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Lim J, Lee H, Hong S, Lee J, Kim Y. Comparison of the Antioxidant Potency of Four Triterpenes of Centella asiatica against Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:483. [PMID: 38671930 PMCID: PMC11047496 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13040483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
We comparatively evaluated the antioxidant properties of key triterpenes from Centella asiatica, including asiatic acid (AA), asiaticoside, madecassic acid, and madecassoside, in several cell types, including skin fibroblasts, macrophages, hepatocytes, and endothelial cells, under conditions promoting oxidative stress. AA conferred the highest viability on Hs68 cells exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation. Triterpene pretreatment attenuated the UVB-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as the UVB-induced depletion of glutathione (GSH) in skin fibroblasts. AA most potently inhibited UVB-induced MMP generation, resulting in increased intracellular collagen levels. Pretreatment with triterpenes, particularly AA, significantly improved cell viability and attenuated TBHP-induced levels of ROS, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase in HepG2 cells. Triterpenes attenuated ROS levels and reduced MDA and GSH expression in EA.hy926 cells. In RAW264.7 macrophages, production of nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 (indicators of LPS-induced oxidative damage) was significantly reduced by treatment with any of the triterpenes. Statistical analyses of triterpene biological activities using principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering revealed that AA exerted the greatest overall influence and showed remarkable activity in Hs68 and HepG2 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyeong Lim
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea; (J.L.); (H.L.); (S.H.)
| | - Hana Lee
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea; (J.L.); (H.L.); (S.H.)
| | - Seonghwa Hong
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea; (J.L.); (H.L.); (S.H.)
| | - Junsoo Lee
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea; (J.L.); (H.L.); (S.H.)
| | - Younghwa Kim
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungsung University, Busan 48434, Republic of Korea
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Borges ALS, Bittar VP, Justino AB, Carrillo MSP, Duarte RFM, Silva NBS, Gonçalves DS, Prado DG, Araújo IAC, Martins MM, Motta LC, Martins CHG, Botelho FV, Silva NM, de Oliveira A, Romão W, Espíndola FS. Exploring the composition and properties of Centella asiatica metabolites and investigating their impact on BSA glycation, LDL oxidation and α-amylase inhibition. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2024; 245:116143. [PMID: 38678859 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2024.116143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. is a small herbaceous plant belonging to the Apiaceae family that is rich in triterpenes, such as asiaticoside and madecassoside. Centella asiatica finds broad application in promoting wound healing, addressing skin disorders, and boosting both memory and cognitive function. Given its extensive therapeutic potential, this study aimed not only to investigate the Centella asiatica ethanolic extract but also to analyze the biological properties of its organic fractions, such as antioxidant antiglycation capacity, which are little explored. We also identified the main bioactive compounds through spectrometry analysis. The ethanolic extract (EE) was obtained through a static maceration for seven days, while organic fractions (HF: hexane fraction; DF: dichloromethane fraction; EAF: ethyl acetate fraction; BF: n-butanol fraction and HMF: hydromethanolic fraction) were obtained via liquid-liquid fractionation. The concentration of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and tannins in each sample was quantified. Additionally, the antiglycation (BSA/FRU, BSA/MGO, and ARG/MGO models) and antioxidant (FRAP, ORAC, and DPPH) properties, as well as the ability to inhibit LDL oxidation and hepatic tissue peroxidation were evaluated. The inhibition of enzyme activity was also analyzed (α-amylase, α-glycosidase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase). We also evaluated the antimicrobial and cytotoxicity against RAW 264.7 macrophages. The main compounds present in the most bioactive fractions were elucidated through ESI FT-ICR MS and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. In the assessment of antioxidant capacity (FRAP, ORAC, and DPPH), the EAF and BF fractions exhibited notable results, and as they are the phenolic compounds richest fractions, they also inhibited LDL oxidation, protected the hepatic tissue from peroxidation and inhibited α-amylase activity. Regarding glycation models, the EE, EAF, BF, and HMF fractions demonstrated substantial activity in the BSA/FRU model. However, BF was the only fraction that presented non-cytotoxic activity in RAW 264.7 macrophages at all tested concentrations. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the antioxidant, antiglycation, and enzymatic inhibition capacities of the ethanolic extract and organic fractions of Centella asiatica. The findings suggest that further in vivo studies, particularly focusing on the butanol fraction (BF), may be promising routes for future research and potential therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luiza Silva Borges
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Prado Bittar
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Allisson Benatti Justino
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Maria Sol Peña Carrillo
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Rener Francisco Mateus Duarte
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Nagela Bernadelli Sousa Silva
- Laboratory of Antimicrobial Testing, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, Uberlândia, MG 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Daniela Silva Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Antimicrobial Testing, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, Uberlândia, MG 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Diego Godina Prado
- Nucleus of Research in Natural Products (NuPPeN), Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Iasmin Aparecida Cunha Araújo
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Mário Machado Martins
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology "Dr. Luiz Ricardo Goulart Filho", in Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Larissa Campos Motta
- Laboratory of Petroleum and Forensics, of the Center of Competence in Petroleum Chemistry - NCQP, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória, ES 29075-910, Brazil
| | - Carlos Henrique Gomes Martins
- Laboratory of Antimicrobial Testing, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, Uberlândia, MG 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Françoise Vasconcelos Botelho
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Neide Maria Silva
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Alberto de Oliveira
- Nucleus of Research in Natural Products (NuPPeN), Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Wanderson Romão
- Laboratory of Petroleum and Forensics, of the Center of Competence in Petroleum Chemistry - NCQP, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória, ES 29075-910, Brazil; Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Espírito Santo, Vila Velha, 29106-010, Brazil
| | - Foued Salmen Espíndola
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil.
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Zhao B, Li Y, Wang B, Liu J, Yang Y, Quan Q, An Q, Liang R, Liu C, Yang C. Uncovering the Anti-Angiogenic Mechanisms of Centella asiatica via Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation. Molecules 2024; 29:362. [PMID: 38257275 PMCID: PMC10821292 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29020362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Centella asiatica (CA) has been used to address cancer for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Previous studies demonstrated its anti-angiogenesis efficacy, but the underlying mechanism of its action remains to be further clarified. This study aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms of CA and its triterpenes in anti-angiogenesis for cancer therapeutics through network pharmacology and experimental validation. METHODS Cytoscape was used to construct a network of compound-disease targets and protein-protein interactions (PPIs) from which core targets were identified. GO and KEGG analyses were performed using Metascape, and the AutoDock-Vina program was used to realize molecular docking for further verification. Then, VEGF165 was employed to establish an induced angiogenesis model. The anti-angiogenic effects of CA were evaluated through assays measuring cell proliferation, migration, and tubular structure formation. RESULTS Twenty-five active ingredients in CA had potential targets for anti-angiogenesis including madecassoside, asiaticoside, madecassic acid, asiatic acid, and asiaticoside B. In total, 138 potential targets for CA were identified, with 19 core targets, including STAT3, SRC, MAPK1, and AKT1. A KEGG analysis showed that CA is implicated in cancer-related pathways, specifically PD-1 and AGE-RAGE. Molecular docking verified that the active components of CA have good binding energy with the first four important targets of angiogenesis. In experimental validation, the extracts and triterpenes of CA improved VEGF165-induced angiogenesis by reducing the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). CONCLUSIONS Our results initially demonstrate the effective components and great anti-angiogenic activity of CA. Evidence of the satisfactory anti-angiogenic action of the extracts and triterpenes from CA was verified, suggesting CA's significant potential as a prospective agent for the therapy of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingtian Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (Y.L.); (B.W.); (J.L.); (R.L.); (C.L.)
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (Y.L.); (B.W.); (J.L.); (R.L.); (C.L.)
| | - Binya Wang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (Y.L.); (B.W.); (J.L.); (R.L.); (C.L.)
| | - Jing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (Y.L.); (B.W.); (J.L.); (R.L.); (C.L.)
| | - Yang Yang
- Yunnan Baiyao Group Shanghai Science & Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201100, China; (Y.Y.); (Q.Q.); (Q.A.)
- East Asia Skin Health Research Center, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Qianghua Quan
- Yunnan Baiyao Group Shanghai Science & Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201100, China; (Y.Y.); (Q.Q.); (Q.A.)
- East Asia Skin Health Research Center, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Quan An
- Yunnan Baiyao Group Shanghai Science & Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201100, China; (Y.Y.); (Q.Q.); (Q.A.)
- East Asia Skin Health Research Center, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Rong Liang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (Y.L.); (B.W.); (J.L.); (R.L.); (C.L.)
| | - Chunhuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (Y.L.); (B.W.); (J.L.); (R.L.); (C.L.)
| | - Cheng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (Y.L.); (B.W.); (J.L.); (R.L.); (C.L.)
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Lu L, Lu T, Wu Y, Wang Y, Ke X, Yang R. Research on the effectiveness and material basis of Ligusticum chuanxiong in alleviating acute liver injury. J Ethnopharmacol 2023; 314:116643. [PMID: 37220808 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE As an effective medicinal plant, Ligusticum chuanxiong (L. chuanxiong) is traditionally used in China to treat various kinds of dysesthesia caused by liver qi stagnation, chest paralysis and heart pain caused by liver blood stagnation, and bruises and injuries caused by blood stasis. Recent research has confirmed the efficacy of L. chuanxiong in treating liver injury. AIM OF THE STUDY L. chuanxiong has significant hepatoprotective effects, but its material basis and mechanism of action are still ambiguous. This work was to reveal the potential active ingredients (parts) of L. chuanxiong for liver protection and to investigate the pharmacological mechanism of its liver protection. MATERIALS AND METHODS The hepatoprotective substance basis and mechanism of L. chuanxiong were investigated using network pharmacology, and the active components of L. chuanxiong extract were studied using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analytical techniques. Molecular docking was adopted to verify the interaction between the active ingredients in L. chuanxiong and the key targets involved in liver injury. To confirm the hepatoprotective effects of the effective part in L. chuanxiong, a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury model in mice was used. RESULTS As a result, network pharmacological analysis techniques were used to screen out potential active ingredients such as ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and p-coumaric acid, which were concentrated in the organic acid site and acted on 19 key targets related to liver protection. The biological process involved the positive regulation of nitric oxide biosynthesis, and various signaling pathways were implicated, including the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, the TNF signaling pathway, and others. LC-MS and GC-MS qualitatively analyzed the effective components from L. chuanxiong extract, and 50 active components were identified. The molecular docking of key components with the core targets showed good activity, which validated the predicted results. In the final analysis, a mouse model of acute liver injury induced by CCl4 further verified the greater protective effect of the organic acid fraction of L. chuanxiong on liver injury in mice compared with other parts. CONCLUSION The results reveal that L. chuanxiong may relieve liver damage, and the organic acids were the main active part in it. Its mechanism of alleviating liver injury is related to positive regulation of nitric oxide biosynthesis, the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, the TNF signaling pathway, and so on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingzhi Lu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Taotao Lu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yajing Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yunhong Wang
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiumei Ke
- Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Rongping Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
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Wei C, Cui P, Liu X. Antibacterial Activity and Mechanism of Madecassic Acid against Staphylococcus aureus. Molecules 2023; 28. [PMID: 36838882 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28041895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibacterial resistance has become one of the most serious problems threating global health. To overcome this urgent problem, many scientists have paid great attention to developing new antibacterial drugs from natural products. Hence, for exploring new antibacterial drugs from Chinese medicine, a series of experiments were carried out for verifying and elucidating the antibacterial activity and mechanisms of madecassic acid (MA), which is an active triterpenoid compound isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine, Centella asiatica. The antibacterial activity was investigated through measuring the diameter of the inhibition zone, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), the growth curve, and the effect on the bacterial biofilm, respectively. Meanwhile, the antibacterial mechanism was also discussed from the aspects of cell wall integrity variation, cell membrane permeability, and the activities of related enzymes in the respiratory metabolic pathway before and after the intervention by MA. The results showed that MA had an inhibitory effect on eight kinds of pathogenic bacteria, and the MIC values for Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus megaterium were 31.25, 62.5, 250, 125, 62.5, and 62.5 µg/mL, respectively. For instance, 31.25 µg/mL MA could inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus within 28 h. The antibacterial mechanism experiments confirmed that MA could destroy the integrity of the cell membrane and cell wall of Staphylococcus aureus, causing the leakage of macromolecular substances, inhibiting the synthesis of soluble proteins, reducing the activities of succinate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase, and interacting with DNA, leading to the relaxation and ring opening of supercoiled DNA. Besides, the activities of DNA topoisomerase I and II were both inhibited by MA, which led to the cell growth of Staphylococcus aureus being repressed. This study provides a theoretical basis and reference for the application of MA in the control and inhibition of food-borne Staphylococcus aureus.
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