Synergistic Differential DNA Demethylation Activity of Danshensu (Salvia miltiorrhiza) Associated with Different Probiotics in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Discovery of farnesoid X receptor antagonists from Salvia miltiorrhiza based on virtual screening and activity verification

The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Salvia miltiorrhiza, a traditional Chinese medicine, has demonstrated significant efficacy in the prevention and treatment of liver diseases. Consequently, investigating the potential effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza on FXR could provide new insights for NAFLD treatment. This study explores whether active ingredients from Salvia miltiorrhiza can target FXR and serve as therapeutic agents for treating NAFLD. The findings revealed that cynaroside and lithospermic acid displayed strong FXR antagonistic activity, with IC50 values of 5.41 ± 1.08 μM and 16.92 ± 2.68 μM, respectively. Salvianolic acid A also showed moderate activity (IC50 = 56.35 ± 4.54 μM). MTT assays demonstrated that these three compounds were non-toxic to HepG2 and LO2 cells at a concentration of 200 μM. Molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to elucidate the interaction mechanisms of cynaroside and lithospermic acid with FXR. These results suggest that cynaroside and lithospermic acid from Salvia miltiorrhiza may be potential candidates for targeting FXR in treating NAFLD.

Recent developments in the design of functional derivatives of edaravone and exploration of their antioxidant activities

Edaravone, a pyrazalone derivative, is an antioxidant and free radical scavenger used to treat oxidative stress-related diseases. It is a proven drug to mitigate conditions prevailing to oxidative stress by inhibiting lipid peroxidation, reducing inflammation, and thereby preventing endothelial cell death. In recent years, considerable interest has been given by researchers in the derivatization of edaravone by adding varieties of substituents of versatile steric and functional properties to improve its antioxidant and pharmacological activity. This review accounts all the important methods developed for the derivatization of edaravone and the impacts of the structural modifications on the antioxidant activity of the motif.

Danshensu Attenuates Palmitic Acid-Induced Activation of Hepatic Stellate Cells by Regulating Pyroptosis

Introduction: We focused on examining the role of Danshensu in reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which are key factors in liver fibrosis and inflammation. We sought to explore the potential of Danshensu as a therapeutic agent for liver fibrosis by targeting the pyroptosis-inflammasome signaling pathway, providing a basis for developing effective and safer NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors. This study aimed to investigate whether Danshensu can mitigate palmitic acid (PA)-induced activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) by regulating pyroptosis in HSC-T6 and LX-2 cells. Methods: HSC-T6 and LX-2 cell lines served as the cell models. A 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate reagent was used to measure ROS production within cells. Cell protein extraction was performed using radioimmunoprecipitation assay lysis buffer. The protein concentration in each sample was measured using a BCA assay kit. Western blot analysis was used with the SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis system. Results: PA-induced activation of HSC-T6 and LX-2 cells by upregulating alpha-smooth muscle actin, integrin-β1, and connective tissue growth factor. Danshensu mitigated PA-induced ROS accumulation in these cells. Moreover, Danshensu potentially reversed the upregulation of NLRP3, cleaved caspase 1, interleukin-1, GSDME, and ASC in PA-activated LX-2 cells via pyroptosis, suggesting its therapeutic potential. Pyroptosis inhibitor tetramethylthiuram disulfide reversed Danshensu attenuated PA activation of HSC-T6 and LX-2 cells, resulting in a 2-fold increase in alpha-smooth muscle actin, integrin-β1, and connective tissue growth factor. Conclusion: Danshensu effectively attenuates PA-induced HSC activation by reducing ROS production and inhibiting pyroptosis, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for liver fibrosis.

Dihydrotanshinone I Attenuates Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease via Up-Regulation of IRG1

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease, but effective therapeutic drugs are still lacking. Dihydrotanshinone I (DHTS), a natural product isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza , has been shown to have ameliorative effects on NAFLD. The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of DHTS on NAFLD and its mechanism. A model of NAFLD and DHTS treatment was established using a Western diet to observe the effect of DHTS on NAFLD, which were detected by immunohistochemical, immunofluorescence, and other experiments. The mechanism was further explored by constructing immune responsive gene 1 (IRG1) knockout mice, RNA sequence, and molecular docking. The results revealed that DHTS significantly improved diet-induced metabolic disorders in mice, notably alleviating liver inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis. Further analysis revealed that the intervention of DHTS was associated with the activation of IRG1. Subsequent experiments confirmed that IRG1 gene deletion reversed the above protective effects of DHTS in NAFLD. Mechanistically, DHTS enhanced the antioxidant nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway through IRG1/itaconate and blocked the oxidative stress response in the liver. In addition, DHTS also inhibited the activation of NACHT-, leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-, and pyrin domain (PYD)-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome via IRG1/itaconate, blocking the inflammatory amplification effect in the liver. The study suggests that DHTS may be a potential drug for the treatment of NAFLD, which exerts protective regulatory effects mainly through the IRG1/itaconate molecular pathway.

Raddeanin A suppresses intracellular 5Methylcytosine DNA modification engaged the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The Anemonoides Raddeana (Rege) Holubhe is commonly employed in clinical practice as a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of conditions such as rheumatism and limb numbness. Raddeanin A (RA), an active compound derived from this Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), demonstrates specific anticancer properties against many tumorigeneses. However, the molecular mechanism underlying its effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unexplored.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effects of RA in human HCC stimulated cells and its impact on DNA methylation in tumor cells, as well as to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying RA's anti-tumor activity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The inhibitory effects of RA on QGY-7703 and HepG2 cells were evaluated. The IC50 values were determined by employing non-linear sigmoidal curve fitting to analyze the normalized response. The impact of RA was investigated in cells overexpressing DNMT3A and DNMT3B. The effects of RA on cell cycle progression and apoptosis were assessed. Furthermore, the influence of RA on cellular methylation was determined, along with its effects on the expression levels of DNMT3A, DNMT3B, Bcl-2, Bax, and Caspase-3.

RESULTS

The findings demonstrate that RA induces cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase and promotes apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Furthermore, RA effectively inhibits the invasion and migration of human HCC stimulated cells. The expression of DNMT3A and DNMT3B is downregulated by RA, effectively suppressing the intracellular 5mC DNA modification level. Moreover, the overexpression of these enzymes in RA-treated human HCC stimulated cells significantly impacts the overall 5mC level and hinders tumor metastasis by restricting migration and invasion.

CONCLUSION

The RA compound acts as an antagonist against HCC by reducing intracellular DNA 5mC levels through mechanisms mediated by methyltransferase. Moreover, RA demonstrates the capacity to induce apoptosis in tumor cells, thereby exerting its anti-tumor effects. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for enhancing the pharmacodynamic efficacy of RA in HCC treatment.

Self-sufficient biocatalytic cascade for the continuous synthesis of danshensu in flow

A new strategy has been developed to successfully produce the active component danshensu ex vivo. For this purpose, phenylalanine dehydrogenase from Bacillus sphaericus was combined with the novel hydroxyphenylpyruvate reductase from Mentha x piperita, thereby providing an in situ cofactor regeneration throughout the conversion process. The purified enzymes were co-immobilized and subsequently employed in batch biotransformation, resulting in 60% conversion of 10 mM L-dopa within 24 h, with a catalytic amount of NAD+ as cofactor. Furthermore, the bienzymatic system was implemented as a packed-bed reactor in continuous flow, achieving a conversion rate up to 80% with 60 min retention time. The process was further intensified by implementing a 48-h flow bioreaction. The biocatalysts demonstrated remarkable stability, retaining 62% of their initial activity at the end of the process. The final productivity of the isolated compound (96% purity) was calculated to be 1.84 g L-1 h-1 yielding a sustainable synthesis of danshensu. KEY POINTS: • Characterization of the hydroxyphenylpyruvate reductase from Mentha x piperita • Bi-enzymatic system in a cascade reaction to produce danshensu • Purification and isolation of the active compound danshensu.

Glycyrrhizic Acid Nanoparticles Subside the Activity of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus by Suppressing PBP2a

Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are classified as high-risk infections that can lead to death, particularly among older individuals. Nowadays, plant nanoparticles such as glycyrrhizic acid are recognized as efficient bactericides against a wide range of bacterial strains. Recently, scientists have shown interest in plant extract nanoparticles, derived from natural sources, which can be synthesized into nanomaterials. Interestingly, glycyrrhizic acid is rich in antioxidants as well as antibacterial agents, and it exhibits no adverse effects on normal cells. In this study, glycyrrhizic acid nanoparticles (GA-NPs) were synthesized using the hydrothermal method and characterized through physicochemical techniques such as UV-visible spectrometry, DLS, zeta potential, and TEM. The antimicrobial activity of GA-NPs was investigated through various methods, including MIC assays, anti-biofilm activity assays, ATPase activity assays, and kill-time assays. The expression levels of mecA, mecR1, blaR1, and blaZ genes were measured by quantitative RT-qPCR. Additionally, the presence of the penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) protein of S. aureus and MRSA was evaluated by a Western blot assay. The results emphasized the fabrication of GA nanoparticles in spherical shapes with a diameter in the range of 40-50 nm. The data show that GA nanoparticles exhibit great bactericidal effectiveness against S. aureus and MRSA. The treatment with GA-NPs remarkably reduces the expression levels of the mecA, mecR1, blaR1, and blaZ genes. PBP2a expression in MRSA was significantly reduced after treatment with GA-NPs. Overall, this study demonstrates that glycyrrhizic acid nanoparticles have potent antibacterial activity, particularly against MRSA. This research elucidates the inhibition mechanism of glycyrrhizic acid, which involves the suppressing of PBP2a expression. This work emphasizes the importance of utilizing plant nanoparticles as effective antimicrobial agents against a broad spectrum of bacteria.

A. Hablas M, Swidan KAK, Mohammed TS, Zoair MA, Mohamed AAK, Abdalrhman TI, Abdel-aleem Desoky AM, Mohamed DD, Mohamed DD, Abd El Maksoud AI, Mohamed AF. Enhancement of Vitamin C's Protective Effect against Thimerosal-Induced Neurotoxicity in the Cerebral Cortex of Wistar Albino Rats: An In Vivo and Computational Study

Vitamin C was examined to ameliorate the neurotoxicity of thimerosal (THIM) in an animal model (Wistar albino rats). In our work, oxidative and antioxidative biomarkers such as SOD, LPO, and GSH were investigated at various doses of THIM with or without concurrent vitamin C administration. Furthermore, the adverse effects of THIM on hepatic tissue and cerebral cortex morphology were examined in the absence or presence of associated vitamin C administration. Also, we studied the effect of vitamin C on the metallothionein isoforms (MT-1, MT-2, and MT-3) in silico and in vivo using the RT-PCR assay. The results showed that the antioxidant biomarker was reduced as the THIM dose was raised and vice versa. THIM-associated vitamin C reduced the adverse effects of the THIM dose. The computation studies demonstrated that vitamin C has a lower ΔG of -4.9 kcal/mol compared to -4.1 kcal/mol for THIM to bind to the MT-2 protein, which demonstrated that vitamin C has a greater ability to bind with MT-2 than THIM. This is due to multiple hydrogen bonds that exist between vitamin C and MT-2 residues Lys31, Gln23, Cys24, and Cys29, and the sodium ion represents key stabilizing interactions. Hydrogen bonds involve electrostatic interactions between hydrogen atom donors (e.g., hydroxyl groups) and acceptors (e.g., carbonyl oxygens). The distances between heavy atoms are typically 2.5-3.5 Å. H-bonds provide directed, high-affinity interactions to anchor the ligand to the binding site. The five H-bonds formed by vitamin C allow it to form a stable complex with MT, while THIM can form two H-bonds with Gln23 and Cys24. This provides less stabilization in the binding pocket, contributing to the lower affinity compared to vitamin C. The histopathological morphologies in hepatic tissue displayed an expansion in the portal tract and the hepatocytes surrounding the portal tract, including apoptosis, binucleation, and karyomegaly. The histopathological morphologies in the brain tissue revealed a significant decrease in the number of Purkinje cells due to THIM toxicity. Interestingly, THIM toxicity was associated with hemorrhage and astrogliosis. Both intracellular and vasogenic edema appeared as the concentrations of THIM rose. Finally, vitamin C ameliorated the adverse effect on the cerebral cortex in Wistar albino rats.