Syzygium cumini leaf extract protects macrophages against the oxidized LDL-induced toxicity: A promising atheroprotective effect

Causal relationship between dyslipidemia and diabetic neuropathy: a mendelian randomization study

Some studies have shown an association between dyslipidemia and diabetic neuropathy (DN), but the genetic association has not been clarified. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the genetic causal association between dyslipidemia and DN through a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Genetic causal associations between total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and DN were investigated by MR to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of DN. Significant and independent single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified in genome-wide association studies were selected as instrumental variables (IVs) for MR analysis. Inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR‒Egger regression, weighted median (WME), simple mode (SM), and weighted mode (WM) methods were used to analyze causal associations. Heterogeneity and multiplicity tests were also performed and analyzed using the leave-one-out method to assess the stability of the results. Genetically predicted TC and DN (OR = 0.793, 95% CI = 0.655⁓0.961, P = 0.019) and LDL and DN (OR = 0.842, 95% CI = 0.711⁓0.998, P = 0.049) may be causally associated, but no causal associations were found between TG and DN (OR = 0.837, 95% CI = 0.631⁓1.111, P = 0.221) or between HDL and DN (OR = 1.192, 95% CI = 0.940⁓1.510, P = 0.149). TC and LDL may have genetic causal associations with DN, though no genetic causal associations were found for TG or HDL with DN. However, this study may have several limitations, and further clinical studies are needed to expand the sample size for future validation.

Antioxidant potentials of furanodihydrobenzoxanthones from Artocarpus elasticus and their protection against oxLDL induced injury in SH-SY5Y cells

Exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS) leads to the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), converting them into oxidized ones (oxLDL), which are involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, suggesting a potential link between lipid dysregulation and neurodegenerative processes. Phenolic metabolites derived from Artocarpus elasticus root bark were found to possess significant antioxidant properties at three different radical scavenging assays, including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Among them, furanodihydrobenzoxanthones (1-3) demonstrated notable protection against Cu2+ induced LDL oxidation, with IC50 values ranging from 0.9 to 2.9 μM in measurement of the malondialdehyde (MDA) production at TBARS and prolonged lag times (>180 min) in the generation of conjugated diene (CD). At a concentration of 10 μM, all three compounds (1-3) effectively protected against LDL oxidation as determined by relative electrophoretic mobility (REM). The most potent compound 1 defended human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells from oxLDL-mediated dysfunction, including oxLDL-induced cytotoxicity, inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and enhancing mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Individual components annotation in the ethylacetate extract was performed using LC-ESI-QTOF/MS, which serves as a chemotaxonomic marker for A. elasticus root barks.

The ethanol extract of Edgeworthia gardneri (Wall.) Meisn attenuates macrophage foam cell formation and atherogenesis in ApoE-/- mice

Introduction

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. The Edgeworthia gardneri (Wall.) Meisn is a Tibetan medicine commonly used to prepare herbal tea to alleviate the local people's metabolic diseases. However, the anti-atherosclerotic effect of ethanol extract of the flower of E. gardneri (Wall.) Meisn (EEEG) and its underlying mechanism remain unknown.

Methods

EEEG was used to treat low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced macrophages to detect macrophage foaminess, cholesterol binding and uptake, and lipid transport-related gene expression. eEEG treated ApoE^-/- mice fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks to detect atherosclerotic plaque area, macrophage infiltration, and liver and small intestine lipid transport-related gene expression.

Results

EEEG inhibited macrophage-derived foam cell formation induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) by reducing CD36-mediated lipoprotein uptake. EEEG significantly alleviated atherosclerosis in ApoE^-/- mice fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks. EEEG treatment significantly decreased atherosclerotic plaque area, macrophage infiltration, and increased collagen content. Moreover, EEEG treatment significantly downregulated mRNA expression of hepatic Srb1 and intestinal Npc1l1 and increased expression of hepatic Cyp7a1.

Conclusion

Our study highlighted that EEEG played a role in attenuating atherosclerotic plaque formation by reducing macrophage foam cell formation.

Phytochemical Profile, Biological Properties, and Food Applications of the Medicinal Plant Syzygium cumini

Syzygium cumini, locally known as Jamun in Asia, is a fruit-bearing crop belonging to the Myrtaceae family. This study aims to summarize the most recent literature related to botany, traditional applications, phytochemical ingredients, pharmacological activities, nutrition, and potential food applications of S. cumini. Traditionally, S. cumini has been utilized to combat diabetes and dysentery, and it is given to females with a history of abortions. Anatomical parts of S. cumini exhibit therapeutic potentials including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antimalarial, anticancer, and antidiabetic activities attributed to the presence of various primary and secondary metabolites such as carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, alkaloids, flavonoids (i.e., quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol), phenolic acids (gallic acid, caffeic acid, ellagic acid) and anthocyanins (delphinidin-3,5-O-diglucoside, petunidin-3,5-O-diglucoside, malvidin-3,5-O-diglucoside). Different fruit parts of S. cumini have been employed to enhance the nutritional and overall quality of jams, jellies, wines, and fermented products. Today, S. cumini is also used in edible films. So, we believe that S. cumini’s anatomical parts, extracts, and isolated compounds can be used in the food industry with applications in food packaging and as food additives. Future research should focus on the isolation and purification of compounds from S. cumini to treat various disorders. More importantly, clinical trials are required to develop low-cost medications with a low therapeutic index.