Moutan Cortex Protects Hepatocytes against Oxidative Injury through AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway

Kaempferol stimulation of autophagy regulates the ferroptosis under the oxidative stress as mediated with AMP-activated protein kinase

Recent studies have highlighted the positive effects of Kaempferol (KP), including its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, its impact on oxidative damage induced by heavy metals and pro-inflammatory mediators, such as arachidonic acid (AA), has not yet been identified. Our objective was to specifically evaluate liver damage due to AA + iron-induced oxidative stress, both in vitro and in vivo. In HepG2 cells, KP activated the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), suggesting a hepatoprotective effect through AMPK inhibition, as assessed by immunoblot and FACS analysis (EC50 = 10 μM). KP also stimulated autophagy, a degradation process that eliminates aged, damaged, and unnecessary components, via mTOR inhibition and ULK1 phosphorylation. This activation was further validated by the upregulation of autophagy-related genes (ATG5) and Beclin-1, along with the conversion of LC3BI to LC3BII. Ferroptosis, a non-apoptotic type of cell death characterized by oxidative stress from the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and excessive iron accumulation, was linked to the activation of autophagy, as confirmed through the protein expression of deferoxamine (DFO) and ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), the representative ferroptosis inhibitors (positive controls). In mice, oral administration of KP demonstrated protective effects against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. In conclusion, KP provides hepatoprotective effects against oxidative stress induced by AA + iron treatment in vitro and CCl4 treatment in vivo.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics of the root bark of Paeonia x suffruticosa andrews: A comprehensive review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Moutan Cortex (MC), commonly known as "Mu dan pi", refers to the dried root bark of Paeonia x suffruticosa Andrews and is broadly used as a traditional herbal medication in China, Japan, and Korea. For thousands of years, it has been utilized to treat female genital, extravasated blood, cardiovascular, and stagnant blood disorders.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The purpose of this review article was to summarize information on the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of MC, as well as to outline the further research directions for the development of new drugs and the associations between traditional uses and pharmacological effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The information involved in the study was gathered from a variety of electronic resources, including PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SciFinder, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, and Google Scholar. The date was from 1992 to 2022.

RESULTS

Approximately 163 chemical compounds have been extracted and identified from MC, including monoterpenes, monoterpene glycosides, triterpenes, phenolics, flavonoids, volatile oils, alkaloids, and others. In these categories, the monoterpene glycosides and phenols being the most common. A wide variety of pharmacological effects have been described for MC crude extracts and active molecules, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral, antitumor, antidiabetic, organ protection, and neuroprotective activities, as well as treating cardiovascular diseases. Pharmacokinetics has been also used in the study of MC, including its crude extracts or chemical constituents, in order to explore the therapeutic mechanism, direct clinically appropriate application and provide new ideas for the exploitation of innovative medicines.

CONCLUSION

Modern pharmacological research has demonstrated that MC, as a significant therapeutic resource, has the ability to heal a wide range of diseases, particularly female genital and cardiovascular problems. These researches propose therapeutic ideas for the development of novel MC medicines. Furthermore, preclinical and clinical study have verified several observed pharmacological properties related with the traditional usages of MC.

Moutan Cortex Extract Modulates Macrophage Activation via Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Calcium Signaling and ER Stress-CHOP Pathway

Moutan Cortex, Paeonia suffruticosa root, has long been used as a medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the modulative properties of Moutan Cortex water extract (CP) on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related macrophage activation via the calcium-CHOP pathway. RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages were activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the levels of various inflammatory mediators from RAW 264.7 were evaluated. The multiplex cytokine assay was used to investigate both cytokines and growth factors, and RT-PCR was used to investigate the expressions of inflammation-related genes, such as CHOP. Data represent the levels of NO and cytosolic calcium in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 were significantly inhibited by CP as well as hydrogen peroxide (p < 0.05). Minutely, NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 incubated with CP at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, and 200 µg/mL for 24 h was 97.32 ± 1.55%, 95.86 ± 2.26%, 94.64 ± 1.83%, and 92.69 ± 2.31% of the control value (LPS only), respectively (p < 0.05). Calcium release in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 incubated with CP at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, and 200 µg/mL for 18 h was 95.78 ± 1.64%, 95.41 ± 1.14%, 94.54 ± 2.76%, and 90.89 ± 3.34% of the control value, respectively (p < 0.05). Hydrogen peroxide production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 incubated with CP at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, and 200 µg/mL for 24 h was 79.15 ± 7.16%, 63.83 ± 4.03%, 46.27 ± 4.38%, and 40.66 ± 4.03% of the control value, respectively (p < 0.05). It is interesting that the production of IL-6, TNF-α, G-CSF, MIP-1α, MIP-2, and M-CSF in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 were significantly inhibited by CP (p < 0.05), while the production of LIX, LIF, RANTES, and MIP-1β showed a meaningful decrease. CP at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, and 200 µg/mL significantly reduced the transcription of Chop, Camk2α, NOS, STAT1, STAT3, Ptgs2, Jak2, c-Jun, Fas, c-Fos, TLR3, and TLR9 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 (p < 0.05). CP at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL significantly reduced the phosphorylation of STAT3, p38 MAPK, and IκB-α in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 (p < 0.05). These results suggest that CP might modulate macrophage activation via LPS-induced calcium signaling and the ER stress-CHOP pathway.

Effects of rhubarb peony decoction combined with antibiotics in treating pediatric periappendiceal abscess

Background/purpose

Rhubarb peony decoction (RPD) is a formula of traditional Chinese medicine that has been widely used to treat intra-abdominal inflammatory diseases. To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of RPD in pediatric periappendiceal abscess, patients who received intravenous antibiotics alone were compared with those treated with intravenous antibiotics combined with RPD.

Methods

A retrospective review of children with periappendiceal abscess who received conservative treatment in our hospital between January 2013 and April 2022 was performed. The patients were divided into an intravenous antibiotic group (the control group) and an intravenous antibiotic combined with RPD group (the intervention group). Interval appendectomy (IA) was generally performed 10-12 weeks after conservative treatment. The primary outcome was the cure rate of conservative treatment, while the secondary outcomes included the recurrence rate, days of total intravenous antibiotic use, length of hospital stay (LOS), postoperative complications, and liver injury caused by RPD.

Results

A total of 142 patients (77 girls and 65 boys) were included, 52 in the control group and 90 in the intervention group. The two groups were similar in demographic data and clinical characteristics (P > 0.05). The mean total course of RPD in the intervention group was 11.82 days. The intervention group had a significantly higher cure rate than the control group (93.33% vs. 80.77%, P = 0.029), and the length of total intravenous antibiotic use (P = 0.150), LOS (P = 0.077), recurrence rate (9.52% vs. 4.76%, P = 0.439), as well as the operation time (P = 0.101), LOS (P = 0.572), and postoperative complications (P = 0.549) were not significantly different between the two groups when the patients received IA. No patient had a liver injury caused by RPD during the treatment.

Conclusion

Intravenous antibiotics combined with RPD demonstrated high effectiveness and safety for treating pediatric periappendiceal abscess.

The anti-aging effects of Renshen Guben on thyrotoxicosis mice: Improving immunosenescence, hypoproteinemia, lipotoxicity, and intestinal flora

With the rapid aging of the population, the control of age-related disease susceptibility and prognosis faces greater challenges. There is an urgent need for a strategy to maintain the vitality of elderly people. In this study, the effect of Renshen Guben (RSGB) oral liquid was investigated on an accelerated aging mice model of thyrotoxicosis by conventional detection methods combined with multiomics technology. The results showed that RSGB increased the number of neutrophils and lymphocytes, enhanced the function of lymphocytes, and increased the levels of complement and antimicrobial peptides, which indicated that RSGB improved the immunity of thyrotoxicosis mice at the cellular and molecular levels. RSGB corrected malnutrition in thyrotoxicosis mice by improving anemia, hypoalbuminemia, ion transporters, and vitamin-binding proteins. RSGB significantly reduced the lipotoxicity by reducing the level of fatty acids, triglyceride, sphingolipids, and glucocorticoids, thus increasing the level of docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and bile acids, which contributed to improve immunosenescence. The intestinal defense ability of thyrotoxicosis mice was enhanced with the increase of bile acids and lactic acid bacteria by the RSGB treatment. The plant metabolomics analysis showed that there were various active components in RSGB oral liquid and medicated serum, including terpenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannin, alkaloids, organic acids, phenolamines, amino acids, and others. They have antioxidant, immune regulation, and anti-aging effects, which was the material basis of RSGB. Totally, RSGB protected the thyrotoxicosis mice against aging by improving immunosenescence, hypoproteinemia, lipotoxicity, and the intestinal flora. It will be beneficial for improving the disease susceptibility and prognosis of the elderly.

Antioxidant and anticancer potentials of edible flowers: where do we stand?

Edible flowers are attracting special therapeutic attention and their administration is on the rise. Edible flowers play pivotal modulatory roles on oxidative stress and related interconnected apoptotic/inflammatory pathways toward the treatment of cancer. In this review, we highlighted the phytochemical content and therapeutic applications of edible flowers, as well as their modulatory potential on the oxidative stress pathways and apoptotic/inflammatory mediators, resulting in anticancer effects. Edible flowers are promising sources of phytochemicals (e.g., phenolic compounds, carotenoids, terpenoids) with several therapeutic effects. They possess anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-depressant, anxiolytic, anti-obesity, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective effects. Edible flowers potentially modulate oxidative stress by targeting erythroid nuclear transcription factor-2/extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (Nrf2/ERK/MAPK), reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant response elements (AREs). As the interconnected pathways to oxidative stress, inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), interleukins (ILs) as well as apoptotic pathways such as Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), Bcl-2, caspase and cytochrome C are critical targets of edible flowers in combating cancer. In this regard, edible flowers could play promising anticancer effects by targeting oxidative stress and downstream dysregulated pathways.

The Beneficial Effects of Principal Polyphenols from Green Tea, Coffee, Wine, and Curry on Obesity

Several epidemiological studies and clinical trials have reported the beneficial effects of green tea, coffee, wine, and curry on human health, with its anti-obesity, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and neuroprotective properties. These effects, which have been supported using cell-based and animal studies, are mainly attributed to epigallocatechin gallate found in green tea, chlorogenic acid in coffee, resveratrol in wine, and curcumin in curry. Polyphenols are proposed to function via various mechanisms, the most important of which is related to reactive oxygen species (ROS). These polyphenols exert conflicting dual actions as anti- and pro-oxidants. Their anti-oxidative actions help scavenge ROS and downregulate nuclear factor-κB to produce favorable anti-inflammatory effects. Meanwhile, pro-oxidant actions appear to promote ROS generation leading to the activation of 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase, which modulates different enzymes and factors with health beneficial roles. Currently, it remains unclear how these polyphenols exert either pro- or anti-oxidant effects. Similarly, several human studies showed no beneficial effects of these foods, and, by extension polyphenols, on obesity. These inconsistencies may be attributed to different confounding study factors. Thus, this review provides a state-of-the-art update on these foods and their principal polyphenol components, with an assumption that it prevents obesity.

Total Glucosides of Peony Protect Cardiomyocytes against Oxidative Stress and Inflammation by Reversing Mitochondrial Dynamics and Bioenergetics

Total glucosides of peony (TGP) are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. We explored the protective effects of TGP on cardiomyocyte oxidative stress and inflammation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide by focusing on mitochondrial dynamics and bioenergetics. Our study demonstrated that hydrogen peroxide significantly repressed cardiomyocyte viability and promoted cell apoptosis through induction of the mitochondrial death pathway. TGP treatment sustained cardiomyocyte viability, reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and decreased inflammation and oxidative stress. Molecular investigation indicated that hydrogen peroxide caused mitochondrial dynamics disruption and bioenergetics reduction in cardiomyocytes, but this alteration could be normalized by TGP. We found that disruption of mitochondrial dynamics abolished the regulatory effects of TGP on mitochondrial bioenergetics; TGP modulated mitochondrial dynamics through the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway; and inhibition of AMPK alleviated the protective effects of TGP on mitochondria. Our results showed that TGP treatment reduces cardiomyocyte oxidative stress and inflammation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide by correcting mitochondrial dynamics and enhancing mitochondrial bioenergetics. Additionally, the regulatory effects of TGP on mitochondrial function seem to be mediated through the AMPK pathway. These findings are promising for myocardial injury in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Chemical Fingerprinting and Quantitative Analysis of Cortex Moutan From Different Tree Peony Cultivars Using HPLC-ESI/MS

To evaluate the relationship between tree peony cultivars and the quality consistency of Cortex Moutan, a sensitive, reliable, and validated method based on high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry was developed for the quantitative analysis of paeonol and chemical fingerprinting of Cortex Moutan. Results from quantitative analysis showed that the content of paeonol in Paeonia ostii “Feng Dan” was the highest (24.51 ± 0.83 mg/g), followed by Paeonia suffruticosa “Luoyang Hong” (14.29 ± 0.76 mg/g), P. suffruticosa “Taiping Hong” (13.99±1.13 mg/g), and P. suffruticosa “Zhaofen” (13.08±0.85 mg/g). Paeonia ostii “Luoyang Feng Dan” was found to have the lowest content (8.76±0.46 mg/g) of paeonol. In qualitative analysis, 5 tree peony cultivars collected from different plantations in China were used to establish the fingerprint. For the fingerprint analysis, 17 characteristic peaks were used to evaluate similarities among tree peony cultivars, and they were found to show similarities. In short, the results of quantitative and qualitative analyses suggested that there was no significant difference in the chemical composition of Cortex Moutan from different tree peony varieties; however, there were significant differences in the levels of chemical components. The method developed in this study provides an important reference to establish a quality control method for other related traditional Chinese medicinal preparations.

Protective effects of ten oligostilbenes from Paeonia suffruticosa seeds on interleukin-1β-induced rabbit osteoarthritis chondrocytes

Background

Paeonia suffruticosa is an important traditional Chinese herb used to treat osteoarthritis (OA) and oligostilbenes are the main active ingredient of the seeds of P. suffruticosa. The monomer trans-resveratrol of this species was demonstrated to have chondroprotective effects as a lead compound for the treatment of osteoarthritis, but it has not been applied due to its low efficacy.

Methods

Oligostilbenes were isolated by chromatography and were identified by NMR and HPLC. A rabbit osteoarthritis chondrocyte model was induced by interleukin-1β and was treated with individual drugs to systematically evaluate their effects. Cell Counting Kit 8 was used to test their effects on cell viability, calculate EC₅₀ and plot a dose-response curve.Their effects on apoptosis were analyzed by Annexin V and PI staining, and the expression of chondrocyte-specific genes COL2A1, MMP13 and SOX9 was evaluated by real-time PCR.

Results

Paeonia suffruticosa seed extract could promote the cell viability of rabbit OA chondrocytes at low concentration and then ten oligostilbenes were isolated from it. Trans-oligostilbenes were better than their cis-forms, trimers and dimers were better than monomers for promoting the cell viability of rabbit osteoarthritis chondrocytes. None of the oligostilbenes was more effective than seed extract at the appropriate concentration; 1 μM oligostilbenes all showed various anti-apoptotic effects. Trans-gnetin H showed the best effect on proliferation and inhibition of MMP13 expression on OA chondrocytes, while trans-viniferin was most effective in promoting the expression of COL2A1 and SOX9.

Conclusions

Ten oligostilbenes from P. suffruticosa seed all have certain protective effects on OA chondrocytes at low concentration. The trans-viniferin and some trimers have the potential to be further developed for the treatment of osteoarthritis because they were more effective than resveratrol and diacerein. The synergistic effect that may exist between oligostilbenes also warrants further research.

PFG acted as an inducer of premature senescence in TIG-1 normal diploid fibroblast and an inhibitor of mitosis in the HeLa cells

Our previous work has reported an anti-proliferative compound from moutan cortex, paeoniflorigenone which can induce cancer-selective apoptosis. However, its anti-proliferative mechanism is still unknown. According to morphology changes (hypertrophy and flattening), we hypothesized that PFG can induce senescence or inhibit cell mitosis. Here we show that PFG can induce cellular senescence, evidenced by the expression of senescence-associated β-galactosidase, G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and permanent loss of proliferative ability, in normal TIG-1 diploid fibroblast but not cancerous HeLa cells. In cancerous HeLa cells, PFG inhibited proliferation by inducing S and G2/M cell cycle arrest and mitosis inhibition. DNA damage response was activated by PFG, interestingly the reactive oxygen species level was suppressed instead of escalated. To sum up, we report 3 new roles of PFG as, 1. inducer of premature senescence in normal TIG-1 cells, 2. inhibitor of mitosis in cancerous HeLa cells, 3. ROS scavenger. Abbreviations: PFG: Paeoniflorigenone; ROS: reactive oxygen species; ATM: ataxia telangiectasia mutated; t-BHP: tert-butyl hydroperoxide; SA-β-gal: senescence-associatedβ-galactosidase; DNA-PK_cs: DNA-dependent protein kinase; γ-H2AX: H2AX phosphoryla-tion at Ser-139.