Genetically engineered flavonol enriched tomato fruit modulates chondrogenesis to increase bone length in growing animals

The Effects of Natural Product-Derived Extracts for Longitudinal Bone Growth: An Overview of In Vivo Experiments

Approximately 80% of children with short stature are classified as having Idiopathic Short Stature (ISS). While growth hormone (GH) treatment received FDA approval in the United States in 2003, its long-term impact on final height remains debated. Other treatments, like aromatase inhibitors, metformin, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), have been explored, but there is no established standard treatment for ISS. In South Korea and other Asian countries, East Asian Traditional Medicine (EATM) is sometimes employed by parents to potentially enhance their children's height growth, often involving herbal medicines. One such product, Astragalus membranaceus extract mixture HT042, claims to promote height growth in children and has gained approval from the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Research suggests that HT042 supplementation can increase height growth in children without skeletal maturation, possibly by elevating serum IGF-1 and IGF-binding protein-3 levels. Preclinical studies also indicate the potential benefits of natural products, including of EATM therapies for ISS. The purpose of this review is to offer an overview of bone growth factors related to ISS and to investigate the potential of natural products, including herbal preparations, as alternative treatments for managing ISS symptoms, based on their known efficacy in in vivo studies.

Comprehensive transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis revealed distinct flavonoid biosynthesis regulation during abnormal pistil development in Japanese apricot

Japanese apricot is an imperative stone fruit plant with numerous processing importance. The failure of reproductive system is the most common cause of fruit loss, through which pistil abortion is the fundamental one. To understand this mechanism, we used a combination of transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches to investigate the biochemical and molecular basis of flavonoid biosynthesis. Due to the regulated expression of flavonoid pathway-related genes in plants, flavonoid biosynthesis is largely regulated at the transcriptional level. A total of 2272 differently expressed genes and 215 differential metabolites were found. The expression of the genes and metabolites encoding flavonoid biosynthesis was lower in abnormal pistils that are in line with the flavonoid quantification from abnormal pistils. Besides, a couple of genes were also detected related to MYB, MADS, NAC and bHLH transcription factors. Remarkably, we found 'hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (LOC103323133)' and flavonoid related metabolite '2-hydroxycinnamic acid' was lower expressed in abnormal pistil, proposing the cause of pistil abortion. Collectively, the present study delivers inclusive transcriptional and metabolic datasets that proposed valuable prospects to unravel the genetic mechanism underlying pistil abortion.

Molecular components associated with the regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis

Flavonoids exhibit amazing structural diversity and play different roles in plants. Besides, these compounds have been associated with several health benefits in humans. Several exogenous and endogenous cues, for example, light, temperature, nutrient status, and phytohormones have been reported as modulators of biosynthesis and accumulation of flavonoids. Thus, multiple hormones and stress-related signaling pathways are involved in the regulation of gene expression associated with this pathway. The transcriptional regulators belonging to the MYB and bHLH family transcription factors are well documented as the direct regulators of the structural genes associated with flavonoid biosynthesis. Recent studies also suggest that some of these factors are regulated by molecular components involved in stress and hormone signaling pathways. Adapter proteins for transcriptional activation or repression via recruitment of co-activators and co-repressors, respectively, E2 ubiquitin ligases, miRNA processing complex, and DNA methylation/demethylation factors have been recently discovered in various plants to play key roles in fine-tuning flavonoids synthesis. In the present review, we aim to provide comprehensive information about the role of different factors in the regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis. Besides, we describe the potential upstream regulators involved in the regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis within the context of available information. To sum up, the present review furnishes an updated account of signal transduction pathways modulating the biosynthesis of flavonoids.

Gamma Aminobutyric Acid-Enriched Fermented Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) Increases the Length of the Growth Plate on the Proximal Tibia Bone in Sprague-Dawley Rats

Bone growth during childhood and puberty determines an adult’s final stature. Although several prior studies have reported that fermented oyster (FO) consisting of a high amount of gamma aminobutyric acid can be attributed to bone health, there is no research on the efficacy of FO on growth regulation and the proximal tibial growth plate. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of FO oral administration on hepatic and serum growth regulator levels and the development of the proximal tibial growth plate in young Sprague-Dawley rats. Both oral administration of FO (FO 100, 100 mg/kg FO and FO 200, 200 mg/kg FO) and subcutaneous injection of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH, 200 μg/kg of rhGH) for two weeks showed no toxicity. Circulating levels of growth hormone (GH) significantly increased in the FO 200 group. The expression and secretion of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) were enhanced by FO administration. FO administration promoted the expression of bone morphogenic proteins IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in the proximal tibial growth plate. This positive effect of FO resulted in incremental growth of the entire plate length by expanding the proliferating and hypertrophic zones in the proximal tibial growth plate. Collectively, our results suggested that oral administration of FO is beneficial for bone health, which may ultimately result in increased height.

Effect of thermal processing methods on flavonoid and isoflavone content of decorticated and whole pulses

Legumes have always been consumed as a staple source of proteins, and they are the only dietary source of isoflavones, flavonoid class of secondary plant metabolites. Isoflavones impart physiological effects via estrogenic action in humans and hence, looked upon as potential replacement of hormone estrogen in its deficiency. Legumes are an integral part of the Indian staple diet. Legumes are processed by soaking, germination, and thermal cooking. These methods have been reported to modify the nutrient composition of legumes. The sample population was surveyed to determine the most commonly used household processing methods. Soaking or germination followed by pressure cooking (with or without direct contact of water) or open pan cooking was found to be commonly followed by cooking practice in Indian households. Amongst the decorticated pulses, the highest cooking time was taken by chickpea (Cicer arietinum), and lentil (Lens culinaris) was cooked in the least amount of time. The pressure-cooked decorticated chickpea showed a 63% decrease in TFC and isoflavone content while open pan cooking lowered TFC of chickpea up to 67% and isoflavone content up to 90%. TFC of pressure-cooked and open-pan cooked decorticated lentil was only reduced by 12-17%, while isoflavone content showed 60-80% depletion. TFC of whole legumes was reduced by 30-40% on pressure cooking as well as open pan cooking; however, isoflavone content was variably affected. The black-eyed pea and desi chickpea showed 40% reduced isoflavone content while the loss of isoflavone content was 70% for kidney bean. Germination of green gram significantly increased the TFC and isoflavones, which showed a decrease of 24% and 44%, respectively, on pressure cooking.

Effect of fermented oyster extract on growth promotion in Sprague-Dawley rats

Background

Oysters (Crassostrea gigas) are a popular marine product worldwide and have the advantage of nutritional benefits. This study aimed to investigate the effect of fermented oyster extract (FO) on growth promotion, including analysis of body size, bone microarchitecture, hematology and biochemistry in vivo.

Methods

The amount of nutrients and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) were determined. Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: the control group, FO 50 group (FO 50 mg/kg), and FO 100 group (FO 100 mg/kg) were administered orally once daily and the recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) group (200 μg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected once daily for 14 days.

Results

Oral administration of FO 100 significantly increased body length and had no effect on organ damage or hematological profiles. However, administration of rhGH significantly induced hypertrophy of the liver, kidney and spleen along with a marked increase in body length. Tibia length and the growth plate were increased, and bone morphometric parameters were slightly improved by FO and rhGH administration. Serum analysis showed that the levels of GH and insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were slightly upregulated by FO administration. Nevertheless, the protein expression of hepatic IGF-1 was markedly increased by FO 100 and rhGH administration.

Conclusions

FO have high content of GABA, and induced positive effects on body length, tibial length, growth-plate length and hepatic IGF-1 synthesis in SD rats with no toxicity or alterations of hematological profile. Therefore, these results suggest that GABA-enriched FO could be considered a potential alternative treatment for growth stimulation.

In ovo injection of flavanone on bone quality characteristics, biochemical parameters and antioxidant enzyme status of blood in daily chicks

In ovo injection (IOI) of Naringin (N), flavanone was examined on post-hatch blood biochemical parameters, antioxidant status and bone characteristics. Fertile eggs (n = 700) were distributed in seven groups with 100 eggs. On 14th and 17.5th days of incubation, four groups were injected using 15 or 30 mg active ingredient levels of naringin/0.5 ml saline/egg, low and high level, into amnion sac. Controls include sham (injected normal saline, 0.5 ml/egg on day 14 and 17.5th) and un-injected group. IOI of high naringin and saline on 14th day of incubation resulted in lower hatchability and then higher mortality in last week of embryonic life. On day hatch, high levels of injected groups more body weight compared to the control. Chick length was increased at high levels of naringin on day 17.5th compared to control and saline injected. Quality traits of bones were improved in naringin-injected groups compared to control. IOI of naringin influenced thyroid hormones on 14th day of incubation. Naringin groups influenced the Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Calcium (Ca), superoxide dismutase (SOD), blood biochemical and lipids. Totally, amniotic IOI of naringin in last days of developing embryo may be useful for hatched chick, development of leg long bone or effect on biochemical metabolites by levels of flavanone that it needs more research.

FGF-2 targets sclerostin in bone and myostatin in skeletal muscle to mitigate the deleterious effects of glucocorticoid on musculoskeletal degradation

AIM

Myokines are associated with regulation of bone and muscle mass. However, limited information is available regarding the impact of myokines on glucocorticoid (GC) mediated adverse effects on the musculoskeletal system. This study investigates the role of myokine fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in regulating GC-induced deleterious effects on bone and skeletal muscle.

METHODS

Primary osteoblast cells and C2C12 myoblast cell line were treated with FGF-2 and then exposed to dexamethasone (GC). FGF-2 mediated attenuation of the inhibitory effect of GC on osteoblast and myoblast differentiation and muscle atrophy was assessed through quantitative PCR and western blot analysis. Further, FGF-2 was administered subcutaneously to dexamethasone treated mice to collect bone and skeletal muscle tissue for in vivo analysis of bone microarchitecture, mechanical strength, histomorphometry and for histological alterations in treated tissue samples.

KEY FINDINGS

FGF-2 abrogated the dexamethasone induced inhibitory effect on osteoblast differentiation by modulating BMP-2 pathway and inhibiting Wnt antagonist sclerostin. Further, dexamethasone induced atrophy in C2C12 cells was mitigated by FGF-2 as evident from down regulation of atrogenes expression. FGF-2 prevented GC-induced impairment of mineral density, biomechanical strength, trabecular bone volume, cortical thickness and bone formation rate in mice. Additionally, skeletal muscle tissue from GC treated mice displayed weak myostatin immunostaining and reduced expression of atrogenes following FGF-2 treatment.

SIGNIFICANCE

FGF-2 mitigated GC induced effects through inhibition of sclerostin and myostatin expression in bone and muscle respectively. Taken together, this study exhibited the role of exogenous FGF-2 in sustaining osteoblastogenesis and inhibiting muscle atrophy in presence of glucocorticoid.

Dietary plant miRNAs as an augmented therapy: cross-kingdom gene regulation

Cross-kingdom gene regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs) initiated a hot debate on the effective role of orally acquired plant miRNAs on human gene expression. It resulted in the expansion of gene regulation theories and role of plant miRNAs in cross-kingdom regulation of gene expression. This opened up the discussion that 'Whether we really get what we eat?' and 'Whether the orally acquired miRNAs really have a biologically important consequences after entering our digestive and circulatory system?' The reports of orally acquired plant miRNAs inside human alimentary canal have been a topic of discussion in the scientific community. The cross-kingdom gene regulations have raised our hopes to explore the exciting world of plant miRNAs as therapeutic potential and dietary supplements. However, there are reports which have raised concerns over any such cross-kingdom regulation and argued that technical flaws in the experiments might have led to such hypothesis. This review will give the complete understanding of exogenous application and cross-kingdom regulation of plant miRNAs on human health. Here, we provide update and discuss the consequences of plant miRNA mediated cross-kingdom gene regulation and possibilities for this exciting regulatory mechanism as an augmented therapy against various diseases.

Quercetin potentiates the concurrent hyper-accumulation of cellular biomass and lipids in Chlorella vulgaris

Provision of chemical modulators has emerged as an effective strategy to govern cell growth and development. Here, the impact of flavonoid quercetin on algal growth, lipid accumulation and transcriptional patterns was investigated in the green microalga Chlorella vulgaris. These results demonstrated that quercetin (15 μg/l) significantly enhanced the cellular biomass and photosynthetic efficiency, with up to 2.5-fold in the biomass in the stationary phase. Lipidomic analyses revealed that lipid content was increased by 1.8-fold. Furthermore, the functional mechanism of quercetin on the molecular level was dissected by transcriptomic analysis. Results revealed that quercetin upregulated the expression pattern of key genes involved in cellular signaling mechanisms such as phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase α, thus consequently enhanced cell growth. Altogether, the data present in this study demonstrate the dramatic role of quercetin on enhancing microalgal biomass and lipid accumulation by unprecedented regulation, of key metabolic nodes, for the first time and provide a novel insight into microalgal metabolism and regulation.

Dried and free flowing granules of Spinacia oleracea accelerate bone regeneration and alleviate postmenopausal osteoporosis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of extract derived from Spinacia oleracea extract (SOE) in reversing bone loss induced by ovariectomy and bone healing properties in a drill-hole fracture model in rats.

METHODS

SOE was administered orally for 12 weeks in adult ovariectomized Sprague Dawley rats after inducing osteopenic condition. Bone micro-architecture, expressions of osteogenic and resorptive gene markers, biomechanical strength, new bone formation, and bone turnover markers were studied. Uterine histomorphometry was used to assess estrogenicity. Bone regeneration potential of SOE was assessed in a drill-hole fracture model. Fracture healing was assessed by calcein intensity and micro-CT analysis of callus at fracture region.

RESULTS

SOE prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss as evident from 122% increase in bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) and 29% decline in Tb.Sp in femoral trabecular micro-architecture. This was corroborated by the more than twofold stimulation in the expression of osteogenic genes runt-related transcription factor 2, osterix, osteocalcin, bone morphogenetic protein 2, collagen-1. Furthermore in the fracture healing model, we observed a 25% increase in BV/TV and enhancement in calcein intensity at the fractured site. The extract when converted into dried deliverable Spinaceae oleracea granule (SOG) form accelerated bone regeneration at fracture site, which was more efficient as evident by a 39% increase in BV/TV. Transforming SOE into dried granules facilitated prolonged systemic availability, thus providing enhanced activity for a period of 14 days.

CONCLUSIONS

SOE treatment effectively prevents ovariectomy-induced bone loss and stimulated fracture healing in adult rats. The dried granular form of the extract of Spinaceae oleracea was effective in fracture healing at the same dose.

Spinacia oleracea extract attenuates disease progression and sub-chondral bone changes in monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis in rats

Background

Spinacia oleracea is an important dietary vegetable in India and throughout the world and has many beneficial effects. It is cultivated globally. However, its effect on osteoarthritis that mainly targets the cartilage cells remains unknown. In this study we aimed to evaluate the anti-osteoarthritic and chondro-protective effects of SOE on chemically induced osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

OA was induced by intra-patellar injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) at the knee joint in rats. SOE was then given orally at 250 and 500 mg.kg^− 1 day^− 1 doses for 28 days to these rats. Anti-osteoarthritic potential of SOE was evaluated by micro-CT, mRNA and protein expression of pro-inflammatory and chondrogenic genes, clinically relevant biomarker’s and behavioural experiments.

Results

In vitro cell free and cell based assays indicated that SOE acts as a strong anti-oxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent. Histological analysis of knee joints at the end of the experiment by safranin-o and toluidine blue staining established its protective effect. Radiological data corroborated the findings with improvement in the joint space and irregularity of the articular and atrophied femoral condyles and tibial plateau. Micro-CT analysis of sub-chondral bone indicated that SOE had the ability to mitigate OA effects by increasing bone volume to tissue volume (BV/TV) which resulted in decrease of trabecular pattern factor (Tb.Pf) by more than 200%. SOE stimulated chondrogenic marker gene expression with reduction in pro-inflammatory markers. Purified compounds isolated from SOE exhibited increased Sox-9 and Col-II protein expression in articular chondrocytes. Serum and urine analysis indicated that SOE had the potential to down-regulate glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity, clinical markers of osteoarthritis like cartilage oligometric matrix protein (COMP) and CTX-II. Overall, this led to a significant improvement in locomotion and balancing activity in rats as assessed by Open-field and Rota rod test.

Conclusion

On the basis of in vitro and in vivo experiments performed with Spinacea oleracea extract we can deduce that SOE has the ability to alleviate the MIA induced deleterious effects.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12906-018-2117-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Synergetic effect of the Onion CHI gene on the PAP1 regulatory gene for enhancing the flavonoid profile of tomato skin

Tomatoes are known to have ameliorative effects on cardiovascular disease and cancer. The nutritional value of tomatoes can be enhanced by increasing flavonoids content through genetic modification. The regulatory gene PAP1 (production of anthocyanin pigment 1) from Arabidopsis is reported to increase initial flavonoid flux and anthocyanin content. The structural gene CHI from Alium cepa increases flavonol content. However, the number of structural genes that can be transferred to plants is limited. To solve this problem, for the first time, we produced gene stacking transgenic tomato, in which Arabidopsis PAP1 (production of anthocyanin pigment 1) was stacked with an onion CHI by crossing. This procedure resulted in increased rutin and total anthocyanin content of as much as 130 and 30 times more, respectively, than the content in wild tomato skin, compared with 2.3 and 3 times more flavonol content, and 1 and 1.5 times more anthocyanin content in unstacked FLS and PAP1 tomatoes, respectively.

Evaluation of anti-osteoporotic activity of butanolic fraction from Passiflora foetida in ovariectomy-induced bone loss in mice

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we have evaluated the skeletal effects of butanolic fraction (BF) from Passiflora foetida in an estrogen deficient mice bone loss model.

STUDY DESIGN

Skeletal effect of BF was studied in ovariectomized (OVx) female Balb/c mice. BF (50 and 100mg/kg/day dose orally) was given for 8 weeks. Micro-architecture of long bones, biomechanical strength, formations of mineralized nodule by bone marrow osteoprogenitor cells, osteoid formation and bone turnover markers were studied. One way ANOVA was used to test the significance of effects of Passiflora foetida.

RESULTS

OVx mice treated with BF represented with better micro-architectural parameters at various anatomical positions, better bone biomechanical strength and more osteoprogenitor cells in the bone marrow compared with OVx group. BF did not exhibit uterine estrogenicity.

CONCLUSION

Oral administration of BF at both the doses (50 and 100mg/kg/day) derived from Passiflora Foetida, was found to afford anti-osteoporotic effect under estrogen deficiency by likely stimulation of osteoblast function and inhibition of osteoclast function.

Genome-wide Expression Analysis and Metabolite Profiling Elucidate Transcriptional Regulation of Flavonoid Biosynthesis and Modulation under Abiotic Stresses in Banana

Flavonoid biosynthesis is largely regulated at the transcriptional level due to the modulated expression of genes related to the phenylpropanoid pathway in plants. Although accumulation of different flavonoids has been reported in banana, a staple fruit crop, no detailed information is available on regulation of the biosynthesis in this important plant. We carried out genome-wide analysis of banana (Musa acuminata, AAA genome) and identified 28 genes belonging to 9 gene families associated with flavonoid biosynthesis. Expression analysis suggested spatial and temporal regulation of the identified genes in different tissues of banana. Analysis revealed enhanced expression of genes related to flavonol and proanthocyanidin (PA) biosynthesis in peel and pulp at the early developmental stages of fruit. Genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis were highly expressed during banana fruit ripening. In general, higher accumulation of metabolites was observed in the peel as compared to pulp tissue. A correlation between expression of genes and metabolite content was observed at the early stage of fruit development. Furthermore, this study also suggests regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis, at transcriptional level, under light and dark exposures as well as methyl jasmonate (MJ) treatment in banana.

MicroRNA858 Is a Potential Regulator of Phenylpropanoid Pathway and Plant Development

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, noncoding small RNAs that function as critical regulators of gene expression. In plants, miRNAs have shown their potential as regulators of growth, development, signal transduction, and stress tolerance. Although the miRNA-mediated regulation of several processes is known, the involvement of miRNAs in regulating secondary plant product biosynthesis is poorly understood. In this study, we functionally characterized Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) miR858a, which putatively targets R2R3-MYB transcription factors involved in flavonoid biosynthesis. Overexpression of miR858a in Arabidopsis led to the down-regulation of several MYB transcription factors regulating flavonoid biosynthesis. In contrast to the robust growth and early flowering of miR858OX plants, reduction of plant growth and delayed flowering were observed in Arabidopsis transgenic lines expressing an artificial miRNA target mimic (MIM858). Genome-wide expression analysis using transgenic lines suggested that miR858a targets a number of regulatory factors that modulate the expression of downstream genes involved in plant development and hormonal and stress responses. Furthermore, higher expression of MYBs in MIM858 lines leads to redirection of the metabolic flux towards the synthesis of flavonoids at the cost of lignin synthesis. Altogether, our study has established the potential role of light-regulated miR858a in flavonoid biosynthesis and plant growth and development.