Phenolic Compounds from Belamcanda chinensis Seeds

An arabinose-rich heteropolysaccharide isolated from Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC treats liver cancer by targeting FAK and activating CD40

An undisclosed polysaccharide, BCP80-2, was isolated from Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC. Structural investigation revealed that BCP80-2 consists of ten monosaccharide residues including t-α-Araf-(1→, →3,5)-α-Araf-(1→, →5)-α-Araf-(1→, →4)-β-Xylp-(1→, →3)-α-Rhap-(1→, →4)-β-Manp-(1→, t-β-Glcp-(1→, →6)-α-Glcp-(1→, t-β-Galp-(1→, and→3)-α-Galp-(1→. In vivo activity assays showed that BCP80-2 significantly suppressed neoplasmic growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis in zebrafish. Mechanistic studies have shown that BCP80-2 inhibited cell migration of HepG2 cells by suppressing the FAK signaling pathway. Moreover, BCP80-2 also activated immunomodulation and upregulated the secretion of co-stimulatory molecules CD40, CD86, CD80, and MHC-II. In conclusion, BCP80-2 inhibited tumor progression by targeting the FAK signaling pathway and activating CD40-induced adaptive immunity.

Plants in Anticancer Drug Discovery: From Molecular Mechanism to Chemoprevention

Cancer is one of the primary causes of mortality globally, and the discovery of new anticancer drugs is the most important need in recent times. Natural products have been recognized as effective in fight against various diseases including cancer for over 50 years. Plants and microbes are the primary and potential sources of natural compounds to fight against cancer. Moreover, researches in the field of plant-based natural compounds have moved towards advanced and molecular level understandings from the last few decades, leading to the development of potent anticancer agents. Also, plants have been accepted as abundant and prosperous sources for the development of novel therapeutic agents for the management and prevention of different cancer types. The high toxicity of some cancer chemotherapy drugs, as well as their unfavorable side effects and drugs resistance, drives up the demand for natural compounds as new anticancer drugs. In this detailed evidence-based mechanistic review, facts and information about various medicinal plants, their bioactive compounds with their potent anticancer activities against different cancers have been gathered, with further approach to represent the molecular mechanism behind the anticancer activity of these plants. This review will be beneficial for investigators/scientists globally involved in the development of natural, safe, effective, and economical therapeutic agents/drugs against various cancers. This might be an important contribution in the field of drug discovery, where drugs can be used alone or in combination to increase the efficacy of newly synthesized drugs.

Hepatic cholesterol transport and its role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a quickly emerging global health problem representing the most common chronic liver disease in the world. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease represents the leading cause of mortality in NAFLD patients. Cholesterol metabolism has a crucial role in the pathogenesis of both NAFLD and atherosclerosis. The liver is the major organ for cholesterol metabolism. Abnormal hepatic cholesterol metabolism not only leads to NAFLD but also drives the development of atherosclerotic dyslipidemia. The cholesterol level in hepatocytes reflects the dynamic balance between endogenous synthesis, uptake, esterification, and export, a process in which cholesterol is converted to neutral cholesteryl esters either for storage in cytosolic lipid droplets or for secretion as a major constituent of plasma lipoproteins, including very-low-density lipoproteins, chylomicrons, high-density lipoproteins, and low-density lipoproteins. In this review, we describe decades of research aimed at identifying key molecules and cellular players involved in each main aspect of hepatic cholesterol metabolism. Furthermore, we summarize the recent advances regarding the biological processes of hepatic cholesterol transport and its role in NAFLD and atherosclerosis.

Flavonoids and Xanthones From the Genus Iris: Phytochemistry, Relationships with Flower Colors and Taxonomy, and Activities and Function

The genus Iris consists of approximately 360 species and is distributed to Eurasia, North Africa, and North America. Belamcanda chinensis was incorporated into the genus Iris by APG III as Iris domestica. Iris species have also been cultivated as ornamentals since ancient times. Many flavonoids are isolated and identified from the flowers, leaves, and rhizomes. So far as we know, 6 anthocyanidins, 13 flavones, 20 flavonols, 20 C-glycosylflavones, 14 flavanones, 11 dihydroflavonols, 6 flavan and proanthocyanidins, and 85 isoflavonoids were reported as aglycones and glycosides. However, chalcones, dihydrochalcones, aurones, biflavonoids, and neoflavonoids are not found in the genus Iris. Fifteen xanthones that are related to flavonoids were also isolated from Iris species. In this review, we describe the flavonoids and xanthones that were isolated and characterized from Iris species. Moreover, their phytochemistry, contribution to the flower colors, relationships with taxonomy, and activities and functions are also discussed.

Transcriptome changes of Takifugu obscurus liver after acute exposure to the oxygenated-PAH 9,10-phenanthrenequione

Contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) causes noticeable ecological problems in aquatic ecosystems. 9,10-Phenanthrenequione (9,10-PQ) is an oxidized PAH and is highly toxic to aquatic animals. However, the effects of 9,10-PQ on the molecular metabolism of fish remain largely unknown. In this study, Takifugu obscurus juveniles were acutely exposed to 44.30 µg/L 9,10-PQ for 3 days. The transcriptome profile changes in their livers were compared between the 9,10-PQ treatment group and the control using T. rubripes as the reference genome. The results identified 22,414 genes in our transcriptome. Among them, 767 genes were differentially expressed after exposure to 9,10-PQ, which enriched 16 KEGG pathways. Among them, the glycolysis, phagosome, and FOXO signaling pathways were significantly activated in 9,10-PQ treatment compared with the control. These data indicate that 9,10-PQ increased the glycolysis capacity to produce more energy for resistance and harmed immune function. Moreover, several genes related to tumorigenesis were significantly upregulated in response to 9,10-PQ, displaying the carcinogenic toxicity of 9,10-PQ to T. obscurus. Genes in steroid biosynthesis pathways were downregulated in the 9,10-PQ treatment group, suggesting interference with the endocrine system. Overall, these findings provide information to help evaluate the environmental risks that oxygenated-PAHs present to T. obscurus.

RNA Sequencing-Based Whole-Transcriptome Analysis of Friesian Cattle Fed with Grape Pomace-Supplemented Diet

Simple Summary

Grape pomace (GPO) is an important source of polyphenols which are known to have antioxidant properties. In the past decade, GPO has received some attention as a bioactive dietary component in farm animals’ diet. In this study, we have analyzed the whole-transcriptome of Friesian calves fed with a GPO-supplemented diet using RNA-sequencing. We noted that the most affected pathway was the cholesterol lipid biosynthesis and this effect was consistent with a reduction in both serum cholesterol and lipid oxidation in the carcasses. This study provides evidence on the antioxidant property of GPO-supplemented diet, from a molecular biology standpoint.

Abstract

Grape pomace (GPO), the main by-product of the wine making process, is a rich source of polyphenols with potent antioxidant properties. Recently, GPO has emerged as a potential feed additive in livestock nutrition, with several reports describing its beneficial effects on animals’ overall health status or production traits. However, little is known about it from a molecular biology standpoint. In the present study, we report the first RNA sequencing-based whole-transcriptome profiling of Friesian calves fed with a GPO-supplemented diet. We identified 367 differentially expressed genes (p < 0.05) in the GPO-supplemented calves (n = 5), when compared with unsupplemented control group (n = 5). The pathway analysis showed that ‘cholesterol lipid biosynthesis’ was the most negatively-enriched (p < 0.001) pathway in the GPO-supplemented animals. In specific terms, five important genes coding for cholesterol biosynthesis enzymes, namely the Farnesyl-diphosphate Farnesyltransferase 1 (FDFT-1), Squalene Epoxidase (SQLE), NAD(P)-dependent Steroid Dehydrogenase-like (NSDHL), Methylsterol Monooxygenase (MSMO)-1, and Sterol-C5-desaturase (SC5D), two major transcription factors (the Sterol Regulatory Element-binding Transcription Factor 1 and 2), as well as the Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor (LDLR), were all downregulated following GPO supplementation. Such an effect was mirrored by a reduction of blood cholesterol levels (p = 0.07) and a lowered (p < 0.001) Malondialdehyde (lipid oxidation marker) level in carcasses. We provide evidence on the effects of GPO-supplemented diets on the whole-transcriptome signature in veal calves, which mainly reflects an antioxidant activity.