Optimization of Naringenin-loaded nanoparticles for targeting of Vanin-1, iNOS, and MCP-1 signaling pathway in HFD-induced obesity

Naringenin, a natural dihydrochalcone flavonoid, exhibits diverse pharmacological properties. This study investigates the hypolipidemic effects of Nar-NPs on obese mice. The characteristics of Nar-NPs, including morphology, particle size, zeta potential, UV-vis, and FT-IR spectra, were examined. The anti-obesity properties of Nar-NPs were evaluated in obese rats, considering LD50, 1/20 LD50, and 1/50 LD50 for treatment preparation. Results indicated that synthesized Nar-NPs were uniform, spherical, and well-dispersed, with a size of 130.06 ± 1.98 nm and with a zeta potential of -25.6 ± 0.8 mV. Nar-NPs exhibited enhancement in the cumulative release of naringenin (56.87 ± 2.45 %) as compared to pure naringenin suspension 87.83 ± 1.84 % in 24 h of the study. The LD50 of Nar-NPs was determined as 412.5 mg/kg.b.w. HFD induced elevated glycemic, oxidative stress, and inflammatory biomarkers while reducing HDL-C, GSH, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Administration of Nar-NPs significantly mitigated body weight, glucose, insulin, leptin, TC, TG, SREBP1c, pAMPK, PPAR-α, as well as vanin-1, MCP-1, and iNOS mRNA gene expression. Histological investigations supported the biochemical and PCR findings. In a nutshell, the study suggests that the Nar-NPs could serve as a promising and viable pharmacological strategy for the treatment of obesity-related disorders.

Salvia officinalis Improves Glycemia and Suppresses Pro-inflammatory Features in Obese Rats with Metabolic Syndrome

OBJECTIVES

Obesity is regarded as the main cause of metabolic diseases and a core factor for all-cause mortality in the general population, notably from cardiovascular disease. The majority of people with type 2 diabetes have obesity and insulin resistance. Some evidence indicates that an individual with obesity is approximately 10 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than someone with moderate body weight. One of the most significant therapeutic herbs, Salvia officinalis (Lamiaceae) (SAGE), possesses potent medicinal importance. The aim of this article was to evaluate the anti-diabetic and antiobesity activity of SAGEAE against HFD-induced obesity in rats.

METHODS

Thirty adult albino rats were randomly divided into five equal groups: control, High-fat Diet (HFD) administrated rats, HFD + Salvia officinalis Aqueous Extract (SAGEAE) (150 mg/kg.bw.), HFD + SAGEAE (300 mg/kg.bw.) and HFD + metformin (500 mg/kg.bw.). Body weight, plasma biochemical parameters, oxidative stress, inflammatory indicators, hepatic Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase 1 (PCK1), Glucokinase (GK), brain Leptin Receptor (LepRb), Glucose Transporter-4 (GLUT4), Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and mRNA33-5P gene signalling mRNA levels were all assessed after 8 weeks. A histological examination of the liver was also performed to check for lipid accumulation.

RESULTS

The administration of HFD resulted in increased body weight, glucose, insulin, leptin, Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), Thiobarbaturic Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS), Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP1), Interleukine-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- α) as well as hepatic PCK1, brain LepRb and adipose tissue mRNA33-5P gene expression. However, our findings revealed a significant reduction in adiponectin, High-density Lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-C), reduced glutathione (GSH) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) levels as well as the expression of hepatic GK and adipose tissue SIRT1 and GLUT4 genes. Also, administration of SAGEAE significantly normalized body weight, glucose, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, TC, TG, HDL-C, TBARs, SOD, IL-6, MCP-1 and TNF-α in plasma and liver tissue of HFD-treated rats. On the other hand, PCK1, GK, LepRb, SIRT1, GLUT4 and mRNA33-5P gene expression was enhanced in obese rats when administrated with SAGEAE. Histological and US studies support the biochemical, PCR and electrophoretic results.

CONCLUSION

The findings imply that SAGEAE could be used as a new pharmaceutical formula in the treatment of obesity.

BAO-Ag-NPs as Promising Suppressor of ET-1/ICAM-1/VCAM-1 Signaling Pathway in ISO-induced AMI in Rats

OBJECTIVES

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the most prevalent cause of myocardial fibrosis and the leading cause of mortality from cardiovascular disease. The goal of this work was to synthesize Balanites aegyptiaca oil-silver nanoparticles (BAO-Ag-NPs) and evaluate their cardioprotective effect against ISO-induced myocardial infarction in rats, as well as their mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

BAO was isolated, and the unsaturated fatty acids were estimated. BAO-Ag-NPs was prepared, LD50 was calculated to evaluate its cardioprotective activity against ISO (85 mg/kg)-induced AMI. Different doses of BAO-Ag-NPs (1/50 LD50; 46.6 mg/kg.b.w and 1/20 LD50; 116.5 mg) were received to the rats.

RESULTS

The total fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids generated by BAO were 909.63 and 653.47 mg/100 g oil, respectively. Oleic acid methyl ester, 9-octadecenoic acid methyl ester, and 9, 12-Octadecadienoic acid methyl ester were the predominant ingredients, with concentrations of 107.6, 243.42, and 256.77 mg/100 g oil, respectively. According to TEM and DLS examinations, BAO-Ag-NPs have a size of 38.20 ± 2.5 nm and a negative zeta potential of -19.82 ± 0.30 mV, respectively. The LD50 of synthesized BAO-Ag-NPs is 2330 mg. On the other hand, BAOAg- NPs reduce myocardial necrosis by lowering increased BNP, cTnI, CK-MB, TC, TG, MDA, MMP2, TGF-β1, PGE2, and IL-6 levels. Furthermore, BAO-Ag-NPs inhibit the expression of ET-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 genes as well as enhance HDL-C, CAT, and GSH levels when compared to the ISO-treated group of rats. Histopathological findings suggested that BAO-Ag- NPs enhance cardiac function by increasing posterior wall thickness in heart tissues.

CONCLUSION

BAO-Ag-NPs protect against AMI in vivo by regulating inflammation, excessive autophagy, and oxidative stress, as well as lowering apoptosis via suppression of the ET-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 signaling pathways.

In Vitro Cultures and Volatile Organic Compound Production in Chiliadenus montanus (Vhal.) Brullo

Callus and microshoot cultures were established for Chiliadenus montanus (Vhal.) Brullo. (Asteraceae), a medicinal plant known for producing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Callus induction was achieved successfully by culturing leaf explants on full-strength Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with 2.2 µM 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) and 6.9 µM kinetin (Kin). Successful direct shoot regeneration was achieved using nodal explants cultured onto half-strength MS media supplemented with 1.4 μM Gibberellic Acid (GA₃) and 4.4 μM 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP). Indirect microshoots were successfully regenerated using callus cultured on MS media supplemented with 8.8 μM BAP, 2.2 μM Zeatin, and 1.4 μM GA₃ followed by culturing on MS media supplemented with 8.8 μM BAP and 0.5 μM naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Using wild plant aerial parts, callus and microshoots samples, VOCs were extracted successfully using Headspace Solid-Phase Micro-Extraction (HS-SPME) and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In wild plant extracts, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were found to be predominant with the following principal components: Alloaromadendrene (11.92%), trans-Cadina-1(6),4-diene (7.54%), and α-caryophyllene (6.77%). The analysis of in vitro microshoots revealed high levels of oxygenated monoterpenes with cis-Myrtanol (16.62%), and β-Cyclocitral (14.3%) as the main components. Callus extract was dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons and the main compounds identified were (Z)-β-Ocimene (22.27%), p-Cymene (15.13%), and α-pinene (13.78%). In conclusion, an efficient in vitro production system of VOCs in C. montanus was established that can be used in the future for boosting their production without endangering wild plants.

Jaceidin Flavonoid Isolated from Chiliadenus montanus Attenuates Tumor Progression in Mice via VEGF Inhibition: In Vivo and In Silico Studies

Phytochemical study of Chiliadenus montanus aerial parts afforded six compounds; Intermedeol (1), 5α-hydroperoxy-β-eudesmol (2), 5,7-dihydroxy-3,3’,4’-trimethoxyflavone (3), 5,7,4’-trihydroxy-3,6,3’-trimethoxyflavone (jaceidin) (4), eudesm-11,13-ene-1β,4β,7α-triol (5) and 1β,4β,7β,11-tetrahydroxyeudesmane (6). These compounds were identified based on their NMR spectral data. The isolated compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity against liver cancer cell line (HepG2) and breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). Jaceidin flavonoid (4) exhibited the highest cytotoxic effect in vitro. Therefore, both of jaceidin and C. montanus extract were evaluated for their in vivo anti-tumor activity against Ehrlich’s ascites carcinoma (EAC). Compared to control group, jaceidin and C. montanus extract decreased the tumor weight, improved the histological picture of tumor cells, lowered the levels of VEGF and ameliorate the oxidative stress. Molecular docking and in silico studies suggested that jaceidin was a selective inhibitor of VEGF-mediated angiogenesis with excellent membrane permeability and oral bioavailability.

Chemical constituents and their antibacterial and antifungal activity from the Egyptian herbal medicine Chiliadenus montanus

Phytochemical investigations of the CH2Cl2/MeOH (1:1) extract of air-dried aerial parts of Chiliadenus montanus afforded eight metabolites, in addition to eight other previously reported compounds, of which two were isolated for the first time as free acids. Structures were established by spectroscopic methods, including HREIMS, (1)H, (13)C, DEPT, (1)H-(1)H COSY, HMQC and HMBC NMR analysis. Antimicrobial activity against an array of common bacterial and fungal strains was measured via a colorimetric assay with minimal growth inhibition observed in the μg/mL range for one of the tested metabolites.

The chemistry and biological activities of natural products from Northern African plant families: from Aloaceae to Cupressaceae

Traditional medicinal practices play a key role in health care systems in countries with developing economies.