Andrographolide sodium bisulfite ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis and liver injury in mice via inhibiting macrophage proinflammatory polarization from the gut-liver axis

Andrographolide and its sulfated metabolite alleviated DSS-induced inflammatory bowel disease through regulating inflammation and immune via MAPK/NLRP3 pathways and the balance of Th17/Treg cells

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), is a chronic illness characterized by severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss, seriously diminishing patients' quality of life. Andrographolide (AND), a natural diterpenoid from Andrographis paniculata, and its sulfated metabolite, andrographolide sodium bisulfite (ASB), have showed potential anti-inflammatory effects. However, their mechanism in IBD remains elusive. This study investigated the impact of AND and its sulfated derivative ASB, on inflammatory responses in IBD. Our findings revealed that AND and ASB significantly reduced disease activity index (DAI) scores and enhanced intestinal barrier function in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced mice, thereby ameliorating the course of IBD. Furthermore, AND and ASB inhibited both the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NLRP3 pathways to reduce the release of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. This mechanism was accompanied by a restoration of immune balance through the modulation of T-helper 17 (Th17) and regulatory T (Treg) cells. The ability of AND and ASB to mitigate chronic inflammation and maintain immune equilibrium presented a promising therapeutic approach for IBD management. These findings suggested that AND and ASB might provide novel therapeutic approaches for IBD, thereby warranting further investigation into their clinical efficacy for disease treatment and maintenance of remission.

Andrographolide ameliorates sepsis-induced acute liver injury by attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress through the FKBP1A-mediated NOTCH1/AK2 pathway

Andrographolide (AP) has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, the impact of AP in sepsis-induced acute liver injury (ALI) and the molecules involved were dissected. FKBP1A was predicted to be the sole target protein of AP that was also differentially expressed in the GSE166868 dataset. AP induced the protein expression of FKBP1A and suppressed that of NOTCH1 in a dose-dependent manner. AP ameliorated ALI in mice induced by D-galactosamine and LPS and inhibited LPS-induced liver parenchymal cell injury in vitro. By contrast, the protective effect of AP was significantly lost after the knockdown of FKBP1A. As a positive control, the therapeutic effect of dexamethasone on ALI may be related to NOTCH1, which was not related to FKBP1A. NOTCH1 promoted AK2 transcription in liver parenchymal cells, and FKBP1A inhibited endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by impairing NOTCH1/AK2 signaling. Restoration of NOTCH1 significantly reversed the hepatoprotective effect of AP in ALI mice and LPS-induced liver parenchymal cell injury by activating the ER stress pathway. Therefore, AP-promoted FKBP1A expression inhibits ALI progression by blocking the NOTCH1/AK2-mediated ER pathway.

Andrographolide Sulfonates and Xiyanping: A Review of Chemical Composition, Pharmacological Activities, Clinical Applications, and Adverse Reactions

Andrographis paniculata is a plant of the Acanthaceae family and its primary bioactive constituent, andrographolide, exhibits a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities and notable clinical efficacy. However, its poor solubility and limited bioavailability pose significant challenges for therapeutic applications. To overcome these limitations, researchers have synthesized andrographolide sulfonates by reacting andrographolide with ethanol and sulfuric acid. This sulfonated derivative significantly enhances water solubility and bioavailability while retaining key pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities. As a representative formulation, Xiyanping injection has been widely employed in the treatment of respiratory infections, pneumonia, and related conditions, playing a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite its widespread application, there has yet to be a comprehensive review of its chemical composition and pharmacological mechanisms. Additionally, the safety of Xiyanping injection remains a topic of some debate. This review systematically examines the chemical composition, pharmacological activities, clinical applications, and adverse reactions of andrographolide sulfonates and their formulation in Xiyanping injection to provide a scientific basis for further research and applications, while also offering valuable insights for the development of similar sulfonated drugs.

Recent developments and new directions in the use of natural products for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) represents a significant global health challenge, and there is an urgent need to explore novel therapeutic interventions. Natural products have demonstrated highly promising effectiveness in the treatment of IBD.

PURPOSE

This study systematically reviews the latest research advancements in leveraging natural products for IBD treatment.

METHODS

This manuscript strictly adheres to the PRISMA guidelines. Relevant literature on the effects of natural products on IBD was retrieved from the PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases using the search terms "natural product," "inflammatory bowel disease," "colitis," "metagenomics", "target identification", "drug delivery systems", "polyphenols," "alkaloids," "terpenoids," and so on. The retrieved data were then systematically summarized and reviewed.

RESULTS

This review assessed the different effects of various natural products, such as polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, quinones, and others, in the treatment of IBD. While these natural products offer promising avenues for IBD management, they also face challenges in terms of clinical translation and drug discovery. The advent of metagenomics, single-cell sequencing, target identification techniques, drug delivery systems, and other cutting-edge technologies heralds a new era in overcoming these challenges.

CONCLUSION

This paper provides an overview of current research progress in utilizing natural products for the treatment of IBD, exploring how contemporary technological innovations can aid in discovering and harnessing bioactive natural products for the treatment of IBD.

The downregulation of tight junction proteins and pIgR in the colonic epithelium causes the susceptibility of EpCAM+/- mice to colitis and gut microbiota dysbiosis

Background

The genetic factors play important roles on the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). EpCAM is highly expressed in the intestinal epithelium. It is still unclear if the decrease or somatic mutation of EpCAM could cause IBD.

Methods

The WT and EpCAM+/- mice were administrated with DSS intermittently for nearly 8 weeks. The colon, liver and feces were harvested to check the morphological and histological changes, the expression of inflammatory genes and the gut microbiota via H&E staining, immunofluorescence, qPCR, western blot and 16S rDNA sequence assays.

Results

The DSS administration induced more serious inflammation in the colon of EpCAM+/- mice than WT mice. Compared to DSS-induced WT mice, the transcriptional levels of IL-6, F4/80, Ly6g, Ly6d and Igha were significantly higher in the colon of DSS-induced EpCAM+/- mice. The protein levels of MMP7 and MMP8 and the activation of JNK, ERK1/2 and p38 were significantly increased in the colon of DSS-induced EpCAM+/- mice. The protein levels of CLDN1, CLDN2, CLDN3, CLDN7, OCLD, ZO-1 and pIgR were significantly decreased in the colon of DSS-induced EpCAM+/- mice. The serum concentration of LPS was significantly higher in the DSS-induced EpCAM+/- mice which caused the acute inflammation in the liver of them. The expression of Pigr was significantly reduced in the liver of DSS-induced EpCAM+/- mice. The ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes at the phylum level was higher in the gut microbiota of EpCAM+/- mice than WT mice.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the heterozygous mutation of EpCAM increased the susceptibility to colitis, gut microbiota dysbiosis and liver injury.

Study on the Protective Effect and Mechanism of Umbilicaria esculenta Polysaccharide in DSS-Induced Mice Colitis and Secondary Liver Injury

This study aimed to explore the ameliorative effects and potential mechanisms of Huangshan Umbilicaria esculenta polysaccharide (UEP) in dextran sulfate sodium-induced acute ulcerative colitis (UC) and UC secondary liver injury (SLI). Results showed that UEP could ameliorate both colon and liver pathologic injuries, upregulate mouse intestinal tight junction proteins (TJs) and MUC2 expression, and reduce LPS exposure, thereby attenuating the effects of the gut-liver axis. Importantly, UEP significantly downregulated the secretion levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 through inhibition of the NF-κB pathway and activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway to increase the expression levels of SOD and GSH-Px. In vitro, UEP inhibited the LPS-induced phosphorylation of NF-κB P65 and promoted nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in RAW264.7 cells. These results revealed that UEP ameliorated UC and SLI through NF-κB and Nrf2-mediated inflammation and oxidative stress. The study first investigated the anticolitis effect of UEP, suggesting its potential for the treatment of colitis and colitis-associated liver disease.

Anti-inflammatory probiotics HF05 and HF06 synergistically alleviate ulcerative colitis and secondary liver injury

Given the limited efficacy and adverse effects associated with conventional drugs, probiotics are emerging as a promising therapeutic strategy for mitigating the chronic nature of ulcerative colitis (UC) and its consequential secondary liver injury (SLI). Limosilactobacillus fermentum HF06 and Lactiplatibacillus plantarum HF05 are strains we screened with excellent anti-inflammatory and probiotic properties in vitro. In this study, the intervention of HF06 and HF05 in combination (MIXL) was found to be more effective in alleviating intestinal inflammation and secondary liver injury in UC mice compared to supplementing with the two strains individually. Results demonstrated that MIXL effectively attenuated colon shortening and weight loss, downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 mRNA in the intestines, mitigated SLI, and augmented the enzymatic activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px in the liver. MIXL enhances the intestinal barrier in UC mice, regulates the structure and composition of the gut microbiota, promotes the abundance of Lactobacillus, and suppresses the abundance of bacteria associated with inflammation and liver injury, including Clostridium_Sensu_Stricto_1, Escherichia, Shigella, Enterococcus, Corynebacterium, Desulfovibrio, and norank_f__Oscillospiraceae. This study demonstrated the synergistic effect of HF06 and HF05, providing a reliable foundation for the alleviation of UC.

The progression of inorganic nanoparticles and natural products for inflammatory bowel disease

There is a growing body of evidence indicating a close association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and disrupted intestinal homeostasis. Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), along with an increase in M1 proinflammatory macrophage infiltration during the activation of intestinal inflammation, plays a pivotal role in disrupting intestinal homeostasis in IBD. The overabundance of ROS/RNS can cause intestinal tissue damage and the disruption of crucial gut proteins, which ultimately compromises the integrity of the intestinal barrier. The proliferation of M1 macrophages contributes to an exaggerated immune response, further compromising the intestinal immune barrier. Currently, intestinal nanomaterials have gained widespread attention in the context of IBD due to their notable characteristics, including the ability to specifically target regions of interest, clear excess ROS/RNS, and mimic biological enzymes. In this review, we initially elucidated the gut microenvironment in IBD. Subsequently, we delineate therapeutic strategies involving two distinct types of nanomedicine, namely inorganic nanoparticles and natural product nanomaterials. Finally, we present a comprehensive overview of the promising prospects associated with the application of nanomedicine in future clinical settings for the treatment of IBD (graphic abstract). Different classes of nanomedicine are used to treat IBD. This review primarily elucidates the current etiology of inflammatory bowel disease and explores two prominent nanomaterial-based therapeutic approaches. First, it aims to eliminate excessive reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species. Second, they focus on modulating the polarization of inflammatory macrophages and reducing the proportion of pro-inflammatory macrophages. Additionally, this article delves into the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease using inorganic metal nanomaterials and natural product nanomaterials.

Modulation of Xiongdanjiuxin pills on the gut-liver axis in high-fat diet rats

AIM

Xiongdanjiuxin pill (XP) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula for the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia (HLP) and related complications. In this study, the gut-liver axis was used as the breakthrough point to analyze the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of XP on HLP model rats and related complications.

MAIN METHODS

We used high-fat diet (HFD) to establish the HLP model of rats and treated them with XP. The 16S rRNA sequencing method was used to explore the effect of XP on the gut microbiota of HFD rats, and the effects of XP on ileum pathology, intestinal barrier and circulatory inflammation in HFD rats were also investigated. We further explored the molecular mechanism of XP treating liver inflammation in rats with HFD by regulating toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling.

KEY FINDINGS

We found that XP could regulate the imbalance of gut microbiota in HFD rats, and up-regulate the expression of tight junction protein in intestinal epithelium of HFD rats, thereby improving the intestinal barrier damage and intestinal inflammatory response. In addition, XP could significantly reduce the levels of inflammatory cytokines in HFD rats, and inhibit TLR4 signaling pathway, thereby reducing liver inflammation in HFD rats.

SIGNIFICANCE

XP can effectively improve the imbalance of gut-liver axis in hyperlipidemic rats and alleviate the inflammatory damage of liver. Its mechanism may be related to regulating the disorder of gut microbiota and inhibiting TLR4 signal pathway, so as to achieve the therapeutic effect on hyperlipidemic fatty liver in rats.

Mitigation of Dextran-Sodium-Sulfate-Induced Colitis in Mice through Oral Administration of Microbiome-Derived Inosine and Its Underlying Mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Colonic and serum inosine are significantly reduced in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

METHODS

This study aimed to explore whether microbiome-derived inosine alleviates colitis and its underlying mechanisms.

RESULTS

An inosine intervention effectively improved the clinical signs in colitis mice, suppressed inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β) by regulating the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, and elevated the activities of anti-oxidative enzymes (including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)) by regulating the nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. Additionally, the inosine intervention significantly elevated the expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occudin, and claudin-1) in mice with colitis. High-throughput sequencing revealed that the inosine intervention also prevented gut microbiota disorder by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group, Romboutsia, Marvinbryantia, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, and Bifidobacterium) and reducing the abundance of harmful bacteria (Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Tyzzerella) in mice with colitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Inosine played a significant role in mitigating colitis-related intestinal barrier injury and could potentially be used for therapy in clinical practice.