Suppressive effects of rutin, quercitrin, and isoquercitrin on atypical allergic asthma in an animal model

Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of Erica spiculifolia extracts and fractions

There is little data on the phytochemical/pharmacological properties of Erica spiculifolia Salisb. (syn. Bruckentalia spiculifolia (Salisb.) Rchb.). This study examines the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of different extracts and fractions of E. spiculifolia in vitro on isolated rat peritoneal macrophages, in the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema test, BSA test, and two complementary antioxidant assays. Ethanolic extracts of leaves, flowers, and aboveground parts, and petroleum ether, ether, ethyl acetate, and water fractionations of the ethanol extract of E. spiculifolia applied at doses of 50-200 mg/kg p.o. exhibited dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity comparable with indomethacin. All tested samples, except for the petroleum ether fraction, exerted excellent in vitro antioxidant activity, and all of them exhibited significant and similar inhibition of BSA denaturation comparable with diclofenac. Ethanolic extract of the aboveground parts obtained by percolation, ethyl acetate and water fractions had the highest efficiency, attenuating inflammation by more than 50% in the lowest applied concentration alongside exceptional radical scavenging activity.

Topical Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Quercetin Glycosides on Atopic Dermatitis-Like Lesions: Influence of the Glycone Type on Efficacy and Skin Absorption

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a multifaceted inflammatory skin condition characterized by the involvement of various cell types, such as keratinocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and mast cells. Research indicates that flavonoids possess anti-inflammatory properties that may be beneficial in the management of AD. However, the investigation of the glycoside forms for anti-AD therapy is limited. We aimed to assess the ability of quercetin-3-O-glycosides in treating AD-like lesions through in silico-, cell-, and animal-based platforms. The glycosylated flavonols of quercitrin, isoquercitrin, and rutin were used in this study. We also tried to understand the influence of glycone type on the bioactivity and skin delivery of glycosides. The glycosides effectively reduced the overexpression of proinflammatory effectors such as interleukin (IL)-6, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)1, CXCL8, regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) in the activated keratinocytes. This reduction could be due to the inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 phosphorylation. Isoquercitrin (but not quercitrin and rutin) could arrest the upregulated IL-6 and CCL5 in the macrophage model. The glycosides significantly prevented histamine release from RBL-2H3 cells. The skin absorption examination showed a greater permeation of quercitrin and isoquercitrin than rutin with dual sugar moieties due to the smaller molecular volume and higher lipophilicity. The skin deposition of quercitrin and isoquercitrin was enhanced by about 11-fold in the stripped and delipidized skins, which mimicked AD lesions. The in vivo dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD mouse model demonstrated less erosion, scaling, and epidermal hyperplasia after topical isoquercitrin treatment. The concentration of cytokines/chemokines in the lesion was decreased by isoquercitrin. These effects were similar to those of tacrolimus ointment. The immunohistochemistry (IHC) displayed the reduction of epidermal hyperproliferation and immune cell infiltration by topical isoquercitrin. The results indicated that the delivery of quercetin glycosides could provide an efficient and safe way to treat AD inflammation.

Integrated Mechanisms of Polarity-Based Extracts of Cucumis melo L. Seed Kernels for Airway Smooth Muscle Relaxation via Key Signaling Pathways Based on WGCNA, In Vivo, and In Vitro Analyses

The present study aimed to determine the mechanisms responsible for calcium-mediated smooth muscle contractions in C. melo seeds. The phytochemicals of C. melo were identified and quantified with the aid of Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometric (LC/ESI-MS/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and then tested in-vitro and in vivo to confirm involvement in smooth muscle relaxation. Allergic asthma gene datasets were acquired from the NCBI gene expression omnibus (GEO) and differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and functional enrichment analysis were conducted. Additionally, molecular docking of key genes was carried out. Kaempferol, rutin, and quercetin are identified as phytochemical constituents of C. melo seeds. Results indicated that C. melo seeds exhibit a dose-dependent relaxant effect for potassium chloride (80 mM)- induced spastic contraction and calcium antagonistic response in calcium dose-response curves. The functional enrichment of WGCNA and DEG asthma-associated pathogenic genes showed cytokine-mediated pathways and inflammatory responses. Furthermore, CACNA1A, IL2RB, and NOS2 were identified as key genes with greater binding affinity with rutin, quercitrin, and kaempferol in molecular docking. These results show that the bronchodilator and antidiarrheal effects of C. melo were produced by altering the regulatory genes of calcium-mediated smooth muscle contraction.

Physiological Effects of Green-Colored Food-Derived Bioactive Compounds on Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases

Cardiovascular and metabolic diseases are a leading cause of death worldwide. Epidemiological studies strongly highlight various benefits of consuming colorful fruits and vegetables in everyday life. In this review, we aimed to revisit previous studies conducted in the last few decades regarding green-colored foods and their bioactive compounds in consideration of treating and/or preventing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. This review draws a comprehensive summary and assessment of research on the physiological effects of various bioactive compounds, mainly polyphenols, derived from green-colored fruits and vegetables. In particular, their health-beneficial effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, cardioprotective, and lipid-lowering properties, will be discussed. Furthermore, the bioavailability and significance of action of these bioactive compounds on cardiovascular and metabolic diseases will be discussed in detail.