Isoorientin

Osteoporosis is a prevalent metabolic bone disorder characterized by diminished bone mineral density and elevated fracture susceptibility. Although isoorientin (ISO) has emerged as a promising candidate for osteoporosis treatment, its molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, a comprehensive network pharmacology approach was employed to identify potential therapeutic targets by systematically mining the GeneCards and DisGeNET databases. ISO-target interactions were predicted through an integrated analysis of multiple chemoinformatic platforms, including Super-Pred, SwissTargetPrediction, PharmMapper, and ChemMapper. Hub targets were identified via protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, complemented by functional enrichment assessments and molecular docking simulations. The computational findings were experimentally validated using an ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporotic murine model. Network pharmacological analysis revealed 332 putative ISO targets, 45 of which significantly overlapped with 610 osteoporosis-associated targets. Functional enrichment analysis highlighted the critical involvement of these genes in hormone-mediated signaling pathways and cellular responses to nutrient levels. KEGG pathway analysis further implicated these targets in key regulatory cascades, including the MAPK, relaxin signaling, and lipid metabolism-associated atherosclerosis pathways. Molecular docking simulations demonstrated strong binding affinities between ISO and pivotal targets, including MAPK14, TLR4, and ESR1. In vivo validation using OVX mice confirmed ISO's capacity to attenuate bone loss by suppressing osteoclast activation, as evidenced by micro-CT analysis and histomorphometric quantification. Further in vitro studies demonstrated that ISO inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis via suppression of the MAPK pathway. This study elucidates the key targets and pathways through which ISO exerts anti-osteoporotic effects, highlighting its therapeutic potential in osteoporosis management.

Plants of the genus Terminalia have been widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of multiple ailments, including infectious diseases. Previously, our group performed metabolomic analyses using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry of various Terminalia spp. and highlighted several phytochemicals (particularly flavonoids) that may contribute to the antibacterial activities of those species. Herein, we screen 15 flavonoids found in Terminalia spp. against antibiotic-resistant and antibiotic-sensitive strains of Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae , and Staphylococcus aureus . Orientin, hispidulin, vitexin, rutin, fisetin, and isoorientin inhibited the growth of both methicillin- and β-lactam-resistant pathogens, producing MIC values ranging from 250 to 62.5 µg/mL. Orientin and isoorientin were the most effective at restricting the growth of methicillin-resistant and β-lactamase pathogens, with MIC values of 125 µg/mL against E. coli and extended-spectrum β-lactamase E. coli and 62.5 µg/mL against S. aureus . In combination with selected conventional antibiotics, some flavonoids potentiated the antimicrobial activity of selected conventional antibiotics. A total of 4 synergistic, 4 additive, and 22 non-interactive interactions were identified. The toxicity of the flavonoids was examined using Artemia franciscana nauplii lethality assays. With the exception of fisetin, genistein, and gossypetin, the flavonoids were non-toxic. Orientin and isoorientin were assessed for their potential to inhibit efflux pumps and demonstrated notable efflux pump inhibitory activity at four different concentrations: 125.0, 62.5, 31.25, and 15.26 µg/mL. The results obtained suggest that these flavonoids could serve as a valuable tool in combating antibiotic resistance.

Bacteria are becoming resistant to many types of antibiotics. This study has identified plant phytochemicals known as flavonoids, which were found to be capable of inhibiting the growth of numerous bacterial pathogens. Evidence is shown which reveals that the compounds are capable of blocking bacterial efflux pumps, which demonstrate that the flavonoids may be valuable compounds in the design of new antibiotic drugs.