A study of extraction process and in vitro antioxidant activity of total phenols from Rhizoma Imperatae

The effect and apoptosis mechanism of 6-methoxyflavone in HeLa cells

INTRODUCTION

Tumor cell apoptosis is a crucial indicator for judging the antiproliferative effects of anti-cancer drugs. The detection of optical and macromolecular biomarkers is the most common method for assessing the level of apoptosis. We aimed to explore the anti-tumor mechanisms of 6-methoxyflavone.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Three optical methods, including the percentage of apoptotic cells, cell morphology, and subcellular ultrastructure changes, were obtained using flow cytometry, inverted fluorescence microscopy, and transmission electron microscope imaging. The mRNA or protein expression of macromolecular biomarkers related to common apoptotic pathways was determined via polymerase chain reactions or western blot assays. The functional role of the core gene biomarker was investigated through overexpression, knockdown, and phosphorylation inhibitor (GSK2656157).

RESULTS

Transcriptome sequencing and the optical biomarkers assays demonstrated that 6-methoxyflavone could induce apoptosis in HeLa cells. The expression of macromolecular biomarkers indicated that 6-methoxyflavone induced apoptosis through the PERK/EIF2α/ATF4/CHOP pathway. Phosphorylated PERK was identified as the core biomarker of this pathway. Both overexpression and GSK2656157 significantly altered the expression level of phosphorylated PERK in 6-methoxyflavone-treated HeLa cells.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Macromolecular biomarkers such as phosphorylated PERK and phosphorylated EIF2α are of great significance for assessing the therapeutic effects of 6-methoxyflavone.

Network Pharmacology-Based Investigation of the Therapeutic Mechanisms of Action of Danning Tablets in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a rising global public health concern due to its prevalence. Danning Tablets (DNt), a composite prescription of Chinese herbal medicine, shows significant curative effects on NAFLD in clinical application. This study aimed to decipher the bioactive substances and potential mechanisms of action of DNt in the treatment of NAFLD, applying an integrated network pharmacology approach. First, the bioactive compounds of DNt were screened based on their pharmacokinetic properties, and the corresponding drug targets were predicted. Then, the NAFLD-related targets were collected. The overlapping targets between the putative targets of DNt and NAFLD-related targets were identified as the potential therapeutic targets of DNt against NAFLD. Subsequently, the networks were constructed and analyzed, and the key bioactive compounds and targets were screened out depending on their importance in the networks. Functional enrichment analysis was carried out to elucidate the potential mechanisms of DNt acting on NAFLD. Finally, a molecular docking simulation was implemented to assess the potential binding affinity between the key targets and the bioactive compounds. As a result, 43 bioactive compounds of DNt and 69 putative targets were identified. Based on the network analysis, we found seven key bioactive compounds (quercetin, ß-sitosterol, luteolin, kaempferol, supraene, curcumenolactone C, and stigmasterol) of DNt might treat NAFLD via intervening IL6, MAPK8, VEGFA, CASP3, ALB, APP, MYC, PPARG, and RELA. The functional enrichment analysis revealed that DNt might affect NAFLD by modulating the signaling pathways involved in lipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidation, insulin resistance (IR), atherosclerosis, and apoptosis. Furthermore, most key bioactive compounds might bind firmly with the key targets. This study predicted the multicomponent, multitarget, and multipathway mechanisms of DNt in the treatment of NAFLD from a holistic perspective. DNt could be a promising agent for NAFLD, but further experimental verifications are still needed.

Imperata cylindrica: A Review of Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Industrial Applications

Imperata cylindrica is a medicinal plant native to southwestern Asia and the tropical and subtropical zones. To date, 72 chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from I. cylindrica Among these compounds, saponins, flavonoids, phenols, and glycosides are the major constituents. Investigations of pharmacological activities of I. cylindrica revealed that this edible medicinal herb exhibits a wide range of therapeutic potential including immunomodulatory, antibacterial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and liver protection activities both in vivo and in vitro. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of I. cylindrica studies until 2019. This article also intends to review advances in the botanical, phytochemical, and pharmacological studies and industrial applications of I. cylindrica, which will provide a useful bibliography for further investigations and applications of I. cylindrica in medicines and foods.

Isolation and identification of a flavonoid compound and in vivo lipid-lowering properties of Imperata cylindrica

Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica/I. cylindrica) of the Gramineae family is found abundantly in nature, and the roots of this plant possess several beneficial biological properties. The present study aimed to isolate and identify flavonoid compounds from cogon grass roots and examine their potential as hypocholesterolemic agents. The flavonoid compound was isolated using a maceration method, followed by gravity column chromatography until a pure compound was obtained. The molecular structure of the isolated compound was determined using 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. An in vivo lipid-lowering test used a randomized post-test only control group experimental design in rats with hypercholesterolemia. The animals were divided into four groups: K0, negative control; K1, positive control; K2, ethanol extract treated group; and K3, ethyl acetate fraction treated group, and the lipid profiles were examined at the end of the study. The isolated compound, 7,3',5'-trimethoxyflavonol, was collected in yellow powder form; was shown to be a flavonoids and was comprised of 18 carbon atoms and 16 hydrogen atoms. In vivo tests demonstrated that 15 mg/200 g body weight (BW) of an ethanol extract significantly lowered total cholesterol levels (P=0.001) but did not lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (P=0.109) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels (P=0.003). The fraction of ethyl acetate administered at 15 mg/200 g BW was capable of lowering the total cholesterol levels significantly (P=0.002) and lowered LDL levels (P=0.006) but was unable to increase HDL levels (P=0.190). The in vivo tests showed that the ethyl acetate fraction of I. cylindrica reduced total cholesterol and LDL levels more effectively than the ethanol extract, but did not affect HDL levels in rats with hypercholesterolemia.

Effect of a herbal extract powder (YY-312) from Imperata cylindrica Beauvois, Citrus unshiu Markovich, and Evodia officinalis Dode on body fat mass in overweight adults: a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial

BACKGROUND

YY-312 is a herbal extract powder from Imperata cylindrica Beauvois, Citrus unshiu Markovich, and Evodia officinalis Dode, which have health promoting effects, including body fat reduction. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of YY-312 for body fat reduction in overweight adults.

METHODS

This was a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial performed in overweight Korean adults aged 19-60 years with a body mass index of 25.0-29.9 kg/m². The daily dose of YY-312 was 2400 mg (containing 1800 mg of active herbal extract and 600 mg of cyclodextrin). Primary outcomes were reductions in body fat mass (BFM) and body fat percentage (BF%) after 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included reductions in body weight and waist circumference (WC) after 12 weeks.

RESULTS

After 12 weeks, BFM (1.6 kg vs. 0.1 kg; P = 0.023) and BF% (1.5% vs. -0.2%; P = 0.018) decreased significantly more in the YY-312 group than in the placebo group, as did body weight (2.7 kg vs. 1.0 kg; P = 0.014) and WC (2.2 cm vs. 0.8 cm; P = 0.049). All safety parameters were within normal limits; no serious adverse events occurred in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

In a 12-week clinical trial in overweight adults, YY-312 resulted in significantly greater reduction in body fat vs. placebo, while being safe and well tolerated.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

cris.nih.go.kr: ( KCT0001225 ).