Pharmacokinetics and Tissue Distribution Study of Pinosylvin in Rats by Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Linear Trap Quadrupole Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry

Exploration of risk analysis and elimination methods for a Cr(VI)-removal recombinant strain through a biosafety assessment in mice

Though recombinant strains are increasingly recognized for their potential in heavy metal remediation, few studies have evaluated their safety. Moreover, biosafety assessments of fecal-oral pathway exposure at country as well as global level have seldom analyzed the health risks of exposure to microorganisms from a microscopic perspective. The present study aimed to predict the long-term toxic effects of recombinant strains by conducting a subacute toxicity test on the chromium-removal recombinant strain 3458 and analyzing the gut microbiome. The available disinfection methods were also evaluated. The results showed that strain 3458 induced liver damage and affected renal function and lipid metabolism at 1.0 × 1011 CFU/mL, which may be induced by its carrier strain, pET-28a. Strain 3458 poses the risk of increasing the number of pathogenic bacteria under prolonged exposure. When 500 mg L-1 chlorine-containing disinfectant or 250 mg L-1 chlorine dioxide disinfectant was added for 30 min, the sterilization rate exceeded 99.9 %. These findings suggest that existing wastewater disinfection methods can effectively sterilize strain 3458, ensuring its application value. The present study can serve a reference for the biosafety evaluation of the recombinant strain through exposure to the digestive tract and its feasibility for application in environmental pollution remediation.

Six undescribed derivatives of stilbene isolated from Lindera reflexa Hemsl. and their anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities

Six undescribed stilbene derivatives Reflexanbene DH (1-4, 6) and Reflexanbene J (5), as well as one known stilbene 3,5-dimethoxystilbene (7), were isolated from the dried roots of Lindera reflexa Hemsl. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated using spectroscopy and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) analysis. In cytotoxic assays, moderately inhibitory activities of Reflexanbene F (3) against MGC80-3 and A549 cell lines were observed, with IC₅₀ values of 15.42 and 5.09 μM, respectively. The IC₅₀ value of Reflexanbene E (2) on A549 cell lines was 19.78 μM. The isolated compounds were also tested for their inhibitory effect against LPS-induced NO and IL-6 production in RAW 264.7 cells. In particular, Reflexanbene J (5) and Reflexanbene H (6) showed significant inhibition of NO production in LPS-stimulated macrophage RAW 264.7 cells at the concentration of 20 μM. Furthermore, the expression of IL-6 protein in the LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells can also be significantly inhibited by different concentrations (5, 10 and 20 μM, p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) of compounds 1-7.

Medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites in alleviating knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

With the increasing ages of the general population, the incidence of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is also rising, and KOA has become a major health problem worldwide. Recently, medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites have gained interest due to their activity in treating KOA. In this paper, a comprehensive systematic review of the literature was performed concerning the effects of medicinal plant extracts and natural compounds against KOA in recent years. The related molecular pathways of natural compounds against KOA were summarized, and the possible crosstalk among components in chondrocytes was discussed to propose possible solutions for the current situation of treating KOA.

PURPOSE

This review focused on the molecular mechanisms by which medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites act against KOA.

METHODS

Literature searches were performed in the PUBMED, Embase, Science Direct, and Web of Science databases for a 10-year period from 2011 to 2022 with the search terms "medicinal plants," "bioactive compounds," "natural products," "phytochemical," "knee osteoarthritis," "knee joint osteoarthritis," "knee osteoarthritis," "osteoarthritis of the knee," and "osteoarthritis of knee joint."

RESULTS

According to the results, substantial plant extracts and secondary metabolites show a positive effect in fighting KOA. Plant extracts and their secondary metabolites can affect the diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of KOA. Natural products inhibit the expression of MMP1, MMP3, MMP19, syndecan IV, ADAMTS-4, ADAMTS-5, iNOS, COX-2, collagenases, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in vitro and in vivo and . Cytokines also upregulate the expression of collagen II and aggrecan. The main signaling pathways affected by the extracts and isolated compounds include AMPK, SIRT, NLRP3, MAPKs, PI3K/AKT, mTOR, NF-κB, WNT/β-catenin, JAK/STAT3, and NRF2, as well as the cell death modes apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis.

CONCLUSION

The role of secondary metabolites in different signaling pathways supplies a better understanding of their potential to develop further curative options for KOA.

Morin-VitaminE-β-CyclodextrinInclusionComplexLoadedChitosanNanoparticles (M-Vit.E-CD-CSNPs) Ameliorate Arsenic-Induced Hepatotoxicityina Murine Model

The special features of cyclodextrins (CDs), hydrophilic outer surfaces and hydrophobic inner surfaces, allow for development of inclusion complexes. The two bioactive strong antioxidant hepatoprotective compounds, Morin and vitamin E, are water insoluble. The present study aimed to prepare Morin-vitamin E-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex loaded chitosan nanoparticles (M-Vit.E-CD-CS NPs) and to examine their hepatoprotective efficacy against arsenic-induced toxicity in a murine model. The NPs were characterized by FTIR, DLS, NMR, DSC, XRD, AFM, and a TEM study. The NPs were spherical in shape, 178 ± 1.5 nm in size with a polydispersity index (PDI) value of 0.18 and a zeta potential value of −22.4 ± 0.31 mV, with >50% encapsulation and drug loading efficacy. Mice were exposed to arsenic via drinking water, followed by treatment without or with the NPs on every alternate day up to 30 days by oral gavaging. Administration of NPs inhibited the arsenic-induced elevation of liver function markers, inflammatory and proapoptotic factors, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, alteration in the level of blood parameters and antioxidant factors, and liver damage, which was measured by different biochemical assays, ELISA, Western blot, and histological study. Organ distribution of nanoparticles was measured by HPLC. M-Vit.E-CD-CS NPs showing potent hepatoprotective activity may be therapeutically beneficial.

Morin encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles (MCNPs) ameliorate arsenic induced liver damage through improvement of the antioxidant system and prevention of apoptosis and inflammation in mice

Chronic exposure to arsenic over a period of time induces toxicity, primarily in the liver but gradually in all systems of the body. Morin hydrate (MH; 2',3,4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone), a potent flavonoid abundantly present in plants of the Moraceae family, is thought to be a major bioactive compound that may be used to prevent a wide range of disease pathologies including hepatotoxicity. Therapeutic applications of morin (MOR) are however seriously constrained because of its insolubility, poor bioavailability, high metabolism and rapid elimination from the human body. Nanoformulation of MOR is a possible solution to these problems. In the present study we investigated the effectiveness of morin encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles (MCNPs) against arsenic induced liver damage in mice. MNCPs with an average diameter of 124.5 nm, a zeta potential of +16.2 mV and an encapsulation efficiency of 78% were prepared. Co-treatment of MOR and MCNPs by oral gavage on alternate days reduced the serum levels of AST, ALT, and ALP that were elevated in arsenic treated mice. The efficiency of MCNPs was found to be nearly 4 times higher than that of free MOR. Haematological and serum biochemical parameters including lipid profiles altered by arsenic were normalized following MCNP treatment. Arsenic deposition was lowered in the presence of MCNPs. Administration of MCNPs markedly inhibited ROS generation and elevated MDA levels in arsenic exposed mice. The level of hepatic antioxidant factors such as nuclear Nrf2 (Nrf2), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), GSH peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1) were markedly enhanced in the arsenic + MCNP group. Treatment by MCNPs prevented the arsenic induced damage of tissue histology. Also, MCNPs suppressed the arsenic induced pro- and anti-apoptotic parameters and attenuated the level of inflammatory mediators. Our data suggest that MCNPs are good hepatoprotective agents compared to free morin against arsenic induced toxicity and the protective effect results from its strong antioxidant, antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Improvement in Bioavailability and Pharmacokinetic Characteristics of Efavirenz with Booster Dose of Ritonavir in PEGylated PAMAM G4 Dendrimers

Efavirenz (EFV) with a booster dose of ritonavir (RTV) (EFV-RTV) inhibits the metabolism of EFV and improves its bioavailability. However, inadequate organ perfusion with surface permeability glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux sustains the viable HIV. Hence, the present investigations were aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution efficiency of EFV by encapsulating it into PEGyalated PAMAM (polyamidoamine) G4 dendrimers with a booster dose of RTV (PPG4ER). The entrapment efficiency of PEGylated PAMAM G4 dendrimers was found to be 94% and 92.12% for EFV and RTV respectively with a zeta potential of 0.277 mV. The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution behavior of EFV within PPG4ER was determined by developing and validating a simple, sensitive, and reliable bioanalytical method of RP-HPLC. The developed bioanalytical method was very sensitive with a quantification limit of 18.5 ng/ml and 139.2 ng/ml for EFV and RTV, respectively. The comparative noncompartmental pharmacokinetic parameters of EFV were determined by administrating a single intraperitoneal dose of EFV, EFV-RTV, and PPG4ER to Wistar rats. The PPG4ER produced prolonged release of EFV with a mean residential time (MRT) of 24 h with C_max 7.68 µg/ml in plasma against EFV-RTV with MRT 11 h and C_max 3.633 µg/ml. The PPG4ER was also detected in viral reservoir tissues (lymph node and spleen) for 3-4 days, whereas free EFV and EFV-RTV were cleared within 72 h. The pharmacokinetic data including C_max, t_1/2, AUC_tot, and MRT were significantly improved in PPG4ER as compared with single EFV and EFV-RTV. This reveals that the PPG4ER has great potential to target the virus harbors tissues and improve bioavailability.

Pinosylvin Extract Retinari™ Sustains Electrophysiological Function, Prevents Thinning of Retina, and Enhances Cellular Response to Oxidative Stress in NFE2L2 Knockout Mice

Chronic oxidative stress eventually leads to protein aggregation in combination with impaired autophagy, which has been observed in age-related macular degeneration. We have previously shown an effective age-related macular degeneration disease model in mice with nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2 (NFE2L2) knockout. We have also shown pinosylvin, a polyphenol abundant in bark waste, to increase human retinal pigment epithelium cell viability in vitro. In this work, the effects of commercial natural pinosylvin extract, Retinari™, were studied on the electroretinogram, optical coherence tomogram, autophagic activity, antioxidant capacity, and inflammation markers. Wild-type and NFE2L2 knockout mice were raised until the age of 14.8 ± 3.8 months. They were fed with either regular or Retinari™ chow (141 ± 17.0 mg/kg/day of pinosylvin) for 10 weeks before the assays. Retinari™ treatment preserved significant retinal function with significantly preserved a- and b-wave amplitudes in the electroretinogram responses. Additionally, the treatment prevented thinning of the retina in the NFE2L2 knockout mice. The NFE2L2 knockout mice showed reduced ubiquitin-tagged protein accumulation in addition to local upregulation of complement factor H and antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase 1 and catalase. Therefore, the treatment in the NFE2L2 KO disease model led to reduced chronic oxidative stress and sustained retinal function and morphology. Our results demonstrate that pinosylvin supplementation could potentially lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration onset and slow down its progression.

Chitosan-Decorated PLGA-NPs Loaded with Tannic Acid/Vitamin E Mitigate Colon Cancer via the NF-κB/β-Cat/EMT Pathway

Colon cancer is the second highest contributor of cancer-related deaths throughout the world. Treatment strategies with tannic acid and vitamin E are envisaged as desirable and safe owing to their robust antioxidative and anti-inflammatory potential. In the present report, these bioactives have been nanoencapsulated in poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) formulations for maintaining sustained release and ensuring enhanced bioavailability. Capping of nanoparticles (NPs) with chitosan was done for enhanced anticancer efficacy and tumor targeting. CS-PLGA-TA-E, administered intraperitoneally, significantly inhibited tumor number and tumor volume and normalized colon histology in the colon cancer. Tissue distribution studies showed that TA/E content from CS-PLGA-TA-E was present in a higher concentration in the tumor tissue than the concentration of TA/E content from PLGA-TA-E or free TA or free E. Also, the TA/E content from all of the treatment groups showed its highest concentration in the tumor compared to other organs. Antioxidant enzymes and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) were inhibited by CS-PLGA-TA-E. CS-PLGA-TA-E inhibited markers for tumor growth (EGFR-PI3K-AKT), inflammation (NF-κB/Stat3), β-catenin signaling (β-catenin, c-myc, cyclin D1), EMT (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin), and apoptosis (Bcl-2) in a significantly greater way as compared with PLGA-TA-E, TA, or E. CS-PLGA-TA-E NPs can be considered promising anticancer drugs for colon cancer.

Pinosylvin inhibits migration and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cancer cells via regulation of epithelial‑mesenchymal transition and inhibition of MMP‑2

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a tumor located in the nasopharynx with highly invasive and metastatic properties. Metastasis is a primary cause of mortality in patients with NPC. The terpenoid polyphenol pinosylvin is a known functional compound of the Pinus species that exhibits anti‑inflammatory effects; however, the effect of pinosylvin on human NPC cell migration and invasion is unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the functional role of pinosylvin in NPC cells (NPC‑039, NPC‑BM and RPMI 2650). Gap closure and Transwell assay indicated that pinosylvin at increasing concentrations inhibited migration and invasion of NPC‑039 and NPC‑BM cells. In addition to inhibiting the enzyme activity of MMP‑2, pinosylvin also decreased the protein expression levels of MMP‑2 and MMP‑9. Pinosylvin decreased the expression of vimentin and N‑cadherin and significantly increased the expression of zonula occludens‑1 and E‑cadherin in NPC cells. Additionally, pinosylvin suppressed the invasion and migration ability of NPC‑039 and NPC‑BM cells by mediating the p38, ERK1/2 and JNK1/2 pathways. The present results revealed that pinosylvin inhibited migration and invasion in NPC cells.

The Pharmacokinetics, Tissue Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion of Pinostrobin in Rats: Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled With Linear Trap Quadrupole Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry Studies

Pinostrobin is a natural flavonoid found in various plants, well known for its wide range of pharmacological activities. However, there are few reports regarding the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, metabolism, and excretion of pinostrobin in rats after oral administration as a single compound. Therefore, we established a method using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with linear trap quadrupole orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-LTQ orbitrap-MS/MS) to determine pinostrobin and its metabolites in rat plasma, urine, feces, bile, and tissue homogenates. Pharmacokinetic parameters were measured. The large apparent volume of distribution implied that pinostrobin preferentially bound to tissues and preferably remained within the body. Based on previous pharmacological studies of its antiulcer, anti-HP, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities, pinostrobin is mostly distributed in the gastrointestinal tract, indicating its potential as an effective component of traditional Chinese medicines for the treatment of peptic ulcers. Furthermore, 30 flavonoid metabolites were screened using UPLC-LTQ orbitrap-MS/MS. The metabolism pathways (mainly hydroxylation, demethylation, glucuronidation, and sulfation) of pinostrobin in rats have also been proposed. A small amount of pinostrobin in its parent form is excreted through the urine, feces, and bile, indicating that it is mainly metabolized in vivo. In this study, we systemically investigated the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, metabolism, and excretion of pinostrobin in rats. Our results provide a significant basis for the clinical development and application of pinostrobin as well as traditional Chinese medicines containing pinostrobin.

Therapeutic Potential of Lindera obtusiloba: Focus on Antioxidative and Pharmacological Properties

Lindera obtusiloba (LO) BLUME from the genus Lindera (Lauraceae) is a medicinal herb traditionally used in Southeast Asian countries. Indigenously, extracts of different parts of the plant have been used to improve blood circulation and treat allergy, inflammation, rheumatism, and liver diseases. LO is a rich source of therapeutically beneficial antioxidative phytochemicals, such as flavonoids, butenolides, lignans and neolignans. Moreover, recent studies have unravelled the pharmacological properties of several newly found active constituents of LO, such as anti-inflammatory antioxidants (+)-syringaresinol, linderin A, anti-atherosclerotic antioxidant (+)-episesamin, anti-melanogenic antioxidants quercitrin and afzelin, cytotoxic 2-(1-methoxy-11-dodecenyl)-penta-2,4-dien-4-olide, (2Z,3S,4S)-2-(11-dodecenylidene)-3-hydroxy-4-methyl butanolide, anti-allergic koaburaside, (6-hydroxyphenyl)-1-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside and 2,6-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl-1-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside and the antiplatelet-activity compound Secolincomolide A. These findings demonstrate that LO can be a potential source of antioxidants and other prospective therapeutically active constituents that can lead to the development of oxidative stress-mediated diseases, such as cardiovascular disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, allergies, inflammation, hepatotoxicity, and cancer. Here, the antioxidant properties of different species of Lindera genus are discussed briefly. The traditional use, phytochemistry, antioxidative and pharmacological properties of LO are also considered to help researchers screen potential lead compounds and design and develop future therapeutic agents to treat oxidative stress-mediated disorders.

Chemical constituents of the antiulcer purified fractions of Lindera reflexa Hemsl. and its quantitative analysis

The root of Lindera reflexa Hemsl. (LR) is a folk Chinses herbal medicine that has been used to treat gastritis and peptic ulcers. In this study, three new stilbenes (1-3) and two known flavonoids (4 and 5) were isolated from the antiulcer purified fractions of LR. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were characterized comprehensively based on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data. Absolute configurations of compounds 1, 2, and 3 were determined by ECD calculations. The cytotoxic activities of compounds 1-5 were evaluated by MTT assay. Compound 4 showed the strongest inhibitory effect on the proliferation of tumor cells lines MGC803 and SMMC-7721, with IC₅₀ values of 2.65 and 4.13 μM, respectively. The quantitative analysis of 12 compounds of the antiulcer purified fractions of LR were carried out by using the reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Within the test range, all calibration curves showed good linearity (R² > 0.9993). The LOD, LOQ, specificity, precision, and accuracy of the method were verified. Therefore, the present study may provide a valuable method for quality control the antiulcer purified fractions of LR.