Bromelain Confers Protection against the Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Male C57bl/6 Mice

Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Bromelain: Applications, Benefits, and Mechanisms

Bromelain is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes primarily extracted from the fruit and stem of the pineapple plant (Ananas comosus). It has a long history of traditional medicinal use in various cultures, particularly in Central and South America, where pineapple is native. This systematic review will delve into the history, structure, chemical properties, and medical indications of bromelain. Bromelain was first isolated and described in the late 19th century by researchers in Europe, who identified its proteolytic properties. Since then, bromelain has gained recognition in both traditional and modern medicine for its potential therapeutic effects.

Protective effect of bromelain on some metabolic enzyme activities in tyloxapol-induced hyperlipidemic rats

Elevation of one or more plasma lipids, such as phospholipids, cholesterol esters, cholesterol, and triglycerides, is known as hyperlipidemia. In humans and experimental animals, bromelain, the primary active ingredient isolated from pineapple stems, has several positive effects, including anti-tumor growth, anticoagulation, and anti-inflammation. Hence, the purpose of this study was to determine the possible protective impact of bromelain on some metabolic enzymes (paraoxonase-1, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, sorbitol dehydrogenase [SDH], aldose reductase [AR], butyrylcholinesterase [BChE], and acetylcholinesterase [AChE]), activity in the heart, kidney, and liver of rats with tyloxapol-induced hyperlipidemia. Rats were divided into three groups: control group, HL-control group (tyloxapol 400 mg/kg, i.p. administered group), and HL+bromelain (group receiving bromelain 250 mg/kg/o.d. prior to administration of tyloxapol 400 mg/kg, i.p.). BChE, SDH, and AR enzyme activities were significantly increased in all tissues in HL-control compared to the control, whereas the activity of other studied enzymes was significantly decreased. Bromelain had a regulatory effect on all tissues and enzyme activities. In conclusion, these results prove that bromelain is a new mediator that decreases hyperlipidemia.

Dioscorea nipponica Makino: A comprehensive review of its chemical composition and pharmacology on chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a widespread ailment that significantly impacts global health. It is characterized by high prevalence, poor prognosis, and substantial healthcare costs, making it a major public health concern. The current clinical treatments for CKD are not entirely satisfactory, leading to a high demand for alternative therapeutic options. Chinese herbal medicine, with its long history, diverse varieties, and proven efficacy, offers a promising avenue for exploration. One such Chinese herbal medicine, Dioscorea nipponica Makino (DNM), is frequently used to treat kidney diseases. In this review, we have compiled studies examining the mechanisms of action of DNM in the context of CKD, focusing on five primary areas: improvement of oxidative stress, inhibition of renal fibrosis, regulation of metabolism, reduction of inflammatory response, and regulation of autophagy.

Bromelain mitigates liver fibrosis via targeting hepatic stellate cells in vitro and in vivo

Various therapeutic approaches are conducted for regression of liver fibrosis and prevent possible further carcinogenic transformation. This study was aimed to assess the prospective therapeutic potential of bromelain against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis using in-vitro and in vivo approaches. In vitro study, HSC-T6 cell line was used to evaluate the effect of bromelain on HSC-T6 cell viability and apoptosis. In vivo, Rats were treated by TAA for 6 weeks for induction of hepatic fibrosis followed by post treatment by different doses of bromelain and silymarin for further 4 weeks to assess the regression of hepatic fibrosis. The in-vitro findings indicated that bromelain hindered the proliferation of HSCs in concentration dependent manner compared with the untreated cells. The in vivo study revealed that treatment of TAA fibrotic rats with different doses of bromelain and silymarin induced a significant restoration in liver function biomarkers, attenuation of oxidative stress, upregulation of total antioxidant capacity and thereby decline of fibrotic biomarkers and improving histopathological and immunohistochemical changes. In conclusion, This study indicates that bromelain can regress TAA induced hepatic fibrosis in rats via inhibiting HSCs activation, α-SMA expression and the ECM deposition in hepatic tissue in addition to its antioxidants pathway, these findings prove the promising therapeutic potential of bromelain as a novel therapeutic approach for chronic hepatic fibrotic diseases.

Bromelain Ameliorates Atherosclerosis by Activating the TFEB-Mediated Autophagy and Antioxidant Pathways

Bromelain, a cysteine protease found in pineapple, has beneficial effects in the treatment of inflammatory diseases; however, its effects in cardiovascular pathophysiology are not fully understood. We investigated the effect of bromelain on atherosclerosis and its regulatory mechanisms in hyperlipidemia and atheroprone apolipoprotein E-null (apoe-/-) mice. Bromelain was orally administered to 16-week-old male apoe-/- mice for four weeks. Daily bromelain administration decreased hyperlipidemia and aortic inflammation, leading to atherosclerosis retardation in apoe-/- mice. Moreover, hepatic lipid accumulation was decreased by the promotion of cholesteryl ester hydrolysis and autophagy through the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/transcription factor EB (TFEB)-mediated upregulation of autophagy- and antioxidant-related proteins. Moreover, bromelain decreased oxidative stress by increasing the antioxidant capacity and protein expression of antioxidant proteins while downregulating the protein expression of NADPH oxidases and decreasing the production of reactive oxygen species. Therefore, AMPK/TFEB signaling may be crucial in bromelain-mediated anti-hyperlipidemia, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, effecting the amelioration of atherosclerosis.

Bromelain ameliorates D-galactosamine-induced acute liver injury: role of SIRT1/LKB1/AMPK, GSK3β/Nrf2 and NF-κB p65/TNF-α/caspase-8, -9 signalling pathways

OBJECTIVES

The present research focused on estimating, for the first time, the potential protective effects of bromelain against D-galactosamine-induced acute liver injury in rats as well as identifying the possible underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Silymarin (100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) as a reference drug or bromelain (20 and 40 mg/kg/day, p.o.) were administered for 10 days, and on the 8th day of the experiment, a single dose of galactosamine (400 mg/kg/i.p.) induced acute liver injury.

KEY FINDINGS

Pretreatment with bromelain improved liver functions and histopathological alterations induced by galactosamine. Bromelain ameliorated oxidative stress by inducing SIRT1 protein expression and increasing LKB1 content. This resulted in phosphorylating the AMPK/GSK3β axis, which stimulated Nrf2 activation in hepatic cells and thus increased the activity of its downstream antioxidant enzymes [HO-1 and NQO1]. Besides, bromelain exerted significant anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing hepatic contents of TNF-α, NF-κB p65, as well as caspase-8 and caspase-9. The protective effects of bromelain40 were proved to be better than silymarin and bromelain20 in most of the assessed parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results highlight the significant hepatoprotective effects of bromelain against acute liver injury through modulation of SIRT1/LKB1/AMPK, GSK3β/Nrf2 signalling in addition to NF-κB p65/TNF-α/ caspase-8 and -9 pathway.

Corilagin prevents non-alcoholic fatty liver disease via improving lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis in high fat diet-fed mice

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been considered to be one of the most common chronic liver diseases. However, no validated pharmacological therapies have been officially proved in clinic due to its complex pathogenesis. The purpose of this study was to examine the protective effects of Corilagin (referred to Cori) against NAFLD in mice under a high fat diet (HFD) condition. Mice were fed either a normal control diet (NCD) or HFD with or without Cori (5 or 10 mg/kg body weight) for 15 weeks. In our results, Cori treatment significantly attenuated HFD-induced hepatic steatosis, high NAFLD activity score (NAD) and liver injury. Consistently, Cori treatment remarkably alleviated HFD-induced hepatic lipid accumulation (e.g., triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) contents in liver), and improved plasma lipid concentrations (e.g., plasma TG, TC, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c)). Moreover, Cori treatment ameliorated NAFLD associated metabolic disorders such as glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in HFD-fed mice. Additionally, Cori treatment dramatically changed HFD-induced liver gene expression profiles, and identified overlapped differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between NCD vs. HFD group and HFD vs. HCR (high fat diet plus treatment with Cori) group. With these DEGs, we observed a marked enrichment of Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, which were closely associated with the metabolic balance in liver. Particularly, we found several potential hub proteins against NAFLD development with analyses of protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and qPCR assays. Collectively, our results revealed the important protective effects of Cori against the progress of NAFLD, which was probably mediated through improving dysregulated lipid metabolism and insulin resistance in HFD-fed mice. Additionally, Cori-dependent overlapped DEGs might serve as a featured NAFLD-associated gene expression signature for the diagnosis, treatment, as well as drug discovery and development of NAFLD in the near future.

New Mechanisms of Bromelain in Alleviating Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease-Induced Deregulation of Blood Coagulation

Bromelain, an enzyme extracted from the stems of pineapples, exerts anticoagulant effects; however, the regulatory mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of bromelain on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-induced deregulation of blood coagulation and the underlying molecular mechanisms. C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD), with or without bromelain (20 mg/kg/day) administration, for 12 weeks. Treatment with bromelain decreased thrombus formation in the liver and prolonged HFD-induced shortened prothrombin, activated partial thromboplastin, and fibrinogen times. Moreover, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry and Western blot analysis showed that bromelain inhibited NAFLD-induced activation of the intrinsic, extrinsic, and common pathways by upregulating the protein expression of antithrombin III, serpin family G member 1, and α1-antitrypsin, and downregulating the protein expression of fibrinogen in the liver and plasma. Bromelain also upregulated the level of plasminogen and downregulating factor XIII expression in the liver and plasma. Collectively, these findings suggest that bromelain exerts anticoagulant effects on NAFLD-induced deregulation of coagulation by inhibiting the activation of the coagulation cascade, decreasing the stability of clots, and promoting fibrinolytic activity. The present study provides new insights into the potential therapeutic value of bromelain for the prevention and treatment of thrombosis-related diseases.

It Is High Time Physicians Thought of Natural Products for Alleviating NAFLD. Is There Sufficient Evidence to Use Them?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of liver disease all over the world due to the obesity pandemic; currently, therapeutic options for NAFLD are scarce, except for diet recommendations and physical activity. NAFLD is characterized by excessive accumulation of fat deposits (>5%) in the liver with subsequent inflammation and fibrosis. Studies in the literature show that insulin resistance (IR) may be considered as the key mechanism in the onset and progression of NAFLD. Recently, using natural products as an alternative approach in the treatment of NAFLD has drawn growing attention among physicians. In this review, the authors present the most recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and lines of evidence from animal models about the efficacy of nutraceutics in alleviating NAFLD. Among the most studied substances in the literature, the following molecules were chosen because of their presence in the literature of both clinical and preclinical studies: spirulina, oleuropein, garlic, berberine, resveratrol, curcumin, ginseng, glycyrrhizin, coffee, cocoa powder, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and bromelain.