A comparison of resveratrol and other polyphenolic compounds on Notch activation and endothelial cell activity

The role of resveratrol in neurogenesis: a systematic review

CONTEXT

Resveratrol (RV) is a natural compound found in grapes, wine, berries, and peanuts and has potential health benefits-namely, neurogenesis improvement. Neurogenesis, which is the process through which new neurons or nerve cells are generated in the brain, occurs in the subventricular zone and hippocampus and is influenced by various factors. RV has been shown to increase neural stem cell proliferation and survival, improving cognitive function in hippocampus-dependent tasks. Thus, to provide a convergent and unbiased conclusion of the available evidence on the correlation between the RV and neurogenesis, a systematic review needs to be undertaken meticulously and with appropriate attention.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to systematically review any potential connection between the RV and neurogenesis in animal models.

DATA SOURCES AND EXTRACTION

Based on the particular selection criteria, 8 original animal studies that investigated the relationship between RV and neurogenesis were included. Studies written in English and published in peer-reviewed journals with no restrictions on the starting date of publication on August 17, 2023, were searched in the Google Scholar and PubMed databases. Furthermore, data were extracted and analyzed independently by 2 researchers and then reviewed by a third researcher, and discrepancies were resolved by consensus. This project followed PRISMA reporting standards.

DATA ANALYSIS

In the studies analyzed in this review, there is a definite correlation between RV and neurogenesis, meaning that RV intake, irrespective of the mechanisms thereof, can boost neurogenesis in both the subventricular zone and hippocampus.

CONCLUSION

This finding, albeit with some limitations, provides a plausible indication of RV's beneficial function in neurogenesis. Indeed, RV intake may result in neurogenesis benefits-namely, cognitive function, mood regulation, stress resilience, and neuroprotection, potentially preventing cognitive decline.

Natural Modulators of Key Signaling Pathways in Skin Inflammageing

Low-grade chronic inflammation without obvious infection is defined as "inflammageing" and a key driver of skin ageing. Although the importance of modulating inflammageing for treating skin diseases and restoring cutaneous homeostasis is increasingly being recognized. However, the mechanisms underlying skin inflammageing, particularly those associated with natural treatments, have not been systematically elucidated. This review explores the signaling pathways associated with skin inflammageing, as well as the natural plants and compounds that directly or indirectly target these pathways. Nine signaling pathways and 60 plants/constituents related to skin anti-inflammageing are discussed, exploring plant mechanisms to mitigate skin inflammageing. Common natural plants with anti-inflammageing activity are detailed by active ingredients, mechanisms, therapeutic potential, and quantitative effects on skin inflammageing modulation. This review strengthens our understanding of these botanical ingredients as natural interventions against skin inflammageing and provides directions for future research.

Mcl-1 Protein and Viral Infections: A Narrative Review

MCL-1 is the prosurvival member of the Bcl-2 family. It prevents the induction of mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. The molecular mechanisms dictating the host cell viability gain importance in the context of viral infections. The premature apoptosis of infected cells could interrupt the pathogen replication cycle. On the other hand, cell death following the effective assembly of progeny particles may facilitate virus dissemination. Thus, various viruses can interfere with the apoptosis regulation network to their advantage. Research has shown that viral infections affect the intracellular amount of MCL-1 to modify the apoptotic potential of infected cells, fitting it to the "schedule" of the replication cycle. A growing body of evidence suggests that the virus-dependent deregulation of the MCL-1 level may contribute to several virus-driven diseases. In this work, we have described the role of MCL-1 in infections caused by various viruses. We have also presented a list of promising antiviral agents targeting the MCL-1 protein. The discussed results indicate targeted interventions addressing anti-apoptotic MCL1 as a new therapeutic strategy for cancers as well as other diseases. The investigation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in viral infections engaging MCL1 may contribute to a better understanding of the regulation of cell death and survival balance.

Notch activator cyclopiazonic acid induces apoptosis in HL-60 cells through calcineurin activation

We screened a library of microbial extracts and compounds library using our constructed assay cells and found pulicatins F (1) and G (2), and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) (3) as Notch activators. Pulicatin F (1) and (±)-pulicatin G were synthesized and their activities were evaluated. Notch activation of CPA (3) was investigated using Western blot and RT-PCR. CPA (3) increased protein level of HES1 and mRNA expression of HES1. Also, the expression of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3), which was known to inhibit apoptosis, was also inhibited by CPA (3) addition. The Notch activation by CPA (3) and cytotoxicity against HL-60 were clearly canceled by addition of FK506, which is an inhibitor of calcineurin (CaN). In addition, it was revealed that CPA (3) induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells.

Steroidogenic activity of liposomal methylated resveratrol analog 3,4,5,4'-tetramethoxystilbene (DMU-212) in human luteinized granulosa cells in a primary three-dimensional in vitro model

PURPOSE

Steroid hormone secretion is one of the key functions of granulosa cells (GCs). Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol, known for its beneficial health effects, such as improving reproductive health. However, its application is limited due to poor bioavailability. The methoxy derivative of resveratrol (DMU-212) was demonstrated to be more lipophilic, and therefore of greater bioavailability. However, since the addition of methoxy groups to the stilbene scaffold was found to make the molecule insoluble in water, DMU-212 was loaded into liposomes. This study aimed to evaluate how the liposomal formulation of DMU-212 (lipDMU-212) alters estradiol and progesterone secretion of human ovarian GCs in a primary three-dimensional cell culture model.

METHODS

DMU-212-loaded liposomes were prepared by thin film hydration followed by extrusion. Cell viability was measured after exposure of GCs spheroids to the liposomal formulation of DMU-212 using CellTiter-Glo® 3D Cell Viability Assay. The secretion of estradiol and progesterone was determined using commercial ELISA kits. RT-qPCR was conducted to analyze the expression of steroidogenesis-related genes. Finally, the western blot technique was used to analyze the effect of lipDMU-212 and FSH treatments on CYP11A1 and HSD3B1 protein levels.

RESULTS

lipDMU-212 was found to significantly increase estradiol and progesterone secretion in a dose-dependent manner by enhancing the expression of CYP11A1, HSD3B1, StAR, CYP17A1, CYP19A1, and HSD17B1 genes. We have also shown that lipDMU-212, used alone and in combination with FSH, significantly increased the expression of the HSD3B1 and CYP11A1 proteins in GCs. Furthermore, our study suggests that lipDMU-212 increases FSH activity.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to describe the steroidogenic activity of liposomal formulation of DMU-212, possibly through increasing the StAR and CYP19A1 expression. These findings suggest that lipDMU-212 might have a beneficial effect in the treatment of disorders related to estrogen deficiency and hyperandrogenism, such as PCOS.

Modulation of Notch Signaling by Small-Molecular Compounds and Its Potential in Anticancer Studies

Notch signaling is responsible for conveying messages between cells through direct contact, playing a pivotal role in tissue development and homeostasis. The modulation of Notch-related processes, such as cell growth, differentiation, viability, and cell fate, offer opportunities to better understand and prevent disease progression, including cancer. Currently, research efforts are mainly focused on attempts to inhibit Notch signaling in tumors with strong oncogenic, gain-of-function (GoF) or hyperactivation of Notch signaling. The goal is to reduce the growth and proliferation of cancer cells, interfere with neo-angiogenesis, increase chemosensitivity, potentially target cancer stem cells, tumor dormancy, and invasion, and induce apoptosis. Attempts to pharmacologically enhance or restore disturbed Notch signaling for anticancer therapies are less frequent. However, in some cancer types, such as squamous cell carcinomas, preferentially, loss-of-function (LoF) mutations have been confirmed, and restoring but not blocking Notch functions may be beneficial for therapy. The modulation of Notch signaling can be performed at several key levels related to NOTCH receptor expression, translation, posttranslational (proteolytic) processing, glycosylation, transport, and activation. This further includes blocking the interaction with Notch-related nuclear DNA transcription. Examples of small-molecular chemical compounds, that modulate individual elements of Notch signaling at the mentioned levels, have been described in the recent literature.

Benefits of skin application of piceatannol-A minireview

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and has several functions such as barrier against external agents, the maintenance of temperature and homeostatic functions. Skin ageing is a natural process that can be influenced by environmental factors, intrinsic skin factors and lifestyle. UV light plays an important role in skin ageing and can cause spots, requiring the use of depigmenting agents. Nowadays, there is a great demand for ingredients that prevent skin ageing, with natural agents occupying a promising position. Among the natural agents, polyphenols, such as resveratrol and piceatannol, found in grapes, passion fruits and other fruits, have a huge relevance. Great benefits of piceatannol have been reported, so thus, this work focuses specifically on a review of the literature regarding the application of this polyphenol in skin care products. This polyphenol can be used in a wound-healing, or as anti-ageing, antioxidant, anti-acne and skin whitening, among other effects.

Synthesis of Silver Nano Particles Using Myricetin and the In-Vitro Assessment of Anti-Colorectal Cancer Activity: In-Silico Integration

The creation of novel anticancer treatments for a variety of human illnesses, including different malignancies and dangerous microbes, also potentially depends on nanoparticles including silver. Recently, it has been successful to biologically synthesize metal nanoparticles using plant extracts. The natural flavonoid 3,3′, 4′, 5,5′, and 7 hexahydroxyflavon (myricetin) has anticancer properties. There is not much known about the regulatory effects of myricetin on the possible cell fate-determination mechanisms (such as apoptosis/proliferation) in colorectal cancer. Because the majority of investigations related to the anticancer activity of myricetin have dominantly focused on the enhancement of tumor cell uncontrolled growth (i.e., apoptosis). Thus, we have decided to explore the potential myricetin interactors and the associated biological functions by using an in-silico approach. Then, we focused on the main goal of the work which involved the synthesis of silver nanoparticles and the labeling of myricetin with it. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were examined using UV-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. In this study, we have investigated the effects of myricetin on colorectal cancer where numerous techniques were used to show myricetin’s effect on colon cancer cells. Transmission Electron Microscopy was employed to monitor morphological changes. Furthermore, we have combined the results of the colorectal cancer gene expression dataset with those of the myricetin interactors and pathways. Based on the results, we conclude that myricetin is able to efficiently kill human colorectal cancer cell lines. Since, it shares important biological roles and possible route components and this myricetin may be a promising herbal treatment for colorectal cancer as per an in-silico analysis of the TCGA dataset.

Benefits and Implications of Resveratrol Supplementation on Microbiota Modulations: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Resveratrol is a polyphenol that has been shown to possess many applications in different fields of medicine. This systematic review has drawn attention to the axis between resveratrol and human microbiota, which plays a key role in maintaining an adequate immune response that can lead to different diseases when compromised. Resveratrol can also be an asset in new technologies, such as gene therapy. PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched to find papers that matched our topic dating from 1 January 2017 up to 18 January 2022, with English-language restriction using the following Boolean keywords: ("resveratrol" AND "microbio*"). Eighteen studies were included as relevant papers matching the purpose of our investigation. Immune response, prevention of thrombotic complications, microbiota, gene therapy, and bone regeneration were retrieved as the main topics. The analyzed studies mostly involved resveratrol supplementation and its effects on human microbiota by trials in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo. The beneficial activity of resveratrol is evident by analyzing the changes in the host's genetic expression and the gastrointestinal microbial community with its administration. The possibility of identifying individual microbial families may allow to tailor therapeutic plans with targeted polyphenolic diets when associated with microbial dysbiosis, such as inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, degenerative diseases, tumors, obesity, diabetes, bone tissue regeneration, and metabolic syndrome.

Cranberry Polyphenols in Esophageal Cancer Inhibition: New Insights

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is a cancer characterized by rapidly rising incidence and poor survival, resulting in the need for new prevention and treatment options. We utilized two cranberry polyphenol extracts, one proanthocyanidin enriched (C-PAC) and a combination of anthocyanins, flavonoids, and glycosides (AFG) to assess inhibitory mechanisms utilizing premalignant Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and EAC derived cell lines. We employed reverse phase protein arrays (RPPA) and Western blots to examine cancer-associated pathways and specific signaling cascades modulated by C-PAC or AFG. Viability results show that C-PAC is more potent than AFG at inducing cell death in BE and EAC cell lines. Based on the RPPA results, C-PAC significantly modulated 37 and 69 proteins in JH-EsoAd1 (JHAD1) and OE19 EAC cells, respectively. AFG treatment significantly altered 49 proteins in both JHAD1 and OE19 cells. Bioinformatic analysis of RPPA results revealed many previously unidentified pathways as modulated by cranberry polyphenols including NOTCH signaling, immune response, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Collectively, these results provide new insight regarding mechanisms by which cranberry polyphenols exert cancer inhibitory effects targeting EAC, with implications for potential use of cranberry constituents as cancer preventive agents.

Resveratrol attenuates cigarette smoke induced endothelial apoptosis by activating Notch1 signaling mediated autophagy

Background

Increasing evidence shows that endothelial apoptosis contributes to cigarette smoke (CS)-induced disease progression, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Our previous studies have validated Notch1 as an anti-apoptotic signaling in CS-induced endothelial apoptosis. Resveratrol (RESV) is a naturally occurring polyphenol that exhibits an anti-apoptotic activity in endothelial cells that exposed to many kinds of destructive stimulus. However, the effects of resveratrol on Notch1 signaling in CS-induced endothelial apoptosis have not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine whether RESV can protect endothelial cells from CS-induced apoptosis via regulating Notch1 signaling.

Methods

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were pretreated with RESV for 2 h, followed by cotreatment with 2.5%CSE for 24 h to explore the role of RESV in CSE induced endothelial apoptosis. 3-methyladenine (3-MA) or rapamycin was used to alter autophagic levels. Lentivirus Notch1 intracellular domain (LV-N1ICD), γ-secretase inhibitor (DAPT) and Notch1 siRNA were used to change Notch1 expression. The expression of Notch1, autophagic and apoptotic markers were examined by Western blot and the apoptosis rate was detected by Flow cytometry analysis.

Results

Our results showed that activating autophagy reduced CSE-induced endothelial apoptosis, while blocking autophagy promoted cell apoptosis in HUVECs. RESV pretreatment attenuated the CSE-induced endothelial apoptosis and activated Notch1 signaling. RESV pretreatment also increased LC3b-II and Beclin1 production, decreased p62 and mTOR expression. 3-MA treatment inhibited autophagy and aggravated CSE induced apoptosis, while rapamycin promoted autophagy, led to a decrease in cell apoptosis. LV-N1ICD transfection upregulated autophagy and reduced apoptosis. However, this protective effect was abolished by 3-MA treatment. In cells treated with DAPT or Notch1 siRNA, autophagy was decreased, while apoptosis was increased. RESV partly rescued the DAPT or Notch1 siRNA induced apoptosis by activating Notch1 signaling.

Conclusion

In HUVECs, RESV attenuates CSE induced endothelial apoptosis by inducing autophagy in a Notch1-dependent manner.

Indoxyl sulfate impairs angiogenesis via chronic aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a substantial increased risk of cardiovascular disease. There is growing evidence that uremic metabolites, which accumulate in the blood with CKD, have detrimental impacts on endothelial cell health and function. However, the molecular mechanisms by which uremic metabolites negatively impact endothelial cell biology are not fully understood. In this study, activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) via indoxyl sulfate, a known uremic metabolite, was found to impair endothelial cell tube formation and proliferation but not migratory function. Moreover, aortic ring cultures treated with indoxyl sulfate also exhibited decreased sprouting and high AHR activation. Next, genetic knockdown of the AHR using shRNA was found to rescue endothelial cell tube formation, proliferation, and aortic ring sprouting. Similarly, pharmacological AHR antagonism using resveratrol and CH223191 were also found to rescue angiogenesis in cell and aortic ring cultures. Finally, a constitutively active AHR (CAAHR) vector was generated and used to confirm AHR-specific effects. Expression of the CAAHR recapitulated the impaired tube formation and proliferation in cultured endothelial cells and decreased sprouting in aortic ring cultures. Taken together, these data define the impact of AHR activation on angiogenesis and highlight the potential for therapeutic AHR antagonists, which may improve angiogenesis in the context of CKD and cardiovascular disease.

3D printed composite scaffolds with dual small molecule delivery for mandibular bone regeneration

Functional reconstruction of craniomaxillofacial defects is challenging, especially for the patients who suffer from traumatic injury, cranioplasty, and oncologic surgery. Three-dimensional (3D) printing/bioprinting technologies provide a promising tool to fabricate bone tissue engineering constructs with complex architectures and bioactive components. In this study, we implemented multi-material 3D printing to fabricate 3D printed PCL/hydrogel composite scaffolds loaded with dual bioactive small molecules (i.e. resveratrol and strontium ranelate). The incorporated small molecules are expected to target several types of bone cells. We systematically studied the scaffold morphologies and small molecule release profiles. We then investigated the effects of the released small molecules from the drug loaded scaffolds on the behavior and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), monocyte-derived osteoclasts, and endothelial cells. The 3D printed scaffolds, with and without small molecules, were further implanted into a rat model with a critical-sized mandibular bone defect. We found that the bone scaffolds containing the dual small molecules had combinational advantages in enhancing angiogenesis and inhibiting osteoclast activities, and they synergistically promoted MSC osteogenic differentiation. The dual drug loaded scaffolds also significantly promoted in vivo mandibular bone formation after 8 week implantation. This work presents a 3D printing strategy to fabricate engineered bone constructs, which can likely be used as off-the-shelf products to promote craniomaxillofacial regeneration.

Cytotoxic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant Properties and Effects on Cell Migration of Phenolic Compounds of Selected Transylvanian Medicinal Plants

Medicinal plants are widely used in folk medicine but quite often their composition and biological effects are hardly known. Our study aimed to analyze the composition, cytotoxicity, antimicrobial, antioxidant activity and cellular migration effects of Anthyllis vulneraria, Fuchsia magellanica, Fuchsia triphylla and Lysimachia nummularia used in the Romanian ethnomedicine for wounds. Liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to analyze 50% (v/v) ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the plants’ leaves. Antimicrobial activities were estimated with a standard microdilution method. The antioxidant properties were evaluated by validated chemical cell-free and biological cell-based assays. Cytotoxic effects were performed on mouse fibroblasts and human keratinocytes with a plate reader-based method assessing intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP), nucleic acid and protein contents and also by a flow cytometer-based assay detecting apoptotic–necrotic cell populations. Cell migration to cover cell-free areas was visualized by time-lapse phase-contrast microscopy using standard culture inserts. Fuchsia species showed the strongest cytotoxicity and the highest antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. However, their ethanolic extracts facilitated cell migration, most probably due to their various phenolic acid, flavonoid and anthocyanin derivatives. Our data might serve as a basis for further animal experiments to explore the complex action of Fuchsia species in wound healing assays.

The Effect of 3'-Hydroxy-3,4,5,4'-Tetramethoxy -stilbene, the Metabolite of the Resveratrol Analogue DMU-212, on the Motility and Proliferation of Ovarian Cancer Cells

Targeting tumor cell motility and proliferation is an extremely important challenge in the prevention of metastasis and improving the effectiveness of cancer treatment. We recently published data revealing that DMU-214, the metabolite of firmly cytotoxic resveratrol analogue DMU-212, exerted significantly higher biological activity than the parent compound in ovarian cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to assess the molecular mechanism of the potential anti-migration and anti-proliferative effect of DMU-214 in ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3. We showed that DMU-214 reduced the migratory capacity of SKOV-3 cells. The microarray analysis indicated ontology groups of genes involved in processes of negative regulation of cell motility and proliferation. Furthermore, we found DMU-214 triggered changes in expression of several migration- and proliferation-related genes (SMAD7, THBS1, IGFBP3, KLF4, Il6, ILA, SOX4, IL15, SRF, RGCC, GPR56) and proteins (GPR56, RGCC, SRF, SMAD7, THBS1), which have been shown to interact to each other to reduce cell proliferation and motility. Our study showed for the first time that DMU-214 displayed anti-migratory and anti-proliferative activity in SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells. On the basis of whole transcriptome analysis of these cells, we provide new insight into the role of DMU-214 in inhibition of processes related to metastasis.

Lemon Peel Polyphenol Extract Reduces Interleukin-6-Induced Cell Migration, Invasiveness, and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9/2 Expression in Human Gastric Adenocarcinoma MKN-28 and AGS Cell Lines

Among plant polyphenols, lemon peels extract (LPE) from the residues of the industrial processing of lemon (Citrus limon) shows anti-proliferative properties in cancer cells and anticholinesterase activity. In this study, we analyze the anti-cancer properties of LPE on migration and invasiveness in MKN-28 and AGS human gastric cancer cell lines either in the absence or presence of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. We find that the pretreatment with non-cytotoxic concentrations (0.5–1 μg/ml of gallic acid equivalent) of LPE inhibits interleukin-6 (IL-6)-induced cell migration and invasiveness in MKN-28 and AGS cells, as analyzed by wound and matrigel assays. Pretreatment with LPE is able to prevent either IL-6-induced matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-9/2 activity, as assessed by gel zymography, or mRNA and protein MMP-9/2 expression, as evaluated by qPCR and Western blotting analysis, respectively. These LPE effects are associated with an IL-6-dependent STAT3 signaling pathway in MKN-28 and AGS cells. Furthermore, LPE shows acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity when assayed by the Ellman method. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that LPE reduces the invasiveness of gastric MKN-28 and AGS cancer cells through the reduction of IL-6-induced MMP-9/2 up-regulation. Therefore, these data suggest that LPE exerts a protective role against the metastatic process in gastric cancer.