3-methylquercetin and Disease-Models--Animal

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a malignant disease with high mortality and closely involves the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway. Mutations in BMPR2 caused proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) leading to PAH. Isorhamnetin, one of the main naturally occurring flavonoids extracted from Hippophae rhamnoides L, shows antiinflammatory and anti-proliferative properties. Nevertheless, the effects of isorhamnetin on PAH remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether isorhamnetin has protective effects against PAH and explore possible mechanisms. An in vivo model of PAH induced by monocrotaline (MCT) was employed, and sildenafil and isorhamnetin were orally administered for 21 consecutive days. An in vitro model induced by TNF-α was employed, and cell proliferation of HPASMCs was detected. Results indicated that isorhamnetin significantly improved hemodynamic, histopathological, and echocardiographic changes in MCT-induced PAH in rats. In vitro, isorhamnetin suppressed TNF-α-induced HPASMCs proliferation. Furthermore, isorhamnetin improved protein expression of BMPR2 and suppressed protein expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in rat lungs. Isorhamnetin improved protein expression of BMPR2 and p-smad1/5 and mRNA expression of Id1 and Id3 in HPASMCs. Isorhamnetin ameliorated MCT-induced PAH in rats and inhibited TNF-α-induced HPASMCs proliferation by a mechanism likely involving the regulation of the BMP signaling pathway.

Topics: Animals; Cell Proliferation; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Male; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension; Quercetin; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Signal Transduction

Background: Isorhamnetin is a flavonoid that is found in medical plants. Several studies showed that isorhamnetin has anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity effects. This study aims to investigate the anti-diabetic effects of isorhamnetin in a high-fat diet and Streptozotocin-(HFD/STZ)-induced mice model of type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: Mice were fed with HFD followed by two consecutive low doses of STZ (40 mg/kg). HFD/STZ diabetic mice were treated orally with isorhamnetin (10 mg/kg) or (200 mg/kg) metformin for 10 days before sacrificing the mice and collecting plasma and soleus muscle for further analysis. Results: Isorhamnetin reduced the elevated levels of serum glucose compared to the vehicle control group (p < 0.001). Isorhamnetin abrogated the increase in serum insulin in the treated diabetic group compared to the vehicle control mice (p < 0.001). The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was decreased in diabetic mice treated with isorhamnetin compared to the vehicle controls. Fasting glucose level was significantly lower in diabetic mice treated with isorhamnetin during the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) (p < 0.001). The skeletal muscle protein contents of GLUT4 and p-AMPK-α were upregulated following treatment with isorhamnetin (p > 0.01). LDL, triglyceride, and cholesterol were reduced in diabetic mice treated with isorhamnetin compared to vehicle control (p < 0.001). Isorhamnetin reduced MDA, and IL-6 levels (p < 0.001), increased GSH levels (p < 0.001), and reduced GSSG levels (p < 0.05) in diabetic mice compared to vehicle control. Conclusions: Isorhamnetin ameliorates insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Isorhamnetin could represent a promising therapeutic agent to treat T2D.

Topics: Animals; Blood Glucose; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diet, High-Fat; Disease Models, Animal; Glucose; Hypoglycemic Agents; Inflammation; Insulin Resistance; Mice; Oxidative Stress; Streptozocin

Hyperuricemia is a metabolic condition closely linked to xanthine oxidase (XOD) function, which is involved in the production of uric acid (UA). In this study, XOD was used as a target to construct an

Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Hyperuricemia; Kidney; Male; Mice; Quercetin; Sophora; Uric Acid; Xanthine Oxidase

Spinal cord injury (SCI), mostly caused by sports injuries, falls, or traffic accidents, is a major cause of disability. The aim of current work was to investigate the therapeutic effect of isorhamnetin (ISO) on functional recovery in rats with SCI. The male adult rats were exposed to a clip-compression SCI and treated with ISO. ISO treatment improved locomotor function and reduced the loss of motor neurons in SCI rats. Treatment with ISO markedly relieved SCI-induced hypersensitivities to mechanical and thermal stimulation in rats. ISO treatment activated nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) pathway and abated oxidative stress in injured spinal cords. ISO treatment partly suppressed microglial and glial activation and reduced expression of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and IL-1β in injured spinal cords. More importantly, ISO treatment promoted M2 macrophage activation in the injured region. lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or IL-4 was employed to stimulate macrophages/microglia into M1 or M2 phenotype in cultured BV2 cells in vitro. ISO treatment enhanced the expression of characteristic microglial anti-inflammatory polarization markers in BV2 cells. In conclusions, ISO treatment promotes functional recovery in rats with SCI by abating oxidative stress and modulating M1/M2 macrophage polarization.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Cell Line; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Inflammation Mediators; Locomotion; Macrophages; Male; Mice; Microglia; Motor Neurons; Oxidative Stress; Pain Threshold; Phenotype; Quercetin; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Recovery of Function; Spinal Cord; Spinal Cord Injuries

Dry eye disease is one of the most common diseases, with increasing prevalence in many countries, but treatment options are limited. Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a major ion channel that facilitates fluid secretion in ocular surface epithelium and is a potential target of therapeutic agent for the treatment of dry eye disease. In this study, we performed a cell-based, high-throughput screening for the identification of novel natural products that activate CFTR and restore the aqueous deficiency in dry eye. Screening of 1000 natural products revealed isorhamnetin, a flavonol aglycone, as a novel CFTR activator. Electrophysiological studies showed that isorhamnetin significantly increased CFTR chloride current, both wild type and ∆F508-CFTR. Isorhamnetin did not alter intracellular cAMP levels and the activity of other ion channels, including ANO1, ENaC, and hERG. Notably, application of isorhamnetin on mouse ocular surface induced CFTR activation and increased tear volume. In addition, isorhamnetin significantly reduced ocular surface damage and expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in an experimental mouse model of dry eye. These data suggest that isorhamnetin may be used to treat dry eye disease.

Topics: Animals; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator; Disease Models, Animal; Dry Eye Syndromes; Epithelial Cells; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Interleukin-1beta; Interleukin-8; Mice; Quercetin; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Disease Models, Animal; Melanoma, Experimental; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; NF-kappa B; Phosphofructokinase-2; Quercetin; Signal Transduction

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease is one of the most common disorders in gastroenterology. The aim of this work was to investigate the protection of isorhamnetin against esophageal mucosal injury in rats with chronic reflux esophagitis (RE). Chronic RE model was established through fundus ligation and partial obstruction of the pylorus in rats. Then, the rats were treated with isorhamnetin (5 mg/kg) daily for a period of 14 days. Through histological and gross assessment, it was found that administration of isorhamnetin alleviated esophageal mucosal injury in RE rats. Treatment of RE rats with isorhamnetin improved esophageal barrier function, through upregulating proteins expression of occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and downregulating proteins expression of matrix matalloproteinases-3 (MMP3) and -9. Administration of isorhamnetin decreased CD68-positive cells and mRNA levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in the esophagus of RE rats. Administration of isorhamnetin downregulated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression and decreased production of nitric oxide (NO) and 3-nitrotyrosin in the esophagus of RE rats. Administration of isorhamnetin enhanced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) activities and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in esophagus of RE rats. Additionally, treatment with isorhamnetin inhibited p38 MAPK and NFκB activation in RE esophagus. In conclusion, isorhamnetin attenuated esophageal mucosal injury in rats with chronic RE, possibly by suppressing formation of cytokines and infiltration of inflammatory cells, inhibiting p38 and NFκB pathways, and enhancing HO-1 activity.

Topics: Animals; Chronic Disease; Disease Models, Animal; Esophageal Mucosa; Esophagitis, Peptic; Male; NF-kappa B; Oxidative Stress; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Quercetin; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The interactions between phenolic compounds and gut microbiota, have gained much attention due to their beneficial effect on humans. The study was also conceived keeping in view the growing popularity of probiotics and emerging interest in designing plant based matrices for probiotic delivery. The synergistic relationship between probiotic, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LR) (ATCC 53103) and phenolic compounds of fruit matrices, sea buckthorn (SBT) and apple juice (APJ) was evaluated on TNBS induced enterocolitis in a zebrafish model (Danio rerio). Addition of LR to SBT matrix conferred higher protection against inflammation than LR in APJ matrix. This could be due to higher content of phenolic compounds in SBT. Isorhamnetin was identified as the predominant phenolic in SBT. The juice matrices were also evaluated for their flow and viscoelastic properties. The consistency index (K) and flow behaviour index (η) were derived from evaluating the shear strength. All the tested juice matrices demonstrated shear-thinning properties. Effect of the matrices on other functionalities of LR during storage period of 14 days was also evaluated. No significant changes were observed on cell surface hydrophobicity depicting protective action of the matrix components on the probiotic strain. Gastrointestinal tolerance increased on Day 7 and 14. Principal Component Analysis of the anti-microbial potential of the probiotic beverage formulations against pathogenic and food spoilage strains showed higher antagonistic ability of LR in SBT during the 14 days storage. The key findings suggest probiotic strain may behave differently in different food matrices. The sustainable functionality of the probiotic strain can be achieved even during the shelf period by optimum design of the delivery matrix.

Topics: Animals; Beverages; Disease Models, Animal; Enterocolitis; Food Microbiology; Fruit; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Gastrointestinal Tract; Hippophae; Hydroxybenzoates; Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus; Malus; Probiotics; Quercetin; Rheology; Shear Strength; Zebrafish

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection is known to cause hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), which is associated with neurological complications; however, there is currently no effective treatment for this infection. Flavonoids are a large group of naturally occurring compounds with multiple bioactivities, and the inhibitory effects of several flavonoids against EV71 have been studied in cell cultures; however, to date, there are no reported data on their effects in animal models. In this study, we confirmed the in vitro activities of eight flavonoids against EV71 infection, based on the inhibition of cytopathic effects. Moreover, these flavonoids were found to reduce viral genomic RNA replication and protein synthesis. We further demonstrated the protective efficacy of these flavonoids in newborn mice challenged with a lethal dose of EV71. Apigenin, luteolin, kaempferol, formononetin, and penduletin conferred survival protection of 88.89%, 91.67%, 88.89%, 75%, and 66.67%, respectively, from the lethal EV71 challenge. In addition, isorhamnetin provided the highest mice survival protection of 100% at a dose of 10 mg/kg. This study, to the best of our knowledge, is the first to evaluate the in vivo anti-EV7l activities of multiple flavonoids, and we accordingly identified flavonoids as potential leading compounds for anti-EV71 drug development.

Topics: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Antiviral Agents; Apigenin; Cell Line; Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral; Disease Models, Animal; Enterovirus A, Human; Enterovirus Infections; Female; Flavonoids; Humans; Isoflavones; Kaempferols; Luteolin; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Protective Agents; Quercetin; Survival Rate; Virus Replication

Studies on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ ligands have been focused on agonists. However, PPARγ activation may induce obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), one of the most challenging medical conditions. Here, we identified that isorhamnetin, a naturally occurring compound in fruits and vegetables and the metabolite of quercetin, is a novel antagonist of PPARγ. Isorhamnetin treatment inhibited the adipocyte differentiation induced by the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone, reduced obesity development and ameliorated hepatic steatosis induced by both high-fat diet treatment and leptin deficiency. Our results suggest that dietary supplement of isorhamnetin may be beneficial to prevent obesity and steatosis and PPARγ antagonists may be useful to treat hepatic steatosis.

Topics: 3T3-L1 Cells; Adipocytes; Adipogenesis; Animals; Cell Differentiation; Diet, High-Fat; Dietary Supplements; Disease Models, Animal; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Leptin; Metabolic Diseases; Mice; Models, Molecular; Molecular Conformation; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Obesity; PPAR gamma; Protein Binding; Quercetin; Transcriptional Activation

Isorhamnetin, a flavonoid mainly found in Hippophae fhamnoides L. fruit, has been known for its antioxidant activity and its ability to regulate immune response. In this study, we investigated whether isorhamnetin exerts potent antiinflammatory effects in RAW264.7 cell and mouse model stimulated by LPS. The cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) levels were determined. In the mouse model of acute lung injury, the phosphorylation of NF-κB proteins was analyzed and inhibitor of NF-κB signaling (PDTC) was used on mice. Our results showed that isorhamnetin markedly decreased TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 concentrations and suppressed the activation of NF-κB signaling. Meanwhile, isorhamnetin reduced the amount of inflammatory cells, the lung wet-to-dry weight ratio, protein leakage, and myeloperoxidase activity. Interference with specific inhibitor revealed that isorhamnetin-mediated suppression of cytokines and protein was via NF-κB signaling. So, it suggests that isorhamnetin might be a potential therapeutic agent for preventing inflammatory diseases.

Topics: Acute Lung Injury; Animals; Antioxidants; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Down-Regulation; Inflammation; Lipopolysaccharides; Mice; NF-kappa B; Quercetin; RAW 264.7 Cells; Signal Transduction

Here, we isolated isorhamnetin, a natural 3'-O-methylated flavonoid, from water dropwort (Oenanthe javanica, Umbelliferae) and investigated its ability to protect against acute inflammation in vivo and in vitro. To induce paw swelling, the hind paw of each rat was injected with a carrageenan 1h after vehicle or isorhamnetin treatment. In vitro effect and mechanism studies were performed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. Administration of isorhamnetin markedly inhibited the swelling volume and the thickness of hind paws. Moreover, isorhamnetin significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and pro-inflammatory gene expression in rats. Isorhamnetin pretreatment inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and NO release in LPS-stimulated cells. Activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and activating protein-1 (AP-1) is the key step in the iNOS gene induction. Isorhamnetin specifically inhibited NF-κB luciferase activity, but not AP-1. Pretreatment with isorhamnetin suppressed NF-κB nuclear translocation in accordance with decreased phosphorylation and degradation of inhibitory-κB. Consistently, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 expression, representative NF-κB target genes, were almost completely prohibited by isorhamnetin. Furthermore, isorhamnetin inhibited LPS-induced JNK and AKT/IKKα/β phosphorylation. Our results suggest that isorhamnetin inhibited JNK, and AKT/IKKα/β activation, leading to NF-κB inactivation, which might contribute to the inhibition of the acute inflammatory response.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cell Line, Transformed; Cell Nucleus; Disease Models, Animal; Edema; Ethnopharmacology; Lymphocyte Activation; Macrophage Activation; Macrophages; Male; Medicine, East Asian Traditional; Mice; NF-kappa B; Oenanthe; Protein Transport; Quercetin; Random Allocation; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Republic of Korea; Skin

Chronic oral quercetin exerts antihypertensive effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In the present study, the vasodilator effects of the flavonoid quercetin and its main metabolite isorhamnetin were analysed in isolated thoracic aorta, iliac artery and on the isolated perfused mesenteric resistance vascular bed from SHR and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). In noradrenaline-precontracted vessels from SHR there was an inverse correlation between the relaxant potency (pIC50) of quercetin (4.76 +/- 0.02, 5.08 +/- 0.12, 5.30 +/- 0.18, in aorta, iliac arteries and mesentery, respectively) and isorhamnetin (4.90 +/- 0.11, 5.38 +/- 0.15 and 5.80 +/- 0.10, respectively) and the diameter of the vessel studied. Both flavonoids were more potent in endothelium-denuded aortae and iliac arteries from SHR than from normotensive WKY rats. In addition, in aortae from SHR both flavonoids restored the endothelial-dependent vasodilation. Isorhamnetin, but not quercetin, also reduced the endothelium-dependent contractile responses induced by acetylcholine. These direct vasodilator effects, together with the improvement of endothelial function, are good candidates to explain the blood pressure reduction and vascular protective effects of quercetin in animal models of hypertension and possibly in human cardiovascular diseases.

Topics: Animals; Antihypertensive Agents; Aorta, Thoracic; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endothelium, Vascular; Flavonols; Iliac Artery; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Male; Phytotherapy; Plants, Medicinal; Quercetin; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Rats, Wistar; Vascular Resistance

Oxidative stress is implicated in the initiation of maturity onset cataract. Quercetin, a major flavonol in the diet, inhibits lens opacification in a lens organ culture oxidative model of cataract. The aim of this research was to investigate the metabolism of quercetin in the lens and show how its metabolism affects the ability to prevent oxidation-induced opacity. The LOCH model (Free Radical Biology & Medicine 26:639; 1999) was employed, using rat lenses to investigate the effects of quercetin and metabolites on hydrogen peroxide-induced opacification. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that the intact rat lens is capable of converting quercetin aglycone to 3'-O-methyl quercetin (isorhamnetin). Over a 6 h culture period no further metabolism of the 3'-O-methyl quercetin occurred. Loss of quercetin in the lens was accounted for by the increase in 3'-O-methyl quercetin. Incubation with 3,5-dinitrocatechol (10 microM), a catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor, prevented the conversion of quercetin to 3'-O-methyl quercetin. The presence of both membrane-bound and soluble COMT was confirmed by immunoblotting. The results demonstrate that in the rat lens COMT methylates quercetin and that the product accumulates within the lens. Quercetin (10 microM) and 3'-O-methyl quercetin (10 microM) both inhibited hydrogen peroxide- (500 microM) induced sodium and calcium influx and lens opacification. Incubation of lenses with quercetin in the presence of COMT inhibitor revealed that the efficacy of quercetin is not dependent on its metabolism to 3'-O-methyl quercetin. The results indicate dietary quercetin and metabolites are active in inhibiting oxidative damage in the lens and thus could play a role in prevention of cataract formation.

Topics: Animals; Blotting, Western; Calcium; Cataract; Catechol O-Methyltransferase Inhibitors; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Disease Models, Animal; Enzyme Inhibitors; Flavonols; Hydrogen Peroxide; Lens, Crystalline; Male; Mass Spectrometry; Organ Culture Techniques; Oxidation-Reduction; Quercetin; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sodium