Alpinia oxyphylla Fruit Extract Ameliorates Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis through the Regulation of Th1/Th17 Cells

Role of Network Pharmacology in Prediction of Mechanism of Neuroprotective Compounds

Network pharmacology is an emerging pioneering approach in the drug discovery process, which is used to predict the therapeutic mechanism of compounds using various bioinformatic tools and databases. Emerging studies have indicated the use of network pharmacological approaches in various research fields, particularly in the identification of possible mechanisms of herbal compounds/ayurvedic formulations in the management of various diseases. These techniques could also play an important role in the prediction of the possible mechanisms of neuroprotective compounds. The first part of the chapter includes an introduction on neuroprotective compounds based on literature. Further, network pharmacological approaches are briefly discussed. The use of network pharmacology in the prediction of the neuroprotective mechanism of compounds is discussed in detail with suitable examples. Finally, the chapter concludes with the current challenges and future prospectives.

Neuroprotective effects of crude extracts, compounds, and isolated molecules obtained from plants in the central nervous system injuries: a systematic review

The number of people with central nervous system (CNS) injuries increases worldwide and only a few therapies are used to mitigate neurological damage. Crude extracts, compounds, and isolated molecules obtained from plants have neuroprotective effects; however, their actions on the central nervous system are still not fully understood. This systematic review investigated the neuroprotective effects of crude extracts, compound, and isolated molecules obtained from plants in different CNS lesions. This PICO (Population/Problem, Intervention, Control, Outcome) systematic review included in vivo and in vitro studies that used small rodents as experimental models of CNS injuries (P) treated with crude extracts, compounds, and/or isolated molecules obtained from plants (I), compared to non-intervention conditions (C), and that showed a neuroprotective effect (O). Fourteen out of 5,521 studies were selected for qualitative analysis. Several neuroprotective effects (improvement of antioxidant activity, modulation of the inflammatory response, tissue preservation, motor and cognitive recovery) in the brain and spinal cord were reported after treatment with different doses of crude extracts (10 studies), compounds (2 studies), and isolated molecules (2 studies). Crude extracts, compounds, or isolated molecules obtained from plants showed promising neuroprotective effects against several CNS injuries in both the brain and spinal cord, regardless of gender and age, through the modulation of inflammatory activity and oxidative biochemistry, tissue preservation, and recovery of motor and cognitive activity.

Immunomodulatory effects and mechanisms of the extracts and secondary compounds of Zingiber and Alpinia species: a review

Zingiber and Alpinia species (family: Zingiberaceae) are popularly used in food as spices and flavoring agents and in ethnomedicine to heal numerous diseases, including immune-related disorders. However, their ethnomedicinal uses have not been sufficiently supported by scientific investigations. Numerous studies on the modulating effects of plants and their bioactive compounds on the different steps of the immune system have been documented. This review aimed to highlight up-to-date research findings and critically analyze the modulatory effects and mechanisms of the extracts and secondary compounds of several Zingiber and Alpinia species, namely, Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Z. cassumunar Roxb., Z. zerumbet (L.) Roscoe ex Sm., Alpinia galanga Linn., A. conchigera Griff, A. katsumadai Hayata, A. oxyphylla Miq., A. officinarum Hance, A. zerumbet (Pers.) Burtt. et Smith, and A. purpurata (Viell.) K. Schum. on the immune system, particularly via the inflammation-related signaling pathways. The immunomodulating activities of the crude extracts of the plants have been reported, but the constituents contributing to the activities have mostly not been identified. Among the extracts, Z. officinale extracts were the most investigated for their in vitro, in vivo, and clinical effects on the immune system. Among the bioactive metabolites, 6-, 8-, and 10-gingerols, 6-shogaol, and zerumbone from Zingiber species and cardamomin, 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate, yakuchinone, rutin, 1,8-cineole, and lectin from Alpinia species have demonstrated strong immunomodulating effects. More experimental studies using cell and animal models of immune-related disorders are necessary to further understand the underlying mechanisms, together with elaborate preclinical pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, bioavailability, and toxicity studies. Many of these extracts and secondary metabolites are potential candidates for clinical development in immunomodulating agents or functional foods to prevent and treat chronic inflammatory disorders.

Effects of Alpinae Oxyphyllae Fructus on microglial polarization in a LPS-induced BV2 cells model of neuroinflammation via TREM2

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

As one of the important traditional Chinese medicines, Alpinia oxyphylla could warm and tonify the kidney and spleen. It has been used as anti-salivation, anti-diarrhea in various diseases. In recent years, many studies have reported the significant effect of Alpinia oxyphylla on improving cognitive ability, anti oxidative stress and protecting neurons.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

In this paper, we studied whether AE and its main active components could improve M1 and M2 polarization, inhibit neuroinflammation through triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), and exert anti-inflammatory effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this paper, the concentrations of inflammatory cytokines such as NO, TNF-α, IL-10 were assessed using detection kits respectively. Arg-1 and Iba-1, as polarized markers of M1 and M2, were detected by Immunofluorescence staining. CD86 and CD206 were tested by flow cytometry as surface markers of M1 and M2. Furthermore, RT-PCR was performed to determinate TNF-α, IL-10, Arg-1, and Iba-1. Western blot was used to test the activation of PI3K/AKT/GSK3β and BDNF/TrkB/TLR4 signaling pathways. TREM2 siRNA treatment further verified the action target of Chrysin, the main active ingredient of Alpinia oxyphylla. Molecular docking study was performed to investigate the binding mode between Chrysin and the human TREM2.

RESULTS

We found that AE could promote the phenotypic transformation of microglia from M1 to M2, and similar effects of Chrysin were observed. Furthermore, downregulation of TREM2 blocked the anti-neuroinflammation of Chrysin, and inhibited the shift of M1 phenotype to M2 phenotype. Additionally, TREM2-siRNA suppressed the effects of Chrysin on PI3K/AKT/GSK3β and BDNF/TrkB/TLR4 signaling pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicated that AE could improve the polarization response of microglia. TREM2 plays a vital role in the microglial repolarization effects of Chrysin through PI3K/AKT/GSK3β and BDNF/TrkB/TLR4 signaling pathways regulated by neuroinflammation.

Synergistic Impacts of Alpinia oxyphylla Seed Extract and Allopurinol against Experimental Hyperuricemia

In traditional medicine, Alpinia oxyphylla Miquel seed has been used to treat gout and hyperuricemia-related symptoms by enhancing kidney functions. Allopurinol is the most commonly used drug to treat hyperuricemia; however, the drug has many adverse effects. Combining allopurinol with another compound could reduce the need for high doses and result in improved safety. We investigated the possible synergistic effects of Alpinia oxyphylla seed extract (AE) and allopurinol in decreasing urate concentrations in rats with potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemia. This study evaluated the effects of allopurinol combined with AE on levels of serum urate, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine in a hyperuricemic rat model. The effects of allopurinol plus AE on xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity and urate uptake were measured. The concomitant administration of allopurinol and AE normalized serum urate and reduced BUN and creatinine. The attenuation of hyperuricemia-induced impaired kidney function was related to downregulation of renal urate transporter 1 and upregulation of renal organic anion transporter 1, with inhibition of serum and hepatic XOD activities. The antihyperuricemic effects of allopurinol were enhanced when combined with AE. These results suggested that the combined use of allopurinol and AE may have clinical efficacy in treating hyperuricemia.

Pinocembrin Reduces Keratinocyte Activation and Ameliorates Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis-like Dermatitis in BALB/c Mice through the Heme Oxygenase-1/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Pathway

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic skin inflammation and excessive keratinocyte proliferation. The itchy, scaly, and erythematous lesions present on psoriatic skin negatively affect patients' quality of life. Pinocembrin is a flavonoid present in propolis, fruits, and vegetables. It exerts neuroprotective effects and was used for treating ischemic stroke in a human clinical trial. However, the effects of pinocembrin on psoriasis have never been examined. In this study, we evaluated the effects of pinocembrin on human HaCaT keratinocytes and BALB/c mice with imiquimod- (IMQ-) induced psoriatic dermatitis. In interferon-γ- (IFN-γ-) activated HaCaT cells, pinocembrin reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokines, namely, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and keratinocyte proliferation markers, namely, keratin (K)16, K17, and Ki-67. The mechanism underlying these inhibitory effects involved the regulation of the heme oxygenase- (HO-) 1/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 pathway. In the IMQ-induced psoriatic dermatitis mouse model, the topical application of pinocembrin significantly ameliorated the Skin Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score, epidermal thickness, inflammation, hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis, and cluster of differentiation (CD) 4⁺ T-cell infiltration. Expression of the inflammatory cytokines and keratinocyte proliferation markers in dorsal skin was significantly decreased in the pinocembrin-treated group. Meanwhile, in lesional skin, the expression of HO-1 was upregulated, but that of phospho-STAT3 (pSTAT3) was downregulated. Collectively, our results indicated the therapeutic potential of pinocembrin. Additional studies are warranted to evaluate its clinical benefits in patients with psoriasis.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. reveals tissue-specific expression of flavonoid biosynthesis genes

BACKGROUND

Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. is an important edible and medicinal herb, and its dried fruits are widely used in traditional herbal medicine. Flavonoids are one of the main chemical compounds in A. oxyphylla; however, the genetic and molecular mechanisms of flavonoid biosynthesis are not well understood. We performed transcriptome analysis in the fruit, root, and leaf tissues of A. oxyphylla to delineate tissue-specific gene expression and metabolic pathways in this medicinal plant.

RESULTS

In all, 8.85, 10.10, 8.68, 6.89, and 8.51 Gb clean data were obtained for early-, middle-, and late-stage fruits, leaves, and roots, respectively. Furthermore, 50,401 unigenes were grouped into functional categories based on four databases, namely Nr (47,745 unigenes), Uniprot (49,685 unigenes), KOG (20,153 unigenes), and KEGG (27,285 unigenes). A total of 3110 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and five distinct clusters with similar expression patterns were obtained, in which 27 unigenes encoded 13 key enzymes associated with flavonoid biosynthesis. In particular, 9 DEGs were significantly up-regulated in fruits, whereas expression of 11 DEGs were highly up-regulated in roots, compared with those in leaves.

CONCLUSION

The DEGs and metabolic pathway related to flavonoids biosynthesis were identified in root, leaf, and different stages of fruits from A. oxyphylla. These results provide insights into the molecular mechanism of flavonoid biosynthesis in A. oxyphylla and application of genetically engineered varieties of A. oxyphylla.

Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for Acute Guillain-barré Syndrome Treatment

Introduction

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a worldwide demyelinating polyradiculopathy and polyneuropathy. Currently, there is no specific drug for GBS, and established treatment is generally based on immune-modulating treatment with plasma exchange or intravenous immunoglobulin in combination with supportive care. This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of integrated Chinese and Western medicine for acute GBS treatment.

Methods

We enrolled 73 subjects, and randomly divided them into two groups: 35 cases in the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group, and 28 in the Control group. The Control group was treated with the common Western medicine for one month; and the TCM group was administrated with one month of common treatment combined with TCM medication.

Results

Compared to the controls, TCM significantly enhanced the treatment efficiency in symptom expression, including the TCM syndrome score, the activity of daily living score, Hughes functional score and sensory dysfunction assessment. The total effective rate of the TCM group was 94.29%, significantly better than controls (78.59%). Moreover, TCM provide better improvement in motor nerve conduction functions (distal motor latency and motor conduction velocity) and sensory nerve conduction functions (sensory conduction velocity and sensory nerve action potential) in median nerve, ulnar nerve, and common fibular nerve.

Conclusion

When combined with TCM administration, the GBS treatment could acquire better outcomes.

Natural Products and Their Bioactive Compounds: Neuroprotective Potentials against Neurodegenerative Diseases

In recent years, natural products, which originate from plants, animals, and fungi, together with their bioactive compounds have been intensively explored and studied for their therapeutic potentials for various diseases such as cardiovascular, diabetes, hypertension, reproductive, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are characterized by the progressive dysfunction and loss of neuronal structure and function that resulted in the neuronal cell death. Since the multifactorial pathological mechanisms are associated with neurodegeneration, targeting multiple mechanisms of actions and neuroprotection approach, which involves preventing cell death and restoring the function to damaged neurons, could be promising strategies for the prevention and therapeutic of neurodegenerative diseases. Natural products have emerged as potential neuroprotective agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. This review focused on the therapeutic potential of natural products and their bioactive compounds to exert a neuroprotective effect on the pathologies of neurodegenerative diseases.