α-Cyperone Attenuates H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in SH-SY5Y Cells via Activation of Nrf2

SWATH-proteomics reveals Mathurameha, a traditional anti-diabetic herbal formula, attenuates high glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction through the EGF/NO/IL-1β regulatory axis

Mathurameha is a traditional Thai herbal formula with a clinically proven effect of blood sugar reduction in patients with diabetes mellitus, but its anti-diabetic complication potential is largely unknown. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of Mathurameha and its underlying mechanisms against high glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction in human endothelial EA.hy926 cells. After confirming no cytotoxic effects, the cells were treated with normal glucose (NG), high glucose (HG), or high glucose plus Mathurameha (HG + M) for 24 h. A quantitative label-free proteomic analysis using the sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra (SWATH-MS) approach identified 24 differentially altered proteins among the three groups: 7 between HG and NG, 9 between HG + M and NG, and 13 between HG + M and HG. Bioinformatic analyses suggested a potential anti-diabetic action through the epidermal growth factor (EGF) pathway. Subsequent functional validations demonstrated that Mathurameha reduced the EGF secretion and the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in high glucose-treated cells. Mathurameha also exhibited a stimulatory effect on nitric oxide (NO) production while significantly reducing the secretion of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in high glucose-treated cells. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that Mathurameha attenuated high glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction through the EGF/NO/IL-1β regulatory axis. SIGNIFICANCE: This study reveals the potential of Mathurameha, a traditional Thai herbal formula, in mitigating high glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction, a common complication in diabetes mellitus. Using proteomics and bioinformatic analyses followed by functional validations, the present study highlights the protective effects of Mathurameha through the EGF/NO/IL-1β regulatory axis. These findings support its potential use as a therapeutic intervention for diabetic vascular complications and provide valuable information for developing more effective anti-diabetic drugs.

Protective Effect of Arzanol against H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress Damage in Differentiated and Undifferentiated SH-SY5Y Cells

Oxidative stress can damage neuronal cells, greatly contributing to neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). In this study, the protective activity of arzanol, a natural prenylated α-pyrone-phloroglucinol heterodimer, was evaluated against the H2O2-induced oxidative damage in trans-retinoic acid-differentiated (neuron-like) human SH-SY5Y cells, widely used as a neuronal cell model of neurological disorders. The pre-incubation (for 2 and 24 h) with arzanol (5, 10, and 25 μM) significantly preserved differentiated SH-SY5Y cells from cytotoxicity (MTT assay) and morphological changes induced by 0.25 and 0.5 mM H2O2. Arzanol reduced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by 2 h oxidation with H2O2 0.5 mM, established by 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assay. The 2 h incubation of differentiated SH-SY5Y cells with H2O2 determined a significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells versus control cells, evaluated by propidium iodide fluorescence assay (red fluorescence) and NucView® 488 assay (green fluorescence). Arzanol pre-treatment (2 h) exerted a noteworthy significant protective effect against apoptosis. In addition, arzanol was tested, for comparison, in undifferentiated SH-SY5Y cells for cytotoxicity and its ability to protect against H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, the PubChem database and freely accessible web tools SwissADME and pkCSM-pharmacokinetics were used to assess the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of arzanol. Our results qualify arzanol as an antioxidant agent with potential neuroprotective effects against neuronal oxidative stress implicated in NDs.

Effects of aqueous extracts and volatile oils prepared from Huaxiang Anshen decoction on p-chlorophenylalanine-induced insomnia mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Insomnia occurs frequently in modern society, and its common symptoms include difficulty in falling asleep and decreased sleep quality and time, memory, and attention. With the advantages of having few side-effects and reduced drug-dependence, a compound traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription called Huaxiang Anshen Decoction (HAD) has been widely used in clinical practice in China mainly for primary insomnia treatment. Although the effects of volatile oils from TCM herbs have been increasingly reported, volatile oils in HAD are conventionally neglected because of its preparation process and clinical usage. Therefore, exploring the anti-insomnia effects of volatile oils from HAD is of great importance.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The sedative and hypnotic effects of the conventional aqueous extracts, the volatile oils from HAD, and their combinations were investigated.

METHODS

The main components in HAD volatile oils (HAD-Oils), were analyzed through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The HAD volatile oil inclusion complex (HAD-OIC) was prepared with β-cyclodextrin, and characterized. P-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) was used to induce insomnia mice model and the test groups of HAD aqueous extract (HAD-AE), HAD-OIC and their combination (AE-OIC). An open field test was used in evaluating the mice's activities, and the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in mice sera, glutamate (Glu) in the hypothalamus, and γ-aminobutyric acid (γ-GABA) and dopamine (DA) in the brain tissues were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

A total 74 components in HAD-Oil were determined by GC/MS, and cyperenone (20.46%) and α-cyperone (10.39%) had the highest relative content. The characterization results of the physical phase showed that volatile oils were successfully encapsulated by β-cyclodextrin and HAD-OIC was produced. The average encapsulation rates of cyperenone and α-cyperone were 79.93% and 71.96%, respectively. The results of pharmacology study showed that all the test groups increased the body weight and decreased voluntary activity when compared with the model group (P < 0.05). The HAD-AE, HAD-OIC, and AE-OIC groups increased the levels of 5-HT in the sera and DA and Glu/γ-GABA in the brains, and AE-OIC groups showed better performance than the other test groups.

CONCLUSIONS

HAD-Oil exerts sedative and hypnotic effects, which are increased when it is used with HAD-AEs. This result provides a favorable experimental evidence that volatile oils should be retained for the further development of HAD.

Pterostilbene induces apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells: Biochemical, pathological, and molecular markers

Worldwide, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered the sixth most prevalent cancer and ranked third in causes leading to death. Pterostilbene (PTE), a dimethylated analog of resveratrol, is a phytochemical found in fruits such as blueberries and grapes, and is known for its anticancer effect. The current study intended to investigate the effect of PTE on HepG2 cells. Cell viability, colony-forming potential, lipid peroxidation, catalase enzyme (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and caspase 3 activities, histone release, and expression levels of mTOR, S6K1, p53, and STAT3 proteins were assessed in PTE-treated HepG2 cells. In addition, the cellular and ultrastructural alterations were evaluated by light and transmission electron microscopy. PTE induced a significant reduction in HepG2 viability in a dose-dependent manner (IC₅₀ of PTE = 74 ± 6 μM), accompanied by a decrease in colony formation potential. PTE-treated cancer cells exhibited a decrease in lipid peroxidation and CAT activity, and an increase in histone release, caspase-3, and SOD activities. Ultrastructurally, PTE-treated cells exhibited notable cell shrinkage, reduced number of filopodia, increased vacuolization, apoptotic bodies, accumulation of lipid droplets, enlarged mitochondria, dilated endoplasmic reticulum, pyknotic nuclei, and cellular fragmentation. mTOR, S6K1, and STAT3 levels were downregulated, however p53 level was modulated in PTE-treated cells. The anticancer potential of PTE might be related to its ability to alter the ultrastructure morphology, reduce mitotic activity, and modulate some key protein required for cell proliferation, suggesting its potential to trigger cancer cells towards apoptosis.

Scrophularia buergeriana Extract (Brainon) Attenuates Neuroinflammation in BV-2 Microglia Cells and Promotes Neuroprotection in SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells

Microglia-induced neuroinflammation is one of the causative factors in cognitive dysfunction and neurodegenerative disorders. Our previous studies have revealed several benefits of Scrophularia buergeriana extract (Brainon^®) in the central nervous system, but the underlying mechanism of action has not been elucidated. This study is purposed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective mechanisms of Brainon in the BV-2 condition SH-SY5Y model. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV-2 conditioned media (CM) were used to treat SH-SY5Y cells to investigate neuroprotective effects of the extract against microglial cytotoxicity. Results demonstrated that pretreated Brainon decreased nitric oxide release, the inducible nitric oxide synthase expression level, and expression of cytokines like interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α by blocking expression of TLR4/MyD88 and NLRP3 and suppressing nuclear factor κB/AP-1 and p38/JNK signaling pathways in LPS-induced BV-2 cells. In addition, when SH-SY5Y cells were treated with CM, pretreatment with Brainon increased neuronal viability by upregulating expression of antioxidant proteins like as SODs and Gpx-1. Increased autophagy and mitophagy-associated proteins also provide important clues for SH-SY5Y to prevent apoptosis by Brainon. Brainon also modulated mTOR/AMPK signaling to clear misfolded proteins or damaged mitochondria via auto/mitophagy to protect SH-SY5Y cells from CM. Taken together, these results indicate that Brainon could reduce inflammatory mediators secreted from BV-2 cells and prevent apoptosis by increasing antioxidant and auto/mitophagy mechanisms by regulating mTOR/AMPK signaling in SH-SY5Y cells. Therefore, Brainon has the potential to be developed as a natural product in a brain health functional food to inhibit cognitive decline and neuronal death.

Cofilin Inhibitor Protects against Traumatic Brain Injury-Induced Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation

Microglial activation and failure of the antioxidant defense mechanisms are major hallmarks in different brain injuries, particularly traumatic brain injury (TBI). Cofilin is a cytoskeleton-associated protein involved in actin binding and severing. In our previous studies, we identified the putative role of cofilin in mediating microglial activation and apoptosis in ischemic and hemorrhagic conditions. Others have highlighted the involvement of cofilin in ROS production and the resultant neuronal death; however, more studies are needed to delineate the role of cofilin in oxidative stress conditions. The present study aims to investigate the cellular and molecular effects of cofilin in TBI using both in vitro and in vivo models as well as the first-in-class small-molecule cofilin inhibitor (CI). An in vitro H2O2-induced oxidative stress model was used in two different types of cells, human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) and microglia (HMC3), along with an in vivo controlled cortical impact model of TBI. Our results show that treatment with H2O2 increases the expression of cofilin and slingshot-1 (SSH-1), an upstream regulator of cofilin, in microglial cells, which was significantly reduced in the CI-treated group. Cofilin inhibition significantly attenuated H2O2-induced microglial activation by reducing the release of proinflammatory mediators. Furthermore, we demonstrate that CI protects against H2O2-induced ROS accumulation and neuronal cytotoxicity, activates the AKT signaling pathway by increasing its phosphorylation, and modulates mitochondrial-related apoptogenic factors. The expression of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its associated antioxidant enzymes were also increased in CI-treated SY-SY5Y. In the mice model of TBI, CI significantly activated the Nrf2 and reduced the expression of oxidative/nitrosative stress markers at the protein and gene levels. Together, our data suggest that cofilin inhibition provides a neuroprotective effect in in vitro and in vivo TBI mice models by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, the pivotal mechanisms involved in TBI-induced brain damage.

Understanding the involvement of innate immunity and the Nrf2-NLRP3 axis on mitochondrial health in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD), a multifactorial movement disorder, is interlinked with numerous molecular pathways, including neuroinflammation, which is a critical factor in the development and progression of PD. Microglia play a central role in driving neuroinflammation through activation and overexpression of the M1 phenotype, which has a significant impact on mitochondria. Multiple regulators converge together, and among these, the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes have been implicated in transmitting inflammatory and deleterious components to the mitochondria. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) regulates the NLRP3 inflammasome and acts as the saviour of the mitochondria. Together, the NLRP3-Nrf2 axis functions in regulating mitochondrial function in the case of PD. It regulates fundamental processes such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial respiratory function, and mitochondrial dynamics. In this review, we discuss the contributions that a variety of miRNAs make to the regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and Nrf2, which can be used to target this important axis and contribute to the preservation of mitochondrial integrity. This axis may prove to be a crucial target for extending the lives of Parkinson's patients by deferring neuroinflammatory damage to mitochondria.

α-Cyperone protects dopaminergic neurons and inhibits neuroinflammation in LPS-induced Parkinson's disease rat model via activating Nrf2/HO-1 and suppressing NF-κB signaling pathway

Our previous study showed that α-Cyperone inhibited the inflammatory response triggered by activated microglia and protected dopaminergic neuron in in vitro cell model of Parkinson's disease (PD). It is unclear the effect of α-Cyperone in animal models of PD. In this study, our results indicated that α-Cyperone ameliorated motor dysfunction, protected dopaminergic neurons, and inhibited the reduction of dopamine and its metabolites in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced PD rat model. Moreover, α-Cyperone suppressed the activation of microglia and the expression of neuroinflammatory factor (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, iNOS, COX-2 and ROS). Furthermore, the molecular mechanism research revealed that α-Cyperone inhibited neuroinflammation and oxidative stress to exert protective effect in microglia by activating Nrf2/HO-1 and suppressing NF-κB signaling pathway. Moreover, α-Cyperone upregulated the expression of antioxidant enzymes (GCLC, GCLM and NQO1) in microglia. In conclusion, our study demonstrates α-Cyperone alleviates dopaminergic neurodegeneration by inhibiting neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in LPS-induced PD rat model via activating Nrf2/HO-1 and suppressing NF-κB signaling pathway.

α-Cyperone ameliorates depression in mammary gland hyperplasia and chronic unpredictable mild stress rat by regulating hormone, inflammation, and oxidative stress

BACKGROUND

Hyperplasia of mammary gland (HMG) is caused by endocrine disorders, and patients are prone to anxiety and depression. α-Cyperone has a variety of pharmacological activities including antidepressant. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect and its possible mechanism of α-Cyperone on HMG-associated depression rats.

METHODS

The depression model was constructed using chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), while the HMG model was induced by estrogen, with or without α-Cyperone intervention. The effect of α-Cyperone on the depression-like phenotype of model rats was measured by sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swim test (FST), and open field test (OFT). Dendritic spines density in ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) neurons was evaluated by Golgi staining. The second pair of nipple height, diameter, organ index, and oxidative stress-related factors were analyzed. Serum sex hormone concentration, histopathological changes, inflammatory factor expression, and p65 were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, real-time quantitative PCR and western blot, respectively.

RESULTS

The sucrose preference rate, dendritic spine density decreased, and immobility time increased in CUMS rats; α-Cyperone reversed the effect of CUMS on depression-like behavior and dendritic spine density in rats. α-Cyperone reduced nipple height and diameter, uterine index, estradiol concentration, increased ovary, thymus, spleen index, progesterone, and testosterone concentration, relieved pathological damage, oxidative stress, depression-like behavior, and inflammatory reaction in HMG combine CUMS rats. In addition, α-Cyperone inhibited the phosphorylation of p65 in HMG and CUMS rats.

CONCLUSIONS

α-Cyperone has an effective therapeutic effect on HMG combined with CUMS rats.

Soy yogurt using Lactobacillus plantarum 200655 and fructooligosaccharides: neuroprotective effects against oxidative stress

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum 200655 and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on soymilk fermentation and the neuroprotective effects of fermented soymilk (FS). The addition of FOS did not affect the physicochemical properties during fermentation. It helped that L. plantarum 200655 survive for 21 days of storage at 4 °C. FOS increased the β-glucosidase activity of L. plantarum 200655, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activities, such as radical scavenging and reducing power of FS. In addition, FS with FOS exerted neuroprotective effects in SH-SY5Y cells against H2O2-induced oxidative stress. FS with 3% and 5% FOS (FS3 and FS5) significantly increased cell viability and gene expression of neuronal markers, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor and tyrosine hydroxylase. Moreover, FS3 and FS5 significantly reduced lactate dehydrogenase release and the gene expression of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, caspase-9, and caspase-3. These results indicated that FS3 and FS5, with enhanced antioxidant properties, could protect SH-SY5Y cells against H2O2-induced damage. Therefore, soymilk fermented with L. plantarum 200655 and FOS can be used as a prophylactic functional food with neuroprotective effects against oxidative stress.

α-Cyperone Ameliorates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation and Apoptosis of Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells via Blocking the Toll-Like Receptor 4/NF-κB Signaling

Periodontitis is a long-lasting inflammatory microbial sickness that could cause damage to the periodontal ligament, gums, cementum and alveolar bone directly. Cyperus rotundus is a common traditional Chinese medicine clinically with many pharmacological activities, α-Cyperone is a bioactive ingredient abundant in Cyperus rotundus, few studies have focused on its anti-fungal and anti-oxidative stress activities in mice, during this research, we firstly investigated the impact of α-Cyperone on PDLSCs inflammatory by LPS stimulation. Our findings illustrated that α-Cyperone exerted no influence on PDLSCs viability at concentrations lower than 60 μM, and the release of inflammatory cytokines decreased with an increase in LPS concentration. Meanwhile, we found that α-Cyperone effectively restrained LPS-induced PDLSC cell apoptosis by CCK-8 cell viability assay and TUNEL-positive staining. Furthermore, the TLR4 expression and NF-κB kinase activation were greatly repressed by α-Cyperone treatment in LPS-induced PDLSCs inflammatory model. Subsequently, enhanced TLR4 expression was observed to reverse the suppressed release of inflammatory cytokines and decreased apoptosis effects mediated by α-Cyperone in LPS-cotreated PDLSCs, indicating that the deactivation of TLR4 and downstream NF-κB were implicated in favoring α-Cyperone-triggered protective effects of LPS in PDLSCs.

Multi-Target Mechanisms of Phytochemicals in Alzheimer’s Disease: Effects on Oxidative Stress, Neuroinflammation and Protein Aggregation

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a tangle-shaped accumulation of beta-amyloid peptide fragments and Tau protein in brain neurons. The pathophysiological mechanism involves the presence of Aβ-amyloid peptide, Tau protein, oxidative stress, and an exacerbated neuro-inflammatory response. This review aims to offer an updated compendium of the most recent and promising advances in AD treatment through the administration of phytochemicals. The literature survey was carried out by electronic search in the following specialized databases PubMed/Medline, Embase, TRIP database, Google Scholar, Wiley, and Web of Science regarding published works that included molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways targeted by phytochemicals in various experimental models of Alzheimer’s disease in vitro and in vivo. The results of the studies showed that the use of phytochemicals against AD has gained relevance due to their antioxidant, anti-neuroinflammatory, anti-amyloid, and anti-hyperphosphorylation properties of Tau protein. Some bioactive compounds from plants have been shown to have the ability to prevent and stop the progression of Alzheimer’s.

α-Cyperone Protects Cardiomyocytes against Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress by Akt/FOXO3a/NF-κB Pathway

Objective. This study is aimed at investigating the mechanism of α-cyperone in oxygen and glucose deprivation- (OGD-) induced myocardial injury. Methods. Cardiomyocytes were exposed to OGD and then treated with α-cyperone. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry were performed to determine cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. The expression of inflammatory factors was monitored by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The profiles of apoptosis-related proteins, inflammatory proteins, and the Akt/FOXO3a/NF-κB pathway were determined by western blot. The phosphorylation of Akt, FOXO3a, and NF-κB was determined by immunofluorescence assay. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the malondialdehyde (MDA) content were gauged by the colorimetric method, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content was measured. Results. α-Cyperone hindered OGD-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. OGD activated the FOXO3a/NF-κB pathway and hampered the Akt phosphorylation. α-cyperone reversed OGD-mediated FOXO3a/NF-κB pathway activation. Treatment with MK-2206 abated the protective effect of α-cyperone against OGD-induced myocardial injury. The addition of α-cyperone to cardiomyocytes following Bay11-7082 treatment had no conspicuous effect on the viability and apoptosis. Conclusions. α-Cyperone protected cardiomyocytes against OGD-induced inflammation and oxidative stress via the Akt/FOXO3a/NF-κB axis.

The potential applications of traditional Chinese medicine in Parkinson's disease: A new opportunity

Parkinson's disease (PD) presents a common challenge for people all over the world and has become a major research hotspot due to the large population affected by the illness and the difficulty of clinical treatment. The prevalence of PD is increasing every year, the pathogenesis is complex, and the current treatment is ineffective. Therefore, it has become imperative to find effective drugs for PD. With the advantages of low cost, high safety and high biological activity, Chinese medicine has great advantages in the prevention and treatment of PD. This review systematically summarizes the potential of Chinese medicine for the treatment of PD, showing that Chinese medicine can exert anti-PD effects through various pathways, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pathways, reducing mitochondrial dysfunction, inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress and iron death, and regulating intestinal flora. These mainly involve HMGB1/TLR4, PI3K/Akt, NLRP3/ caspase-1/IL-1β, Nrf2/HO-1, SIRT1/Akt1, PINK1/parkin, Bcl-2/Bax, BDNF-TrkB and other signaling pathways. In sum, based on modern phytochemistry, pharmacology and genomic proteomics, Chinese medicine is likely to be a potential candidate for PD treatment, which requires more clinical trials to further elucidate its importance in the treatment of PD.

Eugenol-Preconditioned Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Promote Antioxidant Capacity of Tendon Stem Cells In Vitro and In Vivo

Tendon stem cells (TSCs) are often exposed to oxidative stress at tendon injury sites, which impairs their physiological effect as well as therapeutic application. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were shown to mediate cell protection and survival under stress conditions. The function of BMSC-EVs may be affected by pretreatment with various factors such as eugenol (EUG)—a powerful antioxidant. In our previous study, we found that H₂O₂ significantly impaired TSC proliferation and tenogenic differentiation capabilities. Apoptosis and intracellular ROS accumulation in TSCs were induced by H₂O₂. However, such H₂O₂-induced damage was prevented by treatment with EUG-BMSC-EVs. Furthermore, EUG-BMSC-EVs activated the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway to counteract H₂O₂-induced damage in TSCs. In a rat patellar tendon injury model, the ROS level was significantly higher than that in the normal tendon and TSCs not pretreated showed a poor therapeutic effect. However, EUG-BMSC-EV-pretreated TSCs significantly improved tenogenesis and matrix regeneration during tendon healing. Additionally, the EUG-BMSC-EV group had a significantly improved fiber arrangement. Overall, EUG-BMSC-EVs protected TSCs against oxidative stress and enhanced their functions in tendon injury. These findings provide a basis for potential clinical use of EUG-BMSC-EVs as a new therapeutic vehicle to facilitate TSC therapies for tendon regeneration.

Acacia catechu Willd. Extract Protects Neuronal Cells from Oxidative Stress-Induced Damage

Oxidative stress (OS) and the resulting reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and inflammation play a pivotal role in the neuronal loss occurring during the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, promising future drugs that would prevent or slow down the progression of neurodegeneration should possess potent radical-scavenging activity. Acacia catechu Willd. heartwood extract (AC), already characterized for its high catechin content, is endowed with antioxidant properties. The aim of the present study was to assess AC neuroprotection in both human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and rat brain slices treated with hydrogen peroxide. In SH-SY5Y cells, AC prevented a decrease in viability, as well as an increase in sub-diploid-, DAPI positive cells, reduced ROS formation, and recovered the mitochondrial potential and caspase-3 activation. AC related neuroprotective effects also occurred in rat brain slices as a reversal prevention in the expression of the main proteins involved in apoptosis and signalling pathways related to calcium homeostasis following OS-mediated injury. Additionally, unbiased quantitative mass spectrometry allowed for assessing that AC partially prevented the hydrogen peroxide-induced altered proteome, including proteins belonging to the synaptic vesicle fusion apparatus. In conclusion, the present results suggest the possibility of AC as a nutraceutical useful in preventing neurodegenerative diseases.

Preparation of chitosan nanoparticles as Ginkgo Biloba extract carrier: In vitro neuroprotective effect on oxidative stress-induced human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y)

Ginkgo biloba (Gb) is an ancient Chinese tree cultivated for its health-promoting properties. Moreover, Gb extract has a therapeutic effect, especially on neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, Gb extract-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (Gb-CsNPs) were synthesized by ionic gelation method. Size and zeta potential of the nanoparticles were analyzed and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (FT-IR) were performed. Besides, encapsulation efficacy and loading capacity were calculated, and in vitro release, and cellular uptake studies were carried out. The biocompatibility of Gb-CsNPs was demonstrated and their neuroprotective activity was investigated on oxidative stress-induced SH-SY5Y cells. Apoptotic cells were monitored by DAPI, and cell migration was examined by in vitro scratch assay. Results showed that Gb-CsNPs had an average size of 104.4 nm, their zeta potential and polydispersity index (PDI) values were 29.3 mV, and 0.09 respectively. Encapsulation efficacy and loading capacity were found as 97.4% and 40%, respectively. It has been revealed that Gb-CsNPs were biocompatible and showed neuroprotective activity by increasing cell viability from 60% to 92.3%. Consequently, neuroprotective effect of the Gb extract was increased by chitosan encapsulation. This formulation is a candidate to be used as a food supplement after being supported by future in vivo studies.

Protective Effect of Chitosan Oligosaccharide against Hydrogen Peroxide-Mediated Oxidative Damage and Cell Apoptosis via Activating Nrf2/ARE Signaling Pathway

Chitosan oligosaccharide (COS), hydrolyzed and deacetylated from chitosan, has been reported to possess varieties of biological activities. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline and memory loss, where oxidative stress was reported to be an overwhelming cause of the occurrence of AD. We have previously reported that COS could significantly decrease cell death, ROS generation, and lipid peroxidation, though the potential mechanism was yet to be determined. This study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of COS against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in neuronal SH-SY5Y cells. Our results indicated that COS could dose-dependently scavenge H2O2 in the cell-free systems. Accordingly, COS markedly decreased H2O2-induced cell apoptosis and intracellular ROS generation, while increased antioxidant capacity in SH-SY5Y cells. Further, COS significantly reduced the expression of Bax and upregulated Bcl-2. The mRNA and protein expression levels of nuclear Nrf2, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) were significantly increased upon COS treatment. Moreover, Nrf2-siRNA evidently reversed the promotive effect of COS on expression levels of HO-1 and NQO1, and ARE-driven transcriptional activity as determined by double-luciferase reporter gene assay. Besides, COS reversed H2O2-mediated increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK. In conclusion, our findings indicate that COS could protect SH-SY5Y cells from oxidative damage and apoptosis via regulating Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway, which may provide new applications for the prevention and treatment of AD.

Neuroprotective Effect of Cyclo-(L-Pro-L-Phe) Isolated from the Jellyfish-Derived Fungus Aspergillus flavus

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) expression has been implicated in pathological states such as cancer, inflammation, diabetes, and neurodegeneration. We isolated natural PPAR agonists—eight 2,5-diketopiperazines—from the jellyfish-derived fungus Aspergillus flavus. Cyclo-(L-Pro-L-Phe) was the most potent PPAR-γ activator among the eight 2,5-DKPs identified. Cyclo-(L-Pro-L-Phe) activated PPAR-γ in Ac2F rat liver cells and SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. The neuroprotective effect of this partial PPAR-γ agonist was examined using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, lactate dehydrogenase release, and the Hoechst 33342 staining assay in SH-SY5Y cells. Our findings revealed that cyclo-(L-Pro-L-Phe) reduced hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis as well as the generation of reactive oxygen species. Rhodamine 123 staining and western blotting revealed that cyclo-(L-Pro-L-Phe) prevented the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibited the activation of mitochondria-related apoptotic proteins, such as caspase 3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Moreover, cyclo-(L-Pro-L-Phe) inhibited the activation and translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B. Thus, the partial PPAR-γ agonist cyclo-(L-Pro-L-Phe) demonstrated potential neuroprotective activity against oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration in SH-SY5Y cells.

Biochanin A protects SH-SY5Y cells against isoflurane-induced neurotoxicity by suppressing oxidative stress and apoptosis

Biochanin A (BCA) is a natural organic O-methylated isoflavone with a variety of pharmacological effects, and has been reported to have neuroprotective properties. Here, we explored whether BCA protects neurocytes against isoflurane-induced neurotoxicity and investigated the underlying mechanism. Cell viability was tested by cell counting kit-8 and lactate dehydrogenase release assays. Apoptosis was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and caspase-3/7 activity assays. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and levels of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured to assess oxidative stress. Expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) was determined by western blotting. Treatment with BCA significantly attenuated the reduction of cell viability induced by isoflurane in SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, BCA treatment reversed isoflurane-induced SOD and CAT activity reduction, GSH level decline and MDA level increase. Isoflurane-induced apoptosis was also attenuated by treatment with BCA. The increase in nuclear Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 expression induced by isoflurane was amplified by treatment with BCA. These inhibitory effects of BCA on isoflurane-induced oxidative stress, viability reduction and cell apoptosis were attenuated in Nrf2 knockdown SH-SY5Y cells. Our findings indicate that BCA protects SH-SY5Y cells against isoflurane-induced neurotoxicity via inducing the Nrf2/ARE pathway.

Pharmacological relevance of CDK inhibitors in Alzheimer's disease

Evidence suggests that cell cycle activation plays a role in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, terminal neurodegenerative disease that affects memory and other important mental functions. Intracellular deposition of Tau protein, a hyperphosphorylated form of a microtubule-associated protein, and extracellular aggregation of Amyloid β protein, which manifests as neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) and senile plaques, respectively, characterize this condition. In recent years, however, several studies have concluded that cell cycle re-entry is one of the key causes of neuronal death in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. The eukaryotic cell cycle is well-coordinated machinery that performs critical functions in cell replenishment, such as DNA replication, cell creation, repair, and the birth of new daughter cells from the mother cell. The complex interplay between the levels of various cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) at different checkpoints is needed for cell cycle synchronization. CDKIs (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors) prevent cyclin degradation and CDK inactivation. Different external and internal factors regulate them differently, and they have different tissue expression and developmental functions. The checkpoints ensure that the previous step is completed correctly before starting the new cell cycle phase, and they protect against the transfer of defects to the daughter cells. Due to the development of more selective and potent ATP-competitive CDK inhibitors, CDK inhibitors appear to be on the verge of having a clinical impact. This avenue is likely to yield new and effective medicines for the treatment of cancer and other neurodegenerative diseases. These new methods for recognizing CDK inhibitors may be used to create non-ATP-competitive agents that target CDK4, CDK5, and other CDKs that have been recognized as important therapeutic targets in Alzheimer's disease treatment.

Protective effect of myricetin on LPS-induced mastitis in mice through ERK1/2 and p38 protein author

The inflammatory reaction of mammary gland tissue in dairy cattle leads to the occurrence of mastitis disease and causes huge economic loss. Myricetin (Myr), a flavonoid natural product, is extracted from the root, stem, and leaves of Myrica rubra. It has a wide range of biological activities, such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor. The purpose of this experiment is to further explore the effect of Myr on mastitis and further explore its potential mechanism in LPS-induced mice mastitis model and LPS-induced mice mammary epithelial cells (mMECs). The results showed that Myr could significantly inhibit the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the mammary gland of mice. Furthermore, the results of mechanism studies show that Myr can significantly inhibit P38 and ERK1/2 protein phosphorylation levels in mice mammary tissue, and this result has been further verified at the cellular level. These results confirm that Myr can significantly inhibit mammary inflammation, and its potential mechanism is to play a protective role by inhibiting the phosphorylation level of P38 and ERK1/2 protein.

Neuroprotective Effect of 3-[(4-Chlorophenyl)selanyl]-1-methyl-1H-indole on Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress in SH-SY5Y Cells

Extensive data have reported the involvement of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders, prompting the pursuit of antioxidant molecules that could become adjuvant pharmacological agents for the management of oxidative stress-associated disorders. The 3-[(4-chlorophenyl)selanyl]-1-methyl-1H-indole (CMI) has been reported as an antioxidant and immunomodulatory compound that improves depression-like behavior and cognitive impairment in mice. However, the exact effect of CMI on specific brain cells is yet to be studied. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of CMI in H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress on human dopaminergic neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) and to shed some light into its possible mechanism of action. Our results demonstrated that the treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with 4 µM CMI protected them against H₂O₂ (343 μM)-induced oxidative stress. Specifically, CMI prevented the increased number of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-positive cells induced by H₂O₂ exposure. Furthermore, CMI treatment increased the levels of reduced glutathione in SH-SY5Y cells. Molecular docking studies demonstrated that CMI might interact with enzymes involved in glutathione metabolism (i.e., glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase) and H₂O₂ scavenging (i.e., catalase). In silico pharmacokinetics analysis predicted that CMI might be well absorbed, metabolized, and excreted, and able to cross the blood-brain barrier. Also, CMI was not considered toxic overall. Taken together, our results suggest that CMI protects dopaminergic neurons from H₂O₂-induced stress by lowering ROS levels and boosting the glutathione system. These results will facilitate the clinical application of CMI to treat nervous system diseases associated with oxidative stress.

Anticapsular and Antifungal Activity of α-Cyperone

Fungal infections affect 300 million people and cause 1.5 million deaths globally per year. With the number of immunosuppressed patients increasing steadily, there is an increasing number of patients infected with opportunistic fungal infections such as infections caused by the species of Candida and Cryptococcus. In fact, the drug-resistant Can. krusei and the emerging pan-antifungal resistant Can. auris pose a serious threat to human health as the existing limited antifungals are futile. To further complicate therapy, fungi produce capsules and spores that are resistant to most antifungal drugs/host defenses. Novel antifungal drugs are urgently needed to fill unmet medical needs. From screening a collection of medicinal plant sources for antifungal activity, we have identified an active fraction from the rhizome of Cyperus rotundus, the nut grass plant. The fraction contained α-Cyperone, an essential oil that showed fungicidal activity against different species of Candida. Interestingly, the minimal inhibitory concentration of α-Cyperone was reduced 8-fold when combined with a clinical antifungal drug, fluconazole, indicating its antifungal synergistic potential and could be useful for combination therapy. Furthermore, α-Cyperone affected the synthesis of the capsule in Cryp. neoformans, a causative agent of fungal meningitis in humans. Further work on mechanistic understanding of α-Cyperone against fungal virulence could help develop a novel antifungal agent for drug-resistant fungal pathogens.

Natural products in Cyperus rotundus L. (Cyperaceae): an update of the chemistry and pharmacological activities

Cyperus rotundus L. (Nutgrass, family Cyperaceae) is a notorious weed which is widespread in temperate tropical and subtropical regions of the world.