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Babalola KT, Arora M, Ganugula R, Agarwal SK, Mohan C, Kumar MNVR. Leveraging Lymphatic System Targeting in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus for Improved Clinical Outcomes. Pharmacol Rev 2024; 76:228-250. [PMID: 38351070 PMCID: PMC10877736 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.123.000938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The role of advanced drug delivery strategies in drug repositioning and minimizing drug attrition rates, when applied early in drug discovery, is poised to increase the translational impact of various therapeutic strategies in disease prevention and treatment. In this context, drug delivery to the lymphatic system is gaining prominence not only to improve the systemic bioavailability of various pharmaceutical drugs but also to target certain specific diseases associated with the lymphatic system. Although the role of the lymphatic system in lupus is known, very little is done to target drugs to yield improved clinical benefits. In this review, we discuss recent advances in drug delivery strategies to treat lupus, the various routes of drug administration leading to improved lymph node bioavailability, and the available technologies applied in other areas that can be adapted to lupus treatment. Moreover, this review also presents some recent findings that demonstrate the promise of lymphatic targeting in a preclinical setting, offering renewed hope for certain pharmaceutical drugs that are limited by efficacy in their conventional dosage forms. These findings underscore the potential and feasibility of such lymphatic drug-targeting approaches to enhance therapeutic efficacy in lupus and minimize off-target effects of the pharmaceutical drugs. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The World Health Organization estimates that there are currently 5 million humans living with some form of lupus. With limited success in lupus drug discovery, turning to effective delivery strategies with existing drug molecules, as well as those in the early stage of discovery, could lead to better clinical outcomes. After all, effective delivery strategies have been proven to improve treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- K T Babalola
- The Center for Convergent Bioscience and Medicine (CCBM) (K.T.B., M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), Division of Translational Science and Medicine, College of Community Health Sciences (K.T.B., M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), Alabama Life Research Institute (K.T.B., M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), and Department of Biological Sciences (M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Section of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Biology of Inflammation Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas (S.K.A.); Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas (C.M.); Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama (M.N.V.R.K.); and Center for Free Radical Biology (M.N.V.R.K.) and Nephrology Research and Training Center, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine (M.N.V.R.K.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - M Arora
- The Center for Convergent Bioscience and Medicine (CCBM) (K.T.B., M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), Division of Translational Science and Medicine, College of Community Health Sciences (K.T.B., M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), Alabama Life Research Institute (K.T.B., M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), and Department of Biological Sciences (M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Section of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Biology of Inflammation Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas (S.K.A.); Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas (C.M.); Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama (M.N.V.R.K.); and Center for Free Radical Biology (M.N.V.R.K.) and Nephrology Research and Training Center, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine (M.N.V.R.K.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - R Ganugula
- The Center for Convergent Bioscience and Medicine (CCBM) (K.T.B., M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), Division of Translational Science and Medicine, College of Community Health Sciences (K.T.B., M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), Alabama Life Research Institute (K.T.B., M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), and Department of Biological Sciences (M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Section of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Biology of Inflammation Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas (S.K.A.); Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas (C.M.); Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama (M.N.V.R.K.); and Center for Free Radical Biology (M.N.V.R.K.) and Nephrology Research and Training Center, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine (M.N.V.R.K.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - S K Agarwal
- The Center for Convergent Bioscience and Medicine (CCBM) (K.T.B., M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), Division of Translational Science and Medicine, College of Community Health Sciences (K.T.B., M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), Alabama Life Research Institute (K.T.B., M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), and Department of Biological Sciences (M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Section of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Biology of Inflammation Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas (S.K.A.); Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas (C.M.); Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama (M.N.V.R.K.); and Center for Free Radical Biology (M.N.V.R.K.) and Nephrology Research and Training Center, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine (M.N.V.R.K.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - C Mohan
- The Center for Convergent Bioscience and Medicine (CCBM) (K.T.B., M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), Division of Translational Science and Medicine, College of Community Health Sciences (K.T.B., M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), Alabama Life Research Institute (K.T.B., M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), and Department of Biological Sciences (M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Section of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Biology of Inflammation Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas (S.K.A.); Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas (C.M.); Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama (M.N.V.R.K.); and Center for Free Radical Biology (M.N.V.R.K.) and Nephrology Research and Training Center, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine (M.N.V.R.K.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - M N V Ravi Kumar
- The Center for Convergent Bioscience and Medicine (CCBM) (K.T.B., M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), Division of Translational Science and Medicine, College of Community Health Sciences (K.T.B., M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), Alabama Life Research Institute (K.T.B., M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), and Department of Biological Sciences (M.A., R.G., M.N.V.R.K.), The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Section of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Biology of Inflammation Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas (S.K.A.); Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas (C.M.); Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama (M.N.V.R.K.); and Center for Free Radical Biology (M.N.V.R.K.) and Nephrology Research and Training Center, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine (M.N.V.R.K.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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Ganugula R, Arora M, Dwivedi S, Chandrashekar DS, Varambally S, Scott EM, Kumar MNVR. Systemic Anti-Inflammatory Therapy Aided by Curcumin-Laden Double-Headed Nanoparticles Combined with Injectable Long-Acting Insulin in a Rodent Model of Diabetes Eye Disease. ACS Nano 2023; 17:6857-6874. [PMID: 36951721 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c00535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic interventions that counter emerging targets in diabetes eye diseases are lacking. We hypothesize that a combination therapy targeting inflammation and hyperglycemia can prevent diabetic eye diseases. Here, we report a multipronged approach to prevent diabetic cataracts and retinopathy by combining orally bioavailable curcumin-laden double-headed (two molecules of gambogic acid conjugated to terminal carboxyl groups of poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide)) nanoparticles and injectable basal insulin. The combination treatment led to a significant delay in the progression of diabetic cataracts and retinopathy, improving liver function and peripheral glucose homeostasis. We found a concurrent reduction in lens aggregate protein, AGEs, and increased mitochondrial ATP production. Importantly, inhibition of Piezo1 protected against hyperglycemia-induced retinal vascular damage suggesting possible involvement of Piezo1 in the regulation of retinal phototransduction. Histologic evaluation of murine small intestines revealed that chronic administration of curcumin-laden double-headed nanoparticles was well tolerated, circumventing the fear of nanoparticle toxicity. These findings establish the potential of anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperglycemic combination therapy for the prevention of diabetic cataracts and retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Ganugula
- The Center for Convergent Bioscience and Medicine (CCBM), The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, United States
- Bioscience and Medicine Initiative, College of Community Health Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, United States
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, SEC 1325, Box 870344, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, United States
- Alabama Life Research Institute, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, United States
| | - M Arora
- The Center for Convergent Bioscience and Medicine (CCBM), The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, United States
- Bioscience and Medicine Initiative, College of Community Health Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, United States
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, SEC 1325, Box 870344, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, United States
- Alabama Life Research Institute, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, United States
| | - S Dwivedi
- The Center for Convergent Bioscience and Medicine (CCBM), The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, United States
- Bioscience and Medicine Initiative, College of Community Health Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, United States
| | - D S Chandrashekar
- Genomic Diagnostics and Bioinformatics, Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, United States
| | - S Varambally
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, United States
| | - E M Scott
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, 930 Campus Road, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - M N V Ravi Kumar
- The Center for Convergent Bioscience and Medicine (CCBM), The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, United States
- Bioscience and Medicine Initiative, College of Community Health Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, United States
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, SEC 1325, Box 870344, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, United States
- Alabama Life Research Institute, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Alabama, SEC 3448, Box 870203, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, United States
- Center for Free Radical Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, United States
- Nephrology Research and Training Center, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, United States
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Ganugula R, Arora M, Lepiz MA, Niu Y, Mallick BK, Pflugfelder SC, Scott EM, Kumar MNVR. Systemic anti-inflammatory therapy aided by double-headed nanoparticles in a canine model of acute intraocular inflammation. Sci Adv 2020; 6:eabb7878. [PMID: 32923645 PMCID: PMC7449680 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abb7878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Novel approaches circumventing blood-ocular barriers in systemic drug delivery are lacking. We hypothesize receptor-mediated delivery of curcumin (CUR) across intestinal and ocular barriers leads to decreased inflammation in a model of lens-induced uveitis. CUR was encapsulated in double-headed polyester nanoparticles using gambogic acid (GA)-coupled polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA). Orally administered PLGA-GA2-CUR led to notable aqueous humor CUR levels and was dosed (10 mg/kg twice daily) to adult male beagles (n = 8 eyes) with induced ocular inflammation. Eyes were evaluated using a semiquantitative preclinical ocular toxicology scoring (SPOTS) and compared to commercial anti-inflammatory treatment (oral carprofen 2.2 mg/kg twice daily) (n = 8) and untreated controls (n = 8). PLGA-GA2-CUR offered improved protection compared with untreated controls and similar protection compared with carprofen, with reduced aqueous flare, miosis, and chemosis in the acute phase (<4 hours). This study highlights the potential of PLGA-GA2 nanoparticles for systemic drug delivery across ocular barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Ganugula
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Reynolds Medical Building, Texas A&M University, Mailstop 1114, College Station, TX, USA
- Corresponding author. (M.N.V.R.K.); (E.M.S.); (R.G.)
| | - M. Arora
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Reynolds Medical Building, Texas A&M University, Mailstop 1114, College Station, TX, USA
| | - M. A. Lepiz
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Y. Niu
- Department of Statistics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - B. K. Mallick
- Department of Statistics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - S. C. Pflugfelder
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - E. M. Scott
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Corresponding author. (M.N.V.R.K.); (E.M.S.); (R.G.)
| | - M. N. V. Ravi Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Reynolds Medical Building, Texas A&M University, Mailstop 1114, College Station, TX, USA
- Corresponding author. (M.N.V.R.K.); (E.M.S.); (R.G.)
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Arora M, Ganugula R, Kumar N, Kaur G, Pellois JP, Garg P, Kumar MNVR. Next-Generation Noncompetitive Nanosystems Based on Gambogic Acid: In silico Identification of Transferrin Receptor Binding Sites, Regulatory Shelf Stability, and Their Preliminary Safety in Healthy Rodents. ACS Appl Bio Mater 2019; 2:3540-3550. [PMID: 31440745 PMCID: PMC6705617 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.9b00419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
A major challenge in drug delivery is to enhance the transport of drugs across biological barriers, such as the small intestine, the blood-brain barrier, and the blood-retinal/ocular barrier, and to effectively reach the site of action while minimizing the systemic impact. In recent years, piggybacking cell surface receptors have been considered a viable strategy for active drug delivery across the biological barriers. However, the ligands used to target drugs to plasma membrane receptors often have to compete against endogenous ligands, thereby limiting their binding to the cell surface and their transport across barriers. To address this problem, gambogic acid (GA) was identified as a noncompetitive ligand specific to the transferrin receptor (TfR), a receptor present on various barriers. However, the binding sites of the GA on TfR remain unknown, an essential step toward establishing structure-activity relationships. In silico binding site prediction tools, blind docking, and molecular docking simulation confirm that the GA binding site on the TfR is independent of the transferrin-bound iron binding sites. The GA-conjugated polyesters were processed into nanoparticles suitable for drug delivery applications that possess excellent storage stability under regulatory conditions. Traditionally, GA has been used as an anticancer compound that warrants safety assessment. The preliminary studies in healthy rodents on 10-repeated oral doses show no adverse effects. This work will generate paradigm shifting, new knowledge in the field of nanomedicines using unique noncompetitive nanosystems that do not compete with endogenous transferrin.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Arora
- † Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Reynolds Medical Building, Texas A&M University, Mail Stop 1114, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - R. Ganugula
- † Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Reynolds Medical Building, Texas A&M University, Mail Stop 1114, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - N. Kumar
- ‡ Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar 160062, Punjab, India
| | - G. Kaur
- † Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Reynolds Medical Building, Texas A&M University, Mail Stop 1114, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - J.-P. Pellois
- § Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, Mail Stop 2128, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - P. Garg
- ‡ Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar 160062, Punjab, India
| | - M. N. V. Ravi Kumar
- † Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Reynolds Medical Building, Texas A&M University, Mail Stop 1114, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
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Abstract
We demonstrate a novel strategy to engineer double-headed nanosystems by chemical modification of the carboxyl terminal polyester with a linker that offers tripodal arrangement of ligands on the particle surfaces. The in vivo results suggest that the bioavailability of encapsulated curcumin is proportional to the ligand density rendered by double-headed nanosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Kaur
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University, TAMU Mailstop 1114, College Station, Texas 77843, USA.
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Ganugula R, Deng M, Arora M, Pan HL, Kumar MNVR. Polyester Nanoparticle Encapsulation Mitigates Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:1801-1812. [PMID: 30609902 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy utilizing cytotoxic drugs, such as paclitaxel (PTX), is still a commonly used therapeutic approach to treat both localized and metastasized cancers. Unlike traditional regimens in which PTX is administered at the maximum tolerated dose, alternative regimens like metronomic dosing are beneficial by administering PTX more frequently and in much lower doses exploiting antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory effects. However, PTX-induced peripheral neuropathy and lack of patient compliant dosage forms of PTX are major roadblocks for the successful implementation of metronomic regimens. Because of the success of polyester nanoparticle drug delivery, we explored the potential of nanoparticle-encapsulated paclitaxel (nPTX) in alleviating peripheral neuropathy using a rat model. Rats were injected intraperitoneally with 2 mg/kg body weight of PTX or nPTX on four alternate days, and neuropathic pain and neuronal damage were characterized using behavioral assessments, histology, and immunohistochemistry. The reduction in tactile and nociceptive pressure thresholds was significantly less in nPTX-treated rats than in PTX-treated rats over a 16-day study period. Histological analysis showed that the degree of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) degeneration and reduction in motor neurons in the spinal cord was significantly lower in the nPTX group than the PTX group. Further, immunofluorescence data reveals that nPTX-treated rats had an increased density of a neuronal marker, β-tubulin-III, reduced TUNEL positive cells, and increased high molecular weight neurofilament in the spinal cord, DRG, and sciatic nerves compared with PTX-treated rats. Therefore, this work has important implications in improving risk-benefit profile of PTX, paving the way for metronomic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Ganugula
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University, Reynolds Medical Building, TAMU Mail Stop 1114, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - M. Deng
- Center for Neuroscience and Pain Research, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - M. Arora
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University, Reynolds Medical Building, TAMU Mail Stop 1114, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - H.-L. Pan
- Center for Neuroscience and Pain Research, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - M. N. V. Ravi Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University, Reynolds Medical Building, TAMU Mail Stop 1114, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
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Kesavan R, Chandel S, Upadhyay S, Bendre R, Ganugula R, Potunuru UR, Giri H, Sahu G, Kumar PU, Reddy GB, Joksic G, Bera AK, Dixit M. Gentiana lutea exerts anti-atherosclerotic effects by preventing endothelial inflammation and smooth muscle cell migration. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2016; 26:293-301. [PMID: 26868432 DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2015.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2015] [Revised: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Studies suggest that Gentiana lutea (GL), and its component isovitexin, may exhibit anti-atherosclerotic properties. In this study we sought to investigate the protective mechanism of GL aqueous root extract and isovitexin on endothelial inflammation, smooth muscle cell migation, and on the onset and progression of atherosclerosis in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS AND RESULTS Our results show that both GL extract and isovitexin, block leukocyte adhesion and generation of reactive oxygen species in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs), following TNF-alpha and platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) challenges respectively. Both the extract and isovitexin blocked TNF-α induced expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in HUVECs. PDGF-BB induced migration of RASMCs and phospholipase C-γ activation, were also abrogated by GL extract and isovitexin. Fura-2 based ratiometric measurements demonstrated that, both the extact, and isovitexin, inhibit PDGF-BB mediated intracellular calcium rise in RASMCs. Supplementation of regular diet with 2% GL root powder for STZ rats, reduced total cholesterol in blood. Oil Red O staining demonstrated decreased lipid accumulation in aortic wall of diabetic animals upon treatment with GL. Medial thickness and deposition of collagen in the aortic segment of diabetic rats were also reduced upon supplementation. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated reduced expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) in aortic segments of diabetic rats following GL treatment. CONCLUSIONS Thus, our results support that GL root extract/powder and isovitexin exhibit anti-atherosclerotic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Kesavan
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences and Bioengineering Building, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - S Chandel
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences and Bioengineering Building, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - S Upadhyay
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences and Bioengineering Building, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - R Bendre
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences and Bioengineering Building, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - R Ganugula
- National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India
| | - U R Potunuru
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences and Bioengineering Building, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - H Giri
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences and Bioengineering Building, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - G Sahu
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences and Bioengineering Building, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - P Uday Kumar
- National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India
| | | | - G Joksic
- Department of Physical Chemistry, VINCA Institute of Nuclear Sciences, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - A K Bera
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences and Bioengineering Building, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Madhulika Dixit
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences and Bioengineering Building, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India.
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