Modulatory effect of caffeic acid in alleviating diabetes and associated complications

Diabetes mellitus(DM)is one of the most common metabolic disorders characterized by elevated blood glucose levels.Prolonged uncontrolled hyperglycemia often leads to multi-organ damage including diabetic neuropathy,nephropathy,retinopathy,cardiovascular disorders,and diabetic foot ulcers.Excess production of free radicals causing oxidative stress in tissues is often considered to be the primary cause of onset and progression of DM and associated complications.Natural polyphenols can be used to induce or inhibit the expression of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase,heme oxygenase-1,superoxide dismutase,and catalase that are essential in maintaining redox balance,and ameliorate oxidative stress.Caffeic acid(CA)is a polyphenolderived from hydroxycinnamic acid and possesses numerous physiological properties including antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,anti-atherosclerotic,immune-stimulatory,cardioprotective,antiproliferative,and hepatoprotective activities.CA acts as a regulatory compound affecting numerous biochemical pathways and multiple targets.These include various transcription factors such as nuclear factor-B,tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-6,cyclooxygenase-2,and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2.Therefore,this review summarizes the pharmacological properties,molecular mechanisms,and pharmacokinetic profile of CA in mitigating the adverse effects of DM and associated complications.The bioavailability,drug delivery,and clinical trials of CA have also been discussed.

Molecular signalling during cross talk between gut brain axis regulation and progression of irritable bowel syndrome:A comprehensive review

Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)is a chronic functional disorder which alters gastrointestinal(GI)functions,thus leading to compromised health status.Pathophysiology of IBS is not fully understood,whereas abnormal gut brain axis(GBA)has been identified as a major etiological factor.Recent studies are suggestive for visceral hyper-sensitivity,altered gut motility and dysfunctional autonomous nervous system as the main clinical abnormalities in IBS patients.Bidirectional signalling interactions among these abnormalities are derived through various exogenous and endogenous factors,such as microbiota population and diversity,microbial metabolites,dietary uptake,and psychological abnormalities.Strategic efforts focused to study these interactions including probiotics,antibiotics and fecal transplantations in normal and germfree animals are clearly suggestive for the pivotal role of gut microbiota in IBS etiology.Additionally,neurotransmitters act as communication tools between enteric microbiota and brain functions,where serotonin(5-hydroxytryptamine)plays a key role in pathophysiology of IBS.It regulates GI motility,pain sense and inflammatory responses particular to mucosal and brain activity.In the absence of a better understanding of various interconnected crosstalks in GBA,more scientific efforts are required in the search of novel and targeted therapies for the management of IBS.In this review,we have summarized the gut microbial composition,interconnected signalling pathways and their regulators,available therapeutics,and the gaps needed to fill for a better management of IBS.

Role of baicalin as a potential therapeutic agent in hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal disorders:A review

Baicalin is a natural bioactive compound derived from Scutellaria baicalensis,which is extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine.A literature survey demonstrated the broad spectrum of health benefits of baicalin such as antioxidant,anticancer,anti-inflammatory,antimicrobial,cardio-protective,hepatoprotective,renal protective,and neuroprotective properties.Baicalin is hydrolyzed to its metabolite baicalein by the action of gut microbiota,which is further reconverted to baicalin via phase 2 metabolism in the liver.Many studies have suggested that baicalin exhibits therapeutic potential against several types of hepatic disorders including hepatic fibrosis,xenobiotic-induced liver injury,fatty liver disease,viral hepatitis,cholestasis,ulcerative colitis,hepatocellular and colorectal cancer.During in vitro and in vivo examinations,it has been observed that baicalin showed a protective role against liver and gut-associated abnormalities by modifying several signaling pathways such as nuclear factor-kappa B,transforming growth factor beta 1/SMAD3,sirtuin 1,p38/mitogen-activated protein kinase/Janus kinase,and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinaseβ/adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase pathways.Furthermore,baicalin also regulates the expression of fibrotic genes such as smooth muscle actin,connective tissue growth factor,β-catenin,and inflammatory cytokines such as interferon gamma,interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-alpha,and IL-1β,and attenuates the production of apoptotic proteins such as caspase-3,caspase-9 and B-cell lymphoma 2.However,due to its low solubility and poor bioavailability,widespread therapeutic applications of baicalin still remain a challenge.This review summarized the hepatic and gastrointestinal protective attributes of baicalin with an emphasis on the molecular mechanisms that regulate the interaction of baicalin with the gut microbiota.

Baicalin provides protection against fluoxetine-induced hepatotoxicity by modulation of oxidative stress and inflammation

BACKGROUND Fluoxetine is one of the most widely prescribed anti-depressant drugs belonging to the category of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.Long-term fluoxetine treatment results in hepatotoxicity.Baicalin,a natural compound obtained from the Chinese herb Scutellaria baicalensis is known to have antioxidant,hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects.However,the beneficial effects of baicalin against fluoxetine-induced hepatic damage have not previously been reported.AIM To evaluate the protective action of baicalin in fluoxetine-induced liver toxicity and inflammation.METHODS Male albino Wistar rats were divided into seven groups.Group 1 was the normal control.Oral fluoxetine was administered at 10 mg/kg body weight to groups 2,3,4 and 5.In addition,groups 3 and 4 were also co-administered oral baicalin(50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg,respectively)while group 5 received silymarin(100 mg/kg),a standard hepatoprotective compound for comparison.Groups 6 and 7 were used as a positive control for baicalin(100 mg/kg)and silymarin(100 mg/kg),respectively.All treatments were carried out for 28 d.After sacrifice of the rats,biomarkers of oxidative stress[superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),reduced glutathione(GSH),glutathione-S-transferase(GST),advanced oxidation protein products(AOPP),malondialdehyde(MDA)],and liver injury[alanine transaminase(ALT),aspartate transaminase(AST),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),total protein,albumin,bilirubin]were studied in serum and tissue using standard protocols and diagnostic kits.Inflammatory markers[tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-6,IL-10 and interferon(IFN)-γ]in serum were evaluated using ELISA-based kits.The effect of baicalin on liver was also analyzed by histopathological examination of tissue sections.RESULTS Fluoxetine-treated rats showed elevated levels of the serum liver function markers(total bilirubin,ALT,AST,and ALP)and inflammatory markers(TNF-α,IL-6,IL-10 and IFN-γ),with a decline in total protein and albumin levels.Biochemical markers of oxidative stress such as SOD,CAT,GST,GSH,MDA and AOPP in the liver tissue homogenate were also altered indicating a surge in reactive oxygen species leading to oxidative damage.Histological examination of liver tissue also showed degeneration of hepatocytes.Concurrent administration of baicalin(50 and 100 mg/kg)restored the biomarkers of oxidative stress,inflammation and hepatic damage in serum as well as in liver tissues to near normal levels.CONCLUSION These findings suggested that long-term treatment with fluoxetine leads to oxidative stress via the formation of free radicals that consequently cause inflammation and liver damage.Concurrent treatment with baicalin alleviated fluoxetine-induced hepatotoxicity and liver injury by regulating oxidative stress and inflammation.