Hesperidin Anti-Osteoporosis by Regulating Estrogen Signaling Pathways

An updated and comprehensive review of the health benefits and pharmacological activities of hesperidin

OBJECTIVES

This review aims to comprehensively assess the health benefits and pharmacological activities of hesperidin, a flavonoid commonly found in citrus fruits. It consolidates recent research findings to provide insights into hesperidin's diverse health-promoting effects.

KEY FINDINGS

Hesperidin has gained significant attention recently for its notable pharmacological activities and potential health benefits. Studies reveal its antioxidant properties, protecting cells from oxidative damage, and its anti-inflammatory effects, inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes. Also, hesperidin shows promise in cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels and enhancing endothelial function. It also exhibits anticancer potential by hindering cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and suppressing tumour growth. Moreover, hesperidin demonstrates neuroprotective effects, potentially mitigating neuroinflammation and oxidative stress associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, it displays beneficial effects in metabolic disorders such as diabetes, obesity, and fatty liver disease by influencing glucose metabolism, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity.

SUMMARY

Hesperidin exhibits a wide range of health benefits and pharmacological activities, making it a promising candidate for therapeutic interventions in various diseases. Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular, anticancer, neuroprotective, and metabolic effects underscore its potential as a valuable natural compound for promoting health and preventing chronic diseases.

Molecular mechanisms and treatment strategies for estrogen deficiency-related and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis: a comprehensive review

Osteoporosis, a debilitating condition characterized by reduced bone mass and increased fracture risk, is notably influenced by estrogen deficiency and glucocorticoid treatment. This comprehensive review elucidates the molecular mechanisms underpinning estrogen deficiency-related osteoporosis (EDOP) and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP). The role of estrogen in bone metabolism is critically examined, highlighting its regulatory effects on bone turnover and formation through various signaling pathways. Conversely, this review explores how glucocorticoids disrupt bone homeostasis, focusing on their impact on osteoclast and osteoblast function and the subsequent alteration of bone remodeling processes. The pathogenesis of both conditions is intertwined, with estrogen receptor signaling pathways and the role of inflammatory cytokines being pivotal in driving bone loss. A detailed analysis of pathogenetic and risk factors associated with EDOP and GIOP is presented, including lifestyle and genetic factors contributing to disease progression. Modern therapeutic approaches emphasize pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic, and herbal treatments for managing EDOP and GIOP. In summary, current therapeutic strategies highlight the efficacy and the safety of various interventions. This review concludes with future directions for research, suggesting a need for novel treatment modalities and a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms of osteoporosis. By addressing the multifaceted nature of EDOP and GIOP, this work aims to provide insights into developing targeted therapeutic strategies and improving patient outcomes in osteoporosis management.

Recent advances in the multifaceted mechanisms of catalpol in treating osteoporosis

Catalpol (CAT) is a landmark active ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine Rehmannia (TCT), also known as dehydroxybenzoate catalpone, which is a kind of iridoid terpene glycoside with strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and other biological activities. It can exert its anti-disease effect in a variety of ways. For some patients with chronic diseases, the application of azalea alcohol in rehmannia may bring more comprehensive and long-lasting efficacy. Studies have shown that the anti-disease effect of catalpol in osteoporosis (OP) is mainly achieved through various pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways to promote osteogenic differentiation, and RANKL/RANK and other signaling pathways to inhibit osteoclastic differentiation. At present, there is a slight lack of analysis of the mechanism of action of catalpa alcohol in the treatment of osteoporosis, so this study comprehensively searched the literature on the mechanism of action of catalpa alcohol in the treatment of osteoporosis in various databases, and reviewed the research progress of its role and mechanism, to provide reference and theoretical basis for the further development and application of catalpol.

Nrf2 Activation as a Therapeutic Target for Flavonoids in Aging-Related Osteoporosis

Biological aging is a substantial change that leads to different diseases, including osteoporosis (OP), a condition involved in loss of bone density, deterioration of bone structure, and increased fracture risk. In old people, there is a natural decline in bone mineral density (BMD), exacerbated by hormonal changes, particularly during menopause, and it continues in the early postmenopausal years. During this transition time, hormonal alterations are linked to elevated oxidative stress (OS) and decreased antioxidant defenses, leading to a significant increase in OP. Aging is significantly associated with an abnormal ratio of oxidant/antioxidant and modified nuclear factor erythroid-derived two related factor2 (Nrf2)/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) pathway. OS adversely affects bone health by promoting osteoclastic (bone resorbing) activity and impairing osteoblastic (bone-forming cells). Nrf2 is critical in controlling OS and various cellular processes. The expression of Nrf2 is linked to multiple age-related diseases, including OP, and Nrf2 deficiency leads to unbalanced bone formation/resorption and a consequent decline in bone mass. Various drugs are available for treating OP; however, long-term uses of these medicines are implicated in diverse illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular, and stroke. At the same time, multiple categories of natural products, in particular flavonoids, were proposed as safe alternatives with antioxidant activity and substantial anti-osteoporotic effects.

Characterization of metabolic features and potential anti-osteoporosis mechanism of pinoresinol diglucoside using metabolite profiling and network pharmacology

RATIONALE

Eucommia cortex is the core herb in traditional Chinese medicine preparations for the treatment of osteoporosis. Pinoresinol diglucoside (PDG), the quality control marker and the key pharmacodynamic component in Eucommia cortex, has attracted global attention because of its definite effects on osteoporosis. However, the in vivo metabolic characteristics of PDG and its anti-osteoporotic mechanism are still unclear, restricting its development and application.

METHODS

Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to analyze the metabolic characteristics of PDG in rats, and its anti-osteoporosis targets and mechanism were predicted using network pharmacology.

RESULTS

A total of 51 metabolites were identified or tentatively characterized in rats after oral administration of PDG (10 mg/kg/day), including 9 in plasma, 28 in urine, 13 in feces, 10 in liver, 4 in heart, 3 in spleen, 11 in kidneys, and 5 in lungs. Furan-ring opening, dimethoxylation, glucuronidation, and sulfation were the main metabolic characteristics of PDG in vivo. The potential mechanism of PDG against osteoporosis was predicted using network pharmacology. PDG and its metabolites could regulate BCL2, MARK3, ALB, and IL6, involving PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, estrogen signaling pathway, and so on.

CONCLUSIONS

This study was the first to demonstrate the metabolic characteristics of PDG in vivo and its potential anti-osteoporosis mechanism, providing the data for further pharmacological validation of PDG in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Dissection of potential anti-osteoporosis mechanism of isopsoralen - a quality control marker in Psoraleae Fructus - by metabolite profiling and network pharmacology

RATIONALE

Isopsoralen (ISO), a quality control marker (Q-marker) in Psoraleae Fructus, is proven to present an obvious anti-osteoporosis effect. Until now, the metabolism and anti-osteoporosis mechanisms of ISO have not been fully elucidated, greatly restricting its drug development.

METHODS

The metabolites of ISO in rats were profiled by using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The potential anti-osteoporosis mechanism of ISO in vivo was predicted by using network pharmacology.

RESULTS

A total of 15 metabolites were characterized in rats after ingestion of ISO (20 mg/kg/day, by gavage), including 2 in plasma, 12 in urine, 6 in feces, 1 in heart, 3 in liver, 1 in spleen, 1 in lung, 3 in kidney, and 2 in brain. The pharmacology network results showed that ISO and its metabolites could regulate AKT1, SRC, NFKB1, EGFR, MAPK3, etc., involved in the prolactin signaling pathway, ErbB signaling pathway, thyroid hormone pathway, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first time for revealing the in vivo metabolism features and potential anti-osteoporosis mechanism of ISO by metabolite profiling and network pharmacology, providing data for further verification of pharmacological mechanism.

Research progress on the regulatory and pharmacological mechanism of chemical components of Dendrobium

Dendrobium is a precious Chinese herbal medicine, which belongs to the genus Orchidaceae. Ancient records and modern pharmacological research show that Dendrobium has pharmacological effects such as anti-tumor, antioxidant regulating immunity and blood glucose, and anti-aging. Dendrobium contains polysaccharides, alkaloids, bibenzyl, sesquiterpenes, phenanthrene, polyphenols and other types of chemicals. Its pharmacological activity is closely related to these chemical components. For example, dendrobium extracts can achieve anti-tumor effects by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and metastasis, promoting cell apoptosis and ferroptosis, or increasing cell sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs. It enhances immunity by regulating immune cell activity or cytokine release. In addition, it can alleviate neurodegenerative diseases by protecting nerve cells from apoptotic damage. In recent years, research reports on biologically active compounds in Dendrobium have shown a blowout growth, which makes us realize that it is meaningful to continuously update the research progress on the components and pharmacological regulatory mechanism of this traditional Chinese medicine. By classifying the collected chemical components according to different chemical structures and summarizing their pharmacological mechanisms, we investigated the current research progress of Dendrobium and provide a more comprehensive scientific foundation for the further development and clinical transformation of Dendrobium in the future.

Preventive effects of hesperidin in an experimental model ofs acute lung inflammation

In this study, we hypothesized that long-term administration of hesperidin can modulate the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in animals submitted to mechanical ventilation (MV). Twenty-five C57BL/6 male mice were divided into 5 groups: control, MV, animals receiving hesperidin in three doses 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg. The animals received the doses of hesperidin for 30 days via orogastric gavage, and at the end of the period the animals were submitted to MV. In animals submitted to MV, increased lymphocyte, neutrophil and monocyte/macrophage cell counts were observed in the blood and airways. Associated to this, MV promoted an increase in inflammatory cytokine levels such as CCL2, IL-12 and TNFα. The daily administration of hesperidin in the three doses prevented the effects caused by MV, which was observed by a lower influx of inflammatory cells into the airways, a reduction in inflammatory markers and less oxidative damage.