Gentiopicroside and sweroside from Veratrilla baillonii Franch. induce phosphorylation of Akt and suppress Pck1 expression in hepatoma cells

Gentiopicroside inhibits retinoblastoma cell proliferation, invasion, and tumorigenesis in nude mice by suppressing the PI3K/AKT pathway

Retinoblastoma is a prevalent pediatric intraocular tumor. The suppressive effect of gentiopicroside (GPS) has been reported on various tumors. This study sought to determine the effect of GPS on retinoblastoma cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and tumorigenesis in nude mice. The effect and mechanism of GPS on growth, apoptosis, invasion, and EMT were determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), western blot, flow cytometry, and transwell assays in retinoblastoma cells. Y79 cells were injected into the vitreous cavity of BALB/c‑nude mice to construct a retinoblastoma mouse model. Tumor growth and mouse weight were monitored for sequential 5 weeks. The effect of GPS in vivo was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick end labeling (TUNEL), and western blot assays. GPS decreased the cell viability of both Y79 and Weri-Rb1 cells with the IC50 of 18.85 μM and 27.57 μM, respectively. Besides, GPS reduced the relative expression of proteins involved in proliferation and EMT, and the number of invading cells, while increased the apoptosis rate and the relative expressions of apoptosis proteins in retinoblastoma cells. Mechanically, GPS decreased the relative protein level of PI3K/AKT pathway, which was then recovered after 740 Y-P was applied. Correspondingly, 740 Y-P reversed the inhibitory effect of GPS on growth, invasion, and EMT, and the increased effect of GPS on apoptosis. Additionally, GPS decreased tumor volume and weight as well as the relative level of Ki-67, VEGF, p-PI3K/PI3K, and p-AKT/AKT, while increased the apoptosis rate in vivo. GPS inhibited retinoblastoma cell proliferation and invasion via deactivating the PI3K/AKT pathway in both cell and animal models.

Sweroside Ameliorated Memory Deficits in Scopolamine-Induced Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Model: Involvement of Cholinergic System and Brain Oxidative Stress

Sweroside is a secoiridoid glycoside and belongs to a large group of naturally occurring monoterpenes with glucose sugar attached to C-1 in the pyran ring. Sweroside can promote different biological activities such as antifungal, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, sedative and antitumor, antioxidant, and neuroprotective activities. Zebrafish were given sweroside (12.79, 8.35, and 13.95 nM) by immersion once daily for 8 days, along with scopolamine (Sco, 100 μM) 30 min before the initiation of the behavioral testing to cause anxiety and memory loss. Employing the novel tank diving test (NTT), the Y-maze, and the novel object recognition test (NOR), anxiety-like reactions and memory-related behaviors were assessed. The following seven groups (n = 10 animals per group) were used: control, Sco (100 μM), sweroside treatment (2.79, 8.35, and 13.95 nM), galantamine (GAL, 2.71 μM as the positive control in Y-maze and NOR tests), and imipramine (IMP, 63.11 μM as the positive control in NTT test). Acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE) and the antioxidant condition of the brains were also evaluated. The structure of sweroside isolated from Schenkia spicata was identified. Treatment with sweroside significantly improved the Sco-induced decrease of the cholinergic system activity and brain oxidative stress. These results suggest that sweroside exerts a significant effect on anxiety and cognitive impairment, driven in part by the modulation of the cholinergic system activity and brain antioxidant action.

Veratrilla baillonii Franch Ameliorates Diabetic Liver Injury by Alleviating Insulin Resistance in Rats

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex and polygenic disorder with diverse complications. Veratrilla baillonii Franch (V. baillonii) has been applied in the intervention and treatment a diverse range of diseases, including diabetes. In this study, we revealed that water extracts of V. baillonii (WVBF) can ameliorate liver injury and insulin resistance in T2DM rat model. To elucidate the anti-diabetic mechanisms of WVBF, we performed liver transcriptome analysis that displayed WVBF treatment significantly suppressed many gene expressions involved in insulin resistance. Furthermore, functional experiments showed that WVBF treatment reduced the pathological damages of liver and pancreas, which may be regulated by Foxo1, Sirt1, G6pc, c-Met, Irs1, Akt1, Pik3r1. These results indicated that WVBF improves diabetic liver injury and insulin resistance in diabetic rats. Therefore, this study demonstrated WVBF could be used as a promising therapeutic agent for intervention and treatment of diabetes.

Gentiopicroside prevents alcoholic liver damage by improving mitochondrial dysfunction in the rat model

Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma is a medical plant that is widely cultivated in China, North Korea, Japan, and Russia, and gentiopicroside is one of its major active compounds. In this study, the hepatoprotective activity of gentiopicroside on rats with alcoholic liver damage (ALD) was evaluated using the transaminase and blood lipid levels and antioxidant capacity. The potential mechanism of hepatoprotective effect of gentiopicroside was evaluated by mitochondrial function detection, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) metabolomic analysis, and anti-apoptosis analysis. Results showed that the gentiopicroside exhibited good hepatoprotective activity on rats with ALD by decreasing the transaminase levels, regulating the blood lipid levels, and increasing the antioxidant capacity. The potential mechanisms were related to regulating mitochondrial dysfunction by recovering mitochondrial membrane potential level, adenosine triphosphate concentration, activities of key enzymes in tricarboxylic acid cycle, and activities of complex I-V, regulating micromolecular metabolism and anti-apoptosis. These findings supported the further exploration of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma as effective phytotherapy to prevent and treat ALD.

Research on the Potential Mechanism of Gentiopicroside Against Gastric Cancer Based on Network Pharmacology

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer was still one of the commonly diagnosed cancer types and the third-most common cause of cancer-related death in the world. Gentiopicroside, which is extracted from the Gentianella acuta, is commonly used in both traditional treatment and modern clinical care; therefore, its anticancer effects have been attracted more attention. However, the systematic analysis of action mechanism of Gentiopicroside on gastric cancer (GC) has not yet been carried out.

AIM

A network pharmacology-based strategy combined with molecular docking studies and in vitro validation was employed to investigate potential targets and molecular mechanism of Gentiopicroside against GC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Potential targets of Gentiopicroside, as well as related genes of GC, were acquired from public databases. Potential targets, and signaling pathways were determined through bioinformatic analysis, including protein-protein interaction (PPI), the Gene Ontology (GO), and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Subsequently, molecular docking and cell experiments were performed to further verify the above findings.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed that the anticancer activity of Gentiopicroside potentially involves 53 putative identified target genes. In addition, GO, KEGG, and network analyses revealed that these targets were associated with cell proliferation, metabolic process, and other physiological processes. Furthermore, we have proved that critical compound affected the expression of CCND1, CCNE1, p-AKT and p-P38 at protein levels. These findings provide an overview of the anticancer action of Gentiopicroside from a network perspective; meanwhile, it might also set an example for future studies of other materials used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

CONCLUSION

This study comprehensively illuminated the potential targets and molecular mechanism of Gentiopicroside against GC. It also provided a promising approach to uncover the scientific basis and therapeutic mechanism of TCM treating for disease.

Veratrilla baillonii Franch Could Alleviate Lipid Accumulation in LO2 Cells by Regulating Oxidative, Inflammatory, and Lipid Metabolic Signaling Pathways

Based on the pathological theory of lipid metabolism and using network pharmacology, this study was designed to investigate the protective effect of water extract of Veratrilla baillonii (WVBF) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) model using LO2 cells and to identify the potential mechanism underlying the effect. The components of V. baillonii were identified from the public database of traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database (TCMSP). Cytoscape software was used to construct the related composite target network. Then, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were carried out for critical nodes. The BioGPS database was used to determine the distribution of the target in tissues and organs. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of V. baillonii was further investigated using an in vitro hepatocyte NAFLD model. Fourteen active components were then selected from the 27 known compounds of V. baillonii. The targets of gene enrichment analysis were mainly distributed in the lipid catabolism-related signaling pathway. Network analysis revealed that five target genes of TNF, MAPK8, mTOR, NF-ĸB, and SREBP-1c were key nodes and played important roles in this process. Organ localization analysis indicated that one of the core target site of V. baillonii was liver tissue. The results of the in vitro study revealed that WVBF can alleviate the inflammatory response and lipid accumulation in LO2 hepatocytes by inhibiting oxidative stress and the adipocytokine signaling pathway. Genes and proteins related to the lipid synthesis, such as SREBP-1C, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and fatty acid synthase (FASN), were significantly decreased, and PPARα expression is significantly increased with WVBF administration. In conclusion, V. baillonii may regulate local lipid metabolism and attenuate oxidative stress and inflammatory factors through the PPARα/SREBP-1c signaling pathway. The present study also indicates that multiple components of V. baillonii regulate multiple targets and pathways in NAFLD. The findings highlight the potential of V. baillonii as a promising treatment strategy for nonalcoholic fatty liver injury.

Gentiopicroside Inhibits Cell Growth and Migration on Cervical Cancer via the Reciprocal MAPK/Akt Signaling Pathways

Cervical cancer (CC) is a common gynecological malignancy and represents a major global health challenge. Chemotherapeutic agents are commonly applied in treatment of CC, while along various adverse effects and chemotherapy resistance. As an iridoid glycoside compound, gentiopicroside (GPS) possesses the characteristic of the better availability and lower toxicity effect on cancer treatment. In the present study, we investigated that GPS exhibited the anticancer effect on HeLa cells through the inhibition of cell growth, induced apoptosis, cycle arrest, and suppressed migration. Furthermore, the possible mechanism or the targets of GPS was also clarified. The results revealed that GPS exerted an anti-proliferation effect in a dose- and time-dependent manner in HeLa cells, in contrast, with the less inhibiting proliferation effects on normal cell line (HUVEC). Moreover, GPS arrested cells at G2/M phase and induced apoptosis through mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. More significantly, GPS dramatically inhibited the migration of HeLa cells and regulated the matrix metalloproteinase expression through the MAPK and Akt signaling pathways, of which MAPK1 was an underlying target in GPS against HeLa cells.

Sweroside ameliorates NAFLD in high-fat diet induced obese mice through the regulation of lipid metabolism and inflammatory response

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Sweroside, an iridoid derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine, is an active component in Swertia pseudochinensis Hara. Swertia pseudochinensis Hara is first recorded in "Inner Mongolia Chinese Herb Medicine"and is considered as a folk medicine for treating hepatitis in northern China.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study sought to elucidate the role of sweroside in high fat diet induced obesity and fatty liver by using mouse model and investigated the primary molecular mechanism via transcriptomics analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were fed high-fat diet (HFD) for 14 weeks to induce obesity, hyperglycemia, and fatty liver. These mice were subsequently treated with HFD alone or mixed with sweroside (at a daily dosage of 60 mg per kg of BW, 120 mg per kg of BW and 240 mg per kg of BW) for 6 weeks. BW and food intake was monitored weekly. Biochemical and pathological analysis were conducted to investigate the effect of sweroside on NAFLD. RNA-sequence and RT-qPCR analysis were performed to analyze the potential mechanism.

RESULTS

The mice treated with sweroside were resistant to HFD-induced body weight gain, insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) demonstrated that hepatic gene networks related to lipid metabolism and inflammatory response were down-regulated in the HFD + sweroside group. PPAR-ɑ was located in the center of the hepatic gene network, and the significantly altered genes were CD36 and FGF21, which are related to hepatic inflammation and lipid metabolism. Consistently, upstream-regulators analysis revealed that the main enriched upstream-regulator was PPAR-ɑ.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that sweroside may ameliorate obesity with fatty liver via the regulation of lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses. The beneficial effects of sweroside might be closely associated with the regulation of PPAR-α.

Effects of Veratrilla baillonii Extract on Hepatic Gene Expression Profiles in Response to Aconitum brachypodum-Induced Liver Toxicity in Mice

This manuscript was aimed to explore the hepato-protective effect of water extract of Veratrilla baillonii Franch. (Gentianaceae) (WVBF) on serious hepatic toxicity induced in mice treated with Aconitum brachypodum Diels (Ranunculaceae) at transcriptome level. The physiological and pathological symptoms were evaluated as the markers for hepato toxicity induced by A. brachypodum Diels (CFA) extracted compounds. Moreover, gene chip method was used to compare and investigate the gene expression level of WVBF on CFA induced-liver toxicity to identify the potential target of WVBF and CFA on liver. The results showed that WVBF had a significant detoxification effect on CFA-induced acute hepatic toxicity. There were 130 genes with lower expression and 124 genes expressed at higher rate in CFA treated group as compared with normal control group, while there are 67 genes down-regulated and 74 genes up-regulated in WVBF treated group in comparison with CFA treated group. WVBF could attenuate CFA-induced liver damage in mice through regulating oxidative stress, inflammatory injury and cell apoptosis/necrosis pathways. On the other hand, WVBF and CFA may have potential synergetic effects on the target genes of certain diseases such as inflammation, cancer and diabetes.

Antidiabetic activities of chloroform fraction of Anthocleista vogelii Planch root bark in rats with diet- and alloxan-induced obesity-diabetes

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Anthocleista vogelii Planch is a medicinal plant traditionally used in West Africa for the management and treatment of diabetes mellitus.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To determine the antidiabetic activities of chloroform fraction (CF) of Anthocleista vogelii Planch root bark in rats with diet- and alloxan-induced obesity-diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Inhibitory activities of CF against α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities were determined in vitro. Three weeks old rats were fed with high-fat diet for 9 weeks to induce obesity prior to further induction of diabetes using alloxan (150 mg/kg body weight, i.p.). Blood glucose levels and body weight were measured every 7 days throughout the experiment. Glucose tolerance was assessed in normal and CF-treated rats on day 21. Terminal blood samples were collected from sacrificed animals for the measurement of serum insulin levels. Pancreases were excised from treated and untreated animals for histopathological examination.

RESULTS

LCMS/MS chromatographic profile of CF via positive and negative modes revealed 13 and 23 compounds respectively. Further analysis revealed quebrachitol (QCT), loganin, sweroside, oleoside 11-methyl ester and ferulic acid, which have been previously reported for their antidiabetic activities, as constituents of CF. CF inhibited activities of α-amylase (IC₅₀ = 51.60 ± 0.92 µg/ml) and α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 5.86 ± 0.97 µg/ml) in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment of animals with obesity-diabetes with 100 and 200 mg/kg CF significantly improved glucose tolerance (P < 0.001) and enhanced serum insulin levels (P < 0.05) compared to diabetic control rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Antidiabetic activities of CF might be mediated via inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities, elevation of serum insulin concentration, and enhancement of insulin and leptin sensitivity in obesity-diabetes rats. This study further substantiates the traditional use of A. vogelii in the management and treatment of diabetes in Africa and encourages further studies to investigate its mechanism of action.

Sweroside Alleviated Aconitine-Induced Cardiac Toxicity in H9c2 Cardiomyoblast Cell Line

Aconitine is the main bioactive ingredient of Aconitum plants, which are well-known botanical herbs in China. Aconitine is also notorious for its high cardiotoxicity, as it can induce life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Unfortunately, there are few effective antidotes to aconitine toxicity. This study aimed to evaluate the potent protective effects of the ingredients from V. baillonii on aconitine toxicity on H9c2 cell line. Cell viability was assessed by methylthiazoltetrazolium bromide (MTT). Intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration alteration and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were observed by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry, respectively. Cellular oxidative stress was analyzed by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ) was determined using JC-1 kit. RT-PCR and Hoechst staining techniques were conducted to determine the levels of autophagy/apoptosis. The mRNA levels of dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR), ryanodine receptors (RyR2) and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase (SERCA) were measured by RT-PCR. We screened six components from V. baillonii, among which, sweroside exhibited the strongest protective effects on aconitine-induced cardiac toxicity. Sweroside suppressed the aconitine-induced mRNA expressions of Na_V1.5 (encoded by SCN5A), RyR2 and DHPR, and reversed the aconitine-induced decrease in mRNA level of SERCA, thus preventing the aconitine-induced persistent intracellular Ca²⁺ accumulation and avoiding intracellular Ca²⁺ overload. We further found that sweroside restabilized the aconitine-disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ) and reversed the aconitine-induced increase in the mRNA levels of cell autophagy-related factors (Beclin-1, Caspase-3, and LC3- II) in H9c2 cells. In the whole-animal experiments, we observed that sweroside (50 mg/kg) alleviated effectively aconitine-induced arrhythmias by analysis of electrocardiogram (ECG) recording in rats. Our results demonstrate that sweroside may protect cardiomyocytes from aconitine toxicity by maintaining intracellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis, restabilizing mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ) and avoiding cell autophagy/apoptosis.

Hepatoprotective activity of iridoids, seco-iridoids and analog glycosides from Gentianaceae on HepG2 cells via CYP3A4 induction and mitochondrial pathway

Gentianaceae herb extracts have been widely used as food additives, teas or medicinal remedies for various diseases and disorders of the human body.

Antidiabetic Potential of Monoterpenes: A Case of Small Molecules Punching above Their Weight

Monoterpenes belong to the terpenoids class of natural products and are bio-synthesized through the mevalonic acid pathway. Their small molecular weight coupled with high non-polar nature make them the most abundant components of essential oils which are often considered to have some general antioxidant and antimicrobial effects at fairly high concentrations. These compounds are however reported to have antidiabetic effects in recent years. Thanks to the ingenious biosynthetic machinery of nature, they also display a fair degree of structural complexity/diversity for further consideration in structure-activity studies. In the present communication, the merit of monoterpenes as antidiabetic agents is scrutinized by assessing recent in vitro and in vivo studies reported in the scientific literature. Both the aglycones and glycosides of these compounds of rather small structural size appear to display antidiabetic along with antiobesity and lipid lowering effects. The diversity of these effects vis-à-vis their structures and mechanisms of actions are discussed. Some key pharmacological targets include the insulin signaling pathways and/or the associated PI3K-AKT (protein kinase B), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathways; proinflammatory cytokines and the NF-κB pathway; glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in the liver; glucagon-like-1 receptor (GLP-1R); among others.

The water extract of Veratrilla baillonii could attenuate the subacute toxicity induced by Aconitum brachypodum

BACKGROUND

Aconitum brachypodum Diels (Family Ranunculaceae) is a Chinese ethnodrug and is well known for both its therapeutic application and high toxicity. However, no detoxication strategy is available for the complete elimination of the toxicity of Aconitum plants. Veratrilla baillonii Franch is believed to possess antitoxic effects on the toxicity induced by Aconitum plants and has been clinically used for hundreds of time by Naxi and Lisu nationalities in Yunnan Province of China. To further address the mechanism of the detoxication of Veratrilla baillonii, the effect of water decoction of Veratrilla baillonii (WVBF) on subacute toxicology of SD rats induced by Aconitum brachypodum (CFA), a genus Aconitum, was determined and studied in the present work.

METHODS

The clinical behavior and number of survivors for different dosage of WVBF (25, 50, 100mg/kg) on CFA (4mg/kg) induced rats were observed until day 28. Histological changes and haematological parameters were evaluated. Moreover, Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase pathway in heart as well as key enzymes in liver were determined to further discuss the mechanism.

RESULTS

The results showed that the exposure of CFA led to some subacute toxicity to rats, especially male ones, accompanied with abnormality of serum biochemical index in rats' serum. The toxicological target organs of CFA may be the heart, liver, kidney and brain. It is demonstrated that WVBF could attenuate the toxicity induced by Aconitum brachypodum via promoting the metabolic enzymes CYP3A1 and CYP3A2 in liver, downregulating the expression of Sodium/Calcium exchanger 1 (NCX1) and SCN5A sodium channal mRNA, and inducing Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity in heart. This study provides insights into detoxifying measures of Aconitum plants.

CONCLUSIONS

Aconitum brachypodum may lead to subacute toxicity of rats after long term of administration, and the toxicity could be attenuated by Veratrilla baillonii via promoting the metabolic enzymes in liver, downregulating the expression of NCX1 and SCN5A mRNA, and inducing Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity in heart.