Alpha-sitosterol: a new antiviral agent produced by Streptomyces misakiensis and its potential activity against Newcastle disease virus.

BACKGROUND: Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) causes severe economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. Hence, this study aimed to discover a novel bioactive antiviral agent for controlling NDV. Streptomyces misakiensis was isolated from Egyptian soil and its secondary metabolites were identified using infrared spectroscopy (IR), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The inhibitory activity of bioactive metabolite against NDV were examined. Three experimental groups of 10-day-old specific pathogen-free embryonated chicken eggs (SPF-ECEs), including the bioactive metabolite control group, NDV control positive group, and α-sitosterol and NDV mixture-treated group were inoculated. RESULTS: α-sitosterol (Ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol), a secondary metabolite of S. misakiensis, completely inhibited hemagglutination (HA) activity of the NDV strain. The HA activity of the NDV strain was 8 log2 and 9 log2 for 0.5 and 0.75% RBCs, respectively. The NDV HA activity for the two concentrations of RBCs was significantly (P < 0.0001) inhibited after α-sitosterol treatment. There was a significant (P < 0.0001) decrease in the log 2 of HA activity, with values of - 0.500 (75%, chicken RBCs) before inoculation in SPF-ECEs and - 1.161 (50%, RBCs) and - 1.403 (75%, RBCs) following SPF-ECE inoculation. Compared to ECEs inoculated with NDV alone, the α-sitosterol-treated group showed improvement in histological lesion ratings for chorioallantoic membranes (CAM) and hepatic tissues. The CAM of the α-sitosterol- inoculated SPF-ECEs was preserved. The epithelial and stromal layers were noticeably thicker with extensive hemorrhages, clogged vasculatures, and certain inflammatory cells in the stroma layer in the NDV group. However, mild edema and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in the CAM of the treated group. ECEs inoculated with α-sitosterol alone showed normal histology of the hepatic acini, central veins, and portal triads. Severe degenerative alterations, including steatosis, clogged sinusoids, and central veins, were observed in ECEs inoculated with NDV. Mild hepatic degenerative alterations, with perivascular round cell infiltration, were observed in the treated group. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to highlight that the potentially bioactive secondary metabolite, α-sitosterol, belonging to the terpene family, has the potential to be a biological weapon against virulent NDV. It could be used for the development of innovative antiviral drugs to control NDV after further clinical investigation.

Anticancer activity and other biomedical properties of ß-sitosterol: Bridging phytochemistry and current pharmacological evidence for future translational approaches.

Sterols, including ß-sitosterol, are essential components of cellular membranes in both plant and animal cells. Despite being a major phytosterol in various plant materials, comprehensive scientific knowledge regarding the properties of ß-sitosterol and its potential applications is essential for scholarly pursuits and utilization purposes. ß-sitosterol shares similar chemical characteristics with cholesterol and exhibits several pharmacological activities without major toxicity. This study aims to bridge the gap between phytochemistry and current pharmacological evidence of ß-sitosterol, focusing on its anticancer activity and other biomedical properties. The goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of ß-sitosterol's potential for future translational approaches. A thorough examination of the literature was conducted to gather relevant information on the biological properties of ß-sitosterol, particularly its anticancer therapeutic potential. Various databases were searched, including PubMed/MedLine, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science using appropriate keywords. Studies investigating the effects of ß-sitosterol on different types of cancer were analyzed, focusing on mechanisms of action, pharmacological screening, and chemosensitizing properties. Modern pharmacological screening studies have revealed the potential anticancer therapeutic properties of ß-sitosterol against various types of cancer, including leukemia, lung, stomach, breast, colon, ovarian, and prostate cancer. ß-sitosterol has demonstrated chemosensitizing effects on cancer cells, interfering with multiple cell signaling pathways involved in proliferation, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, survival, metastasis invasion, angiogenesis, and inflammation. Structural derivatives of ß-sitosterol have also shown anti-cancer effects. However, research in the field of drug delivery and the detailed mode of action of ß-sitosterol-mediated anticancer activities remains limited. ß-sitosterol, as a non-toxic compound with significant pharmacological potential, exhibits promising anticancer effects against various cancer types. Despite being relatively less potent than conventional cancer chemotherapeutics, ß-sitosterol holds potential as a safe and effective nutraceutical against cancer. Further comprehensive studies are recommended to explore the biological properties of ß-sitosterol, including its mode of action, and develop novel formulations for its potential use in cancer treatment. This review provides a foundation for future investigations and highlights the need for further research on ß-sitosterol as a potent superfood in combating cancer.

Countenance and implication of Β-sitosterol, Β-amyrin and epiafzelechin in nickel exposed Rat: in-silico and in-vivo approach.

The detrimental impact of reactive oxygen species on D.N.A. repair processes is one of the contributing factors to colon cancer. The idea that oxidative stress may be a significant etiological element for carcinogenesis is currently receiving more and more support. The goal of the current study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity of three powerful phytocompounds-sitosterol, amyrin, and epiafzelechin-alone and in various therapeutic combinations against colon cancer to identify the critical mechanisms that mitigate nickel's carcinogenic effect. To evaluate the ligand-protein interaction of four selected components against Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) inhibitor and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) molecular docking approach was applied using PyRx bioinformatics tool. For in vivo analysis, hundred albino rats were included, divided into ten groups, each containing ten rats of weight 160-200 g. All the groups were injected with 1 ml/kg nickel intraperitoneally per week for three months, excluding the negative control group. Three of the ten groups were treated with ß-sitosterol (100 mg/kg b wt), ß-amyrin (100 mg/kg b wt), and epiafzelechin (200 mg/kg b wt), respectively, for one month. The later four groups were fed with combinatorial treatments of the three phyto compounds for one month. The last group was administered with commercial drug Nalgin (500 mg/kg b wt). The biochemical parameters Creatinine, Protein carbonyl, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), VEGF, MMP-9 Inhibitor, and IL-10 were estimated using ELISA kits and Glutathione (G.S.H.), Superoxide dismutase (S.O.D.), Catalase (C.A.T.) and Nitric Oxide (NO) were analyzed manually. The correlation was analyzed through Pearson's correlation matrix. All the parameters were significantly raised in the positive control group, indicating significant inflammation. At the same time, the levels of the foresaid biomarkers were decreased in the serum in all the other groups treated with the three phytocompounds in different dose patterns. However, the best recovery was observed in the group where the three active compounds were administered concomitantly. The correlation matrix indicated a significant positive correlation of IL-10 vs VEGF (r = 0.749**, p = 0.009), MMP-9 inhibitor vs SOD (r = 0.748**, p = 0.0 21). The study concluded that the three phytocompounds ß-sitosterol, ß-amyrin, and epiafzelechin are important anticancer agents which can target the cancerous biomarkers and might be used as a better therapeutic approach against colon cancer soon.

ß-Sitosterol as a Promising Anticancer Agent for Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy: Mechanisms of Action and Future Prospects.

Cancer is one of the primary causes of death worldwide, and its incidence continues to increase yearly. Despite significant advances in research, the search for effective and nontoxic preventive and therapeutic agents remains greatly important. Cancer is a multimodal disease, where various mechanisms play significant roles in its occurrence and progression. This highlights the need for multitargeted approaches that are not only safe and inexpensive but also provide effective alternatives for current therapeutic regimens. ß-Sitosterol (SIT), the most abundant phytosterol found in various plant foods, represents such an option. Preclinical evidence over the past few decades has overwhelmingly shown that SIT exhibits multiple anticancer activities against varied cancers, such as liver, cervical, colon, stomach, breast, lung, pancreatic, and prostate cancers, in addition to leukemia, multiple myeloma, melanoma, and fibrosarcoma. In this article, we present the latest advances and perspectives on SIT-systematically summarizing its antitumor mechanisms of action into 7 main sections and combining current challenges and prospects-for its use as a promising agent for cancer prevention and treatment. In particular, SIT plays a role in cancer prevention and treatment mainly by enhancing apoptosis, inducing cell cycle arrest, bidirectionally regulating oxidative stress, improving metabolic reprogramming, inhibiting invasion and metastasis, modulating immunity and inflammation, and combating drug resistance. Although SIT holds such great promise, the poor aqueous solubility and bioavailability coupled with low targeting efficacy limit its therapeutic efficacy and clinical application. Further research on novel drug delivery systems may improve these deficiencies. Overall, through complex and pleiotropic mechanisms, SIT has good potential for tumor chemoprevention and chemotherapy. However, no clinical trials have yet proven this potential. This review provides theoretical basis and rationality for the further design and conduct of clinical trials to confirm the anticancer activity of SIT.

Phytochemical Compounds of Euphorbia bivonae Extract and Their Cytotoxicity Effects on the Lethality of Brine Shrimp Artemia salina and Embryonic Kidney (HEK293) Cells.

In this research article, we investigated the effect of Euphorbia bivonae extract compounds on the lethality of brine shrimp Artemia salina and on embryonic cell lines (HEK293) proliferation. Our GC/MS analysis revealed that the E. bivonae ethanolic extract contained essentially sitosterol, euphol, and lupeol. The 24-h LC50 was determined using the probit analysis method (LC50=357.11 mg l-1 ). Depending on this cytotoxicity test result, E. bivona extract induced a significant increase in Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione-Peroxidase (GPx) activities, and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in A. salina larvae. In addition, the cytotoxicity effect of this extract had proved against the HEK293 cell lines in vitro. We suggest that the three compounds of E. bivonae extract (sitosterol, euphol, and lupeol) are the most responsible for this cytotoxicity. The possible application of this extract as an alternative natural antiproliferative is considered.

The elucidation of structure-activity and structure-permeation relationships for the cutaneous delivery of phytosterols to attenuate psoriasiform inflammation.

Phytosterols have been reported to exert anti-inflammatory activity. This study aimed to investigate the capacity of campesterol, ß-sitosterol, and stigmasterol on the mitigation of psoriasiform inflammation. We also tried to establish structure-activity and structure-permeation relationships for these plant sterols. To support this study, we first approached the in silico data of the physicochemical properties and the molecular docking of phytosterols with stratum corneum (SC) lipids. The anti-inflammatory activity of the phytosterols was explored in the activated keratinocytes and macrophages. Using the activated keratinocyte model, a significant inhibition of IL-6 and CXCL8 overexpression by phytosterols was detected. A comparable inhibition level was found for the three phytosterols tested. The macrophage-based study showed that the anti-IL-6 and anti-CXCL8 activities of campesterol were greater than those of the other compounds, which indicated that a phytosterol structure without a double bond on C22 and with methyl moiety on C24 was more effective. The conditioned medium of phytosterol-treated macrophages decreased STAT3 phosphorylation in the keratinocytes, suggesting the inhibition of keratinocyte hyperproliferation. ß-sitosterol was the penetrant with the highest pig skin absorption (0.33 nmol/mg), followed by campesterol (0.21 nmol/mg) and stigmasterol (0.16 nmol/mg). The therapeutic index (TI) is a parameter measured by multiplying the cytokine/chemokine suppression percentage with skin absorption for anticipating the anti-inflammatory activity after topical delivery. ß-sitosterol is a potential candidate for treating psoriatic inflammation due to having the greatest TI value. In this study, ß-sitosterol attenuated epidermal hyperplasia and immune cell infiltration in the psoriasis-like mouse model. The psoriasiform epidermis thickness could be reduced from 92.4 to 63.8 µm by the topical use of ß-sitosterol, with a downregulation of IL-6, TNF-α, and CXCL1. The skin tolerance study manifested that the reference drug betamethasone but not ß-sitosterol could generate barrier dysfunction. ß-sitosterol possessed anti-inflammatory activity and facile skin transport, showing the potential for development as an anti-psoriatic agent.

ß-sitosterol Protects against Aluminium Chloride-mediated Neurotoxicity.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the neuroprotective effects of ß- sitosterol using the AlCl3 model of Alzheimer's Disease. METHODS: AlCl3 model was used to study cognition decline and behavioral impairments in C57BL/6 mice. Animals were randomly assigned into 4 groups with the following treatments: Group 1 received normal saline for 21 days, Group 2 received AlCl3 (10 mg/kg) for 14 days; Group 3 received AlCl3(10 mg/kg) for 14 days + ß-sitosterol (25mg/kg) for 21 days; while Group 4 was administered ß-sitosterol (25mg/kg) for 21 days. On day 22, we performed the behavioral studies using a Y maze, passive avoidance test, and novel object recognition test for all groups. Then the mice were sacrificed. The corticohippocampal region of the brain was isolated for acetylcholinesterase (AChE), acetylcholine (ACh), and GSH estimation. We conducted histopathological studies using Congo red staining to measure ß -amyloid deposition in the cortex and hippocampal region for all animal groups. RESULTS: AlCl3 successfully induced cognitive decline in mice following a 14-day induction period, as shown by significantly decreased (p < 0.001) in step-through latency, % alterations, and preference index values. These animals also exhibited a substantial decrease in ACh (p <0.001) and GSH (p < 0.001) and a rise in AChE (p < 0.001) compared to the control group. Mice administered with AlCl3 and ß-sitosterol showed significantly higher step-through latency time, % alteration time, and % preference index (p < 0.001) and higher levels of ACh, GSH, and lower levels of AChE in comparison to the AlCl3 model. AlCl3-administered animals also showed higher ß-amyloid deposition, which got significantly reduced in the ß-sitosterol treated group. CONCLUSION: AlCl3 was effectively employed to induce a cognitive deficit in mice, resulting in neurochemical changes and cognitive decline. ß -sitosterol treatment mitigated AlCl3-mediated cognitive impairment.

ß-Sitosterol mitigates hepatocyte apoptosis by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress in thioacetamide-induced hepatic injury in γ-irradiated rats.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) controls many biological functions besides maintaining the function of liver cells. Various studies reported the role of the ER stress and UPR signaling pathway in various liver diseases via triggering hepatocytes apoptosis. This study aims to investigate the suppressive effect of ß-sitosterol (ßS) on apoptosis associated with liver injury and ER stress. METHODS: Liver damage in rats was induced by TAA (150 mg/kg I.P twice a week/3 weeks) and γ-irradiation (single dose 3.5 Gy) and treated with ßS (20 mg/kg daily for 30 days). Serum aminotransferase activity, lipid profile and lipid metabolic factors were measured beside liver oxidative stress and inflammatory markers. Moreover, the hepatic expression of ER stress markers (inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha (IRE1α), X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) and apoptotic markers were detected together with histopathological examination. RESULTS: ßS diminished the aminotransferase activity, the oxidative stress markers as well as the inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, ßS lowered the circulating TG and TC and the hepatic lipotoxicity via the suppression of lipogenesis (Srebp-1c) and improved the ß-oxidation (Pparα and Cpt1a) together with the mitochondrial biogenesis (Pgc-1 α). Moreover, the upregulated levels of ER stress markers were reduced upon treatment with ßS, which consequently attenuated hepatic apoptosis. CONCLUSION: ßS relieves hepatic injury, ameliorates mitochondrial biogenesis, and reduces lipotoxicity and apoptosis via inhibition of CHOP and ER stress response.

Daucosterol Alleviates Alcohol-Induced Hepatic Injury and Inflammation through P38/NF-κB/NLRP3 Inflammasome Pathway.

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is caused by chronic excessive alcohol consumption, which leads to inflammation, oxidative stress, lipid accumulation, liver fibrosis/cirrhosis, and even liver cancer. However, there are currently no effective drugs for ALD. Herein, we report that a natural phytosterol Daucosterol (DAU) can effectively protect against liver injury caused by alcohol, which plays anti-inflammatory and antioxidative roles in many chronic inflammatory diseases. Our results demonstrate that DAU ameliorates liver inflammation induced by alcohol through p38/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor protein-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway. Briefly, DAU decreases NF-κB nuclear translocation and inhibits NLRP3 activation by decreasing p38 phosphorylation. At the same time, DAU also protects against hepatic oxidative stress and lipid accumulation. In conclusion, our research provides a new clue about the protective effects of naturally active substances on ALD.

ß-sitosterol targets glucocorticoid receptor to reduce airway inflammation and remodeling in allergic asthma.

INTRODUCTION: In most asthma patients, symptoms are controlled by treatment with glucocorticoid, but long-term or high-dose use can produce adverse effects. Therefore, it is crucial to find new therapeutic strategies. ß-sitosterol could suppress type Ⅱ inflammation in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced mice, but its mechanisms have remained unclear. METHODS: A binding activity of ß-sitosterol with glucocorticoid receptor (GR) was analyzed by molecular docking. Human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and human bronchial smooth muscle cells (HBSMC) were treated with different concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 µg/mL) of ß-sitosterol for suitable concentration selection. In transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 treated BEAS-2B and HBSMC, cells were treated with 20 µg/mL ß-sitosterol or dexamethasone (Dex) to analyze its possible mechanism. In OVA-induced mice, 2.5 mg/kg ß-sitosterol or Dex administration was performed to analyze the therapeutic mechanism of ß-sitosterol. A GR antagonist RU486 was used to confirm the mechanism of ß-sitosterol in the treatment of asthma. RESULTS: A good binding of ß-sitosterol to GR (score = -8.2 kcal/mol) was found, and the GR expression was upregulated with ß-sitosterol dose increase in BEAS-2B and HBSMC. Interleukin (IL)-25 and IL-33 secretion was significantly decreased by ß-sitosterol in the TGF-ß1-induced BEAS-2B, and the levels of collagen 1A and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) were reduced in the TGF-ß1-induced HBSMC. In the OVA-challenged mice, ß-sitosterol treatment improved airway inflammation and remodeling through suppressing type Ⅱ immune response and collagen deposition. The therapeutic effects of ß-sitosterol were similar to Dex treatment in vitro and in vivo. RU486 treatment clearly hampered the therapeutic effects of ß-sitosterol in the TGF-ß1-induced cells and OVA-induced mice. CONCLUSION: This study identified that ß-sitosterol binds GR to perform its functions in asthma treatment. ß-sitosterol represent a potential therapeutic drug for allergic asthma.

Combined application of moist exposed burn ointment and maggot therapy in wound healing.

OBJECTIVE: Hard-to-heal wounds are a global health challenge, and effective treatments are still lacking. Moist exposed burn ointment (MEBO) and maggots are traditional treatments for promoting wound healing. This study was a preliminary exploration of combined maggot therapy and MEBO in the treatment of hard-to-heal wounds. METHOD: A coexistence experiment was conducted to determine the survival rates of maggots in MEBO. The maggots were placed in two different existence conditions: one set in MEBO (MEBO group), and another set as the control group (no MEBO) to compare survival rates. Case reports describe the use of the combined application of MEBO and maggots in the treatment of patients with hard-to-heal wounds. RESULTS: The coexistence experiment indicated that maggots in the MEBO group had a higher survival rate. From the therapeutic effect of the clinical cases (n=7), the combined application was safe and effective, with all the reported wounds eventually healing. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study, we believe the combined application of MEBO and maggots is a promising way of promoting wound healing. Further studies and clinical trials are needed to elucidate the mechanism of the combined application in promoting wound healing and to more persuasively clarify the therapeutic effect.

The Influence of Exogenous Jasmonic Acid on the Biosynthesis of Steroids and Triterpenoids in Calendula officinalis Plants and Hairy Root Culture.

The interplay between steroids and triterpenoids, compounds sharing the same biosynthetic pathway but exerting distinctive functions, is an important part of the defense strategy of plants, and includes metabolic modifications triggered by stress hormones such as jasmonic acid. Two experimental models, Calendula officinalis hairy root cultures and greenhouse cultivated plants (pot plants), were applied for the investigation of the effects of exogenously applied jasmonic acid on the biosynthesis and accumulation of steroids and triterpenoids, characterized by targeted GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy) metabolomic profiling. Jasmonic acid elicitation strongly increased triterpenoid saponin production in hairy root cultures (up to 86-fold) and their release to the medium (up to 533-fold), whereas the effect observed in pot plants was less remarkable (two-fold enhancement of saponin biosynthesis after a single foliar application). In both models, the increase of triterpenoid biosynthesis was coupled with hampering the biomass formation and modifying the sterol content, involving stigmasterol-to-sitosterol ratio, and the proportions between ester and glycoside conjugates. The study revealed that various organs in the same plant can react differently to jasmonic acid elicitation; hairy root cultures are a useful in vitro model to track metabolic changes, and enhanced glycosylation (of both triterpenoids and sterols) seems to be important strategy in plant defense response.

Multifunctional roles and pharmacological potential of ß-sitosterol: Emerging evidence toward clinical applications.

Currently, available therapeutic medications are both costly as well as not entirely promising in terms of potency. So, new candidates from natural resources are of research interest to find new alternative therapeutics. A well-known combination is a ß-sitosterol, a plant-derived nutrient with anticancer properties against breast, prostate, colon, lung, stomach, and leukemia. Studies have shown that ß-sitosterol interferes with multiple cell signaling pathways, including cell cycle, apoptosis, proliferation, survival, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, cardioprotective, and antidiabetic effects have been discovered during pharmacological screening without significant toxicity. The pharmacokinetic profile of ß-sitosterol has also been extensively investigated. However, a comprehensive review of the pharmacology, phytochemistry and analytical methods of ß-sitosterol is desired. Because ß-sitosterol is a significant component of most plant materials, humans use it for various reasons, and numerous ß-sitosterol-containing products have been commercialized. To offset the low efficacy of ß-sitosterol, designing ß-sitosterol delivery for "cancer cell-specific" therapy holds great potential. Delivery of ß-sitosterol via liposomes is a demonstration that has shown great promise. But further research has not progressed on the drug delivery of ß-sitosterol or how it can enhance ß-sitosterol mediated anti-inflammatory activity, thus making ß-sitosterol an orphan nutraceutical. Therefore, extensive research on ß-sitosterol as an anticancer nutraceutical is recommended.

ß-Sitosterol inhibits ovalbumin-induced asthma-related inflammation by regulating dendritic cells.

AIM: To investigate the effects of ß-sitosterol (B-SIT) and the underlying mechanisms of action in an ovalbumin-induced rat model of asthma. METHODS: The pathological and morphological changes in lung and tracheal tissues were observed by H&E, PAS, and Masson's staining. The levels of IgE, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and those of IL-6, TGF-ß1, and IL-10 in serum were measured by ELISA. The relative expression levels of IL-5, IL-13, IL-21, CD11c, CD80, and CD86 mRNA in lung tissue were examined by RT-qPCR. Flow cytometry was performed to assess the levels of immune cells, including macrophages and neutrophils in spleen tissue and Th cells, Tc cells, NK cells, and DCs in peripheral blood. The protein expression levels of CD68, MPO, CD11c, CD80, and CD86 were detected by western blotting or immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: B-SIT improved the injury in OVA-induced pathology, decreased the levels of inflammatory factors of IgE, TNF-α, IL-6, TGF-ß1, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-21 and increased the levels of IFN-γ and IL-10. In addition, B-SIT decreased the number of macrophages and neutrophils and the relative expression levels of CD68 and MPO in the spleen. Moreover, B-SIT increased the number of Th cells, Tc cells, NK cells, and DCs in peripheral blood and upregulated the levels of CD11c, CD80, and CD86 in the spleen and lung. CONCLUSION: B-SIT improved symptoms in a rat model of asthma likely via the inhibition of inflammation by regulating dendritic cells.

Anti-adipogenic ß-sitosterol and lupeol from Moringa oleifera suppress adipocyte differentiation through regulation of cell cycle progression.

Triterpenes and phytosterols enriched herbal formulations are known for glucose regulation and lipid metabolism. In this study, triterpenes and phytosterols from Moringa oleifera stem bark have been tested for their role in adipocyte differentiation. Chromatographic analysis revealed a wide range of phenolics, highlighting the presence of flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin, and rutin), terpenoids (lupeol), and phytosterol (stigmasterol, ß-sitosterol). Lupeol and ß-sitosterol reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner showcasing increased G1 phase cell accumulation while reducing other cell cycle phases (S and G2 /M) and significant lowering of intracellular lipid accumulation. Additionally, lupeol (35.37% at 32 µM) and ß-sitosterol (42.97% at 16 µM) inhibited reactive oxygen species generation and increased glucose uptake in adipocytes. Collectively, our results indicate that lupeol and ß-sitosterol efficaciously attenuated adipogenesis via a controlled cell cycle progression and enhanced glucose uptake in adipocytes. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Active components of Moringa oleifera effectively regulate adipocyte differentation suggest that it can be good medicial supllement for control of obesity.

Virtual Screening and Molecular Docking to Study the Mechanism of Chinese Medicines in the Treatment of Coronavirus Infection.

BACKGROUND Heat-clearing and detoxifying herbs (HDHs) play an important role in the prevention and treatment of coronavirus infection. However, their mechanism of action needs further study. This study aimed to explore the anti-coronavirus basis and mechanism of HDHs. MATERIAL AND METHODS Database mining was performed on 7 HDHs. Core ingredients and targets were screened according to ADME rules combined with Neighborhood, Co-occurrence, Co-expression, and other algorithms. GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analyses were performed using the R language. Finally, high-throughput molecular docking was used for verification. RESULTS HDHs mainly acts on NOS3, EGFR, IL-6, MAPK8, PTGS2, MAPK14, NFKB1, and CASP3 through quercetin, luteolin, wogonin, indirubin alkaloids, ß-sitosterol, and isolariciresinol. These targets are mainly involved in the regulation of biological processes such as inflammation, activation of MAPK activity, and positive regulation of NF-kappaB transcription factor activity. Pathway analysis further revealed that the pathways regulated by these targets mainly include: signaling pathways related to viral and bacterial infections such as tuberculosis, influenza A, Ras signaling pathways; inflammation-related pathways such as the TLR, TNF, MAPK, and HIF-1 signaling pathways; and immune-related pathways such as NOD receptor signaling pathways. These pathways play a synergistic role in inhibiting lung inflammation and regulating immunity and antiviral activity. CONCLUSIONS HDHs play a role in the treatment of coronavirus infection by regulating the body's immunity, fighting inflammation, and antiviral activities, suggesting a molecular basis and new strategies for the treatment of COVID-19 and a foundation for the screening of new antiviral drugs.

The modulation of PI3K/Akt pathway by 3ß hydroxylup-12-en-28-oic acid isolated from Thymus linearis induces cell death in HCT-116 cells.

The presence of intricate carbon skeletons in natural compounds enhances their bioactivity spectrum with unique modes of action at several targets in various dreadful diseases like cancer. The present study was designed to purify the molecules from Thymus linearis and elucidate their antiproliferative activity. The compounds were isolated from the active methanolic extract of Thymus linearis through column chromatography and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. Antiproliferative activity of isolated compounds was evaluated using MTT assay on cancer and normal cell lines. Mechanism of cell death was elucidated using flow cytometric, microscopic, and Western blot analysis. Four compounds, Sitosterol, Chrysin, 3ß-hydroxylup-12-en-28-oic acid (3BH), and ß-Sitosterol glycoside, were isolated. Among these, 3BH was most potent antiproliferative agent across all cell lines under study, HCT-116 being the most affected one. 3BH was demonstrated to downregulate PI3Ksubunits (p110α and p85α), downstream pAktSer473 and prompted G1 phase cell cycle arrest. The cell cycle CDK inhibitor p27 and p21 were upregulated with simultaneous downregulation of cyclin D1 and cyclin E in HCT-116 cells. This was accompanied by apoptosis, as depicted by decrease in Bcl-2/Bax ratio, with increase in active caspases-3 and caspase-9, cleavage of PARP-1, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. The findings established that 3BH induced cell death in HCT-116 cells by modulating PI3K/Akt signaling axis, impeding cell cycle, and instigating apoptosis.

Bioactive Molecules of Mandarin Seed Oils Diminish Mycotoxin and the Existence of Fungi.

Mandarin is a favorite fruit of the citrus family. Mandarin seeds are considered a source of nontraditional oil obtained from byproduct materials. This investigation aimed to assess the biomolecules of mandarin seeds and evaluated their antimycotic and antimycotoxigenic impact on fungi. Moreover, it evaluated the protective role of mandarin oil against aflatoxin toxicity in cell lines. The two types of extracted oil (fixed and volatile) were ecofriendly. The fatty acid composition, tocopherol, sterols, and carotenoids were determined in the fixed oil, whereas volatiles and phenolics were estimated in the essential oil. A mixture of the two oils was prepared and evaluated for its antimicrobial impact. The reduction effect of this mixture was also investigated to reduce mycotoxin secretion using a simulated experiment. The protective effect of the oil was evaluated using healthy strains of cell lines. Fixed oil was distinguished by the omega fatty acid content (76.24%), lutein was the major carotenoid (504.3 mg/100 g) and it had a high ß-sitosterol content (294.6 mg/100 g). Essential oil contained limonene (66.05%), α-pinene (6.82%), ß-pinene (4.32%), and γ-terpinene (12.31%) in significant amounts, while gallic acid and catechol were recorded as the dominant phenolics. Evaluation of the oil mix for antimicrobial potency reflected a considerable impact against pathogenic bacteria and toxigenic fungi. By its application to the fungal media, this oil mix possessed a capacity for reducing mycotoxin secretion. The oil mix was also shown to have a low cytotoxic effect against healthy strains of cell lines and had potency in reducing the mortality impact of aflatoxin B1 applied to cell lines. These results recommend further study to involve this oil in food safety applications.

Evaluation of The Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Anticancer Activities of Dicliptera bupleuroides Isolated Compounds Using In Vitro and In Silico Studies.

Phytochemical investigation of chloroform fraction (DBC) and ethyl acetate fraction (DBE) of D. bupleuroides (Acanthaceae) resulted in the isolation of ß-sitosterol (1) from DBC and vanillic acid (2) from DBE, which were first to be isolated from D. bupleuroides. ß-Sitosterol (1) exhibited substantial antioxidant activity (IC50 = 198.87 µg/mL), whereas vanillic acid (2) showed significant antioxidant power (IC50 = 92.68 µg/mL) employing 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH*) radical scavenging capacity assay. Both compounds showed pronounced antimicrobial activity using the agar disc diffusion method, particularly against fungi showing MIC values of 0.182 and 0.02 concerning Candida albicans, respectively, and 0.001 mg/mL regarding Penicillium notatum. They revealed considerable antibacterial activity with MIC values ranging between 0.467 and 0.809 mg/mL. Vanillic acid (2) exhibited substantial anticancer potential displaying 48.67% cell viability at a concentration of 100 µg/mL using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyl-2H-Tetrazolium Bromide) assay concerning HepG2 cell lines. These results were further consolidated by in silico studies on different enzymes, where vanillic acid displayed a high fitting score in the active pockets of DNA-gyrase, dihydrofolate reductase, aminoglycoside nucleotidyltransferase, and ß-lactamase. It also inhibited human cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK-2) and DNA topoisomerase II, as revealed by the in silico studies. ADME/TOPKAT (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) prediction showed that vanillic acid exhibited reasonable pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and toxicity properties and, thus, could perfectly together with D. bupleuroides crude extract be incorporated in pharmaceutical preparations to counteract cancer and microbial invasion, as well as oxidative stress. Thus, it is concluded that D. bupleroides could be a potential source of therapeutically active compounds, which would be helpful for the discovery of clinically effective and safe drugs.

Identification of Sitogluside as a Potential Skin-Pigmentation-Reducing Agent through Network Pharmacology.

Many traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) with skin-whitening properties have been recorded in the Ben-Cao-Gang-Mu and in folk prescriptions, and some literature confirms that their extracts do have the potential to inhibit pigmentation. However, no systematic studies have identified the specific regulatory mechanisms of the potential active ingredients. The aim of this study was to screen the ingredients in TCMs that inhibit skin pigmentation through a network pharmacology system and to explore underlying mechanisms. We identified 148 potential active ingredients from 14 TCMs, and based on the average "degree" of the topological parameters, the top five TCMs (Fructus Ligustri Lucidi, Hedysarum multijugum Maxim., Ampelopsis japonica, Pseudobulbus Cremastrae Seu Pleiones, and Paeoniae Radix Alba) that were most likely to cause skin-whitening through anti-inflammatory processes were selected. Sitogluside, the most common ingredient in the top five TCMs, inhibits melanogenesis in human melanoma cells (MNT1) and murine melanoma cells (B16F0) and decreases skin pigmentation in zebrafish. Furthermore, mechanistic research revealed that sitogluside is capable of downregulating tyrosinase (TYR) expression by inhibiting the ERK and p38 pathways and inhibiting TYR activity. These results demonstrate that network pharmacology is an effective tool for the discovery of natural compounds with skin-whitening properties and determination of their possible mechanisms. Sitogluside is a novel skin-whitening active ingredient with dual regulatory effects that inhibit TYR expression and activity.