scholarly journals Neuroprotective Effects and Mechanisms of Procyanidins In Vitro and In Vivo

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 2963
Author(s):  
Juan Chen ◽  
Yixuan Chen ◽  
Yangfan Zheng ◽  
Jiawen Zhao ◽  
Huilin Yu ◽  
...  

This study evaluated the neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of procyanidins (PCs). In vitro, rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells) were exposed to PCs (1, 2 or 4 μg/mL) or N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) (20 μM) for 24 h, and then incubated with 200 μM of H2O2 for 24 h. Compared with H2O2 alone, PCs significantly increased antioxidant activities (e.g., glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT)), decreased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and increased nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) accumulation and increased the expression of quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM), and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC). In vivo, zebrafish larvae (AB strain) 3 days post-fertilization (dpf) were exposed to NAC (30 μM) or PCs (4, 8 or 16 μg/mL) in the absence or presence of 300 μM of H2O2 for 4 days. Compared with H2O2 alone, PCs enhanced antioxidant activities (e.g., GSH-Px, CAT, and SOD), decreased levels of ROS and MDA, and enhanced Nrf2/ antioxidant response element (ARE) activation and raised expression levels of NQO1, HO-1, GCLM, and GCLC. In conclusion, these results indicated that PCs exerted neuroprotective effects via activating the Nrf2/ARE pathway and alleviating oxidative damage.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Si Huang ◽  
Haiyan Yuan ◽  
Wenqun Li ◽  
Xinyi Liu ◽  
Xiaojie Zhang ◽  
...  

Polygonatum sibiricum, a well-known life-prolonging tonic in Chinese medicine, has been widely used for nourishing nerves in the orient, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we found that P. sibiricum polysaccharides (PSP) ameliorated 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2.3,6-tetrahydropyridine- (MPTP-) induced locomotor activity deficiency and dopaminergic neuronal loss in an in vivo Parkinson’s disease (PD) mouse model. Additionally, PSP pretreatment inhibited N-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP+) induced the production of reactive oxygen species, increasing the ratio of reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione. In vitro experiments showed that PSP promoted the proliferation of N2a cells in a dose-dependent manner, while exhibiting effects against oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis elicited by MPP+. These effects were found to be associated with the activation of Akt/mTOR-mediated p70S6K and 4E-BP1 signaling pathways, as well as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2- (Nrf2-) mediated NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (Gclc), and glutamate-cysteine ligase modulatory subunit (Gclm), resulting in antiapoptotic and antioxidative effects. Meanwhile, PSP exhibited no chronic toxicity in C57BJ/6 mice. Together, our results suggest that PSP can serve as a promising therapeutic candidate with neuroprotective properties in preventing PD.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (18) ◽  
pp. 5558
Author(s):  
Juan Chen ◽  
Yixuan Chen ◽  
Yangfan Zheng ◽  
Jiawen Zhao ◽  
Huilin Yu ◽  
...  

This research assessed the molecular mechanism of procyanidins (PCs) against neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and its metabolite 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) induced Parkinson’s disease (PD) models. In vitro, PC12 cells were incubated with PCs or deprenyl for 24 h, and then exposed to 1.5 mM MPP+ for 24 h. In vivo, zebrafish larvae (AB strain) 3 days post-fertilization (dpf) were incubated with deprenyl or PCs in 400 μM MPTP for 4 days. Compared with MPP+/MPTP alone, PCs significantly improved antioxidant activities (e.g., glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT)), and decreased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Furthermore, PCs significantly increased nuclear Nrf2 accumulation in PC12 cells and raised the expression of NQO1, HO-1, GCLM, and GCLC in both PC12 cells and zebrafish compared to MPP+/MPTP alone. The current study shows that PCs have neuroprotective effects, activate the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway and alleviate oxidative damage in MPP+/MPTP-induced PD models.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 167
Author(s):  
Seyed Hossein Shahcheraghi ◽  
Fateme Salemi ◽  
Niloufar Peirovi ◽  
Jamshid Ayatollahi ◽  
Waqas Alam ◽  
...  

Nuclear factor erythroid 2 p45-related factor (2Nrf2) is an essential leucine zipper protein (bZIP) that is primarily located in the cytoplasm under physiological conditions. Nrf2 principally modulates endogenous defense in response to oxidative stress in the brain.In this regard, Nrf2 translocates into the nucleus and heterodimerizes with the tiny Maf or Jun proteins. It then attaches to certain DNA locations in the nucleus, such as electrophile response elements (EpRE) or antioxidant response elements (ARE), to start the transcription of cytoprotective genes. Many neoplasms have been shown to have over activated Nrf2, strongly suggesting that it is responsible for tumors with a poor prognosis. Exactly like curcumin, Zinc–curcumin Zn (II)–curc compound has been shown to induce Nrf2 activation. In the cancer cell lines analyzed, Zinc–curcumin Zn (II)–curc compound can also display anticancer effects via diverse molecular mechanisms, including markedly increasing heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) p62/SQSTM1 and the Nrf2 protein levels along with its targets. It also strikingly decreases the levels of Nrf2 inhibitor, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) protein.As a result, the crosstalk between p62/SQSTM1 and Nrf2 could be used to improve cancer patient response to treatments. The interconnected anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties of curcumin resulted from its modulatory effects on Nrf2 signaling pathway have been shown to improve insulin resistance. Curcumin exerts its anti-inflammatory impact through suppressing metabolic reactions and proteins such as Keap1 that provoke inflammation and oxidation. A rational amount of curcumin-activated antioxidant Nrf2 HO-1 and Nrf2-Keap1 pathways and upregulated the modifier subunit of glutamate-cysteine ligase involved in the production of the intracellular antioxidant glutathione. Enhanced expression of glutamate-cysteine ligase, a modifier subunit (GLCM), inhibited transcription of glutamate-cysteine ligase, a catalytic subunit (GCLC). A variety of in vivo, in vitro and clinical studies has been done so far to confirm the protective role of curcumin via Nrf2 regulation. This manuscript is designed to provide a comprehensive review on the molecular aspects of curcumin and its derivatives/analogs via regulation of Nrf2 regulation.


Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Zhang ◽  
Xuelian Zhang ◽  
Chenyang Zhang ◽  
Qiang Shen ◽  
Guibo Sun ◽  
...  

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a leading cause of end-stage renal failure, and no effective treatment is available. Notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1) is a novel saponin that is derived from Panax notoginseng, and our previous studies showed the cardioprotective and neuroprotective effects of NGR1. However, its role in protecting against DN remains unexplored. Herein, we established an experimental model in db/db mice and HK-2 cells exposed to advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The in vivo investigation showed that NGR1 treatment increased serum lipid, β2-microglobulin, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels of db/db mice. NGR1 attenuated histological abnormalities of kidney, as evidenced by reducing the glomerular volume and fibrosis in diabetic kidneys. In vitro, NGR1 treatment was further found to decrease AGE-induced mitochondria injury, limit an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), and reduce apoptosis in HK-2 cells. Mechanistically, NGR1 promoted nucleus nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expressions to eliminate ROS that induced apoptosis and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling. In summary, these observations demonstrate that NGR1 exerts renoprotective effects against DN through the inhibition of apoptosis and renal fibrosis caused by oxidative stress. NGR1 might be a potential therapeutic medicine for the treatment of DN.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Youqiong Zhuo ◽  
Renyikun Yuan ◽  
Xinxin Chen ◽  
Jia He ◽  
Yangling Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Tanshinone I (TI) is a primary component of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen), which confers a favorable role in a variety of pharmacological activities including cardiovascular protection. However, the exact mechanism of the cardiovascular protection activity of TI remains to be illustrated. In this study, the cardiovascular protective effect and its mechanism of TI were investigated. Methods In this study, tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-stimulated H9c2 cells model was employed to investigate the protective effect in vitro. The cell viability was determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) kit. The reactive-oxygen-species (ROS) level and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were investigated by the flow cytometry and JC-1 assay, respectively. While in vivo experiment, the cardiovascular protective effect of TI was determined by using myocardial ischemia–reperfusion (MI/R) model including hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) staining assay and determination of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) release were detected by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIP1), receptor interacting protein kinase 3 (RIP3), receptor interacting protein kinase 3 (MLKL), protein kinase B (Akt), Nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO-1) were determined by western blotting. Results Our data demonstrated that TI pretreatment attenuated t-BHP and MI/R injury-induced necroptosis by inhibiting the expression of p-RIP1, p-RIP3, and p-MLKL. TI activated the Akt/Nrf2 pathway to promote the expression of antioxidant-related proteins such as phosphorylation of Akt, nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO-1) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression in t-BHP-stimulated H9c2 cells. TI relieved oxidative stress by mitigating ROS generation and reversing MMP loss. In vivo experiment, TI made electrocardiograph (ECG) recovery better and lessened the degree of myocardial tissue damage. The counts of white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil (Neu), lymphocyte (Lym), and the release of TNF-α and IL-6 were reversed by TI treatment. SOD level was increased, while MDA level was decreased by TI treatment. Conclusion Collectively, our findings indicated that TI exerted cardiovascular protective activities in vitro and in vivo through suppressing RIP1/RIP3/MLKL and activating Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathways, which could be developed into a cardiovascular protective agent.


2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Διονύσιος Χαρτουμπέκης

Τα ευεργετικά αποτελέσματα των αναστολέων της αναγωγάσης του HMG-CoA (3-υδροξυ-3-μεθυλ-γλουταρυλ-συνένζυμο Α) έχουν αποδοθεί όχι μόνο στη μείωση των επιπέδων χοληστερόλης αλλά και στις πλειοτροπικές τους δράσεις και ιδιαίτερα στις αντιοξειδωτικές τους δράσεις. Ο Nrf2 (NF-E2-related factor 2) είναι ένας μεταγραφικός παράγοντας που ενορχηστρώνει τη μεταγραφική απάντηση των κυττάρων στο οξειδωτικό στρες και σε ηλεκτροφιλικά ξενοβιοτικά με την έκφραση αντιοξειδωτικών-κυτταροπροστατευτικών γονιδίων. Στην παρούσα μελέτη, χρησιμοποιήθηκαν επίμυες Wistar, πρωτογενείς καλλιέργειες ηπατοκυττάρων, ST-2 κύτταρα και πρωτογενείς εμβρυϊκοί ινοβλάστες από μυς C57BL6J αγρίου τύπου (WT) ή με απαλοιφή του Nrf2 (KO-Nrf2) για τη μελέτη του ρόλου του Nrf2 στη διαμεσολάβηση των αντιοξειδωτικών δράσεων των στατινών. Η σιμβαστατίνη ενεργοποίησε τον Nrf2, δηλαδή οδήγησε στη μετακίνησή του στον πυρήνα στο ήπαρ επίμυων και σε πρωτογενή καλλιέργεια ηπατοκυττάρων. Η ανωτέρω δράση ήταν εξαρτώμενη από το μεβαλονικό και ανεξάρτητη από τη χοληστερόλη. Σε πυρηνικά πρωτεϊνικά εκχυλίσματα από ήπαρ επίμυων που έλαβαν σιμβαστατίνη, η μεταγραφική ενεργότητα του Nrf2 αυξήθηκε σημαντικά και το mRNA δύο γνωστών στόχων του Nrf2, ΗΟ-1 (Heme Oxygenase 1) και GPX-2 (Glutathione Peroxidase 2) αυξήθηκε. Σε ST-2 κύτταρα μόνιμα διαμολυσμένα με πλασμίδιο που φέρει αλληλουχία DNA στην οποία προσκολλάται ο Nrf2 (ARE-Antioxidant Response Element) (ARE-ST2 κύτταρα), η σιμβαστατίνη αύξησε τη μεταγραφική ενεργότητα του Nrf2 με τρόπο εξαρτώμενο από το μεβαλονικό και ανεξάρτητο από τη χοληστερόλη. Επίσης, χρησιμοποιώντας πρωτογενείς καλλιέργειες εμβρυϊκών ινοβλαστών από μυς WT και ΚΟ-Nrf2 και μετρώντας τα επίπεδα των αντιδραστικών ειδών οξυγόνου (ROS) μετά από επώαση με οξειδάση της γλυκόζης έπειτα από επίδραση ή μη με σιμβαστατίνη, διαπιστώθηκε ότι η σιμβαστατίνη μειώνει τα επίπεδα των παραχθέντων ROS στους WT ινοβλάστες και όχι σε μεγάλο βαθμό στους KO-Nrf2 ινοβλάστες. Τέλος, με τη χρήση αναστολέων του μονοπατιού της PI3K/Akt σε ARE-ST2 κύτταρα στα οποία είχαμε επιδράσει με σιμβαστατίνη, διαπιστώθηκε ότι αίρεται σε μεγάλο βαθμό η ενεργοποίηση του Nrf2 από τη σιμβαστατίνη. Στην παρούσα μελέτη παρουσιάζεται για πρώτη φορά α) η ενεργοποίηση του Keap1/Nrf2 σηματοδοτικού μονοπατιού σε in vivo και in vitro μοντέλα από τη σιμβαστατίνη με τρόπο εξαρτώμενο από το μεβαλονικό και ανεξάρτητο από τη χοληστερόλη και β) ότι η σιμβαστατίνη μειώνει τα παραγόμενα αντιδραστικά είδη οξυγόνου (ROS) μέσω της ενεργοποίησης του Nrf2 διαμέσου του μοριακού μονοπατιού της PI3K/Akt. H ενεργοποίηση αυτή του Nrf2 από τη σιμβαστατίνη εκτός του ότι προσφέρει αποτελεσματική προστασία του κυττάρου από τις δυσμενείς επιπτώσεις του οξειδωτικού στρες, εξηγεί και μέρος των πλειοτροπικών δράσεων των στατινών.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 7189
Author(s):  
Alberto Ruiz Priego ◽  
Emilio González Parra ◽  
Sebastián Mas ◽  
José Luis Morgado-Pascual ◽  
Marta Ruiz-Ortega ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous environmental toxin that accumulates in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our aim was to explore the effect of chronic exposition of BPA in healthy and injured kidney investigating potential mechanisms involved. METHODS: In C57Bl/6 mice, administration of BPA (120 mg/kg/day, i.p for 5 days/week) was done for 2 and 5 weeks. To study BPA effect on CKD, a model of subtotal nephrectomy (SNX) combined with BPA administration for 5 weeks was employed. In vitro studies were done in human proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2 line). RESULTS: Chronic BPA administration to healthy mice induces inflammatory infiltration in the kidney, tubular injury and renal fibrosis (assessed by increased collagen deposition). Moreover, in SNX mice BPA exposure exacerbates renal lesions, including overexpression of the tubular damage biomarker Hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 1 (Havcr-1/KIM-1). BPA upregulated several proinflammatory genes and increased the antioxidant response [Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Heme Oxygenase-1 (Ho-1) and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone 1 (Nqo-1)] both in healthy and SNX mice. The autophagy process was modulated by BPA, through elevated autophagy-related gene 5 (Atg5), autophagy-related gene 7 (Atg7), Microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (Map1lc3b/Lc3b) and Beclin-1 gene levels and blockaded the autophagosome maturation and flux (p62 levels). This autophagy deregulation was confirmed in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: BPA deregulates autophagy flux and redox protective mechanisms, suggesting a potential mechanism of BPA deleterious effects in the kidney.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 215-226
Author(s):  
Yibing Zhang ◽  
Yong Zhao ◽  
Yongwang Ran ◽  
Jianyou Guo ◽  
Haifeng Cui ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundSevoflurane, a volatile anesthetic, is known to induce widespread neuronal degeneration and apoptosis. Recently, the stress-inducible protein sestrin 2 and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) have been found to regulate the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and suppress oxidative stress. Notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1), a saponin isolated from Panax notoginseng, has been shown to exert neuroprotective effects. The effects of NGR1 against neurotoxicity induced by sevoflurane were assessed.MethodsSprague-Dawley rat pups on postnatal day 7 (PD7) were exposed to sevoflurane (3%) anesthesia for 6 h. NGR1 at doses of 12.5, 25, or 50 mg/kg body weight was orally administered to pups from PD2 to PD7.ResultsPretreatment with NGR1 attenuated sevoflurane-induced generation of ROS and reduced apoptotic cell counts. Western blotting revealed decreased cleaved caspase 3 and Bad and Bax pro-apoptotic protein expression. NGR1 substantially upregulated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression along with increased heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase-1 levels, suggesting Nrf2 signaling activation. Enhanced sestrin-2 and phosphorylated AMPK expression were noticed following NGR1 pretreatment.ConclusionThis study revealed the neuroprotective effects of NGR1 through effective suppression of apoptosis and ROS via regulation of apoptotic proteins and activation of Nrf2/HO-1 and sestrin 2/AMPK signaling cascades.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ding-Chao Zhu ◽  
Yi-Han Wang ◽  
Jia-Hao Lin ◽  
Zhi-Min Miao ◽  
Jia-Jing Xu ◽  
...  

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease characterized by articular cartilage degeneration and inflammation. Currently, there is hardly any effective treatment for OA due to its complicated pathology and...


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Woong Jin Bae ◽  
U. Syn Ha ◽  
Jin Bong Choi ◽  
Kang Sup Kim ◽  
Su Jin Kim ◽  
...  

Higher testicular temperature results in altered spermatogenesis due to heat-related oxidative stress. We examined the effects of decursin extracted fromAngelica gigasNakai on antioxidant activityin vitroand in a cryptorchidism-induced infertility rat model. TM3 Leydig cell viability was measured based on oxidative stress according to treatment. Either distilled water or AG 400 mg/kg ofA. gigasextract was administered orally for 4 weeks after unilateral cryptorchidism was induced. After 1, 2, and 4 weeks, six rats from the control group and six rats from treatment group were sacrificed. Testicular weight, semen quality, antioxidant activities, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) protein, and mRNA expression of Nrf2-regulated genes were analyzed. Treatment withA. gigasextract (1) protected TM3 cells against oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner, (2) improved the mean weight of the cryptorchid testis, (3) maintained sperm counts, motility, and spermatogenic cell density, (4) decreased levels of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and increased levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), (5) significantly increased Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and (6) significantly decreased apoptosis. This study suggests that decursin extracted fromA. gigasis a supplemental agent that can reduce oxidative stress by Nrf2-mediated upregulation of HO-1 in rat experimentally induced unilateral cryptorchidism and may improve cryptorchidism-induced infertility.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document