Protective Effect of Ferulic Acid on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced BV2 Microglia Inflammation via AMPK/mTOR Signaling Pathway

The effect and mechanism of patchouli alcohol on cognitive dysfunction in AD mice induced by Aβ1-42 oligomers through AMPK/mTOR pathway

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative brain disorder that progressively impairs long-term and working memory. The function and mechanism of PA(Patchouli alcohol) in improving AD in the external treatment of encephalopathy remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of PA on AD using an Aβ1-42 induced AD mouse model with LPS(Lipopolysaccharide) stimulation of BV2 microglial cells. Additionally, we aimed to explore the potential mechanism of PA in enhancing autophagy and reducing neuroinflammation through the AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase)/mTOR (Mammaliam target of rapamycin) signaling pathway. The Morris water maze was used to assess cognitive function, and cortical and hippocampal tissues were collected for further analysis of the corresponding signaling pathways and inflammatory changes through biological experiments. Our research findings demonstrate that PA has a significant positive impact on cognitive and memory impairments in mice that have been induced with Aβ1-42-induced AD. Additionally, PA was also found to revert the activation of microglia induced by LPS. These effects may be attributed to the reduction of neuroinflammation and enhancement of the AMPK/mTOR autophagy pathway. Therefore, PA may serve as an effective therapeutic option to prevent or delay the progression of AD-associated memory dysfunction.

Nanophytomedicine: A promising practical approach in phytotherapy

The long and rich history of herbal therapeutic nutrients is fascinating. It is incredible to think about how ancient civilizations used plants and herbs to treat various ailments and diseases. One group of bioactive phytochemicals that has gained significant attention recently is dietary polyphenols. These compounds are commonly found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, spices, nuts, drinks, legumes, and grains. Despite their incredible therapeutic properties, one challenge with polyphenols is their poor water solubility, stability, and bioavailability. This means that they are not easily absorbed by the body when consumed in essential diets. Because of structural complexity, polyphenols with high molecular weight cannot be absorbed in the small intestine and after arriving in the colon, they are metabolized by gut microbiota. However, researchers are constantly working on finding solutions to enhance the bioavailability and absorption of these compounds. This study aims to address this issue by applying nanotechnology approaches to overcome the challenges of the therapeutic application of dietary polyphenols. This combination of nanotechnology and phytochemicals could cause a completely new field called nanophytomedicine or herbal nanomedicine.

Ferulic acid alleviates avermectin induced renal injury in carp by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis

Avamectin (AVM), a macrolide antibiotic, is widely used in fisheries, agriculture, and animal husbandry, however, its irrational use poses a great danger to aquatic organisms. Ferulic acid (FA) is a natural chemical found in the cell walls of plants. It absorbs free radicals from the surrounding environment and acts as an antioxidant. However, the protective effect of FA against kidney injury caused by AVM has not been demonstrated. In this study, 60 carp were divided into the control group, AVM group (2.404 μg/L), FA+AVM group and FA group (400 mg/kg). Pathological examination, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and western blot were used to evaluate the preventive effect of FA on renal tissue injury after AVM exposure. Histological findings indicated that FA significantly reduced the swelling and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the kidney tissues of carp triggered by AVM. Dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescent probe assay showed that FA inhibited the accumulation of kidney ROS. Biochemical results showed that FA significantly increased glutathione (GSH) content, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and catalase (CAT) activity, and decreased intracellular malondialdehyde (MDA) content. In addition, western blot results revealed that the protein expression levels of Nrf2 and p-NF-κBp65 in the carp kidney were inhibited by AVM, but reversed by the FA. The qPCR results exhibited that FA significantly increased the mRNA levels of tgf-β1 and il-10, while significantly down-regulated the gene expression levels of tnf-α, il-6 and il-1β. These data suggest that FA can reduce oxidative stress and renal tissue inflammation induced by AVM. At the same time, FA inhibited the apoptosis of renal cells induced by AVM by decreasing the transcription level and protein expression level of Bax, and increasing the transcription level and protein expression level of Bcl2, PI3K and AKT. This study provides preliminary evidence for the theory that FA reduces the level of oxidative stress, inflammation response and kidney tissue damage caused by apoptosis in carp, providing a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of the AVM.

Natural autophagy activators: A promising strategy for combating photoaging

BACKGROUND

Photodamage to the skin stands out as one of the most widespread epidermal challenges globally. Prolonged exposure to sunlight containing ultraviolet radiation (UVR) instigates stress, thereby compromising the skin's functionality and culminating in photoaging. Recent investigations have shed light on the importance of autophagy in shielding the skin from photodamage. Despite the acknowledgment of numerous phytochemicals possessing photoprotective attributes, their potential to induce autophagy remains relatively unexplored.

PURPOSE

Diminished autophagy activity in photoaged skin underscores the potential benefits of restoring autophagy through natural compounds to enhance photoprotection. Consequently, this study aims to highlight the role of natural compounds in safeguarding against photodamage and to assess their potential to induce autophagy via an in-silico approach.

METHODS

A thorough search of the literature was done using several databases, including PUBMED, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, to gather relevant studies. Several keywords such as Phytochemical, Photoprotection, mTOR, Ultraviolet Radiation, Reactive oxygen species, Photoaging, and Autophagy were utilized to ensure thorough exploration. To assess the autophagy potential of phytochemicals through virtual screening, computational methodologies such as molecular docking were employed, utilizing tools like AutoDock Vina. Receptor preparation for docking was facilitated using MGLTools.

RESULTS

The initiation of structural and functional deterioration in the skin due to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) or sunlight-induced reactive oxygen species/reactive nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) involves the modulation of various pathways. Natural compounds like phenolics, flavonoids, flavones, and anthocyanins, among others, possess chromophores capable of absorbing light, thereby offering photoprotection by modulating these pathways. In our molecular docking study, these phytochemicals have shown binding affinity with mTOR, a negative regulator of autophagy, indicating their potential as autophagy modulators.

CONCLUSION

This integrated review underscores the photoprotective characteristics of natural compounds, while the in-silico analysis reveals their potential to modulate autophagy, which could significantly contribute to their anti-photoaging properties. The findings of this study hold promise for the advancement of cosmeceuticals and therapeutics containing natural compounds aimed at addressing photoaging and various skin-related diseases. By leveraging their dual benefits of photoprotection and autophagy modulation, these natural compounds offer a multifaceted approach to combatting skin aging and related conditions.

Clostridium perfringens α toxin damages the immune function, antioxidant capacity and intestinal health and induces PLCγ1/AMPK/mTOR pathway-mediated autophagy in broiler chickens

Clostridium perfringens α toxin is generated by all types of C. perfringens and is closely related to necrotic enteritis in poultry. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of α toxin on immune function, antioxidant capacity, intestinal health and the underlying mechanisms in broiler chickens. A total of 144 twenty-day-old broiler chickens were randomly assigned to four treatments. On d 21, the birds were intraperitoneally injected with PBS (control group) or α toxin at 0.025, 0.1 or 0.4 U/kg of body weight. Samples were collected at 3 h and 24 h post injection (p.i.). Results showed that α toxin challenge linearly decreased the average daily gain during the 3 days after infection and decreased plasma IgA and IgM levels 3 h p.i. Plasma diamine oxidase and d-lactate levels were linearly elevated by α toxin challenge at 3 h p.i. and 24 h p.i. Alpha toxin challenge linearly decreased plasma and jejunal mucosal catalase, glutathione peroxidase and total superoxide dismutase activities at 3 h p.i. and linearly decreased glutathione peroxidase and total superoxide dismutase activities at 24 h p.i. The ileal villus height to crypt depth ratio decreased linearly with increasing α toxin levels at 3 h p.i. and 24 h p.i. Alpha toxin challenge linearly elevated jejunal IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor α mRNA expression at 3 h p.i. Additionally, α toxin challenge linearly reduced the jejunal claudin-1, claudin-3 and zonula occludens 1 mRNA expression at 3 h p.i. and the claudin-3, occludin and zonula occludens 1 mRNA expression at 24 h p.i. What's more, α toxin linearly increased the jejunal PLCγ1, AMPKα1 and ATG5 mRNA expression and linearly decreased the mTOR mRNA expression. In conclusion, C. perfringens α toxin challenge decreased body weight gain, impaired immune function, antioxidant capacity and intestinal health, and induced PLCγ1/AMPK/mTOR pathway-mediated autophagy. The recommended intraperitoneal injection dose for moderate injury was 0.1 U/kg of body weight and the recommended sampling time was 3 h p.i. in broiler chickens.

Exploring Chinese herbal medicine for ischemic stroke: insights into microglia and signaling pathways

Ischemic stroke is a prevalent clinical condition affecting the central nervous system, characterized by a high mortality and disability rate. Its incidence is progressively rising, particularly among younger individuals, posing a significant threat to human well-being. The activation and polarization of microglia, leading to pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses, are widely recognized as pivotal factors in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury. Traditional Chinese herbal medicines (TCHMs) boasts a rich historical background, notable efficacy, and minimal adverse effects. It exerts its effects by modulating microglia activation and polarization, suppressing inflammatory responses, and ameliorating nerve injury through the mediation of microglia and various associated pathways (such as NF-κB signaling pathway, Toll-like signaling pathway, Notch signaling pathway, AMPK signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, among others). Consequently, this article focuses on microglia as a therapeutic target, reviewing relevant pathway of literature on TCHMs to mitigate neuroinflammation and mediate IS injury, while also exploring research on drug delivery of TCHMs. The ultimate goal is to provide new insights that can contribute to the clinical management of IS using TCHMs.

Lumbricus Extract Prevents LPS-Induced Inflammatory Activation of BV2 Microglia and Glutamate-Induced Hippocampal HT22 Cell Death by Suppressing MAPK/NF-κB/NLRP3 Signaling and Oxidative Stress

Microglia-induced inflammatory signaling and neuronal oxidative stress are mutually reinforcing processes central to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies have shown that extracts of dried Pheretima aspergillum (Lumbricus) can inhibit tissue fibrosis, mitochondrial damage, and asthma. However, the effects of Lumbricus extracts on neuroinflammation and neuronal damage have not been previously studied. Therefore, to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Lumbricus extract for neurodegenerative diseases, the current study assessed the extract's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in BV2 microglial cultures stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) along with its neuroprotective efficacy in mouse hippocampal HT22 cell cultures treated with excess glutamate. Lumbricus extract dose-dependently inhibited the LPS-induced production of multiple proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β) and reversed the upregulation of proinflammatory enzymes (inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2). Lumbricus also activated the antioxidative nuclear factor erythroid 2-relayed factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 pathway and inhibited LPS-induced activation of the nuclear factor-κB/mitogen-activated protein kinases/NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammatory pathway. In addition, Lumbricus extract suppressed the glutamate-induced necrotic and apoptotic death of HT22 cells, effects associated with upregulated expression of antiapoptotic proteins, downregulation of pro-apoptotic proteins, and reduced accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Chromatography revealed that the Lumbricus extract contained uracil, hypoxanthine, uridine, xanthine, adenosine, inosine, and guanosine. Its effects against microglial activation and excitotoxic neuronal death reported herein support the therapeutic potential of Lumbricus for neurodegenerative diseases.

Effects of polyphenols and their metabolites on age-related diseases

Aging contributes to the progressive loss of cellular biological functions and increases the risk of age-related diseases. Cardiovascular diseases, some neurological disorders and cancers are generally classified as age-related diseases that affect the lifespan of individuals. These diseases result from the accumulation of cellular damage and reduced activity of protective stress response pathways, which can lead to inflammation and oxidative stress, which play a key role in the aging process. There is now increasing interest in the therapeutic effects of edible plants for the prevention of various diseases, including those associated with aging. It has become clear that the beneficial effects of these foods are due, at least in part, to the high concentration of bioactive phenolic compounds with low side effects. Antioxidants are the most abundant, and their high consumption in the Mediterranean diet has been associated with slower ageing in humans. Extensive human dietary intervention studies strongly suggest that polyphenol supplementation protects against the development of degenerative diseases, especially in the elderly. In this review, we present data on the biological effects of plant polyphenols in the context of their relevance to human health, ageing and the prevention of age-related diseases.