The pharmacokinetics, bioavailability and excretion of bergapten after oral and intravenous administration in rats using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

Dietary Polyphenols: Review on Chemistry/Sources, Bioavailability/Metabolism, Antioxidant Effects, and Their Role in Disease Management

Polyphenols, as secondary metabolites ubiquitous in plant sources, have emerged as pivotal bioactive compounds with far-reaching implications for human health. Plant polyphenols exhibit direct or indirect associations with biomolecules capable of modulating diverse physiological pathways. Due to their inherent abundance and structural diversity, polyphenols have garnered substantial attention from both the scientific and clinical communities. The review begins by providing an in-depth analysis of the chemical intricacies of polyphenols, shedding light on their structural diversity and the implications of such diversity on their biological activities. Subsequently, an exploration of the dietary origins of polyphenols elucidates the natural plant-based sources that contribute to their global availability. The discussion extends to the bioavailability and metabolism of polyphenols within the human body, unraveling the complex journey from ingestion to systemic effects. A central focus of the review is dedicated to unravelling the antioxidant effects of polyphenols, highlighting their role in combating oxidative stress and associated health conditions. The comprehensive analysis encompasses their impact on diverse health concerns such as hypertension, allergies, aging, and chronic diseases like heart stroke and diabetes. Insights into the global beneficial effects of polyphenols further underscore their potential as preventive and therapeutic agents. This review article critically examines the multifaceted aspects of dietary polyphenols, encompassing their chemistry, dietary origins, bioavailability/metabolism dynamics, and profound antioxidant effects. The synthesis of information presented herein aims to provide a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and health enthusiasts, fostering a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between polyphenols and human health.

Bergapten exerts a chondroprotective effect in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis by combining intestinal flora alteration and reactive oxygen species reduction

Bergapten, a furanocoumarin naturally occurring in bergamot essential oil, has been demonstrated to have the potential to alleviate osteoarthritis-related symptoms via its anti-inflammatory activity. Although its systemic bioavailability is limited, its precise mechanisms of action and effects on temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) and its relationship with the intestinal flora remain unclear. Here, we explored the anti-TMJOA effect of BGT combined with the interleukin-1β-induced inflammatory response of chondrocytes in a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced TMJOA rat model. It was confirmed that BGT effectively reduced proinflammatory mediators and increased type II collagen, bone volume, and trabecular number of condyles in TMJOA rats. Importantly, the oral administration of BGT altered the intestinal flora of rats by increasing the relative abundances of nine prebiotic species and decreasing the relative abundance of one potential species. In addition, BGT considerably reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by suppressing glutathione, oxidized glutathione, and superoxide dismutase in the serum and malondialdehyde in urine. These results suggest that BGT exerts a chondroprotective effect, most likely by improving the intestinal flora and reducing ROS production associated with TMJOA in rats. This finding indicates a novel beneficial effect of BGT on the prevention and treatment of TMJOA.

Pharmacological basis of bergapten in gastrointestinal diseases focusing on H+/K+ ATPase and voltage-gated calcium channel inhibition: A toxicological evaluation on vital organs

Aim and objectives: This study aimed to establish a pharmacological basis for evaluating the effects of bergapten (5-methoxypsoralen) in gastrointestinal diseases and assessment of its toxicological profile.

Methods: The pharmacokinetic profile was evaluated using the SwissADME tool. AUTODOCK and PyRx were used for evaluating the binding affinities. The obtained results were further investigated for a post-dock analysis using Discovery Studio Visualizer 2016. The Desmond software package was used to conduct molecular dynamic simulations of best bound poses. Bergapten was further investigated for antidiarrheal, anti-secretory, charcoal meal transit time, anti-ulcer, anti-H. pylori activity.

Results: Bergapten at a dose of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg was proved effective in reducing diarrheal secretions, intestinal secretions, and distance moved by charcoal meal. Bergapten at the aforementioned doses acts as a gastroprotective agent in the ethanol-induced ulcer model that can be attributed to its effectiveness against H. pylori. Bergapten shows concentration-dependent relaxation of both spontaneous and K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions in the isolated rabbit jejunum model; the Ca2+ concentration–response curves (CRCs) were shifted to the right showing potentiating effect similar to papaverine. For molecular investigation, the H+/K+ ATPase inhibitory assay indicated inhibition of the pump comparable to omeprazole. Oxidative stress markers GST, GSH, and catalase showed increased expression, whereas the expression of LPO (lipid peroxidation) was reduced. Histopathological examination indicated marked improvement in cellular morphology. ELISA and western blot confirmed the reduction in inflammatory mediator expression. RT-PCR reduced the mRNA expression level of H+/K+ ATPase, confirming inhibition of the pump. The toxicological profile of bergapten was evaluated by an acute toxicity assay and evaluated for behavioral analysis, and the vital organs were used to analyze biochemical, hematological, and histopathological examination.

Conclusion: Bergapten at the tested doses proved to be an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, and antidiarrheal agent and relatively safe in acute toxicity assay.

Pharmacological Properties of Bergapten: Mechanistic and Therapeutic Aspects

Bergapten (BP) or 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) is a furocoumarin compound mainly found in bergamot essential oil but also in other citrus essential oils and grapefruit juice. This compound presents antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hypolipemic, and anticancer effects and is successfully used as a photosensitizing agent. The present review focuses on the research evidence related to the therapeutic properties of bergapten collected in recent years. Many preclinical and in vitro studies have been evidenced the therapeutic action of BP; however, few clinical trials have been carried out to evaluate its efficacy. These clinical trials with BP are mainly focused on patients suffering from skin disorders such as psoriasis or vitiligo. In these trials, the administration of BP (oral or topical) combined with UV irradiation induces relevant lesion clearance rates. In addition, beneficial effects of bergamot extract were also observed in patients with altered serum lipid profiles and in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver. On the contrary, there are no clinical trials that investigate the possible effects on cancer. Although the bioavailability of BP is lower than that of its 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) isomer, it has fewer side effects allowing higher concentrations to be administered. In conclusion, although the use of BP has therapeutic applications on skin disorders as a sensitizing agent and as components of bergamot extract as hypolipemic therapy, more trials are necessary to define the doses and treatment guidelines and its usefulness against other pathologies such as cancer or bacterial infections.

Bergapten: A review of its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity

Bergapten is a natural furocoumarin, also known as 5-methoxypsoralen, and its medicinal value has been paid more and more attention. By sorting out the pharmacological literature of bergapten, we found that bergapten has a wide range of pharmacological effects, including neuroprotection, organ protection, anticancer, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, and antidiabetes effects. However，bergapten has complex impacts on the hepatic metabolic enzyme. Moreover, pharmacokinetic studies showed that bergapten has higher absolute bioavailability and can cross the blood-brain barrier and has a great potential for treating brain disease, but the mechanism needs further clarification to make greater use of its ability to treat brain diseases. Furthermore, the phototoxicity of bergapten combined with ultraviolet light has always been mentioned. In view of its wide range of pharmacological activities, bergapten is expected to be a potential drug candidate for the treatment of diabetes and diabetes-induced osteoporosis, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, depression, and cancer. However, further studies are needed to elucidate its molecular mechanisms and targets. The phototoxicity of bergapten as a side effect should be further avoided. On the other hand, the photoactivation of bergapten in the anticancer aspect can be better utilized.

Crude plant extract versus single compounds for vitiligo treatment: Ex vivo intestinal permeability assessment on Brosimum gaudichaudii Trécul

Roots´ bark extract of Brosimum gaudichaudii Trécul (EBGT) is traditionally used for photochemotherapy of vitiligo due to the presence of furanocoumarins psoralen (PSO) and 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) as major compounds. Though plant extracts may provide additional highly permeable psoralens-like substances which may act synergically on vitiligo's therapy. Thus, the aim of this work was to develop an LC-MS/MS method for screening new highly permeable furanocoumarins from B. gaudichaudii and to compare biomarkers permeability and solubility provided as single compounds or as crude extract, according to BCS. An optimized LC-MS/MS method showed twelve permeable and bioactive compounds, among which 9 furanocoumarins, 2 pyranocoumarins and 1 dihydrocinnamic acid derivative were detected in EBGT samples. Solubility of PSO and 5-MOP was found to be, respectively, six- and eleven-fold higher in crude extract than as pure compounds. Permeability (P_app) of PSO and 5-MOP in EBGT were higher than metoprolol, the low/high BCS permeability class boundary reference compound. Hence, both biomarkers were considered as highly permeable (BCS2) compounds. Their permeability were concentration-dependent displaying values from 30.26 ± 5.13-8.21 ± 2.16 × 10^-6 cm/s and 10.72 ± 1.73-6.07 ± 1.27 × 10^-6 cm/s, respectively, over a wide range (2.3-200.0 mg mL-1). Thus, a carrier-mediated absorption process is suggested as the main mechanism. Accordingly, all additional permeated coumarins, identified by LC-MS/MS, showed to be at comparable amount of biomarkers in the permeated samples inferring similar high permeability rate. Moreover, biomarkers and other highly absorbable and bioactive linear furanocoumarins from EBGT may be used for vitiligo´s photochemotherapy. Taken together, these findings bring additional evidences for using crude plant extract when aiming synergistic effects of bioactive compounds on melanogenic therapies.

S-Protected thiolated nanostructured lipid carriers exhibiting improved mucoadhesive properties

The purpose of the present study was to design nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) exhibiting improved mucoadhesive properties. First, an S-protected thiolated fatty acid conjugate was synthesized by amide bond formation between a primary amino group of l-cystine and palmitic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide. NLCs were prepared by nano-template engineering technique using Span 60, polysorbate 80, sucrose stearate and PEG 400 as surfactant mixture, stearic acid as solid lipid and miglyol as liquid lipid. NLCs were loaded with the model drug bergapten and decorated with the S-protected thiolated fatty acid conjugate. NLCs were characterized regarding particle size, poly-dispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, drug entrapment efficiency (EE), drug loading capacity (LC), drug release and mucoadhesive properties. Furthermore, cytotoxicity studies were performed on MDA-MB-231 cells via resazurin assay. S-Protected thiolated NLCs displayed a mean size of 115 nm, PDI of 0.3, zeta potential of -30 mV, 80% drug EE and 5% drug LC. Drug-loaded S-protected thiolated NLCs exhibited a sustained drug release and strongly enhanced mucoadhesive properties. Surface decoration with cystine substructures raised the cytotoxic potential of NLCs to a minor extent. Due to the immobilization of cystine substructures on the surface of NLCs, their mucoadhesive properties can be strongly improved.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of six coumarins in normal and breast cancer bone-metastatic mice after oral administration of Wenshen Zhuanggu Formula

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Wenshen Zhuanggu Formula (WSZG) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription used in clinics for adjuvant treatment of breast cancer bone metastases in Longhua Hospital in China. WSZG has been reported to decrease the risk of bone metastases and alleviate the severity of bone lesions in a breast cancer xenograft model.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study aimed at investigating the pharmacokinetic behaviors of six coumarins in normal and breast cancer bone-metastatic mice following oral administration of WSZG extract.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A bone-metastatic mouse model was established by intracardiac injection of MDA-MB-231BO breast cancer cells, and WSZG extract (1.60 g/kg) was given orally to the model and normal mice for 4 weeks. Then, the blood pharmacokinetic parameters of six bioactive components from WSZG (psoralen, isopsoralen, bergapten, xanthotoxin, osthole, and imperatorin) were analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in pharmacokinetic behaviors between normal and pathological states. Compared with normal mice, the model mice showed significantly increased AUC_0-t and AUC_0-∞ of the bioactive compounds (P < 0.05) and significantly decreased total blood clearance (CL_Z/F) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The different pharmacokinetic behaviors might be partly ascribed to intestinal functional disorders and imbalance of gastrointestinal microbiota under the morbid state. The findings provide some valuable information to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of this TCM formula.

Simultaneous determination of columbianetin-β-d-glucopyranoside and columbianetin in a biological sample by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and identification of other columbianetin-β-d-glucopyranoside metabolites by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry

Columbianetin-β-d-glucopyranoside (CBG) and its metabolite columbianetin (CBN) are the bioactive constituents of Angelicae pubescentis radix (APR). They exhibit the anti-platelet aggregation, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) of CBG has not been reported to date. Both high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry methods were developed and validated for the study of ADME of CBG. It was found that CBG could be catabolized into its active metabolite CBN in vivo. The absolute bioavailability of columbianetin-β-d-glucopyranoside was 5.63 ± 4.42%. The other co-existing constituents from the APR ethanol extract could enhance the absorption of CBG. CBG and CBN were rapidly and broadly distributed in the stomach, ovary, kidney, liver, spleen, lung, muscles, heart and brain. Higher levels of accumulation of CBG and CBN were detected in the ovary and kidney tissues. Eight metabolites of CBG were tentatively identified in blood, urine, bile and faeces of rats after oral administration of pure CBG. It was also found that CBG and CBN were mainly excreted through the faecal route. It can be concluded that the validated methods were successfully applied for absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion study of CBG.