Phellodendri Cortex: A Phytochemical, Pharmacological, and Pharmacokinetic Review

Background. Phellodendri Cortex (PC) or Huang Bai. According to the scientific database of China Plant Species and Chinese pharmacopeia 2015 edition, PC has two main species which are Phellodendron amurense Rupr (PAR) or “Guan Huang bai” in Chinese and Phellodendron chinense Schneid (PCS) or “Chuan Huang bai” in Chinese. The crude drugs of PAR and PCS are also called Phellodendri amurensis cortex (PAC) and Phellodendri chinense cortex (PCC), respectively. The medicinal part of the plant is the dried trunk bark. PC has comprehensive therapeutic effects which include anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, hypotensive, antiarrhythmic, antioxidant, and antipyretic agents. The exact ingredients in PC and its species are not fully summarised. Aim of the Study. This study was designed to review and evaluate the pharmacological actions of compounds and to explore the pharmacokinetic knowledge of PC and its species and to also identify the chemical compound(s) with a potential therapeutic effect on atopic dermatitis. Methods. “Huang Bai” and its English, botanical, and pharmaceutical names were used as keywords to perform database search in Encyclopaedia of traditional Chinese Medicines, PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, and China Network Knowledge Infrastructure. The data selection criteria included all the studies that were related to the phytochemical, pharmacological, and pharmacokinetic perspectives of PC and its species or their active constituents. More importantly, the voucher number has been provided to ensure the genuine bark of PC used as the medicinal part in the studies. Results. 140 compounds were summarized from PC and its species: specifically, 18 compounds from PCC, 44 compounds from PCS, 34 compounds from PAC, and 84 compounds from PAR. Obacunone and obaculactone are probably responsible for antiatopic dermatitis effect. PC and its species possess a broad spectrum of pharmacological actions including anti-inflammatory effect, antibacterial effect, antiviral effect, antitumor effect, antigout effect, antiulcer effect, neuroprotective effect, and antiatopic dermatitis effect. PC could widely distribute in plasma, liver, spleen, kidney, and brain. Berberine may be responsible for the toxic effect on the susceptible users with hemolytic disease or in the peripartum and neonatal period. Conclusions. The compounds of the crude bark of PC and its subspecies have showcased a wide range of pharmacological effects. Pharmacological efficacies of PC are supported by its diverse class of alkaloid, limonoid, phenolic acid, quinic acid, lignan, and flavonoid. Obacunone and obaculactone could be the bioactive compounds for atopic dermatitis management. PC and its subspecies are generally safe to use but extra care is required for certain conditions and group of people.

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Andrographolide, an Anti-Inflammatory Multitarget Drug: All Roads Lead to Cellular Metabolism

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26010005 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 5

Author(s):

Rafael Agustín Burgos ◽

Pablo Alarcón ◽

John Quiroga ◽

Carolina Manosalva ◽

Juan Hancke

Keyword(s):

Clinical Studies ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Metabolic Effects ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Related Factor ◽

Wide Range ◽

Labdane Diterpene ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Preclinical And Clinical Studies

Andrographolide is a labdane diterpene and the main active ingredient isolated from the herb Andrographis paniculata. Andrographolide possesses diverse biological effects including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antineoplastic properties. Clinical studies have demonstrated that andrographolide could be useful in therapy for a wide range of diseases such as osteoarthritis, upper respiratory diseases, and multiple sclerosis. Several targets are described for andrographolide, including the interference of transcription factors NF-κB, AP-1, and HIF-1 and signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and JAK/STAT. In addition, an increase in the Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2) signaling pathway also supports its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, this scenario could be more complex since recent evidence suggests that andrographolide targets can modulate glucose metabolism. The metabolic effect of andrographolide might be the key to explaining the diverse therapeutic effects described in preclinical and clinical studies. This review discusses some of the most recent evidence about the anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects of andrographolide.

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Hydrogen, a Novel Therapeutic Molecule, Regulates Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptosis

Frontiers in Physiology ◽

10.3389/fphys.2021.789507 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Yan Tian ◽

Yafang Zhang ◽

Yu Wang ◽

Yunxi Chen ◽

Weiping Fan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Treatment Guidelines ◽

Ischemia Reperfusion Injury ◽

Inflammatory Diseases ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Ischemia Reperfusion ◽

Underlying Mechanism ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism ◽

Wide Range ◽

Anti Inflammatory

Molecular hydrogen (H2) is a colorless and odorless gas. Studies have shown that H2 inhalation has the therapeutic effects in many animal studies and clinical trials, and its application is recommended in the novel coronavirus pneumonia treatment guidelines in China recently. H2 has a relatively small molecular mass, which helps it quickly spread and penetrate cell membranes to exert a wide range of biological effects. It may play a role in the treatment and prevention of a variety of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, such as acute pancreatitis, sepsis, respiratory disease, ischemia reperfusion injury diseases, autoimmunity diseases, etc.. H2 is primarily administered via inhalation, drinking H2-rich water, or injection of H2 saline. It may participate in the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity (mitochondrial energy metabolism), immune system regulation, and cell death (apoptosis, autophagy, and pyroptosis) through annihilating excess reactive oxygen species production and modulating nuclear transcription factor. However, the underlying mechanism of H2 has not yet been fully revealed. Owing to its safety and potential efficacy, H2 has a promising potential for clinical use against many diseases. This review will demonstrate the role of H2 in antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects and its underlying mechanism, particularly in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), providing strategies for the medical application of H2 for various diseases.

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A Comparison of Two Structurally Related Human Milk Oligosaccharide Conjugates in a Model of Diet-Induced Obesity

Frontiers in Immunology ◽

10.3389/fimmu.2021.668217 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Jessica Ramadhin ◽

Vanessa Silva-Moraes ◽

Tamas Nagy ◽

Thomas Norberg ◽

Donald Harn

Keyword(s):

Human Milk ◽

Fasting Blood Glucose ◽

Structural Difference ◽

Cell Types ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Low Grade ◽

Hepatic Lipid Accumulation ◽

Diet Induced Obesity ◽

Wide Range ◽

Anti Inflammatory

Obesity is the largest risk factor for the development of chronic diseases in industrialized countries. Excessive fat accumulation triggers a state of chronic low-grade inflammation to the detriment of numerous organs. To address this problem, our lab has been examining the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of two human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), lacto-N-fucopentaose III (LNFPIII) and lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT). LNFPIII and LNnT are HMOs that differ in structure via presence/absence of an α1,3-linked fucose. We utilize LNFPIII and LNnT in conjugate form, where 10-12 molecules of LNFPIII or LNnT are conjugated to a 40 kDa dextran carrier (P3DEX/NTDEX). Previous studies from our lab have shown that LNFPIII conjugates are anti-inflammatory, act on multiple cell types, and are therapeutic in a wide range of murine inflammatory disease models. The α1,3-linked fucose residue on LNFPIII makes it difficult and more expensive to synthesize. Therefore, we asked if LNnT conjugates induced similar therapeutic effects to LNFPIII. Herein, we compare the therapeutic effects of P3DEX and NTDEX in a model of diet-induced obesity (DIO). Male C57BL/6 mice were placed on a high-fat diet for six weeks and then injected twice per week for eight weeks with 25µg of 40 kDa dextran (DEX; vehicle control), P3DEX, or NTDEX. We found that treatment with P3DEX, but not NTDEX, led to reductions in body weight, adipose tissue (AT) weights, and fasting blood glucose levels. Mice treated with P3DEX also demonstrated improvements in glucose homeostasis and insulin tolerance. Treatment with P3DEX or NTDEX also induced different profiles of serum chemokines, cytokines, adipokines, and incretin hormones, with P3DEX notably reducing circulating levels of leptin and resistin. P3DEX also reduced WAT inflammation and hepatic lipid accumulation, whereas NTDEX seemed to worsen these parameters. These results suggest that the small structural difference between P3DEX and NTDEX has significant effects on the conjugates’ therapeutic abilities. Future work will focus on identifying the receptors for these conjugates and delineating the mechanisms by which P3DEX and NTDEX exert their effects.

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Therapeutic Effects of Korean Red Ginseng Extract in a Murine Model of Atopic Dermatitis: Anti-pruritic and Anti-inflammatory Mechanism

Journal of Korean Medical Science ◽

10.3346/jkms.2017.32.4.679 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 679 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Hyun Joo Lee ◽

Sang Hyun Cho

Keyword(s):

Atopic Dermatitis ◽

Murine Model ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Red Ginseng ◽

Korean Red Ginseng ◽

Ginseng Extract ◽

Inflammatory Mechanism ◽

Anti Inflammatory

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Therapeutic Effects of Glycyrrhizic Acid

Natural Product Communications ◽

10.1177/1934578x1300800335 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 1934578X1300800 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Lee Jia Ming ◽

Adeline Chia Yoke Yin

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Side Effects ◽

Herbal Medicine ◽

Glycyrrhizic Acid ◽

Glucuronic Acid ◽

Glycyrrhetinic Acid ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Wide Range ◽

Anti Inflammatory

Glycyrrhizic acid (GA), belonging to a class of triterpenes, is a conjugate of two molecules, namely glucuronic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid. It is naturally extracted from the roots of licorice plants. With its more common uses in the confectionery and cosmetics industry, GA extends its applications as a herbal medicine for a wide range of ailments. At low appropriate doses, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-tumor, antimicrobial and anti-viral properties have been reported by researchers worldwide. This review summarizes the effects of GA on metabolic syndrome, tumorigenesis, microbes and viruses, oxidative stress, and inflammation, as well as the reported side effects of the drug.

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Potential and Possible Therapeutic Effects of Melatonin on SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox11010140 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 140

Author(s):

Evgeny Shchetinin ◽

Vladimir Baturin ◽

Eduard Arushanyan ◽

Albert Bolatchiev ◽

Dmitriy Bobryshev

Keyword(s):

Mechanisms Of Action ◽

Therapeutic Use ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Pharmacological Properties ◽

Pharmacological Interventions ◽

Clinical Observations ◽

Wide Range ◽

Prevention And Treatment ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Effective Drugs

The absence of effective drugs for COVID-19 prevention and treatment requires the search for new candidates among approved medicines. Fundamental studies and clinical observations allow us to approach an understanding of the mechanisms of damage and protection from exposure to SARS-CoV-2, to identify possible points of application for pharmacological interventions. In this review we presented studies on the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunotropic properties of melatonin. We have attempted to present scientifically proven mechanisms of action for the potential therapeutic use of melatonin during SARS-CoV-2 infection. A wide range of pharmacological properties allows its inclusion as an effective addition to the methods of prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

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Increased Expression and a Potential Anti-inflammatory Role of TRAIL in Atopic Dermatitis

Yearbook of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery ◽

10.1016/s0093-3619(08)70012-1 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 2006 ◽

pp. 53-55

Author(s):

G.M.P. Galbraith

Keyword(s):

Atopic Dermatitis ◽

Anti Inflammatory

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Heparin and proteoglycans as anti-inflammatory drugs

Hämostaseologie ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1656639 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 16 (01) ◽

pp. 56-59

Author(s):

D. J. Tyrrell ◽

C. P. Page

Keyword(s):

Inflammatory Diseases ◽

Therapeutic Applications ◽

Wide Range ◽

Inflammatory Drugs ◽

Anti Inflammatory

SummaryEvidence continues to accumulate that the pleiotropic nature of heparin (beyond its anticoagulant potency) includes anti-inflammatory activities at a number of levels. It is clear that drugs exploiting these anti-inflammatory activities of heparin may offer exciting new therapeutic applications to the treatment of a wide range of inflammatory diseases.

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