Therapeutic effect of the natural compounds baicalein and baicalin on autoimmune diseases

Role of Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsule in the Reduction of the Risk of Re-Admission in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Cohort Study

Objective

This study evaluates whether Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsule (HQC), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound, is associated with the risk of re-admission in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods

In this study, we retrospectively collected the clinical data of 1,296 AS patients. Patients were allocated into HQC and non-HQC groups. Baseline data between the two groups were matched with propensity score matching (PSM). Influencing factors for the risk of re-admission in AS patients were analyzed with the Cox proportional hazards model. The effect of HQC intervention duration on the risk of re-admission was assessed with Kaplan-Meier survival curves. The random walk model and association rule analysis were utilized to determine the correlation between HQC and improvements in immunoinflammatory markers.

Results

The re-admission rate was significantly lower in the HQC group than in the non-HQC group (P < 0.01). The risk of re-admission was significantly lower in patients aged > 40 years (P < 0.01) than in patients aged < 40 years and also markedly lower in HQC users than in non-HQC users (P < 0.01), suggesting that age and the use of HQC were key factors influencing the risk of re-admission. Longer HQC intervention duration was associated with better improvements in ESR, CRP, and C4, and HQC was closely correlated with improvements in ESR, CRP, IgA, and C4.

Conclusion

HQC treatment can reduce the risk of re-admission in AS patients, which may be associated with improvements in ESR, CRP, IgA, and C4. The risk decreases with prolonged HQC treatment.

Phytochemicals in the treatment of inflammation-associated diseases: the journey from preclinical trials to clinical practice

Advances in biomedical research have demonstrated that inflammation and its related diseases are the greatest threat to public health. Inflammatory action is the pathological response of the body towards the external stimuli such as infections, environmental factors, and autoimmune conditions to reduce tissue damage and improve patient comfort. However, when detrimental signal-transduction pathways are activated and inflammatory mediators are released over an extended period of time, the inflammatory process continues and a mild but persistent pro-inflammatory state may develop. Numerous degenerative disorders and chronic health issues including arthritis, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, among others, are associated with the emergence of a low-grade inflammatory state. Though, anti-inflammatory steroidal, as well as non-steroidal drugs, are extensively used against different inflammatory conditions, they show undesirable side effects upon long-term exposure, at times, leading to life-threatening consequences. Thus, drugs targeting chronic inflammation need to be developed to achieve better therapeutic management without or with a fewer side effects. Plants have been well known for their medicinal use for thousands of years due to their pharmacologically active phytochemicals belonging to diverse chemical classes with a number of these demonstrating potent anti-inflammatory activity. Some typical examples include colchicine (alkaloid), escin (triterpenoid saponin), capsaicin (methoxy phenol), bicyclol (lignan), borneol (monoterpene), and quercetin (flavonoid). These phytochemicals often act via regulating molecular mechanisms that synergize the anti-inflammatory pathways such as increased production of anti-inflammatory cytokines or interfere with the inflammatory pathways such as to reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and other modulators to improve the underlying pathological condition. This review describes the anti-inflammatory properties of a number of biologically active compounds derived from medicinal plants, and their mechanisms of pharmacological intervention to alleviate inflammation-associated diseases. The emphasis is given to information on anti-inflammatory phytochemicals that have been evaluated at the preclinical and clinical levels. Recent trends and gaps in the development of phytochemical-based anti-inflammatory drugs have also been included.

Identifying NFKB1, STAT3, and CDKN1A as Baicalein's Potential Hub Targets in Parkinson's Disease-related α-synuclein-mediated Pathways by Integrated Bioinformatics Strategies

BACKGROUND

The overexpression, accumulation, and cell-to-cell transmission of α-synuclein leads to the deterioration of Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous studies suggest that Baicalein (BAI) can bind to α-synuclein and inhibit α-synuclein aggregation and secretion. However, it is still unclear whether BAI can intervene with the pathogenic molecules in α-synuclein-mediated PD pathways beyond directly targeting α-synuclein per se.

METHODS

This study aimed to systematically investigate BAI's potential targets in PD-related A53T mutant α-synuclein-mediated pathways by integrating data mining, network pharmacological analysis, and molecular docking simulation techniques.

RESULTS

The results suggest that BAI may target genes that are dysregulated in synaptic transmission, vesicle trafficking, gene transcription, protein binding, extracellular matrix formation, and kinase activity in α-synucleinmediated pathways. NFKB1, STAT3, and CDKN1A are BAI's potential hub targets in these pathways.

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight BAI's potentiality to modulate α-synuclein-mediated pathways beyond directly targeting α-synuclein per se.

Scutellaria baicalensis georgi is a promising candidate for the treatment of autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases a group of disorders elicited by unexpected outcome of lymphocytes self-tolerance failure, and the common members of which include multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes mellitus, etc. The pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases is not fully understood and the current therapeutic regimen’s inefficacy in certain cases coupled with low rates of success, exorbitant financial burden, as well as numerous side effects, which do open new avenues for the role of natural products as novel therapeutic agents for auto-inflammatory disorders. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is a well-known and widely-recognized herbal medicine with certain ameliorative effect on diverse inflammation-involved dysfunction. Though recent advances do highlight its potential to be applied in the fight against autoimmune diseases, the specific mechanism and the related opinion on the exploring possibility are still limited which hampered the further progress. Here in this timeline review, we traced and collected the evidence of how Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and its bioactive contents, namely baicalin, baicalein, wogonoside and wogonin affect autoimmune diseases. Moreover, we also discussed the clinical implications and therapeutic potential of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and its bioactive contents in autoimmune diseases treatment.

Emerging Potential Therapeutic Targets of Ferroptosis in Skeletal Diseases

Ferroptosis is a new programmed cell death characterized by the accumulation of lipid peroxidation mediated by iron and inflammation. Since the transcentury realization of ferroptosis as an iron-dependent modality of nonapoptotic cell death in 2012, there has been growing interest in the function of ferroptosis and its relationship to clinical diseases. Recent studies have shown that ferroptosis is associated with multiple diseases, including degenerative diseases, ischemia reperfusion injury, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Cell death induced by ferroptosis has also been related to several skeletal diseases, such as inflammatory arthritis, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis. Research on ferroptosis can clarify the pathogenesis of skeletal diseases and provide a novel therapeutic target for its treatment. In this review, we summarize current information about the molecular mechanism of ferroptosis and describe its emerging role and therapeutic potential in skeletal diseases.

Drug Candidates for Autoimmune Diseases

Most of the immunosuppressive drugs used in the clinic to prevent organ rejection or to treat autoimmune disorders were originally isolated from fungi or bacteria. Therefore, in addition to plants, these are valuable sources for identification of new potent drugs. Many side effects of established drugs limit their usage and make the identification of new immunosuppressants necessary. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of natural products with potent anti-inflammatory activities that have been tested successfully in different models of chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases. Some of these candidates already have passed first clinical trials. The anti-inflammatory potency of these natural products was often comparable to those of established drugs, and they could be used at least in addition to standard therapy to reduce their dose to minimize unwanted side effects. A frequent mode of action is the inhibition of classical inflammatory signaling pathways, such as NF-κB, in combination with downregulation of oxidative stress. A drawback for the therapeutic use of those natural products is their moderate bioavailability, which can be optimized by chemical modifications and, in addition, further safety studies are necessary. Altogether, very interesting candidate compounds exist which have the potential to serve as starting points for the development of new immunosuppressive drugs.

Ferroptosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Potential Therapeutic Strategy

Ferroptosis is one of the newly discovered forms of cell-regulated death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Extensive research has focused on the roles of ferroptosis in tumors, blood diseases, and neurological diseases. Some recent findings have indicated that ferroptosis may also be related to the occurrence and development of inflammatory arthritis. Ferroptosis may be a potential therapeutic target, and few studies in vitro and animal models have shown implications in the pathogenesis of inflammatory arthritis. This mini review discussed the common features between ferroptosis and the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and evaluated therapeutic applications of ferroptosis regulators in preclinical and clinical research. Some critical issues worth paying attention to were also raised to guide future research efforts.

The role of flavonoids in inhibiting IL-6 and inflammatory arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects the synovial joints. RA has well-known clinical manifestations and can cause progressive disability and premature death along with socioeconomic burdens. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been implicated in the pathology of RA where it can stimulate pannus formation, osteoclastogenesis, and oxidative stress. Flavonoids are plant metabolites with beneficial pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, and others. Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds found in a variety of plants, vegetables, and fruits. Many flavonoids have demonstrated anti-arthritic activity mediated mainly through the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This review thoroughly discusses the accumulate data on the role of flavonoids on IL-6 in RA.

The Potential Role of Phytonutrients Flavonoids Influencing Gut Microbiota in the Prophylaxis and Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), characterized by the chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, is comprised of two idiopathic chronic intestinal inflammatory diseases. As the incidence of IBD increases, so does the need for safe and effective treatments. Trillions of microorganisms are colonized in the mammalian intestine, coevolve with the host in a symbiotic relationship. Gut microbiota has been reported to be involved in the pathophysiology of IBD. In this regard, phytonutrients flavonoids have received increasing attention for their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this review, we address recent advances in the interactions among flavonoids, gut microbiota, and IBD. Moreover, their possible potential mechanisms of action in IBD have been discussed. We conclude that there is a complex interaction between flavonoids and gut microbiota. It is expected that flavonoids can change or reshape the gut microbiota to provide important considerations for developing treatments for IBD.

Anti-metastatic Effects of Baicalein by Targeting STAT3 Activity in Breast Cancer Cells

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is considered a potential target for cancer treatment because of its relationship with cellular transformation and tumor initiation and progression. In this study, we aimed to identify a new anti-cancer drug candidate from natural products by targeting STAT3 activity. Using STAT3-luciferase reporter cell line, we screened the chemical library of natural products and found that baicalein, a flavone isolated from the roots of Scutelleria baicalensis, strongly suppressed STAT3 activity in breast cancer cells. Baicalein inhibited STAT3 transcriptional activity and its phosphorylation, and further exhibited anti-proliferative effects in breast cancer cells. Moreover, baicalein suppressed the production of interleukin (IL)-6 and the metastatic potential of breast cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, our study suggests baicalein as an attractive phytochemical compound for reducing metastatic potential of breast cancer cells by regulating STAT3 activity.

Edible and Herbal Plants for the Prevention and Management of COVID-19

Background: The outbreak of the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has now become a global pandemic spreading throughout the world. Unfortunately, due to the high infectiousness of the novel β-coronavirus, it is very likely to become an ordinary epidemic. The development of dietary supplements and functional foods might provide a strategy for the prevention and management of COVID-19. Scope and Approach: A great diversity of potential edible and medicinal plants and/or natural compounds showed potential benefits in managing SARS, which may also combat COVID-19. Moreover, many plants and compounds have currently been proposed to be protective against COVID-19. This information is based on data-driven approaches and computational chemical biology techniques. In this study, we review promising candidates of edible and medicinal plants for the prevention and management of COVID-19. We primarily focus on analyzing their underlying mechanisms. We aim to identify dietary supplements and functional foods that assist in managing this epidemic. Key findings and Conclusion: We infer that acetoside, glyasperin, isorhamnetin, and several flavonoid compounds may prevent and/or be effective in managing COVID-19 by targeting the viral infection, reducing the host cytokine storm, regulating the immune response, and providing organ protection. These bioactive dietary components (used either alone or in combination) might assist in the development of dietary supplements or functional foods for managing COVID-19.

Baicalin-Induced Autophagy Preserved LPS-Stimulated Intestinal Cells from Inflammation and Alterations of Paracellular Permeability

Several studies have demonstrated a relevant role of intestinal epithelial cells in the immune response and in chronic inflammatory conditions, including ulcers, colitis, and Crohn's disease. Baicalin (BA), extracted from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis, has various beneficial healthy effects, including anti-inflammatory activity. However, few studies have evaluated BA effects on autophagic signaling in epithelial cell response to inflammatory stimuli. To explore possible beneficial effects of BA, HT-29 cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), in presence or absence of BA, for 4 h. We evaluated mRNA levels of autophagy-related genes and cytokines, triggering inflammatory response. Furthermore, the expression of claudin 1, involved in the regulation of paracellular permeability was analyzed. BA treatment repressed LPS-induced expression of TNF-α and IL-1β. The down-regulation of autophagy-related genes induced by LPS was counteracted by cell pretreatment with BA. Under these conditions, BA reduced the NF-κB activation caused by LPS. Also, BA restored mRNA and protein levels of claudin 1, which were reduced by LPS. In conclusion, in intestinal epithelial cells BA regulates the NF-κB activation and modulates both autophagic and inflammatory processes, leading to an improvement of paracellular permeability. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of BA can be associated to the regulation of autophagic flux.

Differential regulation of JAK/STAT-signaling in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease

In 2018, the pan-Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor tofacitinib was launched for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Although tofacitinib has proven efficacious in patients with active UC, it failed in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). This finding strongly hints at a different contribution of JAK signaling in both entities. Here, we review the current knowledge on the interplay between the JAK/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). In particular, we provide a detailed overview of the differences and similarities of JAK/STAT-signaling in UC and CD, highlight the impact of the JAK/STAT pathway in experimental colitis models and summarize the published evidence on JAK/STAT-signaling in immune cells of IBD as well as the genetic association between the JAK/STAT pathway and IBD. Finally, we describe novel treatment strategies targeting JAK/STAT inhibition in UC and CD and comment on the limitations and challenges of the new drug class.

Molecular Targets of Natural Products for Chondroprotection in Destructive Joint Diseases

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis that occurs in an aged population. It affects any joints in the body and degenerates the articular cartilage and the subchondral bone. Despite the pathophysiology of OA being different, cartilage resorption is still a symbol of osteoarthritis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are important proteolytic enzymes that degrade extra-cellular matrix proteins (ECM) in the body. MMPs contribute to the turnover of cartilage and its break down; their levels have increased in the joint tissues of OA patients. Application of chondroprotective drugs neutralize the activities of MMPs. Natural products derived from herbs and plants developed as traditional medicine have been paid attention to, due to their potential biological effects. The therapeutic value of natural products in OA has increased in reputation due to their clinical impact and insignificant side effects. Several MMPs inhibitor have been used as therapeutic drugs, for a long time. Recently, different types of compounds were reviewed for their biological activities. In this review, we summarize numerous natural products for the development of MMPs inhibitors in arthritic diseases and describe the major signaling targets that were involved for the treatments of these destructive joint diseases.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Is Involved in Baicalin Protection on Chondrocytes From Patients With Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects elderly population worldwide and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is known to be positively correlated with OA development. Previous reports prove the cytoprotective effects of baicalin on chondrocytes, whereas the mechanisms are hardly reported. Hence, we aimed to investigate the links between OA, ER stress, and baicalin. Chondrocytes from patients with OA were subjected to H₂O₂ treatment with or without baicalin pretreatment, and cell viability was assessed via Cell Counting Kit-8. Messenger RNA (mRNA) amounts of apoptosis-related genes (Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase-3), extracellular matrix (ECM)-related genes (Collange I, Collange II, Aggrecan, and Sox9) and ER stress hallmarks (binding immunoglobulin protein [BiP] C/EBP homologous protein [CHOP]) were evaluated via quantitative real-time PCR. Bax, Bcl-2, BiP, and CHOP protein levels were analyzed via Western blot. Baicalin suppressed the changes in cell viability and apoptosis-related gene expressions caused by H₂O₂. Reactive oxygen species and glutathione/oxidized glutathione assay showed that H₂O₂ enhanced oxidative stress. Baicalin suppressed H₂O₂-induced downregulation of mRNA expression of ECM-related genes. Moreover, baicalin reduced H₂O₂-stimulated increase in oxidative stress and the expression of ER stress hallmarks. Endoplasmic reticulum stress inducer abolished the protective activities, whereas ER stress inhibitor did not exhibit extra protective effects. Baicalin pretreatment protected patient-derived chondrocytes from H₂O₂ through ER stress inhibition.