Hepatocyte-specific EGFR deletion promotes fibrosis but has no effect on steatosis in fast food diet model of MASLD.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: MASLD has become the most prevalent chronic liver disorder, with no approved treatment. Our previous work demonstrated the efficacy of a pan-ErbB inhibitor, Canertinib, in reducing steatosis and fibrosis in a murine fast-food diet (FFD) model of MASLD. The current study explores the effects of hepatocyte-specific ErbB1 (i.e. EGFR) deletion in the FFD model. METHODS: EGFRflox/flox mice, treated with AAV8-TBG-CRE to delete EGFR specifically in hepatocytes (EGFR-KO), were fed either a chow-diet or FFD for 2 or 5-months. RESULTS: Hepatocyte-specific EGFR deletion reduced serum triglyceride levels but did not prevent steatosis. Surprisingly, hepatic fibrosis was increased in EGFR-KO mice in the long-term study, which correlated with activation of TGFß1/fibrosis signaling pathways. Further, nuclear levels of some of the major MASLD regulating transcription factors (SREBP1, PPARγ, PPARα, and HNF4α) were altered in FFD-fed EGFR-KO mice. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant alteration of lipid metabolism pathways in EGFR-KO mice with changes in several relevant genes, including downregulation of fatty-acid synthase and induction of lipolysis gene, Pnpla2, without impacting overall steatosis. Interestingly, EGFR downstream signaling mediators, including AKT, remain activated in EGFR-KO mice, which correlated with increased activity pattern of other receptor tyrosine kinases, including ErbB3/MET, in transcriptomic analysis. Lastly, Canertinib treatment in EGFR-KO mice, which inhibits all ErbB receptors, successfully reduced steatosis, suggesting the compensatory roles of other ErbB receptors in supporting MASLD without EGFR. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatocyte-specific EGFR-KO did not impact steatosis, but enhanced fibrosis in the FFD model of MASLD. Gene-networks associated with lipid metabolism were greatly altered in EGFR-KO, but phenotypic effects might be compensated by alternate signaling-pathways.

Circulating metabolomic markers in association with overall burden of microvascular complications in type 1 diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSPN) share common pathophysiology and pose an additive risk of early mortality. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In adults with type 1 diabetes, 49 metabolites previously associated with either DR or DKD were assessed in relation to presence of DSPN. Metabolites overlapping in significance with presence of all three complications were assessed in relation to microvascular burden severity (additive number of complications-ie, presence of DKD±DR±DSPN) using linear regression models. Subsequently, the same metabolites were assessed with progression to endpoints: soft microvascular events (progression in albuminuria grade, ≥30% estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline, or any progression in DR grade), hard microvascular events (progression to proliferative DR, chronic kidney failure, or ≥40% eGFR decline), and hard microvascular or macrovascular events (hard microvascular events, cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke, or arterial interventions), or cardiovascular mortality), using Cox models. All models were adjusted for sex, baseline age, diabetes duration, systolic blood pressure, HbA1c, body mass index, total cholesterol, smoking, and statin treatment. RESULTS: The full cohort investigated consisted of 487 participants. Mean (SD) follow-up was 4.8 (2.9, 5.7) years. Baseline biothesiometry was available in 202 participants, comprising the cross-sectional cohort. Eight metabolites were significantly associated with presence of DR, DKD, and DSPN, and six with additive microvascular burden severity. In the full cohort longitudinal analysis, higher levels of 3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid (DHBA), 2,4-DHBA, ribonic acid, glycine, and ribitol were associated with development of events in both crude and adjusted models. Adding 3,4-DHBA, ribonic acid, and glycine to a traditional risk factor model improved the discrimination of hard microvascular events. CONCLUSIONS: While prospective studies directly assessing the predictive ability of these markers are needed, our results strengthen the role of clinical metabolomics in relation to risk assessment of diabetic complications in chronic type 1 diabetes.

AKR1B1 drives hyperglycemia-induced metabolic reprogramming in MASLD-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background & Aims: The mechanism behind the progressive pathological alteration in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease/steatohepatitis (MASLD/MASH)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the role of the polyol pathway enzyme AKR1B1 in metabolic switching associated with MASLD/MASH and in the progression of HCC. Methods: AKR1B1 expression was estimated in the tissue and plasma of patients with MASLD/MASH, HCC, and HCC with diabetes mellitus. The role of AKR1B1 in metabolic switching in vitro was assessed through media conditioning, lentiviral transfection, and pharmacological probes. A proteomic and metabolomic approach was applied for the in-depth investigation of metabolic pathways. Preclinically, mice were subjected to a high-fructose diet and diethylnitrosamine to investigate the role of AKR1B1 in the hyperglycemia-mediated metabolic switching characteristic of MASLD-HCC. Results: A significant increase in the expression of AKR1B1 was observed in tissue and plasma samples from patients with MASLD/MASH, HCC, and HCC with diabetes mellitus compared to normal samples. Mechanistically, in vitro assays revealed that AKR1B1 modulates the Warburg effect, mitochondrial dynamics, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and lipogenesis to promote hyperglycemia-mediated MASLD and cancer progression. A pathological increase in the expression of AKR1B1 was observed in experimental MASLD-HCC, and expression was positively correlated with high blood glucose levels. High-fructose diet + diethylnitrosamine-treated animals also exhibited statistically significant elevation of metabolic markers and carcinogenesis markers. AKR1B1 inhibition with epalrestat or NARI-29 inhibited cellular metabolism in in vitro and in vivo models. Conclusions: Pathological AKR1B1 modulates hepatic metabolism to promote MASLD-associated hepatocarcinogenesis. Aldose reductase inhibition modulates the glycolytic pathway to prevent precancerous hepatocyte formation. Impact and implications: This research work highlights AKR1B1 as a druggable target in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which could provide the basis for the development of new chemotherapeutic agents. Moreover, our results indicate the potential of plasma AKR1B1 levels as a prognostic marker and diagnostic test for MASLD and associated HCC. Additionally, a major observation in this study was that AKR1B1 is associated with the promotion of the Warburg effect in HCC.

Loganic acid protects against ulcerative colitis by inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB mediated inflammation and activating the SIRT1/Nrf2 anti-oxidant responses in-vitro and in-vivo.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic, chronic disorder of the intestines characterized by excessive inflammation and oxidative stress. Loganic acid (LA) is an iridoid glycoside reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the beneficial effects of LA on UC are unexplored yet. Thus, this study aims to explore the potential protective effects of LA and its possible mechanisms. In-vitro models were employed using LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, and Caco-2 cells, whereas an in-vivo model of ulcerative colitis was employed using 2.5% DSS in BALB/c mice. Results indicated that LA significantly suppressed the intracellular ROS levels and inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB in both RAW 264.7 and Caco-2 cells, contrarily LA activated the Nrf2 pathway in RAW 264.7 cells. In DSS-induced colitis mice, LA significantly alleviated the inflammation and colonic damage by decreasing the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ), oxidative stress markers (MDA, and NO), and also expression levels of various inflammatory proteins (TLR4 and NF-кB) which was evidenced by immunoblotting. On the contrary, the release of GSH, SOD, HO-1, and Nrf2 were profoundly increased upon LA treatment.Subsequently, molecular docking studies showed that LA interacts with active site regions of target proteins (TLR4, NF-κB, SIRT1, and Nrf2) through hydrogen bonding and salt bridge interaction. The current findings demonstrated that LA could exhibit a protective effect in DSS-induced ulcerative colitis through its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects via inactivating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and activating the SIRT1/Nrf2 pathways.

Molecular dissection of anti-colon cancer activity of NARI-29: special focus on H2O2 modulated NF-κB and death receptor signaling.

Accumulating evidence attributes the role of aldose reductase (AR) in modulating ROS and inflammation which are the main factor responsible for cancer progression and drug resistance. Epalrestat is the only AR inhibitor being used in Asian countries. It did not make it to the markets of the USA and Europe due to marginal efficacy as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent owing to difficulty reaching intracellular targets. In our previous studies, we attempted to synthesize the epalrestat analogs and reported that the compound 4-((Z)-5-((Z)-2-Cyano-3-phenylallylidene)-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-3-yl) benzoic acid named as NARI-29 has potent AR inhibition compared to epalrestat. In the current study, we aimed to find the effect of NARI-29 on ROS-induced cancer progression and TRAIL resistance in colon cancer in vitro models. In the first part of the study, we demonstrated that the NARI-29 has specific AKR1B1 inhibition and superior drug-like properties than epalrestat using bioinformatics tools. In the second part of the study, it was proven that NARI-29 has induced the hydrogen peroxide-triggered TRAIL-induced apoptosis in the colon cancer cells via modulating the AKR1B1/4HNE/FOXO3a/DR axis. The selective cytotoxicity of NARI-29 (10-fold) compared to epalrestat (4-fold) toward cancer cells is due to its differential ROS regulation and anti-inflammatory activities. Altogether, these data show that NARI-29 may be a potential candidate for AR inhibitors, which will be used to prevent colon cancer progression and as adjuvant therapy for preventing TRAIL resistance.

AKR1B1 is over-expressed in advanced-stage human colon cancer tissuesAKR1B1 mediates resistance to H₂O₂ and TRAIL in human CRC cell linesA co-activation loop exists between NF-κB and AKR1B1 in CRC cell lines to counteract ROSEstablishing epalrestat analog, NARI-29 (4-((Z)-5-((Z)-2-Cyano-3-phenylallylidene)-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-3-yl) benzoic acid) as potent anti-colon cancer agentsNARI-29 induced selective apoptosis in colon cancer cells by differentially modulating the ROS and sensitizing TRAIL.

The effects of dual IQOS and cigarette smoke exposure on airway epithelial cells: implications for lung health and respiratory disease pathogenesis.

Background: Cigarette smoking remains a primary cause of chronic lung diseases. After a steady decline, smoking rates have recently increased especially with the introduction of newer electronic nicotine delivery devices, and it is also emerging that dual- or poly-product usage is on the rise. Additionally, with the introduction of IQOS (a heated tobacco product) globally, its impact on human health needs to be investigated. In this study we tested if dual exposure (cigarette smoke (CS)+IQOS) is detrimental to lung epithelial cells when compared with CS or IQOS exposure alone. Methods: Human airway epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) were exposed to either CS, IQOS or their dual combination (CS+IQOS) at concentrations of 0.1%, 1.0%, 2.5% and 5.0%. Cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial homeostasis, mitophagy and effects on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signalling were assessed. Results: Both CS and IQOS alone significantly induced loss of cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner which was further enhanced by dual exposure compared with IQOS alone (p<0.01). Dual exposure significantly increased oxidative stress and perturbed mitochondrial homeostasis when compared with CS or IQOS alone (p<0.05). Additionally, dual exposure induced EMT signalling as shown by increased mesenchymal (α-smooth muscle actin and N-cadherin) and decreased epithelial (E-cadherin) markers when compared with CS or IQOS alone (p<0.05). Conclusion: Collectively, our study demonstrates that dual CS+IQOS exposure enhances pathogenic signalling mediated by oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction leading to EMT activation, which is an important regulator of small airway fibrosis in obstructive lung diseases.

AKR1B1 inhibition using NARI-29-an Epalrestat analogue-alleviates Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity via modulating Calcium/CaMKII/MuRF-1 axis.

The clinical use of doxorubicin (Dox) is narrowed due to its carbonyl reduction to doxorubicinol (Doxol) implicating resistance and cardiotoxicity. Hence, in the present study we have evaluated the cardioprotective effect of AKR1B1 (or aldose reductase, AR) inhibitor NARI-29 (epalrestat (EPS) analogue) and its effect in the Dox-modulated calcium/CaMKII/MuRF1 axis. Initially, the breast cancer patient survival associated with AKR1B1 expression was calculated using Kaplan Meier-plotter (KM-plotter). Further, breast cancer, cardiomyoblast (H9c2), and macrophage (RAW 264.7) cell lines were used to establish the in vitro combination effect of NARI-29 and Dox. To develop the cardiotoxicity model, mice were given Dox 2.5 mg/kg (i.p.), biweekly. The effect of AKR1B1 inhibition using NARI-29 on molecular and cardiac functional changes was measured using echocardiography, fluorescence-imaging, ELISA, immunoblotting, flowcytometry, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection (HPLC-FD) and cytokine-bead array methods. The bioinformatics data suggested that a high expression of AKR1B1 is associated with significantly low survival of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy; hence, it could be a target for chemo-sensitization and chemo-prevention. Further, in vitro studies showed that AKR1B1 inhibition with NARI-29 has increased the accumulation and sensitized Dox to breast cancer cell lines. However, treatment with NARI-29 has alleviated the Dox-induced toxicity to cardiomyocytes and decreased the secretion of inflammatory cytokines from RAW 264.7 cells. In vivo studies revealed that the NARI-29 (25 and 50 mg/kg) has prevented the functional, histological, biochemical, and molecular alterations induced by Dox treatment. Moreover, we have shown that NARI-29 has prevented the carbonyl reduction of Dox to Doxol in the mouse heart, which reduced the calcium overload, prevented phosphorylation of CaMKII, and reduced the expression of MuRF1 to protect from cardiac injury and apoptosis. Hence in conclusion, AKR1B1 inhibitor NARI-29 could be used as an adjuvant therapeutic agent with Dox to prevent cardiotoxicity and synergize anti-breast cancer activity.

Pivotal role of AKR1B1 in pathogenesis of colitis associated colorectal carcinogenesis.

Identifying the target linking inflammation and oxidative stress to aggravate the disease progression will help to prevent colitis associated carcinogenesis. Since AKR1B1 overexpression is observed in inflammatory diseases and various cancers, we have investigated the role of AKR1B1 in colitis-associated colon carcinogenesis with the aid of epalrestat and its potent analogue NARI-29 (investigational molecule) as pharmacological probes. A TNF-α inducible NF-κB reporter cell line (GloResponse™ NF-κB-RE-luc2P HEK293) and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) and 1,2 dimethyl hydrazine (DMH))-induced mouse model was used to investigate our hypothesis in vitro and in vivo. Clinically, an increased expression of AKR1B1 was observed in patients with ulcerative colitis. Our in vitro and in vivo findings suggest that the AKR1B1 modulated inflammation and ROS generation for the progression of colitis to colon cancer. AKR1B1 overexpression was observed in DSS + DMH-treated mice colons. Moreover, we could observe histopathological changes like immune cell infiltration, aberrant crypt foci, and tumour formation in DC groups. Mechanistically, we have witnessed modulation of the IKK/IκB/NF-κB and Akt/FOXO-3a/DR axis, increased inflammatory cytokines, increased expression of proliferative markers, Ki-67 and PCNA, and accumulation of ß-catenin in the colon epithelium. However, pharmacological inhibition of AKR1B1 using NARI-29 or EPS has reversed the clinical, histopathological, and molecular alterations induced by DSS + DMH, confirming the obvious role of AKR1B1 in the promotion of colitis-associated carcinogenesis. In conclusion, our findings suggest that AKR1B1 targeted therapy could be a promising strategy for preventing CA-CRC and NARI-29 could be developed as a potent AKR1B1 inhibitor.

Aldose reductase and cancer metabolism: The master regulator in the limelight.

It is strongly established that metabolic reprogramming mediates the initiation, progression, and metastasis of a variety of cancers. However, there is no common biomarker identified to link the dysregulated metabolism and cancer progression. Recent studies strongly advise the involvement of aldose reductase (AR) in cancer metabolism. AR-mediated glucose metabolism creates a Warburg-like effect and an acidic tumour microenvironment in cancer cells. Moreover, AR overexpression is associated with the impairment of mitochondria and the accumulation of free fatty acids in cancer cells. Further, AR-mediated reduction of lipid aldehydes and chemotherapeutics are involved in the activation of factors promoting proliferation and chemo-resistance. In this review, we have delineated the possible mechanisms by which AR modulates cellular metabolism for cancer proliferation and survival. An in-depth understanding of cancer metabolism and the role of AR might lead to the use of AR inhibitors as metabolic modulating agents for the therapy of cancer.

Targeting TLR4/3 using chlorogenic acid ameliorates LPS+POLY I:C-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome via alleviating oxidative stress-mediated NLRP3/NF-κB axis.

Acute lung injury (ALI) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening condition caused due to significant pulmonary and systemic inflammation. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) has been shown to possess potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunoprotective properties. However, the protective effect of CGA on viral and bacterial-induced ALI/ARDS is not yet explored. Hence, the current study is aimed to evaluate the preclinical efficacy of CGA in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (POLY I:C)-induced ALI/ARDS models in vitro and in vivo. Human airway epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells exposed to LPS+POLY I:C significantly elevated oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling. Co-treatment with CGA (10 and 50 µM) prevented inflammation and oxidative stress mediated by TLR4/TLR3 and NLRP3 inflammasome axis. BALB/c mice, when chronically challenged with LPS+POLY I:C showed a significant influx of immune cells, up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, namely: IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α, and treatment with intranasal CGA (1 and 5 mg/kg) normalized the elevated levels of immune cell infiltration as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines. D-Dimer, the serum marker for intravascular coagulation, was significantly increased in LPS+ POLY I:C challenged animals which was reduced with CGA treatment. Further, CGA treatment also has a beneficial effect on the lung and heart, as shown by improving lung physiological and cardiac functional parameters accompanied by the elevated antioxidant response and simultaneous reduction in tissue damage caused by LPS+POLY I:C co-infection. In summary, these comprehensive, in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that CGA may be a viable therapeutic option for bacterial and viral-induced ALI-ARDS-like pathology.

Piperine Attenuates Cigarette Smoke-Induced Oxidative Stress, Lung Inflammation, and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition by Modulating the SIRT1/Nrf2 Axis.

Piperine (PIP) is a major phytoconstituent in black pepper which is responsible for various pharmacological actions such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor activity. To investigate the effects and mechanisms of PIP on cigarette smoke (CS)-induced lung pathology using both in-vitro and in-vivo models. BEAS-2B and A549 cells were exposed to CS extract (CSE) for 48 h; BALB/c mice were exposed to CS (9 cigarettes/day, 4 days) to induce features of airway disease. PIP at doses of (0.25, 1.25, and 6.25 µM, in vitro; 1 and 10 mg/kg, in vivo, i.n) and DEX (1 µM, in vitro; 1 mg/kg, in vivo, i.n) were used to assess cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, epithelial−mesenchymal transition (EMT), Sirtuin1 (SIRT1), inflammation-related cellular signaling, and lung function. PIP treatment protects cells from CSE-induced lung epithelial cell death. PIP treatment restores the epithelial marker (p < 0.05) and decreases the mesenchymal, inflammatory markers (p < 0.05) in both in vitro and in vivo models. The PIP treatment improves the altered lung function (p < 0.05) in mice induced by CS exposure. Mechanistically, PIP treatment modulates SIRT1 thereby reducing the inflammatory markers such as IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α (p < 0.05) and enhancing the epigenetic marker HDAC2 (p < 0.05) and antioxidant marker Nrf2 (p < 0.05) expressions. Thus, PIP alleviates pulmonary inflammation by modulating the SIRT1-mediated inflammatory cascade, inhibits EMT, and activates Nrf2 signaling.

Perillyl alcohol attenuates rheumatoid arthritis via regulating TLR4/NF-κB and Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathways: A comprehensive study onin-vitro and in-vivo experimental models.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic and idiopathic autoimmune disorder. Perillyl alcohol (POH) is a monoterpene which can be extracted from widely available essential oils and is known for its strong anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: Recent studies have been proven that inhibitors of farnesyltransferase enzyme showed significant anti-arthritic activity. POH is one such natural molecule having anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties by inhibiting farnesyltransferase enzyme which further down regulates NF-κB and Nrf2 via Ras/Raf/MAPK pathway. Also, the effect of POH against rheumatoid arthritis is not known yet. Hence, the present research was intended to assess the anti-arthritic potential of POH in-vitro and in-vivo. METHODS: The in-vitro effects of POH on RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with LPS 1 µg/ml were investigated to its potential therapeutic effects. CFA 100 µl was intradermally administered to rats for the induction of arthritis. POH 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg administered topically from day 1 to day 28. Paw volumes measured, radiography analysis, anti-oxidant status, Gene expression studies, western blot analysis and histological analysis were performed to check the effects of POH. RESULTS: Our in-vitro findings suggested that POH inhibits inflammation by suppressing reactive oxygen species (ROS), NF-кB and Nrf2 signaling axis. Besides this, POH also rescinded the nitrate levels, pro-inflammatory cytokine levels like IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α also PGE2 and COX-2 levels induced by LPS in murine macrophages. Additionally, our in-vivo results revealed that POH conscientiously alleviated CFA induced inflammation by restoring arthritis index, body weight, nitrosative, lipid peroxidation assays. Macroscopically through measuring paw volumes and X-ray, it was evidenced that POH has decreased inflammation and bone erosion. Not only in-vitro but also in-vivo, POH has abridged cytokine levels IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α. Histopathological evaluation presented POH treatment alleviated joint inflammation, pannus formation, and bone erosion significantly. Moreover, POH suppressed the protein expression of NF-кB, COX-2, iNOS and improved Nrf2, and SOD2 levels in paw tissues estimated by western blotting. CONCLUSION: POH was effective in ameliorating LPS stimulation mediated oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines in RAW 264.7 cells in-vitro and FCA induced arthritis in rats in-vivo through its anti-inflammatory effects via regulating TLR4/NF-κB and Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathways..

Phytochemistry and polypharmacology of cleome species: A comprehensive Ethnopharmacological review of the medicinal plants.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cleome species in particular (C. gynandra Linn, C. viscosa Linn, C. rutidosperma DC, C. felina Linn.), commonly known as spider flowers, belong to the genus of flowering plants in Cleomaceae family. Found primarily in the African countries (Kenya, Tanzania, Egypt, South Africa, and Nigeria), Asian countries (India and Afghanistan), European countries (Italy), and also in other countries like Brazil and Austria. These plants are commonly cultivated as a vegetable crop for their nutritional benefits, and the leaves are widely consumed for their health-promoting effects. The different parts of the plants, such as leaves, seeds, flowers, and roots, are used to treat acute and chronic inflammatory disorders, hepatotoxicity, malaria, fungal diseases, and cancer. AIM OF THE STUDY: Detailed investigations in underlining the molecular mechanisms and their wide variety of effects in treating various diseases remain ambiguous. The review focuses on an in-depth discussion of studies targeting phytochemistry and polypharmacology. Thus, the review aims to recapitulate the therapeutic potential of the components of Cleome involved in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments from ancient times were collected and presented along with strategies aiming for future studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The information provided is collected from several scientific databases (PubMed, Elsevier, ScienceDirect) and traditional medicine books, and other professional websites. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Investigations and current evidence revealed that the different chemical constituents present in cleome species possess various health-promoting effects along with the aerial parts showing promising traditional uses in traditional healing and culinary. An explorative survey in the current review highlights the traditional healing effects along with a broad scope of studies that can be performed in the future.

Effects of intranasal azithromycin on features of cigarette smoke-induced lung inflammation.

Airflow limitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the result of exaggerated airway fibrosis and obliteration of the small airways due to persistent inflammation, and an impaired anti-oxidant response. EMT has been implicated as an active signalling process in cigarette smoke (CS)-induced lung pathology, and macrolide Azithromycin (AZT) use has gained interest in treating COPD. Here, we tested effectiveness of intra-nasal AZT alone and in combination with dexamethasone (DEX) on CS-induced acute lung inflammation. Human alveolar epithelial cells (A549) were treated with CS extract (CSE) for 48 h, and male Balb/c mice were exposed to CS (3 cigarettes-3 times/day) for 4 days. The effects of AZT alone (0.25 and 1.25 µM, in vitro; 0.5 and 5 mg/kg, in vivo) or in combination with DEX (1 µM, in vitro; 1 mg/kg, in vivo) on CS-induced cellular cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation, and lung function were assessed. AZT alone and in combination with DEX significantly inhibited the CS (E)-induced expression of mesenchymal protein markers and the regulatory protein ß-catenin. Furthermore, AZT by itself or in combination with DEX significantly suppressed CS-induced expression of the proinflammtory cytokines TNFα, IL1ß and IL6 and prevented pNFkB. Mechanistically, AZT restored the CS-induced reduction in anti-oxidant transcription factor NRF2 and upregulated HDAC2 levels, thereby repressing inflammatory gene expression. Beneficial effects of AZT functionally translated in improved lung mechanics in vivo. Further preclinical and clinical studies are warranted to fully establish and validate the therapeutic efficacy of AZT as a mono- or combination therapy for the treatment of COPD.