Artemisia argyi extract ameliorates IL-17A-induced inflammatory response by regulation of NF-κB and Nrf2 expression in HIG-82 synoviocytes

Upregulation of Nrf2 attenuates Angiostrongylus cantonensis-induced parasitic meningitis in mice

BACKGROUND

Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a food-borne parasite that can infect mammals, including humans, causing angiostrongyliasis. The nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that plays a crucial role in the host's antioxidant defense and inflammation mechanisms. Herein, this study investigates the anti-inflammatory effects of Nrf2 in A. cantonensis-induced parasitic meningitis in mice.

METHODS

We used animal infection and treatment, larvae collection, western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability assays, and an NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) enzyme activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) assay kit in this study.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed that larvae recovery, BBB permeability, and inflammatory mediators (interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α) were increased in A. cantonensis-infected mice. However, p-Nrf2 levels were slightly increased in infected groups. To better understand the modulatory role of Nrf2 in the parasitic meningitis, we also treated A. cantonensis-infected mice with oltipraz (an Nrf2 activator) and trigonelline (an Nrf2 inhibitor). The larvae recovery, BBB permeability, and levels of inflammatory mediators were significantly decreased in the albendazole alone, oltipraz, and albendazole-oltipraz co-treatment groups, particularly in albendazole-oltipraz co-treatment groups. In contrast, trigonelline treatment resulted in increased levels of larvae recovery, BBB permeability, and inflammatory mediators. Moreover, since Nrf2 is involved in the regulation of antioxidant enzymes, we also examined the expression of ROS, NQO1, and SOD. ROS levels were significantly increased in infected groups but decreased in the albendazole alone, oltipraz alone, and albendazole-oltipraz co-treatment groups. NQO1 and SOD levels were significantly decreased in infected groups, but these levels were notably restored during treatment with albendazole alone, oltipraz alone, and albendazole-oltipraz co-treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings revealed the albendazole-Nrf2 activator co-treatment effectively suppressed excessive inflammation compared with the anthelmintics drug (albendazole) treatment alone, and Nrf2 activation might produce a synergistic effect in the inflammatory response of the brain in mice with angiostrongyliasis.

Investigating ferroptosis-related genes NFE2L2 in neutrophils for ankylosing spondylitis: therapeutic potential of cassia twigs

We determined the relationship between ferroptosis and immune cells in ankylosing spondylitis and the role of the Chinese herbal medicine Cassia twigs in treating ankylosing spondylitis. We analyzed clinical data on ankylosing spondylitis, transcriptome data, single-cell sequencing data, and genes related to ferroptosis and Cassia twigs. Clinical variables related to AS were selected through logistic regression analysis of the clinical data combined with machine learning. GSEA and enrichment analysis were performed on genes related to ferroptosis, combined with transcriptome data and drug-related genes, to identify the key genes and drug targets related to AS, as well as, the key immune cells. Then, the single-cell data and cell subtypes were analyzed. Finally, the interconnections between immune cells were analyzed through intercellular communication. Five variables, including neutrophils, were screened for clinical data analysis. The AUC of the experimental group was 0.859 and that of the validation group was 0.807. Ferroptosis gene NFE2L2 was identified as the final drug target of AS; it was upregulated in AS and downregulated in the control group by immunohistochemical verification, both of which were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Neutrophils were divided into two subgroups: high expression of NFE2L2 and low expression of NFE2L2. Through molecular docking, Cassia twigs were found to effectively act on the ferroptosis gene NFE2L2. Neutrophils act as important immune cells in AS. The twigs of the Chinese herb Cassia can treat AS by acting on the protein structure of the ferroptosis gene NFE2L2.

Comparison and chemometrics analysis of phenolic compounds and mineral elements in Artemisia Argyi Folium from different geographical origins

The quality of Artemisia Argyi Folium (AAF), a traditional Chinese food ingredient, is intrinsically linked to its geographical origin, which this study explores through phenolic compounds and mineral elements. The contents of 17 phenols and 18 minerals differed significantly between geographically distinct samples according to UHPLC and ICP-MS, respectively. Chemometrics indicated that a supervised model, orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), outperformed unsupervised methods at classifying AAF samples by their origins. Phenols were more effective at distinguishing samples from seven provinces, while minerals were adept at differentiating samples from the Dabie Mountain region (three provinces) and those from four other provinces. Six phenols and 10 minerals were important variables for discrimination. Complex correlations were observed between the contents of various phenols and minerals in AAF, with minerals possibly affecting the accumulation of phenols. This study provides an approach for distinguishing geographically distinct AAF samples and determining their geographical origins.

Screening Anti-Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovitis Effective Ingredients of Total Flavonoid From Artemisia argyi Folium Based on Spectrum-Effect Relationship

INTRODUCTION

Flavonoids are the main nonvolatile component responsible for the anti-rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovitis activities of Artemisia argyi Folium. However, the effective ingredient remains unidentified. Spectrum-effect relationships analysis was a reliable and efficient strategy for herbal effective ingredient discovery.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to screen the effective ingredients within the total flavonoid from Artemisia argyi Folium (TFAA) that exhibit anti-RA synovitis activities based on spectrum-effect relationship.

METHODS

TFAA was obtained through ethanol extraction and subsequent purification with D101 resin from 15 distinct batches of Artemisia argyi Folium. The fingerprint of TFAA was established using HPLC, and its efficacy against RA synovitis was evaluated by determining the inhibition rate of nitric oxide (NO) on MH7A synovioblast induced by TNF-α. Common peaks were identified using HPLC-MS/MS and authentic standards. The spectrum-effect relationships between the fingerprints and efficacy were analyzed by gray relational analysis (GRA), canonical correlation analysis (CCA), and partial least squares regression analysis (PLSR) to pinpoint the peaks responsible for the anti-RA synovitis activity, and the results were further verified by in vitro anti-RA synovitis experiments and molecular docking studies.

RESULTS

The fingerprint revealed 14 common peaks, and 12 compounds were identified, including four caffeoylquinic acids and eight flavonoids. Among them, five flavonoids-X10 (hispidulin), X11 (jaceosidin), X12 (centaureidin), X13 (eupatilin), and X14 (casticin)-were highly relevant to anti-RA synovitis activity. Verification experiments confirmed their inhibitory effect on NO production and cytokine secretion in MH7A cells, showing anti-RA synovitis potential, which was consistent with the established spectrum effect relationship. The underlying mechanism might be related to the inhibition of iNOS.

CONCLUSION

Hispidulin, jaceosidin, centaureidin, eupatilin, and casticin were the key effective ingredient of TFAA responsible for its anti-RA synovitis effects. These compounds can serve as quality control markers for Artemisia argyi Folium and as lead compounds for anti-RA synovitis treatment.

Artemisia argyi polyphenols Attenuates DSS-induced colitis in mice by regulating the structural composition of gut microbiota

BACKGROUND

Intestinal health is affected by heredity, lifestyle, and structure of gut microbiota. The imbalance of symbiotic and harmful bacteria in gut microbiota may increase the occurrence of colonic inflammation. Supplementary A. muciniphila can improve the survival rate of colitis mice, reduce colon tissue injury, and the expression of anti-inflammatory factors was upregulated. Artemisia argyi has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, bactericidal, and immunomodulatory effects. However, its anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism, and its influence on gut microbiota and metabolites are still unclear yet.

PURPOSE

To explore whether Artemisia argyi Polyphenols(AAPs) can alleviate ulcerative colitis (UC) by changing gut microbiota.

METHODS

The therapeutic effect of AAPs on colitis was investigated by inducing ulcerative colitis in mice using dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) and administering different doses of AAPs orally to mice. Exploring the levels of inflammatory proteins, oxidative stress proteins, and barrier proteins using western blotting and immunofluorescence, and explored the structural changes of gut microbiota and its metabolites. Meanwhile, in order to explore whether the role of AAPs in alleviating colitis is based on the regulation of gut microbiota structure, we conducted fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).

RESULTS

It showed that AAPs and FMT trial alleviated DSS-induced colonic injury, including clinical parameters and pathological injury of colon tissue, reduction in the expression of inflammatory proteins: IL-6, TNF-α, p-p65, p-IκBα, and increase in the expression of antioxidant proteins: Nrf2, NQO-1 and HO-1 and barrier proteins: Claudin-1, Occludin, ZO-1 and MUC2. AAPs and FMT promoted the content of beneficial bacteria, such as Butyricimonas and Lactobacillus, and the content of beneficial metabolites for instance acetic acid, butyric acid, and valeric acid has also increased.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that AAPs might improve DSS-induced colonic injury by changing the structural of gut microbiota while promoting the synthesis of fatty acids in the intestine, thereby providing a theoretical basis for using AAPs to treat ulcerative colitis.

Amelioration of inflammation through reduction of oxidative stress in rheumatoid arthritis by treating fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) with DMF-loaded PLGA nanoparticles

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory condition, and Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is known for inducing antioxidant enzymes and reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) contribute to joint damage by releasing interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8) in response to ROS. Given ROS's impact on FLS acquiring an invasive phenotype, our study explored the effects of poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles containing DMF on the expression of the HO-1 enzyme and the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 in FLS cells.

METHODS

In this study, we evaluated and compared the impact of Free-DMF and PLGA-DMF, on the gene expression of the HO-1 and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8) in FLS cells derived from 13 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. qRT-PCR method was used to quantify the gene expression levels.

RESULTS

PLGA-DMF nanoparticles demonstrated a significant increase in HO-1 expression and a significant decrease in IL-1β gene expression. Also, a significant decrease in IL-6 gene expression was seen under the effect of Free-DMF. These results indicate the potential effectiveness of PLGA-DMF nanoparticles in reducing inflammation and improving rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

DISCUSSION

According to the findings, PLGA-DMF nanoparticles are expected to be effective in reducing inflammation and improving the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Also, further studies on other factors affected by oxidative stress such as cell invasion factors and survival factors after the effect of PLGA-DMF nanoparticle are recommended.

Traditional uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of the Genus Artemisia L. (Asteraceae): A High-value Medicinal Plant

Biologically active secondary metabolites, essential oils, and volatile compounds derived from medicinal and aromatic plants play a crucial role in promoting human health. Within the large family Asteraceae, the genus Artemisia consists of approximately 500 species. Artemisia species have a rich history in traditional medicine worldwide, offering remedies for a wide range of ailments, such as malaria, jaundice, toothache, gastrointestinal problems, wounds, inflammatory diseases, diarrhoea, menstrual pains, skin disorders, headache, and intestinal parasites. The therapeutic potential of Artemisia species is derived from a multitude of phytoconstituents, including terpenoids, phenols, flavonoids, coumarins, sesquiterpene lactones, lignans, and alkaloids that serve as active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). The remarkable antimalarial, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antispasmodic, antioxidative and insecticidal properties possessed by the species are attributed to these APIs. Interestingly, several commercially utilized pharmaceutical drugs, including arglabin, artemisinin, artemether, artesunate, santonin, and tarralin have also been derived from different Artemisia species. However, despite the vast medicinal potential, only a limited number of Artemisia species have been exploited commercially. Further, the available literature on traditional and pharmacological uses of Artemisia lacks comprehensive reviews. Therefore, there is an urgent need to bridge the existing knowledge gaps and provide a scientific foundation for future Artemisia research endeavours. It is in this context, the present review aims to provide a comprehensive account of the traditional uses, phytochemistry, documented biological properties and toxicity of all the species of Artemisia and offers useful insights for practitioners and researchers into underutilized species and their potential applications. This review aims to stimulate further exploration, experimentation and collaboration to fully realize the therapeutic potential of Artemisia in augmenting human health and well-being.

A combination of isoliquiritigenin with Artemisia argyi and Ohwia caudata water extracts attenuates oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis by modulating Nrf2/Ho-1 signaling pathways in SD rats with doxorubicin-induced acute cardiotoxicity

Ohwia caudata (Thunb.) H. Ohashi (Leguminosae) also called as "Evergreen shrub" and Artemisia argyi H.Lév. and Vaniot (Compositae) also named as "Chinese mugwort" those two-leaf extracts frequently used as herbal medicine, especially in south east Asia and eastern Asia. Anthracyclines such as doxorubicin (DOX) are commonly used as effective chemotherapeutic drugs in anticancer therapy around the world. However, chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, dilated cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure are seen in patients who receive DOX therapy, with the mechanisms underlying DOX-induced cardiac toxicity remaining unclear. Mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and cardiomyocytes have been shown to play crucial roles in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL, 10 mg/kg) is a bioactive flavonoid compound with protective effects against inflammation, neurodegeneration, cancer, and diabetes. Here, in this study, our aim is to find out the Artemisia argyi (AA) and Ohwia caudata (OC) leaf extract combination with Isoliquiritigenin in potentiating and complementing effect against chemo drug side effect to ameliorate cardiac damage and improve the cardiac function. In this study, we showed that a combination of low (AA 300 mg/kg; OC 100 mg/kg) and high-dose(AA 600 mg/kg; OC 300 mg/kg) AA and OC water extract with ISL activated the cell survival-related AKT/PI3K signaling pathway in DOX-treated cardiac tissue leading to the upregulation of the antioxidant markers SOD, HO-1, and Keap-1 and regulated mitochondrial dysfunction through the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Moreover, the water extract of AA and OC with ISL inhibited the inflammatory response genes IL-6 and IL-1β, possibly through the NFκB/AKT/PI3K/p38α/NRLP3 signaling pathways. The water extract of AA and OC with ISL could be a potential herbal drug treatment for cardiac hypertrophy, inflammatory disease, and apoptosis, which can lead to sudden heart failure.

Calycosin inhibits gemcitabine-resistant lung cancer cells proliferation through modulation of the LDOC1/GNL3L/NFκB

Lung cancer is the most common malignant cancer worldwide. Combination therapies are urgently needed to increase patient survival. Calycosin is a phytoestrogen isoflavone that has been reported previously to inhibit tumor cell growth, although its effects on lung cancer remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of calycosin on cell proliferation and apoptosis of gemcitabine-resistant lung cancer cells. Using calycosin to treat human lung cancer cells (CL1-0) and gemcitabine-resistant lung cancer cells (CL1-0 GEMR) and examine the effects on the cells. Cultured human lung cancer cells (CL1-0) and gemcitabine-resistant lung cancer cells (CL1-0 GEMR) were treated with increasing concentrations of calycosin. Cell viability and apoptosis were studied by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide, flow cytometry, and TUNEL assays. Western blots were used to measure the expression levels of proliferation-related proteins and cancer stem cell proteins in CL1-0 GEMR cells. The results showed that calycosin treatment inhibited cell proliferation, decreased cell migration ability, and suppressed cancer stem cell properties in CL1-0 GEMR cells. Interestingly, in CL1-0 GEMR cells, calycosin treatment not only increased LDOC1 but also decreased GNL3L/NFκB protein levels and mRNA levels, in concentration-dependent manners. We speculate that calycosin inhibited cell proliferation of the gemcitabine-resistant cell line through regulating the LDOC1/GNL3L/NFκB pathway.

Comparative Analysis of Active Ingredients and Potential Bioactivities of Essential Oils from Artemisia argyi and A. verlotorum

Artemisia argyi H. Lév. and Vaniot is a variety of Chinese mugwort widely cultured in central China. A. verlotorum Lamotte, another variety of Chinese mugwort, has been used in the southern region of China since ancient times. Despite their similar uses in traditional medicine, little is known about the differences in their active ingredients and potential benefits. Herein, the chemical compositions of the essential oils (EOs) from both varieties were analyzed using chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A series of databases, such as the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database (TCMSP), SuperPred database and R tool, were applied to build a networking of the EOs. Our results revealed significant differences in the chemical compositions of the two Artemisia EOs. However, we found that they shared similar ingredient-target-pathway networking with diverse bioactivities, such as neuroprotective, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory. Furthermore, our protein connection networking analysis showed that transcription factor p65 (RELA), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulatory subunit alpha (PIK3R1) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) are crucial for the biological activity of Artemisia EOs. Our findings provided evidence for the use of A. verlotorum as Chinese mugwort in southern China.