Platycodon grandiflorum Root Protects against Aβ-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction and Pathology in Female Models of Alzheimer's Disease

A prospective review of the health-promoting potential of Jing Si Herbal Tea

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has gained considerable attention over the past few years for its multicomponent, multitarget, and multi-pathway approach to treating different diseases. Studies have shown that TCMs as adjuvant therapy along with conventional treatment may benefit in safely treating various disorders. However, investigations on finding effective herbal combinations are ongoing. A novel TCM formula, "Jing Si Herbal Tea (JSHT)," has been reported recently for their health-promoting effects in improving overall body and mental health. JSHT is a combination of eight herbs recognized in Chinese herbal pharmacopoeia for their anti-viral, anti-aging, and anti-cancer properties as well as protective effects against cardiovascular, metabolic, neural, digestive, and genitourinary diseases. Thus, to better understand the beneficial effects of the ingredients of JSHT on health, this review intends to summarize the preclinical and clinical studies of the ingredients of JSHT on human health and diseases, and possible therapeutic effects with the related mode of actions and future prospects for their application in complementary therapies.

Balloon Flower Root-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: In Vitro Assessment of Anti-Inflammatory, Proliferative, and Antioxidant Effects for Chronic Wound Healing

Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) in wound lesions can lead to oxidative stress and failure of normal wound healing processes, eventually resulting in chronic skin wounds. A multitude of researchers have investigated various natural products with physiological activities, including antioxidant effects, for healing chronic skin wounds. Balloon flower root (BFR), which contains bioactive components such as platycodins, is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this study, we isolated BFR-derived extracellular vesicles (BFR-EVs) that possess anti-inflammatory, proliferative, and antioxidant activities via a combination of polyethylene glycol-based precipitation and ultracentrifugation. Our objective was to investigate the potential of BFR-EVs in treating chronic wounds caused by ROS. Despite efficient intracellular delivery, BFR-EVs showed no significant cytotoxicity. In addition, BFR-EVs inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, water-soluble tetrazolium salt-8 assay showed that BFR-EVs had a proliferation-promoting effect on human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). Scratch closure and transwell migration assays indicated that BFR-EVs could promote the migration of HDFs. When the antioxidant effect of BFR-EVs was evaluated through 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate staining and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, the results revealed that BFR-EVs significantly suppressed ROS generation and oxidative stress induced by H₂O₂ and ultraviolet irradiation. Our findings suggest that BFR-EVs hold the potential as a natural candidate for healing chronic skin wounds.

Mesoscopic Mapping of Visual Pathway in a Female 5XFAD Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition and Aβ-induced neurodegeneration appear in the retina and retinorecipient areas in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although these Aβ-related changes in the retina cause damage to the visual functions, no studies have yet revealed the alterations in the visual pathways of AD. Therefore, we investigated the alterations of visual circuits in the AD mouse model using anterograde tracer cholera toxin β subunits (CTβ). Moreover, we investigated the Aβ accumulation in the retina and retinorecipient areas and the neuronal loss, and synaptic degeneration in retinorecipient areas by immunofluorescent staining of 4- and 12-month-old female 5XFAD transgenic mice. Our results demonstrated that Aβ accumulation and neurodegeneration occurred in the retina and retinorecipient regions of early and late stages of the 5XFAD mice. Retinal efferents to the suprachiasmatic nucleus and lateral geniculate nucleus were impaired in the early stage of AD. Moreover, retinal connections to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus and superior colliculus were degenerated in the late-stage of AD. These findings reveal the Aβ-related pathology induced visual circuit disturbances at the mesoscale level in both the early and late stages of AD and provide anatomical and functional insights into the visual circuitry of AD.

Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC.: A review of phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and traditional use

BACKGROUND

The traditional Chinese medicine Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC. (PG, balloon flower) has medicinal and culinary value. It consists of a variety of chemical components including triterpenoid saponins, polysaccharides, flavonoids, polyphenols, polyethylene glycols, volatile oils and mineral components, which have medicinal and edible value.

PURPOSE

The ultimate goal of this review is to summarize the phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, safety and uses of PG in local and traditional medicine.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of published literature up to March 2022 was conducted using the PubMed, China Knowledge Network and Web of Science databases to identify original research related to PG, its active ingredients and pharmacological activities.

RESULTS

Triterpene saponins are the primary bioactive compounds of PG. To date, 76 triterpene saponin compounds have been isolated and identified from PG. In addition, there are other biological components, such as flavonoids, polyacetylene and phenolic acids. These extracts possess antitussive, immunostimulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, antiobesity, antidepressant, and cardiovascular system activities. The mechanisms of expression of these pharmacological effects include inhibition of the expression of proteins such as MDM and p53, inhibition of the activation of enzymes, such as AKT, the secretion of inflammatory factors, such as IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2 and IL-1β, and activation of the AMPK pathway.

CONCLUSION

This review summarizes the chemical composition, pharmacological activities, molecular mechanism, toxicity and uses of PG in local and traditional medicine over the last 12 years. PG contains a wide range of chemical components, among which triterpene saponins, especially platycoside D (PD), play a strong role in pharmacological activity, representing a natural phytomedicine with low toxicity that has applications in food, animal feed and cosmetics. Therefore, PG has value for exploitation and is an excellent choice for treating various diseases.

The role of plant-based products in the prevention of neurological complications

BACKGROUND

Neurological complications are most likely to be fatal and cause loss of ability to function or care for self. These include Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairment. The main aim of the review is to determine the effects of various drugs and their cognitive risk with the need to opt for herbal therapy as an adjuvant in treating neurological conditions like Alzheimer's disease with lesser-known side effects. The Methodology: Involved a detailed literature survey which was performed through an online database, such as Science Direct, Google Scholar, Scopus, Cochrane, and PubMed. The study included randomized trials and original research conducted by herbal supplements on animal models to assess expression of upregulation of signalling pathways. Various studies involved in treating dementia, neurological disorders, Alzheimer disease, cognitive dysfunction were included.

RESULTS

Found that various studies involved plant-based products were showing improvement in prevention of disease and signalling pathways with lesser-known side effects.

CONCLUSION

It was observed that plant-based products play a major role in the prevention of neurological complications. Herbal medicines could most suitably prevent Alzheimer's risk with less known side effects in contrast with the existing treatment patterns. However, to improve the utility of herbal medicines, more evidences from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials need to be addressed.

Crude Saponin from Platycodon grandiflorum Attenuates Aβ-Induced Neurotoxicity via Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Apoptotic Signaling Pathways

Although Platycodon grandiflorum saponins exhibit many beneficial biological effects in various diseases and conditions, how they protect nerve cells against neurodegenerative diseases and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology is unknown. We investigated whether P. grandiflorum crude saponin (PGS) protects neurons from neurodegeneration caused by amyloid beta (Aβ)-induced oxidative stress. Hippocampal neuron HT-22 cells were used in the in vitro experiment, and AD mice (5XFAD mice) were used as the in vivo model. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was stained with DCF-DA and assessed using fluorescence microscopy. To elucidate the mechanism underlying neuroprotection, intracellular protein levels were assessed by western blotting. In 5XFAD mice, an animal model of AD, nerve damage recovery due to the induction of Aβ toxicity was evaluated by histological analysis. PGS attenuates Aβ-induced neurotoxicity by inhibiting Aβ-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis in HT-22 cells. Furthermore, PGS upregulated Nrf2-mediated antioxidant signaling and downregulated NF-κB-mediated inflammatory signaling. Additionally, PGS inhibited apoptosis by regulating the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins. In addition, PGS ameliorated Aβ-mediated pathologies, leading to AD-associated cognitive decline. Conclusions: Taken together, these findings suggest that PGS inhibits Aβ accumulation in the subiculum and cerebral cortex and attenuates Aβ toxicity-induced nerve damage in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, PGS is a resource for developing AD therapeutics.