Polyphyllin I alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation reduces pyroptosis in BEAS-2B and HPAEC cells by inhibiting NF-KB signaling

Polyphyllin I is an active steroidal saponin isolated from Paris polyphylla with anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study investigates the role of polyphyllin I in acute lung injury. Firstly, the human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and human pulmonary artery endo-thelial cells (HPAEC) were stimulated with increasing concentrations of lipopolysaccharide at 2, 5, and 10 μg/mL. The treatment with lipopolysaccharide reduced the cell viabilities of BEAS-2B and HPAEC, downregulated superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH), and up-regulated myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Moreover, the levels of TNF-α, I L-1β, and IL-6 were also up-regulated in lipopolysaccharide-treated BEAS-2B/HPAEC cells. Secondly, the lipopolysaccharide-treated cells were then incubated with different concentrations of polyphyl-lin I. Incubation with polyphyllin I enhanced the cell viabilities of lipopolysaccharide-treated BEAS-2B/HPAEC, up-regulated levels of SOD and GSH, and reduced MPO and MDA. Moreover, polyphyllin I reduced TNF-α, I L-1β, and IL-6 in lipopolysaccharide-treated BEAS-2B/HPAEC cells. Thirdly, the up-regulation of GSDMD-N, pro-caspase-1, and cleaved caspase-1 proteins in lipo-polysaccharide-treated BEAS-2B/HPAEC cells were decreased by polyphyllin I. Polyphyllin I increased the protein expression of GSDMD-D in the lipopolysaccharide-treated BEAS-2B/HPAEC cells, and inhibited the translocation of GSDMD from cytoplasm to plasma membrane. Lastly, polyphyllin I reduced the expression of p-p65 in lipopolysaccharide-treated BEAS-2B/HPAEC cells. The over-expression of p65 counteracted with the inhibitory effects of polyphyllin I on oxi-dative stress and inflammation in lipopolysaccharide-treated BEAS-2B. In conclusion, polyphyllin (AU)

Diosgenin attenuates inflammatory response induced by myocardial reperfusion injury: role of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels

Reperfusion injury is one of the main reasons of cardiac disease morbidity. Phytopharmaceuticals are gaining importance in modern medicine of cardioprotection because of their multiplex capacity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of diosgenin on the inflammatory response induced by myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury and the role of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (mitoKATP) channels in this regard. Wistar rats (250-300 g) were used in this study. The Langendorff-perfused hearts of animals were subjected to a 30-min global ischemia followed by a 90-min reperfusion. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release was measured by spectrophotometry. The levels of inflammatory mediators tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), and IL-6 in the supernatant of heart’s left ventricle were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay rat specific ELISA kit. The LDH release into the coronary effluent during reperfusion was significantly decreased, and cardiac contractility significantly improved by diosgenin preadministration as compared with those of control or Cremophor-EL (solvent of diosgenin) groups (398 ± 48 vs. 665 ± 65 or 650 ± 73 ml/min) (P < 0.01). Administration of diosgenin before the main ischemia significantly reduced the levels of IL-6 (P < 0.05), IL-1β, and TNF-α (P < 0.01) in the reperfusion phase of diosgenin-treated hearts as compared with untreated control hearts. Inhibition of mitoKATP channels by 5-hydroxydecanoate significantly reverses the cardioprotective effects of diosgenin (P < 0.05). The findings of the present study indicate that preconditioning with diosgenin may induce cardioprotective effect against reperfusion injury through reducing the production of inflammatory mediators and activating the mitoKATP channels

Preconditioning with diosgenin and treadmill exercise preserves the cardiac toxicity of isoproterenol in rats

This study was aimed to evaluate the preventive effect of diosgenin and exercise on tissue antioxidant status in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in male Wistar rats. Levels of lipid peroxides, reduced glutathione (GSH), and the activities of glutathione-dependent antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidise and glutathione reductase) and antiperoxidative enzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase) in the plasma and the heart tissue of experimental groups of rats were determined. Pretreatment with diosgenin and exercise exerted an antioxidant effect against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction by blocking the induction of lipid peroxidation. A tendency to prevent the isoproterenol-induced alterations in the level of GSH, in the activities of glutathione-dependent antioxidant enzymes and antiperoxidative enzymes was also observed. Histopathological findings of the myocardial tissue showed a protective role for combination of diosgenin and exercise in isoproterenol (ISO)-treated rats. Thus, the present study reveals that preconditioning with diosgenin and exercise exerts cardioprotective effect against ISO-induced MI due to its free radical scavenging and antioxidant effects, which maintains the tissue defense system against myocardial damage (AU)

Lípidos y lipoproteínas en pacientes menopáusicas tratadas con diosgenina / Lipid and lipoprotein levels in postmenopausal women treated with diosgenin

El objetivo de la investigación fue evaluar los cambios en las concentraciones de lípidos y lipoproteínas en pacientes menopáusicas tratadas con diosgenina, como tratamiento hormonal sustitutivo después de 6 meses de tratamiento. Se seleccionó a 49 pacientes menopáusicas, que asistieron a la consulta de Menopausia del Hospital Central Dr. Urquinaona y a las que se trató con diosgenina. Se midieron las concentraciones séricas de colesterol, triglicéridos, colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de baja densidad (cLDL) y colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de alta densidad (cHDL). Las concentraciones de colesterol y triglicéridos presentaron aumentos después de 6 meses de tratamiento con diosgenina, comparado con las concentraciones iniciales, pero estos aumentos se consideraron estadísticamente no significativos (NS) (p=NS). Al analizar las concentraciones de cLDL y cHDL, no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las concentraciones después de 6 meses de tratamiento al compararla con las concentraciones iniciales (p=NS). Se concluye que la diosgenina no produce modificaciones significativas en los valores promedio en los lípidos y lipoproteínas estudiados después de 6 meses de tratamiento en pacientes menopáusicas que la utilizan como tratamiento hormonal sustitutivo (AU)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in postmenopausal women after 6 months of treatment with diosgenin as hormone replacement therapy. Forty-nine postmenopausal women attending the menopause unit at the Dr. Urquinaona central hospital who were treated with diosgenin were selected. Serum concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured. Cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations rose after 6 months of treatment with diosgenin compared with initial values, but these increases were not statistically significant (p=ns).When LDL-C and HDL-C concentrations were analyzed, no statistically significant differences were found in plasma concentrations after 6 months of treatment compared with initial concentrations (p=ns). We conclude that diosgenin produces no significant modifications in mean lipid and lipoprotein values after 6 months of treatment in postmenopausal women administered this drug as hormone replacement therapy (AU)

El uso tradicional de las especies del género Dioscorea / The tradicional use of the species of the genus Dioscorea

Se presentan aspectos etnobotánicos, farmacológicos, fitoquímicos,históricos, toxicológicos y de la utilidad económica y medicinal dealgunas especies de Dioscorea, género con 600 especies en el áreaintertropical húmeda de África, India, el sureste de Asia, Australia yAmérica, que son monocotiledóneas, herbáceas o trepadoras, de granvalor económico por su diversidad de usos. Aunque venenosas, algunasse utilizan como alimento (tubérculos o rizomas, por su contenidoen fécula, vitaminas y aminoácidos), para capturar peces, envenenarflechas, como pediculicidas, insecticidas, jabón (en champúes) u ornamentales.También tienen gran diversidad de uso en la medicinatradicional de numerosas culturas. Entre otros grupos de sustancias,pueden contener alcaloides, taninos, fitoesteroles, y saponósidos esteroídicos.De éstos últimos se obtiene la diosgenina, que se empleacomo precursor en la semisíntesis de fármacos esteroideos (cortisona,hormonas sexuales, anticonceptivos, etc.). Ciertas especies puedenprovocar convulsiones o esterilidad en las mujeres que las consumen.Algunas son consideradas como plantas amenazadas o en peligro deextinción, otras son especies invasivas(AU)

The ethnobotanical, pharmacological, phytochemical,toxicological and historical aspects, and the medicinaland economic utility of some species of Dioscorea genusare presented. This genus includes more than 600 species,mainly distributed in the intertropical humid areas ofAfrica, India, Southeastern Asia, Australia and America.They are monocotyledonous, herbaceous, vine or climbingplants of high economic value due to its diversity of uses.Although poisonous, some are used as food (due to thestarch, vitamine and aminoacid content in their tubers orrhizomes), to catch fish, to poison arrows, as insecticides,pediculicides, soap (shampoos), or ornamental, as well asin the traditional medicine of different cultures. Amongother phytochemicals, they may contain alkaloids, tannins,phytosterols and steroid saponins. Diosgenine is obtainedfrom the latter, serving as precursor in the semisynthesisof steroid drugs (cortisone, sex hormones, contraceptive,etc.). Some species can cause convulsions or infertility inwomen who consume them. A few are considered threatenedor endangered plants, whereas others are invasivespecies(AU)

Efecto de diosgenina sobre la proteína C reactiva y homocisteína en pacientes menopáusicas / Effect of diosgenin on homocysteine and C-reactive protein concentrations in postmenopausal women

El objetivo fue investigar las concentraciones de homocisteína y proteína C reactiva en pacientes menopáusicas tratadas con diosgenina como alternativa a la terapia de reemplazo hormonal. Se realizó una investigación de tipo explicativa, prospectiva y longitudinal, con un diseño cuasi experimental y un muestreo no probabilístico de 49 pacientes que asistieron a la consulta de menopausia del Hospital Central Dr. Urquinaona. Se determinaron las concentraciones de homocisteína y proteína C reactiva antes y después de 6 meses de tratamiento con diosgenina. El promedio ± desviación estándar de las mujeres menopáusicas fue de 51,6 ± 2,9 años; la edad ± desviación estándar de aparición de la menopausia fue de 44,6 ± 2,1 años y el tiempo desde la menopausia fue de 45,7 ± 18,4 meses. Se encontró un incremento de más del 56% en la concentración de proteína C reactiva a los 6 meses de tratamiento en comparación con las concentraciones iniciales (p < 0,05). Las concentraciones de homocisteína plasmática presentaron una ligera disminución (aproximadamente mayor del 5%) comparadas con las concentraciones iniciales (p = NS). Se concluye que la diosgenina produce aumento significativo en la concentración de proteína C reactiva sin inducir modificaciones en las concentraciones plasmáticas de homocisteína luego de 6 meses de tratamiento (AU)

The aim of this study was to investigate homocysteine and C-reactive protein concentrations in postmenopausal women treated with diosgenin as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy. An explanatory, prospective and longitudinal study was performed with a quasi-experimental design and non-probabilistic sampling of 49 patients who attended the menopause clinic of the Dr. Urquinaona General Hospital. Homocysteine and C-reactive protein concentrations were determined before and after 6 months of treatment with diosgenin. The mean age of the postmenopausal women was 51.6 ± 2.9 years. Age at menopause onset was 44.6 ± 2.1 years and the time from m e n o p a use was 45.7 ± 18.4 months. C-reactive protein concentrations were increased by more than 56% at 6 months of treatment compared with initial concentrations (P<.05). Plasma homocysteine concentrations slightly decreased (by more than 5%, approximately) compared with initial concentrations (P=NS). We conclude that diosgenin significantly increases C -reactive concentrations, without modifying plasma homocysteine concentrations after 6 months of treatment (AU)