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Chemical Constituents from Uapaca guineensis (Phyllanthaceae), and the Computational Validation of Their Antileishmanial and Anti-inflammatory Potencies. J CHEM-NY 2022. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/7087110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
From the chemical investigations of the root bark of Uapaca guineensis, nine distinct compounds (1–9) have been isolated and characterized as lupeol, betulin, betulinic acid, β-amyryl acetate, physcion, quercetin, rutin, β-sitosterol, and β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, respectively. The structures of all the isolated compounds have been established using their NMR data as well as the comparison of those data with the ones reported in the literature. Interestingly, to the best of our knowledge, except for the lupane-type triterpenoids (1–3) and compounds 4 and 9, all the other compounds are reported for the first time from this genus. Since the plant is widely used for the treatment of skin diseases, leishmaniasis and inflammatory diseases, the antileishmanial and anti-inflammatory potencies of all the isolated compounds have been computationally validated through their ability to inhibit the receptors 1QCC and 2XOX (for the antileishmanial studies) and 6Y3C and 1CX2 (for the anti-inflammatory studies). Furthermore, the ADMET studies of compounds have been done to evaluate their drug-likeness. Results demonstrate that all the isolated compounds showed a better affinity for both receptors’ binding sites than the standard drugs miltefosine and aspirin. Moreover, the compounds would not cause addiction when used as lead molecules whereas, aspirin is predicted to violate the BBB over a long term of usage as a drug. This study gives additional information on the chemistry of U. guineensis and its classification as a potential source of good leads for the development of potent antileishmanial and anti-inflammatory drugs.
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Ekasari W, Fatmawati D, Khoiriah SM, Baqiuddin WA, Nisa HQ, Maharupini AAS, Wahyuni TS, Oktarina RD, Suhartono E, Sahu RK. Antimalarial Activity of Extract and Fractions of Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr. SCIENTIFICA 2022; 2022:3552491. [PMID: 36119646 PMCID: PMC9477630 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3552491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr., in the Indonesian local name known as "Katuk," is a tropical shrub plant of the family Euphorbiaceae. Based on genus and chemotaxonomic approaches, as well as in vitro testing of Plasmodium falciparum, leaves of S. androgynus are presumed to have an active compound content as an antimalarial. The current study aims to investigate the antimalarial activity of 96% ethanol extract and fractions of S. androgynus leaves. The ethanolic extract was fractionated using the vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC) method with three solvents of different polarities (n-hexane, chloroform, and 96% ethanol). The fraction obtained was then evaluated for antimalarial activity against P. falciparum 3D7 strain. The ethanolic extract was evaluated for antimalarial suppressive and prophylactic activity against P. berghei-infected mice, as well as inhibitory activity against the heme detoxification process in vitro. Fractionation of ethanolic extract resulted in seven combined fractions, with the most active fraction being FV (50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 2.042 µg/mL). The ethanolic extract showed good parasitic suppressive (therapeutic) activity with a median effective dose (ED50) value of 15.35 mg/kg body weight. In a prophylactic test, ethanolic extract showed parasite growth inhibitory activity of 67.74 ± 9.21% after the administration of 400 mg/kg body weight for 4 days before infection, and 65.30 ± 10.44% after the administration of 200 mg/kg body weight for 8 consecutive days (4 days before and after infection). The ethanolic extract also showed an effect in inhibiting the formation of β-hematin of about 26.87-79.36% at a concentration of 0.1-4 mg/mL and an IC50 value of 0.479 mg/mL. The S. androgynus leaves were shown to have antimalarial activity in vitro and in vivo, where ethanolic extract were more active compared with the fraction obtained. The antimalarial properties of the extract showed a higher suppressive activity than prophylactic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiwied Ekasari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Airlangga University, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Dwi Fatmawati
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Airlangga University, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Siti M. Khoiriah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Airlangga University, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Wenda A. Baqiuddin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Airlangga University, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Hawi Q. Nisa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Airlangga University, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Adinda A. S. Maharupini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Airlangga University, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Tutik S. Wahyuni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Airlangga University, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Rice D. Oktarina
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Airlangga University, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Eko Suhartono
- Department of Medical Chemistry/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin 70122, South Kalimantan, Indonesia
| | - Ram K. Sahu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Assam University (A Central University), Silchar 788011, Assam, India
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Lugiņina J, Linden M, Bazulis M, Kumpiņš V, Mishnev A, Popov SA, Golubeva TS, Waldvogel SR, Shults EE, Turks M. Electrosynthesis of Stable Betulin‐Derived Nitrile Oxides and their Application in Synthesis of Cytostatic Lupane‐Type Triterpenoid‐Isoxazole Conjugates. European J Org Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.202100293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jevgeņija Lugiņina
- Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry RigaTechnical University P. Valdena Str.3 Riga 1007 Latvia
| | - Martin Linden
- Department of Chemistry Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz Duesbergweg 10–14 Mainz 55128 Germany
| | - Māris Bazulis
- Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry RigaTechnical University P. Valdena Str.3 Riga 1007 Latvia
| | - Viktors Kumpiņš
- Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry RigaTechnical University P. Valdena Str.3 Riga 1007 Latvia
| | - Anatoly Mishnev
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis Aizkraukles Str. 21 Riga 1006 Latvia
| | - Sergey A. Popov
- Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry Academician Lavrentjev Ave. 9 Novosibirsk 630090 Russia
| | - Tatiana S. Golubeva
- The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics Acad. Lavrentyev Ave., 10 Novosibirsk 630090 Russia
| | - Siegfried R. Waldvogel
- Department of Chemistry Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz Duesbergweg 10–14 Mainz 55128 Germany
| | - Elvira E. Shults
- Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry Academician Lavrentjev Ave. 9 Novosibirsk 630090 Russia
| | - Māris Turks
- Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry RigaTechnical University P. Valdena Str.3 Riga 1007 Latvia
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Thomas P, Essien E, Udoh A, Archibong B, Akpan O, Etukudo E, De Leo M, Eseyin O, Flamini G, Ajibesin K. Isolation and characterization of anti-inflammatory and analgesic compounds from Uapaca staudtii Pax (Phyllanthaceae) stem bark. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 269:113737. [PMID: 33359855 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Uapaca species including Uapacastaudtii Pax (Phyllanthaceae) are used in West Africa ethnomedicine to treat diverse ailments including pile, rheumatism, oedema and wound healing. However, the anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential as well as constituents of the Uapacastaudtii stem bark has not been investigated. AIM OF THE STUDY The study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant activities of extract and fractions ofU. staudtii stem bark, and to isolate the bioactive constituents. MATERIALS AND METHODS The anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant activities of the ethanol extract, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol, and aqueous fractions of U. staudtii stem bark, as well as protocatechuic acid and betulinic acid isolated from the bioactive ethyl acetate fraction were evaluated in different mice models of inflammation and pain; furthermore, antioxidant assays were carried out. Chemical structures of isolated compounds were established based on spectroscopic studies and comparison with literature data. RESULTS The ethanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction exhibited good anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant capacity in all studied models, comparable with those of the standard drugs used. Protocatechuic acid also gave significant (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory (83%and 88% inhibition for egg-albumin induced and xylene induced oedema, respectively), analgesic (56% inhibition and 22 s of pain suppression for acetic acid-induced and hot plate-induced pain, respectively), and antioxidant effects (97% inhibition and absorbance of 2.516 at 100 μg/mL for DPPH and FRAP assay, respectively) in all the models, whereas betulinic acid only exhibited significant (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. CONCLUSIONS The result supports the medicinal uses of the U. staudtii stem bark in the management of pain and inflammatory disease. This is the first report on the biological activities and characterization of compounds inU. staudtii, and presence of protocatechuic acid in Uapaca genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Thomas
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine, University of Uyo, Ikpa Road, Uyo, Nigeria.
| | - Emmanuel Essien
- Department of Chemistry, University of Uyo, Ikpa Road, Uyo, Nigeria.
| | - Anwanabasi Udoh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Uyo, Ikpa Road, Uyo, Nigeria.
| | - Bright Archibong
- Department of Botany and Ecological Studies, University of Uyo, Ikpa Road, Uyo, Nigeria.
| | - Ofonasaha Akpan
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine, University of Uyo, Ikpa Road, Uyo, Nigeria.
| | - Emediong Etukudo
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine, University of Uyo, Ikpa Road, Uyo, Nigeria.
| | - Marinella De Leo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Olorunfemi Eseyin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Uyo, Ikpa Road, Uyo, Nigeria.
| | - Guido Flamini
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Kola' Ajibesin
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Herbal Medicine, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
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Salazar JR, Loza-Mejía MA, Soto-Cabrera D. Chemistry, Biological Activities and In Silico Bioprospection of Sterols and Triterpenes from Mexican Columnar Cactaceae. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25071649. [PMID: 32260146 PMCID: PMC7180492 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25071649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Cactaceae family is an important source of triterpenes and sterols. The wide uses of those plants include food, gathering, medicinal, and live fences. Several studies have led to the isolation and characterization of many bioactive compounds. This review is focused on the chemistry and biological properties of sterols and triterpenes isolated mainly from some species with columnar and arborescent growth forms of Mexican Cactaceae. Regarding the biological properties of those compounds, apart from a few cases, their molecular mechanisms displayed are not still fully understand. To contribute to the above, computational chemistry tools have given a boost to traditional methods used in natural products research, allowing a more comprehensive exploration of chemistry and biological activities of isolated compounds and extracts. From this information an in silico bioprospection was carried out. The results suggest that sterols and triterpenoids present in Cactaceae have interesting substitution patterns that allow them to interact with some bio targets related to inflammation, metabolic diseases, and neurodegenerative processes. Thus, they should be considered as attractive leads for the development of drugs for the management of chronic degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Rodrigo Salazar
- Correspondence: (J.R.S.); (M.A.L.-M.); Tel.: +52-55-5278-9500 (J.R.S. & M.A.L.-M.)
| | - Marco A. Loza-Mejía
- Correspondence: (J.R.S.); (M.A.L.-M.); Tel.: +52-55-5278-9500 (J.R.S. & M.A.L.-M.)
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Zhang Y, Kong J, Zhang JH, Wang L, Zhang W, Liu B, Jiang YY. Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Family Flacourtiaceae: A Class of Important Phytomedicine. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2020; 48:287-328. [PMID: 32160758 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x20500159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Flacourtiaceae plants are widely used as folk medicines in traditional medicine systems for its chemical diversity and pharmacological activities. In many different areas, Flacourtiaceae plants are used as traditional medicines for the treatment of ulcers, malaria, rheumatism. The Flacourtiaceae plants contain a very plentiful chemical composition, and phytochemical studies show that the Flacourtiaceae plants contained terpenoids, aromatic glycosides, flavnoids, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, fatty hydrocarbon, and other compounds. In pharmacological studies, various extract and isolated individual compounds exhibited antitumor, anti-oxidation, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this review, the literature data on the chemical constituents and pharmacological investigations of the Flacourtiaceae plants are summarized, to provide information about a more comprehensive chemical composition and detailed pharmacological activities of Flacourtiaceae plants, with a view of further development of clinical medication. However, research on quantitative analysis, toxicity, and drug safety in vitro and in vivo is still insufficient, and further research is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, P. R. China
| | - Jing Kong
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, P. R. China
| | - Jin-Hua Zhang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, P. R. China
| | - Lu Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, P. R. China
| | - Wei Zhang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, P. R. China
| | - Bin Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, P. R. China
| | - Yan-Yan Jiang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, P. R. China
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Tajuddeen N, Van Heerden FR. Antiplasmodial natural products: an update. Malar J 2019; 18:404. [PMID: 31805944 PMCID: PMC6896759 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-3026-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in regions of the world where it is endemic. An unprecedented decline in malaria incidences was recorded during the last decade due to the availability of effective control interventions, such as the deployment of artemisinin-based combination therapy and insecticide-treated nets. However, according to the World Health Organization, malaria is staging a comeback, in part due to the development of drug resistance. Therefore, there is an urgent need to discover new anti-malarial drugs. This article reviews the literature on natural products with antiplasmodial activity that was reported between 2010 and 2017. Methods Relevant literature was sourced by searching the major scientific databases, including Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus, SciFinder, Pubmed, and Google Scholar, using appropriate keyword combinations. Results and Discussion A total of 1524 compounds from 397 relevant references, assayed against at least one strain of Plasmodium, were reported in the period under review. Out of these, 39% were described as new natural products, and 29% of the compounds had IC50 ≤ 3.0 µM against at least one strain of Plasmodium. Several of these compounds have the potential to be developed into viable anti-malarial drugs. Also, some of these compounds could play a role in malaria eradication by targeting gametocytes. However, the research into natural products with potential for blocking the transmission of malaria is still in its infancy stage and needs to be vigorously pursued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasir Tajuddeen
- School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa
| | - Fanie R Van Heerden
- School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa.
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Amiri S, Dastghaib S, Ahmadi M, Mehrbod P, Khadem F, Behrouj H, Aghanoori MR, Machaj F, Ghamsari M, Rosik J, Hudecki A, Afkhami A, Hashemi M, Los MJ, Mokarram P, Madrakian T, Ghavami S. Betulin and its derivatives as novel compounds with different pharmacological effects. Biotechnol Adv 2019; 38:107409. [PMID: 31220568 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Betulin (B) and Betulinic acid (BA) are natural pentacyclic lupane-structure triterpenoids which possess a wide range of pharmacological activities. Recent evidence indicates that B and BA have several properties useful for the treatment of metabolic disorders, infectious diseases, cardiovascular disorders, and neurological disorders. In the current review, we discuss B and BA structures and derivatives and then comprehensively explain their pharmacological effects in relation to various diseases. We also explain antiviral, antibacterial and anti-cancer effects of B and BA. Finally, we discuss the delivery methods, in which these compounds most effectively target different systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shayan Amiri
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady College of Medicine, Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Sanaz Dastghaib
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mazaher Ahmadi
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Parvaneh Mehrbod
- Influenza and Respiratory Viruses Department, Pasteur Institute of IRAN, Tehran, Iran
| | - Forough Khadem
- Department of Immunology, Rady College of Medicine, Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Hamid Behrouj
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohamad-Reza Aghanoori
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Filip Machaj
- Department of Pathology, Pomeranian Medical University, ul. Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-344 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Mahdi Ghamsari
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Jakub Rosik
- Department of Pathology, Pomeranian Medical University, ul. Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-344 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Andrzej Hudecki
- Institue of Non-Ferrous Metals, ul. Sowińskiego 5, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Abbas Afkhami
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hashemi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Zahedan University of Medical Science, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Marek J Los
- Biotechnology Center, Silesian University of Technology, ul Bolesława Krzywoustego 8, Gliwice, Poland; Linkocare Life Sciences AB, Teknikringen 10, Plan 3, 583 30 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Pooneh Mokarram
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Tayyebeh Madrakian
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady College of Medicine, Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Biology of Breathing Theme, Children Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Health Policy Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Research Institute of Oncology and Hematology, CancerCare Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
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Tsai CW, Tsai RT, Liu SP, Chen CS, Tsai MC, Chien SH, Hung HS, Lin SZ, Shyu WC, Fu RH. Neuroprotective Effects of Betulin in Pharmacological and Transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans Models of Parkinson's Disease. Cell Transplant 2018; 26:1903-1918. [PMID: 29390878 PMCID: PMC5802634 DOI: 10.1177/0963689717738785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common degenerative disorder of the central nervous system in the elderly. It is characterized by progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, as well as by motor dysfunction. Although the causes of PD are not well understood, aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn) in neurons contributes to this disease. Current therapeutics for PD provides satisfactory symptom relief but not a cure. Treatment strategies include attempts to identify new drugs that will prevent or arrest the progressive course of PD by correcting disease-specific pathogenic process. Betulin is derived from the bark of birch trees and possesses anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential for betulin to ameliorate PD features in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) models. We demonstrated that betulin diminished α-syn accumulation in the transgenic C. elegans model. Betulin also reduced 6-hydroxydopamine-induced dopaminergic neuron degeneration, reduced food-sensing behavioral abnormalities, and reversed life-span decreases in a pharmacological C. elegans model. Moreover, we found that the enhancement of proteasomes activity by promoting rpn1 expression and downregulation of the apoptosis pathway gene, egl-1, may be the molecular mechanism for betulin-mediated protection against PD pathology. Together, these findings support betulin as a possible treatment for PD and encourage further investigations of betulin as an antineurodegenerative agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Wen Tsai
- 1 Department of Nutrition, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Tzong Tsai
- 2 Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Ping Liu
- 3 Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,4 Translational Medicine Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chang-Shi Chen
- 5 Department of Biochemical and Molecular Biology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Min-Chen Tsai
- 3 Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shao-Hsuan Chien
- 3 Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Huey-Shan Hung
- 3 Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,4 Translational Medicine Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shinn-Zong Lin
- 6 Bioinnovation Center, Tzu Chi foundation, Department of Neurosurgery, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Woei-Cherng Shyu
- 3 Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,4 Translational Medicine Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ru-Huei Fu
- 3 Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,4 Translational Medicine Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,7 Department of Psychology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
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