Baicalein retards proliferation and collagen deposition by activating p38MAPK-JNK via microRNA-29

Tripterine Inhibits Proliferation and Promotes Apoptosis of Keloid Fibroblasts by Targeting ROS/JNK Signaling

Keloids are benign skin tumors characterized by excessive fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition. The current treatment of keloids with hormone drug injection, surgical excision, radiotherapy, physical compression, laser therapy, cryotherapy often have unsatisfactory outcomes. The phytochemical compounds have shown great potential in treating keloids. Tripterine, a natural triterpene derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Thunder God Vine (Tripterygium wilfordii), was previously reported to exhibit an anti-scarring bioactivity in mouse embryonic fibroblast NIH/3T3 cells. Accordingly, our study was dedicated to explore its role in regulating the pathological phenotypes of keloid fibroblasts. Human keloid fibroblasts were treated with tripterine (0-10 μM) for 24 hours. Cell viability, proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition were determined by CCK-8, EdU, wound healing, Transwell, flow cytometry, western blotting, and RT-qPCR assays. The effects of tripterine treatment on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and JNK activation in keloid fibroblasts were assessed by DCFH-DA staining and western blotting analysis. Tripterine at the concentrations higher than 4 μM attenuated the viability of human keloid fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with tripterine (4, 6, and 8 μM) dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation and migration, promoted cell apoptosis, reduced α-SMA, Col1, and Fn expression, induced ROS production, and enhanced JNK phosphorylation in keloid fibroblasts. Collectively, tripterine ameliorates the pathological characteristics of keloid fibroblasts that are associated with keloidformation and growth by inducing ROS generation and activating JNK signalingpathway.

Baicalein alleviates fibrosis and inflammation in systemic sclerosis by regulating B-cell abnormalities

BACKGROUND

Systemic sclerosis (SSc; also known as "scleroderma") is an autoimmune disorder characterized by extensive fibrosis, vascular changes, and immunologic dysregulation. Baicalein (phenolic flavonoid derived from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi) has been used to treat the pathological processes of various fibrotic and inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated the effect of baicalein on the major pathologic characteristics of SSc: fibrosis, B-cell abnormalities, and inflammation.

METHODS

The effect of baicalein on collagen accumulation and expression of fibrogenic markers in human dermal fibroblasts were analyzed. SSc mice were produced by injecting bleomycin and treated with baicalein (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg). The antifibrotic features of baicalein and its mechanisms were investigated by histologic examination, hydroxyproline assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Baicalein (5-120 μM) significantly inhibited the accumulation of the extracellular matrix and fibroblast activation in transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1- and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced human dermal fibroblasts, as evidenced by abrogated deposition of total collagen, decreased secretion of soluble collagen, reduced collagen contraction capability and downregulation of various fibrogenesis molecules. In a bleomycin-induced model of dermal fibrosis in mice, baicalein (25-100 mg/kg) restored dermal architecture, ameliorated inflammatory infiltrates, and attenuated dermal thickness and collagen accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. According to flow cytometry, baicalein reduced the proportion of B cells (B220⁺ lymphocytes) and increased the proportion of memory B cells (B220⁺CD27⁺ lymphocytes) in the spleens of bleomycin-induced mice. Baicalein treatment potently attenuated serum levels of cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17A, tumor necrosis factor-α), chemokines (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta) and autoantibodies (anti-scleroderma 70 (Scl-70), anti-polymyositis-scleroderma (PM-Scl), anti-centromeres, anti-double stranded DNA (dsDNA). In addition, baicalein treatment can significantly inhibit the activation of TGF-β1 signaling in dermal fibroblasts and bleomycin-induce mice of SSc, evidenced by reducing the expression of TGF-β1 and IL-11, as well as inhibiting both small mother against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (SMAD3) and extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) activation.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that baicalein has therapeutic potential against SSc, exerting modulating B-cell abnormalities, anti-inflammatory effects, and antifibrosis.

Traditional Chinese medicine for hypertrophic scars—A review of the therapeutic methods and potential effects

Hypertrophic scar (HS) is a typical pathological response during skin injury, which can lead to pain, itching, and contracture in patients and even affect their physical and mental health. The complexity of the wound healing process leads to the formation of HS affected by many factors. Several treatments are available for HS, whereas some have more adverse reactions and can even cause new injuries with exacerbated scarring. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a rich source, and most botanical drugs have few side effects, providing new ideas and methods for treating HS. This paper reviews the formation process of HS, the therapeutic strategy for HS, the research progress of TCM with its relevant mechanisms in the treatment of HS, and the related new drug delivery system of TCM, aiming to provide ideas for further research of botanical compounds in the treatment of HS, to promote the discovery of more efficient botanical candidates for the clinical treatment of HS, to accelerate the development of the new drug delivery system and the final clinical application, and at the same time, to promote the research on the anti-HS mechanism of multiherbal preparations (Fufang), to continuously improve the quality control and safety and effectiveness of anti-HS botanical drugs in clinical application.

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) regulates fibroblast growth factor receptor substrate 2 (FRS2) by targeting microRNA (miR)-29-3p in hypertrophic scar fibroblasts

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in human diseases. However, the detailed role of lncRNAs in hypertrophic scar fibroblasts (HSFs) is inadequately understood. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of lncRNA nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) in hypertrophic scarring. Expression of lncRNAs, miRNAs, and genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction; protein expression was evaluated using western blotting. Cellular function was determined using the CCK-8 assay. The interaction between microRNA (miR)-29-3p and NEAT1 or fibroblast growth factor receptor substrate 2 (FRS2) was verified by luciferase and RNA pull-down assays. The results showed that NEAT1 was overexpressed in the hypertrophic dermis and in HSFs. However, knockdown of NEAT1 suppressed the proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) production of HSFs. Moreover, NEAT1 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA to upregulate FRS2 by sponging miR-29-3p. Downregulation of miR-29-3p or overexpression of FRS2 antagonized the effects of NEAT1 knockdown and promoted HSF proliferation and ECM release. In conclusion, NEAT1 knockdown protected against hypertrophic scarring by modulating the miR-29-3p/FRS2 axis, which is a viable target in scar treatment.

Baicalein Induces Apoptosis of Pancreatic Cancer Cells by Regulating the Expression of miR-139-3p and miR-196b-5p

Pancreatic cancer is a common malignant tumor with a high incidence and mortality rate. The prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer is considerably poor due to the lack of effective treatment in clinically. Despite numerous studies have revealed that baicalein, a natural product, is responsible for suppressing multiple cancer cells proliferation, motility and invasion. The mechanism by which baicalein restraining pancreatic cancer progression remains unclear. In this study, we firstly verified that baicalein plays a critical role in inhibiting pancreatic tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo. Then we analyzed the alteration of microRNAs (miRNAs) expression levels in Panc-1 cells incubated with DMSO, 50 and 100 μM baicalein by High-Throughput sequencing. Intriguingly, we observed that 20 and 39 miRNAs were accordingly up- and down-regulated through comparing Panc-1 cells exposed to 100 μM baicalein with the control group. Quantitative PCR analysis confirmed that miR-139-3p was the most up-regulated miRNA after baicalein treatment, while miR-196b-5p was the most down-regulated miRNA. Further studies showed that miR-139-3p induced, miR-196b-5p inhibited the apoptosis of Panc-1 cells via targeting NOB1 and ING5 respectively. In conclusion, we demonstrated that baicalein is a potent inhibitor against pancreatic cancer by modulating the expression of miR-139-3p or miR-196b-5p.

Role of Wnt5a in periodontal tissue development, maintenance, and periodontitis: Implications for periodontal regeneration (Review)

The periodontium is a highly dynamic microenvironment constantly adapting to changing external conditions. In the processes of periodontal tissue formation and remodeling, certain molecules may serve an essential role in maintaining periodontal homeostasis. Wnt family member 5a (Wnt5a), as a member of the Wnt family, has been identified to have extensive biological roles in development and disease, predominantly through the non‑canonical Wnt signaling pathway or through interplay with the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. An increasing number of studies has also demonstrated that it serves crucial roles in periodontal tissues. Wnt5a participates in the development of periodontal tissues, maintains a non‑mineralized state of periodontal ligament, and regulates bone homeostasis. In addition, Wnt5a is involved in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. Recently, it has been shown to serve a positive role in the regeneration of integrated periodontal complex. The present review article focuses on recent research studies of Wnt5a and its functions in development, maintenance, and pathological disorders of periodontal tissues, as well as its potential effect on periodontal regeneration.

SNHG1 represses the anti-cancer roles of baicalein in cervical cancer through regulating miR-3127-5p/FZD4/Wnt/β-catenin signaling

IMPACT STATEMENT

Baicalein exhibits anti-cancer roles in several cancers. However, the factors influencing the antitumorigenic efficiencies of baicalein in CC remain largely unclear. Here, we provide convincing evidences that lncRNA SNHG1 attenuates the tumor-suppressive roles of baicalein in CC cell viability, apoptosis, migration, and CC tumor growth. This study further demonstrates that the influences of SNHG1 in the antitumorigenic process of baicalein are achieved through modulating the miR-3127-5p/FZD4Wnt/β-catenin axis. SNHG1 attenuates the repressive role of baicalein on Wnt/β-catenin. Therefore, SNHG1 is a novel modulator of the tumor-suppressive roles of baicalein and SNHG1 represents a therapeutic intervention target to reinforce the tumor-suppressive roles of baicalein in CC.