Medicinal Plants and Phytochemicals for the Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension

1,8-Cineole reduces pulmonary vascular remodelling in pulmonary arterial hypertension by restoring intercellular communication and inhibiting angiogenesis

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is characterized by pulmonary vascular remodelling, often associated with disruption of BMPR2/Smad1/5 and BMPR2/PPAR-γ signalling pathways that ultimately lead to right ventricle failure. Disruption of intercellular junctions and communication and a pro-angiogenic environment are also characteristic features of PAH. Although, current therapies improve pulmonary vascular tone, they fail to tackle other key pathological features that could prevent disease progression. In this scenario, aromatic plants emerge as promising sources of bioactive compounds, with 1,8-cineole standing out due to its hypotensive properties and cardioprotective effect in PAH.

PURPOSE

The present study aims to explore for the first time the effect of 1,8-cineole in pulmonary vascular remodelling associated with PAH.

METHODS

Resorting to the monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH animal model, the effect of 1,8-cineole on vascular remodelling including interstitial collagen accumulation, smooth muscle cell proliferation and protein levels of BMPR2 pathway-related proteins, was assessed by microscopy and western blot (WB) analysis. The integrity of gap junctions, pulmonary surfactant, mitochondrial structure and endothelial cell barrier were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy, confocal microscopy and WB analysis. Furthermore, the effect of 1,8-cineole on angiogenesis was determined on pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC) submitted to hypoxia using the scratch wound and Matrigel angiogenesis assays, and the number of sprouts on isolated healthy and diseased pulmonary artery rings, treated with the compound, enabled the validation of these effects.

RESULTS

1,8-Cineole mitigated PAH-associated derailment of both BMPR2/Smad1/5 and BMPR2/PPAR-γ pathways and concomitantly reduced interstitial fibrosis and the arterial medial layer thickness in pulmonary arteries. The compound restored gap junction, lung surfactant and mitochondrial integrity and preserved endothelial barrier integrity. Furthermore, 1,8-cineole exerted an anti-angiogenic effect, by impairing the formation of vessel-like structures in PAEC and sprouting formation in isolated pulmonary arteries.

CONCLUSION

The present study brings new insights about the mechanisms whereby 1,8-cineole impacts pulmonary vascular remodelling and demonstrates the potential of 1,8-cineole as a therapeutic strategy to hamper PAH progression.

Network pharmacology and molecular docking: combined computational approaches to explore the antihypertensive potential of Fabaceae species

Hypertension is a major global public health issue, affecting quarter of adults worldwide. Numerous synthetic drugs are available for treating hypertension; however, they often come with a higher risk of side effects and long-term therapy. Modern formulations with active phytoconstituents are gaining popularity, addressing some of these issues. This study aims to discover novel antihypertensive compounds in Cassia fistula, Senna alexandrina, and Cassia occidentalis from family Fabaceae and understand their interaction mechanism with hypertension targeted genes, using network pharmacology and molecular docking. Total 414 compounds were identified; initial screening was conducted based on their pharmacokinetic and ADMET properties, with a particular emphasis on adherence to Lipinski's rules. 6 compounds, namely Germichrysone, Benzeneacetic acid, Flavan-3-ol, 5,7,3',4'-Tetrahydroxy-6, 8-dimethoxyflavon, Dihydrokaempferol, and Epiafzelechin, were identified as effective agents. Most of the compounds found non-toxic against various indicators with greater bioactivity score. 161 common targets were obtained against these compounds and hypertension followed by compound-target network construction and protein-protein interaction, which showed their role in diverse biological system. Top hub genes identified were TLR4, MMP9, MAPK14, AKT1, VEGFA and HSP90AA1 with their respective associates. Higher binding affinities was found with three compounds Dihydrokaempferol, Flavan-3-ol and Germichrysone, -7.1, -9.0 and -8.0 kcal/mol, respectively. The MD simulation results validate the structural flexibility of two complexes Flavan-MMP9 and Germich-TLR4 based on no. of hydrogen bonds, root mean square deviations and interaction energies. This study concluded that C. fistula (Dihydrokaempferol, Flavan-3-ol) and C. occidentalis (Germichrysone) have potential therapeutic active constituents to treat hypertension and in future novel drug formulation.

Planting the Seed for Blood Pressure Control: The Role of Plant-Based Nutrition in the Management of Hypertension

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Hypertension results in significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenditures. Fortunately, it is largely preventable and treatable by implementing dietary interventions, though these remain underutilized. Here, we aim to explore the role of healthy dietary patterns in hypertension management and describe approaches for busy clinicians to address nutrition effectively and efficiently with patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

DASH, Mediterranean, vegetarian, and vegan diets that include minimally processed, plant-based foods as core elements have consistently shown positive effects on hypertension. Recommendations that distill the most healthful components of these diets can significantly impact patient outcomes. Clinicians can harness evidence-based dietary assessment and counseling tools to implement and support behavioral changes, even during brief office visits. Healthful plant-based dietary patterns can often effectively prevent and treat hypertension. Clinicians may help improve patient outcomes by discussing evidence-based nutrition with their patients. Future work to promote infrastructural change that supports incorporating evidence-based nutrition into medical education, clinical care, and society at large can support these efforts.

The effect of phytochemicals in prediabetic patients: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

This study aimed to perform a systematic review to evaluate the effect of phytochemical consumption on the cardiometabolic parameters of prediabetic patients. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus and ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar up to June 2022 to find randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of phytochemicals alone or in combination with other nutraceuticals on prediabetic patients. Twenty-three studies with 31 treatment arms comprising 2177 individuals were included in this study. Totally, in 21 arms, phytochemicals had positive effects on at least one measured cardiometabolic factor. In 13 out of 25 arms, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and in 10 out of 22 arms, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) significantly decreased compared with the control group. Furthermore, phytochemicals had beneficial effects on 2-h postprandial and postprandial glucose, serum insulin, insulin sensitivity, and insulin resistance as well as inflammatory factors including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Triglyceride (TG) was the abundant improved factor in the lipid profile. However, no sufficient evidence for notable positive effects of phytochemicals on blood pressure and anthropometry indices was observed. Phytochemical supplementation may have beneficial impacts on prediabetic patients by ameliorating glycemic status.

Pharmacophore-driven identification of human glutaminyl cyclase inhibitors from foods, plants and herbs unveils the bioactive property and potential of Azaleatin in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of disabilities in old age and a rapidly growing condition in the elderly population. AD brings significant burden and has a devastating impact on public health, society and the global economy. Thus, developing new therapeutics to combat AD is imperative. Human glutaminyl cyclase (hQC), which catalyzes the formation of neurotoxic pyroglutamate (pE)-modified β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides, is linked to the amyloidogenic process that leads to the initiation of AD. Hence, hQC is an essential target for developing anti-AD therapeutics. Here, we systematically screened and identified hQC inhibitors from natural products by pharmacophore-driven inhibitor screening coupled with biochemical and biophysical examinations. We employed receptor-ligand pharmacophore generation to build pharmacophore models and Phar-MERGE and Phar-SEN for inhibitor screening through ligand-pharmacophore mapping. About 11 and 24 hits identified from the Natural Product and Traditional Chinese Medicine databases, respectively, showed diverse hQC inhibitory abilities. Importantly, the inhibitors TCM1 (Azaleatin; IC₅₀ = 1.1 μM) and TCM2 (Quercetin; IC₅₀ = 4.3 μM) found in foods and plants exhibited strong inhibitory potency against hQC. Furthermore, the binding affinity and molecular interactions were analyzed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and molecular modeling/simulations to explore the possible modes of action of Azaleatin and Quercetin. Our study successfully screened and characterized the foundational biochemical and biophysical properties of Azaleatin and Quercetin toward targeting hQC, unveiling their bioactive potential in the treatment of AD.

1,8-cineole Ameliorates Right Ventricle Dysfunction Associated With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension by Restoring Connexin 43 and Mitochondrial Homeostasis

For the first time, the present study unravels a cardiospecific therapeutic approach for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), a disease with a very poor prognosis and high mortality rates due to right ventricle dysfunction. We first established a new in vitro model of high-pressure-induced hypertrophy that closely resembles heart defects associated with PAH and validated our in vitro findings on a preclinical in vivo model of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH. Our results showed the in vitro antihypertrophic effect of 1,8-cineole, a monoterpene widely found in several essential oils. Also, a decrease in RV hypertrophy and fibrosis, and an improvement in heart function in vivo was observed, when 1,8-cineole was applied topically. Furthermore, 1,8-cineole restored gap junction protein connexin43 distribution at the intercalated discs and mitochondrial functionality, suggesting it may act by preserving cardiac cell-to-cell communication and bioenergetics. Overall, our results point out a promising therapeutic compound that can be easily applied topically, thus paving the way for the development of effective cardiac-specific therapies to greatly improve PAH outcomes.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Bauhinia racemosa Lam.: a comprehensive review

Background

Bauhinia racemosa is not familiarly known in Asian countries due to its limited existence and lack of medicinal information. It is commonly used as a medicine, ornamental plant, fence plant, and fodder for livestock since ancient times. It is also used as a landfill tree to avoid soil erosion of the forest.

Main body

In South India, people cultivate this plant in their premises in order to protect themselves from the effects of thunder. In this review, the various research prospects of this plant have been analyzed and are summarized. The aim of this review is to provide the traditional uses, phytochemicals and pharmacological activities of B. racemosa, and to highlight the current pharmacological developments of this medicinal plant.

Conclusions

The B. racemosa has immense therapeutic potential for treating diseases with both traditional and pharmacological applications. But many traditional uses of B. racemosa have not been validated by current investigations in the aspects of pharmaceutical. Until now, research on phyto-constituents from B. racemosa has not been done in an extensive way. Hence, the identified phytochemicals of B. racemosa should also be subjected to pharmacological studies to illuminate the biological mechanisms of these unreported secondary metabolites for the prevention of diseases or microbial infections and other health disorders of human and animal races.

Phytosomes as an Emerging Nanotechnology Platform for the Topical Delivery of Bioactive Phytochemicals

The emergence of phytosome nanotechnology has a potential impact in the field of drug delivery and could revolutionize the current state of topical bioactive phytochemicals delivery. The main challenge facing the translation of the therapeutic activity of phytochemicals to a clinical setting is the extremely low absorption rate and poor penetration across biological barriers (i.e., the skin). Phytosomes as lipid-based nanocarriers play a crucial function in the enhancement of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of herbal-originated polyphenolic compounds, and make this nanotechnology a promising tool for the development of new topical formulations. The implementation of this nanosized delivery system could enhance the penetration of phytochemicals across biological barriers due to their unique physiochemical characteristics, improving their bioavailability. In this review, we provide an outlook on the current knowledge of the biological barriers of phytoconstituents topical applications. The great potential of the emerging nanotechnology in the delivery of bioactive phytochemicals is reviewed, with particular focus on phytosomes as an innovative lipid-based nanocarrier. Additionally, we compared phytosomes with liposomes as the gold standard of lipid-based nanocarriers for the topical delivery of phytochemicals. Finally, the advantages of phytosomes in topical applications are discussed.

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Allicin Associated with Fibrosis in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling. Recent evidence supports that inflammation plays a key role in triggering and maintaining pulmonary vascular remodeling. Recent studies have shown that garlic extract has protective effects in PAH, but the precise role of allicin, a compound derived from garlic, is unknown. Thus, we used allicin to evaluate its effects on inflammation and fibrosis in PAH. Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control (CON), monocrotaline (60 mg/kg) (MCT), and MCT plus allicin (16 mg/kg/oral gavage) (MCT + A). Right ventricle (RV) hypertrophy and pulmonary arterial medial wall thickness were determined. IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, NFκB p65, Iκβ, TGF-β, and α-SMA were determined by Western blot analysis. In addition, TNF-α and TGF-β were determined by immunohistochemistry, and miR-21-5p and mRNA expressions of Cd68, Bmpr2, and Smad5 were determined by RT-qPCR. Results: Allicin prevented increases in vessel wall thickness due to TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and Cd68 in the lung. In addition, TGF-β, α-SMA, and fibrosis were lower in the MCT + A group compared with the MCT group. In the RV, allicin prevented increases in TNF-α, IL-6, and TGF-β. These observations suggest that, through the modulation of proinflammatory and profibrotic markers in the lung and heart, allicin delays the progression of PAH.

UV responsive quercetin derived and functionalized CuO/ZnO nanocomposite in ameliorating photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B dye and enhanced biocidal activity against selected pathogenic strains

Quercetin was investigated for its role as a reducing agent in biosynthesizing CuO/ZnO nanocomposite, its subsequent surface functionalization and influence in Rhodamine B dye degradation and biocidal activity. The as synthesized quercetin functionalized CuO/ZnO nanocomposite (CuO/ZnO@Q) was analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). XRD showed the formation of crystalline CuO, ZnO phases and FTIR analysis revealed the incorporation of quercetin functional groups in the synthesized nanocomposite. TEM image displayed the formation of quercetin deposited spherical CuO/ZnO nanostructure with the EDAX results confirming the presence of organic carbon composition from quercetin. The UV absorption spectra ascertained the presence and role of quercetin in the enhanced absorption of radiation in the UV range. CuO/ZnO@Q showed improved photocatalysis with complete Rhodamine B dye degradation after 75 min of UV irradiation, as against pure CuO/ZnO, which exhibited incomplete dye degradation even after 90 min of irradiation. Moreover, quercetin surface functionalization effectively ameliorated its antimicrobial activity against E. coli, S. aureus, Shigella, B. subtilis, A. niger and C. albicans, proving its potential in significantly enhancing biocidal activity along with photocatalytic dye degradation in a natural and eco-friendly route.

Nutraceuticals in the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe disease characterized by the loss and obstructive remodeling of the pulmonary arterial wall, causing a rise in pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance, which is responsible for right heart failure, functional decline, and death. Although many drugs are available for the treatment of this condition, it continues to be life-threatening, and its long-term treatment is expensive. On the other hand, many natural compounds present in food have beneficial effects on several cardiovascular conditions. Several studies have explored many of the potential beneficial effects of natural plant products on PAH. However, the mechanisms by which natural products, such as nutraceuticals, exert protective and therapeutic effects on PAH are not fully understood. In this review, we analyze the current knowledge on nutraceuticals and their potential use in the protection and treatment of PAH, as well as whether nutraceuticals could enhance the effects of drugs used in PAH through similar mechanisms.