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Guo H, Cui BD, Gong M, Li QX, Zhang LX, Chen JL, Chi J, Zhu LL, Xu EP, Wang ZM, Dai LP. An ethanolic extract of Arctium lappa L. leaves ameliorates experimental atherosclerosis by modulating lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses through PI3K/Akt and NF-κB singnaling pathways. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 325:117768. [PMID: 38253275 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Atherosclerosis (AS), a lipid-induced inflammatory condition of the arteries, is a primary contributor to atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases including stroke. Arctium lappa L. leaf (ALL), an edible and medicinal herb in China, has been documented and commonly used for treating stroke since the ancient times. However, the elucidations on its anti-AS effects and molecular mechanism remain insufficient. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the AS-ameliorating effects and the underlying mechanism of action of an ethanolic extract of leaves of Arctium lappa L. (ALLE). MATERIALS AND METHODS ALLE was reflux extracted using with 70% ethanol. An HPLC method was established to monitor the quality of ALLE. High fat diet (HFD) and vitamin D3-induced experimental AS in rats were used to determine the in vivo effects; and oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced RAW264.7 macrophage foam cells were used for in vitro assays. Simvatatin was used as positive control. Biochemical assays were implemented to ascertain the secretions of lipids and pro-inflammatory mediators. Haematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and Oil red O stains were employed to assess histopathological alterations and lipid accumulation conditions, respectively. CCK-8 assays were used to measure cytotoxicity. Immunoblotting assay was conducted to measure protein levels. RESULTS ALLE treatment significantly ameliorated lipid deposition and histological abnormalities of aortas and livers in AS rats; improved the imbalances of serum lipids including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C); notably attenuated serum concentrations of inflammation-associated cytokines/molecules including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, VCAM-1, ICAM-1and MMP-9. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that ALLE suppressed the phosphorylation/activation of PI3K, Akt and NF-κB in AS rat aortas and in cultured foam cells. Additionally, the PI3K agonist 740Y-P notably reversed the in vitro inhibitory effects of ALLE on lipid deposition, productions of TC, TNF-α and IL-6, and protein levels of molecules of PI3K/Akt and NF-κB singnaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS ALLE ameliorates HFD- and vitamin D3-induced experimental AS by modulating lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses, and underlying mechanisms involves inhibition of the PI3K/Akt and NF-κB singnaling pathways. The findings of this study provide scientific justifications for the traditional application of ALL in managing atherosclerotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Guo
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Bing-di Cui
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Man Gong
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Qing-Xia Li
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Ling-Xia Zhang
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Jia-Li Chen
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Jun Chi
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Li-Li Zhu
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Er-Ping Xu
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Zhi-Min Wang
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, China; Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Li-Ping Dai
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
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Conroy LJ, McCann A, Zhang N, de Gaetano M. The role of nanosystems in the delivery of glucose-lowering drugs for the preemption and treatment of diabetes-associated atherosclerosis. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 326:C1398-C1409. [PMID: 38525540 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00695.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide. In recent decades, type-2 diabetes has become increasingly common, particularly in younger individuals. Diabetes leads to many vascular complications, including atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a cardiovascular disease characterized by lipid-rich plaques within the vasculature. Plaques develop over time, restricting blood flow, and can, therefore, be the underlying cause of major adverse cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction and stroke. Diabetes and atherosclerosis are intrinsically linked. Diabetes is a metabolic syndrome that accelerates atherosclerosis and increases the risk of developing other comorbidities, such as diabetes-associated atherosclerosis (DAA). Gold standard antidiabetic medications focus on attenuating hyperglycemia. Though recent evidence suggests that glucose-lowering drugs may have broader applications, beyond diabetes management. This review mainly evaluates the role of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), such as liraglutide and semaglutide in DAA. These drugs mimic gut hormones (incretins), which inhibit glucagon secretion while stimulating insulin secretion, thus improving insulin sensitivity. This facilitates delayed gastric emptying and increased patient satiety; hence, they are also indicated for the treatment of obesity. GLP-1 RAs have significant cardioprotective effects, including decreasing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides levels. Liraglutide and semaglutide have specifically been shown to decrease cardiovascular risk. Liraglutide has displayed a myriad of antiatherosclerotic properties, with the potential to induce plaque regression. This review aims to address how glucose-lowering medications can be applied to treat diseases other than diabetes. We specifically focus on how nanomedicines can be used for the site-specific delivery of antidiabetic medicines for the treatment of diabetes-associated atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke James Conroy
- Diabetes Complications Research Centre, Conway Institute & School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alyssa McCann
- School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Nan Zhang
- School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Monica de Gaetano
- Diabetes Complications Research Centre, Conway Institute & School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Mewborn EK, Tolley EA, Wright DB, Doneen AL, Harvey M, Stanfill AG. Haptoglobin genotype is a risk factor for coronary artery disease in prediabetes: A case-control study. Am J Prev Cardiol 2024; 17:100625. [PMID: 38188671 PMCID: PMC10770712 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpc.2023.100625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Coronary artery disease (CAD) prediction remains inconsistent with many unappreciated risk factors. Haptoglobin genotype determines the haptoglobin protein's effectiveness to bind free hemoglobin and prevent oxidative stress, a contributor to atherosclerosis. The haptoglobin 2-2 genotype increases the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) approximately five times compared to the 1-1 genotype in individuals with diabetes. The risk is unknown in prediabetes. The purpose of this study was to determine an association between haptoglobin genotype and CAD in prediabetes. Methods The researchers used case-control convenience sampling from two cardiovascular disease prevention clinics in Memphis, TN, and Spokane, WA, from January 1, 2016 to March 31, 2020. Participants were ages 35-70, had prediabetes, and free of chronic inflammatory or infectious diseases. Cases had a history of subclinical or clinical CAD, while controls did not have a history of CAD. Differences between cases and controls and among haptoglobin genotypes were analyzed using t-tests and ANOVA for continuous variables and chi-square or Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables. Associations among Hp genotypes and CAD were estimated using logistic regression. Results The sample (N = 178; 72 cases and 106 controls) was 96 % white and 64 % male. Cases had lower total cholesterol (p = 0.0001) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p = 0.021). Except for CAD, haptoglobin genotype was independent of any demographic or clinical variable. Haptoglobin 2-2 genotype had 4.0 times higher odds of CAD than haptoglobin 1-1 (p = 0.01). Conclusion Haptoglobin 2-2 genotype had approximately four times higher odds of having CAD compared to the haptoglobin 1-1 genotype. Cases had more desirable clinical profiles, likely attributable to more aggressive treatment of traditional risk factors than controls. Haptoglobin genotype is a potentially important CAD risk factor in prediabetes (88 million Americans). Further studies are needed for interventions to reduce the oxidative stress associated with the Hp 2-2 genotype and glycosylated hemoglobin and for CAD reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Kate Mewborn
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 874 Union Avenue, Suite G022B, Memphis, TN 38163, United States
| | - Elizabeth Ann Tolley
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | | | - Amy Lynn Doneen
- The Prevention Center for Heart & Brain Health, Spokane, WA, United States
| | - Margaret Harvey
- Department of Acute and Tertiary Care, College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Ansley Grimes Stanfill
- Department of Acute and Tertiary Care, College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
- Department of Genetics, Genomics, and Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
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Zhang Y, Liu SJ. Cordyceps as potential therapeutic agents for atherosclerosis. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 2024; 22:102-114. [PMID: 38494355 DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2024.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Despite the challenges in managing atherosclerosis, researchers continue to investigate new treatments and complementary therapies. Cordyceps is a traditional Chinese medicine that has recently gained attention as a potential therapeutic agent for atherosclerosis. Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of cordyceps in treating atherosclerosis through various pharmacological actions, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, lowering cholesterol, inhibiting platelet aggregation, and modulating apoptosis or autophagy in vascular endothelial cells. Notably, the current misuse of the terms cordyceps and Ophiocordyceps sinensis has caused confusion among researchers, and complicated the current academic research on cordyceps. This review focuses on the chemical composition, pharmacological actions, and underlying mechanisms contributing to the anti-atherosclerotic effects of cordyceps and the mycelium of Ophiocordyceps spp. This review provides a resource for the research on the development of new drugs for atherosclerosis from cordyceps. Please cite this article as: Zhang Y, Liu SJ. Cordyceps as potential therapeutic agents for atherosclerosis. J Integr Med. 2024; 22(2): 102-114.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- School of Marxism, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Si-Jing Liu
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, Sichuan Province, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases with Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, Sichuan Province, China.
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