The daidzein metabolite, 6,7,4'-Trihydroxyisoflavone, is a novel inhibitor of PKCα in suppressing solar UV-induced matrix metalloproteinase 1

Revolutionizing Diabetic Foot Ulcer Care: The Senotherapeutic Approach

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a prevalent and profoundly debilitating complication that afflicts individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). These ulcers are associated with substantial morbidity, recurrence rates, disability, and mortality, imposing substantial economic, psychological, and medical burdens. Timely detection and intervention can mitigate the morbidity and disparities linked to DFU. Nevertheless, current therapeutic approaches for DFU continue to grapple with multifaceted limitations. A growing body of evidence emphasizes the crucial role of cellular senescence in the pathogenesis of chronic wounds. Interventions that try to delay cellular senescence, eliminate senescent cells (SnCs), or suppress the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) have shown promise for helping chronic wounds to heal. In this context, targeting cellular senescence emerges as a novel therapeutic strategy for DFU. In this comprehensive review, we look at the pathology and treatment of DFU in a systematic way. We also explain the growing importance of investigating SnCs in DFU and highlight the great potential of senotherapeutics that target SnCs in DFU treatment. The development of efficacious and safe senotherapeutics represents a pioneering therapeutic approach aimed at enhancing the quality of life for individuals affected by DFU.

Ceramide-1-phosphate is a regulator of Golgi structure and is co-opted by the obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen Anaplasma phagocytophilum

Many intracellular pathogens structurally disrupt the Golgi apparatus as an evolutionarily conserved promicrobial strategy. Yet, the host factors and signaling processes involved are often poorly understood, particularly for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis. We found that A. phagocytophilum elevated cellular levels of the bioactive sphingolipid, ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P), to promote Golgi fragmentation that enables bacterial proliferation, conversion from its non-infectious to infectious form, and productive infection. A. phagocytophilum poorly infected mice deficient in ceramide kinase, the Golgi-localized enzyme responsible for C1P biosynthesis. C1P regulated Golgi morphology via activation of a PKCα/Cdc42/JNK signaling axis that culminates in phosphorylation of Golgi structural proteins, GRASP55 and GRASP65. siRNA-mediated depletion of Cdc42 blocked A. phagocytophilum from altering Golgi morphology, which impaired anterograde trafficking of trans-Golgi vesicles into and maturation of the pathogen-occupied vacuole. Cells overexpressing phosphorylation-resistant versions of GRASP55 and GRASP65 presented with suppressed C1P- and A. phagocytophilum-induced Golgi fragmentation and poorly supported infection by the bacterium. By studying A. phagocytophilum, we identify C1P as a regulator of Golgi structure and a host factor that is relevant to disease progression associated with Golgi fragmentation.IMPORTANCECeramide-1-phosphate (C1P), a bioactive sphingolipid that regulates diverse processes vital to mammalian physiology, is linked to disease states such as cancer, inflammation, and wound healing. By studying the obligate intracellular bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, we discovered that C1P is a major regulator of Golgi morphology. A. phagocytophilum elevated C1P levels to induce signaling events that promote Golgi fragmentation and increase vesicular traffic into the pathogen-occupied vacuole that the bacterium parasitizes. As several intracellular microbial pathogens destabilize the Golgi to drive their infection cycles and changes in Golgi morphology is also linked to cancer and neurodegenerative disorder progression, this study identifies C1P as a potential broad-spectrum therapeutic target for infectious and non-infectious diseases.

Oroxylin A ameliorates ultraviolet radiation-induced premature skin aging by regulating oxidative stress via the Sirt1 pathway

Skin is susceptible to premature aging in response to ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced oxidative stress, which can ultimately result in aberrant aging or age-related disorders. Accordingly, strategies that can be adopted to mitigate oxidative stress may contribute to protecting skin from induced aging-related damage, thereby offering promising approaches for the treatment of skin diseases and disorders. In this regard, oroxylin A (OA), a natural flavonoid isolated from certain plants used in traditional Chinese medicine, is considered to have notable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties, and is often used to treat certain inflammatory diseases. To date, however, there has been comparatively little research on the effects of OA with respect skin aging. In this study, we utilized UV radiation-induced mouse and cellular models of aging to assess the efficacy of OA in protecting against skin aging. Subsequently, to elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effect of OA on skin aging, we performed molecular docking analysis to investigate the involvement of the anti-aging gene Sirt1, which was further confirmed on the basis of Sirt1 gene silencing. We accordingly demonstrated that by promoting an increase in the expression of Sirt1, OA can contribute to suppressing UV-induced skin photo-aging in cells/mice by reducing oxidative stress. Furthermore, we established that by activating Sirt1, OA can also promote the dissociation of Nrf2 from Keap1 and its subsequent nuclear translocation. Collectively, our findings in this study reveal OA to be an effective natural compound that can be administered to delay the aging of skin triggered by UV, both in vivo and in vitro, by binding to Sirt1 to promote the deacetylation and nuclear translocation of Nrf2, thereby contributing to a reduction in oxidative stress. These findings may this provide a therapeutic target for the prevention of skin aging or aging-induced skin diseases.

Molecular action of larvicidal flavonoids on ecdysteroidogenic glutathione S-transferase Noppera-bo in Aedes aegypti

Background

Mosquito control is a crucial global issue for protecting the human community from mosquito-borne diseases. There is an urgent need for the development of selective and safe reagents for mosquito control. Flavonoids, a group of chemical substances with variable phenolic structures, such as daidzein, have been suggested as potential mosquito larvicides with less risk to the environment. However, the mode of mosquito larvicidal action of flavonoids has not been elucidated.

Results

Here, we report that several flavonoids, including daidzein, inhibit the activity of glutathione S-transferase Noppera-bo (Nobo), an enzyme used for the biosynthesis of the insect steroid hormone ecdysone, in the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti. The crystal structure of the Nobo protein of Ae. aegypti (AeNobo) complexed with the flavonoids and its molecular dynamics simulation revealed that Glu113 forms a hydrogen bond with the flavonoid inhibitors. Consistent with this observation, substitution of Glu113 with Ala drastically reduced the inhibitory activity of the flavonoids against AeNobo. Among the identified flavonoid-type inhibitors, desmethylglycitein (4′,6,7-trihydroxyisoflavone) exhibited the highest inhibitory activity in vitro. Moreover, the inhibitory activities of the flavonoids correlated with the larvicidal activity, as desmethylglycitein suppressed Ae. aegypti larval development more efficiently than daidzein.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates the mode of action of flavonoids on the Ae. aegypti Nobo protein at the atomic, enzymatic, and organismal levels.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01233-2.

Preventive Effect of M. cochinchinensis on Melanogenesis via Tyrosinase Activity Inhibition and p-PKC Signaling in Melan-A Cell

Whitening research is of particular interest in the cosmetics market. The main focus of whitening research is on melanogenesis inhibition through tyrosinase activity. The mechanism of melanogenesis is involved with tyrosinase activity and p-PKC signaling. In this study, we used Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) spreng, a tropical fruit found throughout Southeast Asia, to investigate the inhibitory effect of melanogenesis. M. cochinchinensis contains a high concentration of polyphenols, flavonoids, and unsaturated fatty acids, which might be related to antioxidant activity. This study aimed to determine whether M. cochinchinensis extracts inhibit melanin synthesis in melan-A cells by inhibiting tyrosinase activity and p-PKC signaling. M. cochinchinensis was divided into pulp and aril and extracted under various conditions, and it was confirmed that all pulp and aril extracts have high contents of both phenols and flavonoids. Melan-A cells were treated with PMA for three days to induce melanin synthesis. After PMA treatment, M. cochinchinensis extracts were added to cultured media in a dose-dependent manner. Melanin contents and MTS were used to determine the amount of melanin in live cells. M. cochinchinensis extracts were evaluated for their effects on tyrosinase activity and p-PKC signaling pathways by Western blotting. It was found that M. cochinchinensis extract treatment decreased the amount of melanin and suppressed p-PKC expression. Additionally, tyrosinase activity was reduced after M. cochinchinensis extract treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, it was concluded that M. cochinchinensis could be used in antimelanogenesis and functional cosmetic materials to improve whitening.

Current Perspectives on the Beneficial Effects of Soybean Isoflavones and Their Metabolites for Humans

Soybeans are rich in proteins and lipids and have become a staple part of the human diet. Besides their nutritional excellence, they have also been shown to contain various functional components, including isoflavones, and have consequently received increasing attention as a functional food item. Isoflavones are structurally similar to 17-β-estradiol and bind to estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ). The estrogenic activity of isoflavones ranges from a hundredth to a thousandth of that of estrogen itself. Isoflavones play a role in regulating the effects of estrogen in the human body, depending on the situation. Thus, when estrogen is insufficient, isoflavones perform the functions of estrogen, and when estrogen is excessive, isoflavones block the estrogen receptors to which estrogen binds, thus acting as an estrogen antagonist. In particular, estrogen antagonistic activity is important in the breast, endometrium, and prostate, and such antagonistic activity suppresses cancer occurrence. Genistein, an isoflavone, has cancer-suppressing effects on estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) cancers, including breast cancer. It suppresses the function of enzymes such as tyrosine protein kinase, mitogen-activated kinase, and DNA polymerase II, thus inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis. Genistein is the most biologically active and potent isoflavone candidate for cancer prevention. Furthermore, among the various physiological functions of isoflavones, they are best known for their antioxidant activities. S-Equol, a metabolite of genistein and daidzein, has strong antioxidative effects; however, the ability to metabolize daidzein into S-equol varies based on racial and individual differences. The antioxidant activity of isoflavones may be effective in preventing dementia by inhibiting the phosphorylation of Alzheimer's-related tau proteins. Genistein also reduces allergic responses by limiting the expression of mast cell IgE receptors, which are involved in allergic responses. In addition, they have been known to prevent and treat various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndromes, osteoporosis, diabetes, brain-related diseases, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and inflammation. Further, it also has positive effects on menstrual irregularity in non-menopausal women and relieving menopausal symptoms in middle-aged women. Recently, soybean consumption has shown steep increasing trend in Western countries where the intake was previously only 1/20-1/50 of that in Asian countries. In this review, I have dealt with the latest research trends that have shown substantial interest in the biological efficacy of isoflavones in humans and plants, and their related mechanisms.

Ethanol Extract of Yak-Kong Fermented by Lactic Acid Bacteria from a Korean Infant Markedly Reduces Matrix Metallopreteinase-1 Expression Induced by Solar Ultraviolet Irradiation in Human Keratinocytes and a 3D Skin Model

Yak-Kong is a type of black soybean that is colloquially referred to as the "medicinal bean" and it elicits several beneficial effects that are relevant to human health, including attenuating the formation of skin wrinkles. It has previously been shown that soybean extracts elicit additional bioactivity that is fermented by lactic acid bacteria. In this study of lactic acid bacteria strains that were isolated from the stools of breast-feeding infants (<100 days old), we selected Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis LDTM 8102 (LDTM 8102) as the lead strain for the fermentation of Yak-Kong. We investigated the effects of LDTM 8102-fermented Yak-Kong on solar-ultraviolet irradiation (sUV)-induced wrinkle formation. In HaCaT cells, the ethanol extract of LDTM 8102-fermented Yak-Kong (EFY) effectively reduced sUV-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) secretion. The effect of EFY was superior to that of unfermented (UFY)- and Lactis KCTC 5854 (another Bifidobacterium animalis species)-fermented Yak-Kong. Additionally, EFY reduced sUV-induced MMP-1 mRNA expression and promoter activity, as well as the transactivation of AP-1 and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and JNK1/2. Furthermore, EFY alleviated sUV-induced MMP-1 secretion, the destruction of the epidermis, and degradation of collagen in a three-dimensional (3D) skin culture model. EFY had a higher total polyphenol content and anti-oxidative activity than UFY. Twelve metabolites were significantly (≥2-fold) increased in Yak-Kong extract after fermentation by LDTM 8102. Among them, the metabolites of major isoflavones, such as 6,7,4'-trihydroxyisoflavone (THIF), exerted the reducing effect of MMP-1, which indicated that the isoflavone metabolites contributed to the effect of EFY on MMP-1 expression as active compounds. These findings suggest that EFY is a potent natural material that can potentially prevent sUV-induced wrinkle formation.

Anti-senescent drug screening by deep learning-based morphology senescence scoring

Advances in deep learning technology have enabled complex task solutions. The accuracy of image classification tasks has improved owing to the establishment of convolutional neural networks (CNN). Cellular senescence is a hallmark of ageing and is important for the pathogenesis of ageing-related diseases. Furthermore, it is a potential therapeutic target. Specific molecular markers are used to identify senescent cells. Moreover senescent cells show unique morphology, which can be identified. We develop a successful morphology-based CNN system to identify senescent cells and a quantitative scoring system to evaluate the state of endothelial cells by senescence probability output from pre-trained CNN optimised for the classification of cellular senescence, Deep Learning-Based Senescence Scoring System by Morphology (Deep-SeSMo). Deep-SeSMo correctly evaluates the effects of well-known anti-senescent reagents. We screen for drugs that control cellular senescence using a kinase inhibitor library by Deep-SeSMo-based drug screening and identify four anti-senescent drugs. RNA sequence analysis reveals that these compounds commonly suppress senescent phenotypes through inhibition of the inflammatory response pathway. Thus, morphology-based CNN system can be a powerful tool for anti-senescent drug screening.

Cellular senescence is a hallmark of ageing and is important for the pathogenesis of ageing-related diseases. Here, the authors develop a morphology-based deep learning system to identify senescent cells and a quantitative scoring system to evaluate the state of endothelial cells to evaluate the effects of anti-senescent reagents.

Effects of the soy isoflavones, genistein and daidzein, on male rats' skin

Introduction

Genistein and daidzein are typical soy isoflavones with known estrogenic properties to provide protection against skin ageing in postmenopausal women and female rats. However their effect on male skin was very rarely studied.

Aim

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of a mixture of genistein and daidzein on male rats’ skin.

Material and methods

Male rats were administered this mixture in a dose of 2 or 20 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day for 5 days weekly mixed with regular rat chow, from prenatal life until sexual maturity. The female and male rats of the control group received regular rat chow. The skin epidermis thickness, number of fibroblasts in the dermis and diameter of collagen fibers in the dermis were measured using morphometric assay. The isoflavone effects on activities of antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxides, and glutathione concentration in the skin were measured with commercially available kits.

Results

The thickness of the skin epidermis and collagen fibers in the dermis and amount of elastic fibers were significantly greater in the isoflavone-treated groups. Isoflavones significantly decreased catalase activity in the skin homogenates and at a higher dose inhibited lipid peroxides formation.

Conclusions

Our results provide further support for the contribution of isoflavones to defence mechanisms against oxidative stress in the skin and suggest that genistein and daidzein supplementation may provide protection against skin ageing in males.

Anti-aging Effects of Select Botanicals: Scientific Evidence and Current Trends

As skin ages, there is a decline in physiologic function. These changes are induced by both intrinsic (chronologic) and extrinsic (predominately UV-induced) factors. Botanicals offer potential benefits to combat some of the signs of aging. Here, we review select botanicals and the scientific evidence behind their anti-aging claims. Botanicals may offer anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, moisturizing, UV-protective, and other effects. A multitude of botanicals are listed as ingredients in popular cosmetics and cosmeceuticals, but only a select few are discussed here. These were chosen based on the availability of scientific data, personal interest of the authors, and perceived “popularity” of current cosmetic and cosmeceutical products. The botanicals reviewed here include argan oil, coconut oil, crocin, feverfew, green tea, marigold, pomegranate, and soy.

PKCα in colon cancer cells promotes M1 macrophage polarization via MKK3/6-P38 MAPK pathway

Tumor associated macrophages are potential targets of the immune therapy for patients with colon cancer. PKCα acts as a tumor suppressor in the intestine. However, the correlation between PKCα expressed in colon cancer cells and tumor associated macrophages polarization has never been detected. In the present study, the correlation between PKCα expression and level of M1 macrophages was evaluated in human colon cancer tissues. A xenograft mouse model of colon cancer cells with different PKCα expression level was constructed to evaluate the effect of PKCα on M1 macrophages polarization in vivo. Co-culture of colon cancer cells and differentiated macrophages was used to detect the potential interplay in vitro. PKCα regulated production of cytokines which correlated with macrophage polarization and the underlying mechanism was further explored. Our study showed that high PKCα expression in human colon cancer tissues correlated with better prognosis and high M1 macrophage content. PKCα expressed in colon cancer cells inhibited the growth of colon cancer in mice model. PKCα induced macrophages polarized to the M1-like phenotype both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, PKCα targeted P38 via MKK3/6 to promote IL12 and GM-CSF expression which further enhanced M1-like macrophages polarization. In conclusion, this study provided evidence for the first time that PKCα in colon cancer cells play an anticancer action by inducing the polarization of tumor associated macrophages to M1-like phenotype in the tumor microenvironment. PKCα promoted IL12/GM-CSF-mediated M1 polarization through MKK3/6-P38 signaling pathway. Our investigation suggested that modulation of the PKCα signaling pathway might serve as a novel strategy for colon cancer therapy.

Natural extranuclear androgen receptor ligands as endocrine disruptors of cancer cell growth

Even though the term endocrine disruption primarily designates environmental chemicals that can interfere with the action of hormones, in recent years it has been extended to include also plant derived compounds that can reach the human body, naturally, or have been identified and studied as alternative pharmaceutical agents. In fact, for a large number of them, their antihormonal action was appreciated by different traditional herbal medicines. In the present review we report the majority of the plant derived compounds that exhibit an antiandrogenic effect and the known mechanisms of action. These include a disruption at testosterone production level and at the classical androgen receptor triggered pathways, including membrane initiated ones. Finally, for the first time we describe the possible involvement of alternative cell membrane androgen receptor systems and the lipid signaling disruption by natural androgen, providing hints about a novel class of therapeutic involvement of androgens.

Resveratrol-Enriched Rice Attenuates UVB-ROS-Induced Skin Aging via Downregulation of Inflammatory Cascades

The skin is the outermost protective barrier between the internal and external environments in humans. Chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a major cause of skin aging. UVB radiation penetrates the skin and induces ROS production that activates three major skin aging cascades: matrix metalloproteinase- (MMP-) 1-mediated aging; MAPK-AP-1/NF-κB-TNF-α/IL-6, iNOS, and COX-2-mediated inflammation-induced aging; and p53-Bax-cleaved caspase-3-cytochrome C-mediated apoptosis-induced aging. These mechanisms are collectively responsible for the wrinkling and photoaging characteristic of UVB-induced skin aging. There is an urgent requirement for a treatment that not only controls these pathways to prevent skin aging but also avoids the adverse effects often encountered when applying bioactive compounds in concentrated doses. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of genetically modified normal edible rice (NR) that produces the antiaging compound resveratrol (R) as a treatment for skin aging. This resveratrol-enriched rice (RR) overcomes the drawbacks of R and enhances its antiaging potential by controlling the abovementioned three major pathways of skin aging. RR does not exhibit the toxicity of R alone and promisingly downregulates the pathways underlying UVB-ROS-induced skin aging. These findings advocate the use of RR as a nutraceutical for antiaging purposes.

The Ginsenoside Derivative 20(S)-Protopanaxadiol Inhibits Solar Ultraviolet Light-Induced Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 Expression

Ginsenosides are major pharmacologically active compounds present in ginseng (Panax ginseng). Among the ginsenosides, 20-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol (GPPD) and ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1) have previously been reported to exhibit anti-wrinkle effects. In this study, 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (20(S)-PPD), an aglycone derivative of the Rb1 metabolite was investigated for its anti-wrinkle benefit and compared to GPPD and Rb1. The anti-wrinkle effect of 20(S)-PPD during solar UV light was investigated using a human skin equivalent model and human keratinocytes. 20(S)-PPD attenuated solar UV-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 expression to a greater extent than GPPD and Rb1. 20(S)-PPD treatment modulated MMP-1 mRNA expression and the transcriptional activity of activator protein (AP)-1, a major transcription factor of MMP-1. Two upstream signaling pathways for AP-1, the MEK1/2-ERK1/2-p90^RSK and MEK3/6-p38 pathways, were also suppressed. Taken together, these findings highlight the potential of 20(S)-PPD for further development as a preventative agent for sunlight-induced skin wrinkle. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3756-3764, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The Prolyl Isomerase Pin1 Is a Novel Target of 6,7,4'-Trihydroxyisoflavone for Suppressing Esophageal Cancer Growth

Intake of soy isoflavones is inversely associated with the risk of esophageal cancer. Numerous experimental results have supported the anticancer activity of soy isoflavones. This study aimed to determine the anti-esophageal cancer activity of 6,7,4'-trihydroxyisoflavone (6,7,4'-THIF), a major metabolite of daidzein, which is readily metabolized in the human body. Notably, 6,7,4'-THIF inhibited proliferation and increased apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells. On the basis of a virtual screening analysis, Pin1 was identified as a target protein of 6,7,4'-THIF. Pull-down assay results using 6,7,4'-THIF Sepharose 4B beads showed a direct interaction between 6,7,4'-THIF and the Pin1 protein. Pin1 is a critical therapeutic and preventive target in esophageal cancer because of its positive regulation of β-catenin and cyclin D1. The 6,7,4'-THIF compound simultaneously reduced Pin1 isomerase activity and the downstream activation targets of Pin1. The specific inhibitory activity of 6,7,4'-THIF was analyzed using Neu/Pin1 wild-type (WT) and Neu/Pin1 knockout (KO) MEFs. 6,7,4'-THIF effected Neu/Pin1 WT MEFs, but not Neu/Pin1 KO MEFs. Furthermore, the results of a xenograft assay using Neu/Pin1 WT and KO MEFs were similar to those obtained from the in vitro assay. Overall, we found that 6,7,4'-THIF specifically reduced Pin1 activity in esophageal cancer models. Importantly, 6,7,4'-THIF directly bound to Pin1 but not FKBP or cyclophilin A, the same family of proteins. Because Pin1 acts like an oncogene by modulating various carcinogenesis-related proteins, this study might at least partially explain the underlying mechanism(s) of the anti-esophageal cancer effects of soy isoflavones. Cancer Prev Res; 10(5); 308-18. ©2017 AACR.

Daidzein attenuates abdominal aortic aneurysm through NF-κB, p38MAPK and TGF-β1 pathways

The current study focuses on the protection of daidzein on nerves, as daidzein was demonstrated to have a protective effect on neurons of the central nervous system in a glutamate excitotoxicity and oxygen/glucose deprivation model. However, the effect of daidzein on the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains unclear. The angiotensin II-induced AAA mouse model was utilized in the present study to determine the effect of daidzein on AAA. The results demonstrated that daidzein significantly attenuated incidence of AAA, max aortic aneurysm and mortality in the angiotensin II‑induced AAA mice. Daidzein had an anti‑inflammatory effect by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL‑1β) and nuclear factor κB (NF‑κB) protein expression. In addition, daidzein strongly suppressed the gene expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)‑2, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP‑2), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‑β1), and inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression in angiotensin II‑induced AAA mice. It also inhibited phosphorylation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. These results demonstrate, to the best of our knowledge for the first time, that the anti‑inflammatory effects and inhibitory mechanism of daidzein attenuates AAA in angiotensin II‑induced mice. Daidzein contains strong anti‑inflammatory activity and affects various mechanism pathways including the NF‑κB, p38MAPK and TGF-β1 pathway.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Quercetagetin Analogues as JNK1 Inhibitors

The recent discovery of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase JNK1 suppression by natural quercetagetin (1) is a promising lead for the development of novel anticancer agents. Using both X-ray structure and docking analyses we predicted that 5'-hydroxy- (2) and 5'-hydroxymethyl-quercetagetin (3) would inhibit JNK1 more actively than the parent compound 1. Notably, our drug design was based on the active enzyme-ligand complex as opposed to the enzyme's relatively open apo structure. In this paper we test our theoretical predictions, aided by docking-model experiments, and report the first synthesis and biological evaluation of quercetagetin analogues 2 and 3. As calculated, both compounds strongly suppress JNK1 activity. The IC50 values were determined to be 3.4 μM and 12.2 μM, respectively, which shows that 2 surpasses the potency of the parent compound 1 (IC50 =4.6 μM). Compound 2 was also shown to suppress matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression with high specificity after UV irradiation.