The plant product quinic acid activates Ca2+ -dependent mitochondrial function and promotes insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells

Advances in research on mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases

Given the high energy demand of the nervous system, mitochondrial dysfunction is a key factor in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of its mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets is essential. This review discusses the roles of mitochondrial oxidative stress, mitochondrial dynamics alterations, and mtDNA damage in Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). In addition, it summarizes the contributions of novel technological approaches in detecting mitochondrial dysfunction, which assist in disease diagnosis. We also emphasize emerging therapeutic strategies and drugs aimed at enhancing mitochondrial quality control and reducing oxidative stress, thereby laying the groundwork for innovative therapeutic approaches in neurodegenerative disease treatment.

Comprehensive phenolic profiling and biological evaluation of Centaurea glastifolia L. (Asteraceae)

The present investigation focused on the comprehensive analysis of the phenolic profile of Centaurea glastifolia L. (Asteraceae) and the assessment of its diverse biological activities. Utilising LC-MS/MS, the phytochemical composition of the 70% methanol extract of Centaurea glastifolia (CG-ME) was thoroughly elucidated, revealing the presence of 30 distinct phytochemical compounds. Notably, major phenolic constituents identified in the extract included quinic acid, chlorogenic acid, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, luteolin, and apigenin-7-O-glucoside. The antioxidant, antibacterial, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic activities of CG-ME were investigated. The CG-ME exhibited a moderate capacity for scavenging DPPH radicals (IC50: 50.05 ± 1.58 µg/mL) and FRAP (63.96 ± 0.39 mg TE/g extract), indicating a moderate level of antioxidant activity. Moreover, CG-ME demonstrated significant antiproliferative effects (GI50: 1.10 and 1.30 µg/mL) on cancer cells (C6 and HTC cancer cell lines, respectively) while displaying low cytotoxicity towards normal cells (LC50: >1000 µg/mL). In terms of antibacterial activity, CG-ME was found to be inactive against tested both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains (MIC > 500 µg/mL). The extracts had a promising antiproliferative effect on C6, HeLa, and HT29 cancer cell lines with a less cytotoxic effect (10.5-14.2%) against normal cells.

Metabolic profiles of meconium in preeclamptic and normotensive pregnancies

INTRODUCTION

Preeclampsia (PE) is a common vascular pregnancy disorder affecting maternal and fetal metabolism with severe immediate and long-term consequences in mothers and infants. During pregnancy, metabolites in the maternal circulation pass through the placenta to the fetus. Meconium, a first stool of the neonate, offers a view to maternal and fetoplacental unit metabolism and could add to knowledge on the effects of PE on the fetus and newborn.

OBJECTIVES

To compare meconium metabolome of infants from PE and normotensive pregnancies.

METHODS

A cohort of preeclamptic parturients and normotensive controls were recruited in Tampere University Hospital during 2019-2022. Meconium was sampled and its metabolome analyzed using liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry in 48 subjects in each group.

RESULTS

Differences in abundances of 1263 compounds, of which 19 could be annotated, were detected between the two groups. Several acylcarnitines, androsterone sulfate, three bile acids, amino acid derivatives (phenylacetylglutamine, epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)lysine and N-(phenylacetyl)glutamic acid), as well as caffeine and paraxanthine were lower in the PE group compared to the control group. Urea and progesterone were higher in the PE group.

CONCLUSION

PE is associated with alterations in the meconium metabolome of infants. The differing abundances of several metabolites show alterations in the interaction between the fetoplacental unit and mother in PE, but whether they are a cause or an effect of the disorder remains to be further investigated.

Integrated Analysis of Oral Microbiome and Metabolome in T2DM Patients With Varying Glycemic Status

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze the subgingival and salivary microbiome and metabolome in diabetic periodontitis patients with varying glycemic levels.

METHODS

Forty-two diabetic periodontitis patients were sampled of saliva, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), and blood, and categorized into three groups based on systemic glycemic status. The microbiome was assessed using full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was performed for metabolome analysis.

RESULTS

The similarity in the structure and function of the flora in saliva and GCF was evident under good blood glucose control. Conversely, inadequate blood glucose control demonstrated a more distinct separation from saliva flora. Both salivary and GCF microorganisms exhibited greater periodontal pathogenicity, with salivary metabolites showing stronger associations with inflammation when Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) > 6.5%. Some periodontal pathogens, such as Veillonella atypica, showed significantly positive correlations with proinflammatory metabolites, including lactic acid and putrescine, etc. Salivary microbes demonstrated more sensitive responses than GCF to changes in blood glucose levels among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.

CONCLUSION

Under active blood glucose control, it indicates lower periodontal pathogenicity and inflammatory correlation in the oral microecology of T2DM patients. Saliva appears to offer superior diagnostic and monitoring value compared to GCF in the context of systemic disease surveillance.

Oxalis erythrorhiza Gillies ex Hooker et Arnott (Oxalidaceae): Chemical Analysis, Biological In Vitro and In Vivo Properties and Behavioral Effects

In this work, a decoction (DOe) and a methanolic global extract (MGEOe), obtained with the aerial parts of Oxalis erythrorhiza Gillies ex Hooker et Arnott (Oxalidaceae), were evaluated. The high-resolution liquid chromatography in conjunction with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS) analysis showed forty compounds in MGEOe and twenty-nine in DOe, including flavones, C-glycosyl flavones, isoflavones, fatty acids, terpenes, phenolic acids, and sterols. The antioxidant properties were evaluated by DPPH, TEAC, FRAP, and ILP assays. Both DOe and MGEOe showed stronger antioxidant activities. The anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated by COX inhibition method, where DOe demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect. The cytotoxic effects were evaluated in the tumoral HCT-116 and non-tumoral HBL-100 cell lines, revealing a selective action from DOe and MGOe on cancer cells. DOe was evaluated in an animal model of insulin resistance, which is characterized by alterations in glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as cognitive impairments, including anxiety-like behavior and memory deficits. Male SD rats received sucrose (10% w/v, SUC), a half dilution of DOe (5% w/v) with sucrose (HDOeS) or DOe with sucrose (DOeS) from PND21 to PND61. Then, anxiety-like behavior and spatial memory were assessed using the open field (OF), elevated plus maze (EPM) and the novel object location (NOL) tests, respectively. Serum parameters basal glycemia, total cholesterol (TC) and tryglicerides were measured using commercial kits. The lipid peroxidation was determined in homogenates of cerebral cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus by TBAR assay. Only HDOeS exhibited lower anxiety-like behavior in OF and improved performance in NOL compared to SUC. Furthermore, DOeS showed reduced serum parameters, while HDOeS presented lower TC levels than SUC. No differences were observed on TBAR assay. The beneficial properties of these preparations could be attributed to the identified metabolites. These findings highlighted O. erythrorhiza as a potential source of compounds to improve human health; however, further research is required to elucidate its mechanisms of action.

Assessing a "Least-Concern" Red List Tree Species from Madagascar Used in Traditional Medicine: Morella spathulata (Myricaceae) Phyto-Compounds and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Morella spathulata (Myricaceae family) is a common plant from Madagascar and is present on the IUCN Red List of threatened species classified at the 'least concern' level, used by the local population to treat numerous illnesses and pain. Despite its frequent use, comprehensive phytochemical and pharmacological research on the species is limited. This study evaluated the antioxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as the toxicity of methanol extracts from the leaves (MS_L) and bark (MS_B) of M. spathulata. The research involved the analysis of nutritional traits such as sugars, organic acids, vitamin C, polyphenolic content (TPC) and the main phytochemicals by HPLC analysis. Antioxidant capacity was assessed through DPPH and FRAP assays. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing and carrageenan-induced paw oedema tests in mice. The results showed a high content of phenolic and bioactive components in the leaf and bark extracts, associated with antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The interaction of key compounds such as ferulic acid and ellagic acid with proteins involved in pH regulation and immune modulation provides clues to the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects. However, conservation efforts are crucial due to habitat loss and illegal logging, and further studies are needed to fully explore the plant's therapeutic potential.

The flavonoid resokaempferol improves insulin secretion from healthy and dysfunctional pancreatic β-cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The pharmacology of flavonoids on β-cell function is largely undefined especially in the context of defective secretion of insulin. We sought to identify flavonoids that increased the insulin-secreting function of β-cells and to explore the underlying mechanisms.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

INS-1 β-cells in culture and islets of Langerhans isolated from control and diabetic male rats were used for insulin secretion experiments. Pharmacological and electrophysiological approaches were used for mechanistic studies.

KEY RESULTS

Among a set of flavonoids, exposure of INS-1 β-cells to resokaempferol (ResoK) enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and therefore we further characterised its activity and its pharmacological mechanism. ResoK glucose-dependently enhanced insulin secretion in INS-1 β-cells and pancreatic islets isolated from rats. Mechanistically, whole cell patch clamp recordings in INS-1 cells showed that ResoK rapidly and dose-dependently enhanced the L-type Ca2+ current whereas it was inactive towards T-type Ca2+ current. Accordingly, pharmacological inhibition of L-type Ca2+ current but not T-type Ca2+ current blocked the effects of ResoK on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. ResoK was still active on dysfunctional β-cells as it ameliorated glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in glucotoxicity-induced dysfunctional INS-1 cells and in pancreatic islets isolated from diabetic rats.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

ResoK is a glucose-dependent activator of insulin secretion. Our results indicated that the effects of ResoK on insulin secretion involved its capacity to stimulate L-type Ca2+ currents in cultured β-cells. As ResoK was also effective on dysfunctional β-cells, our work provides a new approach to stimulating insulin secretion, using compounds based on the structure of ResoK.

Impacts of Plu kaow (Houttuynia cordata Thunb.) Ethanolic Extract on Diabetes and Dyslipidemia in STZ Induced Diabetic Rats: Phytochemical Profiling, Cheminformatics Analyses, and Molecular Docking Studies

The increasing prevalence of diabetes and dyslipidemia poses significant health challenges, impacting millions of people globally and leading to high rates of illness and death. This study aimed to explore the potential antidiabetic and hypolipidemic effects of Plu kaow (Houttuynia cordata Thunb.) ethanolic extract (PK) in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats, focusing on its molecular mechanisms. Diabetes was induced in fasting Long Evans rats using streptozotocin (65 mg/kg b. w.), with glibenclamide (5 mg/kg/day) used as the standard experimental drug. The treated groups received oral supplementation of PK (500 mg/kg/day) for 28 days. The study evaluated blood glucose levels, lipid status, body weight, liver, kidney, and heart function biomarkers, antioxidant activity, and histological examination of various organs. Additionally, untargeted metabolomics, cheminformatics, and molecular docking were employed to elucidate the probable mechanisms of action of PK. Based on metabolomic profiling data, the PK was found to contain various putative antidiabetic agents such as kaempferol 7-neohesperidoside, isochlorogenic acid C, rutin, datiscin, and diosmin and they have been proposed to significantly (p < 0.001) reduce blood glucose levels and modulated hyperlipidemia. PK also improved the tested liver, kidney, and heart function biomarkers and reversed damage to normal pancreatic, liver, kidney, and heart cells in histological analysis. In conclusion, PK shows promise as a potential treatment or management option for diabetes and hyperlipidemia, as well as their associated complications in diabetic rats.

An oxidized dextran-composite self-healing coated magnesium scaffold reduces apoptosis to induce bone regeneration

Self-healing coatings have shown promise in controlling the degradation of scaffolds and addressing coating detachment issues. However, developing a self-healing coating for magnesium (Mg) possessing multiple biological functions in infectious environments remains a significant challenge. In this study, a self-healing coating was developed for magnesium scaffolds using oxidized dextran (OD), 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) doped micro-arc oxidation (MHA), named OD-MHA/Mg. The results demonstrated that the OD-MHA coating effectively addresses coating detachment issues and controls the degradation of Mg in an infectious environment through self-healing mechanisms. Furthermore, the OD-MHA/Mg scaffold exhibits antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties, it also promotes bone repair by upregulating the expression of osteogenesis genes and proteins. The findings of this study indicate that the OD-MHA coated Mg scaffold possessing multiple biological functions presents a promising approach for addressing infectious bone defects. Additionally, the study showcases the potential of polysaccharides with multiple biological functions in facilitating tissue healing even in challenging environments.

Phytochemical analysis and biological evaluation of Ferulago setifolia K. Koch

BACKGROUND

Ferulago setifolia K. Koch (Apiaceae) has been the subject of this study, aiming to comprehensively determine its phenolic fingerprint and evaluate its various biological activities. The liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of the 70% methanol extract of F. setifolia (FS) revealed the presence of 23 phytochemicals, among which chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, and quercetin-3-O-glucoside were identified as the major phenolics in the extract.

RESULTS

The biological screening included examinations of antioxidant, antibacterial, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic activities. The FS extract displayed moderate 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and ferric-reducing capacity, indicating moderate antioxidant activity. Furthermore, FS exhibited significant antiproliferative effects on cancer cells while showing low cytotoxicity on normal cells. The antibacterial activity findings revealed that FS demonstrated potent activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study suggest that the methanolic extract of FS holds promise as a potential source of biologically active compounds. It can be utilized for the development of pharmaceutical formulations, thanks to its significant antiproliferative and antibacterial activities. Additionally, FS can serve as a valuable source of chlorogenic acid for industrial applications. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Cytocompatibility, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity of a Mucoadhesive Biopolymeric Hydrogel Embedding Selenium Nanoparticles Phytosynthesized by Sea Buckthorn Leaf Extract

Phytosynthesized selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are less toxic than the inorganic salts of selenium and show high antioxidant and antibacterial activity. Chitosan prevents microbial biofilm formation and can also determine microbial biofilm dispersal. Never-dried bacterial nanocellulose (NDBNC) is an efficient carrier of bioactive compounds and a flexible nanofibrillar hydrophilic biopolymer. This study aimed to develop a selenium-enriched hydrogel nanoformulation (Se-HNF) based on NDBNC from kombucha fermentation and fungal chitosan with embedded biogenic SeNPs phytosynthesized by an aqueous extract of sea buckthorn leaves (SbLEx)-SeNPsSb-in order to both disperse gingival dysbiotic biofilm and prevent its development. We determined the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of SbLEx. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used for the identification of polyphenols from SbLEx. SeNPsSb were characterized by transmission electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM-EDX), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) in small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS and WAXS). The hydrogel nanoformulation with embedded SeNPsSb was characterized by SEM, FTIR, XRD, rheology, mucin binding efficiency, contact angle and interfacial tension measurements. We also assessed the in vitro biocompatibility, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial and antibiofilm potential of SeNPsSb and Se-HNF. TEM, DLS and SAXS evidenced polydisperse SeNPsSb, whereas FTIR highlighted a heterogeneous biocorona with various biocompounds. The contact angle on the polar surface was smaller (52.82 ± 1.23°) than that obtained on the non-polar surface (73.85 ± 0.39°). The interfacial tension was 97.6 ± 0.47 mN/m. The mucin binding efficiency of Se-HNF decreased as the amount of hydrogel decreased, and the SEM analysis showed a relatively compact structure upon mucin contact. FTIR and XRD analyses of Se-HNF evidenced an interaction between BNC and CS through characteristic peak shifting, and the rheological measurements highlighted a pseudoplastic behavior, 0.186 N adhesion force and 0.386 adhesion energy. The results showed a high degree of cytocompatibility and the significant antioxidant and antimicrobial efficiency of SeNPsSb and Se-HNF.

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) seed kernel extract suppresses hyperglycemia by modulating pancreatic β cell apoptosis and dysfunction and hepatic glucose metabolism in diabetic rats

This study investigated the anti-hyperglycemic action of mango seed kernel extract (MKE) and various mechanisms involved in its actions to improve pancreatic β cells and hepatic carbohydrate metabolism in diabetic rats. An intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg of streptozotocin (STZ) followed by 30 consecutive days of treatment with MKE (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight) was used to establish a study group of diabetic rats. Using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS) for identification, 26 chemical compounds were found in MKE and the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the MKE also revealed the existence of mangiferin, gallic acid, and quercetin. The results confirmed that in each diabetes-affected rat, MKE mitigated the heightened levels of fasting blood glucose, diabetic symptoms, glucose intolerance, total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). As demonstrated by a remarkable increment in serum and pancreatic insulin, the diabetic pancreatic β cell function was potentiated by treating with MKE. The effect of MKE on diabetic pancreatic apoptosis clearly reduced the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells, which was related to diminished levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Bax and an increase in Bcl-xL protein expression. Furthermore, diabetes-induced liver damage was clearly ameliorated along with a notable reduction in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and abnormal liver histology. By enhancing anti-oxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, MKE alleviated diabetes-induced pancreatic and liver oxidative damage, as demonstrated by diminished levels of malondialdehyde. In minimizing the expression levels of glucose 6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase-1 proteins in the diabetic liver, MKE also enhanced glycogen content and hexokinase activity. Collectively, these findings indicate that by suppressing oxidative and inflammatory processes, MKE exerts a potent anti-hyperglycemic activity in diabetic rats which serve to protect pancreatic β cell apoptosis, enhance their function, and improve hepatic glucose metabolism.

Metabolomics and molecular networking approach for exploring the anti-diabetic activity of medicinal plants

Metabolomics and molecular networking approaches have expanded rapidly in the field of biological sciences and involve the systematic identification, visualization, and high-throughput characterization of bioactive metabolites in natural products using sophisticated mass spectrometry-based techniques. The popularity of natural products in pharmaceutical therapies has been influenced by medicinal plants with a long history of ethnobotany and a vast collection of bioactive compounds. Here, we selected four medicinal plants Cleistocalyx operculatus, Terminalia chebula, Ficus lacor, and Ficus semicordata, the biochemical characteristics of which remain unclear owing to the inherent complexity of their plant metabolites. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential of these aforementioned plant extracts in inhibiting the enzymatic activity of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively, followed by the annotation of secondary metabolites. The methanol extract of Ficus semicordata exhibited the highest α-amylase inhibition with an IC50 of 46.8 ± 1.8 μg mL-1, whereas the water fraction of Terminalia chebula fruits demonstrated the most significant α-glucosidase inhibition with an IC50 value of 1.07 ± 0.01 μg mL-1. The metabolic profiling of plant extracts was analyzed through Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS) of the active fractions, resulting in the annotation of 32 secondary metabolites. Furthermore, we applied the Global Natural Product Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) platform to evaluate the MS/MS data of Terminalia chebula (bark), revealing that there were 205 and 160 individual ion species observed as nodes in the methanol and ethyl acetate fractions, respectively. Twenty-two metabolites were tentatively identified from the network map, of which 11 compounds were unidentified during manual annotation.

Quinic acid ameliorates ulcerative colitis in rats, through the inhibition of two TLR4-NF-κB and NF-κB-INOS-NO signaling pathways

OBJECTIVE

In this study, the therapeutic effect of quinic acid (QA), which has anti-inflammatory activity, was investigated on acetic acid-induced colitis in male Wistar rats.

METHODS

Ulcerative colitis (UC) was induced in rats by acetic acid intrarectally, and the protective effects of QA in 10, 30, 60, and 100 mg/kg doses were investigated. Rats were treated for 5 days and their colon tissues were dissected out at the end. Macroscopic and histopathological examinations were performed in colon tissues. Also, the expression of inflammatory and apoptotic genes, including TLR4, IL-1β, INOS, IL-6, TNF-α, NF-κB, Caspase-3, Caspase-8, Bax, and Bcl-2, was measured. Biochemistry indices, such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite oxide (NO) content, in addition to, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and enzymes activities were also assessed.

RESULTS

Colitis increased the levels of MDA and NO, and enhanced the inflammatory and apoptotic gene expressions, while reducing the SOD and CAT enzymes activity, and TAC levels in the colitis rats. Also, results showed that colitis was associated with the infiltration of inflammatory cells, epithelium damage, and edema in colon tissue. QA significantly ameliorated histopathological indices, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in colitis rats.

CONCLUSION

QA ameliorated UC through the inhibition of two TLR4-NF-κB and NF-κB-INOS-NO signaling pathways, which results in the reduction of colitis complications, including oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis and histopathological injuries in rats. Therefore it can be concluded, that QA exerts its therapeutic effects through antiapoptotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Natural Clerodendrum-derived tick repellent: learning from Nepali culture

Ticks attaching to ear canals of humans and animals are the cause of otoacariasis, common in rural areas of Nepal. The plant Clerodendrum viscosum is used in multiple indigenous systems of medicine by ethnic communities in the Indo-Nepali-Malaysian region. Visiting the Chitwan National Park, we learned that in indigenous medicine, flower extract of C. viscosum is utilized to treat digestive disorders and extracts from leaves as tick repellent to prevent ticks from invading or to remove them from the ear canal. The objective of our study was to provide support to indigenous medicine by characterizing the in vivo effect of leave extracts on ticks under laboratory conditions and its phytochemical composition. We collected plant parts of C. viscosum (leaves and flowers) and mango (Mangifera indica) leaves at the Chitwan National Park, previously associated with repellent activity to characterize their effect on Ixodes ricinus ticks by in vivo bioassays. A Q-ToF high-resolution analysis (HPLC-ESI-QToF) was conducted to elucidate phenolic compounds with potential repellent activity. Clerodendrum viscosum and M. indica leaf extracts had the highest tick repellent efficacy (%E = 80-100%) with significant differences when compared to C. viscosum flowers extracts (%E = 20-60%) and phosphate-buffered saline. Phytochemicals with tick repellent function as caffeic acid, fumaric acid and p-coumaric acid glucoside were identified in C. viscosum leaf extracts by HPLC-ESI-QToF, but not in non-repellent flower extracts. These results support the Nepali indigenous medicine application of C. viscosum leaf extracts to repel ticks. Additional research is needed for the development of natural and green repellent formulations to reduce the risks associated with ticks resistant to acaricides.

Characterization of Chlorogenic Acid as a Two-Photon Fluorogenic Probe that Regulates Glycolysis in Tumor Cells under Hypoxia

High levels of steady-state mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glycolysis are hallmarks of cancer. An improved understanding of interactions between tumor energetics and mitochondrial ROS modulation is useful for the development of new anticancer strategies. Here, we show that the natural product chlorogenic acid (CGA) specifically scavenged abnormally elevated mitochondrial O₂^•- and exhibited a two-photon fluorescence turn-on response to tumor cells under hypoxia and tumor tissues in vivo. Furthermore, we illustrated that CGA treatment reduced O₂^•- levels in cells, hampered activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and shifted metabolism from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), resulting in inhibition of tumor growth under hypoxia. This study demonstrates an efficient two-photon fluorescent tool for real-time assessment of mitochondrial O₂^•- and a clear link between reducing intracellular ROS levels by CGA treatments and regulating metabolism, as well as undeniably helpful insights for the development of new anticancer strategies.

Targeting Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Expanding the Therapeutic Approaches by Plant-Derived Natural Products

Mitochondria are the primary source of energy production in neurons, supporting the high energy consumption of the nervous system. Inefficient and dysfunctional mitochondria in the central nervous system have been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, targeting mitochondria offers a new therapeutic opportunity for neurodegenerative diseases. Many recent studies have proposed that plant-derived natural products, as pleiotropic, safe, and readily obtainable sources of new drugs, potentially treat neurodegenerative diseases by targeting mitochondria. In this review, we summarize recent advances in targeting mitochondria in neurotherapeutics by employing plant-derived natural products. We discuss the mechanism of plant-derived natural products according to their mechanism of action on mitochondria in terms of regulating biogenesis, fusion, fission, bioenergetics, oxidative stress, calcium homeostasis, membrane potential, and mitochondrial DNA stability, as well as repairing damaged mitochondria. In addition, we discuss the potential perspectives and challenges in developing plant-derived natural products to target mitochondria, highlighting the clinical value of phytochemicals as feasible candidates for future neurotherapeutics.

Metabolite Comparison between Spleen-Deficiency and Healthy Children

Objective

From the perspective of metabolomics, this study compares the metabolomics characteristics of feces and urine between children with spleen-deficiency and healthy children to explain the scientific connotation of children with spleen-deficiency susceptibility to digestive system diseases from the metabolic level and provide a scientific basis for further research.

Methods

This study included 20 children with spleen-deficiencies and 17 healthy children. Children's symptom scores, height, and weight were recorded in groups, and feces and urine samples were collected. The samples were detected using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The data were analyzed using multivariate statistical analysis such as principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Related differential metabolites were identified through database comparisons between two groups based on the MS and KEGG.

Results

Compared to healthy children, the metabolites glucuronic acid, xanthine, and indole-3-acetaldehyde tend to be reduced in children with spleen-deficiency. Moreover, these children showed an increase in metabolites such as quinic acid, adenine, 4-methyl-5-thiazole-ethanol, 3-formyl indole, and 5-hydroxy indole-3-acetic acid. The condition affected many of the critical metabolic pathways, including the metabolism of tryptophan, cysteine, methionine, and pentose phosphate.

Conclusion

The children with spleen-deficiency had disorders at the metabolic level, which might be due to factors such as diet, personal preferences, and genes, leading to various symptoms, making spleen-deficiency children more prone to suffer from digestive diseases than healthy children. The results set a basis for the research on children's TCM constitution, which can be a reference to further studies to deal with the spleen-deficiency.

Biotechnological potential of Hancornia speciosa whole tree: A narrative review from composition to health applicability

Mangabeira (Hancornia speciosa) is a Brazilian tree and a socioeconomic key due to the commercialization of its food products and tree parts to treat health conditions empirically. This review gathers the main chemical, and microbiological characteristics of the mangabeira tree parts (leaves, fruits, tree bark, latex, and seeds), emphasizing its applicability in food science and focusing on its bioapplicability in health conditions. Leaves, fruits, and tree bark can be used to develop functional foods, and phytochemical products; the tree latex have great potential in the bioengineering material field; and the seeds in sustainable energy production. Leaves and fruits were the main samples bioapplied in health conditions in vitro (oxidative stress and chemopreventive effect) and in vivo (gastrointestinal and cardiovascular health, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic effect), whereas tree bark and latex also exhibited health effects and seeds showed low cytotoxicity. All parts of the mangabeira tree can be explored by extractivist families and industries from a sustainable point of view.

The Study of Protein-Cyclitol Interactions

Investigation of interactions between the target protein molecule and ligand allows for an understanding of the nature of the molecular recognition, functions, and biological activity of protein-ligand complexation. In the present work, non-specific interactions between a model protein (Bovine Serum Albumin) and four cyclitols were investigated. D-sorbitol and adonitol represent the group of linear-structure cyclitols, while shikimic acid and D-(-)-quinic acid have cyclic-structure molecules. Various analytical methods, including chromatographic analysis (HPLC-MS/MS), electrophoretic analysis (SDS-PAGE), spectroscopic analysis (spectrofluorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy), and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), were applied for the description of protein-cyclitol interactions. Additionally, computational calculations were performed to predict the possible binding places. Kinetic studies allowed us to clarify interaction mechanisms that may take place during BSA and cyclitol interaction. The results allow us, among other things, to evaluate the impact of the cyclitol's structure on the character of its interactions with the protein.

Effect of Phytopreparations Based on Bioreactor-Grown Cell Biomass of Dioscorea deltoidea, Tribulus terrestris and Panax japonicus on Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

In the present study, we explored the therapeutic potential of bioreactor-grown cell cultures of the medicinal plant species Dioscorea deltoidea, Tribulus terrestris and Panax japonicus to treat carbohydrate metabolism disorders (CMDs) in laboratory rats. In the adrenaline model of hyperglycemia, aqueous suspensions of cell biomass pre-administered at a dose of 100 mg dry biomass/kg significantly reduced glucose level in animal blood 1–2.5 h (D. deltoidea and T. terrestris) or 1 h (P. japonicus) after adrenaline hydrochloride administration. In a streptozotocin-induced model of type 2 diabetes mellitus, the cell biomass of D. deltoidea and T. terrestris acted towards normalization of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, as evidenced by a significant reduction of daily diuresis (by 39–57%), blood-glucose level (by 46–51%), blood content in urine (by 78–80%) and total cholesterol (25–36%) compared to animals without treatment. Bioactive secondary metabolites identified in the cell cultures and potentially responsible for their actions were deltoside, 25(S)-protodioscin and protodioscin in D. deltoidea; furostanol-type steroidal glycosides and quinic acid derivatives in T. terrestris; and ginsenosides and malonyl-ginsenosides in P. japonicus. These results evidenced for high potential of bioreactor-grown cell suspensions of these species for prevention and treatment of CMD, which requires further investigation.

Caffeoylquinic acids: chemistry, biosynthesis, occurrence, analytical challenges, and bioactivity

Caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) are specialized plant metabolites we encounter in our daily life. Humans consume CQAs in mg-to-gram quantities through dietary consumption of plant products. CQAs are considered beneficial for human health, mainly due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Recently, new biosynthetic pathways via a peroxidase-type p-coumaric acid 3-hydroxylase enzyme were discovered. More recently, a new GDSL lipase-like enzyme able to transform monoCQAs into diCQA was identified in Ipomoea batatas. CQAs were recently linked to memory improvement; they seem to be strong indirect antioxidants via Nrf2 activation. However, there is a prevalent confusion in the designation and nomenclature of different CQA isomers. Such inconsistencies are critical and complicate bioactivity assessment since different isomers differ in bioactivity and potency. A detailed explanation regarding the origin of such confusion is provided, and a recommendation to unify nomenclature is suggested. Furthermore, for studies on CQA bioactivity, plant-based laboratory animal diets contain CQAs, which makes it difficult to include proper control groups for comparison. Therefore, a synthetic diet free of CQAs is advised to avoid interferences since some CQAs may produce bioactivity even at nanomolar levels. Biotransformation of CQAs by gut microbiota, the discovery of new enzymatic biosynthetic and metabolic pathways, dietary assessment, and assessment of biological properties with potential for drug development are areas of active, ongoing research. This review is focused on the chemistry, biosynthesis, occurrence, analytical challenges, and bioactivity recently reported for mono-, di-, tri-, and tetraCQAs.

Gundelia tournefortii: Fractionation, Chemical Composition and GLUT4 Translocation Enhancement in Muscle Cell Line

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disease, which could affect the daily life of patients and increase their risk of developing other diseases. Synthetic anti-diabetic drugs usually show severe side effects. In the last few decades, plant-derived drugs have been intensively studied, particularly because of a rapid development of the instruments used in analytical chemistry. We tested the efficacy of Gundelia tournefortii L. (GT) in increasing the translocation of glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) to the myocyte plasma membrane (PM), as a main strategy to manage T2D. In this study, GT methanol extract was sub-fractionated into 10 samples using flash chromatography. The toxicity of the fractions on L6 muscle cells, stably expressing GLUTmyc, was evaluated using the MTT assay. The efficacy with which GLUT4 was attached to the L6 PM was evaluated at non-toxic concentrations. Fraction 6 was the most effective, as it stimulated GLUT4 translocation in the absence and presence of insulin, 3.5 and 5.2 times (at 250 μg/mL), respectively. Fraction 1 and 3 showed no significant effects on GLUT4 translocation, while other fractions increased GLUT4 translocation up to 2.0 times. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of silylated fractions revealed 98 distinct compounds. Among those compounds, 25 were considered anti-diabetic and glucose disposal agents. These findings suggest that GT methanol sub-fractions exert an anti-diabetic effect by modulating GLUT4 translocation in L6 muscle cells, and indicate the potential of GT extracts as novel therapeutic agents for T2D.

Anti-Allergic, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Hyperglycemic Activity of Chasmanthe aethiopica Leaf Extract and Its Profiling Using LC/MS and GLC/MS

This study aims to comprehensively explore the phytoconstituents as well as investigate the different biological activities of Chasmanthe aethiopica (Iridaceae) for the first time. Metabolic profiling of the leaf methanol extract of C. aethiopica (CAL) was carried out using HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS. Twenty-nine compounds were annotated belonging to various phytochemical classes including organic acids, cinnamic acid derivatives, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, and fatty acids. Myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside was the major compound identified. GLC/MS analysis of the n-hexane fraction (CAL-A) resulted in the identification of 45 compounds with palmitic acid (16.08%) and methyl hexadecanoic acid ester (11.91%) representing the major constituents. CAL-A exhibited a potent anti-allergic activity as evidenced by its potent inhibition of β-hexosaminidase release triggered by A23187 and IgE by 72.7% and 48.7%, respectively. Results were comparable to that of dexamethasone (10 nM) in the A23187 degranulation assay showing 80.7% inhibition for β-hexosaminidase release. Both the n-hexane (CAL-A) and dichloromethane (CAL-B) fractions exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity manifested by the significant inhibition of superoxide anion generation and prohibition of elastase release. CAL showed anti-hyperglycemic activity in vivo using streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model by reducing fasting blood glucose levels (FBG) by 53.44% as compared with STZ-treated rats along with a substantial increase in serum insulin by 22.22%. Molecular modeling studies indicated that dicaffeoylquinic acid showed the highest fitting with free binding energies (∆G) of -47.24 and -60.50 Kcal/mol for human α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively confirming its anti-hyperglycemic activity. Thus, C. aethiopica leaf extract could serve as an effective antioxidant natural remedy combating inflammation, allergy, and hyperglycemia.

Mitochondrial Calcium Signaling in Pancreatic β-Cell

Accumulation of calcium in energized mitochondria of pancreatic β-cells is emerging as a crucial process for pancreatic β-cell function. β-cell mitochondria sense and shape calcium signals, linking the metabolism of glucose and other secretagogues to the generation of signals that promote insulin secretion during nutrient stimulation. Here, we describe the role of mitochondrial calcium signaling in pancreatic β-cell function. We report the latest pharmacological and genetic findings, including the first mitochondrial calcium-targeted intervention strategies developed to modulate pancreatic β-cell function and their potential relevance in the context of diabetes.

Gut Microbiota, Blood Metabolites, and Spleen Immunity in Broiler Chickens Fed Berry Pomaces and Phenolic-Enriched Extractives

This study evaluated the performance, gut microbiota, and blood metabolites in broiler chickens fed cranberry and blueberry products for 30 days. A total of 2,800 male day-old broiler Cobb-500 chicks were randomly distributed between 10 diets: control basal diet; basal diet with bacitracin (BACI); four basal diets with 1 and 2% of cranberry (CP1, CP2) and blueberry (BP1, BP2) pomaces; and four basal diets supplemented with ethanolic extracts of cranberry (COH150, COH300) or blueberry (BOH150, BOH300) pomaces. All groups were composed of seven replicates (40 birds per replicate). Cecal and cloacal samples were collected for bacterial counts and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Blood samples and spleens were analyzed for blood metabolites and gene expressions, respectively. The supplementation of COH300 and BOH300 significantly increased the body weight (BW) during the starting and growing phases, respectively, while COH150 improved (P < 0.05) the overall cumulated feed efficiency (FE) compared to control. The lowest prevalence (P = 0.01) of necrotic enteritis was observed with CP1 and BP1 compared to BACI and control. Cranberry pomace significantly increased the quinic acid level in blood plasma compared to other treatments. At days 21 and 28 of age, the lowest (P < 0.05) levels of triglyceride and alanine aminotransferase were observed in cranberry pomace and blueberry product-fed birds, respectively suggesting that berry feeding influenced the lipid metabolism and serum enzyme levels. The highest relative abundance of Lactobacillaceae was found in ceca of birds fed CP2 (P < 0.05). In the cloaca, BOH300 significantly (P < 0.005) increased the abundances of Acidobacteria and Lactobacillaceae. Actinobacteria showed a significant (P < 0.05) negative correlation with feed intake (FI) and FE in COH300-treated birds, whereas Proteobacteria positively correlated with the BW but negatively correlated with FI and FE, during the growing phase. In the spleen, cranberry products did not induce the release of any pro-inflammatory cytokines but upregulated the expression of several genes (IL4, IL5, CSF2, and HMBS) involved in adaptive immune responses in broilers. This study demonstrated that feed supplementation with berry products could promote the intestinal health by modulating the dynamics of the gut microbiota while influencing the metabolism in broilers.

Urolithin C increases glucose-induced ERK activation which contributes to insulin secretion

Polyphenols exert pharmacological actions through protein-mediated mechanisms and by modulating intracellular signalling pathways. We recently showed that a gut-microbial metabolite of ellagic acid named urolithin C is a glucose-dependent activator of insulin secretion acting by facilitating L-type Ca²⁺ channel opening and Ca²⁺ influx into pancreatic β-cells. However, it is still unknown whether urolithin C regulates key intracellular signalling proteins in β-cells. Here, we report that urolithin C enhanced glucose-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation as shown by higher phosphorylation levels in INS-1 β-cells. Interestingly, inhibition of ERK1/2 with two structurally distinct inhibitors led to a reduction in urolithin C effect on insulin secretion. Finally, we provide data to suggest that urolithin C-mediated ERK1/2 phosphorylation involved insulin signalling in INS-1 cells. Together, these data indicate that the pharmacological action of urolithin C on insulin secretion relies, in part, on its capacity to enhance glucose-induced ERK1/2 activation. Therefore, our study extends our understanding of the pharmacological action of urolithin C in β-cells. More generally, our findings revealed that urolithin C modulated the activation of key multifunctional intracellular signalling kinases which participate in the regulation of numerous biological processes.

Targeting Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake with the Natural Flavonol Kaempferol, to Promote Metabolism/Secretion Coupling in Pancreatic β-cells

Pancreatic β-cells secrete insulin to lower blood glucose, following a meal. Maintenance of β-cell function is essential to preventing type 2 diabetes. In pancreatic β-cells, mitochondrial matrix calcium is an activating signal for insulin secretion. Recently, the molecular identity of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU), the transporter that mediates mitochondrial calcium uptake, was revealed. Its role in pancreatic β-cell signal transduction modulation was clarified, opening new perspectives for intervention. Here, we investigated the effects of a mitochondrial Ca²⁺-targeted nutritional intervention strategy on metabolism/secretion coupling, in a model of pancreatic insulin-secreting cells (INS-1E). Acute treatment of INS-1E cells with the natural plant flavonoid and MCU activator kaempferol, at a low micromolar range, increased mitochondrial calcium rise during glucose stimulation, without affecting the expression level of the MCU and with no cytotoxicity. Enhanced mitochondrial calcium rises potentiated glucose-induced insulin secretion. Conversely, the MCU inhibitor mitoxantrone inhibited mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uptake and prevented both glucose-induced insulin secretion and kaempferol-potentiated effects. The kaempferol-dependent potentiation of insulin secretion was finally validated in a model of a standardized pancreatic human islet. We conclude that the plant product kaempferol activates metabolism/secretion coupling in insulin-secreting cells by modulating mitochondrial calcium uptake.

The plant product quinic acid activates Ca2+ -dependent mitochondrial function and promotes insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Quinic acid (QA) is an abundant natural compound from plant sources which may improve metabolic health. However, little attention has been paid to its effects on pancreatic beta-cell functions, which contribute to the control of metabolic health by lowering blood glucose. Strategies targeting beta-cell signal transduction are a new approach for diabetes treatment. This study investigated the efficacy of QA to stimulate beta-cell function by targeting the basic molecular machinery of metabolism-secretion coupling.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

We measured bioenergetic parameters and insulin exocytosis in a model of insulin-secreting beta-cells (INS-1E), together with Ca²⁺ homeostasis, using genetically encoded sensors, targeted to different subcellular compartments. Islets from mice chronically infused with QA were also assessed.

KEY RESULTS

QA triggered transient cytosolic Ca²⁺ increases in insulin-secreting cells by mobilizing Ca²⁺ from intracellular stores, such as endoplasmic reticulum. Following glucose stimulation, QA increased glucose-induced mitochondrial Ca²⁺ transients. We also observed a QA-induced rise of the NAD(P)H/NAD(P)⁺ ratio, augmented ATP synthase-dependent respiration, and enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. QA promoted beta-cell function in vivo as islets from mice infused with QA displayed improved glucose-induced insulin secretion. A diet containing QA improved glucose tolerance in mice.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

QA modulated intracellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis, enhancing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in both INS-1E cells and mouse islets. By increasing mitochondrial Ca²⁺ , QA activated the coordinated stimulation of oxidative metabolism, mitochondrial ATP synthase-dependent respiration, and therefore insulin secretion. Bioactive agents raising mitochondrial Ca²⁺ in pancreatic beta-cells could be used to treat diabetes.