Oleanolic Acid: Extraction, Characterization and Biological Activity

Astrocyte modulation in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury: A promising therapeutic strategy

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) poses significant challenges for drug development due to its complex pathogenesis. Astrocyte involvement in CIRI pathogenesis has led to the development of novel astrocyte-targeting drug strategies. To comprehensively review the current literature, we conducted a thorough analysis from January 2012 to December 2023, identifying 82 drugs aimed at preventing and treating CIRI. These drugs target astrocytes to exert potential benefits in CIRI, and their primary actions include modulation of relevant signaling pathways to inhibit neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, reduce cerebral edema, restore blood-brain barrier integrity, suppress excitotoxicity, and regulate autophagy. Notably, active components from traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) such as Salvia miltiorrhiza, Ginkgo, and Ginseng exhibit these important pharmacological properties and show promise in the treatment of CIRI. This review highlights the potential of astrocyte-targeted drugs to ameliorate CIRI and categorizes them based on their mechanisms of action, underscoring their therapeutic potential in targeting astrocytes.

Ziziphus spina-christi L. extract attenuates bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice via regulating TGF-β1/SMAD pathway: LC-MS/MS Metabolic profiling, chemical composition, and histology studies

Ancient Egyptians (including Bedouins and Nubians) have long utilized Ziziphus spina-christi (L.), a traditional Arabian medicinal herb, to alleviate swellings and inflammatory disorders. It is also mentioned in Christian and Muslim traditions. Ziziphus spina-christi L. (Family: Rhamnaceae) is a plentiful source of polyphenols, revealing free radical scavenging, antioxidant, metal chelating, cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Herein, different classes of the existing bioactive metabolites in Z. spina-christi L. were detected using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the first time. The study also aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic properties of Z. spina-christi L. extract against bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in an experimental mouse model. 32 male Swiss Albino mice were assigned into 4 groups; the first and second were the normal control group and the bleomycin positive control (single 2.5 U/kg bleomycin intratracheal dose). The third and fourth groups received 100 and 200 mg/kg/day Z. spina-christi L. extract orally for 3 weeks, 2 weeks before bleomycin, and 1 week after. The bioactive metabolites in Z. spina-christi L. extract were identified as phenolic acids, catechins, flavonoids, chalcones, stilbenes, triterpenoid acids, saponins, and sterols. The contents of total phenolic compounds and flavonoids were found to be 196.62 mg GAE/gm and 33.29 mg QE/gm, respectively. In the experimental study, histopathological examination revealed that lung fibrosis was attenuated in both Z. spina-christi L.- treated groups. Z. spina-christi L. extract downregulated the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 and decreased levels of the inflammatory markers tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in lung tissue. Z. spina-christi L. also downregulated the expression of the fibrotic parameters collagen-1, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and SMAD3, with upregulation of the antifibrotic SMAD7 in lung tissue. Overall, the present study suggests a potential protective effect of Z. spina-christi L. extract against bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis through regulation of the TGF-β1/SMAD pathway.

Phytochemistry, pharmacological applications, and therapeutic effects of green synthesized nanomaterials using Cichorium species-a comprehensive review

Cichorium is a genus of potential medicinal herbs that finds widespread cultivation in regions spanning Asia and Europe. Belonging to the Asteraceae family, these plants are typically biennial or perennial in nature. Among the various explored varieties of chicory plants, the most commonly studied ones include Cichorium intybus, Cichorium endivia, and Cichorium pumilum. In Ayurveda, chicory has long been used as a remedy for many health problems. This versatile plant is renowned for its efficacy in managing conditions such as gallstones, gastroenteritis, sinus ailments, and the treatment of skin abrasions and wounds. Numerous bioactives, including polysaccharides, caffeic acid, flavonoids, coumarins, steroids, alkaloids, organic acids, triterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, and essential oils, are present, according to a thorough phytochemical examination. The phytochemicals isolated from chicory have displayed significant therapeutic activities, including antidiabetic effects, hepatoprotective benefits, anti-obesity properties, and anti-cancer potential, as extensively documented by numerous researchers. The incorporation of these bioactive compounds into one's diet as part of a healthy lifestyle has demonstrated considerable advantages for human well-being. Green synthesis is a recent technology in which plant extracts or phytochemicals are used for synthesizing nanoparticles since plant extracts are generally less toxic and contain capping and reducing agents. This review summarizes current developments in green synthesis employing phytoconstituents from Cichorium species and extracts from various plant parts and their application to scientific problems. In order to preserve lifestyles and cure human diseases, the investigation emphasizes the therapeutic effects of the chemical components and nanoparticles obtained from the extract of Cichorium species.

Allosterically activating SHP2 by oleanolic acid inhibits STAT3-Th17 axis for ameliorating colitis

Src homology 2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2) is an essential tyrosine phosphatase that is pivotal in regulating various cellular signaling pathways such as cell growth, differentiation, and survival. The activation of SHP2 has been shown to have a therapeutic effect in colitis and Parkinson's disease. Thus, the identification of SHP2 activators and a complete understanding of their mechanism is required. We used a two-step screening assay to determine a novel allosteric activator of SHP2 that stabilizes it in an open conformation. Oleanolic acid was identified as a suitable candidate. By binding to R362, K364, and K366 in the active center of the PTP domain, oleanolic acid maintained the active open state of SHP2, which facilitated the binding between SHP2 and its substrate. This oleanolic acid-activated SHP2 hindered Th17 differentiation by disturbing the interaction between STAT3 and IL-6Rα and inhibiting the activation of STAT3. Furthermore, via the activation of SHP2 and subsequent attenuation of the STAT3-Th17 axis, oleanolic acid effectively mitigated colitis in mice. This protective effect was abrogated by SHP2 knockout or administration of the SHP2 inhibitor SHP099. These findings underscore the potential of oleanolic acid as a promising therapeutic agent for treating inflammatory bowel diseases.

Application of multiple strategies to enhance oleanolic acid biosynthesis by engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Oleanolic acid and its derivatives are widely used in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, cosmetic and food industries. Previous studies have shown that oleanolic acid production levels in engineered cell factories are low, which is why oleanolic acid is still widely extracted from traditional medicinal plants. To construct a highly efficient oleanolic acid production strain, rate-limiting steps were regulated by inducible promoters and the expression of key genes in the oleanolic acid synthetic pathway was enhanced. Subsequently, precursor pool expansion, pathway refactoring and diploid construction were considered to harmonize cell growth and oleanolic acid production. The multi-strategy combination promoted oleanolic acid production of up to 4.07 g/L in a 100 L bioreactor, which was the highest level reported.

Oleanolic acid and its analogues: promising therapeutics for kidney disease

Kidney diseases pose a significant threat to human health due to their high prevalence and mortality rates. Worryingly, the clinical use of drugs for kidney diseases is associated with more side effects, so more effective and safer treatments are urgently needed. Oleanolic acid (OA) is a common pentacyclic triterpenoid that is widely available in nature and has been shown to have protective effects in kidney disease. However, comprehensive studies on its role in kidney diseases are still lacking. Therefore, this article first explores the botanical sources, pharmacokinetics, derivatives, and safety of OA, followed by a summary of the anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-oxidative stress, autophagy-enhancing, and antifibrotic effects of OA and its analogues in renal diseases, and an analysis of the molecular mechanisms, aiming to provide further insights for the development of novel drugs for the treatment of kidney diseases.

Isolation of a Marker Olean-12-en-28-butanol Derivative from Viscum continuum E. Mey. Ex Sprague and the Evaluation of Its Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potentials

Viscum continuum E. Mey. Ex Sprague (Mistletoe) is a semi-parasitic plant that grows on the branches of other trees with reported numerous biological activities. This study was aimed at isolating a compound/s that will be used as a standard reference for quality control of South African-based commercialized mistletoe products and to further perform antioxidant and antimicrobial tests on the isolated compound. A dried sample of mistletoe was ground and extracted successively with hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), acetone and methanol using a serial exhaustive cold maceration procedure. The compound was isolated using column chromatography, and its chemical structure was elucidated using two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D NMR) and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). The antioxidant activity of the compound was determined using DPPH, hydrogen radical scavenging activity and reducing power assays, whereas antimicrobial activity was assessed using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method. Subjection of the DCM extract to column chromatography resulted in the isolation of a compound elucidated as olean-12-en-28-butanol-1-one, 3-hydroxy-4,4,10, 14, 20-pentamethyl (D4). Both the DPPH, H2O2 radical scavenging activity and reducing power assays revealed a significant antioxidant potential of compound D4 with an IC50 of 0.701 mg/mL, lower than that of gallic acid (0.793 mg/mL) for the H2O2 radical scavenging assay. The results also indicated good antibacterial activity of D4 with an IC50 of 0.25 mg/mL, compared to ciprofloxacin with an IC50 of 0.0039 mg/mL, against two Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli) and three Gram-positive (Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. This study is the first to report on the isolation of the olean-12-en-28-butanol derivative from mistletoe of the South African ecotype.

Therapeutic Potential of Natural Compounds in Subarachnoid Haemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a common and fatal cerebrovascular disease with high morbidity, mortality and very poor prognosis worldwide. SAH can induce a complex series of pathophysiological processes, and the main factors affecting its prognosis are early brain injury (EBI) and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). The pathophysiological features of EBI mainly include intense neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, neuronal cell death, mitochondrial dysfunction and brain edema, while DCI is characterized by delayed onset ischemic neurological deficits and cerebral vasospasm (CVS). Despite much exploration in people to improve the prognostic outcome of SAH, effective treatment strategies are still lacking. In recent years, numerous studies have shown that natural compounds of plant origin have unique neuro- and vascular protective effects in EBI and DCI after SAH and long-term neurological deficits, which mainly include inhibition of inflammatory response, reduction of oxidative stress, anti-apoptosis, and improvement of blood-brain barrier and cerebral vasospasm. The aim of this paper is to systematically explore the processes of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in SAH, and to summarize natural compounds as potential targets for improving the prognosis of SAH and their related mechanisms of action for future therapies.

Effects of Oleanolic Acid Derived from Wine Pomace on Periodontopathic Bacterial Growth in Healthy Individuals: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study

Periodontal disease is caused by oral pathogenic bacteria and is associated with systemic disease and frailty. Therefore, its prevention is crucial in extending healthy life expectancy. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of orally administered oleanolic acid, extracted from wine pomace, on periodontopathic bacterial growth in healthy individuals. In this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group comparison study, 84 healthy adults were assigned to a placebo (n = 29), low-dose (n = 29, 9 mg oleanolic acid), or high-dose (n = 26, 27 mg oleanolic acid) groups. The number of oral bacteria in their saliva, collected before and 5 h after administration, was determined using the polymerase chain reaction-invader technique. The proportion of periodontopathic bacteria among the total oral bacteria in the saliva was calculated. Oleanolic acid significantly decreased the proportion of Porphyromonas gingivalis among the total oral bacteria in a dose-dependent manner (p = 0.005 (low-dose) and p = 0.003 (high-dose) vs. placebo, Williams' test). Moreover, high-dose oleanolic acid decreased the proportion of Tannerella forsythia (p = 0.064 vs. placebo, Williams' test). Periodontopathic bacteria are closely associated with the development and progression of periodontal disease; thus, the continuous daily intake of oleanolic acid derived from pomace may be helpful in maintaining a healthy oral microbiome by controlling the proportion of periodontopathic bacteria.

Redox-sensitive self-assembling polymer micelles based on oleanolic modified hydroxyethyl starch: Synthesis, characterisation, and oleanolic release

Our study aimed at developing polymer micelles that possess redox sensitivity and excellent controlled release properties. 3,3'-dithiodipropionic acid (DTDPA, Abbreviation in synthetic polymers: SS) was introduced as ROS (Reactive oxygen species)response bond and connecting arm to couple hydroxyethyl starch (HES) with oleanolic acid (OA), resulting in the synthesis of four distinct grafting ratios of HES-SS-OA. FTIR (Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy) and 1H NMR (1H Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra) were used to verify the triumphant combination of HES-SS-OA. Polymer micelles were found to encapsulate OA in an amorphous form, as indicated by the results of XRD (X-ray diffraction) and DSC (Differential scanning calorimetry). When the OA grafting rate on HES increased from 7.72 % to 11.75 %, the particle size decreased from 297.79 nm to 201.39 nm as the polymer micelles became compact due to enhanced hydrophobicity. In addition, the zeta potential changed from -16.42 mv to -25.78 mv, the PDI (polydispersity index) decreased from 0.3649 to 0.2435, and the critical micelle concentration (CMC) decreased from 0.0955 mg/mL to 0.0123 mg/mL. Results of erythrocyte hemolysis, cytotoxicity and cellular uptake illustrated that HES-SS-OA had excellent biocompatibility and minimal cytotoxicity for AML-12 cells. Disulfide bond breakage of HES-SS-OA in the presence of H2O2 and GSH confirmed the redox sensitivity of the HES-SS-OA micelles and their excellent controlled release properties for OA. These findings suggest that HES-SS-OA can be potentially used in the future as a healthcare drug and medicine for the prevention or adjuvant treatment of inflammation.

Oleanolic acid: an antimycobacterial component of Syzygium aromaticum L. and inhibitor of efflux mediated drug resistance

Oleanolic acid (OA) was isolated from Syzygium aromaticum L. buds, and structurally characterised using different spectroscopic techniques; MS, IR,1H/13C-NMR and 2D NMR experiments. The antimycobacterial activity according to a resazurin microtiter assay (REMA) showed important inhibitory effect of OA on the virulent H37Rv strain, with the lowest minimum concentration of 50 µg/mL, compared to other fractions. Molecular docking of OA with BacA drug efflux pump resulted in good binding affinity of hydrophobic interaction type. Therefore, OA could contribute to the antimycobacterial action of clove buds, and has potential as an efflux pump inhibitor. Further studies are required on its use to combat multidrug resistant strains.

Natural products as potential drug treatments for acute promyelocytic leukemia

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), which was once considered one of the deadliest types of leukemia, has become a curable malignancy since the introduction of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) as clinical treatments. ATO, which has become the first-line therapeutic agent for APL, is derived from the natural mineral product arsenic, exemplifying an important role of natural products in the treatment of APL. Many other natural products, ranging from small-molecule compounds to herbal extracts, have also demonstrated great potential for the treatment and adjuvant therapy of APL. In this review, we summarize the natural products and representative components that have demonstrated biological activity for the treatment of APL. We also discuss future directions in better exploring their medicinal value, which may provide a reference for subsequent new drug development and combination therapy programs.

Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Polysaccharide from Fructus Ligustri Lucidi Incorporated in PVA/Pectin Hydrogels Accelerate Wound Healing

In cutaneous wound healing, an overproduction of inflammatory chemokines and bacterial infections impedes the process. Hydrogels can maintain a physiologically moist microenvironment, absorb chemokines, prevent bacterial infection, inhibit bacterial reproduction, and facilitate wound healing at a wound site. The development of hydrogels provides a novel treatment strategy for the entire wound repair process. Here, a series of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi polysaccharide extracts loaded with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and pectin hydrogels were successfully fabricated through the freeze-thaw method. A hydrogel containing a 1% mixing weight ratio of FLL-E (named PVA-P-FLL-E1) demonstrated excellent physicochemical properties such as swellability, water retention, degradability, porosity, 00drug release, transparency, and adhesive strength. Notably, this hydrogel exhibited minimal cytotoxicity. Moreover, the crosslinked hydrogel, PVA-P-FLL-E1, displayed multifunctional attributes, including significant antibacterial properties, earlier re-epithelialization, production of few inflammatory cells, the formation of collagen fibers, deposition of collagen I, and faster remodeling of the ECM. Consequently, the PVA-P-FLL-E1 hydrogel stands out as a promising wound dressing due to its superior formulation and enhanced healing effects in wound care.

The microbial biosynthesis of noncanonical terpenoids

Terpenoids are a class of structurally complex, naturally occurring compounds found predominantly in plant, animal, and microorganism secondary metabolites. Classical terpenoids typically have carbon atoms in multiples of five and follow well-defined carbon skeletons, whereas noncanonical terpenoids deviate from these patterns. These noncanonical terpenoids often result from the methyltransferase-catalyzed methylation modification of substrate units, leading to irregular carbon skeletons. In this comprehensive review, various activities and applications of these noncanonical terpenes have been summarized. Importantly, the review delves into the biosynthetic pathways of noncanonical terpenes, including those with C6, C7, C11, C12, and C16 carbon skeletons, in bacteria and fungi host. It also covers noncanonical triterpenes synthesized from non-squalene substrates and nortriterpenes in Ganoderma lucidum, providing detailed examples to elucidate the intricate biosynthetic processes involved. Finally, the review outlines the potential future applications of noncanonical terpenoids. In conclusion, the insights gathered from this review provide a reference for understanding the biosynthesis of these noncanonical terpenes and pave the way for the discovery of additional unique and novel noncanonical terpenes. KEY POINTS: •The activities and applications of noncanonical terpenoids are introduced. •The noncanonical terpenoids with irregular carbon skeletons are presented. •The microbial biosynthesis of noncanonical terpenoids is summarized.

The Potential Use of Vitamin D3 and Phytochemicals for Their Anti-Ageing Effects

Unlike other vitamins, vitamin D3 is synthesised in skin cells in the body. Vitamin D3 has been known as a bone-related hormone. Recently, however, it has been considered as an immune vitamin. Vitamin D3 deficiency influences the onset of a variety of diseases. Vitamin D3 regulates the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) through binding to vitamin D receptors (VDRs) in immune cells. Since blood levels of vitamin D3 (25-OH-D3) were low in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, there has been growing interest in the importance of vitamin D3 to maintaining a healthy condition. On the other hand, phytochemicals are compounds derived from plants with over 7000 varieties and have various biological activities. They mainly have health-promoting effects and are classified as terpenoids, carotenoids, flavonoids, etc. Flavonoids are known as the anti-inflammatory compounds that control TNF-α production. Chronic inflammation is induced by the continuous production of TNF-α and is the fundamental cause of diseases like obesity, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, heart and brain diseases, autoimmune diseases, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer. In addition, the ageing process is induced by chronic inflammation. This review explains the cooperative effects of vitamin D3 and phytochemicals in the suppression of inflammatory responses, how it balances the natural immune response, and its link to anti-ageing effects. In addition, vitamin D3 and phytochemicals synergistically contribute to anti-ageing by working with ageing-related genes. Furthermore, prevention of ageing processes induced by the chronic inflammation requires the maintenance of healthy gut microbiota, which is related to daily dietary habits. In this regard, supplementation of vitamin D3 and phytochemicals plays an important role. Recently, the association of the prevention of the non-disease condition called "ME-BYO" with the maintenance of a healthy condition has been an attractive regimen, and the anti-ageing effect discussed here is important for a healthy and long life.

Natural Oleanolic Acid-Tailored Eutectogels Featuring Multienvironment Shape Memory Performance

Shape memory gels, one of the primary modern smart materials, hold great promise in a myriad of applications spanning from soft robotics to medical devices. Nevertheless, most shape memory gels rely on water, organic solvents, and ionic liquids as dispersion mediums, posing the risks of freezing, dehydration, and toxicity to humans or environment. Herein, we have developed a thermoresponsive shape memory eutectogel by introducing an oleanolic acid-modified polyacrylamide network into a deep eutectic solvent (DES). The resulting eutectogel shows a fracture strength of 4.46 MPa along with elongation of 345%, Young's modulus of 14.83 MPa, and toughness of 9.51 MJ m-3. Thanks to the low freezing point and low volatility inherited from DES, this eutectogel possesses good antifreezing and long-term storage stability, which facilitate the shape memory behavior both in silicone oil and in air. The shape fixity and shape recovery ratios of this eutectogel maintain almost 90% during 10 cycles in silicone oil and more than 70% during four cycles in air that cannot be realized in hydrogels. By virtue of shape memory effect and conductivity, the eutectogel can be further used as a thermoswitch. This work presents a simple approach to fabricating shape memory eutectogels and imparts exciting prospects to smart eutectogels.

The Effect and Mechanism of Oleanolic Acid in the Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome and Related Cardiovascular Diseases

Metabolic syndromes (MetS) and related cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) pose a serious threat to human health. MetS are metabolic disorders characterized by obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, which increase the risk of CVDs' initiation and development. Although there are many availabile drugs for treating MetS and related CVDs, some side effects also occur. Considering the low-level side effects, many natural products have been tried to treat MetS and CVDs. A five-cyclic triterpenoid natural product, oleanolic acid (OA), has been reported to have many pharmacologic actions such as anti-hypertension, anti-hyperlipidemia, and liver protection. OA has specific advantages in the treatment of MetS and CVDs. OA achieves therapeutic effects through a variety of pathways, attracting great interest and playing a vital role in the treatment of MetS and CVDs. Consequently, in this article, we aim to review the pharmacological actions and potential mechanisms of OA in treating MetS and related CVDs.

RNA-seq analysis reveals modulation of inflammatory pathways by an enriched-triterpene natural extract in mouse and human macrophage cell lines

Chronic inflammation is crucial in developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Previous studies have shown that a leaf extract of Eucalyptus tereticornis, with ursolic acid (UA), oleanolic acid (OA), and ursolic acid lactone (UAL) as the main molecules (78 %) mixed with unknown minor metabolites (22 %), provided superior anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic effects than reconstituted triterpenoid mixtures in macrophage cell lines and a pre-diabetic mouse model. Further identification of the molecular mechanisms of action of this mixture of triterpenes is required. This study aims to analyse the RNA expression profiles of mouse and human macrophage cell lines treated with the natural extract and its components. Activated macrophage cell lines were treated with the natural extract, UA, OA, UAL or a triterpene mixture (M1). RNA was extracted and sequenced using the DNBseq platform and the EnrichR software to perform gene enrichment analysis using the Gene Ontology database, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and Reactome. To conduct clustering analysis, we standardised the normalised counts of each gene and applied k-means clustering. The combination of molecules in the natural extract has an additive or synergic effect that affects the expression of up-regulated genes by macrophage activation. Triterpenes (M1) regulated 76 % of human and 68 % of mouse genes, while uncharacterised minority molecules could regulate 24 % of human and 32 % of mouse genes. The extract inhibited the expression of many cytokines (IL6, IL1, OSM), chemokines (CXCL3), inflammatory mediators (MMP8 and MMP13) and the JAK-STAT signalling pathway in both models. The natural extract has a more powerful immunomodulatory effect than the triterpene mixture, increasing the number of genes regulated in mouse and human models. Our study shows that Eucalyptus tereticornis extract is a promising option for breaking the link between inflammation and insulin resistance.

A Preliminary Report Regarding the Morphological Changes of Nano-Enabled Pharmaceutical Formulation on Human Lung Carcinoma Monolayer and 3D Bronchial Microtissue

Background and Objectives: Nowadays, the development of enabled pharmaceutical nanoparticles of solid lipid type is continuously growing, because they have the potential to be used for targeted drug release leading to an increased effect of chemotherapy, being used in lung cancer nano-diagnosis and nano-therapy. The current study reports the preliminary results obtained regarding the biological effect of a new nano-enabled pharmaceutical formulation in terms of its cytotoxic and biosafety profile. Materials and Methods: The pharmaceutical formulations consist of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) obtained via the emulsification-diffusion method by loading green iron oxide nanoparticles (green-IONPs) with a pentacyclic triterpene (oleanolic acid-OA). Further, a complex biological assessment was performed, employing three-dimensional (3D) bronchial microtissues (EpiAirwayTM) to determine the biosafety profile of the SLN samples. The cytotoxic potential of the samples was evaluated on human lung carcinoma, using an in vitro model (A549 human lung carcinoma monolayer). Results: The data revealed that the A549 cell line was strongly affected after treatment with SLN samples, especially those that contained OA-loaded green-IONPs obtained with Ocimum basilicum extract (under 30% viability rates). The biosafety profile investigation of the 3D normal in vitro bronchial model showed that all the SLN samples negatively affected the viability of the bronchial microtissues (below 50%). As regards the morphological changes, all the samples induce major changes such as loss of the surface epithelium integrity, loss of epithelial junctions, loss of cilia, hyperkeratosis, and cell death caused by apoptosis. Conclusions: In summary, the culprit for the negative impact on viability and morphology of 3D normal bronchial microtissues could be the too-high dose (500 µg/mL) of the SLN sample used. Nevertheless, further adjustments in the SLN synthesis process and another complex in vitro evaluation will be considered for future research.

Wild and cultivated olive trees: Nutraceutical insights of extra virgin olive oils in cardiovascular and ocular diseases

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) from Olea europaea (cultivated olive tree) and the oil obtained from the wild olive variety or acebuche (ACE oil from Olea oleaster) contain an extraordinary number of bioactive molecules. These include oleic acid, sterols, tocopherols, triterpene compounds, and polyphenols. Both oils are known for their healthy properties and are considered to be a nutraceutical tool against cardiovascular diseases, including arterial hypertension, preeclampsia, and ocular diseases such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy. The benefits of EVOO and ACE oil stem from their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties. They also have potential as prebiotic compounds. In this update, we synthesise and illustrate the various characteristics and beneficial effects of olive oils from different varieties of olive trees, with special emphasis on Olea oleaster, also known as Olea europaea, L. var. sylvestris.

Phytochemicals as treatment for allergic asthma: Therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action

BACKGROUND

Allergic asthma is an inflammatory disease caused by the immune system's reaction to allergens, inflammation and narrowing of the airways, and the production of more than normal mucus. One of the main reasons is an increased production of inflammatory cytokines in the lungs that leads to the appearance of symptoms of asthma, including inflammation and shortness of breath. On the other hand, it has been proven that phytochemicals with their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can be useful in improving allergic asthma.

PURPOSE

Common chemical treatments for allergic asthma include corticosteroids, which have many side effects and temporarily relieve symptoms but are not a cure. Therefore, taking the help of natural compounds to improve the quality of life of asthmatic patients can be a valuable issue that has been evaluated in the present review.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

In this study, three databases (Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane) with the keywords: allergic asthma, phytochemical, plant, and herb were evaluated. The primary result was 5307 articles. Non-English, repetitive, and review articles were deleted from the study.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Finally, after carefully reading the articles, 102 were included in the study (2006-2022). The results of this review state that phytochemicals suppress the inflammatory pathways via inhibition of inflammatory cytokines production/secretion, genes, and proteins involved in the inflammation process, reducing oxidative stress indicators and symptoms of allergic asthma, such as cough and mucus production in the lungs.

CONCLUSION

With their antioxidant effects, this study concluded that phytochemicals suppress cytokines and other inflammatory indicators and thus can be considered an adjunctive treatment for improving allergic asthma.

Triterpenes Drug Delivery Systems, a Modern Approach for Arthritis Targeted Therapy

Arthritis is a major cause of disability. Currently available anti-arthritic drugs, such as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), have serious side-effects associated with long-term use. Triterpenoids are natural products with known anti-inflammatory properties, and many have revealed efficiency against arthritis both in vitro and in vivo in several animal models, with negligible cytotoxicity. However, poor bioavailability due to low water solubility and extensive metabolism upon oral administration hinder the therapeutic use of anti-arthritic triterpenoids. Therefore, drug delivery systems (DDSs) able to improve the pharmacokinetic profile of triterpenoids and achieve sustained drug release are useful alternatives for targeted delivery in arthritis treatment. Several DDSs have been described in the literature for triterpenoid delivery, including microparticulate and nanoparticulate DDSs, such as polymeric micro and nanoparticles (NPs), polymeric micelles, liposomes, micro and nanoemulsions, and hydrogels. These systems have shown superior therapeutic effects in arthritis compared to the free drugs and are similar to currently available anti-arthritic drugs without significant side-effects. This review focuses on nanocarriers for triterpenoid delivery in arthritis therapy, including osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and gout that appeared in the literature in the last ten years.

Integrative transcriptome and single-cell sequencing technology analysis of the potential therapeutic benefits of oleanolic acid in liver injury and liver cancer

BACKGROUND

Oleanolic acid has important hepatoprotective effects and inhibits liver tissue carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of action of oleanolic acid in inhibiting liver injury and liver cancer.

METHOD

In this study, we applied differential gene analysis and gene enrichment analysis to identify the targets of oleanolic acid for the treatment of liver injury. And this study also applied Cibersort and GSVA methods to investigate the targets of oleanolic acid in liver injury. Based on oleanolic acid targets, we explored the major targets and further explored the role of the major targets in liver cancer. This study used the oncoPredict and the TIDE algorithm to predict the effect of oleanolic acid on drug resistance. Finally, the binding effect of oleanolic acid to relevant targets was explored using molecular docking techniques.

RESULT

In this study, oleanolic acid was found to inhibit liver injury and promote liver regeneration mainly by promoting elevated expression of HMOX1. Oleanolic acid can inhibit oxidative stress and promotes Ferroptosis in liver injury. In liver cancer, we identified that the main target of oleanolic acid is HMOX1 and HDAC1. And we determined that HMOX1 promotes Ferroptosis in liver cancer. This reduced the sensitivity of liver cancer to targeted therapies and immunotherapy. Molecular docking showed high binding of oleanolic acid to HDAC1 and HMOX1.

CONCLUSIONS

Oleanolic acid is an antioxidant by promoting high expression of HMOX1 and promotes the development of Ferroptosis in liver cancer and liver injury.

Exploring the Bioactive Content of Liquid Waste and Byproducts Produced by Two-Phase Olive Mills in Laconia (Greece): Is There a Prospect for Added-Value Applications?

The use of a two-phase decanter (TwPD) for olive-oil extraction produces wastes and byproducts (a small volume of water from oil washing, olive leaves from the defoliator, and a high moisture pomace which can be destoned) that contain valuable bioactive compounds, such as phenolics and/or triterpenic acids. So far, there is no (water) or limited information (leaves and the destoned pomace fraction) on their content of bioactives, especially triterpenic acids. To contribute to the characterization of such streams from cultivars of international interest, in the present study, samples obtained from five mills from the region of Laconia (from one or two harvests) in Greece, where Koroneiki cv dominates, were screened for phenols and/or triterpenic acids. The leaves and pomace were dried at two temperatures (70 °C and/or 140 °C), and the pomace was also destoned before analysis. The liquid wastes contained low amounts of total (TPC) phenols (<140 mg gallic acid/L), hydroxytyrosol (<44 mg/L), and tyrosol (<33 mg/L). The olive leaves varied widely in TPC (12.8-57.4 mg gallic acid/g dry leaf) and oleuropein (0.4-56.8 mg/g dry leaf) but contained an appreciable amount of triterpenic acids, mainly oleanolic acid (~12.5-31 mg/g dry leaf, respectively). A higher drying temperature (140 vs. 70 °C) affected rather positively the TPC/oleuropein content, whereas triterpenic acids were unaffected. The destoned pomace TPC was 15.5-22.0 mg gallic acid/g dw, hydroxytyrosol 3.9-5.6 mg/g dw, and maslinic 5.5-19.3 mg/g dw. Drying at 140 °C preserved better its bioactive phenols, whereas triterpenic acids were not influenced. The present findings indicate that TwPD streams may have a prospect as a source of bioactives for added-value applications. Material handling, including drying conditions, may be critical but only for phenols.

Oleanolic acid derivative alleviates cardiac fibrosis through inhibiting PTP1B activity and regulating AMPK/TGF-β/Smads pathway

Cardiac fibrosis (CF) in response to persistent exogenous stimuli or myocardial injury results in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) can promote collagen deposition through regulating AMPK/TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway, and PTP1B knockout improves cardiac dysfunction against overload-induced heart failure. Oleanolic acid (OA) has been proven to be an inhibitor of PTP1B, and its anti-cardiac remodeling effects have been validated in different mouse models. To improve the bioactivity of OA and to clarify whether OA derivatives with stronger inhibition of PTP1B activity have greater prevention of cardiac remodeling than OA, four new OA derivatives were synthesized and among them, we found that compound B had better effects than OA in inhibiting cardiac fibrosis both in vivo in the isoproterenol (ISO)-induced mouse cardiac fibrosis and in vitro in the TGF-β/ISO-induced 3T3 cells. Combining with the results of molecular docking, surface plasmon resonance and PTP1B activity assay, we reported that OA and compound B directly bound to PTP1B and inhibited its activity, and that compound B showed comparable binding capability but stronger inhibitory effect on PTP1B activity than OA. Moreover, compound B presented much greater effects on AMPK activation and TGF-β/Smads inhibition than OA. Taken together, OA derivative compound B more significantly alleviated cardiac fibrosis than OA through much greater inhibition of PTP1B activity and thus much stronger regulation of AMPK/TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway.

A Review on Bioactive Compounds, Ethnomedicinal Importance and Pharmacological Activities of Talinum triangulare (Jacq.) Willd

Talinum triangulare (Jacq.) Willd. is a traditional leafy vegetable used by tribal communities for ethnomedicinal and ethnoculinary preparations. This article reviews the current knowledge of its multiple uses, including pharmacological activities and nutritional composition. The literature survey shows that it has been traditionally useful in the treatment of several diseases, such as anaemia, diabetes, measles, and ulcers and the preparation of various traditional foods. Analysis of the literature on its phytochemicals shows its richness in bioactive compounds. Further, research also shows that this plant has antidiabetic, antiobesity, antitumor, antiulcer, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective activities besides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Nutrient analysis of the plant reveals the presence of Ca, Zn, Fe, vitamins C and E, dietary fibre and protein in considerable quantities. The results of the pharmacological studies on the antidiabetic, antiulcer and anti-anaemic activities provide support in favour of its ethnomedicinal uses. The presence of bioactive compounds and pharmacological activities show the usefulness of this plant as a functional food.

The signaling pathways and targets of natural products from traditional Chinese medicine treating gastric cancer provide new candidate therapeutic strategies

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the severe malignancies with high incidence and mortality, especially in Eastern Asian countries. Significant advancements have been made in diagnosing and treating GC over the past few decades, resulting in tremendous improvements in patient survival. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has garnered considerable attention as an alternative therapeutic approach for GC due to its multicomponent and multitarget characteristics. Consequently, natural products found in TCM have attracted researchers' attention, as growing evidence suggests that these natural products can impede GC progression by regulating various biological processes. Nevertheless, their molecular mechanisms are not systematically uncovered. Here, we review the major signaling pathways involved in GC development. Additionally, clinical GC samples were analyzed. Moreover, the anti-GC effects of natural products, their underlying mechanisms and potential targets were summarized. These summaries are intended to facilitate further relevant research, and accelerate the clinical applications of natural products in GC treatment.

The role of telomerase in hair growth and relevant disorders: A review

BACKGROUND

Hair diseases may present with hair loss, hirsutism, hair melanin abnormalities and other manifestations. Hair follicles are known as mini-organs that undergo periodic remodeling, and their constant regeneration in vivo reflects interesting anti-aging functions. Telomerase prevents cellular senescence by maintaining telomere length, but its excessive proliferation in cancer cells may also induce cancer. However, the effects of telomerase in hair growth have rarely been reported.

METHODS

In this study, we reviewed the role of telomerase in hair growth and the effects of hair disorders through literature search and analysis.

RESULTS

There is growing evidence that telomerase plays an important role in maintaining hair follicle function and proliferation. Changes in telomerase levels in hair follicles have also been found in a variety of hair disorders.

CONCLUSION

Telomerase plays a positive role in hair growth and is expected to become a new target for the treatment of alopecia or other hair diseases in the future.

Bioavailability and systemic transport of oleanolic acid in humans, formulated as a functional olive oil

Evidence of the pharmacological activity of oleanolic acid (OA) suggests its potential therapeutic application. However, its use in functional foods, dietary supplements, or nutraceuticals is hindered by limited human bioavailability studies. The BIO-OLTRAD trial is a double-blind, randomized controlled study with 22 participants that received a single dose of 30 mg OA formulated as a functional olive oil. The study revealed that the maximum serum concentration of OA ranged from 500 to 600 ng mL-1, with an AUC0-∞ value of 2862.50 ± 174.50 ng h mL-1. Furthermore, we discovered a physiological association of OA with serum albumin and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL). UV absorption spectra showed conformational changes in serum albumin due to the formation of an adduct with OA. Additionally, we demonstrated that TRL incorporate OA, reaching a maximum concentration of 140 ng mL-1 after 2-4 hours. We conjecture that both are efficient carriers to reach target tissues and to yield high bioavailability.

Integrated bioinformatics analysis and network pharmacology to explore the potential mechanism of Patrinia heterophylla Bunge against acute promyelocytic leukemia

INTRODUCTION

Current treatment with arsenic trioxide and all-trans retinoic acid has greatly improved the therapeutic efficacy and prognosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), but may cause numerous adverse effects. Patrinia heterophylla Bunge (PHEB), commonly known as "Mu-Tou-Hui" in China, is effective in treating leukemia. However, no studies have reported the use of PHEB for APL treatment. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential anticancer mechanism of PHEB against APL.

METHODS

Public databases were used to search for bioactive compounds in PHEB, their potential targets, differentially expressed genes associated with APL, and therapeutic targets for APL. The core targets and signaling pathways of PHEB against APL were identified by the protein-protein interaction network, Kaplan-Meier curves, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment, and compound-target-pathway network analysis. Molecular docking was performed to predict the binding activity between the most active compounds and the key targets.

RESULTS

Quercetin and 2 other active components of PHEB may exert anti-APL effects through proteoglycans in cancer, estrogen signaling, and acute myeloid leukemia pathways. We also identified 6 core targets of the bioactive compounds of PHEB, including protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type C, proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src, mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 3 (MAPK3), matrix metalloproteinase-9, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, and myeloperoxidase, most of which were validated to improve the 5-year survival of patients. Molecular docking results showed that the active compound bound well to key targets.

CONCLUSION

The results not only predict the active ingredients and potential molecular mechanisms of PHEB against APL, but also help to guide further investigation into the anti-APL application of PHEB.

Identification of N-(3-(methyl(3-(orotic amido)propyl)amino)propyl) oleanolamide as a novel topoisomerase I catalytic inhibitor by rational design, molecular dynamics simulation, and biological evaluation

DNA topoisomerase I (TOP1) catalytic inhibitors are a promising class of antitumor agents. Oleanolic acid derivatives are potential TOP1 catalytic inhibitors. However, their inhibitory activity still needs to be enhanced, and the stability and hotspot residue sites of their interaction with TOP1 remain to be elucidated. Herein, a novel oleanolic acid derivative, OA4 (N-(3-(methyl(3-(orotic amido)propyl)amino)propyl)oleanolamide), was identified by rational design. Subsequently, molecular dynamics simulations were performed to explore the stability and conformational dynamics of the TOP1-OA4 complex. The molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area method calculated the binding free energy and predicted Arg488, Ile535, and His632 to be hotspot residues. Biological experiments verified that OA4 is a nonintercalative TOP1 catalytic inhibitor. OA4 exhibits better proliferation inhibitory activity against tumor cells than normal cells. Furthermore, OA4 can induce apoptosis and effectively suppress the proliferation and migration of cancer cells. This work provides new insights for the development of novel TOP1 catalytic inhibitors.

Discovery of unique CYP716C oxidase involved in pentacyclic triterpene biosynthesis from Camptotheca acuminata

Dozens of triterpenes have been isolated from Camptotheca acuminata, however, triterpene metabolism in this plant remains poorly understood. The common C28 carboxy located in the oleanane-type and ursane-type triterpenes indicates the existence of a functionally active triterpene, C28 oxidase, in this plant. Thorough mining and screening of the CYP716 genes were initiated using the multi-omics database for C. acuminata. Two CYP716A (CYP716A394 and CYP716A395) and three CYP716C (CYP716C80-CYP716C82) were identified based on conserved domain analyses and hierarchical cluster analyses. CYP716 microsomal proteins were prepared and their enzymatic activities were evaluated in vitro. The CYP716 classified into the CYP716C subfamily displays β-amyrin oxidation activity, and CYP716A displays α-amyrin and lupeol oxidation activity, based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses. The oxidation products were determined based on their mass and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrums. The optimum reaction conditions and kinetic parameters for CYP716C were determined, and functions were verified in Nicotiana benthaminana. Relative quantitative analyses revealed that these CYP716C genes were enriched in the leaves of C. acuminata plantlets after 60 d. These results indicate that CYP716C plays a dominant role in oleanane-type triterpene metabolism in the leaves of C. acuminata via a substrate-specific manner, and CYP716A is responsible for ursane- and lupane-type triterpene metabolism in fruit. This study provides valuable insights into the unique CYP716C-mediated oxidation step of pentacyclic triterpene biosynthesis in C. acuminata.

Neuroprotective Properties of Oleanolic Acid-Computational-Driven Molecular Research Combined with In Vitro and In Vivo Experiments

Oleanolic acid (OA), as a ubiquitous compound in the plant kingdom, is studied for both its neuroprotective and neurotoxic properties. The mechanism of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory potential of OA is investigated using molecular dynamic simulations (MD) and docking as well as biomimetic tests. Moreover, the in vitro SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells and the in vivo zebrafish model were used. The inhibitory potential towards the AChE enzyme is examined using the TLC-bioautography assay (the IC50 value is 9.22 μM). The CH-π interactions between the central fragment of the ligand molecule and the aromatic cluster created by the His440, Phe288, Phe290, Phe330, Phe331, Tyr121, Tyr334, Trp84, and Trp279 side chains are observed. The results of the in vitro tests using the SH-SY5Y cells indicate that the viability rate is reduced to 71.5%, 61%, and 43% at the concentrations of 100 µg/mL, 300 µg/mL, and 1000 µg/mL, respectively, after 48 h of incubation, whereas cytotoxicity against the tested cell line with the IC50 value is 714.32 ± 32.40 µg/mL. The in vivo tests on the zebrafish prove that there is no difference between the control and experimental groups regarding the mortality rate and morphology (p > 0.05).

Isolation of two triterpenoids from Phlomis purpurea, one of them with anti-oomycete activity against Phytophthora cinnamomi, and insights into its biosynthetic pathway

Phytophthora cinnamomi is an important plant pathogen responsible for dieback diseases in plant genera including Quercus, Fagus, Castanea, Eucalyptus, and Pinus, among others, all over the world. P. cinnamomi infection exerts tremendous ecological and economic losses. Several strategies have been developed to combat this pathogenic oomycete, including the search for novel anti-oomycete compounds. In this work, a Mediterranean vascular plant, Phlomis purpurea, has been screened for secondary bioactivity against this pathogen. The genus Phlomis includes a group of herbaceous plants and shrubs described as producers of many different bioactive compounds, including several triterpenoids. Triterpenoids are well-known molecules synthesized by plants and microorganisms with potent antioxidant, antitumoral, and antimicrobial activities. We have isolated by HPLC-DAD and characterized by HPLC-MS and NMR two nortriterpenoid compounds (phlomispentaol A and phlomispurtetraolone) from the root extracts of P. purpurea. One of them (phlomispentaol A) is active against the plant pathogenic oomycete P. cinnamomi (based on in vitro inhibition bioassays). Based on their chemical structure and their relationship to other plant triterpenoids, oleanolic acid is proposed to be the common precursor for these molecules. The anti-oomycete activity shown by phlomispentaol A represents a promising alternative to counteract the worldwide-scale damage caused to forest ecosystems by this pathogen.

EGFR targeted albumin nanoparticles of oleanolic acid: In silico screening of nanocarrier, cytotoxicity and pharmacokinetics for lung cancer therapy

This study aimed to develop cetuximab (CTX) functionalized albumin nanoparticles (ALB-NPs) of oleanolic acid for EGFR targeted lung cancer therapy. The molecular docking methodology has been applied for a selection of suitable nanocarrier. Various physicochemical parameters like particle size, polydispersity, zeta potential, morphology, entrapment efficiency, and in-vitro drug release of all the ALB-NPs were analyzed. Furthermore, the in-vitro qualitative and quantitative cellular uptake study revealed that higher uptake of CTX conjugated ALB-NPs than nontargeted ALB-NPs in A549 cells. The in-vitro MTT assay revealed that the IC50 value of CTX-OLA-ALB-NPs (4.34 ± 1.90 μg/mL) was significantly reduced (p < 0.001) than OLA-ALB-NPs (13.87 ± 1.28 μg/mL) in A-549 cells. CTX-OLA-ALB-NPs caused apoptosis in A-549 cells at concentrations equivalent to its IC50 value and blocked the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phases. The hemocompatibility, histopathology and lung safety study confirmed the biocompatibility of the developed NPs. In vivo ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging confirmed the targeted delivery of the NPs to lung cancer. The findings demonstrated that CTX-OLA-ALB-NPs have potential for site-specific delivery of OLA for effective and targeted therapy of lung carcinoma.

Pentacyclic Triterpenes from Olive Leaves Formulated in Microemulsion: Characterization and Role in De Novo Lipogenesis in HepG2 Cells

Olea europaea L. leaves contain a wide variety of pentacyclic triterpenes (TTPs). TTPs exhibit many pharmacological activities, including antihyperlipidemic effects. Metabolic alterations, such as dyslipidemia, are an established risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, the use of TTPs in the adjunctive treatment of HCC has been proposed as a possible method for the management of HCC. However, TTPs are characterized by poor water solubility, permeability, and bioavailability. In this work, a microemulsion (ME) loading a TTP-enriched extract (EXT) was developed, to overcome these limits and obtain a formulation for oral administration. The extract-loaded microemulsion (ME-EXT) was fully characterized, assessing its chemical and physical parameters and release characteristics, and the stability was evaluated for two months of storage at 4 °C and 25 °C. PAMPA (parallel artificial membrane permeability assay) was used to evaluate the influence of the formulation on the intestinal passive permeability of the TTPs across an artificial membrane. Furthermore, human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells were used as a cellular model to evaluate the effect of EXT and ME-EXT on de novo lipogenesis induced by elevated glucose levels. The effect was evaluated by detecting fatty acid synthase expression levels and intracellular lipid accumulation. ME-EXT resulted as homogeneous dispersed-phase droplets, with significantly increased EXT aqueous solubility. Physical and chemical analyses showed the high stability of the formulation over 2 months. The formulation realized a prolonged release of TTPs, and permeation studies demonstrated that the formulation improved their passive permeability. Furthermore, the EXT reduced the lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells by inhibiting de novo lipogenesis, and the ME-EXT formulation enhanced the inhibitory activity of EXT on intracellular lipid accumulation.

Bioactive Compounds and Cardiac Fibrosis: Current Insight and Future Prospect

Cardiac fibrosis is a pathological condition characterized by excessive deposition of collagen and other extracellular matrix components in the heart. It is recognized as a major contributor to the development and progression of heart failure. Despite significant research efforts in characterizing and identifying key molecular mechanisms associated with myocardial fibrosis, effective treatment for this condition is still out of sight. In this regard, bioactive compounds have emerged as potential therapeutic antifibrotic agents due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These compounds exhibit the ability to modulate fibrogenic processes by inhibiting the production of extracellular matrix proteins involved in fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation, or by promoting their breakdown. Extensive investigation of these bioactive compounds offers new possibilities for preventing or reducing cardiac fibrosis and its detrimental consequences. This comprehensive review aims to provide a thorough overview of the mechanisms underlying cardiac fibrosis, address the limitations of current treatment strategies, and specifically explore the potential of bioactive compounds as therapeutic interventions for the treatment and/or prevention of cardiac fibrosis.

Novel Oleanolic Acid-Phtalimidines Tethered 1,2,3 Triazole Hybrids as Promising Antibacterial Agents: Design, Synthesis, In Vitro Experiments and In Silico Docking Studies

As part of the valorization of agricultural waste into bioactive compounds, a series of structurally novel oleanolic acid ((3β-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid, OA-1)-phtalimidines (isoindolinones) conjugates 18a-u bearing 1,2,3-triazole moieties were designed and synthesized by treating an azide 4 previously prepared from OA-1 isolated from olive pomace (Olea europaea L.) with a wide range of propargylated phtalimidines using the Cu(I)-catalyzed click chemistry approach. OA-1 and its newly prepared analogues, 18a-u, were screened in vitro for their antibacterial activity against two Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes, and two Gram-negative bacteria, Salmonella thyphimurium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Attractive results were obtained, notably against L. monocytogenes. Compounds 18d, 18g, and 18h exhibited the highest antibacterial activity when compared with OA-1 and other compounds in the series against tested pathogenic bacterial strains. A molecular docking study was performed to explore the binding mode of the most active derivatives into the active site of the ABC substrate-binding protein Lmo0181 from L. monocytogenes. Results showed the importance of both hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions with the target protein and are in favor of the experimental data.

Anti-inflammatory mechanism of the optimized active ingredients of Sargentodoxa cuneata and Patrinia villosa

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a common gynecological infection. The combined use of Sargentodoxa cuneata (da xue teng) and Patrinia villosa (bai jiang cao) has been shown to inhibit PID progression. The active components of S. cuneata (emodin, Emo) and P. villosa (acacetin, Aca; oleanolic acid, OA; sinoacutine, Sin) have been identified but the mode of action of this combination of compounds against PID has not been clarified. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the mechanism of these active components against PID through network pharmacological, molecular docking and experimental validation. The results showed the optimal combination of components was 40 µM Emo + 40 µM OA, 40 µM Emo + 40 µM Aca, and 40 µM Emo + 150 µM Sin by cell proliferation and NO release. The potential key targets of this combination in the treatment of PID include SRC, GRB2, PIK3R1, PIK3CA, PTPN11, and SOS1, which act on signaling pathways such as EGFR, PI3K/Akt, TNF, and IL-17. Emo, Aca, OA, and their optimal combination inhibited the expression of IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-12p70, IFN-γ, and the M1 phenotype markers CD11c and CD16/32, and promoted the expression of the M2 phenotype markers CD206 and arginase 1 (Arg1). Western blotting confirmed that Emo, Aca, OA, and their optimal combination significantly inhibited the expression of glucose metabolism-related proteins PKM2, PD, HK I, and HK II. This study proved the advantage of combination use of active components from S. cuneata and P. villosa, and clarified that they exert the anti-inflammatory effect by regulation of M1/M2 phenotype transition and regulation of glucose metabolism. The results provide a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of PID.

Synthesis, Cytotoxicity and Molecular Docking of New Hybrid Compounds by Combination of Curcumin with Oleanolic Acid

Curcumin and oleanolic acid are natural compounds with high potential in medicinal chemistry. These products have been widely studied for their pharmacological properties and have been structurally modified to improve their bioavailability and therapeutic value. In the present study, we discuss how these compounds are utilized to develop bioactive hybrid compounds that are intended to target cancer cells. Using a bifunctional linker, succinic acid, to combine curcumin and triterpenoic oleanolic acid, several hybrid compounds were prepared. Their cytotoxicity against different cancer cell lines was evaluated and compared with the activity of curcumin (the IC50 value (24 h), for MCF7, HeLaWT and HT-29 cancer cells for KS5, KS6 and KS8 compounds was in the range of 20.6-94.4 µM, in comparison to curcumin 15.6-57.2 µM). Additionally, in silico studies were also performed. The computations determined the activity of the tested compounds towards proteins selected due to their similar binding modes and the nature of hydrogen bonds formed within the cavity of ligand-protein complexes. Overall, the curcumin-triterpene hybrids represent an important class of compounds for the development of effective anticancer agents also without the diketone moiety in the curcumin molecule. Moreover, some structural modifications in keto-enol moiety have led to obtaining more information about different chemical and biological activities. Results obtained may be of interest for further research into combinations of curcumin and oleanolic acid derivatives.

A Novel Synthetic Oleanolic Acid Derivative Inhibits Glioma Cell Proliferation by Regulating Cell Cycle G2/M Arrest

2-Cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oic acid-9,11-dihydro-trifluoroethyl amide (CDDO-dhTFEA) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities; however, whether CDDO-dhTFEA has anticancer effects is unclear. The objective of this research was to investigate the possibility of CDDO-dhTFEA as a potential cancer-fighting treatment in glioblastoma cells. Our experiments were performed on U87MG and GBM8401 cells, and we found that CDDO-dhTFEA was effective in reducing cell proliferation in both cell lines, in a manner that was dependent on both time and concentration. Additionally, we observed that CDDO-dhTFEA had a significant impact on the regulation of cell proliferation, which was evident in the increase in DNA synthesis that was observed in both cell types. CDDO-dhTFEA induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and mitotic delay, which may be associated with the inhibition of proliferation. Treatment with CDDO-dhTFEA led to cell cycle G2/M arrest and inhibited proliferation of U87MG and GBM8401 cells by regulating G2/M cell cycle proteins and gene expression in GBM cells in vitro.

Recent advances in natural small molecules as drug delivery systems

Drug delivery systems (DDSs) are a multidisciplinary approach toward the effective delivery of drugs to their target sites. Natural small molecule (NSM) compounds with anticancer activity, self-assembly and co-assembly functions show great potential for application as novel DDSs in the biomedical field. NSMs are widely sourced, have many modification sites, and readily form hydrogen bonds, π-π interactions, van der Waals interactions, and other non-covalent bonds in solvents, resulting in ordered structures. Moreover, their good biocompatibility and bioactivity allow compositions based on these compounds to be used in life science applications such as tissue engineering, drug delivery and cell imaging, showing the potential medical value of NSMs as DDSs. In this review, we summarise the role, assembly principles and applications of natural products such as triterpenoids, diterpenoids, sterols, alkaloids and polysaccharides in the construction of small molecule systems, which are expected to provide an important reference for the development of more active natural nanomaterials and the study of single or multi-component interactions.

Suppression of SIRT1/FXR signaling pathway contributes to oleanolic acid-induced liver injury

Oleanolic acid (OA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid compound used clinically for acute and chronic hepatitis. However, high dose or long-term use of OA causes hepatotoxicity, which limits its clinical application. Hepatic Sirtuin (SIRT1) participates in the regulation of FXR signaling and maintains hepatic metabolic homeostasis. This study was designed to determine whether SIRT1/FXR signaling pathway contributes to the hepatotoxicity caused by OA. C57BL/6J mice were administered with OA for 4 consecutive days to induce hepatotoxicity. The results showed that OA suppressed the expression of FXR and its downstream targets CYP7A1, CYP8B1, BSEP and MRP2 at both mRNA and protein levels, breaking the homeostasis of bile acid leading to hepatotoxicity. However, treatment with FXR agonist GW4064 noticeably attenuated hepatotoxicity caused by OA. Furthermore, it was found that OA inhibited protein expression of SIRT1. Activation of SIRT1 by its agonist SRT1720 significantly improved OA-induced hepatotoxicity. Meanwhile, SRT1720 significantly reduced the inhibition of protein expression of FXR and FXR-downstream proteins. These results suggested that OA may cause hepatotoxicity through SIRT1 dependent suppression of FXR signaling pathway. In vitro experiments confirmed that OA suppressed protein expressions of FXR and its targets through inhibition of SIRT1. It was further revealed that silencing of HNF1α with siRNA significantly weakened regulatory effects of SIRT1 on the expression of FXR as well as its target genes. In conclusion, our study reveals that SIRT1/FXR pathway is crucial in OA-induced hepatotoxicity. Activation of SIRT1/HNF1α/FXR axis may represent a novel therapeutic target for ameliorating OA and other herb-induced hepatotoxicity.

Combinatorial metabolic engineering enables the efficient production of ursolic acid and oleanolic acid in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA) have been demonstrated to have promising therapeutic potential as anticancer and bacteriostasis agents. Herein, via the heterologous expression and optimization of CrAS, CrAO, and AtCPR1, the de novo syntheses of UA and OA were achieved with titers of 7.4 and 3.0 mg/L, respectively. Subsequently, metabolic flux was redirected by increasing the cytosolic acetyl-CoA level and tuning the copy numbers of ERG1 and CrAS, thereby affording 483.4 mg/L UA and 163.8 mg/L OA. Furthermore, the lipid droplet compartmentalization of CrAO and AtCPR1 alongside the strengthening of the NADPH regeneration system increased the UA and OA titers to 692.3 and 253.4 mg/L in a shake flask and to 1132.9 and 433.9 mg/L in a 3-L fermenter, which is the highest UA titer reported to date. Overall, this study provides a reference for constructing microbial cell factories that can efficiently synthesize terpenoids.

Phytoestrogens, novel dietary supplements for breast cancer

While endocrine therapy is considered as an effective way to treat breast cancer, it still faces many challenges, such as drug resistance and individual discrepancy. Therefore, novel preventive and therapeutic modalities are still in great demand to decrease the incidence and mortality rate of breast cancer. Numerous studies suggested that G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), a membrane estrogen receptor, is a potential target for breast cancer prevention and treatment. It was also shown that not only endogenous estrogens can activate GPERs, but many phytoestrogens can also function as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) to interact GPERs. In this review, we discussed the possible mechanisms of GPERs pathways and shed a light of developing novel phytoestrogens based dietary supplements against breast cancers.

"Turn-on" fluorescent sensor for oleanolic acid based on o-phenyl-bridged bis-tetraphenylimidazole

Fluorescent sensors had been extensively applied on sensing various biomolecules effectively, but no fluorescent sensor for oleanolic acid was presented up to now. In this work, the first fluorescent sensor for oleanolic acid was designed and synthesized based on o-phenyl-bridged bis-tetraphenylimidazole (PTPI). PTPI was prepared by bridging two tetraphenylimidazole units and o-phenylenediamine via Schiff-base condensation in yield of 86%. PTPI showed high sensing selectivity for oleanolic acid among 26 biomolecules and ions. The blue fluorescence at 482 nm was enhanced by 4.5 times after sensing oleanolic acid in aqueous media. The fluorescence sensing ability of PTPI for oleanolic acid maintained stable in pH = 5-9. The detecting limitation was as low as 0.032 μM. The detecting mechanism was clarified as 1:1 binding stoichiometry by fluorescence Job's plot, mass spectrometry, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The detecting ability of PTPI for oleanolic acid was successfully used for paper test and real samples of grapes and Kuding tea with recoveries in the range of 96.0%-106.0%, indicating the good application potential for on-site detecting oleanolic acid in real samples of fruits and food.

Biological Activity of Oleanolic Acid Derivatives HIMOXOL and Br-HIMOLID in Breast Cancer Cells Is Mediated by ER and EGFR

Breast cancer is one of the most frequently observed malignancies worldwide and represents a heterogeneous group of cancers. For this reason, it is crucial to properly diagnose every single case so a specific and efficient therapy can be adjusted. One of the most critical diagnostic parameters evaluated in cancer tissue is the status of the estrogen receptor (ER) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Interestingly, the expression of the indicated receptors may be used in a personalized therapy approach. Importantly, the promising role of phytochemicals in the modulation of pathways controlled by ER and EGFR was also demonstrated in several types of cancer. One such biologically active compound is oleanolic acid, but due to poor water solubility and cell membrane permeability that limits its use, alternative derivative compounds were developed. These are HIMOXOL and Br-HIMOLID, which were demonstrated to be capable of inducing apoptosis and autophagy or diminishing the migratory and invasive potential of breast cancer cells in vitro. In our study, we revealed that proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, autophagy, and also the migratory potential of HIMOXOL and Br-HIMOLID in breast cancer cells are mediated by ER (MCF7) and EGFR (MDA-MB-231) receptors. These observations make the studied compounds interesting in the context of anticancer strategies.

A color-change fluorescence sensor for oleanolic acid based on chiral camphanic decorated bis-cyanostilbene

Although various fluorescent sensors for biomolecules had been extensively reported, the effective fluorescent sensor was seldom reported for detecting oleanolic acid up to now. This work reports the first color-change fluorescence sensor for oleanolic acid based on a bridging bis-cyanostilbene derivative with chiral camphanic groups (C-BCS). C-BCS possessed the chartreuse fluorescence in aqueous media, which transferred to strong blue fluorescence in the presence of oleanolic acid. This sensing ability of C-BCS for oleanolic acid exhibited the high selectivity among all kinds of biomolecules and ions. The good linearity between the fluorescence intensity and concentration of oleanolic acid was acquired in the range of 0.2 × 10^-6 to 8.0 × 10^-6 M with the detecting limitation of 0.0582 μM. The 1:1 binding process was clarified as oleanolic acid located in the opening cavity composed of two bridging cyanostilbene units and two chiral camphanic groups based on multiple hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interaction. The detecting ability of C-BCS was applied on sensing oleanolic acid in thin-layer chromatography analysis, imprinting experiment, tap water, and tea samples, suggesting the effective on-site sensing abilities of C-BCS for oleanolic acid in real samples and daily life.

Isolation & identification of anti-inflammatory constituents of Randia dumetorum lamk. fruit: Potential beneficial effects against acute lung injury

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Randia dumetorum Lamk. is an Indian traditional medicinal plant that has been used for the treatment of various disorders including respiratory ailments.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In continuation of our recent report that the Ethanol soluble fraction (ESF) of Randia dumetorum fruit had potent anti-inflammatory activity against acute lung injury (ALI) in mice, the present work was undertaken to unveil the key bioactive constituents possessing anti-inflammatory action against ALI by employing bioactivity-guided fractionation of ESF.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Different fractions/sub-fractions obtained by column chromatography of ESF were subjected to bioactivity studies by analyzing total and differential count, and protein content in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) procured from mice. The most bioactive sub-fraction F3.2 was analyzed for the assessment of various inflammatory mediators using molecular techniques like ELISA, PCR, and western blotting. Further, an attempt was made to separate the key compounds in F3.2 using solvents of differential polarities; and isolated compounds were validated for their anti-inflammatory activity followed by their characterization using spectral techniques like ¹HNMR, ¹³CNMR, FT-IR, and ESIMS Mass Spectrometry.

RESULTS

The column chromatography of ESF yielded four fractions (F1, F2, F3, and F4) and data revealed that maximum activity resides in F3. Further fractionation of F3 yielded sub-fractions F3.1, F3.2, F3.3, and F3.4 which when tested for anti-inflammatory potential, showed F3.2 as the most active one. Moreover, the effect of F3.2 on oxidative stress parameters and inflammatory mediators analyzed via biochemical assays, PCR, and ELISA revealed the proficiency of this fraction in amelioration of ALI. F3.2 was then subjected to recrystallization using different solvents and two pure compounds were isolated which were characterized as D-Mannitol and Oleanolic acid (OA). D-Mannitol did not display any bioactivity, but OA showed potent anti-inflammatory activity.

CONCLUSION

Considering the ethnopharmacological role of R. dumetorum in respiratory ailments, OA as an aglycone moiety seems to be the main active principle possessing anti-inflammatory potential against ALI.

Bioactive components, pharmacological effects, and drug development of traditional herbal medicine Rubus chingii Hu (Fu-Pen-Zi)

Rubus chingii Hu (Chinese Raspberry), known as Fu-Pen-Zi in Chinese, a woody perennial plant of the genus Rubus in the Rosaceae family, has specific nutritional and medicinal values, which is considered food-medicine herb in China for thousands of years to treat impotence, premature ejaculation, enuresis, frequent urination, and other diseases. This review aims to summarize recent advances in the bioactive components, pharmacological effects, and drug development and utilization of Rubus chingii Hu, hoping to provide useful support for its further research and clinical application. The bioactive components in Rubus chingii Hu contain mainly terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolic acids, polysaccharides, and steroids. The main pharmacological effects are their anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor capacity on human health. Rubus chingii Hu is a very valuable food-medicine herb. The development of Rubus chingii Hu-related drugs is relatively single, which is limited to traditional Chinese medicine and prescriptions. Therefore, it is vital to pay interest to Rubus chingii Hu and its bioactive components in the future and extend its scientific application.