Beneficial Impacts of Alpha-Eleostearic Acid from Wild Bitter Melon and Curcumin on Promotion of CDGSH Iron-Sulfur Domain 2: Therapeutic Roles in CNS Injuries and Diseases

Abstract

Neuroinflammation and abnormal mitochondrial function are related to the cause of aging, neurodegeneration, and neurotrauma. The activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), exaggerating these two pathologies, underlies the pathogenesis for the aforementioned injuries and diseases in the central nervous system (CNS). CDGSH iron-sulfur domain 2 (CISD2) belongs to the human NEET protein family with the [2Fe-2S] cluster. CISD2 has been verified as an NFκB antagonist through the association with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β (PPAR-β). This protective protein can be attenuated under circumstances of CNS injuries and diseases, thereby causing NFκB activation and exaggerating NFκB-provoked neuroinflammation and abnormal mitochondrial function. Consequently, CISD2-elevating plans of action provide pathways in the management of various disease categories. Various bioactive molecules derived from plants exert protective anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects and serve as natural antioxidants, such as conjugated fatty acids and phenolic compounds. Herein, we have summarized pharmacological characters of the two phytochemicals, namely, alpha-eleostearic acid (α-ESA), an isomer of conjugated linolenic acids derived from wild bitter melon (Momordica charantia L. var. abbreviata Ser.), and curcumin, a polyphenol derived from rhizomes of Curcuma longa L. In this review, the unique function of the CISD2-elevating effect of α-ESA and curcumin are particularly emphasized, and these natural compounds are expected to serve as a potential therapeutic target for CNS injuries and diseases.

New insight on antioxidants and anti-obesity properties of two seagrasses Thalassia hemprichii and Zostera marina: an integrated molecular docking simulation with in vitro study

“…66 Rosmarinic acid, alpha-eleostearic acid, p-coumaric acid, myristic acid, diosmetin, and azelaic acid have also shown antioxidant activity based on several previous studies. [67][68][69][70][71][72] This study is the first to successfully profile metabolites and perform molecular docking, and the results are promising for anti-obesity and antioxidant functional foods based on in vitro validation and molecular docking results. However, this still needs further research i.e., isolation and purification of each observed compound and continuing in vivo trials in animal models prior to human clinical trials.…”

Evaluation of the Nutritional Value of Prunus dulcis Blossoms and the Antioxidant Compounds of Their Extracted Oil Using Green Extraction Method

“…The presence of α-Eleostearic acid (C18:3, ω-3 isomer) is of particular significance. α-Eleostearic acid functions as an antioxidant and has demonstrated lipid peroxidation reduction in plasma and erythrocyte membranes in patients with diabetes [49]. Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) are also important, accounting for 25.17% of fatty acids.…”

CDGSH iron-sulfur domain 2 as a therapeutic target for stroke: an opinion article

“…Because CISD2 trends downward in a similar manner after stroke, protective strategies are required to increase CISD2 expression. Strategies to enhance CISD2, such as overexpression, cryogen spray cooling, and application of the phytochemical curcumin or wild bitter melon, can be beneficial for neurological injury or disease (Kung, 2021b ). In stroke, CISD2-overexpression greatly ameliorated ischemia-associated mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent apoptosis (Fan et al, 2022 ; Ren et al, 2022 ; Hu et al, 2023 ).…”