Chemistry, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology and recent novel drug delivery systems of paeonol

Enhancing the terpenoid and flavonoid profiles and fruit quality in an elite Chinese bayberry line through hybridization

Chinese bayberry fruit is rich in bioactive compounds which are beneficial to health. Fruit hybridization can improve quality and metabolite content, but this has yet to be explored in bayberry. Here, we investigated the effects of hybridization on fruit quality and the metabolomic profile of a newly developed hybrid 'BD-107' compared to the parent 'Biqi' and 'Dongkui', the main cultivars in China. Physiochemical evaluations indicated that 'BD-107' outperformed both parental cultivars in crucial quality attributes such as firmness, sugar content, and vitamin C. Metabolomic analysis revealed that hybridization positively influenced the overall metabolite content, with the highest alterations in terpenoids (21.4 %) and flavonoids (12.2 %). Notably, the novel hybrid 'BD-107' contains seven unique metabolites that are not in either parent; Safranal, Myrcenon, p-Menth-3-en-1-ol, Balanophonin B, Swertisin, Genistein-8-C-glucoside, and Ethanone, 1-(1,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexen-1-yl), linked to antioxidant and health-promoting properties. Our findings provide valuable insights into the influence of bayberry heterosis on terpenoid and flavonoid biosynthesis, enhancing bioactive metabolites and fruit quality, which meet the demand for health-promoting fruit.

Paeonol enhances a recombinant EGFR-targeted fusion protein-drug conjugate induced antitumor efficacy in esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a gastrointestinal cancer with high morbidity and mortality, along with a low 5-year survival rate, which urgently requires the discovery of new drugs for prevention and treatment. Our previous studies have found a novel EGFR-targeted fusion protein-drug conjugate, Fv-LDP-D3-AE, which exhibits significant inhibitory activity against esophageal cancer. However, the effectiveness of monotherapy still faces major challenges in clinical translation for esophageal cancer treatment. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify a candidate anti-tumor drug that can be combined with Fv-LDP-D3-AE to enhance therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we report a novel combination treatment regimen of paeonol with Fv-LDP-D3-AE, using human esophageal cancer cells KYSE70 and EC109 for in vitro studies and establishing a BALB/c nude mouse xenograft model for in vivo experiments to investigate the anti-tumor efficacy and potential mechanisms of the combination therapy in esophageal cancer. The results indicated that the combined treatment emerged a synergistic effect, which could effectively inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of esophageal cancer cells, induce more obvious cell apoptosis and DNA damage, and suppress tumor growth in the xenograft mouse model with a tumor inhibition rate of 76%. This may be attributed to the combination therapy simultaneously inhibiting the EGFR/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and downregulating the expression of nucleolin. Overall, these findings suggest that paeonol could synergize with Fv-LDP-D3-AE to enhance anti-esophageal cancer efficacy, which may be a promising therapeutic strategy for esophageal cancer.

Unlocking the Therapeutic Potential of Natural Polyphenols in Esophageal Cancer

OPINION STATEMENT

Esophageal cancer (EC), one highly malignant upper gastrointestinal cancer, is the eighth most commonly occurring cancer and the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Clinically, this malignancy is considered to be one of the most difficult-to-treat cancers, owing to its resistance to common therapies like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and few targeted therapies are available. There is currently an unmet need for treatment of EC. Polyphenols are naturally occurring plant secondary metabolites in response to environmental threats and injury. Epidemiological evidence suggests that long-term consumption of a polyphenol-rich diet is inversely associated with the risk of cancer. Currently, natural polyphenols have received increased attention for their potential therapeutic effects on EC. In this review, we summarize and discuss recent progress in the therapeutic potential of natural polyphenols in EC, as well as their sources, oral bioavailability, and pharmacokinetics. We review natural polyphenols combined with approved chemotherapy and radiotherapy to overcome challenges faced by either monotherapy. We also discuss the current challenges and future directions to accelerate the clinical application of natural polyphenols in EC. We concluded that natural polyphenols represent promising candidates for the management of EC. Well-designed randomized controlled studies are warranted to verify the efficacy and safety of natural polyphenols for EC. Knowledge gained from this review will outline possible future research directions and should help to develop new therapeutics for this disease.

The anti-inflammatory effects of paeonol from Cynanchum paniculatum extracts on LPS-induced macrophage RAW 264.7 cells and Helicobacter pylori-infected gastrointestinal mucosal damaged zebrafish

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Paeonol has often been used as an anti-inflammatory agent in gastrointestinal diseases. However, as a primary paeonol-originated herb, the effects of Cynanchum paniculatum (CP) extracts have rarely been reported in the study on gastrointestinal inflammation models.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of different CP extracts, including the volatile extract (CP-VE), and its aqueous extract (CP-AE), based on their different contents of paeonol.

METHODS

The contents of paeonol in the extracts were detected by HPLC. The anti-inflammatory effects of CP-VE, CP-AE and their combination (CP-VA), were compared on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage RAW264.7 cells, with which the primary mechanisms were investigated in MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway. Additionally, the effects of CP-VE at different dosages were further investigated on Helicobacter pylori (Hp)-infected gastrointestinal mucosal damaged zebrafish.

RESULTS

The content of paeonol in CP-VE was 93.29%, while that in CP-AE was 0.03%. The cellular study showed that the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were significantly decreased in the CP-extract groups when compared with the model group, while their levels of IL-10 and nitric oxide (NO) were significantly increased. Compared with the LPS group, p-P65, p-JNK, p-ERK and NLRP3 protein expression was decreased in the CP-extract groups with different degrees, where CP-VA exhibited the most pronounced inhibitory activities on the phosphorylation of the proteins (p < 0.001, p < 0.01). CP-AE and CP-VE demonstrated the similar inhibition of ERK and P65 phosphorylation, while CP-AE showed slightly superior inhibition of P38, and NLRP3 than CP-VE did (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). The zebrafish study indicated that the CP-VE groups showed obvious reductions in the gastrointestinal tract areas, the fluorescence intensities and gastrointestinal neutrophil counts in a dose-dependence style, when compared with the model group. The histopathological results also indicated that CP-VE showed significant effects on the pathologic structure of the intestinal mucosa.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that CP-VE (40 μg/mL) and CP-AE (700 μg/mL) showed similar significantly anti-inflammatory activity on LPS-induced macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, which indicated that the activity might be not fully related with paeonol content. It is also speculated that both CP-VE and CP-AE may exert their anti-inflammatory effects via inhibiting the MAPK/NF-κB pathways. CP-extracts are expected to be potential anti-inflammatory agents from natural source in gastrointestinal inflammation-related indications, among which CP-AE need to be further investigated on its pharmacological material basis in a more comprehensive manner.

Paeonol Inhibits the Replication of Bovine Herpesvirus Type 1 In Vitro Through Regulating the PI3K/AKT Pathway

The bovine herpesvirus type I (BHV-1) is a significant pathogen that poses a threat to the healthy development of the cattle industry and has a global prevalence. Paeonol is a phenolic constituent extracted from the dried root bark of peony in the buttercup family. Although paeonol has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, its antiviral capacity remains unclear. Here, we conducted a cytotoxicity assay to screen the safe concentration of the paeonol using bovine turbinate (BT) cells as a model. Antiviral studies showed that paeonol inhibited BHV-1 gB gene and VP8 protein expression, and reduced cytopathic effect and viral titer. Furthermore, paeonol also demonstrated a potent effect on BHV-1 replication with an EC50 of 18.54 μg/mL and a Selectivity Index (SI) of 28.64. Mechanistic analysis revealed that the PI3K/AKT pathway might be involved in the antiviral mechanism of paeonol. Molecular docking combined with western blot assay further confirmed that paeonol was able to bind stably to the active sites of PI3K and AKT proteins, and significantly inhibited the activation of PI3K/AKT pathway. Interestingly, 740Y-P (a PI3K/AKT pathway agonist) significantly attenuated the anti-BHV-1 effect of paeonol. The above experiments are the first to confirm the inhibitory effect of paeonol on BHV-1 replication, which not only adds evidence to the biological function of paeonol as an antiviral agent, but also lays the foundation for the prevention and control of this disease and the development of feed additives.

Natural phenol carbamates: Selective BuChE/FAAH dual inhibitors show neuroprotection in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model

FAAH inhibition can indirectly enhance endocannabinoid signaling to therapeutic levels, effectively preventing or slowing its progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Hence, the search for effective dual FAAH/cholinesterase inhibitors is considerable need for disease-modifying therapies. To this aim, we designed, synthesized, and tested three series of natural phenol carbamates. The majority of carbamates proved to be potent on a single target, amongst them, compound D12 containing paeonol motif was identified as an effective dual BuChE/FAAH inhibitor, with well-balanced nanomolar activity (IC50 = 81 and 400 nM for hBuChE and hFFAH, respectively). D12 possessed BBB penetrating ability, benign safety, neuroprotection and pseudo-irreversible BuChE inhibition (Kd = 2.11 μM, k2 = 2.27 min-1), showing good drug-like properties. D12 also modulated the BV2 microglial polarization to inhibit neuroinflammation. In vivo study verified that D12 improved Aβ1-41-induced learning impairments in AD mouse model for both short- and long-term memory responses. Thus, the dual activity of D12 could lead to a potentially more effective treatment for the counteraction of AD progression.

Formulation and Evaluation of Microsponges-loaded Transdermal Gel for the Management of Osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

Osteoarthritis (OA) stands as the most widespread form of arthritis, representing a primary source of pain and functional impairment among the elderly. It is often referred to as a degenerative joint disease. OA is more than just wear and tear; it is an aberrant remodelling of joint tissues prompted by a deluge of inflammatory mediators released within the compromised joint. This disease affects 15 million people in India annually.

OBJECTIVE

Aceclofenac is a COX-2 inhibitor that has anti-inflammatory activity. However, aceclofenac has a short mean plasma elimination half-life and poor water solubility. It requires frequent dosing, which has been linked to a number of negative side effects, including bleeding and gastrointestinal irritation. A potential solution to this problem is the transdermal administration of aceclofenac using microsponges. In order to have a synergistic effect along with the bioenhancer effects, piperine was incorporated into the formulation.

METHODS

Microsponges were created using the quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method. After characterization, the prepared microsponges were incorporated into the Carbopol gel. The in vivo study focused on evaluating the optimized formulation, F1.

RESULTS

All the prepared microsponge formulations underwent assessment based on parameters including yield of production, entrapment efficiency, and in vitro drug release. The outcomes indicated that batches ranging from F1 to F9 showed positive entrapment efficiency and in vitro drug release. From 50.37% to 80.76 % and 71.18% to 91.8% and in vivo studies the results reveal that the inflammatory cells in the best formulation Ace(B) group were reduced hence the formulation's anti-inflammatory impact was achieved.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate that Formulation F1 exhibits superior entrapment and enhanced drug release. The kinetics study suggests that the optimized formulation aligns well with the Higuchi model and adheres to the Fickian transport drug release mechanism. Animal study findings suggest that optimized formulation Ace(B) may possess ideal -anti-osteoarthritic activity for osteoarthritic disease. Further clinical trials on humans may be conducted in order to make the research fruitful for society.

Enhancing renal protection against cadmium toxicity: the role of herbal active ingredients

Background

Rapid industrialization globally has led to a notable increase in the production and utilization of metals, including cadmium (Cd), consequently escalating global metal pollution worldwide. Cd, characterized as a persistent environmental contaminant, poses significant health risks, particularly impacting human health, notably the functionality of the kidneys. The profound effects of Cd stem primarily from its limited excretion capabilities and extended half-life within the human body. Mechanisms underlying its toxicity encompass generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), disrupting calcium-signaling pathways and impairing cellular antioxidant defense mechanisms. This review focuses on the protective effects of various herbal active ingredients against Cd-induced nephrotoxicity.

Aim

This study aims to investigate the mechanisms of action of herbal active ingredients, including ant-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic pathways, to elucidate potential therapeutic strategies for reducing nephrotoxicity caused by Cd exposure.

Methods

A comprehensive search of scientific databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar, used relevant keywords to identify studies published up to October 2024.

Results

Research illustrates that herbal active ingredients protect against Cd nephrotoxicity by reducing oxidative stress, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity, inhibiting inflammation, preventing apoptosis, alleviating endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, enhancing autophagy and improving mitochondrial function in the kidney.

Conclusion

The present study indicates that an extensive understanding of the protective effects of herbal active ingredients holds promise for the development of innovative approaches to safeguard human health and environmental integrity against the detrimental effects of Cd exposure.

Applications of therapeutic deep eutectic solvents (THEDESs) as antimicrobial and anticancer agents

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are green alternatives to ionic liquids with wide applications in organic synthesis and catalysis. DESs are characterized by being easily prepared, biodegradable, nontoxic, and noninflammable. When one or more of the DES components is active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), the eutectic mixtures are named as therapeutic deep eutectic solvents (THEDESs). THEDESs are prepared in order to improve the solubility and/or the permeability of the APIs. This review presents a brief summary of the most important THEDESs reported to date having antimicrobial and/or anticancer activities. The challenges and limitations of THEDES preparation were also discussed. The work presented here indicated the importance of THEDES as a promising drug delivery system that can overcome the bioavailability problems while retaining or enhancing the biological activity of its components.

Pharmacological Effects of Paeonia lactiflora Focusing on Painful Diabetic Neuropathy

Painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is a highly prevalent complication in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus. Given the inadequate pain-relieving effect of current therapies for PDN, there is a high unmet medical need for specialized therapeutic options. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), various herbal formulations have been implemented for centuries to relieve pain, and one commonly used plant in this context is Paeonia lactiflora (P. lactiflora). Here, we summarize the chemical constituents of P. lactiflora including their pharmacological mechanisms-of-action and discuss potential benefits for the treatment of PDN. For this, in silico data, as well as preclinical and clinical studies, were critically reviewed and comprehensively compiled. Our findings reveal that P. lactiflora and its individual constituents exhibit a variety of pharmacological properties relevant for PDN, including antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic activities. Through this multifaceted and complex combination of various pharmacological effects, relevant hallmarks of PDN are specifically addressed, suggesting that P. lactiflora may represent a promising source for novel therapeutic approaches for PDN.

Polygala japonica Houtt.: A comprehensive review on its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics

Polygala japonica Houtt. (P. japonica), a member of the Polygala genus in the Polygalaceae family, has been historically utilized in traditional folk medicine as an expectorant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-depressant agent. This paper systematically reviews the latest research in botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics, aiming to provide a scientific foundation for the future development and application of P. japonica and to explore its potential value comprehensively. Approximately 86 compounds have been isolated from P. japonica, with triterpenoid saponins being the most prevalent and bioactive components. Extensive pharmacological activities of P. japonica extracts or compounds have been confirmed in vivo and in vitro, including anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, neuroprotective, anti-obesity, anti-apoptotic, and skin-protective effects. Additionally, P. japonica has demonstrated significant curative effects and relatively clear pharmacological mechanisms in treating inflammatory and nervous system diseases. Specific components of its primary triterpenoid saponins are rapidly absorbed in the body. This review advocates for deeper scientific research on P. japonica, noting that most current research remains in its early stages and many reported biological activities require further clinical validation. Despite this, the traditional medical use of P. japonica across various cultures attests to its broad application value. Presently, the pharmacological activities of P. japonica extracts and compounds provide a scientific basis for its traditional uses. Future research must ensure the safety and effectiveness of P. japonica through in-depth pharmacokinetic studies, and the establishment of a refined and standardized quality evaluation system is essential for its clinical development and application.

Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of BBB-Penetrating Phytochemicals With p38 MAPK Modulatory Activity in Addressing Oxidative Stress-Induced Neurodegenerative Disorders, With a Focus on Alzheimer's Disease

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies indicate a strong connection between oxidative stress, inappropriate activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, and the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Although antioxidant therapy is a valid strategy to alleviate these problems, the most important limitation of this approach is the ineffectiveness of drug administration due to the limited permeability of the BBB. Therefore, BBB-penetrating p38 MAPK modulators with proper antioxidant capacity could be useful in preventing/reducing the complications of neurodegenerative disorders. The current manuscript aims to review the therapeutic capabilities of some recently reviewed naturally occurring p38 MAPK inhibitors in the management of neurodegenerative problems such as Alzheimer's disease. In data collection, we tried to use more recent studies published in high-quality journals indexed in databases Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and so on, but no specific time frame was considered due to the nature of the study. Our evaluations indicate that natural compounds tanshinones, protoberberines, pinocembrin, osthole, rhynchophylline, oxymatrine, schisandrin, piperine, paeonol, ferulic acid, 6-gingerol, obovatol, and trolox have significant potential for use as supplements/adjuvants in the reduction of neurodegenerative-related problems. Our findings emphasize the usefulness of BBB-penetrating phytochemicals with p38 MAPK modulatory activity as potential therapeutic options against neurodegenerative disorders. Of course, the proper use of these compounds depends on considering their toxicity/safety profile and pharmacokinetic characteristics as well as the clinical conditions of users.

Investigation of paeonol in dermatological diseases: an animal study review

Cortex Moutan is the root bark of the buttercup plant Paeonia suffruticosa Andr, of Ranunculaceae family. It has been utilized in Chinese medicine for thousands of years to treat a multitude of diseases, and traditional Chinese documents allege that it has heat-clearing, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and detoxicating properties. Paeonol is a bioactive substance extracted from Cortex Moutan, which is considered to be one of its most effective metabolites. Recent studies have illustrated that paeonol treatment can alleviate skin damage, relieve the inflammatory response in patients with numerous dermatological conditions, and inhibit anomalous proliferation of skin tissue. Accordingly, paeonol may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for a variety of skin conditions. This review summarizes the physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetics (PK) characteristics of paeonol, and mechanisms of operation in diverse skin diseases, including dermatitis, psoriasis, pruritus, photoaging, hyperpigmentation, and hyperplasticscar. Additionally, much of the evidence is based on animal experiments. Furthermore, it explores the prospects of enhancing paeonol's efficacy through extraction, synthesis, and formulation innovations, as well as strategies to overcome its limitations in dermatological therapy. This review aims to provide a more reliable theoretical basis for the clinical application of paeonol.

Paeonol attenuated high glucose-induced apoptosis via up-regulating miR-223-3p in mouse cardiac microvascular endothelial cells

To investigate the role of miR-223-3p in the modulatory effect of paeonol (Pae) on high glucose (HG)-induced endothelial cell apoptosis. HG (25 mmol/L) was used to induce cellular damage and apoptosis in the mouse cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (MCMECs). Various concentration of Pae was tested and 60 μmol/L Pae was selected for the subsequent studies. MCMECs were transfected with exogenous miR-223-3p mimics or anti-miR-223-3p inhibitors. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay and apoptosis was quantified by flow cytometry. The expression of miR-223-3p and NLRP3 mRNA was measured using real-time quantitative RT-PCR, and protein level of NLRP3 and apoptosis-related proteins was detected by immunoblotting. Pae significantly attenuated HG-induced apoptosis of MCMECs in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, Pae (60 µmol/L) significantly reversed HG-induced down-regulation of miR-223-3p and up-regulation of NLRP3. Pae (60 µmol/L) also significantly blocked HG-induced up-regulation of Bax and Caspase-3 as well as down-regulation of Bcl-2. Moreover, exogenous miR-223-3p mimics not only significantly attenuated HG-induced apoptosis, but also significantly suppressed NRLP-3 and pro-apoptotic proteins in the MCMECs. In contrast, transfection of exogenous miR-223-3p inhibitors into the MCMECs resulted in not only significantly increased apoptosis of the cells, but also significant suppression of NLRP3 and pro-apoptotic proteins in the cells. Pae attenuated HG-induced apoptosis of MCMECs in a concentration-dependent manner. MiR-223-3p may mediate the modulatory effects of Pae on MCMEC survival or apoptosis through targeting NLRP3 and regulating apoptosis-associated proteins.

Paeonol attenuates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by regulating intestinal flora and AhR/NLRP3/Caspase-1 metabolic pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a common metabolic liver injury disease that is closely associated with obesity and metabolic disorders. Paeonol, an active ingredient found in Moutan Cortex, a traditional Chinese medicine which exhibits significant therapeutic effect on liver protection, has shown promising effects in treating liver diseases, particularly NASH. However, the specific intervention mechanism of paeonol on NASH is still unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Our objective is to elucidate the pharmacological mechanism of paeonol in intervening NASH at the in vivo level, focusing on the impact on intestinal flora, tryptophan-related targeted metabolome, and related Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathways.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Here, we explored the intervention effect of paeonol on NASH by utilizing the NASH mouse model. The Illumina highthroughput sequencing technology was preformed to determine the differences of gut microbiota of model and paeonol treatment group. The concentration of Indoleacetic acid is determined by ELISA. The intervention effect of NASH mouse and AhR/NLRP3/Caspase-1 metabolic pathway is analyzed by HE staining, oil red O staining, Immunohistochemistry, Immunofluorescence, Western blot and qRT-PCR assays. Fecal microbiota transplantation experiment also was performed to verify the intervention effect of paeonol on NASH by affecting gut microbiota.

RESULTS

Firstly, we discovered that paeonol effectively reduced liver pathology and blood lipid levels in NASH mice, thereby intervening in the progression of NASH. Subsequently, through 16S meta-analysis, we identified that paeonol can effectively regulate the composition of intestinal flora in NASH mice, transforming it to resemble that of normal mice. Specifically, paeonol decreased the abundance of certain Gram-negative tryptophan-metabolizing bacteria. Moreover, we discovered that paeonol significantly increased the levels of metabolites Indoleacetic acid, subsequently enhancing the expression of AhR-related pathway proteins. This led to the inhibition of the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome production and inflammation generation in NASH. Lastly, we verified the efficacy of paeonol in intervening NASH by conducting fecal microbiota transplantation experiments, which confirmed its role in promoting the AhR/NLRP3/cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase (Caspase-1) pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that paeonol can increase the production of Indoleacetic acid by regulating the gut flora, and promote the AhR/NLRP3/Caspase-1 metabolic pathway to intervene NASH.

Xiaoer niuhuang qingxin powder alleviates influenza a virus infection by inhibiting the activation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Xiaoer Niuhuang Qingxin Powder (XNQP) is a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula with significant clinical efficacy for treating febrile convulsions and influenza.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to explore the potential mechanisms of XNQP in combating combating the influenza A virus, providing a theoretical basis for its clinical application.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present investigation employed network pharmacology and bioinformatics analysis to determine the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway as a viable target for XNQP intervention in IAV infection.Subsequently, a mouse model of influenza A virus infection was established, and different doses of XNQP were used for intervention. The protein expression levels of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB were detected using HE staining, Elisa, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and western blot.

RESULTS

The results showed that treatment with XNQP after IAV infection reduced the mortality and prolonged the survival time of infected mice. It reduced the release of TNF-α and IFN-γ in the serum and alleviated pathological damage in the lung tissue following infection. Additionally, the levels of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, and p-NF-κB P65 proteins were significantly reduced in lung tissue by XNQP. The inhibitory effect of XNQP on the expression of MyD88 and NF-κB was antagonized when TLR4 signaling was overexpressed. Consequently, the expression levels of MyD88, NF-κB, and p-NF-κB P65 were increased in lung tissue. Conversely, the expression levels of the proteins MyD88, NF-κB, and p-NF-κB P65 were downregulated when TLR4 signaling was inhibited.

CONCLUSIONS

XNQP alleviated lung pathological changes, reduced serum levels of inflammatory factors, reduced mortality, and prolonged survival time in mice by inhibiting the overexpression of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in lung tissues after IAV infection.

Optimal extraction conditions and quantification of lignan phytoestrogens in cereal grains using targeted LC-MS/MS

Lignans are phytoestrogens found in various forms such as glycosides, ester-linked oligomers, and aglycones in a variety of foods, including soy products, legumes, grains, nuts, vegetables, and fruits. This study aimed to optimize the extraction of lignans from cereal grains using response surface methodology (RSM). Lignans, including secoisolariciresinol (Seco), matairesinol (Mat), pinoresinol (Pin), lariciresinol (Lar), and syringaresinol (Syr), were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. A Box-Behnken design was employed to determine the optimal values for three extraction parameters: temperature (X1: 20°C-60°C), methanol concentration (X2: 60%-100%), and extraction time (X3: 30-90 min). The highest lignan contents were obtained at X1 = 44.24°C, X2 = 84.64%, and X3 = 53.63 min. To apply these experimental conditions to the actual experiment, the optimal conditions were slightly adjusted to X1 = 40°C, X2 = 80%, and X3 = 60 min. The predicted results closely matched the experimental results obtained using the modified optimal extraction conditions. The highest lignan content found in barley sprouts (85.930 μg/100 g), however, most grains exhibited relatively low concentrations of lignans. These findings provide valuable insights into the lignan content of grains and contribute to the generation of reliable data in this field.

Traditional Chinese medicine and mitophagy: A novel approach for cardiovascular disease management

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, imposing an enormous economic burden on individuals and human society. Laboratory studies have identified several drugs that target mitophagy for the prevention and treatment of CVD. Only a few of these drugs have been successful in clinical trials, and most studies have been limited to animal and cellular models. Furthermore, conventional drugs used to treat CVD, such as antiplatelet agents, statins, and diuretics, often result in adverse effects on patients' cardiovascular, metabolic, and respiratory systems. In contrast, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has gained significant attention for its unique theoretical basis and clinical efficacy in treating CVD.

PURPOSE

This paper systematically summarizes all the herbal compounds, extracts, and active monomers used to target mitophagy for the treatment of CVD in the last five years. It provides valuable information for researchers in the field of basic cardiovascular research, pharmacologists, and clinicians developing herbal medicines with fewer side effects, as well as a useful reference for future mitophagy research.

METHODS

The search terms "cardiovascular disease," "mitophagy," "herbal preparations," "active monomers," and "cardiac disease pathogenesis" in combination with "natural products" and "diseases" were used to search for studies published in the past five years until January 2024.

RESULTS

Studies have shown that mitophagy plays a significant role in the progression and development of CVD, such as atherosclerosis (AS), heart failure (HF), myocardial infarction (MI), myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MI/RI), cardiac hypertrophy, cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmia. Herbal compound preparations, crude extracts, and active monomers have shown potential as effective treatments for these conditions. These substances protect cardiomyocytes by inducing mitophagy, scavenging damaged mitochondria, and maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis. They display notable efficacy in combating CVD.

CONCLUSION

TCM (including herbal compound preparations, extracts, and active monomers) can treat CVD through various pharmacological mechanisms and signaling pathways by inducing mitophagy. They represent a hotspot for future cardiovascular basic research and a promising candidate for the development of future cardiovascular drugs with fewer side effects and better therapeutic efficacy.

A prediction method of interaction based on Bilinear Attention Networks for designing polyphenol-protein complexes delivery systems

Polyphenol-protein complexes delivery systems are gaining attention for their potential health benefits and food industry development. However, creating an ideal delivery system requires extensive wet-lab experimentation. To address this, we collected 525 ligand-protein interaction data pairs and established an interaction prediction model using Bilinear Attention Networks. We utilized 10-fold cross validation to address potential overfitting issues in the model, resulting in showed higher average AUROC (0.8443), AUPRC (0.7872), and F1 (0.8164). The optimal threshold (0.3739) was selected for the model to be used for subsequent analysis. Based on the model prediction results and optimal threshold, by verifying experimental analysis, the interaction of paeonol with the following proteins was obtained, including bovine serum albumin (lgKa = 6.2759), bovine β-lactoglobulin (lgKa = 6.7479), egg ovalbumin (lgKa = 5.1806), zein (lgKa = 6.0122), bovine α-lactalbumin (lgKa = 3.9170), bovine lactoferrin (lgKa = 4.5380), the first four proteins are consistent with the predicted results of the model, with lgKa >5. The established model can accurately and rapidly predict the interaction of polyphenol-protein complexes. This study is the first to combine open ligand-protein interaction experiments with Deep Learning algorithms in the food industry, greatly improving research efficiency and providing a novel perspective for future complex delivery system construction.

Natural-derived acetophenones: chemistry and pharmacological activities

Acetophenones are naturally occurring phenolic compounds which have found in over 24 plant families and also fungi strains. They are exist in both free or glycosides form in nature. The biological activities of these compounds have been assayed and reported including cytotoxicity, antimicrobial, antimalarial, antioxidant and antityrosinase activities. Herein, we review the chemistry and biological activity of natural acetophenone derivatives that have been isolated and identified until January 2024. Taken together, it was reported 252 acetophenone derivatives in which the genera Melicope (69) and Acronychia (44) were the principal species as producers of acetophenones.

Regulation of mitophagy and mitochondrial function: Natural compounds as potential therapeutic strategies for Parkinson's disease

Mitochondrial damage is associated with the development of Parkinson's disease (PD), indicating that mitochondrial-targeted treatments could hold promise as disease-modifying approaches for PD. Notably, natural compounds have demonstrated the ability to modulate mitochondrial-related processes. In this review article, we discussed the possible neuroprotective mechanisms of natural compounds against PD in modulating mitophagy and mitochondrial function. A comprehensive literature search on natural compounds related to the treatment of PD by regulating mitophagy and mitochondrial function was conducted from PubMed, Web of Science and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases from their inception until April 2023. We summarize recent advancements in mitophagy's molecular mechanisms, including upstream and downstream processes, and its relationship with PD-related genes or proteins. Importantly, we highlight how natural compounds can therapeutically regulate various mitochondrial processes through multiple targets and pathways to alleviate oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, Lewy's body aggregation and apoptosis, which are key contributors to PD pathogenesis. Unlike the single-target strategy of modern medicine, natural compounds provide neuroprotection against PD by modulating various mitochondrial-related processes, including ameliorating mitophagy by targeting the PINK1/parkin pathway, the NIX/BNIP3 pathway, and autophagosome formation (i.e., LC3 and p62). Given the prevalence of mitochondrial damage in various neurodegenerative diseases, exploring the exact mechanism of natural compounds on mitophagy and mitochondrial dysfunction could shed light on the development of highly effective disease-modifying or adjuvant therapies targeting PD and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Protective mechanism of Paeonol on central nervous system

Cerebrovascular diseases involve neuronal damage, resulting in degenerative neuropathy and posing a serious threat to human health. The discovery of effective drug components from natural plants and the study of their mechanism are a research idea different from chemical synthetic medicines. Paeonol is the main active component of traditional Chinese medicine Paeonia lactiflora Pall. It widely exists in many medicinal plants and has pharmacological effects such as anti-atherosclerosis, antiplatelet aggregation, anti-oxidation, and anti-inflammatory, which keeps generally used in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Based on the therapeutic effects of Paeonol for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, this article reviewed the pharmacological effects of Paeonol in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, epilepsy, diabetes encephalopathy, and other neurological diseases, providing a reference for the research of the mechanism of Paeonol in central nervous system diseases.

Targeting epigenetic and posttranslational modifications regulating ferroptosis for the treatment of diseases

Ferroptosis, a unique modality of cell death with mechanistic and morphological differences from other cell death modes, plays a pivotal role in regulating tumorigenesis and offers a new opportunity for modulating anticancer drug resistance. Aberrant epigenetic modifications and posttranslational modifications (PTMs) promote anticancer drug resistance, cancer progression, and metastasis. Accumulating studies indicate that epigenetic modifications can transcriptionally and translationally determine cancer cell vulnerability to ferroptosis and that ferroptosis functions as a driver in nervous system diseases (NSDs), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), liver diseases, lung diseases, and kidney diseases. In this review, we first summarize the core molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis. Then, the roles of epigenetic processes, including histone PTMs, DNA methylation, and noncoding RNA regulation and PTMs, such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination, SUMOylation, acetylation, methylation, and ADP-ribosylation, are concisely discussed. The roles of epigenetic modifications and PTMs in ferroptosis regulation in the genesis of diseases, including cancers, NSD, CVDs, liver diseases, lung diseases, and kidney diseases, as well as the application of epigenetic and PTM modulators in the therapy of these diseases, are then discussed in detail. Elucidating the mechanisms of ferroptosis regulation mediated by epigenetic modifications and PTMs in cancer and other diseases will facilitate the development of promising combination therapeutic regimens containing epigenetic or PTM-targeting agents and ferroptosis inducers that can be used to overcome chemotherapeutic resistance in cancer and could be used to prevent other diseases. In addition, these mechanisms highlight potential therapeutic approaches to overcome chemoresistance in cancer or halt the genesis of other diseases.

Acaricidal activities of paeonol from Moutan Cortex, dried bark of Paeonia × suffruticosa, against the grain pest mite Aleuroglyphus ovatus (Acari: Acaridae)

Aleuroglyphus ovatus (Acari: Acaridae) is a major pest mite of stored grains that is distributed worldwide. Paeonol, a phenolic component of the essential oil extracted from the Chinese herb Paeonia moutan, possesses a range of biological activities, including antiviral, antifungal and acaricidal activity. This study investigated the bioactivity of paeonol against A. ovatus and its effect on the activity of detoxification enzymes. The bioactivity of paeonol against A. ovatus was determined by contact, fumigation and repellency bioassays, and the mechanism was preliminarily explored via morphological observation of the color changes of mite epidermis and determination of the changing trend of some important enzymes associated with acaricidal efficacy in the mites. The results showed that the median lethal concentration (LC50) in the contact and fumigation bioassays was 9.832 μg/cm2 and 14.827 μg/cm3, respectively, and the acaricidal activity of paeonol was higher under direct contact than under fumigation. Dynamic symptomatology studies registered typical neurotoxicity symptoms including excitation, convulsion and paralysis in A. ovatus treated with paeonol. The enzyme activity of catalase (CAT), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) was higher, whereas the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was lower, compared to the control group. CAT, NOS and GST were activated, whereas SOD and AChE activities were inhibited after paeonol intervention. Our findings suggest paeonol has potent acaricidal activity against A. ovatus and thus may be used as an agent to control the stored-product mite A. ovatus.

Paeonol reduces microbial metabolite α-hydroxyisobutyric acid to alleviate the ROS/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway-mediated endothelial inflammation in atherosclerosis mice

Gut microbiota dysbiosis is an avenue for the promotion of atherosclerosis (AS) and this effect is mediated partly via the circulating microbial metabolites. More microbial metabolites related to AS vascular inflammation, and the mechanisms involved need to be clarified urgently. Paeonol (Pae) is an active compound isolated from Paeonia suffruticoas Andr. with anti-AS inflammation effect. However, considering the low oral bioavailability of Pae, it is worth exploring the mechanism by which Pae reduces the harmful metabolites of the gut microbiota to alleviate AS. In this study, ApoE-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to establish an AS model. AS mice were administrated with Pae (200 or 400 mg·kg-1) by oral gavage and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was conducted. 16S rDNA sequencing was performed to investigate the composition of the gut microbiota, while metabolomics analysis was used to identify the metabolites in serum and cecal contents. The results indicated that Pae significantly improved AS by regulating gut microbiota composition and microbiota metabolic profile in AS mice. We also identified α-hydroxyisobutyric acid (HIBA) as a harmful microbial metabolite reduced by Pae. HIBA supplementation in drinking water promoted AS inflammation in AS mice. Furthermore, vascular endothelial cells (VECs) were cultured and stimulated by HIBA. We verified that HIBA stimulation increased intracellular ROS levels, thereby inducing VEC inflammation via the TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway. In sum, Pae reduces the production of the microbial metabolite HIBA, thus alleviating the ROS/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway-mediated endothelial inflammation in AS. Our study innovatively confirms the mechanism by which Pae reduces the harmful metabolites of gut microbiota to alleviate AS and proposes HIBA as a potential biomarker for AS clinical judgment.

A Pharmacokinetic Study of Sixteen Major Bioactive Components of Jinshui-Huanxian Granules in Pulmonary Fibrosis Model and Control Rats Using Orbitrap Fusion Mass Spectrometry

Jinshui-Huanxian granules (JHGs), a Chinese herbal compound prescription, have shown a therapeutic effect in reducing lung tissue damage, improving the degree of pulmonary fibrosis, replenishing lungs and kidneys, relieving cough and asthma, reducing phlegm, and activating blood circulation. However, these active compounds' pharmacokinetics and metabolic processes were unclear. This study aimed to compare the pharmacokinetics, reveal the metabolic dynamic changes, and obtain the basic pharmacokinetic parameters of 16 main bioactive compounds after intragastric administration of JHGs in control and pulmonary fibrosis (PF) model rats by using Orbitrap Fusion MS. After administration of JHGs, the rat plasma was collected at different times. Pretreating the plasma sample with methanol and internal standard (IS) solution carbamazepine (CBZ), and it was then applied to a C18 column by setting gradient elution with a mobile phase consisting of methanol 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution. Detection was performed on an electrospray ionization source (ESI), and the scanning mode was SIM. Pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed according to the different analytes' concentrations in plasma. The matrix effect was within the range of 79.01-110.90%, the extraction recovery rate was 80.37-102.72%, the intra-day and inter-day precision relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 7.76%, and the stability was good, which met the requirements of biological sample testing. The method was validated (r ≥ 0.9955) and applied to compare the pharmacokinetic profiles of the control group and PF model group after intragastric administration of the JHGs. The 16 analytes exhibited different pharmacokinetic behaviors in vivo. In the pathological state of the PF model, most of the components were more favorable for metabolism and absorption, and it was more meaningful to study the pharmacokinetics. Above all, this study provided an essential reference for exploring the mechanism of action of JHGs and guided clinical medication as well.

Paeonol repurposing for cancer therapy: From mechanism to clinical translation

Paeonol (PAE) is a natural phenolic monomer isolated from the root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa that has been widely used in the clinical treatment of some inflammatory-related diseases and cardiovascular diseases. Much preclinical evidence has demonstrated that PAE not only exhibits a broad spectrum of anticancer effects by inhibiting cell proliferation, invasion and migration and inducing cell apoptosis and cycle arrest through multiple molecular pathways, but also shows excellent performance in improving cancer drug sensitivity, reversing chemoresistance and reducing the toxic side effects of anticancer drugs. However, studies indicate that PAE has the characteristics of poor stability, low bioavailability and short half-life, which makes the effective dose of PAE in many cancers usually high and greatly limits its clinical translation. Fortunately, nanomaterials and derivatives are being developed to ameliorate PAE's shortcomings. This review aims to systematically cover the anticancer advances of PAE in pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, nano delivery systems and derivatives, to provide researchers with the latest and comprehensive information, and to point out the limitations of current studies and areas that need to be strengthened in future studies. We believe this work will be beneficial for further exploration and repurposing of this natural compound as a new clinical anticancer drug.

Skin health properties of Paeonia lactiflora flower extracts and tyrosinase inhibitors and free radical scavengers identified by HPLC post-column bioactivity assays

Skin health is a major concern across the world. The Paeonia lactiflora Pall. flower (PLPF) is well-known in China as an edible ornamental flower, that has been traditionally prescribed for the treatment of irregular menstruation and dysmenorrhea. However, its chemical constituents and bioactivities have not been systematically stuided. This study tentatively identified 27 compounds in aqueous and ethanol extracts of PLPF using ultra-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, including four monoterpene glycosides, six phenols, six tannins, ten flavonoids and a hydroxycinnamic acid amide. Online antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitor screening assays based on post-column bioactivity tests were used to screen for bioactive compounds in the extracts. Online and offline bioactivity assays showed that both extracts exhibited notable antioxidant properties against DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP, potent antiglycation capacity, and significant inhibition of tyrosinase, cyclooxygenase-2, and collagenase. Gallic acid derivatives were the main contributors to the antioxidant and antityrosinase capacity and may also inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 and collagenase, but they exhibited weak antiglycation capacity. The antiglycation effects may be due to the synergistic action of gallic acid and specific flavonoids. PLPF is a promising source of bioactive compounds for the development of natural skin health products.

Natural-Product-Derived Adjunctive Treatments to Conventional Therapy and Their Immunoregulatory Activities in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an invasive and persistent subtype of breast cancer that is likely to be resistant to conventional treatments. The rise in immunotherapy has created new modalities to treat cancer, but due to high costs and unreliable efficacy, adjunctive and complementary treatments have sparked interest in enhancing the efficacy of currently available treatments. Natural products, which are bioactive compounds derived from natural sources, have historically been used to treat or ameliorate inflammatory diseases and symptoms. As TNBC patients have shown little to no response to immunotherapy, the potential of natural products as candidates for adjuvant immunotherapy is being explored, as well as their immunomodulatory effects on cancer. Due to the complexity of TNBC and the ever-changing tumor microenvironment, there are challenges in determining the feasibility of using natural products to enhance the efficacy or counteract the toxicity of conventional treatments. In view of technological advances in molecular docking, pharmaceutical networking, and new drug delivery systems, natural products show promise as potential candidates in adjunctive therapy. In this article, we summarize the mechanisms of action of selected natural-product-based bioactive compounds and analyze their roles and applications in combination treatments and immune regulation.

Review of the Protective Mechanism of Paeonol on Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Paeonol(Pae) is a phenolic component extracted from peony bark, peony root and Xu Changqing. Studies have shown that Pae can protect cardiomyocytes by inhibiting oxidative stress, promoting mitochondrial fusion, regulating mitochondrial autophagy and inhibiting inflammation. In addition, Pae improves ventricular remodeling by inhibiting myocardial apoptosis, hypertrophy and fibrosis. Pae also has a good protective effect on blood vessels by inhibiting vascular inflammation, reducing the expression of adhesion molecules, inhibiting vascular proliferation, and inhibiting oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS). Pae also has the effect of anti-endothelial cell senescence, promoting thrombus recanalization and vasodilating. In conclusion, the molecular targets of Pae are very complex, and the relationship between different targets and signaling pathways cannot be clearly explained, which requires us to use systems biology methods to further study specific molecular targets of Pae. It has to be mentioned that the bioavailability of Pae is poor, and some nanotechnology-assisted drug delivery systems improve the therapeutic effect of Pae. We reviewed the protective mechanism of paeonol on the cardiovascular system, hoping to provide help for drug development in the treatment of CVD.

Pharmacological effects and mechanisms of paeonol on antitumor and prevention of side effects of cancer therapy

Cancer represents one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Conventional clinical treatments include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. However, these treatments have inherent limitations, such as multidrug resistance and the induction of short- and long-term multiple organ damage, ultimately leading to a significant decrease in cancer survivors' quality of life and life expectancy. Paeonol, a nature active compound derived from the root bark of the medicinal plant Paeonia suffruticosa, exhibits various pharmacological activities. Extensive research has demonstrated that paeonol exhibits substantial anticancer effects in various cancer, both in vitro and in vivo. Its underlying mechanisms involve the induction of apoptosis, the inhibition of cell proliferation, invasion and migration, angiogenesis, cell cycle arrest, autophagy, regulating tumor immunity and enhanced radiosensitivity, as well as the modulation of multiple signaling pathways, such as the PI3K/AKT and NF-κB signaling pathways. Additionally, paeonol can prevent adverse effects on the heart, liver, and kidneys induced by anticancer therapy. Despite numerous studies exploring paeonol's therapeutic potential in cancer, no specific reviews have been conducted. Therefore, this review provides a systematic summary and analysis of paeonol's anticancer effects, prevention of side effects, and the underlying mechanisms involved. This review aims to establish a theoretical basis for the adjunctive strategy of paeonol in cancer treatment, ultimately improving the survival rate and enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients.

Paeonol attenuates Substance P-induced urticaria by inhibiting Src kinase phosphorylation in mast cells

BACKGROUND

Treatment of chronic urticaria is challenging, the discovery of effective therapeutic drugs is urgently in demand.

PURPOSE

To study the effect and mechanism of Paeonol targeting mast cells and its therapeutic effect on chronic urticaria.

STUDY DESIGN

We developed a chronic urticaria model in vivo and mast cell model in vitro examined the effect of Paeonol in the treatment of chronic urticaria and its mechanism of action in mast cells.

METHOD

The anti-anaphylactoid effect of Paeonol was evaluated in PCA and systemic anaphylaxis models. The treatment role of Paeonol was studied in urticaria model. The release of cytokines and chemokines was measured using enzyme immunoassay kits. Western blot analysis was conducted to investigate phosphorylation of Src, PI3K, and PLC. In vitro kinase assays were conducted to investigate the kinase activity of Lyn, PLC, PI3K and Src.

RESULTS

In our study, Paeonol was able to attenuate evans blue leakage, serum histamine and chemokine release in a passive skin allergic reaction model. Simultaneously, Paeonol inhibited vasodilation and mast cell degranulation in C57BL/6 mice. Further research found that Paeonol alleviated symptoms such as erythema and rash in the Substance P-induced urticaria model, this is accompanied by inhibiting the release of related inflammatory factors. Validation experiments on mast cells in vitro found that Paeonol inhibited the activation of Src-PI3K/Lyn-PLC-NF-κB signaling pathway by crosslinking with Src kinase. Moreover, calcium influx, mast cell degranulation, cytokines generation and chemotaxis were reduced in LAD2 cells. Molecular docking experiments revealed that Paeonol is a specific antagonist targeting Src kinase in the treatment of skin diseases such as urticaria.

CONCLUSION

Paeonol, a herb-derived phenolic compound, can provide drug candidate for developing new drug in treatment of skin disease such as urticaria.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

In this study, we primarily examined the effect of Paeonol in the treatment of chronic urticaria and its mechanism of action in mast cells. Interestingly, Paeonol was found to regulate Src kinase activity downstream of MRGPRX2 triggered signaling cascade in mast cells. Therefore, this plant-derived phenolic compound may provide a therapeutic option for the treatment of chronic urticaria.

Phytochemicals targeting lncRNAs: A novel direction for neuroprotection in neurological disorders

Neurological disorders with various etiologies impacting the nervous system are prevalent in clinical practice. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) molecules are functional RNA molecules exceeding 200 nucleotides in length that do not encode proteins, but participate in essential activities. Research indicates that lncRNAs may contribute to the pathogenesis of neurological disorders, and may be potential targets for their treatment. Phytochemicals in traditional Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) have been found to exert neuroprotective effects by targeting lncRNAs and regulating gene expression and various signaling pathways. We aim to establish the development status and neuroprotective mechanism of phytochemicals that target lncRNAs through a thorough literature review. A total of 369 articles were retrieved through manual and electronic searches of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and CNKI databases from inception to September 2022. The search utilized combinations of natural products, lncRNAs, neurological disorders, and neuroprotective effects as keywords. The included studies, a total of 31 preclinical trials, were critically reviewed to present the current situation and the progress in phytochemical-targeted lncRNAs in neuroprotection. Phytochemicals have demonstrated neuroprotective effects in preclinical studies of various neurological disorders by regulating lncRNAs. These disorders include arteriosclerotic ischemia-reperfusion injury, ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, glioma, peripheral nerve injury, post-stroke depression, and depression. Several phytochemicals exert neuroprotective roles through mechanisms such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptosis, autophagy regulation, and antagonism of Aβ-induced neurotoxicity. Some phytochemicals targeted lncRNAs and served a neuroprotective role by regulating microRNA and mRNA expression. The emergence of lncRNAs as pathological regulators provides a novel direction for the study of phytochemicals in CHM. Elucidating the mechanism of phytochemicals regulating lncRNAs will help to identify new therapeutic targets and promote their application in precision medicine.

Design and Evaluation of Paeonol-Loaded Liposomes in Thermoreversible Gels for Atopic Dermatitis

Paeonol (PAE) is a hydrophobic drug. In this study, we encapsulated paeonol in a lipid bilayer of liposomes (PAE-L), which delayed drug release and increased drug solubility. When PAE-L was dispersed in gels (PAE-L-G) based on a poloxamer matrix material for local transdermal delivery, we observed amphiphilicity, reversible thermal responsiveness, and micellar self-assembly behavior. These gels can be used for atopic dermatitis (AD), an inflammatory skin disease, to change the surface temperature of the skin. In this study, we prepared PAE-L-G at an appropriate temperature for the treatment of AD. We then assessed the gel’s relevant physicochemical properties, in vitro cumulative drug release, and antioxidant properties. We found that PAE-loaded liposomes could be designed to increase the drug effect of thermoreversible gels. At 32 °C, PAE-L-G could change from solution state to gelatinous state at 31.70 ± 0.42 s, while the viscosity was 136.98 ± 0.78 MPa.S and the free radical scavenging rates on DPPH and H2O2 were 92.24 ± 5.57% and 92.12 ± 2.71%, respectively. Drug release across the extracorporeal dialysis membrane reached 41.76 ± 3.78%. In AD-like mice, PAE-L-G could also relieve skin damage by the 12th day. In summary, PAE-L-G could play an antioxidant role and relieve inflammation caused by oxidative stress in AD.

Natural Bioactive Compounds Targeting NADPH Oxidase Pathway in Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, in both developed and developing countries. According to the WHO report, the morbidity and mortality caused by CVD will continue to rise with the estimation of death going up to 22.2 million in 2030. NADPH oxidase (NOX)-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) production induces endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) uncoupling and mitochondrial dysfunction, resulting in sustained oxidative stress and the development of cardiovascular diseases. Seven distinct members of the family have been identified of which four (namely, NOX1, 2, 4 and 5) may have cardiovascular functions. Currently, the treatment and management plan for patients with CVDs mainly depends on the drugs. However, prolonged use of prescribed drugs may cause adverse drug reactions. Therefore, it is crucial to find alternative treatment options with lesser adverse effects. Natural products have been gaining interest as complementary therapy for CVDs over the past decade due to their wide range of medicinal properties, including antioxidants. These might be due to their potent active ingredients, such as flavonoid and phenolic compounds. Numerous natural compounds have been demonstrated to have advantageous effects on cardiovascular disease via NADPH cascade. This review highlights the potential of natural products targeting NOX-derived ROS generation in treating CVDs. Emphasis is put on the activation of the oxidases, including upstream or downstream signalling events.

Traveling across Life Sciences with Acetophenone-A Simple Ketone That Has Special Multipurpose Missions

Each metabolite, regardless of its molecular simplicity or complexity, has a mission or function in the organism biosynthesizing it. In this review, the biological, allelochemical, and chemical properties of acetophenone, as a metabolite involved in multiple interactions with various (mi-cro)organisms, are discussed. Further, the details of its biogenesis and chemical synthesis are provided, and the possibility of its application in different areas of life sciences, i.e., the status quo of acetophenone and its simple substituted analogs, is examined. In particular, natural and synthetic simple acetophenone derivatives are analyzed as promising agrochemicals and useful scaffolds for drug research and development.

New light on treatment of cervical cancer: Chinese medicine monomers can be effective for cervical cancer by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Cervical cancer (CC), as the most common malignant tumor of the female reproductive system, is infamous for its high morbidity and mortality rates. Its development and metastasis are intricate because numerous signaling pathways are involved. Since the cancer and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway are closely intertwined, direct inhibition of either the PI3K/Akt pathway or its target genes and molecules may be remarkably constructive for treatment. Albeit remarkable advances in the treatment of CC, existing common anti-cancer medications are not without problems. These problems include myelotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, genotoxicity, and vasospasm, which are the most common and well-recognized toxicities associated with these medications. Therefore, it is necessary and urgent to develop novel, potent, secure, and more reasonably priced anticancer medications that are void of the above problems. Against this backdrop, Chinese medicine monomers have received more attention in recent years owing to their safety, low toxicity, few side effects, and anti-tumor properties. By regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, Chinese medicine monomers are effective not only in inhibiting CC growth, proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration, and reversing drug resistance but also in a variety of targets. Most previous earlier studies focused on the use of a single traditional Chinese medicine monomer to treat CC by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway rather than a combination of several such monomers. More importantly, to our knowledge, there has hardly been any study providing an exhaustive and comprehensive review of all the Chinese medicine monomers at CC. In response to this scarcity, we attempt in this paper to provide a comprehensive review of all the literature to date on traditional Chinese medicine monomers at cervical cancer, highlight the mechanisms and future prospects for their use in the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer.

Development of Paeonol Liposomes: Design, Optimization, in vitro and in vivo Evaluation

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the intractable diseases recognized by the World Health Organization, and paeonol has been proven to have therapeutic effects. However, the low solubility of paeonol limits its clinical application. To prepare and optimize paeonol liposome, study its absorption mechanism and the anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo, in order to provide experimental basis for the further development of paeonol into an anti-inflammatory drug in the future.

METHODS

Paeonol loaded liposomes were prepared and optimized by thin film dispersion-ultrasonic method. The absorption mechanism of paeonol-loaded liposomes was studied by pharmacokinetics, in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion and Caco-2 cell monolayer model, the anti-inflammatory activity was studied in a mouse ulcerative model.

RESULTS

Box-Behnken response surface methodology permits to screen the best formulations. The structural and morphological characterization showed that paeonol was entrapped inside the bilayer in liposomes. Pharmacokinetic studies found that the AUC_0-t of Pae-Lips was 2.78 times than that of paeonol suspension, indicating that Pae-Lips significantly improved the absorption of paeonol. In situ single intestinal perfusion and Caco-2 monolayer cell model results showed that paeonol was passively transported and absorbed, and was the substrate of P-gp, MRP2 and BCRP, and the Papp value of Pae-Lips was significantly higher than that of paeonol. In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory experiments showed that compared with paeonol, Pae-Lips exhibited excellent anti-inflammatory activity.

CONCLUSION

In this study, Pae-Lips were successfully prepared to improve the oral absorption of paeonol. Absorption may involve passive diffusion and efflux transporters. Moreover, Pae-Lips have excellent anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo, which preliminarily clarifies the feasibility of further development of Pae-Lips into oral anti-inflammatory drugs.

Assessing cellular internalization and endosomal escape abilities of novel BUFII-Graphene oxide nanobioconjugates

Cell-penetrating agents based on functionalized nanoplatforms have emerged as a promising approach for developing more efficient and multifunctional delivery vehicles for treating various complex diseases that require reaching different intracellular compartments. Our previous work has shown that achieving full cellular coverage and high endosomal escape rates is possible by interfacing magnetite nanoparticles with potent translocating peptides such as Buforin II (BUF-II). In this work, we extended such an approach to two graphene oxide (GO)-based nanoplatforms functionalized with different surface chemistries to which the peptide molecules were successfully conjugated. The developed nanobioconjugates were characterized via spectroscopic (FTIR, Raman), thermogravimetric, and microscopic (SEM, TEM, and AFM) techniques. Moreover, biocompatibility was assessed via standardized hemocompatibility and cytotoxicity assays in two cell lines. Finally, cell internalization and coverage and endosomal escape abilities were estimated with the aid of confocal microscopy analysis of colocalization of the nanobioconjugates with Lysotracker Green^®. Our findings showed coverage values that approached 100% for both cell lines, high biocompatibility, and endosomal escape levels ranging from 30 to 45% and 12–24% for Vero and THP-1 cell lines. This work provides the first routes toward developing the next-generation, carbon-based, cell-penetrating nanovehicles to deliver therapeutic agents. Further studies will be focused on elucidating the intracellular trafficking pathways of the nanobioconjugates to reach different cellular compartments.

Paeonol attenuates retinopathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats by regulating the oxidative stress and polyol pathway

The current research work was planned to study the effects of paeonol in the management of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats using Streptozotocin (55 mg/kg, i.p.). After 4 weeks, the diabetic animals were treated with paeonol at a dose of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight daily for the next 4 weeks. At the end of treatment, retinal physiology was studied by recording an electroretinogram (ERG); biochemical parameters and oxidative stress were estimated. The histopathology of the retina was also carried out at the end of the study. The ERG of paeonol-treated animals showed a significant improvement in a-wave amplitude, b-wave amplitude, a-wave latency, and b-wave latency (p < 0.001) at 15 cd s/m² when compared with the diabetic control animals. The paeonol treatment (200 mg/kg) in diabetic animals showed a significant decrease in the plasma glucose level (p < 0.001) when compared to the animals in diabetic control group. Paeonol also significantly decreased the lactate dehydrogenase, aldose reductase, and sorbitol dehydrogenase levels when compared with the diabetic control animals. The oxidative stress in the eye was significantly reduced after the paeonol treatment in the diabetic rats. The histopathology showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the retinal thickness after the paeonol treatment. The results of the study indicate that paeonol can be considered an effective management option for diabetic retinopathy.

A review on therapeutical potential of paeonol in atherosclerosis

The morbidity and mortality of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is increasing year by year. Cortex Moutan is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb that has been widely used for thousands of years to treat a wide variety of diseases in Eastern countries due to its heat-clearing and detoxifying effects. Paeonol is a bioactive monomer extracted from Cortex Moutan, which has anti-atherosclerotic effects. In this article, we reviewed the pharmacological effects of paeonol against experimental atherosclerosis, as well as its protective effects on vascular endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, macrophages, platelets, and other important cell types. The pleiotropic effects of paeonol in atherosclerosis suggest that it can be a promising therapeutic agent for atherosclerosis and its complications. Large-scale randomized clinical trials are warranted to elucidate whether paeonol are effective in patients with ASCVD.

Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Effects of Paeonol against Oxidative Stress and Altered Carrier-Mediated Transport System on NSC-34 Cell Lines

Paeonol is a naturally occurring phenolic agent that attenuates neurotoxicity in neurodegenerative diseases. We aimed to investigate the antioxidant and protective effects of paeonol and determine its transport mechanism in wild-type (WT; NSC-34/hSOD1^WT) and mutant-type (MT; NSC-34/hSOD1^G93A) motor neuron-like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cell lines. Cytotoxicity induced by glutamate, lipopolysaccharides, and H₂O₂ reduced viability of cell; however, the addition of paeonol improved cell viability against neurotoxicity. The [³H]paeonol uptake was increased in the presence of H₂O₂ in both cell lines. Paeonol recovered ALS model cell lines by reducing mitochondrial oxidative stress induced by glutamate. The transport of paeonol was time-, concentration-, and pH-dependent in both NSC-34 cell lines. Kinetic parameters showed two transport sites with altered affinity and capacity in the MT cell line compared to the WT cell line. [³H]Paeonol uptake increased in the MT cell line transfected with organic anion transporter1 (Oat1)/Slc22a6 small interfering RNA compared to that in the control. Plasma membrane monoamine transporter (Pmat) was also involved in the uptake of paeonol by ALS model cell lines. Overall, paeonol exhibits neuroprotective activity via a carrier-mediated transport system and may be a beneficial therapy for preventing motor neuronal damage under ALS-like conditions.

Network Pharmacological Study on the Mechanism of Cynanchum paniculatum (Xuchangqing) in the Treatment of Bungarus multicinctus Bites

Background

Bungarus multicinctus is one of the top ten venomous snakes in China. Its venom is mainly neurotoxin-based. Novel antivenom drugs need to be further researched and developed.

Objective

This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of Cynanchum paniculatum in treating Bungarus multicinctus bites based on network pharmacology. Material and methods. The potential active ingredients of Cynanchum paniculatum were screened and their SDF structures were obtained using the PubChem database and imported into the SwissTargetPrediction database, and targets were obtained for the antitoxin effects of Cynanchum paniculatum in the treatment of Bungarus multicinctus bites. The Cynanchum paniculatum-active compound-potential target network and protein-protein interaction network were constructed by using Cytoscape software, and then biological function analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed using the DAVID.

Results

Seven potential active components (cynapanoside C, cynatratoside B, tomentolide A, sitosterol, sarcostin, tomentogenin, and paeonol) and 286 drug targets were obtained, including 30 key targets for the treatment of bungarotoxin toxicity. The active components mainly acted on PIK3CA, MAPK1, MAP2K1, JAK2, FYN, ACHE, CHRNA7, CHRNA4, and CHRNB2, and they antagonized the inhibitory effect of bungarotoxin on the nervous system through cholinergic synapses and the neurotrophin signaling pathway.

Conclusions

Cynanchum paniculatum exerts a therapeutic effect on Bungarus multicinctus bites through multiple active components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways. The findings provide a theoretical basis for the extraction of active components of Cynanchum paniculatum and for related antivenom experiments.

Modulating Effect of Paeonol on Piglets With Ulcerative Colitis

Piglet enteritis is a major problem that needs to be solved urgently in modern pig production. Paeonol (Pae) has been used as a novel treatment option due to its good medicinal value. This study purported to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of Pae on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in weaned piglets. A total of 36 crossbred (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) weaned piglets were stochastically split into six groups: the control group, DSS group, 0.2% Pae group, 0.4% Pae group, 0.8% Pae group, and mesalazine group. The control and DSS groups were fed with a basic diet, the three Pae and mesalazine groups were fed with 0.2, 0.4, 0.8%, and 2 g mesalazine per kilogram of basic diet throughout the study. On the 15th day of the test period, the control group was gavaged with 10 ml of normal saline, while the remaining five groups were gavaged with 10 ml 5% DSS solution for 13 days. The study lasted for 27 days. The results showed that the 0.8% Pae group significantly increased the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and Occludin mRNA expression in the colon of piglets (P < 0.05). The 0.2% Pae group markedly increased the average daily gain (ADG) and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) mRNA expression (P < 0.05). In the 0.2% and 0.4% Pae groups, the feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) was significantly reduced and the mRNA expression levels of Caspase-8, respectively, markedly enhanced the mRNA expression levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and interleukins-4 (IL-4) (P < 0.05). In the 0.8% Pae group, the relative abundance of Campilobacterota was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). In the 0.4% Pae group, the relative abundance of Firmicutes was notably increased (P < 0.05). In the 0.2 and 0.8% Pae groups, the relative abundance of Prevotella was markedly increased (P < 0.05). In the 0.2% Pae group, the contents of propionic acid, butyric acid, and valerate acid were markedly higher (P < 0.05). Thus, it is speculated that Pae may regulate the balance of anti-inflammatory/pro-inflammatory factors, improve intestinal tight junction expression, reduce apoptosis, and improve intestinal microflora structure and growth performance of piglets, thereby restoring intestinal barrier function and alleviating DSS-induced UC in piglets.

Paeonol increases the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity of gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila

Paeonol, a naturally occurring polyphenol isolated from medical plant, has been known to exhibit anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. In order to evaluate the effect of paeonol on Carassius auratus gibelio infected by pathogenic bacteria Aeromonas hydriphila. 750 fish were randomly divided into 5 groups, which separately treated with 0.85% sterile saline (blank), A. hydriphila (negative control), A. hydriphila with paeonol (4 mg/kg, 64 mg/kg), and A. hydriphila with enrofloxacin (12 mg/kg, positive control). Fish were anaesthetized with MS-222 (100 mg/L), and samples were collected at 6 and 72 h after A. hydriphila challenge. The results showed that compared with the negative group, the survival in paeonol groups marked increased by 14.75% and 18.94%. The plasma immunoglobulin M (IgM) was notably increased, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) was significantly decreased in paeonol groups at 6 h (P < 0.05). The antioxidative enzymes catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were significantly increased in paeonol groups at 6 h, while malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) contents were lower (P < 0.05). The inflammatory related genes MyD88 and TLR-5 were significantly downregulated, and the TLR-3 was significantly increased in paeonol groups at 72 h (P < 0.05). In addition, histopathological analyses showed that the lesion in liver, spleen and caudal kidney were considerably attenuated in paeonol groups. In conclusion, paeonol could increase the survival rate, mitigate oxidative damage, inflammation, tissue lesions, and improve the immunity of gibel carp challenged with A. hydrophila.

Revisiting the Physicochemical Properties and Applications of Deep Eutectic Solvents

Recently, deep eutectic solvent (DES) or ionic liquid (IL) analogues have been considered as the newest green solvent, demonstrating the potential to replace harsh volatile organic solvents. DESs are mainly a combination of two compounds: hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) and hydrogen bond donor (HBD), which have the ability to interact through extensive hydrogen bonds. A thorough understanding of their physicochemical properties is essential, given their successful applications on an industrial scale. The appropriate blend of HBA to HBD can easily fine-tune DES properties for desired applications. In this context, we have reviewed the basic information related to DESs, the two most studied physicochemical properties (density and viscosity), and their performance as a solvent in (i) drug delivery and (ii) extraction of biomolecules. A broader approach of various factors affecting their performance has been considered, giving a detailed picture of the current status of DESs in research and development.

Paeonol Ameliorates Chronic Itch and Spinal Astrocytic Activation via CXCR3 in an Experimental Dry Skin Model in Mice

Paeonol is a bioactive phenol presents mainly in Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. (Paeoniaceae), Paeonia lactiflora Pall., and Dioscorea japonica Thunb. (Dioscoreaceae), harboring various pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune regulatory activity and reverse chemoresistance. Recent reports revealed paeonol exhibited good effects on chronic dermatitis, such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis. However, whether paeonol is effective for dry skin disease and its mechanism of action still remain unclear. In this study, we analysed the effects of paeonol on a mouse model of dry skin treated with acetone-ether-water (AEW), which showed impressive activities in reducing scratching behavior and skin inflammation. To elucidate the underlying molecular targets for the anti-pruritic ability of paeonol, we screened the expression of possible chemokine pathways in the spinal cord. The expression of CXCR3 was significantly alleviated by paeonol, which increased greatly in the spinal neurons of AEW mice. In addition, treatment of paeonol significantly inhibited AEW-induced expression of astrocyte activity-dependent genes including Tlr4, Lcn2 and Hspb1 et al. The inhibitory effects of paeonol on scratching behavior and astrocytic activation in the spinal cord induced by AEW were abolished when CXCR3 was antagonized or genetically ablated. Taken together, our results indicated that paeonol can ameliorate AEW-induced inflammatory response and itching behavior, and reduce the expression of spinal astrocyte activity-dependent genes induced by AEW, which are driven by CXCR3.

A novel high-resolution monophenolase/diphenolase/radical scavenging profiling for the rapid screening of natural whitening candidates from Peaonia lactiflora root and their mechanism study with molecular docking

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The root of Paeonia lactiflora is a traditionally-used whitening medicine in China for thousands of years. Although some tyrosinase inhibitors and/or antioxidants such as 1,2,3,4,6-pentagalloylglucose, gallic acid, have been isolated and identified, their tyrosinase inhibition pathway (monophenolase or diphenolase inhibition, or both two) have not been systematically studied and the underlying tyrosinase inhibition mechanism has not been revealed yet. Moreover, the exploring of new natural tyrosinase inhibitors and antioxidants is urgently needed.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This review aimed to develop a new microplate-based high-resolution tyrosinase inhibition profiling assay and establish a furthermore triple high-resolution monophenolase/diphenolase/radical scavenging profiling for accelerating identification bioactive compounds from complicated plant extract.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The targeted isolation and structure elucidation were performed with high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. It allows to be a proof of concept with the root of Paeonia lactiflora crude extract as a natural whitening herbal drug.

RESULTS

The result showed that galloylpaeoniflorin specifically inhibited monophenolase activity. While 1,2,3,4,6-pentagalloylglucose, gallic acid and catechin demonstrated the inhibition towards both monophenolase and diphenolase. Among them, 1,2,3,4,6-pentagalloylglucose can inhibit monophenolase activity was reported for the first time. In addition, antioxidant properties were attributed to catechin, 1,2,3,4,6-pentagalloylglucose and gallic acid. Due to its low content and complicated configuration in the root of Paeonia lactiflora, a new potential tyrosinase inhibitor and radical scavenger which tentatively identified as hexagalloylglucose by high-resolution MS was still need further verification. What's more, the molecular docking unveiled that bioactive enzymatic inhibitors mainly interacted with amino acid catalytic residues of tyrosinase via H-bonds and van der wals, which may be helpful to understand their inhibition mechanisms with tyrosinase in the skin whitening.

CONCLUSIONS

The platform provided a promising and efficient strategy for the rapid screening of whitening active components from natural sources.