A Food-Derived Flavonoid Luteolin Protects against Angiotensin II-Induced Cardiac Remodeling

Antioxidative and Anticancer Potential of Luteolin: A Comprehensive Approach Against Wide Range of Human Malignancies

Luteolin is widely distributed phytochemical, a flavonoid, in kingdom plantae. Luteolin with potential antioxidant activity prevent ROS-induced damages and reduce oxidative stress which is mainly responsible in pathogenesis of many diseases. Several chemo preventive activities and therapeutic benefits are associated with luteolin. Luteolin prevents cancer via modulation of numerous pathways, that is, by inactivating proteins; such as procaspase-9, CDC2 and cyclin B or upregulation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, cytochrome C, cyclin A, CDK2, and APAF-1, in turn inducing cell cycle arrest as well as apoptosis. It also enhances phosphorylation of p53 and expression level of p53-targeted downstream gene. By Increasing BAX protein expression; decreasing VEGF and Bcl-2 expression it can initiate cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Luteolin can stimulate mitochondrial-modulated functions to cause cellular death. It can also reduce expression levels of p-Akt, p-EGFR, p-Erk1/2, and p-STAT3. Luteolin plays positive role against cardiovascular disorders by improving cardiac function, decreasing the release of inflammatory cytokines and cardiac enzymes, prevention of cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy; enhances level of CTGF, TGFβ1, ANP, Nox2, Nox4 gene expressions. Meanwhile suppresses TGFβ1 expression and phosphorylation of JNK. Luteolin helps fight diabetes via inhibition of alpha-glucosidase and ChE activity. It can reduce activity levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and GS4. It can improve blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and HbA1c levels. This review is an attempt to elaborate molecular targets of luteolin and its role in modulating irregularities in cellular pathways to overcome severe outcomes during diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, obesity, inflammation, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, hepatic disorders, renal disorders, brain injury, and asthma. As luteolin has enormous therapeutic benefits, it could be a potential candidate in future drug development strategies.

Luteolin Alleviates Liver Fibrosis in Rat Hepatic Stellate Cell HSC-T6: A Proteomic Analysis

BACKGROUND

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with single or compound materials is an effective cure for liver fibrosis. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a key role in liver fibrosis pathology and have become a novel drug target for this condition.

METHODS

CCK-8 assay was used to determine the cytotoxicity of four components, SYPA, HSYPA, Apigenin, and Luteolin, from Deduhonghua-7 powder on HSC-T6 cells. Transforming Growth Factor β 1 (TGFβ1)-induced fibrotic cell model and CCI4-induced fibrotic rat model were constructed, the expression of fibrosis-related genes, the pathological changes and serum biochemical markers were evaluated. Proteomic analysis was performed to determine the mechanism by which luteolin attenuated liver fibrosis, which were further confirmed by Western blot.

RESULTS

Luteolin attenuates liver fibrosis in HSC-T6 cells and luteolin decreases the liver fibrosis index level in vivo. A total of 5000 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were obtained using proteomic analysis. KEGG analysis found that DEPs were concentrated in various metabolic pathways, including DNA replication and repair and lysosomal signaling. GO analysis showed that molecular functions included the activity and binding of various enzymes, related cellular components included the extracellular space, lysosomal lumen, mitochondrial matrix, and nucleus, and biological processes included collagen organization and biosynthesis and the positive regulation of cell migration. Western blot results showed that CCR1, CD59, and NAGA were downregulated in TGFβ1 treatment, while upregulated both in Lut2 and Lut10 treatment. Meanwhile, eight proteins, ITIH3, MKI67, KIF23, DNMT1, P4HA3, CCDC80, APOB, FBLN2, that were upregulated in TGFβ1 treatment, while downregulated both in Lut2 and Lut10 treatment.

CONCLUSION

Luteolin was shown to have a strong protective effect on liver fibrosis. CCR1, CD59, and NAGA may promote liver fibrosis while ITIH3, MKI67, KIF23, DNMT1, P4HA3, CCDC80, APOB, and FBLN2 may facilitate protection against fibrosis.

Cardiovascular Remodeling Post-Ischemia: Herbs, Diet, and Drug Interventions

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a serious health burden with increasing prevalence, and CVD continues to be the principal global source of illness and mortality. For several disorders, including CVD, the use of dietary and medicinal herbs instead of pharmaceutical drugs continues to be an alternate therapy strategy. Despite the prevalent use of synthetic pharmaceutical medications, there is currently an unprecedented push for the use of diet and herbal preparations in contemporary medical systems. This urge is fueled by a number of factors, the two most important being the common perception that they are safe and more cost-effective than modern pharmaceutical medicines. However, there is a lack of research focused on novel treatment targets that combine all these strategies-pharmaceuticals, diet, and herbs. In this review, we looked at the reported effects of pharmaceutical drugs and diet, as well as medicinal herbs, and propose a combination of these approaches to target independent pathways that could synergistically be efficacious in treating cardiovascular disease.

Luteolin reduces cardiac damage caused by hyperlipidemia in Sprague-Dawley rats

Objective

Hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for cardiac damage that can lead to many cardiovascular diseases. A recent study reported the cardioprotective effects of luteolin in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible protective effects of luteolin against hyperlipidemia-induced cardiac damage in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.

Methods

Six-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups: a normal diet (ND) group; a high-fat diet (HFD) group; and three high-fat diet mixed with luteolin (HFD + LUT) groups, where in a luteolin dosage 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg/day was administered. All groups were fed their respective diets for 12 weeks.

Results

Left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening (parameters of cardiac function) were lower in the HFD + LUT (100 mg/kg/day) group than in the HFD group. Metabolic parameters were lower in the HFD + LUT (100 mg/kg/day) group than in the HFD group. Collagen I, collagen III, and TGF-β expression levels were lower in the cardiac tissues of the HFD + LUT (100 mg/kg/day) group, compared to those of the HFD group. Expression of the profibrotic genes MMP2 and MMP9 was suppressed in the cardiac tissues of the HFD + LUT (100 mg/kg/day) group, compared to those of the HFD group. Furthermore, CD36 and lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 protein levels were lower in the cardiac tissues of the HFD + LUT (100 mg/kg/day) group, compared to those of the HFD group.

Conclusion

These findings would provide new insights into the role of luteolin in hyperlipidemia-induced cardiac damage and contribute to the development of novel therapeutic interventions to treat cardiovascular disease progression.

A comprehensive review of the botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and quality control of Perillae Fructus

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Perilla frutescens (Linnaeus) Britton, Mem. Torrey Bot. Club 5: 277. 1894., is famous as a worldwide plant with multiple medical parts, including leaves, stems, fruits, etc. Perillae Fructus, the desiccative ripe fruit of P. frutescens, is locally called Zisuzi in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. It is a popularly used herb for relieving cough and asthma, dissipating phlegm and treating constipation in some Asian countries, such as China, Japan, India, South Korea, etc. Various chemical compounds were isolated and identified from Perillae Fructus.

THE AIM OF THE REVIEW

This review aims to summarize the botany, ethnopharmacological applications, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and quality control of Perillae Fructus to provide scientific evidence for development and utilization Perillae Fructus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relevant information about Perillae Fructus was collected from ScienceDirect, PubMed, Web of science, CNKI, WanFang data, ancient classics and clinical reports. Some electronic databases were also retrieved.

RESULTS

Perillae Fructus was exerted to treat cough and asthma in traditional application. It also had the effect on moistening intestine to relieve constipation for tremendous lipid substances. Up to now, 193 compounds have been isolated and identified from Perillae Fructus, mainly including fatty acids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, phytosterols, triterpenoids and volatile oils. As for its pharmacological activities, prevalent traditional applications of Perillae Fructus have been supported by modern pharmacological experiments in vivo or in vitro, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. Besides, Perillae Fructus also has hypolipidemic, anti-tumor, antibacterial effects, etc. This review will provide a scientific basis for further studies and rational applications of Perillae Fructus in the future.

CONCLUSIONS

According to its traditional applications, phytochemicals and pharmacological activities, Perillae Fructus was regarded as a valuable herb for application in medicine and food fields. Although some ingredients have been confirmed to have multiple pharmacological activities, their mechanisms of action are still unclear. Further studies on the material basis and mechanism of action are clearly warranted.

The protection of luteolin against diabetic cardiomyopathy in rats is related to reversing JNK-suppressed autophagy

Increasing evidence has shown that impaired autophagy dramatically causes myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis in the diabetic heart, ultimately leading to diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Luteolin has been reported to effectively attenuate diabetic cardiovascular injury by inhibiting oxidative stress and alleviate sepsis-induced myocardial injury by enhancing autophagy. However, whether luteolin can reduce DCM through activating autophagy and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. Here, reversing the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-suppressed autophagy pathway by which luteolin attenuates DCM was explored. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with streptozotocin to induce diabetes. After 6 weeks of diabetes, rats were treated with luteolin (50, 100 and 200 mg kg-1, i.g.) for 4 weeks. Histological and functional alterations in the diabetic heart were determined using HE staining, Masson staining and echocardiography. The expressions of myocardial miR-221, JNK, and c-Jun and autophagic vesicles in diabetes were evaluated by quantitative PCR, Western blotting and electron microscopy. Luteolin significantly improved cardiac function and attenuated myocardial disorganization and fibrosis in the diabetic rat accompanying the dose-dependent down-regulation of JNK, c-Jun, miR-221 and p62, increase of LC3-II/I and autophagic vesicles, and decrease of mitochondrial swelling in the diabetic heart. These data suggest that the protection of luteolin against DCM, at least, is related to suppressing JNK/c-Jun-regulated miR-221 and the subsequent blockage of autophagy.

A high-throughput drug screening identifies luteolin as a therapeutic candidate for pathological cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure

BACKGROUND

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is commonly resulted from sustained pressure overload and/or metabolic disorder and eventually leads to heart failure, lacking specific drugs in clinic. Here, we aimed to identify promising anti-hypertrophic drug(s) for heart failure and related metabolic disorders by using a luciferase reporter-based high-throughput screening.

METHODS

A screen of the FDA-approved compounds based on luciferase reporter was performed, with identified luteolin as a promising anti-hypertrophic drug. We systematically examined the therapeutic efficacy of luteolin on cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure in vitro and in vivo models. Transcriptome examination was performed to probe the molecular mechanisms of luteolin.

RESULTS

Among 2,570 compounds in the library, luteolin emerged as the most robust candidate against cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Luteolin dose-dependently blocked phenylephrine-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and showed extensive cardioprotective roles in cardiomyocytes as evidenced by transcriptomics. More importantly, gastric administration of luteolin effectively ameliorated pathological cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, metabolic disorder, and heart failure in mice. Cross analysis of large-scale transcriptomics and drug-target interacting investigations indicated that peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) was the direct target of luteolin in the setting of pathological cardiac hypertrophy and metabolic disorders. Luteolin can directly interact with PPARγ to inhibit its ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation. Furthermore, PPARγ inhibitor and PPARγ knockdown both prevented the protective effect of luteolin against phenylephrine-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro.

CONCLUSION

Our data clearly supported that luteolin is a promising therapeutic compound for pathological cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure by directly targeting ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation of PPARγ and the related metabolic homeostasis.

Guanxin V Acts as an Antioxidant in Ventricular Remodeling

Background: Our previous studies have shown that Guanxin V (GXV) is safe and effective in the treatment of ventricular remodeling (VR), but its mechanism related to oxidative stress has not been studied deeply. Methods: We applied integrating virtual screening and network pharmacology strategy to obtain the GXV-, VR-, and oxidative stress-related targets at first, and then highlighted the shared targets. We built the networks and conducted enrichment analysis. Finally, the main results were validated by molecular docking and solid experiments. Results: We obtained 251, 11,425, and 9,727 GXV-, VR-, and oxidative stress-related targets, respectively. GXV-component-target-VR and protein-protein interaction networks showed the potential mechanism of GXV in the treatment of VR. The following enrichment analysis results gathered many biological processes and "two GXV pathways" of oxidative stress-related to VR. All our main results were validated by molecular docking and solid experiments. Conclusion: GXV could be prescribed for VR through the mechanism, including complex interactions between related components and targets, as predicted by virtual screening and network pharmacology and validated by molecular docking and solid experiments. Our study promotes the explanation of the biological mechanism of GXV for VR.

Integrating systematic pharmacology-based strategy and experimental validation to explore the synergistic pharmacological mechanisms of Guanxin V in treating ventricular remodeling

BACKGROUND

Guanxin V (GXV) has been widely used to treat ventricular remodeling (VR) in clinical practice in China. However, the underlying mechanisms are currently still lack.

METHODS

A systematic pharmacology-based strategy was utilized for predicting the synergistic pharmacological mechanisms of GXV in VR. The active compounds of GXV were selected and then the potential targets of these compounds contained in GXV and VR were successively identified. Then, after networks were constructed, DAVID was applied to functional enrichment. Moreover, the key findings were validated though molecular docking and molecular biology experiments.

RESULTS

A total of 119 active components in GXV and 169 potential targets shared between GXV and VR were obtained. The results of functional enrichment indicated that several biological processes and signaling pathways, mainly cell apoptosis and fibrosis. Finally, we discovered GXV produced marked anti-apoptosis and anti-fibrosis effects in VR though Caspase-3 and TGF-β1.

CONCLUSION

GXV could relieve and reverse VR through anti-apoptosis and anti-fibrosis effects predicted by systematic pharmacology and validated by molecular docking and molecular experiments. Our study deepens the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of GXV in treating VR.

Paving Luteolin Therapeutic Potentialities and Agro-Food-Pharma Applications: Emphasis on In Vivo Pharmacological Effects and Bioavailability Traits

Luteolin is a naturally occurring secondary metabolite belonging to the class of flavones. As many other natural flavonoids, it is often found in combination with glycosides in many fruits, vegetables, and plants, contributing to their biological and pharmacological value. Many preclinical studies report that luteolin present excellent antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects, and as a consequence, various clinical trials have been designed to investigate the therapeutic potential of luteolin in humans. However, luteolin has a very limited bioavailability, which consequently affects its biological properties and efficacy. Several drug delivery strategies have been developed to raise its bioavailability, with nanoformulations and lipid carriers, such as liposomes, being the most intensively explored. Pharmacological potential of luteolin in various disorders has also been underlined, but to some of them, the exact mechanism is still poorly understood. Given the great potential of this natural antioxidant in health, this review is aimed at providing an extensive overview on the in vivo pharmacological action of luteolin and at stressing the main features related to its bioavailability, absorption, and metabolism, while essential steps determine its absolute health benefits and safety profiles. In addition, despite the scarcity of studies on luteolin bioavailability, the different drug delivery formulations developed to increase its bioavailability are also listed here.

Identification of Natural Products as Potential Pharmacological Chaperones for Protein Misfolding Diseases

Defective protein folding and accumulation of misfolded proteins is associated with neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, secretory, and metabolic disorders. Efforts are being made to identify small-molecule modulators or structural-correctors for conformationally destabilized proteins implicated in various protein aggregation diseases. Using a metastable-reporter-based primary screen, we evaluated pharmacological chaperone activity of a diverse class of natural products. We found that a flavonoid glycoside (C-10, chrysoeriol-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside) stabilizes metastable proteins, prevents its aggregation, and remodels the oligomers into protease-sensitive species. Data was corroborated with additional secondary screen with disease-specific pathogenic protein. In vitro and cell-based experiments showed that C-10 inhibits α-synuclein aggregation which is implicated in synucleinopathies-related neurodegeneration. C-10 interferes in its structural transition into β-sheeted fibrils and mitigates α-synuclein aggregation-associated cytotoxic effects. Computational modeling suggests that C-10 binds to unique sites in α-synuclein which may interfere in its aggregation amplification. These findings open an avenue for comprehensive SAR development for flavonoid glycosides as pharmacological chaperones for metastable and aggregation-prone proteins implicated in protein conformational diseases.

Protective effects of luteolin on the venous endothelium

Luteolin is a flavonoid with antioxidant properties already demonstrated in studies related to inflammation, tumor, and cardiovascular processes; however, there are no available information regarding its antioxidant effects at the venous endothelial site. We investigated the effects of luteolin (10, 20, and 50 μmol/L) in cultures of rat venous endothelial cells. Nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analyzed by fluorimetry; 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) residues were evaluated by immunofluorescence, and prostacyclin (PGI₂) release was investigated by colorimetry. Intracellular NO levels were significantly enhanced after 10 min of luteolin incubation, with a parallel decrease in ROS generation. These results were accompanied by a significant reduction in the expression of 3-NT residues and enhanced PGI₂ rates. Therefore, luteolin is effective in reducing ROS thereby improving NO availability in venous endothelial cells. Besides, luteolin-induced decrease in 3-NT residues may correlate with the enhancement in endothelial PGI₂ bioavailability. These findings suggest the future application of this flavonoid as a protective agent by improving endothelial function in several circulatory disorders related to venous insufficiency.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy: molecular mechanisms, detrimental effects of conventional treatment, and beneficial effects of natural therapy

ABSTARCT

Diabetic complications are among the largely exigent health problems currently. Cardiovascular complications, including diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), account for more than 80% of diabetic deaths. Investigators are exploring new therapeutic targets to slow or abate diabetes because of the growing occurrence and augmented risk of deaths due to its complications. Research on rodent models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, and the use of genetic engineering techniques in mice and rats have significantly sophisticated for our understanding of the molecular mechanisms in human DCM. DCM is featured by pathophysiological mechanisms that are hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, left ventricular hypertrophy, damaged left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions, myocardial fibrosis, endothelial dysfunction, myocyte cell death, autophagy, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. A number of molecular and cellular pathways, such as cardiac ubiquitin proteasome system, FoxO transcription factors, hexosamine biosynthetic pathway, polyol pathway, protein kinase C signaling, NF-κB signaling, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling, Nrf2 pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, and micro RNAs, play a major role in DCM. Currently, there are a few drugs for the management of DCM and some of them have considerable adverse effects. So, researchers are focusing on the natural products to ameliorate it. Hence, in this review, we discuss the pathogical, molecular, and cellular mechanisms of DCM; the current diagnostic methods and treatments; adverse effects of conventional treatment; and beneficial effects of natural product-based therapeutics, which may pave the way to new treatment strategies. Graphical Abstract.

Luteolin attenuates sepsis‑induced myocardial injury by enhancing autophagy in mice

Sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SIC) is a complication of severe sepsis and septic shock characterized by an invertible myocardial depression. This study sought to explore the potential effects and mechanism of luteolin, a flavonoid polyphenolic compound, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced myocardial injury. Experimental mice were randomly allocated into 3 groups (25 mice in each group): The control group (NC), the LPS group (LPS) and the LPS + luteolin group (LPS + Lut). Before the SIC model was induced, luteolin was dissolved in DMSO and injected intraperitoneally for 10 days into LPS + Lut group mice. NC group and LPS group mice received an equal volume of DMSO for 10 days. On day 11, the animal model of sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction was induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS. A total of 12 h after LPS injection, measurements and comparisons were made among the groups. Luteolin administration improved cardiac function, attenuated the inflammatory response, alleviated mitochondrial injury, decreased oxidative stress, inhibited cardiac apoptosis and enhanced autophagy. In addition, luteolin significantly decreased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in septic heart tissue. The protective effect of luteolin was abolished by 3-methyladenine (an autophagy inhibitor) and dorsomorphin (compound C, an AMPK inhibitor), as evidenced by decreased autophagic activity, destabilized mitochondrial membrane potential and increased apoptosis in LPS-treated cardiomyocytes, but was mimicked by 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (an AMPK activator), suggesting that luteolin attenuates LPS-induced myocardial injury by increasing autophagy through AMPK activation. Luteolin may be a promising therapeutic agent for treating SIC.

Antihypertensive phytocomplexes of proven efficacy and well-established use: Mode of action and individual characterization of the active constituents

Hypertension has become the leading risk factor for worldwide cardiovascular diseases. Conventional pharmacological treatment, after both dietary and lifestyle changes, is generally proposed. In this review, we present the antihypertensive properties of phytocomplexes from thirteen plants, long ago widely employed in ethnomedicines and, in recent years, increasingly evaluated for their activity in vitro and in vivo, also in humans, in comparison with synthetic drugs acting on the same systems. Here, we focus on the demonstrated or proposed mechanisms of action of such phytocomplexes and of their constituents proven to exert cardiovascular effects. Almost seventy phytochemicals are described and scientifically sound pertinent literature, published up to now, is summarized. The review emphasizes the therapeutic potential of these natural substances in the treatment of the 'high normal blood pressure' or 'stage 1 hypertension', so-named according to the most recent European and U.S. guidelines, and as a supplementation in more advanced stages of hypertension, however needing further validation by clinical trial intensification.

Therapeutic Potential of Polyphenols in Cardiac Fibrosis

Cardiac fibrosis, in response to injury and stress, is central to a broad constellation of cardiovascular diseases. Fibrosis decreases myocardial wall compliance due to extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation, leading to impaired systolic and diastolic function and causing arrhythmogenesis. Although some conventional drugs, such as β-blockers and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors, have been shown to alleviate cardiac fibrosis in clinical trials, these traditional therapies do not tend to target all the fibrosis-associated mechanisms, and do not hamper the progression of cardiac fibrosis in patients with heart failure. Polyphenols are present in vegetables, fruits, and beverages and had been proposed as attenuators of cardiac fibrosis in different models of cardiovascular diseases. Together with results found in the literature, we can show that some polyphenols exert anti-fibrotic and myocardial protective effects by mediating inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrotic molecular signals. This review considers an overview of the mechanisms of cardiac fibrosis, illustrates their involvement in different animal models of cardiac fibrosis treated with some polyphenols and projects the future direction and therapeutic potential of polyphenols on cardiac fibrosis.

Luteolin: A Flavonoid that Has Multiple Cardio-Protective Effects and Its Molecular Mechanisms

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A well-monitored diet with a sufficient intake of fruits and vegetables has been confirmed as a primary prevention of CVD. Plant constituents such as flavonoids have been shown to confer healthy benefits. Luteolin (Lut), a kind of flavonoid, possesses anti-oxidative, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory properties. Recent scientific literature has reported the cardiac protective effects of Lut in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide an update and detailed overview with cardio-protective molecular mechanisms of Lut with a focus on multiple intrinsic and extrinsic effectors. We further explore how these mechanisms participate in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, heart failure (HF) and atherosclerosis (AS). A proper understanding of the cardiovascular protective effects and the relative mechanisms of Lut may provide the possibility of new drug design and development for CVD. With the previous studies mainly focused on basic research, we need to advance the prospects of its further clinical utilization against CVD, large prospective clinical trials of Lut are needed to observe its therapeutic effects on patients with I/R injury, HF and AS, especially on the effective therapeutic dosage, and safety of long-term administration.

Targeting the epigenome: Screening bioactive compounds that regulate histone deacetylase activity

SCOPE

Nutrigenomics is a rapidly expanding field that elucidates the link between diet-genome interactions. Recent evidence demonstrates that regulation of the epigenome, and in particular inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs), impact pathogenetic mechanisms involved in chronic disease. Few studies, to date, have screened libraries of bioactive compounds that act as epigenetic modifiers. This study screened a library of 131 natural compounds to determine bioactive compounds that inhibit Zn-dependent HDAC activity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using class-specific HDAC substrates, we screened 131 natural compounds for HDAC activity in bovine cardiac tissue. From this screen, we identified 18 bioactive compound HDAC inhibitors. Using our class-specific HDAC substrates, we next screened these 18 bioactive compounds against recombinant HDAC proteins. Consistent with inhibition of HDAC activity, these compounds were capable of inhibiting activity of individual HDAC isoforms. Lastly, we report that treatment of H9c2 cardiac myoblasts with bioactive HDAC inhibitors was sufficient to increase lysine acetylation as assessed via immunoblot.

CONCLUSION

This study provided the first step in identifying multiple bioactive compound HDAC inhibitors. Taken together, this report sets the stage for future exploration of these bioactive compounds as epigenetic regulators to potentially ameliorate chronic disease.