Four new diterpenoids from the aerial parts of Leucas zeylanica (L.) R. Br.

Four new undescribed halimane- and labdane-type diterpenoids, named zeylleucapenoids E-H (1-4), along with four known analogues (5-8), were isolated from the aerial parts of Leucas zeylanica (L.) R. Br. Their structures were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis and computational calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 are the highly modified halimane diterpenoids featuring a 6/6/6-fused tricyclic system with an unusual six-membered 6,11-ether ring. Compound 8 exhibits nontoxic effects for zebrafish embryo, while it displays efficient reduction against NO production in a dose-dependent manner and strongly suppresses the secretion of LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-6 cytokines in RAW264.7 macrophages. In addition, marked reductions of iNOS and COX-2 expression were observed. Molecular docking analysis indicated that 8 has high affinities with the target amino acid residues on protein-binding sites, which may be a possible mechanism contributing to the anti-inflammatory potential of this molecule.

Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma processing ameliorates adverse reactions of polygalae radix in zebra fish and rabbit models.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Polygala tenuifilia Willd (Polygalaceae), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for a long time to treat various illnesses with serious adverse reactions. Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma processing is generally used to reduce the adverse reactions. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to validate the irritation caused by raw Polygalaceae (RPA), to investigate whether processed Polygalaceae (PGA) was less irritating, and to screen and validate irritant properties of virgaureagenin G (polygala acid, PA), 3,6'-disinapoylsucrose (DSS), Tenuifolia (TEN) and polygalaxanthone III (POL), which had pharmacologically active in Polygalaceae. Zebrafish model, Draize test and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) were utilized to achieve the aim. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and optical microscope were used to determine the presence of calcium oxalate needle crystal in RPA and PGA. Zebrafish egg spinning changes and zebrafish embryo behavior were used for irritation validation, irritation comparison and irritant screening. For additional evidence, the Draize test, HE staining of rabbit eyes and ELISA kit were used. Finally, changes in the composition of RPA and PGA were investigated using HPLC. RESULTS: SEM and optical microscopy revealed no calcium oxalate needle crystals in Polygalaceae. RPA, PGA, PA and DSS were able to accelerate the spinning of zebrafish eggs and the movement of embryos, while TEN and POL were not. RPA, PGA, DSS and PA may cause rabbit eyes to become hyperemic and swollen, resulting in damage to the iris, cornea and conjunctiva and increased levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Comparatively, the effects caused by PGA were less severe than those caused by RPA. In addition, compared to RPA, PGA had lower levels of DSS and PA. CONCLUSIONS: RPA, PGA, DSS, and PA were irritating. However, processing and curing could reduce the irritation by reducing the levels of DSS and PA. DSS and PA could be two potential irritants of Polygalaceae.

Structurally diverse spirocyclic polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols from Hypericum ascyron Linn. and their anti-tumor activity.

Ten spirocyclic polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (PPAP), hunascynols A-J (1-10), and 12 known analogs were isolated from the aerial parts of Hypericum ascyron Linn. Compounds 1 and 2, which share a 1,2-seco-spirocyclic PPAP skeleton, could be derived from spirocyclic PPAP, with a common octahydrospiro[cyclohexan-1,5'-indene]-2,4,6-trione core, through a cascade of Retro-Claisen, keto-enol tautomerism, and esterification reactions. Aldolization of normal spirocyclic PPAP yielded 3, which has a caged framework with a 6/5/6/5/6 ring system. The structures of these compounds were determined using spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The inhibitory activities of all isolates were tested in three human cancer cell lines and a zebrafish model. Compounds 1 and 2 displayed moderate cytotoxicity against HCT116 cells (IC50 6.87 and 9.86 µM, respectively). The mechanisms of these compounds were evaluated using Western blot assays. Compounds 3 and 5 inhibited the growth of sub-intestinal vessels in zebrafish embryos. Further, the target genes were screened using real-time PCR.

Antioxidant Effects of Roasted Licorice in a Zebrafish Model and Its Mechanisms.

Licorice (Gan-Cao, licorice) is a natural antioxidant and roasted licorice is the most common processing specification used in traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions. Traditional Chinese medicine theory deems that the honey-roasting process can promote the efficacy of licorice, including tonifying the spleen and augmenting "Qi" (energy). The antioxidant activity and mechanisms underlying roasted licorice have not yet been reported. In this study, we found that roasted licorice could relieve the oxidative stress injury induced by metronidazole (MTZ) and could restrain the production of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by 2,2'-azobis (2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH) in a zebrafish model. It was further found that roasted licorice could exert its oxidative activity by upregulating the expression of key genes such as heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1), glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM), and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) in the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) signaling pathway both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, consistent results were obtained showing that rat serum containing roasted licorice was estimated to reduce cell apoptosis induced by H2O2. Then, the UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS analysis results elucidated the chemical composition of rat plasma containing roasted licorice extracts, including ten prototype chemical components and five metabolic components. Among them, six compounds were found to have binding activity with Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), which plays a crucial role in the transcriptional activity of NRF2, using a molecular docking simulation. The results also showed that liquiritigenin had the strongest binding ability with KEAP1. Immunofluorescence further confirmed that liquiritigenin could induce the nuclear translocation of NRF2. In summary, this study provides a better understanding of the antioxidant effect and mechanisms of roasted licorice, and lays a theoretical foundation for the development of a potential antioxidant for use in clinical practice.

Iphiona mucronata (Forssk.) Asch. & Schweinf. A Comprehensive Phytochemical Study via UPLC-Q-TOF-MS in the Context of the Embryo- and Cytotoxicity Profiles.

Iphiona mucronata (Family Asteraceae) is widely distributed in the Eastern desert of Egypt. It is a promising plant material for phytochemical analysis and pharmacologic studies, and so far, its specific metabolites and biological activity have not yet been thoroughly investigated. Herein, we report on the detailed phytochemical study using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS approach. This analysis allowed the putative annotation of 48 metabolites belonging to various phytochemical classes, including mostly sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Further, zebrafish embryotoxicity has been carried out, where 100 µg/mL extract incubated for 72 h resulted in a slow touch response of the 10 examined larvae, which might be taken as a sign of a disturbed peripheral nervous system. Results of in vitro testing indicate moderate cytotoxicity towards VERO, FaDu, and HeLa cells with CC50 values between 91.6 and 101.7 µg/mL. However, selective antineoplastic activity in RKO cells with CC50 of 54.5 µg/mL was observed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive profile of I. mucronata secondary metabolites that provides chemical-based evidence for its biological effects. A further investigation should be carried out to precisely define the underlying mechanisms of toxicity.

Cytotoxic constituents of Glycosmis ovoidea collected in Vietnam.

Compounds derived from natural sources have been major contributors to the area of cancer chemotherapy for decades. As part of an ongoing effort to discover anticancer drug leads from tropical plants, a large-scale collection of Glycosmis ovoidea Pierre (Rutaceae), was made at Nui Chua National Park, Vietnam. Activity-guided fractionation of the chloroform-soluble fractions led to the isolation of nine coumarins, including the new compound, 1-(7-methoxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-8-yl)-3-methyl-1-oxobut-2-en-2-yl (S)-2-methylbutanoate (1). An close analogue of 1, namely, kincuongin (2), was deemed as non-cytotoxic (IC50 > 10 µM) against five different cancer cell lines. However, co-administration of kimcuongin (2) showed an approximately 100 times potentiation of the MCF-7 breast cancer cell cytotoxicity of the previously reported flavonoid, 5,3'-dihydroxy-3,6,7,8,4'-pentamethoxyflavone (10). To provide a mechanistic basis for the cancer cell line inhibition enhancement observed, an initial in silico study on compound 10 indicated that it interacts with isoforms of the NF-κB complex. In a confirmatory western blot experiment conducted, kimcuongin (2) was found to potentiate the effects of flavone 10 in inhibiting both NF-κB and PARP-1. In vivo investigations using a zebrafish (Danio rerio) model showed that compounds 2, 3, 5, and 6 did not exhibit any discernible toxicity at concentrations up to 50 µM.

Gu Sui Bu (Drynaria fortunei J. Sm.) antagonizes glucocorticoid-induced mineralization reduction in zebrafish larvae by modulating the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Gu Sui Bu (GSB), the dried rhizome of Drynaria fortunei J. Sm., is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating fractures and osteoporosis. Although glucocorticoids are widely prescribed in modern medicine, the efficacy of GSB in treating glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) remains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: GIOP is one of the most prevalent forms of osteoporosis and increases the risk of fracture, which can cause severe complications in elderly people. Safe, efficacious, and cost-effective treatment options for GIOP are thus warranted. The present study investigated the efficacy and mechanism of GSB for treating GIOP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We established an efficient and robust in vivo GIOP model by optimizing zebrafish larvae rearing conditions and the dose and duration of dexamethasone treatment. Bone calcification was evaluated through calcein staining. To quantify the degree of vertebral mineralization in the larvae, we developed a scoring system based on the rate of vertebral calcification; this system reduced quantification errors among individual zebrafish caused by inconsistencies in staining or imaging parameters. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to access the expression levels of genes essential to the differentiation and function of bone cells. High-performance liquid chromatography was employed to identify naringin in the GSB extract. RESULTS: GSB significantly reversed the dexamethasone-induced calcification delay in zebrafish larvae. GSB enhanced osteoblast activity by increasing the expression of collagen I, osteopontin, and osteonectin and repressed bone resorption by decreasing the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (mmps), including mmp9 and mmp13a. We also identified naringin as one of the constituents of GSB responsible for the herbal extract's anti-GIOP activity. CONCLUSIONS: Using the in vivo zebrafish GIOP model that we established, the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicines in treating GIOP could be systematically investigated. GSB has an osteogenic effect and may thus be an efficacious and cost-effective treatment option for GIOP. Notably, bone resorption activity was found to be retained after GSB treatment, which would be beneficial for maintaining normal bone remodeling.

Pro-inflammatory cytokine molecules from Boswellia serrate suppresses lipopolysaccharides induced inflammation demonstrated in an in-vivo zebrafish larval model.

BACKGROUND: Boswellia serrate is an ancient and highly valued ayurvedic herb. Its extracts have been used in medicine for centuries to treat a wide variety of chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the mechanism by which B. serrata hydro alcoholic extract inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae with LPS-induced inflammation remained unknown. METHODS: LC-MS analysis was used to investigate the extract's phytochemical components. To determine the toxicity of B. serrata extract, cytotoxicity and embryo toxicity tests were performed. The in-vivo zebrafish larvae model was used to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of B. serrata extract. RESULTS: According to an in silico study using molecular docking and ADMET, the compounds acetyl-11-keto-boswellic and 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid present in the extract had higher binding affinity for the inflammatory specific receptor, and it is predicted to be an orally active molecule. In both in-vitro L6 cells and in-vivo zebrafish larvae, 160 µg/mL concentration of extract caused a high rate of lethality. The extract was found to have a protective effect against LPS-induced inflammation at concentrations ranged between 10 and 80 µg/mL. In zebrafish larvae, 80 µg/mL of treatment significantly lowered the level of intracellular ROS, apoptosis, lipid peroxidation, and nitric oxide. Similarly, zebrafish larvae treated with B. serrata extract (80 µg/mL) showed an increased anti-inflammatory activity by lowering inflammatory specific gene expression (iNOS, TNF-α, COX-2, and IL-1). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our findings suggest that B. serrata can act as a potent redox scavenger against LPS-induced inflammation in zebrafish larvae and an inhibitor of specific inflammatory genes.

Optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of polyphenols from the polyherbal formulation of Cinnamomum verum, Origanum majorana, and Origanum vulgare and their anti-diabetic capacity in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

The Cinnamomum verum (CV), Origanum majorana (CM), and Origanum vulgare (OV) have been used in traditional medicine in several regions of México for their anti-diabetic properties. In this study investigated the variables of ultrasound-assisted extraction for the polyphenolic compounds from the combination of these plants and explore their potential antidiabetic activities on glucose-induced-diabetic zebrafish. Determined the optimum conditions for ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) to maximum recovery amounts of phenolic compounds from the extract of these plants. Polyphenols were detected in the extracts using HPLC-DAD-analysis. Extracts were evaluated on zebrafish exposed to high glucose concentration (110 mM) for two weeks. Results showed second-order polynomial mathematical models with a high coefficient of determination (R2 > 0.9564). Optimized extraction conditions for UAE from the combination of the 3 plants (COV) were as follows: 66.03%, ethanol, 28.87 min, and 21.51 mL/g for maximal flavonoids extraction. Used the same optimal extraction conditions for CV, CM, and OV. Results from LC-MS/MS indicated 9 polyphenolic compounds in CV, 12 in CM, and 6 in OV, the content of total polyphenols was 310.28, 90.42, and 126.74 mg GAE 100 g-1 dry weight, respectively. However, hyperglycemic fish showed an increase in cholesterol and triglyceride levels whereas extracts completely prevented these metabolic alterations. COV showed higher anti-diabetic ability than CV, CM, and OV, suggesting a synergistic effect between them. Our investigation developed a new herbal formulation of Cinnamomum verum; Origanum majorana; Origanum vulgare that has proven effective in animals with type 2 diabetes will form a new class of supplements to treat diabetic complications.

Anti-inflammatory role demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo models using nonsteroidal tetranortriterpenoid, Nimbin (N1) and its analogs (N2 and N3) that alleviate the domestication of alternative medicine.

Human health may benefit from the study of natural compounds and phytoconstituents that can protect from inflammation. We investigated Nimbin (N1), a member of the ring C Seco-tetranortriterpenoids family, and its semi-natural analog deacetyl Nimbin namely N2 and N3 for their anti-inflammatory properties. As key findings, N1, N2, and N3 were able to improve wound healing by cell proliferation in a period of 24 h and were able to reduce the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney cells which were screened using dichloro-dihydro fluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) staining. When the zebrafish larvae were subjected to DCF-DA assay N1, N2, and N3 were able to substantially reduce the ROS levels in a dose-dependent manner. In zebrafish larvae, the cell death indicates the fluorescent intensity due to acridine orange staining that was found to be dramatically decreasing upon the treatment of N1, N2, and N3. The cell membrane lipid peroxidation levels were also reduced in a dose-dependent manner upon the treatment of Nimbin and its analogs indicating lesser blue fluorescent levels. Among the Nimbin and its analogs, N2 was subjected to have better activity. To confirm the activity of N1, N2, and N3, in silico characterization was performed using Density functional theory and molecular docking. As a result, N2 exhibited the lowest electronegative value and highest binding energy when docked with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant proteins CAT, COX, GP, IL-1, and MPO. Furthermore, the therapeutic potential of N2 must be explored at the molecular level as well as in clinical studies for the treatment of inflammation-associated diseases.

Hypolipidaemic and antioxidant effects of various Chinese dark tea extracts obtained from the same raw material and their main chemical components.

In order to investigate the hypolipidaemic and antioxidant effects of various dark teas produced from different post-fermentation using the same raw material, a hyperlipidaemia zebrafish model combined with binding bile salts assay and antioxidant assays were performed in this study. Results showed that the hypolipidaemic effect of dark tea extracts increased significantly (p < 0.05) while the antioxidant ability decreased sharply compared with raw material. Particularly, Liupao tea (50%) and Pu-erh tea (48%) showed promising hypolipidaemic potential; however, the antioxidant capacity of Pu-erh tea decreased (31-49%) most dramatically. Besides, the levels of total polyphenols and catechins decreased sharply, but theabrownin, gallic acid, and caffeine increased significantly after post-fermentation. Moreover, the potential mechanisms of regulating hyperlipidaemia by dark tea extracts were discussed. These results suggest that microbial fermentation significantly affects the bioactivity of dark teas, and provide theoretical basis for processing and improving of dark tea products for hyperlipidaemia therapy.

Simultaneous Tests of Theaflavin-3,3'-digallate as an Anti-Diabetic Drug in Human Hepatoma G2 Cells and Zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Theaflavin-3,3'-digallate (TF3) is the most important theaflavin monomer in black tea. TF3 was proved to reduce blood glucose level in mice and rats. However, the elaborate anti-diabetic mechanism was not well elucidated. In this work, human hepatoma G2 (HepG2) cells and zebrafish (Danio rerio) were used simultaneously to reveal anti-diabetic effect of TF3. The results showed that TF3 could effectively rise glucose absorption capacity in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells and regulate glucose level in diabetic zebrafish. The hypoglycemic effect was mediated through down-regulating phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and up-regulating glucokinase. More importantly, TF3 could significantly improve ß cells regeneration in diabetic zebrafish at low concentrations (5 µg/mL and 10 µg/mL), which meant TF3 had a strong anti-diabetic effect. Obviously, this work provided the potential benefit of TF3 on hypoglycemic effect, regulating glucose metabolism enzymes, and protecting ß cells. TF3 might be a promising agent for combating diabetes.

Establishment of a Drug Screening Model for Cardiac Complications of Acute Renal Failure.

Acute renal failure (ARF) is a clinical critical syndrome with rapid and severe decline of renal function. Complications of ARF, especially its cardiac complications (cardiorenal syndrome type 3, CRS-3), are the main causes of death in patients with ARF. However, the shortage and limited efficacy of therapeutic drugs make it significant to establish new large-scale drug screening models. Based on the Nitroreductase/Metronidazole (NTR/MTZ) cell ablation system, we constructed a Tg(cdh17:Dendra2-NTR) transgenic zebrafish line, which can specifically ablate renal tubular epithelial cells. The absence of renal tubular epithelial cells can lead to ARF in zebrafish larvae. The ARF symptoms, such as heart enlargement, slow heart rate and blood stasis, are similar to the clinical manifestations of human CRS-3. Furthermore, two therapeutic drugs (digoxin and enalapril) commonly used in the clinical treatment of heart failure were also effective in alleviating the symptoms of CRS-3 in zebrafish, which proved the effectiveness of this model. Drug screening further discovered a potential drug candidate, α-lipoic acid, which can effectively alleviate the symptoms of CRS-3 through its antioxidant function. Accordingly, we established a new ARF model of zebrafish, which laid a foundation for large-scale screening of new therapeutic drugs for its complications.

Construction and antitumor activity of selenium nanoparticles decorated with the polysaccharide extracted from Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. (Rutaceae).

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), a potential cancer therapeutic agent, have attracted widespread attention owing to their high bioavailability and remarkable anticancer activity. Nevertheless, the poor water solubility and dispersibility of SeNPs seriously limit their applications. In the present study, we synthesized stable and individual spherical selenium nanoparticles (CL90-Tw-SeNP2) with an average diameter of approximately 79 nm using a polysaccharide extracted from Citrus limon (CL90) and Tween-80 as the decorator and stabilizers. The proportion of selenium in CL90-Tw-SeNP2 was 10.6%. CL90-Tw-SeNP2 possessed high stability and good dispersion in water for more than three months. The subsequent biological assay revealed that CL90-Tw-SeNP2 showed remarkable antitumor effects against HepG2 cells, with an IC50 value of 49.13 µg/mL, by inducing cell apoptosis. Furthermore, an in vivo zebrafish assay to explore possible applications indicated that CL90-Tw-SeNP2 could inhibit the proliferation and migration of tumors and the zebrafish angiogenesis. These results indicated that CL90-Tw-SeNP2 could be a potential agent for cancer treatment, especially against human liver hepatoma cancer.

Clitorienolactones and Isoflavonoids of Clitorea ternatea Roots Alleviate Stress-Like Symptoms in a Reserpine-Induced Zebrafish Model.

Clitorea ternatea has been used in Ayurvedic medicine as a brain stimulant to treat mental illnesses and mental functional disorders. In this study, the metabolite profiles of crude C. ternatea root extract (CTRE), ethyl acetate (EA), and 50% aqueous methanol (50% MeOH) fractions were investigated using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS), while their effect on the stress-like behavior of zebrafish, pharmacologically induced with reserpine, was investigated. A total of 32 compounds were putatively identified, among which, a series of norneolignans, clitorienolactones, and various flavonoids (flavone, flavonol, isoflavone, and isoflavanone) was found to comprise the major constituents, particularly in the EA and 50% MeOH fractions. The clitorienolactones, presently unique to the species, were present in both the free and glycosylated forms in the roots. Both the EA and 50% MeOH fractions displayed moderate effects on the stress-induced zebrafish model, significantly decreasing freezing duration and elevating the total distance travelled and average velocity, 72 h post-treatment. The results of the present study provide further evidence that the basis for the use of C. ternatea roots in traditional medicine to alleviate brain-related conditions, such as stress and depression, is attributable to the presence of clitorienolactones and the isoflavonoidal constituents.

Structural characteristics and in vitro and in vivo immunoregulatory properties of a gluco-arabinan from Angelica dahurica.

A water-soluble polysaccharide identified here as ADP80-2 was acquired from Angelica dahurica. ADP80-2 was a gluco-arabinan composed of arabinose and a trace of glucose with a molecular weight of 9950 g/mol. The backbone of ADP80-2 comprised →5)-α-L-Araf-(1→, →3, 5)-α-L-Araf-(1→, →6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, with a terminal branch α-L-Araf-(1 → residue. In terms of immunoregulatory activity, ADP80-2 can significantly promote the phagocytosis, the production of nitric oxide (NO), and the secretion of cytokines (IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α) of macrophage. In addition to the cellular immunomodulatory activities, the chemokines related to immunoregulation were significantly increased in the zebrafish model after treated with ADP80-2. These biological results indicated that ADP80-2 with immunomodulatory effects was expected to be useful for the development of new immunomodulatory agents. Simultaneously, the discovery of ADP80-2 further revealed the chemical composition of A. dahurica used as a traditional Chinese medicine and spice.

Ptehoosines A and B: Two new sesamin-type sesquilignans with antiangiogenic activity from Pterocephalus hookeri (C.B. Clarke) Höeck.

Two undescribed sesamin-type sesquilignans ptehoosines A (1) and B (2), together with 4 known lignans (3-6), were isolated from Pterocephalus hookeri (C.B. Clarke) Höeck which was widely used as traditional Tibetan medicine for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Their structures were determined by HR-ESI-MS, NMR analysis and CD experiment. The in vitro antiangiogenic effect of all isolated compounds against human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were evaluated by CCK-8 assay. Among them, compound 1 exhibited significant proliferative inhibition on HUVECs with IC50 value of 32.82 ± 0.99 µM. Further in vitro study indicated 1 could arrest cell cycle at G0/G1 phase and reduce the migration of HUVECs. In vivo experiment exhibited 1 could inhibit tail vessels plexus in zebrafish. The above finding suggested that 1 was a promising lead compound against RA by inhibiting of angiogenesis.

The Role of Oxidative Stress and Autophagy in Blue-Light-Induced Damage to the Retinal Pigment Epithelium in Zebrafish In Vitro and In Vivo.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the progressive degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), retina, and choriocapillaris among elderly individuals and is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Thus, a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms in retinal tissue activated by blue light exposure is important for developing novel treatment and intervention strategies. In this study, blue-light-emitting diodes with a wavelength of 440 nm were applied to RPE cells at a dose of 3.7 ± 0.75 mW/cm2 for 24 h. ARPE-19 cells were used to investigate the underlying mechanism induced by blue light exposure. A trypan blue exclusion assay was used for the cell viability determination. Flow cytometry was used for apoptosis rate detection and autophagy analysis. An immunofluorescence microscopy analysis was used to investigate cellular oxidative stress and DNA damage using DCFDA fluorescence staining and an anti-γH2AX antibody. Blue light exposure of zebrafish larvae was established to investigate the effect on retinal tissue development in vivo. To further demonstrate the comprehensive effect of blue light on ARPE-19 cells, next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed for an ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) to reveal additional related mechanisms. The results showed that blue light exposure caused a decrease in cell proliferation and an increase in apoptosis in ARPE-19 cells in a time-dependent manner. Oxidative stress increased during the early stage of 2 h of exposure and activated DNA damage in ARPE-19 cells after 8 h. Furthermore, autophagy was activated in response to blue light exposure at 24-48 h. The zebrafish larvae model showed the unfavorable effect of blue light in prohibiting retinal tissue development. The RNA-Seq results confirmed that blue light induced cell death and participated in tissue growth inhibition and maturation. The current study reveals the mechanisms by which blue light induces cell death in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, both the in vivo and NGS data uncovered blue light's effect on retinal tissue development, suggesting that exposing children to blue light could be relatively dangerous. These results could benefit the development of preventive strategies utilizing herbal medicine-based treatments for eye diseases or degeneration in the future.

Isolation and identification of quorum sensing antagonist from Cinnamomum verum leaves against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

PURPOSE: The study aimed at isolating and identifying potential anti-quorum sensing (QS) compounds from Cinnamomum verum leaves against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. METHODOLOGY: Isolation of anti-QS compounds from C. verum leaf ethanol extract was carried out by column chromatography. The bioactive fraction was analysed by UV, IR, and GCMS spectroscopy. Various virulence assays were performed to assess the QS quenching ability of the purified compounds. In vivo toxicity of the purified compounds was examined in zebrafish model. The expression of the virulence genes was evaluated by qPCR analysis and in silico assessment was accomplished to check the binding ability of the compounds with the autoinducer molecule. KEY FINDINGS: The QS inhibitors isolated and identified showed a remarkable ability in reducing the production of elastase, pyocyanin, swarming motility and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa. In the presence of the characterized compounds, the expression of virulence genes of P. aeruginosa was significantly reduced. Toxicity studies in zebrafish model indicated no effects on development and organogenesis at a concentration below 100 mg/l. Further, in silico analysis demonstrated the binding efficiency of the anti-QS compounds to AHL molecules, thus proving the QS quenching ability of the isolated compounds. SIGNIFICANCE: To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of isolation of anti-QS compounds from C. verum leaves against P. aeruginosa. The identified compounds qualify as potential QS antagonists. Further studies on these compounds can pave way for an effective and attractive anti-pathogenic therapy, to overcome the emergence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

Generation and Application of the Zebrafish heg1 Mutant as a Cardiovascular Disease Model.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of global mortality, which has caused a huge burden on the quality of human life. Therefore, experimental animal models of CVD have become essential tools for analyzing the pathogenesis, developing drug screening, and testing potential therapeutic strategies. In recent decades, zebrafish has entered the field of CVD as an important model organism. HEG1, a heart development protein with EGF like domains 1, plays important roles in the development of vertebrate cardiovascular system. Loss of HEG1 will affect the stabilization of vascular endothelial cell connection and eventually lead to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Here, we generated a heg1-specific knockout zebrafish line using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Zebrafish heg1 mutant demonstrated severe cardiovascular malformations, including atrial ventricular enlargement, heart rate slowing, venous thrombosis and slow blood flow, which were similar to human heart failure and thrombosis phenotype. In addition, the expression of zebrafish cardiac and vascular markers was abnormal in heg1 mutants. In order to apply zebrafish heg1 mutant in cardiovascular drug screening, four Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbs and three Chinese herbal monomers were used to treat heg1 mutant. The pericardial area, the distance between sinus venosus and bulbus arteriosus (SV-BA), heart rate, red blood cells (RBCs) accumulation in posterior cardinal vein (PCV), and blood circulation in the tail vein were measured to evaluate the therapeutic effects of those drugs on DCM and thrombosis. Here, a new zebrafish model of DCM and thrombosis was established, which was verified to be suitable for drug screening of cardiovascular diseases. It provided an alternative method for traditional in vitro screening, and produced potential clinical related drugs in a rapid and cost-effective way.