Cyanidin ameliorates endotoxin-induced myocardial toxicity by modulating inflammation and oxidative stress through mitochondria and other factors

Nano techniques: an updated review focused on anthocyanin stability

Anthocyanins (ACNs) are one of the subgroups of flavonoids and getting intensive attraction due to the nutritional values. However, their application of ACNs is limited due to their poor stability and bioavailability. Accordingly, nanoencapsulation has been developed to enhance its stability and bio-efficacy. This review focuses on the nano-technique applications of delivery systems that be used for ACNs stabilization, with an emphasis on physicochemical stability and health benefits. ACNs incorporated with delivery systems in forms of nano-particles and fibrils can achieve advanced functions, such as improved stability, enhanced bioavailability, and controlled release. Also, the toxicological evaluation of nano delivery systems is summarized. Additionally, this review summarizes the challenges and suggests the further perspectives for the further application of ACNs delivery systems in food and medical fields.

Glutathione system enhancement for cardiac protection: pharmacological options against oxidative stress and ferroptosis

The glutathione (GSH) system is considered to be one of the most powerful endogenous antioxidant systems in the cardiovascular system due to its key contribution to detoxifying xenobiotics and scavenging overreactive oxygen species (ROS). Numerous investigations have suggested that disruption of the GSH system is a critical element in the pathogenesis of myocardial injury. Meanwhile, a newly proposed type of cell death, ferroptosis, has been demonstrated to be closely related to the GSH system, which affects the process and outcome of myocardial injury. Moreover, in facing various pathological challenges, the mammalian heart, which possesses high levels of mitochondria and weak antioxidant capacity, is susceptible to oxidant production and oxidative damage. Therefore, targeted enhancement of the GSH system along with prevention of ferroptosis in the myocardium is a promising therapeutic strategy. In this review, we first systematically describe the physiological functions and anabolism of the GSH system, as well as its effects on cardiac injury. Then, we discuss the relationship between the GSH system and ferroptosis in myocardial injury. Moreover, a comprehensive summary of the activation strategies of the GSH system is presented, where we mainly identify several promising herbal monomers, which may provide valuable guidelines for the exploration of new therapeutic approaches.

Behind the Scenes of Anthocyanins-From the Health Benefits to Potential Applications in Food, Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Fields

Anthocyanins are widespread and biologically active water-soluble phenolic pigments responsible for a wide range of vivid colours, from red (acidic conditions) to purplish blue (basic conditions), present in fruits, vegetables, and coloured grains. The pigments' stability and colours are influenced mainly by pH but also by structure, temperature, and light. The colour-stabilizing mechanisms of plants are determined by inter- and intramolecular co-pigmentation and metal complexation, driven by van der Waals, π-π stacking, hydrogen bonding, and metal-ligand interactions. This group of flavonoids is well-known to have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which explains the biological effects associated with them. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the role of anthocyanins as natural colorants, showing they are less harmful than conventional colorants, with several technological potential applications in different industrial fields, namely in the textile and food industries, as well as in the development of photosensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells, as new photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy, pharmaceuticals, and in the cosmetic industry, mainly on the formulation of skin care formulations, sunscreen filters, nail colorants, skin & hair cleansing products, amongst others. In addition, we will unveil some of the latest studies about the health benefits of anthocyanins, mainly focusing on the protection against the most prevalent human diseases mediated by oxidative stress, namely cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and diabetes. The contribution of anthocyanins to visual health is also very relevant and will be briefly explored.

Cyanidin attenuates the apoptosis of rat nucleus pulposus cells and the degeneration of intervertebral disc via the JAK2/STAT3 signal pathway in vitro and in vivo

CONTEXT

Cyanidin has been shown to have therapeutic potential in osteoarthritis. However, it is unclear whether cyanidin prevents the progression of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD).

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluates the effects of cyanidin on IVDD in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) isolated from lumbar IVD of 4-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were exposed to 20 ng/mL IL-1β, and then treated with different doses (0-120 µM) of cyanidin for 24 h. SD rats were classified into three groups (n = 8) and treated as follows: control (normal saline), IVDD (vehicle), IVDD + cyanidin (50 mg/kg). Cyanidin was administered intraperitoneally for 8 weeks.

RESULTS

The IC₅₀ of cyanidin for NPCs was 94.78 µM, and cyanidin had no toxicity at concentrations up to 500 mg/kg in SD rats. Cyanidin inhibited the apoptosis of NPCs induced by IL-1β (12.73 ± 0.61% vs. 18.54 ± 0.60%), promoted collagen II (0.82-fold) and aggrecan (0.81-fold) expression, while reducing MMP-13 (1.02-fold) and ADAMTS-5 (1.40-fold) expression. Cyanidin increased the formation of autophagosomes in IL-1β-induced NPCs, and promoted LC3II/LC3I (0.83-fold) and beclin-1 (0.85-fold) expression, which could be reversed by chloroquine. Cyanidin inhibited the phosphorylation of JAK2 (0.47-fold) and STAT3 (0.53-fold) in IL-1β-induced NPCs. The effects of cyanidin could be enhanced by AG490. Furthermore, cyanidin mitigated disc degeneration in IVDD rats in vivo.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Cyanidin improved the function of NPCs in IVDD by regulating the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, which may provide a novel alternative strategy for IVDD. The mechanism of cyanidin improving IVDD still needs further work for in-depth investigation.

Melatonin relieves sepsis-induced myocardial injury via regulating JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

To study the effect of melatonin on myocardial injury of septic rats through regulating the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway.

METHODS

Healthy rats were selected as the samples and divided into blank group, sepsis group and sepsis + melatonin group. The difference in the myocardial tissue structure in the three groups of rats was observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression levels of JAK2 and STAT3 in myocardium were compared among groups through fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Western blotting was applied to detect the protein expressions of JAK2, phosphorylated (p)-JAK2, STAT3 and p-STAT3, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was utilized to determine the cell apoptosis in myocardial tissues. Moreover, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in myocardial tissues as well as the activity of serum creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured and compared.

RESULTS

There were inflammatory cells in the myocardium in sepsis group, and the pathological changes were milder in sepsis + melatonin group. The mRNA expressions of JAK2 and STAT3 and the protein expressions of JAK2, STAT3, p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 were raised remarkably in sepsis group compared with those in blank group and sepsis + melatonin group. The apoptosis rate in tissues was significantly different among the three groups, and it was the highest in sepsis group, followed by that in sepsis + melatonin group and blank group. There were significant differences in SOD activity and MDA content in myocardial tissues among the three groups, of which the SOD activity was the strongest in blank group, followed by that in sepsis + melatonin group and sepsis group, and the MDA content was the highest in sepsis group, followed by that in sepsis + melatonin group and blank group. Sepsis group had extremely notably increased activity of CK and LDH compared with blank group, while sepsis + melatonin group exhibited evidently decreased activity of CK and LDH in comparison with sepsis group.

CONCLUSIONS

The JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway is associated with sepsis-induced myocardial injury, and melatonin can relieve sepsis-induced myocardial injury by regulating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Platelet-rich plasma ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced cardiac injury by inflammation and ferroptosis regulation

Sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SIMD) is a fatal disease with no specific treatment worldwide to this day. As a biological product, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has attracted much attention due to its diverse and potential biological effects. However, its role in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cardiac injury has not been fully investigated. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of PRP in SIMD. PRP (30 µL) was injected in situ into the heart, and LPS (10 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally into mice. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were treated with LPS (1 μg/ml) for 24 h. The results showed that, compared with the LPS group, PRP significantly decreased the levels of Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Creatine Kinase MB (CK-MB), and improved cardiac function. In addition, PRP markedly decreased the Malonic dialdehyde (MDA) content, and increased the Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and Glutathione (GSH) level, demonstrating that PRP alleviated LPS-induced oxidative stress. The Western blot and qPCR results showed that LPS-induced ferroptosis and inflammation effects in vivo and in vitro were ameliorated after PRP treatment. Moreover, PRP can alleviate erastin-induced ferroptosis and improve cell viability. Mechanistically, p-AKT and p-mTOR expressions were down-regulated after treatment with LPS, while PRP pretreatment could reverse this effect. In summary, our study demonstrated that PRP could play a unique role in reducing LPS-induced cardiac injury through regulation of AKT/mTOR signaling pathways. These findings provide a new therapeutic direction for treating SIMD.

Cyanidin 3-O-arabinoside suppresses DHT-induced dermal papilla cell senescence by modulating p38-dependent ER-mitochondria contacts

Background

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a genetic disorder caused by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), accompanied by the senescence of androgen-sensitive dermal papilla cells (DPCs) located in the base of hair follicles. DHT causes DPC senescence in AGA through mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the mechanism of this pathogenesis remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the protective role of cyanidins on DHT-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and DPC senescence and the regulatory mechanism involved.

Methods

DPCs were used to investigate the effect of DHT on mitochondrial dysfunction with MitoSOX and Rhod-2 staining. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity assay was performed to examine the involvement of membrane AR-mediated signaling in DHT-induced DPC senescence. AGA mice model was used to study the cyanidins on DHT-induced hair growth deceleration.

Results

Cyanidin 3-O-arabinoside (C3A) effectively decreased DHT-induced mtROS accumulation in DPCs, and C3A reversed the DHT-induced DPC senescence. Excessive mitochondrial calcium accumulation was blocked by C3A. C3A inhibited p38-mediated voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) expression that contributes to mitochondria-associated ER membrane (MAM) formation and transfer of calcium via VDAC1–IP3R1 interactions. DHT-induced MAM formation resulted in increase of DPC senescence. In AGA mice models, C3A restored DHT-induced hair growth deceleration, which activated hair follicle stem cell proliferation.

Conclusions

C3A is a promising natural compound for AGA treatments against DHT-induced DPC senescence through reduction of MAM formation and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12929-022-00800-7.

Therapeutic Approach of Flavonoid in Ameliorating Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by Targeting Mitochondrial-Induced Oxidative Stress

Diabetes cardiomyopathy is one of the key factors of mortality among diabetic patients around the globe. One of the prior contributors to the progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy is cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction. The cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction can induce oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes and was found to be the cause of majority of the heart morphological and dynamical changes in diabetic cardiomyopathy. To slow down the occurrence of diabetic cardiomyopathy, it is crucial to discover therapeutic agents that target mitochondrial-induced oxidative stress. Flavonoid is a plentiful phytochemical in plants that shows a wide range of biological actions against human diseases. Flavonoids have been extensively documented for their ability to protect the heart from diabetic cardiomyopathy. Flavonoids' ability to alleviate diabetic cardiomyopathy is primarily attributed to their antioxidant properties. In this review, we present the mechanisms involved in flavonoid therapies in ameliorating mitochondrial-induced oxidative stress in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Downregulation of fibrosis and inflammatory signalling pathways in rats liver via Pulicaria crispa aerial parts ethanol extract

CONTEXT

Liver is a vital organ for the detoxification of toxic substances in the body, where fibrosis is the major cause of liver damage. Pulicaria crispa processes many therapeutic applications such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-ulcerative agent.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to modulate the fibrosis and inflammatory signalling pathways in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver damage in rats via treatment with Pulicaria crispa aerial parts ethanol extract (PCEE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CCl₄ was intraperitoneally injected at a dose of 0.5 mL/kg b.wt./twice a week/six consecutive weeks, PCEE was orally allocated at a dose of 250 mg/kg b.wt./day/six weeks and silymarin was orally administrated at a dose of 100 mg/kg, b.wt/day/six weeks. The plant extract evaluation was done through measuring aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST& ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total lipids (TP), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low level glycoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), alpha fetoprotein (AFP), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). The liver architectures were also estimated.

RESULT

The phytochemical analysis of the extract showed the presence of sterols and/or triterpenoids. Treatments with plant extract suppressed significantly (p < 0.0001) the levels of AST, ALT, ALP, TP, TG, TC, LDH-C, MDA, NO, AFP, TNF-α and IL-6, while increased (p < 0.0001) the levels of HDL-C, GSH and SOD. The histopathological features confirmed the therapeutic role of the plant extract.

CONCLUSION

PCEE succeeded to exert anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory and anti- oxidants effects in CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis.

Protective Effects of Flavonoids Against Mitochondriopathies and Associated Pathologies: Focus on the Predictive Approach and Personalized Prevention

Multi-factorial mitochondrial damage exhibits a “vicious circle” that leads to a progression of mitochondrial dysfunction and multi-organ adverse effects. Mitochondrial impairments (mitochondriopathies) are associated with severe pathologies including but not restricted to cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegeneration. However, the type and level of cascading pathologies are highly individual. Consequently, patient stratification, risk assessment, and mitigating measures are instrumental for cost-effective individualized protection. Therefore, the paradigm shift from reactive to predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (3PM) is unavoidable in advanced healthcare. Flavonoids demonstrate evident antioxidant and scavenging activity are of great therapeutic utility against mitochondrial damage and cascading pathologies. In the context of 3PM, this review focuses on preclinical and clinical research data evaluating the efficacy of flavonoids as a potent protector against mitochondriopathies and associated pathologies.

Anthocyanins from purple sweet potato alleviate doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in vitro and in vivo

In this study, anthocyanins were extracted and purified from purple sweet potato anthocyanins (PSPA) and the alleviative effect of PSPA on doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity was investigated. High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS) results showed that 10 kinds of substances were identified in PSPA and the PSPA was mainly composed of cyanidin (62.9%) and peonidin (21.46%). In in vitro experiments, PSPA reduced the excessive release of inflammatory factors (NO and TNF-α) induced by DOX and decreased the secretion of trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK) caused by myocardial injury. In in vivo experiments, PSPA inhibited the release of NO and MDA levels in heart tissue. Meanwhile, mice treated with PSPA decreased the levels of LDH, CK, TNF-α, and TMAO in serum and heart tissue when compared with the DOX group. In addition, the histopathological results of the heart tissue also showed a protective effect of PSPA on the pathological changes in heart. These results provide a reference for the application of PSPA as a functional food to intervene in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The effects of anthocyanins from purple sweet potato anthocyanins (PSPA) on doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity were investigated in vitro and in vivo. The results indicated that PSPA could significantly ameliorate DOX-induced heart failure. The obtained results could provide the potential application of PSPA as an alternative therapy for cardiotoxicity caused by DOX in the functional food industry.

Comparative Analysis of Histone H3K4me3 Distribution in Mouse Liver in Different Diets Reveals the Epigenetic Efficacy of Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside Dietary Intake

BACKGROUND

Different diets result in significantly different phenotypes through metabolic and genomic reprogramming. Epigenetic marks, identified in humans and mouse models through caloric restriction, a high-fat diet or the intake of specific bioactives, suggest that genomic reprogramming drives this metabolic reprogramming and mediates the effect of nutrition on health. Histone modifications encode the epigenetic signal, which adapts genome functions to environmental conditions, including diets, by tuning the structure and properties of chromatin. To date, the effect of different diets on the genome-wide distribution of critical histone marks has not been determined.

METHODS

Using chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing, we investigated the distribution of the trimethylation of lysine 4 of histone H3 in the liver of mice fed for one year with five different diets, including: chow containing yellow corn powder as an extra source of plant bioactives or specifically enriched with cyanidin-3-O-Glucoside, high-fat-enriched obesogenic diets, and caloric-restricted pro-longevity diets.

CONCLUSIONS

Comparison of the resulting histone mark profiles revealed that functional food containing cyanidin determines a broad effect.

Anthocyanins: From the Field to the Antioxidants in the Body

Anthocyanins are biologically active water-soluble plant pigments that are responsible for blue, purple, and red colors in various plant parts-especially in fruits and blooms. Anthocyanins have attracted attention as natural food colorants to be used in yogurts, juices, marmalades, and bakery products. Numerous studies have also indicated the beneficial health effects of anthocyanins and their metabolites on human or animal organisms, including free-radical scavenging and antioxidant activity. Thus, our aim was to review the current knowledge about anthocyanin occurrence in plants, their stability during processing, and also the bioavailability and protective effects related to the antioxidant activity of anthocyanins in human and animal brains, hearts, livers, and kidneys.

Anthocyanins: From plant pigments to health benefits at mitochondrial level

Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments providing certain color for various plant parts, especially in edible berries. Earlier these compounds were only known as natural food colorants, the stability of which depended on pH, light, storage temperature and chemical structure. However, due to the increase of the in vitro, in vivo experimental data, as well as of the epidemiological studies, today anthocyanins and their metabolites are also regarded as potential pharmaceutical compounds providing various beneficial health effects on either human or animal cardiovascular system, brain, liver, pancreas and kidney. Many of these effects are shown to be related to the free-radical scavenging and antioxidant properties of anthocyanins, or to their ability to modulate the intracellular antioxidant systems. However, it is generally overlooked that instead of acting exclusively as antioxidants certain anthocyanins affect the activity of mitochondria that are the main source of energy in cells. Therefore, the aim of the present review is to summarize the major knowledge about the chemistry and regulation of biosynthesis of anthocyanins in plants, to overview the facts on bioavailability, and to discuss the most recent experimental findings related to the beneficial health effects emphasizing mitochondria.

Mitochondrial Injury and Targeted Intervention in Septic Cardiomyopathy

Background:

Sepsis and septic shock are known to prompt multiple organ failure including cardiac contractile dysfunction, which is typically referred to as septic cardiomyopathy. Among various theories postulated for the etiology of septic cardiomyopathy, mitochondrial injury (both morphology and function) in the heart is perceived as the main culprit for reduced myocardial performance and ultimately heart failure in the face of sepsis.

Methods:

Over the past decades, ample of experimental and clinical work have appeared, focusing on myocardial mitochondrial changes and related interventions in septic cardiomyopathy.

Results and Conclusion:

Here we will briefly summarize the recent experimental and clinical progress on myocardial mitochondrial morphology and function in sepsis, and discuss possible underlying mechanisms, as well as the contemporary interventional options.