Targets Fishing and Identification of Calenduloside E as Hsp90AB1: Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Clickable Activity-Based Probe

Effects of plant extracts and derivatives on cardiac K+, Nav, and Cav channels: a review

Natural products (NPs) are endless sources of compounds for fighting against several pathologies. Many dysfunctions, including cardiovascular disorders, such as cardiac arrhythmias have their modes of action regulation of the concentration of electrolytes inside and outside the cell targeting ion channels. Here, we highlight plant extracts and secondary metabolites' effects on the treatment of related cardiac pathologies on hERG, Nav, and Cav of cardiomyocytes. The natural product's pharmacology of expressed receptors like alpha-adrenergic receptors causes an influx of Ca2+ ions through receptor-operated Ca2+ ion channels. We also examine the NPs associated with cardiac contractions such as myocardial contractility by reducing the L-type calcium current and decreasing the intracellular calcium transient, inhibiting the K+ induced contractions, decreasing amplitude of myocyte shortening and showed negative ionotropic and chronotropic effects due to decreasing cytosolic Ca2+. We examine whether the NPs block potassium channels, particular the hERG channel and regulatory effects on Nav1.7.

Effects of natural products on macrophage immunometabolism: A new frontier in the treatment of metabolic diseases

Immunometabolic variations in macrophages critically influence their differentiation into pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory phenotypes, thereby contributing to immune homeostasis, defense against infection, and tissue repair. Dysregulation of macrophage immunometabolism has been closely implicated in several metabolic diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hypertension, atherosclerosis, and gout, which positions macrophages as potential therapeutic targets. Recently, several natural products that target macrophage metabolic pathways have shown significant efficacy in managing metabolic diseases; however, a systematic review of these findings has yet to be conducted. This study consolidates natural products with immunoregulatory properties, including flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, and naphthoquinones, which can alleviate chronic inflammation associated with metabolic disorders by modulating macrophage metabolic pathways, such as aerobic glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), and fatty acid oxidation (FAO). This review aims to elucidate the metabolic regulation of the immune system, analyze metabolic alterations in macrophage associated with metabolic diseases, and summarize the beneficial roles of natural products in immunometabolism, providing novel insights for the prevention and therapeutic management of metabolic diseases.

Research progress in pharmacological effects of Aralia elata

The traditional Chinese medicine Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem., also known as Aralia mandshurica, has the effect of "tonifying Qi and calming the mind, strengthening the essence and tonifying the kidneys, and dispelling wind and invigorating blood circulation". It is used in the treatment of neurasthenia, Yang deficiency and Qi deficiency, kidney Qi deficiency, spleen Yang deficiency, water-dampness stagnation, thirst, and bruises. Aralia elata saponins are the main components for the pharmacological effects. From the perspective of modern pharmacological science, Aralia elata has a wide range of effects, including anti-myocardial ischaemia and alleviation of secondary myocardium ischemic reperfusion injury by regulating ionic homeostasis, anti-tumor activity by inhibiting proliferation, promoting apoptosis and enhancing immunity, hypoglycemia and lipid lowering effects by regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, and hepato-protective, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory/analgesic effects. The studies on pharmacological mechanisms of Aralia elata will be conducive to its development and application in the future. This article reviews the research progress of Aralia elata domestically and internationally in the last two decades and proposes new directions for further research.

Calenduloside E protects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury induced calcium overload by enhancing autophagy and inhibiting L-type Ca2+ channels through BAG3

Calenduloside E (CE) is a saponin isolated from Aralia elata (Miq) Seem, which has anti-cardiovascular disease effects. This study aims to evaluate the anti-myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) mechanisms of CE and regulation of BAG3 on calcium overload. We adopted siRNA to interfere with BAG3 expression in H9c2 cardiomyocytes and used adenovirus to interfere with BAG3 expression (Ad-BAG3) in primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (PNRCMs) to clarify the role of BAG3 in mitigating MIRI by CE. The results showed that CE reduced calcium overload, and Ad-BAG3 had a significant regulatory effect on L-type Ca²⁺ channels (LTCC) but no effects on other calcium-related proteins. And BAG3 and LTCC were colocalized in myocardial tissue and BAG3 inhibited LTCC expression. Surprisingly, CE had no regulatory effect on LTCC mRNA, but CE promoted LTCC degradation through the autophagy-lysosomal pathway rather than the ubiquitination-protease pathway. Autophagy inhibitor played a negative regulation of cardiomyocyte contraction rhythm and field potential signals. Ad-BAG3 inhibited autophagy by regulating the expression of autophagy-related proteins and autophagy agonist treatment suppressed calcium overload. Therefore, CE promoted autophagy through BAG3, thereby regulating LTCC expression, inhibiting calcium overload, and ultimately reducing MIRI.

Effects of andrographolide on renal tubulointersticial injury and fibrosis. Evidence of its mechanism of action

BACKGROUND

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is associated with renal interstitial injury and fibrosis. Our previous study showed that andrographolide protected against the progression of DN and high glucose (HG)-induced mesangial dysfunction. However, the protective effects of andrographolide on renal tubular epithelial cells have not been fully elucidated.

PURPOSE

To determine the protective effects of andrographolide on renal tubular damage and explore the underlying mechanism.

STUDY DESIGN

Human tubular epithelial cells (HK-2 cells) were treated with andrographolide (5 and 10 μM) under HG conditions. Diabetic mice were treated with andrographolide (i.p. 2 and 4 mg/kg, twice per week).

METHODS

Western blotting, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunofluorescence and flow cytometry were used to analyze the effects of andrographolide on renal tubular injury and fibrotic mechanisms in HK-2 cells. The protective effects of andrographolide against renal tubulointerstitial injury and fibrosis were investigated in diabetic mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Renal interstitial tissue was collected at sacrifice for immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence analysis, RT-PCR and Western blotting to analyze the effects of andrographolide on renal tubular injury and fibrosis.

RESULTS

In vitro assay results indicated that andrographolide (5 and 10 μM) effectively inhibited HG-induced apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and collagen deposition in HK-2 cells. Mechanistically, HG stimulated mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS)-mediated NOD-like receptor family and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation and EMT in tubular epithelial cells, and andrographolide (5 and 10 μM) inhibited these effects by ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction. In vivo, treatment with andrographolide (2 and 4 mg/kg) inhibited renal tubular cell apoptosis, EMT and tubulointerstitial fibrosis, mitochondrial dysfunction and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in diabetic mice.

CONCLUSION

Andrographolide (5 and 10 μM) prevents HG-induced renal tubular cell damage, and andrographolide (2 and 4 mg/kg) protects against the progression of diabetic tubular injury and fibrosis in mice by suppressing mitochondrial dysfunction and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Calenduloside E suppresses calcium overload by promoting the interaction between L-type calcium channels and Bcl2-associated athanogene 3 to alleviate myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

Introduction

Intracellular calcium overload is an important contributor to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury. Total saponins of the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem. (AS) are beneficial for treating MI/R injury, and Calenduloside E (CE) is the main active ingredient of AS.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the effects of CE on MI/R injury and determine its specific regulatory mechanisms.

Methods

To verify whether CE mediated cardiac protection in vivo and in vitro, we performed MI/R surgery in SD rats and subjected neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) to hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR). CE’s cardioprotective against MI/R injury was detected by Evans blue/TTC staining, echocardiography, HE staining, myocardial enzyme levels. Impedance and field potential recording, and patch-clamp techniques of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) were used to detect the function of L-type calcium channels (LTCC). The mechanisms underlying between CE and LTCC was studied through western blot, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. Drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) and co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) used to further clarify the effect of CE on LTCC and BAG3.

Results

We found that CE protected against MI/R injury by inhibiting calcium overload. Furthermore, CE improved contraction and field potential signals of hiPSC-CMs and restored sarcomere contraction and calcium transient of adult rat ventricular myocytes (ARVMs). Moreover, patch-clamp data showed that CE suppressed increased L-type calcium current (I_Ca,L) caused by LTCC agonist, proving that CE could regulate calcium homeostasis through LTCC. Importantly, we found that CE promoted the interaction between LTCC and Bcl2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3) by co-IP and DARTS.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that CE enhanced LTCC-BAG3 interaction to reduce MI/R induced-calcium overload, exerting a cardioprotective effect.

Biological and Pharmacological Effects of Synthetic Saponins

Saponins are amphiphilic molecules consisting of carbohydrate and either triterpenoid or steroid aglycone moieties and are noted for their multiple biological activities-Fungicidal, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects have all been observed. Saponins from natural sources have long been used in herbal and traditional medicines; however, the isolation of complexed saponins from nature is difficult and laborious, due to the scarce amount and structure heterogeneity. Chemical synthesis is considered a powerful tool to expand the structural diversity of saponin, leading to the discovery of promising compounds. This review focuses on recent developments in the structure optimization and biological evaluation of synthetic triterpenoid and steroid saponin derivatives. By summarizing the structure-activity relationship (SAR) results, we hope to provide the direction for future development of saponin-based bioactive compounds.

Calenduloside E Ameliorates Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury through Regulation of AMPK and Mitochondrial OPA1

Calenduloside E (CE) is a natural triterpenoid saponin isolated from Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem., a well-known traditional Chinese medicine. Our previous studies have shown that CE exerts cardiovascular protective effects both in vivo and in vitro. However, its role in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI) and the mechanism involved are currently unknown. Mitochondrial dynamics play a key role in MIRI. This study investigated the effects of CE on mitochondrial dynamics and the signaling pathways involved in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R). The MI/R rat model and the hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) cardiomyocyte model were established in this study. CE exerted significant cardioprotective effects in vivo and in vitro by improving cardiac function, decreasing myocardial infarct size, increasing cardiomyocyte viability, and inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis associated with MI/R. Mechanistically, CE restored mitochondrial homeostasis against MI/R injury through improved mitochondrial ultrastructure, enhanced ATP content and mitochondrial membrane potential, and reduced mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening, while promoting mitochondrial fusion and preventing mitochondrial fission. However, genetic silencing of OPA1 by siRNA abolished the beneficial effects of CE on cardiomyocyte survival and mitochondrial dynamics. Moreover, we demonstrated that CE activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and treatment with the AMPK inhibitor, compound C, abolished the protective effects of CE on OPA1 expression and mitochondrial function. Overall, this study demonstrates that CE is effective in mitigating MIRI by modulating AMPK activation-mediated OPA1-related mitochondrial fusion.

Whole-genome sequence of Phellinus gilvus (mulberry Sanghuang) reveals its unique medicinal values

Phellinus gilvus (Schwein.) Pat, a species of ‘Sanghuang’, has been well-documented for various medicinal uses, but the genome information and active constituents are largely unknown. Here, we sequenced the whole-genome of P. gilvus, identified phenylpropanoids as its key anti-cancer components, and deduced their biosynthesis pathways. A 41.11-Mb genome sequence was assembled and the heatmap created with high-throughput chromosome conformation capture techniques data suggested all bins could be clearly divided into 11 pseudochromosomes. Cellular experiments showed that P. gilvus fruiting body was more effective to inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma cells than mycelia. High resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (HR-ESI-MS) analysis revealed P. gilvus fruiting body was rich in phenylpropanoids, and several unique phenylpropanoids in Phellinus spp. exhibited potent anti-carcinogenesis activity. Based on genomic, HR-ESI-MS information and differentially expressed genes in transcriptome analysis, we deduced the biosynthesis pathway of four major phenylpropanoids in P. gilvus. Transcriptome analysis revealed the deduced genes expressions were synergistically changed with the production of phenylpropanoids. The optimal candidate genes of phenylpropanoids’ synthesis pathway were screened by molecular docking analysis. Overall, our results provided a high-quality genomic data of P. gilvus and inferred biosynthesis pathways of four phenylpropanoids with potent anti-carcinogenesis activities. These will be a valuable resource for further genetic improvement and effective use of the P. gilvus.

The clickable activity-based probe of anti-apoptotic calenduloside E

CONTEXT

Calenduloside E (CE), one of the primary natural products found in Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem. (Araliaceae), possesses prominent anti-apoptotic potential. A previous study found that one of the anti-apoptotic CE targets is heat shock protein 90 AB1 (Hsp90AB1) by probe CE-P, while the other targets of CE still need to be identified with more efficient probes.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates CE analogue (CEA) as one clickable activity-based probe for use in exploring anti-apoptotic CE targets.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pretreatment of HUVECs with CEA (1.25 μM) for 8 hr, followed by ox-LDL stimulation for 24 h. Flow cytometry analysis and JC-1 staining assays were performed The kinetic constant measurements were tested by the Biacore T200, CM5 Sensor Chip which was activated by using sulpho-NHS/EDC. Ligands were dissolved and injected with a concentration of 12.5, 6.25, 3.125, 1.56, 0.78 and 0 μM.

RESULTS

CEA was confirmed to possess an anti-apoptotic effect. The probable targets of CE/CEA were calculated, and as one of the higher scores proteins (Fit values: 0.88/0.86), Hsp90 properly got our attention. Molecular modelling study showed that both CE and CEA could bind to Hsp90 with the similar interaction, and the docking scores (S value) were -7.61 and -7.33. SPR assay provided more evidence to prove that CEA can interact with Hsp90 with the KD value 11.7 µM.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that clickable probe CEA could alleviate ox-LDL induced apoptosis by a similar mechanism of anti-apoptotic CE, and afforded the possibility of identifying additional anti-apoptotic targets of CE.