Tetrahydrocurcumin-Related Vascular Protection: An Overview of the Findings from Animal Disease Models

Effect of (R)-(-)-Linalool on endothelial damage: Sex differences

Oxidative stress and inflammation are responsible for endothelial damage displaying many sex differences. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a pathogenic stimulus that can trigger inflammation, contributing to endothelial dysfunction. Given the scientific evidence on the effectiveness of herbal extracts in managing endothelial dysfunction, we considered the (R)-(-)-Linalool (LIN), an aromatic monoterpene alcohol, as a bioactive phytochemical compound that could prevent and improve endothelial injury. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the LIN on LPS-induced damage in female and male human umbilical vein endothelial cells (FHUVECs and MHUVECs), measuring cell viability, cytokines release (IL-6 and TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitrites. LPS significantly reduced viability both in MHUVECs and FHUVECs. Moreover, LPS increased the IL-6, TNF-α, and MDA level only in FHUVECs if compared to basal value; despite that, LPS reduced nitrites only in MHUVECs. LIN alone did not affect the parameters measured except for an increase in nitrites in FHUVECs. Nevertheless, LIN reduced damage and restored endothelium viability reduced by LPS without a clear sex difference. Under LPS, LIN inhibited IL-6 release and reduced MDA levels only in FHUVECs. The present data confirm the existence of sex differences in the behavior of HUVECs under LPS conditions. The administration of LIN seems to have a more evident effect on FHUVECs after damage induced by LPS. These LIN effects are important to conduct further well-designed studies on the sex-specific use of this compound on vascular endothelial injury.

The Role of Curcumin in Modulating Vascular Function and Structure during Menopause: A Systematic Review

The risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) escalates in women during menopause, which is associated with increased vascular endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and vascular remodeling. Meanwhile, curcumin has been demonstrated to enhance vascular function and structure in various studies. Therefore, this study systematically reviewed the recent literature regarding the potential role of curcumin in modulating vascular function and structure during menopause. The Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases were searched to identify relevant articles. Clinical and preclinical studies involving menopausal women and postmenopausal animal models with outcomes related to vascular function or structure were included. After thorough screening, seven articles were selected for data extraction, comprising three animal studies and four clinical trials. The findings from this review suggested that curcumin has beneficial effects on vascular function and structure during menopause by addressing endothelial function, arterial compliance, hemodynamic parameters, and the formation of atherosclerotic lesions. Therefore, curcumin has the potential to be utilized as a supplement to enhance vascular health in menopausal women. However, larger-scale clinical trials employing gold-standard techniques to evaluate vascular health in menopausal women are necessary to validate the preliminary results obtained from small-scale randomized clinical trials involving curcumin supplementation (INPLASY, INPLASY202430043).

Estimated Pulse Wave Velocity Predicts All-Cause and Cardiovascular-Cause Mortality in Individuals With Hypertension - Findings From a National Health and Nutrition Examination Study 1999-2018

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the association between estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) and mortality outcomes among individuals with hypertension.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2018, a total of 14,396 eligible participants with hypertension were enrolled. The ePWV was calculated using the equation based on blood pressure and age. The mortality outcomes of included participants were directly acquired from the National Death Index database. The multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between ePWV and mortality outcomes. Moreover, the restricted cubic spline (RCS) was also used to explore this relationship. Receiver operating characteristics curves (ROC) were adopted to evaluate the prognostic ability of ePWV for predicting mortality outcomes of patients with hypertension. The median follow-up duration was 10.8 years; individuals with higher an ePWV had higher risks of mortality from both all causes (HR: 2.79, 95% CI: 2.43-3.20) and cardiovascular diseases (HR: 3.41, 95% CI: 2.50-4.64). After adjusting for confounding factors, each 1 m/s increase in ePWV was associated with a 43% increase in all-cause mortality risk (HR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.37-1.48) and a 54% increase in cardiovascular mortality risk (HR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.43-1.66).

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that ePWV is a novel prognostic indicator for predicting the risks of mortality among patients with hypertension.

Tetrahydrocurcumin ameliorates postinfarction cardiac dysfunction and remodeling by inhibiting oxidative stress and preserving mitochondrial function via SIRT3 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Myocardial infarction (MI) often leads to sudden cardiac death. Persistent myocardial ischemia increases oxidative stress and impairs mitochondrial function, contributing significantly to postinfarction cardiac dysfunction and remodeling, and the subsequent progression to heart failure (HF). Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), isolated from the rhizome of turmeric, has antioxidant properties and has been shown to protect against cardiovascular diseases. However, its effects on HF after MI are poorly understood.

PURPOSE

The objective was the investigation of the pharmacological effects of THC and its associated mechanisms in the pathogenesis of HF after MI.

METHODS

A total of 120 mice (C57BL/6, male) were used for the in vivo experiments. An MI mouse model was created by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The mice received oral dose of THC at 120 mg/kg/d and the effects on MI-induced myocardial injury were evaluated by assessment of cardiac function, histopathology, myocardial oxidative levels, and mitochondrial function. Molecular mechanisms were investigated by intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg of the SIRT3 selective inhibitor 3-TYP. Meanwhile, mouse neonatal cardiomyocytes were isolated and cultured in a hypoxic incubator to verify the effects of THC in vitro. Lastly, SIRT3 and Nrf2 were silenced using siRNAs to further explore the regulatory mechanism of key molecules in this process.

RESULTS

The mouse hearts showed significant impairment in systolic function after MI, together with enlarged infarct size, increased myocardial fibrosis, cardiac hypertrophy, and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. A significant reversal of these changes was seen after treatment with THC. Moreover, THC markedly reduced reactive oxygen species generation and protected mitochondrial function, thus mitigating oxidative stress in the post-MI myocardium. Mechanistically, THC counteracted reduced Nrf2 nuclear accumulation and SIRT3 signaling in the MI mice while inhibition of Nrf2 or SIRT3 reversed the effects of THC. Cell experiments showed that Nrf2 silencing markedly reduced SIRT3 levels and deacetylation activity while inhibition of SIRT3 signaling had little impact on Nrf2 expression.

CONCLUSION

This is the first demonstration that THC protects against the effects of MI. THC reduced both oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage by regulating Nrf2-SIRT3 signaling. The results suggest the potential of THC in treating myocardial ischemic diseases.

Anticarcinogenic Potency of EF24: An Overview of Its Pharmacokinetics, Efficacy, Mechanism of Action, and Nanoformulation for Drug Delivery

EF24, a synthetic monocarbonyl analog of curcumin, shows significant potential as an anticancer agent with both chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic properties. It exhibits rapid absorption, extensive tissue distribution, and efficient metabolism, ensuring optimal bioavailability and sustained exposure of the target tissues. The ability of EF24 to penetrate biological barriers and accumulate at tumor sites makes it advantageous for effective cancer treatment. Studies have demonstrated EF24's remarkable efficacy against various cancers, including breast, lung, prostate, colon, and pancreatic cancer. The unique mechanism of action of EF24 involves modulation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathways, disrupting cancer-promoting inflammation and oxidative stress. EF24 inhibits tumor growth by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, mainly through inhibiting the NF-κB pathway and by regulating key genes by modulating microRNA (miRNA) expression or the proteasomal pathway. In summary, EF24 is a promising anticancer compound with a unique mechanism of action that makes it effective against various cancers. Its ability to enhance the effects of conventional therapies, coupled with improvements in drug delivery systems, could make it a valuable asset in cancer treatment. However, addressing its solubility and stability challenges will be crucial for its successful clinical application.

Oxidative Stress, Reductive Stress and Antioxidants in Vascular Pathogenesis and Aging

This review is focused on the mechanisms that regulate health, disease and aging redox status, the signal pathways that counteract oxidative and reductive stress, the role of food components and additives with antioxidant properties (curcumin, polyphenols, vitamins, carotenoids, flavonoids, etc.), and the role of the hormones irisin and melatonin in the redox homeostasis of animal and human cells. The correlations between the deviation from optimal redox conditions and inflammation, allergic, aging and autoimmune responses are discussed. Special attention is given to the vascular system, kidney, liver and brain oxidative stress processes. The role of hydrogen peroxide as an intracellular and paracrine signal molecule is also reviewed. The cyanotoxins β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA), cylindrospermopsin, microcystins and nodularins are introduced as potentially dangerous food and environment pro-oxidants.

Positive Tetrahydrocurcumin-Associated Brain-Related Metabolomic Implications

Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) is a metabolite of curcumin (CUR). It shares many of CUR's beneficial biological activities in addition to being more water-soluble, chemically stable, and bioavailable compared to CUR. However, its mechanisms of action have not been fully elucidated. This paper addresses the preventive role of THC on various brain dysfunctions as well as its effects on brain redox processes, traumatic brain injury, ischemia-reperfusion injury, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease in various animal or cell culture models. In addition to its strong antioxidant properties, the effects of THC on the reduction of amyloid β aggregates are also well documented. The therapeutic potential of THC to treat patterns of mitochondrial brain dysmorphic dysfunction is also addressed and thoroughly reviewed, as is evidence from experimental studies about the mechanism of mitochondrial failure during cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. THC treatment also results in a dose-dependent decrease in ERK-mediated phosphorylation of GRASP65, which prevents further compartmentalization of the Golgi apparatus. The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway is possibly the most involved mechanism in the anti-apoptotic effect of THC. Overall, studies in various animal models of different brain disorders suggest that THC can be used as a dietary supplement to protect against traumatic brain injury and even improve brain function in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. We suggest further preclinical studies be conducted to demonstrate the brain-protective, anti-amyloid, and anti-Parkinson effects of THC. Application of the methods used in the currently reviewed studies would be useful and should help define doses and methods of THC administration in different disease conditions.

Estimated pulse wave velocity is associated with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality among adults with diabetes

Aims

We aim to examine the association of estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with diabetes.

Methods

All of adult participants with diabetes from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (1999-2018) were enrolled. ePWV was calculated according to the previously published equation based on age and mean blood pressure. The mortality information was obtained from the National Death Index database. Weighted Kaplan-Meier (KM) plot and weighted multivariable Cox regression was used to investigate the association of ePWV with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risks. Restricted cubic spline was adopted to visualize the relationship between ePWV and mortality risks.

Results

8,916 participants with diabetes were included in this study and the median follow-up duration was ten years. The mean age of study population was 59.0 ± 11.6 years, 51.3% of the participants were male, representing 27.4 million patients with diabetes in weighted analysis. The increment of ePWV was closely associated with increased risks of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.42-1.51) and cardiovascular mortality (HR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.50-1.68). After adjusting for cofounding factors, for every 1 m/s increase in ePWV, there was a 43% increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.38-1.47) and 58% increased of cardiovascular mortality (HR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.50-1.68). ePWV had positive linear associations with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. KM plots also showed that the risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were significantly elevated in patients with higher ePWV.

Conclusions

ePWV had a close association with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risks in patients with diabetes.

Antibacterial and Antiviral Properties of Tetrahydrocurcumin-Based Formulations: An Overview of Their Metabolism in Different Microbiotic Compartments

In this review, the basic metabolic characteristics of the curcuminoid tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) at the level of the intestinal microbiota were addressed. Special attention was given to the bactericidal effects of one of the THC-phospholipid formulations, which has shown greater bioavailability and activity than pure THC. Similarly, quinoline derivatives and amino acid conjugates of THC have also shown antibacterial effects in the gut. The microbial effect of pure THC is particularly pronounced in pathophysiological conditions related to the function of the intestinal microbiota, such as type II diabetes. Furthermore, the antiviral characteristics of Cur compared to those of THC are more pronounced in preventing the influenza virus. In the case of HIV infections, the new microemulsion gel formulations of THC possess high retention during preventive application in the vagina and, at the same time, do not disturb the vaginal microbiota, which is critical in maintaining low vaginal pH. Based on the reviewed literature, finding new formulations of THC which can increase its bioavailability and activity and emphasize its antibacterial and antiviral characteristics could be very important. Applying such THC formulations in preventing and treating ailments related to the microbiotic compartments in the body would be beneficial from a medical point of view.