The Chemical Constituents and Bioactivities of Psoralea corylifolia Linn.: A Review

Promotion of Raf-1/ASK1 complex formation by corylin inhibits cell apoptosis in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

Effective treatment of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MIR) injury remains an unmet clinical need. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is common at this stage and poses a significant risk. Corylin, a flavonoid compound extracted from Psoralea corylifolia L., has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiatherosclerotic properties. However, whether and how corylin affects MIR injury remain unclear. In this study, we explored the mechanism of corylin as a potent therapeutic agent for MI/R injury, using a left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery ligation and oxygen-glucose deprivation and reperfusion (OGD/R) model in vivo and in vitro. TUNEL, Annexin-V/PI double staining,Ki67 immunohistochemistry, western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence were used to validate cell apoptosis level and Raf-1/ASK1 complex activity. The interaction between corylin and Raf-1/ASK1 complex was detected using molecular docking, corylin-Raf-1 binding assays, and coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Moreover, TTC staining, echocardiography, HE staining, Masson trichrome staining and serological testing were performed to assess the cardioprotective effects of corylin in vivo. These findings showed that corylin reduces MIR injury-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and improves cardiac function. Mechanistically, corylin can interact with Raf-1 and promote the formation of the Raf-1/ASK1 complex, thus inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that corylin ameliorated cardiac dysfunction after MIR injury by reducing myocardial apoptosis.

Psoralen protects neurons and alleviates neuroinflammation by regulating microglial M1/M2 polarization via inhibition of the Fyn-PKCδ pathway

Microglia-mediated neuroinflammation is closely associated with many neurodegenerative diseases. Psoralen has potential for the treatment of many diseases, however, the anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective effects of psoralen have been unclear. This study investigated the anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective effects of psoralen and its regulation of microglial M1/M2 polarization. The LPS-induced mice model was used to test anti-neuroinflammatory effects, regulatory effects on microglia polarization, and neuroprotective effects of psoralen in vivo. The LPS-induced BV2 model was used to test the anti-neuroinflammatory effects and the regulatory effects and mechanisms on microglial M1/M2 polarization of psoralen in vitro. PC12 cell model induced by conditioned medium of BV2 cells was used to validate the protective effects of psoralen against neuroinflammation-induced neuronal damage. These results showed that psoralen inhibited the expression of iNOS, CD86, and TNF-α, and increased the expression of Arg-1, CD206, and IL-10. These results indicated that psoralen inhibited the M1 microglial phenotype and promoted the M2 microglial phenotype. Further studies showed that psoralen inhibited the phosphorylation of Fyn and PKCδ, thereby inhibiting activation of the MAPKs and NF-κB pathways and suppressing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in microglia. Furthermore, psoralen reduced oxidative stress, neuronal damage, and apoptosis via inhibition of neuroinflammation. For the first time, this study showed that psoralen protected neurons and alleviated neuroinflammation by regulating microglial M1/M2 polarization, which may be mediated by inhibition of the Fyn-PKCδ pathway. Thus, psoralen may be a potential agent in the treatment of neuroinflammation-related diseases.

Isobavachin induces autophagy-mediated cytotoxicity in AML12 cells via AMPK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways

Isobavachin (IBA) is a dihydroflavonoid compound with various pharmacological effects. However, further investigation into the hepatotoxicity of IBA is necessary. This study aims to identify the hepatotoxic effects of IBA and explore its potential mechanisms. The study assessed the impact of IBA on the viability of AML12, HepG2, LO2, rat, and mouse primary hepatocytes using MTT and LDH assays. Autophagy was detected in AML12 cells after IBA treatment using electron microscopy, MDC, and Ad-mCherry-GFP-LC3B fluorescence. The effect of IBA on autophagy-related proteins was examined using Western blot. The results showed that IBA had dose-dependent inhibitory effects on five cells, induced autophagy in AML12 cells, and promoted autophagic flux. The study found that IBA treatment inhibited phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR, while increasing phosphorylation levels of AMPK and ULK1. Treatment with both AMPK and PI3K inhibitors reversed the expression of AMPK and PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway proteins. These results suggest that IBA may have hepatocytotoxic effects but can also prevent IBA hepatotoxicity by inhibiting the AMPK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. This provides a theoretical basis for preventing and treating IBA hepatotoxicity in clinical settings.

New potential selective estrogen receptor modulators in traditional Chinese medicine for treating menopausal syndrome

Women go through several predictable conditions and symptoms during menopause that are caused by age, changes in sex hormone levels, and other factors. Conventional menopause hormone therapy has raised serious concerns about the increased risks of cancers, blood clots, depression, etc. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) that can be both agonists and antagonists of estrogen receptors in a tissue-specific manner are being developed to reduce the health concerns associated with menopause hormone therapy. Here, we have searched the Chinese national traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) patent database to identify potential SERM-like compounds with reduced health risks. TCM has been widely used for treating complex symptoms associated with menopause syndrome and thus can be a particularly rich source for pharmaceutical alternatives with SERM properties. After extensive literature review and molecular simulation, we conclude that protopanaxatriol, paeoniflorin, astragalin, catalpol, and hyperoside among others may be particularly promising as SERM-like compounds in treating the menopausal syndrome. Compounds in TCM hold promise in yielding comparable outcomes to hormone therapy but with reduced associated risks, thus presenting promising avenues for their clinical applications.

4'-O-methylbavachalcone alleviates ischemic stroke injury by inhibiting parthanatos and promoting SIRT3

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) can induce massive death of ischemic penumbra neurons via oxygen burst, exacerbating brain damage. Parthanatos is a form of caspase-independent cell death involving excessive activation of PARP-1, closely associated with intense oxidative stress following CIRI. 4'-O-methylbavachalcone (MeBavaC), an isoprenylated chalcone component in Fructus Psoraleae, has potential neuroprotective effects. This study primarily investigates whether MeBavaC can act on SIRT3 to alleviate parthanatos of ischemic penumbra neurons induced by CIRI. MeBavaC was oral gavaged to the middle cerebral artery occlusion-reperfusion (MCAO/R) rats after occlusion. The effects of MeBavaC on cerebral injury were detected by the neurological deficit score and cerebral infarct volume. In vitro, PC-12 cells were subjected to oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R), and assessed cell viability and cell injury. Also, the levels of ROS, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and intracellular Ca2+ levels were detected to reflect mitochondrial function. We conducted western blotting analyses of proteins involved in parthanatos and related signaling pathways. Finally, the exact mechanism between the neuroprotection of MeBavaC and parthanatos was explored. Our results indicate that MeBavaC reduces the cerebral infarct volume and neurological deficit scores in MCAO/R rats, and inhibits the decreased viability of PC-12 cells induced by OGD/R. MeBavaC also downregulates the expression of parthanatos-related death proteins PARP-1, PAR, and AIF. However, this inhibitory effect is weakened after the use of a SIRT3 inhibitor. In conclusion, the protective effect of MeBavaC against CIRI may be achieved by inhibiting parthanatos of ischemic penumbra neurons through the SIRT3-PARP-1 axis.

Antibacterial activities of phytochemicals against Porphyromonas gingivalis with and without experimental fluoride varnish for periodontal disease prevention

We aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of phytochemicals with or without an experimental fluoride varnish against Porphyromonas gingivalis. Five phytochemicals, chrysophanol (CHR), emodin (EMO), anthrarufin (ANT), bavachalcone (BCC), and isobavachromene (IBC), were tested using agar diffusion, minimal inhibition concentration (MIC), and minimum bacterial concentration (MBC) assays. We also assessed the cell viability and cytotoxicity of phytochemicals. All phytochemicals showed clear inhibition zones in the agar diffusion test. The inhibition zones of all phytochemical-containing fluoride varnishes were similar to or larger than that of the positive control, excluding that of 1 mM EMO. With or without the fluoride varnish, BCC exhibited the lowest MIC and MBC levels. Cell viability was high in the presence of all phytochemicals except 200 μM EMO. In conclusion, BCC was most effective as a phytochemical alone, while all phytochemical-containing fluoride varnishes inhibited P. gingivalis growth without cytotoxicity.

Multi-technology integrated network pharmacology-based study on phytochemicals, active metabolites, and molecular mechanism of Psoraleae Fructus to promote melanogenesis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

According to the Compendium of Materia Medica (Shizhen Li, Ming dynasty) and Welfare Pharmacy (Song dynasty), Psoraleae Fructus (PF), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a bitter taste and warm nature, which has the effect of treating spleen and kidney deficiency and skin disease. Although PF has been widely used since ancient times and has shown satisfactory efficacy in treating vitiligo, the active substances and the mechanism of PF in promoting melanogenesis remain unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore the active substances and action mechanisms of PF in promoting melanogenesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Firstly, UPLC-UV-Q-TOF/MS was used to characterize the components in PF extract and identify the absorption components and metabolites of PF after oral administration at usual doses in rats. Secondly, the active substances and related targets and pathways were predicted by network pharmacology and molecular docking. Finally, pharmacodynamic and molecular biology experiments were used to verify the prediction results.

RESULTS

The experimental results showed that 15 compounds were identified in PF extract, and 44 compounds, consisting of 8 prototype components and 36 metabolites (including isomers) were identified in rats' plasma. Promising action targets (MAPK1, MAPK8, MAPK14) and signaling pathways (MAPK signaling pathway) were screened and refined to elucidate the mechanism of PF against vitiligo based on network pharmacology. Bergaptol and xanthotol (the main metabolites of PF), psoralen (prototype drug), and PF extract significantly increased melanin production in zebrafish embryos. Furthermore, bergaptol could promote the pigmentation of zebrafish embryos more than psoralen and PF extract. Bergaptol significantly increased the protein expression levels of p-P38 and decreased ERK phosphorylation in B16F10 cells, which was also supported by the corresponding inhibitor/activator combination study. Moreover, bergaptol increased the mRNA expression levels of the downstream microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase in B16F10 cells. Our data elucidate that bergaptol may promote melanogenesis by regulating the p-P38 and p-ERK signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

This study will lay a foundation for discovering potential new drugs for treating vitiligo and provide feasible ideas for exploring the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine.

Evaluation of the hepatotoxicity of Psoralea corylifolia L. based on a zebrafish model

Objective: Psoralea corylifolia L. (FP) has received increasing attention due to its potential hepatotoxicity. Methods: In this study, zebrafish were treated with different concentrations of an aqueous extract of FP (AEFP; 40, 50, or 60 μg/mL), and the hepatotoxic effects of tonicity were determined by the mortality rate, liver morphology, fluorescence area and intensity of the liver, biochemical indices, and pathological tissue staining. The mRNA expression of target genes in the bile acid metabolic signaling pathway and lipid metabolic pathway was detected by qPCR, and the mechanism of toxicity was initially investigated. AEFP (50 μg/mL) was administered in combination with FXR or a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) agonist/inhibitor to further define the target of toxicity. Results: Experiments on toxic effects showed that, compared with no treatment, AEFP administration resulted in liver atrophy, a smaller fluorescence area in the liver, and a lower fluorescence intensity (p < 0.05); alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and γ-GT levels were significantly elevated in zebrafish (p < 0.01), and TBA, TBIL, total cholesterol (TC), TG, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were elevated to different degrees (p < 0.05); and increased lipid droplets in the liver appeared as fatty deposits. Molecular biological validation revealed that AEFP inhibited the expression of the FXR gene, causing an increase in the expression of the downstream genes SHP, CYP7A1, CYP8B1, BSEP, MRP2, NTCP, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), ME-1, SCD-1, lipoprotein lipase (LPL), CPT-1, and CPT-2 and a decrease in the expression of PPARα (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that tonic acid extracts are hepatotoxic to zebrafish through the inhibition of FXR and PPARα expression, thereby causing bile acid and lipid metabolism disorders.

Isolation, Cytotoxicity, and In-silico Screening of Coumarins from Psoralea corylifolia Linn

Psoralea corylifolia (syn. Cullen corylifolium), commonly called bawachi, is a medicinal plant extensively used for skin conditions like leukoderma, vitiligo, and psoriasis. It is notably rich in valuable bioactive compounds, particularly coumarins and furanocoumarins. This study isolated fourteen coumarins from P. corylifolia which were tested for cytotoxicity using the MTT assay, with compound 10 showing good cytotoxicity against A549 cells (IC50 0.9 μM), while compound 1, compound 2, and compound 3 displaying potential cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cells (IC50 0.49 μM, 0.56 μM, and 0.84 μM respectively). Additionally, the compounds' interaction with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) protein, highly expressed in both cell lines, was investigated through molecular modeling studies, that aligned well with cytotoxicity results. The findings revealed the remarkable cytotoxic potential of four coumarins 1, 2, 3, and 10 against A549 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines.

Development and validation of a sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the assay of 12 substances in rat plasma and its application to rat pharmacokinetics of Epimedium and Psoraleae Fructus herb pair after oral administration

Epimedium (EM) and Psoraleae Fructus (PF) are a traditional herb combination often used as a fixed form to treat osteoporosis disease in the clinic. However, the intricate interactions of this pair remain unknown. In our study, we undertook a comprehensive examination of their compatibility behaviors. Concurrently, a precise and sensitive quantitation method was successfully developed and validated using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of 12 components. This method was applied in analyzing herbal extracts and biological samples (both in the portal vein and systemic plasma), which was also used to study the pharmacokinetics of the herb pair. The results indicated that the combination of EM and PF enhanced the dissolution of chemical components from PF in extracts, but it had a negligible influence on the contents of the components from EM. On the contrary, the in vivo exposure of the lowly exposed EM flavonoids significantly increased following the combination of EM and PF, whereas the highly exposed psoralen and isopsoralen were greatly reduced. These interactions might be crucial for the synergy and toxicity reduction of the herbal pair in disease treatment, which pave the way for further exploration into the clinical application and pharmacological mechanisms of EM and PF.

New monoterpene phenol dimers from the fruits of Psoralea corylifolia

Three new monoterpene phenol dimers, bisbakuchiols V-X (1-3), and two bakuchiol ethers (4 and 5), along with four known compounds (6-9) were isolated from the fruits of Psoralea corylifolia. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectral analysis. The absolute configurations of 1, 2, 4, and 5 were specified by quantum chemical calculations of ECD spectra.

In silico analysis, isolation, and cytotoxicity evaluation of the coumestans from Cullen corylifolium (L.) Medik

Cullen corylifolium is well known for diverse phytoconstituents that possess multifaceted pharmacology, and one such less explored class is coumestans, which have not been well explored for their anticancer activities. One of the popular cancer targets is the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, a tyrosine kinase involved in various cancers, especially breast and lung cancer hence, a crucial cancer target. This work is focussed on molecular docking and molecular simulation studies on coumestans against EGFR. The rigorous docking studies resulted in two coumestans (1 and 5) with binding energy less than Gefitinib and Erlotinib. Compounds 1 and 5 were subjected to molecular simulation, binding free energy calculation, per-residue energy decomposition, and in silico ADMET prediction. The best hit, compound 1 was evaluated for its cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 and A549 cells via in vitro assay. The ligand-protein complex exhibited good stability, binding free energies, better in silico pharmacokinetics, low toxicity, and good cytotoxicity.

Phytochemical and Pharmacological Aspects of Psoralen - A Bioactive Furanocoumarin from Psoralea corylifolia Linn

Since long ago, medicinal plants have played a vital role in drug discovery. Being blessed and rich in chemovars with diverse scaffolds, they have unique characteristics of evolving based on the need. The World Health Organization also mentions that medicinal plants remain at the center for meeting primary healthcare needs as the population relies on them. The plant-derived natural products have remained an attractive choice for drug development owing to their specific biological functions relevant to human health and also the high degree of potency and specificity they offer. In this context, one such esteemed phytoconstituent with inexplicable biological potential is psoralen, a furanocoumarin. Psoralen was the first constituent isolated from the plant Psoralea corylifolia, commonly known as Bauchi. Despite being a life-saver for psoriasis, vitiligo, and leukoderma, it also showed immense anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-osteoporotic potential. This review brings attention to the possible application of psoralen as an attractive target for rational drug design and medicinal chemistry. It discusses the various methods for the total synthesis of psoralen, its extraction, the pharmacological spectrum of psoralen, and the derivatization done on psoralen.

Yin/Yang associated differential responses to Psoralea corylifolia Linn. In rat models: an integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics study

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Psoralea corylifolia Linn. (BGZ) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of kidney-yang deficiency syndrome (Yangsyn) with good curative effect and security. However, BGZ was also reported to induce liver injury in recent years. According to TCM theory, taking BGZ may induce a series of adverse reactions in patients with kidney-yin deficiency syndrome (Yinsyn), which suggests that BGZ-induced liver damage may be related to its unreasonable clinical use.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Liver injury caused by TCM is a rare but potentially serious adverse drug reaction, and the identification of predisposed individuals for drug-induced liver injury (DILI) remains challenging. The study aimed to investigate the differential responses to BGZ in Yangsyn and Yinsyn rat models and identify the corresponding characteristic biomarkers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The corresponding animal models of Yangsyn and Yinsyn were induced by hydrocortisone and thyroxine + reserpine respectively. Body weight, organ index, serum biochemistry, and Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining were used to evaluate the liver toxicity effect of BGZ on rats with Yangsyn and Yinsyn. Transcriptomics and metabonomics were used to screen the representative biomarkers (including metabolites and differentially expressed genes (DEGs)) changed by BGZ in Yangsyn and Yinsyn rats, respectively.

RESULTS

The level changes of liver organ index, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), suggested that BGZ has liver-protective and liver-damaging effects on Yangsyn and Yinsyn rats, respectively, and the results also were confirmed by the pathological changes of liver tissue. The results showed that 102 DEGs and 27 metabolites were significantly regulated related to BGZ's protective effect on Yangsyn, which is mainly associated with the glycerophospholipid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, pantothenate, and coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis pathways. While 28 DEGs and 31 metabolites, related to the pathway of pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, were significantly regulated for the BGZ-induced liver injury in Yinsyn. Furthermore, 4 DEGs (aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member B1 (Aldh1b1), solute carrier family 25 member 25 (Slc25a25), Pim-3 proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (Pim3), out at first homolog (Oaf)) and 4 metabolites (phosphatidate, phosphatidylcholine, N-Acetylleucine, biliverdin) in the Yangsyn group and 1 DEG [galectin 5 (Lgals5)] and 1 metabolite (5-amino-1-(5-phospho-D-ribosyl)imidazole-4-carboxylate) in Yinsyn group were significantly correlated to the ALT and AST levels of BGZ treated and untreated groups (receiver operating characteristic (ROC) ≥ 0.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Yinsyn and Yangsyn are the predisposed syndromes for BGZ to exert liver damage and liver protection respectively, which are mainly related to the regulation of amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, energy metabolism, and metabolism of cofactors and vitamins. The results further suggest that attention should be paid to the selection of predisposed populations when using drugs related to the regulation of energy metabolism, and the Yinsyn/Yangsyn animal models based on the theory of TCM syndromes may be a feasible method for identifying the susceptible population to receive TCM.

4-hydroxylonchocarpin and corylifol A: The potential hepatotoxic components of Psoralea corylifolia L

Psoralea corylifolia L. (P. corylifolia) has attracted increasing attention because of its potential hepatotoxicity. In this study, we used network analysis (toxic component and hepatotoxic target prediction, proteinprotein interaction, GO enrichment analysis, KEGG pathway analysis, and molecular docking) to predict the components and mechanism of P. corylifolia-induced hepatotoxicity and then selected 4-hydroxylonchocarpin and corylifol A for experimental verification. HepG2 cells were treated with low, medium, and high concentrations of 4-hydroxylonchocarpin or corylifol A. The activities of ALT, AST, and LDH in cell culture media and the MDA level, SOD activity, and GSH level in cell extracts were measured. Moreover, apoptosis, ROS levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential were evaluated. The results showed that the activities of ALT, AST, and LDH in the culture medium increased, and hepatocyte apoptosis increased. The level of MDA increased, and the activity of SOD and level of GSH decreased, and the ROS level increased with 4-hydroxylonchocarpin and corylifol A intervention. Furthermore, the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased in the 4-hydroxylonchocarpin and corylifol A groups. This study suggests that 4-hydroxylonchocarpin and corylifol A cause hepatocyte injury and apoptosis by inducing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, suggesting that these compounds may be the potential hepatotoxic components of P. corylifolia.

A practical method for rapid discrimination of constituents in Psoraleae Fructus by UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS

Psoraleae Fructus (PF) is one of the most frequently used traditional Chinese medicine, which has good efficacy in warming kidney to activate yang, promoting inspiration to relieve asthma and warming spleen to stop diarrhea. However, the chemical composition of PF is complex, which makes it difficult to determine its active and toxic components. In order to rapidly classify and identify the chemical components of the extracts from PF, this research was processed with CNKI, PubMed, and PubChem databases and data post-processing technique basing on ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography quadrupole orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS) technique. Finally, 73 chemical components were discriminated, including 44 flavonoids, 18 coumarins, and 11 terpenoids, with the cleavage rules of each chemical component summarized. This study established a UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS method for the separation and discrimination of the chemical constituents of PF, which can lay a foundation for the further study of its medicinal substances and quality control.

Enantioselective total syntheses of six natural and two proposed meroterpenoids from Psoralea corylifolia

The first enantioselective total syntheses of six natural and two proposed meroterpenoids isolated from Psoralea corylifolia have been achieved in 7-9 steps from 2-methylcyclohexanone. The current synthetic approaches feature a high level of synthetic flexibility, stereodivergent fashion and short synthetic route, thereby providing a potential platform for the preparation of numerous this-type meroterpenoids and their pseudo-natural products.

Unveiling hepatotoxicity distinction of coumarin-related compounds from glycosides to aglycones in Fructus Psoraleae by integrating UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and high content analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Fructus Psoraleae (FP), the dried and ripe fruit of Cullen corylifolium (L.) Medik., is widely used due to its various clinical pharmacological effects, but its hepatotoxicity restricts its clinical application. So far, its hepatotoxic components and their underlying mechanism have not been systematically elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study was undertaken to reveal the hepatotoxicity distinction of coumarin-related compounds from glycosides to aglycones in FP and elucidate their potential mechanism.

METHODS

Rats were administrated with the aqueous extract of Fructus Psoraleae (AEFP), in which eight coumarin-related compounds were focused. Subsequently, compounds exposed in rats' livers were detected by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, and the identified hepatotoxic compounds were evaluated to elaborate their possible mechanism by the aid of high content analysis (HCA).

RESULTS

Eight coumarin-related compounds were identified, among which psoralenoside (PO), isopsoralenoside (IPO), psoralen (P), and isopsoralen (IP) were the principally exposed compounds in rats' livers. Furocoumarinic acid glucoside (FAG), (E)-3-(4-(((2S, 3R, 4S, 5S, 6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl) tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl) oxy) benzofuran-5-yl) acrylic acid (isofurocoumarinic acid glucoside, IFAG), furocoumarinic acid (FA), and (E)-3-(4-hydroxybenzofuran-5-yl) acrylic acid (isofurocoumarinic acid, IFA) were also detected in low abundance. P, IP, FA, and IFA were identified as the hepatotoxic compounds, while their glycosides were almost non-hepatotoxic. The HCA's results showed that hepatotoxic compounds disrupted the balance in reactive oxygen species (ROS), nuclear area, and mitochondrial membrane potential of HepG2 cells, leading to the occurrence of hepatotoxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

P, IP, FA, and IFA were identified as hepatotoxic compounds, from which P and IP were proposed as the important risk components for hepatotoxicity. The conversion from glycosides to aglycones played an essential role in FP-induced hepatotoxicity.

Network pharmacology-based identification of bioavailable anti-inflammatory agents from Psoralea corylifolia L. in an experimental colitis model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In traditional oriental medicine, the dried seeds of Psoralea corylifolia L. (PC) have been used to treat various diseases, including gastrointestinal, urinary, orthopedic, diarrheal, ulcer, and inflammatory disorders.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Although its various biological properties are well-known, there is no information on the therapeutic effects and bioavailable components of PC against inflammatory bowel disease. Therefore, we focused on the relationship between hydroethanolic extract of PC (EPC) that ameliorates colitis in mice and bioactive constituents of EPC that suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines in macrophages.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated the therapeutic effects of EPC in a dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis mouse model and identified the orally absorbed components of EPC using UPLC-MS/MS analysis. In addition, we evaluated and validated the mechanism of action of the bioavailable constituents of EPC using network pharmacology analysis. The effects on nitric oxide (NO) and inflammatory cytokines were measured by Griess reagent and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages.

RESULTS

In experimental colitis, EPC improved body weight loss, colon length shortening, and disease activity index. Moreover, EPC reduced the serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and histopathological damage to the colon. Network pharmacological analysis identified 13 phytochemicals that were bioavailable following oral administration of EPC, as well as their potential anti-inflammatory effects. 11 identified EPC constituents markedly reduced the overproduction of NO, tumor necrosis factor-α, and/or interleukin-6 in macrophages induced by LPS. The LPS-induced expression of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells reporter gene was reduced by the 4 EPC constituents.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that the protective activity of EPC against colitis is a result of the additive effects of each constituent on the expression of inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, it suggests that 11 bioavailable phytochemicals of EPC could aid in the management of intestinal inflammation, and also provides useful insights into the clinical application of PC for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.

A study on the anti-osteoporosis mechanism of isopsoralen based on network pharmacology and molecular experiments

OBJECTIVE

Osteoporosis (OP) is a disease caused by multiple factors. Studies have pointed out that isopsoralen (IPRN) is one of the most effective drugs for the treatment of OP. Based on network pharmacological and molecular experimental analysis, the molecular mechanism of IPRN in osteoporosis is clarified.

METHODS

IPRN target genes and OP-related genes were predicted from the databases. Intersections were obtained and visualized. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed on target genes, which was confirmed by experiments internal and external experiments. Molecular docking was used to verify the binding between IPRN and target proteins. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulates the binding affinity of protein targets and active compounds.

RESULTS

87 IPRN target genes and 242 disease-related targets were predicted. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network identified 18 IPRN target proteins for the treatment of OP. GO analysis indicated that target genes were involved in biological processes. KEGG analysis showed that pathways such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR were associated with OP. Cell experiments (qPCR and WB) found that the expressions of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR in MC3T3-E1 cells at 10 μM, 20 μM, and 50 μM IPRN concentrations, especially at 20 μM IPRN treatment, were higher than those in the control group at 48 h. Animal experiments also showed that compared with the control group, 40 mg/kg/time IPRN could promote the expression of the PI3K gene in chondrocytes of SD rats.

CONCLUSIONS

This study predicted the target genes of IPRN in the treatment of OP and preliminarily verified that IPRN plays an anti-OP role through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, which provides a new drug for the treatment of OP.

HSP90β promotes osteoclastogenesis by dual-activation of cholesterol synthesis and NF-κB signaling

Heat shock protein 90β (Hsp90β, encoded by Hsp90ab1 gene) is the most abundant proteins in the cells and contributes to variety of biological processes including metabolism, cell growth and neural functions. However, genetic evidences showing Hsp90β in vivo functions using tissue specific knockout mice are still lacking. Here, we showed that Hsp90β exerted paralogue-specific role in osteoclastogenesis. Using myeloid-specific Hsp90ab1 knockout mice, we provided the first genetic evidence showing the in vivo function of Hsp90β. Hsp90β binds to Ikkβ and reduces its ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation, thus leading to activated NF-κB signaling. Meanwhile, Hsp90β increases cholesterol biosynthesis by activating Srebp2. Both pathways promote osteoclastogenic genes expression. Genetic deletion of Hsp90ab1 in osteoclast or pharmacological inhibition of Hsp90β alleviates bone loss in ovariectomy-induced mice. Therefore, Hsp90β is a promising druggable target for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Fruits and their phytochemicals in mitigating the ill effects of ionizing radiation: review on the existing scientific evidence and way forward

Although helpful in treating cancer, exposure to ionizing radiation can sometimes cause severe side effects, negating its benefit. In addition to its use in clinics, a nontoxic radioprotective agent can also be beneficial in occupational settings where humans are occupationally exposed for prolonged periods to low doses of radiation. Scientific studies using laboratory animals have shown that the fruits Aegle marmelos, Capsicum annuum, Citrus aurantium, Citrullus lanatus, Crataegus microphylla, Eugenia jambolana, Emblica officinalis, Garcinia kola, Grewia asiatica, Hippophae rhamnoides, Malus baccata, Malpighia glabra or Malpighia emarginata, Mangifera indica, Prunus domestica, Prunus avium, Prunus armeniaca, Psoralea corylifolia, Punica granatum, Solanum lycopersicum, Terminalia chebula, Vaccinium macrocarpon, Vitis vinifera and Xylopia aethiopica, and the phytochemicals gallic acid, ellagic acid, quercetin, geraniin, corilagin, ascorbic acid, hesperetin, ursolic acid, lycopene, naringin, hesperidin, rutin, resveratrol, β-sitosterol, apigenin, luteolin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, mangiferin, diosmin, ferulic acid, and kaempferol are effective in preventing radiation-induced ill effects. Clinical studies with Emblica officinalis and Punica granatum have also shown that fruits help mitigate radiation-induced mucositis, dermatitis, and cystitis. For the first time, the current review summarizes the beneficial effects of fruits and phytochemicals in mitigating radiation-induced damage, the underlying mechanisms and the existing lacunae for future studies to be undertaken for the benefit of humans and the nutraceutical and agri-based industries.

Identification of Enolase 1 as a Potential Target for Magnaporthe oryzae: Integrated Proteomic and Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Rice blast is an essential factor affecting rice yield and quality, which is caused by Magnaporthe oryzae (M. oryzae). Isobavachalcone (IBC) is a botanical fungicide derived from the seed extract of the Leguminosae plant Psoralea corylifolia L. and has shown an excellent rice blast control effect in field applications. To explore the potential targets of rice blast control, the analysis of the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between the liquid culture medium of mycelium treated by 10 mg/L of IBC for 2 h and the control group indicated that Enolase 1 (ENO1) was the most significantly down-regulated DEP with a fold change value of 0.305. In vitro experiments showed that after treating liquid culture mycelium with 10 mg/L of IBC for 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 h, the enzymatic activity of ENO1 in the IBC experimental groups was 0.97, 0.75, 0.52, 0.44, and 0.39 times as much as in the control groups, respectively. To further explore the molecular interaction and binding mode between IBC and ENO1, the three-dimensional structure of ENO1 was established based on homology modeling. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation showed that IBC had a pi-pi stacking effect with the residue TYR_365, a hydrogen bond interaction with the residue ARG_393, and hydrophobic interactions with non-polar residues ALA_361, LYS_362, and VAL_371 of ENO1. These findings indicated that ENO1 is a potential target of M. oryzae, which would pave the way for screening novel effective fungicides targeting ENO1.

Bavachin induces apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells through Gadd45a via the MAPK signaling pathway

Bavachin is a dihydroflavonoid compound isolated from Psoralea corylifolia, and exhibits anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and lipid-lowering activities. Recent attention has gradually drawn on bavachin-induced apoptosis in many human cancer cell lines. However, the anti-cancer effects and related mechanisms in colorectal cancer remain unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of bavachin on colorectal cancer in vivo and in vitro. The results showed that bavachin inhibited the proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells and induce apoptosis. These changes were mediated by activating the MAPK signaling pathway, which significantly up-regulated the expression of Gadd45a. Furthermore, Gadd45a silencing obviously attenuated bavachin-mediated cell apoptosis. Inhibition of the MAPK signaling pathway by JNK/ERK/p38 inhibitors also weakened the up-regulation of Gadd45a by bavachin. The anticancer effect of bavachin was also validated using a mouse xenograft model of human colorectal cancer. In conclusion, these findings suggest that bavachin induces the apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells through activating the MAPK signaling pathway.

Polypharmacology of some medicinal plant metabolites against SARS-CoV-2 and host targets: Molecular dynamics evaluation of NSP9 RNA binding protein

Medicinal plants as rich sources of bioactive compounds are now being explored for drug development against COVID-19. 19 medicinal plants known to exhibit antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects were manually curated, procuring a library of 521 metabolites; this was virtually screened against NSP9, including some other viral and host targets and were evaluated for polypharmacological indications. Leads were identified via rigorous scoring thresholds and ADMET filtering. MM-GBSA calculation was deployed to select NSP9-Lead complexes and the complexes were evaluated for their stability and protein-ligand communication via MD simulation. We identified 5 phytochemical leads for NSP9, 23 for Furin, 18 for ORF3a, and 19 for IL-6. Ochnaflavone and Licoflavone B, obtained from Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice), respectively, were identified to have the highest potential polypharmacological properties for the aforementioned targets and may act on multiple pathways simultaneously to inhibit viral entry, replication, and disease progression. Additionally, MD simulation supports the robust stability of Ochnaflavone and Licoflavone B against NSP9 at the active sites via hydrophobic interactions, H-bonding, and H-bonding facilitated by water. This study promotes the initiation of further experimental analysis of natural product-based anti-COVID-19 therapeutics.

Metabolites Identification and Mechanism Prediction of Neobavaisoflavone In Vitro and In Vivo of Rats through UHPLC-Q-Exactive Plus Orbitrap MS Integrated Network Pharmacology

Neobavaisoflavone is an important isoflavone component isolated from Psoraleae Fructus. It is used extensively worldwide because of its antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and anti-osteoporotic activities. However, there is no systematic and comprehensive research on the metabolism of neobavaisoflavone in vivo and in vitro. The study aimed to analyze the metabolic characteristics and mechanism of neobavaisoflavone for the first time. Firstly, biological samples were pretreated by the solid-phase extraction (SPE) method, methanol precipitation, and acetonitrile precipitation. Secondly, the samples were analyzed on UHPLC-Q-Exactive Plus Orbitrap MS. Thirdly, metabolites were tentatively identified based on retention time, parallel reaction monitoring strategy, diagnostic product ions, and neutral loss fragments. A total of 72 metabolites of neobavaisoflavone were tentatively identified, including 28 in plasma, 43 in urine, 18 in feces, six in the liver, and four in the liver microsome. The results suggested that neobavaisoflavone mainly underwent glucuronidation, sulfation, hydroxylation, methylation, cyclization, hydration, and their composite reactions in vivo and in vitro. In addition, nine active components with high bioavailability and 191 corresponding targets were predicted by the Swiss Drug Design database. The 1806 items of GO and 183 KEGG signaling pathways were enriched. These results showed that metabolites expanded the potential effects of neobavaisoflavone. The present study would provide the scientific basis for the further exploitation and application of neobavaisoflavone.

Study on the processing chemistry of Fructus Psoraleae by a combination of untargeted and targeted metabolomics

Fructus Psoralea is widely used to treat osteoporosis and skin inflammatory diseases. Because of the side effects on the liver, renal and cardiovascular systems, it is processed to salt-processed Fructus Psoraleae to meet the requirements of clinical use. However, the mechanisms involved in the transformation of the chemical components are unclear. In this study, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to analyze the chemical profiles of this herbal medicine and the chemical transformation mechanism involved during the salt processing was studied. A total of 83 compounds were identified. Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminate analysis were used to observe the distribution trend of all samples and visualize the difference. Raw and processed Fructus Psoraleae were clearly clustered into two groups. Furthermore, 17 marker compounds were identified as primary contributors to their differences based on t-test analysis (p < 0.01) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminate analysis (variable importance for the projection > 1). Finally, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry was used to evaluate the quality of Fructus Psoraleae by simultaneous analysis of 13 components highly related to efficacy. There were variations in the contents of 13 chemicals of Fructus Psoraleae and salt-processed products. The results of untargeted and targeted metabolomics revealed that salt processing affected the chemical composition of Fructus Psoraleae.

Psoralen and isopsoralen from Psoraleae Fructus aroused hepatotoxicity via induction of aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated CYP1A2 expression

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Psoraleae Fructus (PF), a traditional Chinese medicine, has long been used to treat diseases such as cancer, osteoporosis and leukoderma. Psoralen and isopsoralen are main bioactive ingredients of PF with anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, estrogen-like neuroprotection, etc., meanwhile they are also representative hepatotoxic components of PF. Hepatic CYP1A2 has been reported to be the important metabolic enzymes involved in psoralen and isopsoralen-induced hepatotoxicity. However, the relationship between the hepatotoxicity and CYP1A2 expression, and the underlying mechanism of regulating CYP1A2 expression remain unclear.

AIM OF STUDY

The aim of this study was to explore the associated mechanism between psoralen or isopsoralen induced hepatotoxicity and activated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-mediated transcriptional induction of CYP1A2 in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Psoralen and isopsoralen at different doses were treated on HepG2 cells (10, 25, 50, 100, 200 μM for 2, 12, 24, 36, 48 h) and mice (20, 80, 160 mg/kg for 3, 7, 14 days) for different time, to assess the correlation of induced hepatotoxicity and CYP1A2 mRNA and protein expression in vivo and in vitro, as well as the effect on CYP1A2 enzyme activity evaluated by phenacetin metabolism. In addition, the potential mechanism of the regulation of CYP1A2 expression mediated by AhR was explored through nucleocytoplasmic shuttling, immunofluorescence, cellular thermal shift assay and molecular docking, etc. RESULTS: Psoralen and isopsoralen induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells, and hepatomegaly, biochemicals disorder and tissue pathological impairment in mice, respectively in dose- and time-dependent manners. Simultaneously accompanied with elevated levels of CYP1A2 mRNA and protein in the same trend, and the CYP1A2 activity was remarkably inhibited in vitro but significantly elevated overall in vivo. Besides, psoralen and isopsoralen bound to AhR and activated translocation of AhR from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, leading to the transcriptional induction of target gene CYP1A2.

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatotoxicities in HepG2 cells and mice aroused by psoralen and isopsoralen were related to the induction of CYP1A2 expression and activity, whose underlying mechanism might be psoralen or isopsoralen activated AhR translocation and induced increase of CYP1A2 transcriptional expression. Hopefully, these finding are conductive to propose an alert about the combined usage of psoralen or isopsoralen and AhR ligands or CYP1A2 substrates in clinical practice.

Antiobesity Potential of Bioactive Constituents from Dichloromethane Extract of Psoralea corylifolia L. Seeds

Purpose

Effectively controlling the accumulation of adipose tissue can be a therapeutic strategy for treating obesity, which is a global problem. The present study was designed for comparative assessment of in vitro antiobesity activities of the Psoralea corylifolia-dichloromethane seed extract (DCME) and the isolated phytochemicals, bakuchiol, isopsoralen, and psoralen, through antiadipogenesis and pancreatic lipase (PL) inhibition assays. Material and Methods. In vitro pancreatic lipase activity was determined spectrophotometrically by measuring the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl butyrate (p-NPB) to p-nitrophenol at 405 nm, and adipogenesis was assayed in 3 T3-L1 adipocytes (by using Oil Red O staining) using P. corylifolia-dichloromethane seed extract (DCME) and individual compounds, isolated from the extract.

Result

Antilipase as well as antiadipogenesis activity was displayed by both the DCME and the compounds. Maximum antilipase property was recorded in DCME (26.02 ± .041%) at 100 μg/ml, while, among the isolated compounds, bakuchiol exhibited a higher activity (24.2 ± 0.037%) at 100 μg/ml concentration, compared to other isolates. DCME was found to exhibit antiadipogenesis property, 75 ± 0.003% lipid accumulation, compared to the control at 100 μg/ml dose. Bakuchiol, isopsoralen, and psoralen inhibited the lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, 78.06 ± 0.002%, 80.91 ± 0.004%, and 80.91 ± 0.001%, respectively, lipid accumulation in comparison to control at 25 μM dose.

Conclusion

The present study highlights the antiobesity potential of P. corylifolia and its active constituents. Thus, it can be concluded that P. corylifolia has the potential to treat obesity and related diseases; however, further research on dose standardization and clinical trials are required.

Neobavaisoflavone inhibits antitumor immunosuppression via myeloid-derived suppressor cells

Neobavaisoflavone (Neo), as a traditional Chinese medicine, is the active ingredient in the herb Psoralea corylifolial and has antitumor activity. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), which are a heterogeneous population of haematopoietic cells of the myeloid lineage, have been reported to be closely related to the pathogenesis of tumour progression, but whether Neo can regulate MDSC expansion and function remains unclear. Here, we found that Neo could inhibit the expansion and suppressive function of MDSCs by targeting STAT3. Importantly, Neo inhibited the growth of 4T1 and LLC tumours in vivo, as well as lung metastasis of 4T1 tumours in vivo. Furthermore, we identified MDSCs as the direct targets by which Neo attenuated tumour progression. In addition, Neo notably enhanced anti-PD-1 efficacy in anti-PD-1-insensitive 4T1 tumours. Therefore, our study sheds light on the development of Neobased therapeutic strategies against cancer.

Chemical constituents from the seeds of Cullen corylifolium and their inhibitory activity on diacylglycerol acyltransferase

A large number of extracts of medicinal plants or natural products shows beneficial to combat obesity. In the present work, a new flavonoid named (2S,1″R,2″R)-4'-hydroxy-7-methoxy-6-(1,2,3-trihydroxy-3-methyl-butyl)-flavanone (1), along with seven known compounds (2-8) were isolated from the seeds of Cullen corylifolium. Their structures, including the absolute configurations, were determined by the analysis of comprehensive spectroscopic data and computational calculation methods. All isolates were evaluated for their diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) inhibitory activity. Compounds 1-4 exhibited different level of DGAT1 inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values ranging from 28.2 ± 1.1 to 127.3 ± 1.9 μM. In addition, 45 flavonoids which be evaluated for DGAT inhibitory activity were summarised and potential structure-activity relationships were discussed.

Isobavachalcone From Cullen corylifolium Presents Significant Antibacterial Activity Against Clostridium difficile Through Disruption of the Cell Membrane

Background:Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has been widely reported in human and animals around the world over the past few decades. The high relapse rate and increasing drug resistance of CDI make the discovery of new agents against C. difficile fairly urgent. This study aims to investigate the antibacterial activity against C. difficile from traditional Chinese herb medicine Cullen corylifolium and confirm its active components.

Methods: Phenolic extract from the seeds of C. corylifolium was prepared routinely and the contents of relative flavonoids were determined by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). In vitro antibacterial activities of the phenolic extract and its major components were tested. The influence of the major components on cell membrane was investigated with membrane integrity by SEM and propidium iodid uptake assay. Cytotoxicity of the extract and its active compounds on Caco-2 cell line was assessed by CCK-8 kit. The in vivo therapeutic efficacy of IBCL was evaluated on the mice model.

Results: Phenolic extract was found to be active against C. difficile with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 8 μg/mL. As the major component of the extract, IBCL was the most active compound against C. difficile. The MIC of IBCL and 4MBCL were 4 μg/ml and 4 μg/ml, respectively. Meanwhile, PFPE, IBCL, and 4MBCL showed rapid bactericidal effect against C. difficile in 1 h, which was significant compared to antibiotic vancomycin. Mechanism studies revealed that IBCL can disrupt the integrity of the cell membrane, which may lead to the death of bacteria. PFPE was low cytotoxic against Caco-2 cells, and the cytotoxicity of IBCL and 4MBCL were moderate. Symptoms of CDI were effectively alleviated by IBCL on the mice model and weight loss was reduced. From death rates, IBCL showed better efficacy compared to vancomycin at 50 mg/kg dosage.

Conclusion: As the major component of phenolic extract of C. corylifolium seeds, IBCL showed significant antibacterial activity against C. difficile in vitro and rapidly killed the bacteria by disrupting the integrity of the cell membrane. IBCL can significantly prevent weight loss and reduce death caused by CDI on the mice model. Therefore, IBCL may be a promising lead compound or drug candidate for CDI.

Selection and validation of reference genes for quantitative real-time PCR normalization in Psoralea corylifolia (Babchi) under various abiotic stress

Psoralea corylifolia L. is a popular herb and has long been used in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine owing to its extensive pharmacological activities, especially in the treatment of various shin diseases. To date, the systematic evaluation and selection of the optimum reference genes for gene expression analysis of P. corylifolia were not reported. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a method for gene expression quantification. Selecting appropriate reference genes is the prerequisite for accurate normalization of RT-qPCR results. This study assessed the expression stability of 10 candidate reference genes under different abiotic stresses. First, amplification primers for RT-qPCR were designed and received testing and optimization. Then, expression data from each candidate gene were evaluated based on three statistical algorithms, and their results were further integrated into a comprehensive ranking based on the geometric mean. Additionally, one target gene, i.e., 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase (ACO), was used to validate the effectiveness of the selected reference. Our analysis suggested that thioredoxin-like protein YLS8 (YLS8), TIP41-like family protein (TIP41), and cyclophilin 2 (CYP2) genes provided superior expression normalization under different abiotic stresses. Overall, this work constitutes the first effort to select optimal endogenous controls for RT-qPCR studies of gene expression in P. corylifolia. It also provides a reasonable normalization standard and basis for further analysis of the gene expression of bioactive components in P. corylifolia.

Jianpi Qingchang Bushen decoction improves inflammatory response and metabolic bone disorder in inflammatory bowel disease-induced bone loss

BACKGROUND

Bone loss and osteoporosis are commonly described as extra-intestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Jianpi Qingchang Bushen decoction (JQBD) is a prescription used in clinical practice. However, further studies are needed to determine whether JQBD regulates the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) (RANK)/receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)/ osteoprotegerin (OPG) pathways and could play a role in treating IBD-induced bone loss.

AIM

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of JQBD in IBD-induced bone loss and explore the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

An IBD-induced bone loss model was constructed by feeding 12 6-to-8-wk-old interleukin-10 (IL-10)-knockout mice with piroxicam for 10 d. The mice were randomly divided into model and JQBD groups. We used wild-type mice as a control. The JQBD group was administered the JQBD suspension for 2 wk by gavage, while the control and model groups were given normal saline at the corresponding time points. All mice were killed after the intervention. The effect of JQBD on body weight, disease activity index (DAI), and colon length was analyzed. Histopathological examination, colon ultrastructure observation, and micro-computed tomographic scanning of the lumbar vertebrae were performed. The gene expression of NF-κB, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 in the colon was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Colon samples were assessed by Western blot for the expression of RANKL, OPG, RANK, and NF-κB proteins.

RESULTS

The model group lost body weight, had a shorter colon, and showed a dramatic increase in DAI score, whereas JQBD had protective and therapeutic effects. Treatment with JQBD significantly improved inflammatory cell infiltration and reduced crypt abscess and ulcer formation. Three-dimensional imaging of the vertebral centrum in the model group revealed a lower bone mass, loose trabeculae, and “rod-shaped” changes in the structure compared to the control group and JQBD groups. The bone volume/total volume ratio and bone mineral density were significantly lower in the model group than in the control group. JQBD intervention downregulated the NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 mRNA expression levels. The RANKL and OPG protein levels were also improved.

CONCLUSION

JQBD reduces inflammation of the colonic mucosa and inhibits activation of the RANK/ RANKL/OPG signaling pathway, thereby reducing osteoclast activation and bone resorption and improving bone metabolism.

Flavonoids extract from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia L. (PFE) alleviates atherosclerosis in high-fat diet-induced LDLR-/- mice

BACKGROUND

The seeds of Psoralea corylifolia L., a traditional medicine popular used in China and India, have been recommended in the treatment of leucoderma, psoriasis, osteoporosis, and gynecological bleeding. Our previous studies have found that flavonoid extract from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia L. could activate fat browning and correct the disorder of glucose and lipid metabolism in obese mice.

PURPOSE

The present study aimed to investigate the anti-atherosclerosis of flavonoids extract from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia L.

METHODS

Leukocyte adhesion assay, RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescent assay were carried out in ox-LDL induced endothelium injury and foam cells formation in vitro. Flavonoids from the seeds of P. corylifolia L. (PFE) was administrated 150 and 300 mg/kg/day in HFD-induced LDLR-/- mice for 12 weeks.

RESULTS

Flavonoids from the seeds of P. corylifolia L. (PFE) could prevent leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium by inhibiting mRNA and protein expression of these adhesion molecules (VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-selectin). PFE could also prevent ox-LDL stimulated inflammation in HUVECs by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. In addition, PFE significantly ameliorated ox-LDL induced macrophages-oriented foam cells formation through inducing cholesterol efflux via PPARγ-ABCA1/ABCG1. In HFD-induced LDLR-/- mice, PFE reversed the serum profile and circulated inflammation level. Meanwhile, PFE could remarkably alleviate atherosclerotic lesion sizes and intraplaque macrophage infiltration in aortic roots.

CONCLUSION

Flavonoids from the seeds of P. corylifolia L. could alleviate atherosclerosis by preventing endothelium injury, attenuating vascular inflammation, and alleviating the formation of foam cells.

Combined Modeling Study of the Binding Characteristics of Natural Compounds, Derived from Psoralea Fruits, to β-Amyloid Peptide Monomer

A dysfunctional protein aggregation in the nervous system can lead to several neurodegenerative disorders that result in intracellular inclusions or extracellular aggregates. An early critical event within the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease is the accumulation of amyloid beta peptide within the brain. Natural compounds isolated from Psoralea Fructus (PF) have significant anti-Alzheimer effects as strong inhibitors of Aβ42 aggregation. Computer simulations provide a powerful means of linking experimental findings to nanoscale molecular events. As part of this research four prenylated compounds, the active ingredients of Psoralea Fructus (PF), were studied as Aβ42 accumulation inhibitors using molecular simulations modeling. In order to resolve the binding modes of the ligands and identify the main interactions of Aβ42 residues, we performed a 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation and binding free energy calculations starting from the model of the compounds obtained from the docking study. This study was able to pinpoint the key amino acid residues in the Aβ42 active site and provide useful information that could benefit the development of new Aβ42 accumulation inhibitors.

Psoralidin, a natural compound from Psoralea corylifolia, induces oxidative damage mediated apoptosis in colon cancer cells

Psoralidin (PSO) is a natural coumarin isolated from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia Linn. Previous studies have reported that PSO exerts numerous pharmacological bioactivities including antitumor. The present study aimed to investigate its anticancer effect using colon cancer cells. Cultured HT-29 and HCT-116 colon cancer cells were treated with different concentrations of PSO, and the cell viability, the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), the protein expression, and the apoptosis were determined by MTT assay, DCFH₂ -DA fluorescence probe, Western blotting, and Annexin V/7-AAD staining, respectively. The activities of caspase 3/7 were determined by a commercial kit. Our study found that PSO effectively induces apoptotic cell death mediated by caspase 3/7 in HT-29 and HCT-116 colon cancer cells. PSO treatment rapidly boosts the ROS generation, which is responsible for the PSO-triggered DNA damage, mitochondria membrane potential decrease and caspase 3/7 activation, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 activation. Collectively, these results showed that PSO triggered oxidative damage mediated apoptosis in colon cancer cells.

Bakuchiol - a natural meroterpenoid: structure, isolation, synthesis and functionalization approaches

Bakuchiol is an emblematic meroterpene class of natural product extracted from Psoralea corylifolia. It has been reported to possess a broad range of biological and pharmacological properties and is considered as a leading biomolecule. It is highly desirable to devise an efficient approach to access bakuchiol and its chemical biology applications. In this review we provided structural features, isolation methods, various chemical routes and late-stage functionalization (LSF) approaches for bakuchiol and its derivatives. Moreover, this review encompasses the structure-activity relationships (SAR), value-added contributions and future perspectives of bakuchiol.

Comparison of medicinal preparations of Ayurveda in India and five traditional medicines in China

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ayurveda is the main traditional healthcare system in Indian medicine. Tibetan medicine (TM), Mongolian medicine (MM), Buddhist medicine (BM), Dai medicine (DM), and Uyghur medicine (UM) are main traditional medicines practiced in China. These are existing traditional medical systems that still play a role in disease prevention and treatment.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To reveal the similarities and differences of traditional medicinal preparations between Ayurveda in India and five traditional medicines in China to deepen medical exchanges and cooperation between the two countries and beyond.

METHODS

All preparations were extracted from statutory pharmacopoeias, ministry standards, and prescription textbooks from China and India. The information of each preparation, such as therapeutic uses, medicinal materials, and preparation forms, was recorded in Excel for statistical analysis and visual comparison.

RESULTS

A total of 645 Ayurvedic preparations, 458 TM preparations, 164 MM preparations, 616 BM preparations, 227 DM preparations, and 94 UM preparations were identified. Preparations of the six traditional medicines were mostly used for treating digestive, respiratory, and urogenital system diseases. The preparation forms of these six traditional medicines are mainly pills and powders. There are 38 shared-use medicinal materials in Ayurveda and TM preparations, 25 in Ayurveda and MM preparations, 30 in Ayurveda and BM preparations, 39 in Ayurveda and DM preparations, and 31 in Ayurveda and UM preparations. Finally, we selected one important shared-use preparation (Triphala) and 51 medicinal materials to research traditional use and modern pharmacology.

CONCLUSIONS

These preparations are used by different prescribers and users of medicinal materials in different medical systems with the similarities and differences. The similarities may reflect the historical exchanges of traditional medicines between the two countries. The differences showed that traditional medicines in China have absorbed some theories, diagnoses, and treatments from Ayurveda but also retained their own ethnic and regional characteristics.

Evolving Roles of Natural Terpenoids From Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic metabolic skeletal disease which can lead to reduction in bone mass and increased risk of bone fracture due to the microstructural degradation. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been applied in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis for a long time. Terpenoids, a class of natural products that are rich in TCM, have been widely studied for their therapeutic efficacy on bone resorption, osteogenesis, and concomitant inflammation. Terpenoids can be classified in four categories by structures, monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, and triterpenoids. In this review, we comprehensively summarize all the currently known TCM-derived terpenoids in the treatment of OP. In addition, we discuss the possible mechanistic-of-actions of all four category terpenoids in anti-OP and assess their therapeutic potential for OP treatment.

Five Constituents Contributed to the Psoraleae Fructus-Induced Hepatotoxicity via Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Apoptosis

Backgrounds: Psoraleae Fructus (PF)-induced hepatotoxicity has been reported in clinical and animal experiments. However, the hepatotoxic constituents and mechanisms underlying PF-induced toxicity have remained unclear. Therefore, this study explored the potentially toxic PF components and revealed their relative mechanisms.

Methods: The hepatotoxicity of PF water (PFW) and ethanol (PFE) extracts was compared using Kunming mice. The different compositions between PFW and PFE, which were considered toxic compositions, were identified using the UHPLC-Q-Exactive MS method. Then, L02 and HepG2 cell lines were used to evaluate the toxicity of these compositions. Cell viability and apoptosis were determined through the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry, respectively. An automatic biochemical analyzer detected the aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Lastly, we used high-content screening (HCS) to determine the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).

Results: The ethanol extraction process aggravated the hepatotoxicity of PF, causing more severe injuries. The content of psoralen, isopsoralen, bavachin, psoralidin, bavachinin, neobavaisoflavone, and bakuchiol was higher in the PFE than PFW. Bavachin, psoralidin, bavachinin, neobavaisoflavone, and bakuchiol induced cell apoptosis and the AST, ALT, and ALP leakages. Furthermore, these five constituents increased intracellular lipid accumulation and ROS levels but decreased the MMP level.

Conclusion: The ethanol extraction process could induce severe PF hepatotoxicity. Bavachin, psoralidin, bavachinin, neobavaisoflavone, and bakuchiol are the main hepatotoxic ingredients. This mechanism could be associated with oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage-mediated apoptosis. Taken together, this study provides a basis for the clinical application of PF that formulates and improves its herbal standards.

Identification and pharmacokinetics of bioavailable anti-resorptive phytochemicals after oral administration of Psoralea corylifolia L

Osteoporosis and resulting bone fractures are the major health issues associated with morbidity in the aging population; however, there is no effective treatment that does not cause severe side effects. In East Asia, dried seeds of Psoralea corylifolia L. (PC) have traditionally been used as an herbal medicine to manage urinary tract, cutaneous, and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as bone health. However, the mechanism of action and active biocomponents of PC are unclear. Here, we adopted a pharmacokinetic (PK) study aiming to identify the bioavailable phytochemicals in aqueous and ethanolic extracts of PC (APC) and (EPC), respectively. In addition, we aimed to determine anti-resorptive constituents of PC, which accounted for its beneficial effects on bone health. To this end, we used ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). A rapid, sensitive, and reliable UPLC-MS/MS method was developed and determined the 17 PC ingredients. In the PK study, nine components (two chalcones, two coumarins, one coumestan, two flavonoids, and two isoflavonoids) were observed between 36 and 48 h after oral administration of APC or EPC. Among the bioavailable ingredients, four PC constituents (psoralidin, isobavachin, corylifol A, and neobavaisoflavone) inhibited M-CSF-and RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in bone marrow-derived macrophages. In addition, two chalcones and two isoflavonoids markedly inhibited cathepsin K activity, and their binding modes to cathepsin K were determined by molecular docking. In summary, our data suggest that bioavailable multicomponents of PC could contribute to the management of bone health.

Study on pharmacokinetics of eight active compounds from Bufei-Huoxue Capsule based on UHPLC-MS/MS

Bufei-Huoxue Capsule (BFHX) was applied to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in China. It is composed of Astragali Radix, Paeoniae Radix Rubra, and Psoralea Fructus. A sensitive and reliable ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated to quantify the eight main bioactive compounds (psoralen, isopsoralen, neobabaisoflavone, corylin, bavachin, astragaloside IV, ononin and formononetin) in rat plasma after oral administration of BFHX. Osthol was used as an internal standard (IS). Plasma samples were pretreated with methanol to precipitate protein. Chromatographic separation was accomplished using Hypersil GOLD^TM C18 column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 1.9 μm) with a gradient elution profile and a mobile phase consisting of (A) 0.1% formic acid in water and (B) acetonitrile and the flow rate was set at 0.2 mL/min. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode was applied to perform mass spectrometric analyses. All calibration curves were linear (r > 0.9908) in tested ranges. The intra- and inter-day accuracy and precisions of eight compounds at three different concentration levels were within the acceptable limits. The extraction recovery was within the range of 76.4 ∼ 105.2% and the matrix effects were within the range of 88.3 ∼ 115.0% (RSD ≤ 15.6%). The dilution effects were within the range of 90.2 ∼ 114.9%. These 8 compounds were stable under the tested conditions. So the developed method was valid to evaluate the pharmacokinetic study of eight bioactive compounds after oral administration of BFHX.

New bakuchiol dimers from Psoraleae Fructus and their inhibitory activities on nitric oxide production

BACKGROUND

Dried fruits of Psoralea corylifolia L. (Psoraleae Fructus) is one of the most popular traditional Chinese medicine with treatment for nephritis, spermatorrhea, pollakiuria, asthma, and various inflammatory diseases. Bakuchiol is main meroterpenoid with bioactive diversity from Psoraleae Fructus. This study was designed to seek structural diverse bakuchiol derivants with anti-inflammatory activities from this plant.

METHODS

Various column chromatography methods were used for isolation experiment. Structures and configurations of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Their inhibition on nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages were evaluated by the Griess reaction.

RESULTS

Twelve unpresented bakuchiol dimmers, bisbakuchiols M-U (1-9) and bisbakuchiol ethers A-C (10-12), along with five known compounds (13-17), were isolated from the fruits of Psoralea corylifolia L. Compounds 1-3, 10-12, 16 and 17 exhibited inhibitory activities against LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 macrophages, and the inhibition of compound 1 (half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value = 11.47 ± 1.57 μM) was equal to that of L-N(6)-(1-iminoethyl)-lysine (IC50 = 10.29 ± 1.10 μM) as a positive control.

CONCLUSIONS

Some compounds exhibited inhibitory activities against NO production, and the study of structure-activity relationship suggested that uncyclized compounds with oxygen substitution at C-12/12' showed strong inhibitory activities, and carbonyl units contributed to enhanced activities.