Attenuation of renal ischemia/reperfusion injury by a polysaccharide from the roots of Dipsacus asperoides

Polysaccharides from Sacha Inchi shell reduces renal fibrosis in mice by modulating the TGF-β1/Smad pathway and intestinal microbiota

Renal fibrosis is a common pathway involved in the progression of various chronic kidney to end-stage diseases, posing a substantial global public health challenge in the search for effective and safe treatments. This study investigated the effects and mechanisms of sacha inchi shell polysaccharide (SISP) on renal fibrosis induced by a high-salt diet (HSD) in mice. By analysing kidney-related protein pathways and the structure of gut microbiota, we found that SISP significantly reduced urinary protein levels induced by a HSD from 41.08 to 22.95 μg/mL and increased urinary creatinine from 787.43 to 1294.50 μmol/L. It reduced renal interstitial collagen fibres by 11.30 %, thereby improving the kidney function. SISP lowered the mRNA expression of TGF-B1, fibronectin, α-SMA, Smad2/3, and TGFBRII, leading to decreased protein levels of TGF-β1, p-Smad2/3, p-TGFβRII, fibronectin, α-SMA, p-Smad2/3/Smad2/3, and p-TGFβRII/TGFβRII. These changes blocked downstream transcription in the TGF-β1/Smad signalling pathway, thereby attenuating renal fibrosis in HSD mice. In addition, SISP altered the intestinal flora imbalance in HSD mice by reducing the relative abundance of the genera, Akkermansia, Faecalibaculum, and unidentified_Ruminococcaceae, and reversing the decline in the levels of the genera, Lactobacillus and Bacteroides. In conclusion, SISP is a promising nutraceutical for renal fibrosis management.

Multi-Protective Effects of Petunidin-3-O-(trans-p-coumaroylrutinoside)-5-O-glucoside on D-Gal-Induced Aging Mice

Petunidin-3-O-(trans-p-coumaroylrutinoside)-5-O-glucoside (PtCG), the primary anthocyanin ingredient in Lycium ruthenicum Murr., possesses a range of biological activities, including antioxidative properties and melanin inhibition. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of PtCG on D-galactose (D-gal)-induced aging in female mice and elucidate the underlying molecular pathways. Behavioral experiments, including the MWW and Y-maze tests, revealed that PtCG significantly ameliorated cognitive decline and enhanced learning and memory abilities in aging mice. Regarding biochemical indicators, PtCG considerably improved superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) activity while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) levels in the hippocampus and serum. Furthermore, PtCG ingestion alleviated liver injury by decreasing alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) levels, and attenuated renal damage by reducing blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and uric acid (UA) levels. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results demonstrated that PtCG restored the function and quantity of synapses in the hippocampus. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson's trichrome, and Nissl staining revealed that PtCG significantly improved the relevant pathological characteristics of liver and hippocampal tissues in aging mice. The molecular mechanism investigation showed that PtCG downregulated the protein expression of microglial marker ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1), astrocytic marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), β-secretase 1 (BACE-1), and amyloid-beta1-42 (Aβ1-42) in the hippocampus of aging mice. The protein expression of inflammatory pathway components, including nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), was also suppressed. These findings suggest that PtCG may possess anti-aging properties, with its mechanism of action potentially linked to the attenuation of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and liver and kidney damage. PtCG may have future applications as a functional food for the treatment of aging-related disorders.

Natural polysaccharides as promising reno-protective agents for the treatment of various kidney injury

Renal injury, a prevalent clinical outcome with multifactorial etiology, imposes a substantial burden on society. Currently, there remains a lack of effective management and treatments. Extensive research has emphasized the diverse biological effects of natural polysaccharides, which exhibit promising potential for mitigating renal damage. This review commences with the pathogenesis of four common renal diseases and the shared mechanisms underlying renal injury. The renoprotective roles of polysaccharides in vivo and in vitro are summarized in the following five aspects: anti-oxidative stress effects, anti-apoptotic effects, anti-inflammatory effects, anti-fibrotic effects, and gut modulatory effects. Furthermore, we explore the structure-activity relationship and bioavailability of polysaccharides in relation to renal injury, as well as investigate their utility as biomaterials for alleviating renal injury. The clinical experiments of polysaccharides applied to patients with chronic kidney disease are also reviewed. Broadly, this review provides a comprehensive perspective on the research direction of natural polysaccharides in the context of renal injury, with the primary aim to serve as a reference for the clinical development of polysaccharides as pharmaceuticals and prebiotics for the treatment of kidney diseases.

Dipsacus and Scabiosa Species-The Source of Specialized Metabolites with High Biological Relevance: A Review

The genera Dipsacus L. and Scabiosa L. of the Caprifoliaceae family are widely distributed in Europe, Asia, and Africa. This work reviews the available literature on the phytochemical profiles, ethnomedicinal uses, and biological activities of the most popular species. These plants are rich sources of many valuable specialized metabolites with beneficial medicinal properties, such as triterpenoid derivatives, iridoids, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. They are also sources of essential oils. The genus Dipsacus has been used for centuries in Chinese and Korean folk medicines to treat bone (osteoporosis) and joint problems (rheumatic arthritis). The Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Chinese Pharmacopoeia include Dipsaci radix, the dried roots of D. asperoides C.Y.Cheng & T.M.Ai. In addition, S. comosa Fisch. ex Roem & Schult. and S. tschiliiensis Grunning are used in traditional Mongolian medicine to treat liver diseases. The current scientific literature data indicate that these plants and their constituents have various biological properties, including inter alia antiarthritic, anti-neurodegenerative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities; they have also been found to strengthen tendon and bone tissue and protect the liver, heart, and kidney. The essential oils possess antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticidal properties. This paper reviews the key biological values of Dipsacus and Scabiosa species, as identified by in vitro and in vivo studies, and presents their potential pharmacological applications.

Plants with Therapeutic Potential for Ischemic Acute Kidney Injury: A Systematic Review

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a complex condition which has an intricate pathology mostly involving hemodynamic, inflammatory, and direct toxic effects at the cellular level with high morbidity and mortality ratios. Renal ischemic reperfusion injury (RIRI) is the main factor responsible for AKI, most often observed in different types of shock, kidney transplantation, sepsis, and postoperative procedures. The RIRI-induced AKI is accompanied by increased reactive oxygen species generation together with the activation of various inflammatory pathways. In this context, plant-derived medicines have shown encouraging nephroprotective properties. Evidence provided in this systemic review leads to the conclusion that plant-derived extracts and compounds exhibit nephroprotective action against renal ischemic reperfusion induced-AKI by increasing endogenous antioxidants and decreasing anti-inflammatory cytokines. However, there is no defined biomarker or target which can be used for treating AKI completely. These plant-derived extracts and compounds are only tested in selected transgenic animal models. To develop the results obtained into a therapeutic entity, one should apply them in proper vertebrate multitransgenic animal models prior to further validation in humans.

Identification of Polysaccharides From Dipsacus asperoides and Their Effects on Osteoblast Proliferation and Differentiation in a High-Glucose Environment

Polysaccharides (DAI-1 and DAI-2) from Dipsacus asperoides (D. asperoides) were obtained using mixed-bed ion exchange resin and Sephadex G-50 column chromatography following which their properties, structures, and activities were investigated. The results showed that DAI-1 and DAI-2 were homogeneous in nature, with glucose the only constituent, and had molecular masses of 17 and 4 kDa, respectively. Methylation analysis indicated that the backbones of DAI-1 and DAI-2 were mainly composed of (1→6)-linked glucose residues. DAI-1 possessed a small number of side chains and a branch point of (1→3, 6)-glucose, while DAI-2 lacked branching. Activity assays demonstrated that exposing osteoblasts to different DAI-1 concentrations (25, 50, or 100 μg/mL) in a high-glucose environment induced cell proliferation and led to a significant increase in bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) expressions at both the mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, DAI-1 treatment significantly increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OCN) activities in osteoblasts. Combined, our results suggested that DAI-1 may promote osteoblast proliferation and differentiation in a high-glucose environment.

Dipsacoside B Exerts a Beneficial Effect on Brain Injury in the Ischemic Stroke Rat through Inhibition of Mitochondrial E3 Ubiquitin Ligase 1

BACKGROUND

Upregulation of mitochondrial E3 ubiquitin ligase 1 (Mul1) contributes to brain injury in ischemic stroke due to disturbance of mitochondrial dynamics, and bioinformatics analysis predicts that Mul1 is a potential target of Dipsacoside B.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to explore whether Dipsacoside B can exert a beneficial effect on brain injury in the ischemic stroke rat via targeting Mul1.

METHODS

The SD rat brains or PC12 cells were subjected to 2 h-ischemia or 8 h-hypoxia plus 24 h-reperfusion or 24 h-reoxygenation to establish the ischemic stroke rat model in vivo or in vitro, which were treated with Dipsacoside B at different dosages. The brain or PC12 cell injury, relevant protein levels and mitochondrial functions were measured by methods of biochemistry, flow cytometry or Western blot.

RESULTS

The neurological dysfunction and brain injury (such as infarction and apoptosis) observed in the ischemic stroke rats were accompanied by increases in Mul1 and dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) levels along with decreases in mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) level and ATP production. These effects were attenuated by Dipsacoside B. Consistently, cell injury (necroptosis and apoptosis) occurred in the PC12 cells exposed to hypoxia concomitant with the upregulation of Mul1 and Drp1 along with downregulation of Mfn2 and mitochondrial functions (such as increases in reactive oxygen species production and mitochondrial fission and decreases in mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production).These phenomena were reversed in the presence of Dipsacoside B.

CONCLUSION

Dipsacoside B can protect the rat brain against ischemic injury via inhibition of Mul1 due to the improvement of mitochondrial function.

Phylogenetic analysis and characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Dipsacus asperoides, the endemic medicinal herb in China

Dipsacus asperoides is a traditional and endemic medicinal herb in China. Its roots was considered top grade herb as early as in the Shen Nong Herbal Classic. In this study, we assembled and analyzed the complete chloroplast genome of D. asperoides. The complete chloroplast genome is 160,481 bp in length, exhibiting a large single-copy region (88,546 bp), a small single-copy region (19,671 bp), and two inverted-repeat regions (26,132 bp in each one). The chloroplast genome of D. asperoides contains 133 genes, including 89 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 36 transfer RNA (tRNAs), and eight ribosome RNA (rRNAs). The overall nucleotide content of the chloroplast genome is A of 30.2%, T of 31.0%, C of 19.7%, and G of 19.1%, with a total AT content of 61.2% and GC content of 38.8%. However, the phylogenetic Maximum-Likelihood (ML) analysis based on the amino acid sequences of 89 PCGs from 14 species chloroplast genome that D. asperoides is closely related to Dipsacus asper. This study can be used for medicinal herb value research and clinical drug development.

Pirfenidone prevents acute kidney injury in the rat

Background

Pirfenidone is an orally active drug used for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis to slow loss of lung function; it acts mainly through an antifibrotic effect but also possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We assessed the effect of prophylactic administration of pirfenidone on acute kidney injury due to bilateral renal ischemia.

Methods

Eighteen rats were included and divided in: 1) sham-operated rats (S), 2) rats underwent bilateral renal ischemia for 20 min (I/R), and 3) rats treated with pirfenidone 700 mg/kg/day 24 h before surgery and subjected to bilateral renal ischemia for 20 min (I/R + PFN). All the rats were euthanized and studied 24 h after renal reperfusion.

Results

As was expected, the I/R group exhibited a significant reduction in creatinine clearance, urinary output and renal blood flow, as well as extensive tubular injury. These alterations were associated with a significant decrease in urinary excretion of nitrites and nitrates (UNO₂/NO₃V). In the I/R + PFN group, recovery of renal function and UNO₂/NO₃V was observed, together with lesser histological signs of tubular injury compared to the I/R group.

Conclusions

This study shows that prophylactic administration of pirfenidone prevented acute kidney injury due to bilateral ischemia in the rat. Recovery of NO production appears to be one of the mechanism of pirfenidone renoprotective effect. Our findings suggest that pirfenidone is a promising drug to reduce renal injury induced by I/R.

Therapeutic Effect of Dipsacus asperoides C. Y. Cheng et T. M. Ai in Ovalbumin-Induced Murine Model of Asthma

Dipsacus asperoides C. Y. Cheng et T. M. Ai (DA) has been used in China as a traditional medicine to treat lumbar and knee pain, liver dysfunction, and fractures. We explored the suppressive effect of DA on allergic asthma using an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma model. In the asthma model, female Balb/c mice were sensitized to OVA on day 0 and 14 to boost immune responses and then exposed to OVA solution by using an ultrasonic nebulizer on days 21 to 23. DA (20 and 40 mg/kg) was administered to mice by oral gavage on days 18 to 23. Methacholine responsiveness was determined on day 24 using a plethysmography. On day 25, we collected bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, serum, and lung tissue from animals under anesthesia. DA treatment effectively inhibited methacholine responsiveness, inflammatory cell infiltration, proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13, and immunoglobulin (Ig) E in OVA-induced asthma model. Reductions in airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion, accompanied by decreases in the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), were also observed. Our results indicated that DA attenuated the asthmatic response, and that this attenuation was closely linked to NF-κB suppression. Thus, this study suggests that DA is a potential therapeutic for allergic asthma.

Aqueous extract of Dipsacus asperoides suppresses lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammatory responses by inhibiting the ERK1/2 signaling pathway in RAW 264.7 macrophages

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Dipsaci Radix, which is the dried root of Dipsacus asperoides C. Y. Cheng and T. M. Ai (Dipsacaceae), is used to treat back pain and blood stasis syndrome in Korean traditional medicine.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To understand the mechanisms responsible for the pharmacological activities of D. asperoides, we investigated the inhibitory effect of D. asperoides on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in mouse macrophages RAW 264.7 cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Aqueous extract of D. asperoides (AEDA) was prepared by boiling D. asperoides in water and then administered to LPS treated RAW 264.7 cells. Cell viabilities were measured using an MTT assay, and protein levels were determined by western blotting. The ROS scavenging activity of AEDA was measured using a DCFH-DA assay and levels of nitric oxide (NO) were determined using a NO assay. The nuclear translocations of NF-κB and Nrf2 were investigated immunocytochemically, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in supernatant were evaluated by ELISA.

RESULTS

Treatment with AEDA suppressed the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. AEDA also reduced ROS, pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6 and IL-1β) levels, and iNOS-derived NO and COX-2-derived prostaglandin E2 release to medium, and suppressed the phosphorylation and degradation of IκB and the activation of NF-κB in macrophages. Furthermore, treatment with AEDA inhibited the ERK1/2 pathway but not the JNK or p38 MAPK pathways. In addition, AEDA significantly promoted Nrf2 translocation from cytoplasm to nucleus and up-regulated the expression of HO-1.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that AEDA has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects through the inhibition of NF-κB and ERK1/2 and the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 in macrophages.

Protection against ischemia/reperfusion‑induced renal injury by co‑treatment with erythropoietin and sodium selenite

Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) has lzong been an area of concern and focus of investigations. Erythropoietin (EPO) exhibits multiple protective effects, and selenium is an antioxidant trace element in the body, however, there have been no reports concerning the effects of EPO combined with sodium selenite on IRI. In the present study, a mouse model of renal IRI (RIRI) was pre–treated with EPO and sodium selenite to determine the most appropriate combination ratio of the two for further investigation. The results revealed that EPO and sodium selenite had synergistic protective effects in RIRI. EPO was identified as the predominant treatment component, with sodium selenite serving as an adjuvant, and combination treatment was markedly more effective, compared with treatment with either drug alone. The optimal ratio of treatment was 10:1 (10 IU EPO: 1 µg sodium selenite). The results indicated that RIRI markedly induced renal injury, as evidenced by elevated levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), as well as higher pathological scores, based on hematoxylin and eosin staining. Pre–treatment with EPO and sodium selenite significantly decreased serum expression levels of BUN and malonaldehyde, and increased the expression levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and nitric oxide (NO), compared with the model group. Furthermore, co treatment with EPO and sodium selenite upregulated the protein expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) in renal tissue samples. Together, the results suggested that co administration of EPO and sodium selenite effectively ameliorates IRI induced renal injury by reducing oxidative stress and activating the PI3K/NO signaling pathway.

Dioscin attenuates renal ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway via up-regulation of HSP70

We previously reported the effect of dioscin against hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats. However, little is known concerning the role of dioscin in renal IRI. In the present study, rats were subjected to IRI and dioscin was intragastrically administered for seven consecutive days before surgery. In vitro models of hypoxia/reoxygenation were developed in NRK-52E and HK-2 cells, which were prophylactically treated with or without dioscin. The results showed that dioscin significantly decreased serum BUN and Cr levels, and markedly attenuated cell injury. Mechanistic studies showed that dioscin significantly increased HSP70 levels, decreased the levels of TLR4, MyD88, TRAF6, COX-2, JNK, ERK and p38 MAPK phosphorylation, suppressed the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and HMGB1, and subsequently decreased the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, ICAM-1 and IFN-γ. Moreover, HSP70 siRNA or TLR4 DNA reversed the nephroprotective effects of dioscin, while dioscin still significantly down-regulated the TLR4 signaling pathway. Furthermore, by inhibiting MyD88 with ST2825 (a MyD88 inhibitor), renal IRI was significantly attenuated, suggesting that the effect of dioscin against renal IRI depended on MyD88. Our results suggested that dioscin had a potent effect against renal IRI through suppressing the TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway by up-regulating HSP70. These data provide new insights for investigating the natural product with the nephroprotective effect against IRI, which should be developed as a new therapeutic agent for the treatment of acute kidney injury in the future.

Antioxidant activity and optimization of extraction of polysaccharide from the roots of Dipsacus asperoides

Polysaccharide extraction from Dipsacus asperoides roots (DAP) was proved to possess strong antioxidant activities, including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-Azobis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activities, inhibiting β-carotene bleaching and strong reducing power. Cell assay demonstrated that the crude DAP possessed antioxidant activity and were effective against H2O2-induced L02 cells injury. Then, response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the ultrasonic extraction of DAP. The optimum variables given by central composite design (CCD) were as follows: ratio of water to raw material, 38.61mL/g; ultrasonic power, 308.68W; extraction time, 38.61min; and extraction temperature, 89°C. Under these conditions, the maximum yield of DAP obtained was 7.12±0.45%. Moreover, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis suggested that the monosaccharide compositions of DAP contained primarily mannose, ribose, glucose, galactose, xylose and arabinose, with a molar ratio of 0.22:0.48:2.29:0.34:1.39:1.41. The results of the present study showed that DAP could be considered as potential sources of natural antioxidants.

Blood reflects tissue oxidative stress: a systematic review

We examined whether the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers measured in blood reflect the tissue redox status. Data from studies that measured redox biomarkers in blood, heart, liver, kidney and skeletal muscle were analyzed. In seven out of nine investigated redox biomarkers (malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, vitamin C and E) there was generally good qualitative and quantitative agreement between the blood and tissues. In contrast, oxidized glutathione and the reduced to oxidized glutathione ratio showed poor agreement between the blood and tissues. This study suggests that most redox biomarkers measured in blood adequately reflect tissue redox status.

Carboxymethylation of an exopolysaccharide from Lachnum and effect of its derivatives on experimental chronic renal failure

Carboxymethylated polysaccharide CLEP-1b was prepared from a single component (LEP-1b) of Lachnum YM281 exopolysaccharides by molecular modification with a degree of substitution (DS) of 0.286. Infrared result proved that the carboxymethylation of LEP-1b succeeded and (13)C NMR result showed that the carboxymethyl group (CH2COOH) was chemically linked to an oxygen (O) atom of the hydroxyl on C-3 of LEP-1b. LEP-1b could improve the histopathological status of kidney and significantly reduce the contents of serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and increase the contents of total protein and albumin. It could also enhance the activity of SOD, GSH-PX, CAT, GSH and decrease MDA contents in the nephridial and hepatic tissues. What's more, CLEP-1b showed more significant effects than LEP-1b at the same dosage. The research indicated that LEP-1b and CLEP-1b could mitigate the chronic renal failure of mice and the effects were closely associated with antioxidant activity.