Effects of isosakuranetin on cerebral infarction and blood brain barrier damage from cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat model

This study investigated the effects of isosakuranetin (5,7-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavanone) on cerebral infarction and blood brain barrier (BBB) damage in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) in a rat model. The right middle cerebral artery was occluded for 2 h followed by reperfusion. The experimental rats were divided into five groups: a sham, or control group; vehicle group; and 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 20 mg/kg bodyweight isosakuranetin-treated I/R groups. After 24 h of reperfusion, the rats were tested using a six-point neurological function score. The percentage of cerebral infarction was evaluated using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. BBB leakage was determined by Evan Blue injection assay and brain morphology changes were observed under light microscopy following staining with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). The results of neurological function score revealed that isosakuranetin reduced the severity of neurological damage. A dose of 10 and 20 mg/kg bodyweight of isosakuranetin significantly decreased the infarct volume. All three doses of isosakuranetin significantly decreased Evan Blue leakage. The penumbra area of the I/R brains revealed the characteristics of apoptotic cell death. Therefore, isosakuranetin-treated I/R attenuated the brain damage from cerebral I/R injury and further investigation of the mechanisms warrant further investigation to assist in the development of protective strategies against cerebral I/R injury in clinical trials.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Antinociceptive Effects of Isosakuranetin in a Rat Model of Peripheral Neuropathy

Chronic pain remains a challenging clinical reality, yet currently available analgesics are insufficient to meet clinical needs. Increasing attention has been paid to bioactive compounds from natural plants, which may be efficacious against pain. This study examined the antinociceptive effects of isosakuranetin, a plant-derived transient receptor potential melastatin 3 blocker, in a rat model of peripheral neuropathy. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were first allowed to go through the chronic constriction injury surgery to develop neuropathic pain. They were then treated with isosakuranetin (1.5, 3, or 6 mg/kg) intraperitoneally and the effects on mechanical, thermal, and cold hyperalgesia were assessed using the von Frey filament test, Hargreaves' plantar test, and cold plate test, respectively. Isosakuranetin dose-dependently alleviated mechanical, thermal, and cold hyperalgesia and the antinociceptive potency was similar across the assays. In the rotarod test, isosakuranetin did not significantly affect motor performance within the doses tested, confirming the antinociceptive specificity. In summary, these findings suggest that isosakuranetin may be useful in treating neuropathic pain and deserves further investigation.

Isosakuranetin, a 4'-O-methylated flavonoid, stimulates melanogenesis in B16BL6 murine melanoma cells

AIMS

The beneficial effects of 4'-O-methylated flavonoids on induction of melanogenesis are well established. Here, we report the effect of isosakuranetin (Iso) on melanogenesis in B16BL6 melanoma cells and an analysis of the signaling pathways involved in this activity.

METHODS

B16BL6 melanoma cells were treated with several concentrations of Iso and melanin content was measured. Activation and expression of factors involved in melanogenesis were assessed via western blotting.

KEY FINDINGS

Iso (15 and 30μmol/L) strongly stimulated melanogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. Iso increased tyrosinase activity and up-regulated tyrosinase (Tyr), tyrosinase related protein 1 (TRP1), and tyrosinase related protein 2 (TRP2) in a time-dependent manner. Iso decreased B16 cell proliferation at a concentration above 45μmol/L, and had no effect on cell viability as revealed by MTT and trypan blue assays. Iso up-regulated expression of microphthalmia transcription factor (MITF), with a maximum effect after 12h. H89, a specific inhibitor of PKA, showed that MITF up-regulation is mediated through PKA/CREB activation. Furthermore, Iso decreased phosphorylation of MITF at Ser73 after 24h and 48h of exposure, activating MITF and leading to up-regulation of Tyr, TRP1, and TRP2. Iso inhibited phosphorylation and activation of ERK1/2 after 12h, while no significant effects on p38 and JNK phosphorylation were observed. Iso inhibited AKT phosphorylation and led to activation of GSK3β.

SIGNIFICANCE

Iso stimulates melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells via up-regulation of MITF. Furthermore, Iso-induced inhibition of ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways activate MITF and subsequent expression of Tyr, TRP1, and TRP2.