Imperatorin Improves Obesity-Induced Cardiac Sympathetic Nerve Injury Mediated by P2X4 Receptor in Stellate Sympathetic Ganglion

Preventive effect of imperatorin against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity through suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome activation

Cardiotoxicity is one of the major obstacles to anthracycline chemotherapy. Anthracycline cardiotoxicity is closely associated with inflammation. Imperatorin (IMP), a furocoumarin ingredient extracted from Angelica dahurica, might have potential activity in preventing anthracycline cardiotoxicity due to its anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, cardioprotective properties. This study aims to reveal the effect of IMP on doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity and its underlying mechanism. We established a rat model of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity by intraperitoneal injection with DOX (1.25 mg/kg twice weekly for 6 weeks), and found that both IMP (25 mg/kg and 12.5 mg/kg) and dexrazoxane 12.5 mg/kg relieved DOX-induced reductions in heart weight, change in cardiac histopathology, and elevated serum levels of LDH, AST and CK-MB. Moreover, DOX upregulated mRNA levels of NLRP3, CASP1, GSDMD, ASC, IL-1β and IL-18, elevated protein expressions of NLRP3, ASC, GSDMD-FL, GSDMD-N, pro‑caspase‑1, caspase‑1 p20, pro‑IL‑1β and IL‑1β in heart tissues, as well as increased serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β and IL-18, however both of IMP and dexrazoxane suppressed these alterations. In addition, we carried out neonatal rat cardiomyocytes experiments to confirm the results of the in vivo study. Consistently, pretreatment with IMP 25 µg/mL relieved DOX (1 μg/mL)-induced cardiomyocytes injury, including decreased cell viability and reduced supernatant LDH. IMP inhibited DOX-induced activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, IMP had a protective effect against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity via repressing the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. These findings suggest that IMP may be a promising alternative or adjunctive drug for the prevention of anthracycline cardiotoxicity.

Stellate ganglion, inflammation, and arrhythmias: a new perspective on neuroimmune regulation

Current research on the stellate ganglion (SG) has shifted from merely understanding its role as a collection of neurons to recognizing its importance in immune regulation. As part of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), the SG plays a crucial role in regulating cardiovascular function, particularly cardiac sympathetic nerve activity. Abnormal SG function can lead to disordered cardiac electrical activity, which in turn affects heart rhythm stability. Studies have shown that excessive activity of the SG is closely related to the occurrence of arrhythmias, especially in the context of inflammation. Abnormal activity of the SG may trigger excessive excitation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) through neuroimmune mechanisms, thereby increasing the risk of arrhythmias. Simultaneously, the inflammatory response of the SG further aggravates this process, forming a vicious cycle. However, the causal relationship between SG, inflammation, and arrhythmias has not yet been fully clarified. Therefore, this article deeply explores the key role of the SG in arrhythmias and its complex relationship with inflammation, providing relevant clinical evidence. It indicates that interventions targeting SG function and inflammatory responses have potential in preventing and treating inflammation-related arrhythmias, offering a new perspective for cardiovascular disease treatment strategies.

Imperatorin ameliorates kidney injury in diabetic mice by regulating the TGF-β/Smad2/3 signaling axis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and renal inflammation

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious concern in patients with diabetes mellitus. Prolonged hyperglycemia induces oxidative damage, chronic inflammation, and build-up of extracellular matrix (ECM) components in the renal cells, leading to kidney structural and functional changes. Imperatorin (IMP) is a naturally occurring furanocoumarin derivative with proven antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated whether IMP could improve DN and employed high glucose (HG)-induced HK-2 cells and high-fat diet-fed streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-generated DN experimental model in C57BL/6 mice. In vitro, IMP effectively reduced the HG-activated reactive oxygen species generation, disturbance in the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers, and the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and collagen 1 expression in HK-2 cells. In vivo, we found an elevation of serum creatinine, kidney histology alterations, and collagen build-up in the kidneys of the DN control group. Also, we found an altered expression of EMT-related markers, upregulation of the TGF-β/Smad2/3 axis, and elevated pro-inflammatory molecules, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-18 and phospho-NF-kB (p65) in the DN control group. IMP treatment did not significantly reduce the blood glucose level compared to the DN control group. However, IMP treatment effectively improved renal damage by ameliorating kidney histological changes and serum renal injury markers. IMP treatment restored renal antioxidants and exhibited anti-inflammatory effects in the kidneys. Moreover, the abnormal manifestation of EMT-related attributes and elevated levels of TGF-β, phospho-Smad2/3, and collagen 1 were also normalized in the IMP treatment group. Our findings highlight that IMP may be a potential candidate for treating DN.

The Assessment of the Efficacy of Imperatorin in Reducing Overactive Bladder Symptoms

Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is a prevalent condition that affects the elderly population in particular and significantly impairs quality of life. Imperatorin, a naturally occurring furocoumarin, possesses diverse pharmacological properties that warrant consideration for drug development. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of imperatorin (IMP) to attenuate the cystometric and biochemical changes typically associated with retinyl acetate-induced overactive bladder (OAB) and to assess its viability as a pharmacological intervention for OAB patients. A total of 60 rats were divided into four groups: I-control, II-rats with rapamycin (RA)-induced OAB, III-rats administered IMP at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day, and IV-rats with RA-induced OAB treated with IMP. IMP or vehicle were injected intraperitoneally for 14 days. The cystometry and assessment of bladder blood flow were performed two days after the last dose of IMP. The rats were then placed in metabolic cages for 24 h. Urothelial thickness measurements and biochemical analyses were performed. Intravesical infusion of RA induced OAB. Notably, intraperitoneal administration of imperatorin had no discernible effect on urinary bladder function and micturition cycles in normal rats. IMP attenuated the severity of RA-induced OAB. RA induced increases in urothelial ATP, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3), and vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), as well as significant c-Fos expression in all micturition areas analyzed, which were attenuated by IMP. Furthermore, elevated levels of Rho kinase (ROCK1) and VAChT were observed in the detrusor, which were reversed by IMP in the context of RA-induced OAB in the urothelium, detrusor muscle, and urine. Imperatorin has a mitigating effect on detrusor overactivity. The mechanisms of action of IMP in the bladder appear to be diverse and complex. These findings suggest that IMP may provide protection against RA-induced OAB and could potentially develop into an innovative therapeutic strategy for the treatment of OAB.