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Loo S, Kam A, Dutta B, Zhang X, Feng N, Sze SK, Liu CF, Wang X, Tam JP. Broad-spectrum ginsentides are principal bioactives in unraveling the cure-all effects of ginseng. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:653-666. [PMID: 38322337 PMCID: PMC10840477 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.10.022] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Stress and illness connection is complex and involves multiple physiological systems. Panax ginsengs, reputed for their broad-spectrum "cure-all" effect, are widely prescribed to treat stress and related illnesses. However, the identity of ginseng's "cure-all" medicinal compounds that relieve stress remains unresolved. Here, we identify ginsentides as the principal bioactives that coordinate multiple systems to restore homeostasis in response to stress. Ginsentides are disulfide-rich, cell-penetrating and proteolytic-stable microproteins. Using affinity-enrichment mass spectrometry target identification together with in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo validations, we show that highly purified or synthetic ginsentides promote vasorelaxation by producing nitric oxide through endothelial cells via intracellular PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, alleviate α1-adrenergic receptor overactivity by reversing phenylephrine-induced constriction of aorta, decrease monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells via CD166/ESAM/CD40 and inhibit P2Y12 receptors to reduce platelet aggregation. Orally administered ginsentides were effective in animal models to reduce ADP-induced platelet aggregation, to prevent collagen and adrenaline-induced pulmonary thrombosis as well as anti-stress behavior of tail suspension and forced swimming tests in mice. Together, these results strongly suggest that ginsentides are the principal panacea compounds of ginsengs because of their ability to target multiple extra- and intra-cellular proteins to reverse stress-induced damages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shining Loo
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
- Academy of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong–Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Antony Kam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong–Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Bamaprasad Dutta
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Xiaohong Zhang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Nan Feng
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Siu Kwan Sze
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
- Department of Health Sciences, Brock University, Niagara Region, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Chuan-Fa Liu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Xiaoliang Wang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100050, China
| | - James P. Tam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
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Akram A, Jamshed A, Anwaar M, Rasheed HMF, Haider SI, Aslam N, Jabeen Q. Evaluation of Caralluma edulis for its Potential Against Obesity, Atherosclerosis and Hypertension. Dose Response 2023; 21:15593258231152112. [PMID: 36655145 PMCID: PMC9841870 DOI: 10.1177/15593258231152112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity, a chronic metabolic condition, is an increase in fat mass and blood lipid levels mainly causing atherosclerosis and hypertension, which further lead to cardiovascular complications. The objective of the study was to investigate the crude extract of Caralluma edulis (CE.Cr) for its potential against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and its related complications. Hyperlipidemia was induced in Wistar albino rats with HFD (1% cholesterol + 0.5% cholic acid) for 28 days. Treatment groups were administered with different doses of CE.Cr (100, 300 and 500 mg/Kg, p.o.) and the standard group received atorvastatin. At the end of study, sera were analyzed for biochemical markers and the aorta was dissected for microscopic examination. Antioxidant potential was evaluated and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was performed. The hypotensive potential of CE.Cr was evaluated through an invasive technique. HPLC analysis of CE.Cr showed the presence of chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, apigenin and naringenin. Histological examination of the aorta section showed anti-atherosclerotic effects which were also evident from decrease in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins levels. CE.Cr decreased mean arterial blood pressure and evoked significant hypotensive effects. The crude extract of C. edulis showed anti-obesity, antihypertensive, anti-atherosclerotic and antioxidant potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Akram
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University, Bahawalpur, Pakistan,Department of Primary & Secondary Healthcare, Government of Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Ayesha Jamshed
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University, Bahawalpur, Pakistan,Ayesha Jamshed, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan.
| | - Mariya Anwaar
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Hafiz Muhammad Farhan Rasheed
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University, Bahawalpur, Pakistan,Department of Primary & Secondary Healthcare, Government of Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Syed Ihtisham Haider
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Naveed Aslam
- Department of Primary & Secondary Healthcare, Government of Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Qaiser Jabeen
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University, Bahawalpur, Pakistan,Qaiser Jabeen, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan.
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