Stigmasterol Exerts Neuro-Protective Effect Against Ischemic/Reperfusion Injury Through Reduction Of Oxidative Stress And Inactivation Of Autophagy

Antimicrobial Properties and Therapeutic Potential of Bioactive Compounds in Nigella sativa: A Review

Nigella sativa (N. sativa; Ranunculaceae), commonly referred to as black cumin, is one of the most widely used medicinal plants worldwide, with its seeds having numerous applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries. With the emergence of antibiotic resistance in pathogens as an important health challenge, the need for alternative microbe-inhibitory agents is on the rise, whereby black cumin has gained considerable attention from researchers for its strong antimicrobial characteristics owing to its high content in a wide range of bioactive compounds, including thymoquinone, nigellimine, nigellidine, quercetin, and O-cymene. Particularly, thymoquinone increases the levels of antioxidant enzymes that counter oxidative stress in the liver. Additionally, the essential oil in N. sativa seeds effectively inhibits intestinal parasites and shows moderate activity against some bacteria, including Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Thymoquinone exhibits minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 8-16 μg/mL against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and exhibits MIC 0.25 µg/mL against drug-resistant mycobacteria. Similarly, quercetin shows a MIC of 2 mg/mL against oral pathogens, such as Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Furthermore, endophytic fungi isolated from N. sativa have demonstrated antibacterial activity. Therefore, N. sativa is a valuable medicinal plant with potential for medicinal and food-related applications. In-depth exploration of the corresponding therapeutic potential and scope of industrial application warrants further research.

Network pharmacology-and molecular docking-based investigation of Danggui blood-supplementing decoction in ischaemic stroke

Danggui blood-supplementing decoction (DBsD) is an herbal preparation treating several diseases including stroke. The present study sought to investigate the potential mechanism of DBsD in ischaemic stroke (IS) using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and cell experiment. Based on the protein-protein (PPI) network analysis, MAPK1 (0.51, 12), KNG1 (0.57, 28), and TNF (0.64, 39) were found with relatively good performance in degree and closeness centrality. The functional enrichment analysis revealed that DBsD contributed to IS-related biological processes, molecule function, and presynaptic/postsynaptic cellular components. Pathway enrichment indicated that DBsD might protect IS by modulating multi-signalling pathways including the sphingolipid signalling pathway. Molecular docking verified the stigmasterol-KNG1, bifendate-TNF, and formononetin-MAPK1 pairs. Cell experiments confirmed the involvement of KNG1 and sphingolipid signalling pathway in hippocampal neuronal cell apoptosis. This study showed that DBsD can protect neuronal cell injury after IS through multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways.

Stigmasterol alleviates allergic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma mice through inhibiting substance-P receptor

CONTEXT

Stigmasterol has significant anti-arthritis and anti-inflammatory effects, but its role in immune and inflammatory diseases is still unclear.

OBJECTIVE

The potential advantages of stigmasterol in asthma were explored in IL-13-induced BEAS-2B cells and asthmatic mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The optimal target of stigmasterol was confirmed in asthma. After detecting the cytotoxicity of stigmasterol in BEAS-2B cells, 10 μg/mL and 20 μg/mL stigmasterol were incubated with the BEAS-2B cell model for 48 h, and anti-inflammation and antioxidative stress were verified. Asthmatic mice were induced by OVA and received 100 mg/kg stigmasterol for 7 consecutive days. After 28 days, lung tissues and BAL fluid were collected for the following study. To further verify the role of NK1-R, 0.1 μM WIN62577 (NK1-R specific antagonist), and 1 μM recombinant human NK1-R protein were applied.

RESULTS

NK1-R was the potential target of stigmasterol. When the concentration of stigmasterol is 20 μg/mL, the survival rate of BEAS-2B cells is about 98.4%, which is non-toxic. Stigmasterol exerted anti-inflammation and antioxidant stress in a dose-dependent manner and decreased NK1-R expression in IL-13-induced BEAS-2B. Meanwhile, in vivo assay also indicated the anti-inflammation and antioxidant stress of stigmasterol after OVA challenge. Stigmasterol inhibited inflammation infiltration and mucus hypersecretion, and NK1-R expression.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The protective effect of stigmaterol on asthma and its underlying mechanism have been discussed in depth, providing a theoretical basis and more possibilities for its treatment of asthma.

Recent Advancements in Nanocarrier-assisted Brain Delivery of Phytochemicals Against Neurological Diseases

Despite ongoing advancements in research, the inability of therapeutics to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) makes the treatment of neurological disorders (NDs) a challenging task, offering only partial symptomatic relief. Various adverse effects associated with existing approaches are another significant barrier that prompts the usage of structurally diverse phytochemicals as preventive/therapeutic lead against NDs in preclinical and clinical settings. Despite numerous beneficial properties, phytochemicals suffer from poor pharmacokinetic profile which limits their pharmacological activity and necessitates the utility of nanotechnology for efficient drug delivery. Nanocarriers have been shown to be proficient carriers that can enhance drug delivery, bioavailability, biocompatibility, and stability of phytochemicals. We, thus, conducted a meticulous literature survey using several electronic databases to gather relevant studies in order to provide a comprehensive summary about the use of nanocarriers in delivering phytochemicals as a treatment approach for NDs. Additionally, the review highlights the mechanisms of drug transport of nanocarriers across the BBB and explores their potential future applications in this emerging field.

Exploring the mechanisms under Zuogui Pill's treatment of ischemic stroke through network pharmacology and in vitro experimental verification

Due to its high mortality, incidence and disability rates, ischemic stroke poses heavy economic burdens to families and society. Zuogui Pill (ZGP) is a classic Chinese medicine for tonifying the kidney, which is effective for the recovery of neurological function after ischemic stroke. However, Zuogui Pill has not been evaluated for its potential effects on ischemic strokes. Using network pharmacology, the research aimed to explore the mechanisms of Zuogui Pill on ischemic stroke, which were further validated in SH-SY5Y cells injured by oxygen and glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R). Network analysis of Zuogui Pill identified 86 active ingredients and 107 compound-related targets correlated with ischemic stroke. Additionally, 11 core active compounds were obtained, such as Quercetin, beta sitosterol, and stigmasterol. Most of the compounds have been proven to have pharmacological activities. Based on pathway enrichment studies, Zuogui Pill may exert neuroprotection through MAPK signaling, PI3K-Akt signaling and apoptosis, as well as enhance neurite outgrowth and axonal regeneration effect via mTOR signaling, p53 signaling and Wnt signaling pathways. In vitro experiment, the viability of ischemic neuron treated with Zuogui Pill was increased, and the ability of neurite outgrowth was significantly improved. Western blot assays shown that the pro-neurite outgrowth effect of Zuogui Pill on ischemic stroke may be relate to PTEN/mTOR signal pathway. The results of the study provided new insights into Zuogui Pill's molecular mechanism in treatment of ischemic stroke, as well as clinical references for its use.

Stigmasterol isolated from Azadirachta indica flowers attenuated glutamate-induced neurotoxicity via downregulation of the Cdk5/p35/p25 signaling pathway in the HT-22 cells

BACKGROUND

Glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter, was elevated in the brain of neurodegenerative disease (ND) patients. The excessive glutamate induces Ca²⁺ influx and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production which exacerbates mitochondrial function, leading to mitophagy aberration, and hyperactivates Cdk5/p35/p25 signaling leading to neurotoxicity in ND. Stigmasterol, a phytosterol, has been reported for its neuroprotective effects; however, the underlying mechanism of stigmasterol on restoring glutamate-induced neurotoxicity is not fully investigated.

PURPOSE

We investigated the effect of stigmasterol, a compound isolated from Azadirachta indica (AI) flowers, on ameliorating glutamate-induced neuronal apoptosis in the HT-22 cells.

STUDY DESIGN

To further understand the underlying molecular mechanisms of stigmasterol, we investigated the effect of stigmasterol on Cdk5 expression, which was aberrantly expressed in glutamate-treated cells. Cell viability, Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence are employed.

RESULTS

Stigmasterol significantly inhibited glutamate-induced neuronal cell death via attenuating ROS production, recovering mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and ameliorating mitophagy aberration by decreasing mitochondria/lysosome fusion and the ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I. In addition, stigmasterol treatment downregulated glutamate-induced Cdk5, p35, and p25 expression via enhancement of Cdk5 degradation and Akt phosphorylation. Although stigmasterol demonstrated neuroprotective effects on inhibiting glutamate-induced neurotoxicity, the efficiency of stigmasterol is limited due to its poor water solubility. We conjugated stigmasterol to soluble soybean polysaccharides with chitosan nanoparticles to overcome the limitations. We found that the encapsulated stigmasterol increased water solubility and enhanced the protective effect on attenuating the Cdk5/p35/p25 signaling pathway compared with free stigmasterol.

CONCLUSION

Our findings illustrate the neuroprotective effect and the improved utility of stigmasterol in inhibiting glutamate-induced neurotoxicity.

Exploring the molecular mechanism of Nux Vomica in treating ischemic stroke using network pharmacology and molecular docking methods

BACKGROUND

Nux Vomica (NV) has the effects of dredging collaterals, relieving pain, dispersing knots, and detumescence, and has a verified effect in treating ischemic stroke (IS), but its molecular mechanism for treating IS remains unclear. In this study, network pharmacology and molecular docking methods were adopted to explore the pharmacological mechanism of NV in treating IS.

METHODS

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and the HERB database were searched to screen the active components and targets of NV. IS disease targets were retrieved from the DisGeNET, DrugBank, GeneCards, and Therapeutic Target Database. Venn diagram and intersection targets were obtained from the Venny website. Subsequently, the STRING database was employed to analyze the interrelationship of the intersection targets. Metascape database was used for Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of intersection targets. Furthermore, Cytoscape was employed to plot a drug-component-target network, and other networks, and molecular docking method was adopted to predict the effective components and targets of NV for treating IS.

RESULTS

A total of 14 active compounds and 59 targets of NV were screened, of which 35 targets were related to IS. Stigmasterol, brucine, isobrucine, isostrychnine N-oxide (I), (S)-stylopine, icaride A, and (2R)-5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)chroman-4-one were the main active ingredients, and SLC6A4, NR3C1, SLC6A3, HTR3A, CHRNA7, MAOA, PTGS2, ESR1, catalase (CAT), ADRB2, and AR were the core targets. Molecular docking shows that these compounds bind well to the core targets. In addition, the treatment of IS by NV may mainly involve salivary secretion, serotonergic synapse, calcium signaling pathway, cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that NV exerts its therapeutic effect on IS through multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway, which provides a basis for clinical treatment of IS.

Stigmasterol protects human brain microvessel endothelial cells against ischemia-reperfusion injury through suppressing EPHA2 phosphorylation

Stigmasterol is a plant sterol with anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effect through multiple mechanisms. In this study, we further assessed whether it exerts protective effect on human brain microvessel endothelial cells (HBMECs) against ischemia-reperfusion injury and explored the underlying mechanisms. HBMECs were used to establish an in vitro oxygen and glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) model, while a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of rats were constructed. The interaction between stigmasterol and EPHA2 was detected by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA). The results showed that 10 μmol·L^-1 stigmasterol significantly protected cell viability, alleviated the loss of tight junction proteins and attenuated the blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage induced by OGD/R in thein vitro model. Subsequent molecular docking showed that stigmasterol might interact with EPHA2 at multiple sites, including T692, a critical gatekeep residue of this receptor. Exogenous ephrin-A1 (an EPHA2 ligand) exacerbated OGD/R-induced EPHA2 phosphorylation at S897, facilitated ZO-1/claudin-5 loss, and promoted BBB leakage in vitro, which were significantly attenuated after stigmasterol treatment. The rat MCAO model confirmed these protective effects in vivo. In summary, these findings suggest that stigmasterol protects HBMECs against ischemia-reperfusion injury by maintaining cell viability, reducing the loss of tight junction proteins, and attenuating the BBB damage. These protective effects are at least meditated by its interaction with EPHA2 and inhibitory effect on EPHA2 phosphorylation.

Selected Seeds as Sources of Bioactive Compounds with Diverse Biological Activities

Seeds contain a variety of phytochemicals that exhibit a wide range of biological activities. Plant-derived compounds are often investigated for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, anti-hypercholesterolemic, anti-hypertensive, anti-platelet, anti-apoptotic, anti-nociceptive, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, hepatoprotective, or neuroprotective properties. In this review, we have described the chemical content and biological activity of seeds from eight selected plant species-blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.), black raspberry (Rubus coreanus Miq.), grape (Vitis vinifera L.), Moringa oleifera Lam., sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.), Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis Sprenger), hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), and sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L). This review is based on studies identified in electronic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, and SCOPUS. Numerous preclinical, and some clinical studies have found that extracts, fractions, oil, flour, proteins, polysaccharides, or purified chemical compounds isolated from the seeds of these plants display promising, health-promoting effects, and could be utilized in drug development, or to make nutraceuticals and functional foods. Despite that, many of these properties have been studied only in vitro, and it's unsure if their effects would be relevant in vivo as well, so there is a need for more animal studies and clinical trials that would help determine if they could be applied in disease prevention or treatment.

Brain-targeting, acid-responsive antioxidant nanoparticles for stroke treatment and drug delivery

Stroke is the leading cause of death and disability. Currently, there is no effective pharmacological treatment for this disease, which can be partially attributed to the inability to efficiently deliver therapeutics to the brain. Here we report the development of natural compound-derived nanoparticles (NPs), which function both as a potent therapeutic agent for stroke treatment and as an efficient carrier for drug delivery to the ischemic brain. First, we screened a collection of natural nanomaterials and identified betulinic acid (BA) as one of the most potent antioxidants for stroke treatment. Next, we engineered BA NPs for preferential drug release in acidic ischemic tissue through chemically converting BA to betulinic amine (BAM) and for targeted drug delivery through surface conjugation of AMD3100, a CXCR4 antagonist. The resulting AMD3100-conjugated BAM NPs, or A-BAM NPs, were then assessed as a therapeutic agent for stroke treatment and as a carrier for delivery of NA1, a neuroprotective peptide. We show that intravenous administration of A-BAM NPs effectively improved recovery from stroke and its efficacy was further enhanced when NA1 was encapsulated. Due to their multifunctionality and significant efficacy, we anticipate that A-BAM NPs have the potential to be translated both as a therapeutic agent and as a drug carrier to improve the treatment of stroke.

Health Benefits and Pharmacological Properties of Stigmasterol

Stigmasterol is an unsaturated phytosterol belonging to the class of tetracyclic triterpenes. It is one of the most common plant sterols, found in a variety of natural sources, including vegetable fats or oils from many plants. Currently, stigmasterol has been examined via in vitro and in vivo assays and molecular docking for its various biological activities on different metabolic disorders. The findings indicate potent pharmacological effects such as anticancer, anti-osteoarthritis, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, immunomodulatory, antiparasitic, antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. Indeed, stigmasterol from plants and algae is a promising molecule in the development of drugs for cancer therapy by triggering intracellular signaling pathways in numerous cancers. It acts on the Akt/mTOR and JAK/STAT pathways in ovarian and gastric cancers. In addition, stigmasterol markedly disrupted angiogenesis in human cholangiocarcinoma by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) signaling down-regulation. The association of stigmasterol and sorafenib promoted caspase-3 activity and down-regulated levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in breast cancer. Antioxidant activities ensuring lipid peroxidation and DNA damage lowering conferred to stigmasterol chemoprotective activities in skin cancer. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulation also contributes to the neuroprotective effects of stigmasterol, as well as dopamine depletion and acetylcholinesterase inhibition. The anti-inflammatory properties of phytosterols involve the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, the decrease in inflammatory mediator release, and the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Stigmasterol exerts anti-diabetic effects by reducing fasting glucose, serum insulin levels, and oral glucose tolerance. Other findings showed the antiparasitic activities of this molecule against certain strains of parasites such as Trypanosoma congolense (in vivo) and on promastigotes and amastigotes of the Leishmania major (in vitro). Some stigmasterol-rich plants were able to inhibit Candida albicans, virusei, and tropicalis at low doses. Accordingly, this review outlines key insights into the pharmacological abilities of stigmasterol and the specific mechanisms of action underlying some of these effects. Additionally, further investigation regarding pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology is recommended.

Aquilaria crassna Leaf Extract Ameliorates Glucose-Induced Neurotoxicity In Vitro and Improves Lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans

Hyperglycemia is one of the important causes of neurodegenerative disorders and aging. Aquilaria crassna Pierre ex Lec (AC) has been widely used to relieve various health ailments. However, the neuroprotective and anti-aging effects against high glucose induction have not been investigated. This study aimed to investigate the effects of hexane extract of AC leaves (ACH) in vitro using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and in vivo using nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. SH-SY5Y cells and C. elegans were pre-exposed with high glucose, followed by ACH treatment. To investigate neuroprotective activities, neurite outgrowth and cell cycle progression were determined in SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, C. elegans was used to determine ACH effects on antioxidant activity, longevity, and healthspan. In addition, ACH phytochemicals were analyzed and the possible active compounds were identified using a molecular docking study. ACH exerted neuroprotective effects by inducing neurite outgrowth via upregulating growth-associated protein 43 and teneurin-4 expression and normalizing cell cycle progression through the regulation of cyclin D1 and SIRT1 expression. Furthermore, ACH prolonged lifespan, improved body size, body length, and brood size, and reduced intracellular ROS accumulation in high glucose-induced C. elegans via the activation of gene expression in the DAF-16/FoxO pathway. Finally, phytochemicals of ACH were analyzed and revealed that β-sitosterol and stigmasterol were the possible active constituents in inhibiting insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGFR). The results of this study establish ACH as an alternative medicine to defend against high glucose effects on neurotoxicity and aging.

Chaihujialonggumulitang shows psycho-cardiology therapeutic effect on acute myocardial infarction with comorbid anxiety by the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and suppression of oxidative stress and apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Anxiety is a common comorbidity of cardiovascular diseases, which deteriorated cardiac function. Chaihujialonggumulitang (BFG) was reported to have antioxidant properties, alleviate myocardial ischemia injury and improve anxiety-like behavior. The Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) /heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway is the main mechanism to defend against oxidative stress, and improve cardiac function. This study was to investigate the possible mechanism of BFG in the treatment of psycho-cardiology.

METHODS

AMI with comorbid anxiety rat model was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery combined with uncertain empty bottle stimulation, followed by the administration of BFG (1 mL/100 g/d by gavage) or Dimethyl fumarate (DMF, 10 mg/kg/d by intraperitoneal injection) for 6 days. Echocardiography, myocardial injury markers, H&E, and Masson staining were employed to evaluate cardiac function. Behavioral tests and hippocampus neurotransmitters were applied to record anxiety-like behavior. We employed immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, western blotting, and biochemical analysis to detect the protein and gene expression of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway-related factors, and oxidative stress and apoptosis parameters.

RESULTS

Rats in the AMI and complex groups showed cardiac function deterioration, as well as anxiety-like behavior. BFG improved echocardiography indicators, reduced myocardial injury markers, and attenuated myocardial pathological changes. BFG also ameliorated anxiety-like behaviors and elevated neurotransmitters levels. BFG promoted the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, increased antioxidant enzyme activities, reduced lipid peroxidation levels, and alleviated oxidative damage and apoptosis. DMF showed therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms similar to BFG.

CONCLUSION

BFG may possess a psycho-cardiology therapeutic effect on AMI with comorbid anxiety by the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and suppression of oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Research progress on classical traditional Chinese medicine Taohong Siwu decoction in the treatment of coronary heart disease

The pathogenesis of coronary heart disease is closely related to blood stasis. Taohong Siwu decoction (THSW for short) is one of the most widely used prescriptions for activating blood and removing stasis. Clinical research has confirmed its curative effect on coronary heart disease. However, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, this paper reviewed the clinical efficacy of THSW and determine its effective components based on a comprehensive literature review. Furthermore, the core components and targets of THSW in treating coronary heart disease using molecular docking were verified, and the interaction sites were predicted to construct a theoretical basis for the clinical application of THSW.

Systems Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Reveals the Mechanisms of Nux Vomica for the Prevention of Myasthenia Gravis

Background

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare autoimmune disease with clinical symptoms of fluctuating muscle weakness. Due to the side effects of current therapies, there is an urgent need for a new medication for MG treatment. Nux vomica is a traditional Chinese medicine used in various diseases. However, the mechanism of action of Nux vomica against MG remains unclear.

Methods

Network pharmacology was used to explore the underlying mechanisms of Nux vomica in MG treatment, which was validated using molecular docking and in vivo experiments in mice.

Results

Twelve bioactive compounds and 72 targets in Nux vomica were screened. Seventy-nine myasthenia-related targets were obtained from the GENECARD and DisGeNET databases. PPI networks of Nux vomica- and myasthenia-related targets were constructed using Bisogenet, and these two networks were subsequently merged into an intersection to establish a core-target PPI network that consisted of 204 nodes and 4,668 edges. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that 132 pathways were enriched in 204 core targets. In addition, we obtained 50 docking pairs via molecular docking. In vivo experiments revealed that Nux vomica can improve the symptoms of MG.

Conclusion

Nux vomica is involved in the pathogenesis of MG through the “multicomponent-target-pathway” mechanism.

Phytochemical Characterization, Antioxidant Activity, and Cytotoxicity of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Chlorophytum Comosum (Green Type) (Thunb.) Jacq

Chlorophytum genus has been extensively studied due to its diverse biological activities. We evaluated the methanolic extract of leaves of Chlorophytum comosum (Green type) (Thunb.) Jacques, the species that is less studied compared to C. borivilianum. The aim was to identify phytoconstituents of the methanolic extract of leaves of C. comosum and biological properties of its different fractions. Water fraction was analyzed with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Nineteen compounds belonging to different chemical classes were identified in the methanolic extract of leaves of C. comosum (Green type) (Thunb.) Jacques. In addition to several fatty acids, isoprenoid and steroid compounds were found among the most abundant constituents. One of the identified compounds, 4'-methylphenyl-1C-sulfonyl-β-d-galactoside, was not detected earlier in Chlorophytum extracts. The water fraction was toxic to HeLa cells but not to Vero cells. Our data demonstrate that methanolic extract of leaves of C. comosum can be a valuable source of bioactive constituents. The water fraction of the extract exhibited promising antitumor potential based on a high ratio of HeLa vs. Vero cytotoxicity.

The modulatory role of prime identified compounds in Geophila repens in mitigating scopolamine-induced neurotoxicity in experimental rats of Alzheimer's disease via attenuation of cholinesterase, β-secretase, MAPt levels and inhibition of oxidative stress imparts inflammation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Geophila repens (L.) I.M. Johnst (Rubiaceae) is a small perennial creeper native to India, China, and other countries in Southeast Asia. The hot decoction of leaves is used orally for memory enhancing by the local folk of Andhra Pradesh, India. The ethnomedicinal claim of G. repens as memory enhancer was initially studied by the authors. Results demonstrated the important antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities of isolated molecule Pentylcurcumene and bioactive hydroalcohol extract of leaves of G. repens (GRHA).

AIM OF THE STUDY

Based on the previous findings, additional research is needed to examine the efficacy of GRHA for memory enhancing properties. We therefore investigated the modulatory role of prime identified compounds in GRHA in mitigating scopolamine-induced neurotoxicity in experimental rats of Alzheimer's disease (AD) via attenuation of cholinesterase, β-secretase, MAPt levels and inhibition of oxidative stress imparts inflammation.

METHODS

Scopolamine (3 mg/kg) induced experimental rats of AD were treated with GRHA (300, 400 mg/kg) for 14 days. During the experimental period, elevated T-maze and locomotion-activity were performed to assess learning and memory efficacy of GRHA. At the end of the experiment, biochemical, neurochemical, neuroinflammation and histopathological observation of brain cortex were examined. GC-MS/MS analysis reported 31 compounds, among them 8 bioactive compounds possess antioxidant, neuroinflammation, neuroprotective activities, and were considered for docking analysis towards cholinesterase, β-secretase activities in AD.

RESULTS

GRHA 400 significantly improved learning and memory impairment with the improvement of oxidative stress (MDA, SOD, GSH, CAT), DNA damage (8-OHdG), neurochemical (AChE, BuChE, BACE1, BACE2, MAPt), neuroinflammation (IL-6, TNF-α) markers in neurotoxic rats. Docking studies of 8 compounds demonstrated negative binding energies for cholinesterase and β-secretase indicating high affinity for target enzymes in AD. Test results were corroborated by the improvement of cellular tissue architecture of brain cortex in AD rats.

CONCLUSION

Synergistic action of genistin, quercetin-3-D-galactoside, 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic-acid methyl-ester, phytol, retinal, stigmasterol, n-hexadecanoic acid, β-sitosterol in GRHA restores memory-deficits via attenuation of cholinesterase, β-secretase, MAPt level and inhibition of oxidative-stress imparts inflammation in AD.

Melatonin ameliorates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in diabetic mice by enhancing autophagy via the SIRT1-BMAL1 pathway

Diabetic brains are more vulnerable to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Previous studies have proved that melatonin could protect against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CIR) injury in non-diabetic stroke models; however, its roles and the underlying mechanisms against CIR injury in diabetic mice remain unknown. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice and high-glucose-cultured HT22 cells were exposed to melatonin, with or without administration of the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and the specifically silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) inhibitor EX527, and then subjected to CIR or oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion operation. We found that diabetic mice showed aggravated brain damage, increased apoptosis and oxidative stress, and deficient autophagy following CIR compared with non-diabetic counterparts. Melatonin treatment exhibited improved histological damage, neurological outcomes, and cerebral infarct size. Intriguingly, melatonin markedly increased cell survival, anti-oxidative and anti-apoptosis effects, and significantly enhanced autophagy. However, these effects were largely attenuated by 3-MA or EX527. Additionally, our cellular experiments demonstrated that melatonin increased the SIRT1-BMAL1 pathway-related proteins' expression in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, these results indicate that melatonin treatment can protect against CIR-induced brain damage in diabetic mice, which may be achieved by the autophagy enhancement mediated by the SIRT1-BMAL1 pathway.

Exploring the Potential Mechanism of Shennao Fuyuan Tang for Ischemic Stroke Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

METHODS

Screen the biologically active components and potential targets of SNFYT through Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP), Traditional Chinese Medicines Integrated Database (TCMID), and related literature. In addition, DrugBank, OMIM, DisGeNET, and the Therapeutic Target Database were searched to explore the therapeutic targets of IS. The cross-targets of SNFYT potential targets and IS treatment targets were taken as candidate gene targets, and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed on the candidate targets. On this basis, the SNFYT-component-target network and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were constructed using Cytoscape 3.7.2. Finally, AutoDock was used to verify the molecular docking of core components and core targets.

RESULTS

We screened out 95 potentially active components and 143 candidate targets. SNFYT-component-target network, PPI network, and Cytoscape analysis identified four core active ingredients and 14 core targets. GO enrichment analyzed 2333 biological processes, 79 cell components, and 149 molecular functions. There are 170 KEGG-related signal pathways (P < 0.05), including the IL-17 signal pathway, TNF signal pathway, and HIF-1 signal pathway. The molecular docking results of the core components and the core targets showed good binding power.

CONCLUSIONS

SNFYT may achieve the effect of treating ischemic stroke through its anti-inflammatory effect through a signal pathway with core targets as the core.

Potential benefits of phytochemicals from Azadirachta indica against neurological disorders

Azadirachta indica or Neem has been extensively used in the Indian traditional medical system because of its broad range of medicinal properties. Neem contains many chemically diverse and structurally complex phytochemicals such as limonoids, flavonoids, phenols, catechins, gallic acid, polyphenols, nimbins. These phytochemicals possess vast array of therapeutic activities that include anti-feedant, anti-viral, anti-malarial, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer properties. In recent years, many phytochemicals from Neem have been shown to be beneficial against various neurological disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, mood disorders, ischemic-reperfusion injury. The neuroprotective effects of the phytochemicals from Neem are primarily mediated by their anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities along with their ability to modulate signaling pathways. However, extensive studies are still required to fully understand the molecular mechanisms involved in neuropotective effects of phytochemicals from Neem. This review is an attempt to cover the neuroprotective properties of various phytochemicals from Neem along with their mechanism of action so that the potential of the compounds could be realized to reduce the burden of neurodegenerative diseases.

Stigmasterol Simultaneously Induces Apoptosis and Protective Autophagy by Inhibiting Akt/mTOR Pathway in Gastric Cancer Cells

Background

Stigmasterol (SS) has been proven to possess potential anticancer activities in several cancer cell lines, but its molecular mechanism is still unknown. Thus, we investigated whether SS has the capabilities of inducing autophagy and its molecular mechanisms in gastric cancer cells.

Methods

We used CCK8 assay, clone formation assay, and EdU proliferation assay to assess the effects of SS on cell proliferation in SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells in vitro, and its inhibition on the tumor growth of gastric cancer was observed in vivo. Apoptosis induced by SS was demonstrated using Hoechst and TUNEL staining, annexin V-FITC/PI assay. Immunofluorescence staining is used to detect the formation of autophagosomes triggered by SS. Apoptosis and autophagy related proteins were analyzed by western blot.

Results

The results indicated that SS treatment inhibited cell proliferation in SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells. Furthermore, SS treatment induced apoptosis and autophagy by blocking Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. The pretreatment with the Akt inhibitor MK-2206 could promote apoptosis and autophagy induced by SS, predicting that Akt/mTOR pathway is involved in SS-induced apoptosis and autophagy. In addition, blockade of autophagy with 3-MA (an inhibitor of autophagy) enhanced SS-induced apoptosis in SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells, implying that autophagy mediated by SS plays a cytoprotective role against apoptosis. Finally, an in vivo study demonstrated that tumor growth of gastric cancer was suppressed by SS in a xenograft model.

Conclusion

Our findings illustrate for the first time that SS simultaneously induces apoptosis and protective autophagy by inhibiting Akt/mTOR pathway in gastric cancer cells, and SS may become a potential anticancer drug in treating gastric cancer in the future.

The Anti-apoptosis Effect of Single Electroacupuncture Treatment via Suppressing Neuronal Autophagy in the Acute Stage of Ischemic Stroke Without Infarct Alleviation

The main purpose of the study was to investigate the antiapoptotic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) in the acute stage of ischaemic stroke in rats. The cerebral ischemia model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)/reperfusion in rats. A single EA treatment was performed at the acute stage of ischaemic stroke. The neurological function, brain water content, apoptotic cell number, and cerebral infarct volume were assessed in stroke rats. The expression of autophagy-related proteins (LC3II/I, Beclin1, P62, and LAMP1), Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), p-JNK, p-ERK1/2, and cleaved caspase-3 (CCAS3) were measured by Western blot, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. Rapamycin (RAP, an activator of autophagy) was used to confirm the antiapoptotic effect of EA via regulating autophagy. The brain edema infarct size and apoptotic cell number were increasing within 3 days following stroke, and brain edema reached its peak at 24 h after stroke. EA treatment at 24 h after ischaemic stroke obviously suppressed the number of apoptotic cells and brain edema. However, there were no significant differences in infarct volumes among EA-12 h, EA-24 h, and MCAO/R group. Moreover, EA treatment at 24 h after ischaemic stroke obviously suppressed the expression of CCAS3, LC3II/I, Beclin1 while increasing the level of P62 and LAMP1 and hence mediating autophagy, which was reversed by RAP. Meanwhile, the expression of SIRT1, p-ERK1/2, p-JNK were promoted by EA at 24 h after ischaemic stroke. In conclusion, EA treatment may suppress apoptosis possibly via regulating autophagy in the acute period after ischaemic stroke, hence reducing brain injury.

Abatement of neurobehavioral and neurochemical dysfunctions in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit extract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tetrapleura tetraptera Taub. (family Fabaceae), is generally found in the lowland forest of tropical Africa. Its leaves and fruits are traditionally used in West Africa for the management of brain disorders.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study evaluated the effect of Tetrapleura tetraptera methanol fruit extract (TT) on bilateral common carotid artery occlusion-induced cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in male Wistar rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats pretreated with TT for 7 days before a 30 min bilateral common carotid artery occlusion and reperfusion for 24 h were assessed for neurobehavioural deficits. Cortical, striatal and hippocampal oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory events, electrolyte imbalance and neurochemical dysfunctions, as well as hippocampal histopathological alterations, were also evaluated. HPLC-DAD analysis was performed to identify likely compounds contributing to the bioactivity of the extract.

RESULTS

TT reduced I/R-induced behavioral deficits and ameliorated I/R-induced oxidative stress by restoring reduced glutathione level, increasing catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, and also reducing both lipid peroxidation and xanthine oxidase activity in the brain. TT attenuated I/R-increased myeloperoxidase and lactate dehydrogenase activities as well as disturbances in Na⁺ and K⁺ levels. Alterations elicited by I/R in the activities of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase, complex I, glutamine synthetase, acetylcholinesterase, and dopamine metabolism were abated by TT pretreatment. TT prevented I/R-induced histological changes in the hippocampus. HPLC-DAD analysis revealed the presence of aridanin, a marker compound for Tetrapleura tetraptera, and other phytochemicals.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit has a protective potential against stroke through modulation of redox and electrolyte imbalances, and attenuation of neurotransmitter dysregulation and other neurochemical dysfunctions. Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit could be a promising source for the discovery of bioactives for stroke therapy.

The potential LXRβ agonist stigmasterol protects against hypoxia/reoxygenation injury by modulating mitophagy in primary hippocampal neurons

BACKGROUND

Neuronal excitotoxicity induces a plethora of downstream signaling pathways, resulting in the calcium overload-induced excitotoxic cell death, a well-known phenomenon in cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. The naturally occurring phytosterol, stigmasterol (ST) is known for its potential role in cholesterol homeostasis and neuronal development. However, the ability of ST to protect against the induced excitotoxicity in hippocampal neurons has not been investigated yet.

PURPOSE

The present study aimed to investigate whether ST could protect against hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced excitotoxicity in hippocampal neurons.

METHODS

After H/R, neurons were initially subjected to trypan blue exclusion assay for the assessment of cell viability. Live staining using fluorescence dyes namely JC-1 (5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolyl-carbocyanine iodide), DCFDA (2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate) and FM1-43 (N-(3-triethylammoniumpropyl)-4-(4-(dibutylamino)styryl) were used to measure MMP, ROS and synaptic vesicle pool size. Immunostaining was performed to analyze the expression levels of vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1), N-methyl-D-acetate receptor subunit 2B (GluN2B), LC3BII, p62, and PTEN induced protein kinase 1 (PINK1) in neuron after H/R. Western blotting was carried out to measure the protein expression of GluN2B. The molecular dynamics simulation was employed to elucidate the LXRβ agonistic conformation of ST.

RESULT

Pre-incubation of neuronal cultures with ST (20 μM) protected against excitotoxicity, and attenuated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, double-stranded DNA break, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) loss. ST treatment also resulted in the downregulation of the expressions of VGLUT1 and GluN2B and the reduction of the size of recyclable synaptic vesicle (SV) pool. Like LXRβ agonist GW3695, ST suppressed the expression of GluN2B. Furthermore, ST induced mitophagy through upregulating the expressions of LC3BII, p62, and PINK1. The molecular simulation study showed that ST interacted with the ligand binding domain of liver X receptor β (LXRβ), a known binding receptor of ST, through multiple hydrogen bonding.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, these findings revealed that ST exhibited a promising neuroprotective effect by regulating both pre- and post-synaptic events following H/R, particularly, attenuation of GluN2B-mediated excitotoxicity and oxidative stress, and induction of mitophagy, and suggested that ST might be a therapeutic promise against ischemic stroke and its associated neurological disorders.

Investigating the Multitarget Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescription for Cancer-Related Pain by Using Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Approach

Gu-tong formula (GTF) has achieved good curative effects in the treatment of cancer-related pain. However, its potential mechanisms have not been explored. We used network pharmacology and molecular docking to investigate the molecular mechanism and the effective compounds of the prescription. Through the analysis and research in this paper, we obtained 74 effective compounds and 125 drug-disease intersection targets to construct a network, indicating that quercetin, kaempferol, and β-sitosterol were possibly the most important compounds in GTF. The key targets of GTF for cancer-related pain were Jun proto-oncogene (JUN), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), and RELA proto-oncogene (RELA). 2204 GO entries and 148 pathways were obtained by GO and KEGG enrichment, respectively, which proved that chemokine, MAPK, and transient receptor potential (TRP) channels can be regulated by GTF. The results of molecular docking showed that stigmasterol had strong binding activity with arginine vasopressin receptor 2 (AVPR2) and C-X3-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CX3CL1) and cholesterol was more stable with p38 MAPK, prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), and transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1). In conclusion, the therapeutic effect of GTF on cancer-related pain is based on the comprehensive pharmacological effect of multicomponent, multitarget, and multichannel pathways. This study provides a theoretical basis for further experimental research in the future.

Stigmasterol alleviates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by attenuating inflammation and improving antioxidant defenses in rats

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The paper aimed to investigate the effects of Stigmasterol on inflammatory factors, antioxidant capacity, and apoptotic signaling pathways in brain tissue of rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.

METHODS

The neurological deficits of the rats were analyzed and HE staining was performed. The cerebral infarct volume was calculated by means of TTC staining, and neuronal apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining. At the same time, the contents of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide, and malondialdehyde in brain tissue were measured. The expression of the relevant protein was detected by means of Western blotting.

RESULTS

The results showed that the neurological deficit score and infarct area of the I/R rats in the soy sterol treatment group were significantly lower than those in the I/R group. Moreover, the levels of carbon monoxide and malondialdehyde in the soysterol group were significantly lower than those in the I/R group, and the expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) and NF-κB (p65) in the soysterol group were also significantly lower than those in the I/R group. The expression of Nrf2 (nucleus) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) increased significantly, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes and SOD were increased. In addition, the stigmasterol treatment can inhibit apoptosis, down-regulate Bax and cleaved caspase-3 expression, and up-regulate Bcl-Xl expression.

CONCLUSION

Stigmasterol protects the brain from brain I/R damage by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

Intervention in Neuropsychiatric Disorders by Suppressing Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Signal and Exploration of In Silico Studies for Potential Lead Compounds from Holigarna caustica (Dennst.) Oken leaves

Holigarna caustica (Dennst.), a popular plant used in folk medicine in Bangladesh, is often used by the local folk practitioner to treat a variety of chronic diseases. The present research is an attempt to find out an innovative therapeutic prospect for the management of neuropsychiatric disorders. The methanol extract of H. caustica leaves (MEHC) were utilized on various behavioral tests for assessing anxiolytic, anti-depressant, and anti-inflammatory activities. The antioxidant potentials and quantitative phytochemicals were evaluated through spectrophotometric methods. Results revealed that treatment of MEHC (200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly reduced anxiety like behaviors in mice, particularly, 400 mg/kg efficiently improved % of entries and time spent (p < 0.05) in the open arms in elevated plus maze test, whereas, superior head dipping tendency (p < 0.05) was observed in hole-board test. In contrast, mice treated with 200 mg/kg revealed better anxiolytic effect in both open field and hole-cross tests. During antidepressant evaluation, mice administrated with MEHC exhibited active behaviors (swimming and struggling) in forced swimming and tail suspension tests. In parallel, MEHC manifested a noteworthy (p < 0.001) suppression of inflammatory response induced by histamine. The MEHC also showed strong antioxidant activities in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) (IC50: 57.64 μg/mL) scavenging, H2O2 (IC50: 51.60 μg/mL) scavenging, and ferric reducing power assay. The levels of total phenol, flavonoid, flavonol, condensed tannin, and antioxidant were estimated as higher in MEHC. Moreover, 11 compounds were documented as bioactive, displayed good binding affinities to potassium channel receptor, human serotonin receptor, cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and 2), and xanthine oxidoreductase enzyme targets in molecular docking experiments. Furthermore, ADME/T and Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances (PASS) analyses exposed their drug-likeness, nontoxic upon consumption, and likely pharmacological actions. Overall, the H. caustica is potentially bioactive as evident by in vivo, in vitro, and computational analysis. Our findings support the folkloric value of this plant, which may provide a potential source towards developing drug leads.

Chinese medicine Di-Huang-Yi-Zhi protects PC12 cells from H2O2-induced apoptosis by regulating ROS-ASK1-JNK/p38 MAPK signaling

Background

Oxidative stress mediates the nerve injury during the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Protecting against oxidative stress damage is an important strategy to prevent and treat AD. Di-Huang-Yi-Zhi (DHYZ) is a Chinese medicine used for the treatment of AD, but its mechanism remains unknown. This study is aimed to investigate the effect of DHYZ on H₂O₂ induced oxidative damage in PC12 cells.

Methods

PC12 cells were treated with H₂O₂ and DHYZ. Cell proliferation was detected by Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cytotoxicity of H₂O₂ was measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. Apoptosis were identified by Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. Caspase 3 activity was detected by commercial kit. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was detected by JC-1 staining. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was 2′, 7′-Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) staining. Protein expression and phosphorylation was identified by western blot.

Results

The results showed that DHYZ antagonized H₂O₂-mediated cytotoxicity and proliferation inhibition. DHYZ reduced ROS production, stabilize mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibit Caspase-3 activity and apoptosis induced by H₂O₂. In addition, DHYZ inhibited the phosphorylation of ASK1, JNK1/2/3 and p38 MAPK which were up-regulated by H₂O₂.

Conclusions

The present study suggested that DHYZ protected PC12 cells from H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress damage and was related to inhibition of ROS production and ASK1-JNK/p38 MAPK signaling. The present study provides experimental evidence for the application of DHYZ for the management of oxidative stress damage and AD.