scholarly journals Therapeutic Potential of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma against Human Diseases Based on Activation of Nrf2-Mediated Antioxidant Defense System: Bioactive Constituents and Mechanism of Action

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guo-Hui Li ◽  
Yan-Ru Li ◽  
Ping Jiao ◽  
Yu Zhao ◽  
Hui-Xin Hu ◽  
...  

Oxidative stress plays a central role in the pathogenesis of many human diseases. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a key transcription factor regulating the intracellular antioxidant response and is an emerging target for the prevention and therapy of oxidative stress-related diseases. Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (SMRR) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and is commonly used for the therapy of cardiac cerebral diseases. Cumulative evidences indicated that the extract of SMRR and its constituents, represented by lipophilic diterpenoid quinones and hydrophilic phenolic acids, were capable of activating Nrf2 and inhibiting oxidative stress. These bioactive constituents demonstrated a therapeutic potential against human diseases, exemplified by cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, nephropathy, and inflammation, based on the induction of Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response and the inhibition of oxidative stress. In the present review, we introduced the SMRR and Nrf2 signaling pathway, summarized the constituents with an Nrf2-inducing effect isolated from SMRR, and discussed the molecular mechanism and pharmacological functions of the SMRR extract and its constituents.

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Nakagami

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a redox-sensitive transcription factor that binds to antioxidant response elements located in the promoter region of genes encoding many antioxidant enzymes and phase II detoxifying enzymes. Activation of Nrf2 functions is one of the critical defensive mechanisms against oxidative stress in many species. The retina is constantly exposed to reactive oxygen species, and oxidative stress is a major contributor to age-related macular diseases. Moreover, the resulting inflammation and neuronal degeneration are also related to other retinal diseases. The well-known Nrf2 activators, bardoxolone methyl and its derivatives, have been the subject of a number of clinical trials, including those aimed at treating chronic kidney disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and mitochondrial myopathies. Recent studies suggest that Nrf2 activation protects the retina from retinal diseases. In particular, this is supported by the finding that Nrf2 knockout mice display age-related retinal degeneration. Moreover, the concept has been validated by the efficacy of Nrf2 activators in a number of retinal pathological models. We have also recently succeeded in generating a novel Nrf2 activator, RS9, using a biotransformation technique. This review discusses current links between retinal diseases and Nrf2 and the possibility of treating retinal diseases by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway.


2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (12) ◽  
pp. 510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rame Taha ◽  
Gilbert Blaise

Background: Chronic inflammation integrally related to oxidative stress has been increasingly recognized as a contributing factor in various chronic diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, pulmonary diseases, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases as well as premature aging. Thus, inhibiting this vicious circle has the potential to delay, prevent progression, and treat those diseases. However, adverse effects of current anti-inflammatory drugs and the failure of exogenous antioxidant encourage scientists to develop new therapeutic alternatives. The nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is the transcription factor that is responsible for the expression of antioxidant response element (ARE)-regulated genes and have been described as having many therapeutic effects. In this review, we have discussed the role of oxidative stress in various chronic diseases. Furthermore, we have also explored various novel ways to activate Nrf2 either directly or indirectly, which may have therapeutic potential in attenuating oxidative stress, inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction that contributes to chronic diseases.Keywords: Oxidative stress, Mitochondria, Inflammation, Nrf2, Nutrition, Chronic diseases


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Golbarg Rahimi ◽  
Salime Heydari ◽  
Bahare Rahimi ◽  
Navid Abedpoor ◽  
Iman Nicktab ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: SPTC is a mix of four herbal components (Salvia officinalis, Panax ginseng, Trigonella foenum-graeceum, and Cinnamomum zeylanicum) which may prevent the development of AGEs rich diet-induced diabetic complication and liver injury via activating the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related-factor-2 (Nrf2) pathway. Nrf2, as a master regulator of antioxidant response elements by activating cytoprotective genes expression, decreases oxidative stress associated with hyperglycemia and increases insulin sensitivity. We hypothesized that the combined effect of SPTC along with exercise could efficiently moderate oxidative stress with more favorable effects in the treatment of diabetes.Methods: We induced diabetes in C57BL/6 mice by AGEs using a diet supplementation and limitation of physical activity. After 16 weeks of intervention, AGEs fed mice were compared to control mice. Diabetic mice were assigned into seven experimental groups (n=5): diabetic mice, diabetic mice treated with SPTC (130 mg/kg), diabetic mice treated with Salvia Officinalis (60 mg/kg), diabetic mice treated with metformin (300 mg/kg), diabetic mice with endurance exercise training, diabetic mice treated with SPTC+metformin (the same as mentioned), diabetic mice treated with SPTC+exercise trainingResults: SPTC+exercise and SPTC+metformin reduced diabetic complications like gain weight, water, and calorie intake, blood glucose, insulin, and GLUT4 content more efficiently than each treatmen. These combinations improved oxidative stress hemostasis by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway and attenuating keap1 protein more significantly.Conclusions: Eventually, combined treatment of SPTC with exercise and metformin as a novel approach had more beneficial effects to prevent the development of diabetes and oxidative stress associated with hyperglycemia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (532) ◽  
pp. eaaw9709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerio Azzimato ◽  
Jennifer Jager ◽  
Ping Chen ◽  
Cecilia Morgantini ◽  
Laura Levi ◽  
...  

Obesity and insulin resistance are risk factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Because no approved medication nor an accurate and noninvasive diagnosis is currently available for NAFLD, there is a clear need to better understand the link between obesity and NAFLD. Lipid accumulation during obesity is known to be associated with oxidative stress and inflammatory activation of liver macrophages (LMs). However, we show that although LMs do not become proinflammatory during obesity, they display signs of oxidative stress. In livers of both humans and mice, antioxidant nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2) was down-regulated with obesity and insulin resistance, yielding an impaired response to lipid accumulation. At the molecular level, a microRNA-targeting NRF2 protein, miR-144, was elevated in the livers of obese insulin-resistant humans and mice, and specific silencing of miR-144 in murine and human LMs was sufficient to restore NRF2 protein expression and the antioxidant response. These results highlight the pathological role of LMs and their therapeutic potential to restore the impaired endogenous antioxidant response in obesity-associated NAFLD.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravirajsinh N. Jadeja ◽  
Kapil K. Upadhyay ◽  
Ranjitsinh V. Devkar ◽  
Sandeep Khurana

Oxidative stress plays a major role in acute and chronic liver injury. In hepatocytes, oxidative stress frequently triggers antioxidant response by activating nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor, which upregulates various cytoprotective genes. Thus, Nrf2 is considered a potential therapeutic target to halt liver injury. Several studies indicate that activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway ameliorates liver injury. The hepatoprotective potential of naturally occurring compounds has been investigated in various models of liver injuries. In this review, we comprehensively appraise various phytochemicals that have been assessed for their potential to halt acute and chronic liver injury by enhancing the activation of Nrf2 and have the potential for use in humans.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5995
Author(s):  
Chand Basha Davuljigari ◽  
Frederick Adams Ekuban ◽  
Cai Zong ◽  
Alzahraa A. M. Fergany ◽  
Kota Morikawa ◽  
...  

Acrylamide is a well characterized neurotoxicant known to cause neuropathy and encephalopathy in humans and experimental animals. To investigate the role of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in acrylamide-induced neuropathy, male C57Bl/6JJcl adult mice were exposed to acrylamide at 0, 200 or 300 ppm in drinking water and co-administered with subcutaneous injections of sulforaphane, a known activator of the Nrf2 signaling pathway at 0 or 25 mg/kg body weight daily for 4 weeks. Assessments for neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, oxidative stress as well as messenger RNA-expression analysis for Nrf2-antioxidant and pro-inflammatory cytokine genes were conducted. Relative to mice exposed only to acrylamide, co-administration of sulforaphane protected against acrylamide-induced neurotoxic effects such as increase in landing foot spread or decrease in density of noradrenergic axons as well as hepatic necrosis and hemorrhage. Moreover, co-administration of sulforaphane enhanced acrylamide-induced mRNA upregulation of Nrf2 and its downstream antioxidant proteins and suppressed acrylamide-induced mRNA upregulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the cerebral cortex. The results demonstrate that activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway by co-treatment of sulforaphane provides protection against acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity through suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation. Nrf2 remains an important target for the strategic prevention of acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Yan Xu ◽  
Huan Yuan ◽  
Yi Luo ◽  
Yu-Jie Zhao ◽  
Jian-Hui Xiao

Aging is an important risk factor in the occurrence of many chronic diseases. Senescence and exhaustion of adult stem cells are considered as a hallmark of aging in organisms. In this study, a senescent human amniotic mesenchymal stem cell (hAMSC) model subjected to oxidative stress was established in vitro using hydrogen peroxide. We investigated the effects of ganoderic acid D (GA-D), a natural triterpenoid compound produced from Ganoderma lucidum, on hAMSC senescence. GA-D significantly inhibited β-galactosidase (a senescence-associated marker) formation, in a dose-dependent manner, with doses ranging from 0.1 μM to 10 μM, without inducing cytotoxic side-effects. Furthermore, GA-D markedly inhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the expression of p21 and p16 proteins, relieved the cell cycle arrest, and enhanced telomerase activity in senescent hAMSCs. Furthermore, GA-D upregulated the expression of phosphorylated protein kinase R- (PKR-) like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), peroxidase III (PRDX3), and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor (NRF2) and promoted intranuclear transfer of NRF2 in senescent cells. The PERK inhibitor GSK2656157 and/or the NRF2 inhibitor ML385 suppressed the PERK/NRF2 signaling, which was activated by GA-D. They induced a rebound for the generation of ROS and β-galactosidase-positive cells and attenuated the differentiation capacity. These findings suggest that GA-D retards hAMSC senescence through activation of the PERK/NRF2 signaling pathway and may be a promising candidate for the discovery of antiaging agents.


2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 833-845
Author(s):  
X Zhou ◽  
Z Chen ◽  
W Zhong ◽  
R Yu ◽  
L He

In the development of dental fluorosis, oxidative stress is considered as the key mechanism. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress can induce oxidative stress and activate the important antioxidative factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in a PKR-like ER kinase (PERK)-dependent manner, but combining ER stress and oxidative stress, the role of PERK-Nrf2 signaling pathway involved in fluoride-regulated ameloblasts is not fully defined. Here, we studied the effect of fluoride on PERK-Nrf2 signaling pathway in mouse ameloblasts. We found that low-dose and continuous fluoride exposure increased binding immunoglobulin protein expression and activated PERK–activating transcription factor 4 signaling pathway. Meanwhile, the expression of Nrf2 and its target genes (glutamylcysteine synthetase and glutathione S-transferase-P1) enhanced following ER stress. Tunicamycin increased the expression of PERK, leading to Nrf2 nuclear import, and tauroursodeoxycholate suppressed Nrf2 activation through PERK during ER stress, indicating that PERK activation is required for Nrf2 nuclear entry. Furthermore, tert-butylhydroquinone triggered the overexpression of Nrf2 to reduce ER stress, but luteolin inhibited Nrf2 nuclear localization to elevate ER stress. In summary, this study proved that fluoride under certain dose can induce ER stress and promote Nrf2 nuclear import via PERK activation and suggested that antioxidation mechanism mediated by PERK-Nrf2 can alleviate fluoride-induced ER stress effectively.


2018 ◽  
Vol 293 (47) ◽  
pp. 18242-18269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsey Murphy ◽  
Killian Llewellyn ◽  
Samuel Wakser ◽  
Josef Pontasch ◽  
Natasha Samanich ◽  
...  

Oxidative stress triggers and exacerbates neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Various antioxidants reduce oxidative stress, but these agents have little efficacy due to poor blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Additionally, single-modal antioxidants are easily overwhelmed by global oxidative stress. Activating nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NF-E2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its downstream antioxidant system are considered very effective for reducing global oxidative stress. Thus far, only a few BBB-permeable agents activate the Nrf2-dependent antioxidant system. Here, we discovered a BBB-bypassing Nrf2-activating polysaccharide that may attenuate AD pathogenesis. Mini-GAGR, a 0.7-kDa cleavage product of low-acyl gellan gum, increased the levels and activities of Nrf2-dependent antioxidant enzymes, decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) under oxidative stress in mouse cortical neurons, and robustly protected mitochondria from oxidative insults. Moreover, mini-GAGR increased the nuclear localization and transcriptional activity of Nrf2 similarly to known Nrf2 activators. Mechanistically, mini-GAGR increased the dissociation of Nrf2 from its inhibitor, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), and induced phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in a protein kinase C (PKC)- and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR1)-dependent manner. Finally, 20-day intranasal treatment of 3xTg-AD mice with 100 nmol of mini-GAGR increased nuclear p-Nrf2 and growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43) levels in hippocampal neurons, reduced p-tau and β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide–stained neurons, and improved memory. The BBB-bypassing Nrf2-activating polysaccharide reported here may be effective in reducing oxidative stress and neurodegeneration in AD.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (24) ◽  
pp. 6131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yafang Wang ◽  
Fugui Jiang ◽  
Haijian Cheng ◽  
Xiuwen Tan ◽  
Yifan Liu ◽  
...  

Oxidative stress can damage intestinal epithelial cell integrity and function, causing gastrointestinal disorders. Astragaloside IV (ASIV) exhibits a variety of biological and pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The purpose of this research was to investigate the cytoprotective action of ASIV and its mechanisms in calf small intestine epithelial cells with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress. ASIV pretreatment not only increased cell survival, but it also decreased reactive oxygen species generation and apoptosis, enhanced superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase levels, and it reduced malondialdehyde formation. Furthermore, pretreatment with ASIV elevated the mRNA and protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NFE2L2), heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1), and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1). The NFE2L2 inhibitor ML385 inhibited NFE2L2 expression and then blocked HMOX1 and NQO1 expression. These results demonstrate that ASIV treatment effectively protects against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in calf small intestine epithelial cells through the activation of the NFE2L2-antioxidant response element signaling pathway.


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