Kaempferol-3-O-(2 ″-O-galloyl-β-d-glucopyranoside): a novel neuroprotective agent from Diospryros kaki against cerebral ischemia—induced brain injury
This study aimed to clarify flavonoid components responsible for the effects of DK using in vitro and in vivo transient brain ischemic models. Organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSCs) subjected to oxygen- and glucose-deprivation (OGD) were performed to evaluate in vitro neuroprotective activity of DK extract and nine isolated flavonoid components. MCAO/R mice were employed to elucidate in vivo neuroprotective effects of the flavonoid component that exhibited the most potent neuroprotective effect in OHSCs. DK extract and seven flavonoids [quercetin, isoquercetin, hyperoside, quercetin-3-O-(2 ″-O-galloyl-β-d-galact...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - December 24, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Comprehensive study on genetic and chemical diversity of Asian medicinal plants, aimed at sustainable use and standardization of traditional crude drugs
AbstractOur representative studies to achieve sustainable use of crude drugs and ensure their stable quality are introduced: comprehensive studies on genetic, chemical, and sometimes pharmacological diversity of Asian medicinal plants includingPaeonia lactiflora,Glycyrrhiza uralensis,Ephedra spp.,Saposhnikovia divaricata, andCurcuma spp., as well as their related crude drugs. (1) For peony root, after genetic and chemical diversity analysis of crude drug samples including white and red peony root in China, the value-added resources with quality similar to red peony root were explored among 61 horticulturalP. lactiflora var...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - December 22, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Upregulation of tumor suppressor PIAS3 by Honokiol promotes tumor cell apoptosis via selective inhibition of STAT3 tyrosine 705 phosphorylation
AbstractThe natural product Honokiol exhibits robust antitumor activity against a range of cancers, and it has also received approval to undergo phase I clinical trial testing. We confrmed that honokiol can promote the apoptotic death of tumor cells through cell experiments. Then siRNA constructs specific for PIAS3, PIAS3 overexpression plasmid and the mutation of the STAT3 Tyr705 residue were used to confirm the mechanism of Honokiol-induced apoptosis. Finally, we confrmed that honokiol can promote PIAS3 upregulation, in turn suppressing STAT3 Tyr705 phosphorylation through the in vivo and in vitro experiments. Honokiol w...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - December 11, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Neuroprotective effect of isovaleraldehyde accompanied with upregulation of BDNF and CREB phosphorylation via the PKA pathway
In conclusion, IVA could be responsible for the BDNF upregulation effect of cacao nib, and IVA upregulated BDNF expression via the PKA–CREB axis. (Source: Journal of Natural Medicines)
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - December 8, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Celastrol ameliorates energy metabolism dysfunction of hypertensive rats by dilating vessels to improve hemodynamics
This study aimed to examine the potential of celastrol, a bioactive compound derived fromTripterygium wilfordiiHook F, in mitigating hypertension-induced energy metabolism disorder and enhancing blood perfusion and vasodilation. In order to investigate this phenomenon, we conducted in vivo experiments on renovascular hypertensive rats, employing indirect calorimetry to measure energy metabolism and laser speckle contrast imaging to evaluate hemodynamics. In vitro, we assessed the vasodilatory effects of celastrol on the basilar artery and superior mesenteric artery of rats using the Multi Wires Myograph System. Furthermore...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - November 30, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Cytoprotective effects of Hangekobokuto against corticosterone-induced cell death in HT22 cells
AbstractThe hypothalamic –pituitary–adrenal (HPA) system plays an important role in stress response. Chronic stress is thought to induce neuronal damage and contribute to the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders by causing dysfunction of the HPA system and promoting the production and release of glucocorticoids, includ ing corticosterone and cortisol. Several clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of herbal medicines in treating psychiatric disorders; however, their effects on corticosterone-induced neuronal cell death remain unclear. Here, we used HT22 cells to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of h erb...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - November 28, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Kamikihito reduces β-amyloid25–35-induced axon damage via neurotrophic factors
AbstractThe Japanese herbal medicine kamikihito (KKT) is widely used for insomnia, anorexia, anemia, and depression. Recently, the efficacy of KKT against Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been demonstrated in clinical and non-clinical studies. To address the mechanism underlying the effect of KKT on AD, we examined the effects of KKT in β-amyloid (Aβ)25 –35-exposed primary cultured neurons. The effects of KKT on A β25 –35-induced neurotoxicity were assessed by immunocytochemical assays and Sholl analysis of neurites, and the influence of KKT on neurotrophic factor (NF) gene expression was examined using RT-PCR analysis....
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - November 27, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Evaluation and molecular docking study of two flavonoids from Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz and their semi-synthetic derivatives as histone deacetylase inhibitors
AbstractChrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone,6) and galangin 3-methyl ether (5,7-dihydroxy-3-methoxy flavone,7) were obtained from the leaves ofOroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz in 4% and 6% yields, respectively. Both compounds could act as pan-histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. Structural modification of these lead compounds provided thirty-eight derivatives which were further tested as HDAC inhibitors. Compounds6b,6c, and6q were the most potent derivatives with the IC50 values of 97.29  ± 0.63 μM, 91.71 ± 0.27 μM, and 96.87 ± 0.45 µM, respectively. Molecular docking study indicated the selectivity of these thr...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - November 22, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Three-membered ring formation catalyzed by α-ketoglutarate-dependent nonheme iron enzymes
AbstractEpoxides, aziridines, and cyclopropanes are found in various medicinal natural products, including polyketides, terpenes, peptides, and alkaloids. Many classes of biosynthetic enzymes are involved in constructing these ring structures during their biosynthesis. This review summarizes our current knowledge regarding how α-ketoglutarate-dependent nonheme iron enzymes catalyze the formation of epoxides, aziridines, and cyclopropanes in nature, with a focus on enzyme mechanisms. (Source: Journal of Natural Medicines)
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - November 19, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Inhibitory effect of trans-tiliroside on very low-density lipoprotein secretion in HepG2 cells and mouse liver
AbstractAn acylated flavonol glycoside,trans-tiliroside (1), is found in certain parts of different herbs, including the seeds ofRosa canina (Rosaceae). Previous studies on compound1 have focused on triglyceride (TG) metabolism, including its anti-obesity and intracellular TG reduction effects. In the present study, the effects of compound1 on cholesterol (CHO) metabolism were investigated using human hepatocellular carcinoma-derived HepG2 cells and mice. Compound1 decreased CHO secretion in HepG2 cells, which was enhanced by mevalonate in a concentration-dependent manner and decreased the secretion of apoprotein B (apoB)-...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - November 16, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Potential role of Akt in the regulation of fibroblast growth factor 21 by berberine
AbstractFibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is expressed in several organs, including the liver, adipose tissue, and cardiovascular system, and plays an important role in cross-talk with other organs by binding to specific FGF receptors and their co-receptors. FGF21 represents a potential target for the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The production of FGF21 in skeletal muscle was recently suggested to be beneficial for metabolic health through its autocrine and paracrine effects. However, the regulatory mechanisms of FGF21 in skeletal muscle remain unclear. In the ...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - November 11, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Antibiofilm activity of marine microbial natural products: potential peptide- and polyketide-derived molecules from marine microbes toward targeting biofilm-forming pathogens
AbstractControlling and treating biofilm-related infections is challenging because of the widespread presence of multidrug-resistant microbes. Biofilm, a naturally occurring matrix of microbial aggregates, has developed intricate and diverse resistance mechanisms against many currently used antibiotics. This poses a significant problem, especially for human health, including clinically chronic infectious diseases. Thus, there is an urgent need to search for and develop new and more effective antibiotics. As the marine environment is recognized as a promising reservoir of new biologically active molecules with potential pha...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - November 6, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

The marine Penicillium sp. GGF16-1-2 metabolite dicitrinone G inhibits pancreatic angiogenesis by regulating the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome
AbstractCitrinin derivatives have been found to have various pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and antioxidant effects. Dicitrinone G (DG) was a new citrinin dimer isolated from marine-derived fungusPenicillium sp. GGF 16-1-2 which has potential activity. Here, we aim to investigate whether DG has anti-pancreatic cancer activity. In xenograft tumor model, 2  × 106 BXPC-3 cells were injected into the hind flank of NU/NU nude mice by subcutaneously for 2 weeks followed by treating with DG (0.25, 0.5, 1  mg/kg) and 5-FU (30 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. Tumor volume and weight were measured, and...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - October 28, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Andrographolide anti-proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma through LncRNA MIR22HG regulation
This study provided a new pharmacological basis for Andro in HCC treatment and, for the first time, identified a natural product molecule capable of positively regulating MIR22HG, which has a robust biological function.Graphical abstract (Source: Journal of Natural Medicines)
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - October 12, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research

Celastrus orbiculatus extract suppresses gastric cancer stem cells through the TGF- β/Smad signaling pathway
AbstractCancer stem cells (CSCs) are the primary source of tumor recurrence and chemoresistance, which complicates tumor treatment and has a significant impact on poor patient prognosis. Therefore, the discovery of inhibitors that specifically target CSCs is warranted. Previous research has established that the TGF- β/Smad signaling pathway is critical for the maintenance of CSCs phenotype, thus facilitating CSCs transformation. In this regard,Celastrus orbiculatus ethyl acetate extract (COE) was shown to exert anticancer properties; however, its therapeutic impact on gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) remains unknown. We ...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - October 10, 2023 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research