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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2024Safflower ( L.) has been recognized for its medicinal value, but there have been limited studies on the glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of flavonoid...
Safflower ( L.) has been recognized for its medicinal value, but there have been limited studies on the glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of flavonoid glycosides from safflower. In this research, we identified two highly efficient flavonoid -glycosyltransferases, and , from safflower performing local BLAST alignment. By constructing a prokaryotic expression vector, we conducted in vitro enzymatic reactions and discovered that these enzymes were capable of catalyzing two-step -glycosylation using substrates such as kaempferol, quercetin, and eriodictyol. Moreover, they exhibited efficient catalytic activity towards various compounds, including flavones (apigenin, scutellarein), dihydrochalcone (phloretin), isoflavones (genistein, daidzein), flavanones (naringenin, glycyrrhizin), and flavanonols (dihydrokaempferol), leading to the formation of -glycosides. The broad substrate specificity of these enzymes is noteworthy. This study provides valuable insights into the biosynthetic pathways of flavonoid glycosides in safflower. The discovery of and enhances our understanding of the enzymatic processes involved in synthesizing flavonoid glycosides in safflower, contributing to the overall comprehension of secondary metabolite biosynthesis in this plant species.
Topics: Carthamus tinctorius; Glycosyltransferases; Flavonoids; Glycosides; Flavones
PubMed: 38338349
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29030604 -
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Feb 2024Butea superba Roxb. (B. superba), is an herbal plant traditionally used for rejuvenation. Additionally, there have been reports on its antioxidant properties....
BACKGROUND
Butea superba Roxb. (B. superba), is an herbal plant traditionally used for rejuvenation. Additionally, there have been reports on its antioxidant properties. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) oxidation is the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Natural products with antioxidant properties have the potential to inhibit LDL oxidation. However, no work has been done about the anti-isolated human LDL oxidation of B. superba extract (BSE). This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant potential of BSE and its ability to prevent isolated human (LDL) oxidation induced by free radical agents.
METHODS
The antioxidant properties were investigated by antioxidant assays, including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), ferric reducing ability power (FRAP), nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite scavenging assay. More so, anti-isolated human LDL oxidation activities were evaluated by 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) and 3-morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride (SIN-1) induced LDL oxidation assay.
RESULTS
BSE exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) antioxidant activity in all the test systems, demonstrating its potential as a potent free radical scavenger. It displayed scavenging effects on DPPH (p < 0.05; IC = 487.67 ± 21.94 µg/ml), ABTS (p < 0.05; IC = 30.83 ± 1.29 µg/ml). Furthermore, it generated significantly (p < 0.05) increased antioxidant capacity in a dose-dependent manner in FRAP assay and exhibited significantly (p < 0.01) higher percent NO scavenging activity than gallic acid. Besides, BSE at 62.5 µg/ml exhibited a considerable percent peroxynitrite scavenging of 71.40 ± 6.59% after a 2 h period. Moreover, BSE demonstrated anti-isolated human LDL oxidation activity induced by AAPH and SIN-1 (p < 0.05) and revealed scavenging activity similar to ascorbic acid (p > 0.05). Identifying the main constituents of BSE revealed the presence of genistein, daidzein, and biochanin A through Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer/Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) analysis.
CONCLUSION
This is the first report that the presence of isoflavones in BSE could play an important role in its antioxidation and isolated human LDL oxidation scavenging properties. These findings suggest the potential for developing antioxidant herbal supplements. However, further studies must be investigated, including efficacious and safe human dosages.
Topics: Humans; Antioxidants; Butea; Chromatography, Liquid; Peroxynitrous Acid; Plant Extracts; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Nitric Oxide; Free Radicals; Amidines; Sulfonic Acids; Benzothiazoles
PubMed: 38310207
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04373-w -
Food Chemistry Jun 2024Okara, the solid byproduct of water-soluble soybean extract production, is a potential source of proteins and isoflavones. This study investigated different experimental...
Okara, the solid byproduct of water-soluble soybean extract production, is a potential source of proteins and isoflavones. This study investigated different experimental configurations for extracting these compounds from wet okara, including lipid removal with ethanol at different stages of the recovery process, sequential crosscurrent extraction, and using a saline MgCl solution as the solvent. Three washes with a 60:40 ethanol:water (w/w) solution after isoelectric precipitation significantly increased protein content by reducing lipid content (60 %). The crosscurrent approach using 0.05 M MgCl yielded okara proteinaceous material with 248 µg/g daidzein and 236 µg/g genistein, along with a 3 % increase in protein content, attributed to enhanced extraction of 7S globulins. These configurations notably affected the functional properties of the protein materials. Overall, this research provides detailed insights into the composition and properties of proteins extracted from wet okara, facilitating their specialized application in food products.
Topics: Solvents; Ethanol; Isoflavones; Water; Lipids
PubMed: 38301555
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.138605 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology May 2024Cornus officinalis var. koreana Kitam (Cornus officinalis) is a commonly used Chinese herbal medicine and has a good clinical efficacy in kidney and liver diseases....
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Cornus officinalis var. koreana Kitam (Cornus officinalis) is a commonly used Chinese herbal medicine and has a good clinical efficacy in kidney and liver diseases. Recent years, a number of studies reported the significant effects of Cornus officinalis on renal fibrosis. However, it is still unclear about the underlying specific mechanism, the bioactive ingredients, and the target gene regulatory network.
AIM OF THE STUDY
We investigated the impact of Cornus officinalis extract on cadmium-induced renal fibrosis, screened the bioactive ingredients of Cornus officinalis using a pharmacological sub-network analysis, and explored the regulatory effects of Cornus officinalis extracts on target gene matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9).
METHODS
Male C57BL/6N mice were treated with single or combinatorial agents such as saline, cadmium chloride, Cornus officinalis, Isoginkgetin and FSL-1. Isoginkgetin is a compound with anti-MMP9 activity. FSL-1 can induce MMP9 expression. Masson staining and Western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses were used for assessing renal fibrosis. In addition, wound healing model was established using BUMPT (Boston university mouse proximal tubular) cells to investigate how Cornus officinalis affected cadmium-induced cell migration. The main Cornus officinalis bioactive compounds were identified by UHPLC-MS (Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry). The MMP9 target for Cornus officinalis active ingredients were confirmed through a pharmacological sub-network analysis.
RESULTS
Aqueous extracts of Cornus officinalis protected from renal dysfunction and kidney fibrosis induced by cadmium chloride in mice. In vitro experiments validated that Cornus officinalis extracts inhibited cell migration ability especially in cadmium chloride condition. The sub-network analysis and chemical components profiling technique revealed the active compounds of Cornus officinalis. Cellular thermal shift assay verified the binding abilities of three active components Daidzein, N-Acetyl-L-tyrosine or Swertisin with matrix metalloproteinase-9. Gelatin zymography assay revealed that the activity of MMP9 was inhibited by the three active components. We further confirmed that MMP9 was involved in the process of Cornus officinalis extracts reducing renal fibrosis. Cornus officinalis attenuated the cadmium-induced renal fibrosis was correlated with decreased expression of MMP9, collagen I, α-SMA (alpha-smooth muscle actin) and vimentin.
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that Cornus officinalis extracts could alleviate the cadmium chloride-induced renal fibrosis by targeting MMP9, and might provide new insights into the mechanism of treating renal fibrosis by Cornus officinalis.
Topics: Humans; Male; Mice; Animals; Plant Extracts; Cornus; Cadmium; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Cadmium Chloride; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Kidney Diseases; Fibrosis
PubMed: 38278375
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117824 -
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry : PPB Feb 2024White clover is widely cultivated as a leguminous forage or ground cover plant worldwide. However, soil salinization decreases its yield and quality. Aims of the present...
White clover is widely cultivated as a leguminous forage or ground cover plant worldwide. However, soil salinization decreases its yield and quality. Aims of the present experiment were to elucidate the impact of seed pretreatment with spermidine (Spd) or spermine (Spm) on amylolysis, Na/K accumulation, and metabolic homeostasis during germination. Seed was soaked in distilled water (control), Spd or Spm solution and then germinated under optimal or salt stress conditions for 7 days. Results showed that germination vigor, germination percentage, or seed vigour index of seeds pretreatment with Spd increased by 7%, 11%, or 70% when compared with water-pretreated seeds under salt stress, respectively. Germination percentage or seed vigour index of seeds pretreatment with Spm increased by 17% or 78% than water-pretreated seeds under saline condition, respectively. In response to salt stress, accelerated amylolysis via activation of β-amylase activity was induced by Spd or Spm pretreatment. Spd or Spm pretreatment also significantly enhanced accumulation of diverse amino acids, organic acids, sugars, and other metabolites (putrescine, myo-inositol, sorbitol, daidzein etc.) associated with enhanced osmotic adjustment, antioxidant capacity, and energy supply during germination under salt stress. In addition, Spd or Spm pretreatment not only significantly reduced salt-induced K loss and overaccumulation of Na, but also improved the ratio of K to Na, contributing to Na and K balance in seedlings. In response to salt stress, seeds pretreatment with Spd or Spm up-regulated transcription level of NHX2 related to enhancement in compartmentation of Na from cytoplasm to vacuole, thus reducing Na toxicity in cytoplasm. Spm priming also uniquely up-regulated transcription levels of SKOR, HKT1, and HAL2 associated with K and Na homeostasis and decline in cytotoxicity under salt stress.
Topics: Spermidine; Germination; Spermine; Seeds; Seedlings; Homeostasis; Water; Medicago
PubMed: 38266560
DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108379 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2024Soybean ( (L.) Merrill) isoflavones are among the most important secondary metabolites, with functional benefits for human health. Soybeans accumulate three aglycone...
Soybean ( (L.) Merrill) isoflavones are among the most important secondary metabolites, with functional benefits for human health. Soybeans accumulate three aglycone forms of isoflavones: genistein, daidzein, and glycitein. Soybean landrace Kumachi-1 does not accumulate malonylglycitin at all. Gene structure analysis indicated that () of Kumachi-1 has a 3.8-kbp insertion, resulting in a truncated flavonoid 6-hydroxylase () sequence compared to the wild-type sequence in Fukuyutaka. Mapping experiments using a mutant line (MUT1246) with a phenotype similar to that of Kumachi-1, with a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in , revealed co-segregation of this mutation and the absence of glycitein isoflavones. We also identified a mutant line (K01) that exhibited a change in the HPLC retention time of glycitein isoflavones, accumulating glycoside and malonylglycoside forms of 6-hydroxydaidzein. K01 contains an SNP that produces a premature stop codon in (), a novel soybean isoflavone O-methyltransferase () gene. We further analyzed transgenic hairy roots of soybeans expressing () and (). Those overexpressing accumulated malonylglycoside forms of 6-hydroxydaidzein (M_6HD), and co-expression of and increased the level of malonylglycitin but not of M_6HD. These results indicate that and are responsible for glycitein biosynthesis in soybean seed hypocotyl.
PubMed: 38256710
DOI: 10.3390/plants13020156 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2024Adequate calcium intake is crucial for the prevention and treatment of bone-related issues. Developing a nutritional source of readily bioavailable calcium is...
Adequate calcium intake is crucial for the prevention and treatment of bone-related issues. Developing a nutritional source of readily bioavailable calcium is particularly significant for individuals deficient in this essential element and at risk of developing osteoporosis. This research aimed to evaluate the impact of tempeh (T), daidzein (D), and (LA) within a simulated intestinal environment consisting of Caco-2 epithelial and Saos-2 cells, focusing on their implications for bone mineralization mechanisms. In the initial phase, calcium bioaccessibility from calcium citrate (CaCt), LA, D, the daidzein combination D-CaCt-LA (D1:1:1), and the tempeh combination T-CaCt-LA (T1:1:1) was assessed through digestion simulation. The calcium content of both untreated and digested samples was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). In the subsequent stage, the digested samples were used to induce intestinal absorption in differentiated enterocyte-like Caco-2 cells. The permeable fractions were then evaluated in a culture of osteoblast-like Saos-2 cells. Preliminary cellular experiments employed the MTT assay to assess cytotoxicity. The results indicated that the analyzed products did not influence the deposition of extracellular calcium in Saos-2 cells cultured without mineralization stimulators. The combined formulations of permeable fractions of digested CaCt, LA, D, and T demonstrated the capacity to enhance the proliferation of Saos-2 cells. In Saos-2 cells, D, D1:1:1, and LA showed no discernible impact on intracellular calcium accumulation, whereas T and T1:1:1 reduced the calcium deposits. Additionally, mRNA transcripts and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity levels in Saos-2 cells cultured without mineralization induction were unaffected by the analyzed products. An examination of the products revealed no discernible effect on ALP activity or mRNA expression during Saos-2 cell differentiation. Our findings suggest that tempeh, daidzein, and did not positively impact cellular calcium deposition in Saos-2 cells. However, tempeh, daidzein and its combination, and might enhance the process of osteogenic differentiation in Saos-2 cells. Nevertheless, this study did not identify any synergistic impact on calcium deposition and the process of osteogenic differentiation in Saos-2 cells of isoflavones and probiotics.
Topics: Humans; Calcium; Caco-2 Cells; Osteogenesis; Soy Foods; Gastrointestinal Tract; Calcinosis; Osteoblasts; Isoflavones; Calcium, Dietary; Probiotics; Calcium Citrate; RNA, Messenger; Elliptocytosis, Hereditary
PubMed: 38256081
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021008 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2024Flavonoids have garnered attention because of their beneficial bioactivities. However, some flavonoids reportedly interact with drugs via transporters and may induce...
Flavonoids have garnered attention because of their beneficial bioactivities. However, some flavonoids reportedly interact with drugs via transporters and may induce adverse drug reactions. This study investigated the effects of food ingredients on organic anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP) 4C1, which handles uremic toxins and some drugs, to understand the safety profile of food ingredients in renal drug excretion. Twenty-eight food ingredients, including flavonoids, were screened. We used ascorbic acid (AA) to prevent curcumin oxidative degradation in our method. Twelve compounds, including apigenin, daidzein, fisetin, genistein, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, luteolin, morin, quercetin, curcumin, resveratrol, and ellagic acid, altered OATP4C1-mediated transport. Kaempferol and curcumin strongly inhibited OATP4C1, and the values of kaempferol (AA(-)), curcumin (AA(-)), and curcumin (AA(+)) were 25.1, 52.2, and 23.5 µM, respectively. The kinetic analysis revealed that these compounds affected OATP4C1 transport in a competitive manner. Antioxidant supplementation was determined to benefit transporter interaction studies investigating the effects of curcumin because the concentration-dependent curve evidently shifted in the presence of AA. In this study, we elucidated the food-drug interaction via OATP4C1 and indicated the utility of antioxidant usage. Our findings will provide essential information regarding food-drug interactions for both clinical practice and the commercial development of supplements.
Topics: Antioxidants; Curcumin; Kaempferols; Kinetics; Ascorbic Acid; Flavonoids; Food Ingredients; Peptides; Anions
PubMed: 38256064
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020991 -
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental... 2023Polyphenolic compounds constitute a diverse group of natural components commonly occurring in various plant species, known for their potential to exert both beneficial... (Review)
Review
Polyphenolic compounds constitute a diverse group of natural components commonly occurring in various plant species, known for their potential to exert both beneficial and detrimental effects. Additionally, these polyphenols have also been implicated as endocrine-disrupting (ED) chemicals, raising concerns about their widespread use in the cosmetics industry. In this comprehensive review, we focus on the body of literature pertaining to the estrogenic properties of ED chemicals, with a particular emphasis on the interaction of isoflavones with estrogen receptors. Within this review, we aim to elucidate the multifaceted roles and effects of polyphenols on the skin, exploring their potential benefits as well as their capacity to act as ED agents. By delving into this intricate subject matter, we intend to provoke thoughtful consideration, effectively opening a Pandora's box of questions for the reader to ponder. Ultimately, we invite the reader to contemplate whether polyphenols should be regarded as friends or foes in the realm of skincare and endocrine disruption.
PubMed: 38250328
DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1305835 -
The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology May 2024Imperatorin (IMP) is the main bioactive furanocoumarin of Angelicae dahuricae radix, which is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine. The purpose of this study was to...
Imperatorin (IMP) is the main bioactive furanocoumarin of Angelicae dahuricae radix, which is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of IMP in promoting absorption and the possible mechanism on the compatible drugs of Angelicae dahuricae radix. The influence of IMP on drugs' intestinal absorption was conducted by the Caco-2 cell model. The mechanism was studied by investigating the transcellular transport mode of IMP and its influence on P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated efflux, protein expression of P-gp and tight junction, and cell membrane potential. The result showed IMP promoted the uptake of osthole, daidzein, ferulic acid, and puerarin and improved the transport of ferulic acid and puerarin in Caco-2 cells. The absorption-promoting mechanism of IMP might involve the reduction of the cell membrane potential, decrease of P-gp-mediated drug efflux and inhibition of the P-gp expression level in the cellular pathway, and the loosening of the tight junction protein by the downregulation of the expression levels of occludin and claudin-1 in the paracellular pathway. This study provides new insights into the understanding of the improved bioavailability of Angelicae dahuricae radix with its compatible drugs.
Topics: Furocoumarins; Humans; Caco-2 Cells; Angelica; Intestinal Absorption; Isoflavones; Coumaric Acids; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; Tight Junctions; Biological Transport; Occludin; Plant Roots; Coumarins
PubMed: 38215001
DOI: 10.1093/jpp/rgad127