Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc

Cornus officinalis with high pressure wine steaming enhanced anti-hepatic fibrosis: Possible through SIRT3-AMPK axis

Cornus officinalis, a medicinal and edible plant known for its liver-nourishing properties, has shown promise in inhibiting the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), crucial indicators of hepatic fibrosis, especially when processed by high pressure wine steaming (HPWS). Herein, this study aims to investigate the regulatory effects of cornus officinalis, both in its raw and HPWS forms, on inflammation and apoptosis in liver fibrosis and their underlying mechanisms. In vivo liver fibrosis models were established by subcutaneous injection of CCl4, while in vitro HSCs were exposed to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). These findings demonstrated that cornus officinalis with HPWS conspicuously ameliorated histopathological injury, reduced the release of proinflammatory factors, and decreased collagen deposition in CCl4-induced rats compared to its raw form. Utilizing ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (UHPLC-QTOF-MS) combined with network analysis, we identified that the pharmacological effects of the changed components of cornus officinalis before and after HPWS, primarily centered on the adenosine phosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway. Of note, cornus officinalis activated AMPK and Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), promoting the apoptosis of activated HSCs through the caspase cascade by regulating caspase3, caspase6 and caspase9. siRNA experiments showed that cornus officinalis could regulate AMPK activity and its mediated-apoptosis through SIRT3. In conclusion, cornus officinalis exhibited the ability to reduce inflammation and apoptosis, with the SIRT3-AMPK signaling pathway identified as a potential mechanism underlying the synergistic effect of cornus officinalis with HPWS on anti-liver fibrosis.

Review on the potential roles of traditional Chinese medicines in the prevention, treatment, and postoperative recovery of age-related cataract

ETHNIC PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cataract is the most common cause of blindness worldwide, a visual disorder caused by a clouded lens that seriously affects People's Daily lives. Age-related cataract (ARC) is the most common type of cataract due to long-term combined effects of many factors, and its pathogenesis is varied. At present, the surgery is the main treatment for cataracts, but it is still limited to the prevention, treatment of early cataracts and the postoperative complications care. While, its drug treatments are still in the stage of exploration and research. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a unique resource in China, is conceived under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine theory and has little toxicity and side effects, but it has made great progress in the treatment and prevention of ARC.

AIM OF THIS REVIEW

This review presents an overview of the pathogenesis of ARC in both traditional and modern medicines and summarizes the history and therapeutic effect of TCM on ARC including their formula, crude drugs and active components, and also the other auxiliary methods.

METHODS

A number of recognized databases like SciFinder, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were extensively explored by using keywords and phrases such as "cataract", "age-related cataract", "traditional medicine", "ethnopharmacology", "herbs", "medicinal plants", or other relevant terms, and the plants/phytoconstituents that are evaluated in the models of age-related cataract. As well as the current TCM adjuvant therapy used in the clinical treatment were summarized.

RESULTS

TCM revealed to plays an active role in treating age-related cataract, via multi-pathway and multi-target, and can treat or delay ARC by inhibiting abnormal glucose metabolism, antioxidant damage, inhibiting LEC apoptosis, and so on, which is in concordance with the good effects of the global use of TCM in clinical application. Concerning the early prevention and treatment of cataract and postoperative complications, TCM and auxiliary methods remain to achieve better clinical effects.

CONCLUSION

ARC belongs to the category of "Yuan Yi Nei Zhang" in TCM theory, showing that there are many causes of ARC including aging, and kidney-yang, spleen, sperm and blood deficiencies. At the same time, the viscera gradually decline, as well as yin or yang progressively become weak, especially in the elder people. So, TCM could be mainly based on liver, kidney, and spleen syndrome differentiation, personalizing diagnosis and treatment, following multiple targets, regulating fundamentally yin and yang, and thus justifying the advantages of Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of ARC.

Cloning and Expression Analysis of Key Enzyme Gene CoGPPS Involved in Iridoid Glycoside Synthesis in Cornus officinalis

Cornus iridoid glycosides (CIGs), including loganin and morroniside, are the main active components of Cornus officinalis. As one of the key enzymes in the biosynthesis of CIGs, geranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GPPS) catalyzes the formation of geranyl pyrophosphate, which is the direct precursor of CIGs. In this study, the C. officinalis geranyl pyrophosphate synthase (CoGPPS) sequence was cloned from C. officinalis and analyzed. The cDNA sequence of the CoGPPS gene was 915 bp (GenBank No. OR725699). Phylogenetic analysis showed that CoGPPS was closely related to the GPPS sequence of Actinidia chinensis and Camellia sinensis, but relatively distantly related to Paeonia lactiflora and Tripterygium wilfordii. Results from the quantitative real-time PCR showed the spatiotemporal expression pattern of CoGPPS; that is, CoGPPS was specifically expressed in the fruits. Subcellular localization assay proved that CoGPPS was specifically found in chloroplasts. Loganin and morroniside contents in the tissues were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography, and both compounds were found to be at higher levels in the fruits than in leaves. Thus, this study laid the foundation for further studies on the synthetic pathway of CIGs.

Efficacy of natural products on premature ovarian failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the effects of natural products on animal models of premature ovarian failure (POF).

METHODS

We conducted comprehensive literature searches and identified relevant studies that examined the protective effects of natural products on experimental POF. We extracted quantitative data on various aspects such as follicular development, ovarian function, physical indicators, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory factors, and protein changes. The data was analyzed using random-effects meta-analyses, calculating pooled standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic, and bias was estimated using the SYRCLE tool.

RESULTS

Among the 879 reviewed records, 25 articles met our inclusion criteria. These findings demonstrate that treatment with different phytochemicals and marine natural products (flavonoids, phenols, peptides, and alkaloids, etc.) significantly improved various aspects of ovarian function compared to control groups. The treatment led to an increase in follicle count at different stages, elevated levels of key hormones, and a decrease in atretic follicles and hormone levels associated with POF. This therapy also reduced oxidative stress (specifically polyphenols, resveratrol) and apoptotic cell death (particularly flavonoids, chrysin) in ovarian granulosa cells, although it showed no significant impact on inflammatory responses. The certainty of evidence supporting these findings ranged from low to moderate.

CONCLUSIONS

Phytochemicals and marine natural product therapy (explicitly flavonoids, phenols, peptides, and alkaloids) has shown potential in enhancing folliculogenesis and improving ovarian function in animal models of POF. These findings provide promising strategies to protect ovarian reserve and reproductive health. Targeting oxidative stress and apoptosis pathways may be the underlying mechanism.

Development and validation of a simple and rapid UPLC-MS/MS method for loganin and its application in pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. is a medicinal and edible homolog in traditional Chinese medicine. Loganin, an iridoid glycoside, is one of the main active components of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. Loganin has been demonstrated to improve depression-like behavior and may be a potential antidepressant candidate. However, the pharmacokinetic characteristics and tissue distribution of loganin, especially in the brain region, are still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to investigate the pharmacokinetic characteristics and tissue distribution after oral administration of loganin in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A simple, rapid and reproducible UPLC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the determination of loganin in rat plasma and tissues. The samples were prepared by acetonitrile precipitation with chloramphenicol as internal standard (IS). Loganin was separated by gradient elution on ACQUITY UPLC®BEH C18 (2.1 × 50 mm, 1.7 μm) using multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) mode. Concentration-time data was subjected to pharmacokinetic analysis. The pharmacokinetic parameters of loganin in rat plasma were analyzed by compartment model using DAS 2.0 software.

RESULTS

The established UPLC-MS/MS method was accurate and reliable with a good linearity (R2 > 0.99) in the respective concentration range, satisfying the quantitative requirements. This method was successfully used to study the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution after oral administration of loganin in rats. The peak time (Tmax) of oral administration was about 40 min, and the half-life (t1/2) was about 50 min, indicating that loganin was quickly absorbed and eliminated in rats. Oral bioavailability was 5.50%. The dose correlation results showed that AUC had a poor correlation with dose, while Cmax had a good correlation with dose. In tissues, loganin (35 mg/kg) was highly distributed in the stomach, small intestine, kidney, liver and lung. When the dose was 70 mg/kg, loganin had significant distribution in the cortex.

CONCLUSION

In this study, a simple and sensitive UPLC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the determination of loganin in rat plasma and tissues. Loganin was absorbed quickly, eliminated quickly, and had low bioavailability. The distribution of loganin in the cortex was higher than that in the hippocampus. We hope that our results can provide a reference for loganin to become a new antidepressant.

Morroniside-mediated mitigation of stem cell and endothelial cell dysfunction for the therapy of glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head

BACKGROUND

Prolonged use of glucocorticoids (GCs) potentially lead to a condition known as GCs-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (GIONFH). The primary mechanisms underlying this phenomenon lies in stem cells and endothelial cells dysfunctions. Morroniside, an iridoid glycoside sourced from Cornus officinalis, possesses numerous biological capabilities, including combating oxidative stress, preventing apoptosis, opposing ischemic effects, and promoting the regeneration of bone tissue.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to analyze the impact of Morroniside on Dexamethasone (DEX)-induced dysfunction in stem cells and endothelial cells, and its potential as a therapeutic agent for GIONFH in rat models.

METHODS

ROS assay, JC-1 assay, and TUNEL assay were used to detect oxidative stress and apoptosis levels in vitro. For the evaluation of the osteogenic capability of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, we employed ALP and ARS staining. Additionally, the angiogenic ability of endothelial cells was assessed using tube formation assay and migration assay. Microcomputed tomography analysis, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and immunohistochemical staining were utilized to evaluate the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of Morroniside.

RESULTS

Morroniside mitigates DEX-induced excessive ROS expression and cell apoptosis, effectively reducing oxidative stress and alleviating cell death. In terms of osteogenesis, Morroniside reverses DEX-induced osteogenic impairment, as evidenced by enhanced ALP and ARS staining, as well as increased osteogenic protein expression. In angiogenesis, Morroniside counteracts DEX-induced vascular dysfunction, demonstrated by an increase in tube-like structures in tube formation assays, a rise in the number of migrating cells, and elevated levels of angiogenic proteins. In vivo, our results further indicate that Morroniside alleviates the progression of GIONFH.

CONCLUSION

The experimental findings suggest that Morroniside concurrently mitigates stem cell and endothelial cell dysfunction through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway both in vitro and in vivo. These outcomes suggest that Morroniside serves as a potential therapeutic agent for GIONFH.

A comprehensive review of Cornus officinalis: health benefits, phytochemistry, and pharmacological effects for functional drug and food development

Introduction

Cornus officinalis sieb. et zucc, a deciduous tree or shrub, is renowned for its "Cornus flesh" fruit, which is widely acknowledged for its medicinal value when matured and dried. Leveraging C. officinalis as a foundational ingredient opens avenues for the development of environmentally friendly health foods, ranging from beverages and jams to preserves and canned products. Packed with diverse bioactive compounds, this species manifests a spectrum of pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and cardiovascular protective properties.

Methods

This study employs CiteSpace visual analysis software and a bibliometric analysis platform, drawing upon the Web of Science (WOS) database for literature spanning the last decade. Through a comprehensive analysis of available literature from WOS and Google Scholar, we present a thorough summary of the health benefits, phytochemistry, active compounds, and pharmacological effects of C. officinalis. Particular emphasis is placed on its potential in developing functional drugs and foods.

Results and Discussion

While this review enhances our understanding of C. officinalis as a prospective therapeutic agent, its clinical applicability underscores the need for further research and clinical studies to validate findings and establish safe and effective clinical applications.

Vacuum-steam pulsed blanching: An emerging method to enhance texture softening, drying behavior and physicochemical properties of Cornus officinalis

Vacuum steam pulsed blanching (VSPB) was employed as a novel blanching technology on Cornus officinalis to soften the tissue for subsequent coring and dehydration. The current work aims to explore its effect on mass transfer behavior, PPO inactivation, drying characteristics, physicochemical properties, antioxidant capacity, and microstructure of C. officinalis. Results showed that VSPB increased water loss, decreased solid gain, and increased weight reduction with increased blanching cycles. Besides, VSPB significantly changed physical properties and extensively reduced drying time which was attributed to the cell wall components dissolving and cell turgor pressure decreasing, also verified by observing microstructure alteration. PPO was completely denatured after blanching in 6 cycles, but phenolic compounds were still diffused or degraded. Notably, the content of flavonoids and antioxidant capacity significantly increased compared to fresh samples probably due to increased extractability caused by the disrupting cell structure. Besides, the carotenoids and ascorbic acid could be well preserved.

Morroniside improves the symptoms of post-stroke depression in mice through the BDNF signaling pathway mediated by MiR-409-3p

BACKGROUND

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common psychiatric symptom after a stroke. Morroniside, an iridoid glycoside found in Cornus officinalis, has garnered significant attention for its potential to alleviate symptoms associated with depression.

PURPOSE

This study aims to highlight the potential use of morroniside in the treatment of PSD and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.

METHODS

To establish a reliable PSD model, male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to brief MCAO in conjunction with CUMS. Post-morroniside administration, neuronal viability, and hippocampal cell apoptosis were evaluated by Nissl staining and TUNEL detection, respectively. Depression-like behaviors were evaluated using SPT, TST, and FST. The Longa score and cylinder test were used to evaluate the effect of morroniside on motor function. Furthermore, to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms, bioinformatic analysis and the dual luciferase assay were performed to investigate the MiR-409-3p-BDNF interaction. In addition, subsequent to MiR-409-3p overexpression via AAV virus, we assessed mRNA expression and protein levels of key components within the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway using RT-qPCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blot analysis.

RESULTS

The observed decrease in apoptosis and amelioration of depression-like behaviors strongly indicate the potential of morroniside as a therapeutic agent for PSD. Furthermore, the upregulation of key proteins within the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway in the cortex suggests that morroniside activates this pathway. Through bioinformatics analysis, MiR-409-3p was identified and found to bind to the BDNF gene, resulting in the inhibition of BDNF expression. Importantly, we demonstrate that morroniside mitigates this inhibitory effect of MiR-409-3p on BDNF, thereby facilitating the activation of the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that morroniside demonstrates the ability to improve PSD symptoms through the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway mediated by MiR-409-3p. These results emphasize the importance of the BDNF signaling pathway in improving PSD symptoms and provide a possible mechanism for morroniside to treat PSD.

Role of Gut Microbiota, Immune Imbalance, and Allostatic Load in the Occurrence and Development of Diabetic Kidney Disease

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a prevailing complication arising from diabetes mellitus. Unfortunately, there are no trustworthy and efficacious treatment modalities currently available. In recent times, compelling evidence has emerged regarding the intricate correlation between the kidney and the gut microbiota, which is considered the largest immune organ within the human physique. Various investigations have demonstrated that the perturbation of the gut microbiota and its associated metabolites potentially underlie the etiology and progression of DKD. This phenomenon may transpire through perturbation of both the innate and the adaptive immunity, leading to a burdensome allostatic load on the body and ultimately culminating in the development of DKD. Within this literature review, we aim to delve into the intricate interplay between the gut microbiota, its metabolites, and the immune system in the context of DKD. Furthermore, we strive to explore and elucidate potential chemical interventions that could hold promise for the treatment of DKD, thereby offering invaluable insights and directions for future research endeavors.

The potential of traditional herbal active ingredients in the treatment of sarcopenia animal models: focus on therapeutic effects and mechanisms

Sarcopenia is a major global public health problem that harms individual physical function. In 2018, the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in the Elderly 2 classified sarcopenia into primary and secondary sarcopenia. However, information on the pathogenesis and effective treatment of primary and secondary sarcopenia is limited. Traditional herbal active ingredients have biological activities that promote skeletal muscle health, showing potential preventive and therapeutic effects on sarcopenia. Therefore, this narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of global traditional herbal active ingredients' beneficial therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms on sarcopenia-related animal models. For this purpose, we conducted a literature search in three databases, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase, consistent with the review objectives. After the screening, 12 animal studies met the review themes. The review results showed that the pathological mechanisms in sarcopenia-related animal models include imbalanced protein metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, insulin resistance, endoplasmic reticulum stress, impaired mitochondrial biogenesis, and autophagy-lysosome system aggravation. Eleven traditional herbal active ingredients exerted positive anti-sarcopenic effects by ameliorating these pathological mechanisms. This narrative review will provide meaningful insight into future studies regarding traditional herbal active ingredients for treating sarcopenia.

Exploring the mechanism of ellagic acid against gastric cancer based on bioinformatics analysis and network pharmacology

Ellagic acid (EA) is a natural polyphenolic compound. Recent studies have shown that EA has potential anticancer properties against gastric cancer (GC). This study aims to reveal the potential targets and mechanisms of EA against GC. This study adopted methods of bioinformatics analysis and network pharmacology, including the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), construction of protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival curve analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations (MDS). A total of 540 EA targets were obtained. Through WGCNA, we obtained a total of 2914 GC clinical module genes, combined with the disease database for screening, a total of 606 GC-related targets and 79 intersection targets of EA and GC were obtained by constructing Venn diagram. PPI network was constructed to identify 14 core candidate targets; TP53, JUN, CASP3, HSP90AA1, VEGFA, HRAS, CDH1, MAPK3, CDKN1A, SRC, CYCS, BCL2L1 and CDK4 were identified as the key targets of EA regulation of GC by ROC and KM curve analysis. The enrichment analysis of GO and KEGG pathways of key targets was performed, and they were mainly enriched in p53 signalling pathway, PI3K-Akt signalling pathway. The results of molecular docking and MDS showed that EA could effectively bind to 13 key targets to form stable protein-ligand complexes. This study revealed the key targets and molecular mechanisms of EA against GC and provided a theoretical basis for further study of the pharmacological mechanism of EA against GC.

Cornuside improves murine autoimmune hepatitis through inhibition of inflammatory responses

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) poses an important public health concern worldwide, with few therapeutic options available. Cornuside, a primary cornel iridoid glycoside present in Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc., is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine that possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties. However, the effects of cornuside on autoimmune diseases including AIH is still not defined, neither is clear on the mechanisms of cornuside in the suppression of inflammatory responses.

PURPOSE

The study was aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of cornuside on AIH using murine models.

STUDY DESIGN

A murine model of AIH induced by concanavalin A (Con A) was used to examine the pharmacological activity of cornuside in suppressing the inflammatory responses in vivo.

METHODS

C57BL/6J mice were intravenously with different doses of cornuside and challenged with 18 mg/kg Con A 3 h later. Network pharmacological analysis was performed to identify the potential target genes and signaling pathways by cornuside in AIH. Next serum and liver tissues were collected 12 h after Con A injection to analyze the levels of markers for hepatic injury, apoptosis, oxidative stress, immune responses, and inflammation.

RESULTS

Network pharmacological analysis revealed that cornuside may modulate oxidative stress and apoptosis in AIH. Compared with the Con A group, cornuside pretreatment significantly reduced the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, improving histopathological damage and apoptosis in the livers. In addition, cornuside decreased the levels of malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, but increased superoxide dismutase levels, suggesting the relieving of oxidative stress. Furthermore, cornuside suppressed the activation of T and natural killer T cells, whereas the proportion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells was significantly increased. The production of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), was also clearly decreased. Finally, western blot analysis displayed that cornuside inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular receptor kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK).

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that cornuside has protective effects for Con A-induced immune-mediated hepatitis by suppressing the oxidative stress, apoptosis, and the inflammatory responses through the ERK and JNK signaling pathways, as well as by modulating the activation and recruitment of immune cells.

Multicomponent Analysis of Liuwei Dihuang Pills by a Single Marker Quantification Method and Chemometric Discrimination of Fingerprints

An effective and comprehensive quality evaluation method for Liuwei Dihuang pills (LDP) was established by the simultaneous determination of 8 active components in LDP by the quantitative analysis of multicomponents by single marker (QAMS) method and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint combined with chemometrics. These 8 active components were determined by QAMS and the external standard method (ESM), and the quantitative results of the two methods were compared to validate the accuracy and feasibility of the QAMS method. 8 active components showed good linear relationships within their ranges, whose average recoveries were 99.7∼102.3%. No significant difference was found (P > 0.05) in the quantitative results determined by QAMS and ESM. Furthermore, the fingerprint of LDP was also established, with 11 common peaks identified, and the similarity of the fingerprints of 21 batches of LDP was greater than 0.95. The 21 batches of LDP were basically divided into 3 groups by hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA), and 3 differential markers were screened out by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). The established QAMS method is accurate, economical, fast, and convenient and can simultaneously determine the content of 8 active components in LDP. HPLC fingerprint combined with chemometric analysis more comprehensively evaluated the quality consistency of different batches of LDP and analyzed the markers that cause quality differences between batches. It can provide a scientific basis and reference of quality consistency evaluation for the manufacturers and drug regulatory departments of the preparation.

Loganin reduces diabetic kidney injury by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is an essential cause of end-stage renal disease. The ongoing inflammatory response in the proximal tubule promotes the progression of DKD. Timely and effective blockade of the inflammatory process to protect the kidney during DKD progression is a proven strategy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of loganin on diabetic nephropathy in vivo and in vitro and whether this effect was related to the inhibition of pyroptosis. The results indicated that loganin reduced fasting blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine concentrations, and alleviated renal pathological changes in DKD mice. In parallel, loganin downregulated the expression of pyroptosis related proteins in the renal tubules of DKD mice and decreased serum levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18). Furthermore, in vitro experiments showed that loganin attenuated high glucose-induced HK-2 cell injury by reducing the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins, and cytokine levels were also decreased. These fundings were also confirmed in the polyphyllin VI (PPVI) -induced HK-2 cell pyroptosis model. Loganin reduces high glucose induced HK-2 cells pyroptosis by inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation. In conclusion, the inhibition of pyroptosis via inhibition of the NLRP3/Caspase-1/Gasdermin D (GSDMD) pathway might be an essential mechanism for loganin treatment of DKD.

Two unusual novel iridoid glycosides from Cornus officinalis fruit and their biological activities

Two unusual novel iridoid glycosides, cornsecoside A (1) and cornsecoside B (2), were isolated from a 40% ethanol elution fraction of a 50% ethanol extract of Cornus officinalis fruit. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic data analysis combined with hydrolysis and ECD spectroscopy. In addition, compounds 1 and 2 exhibited cytotoxic activity against Bel-7402 cells with IC50 values of 8.12 and 9.31 µM, and were neuroprotective against H2O2-induced SH-SY5Y cell injure at a concentration of 10 µM.

Changes in metabolites in raw and wine processed Corni Fructus combination metabolomics with network analysis focusing on potential hypoglycemic effects

Introduction: Corni Fructus (CF) is a Chinese herbal medicine used for medicinal and dietary purposes. It is available commercially in two main forms: raw CF (unprocessed CF) and wine-processed CF. Clinical observations have indicated that wine-processed CF exhibits superior hypoglycemic activity compared to its raw counterpart. However, the mechanisms responsible for this improvement are not well understood. Methods: To address this gap in knowledge, we conducted metabolomics analysis using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) to compare the chemical composition of raw CF and wine-processed CF. Subsequently, network analysis, along with immunofluorescence assays, was employed to elucidate the potential targets and mechanisms underlying the hypoglycemic effects of metabolites in CF. Results: Our results revealed significant compositional differences between raw CF and wine-processed CF, identifying 34 potential markers for distinguishing between the two forms of CF. Notably, wine processing led to a marked decrease in iridoid glycosides and flavonoid glycosides, which are abundant in raw CF. Network analysis predictions provided clues that eight compounds might serve as hypoglycemic metabolites of CF, and glucokinase (GCK) and adenylate cyclase (ADCYs) were speculated as possible key targets responsible for the hypoglycemic effects of CF. Immunofluorescence assays confirmed that oleanolic acid and ursolic acid, two bioactive compounds present in CF, significantly upregulated the expression of GCK and ADCYs in the HepG2 cell model. Discussion: These findings support the notion that CF exerted hypoglycemic activity via multiple components and targets, shedding light on the impact of processing methods on the chemical composition and hypoglycemic activity of Chinese herbal medicine.

Loganin improves chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depressive-like behaviors and neurochemical dysfunction

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc., is a valuable herb commonly used in Chinese medicine clinics. Loganin is a major iridoid glycoside obtained from the traditional Chinese herb Corni Fructus. Loganin, which has been shown to improve depression-like behavior in mice exposed to acute stress, is probably a potential antidepressant candidate.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Loganin was evaluated for its effect on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) induced depressive-like mice, and its action mechanisms were explored.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

ICR mice were subjected to the CUMS stimulation method to induce depression. The therapeutic effect of loganin on depressive-like behavior was evaluated by a series of behavioral tests such as sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swim test (FST), tail suspension test (TST) and open-field test (OFT). In addition, the serum levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT) were measured using ELISA. The levels of monoamine neurotransmitters were detected by high performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD). The levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus were measured using western blot analysis.

RESULTS

The results showed that CUMS induced depressive-like behaviors in mice, as indicated by behavioral tests. Administration of loganin increased the sucrose preference in SPT, as well as decreased the immobility time in FST and TST. Loganin could also improve food intake, and increased crossing times in the OFT. In mechanism, loganin restored the secretion of monoamine neurotransmitters, ACTH and CORT to normal levels. In addition, loganin elevated the expression of BDNF in the hippocampus. In conclusion, loganin exerts antidepressant-like effects in CUMS model mice through modulating monoamine neurotransmitters, ACTH, CORT and BDNF.

CONCLUSION

Loganin effectively ameliorated depressive-like symptoms in CUMS-exposed mice by increasing 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) levels, alleviating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction, and increasing BDNF expression. In conclusion, the findings of the current study extensive evidence for the application of loganin in stress-associated disorders, specifically targeting depression.

Cornus officinalis Seed Extract Inhibits AIM2-Inflammasome Activation and Attenuates Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis-like Skin Inflammation

The AIM2 inflammasome is an innate immune system component that defends against cytosolic bacteria and DNA viruses, but its aberrant activation can lead to the progression of various inflammatory diseases, including psoriasis. However, there have been few reports of specific inhibitors of AIM2 inflammasome activation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the inhibitory activity of ethanolic extracts of seeds of Cornus officinalis (CO), a herb and food plant used in traditional medicine, on AIM2-inflammasome activation. We found that CO inhibited the release of IL-1β induced by dsDNA in both BMDMs and HaCaT cells, but that it showed no effect on the release of IL-1β induced by NLRP3 inflammasome triggers, such as nigericin and silica, or the NLRC4 inflammasome trigger flagellin. Furthermore, we demonstrated that CO inhibited the cleavage of caspase-1, an inflammasome activation marker, and an upstream event, the translocation and speck formation of ASC. In addition, further experiments and mechanistic investigations revealed that CO can inhibit AIM2 speck formation induced by dsDNA in AIM2-overexpressing HEK293T cells. To verify the correlation in vivo, we investigated the efficacy of CO in an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis model, which has reported associations with the AIM2 inflammasome. We found that topical application of CO alleviated psoriasis-like symptoms, such as erythema, scaling, and epidermal thickening, in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, CO also significantly decreased IMQ-induced expression of AIM2 inflammasome components, including AIM2, ASC, and caspase-1, and led to the elevation of serum IL-17A. In conclusion, our results suggest that CO may be a valuable candidate for the discovery of AIM2 inhibitors and the regulation of AIM2-related diseases.

Four undescribed iridoid glycosides with antidiabetic activity from fruits of Cornus officinalis Sieb. Et Zucc

Four novel iridoid glycosides neocornuside E-H (1-4), together with nine known ones (5-13), were isolated from fruits of Cornus officinalis. Their chemical structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses and comparing of the literature data. All of the isolated compounds were evaluated for their antidiabetic activity in insulin resistant HepG2 cells. Compounds 2, 4, 5, 8, and 12 exhibited antidiabetic activities with EC₅₀ values of 40.12, 2.54, 70.43, 15.31, and 4.86 μM, respectively. Flow Sight cytometry analysis indicated that compounds 2, 4, 5, 8, and 12 improved the ability of 2-NBDG uptake of insulin-induced HepG2 cells.

Activation of Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant signaling correlates with the preventive effect of loganin on oxidative injury in ARPE-19 human retinal pigment epithelial cells

BACKGROUND

Loganin, a type of iridoid glycoside derived from Corni Fructus, is known to have beneficial effects various chronic diseases. However, studies on mechanisms related to antioxidant efficacy in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells have not yet been conducted.

OBJECTIVES

This study was to investigate whether loganin could inhibit oxidative stress-mediated cellular damage caused by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in human RPE ARPE-19 cells.

METHODS

The preventive effect of loganin on H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, DNA damage and apoptosis was investigated. In addition, immunofluorescence staining and immunoblotting analysis were applied to evaluate the related mechanisms.

RESULTS

The loss of cell viability and increased ROS accumulation in H₂O₂-treated ARPE-19 cells were significantly abrogated by loganin pretreatment, which was associated with activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and increased expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Loganin also markedly attenuated H₂O₂-induced DNA damage, ultimately ameliorating apoptosis. In addition, H₂O₂-induced mitochondrial dysfunction was reversed in the presence of loganin as indicated by preservation of mitochondrial integrity, decrease of Bax/Bcl-2 expression ratio, reduction of caspase-3 activity and suppression of cytochrome c release into the cytoplasm. However, zinc protoporphyrin, a selective inhibitor of HO-1, remarkably alleviated the preventive effect offered by loganin against H₂O₂-mediated ARPE-19 cell injury, suggesting a critical role of Nrf2-mediated activation of HO-1 in the antioxidant activity of loganin.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that loganin-induced activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 axis is at least involved in protecting at least ARPE-19 cells from oxidative injury.

Natural Plant Extract - Loganin: A Hypothesis for Psoriasis Treatment Through Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Equilibrating Immunity via Regulation of Macrophage Polarization

Psoriasis, a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease, influences approximately 2-3% of the world's population. At present, the etiology of psoriasis remains unclear and there is still no causal treatment available. Recent studies indicate that oxidative stress (OS) and T cells dysregulation may participate in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, among which M1-dominant macrophage polarization is a crucial contributor. Macrophages mainly polarize into two different subsets, ie, classically activated macrophage (M1) and alternatively activated macrophage (M2). M1 polarization tends to exacerbate psoriasis via producing substantial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory mediators, to encourage OS invasion and T cells dysregulation. Thus, targeting M1 polarization can be a possible therapeutic alternative for psoriasis. Loganin, belonging to iridoid glycosides, is a pharmaceutically active ingredient originated from Cornus officinalis, exerting multiple biological activities, eg, immunomodulation, antioxidation, anti-inflammation, etc. More importantly, it could effectively suppress M1 polarization, thereby arresting OS aggression and T cells' dysregulation. Numerous studies have confirmed that loganin is quite reliable for diseases treatment via suppressing M1 polarization. Nevertheless, reports about loganin treating psoriasis have seldom appeared so far. Accordingly, we hold a hypothesis that loganin would availably manage psoriasis through preventing M1 polarization. Data from previous studies guarantee the potential of loganin in control of psoriasis.

Silymarin and Vanillic Acid Silver Nanoparticles Alleviate the Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Male Rats

Natural copolymer (e.g., chitosan-loaded) and synthetic (e.g., silver nitrate-loaded) nanopolymers have many medical applications in drug delivery research for enhancing the effectuality of traditional medicine. This study aimed to investigate the potential protective activity of vanillic acid, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of vanillic acid, and silymarin against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced nephrotoxicity in male rats. Rats were divided into five groups; the first group (G1) was a negative control, and the other rats were treated intraperitoneally with CCl4 to induce kidney toxicity twice weekly, and then divided into four groups, G2 was a positive control and left without treatment, the third group was treated with vanillic acid, the fourth (G4) was treated with vanillic acid-AgNPs, and the fifth (G5) was treated with silymarin. In G2, renal function indices (urea, creatinine, and uric acid) showed elevated levels indicating renal toxicity. Na, K, and Ca ions were decreased, whereas Cl− was increased. Antioxidants (glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reduced, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and catalase) were decreased, whereas lipid peroxidation was increased in the kidney tissue homogenate. IL1 was increased, whereas CYP-450 was decreased. In the treated group, all biochemical and renal tissue texture were alleviated as a result of treatment with vanillic acid in G3, vanillic acid AgNPs in G4, and silymarin in G5. Vanillic acid AgNPs and silymarin treatment in G4 and G5, respectively, were more efficient than vanillic acid in G5 in protecting the kidneys against CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity.

Expression Analysis of CoHMGS in Cornus officinalis and Subcellular Localization of the Enzyme It Encodes

Cornus officinalis is a perennial deciduous tree or shrub. Its mature fruits are extracted and used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, called Shanzhuyu. The characteristic active components of C. officinalis include loganin and morroniside, which belong to iridoid glycosides. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase (HMGS) is a key enzyme in the cytoplasmic mevalonate pathway providing the precursor molecules isopentenyl pyrophosphate and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate for isoprenoid biosynthesis such as sterols, triterpenes, and their derivatives such as iridoid glycosides. Different concentrations of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and ethephon (ETH) solutions were sprayed on C. officinalis seedlings, and the effect of hormones on CoHMGS gene expression was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. The quantitative real-time PCR results showed that 750 mg/L ETH treatment had the most significant induction effect on CoHMGS gene expression. The HPLC analysis of extracts revealed that the treatment could also significantly increase the content of morroniside and loganin in the leaves of C. officinalis. By use of a CoHMGS-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion construct for heterologous expression in tobacco, laser scanning confocal microscopy revealed a cytoplasmic localization. This preliminary study of the CoHMGS gene could prepare the ground for more precisely elucidating the synthesis of secondary metabolite in C. officinalis.

Characterization and identification of chemical constituents in Corni Fructus and effect of storage using UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS

Corni Fructus (CF) has been widely used as both traditional medicine and food; however, systematic studies on its chemical profile and the impact of storage periods on the indicative components are lacking. In this study, UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS was used to investigate the fragmentation behaviors of multiple compounds from CF and the content variety of its indicative components for different storage periods. The major basic components of CF were determined to be iridoid glucosides, pentacyclic triterpenoids, phenolic acids, tannins and flavonoids. The characteristic cleavage pathways of the iridoid glucosides, pentacyclic triterpenoids, phenolic acids, tannins and flavonoids were further investigated and elaborated, which could assist in identifying the structures of similar components of other Chinese herbal medicines. Using accurate mass measurements for each precursor ion and the subsequent fragmented ions, and then comparing with standards and literature data, a total of 130 components, including 69 iridoid glucosides, 9 pentacyclic triterpenoids, 16 phenolic acids, 20 tannins and 16 flavonoids, 47 of which are potentially new compounds, were identified. The storage period studies indicated that the contents of 19 indicative components in CF changed differently with the prolongation of the storage period. Among them, morroniside, loganin, sweroside, cornuside, gallic acid, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid were the most important. These results provide abundant information for the identification and improved understanding of the chemical constituents in CF to clarify the content variety of its indicative components for different storage periods.

Mixture of Corni Fructus and Schisandrae Fructus improves testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia through regulating 5α-reductase 2 and androgen receptor

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) characterized by an enlarged prostate gland is common in elderly men. Corni Fructus (CF) and Schisandrae Fructus (SF) are known to have various pharmacological effects, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory efficacy of CF, SF, and their mixture (MIX) on the development of BPH using an in vivo model of testosterone-induced BPH.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups. To induce BPH, testosterone propionate (TP) was injected to rats except for those in the control group. Finasteride, saw palmetto (SP), CF, SF, and MIX were orally administered along with TP injection. At the end of treatment, histological changes in the prostate and the level of various biomarkers related to BPH were evaluated.

RESULTS

Our results showed that BPH induced by TP led to prostate weight and histological changes. Treatment with MIX effectively improved TP-induced BPH by reducing prostate index, lumen area, epithelial thickness, and expression of BPH biomarkers such as 5α-reductase type 2, prostate-specific antigen, androgen receptor, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen compared to treatment with CF or SF alone. Moreover, MIX further reduced levels of elevated serum testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and prostate-specific antigen in BPH compared to the SP, a positive control. BPH was also improved more by MIX than by CF or SF alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results, MIX is a potential natural therapeutic candidate for BPH by regulating 5α-reductase and AR signaling pathway.

Marine organisms as potential sources of natural products for the prevention and treatment of malaria

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are a worldwide critical concern accounting for 17% of the estimated global burden of all infectious diseases in 2020. Despite the various medicines available for the management, the deadliest VBD malaria, caused by Plasmodium sp., has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths in sub-Saharan Africa only. This finding may be explained by the progressive loss of antimalarial medication efficacy, inherent toxicity, the rise of drug resistance, or a lack of treatment adherence. As a result, new drug discoveries from uncommon sources are desperately needed, especially against multi-drug resistant strains. Marine organisms have been investigated, including sponges, soft corals, algae, and cyanobacteria. They have been shown to produce many bioactive compounds that potentially affect the causative organism at different stages of its life cycle, including the chloroquine (CQ)-resistant strains of P. falciparum. These compounds also showed diverse chemical structures belonging to various phytochemical classes, including alkaloids, terpenoids, polyketides, macrolides, and others. The current article presents a comprehensive review of marine-derived natural products with antimalarial activity as potential candidates for targeting different stages and species of Plasmodium in both in vitro and in vivo and in comparison with the commercially available and terrestrial plant-derived products, i.e., quinine and artemisinin.

Loganin Prevents Hepatic Steatosis by Blocking NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation

Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is a necessary process to induce fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a kind of NAFLD that encompasses the spectrum of liver disease. It is characterized by inflammation and ballooning of hepatocytes during steatosis. We tested whether inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome could prevent the development and pathology of NASH. We identified loganin as an inhibitor of the NLRP3 inflammasome and investigated whether in vivo administration of loganin prevented NASH symptoms using a methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet model in mice. We found that loganin inhibited the NLRP3 inflammasome activation triggered by ATP or nigericin, as shown by suppression of the production of interleukin (IL)-1β and caspase-1 (p10) in mouse primary macrophages. The speck formation of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) was blocked by loganin, showing that the assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex was impaired by loganin. Administration of loganin reduced the clinical signs of NASH in mice fed the MCD diet, including hepatic inflammation, fat accumulation, and fibrosis. In addition, loganin reduced the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome components in the liver. Our findings indicate that loganin alleviates the inflammatory symptoms associated with NASH, presumably by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In summary, these findings imply that loganin may be a novel nutritional and therapeutic treatment for NASH-related inflammation.

Proteomic examination of Cornus officinalis stimulated 1.1B4 human pancreatic cells reveals activation of autophagy and Keap1/Nrf2 pathway

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease initiated by genetic predisposition and environmental influences culminating in the immunologically mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells with eventual loss of insulin production. Although T1D can be accurately predicted via autoantibodies, therapies are lacking that can intercede autoimmunity and protect pancreatic β-cells. There are no approved interventional modalities established for this purpose. One such potential source for clinical agents of this use is from the frequently utilized Cornus officinalis (CO) in the field of ethnopharmacology. Studies by our lab and others have demonstrated that CO has robust proliferative, metabolic, and cytokine protective effects on pancreatic β-cells. To identify the molecular mechanism of the biological effects of CO, we performed a proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis examining the cellular networks impacted by CO application on the 1.1B4 pancreatic β-cell line. Our label-free mass spectrometry approach has demonstrated significant increased phosphorylation of the selective autophagy receptor of p62 (Sequestosome-1/SQSTM1/p62) and predicted activation of the antioxidant Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/Nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. Further validation by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence revealed markers of autophagy such as increased LC3-II and decreased total p62 along with nuclear localization of Nrf2. Both autophagy and the Keap1/Nrf2 pathways have been shown to be impaired in human and animal models of T1D and may serve as an excellent potential therapeutic target stimulated by CO.

Quality evaluation of raw and processed Corni Fructus by UHPLC-QTOF-MS and HPLC coupled with color determination

Corni Fructus (CF), used for thousands of years in Asia as food and medicine, has different therapeutic effects before and after processing. In the past work, the quality assessment of Corni Fructus focused on the limited chemical compounds and rarely correlated external properties, such as color. The traditional sensory assessment relies partly on human eyes, which is quick but lacks objectivity. On a Shimadzu LC-20AD liquid chromatograph system equipped with a diode-array detector (DAD), we determined six major compounds (gallic acid, 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde, morroniside, loganin, sweroside, and cornuside I). The extract was analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS) after the solid-phase extraction (SPE) step. Totally 58 compounds in raw and processed Corni Fructus were identified in negative and positive ion modes according to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) fragments. Iridoids, carboxylic acids, tannins, flavonoids, triterpenes, fatty acids, saccharides, phospholipids, polysaccharide, amino acid, amide, furan, catechol, aldehyde, fatty alcohol and vitamin were included. A multivariate statistical analysis based on UHPLC-QTOF-MS filtered 17 differential compounds between raw and processed products. The CM-5 colorimeter was applied for digitizing surface and powder color. The contents of gallic acid, morroniside, loganin, cornuside I, and sweroside significantly correlated with color parameters in raw Corni Fructus, particularly adp* and bdp* , but not in processed products, according to Spearman correlation analysis. MS peak area of four compounds in raw products correlated significantly with color parameters Ldp* , adp* , bdp* , Lpd* , apd* , bpd* , respectively, while three compounds in processed products with Lpd* , apd* , bpd* . It revealed the relationship between compounds and color of Corni Fructus and the crucial compounds to color. In this study, we successfully developed a method for comprehensive quality evaluation of Corni Fructus that combines HPLC, UHPLC-QTOF-MS, and color determination.

Cornuside Is a Potential Agent against Alzheimer’s Disease via Orchestration of Reactive Astrocytes

Cornuside is an iridoid glycoside from Cornus officinalis, with the activities of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroprotection. In the present research, a triple-transgenic mice model of AD (3 × Tg-AD) was used to explore the beneficial actions and potential mechanism of cornuside on the memory deficits. We found that cornuside prominently alleviated neuronal injuries, reduced amyloid plaque pathology, inhibited Tau phosphorylation, and repaired synaptic damage. Additionally, cornuside lowered the release of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and nitric oxide (NO), lowered the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the level of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Cornuside also significantly reduced the activation of astrocytes and modulated A1/A2 phenotypes by the AKT/Nrf2/NF-κB signaling pathway. We further confirmed that LY294002 and Nrf2 silencing could block the cornuside-mediated phenotypic switch of C6 cells induced by microglia conditioned medium (MCM) in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which indicated that the effects of cornuside in astrocyte activation are dependent on AKT/Nrf2/NF-κB signaling. In conclusion, cornuside may regulate the phenotypic conversion of astrocytes, inhibit neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, improve synaptic plasticity, and alleviate cognitive impairment in mice through the AKT/Nrf2/NF-κB axis. Our present work provides an experimental foundation for further research and development of cornuside as a candidate drug for AD management.

Signal pathways in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease with traditional Chinese medicine

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This study aimed to reveal the classical signal pathways and important potential targets of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating Alzheimer's disease (AD), and provide support for further investigation on TCM and its active ingredients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Literature survey was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, CNKI, and other databases, with "Alzheimer's disease," "traditional Chinese medicine," "medicinal herb," "Chinese herb," and "natural plant" as the primary keywords.

RESULTS

TCM could modulate signal pathways related to AD pathological progression, including NF-κB, Nrf2, JAK/STAT, ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, autophagy-lysosome pathway-related AMPK/mTOR, GSK-3/mTOR, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR, as well as SIRT1 and PPARα pathway. It could regulate crosstalk between pathways through a multitarget, thus maintaining chronic inflammatory interaction balance, inhibiting oxidative stress damage, regulating ubiquitin-proteasome system function, modulating autophagy, and eventually improving cognitive impairment in patients with AD.

CONCLUSION

TCM could be multilevel, multitargeted, and multifaceted to prevent and treat AD. In-depth research on the prevention and treatment of AD with TCM could provide new ideas for exploring the pathogenesis of AD and developing new anti-AD drugs.

Morroniside, a novel GATA3 binding molecule, inhibits hepatic stellate cells activation by enhancing lysosomal acid lipase expression

BACKGROUND

Liver fibrosis can be easily developed into irreversible liver cirrhosis or even liver cancer. Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL), encoded by the lipase A (Lipa) gene, is a critical enzyme involved in liver fibrosis development. Morroniside, an iridoid glycoside isolated from Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc., exerts hepatic protective effects. However, the mechanism of action underling the anti-liver fibrosis effects of morroniside have not been fully elucidated.

PURPOSE

To explore whether Lipa served as a biomarker for liver fibrosis and investigate the anti-liver fibrosis effects of morroniside and the underlying action mechanism in liver fibrosis cell models.

METHODS

LAL expression was examined in the liver tissues of CCl₄ and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced liver fibrosis animal models. α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) level, collagen and GATA family expressions were analyzed by Real-time PCR and Western blot. Putative transcription factor binding sites in the DNA sequences of Lipa was identified by PROMO-ALGGEN v8.3 online software and ENCODE ChIP-Seq Significance Tool. MD simulation was performed to explore the protein-ligand interaction.

RESULTS

We found that the expression of hepatic LAL is lower in the liver fibrosis animal models than the control models. The reduced LAL expression is associated with HSCs activation, suggesting LAL is novel liver fibrosis biomarker. More importantly, our data showed that morroniside exerts anti-liver fibrosis effects in vitro. Mechanistic studies reveal that it binds to the hydrophobic sites of GATA3 and also reduces GATA3 expression, which increases LAL expression.

CONCLUSIONS

This study, for the first time, suggests LAL is a novel biomarker for liver fibrosis. Besides, morroniside exerts its anti-liver fibrosis effects by targeting GATA3 and LAL and hence inhibits HSC activation. These findings provide strong scientific evidence to support the development of morroniside as novel alternative or complementary therapeutics for liver injury prevention and treatment.

Mechanism of Cornus Officinalis in Treating Diabetic Kidney Disease Based on Network Pharmacology

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), one of the most important diabetic complications, is a great clinical challenge. It still lacks proper therapeutic strategies without side effects due to the complex pathological mechanisms. Cornus officinalis (CO) is a common traditional Chinese medicine, which has been used in the treatment of DKD and takes beneficial effects in therapy. However, the mechanism of CO in treating DKD is not clear yet. In this study, network pharmacology was applied to illustrate the potential mechanism of CO and the interaction between targets of CO and targets of disease. First, the active ingredients of CO and related targets were screened from the online database. Second, the intersection network between CO and disease was constructed, and protein–protein interaction analysis was done. Third, GO and KEGG analysis were employed to figure out the key targets of CO. Finally, molecular docking was carried out in the software SYBYL to verify the effectiveness of the ingredients and targets selected. According to GO and KEGG analysis, drug metabolism-cytochrome P450, sphingolipid signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, TGF-beta signaling pathway, cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, estrogen signaling pathway, and TNF signaling pathway were most closely related to the pathogenesis of DKD. Moreover, NOS3, TNF, ROCK1, PPARG, KDR, and HIF1A were identified as key targets in regulating the occurrence and development of the disease. This study provides evidence to elucidate the mechanism of CO comprehensively and systematically and lays the foundation for further research on CO.

Protective effects of corni fructus extract in mice with potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemia

Corni fructus is consumed as food and herbal medicine in Chinese culture. Studies have revealed that corni fructus exhibits potent antioxidant activity; however, few studies have investigated the ability of corni fructus to lower uric acid concentrations. In this study, the xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition and uric acid–lowering effect of corni fructus extract (CFE) were evaluated in mice with potassium oxonate–induced hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia is a chronic disease prevalent worldwide and is associated with high recurrence rates. In addition, drugs used to treat hyperuricemia induce side effects that discourage patient compliance. Hyperuricemia induces metabolic imbalances resulting in accumulative uric acid deposition in the joints and soft tissues. Hyperuricemia not only induces gout but also interrupts hepatic and renal function, thereby trigging severe inflammation and various complications, including obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes, and metabolic diseases. In this study, the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) of CFE resulted in yields of antioxidant photochemical components significantly higher than those of CFEs formed using other substances. The EAF of CFE exhibited high free radical scavenging activity and XO inhibition and effectively lowered uric acid concentrations in the animal model of chemically induced hyperuricemia. The results of this study can serve as a reference for the prevention of preclinical gout as well as for functional food research.

Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-oxidant Functions of Cornuside by Regulating NF-[Formula: see text]B, STAT-1, and Nrf2-HO-1 Pathways

Cornuside (CNS), found in the fruit of Cornus officinalis Seib, is a natural bisiridoid glucoside that possesses therapeutic effects by suppressing inflammation. This study aimed to determine whether CNS could inhibit the inflammatory response induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and mice, as well as to decipher the mechanisms. After activating HUVECs with LPS, the cells were treated with CNS. Cells were then isolated for protein or mRNA assays to analyze signaling and inflammatory molecules. In addition, mice received an intraperitoneal injection of LPS, followed by an intravenously administered dose of CNS. CNS inhibited cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expressions induced by LPS. CNS decreased phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1)-1 by promoting HO-1 expression, inhibiting nuclear factor (NF)-[Formula: see text]B-luciferase activity, and decreasing COX-2/prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and iNOS/NO. Furthermore, CNS treatment in LPS-activated HUVECs increased the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythrocyte 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and combined Nrf2 to anti-oxidant response elements and decreased IL-1[Formula: see text] production. Reduced iNOS/NO expression by CNS was restored when HO-1 RNAi inhibited heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). After CNS treatment in vivo, iNOS levels in lung tissue and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-[Formula: see text] expression in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were significantly decreased. The results indicated that CNS increased HO-1 expression, reduced LPS-activated NF-[Formula: see text]B-luciferase activity, and inhibited iNOS/NO and COX-2/PGE2, all of which contributed to the inhibition of STAT-1 phosphorylation. Thus, CNS can be a potential new substance for treating inflammatory disorders.

The preventive effect of loganin on oxidative stress-induced cellular damage in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells

Loganin is a type of iridoid glycosides isolated from Corni fructus and is known to have various pharmacological properties, but studies on its antioxidant activity are still lacking. Therefore, in this study, the preventive effect of loganin on oxidative stress-mediated cellular damage in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells was investigated. Our results show that loganin pretreatment in a non-toxic concentration range significantly improved cell survival in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-treated HaCaT cells, which was associated with inhibition of cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and induction of apoptosis. H₂O₂-induced DNA damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were also greatly reduced in the presence of loganin. Moreover, H₂O₂ treatment enhanced the cytoplasmic release of cytochrome c, upregulation of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and degradation of cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, whereas loganin remarkably suppressed these changes. In addition, loganin obviously attenuated H₂O₂-induced autophagy while inhibiting the increased accumulation of autophagosome proteins, including as microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-II and Beclin-1, and p62, an autophagy substrate protein, in H₂O₂-treated cells. In conclusion, our current results suggests that loganin could protect HaCaT keratinocytes from H₂O₂-induced cellular injury by inhibiting mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy and apoptosis. This finding indicates the applicability of loganin in the prevention and treatment of skin diseases caused by oxidative damage.

Cornus mas L. Increases Glucose Uptake and the Expression of PPARG in Insulin-Resistant Adipocytes

Cornus mas L., also known as cornelian cherry (CM), is a species that has long been cultivated in many different countries. In numerous scientific reports, cornelian cherry is used to treat numerous diseases and conditions. The presented study evaluated the effect of red and yellow Cornus mas L. extract on insulin sensitivity in adipocytes. 3T3-L1 fibroblasts as well as human SAT-derived and VAT-derived adipocytes were differentiated in vitro, and insulin resistance was induced using palmitic acid (16:0). The effect of CM fruit extract was analyzed in terms of glucose uptake and insulin signaling gene expression. In the glucose uptake test after insulin stimulation, a significant increase in glucose uptake was demonstrated in cells treated with CM fruit extracts. Furthermore, CM fruit extracts increased the expression of insulin signaling genes in adipocytes stimulated with insulin in control cells and adipocytes treated with CM extract. Additionally, a significant increase in peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARG) expression was observed in cells supplemented with CM extract. In conclusion, studies have shown that CM fruits can overcome insulin resistance and thus they have a positive effect on cell metabolism.

Natural aldose reductase inhibitors for treatment and prevention of diabetic cataract: A review

Introduction: Aldose reductase (AR) is an enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of glucose to sorbitol responsible for the development of diabetic complications like cataracts. Medicinal plants contain several phytocompounds that can inhibit this enzyme.

Objective: The purpose of this review is to cite medicinal plants that have been tested for their ability to inhibit aldose reductase and consequently prevent cataracts and classify the major isolated compounds that have this activity.

Methods: We reviewed 154 articles published between 1954 and 2020 in English via three databases: ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and PubMed. We have classified the plants that showed a significant anti-cataract effect, in the form of a list including the scientific and family names of each plant. Also, we have cited the IC50 values and the active constituents of each plant that showed inhibitory activity towards AR.

Results: We have described 38 herbs belonging to 29 families. Besides, 47 isolated compounds obtained from the cited herbs have shown an AR inhibitory effect: luteolin, luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, apigenin, 3,5-di-O-caffeoyl-epi-quinic acid, delphinidin 3-O-β-galactopyranoside-3’-O-β-glucopyranoside, 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid methyl ester, andrographolide, 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, 1,2,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, 7-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3-methyl-8-β-O-D-glucoside-2H-chromen-2-one, E-4-(60-hydroxyhex-30-en-1-yl)phenyl propionate, delphinidin 3-O-β-galactopyranoside-3’,5’-di-O-β-glucopyranoside, 1,2,3-tri-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, 1,2,6-tri-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, 2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)ethanol, (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methanol, trans-anethole, gallic acid 4-O-β-D-(6’-O-galloyl)-glucoside, β-glucogallin, puerariafuran, quercetin, gallic acid 4-O-β-D-glucoside, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone, protocatechuic acid, trans-cinnamic acid, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid and syringic acid.

Conclusion: natural therapy becomes an interesting alternative in the treatment and prevention of cataract by using medicinal plants rich in active compounds considered as AR inhibitors.

Protective effect and mechanism of loganin and morroniside on acute lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Loganin and morroniside are two iridoid glycosides with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-tumor effects. Whether they have effect on acute lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis are still unknown.

PURPOSE

To explore the potential effects of loganin and morroniside against acute lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis, and the underlying molecular mechanism.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Cell and animal models of acute lung injury were established by the induction of LPS. After intervention with loganin and morroniside, the pathological symptom of lung tissue was assessed, pro-inflammatory factors in cells and lung tissues were detected, NF- κB/STAT3 signaling pathway related proteins were detected by western blotting. Mice pulmonary fibrosis model was induced by bleomycin, pathological symptom was assessed by HE and Masson staining. Fibrosis related indicators were detected by qPCR or western blot. CD4+/CD8+ was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Loganin and morroniside relieved the pathological symptom of lung tissue in acute lung injury, pro-inflammatory factors such as IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α mRNA were inhibited. Expression of p-p65 and STAT3 in lung tissues were also downregulated. In addition, loganin and morroniside downregulated the expression of collagen fiber, hydroxyproline and TGF-β1, collagen I and α-SMA mRNA in lung tissues of pulmonary fibrosis model. This study proved that loganin and morroniside have protective effect on acute lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis, and may provide theoretical basis for the development of new clinical drugs.

Aqueous extracts of Corni Fructus protect C2C12 myoblasts from DNA damage and apoptosis caused by oxidative stress

BACKGROUND

Although the various pharmacological effects of Corni Fructus are highly correlated with its antioxidant activity, the blocking effect against oxidative stress in muscle cells is not clear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extracts of Corni Fructus (CFE) against oxidative stress caused by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in murine skeletal C2C12 myoblasts.

METHODS AND RESULTS

MTT assay for cell viability, DCF-DA staining for reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, Comet assay for DNA damage, annexin V-FITC and PI double staining for apoptosis, JC-1 staining and caspase assay for monitor mitochondrial integrity, and western blotting for related protein levels were conducted in H₂O₂ oxidative stressed C2C12 cells. Our results showed that CFE pretreatment significantly ameliorated the loss of cell viability and inhibited apoptosis in H₂O₂-treated C2C12 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. DNA damage induced by H₂O₂ was also markedly attenuated in the presence of CFE, which was associated with suppression of ROS generation. In addition, H₂O₂ reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and caused downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax expression, although these were abrogated by CFE pretreatment. Moreover, CFE blocked H₂O₂-induced cytosolic release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, the present results demonstrate that CFE could protect C2C12 cells from H₂O₂-induced damage by eliminating ROS generation, thereby blocking mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathway. These results indicate that CFE has therapeutic potential for the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress-mediated myoblast injury.

An Overview of Traditional Uses, Phytochemical Compositions and Biological Activities of Edible Fruits of European and Asian Cornus Species

Cornus species are widely distributed in central and southern Europe, east Africa, southwest Asia, and America. Several species are known for edible fruits, especially Cornus mas and Cornus officinalis. These delicious fruits, characterized by their remarkable nutritional and biological values, are widely used in traditional medicine. In contrast to the other edible Cornus species, C. mas and C. officinalis are the most studied for which little information is available on the main phytochemicals and their biological activities. Fruits are characterised by several classes of secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans, anthocyanins, tannins, triterpenoids, and iridoids. The available phytochemical data show that the different classes of metabolites have not been systematically studied. However, these edible species are all worthy of interest because similarities have been found. Thus, this review describes the traditional uses of Cornus species common in Europe and Asia, a detailed classification of the bioactive compounds that characterize the fruits, and their beneficial health effects. Cornus species are a rich source of phytochemicals with nutritional and functional properties that justify the growing interest in these berries, not only for applications in the food industry but also useful for their medicinal properties.

Ellagic Acid: A Review on Its Natural Sources, Chemical Stability, and Therapeutic Potential

Ellagic acid (EA) is a bioactive polyphenolic compound naturally occurring as secondary metabolite in many plant taxa. EA content is considerable in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) and in wood and bark of some tree species. Structurally, EA is a dilactone of hexahydroxydiphenic acid (HHDP), a dimeric gallic acid derivative, produced mainly by hydrolysis of ellagitannins, a widely distributed group of secondary metabolites. EA is attracting attention due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, and antiproliferative properties. EA displayed pharmacological effects in various in vitro and in vivo model systems. Furthermore, EA has also been well documented for its antiallergic, antiatherosclerotic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and neuroprotective properties. This review reports on the health-promoting effects of EA, along with possible mechanisms of its action in maintaining the health status, by summarizing the literature related to the therapeutic potential of this polyphenolic in the treatment of several human diseases.

Shufeiya Recipe Improves Monocrotaline-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension in Rats by Regulating SIRT3/FOXO3a and Its Downstream Signaling Pathways

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a chronic and progressive disease caused by obstructions and functional changes of small pulmonary arteries. Current treatment options of PH are costly with patients needing long-term taking medicine. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound "Shufeiya Recipe" was used to intervene in monocrotaline- (MCT-) induced pulmonary hypertension in rats. The rats were randomly divided into the control group, model group, positive drug (Sildenafil) group, and Shufeiya Recipe low-, moderate-, and high-dose groups. The improvement effect of the Shufeiya Recipe on the mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was assessed in PH rats, and pathological staining was used to observe the pathological changes of lung tissue. The impact of the Shufeiya Recipe on oxidative stress damage in rats with pulmonary hypertension and the regulation of SIRT3/FOXO3a and its downstream signaling pathways were determined. The results showed that Shufeiya Recipe could significantly downregulate mPAP and improve lung histopathological changes; downregulate serum levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS); upregulate the concentrations of COX-1 and COX-2 and the activity of Mn-SOD; inhibit oxidative response damage; promote the protein expression of SIRT3, FOXO3a, p-PI3K, p-AKT, and p-eNOS; increase the level of expression of NO, sGC, cGMP, and PKG; and downregulate the level of protein expression of Ras, p-MEK1/2, p-ERK1/2 and c-fos. These results indicate that Shufeiya Recipe can improve MCT-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats by regulating SIRT3/FOXO3a and its downstream PI3K/AKT/eNOS and Ras/ERK signaling pathways.

Review on Plants with Traditional Uses and Bio-Activity Against Hair Graying

Abstract:

Hair graying occurs worldwide, and it has a high impact on the self-esteem of an individual. Hair graying is a melanogenesis disorder that can be attributed to many factors, including age, oxidative stress, psychological stress, and malnutrition. Though there are effective p-phenylenediamine based hair dyes, they often cause allergy and systematic toxicity. Plants are popular a traditional remedy for the management of hair disorders. Due to their high chemical diversity, phytoproducts offer great promises to develop an effective and safe product to manage hair graying and melanogenesis disorders. The aim of the present article is to review plants with traditional uses and bio-activity against hair graying. An extensive literature search was conducted on PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases using many combinations of the following keywords: plants used to treat gray hair, natural products, hair graying, melanogenesis, pigmentation, and tyrosinase activity. This review documented about sixty-one plants, including a summary of 47 plants frequently used in traditional medicine, and a brief review of fourteen plants showing promising activity against hair graying. The active constituents and the mechanisms by which active constituents exert anti-hair graying effects were also reviewed.

Identifying the mechanism underlying antidepressant-like effects of loganin by network pharmacology in combination with experimental validation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Loganin, an iridoid glycoside, is one of the quality control indexes of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. Increasing evidence emphasize the important role of inflammation in the pathology of depression, which links depression with other chronic diseases. Loganin prevents inflammatory response in multiple diseases and reverses depressive-like behaviors. However, the mechanisms underlying antidepressant-like effects of loganin for the treatment of inflammation-associated depression are not utterly understood.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study was designed to predict the potential targets of loganin against inflammation-associated depression using a network pharmacology approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pharmmapper and Uniport were used to predict loganin-related targets. Targets of inflammation were identified through GeneCards databases and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were used to identify the potential mechanism. Finally, qRT-PCR and ELISA were used to confirm the role of loganin on these targets.

RESULTS

There were 15 nodes in the loganin-inflammation-depression intersection targets network. In the network, the degree value of CTNNB1 was above 3. Among top ten pathways identified by KEGG analysis, Th1/Th2 cell differentiation and IL-17 signaling pathways were related with both inflammation and depression. As indicated by qRT-PCR results, loganin increased CTNNB1 mRNA level. Moreover, loganin elevated M2 markers of microglia but decreased M1 markers of microglia against lipopolysaccharide (LPS), indicated by qRT-PCR results and ELISA results.

CONCLUSION

CTNNB1 was the main target of loganin. Loganin alleviated LPS-induced inflammation through inhibiting M1 polarization of microglia. Our results provide a better understanding of loganin-induced antidepressant-like effects for the treatment of inflammation-associated depression.