Anti-Oxidative Bioactivities of Medicinal Herbs for Treatment of Aging-Related Diseases

A special issue of Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural and Synthetic Antioxidants".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 December 2023) | Viewed by 13462

Special Issue Editors

Herbal Medicine Resources Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 58245, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea
Interests: oxidative stress; redox signaling; nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2); neurodegenerative disease; skin disease; HPA axis; skin–brain axis; supplements and functional foods
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Herbal Medicine Resources Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 111 Geonjae-ro, Naju 58245, Republic of Korea
Interests: neuroprotective; UVB; herbs
Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Herbal Bio-Industry, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan 38610, Republic of Korea
Interests: natural products chemistry; microbial chemistry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Our understanding of the biology of aging and life expectancy has increased tremendously over the past 20 years. In addition to genetically manipulating the lifespan and aging rate of many animal species, it has been proven that using small molecules or acting on the environment to target some of the properties of aging can delay or prevent the development of many diseases, or even cause tissue and organism rejuvenation. As human aging, or life expectancy, is prolonged, related diseases are also evolving, and many researchers are paying attention to the efforts of the science and technology community to prevent or treat them. Of the numerous mechanisms known to date, by far the most significant is oxidative stress. Although it is an important mechanism, the inability to conquer aging may also be due to the lack of accurate understanding and utilization of oxidative stress.

In this Special Issue, as part of a step toward conquering aging with oxidative stress, we will devise a new aging-related treatment using antioxidants and plan a collection of papers studying aging diseases from a new perspective.

Dr. Gunhyuk Park
Dr. Hye-Sun Lim
Dr. Yongung Kim
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • antioxidants
  • aging-related disease
  • medicinal herbs
  • therapeutic effects

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 14817 KiB  
Article
The Combination of Baicalein and Memantine Reduces Oxidative Stress and Protects against β-amyloid-Induced Alzheimer’s Disease in Rat Model
by Ratnakar Jadhav and Yogesh A. Kulkarni
Antioxidants 2023, 12(3), 707; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12030707 - 13 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1672
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neuronal condition causing progressive loss of memory and cognitive dysfunction particularly in elders. An upsurge in the global old age population has led to a proportionate increase in the prevalence of AD. The current treatments for AD are [...] Read more.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neuronal condition causing progressive loss of memory and cognitive dysfunction particularly in elders. An upsurge in the global old age population has led to a proportionate increase in the prevalence of AD. The current treatments for AD are symptomatic and have debilitating side effects. A literature review and current research have directed scientists to explore natural products with better safety and efficacy profiles as new treatment options for AD. Baicalein, belonging to the flavone subclass of flavonoids, has been reported for its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, AChE enzyme inhibitory activity and anti-amyloid protein aggregation activity, which collectively demonstrates its benefits as a neuroprotective agent. Presently, memantine, a NMDAR antagonist, is one of the important drugs used for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The current study aims to investigate the effect of baicalein in combination with memantine in β-amyloid-induced AD in albino Wistar rats. Baicalein (10 mg/kg) alone, 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg in combination with memantine (20 mg/kg) was administered for 21 days. Treatment with baicalein in combination with memantine showed significant improvement in behavioural studies. The combination treatment decreased oxidative stress, β-amyloid plaque formation and increased the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the brain. From the results, it can be concluded that treatment with baicalein and memantine could be beneficial for reducing the progression of neurodegeneration in rats. Baicalein has an additive effect in combination with memantine, making it a potential option for the treatment of AD. Full article
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20 pages, 5855 KiB  
Article
AD−1 Small Molecule Improves Learning and Memory Function in Scopolamine-Induced Amnesic Mice Model through Regulation of CREB/BDNF and NF-κB/MAPK Signaling Pathway
by Rengasamy Balakrishnan, Ju-Young Park, Duk-Yeon Cho, Jae-Yong Ahn, Dong-Sun Yoo, Sang-Ho Seol, Sung-Hwa Yoon and Dong-Kug Choi
Antioxidants 2023, 12(3), 648; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12030648 - 05 Mar 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1797
Abstract
Cognitive decline and memory impairment induced by oxidative brain damage are the critical pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Based on the potential neuroprotective effects of AD−1 small molecule, we here explored the possible underlying mechanisms of the protective effect of AD-1 small [...] Read more.
Cognitive decline and memory impairment induced by oxidative brain damage are the critical pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Based on the potential neuroprotective effects of AD−1 small molecule, we here explored the possible underlying mechanisms of the protective effect of AD-1 small molecule against scopolamine-induced oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neuronal apoptosis. According to our findings, scopolamine administration resulted in increased AChE activity, MDA levels, and decreased antioxidant enzymes, as well as the downregulation of the antioxidant response proteins of Nrf2 and HO-1 expression; however, treatment with AD−1 small molecule mitigated the generation of oxidant factors while restoring the antioxidant enzymes status, in addition to improving antioxidant protein levels. Similarly, AD−1 small molecule significantly increased the protein expression of neuroprotective markers such as BDNF and CREB and promoted memory processes in scopolamine-induced mice. Western blot analysis showed that AD−1 small molecule reduced activated microglia and astrocytes via the attenuation of iba-1 and GFAP protein expression. We also found that scopolamine enhanced the phosphorylation of NF-κB/MAPK signaling and, conversely, that AD−1 small molecule significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB/MAPK signaling in the brain regions of hippocampus and cortex. We further found that scopolamine promoted neuronal loss by inducing Bax and caspase-3 and reducing the levels of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. In contrast, AD−1 small molecule significantly decreased the levels of apoptotic markers and increased neuronal survival. Furthermore, AD−1 small molecule ameliorated scopolamine-induced impairments in spatial learning behavior and memory formation. These findings revealed that AD−1 small molecule attenuated scopolamine-induced cognitive and memory dysfunction by ameliorating AChE activity, oxidative brain damage, neuroinflammation, and neuronal apoptosis. Full article
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14 pages, 3701 KiB  
Article
Anti-Osteoarthritic Effects of Prunella Vulgaris and Gentiana Lutea In Vitro and In Vivo
by Jeonghyun Kim, Chang-Gun Lee, Seokjin Hwang, Seung-Hee Yun, Laxmi Prasad Uprety, Kang-Il Oh, Shivani Singh, Jisu Yoo, Hyesoo Jeong, Yoonjoong Yong, Subin Yeo, Eunkuk Park and Seon-Yong Jeong
Antioxidants 2023, 12(1), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12010047 - 26 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1768
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the progressive destruction of articular cartilage with severe symptoms, including pain and stiffness. We investigated the anti-osteoarthritic effects of Prunella vulgaris (PV) and Gentiana lutea (GL) extract in primary cultured chondrocytes RAW 264.7 cells in vitro and destabilization of the [...] Read more.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the progressive destruction of articular cartilage with severe symptoms, including pain and stiffness. We investigated the anti-osteoarthritic effects of Prunella vulgaris (PV) and Gentiana lutea (GL) extract in primary cultured chondrocytes RAW 264.7 cells in vitro and destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM)-induced OA mice in vivo. Primary chondrocytes were induced with IL-1β, and RAW 264.7 cells were treated with LPS and co-incubated with either individual extracts of PV and GL or different ratios of PV and GL mixture. For the OA animal model, the medial meniscus (DMM) was destabilized in 9-week-old male C57BL/6 mice. Treatment of individual PV and GL and combination of PV and GL extracts inhibited the mRNA expression level of COX2 in chondrocytes and RAW 264.7 cells. The optimized inhibitory effect was attained with a PV and GL combination at an 8:2 ratio (PG) without cytotoxic effects. PG extracts prevented the expression of catabolic factors (COX2, Mmp3, Mmp9, and Mmp13) and inflammatory mediator levels (PGE2 and collagenase). In addition, PG decreased subchondral sclerosis and increased BMD in the subchondral region of DMM-induced OA mice with protection of articular cartilage destruction by inhibiting inflammatory processes. This study suggests that PG may be an alternative medicinal herb for treatment of OA. Full article
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15 pages, 1905 KiB  
Article
Structural Requirements for the Neuroprotective and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of the Flavanone Sterubin
by Zhibin Liang and Pamela Maher
Antioxidants 2022, 11(11), 2197; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11112197 - 07 Nov 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2596
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most frequent age-associated disease with no treatments that can prevent, delay, slow, or stop its progression. Thus, new approaches to drug development are needed. One promising approach is the use of phenotypic screening assays that can identify compounds [...] Read more.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most frequent age-associated disease with no treatments that can prevent, delay, slow, or stop its progression. Thus, new approaches to drug development are needed. One promising approach is the use of phenotypic screening assays that can identify compounds that have therapeutic efficacy in target pathways relevant to aging and cognition, as well as AD pathology. Using this approach, we identified the flavanone sterubin, from Yerba santa (Eriodictyon californicum), as a potential drug candidate for the treatment of AD. Sterubin is highly protective against multiple initiators of cell death that activate distinct death pathways, potently induces the antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2, and has strong anti-inflammatory activity. Moreover, in a short-term model of AD, it was able to prevent decreases in short- and long-term memory. In order to better understand which key chemical functional groups are essential to the beneficial effects of sterubin, we compared the activity of sterubin to that of seven closely related flavonoids in our phenotypic screening assays. Surprisingly, only sterubin showed both potent neuroprotective activity against multiple insults as well as strong anti-inflammatory activity against several distinct inducers of inflammation. These effects correlated directly with the ability of sterubin to strongly induce Nrf2 in both nerve and microglial cells. Together, these results define the structural requirements underlying the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of sterubin and they provide the basis for future studies on new compounds based on sterubin. Full article
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Review

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20 pages, 2612 KiB  
Review
Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE): Biosynthesis, Derivatives and Formulations with Neuroprotective Activities
by Rebeca Pérez, Viviana Burgos, Víctor Marín, Antoni Camins, Jordi Olloquequi, Iván González-Chavarría, Henning Ulrich, Ursula Wyneken, Alejandro Luarte, Leandro Ortiz and Cristian Paz
Antioxidants 2023, 12(8), 1500; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12081500 - 27 Jul 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1664
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by a progressive process of degeneration and neuronal death, where oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are key factors that contribute to the progression of these diseases. Therefore, two major pathways involved in these pathologies have been proposed as relevant therapeutic [...] Read more.
Neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by a progressive process of degeneration and neuronal death, where oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are key factors that contribute to the progression of these diseases. Therefore, two major pathways involved in these pathologies have been proposed as relevant therapeutic targets: The nuclear transcription factor erythroid 2 (Nrf2), which responds to oxidative stress with cytoprotecting activity; and the nuclear factor NF-κB pathway, which is highly related to the neuroinflammatory process by promoting cytokine expression. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a phenylpropanoid naturally found in propolis that shows important biological activities, including neuroprotective activity by modulating the Nrf2 and NF-κB pathways, promoting antioxidant enzyme expression and inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine expression. Its simple chemical structure has inspired the synthesis of many derivatives, with aliphatic and/or aromatic moieties, some of which have improved the biological properties. Moreover, new drug delivery systems increase the bioavailability of these compounds in vivo, allowing its transcytosis through the blood-brain barrier, thus protecting brain cells from the increased inflammatory status associated to neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. This review summarizes the biosynthesis and chemical synthesis of CAPE derivatives, their miscellaneous activities, and relevant studies (from 2010 to 2023), addressing their neuroprotective activity in vitro and in vivo. Full article
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20 pages, 3665 KiB  
Review
Herbal/Natural Compounds Resist Hallmarks of Brain Aging: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies
by Juhui Qiao, Chenxi Wang, Yu Chen, Shuang Yu, Ying Liu, Shiting Yu, Leilei Jiang, Chenrong Jin, Xinran Wang, Peiguang Zhang, Daqing Zhao, Jiawen Wang and Meichen Liu
Antioxidants 2023, 12(4), 920; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12040920 - 13 Apr 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3280
Abstract
Aging is a complex process of impaired physiological integrity and function, and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurodegeneration, and cancer. The cellular environment of the aging brain exhibits perturbed bioenergetics, impaired adaptive neuroplasticity and flexibility, abnormal neuronal network activity, [...] Read more.
Aging is a complex process of impaired physiological integrity and function, and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurodegeneration, and cancer. The cellular environment of the aging brain exhibits perturbed bioenergetics, impaired adaptive neuroplasticity and flexibility, abnormal neuronal network activity, dysregulated neuronal Ca2+ homeostasis, accumulation of oxidatively modified molecules and organelles, and clear signs of inflammation. These changes make the aging brain susceptible to age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. In recent years, unprecedented advances have been made in the study of aging, especially the effects of herbal/natural compounds on evolutionarily conserved genetic pathways and biological processes. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the aging process and age-related diseases, and we discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic properties of herbal/natural compounds against the hallmarks of brain aging. Full article
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