Two new farnesyl phenolic compounds with anti-inflammatory activities from Ganoderma duripora

Insights into Ganoderma fungi meroterpenoids opening a new era of racemic natural products in mushrooms

Ganoderma meroterpenoids (GMs) containing 688 structures to date were discovered to have multiple remarkable biological activities. 65.6% of meroterpenoids featuring stereogenic centers from Ganoderma species are racemates. Further, GMs from different Ganoderma species seem to have their own characteristics. In this review, a comprehensive summarization of GMs since 2000 is presented, including GM structures, structure corrections, biological activities, physicochemical properties, total synthesis, and proposed biosynthetic pathways. Additionally, we especially discuss the racemic nature, species-related structural distribution, and structure-activity relationship of GMs, which will provide a likely in-house database and shed light on future studies on GMs.

Diverse indole-diterpenoids with protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitory activities from the marine coral-derived fungus Aspergillus sp. ZF-104

Eight previously undescribed indole-diterpenoids named penerpenes O-V (1-8), together with seven known analogues (9-14), were isolated from the marine soft coral-derived fungus Aspergillus sp. ZF-104. Their structures including the absolute configurations of these compounds were assigned on the basis of spectroscopic data and ECD analysis along with quantum ECD and NMR calculations. Compounds 4 and 5 bear rare indolin-2-one units in their structures and 6 bears a reconstructed novel skeleton in which the indole ring and the terpenoid substructure are cleaved before they are reconnected through the nitrogen atom. Compounds 1, 2, 7, and 10 showed protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitory activities comparable to that of the positive control NaVO3.

The content and distribution of 18 phenolic compounds in 462 batches of edible flowers from 73 species commercially available in China

Phenolic compounds are widely distributed in plant flowers. The present study systematically analyzed 18 phenolic compounds, represented by 4 monocaffeoylquinic acids, 4 dicaffeoylquinic acids, 5 flavones and 5 other phenolic acids, in 73 species (462 batches of samples) of edible flowers by a new established and validated HPLC-UV (high-performance liquid chromatography ultraviolet) (327/217 nm) method. Among all the species analyzed, 59 species were demonstrated to contain at least one or more quantifiable phenolic compounds, especially in families of Composite, Rosaceae and Caprifoliaceae. 3-Caffeoylquinic acid was found to be the most ubiquitous phenolic compound (in 193 batches of 73 species with the content between 0.061 and 65.10 mg/g), followed by rutin and isoquercitrin. While sinapic acid, 1-Caffeoylquinic acid and 1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid (only in 5 batches of 1 specie with the content between 0.069 and 0.12 mg/g) were the least ones both in ubiquity and concentration. Additionally, the distribution and abundances of phenolic compounds were compared between these flowers, which would be valuable for auxiliary authentication or other usages. This research covered almost all edible and medicinal flowers in the Chinese market with 18 phenolic compounds therein quantified, which delivered a bird view of phenolic compounds in a broad perspective of edible flowers.

Ganoderma Lucidum Triterpenoids Improve Maternal Separation-Induced Anxiety- and Depression-like Behaviors in Mice by Mitigating Inflammation in the Periphery and Brain

Although early life stress (ELS) can increase susceptibility to adulthood psychiatric disorders and produce a greater inflammatory response in a stressful event, targeted preventive and therapeutic drugs still remain scarce. Ganoderma lucidum triterpenoids (GLTs) can exert anti-inflammatory effects in the periphery and central nervous systems. This study employed a combined model of “childhood maternal separation + adulthood sub-stress” to explore whether GLTs may alleviate anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in male and female mice by mitigating inflammation. Male and female pups were separated from their mothers for four hours per day from postnatal day 1 (PND 1) to PND 21; starting from PND 56, GLTs were administered intraperitoneally once daily for three weeks and followed by three days of sub-stress. Results showed that maternal separation increased the anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in both male and female mice, which disappeared after the preemptive GLTs treatment (40 mg/kg) before adulthood sub-stress. Maternal separation up-regulated the pro-inflammatory markers in the periphery and brain, and activated microglia in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. All the abnormalities were reversed by GLTs administration, with no adverse effects on immune organ indices, liver, and renal function. Our findings suggest that GLTs can be a promising candidate in treating ELS-induced psychiatric disorders.

Chemical investigation and anti-inflammatory activities of the aerial part of Filipendula palmata

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Filipendula palmata Maxim. as an ethnic herb is commonly used by Oroqen minority people in the treatment of rheumatism in China and as a wild vegetable is eaten by Russian in the Far East area. However, so far, the chemical constituents and bioactivity of this edible herb are still unclear, especially the anti-inflammatory constituents and action have not been elucidated despite the traditional folk use.

AIM OF STUDY

The current study was conducted to investigate the main chemical components of the aerial part of F. palmata and evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the extract and the isolated constituents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Various chromatographic techniques including silica gel, ODS, HPLC were used to isolate the components and several spectroscopic methods such as UV, IR, MS and NMR were adopted to characterize the structures of the compounds. The inhibitory action of the extract and components on the production of nitric oxide stimulated by LPS in RAW264.7 cells was applied to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity and the MTT method was used to investigate the cytotoxicity. In addition, the antioxidant capacity of F. palmata was measured in three in vitro assays including DPPH and hydroxyl radicals scavenging and FRAP experiments.

RESULTS

The bioactivity research demonstrated that the EtOAc fraction and n-BuOH fraction of this ethnic herb possessed potent anti-inflammation activity in RAW264.7 macrophages and antioxidant activity in three in vitro assays. The chemical study on the EtOAc fraction led to a new dihydrophenanthrene derivative, filipendutin A (1), together with 9 known compounds from the herb, in which compound 4 could significantly inhibit the production of nitric oxide in RAW264.7 cells, while compounds 1 and 9 exhibited obvious cytotoxicity in cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrated that F. palmata had significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities and could be used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Meanwhile, the cytotoxic activity of EtOAc fraction and its components also indicated the potential application in antitumor which remained the further study in the future.

Computational Analysis and Biological Activities of Oxyresveratrol Analogues, the Putative Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors

Polyphenols are a large family of naturally occurring phytochemicals. Herein, oxyresveratrol was isolated from ethanolic crude extracts of Artocarpus lacucha Buch.-Ham., and chemically modified to derive its lipophilic analogues. Biological screening assays showed their inhibitory potency against cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) with very low cytotoxicity to the MRC-5 normal cell lines. At the catalytic site of COX-2, docking protocols with ChemPLP, GoldScore and AutoDock scoring functions were carried out to reveal hydrogen bonding interactions with key polar contacts and hydrophobic pi-interactions. For more accurate binding energetics, COX-2/ligand complexes at the binding region were computed in vacuo and implicit aqueous solvation using M06-2X density functional with 6-31G+(d,p) basis set. Our computational results confirmed that dihydrooxyresveratrol (4) is the putative inhibitor of human COX-2 with the highest inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ of 11.50 ± 1.54 µM) among studied non-fluorinated analogues for further lead optimization. Selective substitution of fluorine provides a stronger binding affinity; however, lowering the cytotoxicity of a fluorinated analogue to a normal cell is challenging. The consensus among biological activities, ChemPLP docking score and the binding energies computed at the quantum mechanical level is obviously helpful for identification of oxyresveratrol analogues as a putative anti-inflammatory agent.

Ingredients with anti-inflammatory effect from medicine food homology plants

Inflammation occurs when the immune system responses to external harmful stimuli and infection. Chronic inflammation induces various diseases. A variety of foods are prescribed in the traditional medicines of many countries all over the world, which gave birth to the concept of medicine food homology. Over the past few decades, a number of secondary metabolites from medicine food homology plants have been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory effects. In the present review, the effects and mechanisms of the medicine food homology plants-derived active components on relieving inflammation and inflammation-mediated diseases were summarized and discussed. The information provided in this review is valuable to future studies on anti-inflammatory ingredients derived from medicine food homology plants as drugs or food supplements.

Triterpenoids and meroterpenoids with α-glucosidase inhibitory activities from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma australe

Macrofungi Ganoderma is a valuable medicinal fungus resource for human health and longevity in China. In this study, ten undescribed compounds including seven lostane-type triterpenoids, ganodaustralic acids A ∼ G (1-7), one pair of meroterpenoid enantiomers, (-)-6'-O-ethyllingzhiol (8) and (+)-6'-O-ethyllingzhiol (9), and one polyhydroxylated sterol, 3-O-acetyl-fomentarol C (10), together with eight known compounds (11-18), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma australe. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis as well as NMR and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compounds 4, 8, 9, and 12 showed significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activities with IC₅₀ values in the range of 4.1-11.7 μM, which were superior to that of positive control acarbose (213 μM). Only compound 7 exhibited weak cytotoxicity against SGC-7901 cells.

The chemistry and biology of fungal meroterpenoids (2009-2019)

Fungal meroterpenoids are secondary metabolites from mixed terpene-biosynthetic origins. Their intriguing chemical structural diversification and complexity, potential bioactivities, and pharmacological significance make them attractive targets in natural product chemistry, organic synthesis, and biosynthesis. This review provides a systematic overview of the isolation, chemical structural features, biological activities, and fungal biodiversity of 1585 novel meroterpenoids from 79 genera terrestrial and marine-derived fungi including macrofungi, Basidiomycetes, in 441 research papers in 2009-2019. Based on the nonterpenoid starting moiety in their biosynthesis pathway, meroterpenoids were classified into four categories (polyketide-terpenoid, indole-, shikimate-, and miscellaneous-) with polyketide-terpenoids (mainly tetraketide-) and shikimate-terpenoids as the primary source. Basidiomycota produced 37.5% of meroterpenoids, mostly shikimate-terpenoids. The genera of Ganoderma, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Stachybotrys are the four dominant producers. Moreover, about 56% of meroterpenoids display various pronounced bioactivities, including cytotoxicity, enzyme inhibition, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal activities. It's exciting that several meroterpenoids including antroquinonol and 4-acetyl antroquinonol B were developed into phase II clinically used drugs. We assume that the chemical diversity and therapeutic potential of these fungal meroterpenoids will provide biologists and medicinal chemists with a large promising sustainable treasure-trove for drug discovery.

Transcriptomic analyses reveal antiinflammatory mechanism of withanolides derived from the fruits of Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii

In China, the fruits of Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii, which are conventionally utilized as edible berry, have attracted wide attention due to its significant biological activities. In the present study, phytochemical studies on the fruits of Physalis plants afforded six compounds, including two new withanolides (1-2) and four known agnologues (3-6). The inhibitory effects of these compounds on the formation of nitric oxide (NO) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW264.7 macrophages were evaluated. Physapubescin M (1), with IC50 value of 1.58 μM, was selected for further study. The protein expression of COX-2 and iNOS, and LPS-induced production of cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α) were reduced by physapubescin M (1) in a dose-dependent way. In addition, transcriptomic analyses were conducted to profile gene expression alterations in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells upon treatment of physapubescin M (1) and the potential antiinflammatory mechanism of withnolides was mentioned. These results provide broad view to the underlying antiinflammatory mechanism of withnolides, and give a theoretical basis for the utilization of the fruits of P. alkekengi L. var. franchetii.

New lathyrane diterpenoids with anti-inflammatory activity isolated from the roots of Jatropha curcas L

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae), as a drought resistant shrub mainly cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide, is widely used as traditional medicine to cure arthritis, dysentery, abscess and pneumonia in Asian, African and South American folklores. The methanolic extracts of the roots have been revealed the anti-inflammatory activity in vivo and vitro.

AIM OF STUDY

This research aimed to provide promising anti-inflammatory candidates from the roots of J. curcas. In addition, RNA-Seq was conducted to give targeted genes involved in the anti-inflammatory action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The diterpenoids were isolated from the CH₂Cl₂ fraction of the methanolic extract from the roots of J. curcas by column chromatography (CC): silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS, semi-preparative reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The structures were identified based on HR-ESI-MS and 1D, 2D-NMR spectroscopic analysis. Their anti-inflammatory effects were tested on lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 500 ng/mL)-stimulated murine RAW264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, we conducted transcriptome-wide RNA sequencing to profile gene expression alterations in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells upon treatment with jatrocurcasenone I (4) and analyzed the underlying genes targeted by this compound.

RESULTS

Six diterpenoids were obtained from J. curcas, and four of them were identified to be new lathyrane diterpenoids: jatrocurcasenones F-I (1-4). Compounds 3 and 4 exhibited potent inhibitory activities against LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 cells with IC₅₀ values of 11.28 μM and 7.71 μM, respectively. Western blotting analysis showed that the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were suppressed with the supplementation of 3 and 4. The results of RNA-seq showed that 4 (20 μM) exhibited regulation on the 587 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) induced by LPS (500 ng/mL). Transcriptome-wide RNA sequencing indicated that the protective activity of 4 supplementation was most likely driven by modulating expression levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-1f6, IL-6, IL-1rn, IL-27, Ccl2, Ccl5, Ccl7, Ccl9, Ccl22, Cxcl10, Tnfsf12, Tnfsf15, Lta, Trim25, Bcl2a1a, Dusp1, Dusp2, Ptgs2, Edn1 and Nr4a1.

CONCLUSIONS

This study offered four new lathyrane diterpenoids, of them, jatrocurcasenone I (4) showed significant anti-inflammatory activity. RNA-Seq suggested that jatrocurcasenone I (4) could be a candidate drug for the prevention inflammation-mediated diseases by modulating 24 candidate DEGs.

Dysiarenone from Marine Sponge Dysidea arenaria Attenuates ROS and Inflammation via Inhibition of 5-LOX/NF-κB/MAPKs and Upregulation of Nrf-2/OH-1 in RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Background

Marine natural products harbor a variety of pharmacological activities, and the sea species have been becoming a main source of new drug candidate. In pursuit of safer and more effective anti-inflammation drug, the anti-inflammatory activities, anti-oxygenation effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of compound dysiarenone from Dysidea arenaria were investigated via LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell model.

Methods

Firstly, RAW 264.7 cells have been stimulated with LPS and treated with dysiarenone, and the cell viability of the LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells was examined. One-step method, DCFH-DA fluorescence probe method was used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS). The modulation of dysiarenone on anti-inflammation was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay by measuring the release of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6), and inflammatory mediators (LTB4). Further, the underlying anti-inflammatory mechanism of dysiarenone was explored by determining the expression of inducible 5-LOX, MAPKs, p-Akt, and p-NF-κB p65. Oxidative stress is tightly connected with inflammation, which was also evaluated through nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (OH-1) signaling pathway.

Results

Our study unraveled that dysiarenone between 2 and 8 µM reduces the inflammation responses via suppressing the production of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and inflammatory mediators (LTB₄). Dysiarenone down-regulated the protein levels of inducible 5-LOX via the inhibition of phosphorylation of MAPKs (including p38, ERK), Akt and NF-κB p65. Additionally, dysiarenone decreases ROS accumulation by upregulating HO-1 expression via nuclear translocation of Nrf2.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we demonstrated that dysiarenone possesses anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation activity via inhibiting 5-LOX/NF-κB/MAPK and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Dysiarenone might be a promising lead compound for inflammatory diseases.

Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibition Activities in Correlation with Mycochemical Profile of Selected Indigenous Ganoderma spp. from Balkan Region (Serbia)

The aim of this research work was to study the bioactivity potentials (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and enzyme inhibitory) of ethanol (EtOH), water (H₂ O) and chloroform (CHCl₃ ) extracts of G. applanatum, G. lucidum, G. pfeifferi and G. resinaceum as well as their mycochemical profile: the total content of phenolics (TP) and sugars (TS) and LC/MS/MS detection of phenolics. LC/MS/MS profile showed that p-hydroxybenzoic and protocatechuic acids were mostly found. The highest ABTS and DPPH activities were detected in polar G. applanatum extracts (159.84±0.59 mg TE/g d.w., IC₅₀ =0.85±0.30 μg/mL, respectively), while G. resinaceum CHCl₃ extract was the most potent in NO assay (IC₅₀ =41.21±0.18-81.89±0.81 μg/mL). The highest TP and TS were generally determined in G. applanatum EtOH extracts. Enzyme inhibitory effects were determined in H₂ O extracts. Generally, CHCl₃ extracts showed the most powerful anti-inflammatory potential. These results suggest that analyzed species are a promising source of bioactive compounds and may be considered as candidates for new food supplements or drug formulations.

Berberine as Source of Antiproliferative Hybrid Compounds: In Vitro Antiproliferative Activity and Quantitative Structure-activity Relationship

BACKGROUND

Despite advances for cancer treatment, it still remains a major worldwide public health problem. Compounds derived from natural sources are important alternatives to combat this mortal disease. Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid with a wide variety of pharmacological properties, including antiproliferative activity. Previously, we have found that fatty acids also show antiproliferative activity against cancer cell lines..

OBJECTIVE

To combine berberine and fatty acids, or carboxylic acids, in order to improve their antiproliferative properties.

METHODS

We synthetized six new hybrid derivatives through a simple methylenedioxy group-cleavage method followed by the reaction with fatty acids, or carboxylic acids. The structure of the compounds was elucidated by IR, NMR and HRMS. The in vitro antiproliferative activity against four human cancer cell lines (HeLa, A-549, PC-3 and LS-180) and one normal cell line (ARPE-19), was evaluated by the MTT method. Chemical structures were drawn using SPARTAN '08 software and the conformational analysis was carried out with a molecular mechanic level of theory and the SYBIL force field. All molecular structures were subjected to geometrical optimization at the semi-empirical method PM3. Molecular descriptors were calculated using DRAGON 5.4 and SPARTAN ´08 programs.

RESULTS

The geranic acid and berberine hybrid compound (6) improved the antiproliferative activity shown by natural berberine, even more than the 16- to 18-carbon atoms fatty acids. Compound 6 showed IC50 values of 2.40 ± 0.60, 1.5 ± 0.24, 5.85 ± 1.07 and 5.44 ± 0.24 μM, against HeLa, A-549, PC-3 and LS-180 human cancer cell lines, respectively. Using this information, we performed a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) of the hybrid molecules and found that the molecular descriptors associated with the antiproliferative activity are: hydrophobic constant associated with substituents (π(A) = 6.5), molecular volume descriptor (CPKvolume≈ 700 Å3), EHOMO, number of rotatable bonds (RBN) and number of 6-membered rings (nR06).

CONCLUSION

The methylendioxy and methoxyl groups in berberine are important for the antiproliferative activity shown by its derivatives. Better results in antiproliferative activity were obtained in compound 6 with the prenyl moiety. The QSAR indicates that the molecular descriptors which associated positively with the antiproliferative activity are: hydrophobic constant associated with substituents (π(A) = 6.5), molecular volume descriptor (CPKvolume≈ 700 Å3) and EHOMO. This research gave the basis for the design and preparation of new, easily afforded molecules derived from berberine and carboxylic acids, with improved antiproliferative activity.

The effect of Ganoderma lucidum spore oil in early skin wound healing: interactions of skin microbiota and inflammation

The mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum Leyss. ex Fr.) Karst has been a traditional Chinese medicine for millennia. In this study, we isolated the Ganoderma lucidum spore oil (GLSO) and evaluated the effect of GLSO on skin burn wound healing and the underlying mechanisms. Mice were used to perform skin wound healing assay. Wound analysis was performed by photography, hematoxylin/eosin staining, Masson’s Trichrome staining and immunohistochemical analysis. Microbiota on the wounds were analyzed using the 16s rRNA sequence and quantitative statistics. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) content was examined in skin wounds and serum using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and the relative levels of inflammatory cytokines were determined by qPCR and immunofluorescence assay. A pseudo-germfree mouse model treated with antibiotics was used to investigate whether GLSO accelerated skin burn wound healing through the skin microbiota. We found that GLSO significantly accelerated the process of skin wound healing and regulated the levels of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Furthermore, GLSO reduced LPS and TLR4, and levels of some other related inflammatory cytokines. The assay with the pseudo-germfree mice model showed that GLSO had a significant acceleration on skin wound healing in comparison with antibiotic treatment. Thus, GLSO downregulated the inflammation by regulating skin microbiota to accelerate skin wound healing. These findings provide a scientific rationale for the potential therapeutic use of GLSO in skin burn injury.

Recent advances and comparisons of conventional and alternative extraction techniques of phenolic compounds

Phenolic compounds are a group of secondary metabolites produced by plants under stressful conditions. Phenolic compounds play an important role in the prevention and treatment of certain illnesses and are exploited by the food and pharmaceutical industries. Conventional methods are commonly used as models to compare the efficiencies of alternative extraction methods. Among alternative extraction processes, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) are the most studied. These methods produce extracts rich in phenolic compounds using moderate temperatures, short extraction times, and solvents generally recognized as safe. The combination of extraction time and temperature plays a critical role in the stability of the compounds. Solvents of higher polarity enhance the extraction of phenolic compounds. The use of the ethanol-water mixture for MAE, PLE, and UAE is recommended. MAE and UAE involve shorter extraction times than do PLE and SFE. SFE requires a low average temperature (40 °C). MAE produces the highest total phenolic content [227.63 mg GAE/g dry basis (d.b.)], followed by PLE (173.65 mg GAE/g d.b.), UAE (92.99 mg GAE/g d.b.) and SFE (37 mg GAE/g d.b.). Extraction yields and recovery rates of the phenolic compounds can be enhanced by combining and integrating extraction methods.

Meroterpenoids With Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B Inhibitory Activities From the Fruiting Bodies of Ganoderma ahmadii

Ganoderma fungi have long been used as functional foods and traditional medicines in Asian countries. Ganoderma ahmadii is one of the main species of Ganoderma fungi distributed in Hainan province of China, the fruiting bodies of which have been used in folk to lower blood sugar for a long time. A chemical investigation of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma ahmadii led to the isolation of seven new meroterpenoids, named ganoduriporols F-L (1–7). The chemical structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic data including HRESIMS and 2D NMR. Compounds 5–7 represent the first examples of ganoduriporol-type meroterpenoids bearing oxepane rings in their skeletons. Compounds 1–4 showed inhibitory activity against protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) comparable to the positive control Na₃VO₄, with IC₅₀ values of 17, 20, 19, and 23 μM, respectively.

HPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS profiling of Zygophyllum album roots extract and assessment of its cardioprotective effect against deltamethrin-induced myocardial injuries in rat, by suppression of oxidative stress-related inflammation and apoptosis via NF-κB signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Zygophyllum album is widely used to treat many cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and as anti-inflammatory plant.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of the potential protective effects of Zygophyllum album roots extract (ZARE) against myocardial damage and fibrosis induced by a chronic exposure to deltamethrin (DLM) in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Bioactive compounds present in ZARE were analyzed by HPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. In vivo, DLM (4 mg/kg body weight), ZARE (400 mg/kg body weight) and DLM with ZARE were administered to rats orally for 60 days. Biochemical markers (LDH, ALT, CK, CK-MB and cTn-I) were assessed in the plasma by an auto-analyzer. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) were evaluated by a sandwich ELISA. NF-κB was quantified at mRNA levels by real time PCR. Heart tissue was used to determine cardiac oxidative stress markers (MDA, PC, SOD, CAT, and GPx). Masson's Trichrome (MT) and Sirius Red (SR) stainings were used for explored fibrosis statues.

RESULTS

Phytochemical analysis using HPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS revealed the presence of twenty six molecules including phenolic compounds and saponins. ZARE significantly improved the heart injury markers (LDH, ALT, CK, CK-MB and cTn-I), lipid peroxidation (MDA), protein oxidation (PC), antioxidant capacity (SOD, CAT, and GPx), and DNA structure, which were altered by DLM exposure. Moreover, ZARE cotreatment reduced the expressions of NF-κB, decreased plasmatic pro-inflammatory cytokines concentration (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6), and suppressed the myocardial collagen deposition, as observed by Sirius Red and Masson's Trichrome staining.

CONCLUSION

ZARE ameliorated the severity of DLM-induced myocardial injuries through improving the oxidative status and reducing profibrotic cytokines production. The ZARE actions could be mediated by downregulation of NF-κB mRNA.

Advances in research on the active constituents and physiological effects of Ganoderma lucidum

Background

Ganoderma lucidum, a double-walled basidiospore produced by porous basidiomycete fungi, has been used as a traditional medicine for thousands of years. It is considered a valuable Chinese medicine for strengthening body resistance, invigorating the spleen, and replenishing Qi. G. lucidum contains a variety of active ingredients, such as polysaccharides, triterpenoids, nucleosides, sterols, alkaloids, polypeptides, fatty acids, steroids, and inorganic elements, and has anticancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotection, hypoglycemic, anti-melanogenesis, anti-aging, and skin barrier-repairing activity.

Conclusions

The review summarizes the traditional usages, distribution, active constituents, structure, and biological effects of G. lucidum, with an aim to offer directions for further research and better usage of G. lucidum as a medicinal raw material.

Triterpenes and Aromatic Meroterpenoids with Antioxidant Activity and Neuroprotective Effects from Ganoderma lucidum

Reactive oxygen/nitrogen species generated in the human body can cause oxidative damage associated with many degenerative diseases such as atherosclerosis, dementia, coronary heart diseases, aging, and cancer. There is a great interest in developing new antioxidants from Ganoderma fungus due to its low toxicity. As part of our ongoing search for antioxidative constituents from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum, the chemical constituents were investigated and seven secondary metabolites, including one new lanostane triterpene (1), two known aromatic meroterpenoids (6–7), and four known triterpenes (2–5), were isolated by a series of chromatographic methods. The structures of the seven compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques. The isolated compounds were tested in vitro for antioxidant potencies and neuroprotective activities against H₂O₂ and aged Aβ-induced cell death in SH-SY5Y cells. As a result, compounds 1, 6, and 7 exhibited potent antioxidant and neuroprotective activities. Additionally, all isolated compounds were tested for radical scavenging activities. Compounds 6 and 7 showed the comparable free radical scavenging activities with the standard drug in both ABTS (2, 2’-azobis (3-ethylbenzothiazole-6-sulfonaic acid)) and ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) experiments. The results from this study suggested that G. lucidum and its metabolites (especially the meroterpenoids) may be potential functional food ingredients for the antioxidation and prevention of neurogenerative diseases.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Canavalia gladiata in Macrophage Cells and DSS-Induced Colitis Mouse Model

Canavalia gladiata, known as sword bean, has been used as a Chinese traditional medicine for anti-inflammatory effects. However, the action mechanisms of sword bean have not yet been clearly defined. In the present study, the whole parts of a ripened sword bean (RSB) and the green sword bean (GSB) containing bean pod were extracted with ethanol by reflux extraction. The two crude extracts (RSBE and GSBE) from RSB and GSB were validated by a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analysis of gallic acid as a reference chemical. The anti-inflammatory effects of two sword bean extracts were extensively investigated using LPS-stimulated macrophage cells. First, RSBE and GSBE significantly inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), prostaglandinE₂ (PGE₂), and nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. RSBE and GSBE showed no cytotoxicity to RAW264.7 cells and mouse peritoneal macrophage cells. In addition, the overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells was significantly decreased by RSBE and GSBE. Western blotting and immunostaining analysis showed that RSBE and GSBE inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB subunits, which correlated with the inhibitory effects on inhibitor kappa B (IκB) degradation. In dextran sulfated sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice model, RSBE restored body weight, colon length, and the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). In addition, RSBE significantly suppressed the expression of COX-2, iNOS, and NF-κB.