Recent advances in flavonoid compounds for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is a malignant epithelial tumor of the prostate gland and is the most common malignant tumor of the male genitourinary system. Pharmacological therapies, including chemotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy, play a key role in the treatment of prostate cancer. However, drug resistance and side effects limit the use of these drugs and so there is a need for new drug therapies for prostate cancer patients. Flavonoids, with their wide range of sources and diverse biological activities, have attracted much attention in the field of anti-tumor drug screening. In 2016, at least 58 flavonoids were reported to have anti-prostate cancer activity. In recent years, six additional flavonoid compounds have been found to have anti-prostate cancer potential. In this review, we have collected a large amount of evidence on the anti-prostate cancer effects of these six flavonoids, including a large number of cellular experiments and a small number of preclinical animal experiments. In addition, we predicted their drug-forming properties using Schrödinger's QikProp software and ADMETlab due to the lack of in vivo pharmacokinetic data for the six compounds. In conclusion, this review has fully confirmed the anti-prostate cancer effects of these six flavonoids, summarized their mechanisms of action and predicted their druggability. It provides a reference for the further development of these compounds into anti-prostate cancer drugs.

Immuno-modulatory role of baicalin in atherosclerosis prevention and treatment: current scenario and future directions.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is recognized as a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by the accumulation of lipids and inflammatory cells within the damaged walls of arterial vessels. It is a significant independent risk factor for ischemic cardiovascular disease, ischemic stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. Despite the availability of current treatments such as statins, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, and lifestyle modifications for prevention, AS remains a leading cause of morbidity and economic burden worldwide. Thus, there is a pressing need for the development of new supplementary and alternative therapies or medications. Huangqin (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. [SBG]), a traditional Chinese medicine, exerts a significant immunomodulatory effect in AS prevention and treatment, with baicalin being identified as one of the primary active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine. Baicalin offers a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including the regulation of immune balance, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and improvement of lipid metabolism dysregulation. Consequently, it exerts beneficial effects in both AS onset and progression. This review provides an overview of the immunomodulatory properties and mechanisms by which baicalin aids in AS prevention and treatment, highlighting its potential as a clinical translational therapy.

[Antioxidant activity of Euryale ferox seed shell extract and its therapeutic effects on oral ulcer in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of Euryale ferox seed shell extract on oral ulcer in rats and its underlying mechanism. METHODS: The contents of polyphenols and flavonoids in Euryale ferox seed shells were determined by Folin-phenol assay and aluminum nitrate colorimetry, respectively. DPPH·, ABTS+·, ·OH and·O2- scavenging experiments were performed to evaluate the antioxidant activities of Euryale ferox seed shell extract in vitro. In a rat model of oral ulcer induced by burning with glacial acetic acid, the therapeutic effect of Euryale ferox seed shell extract was assessed by detecting changes in serum levels of oxidative factors by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and observing pathological changes of the ulcerous mucosa using HE staining; the therapeutic mechanism of the extract was explored by detecting the expression levels of Keap1, Nrf2, Nes-Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins in ulcerous mucosa using Western blotting. RESULTS: The ethyl acetate extract of Euryale ferox seed shells contained 306.74±1.04 mg/g polyphenols and 23.43±0.61 mg/g flavonoids and had IC50 values for scavenging DPPH· and ABTS+· free radicals of 3.42 ± 0.97 µg/mL and 3.32 ± 0.90 µg/mL, respectively. In the rat models, the ethyl acetate extract significantly ameliorated oral mucosal ulcer, increased serum CAT level, and decreased serum MDA level. The protein expression levels of Nes-Nrf2 and HO-1 were increased and Keap1 protein expression was lowered significantly in the ulcerous mucosa of the rats after treatment with the extract (P<0.05 or 0.01). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect of Euryale ferox seed shell extract on oral ulcers in rats is mediated probably by activation of the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Pharmacological Potential of Kaempferol, a Flavonoid in the Management of Pathogenesis via Modulation of Inflammation and Other Biological Activities.

Natural products and their bioactive compounds have been used for centuries to prevent and treat numerous diseases. Kaempferol, a flavonoid found in vegetables, fruits, and spices, is recognized for its various beneficial properties, including its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. This molecule has been identified as a potential means of managing different pathogenesis due to its capability to manage various biological activities. Moreover, this compound has a wide range of health-promoting benefits, such as cardioprotective, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, and anti-diabetic, and has a role in maintaining eye, skin, and respiratory system health. Furthermore, it can also inhibit tumor growth and modulate various cell-signaling pathways. In vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that this compound has been shown to increase efficacy when combined with other natural products or drugs. In addition, kaempferol-based nano-formulations are more effective than kaempferol treatment alone. This review aims to provide detailed information about the sources of this compound, its bioavailability, and its role in various pathogenesis. Although there is promising evidence for its ability to manage diseases, it is crucial to conduct further investigations to know its toxicity, safety aspects, and mechanism of action in health management.

Genkwanin alleviates intervertebral disc degeneration via regulating ITGA2/PI3K/AKT pathway and inhibiting apoptosis and senescence.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a progressive degenerative disease influenced by various factors. Genkwanin, a known anti-inflammatory flavonoid, has not been explored for its potential in IVDD management. This study aims to investigate the effects and mechanisms of genkwanin on IVDD. In vitro, cell experiments revealed that genkwanin dose-dependently inhibited Interleukin-1ß-induced expression levels of inflammatory factors (Interleukin-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2) and degradation metabolic protein (matrix metalloproteinase-13). Concurrently, genkwanin upregulated the expression of synthetic metabolism genes (type II collagen, aggrecan). Moreover, genkwanin effectively reduced the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathways. Transcriptome sequencing analysis identified integrin α2 (ITGA2) as a potential target of genkwanin, and silencing ITGA2 reversed the activation of PI3K/AKT pathway induced by Interleukin-1ß. Furthermore, genkwanin alleviated Interleukin-1ß-induced senescence and apoptosis in nucleus pulposus cells. In vivo animal experiments demonstrated that genkwanin mitigated the progression of IVDD in the rat model through imaging and histological examinations. In conclusion, This study suggest that genkwanin inhibits inflammation in nucleus pulposus cells, promotes extracellular matrix remodeling, suppresses cellular senescence and apoptosis, through the ITGA2/PI3K/AKT, NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. These findings indicate that genkwanin may be a promising therapeutic candidate for IVDD.

Flavonoids with Anti-Angiogenesis Function in Cancer.

The formation of new blood vessels, known as angiogenesis, significantly impacts the development of multiple types of cancer. Consequently, researchers have focused on targeting this process to prevent and treat numerous disorders. However, most existing anti-angiogenic treatments rely on synthetic compounds and humanized monoclonal antibodies, often expensive or toxic, restricting patient access to these therapies. Hence, the pursuit of discovering new, affordable, less toxic, and efficient anti-angiogenic compounds is imperative. Numerous studies propose that natural plant-derived products exhibit these sought-after characteristics. The objective of this review is to delve into the anti-angiogenic properties exhibited by naturally derived flavonoids from plants, along with their underlying molecular mechanisms of action. Additionally, we summarize the structure, classification, and the relationship between flavonoids with their signaling pathways in plants as anti-angiogenic agents, including main HIF-1α/VEGF/VEGFR2/PI3K/AKT, Wnt/ß-catenin, JNK1/STAT3, and MAPK/AP-1 pathways. Nonetheless, further research and innovative approaches are required to enhance their bioavailability for clinical application.

New insights into the anticancer therapeutic potential of icaritin and its synthetic derivatives.

Icaritin is a natural prenylated flavonoid derived from the Chinese herb Epimedium. The compound has shown antitumor effects in various cancers, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Icaritin exerts its anticancer activity by modulating multiple signaling pathways, such as IL-6/JAK/STAT3, ER-α36, and NF-κB, affecting the tumor microenvironment and immune system. Several clinical trials have evaluated the safety and efficacy of icaritin in advanced HCC patients with poor prognoses, who are unsuitable for conventional therapies. The results have demonstrated that icaritin can improve survival, delay progression, and produce clinical benefits in these patients, with a favorable safety profile and minimal adverse events. Moreover, icaritin can enhance the antitumor immune response by regulating the function and phenotype of various immune cells, such as CD8+ T cells, MDSCs, neutrophils, and macrophages. These findings suggest that icaritin is a promising candidate for immunotherapy in HCC and other cancers. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms and optimal dosing regimens of icaritin and its potential synergistic effects with other agents. Therefore, this comprehensive review of the scientific literature aims to summarize advances in the knowledge of icaritin in preclinical and clinical studies as well as the pharmacokinetic, metabolism, toxicity, and mechanisms action to recognize the main challenge, gaps, and opportunities to develop a medication that cancer patients can use. Thus, our main objective was to clarify the current state of icaritin for use as an anticancer drug.

Wighteone, a prenylated flavonoid from licorice, inhibits growth of SW480 colorectal cancer cells by allosteric inhibition of Akt.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Licorice is a frequently used herbal medicine worldwide, and is used to treat cough, hepatitis, cancer and influenza in clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine. Modern pharmacological studies indicate that prenylated flavonoids play an important role in the anti-tumor activity of licorice, especially the tumors in stomach, lung, colon and liver. Wighteone is one of the main prenylated flavonoids in licorice, and its possible effect and target against colorectal cancer have not been investigated. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the anti-colorectal cancer effect and underlying mechanism of wighteone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SW480 human colorectal cancer cells were used to evaluate the in vitro anti-colorectal cancer activity and Akt regulation effect of wighteone by flow cytometry, phosphoproteomic and Western blot analysis. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay, molecular docking and dynamics simulation, and kinase activity assay were used to investigate the direct interaction between wighteone and Akt. A nude mouse xenograft model with SW480 cells was used to verify the in vivo anti-colorectal cancer activity of wighteone. RESULTS: Wighteone inhibited phosphorylation of Akt and its downstream kinases in SW480 cells, which led to a reduction in cell viability. Wighteone had direct interaction with both PH and kinase domains of Akt, which locked Akt in a "closed" conformation with allosteric inhibition, and Gln79, Tyr272, Arg273 and Lys297 played the most critical role due to their hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interactions with wighteone. Based on Akt overexpression or activation in SW480 cells, further mechanistic studies suggested that wighteone-induced Akt inhibition led to cycle arrest, apoptosis and autophagic death of SW480 cells. Moreover, wighteone exerted in vivo anti-colorectal cancer effect and Akt inhibition activity in the nude mouse xenograft model. CONCLUSION: Wighteone could inhibit growth of SW480 cells through allosteric inhibition of Akt, which led to cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and autophagic death. The results contributed to understanding of the anti-tumor mechanism of licorice, and also provided a rationale to design novel Akt allosteric inhibitors for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Upregulation of Nrf2 signaling: A key molecular mechanism of Baicalin's neuroprotective action against diabetes-induced cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Diabetes-associated cognitive impairment (DCI) is a prevalent complication of diabetes. However, there is a lack of viable strategies for preventing and treating DCI. This study aims to explore the efficacy of baicalin (Bai) in attenuating DCI and elucidating the underlying mechanisms. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE: GK rats fed a high-fat and high-glucose diet were utilized to investigate the therapeutic potential of Bai. Cognitive function was assessed using the Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying Bai's neuro-protective effects, co-cultured BV2/HT22 cells were established under high-glucose (HG) stimulation. The modes of action of Bai were subsequently confirmed in vivo using the DCI model in db/db mice. KEY RESULTS: Bai restored cognitive and spatial memory and attenuated neuron loss, along with reducing expressions of Aß and phosphorylated Tau protein in diabetic GK rats. At the cellular level, Bai exhibited potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects against HG stimulation. These effects were associated with the upregulation of Nrf2 and supressed Keap1 levels. Consistent with these in vitro findings, similar mechanisms were observed in db/db mice. The significant neuroprotective effects of Bai were abolished when co-administered with ATRA, a Nrf2 blocker, in db/db mice, confirming that KEAP1-Nrf2 signaling pathway was responsible for the observed effect. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Bai demonstrates a great therapeutic potential for attenuating DCI. The antioxidant defense and anti-inflammatory actions of Bai were mediated through the KEAP1-Nrf2 axis. These findings advance our understanding of potential treatment approaches for DCI, a common complication associated with diabetes.

Icariin inhibits chondrocyte ferroptosis and alleviates osteoarthritis by enhancing the SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling.

BACKGROUND: Chondrocyte ferroptosis plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA), regulated by the SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway. Icariin (ICA), a flavonoid glycoside, exhibits strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. This study investigated whether ICA could modulate the SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling to inhibit chondrocyte ferroptosis and alleviate OA. PURPOSE: The objective was to explore the impact of ICA on chondrocyte ferroptosis in OA and its modulation of the SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway. METHODS: The anti-ferroptosis effects of ICA were evaluated in an interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß)-treated SW1353 cell model, using Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) and Erastin (Era) as ferroptosis inhibitor and inducer, respectively, along with GPX4 knockdown via lentivirus-based shRNA. Additionally, the therapeutic efficacy of ICA on OA-related articular cartilage damage was assessed in rats through histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS: IL-1ß treatment upregulated the expression of OA-associated matrix metalloproteinases (MMP3 and MMP1), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS-5), and increased intracellular ROS, lipid ROS, and MDA levels while downregulating collagen II and SOX9 expression in SW1353 cells. ICA treatment countered the IL-1ß-induced upregulation of MMPs and ADAMTS-5, restored collagen II and SOX9 expression, and reduced intracellular ROS, lipid ROS, and MDA levels. Furthermore, IL-1ß upregulated P53 but downregulated SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression in SW1353 cells, effects that were mitigated by ICA or Fer-1 treatment. Significantly, ICA also alleviated Era-induced ferroptosis, whereas it had no effect on GPX4-silenced SW1353 cells. In vivo, ICA treatment reduced articular cartilage damage in OA rats by partially restoring collagen II and GPX4 expression, inhibiting cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and chondrocyte ferroptosis. CONCLUSION: ICA treatment mitigated chondrocyte ferroptosis and articular cartilage damage by enhancing the SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for OA interventions.

Therapeutic potential of natural flavonoids in pulmonary arterial hypertension: A review.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a fatal disease caused by pulmonary vascular remodeling, with a high incidence and mortality. At present, many clinical drugs for treating PAH mainly exert effects by relaxing the pulmonary artery, with limited therapeutic effects, so the search for viable therapeutic agents continues uninterrupted. In recent years, natural flavonoids have shown promising potential in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. It is necessary to comprehensively elucidate the potential of natural flavonoids to combat PAH. PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential of natural flavonoids to hinder or slow down the occurrence and development of PAH, and to identify promising drug discovery candidates. METHODS: Literature was collected from PubMed, Science Direct, Web of science, CNKI databases and Google scholar. The search terms used included "pulmonary arterial hypertension", "pulmonary hypertension", "natural products", "natural flavonoids", "traditional chinese medicine", etc., and several combinations of these keywords. RESULTS: The resources, structural characteristics, mechanisms, potential and prospect strategies of natural flavonoids for treating PAH were summarized. Natural flavonoids offer different solutions as possible treatments for PAH. These mechanisms may involve various pathways and molecular targets related to the pathogenesis of PAH, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, vascular remodeling, genetic, ion channels, cell proliferation and autophagy. In addition, prospect strategies of natural flavonoids for anti-PAH including structural modification and nanomaterial delivery systems have been explored. This review suggests that the potential of natural flavonoids as alternative therapeutic agents in the prevention and treatment of PAH holds promise for future research and clinical applications. CONCLUSION: Despite displaying the enormous potential of flavonoids in PAH, some limitations need to be further explored. Firstly, using advanced drug discovery tools, including computer-aided design and high-throughput screening, to further investigate the safety, biological activity, and precise mechanism of action of flavonoids. Secondly, exploring the structural modifications of these compounds is expected to optimize their efficacy. Lastly, it is necessary to conduct well controlled clinical trials and a comprehensive evaluation of potential side effects to determine their effectiveness and safety.

Myricetin ameliorates polycystic ovary syndrome in mice by brown adipose tissue activation.

In brief: Brown adipose tissue impaired in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) plays a crucial role in the treatment of PCOS. This study shows that myricetin potently improves PCOS by activating brown adipose tissue (BAT). Abstract: PCOS is a complex endocrine disease characterized by hyperandrogenism, anovulation and polycystic ovary, and is often accompanied by metabolic disorder such as insulin resistance. BAT has been considered as a promising target for the treatment of obesity and other metabolic disease. In this study, we showed that 3 weeks of myricetin (a compound from natural product) treatment improved metabolic capacity and insulin sensitivity by activating BAT in dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced PCOS mice. Furthermore, increased number of corpus luteum and decreased cystic formation were observed in PCOS mice. With the hormone levels such as luteinizing hormone (LH) were reversed, estrous cycle was also normalized after myricetin treatment. Eventually, myricetin markedly improved reproductive defects in PCOS mice. In short, our results suggest that myricetin treatment dramatically ameliorates ovarian dysfunction and metabolic disturbances in PCOS and provides a novel perspective for the treatment of PCOS.

FDA compound library screening Baicalin upregulates TREM2 for the treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a leading cause of global incidence and mortality rates. Oxidative stress and inflammation are key factors in the pathogenesis of AIS neuroinjury. Therefore, it is necessary to develop drugs that target neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in AIS. The Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2 (TREM2), primarily expressed on microglial cell membranes, plays a critical role in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in AIS. In this study, we employed a high-throughput screening (HTS) strategy to evaluate 2625 compounds from the (Food and Drug Administration) FDA library in vitro to identify compounds that upregulate the TREM2 receptor on microglia. Through this screening, we identified Baicalin as a potential drug for AIS treatment. Baicalin, a flavonoid compound extracted and isolated from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis, demonstrated promising results. Next, we established an in vivo mouse model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (MCAO/R) and an in vitro microglia cell of oxygen-glucose deprivation reperfusion (OGD/R) to investigate the role of Baicalin in inflammation injury, oxidative stress, and neuronal apoptosis. Our results showed that baicalin effectively inhibited microglia activation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and inflammatory responses in vitro. Additionally, baicalin suppressed neuronal cell apoptosis. In the in vivo experiments, baicalin not only improved neurological functional deficits and reduced infarct volume but also inhibited microglia activation and inflammatory responses. Overall, our findings demonstrate the efficacy of Baicalin in treating MCAO/R by upregulating TREM2 to reduce inflammatory responses and inhibit neuronal apoptosis.

Therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of quercetin in gynecological disorders.

Quercetin is a representative flavonoid that is widely present in fruits, herbs, and vegetables. It is also an important active core component in traditional Chinese medicines. As an important flavonoid, quercetin has various properties and exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective effects. The public interest in quercetin is increasing, and quercetin has been used to prevent or treat numerous of diseases, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), cancer, autoimmune diseases and chronic cardiovascular diseases, in clinical experiments and animal studies due to its powerful antioxidant properties and minimal side effects. Quercetin exerts marked pharmacological effects on gynecological disorders; however, there have been no reviews about the potential health benefits of quercetin in the context of gynecological disorders, including PCOS, premature ovary failure (POF), endometriosis (EM), ovarian cancer (OC), cervical cancer (CC) and endometrial carcinoma (EC). Thus, this review aimed to summarize the biological effects of quercetin on gynecological disorders and its mechanisms.

Icariin ameliorates osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats by targeting Cullin 3/Nrf2/OH pathway for osteoclast inhibition.

Osteoporosis, characterized by low bone mass and bone microarchitecture breakdown, has become a growing public health problem. The increase in oxidative stress could lead to an imbalance between osteoblasts-mediated osteogenesis and osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, which gives rise to osteoporosis. Nrf2 is a master transcription factor that regulates oxidative stress and has recently been reported to take part in the development of osteoporosis. Icariin, a leading active flavonoid in herbal Epimedium pubescens, has significant antioxidant activity in and is widely applied for treating bone diseases. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of icariin on osteoclastogenesis and its potential mechanism from the perspective of oxidative stress inhibition, using ovariectomized (OVX) rats and RANKL-induced RAW264.7 cells. Our results demonstrated that icariin-treated OVX rats exhibited higher bone density, fewer tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclasts, and lower ROS levels in bone tissues than vehicle-treated OVX rats. Also, icariin suppressed osteoclast differentiation and inhibited the expression of osteoclastogenesis-related genes, such as NFATc1, Ctsk, Trap, and c-Fos, in RANKL-induced RAW264.7 cells. Icariin also reduced intracellular ROS levels by increasing the expression of nuclear Nrf2 and HO-1. Further mechanistic studies showed icariin inhibited Cullin 3 expression and could delay Nrf2 degradation by reducing the ubiquitination of endogenous Nrf2 in RANKL-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, and these effects were markedly reversed by cullin three overexpression. These findings suggest icariin alleviated osteoporosis by suppressing osteoclastogenesis via targeting the Cullin 3/Nrf2/OH signaling pathway. Our study implied that icariin may be a potential candidate to treat osteoporosis.

Gut Microbiota and Inflammation Modulation in a Rat Model for Ulcerative Colitis after the Intraperitoneal Administration of Apigenin, Luteolin, and Xanthohumol.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the colon, with symptomatology influenced by factors including environmental, genomic, microbial, and immunological interactions. Gut microbiota dysbiosis, characterized by bacterial population alterations, contributes to intestinal homeostasis disruption and aberrant immune system activation, thereby exacerbating the inflammatory state. This study assesses the therapeutic efficacy of intraperitoneal (IP) injected flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, and xanthohumol) in the reduction of inflammatory parameters and the modulation of the gut microbiota in a murine model of ulcerative colitis. Flavonoids interact with gut microbiota by modulating their composition and serving as substrates for the fermentation into other anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of luteolin and xanthohumol treatment in enhancing the relative abundance of anti-inflammatory microorganisms, thereby attenuating pro-inflammatory species. Moreover, all three flavonoids exhibit efficacy in the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, with luteolin strongly demonstrating utility in alleviating associated physical UC symptoms. This suggests that this molecule is a potential alternative or co-therapy to conventional pharmacological interventions, potentially mitigating their adverse effects. A limited impact on microbiota is observed with apigenin, and this is attributed to its solubility constraints via the chosen administration route, resulting in its accumulation in the mesentery.

Hawthorn leaf flavonoids alleviate the deterioration of atherosclerosis by inhibiting SCAP-SREBP2-LDLR pathway through sPLA2-â ¡A signaling in macrophages in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Hawthorn leaves are a combination of the dried leaves of the Rosaceae plants, i.e., Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. or Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var. major N. E. Br., is primarily cultivated in East Asia, North America, and Europe. hawthorn leaf flavonoids (HLF) are the main part of extraction. The HLF have demonstrated potential in preventing hypertension, inflammation, hyperlipidemia, and atherosclerosis. However, the potential pharmacological mechanism behind its anti-atherosclerotic effect has yet to be explored. AIM OF THE STUDY: The in vivo and in vitro effects of HLF on lipid-mediated foam cell formation were investigated, with a specific focus on the levels of secreted phospholipase A2 type IIA (sPLA2-II A) in macrophage cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The primary constituents of HLF were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In vivo, HLF, at concentrations of 5 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, and 40 mg/kg, were administered to apolipoprotein E knockout mice (ApoE-/-) fed by high-fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks. Aorta and serum samples were collected to identify lesion areas and lipids through mass spectrometry analysis to dissect the pathological process. RAW264.7 cells were incubated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) alone, or ox-LDL combined with different doses of HLF (100, 50, and 25 µg/ml), or ox-LDL plus 24-h sPLA2-IIA inhibitors, for cell biology analysis. Lipids and inflammatory cytokines were detected using biochemical analyzers and ELISA, while plaque size and collagen content of plaque were assessed by HE and the Masson staining of the aorta. The lipid deposition in macrophages was observed by Oil Red O staining. The expression of sPLA2-IIA and SCAP-SREBP2-LDLR was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: The chemical profile of HLF was studied using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, allowing the tentative identification of 20 compounds, comprising 1 phenolic acid, 9 flavonols and 10 flavones, including isovitexin, vitexin-4″-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-robibioside, rutin, vitexin-2″-O-rhamnoside, quercetin, etc. HLF decreased total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels in ApoE-/- mice (P < 0.05), reduced ox-LDL uptake, inhibited level of inflammatory factors, such as IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and IL-1ꞵ (P < 0.001), and alleviated aortic plaques with a thicker fibrous cap. HLF effectively attenuated foam cell formation in ox-LDL-treated RAW264.7 macrophages, and reduced levels of intracellular TC, free cholesterol (FC), cholesteryl ester (CE), IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1ß (P < 0.001). In both in vivo and in vitro experiments, HLF significantly downregulated the expression of sPLA2-IIA, SCAP, SREBP2, LDLR, HMGCR, and LOX-1 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, sPLA2-IIA inhibitor effectively mitigated inflammatory release in RAW264.7 macrophages and regulated SCAP-SREBP2-LDLR signaling pathway by inhibiting sPLA2-IIA secretion (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: HLF exerted a protective effect against atherosclerosis through inhibiting sPLA2-IIA to diminish SCAP-SREBP2-LDLR signaling pathway, to reduce LDL uptake caused foam cell formation, and to slow down the progression of atherosclerosis in mice.

Cuscuta chinensis Lam. Flavonoids (CCLF) alleviate the symptoms of sepsis-associated encephalopathy via PI3K/Nrf2 pathway.

Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) frequently encounters patients who are in intensive care units and ∼70% of patients with severe systemic infection. However, due to the unclear pathological mechanisms of SAE, the desease-modifying drug is still lack. Here, we aimed to explore whether the flavonoid components extracted from CCL (CCLF) seeds possess protective effects on SAE animals, and systematically evaluate the transcriptomic alteration (in the hippocampus) after CCLF treatment on SAE animals employing RNA sequencing. We observed that CCLF improved the brain's learning and memory abilities and the structural integrity of BBB using cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced SAE animal models, evaluated by behavioral test and tissue examination of animals respectively. RNA sequencing results showed that CCLF treatment reverses SAE-induced transcriptomic alteration in the hippocampus. Moreover, CCLF also dramatically relieved inflammatory (such as TNF-α, IL-2, and IL-6) and oxidative (MDA and SOD activity) stresses, and inhibited SAE-induced neuron apoptosis in brain tissues. More importantly, CCLF restored the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and then induced the Nrf2 nuclear translocation to drive HO-1 expression both in vitro and in vivo. LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K, obviously blocked CCLF's functions on anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammation, and anti-oxidation in vivo, demonstrating that CCLF achieves its bioactivities in a PI3K/AKT signaling dependent manner. Altogether, CCLF exhibits remarkable neuro-protective function and may be a promising candidate for further clinical trials for SAE treatment.

Icariin ameliorates LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice via complement C5a-C5aR1 and TLR4 signaling pathways.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is an acute respiratory-related progressive disorder, which lacks specific pharmacotherapy. Icariin (ICA) has been shown to be effective in treating ALI. However, the targets and pharmacological mechanisms underlying the effects of ICA in the treatment of ALI are relatively lacking. Based on network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses, the gene functions and potential target pathways of ICA in the treatment of ALI were determined. In addition, the underlying mechanisms of ICA were verified by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, quantitative Real-time PCR, and Western blot in LPS-induced ALI mice. The biological processes targeted by ICA in the treatment of ALI included the pathological changes, inflammatory response, and cell signal transduction. Network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vivo experimental results revealed that ICA inhibited the complement C5a-C5aR1 axis, TLR4 mediated NF-κB, MAPK, and JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathways related gene and protein expressions, and decreased inflammatory cytokine, chemokine, adhesion molecule expressions, and mitochondrial apoptosis in LPS-induced ALI.

The protective effects of naringenin, a citrus flavonoid, non-complexed or complexed with hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin against multiorgan damage caused by neonatal endotoxemia.

BACKGROUND: Endotoxemia is a severe and dangerous clinical syndrome that results in elevated morbidity, especially in intensive care units. Neonates are particularly susceptible to endotoxemia due to their immature immune systems. There are few effective treatments for neonatal endotoxemia. One group of compounds with potential in the treatment of neonatal inflammatory diseases such as endotoxemia is the flavonoids, mainly due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Among these, naringenin (NGN) is a citrus flavonoid which has already been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-nociceptive and anti-cancer effects. Unfortunately, its clinical application is limited by its low solubility and bioavailability. However, cyclodextrins (CDs) have been widely used to improve the solubility of nonpolar drugs and enhance the bioavailability of these natural products. OBJECTIVE: We, therefore, aimed to investigate the effects of NGN non-complexed and complexed with hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HPßCD) on neonatal endotoxemia injuries in a rodent model and describe the probable molecular mechanisms involved in NGN activities. METHOD: We used exposure to a bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce neonatal endotoxemia in the mice. RESULTS: It was found that NGN (100 mg/kg i.p.) exposure during the neonatal period reduced leukocyte migration and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6) levels in the lungs, heart, kidneys or cerebral cortex. In addition, NGN upregulated IL-10 production in the lungs and kidneys of neonate mice. The administration of NGN also enhanced antioxidant enzyme catalase and SOD activity, reduced lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation and increased the reduced sulfhydryl groups in an organ-dependent manner, attenuating the oxidative damage caused by LPS exposure. NGN decreased ERK1/2, p38MAPK and COX-2 activation in the lungs of neonate mice. Moreover, NGN complexed with HPßCD was able to increase the animal survival rate. CONCLUSION: NGN attenuated inflammatory and oxidative damage in the lungs, heart and kidneys caused by neonatal endotoxemia through the MAPK signaling pathways regulation. Our results show that NGN has beneficial effects against neonatal endotoxemia and could be useful in the treatment of neonatal inflammatory injuries.