Abies holophylla Leaf Essential Oil Alleviates Allergic Rhinitis Based on Network Pharmacology

Synthesizing network pharmacology, bioinformatics, and in vitro experimental verification to screen candidate targets of Salidroside for mitigating Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurological disorder leading to cognitive deficits. Salidroside (Sal), a primary bioactive ingredient extracted from the roots of Rhodiola rosea L., has potent neuroprotective effects in AD. However, studies on potential targets for Sal-anchored AD are limited. In this study, we combined network pharmacology, bioinformatics, and experimental validation to identify potential targets of Sal treating AD. First, we screened 10 pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) in Sal and AD using public databases. Then, we used Gene Ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis to explore the biological functions of the shared PRGs (Sal and AD). This finding exhibited that pathways linked to inflammation, like the nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors signaling pathway, are important for Sal to help fight AD. The GeneMANIA functional results subsequently revealed an association between AD and the processes of inflammasome complex and inflammatory response. Additionally, nine hub genes were identified in the protein-protein interaction network of these shared PRGs. Subsequent analysis of the genes and phenotypes confirmed that these nine hub genes were directly correlated with AD. Subsequently, an in vitro AD model was created using rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cell line (PC12) cells induced by amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) 25-35 (20 µM). Sal significantly reduced the pyroptosis caused by Aβ 25-35 in PC12 cells and decreased the expression levels of IL-1β, CASP1, IL-18, PYCARD, and NLRP3. Furthermore, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations confirmed that Sal could stably bind to NLRP3. Druggability analysis revealed that Sal had excellent druggability. These results demonstrated that Sal could alleviate AD by targeting IL-1β, CASP1, IL-18, PYCARD, and NLRP3 to regulate the NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis signaling pathway.

Composition, Antimicrobial, Anti-Inflammatory, and Potential Neuroprotective Activities of Volatile Oils in Solid Wood Boards from Different Tree Ages of Cryptomeria japonica

The wood of Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese cedar or sugi) is widely used in building and adornment. This study aims to identify the composition of the volatile oils (VOs) extracted from C. japonica solid wood boards by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, and to investigate their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and potential neuroprotective activities. A total of 58 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified in the VOs from C. japonica solid wood boards with tree ages of 40, 50, and 60 years (VO-40, 50, and 60), with sandaracopimarinol (13.74-17.59%), ferruginol (10.23-11.29%), abieta-7,13-diene (8.20-13.66%), (+)-δ-cadinene (7.15-9.27%), cis-cubenol (4.36-6.36%), and sandaracopimarinal (3.23-6.04%) as major compounds. The VOs exhibited antifungal potential, especially VO-50 against Aspergillus fumigatus (MIC = 0.312 mg/mL), and VO-60 against Gloeophyllum trabeum (MIC = 1.25 mg/mL). However, VOs exhibited weak antibacterial activity (MIC > 10 mg/mL). Additionally, VOs (10 μg/mL) exhibited anti-inflammatory and potential neuroprotective activities, with VO-60 demonstrating the strongest inhibition of NO (25.79% reduction), TNF-α (52.24% reduction), and IL-6 (27.10% reduction) production in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells, while increasing cell viability by 70.36% and reducing lactate dehydrogenase release by 41.10% in corticosterone-induced PC12 cells. Correlation and docking analyses revealed that sandaracopimarinal, sandaracopimarinol, β-eudesmol, and ferruginol were the potential active compounds. The results demonstrated that the volatile components from C. japonica solid wood boards not only enhance the board's decay resistance, but also exhibit therapeutic potential for inflammatory disorders and neuropathic diseases.

Updated epithelial barrier dysfunction in chronic rhinosinusitis: Targeting pathophysiology and treatment response of tight junctions

Tight junction (TJ) proteins establish a physical barrier between epithelial cells, playing a crucial role in maintaining tissue homeostasis by safeguarding host tissues against pathogens, allergens, antigens, irritants, etc. Recently, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated that abnormal expression of TJs plays an essential role in the development and progression of inflammatory airway diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with or without nasal polyps. Among them, CRS with nasal polyps is a prevalent chronic inflammatory disease that affects the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, leading to a poor prognosis and significantly impacting patients' quality of life. Its pathogenesis primarily involves dysfunction of the nasal epithelial barrier, impaired mucociliary clearance, disordered immune response, and excessive tissue remodeling. Numerous studies have elucidated the pivotal role of TJs in both the pathogenesis and response to traditional therapies in CRS. We therefore to review and discuss potential factors contributing to impair and repair of TJs in the nasal epithelium based on their structure, function, and formation process.

Essential Oil of Matricaria chamomilla Alleviate Psoriatic-Like Skin Inflammation by Inhibiting PI3K/Akt/mTOR and p38MAPK Signaling Pathway

Background

The traditional Matricaria chamomilla L. has been used to treat dermatitis for thousands of years. Due to emerging trends in alternative medicine, patients prefer natural remedies to relieve their symptoms. Therefore, finding safe and effective plant medicines for topical applications on the skin is an important treatment strategy for dermatologists. German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) from the Compositae family is a famous medicinal plant, often known as the "star of medicinal species."However, the function of Matricaria chamomilla essential oil on skin inflammation has not been thoroughly examined in earlier research.

Methods

GC-MS analyzed the components of MCEO, and this study explored the anti-inflammation effects of MCEO on psoriasis with network pharmacological pathway prediction. Following this, we used clinical samples of psoriasis patients to confirm the secretory characteristic of relative inflammatory markers. The therapeutic effect of MCEO on skin inflammation was detected by examination of human keratinocytes HaCaT. At the same time, we prepared imiquimod-induced psoriatic-like skin inflammation in mice to investigate thoroughly the potential inhibition functions of MCEO on psoriatic skin injury and inflammation.

Results

MCEO significantly reduced interleukin-22/tumor necrosis factor α/lipopolysaccharide-stimulated elevation of HaCaT cell inflammation, which was correlated with downregulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR and p38MAPK pathways activation mediated by MCEO in HaCaT cells treated with IL-22/TNF-α/LPS. Skin inflammation was evaluated based on the PASI score, HE staining, and relative inflammatory cytokine levels. The results showed that MCEO could significantly contribute to inflammatory skin disease treatment.

Conclusion

MCEO inhibited inflammation in HaCaT keratinocytes induced by IL-22/TNF-α/LPS, the potential mechanisms associated with inhibiting excessive activation and crosstalk between PI3K/Akt/mTOR and p38MAPK pathways. MCEO ameliorated skin injury in IMQ-induced psoriatic-like skin inflammation of mice by downregulating the levels of inflammatory cytokines but not IL-17A. Thus, anti-inflammatory plant drugs with different targets with combined applications were a potential therapeutic strategy in psoriasis.

Neurotrophic Natural Products

Neurotrophins (NGF, BDNF, NT3, NT4) can decrease cell death, induce differentiation, as well as sustain the structure and function of neurons, which make them promising therapeutic agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. However, neurotrophins have not been very effective in clinical trials mostly because they cannot pass through the blood-brain barrier owing to being high-molecular-weight proteins. Thus, neurotrophin-mimic small molecules, which stimulate the synthesis of endogenous neurotrophins or enhance neurotrophic actions, may serve as promising alternatives to neurotrophins. Small-molecular-weight natural products, which have been used in dietary functional foods or in traditional medicines over the course of human history, have a great potential for the development of new therapeutic agents against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. In this contribution, a variety of natural products possessing neurotrophic properties such as neurogenesis, neurite outgrowth promotion (neuritogenesis), and neuroprotection are described, and a focus is made on the chemistry and biology of several neurotrophic natural products.

Volatile Oil of Magnolia biondii Pamp. for Transnasal Administration: Its Preparation, Characterization, and Mechanism of Action in the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis

BACKGROUND

Allergic Rhinitis (AR) is a common chronic nasal condition usually caused by allergens. The immune system overreacts when the body is exposed to allergens, releasing a lot of tissue chemicals that cause congestion, more secretions, and an inflammatory reaction in the nasal mucosa.

METHOD

In clinical practice, it remains a significant public health issue. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that Magnolia Volatile Oil (MVO) has good anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, and other pharmacological effects. Previous research and literature reports have reported that MVO has good therapeutic effects on allergic rhinitis. However, due to the poor water solubility of Magnolia, its bioavailability is low. The purpose of this present work is to develop a new microemulsion formulation to improve the stability and bioavailability of MVO.

RESULTS

The droplet size, PDI, and zeta potential of Magnolia volatile oil microemulsion (MVOME) were characterized along with its physical characteristics, and these values were found to be 14.270.03 nm, 0.09410.31, and -0.35850.12 mV, respectively, demonstrating the successful formation of microemulsion. In OVA-induced AR rats, MVO-ME dramatically reduced the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 inflammatory factors. In addition, MVO-ME significantly inhibited the expression of protein levels of PPAR-γ and P65 in the nasal mucosa of AR rats. In this regard, we hypothesized that MVO-ME may play a therapeutic role in AR by activating the PPAR signaling pathway as well as inhibiting the activation of the NF/κB signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

MVO-ME has systematic advantages, such as high solubility, bioavailability, etc. It is expected to be an efficient nano-drug delivery system for the clinical treatment of allergic rhinitis.