Concentrations Of Osthole Research Articles

Ameliorative effects of osthole on acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells: Role of oxidative stress, apoptosis and ERK pathways.

The possible protective effects of osthole on acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells. Cells were pretreated with different concentrations of osthole (1- 25μM) for 24h and then the IC50 value of acrylamide (5mM) was added. After 24h, cell viability and intracellular ROS content were detected by MTT assay and DCF-DA methods, respectively. Also, DNA fragmentation in apoptotic cells was determined by propidium iodide assay, and apoptosis (Caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, ERK, and P-ERK) was measured by the western blot method. Exposing PC12 cells to acrylamide diminished cell viability, and enhanced the intracellular ROS generation and the percentage of apoptotic cells. Furthermore, acrylamide elevated the P-ERK/ERK and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and the level of cleaved caspase-3 protein in PC12 cells. Pretreating cells with osthole enhanced cell viability and reduced ROS generation. Also, osthole (10μM) significantly reduced P-ERK/ERK and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, the level of cleaved caspase-3 protein, and the percentage of apoptotic cells in comparison to the acrylamide group. Osthole can exhibit a protective effect on the neurotoxicity of acrylamide through the inhibition of oxidative stress and apoptosis in PC12 cells.

Osthole/borneol thermosensitive gel via intranasal administration enhances intracerebral bioavailability to improve cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 transgenic mice.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant threat to the global elderly population. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely utilized in the treatment of AD. Osthole, a bioactive ingredient classified as an "emperor" in many TCM formulas, has been demonstrated to effectively alleviate AD symptoms. However, its low bioavailability in the brain has limited its clinical application. This study aimed to increase the intracerebral bioavailability of osthole by using borneol as a "courier," based on the classical "Emperor-Minister-Assistant-Courier" model, and to investigate the enhanced pharmacological performance of osthole on AD. Results indicated that a suitable in situ thermosensitive gel matrix for intranasal administration mixed with osthole and borneol consists of P407 at 20%, P188 at 7%, and PEG300 at 6%. The concentration of osthole in the cerebrospinal fluid increased almost tenfold after intranasal administration of osthole/borneol compared to oral administration. Mechanisms showed that borneol as a "courier" opened up intercellular space and loosened the tight junctions of the nasal mucosa by suppressing ZO-1 and occludin expression, thereby expediting the nose-to-brain route and guiding osthole as "emperor" to its target in the brain. Osthole assisted by borneol demonstrated significantly improved efficiency in suppressing cleaved caspase-3 expression, increasing the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, improving T-SOD and catalase expression, reducing malondialdehyde levels, inhibiting neuron apoptosis, and decreasing Aβ levels by inhibiting BACE1 expression to alleviate cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 mice compared to osthole alone. Overall, our study demonstrated that the intracerebral bioavailability of osthole profoundly improved with intranasal administration of osthole/borneol and provided a wider application of TCM for AD treatment with higher intracerebral bioavailability.

Osthole exhibits an antitumor effect in retinoblastoma through inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway via regulating the hsa_circ_0007534/miR-214-3p axis

Context Osthole shows antitumor effects in various tumours. Studies describing the effect of osthole on retinoblastoma (RB) are rare. Objective This study investigates the antitumor activity of osthole on RB. Materials and methods RB cells were treated with different concentrations of osthole and then subjected to cell viability, colony formation, apoptosis, and western blot assays. The expression of hsa_circ_0007534 in RB tissues was determined by qRT-PCR. Hsa_circ_0007534 overexpression plasmid (oe-circ_0007534), miR-214-3p mimics and negative controls were transfected into RB cells to investigate cell viability. Athymic nude mice were injected with Y-79 cells to establish subcutaneous RB models. These mice were treated with osthole (0.5 mmol/kg) or corn oil for 36 days. Tumour tissues were collected for further analysis. Results Osthole inhibited cell viability of RB cells with an IC50 of 200 μM for 24 h treatment and 120 μM for 48 h treatment, respectively. Hsa_circ_0007534 was increased significantly in RB tissues as compared to the matched nontumor tissues (p < 0.001). Oe-circ_0007534 counteracted the inhibitory effect of osthole on cell viability and colony numbers of Y-79 cells (p < 0.01). In vivo experiments indicated osthole significantly decreased the expression of hsa_circ_0007534 (p < 0.01) and increased the level of miR-214-3p in vivo. Furthermore, as compared to the control, osthole decreased the ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT and p-mTOR/mTOR (p < 0.01). However, hsa_circ_0007534 overexpression reversed the effect of osthole on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Discussion and conclusions Osthole exhibited an antitumour effect in RB, providing a scientific basis for further research and clinical applications of osthole in RB treatment.

Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling analysis and anti-inflammatory effect of Wangbi capsule in the treatment of adjuvant-induced arthritis.

Clinically, Wangbi Capsule (WBC) is widely used in the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because of its remarkable therapeutic effect. To reveal the mechanism, a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model was developed for the first time to assess the relationship between time-concentration (dose)-effect. Freund's Complete Adjuvant was used to induce the adjuvant-induced arthritis model. Multi-indices were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect and an S-Imax PK-PD model was established based on the concentrations of osthole, 5-O-methylvisamminoside, cimifugin, albiflorin, paeoniflorin and icariin and the levels of interleukin-1β and prostaglandin E2 using a two-compartment PK model together with a PD model with an effect-site compartment. The results suggest that WBC can treat RA by regulating the levels of prostaglandin E2 and interleukin-1β. For the PK-PD model, the parameters indicated that WBC had a large safety margin and all six bioactive ingredients of WBC have therapeutic effects on RA. Among them icariin, osthole and 5-O-methylvisamminoside may be the main effective substances. This study provided a scientific basis for further study of population pharmacokinetics / population pharmacodynamics (PPK/PPD), to develop a reasonable administration plan and improve individualized drug therapy.

Osthole inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in BV-2 microglia cells in kainic acid-induced epilepsy via modulating PI3K/AKt/mTOR signalling way

Context: Osthole is a natural coumarin compound most frequently extracted from plants of the Apiaceae family such as Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson, Angelica pubescens Maxin.f., and Peucedanum ostruthium (L.). Osthole is considered to have potential therapeutic applications for the treatment of diseases including epilepsy. However, the mechanism of osthole induced-apoptosis in BV-2 microglia cells is not yet clear.Objective: To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of osthole on PI3K/AKt/mTOR expression in kainic acid (KA)-activated BV-2 microglia cells.Materials and methods: Optimal culture concentration and time of osthole were investigated by MTT assay. The concentration of osthole was tested from 10 to 400 μM and the culture time was tested from 2 to 72 h. Ultrastructure difference among control, KA and osthole group was analyzed under transmission electron microscope. The mRNA expression of PI3K/AKt/mTOR was investigated using reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and the protein expression was investigated using western blotting and immunofluorescence assay. Apoptosis rate of BV-2 cells between each group was measured by flow cytometry.Results: IC50 for cell viability of BV-2 cells by osthole was 157.7 µM. Treated with osthole (140 µM) for 24 h significantly increased the inhibition rate. Pretreatment with osthole inhibited the KA-induced PI3K/AKt/mTOR mRNA and protein expression. The results of flow cytometry analysis showed that the apoptotic rate of osthole group was obviously higher than KA group.Conclusions: Date showed that osthole may be useful in the treatment of epilepsy and other neurodegenerative diseases that are characterized by over expression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR.

Effects of osthole on the proliferation, invasion and migration of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells CNE2

Objective To study the effects of osthole on the proliferation, invasion and migration of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells CNE2, and to investigate the possible molecular mechanism involved in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of CNE2. Methods CNE2 cells were cultured in vitro and were treated with 0, 20, 40 and 80 μg/ml osthole for 24 or 48 hours, and then methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and Transwell assay were used to explore their effects on the cell proliferation, invasion and migration while cells treated with 0 μg/ml osthole were used as the control group. Meanwhile, the mRNA and protein levels of markers of EMT (E-cadherin and vimentin ) and Wnt/β-catenin signaling (β-catenin and cyclin D1) were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting respectively. Results After treatment for 24 and 48 hours, the inhibitory rates of treatment with various concentration of osthole (0, 20, 40, 80 μg/ml) were 0.00%±0.00%, 7.45%±0.87%, 14.12%±2.29%, 27.26%±0.43% and 0.00%±0.00%, 13.44%±0.84%, 29.03%±0.78%, 57.49%±1.70%, with significant differences (F=174.33, P<0.001; F=1 041.40, P<0.001), and the following contrast between each two groups met the statistical significance (all P<0.01). The migration cells per field of CNE2 cells treated with 0, 20, 40, 80 μg/ml osthole for 48 hours were 52.13±4.49, 29.00±4.49, 18.50±1.93, 13.75±2.77, which exhibited a significant difference (F=200.37, P<0.001), and the following contrast between each two groups met the statistical significance (all P<0.01). The invasion cells per field of CNE2 cells treated with 0, 20, 40, 80 μg/ml osthole for 48 hours were 46.63±2.87, 24.13±2.87, 16.75±5.29, 11.00±1.77 respectively, which exhibited a significant difference (F=131.92, P<0.001), and the following contrast between each two groups met the statistical significance (all P<0.01). Meanwhile, the relative mRNA and protein expressions of E-cadherin in 0, 20, 40 and 80 μg/ml osthole treated-cells (exposure for 48 hours) were 1.00±0.13, 2.61±0.03, 3.12±0.09, 3.60±0.06 (F=20.92, P<0.001) and 0.22±0.03, 0.35±0.01, 0.60±0.04, 0.82±0.03 (F=178.63, P<0.001) respectively, and the differences were statistically significant, and further pairwise comparison showed the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Furthermore, the relative mRNA and protein levels of vimentin, β-catenin, cyclin D1 in 0, 20, 40 and 80 μg/ml osthole treatment for 48 hours were statistically significant difference (mRNA level of vimentin: 1.00±0.12, 0.68±0.03, 0.56±0.01, 0.40±0.09, F=9.48, P<0.010; mRNA level of β-catenin: 1.00±0.14, 0.78±0.04, 0.69±0.07, 0.46±0.12, F=4.84, P<0.050; mRNA level of cyclin D1: 1.00±0.09, 0.82±0.03, 0.58±0.09, 0.40±0.03, F=9.49, P<0.010; protein level of vimentin: 0.85±0.02, 0.74±0.01, 0.34±0.01, 0.27±0.01, F=610.58, P<0.001; protein level of β-catenin: 0.83±0.00, 0.44±0.02, 0.39±0.00, 0.23±0.03, F=985.74, P<0.001; protein level of cyclin D1: 0.86±0.02, 0.67±0.00, 0.35±0.01, 0.25±0.01, F=910.57, P<0.001), and further pairwise comparison showed the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion Osthole can inhibit the proliferation, invasion and migration of CNE2 cells, which is related to the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway and then suppressing of EMT. Key words: Osthole; Nasopharyngeal neoplasms; Cell proliferation; Neoplasm invasiveness; Cell movement

Effects of Osthole on Apoptosis of HL-60 Cells Induced by TRAIL and Its Related Mechanism

To explore the effects of Osthole on apoptosis of HL-60 cells induced by tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its possible mechanism. The proliferative inhibition of HL-60 cells treated with different concentrations of Osthole, TRAIL alone and Osthole combined with TRAIL was measured by MTT assay. The HL-60 cells were treated with Osthole, TRAIL alone and Osthole combined with TRAIL at the concentration<IC50value, i.e. 100µmol/L for Osthole and 40 ng/ml for TRAIL. Apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of HL-60 cells were detected by flow cytometry; the mRNA expression of BCL-2, BAX and DR5 was determined by RT-PCR; and the levels of Caspase-3,-8,-9 activity were detected by spectrophotometry. The combined treatment (100µmol/L Osthole + 40 ng/ml TRAIL) of HL-60 cells for 48 h induced an apoptotic rate of (33.9±2.7) %, which was significantly higher than that of cells treated with Osthole or TRAIL alone (P<0.05); at the same time, the combined treatment promoted the decrease of MMP and the expression rate of BCL-2/BAX, and potentiated the expression of DR5 and Caspase-3,-8,-9 activity. Osthole can sensitize HL-60 cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis, which may be related with the activation of mitochondrial pathways and up-regulation of DR5.

Osthole suppresses amyloid precursor protein expression by up-regulating miRNA-101a-3p in Alzheimer's disease cell model

To investigate the effect of osthole on the expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) cell model and its mechanism. The SH-SY5Y cell with over expression of APP was established by transfection by liposome 2000. The cells were treated with different concentrations of osthole, and the cell viability was determined by MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. The differentially expressed miRNAs with and without osthole treatment were detected by miRNA array, and the target genes binding to the differentially expressed miRNAs were identified and verified by databases and Cytoscape. After the inhibitor of the differentially expressed miRNA was transduced into cells, the changes of APP and amyloid β (Aβ) protein were determined by immunofluorescence cytochemistry, and the mRNA expression of APP was determined by RT-PCR. The AD cell model with over expression of APP was established successfully. The results of MTT and LDH assay showed that osthole had a protective effect on cells and alleviated cell damage. miR-101a-3p was identified as the differentially expressed miRNA, which was binding to the 3'-UTR of APP. Compared with APP group, the expression of APP and Aβ protein and APP mRNA increased in the miR-101a-3p inhibitor group (all P<0.01), while the expression of APP and Aβ protein and APP mRNA decreased in the cells with osthole treatment (all P<0.01). Osthole inhibits the expression of APP by up-regulating miR-101a-3p in AD cell model.

Osthole decreases collagen I/III contents and their ratio in TGF-β1-overexpressed mouse cardiac fibroblasts through regulating the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway

The present study was designed to elucidate whether the mechanism by which osthole decreases collagenI/III contents and their ratio is regulating the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in TGF-β1-overexpressed mouse cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). These CFs were cultured and treated with different concentrations of osthole. Our results showed that the TGF-β1 expression in the CFs transfected with that the recombinant expression plasmids pcDNA3.1(+)-TGF-β1 was significantly enhanced. After the CFs were treated with 1.25−5 μg·mL−1 of osthole for 24 h, the mRNA and protein expression levels of collagensIand III were reduced. The collagen I/III ratio was also reduced. The mRNA and protein expression levels of TGF-β1, TβRI, Smad2/3, P-Smad2/3, Smad4, and α-SMA were decreased, whereas the expression level of Smad7 was increased. These effects suggested that osthole could inhibit collagen I and III expression and reduce their ratio via the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in TGF-β1 overexpressed CFs. These effects of osthole may play beneficial roles in the prevention and treatment of myocardial fibrosis.

Cytotoxic effect of citrus fruits osthole in lung cancer

Osthole, 7-methoxy-8-(3-methyl-2-butenyl) - 2H-1-Benzopyran-2-one, is an active constituent of Cnidiummonnieri genus and apiaceae family. The anticancer effect of osthole has been reported due to osthole may inhibit thegrowth, invasion and metastasis of cancer cells Aim: Preparation of osthole from different citrus fruit plant sources andevaluates its cytotoxic effect on lung cancer. Methods: osthole from different cultivar of citrus fruits was extracted inreflux by using petroleum ether and acetone, the solvent was evaporated and then precipitates and dried then crystallized.Osthole structure was characterized by IR and GC-MS. Lung cancer cells A549was treated with different concentration ofosthole, cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. Results: Osthole was extracted from lemon (citrus limon),grapefruit (Citrus paradise) and orange (Citrus sinensis) plant sources The highest concentration of osthole exist ingrapefruit The IR spectrum grapefruit osthole with the peaks at 1747 cm-1 (coumarinic carbonyl), 1048cm-1 (C-Ostreaching) and 1439 cm-1 (aromatic C=C) confirms the skeleton of osthole. The grapefruit osthole showed well separated peaks with retention times16.56 identical with the osthole standard solution. The IC50 value of grapefruit osthole was 46 μg/ ml against lung cancer cell line after 48 hrs treatment. Conclusion: our findings suggest the osthole exist in citrus fruit as lemon, grape fruit, orange practically free of osthole. Osthole has therapeutic application in human lung cancer.

Osthole attenuates lipid accumulation, regulates the expression of inflammatory mediators, and increases antioxidants in FL83B cells.

Osthole is found in Cnidium monnieri (L.) and has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. It also inhibits the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. This study aimed to evaluate the osthole suppressive nonalcoholic fatty liver disease effects in oleic acid (OA)-induced hepatic steatosis and if it can modulate inflammatory responses and oxidative stress. FL83B cells were pretreated with OA (250μΜ) for 24h, and then added different concentrations of osthole (3-100μM) for 24h. Subsequently, lipolysis and transcription factors of adipogenesis and phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase proteins were measured. In addition, cells with OA-induced steatosis were H2O2-stimulated, and then incubated with osthole to evaluated if it could suppress its progression to steatohepatitis. Osthole significantly enhanced glycerol release and lipolysis protein expression. Osthole also promoted phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinases and increased the activity of triglyceride lipase and hormone- sensitive lipase. Osthole suppressed the nuclear transcription factor kappa-B and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, and decreased the malondialdehyde concentration in FL83B cells with OA-induced steatosis that were treated with H2O2. These results suggest that osthole might suppress nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by decreasing lipid accumulation, and through its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects via blocked NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.

Osthole induces lung cancer cell apoptosis through inhibition of inhibitor of apoptosis family proteins.

In the present study, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of Osthole on the apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and its synergistic effect with Embelin. Our results revealed that treatment with both Osthole and Embelin inhibited cell proliferation. Notably, combination treatment of Osthole and Embelin inhibited cell proliferation more significantly compared with monotherapy. In addition, morphological analysis and Annexin V/propidium iodide analysis revealed that the combination of Osthole and Embelin enhanced their effect on cell apoptosis. We further examined the effect of Osthole on the expression of inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family proteins. That treatment of A549 lung cancer cells with various concentrations of Osthole was observed to decrease the protein expression of X-chromosome-encoded IAP, c-IAP1, c-IAP2 and Survivin, and increase Smac expression in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, it was noted that Osthole or Embelin alone increased the expression of BAX, caspase-3, caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9, and decreased Bcl-2 levels following treatment. Osthole and Embelin combination treatment had a synergistic effect on the regulation of these proteins. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that Osthole inhibited proliferation and induced the apoptosis of lung cancer cells via IAP family proteins in a dose-dependent manner. Osthole enhances the antitumor effect of Embelin, indicating that combination of Osthole and Embelin has potential clinical significance in the treatment of NSCLC.

Osthole inhibits the proliferation of breast cancer MCF-7 cells via activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ

Objective To investigate the effect of osthole on the proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and its potential mechanisms. Methods Breast cancer cell line MCF-7 was treated by osthole 0, 25, 50, 100, 150 and 200 μmol/L respectively. MTT method was used to detect cell survival rate. HE staining was used to observe morphological changes, Annexin V-PI flow cytometry was used to analyze cell apoptosis, and RT-PCR and Western blot method were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and farnesoid X receptor (FXR), respectively. Results MTT assay showed that strong cytotoxicity of cell line MCF-7 was induced after administration of osthole for 72 h in a dose-dependent manner. Especially, the maximum inhibitory rate, 73.0 % appeared in the 200 μmol/L group. HE staining showed that the number of MCF-7 cells decreased, hyperchromatic nuclei and apoptotic bodies appeared after treatment with osthole for 72 h in a significant dose-effect manner. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that osthole could induce extensive apoptosis in MCF-7 cultures after treatment for 72 h compared with normal group (P<0.05, P<0.01). In particular, when the concentration of osthole reached 50 μmol/L, the proportion of early apoptotic cells was significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01), especially. The maximum apoptosis rate (46.2±9.0) % appeared in the 200 μmol/L group, which was consistent with the results obtained from MTT assays. Moreover, osthole could significantly increased PPARγ and FXR mRNA and protein expressions (P<0.01). Conclusion These data suggest that osthole could inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer MCF-7 cells and promote its apoptosis, which might be associated with the regulation of PPARγ and FXR-mediated target genes involved in cell growth and metabolism. Key words: Osthole; Breast neoplasms; MCF-7 cells; Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ; Farnesoid X receptor

Osthole Attenuates Inflammatory Responses and Regulates the Expression of Inflammatory Mediators in HepG2 Cells Grown in Differentiated Medium from 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes.

This study explored the anti-inflammatory mechanisms by which osthole acted on HepG2 cells cultured in a differentiated medium from cultured 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells. HepG2 cells, a human liver cell line, were treated with various concentrations of osthole in differentiated media from cultured 3T3-L1 cells to evaluate proinflammatory cytokines, inflammatory mediators, and signaling pathways. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits to determine the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, real-time polymerase chain reaction to assay the mRNA expression, and western blot to determine the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) proteins. We also investigated inflammatory mechanism pathway members, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear transcription factor kappa-B (NF-κB). Osthole was able to suppress the levels of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, as well as chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and IL-8. In addition, COX-2 was suppressed and HO-1 expression was increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Osthole was also able to decrease IκB-α phosphorylation and suppress the phosphorylation of MAPKs. These results suggest that osthole has anti-inflammatory effects as demonstrated by the decreased proinflammatory cytokine and mediator production through suppression of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways in HepG2 cells when they are incubated on the differentiated medium from 3T3-L1 cells.

Osthole inhibits inflammatory cytokine release through PPARα/γ-mediated mechanisms in LPS-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Context: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α/γ may control inflammatory response by regulating the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). Osthole may be a dual agonist of PPARα/γ, but whether or not osthole may inhibit inflammatory cytokines in cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes is unclear.Objective: We investigated the action of osthole and its potential mechanisms in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes.Materials and methods: The 3T3-L1 adipocytes stimulated with LPS were cultured and treated with different concentrations of osthole. The inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in cultured supernatants were detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, and the protein expressions of PPARα/γ and NF-κB p65 in adipocytes were detected by the Western blot method, respectively.Results: Following treatment of adipocytes with osthole 0.1–1.6 μM, the TNF-α and IL-6 levels in cultured supernatants were decreased, and the NF-κB p65 protein expression in adipocytes was also decreased, while the PPARα/γ protein expressions were increased. After pretreatment of adipocytes with specific inhibitor(s) of PPARα and /or PPARγ, the inhibitory effects of osthole on TNF-α and IL-6 were decreased or almost cancelled, and the effects on NF-κB p65 protein expression also exhibited similar variations.Conclusion: Osthole could inhibit the TNF-α and IL-6 production in LPS-stimulated adipocytes, and its mechanism might be related to reduction of NF-κB expression via activation of PPARα/γ.

Osthole Regulates TGF-β1 and MMP-2/9 Expressions via Activation of PPARα/γ in Cultured Mouse Cardiac Fibroblasts Stimulated with Angiotensin II

Our previous studies have demonstrated that osthole, an active constituent isolated from the fruit of Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson, can prevent isoprenaline-induced myocardial fibrosis in mice, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. The mouse cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) stimulated with angiotensin II (Ang II) were cultured and treated with different concentrations of osthole. The mRNA expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α/γ, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9 were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method, and the protein expressions of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and TGF-β1 were detected by Western blot method, respectively. Following treatment of cells with osthole at 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 μg/mL, the NF-κB and TGF-β1 expressions were dose-dependently decreased, while the expressions of PPARα/γ and MMP-2/9 were dose-dependently increased. After the cells were preincubated with PPARα antagonist (MK886) or/and PPARγ antagonist (GW9662), the inhibitions of osthole on the NF-κB and TGF-β1 expressions were decreased or completely halted and the increment of osthole on the MMP-2/9 expressions were also decreased or completely cancelled. Osthole could inhibit the NF-κB and TGF-β1 expressions by activation of PPARα/γ, and subsequently enhance the MMP-2/9 expressions in cultured CFs, and these effects of osthole may play the beneficial roles in the prevention and treatment of myocardial fibrosis.

Bioavailability enhancement of osthole after oral administration of Bushen Yizhi prescription extract to rats followed by Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson fruits extract in comparison to pure osthole at different doses

Ethnopharmacological relevanceBushen Yizhi prescription (BSYZ) is a traditional Chinese compound prescription, which is commonly used in China for treating ShenXu and hypophrenia based on traditional Chinese medicine and Alzheimer's Disease according to modern Chinese medicine. Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson fruits (CM) is treated as the main herb of BSYZ, and its main active ingredient Osthole (OST) is considered as one of the major active ingredients of BSYZ. Even though OST plays an important role in the BSYZ its bioavailability is poor. In order to investigate whether the bioavailability of OST was influenced by BSYZ and CM extract, the comparative evaluations on pharmacokinetics of OST after oral administration of pure OST at different doses, CM and BSYZ extract were studied. Materials and methods30 rats were randomly assigned to five groups and orally administered with pure OST at different doses (15, 75 and 150mg/kg), CM (15mg/kg OST) and BSYZ (15mg/kg OST) extract. At different predetermined time points after administration, the concentrations of OST in rat plasma were determined by using the HPLC–UV method, and main pharmacokinetic parameters were investigated. ResultsThe results showed that the pharmacokinetic parameters of OST were significantly different (p<0.05) among the groups. The AUC0→t, AUC0→∞ and Cmax of OST were significantly increased after oral administration of BSYZ extract, followed by CM extract, in comparison to pure osthole at different doses. ConclusionsThis present study indicated that the bioavailability of pure OST after oral administration was extremely low and it was dramatically enhanced because of the synergistic effect of the traditional Chinese Bushen Yizhi prescription.

Osthole Exhibits Anti-Cancer Property in Rat Glioma Cells Through Inhibiting PI3K/Akt and MAPK Signaling Pathways

Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate how Osthole affects glioma cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration. Methods: Rat glioma cells were treated with different concentrations of Osthole (0 µM, 25 µM, 50 µM, and 100 µM). Cell proliferation was assessed by measuring PCNA expression and CCK8 assay at different time points. Apoptosis was evaluated by measuring the expression of pro-apoptotic protein including Bax, Bcl2, PARP, and cleaved Caspase3, and of anti-apoptotic protein Survivin. Cell migration and invasion were assessed using different methods. Signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt and MAPK, which are involved in the development of glioma cells, were also investigated in this study. Results: Treatment with Osthole markedly inhibits glioma cell proliferation, as assessed by western blot with the PCNA antibody. Osthole also induces cell apoptosis by upregulating the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins, and by reducing the expression of anti-apoptotic factors. Moreover, C6 cell migration and invasion were efficiently inhibited in groups treated with Osthole, compared to the control group. Additionally, inhibition of PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathway was also observed in C6 cells treated with Osthole. Conclusions: Our findings showed an anti-cancer effect of Osthole on glioma cells, including the proliferation inhibition, apoptosis induction, and migration/invasion inhibition. Further investigation in C6 glioma cells implicated the role of Osthole in essential pathways controlling glioma cell progression. Taken together, our data suggested that Osthole may have a potential application in glioma therapy.

Neuroprotective effect of osthole on MPP +-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells via inhibition of mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS production

Background : The 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP +), an inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I, has been widely used as a neurotoxin because it causes a severe Parkinson's disease-like syndrome accompanied by increased levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptotic death. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of osthole, a coumarin compound extracted from the plant-derived medicine Cnidium monnieri, on MPP +-induced cytotoxicity in cultured rat adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Methods : PC12 cells were treated with MPP + 2 h after treated with different concentrations of osthole. 24 h later, the cell viability, the release of lactate dehydrogenase, the activity of caspase-3 and cytochrome c, the expression ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and the generation of intracellular ROS were detected. Results : We found that pretreatment with osthole on PC12 cells significantly reduced the loss of cell viability, the release of lactate dehydrogenase, the activity of caspase-3 and cytochrome c, the increase in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and the generation of intracellular ROS induced by MPP +. Moreover, our HPLC analysis of cell extracts confirmed that extracellular osthole does penetrate the cell membrane. Thus osthole may function as an intracellular antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress induced by MPP +. Conclusions : Therefore, the present study supports the notion that osthole may be a promising neuroprotective agent for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.