Caffeic Acid, One of the Major Phenolic Acids of the Medicinal Plant Antirhea borbonica, Reduces Renal Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis

Renoprotective Effect of Chrysanthemum coronarium L. Extract on Adenine-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease in Mice

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) gradually leads to loss of renal function and is associated with inflammation and fibrosis. Chrysanthemum coronarium L., a leafy vegetable, possesses various beneficial properties, including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative effects. In this study, we investigated the renoprotective effect of Chrysanthemum coronarium L. extract (CC) on adenine (AD)-induced CKD in mice. CKD was induced by feeding mice with an AD diet (0.25% w/w) for 4 weeks. Changes in renal function, histopathology, inflammation, and renal interstitial fibrosis were analyzed. The adenine-fed mice were characterized by increased blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and histological changes, including inflammation and fibrosis; however, these changes were significantly restored by treatment with CC. Additionally, CC inhibited the expression of the inflammatory markers, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interleukins-6 and -1β, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and cyclooxygenase 2. Moreover, CC suppressed the expression of the fibrotic markers, type IV collagen, and fibronectin. Furthermore, CC attenuated the expression of profibrotic genes (tumor growth factor-β and α-smooth muscle actin) in AD-induced renal injury mice. Thus, our results suggest that CC has the potential to attenuate AD-induced renal injury and might offer a new option as a renoprotective agent or functional food supplement to manage CKD.

Protective Action Mechanisms of Launaea mucronata Extract and Its Nano-Formulation against Nephrotoxicity in Rats as Revealed via Biochemical, Histopathological, and UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS Analyses

Plants belonging to the Launaea genus have been extensively utilized ethnopharmacologically to treat a variety of diseases, including kidney disorders. Chromium is a common industrial pollutant that has been linked to kidney disease. The present work was designed for the investigation of the UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS metabolite profile of the L. mucronate ethanolic extract (LME), along with assessing the mechanistic protective actions of LME and its nano-silver formulation (LMNS) against K₂Cr₂O₇-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. LMNE was successfully biosynthesized and confirmed using UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The nephroprotective effects of LME and LMNE was assessed in rats exposed to potassium dichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇, 15 mg/kg BW) to cause nephrotoxicity. LME and LMNS, separately, were administered twice daily for 14 days at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg BW, respectively. The kidney function, catalase, UGT, Nrf2, PGE2, Cox-2, ERK, and MAPK levels in renal tissue were all assessed, along with histopathological examinations for exploring their ameliorative effects. Forty-five bioactive metabolites were annotated belonging to flavonoids, phenolic and organic acids, coumarins, and fatty acids. Metabolite profiling revealed that chlorogenic acid, apigenin, and luteolin glycosides were the main phenolics, with chlorogenic acid-O-hexoside reported for the first time in LME. The findings revealed that the serum kidney function indicators (urea and creatinine) were markedly elevated in K₂Cr₂O₇-intoxicated rats. Furthermore, inflammatory indicators (COX-2 and PGE2), MAPK, and ERK were all markedly elevated in kidney tissue, whereas catalase, UGT, and Nrf2 levels were downregulated. Histological and immunohistochemical assays confirmed the toxic effects of K₂Cr₂O₇ in the kidneys. In contrast, the administration of LME and LMNS prior to K₂Cr₂O₇ considerably improved the architecture of the renal tissue, while also restoring levels of most biochemical markers. Functioning via the inhibition of the MAPK/ERK pathway, activating Nrf2, and modifying the antioxidant and metabolic enzymes, LME and LMNS exerted their nephroprotective effects against K₂Cr₂O₇-induced toxicity.

N-2-Hydroxypropylmethacrylamide-Polycaprolactone Polymeric Micelles in Co-delivery of Proteasome Inhibitor and Polyphenol: Exploration of Synergism or Antagonism

Breast cancer leads to the highest mortality among women resulting in a major clinical burden. Multidrug therapy is more efficient in such patients compared to monodrug therapy. Simultaneous combinatorial or co-delivery garnered significant interest in the past years. Caffeic acid (CFA) (a natural polyphenol) has received growing attention because of its anticarcinogenic and antioxidant potential. Bortezomib (BTZ) is a proteasome inhibitor and may be explored for treating breast cancer. Despite its high anticancer activity, the low water solubility and chemical instability restrict its efficacy against solid tumors. In the present study, we designed and investigated a HP-PCL (N-2-hydroxypropylmethacrylamide-polycaprolactone) polymeric micellar (PMCs) system for the simultaneous delivery of BTZ and CFA in the treatment of breast cancer. The designed BTZ+CFA-HP-PCL PMCs were fabricated, optimized, and characterized for size, zeta potential, surface morphology, and in vitro drug release. Developed nanosized (174.6 ± 0.24 nm) PMCs showed enhanced cellular internalization and cell cytotoxicity in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. ROS (reactive oxygen species) levels were highest in BTZ-HP-PCL PMCs, while CFA-HP-PCL PMCs significantly (p < 0.001) scavenged the ROS generated in 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) assay revealed intense and significant green fluorescence in both types of cancer cells when treated with BTZ-HP-PCL PMCs (p < 0.001) indicating apoptosis or cell death. The pharmacokinetic studies revealed that BTZ-HP-PCL PMCs and BTZ+CFA-HP-PCL PMCs exhibited the highest bioavailability, enhanced plasma half-life, decreased volume of distribution, and lower clearance rate than the pure combination of drugs. In the organ biodistribution studies, the combination of BTZ+CFA showed higher distribution in the spleen and the heart. Overall findings of in vitro studies surprisingly resulted in better therapeutic efficiency of BTZ-HP-PCL PMCs than BTZ+CFA-HP-PCL PMCs. However, the in vivo tumor growth inhibition study performed in tumor-induced mice concluded that the tumor growth was inhibited by both BTZ-HP-PCL PMCs and BTZ+CFA-HP-PCL PMCs (p < 0.0001) more efficiently than pure BTZ and the combination (BTZ+CFA), which may be due to the conversion of boronate ester into boronic acid. Henceforth, the combination of BTZ and CFA provides further indications to be explored in the future to support the hypothesis that BTZ may work with polyphenol (CFA) in the acidic environment of the tumor.

The eight structures of caffeic acid: a jet-cooled laser ablated rotational study

This work reports a complete conformational analysis of caffeic acid, an exceptionally versatile pharmacophore, using laser ablation chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. The whole conformational space consisting of eight distinct species has been fully deciphered based on the trend of the rotational constants supported by theoretical computations. We show how rotational spectroscopy can be confidently used to distinguish between conformers even when the structural differences are minimal, such as those involved in the conformational panorama of caffeic acid. Additionally, the structural information here provided, such as the planarity observed in all the conformers, could help to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the biological and pharmacological activity of hydroxycinnamic acids.

Aqueous Extract of Psiloxylon mauritianum, Rich in Gallic Acid, Prevents Obesity and Associated Deleterious Effects in Zebrafish

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions, and its prevalence tripled worldwide between 1975 and 2016, especially in Reunion Island, a French overseas region. Psiloxylon mauritianum, an endemic medicinal plant from Reunion Island registered in the French pharmacopeia, has recently gained interest in combating metabolic disorders because of its traditional lipid-lowering and “anti-diabetic” use. However, scientific data are lacking regarding its toxicity and its real benefits on metabolic diseases. In this study, we aim to determine the toxicity of an aqueous extract of P. mauritianum on zebrafish eleutheroembryos following the OECD toxicity assay (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, guidelines 36). After defining a non-toxic dose, we determined by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) that this extract is rich in gallic acid but contains also caffeoylquinic acid, kaempferol and quercetin, as well as their respective derivatives. We also showed that the non-toxic dose exhibits lipid-lowering effects in a high-fat-diet zebrafish larvae model. In a next step, we demonstrated its preventive effects on body weight gain, hyperglycemia and liver steatosis in a diet-induced obesity model (DIO) performed in adults. It also limited the deleterious effects of overfeeding on the central nervous system (i.e., cerebral oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier breakdown, neuro-inflammation and blunted neurogenesis). Interestingly, adult DIO fish treated with P. mauritianum display normal feeding behavior but higher feces production. This indicates that the “anti-weight-gain” effect is probably due to the action of P. mauritianum on the intestinal lipid absorption and/or on the microbiota, leading to the increase in feces production. Therefore, in our experimental conditions, the aqueous extract of P. mauritianum exhibited “anti-weight-gain” properties, which prevented the development of obesity and its deleterious effects at the peripheral and central levels. These effects should be further investigated in preclinical models of obese/diabetic mice, as well as the impact of P. mauritianum on the gut microbiota.

Myofibroblasts: Function, Formation, and Scope of Molecular Therapies for Skin Fibrosis

Myofibroblasts are contractile, α-smooth muscle actin-positive cells with multiple roles in pathophysiological processes. Myofibroblasts mediate wound contractions, but their persistent presence in tissues is central to driving fibrosis, making them attractive cell targets for the development of therapeutic treatments. However, due to shared cellular markers with several other phenotypes, the specific targeting of myofibroblasts has long presented a scientific and clinical challenge. In recent years, myofibroblasts have drawn much attention among scientific research communities from multiple disciplines and specialisations. As further research uncovers the characterisations of myofibroblast formation, function, and regulation, the realisation of novel interventional routes for myofibroblasts within pathologies has emerged. The research community is approaching the means to finally target these cells, to prevent fibrosis, accelerate scarless wound healing, and attenuate associated disease-processes in clinical settings. This comprehensive review article describes the myofibroblast cell phenotype, their origins, and their diverse physiological and pathological functionality. Special attention has been given to mechanisms and molecular pathways governing myofibroblast differentiation, and updates in molecular interventions.

Keratin Scaffolds Containing Casomorphin Stimulate Macrophage Infiltration and Accelerate Full-Thickness Cutaneous Wound Healing in Diabetic Mice

Impaired wound healing is a major medical challenge, especially in diabetics. Over the centuries, the main goal of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine has been to invent biomaterials that accelerate the wound healing process. In this context, keratin-derived biomaterial is a promising candidate due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this study, we evaluated an insoluble fraction of keratin containing casomorphin as a wound dressing in a full-thickness surgical skin wound model in mice (n = 20) with iatrogenically induced diabetes. Casomorphin, an opioid peptide with analgesic properties, was incorporated into keratin and shown to be slowly released from the dressing. An in vitro study showed that keratin-casomorphin dressing is biocompatible, non-toxic, and supports cell growth. In vivo experiments demonstrated that keratin-casomorphin dressing significantly (p < 0.05) accelerates the whole process of skin wound healing to the its final stage. Wounds covered with keratin-casomorphin dressing underwent reepithelization faster, ending up with a thicker epidermis than control wounds, as confirmed by histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations. This investigated dressing stimulated macrophages infiltration, which favors tissue remodeling and regeneration, unlike in the control wounds in which neutrophils predominated. Additionally, in dressed wounds, the number of microhemorrhages was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) as compared with control wounds. The dressing was naturally incorporated into regenerating tissue during the wound healing process. Applied keratin dressing favored reconstruction of more regular skin structure and assured better cosmetic outcome in terms of scar formation and appearance. Our results have shown that insoluble keratin wound dressing containing casomorphin supports skin wound healing in diabetic mice.