Amelioration of hepatic fibrosis via Padma Hepaten is associated with altered natural killer T lymphocytes

Pharmacological Benefits of Triphala: A Perspective for Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is considered a major nasal condition impacting a large number of people around the world, and it is now becoming a global health problem. Because the underlying mechanisms of AR are complex, the development of single-drug treatment might not be enough to treat a wide spectrum of the disease. Although the standard guidelines classify and provide suitable diagnosis and treatment, the vast majority of people with AR are still without any means of controlling it. Moreover, the benefits of AR drugs are sometimes accompanied by undesirable side effects. Thus, it is becoming a significant challenge to find effective therapies with limited undesirable side effects for a majority of patients suffering from uncontrolled AR. Aller-7/NR-A2, a polyherbal formulation, has revealed promising results in patients by reducing nasal symptoms and eosinophil counts without serious adverse effects. Interestingly, three out of seven of the herbals in the Aller-7/NR-A2 formulation are also found in an Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation known as “Triphala,” which is a potential candidate for the treatment of AR. However, there are no current studies that have examined the effects of Triphala on the disease. This review aims to describe the complexity of AR pathophysiology, currently available treatments, and the effects of Triphala on AR in order to help develop it as a promising alternative treatment in the future.

Polyphenols Inhibit Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans Biofilm Formation

Background:Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) are two major contributors to dental caries. They have a symbiotic relationship, allowing them to create an enhanced biofilm. Our goal was to examine whether two natural polyphenols (Padma hepaten (PH) and a polyphenol extraction from green tea (PPFGT)) could inhibit the caries-inducing properties of S. mutans and C. albicans. Methods: Co-species biofilms of S. mutans and C. albicans were grown in the presence of PH and PPFGT. Biofilm formation was tested spectrophotometrically. Exopolysaccharides (EPS) secretion was quantified using confocal scanning laser microscopy. Biofilm development was also tested on orthodontic surfaces (Essix) to assess biofilm inhibition ability on such an orthodontic appliance. Results: PPFGT and PH dose-dependently inhibited biofilm formation without affecting the planktonic growth. We found a significant reduction in biofilm total biomass using 0.625 mg/mL PPFGT and 0.16 mg/mL PH. A concentration of 0.31 mg/mL PPFGT and 0.16 mg/mL PH inhibited the total cell growth by 54% and EPS secretion by 81%. A reduction in biofilm formation and EPS secretion was also observed on orthodontic PVC surfaces. Conclusions: The polyphenolic extractions PPFGT and PH have an inhibitory effect on S. mutans and C. albicans biofilm formation and EPS secretion.

Green Tea Polyphenols and Padma Hepaten Inhibit Candida albicans Biofilm Formation

Candida albicans (C. albicans) is the most prevalent opportunistic human pathogenic fungus and can cause mucosal membrane infections and invade the blood. In the oral cavity, it can ferment dietary sugars, produce organic acids and therefore has a role in caries development. In this study, we examined whether the polyphenol rich extractions Polyphenon from green tea (PPFGT) and Padma Hepaten (PH) can inhibit the caries-inducing properties of C. albicans. Biofilms of C. albicans were grown in the presence of PPFGT and PH. Formation of biofilms was tested spectrophotometrically after crystal violet staining. Exopolysaccharides (EPS) secretion was quantified using confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). Treated C. albicans morphology was demonstrated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Expression of virulence-related genes was tested using qRT-PCR. Development of biofilm was also tested on an orthodontic surface (Essix) to assess biofilm inhibition ability on such appliances. Both PPFGT and PH dose-dependently inhibited biofilm formation, with no inhibition on planktonic growth. The strongest inhibition was obtained using the combination of the substances. Crystal violet staining showed a significant reduction of 45% in biofilm formation using a concentration of 2.5mg/ml PPFGT and 0.16mg/ml PH. A concentration of 1.25 mg/ml PPFGT and 0.16 mg/ml PH inhibited candidal growth by 88% and EPS secretion by 74% according to CSLM. A reduction in biofilm formation and in the transition from yeast to hyphal morphotype was observed using SEM. A strong reduction was found in the expression of hwp1, eap1, and als3 virulence associated genes. These results demonstrate the inhibitory effect of natural PPFGT polyphenolic extraction on C. albicans biofilm formation and EPS secretion, alone and together with PH. In an era of increased drug resistance, the use of phytomedicine to constrain biofilm development, without killing host cells, may pave the way to a novel therapeutic concept, especially in children as orthodontic patients.

An Integrated Study on the Antitumor Effect and Mechanism of Triphala Against Gynecological Cancers Based on Network Pharmacological Prediction and In Vitro Experimental Validation

Objectives. Triphala is a herbal medicine that has been widely used for treating a variety of ailments. This study aims to systematically analyze the antitumor effects of Triphala on gynecological cancers. Methods. The antineoplastic activities of Triphala on gynecological cancers were analyzed using network pharmacology-based strategies. Afterward, the human ovarian cancer cell line SK-OV-3, cervical cancer cell line HeLa, and endometrial cancer cell line HEC-1-B were selected for experimetal valification. Results. Network pharmacology analysis suggested that Triphala could comprehensively intervene in proliferation and apoptosis through diverse signaling pathways, mainly including MAPK/ERK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, and NF-κB/p53. The Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8) assay illustrated that Triphala was able to inhibit cell proliferation with half inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) values of 98.28 ± 13.71, 95.56 ± 8.94, and 101.23 ± 7.76 µg/mL against SK-OV-3, HeLa, and HEC-1-B cells, respectively. The ELISA experiment demonstrated that Triphala was capable of promoting programmed cell death, with dosage correlations. The antiproliferative and proapoptotic activities were confirmed by flow cytometric analysis using Ki67 antibody and Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) dual staining. Western blotting revealed a decrease in expression levels of phospho-Akt, phospho-p44/42, and phospho-NF-κB p56 in cells administered Triphala, which indicated that the possible mechanism could involve downregulation of MAPK/ERK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, and NF-κB/p53 signaling pathways, as was predicted. Conclusion. Triphala holds great promise for treating gynecological cancers. Although the favorable pharmacological properties have been preliminarily investigated in this study, further studies are still needed to uncover the sophisticated mechanism of Triphala in cancer therapy.

In Vitro Bioaccessibility, Human Gut Microbiota Metabolites and Hepatoprotective Potential of Chebulic Ellagitannins: A Case of Padma Hepaten® Formulation

Chebulic ellagitannins (ChET) are plant-derived polyphenols containing chebulic acid subunits, possessing a wide spectrum of biological activities that might contribute to health benefits in humans. The herbal formulation Padma Hepaten containing ChETs as the main phenolics, is used as a hepatoprotective remedy. In the present study, an in vitro dynamic model simulating gastrointestinal digestion, including dialysability, was applied to estimate the bioaccessibility of the main phenolics of Padma Hepaten. Results indicated that phenolic release was mainly achieved during the gastric phase (recovery 59.38%-97.04%), with a slight further release during intestinal digestion. Dialysis experiments showed that dialysable phenolics were 64.11% and 22.93%-26.05% of their native concentrations, respectively, for gallic acid/simple gallate esters and ellagitanins/ellagic acid, in contrast to 20.67% and 28.37%-55.35% for the same groups in the non-dialyzed part of the intestinal media. Investigation of human gut microbiota metabolites of Padma Hepaten and pure ChETs (chebulinic, chebulagic acids) established the formation of bioactive urolithins (A, B, C, D, M5). The fact of urolithin formation during microbial transformation from ChETs and ChET-containing plant material was revealed for the first time. Evaluation of the protective effect of ChETs colonic metabolites and urolithins on tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative injury in cultured rat primary hepatocytes demonstrated their significant reversion of the t-BHP-induced cell cytotoxicity, malonic dialdehyde production and lactate dehydrogenase leakage. The most potent compound was urolithin C with close values of hepatoprotection to gallic acid. The data obtained indicate that in the case of Padma Hepaten, we speculate that urolithins have the potential to play a role in the hepatic prevention against oxidative damage.

Molecular insights into the anti-cancer properties of traditional Tibetan medicine Yukyung Karne

BACKGROUND

Yukyung karne (YK) is a traditional Tibetan formulation used for many centuries for the treatment of ovarian cancer. However, the pharmacological basis of its anticancer property is not well understood. In the present study, the anticancer property of YK was investigated in cell culture.

METHODS

The growth inhibitory property of YK was evaluated in SKOV6, IHH, HepG2 and HEK293 cell lines using MTT assay. The pro-apoptotic activity of drug was analyzed by terminal deoxynuleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and DNA fragmentation assays. Confocal microscopy was used to show the release of cytochrome c and its co-localization with mitochondria with the help of dsRed mitotracker in SKOV6 cells. The inhibition in cell proliferation was also visualized by confocal microscopy after BrDU incorporation. The activation of tumor suppressor p53 was evaluated by Western blotting while VEGF levels in culture supernatant were measured by a colorimetric method.

RESULTS

YK specifically and efficiently induced apoptotic killing of the human ovarian cancer SKOV6 cells as indicated by increased DNA fragmentation and nick end DNA labeling. Confocal microscopy suggested inhibition of cell proliferation and increase in cytochrome c release via perturbation in mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm). Further, YK up-regulated the expression of tumor suppressor p53 and key cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, and inhibited VEGF secretion by cells. Interestingly, YK also exhibited a synergy with paclitaxel which is a well-known anti-cancer therapeutic drug.

CONCLUSIONS

The pharmacological properties of YK to impose growth arrest and trigger pro-apoptotic death in cells amply justify its usage in primary as well as adjunct therapy for ovarian cancer.

Altered expression and function of hepatic natural killer T cells in obese and diabetic KK-A(y) mice

AIM

  To evaluate the role of natural killer (NK)T cells in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), here we investigated the expression and function of hepatic NKT cells in KK-A(y) mice, an animal model of metabolic syndrome.

METHODS

  Male, 8-week-old KK-A(y) and C57Bl/6 mice were fed a high-fat (HF) diet for 4 weeks. Some mice were given daily intragastric injections of pioglitazone for 5 days prior to or after dietary treatment.

RESULTS

  In untreated KK-A(y) mice, the percentages of NKT cells in liver mononucleolar cells were nearly one-third of those in C57Bl/6 controls. Elevations in interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon (IFN)-γ mRNA in the liver after a single injection of α-galactosylceramide (GalCer) were blunted in KK-A(y) mice largely. Percentages of NKT cells, as well as GalCer-induced increases in IL-4 mRNA, were blunted significantly in both strains after HF diet feeding for 4 weeks. Interestingly, KK-A(y) mice pretreated with pioglitazone showed significant increases in NKT cell proportion, and GalCer-induced increases in IL-4 and IFN-γ mRNA were also enhanced by pioglitazone. In KK-A(y) mice, the percentages of annexin V positive NKT cells were nearly 2.5-fold higher than those in C57Bl/6 controls; however, pioglitazone decreased annexin V positive cells significantly. Moreover, pioglitazone increased NKT cell fraction in KK-A(y) mice even after HF diet feeding.

CONCLUSION

  KK-A(y) mice exhibit proportional and functional alterations in hepatic NKT cells in close relation with the development of steatohepatitis, and it is postulated that pioglitazone improves steatohepatitis in part through restoration of hepatic NKT cells.

Innate immune responses involving natural killer and natural killer T cells promote liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mice

To clarify the roles of innate immune cells in liver regeneration, here, we investigated the alteration in regenerative responses after partial hepatectomy (PH) under selective depletion of natural killer (NK) and/or NKT cells. Male, wild-type (WT; C57Bl/6), and CD1d-knockout (KO) mice were injected with anti-NK1.1 or anti-asialo ganglio-N-tetraosylceramide (GM1) antibody and then underwent the 70% PH. Regenerative responses after PH were evaluated, and hepatic expression levels of cytokines and growth factors were measured by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA. Phosphorylation of STAT3 was detected by Western blotting. Depletion of both NK and NKT cells with an anti-NK1.1 antibody in WT mice caused drastic decreases in bromodeoxyuridine uptake, expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and cyclin D1, 48 h after PH. In mice given NK1.1 antibody, increases in hepatic TNF-α, IL-6/phospho-STAT3, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) levels following PH were also blunted significantly, whereas IFN-γ mRNA levels were not different. CD1d-KO mice per se showed normal liver regeneration; however, pretreatment with an antiasialo GM1 antibody to CD1d-KO mice, resulting in depletion of both NK and NKT cells, also blunted regenerative responses. Collectively, these observations clearly indicated that depletion of both NK and NKT cells by two different ways results in impaired liver regeneration. NK and NKT cells most likely upregulate TNF-α, IL-6/STAT3, and HGF in a coordinate fashion, thus promoting normal regenerative responses in the liver.

Triphala (PADMA) extract alleviates bronchial hyperreactivity in a mouse model through liver and spleen immune modulation and increased anti-oxidative effects

OBJECTIVES

Triphala (TRP), a herbal extract from Tibetan medicine, has been shown to affect lymphocytes and natural killer T (NKT) cell function. We hypothesize that TRP could ameliorate bronchial hyperreactivity through immune-cell modulations.

METHODS

Asthma mouse models were generated through intraperitoneal (IP) injections of ovalbumin (OVA)/2 weeks followed by repeated intranasal OVA challenges. Mice were then treated with normal saline (OVA/NS) or Triphala (OVA/TRP). Data were compared with mice treated with inhaled budesonide. All groups were assessed for allergen-induced hyperreactivity; lymphocytes from lungs, livers and spleens were analyzed for OVA-induced proliferation and their alterations were determined by flow cytometry. Oxidative reactivity using chemiluminescence, serum anti-OVA antibodies level and lung histology were assessed.

RESULTS

Both TRP and budesonide significantly ameliorated functional and histological OVA-induced bronchial hyperreactivity. TRP had no effect on serum anti-OVA antibodies as compared with decreased levels following budesonide treatment. Furthermore, a significant increase in lung and spleen CD4 counts and a decrease in the liver were noted after TRP treatments. Bronchoalveolar fluid from TRP-treated animals but not from the budesonide-treated animals showed anti-oxidative effects.

CONCLUSION

TRP and budesonide caused a significant decrease in bronchial reactivity. TRP treatment altered immune-cell distributions and showed anti-oxidative properties. These findings suggest that immune-cell modulation with TRP can ameliorate lung injury.

A polymeric nanoparticle formulation of curcumin (NanoCurc™) ameliorates CCl4-induced hepatic injury and fibrosis through reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and stellate cell activation

Plant-derived polyphenols such as curcumin hold promise as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of chronic liver diseases. However, its development is plagued by poor aqueous solubility resulting in poor bioavailability. To circumvent the suboptimal bioavailability of free curcumin, we have developed a polymeric nanoparticle formulation of curcumin (NanoCurc™) that overcomes this major pitfall of the free compound. In this study, we show that NanoCurc™ results in sustained intrahepatic curcumin levels that can be found in both hepatocytes and non-parenchymal cells. NanoCurc™ markedly inhibits carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and fibrosis. It also enhances antioxidant levels in the liver and inhibits pro-fibrogenic transcripts associated with activated myofibroblasts. Finally, we show that NanoCurc™ directly induces stellate cell apoptosis in vitro. Our results suggest that NanoCurc™ might be an effective therapy for patients with chronic liver disease.

CD1d-restricted natural killer T cells contribute to hepatic inflammation and fibrogenesis in mice

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Several lines of evidence suggest that innate immunity plays a key role in hepatic fibrogenesis. To clarify the role of natural killer (NK) T cells in hepatic inflammation and fibrogenesis, we here investigated xenobiotics-induced liver injury and subsequent fibrogenesis in mice lacking mature NKT cells caused by genetic disruption of the CD1d molecule.

METHODS

Male CD1d-knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice were given repeated intraperitoneal injections of thioacetamide (TAA, 3times/week; 0.1-0.2mg/g BW) for up to 9 weeks, or a single intraperitoneal injection of CCl(4) (1 μl/g). Liver histology was evaluated, and expression levels of cytokines and matrix-related genes in the liver were quantitatively measured by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

Mortality following repeated injections of TAA was prevented almost completely in CD1d-KO mice. TAA-induced inflammatory responses and hepatocellular damage were markedly ameliorated in CD1d-KO mice. TAA-induced expression of smooth muscle α-actin (SMA) and transforming growth factor (TGF)β1 mRNA in the liver were also prevented largely in CD1d-KO mice. In fact, CD1d-KO mice developed minimal hepatic fibrosis after 9-weeks of administration of TAA, which caused overt bridging fibrosis in WT mice. Indeed, TAA-induced increases in α1(I)procollagen (COL1A1) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 mRNA were blunted significantly in CD1d-KO mice. Similarly, acute CCl(4)-induced hepatic injury and subsequent profibrogenic responses were also reduced significantly in CD1d-KO mice.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings clearly indicated that CD1d-restricted NKT cells contribute to xenobiotics-induced hepatic inflammation, hepatocellular damage, and subsequent profibrogenic responses in the liver.

Total oxidant-scavenging capacities of plasma from glycogen storage disease type Ia patients as measured by cyclic voltammetry, FRAP and luminescence techniques

It has been suggested that the very low incidence of atherosclerosis in glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSD Ia) subjects might be attributed to elevated levels of uric acid, one of the potent low molecular- weight antioxidants found in plasma. The present communication describes a use of two analytical methods-cyclic voltammetry and ferric reducing ability of plasma-and also two chemiluminescence methods to evaluate the total oxidant-scavenging capacities (TOSC) of plasma from GSD Ia patients. Our results verified the elevation of TOSC in GSD Ia patients and we propose the inclusion of luminescence and cyclic voltammetry assays as reliable methods for estimating TOSC in a variety of clinical disorders. Our findings with the cyclic voltammetry method add support to the assumption that the elevated uric acid levels might be the main contributor to plasma antioxidant capacity and possible protection against atherosclerosis.