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Kadasah SF, Radwan MO. Overview of Ursolic Acid Potential for the Treatment of Metabolic Disorders, Autoimmune Diseases, and Cancers via Nuclear Receptor Pathways. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2845. [PMID: 37893218 PMCID: PMC10604592 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs) form a family of druggable transcription factors that are regulated by ligand binding to orchestrate multifaceted physiological functions, including reproduction, immunity, metabolism, and growth. NRs represent attractive and valid targets for the management and treatment of a vast array of ailments. Pentacyclic triterpenes (PTs) are ubiquitously distributed natural products in medicinal and aromatic plants, of which ursolic acid (UA) is an extensively studied member, due to its diverse bio-pertinent activities against different cancers, inflammation, aging, obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and liver injury. In fact, PTs share a common lipophilic structure that resembles NRs' endogenous ligands. Herein, we present a review of the literature on UA's effect on NRs, showcasing the resulting health benefits and potential therapeutic outcomes. De facto, UA exhibited numerous pharmacodynamic effects on PPAR, LXR, FXR, and PXR, resulting in remarkable anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, and hepatoprotective properties, by lowering lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and mitigating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and its subsequent liver fibrosis. Furthermore, UA reversed valproate and rifampicin-induced hepatic lipid accumulation. Additionally, UA showed great promise for the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis and autoimmune arthritis by antagonizing RORγ. UA exhibited antiproliferative effects against skin, prostate, and breast cancers, partially via PPARα and RORγ pathways. Herein, for the first time, we explore and provide insights into UA bioactivity with respect to NR modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sultan F. Kadasah
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Bisha, P.O. Box 551, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed O. Radwan
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Science Farm Joint Research Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan
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Radwan MO, Kadasah SF, Aljubiri SM, Alrefaei AF, El-Maghrabey MH, El Hamd MA, Tateishi H, Otsuka M, Fujita M. Harnessing Oleanolic Acid and Its Derivatives as Modulators of Metabolic Nuclear Receptors. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1465. [PMID: 37892147 PMCID: PMC10604226 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs) constitute a superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors with a paramount role in ubiquitous physiological functions such as metabolism, growth, and reproduction. Owing to their physiological role and druggability, NRs are deemed attractive and valid targets for medicinal chemists. Pentacyclic triterpenes (PTs) represent one of the most important phytochemical classes present in higher plants, where oleanolic acid (OA) is the most studied PTs representative owing to its multitude of biological activities against cancer, inflammation, diabetes, and liver injury. PTs possess a lipophilic skeleton that imitates the NRs endogenous ligands. Herein, we report a literature overview on the modulation of metabolic NRs by OA and its semi-synthetic derivatives, highlighting their health benefits and potential therapeutic applications. Indeed, OA exhibited varying pharmacological effects on FXR, PPAR, LXR, RXR, PXR, and ROR in a tissue-specific manner. Owing to these NRs modulation, OA showed prominent hepatoprotective properties comparable to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in a bile duct ligation mice model and antiatherosclerosis effect as simvastatin in a model of New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits. It also demonstrated a great promise in alleviating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and liver fibrosis, attenuated alpha-naphthol isothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholestatic liver injury, and controlled blood glucose levels, making it a key player in the therapy of metabolic diseases. We also compiled OA semi-synthetic derivatives and explored their synthetic pathways and pharmacological effects on NRs, showcasing their structure-activity relationship (SAR). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review article to highlight OA activity in terms of NRs modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed O. Radwan
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Science Farm Joint Research Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan; (H.T.); (M.O.); (M.F.)
| | - Sultan F. Kadasah
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Salha M. Aljubiri
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia;
| | | | - Mahmoud H. El-Maghrabey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt;
| | - Mohamed A. El Hamd
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, Shaqra 11961, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt
| | - Hiroshi Tateishi
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Science Farm Joint Research Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan; (H.T.); (M.O.); (M.F.)
| | - Masami Otsuka
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Science Farm Joint Research Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan; (H.T.); (M.O.); (M.F.)
- Department of Drug Discovery, Science Farm Ltd., Kumamoto 862-0976, Japan
| | - Mikako Fujita
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Science Farm Joint Research Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan; (H.T.); (M.O.); (M.F.)
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Lee JH, Lee MY. In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Psoriasis Activity of Ficus carica Fruit Extracts via JAK-STAT Modulation. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1671. [PMID: 37629529 PMCID: PMC10455168 DOI: 10.3390/life13081671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Psoriasis, a chronic and autoimmune inflammatory disorder of the skin, has been often underdiagnosed and underestimated despite its prevalence and considerable negative effects on the quality of life. In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity of Ficus carica fruit extract (FFE) was investigated against LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The in vitro results showed that FFE reduced the production of nitric oxide (NO) and iNOS expression. Moreover, FFE reduced the level of β-hexosaminidase released with histamine in allergic reactions. However, the MAPK and NFκB signaling molecules associated with the inflammatory response were not significantly regulated by FFE. In contrast, the phosphorylation of JAK1 and STAT3 in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway was dramatically reduced by FFE treatment. Psoriasis-like skin lesions were induced in BALB/c mice using imiquimod (IMQ) to test the feasibility of FFE as a treatment for psoriasis. The efficacy of FFE was evaluated based on phenotypic and histological features. FFE was effective in relieving the symptoms of psoriasis-like skin lesions, such as erythema, dryness, scales, and thick epidermis. Notably, STAT3 modulation was also contributable to the in vivo ameliorative activity of FFE. Taken together, FFE with anti-psoriasis activity in vitro and in vivo through the JAK-STAT modulation could be developed as a therapeutic agent against psoriasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Hwa Lee
- Department of Medical Science, Soonchunhyang University, 22 Soonchunhyang-ro, Asan 31538, Republic of Korea;
| | - Mi-Young Lee
- Department of Medical Science, Soonchunhyang University, 22 Soonchunhyang-ro, Asan 31538, Republic of Korea;
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Soonchunhyang University, 22 Soonchunhyang-ro, Asan 31538, Republic of Korea
- Eshel Biopharm Co., Ltd., Soonchunhyang-ro, Asan 31538, Republic of Korea
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Pundalik S, Hanumappa KR, Giresha AS, Urs D, Rajashekarappa S, Muniyappa N, Jamballi G M, Kuaramkote Shivanna D, S Meti R, Anekere Dasappa Setty S, Thippegowda PB, Krishnappa DK. Corosolic Acid Inhibits Secretory Phospholipase A 2IIa as an Anti-Inflammatory Function and Exhibits Anti-Tumor Activity in Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Bearing Mice. J Inflamm Res 2022; 15:6905-6921. [PMID: 36619941 PMCID: PMC9811966 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s383441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Inflammation is generally connected to tumour progression and development. The secretory phospholipase A2IIa (sPLA2IIa) is an important inflammatory enzyme that catalyse the hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids into arachidonic and lysophosphatidic acid, which are the precursors for production of a lot of pro-inflammatory mediators like prostaglandins, prostacyclins, thromboxanes, leukotrienes and platelet activating factors, which involved in the proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis. Therefore, investigating safe and effective sPLA2IIa inhibitors as a therapeutic agent to treat cancer is indeed in need. Methods Anti-inflammatory function of corosolic acid was evaluated by docking it with sPLA2IIa enzyme, sPLA2IIa inhibition, calcium and substrate concentration-dependent assays; intrinsic fluorescence and UV-CD analysis; neutralisation of sPLA2IIa induced indirect hemolytic and edema. Evaluated the anticancer activity of corosolic acid by MTT assays and caspase-3 expression; the anti-tumour activity by EAC-induced cell line and interleukin 6 expression. Results The corosolic acid inhibits sPLA2IIa activity to 82.21±2.82%. The inhibition was evaluated by increasing calcium from 2.5 to 15 µM and substrate from 20 to 120 nM, it did not affect the level of inhibition. Corosolic acid altered the intrinsic fluorescence and UV-CD spectra of sPLA2IIa enzyme, indicating the direct interaction. It neutralised sPLA2IIa induced hemolytic activity from 97±1.23% to 15.75±1.44% and edema from 171.51±2.39% to 119.3±2.6%. Further, as antiproliferative activity, corosolic acid reduced the PC3 cell viability from 99.66±0.57% to 23±2.64% and suppressed LPS-induced IL-6 level from 94.35±2.2% to 34.36±2.4%. It increased mean survivability time from 30 to 38 days and displayed the drug-like qualities. Conclusion All the experimental results have proven the corosolic acid as an anti-inflammatory and anticancer molecule that may further be used to develop it as a drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophiya Pundalik
- Inflammation Research Laboratory, Department of Studies and Research in Biochemistry, Mangalore University, Jnana Kaveri Post Graduate Campus, Kodagu, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Aladahalli S Giresha
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Science, Jain (Deemed-to-be University), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Deepadarshan Urs
- Inflammation Research Laboratory, Department of Studies and Research in Biochemistry, Mangalore University, Jnana Kaveri Post Graduate Campus, Kodagu, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Narayanappa Muniyappa
- Inflammation Research Laboratory, Department of Studies and Research in Biochemistry, Mangalore University, Jnana Kaveri Post Graduate Campus, Kodagu, Karnataka, India
| | - Manjunatha Jamballi G
- Department of Chemistry FMKMC College Madikeri, Mangalore University Constituent College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Rajkumar S Meti
- Inflammation Research Laboratory, Department of Studies and Research in Biochemistry, Mangalore University, Jnana Kaveri Post Graduate Campus, Kodagu, Karnataka, India
| | - Sathisha Anekere Dasappa Setty
- Division of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, SS Nagar, Mysore, Karnataka, India
| | - Prabhakar Bettadathunga Thippegowda
- Molecular Biomedicine Laboratory, Postgraduate Department of Studies and Research in Biotechnology, Sahyadri Science College (Autonomous), Kuvempu University, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India
| | - Dharmappa Kattepura Krishnappa
- Inflammation Research Laboratory, Department of Studies and Research in Biochemistry, Mangalore University, Jnana Kaveri Post Graduate Campus, Kodagu, Karnataka, India,Correspondence: Dharmappa Kattepura Krishnappa, Email
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Shi Y, Wei B, Li L, Wang B, Sun M. Th17 cells and inflammation in neurological disorders: Possible mechanisms of action. Front Immunol 2022; 13:932152. [PMID: 35935951 PMCID: PMC9353135 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.932152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurological disorders (NDs) are one of the leading causes of global death. A sustained neuroinflammatory response has been reported to be associated with the pathogenesis of multiple NDs, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and major depressive disorder (MDD). Accumulating evidence shows that the recruitment of abundant lymphocytes in the central nervous system may contribute to promoting the development and progress of inflammation in neurological disorders. As one subset of T lymphocytes, CD4+ T cells have a critical impact on the inflammation of neurological disorders. T helper (Th) 17 is one of the most studied CD4+ Th subpopulations that produces cytokines (e.g., IL-17A, IL-23, IL-21, IL-6, and IFN-γ), leading to the abnormal neuroinflammatory response including the excessive activation of microglia and the recruitment of other immune cell types. All these factors are involved in several neurological disorders. However, the possible mechanisms of Th17 cells and their associated cytokines in the immunopathology of the abovementioned neurological disorders have not been clarified completely. This review will summarize the mechanisms by which encephalitogenic inflammatory Th17 cells and their related cytokines strongly contribute to chronic neuroinflammation, thus perpetuating neurodegenerative processes in NDs. Finally, the potential therapeutic prospects of Th17 cells and their cytokines in NDs will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Bin Wang
- *Correspondence: Miao Sun, ; Bin Wang,
| | - Miao Sun
- *Correspondence: Miao Sun, ; Bin Wang,
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Qi WH, Zhang YY, Xing K, Hao DX, Zhang F, Wang RN, Bao MY, Tian MY, Yang YN, Li X, Zhang Y. 2', 4'-Dihydroxy-2,3-dimethoxychalcone: A pharmacological inverse agonist of RORγt ameliorating Th17-driven inflammatory diseases by regulating Th17/Treg. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 108:108769. [PMID: 35453073 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and organ transplant rejection are related to Th17 cell development and inflammatory respond. RORγt, a specific transcription factor regulating Th17 cell differentiation, is a pivotal target for the treatment of diseases. However, the clinical application of RORγt inverse agonists reported so far has been hindered due to limited efficacy and toxic side effects. Plant-derived natural products with drug-like properties and safety are wide and valuable resources for candidate drug discovery. Herein, structure-based virtual screening was used to find out 2',4'-Dihydroxy-2,3-dimethoxychalcone (DDC), a chalcone derivative rich in plants and food, located in the binding pocket of RORγt and targeted to inhibit RORγt activity. DDC repressed murine Th17 differentiation and promoted Treg differentiation remarkably in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, DDC treatment improved experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis recovery, ameliorated experimental colitis severity, and prevented graft rejection significantly. Mechanically, DDC indirectly stabilized Foxp3 expression by inhibiting RORγt activity and the expression of its target gene profile in vitro and in vivo, which realized its regulation of Th17/Treg balance. In conclusion, our study provides a scientific basis that DDC, as an inverse agonist of RORγt with simple structure, rich sources, low cost, high efficiency, and low toxicity, has great potential for the development of a novel effective immunomodulator for the treatment of Th17-mediated inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Hui Qi
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Shaanxi Normal University), The Ministry of Education; National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest China; College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Yan-Yan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Shaanxi Normal University), The Ministry of Education; National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest China; College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China; Haojing College of Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 712000, China
| | - Kun Xing
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Shaanxi Normal University), The Ministry of Education; National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest China; College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Dong-Xia Hao
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Shaanxi Normal University), The Ministry of Education; National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest China; College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Fei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Shaanxi Normal University), The Ministry of Education; National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest China; College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Rui-Ning Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Shaanxi Normal University), The Ministry of Education; National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest China; College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Ming-Yue Bao
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Shaanxi Normal University), The Ministry of Education; National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest China; College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Meng-Yuan Tian
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Shaanxi Normal University), The Ministry of Education; National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest China; College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Ya-Na Yang
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Shaanxi Normal University), The Ministry of Education; National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest China; College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Xing Li
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Shaanxi Normal University), The Ministry of Education; National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest China; College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Shaanxi Normal University), The Ministry of Education; National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest China; College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China.
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