Anti-inflammatory activity of pectolinarigenin and pectolinarin isolated from Cirsium chanroenicum

Bioactive flavonoids from Leucosceptrum canum with nematicidal efficacy and mechanistic insights through acetylcholinesterase inhibition and docking study

Leucosceptrum canum, a rare Himalayan plant, shows significant bioactive properties, with its nematicidal potential investigated here for the first time. This study isolated and characterized flavonoids from L. canum, assessing their efficacy against the plant-parasitic nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Bioassay-guided fractionation identified three active flavonoids: Pectolinarigenin, 5,6,7-Trihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone and Acacetin, structurally elucidated using spectroscopic techniques and literature comparisons. The flavonoids exhibited dose-dependent nematicidal activity, with percent mortalities after 96 h of 100 %, 92 %, and 59 %, respectively. LC₅₀ values of Pectolinarigenin (11.79 μg/mL), 5,6,7-Trihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone (230.54 μg/mL), and Acacetin (679.67 μg/mL) were recorded, comparable to the standard nematicide Nimitz (LC₅₀: 0.01 μg/mL). These flavonoids also showed strong to moderate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity, with IC₅₀ values of 17.09, 86.72, and 142.2 μg/mL, respectively, nearing the efficacy of standard, physostigmine (IC₅₀: 19.37 μg/mL), suggesting a neuromuscular mechanism of action. The enzyme kinetics analysis of pectolinarigenin revealed it to be a reversible inhibitor of AChE exhibiting mixed-type inhibition, with inhibition constant of 15.94 μg/mL. Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinities (-7.8 to -7.2 kcal/mol) at the AChE active site, highlighting key hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. ADMET analysis confirmed favorable pharmacokinetic and safety profiles, underscoring the potential of these flavonoids as eco-friendly nematicidal alternatives. This study establishes L. canum as a valuable source of flavonoids with dual nematicidal and AChE inhibitory properties, supported by integrated in vitro and in silico studies. It underscores the untapped phytochemical wealth of Himalayan flora for sustainable nematode management.

Pectolinarigenin regulates the tumor-associated proteins in AGS-xenograft BALB/c nude mice

BACKGROUND

Pectolinarigenin (PEC) is a flavone extracted from Cirsium, and because it has anti-inflammatory properties, anti-cancer research is also being conducted. The objective of this work was to find out if PEC is involved in tumor control and which pathways it regulates in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS

AGS cell lines were xenografted into BALB/c nude mice to create tumors, and PEC was administered intraperitoneally to see if it was involved in tumor control. Once animal testing was completed, tumor proteins were isolated and identified using LC-MS analysis, and gene ontology of the found proteins was performed.

RESULTS

Body weight and hematological measurements on the xenograft mice model demonstrated that PEC was not harmful to non-cancerous cells. We found 582 proteins in tumor tissue linked to biological reactions such as carcinogenesis and cell death signaling. PEC regulated 6 out of 582 proteins in vivo and in vitro in the same way.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggested that PEC therapy may inhibit tumor development in gastric cancer (GC), and proteomic research gives fundamental information about proteins that may have great promise as new therapeutic targets in GC.

Preliminary investigation of a combined herbal extract of Aruncus dioicus, Cirsium nipponicum, and Ocimum basilicum for halitosis

BACKGROUND

Halitosis, the unpleasant odor in the oral cavity, has garnered increased attention and concern due to the growing significance of social interaction. SGE-107, a blend of 3 botanical drugs-Korean goat's beard, Cirsium tanakae, and Basil-with caffeic acid as its indicator component. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of SGE-107 in treating halitosis in patients with mild gastrointestinal symptoms.

METHODS

We enrolled 25 participants with oral malodor and dyspeptic symptoms. We assessed the severity of halitosis using the visual analog scale. Throughout a 4-week period of administering SGE-107, we evaluated both objective and subjective parameters, including the halitosis-associated life-quality test, the Korean gastrointestinal symptom rating scale, levels of volatile sulfur compounds, salivary flow rate, oral moisture, tongue index, Winkel tongue coating index, and tongue temperature.

RESULTS

After the intervention period, both the visual analog scale (5.88 ± 1.03 vs 2.38 ± 0.93, P < .001) and the scores of the halitosis-associated life-quality test (31.21 ± 11.78 vs 13.83 ± 6.38, P < .001) showed significant reductions. The proportion of participants with abnormal levels of methyl mercaptan (a volatile sulfur compound) also significantly decreased (17, 70.8% vs 9, 37.5%, P = .039). Furthermore, there were significant improvements in reflux, constipation, diarrhea, and the total scores on the Korean gastrointestinal symptom rating scale. Throughout the study period, only 2 participants experienced mild adverse events.

CONCLUSION

SGE-107 appears to be a safe and effective treatment for halitosis-associated with gastrointestinal symptoms; nevertheless, the limited sample size necessitates further large-scale randomized, controlled studies to confirm our findings.

Temperature-sensitive hydrogel releasing pectolinarin facilitate scarless wound healing

The dressing that promotes scarless healing is essential for both normal function and aesthetics after a wound. With a deeper understanding of the mechanisms involved in scar formation during the wound healing process, the ideal dressing becomes clearer and more promising. For instance, the yes-associated transcriptional regulator (YAP) has been extensively studied as a key gene involved in regulating scar formation. However, there has been limited attention given to pectolinarin, a natural flavonoid that may exhibit strong binding affinity to YAP, in the context of scarless healing. In this study, we successfully developed a temperature-sensitive Pluronic@F-127 hydrogel as a platform for delivering pectolinarin to promote scarless wound healing. The bioactive pectolinarin was released from the hydrogel, effectively enhancing endothelial cell migration, proliferation and the expression of angiogenesis-related genes. Additionally, a concentration of 20 μg/mL of pectolinarin demonstrated remarkable antioxidant ability, capable of counteracting the detrimental effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our results from rat wound healing models demonstrated that the hydrogel accelerated wound healing, promoting re-epithelialization and facilitating skin appendage regeneration. Furthermore, we discovered that a concentration of 50 μg/mL of pectolinarin incorporated to the hydrogel exhibited the most favourable outcomes in terms of promoting wound healing and minimizing scar formation. Overall, our study highlights that the significant potential of locally released pectolinarin might substantially inhibit YAP and promoting scarless wound healing.

Characterization of the glucuronidating pathway of pectolinarigenin, the major active constituent of the Chinese medicine Daji, in humans and its influence on biological activities

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The Chinese medicine Daji (the aerial part of Cirsium japonicum DC.) and its charred product (Cirsii Japonici Herba Carbonisata) have been widely used as hemostatic agents or diuretic agents to prepare a variety of Chinese herbal formula. Pectolinarigenin (PEC), one of the most abundant constituents in both Daji and its charred product, has been considered as the key effective substance responsible for the major pharmacological activities of Daji, including hemostasis, hepatoprotective, anti-tumor and anti-osteoporosis effects. However, the major metabolic pathways of PEC in humans and the influence of PEC metabolism on its biological activities are poorly understood.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To characterize the main metabolic pathway(s) and key enzymes of PEC in human biological systems, as well as to reveal the influence of PEC metabolism on its biological activities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The metabolic stability assays of PEC were investigated in human liver microsomes (HLM). The O-glucuronide of PEC was biosynthesized and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The key enzymes responsible for O-glucuronidation of PEC in humans were assigned by performing UGT reaction phenotyping, chemical inhibition and enzymatic kinetic assays. The agonist effects of PEC and its O-glucuronide on nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARα and PPARβ) were tested at the cellular level.

RESULTS

PEC could be readily metabolized to form a mono-O-glucuronide in both human liver microsome (HLM) and human intestinal microsome (HIM). The mono-O-glucuronide was bio-synthesized by mouse liver S9 and its structure was fully characterized as PEC-7-O-β-D-glucuronide (PEC-O-7-G). UGT1A1, UGT1A3 and UGT1A9 are key enzymes responsible for PEC-7-O-glucuronidation in HLM, while UGT1A1, UGT1A9 and 1A10 may play key roles in this reaction in HIM. Biological tests revealed that PEC displayed strong agonist effects on Nrf2, PPARα and PPARβ, whereas PEC-7-O-glucuronide showed relatively weak Nrf2 agonist effect and very weak PPAR agonist effects, indicating that PEC-7-O-glucuronidation strongly weaken its agonist effects on Nrf2 and PPAR.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that 7-O-glucuronidation is the major metabolic pathway of PEC in human tissues, while UGT1A1, 1A3 and 1A9 are key contributing enzymes responsible for PEC-7-O-glucuronidation in human liver. It is also found that PEC 7-O-glucuronidation significantly weakens the Nrf2 and PPAR agonist effects. All these findings are very helpful for the pharmacologists to deep understand the metabolic rates of PEC in humans.

Natural STAT3 Inhibitors for Cancer Treatment: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide, affecting millions of people physically and financially every year. Over time, many anticancer treatments have been proposed and studied, including synthetic compound consumption, surgical procedures, or grueling chemotherapy. Although these treatments have improved the daily life quality of patients and increased their survival rate and life expectancy, they have also shown significant drawbacks, including staggering costs, multiple side effects, and difficulty in compliance and adherence to treatment. Therefore, natural compounds have been considered a possible key to overcoming these problems in recent years, and thorough research has been done to assess their effectiveness. In these studies, scientists have discovered a meaningful interaction between several natural materials and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 molecules. STAT3 is a transcriptional protein that is vital for cell growth and survival. Mechanistic studies have established that activated STAT3 can increase cancer cell proliferation and invasion while reducing anticancer immunity. Thus, inhibiting STAT3 signaling by natural compounds has become one of the favorite research topics and an attractive target for developing novel cancer treatments. In the present article, we intend to comprehensively review the latest knowledge about the effects of various organic compounds on inhibiting the STAT3 signaling pathway to cure different cancer diseases.

Study of the Anti-Inflammatory Mechanism of β-Carotene Based on Network Pharmacology

β-carotene is known to have pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-tumor properties. However, its main mechanism and related signaling pathways in the treatment of inflammation are still unclear. In this study, component target prediction was performed by using literature retrieval and the SwissTargetPrediction database. Disease targets were collected from various databases, including DisGeNET, OMIM, Drug Bank, and GeneCards. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and enrichment analysis of gene ontology and biological pathways was carried out for important targets. The analysis showed that there were 191 unique targets of β-carotene after removing repeat sites. A total of 2067 targets from the three databases were integrated, 58 duplicate targets were removed, and 2009 potential disease action targets were obtained. Biological function enrichment analysis revealed 284 biological process (BP) entries, 31 cellular component (CC) entries, 55 molecular function (MF) entries, and 84 cellular pathways. The biological processes were mostly associated with various pathways and their regulation, whereas the cell components were mainly membrane components. The main molecular functions included RNA polymerase II transcription factor activity, DNA binding specific to the ligand activation sequence, DNA binding, steroid binding sequence-specific DNA binding, enzyme binding, and steroid hormone receptors. The pathways involved in the process included the TNF signaling pathway, sphingomyelin signaling pathway, and some disease pathways. Lastly, the anti-inflammatory signaling pathway of β-carotene was systematically analyzed using network pharmacology, while the molecular mechanism of β-carotene was further explored by molecular docking. In this study, the anti-inflammatory mechanism of β-carotene was preliminarily explored and predicted by bioinformatics methods, and further experiments will be designed to verify and confirm the predicted results, in order to finally reveal the anti-inflammatory mechanism of β-carotene.

Aβ dissociation by pectolinarin may counteract against Aβ-induced synaptic dysfunction and memory impairment

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative brain disorder characterised by various neurological symptoms, including memory impairment and mood disorders, associated with the abnormal accumulation of amyloid b(Aβ) and tau proteins in the brain. There is still no definitive treatment available for AD, and the Aβ antibody drugs, which are expected to be approved by the FDA, have many limitations. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop low-molecular-weight therapeutic agents for the management of AD. In this study, we investigated whether pectolinarin, a flavonoid, regulates Aβ aggregation and Aβ-induced toxicity. Pectolinarin demonstrated concentration-dependent inhibition of Aβ aggregation and had the ability to break down pre-formed Aβ aggregates, thereby reducing their neurotoxicity. Furthermore, pectolinarin suppressed Aβ aggregates-induced reduction in long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus. Oral administration of pectolinarin in experimental animals inhibited memory impairment and LTP deficits induced by Aβ injection in the hippocampus. These results indicate that pectolinarin may reduce toxic Aβ species and Aβ-induced memory impairments and synaptic dysfunction.

Protective Effects and Mechanisms of Pectolinarin against H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress in SH-SY5Y Neuronal Cells

This study aims to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of pectolinarin against oxidative stress-induced cell damage in SH-SY5Y cells. Neurodegenerative diseases-such as Alzheimer's disease-are potentially associated with oxidative stress, which causes excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage DNA and proteins in neuronal cells. The results of this study demonstrate that pectolinarin can scavenge hydroxyl and nitric oxide radicals in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, pectolinarin significantly increased cell viability while reducing ROS production and LDH release in the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced control group. Additionally, Pectolinarin recovered protein expression from H2O2-altered levels back to close-to-normal SH-SY5Y cell levels for components of the oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis pathways-such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), kelch-like ECH-associated protein (Keap1), anti-heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), B-cell lympho-ma-2 (Bcl-2) protein, and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). These findings suggest that pectolinarin has the potential to be used as a plant material for functional foods to be applied in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, by mitigating oxidative stress-induced damage to neuronal cells.

Pectolinarigenin inhibits bladder urothelial carcinoma cell proliferation by regulating DNA damage/autophagy pathways

Pectolinarigenin (PEC), an active compound isolated from traditional herbal medicine, has shown potential anti-tumor properties against various types of cancer cells. However, its mechanism of action in bladder cancer (BLCA), which is one of the fatal human carcinomas, remains unexplored. In this study, we first revealed that PEC, as a potential DNA topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A) poison, can target TOP2A and cause significant DNA damage. PEC induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest via p53 pathway. Simultaneously, PEC can perform its unique function by inhibiting the late autophagic flux. The blocking of autophagy caused proliferation inhibition of BLCA and further enhanced the DNA damage effect of PEC. In addition, we proved that PEC could intensify the cytotoxic effect of gemcitabine (GEM) on BLCA cells in vivo and in vitro. Summarily, we first systematically revealed that PEC had great potential as a novel TOP2A poison and an inhibitor of late autophagic flux in treating BLCA.

Pectolinarigenin shows lipid-lowering effects by inhibiting fatty acid biosynthesis in vitro and in vivo

Pectolinarigenin is the main flavonoid compound and presents in Linaria vulgaris and Cirsium chanroenicum. In this study, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was applied to dissect the effect of pectolinarigenin on the transcriptome changes in the high lipid Huh-7 cells induced by oleic acid. RNA-seq results revealed that 15 pathways enriched by downregulated genes are associated with cell metabolism including cholesterol metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, steroid biosynthesis, steroid hormone biosynthesis, fatty acid biosynthesis, etc. Moreover, 13 key genes related to lipid metabolism were selected. Among them, PPARG coactivator 1 beta (PPARGC1B) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A) were found to be upregulated, solute carrier family 27 member 1(SLC27A1), acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha (ACACA), fatty-acid synthase (FASN), 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl-CoA Reductase (HMGCR), etc. were found to be downregulated. Glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and fatty acid biosynthesis were all significantly downregulated, according to gene set variation analysis and gene set enrichment analysis. Besides, protein levels of FASN, ACACA, and SLC27A1 were all decreased, whereas PPARγ and CPT1A were increased. Docking models showed that PPARγ may be a target for pectolinarigenin. Furthermore, pectolinarigenin reduced serum TG and hepatic TG, and improved insulin sensitivity in vivo. Our findings suggest that pectolinarigenin may target PPARγ and prevent fatty acid biosynthesis.

Five centuries of Cirsium ehrenbergii Sch. Bip. (Asteraceae) in Mexico, from Huitzquilitl to Cardo Santo: History, ethnomedicine, pharmacology and chemistry

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Several medicinal plants, including the endemic herb Cirsum ehrenbergii (Asteraceae), have been documented in manuscripts, medical and botanical books written in Mexico since the XVI century until the present. This unique circumstance is a real window in the time that allows to investigate historical and contemporary ethnopharmacological knowledge.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To examine the persistence, disappearance, and transformation of ethnomedicinal knowledge of C. ehrenbergii along time. Also, to investigate the chemistry and pharmacology of this species in relation to its historical and present day main ethnomedical applications related to Central Nervous System and inflammation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A thorough review was performed of written sources of medicinal plants from XVI and onwards. For the pharmacological studies, the organic extracts were tested in mice models to assess its antidepressant and anti-inflammatory properties. The active extracts were studied chemically. The isolated compounds were identified by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, or characterized by GC-MS.

RESULTS

Cirsum ehrenbergii was illustrated for the first time (1552) in the Libellus de Medicinalibus Indorum Herbis (Booklet of Medicinal Plants of the Indians) and named in the Nahuatl native language as huitzquilitl (edible thistle). It was there recommended as nigris sanguinis remedium (remedy for black blood), and for the treatment of illnesses with an inflammatory component. Nigris sanguinis was well known in the European medicine of that time and currently it has been interpreted as "depression". At the present time, peasants and native population in Mexico mainly name C. ehrenbergii in Spanish as cardo Santo (holy thistle). Its original Nahuatl name has been almost forgotten. However, these communities use this species, among other maladies, to heal "nervios" (anxiety and/or depression) and for anti-inflammatory purposes. These ailments and treatments resemble those recorded in the Libellus and in several medicinal plant books along centuries. The ethanol extract of C. ehrenbergii roots showed antidepressant-like activity in mice administered at 300 mg/kg, as indicated by the forced swim test (FST). The glycosylated flavonoid linarin was identified as antidepressant principle and was active at the doses of 30 and 60 mg/kg in the FST. Regarding to anti-inflammatory activity, the most active was the methylene chloride extract of the aerial parts, which contains taraxasterol, pseudotaraxasterol, β-sitosterol and stigmasterol.

CONCLUSIONS

Cirsium ehrenbergii extracts possess antidepressant-like (roots, EtOH) and anti-inflammatory (aerial parts, CH₂Cl₂) properties, containing active compounds. Our results sustain historical and present day ethnomedical applications of this species documented along five centuries.

Distinctive origin and evolution of endemic thistle of Korean volcanic island: Structural organization and phylogenetic relationships with complete chloroplast genome

Unlike other Cirsium in Korea, Cirsium nipponicum (Island thistle) is distributed only on Ulleung Island, a volcanic island off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula, and a unique thistle with none or very small thorns. Although many researchers have questioned the origin and evolution of C. nipponicum, there is not much genomic information to estimate it. We thus assembled the complete chloroplast of C. nipponicum and reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Cirsium. The chloroplast genome was 152,586 bp, encoding 133 genes consisting of 8 rRNA genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 88 protein-coding genes. We found 833 polymorphic sites and eight highly variable regions in chloroplast genomes of six Cirsium species by calculating nucleotide diversity, as well as 18 specific variable regions distinguished C. nipponicum from other Cirsium. As a result of phylogenetic analysis, C. nipponicum was closer to C. arvense and C. vulgare than native Cirsium in Korea: C. rhinoceros and C. japonicum. These results indicate that C. nipponicum is likely introduced through the north Eurasian root, not the mainland, and evolved independently in Ulleung Island. This study contributes to further understanding the evolutionary process and the biodiversity conservation of C. nipponicum on Ulleung Island.

Traditional Uses, Phytochemical Composition, Pharmacological Properties, and the Biodiscovery Potential of the Genus Cirsium

Medicinal plants are rich in phytochemicals, which have been used as a source of raw material in medicine since ancient times. Presently they are mostly used to treat Henoch–Schonlein purpura, hemoptysis, and bleeding. The manuscript covers the classification, traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacology, herbal formulations, and patents of Cirsium. The main goal of this review is to impart recent information to facilitate future comprehensive research and use of Cirsium for the development of therapeutics. We investigated numerous databases PubMed, Google Scholar, Springer, Elsevier, Taylor and Francis imprints, and books on ethnopharmacology. The plants of the genus Cirsium of the family Asteraceae contain 350 species across the world. Phytochemical investigations showed that it contains flavonoids, phenols, polyacetylenes, and triterpenoids. The biological potential of this plant is contributed by these secondary metabolites. Cirsium plants are an excellent and harmless agent for the cure of liver diseases; therefore, they might be a good clinical option for the development of therapeutics for hepatic infections. The phytochemical studies of different Cirsium species and their renowned pharmacological activities could be exploited for pharmaceutic product development. Furthermore, studies are required on less known Cirsium species, particularly on the elucidation of the mode of action of their activities.

Pectolinarigenin Suppresses LPS-Induced Inflammatory Response in Macrophages and Attenuates DSS-Induced Colitis by Modulating the NF-κB/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway

Pectolinarigenin (PEC), a natural flavonoid present in cirsium chanroenicum and citrus fruits, has possess the distinct pharmacological activities. However, its molecular mechanisms and pharmacological effects on intestinal illness have not been elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the potential beneficial effects of pectolinarigenin (PEC) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage cells and the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model. Our findings showed that PEC pretreatment inhibits the LPS-induced nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation by interfering with the degradation of IκB-α. Further, increased Nrf2 protein expression was reported on PEC treated RAW 264.7 and THP1 cell lines. In addition, we revealed that PEC mediated the NF-κB/Nrf2 pathway regulation, which in turn inhibits the synthesis of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) on RAW 264.7 and THP1 cells. Furthermore, PEC dose-dependently reduced the DSS-induced inflammation in the colon by regulating NF-κB/Nrf2 signaling pathway and enhancing the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and redox regulators such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxidation byproduct malondialdehyde (MDA) in DSS-induced inflamed colon. Similarly, we reported the minimal pathological damages in the PEC-treated mice colon, as well as increase goblet cell population and mucin-2 production. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that PEC reduces the DSS-induced colitis in mice by regulating the NF-κB/Nrf2 pathway. Thus, PEC might be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Pectolinarigenin acts as a potential anti-osteosarcoma agent via mediating SHP-1/JAK2/STAT3 signaling

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) plays essential roles in cancer progression and has been considered as a promising target for cancer therapy. Here, we used a dual luciferase assay to identify that pectolinarigenin inhibited STAT3 transcriptional activity. Further, results showed pectolinarigenin inhibited constitutive and IL6 induced STAT3 signaling, diminished the accumulation of STAT3 in the nucleus, dimerization and blocked STAT3 DNA binding activity. Mechanism investigations indicated that pectolinarigenin disturbed the STAT3/DNMT1/HDAC1 complex formation in the promoter region of SHP-1, which reversely mediates STAT3 signaling, leading to the upregulation of SHP-1 expression in osteosarcoma. We also found pectolinarigenin significantly suppressed osteosarcoma growth, induced apoptosis. In addition, pectolinarigenin blocked tumor cells migration, invasion and reserved EMT phenotype. In spontaneous tibial injection and patient-derived xenograft models of osteosarcoma, we identified administration (i.p.) of pectolinarigenin (20 mg/kg/2 days and 50 mg/kg/2 days) blocked STAT3 activation and disturbed tumor growth and metastasis with superior pharmacodynamic properties. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that pectolinarigenin may be a candidate for osteosarcoma intervention linked to its STAT3 signaling inhibitory activity.

Selective Cytotoxicity of Portuguese Propolis Ethyl Acetate Fraction towards Renal Cancer Cells

Renal cell carcinoma is the most lethal cancer of the urological system due to late diagnosis and treatment resistance. Propolis, a beehive product, is a valuable natural source of compounds with bioactivities and may be a beneficial addition to current anticancer treatments. A Portuguese propolis sample, its fractions (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water) and three subfractions (P1–P3), were tested for their toxicity on A498, 786-O and Caki-2 renal cell carcinoma cell lines and the non-neoplastic HK2 kidney cells. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the strongest toxicity against A498 (IC₅₀ = 0.162 µg mL⁻¹) and 786-O (IC₅₀ = 0.271 µg mL⁻¹) cells. With similar toxicity against 786-O, P1 (IC₅₀ = 3.8 µg mL⁻¹) and P3 (IC₅₀ = 3.1 µg mL⁻¹) exhibited greater effect when combined (IC₅₀ = 2.5 µg mL⁻¹). Results support the potential of propolis and its constituents as promising coadjuvants in renal cell carcinoma treatment.

PIM1/STAT3 axis: a potential co-targeted therapeutic approach in triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer lacks an expression of ER, PR, and Her-2, has a poor prognosis, and there are no target therapies available. Therapeutic options to treat TNBC are limited and urgently needed. Strong evidence indicates that molecular signaling pathways have a significant function to regulate biological mechanisms and their abnormal expression endows with the development of cancer. PIM kinase is overexpressed in various human cancers including TNBC which is regulated by various signaling pathways that are crucial for cancer cell proliferation and survival and also make PIM kinase as an attractive drug target. One of the targets of the STAT3 signaling pathway is PIM1 that plays a key role in tumor progression and transformation. In this review, we accumulate the current scenario of the PIM-STAT3 axis that provides insights into the PIM1 and STAT3 inhibitors which can be developed as potential co-inhibitors as prospective anticancer agents.

Pectolinarin Inhibits the Bacterial Biofilm Formation and Thereby Reduces Bacterial Pathogenicity

Bacterial biofilms are a growing problem as it is a major cause of nosocomial infection from urinary catheters to chronic tissue infections and provide resistance to a variety of antibiotics and the host’s immune system. The effect of pectolinarin on the biofilm formation in Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Cutibacterium acnes, and Porphyromonas gingivalis was studied in TSBg (tryptic soy broth supplemented with 1% glucose). Pectolinarin inhibited biofilm formation of E. faecalis (IC₅₀ = 0.39 μg/mL), E. faecium (IC₅₀ = 0.19 μg/mL), E. coli (IC₅₀ = 0.25 μg/mL), S. mutans (IC₅₀ = 1.2 μg/mL), S. sobrinus (IC₅₀ = 1.4 μg/mL), S. aureus (IC₅₀ = 0.39 μg/mL), P. aeruginosa (IC₅₀ = 0.9 μg/mL), P. acnes (IC₅₀ = 12.5 μg/mL), and P. gingivalis (IC₅₀ = 9.0 μg/mL) without inhibiting the bacterial growth. Pectolinarin also showed increased susceptibility of antibacterial activity with commercially available antibiotics including ampicillin, vancomycin, streptomycin, and oxytetracyclin against E. faecalis and E. faecium. Finally, pectolinarin dose-dependently reduced the expression of genes including cytolysin genes (cylLS, cylR2 and cylM), quorum sensing (QS) genes (fsrB, fsrC, gelE, ebpA, ebpB, acm, scm and bps), and biofilm virulence genes (esp) of E. faecalis and E. faecium. Pectolinarin reduced the bacterial biofilm formation, activated the antibacterial susceptibility, and reduced the bacterial adherence. These results suggest that bacterial biofilm formation is a good target to develop the antibacterial agents against biofilm-related infections.

A global picture: therapeutic perspectives for COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is a lethal virus outbreak by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has severely affected human lives and the global economy. The most vital part of the research and development of therapeutic agents is to design drug products to manage COVID-19 efficiently. Numerous attempts have been in place to determine the optimal drug dose and combination of drugs to treat the disease on a global scale. This article documents the information available on SARS-CoV-2 and its life cycle, which will aid in the development of the potential treatment options. A consolidated summary of several natural and repurposed drugs to manage COVID-19 is depicted with summary of current vaccine development. People with high age, comorbity and concomitant illnesses such as overweight, metabolic disorders, pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease, renal failure, fatty liver and neoplastic disorders are more prone to create serious COVID-19 and its consequences. This article also presents an overview of post-COVID-19 complications in patients.

Pectolinarigenin Induces Antioxidant Enzymes through Nrf2/ARE Pathway in HepG2 Cells

Pectolinarigenin (PG) and its glycoside pectolinarin (PN) were reported to have various health beneficial functions such as anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic activities. It has also been reported that PG and PN have radical scavenging ability as direct antioxidant activity. However, the indirect antioxidant activity of PG and PN by inducing antioxidant enzymes in hepatocytes is not fully understood yet. In this study, we investigated whether PG and PN increase expression of antioxidant enzymes through the nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated pathway in human hepatoma HepG2 cells and the liver of male ICR mice. PG, but not PN, induced antioxidant enzymes, namely heme oxigenase-1, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, and aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10, in HepG2 cells. As for the induction mechanism of these enzymes, PG-induced nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 increased antioxidant response element (ARE)-mediated transcriptional activity and suppressed degradation of Nrf2 through modification of Kelch-like EXH-associated protein 1. Oral administration of PG also induced nuclear accumulation Nrf2 and expression of antioxidant enzymes in the liver of mice. Therefore, PG, but not PN, exhibits the indirect antioxidant activity by inducing antioxidant enzymes through the Nrf2/ARE pathway and may protect liver from oxidative stress.

The role of flavonoids in inhibiting IL-6 and inflammatory arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects the synovial joints. RA has well-known clinical manifestations and can cause progressive disability and premature death along with socioeconomic burdens. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been implicated in the pathology of RA where it can stimulate pannus formation, osteoclastogenesis, and oxidative stress. Flavonoids are plant metabolites with beneficial pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, and others. Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds found in a variety of plants, vegetables, and fruits. Many flavonoids have demonstrated anti-arthritic activity mediated mainly through the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This review thoroughly discusses the accumulate data on the role of flavonoids on IL-6 in RA.

Combination of natural antivirals and potent immune invigorators: A natural remedy to combat COVID-19

The flare-up in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and spread expeditiously worldwide has become a health challenge globally. The rapid transmission, absence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs, and inexistence of vaccine are further exacerbating the situation. Several drugs, including chloroquine, remdesivir, and favipiravir, are presently undergoing clinical investigation to further scrutinize their effectiveness and validity in the management of COVID-19. Natural products (NPs) in general, and plants constituents specifically, are unique sources for various effective and novel drugs. Immunostimulants, including vitamins, iron, zinc, chrysin, caffeic acid, and gallic acid, act as potent weapons against COVID-19 by reinvigorating the defensive mechanisms of the immune system. Immunity boosters prevent COVID-19 by stimulating the proliferation of T-cells, B-cells, and neutrophils, neutralizing the free radicals, inhibiting the immunosuppressive agents, and promoting cytokine production. Presently, antiviral therapy includes several lead compounds, such as baicalin, glycyrrhizin, theaflavin, and herbacetin, all of which seem to act against SARS-CoV-2 via particular targets, such as blocking virus entry, attachment to host cell receptor, inhibiting viral replication, and assembly and release.

Natural Products for the Prevention and Control of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Sustainable Bioresources

Background: The world has been unprecedentedly hit by a global pandemic which broke the record of deadly pandemics that faced humanity ever since its existence. Even kids are well-versed in the terminologies and basics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 now. The vaccination program has been successfully launched in various countries, given that the huge global population of concern is still far behind to be vaccinated. Furthermore, the scarcity of any potential drug against the COVID-19-causing virus forces scientists and clinicians to search for alternative and complementary medicines on a war-footing basis. Aims and Objectives: The present review aims to cover and analyze the etiology and epidemiology of COVID-19, the role of intestinal microbiota and pro-inflammatory markers, and most importantly, the natural products to combat this deadly SARS-CoV-2 virus. Methods: A primary literature search was conducted through PubMed and Google Scholar using relevant keywords. Natural products were searched from January 2020 to November 2020. No timeline limit has been imposed on the search for the biological sources of those phytochemicals. Interactive mapping has been done to analyze the multi-modal and multi-target sources. Results and Discussion: The intestinal microbiota and the pro-inflammatory markers that can serve the prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19 were discussed. The literature search resulted in yielding 70 phytochemicals and ten polyherbal formulations which were scientifically analyzed against the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its targets and found significant. Retrospective analyses led to provide information about 165 biological sources that can also be screened if not done earlier. Conclusion: The interactive analysis mapping of biological sources with phytochemicals and targets as well as that of phytochemical class with phytochemicals and COVID-19 targets yielded insights into the multitarget and multimodal evidence-based complementary medicines.

Innovative Biochemometric Approach to the Metabolite and Biological Profiling of the Balkan Thistle (Cirsium appendiculatum Griseb.), Asteraceae

The widespread genus Cirsium Mill. (Asteraceae) is renowned in traditional medicine. In the present study, an innovative biochemometric-assisted metabolite profiling of the flower heads, aerial parts and roots of Cirsium appendiculatum Griseb. (Balkan thistle) in relation to their antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory potential was developed. The workflow combines ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) with partial least-square analysis to discriminate the herbal extracts and identify the most prominent biological activities. The annotation and dereplication of 61 secondary metabolites were evidenced, including 15 carboxylic (including hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic) acids and their glycosides, 11 acylquinic acids, 26 flavonoids and 9 fatty acids. All compounds were reported for the first time in the studied species. The root extract revealed the highest cupric and ferric reducing power (618.36 ± 5.17 mg TE/g and 269.89 ± 8.50 mg TE/g, respectively) and antioxidant potential in phosphomolybdenum (3.36 ± 0.15 mmol TE/g) as well as the most prominent enzyme inhibitory potential on α-glucosidase (0.72 ± 0.07 mmol ACAE/g), acetylcholinesterase (4.93 ± 0.25 mg GALAE/g) and butyrylcholinesterase (3.80 ± 0.26 mg GALAE/g). Nevertheless, the flower heads were differentiated by their higher metal chelating activity (32.53 ± 3.51 mg EDTAE/g) and total flavonoid content (46.59 ± 0.89 mgRE/g). The partial least-square discriminant and heat-map analysis highlighted the root extract as the most active and a promising source of bioactive compounds for the therapeutic industry.

Neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effect of pectolinarigenin, a flavonoid from Amazonian Aegiphila integrifolia (Jacq.), against lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in astrocytes via NFκB and MAPK pathways

Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people worldwide. Regardless of the underlying cause, neuroinflammation is the greatest risk factor for developing any of these disorders. Pectolinarigenin (PNG) is an active flavonoid with several biological properties, anti-metastatic and anti-inflammatory activity. This study investigate the biological effects of PNG in macrophage and astrocyte cultures, with focus on elucidating the molecular mechanisms involved in the PNG activity. J774A.1 murine macrophage or cerebral cortex primary astrocytes primary cultures were treated with different concentration of PNG (1-160 μM) and the inflammatory process was stimulated by LPS (1 μg/ml) and the effect of PNG in different inflammatory markers were determined. PNG did not affect astrocyte or macrophage viability. Moreover, this flavonoid reduced NO• release in macrophages, attenuated astrocyte activation by preventing the overexpression of glial fibrillary acidic protein, and decreased the release of inflammatory mediators, IL-1β and IL-6 induced by LPS by the glial cell, as well as enhanced basal levels of IL-10. In addition, PNG suppressed NFκB, p38MAPK and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in astrocytes culture induced by LPS. The results show clear evidence that this novel flavonoid protects astrocytes against LPS-induced inflammatory toxicity. In conclusion, PNG presents neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory property through the inhibition of inflammatory signaling pathways.

Anticoronavirus and Immunomodulatory Phenolic Compounds: Opportunities and Pharmacotherapeutic Perspectives

In 2019, COVID-19 emerged as a severe respiratory disease that is caused by the novel coronavirus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease has been associated with high mortality rate, especially in patients with comorbidities such as diabetes, cardiovascular and kidney diseases. This could be attributed to dysregulated immune responses and severe systemic inflammation in COVID-19 patients. The use of effective antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 and modulation of the immune responses could be a potential therapeutic strategy for COVID-19. Studies have shown that natural phenolic compounds have several pharmacological properties, including anticoronavirus and immunomodulatory activities. Therefore, this review discusses the dual action of these natural products from the perspective of applicability at COVID-19.

Biological importance, therapeutic benefit and analytical aspects of bioactive flavonoid pectolinarin in the nature

BACKGROUNDS

Plants and their derived products have been used in the traditional system of medicine for the treatment of various forms of human disorders since very ancient time. In the traditional system of medicine and modern allopathic medicine, numerous phytoconstituents have been used for the preparation of various types of formulation. Flavonoidal class phytochemicals are the main active phytoconstituents of plants, fruit, vegetables and beverages. Flavonoidal class phytochemicals are more referred as "nutraceuticals" due to their important pharmacological activities in the mammalian body.

METHODS

In order to understand the health beneficial effects of flavonoidal class chemical, present work summarized the health beneficial aspects of pectolinarin. Present work summarized the medicinal importance, pharmacological activities and analytical aspects of pectolinarin with various experimental models and advance analytical methods. However, all the collected scientific information's have been analyzed in the present work for their health beneficial potential.

RESULTS

From the analysis of all the collected scientific information in the present work it was found that pectolinarin is an important phytochemical found to be present in the numerous medicinal plants but especially found in Cirsium japonicum which is an important medicinal herb of Korea, China and Japan. Pharmacological activities data analysis signified the health beneficial potential of pectolinarin for their anti-rheumatoid arthritis, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, anti-dengue, antiviral, neuroprotective and antidepressant activity. However effectiveness of pectolinarin in central nervous system, bone, liver and cancerous disorders have been also reported in the literature. Analysis of present scientific information revealed the health beneficial potential of pectolinarin in the modern medicine due to their numerous pharmacological activities in different part of biological systems. Due to their biological importance in food and human health, a better understanding of their biological activities indicates their potentials as therapeutic agents.

CONCLUSION

Scientific data of the present work signified the biological potential and therapeutic benefit of pectolinarin.

Thesium chinense Turcz.: An ethnomedical, phytochemical and pharmacological review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Thesium chinense Turcz. has been used to treat mastitis, pulmonitis, tonsillitis, iaryngopharyngitis and upper respiratory tract infections in the indigenous medicine of China for a long history. Presently, several pharmaceutics prepared by this medical herb have been clinically used for the therapy of infectious diseases.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This review aims to comprehensively summarize the current researches on the ethnomedical, phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of T. chinense, and discuss their possible opportunities for the future research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Extensive database searches, including Web of Science, SciFinder, Google Scholar and China Knowledge Resource Integrated, were performed using keywords such as 'Thesium chinense', 'Bai Rui Cao', and their chemical constituents. In addition, local classic herbal literature on ethnopharmacology and relevant textbooks were consulted to provide a comprehensive survey of this ethnomedicine.

RESULTS

Thirty four chemical constituents, including flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids, have been identified from T. chinense. Of which, flavonoids are the predominant and characteristic constituents. The crude extracts, the purified constituents, and commercial available pharmaceutics have displayed diverse in vitro and in vivo pharmacological functions (e.g. anti-inflammation, antimicrobial activity, analgesic effect, hepaprotection), and are particularly useful as a potential therapeutic agent against inflammation-related diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

T. chinense is an important ethnomedical medicine and possesses a satisfying effect for treating inflammation, microbial infection, and upper respiratory diseases. It has received plenty of researches on its phytochemical and pharmacological aspects since 1970s. These findings definitely establish the link between chemical composition and pharmacological application, and support the ethnomedical use of T. chinense in the indigenous medicine of China. However, chemical composition of this plant and the molecular mechanisms of purified constituents have not been comprehensively investigated, and thus the trace constituents and the therapeutic targets of bioactive constituents deserve a further exploration. Collectively, the researchers should pay more attention to a better understanding and application of this ethnomedical plant.

Amelioration effects of Cirsium japonicum var. maackii extract/fractions on amyloid beta25-35-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells and identification of the main bioactive compound

Amyloid beta (Aβ) is a neurotoxic peptide, and the accumulation of Aβ in the brain is the major characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, the beneficial effects of Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (CJM) on brain health has attracted much attention. In the present study, we investigated the ability and protective mechanisms of CJM to attenuate neuronal toxicity caused by Aβ using SH-SY5Y cells. Aβ25-35 treatment decreased cell viability, whereas CJM extract/fractions increased cell viability in Aβ25-35-treated cells. We found that CJM treatment prevented the accumulation of reactive oxygen species observed in Aβ25-35-treated control cells. Furthermore, Aβ25-35-mediated production of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β was significantly suppressed by CJM. In addition, apoptotic factors were modulated in CJM-treated cells by downregulating B-cell lymphoma-2-associated X protein and upregulating B-cell lymphoma-2 protein expression. The assays showed that the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of CJM has greater neuroprotective bioactivities compared with the other extract/fractions. The main neuroprotective active compound from the EtOAc fraction of CJM was identified as pectolinarin using ultraperformance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry. Collectively, this study not only describes the neuroprotective effect of CJM against Aβ25-35via the regulation of oxidative, inflammatory, and apoptotic signaling pathways, but also provides useful information for future studies on the mechanism of novel medicinal sources based on pectolinarin isolated from CJM.

Phytochemical composition, antisnake venom and antibacterial activities of ethanolic extract of Aegiphila integrifolia (Jacq) Moldenke leaves

Snakebites are considered a major neglected tropical disease, resulting in around 100,000 deaths per year. The recommended treatment by the WHO is serotherapy, which has limited effectiveness against the toxins involved in local tissue damage. In some countries, patients use plants from folk medicines as antivenoms. Aegiphila species are common plants from the Brazilian Amazon and are used to treat snakebites. In this study, leaves from Aegiphila integrifolia (Jacq) Moldenke were collected from Roraima state, Brazil and its ethanolic extract was evaluated through in vitro and in vivo experiments to verify their antiophidic activity against Bothrops atrox crude venom. The isolated compounds from A. integrifolia were analyzed and the chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of infrared, ultraviolet, mass, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectrometry data. Among the described compounds, lupeol (7), betulinic acid (1), β-sitosterol (6), stigmasterol (5), mannitol (4), and the flavonoids, pectolinarigenin (2) and hispidulin (3), were identified. The ethanolic extract and flavonoids (2 and 3) partially inhibited the proteolytic, phospholipase A2 and hyaluronidase activities of B. atrox venom, and the skin hemorrhage induced by this venom in mice. Antimicrobial activity against different bacteria was evaluated and the extract partially inhibited bacterial growth. Thus, taken together, A. integrifolia ethanolic extract has promising use as an antiophidic and antimicrobial.

Facing Cell Autophagy in Gastric Cancer - What Do We Know so Far?

Autophagy is a process by which misfolded proteins and damaged organelles in the lysosomes of tumor cells were degraded reusing decomposed substances and avoiding accumulation of large amounts of harmful substances. Here, the role of autophagy in the development of malignant transformation of gastric tumors, and the underlying mechanisms involved in autophagy formation, and the application of targeted autophagy in the treatment of gastric cancer were summarized.

Adjunctive Nutraceutical Therapies for COVID-19

The novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19), is a worldwide pandemic, as declared by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is a respiratory virus that infects people of all ages. Although it may present with mild to no symptoms in most patients, those who are older, immunocompromised, or with multiple comorbidities may present with severe and life-threatening infections. Throughout history, nutraceuticals, such as a variety of phytochemicals from medicinal plants and dietary supplements, have been used as adjunct therapies for many disease conditions, including viral infections. Appropriate use of these adjunct therapies with antiviral proprieties may be beneficial in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of COVID-19. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of nutraceuticals, such as vitamins C, D, E, zinc, melatonin, and other phytochemicals and function foods. These nutraceuticals may have potential therapeutic efficacies in fighting the threat of the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic.

Effects of Cirsium setidens (Dunn) Nakai on the osteogenic differentiation of stem cells

Cirsium setidens (Dunn) Nakai, commonly known as gondre, is a perennial herb that grows predominantly in South Korea. It contains several bioactive phytochemicals with antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of methanolic extracts of gondre on osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs). As characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and matrix-assisted laser deposition/ionization (time-of-flight) mass spectrometry, the methanol extract of gondre was found to be enriched with pectolinarin. After 48 h, enhanced viability of hPDLSCs was observed in the presence of gondre compared with under control conditions, suggesting the biocompatibility of gondre. Notably, biocompatibility was markedly affected by gondre concentration in cultured media. Relatively high cell viability was observed in medium containing 0.05% gondre. Furthermore, mineralization was significantly higher in hPDLSCs in the presence of gondre compared with that in control cells, indicating their mineralization potential. Increased expression of various transcription markers, such as collagen 1, runt-related transcription factor 2, bone sialoprotein and alkaline phosphatase, was also detected when hPDLSCs were stimulated with gondre compared with in the control groups, further confirming the superior osteogenic potential of gondre extract for tissue engineering applications, particularly in bone tissues.

Natural flavonoid pectolinarigenin alleviated kidney fibrosis via inhibiting the activation of TGFβ/SMAD3 and JAK2/STAT3 signaling

Renal fibrosis is a final common manifestation of CKD resulting in progressive loss of kidney function. The activation of SMAD3 and STAT3 played central roles in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis, which has been recognized as potential targets for antifibrotic therapy. As we known, the potential of natural products as the candidates for drug discovery has been well recognized. Here, we identified that pectolinarigenin (PEC), as a natural flavonoid and a reported STAT3 inhibitor, dose-dependently suppressed TGFβ/SMADs activity in HEK293 cells by luciferase reporter assay. In TGFβ1-stimulated NRK-49F fibroblast, PEC blocked the phosphorylation of SMAD3 and STAT3, and downregulated the major fibrotic gene and protein expression of TGFβ, α-SMA, COL-1, and FN. Notably, oral administration of PEC at a dose of 25 mg/kg/d for 7 days or 14 days effectively ameliorated kidney injury and tubulointerstitial fibrosis after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) surgery in mice. Mechanically, PEC treatment inhibited the phosphorylated activation of SMAD3 and STAT3, which further reduced the protein expression of TGFβ, α-SMA, COL-1, and FN in the obstructed kidneys of UUO mice. In summary, our results suggested that pectolinarigenin alleviated tubulointerstitial fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of SMAD3 and STAT3 signaling.

Full-Spectrum Analysis of Bioactive Compounds in Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) as Influenced by Different Extraction Methods

Rosmarinus officinalis is a potent antioxidant herb rich in polyphenols. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography, coupled with electrospray ionization and quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS), enables an exhaustive, full-spectrum analysis of the molecular constituents of natural products. The study aimed to develop a rapid UHPLC method to contribute new insights into the phytochemical composition of rosemary and to assess the performance of nine different procedures for extraction. These include fresh tissue homogenization, fresh and dry leaf decoction, and their respective fermentation, Soxhlet extraction, and sonication using water and methanol. Different extraction methods were found to recover quite different groups of polyphenols within 11 min during 20 min of analysis. Soxhlet extraction, yielded very high concentrations of rosmarinic acid (33,491.33 ± 86.29 µg/g), luteolin-7-O-glucoside (209.95 ± 8.78 µg/g), carnosic acid (2915.40 ± 33.23 µg/g), carnosol (22,000.67 ± 77.39 µg/g), and ursolic acid (5144.27 ± 28.68 µg/g). UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS enabled the detection of more than 50 polyphenols, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and terpenoids in the various extracts. Of these, sagerinic acid ([M - H]-m/z 719.16), salvianolic acid A ([M - H]-m/z 493.11) and B ([M - H]-m/z 717.15), and a pentacyclic triterpenoid corosolic acid ([M - H]-m/z 471.34) were detected for the first time in rosemary. Soxhlet extraction was found to be the most efficient method, followed by dry leaf decoction. The UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS methodology for the analysis proved to be very efficient in the identification and characterization of targeted and untargeted bioactive molecules in the rosemary.

Isolation and Biological Properties of the Natural Flavonoids Pectolinarin and Pectolinarigenin-A Review

Flavonoids are metabolites widely distributed in plants and commonly present in foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Pectolinarin, which belongs to the flavone subclass, has attracted considerable attention due to its presence in many medicinal plants. It has turned out to be a good biological agent especially due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antitumor activities, evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Its aglycone, the metabolite pectolinarigenin, is also known for a series of biological properties including anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic effects. In the first overview on the two metabolites here presented, their collection, isolation and the results of their biological evaluation are reported.

Sinensetin regulates age-related sarcopenia in cultured primary thigh and calf muscle cells

Background

Sarcopenia, the decline of skeletal muscle tissue attributed to primary aging is a major concern in older adults. Flavonoids might have potential benefits by modulating the regulation of satellite cells, thus preventing muscle loss. Sinensetin (SIN), a citrus methylated flavone with anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activity, can enhance lipolysis. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether SIN might have sarcopenia-suppressing effect on satellite cells from thigh and calf muscle tissues of young and old rats.

Methods

Primary muscle cells were obtained from thigh and calf tissues of young and old group rats by dissection. Obtained satellite cells were incubated with indicated concentrations of SIN (50 and 100 μM) treated and untreated condition in differentiation medium. Morphological changes of cells were examined using a phase-contrast microscope. Protein expression levels of myoD and myogenin were analyzed by Western blot. Cells treated with or without SIN under differentiation condition were also immunocytochemically stained for myogenin and 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI).

Results

Morphologically, the differentiation extracted satellite cells was found to be more evident in SIN treated group of aged rat′s cells than that in SIN untreated group. Expression levels of myoD and myogenin proteins involved in myogenesis were increased upon treatment with SIN.

Conclusions

Collectively, our results indicate that SIN can alleviate age-related sarcopenia by increasing differentiation rate and protein levels of myoD and myogenin.

Inhibition of Stat3 Signaling Pathway by Natural Product Pectolinarigenin Attenuates Breast Cancer Metastasis

Background: Breast cancer is the most common female cancer with considerable metastatic potential, which urges the need for developing novel potential drug candidate to inhibit tumor metastasis. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) have critical roles in cancer growth and metastasis and have been confirmed as a promising anticancer target. Here, we report our finding with pectolinarigenin, a flavonoid compound isolated from the aerial parts of Cirsium chanroenicum.

Methods: The role of Pec. in cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, and cell migration and invasion in three breast cancer cells (4T1, MDA-MB-231, MCF-7) was investigated. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay, cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry, and protein expression was detected by western blotting. Tumor xenograft mice model and breast tumor metastasis model in vivo were built to further assess the effects of Pec. on 4T1 cells.

Results: Intraperitoneal administrations of pectolinarigenin significantly inhibited breast cancer metastasis to lungs without affecting the tumor growth of incubated 4T1 breast cancer cells. Pectolinarigenin could also recruit CD8⁺ T cells to mediate tumor immune response. Furthermore, pectolinarigenin markedly impaired cancer cell migration and invasion by down-regulating phosphorylated-Stat3, and expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, while up-regulating the expression of TIMP2. We also found that pectolinarigenin inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation and induced apoptosis via mitochondrial-related apoptosis pathway, reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and the expression of Bcl-2, increased expression of Bax, and cleaved caspase-3 as well as disturbed the ROS generation.

Conclusions: Pectolinarigenin might potentially be a candidate for metastasis of breast cancer by mediating Stat3 pathway.

Natural product pectolinarigenin exhibits potent anti-metastatic activity in colorectal carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the most common cancers with high metastatic potential, explaining why identifying new drug candidates that inhibit tumour metastasis is an urgent need. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological activities of pectolinarigenin (PEC, a natural flavonoid present in Cirsium chanroenicum) in CRC in vitro and in vivo and to determine its underlying mechanism of action. Here, we observed that treatment with PEC could inhibit cell viability and induce apoptosis in cancer cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The occurrence of apoptosis was associated with activation of caspase-3 and Bax and decreased expression of Bcl-2. In addition, PEC markedly impaired CRC cell migration and invasion by downregulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9) and phosphorylated-Stat3^Tyr705. Moreover, our studies showed that PEC inhibited abdominal metastasis models of murine colorectal cancer. In addition, histological and immunohistochemical analyses revealed a decrease in Ki67-positive cells, MMP9-positive cells and p-Stat3^Tyr705 cells upon treatment with PEC compared to control samples. Furthermore, PEC reduced the number of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the blood and tumours, which was accompanied by the increased infiltration of CD8⁺T cells in the blood. Taken together, our findings suggested that PEC could be used as a natural drug to inhibit CRC metastasis.

Cytotoxicity to Five Cancer Cell Lines of the Respiratory Tract System and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Thai Traditional Remedy

A Thai traditional remedy called Benchalokawichian (BLW) consists of 5 plant species, Ficus racemosa, Capparis micracantha, Clerodendrum petasites, Harrisonia perforata, and Tiliacora triandra. It has long been used in Thai traditional medicine to reduce fever in respiratory tract infection, but there is no report on either cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines of the respiratory tract system or anti-inflammatory effect. Thus, the objectives of this research were to investigate the cytotoxic activity of the ethanolic and water extracts of BLW, its single plant ingredients and its isolated compounds against 5 cancer cell lines of the respiratory tract, by SRB assay. Anti-inflammatory activity of all extracts and compounds was also tested by using lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO) in RAW 264.7 cells. The main compounds were isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography and compared with BLW and plant ingredients. A major compound of BLW and H. perforata ethanolic extracts is perforatic acid, which inhibited the growth of 2 lung cancer cell lines, A549 and H226, with IC50 values of 6.7 and 13.2 µg/mL. The ethanolic extract of BLW and T. triandra showed cytotoxic activity against all cancer cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 10.1 to 45.2 µg/mL. In contrast, all EtOH extracts showed moderate anti-inflammatory activity, but the water extract had no inhibitory effect on either activity. Pectolinarigenin and O-methyllaloptaeroxyrin, 2 minor compounds, exhibited NO inhibitory effect with IC50 values of 7.1 and 7.9 µg/mL, respectively, whereas perforatic acid was inactive (>50 µg/mL). Moreover, pectolinarigenin showed high cytotoxic activity against all cancer cell lines of the respiratory system with IC50 values in the range of 1.9 to 9.1 µg/mL. As a result, these 2 minor compounds can be used as markers for quality control of BLW for anti-inflammatory activity. Perforatic acid and pectolinarigenin are of interest for further study on their cytotoxic mechanism. Remarkably, T. triandra, one of the plant components of BLW, is possibly the source of the active cytotoxic compounds.

Pectolinarigenin promotes functional recovery and inhibits apoptosis in rats following spinal cord injuries

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neurological injury that frequently leads to neurological defects and disabilities. The only effective pharmacotherapy currently available is methylprednisolone (MP), which is controversial due to its high incidence of complications, adverse events and ultimately limited efficacy in SCI. Therefore, the development of alternative therapeutic agents for the treatment of SCI is of great clinical significance. In the present study, an acute SCI rat model was induced and, following a modified Allen method, the function of pectolinarigenin (PG) in SCI was investigated. A total of 36 rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=6 in each group); a sham surgery group and an SCI + saline group were used as negative controls and an SCI + MP (30 mg/kg) group was used as a positive control. The remaining animals were subdivided into three groups: SCI + PG (10 mg/kg); SCI + PG (30 mg/kg); and SCI + PG (50 mg/kg). Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan locomotor rating scoring was performed to assess functional recovery. Nissl staining and TUNEL staining were used to evaluated neuronal lesion volume and apoptosis, respectively. The results demonstrated that PG significantly improved functional recovery and reduced tissue loss, and neuronal apoptosis. Furthermore, a western blotting assay was conducted to measure the expression of genes associated with apoptosis. The data suggested that PG downregulated the activated caspase-3, caspase-9 and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase expression and reduced the Bax: Bcl2 ratio. The findings of the present study suggested that PG may exert a protective effect against SCI in rats, potentially by inhibiting neuronal apoptosis and PG may therefore serve as a novel therapeutic agent against SCI.

Chemical Diversity and Biological Activity of African Propolis

Natural remedies have for centuries played a significant role in traditional medicine and continue to be a unique reservoir of new chemical entities in drug discovery and development research. Propolis is a natural substance, collected by bees mainly from plant resins, which has a long history of use as a folk remedy to treat a variety of ailments. The highly variable phytochemical composition of propolis is attributed to differences in plant diversity within the geographic regions from which it is collected. Despite the fact that the last five decades has seen significant advancements in the understanding of the chemistry and biological activity of propolis, a search of the literature has revealed that studies on African propolis to date are rather limited. The aim of this contribution is to report on the current body of knowledge of African propolis, with a particular emphasis on its chemistry and biological activity. As Africa is a continent with a rich flora and a vast diversity of ecosystems, there is a wide range of propolis phytochemicals that may be exploited in the development of new drug scaffolds.

Natural product pectolinarigenin inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis, and causes G2/M phase arrest of HCC via PI3K/AKT/mTOR/ERK signaling pathway

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by considerable phenotypic and molecular heterogeneity, but the overall survival of HCC patients remains extremely poor. Thus, novel and efficient alternatives to antitumor agents are urgently needed. Pectolinarigenin, a flavonoid compound extract, has been previously reported for the treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer. However, the potential antitumor roles of pectolinarigenin in HCC have not been clearly elaborated. In the present study, we investigated its role in HCC treatment and explored the potential molecular mechanism(s).

Materials and methods

HCC cell lines SMMC7721 and PLC5 were cultured and treated with indicated concentrations of pectolinarigenin. For the HCC cell proliferation, after HCC cells were stimulated with indicated concentrations of pectolinarigenin, the cell viability was detected in CCK-8 and colony-forming assays. HCC cell invasion/migration assay was performed by Transwell and wound scratch methods. Additionally, cellular apoptosis and cell cycle arrest analysis was performed with flow cytometric analysis. Finally, the involved underlying signaling pathway, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/ERK signaling-related molecular markers were detected through Western blot methods with indicated antibodies. Meanwhile, antitumor activity of pectolinarigenin was also assessed in tumor-bearing mice.

Results

The results indicated that the treatment with pectolinarigenin significantly inhibited cell proliferation and migratory and invasive abilities of SMMC7721 and PLC5 cells in concentration- and time-dependent manner. Meanwhile, pectolinarigenin markedly induced cell apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest in SMMC7721 and PLC5 cells, which was associated with apoptosis- and cell cycle-related protein levels, respectively. Furthermore, pectolinarigenin inhibited PI3K/AKT/mTOR/ERK signaling pathway. It also significantly suppressed HCC tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusion

Pectolinarigenin could suppress the viability and motility and cause apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest in HCC cell lines by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/ERK signaling pathway. This might be an appealing potential therapeutic agent for HCC treatment.

Pectolinarigenin Induced Cell Cycle Arrest, Autophagy, and Apoptosis in Gastric Cancer Cell via PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway

Pectolinarigenin (PEC), a natural flavonoid present in Cirsium chanroenicum and in some species of Citrus fruits, has various pharmacological benefits such as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. In the present study, we investigated the anti-cancer mechanism of PEC induced cell death caused by autophagy and apoptosis in AGS and MKN28 human gastric cancer cells. The PEC treatment significantly inhibited the AGS and MKN28 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Further, PEC significantly elevated sub-G1 phase in AGS cells and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest in both AGS and MKN28 cells. Apoptosis was confirmed by Annexin V and Hoechst 33342 fluorescent staining. Moreover, Immunoblotting results revealed that PEC treatment down-regulated the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family protein XIAP that leads to the activation of caspase-3 thereby cleavage of PARP (poly-ADP-ribose polymerase) in both AGS and MKN28 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The autophagy-inducing effect was indicated by the increased formation of acidic vesicular organelles (AVOs) and increased protein levels of LC3-II conversion in both AGS and MKN28 cells. PEC shows the down regulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway which is a major regulator of autophagic and apoptotic cell death in cancer cells that leads to the down-regulation of p-4EBP1, p-p70S6K, and p-eIF4E in PEC treated cells when compared with the untreated cells. In conclusion, PEC treatment might have anti-cancer effect by down-regulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway leading to G2/M phase cell cycle arrest, autophagic and apoptotic cell death in human gastric cancer cells. Further studies of PEC treatment can support to develop as a potential alternative therapeutic agent for human gastric carcinoma.

A flavonoids compound inhibits osteoclast differentiation by attenuating RANKL induced NFATc-1/c-Fos induction

Function studies of pectolinarigenin demonstrated that, as a natural product, it possesses the regulatory effects on transcription factors (TFs) such as: signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Herein, we aimed to identify the regulatroy effects of pectolinarigenin on the osteoclastogenesis TFs such as: NFATc1 and c-Fos, and further identify the relevant up-stream signals activity. We initially found pectolinarigenin inhibited receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) induced osteoclast formation during the bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) cultures, suggesting that this natural product could act on osteoclast precursors by inhibiting the down signaling cascades of RANKL signaling. Moreover, mechanistical investigation showed pectolinarigenin inhibits RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis by attenuating the nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc-1) and c-Fos following the Akt and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling costimulatory. These findings identify that pectolinarigenin may act as an anti-resorption agent by blocking osteoclast activation.