Anti-Diabetic Effects of Acankoreagenin from the Leaves of Acanthopanax Gracilistylus Herb in RIN-m5F Cells via Suppression of NF-κB Activation

Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy: From clinical evidence to potential mechanisms

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a typical chronic microvascular complication of diabetes, characterized by proteinuria and a gradual decline in renal function. At present, there are limited clinical interventions aimed at preventing the progression of DN to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, Chinese herbal medicine presents a distinct therapeutic approach that can be effectively combined with conventional Western medicine treatments to safeguard renal function. This combination holds considerable practical implications for the treatment of DN.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This review covers commonly used Chinese herbal remedies and decoctions applicable to various types of DN, and we summarize the role played by their active ingredients in the treatment of DN and their mechanisms, which includes how they might improve inflammation and metabolic abnormalities to provide new ideas to cope with the development of DN.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

With the keywords "diabetic nephropathy," "Chinese herbal medicine," "clinical effectiveness," and "bioactive components," we conducted an extensive literature search of several databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang database, to discover studies on herbal formulas that were effective in slowing the progression of DN. The names of the plants covered in the review have been checked at MPNS (http://mpns.kew.org).

RESULTS

This review demonstrates the superior total clinical effective rate of combining Chinese herbal medicines with Western medicines over the use of Western medicines alone, as evidenced by summarizing the results of several clinical trials. Furthermore, the review highlights the nephroprotective effects of seven frequently used herbs exerting beneficial effects such as podocyte repair, anti-fibrosis of renal tissues, and regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism through multiple signaling pathways in the treatment of DN.

CONCLUSIONS

The potential of herbs in treating DN is evident from their excellent effectiveness and the ability of different herbs to target various symptoms of the condition. However, limitations arise from the deficiencies in interfacing with objective bioindicators, which hinder the integration of herbal therapies into modern medical practice. Further research is warranted to address these limitations and enhance the compatibility of herbal therapies with contemporary medical standards.

3α-Hydroxylup-20(29)-ene-23,28-dioic Acid as a Phytogenic Chemical Marker for Authenticating Schefflera octophylla (Lour.) Harms Monofloral Honey

The monofloral honey from Schefflera octophylla (Lour.) Harms (MH-Sco) are of high economic value due to their rarity and potential medicinal benefits. However, the limited investigations on the relationship of phytogenic components between the plant S. octophylla (P-Sco) and MH-Sco have an impact on MH-Sco authentication. Herein, the tentative phytogenic markers of MH-Sco were screened by comparing the metabolites of MH-Sco obtained by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS)-based untargeted metabolomics with the identified phytogenic chemicals from P-Sco. Combined with the mass and NMR spectral information, 3α-hydroxylup-20(29)-ene-23,28-dioic acid (HLEDA) was finally identified as the phytogenic marker of MH-Sco. A targeted ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS)-based method was established and validated based on the purified monomer standard to measure HLEDA levels in honey samples. HLEDA determined in MH-Sco was with the content from 0.303 to 0.440 mg/kg, while HLEDA was absent in honey samples from other botanical origins, indicating the reliability of HLEDA as a chemical marker in MH-Sco authentication. This study provides the theoretical basis and industry guidance for honey quality control for commercial consumption.

Full-length transcriptome profiling of Acanthopanax gracilistylus provides new insight into the kaurenoic acid biosynthesis pathway

Acanthopanax gracilistylus is a deciduous plant in the family Araliaceae, which is commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine, as the root bark has functions of nourishing the liver and kidneys, removing dampness and expelling wind, and strengthening the bones and tendons. Kaurenoic acid (KA) is the main effective substance in the root bark of A. gracilistylus with strong anti-inflammatory effects. To elucidate the KA biosynthesis pathway, second-generation (DNA nanoball) and third-generation (Pacific Biosciences) sequencing were performed to analyze the transcriptomes of the A. gracilistylus leaves, roots, and stems. Among the total 505,880 isoforms, 408,954 were annotated by seven major databases. Sixty isoforms with complete open reading frames encoding 11 key enzymes involved in the KA biosynthesis pathway were identified. Correlation analysis between isoform expression and KA content identified a total of eight key genes. Six key enzyme genes involved in KA biosynthesis were validated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Based on the sequence analysis, the spatial structure of ent-kaurene oxidase was modeled, which plays roles in the three continuous oxidations steps of KA biosynthesis. This study greatly enriches the transcriptome data of A. gracilistylus and facilitates further analysis of the function and regulation mechanism of key enzymes in the KA biosynthesis pathway.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-024-01436-7.

Botany, traditional usages, phytochemistry, pharmaceutical analysis, and pharmacology of Eleutherococcus nodiflorus (Dunn) S.Y.Hu: A systematic review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Eleutherococcus nodiflorus (Dunn) S.Y.Hu (Araliaceae), also called Eleutherococcus gracilistylus, Acanthopanax gracilistylus, and Xi-zhu-wu-jia (Wujiapi or Nan Wujiapi) in Chinese, is a widely used traditional Chinese herb with the effects of dispelling pathogenic wind and eliminating dampness, nourishing liver and kidney, diuresis and detumescence, promoting blood circulation for removing blood stasis, and strengthening the bones and tendons according to the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It has been used as medicine for the treatment of paralysis, arthritis, rheumatism, lameness, body asthenia, fatigue, edema, beriberi, and liver diseases. Meanwhile, E. nodiflorus (EN, thereafter) has ginseng-like activities known as "ginseng-like herb".

AIMS OF THE REVIEW

This review aims to present comprehensive information for the research progress of EN, including taxonomic position, botany, traditional usages, phytochemistry, pharmaceutical analysis, pharmacology and toxicology. Among them, phytochemical and pharmacological studies are mainly focused.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relevant literature was acquired from scientific databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, SciFinder and Chinese national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI). Monographs and Chinese pharmacopeia were also utilized as references.

RESULTS

In the past decade, a great number of phytochemical and pharmaceutical analyses, as well as pharmacological studies on EN have been carried out. Several kinds of chemical compositions have been reported, including essential oil, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes, phenylpropanoids, lignans, caffeoyl quinic acids, flavonoids, steroids, fatty acids, ceramides as well as other compounds, among which, diterpenes and triterpenes were considered to be the most active components. The fingerprint chromatography, qualitative and quantitative analysis were used for the methods of quality control of EN. Considerable pharmacological experiments in vitro and in vivo have demonstrated that EN possessed hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-ageing, anti-fatigue, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-AChE, anti-BuChE, anti-hyaluronidase, and antiobesity activities.

CONCLUSIONS

As an important TCM, a large number of investigations have proved that EN and terpenoids isolated from EN have markedly therapeutic efficacy on diabetes, inflammation, and cancer disorders. These research findings provide modern scientific evidence for the traditional uses of EN. Moreover, more novel and active secondary metabolites from EN, as well as the in vivo and clinical in-depth tests are required in the future.

Effects of saponins isolated from Polygonatum sibiricum on H2O2-induced oxidative damage in RIN-m5F cells and its protective effect on pancreas

The damage of islet cells caused by oxidative stress is closely related to diabetes. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effect of saponins isolated from polygonatum sibiricum (PSS) on pancreas injury by using in vitro and in vivo models. The oxidative stress model of RIN-m5F cells induced by H₂O₂ was established. We found that PSS could decrease the apoptosis of RIN-m5F cells under oxidative stress. After PSS treatment, ROS and MDA levels in cells significantly decreased. Moreover, the levels of SOD and GSH were significantly increased. PSS could increase the insulin secretion level of cells under oxidative stress. The expression level of intracellular Bcl-2 increased, and the expression levels of Bax, caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 decreased significantly. In addition, the type 2 diabetes mouse model was established. The results showed that PSS had a protective effect on the injury of the pancreas in T2DM mice. PSS can relieve oxidative stress and high glucose-mediated pancreas cytotoxicity. PSS may be a promising candidate for diabetes intervention and functional foods.

Antiobesity Activity of Two Polyherbal Formulations in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese C57BL/6J Mice

Obesity and overweight have posed a severe threat to humanity, needing urgent efforts for the development of safe and effective therapeutic interventions. In this research work, we have developed two polyherbal formulations A and B basically consisting of Helianthus tuberosus root powder (also called inulin of synanthrin) along with other herbs for the treatment of obesity. Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of both formulations using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) free radical scavenging assays showed good antioxidant potentials. Both formulations A and B showed good antiobesity activity on a diet-induced obesity (DIO) model of mice by effectively lowering the body weight of mice compared to the high-fat diet (HFD) control mice, mainly by reducing the food efficiency ratio (FER). Furthermore, both formulations ameliorated lipoprotein misbalances induced by obesity and thus decreased the atherogenic index. Treatment with both formulations significantly decreased the liver and epididymal white adipose tissue (WAT) weight. This was supported by the improvement in steatosis of the liver and reduced hypertrophy in WAT on histological examination. In addition, formulations A and B have been seen as effective in controlling fasting blood glucose levels probably by alleviating HFD-induced insulin resistance. All of these results collectively suggest that formulations A and B serve as potentially safe and effective herbal interventions to control obesity and its comorbidities.

Antioxidant Activity of Acanthopanax senticosus Flavonoids in H2O2-Induced RAW 264.7 Cells and DSS-Induced Colitis in Mice

The redox reaction is a normal process of biological metabolism in the body that leads to the production of free radicals. Under conditions such as pathogenic infection, stress, and drug exposure, free radicals can exceed normal levels, causing protein denaturation, DNA damage, and the oxidation of the cell membrane, which, in turn, causes inflammation. Acanthopanax senticosus (A. senticosus) flavonoids are the main bioactive ingredients with antioxidant function. H₂O₂-treated RAW 264.7 cells and DSS-induced colitis in mice were used to evaluate the antioxidant properties of A. senticosus flavonoids. The results show that A. senticosus flavonoids can significantly downregulate the levels of ROS and MDA in H₂O₂-treated RAW 264.7 cells and increase the levels of CAT, SOD, and GPx. A. senticosus flavonoids can also increase the body weights of DSS-induced colitis mice, increase the DAI index, and ameliorate the shortening of the colon. ELISA experiments confirmed that A. senticosus flavonoids could reduce the level of MDA in the mouse serum and increase the levels of SOD, CAT, and GPx. Histopathology showed that the tissue pathological changes in the A. senticosus flavonoid group were significantly lower than those in the DSS group. The Western blot experiments showed that the antioxidant capacity of A. senticosus flavonoids was accomplished through the Nrf2 pathway. In conclusion, A. senticosus flavonoids can relieve oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro and protect cells or tissues from oxidative damage.

Acankoreagenin and acankoreosides, a family of lupane triterpenoids with anti-inflammatory properties: an overview

Acankoreagenin (ACK, also known as acankoreanogenin and HLEDA) and impressic acid are two lupane-type triterpenes that can be isolated from various Acanthopanax and Schefflera species. They efficiently block activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and the release of proinflammatory cytokines and/or the action of inflammation mediators (HMGB1, iNOS, and NO). These effects are the basis for the antiviral and anticancer activities reported with these pentacyclic compounds or their various glycoside derivatives. More than 15 acankoreosides (Ack-A to -O, and -R) and a few other mono- and bidesmosidic saponins (acantrifoside A and acangraciliside S) derive from the ACK aglycone. Compounds like Ack-A and -B are remarkable anti-inflammatory agents, inhibiting cytokine release from activated macrophages. Despite their effectiveness, ACK and impressic acid are far much less known and studied than the structurally related compounds betulinic acid and 23-hydroxybetulinic acid (anemosapogenin). The structural differences (notably the R/S stereoisomerism of the 3-hydroxyl group) and functional similarities of these compounds are discussed. The complete series of acankoreosides is presented for the first time. These natural products deserve further attention as anti-inflammatory agents, and ACK is recommended as a template for the design of new anticancer and antiviral drugs.

In silico analysis of the antidiabetic terpenoid acankoreagenin binding to PPARγ

Acankoreagenin (ACK) is a lupane triterpene found in several Acanthopanax and Schefflera plant species. ACK, also known as acankoreanogenin or HLEDA, bears a major structural analogy with other lupane triterpenoids such as impressic acid (IA) and the largely used phytochemical betulinic acid (BA). These compounds display marked anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetes, and anti-cancer properties. BA can form stable complexes with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). The tridimensional structure of the BA-PPARγ complex was used to perform a molecular docking analysis of the binding of ACK and IA to the protein. The 3-hydroxyl epimers (R/S) of each natural product were also modeled to examine the role of the C3-OH stereochemistry that distinguishes BA [3(S)] from ACK and AI [3(R)]. Calculations indicate that ACK can form more stable complexes with PPARγ than BA, upon insertion of the drug into the same binding pocket. The inversion of the C3-OH stereochemistry is not an obstacle for binding and the additional carboxy group of ACK at C23 position seems to reinforce the protein interaction. The 3-hydroxyl group does not play a major role in the geometry of the protein-drug complex, which is preserved between BA and ACK. Additional structure-binding relationships are provided, through the evaluation of the PPARγ binding capacity of ACK derivatives. Binding of ACK to PPARγ would account for its marked antidiabetic effect, at least partially. ACK can be used as a platform to design new antidiabetic compounds.

Study on the therapeutic material basis and effect of Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Harms leaves in the treatment of ischemic stroke by PK-PD analysis based on online microdialysis-LC-MS/MS method

Leaves of Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Harms (ASL) have revealed significant biological activity in the treatment of ischemic stroke diseases. However, there was no in-depth study of the therapeutic material basis and effect of ASL from the pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) analysis level. In this study, a method based on microdialysis coupled with ultra-performance liquid chromatography combined with triple quadruple mass spectrometry (MD-UPLC-QQQ-MS) was established to simultaneously and continuously collect and quantify the active compounds and endogenous neuroactive substances related to therapeutic effect in plasma and hippocampus of fully awake ischemic stroke rats. The acquired data were analyzed by the PK-PD analysis method. It was found that hyperoside, quercitrin, quercetin, and caffeic acid could pass through the blood-brain barrier, and quercetin needed a longer intake time than quercitrin and hyperoside, but the passage rate was higher. The exposure of the four compounds in the hippocampus affected the contents of seven neuroactive substances in different ways and was depicted graphically (concentration-time effect). In addition, the study found that the brain index and brain water content of ischemic stroke rats were significantly reduced after the oral administration of ASL. ASL observably regulated the content or activity of six important biochemical indexes in rats. On the one hand, this study verified that ASL could regulate ischemic stroke in many aspects. On the other hand, a visualized method to express the relationship between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the hippocampus of cerebral ischemic areas was established. This research gives a hand to the study on the therapeutic material basis and effect of traditional Chinese medicine mechanism.

Synergistic Anticancer Effect of Gemcitabine Combined With Impressic Acid or Acankoreanogein in Panc-1 Cells by Inhibiting NF-κB and Stat 3 Activation

Natural products have presented potentiality to improve the outcomes of cancer therapies. Impressic acid (E12-1) and acankoreanogein (E13-1), important activity compounds in Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L.) Merr., show widely biological activities. In this study, we isolated E12-1 and E13-1 from Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L.) Merr., and investigated their improvement effect in gemcitabine (GEM) treatment in Panc-1 cells. The results showed that GEM in combination with E12-1 or E13-1 showed stronger inhibition on the growth and induction of apoptosis in Panc-1 cells compared to GEM, E12-1, or E13-1 alone. GEM in combination with E12-1or E13-1 also strongly inhibited cell migration. Mechanistic investigation showed that GEM in combination with E12-1or E13-1 effectively inhibited the activition of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells and Stat 3. Overall, GEM in combination with E12-1 or E13-1 might be an effective strategy for the prevention of prostate cancer.

Eleutherococcus Species Cultivated in Europe: A New Source of Compounds with Antiacetylcholinesterase, Antihyaluronidase, Anti-DPPH, and Cytotoxic Activities

Secondary metabolites of the roots of Eleutherococcus spp. cultivated in Poland, or the bioactivity, are not fully known. The 75% methanol extracts of five Eleutherococcus spp. (E. senticosus, E. divaricatus, E. sessiliflorus, E. gracilistylus, and E. henryi) were examined for the content of polyphenols and phenolic acids as well as for antiacetylcholinesterase, antihyaluronidase, anti-DPPH∗, and cytotoxic activities. The richest in polyphenols were the roots of E. henryi (10.4 mg/g DW), while in flavonoids the roots of E. divaricatus (6.5 mg/g DW). The richest in phenolic acids occurred the roots of E. henryi [protocatechuic acid (1865 μg/g DE), caffeic acid (244 μg/g DE), and p-coumaric and ferulic acids (55 μg/g DE)]. The highest inhibition of AChE was observed for E. gracilistylus and E. sessiliflorus (32%), at the concentration of 100 μg/0.19 mL of the reaction mixture, while that of Hyal for the roots of E. henryi (40.7%), at the concentration of 100 μg/0.16 mL of the reaction mixture. Among five species tested, the E. henryi extract exhibited the strongest HL-60 cell line growth's inhibition (IC50 270 μg/mL). The extracts reduced DPPH∗ in a time-dependent mode, at the concentration of 0.8 mg/mL. After 90 min from 14.7 to 26.2%, DPPH∗was reduced. A phytochemical composition and activity of the Eleutherococcus species, cultivated in Poland, are still under research; however, on the basis of the results obtained, it may be concluded that they may become a source of phytochemicals and be useful for Europe's citizens.