Synergistic effects of trans-p-coumaric acid isolated from the ethanol extract of Gynura procumbens in promoting intestinal absorption of chlorogenic acid and reversing alcoholic fatty liver disease

Oral administration of ethanol extract from Gynura procumbens stems corrects kidney injury and renal anemia in chronic kidney disease

Background

Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. is a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine that reduces hepatotoxicity, relieves kidney discomfort, and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Methods

We aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of an ethanol extract from G. procumbens stems (EEGS) and selected metabolites on kidney injury and renal anemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). An adenine-induced rat CKD model was used to elucidate the effective mechanism of EEGS and selected metabolites to correct renal anemia.

Results

The results showed that treatment with EEGS reversed abnormal changes in the blood indicators, including hemoglobin, red blood cells, serum erythropoietin (EPO), and creatinine levels. Moreover, EEGS inhibited xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity in vitro, significantly inhibited liver XOD activity, and reduced intrahepatic inflammatory infiltration. Analysis of the pathological changes revealed that EEGS treatments resulted in reduced renal tubular apoptosis, decreased a number of crystals, a narrowed tubular lumen, and attenuated tubular fibrosis. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that EEGS significantly ameliorated the adenine-induced abnormal changes in the expression of related proteins, including β-catenin, COX-2, HIF-2α, and EPO, in the rat kidney tissues. Among the selected EEGS metabolites, the combined effect of chlorogenic acid and trans-p-coumaric acid was superior to that of either compound alone.

Conclusion

These results suggest that EEGS and selected metabolites can effectively correct renal anemia in CKD rats by inhibiting XOD activity, reducing inflammation, and alleviating renal injury.

Gynura procumbens and selected metabolites: Amelioration of depressive-like behaviors in mice and risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia in rats

Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr., utilized in traditional Chinese medicine, is known for its liver-protective, liver-soothing, and depression-alleviating properties. This research examines the antidepressant and anti-hyperprolactinemia potentials of an ethanol extract from G. procumbens stems (EEGS) and specific metabolites. To model depression and hyperprolactinemia, chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was induced in mice and risperidone was administered to rats, respectively. Treatments involved administering low (5 mg/kg), medium (25 mg/kg), and high (125 mg/kg) doses of EEGS and certain metabolites to both models. Behavioral assessments were conducted in the CUMS-induced mice, while the CA3 neuronal damage in mice and histopathological alterations in rat mammary glands were evaluated using Nissl and Hematoxylin & Eosin staining techniques, respectively. EEGS decreased immobility times in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests in mice, enhancing their exploration of the central zone. It elevated the serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine, norepinephrine, estradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone in mice. Moreover, EEGS restored the neuronal cell arrangement in the CA3 area, reduced interleukin-1beta mRNA production, and increased the expression of interleukin-10 and beta-catenin mRNA. In the context of risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia, EEGS lowered blood prolactin levels, reduced the dimensions of rat nipples, and enhanced LH, progesterone, and dopamine levels, alongside mitigating mammary hyperplasia. Among the EEGS selected metabolites, the combined effect of chlorogenic acid and trans-p-coumaric acid was found to be more effective than the action of each compound in isolation. Collectively, the findings indicate that EEGS and its selected metabolites offer promising antidepressant benefits while counteracting hyperprolactinemia.

Hepatoprotective effects of a chemically-characterized extract from artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) against AFB1-induced toxicity in rats

This study was conducted to investigate the protective potential of a pharmaceutically formulated capsule of artichoke leaf powder (ArLP) against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced hepatotoxicity in male albino rats. In the 42-day experiment, rats were divided into five equal groups: (i) control, treated with sterile water, (ii) treated with 4% DMSO as AFB1 vehicle, (iii) ArLP of 100 mg kg-1 bw, (iv) AFB1 of 72 µg kg-1 bw, and (v) AFB1 plus ArLP. Exposure of rats to AFB1 resulted in hepatotoxicity as manifested by the intensification of oxidative stress, production of free radicals and significant increase in the activity levels of liver function enzymes relative to the control. Significant reductions in both the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant markers as well as histopathological abnormalities in liver tissues were also observed. Notably, the combined administration of ArLP with AFB1 clearly reduced AFB1-mediated adverse effects leading to the normalization of most of these parameters back to control levels. These findings clearly highlight the potential benefits of artichoke dietary supplements as a safe and natural solution in counteracting the adverse hepatotoxic effects conferred by AFB1 exposure. Further research is warranted to fully dissect the biochemical and molecular mechanism of action of the observed artichoke-mediated hepatoprotection.

Effects of combined enzymatic hydrolysis and fed-batch operation on efficient improvement of ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid production from pretreated corn straws

In the present work, the effects of combined enzymatic hydrolysis by cellulase and xylanase (CXEH), fed-batch enzymatic hydrolysis (FBEH) operation and kinetics on production of ferulic acid (FA) and p-coumaric acid (pCA) from pretreated corn straws were investigated. The results showed that CXEH could efficiently increase production of FA and pCA. When performed the FBEH operation by feeding 150 mL enzymatic hydrolysis solution (1.5 % enzyme concentration, 5:4 (v/v) ratio of cellulase to xylanase and 2.0 % substrate loading) to 250 mL batch enzymatic hydrolysis solution at 36 h, the maximum production (2178.58 and 2710.17 mg/L) and production rate (590.95 and 727.89 mg/L.h) of FA and pCA were respectively obtained. Moreover, the disruption of fiber tissues, enhancement of crystallinity and accelerated degradation of hemicelluloses and lignocelluloses caused by CXEH contributed to effectively improving production of FA and pCA in corn straws.