Puerarin attenuates pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy

The beneficial health effects of puerarin in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases: from mechanisms to therapeutics

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading causes of death globally that seriously threaten human health. Although novel western medicines have continued to be discovered over the past few decades to inhibit the progression of CVDs, new drug research and development for treating CVDs with less side effects and adverse reactions are continuously being desired. Puerarin is a natural product found in a variety of medicinal plants belonging to the flavonoid family with potent biological and pharmacological activities. Abundant research findings in the literature have suggested that puerarin possesses a promising prospect in treating CVDs. In recent years, numerous new molecular mechanisms of puerarin have been explored in experimental and clinical studies, providing new evidence for this plant metabolite to protect against CVDs. This article systematically introduces the history of use, bioavailability, and various dosage forms of puerarin and further summarizes recently published data on the major research advances and their underlying therapeutic mechanisms in treating CVDs. It may provide references for researchers in the fields of pharmacology, natural products, and internal medicine.

Bio-soft matter derived from traditional Chinese medicine: Characterizations of hierarchical structure, assembly mechanism, and beyond

Structural and functional explorations on bio-soft matter such as micelles, vesicles, nanoparticles, aggregates or polymers derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has emerged as a new topic in the field of TCM. The discovery of such cross-scaled bio-soft matter may provide a unique perspective for unraveling the new effective material basis of TCM as well as developing innovative medicine and biomaterials. Despite the rapid rise of TCM-derived bio-soft matter, their hierarchical structure and assembly mechanism must be unambiguously probed for a further in-depth understanding of their pharmacological activity. In this review, the current emerged TCM-derived bio-soft matter assembled from either small molecules or macromolecules is introduced, and particularly the unambiguous elucidation of their hierarchical structure and assembly mechanism with combined electron microscopic and spectroscopic techniques is depicted. The pros and cons of each technique are also discussed. The future challenges and perspective of TCM-derived bio-soft matter are outlined, particularly the requirement for their precise in situ structural determination is highlighted.

Ethanol extract of Pueraria lobata improve acute myocardial infarction in rats via regulating gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a multifactorial disease with high mortality rate worldwide. Ethanol extract of Pueraria lobata (EEPL) has been widely used in treating cardiovascular diseases in China. This study aimed to explore the underlying therapeutic mechanism of EEPL in AMI rats.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

We first evaluated the anti-AMI efficacy of EEPL through immunohistochemistry staining and biochemical indexes. Then, UPLC-MS/MS, 16S rDNA, and shotgun metagenomic sequencing were used to analyze the alterations in bile acid metabolism and intestinal flora. Finally, the influence of EEPL on ilem bile acid metabolism, related enzymes expression, and transporter proteins expression in rats were verified by mass spectrometry image and ELISA.

KEY RESULTS

The results showed that EEPL can reduce cardiac impairment in AMI rats. Besides, EEPL effectively increased bile acid levels and regulated gut microbiota disturbance in AMI rats via increasing CYP7A1 expression and restoring intestinal microbiota diversity, separately. Moreover, it can increase bile acids reabsorption and fecal excretion through inhibiting FXR-FGF15 signaling pathway and increasing OST-α expression, which associated with Lachnoclostridium.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Our findings demonstrated that EEPL alleviated AMI partially by remediating intestinal dysbiosis and promoting bile acid biosynthesis, which provided new targets for AMI treatment.

Searching for Effective Treatments in HFpEF: Implications for Modeling the Disease in Rodents

BACKGROUND

While the prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has increased over the last two decades, there still remains a lack of effective treatment. A key therapeutic challenge is posed by the absence of animal models that accurately replicate the complexities of HFpEF. The present review summarizes the effects of a wide spectrum of therapeutic agents on HF.

METHODS

Two online databases were searched for studies; in total, 194 experimental protocols were analyzed following the PRISMA protocol.

RESULTS

A diverse range of models has been proposed for studying therapeutic interventions for HFpEF, with most being based on pressure overload and systemic hypertension. They have been used to evaluate more than 150 different substances including ARNIs, ARBs, HMGR inhibitors, SGLT-2 inhibitors and incretins. Existing preclinical studies have primarily focused on LV diastolic performance, and this has been significantly improved by a wide spectrum of candidate therapeutic agents. Few experiments have investigated the normalization of pulmonary congestion, exercise capacity, animal mortality, or certain molecular hallmarks of heart disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The development of comprehensive preclinical HFpEF models, with multi-organ system phenotyping and physiologic stress-based functional testing, is needed for more successful translation of preclinical research to clinical trials.

Advances in Extraction, Purification, and Analysis Techniques of the Main Components of Kudzu Root: A Comprehensive Review

Kudzu root (Pueraria lobate (Willd.) Ohwi, KR) is an edible plant with rich nutritional and medicinal values. Over the past few decades, an ample variety of biological effects of Pueraria isoflavone have been evaluated. Evidence has shown that Pueraria isoflavone can play an active role in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, neuroprotection, and cardiovascular protection. Over 50 isoflavones in kudzu root have been identified, including puerarin, daidzein, daidzin, 3'-hydroxy puerarin, and genistein, each with unambiguous structures. However, the application of these isoflavones in the development of functional food and health food still depends on the extraction, purification and identification technology of Pueraria isoflavone. In recent years, many green and novel extraction, purification, and identification techniques have been developed for the preparation of Pueraria isoflavone. This review provides an updated overview of these techniques, specifically for isoflavones in KR since 2018, and also discusses and compares the advantages and disadvantages of these techniques in depth. The intention is to provide a research basis for the green and efficient extraction, purification, and identification of Pueraria isoflavone and offers investigators a valuable reference for future studies on the KR.

Protective effects and mechanism of puerarin targeting PI3K/Akt signal pathway on neurological diseases

Neurological diseases impose a tremendous and increasing burden on global health, and there is currently no curative agent. Puerarin, a natural isoflavone extracted from the dried root of Pueraria montana var. Lobata (Willd.) Sanjappa and Predeep, is an active ingredient with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and autophagy-regulating effects. It has great potential in the treatment of neurological and other diseases. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signal pathway is a crucial signal transduction mechanism that regulates biological processes such as cell regeneration, apoptosis, and cognitive memory in the central nervous system, and is closely related to the pathogenesis of nervous system diseases. Accumulating evidence suggests that the excellent neuroprotective effect of puerarin may be related to the regulation of the PI3K/Akt signal pathway. Here, we summarized the main biological functions and neuroprotective effects of puerarin via activating PI3K/Akt signal pathway in neurological diseases. This paper illustrates that puerarin, as a neuroprotective agent, can protect nerve cells and delay the progression of neurological diseases through the PI3K/Akt signal pathway.

Puerarin attenuates isoproterenol‑induced myocardial hypertrophy via inhibition of the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway

Myocardial hypertrophy (MH) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which in turn lead to arrhythmia or heart failure. Therefore, attention must be paid to formulation of therapeutic strategies for MH. Puerarin is a key bioactive ingredient isolated from Pueraria genera of plants that is beneficial for the treatment of MH. However, its molecular mechanism of action has not been fully determined. In the present study, 40 µM puerarin was demonstrated to be a safe dose for human AC16 cells using Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay. The protective effects of puerarin against MH were demonstrated in AC16 cells stimulated with isoproterenol (ISO). These effects were characterized by a significant decrease in surface area of cells (assessed using fluorescence staining) and mRNA and protein expression levels of MH‑associated biomarkers, including atrial and brain natriuretic peptide, assessed using reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR and western blotting, as well as β‑myosin heavy chain mRNA expression levels. Mechanistically, western blotting demonstrated that puerarin inhibited activation of the Wnt signaling pathway. Puerarin also significantly decreased phosphorylation of p65; this was mediated via crosstalk between the Wnt and NF‑κB signaling pathways. An inhibitor (Dickkopf‑1) and activator (IM‑12) of the Wnt signaling pathway were used to demonstrate that puerarin‑mediated effects alleviated ISO‑induced MH via the Wnt signaling pathway. The results of the present study demonstrated that puerarin pre‑treatment may be a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing ISO‑induced MH and managing MH in the future.

Effects of Puerarin on the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases

Puerarin, an isoflavone glycoside derived from Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi, has been identified as a pharmacologically active component with diverse benefits. A large number of experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated that puerarin is widely used in the treatment of a variety of diseases. Among them, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death in the world, and therefore remain one of the most prominent global public health concerns. In this review, we systematically analyze the preclinical investigations of puerarin in CVDs, such as atherosclerosis, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, diabetic cardiovascular complications, myocardial infarction, stroke and hypertension. In addition, the potential molecular targets of puerarin are also discussed. Furthermore, we summarize the clinical trails of puerarin in the treatment of CVDs. Finally, the therapeutic effects of puerarin derivatives and its drug delivery systems are overviewed.

Effects of puerarin on chronic inflammation: Focus on the heart, brain, and arteries

Age-associated increases in physical and mental stress, known as allostatic load, could lead to a chronic low-grade inflammation in the heart, brain, and arteries. This low-grade inflammation potentially contributes to adverse structural and functional remodeling, such as intimal medial thickening, endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffening, cardiac hypertrophy and ischemia, and cognitive decline. These cellular and tissue remodeling is the fertile soil for the development of age-associated structural and functional disorders in the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems in the pathogenesis of obesity, type II diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart dysfunction, and cognitive decline. Growing evidence indicates that puerarin, a polyphenol, extracted from Puerara Labota, efficiently alleviates the initiation and progression of obesity, type II diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, cardiac ischemia, cardiac arrythmia, cardiac hypertrophy, ischemic stroke, and cognition decline via suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation. This mini review focuses on recent advances in the effects of puerarin on the oxidative and inflammatory molecular, cellular, tissue events in the heart, brain, and arteries.

Cathelicidin-WA ameliorates diabetic cardiomyopathy by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome

Cathelicidin-WA (CWA) is a novel cathelicidin peptide isolated from snakes that has been suggested to exert anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of our study was to investigate whether cathelicidin-WA (CWA) could protect the heart from diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Streptozotocin (STZ) injection was used to establish a mouse model of DCM. CWA peptide (2 mg/kg or 8 mg/kg) was continuously administered to the mice from 10 weeks to 16 weeks after STZ injection. The mice in the DCM group exhibited cardiac dysfunction, while 8 mg/kg CWA ameliorated this cardiac dysfunction. Cardiac fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress as well as cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the DCM mice were decreased by treatment with 8 mg/kg CWA. We isolated neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and stimulated the cells with high glucose to establish an in vitro model of myocyte cell injury. Consistently, CWA inhibited high glucose-induced cell death, inflammation and oxidative stress in the myocytes. Moreover, CWA reduced the formation of the NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NRLP3) inflammasome by regulating thioredoxin-interacting protein expression and p65 activation. NLRP3 overexpression inhibited the beneficial effects of CWA on the heart during DCM and on high glucose-induced myocyte injury. In summary, CWA attenuates cardiac injury and preserves cardiac function during DCM by targeting the NLRP3 pathway.Abbreviations: AAV9: Adeno associated virus; AGE: Advanced Glycation End products; CWA: Cathelicidin-WA; DCM: diabetic cardiomyopathy; Gpx: glutathione peroxidase; HG: high glucose; IL: Interleukin; NLR: Family Pyrin Domain Containing 3 (NRLP3); TXNIP: Thioredoxin interacting protein; LVEF: left ventricular ejection fraction; MDA: Malondialdehyde; MnSOD: manganese superoxide dismutase; NADPH: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate; NAC: N-acetyl-cysteine; NRCMs: Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes; ROS: reactive oxygen species; STZ: Streptozotocin; TNFa: tumor necrosis factor a.

Ameliorated biomechanical properties of carotid arteries by puerarin in spontaneously hypertensive rats

BACKGROUND

An emerging body of evidence indicates that puerarin (PUE) plays an important role in the treatment of angina pectoris, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases, but how PUE affects the vascular remodeling of hypertensive rats has not been reported yet. This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of PUE on carotid arteries of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) to provide the basis for the clinical application of PUE.

METHODS

Thirty male SHR and six male Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) aged 3 months were used in this study, SHR rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, PUE(40 or 80 mg/kg/d, ip) and telmisartan (TELMI) (30 mg/kg/d, ig) were administrated for 3 months. We use DMT myography pressure-diameter system to investigate biomechanical properties of carotid arteries, 10 μM pan-classical transient receptor potential channels (TRPCs) inhibitor SKF96365, 200 nM specific TRPC6 inhibitor SAR7334 and 100 μM Orai1 inhibitor ANCOA4 were used in the mechanical test.

RESULTS

PUE can significantly decrease systolic and diastolic blood pressure, long-term administration of PUE resulted in a mild reduction of thickness and inner diameter of carotid artery. PUE ameliorate NE-response and vascular remodeling mainly through inhibiting TRPCs channel activities of VSMC.

CONCLUSION

PUE can ameliorate biomechanical remodeling of carotid arteries through inhibiting TRPCs channel activities of VSMC in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Puerarin ameliorated pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy in ovariectomized rats through activation of the PPARα/PGC-1 pathway

Estrogen deficiency induces cardiac dysfunction and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women and in those who underwent bilateral oophorectomy. Previous evidence suggests that puerarin, a phytoestrogen, exerts beneficial effects on cardiac function in patients with cardiac hypertrophy. In this study, we investigated whether puerarin could prevent cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling in ovariectomized, aortic-banded rats. Female SD rats subjected to bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) plus abdominal aortic constriction (AAC). The rats were treated with puerarin (50 mg·kg-1 ·d-1, ip) for 8 weeks. Then echocardiography was assessed, and the rats were sacrificed, their heart tissues were extracted and allocated for further experiments. We showed that puerarin administration significantly attenuated cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling in AAC-treated OVX rats, which could be attributed to activation of PPARα/PPARγ coactivator-1 (PGC-1) pathway. Puerarin administration significantly increased the expression of estrogen-related receptor α, nuclear respiratory factor 1, and mitochondrial transcription factor A in hearts. Moreover, puerarin administration regulated the expression of metabolic genes in AAC-treated OVX rats. Hypertrophic changes could be induced in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCM) in vitro by treatment with angiotensin II (Ang II, 1 μM), which was attenuated by co-treatemnt with puerarin (100 μM). We further showed that puerarin decreased Ang II-induced accumulation of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) and deletion of ATP, attenuated the Ang II-induced dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and improved the mitochondrial dysfunction in NRCM. Furthermore, addition of PPARα antagonist GW6471 (10 μM) partially abolished the anti-hypertrophic effects and metabolic effects of puerarin in NRCM. In conclusion, puerarin prevents cardiac hypertrophy in AAC-treated OVX rats through activation of PPARα/PGC-1 pathway and regulation of energy metabolism remodeling. This may provide a new approach to prevent the development of heart failure in postmenopausal women.

Corosolic acid ameliorates cardiac hypertrophy via regulating autophagy

Aim: In this work, we explored the role of corosolic acid (CRA) during pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Methods and results: Cardiac hypertrophy was induced in mice by aortic banding. Four weeks post-surgery, CRA-treated mice developed blunted cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and dysfunction, and showed increased LC3 II and p-AMPK expression. In line with the in vivo studies, CRA also inhibited the hypertrophic response induced by PE stimulation accompanying with increased LC3 II and p-AMPK expression. It was also found that CRA blunted cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and promoted autophagy in Angiotensin II (Ang II)-treated H9c2 cells. Moreover, to further verify whether CRA inhibits cardiac hypertrophy by the activation of autophagy, blockade of autophagy was achieved by CQ (an inhibitor of the fusion between autophagosomes and lysosomes) or 3-MA (an inhibitor of autophagosome formation). It was found that autophagy inhibition counteracts the protective effect of CRA on cardiac hypertrophy. Interestingly, AMPK knockdown with AMPKα2 siRNA-counteracted LC3 II expression increase and the hypertrophic response inhibition caused by CRA in PE-treated H9c2 cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that CRA may protect against cardiac hypertrophy through regulating AMPK-dependent autophagy.

Puerarin inhibits Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG-HS)-induced inflammation and apoptosis via suppressing the TLR6/MyD88/NF-κB signal pathway in chicken

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is the primary etiological agent of chicken chronic respiratory disease (CRD), which mainly causes inflammatory damage of the host respiratory system. Previous studies suggest that puerarin (PUE) plays a pivotal regulatory role in inflammatory diseases, whereas the impacts of PUE on MG-induced inflammation remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of PUE on MG-HS infection in vitro and in vivo and indicated its potential therapeutic and preventive value. Experimental results showed that PUE significantly suppressed pMGA1.2 expression, promoted MG-infected cell proliferation and cell cycle process by reducing apoptosis. Histopathological examination of lung tissue showed severe histopathological lesions including thickened alveolar walls, narrowed alveolar cavity, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the MG-infected chicken group. However, PUE treatment significantly ameliorated MG-induced pathological damage in lung. Compared to the MG-infected group, PUE effectively inhibited the expression of MG-induced inflammatory genes, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), toll-like receptor 6 (TLR6), myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Moreover, PUE dose-dependently inhibited MG-induced NF-κB p65 to enter the cell nucleus. In conclusion, our findings indicate that PUE treatment can efficiently inhibit MG-induced inflammatory response and apoptosis, and protect the lung from MG infection-induced damage by inhibiting the TLR6/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway activation. The study suggests that PUE may be a potential anti-inflammatory agent defense againstMGinfection in chicken.

Protective effect of puerarin against burn-induced heart injury in rats

The present study evaluated the potential protective effects of puerarin and its associated mechanism on burn-induced myocardial damage. A total of 40 healthy adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: i) Sham; ii) burn; iii) burn + puerarin; and iv) puerarin. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-6 were measured using ELISA. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined in myocardial homogenates using a commercial assay kit. TUNEL staining and western blot analysis of cleaved and pro-caspase-3 were also performed to assess apoptosis. Activation of p38-MAPK, ERK, JNK and AKT were measured using western blot analysis. Left ventricular systolic pressure, maximum rates of increase/decrease in left ventricular pressure, creatine kinase MB activity and cardiac troponin T levels were found to be altered in the burn group 12 h after burn, which were reversed by puerarin treatment. Injection of puerarin following burn injury also reduced heart water content. Serum levels of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly higher in the burn group compared with those in the sham group. Puerarin treatment reduced serum levels of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6, in addition to reducing MPO activity and MDA levels in myocardial tissues. Puerarin inhibited the activation of caspase-3, p38, ERK and JNK following severe burn, but elevated Akt activation following severe burn. In conclusion, puerarin improved cardiac function in rats following severe burn injury, which may be due to reduced myocardial injury, inhibition of cardiomyocyte apoptosis and reduced oxidative inflammatory stress; the MAPK and AKT signaling pathways are proposed to the underlying mechanism of these findings.

Systems Pharmacology-Based Strategy to Investigate Pharmacological Mechanisms of Radix Puerariae for Treatment of Hypertension

Hypertension is a clinical cardiovascular syndrome characterized by elevated systemic arterial pressure with or without multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Radix Pueraria (RP) has the effects of anti-myocardial ischemia, anti-arrhythmia, vasodilatation, blood pressure reduction, anti-inflammation, and attenuating insulin resistance. Although RP can be effective for the treatment of hypertension, its active compounds, drug targets, and exact molecular mechanism are still unclear. In this study, systems pharmacology was used to analyze the active compounds, drug target genes, and key pathways of RP in the treatment of hypertension. Thirteen active compounds and related information on RP were obtained from the TCMSP database, and 140 overlapping genes related to hypertension and drugs were obtained from the GeneCards and OMIM databases. A PPI network and a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) comprehensive network (Drug-Compounds-Genes-Disease network) were constructed, and 2,246 GO terms and 157 pathways were obtained by GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Some important active compounds and targets were evaluated by in vitro experiments. This study shows that RP probably acts by influencing the proliferation module, apoptosis module, inflammation module, and others when treating hypertension. This study provides novel insights for researchers to systematically explore the mechanism of action of TCM.

Micelles Loaded With Puerarin And Modified With Triphenylphosphonium Cation Possess Mitochondrial Targeting And Demonstrate Enhanced Protective Effect Against Isoprenaline-Induced H9c2 Cells Apoptosis

Background

The protective role of puerarin (PUE) against myocardial infarction is closely related to its regulation on mitochondria. However, free PUE can hardly reach the mitochondria of ischemic cardiomyocytes due to the lack of mitochondrial targeting of PUE. Here PUE was loaded into mitochondria-targeted micelles (PUE@TPP/PEG-PE) for precisely delivering PUE into mitochondria with the aim of enhancing the anti-apoptosis effect.

Methods

The mitochondriotropic polymer TPP-PEG-PE was synthesized for the preparation of PUE@TPP/PEG-PE micelles modified with triphenylphosphonium (TPP) cation. The physicochemical properties and anti-apoptosis effect of PUE@TPP/PEG-PE micelles were investigated. The coumarin 6 (C6)-labeled TPP/PEG-PE (C6@TPP/PEG-PE) micelles were used to observe the enhanced cellular uptake, mitochondrial targeting and lysosomes escape. Moreover, in vivo and ex vivo biodistribution of lipophilic near-infrared dye 1,1ʹ-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3ʹ-tetramethylindotricarbocyanine iodide (DiR)-labeled PUE@TPP/PEG-PE (DiR@TPP/PEG-PE) micelles were detected through fluorescence imaging.

Results

The successful synthesis of TPP-PEG-PE conjugate was confirmed. PUE@TPP/PEG-PE micelles had a particle size of 17.1 nm, a zeta potential of −6.2 mV, and a sustained-release behavior. The in vitro results showed that the intracellular uptake of C6@TPP/PEG-PE micelles was significantly enhanced in H9c2 cells. C6@TPP/PEG-PE micelles could deliver C6 to mitochondria and reduce the capture of lysosomes. In addition, compared with the PUE@PEG-PE micelles and free PUE, the PUE@TPP/PEG-PE micelles exerted an enhanced protective effect against isoprenaline-induced H9c2 cell apoptosis, as evident by the decreased percentage of apoptotic cells, Caspase-3 activity, ROS level, Bax expression, and increased Bcl-2 expression. The in vivo detecting results of the targeting effect using DiR probe also indicated that TPP/PEG-PE micelles could accumulate and retain in the ischemic myocardium.

Conclusion

The results of this study demonstrate the promising potential of applying PUE@TPP/PEG-PE micelles in mitochondria-targeted drug delivery to achieve maximum therapeutic effects of PUE.

Puerarin Exerts Protective Effects on Wear Particle-Induced Inflammatory Osteolysis

Wear particle-stimulated inflammatory bone destruction and the consequent aseptic loosening remain major postoperative problems for artificial joints. Studies have indicated that puerarin promotes osteogenesis and alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro. However, the underlying molecular mechanism by which puerarin interacts with receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-mediated osteoclast formation in vitro and wear particle-stimulated osteolysis in vivo has not been reported. In this work, the protective effects exerted by puerarin on titanium particle-stimulated bone destruction in vivo and on RANKL-induced osteoclast activation in osteoclastic precursor cells in vitro were investigated. As expected, puerarin significantly inhibited wear particle-mediated bone resorption and proinflammatory cytokine productions in a calvarial resorption model. Additionally, puerarin inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast activation, bone resorption ability, and F-actin ring formation in vitro as puerarin concentration increased. Furthermore, mechanistic investigation indicated that reduced RANKL-stimulated MEK/ERK/NFATc1 signaling cascades might regulate the protective effect of puerarin. Conclusively, these results indicate that puerarin, a type of polyphenol, might serve as a protective agent to prevent osteoclast-related osteolytic diseases.

Borneol and Α-asarone as adjuvant agents for improving blood-brain barrier permeability of puerarin and tetramethylpyrazine by activating adenosine receptors

Puerarin (PUE) and tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) are central nervous system (CNS) drugs used in cerebrovascular diseases. Poor brain–blood barrier (BBB) permeability limited their clinical application. Borneol and α-asarone have been proposed as an oral brain-targeting enhancer. In this study, we aimed to first evaluate the ‘orifice-opening’ effect of borneol and α-asarone, both aromatic resuscitation drugs, on improvement of brain delivery of PUE and TMP and second to investigate whether the enhancing effects were associated with adenosine receptors (ARs)-mediated trans-BBB pathway. In vitro BBB model was established and borneol and α-asarone significantly increased the cumulative amount of permeated PUE and TMP and the enhancing effects could be counteracted by AR inhibitors. Borneol and α-asarone could decrease expression of ZO-1, an important BBB junction protein, but inversely increase the expression of A₁AR and A_2AAR. In vivo pharmacokinetic study also confirmed that oral co-administration of borneol or α-asarone significantly increased AUC_brain for PUE and TMP. These results suggested that borneol and α-asarone are both effective adjuvant agents for delivery of PUE and TMP to the brain.

Comparison among Activities and Isoflavonoids from Pueraria thunbergiana Aerial Parts and Root

Kudzu (Pueraria thunbergiana Benth.) has long been used as a food and medicine for many centuries. The root is the most commonly used portion of the plant, but the aerial parts are occasionally used as well. In this study, we investigated the constituent compounds and biological activities of the aerial parts, leaves, stems, and sprouts, and compared their constituents and activities with those of roots. Leaf extract showed a significantly higher TPC level at 59 ± 1.6 mg/g and lower free radical scavenging (FRS) values under 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), and NO inhibition at 437 ± 11, 121 ± 6.6 μg/mL and 107 ± 4.9 μg/mL, respectively, than those of sprout, stem, and root extract. Leaf extract also significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The main components of leaf extract were found to be genistin and daidzin. This study suggests that the leaves of kudzu are a good source of biological activities and isoflavones that can be used in functional or medicinal foods and cosmetics for the prevention or treatment of diseases related to inflammation and oxidative stress.

Innate Immune Signaling and Its Role in Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases

The innate immune system is an evolutionarily conserved system that senses and defends against infection and irritation. Innate immune signaling is a complex cascade that quickly recognizes infectious threats through multiple germline-encoded cell surface or cytoplasmic receptors and transmits signals for the deployment of proper countermeasures through adaptors, kinases, and transcription factors, resulting in the production of cytokines. As the first response of the innate immune system to pathogenic signals, inflammatory responses must be rapid and specific to establish a physical barrier against the spread of infection and must subsequently be terminated once the pathogens have been cleared. Long-lasting and low-grade chronic inflammation is a distinguishing feature of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, which are currently major public health problems. Cardiometabolic stress-induced inflammatory responses activate innate immune signaling, which directly contributes to the development of cardiometabolic diseases. Additionally, although the innate immune elements are highly conserved in higher-order jawed vertebrates, lower-grade jawless vertebrates lack several transcription factors and inflammatory cytokine genes downstream of the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs) pathways, suggesting that innate immune signaling components may additionally function in an immune-independent way. Notably, recent studies from our group and others have revealed that innate immune signaling can function as a vital regulator of cardiometabolic homeostasis independent of its immune function. Therefore, further investigation of innate immune signaling in cardiometabolic systems may facilitate the discovery of new strategies to manage the initiation and progression of cardiometabolic disorders, leading to better treatments for these diseases. In this review, we summarize the current progress in innate immune signaling studies and the regulatory function of innate immunity in cardiometabolic diseases. Notably, we highlight the immune-independent effects of innate immune signaling components on the development of cardiometabolic disorders.

Effects of three flavonoids from an ancient traditional Chinese medicine Radix puerariae on geriatric diseases

As the worldwide population ages, the morbidity of neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and endocrine diseases, such as diabetes and osteoporosis, continues to increase. The etiology of geriatric diseases is complex, involving the interaction of genes and the environment, which makes effective treatment challenging. Traditional Chinese medicine, unlike Western medicine, uses diverse bioactive ingredients to target multiple signaling pathways in geriatric diseases. Radix puerariae is one of the most widely used ancient traditional Chinese medicines and is also consumed as food. This review summarizes the evidence from in vivo and in vitro studies of the pharmacological effects of the main active components of the tuber of Radix puerariae on geriatric diseases.

Puerarin-loaded PEG-PE micelles with enhanced anti-apoptotic effect and better pharmacokinetic profile

Puerarin (PUE) is the most abundant isoflavonoid in kudzu root. It is widely used as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, the short elimination half-life, poor-bioavailability, and acute intravascular hemolysis of PUE are the main obstacles to its widespread clinical applications. Whereas PEG-PE micelles possess the ability to release medicine slowly, enhance the cellular uptake of drugs and improve their biocompatibility. Therefore, it was aim to fabricate puerarin-loaded PEG-PE (PUE@PEG-PE) micelles to improve the pharmaceutical properties of drugs. It can be observed from the TEM images that PUE@PEG-PE micelles appeared obvious core-shell structure and remained well-dispersed without aggregation and adhesion. PUE was successfully embedded in the core of PEG-PE micelles, which was confirmed by FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectra. In vitro studies showed that PUE@PEG-PE micelles exhibited a sustained release behavior in pH 7.4 PBS buffer and decreased hemolysis rate of PUE. Compared with PUE, PUE@PEG-PE micelles showed a 3.2-fold increase in the half-life of PUE and a 1.58-fold increase in bioavailability. In addition, the PUE@PEG-PE micelles exerted enhanced protective effect against isoprenaline-induced H9c2 cells apoptosis compared with PUE, as evident by decreased percentage of Hoechst-positive cells, Caspase 3 activity, Bax expression, and increased Bcl-2 expression. Notably, the PEG-PE micelles exhibited favorable cellular uptake efficiency on H9c2 cells, and this may account for their enhanced anti-apoptotic effect of the incorporated drug. Altogether, the PUE@PEG-PE micelles were not only able to control the drug release but also offered promise to enhance the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic potential of PUE.

A combination of astragaloside I, levistilide A and calycosin exerts anti-liver fibrosis effects in vitro and in vivo

Liver fibrosis is excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins that results from various chronic liver diseases. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play an essential role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) is a classic formula of Chinese traditional medicine. We previously showed that DBT could ameliorate liver fibrosis in rats. However, the bioactive components of DBT in the treatment of liver fibrosis remain unknown. In this study we evaluated 14 ingredients from DBT in human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2, and found that astragaloside I (A), levistilide A (L) and calycosin (C) produced synergistic proliferation inhibition on LX-2 cells and TGF-β1-activated LX-2 cells. Thus, we prepared a mixture of them, and named this combination as ALC formula. Using high-content screening and Western blot assay we revealed that the ALC formula significantly reduced the expression of α-SMA and collagen I in LX-2 cells. The in vivo anti-fibrosis effects of ALC formula were evaluated in a liver fibrosis model in C57BL/6 mice established through injection of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN 2 mg/kg, ip) for 4 weeks. In the third week, the nice were injected with ALC formula (astragaloside I 44.21 mg/kg per day, levistilide A 6 mg/kg per day and calycosin 3.45 mg/kg per day; ip) or sorafenib, a positive control drug (6 mg/kg per day, ip) for 2 weeks. We found that administration of the ALC formula markedly decreased collagen deposition, hydroxyproline (Hyp) content and α-SMA expression levels in the liver tissues compared to the model mice. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates for the first time that astragaloside I, levistilide A and calycosin may be the 3 main bioactive components in DBT; their combination exerts anti-liver fibrosis effects in vitro and in vivo.

Contributions of Nrf2 to Puerarin Prevention of Cardiac Hypertrophy and its Metabolic Enzymes Expression in Rats

Previous evidence has suggested that puerarin may attenuate cardiac hypertrophy; however, the potential mechanisms have not been determined. Moreover, the use of puerarin is limited by severe adverse events, including intravascular hemolysis. This study used a rat model of abdominal aortic constriction (AAC)-induced cardiac hypertrophy to evaluate the potential mechanisms underlying the attenuating efficacy of puerarin on cardiac hypertrophy, as well as the metabolic mechanisms of puerarin involved. We confirmed that puerarin (50 mg/kg per day) significantly attenuated cardiac hypertrophy, upregulated Nrf2, and decreased Keap1 in the myocardium. Moreover, puerarin significantly promoted Nrf2 nuclear accumulation in parallel with the upregulated downstream proteins, including heme oxygenase 1, glutathione transferase P1, and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1. Similar results were obtained in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) treated with angiotensin II (Ang II; 1 μM) and puerarin (100 μM), whereas the silencing of Nrf2 abolished the antihypertrophic effects of puerarin. The mRNA and protein levels of UGT1A1 and UGT1A9, enzymes for puerarin metabolism, were significantly increased in the liver and heart tissues of AAC rats and Ang II-treated NRCMs. Interestingly, the silencing of Nrf2 attenuated the puerarin-induced upregulation of UGT1A1 and UGT1A9. The results of chromatin immunoprecipitation-quantitative polymerase chain reaction indicated that the binding of Nrf2 to the promoter region of Ugt1a1 or Ugt1a9 was significantly enhanced in puerarin-treated cardiomyocytes. These results suggest that Nrf2 is the key regulator of antihypertrophic effects and upregulation of the metabolic enzymes UGT1A1 and UGT1A9 of puerarin. The autoregulatory circuits between puerarin and Nrf2-induced UGT1A1/1A9 are beneficial to attenuate adverse effects and maintain the pharmacologic effects of puerarin.

Nrf2 Is a Key Regulator on Puerarin Preventing Cardiac Fibrosis and Upregulating Metabolic Enzymes UGT1A1 in Rats

Puerarin is an isoflavone isolated from Radix puerariae. Emerging evidence shown that puerarin possesses therapeutic benefits that aid in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we evaluated the effects of puerarin on oxidative stress and cardiac fibrosis induced by abdominal aortic banding (AB) and angiotensin II (AngII). We also investigated the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. The results of histopathological analysis, as well as measurements of collagen expression and cardiac fibroblast proliferation indicated that puerarin administration significantly inhibited cardiac fibrosis induced by AB and AngII. These effects of puerarin may reflect activation of Nrf2/ROS pathway. This hypothesis is supported by observed decreases of reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreases Keap 1, increases Nrf2 expression and nuclear translocation, and decreases of collagen expressions in cardiac fibroblasts treated with a combination of puerarin and AngII. Inhibition of Nrf2 with specific Nrf2 siRNA or Nrf2 inhibitor brusatol attenuated anti-fibrotic and anti-oxidant effects of puerarin. The metabolic effects of puerarin were mediated by Nrf2 through upregulation of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1. The Nrf2 agonist tBHQ upregulated protein expression of UGT1A1 over time in cardiac fibroblasts. Treatment with Nrf2 siRNA or brusatol dramatically decreased UGT1A1 expression in puerarin-treated fibroblasts. The results of chromatin immunoprecipitation–qPCR further confirmed that puerarin significantly increased binding of Nrf2 to the promoter region of Ugt1a1. Western blot analysis showed that puerarin significantly inhibited AngII-induced phosphorylation of p38-MAPK. A specific inhibitor of p38-MAPK, SB203580, decreased collagen expression, and ROS generation induced by AngII in cardiac fibroblast. Together, these results suggest that puerarin prevents cardiac fibrosis via activation of Nrf2 and inactivation of p38-MAPK. Nrf2 is the key regulator of anti-fibrotic effects and upregulates metabolic enzymes UGT1A1. Autoregulatory circuits between puerarin and Nrf2-regulated UGT1A1 attenuates side effects associated with treatment, but it does not weaken puerarin’s pharmacological effects.

Puerarin protects against heart failure induced by pressure overload through mitigation of ferroptosis

Heart failure (HF) is the end stage of cardiovascular disease and is characterized by the loss of myocytes caused by cell death. Puerarin has been found to improve HF clinically, and animal study findings have confirmed its anti-cell-death properties. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, especially with respect to the impact on ferroptosis, a newly defined mechanism of iron-dependent non-apoptotic cell death in HF. Here, ferroptosis-like cell death was observed in erastin- or isoprenaline (ISO)-treated H9c2 myocytes in vitro and in rats with aortic banding inducing HF, characterized by reduced cell viability with increased lipid peroxidation and labile iron pool. Interestingly, the increased iron overload and lipid peroxidation observed in either rats with HF or H9c2 cells incubated with ISO were significantly blocked by puerarin administration. These results provide compelling evidence that puerarin plays a role in inhibiting myocyte loss during HF, partly through ferroptosis mitigation, suggesting a new mechanism of puerarin as a potential therapy for HF.

Orientin Reduces Myocardial Infarction Size via eNOS/NO Signaling and Thus Mitigates Adverse Cardiac Remodeling

Orientin is a flavonoid extracted from Chinese traditional herb, Polygonum orientale L. Previous study has reported that orientin protected myocardial from ischemia reperfusion injury. However, whether orientin could protect against cardiac remodeling after myocardial injury remains unclear. The aim of our study is to investigate the effects of orientin in the progression of cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Mice cardiac remodeling model was established by left coronary artery ligation surgery. Experimental groups were as follows: vehicle-sham, orientin-sham, vehicle-MI, and orientin-MI. Animals were treated with vehicle or orientin (40 mg/kg) for 25 days starting 3 days after surgery. After 4 weeks of MI, mice with orientin treatment had decreased mortality and improved cardiac function. Significantly, at 4 weeks post-MI, orientin treatment decreased fibrosis, inflammatory response, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, orientin treatment attenuated the hypoxia-induced neonatal rat cardiomyocyte apoptosis and increased cell viability. Additionally, orientin supplementation mitigated oxidative stress in remodeling heart tissue and cardiomyocytes exposed to hypoxia as measured by 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate fluorescent probe. Mechanistically, orientin promotes cardioprotection by activating the eNOS/NO signaling cascades, which was confirmed by eNOS inhibitor (L-NAME) in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of oxidative stress by orientin via eNOS/NO signaling cascades in the heart may represent a potential therapy for cardiac remodeling.

Puerarin Suppresses Na+-K+-ATPase-Mediated Systemic Inflammation and CD36 Expression, and Alleviates Cardiac Lipotoxicity In Vitro and In Vivo

Puerarin, a type of isoflavone, was shown to have multiple protective effects on myocardial injury. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of puerarin in the progression of lipotoxic cardiomyopathy. Primary cardiomyocytes were isolated from FATP1 transgenic (Tg) mice with lipotoxic cardiomyopathy, and various concentrations of puerarin were used to incubate with the cardiomyocytes. Our results showed low-dose puerarin (≤20 μM) treatment increased the cell viability and decreased the accumulation of free fatty acid (FFA). The data on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay indicated that 15 μM puerarin treatment greatly increased Na-K-ATPase activity and decreased C-reactive protein secretion, thus suppressing the expression of CD36, a key contributor to the FFA accumulation. Additionally, low-dose puerarin (≤100 mg/kg body weight) administration improved Na-K-ATPase activity. Our data on serum analysis and histological detection in vivo indicated that systemic inflammation, CD36-induced lipid infiltration, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis were markedly alleviated in Tg mice injected with 90 mg/kg dose of puerarin. Finally, the uptake rates of H-palmitate and C-glucose were monitored on ex vivo working hearts that were obtained from wild-type (WT), Tg-control, and Tg-puerarin mice. Compared with WT hearts, Tg hearts displayed a significant decrease in Na/K-ATPase activity and glucose consumption rate and an increase in palmitate uptake rate and FFA accumulation. In Tg-puerarin hearts, Na/K-ATPase activity and glucose consumption rate were significantly rescued, and palmitate uptake and FFA accumulation were sharply suppressed. In conclusion, low-dose puerarin suppressed Na-K-ATPase-mediated CD36 expression and systemic inflammation and alleviated cardiac lipotoxicity in vitro and in vivo.

Zinc-finger protein 418 overexpression protects against cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis

Background

This study aimed to investigated the effect and mechanism of zinc-finger protein 418 (ZNF418) on cardiac hypertrophy caused by aortic banding (AB), phenylephrine (PE) or angiotensin II (Ang II) in vivo and in vitro.

Methods

The expression of ZNF418 in hearts of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and AB-induced cardiac hypertrophy mice, as well as in Ang II- or PE-induced hypertrophic primary cardiomyocytes was detected by western blotting. Then, the expression of ZNF418 was up-regulated or down-regulated in AB-induced cardiac hypertrophy mice and Ang II -induced hypertrophic primary cardiomyocytes. The hypertrophic responses and fibrosis were evaluated by echocardiography and histological analysis. The mRNA levels of hypertrophy markers and fibrotic markers were detected by RT-qPCR. Furthermore, the phosphorylation and total levels of c-Jun were measured by western blotting.

Results

ZNF418 was markedly down-regulated in hearts of cardiac hypertrophy and hypertrophic primary cardiomyocytes. Down-regulated ZNF418 exacerbated the myocyte size and fibrosis, moreover increased the mRNA levels of ANP, BNP, β-MHC, MCIP1.4, collagen 1a, collagen III, MMP-2 and fibronection in hearts of AB-treated ZNF418 knockout mice or Ang II-treated cardiomyocytes with AdshZNF418. Conversely, these hypertrophic responses were reduced in the ZNF418 transgenic (TG) mice treated by AB and the AdZNF418-transfected primary cardiomyocytes treated by Ang II. Additionally, the deficiency of ZNF418 enhanced the phosphorylation level of c-jun, and overexpression of ZNF418 suppressed the phosphorylation level of c-jun in vivo and in vitro.

Conclusion

ZNF418 maybe attenuate hypertrophic responses by inhibiting the activity of c-jun/AP-1.

Puerarin attenuates the daunorubicin-induced apoptosis of H9c2 cells by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway via the inhibition of Ca2+ influx

Puerarin extracted from Radix Puerariae is well known for its pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory, neuroprotective and cardioprotective properties. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of puerarin on the daunorubicin (DNR)-induced apoptosis of H9c2 cells and to elucidate the potential mechanisms involved. MTT assay and flow cytometry were performed to evaluate cell cytotoxicity and apoptosis, respectively. Western blot analysis was used to assess changes in the expression levels of proteins, including caspase-3, Akt and phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt). Ratiometric imaging of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) using cells loaded with Fura-2 was also carried out. Our results revealed that puerarin pre-treatment protected the H9c2 cells against DNR-induced cytotoxicity by inhibiting cell apoptosis, which was also confirmed by the decrease in the expression of cleaved caspase-3. Additionally, p-Akt activation was associated with the suppressive effects of puerarin. Following pre-treatment with puerarin, the extracellular Ca2+ influx was restrained and this resulted in a reduction in the intracellular Ca2+ levels; these effects were abrogated by LY294002 [an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)]. The inhibition of Ca2+ influx suggested that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway participated in the suppressive effects of puerarin against H9c2 cell apoptosis. Taken togher, our findings demonstrate that puerarin attenuates the DNR-induced apoptosis of H9c2 cells by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway via the inhibition of Ca2+ influx, suggesting that puerarin may be a potential cardioprotective agent for use in the clinical treatment of cardiomyopathy triggered by DNR.

Puerarin Improves Vascular Insulin Resistance and Cardiovascular Remodeling in Salt-Sensitive Hypertension

Puerarin is an isoflavonoid isolated from the Chinese herb, Kudzu roots (also known as Gegen), which has been widely used for the treatment of hypertensive diseases and diabetic mellitus in traditional Chinese medicine. Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rat is a genetic model of salt-sensitive hypertension with cardiovascular injury and vascular insulin resistance. Here, we investigated whether puerarin improved vascular insulin resistance and attenuated cardiac and aortic remodeling in salt-sensitive hypertension. DS rats were given a normal (NS) or high salt diet (HS) for five weeks. An additional group of DS rats was pretreated with puerarin and NS for 10 days, then switched to HS plus puerarin for five weeks. HS for five weeks increased systolic blood pressure (SBP), cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, and aortic hypertrophy with increased the expression of phosphor-ERK1/2 in the aorta and heart; puerarin attenuated cardiac and aortic hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis and phosphor-ERK1/2 with a mild reduction in SBP. Hypertensive rats also manifested impairment of acetylcholine- and insulin-mediated vasorelaxation and insulin-mediated Akt and eNOS phosphorylation associated with the activation of NF[Formula: see text]B/TNF[Formula: see text]/JNK pathway. Puerarin improved acetylcholine- and insulin-mediated vasorelaxation and insulin-stimulated Akt/NO signaling with the inhibition of the NF[Formula: see text]B inflammatory pathway. Our results demonstrated that in salt-sensitive hypertension, puerarin improved vascular insulin action with cardiovascular beneficial effects. Our results found that the underlying mechanisms may involve its inhibition of NF[Formula: see text]B/JNK and ERK1/2 pathway. These results suggest that puerarin could be used as a new antihypertensive agent to expand our armamentarium for the prevention and treatment of end-organ damage in individuals with hypertension and metabolic diseases.

Puerarin induces cell apoptosis in human chondrosarcoma cell line SW1353 via inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Chondrosarcoma is a malignant soft tissue sarcoma with poor prognosis. Puerarin has been demonstrated to possess anticancer properties; however, the effects of puerarin in human chondrosarcoma cells remain unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the anticancer effects of puerarin in SW1353 human chondrosarcoma cells. SW1353 cells were treated with increasing concentrations of puerarin for different durations. Cell viability was evaluated using MTT assays. Cell apoptosis rates were determined by flow cytometry. The activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were measured by enzymatic assay. The expression of RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (Akt), phosphorylated-Akt, caspase-3 and apoptosis-associated proteins, including B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were detected by western blotting. Puerarin significantly decreased cell viability and significantly induced apoptosis of SW1353 cells. In addition, puerarin significantly increased the enzymatic activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9. Puerarin treatment suppressed the expression of p-Akt and Bcl-2 but promoted the expression of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 in SW1353 cells. Notably, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 abrogated the decreased phosphorylation of Akt, suggesting that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is involved in mediating the anticancer effects of puerarin. The data from the present study indicated that puerarin exhibits anticancer effects in SW1353 cells and may be a potential therapeutic drug for patients with chondrosarcoma.

Pterostilbene reduces oxidative stress, prevents hypertrophy and preserves systolic function of right ventricle in cor pulmonale model

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In cor pulmonale, the increased afterload imposed on the right ventricle (RV) generates a maladaptive response, impairing the contractile cardiac function. Oxidative mechanisms play an important role in the pathophysiology and progression of this disease. The administration of pterostilbene (PTS), a phytophenol with antioxidant potential, may represent a therapeutic option. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of PTS complexed with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) on hypertrophy, contractile function and oxidative parameters in the RV of rats with pulmonary hypertension, induced by the administration of monocrotaline (MCT).

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

The rats received daily doses of the PTS : HPβCD complex at 25, 50 or 100 mg·kg^-1 , p.o., for 14 days. The diastolic function, E/A ratio, and systolic function, shortening fraction, fractional area change (FAC) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) of the RV were determined by echocardiography.

KEY RESULTS

The PTS : HPβCD complex reduced the production of NADPH oxidase-dependent superoxide anions and oxidative stress in the RV of MCT-treated rats in a dose-dependent manner. At higher doses it prevented the reduction in FAC and TAPSE in MCT-treated animals.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The PTS : HPβCD complex prevented the maladaptative remodelling and protected systolic function in the RV of rats with pulmonary hypertension. These cardioprotective mechanisms may be related, in part, to the antioxidant potential of PTS, favoured by the increased p.o. bioavailability promoted by the presence of HPβCD in the complex.

Puerarin prevents tumor necrosis factor-α-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells via activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), a potential proinflammatory cytokine, is an important component involved in neuronal apoptosis associated with neuroinflammation in the central nervous system. It has been reported that puerarin possesses pharmacological effects, such as anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, anti-osteoporosis, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective and neuroprotective actions. The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of puerarin on apoptosis induced by TNF-α (3×10⁵ U/l) and its detailed mechanisms in PC12 cells. MTT and flow cytometric assays were performed to evaluate cell cytotoxicity and apoptosis, respectively. An enzymatic assay was used to detect the activity of caspase-3 and caspase-9. Western blot analysis was performed to assess changes in the levels of proteins, including B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), caspase-3, Akt and phosphorylated Akt. The results showed that puerarin (25 and 50 µM) significantly suppressed TNF-α-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells. The TNF-α-induced in crease in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was markedly inhibited by pre-treatment with puerarin for 2 h. In addition, puerarin decreased the level of TNF-α-induced cleaved caspase-3. Furthermore, puerarin inhibited the TNF-α-induced decrease in the phosphorylation of Akt, which was abolished by LY294002, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, suggesting that the PI3K/Akt pathway participated in the suppressive effect of puerarin. Taken together, these findings indicated that puerarin prevented TNF-α-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells via activating of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, suggesting that puerarin may be a potential neuroprotective drug in the clinical treatment of neuroinflammation via anti-apoptotic mechanisms.

Puerarin Protects against Cardiac Fibrosis Associated with the Inhibition of TGF-β1/Smad2-Mediated Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition

Background

Puerarin is a kind of flavonoids and is extracted from Chinese herb Kudzu root. Puerarin is widely used as an adjuvant therapy in Chinese clinics. But little is known about its effects on regulating cardiac fibrosis.

Methods

Mice were subjected to transverse aorta constriction (TAC) for 8 weeks; meanwhile puerarin was given 1 week after TAC. Cardiac fibrosis was assessed by pathological staining. The mRNA and protein changes of CD31 and vimentin in both animal and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) models were detected. Immunofluorescence colocalization of CD31 and vimentin and scratch test were carried out to examine TGF-β1-induced changes in HUVECs. The agonist and antagonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) were used to explore the underlying mechanism.

Results

Puerarin mitigated TAC-induced cardiac fibrosis, accompanied with suppressed endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). The consistent results were achieved in HUVECs model. TGF-β1/Smad2 signaling pathway was blunted and PPAR-γ expression was upregulated in puerarin-treated mice and HUVECs. Pioglitazone could reproduce the protective effect in HUVECs, while GW9662 reversed this effect imposed by puerarin.

Conclusion

Puerarin protected against TAC-induced cardiac fibrosis, and this protective effect may be attributed to the upregulation of PPAR-γ and the inhibition of TGF-β1/Smad2-mediated EndMT.

The Effects of Puerarin on Rat Ventricular Myocytes and the Potential Mechanism

Puerarin, a known isoflavone, is commonly found as a Chinese herb medicine. It is widely used in China to treat cardiac diseases such as angina, cardiac infarction and arrhythmia. However, its cardioprotective mechanism remains unclear. In this study, puerarin significantly prolonged ventricular action potential duration (APD) with a dosage dependent manner in the micromolar range on isolated rat ventricular myocytes. However, submicromolar puerarin had no effect on resting membrane potential (RMP), action potential amplitude (APA) and maximal velocity of depolarization (Vmax) of action potential. Only above the concentration of 10 mM, puerarin exhibited more aggressive effect on action potential, and shifted RMP to the positive direction. Millimolar concentrations of puerarin significantly inhibited inward rectified K⁺ channels in a dosage dependent manner, and exhibited bigger effects upon Kir2.1 vs Kir2.3 in transfected HEK293 cells. As low as micromolar range concentrations of puerarin significantly inhibited Kv7.1 and IKs. These inhibitory effects may due to the direct inhibition of puerarin upon channels not via the PKA-dependent pathway. These results provided direct preclinical evidence that puerarin prolonged APD via its inhibitory effect upon Kv7.1 and IKs, contributing to a better understanding the mechanism of puerarin cardioprotection in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Puerarin protects against cadmium-induced proximal tubular cell apoptosis by restoring mitochondrial function

Puerarin (PU) is a potent free radical scavenger with a protective effect in nephrotoxin-mediated oxidative damage. Here, we show a novel molecular mechanism by which PU exerts its anti-apoptotic effects in cadmium (Cd)-exposed primary rat proximal tubular (rPT) cells. Morphological assessment and flow cytometric analysis revealed that PU significantly decreased Cd-induced apoptotic cell death of rPT cells. Administration of PU protected cells against Cd-induced depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and lipid peroxidation. Cd-mediated mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening, disruption of mitochondrial ultrastructure, mitochondrial cytochrome c (cyt-c) release, caspase-3 activation and subsequently poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage could be effectively blocked by the addition of PU. Moreover, up-regulation of Bcl-2 and down-regulation of Bax and hence increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio were observed with the PU administration. In addition, PU reversed Cd-induced ATP depletion by restoring ΔΨm to affect ATP production and by regulating expression levels of ANT-1 and ANT-2 to improve ATP transport. In summary, PU inhibited Cd-induced apoptosis in rPT cells by ameliorating the mitochondrial dysfunction.

Suppressive Effects of Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide on Cardiac Hypertrophy and Fibrosis in Angiotensin II-Infused Mouse Models

BACKGROUND

Activation of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) has been shown to be protective against atherosclerosis. However, effects of GIP on the heart have remained unclear. To address this question, in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In isolated mouse cardiomyocytes, GIPR mRNA was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and GIP stimulation increased adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate production. In apolipoprotein E-knockout mice, infusion of angiotensin II (AngII; 2,000 ng·kg(-1)·min(-1)) significantly increased the heart weights, and co-administration of GIP (25 nmol·kg(-1)·day(-1)) reversed this increase (both P<0.01). In the left ventricular walls, GIP suppressed AngII-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by 34%, apoptosis by 77%, and interstitial fibrosis by 79% (all P<0.01). Furthermore, GIP reduced AngII-induced expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and hypoxia inducible factor-1α. In wild-type mice, cardiac hypertrophy was induced by AngII to a lesser extent, and prevented by GIP. In contrast, GIP did not show any cardioprotective effect against AngII-induced cardiac hypertrophy in GIPR-knockout mice. In an in vitro experiment using mouse cardiomyocytes, GIP suppressed AngII-induced mRNA expression of B-type natriuretic peptide and TGF-β1.

CONCLUSIONS

It was demonstrated that cardiomyocytes represent a direct target of GIP action in vitro, and that GIP ameliorated AngII-induced cardiac hypertrophy via suppression of cardiomyocyte enlargement, apoptosis, and fibrosis in vivo. (Circ J 2016; 80: 1988-1997).

Nobiletin attenuates cardiac dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammatory in streptozotocin: induced diabetic cardiomyopathy

Diabetic cardiomyopathy, characterized by the presence of diastolic and/or systolic myocardial dysfunction, is one of the major causes of heart failure. Nobiletin, which is extracted from the fruit peel of citrus, is reported to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and hypolipidemic properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether nobiletin exerts the therapeutic effect on streptozotocin-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) in mice. 80 experimental male C57BL mice were randomly assigned into four groups: sham + vehicle (VEH/SH), sham + nobiletin (NOB/SH), DCM + vehicle (VEH/DM), and DCM + nobiletin (NOB/DM). Nobiletin treatment ameliorated cardiac dysfunction in the DCM group, as shown by the result of echocardiography and hemodynamic measurements. Nobiletin treatment also blunted the mRNA expression of NADPH oxidase isoforms p67(phox), p22(phox), and p91(phox), and abated oxidative stress. Although administration of diabetic mice with nobiletin did not significantly effect the level of blood glucose, it decreased the TGF-β1, CTGF, fibronectin, and collagen Iα expressions and blunted cardiac fibrosis. In addition, nobiletin inhibited the activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), P38, and NF-κB in the cardiac tissue of diabetic mice. Collectively, our study indicates that treatment with nobiletin mitigates cardiac dysfunction and interstitial fibrosis, and these beneficial of nobiletin may belong to the suppression of JNK, P38, and NF-κB signaling pathways.

Puerarin Attenuates Cardiac Hypertrophy Partly Through Increasing Mir-15b/195 Expression and Suppressing Non-Canonical Transforming Growth Factor Beta (Tgfβ) Signal Pathway

BACKGROUND Previous studies demonstrated that puerarin has therapeutic effects on cardiac hypertrophy. This study aimed to explore whether the effect of puerarin on attenuating cardiac hypertrophy is related to regulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) and the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signal pathway. MATERIAL AND METHODS The therapeutic effect of puerarin was assessed using an angiotensin (Ang) II-induced heart hypertrophy model in mice. The primary cardiomyocytes were used as an in vitro model. MiR-15 family expression was quantified using qRT-PCR analysis. The expression of the genes involved in canonical and non-canonical TGFβ signal pathways was measured using qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. In vitro cardiac hypertrophic features were assessed by quantifying cardiac hypertrophic genes and measurement of cell surface, protein synthesis, and total protein content. RESULTS Puerarin attenuated cardiac hypertrophy and increased miR-15b and miR-195 expression in the mouse cardiac hypertrophy model and in primary cardiomyocytes. It suppressed both canonical and non-canonical TGFβ signal pathways, partially through miR-15b and miR-195. Puerarin reduced mRNA expression of cardiac hypertrophic genes, reduced cell surface area, and lowered the rate of protein synthesis and the total protein content induced by Ang II. Knockdown of endogenous miR-15b and miR-195 partly abrogated these effects. Knockdown of endogenous p38, but not Smad2/3/4, presented similar effects as miR-15b. CONCLUSIONS Puerarin administration enhances miR-15b and miR-195 expression in an Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy model, through which it suppresses both canonical and non-canonical TGFβ signal pathways at the same time. However, the effect of puerarin on attenuating cardiac hypertrophy is mainly through the non-canonical TGFβ pathway.

Pioglitazone Protected against Cardiac Hypertrophy via Inhibiting AKT/GSK3β and MAPK Signaling Pathways

Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) has been closely involved in the process of cardiovascular diseases. This study was to investigate whether pioglitazone (PIO), a PPARγ agonist, could protect against pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Mice were orally given PIO (2.5 mg/kg) from 1 week after aortic banding and continuing for 7 weeks. The morphological examination and biochemical analysis were used to evaluate the effects of PIO. Neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes were also used to verify the protection of PIO against hypertrophy in vitro. The results in our study demonstrated that PIO remarkably inhibited hypertrophic response induced by aortic banding in vivo. Besides, PIO also suppressed cardiac fibrosis in vivo. PIO treatment also inhibited the activation of protein kinase B (AKT)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the heart. In addition, PIO alleviated angiotensin II-induced hypertrophic response in vitro. In conclusion, PIO could inhibit cardiac hypertrophy via attenuation of AKT/GSK3β and MAPK pathways.

Puerarin Attenuates Anoxia/Reoxygenation Injury Through Enhancing Bcl-2 Associated Athanogene 3 Expression, a Modulator of Apoptosis and Autophagy

Background

Puerarin has protective effects on ischemia-reperfusion injury, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully revealed. This study explored the effect of puerarin on the expression of Bcl-2 associated athanogene 3 (BAG3) in an in vitro model of anoxia/reoxygenation injury (A/RI) in neonate rat primary cardiomyocytes and the functions of BAG3 in A/RI.

Material/Methods

BAG3 expression in cardiomyocytes with or without puerarin pre-treatment was quantified using qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. The effects of BAG3 on A/RI were studied by measuring the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphate kinase (CPK), the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). The effects of BAG3 on autophagy and apoptosis of the cardiomyocytes after A/RI were further studied.

Results

Puerarin significantly promoted BAG3 expression in the rat primary cardiomyocytes after A/RI. Enforced BAG3 expression presented similar effects as puerarin pre-treatment in attenuating A/RI in terms of CPK, LDH, MDA, SOD, GSH-Px, ROS generation, and cell viability. BAG3 overexpression significantly stimulated autophagy in cardiomyocytes after A/RI, which presented protective effects on A/RI in terms of cell viability and apoptosis. Autophagy inhibition partly abrogated the protective effects of BAG3.

Conclusions

Puerarin can directly increase BAG3 transcription and translation in cardiomyocytes after A/RI. The elevated BAG3 expression presents protective effects on A/RI at least through enhancing autophagy and reducing apoptosis, which is a novel protective mechanism of puerarin in ARI.