Synergistic Effect of Polydatin and Polygonatum sibiricum Polysaccharides in Combating Atherosclerosis via Suppressing TLR4-Mediated NF-κB Activation in ApoE-Deficient Mice

Hypolipidemic activity of phytochemical combinations: A mechanistic review of preclinical and clinical studies

Hyperlipidemia, a condition characterized by elevated levels of lipids in the blood, poses a significant risk factor for various health disorders, notably cardiovascular diseases. Phytochemical compounds are promising alternatives to the current lipid-lowering drugs, which cause many undesirable effects. Based on in vivo and clinical studies, combining phytochemicals with other phytochemicals, prebiotics, and probiotics and their encapsulation in nanoparticles is more safe and effective for managing hyperlipidemia than monotherapy. To this end, the results obtained and the mechanisms of action of these combinations were examined in detail in this review.

Polydatin: a potential NAFLD therapeutic drug that regulates mitochondrial autophagy through SIRT3-FOXO3-BNIP3 and PINK1-PRKN mechanisms - a network pharmacology and experimental investigation

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent chronic liver disorder that is linked to metabolic syndrome, mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired autophagy. Polydatin (PD), a natural polyphenol from Polygonum cuspidatum, exhibits various pharmacological effects and protects against NAFLD. The aim of this study was to reveal the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential of PD for NAFLD, with a focus on the role of mitochondrial autophagy mediated by sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), fork-head box O3 (FOXO3) and BCL2/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa protein-interacting protein 3 (BNIP3), and by PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) and parkin (PRKN). We combined network pharmacology analysis, animal models and cell culture experiments to show that PD could regulate the mitochondrial autophagy pathway by modulating several key genes related to mitochondrial function, and ameliorate the liver function, histopathology and mitochondrial biogenesis of NAFLD mice and hepatocytes by activating the SIRT3-FOXO3-BNIP3 axis and the PINK1-PRKN-dependent mechanism of mitochondrial autophagy. We also identified the core targets of PD, including SIRT3, FOXO3A, CASP3, PARKIN, EGFR, STAT3, MMP9 and PINK, and confirmed that silencing SIRT3 could significantly attenuate the beneficial effect of PD. This study provided novel theoretical and experimental support for PD as a promising candidate for NAFLD treatment, and also suggested new avenues and methods for investigating the role of mitochondrial autophagy in the pathogenesis and intervention of NAFLD.

Pharmacological properties of Polygonatum and its active ingredients for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases

Despite continued advances in prevention and treatment strategies, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death worldwide, and more effective therapeutic methods are urgently needed. Polygonatum is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with a variety of pharmacological applications and biological activities, such as antioxidant activity, anti-inflammation, antibacterial effect, immune-enhancing effect, glucose regulation, lipid-lowering and anti-atherosclerotic effects, treatment of diabetes and anticancer effect. There has also been more and more evidence to support the cardioprotective effect of Polygonatum in recent years. However, up to now, there has been a lack of comprehensive studies on the active ingredients and their pharmacotoxicological effects related to cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the main active components of Polygonatum (including Polysaccharides, Flavonoids, Saponins) and their biological activities were firstly reviewed in this paper. Furthermore, we summarized the pharmacological effects of Polygonatum's active components in preventing and treating CVDs, and its relevant toxicological investigations. Finally, we emphasize the potential of Polygonatum in the prevention and treatment of CVDs.