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Rare crocins ameliorate thrombus in zebrafish larvae by regulating lipid accumulation and clotting factors
Guo Xu1, Penghong Xu1, Nan Wang1
1College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China.
Abstract:
Crocin-4 is a water-soluble carotenoid that exhibits cardiovascular protection effects through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, the pharmacodynamic effects and mechanisms of its analogues crocin-1 and crocin-2' have not been reported. In this study, we evaluated the protective effects of rare crocins on cardiovascular systems. In ox-LDL induced HUVECs model, 0.02, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 μg/mL crocin-1 and crocin-2' can increase cell viability by up to 80 %. Meanwhile, rare crocins at concentrations between 25-100 μg/mL crocin-1 and crocin-2' reduced the lipid accumulation by 30 % in cholesterol-induced zebrafish larvae. What's more, the therapeutic potential of rare crocins on thrombosis has also been explored. In vitro experiments, rare crocin-1 and crocin-2' at concentrations of 0.02, 0.05, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10 μg/mL protected Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) against lipopolysaccharides-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. In vivo studies revealed that rare crocins at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 300 μg/mL exerted significant antithrombotic effect on arachidonic acid (AA)-induced zebrafish and there was nearly no potential risk for the deformity of zebrafish at 300 μg/mL dosages. In brief, rare crocins was viewed as a potentially useful candidate for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases because of its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticoagulant properties.
Insights
Rare crocins (crocin-1 and crocin-2) show significant cardiovascular protective effects. These compounds demonstrate anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antithrombotic properties, suggesting potential for treating cardiovascular diseases.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Cardiovascular Science
- Natural Products Chemistry
Background:
- Crocin-4, a carotenoid, offers cardiovascular protection via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms.
- The cardiovascular effects of its analogues, crocin-1 and crocin-2, remain largely uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the protective effects of rare crocins (crocin-1 and crocin-2) on cardiovascular systems.
- To explore their potential therapeutic applications in cardiovascular diseases.
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies using ox-LDL induced Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) to assess cell viability and protection against oxidative stress and inflammation.
- In vivo studies using cholesterol-induced zebrafish larvae to evaluate lipid accumulation and arachidonic acid (AA)-induced thrombosis models.
Main Results:
- Crocin-1 and crocin-2 significantly increased HUVEC viability (up to 80%) and reduced lipid accumulation in zebrafish larvae (by 30%).
- These rare crocins demonstrated protective effects against lipopolysaccharides-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in HUVECs.
- Significant antithrombotic effects were observed in AA-induced zebrafish, with no observed teratogenicity at high doses.
Conclusions:
- Rare crocins (crocin-1 and crocin-2) possess significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticoagulant properties.
- These findings highlight the potential of rare crocins as therapeutic candidates for cardiovascular disease treatment.
