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Wang L, Ren W, Wang L, Mao L, Mazhar M, Zhou C, Xu H, Yang S. Exploring the Ferroptosis Mechanism of Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu Capsule for the Treatment of Intracerebral Hemorrhage Based on Network Pharmacology and In Vivo Validation. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2022; 2022:1-13. [PMID: 36199551 PMCID: PMC9527400 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5033135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Objective. The purpose of this study is to explore the mechanism of the Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu (ZL) capsule in the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) via targeting ferroptosis based on network pharmacology. Methods. The active ingredients and related key targets of the ZL capsule were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). The gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were also performed. Finally, identified targets were validated in an in-vivo model of ICH. Results. A total of 30 active ingredients and 33 intersecting targets were identified through a TCMSP database search. Ingredients-Targets-Pathways network was constructed to filter out the key targets according to the degree value. TP53 was selected as the key target. The in-vivo validation studies demonstrated that TP53 was down-regulated and GPX4 was upregulated in rats following ZL capsule treatment. Conclusions. It is concluded that the ZL capsule could alleviate ICH in a muti-target and multi-pathway manner. ZL capsule could alleviate ICH by inhibiting ferroptosis, and TP53 is identified to be the potential target. Further research is needed to clarify the detailed anti-ferroptotic mechanism of the ZL capsule.
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Alsanie WF, Alamri AS, Abdulaziz O, Salih MM, Alamri A, Asdaq SMB, Alhomrani MH, Alhomrani M. Antidepressant Effect of Crocin in Mice with Chronic Mild Stress. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27175462. [PMID: 36080230 PMCID: PMC9457951 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27175462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the antidepressant property of crocin (Crocetin digentiobiose ester) using a chronic mild stress (CMS)-induced depression model in experimental mice. The tail suspension test (TST) and the sucrose preference test were used to evaluate the antidepressant effect on albino mice of either sex after three weeks of CMS. The period of immobility in the TST and percentage preference for sucrose solution were recorded. By monitoring brain malondialdehyde (MDA) level, catalase (CAT) activity, and reduced glutathione (GSH) level, the antioxidant potential was assessed. Three dosages of crocin (4.84, 9.69, and 19.38 mg/kg) were evaluated. When compared to controls, animals that received crocin administration during three periods of CMS had considerably shorter immobility times during the TST. Crocin treatment also raised the percentage preference for sucrose solution in a dose-dependent manner, bringing it to parity with the conventional antidepressant, imipramine. Animals that received a high dose of crocin had a much greater spontaneous locomotor activity. Furthermore, a high dose of crocin remarkably lowered plasma corticosterone and nitrite levels brought on by CMS. Additionally, high doses of crocin given during CMS greatly enhanced reduced glutathione levels while considerably reducing the brain’s MDA and catalase activities. In conclusion, high doses of crocin may have an antidepressant effect in an animal model through several mechanisms. However, further studies should be carried out to explore the role of neurotransmitters for their antidepressant property.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walaa F. Alsanie
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, The Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
- Centre of Biomedical Sciences Research (CBSR), Deanship of Scientific Research, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulhakeem S. Alamri
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, The Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
- Centre of Biomedical Sciences Research (CBSR), Deanship of Scientific Research, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Osama Abdulaziz
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, The Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Magdi M. Salih
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, The Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulwahab Alamri
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Hail, Hail 81451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Syed Mohammed Basheeruddin Asdaq
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Dariyah 13713, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: (S.M.B.A.); (M.A.)
| | | | - Majid Alhomrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, The Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
- Centre of Biomedical Sciences Research (CBSR), Deanship of Scientific Research, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: (S.M.B.A.); (M.A.)
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Shahbaz K, Chang D, Zhou X, Low M, Seto SW, Li CG. Crocins for Ischemic Stroke: A Review of Current Evidence. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:825842. [PMID: 35991882 PMCID: PMC9388830 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.825842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Crocins (CRs) and the related active constituents derived from Crocus sativus L. (Saffron) have demonstrated protective effects against cerebral ischemia and ischemic stroke, with various bioactivities including neuroprotection, anti-neuroinflammation, antioxidant, and cardiovascular protection. Among CRs, crocin (CR) has been shown to act on multiple mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in ischemic stroke, including mitochondrial apoptosis, nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of B cells pathway, S100 calcium-binding protein B, interleukin-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor-A. CR is generally safe and well-tolerated. Pharmacokinetic studies indicate that CR has poor bioavailability and needs to convert to crocetin (CC) in order to cross the blood-brain barrier. Clinical studies have shown the efficacy of saffron and CR in treating various conditions, including metabolic syndrome, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and coronary artery disease. There is evidence supporting CR as a treatment for ischemic stroke, although further studies are needed to confirm their efficacy and safety in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Shahbaz
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Kiran Shahbaz, ; Chung Guang Li,
| | - Dennis Chang
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Xian Zhou
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Mitchell Low
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Sai Wang Seto
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
- Reserach Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chung Guang Li
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Kiran Shahbaz, ; Chung Guang Li,
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Siddiqui SA, Ali Redha A, Snoeck ER, Singh S, Simal-Gandara J, Ibrahim SA, Jafari SM. Anti-Depressant Properties of Crocin Molecules in Saffron. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27072076. [PMID: 35408474 PMCID: PMC9000812 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27072076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Saffron is a valued herb, obtained from the stigmas of the C. sativus Linn (Iridaceae), with therapeutic effects. It has been described in pharmacopoeias to be variously acting, including as an anti-depressant, anti-carcinogen, and stimulant agent. The therapeutic effects of saffron are harbored in its bioactive molecules, notably crocins, the subject of this paper. Crocins have been demonstrated to act as a monoamine oxidase type A and B inhibitor. Furthermore, saffron petal extracts have experimentally been shown to impact contractile response in electrical field stimulation. Other research suggests that saffron also inhibits the reuptake of monoamines, exhibits N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonism, and improves brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling. A host of experimental studies found saffron/crocin to be similarly effective as fluoxetine and imipramine in the treatment of depression disorders. Saffron and crocins propose a natural solution to combat depressive disorders. However, some hurdles, such as stability and delivery, need to be overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahida Anusha Siddiqui
- Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Technical University of Munich, Essigberg 3, 94315 Straubing, Germany;
- German Institute of Food Technologies (DIL e.V.), 49610 D-Quakenbrück, Germany
| | - Ali Ali Redha
- Department of Sport and Health Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK;
- Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Edgar Remmet Snoeck
- Food Technology Study Programme, HAS University of Applied Sciences, Onderwijsboulevard 221, 5223 DE ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands;
| | - Shubhra Singh
- Department of Tropical Agriculture and International Cooperation, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, No. 1, Xuefu Rd, Neipu Township, Pingtung City 912, Taiwan;
| | - Jesus Simal-Gandara
- Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science, Faculty of Science, Universidade de Vigo, E-32004 Ourense, Spain;
| | - Salam A. Ibrahim
- Food and Nutritional Sciences Program, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, E. Market Street, 1601, Greensboro, NC 24711, USA;
| | - Seid Mahdi Jafari
- Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science, Faculty of Science, Universidade de Vigo, E-32004 Ourense, Spain;
- Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan 49189, Iran
- Correspondence:
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Scuto M, Ontario ML, Salinaro AT, Caligiuri I, Rampulla F, Zimbone V, Modafferi S, Rizzolio F, Canzonieri V, Calabrese EJ, Calabrese V. Redox modulation by plant polyphenols targeting vitagenes for chemoprevention and therapy: Relevance to novel anti-cancer interventions and mini-brain organoid technology. Free Radic Biol Med 2022; 179:59-75. [PMID: 34929315 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.12.267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The scientific community, recently, has focused notable attention on the chemopreventive and therapeutic effects of dietary polyphenols for human health. Emerging evidence demonstrates that polyphenols, flavonoids and vitamins counteract and neutralize genetic and environmental stressors, particularly oxidative stress and inflammatory process closely connected to cancer initiation, promotion and progression. Interestingly, polyphenols can exert antioxidant or pro-oxidant cytotoxic effects depending on their endogenous concentration. Notably, polyphenols at high dose act as pro-oxidants in a wide type of cancer cells by inhibiting Nrf2 pathway and the expression of antioxidant vitagenes, such as NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), glutathione transferase (GT), GPx, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), sirtuin-1 (Sirt1) and thioredoxin (Trx) system which play an essential role in the metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS), detoxification of xenobiotics and inhibition of cancer progression, by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest according to the hormesis approach. Importantly, mutagenesis of Nrf2 pathway can exacerbate its "dark side" role, representing a crucial event in the initiation stage of carcinogenesis. Herein, we review the hormetic effects of polyphenols and nanoincapsulated-polyphenols in chemoprevention and treatment of brain tumors via activation or inhibition of Nrf2/vitagenes to suppress carcinogenesis in the early stages, and thus inhibit its progression. Lastly, we discuss innovative preclinical approaches through mini-brain tumor organoids to study human carcinogenesis, from basic cancer research to clinical practice, as promising tools to recapitulate the arrangement of structural neuronal tissues and biological functions of the human brain, as well as test drug toxicity and drive personalized and precision medicine in brain cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Scuto
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95124, Catania, Italy; Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Ontario
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95124, Catania, Italy
| | - Angela Trovato Salinaro
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95124, Catania, Italy.
| | - Isabella Caligiuri
- Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Francesco Rampulla
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95124, Catania, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Zimbone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95124, Catania, Italy
| | - Sergio Modafferi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95124, Catania, Italy
| | - Flavio Rizzolio
- Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, 33081, Aviano, Italy; Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca'Foscari University of Venice, 30123, Venezia, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Canzonieri
- Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, 33081, Aviano, Italy; Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95124, Catania, Italy.
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Song YN, Wang Y, Zheng YH, Liu TL, Zhang C. Crocins: A comprehensive review of structural characteristics, pharmacokinetics and therapeutic effects. Fitoterapia 2021; 153:104969. [PMID: 34147548 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2021.104969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Crocins, as a kind of water-soluble carotenoid pigment, are a series of ester compounds formed from crocetin and gentibiose or glucose, and mainly distributed among Crocus sativus L. (CSL), Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. (GJE). Crocins exhibit a wide range of pharmacological effects on neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, depression, liver disease, arthritis, tumor, diabetes, etc. This review systematically discussed the pharmacologic study of crocins in the aspect of structural characteristic and pharmacokinetics, and summarized the mechanism of treating disease. It summarized the abundant research of crocins from 1984 to 2020 based on the above aspects, which provide a reference for the deeply development and application of crocins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Nan Song
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China; Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271016, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Ying-Hao Zheng
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | | | - Cun Zhang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
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Pitsikas N. Crocus sativus L. Extracts and Its Constituents Crocins and Safranal; Potential Candidates for Schizophrenia Treatment? Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26051237. [PMID: 33669124 PMCID: PMC7956290 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26051237] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental devastating disease. Current therapy suffers from various limitations including low efficacy and serious side effects. Thus, there is an urgent necessity to develop new antipsychotics with higher efficacy and safety. The dried stigma of the plant Crocus sativus L., (CS) commonly known as saffron, are used in traditional medicine for various purposes. It has been demonstrated that saffron and its bioactive components crocins and safranal exert a beneficial action in different pathologies of the central nervous system such as anxiety, depression, epilepsy and memory problems. Recently, their role as potential antipsychotic agents is under investigation. In the present review, I intended to critically assess advances in research of these molecules for the treatment of schizophrenia, comment on their advantages over currently used neuroleptics as well-remaining challenges. Up to our days, few preclinical studies have been conducted to this end. In spite of it, results are encouraging and strongly corroborate that additional research is mandatory aiming to definitively establish a role for saffron and its bioactive components for the treatment of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Pitsikas
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, Panepistimiou 3, 415-00 Larissa, Greece
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Pitsikas N, Tarantilis PA. Crocins, the Bioactive Components of Crocus sativus L., Counteract the Disrupting Effects of Anesthetic Ketamine on Memory in Rats. Molecules 2021; 26:528. [PMID: 33498440 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26030528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Consistent experimental evidence suggests that anesthetic doses of the non-competitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist ketamine cause severe memory impairments in rodents. Crocins are among the various bioactive ingredients of the plant Crocus sativus L., and their implication in memory is well-documented. It has not yet been elucidated if crocins are able to attenuate the memory deficits produced by anesthetic ketamine. The present study was undertaken aiming to clarify this issue in the rat. For this aim, the object recognition, the object location and the habituation tests, reflecting non-spatial recognition memory, spatial recognition memory and associative memory, respectively, were utilized. A post-training challenge with crocins (15–30 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.), acutely) counteracted anesthetic ketamine (100 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced performance impairments in all the above-mentioned behavioral memory paradigms. The current findings suggest that crocins modulate anesthetic ketamine’s amnestic effects.
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Zeka K, Marrazzo P, Micucci M, Ruparelia KC, Arroo RRJ, Macchiarelli G, Annarita Nottola S, Continenza MA, Chiarini A, Angeloni C, Hrelia S, Budriesi R. Activity of Antioxidants from Crocus sativus L. Petals: Potential Preventive Effects towards Cardiovascular System. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9111102. [PMID: 33182461 PMCID: PMC7697793 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9111102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The petals of the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus L.) are considered a waste material in saffron production, but may be a sustainable source of natural biologically active substances of nutraceutical interest. The aim of this work was to study the cardiovascular effects of kaempferol and crocin extracted from saffron petals. The antiarrhythmic, inotropic, and chronotropic effects of saffron petal extract (SPE), kaempferol, and crocin were evaluated through in vitro biological assays. The antioxidant activity of kaempferol and crocin was investigated through the 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay using rat cardiomyoblast cell line H9c2. The MTT assay was applied to assess the effects of kaempferol and crocin on cell viability. SPE showed weak negative inotropic and chronotropic intrinsic activities but a significant intrinsic activity on smooth muscle with a potency on the ileum greater than on the aorta: EC50 = 0.66 mg/mL versus EC50 = 1.45 mg/mL. Kaempferol and crocin showed a selective negative inotropic activity. In addition, kaempferol decreased the contraction induced by KCl (80 mM) in guinea pig aortic and ileal strips, while crocin had no effect. Furthermore, following oxidative stress, both crocin and kaempferol decreased intracellular ROS formation and increased cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. The results indicate that SPE, a by-product of saffron cultivation, may represent a good source of phytochemicals with a potential application in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keti Zeka
- Department of Haematology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Long Road, Cambridge CB2 0PT, UK;
| | - Pasquale Marrazzo
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Corso d’Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy; (P.M.); (S.H.)
| | - Matteo Micucci
- Nutraceutical Lab, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.C.); (R.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Ketan C. Ruparelia
- Leicester School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK; (K.C.R.); (R.R.J.A.)
| | - Randolph R. J. Arroo
- Leicester School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK; (K.C.R.); (R.R.J.A.)
| | - Guido Macchiarelli
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (G.M.); (M.A.C.)
| | - Stefania Annarita Nottola
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopaedics, La Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Maria Adelaide Continenza
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (G.M.); (M.A.C.)
| | - Alberto Chiarini
- Nutraceutical Lab, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Cristina Angeloni
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino (MC), Italy;
| | - Silvana Hrelia
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Corso d’Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy; (P.M.); (S.H.)
| | - Roberta Budriesi
- Nutraceutical Lab, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.C.); (R.B.)
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Krishnaswamy VKD, Alugoju P, Periyasamy L. Effect of short-term oral supplementation of crocin on age-related oxidative stress, cholinergic, and mitochondrial dysfunction in rat cerebral cortex. Life Sci 2020; 263:118545. [PMID: 33038382 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Aging is associated with oxidative stress and altered cholinergic and mitochondrial function. Crocin is a carotenoid antioxidant that quenches free radicals and protects cells and tissues from oxidation in biological systems. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of oral supplementation of Crocin on age-associated oxidative stress, cholinergic, and mitochondrial function in rat cerebral cortex. MAIN METHODS The middle-aged (15 months old) rats were segregated into three groups (n = 6): Control (ad-libitum fed +0.9% saline as vehicle), Cro 50 (ad-libitum fed + crocin 50 mg/kg/day), Cro 150 (ad-libitum fed + crocin 150 mg/kg/day). The experiment was scheduled for 45 days. The serum and brain parameters were estimated after euthanasia. KEY FINDINGS Crocin supplementation of Cro 50 and Cro 150 displayed a relative decline in body weight gain during the experimental period and significantly reduced age-associated serum triglyceride level over control. In rat cerebral cortex, age-associated macromolecular damage, decline in endogenous antioxidants and an increase in intracellular calcium concentration were significantly reversed due to oral supplementation of Crocin. Cro 150 significantly improved acetylcholine content as a consequence of acetylcholinesterase inhibition. Further, remarkable mitochondrial function was observed in Cro 150 over the control group as determined by citrate synthase and cytochrome C oxidase enzyme activities. SIGNIFICANCE Oral supplementation of Crocin significantly reversed age-associated oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory markers. Meanwhile, Cro 150 remarkably improved cholinergic and mitochondrial function over the control group and facilitated further delay in the aging process due to enhanced cognitive effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- V K D Krishnaswamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pondicherry University, India
| | - Phaniendra Alugoju
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pondicherry University, India
| | - Latha Periyasamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pondicherry University, India.
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Colapietro A, Mancini A, Vitale F, Martellucci S, Angelucci A, Llorens S, Mattei V, Gravina GL, Alonso GL, Festuccia C. Crocetin Extracted from Saffron Shows Antitumor Effects in Models of Human Glioblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E423. [PMID: 31936544 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21020423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Over recent years, many authors discussed the effects of different natural compounds on glioblastoma (GBM). Due to its capacity to impair survival and progression of different cancer types, saffron extract (SE), named crocetin (CCT), is particularly noteworthy. In this work, we elucidated the antitumor properties of crocetin in glioma in vivo and in vitro models for the first time. The in vitro results showed that the four tumor cell lines observed in this study (U251, U87, U138, and U373), which were treated with increasing doses of crocetin, showed antiproliferative and pro-differentiative effects as demonstrated by a significant reduction in the number of viable cells, deep changes in cell morphology, and the modulation of mesenchymal and neuronal markers. Indeed, crocetin decreased the expression of Cluster of Differentiation CD44, CD90, CXCR4, and OCT3/4 mesenchymal markers, but increased the expression of βIII-Tubulin and neurofilaments (NFH) neuronal linage-related markers. Epigenetic mechanisms may modulate these changes, since Histone Deacetylase, HDAC1 and HDAC3 were downmodulated in U251 and U87 cells, whereas HDAC1 expression was downmodulated in U138 and U373 cells. Western blotting analyses of Fatty Acid Synthase, FASN, and CD44 resulted in effective inhibition of these markers after CCT treatment, which was associated with important activation of the apoptosis program and reduced glioma cell movement and wound repair. The in vivo studies aligned with the results obtained in vitro. Indeed, crocetin was demonstrated to inhibit the growth of U251 and U87 cells that were subcutaneously injected into animal models. In particular, the Tumor To Progression or TTP values and Kaplan-Meier curves indicated that crocetin had more major effects than radiotherapy alone, but similar effects to temozolomide (TMZ). An intra-brain cell inoculation of a small number of luciferase-transfected U251 cells provided a model that was able to recapitulate recurrence after surgical tumor removal. The results obtained from the orthotopic intra-brain model indicated that CCT treatment increased the disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates, inducing a delay in appearance of a detectable bioluminescent lesion. CCT showed greater efficacy than Radio Therapy (RT) but comparable efficacy to temozolomide in xenograft models. Therefore, we aimed to continue the study of crocetin's effects in glioma disease, focusing our attention on the radiosensitizing properties of the natural compound and highlighting the ways in which this was realized.
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Fernández-Albarral JA, de Hoz R, Ramírez AI, López-Cuenca I, Salobrar-García E, Pinazo-Durán MD, Ramírez JM, Salazar JJ. Beneficial effects of saffron ( Crocus sativus L.) in ocular pathologies, particularly neurodegenerative retinal diseases. Neural Regen Res 2020; 15:1408-1416. [PMID: 31997799 PMCID: PMC7059587 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.274325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) has been traditionally used in food preparation and as a medicinal plant. It currently has numerous therapeutic properties attributed to it, such as protection against ischemia, as well as anticonvulsant, antidepressant, anxiolytic, hypolipidemic, anti-atherogenic, anti-hypertensive, antidiabetic, and anti-cancer properties. In addition, saffron has remarkable beneficial properties, such as anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, due to its main metabolites, among which crocin and crocetin stand out. Furthermore, increasing evidence underwrites the possible neuroprotective role of the main bioactive saffron constituents in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, both in experimental models and in clinical studies in patients. Currently, saffron supplementation is being tested for ocular neurodegenerative pathologies, such as diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma, among others, and shows beneficial effects. The present article provides a comprehensive and up to date report of the investigations on the beneficial effects of saffron extracts on the main neurodegenerative ocular pathologies and other ocular diseases. This review showed that saffron extracts could be considered promising therapeutic agents to help in the treatment of ocular neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosa de Hoz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo; Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana I Ramírez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo; Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés López-Cuenca
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - María D Pinazo-Durán
- Unidad de Investigación Oftalmológica Santiago Grisolia, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - José M Ramírez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo; Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Facultad de Medicina, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan J Salazar
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo; Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Madrid, Spain
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Karkoula E, Dagla IV, Baira E, Kokras N, Dalla C, Skaltsounis AL, Gikas E, Tsarbopoulos A. A novel UHPLC-HRMS-based metabolomics strategy enables the discovery of potential neuroactive metabolites in mice plasma, following i.p. administration of the main Crocus sativus L. bioactive component. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2019; 177:112878. [PMID: 31561062 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2019.112878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Trans-crocin 4 (TC4) is an important carotenoid constituent of saffron showing potential activity against Alzheimer's Disease (AD) due to its antioxidant and antiamyloidogenic properties. Metabolomics is an emerging scientific field that enhances biomarker discovery and reveals underlying biochemical mechanisms aiming towards the early subclinical diagnosis of diseases. To date, there are no reports on the changes induced to mice plasma metabolome after TC4 administration. We report a novel untargeted UHPLC-ESI HRMS metabolomics strategy to determine the alteration of the metabolic fingerprint following i.p. administration of TC4 in male and female mice. Blood samples from fiftysix mice treated with TC4 as well as from control animals were analyzed with UHPLC-ESI HRMS. Statistical evaluation of the results was achieved by multivariate analysis (MVA), i.e., principal component analysis (PCA), Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) in order to discover the variables that contributed to the discrimination between treated and untreated groups which were identified by online database searching (e.g., Metlin, HMDB, KEGG) aided by chemometric processing, e.g., covariance searching etc. Due to the high variability imposed by various factors, e.g., sex of the animals participating in the study, administration dose and time-points of sacrifice, multilevel sparse PLS-DA analysis, e.g., splitting variation to each individual component, has been employed as a more efficient approach for such designs. This methodology allowed the identification of the time sequence of metabolome changes due to the administration of TC4, whereas a sex-related effect on the metabolome is indicated, denoting that the administration in both sexes is indispensable in order to acquire safe conclusions as reliable metabolome pictures. The results demonstrated a number of annotated metabolites playing a potential role in neuroprotection while they are closely related to AD. Moreover, five additional annotated metabolites were involved in the steroid biosynthesis pathway while two of them may be considered as putative neuroprotective agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia Karkoula
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Pharmacology, 115 27 Athens, Greece; GAIA Research Center, The Goulandris Natural History Museum, Bioanalytical Department, 145 62 Kifissia, Greece
| | - Ioanna-Valentini Dagla
- Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 71 Athens, Greece
| | - Eirini Baira
- Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 71 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Kokras
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Pharmacology, 115 27 Athens, Greece; First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Dalla
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Pharmacology, 115 27 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Evagelos Gikas
- Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 71 Athens, Greece
| | - Anthony Tsarbopoulos
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Pharmacology, 115 27 Athens, Greece; GAIA Research Center, The Goulandris Natural History Museum, Bioanalytical Department, 145 62 Kifissia, Greece.
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Fernández-Albarral JA, Ramírez AI, de Hoz R, López-Villarín N, Salobrar-García E, López-Cuenca I, Licastro E, Inarejos-García AM, Almodóvar P, Pinazo-Durán MD, Ramírez JM, Salazar JJ. Neuroprotective and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of a Hydrophilic Saffron Extract in a Model of Glaucoma. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E4110. [PMID: 31443568 PMCID: PMC6747458 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20174110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). An increase in the intraocular pressure is the principal risk factor for such loss, but controlling this pressure does not always prevent glaucomatous damage. Activation of immune cells resident in the retina (microglia) may contribute to RGC death. Thus, a substance with anti-inflammatory activity may protect against RGC degeneration. This study investigated the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of a hydrophilic saffron extract standardized to 3% crocin content in a mouse model of unilateral, laser-induced ocular hypertension (OHT). Treatment with saffron extract decreased microglion numbers and morphological signs of their activation, including soma size and process retraction, both in OHT and in contralateral eyes. Saffron extract treatment also partially reversed OHT-induced down-regulation of P2RY12. In addition, the extract prevented retinal ganglion cell death in OHT eyes. Oral administration of saffron extract was able to decrease the neuroinflammation associated with increased intraocular pressure, preventing retinal ganglion cell death. Our findings indicate that saffron extract may exert a protective effect in glaucomatous pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana I Ramírez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, UCM, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, UCM, 28037 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa de Hoz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, UCM, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, UCM, 28037 Madrid, Spain
| | - Nerea López-Villarín
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, UCM, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Salobrar-García
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, UCM, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés López-Cuenca
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, UCM, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ester Licastro
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, UCM, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Paula Almodóvar
- Pharmactive Biotech Products, SL. Parque Científico de Madrid, Faraday 7, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria D Pinazo-Durán
- Unidad de Investigación Oftalmológica Santiago Grisolia, Universidad de Valencia, 46017 Valencia, Spain
| | - José M Ramírez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, UCM, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
- Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Facultad de Medicina, UCM, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Juan J Salazar
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, UCM, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
- Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, UCM, 28037 Madrid, Spain.
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