Diuretic and Antidiuretic Activities of Ethanol Extract and Fractions of Lagopsis supina in Normal Rats

Diuretic effects of Hecogenin and Hecogenin acetate via aldosterone synthase inhibition

Hecogenin (HEC) is a steroidal saponin found in many plant species and serves as a precursor for steroidal drugs. The diuretic effects of HEC and its derivative, hecogenin acetate (HA), remain largely unexplored. The present study aimed to explore the potential diuretic effects of HEC and HA compared to furosemide (FUR) and spironolactone (SPIR). Additionally, the study aimed to explore the underlying mechanism particularly focusing on aldosterone synthase gene expression. Fifty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into nine groups (Group 1-9). Group 1 (control) received the vehicle, Groups 2 received FUR 10 mg/kg, Group 3, 4, and 5 were given HEC, while Groups 6, 7 and 8 received HA i.p at doses of 5, 10, and 25 mg/kg, respectively. Group 9 received SPIR i.p at the dose of 25 mg/kg. Urine volume, diuretic index and diuretic activity were monitored at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 24 h post-administration. Treatment was given daily for seven days. After that, rats were sacrificed and blood was collected for serum electrolytes determination. Adrenal glands were dissected out for gene expression studies. The results revealed that HEC and HA at the administered doses significantly and dose-dependently increased urine and electrolyte excretion. These results were primarily observed at 25 mg/kg of each compound. Gene expression studies demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in aldosterone synthase gene expression, suggesting aldosterone synthesis inhibition as a potential mechanism for their diuretic activity. Notably, HA exhibited more pronounced diuretic effects surpassing those of HEC. This enhanced diuretic activity of HA can be attributed to its stronger impact on aldosterone synthase inhibition. These findings offer valuable insights into the diuretic effects of both HEC and HA along with their underlying molecular mechanisms.

Lagopsis supina ameliorates myocardial ischemia injury by regulating angiogenesis, thrombosis, inflammation, and energy metabolism through VEGF, ROS and HMGB1 signaling pathways in rats

BACKGROUND

Lagopsis supina (Steph. ex. Willd.) Ikonn.-Gal. is an important traditional Chinese medicine used to treat various ailments. However, its impact on myocardial ischemia (MI) injury remains unknown.

PURPOSE

This research aimed to reveal the therapeutic effect, potential mechanism, and metabolomics of L. supina against MI injury in rats.

METHODS

The therapeutic effects of the ethanolic extract of L. supina (LS) and its four fractions (LSA∼D) on a left anterior descending (LAD) artery occlusion-induced MI model rat were explored. The pharmacodynamics including myocardial infraction area, myocardial tissue pathology and apoptosis, and serum biochemical parameters (CK, CK-MB, CTn-T, SOD, ET-1, NO, eNOS, VEGF, TXB2, 6-keto-PGF1α, TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP) were evaluated. The 24 related protein expressions were detected using western blotting assay. Simultaneously, the qualitative and quantitative analyses of microporous adsorption resin with 30% (LSC) and 60% (LSD) aqueous ethanol fractions were performed using UHPLC-MS and HPLC. Moreover, the serum metabolomics analysis of rats was profiled using UHPLC-MS.

RESULTS

LS exerted remarkable alleviating effect on MI in rats. Importantly, LSC and LSD, two effective fractions of LS, significantly reduced myocardial infraction area, alleviated myocardial tissue pathology and apoptosis, regulated serum biochemical parameters. Furthermore, LSC and LSD markedly up-regulated the levels of VEGF-A, VEGFR-2, PKC, Bcl-2, Nrf2, HO-1, and thrombin, as well as prominently down-regulated the protein expression of Notch 1, p-PI3K, p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt, p-Akt/Akt, Bax, cleaved-caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-3/caspase-3, vWF, p-Erk, p-Erk/Erk, HMGB1, p-p38, p-p38/p38, p-p65, and p-p65/p65. A total of 26 candidate biomarkers were significantly regulated by LSC and LSD and they are mainly involved in amino acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and sphingolipid metabolism. Finally, phenylethanols and flavonoids may be major bio-constituents of LSC and LSD against MI.

CONCLUSIONS

This work, for the first time, demonstrated that L. supina had a significant therapeutic effect on MI in rats. Additionally, LSC and LSD, two bio-fractions from L. supina, exerted their potential to ameliorate MI injury by promoting angiogenesis, inhibiting thrombosis, blocking inflammation, and facilitating energy metabolism through promotion of VEGF pathway, as well as suppression of ROS and HMGB1 pathways in rats. These findings suggest that LSC and LSD hold promise as potential therapeutic agents for MI injury in clinical application.

The Diuretic Effects of Coconut Water by Suppressing Aquaporin and Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System in Saline-Loaded Rats

The acute and prolonged diuretic effects of coconut water (CW) and the underlying mechanism were investigated with a saline-loaded rat model. In an acute diuretic experiment, CW could significantly increase urine excretion. In addition, the treatment of CW significantly increased urinary sodium and chloride ions, thereby considerably increasing the excretion of NaCl. However, the calcium concentration and pH value were not affected. In the prolonged diuretic experiment, CW dramatically increased the urine output and urine electrolyte concentrations (Na+, K+, and Cl–). Furthermore, CW could suppress the activation of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system by decreasing serum antidiuretic hormone, angiotensin II, and aldosterone levels, and significantly increasing the serum atriopeptin level. CW treatment significantly reduced the mRNA expressions and protein levels of aquaporin 1 (AQP1), AQP2, and AQP 3. This report provided basic data for explaining the natural tropical beverage of CW as an alternative diuretic agent.

The chemical profiling of aqueous soluble fraction from Lagopsis supina and its diuretic effects via suppression of AQP and RAAS pathways in saline-loaded rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Lagopsis supina (Steph.) Ik. -Gal. ex Knorr. has been widely used as a remedy treatment for diuresis and edema in China over 2500 years. Our previous results showed that the aqueous soluble fraction from L. supina (LSB) possessed acute diuretic effect.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to appraise the acute (6 h) and prolonged (7 d) diuretic effects, underlying mechanisms, and chemical profiling of LSB.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical profiling of LSB was performed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-qTOF-MS/MS). Then, oral administration of LSB (40, 80, 160 and 320 mg/kg) and furosemide (10 mg/kg) once daily for 7 consecutive days to evaluate the diuretic effects in saline-loaded rats. The body weight, food consumption, and water intake were recorded once daily. The urinary volume, pH and electrolyte concentrations (Na+, K+, Cl-, and Ca2+) were measured after administration drugs for acute and prolonged diuretic effects. In addition, the serum levels of Na+-K+-ATPase, angiotensin II (Ang II), anti-diuretic hormone (ADH), aldosterone (ALD), atriopeptin (ANP), aquaporins (AQPs)-1, 2 and 3 were determined by ELISA kits. The mRNA expressions and protein levels of AQPs-1, 2 and 3 were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot assays, respectively.

RESULTS

30 compounds were identified in LSB based on accurate mass and MS/MS fragmentation compared to literature, among which phenylpropanoids and flavonoids could be partly responsible for the major diuretic effect. Daily administration of LSB (160 or 320 mg/kg) prominently increased urinary excretion volume after the 2 h at the first day of treatment, remaining until the 7th day. LSB did not cause Na+ and K+ electrolyte abnormalities, and has minor effect on Cl- and Ca2+ concentrations at 320 mg/kg. Furthermore, LSB observably suppressed renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activation, including decreased serum levels of Ang II, ADH, and ALD, and prominently increased serum level of ANP in rats. LSB treatment significantly down-regulated the serum levels, mRNA expressions and protein levels of AQP1, AQP2, and AQP3.

CONCLUSION

LSB has a prominent acute and prolonged diuretic effects via suppression of AQP and RAAS pathways in saline-loaded rats, and support the traditional folk use of this plant. Taken together, LSB might be a potential diuretic agent.

Efficacy of Quercetin-Sensitized Cisplatin against N-Nitroso-NMethylurea Induced Testicular Carcinogenesis in Wistar Rats

Background:

Testicular cancer is a public health problem. The goal of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of quercetin treatment on N-nitroso-N-methyl-urea (MNU)-induced testicular carcinogenesis alone or in combination with cisplatin-treatment.

Methods:

In total 70 adult male albino rats were categorized into six groups, control, quercetin-treatment (10 mg/kg body weight), cisplatin-treatment (2 mg/kg. body weight), cisplatin and quercetin-treatment, MNU-treatment, MNU plus quercetin-treatment and MNU plus quercetin and cisplatin-treatment. Treatment with quercetin and/or cisplatin was performed after 2 months of MNU induced testicular carcinogenesis. The studied groups were euthanized and sacrificed and their testes were examined for gene expression, biochemical, histological and immunohistochemically analysis, inflammation and apoptosis of germ cells.

Results:

The fertility of the rats subjected to MNU carcinogenesis was impaired following cisplatin and/or quercetin-treatment. Cisplatin-treatment reduced the fertility rate and improved after quercetin-treatment. Quercetin-treatment decreased the sharp increase in RNA expression of BAX and MPO in both cisplatin-toxicated testes and after MNU carcinogenesis induction. In addition, the testicular levels of testosterone and SOD increased in parallel with depletion of MDA, IL-6, AFP and caspase-3 levels in MNU and/or cisplatin-treatment after –quercetin-treatment. The testicular structure of the cisplatin-treated group recovered their dividing germ and sperm differentiation after-quercetin-treatment. While, there was a great appearance of flourishing germ cell of MNU carcinogenesis post quercetin therapy, there was still a lack of sperm differentiation.

Conclusion:

Quercetin-treatment showed increased cisplatin activity and decreased testicular carcinogenesis due to anti-neoplastic and antioxidant activities.

Phytochemical Analysis, Anti-inflammatory, and Antioxidant Activities of Dendropanax dentiger Roots

Dendropanax dentiger root is a traditional medicinal plant in China and used to treat inflammatory diseases for centuries, but its phytochemical profiling and biological functions are still unknown. Thus, a rapid, efficient, and precise method based on ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was applied to rapidly analyse the phytochemical profiling of D. dentiger with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in vitro. As a result, a total of 78 chemical compositions, including 15 phenylpropanoids, 15 alkaloids, 14 flavonoids, 14 fatty acids, 7 phenols, 4 steroids, 4 cyclic peptides, 3 terpenoids, and 2 others, were identified or tentatively characterized in the roots of D. dentiger. Moreover, alkaloid and cyclic peptide were reported from D. dentiger for the first time. In addition, the ethanol crude extract of D. dentiger roots exhibited remarkable anti-inflammatory activity against cyclooxygenase- (COX-) 2 inhibitory and antioxidant activities in vitro. This study is the first to explore the phytochemical analysis and COX-2 inhibitory activity of D. dentiger. This study can provide important phytochemical profiles and biological functions for the application of D. dentiger roots as a new source of natural COX-2 inhibitors and antioxidants in pharmaceutical industry.