Promising influences of zingerone against natural and chemical toxins: A comprehensive and mechanistic review

Evaluation of the Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, and Antibacterial Activity of Curcuma domestica, Zingiber officinale, Alpinia galanga, Curcuma xanthorrhiza, and Kaempferia galanga Concurrent With Its Metabolite's Constituent Analysis

Herbs belonging to the Zingiberaceae family are frequently utilized in traditional medicine. Nevertheless, there has yet to be a study that thoroughly examines the biological properties of Zingiberaceae rhizomes while also conducting a chemometric analysis of their metabolic components. The present study explored the total phenolic content, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antibacterial activity of Curcuma xanthorrhiza, Zingiber officinale, Alpinia galanga, Kaempferia galanga, and Curcuma domestica concurrent with chemometric analysis of their metabolic components. The highest antioxidant activity measured using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl) assay was found in Z. officinale extract (IC50 = 14.93 µg/mL), followed by C. domestica extract (IC50 = 35.56 µg/mL). Moreover, all samples demonstrated in vitro antidiabetic activity by inhibiting α-glucosidase, with C. domestica showing the highest activity (98.42%), followed by K. galanga (86.13%), A. galanga (85.04%), Z. officinale (74.76%), and C. xanthorrhiza (43.74%). All extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with C. domestica and C. xanthorrhiza extracts being the most active extracts at a concentration of 5 mg/mL. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra supported the presence of phenolic compounds in all extracts. In addition, liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) analysis revealed various compounds in the extracts, including phenolic compounds, flavonoids, aldehyde, fatty amide, amino acid, fatty acid, ketone, purine derivative, and glycosides. Partial least square-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) successfully discriminated C. xanthorrhiza, Z. officinale, A. galanga, K. galanga, and C. domestica extracts based on their different metabolite composition. This study revealed the potency of C. xanthorrhiza, Z. officinale, A. galanga, K. galanga, and C. domestica as natural sources packed with antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antibacterial benefits in functional food and pharmaceutical products.

Mechanisms of ferroptotic and non-ferroptotic organ toxicity of chemotherapy: protective and therapeutic effects of ginger, 6-gingerol and zingerone in preclinical studies

Chemotherapy (CT) is one of the flagship options for the treatment of cancers worldwide. It involves the use of cytotoxic anticancer agents to kill or inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. However, despite its clinical efficacy, CT triggers side effect toxicities in several organs, which may impact cancer patient's quality of life and treatment outcomes. While the side effect toxicity is consistent with non-ferroptotic mechanisms involving oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial impairment and other aberrant signalling leading to apoptosis and necroptosis, recent studies show that ferroptosis, a non-apoptotic, iron-dependent cell death pathway, is also involved in the pathophysiology of CT organ toxicity. CT provokes organ ferroptosis via system Xc-/GPX-4/GSH/SLC7A11 axis depletion, ferritinophagy, iron overload, lipid peroxidation and upregulation of ferritin-related proteins. Cisplatin (CP) and doxorubicin (DOX) are common CT drugs indicated to induce ferroptosis in vitro and in vivo. Studies have explored natural preventive and therapeutic strategies using ginger rhizome and its major bioactive compounds, 6-gingerol (6G) and zingerone (ZG), to combat mechanisms of CT side effect toxicity. Ginger extract, 6G and ZG mitigate non-ferroptotic oxidative inflammation, apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction mechanisms of CT side effect toxicity, but their effects on CT-induced ferroptosis remain unclear. Systematic investigations are, therefore, needed to unfold the roles of ginger, 6G and ZG on ferroptosis involved in CT side effect toxicity, as they are potential natural agents for the prevention of CT toxicity. This review reveals the ferroptotic and non-ferroptotic toxicity mechanisms of CT and the protective mechanisms of ginger, 6G and ZG against CT-induced, ferroptotic and non-ferroptotic organ toxicities.

Zingiberaceae wonders: the antioxidant powerhouse for optimal health

A discrepancy between the production of reactive oxygen species [ROS] and the body’s capacity to cleanse or repair the resulting damage is known as oxidative stress. Antioxidants shield cells against ROS and free radicals, which are extremely reactive because of their unpaired electrons, by preventing other molecules from oxidizing. Antioxidants from the Zingiberaceae family, which is well-known for its culinary and therapeutic applications, scavenge free radicals, chelate metal ions, alter enzyme function, and control gene expression. The antioxidant capacity of Zingiberaceae plant extracts and compounds is assessed using in vitro tests such as DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS. Animal research conducted in vivo clarifies these plants’ bioavailability, metabolism, and impacts on diseases linked to oxidative stress. Lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, DNA damage, and endogenous antioxidant defenses are examples of biomarkers of oxidative stress that shed light on the mechanisms behind Zingiberaceae antioxidant treatments and highlight their potential as a treatment for oxidative stress.

Exploring the In Vitro Effects of Zingerone on Differentiation and Signalling Pathways in Bone Cell Lines

OBJECTIVE

Ensuring adequate bone health is crucial for preventing conditions such as osteoporosis and fractures. Zingerone, a phytonutrient isolated from cooked ginger, has gained attention for its potential benefits in bone health. This study evaluated the osteoprotective potential of zingerone and its effects on differentiation and signalling pathways in vitro using SAOS-2 osteosarcoma and RAW264.7 macrophage cell lines, aiming to elucidate its mechanism of action in bone remodelling.

METHODS

SAOS-2 osteosarcoma and RAW264.7 macrophage cells were treated with zingerone at concentrations of 200 µM. Osteoblast differentiation was assessed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, bone mineralisation via Alizarin Red S stain, and gene expression markers (ALP, runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), and osteocalcin) via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR). Osteoclast differentiation was evaluated by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, TRAP activity, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways.

RESULTS

Treatment with zingerone was non-toxic at 200 µM. Zingerone (200 µM) significantly stimulated the gene expression of ALP and Runx2 in SAOS-2 cells (p < 0.05) without statistically significantly enhancing SAOS-2 mineralisation via calcium deposits. Moreover, zingerone significantly inhibited osteoclast differentiation in RAW264.7 cells as evidenced by reduced TRAP staining and activity (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Zingerone shows promise in reducing osteoclast activity and supporting early osteoblast differentiation, suggesting its potential as a dietary supplement for bone health. Further in vivo and clinical studies are needed to confirm its role in managing osteoporosis.

Advanced applications of smart electrospun nanofibers in cancer therapy: With insight into material capabilities and electrospinning parameters

Cancer remains a major global health challenge, and despite available treatments, its prognosis remains poor. Recently, researchers have turned their attention to intelligent nanofibers for cancer drug delivery. These nanofibers exhibit remarkable capabilities in targeted and controlled drug release. Their inherent characteristics, such as a high surface area-to-volume ratio, make them attractive candidates for drug delivery applications. Smart nanofibers can release drugs in response to specific stimuli, including pH, temperature, magnetic fields, and light. This unique feature not only reduces side effects but also enhances the overall efficiency of drug delivery systems. Electrospinning, a widely used method, allows the precision fabrication of smart nanofibers. Its advantages include high efficiency, user-friendliness, and the ability to control various manufacturing parameters. In this review, we explore the latest developments in producing smart electrospun nanofibers for cancer treatment. Additionally, we discuss the materials used in manufacturing these nanofibers and the critical parameters involved in the electrospinning process.

Molecular mechanisms involved in therapeutic effects of natural compounds against cisplatin-induced cardiotoxicity: a review

Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of various cancers. However, the clinical use of cisplatin is limited by its cardiotoxic side effects. The primary mechanisms implicated in this cardiotoxicity include mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptotic. Numerous natural compounds (NCs) have been introduced as promising protective factors against cisplatin-mediated cardiac damage. The current review summarized the potential of various NCs as cardioprotective agents at the molecular levels. These compounds exhibited potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by interaction with the PI3K/AKT, AMPK, Nrf2, NF-κB, and NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pathways. Generally, the modulation of these signaling pathways by NCs represents a promising strategy for improving the therapeutic index of cisplatin by reducing its cardiac side effects.

Hepatoprotective effects of zingerone on sodium arsenite-induced hepatotoxicity in rats: Modulating the levels of caspase-3/Bax/Bcl-2, NLRP3/NF-κB/TNF-α and ATF6/IRE1/PERK/GRP78 signaling pathways

OBJECTIVE

Long-term exposure to arsenic has been linked to several illnesses, including hypertension, diabetes, hepatic and renal diseases and cardiovascular malfunction. The aim of the current investigation was to determine whether zingerone (ZN) could shield rats against the hepatotoxicity that sodium arsenite (SA) causes.

METHODS

The following five groups of thirty-five male Sprague Dawley rats were created: I) Control; received normal saline, II) ZN; received ZN, III) SA; received SA, IV) SA + ZN 25; received 10 mg/kg body weight SA + 25 mg/kg body weight ZN, and V) SA + ZN 50; received 10 mg/kg body weight SA + 50 mg/kg body weight ZN. The experiment lasted 14 days, and the rats were sacrificed on the 15th day. While oxidative stress parameters were studied by spectrophotometric method, apoptosis, inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum stress parameters were measured by RT-PCR method.

RESULTS

The SA disrupted the histological architecture and integrity of the liver and enhanced oxidative damage by lowering antioxidant enzyme activity, such as those of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) level and increasing malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the liver tissue. Additionally, SA increased the mRNA transcript levels of Bcl2 associated x (Bax), caspases (-3, -6, -9), apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 (Apaf-1), p53, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14), MAPK15, receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) and nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) in the liver tissue. Also produced endoplasmic reticulum stress by raising the mRNA transcript levels of activating transcription factor 6 (ATF-6), protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK), inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1), and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP-78). These factors together led to inflammation, apoptosis, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. On the other hand, liver tissue treated with ZN at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg showed significant improvement in oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the study's data suggest that administering ZN may be able to lessen the liver damage caused by SA toxicity.

Possible roles of phytochemicals with bioactive properties in the prevention of and recovery from COVID-19

INTRODUCTION

There have been large geographical differences in the infection and death rates of COVID-19. Foods and beverages containing high amounts of phytochemicals with bioactive properties were suggested to prevent contracting and to facilitate recovery from COVID-19. The goal of our study was to determine the correlation of the type of foods/beverages people consumed and the risk reduction of contracting COVID-19 and the recovery from COVID-19.

METHODS

We developed an online survey that asked the participants whether they contracted COVID-19, their symptoms, time to recover, and their frequency of eating various types of foods/beverages. The survey was developed in 10 different languages.

RESULTS

The participants who did not contract COVID-19 consumed vegetables, herbs/spices, and fermented foods/beverages significantly more than the participants who contracted COVID-19. Among the six countries (India/Iran/Italy/Japan/Russia/Spain) with over 100 participants and high correspondence between the location of the participants and the language of the survey, in India and Japan the people who contracted COVID-19 showed significantly shorter recovery time, and greater daily intake of vegetables, herbs/spices, and fermented foods/beverages was associated with faster recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that phytochemical compounds included in the vegetables may have contributed in not only preventing contraction of COVID-19, but also accelerating their recovery.

Pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, toxicity, and recent advances in Eugenol's potential benefits against natural and chemical noxious agents: A mechanistic review

The active biological phytochemicals, crucial compounds employed in creating hundreds of medications, are derived from valuable and medicinally significant plants. These phytochemicals offer excellent protection from various illnesses, including inflammatory disorders and chronic conditions caused by oxidative stress. A phenolic monoterpenoid known as eugenol (EUG), it is typically found in the essential oils of many plant species from the Myristicaceae, Myrtaceae, Lamiaceae, and Lauraceae families. One of the main ingredients of clove oil (Syzygium aromaticum (L.), Myrtaceae), it has several applications in industry, including flavoring food, pharmaceutics, dentistry, agriculture, and cosmeceuticals. Due to its excellent potential for avoiding many chronic illnesses, it has lately attracted attention. EUG has been classified as a nonmutant, generally acknowledged as a safe (GRAS) chemical by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the existing research, EUG possesses notable anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, antibacterial, antispasmodic, and apoptosis-promoting properties, which have lately gained attention for its ability to control chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial malfunction and dramatically impact human wellness. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the scientific evidence from the most significant research studies that have been published regarding the protective role and detoxifying effects of EUG against a wide range of toxins, including biological and chemical toxins, as well as different drugs and pesticides that produce a variety of toxicities, throughout view of the possible advantages of EUG.

Metabolic signatures in post-myocardial infarction heart failure, including insights into prediction, intervention, and prognosis

Heart failure (HF) is a prevalent long-term complication of myocardial infarction (MI). The incidence of post-MI HF is high, and patients with the condition have a poor prognosis. Accurate identification of individuals at high risk for post-MI HF is crucial for implementation of a protective and ideally personalized strategy to prevent fatal events. Post-MI HF is characterized by adverse cardiac remodeling, which results from metabolic changes in response to long-term ischemia. Moreover, various risk factors, including genetics, diet, and obesity, can influence metabolic pathways in patients. This review focuses on the metabolic signatures of post-MI HF that could serve as non-invasive biomarkers for early identification in high-risk populations. We also explore how metabolism participates in the pathophysiology of post-MI HF. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of metabolites as novel targets for treatment of post-MI HF and as biomarkers for prognostic evaluation. It is expected to provide valuable suggestions for the clinical prevention and treatment of post-MI HF from a metabolic perspective.

Therapeutic Potential of Punica granatum and Isolated Compounds: Evidence-Based Advances to Treat Bacterial Infections

Punica granatum Linn has been known for its nutritional and medicinal value since ancient times and is used in the treatment of various pathologies owing to its antibacterial properties. This review reports the results of the most recent studies on the antibacterial effects of P. granatum and its isolated compounds on bacteria of clinical interest. A search in the PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science) databases was performed, which included articles that evaluated the antibacterial activity of P. granatum extracts and excluded articles that analyzed other microorganisms or nonpathogenic bacteria, as well as theses, dissertations, duplicate articles, and those not fully available. The literature suggests that P. granatum extracts can act on bacteria, such as methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Streptococcus mutans, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. In addition, fruit peel was the most commonly used pharmacogen and methanol, ethanol, and water were the most common solvents for the extraction of bioactive compounds. The antibacterial potential of the methanolic extract of pomegranate peel could be attributed to the presence of active compounds, such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, punicic acid, gallic acid, and punicalagin. Thus, there is evidence that these plant extracts, having high polyphenol content, can disrupt the bacterial plasma membrane and inhibit the action of proteins related to antimicrobial resistance. P. granatum shows antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with great potential against multidrug-resistant strains. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanism of action related to this biological activity and investigate the isolated substances that may be responsible for the antibacterial effects.