Pentagalloyl Glucose, a Major Compound in Mango Seed Kernel, Exhibits Distinct Gastroprotective Effects in Indomethacin-Induced Gastropathy in Rats via Modulating the NO/eNOS/iNOS Signaling Pathway

Parthenolide alleviates indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic activities

Parthenolide (PTL) is a sesquiterpene lactone that occurs naturally. It demonstrates a variety of beneficial effects, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties. The study investigated the potential protective impact of PTL on indomethacin (INDO) induced stomach ulcers in rats. The rats were classified into 5 distinct categories. Group 1 served as the "control" group. Rats in the second group received a single oral dosage of INDO (50 mg kg-1). Rats in Groups three and four received 20 and 40 mg kg-1 oral PTL 1 h before INDO. Omeprazole (30 mg kg-1) was given orally to Group 5 rats 1 h before INDO. Pretreatment with PTL increased stomach pH and decreased gastric volume as well as reduced the morphological and histological changes induced by INDO. Analysis of probable pathways showed that pre-treatment with PTL successfully reduced oxidative, inflammatory, and apoptotic consequences caused by INDO. The ingestion of PTL leads to a notable increase in the levels of glutathione reduced (GSH) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Furthermore, PTL decreased the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA). In contrast, it was shown that PTL increased both cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). PTL shows a significant decrease in the expression of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). PTL therapy resulted in a decrease in Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) levels and an increase in B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) levels. In conclusion, PTL offers gastroprotection by its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic qualities.

"Adjusting internal organs and dredging channelon" electroacupuncture glycolipid metabolism disorders in NAFLD mice by mediating the AMPK/ACC signaling pathway

To investigate the effect mechanism of electroacupuncture based on the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) /acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) signaling pathway to improve glycolipid metabolism disorders in db/db mice. 10 db/m mice with normal genotype were used as the normal control group without diabetes (Con), and 30 db/db mice were divided randomly into three groups: Pathological model mice (Mod), Acupuncture + ACC antagonist group (Acu + ACC), and Acupuncture + AMPK antagonist group (Acu + AMPK). Con and Mod did not receive any special treatment, only as a control observation. The latter two groups of mice received electroacupuncture treatment for 4 weeks. Mouse triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), and cholesterin(CHO) levels were detected by colorimetric assay. Enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) was used to detect insulin(INS) levels. Liver histopathologic changes and hepatic glycogen synthesis were observed by HE and PAS staining. The mRNA and protein expression of insulin receptor substrate-1(IRS1), Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), AMPK, and ACC were detected by Western blot and qRT-PCR.The results show that compared with Mod, TG, LDL, CHO, and INS levels of Acu + AMPK and Acu + ACC mice were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), and the HDL levels were significantly increased (P < 0.05), the steatotic degeneration of mice hepatocytes was reduced to different degrees, and the hepatocyte glycogen particles were increased, and the latter two groups had a decrease in AKT, ACC mRNA expression was reduced (P < 0.05), PI3K protein expression was increased, and AKT and ACC protein expression was reduced (P < 0.05), in addition, protein expression of AMPK was increased and IRS1 protein expression was reduced in Acu + ACC (P < 0.05). The study showed that electroacupuncture improves glucose-lipid metabolism disorders in db/db mice, and this mechanism is related to the AMPK/ACC signaling pathway.

Ethanolic extract of cotinuscoggygria leaves attenuates crystalluria and kidney damage in ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis in rats

OBJECTIVE

Nephrolithiasis is a common cause of kidney insufficiency. Nephrolithiasis is proven to be the result of various biochemical and inflammatory processes that result in crystal formation and subsequent aggregation. Cotinuscoggygria L. (CCog) is a plant extract which has been used as a Turkish remedy for kidney stones. With this study, we planned to evaluate the effects of CCog extract in ethylene glycol (EG)-induced nephrolithiasis model in rats.

METHODS

The study group comprised 32 Wistar albino rats which were divided into Control (C), EG, CCog Prophylaxis (CC+EG+CC), and CCog Treatment (EG+CC) groups. Stone formation was induced by adding EG (0.75%) into rat's drinking water. Normal drinking water was given to Control group for 8 weeks. Throughout the study period of 8 weeks, EG group was given only EG (0.75%) and CC+EG+CC group was given both EG and CCog. In EG+CC group, EG (0.75%) was given for 8 weeks whereas CCog was given for the past 4 weeks. After the 8th week, 24-h urine samples were collected. Rats were then sacrificed and kidney tissue samples were harvested.

RESULTS

Metabolites (calcium, citrate) and creatinine in 24 h urine samples were decreased in CC+EG+CC and EG+CC groups. While hyperoxaluria was observed in the EG group, oxalate levels were similar to control levels in the P-CCog and C-CCog groups. The N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase and myeloperoxidase activities were both increased in EG group and these parameters were significantly decreased on CCog treatment.

CONCLUSION

We can conclude that C. coggygria extract can have beneficial effect on lowering concentration of stone-forming metabolites in urine and consequently protect renal tissues from damage due to nephrolithiasis. C. coggygria extract can be considered as a potential prophylactic and therapeutic option in high-risk stone formers. Furthermore, our data confirm ethnobotanical use of CC against nephrolithiasis.

Cotinus coggygria Scop. Attenuates Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis in Rats by Regulation of Inflammatory Mediators

In traditional medicine, many medicinal plants are used in the treatment of various diseases caused by inflammation. The objective of the present study is to elucidate for the first time the effects of Cotinus coggygria (CC) ethanol extract (CCE) on colonic structure and inflammation of acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Colonic damage was assessed using disease activity index score, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Also, in vitro antioxidant activity of CCE was investigated by ABTS methods. Total phytochemical content of CCE was measured spectroscopically. Acetic acid caused colonic damage according to disease activity index and macroscopic scoring. CCE significantly reversed these damages. While the levels of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and TGF-1beta increased in tissue with UC, IL-10 level decreased. CCE increased inflammatory cytokine levels to values close to the sham group. At the same time, while markers indicating disease severity such as VEGF, COX-2, PGE2, and 8-OHdG indicated the disease in the colitis group, these values returned to normal with CCE. Histological research results support biochemical analysis. CCE exhibited significant antioxidant against ABTS radical. Also, CCE was found to have a high content of total polyphenolic compounds. These findings provide evidence that CCE might be benefit as a promising novel therapy in the treatment of UC in humans due to high polyphenol content and justify the use of CC in folkloric medicine for treatment of inflamed diseases.

Binding of Pentagalloyl Glucose to Aortic Wall Proteins: Insights from Peptide Mapping and Simulated Docking Studies

Pentagalloyl glucose (PGG) is currently being investigated as a non-surgical treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs); however, the molecular mechanisms of action of PGG on the AAA matrix components and the intra-luminal thrombus (ILT) still need to be better understood. To assess these interactions, we utilized peptide fingerprinting and molecular docking simulations to predict the binding of PGG to vascular proteins in normal and aneurysmal aorta, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), cytokines, and fibrin. We performed PGG diffusion studies in pure fibrin gels and human ILT samples. PGG was predicted to bind with high affinity to most vascular proteins, the active sites of MMPs, and several cytokines known to be present in AAAs. Finally, despite potential binding to fibrin, PGG was shown to diffuse readily through thrombus at physiologic pressures. In conclusion, PGG can bind to all the normal and aneurysmal aorta protein components with high affinity, potentially protecting the tissue from degradation and exerting anti-inflammatory activities. Diffusion studies showed that thrombus presence in AAAs is not a barrier to endovascular treatment. Together, these results provide a deeper understanding of the clinical potential of PGG as a non-surgical treatment of AAAs.

Pentagalloyl Glucose: A Review of Anticancer Properties, Molecular Targets, Mechanisms of Action, Pharmacokinetics, and Safety Profile

Pentagalloyl glucose (PGG) is a natural hydrolyzable gallotannin abundant in various plants and herbs. It has a broad range of biological activities, specifically anticancer activities, and numerous molecular targets. Despite multiple studies available on the pharmacological action of PGG, the molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of PGG are unclear. Here, we have critically reviewed the natural sources of PGG, its anticancer properties, and underlying mechanisms of action. We found that multiple natural sources of PGG are available, and the existing production technology is sufficient to produce large quantities of the required product. Three plants (or their parts) with maximum PGG content were Rhus chinensis Mill, Bouea macrophylla seed, and Mangifera indica kernel. PGG acts on multiple molecular targets and signaling pathways associated with the hallmarks of cancer to inhibit growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis of several cancers. Moreover, PGG can enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiotherapy by modulating various cancer-associated pathways. Therefore, PGG can be used for treating different human cancers; nevertheless, the data on the pharmacokinetics and safety profile of PGG are limited, and further studies are essential to define the clinical use of PGG in cancer therapies.

Apple (Malus domestica Borkh) leaves attenuate indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats

Malus domestica Borkh, the apple tree, exhibited numerous pharmacological properties including antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antimicrobial activities. The present work aimed to annotate the secondary metabolites from a butanol fraction of apple leaves (BLE), evaluate the gastro-protective and healing effects of this fraction against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in rats and to identify its mechanism of action. BLE (100, and 200 mg/kg) was orally administered in rats as an acute treatment against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in comparison with famotidine as reference anti-ulcer drug. The stomachs of rats were collected to determine the ulcer index, the preventive ratio, measure the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and estimate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). Furthermore, we evaluated both inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in the gastric tissues. We also performed histopathological study of gastric mucosa using H&E stain and periodic Schiff base stain to evaluate both gastric injury scores and gastric mucus content respectively. Pretreatment with BLE markedly lowered the severity of gastric injury induced by indomethacin, decreased oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, and COX-2 expression in the examined gastric tissues. The gastric healing effect of BLE was associated with increased mucoglycoproteins, and HSP70 expression. Additionally, gastric healing effect of high dose of BLE was superior to that of famotidine in decreasing gastric injury scores, COX-2, inflammatory cytokines, lipid peroxidation and in increasing gastric mucin content, HSP70, and reduced glutathione. These findings indicate that BLE is effective in accelerating ulcer healing by boosting HSP70 expression, and decreasing COX-2 expression, oxidative stress, and gastric inflammation which might be related to the presence of 21 phytoconstituents.

1,2,3,4,6-O-Pentagalloylglucose Protects against Acute Lung Injury by Activating the AMPK/PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 Pathway

An acute lung injury (ALI) is a serious lung disease with a high mortality rate, warranting the development of novel therapies. Previously, we reported that 1,2,3,4,6-O-pentagalloylglucose (PGG) could afford protection against ALI, however, the PGG-mediated protective effects remain elusive. Herein, PGG (60 and 30 mg/kg) markedly inhibited the lung wet/drug weight ratio and attenuated histological changes in the lungs (p < 0.05). A pretreatment with PGG (60 and 30 mg/kg) reduced the number of total leukocytes and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (p < 0.05). In addition, PGG (60 and 30 mg/kg) also attenuated oxidative stress by reducing the formation of formation and the depletion of superoxide dismutase to treat an ALI (p < 0.05). To further explore the PGG-induced mechanism against an ALI, we screened the PGG pathway using immunohistochemical analysis, immunofluorescence assays, and Western blotting (WB). WB revealed that the expression levels of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase phosphorylation (p-AMPK), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B phosphorylation (P-Akt), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) were significantly higher in the PGG group (60 and 30 mg/kg) than in the lipopolysaccharide group (p < 0.05); these findings were confirmed by the immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence results. Accordingly, PGG could be effective against an ALI by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress via AMPK/PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling, allowing for the potential development of this as a natural drug against an ALI.