The Protective Effects of HJB-1, a Derivative of 17-Hydroxy-Jolkinolide B, on LPS-Induced Acute Distress Respiratory Syndrome Mice

Cornuside, by regulating the AGEs-RAGE-IκBα-ERK1/2 signaling pathway, ameliorates cognitive impairment associated with brain aging

Anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) drugs can only change the symptoms of cognitive impairment in a short time but cannot prevent or completely cure AD. Thus, a more effective drug is urgently needed. Cornuside is extracted from Corni Fructus, a traditional Chinese medicine that plays an important role in treating dementia and other age-related diseases. Thus, the study aimed to explore the effects and mechanisms of Cornuside on the D-galactose (D-Gal) induced aging mice accompanied by cognitive decline. Initially, we found that Cornuside improved the learning and memory abilities of D-Gal-treated mice in behavioral experiments. Pharmacological experiments indicated that Cornuside acted on anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Cornuside also reversed acetylcholin esterase (AChE) activity. Meanwhile, pathology tests showed that Cornuside had a protective effect on neuron damage. Cornuside increased the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and down-regulated the expression of receptor for advanced glycosylation end products (RAGE), ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) respectively. Further studies claimed that Cornuside had important effects on the expression of IκBα and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2). These effects might be achieved through regulating the AGEs-RAGE-IκBα-ERK1/2 signaling pathway, among which, ERK1/2 might be the key protein. The study provides direct preclinical evidence for the research of Cornuside, which may become an excellent candidate drug for the treatment of aging-related AD.

Can natural products modulate cytokine storm in SARS-CoV2 patients?

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Immune reaction CoV2 can cause uncontrolled systemic inflammatory responses called cytokine storm.

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Medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites are potential modulators of cytokine storm.

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Secondary metabolites modulate inflammatory signaling associated with CoV2.

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The potential applicability of natural products against CoV2 need to be evaluated in strictly defined clinical research.

Currently, the number of cases and deaths of SARS-CoV2, especially among the chronic disease groups, due to aggressive SARS-CoV2 infection is increasing day by day. Various infections, particularly viral ones, cause a cytokine storm resulting in shortness of breath, bleeding, hypotension, and ultimately multi-organ failure due to over-expression of certain cytokines and necrosis factors. The most prominent clinical feature of SARS-CoV2 is the presence of elevated proinflammatory cytokines in the serum of patients with SARS-CoV2. Severe cases exhibit higher levels of cytokines, leading to a “cytokine storm” that further increases disease severity and causes acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiple organ failure, and death. Therefore, targeted cytokine production could be a potential therapeutic option for patients severely infected with SARS-CoV2.

Given the current scenario, great scientific progress has been made in understanding the disease and its forms of treatment. Because of natural ingredients properties, they have the potential to be used as potential agents with the ability to modulate immune responses. Moreover, they can be used safely because they have no toxic effects, are biodegradable and biocompatible. However, these natural substances can continue to be used in the development of new therapies and vaccines.

Finally, the aim and approach of this review article is to highlight current research on the possible use of natural products with promising potential as immune response activators. Moreover, consider the expected use of natural products when developing potential therapies and vaccines.

Effect of houttuynia on improving lung injury in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by regulating the TLR4 signaling pathway

This study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of houttuynia on lung pathological injury in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Rats were randomly divided into the normal control, COPD model (model), low-dose treatment (low, 5 mg/kg), middle-dose treatment (middle, 10 mg/kg), and high-dose treatment (high, 25 mg/kg) groups. The COPD rat model was induced by smoking combined with intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide. The treatment groups were given Houttuynia by gavage at 30 min before smoking. The IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α concentrations in serum and BALF were determined by ELISA. The pathological morphology was detected by HE staining. The apoptosis cell number was evaluated by TUNEL assay. Apoptotic proteins (caspase-3 and caspase-9) were measured by IHC assay in lung tissues. The relative proteins [TLR4, MyD88, and p-NF-κB(p65)] were evaluated by Western blot assay in lung tissues. Compared with the model group, the low, middle, and high groups could reduce pulmonary congestion, edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, and apoptosis cell number; downregulate the protein expression of caspase-3, caspase-9, TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB(p65) (p < .05); and inhibit the IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α concentrations in serum and BALF. Houttuynia could improve the morphology and apoptosis cell number in lung tissues, thereby inhibiting the activation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB(p65) signaling pathway.

Could natural products modulate early inflammatory responses, preventing acute respiratory distress syndrome in COVID-19-confirmed patients?

BACKGROUND

The ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) is a severe respiratory syndrome that was recently associated as the main death cause in the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Hence, in order to prevent ARDS, the pulmonary function maintenance has been the target of several pharmacological approaches. However, there is a lack of reports regarding the use of effective pharmaceutical active natural products (PANPs) for early treatment and prevention of COVID-19-related ARDS. Therefore, the aim of this work was to conduct a systematic review regarding the PANPs that could be further studied as alternatives to prevent ARDS. Consequently, this work can pave the way to spread the use of PANPs on the prevention of ARDS in COVID-19-confirmed or -suspected patients.

METHODS

The search strategy included scientific studies published in English from 2015 to 2020 that promoted the elucidation of anti-inflammatory pathways targeting ARDS by in vitro and/or in vivo experiments using PANPs. Then, 74 studies regarding PANPs, able to maintain or improve the pulmonary function, were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The PANPs may present different pulmonary anti-inflammatory pathways, wherein (i) reduction/attenuation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, (ii) increase of the anti-inflammatory mediators' levels, (iii) pulmonary edema inhibition and (iv) attenuation of lung injury were the most observed biological effects of such products in in vitro experiments or in clinical studies. Finally, this work highlighted the PANPs with promising potential to be used on respiratory syndromes, allowing their possible use as alternative treatment at the prevention of ARDS in COVID-19-infected or -suspected patients.

Inhibition of growth and metastasis of breast cancer by targeted delivery of 17-hydroxy-jolkinolide B via hyaluronic acid-coated liposomes

Hyaluronic acid (HA)-coated liposomes were designed for the targeted delivery of 17-hydroxy-jolkinolide B (HA-Lip-HJB). HA-Lip-HJB had a particle size of 130.8 ± 1.9 nm, zeta potential of -52.36 ± 1.91 mV, and encapsulation efficiency of 89.2 ± 1.5 %. In vitro cell experiments indicated that modification of HA-Lip-HJB increased its cytotoxicity and cellular uptake via CD44 receptor-mediated endocytosis pathway. Of particular importance is that HA-Lip-HJB suppressed cell migration and invasion by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Moreover, the HA-Lip-HJB displayed notable growth inhibition on tumor spheroids. Furthermore, in vivo tissue distribution and anti-tumor experiments carried on BALB/C mice bearing 4T1 tumor indicated that HA-Lip-HJB had strong tumor targeting and tumor suppression abilities. The results also demonstrated that HA-Lip-HJB inhibited tumor cells migration and colonization on the lung. Therefore, HA-Lip-HJB is a promising formulation for metastatic breast cancer therapy.

A Nano-Traditional Chinese Medicine Against Lymphoma That Regulates the Level of Reactive Oxygen Species

Jolkinolide B (JB) is a bioactive compound isolated from a Chinese herbal medicine that exerts antitumor activity. However, the anti-lymphoma effect of JB and its mechanism are yet to be revealed. Because free JB has poor pharmacokinetics and weak antitumor efficacy, we opted to use black phosphorus quantum dot (BPQD) nanomaterials as a drug loading platform to synthesize a nano-traditional Chinese medicine (nano-TCM) called BPQDs@JB. Compared with free JB, Raji cells administrated with BPQDs@JB exhibited the cell viability of 19.85 ± 1.02%, and the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was promoted. Likewise, BPQDs@JB was capable of rising the apoptosis rate of Raji cells to 34.98 ± 1.76%. In nude mice transplanted tumor model administrated with BPQDs@JB, the tumor tissue sections administrated with BPQDS@JB achieved a conspicuous red fluorescence, demonstrating the presence of most ROS production in the BPQDS@JB. TUNEL achieved a number of positive (brown) nuclei in vivo, revealing that BPQDS@JB could significantly induce tumor tissue apoptosis. As revealed from the mentioned results, BPQDs@JB can generate considerable ROS and interfere with the redox state to inhibit tumor. In brief, BPQDs@JB may be adopted as a treatment option for lymphoma.

Dioscin prevents LPS‑induced acute lung injury through inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway via upregulation of HSP70

Dioscin, as a type of important natural steroidal saponin, has widespread sources, primarily from the fenugreek plant, which is an important raw material in the production of synthetic steroid hormone drugs. Dioscin has anti‑tumor, anti‑inflammatory, antioxidant and other significant pharmacological effects with high medicinal value. The present work aimed to research the protective effect and underlying mechanisms by which dioscin prevents acute lung injury (ALI). Mice were injected with 5 mg/kg LPS to induce lung injury. Mice were treated with dioscin (20, 40 and 60 mg/kg) following LPS‑induced lung injury. Treatment with dioscin significantly decreased total number of alveolar macrophages, water content of lung and total protein concentration in ALI mice. Dioscin treatment significantly suppressed the ALI‑induced interleukin (IL)‑1B, IL‑6, tumor necrosis factor‑α, nuclear factor (NF)‑κB, myeloperoxidase, interferon‑γ and intercellular adhesion molecule‑1 activities in ALI rats. Following this, the authors identified that dioscin significantly also suppressed cyclooxygenase‑2, heat shock protein 70, Toll‑like receptor 4, MyD88 and NF‑κB protein expression in ALI rats. The results suggested that dioscin prevents LPS‑induced ALI through inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway via upregulation of HSP70.

Modulation of mitogen‑activated protein kinase attenuates sepsis‑induced acute lung injury in acute respiratory distress syndrome rats

Sepsis is the most important predisposing cause inducing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); however, the mechanism of sepsis leading to the development of ARDS remains to be elucidated. Suppression of the mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal by blocking the phosphorylation of Jun N‑terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 in lung tissues could alleviate acute lung injury induced by sepsis. MAPK signaling may have a crucial role in development of the sepsis‑induced acute lung injury. The specific inhibitors of JNK and p38 MAPK, SP600125 and SB203580, were administrated by intragastric injection 4 h before induction of ARDS after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Rats were sacrificed at 1, 6 or 24 h after CLP challenge. The histological evaluation, lung water content, and biochemical analysis were performed. The results revealed that the JNK and p38 MAPK inhibitor improved lung permeability, attenuated system inflammation, further alleviated the lung injury induced by sepsis. In conclusion, JNK and p38 MAPK signaling are essential for the development of ARDS following sepsis. Further studies are needed to illuminate the detailed mechanisms of JNK and p38 MAPK signaling in sepsis‑induced ARDS.

Changes of Foxo3a in PBMCs and its associations with stress hyperglycemia in acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis patients

Objective

The levels of Foxo3a in the peripheral blood mononuclears cells (PBMCs) before and after treatment were detected in acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis (AOSC) patients to evaluate the associations between Foxo3a and stress hyperglycemia (SHG).

Methods

PBMCs were obtained from AOSC patients (n=28) on admission (AP), from patients at 1 week after cure (RP) and from healthy volunteers (HV) (n=14) to evaluate the relationship between the protein levels of Foxo3a and the serum levels of glucose. Signaling pathways, which link inflammation and glycometabolism, simultaneously affecting the expression of Foxo3a, were detected. In addition, cytokines were detected in PBMCs and AOSC mouse models, which were pre-treated with Foxo3a agonist.

Results

The levels of glucose and p-Foxo3a in the AP were significantly higher than those in the RP and HV, where as the levels of Foxo3a in the AP were lower than those in the RP and HV. Foxo3a levels in the AP normalized against RP were strongly negatively correlated with the glucose levels in the AP normalized against RP. The levels of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2) in the AP were higher than those in the RP and HV. In addition, inhibition of Foxo3a phosphorylation, coupled with the down-regulation of S1PR2, attenuated the LPS-induced inflammatory response in the PBMCs and AOSC mouse models.

Conclusions

Foxo3a is correlated with the dysregulation of glucose homeostasis in the pathogenesis of AOSC-induced sepsis by inhibiting the activation of PI3K/Akt-S1PR2 and NF-κB pathways, hinting at a switched role and therapeutic potentialities in the early stage of sepsis.

Dusuqing granules (DSQ) suppress inflammation in Klebsiella pneumonia rat via NF-κB/MAPK signaling

Background

Dusuqing granules (DSQ) have been used in the treatment of bacterial pneumonia clinically, with remarkable benefits. This study was initiated to explore the effects of DSQ on pulmonary inflammation by regulating nuclear factor (NF)-κB/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in bacterial pneumonia rats.

Methods

Rat model was duplicated with Klebsiella pneumonia by a one-time intratracheal injection. Rats were randomized into control, model, DSQ and levofloxacin (LVX) groups. After administrated with appropriate medicines for 7 days, lung tissues were harvested and prepared for pathological analysis, and interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 detections. NF-κB mRNA was measured by real-time qPCR, and the phosphorylation and total proteins of P38MAPK, JNK46/54, ERK42/44 were determined by Western blotting.

Results

Marked pathological impairments were observed in model rats, whereas were improved in DSQ group. The cytokines levels, NF-κB mRNA expression and the phosphorylation of P38MAPK, JNK46/54 and ERK42/44 proteins were significantly higher in model group, and were significantly depressed in DSQ group.

Conclusion

The protective effects of DSQ on Klebsiella pneumonia might be attributed to its inactivative effects of NF-κB/ MAPK pathway.

Natural Products and Inflammation

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Lugrandoside attenuates LPS-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome by anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis in mice

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and specific mechanisms of lugrandoside (LG) on lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). LG is a novel phenylpropanoid glycoside with many biological properties, isolated from the culinary leaves of Digitalis lutea L. and Digitalis grandiflora Miller. The primary indicators to assess the lung injury were infiltration of inflammatory cells; pulmonary edema; expression of proinflammatory cytokines, cyclo-oxygenase 2, and intracellular adhesion molecule 1; activation of nuclear factor-κB pathways; and cellular apoptosis. The results showed that LG evidently alleviated the inflammatory response, decreased the apoptosis of alveolar macrophages, and improved the lung injury in mice with LPS-induced ARDS. In conclusion, LG improved LPS-induced ARDS by anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis and might be a promising pharmacological therapy for ARDS.