Protective Effects of Ferulic Acid against Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion-Induced Swallowing Dysfunction in Rats

Involvement of the Restoration of Cerebral Blood Flow and Maintenance of eNOS Expression in the Prophylactic Protective Effect of the Novel Ferulic Acid Derivative FAD012 against Ischemia/Reperfusion Injuries in Rats

Tissue plasminogen activator, aiming to restore cerebral blood flow (CBF), has been used for acute ischemic strokes in clinics; however, its narrow therapeutic time window remains a serious concern. To develop novel prophylactic drugs to alleviate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injuries, ferulic acid derivative 012 (FAD012) was synthesized and showed comparable antioxidant properties to ferulic acid (FA) and probably possesses the potent ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. A more potent cytoprotective effect of FAD012 against H2O2-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells was also observed. In vivo toxicity was not observed in rats given a long-term oral administration of FAD012, indicating its good tolerability. A one-week-course oral administration of FAD012 significantly alleviated middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-induced cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injuries in rats, accompanied by the restoration of CBF and endothelial nitrogen oxide synthetase (eNOS) expression. Treatment with FAD012 significantly restored the cell viability and eNOS expression damaged by H2O2, used to mimic MCAO-triggered oxidative stress, in rat brain microvascular endothelial cells. Our findings suggested that FAD012 protected the viability of vascular endothelium and maintained eNOS expression, ultimately contributing to the restoration of CBF, and may provide a rationale for the development of FAD012 into an effective prophylactic drug for patients at high risk of stroke.

Ferulic acid-loaded nanostructure prevents morphine reinstatement: the involvement of dopamine system, NRF2, and ΔFosB in the striatum brain area of rats

Morphine is among the most powerful analgesics and pain-relieving agents. However, its addictive properties limit their medical use because patients may be susceptible to abuse and reinstatement. Morphine addiction occurs because of dopamine release in the mesolimbic brain area, implying in an increase in oxidative stress. Ferulic acid (FA), a phenolic phytochemical found in a variety of foods, has been reported to exert antioxidant and neuroprotective effects; however, its low bioavailability makes its nano-encapsulated form a promising alternative. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of a novel nanosystem with FA on morphine reinstatement and the consequent molecular neuroadaptations and oxidative status in the mesolimbic region. Rats previously exposed to morphine in conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm were treated with ferulic acid-loaded nanocapsules (FA-Nc) or nonencapsulated FA during morphine-preference extinction. Following the treatments, animals were re-exposed to morphine to induce the reinstatement. While morphine-preference extinction was comparable among all experimental groups, FA-Nc treatment prevented morphine reinstatement. In the dorsal striatum, while morphine exposure increased lipid peroxidation (LP) and reactive species (RS), FA-Nc decreased LP and FA decreased RS levels. Morphine exposure increased the dopaminergic markers (D1R, D3R, DAT) and ΔFosB immunoreactivity in the ventral striatum; however, FA-Nc treatment decreased D1R, D3R, and ΔFosB and increased D2R, DAT, and NRF2. In conclusion, FA-Nc treatment prevented the morphine reinstatement, promoted antioxidant activity, and modified the dopaminergic neurotransmission, NRF2, and ΔFosB, what may indicate a neuroprotective and antioxidant role of this nanoformulation.

Pharmacological and Chemical Potential of Spiranthes sinensis (Orchidaceae): A Narrative Review

Orchidaceae is one of the largest families of flowering plants with more than 27,000 accepted species, and more than 31,000–35,000 species are estimated to exist in total. The orchid Spiranthes sinensis (Pers.) Ames, having ornamental and medicinal value, is widely distributed throughout Asia and Oceania. S. sinensis (Shou Tsao) is also known as Panlongshen among the common folk herbs. It has a fleshy root similar to ginseng, and the entire plant is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Owing to overexploitation and habitat destruction in recent years, the wild population has become scarce. The traits of this species show obvious differences in different countries. In the Taiwanese climate, it flowers during the Ching Ming Festival, also called the ching ming tsao. Previous investigations into S. sinensis have revealed the presence of flavonoids, homocyclotirucallane, dihydrophenanthrenes, ferulic acid, and 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde. Phenolic constituents of structural and biological interest, including phenanthrenes and flavonoids, have been isolated and identified from S. sinensis. This natural product possesses extensive bioactivity, including anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. In this review, we outline the herbal medicine formulations and plant-derived natural products of S. sinensis.

Ferulic acid: A review of its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and derivatives

Ferulic acid, a kind of phenolic substance widely existing in plants, is an important active component of many traditional Chinese medicines. So far, it has been proved that ferulic acid has a variety of biological activities, especially in oxidative stress, inflammation, vascular endothelial injury, fibrosis, apoptosis and platelet aggregation. Many studies have shown that ferulic acid can inhibit PI3K/AKT pathway, the production of ROS and the activity of aldose reductase. The anti-inflammatory effect of ferulic acid is mainly related to the levels of PPAR γ, CAM and NF-κ B and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Ferulic acid not only protects vascular endothelium by ERK1/2 and NO/ET-1 signal, but also plays an anti-fibrosis role by TGF-β/Smad and MMPs/TIMPs system. Moreover, ferulic acid has ant-apoptotic and anti-platelet effects. In addition to the pharmacological effects of ferulic acid, its pharmacokinetics and derivatives were also discussed in this paper. This review provides the latest summary of the latest research on ferulic acid.

Ferulic acid attenuates osteoporosis induced by glucocorticoid through regulating the GSK-3β/Lrp-5/ERK signalling pathways

Objective

To evaluate in-vivo and in-vitro effects of ferulic acid (FA) on glucocorticoid-induced osteoarthritis (GIO) to establish its possible underlying mechanisms.

Methods

The effects of FA on cell proliferation, cell viability (MTT assay), ALP activity, and mineralization assay, and oxidative stress markers (ROS, SOD, GSH LDH and MDA levels) were investigated by MC3T3-E1 cell line. Wistar rats received standard saline (control group) or dexamethasone (GC, 2 mg-1 kg) or DEX+FA (50 and 100 mg-1 kg) orally for 8 weeks. Bone density, micro-architecture, bio-mechanics, bone turnover markers and histo-morphology were determined. The expression of OPG, RANKL, osteogenic markers, and other signalling proteins was assessed employing quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting.

Results

The findings indicated the elevation of ALP mRNA expressions, osteogenic markers (Runx-2, OSX, Col-I, and OSN), and the β-Catenin, Lrp-5 and GSK-3β protein expressions. FA showed the potential to increase MC3T3-E1 cell differentiation, proliferation, and mineralization. FA increased oxidative stress markers (SOD, MDA, and GSH) while decreasing ROS levels and lactate dehydrogenase release in GIO rats. The OPG/RANKL mRNA expression ratio was increased by FA, followed by improved GSK-3β and ERK phosphorylation with enhanced mRNA expressions of Lrp-5 and β-catenin.

Conclusion

These findings showed that FA improved osteoblasts proliferation with oxidative stress suppression by controlling the Lrp-5/GSK-3β/ERK pathway in GIO, demonstrating the potential pathways involved in the mechanism of actions of FA in GIO therapy.

A Systematic Review of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia Models in Rodents

Oropharyngeal dysphagia is a condition characterized by swallowing difficulty in the mouth and pharynx, which can be due to various factors. Animal models of oropharyngeal dysphagia are essential to confirm the cause-specific symptoms, pathological findings, and the effect of treatment. Recently, various animal models of dysphagia have been reported. The purpose of this review is to organize the rodent models of oropharyngeal dysphagia reported to date. The articles were obtained from Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane library, and selected following the PRISMA guideline. The animal models in which oropharyngeal dysphagia was induced in rats or mice were selected and classified based on the diseases causing oropharyngeal dysphagia. The animal used, method of inducing dysphagia, and screening methods and results were collected from the selected 37 articles. Various rodent models of oropharyngeal dysphagia provide distinctive information on atypical swallowing. Applying and analyzing the treatment in rodent models of dysphagia induced from various causes is an essential process to develop symptom-specific treatments. Therefore, the results of this study provide fundamental and important data for selecting appropriate animal models to study dysphagia.

Wild Italian Prunus spinosa L. Fruit Exerts In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity and Protects Against In Vitro and In Vivo Oxidative Stress

Polyphenol-rich foods could have a pivotal function in the prevention of oxidative stress-based pathologies and antibacterial action. The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vitro antimicrobial activity, as well as the in vitro and In Vivo antioxidant capacities of wild Prunus spinosa L. fruit (PSF) from the southeast regions of Italy. The total phenolic content (TPC) was quantified, and the single polyphenols were analyzed by HPLC-DAD, showing high rutin and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid levels, followed by gallic and trans-sinapic acids. PSF extract demonstrated antimicrobial activity against some potentially pathogenic Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Besides, we investigated the cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) and the hemolysis inhibition of PSF extract on human erythrocytes, evidencing both a good antioxidant power and a marked hemolysis inhibition. Furthermore, an In Vivo experiment with oxidative stress-induced rats treated with a high-fat diet (HFD) and a low dose of streptozotocin (STZ) demonstrated that PSF has a dose-dependent antioxidant capacity both in liver and in brain. In conclusion, the wild Italian Prunus spinosa L. fruit could be considered a potentially useful material for both nutraceutical and food industries because of its antioxidant and antimicrobial effects.

Ferulic acid, a natural polyphenol, protects against osteoporosis by activating SIRT1 and NF-κB in neonatal rats with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a chronic disease whose symptoms include a reduction in bone strength, osteopenia, and damage to the bone microstructure. Ferulic acids are natural polyphenols present in various fruits that suppress the fusion and apoptosis of mature osteoclasts. Rats were divided into sham, control (osteoporosis), 10 mg/kg body weight ferulic acid, 20 mg/kg body weight ferulic acid, and 30 mg/kg body weight ferulic acid treatment groups. Osteoporosis was induced in neonatal by administration of dexamethasone (glucocorticoids). Bone mineral density (BMD), osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, bone mechanical parameters, and mRNA and protein levels of sirtuin1 (SIRT1) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) in the osteoporotic neonatal rats were assessed. Histopathological analysis was also conducted. Treatment with 20 and 30 mg/kg body weight ferulic acid increased BMD by 25% and 141.7%, respectively, but reduced ALP and osteocalcin levels. Furthermore, treatment with 20 or 30 mg/kg body weight ferulic acid significantly reduced the pixel intensity and significantly increased the peak load and ultimate stiffness. Ferulic acid significantly increased the mRNA and protein levels of SIRT1 and reduced those of NF-κB. Finally, the histopathological analysis showed that ferulic acid increased BMD. In summary, ferulic acid exhibited protective effects against osteoporosis in neonatal rats.

Anti-hypertensive Effect of Cereal Antioxidant Ferulic Acid and Its Mechanism of Action

Ferulic acid is a simple phenolic acid found mainly in cereals and grains, used as an antioxidant and food preservative. Recent evidence suggests that ferulic acid possess anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anticancer, and cardioprotective properties. Several investigations also have shown that ferulic acid rich food might prevent hypertension. As a potent scavenger of free radicals (ROS, reactive oxygen species), ferulic acid attenuates oxidative stress, which is responsible for lowering elevated blood-pressure through improved endothelial function and increased bioavailability of the nitric oxide in the arterial vasculature. This review article describes the role of ferulic acid in the pathophysiology of vascular dysfunction and hypertension along with highlighted the merit of further scientific and clinical exploration.

Dietary Anthocyanins and Stroke: A Review of Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Studies

Cerebrovascular accidents are currently the second major cause of death and the third leading cause of disability in the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which has provided protocols for stroke prevention. Although there is a multitude of studies on the health benefits associated with anthocyanin (ACN) consumption, there is no a rigorous systematization of the data linking dietary ACN with stroke prevention. This review is intended to present data from epidemiological, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies dealing with the stroke related to ACN-rich diets or ACN supplements, along with possible mechanisms of action revealed by pharmacokinetic studies, including ACN passage through the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

Phytochemical Analysis of Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects of Mahonia aquifolium Flower and Fruit Extracts

Oxidative stress and inflammation are interlinked processes. The aim of the study was to perform a phytochemical analysis and to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanolic Mahonia aquifolium flower (MF), green fruit (MGF), and ripe fruit (MRF) extracts. Plant extract chemical composition was evaluated by HLPC. A DPPH test was used for the in vitro antioxidant activity. The in vivo antioxidant effects and the anti-inflammatory potential were tested on a rat turpentine oil-induced inflammation, by measuring serum nitric oxide (NOx) and TNF-alpha, total oxidative status (TOS), total antioxidant reactivity (TAR), oxidative stress index (OSI), 3-nitrothyrosine (3NT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total thiols (SH). Extracts were administrated orally in three dilutions (100%, 50%, and 25%) for seven days prior to inflammation. The effects were compared to diclofenac. The HPLC polyphenol and alkaloid analysis revealed chlorogenic acid as the most abundant compound. All extracts had a good in vitro antioxidant activity, decreased NOx, TOS, and 3NT, and increased SH. TNF-alpha was reduced, and TAR increased only by MF and MGF. MDA was not influenced. Our findings suggest that M. aquifolium has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that support the use in primary prevention of the inflammatory processes.

Ferulic Acid Supplementation Improves Lipid Profiles, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammatory Status in Hyperlipidemic Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Ferulic acid is the most abundant phenolic compound found in vegetables and cereal grains. In vitro and animal studies have shown ferulic acid has anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory effects. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of ferulic acid supplementation on lipid profiles, oxidative stress, and inflammatory status in hyperlipidemia. The study design is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Subjects with hyperlipidemia were randomly divided into two groups. The treatment group (n = 24) was given ferulic acid (1000 mg daily) and the control group (n = 24) was provided with a placebo for six weeks. Lipid profiles, biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation were assessed before and after the intervention. Ferulic acid supplementation demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in total cholesterol (8.1%; p = 0.001), LDL-C (9.3%; p < 0.001), triglyceride (12.1%; p = 0.049), and increased HDL-C (4.3%; p = 0.045) compared with the placebo. Ferulic acid also significantly decreased the oxidative stress biomarker, MDA (24.5%; p < 0.001). Moreover, oxidized LDL-C was significantly decreased in the ferulic acid group (7.1%; p = 0.002) compared with the placebo group. In addition, ferulic acid supplementation demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the inflammatory markers hs-CRP (32.66%; p < 0.001) and TNF-α (13.06%; p < 0.001). These data indicate ferulic acid supplementation can improve lipid profiles and oxidative stress, oxidized LDL-C, and inflammation in hyperlipidemic subjects. Therefore, ferulic acid has the potential to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors.

The Chinese herbal formula Fuzheng Quxie Decoction attenuates cognitive impairment and protects cerebrovascular function in SAMP8 mice

PURPOSE

This study was designed to explore the underlying mechanism of action for a Fuzheng Quxie Decoction (FQD) in Alzheimer's disease (AD), to validate its neuroprotective effects, and to provide experimental support for its predicted mechanism of action.

METHODS

An integrative approach to network pharmacology was performed to predict the mechanism of action for treatment of AD with FQD. The predicted mechanism was validated in SAMP8 mice.

RESULTS

With predicted putative FQD targets and a collection of AD-related genes, 245 possible regulatory targets of FQD were identified for the treatment of AD. Pathway-enrichment analysis for the possible regulatory targets indicated that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF-receptor signaling were pivotal in the treatment of AD with FQD. In vivo experiments confirmed the neuroprotective effect and the predicted mechanism of action for treatment of AD with FQD.

CONCLUSION

This study contributes to an understanding of the neuroprotective effect of FQD and its potential mechanism of action for the treatment of AD.