1
|
Zhao X, Zhao R, Yang X, Sun L, Bao Y, Shuai Liu Y, Blennow A, Liu X. Recent advances on bioactive compounds, biosynthesis mechanism, and physiological functions of Nelumbo nucifera. Food Chem 2023; 412:135581. [PMID: 36731239 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.135581] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn, commonly known as lotus, is a genus comprising perennial and rhizomatous aquatic plants, found throughout Asia and Australia. This review aimed to cover the biosynthesis of flavonoids, alkaloids, and lipids in plants and their types in different parts of lotus. This review also examined the physiological functions of bioactive compounds in lotus and the extracts from different organs of the lotus plant. The structures and identities of flavonoids, alkaloids, and lipids in different parts of lotus as well as their biosynthesis were illustrated and updated. In the traditional medicine systems and previous scientific studies, bioactive compounds and the extracts of lotus have been applied for treating inflammation, cancer, liver disease, Alzheimer's disease, etc. We suggest future studies to be focused on standardization of the extract of lotus, and their pharmacological mechanisms as drugs or functional foods. This review is important for the lotus-based food processing and application.
Collapse
|
2
|
Moldovan OL, Sandulea A, Lungu IA, Gâz ȘA, Rusu A. Identification of Some Glutamic Acid Derivatives with Biological Potential by Computational Methods. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28104123. [PMID: 37241864 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28104123] [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: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamic acid is a non-essential amino acid involved in multiple metabolic pathways. Of high importance is its relationship with glutamine, an essential fuel for cancer cell development. Compounds that can modify glutamine or glutamic acid behaviour in cancer cells have resulted in attractive anticancer therapeutic alternatives. Based on this idea, we theoretically formulated 123 glutamic acid derivatives using Biovia Draw. Suitable candidates for our research were selected among them. For this, online platforms and programs were used to describe specific properties and their behaviour in the human organism. Nine compounds proved to have suitable or easy to optimise properties. The selected compounds showed cytotoxicity against breast adenocarcinoma, lung cancer cell lines, colon carcinoma, and T cells from acute leukaemia. Compound 2Ba5 exhibited the lowest toxicity, and derivative 4Db6 exhibited the most intense bioactivity. Molecular docking studies were also performed. The binding site of the 4Db6 compound in the glutamine synthetase structure was determined, with the D subunit and cluster 1 being the most promising. In conclusion, glutamic acid is an amino acid that can be manipulated very easily. Therefore, molecules derived from its structure have great potential to become innovative drugs, and further research on these will be conducted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Octavia-Laura Moldovan
- Medicine and Pharmacy Doctoral School, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Alexandra Sandulea
- Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Ioana-Andreea Lungu
- Medicine and Pharmacy Doctoral School, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Șerban Andrei Gâz
- Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Aura Rusu
- Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sengking J, Oka C, Yawoot N, Tocharus J, Chaichompoo W, Suksamrarn A, Tocharus C. Protective Effect of Neferine in Permanent Cerebral Ischemic Rats via Anti-Oxidative and Anti-Apoptotic Mechanisms. Neurotox Res 2022. [PMID: 36018507 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-022-00568-6] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Permanent cerebral ischemia is a consequence of prolonged cerebral artery occlusion that results in severe brain damage. Neurotoxicity occurring after ischemia can induce brain tissue damage by destroying cell organelles and their function. Neferine is a natural compound isolated from the seed embryos of the lotus plant and has broad pharmacological effects, including blockading of the calcium channels, anti-oxidative stress, and anti-apoptosis. This study investigated the ability of neferine to reduce brain injury after permanent cerebral occlusion. Permanent cerebral ischemia in rats was induced by instigation of occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 24 h. The rats were divided into 6 groups: sham, permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO), pMCAO with neferine and nimodipine treatment. To investigate the severity of the injury, the neurological deficit score and morphological alterations were investigated. After 24 h, the rats were evaluated to assess neurological deficit, infarct volume, morphological change, and the number of apoptotic cell deaths. In addition, the brain tissues were examined by western blot analysis to calculate the expression of proteins related to oxidative stress and apoptosis. The data showed that the neurological deficit scores and the infarct volume were significantly reduced in the neferine-treated rats compared to the vehicle group. Treatment with neferine significantly reduced oxidative stress with a measurable decrease in 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), nitric oxide (NO), neuronal nitric oxide (nNOS), and calcium levels and an upregulation of Hsp70 expression. Neferine treatment also significantly decreased apoptosis, with a decrease in Bax and cleaved caspase-3 and an increase in Bcl-2. This study suggested that neferine had a neuroprotective effect on permanent cerebral ischemia in rats by diminishing oxidative stress and apoptosis.
Collapse
|
4
|
Wan Y, Xia J, Xu JF, Chen L, Yang Y, Wu JJ, Tang F, Ao H, Peng C. Nuciferine, an active ingredient derived from lotus leaf, lights up the way for the potential treatment of obesity and obesity-related diseases. Pharmacol Res 2021; 175:106002. [PMID: 34826599 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.106002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Obesity, is an increasingly global public health problem associated complications. However, the proven anti-obesity agents are inefficient with adverse side effects; hence attention is being paid to novel drugs from natural resources to manage obesity and obesity-related diseases. Nuciferine (NF) is a high-quality aporphine alkaloid present in lotus leaf. Unlike the chemical drugs, NF elicits anti-obesity, anti-dyslipidemia, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hypouricemic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects, and affinity to neural receptors, and protection against obesity-related diseases. The underlying mechanism of NF includes the regulation of targeted molecules and pathways related to metabolism, inflammation, and cancer and modulation of Ca2+ flux, gut microbiota, and ferroptosis. Besides, the clinical application, availability, pharmacokinetics, pharmaceutics, and security of NF have been established, highlighting the potential of developing NF as an anti-obesity agent. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive summarization, which sheds light on future research in NF.
Collapse
|
5
|
Tu DN, Hoang NH, Diep NT, Van Khanh H, Quyet N, Dung PT, Ebel R, Tai BH, Cuong NT, Tuyen NV, Kiem PV, Nhiem NX. Stereochemical assignment of three new benzylisoquinoline alkaloids from Phaeanthus vietnamensis by NMR study combined with CD spectroscopy. Magn Reson Chem 2021; 59:1160-1164. [PMID: 34378817 DOI: 10.1002/mrc.5203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Duong Ngoc Tu
- Institute of Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), Hanoi, Vietnam
| | | | - Nguyen Thi Diep
- Institute of Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Ho Van Khanh
- Institute of Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), Hanoi, Vietnam
| | | | | | - Rainer Ebel
- Marine Biodiscovery Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
| | - Bui Huu Tai
- Institute of Marine Biochemistry, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen The Cuong
- Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, VAST, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Van Tuyen
- Institute of Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), Hanoi, Vietnam
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sengking J, Oka C, Wicha P, Yawoot N, Tocharus J, Chaichompoo W, Suksamrarn A, Tocharus C. Neferine Protects Against Brain Damage in Permanent Cerebral Ischemic Rat Associated with Autophagy Suppression and AMPK/mTOR Regulation. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:6304-6315. [PMID: 34498225 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02554-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Neferine is the major alkaloid compound isolated from the seed embryos of lotus. Neferine has many pharmacological effects, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidative stress, and antiapoptotic effects, and it maintains autophagic balance. The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanism by which neferine attenuates autophagy after permanent cerebral ischemia in rats. We performed permanent cerebral ischemia in rats by middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) for 12 h with or without administration of neferine or nimodipine, a calcium (Ca2+) channel blocker. Neuroprotective effects were determined by evaluating the infarct volume and neurological deficits. Autophagy and its signaling pathway were determined by evaluating the expression of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase alpha (AMPKα), phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), beclin-1, microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 class II (LC3-II), and p62 by western blotting. Autophagosomes were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy. Neferine treatment significantly reduced infarct volumes and improved neurological deficits. Neferine significantly attenuated the upregulation of autophagy-associated proteins such as LC3-II, beclin-1, and p62 as well as autophagosome formation, all of which were induced by pMCAO. Neferine exerted remarkable protection against cerebral ischemia, possibly via the regulation of autophagy mediated by the Ca2+-dependent AMPK/mTOR pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jirakhamon Sengking
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Chio Oka
- Laboratory of Gene Function in Animals, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama, Ikoma, Nara, 630-0192, Japan
| | - Piyawadee Wicha
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Nuttapong Yawoot
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, 50200, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Jiraporn Tocharus
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, 50200, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Waraluck Chaichompoo
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok, 10240, Thailand
| | - Apichart Suksamrarn
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok, 10240, Thailand
| | - Chainarong Tocharus
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
- Center for Research and Development of Natural Products for Health, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ablajan N, Zhao B, Zhao JY, Kodirova DR, Sagdullaev SS, Aisa HA. Alkaloids from Delphinium aemulans. Chem Nat Compd 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10600-020-03207-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|