Polydatin Beneficial Effects in Zebrafish Larvae Undergoing Multiple Stress Types

Anti-inflammatory effects of 6S-5-methyltetrahydrofolate‑calcium on RAW264.7 cells and zebrafish

AIM

6S-5-methyltetrahydrofolate is the predominant form of dietary folate in circulation and is used as a crystalline form of calcium salt (MTHF-Ca). Reports revealed that MTHF-Ca was more safe than folic acid, a synthetic and highly stable version of folate. Folic acid has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects. The study's objective was to assess the anti-inflammatory effect of MTHF-Ca in vitro and in vivo.

MAIN METHODS

In vitro, the ROS production was assessed by H2DCFDA, and nuclear translocation of NF-κB were evaluated by the NF-κB nuclear translocation assay kit. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were assessed using ELISA. In vivo, ROS production was assessed by H2DCFDA, neutrophils and macrophages recruitment were evaluated in tail transection-induced and CuSO₄-induced zebrafish inflammation models. Expression of inflammation related genes were also investigated based on CuSO₄-induced zebrafish inflammation model.

KEY FINDINGS

MTHF-Ca treatment decreased LPS-induced ROS production, inhibited nuclear translocation of NF-κB and decreased the levels of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in RAW264.7 cells. In addition, MTHF-Ca treatment inhibited ROS production, suppressed the recruitment of neutrophils and macrophages, and reduced the expression of inflammation related genes, including jnk, erk, nf-κb, myd88, p65, tnf-α, and il-1b in zebrafish larvae.

SIGNIFICANCE

MTHF-Ca may play an anti-inflammatory role by reducing the recruitment of neutrophils and macrophages and keeping the low levels of proinflammatory mediators and cytokines. MTHF-Ca may have a potential role in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Effects of polydatin from Huhuang Shaoshang Liniment on oxidative damage and inflammatory response in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the effect of polydatin (PD) from Huhuang Shaoshang Liniment on oxidative damage and inflammatory response in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CI/R), and the effect of PD on NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)/NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) pathway.

METHODS

The rat model of focal CI/R was established using suture-occlusion method and treated with intraperitoneal injection of PD (25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg). High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the PD content in three batches of Huhuang Shaoshang Liniment. The neurological function scores of each group were observed at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h postoperatively. The hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was conducted to observe the morphological structure of brain tissue, the triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was used to determine the size of cerebral infarction, and the neuronal apoptotic index was calculated using image analysis system under the optical microscope. The expressions of the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 pathway and neuronal apoptosis-related proteins in brain tissue were measured using Western blot.

RESULTS

The PD content in three batches of Huhuang Shaoshang Liniment was detected by HPLC, and the average result showed that the product contained 0.73 mg PD per 1 mL. The PD 50 mg/kg group and 25 mg/kg group showed lower neurological function scores at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h postoperatively, lower percentage of cerebral infarction area on the ischemic side and apoptotic index, lower interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, malondialdehyde (MDA), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, and lower Bax protein expression (P < 0.05), and showed higher IL-4, IL-10, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, and c-Myc protein expression than the CI/R group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

PD from Huhuang Shaoshang Liniment can alleviate neurological damage, improve neuronal morphology and structure, reduce cerebral infarction area, alleviate oxidative damage and inflammatory response, and inhibit neuronal cell apoptosis in CI/R model rats.

Polydatin: Pharmacological Mechanisms, Therapeutic Targets, Biological Activities, and Health Benefits

Polydatin is a natural potent stilbenoid polyphenol and a resveratrol derivative with improved bioavailability. Polydatin possesses potential biological activities predominantly through the modulation of pivotal signaling pathways involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Various imperative biological activities have been suggested for polydatin towards promising therapeutic effects, including anticancer, cardioprotective, anti-diabetic, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anti-microbial, as well as health-promoting roles on the renal system, the respiratory system, rheumatoid diseases, the skeletal system, and women's health. In the present study, the therapeutic targets, biological activities, pharmacological mechanisms, and health benefits of polydatin are reviewed to provide new insights to researchers. The need to develop further clinical trials and novel delivery systems of polydatin is also considered to reveal new insights to researchers.

Chestnut Shell Tannins: Effects on Intestinal Inflammation and Dysbiosis in Zebrafish

Simple Summary

With the increase in global population the production of animal proteins becomes increasingly crucial. Aquaculture is the first animal protein supply industry for human consumption. Intensive farming techniques are employed to increase productivity, but these may cause stressful conditions for fish, resulting in impaired growth and poor health conditions. Intestinal inflammation is one of the most common diseases of fish in intensive farming. Intestinal inflammation is usually accompanied by an alteration of the microbiota or dysbiosis. Inflammation and dysbiosis are so tightly intertwined that inflammation may contribute to or result from dysregulation of gut microbiota. Natural substances of plant origin rich in bioactive molecules or more simply phytochemicals, have been proved to be able to reduce inflammation and improve the general health status in various commercially relevant species. In this study, we evaluated the effect of tannins, a class of polyphenols, the most abundant phytochemicals, on intestinal inflammation and microbiota in zebrafish (Danio rerio), a small freshwater fish become an attractive biomedicine and aquaculture animal model during the last decades. The zebrafish has been employed in a vast array of studies aiming at investigating the essential processes underlying intestinal inflammation and injury due to its conservative gut morphology and functions. In this study, we administered a diet enriched with chestnut shell extract rich in tannins to a zebrafish model of intestinal inflammation. The treatment ameliorated the damaged intestinal morphophysiology and the microbiota asset. Our results sustain that products of natural origin with low environmental impact and low cost, such as tannins, may help to ease some of the critical issues affecting the aquaculture sector.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to test the possible ameliorative efficacy of phytochemicals such as tannins on intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis. The effect of a chestnut shell (Castanea sativa) extract (CSE) rich in polyphenols, mainly represented by tannins, on k-carrageenan-induced intestinal inflammation in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) was tested in a feeding trial. Intestinal inflammation was induced by 0.1% k-carrageenan added to the diet for 10 days. CSE was administered for 10 days after k-carrageenan induced inflammation. The intestinal morphology and histopathology, cytokine expression, and microbiota were analyzed. The k-carrageenan treatment led to gut lumen expansion, reduction of intestinal folds, and increase of the goblet cells number, accompanied by the upregulation of pro-inflammatory factors (TNFα, COX2) and alteration in the number and ratio of taxonomic groups of bacteria. CSE counteracted the inflammatory status enhancing the growth of health helpful bacteria (Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas), decreasing the pro-inflammatory factors, and activating the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. In conclusion, CSE acted as a prebiotic on zebrafish gut microbiota, sustaining the use of tannins as food additives to ameliorate the intestinal inflammation. Our results may be relevant for both aquaculture and medical clinic fields.