Pharmacokinetics of Panaxynol in Mice

Context-Responsive Nanoparticle Derived from Synthetic Zwitterionic Ionizable Phospholipids in Targeted CRISPR/Cas9 Therapy for Basal-like Breast Cancer

The majority of triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are basal-like breast cancers (BLBCs), which tend to be more aggressive, proliferate rapidly, and have poor clinical outcomes. A key prognostic biomarker and regulator of BLBC is the Forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) transcription factor. However, because of its functional placement inside the cell nucleus and its structural similarity with other related proteins, targeting FOXC1 for therapeutic benefit, particularly for BLBC, continues to be difficult. We envision targeted nonviral delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 plasmid toward the efficacious knockdown of FOXC1. Keeping in mind the challenges associated with the use of CRISPR/Cas9 in vivo, including off-targeting modifications, and effective release of the cargo, a nanoparticle with context responsive properties can be designed for efficient targeted delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 plasmid. Consequently, we have designed, synthesized, and characterized a zwitterionic amino phospholipid-derived transfecting nanoparticle for delivery of CRISPR/Cas9. The construct becomes positively charged only at low pH, which encourages membrane instability and makes it easier for nanoparticles to exit endosomes. This has enabled effective in vitro and in vivo downregulation of protein expression and genome editing. Following this, we have used EpCAM aptamer to make the system targeted toward BLBC cell lines and to reduce its off-target toxicity. The in vivo efficacy, biodistribution, preliminary pharmacokinetics, and biosafety of the optimized targeted CRISPR nanoplatform is then validated in a rodent xenograft model. Overall, we have attempted to knockout the proto-oncogenic FOXC1 expression in BLBC cases by efficient delivery of CRISPR effectors via a context-responsive nanoparticle delivery system derived from a designer lipid derivative. We believe that the nonviral approach for in vitro and in vivo delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 targeted toward FOXC1, studied herein, will greatly emphasize the therapeutic regimen for BLBC.

Panaxydol extracted from Panax ginseng inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation to ameliorate NASH-induced liver injury

Activation of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome exacerbates liver inflammation and fibrosis in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), suggesting that development of inflammasome inhibitor can become leading candidate to ameliorate NASH. Panax ginseng (P. ginseng) contains numerous bioactive natural components to reduce inflammation. This study aims to identify inhibitory components of P. ginseng for NLRP3 inflammasome activation. We separated polar and non-polar fractions of P. ginseng and tested modulation of NLRP3 inflammasome, and then identified pure component for inflammasome inhibitor which ameliorates diet-induced NASH. Non-polar P. ginseng fractions obtained from ethyl acetate solvent attenuated IL-1β secretion and expression of active caspase-1. We revealed that panaxydol (PND) is pure component to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation. PND blocked inflammasome cytokines release, pyroptotic cell death, caspase-1 activation and specking of inflammasome complex. Inhibitory effect of PND was specific to NLRP3-dependent pathway via potential interaction with ATP binding motif of NLRP3. Moreover, in vivo studies showed that PND plays beneficial roles to reduce tissue inflammations through disruption of NLRP3 inflammasome and to ameliorate the development of NASH. These results provide new insight of natural products, panaxydol, for NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor and could offer potential therapeutic candidate for reliving NASH.

Panaxynol ameliorates cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury by suppressing NLRP3-induced pyroptosis and apoptosis via HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB axis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Panaxynol (PNN) is a common natural minor component in Umbelliferae plants. Many clinical studies have shown that PNN exhibits nutritional value and anti-inflammatory and other pharmacological activities. However, whether PNN can mediate cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) remains unclear. Here, we aimed to determine the potential effects of PNN on myocardial IRI.

METHODS

Myocardial IRI was stimulated in a mouse IRI model, and neonatal rat ventricle myocytes (NRVMs) were exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation to construct in an vitro model. Myocardial infarction size, myocardial tissue injury, myocardial apoptotic index, hemodynamic monitoring, pyroptosis-related proteins, cardiac enzyme activities and inflammatory responses were examined to assess myocardial injury.

RESULTS

It was found that PNN administration markedly reduced myocardial infarct size and apoptosis, suppressed myocardial damage and cell pyroptosis, attenuated pro-inflammatory cytokines and neutrophil infiltration via NLRP3 inhibitor. More importantly, PNN treatment remarkably decreased the expression of TLR4/NF-κB pathway-associated proteins and NLRP3-related pyroptosis proteins by HMGB1 inhibitor. PNN also enhanced cell viability, reduced cardiac enzyme activities, suppressed apoptosis and attenuated inflammation in the isolated NRVMs. Furthermore, vitro studies indicated that MCC950 (a NLRP3 inhibitor) increased the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of PNN on NRVMs via HMGB1/TLR4 pathway.

CONCLUSION

To sum up, our results demonstrate that PNN exhibits a cardioprotective effect by modulating heart IRI-induced apoptosis and pyroptosis via HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway, thereby inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome stimulation.

Pathways Affected by Falcarinol-Type Polyacetylenes and Implications for Their Anti-Inflammatory Function and Potential in Cancer Chemoprevention

Polyacetylene phytochemicals are emerging as potentially responsible for the chemoprotective effects of consuming apiaceous vegetables. There is some evidence suggesting that polyacetylenes (PAs) impact carcinogenesis by influencing a wide variety of signalling pathways, which are important in regulating inflammation, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, etc. Studies have shown a correlation between human dietary intake of PA-rich vegetables with a reduced risk of inflammation and cancer. PA supplementation can influence cell growth, gene expression and immunological responses, and has been shown to reduce the tumour number in rat and mouse models. Cancer chemoprevention by dietary PAs involves several mechanisms, including effects on inflammatory cytokines, the NF-κB pathway, antioxidant response elements, unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway, growth factor signalling, cell cycle progression and apoptosis. This review summarises the published research on falcarinol-type PA compounds and their mechanisms of action regarding cancer chemoprevention and also identifies some gaps in our current understanding of the health benefits of these PAs.

Quantification of the anti-neoplastic polyacetylene falcarinol from carrots in human serum by LC-MS/MS

Falcarinol is a polyacetylene which is found in carrots and known to have anti-neoplastic properties in rodents. Research in the bioactivity of falcarinol in humans require methods for quantification of falcarinol in human serum. Here we report the development of an LC-MS/MS method and its use to measure serum falcarinol concentrations in humans following intake of a carrot product. Falcarinol was measured by LC-MS/MS using the m/z 268 to m/z 182 mass transition. Six calibrator levels (0.2-20 ng/mL) and 3 control levels (0.4, 2 and 8 ng/mL) were prepared by addition of falcarinol to human serum pools. Linearity of the developed method was good with a mean R² of 0.9942. Within-day, between-day and total coefficients of variation were 6.9-13.1%, 4.1-5.0% and 8.1-14.0%, respectively. The limits of detection and quantitation were 0.1 and 0.2 ng/mL, respectively, matrix effects 84.2%, recovery 101.4-105.4% and carry-over -0.24-0.07%. Serum falcarinol concentrations were measured in 18 healthy volunteers prior to and at 9 time-points following intake of a carrot product. Falcarinol concentrations peaked at the 1-hour time-point after intake in 15 out of 18 volunteers and declined according to a single exponential decay function with an aggregate t_½ of 1.5 h. In conclusion, an LC-MS/MS method for quantification of falcarinol in human serum with acceptable performance was developed and used to measure falcarinol concentrations following intake of a carrot product.

Panaxynol induces fibroblast-like synovial cell apoptosis, inhibits proliferation and invasion through TLR4/NF-κB pathway to alleviate rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Panaxynol (PAL, PubChem CID: 5281149) is a common natural minor component in Umbelliferae plants, such as Radix Saposhnikoviae Divaricatae. Modern pharmacology studies show that PAL has nutritional value and anti-inflammatory and other pharmaceutical activities. Therefore, the scientific hypothesis of PAL in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis was put forward, and the hypothesis was further verified by Fibroblast-like synovial cells (RA-FLS) and Collagen Induced Arthritis (CIA) rats models.

EXPERIMENTAL METHOD

CIA method was used to establish a rat arthritis model. After extracting RA-FLS, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence were used to explore the effect of PAL on the apoptosis and proliferation of RA-FLS. Wound healing and transwell experiment explored the effect of PAL on the migration and invasion of RA-FLS. Western blot analysis explored the inner mechanism of the effect of PAL on RA-FLS. At the same time, it also explored the role of PAL in CIA rats, including pathological section detection and western blot analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

PAL can promote the apoptosis and inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of RA-FLS. PAL can also reduce joint swelling in CIA rats, reduce pannus formation and inflammatory infiltration in the joints. Western blot analysis showed that PAL mainly played a role through the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

The results of in vivo and in vitro experiments show that PAL can effectively alleviate the condition of RA, and may be a potential drug for the treatment of RA.