The therapeutic effects of Prunella vulgaris against fluoride‐induced oxidative damage by using the metabolomics method

Abstract

Fluoride is considered as one of the most ubiquitous environmental pollutants. Numerous studies have linked reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐dependent oxidative damage with fluoride intoxication, which could be prevented by antioxidants. However, the metabolomic changes induced by ROS disruptions in fluoride intoxication are yet unknown. The present study aimed to provide novel mechanistic insights into the fluoride‐induced oxidative damage and to investigate the potential protective effects of ethanolic extract of Prunella vulgaris (natural antioxidant, PV) against fluoride‐induced oxidative damage. The serum biochemical indicators related to fluoride‐induced oxidative damage, such as lipid peroxidation parameter, inflammation and marker enzymes in the liver increased significantly in the fluoride‐treated group, while antioxidant enzymes were decreased. However, PV treatment restored the level of these biochemical indicators, indicating satisfactory antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and hepatoprotective potential of PV. The metabolomics analysis in the serum was performed by liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy, whereas the fluoride treatment caused severe metabolic disorders in rats, which could be improved by PV. The differential metabolites screened by multivariate analysis after fluoride and PV treatment, were organic acids, fatty acids, and lipids. These differential metabolites represented disorders of glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism and the citrate cycle (TCA) according to metabolic pathway analysis in fluoride treatment rats. Interestingly, the result of metabolic pathway analysis of post‐treatment with PV was consistent with that of fluoride treatment, indicating that the energy metabolism plays a major role in the progress of fluoride‐induced oxidative damage, as well as the therapeutic effect of PV. These findings provided a theoretical basis for understanding the mechanism underlying metabolic disorders of fluoride toxicity and the effect of PV.

Multiomics Analysis Revealed the Molecular Mechanism of miRNAs in Fluoride-Induced Hepatic Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders

“…As the most important metabolic organ, the liver plays a significant role in regulating glycolipid metabolism homeostasis in the body . Literatures have reported that fluoride could affect the biological processes of gluconeogenesis, glycolysis, and lipid peroxidation, resulting in decreased carbohydrates and increased lipids in the liver, which disrupts the homeostasis of glycolipid metabolism in the body. , These findings were confirmed in this study; fluoride caused the reduction of glycogen content and the increase of the number of lipid droplets and the content of TG, TC, HDL, and LDL in the liver, which suggested that fluoride resulted in the disturbances of hepatic glycolipid metabolism.…”

Screening of potent α‐glucosidase inhibitory and antioxidant polyphenols in Prunella vulgaris L. by bioreaction–HPLC–quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight‐MS/MS and in silico analysis

“…Different polyphenols have been identified in P. vulgaris L., such as phenolic acids and flavonoids [7][8][9]. To date, antioxidant activity of P. vulgaris L. has been evaluated [10]. However, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of P. vulgaris L. has not been explored.…”

“…Prunella vulgaris L. has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for liver heat clearing, fire dispersing, eyesight improving, mass resolving, and swelling reduction [7]. Modern pharmacological studies reveal its antioxidant, anti-diabetes, antimicrobial, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-HIV effects [8][9][10]. And in Asian folk medicine, P. vulgaris L. has been used for blood glucose homeostasis and antioxidant potential [10].…”

“…Modern pharmacological studies reveal its antioxidant, anti-diabetes, antimicrobial, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-HIV effects [8][9][10]. And in Asian folk medicine, P. vulgaris L. has been used for blood glucose homeostasis and antioxidant potential [10]. To date, investigation on P. vulgaris L. has focused on the purification and identification of chemical compounds, quantitative analysis of major compounds, activity evaluation of isolated compounds, fractions with different polarities, and crude extracts [8][9][10][11].…”

“…And in Asian folk medicine, P. vulgaris L. has been used for blood glucose homeostasis and antioxidant potential [10]. To date, investigation on P. vulgaris L. has focused on the purification and identification of chemical compounds, quantitative analysis of major compounds, activity evaluation of isolated compounds, fractions with different polarities, and crude extracts [8][9][10][11]. However, the α-glucosidase inhibitory and antioxidant polyphenolic profiling of P. vulgaris L. remains unclear.…”