Ameliorative Effects of the Sesquiterpenoid Valerenic Acid on Oxidative Stress Induced in HepG2 Cells after Exposure to the Fungicide Benomyl

Abstract

Valerenic acid (VA) is a sesquiterpenoid and a phytoconstituent of the plant valerian used for sleeping disorders and anxiety. The frequency of using herbal components as therapeutic nutritional agents has increased lately. Their ability to improve redox homeostasis makes them a valuable approach against harmful xenobiotics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the putative beneficial role of VA against the redox-perturbating role of the fungicide benomyl in HepG2 human liver cells in terms of oxidative stress in the cellular environment and in endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Benomyl increased cell total oxidant status and reactive oxygen species production and decreased total antioxidant status. The expression of genes coding for antioxidant molecules, namely, heme oxygenase-1, alpha glutathione s-transferase, NF-ĸB, and liver fatty acid binding protein, were decreased due to benomyl. VA ameliorated these effects. Benomyl also increased ER-stress-related molecules such as endoplasmic reticulum to nucleus signaling 1 protein, glucose-regulated protein 78, and caspase-12 levels, and VA acted also as a preventive agent. These results indicate that VA exerts ameliorative effects after benomyl-induced oxidative stress. VA, a widely used nutritional supplement, is a compound with potent antioxidant properties, which are valuable for the protection of cells against xenobiotic-induced oxidative damage.

Valerenic Acid Promotes Adipocyte Differentiation, Adiponectin Production, and Glucose Uptake via Its PPARγ Ligand Activity

“…As VA increased the mRNA expression of aP2 and PPARγ in adipocytes (Figure ), it is possible that VA may contribute to the development of hepatic steatosis. Although there are some reports on the effect of VA on hepatocytes, − no information is available on the effect of VA on hepatic steatosis. Future in vivo experiments using animal models are needed to examine the actions of VA for potential medical applications.…”

Metabolome and Transcriptome Profiling Reveal That Four Terpenoid Hormones Dominate the Growth and Development of Sanghuangporus baumii

“…Obviously, UHPLC-MS/MS technology is more advantageous in fungi with complex terpenoid metabolites. Among the 125 identified terpenoid metabolites, most have good medicinal value, including anti-inflammatory [ 21 ], antianxiety [ 22 ], anticancer [ 23 , 24 , 25 ], antioxidation [ 26 ] and cholesterol-lowering [ 27 ] activities, and the detection of these terpenoids in S. baumii also confirmed the extremely high medicinal value of S. baumii [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Additionally, we found four terpenoid hormones related to growth and development in S. baumii that play a key role in different developmental stages.…”

Neuromodulatory and Protective Effects Induced by the Association of Herbal Extracts from Valeriana officinalis, Ziziphus jujuba, and Humulus lupulus with Melatonin: An Innovative Formulation for Counteracting Sleep Disorders

“…These findings could indicate that if we want to improve the antioxidant properties of the formulation, V. officinalis and H. lupulus, could be the main players in the actions. The approach was also supported by several researchers who reported significant antioxidant properties in the plants [23][24][25][26][27][28]. In addition to the PCA analysis, Pearson's correlation between antioxidant methods and total bioactive components was calculated.…”