Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) extract inhibits ferroptotic cell death by modulating cellular iron homeostasis

Ferroptosis in Endometriosis: Traditional Chinese Medicine Interventions and Mechanistic Insights

Endometriosis (EMS) is a chronic, estrogen-dependent inflammatory disease affecting 5-10% of women of reproductive age, characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue on the outside of the uterus. The dysregulation of iron metabolism leads to the accumulation of iron ions at the lesion sites, resulting in oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory responses that promote the progression of EMS. The mechanisms underlying ferroptosis in EMS primarily involve iron accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and loss of glutathione peroxidase 4 activity. These mechanisms confer resistance to ferroptosis within the ectopic tissues and facilitate cell survival and proliferation. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated therapeutic potential for modulating ferroptosis. Studies have shown that TCM monomers may regulate ferroptosis by modulating iron transport proteins and anti-oxidant defense mechanisms. TCM formulas employ distinct treatment strategies depending on the stage of EMS: in the early stages, they promote ferroptosis to control lesion growth, whereas in the later stages, they inhibit ferroptosis to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in order to improve reproductive health and slow disease progression. This study provides a new perspective on potential therapeutic strategies for the management of EMS by summarizing the role of ferroptosis in its pathological mechanisms and reviewing findings on the use of TCM in regulating ferroptosis.

Biochanin A inhibits excitotoxicity-triggered ferroptosis in hippocampal neurons

Excitatory neurotransmitter-induced neuronal ferroptosis has been implicated in multiple neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Although there are several reports pertaining to the pharmacological activities of biochanin A, the effects of this isoflavone on excitotoxicity-triggered neuronal ferroptosis remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that biochanin A inhibits ferroptosis of mouse hippocampal neurons induced by glutamate or the glutamate analog, kainic acid. Biochanin A significantly inhibited accumulation of intracellular iron and lipid peroxidation in glutamate- or kainic acid-treated mouse hippocampal neurons. Furthermore, biochanin A regulated the level of glutathione peroxidase 4, a master regulator of ferroptosis, by modulating its autophagy-dependent degradation. We observed that biochanin A reduced the glutamate-induced accumulation of intracellular iron by regulating expression of iron metabolism-related proteins including ferroportin-1, divalent metal transferase 1, and transferrin receptor 1. Taken together, these results indicate that biochanin A effectively inhibits hippocampal neuronal death triggered by glutamate or kainic acid. Our study is the first to report that biochanin A has therapeutic potential for the treatment of diseases associated with hippocampal neuronal death, particularly ferroptosis induced by excitatory neurotransmitter.

Biochanin A-mediated anti-ferroptosis is associated with reduction of septic kidney injury

AIMS

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of biochanin A in a sepsis associated- acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) mouse model induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

MAIN METHODS

Male BALB/C mice (n = 7 per group) were injected with biochanin A (40 mg/kg, i.p.) or ferrostatin-1 (5 mg/kg, i.p.) in the presence or absence of LPS (10 mg/kg, i.p.). Survival rates were monitored twice a day for up to 2 weeks. Morphologic and functional changes in kidney tissue were assessed by H&E staining and by analyzing of levels of blood-urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (CR) in serum, respectively. Kidney epithelial cell death was analyzed by TUNEL staining, Prussian blue staining, iron quantification, lipid peroxide quantification, and glutathione quantification. Anti-ferroptosis mechanism of biochanin A was analyzed by RNA sequencing in mouse embryonic fibroblast cells.

KEY FINDINGS

Biochanin A increased the survival rate of septic mice and inhibited the secretion of high mobility group box 1, an important inflammatory mediator in sepsis. Biochanin A inhibited LPS-induced kidney damage by suppressing dilatation and kidney tubular epithelial cell death. Furthermore, serum levels of BUN and CR were reduced in biochanin A-treated endotoxemic mice. Biochanin A inhibited the accumulation of iron and lipid peroxide and prevented glutathione depletion in the kidney tissue. Also, nine genes associated with the anti-ferroptosis effects of biochanin A were identified by RNA sequencing analysis.

SIGNIFICANCE

The present study suggests that biochanin A is an effective inhibitor of ferroptosis, representing a potential treatment or prophylactic for sepsis-related disorders such as SA-AKI.

Nrf2-mediated ferroptosis inhibition: a novel approach for managing inflammatory diseases

Inflammatory diseases, including psoriasis, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis, are characterized by persistent inflammation. Moreover, the existing treatments for inflammatory diseases only provide temporary relief by controlling symptoms, and treatments of unstable and expensive. Therefore, new therapeutic solutions are urgently needed to address the underlying causes or symptoms of inflammatory diseases. Inflammation frequently coincides with a high level of (reactive oxygen species) ROS activation, serving as a fundamental element in numerous physiological and pathological phenotypes that can result in serious harm to the organism. Given its pivotal role in inflammation, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis, ROS represents a focal node for investigating the (nuclear factor E2-related factor 2) Nrf2 pathway and ferroptosis, both of which are intricately linked to ROS. Ferroptosis is mainly triggered by oxidative stress and involves iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. The transcription factor Nrf2 targets several genes within the ferroptosis pathway. Recent studies have shown that Nrf2 plays a significant role in three key ferroptosis-related routes, including the synthesis and metabolism of glutathione/glutathione peroxidase 4, iron metabolism, and lipid processes. As a result, ferroptosis-related treatments for inflammatory diseases have attracted much attention. Moreover, drugs targeting Nrf2 can be used to manage inflammatory conditions. This review aimed to assess ferroptosis regulation mechanism and the role of Nrf2 in ferroptosis inhibition. Therefore, this review article may provide the basis for more research regarding the treatment of inflammatory diseases through Nrf2-inhibited ferroptosis.

Green Onion-Derived Exosome-like Nanoparticles Prevent Ferroptotic Cell Death Triggered by Glutamate: Implication for GPX4 Expression

In recent years, alongside research on mammalian-derived exosomes, there has been increasing interest in the physiological activities of plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PDEN). The biocompatibility, minimal side effects, and diverse bioactive ingredients contained in PDEN make them valuable as potential therapeutic agents for an extensive range of diseases. In this study, we cost-effectively isolated exosome-like nanoparticles from green onion (Allium fistulosum) using polyethylene glycol and examined their biological activity in HT-22 cells exposed to glutamate. The isolated green onion-derived exosome-like nanoparticle (GDEN) had an average diameter of 167.4 nm and a zeta potential of -16.06 mV. GDEN effectively inhibited glutamate-induced Ca2+ influx and lipid peroxidation, thereby preventing ferroptotic cell death in HT-22 mouse hippocampal cells. Additionally, GDEN reduced the intracellular iron accumulation by modulating the expression of proteins associated with iron metabolism, including transferrin receptor 1, ferroportin 1, divalent metal transporter 1, and ferritin. Notably, GDEN upregulated the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4, a potent antioxidant protein involved in ferroptosis, along with an increase in glutathione synthesis. These findings indicate that GDENs have the potential to serve as bioactives from natural sources against glutamate-induced neuronal cell death, like ferroptosis. This study advances the investigation into the potential medical applications of GDEN and may provide a new approach for the utilization of these bioactive components against neuronal disorders.

Molecular and therapeutic landscape of ferroptosis in skin diseases

ABSTRACT

Regulated cell death (RCD) is a critical physiological process essential in maintaining skin homeostasis. Among the various forms of RCD, ferroptosis stands out due to its distinct features of iron accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and involvement of various inhibitory antioxidant systems. In recent years, an expanding body of research has solidly linked ferroptosis to the emergence of skin disorders. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying ferroptosis in skin diseases is crucial for advancing therapy and prevention strategies. This review commences with a succinct elucidation of the mechanisms that underpin ferroptosis, embarks on a thorough exploration of ferroptosis's role across a spectrum of skin conditions, encompassing melanoma, psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), vitiligo, and dermatological ailments precipitated by ultraviolet (UV) exposure, and scrutinizes the potential therapeutic benefits of pharmacological interventions aimed at modulating ferroptosis for the amelioration of skin diseases.

Detection of isoflavones and phytoestrogen-rich plant extracts binding to estrogen receptor β using a yeast-based fluorescent assay

Alchemilla vulgaris L., Trifolium pratense L. and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. are important remedies in traditional medicine, known for many usages, including treating gynecological diseases. Despite folkloric use of the plant materials, there is a lack of scientific data to support their therapeutic application. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the relative binding affinities (RBAs) of plant-derived phytoestrogens for estrogen receptor β (ERβ) using fluorescent biosensor in yeast and to apply this assay for the assessment of the potential of plant materials towards ERs and treatment of estrogen-related disorders. Ligand-binding domain of ERβ fused with yellow fluorescent protein (ERβ LBD-YFP) was expressed in S. cerevisiae and fluorescence was detected by fluorimetry and fluorescence microscopy. Structural basis for experimental results was explored by molecular docking. Yeast-based fluorescent assay was successfully optimized and applied for identification of natural phenolic compounds and phytoestrogen-rich plant extracts that interact with ERβ-LBD, making this biosensor a valuable tool for screening estrogenic potential of a variety of plant extracts. This assay can be used for preliminary testing of plant-derived or fungal extracts, but also other sources of environmental substances with ER-modulating activity in order to assess their possible effects on the female reproductive system.

Application of natural products in regulating ferroptosis in human diseases

BACKGROUND

Ferroptosis is a type of cell death caused by excessive iron-induced peroxidation. It has been found to be involved in a variety of diseases, and natural products can be used to target ferroptosis in treatments. Natural products are biologically active compounds extracted or synthesized from nature. It is an important resource for the discovery of skeletons with a high degree of structural diversity and a wide range of bioactivities, which can be developed directly or used as a starting point for the optimization of new drugs.

PURPOSE

In this review, we aim to discuss the interactions between natural products and ferroptosis in the treatment of human diseases.

METHODS

Literature was searched in Pubmed, Science Direct, and Web of Science databases for the 11-year period from 2012 to 2023 using the search terms "natural products", "ferroptosis", "human disease", "neurodegenerative disease", "cardiovascular disease", and "cancer".

RESULTS

In this research, the roles of natural products and ferroptosis were investigated. We suggest that natural products, such as terpenoids, flavonoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, and saponins, can be used in therapeutic applications for human diseases, as well as in ferroptosis. Additionally, the main mechanisms of ferroptosis were summarized and discussed. Furthermore, we propose that natural products can be utilized to enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells to ferroptosis, thus helping to overcome drug resistance and inhibit metastasis. Moreover, natural products have the potential to modulate the expression levels of ferroptosis-related factors. Finally, the future directions of this field were highlighted.

CONCLUSION

The potential of natural products which focus on ferroptosis to treat human illnesses, particularly cancer, is very encouraging for human wellbeing.