Lingonberry Anthocyanins Inhibit Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Liver Fibrosis via TGFβ/Smad/ERK Signaling Pathway

Nutraceutical Potential of Anthocyanins: A Comprehensive Treatise

Anthocyanins (Anthos; flower and kyanos; blue) are natural coloring compounds from the flavonoids class that include cyanidin, peonidin, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, and petunidin. Recently, the role of anthocyanins in disease prevention, especially inflammation, diabetes, cancer, neuro-disorders, hepato-renal protective, and immuno-modulation properties has been highlighted. The current review covered the literature on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacological effects of anthocyanins, especially absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). The discussion on molecular mechanisms underlying their therapeutic effects is the limelight of the article. The GLUT1, GLUT3, SGLT1, SMCT1, and SMCT2 are the main carriers involved in the transportation of anthocyanins in the gastrointestinal tract. The anthocyanins exert their anticancer effects by reducing the expression of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-β, COX-2, downregulation of NF-kB, EZH2, MDR1, Akt, and modulation of P13K/AKT and AMPK/mTOR pathways. The reduction in α-amylase and α-glucosidase and improved FFAR1 activity results in antidiabetic effects. The regulation of PGC-1α/NRF2/TFAM, p-PI3K/Akt/GSK3β, and Nrf2/HO-1 prevents neurodegeneration. The anthocyanins impose hepato-renal protective effects via ameliorating NLRP3 inflammasome, inhibiting MDA, GSSG, iNOS, HO-1, ICAM-1, β2-microglobulin, and MPO activity, and improved SOD, CAT, and GSH activity. Anthocyanins promote beneficial gut microbiota and enhance SCFA production, thus inhibiting pro-inflammatory markers. The immuno-modulatory impact of anthocyanins involves the reduction of CRP, P-selectin, C1q, and C4. Anthocyanins reduce LDL, VLDL, TGs, and TC via improved GBA and upregulation of ATP6 V0C, ZO-1, and ATG4D expression. The WHO/FAO suggested that 2.5 mg/kg/day of grape-skin extracts of anthocyanins are safe, and China recommended that 50 mg/day of anthocyanins are safe for consumption. In a nutshell, the multifaceted health benefits of anthocyanins make them promising candidates for disease prevention and therapeutic interventions.

Anthocyanins: From Natural Colorants to Potent Anticancer Agents

Cancer is a prevalent global disease affecting ~20 million individuals, and this burden causes the death of ~9.7 million people in 2024. The prevalence rate is continuously increasing due to exposure to harmful environmental and occupational contaminants (toxins and chemicals), compromised immune response, genetic modifications, and poor lifestyle and dietary practices. The management of cancer is challenging and demands cost-effective and safe therapeutic strategies. This review accentuates the anticancer potential of anthocyanins and its associated underlying mechanism. Anthocyanins, the active components extracted from grapes, berries, black chokeberries, eggplants, black currants, sweet cherries, strawberries, black grapes, plums, and red onions, hold antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. The bioavailability of anthocyanins is a crucial factor in imposing their anticancer effect, and this bioavailability can be improved by microbial phenolic catabolites, provision of α-casein, and nano delivery systems. Anthocyanins hinder cell migration, invasion, and proliferation by inducing apoptosis, suppressing cell cycle at G0/G1, S, or G2/M stages, and modulating signaling pathways such as apoptotic cascades, PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and NF-κB. Moreover, anthocyanins downregulate oncogenes (Bcl-2, MYC, and HER2) and improve the activity of tumor suppressor genes (TP53, BRCA1, and RB1). Anthocyanins, particularly cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, suppress inflammation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6) in colorectal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. Moreover, it causes cell cycle inhibition and mitochondrial dysfunction in ovarian and cervical malignancies. Although pre-clinical studies have proved anticancer activities, further clinical trials are required to validate its therapeutic impact and standard dose regimens.

Anthocyanins Delay D-Galactose-Induced Mouse Liver Aging by Regulating the NF-κB/IKK Signaling Pathway

Aging is an intricate pathophysiological phenotype. It is the result of the combined action of various inflammatory factors and cytokines. Aging is closely related to inflammation, apoptosis, tumors, and other diseases. Anthocyanins are a kind of natural flavonoid, mainly contained in plant fruits such as bilberry, grape, purple sweet potato, and so on. These flavonoids have antioxidation, antiaging, and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been found that anthocyanins can effectively delay liver, ovary, and other organ aging. However, the biological mechanism by which anthocyanins alleviate aging phenotypes is still poorly understood. To simulate liver aging in mice, D-galactose was injected daily at 800 mg/kg to accelerate aging, and anthocyanins at 20 or 40 mg/kg were given as intervention treatments. The antiaging effect of anthocyanins was evaluated by body weight, inflammatory markers, and aging markers. Serum ALT and AST levels were measured, and liver histology was assessed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. In addition, we explored the molecular mechanism of anthocyanins delaying liver aging by detecting the expression levels of NF-κB/IKK signaling protein molecules. Our results indicate that anthocyanins can effectively delay mouse liver senescence induced by D-galactose. Analyses by Western blot demonstrated that anthocyanins inhibited the NF-κB/IKK signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting inflammation. In vitro, anthocyanins attenuate the D-galactose (D-gal)-induced aging in AML12 cells, as indicated by reduced aging-associated p21 and p16. Anthocyanins can similarly inhibit the NF-κB/IKK signal pathway in D-gal-induced aging in AML12 cells. Based on these findings, anthocyanins reduce liver aging in mice by regulating the NF-κB/IKK pathway.

Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Phytochemicals Against Inflammation-Associated Diseases and Viral Infection

Inflammation-associated diseases have become widespread and pose a significant threat to human health, and the therapeutic methods for diverse diseases are inadequate due to the undesirable effects of synthetic ingredients. Recently, more and more evidence indicated that phytochemicals, plant secondary metabolites, have numerous therapeutic functions against human diseases via affecting a variety of mechanisms with their distinct advantages of high efficiency and low toxicity. Here, we highlight the mechanisms of phytochemicals to hinder inflammation-associated diseases (including Inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, neurological disorders, skin diseases, respiratory diseases, kidney diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, retinal diseases, viral infections) by regulating the crosstalk among various signal cascades (including MicroRNAs, SIRT1, DNMTs, NF-κB, NLRP3, TGF-β, the Gasdermin-mediated pyroptosis pathway), which can be considered as a novel and potential therapeutic strategy. Furthermore, phytochemicals could prevent virus infection by disturbing different targets in the virus replication cycle. However, natural plants have shown limited bioavailability due to their low water solubility, the use of adjuvants such as liposomal phytochemicals, phytochemical nanoparticles and phytochemicals-phospholipid complex promote their bioavailability to exhibit beneficial effects against various diseases. The purpose of this review is to explore the molecular mechanisms and promising applications of phytochemicals in the fields of inflammation-associated diseases and virus infection to provide some direction.

The potential of flavonoids in hepatic fibrosis: A comprehensive review

BACKGROUND

Hepatic fibrosis is a pathophysiological process of extracellular matrix abnormal deposition induced by multiple pathogenic factors. Currently, there is still a lack of effective and non-toxic drugs for treating fibrosis in clinic. Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds synthesized in plants and modern pharmacological studies confirmed flavonoids exhibit potent hepatoprotective effect.

PURPOSE

Summarize literature to elaborate the mechanism of HF and evaluate the potential of flavonoids in HF, aiming to provide a new perspective for future research.

METHODS

The literatures about hepatic fibrosis and flavonoids are collected via a series of scientific search engines including Google Scholar, Elsevier, PubMed, CNKI, WanFang, SciFinder and Web of Science database. The key words are "flavonoids", "hepatic fibrosis", "pharmacokinetic", "toxicity", "pathogenesis" "traditional Chinese medicine" and "mechanism" as well as combination application.

RESULTS

Phytochemical and pharmacological studies revealed that about 86 natural flavonoids extracted from Chinese herbal medicines possess significantly anti-fibrosis effect and the mechanisms maybe through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, inhibiting hepatic stellate cells activation and clearing activated hepatic stellate cells.

CONCLUSIONS

This review summarizes the flavonoids which are effective in HF and the mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. However, fewer studies are focused on the pharmacokinetics of flavonoids in HF model and most studies are limited to preclinical studies, therefore there is no reliable data from clinical trials for the development of new drugs. Further in-depth research related it can be conducted to improve the bioavailability of flavonoids and serve the development of new drugs.

Yinchen gongying decoction mitigates CCl4-induced chronic liver injury and fibrosis in mice implicated in inhibition of the FoxO1/TGF-β1/ Smad2/3 and YAP signaling pathways

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Liver fibrosis (LF) is a common reversible consequence of chronic liver damage with limited therapeutic options. Yinchen Gongying decoction (YGD) composed of two homologous plants: (Artemisia capillaris Thunb, Taraxacum monochlamydeum Hand.-Mazz.), has a traditionally application as a medicinal diet for acute icteric hepatitis. However, its impact on LF and underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to assess the impact of YGD on a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver fibrosis and elucidate its possible mechanisms. The study seeks to establish an experimental foundation for YGD as a candidate drug for hepatic fibrosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

LC-MS/MS identified 11 blood-entry components in YGD, and network pharmacology predicted their involvement in the FoxO signaling pathway, insulin resistance, and PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Using a CCl4-induced LF mouse model, YGD's protective effects were evaluated in comparison to a positive control and a normal group. The underlying mechanisms were explored through the assessments of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation, fibrotic signaling, and inflammation.

RESULTS

YGD treatment significantly improved liver function, enhanced liver morphology, and reduced liver collagen deposition in CCl4-induced LF mice. Mechanistically, YGD inhibited HSC activation, elevated MMPs/TIMP1 ratios, suppressed the FoxO1/TGF-β1/Smad2/3 and YAP pathways, and exhibited anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Notably, YGD improved the insulin signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

YGD mitigates LF in mice by modulating fibrotic and inflammatory pathways, enhancing antioxidant responses, and specifically inhibiting FoxO1/TGF-β1/Smad2/3 and YAP signal pathways.

Blueberry anthocyanins improve liver fibrosis by regulating NCOA4 ubiquitination through TRIM7 to affect ferroptosis of hepatic stellate cells

This study aims to investigate the role and molecular mechanism of anthocyanin in improving liver fibrosis through ferroptosis, providing a basis for drug development and targeted therapy. In this study, a mouse model of liver fibrosis was established using CCl4, and the anthocyanin treatment groups were administered 100 mg/kg anthocyanin daily via gavage. Furthermore, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blotting (WB), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to assess liver fibrosis indicators and liver injury markers. Histopathological methods were used to confirm the morphology of liver injury in different treatment groups. The effects of anthocyanins on ferroptosis markers, NCOA4 and FTH1 expression, were examined through qRT-PCR, WB, and Co-IP. Confocal microscopy was used to validate the colocalization of ferritin and lysosomes. A differential expression model of TRIM7 was constructed to verify its impact on the progression of liver fibrosis. The present study demonstrates the hepatoprotective effects of anthocyanins in liver fibrosis, highlighting their ability to enhance hepatic stellate cell (HSC) ferroptosis and regulate ferritin autophagy. Moreover, TRIM7 is identified as a key mediator of anthocyanin-induced regulation of hepatic stellate cells activation for liver fibrosis treatment through modulation of ferroautophagy. Mechanistic investigations further reveal that TRIM7 exerts its influence on the process of ferroautophagy by controlling NCOA4 ubiquitination. Our study discovered that anthocyanins could improve liver fibrosis by regulating NCOA4 ubiquitination through TRIM7, thereby affecting hepatic stellate cells' ferroptosis levels.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This was the first study to demonstrate that anthocyanins can improve the progression of liver fibrosis by promoting hepatic stellate cell (HSC) ferroptosis. Anthocyanins could affect the content of Fe2+ by promoting ferroautophagy in HSCs, thereby promoting the level of ferroptosis. This study demonstrates for the first time that anthocyanins can inhibit the expression of TRIM7 and then affect the ubiquitination of NCOA4 to regulate the level of ferritin autophagy and ferroptosis.

Antler thymosin β10 reduces liver fibrosis via inhibiting TGF-β1/SMAD pathway

Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is a crucial step in the development of liver fibrosis. Previous studies have shown that antler stem cells (AnSCs) inhibited HSC activation, suggesting that this may be achieved through secreting or releasing peptides. This study aimed to investigate whether AnSC-derived peptides (AnSC-P) could reduce liver fibrosis. The results showed that AnSC-P effectively reduced liver fibrosis in rats. Furthermore, we found that thymosin β10 (Tβ-10) was rich in AnSC-P, which may be the main component of AnSC-P contributing to the reduction in liver fibrosis. A further study showed that Tβ-10 reduced liver fibrosis in rats, with a reduction in HYP and MDA levels in the liver tissues, a decrease in the serum levels of ALP, ALT, AST, and TBIL and an increase in TP and ALB. Moreover, Tβ-10 decreased the expression levels of the genes related to the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway in vivo. In addition, Tβ-10 also inhibited TGF-β1-induced HSC activation and decreased the expression levels of the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway-related genes in HSCs in vitro. In conclusion, antler Tβ-10 is a potential drug candidate for the treatment of liver fibrosis, the effect of which may be achieved via inhibition of the TGFβ/SMAD signaling pathway.

Cannabidiol regulates the activation of hepatic stellate cells by modulating the NOX4 and NF-κB pathways

Cannabidiol (CBD) is an extract of natural cannabinoids that has therapeutic implications for a variety of ailments, such as neurological diseases, cardiomyopathy, and diabetes, due to its strong anti-inflammatory and oxidative stress properties. Our purpose was to reveal the possible underlying mechanisms and effect of CBD on the glucose oxidase (GO)-induced activation of HSC-T6 and LX-2 cells. The results showed that CBD effectively inhibited the proliferation and activation of HSC-T6 and LX-2 cells, and reduced the production of profibrotic factors to different degrees. CBD disrupted the NOX4 signalling pathway in activated HSC-T6 and LX-2 cells, reduced ROS and MDA levels, and increased SOD and GSH levels, thereby stabilizing the oxidative imbalance. CBD significantly inhibited the phosphorylation and degradation of NF-κB and IκBα, and decreased the release of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. Moreover, CBD and an NF-κB-specific inhibitor (CAPE) effectively inhibited the expression of α-SMA, COL I, TNF-α and IL-1β to promote collagen metabolism and inhibit the inflammatory response. Overall, CBD inhibited HSCs activation through a and the mechanism involving the inhibition of NOX4 and NF-κB-dependent ROS regulation, thereby reducing inflammation and ameliorating oxidative imbalances.

Research progress of hexokinase 2 in inflammatory-related diseases and its inhibitors

Hexokinase 2 (HK2) is a crucial enzyme involved in glycolysis, which converts glucose into glucose-6-phosphate and plays a significant role in glucose metabolism. HK2 can mediate glycolysis, which is linked to the release of inflammatory factors. The over-expression of HK2 increases the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, exacerbating the inflammatory reaction. Consequently, HK2 is closely linked to various inflammatory-related diseases affecting multiple systems, including the digestive, nervous, circulatory, respiratory, reproductive systems, as well as rheumatoid arthritis. HK2 is regarded as a novel therapeutic target for inflammatory-related diseases, and this article provides a comprehensive review of its roles in these conditions. Furthermore, the development of potent HK2 inhibitors has garnered significant attention in recent years. Therefore, this review also presents a summary of potential HK2 inhibitors, offering promising prospects for the treatment of inflammatory-related diseases in the future.

Attenuation of hepatic fibrosis by p-Coumaric acid via modulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in C57BL/6 mice

A prolonged high-fat and high-sucrose (HFHS) diet induces hepatic inflammation and mediates hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, which result in hepatic fibrosis. Aberrant activation of the innate immune system components, such as the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, has been implicated in HSC activation and hepatic fibrosis. We have previously shown that p-coumaric acid (PCA)-enriched peanut sprout extracts exert anti-inflammatory effects. However, it is unknown whether PCA reduces hepatic fibrosis by modulating innate immunity and HSC activation. To test this hypothesis, C57BL/6 male mice were randomly assigned to three groups and fed low-fat (LF) diet (11% calories from fat), high-fat (HF) diet (60% calories from fat, 0.2% cholesterol) with sucrose drink (20% sucrose, HFHS), or HFHS diet with PCA treatment (HFHS+PCA, 50 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally) for 13 weeks. The results showed that PCA treatment (1) partly improved systemic insulin sensitivity without altering adiposity, (2) attenuated hepatic signaling pathways associated with NLRP3 inflammasome activation, including toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), and endoplasmic reticulum/oxidative stress, and (3) reduced circulating interleukin (IL)-1β levels. More importantly, PCA ameliorated hepatic fibrosis compared to that in the HFHS group, and the anti-fibrogenic effects of PCA were confirmed in vitro in transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) treated-LX-2 HSCs. The role of PCA in decreased NLRP3 activation and caspase-1 cleavage was recapitulated in primary bone marrow‒derived macrophages. These findings indicate that PCA contributes to the prevention of HFHS diet‒mediated liver fibrosis, partly by attenuating the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.