Astragalin and rutin restore gut microbiota dysbiosis, alleviate obesity and insulin resistance in high-fat diet-fed C57BL/6J mice

In the present study we investigated the impact of the combination of astragalin and rutin(CAR)on restoring gut-microbial dysbiosis and obesity and obesity related disorders.Randomized male C57BL/6J mice were experimentally divided into 5 groups and fed either a normal diet or a high-fat diet(HFD)for 16 weeks.Compared to vehicle treated group(HFD group),CAR could substantially improve selected gut microbiota abundance(Akkermansia,Lactobacillus,Bifidobacteria,Roseburia,Prevotella),reversed the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes proportions,and inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli,Salmonella,and Klebsiella in obese mice.In addition,CAR-treated mice showed significantly increased total short-chain fatty acid production,reduced body weight gain,organs’weights,serum lipid profile(except HDL)and insulin resistance.The mRNA expressions of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α(C/EBP-α),sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c(SREBP-1c),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ(PPAR-γ),acetyl-CoA carboxylase(ACC),adipocyte protein 2(aP2),and fatty acid synthase(FAS)were downregulated(P<0.05)and the protein expression of PPAR-γwas downregulated while adenosine 5’monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)was phosphorylated in CAR-treated HFD-fed mice compared to the HFD control group.Interestingly,CAR-treated HFD-fed mice showed significantly improved tissue architecture in the liver and fatty tissues.In conclusion,the findings suggest that CAR/Moringa oleifera may be beneficial in the treatment of insulin resistance and obesity disorders.

Effect of Astragalin on Paraoxon-induced Vascular Endothelium Dysfunction

[ Objective] The paper was to explore the effect of astragalin on paraoxon-indueed vascular endothelium dysfunction and analyze the potential mecha- nism. [Method]The isolated rat thoracic aorta rings were exposed to medium contained paraoxon （3.63 μmol/L）, and astragalin （10 μmol/L） was used to inhib- it the damage effect. Rat thoracic aorta rings were suspended in organ chambers to assess vas orelaxation activity in vitro by acetyleholine （ACh）-induced endotheli- um dependent relaxation reaction （EDRR） and sodium nitroprusside （SNP）-induced endothdium-independent relaxation reaction. [Result]The exposure to parao- xon （3.63 μmol/L） resulted in an inhibition of the EDRR, markedly reduced the level of nitric oxide （NO）, the activity of paraoxonasel （PON1） and superoxide dismutase （SOD）, and significantly increased the level of malondialdehyde （MDA） in isolated rat thoracic aorta. However, the presence of astragalin （10 μmol/L） markedly attenuated the vascular endothelium dysfunction induced by paraoxon via increasing level of NO, activity of PON1 and SOD, as well as reducing level of MDA. In addition, treatment of astragalin （ 10 μmol/L） showed a similar effect to hydrogen peroxide （ 1.0 μmol/L）, a kind of antioxidant, on paraoxon- induced vascular endothelium dysfunction. [ Conclusion] Astragalin could protect the vascular endothelium against the paraoxon-induced dysfunction in isolated rat thoracic aorta, and＇the beneficial effects of astragalin might be concerned with the antioxidation of astragalin due to inhibiting the decreased activity of PONI.

Astragalin attenuates diabetic cataracts via inhibiting aldose reductase activity in rats

AIM:To investigate the aldose reductase(AR)inhibition capacity of astragalin(AST)against streptozoticin-induced diabetic cataracts(DCs)in rats.METHODS:Ex vivo investigations were conducted by treating the lens of a goat placed for 72h in artificial aqueous humor(AAH)of pH 7.8 at room temperature with cataract-causing substance(55 mmol/L of galactose)and in vivo studies were performed on rats via induction with streptozotocin.AST was administered at different dose levels and scrutinize for DC activity.RESULTS:In diabetic rats,AST improved the body weight,blood insulin,and glucose as well as the levels of galactitol in a dose-dependent way,other biochemical parameters i.e.inflammatory mediators and cytokines,and also suppress AR activity.The level of the antioxidant parameters such as superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),and glutathione(GSH)activity were also altered on a diabetic lens after the administration of the AST.CONCLUSION:AST protects against lens opacification to avoid cataracts and polyols formation,indicating that it could be used as a potential therapeutic agent for diabetes.

Quantitative Metabolomics:Analysis on Active Components in Extracts from Kaki Folium

Objective In order to analyze the active components in the extracts from Kaki Folium(KF),quantitative metabolomics approach was adopted to investigate the number of active components existing among the different extracts and their variation.Methods LC-MS method was established for the quantitative determination of the active components taking the mixture with reference substance as tested sample.Results In terms of the number of active components and amount presented in the different tested samples of KF extracted by many types of solvents,variation was observed.But rutin,astragalin,and kaempferol were presented in all samples.Difference was found between the samples extracted from the products on market and from the raw materials of KF processed by polar solvents with different recipes.However,the three active components were found in all samples examined.Conclusion These results might be valuable as all information and could be used for the optimization of raw materials extraction procedure to enhance the productivity.

Effect of Astragalin on matrix secretion and β1 integrin mRNA expression in human mesangial cells

Objective To investigate the effect of Astragalin on human renal mesangial cells Methods Cultured human mesangial cells were treated with Astragalin and Astragalin serum in different concentrations in the presence or absence of PDGF BB, the proliferation and type Ⅳ collagen secretion of mesangial cells were measured by MTT assay and ELISA, and expression of β1 integrin gene was estimated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) method, sespectively Results After 72 hours Astragalin or Astragalin serum treatment, the proliferation of mesangial cells induced by PDGF BB was inhibited significantly in a dose dependent manner compared with untreated controls ( P <0 05 and P <0 01) After 24 hours of Astragalin or Astragalin serum treatment, the secretion of type Ⅳ collagen protein in presence of PDGF BB was significantly decreased and β1 integrin mRNA level decreased significantly compared with untreated control ( P <0 05, P <0 01) Conclusions Astragalin inhibits cell proliferation and matrix over synthesis which might be mediated, at least, partly by decrease of β1 integrin gene over expression The study suggested that Astragalin might play a role in preventing the progression of chronic renal diseases