Characterization, evaluation of nutritional parameters of Radix isatidis protein and its antioxidant activity in D-galactose induced ageing mice

Protective Effect of 20(S)-Protopanaxadiol on D-Gal-Induced Cognitively Impaired Mice Based on Its Target Protein Brain-type Creatine Kinase

Ginseng is an important medicinal herb consumed as dietary supplements. Ginsenosides and their metabolites have been reported to enhance cognitive performance, but their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Brain-type creatine kinase (CK-BB) was previously screened out as one of the potential targets in brain tissues. In vitro, the strongest direct interaction between 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD), a ginsenoside metabolite, and CK-BB was detected using biolayer interferometry (BLI). Drug affinity responsive target stability, cellular thermal shift assay, BLI, and isothermal titration calorimetry were subsequently used, and the binding of PPD to CK-BB was verified. The binding sites of the CK-BB/PPD complex were clarified by molecular docking and site-directed mutagenesis. Enzyme activity assay showed that the binding of PPD to CK-BB in vitro enhanced its activity. In vivo, PPD increased CK-BB activity in D-gal-induced mice. PPD also improved the D-gal-induced cognitive deficits and ameliorated alterations in oxidative stress and hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Therefore, the integration of PPD with its target protein CK-BB may promote CK-BB activity, thereby ameliorating hippocampal synaptic plasticity and cognitive deficits in D-gal-treated mice.

Epigoitrin alleviates lipid and glucose metabolic disorders induced by a high-fat diet

As living standards improve, obesity has become an increasingly serious health problem. Natural extracts from a wide range of sources are non-toxic and have significant potential as drugs for the prevention and treatment of obesity. We assessed 243 natural small molecules in a HepG2 fat accumulation model and found that epigoitrin (EP) from Radix isatidis reduced intracellular fat deposition, increased short-chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase (SCAD) activity, promoted glucose uptake and glycogen storage, increased ATP production and reduced glutathione (GSH) content, reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS), and enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. In a murine high-fat diet model, the addition of EP to the high-fat diet significantly reduced fat deposition, increased glucose tolerance, improved insulin sensitivity, and increased energy expenditure. In conclusion, EP alleviated obesity caused by a high-fat diet and improved disorders of lipid and glucose metabolism.

Isatidis Radix and Isatidis Folium: A systematic review on ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Isatidis Radix (called Banlangen, BLG in Chinese) and Isatidis Folium (called Daqingye, DQY in Chinese) are common traditional edible-medicinal herbs in detoxifying for thousands of years, have been traditionally applied in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Both of them are bitter in taste, coolness in nature, acting on the heart and stomach channels. They are often used to treat influenza and other viral infectious diseases in clinic, as well as could treat fever, dizziness, and cough and sore throat caused by lung heat.

AIMS OF THE REVIEW

This review aimed at summarizing the latest and comprehensive information of BLG and DQY on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and clinical application to explore the therapeutic potential of them. In addition, outlooks and perspective for possible future researches that related are also discussed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Related information concerning BLG and DQY were gathered from the internet database of Google Scholar, PubMed, Baidu Scholar, GeenMedical, CNKI and Web of Science, as well as other relevant textbooks, reviews, and documents (e.g., Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 2020 edition, Chinese herbal classic books and PhD and MSc thesis, etc.). Among of them with the keywords including "Isatis indigotica" "Isatidis Radix", "Isatidis Folium", "phytochemistry", "pharmacology", "toxicology", "clinical application" etc. and their combinations.

RESULTS

To date, 39 Chinese patent medicines containing BLG and/or DQY have been developed on basis of the data of NMPA. Besides, 304 and 142 compounds have been found in BLG and DQY, respectively. The main chemical differences between BLG and DQY were concentrated on alkaloids and lignans, such as indican, indirubin, (R, S)-epigoitrin, 4(3H)-quinazolinone, clemastanin B and isatindigotindolines A-D. In 2020 Edition ChP, (R, S)-goitrin and indirubin are now used as the official marker to monitor the quality of BLG and DQY, respectively. Modern pharmacology has mainly studied some monomer components such as 4(3H)-quinazolinone, clemastanin B, erucic acid and adenosine, etc., all of which have shown good effects. These active compounds can resist various viruses, such as influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, herpes simplex virus, etc.. By regulating the level of immunity and a variety of inflammatory factors, inhibit the growth and reproduction of the virus. At the same time, it is worth noting that different components of BLG and DQY lead to BLG is more powerful in antiviral and immunomodulatory activity than DQY, while DQY possesses a higher intensity than BLG in anti-oxidant activity.

CONCLUSION

By collecting and collating a large number of literature and various data websites, we concluded that the common compounds are mainly alkaloids. Recent findings regarding the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of BLG and DQY have confirmed their traditional uses in antiviral, antibacterial and treatment immune diseases. Without doubt, their significant differences on ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology can be used as evidence of separate list of BLG and DQY. For shortcomings, some comprehensive studies should be well designed for further utilization of BLG and DQY.

Antioxidant Activity In Vitro Guided Screening and Identification of Flavonoids Antioxidants in the Extract from Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg

This study aimed to investigate the extract with high antioxidant activity of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg and identify the antioxidant components in vitro. α, α-Diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and hydroxyl radical scavenging method were used to screen the extract with high antioxidant activity. The antioxidant capacity of the extracts was evaluated by the free radical scavenging ability of DPPH. The ability of extracts to scavenge 2, 2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) free radical was evaluated by TEAC assay. The FRAP method was used to evaluate the ability of extracts to reduce Fe³⁺. The ability to scavenge hydroxyl radicals produced by the interaction of hydrogen peroxide and Fe²⁺ was measured by monitoring the change in the absorbance of the reaction mixture at 536 nm. Then, high-performance liquid chromatography-DPPH (HPLC-DPPH) and HPLC-hydroxyl radical scavenging methods were used to screen the antioxidant components in the extract. The molecular weight of the above antioxidant components was investigated using the qualitative analytical method of high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF LC/MS). Based on the concentrations of the samples (0.2–4 mg/mL), the DPPH free radical scavenging ability, ABTS+ free radical scavenging ability, hydroxyl free radical scavenging ability, and Fe³⁺ reducing ability of the ethyl acetate extract (EAE) were stronger than that of the crude extract (CE), petroleum ether extract (PEE), and n-butanol extract (BE). The EAE has higher antioxidant activity than CE, PEE, and BE. Six antioxidant components, rutin, quercetin, isoquercetin, astragalin, kaempferol, and kaempferol-3-o-rutoside, were identified in the EAE.

Flavonoid-Rich Extract of Paeonia lactiflora Petals Alleviate d-Galactose-Induced Oxidative Stress and Restore Gut Microbiota in ICR Mice

This study was aimed to investigate the antioxidant effect of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. petal flavonoids extract (PPF) on d-galactose (d-gal)-induced ICR mice. In this study, sixty male ICR mice were randomly divided into six groups during an 8 weeks experimental period, including normal control (NC) group, d-gal group, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) group, low, medium, and high dose PPF groups (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg/day). The results showed that intragastric administration with PPF significantly reverses the atrophy of the visceral organs of oxidative damage mice in a dose-dependent relationship. PPF indicated the antioxidant capacity to decrease the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and improve the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) as well as glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). In addition, PPF treatment reversed gut microbiota dysbiosis by increasing the relative abundance of Lactobacillaceae. Spearman correlation analysis showed that the body's oxidative stress markers were directly related to changes in gut microbiota. These findings reveal firstly that PPF could alleviate d-Gal-induced oxidative stress and modulate gut microbiota balance.

Mixture of Five Fermented Herbs (Zhihuasi Tk) Alters the Intestinal Microbiota and Promotes the Growth Performance in Piglets

To explore the feasibility of using fermented Chinese herbal mixture Zhihuasi Tk (Z. Tk) supplementation to increase the swine production, the protective effect of dietary supplementation with Z. Tk on the intestinal oxidative stress model and the regulation of both growth performance and intestinal microbiota of weaned piglets were investigated in vitro. Our results showed that the addition of Z. Tk increased the cell viability, prevented the decrease of glutathione peroxidase, and significantly increased the total antioxidant capacity and reduced the damage caused by H₂O₂ to the tight junction proteins of the porcine small intestinal epithelial cell line (IPEC-J2). Furthermore, weaned piglets supplemented with either 2 kg/ton zinc oxide (ZnO) or 4 kg/ton of Z. Tk in the diet increased body weight as well as average daily feed intake and daily gain, while the feed conversion rate and diarrhea rate decreased within 0–35 days. Results of the taxonomic structure of the intestinal microbiota showed that, in 21 days after weaning, the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio in experimental group was increased, while the abundance of beneficial bacteria such, as Lactobacillus, was increased by Z. Tk, showing inhibitory effect on pathogenic bacteria such as members of Proteobacteria. In summary, dietary supplementation with Z. Tk maintained the intestinal microbiota in a favorable state for the host to effectively reduce the abnormal changes in the intestinal microbial structure and improved growth performance of weaned piglets. Therefore, Z. Tk may potentially function as a substitute for ZnO in feed additives for weaned piglets in modern husbandry.

Effect of Pudilan Keyanning antibacterial mouthwash on dental plaque and gingival inflammation in patients during periodontal maintenance phase: study protocol for double-blind, randomised clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

Plaque control plays a critical role in the prevention and treatment of periodontitis. Antibacterial mouthwash is one of the most important tools for plaque control. Pudilan, including extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis root, Taraxacum mongolicum, Bunge corydalis herb and Isatis indigotica, was reported playing the role of anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial. However, its effect on dental plaque and periodontal inflammation remains unknown. We aimed to assess the efficacy of Pudilan Keyanning antibacterial mouthwash which contains the active essence of Pudilan and 0.03%-0.06% cetylpyridinium chloride, as well as Pudilan active essence for plaque control and gingival anti-inflammation in patients during periodontal maintenance phase.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

In this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial, a total of 120 participants during periodontal maintenance phase will be enrolled. After supragingival scaling, they will be randomly assigned into three groups in a 1:1:1 ratio: the Pudilan Keyanning antibacterial mouthwash group, a chlorhexidine acetate mouthwash (0.12%) group or a placebo group with mouthwash containing the same components as the Pudilan Keyanning mouthwash except for Pudilan active ingredients. They will rinse with mouthwash, respectively, two times per day for 6 weeks. Clinical parameters (such as plaque index, bleeding index) and the level of volatile sulfide in the breath will be measured and analysed. The subgingival plaque will be collected and analysed microbiologically. Questionnaire feedback will be analysed.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study protocol (V.4) was reviewed and approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology (Ethics Approval No. PKUSSIRB-201950153b). All participants signed a written consent form.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR2000041253.

Antioxidant response to severe hypoxia in Brandt's vole Lasiopodomys brandtii

The antioxidant defense system is essential for animals to cope with homeostasis disruption and overcome oxidative stress caused by adverse environmental conditions such as hypoxia. However, our understanding of how this system works in subterranean rodents remains limited. In this study, Brandt's vole Lasiopodomys brandtii was exposed to normoxia (21% O₂ ) or hypoxia (mild or severe hypoxia: 10% or 5% O₂ ) for 6 h. Changes in key enzymes of the classic enzymatic antioxidant system at both mRNA and enzyme activity levels, and tissue antioxidant levels of the low-molecular-weight antioxidant system were determined in brain, liver, and kidney. Transcript levels of the upstream regulator NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were also measured. We found that the mRNA expression of Nrf2 and its downstream antioxidant enzyme genes in L. brandtii were relatively conserved in response to hypoxia in most tissues and genes tested, except in the liver. Hepatic Nrf2, Cu/Zn SOD, GPx1, and GPx3 levels were significantly upregulated in response to mild hypoxia, whereas Mn SOD level decreased significantly in severe hypoxia. Unmatched with changes at the RNA level, constitutively high and relatively stable antioxidant enzyme activities were maintained throughout. For the low-molecular-weight antioxidant system, an abrupt increase of cerebral ascorbic acid (AA) levels in hypoxia indicated a tissue-specific antioxidant response. Although hypoxia did not cause significant oxidative damage in most tissues tested, the significant decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities (GPX and GR) and increase in lipid peroxidation in the kidney suggest that prolonged hypoxia may pose a critical threat to this species.

Is Galactose a Hormetic Sugar? An Exploratory Study of the Rat Hippocampal Redox Regulatory Network

SCOPE

Galactose, a ubiquitous monosaccharide with incompletely understood physiology is often exploited for inducing oxidative-stress mediated aging in animals. Recent research demonstrates that galactose can conserve cellular function during periods of starvation and prevent/alleviate cognitive deficits in a rat model of sporadic Alzheimer's disease. The present aim is to examine the acute effects of oral galactose on the redox regulatory network (RRN).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Rat plasma and hippocampal RRNs are analyzed upon acute orogastric gavage of galactose (200 mg kg^-1 ). No systemic RRN disbalance is observed; however, a mild pro-oxidative shift accompanied by a paradoxical increment in tissue reductive capacity suggesting overcompensation of endogenous antioxidant systems is observed in the hippocampus. Galactose-induced increment of reductive capacity is accompanied by inflation of the hippocampal pool of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphates indicating ROS detoxification through disinhibition of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway flux, reduced neuronal activity, and upregulation of Leloir pathway gatekeeper enzyme galactokinase-1.

CONCLUSION

Based on the observed findings, and in the context of previous work on galactose, a hormetic hypothesis of galactose is proposed suggesting that the protective effects may be inseparable from its pro-oxidative action at the biochemical level.

Protective effects of ginseng stem-leaf saponins on D-galactose-induced reproductive injury in male mice

Panax ginseng is a perennial plant in the Araliaceae family. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of ginseng stem-leaf saponins (GSLS) isolated from P. ginseng against D-galactose-induced reproductive function decline, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response. Reproductive injuries were induced in mice via the subcutaneous injection of D-galactose (300 mg/kg) for six weeks. The mice were then treated with GSLS by intragastric administration. GSLS inhibited markers of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines induced by D-galactose in serum, liver and kidney, whereas GSLS increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Compared to the mice treated only with D-galactose, GSLS treatment significantly increased the average path velocity, straight line velocity, curvilinear velocity, and amplitude of the lateral head displacement of mouse sperm. Meanwhile, GSLS significantly increased the testosterone level and reduced the cortisol, FSH, and LH levels. Histopathological examination revealed alterations in the number and the arrangement of spermatogenic cells in the seminiferous tubules of the mice in the GSLS group. GSLS treatment suppressed MAPKs pathway activation in testes. These results suggest that GSLS can attenuate D-galactose-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory response in serum, liver and kidney, and ameliorate reproductive damage by inhibiting MAPKs signaling pathway.