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Cervello M, Augello G, Cocco L, Ratti S, Follo MY, Martelli AM, Cusimano A, Montalto G, McCubrey JA. The potential of the nutraceutical berberine in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and other liver diseases such as NAFLD and NASH. Adv Biol Regul 2024; 92:101032. [PMID: 38693042 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2024.101032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer which unfortunately has poor outcomes. Common anti-cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and targeted therapy have not increased patient survival significantly. A common treatment for HCC patients is transplantation, however, it has limitations and complications. Novel approaches are necessary to more effectively treat HCC patients. Berberine (BBR) is a nutraceutical derived from various fruits and trees, which has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat various diseases such as diabetes and inflammation. More recently, the anti-proliferation effects of BBR have been investigated in the treatment of patients with various cancers, especially colorectal cancer, and in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In this review, we will focus on studies with BBR in liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melchiorre Cervello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Augello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Lucio Cocco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Ratti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matilde Y Follo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alberto M Martelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonella Cusimano
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Montalto
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy; Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, PROMISE, University of Palermo School of Medicine, Palermo, Italy
| | - James A McCubrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA.
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Fu Y, Wang Z, Qin H. Examining the Pathogenesis of MAFLD and the Medicinal Properties of Natural Products from a Metabolic Perspective. Metabolites 2024; 14:218. [PMID: 38668346 PMCID: PMC11052500 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14040218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), characterized primarily by hepatic steatosis, has become the most prevalent liver disease worldwide, affecting approximately two-fifths of the global population. The pathogenesis of MAFLD is extremely complex, and to date, there are no approved therapeutic drugs for clinical use. Considerable evidence indicates that various metabolic disorders play a pivotal role in the progression of MAFLD, including lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids, and micronutrients. In recent years, the medicinal properties of natural products have attracted widespread attention, and numerous studies have reported their efficacy in ameliorating metabolic disorders and subsequently alleviating MAFLD. This review aims to summarize the metabolic-associated pathological mechanisms of MAFLD, as well as the natural products that regulate metabolic pathways to alleviate MAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hong Qin
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha 410006, China; (Y.F.); (Z.W.)
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Ionita-Radu F, Patoni C, Nancoff AS, Marin FS, Gaman L, Bucurica A, Socol C, Jinga M, Dutu M, Bucurica S. Berberine Effects in Pre-Fibrotic Stages of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease-Clinical and Pre-Clinical Overview and Systematic Review of the Literature. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4201. [PMID: 38673787 PMCID: PMC11050387 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the predominant cause of chronic liver conditions, and its progression is marked by evolution to non-alcoholic steatosis, steatohepatitis, cirrhosis related to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and the potential occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma. In our systematic review, we searched two databases, Medline (via Pubmed Central) and Scopus, from inception to 5 February 2024, and included 73 types of research (nine clinical studies and 64 pre-clinical studies) from 2854 published papers. Our extensive research highlights the impact of Berberine on NAFLD pathophysiology mechanisms, such as Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK), gut dysbiosis, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), Sirtuins, and inflammasome. Studies involving human subjects showed a measurable reduction of liver fat in addition to improved profiles of serum lipids and hepatic enzymes. While current drugs for NAFLD treatment are either scarce or still in development or launch phases, Berberine presents a promising profile. However, improvements in its formulation are necessary to enhance the bioavailability of this natural substance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florentina Ionita-Radu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (F.I.-R.); (C.P.); (F.-S.M.); (S.B.)
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dr. Carol Davila Central Military Emergency University Hospital, 010242 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Cristina Patoni
- Department of Gastroenterology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (F.I.-R.); (C.P.); (F.-S.M.); (S.B.)
| | - Andreea Simona Nancoff
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dr. Carol Davila Central Military Emergency University Hospital, 010242 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Flavius-Stefan Marin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (F.I.-R.); (C.P.); (F.-S.M.); (S.B.)
| | - Laura Gaman
- Department of Biochemistry, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Ana Bucurica
- Faculty of General Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (A.B.); (C.S.)
| | - Calin Socol
- Faculty of General Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (A.B.); (C.S.)
| | - Mariana Jinga
- Department of Gastroenterology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (F.I.-R.); (C.P.); (F.-S.M.); (S.B.)
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dr. Carol Davila Central Military Emergency University Hospital, 010242 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Madalina Dutu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Dr. Carol Davila Central Military Emergency University Hospital, 010242 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Sandica Bucurica
- Department of Gastroenterology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (F.I.-R.); (C.P.); (F.-S.M.); (S.B.)
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dr. Carol Davila Central Military Emergency University Hospital, 010242 Bucharest, Romania;
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Nagasaka Y, Nakamura Y, Tran NQV, Kobayashi Y, Nakano N, Nakao A. Deficiency of BMAL1 promotes ROS generation and enhances IgE-dependent degranulation in mast cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 690:149295. [PMID: 38000295 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.149295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bmal1 (Brain and muscle arnt-like, or Arntl) is a bHLH/PAS domain transcription factor central to the transcription/translation feedback loop of the circadian clock. Mast cells are crucial for effector functions in allergic reaction and their activity follows a circadian rhythm. However, the functional roles of Bmal1 in mast cells remain to be determined. PURPOSE This study aimed to elucidate the specific roles of Bmal1 in IgE-dependent mast cell degranulation. RESULTS IgE-dependent degranulation was enhanced in bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) derived from Bmal1-deficient mice (Bmal1-KO mice) compared to that in BMMCs derived from wild-type mice (WT mice) in the absence of 2-Mercaptoethanol (2-ME) in culture. Mast cell-deficient KitW-sh mice reconstituted with Bmal1-KO BMMCs showed more robust passive cutaneous anaphylactic (PCA) reactions, an in vivo model of IgE-dependent mast cell degranulation, than KitW-sh mice reconstituted with WT BMMCs. In the absence of 2-ME in culture, the mRNA expression of the anti-oxidative genes NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was lower and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was higher in Bmal1-KO BMMCs than in WT BMMCs at steady state. The IgE-dependent ROS generation and degranulation were enhanced in Bmal1-KO BMMCs compared to WT BMMCs in the absence of 2-ME in culture. The addition of 2-ME into the culture abrogated or weakened the differences in anti-oxidative gene expression, ROS generation, and IgE-dependent degranulation between WT and Bmal1-KO BMMCs. CONCLUSION The current findings suggest that Bmal1 controls the expression of anti-oxidative genes in mast cells and Bmal1 deficiency enhanced IgE-dependent degranulation associated with promotion of ROS generation. Thus, Bmal1 may function as a key molecule that integrates redox homeostasis and effector functions in mast cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Nagasaka
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Yuki Nakamura
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Nguyen Quoc Vuong Tran
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Kobayashi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Nakano
- Atopy Research Center, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsuhito Nakao
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan; Atopy Research Center, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; Yamanashi GLIA Center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.
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Sun J, Tang B, Ho CT, Lu M. Piperine Attenuates Bmal1-Mediated Glucose Metabolism Disorder in a Trpv1-Dependent Manner in HepG2 Cells. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:19581-19591. [PMID: 38038344 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c06683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Piperine (PIP), a pungent alkaloid found in black pepper, has various pharmacological effects by activating the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptor. In this study, the regulating effect of PIP on glucose metabolism and the underlying mechanism were examined using an insulin-resistant cell model. Results showed that PIP alleviated glucosamine (GlcN)-induced glucose metabolism disorder (from 59.19 ± 1.90 to 88.36 ± 6.57%), restored cellular redox balance (from 148.43 ± 3.52 to 110.47 ± 3.52%), improved mitochondrial function (from 63.76 ± 4.87 to 85.98 ± 5.12%), and mitigated circadian disruption in HepG2 cells via the mediation of circadian clock gene Bmal1. After the knockdown of the Trpv1 gene, the modulating effect of PIP on Bmal1-mediated glucose metabolism was weakened, indicating that PIP alleviated Bmal1-involved insulin resistance and circadian misalignment in a Trpv1-dependent manner in HepG2 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Biqi Tang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Chi-Tang Ho
- Department of Food Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, United States
| | - Muwen Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
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Li J, Zhang Q, Chen Y, Lu C, Tong Y. Pharmacokinetics, Tissue Distribution and Excretion of Demethyleneberberine, a Metabolite of Berberine, in Rats and Mice. Molecules 2023; 28:7725. [PMID: 38067456 PMCID: PMC10708275 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Demethyleneberberine is an active component extracted from the Chinese herbal drug Cortex Phellodendri. It is also a metabolite of berberine in animals and humans. However, the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and excretion of demethyleneberberine have not been reported. The present study aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetic parameters of demethyleneberberine by applying high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). After intragastric administration of demethyleneberberine in rats and mice, the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and excretion of demethyleneberberine were comparatively studied for the first time. The plasma concentration of demethyleneberberine reached its peak within 5 min after intragastric administration in both rats and mice. Furthermore, its bioavailability was comparable, ranging from 4.47% to 5.94%, higher than that of berberine. The total excretion of demethyleneberberine in the urine, feces and bile was 7.28~9.77%. These findings provide valuable insights into the pharmacological and clinical research on demethyleneberberine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Chengyu Lu
- College of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China; (J.L.); (Q.Z.); (Y.C.)
| | - Yongbin Tong
- College of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China; (J.L.); (Q.Z.); (Y.C.)
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