Chlorogenic acid confers robust neuroprotection against arsenite toxicity in mice by reversing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis

Effect of Quercetin and Mirtazapine on Spermatogenesis and Testis Structure in Phenylhydrazine-Induced Hemolytic Anemia Mice: An Experimental Study

Anemia poses a significant healthcare challenge across different socioeconomic groups and can result in reproductive system damage through the generation of free radicals and lipid peroxidation. This study examines the protective effects of quercetin (QUE) and mirtazapine (MIR) against the reproductive damage caused by phenylhydrazine (PHZ) in mice. Fifty NMRI mice, aged 8 to 10 weeks with an average weight of 27.0 ± 2.0 g, were randomly divided into five groups. The control group (Group 1) received oral administration of 10 mL/kg/day of normal saline. Group 2 (PHZ group) received an initial intraperitoneal dose of 8 mg/100 g body weight of PHZ, followed by subsequent doses of 6 mg/100 g every 48 hr. Group 3 received PHZ along with oral QUE at a dosage of 50 mg/kg/day. Group 4 received PHZ along with oral MIR at a dosage of 30 mg/kg/day. Group 5 received PHZ along with oral QUE at a dosage of 50 mg/kg/day and MIR at a dosage of 30 mg/kg/day. The treatment duration was 35 days. Sperm samples were collected from the caudal region of the epididymis post-euthanasia to assess the total mean sperm count, sperm viability, motility, DNA damage, and morphology. Testicular tissue was employed to quantify total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, while serum levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were analyzed. Additionally, various aspects, including testicular histopathology, oxidative enzyme levels, gene expression related to apoptosis and antiapoptotic pathways, and in vivo fertility index, were evaluated after 35 days. The QUE, MIR, and QUE+MIR groups showed less abnormal morphology and DNA damage, as well as better total and progressive sperm motility, motility characteristics, viability, and plasma membrane function compared to the PHZ group. QUE, MIR, and QUE+MIR administration increased TAC, SOD, and GPx activities in testicular tissue, while reducing MDA levels compared to the PHZ group. Furthermore, QUE, MIR, and QUE+MIR significantly reduced Bax, and caspase-3 expression levels, and increased Bcl-2 expression levels, compared to the PHZ group. Mice treated with QUE, MIR, and QUE+MIR exhibited an increased in vivo fertility index and plasma sex hormone levels compared to the PHZ group. These results show that QUE, MIR, and QUE+MIR might be able to improve the fertility index, boost the testicular antioxidant defense system, and control the death of germ cells. This could mean that they could be used to treat mice with PHZ-induced testicular damage.

Bioprospecting of Artemisia genus: from artemisinin to other potentially bioactive compounds

Species from genus Artemisia are widely distributed throughout temperate regions of the northern hemisphere and many cultures have a long-standing traditional use of these plants as herbal remedies, liquors, cosmetics, spices, etc. Nowadays, the discovery of new plant-derived products to be used as food supplements or drugs has been pushed by the exploitation of bioprospection approaches. Often driven by the knowledge derived from the ethnobotanical use of plants, bioprospection explores the existing biodiversity through integration of modern omics techniques with targeted bioactivity assays. In this work we set up a bioprospection plan to investigate the phytochemical diversity and the potential bioactivity of five Artemisia species with recognized ethnobotanical tradition (A. absinthium, A. alba, A. annua, A. verlotiorum and A. vulgaris), growing wild in the natural areas of the Verona province. We characterized the specialized metabolomes of the species (including sesquiterpenoids from the artemisinin biosynthesis pathway) through an LC-MS based untargeted approach and, in order to identify potential bioactive metabolites, we correlated their composition with the in vitro antioxidant activity. We propose as potential bioactive compounds several isomers of caffeoyl and feruloyl quinic acid esters (e.g. dicaffeoylquinic acids, feruloylquinic acids and caffeoylferuloylquinic acids), which strongly characterize the most antioxidant species A. verlotiorum and A. annua. Morevoer, in this study we report for the first time the occurrence of sesquiterpenoids from the artemisinin biosynthesis pathway in the species A. alba.

Comparative Analysis of Root Phenolic Profiles and Antioxidant Activity of Five Native and Invasive Solidago L. Species

The high environmental importance of invasive goldenrod has prompted research to find potential benefits that can be derived from these species. This study aimed to identify differences in root phenolic profiles among five Solidago species, thus providing valuable information on their potential applications and the botanical origin of the raw material. The roots of native S. virgaurea L., two alien species S. gigantea Aiton and S. canadensis L. and their hybrids S. ×niederederi Khek and S. ×snarskisii Gudž. & Žaln. were sampled from mixed-species stands in Lithuania. A complex of twelve phenolic acids and their derivatives was identified and quantified in methanol-water root extracts using the HPLC-PDA and LC/MS systems. The radical-scavenging capacities of the extracts were assessed by ABTS. The chemical content of the roots of S. virgaurea, S. gigantea and S. ×niederederi were statistically similar, while the roots of S. canadensis and S. ×snarskisii contained lower amounts of compounds than the other species. The PCA score-plot models of the phenolic profiles only partially confirmed the identification of S. ×niederederi and S. ×snarskisii as crosses between native and alien species. The findings from the phenolic profiles and the observed radical-scavenging activity of root extracts of Solidago species provide valuable insights into their potential applications in various fields.

Recent Updates on the Therapeutics Benefits, Clinical Trials, and Novel Delivery Systems of Chlorogenic Acid for the Management of Diseases with a Special Emphasis on Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a multifactorial disorder of the large intestine, especially the colon, and has become a challenge globally. Allopathic medicines are primarily available for the treatment and prevention of UC. However, their uses are limited due to several side effects. Hence, an alternative therapy is of utmost importance in this regard. Herbal medicines are considered safe and effective for managing human health problems. Chlorogenic acid (CGA), the herbal-derived bioactive, has been reported for pharmacological effects like antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anticancer, etc. This review aims to understand the antiinflammatory and chemopreventive potential of CGA against UC. Apart from its excellent therapeutic potential, it has been associated with low absorption and poor oral bioavailability. In this context, colon-specific novel drug delivery systems (NDDS)are pioneering to overcome these problems. The pertinent literature was compiled from a thorough search on various databases such as ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google Scholar, etc., utilizing numerous keywords, including ulcerative colitis, herbal drugs, CGA, pharmacological activities, mechanism of actions, nanoformulations, clinical updates, and many others. Relevant publications accessed till now were chosen, whereas non-relevant papers, unpublished data, and non-original articles were excluded. The present review comprises recent studies on pharmacological activities and novel drug delivery systems of CGA for managing UC. In addition, the clinical trials of CGA against UC have been discussed.

Neuroprotective effect of chlorogenic acid on Parkinson's disease like symptoms through boosting the autophagy in zebrafish

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by both motor and non-motor symptoms, including hypokinesia, postural instability, dopaminergic (DA) neurons loss, and α-synuclein (α-syn) accumulation. A growing number of patients show negative responses towards the current therapies. Thus, preventative or disease-modifying treatment agents are worth to further research. In recent years, compounds extracted from natural sources become promising candidates to treat PD. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a phenolic compound appearing in coffee, honeysuckle, and eucommia that showed their potential as antioxidants and neuroprotectors. In this study, we investigated the anti-PD activity of CGA by testing its effect on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) zebrafish model of PD. It was shown that CGA relieved MPTP-induced PD-like symptoms including DA neurons and blood vessel loss, locomotion reduction, and apoptosis events in brain. Moreover, CGA modulated the expression of PD- and autophagy-related genes (α-syn, lc3b, p62, atg5, atg7, and ulk1b), showing its ability to promote the autophagy which was interrupted in the PD pathology. The unblocked effect of CGA on autophagy was further verified in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-modeled SHSY5Y cells. Our findings indicated that CGA might relieve PD by boosting the autophagy in neuronal cells that makes CGA a potential candidate for anti-PD treatment.

The protective effect of apigenin against inorganic arsenic salt-induced toxicity in PC12 cells

Poisoning by arsenic affects people worldwide, and many human illnesses and health issues, including neurotoxicity, have been linked to chronic exposure to arsenic. When exposed to arsenic, the body produces intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), which influence a variety of alterations in cellular activity and directly harm molecules through oxidation. Arsenic-induced lesions are improved by antioxidants with the ability to lower ROS levels. Therefore, the current research aimed to assess how well apigenin protected PC12 cells from the toxicity caused by inorganic arsenic salt (iAs). For 24 and 48 h, iAs and/or apigenin were applied to PC12 cells. Then, oxidative stress indicators like malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and ROS in addition to the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant molecules such as catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were assessed. Moreover, after exposure to iAs, PC12 was examined for nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression to clarify how apigenin manifests its neuroprotection. Furthermore, NF-kB p65 concentration and IL-1B, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA expression were measured to assess neuroinflammation. Bax, caspase-3, and Bcl-2 levels were measured to investigate apigenin's potential to protect PC12 cells from iAs poisoning. The obtained results revealed that, the cell survival rate in the iAs group was significantly lower (P < 0.05), and the number of viable cells steadily increased after apigenin treatment. Furthermore, the study found that iAs decreased GSH, CAT, and SOD in the PC12 cells while increasing ROS, MDA, and NO levels. In PC12 cells, the capacity of iAs to cause oxidative stress was linked to the induction of neuroinflammation and apoptosis. Interestingly, apigenin pre-treatment of PC12 cells resulted in exceptional protection against iAs-induced neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptotic cell death. Nrf2 upregulation in PC12 cells may explain the neuroprotection effect of apigenin against iAs toxicity. In conclusion, the obtained results of the present study have clinical significance and indicate that apigenin is a promising candidate for shielding the nervous system from toxic effects caused by arsenic. These findings require further investigation using in vivo experimental models.

Characteristics of Phenolic Compounds in Peucedanum japonicum According to Various Stem and Seed Colors

Total polyphenol and total flavonoid assays were performed to characterize the relationships between the color of Peucedanum japonicum (PJ) seed coat and stem and the content of phytochemical compounds. The samples were divided into two groups based on their stem and seed coat color, with each group containing 23 samples. The stem color group was subdivided into green, light red, and red, whereas the seed coat color group was divided into light brown, brown, and dark brown. In the stem color group, the light red stems exhibited the highest content of phytochemical compounds, with levels over 10% higher than those of the stems of the other colors. Moreover, among the top ten samples with the highest total polyphenol content, eight samples were light red, and the light red group also exhibited the highest total flavonoid content among the examined color groups. In terms of the seed coat color, the plants grown from dark brown seeds exhibited the highest contents of both total polyphenols and total flavonoids. In conclusion, PJ plants with dark brown seeds and light red stems contained the highest levels of phytochemical compounds. Collectively, our findings provide a valuable basis for future seed selection of PJ for pharmaceutical purposes.

Response Surface Methodology as an Experimental Strategy for Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Artichoke Heads

The accurate quantification of phenolic compounds (PCs) in foods has become mandatory for a reliable estimation of PCs dietary intake. However, the extraction step of these molecules from the food matrix is a challenging and complex task. To manage the current lack of an official or generally accepted procedure for the recovery of phenolics, the application of statistical and mathematical tools, such as the response surface methodology (RSM), that allow the optimization of extraction parameters and the acquisition of the best output, has become the analytical approach of choice. The aim of this study was to apply an RSM-optimized ultrasound-assisted procedure to extract phenolic compounds from artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Hegi, cultivar "Campagnano") heads. The effect of extraction time, temperature, and solvent-to-sample ratio on the profile and content of phenolic acids and flavonoids was investigated. The total phenolic content was 488.13 ± 0.56 mg GAE 100 g^-1 dry matter (dm) and total flavonoid content was 375.03 ± 1.49 mg CAT_eq 100 g^-1 dm when the optimum extraction conditions were set. The HPLC analysis showed that caffeoylquinic acid derivatives (i.e., cynarin and 1,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid) were the main compounds in globe artichokes. Caffeic and p-coumaric acids were also identified. In regard to flavonoids, only the flavone luteolin-7-O-glucoside was identified.

Planting conditions can enhance the bioactivity of mulberry by affecting its composition

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) has a special significance in the history of agriculture and economic plant cultivation. Mulberry has strong environmental adaptability, a wide planting range, and abundant output. It is not only an important resource for silkworm breeding but also a raw ingredient for various foods and has great potential for the development of biological resources. The bioactivities of mulberry in different planting areas are not the same, which is an obstacle to the development of mulberry. This study collected information on the planting conditions of mulberry branches in 12 planting areas, such as altitude, temperature difference, and precipitation. A comparison of the levels of 12 constituents of mulberry branches from mulberry grown in different planting areas was then made. An in vitro model was used to study the bioactivities of mulberry branches in the 12 planting areas, and mathematical analysis was used to explain the possible reasons for the differences in the composition and bioactivities of mulberry branches in different planting areas. After studying mulberry samples from 12 planting areas in China, it was found that a small temperature difference could affect the antiapoptotic effect of mulberry branch on microvascular endothelial cells by changing the levels and proportions of rutin, hyperoside, and morusin. Adequate irrigation can promote the antioxidation of the mulberry branch on microvascular endothelial cells by changing the levels and proportions of scopoletin and quercitrin. The results of the analysis of planting conditions and the levels of active constituents and their correlation with bioactivities support the improvement of mulberry planting conditions and have great significance in the rational development of mulberry resources. This is the first time that a mathematical analysis method was used to analyze the effects of planting conditions on mulberry biological activity.

The protective effect of natural or chemical compounds against arsenic-induced neurotoxicity: Cellular and molecular mechanisms

Arsenic is a notorious metalloid that exists in the earth's crust and is considered toxic for humans and the environment. Both cancerous and non-cancerous complications are possible after arsenic exposure. Target organs include the liver, lungs, kidney, heart, and brain. Arsenic-induced neurotoxicity, the main focus of our study, can occur in central and peripheral nervous systems. Symptoms can develop in a few hours, weeks, or years depending on the quantity of arsenic and the duration of exposure. In this review, we aimed to gather all the compounds, natural and chemical, that have been studied as protective agents in cellular, animal, and human reports. Oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation are frequently described as destructive mechanisms in heavy metal toxicity. Moreover, reduced activity of acetylcholinesterase, the altered release of monoamine neurotransmitters, down-regulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, and decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor are important underlying mechanisms of arsenic-induced neurotoxicity. As for neuroprotection, though some compounds have yet limited data, there are others, such as curcumin, resveratrol, taurine, or melatonin which have been studied more deeply and might be closer to a reliable protective agent. We collected the available information on all protective agents and the mechanisms by which they fight against arsenic-induced neurotoxicity.

Chlorogenic acid improves growth performance of weaned rabbits via modulating the intestinal epithelium functions and intestinal microbiota

This study was conducted to investigate the impacts of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on growth performance, intestinal permeability, intestinal digestion and absorption-related enzyme activities, immune responses, antioxidant capacity and cecum microbial composition in weaned rabbits. One hundred and sixty weaned rabbits were allotted to four treatment groups and fed with a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with 400, 800, or 1,600 mg/kg CGA, respectively. After a 35-d trial, rabbits on the 800 mg/kg CGA-supplemented group had higher (p < 0.05) ADG and lower (p < 0.05) F/G than those in control (CON) group. According to the result of growth performance, eight rabbits per group were randomly selected from the CON group and 800 mg/kg CGA group to collect serum, intestinal tissue samples and cecum chyme samples. Results showed that compared with the CON group, supplementation with 800 mg/kg CGA decreased (p < 0.05) levels of D-lactate, diamine oxidase, IL-1β, IL-6, and malondialdehyde (MDA), and increased IL-10 concentration in the serum; increased (p < 0.05) jejunal ratio of villus height to crypt depth, enhanced (p < 0.05) activities of maltase and sucrase, increased (p < 0.05) concentrations of IL-10, T-AOC, MHCII and transforming growth factor-α, and decreased (p < 0.05) levels of TNF-α and MDA in the jejunum of weaned rabbits. In addition, results of high-throughput sequencing showed that CGA supplementation elevated (p < 0.05) microbial diversity and richness, and increased (p < 0.05) the abundances of butyrate-producing bacteria (including genera V9D2013_group, Monoglobus, Papillibacter, UCG-005, and Ruminococcus). These results indicated that dietary supplementation with 800 mg/kg CGA could improve the growth performance of weaned rabbits by enhancing intestinal structural integrity, improving the intestinal epithelium functions, and modulating the composition and diversity of gut microbiota.

Neuroprotective Effect of Artichoke-Based Nanoformulation in Sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Model: Focus on Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Amyloidogenic Pathways

The vast socio-economic impact of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has prompted the search for new neuroprotective agents with good tolerability and safety profile. With its outstanding role as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, alongside its anti-acetylcholinesterase activity, the artichoke can be implemented in a multi-targeted approach in AD therapy. Moreover, artichoke agricultural wastes can represent according to the current United Nations Sustainable Development goals an opportunity to produce medicinally valuable phenolic-rich extracts. In this context, the UPLC-ESI-MS/MS phytochemical characterization of artichoke bracts extract revealed the presence of mono- and di-caffeoylquinic acids and apigenin, luteolin, and kaempferol O-glycosides with remarkable total phenolics and flavonoids contents. A broad antioxidant spectrum was established in vitro. Artichoke-loaded, chitosan-coated, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were prepared and characterized for their size, zeta potential, morphology, entrapment efficiency, release, and ex vivo permeation and showed suitable colloidal characteristics, a controlled release profile, and promising ex vivo permeation, indicating possibly better physicochemical and biopharmaceutical parameters than free artichoke extract. The anti-Alzheimer potential of the extract and prepared SLNs was assessed in vivo in streptozotocin-induced sporadic Alzheimer mice. A great improvement in cognitive functions and spatial memory recovery, in addition to a marked reduction of the inflammatory biomarker TNF-α, β-amyloid, and tau protein levels, were observed. Significant neuroprotective efficacy in dentate Gyrus sub-regions was achieved in mice treated with free artichoke extract and to a significantly higher extent with artichoke-loaded SLNs. The results clarify the strong potential of artichoke bracts extract as a botanical anti-AD drug and will contribute to altering the future medicinal outlook of artichoke bracts previously regarded as agro-industrial waste.

Artichoke Leaf Extract-Mediated Neuroprotection against Effects of Aflatoxin in Male Rats

Attenuation of adverse effects of aflatoxin (AFB₁) in brains of B₁ rats by extracts of leaves of artichoke was studied. The active ingredients in extracts of leaves of artichoke, Cynara scolymus L., were determined by HPLC analysis. In the 42-day experiment, rats were exposed to either sterile water, 4% DMSO, 100 mg artichoke leaf extract/kg body mass, 72 μg aflatoxin B₁/kg body mass, or AFB₁ plus artichoke leaf extract. Neurotoxicity of AFB₁ was determined by an increase in profile of lipids, augmentation of plasmatic glucose and concentrations of insulin, oxidative stress, increased activities of cholinergic enzymes, and a decrease in activities of several antioxidant enzymes and pathological changes in brain tissue. Extracts of artichoke leaf significantly reduced adverse effects caused by AFB₁, rescuing most of the parameters to values similar to unexposed controls, which demonstrated that adverse, neurotoxic effects caused by aflatoxin B₁ could be significantly reduced by simultaneous dietary supplementation with artichoke leaf extract, which itself is not toxic.

A review of the protective effects of chlorogenic acid against different chemicals

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a naturally occurring non-flavonoid polyphenol found in green coffee beans, teas, certain fruits, and vegetables, that exerts antiviral, antitumor, antibacterial, and antioxidant effects. Several in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that CGA can protect against toxicities induced by chemicals of different classes such as fungal/bacterial toxins, pharmaceuticals, metals, pesticides, etc., by preservation of cell survival via reducing overproduction of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species and suppressed pro-apoptotic signaling. CGA antioxidant effects mediated through the Nrf2-heme oxygenase-1 signaling pathway were shown to enhance the levels of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferases, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase as well as glutathione content. Also, CGA could suppress inflammation via inhibition of toll-like receptor 4 and MyD88, and the phosphorylation of inhibitor of kappa B and p65 subunit of NF-κB, resulting in diminished levels of downstream inflammatory factors including interleukin (IL)-1 β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, macrophage inflammatory protein 2, cyclooxygenase-2, and prostaglandin E2. Moreover, CGA inhibited apoptosis by reducing Bax, cytochrome C, and caspase 3 and 9 expression while increasing Bcl-2 levels. The present review discusses several mechanisms through which CGA may exert its protective role against such agents. Chemical and natural toxic agents affect human health. Phenolic antioxidant compounds can suppress free radical production and combat these toxins. Chlorogenic acid is a plant polyphenol present in the human diet and exerts strong antioxidant properties that can effectively help in the treatment of various toxicities.

Protective effects of chlorogenic acid on trimethyltin chloride-induced neurobehavioral dysfunctions in mice relying on the gut microbiota

Trimethyltin chloride (TMT) is acknowledged to have potent neurotoxicity. Chlorogenic acid (CGA), the most abundant polyphenol in the human diet, is well-known for its neuroprotective activity. This investigation was performed to determine the effects and mechanisms of CGA on TMT-induced neurobehavioral dysfunctions. Mice received oral administrations of CGA (30 mg kg^-1) for 11 days, in which they were intraperitoneally injected with TMT (2.7 mg kg^-1) once on the 8th day. The daily intake of CGA significantly alleviated TMT-induced epilepsy-like seizure and cognition impairment, ameliorating hippocampal neuronal degeneration and neuroinflammation. Oral gavage of CGA potentially exerted neuroprotective effects through JNK/c-Jun and TLR4/NFκB pathways. Microbiome analysis revealed that daily consumption of CGA raised the relative abundance of Lactobacillus in TMT-treated mice. SCFAs, the gut microbial metabolites associated with neuroprotection, were increased in the mouse hippocampus following CGA treatment. TMT-induced neurotransmitter disorders were regulated by oral gavage of CGA, especially DL-kynurenine and acetylcholine chloride. Additionally, neurotransmitters in the mouse hippocampus were found to be highly associated with the gut microbiota. Our findings provided research evidence for the neuroprotective effect of CGA on TMT-induced neurobehavioral dysfunctions.

Phytochemical Analysis of Polyphenols in Leaf Extract from Vernonia amygdalina Delile Plant Growing in Uganda

Due to the presence of phytochemicals, plants have been known to be used in the treatment and management of various diseases. Vernonia amygdalina, belonging to the Asteraceae family, is a plant known for its many applications in traditional medicine for various purposes. Previous studies on the methanolic leaf extract of this plant have proved the antibacterial, cytotoxic, anticancer and antioxidant effects indicative of promising therapeutic potentials. In this work, chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques along with high-performance liquid chromatography quantitative analysis were adopted to isolate, identify and quantify polyphenolic compounds in V. amygdalina leaf extract. UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS and UHPLC-DAD methods were adopted for qualitative and quantitative analysis, respectively. In the case of polyphenol separation, some reference substances were isolated by preparative HPLC. Seven polyphenols were identified and quantified in this study: 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, luteolin hexoside, 3,4-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 1,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid and luteolin dihexoside, with 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid being isolated in the highest quantity of 27.49 mg g−1 extract.

Apple phenolic extract ameliorates lead-induced cognitive impairment, depression- and anxiety-like behavior in mice through abating oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis via miR-22-3p/SIRT1 axis

Lead can lead to neurotoxicity and cognitive impairment. In this study, for the first time, the protective effects and working mechanisms of apple phenolic extract (APE) against lead acetate (Pb(Ac)2)-induced...

Cerebralcare Granule® combined with nimodipine improves cognitive impairment in bilateral carotid artery occlusion rats by reducing lipocalin-2

AIMS

Clinically, Cerebralcare Granule® (CG) has been widely utilized to treat various types of headache, chronic cerebral insufficiency and other diseases, and the effect is significant. Clinical studies have shown that CG can significantly relieve vascular dementia (VaD), however, the molecular mechanisms haven't been established. To clear the therapeutic mechanisms of CG against VaD, a hypothesis was proposed that CG could treat neurovascular injury by inhibiting the production of lipocalin-2 (LCN 2).

MAIN METHODS

90 dementia rats were selected by water maze test and randomly divided into 6 groups, including nimodipine (NM), CG L (low dose) (0.314 g kg^-1), CG H (high dose) (0.628 g kg^-1), and combined group (CG + NM). And in vitro neuronal cell OGD modeling to evaluate the effect of CG on JAK2/STAT3.

KEY FINDINGS

CG could significantly shorten the escape latency of two-vessel occlusion (2-VO) rats, increase their exploratory behavior, alleviate the symptoms of VaD and improve the ultrastructural pathological damage of neurovascular unit and accelerate the recovery of cerebral blood perfusion. CG combined with NM is better than NM alone. It was further showed that CG could inhibit the pathogenicity of LCN 2 through JAK2/STAT3 pathway and suppress the production of inflammatory cytokines. It plays a role in the protection of cerebral microvasculature and BBB in 2-VO rats.

SIGNIFICANCE

Taken together, there data has supported notion that CG can protect the integrity of cerebral blood vessels and BBB and improve cognitive impairment through mainly inhibiting LCN 2, which provides scientific evidence for clinical application.

Caffeoylquinic acids: chemistry, biosynthesis, occurrence, analytical challenges, and bioactivity

Caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) are specialized plant metabolites we encounter in our daily life. Humans consume CQAs in mg-to-gram quantities through dietary consumption of plant products. CQAs are considered beneficial for human health, mainly due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Recently, new biosynthetic pathways via a peroxidase-type p-coumaric acid 3-hydroxylase enzyme were discovered. More recently, a new GDSL lipase-like enzyme able to transform monoCQAs into diCQA was identified in Ipomoea batatas. CQAs were recently linked to memory improvement; they seem to be strong indirect antioxidants via Nrf2 activation. However, there is a prevalent confusion in the designation and nomenclature of different CQA isomers. Such inconsistencies are critical and complicate bioactivity assessment since different isomers differ in bioactivity and potency. A detailed explanation regarding the origin of such confusion is provided, and a recommendation to unify nomenclature is suggested. Furthermore, for studies on CQA bioactivity, plant-based laboratory animal diets contain CQAs, which makes it difficult to include proper control groups for comparison. Therefore, a synthetic diet free of CQAs is advised to avoid interferences since some CQAs may produce bioactivity even at nanomolar levels. Biotransformation of CQAs by gut microbiota, the discovery of new enzymatic biosynthetic and metabolic pathways, dietary assessment, and assessment of biological properties with potential for drug development are areas of active, ongoing research. This review is focused on the chemistry, biosynthesis, occurrence, analytical challenges, and bioactivity recently reported for mono-, di-, tri-, and tetraCQAs.

Protective Effect of Chlorogenic Acid and Its Analogues on Lead-Induced Developmental Neurotoxicity Through Modulating Oxidative Stress and Autophagy

Lead (Pb) is among the deleterious heavy metal and has caused global health concerns due to its tendency to cause a detrimental effect on the development of the central nervous system (CNS). Despite being a serious health concern, treatment of Pb poisoning is not yet available, reflecting the pressing need for compounds that can relieve Pb-induced toxicity, especially neurotoxicity. In the quest of exploring protective strategies against Pb-induced developmental neurotoxicity, compounds from natural resources have gained increased attention. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) and its analogues neochlorogenic acid (NCGA) and cryptochlorogenic acid (CCGA) are the important phenolic compounds widely distributed in plants. Herein, utilizing zebrafish as a model organism, we modeled Pb-induced developmental neurotoxicity and investigated the protective effect of CGA, NCGA, and CCGA co-treatment. In zebrafish, Pb exposure (1,000 μg/L) for 5 days causes developmental malformation, loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons, and brain vasculature, as well as disrupted neuron differentiation in the CNS. Additionally, Pb-treated zebrafish exhibited abnormal locomotion. Notably, co-treatment with CGA (100 µM), NCGA (100 µM), and CCGA (50 µM) alleviated these developmental malformation and neurotoxicity induced by Pb. Further underlying mechanism investigation revealed that these dietary phenolic acid compounds may ameliorate Pb-induced oxidative stress and autophagy in zebrafish, therefore protecting against Pb-induced developmental neurotoxicity. In general, our study indicates that CGA, NCGA, and CCGA could be promising agents for treating neurotoxicity induced by Pb, and CCGA shows the strongest detoxifying activity.

Pharmacogenetic-based management of depression: Role of traditional Persian medicine

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders worldwide. The genetic factors are linked to depression and anti-depressant outcomes. Traditional Persian medicine (TPM) manuscripts have provided various anti-depressant remedies, which may be useful in depression management. This review has studied the bioactive compounds, underlying mechanisms, and treatment outcomes of the medicinal plants traditionally mentioned effective for depression from "The storehouse of medicament" (a famous pharmacopeia of TPM) to merge those with the novel genetics science and serve new scope in depression prevention and management. This review paper has been conducted in two sections: (1) Collecting medicinal plants and their bioactive components from "The storehouse of medicament," "Physician's Desk Reference (PDR) for Herbal Medicines," and "Google scholar" database. (2) The critical key factors and genes in depression pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment were clarified. Subsequently, the association between bioactive components' underlying mechanism and depression treatment outcomes via considering polymorphisms in related genes was derived. Taken together, α-Mangostin, β-carotene, β-pinene, apigenin, caffeic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, citral, ellagic acid, esculetin, ferulic acid, gallic acid, gentiopicroside, hyperoside, kaempferol, limonene, linalool, lycopene, naringin, protocatechuic acid, quercetin, resveratrol, rosmarinic acid, and umbelliferone are suitable for future pharmacogenetics-based studies in the management of depression.

Antioxidants in Potatoes: A Functional View on One of the Major Food Crops Worldwide

With a growing world population, accelerating climate changes, and limited arable land, it is critical to focus on plant-based resources for sustainable food production. In addition, plants are a cornucopia for secondary metabolites, of which many have robust antioxidative capacities and are beneficial for human health. Potato is one of the major food crops worldwide, and is recognized by the United Nations as an excellent food source for an increasing world population. Potato tubers are rich in a plethora of antioxidants with an array of health-promoting effects. This review article provides a detailed overview about the biosynthesis, chemical and health-promoting properties of the most abundant antioxidants in potato tubers, including several vitamins, carotenoids and phenylpropanoids. The dietary contribution of diverse commercial and primitive cultivars are detailed and document that potato contributes much more than just complex carbohydrates to the diet. Finally, the review provides insights into the current and future potential of potato-based systems as tools and resources for healthy and sustainable food production.

The Effect of Ilex × meserveae S. Y. Hu Extract and Its Fractions on Renal Morphology in Rats Fed with Normal and High-Cholesterol Diet

Therapeutic properties of Ilex species are widely used in natural medicine. Ilex × meserveae may become a potential substitute for Ilex paraguariensis (Yerba Mate). As a part of the preliminary safety verification of this European Ilex hybrid vs. Yerba Mate, an eight-week study concerning the impact of regular administration of leaves of both species on kidneys was conducted. The standard water infusion and three dominant fractions of Ilex × meserveae leaves’ constituents (polyphenols, saponins and less polar terpenoids) were separately tried on 96 male Wistar rats divided into 8-member groups. Animals were divided into two basic nutritional groups: the first one was rats fed standard feed and the second on was rats fed with high-cholesterol diet (20 g of cholesterol per kg of standard feed). Postmortem morphometric evaluation of stained kidney samples concerned the filtration barrier elements, which are crucial in proper diuresis. The results showed that saponins present in the hydroalcoholic dry extract (administered in a dose of 10 mg/kg of body weight/day) as well as in water infusions (1:20) from Ilex × meserveae and Ilex paraguariensis do not demonstrate nephrotoxicity but conversely, have a protective role on kidney status in animals fed with a normal diet and in a high-cholesterol diet.

Protective efficacy of thymoquinone or ebselen separately against arsenic-induced hepatotoxicity in rat

Arsenic (As) exposure is associated with adverse health outcomes to the living organisms. In the present study, the hepato-protective ability of thymoquinone (TQ), the active principle of Nigella sativa seed, or ebselen (Eb), an organoselenium compound, against As intoxication in female rats was investigated. For this purpose, animals were allocated randomly into control, As (20 mg/kg), TQ (10 mg/kg), Eb (5 mg/kg), As+TQ, and As+Eb groups that were orally administered for 28 consecutive days. Arsenic exposure resulted in hepatic oxidative damage which was evidenced by marked decreases in antioxidant parameters (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione (GSH)) concomitant with high malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Furthermore, As toxicity induced significant elevations in liver accumulation of As, serum hepatic indices (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin (TB)), and apoptotic marker (B cell lymphoma 2(Bcl2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and caspase 3) levels. Additionally, notable increments in hepatic fibrotic markers (epidermal growth factor (EFG) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1)) associated with high nitric oxide, interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were noticed following As intoxication. Biochemical findings were well-supported by hepatic histopathological screening. The co-treatment of As-exposed rats with TQ or Eb considerably improved liver function and antioxidant status together with lessened hepatic As content, inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis. The overall outcomes demonstrated that TQ or Eb ameliorates As-induced liver injury through their favorable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and fibrolytic properties.

Chrysin protects against testicular toxicity caused by lead acetate in rats with its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties

In the present study, the protective effects of chrysin (CHR) against testicular damage caused by lead acetate (PbAc) were examined. In this way, 30 min after rats were given 25 and 50 mg/kg/b.w CHR orally for seven consecutive days, 30 mg/kg/b.w PbAc was administered orally. In biochemical analysis of testicular tissue, it was found that PbAc-reduced antioxidant parameters [glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT)], while it increased lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers [nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)], and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). In the immunohistochemical examination, it was determined that PbAc increased the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and caspase-3. Accordingly, PbAc was found to cause a decrease in sperm motility and an increase in the percentage of dead sperm. However, it has been observed that CHR relieves oxidative stress due to its antioxidant properties, thus protecting against inflammation and apoptosis. It also allowed the CHR sperm parameters to return to control group levels. The results revealed that CHR could be a natural substance to be used in Pb-induced testicular toxicity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Lead (Pb) is an important environmental contaminant heavy metal. Pb is believed to reduce fertility in men. Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the damage caused by Pb to testicular tissue. CHR is an antioxidant substance that occurs naturally in various plants and has various pharmacological properties. In the present study, it was investigated whether CHR has a protective effect against testicular toxicity induced by PbAc. The results revealed that in rats, CHR protects the testicular tissue from PbAc toxicity by showing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects, thus bringing sperm parameters closer to normal.

Chlorogenic acid abates male reproductive dysfunction in arsenic-exposed mice via attenuation of testicular oxido-inflammatory stress and apoptotic responses

Arsenic, a major environmental pollutant of global concern, is well-known for its reproductive toxicity. In this study, the protective potential of chlorogenic acid (CGA), a caffeoylquinic acid isomer abundantly found in many plants, was investigated against sodium arsenite (NaAsO₂)-induced testicular dysfunctions. Adult male Swiss mice were either administered NaAsO₂ alone at 5 mg kg^-1 or co-treated with CGA at 100 mg kg^-1 or 200 mg kg^-1 body weight for 4 weeks. Results showed that NaAsO₂-treated mice exhibited marked declines in testes weight, sperm count, and viability accompanied by decreases in sexual hormonal levels. Moreover, NaAsO₂ toxicity evoked exhaustion of antioxidant markers (SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, and GSH), down-regulation of Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) gene expression level, and elevations in malondialdehyde. Further, elevations in inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, TNF-α, and IL-6) together with the up-regulation of pro-apoptotic biomarkers (Bax and caspase- 3) and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 were observed in NaAsO₂ intoxication. Immunohistochemical analysis of testis sections of NaAsO₂-treated mice showed high caspase-3 expression. These findings were well supported with testicular histopathological examination. However, pretreatment of mice with CGA resulted in noteworthy improvements in testicular damage induced by arsenic in a dose-dependent manner possibly mediated by the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Conclusively, CGA counteracted arsenic-induced testicular injury through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. Therefore, CGA could serve as a favorable intervention in the alleviation of arsenic-induced reproductive toxicity.