Tie-Gui Nan

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a significant health issue affecting the global male population, with a complex and multifaceted etiology. High-fat diet (HFD) is known to impair endothelial function and promote the development of ED. Hinokiflavone (HINO), a naturally occurring biflavonoid, has garnered attention for its notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, suggesting its potential therapeutic role in treating ED. Aim: This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of HINO in HFD-induced ED. Methods: Network pharmacology and molecular dynamics simulation were employed to predict relevant targets and analyze their binding kinetics. Rat corpus cavernosum endothelial cells (RCCECs) were treated with palmitic acid in vitro to induce metabolic dysfunction. The ED model was established in vivo by feeding male rats an HFD (60 kcal% fat). Outcomes: The primary outcomes were the target genes and pathways associated with HINO and the evaluation of its therapeutic potential in HFD-induced ED. Results: Bioinformatics analyses identified the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and protein kinase B (Akt) as key molecular targets of HINO. Treatment with HINO promoted RCCEC proliferation, enhanced antioxidant activities, and increased nitric oxide production. The administration of HINO ameliorated erectile dysfunction, improved serum lipid profiles, and reduced oxidative stress in HFD-fed rats. The protective effects of HINO against endothelial dysfunction and impaired cell viability were mediated through modulation of the EGFR/PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway. Clinical Translation: The results provide a strong rationale for further investigation of HINO as a novel therapeutic agent for ED, with promising implications for future clinical applications. Strengths and Limitations: In this study, we found that HINO could mitigate HFD-induced ED. Limitations of the study include that the alternative mechanisms of HINO were not fully explored in these settings. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the pharmacological properties of HINO in the management of ED, particularly through the modulation of critical targets such as EGFR.

Artemisia absinthium, an important herb of the Artemisia genus, was evaluated in this study for its potential as an alternative to classical antibiotics. The antimicrobial activity of methanol extracts of A. absinthium (MEAA) was evaluated using the broth microdilution method, revealing that A. absinthium exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activity. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was used to analyze the chemical profile of the MEAA, with a focus on flavonoids, quinic acids, and glucaric acids. A total of 90 compounds were identified, 69 of which were described for the first time in A. absinthium. Additionally, a new class of caffeoyl methyl glucaric acids was identified. The main active compounds were quantified and screened for antimicrobial activity. A. absinthium was found to be rich in quinic acids and flavonoids. The screening for antimicrobial activity also revealed that salicylic acid, caffeic acid, casticin, and 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid had varying degrees of antimicrobial activity. The acute toxicity of MEAA was examined following OECD guidelines. The administration of 5000 mg/kg bw of MEAA did not result in mortality in male and female mice. Furthermore, there were no observed effects on the visceral organs or general behavior of the mice, demonstrating the good safety of MEAA. This study provides new evidence for the use of A. absinthium as an alternative to classical antibiotics in addressing the problem of bacterial resistance.