Nerolidol attenuates isoproterenol-induced acute myocardial infarction in rats

Protective Effects of Nerolidol on Thrombotic Events, Systemic Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and DNA Damage Following Pulmonary Exposure to Diesel Exhaust Particles

Background/Objectives: Inhalation of environmental particulate air pollution has been reported to cause pulmonary and systemic events including coagulation disturbances, systemic inflammation, and oxidative stress. Nerolidol, a naturally occurring sesquiterpene alcohol, has effective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Hence, the aim in the present investigation was to evaluate the potential ameliorative effects of nerolidol on the coagulation and systemic actions induced by pulmonary exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEPs). Methods: Nerolidol (100 mg/kg) was given to mice by oral gavage one hour before the intratracheal instillation of DEPs (0.5 mg/kg), and 24 h later various markers of coagulation and systemic toxicity were evaluated. Results: Nerolidol treatment significantly abrogated DEP-induced platelet aggregation in vivo and in vitro. Nerolidol has also prevented the shortening of the prothrombin time and activated plasma thromboplastin time triggered by DEP exposure. Likewise, while the concentrations of fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were increased by DEP administration, that of tissue plasminogen activator was significantly decreased. These effects were abolished in the group of mice concomitantly treated with nerolidol and DEP. Moreover, plasma markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction which were significantly increased in the DEP-treated group, returned to control levels in the nerolidol + DEP group. Nerolidol treatment significantly ameliorated the increase in the concentrations of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α, galectin-3, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin induced by pulmonary exposure to DEP. The co-administration of nerolidol + DEPs significantly mitigated the increase in markers of oxidative DNA damage, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine, and apoptosis, cleaved-caspase-3, induced by DEP. Conclusions: Collectively, our data demonstrate that nerolidol exert significant ameliorative actions against DEP-induced thrombotic events, endothelial dysfunction, systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis. Pending further pharmacological and toxicological studies, nerolidol could be a promising agent to alleviate the toxicity of inhaled DEPs and other pollutant particles.

Protective Effect of Nerolidol on Paclitaxel-Induced Reproductive Toxicity in Rats: Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Paclitaxel (PAC), derived from Taxus brevifolia, is used to treat solid tumours but causes reproductive toxicity due to oxidative stress, affecting sperm quality and testicular tissue. Nerolidol (NRL), an antioxidant sesquiterpene alcohol, has not been studied for its potential to reduce PAC-induced reproductive damage. This study investigates NRL's ability to mitigate PAC-induced reproductive toxicity in rats. Forty healthy adult male Spraque Dawley rats were randomly divided into four equal groups (Control, PAC, NRL, PAC + NRL). PAC was given intraperitoneally at a dose of 2 mg/kg once a week for 4 weeks. NRL was given orally at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks. Control group received PAC and NRL vehicles. After 4 weeks, testis tissue samples were collected, and parameters, including oxidants, antioxidants, sperm motility, density, abnormal spermatozoon ratios and cytokines, were measured. PAC administration increased oxidant levels and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities. Nerolidol mitigated these alterations significantly. Similarly, PAC elevated IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α levels and lowered IL-10 levels, these effects attenuated by nerolidol in the PAC + NRL group. In conclusion, it was determined that PAC induces reproductive toxicity through oxidative stress, and NRL demonstrates potential in ameliorating these effects through its antioxidant activity.

Nerol attenuates doxorubicin-induced heart failure by inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis in rats

BACKGROUND

As a broad-spectrum anti-tumour drug, the clinical application of DOX is often limited owing to its cardiotoxicity. Nerol is a naturally occurring compound with both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, the ability of Nerol to improve DOX-induced heart failure and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

METHODS

Rat models of DOX-induced heart failure were established and rats were treated with various doses of Nerol. Apoptosis in cardiomyocytes was detected using TUNEL staining and the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins were detected using western blotting and immunofluorescence. In addition, mitochondrial structure was observed using electron microscopy, mitochondrial membrane potential was detected using a JC-1 fluorescent probe, and superoxide dismutase were detected to comprehensively evaluate the regulatory effect of Nerol on mitochondrial function and oxidative stress.

RESULTS

Analysis showed that the number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes was significantly reduced after Nerol treatment, accompanied by the downregulation of Bax protein expression and upregulation of Bcl-2 protein expression, suggesting that Nerol may inhibit the apoptotic process of cardiomyocytes by regulating the balance of Bcl-2 family proteins. In addition, the mitochondrial function of Nerol-treated rats was protected, as indicated by the stability of the mitochondrial membrane potential, integrity of mitochondrial morphology. These changes suggest that Nerol may reduce the severity of heart failure by improving mitochondrial function.

CONCLUSIONS

Nerol plays a positive role in alleviating DOX-induced heart failure in rats, possibly by inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis. These findings provide novel evidence and potential targets for developing new cardioprotective drugs.

Research progress on the natural products in the intervention of myocardial infarction

Coronary heart disease is a prevalent cardiovascular ailment globally, with myocardial infarction (MI) being one of its most severe manifestations. The morbidity and mortality of MI are escalating, showing an increasing trend among younger, highly educated individuals, thereby posing a serious threat to public health. Currently, thrombolysis, percutaneous coronary intervention, and coronary artery bypass grafting are the primary clinical treatments for MI. Although these methods significantly reduce patient mortality, complications often result in poor prognoses. Due to limitations in chemical synthetic drug research, the focus has shifted towards developing herbs based on natural substances. Natural medicines represent a novel approach for safer and more effective MI management and treatment. They can control multiple pathogenic variables by targeting various pathways and systems. This paper investigates the molecular mechanisms of MI and evaluates the application of natural products and medicinal plants in MI treatment over the past 5 years, demonstrating their specific good therapeutic potential and superior tolerance. These natural therapies have been shown to mitigate myocardial cell damage caused by MI through mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, myocardial fibrosis, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitophagy, and pyroptosis. This review offers the latest insights into the application of natural products and medicinal plants in MI treatment, elucidating their mechanisms of action and serving as an important reference for MI prevention.

Metabolomics analysis reveals the effects of Salvia Miltiorrhiza Bunge extract on ameliorating acute myocardial ischemia in rats induced by isoproterenol

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (SM) is a widespread herbal therapy for myocardial ischemia (MI). Nevertheless, the therapeutic signaling networks of SM extract on MI is yet unknown. Emerging evidences suggested that alterations in cardiac metabolite influences host metabolism and accelerates MI progression. Herein, we employed an isoproterenol (ISO)-induced acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) rat model to confirm the pharmacological effects of SM extract (0.8, 0.9, 1.8 g/kg/day) via assessment of the histopathological alterations that occur within the heart tissue and associated cytokines; we also examined the underlying SM extract-mediated signaling networks using untargeted metabolomics. The results indicated that 25 compounds with a relative content higher than 1 % in SM aqueous extract were identified using LC-MS/MS analysis, which included salvianolic acid B, lithospermic acid, salvianolic acid A, and caffeic acid as main components. An in vivo experiment showed that pretreatment with SM extract attenuated ISO-induced myocardial injury, shown as decreased myocardial ischemic size, transformed electrocardiographic, histopathological, and serum biochemical aberrations, reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines, inhibited oxidative stress (OS), and reversed the trepidations of the cardiac tissue metabolic profiles. Metabolomics analysis shows that the levels of 24 differential metabolites (DMs) approached the same value as controls after SM extract therapy, which were primarily involved in histidine; alanine, aspartate, and glutamate; glycerophospholipid; and glycine, serine, and threonine metabolisms through metabolic pathway analysis. Correlation analysis demonstrated that the levels of modulatory effects of SM extract on the inflammation and OS were related to alterations in endogenous metabolites. Overall, SM extract demonstrated significant cardioprotective effects in an ISO-induced AMI rat model, alleviating myocardial injury, inflammation and oxidative stress, with metabolomics analysis indicating potential therapeutic pathways for myocardial ischemia.

Unraveling the pharmacodynamic substances and possible mechanism of Trichosanthis Pericarpium in the treatment of coronary heart disease based on plasma pharmacochemistry, network pharmacology and experimental validation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a chronic disease that seriously threatens people's health and even their lives. Currently, there is no ideal drug without side effects for the treatment of CHD. Trichosanthis Pericarpium (TP) has been used for several years in the treatment of diseases associated with CHD. However, there is still a need for systematic research to unravel the pharmacodynamic substances and possible mechanism of TP in the treatment of coronary heart.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of current study was to explore the pharmacodynamic substances and potential mechanisms of TP in the treatment of CHD via integrating network pharmacology with plasma pharmacochemistry and experimental validation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effect of TP intervention in CHD was firstly assessed on high-fat diet combined with isoprenaline-induced CHD rats and H2O2-induced H9c2 cells, respectively. Then, the LC-MS was utilized to identify the absorbed components of TP in the plasma of CHD rats, and this was used to develop a network pharmacology prediction to obtain the possible active components and mechanisms of action. Molecular docking and immunohistochemistry were used to explore the interaction between TP and key targets. Subsequently, the efficacy of the active ingredients was investigated by in vitro cellular experiments, and their metabolic pathways in CHD rats were further analyzed.

RESULTS

The effects of TP on amelioration of CHD were verified by in vivo and in vitro experiments. Plasma pharmacochemistry and network pharmacology screened six active components in plasma including apigenin, phenylalanine, quercetin, linoleic acid, luteolin, and tangeretin. The interaction of these compounds with potential key targets AKT1, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGFA were preliminarily verified by molecular docking. And immunohistochemical results showed that TP reduced the expression of AKT1, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGFA in CHD rat hearts. Then cellular experiments confirmed that apigenin, phenylalanine, quercetin, linoleic acid, luteolin, and tangeretin were able to reduce the ROS level in H2O2-induced HUVEC cells and promote the migration and tubule formation of HUVEC cells, indicating the pharmacodynamic effects of the active components. Meanwhile, the metabolites of TP in CHD rats suggested that the pharmacological effects of TP might be the result of the combined effects of the active ingredients and their metabolites.

CONCLUSION

Our study found that TP intervention in CHD is characterized by multi-component and multi-target regulation. Apigenin, phenylalanine, linoleic acid, quercetin, luteolin, and tangeretin are the main active components of TP. TP could reduce inflammatory response and endothelial damage by regulating AKT1, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGFA, reduce ROS level to alleviate the oxidative stress situation and improve heart disease by promoting angiogenesis to regulate endothelial function. This study also provides an experimental and scientific basis for the clinical application and rational development of TP.

Nerolidol attenuates airway inflammation and airway remodeling and alters gut microbes in ovalbumin-induced asthmatic mice

Asthma is a common respiratory disease associated with airway inflammation. Nerolidol is an acyclic sesquiterpenoid with anti-inflammatory properties. BALB/C mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) to induce asthma symptoms and given different doses of Nerolidol. We found that Nerolidol reduced OVA-induced inflammatory cell infiltration, the number of goblet cells and collagen deposition in lung tissue. Nerolidol reduced the OVA-specific IgE levels in serum and alveolar lavage fluid in an asthma model. Immunohistochemical staining of α-SMA (the marker of airway smooth muscle) showed that Nerolidol caused bronchial basement membrane thinning in asthmatic mice. The hyperplasia of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) is an important feature of airway remodeling in asthma. ASMCs were treated with 10 ng/mL TGF-β to simulate the pathological environment of asthma in vitro and then treated with different doses of Nerolidol. Nerolidol inhibited the activity of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway both in the lung tissue of OVA-induced mouse and TGF-β-stimulated ASMCs. 16s rRNA sequencing was performed on feces of normal mice, the changes of intestinal flora in OVA-induced asthmatic mice and Nerolidol-treated asthmatic mice were studied. The results showed that Nerolidol reversed the reduced gut microbial alpha diversity in asthmatic mice. Nerolidol changed the relative abundance of gut bacteria at different taxonomic levels. At the phylum level, the dominant bacteria were Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. At the genus level, the dominant bacteria were Lactobacillus, Muribaculaceae, Bacteroides, and Lachnospiraceae. We conclude that Nerolidol attenuates OVA-induced airway inflammation and alters gut microbes in mice with asthma via TGF-β/Smad signaling.

Assessment of Salinomycin's Potential to Treat Microcotyle sebastis in Korean Rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii)

Aquaculture, a crucial sector of the global food industry, faces a myriad of issues due to parasitic invasions. One such parasite, Microcotyle sebastis, which afflicts Korean rockfish in South Korea, has a significant economic impact. The impending danger of resistance to traditional anthelmintics necessitates the exploration of new antiparasitic candidates. Although the efficacy of salinomycin against aquatic parasites such as ciliates and sporozoans is known, its influence on monogeneans has yet to be studied. Therefore, this study investigated the efficacy and safety of salinomycin for the treatment of M. sebastis infections, presenting the first exploration of salinomycin's therapeutic potential against monogeneans. In vitro examinations revealed a minimum effective concentration of salinomycin of 5 mg/kg, which led to necrosis of the haptor upon dislodging from the gill filaments. The one-time oral administration of the drug at concentrations of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg showed a significant dose-dependent reduction in parasite counts, with no apparent behavioral side effects in Korean rockfish. Biochemical analyses monitored the liver, heart, and kidney enzymes, specifically aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB). At both 20 °C and 13 °C, no significant differences were observed in the levels of AST and ALT. However, at 20 °C, alterations in BUN levels were evident on Day 14, a deviation not observed at 13 °C. The CK-MB analysis revealed elevated enzyme levels at both temperatures when compared to the control group, reflecting the similar changes observed in terrestrial animals administered salinomycin. The biochemical data suggest that the oral administration of salinomycin is potentially more favorable at 13 °C than at 20 °C. Although our findings warrant further comprehensive studies, including on the long-term and potential effects on nontarget species and water quality, they also suggest that salinomycin could be considered as an alternative or adjunctive treatment if resistance to the currently used praziquantel against M. sebastis is confirmed.

A review on experimental surgical models and anesthetic protocols of heart failure in rats

Heart failure (HF) is a serious health and economic burden worldwide, and its prevalence is continuously increasing. Current medications effectively moderate the progression of symptoms, and there is a need for novel preventative and reparative treatments. The development of novel HF treatments requires the testing of potential therapeutic procedures in appropriate animal models of HF. During the past decades, murine models have been extensively used in fundamental and translational research studies to better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of HF and develop more effective methods to prevent and control congestive HF. Proper surgical approaches and anesthetic protocols are the first steps in creating these models, and each successful approach requires a proper anesthetic protocol that maintains good recovery and high survival rates after surgery. However, each protocol may have shortcomings that limit the study's outcomes. In addition, the ethical regulations of animal welfare in certain countries prohibit the use of specific anesthetic agents, which are widely used to establish animal models. This review summarizes the most common and recent surgical models of HF and the anesthetic protocols used in rat models. We will highlight the surgical approach of each model, the use of anesthesia, and the limitations of the model in the study of the pathophysiology and therapeutic basis of common cardiovascular diseases.

Expression of miR-320 and miR-204 in myocardial infarction and correlation with prognosis and degree of heart failure

Myocardial infarction is a very dangerous cardiovascular disease with a high mortality rate under the modern developed medical technology. miRNA is a small molecule regulatory RNA discovered in recent years, which can play an important role in many cancers and other diseases. Medical data, machine learning and medical care strategies supporting the Internet of Things (IoMT) have certain applications in the treatment of myocardial infarction. However, the specific pathogenesis of myocardial infarction is still unclear. Therefore, this paper aimed to explore the expression of microRNA-320 and microRNA-204 in myocardial infarction and used the expression of microRNA-320 and microRNA-204 to predict the prognosis of patients with myocardial infarction. In order to discuss the expression of microRNA-320 and microRNA-204 in myocardial infarction in more detail. In this paper, 40 patients in the trial period were selected for clinical research, and 10 patients with normal cardiac function were selected in NHF group as control group. 10 patients with heart failure were selected as AMHF group. 10 patients with acute myocardial infarction were selected as AMNHF group. 10 patients with heart failure after old myocardial infarction were selected as OMHF group. AMHF group, AMNHF group and OMHF group were taken as the case group. This paper analyzed the difference of miR between different groups and determined that there were significant differences in the expression of miR-320 and miR-204 between different groups. Finally, the expression and prognosis of miR-320 and miR-204 in myocardial infarction were analyzed. The analysis results showed that the expression of microRNA-320 and microRNA-204 can inhibit the activity of myocardial cells. On the fifth day, the corresponding expression of microRNA-320 and microRNA-204 reduced the optical density of myocardial cells to 1.75 and 1.76, which was significantly lower than that on the first day. Moreover, excessive miR-320 expression and excessive miR-204 expression can increase the apoptosis rate of myocardial cells. The above results indicated that the high expression of microRNA-320 and microRNA-204 can be a bad prognostic factor in patients with myocardial infarction, showing that medical data, machine learning and medical care strategies supporting IoMT can play a role in the treatment of myocardial infarction. Therefore, it is urgent to understand the pathogenesis of heart failure after myocardial infarction and find new treatment schemes to improve the positive prognosis.