The effects of 17-methoxyl-7-hydroxy-benzene-furanchalcone on the pressure overload-induced progression of cardiac hypertrophy to cardiac failure

Correction: The Effects of 17-Methoxyl-7-Hydroxy-Benzene-Furanchalcone on the Pressure Overload-Induced Progression of Cardiac Hypertrophy to Cardiac Failure

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091834.].

A Comprehensive Review on Beneficial Effects of Catechins on Secondary Mitochondrial Diseases

Mitochondria are the main sites for oxidative phosphorylation and synthesis of adenosine triphosphate in cells, and are known as cellular power factories. The phrase "secondary mitochondrial diseases" essentially refers to any abnormal mitochondrial function other than primary mitochondrial diseases, i.e., the process caused by the genes encoding the electron transport chain (ETC) proteins directly or impacting the production of the machinery needed for ETC. Mitochondrial diseases can cause adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis disorder, an increase in oxygen free radicals, and intracellular redox imbalance. It can also induce apoptosis and, eventually, multi-system damage, which leads to neurodegenerative disease. The catechin compounds rich in tea have attracted much attention due to their effective antioxidant activity. Catechins, especially acetylated catechins such as epicatechin gallate (ECG) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), are able to protect mitochondria from reactive oxygen species. This review focuses on the role of catechins in regulating cell homeostasis, in which catechins act as a free radical scavenger and metal ion chelator, their protective mechanism on mitochondria, and the protective effect of catechins on mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). This review highlights catechins and their effects on mitochondrial functional metabolic networks: regulating mitochondrial function and biogenesis, improving insulin resistance, regulating intracellular calcium homeostasis, and regulating epigenetic processes. Finally, the indirect beneficial effects of catechins on mitochondrial diseases are also illustrated by the warburg and the apoptosis effect. Some possible mechanisms are shown graphically. In addition, the bioavailability of catechins and peracetylated-catechins, free radical scavenging activity, mitochondrial activation ability of the high-molecular-weight polyphenol, and the mitochondrial activation factor were also discussed.

The importance of natural chalcones in ischemic organ damage: Comprehensive and bioinformatic analysis review

Over the last few decades, extensive research has been conducted, yielding a detailed account of thousands of newly discovered compounds of natural origin and their biological activities, all of which have the potential to be used for a wide range of therapeutic purposes. There are multiple research papers denoting the central objective of chalcones, which have been shown to have therapeutic potential against various forms of ischemia. The various aspects of chalcones are discussed in this review regarding molecular mechanisms involved in the promising anti-ischemic potential of these chalcones. The main mechanisms involved in these protective effects are Nrf2/Akt activation and NF-κB/TLR4 suppression. Furthermore, in-silico studies were carried out to discover the probable binding of these chalcones to Keap-1 (an inhibitor of Nrf2), Akt, NF-κB, and TLR4 protein molecules. Besides, network pharmacology analysis was conducted to predict the interacting partners of these signals. The obtained results indicated that Nrf2, Akt, NF-κB, and TLR4 are involved in the beneficial anti-ischemic actions of chalcones. Conclusively, the present findings show that chalcones as anti-ischemic agents have a valid rationale. The discussed studies will provide a comprehensive viewpoint on chalcones and can help to optimize their effects in different ischemia. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Ischemic organ damage is an unavoidable pathological condition with a high worldwide incidence. According to the current research progress, natural chalcones have been proved to treat and/or prevent various types of ischemic organ damage by alleviating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis by different molecular mechanisms. This article displays the comprehensive research progress and the molecular basis of ischemic organ damage pathophysiology and introduces natural chalcones' mechanism in the ischemic organ condition.

Quantification and Optimization of Ethanolic Extract Containing the Bioactive Flavonoids from Millettia pulchra Radix

Millettia pulchra is traditionally used for treating diseases, including joint pain, fever, anemia, and allergies. It is also a potential resource of natural flavonoid derivatives, which represents major constituents of this plant. This study aimed to isolate the major compounds from M. pulchra radix, develop and validate the HPLC-PDA method to determine their contents, and optimize its extraction. Four major flavonoid derivatives (karanjin, lanceolatin B, 2”,2”-dimethylpyrano-[5″,6″:7,8]-flavone, and pongamol) were isolated using silica gel column chromatography, crystallization techniques in large amounts with high purities (>95%). A simple, accurate high-performance liquid chromatography–photodiode array (HPLC–PDA) detection method has been developed and validated with significantly statistical impacts according to International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models were employed to predictive performance and optimization of the extraction process. The optimized conditions for the extraction of major flavonoids were: extraction time (twice), solvent/material ratio (9.5), and ethanol concentration (72.5%). Our research suggests an effective method, which will be helpful for quality control in the pharmaceutical development of this species.

Epigallocatechin gallate prevents mitochondrial impairment and cell apoptosis by regulating miR-30a/p53 axis

PURPOSE

This study was designed to investigate whether EGCG prevents cardiac I/R mitochondrial impairment and cell apoptosis by regulating miR-30a/p53 axis.

METHODS

The H9c2 cardiomyocytes hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model in vitro and myocardial ischemia /reperfusion (I/R) model in vivo were made, with or without EGCG treatment. The levels of I/R-induced creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), as well as the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and cardiac functional impairment were examined. Stablely transfecting miR-30a mimic or inhibitor in H9c2 cardiomyocytes was built. The expression of miR-30a, p53 and related proteins in cells was measured by western blotting and qRT-PCR. Cell viability and apoptosis were examined using CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. The content of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial permeability transition pores (MPTP) opening and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) in cells was measured by fluorescent probes. The levels of miR-30a and p53, some related proteins expression and apoptosis in the cardiac muscle tissues were determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), H&E staining, western blotting and TUNEL assays.

RESULTS

We found that EGCG preconditioning significantly decreased the levels of CK-MB and LDH, increased the activity of ATP, reduced the apoptotic rate and partially preserved heart function. Furthermore, EGCG decreased ROS levels, MPTP opening and depolarization of ΔΨm, and improved the activity of post-I/R cardiomyocyte. The beneficial effect of EGCG was associated with restored levels of miR-30a expression in the I/R injury that correspond to p53 mRNA downregulation. The regulatory effect of EGCG was greatly enhanced by miR-30a mimic and suppressed by miR-30a inhibitor. More importantly, EGCG pretreatment inhibited the expression of mitochondrial apoptotic related proteins downstream of the miR-30a/p53 pathway.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that EGCG pretreatment may attenuate mitochondrial impairment and myocardial apoptosis by regulation of miR-30a/p53 axis.

The regulatory mechanisms of Yulangsan MHBFC reversing cardiac remodeling in rats based on eNOS-NO signaling pathway

Millettia pulchra Kurz var-laxior (Dunn) Z. Wei, a wild-growing plant of the family Fabaceae is known to possess multifarious medicinal properties. 17-Methoxyl-7-hydroxy-benzene-furanchalcone (MHBFC) is a flavonoid monomer extracted from its root, which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine, with a long history as a remedy of hypertension and cardiovascular remodeling. The present study was conducted to further investigate the regulatory mechanisms of MHBFC based on the endothelial nitric oxide synthase-nitric oxide (eNOS-NO) signaling pathway. The abdominal aorta of the male Sprague-Dawley rats was narrowed to induce cardiac remodeling, and the rats were given corresponding drugs for 6 weeks after operation. At the end of the experiment, the relevant indexes were detected. The results showed that N^ω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) could increase the myocardial cell cross-section area, myocardial fibrosis, and the cardiac collagen volume fraction. The serum NO and eNOS levels and the expression of p-eNOS, p-PI₃K and p-Akt protein were decreased, and myocardial microvascular endothelial cell (MMVEC) apoptosis increased. However, the above changes were reversed after treatment with MHBFC. These results indicated that MHBFC could increase eNOS protein phosphorylation by increasing PI₃K and Akt protein phosphorylation, and activated the eNOS-NO signaling pathway, increased eNOS enzyme activity, catalyzed the generation of protective NO, and counteracted MMVEC apoptosis induced by cardiac remodeling, thereby protecting against myocardial damage and reversing cardiac remodeling.

Hepatoprotective effects of Yulangsan flavone against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats

BACKGROUND

Yulangsan flavone (YLSF) was extracted from the root of Millettia pulchra Kurz var-laxior (Dunn) Z. Wei, which has been widely used for liver disease treatment in the Guangxi province of China.

HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE

The study was conducted to demonstrate the hepatoprotective effects of YLSF against CCl₄-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats, meanwhile revealing the potential mechanism.

STUDY DESIGN

Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats of both sexes were randomly divided into two groups: hepatic fibrosis group and normal control (NC) group. The rats in the hepatic fibrosis group were given 1 ml/kg 50% CCl₄ (1:1 mixed with peanut oil), while those in the NC group were given 1 ml/kg normal saline (NS), both via intragastric administration. The established experimental rat model from the hepatic fibrosis group was confirmed by pathological inspection and randomly divided into five groups: three YLSF groups (20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg), a colchicine group (0.20 mg/kg) and a model group (10 ml/kg NS). All rats were treated with corresponding drugs or NS once a day for four consecutive weeks. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, blood serum and hepatic tissue were collected.

METHODS

The activities of ALT and AST in the serum and the levels of SOD, MDA, GSH and GSH-Px in hepatic tissue were analysed, the indexes of liver, spleen and thymus were counted, the degree of hepatic injury was examined using HE and Masson staining, and the mRNA expression of Col-1, TIMP-1 and TGF-β1 in hepatic tissues was detected.

RESULTS

Compared with the model group, experimental results showed that YLSF and colchicine could reduce the levels of AST, ALT and MDA, increase the levels of SOD, GSH and GSH-Px, enhance rat survivability, decrease the liver, spleen and thymus index, significantly lessen collagen deposition and tissue damage and down-regulate the mRNA expression of Col-1, TIMP-1 and TGF-β1.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings confirm that YLSF has a certain curative effect on rats with liver fibrosis induced by CCl₄, and its mechanism may include attenuating free radicals, inhibiting lipid peroxidation and accelerating extracellular matrix degradation by down-regulating expression of related genes.