drives early NAFLD progression into NASH. Therefore, the amelioration of steatosis and inflammation is essential for NAFLD therapy. The herbal medicine have taken great effects on the improvement of steatosis and inflammation for treating NAFLD. It has been found out that these effects involved the multiple mechanisms underlying lipid metabolism and inflammation. In this review, we pay particular attention on herbal medicine treatment and make summary about the research of herbal medicine, including herb formula, herb extract and naturals compound on NAFLD. We make details about their protective effects, the mechanism of action involved in the amelioration steatosis and inflammation for NAFLD therapy as well as the clinical application.

In Vitro Analysis of Antioxidant, Anticancer, and Bioactive Components of Apocynum venetum Tea Extracts

The dry leaf of Apocynum venetum tea extracts (AVTEs) belonging to the Apocynaceae family is a traditional Chinese medicine. The aim of this study is to identify the bioactive components of AVTE and analyse its antioxidant and anticancer activity in vitro. Method. Flavones and polyphenols in AVTE were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay. The scavenging capacity of tea extracts to 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH); 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS); hydroxyl (OH); and superoxide anion-free radicals were investigated by spectrophotometry. We also detailed the cytotoxicity assay of AVTE (50, 100, and 200 μg/mL) to human embryonic kidney 293T cells, the protective effect of AVTE on 293T cells induced by hydrogen peroxide (0.3 mmol/L), and the anticancer effect against the human hepatoma HepG2 cells via 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. We investigated the antioxidative effects of AVTE in human embryonic kidney 293T cells and the anticancer mechanism in HepG2 human hepatoma cells via quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay. Results. HPLC analysis showed that AVTEs contain neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, rutin, isoquercetin, isochlorogenic acid B, astragalin, isochlorogenic acid C, rosmarinic acid, quercetin, and trans-cinnamic acid. These extracts have high antioxidant activity and dose-dependent relation through free radical scavenging experiments. The cell viability of 293T cells treated with hydrogen peroxide (0.3 mmol/L) was significantly lower than that of normal cells, and the cell viability of oxidatively stressed 293T cells after AVTE (50, 100, and 200 μg/mL) treatment was significantly improved (P<0.05). Moreover, cytotoxicity experiments showed that the survival rate of 293T cells was over 90%, but the proliferation of HepG2 cells was significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by AVTE. Furthermore, cytoprotective effects in 293T cells were induced via upregulation of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), GSH, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) antioxidant-related factors, as well as apoptosis in HepG2 cells was induced via upregulation of caspase-3, caspase-9, p21, and p53 apoptosis-associated factors, as assessed via mRNA expression levels after treatment with AVTE, which were consistent with the results of antioxidant gene detections. As a conclusion, AVTE appears to be an effectively functional drink, due to its rich functional components and antioxidant and anticancer activities.

The Crosstalk of miRNA and Oxidative Stress in the Liver: From Physiology to Pathology and Clinical Implications

The liver is the central metabolic organ of mammals. In humans, most diseases of the liver are primarily caused by an unhealthy lifestyle-high fat diet, drug and alcohol consumption- or due to infections and exposure to toxic substances like aflatoxin or other environmental factors. All these noxae cause changes in the metabolism of functional cells in the liver. In this literature review we focus on the changes at the miRNA level, the formation and impact of reactive oxygen species and the crosstalk between those factors. Both, miRNAs and oxidative stress are involved in the multifactorial development and progression of acute and chronic liver diseases, as well as in viral hepatitis and carcinogenesis, by influencing numerous signaling and metabolic pathways. Furthermore, expression patterns of miRNAs and antioxidants can be used for biomonitoring the course of disease and show potential to serve as possible therapeutic targets.