Carvacrol may alleviate vascular inflammation in diabetic db/db mice

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2dM) is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation. carvacrol has been confirmed to possess anti-inflammatory properties, but its effect on diabetic vasculature remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible protective effects of carvacrol against vascular endothelial inflammation. The mice were divided into four groups (n=15 per group) as follows: Non-diabetic control mice, db/db mice, db/db mice + carvacrol (low) and db/db mice + carvacrol (high) groups. The effects of carvacrol on the pathomorphism of the thoracoabdominal aorta in db/db mice were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining. The serum levels of insulin signaling molecules, such as phosphorylated insulin receptor, phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate-1, insulin, triglyceride (TG) and inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-8] were measured by ELISA. Furthermore, the protein levels of the toll-like receptor (TLR)4/nuclear factor (NF)-κB inflammatory signaling pathway molecules were investigated in the thoracoabdominal aorta of db/db mice and in high glucose-induced endothelial cells. Vascular endothelial cell apoptosis and viability were assessed by using flow cytometry and Cell Counting Kit-8 assays, respectively. The results demonstrated that carvacrol alleviated vascular endothelial cell injury. carvacrol reduced the expression levels of insulin signaling molecules, insulin, TG and inflammatory cytokines in the serum of db/db mice. Moreover, carvacrol reduced the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro. In vitro, carvacrol inhibited high glucose-induced endothelial cell function by promoting vascular endothelial cell apoptosis and suppressing cell viability. These findings demonstrated that carvacrol could alleviate endothelial dysfunction and vascular inflammation in T2DM.

Dihydroartemisinin suppresses proliferation, migration, the Wnt/β‑catenin pathway and EMT via TNKS in gastric cancer

“…The optical density values were determined using ImageJ software (version 1.48; National Institutes of Health). Furthermore, the semi-quantitative values of TNKS, AXIN2 and β-catenin expression were assessed via the percentage of positive cells (<5%, 0 point; 5–25%, 1 point; 26–50%, 2 points; 51–75%, 3 points and 76–100%, 4 points) and staining intensity (no staining, 0 point; light yellow, 1 point; brown, 2 points and tan, 3 points), as previously described ( 30 ). The product of the two was defined as follows: 0, negative (−) and >1 positive (+).…”

The Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Phytochemicals and Their Effects on Epigenetic Mechanisms Involved in TLR4/NF-κB-Mediated Inflammation

“…Car/Thy reduce the activation of TLR4/NF-kB signaling pathway, whereas increase SOD1 and GSH antioxidants through Nrf2 Activation, attenuating oxidative damage (262,263). They suppress allergic inflammation associated with asthma Car/Thy downregulate miR-155, miR-146a, and miR-21 (264),.…”

“…Car and Thy reduce the activation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro in inflammatory reactions, whereas increase the expression of antioxidants, such as SOD1 and GSH through Nrf2 Activation and attenuates oxidative damage ( 262 , 263 ) ( Table 1 and Figure 1 ).…”

Protective effect of carvacrol on liver injury in type 2 diabetic db/db mice

“…Through in-depth research, it has been revealed that numerous active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine have the potential to relieve NAFLD. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that carvacrol (2-methyl-5-isopropylphenol), a monoterpenic phenol, may possess pharmacological properties, including neuroprotective ( 11 ), anti-inflammatory ( 12 ), anti-oxidative ( 13 ), anti-bacterial ( 14 ) and anti-cancer ( 15 ) effects. Carvacrol has been reported to relieve T2DM-related complications, such as vascular inflammation ( 12 ), hypercontractility in the aorta ( 16 ) and diabetic cardiomyopathy ( 17 ).…”

“…Increasing evidence has demonstrated that carvacrol (2-methyl-5-isopropylphenol), a monoterpenic phenol, may possess pharmacological properties, including neuroprotective ( 11 ), anti-inflammatory ( 12 ), anti-oxidative ( 13 ), anti-bacterial ( 14 ) and anti-cancer ( 15 ) effects. Carvacrol has been reported to relieve T2DM-related complications, such as vascular inflammation ( 12 ), hypercontractility in the aorta ( 16 ) and diabetic cardiomyopathy ( 17 ). Nevertheless, to the best of our knowledge, the effect of carvacrol on T2DM-induced liver injury remains unknown.…”