Protective Effect of Artemisia asiatica Extract and Its Active Compound Eupatilin against Cisplatin-Induced Renal Damage

Eupatilin Ameliorates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Kidney Injury by Inhibiting Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis in Mice

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of sepsis. Eupatilin (EUP) is a natural flavone with multiple biological activities and has beneficial effects against various inflammatory disorders. However, whether EUP has a favorable effect on septic AKI remains unknown. Here, we examined the effect of EUP on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-evoked AKI in mice. LPS-evoked renal dysfunction was attenuated by EUP, as reflected by reductions in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. LPS injection also induced structural damage such as tubular cell detachment, tubular dilatation, brush border loss of proximal tubules, and upregulation of tubular injury markers. However, EUP significantly ameliorated this structural damage. EUP decreased serum and renal cytokine levels, prevented macrophage infiltration, and inhibited mitogen-activated protein kinase and NF-κB signaling cascades. Lipid peroxidation and DNA oxidation were increased after LPS treatment. However, EUP mitigated LPS-evoked oxidative stress through downregulation of NPDPH oxidase 4 and upregulation of antioxidant enzymes. EUP also inhibited p53-mediated apoptosis in LPS-treated mice. Therefore, these results suggest that EUP ameliorates LPS-evoked AKI through inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.

Cisplatin-Induced Kidney Toxicity: Potential Roles of Major NAD+-Dependent Enzymes and Plant-Derived Natural Products

Cisplatin is an FDA approved anti-cancer drug that is widely used for the treatment of a variety of solid tumors. However, the severe adverse effects of cisplatin, particularly kidney toxicity, restrict its clinical and medication applications. The major mechanisms of cisplatin-induced renal toxicity involve oxidative stress, inflammation, and renal fibrosis, which are covered in this short review. In particular, we review the underlying mechanisms of cisplatin kidney injury in the context of NAD⁺-dependent redox enzymes including mitochondrial complex I, NAD kinase, CD38, sirtuins, poly-ADP ribosylase polymerase, and nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (NNT) and their potential contributing roles in the amelioration of cisplatin-induced kidney injury conferred by natural products derived from plants. We also cover general procedures used to create animal models of cisplatin-induced kidney injury involving mice and rats. We highlight the fact that more studies will be needed to dissect the role of each NAD⁺-dependent redox enzyme and its involvement in modulating cisplatin-induced kidney injury, in conjunction with intensive research in NAD⁺ redox biology and the protective effects of natural products against cisplatin-induced kidney injury.

Novel Application of Eupatilin for Effectively Attenuating Cisplatin-Induced Auditory Hair Cell Death via Mitochondrial Apoptosis Pathway

Eupatilin (5,7-dihydroxy-3′,4′,6-trimethoxyflavone) is a pharmacologically active flavone that has been isolated from a variety of medicinal plants and possesses a number of pharmacological properties. This study evaluates the antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects of eupatilin on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity using in vitro and in vivo models including HEI-OC1 cells, cochlear hair cells, and zebrafish. Employing a CCK8 assay and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining, we found that eupatilin significantly alleviated cisplatin-induced apoptosis and increased hair cell viability. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was evaluated by CellROX green and MitoSOX Red staining. The results showed that eupatilin possesses antioxidant activity. MitoTracker Red staining indicated that eupatilin remarkably decreased mitochondrial damage. Furthermore, we demonstrated that eupatilin protects hair cells from cisplatin-induced damage. Mechanistic studies in cisplatin-induced HEI-OC1 cells revealed that eupatilin promoted Bcl-2 expression, downregulated Bax expression, reversed the increase in caspase-3 and PARP activity, and reduced the expression of phosphorylated p38 and JNK. Our data suggest a novel role for eupatilin as a protective agent against ototoxic drug-induced hair cell apoptosis by inhibiting ROS generation and modulating mitochondrial-related apoptosis.

Formononetin protects against cisplatin‑induced acute kidney injury through activation of the PPARα/Nrf2/HO‑1/NQO1 pathway

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is characterized by an abrupt deterioration of renal function. Formononetin (FOR) protects against cisplatin (CIS)‑induced AKI, and it has various potential pharmacological and biological effects, including anti‑inflammatory, antioxidative and anti‑apoptotic effects. The current study investigated the role of FOR in CIS‑induced AKI. Rats were treated with CIS to establish an AKI model, followed by treatment with FOR. HK‑2 cells were treated with CIS, FOR, GW6471 [a peroxisome proliferator‑activated receptor α (PPARα) antagonist], eupatilin (a PPARα agonist) and nuclear factor erythroid 2‑related factor 2 (Nrf2) small interfering RNA (siNrf2), and cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined by MTT and flow cytometry assays. The mRNA and proteins levels of PPARα, Nrf2, heme oxygenase‑1 (HO‑1) and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) were measured by reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR and western blotting. The results demonstrated that FOR attenuated the histopathological changes, the levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, TNF‑α and IL‑1β, and the MDA content and MPO activity, whereas it enhanced CAT activity in the AKI rat model. Furthermore, FOR and eupatilin promoted cell viability and CAT activity, and increased the levels of PPARα, Nrf2 and HO‑1 and NQO1, but suppressed apoptosis and MPO activity, and reduced the levels of MDA, TNF‑α and IL‑1β in CIS‑treated HK‑2 cells. Notably, the aforementioned effects were reversed by GW6471 treatment or siNrf2 transfection. In conclusion, FOR protects against CIS‑induced AKI via activation of the PPARα/Nrf2/HO‑1/NQO1 pathway.

Anti-Apoptotic and Antioxidant Effects of 3-Epi-Iso-Seco-Tanapartholide Isolated from Artemisia Argyi Against Iodixanol-Induced Kidney Epithelial Cell Death

Iodixanol is a non-ionic iso-osmolar contrast agent, but it is a risk factor for kidney damage and increases morbidity and mortality. In this study, we investigated the effect of 9 sesquiterpenes isolated from mugwort (Artemisia argyi) in contrast agent-induced cytotoxicity in LLC-PK1 cells. Cells were exposed to nine sesquiterpene compounds for 2 h, followed by incubation with iodixanol for 3 h. Cell viability was assessed using the Ez-Cytox assay. The level of reactive oxygen species was measured using 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate staining. Apoptotic cell death was detected using annexin V/PI staining. In addition, immunofluorescence staining and western blotting were performed using antibodies against proteins related to apoptosis, oxidative stress, and MAPK pathways. The most effective 3-epi-iso-seco-tanapartholide (compound 8) among the 9 sesquiterpene compounds protected LLC-PK1 cells from iodixanol-induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and apoptotic cell death. Pretreatment with compound 8 reversed iodixanol-induced increases in the expression of JNK, ERK, p38, Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9. It also reversed the iodixanol-induced decrease in Bcl-2 expression. Furthermore, pretreatment with compound 8 caused nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and upregulated HO-1 via the Nrf2 pathway in iodixanol-treated LLC-PK1 cells. Thus, we demonstrated here that compound 8 isolated from A. argyi has the potential to effectively prevent iodixanol-induced kidney epithelial cell death via the caspase-3/MAPK pathways and HO-1 via the Nrf2 pathway.

Eupatilin Promotes Cell Death by Calcium Influx through ER-Mitochondria Axis with SERPINB11 Inhibition in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecological cancer-related mortality. The anticancer effect of eupatilin, a family of flavonoids, is known in many cancer types, but it is unclear what mechanism it plays in ovarian cancer. In this study, eupatilin promoted cell death of ovarian cancer cells by activating caspases, cell cycle arrest, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, calcium influx, disruption of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–mitochondria axis with SERPINB11 inhibition, and downregulation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Additionally, eupatilin-reduced SERPINB11 expression enhanced the effect of conventional chemotherapeutic agents against ovarian cancer cell progression. Cotreatment with siSERPINB11 and eupatilin increased calcium-ion-dependent apoptotic activity in ovarian cancer cells. Although there were no significant toxic effects of eupatilin on embryos, eupatilin completely inhibited tumorigenesis in a zebrafish xenograft model. In addition, eupatilin suppressed angiogenesis in zebrafish transgenic models. Collectively, downregulating SERPINB11 with eupatilin against cancer progression may improve therapeutic activity.

Eupatilin: a natural pharmacologically active flavone compound with its wide range applications

Eupatilin (5,7-dihydroxy-3',4',6-trimethoxyflavone) is a pharmacologically active flavone which has been isolated from a variety of medicinal plants. Eupatilin is known to possess various pharmacological properties such as anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory. It is speculated that eupatilin could be subjected to structural optimization for the synthesis of derivative analogs to reinforce its efficacy, to minimize toxicity, and to optimize absorption profiles, which will ultimately lead towards potent drug candidates. Although, reported data acclaim multiple pharmacological activities of eupatilin but further experimentations on its molecular mechanism of action are yet mandatory to elucidate full spectrum of its pharmacological activities.

Protective Effect of Artemisia argyi and Its Flavonoid Constituents against Contrast-Induced Cytotoxicity by Iodixanol in LLC-PK1 Cells

Preventive effects and corresponding molecular mechanisms of mugwort (Artemisia argyi) extract and its flavonoid constituents on contrast-induced nephrotoxicity were explored in the present study. We treated cultured LLC-PK1 cells with iodixanol to induce contrast-induced nephrotoxicity, and found that A. argyi extracts ameliorated the reduction in cellular viability following iodixanol treatment. The anti-apoptotic effect of A. argyi extracts on contrast-induced nephrotoxicity was mediated by the inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation and the activation of caspases. The flavonoid compounds isolated from A. argyi improved the viability of iodixanol-treated cells against contrast-induced nephrotoxicity. Seven compounds (1, 2, 3, 15, 16, 18, and 19) from 19 flavonoids exerted a significant protective effect. Based on the in silico oral-bioavailability and drug-likeness assessment, which evaluate the drug potential of these compounds, compound 2 (artemetin) showed the highest oral bioavailability (49.55%) and drug-likeness (0.48) values. We further investigated the compound–target–disease network of compound 2, and proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) emerged as a predicted key marker for the treatment of contrast-induced nephrotoxicity. Consequently, compound 2 was the preferred candidate, and its protective effect was mediated by inhibiting the contrast-induced inflammatory response through activation of PPAR-γ and inhibition of MAPK phosphorylation and activation of caspases.

Protective Effect of Rheum turkestanicum against Cisplatin by Reducing Oxidative Stress in Kidney Tissue

Background:

Cisplatin is used as chemotherapeutic drug in the treatment of some solid tumors. It causes different side effects such as nephrotoxicity because of increasing oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species production. This study was designed to investigate the effect of Rheum turkestanicum on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rat.

Materials and Methods:

Animals were randomly divided into four groups (six each). Group I received normal saline (1mL/day, intraperitoneally [i.p.]). Group II received a single dose of cisplatin (8mg/kg, i.p.). Groups III and IV received extract at doses of 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg, i.p., respectively, for 3 consecutive days, 1h before a single dose of cisplatin only at the first day. Blood samples were taken for measuring the level of urea and creatinine. Furthermore, 24-h urinary factors such as glucose and protein were measured. Histopathological observation was carried out on kidney sections. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey–Kramer post hoc test for multiple comparisons.

Results:

Cisplatin increased the lipid peroxidation, serum creatinine, serum urea, urinary glucose, and urinary protein, whereas decreased the content of thiol in kidney. The extract reduced serum creatinine, serum urea, urinary glucose, urinary protein, lipid peroxidation, and increased thiol following cisplatin administration. Histological studies revealed lower lesions in kidney in the extract-treated groups compared to cisplatin-treated one.

Conclusion:

This research showed the extract has protective effect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. This observation may be related to antioxidant properties of the extract.

Protective effect of ginsenoside Rh3 against anticancer drug-induced apoptosis in LLC-PK1 kidney cells

Background

Ginsenosides are active components of Panax ginseng that exert various health benefits including kidney protection effect. The medicinal activity of ginsenosides can be enhanced by modulating their stereospecificity by heat processing. Ginsenosides Rk2 and Rh3 represent positional isomers of the double bond at C-20(21) or C-20(22).

Methods

The present study investigated the kidney-protective effects of ginsenosides Rk2 and Rh3 against cisplatin, a platinum based anticancer drug, induced apoptotic damage in renal proximal LLC-PK1 cells.

Results

As a result, ginsenoside Rh3 shows a stronger protective effect than that shown by Rk2. Cisplatin-induced elevated protein levels of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and cleaved caspase-3 decreased after cotreatment with ginsenoside Rh3. The increase in the percentage of apoptotic LLC-PK1 cells induced by cisplatin treatment also significantly reduced after cotreatment with ginsenoside Rh3.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that inhibition of the JNK and ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade plays a critical role in mediating the renoprotective effect of ginsenoside Rh3.

Termisoflavones A-C, Isoflavonoid Glycosides from Termite-Associated Streptomyces sp. RB1

Three new isoflavonoid glycosides, termisoflavones A-C (1-3), and eight isoflavonoids (4-11) were isolated from termite-associated Streptomyces sp. RB1 recovered from the cuticle of the South African termite, Macrotermes natalensis. The structures of new compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR and HR-MS analysis, as well as comparison of their NMR data with those of related isoflavonoid glycoside derivatives. The absolute configurations of the sugar moieties were clarified by chemical reactions. None of the isolates (1-11) displayed antifungal or antimicrobial activities (MICs > 100 μg/mL), whereas compounds 6 and 11 ameliorated cisplatin-induced kidney cell damage to 80% of the control value at a cisplatin dose of 25 μM.

Preventive Effect of Dihydromyricetin against Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity In Vitro and In Vivo

Nephrotoxicity is a frequent severe side effect of cisplatin chemotherapy, limiting its clinical use despite being one of the most potent chemotherapy drugs. Dihydromyricetin is a highly abundant compound purified from the leaves of Ampelopsis grossedentata. Previous studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of Dihydromyricetin both in vitro and in vivo, but little is known about the effects of Dihydromyricetin on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and its underlying mechanisms. In the present study, we investigated its potential renoprotective effect and found that Dihydromyricetin ameliorated the renal functional impairment and structural damage caused by cisplatin. Moreover, Dihydromyricetin markedly attenuated cisplatin-induced oxidative stress, as well as protecting against cisplatin-induced inflammation and apoptotic cell death in mouse kidney tissues. These results collectively highlight the potential of DMY as a rational renoprotective agent against cisplatin.

Origanum majorana Attenuates Nephrotoxicity of Cisplatin Anticancer Drug through Ameliorating Oxidative Stress

Despite the fact that cisplatin is an important anticancer drug, its clinical utilization is limited by nephrotoxicity during long term medication. Combined cisplatin chemotherapy with plant extracts can diminish toxicity and enhance the antitumor efficacy of the drug. This study evaluated the effect of Originum majorana ethanolic extract (OMEE) on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Eighteen male rats were divided into three groups as follows: a control group, a group treated with cisplatin (3 mg/kg body weight), and a group that received both cisplatin and OMEE (500 mg/kg body weight) for 14 days. Cisplatin induced a significant increase in creatinine, urea, uric acid, blood urea nitrogen, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide levels. However, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels were significantly diminished. Conversely, OMEE significantly modulated the renal and oxidative markers negatively impacted by cisplatin. OMEE significantly reduced the effects of cisplatin-induced changes in renal and oxidative markers, possibly through its free radical scavenging activity. Thus, OMEE may be combined with cisplatin to alleviate nephrotoxicity in cancer chemotherapy.