Artemisia Iwayomogi Extract Attenuates High-Fat Diet-Induced Hypertriglyceridemia in Mice: Potential Involvement of the Adiponectin-AMPK Pathway and Very Low Density Lipoprotein Assembly in the Liver

Inflammatory signaling pathways in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease with inhibitors, natural products and metabolites (Review)

The intricate nature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis poses a persistent obstacle to drug development. In recent times, neuroinflammation has emerged as a crucial pathogenic mechanism of AD, and the targeting of inflammation has become a viable approach for the prevention and management of AD. The present study conducted a comprehensive review of the literature between October 2012 and October 2022, identifying a total of 96 references, encompassing 91 distinct pharmaceuticals that have been investigated for their potential impact on AD by inhibiting neuroinflammation. Research has shown that pharmaceuticals have the potential to ameliorate AD by reducing neuroinflammation mainly through regulating inflammatory signaling pathways such as NF‑κB, MAPK, NLRP3, PPARs, STAT3, CREB, PI3K/Akt, Nrf2 and their respective signaling pathways. Among them, tanshinone IIA has been extensively studied for its anti‑inflammatory effects, which have shown significant pharmacological properties and can be applied clinically. Thus, it may hold promise as an effective drug for the treatment of AD. The present review elucidated the inflammatory signaling pathways of pharmaceuticals that have been investigated for their therapeutic efficacy in AD and elucidates their underlying mechanisms. This underscores the auspicious potential of pharmaceuticals in ameliorating AD by impeding neuroinflammation.

Lonicera Caerulea Juice Alleviates Alcoholic Liver Disease by Regulating Intestinal Flora and the FXR-FGF15 Signaling Pathway

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a growing public health issue with high financial, social, and medical costs. Lonicera caerulea, which is rich in polyphenolic compounds, has been shown to exert anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to explore the effects and mechanisms of concentrated Lonicera caerulea juice (LCJ) on ALD in mice. ALD was established in mice via gradient alcohol feeding for 30 days. The mice in the experimental group were given LCJ by gavage. The reduction of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) in the serum of mice indicated that LCJ has a liver-protective effect. LCJ improved the expression of AMPK, PPARα, and CPT1b in ALD mice to reduce the liver lipid content. Additionally, LCJ increased the expression of farnesoid X receptor (FXR), fibroblast growth factor 15 (FGF15), and fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4), which lowers the expression of cytochrome P450 7A1 (CYP7A1) and lessens bile acid deposition in the liver. In mice, LCJ improved the intestinal barrier by upregulating the expression of mucins and tight junction proteins in the small intestine. Moreover, it accelerated the restoration of microbial homeostasis in both the large and small intestines and increased short-chain fatty acids in the cecum. In conclusion, LCJ alleviates ALD by reducing liver and serum lipid accumulation and modulating the FXR-FGF15 signaling pathway mediated by gut microbes.

Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation by regulating NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways

BACKGROUND

Neuroinflammation plays a major role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The regulation of microglia is an efficient therapeutic approach to controlling neuroinflammation.

PURPOSE

In this study, we aimed to determine whether Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba (AIH), which is herbal medicine traditionally used for inflammation-related disorders, controls neuroinflammatory responses by regulating the microglia-mediated signaling pathway.

METHODS

BV-2 microglial cells were treated with AIH and lipopolysaccharides (LPS), then various pro-inflammatory mediators were analyzed using griess reaction, quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, or western blotting. C57BL/6 J mice were orally administered by AIH for 17 days and intraperitoneally injected with LPS for the last 14 days. The brains were collected and the microglial activation and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-, leucine-rich repeat-, and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) expression in the cortex and hippocampus were analyzed using immunohistochemistry or western blotting.

RESULTS

In BV-2 microglial cells, we found that AIH inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production induced by LPS. AIH also suppressed the expressions of pro-inflammatory mediators, including inducible NO synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6. The study also revealed that the effects of AIH are related to the regulation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Additionally, we found that AIH prevented the formation of NLRP3 inflammasomes. Consistent with the results of in vitro studies on the brains of LPS-injected mice, we observed that AIH suppressed microglial activation and NLRP3 expression.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, these results suggest that AIH attenuates neuroinflammation by regulating the NF-κB and MAPK pathways, and it may be used for treating neurological diseases.

Hepatoprotective Effects of Steamed and Freeze-Dried Mature Silkworm Larval Powder against Ethanol-Induced Fatty Liver Disease in Rats

Silkworm, Bombyx mori, contains high amounts of beneficial nutrients, including amino acids, proteins, essential minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. We have previously reported a technique for producing steamed and freeze-dried mature silkworm larval powder (SMSP), which makes it easier to digest mature silkworm. In this study, we investigated the preventive effects of SMSP on alcoholic fatty liver disease and elucidated its mechanism of action. Male Sprague-Dawley rats treated with SMSP (50 mg/kg) or normal diet (AIN-76A) were administered 25% ethanol (3 g/kg body weight) by oral gavage for 4 weeks. SMSP administration for 4 weeks significantly decreased hepatic fat accumulation in ethanol-treated rats by modulating lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation-related molecules such as sirtuin 1, AMP-activated protein kinase, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1. Moreover, SMSP administration significantly diminished the levels of triglyceride in liver tissues by as much as 35%, as well as lowering the serum levels of triglyceride, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, alanine transaminase, and aspartate aminotransferase in ethanol-treated rats. SMSP supplementation also decreased the pro-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin 1 beta levels and cytochrome P450 2E1 generating oxidative stress. These results suggest that SMSP administration may be possible for the prevention of alcoholic liver disease.

Artemisia iwayomogi (Dowijigi) inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophages by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway

Inflammatory diseases are an important health concern and have a growing incidence worldwide. Thus, developing novel and safe drugs to treat these disorders remains an important pursuit. Artemisia iwayomogi, locally known as Dowijigi (DJ), is a perennial herb found primarily in Korea and is used to treat various diseases such as hepatitis, inflammation and immune disorders. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory effects of a polyphenolic extract from the DJ flower (PDJ) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells were investigated. Cell cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT assay. The production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) was measured by Griess and ELISA analysis, respectively. The expression levels of inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) were examined by western blot analysis. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was performed to detect the mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, as well as COX2 and iNOS. The production of NO and PGE₂ was significantly decreased following treatment with PDJ. The mRNA expression levels of TNFα, IL-6, IL-1β, COX2 and iNOS were significantly decreased in LPS-induced PDJ co-treated cells compared with the group treated with LPS alone. Western blot analysis indicated that PDJ downregulated the LPS-induced expression of iNOS and COX2, as well as the expression of NF-κB proteins. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that PDJ exerted anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-induced macrophage cells by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway. Therefore, PDJ may be used as a potential therapeutic agent in inflammation.

The anti-obesity effects of Tongbi-san in a high-fat diet-induced obese mouse model

BACKGROUND

Recently, it has been noted that natural herbal medications may be effective in treating obesity. Tongbi-san (TBS) is a traditional medicine usually used for dysuria (i.e., painful urination), containing three herbs, Cyperus rotundus L., Citrus unshiu Markovich, and Poria cocos. In this study, we aimed to examine whether TBS can inhibit high-fat diet (HFD)-induced adipogenesis in the liver and epididymal adipose tissue of obese mice.

METHODS

Male C57BL/6 N mice were fed a normal diet, an HFD, an HFD plus orlistat 10 or 20 mg/kg, or an HFD plus TBS 50 or 100 mg/kg for 11 weeks. Body weight was checked weekly and histological tissue examinations were investigated. An expression of genes involved in adipogenesis was also assessed.

RESULTS

Oral administration of TBS significantly reduced body weight and decreased epididymal and visceral white adipose tissue (WAT) weight. In addition, we found that TBS enhanced the expression of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibited the expression of transcription factors, such as CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPs), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in the liver and epididymal WAT as measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate that the anti-obesity effects of TBS may be linked to the activation of AMPK.

Effects of Artemisia herba-alba or olive leaf (Olea europaea) powder supplementation on growth performance, carcass yield, and blood biochemical parameters in broilers

Aim

This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of Artemisia herba-alba (white wormwood) or olive leaf (Olea europaea) powder supplementation on growth performance, carcass yield, and serum biochemical parameters in broilers.

Materials and Methods

The study was conducted from April to May 2017 in Chemini region, Northern Algeria. A total of 60 1-day-old Ross 308 male chicks were divided into three groups consisted of 10 chicks, in each of two replications. The chicks in Group 1 were fed with a standard commercial diet (SCD); Group 2 received the same SCD with 2% supplementation of A. herba-alba powder; and Group 3 received the same SCD with 2% supplementation of O. europaea powder. Growth performance was measured with body weights every 2 weeks, daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and carcass yield at the end of 42 days of rearing. Blood samples were collected to analyze serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, and total protein levels.

Results

Results showed that, at 42 days of rearing, supplementation of O. europaea and A. herba-alba significantly increased (p<0.001) mean body weight (2230.10±26.38 g and 2117.42±26.38 g, respectively, vs. 2336.66±27.88 g in chicks of Group 1), but there was no significant difference (p≥0.05) among the three diets for FCR or percentage carcass yield. Among the serum biochemical parameters, glucose was significantly affected (p<0.01) by supplementation of olive leaf powder (1.90 g/L: Group 3), compared to the SCD (2.24 g/L: Group 1) or Artemisia powder (2.05 g/L: Group 2). Moreover, the supplementation of olive leaf powder in Group 3 broilers significantly affected (p<0.05) the serum cholesterol level (0.95 g/L), compared to the control diet (1.13 g/L). There was no significant difference (p≥0.05) for the other selected serum biochemical concentrations, namely triglycerides, urea, and total protein.

Conclusion

The supplementation of Artemisia or olive leaf powder into the diet for broilers improved body weight by about 5% or 10%, respectively, at slaughter with moderate changes in blood biochemical parameters.

Sini Decoction Intervention on Atherosclerosis via PPARγ-LXRα-ABCA1 Pathway in Rabbits

Aim

Sini decoction (SND) is a commonly used herbal formula showing lipid-lowering effects and is applied in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and atherosclerosis (AS). However, the mechanisms behind its anti-atherosclerotic effects are still unknown, and will be investigated in this study.

Methods

AS was induced in rabbits by high fat diet (HFD) and treated with solvent (HFD group), atorvastatin (Ator group), or SND (SND group) for 12 weeks. Healthy rabbits (Chow group) were used as control. Serum and liver homogenates were collected, and lipid profiles as well as serum ApoA-I and ApoB were examined. Histopathological changes and lipid deposition in the proximal aorta and liver were detected by Oil red O staining. Western blot was used to detect the expression of ABCA1, ApoA-I, ApoB, PPARγ, and LXRα in liver, peritoneal macrophages, peripheral mononuclear cells (PMC), and adipose tissues.

Results

SND significantly attenuated the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) in serum and liver. However, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) dramatically increased. SND treatment also decreased lipid deposition and improved the structure of the liver and aorta. Furthermore, SND enhanced the expression levels of ABCA1, PPARγ, and LXRα in liver, adipose tissues, PMC, and peritoneal macrophages. It also upregulated hepatic and serum ApoA-I expression and serum ApoA-I/ApoB ratio. CONCLUSIONS:SND treatment relieved AS, improved lipid profiles, and increased serum HDL-C level. The potential mechanism behind this might be the improvement of reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) involved with enhanced expression of ABCA1, ApoA-I, PPARγ, and LXRα.