The effects of nodakenin on airway inflammation, hyper-responsiveness and remodeling in a murine model of allergic asthma

Ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and quality control of Peucedanum decursivum (Miq.) Maxim: A critical review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Dried roots of Peucedanum decursivum, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has historically respiratory diseases such as cough, thick phlegm, headache, fever, and gynecological diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Made an endeavor to evaluate the research trajectory of P. decursivum, comprehensively discern its developmental status, and offer a guideline for future investigations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A meticulous search of literatures and books from 1955 to 2024 via databases like PubMed, Web of Science and CNKI was conducted, including topics and keywords of " P. decursivum" "Angelica decursivum" and "Zihua Qianhu".

RESULTS

P. decursivum and its prescriptions have traditionally been used for treating phlegm-heat cough, wind-heat cough, gastrointestinal diseases, pain relief and so on. It contains 234 identified compounds, encompassing coumarins, terpenes, volatile oils, phenolic acids, fatty acids and derivatives. It exhibits diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-asthmatic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effects, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, anti-Alzheimer, and anti-cancer properties, primarily attributed to coumarins. Microscopic identification, HPLC fingerprinting, and bioinformatics identification are the primary methods currently used for the quality control.

CONCLUSION

P. decursivum demonstrates anti-asthmatic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, aligning with its traditional use. However, experimental validation of its efficacy against phlegm and viruses is needed. Additionally, analgesic effects mentioned in historical texts lack modern pharmacological studies. Numerous isolated compounds exhibit highly valuable medicinal properties. Future research can delve into exploring these substances further. Rigorous of heavy metal contamination, particularly Cd and Pb, is necessary. Simultaneously, investigating its pharmacokinetics and toxicity in humans is crucial for the safety.

Protective effects of Angelica decursiva Franchet & Savatier on allergic responses through enhancement of Nrf2 and suppression of NF-kB/MMP-9 in ovalbumin-exposed mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Angelica decursiva Franchet & Savatier is a traditional medicinal plant used to treat asthma, cough, headache, pyrexia and thick phlegm in China, Japan and Korea. A. decursiva contains many types of coumarins, which can exert several pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties for treating various diseases such as pneumonitis, atopic dermatitis, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In this study, we analyzed the components of A. decursiva ethanol extract (ADE) by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and investigated the therapeutic effects of ADE against allergic asthma using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW264.7 cells and an ovalbumin (OVA)-exposed allergic asthma model. To elucidate the mechanism of action of ADE, we examined the protein expression through network pharmacological analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To establish asthma model, the mice were sensitized on day 0 and 14 via intraperitoneal injection of OVA with aluminum hydroxide. The mice were inhaled with OVA using an ultrasonic nebulizer on day 21, 22 and 23. ADE (50 and 100 mg/kg) was administered to mice by oral gave form day 18-23. On day 24, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) was measured using flexivent. On day 25, the mice were sacrificed and collected bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF), serum and lung tissue. In LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cell, nitric oxide and cytokines were measured. Additionally, expression of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor (Nrf2) and suppression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB were detected using double-immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

We detected the five coumarin components which included nodakenin, umbelliferon, (-)-marmesin (=nodakenetin), bergapten, and decursin, in ADE by high performance liquid chromatography. Treatment with ADE decreased the production of nitric oxide, interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells accompanied by the enhanced expression of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor (Nrf2) and suppression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB. In the asthma model, the administration of ADE reduced inflammatory cell count and airway hyperresponsiveness in OVA-exposed animals with decreased levels of IL-4, IL-13, and OVA-specific immunoglobulin E. These results were accompanied by the reduction of pulmonary inflammation and mucus secretion. Furthermore, ADE administration inhibited the expression of NF-κB and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in OVA-exposed animals, which was consistent with the results of network pharmacological analysis.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that ADE effectively attenuated allergic inflammation induced by OVA inhalation through the enhancement of Nrf2 expression and suppression of NF-κB expression. Therefore, ADE may be a potential therapeutic agent for controlling asthma.

Nodakenin alleviates ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis by modulating osteoblastogenesis and osteoclastogenesis

Osteoporosis, a systemic bone disease defined by decreased bone mass and deterioration of bone microarchitecture, is becoming a global concern. Nodakenin (NK) is a furanocoumarin-like compound isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine Radix Angelicae biseratae (RAB). NK has been reported to have various pharmacological activities, but osteoporosis has not been reported to be affected by NK. In this study, we used network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation techniques to identify potential targets and pathways of NK in osteoporosis. We found that NK treatment significantly promoted osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs while activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway by measuring alkaline phosphatase activity and the expression of various osteogenic markers. In contrast, LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K, reversed these changes and inhibited the osteogenic differentiation-enabling effect of NK. Meanwhile, prevent the Akt and NFκB signalling pathways by down-regulating c-Src and TRAF6 thereby effectively inhibiting RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. In addition, oral administration of NK to mice significantly elevated bone mass and ameliorated ovariectomized (OVX)-mediated bone microarchitectural disorders. In conclusion, these data suggest that NK attenuates OVX-induced bone loss by enhancing osteogenesis and inhibiting osteoclastogenesis.

Medicine Targeting Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition to Treat Airway Remodeling and Pulmonary Fibrosis Progression

Objective. Dysregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the airway epithelium is associated with airway remodeling and the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Many treatments have been shown to inhibit airway remodeling and pulmonary fibrosis progression in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by regulating EMT and have few side effects. This review aimed to describe the development of airway remodeling through the EMT pathway, as well as the potential therapeutic targets in these pathways. Furthermore, this study aimed to review the current research on drugs to treat airway remodeling and their effects on the EMT pathway. Findings. The dysregulation of EMT was associated with airway remodeling in various respiratory diseases. The cytokines released during inflammation may induce EMT and subsequent airway remodeling. Various drugs, including herbal formulations, specific herbal compounds, cytokines, amino acid or protein inhibitors, microRNAs, and vitamins, may suppress airway remodeling by inhibiting EMT-related pathways.

Nodakenin represses obesity and its complications via the inhibition of the VLDLR signalling pathway in vivo and in vitro

Objectives

Nodakenin (NK) is a coumarin glucoside that is found in the roots of Angelicae gigas. A limited number of studies have been conducted on the pharmacological activities of NK. Although NK is an important natural resource having anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects, no investigation has been conducted to examine the effects of NK on obesity and obesity‐induced inflammation.

Materials and Methods

The present study investigated the therapeutic effects of NK treatment on obesity and its complications, and its mechanism of action using differentiated 3T3‐L1 adipocytes and high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obese mice. Oil red O staining, western blot assay, qRT‐PCR assay, siRNA transfection, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, H&E staining, immunohistochemistry, molecular docking and immunofluorescence staining were utilized.

Results

Treatment with NK demonstrated anti‐adipogenesis effects via the regulation of adipogenic transcription factors and genes associated with triglyceride synthesis in differentiated 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. Compared with the control group, the group administered NK showed a suppression in weight gain, dyslipidaemia and the development of fatty liver in HFD‐induced obese mice. In addition, NK administration inhibited adipogenic differentiation and obesity‐induced inflammation and oxidative stress via the suppression of the VLDLR and MEK/ERK1/2 pathways. This is the first study that has documented the interaction between NK and VLDLR structure.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate the potential of NK as a natural product‐based therapeutic candidate for the treatment of obesity and its complications by targeting adipogenesis and adipose tissue inflammation‐associated markers.

Nodakenin alleviates renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury via inhibiting reactive oxygen species-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a vital contributor to chronic kidney disease and limited therapeutic options are existed to preserve the renal injury. The research presented here investigated the protective effect of nodakenin against AKI and the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

The effect of nodakenin was investigated in ischaemia reperfusion-induced renal injury (IRI) of AKI mice and hypoxia-treated primary renal tubular cells. Briefly, renal functions including creatinine and urea nitrogen were determined and mechanisms associated inflammation were investigated by the advantage of immunohistochemistry, western blot, RT-PCR and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Deterioration of renal functions including and creatinine, urea nitrogen and tubular necrosis were observed in IRI-AKI model. In contrast, nodakenin strikingly alleviated the deterioration of creatinine, urea nitrogen and tubular necrosis when compared with IRI model. Moreover, nodakenin could significantly inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α both in hypoxia-treated primary renal tubular cells and in AKI model. Mechanistic studies revealed that nodakenin dramatically suppressed the production of reactive oxygen species and subsequent NLPR3 inflammasome activation.

CONCLUSION

In summary, these findings provided a solid evidence base and a new drug option for the treatment of AKI.

Protective effects and active ingredients of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge extracts on airway responsiveness, inflammation and remodeling in mice with ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma

BACKGROUND

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (S. miltiorrhiza), a traditional Chinese medicine, has demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities. However, its effects against asthma that shows chronic inflammation and oxidative damage remain unknown.

PURPOSE

To assess the effects of S. miltiorrhiza extracts on airway responsiveness, inflammation, and remodeling in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic mice.

METHODS

Mice with ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma were treated with S. miltiorrhiza extracts, and airway resistance (R_L) to methacholine, inflammatory cell infiltration, Th1/Th2 cytokine levels, and airway remodeling were assessed. TGF-β1-induced BEAS-2B and MRC-5 cells were used to evaluate the effects of five S. miltiorrhiza compounds on epithelial-mesenchymal transition and fibrosis.

RESULTS

OVA-challenge resulted in remarkably increased R_L, inflammatory cell infiltration, Th1/Th2 cytokine levels in BALF, goblet cell hyperplasia, collagen deposition, and airway wall thickening. Daily treatment with S. miltiorrhiza ethanolic (EE, 246 mg/kg) or water (WE, 156 mg/kg) extract significantly reduced OVA-induced airway inflammatory cell infiltration, Th1/Th2 cytokine amounts, and goblet cells hyperplasia. However, only WE remarkably decreased R_L, collagen deposition, and airway wall thickening. Moreover, Chromatography showed that salvianic acid A and caffeic acid levels were much higher in WE than EE, while rosmarinic acid was slightly lower; salvianolic acid B and tanshinone IIA levels were much higher in EE than WE. Interestingly, caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid were more potent in reducing E-cadherin and vimentin levels in TGF-β1-induced BEAS-2B cells, and α-SMA and COL1A1 amounts in TGF-β1-induced MRC-5 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Both S. miltiorrhiza WE and EE alleviate airway inflammation in mice with OVA-sensitized allergic asthma. S. miltiorrhiza WE is more potent in reducing responsiveness and airway remodeling.

Protective effect of water extract of guibi-tang against pulmonary inflammation induced by cigarette smoke and lipopolysaccharide

Water extract of guibi-tang (GB), a traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Korean herbal medicine, is used to treat memory impairment, insomnia, and peptic ulcers. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of GB on pulmonary inflammation induced by cigarette smoke (CS) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). C57BL/6 mice were used to develop a pulmonary inflammation model by exposing them to CS for 1 h per day for 7 days. LPS was intranasally administered to mice under mild anesthesia on day 5. GB was administered 1 h before CS exposure at doses of 50 or 100 mg/kg for 7 days. Our results showed that GB suppressed the CS and LPS induced elevation in inflammatory cell counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), with significant reductions in protein, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-6 levels. Histological studies revealed that GB decreased the inflammatory cell infiltration into lung tissue caused by CS- and LPS-exposure. GB also significantly decreased the CS and LPS-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the lung tissue. Taken together, GB effectively attenuated airway inflammation caused by CS and LPS. These results indicate that GB is a potential therapeutic herbal formula for pulmonary inflammatory disease.

Determination of the neuropharmacological drug nodakenin in rat plasma and brain tissues by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry: Application to pharmacokinetic studies

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry detection using selected reaction monitoring in positive ionization mode was developed and validated for the quantification of nodakenin in rat plasma and brain. Pareruptorin A was used as internal standard. A single step liquid-liquid extraction was used for plasma and brain sample preparation. The method was validated with respect to selectivity, precision, accuracy, linearity, limit of quantification, recovery, matrix effect and stability. Lower limit of quantification of nodakenin was 2.0 ng/mL in plasma and brain tissue homogenates. Linear calibration curves were obtained over concentration ranges of 2.0-1000 ng/mL in plasma and brain tissue homogenates for nodakenin. Intra-day and inter-day precisions (relative standard deviation, RSD) were <15% in both biological media. This assay was successfully applied to plasma and brain pharmacokinetic studies of nodakenin in rats after intravenous administration.

Reduced allergic lung inflammation by root extracts from two species of Peucedanum through inhibition of Th2 cell activation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL EVIDENCE

Peucedani Radix (PR), the root of Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn (PPD) or Peucedanum decursivum (Miq.) Maxim. (PDM), has long been used in Korea to eliminate sputum, relieve cough, and reduce bronchus contraction. Furthermore, these therapeutic strategies are recognized as general and effective methods in western medicine as well as traditional Korean medicine.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To determine and compare the anti-inflammatory effects of PPD extracts (PPDE) and PDM extracts (PDME) on allergic lung inflammation, using in vivo OVA-induced airway inflammation in mice and in vitro primary cell culture systems.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were placed into four groups (n=4 per group): saline control, OVA-induced allergic lung inflammation with vehicle, or PPDE (200mg/kg) or PDME (200mg/kg) treatment. PR extracts (PRE) were administered from 1 week before 1st OVA sensitization to the day before sacrifice. Mice were sacrificed 18h after last OVA intra-nasal challenge followed by histological and biochemical analyses.

RESULTS

Inflammatory phenotypes were alleviated with oral administration of PRE. PRE treatment decreased mucus production in airway epithelium, inflammatory cell number, eosinophilia, type 2 cytokines, and histamine in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Mice with PRE administration showed diminished activated CD4 T cell (CD4⁺CD25⁺ cell) and GATA-3 level in the lung. In addition, PRE treatment reduced Th2 cell activation in vitro, using Th2 polarization system.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that the anti-inflammatory effects of PRE arise from reduced Th2 cell activation and validate the clinical use of PR in traditional Korean medicine.

Cinnamoyloxy-mammeisin Isolated from Geopropolis Attenuates Inflammatory Process by Inhibiting Cytokine Production: Involvement of MAPK, AP-1, and NF-κB

Chemical compounds belonging to the class of coumarins have promising anti-inflammatory potential. Cinnamoyloxy-mammeisin (CNM) is a 4-phenylcoumarin that can be isolated from Brazilian geopropolis. To our knowledge, its anti-inflammatory activity has never been studied. Therefore, the present study investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of CNM and elucidated its mechanism of action on isolated macrophages. Pretreatment with CNM reduced neutrophil migration into the peritoneal and joint cavity of mice. Likewise, CNM reduced the in vitro and in vivo release of TNF-α and CXCL2/MIP-2. Regarding the possible molecular mechanism of action, CNM reduced the phosphorylation of proteins ERK 1/2, JNK, p38 MAPK, and AP-1 (subunit c-jun) in PG-stimulated macrophages. Pretreatment with CNM also reduced NF-κB activation in RAW 264.7 macrophages stably expressing the NF-κB-luciferase reporter gene. On the other hand, it did not alter IκBα degradation or nuclear translocation of p65. Thus, the results of this study demonstrate promising anti-inflammatory activity of CNM and provide an explanation of its mechanism of action in macrophages via inhibition of MAPK signaling, AP-1, and NF-κB.