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Zhang S, Hou B, Xu A, Wen Y, Zhu X, Cai W, Han Z, Chen J, Nhamdriel T, Mi M, Qiu L, Sun H. Ganlu formula ethyl acetate extract (GLEE) blocked the development of experimental arthritis by inhibiting NLRP3 activation and reducing M1 type macrophage polarization. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 332:118377. [PMID: 38782307 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The Tibetan medicine Ganlu Formula, as a classic prescription, is widely used across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau area of China, which has a significant effect on relieving the course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the active compounds and underlying mechanisms of Ganlu Formula in RA treatment remain largely unexplored. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to elucidate the active substances and potential mechanisms of the ethyl acetate extract of Ganlu Formula ethyl acetate extract (GLEE) in the treatment of RA. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was utilized to analyze and identify the chemical constituents within GLEE. Discovery Studio molecular virtual docking technology was utilized to dock the interaction of GLEE with inflammation-related pathway proteins. The GLEE gene library was obtained by transcriptome sequencing. Collagen-induced arthritic(CIA) rats were utilized to assess the antiarthritic efficacy of GLEE. Micro-CT imaging was employed to visualize the rat paw, and ultrasound imaging revealed knee joint effusion. Evaluation of synovial tissue pathological changes was conducted through hematoxylin-eosin staining and saffranine solid green staining, while immunohistochemical staining was employed to assess NLRP3 expression along with inflammatory markers. Immunofluorescence staining was utilized to identify M1 macrophages. RESULTS Metabolomic analysis via UPLC-Q-TOF-MS identified 28 potentially bioactive compounds in GLEE, which interacted with the active sites of key proteins such as NLRP3, NF-κB, and STAT3 through hydrogen bonds, C-H bonds, and electrostatic attractions. In vitro analyses demonstrated that GLEE significantly attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome activation and inhibited the polarization of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) towards the M1 phenotype. In vivo, GLEE not only prevented bone mineral density (BMD) loss but also reduced ankle swelling in CIA rats. Furthermore, it decreased the expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome and curtailed the release of inflammatory mediators within the knee joint. CONCLUSION GLEE effectively mitigated inflammatory responses in both blood and knee synovial membranes of CIA rats, potentially through the down-regulation of the NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β signaling pathway and reduction in M1 macrophage polarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijie Zhang
- Department of Basic Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Bao Hou
- Department of Basic Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Anjing Xu
- Department of Basic Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wen
- Department of Basic Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Xuexue Zhu
- Department of Basic Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Weiwei Cai
- Department of Basic Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Zhijun Han
- Department of Clinical Research Center, Jiangnan University Medical Center, Wuxi, 214001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Basic Medicine, Tibet University of Medicine, 850000, Lhasa, China
| | - Tsedien Nhamdriel
- Department of Basic Medicine, Tibet University of Medicine, 850000, Lhasa, China
| | - Ma Mi
- Department of Basic Medicine, Tibet University of Medicine, 850000, Lhasa, China.
| | - Liying Qiu
- Department of Basic Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China.
| | - Haijian Sun
- Department of Basic Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjia Lane, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Yang L, Guo CW, Luo QM, Guo ZF, Chen L, Ishihama Y, Li P, Yang H, Gao W. Thermostability-assisted limited proteolysis-coupled mass spectrometry for capturing drug target proteins and sites. Anal Chim Acta 2024; 1312:342755. [PMID: 38834267 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.342755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identifying drug-binding targets and their corresponding sites is crucial for drug discovery and mechanism studies. Limited proteolysis-coupled mass spectrometry (LiP-MS) is a sophisticated method used for the detection of compound and protein interactions. However, in some cases, LiP-MS cannot identify the target proteins due to the small structure changes or the lack of enrichment of low-abundant protein. To overcome this drawback, we developed a thermostability-assisted limited proteolysis-coupled mass spectrometry (TALiP-MS) approach for efficient drug target discovery. RESULTS We proved that the novel strategy, TALiP-MS, could efficiently identify target proteins of various ligands, including cyclosporin A (a calcineurin inhibitor), geldanamycin (an HSP90 inhibitor), and staurosporine (a kinase inhibitor), with accurately recognizing drug-binding domains. The TALiP protocol increased the number of target peptides detected in LiP-MS experiments by 2- to 8-fold. Meanwhile, the TALiP-MS approach can not only identify both ligand-binding stability and destabilization proteins but also shows high complementarity with the thermal proteome profiling (TPP) and machine learning-based limited proteolysis (LiP-Quant) methods. The developed TALiP-MS approach was applied to identify the target proteins of celastrol (CEL), a natural product known for its strong antioxidant and anti-cancer angiogenesis effect. Among them, four proteins, MTHFD1, UBA1, ACLY, and SND1 were further validated for their strong affinity to CEL by using cellular thermal shift assay. Additionally, the destabilized proteins induced by CEL such as TAGLN2 and CFL1 were also validated. SIGNIFICANCE Collectively, these findings underscore the efficacy of the TALiP-MS method for identifying drug targets, elucidating binding sites, and even detecting drug-induced conformational changes in target proteins in complex proteomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Chen-Wan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Qi-Ming Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Zi-Fan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Ling Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Yasushi Ishihama
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, PR China.
| | - Hua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, PR China.
| | - Wen Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, PR China; Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.
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Zhang L, Lu L, Jiang S, Yin Z, Tan G, Ning F, Qin Z, Huang J, Huang M, Jin J. Salvianolic acid extract prevents Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycosides-induced acute liver injury by modulating bile acid metabolism. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 327:117939. [PMID: 38382651 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycosides (TWP) tablet is the most widely used traditional Chinese medicine preparation for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the hepatotoxicity often limits its widespread application. In traditional use, Salvia miltiorrhiza has cardioprotective and hepatoprotective effects. Salvianolic acid extract (SA) is a hydrophilic component of Salvia miltiorrhiza and has significant antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the protective effects of SA on the TWP-induced acute liver injury in rats and to explore the related mechanisms by integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics. MATERIALS AND METHODS SA and TWP extracts were identified by UPLC-Q/TOF-MS. SA (200 mg/kg) was administered for consecutive 7 days. On day 7, TWP (360 mg/kg) was administered by gavage to induce the acute liver injury in rats. Serum biochemical assay and H&E staining were used to evaluate liver damage. Liver metabolomics and transcriptomics were used to explore the potential mechanisms, and further molecular biological experiments such as qPCR and IHC were utilized to validate the relevant signaling pathways. RESULTS SA can prevent liver injury symptoms caused by TWP, such as elevated liver index, elevated ALT and AST, and pathological changes in liver tissue. Liver metabolomics studies showed that TWP can significantly alter the content of individual bile acid in the liver and SA had the most significant impact on the biosynthetic pathway of bile acids. The transcriptomics results of the liver indicated that the genes changed in the SA + TWP group were mainly involved in sterol metabolism, lipid regulation and bile acid homeostasis pathways. The gene expression of Nr1h4, which encodes farnesoid X receptor (FXR), an important regulator of bile acid homeostasis, was significantly changed. Further studies confirmed that SA can prevent the downregulation of FXR and its downstream signaling induced by TWP, thereby regulating bile acid metabolism, ultimately preventing acute liver injury caused by TWP. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that SA could protect the liver from TWP-induced hepatic injury by modulation of the bile acid metabolic pathway. SA may provide a new strategy for the protection against TWP-induced acute liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Langqing Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Shiqin Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zhaokun Yin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Guoyao Tan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Fangqing Ning
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zhiyan Qin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Junyuan Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Min Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jing Jin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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Zhu Y, Yao L, Guo Y, Zhang J, Xia Y, Wei Z, Dai Y. Bergenin attenuates triptolide-caused premature ovarian failure in mice based on the antioxidant activity. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 126:108608. [PMID: 38735593 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Tripterygium wilfordii (TW) preparations have been utilized in China for treating rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases. However, their clinical use is limited due to reproductive toxicity, notably premature ovarian failure (POF). Our study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of bergenin in attenuating POF induced by triptolide in mice. POF was induced in female ICR mice via oral triptolide administration (50 μg/kg) for 60 days. Mice received bergenin (25, 50, 100 mg/kg, i.g.) or estradiol valerate (EV) (0.1 mg/kg, i.g.) daily, 1 h before triptolide treatment. In vitro, ovarian granulosa cells (OGCs) were exposed to triptolide (100 nM) and bergenin (1, 3, 10 μM). Antioxidant enzyme activity, protein expression, apoptosis rate, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed. The results showed that triptolide-treated mice exhibited evident atrophy, along with an increase in atretic follicles. Bergenin (50, 100 mg/kg) and EV (0.1 mg/kg), orally administered, exerted significant anti-POF effect. Bergenin and EV also decreased apoptosis in mouse ovaries. In vitro, bergenin (1, 3, 10 μM) attenuated triptolide-induced OGCs apoptosis by reducing levels of apoptosis-related proteins. Additionally, bergenin reduced oxidative stress through downregulation of antioxidant enzymes activity and overall ROS levels. Moreover, the combined use with Sh-Nrf2 resulted in a reduced protection of bergenin against triptolide-induced apoptosis of OGCs. Together, bergenin counteracts triptolide-caused POF in mice by inhibiting Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress and preventing OGC apoptosis. Combining bergenin with TW preparations may effectively reduce the risk of POF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanrong Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Long Mian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Lichen Yao
- Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Long Mian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yilei Guo
- Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Long Mian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Long Mian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yufeng Xia
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Long Mian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Zhifeng Wei
- Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Long Mian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China.
| | - Yue Dai
- Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Long Mian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China.
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Gao C, Song XD, Chen FH, Wei GL, Guo CY. The protective effect of natural medicines in rheumatoid arthritis via inhibit angiogenesis. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1380098. [PMID: 38881875 PMCID: PMC11176484 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1380098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic immunological disease leading to the progressive bone and joint destruction. Angiogenesis, accompanied by synovial hyperplasia and inflammation underlies joint destruction. Delaying or even blocking synovial angiogenesis has emerged as an important target of RA treatment. Natural medicines has a long history of treating RA, and numerous reports have suggested that natural medicines have a strong inhibitory activity on synovial angiogenesis, thereby improving the progression of RA. Natural medicines could regulate the following signaling pathways: HIF/VEGF/ANG, PI3K/Akt pathway, MAPKs pathway, NF-κB pathway, PPARγ pathway, JAK2/STAT3 pathway, etc., thereby inhibiting angiogenesis. Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (TwHF), sinomenine, and total glucoside of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. Are currently the most representative of all natural products worthy of development and utilization. In this paper, the main factors affecting angiogenesis were discussed and different types of natural medicines that inhibit angiogenesis were systematically summarized. Their specific anti-angiogenesis mechanisms are also reviewed which aiming to provide new perspective and options for the management of RA by targeting angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Gao
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Jiangxi, Ganzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Di Song
- Gannan Medical University, Jiangxi, Ganzhou, China
| | - Fang-Hui Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Jiangxi, Ganzhou, China
| | - Gui-Lin Wei
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Jiangxi, Ganzhou, China
| | - Chun-Yu Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Jiangxi, Ganzhou, China
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Sun J, Du J, Liu X, An J, Hu Y, Wang J, Zhu F, Feng H, Cheng S, Tian H, Mei X, Wu C. Chondroitin sulfate-modified tragacanth gum-gelatin composite nanocapsules loaded with curcumin nanocrystals for the treatment of arthritis. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:270. [PMID: 38769551 PMCID: PMC11104008 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02540-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease of yet undetermined etiology that is accompanied by significant oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and damage to joint tissues. In this study, we designed chondroitin sulfate (CS)-modified tragacanth gum-gelatin composite nanocapsules (CS-Cur-TGNCs) loaded with curcumin nanocrystals (Cur-NCs), which rely on the ability of CS to target CD44 to accumulate drugs in inflamed joints. Cur was encapsulated in the form of nanocrystals into tragacanth gum-gelatin composite nanocapsules (TGNCs) by using an inborn microcrystallization method, which produced CS-Cur-TGNCs with a particle size of approximately 80 ± 11.54 nm and a drug loading capacity of 54.18 ± 5.17%. In an in vitro drug release assay, CS-Cur-TGNCs showed MMP-2-responsive properties. During the treatment of RA, CS-Cur-TGNCs significantly inhibited oxidative stress, promoted the polarization of M2-type macrophages to M1-type macrophages, and decreased the expression of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6). In addition, it also exerted excellent anti-inflammatory effects, and significantly alleviated the swelling of joints during the treatment of gouty arthritis (GA). Therefore, CS-Cur-TGNCs, as a novel drug delivery system, could lead to new ideas for clinical therapeutic regimens for RA and GA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junpeng Sun
- Pharmacy School, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China
- Liaoning Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Medical Testing and Drug Development, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China
| | - Jiaqun Du
- Pharmacy School, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China
- Liaoning Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Medical Testing and Drug Development, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China
| | - Xiaobang Liu
- Pharmacy School, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China
- Liaoning Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Medical Testing and Drug Development, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China
| | - Jinyu An
- Pharmacy School, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China
- Liaoning Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Medical Testing and Drug Development, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China
| | - Yu Hu
- Liaoning Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Medical Testing and Drug Development, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Pharmacy School, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China
- Liaoning Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Medical Testing and Drug Development, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China
| | - Fu Zhu
- Pharmacy School, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China
- Liaoning Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Medical Testing and Drug Development, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China
| | - Huicong Feng
- Liaoning Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Medical Testing and Drug Development, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China
| | - Shuai Cheng
- Liaoning Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Medical Testing and Drug Development, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China
| | - He Tian
- Liaoning Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Medical Testing and Drug Development, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China.
- School of Basic Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China.
| | - Xifan Mei
- Liaoning Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Medical Testing and Drug Development, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China.
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China.
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Tissue Engineering, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China.
| | - Chao Wu
- Pharmacy School, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China.
- Liaoning Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Medical Testing and Drug Development, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China.
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Tissue Engineering, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China.
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Su QY, Li HC, Jiang XJ, Jiang ZQ, Zhang Y, Zhang HY, Zhang SX. Exploring the therapeutic potential of regulatory T cell in rheumatoid arthritis: Insights into subsets, markers, and signaling pathways. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116440. [PMID: 38518605 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic disease characterized by an imbalance between immunological reactivity and immune tolerance. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), which play a crucial role in controlling ongoing autoimmunity and maintaining peripheral tolerance, have shown great potential for the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as RA. This review aims to provide an updated summary of the latest insights into Treg-targeting techniques in RA. We focus on current therapeutic strategies for targeting Tregs based on discussing their subsets, surface markers, suppressive function, and signaling pathways in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin-Yi Su
- The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Department of Rheumatology, Taiyuan, China; Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Huan-Cheng Li
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Jiang
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Zhong-Qing Jiang
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - He-Yi Zhang
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Sheng-Xiao Zhang
- The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Department of Rheumatology, Taiyuan, China; Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China.
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8
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Pan W, Yang B, He D, Chen L, Fu C. Functions and targets of miRNAs in pharmacological and toxicological effects of major components of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:1997-2019. [PMID: 37831113 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02764-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF) has a long history of use as a traditional Chinese medicine and has been widely administered to treat various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, short, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. They participate in the efficacies and even toxicities of the components of TwHF, rendering miRNAs an appealing therapeutic strategy. This review summarizes the recent literature related to the roles and mechanisms of miRNAs in the pharmacological and toxicological effects of main components of TwHF, focusing on two active compounds, triptolide (TP) and celastrol (CEL). Additionally, the prospects for the "You Gu Wu Yun" theory regarding TwHF nephrotoxicity are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Pan
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Basic Medical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421200, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Pharmacy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Yang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Pharmacy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongxiu He
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Basic Medical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421200, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Linxi Chen
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Basic Medical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421200, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengxiao Fu
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Basic Medical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421200, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Pharmacy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
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Xie H, Zhang A, Li J, Mou X, He T, Yeung TC, Lau CBS, Zuo Z, Li P, Kennelly EJ, Leung PC, Tang Y, Fan X, Wang CC, Li L. Cycasin derivative: a potential embryotoxic component of Atractylodes macrocephala rhizome for limb malformation. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2024; 13:tfae057. [PMID: 38623091 PMCID: PMC11015991 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfae057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective The rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (Asteraceae), called Atractylodes macrocephala rhizome (AMR) and known by its traditional name Bai Zhu, is a prominent Chinese herbal medicine employed for preventing miscarriage. However, our previous study revealed that high dosages of AMR administered during pregnancy could cause embryotoxicity but the specific embryotoxic components and their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to screen and identify the potential embryotoxic components of AMR. Methods The AMR extracts and sub-fractions were analyzed by thin layer chromatography and subsequently screened by in vitro mouse limb bud micromass and mouse whole embryo culture bioassays. The embryotoxic fractions from AMR were further evaluated in vivo using a pregnant mouse model. The structures of the potential embryotoxic components were analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS). Results In vitro and in vivo bioassays revealed that AMR glycoside-enriched sub-fractions (AMR-A-IIa and AMR-A-IIb) exhibited potential embryotoxicity. These sub-fractions, when administered to pregnant animals, increased the incidence of stillbirth and congenital limb malformations. MS spectrometry analysis identified cycasin derivatives in both sub-fractions, suggesting their possible role in the observed limb malformations. However, further experiments are necessary to validate this hypothesis and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Conclusions Our study provides significant scientific evidence on the pharmacotoxicity of AMR, which is important for the safe clinical application of commonly used Chinese herbal medicines during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongliang Xie
- Pharmaceutical Informatics Institute, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, No. 866 Yuhangtang Road, West Lake District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 310058, China
- National Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Modernization, Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, No. 828 Zhongxing Road, Xitang Town, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, 314100, China
| | - Aolin Zhang
- Pharmaceutical Informatics Institute, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, No. 866 Yuhangtang Road, West Lake District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 310058, China
- National Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Modernization, Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, No. 828 Zhongxing Road, Xitang Town, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, 314100, China
| | - Junwei Li
- Pharmaceutical Informatics Institute, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, No. 866 Yuhangtang Road, West Lake District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 310058, China
- National Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Modernization, Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, No. 828 Zhongxing Road, Xitang Town, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, 314100, China
| | - Xuan Mou
- Pharmaceutical Informatics Institute, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, No. 866 Yuhangtang Road, West Lake District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 310058, China
- National Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Modernization, Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, No. 828 Zhongxing Road, Xitang Town, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, 314100, China
| | - Tao He
- Pharmaceutical Informatics Institute, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, No. 866 Yuhangtang Road, West Lake District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 310058, China
- National Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Modernization, Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, No. 828 Zhongxing Road, Xitang Town, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, 314100, China
| | - Tsz Ching Yeung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences; School of Biomedical Sciences; Sichuan University-Chinese University of Hong Kong Joint Reproductive Medicine Laboratory, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Clara Bik San Lau
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, 999077, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhong Zuo
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, 999077, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehman College, City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, New York, 10468, United States
| | - Edward J Kennelly
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehman College, City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, New York, 10468, United States
| | - Ping Chung Leung
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, 999077, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yu Tang
- Pharmaceutical Informatics Institute, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, No. 866 Yuhangtang Road, West Lake District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 310058, China
- National Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Modernization, Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, No. 828 Zhongxing Road, Xitang Town, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, 314100, China
| | - Xiaohui Fan
- Pharmaceutical Informatics Institute, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, No. 866 Yuhangtang Road, West Lake District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 310058, China
- National Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Modernization, Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, No. 828 Zhongxing Road, Xitang Town, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, 314100, China
- Engineering Research Center of Innovative Anticancer Drugs, Ministry of Education, No. 866 Yuhangtang Road, West Lake District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 310058, China
- Modern Chinese Medicine and Reproductive Health Joint Innovation Center, Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, No. 828 Zhongxing Road, Xitang Town, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, 314100, China
| | - Chi Chiu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences; School of Biomedical Sciences; Sichuan University-Chinese University of Hong Kong Joint Reproductive Medicine Laboratory, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, 999077, Hong Kong
- Modern Chinese Medicine and Reproductive Health Joint Innovation Center, Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, No. 828 Zhongxing Road, Xitang Town, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, 314100, China
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 310053, China
| | - Lu Li
- Pharmaceutical Informatics Institute, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, No. 866 Yuhangtang Road, West Lake District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 310058, China
- National Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Modernization, Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, No. 828 Zhongxing Road, Xitang Town, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, 314100, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences; School of Biomedical Sciences; Sichuan University-Chinese University of Hong Kong Joint Reproductive Medicine Laboratory, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, 999077, Hong Kong
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, 999077, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Modern Chinese Medicine and Reproductive Health Joint Innovation Center, Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, No. 828 Zhongxing Road, Xitang Town, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, 314100, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, No. 3 Qingchun East Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 310016, China
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Huang J, Cai H, Ye X, Zhang G, Ye L, Yang C, Wang J, Jin M. Demethylzeylasteral (T-96) Alleviates Allergic Asthma via Inhibiting MAPK/ERK and NF-κB Pathway. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2024:1-10. [PMID: 38527438 DOI: 10.1159/000537837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Demethylzeylasteral (T-96), a new extract of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, exerted immunomodulatory properties in autoimmune diseases, but its effect on airway inflammatory diseases remains unclear. Our study aims to explore the protective effect and underlying mechanism of T-96 in allergic asthma. METHODS The OVA-induced asthmatic mice were administered by gavage with T-96 (0.1 mg/10 g, 0.3 mg/10 g, or 0.6 mg/10 g) 1 h before each challenge. The airway hyperresponsiveness was assessed, pathological changes were evaluated by HE and PAS staining, and expressions of Th2 cytokines were determined by PCR and ELISA. The activation of MAPK/ERK and NF-κB pathway was assessed by western blot. RESULTS T-96 significantly relieved airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic mice, evidenced by reduced airway resistance (Raw) and increased lung compliance dynamic compliance (Cdyn). Also, enhanced inflammatory infiltration and mucus hypersecretion were ameliorated in lungs of asthmatic mice following increasing doses of T-96 treatment, accompanied by decreased eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), IgE and OVA-specific IgE levels in serum, and downregulated IL-5 and IL-13 expressions in BALF and lung tissues as well. Notably, phosphorylation levels of p38 MAPK, ERK, and p65 NF-κB were obviously increased in asthmatic mice compared with the control group, which were then abrogated upon T-96 treatment. CONCLUSION This study first revealed that T-96 alleviated allergic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness via inhibiting MAPK/ERK and NF-κB pathway. Thus, T-96 could potentially act as a new anti-inflammatory agent in allergic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianan Huang
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Cai
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,
| | - Xiaofen Ye
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ge Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Xuhui Central Hospital, Shanghai Clinical Research Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Ye
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Allergy, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunxin Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meiling Jin
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Allergy, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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11
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Dao TNP, Onikanni SA, Fadaka AO, Klein A, Tran VD, Le MH, Wang CH, Chang HH. In silico identification of compounds from Piper sarmentosum Roxb leaf fractionated extract inhibit interleukin-6 to prevent rheumatoid arthritis. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1358037. [PMID: 38576490 PMCID: PMC10991700 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1358037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: Medicinal herbs with a phytonutrient background has been applied globally as major alternatives to ameliorate the continuous increase in rheumatoid arthritis cases worldwide. We herein aimed to critically examine the bioactive components of the medicinal herb Piper sarmentosum Roxb leaf fractionated extract for its potential to inhibit the influx of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: The Schrödinger platform was employed as the main computational acumen for the screening of bioactive compounds identified and reference compounds subjected to molecular simulation (MDS) for analyzing the stability of docked complexes to assess fluctuations and conformational changes during protein-ligand interactions. Results: The values of the simulatory properties and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed the good stability of these phytochemicals in the active pocket of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Discussion: Our findings reveal new strategies in which these phytochemicals are potential inhibitory agents that can be modified and further evaluated to develop more effective agents for the management of rheumatoid arthritis, thereby providing a better understanding and useful model for the reproduction and/or discovery of new drugs for the management of rheumatoid arthritis and its complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tran Nhat Phong Dao
- Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Faculty of Traditional Medicine, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho, Vietnam
| | - Sunday Amos Onikanni
- College of Medicine, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Biochemistry Unit, Afe-Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | | | - Ashwil Klein
- Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Van De Tran
- Department of Health Organization and Management, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho, Vietnam
| | - Minh Hoang Le
- Faculty of Traditional Medicine, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho, Vietnam
| | - Chih-Hao Wang
- College of Medicine, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Cell Biology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hen-Hong Chang
- Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Chinese Medicine Research Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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12
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Cheng L, Rong X. Emodin promotes the recovery of rheumatoid arthritis by regulating the crosstalk between macrophage subsets and synovial fibroblast subsets. Animal Model Exp Med 2024. [PMID: 38369605 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To study the relationships among emodin, synovial fibroblasts (FLSs), and macrophages (STMs) to provide guidance for the use of emodin in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. METHODS RA clinical samples from patients with different pathological processes were collected, and the correlations between the subsets of FLSs and STMs and pathological processes were analyzed via flow cytometry. In vitro experimental methods such as enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blotting, Transwell assays, CCK-8 assays and cell coculture were used to assess cell proliferation, migration and secretion of inflammatory factors. A collagen-induced arthritis mouse model was constructed to investigate the therapeutic potential of emodin in RA by flow cytometry, micro-CT and staining. RESULTS Unique subsets of FLSs and STMs, namely, FAPα+ THY1- FLSs, FAPα+ THY1+ FLSs, and MerTKpos TREM2high STMs, were identified in synovial tissues from RA patients. The number of MerTKpos TREM2high STMs was negatively correlated with the degree of damage in RA, while the number of FAPα+ THY1- FLSs was positively correlated with damage. On the one hand, emodin promoted the aggregation of MerTKposTREM2high STMs. Moreover, MerTKpos TREM2high STM-mediated secretion of exosomes was promoted, which can inhibit the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors by FAPα+ THY1+ FLSs and promote the secretion of anti-inflammatory factors by FAPα+ THY1+ FLSs, thereby inhibiting FAPα+ THY1- FLS proliferation and migration, improving the local immune microenvironment, and inhibiting RA damage. CONCLUSION Emodin was shown to regulate the aggregation of STM subsets and exosome secretion, affecting the secretion, proliferation and migration of inflammatory factors in FLS subsets, and ultimately achieving good therapeutic efficacy in RA patients, suggesting that it has important clinical value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianying Cheng
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaofeng Rong
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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13
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Long C, He P, Tu R, Song X, Li H, Huang W, Liu J, Zhang L, Guo Y. Subchronic toxicity evaluation of Huobahuagen extract and plasma metabolic profiling analysis combined with conventional pathology methods. J Appl Toxicol 2024; 44:201-215. [PMID: 37697829 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Huobahua, namely, Tripterygium hypoglaucum (Levl.) Hutch, known as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, especially its underground parts, has been widely developed into several Tripterygium agents for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. It has sparked wide public concern about its safety, such as multi-organ toxicity. However, the toxic characteristics and damage mechanism of Huobahuagen extract (HBHGE) remain unclear. In the present study, subchronic oral toxicity study of HBHGE (10.0 g crude drug/kg/day for 12 weeks) was performed in male rats. Hematological, serum biochemical, and histopathological parameters, urinalysis, and plasma metabolic profiling were assessed. The single-dose subchronic toxicity results related to HBHGE exhibited obvious toxicity to the testis and epididymis of male rats. Furthermore, plasma metabolomics analysis suggested that a series of metabolic disorders were induced by oral administration of HBHGE, mainly focusing on amino acid (glutamate, phenylalanine, and tryptophan) metabolisms, pyrimidine metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. Moreover, it appeared that serum testosterone in male rats treated with HBHGE for 12 weeks, decreased significantly, and was susceptible to the toxic effects of HBHGE. Taken together, conventional pathology and plasma metabolomics for preliminarily exploring subchronic toxicity and underlying mechanism can provide useful information about the reduction of toxic risks from HBHGE and new insights into the development of detoxification preparations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyan Long
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
- Safety Evaluation of Drugs, Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
| | - Peilin He
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
- Safety Evaluation of Drugs, Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
| | - Ruxia Tu
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
- Safety Evaluation of Drugs, Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoxian Song
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
- Safety Evaluation of Drugs, Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
| | - Henghua Li
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
- Safety Evaluation of Drugs, Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
| | - Wentao Huang
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
- Safety Evaluation of Drugs, Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
| | - Jianyi Liu
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
- Safety Evaluation of Drugs, Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
- Safety Evaluation of Drugs, Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
| | - Yanlei Guo
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
- Safety Evaluation of Drugs, Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
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Shu Y, Yang R, Wen H, Dong Q, Chen Z, Xiang Y, Wu H. Myricetin reduces neutrophil extracellular trap release in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis, which is associated with a decrease in disease severity. Innate Immun 2024; 30:66-78. [PMID: 38780369 PMCID: PMC11165658 DOI: 10.1177/17534259241255439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease characterized by joint inflammation and severe disability. However, there is a lack of safe and effective drugs for treating RA. In our previous study, we discovered that myricetin (MC) and celecoxib have a synergistic effect in the treatment of RA. We conducted in vitro and in vivo experiments to further investigate the effects and mechanisms of action of MC. Our findings demonstrated that MC treatment effectively reduced the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and alleviated the inflammatory response in RA. Mechanistic studies showed that MC prevents the entry of PADI4 and MPO into the cell nucleus, thereby protecting DNA from decondensation. In a rat arthritis model, MC improved histological changes in ankle joints and suppressed NET-related signaling factors. In conclusion, MC protects the ankle joints against arthritis by inhibiting MPO and PADI4, thereby reducing NET release. The pharmacological mechanism of MC in RA involves the inhibition of NET release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqin Shu
- Medical College of Hubei Enshi College, Enshi, China
| | - Rui Yang
- Medical College of Hubei Enshi College, Enshi, China
- Institute of anti-rheumatism Tujia Medicine, Enshi, China
| | - Huijie Wen
- Medical College of Hubei Enshi College, Enshi, China
| | - Qiannan Dong
- Medical College of Hubei Enshi College, Enshi, China
- Institute of anti-rheumatism Tujia Medicine, Enshi, China
| | - Zhiqi Chen
- Medical College of Hubei Enshi College, Enshi, China
| | - Yang Xiang
- Medical College of Hubei Enshi College, Enshi, China
- Institute of anti-rheumatism Tujia Medicine, Enshi, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease Development and Intervention, Enshi, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Medical College of Hubei Enshi College, Enshi, China
- Institute of anti-rheumatism Tujia Medicine, Enshi, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease Development and Intervention, Enshi, China
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Zhou L, Yang Y, Fu X, Xia B, Li C, Lu C, Qi Y, Zhang H, Liu T. The protective effect and molecular mechanism of glycyrrhizic acid glycosides against Tripterygium glycosides induced nephrotoxicity based on the RhoA/ROCK1 signalling pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 319:117100. [PMID: 37648177 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Tripterygium glycosides (TG), which are extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine, Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F. (TwHF), has promising applications in the treatment of renal diseases; however, since its active components exerts bidirectional kidney toxicity, its clinical application is severely restricted. AIM OF THE STUDY Recent investigations have demonstrated definite toxicity-reducing effects from glycyrrhizic acid glycosides (GA) when combined with TG; however, the mechanism remains unclear. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the specific molecular mechanism by which GA alleviates TG-induced renal toxicity from the perspective of tight junctions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Dynamic analyses, which investigated the changes in kidney toxicity biomarkers for different combinations and concentrations of TG and GA, were conducted for three weeks on SD rats and renal tissue structural changes were examined after three weeks of administration. Additionally, the transcription and translation levels of the relevant tight junctions and RhoA/ROCK1/MLC signalling proteins were analysed in HK-2 cells. RESULTS Our study showed that TG can cause transient tubulotoxicity at certain doses, and that the combined application of GA and TG can repair tight junction structures by regulating the key factors in the RhoA/ROCK1/MLC signalling pathway, thus reducing TG-induced nephrotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS Overall, this study provides a new strategy to reduce TG-induced toxicity by protecting renal tight junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Zhou
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Yifei Yang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Xiaotong Fu
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Bing Xia
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Chun Li
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Chenna Lu
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Ying Qi
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Haijing Zhang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Ting Liu
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing, 100700, China.
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Yu Q, Xu C, Song J, Jin Y, Gao X. Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese medicine/natural medicine in HR-positive Breast Cancer: A comprehensive Literature Review. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 319:117322. [PMID: 37866466 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE With the emergence of endocrine resistance, the survival and good prognosis of HR-positive breast cancer (HR + BC) patients are threatened. As a common complementary and alternative therapy in cancer treatment, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used, and its internal mechanisms have been increasingly explored. AIM OF THE REVIEW In this review, the development status and achievements in understanding of the mechanisms related to the anti-invasion and anti-metastasis effects of TCM against HR + BC and the reversal of endocrine drug resistance by TCM in recent years have been summarized to provide ideas for antitumour research on the active components of TCM/natural medicine. METHODS We searched the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure database (CNKI) (from inception to July 2023) with the key words "HR-positive breast cancer" or "HR-positive breast carcinoma", "HR + BC" and "traditional Chinese medicine", "TCM", or "natural plant", "herb", etc., with the aim of elucidating the intrinsic mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine and natural medicine in the treatment of HR + BC. RESULTS TCM/natural medicine monomers and formulas can regulate the expression of related genes and proteins through the PI3K/AKT, JAK2/STAT3, MAPK, Wnt and other signalling pathways, inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of HR + BC tumours, play a synergistic role in combination with endocrine drugs, and reverse endocrine drug resistance. CONCLUSION The wide variety of TCM/natural medicine components makes the research and development of new methods of TCM for BC treatments more selective and innovative. Although progress has been made on research on TCM/natural medicine, there are still many problems in clinical and basic experimental designs, and more in-depth scientific explorations and research are still needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghong Yu
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China.
| | - Chuchu Xu
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China.
| | - Jiaqing Song
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China.
| | - Ying Jin
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China.
| | - Xiufei Gao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, NO. 54 Youdian Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China.
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Liu X, Lv T, Li X, Xue J, Lin L, Lu L, Li X, Yang Y, Wu Y, Wei Q, Cao W, Li T. Comprehensive transcriptomic analyses identify the immunosuppressive effects of LLDT-8 in ART-treated SIV-infected rhesus macaques. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 126:111173. [PMID: 37984249 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic immune activation plays a significant role in the pathogenesis and disease progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and the existing interventions to address this issue are limited. In a phase II clinical trial, (5R)-5-hydroxytriptolide (LLDT-8) demonstrated promising potential in enhancing CD4+ T cell recovery. However, the therapeutical effects of LLDT-8 remained to be systemic explored. METHODS To assess the treatment effects of LLDT-8, we conducted flow cytometry and RNA-seq analyses on eight Chinese rhesus monkeys infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). Additionally, we performed comprehensive transcriptomic analyses, including cross-sectional and longitudinal differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and deconvolution analysis using peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples from 14-time points. These findings were further validated with RNA-seq analysis on patients who received LLDT-8 treatment, along with in vitro cellular experiments using human PBMCs. RESULTS Flow cytometry analysis revealed that LLDT-8 treatment significantly reduced the percentage of HLA-DR+CD38+CD8+ T cells in SIV-infected rhesus monkeys (P < 0.001). The cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis identified 2531 and 1809 DEGs, respectively. GSEA analysis indicated that LLDT-8 treatment led to significant downregulation of proliferation-related pathways, such as E2F targets, G2M checkpoint, and mitotic spindle pathways. WGCNA analysis identified two modules and 202 hub genes associated with CD8 activation levels. Deconvolution analysis showed a significant decrease in the proportion of CD8+ T cells and activated CD4+ T cells during LLDT-8 treatment. Gene ontology results demonstrated that the common DEGs between LLDT-8-treated patients and rhesus monkeys were primarily enriched in cell activation and cell cycle progression. Furthermore, in vitro cellular experiments validated the consistent impact of LLDT-8 in inhibiting proliferation, activation (HLA-DR and CD38 expression), exhaustion (PD-1 expression), and IFN-γ production in human CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. CONCLUSION LLDT-8 exhibited notable efficacy in alleviating immune activation in both an in vivo animal model and in vitro human cell experiments. These findings suggest that LLDT-8 may hold potential as a drug for managing systemic immune activation associated with SIV/HIV infection, warranting further prospective clinical exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaosheng Liu
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tingxia Lv
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuxia Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Jing Xue
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Remerging Infectious Diseases, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Lin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lianfeng Lu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaodi Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanni Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Wei
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Remerging Infectious Diseases, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Cao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Taisheng Li
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory of Complex, Severe, and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
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Dong X, Zhu LW, Zhang Z, Cao R, Liu P, Shu X, Cao X, Hu Y, Bao X, Xu L, Li C, Xu Y. LLDT-8 ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by mediating macrophage functions in the priming stage. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 962:176201. [PMID: 37984728 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease in the central nervous system caused by T cell activation mediated by peripheral macrophages, resulting in severe neurological deficits and disability. Due to the currently limited and expensive treatments for MS, we here introduce an economic Chinese medicine extract, (5R)-5-Hydroxytriptolide (LLDT-8), which shows low toxicity and high immunosuppressive activity. We used the widely accepted mouse model of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), to examine the immunosuppressive effect of LLDT-8 in vivo. Through the RNA-sequence analysis of peripheral macrophages in EAE mice, we discovered that LLDT-8 alleviates the symptoms of EAE by inhibiting the proinflammatory effect of macrophages, thereby blocking the activation and proliferation of T cells. In all, we found that LLDT-8 could be a potential treatment for MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Dong
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China; Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China; The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li-Wen Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China; Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China; Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China
| | - Runjing Cao
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China; Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Pinyi Liu
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China
| | - Xin Shu
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China; Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China
| | - Xiang Cao
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China
| | - Yujie Hu
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China
| | - Xinyu Bao
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China
| | - Lushan Xu
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China; Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China
| | - Chenggang Li
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China; Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China
| | - Yun Xu
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China; Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210008, China.
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Gao Y, Wang X, Gao Y, Bai J, Zhao Y, Wang R, Wang H, Zhu G, Wang X, Han X, Zhang Y, Wang H. The Lnc-ENST00000602558/IGF1 axis as a predictor of response to treatment with tripterygium glycosides in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Immun Inflamm Dis 2024; 12:e1098. [PMID: 38270302 PMCID: PMC10790680 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.1098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS Growing clinical evidence suggests that not all patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) benefit to the same extent by treatment with tripterygium glycoside (TG), which highlights the need to identify RA-related genes that can be used to predict drug responses. In addition, single genes as markers of RA are not sufficiently accurate for use as predictors. Therefore, there is a need to identify paired expression genes that can serve as biomarkers for predicting the therapeutic effects of TG tablets in RA. METHODS A total of 17 pairs of co-expressed genes were identified as candidates for predicting an RA patient's response to TG therapy, and genes involved in the Lnc-ENST00000602558/GF1 axis were selected for that purpose. A partial-least-squares (PLS)-based model was constructed based on the expression levels of Lnc-ENST00000602558/IGF1 in peripheral blood. The model showed high efficiency for predicting an RA patient's response to TG tablets. RESULTS Our data confirmed that genes co-expressed in the Lnc-ENST00000602558/IGF1 axis mediate the efficacy of TG in RA treatment, reduce tumor necrosis factor-α induced IGF1 expression, and decrease the inflammatory response of MH7a cells. CONCLUSION We found that genes expressed in the Lnc-ENST00000602558/IGF1 axis may be useful for identifying RA patients who will not respond to TG treatment. Our findings provide a rationale for the individualized treatment of RA in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Gao
- Department of Chinese MedicineTsinghua University HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Xiaoyue Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia MedicaChina Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yanfeng Gao
- Department of DermatologyThe Second Mongolian Medical Hospital of Traditional Chinese MedicineChi Feng CityInner MongoliaChina
| | - Jian Bai
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Graduate SchoolGuiyang CityGuizhouChina
| | - Yanpeng Zhao
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Graduate SchoolGuiyang CityGuizhouChina
| | - Renyi Wang
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Graduate SchoolGuiyang CityGuizhouChina
| | - Hanzhou Wang
- Department of Rheumatology, Guang'anmen HospitalChina Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Guangzhao Zhu
- Department of RheumatologyQinghai Hospital of TCMXining CityQinghaiChina
| | - Xixi Wang
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Graduate SchoolGuiyang CityGuizhouChina
| | - Xiaochen Han
- Department of Internal MedicineBeijing Fengsheng Hospital of Traditional Medical Traumatology & OrthopedicsBeijingChina
| | - Yanqiong Zhang
- Institute of Chinese Materia MedicaChina Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Hailong Wang
- Department of Rheumatology, Dongzhimen HospitalBeijing University of Chinese MedicineBeijingChina
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20
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Luo F, Gau SY, Wu YX, Liao HL, Tang F, Zhong Q, Huang Y, Hou L, Liu ZQ, Cai JL, Cao YP, Lu DM, An Y, Lan WY, Liu C, Chen CM, Jia ET, Yao XM, Wei JCC, Ma WK. Efficacy of adalimumab combined with Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F in the treatment of patient with rheumatoid arthritis: A multicenter, open-label, randomized-controlled trial. Int J Rheum Dis 2024; 27:e15031. [PMID: 38287544 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.15031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy and safety of adalimumab (ADA) combined with Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF) in the treatment of methotrexate (MTX)-inadequate response patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS In this multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled clinical trial, 64 RA patients with inadequate response to MTX were 1:1 randomly assigned into treatment or control groups. The treatment group was treated with ADA in combination with TwHF, and the control group was treated with ADA in combination with MTX for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients having low disease activity (2.6 ≤ DAS28-ESR < 3.2) and remission rates (DAS28-ESR < 2.6) at week 24. RESULTS In total, 53 of the 64 patients (82.8%) completed this 24-week clinical trial. By intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis, a comparable outcome was observed between the two groups. The percentage of patients achieving low disease activity in the treatment group and control group were 43.8% and 46.9% (95% CI, 21.28 to 27.48, p = .802). Percentage of patients achieving low disease activity rates were respectively 28.1% and 31.3% in the treatment group and control group (95% CI, 19.18 to 25.58, p = .784). In per-protocol (PP) analysis, the results were consistent with the ITT model. The incidence of adverse events was comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS There were no significant differences in efficacy and safety between ADA combined with TwHF versus ADA combined with MTX in the treatment of RA. TwHF might be an alternative treatment for RA patients who are intolerant to MTX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Luo
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Shuo-Yan Gau
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Xia Wu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, QiandongnanZhou People's Hospital, Kaili, China
| | - Hou-Li Liao
- Department of Rheumatism and Immunology, Xingyi People's Hospital, Xingyi, China
| | - Fang Tang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Qin Zhong
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Ying Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Lei Hou
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Zheng-Qi Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Jin-Long Cai
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, QiandongnanZhou People's Hospital, Kaili, China
| | - Yue-Peng Cao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Dao-Min Lu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Yang An
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Wei-Ya Lan
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Can Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Chang-Ming Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Er-Tao Jia
- The Department of Rheumatology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xue-Ming Yao
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
- Department of Liupanshui Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Liupanshui, China
| | - James Cheng-Chung Wei
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Rheumatology & Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wu-Kai Ma
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
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Huang Y, Peng Y, Li H, Li C, Wu Y, Wang X, Chang J, Miao C. Wilforine inhibits rheumatoid arthritis pathology through the Wnt11/β-catenin signaling pathway axis. Arthritis Res Ther 2023; 25:243. [PMID: 38098062 PMCID: PMC10720104 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-023-03224-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wilforine (WFR) is a monomeric compound of the anti-RA plant Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (TwHF). Whether WFR has anti-RA effect, its molecular mechanism has not been elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY Our study aims to clarify how WFR inhibits fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLS) activation and improves RA through Wnt11 action on the Wnt11/β-catenin signaling pathway. METHODS The therapeutic effect of WFR on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats was evaluated using methods such as rat arthritis score. The inhibitory effects and signaling pathways of WFR on the proliferation and inflammatory response of CIA FLS and RA FLS were studied using ELISA, CCK-8, RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence methods. RESULTS WFR could effectively alleviate the arthritis symptoms of CIA rats; reduce the levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the peripheral blood of CIA rats; and inhibit the expression of MMP3 and fibronectin. The data showed that WFR has a significant inhibitory effect on FLS proliferation. Furthermore, WFR inhibited the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and decreased the expression of Wnt11, β-catenin, CCND1, GSK-3β, and c-Myc, while the effects of WFR were reversed after overexpression of Wnt11. CONCLUSIONS WFR improves RA by inhibiting the Wnt11/β-catenin signaling pathway, and Wnt11 is the direct target of WFR. This study provides a new molecular mechanism for WFR to improve RA and contributes to the clinical promotion of WFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurong Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yanhui Peng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, Anhui Province, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, Anhui Province, China
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yajie Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xiaomei Wang
- Department of Humanistic Nursing, School of Nursing, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.
| | - Jun Chang
- Department of Orthopaedics, the First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
- Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, Hefei, China.
| | - Chenggui Miao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, Anhui Province, China.
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Zhang L, Jiang S, Guan Z, Huang J, Yin Z, Tan G, Wang Y, Zhao Z, Huang M, Jin J. Effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge extracts on improving the efficacy and reducing the toxicity of Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycosides in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 317:116782. [PMID: 37321427 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycosides (TWP), extracted from the traditional Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii, has been widely used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the toxicity of TWP to a variety of organs such as liver, kidney and testis greatly limits its clinical application. Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge is often used in the treatment of RA due to its blood circulation promoting, stasis resolving, and anti-inflammatory effects. Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge has also been reported to possess multiple organ protective effects. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the influences of two main components of Salviorrhiza miltiorrhiza Bunge, hydrophilic salvianolic acids (SA) and lipophilic tanshinones (Tan), on the efficacy and toxicity of TWP in treating RA and to explore the underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS SA and Tan were extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge and the extracts were quantitated by HPLC and identified by UPLC-Q/TOF-MS. Then, a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model was established using bovine type II collagen (CII) and incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA). CIA rats were treated with TWP and/or SA/Tan. After 21 days of continuous treatment, arthritis symptoms and organs toxicity were evaluated. Meanwhile, serum metabolomics were investigated by the UPLC-Q/TOF-MS to understand the underlying mechanism. RESULTS SA and Tan extracts could significantly alleviate arthritis symptoms in CIA rats and decrease the serum levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 when combined with TWP. Meanwhile, both extracts alleviated injury of liver, kidney and testis caused by TWP, and the hydrophilic extract SA was superior. Moreover, a total of 38 endogenous differential metabolites were identified between the CIA model group and the TWP group, among which 33 metabolites were significantly recovered after the combination of SA or Tan. Metabolic pathway analysis showed that SA and Tan can affect metabolic pathways including linoleic acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism and steroid biosynthesis metabolism pathway. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicated for the first time that two Salviorrhiza miltiorrhiza Bunge extracts could improve the efficacy and reduce the toxicity of TWP in the treatment of RA by adjusting metabolic pathways, and the hydrophilic extract SA was superior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Shiqin Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zehao Guan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Junyuan Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zhaokun Yin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Guoyao Tan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zhongxiang Zhao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Min Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jing Jin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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23
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Wen J, Liu J, Wan L, Wang F. Long noncoding RNA/circular RNA regulates competitive endogenous RNA networks in rheumatoid arthritis: molecular mechanisms and traditional Chinese medicine therapeutic significances. Ann Med 2023; 55:973-989. [PMID: 36905646 PMCID: PMC10795602 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2172605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic and autoimmune disease that is mainly featured abnormal fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration. Abnormal expression or function of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) are closely related to human diseases, including RA. There has been increasing evidence showing that in the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks, both lncRNA and circRNA are vital in the biological functions of cells. Nevertheless, the exact mechanism of ceRNA in RA remains to be investigated. Herein, we summarized the molecular potencies of lncRNA/circRNA-mediated ceRNA networks in RA, with emphasis on the phenotypic regulation of ceRNA in the progression of RA, including regulation of proliferation, invasion, inflammation and apoptosis, as well as the role of ceRNA in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of RA. In addition, we also discussed the future direction and potential clinical value of ceRNA in the treatment of RA, which may provide potential reference value for clinical trials of TCM therapy for the treatment of RA.Key messagesLong noncoding RNA/circular RNA can work as the competitive endogenous RNA sponge and participate in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.Traditional Chinese medicine and its agents have shown potential roles in the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis via competitive endogenous RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianting Wen
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Institute of Rheumatology, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Xin’an Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jian Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Institute of Rheumatology, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Internal Medicine Application Foundation Research and Development, Anhui Province—Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Lei Wan
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Institute of Rheumatology, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Internal Medicine Application Foundation Research and Development, Anhui Province—Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Fanfan Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Institute of Rheumatology, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Internal Medicine Application Foundation Research and Development, Anhui Province—Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
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Felipe JL, Bonfá IS, Lossavaro PKMB, Lencina JS, B Carvalho D, Candeloro L, Ferreira GIS, das Neves AR, Souza MIL, Silva-Filho SE, Baroni ACM, Toffoli-Kadri MC. 1,4-Diaryl-1,2,3-triazole neolignan-celecoxib hybrids inhibit experimental arthritis induced by zymosan. Inflammopharmacology 2023; 31:3227-3241. [PMID: 37806984 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-023-01345-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes cartilage damage. Anti-inflammatories are widely used in the management of RA, but they can have side effects such as gastrointestinal and/or cardiovascular disorders. Studies published by our group showed that the synthesis of hybrid triazole analogs neolignan-celecoxib containing the substituent groups sulfonamide (L15) or carboxylic acid (L18) exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in an acute model of inflammation, inhibited expression of P-selectin related to platelet activation and did not induce gastric ulcer, minimizing the related side effects. In continuation, the present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of these analogs in an experimental model of arthritis and on the functions of one of the important cells in this process, macrophages. Mechanical hyperalgesia, joint edema, leukocyte recruitment to the joint and damage to cartilage in experimental arthritis and cytotoxicity, spread of disease, phagocytic activity and nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide production by macrophages were evaluated. Pre-treatment with L15 and L18 reduced mechanical hyperalgesia, joint edema and the influx of leukocytes into the joint cavity after different periods of the stimulus. The histological evaluation of the joint showed that L15 and L18 reduced cartilage damage and there was no formation of rheumatoid pannus. Furthermore, L15 and L18 were non-cytotoxic. The analogs inhibited the spreading, the production of NO and hydrogen peroxide. L15 decreased the phagocytosis. Therefore, L15 and L18 may be potential therapeutic prototypes to treat chronic inflammatory diseases such as RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josyelen L Felipe
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Inflammation, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso Do Sul, UFMS, Campo Grande, MS, 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Iluska S Bonfá
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Inflammation, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso Do Sul, UFMS, Campo Grande, MS, 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Paloma K M B Lossavaro
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Inflammation, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso Do Sul, UFMS, Campo Grande, MS, 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Joyce S Lencina
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Inflammation, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso Do Sul, UFMS, Campo Grande, MS, 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Diego B Carvalho
- Laboratory of Synthesis and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso Do Sul, UFMS, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Luciane Candeloro
- Laboratory of Hystology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso Do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Giovanni I S Ferreira
- Laboratory of Hystology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso Do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Amarith R das Neves
- Laboratory of Synthesis and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso Do Sul, UFMS, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Maria Inês L Souza
- Department of Biophysiopharmacology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso Do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Saulo E Silva-Filho
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Inflammation, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso Do Sul, UFMS, Campo Grande, MS, 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Adriano C M Baroni
- Laboratory of Synthesis and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso Do Sul, UFMS, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
| | - Mônica C Toffoli-Kadri
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Inflammation, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso Do Sul, UFMS, Campo Grande, MS, 79070-900, Brazil.
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Zhou J, Li M, Yu Z, Li C, Zhou L, Zhou X. Protective effect of Qingluotongbi formula against Tripterygium wilfordii induced liver injury in mice by improving fatty acid β-oxidation and mitochondrial biosynthesis. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2023; 61:80-88. [PMID: 36541729 PMCID: PMC9788700 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2022.2157842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Qingluotongbi formula (QLT) is a Chinese medicine compound consisting of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (Celastraceae, TW), Panax notoginseng (Burkill) F.H.Chen (Araliaceae, PN), Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) DC. (Orobanchaceae, RG), Sinomenium acutum (Thunb.) Rehder & E.H. Wilson (Menispermaceae, SA), and Bombyx mori L. (Bombycidae, BM). OBJECTIVE This study investigated the protective effect and possible mechanism of QLT against TW-induced liver injury in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS To establish the model of TW-induced liver injury in mice, C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, low-dose TW group, middle-dose TW group, and high-dose TW group. To observe the effects of QLT and its individual ingredients against TW-induced liver injury, C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 7 groups: control group, TW group, QLT group, PN group, RG group, SA group, BM group.After administration for 7 days, C57BL/6J mice were tested for biochemical indicators and liver pathological changes. Then, we evaluated the mitochondrial function and analysed the gene and protein expression related to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) pathway by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. RESULTS Compared with the control group (0.30 ± 0.35), TW significantly increased mice liver histological score (L, 0.95 ± 1.14; M, 1.25 ± 1.16; H, 4.00 ± 1.13). QLT and its ingredients significantly improved the pathology scores (CON, 0.63 ± 0.74; TW, 4.19 ± 1.53; QLT, 1.56 ± 0.62; PN, 1.94 ± 0.68; RG, 2.75 ± 1.39; SA, 4.13 ± 0.99; BM, 4.13 ± 0.99). Western blot and qRT-PCR analysis revealed that QLT and its ingredients reversed TW-induced suppression of PPARα/PGC1-α pathway.Discussion and conclusions: These findings provide valuable information for compound compatibility studies and TW clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhou
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ming Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Zhichao Yu
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Changqing Li
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Lingling Zhou
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Material Medical, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xueping Zhou
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Jiang X, Yuan C, Ding R, Lu D, Peng X, Dong Z, Zhu C, Lin Y, Wu C, Xie Q. Toxic metabolites and metabolic soft spots of celastrol based on glutathione metabolic capture and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2023; 19:1023-1032. [PMID: 38145500 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2023.2294042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Celastrol is known as one of the most medicinally valuable compounds. However, the pharmaceutical application of celastrol is significantly limited due to high toxicity, while there are few reports on the mechanism of toxicity. METHODS This study searched for possible toxic metabolites through phase I in vitro metabolism and glutathione capture experiments. Then in vivo metabolism experiments in mice and rats were conducted to look for metabolites in vivo. Finally, mice in vivo toxicity experiment was conducted to verify the toxicity of different doses of celastrol to mice. RESULTS In the in vivo and in vitro metabolism experiments, we found 7 phase I metabolites in vitro, 9 glutathione conjugation metabolites in vitro, and 20 metabolites in vivo. The metabolic soft points of celastrol could be the quinone methyl structure at C3-OH and C6. In vivo toxicity experiments show that celastrol causes weight loss, diarrhea, gastrointestinal tract and liver inflammation in mice. CONCLUSIONS This study analyzed the metabolites and possible metabolic soft spots of celastrol, and its hepatotoxicity and gastrointestinal toxicity were demonstrated through in vivo studies for the first time. The results might provide an important basis for potential structural modification to increase the druggability of celastrol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Jiang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cell Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Caixia Yuan
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cell Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Rong Ding
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cell Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Di Lu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cell Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xiaoyu Peng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cell Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Zhihao Dong
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cell Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Chunyan Zhu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cell Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yihua Lin
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Third Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Caisheng Wu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cell Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Qiang Xie
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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Jin F, Ni X, Yu S, Jiang X, Zhou J, Mao D, Liu Y, Wu F. Network pharmacology‑based investigation of potential targets of triptonodiol acting on non-small-cell lung cancer. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:547. [PMID: 38017514 PMCID: PMC10683219 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01453-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triptonodiol is a very promising antitumor drug candidate extracted from the Chinese herbal remedy Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F., and related studies are underway. METHODS To explore the mechanism of triptonodiol for lung cancer treatment, we used network pharmacology, molecular docking, and ultimately protein validation. Gene ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed through the David database. Molecular docking was performed using PyMoL2.3.0 and AutoDock Vina software. After screening, the major targets of triptonodiol were identified for the treatment of lung cancer. Target networks were established, Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network topology was analyzed, then KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed. Useful proteins were screened by survival analysis, and Western blot analysis was performed. RESULTS Triptonodiol may regulate cell proliferation, drug resistance, metastasis, anti-apoptosis, etc., by acting on glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3B), protein kinase C (PKC), p21-activated kinase (PAK), and other processes. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that these targets were associated with tumor, erythroblastic oncogene B (ErbB) signaling, protein phosphorylation, kinase activity, etc. Molecular docking showed that the target protein GSK has good binding activity to the main active component of triptonodiol. The protein abundance of GSK3B was significantly downregulated in non-small-cell lung cancer cells H1299 and A549 treated with triptonodiol for 24 h. CONCLUSION The cellular-level studies combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking approaches provide new ideas for the development and therapeutic application of triptonodiol, and identify it as a potential GSK inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Jin
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaochen Ni
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Shilong Yu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, People's Republic of China
- Yangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou, 225001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaomin Jiang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, People's Republic of China
- The Key Laboratory of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Gastric Cancer of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou, 225001, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Defang Mao
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanqing Liu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, People's Republic of China
- The Key Laboratory of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Gastric Cancer of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou, 225001, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
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Gao J, Ma L, Liu Y, Tu L, Wu X, Wang J, Li D, Zhang X, Gao W, Zhang Y, Liu C. CYP72D19 from Tripterygium wilfordii catalyzes C-2 hydroxylation of abietane-type diterpenoids. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2023; 42:1733-1744. [PMID: 37615706 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-023-03059-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE CYP72D19, the first functional gene of the CYP72D subfamily, catalyzes the C-2 hydroxylation of abietane-type diterpenoids. The abietane-type diterpenoids, e.g., triptolide, tripdiolide, and 2-epitripdiolide, are the main natural products for the anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and immunosuppressive activities of Tripterygium wilfordii, while their biosynthetic pathways are not resolved. Here, we cloned and characterized the CYP72D19-catalyzed C-2 hydroxylation of dehydroabietic acid, a compound that has been proven to be a biosynthetic intermediate in triptolide biosynthesis. Through molecular docking and site-directed mutagenesis, L386, L387, and I493 near the active pocket were found to have an important effect on the enzyme activity, which also indicates that steric hindrance of residues plays an important role in function. In addition, CYP72D19 also catalyzed a variety of abietane-type diterpenoids with benzene ring, presumably because the benzene ring of the substrate molecule stabilized the C-ring, allowing the protein and the substrate to form a relatively stable spatial structure. This is the first demonstration of CYP72D subfamily gene function. Our research provides important genetic elements for the structural modification of active ingredients and the heterologous production of other 2-hydroxyl abietane-type natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- National Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Lin Ma
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Lichan Tu
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, 310015, China
| | - Xiaoyi Wu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Jian Wang
- National Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Dan Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Xianan Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Wei Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Changli Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
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Huang Y, Xue Q, Chang J, Wang Y, Cheng C, Xu S, Wang X, Miao C. M6A methylation modification in autoimmune diseases, a promising treatment strategy based on epigenetics. Arthritis Res Ther 2023; 25:189. [PMID: 37784134 PMCID: PMC10544321 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-023-03149-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation modification is involved in the regulation of various biological processes, including inflammation, antitumor, and antiviral immunity. However, the role of m6A modification in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases has been rarely reported. METHODS Based on a description of m6A modification and the corresponding research methods, this review systematically summarizes current insights into the mechanism of m6A methylation modification in autoimmune diseases, especially its contribution to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). RESULTS By regulating different biological processes, m6A methylation is involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and provides a promising biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of such diseases. Notably, m6A methylation modification is involved in regulating a variety of immune cells and mitochondrial energy metabolism. In addition, m6A methylation modification plays a role in the pathological processes of RA, and m6A methylation-related genes can be used as potential targets in RA therapy. CONCLUSIONS M6A methylation modification plays an important role in autoimmune pathological processes such as RA and SLE and represents a promising new target for clinical diagnosis and treatment, providing new ideas for the treatment of autoimmune diseases by targeting m6A modification-related pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurong Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1 Qianjiang Road, Xinzhan District, Hefei, 230012, Anhui Province, China
| | - Qiuyun Xue
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1 Qianjiang Road, Xinzhan District, Hefei, 230012, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jun Chang
- Department of Orthopaedics, the First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
- Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, Hefei, China.
| | - Yuting Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1 Qianjiang Road, Xinzhan District, Hefei, 230012, Anhui Province, China
| | - Chenglong Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1 Qianjiang Road, Xinzhan District, Hefei, 230012, Anhui Province, China
| | - Suowen Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Clinical Research Hospital of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Hefei), University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- Department of Clinical Nursing, School of Nursing, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.
| | - Chenggui Miao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1 Qianjiang Road, Xinzhan District, Hefei, 230012, Anhui Province, China.
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Huang Q, Tan C, Zheng C, Meng H, Wang Z, Lin GQ, Zhang W, Chen B, He QL. DCTPP1, a reliable Q-biomarker for comprehensive evaluation of the quality of tripterygium glycoside tablets based on chemical references. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 119:154972. [PMID: 37531903 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As first-line clinical drugs, tripterygium glycoside tablets (TGTs) often have inconsistent efficacy and toxic side effects, mainly due to inadequate quality control. Therefore, clinically relevant quality standards for TGTs are urgently required. PURPOSE Based on chemical substances and considering pharmacological efficacy, we aimed to develop an effective quality evaluation method for TGTs. METHODS Representative commercial samples of TGTs were collected from different manufacturers, and qualitative UHPLC/LTQ-Orbitrap-MS and quantitative UHPLC-MS/MS analysis methods were successfully applied to evaluate their quality similarities and differences based on their chemical properties. Then the anti-immunity, anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities of TGTs and related monomers were evaluated using Jurkat, RAW264.7, MIA PaCa-2, and PANC-1 as cellular models. Subsequently, we predicted and verified small molecule-DCTPP1 interactions via molecular docking using the established DCTPP1 enzymatic activity assay. Finally, we performed a gray relational analysis to evaluate the chemical characteristics and biological effects of TGTs produced by different manufacturers. RESULTS We collected 24 batches of TGTs (D01-D24) from 5 manufacturers (Co. A, Co. B, Co. C, Co. D, Co. E) for quality evaluation. The chemical composition analysis revealed significant differences in the substance bases of the samples. The D02, D18-D20 samples from Co. B constituted a separate group that differed from other samples, mainly in their absence of diterpenoids and triterpenoids, including triptolide, triptophenolide, and triptonide. In vitro anti-immunity, antitumor and anti-inflammatory tests using the same TGT concentration revealed that, except for D02, D18-D20, the remaining 20 samples exhibited different degrees of anti-immunity, antitumor and anti-inflammatory activity. Our experiments verified that triptolide, triptophenolide, and triptonide were all DCTPP1 inhibitors, and that TGTs generally exhibited DCTPP1 enzyme inhibitory activity. Moreover, the inhibitory activity of D02, D18-D20 samples from Co. B was much lower than that of the other samples, with a nearly tenfold difference in IC50. Further comprehensive analysis revealed a high correlation between DCTPP1 enzyme inhibition activity and the anti-immunity and antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities of these samples. CONCLUSION The established DCTPP1 enzymatic activity assay proved suitable for quantitative pharmacological and pharmaceutical analysis to complement the existing quality control system for TGTs and to evaluate their effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- QinWei Huang
- The Research Center of Chiral Drugs, Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine (IRI), Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - ChunMei Tan
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Traditional Chinese Patent Medicine), Zhejiang Institute for Food and Drug Control, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Cheng Zheng
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Traditional Chinese Patent Medicine), Zhejiang Institute for Food and Drug Control, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Hong Meng
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Animal Alternative Testing Technology of Cosmetics, Zhejiang Institute for Food and Drug Control, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - ZhengNan Wang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Testing and Risk Warning of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Zhejiang Institute for Food and Drug Control, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Guo-Qiang Lin
- The Research Center of Chiral Drugs, Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine (IRI), Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - WenTing Zhang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Traditional Chinese Patent Medicine), Zhejiang Institute for Food and Drug Control, Hangzhou 310052, China.
| | - BiLian Chen
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Traditional Chinese Patent Medicine), Zhejiang Institute for Food and Drug Control, Hangzhou 310052, China.
| | - Qing-Li He
- The Research Center of Chiral Drugs, Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine (IRI), Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
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Zhang Y, Wang X, Ding Z, Lin N, Zhang Y. Enhanced efficacy with reduced toxicity of tripterygium glycoside tablet by compatibility with total glucosides of paeony for rheumatoid arthritis therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 166:115417. [PMID: 37666179 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Drug-induced liver injury remains a critical issue to hinder clinical application of Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets (TGTs) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapy. Combination of TGTs with Total Glucosides of Peony (TGP) may be the most common therapeutic strategy for enhancing TGTs' efficacy and reducing its toxicity. Herein, we aimed to investigate the efficacy-enhancing and toxicity-reducing properties and mechanisms of TGT-TGP combination. METHODS Both TGT-induced acute and chronic liver injury animal models were established. ELISA, transmission electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, western blot and quantitative PCR were performed to determine the efficacy, toxicity and regulatory mechanisms of TGT-TGP combination. RESULTS The compatibility of TGP significantly reduced the abnormal serum ALT and AST levels, and improved liver histopathological changes in both acute and chronic DILI animal models induced by TGTs, with the most effective dosage of TGP-M (medium-dose TGP, 450 mg/kg). Additionally, TGP and TGT synergistically alleviated joint swelling and improved the elevation of serum inflammatory factors, in line with the positive changes in joint histopathological features of collagen induced arthritis mice, with the same effective dosage of TGP-M following 5 weeks' drug combination treatment. Mechanically, TGT significantly increased the number of autophagosomes and the expression of LC3II protein while reducing p62 protein expression in the liver tissues, which were significantly reversed by the compatibility with TGP, similar to the findings based on the inflamed joint tissues. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest an enhanced efficacy with reduced toxicity of TGT by the compatibility with TGP for RA therapy, possibly through regulating various autophagy-related proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Xiaoyue Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Zihe Ding
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Na Lin
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Yanqiong Zhang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
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Chen S, Liu L, Jiang HX, Sun Q, Zhang L, Liu JQ, Liu LF. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS-based urine metabolomics studies on the toxicity and detoxication of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. after roasting. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2023; 234:115573. [PMID: 37459834 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Tripterygium wilfordii (TW), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, was widely used in the treatment of autoimmune disorders and inflammatory diseases. However, the clinical use of TW was limited by severe toxicities, such as hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Our previous studies indicated that roasting was an effective approach for reducing TW-induced toxicity. After roasting, celastrol was completely decomposed, partially converted into 1-hydroxy-2,5,8-trimethyl-9-fluorenone and the total alkaloids content were significantly reduced. However, the detoxication mechanisms of roasting on TW were poorly unknown. This study aimed to explore the toxicity and detoxification mechanisms of TW after roasting based on urine metabolomics. Promising biomarkers were evaluated by multiple comparison analyses. Sixteen toxicity biomarkers were identified between control group and total extract group. Twelve toxicity biomarkers were identified between control group and total alkaloids group. Eight toxicity biomarkers were identified between control group and celastrol group. These metabolites were mainly involved in seven metabolic pathways, summarized as pentose and glucuronate interconversions, lipid metabolism (sphingolipid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolisms, fatty acid biosynthesis and steroid hormone biosynthesis) and amino acid metabolism (taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism). After roasting, the toxicities of total extract, total alkaloids and celastrol were relieved by ameliorative serum parameters and pathological changes in hepatic and renal tissues which revealed that the reduction of celastrol and total alkaloids played important roles in the detoxification of roasting on TW. Furthermore, roasting regulated the levels of fourteen potential biomarkers in the total extract group, ten potential biomarkers in the total alkaloids group and seven candidate biomarkers in the celastrol group to normal levels. Biological pathway analysis revealed that roasting may ameliorate TW-induced metabolic disorders in pentose and glucuronate interconversions, lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism. This study provided evidence for the application of roasting in TW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of TCM, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No.1688 Meiling Road, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province 330004, PR China.
| | - Li Liu
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of TCM, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No.1688 Meiling Road, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province 330004, PR China.
| | - Hong-Xia Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of TCM, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No.1688 Meiling Road, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province 330004, PR China.
| | - Qun Sun
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of TCM, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No.1688 Meiling Road, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province 330004, PR China.
| | - Liang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of TCM, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No.1688 Meiling Road, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province 330004, PR China.
| | - Jian-Qun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of TCM, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No.1688 Meiling Road, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province 330004, PR China.
| | - Li-Fang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Chinese Medicines Analysis, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjia Lane, Nanjing, China.
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Chen Y, Wang Y, Yan J, Xu Y, Liu Y, Ma S, Wu X. Quantification of sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids from genus Tripterygium by band-selective HSQC NMR. Anal Chim Acta 2023; 1274:341568. [PMID: 37455080 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids (SPAs) are bioactive analogues derived from the genus Tripterygium and have anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic properties. Attributed to the similar sesquiterpene structures, the total SPAs showed severe peak overlap in 1D NMR and HPLC, leading to difficulties in identification and quantification. Interestingly, the application of band-selective HSQC NMR that specifically excited the region corresponding to the H-3 of SPAs prompted a signal separation of the total SPAs. Based on the high resolution, 23 SPAs were identified from the band-selective HSQC spectrum. The coupling constants (JCH, JHH) and relaxation times (T1, T2) of SPAs were measured, and it was found that they caused less than 1% attenuation of the HSQC signals, so the HSQC signals of SPAs had almost uniform responses. The concentrations of 23 SPAs were determined by standard curve method, using wilforgine as the calibration. In addition, we extended the pulse length-based concentration determination (PULCON) as a more efficient external standard method to the band-selective HSQC spectrum, and the results showed that the concentrations of alkaloids determined by PULCON were consistent with those measured by standard curve method. The developed quantification approach was validated according to the <761> of United States Pharmacopoeia (USP), demonstrating that the established band-selective HSQC approach is reliable for the rapid quantification of analogues in botanical extracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youwen Chen
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, PR China; School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102, PR China
| | - Yadan Wang
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, PR China
| | - Jiangong Yan
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, PR China
| | - Yiwen Xu
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, PR China
| | - Yuanyan Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102, PR China
| | - Shuangcheng Ma
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, PR China
| | - Xianfu Wu
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, PR China.
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Cui D, Xu D, Yue S, Yan C, Liu W, Fu R, Ma W, Tang Y. Recent advances in the pharmacological applications and liver toxicity of triptolide. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 382:110651. [PMID: 37516378 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Triptolide is a predominant active component of Triptergium wilfordii Hook. F, which has been used for the treatment of cancers and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, triptolide and its derivates are considered to have promising prospects for development into drugs. However, the clinical application of triptolide is limited due to various organ toxicities, especially liver toxicity. The potential mechanism of triptolide-induced hepatotoxicity has attracted increasing attention. Over the past five years, studies have revealed that triptolide-induced liver toxicity is involved in metabolic imbalance, oxidative stress, inflammations, autophagy, apoptosis, and the regulation of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes, gut microbiota and immune cells. In this review, we summarize the pharmacological applications and hepatotoxicity mechanism of triptolide, which will provide solid theoretical evidence for further research of triptolide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongxiao Cui
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, China
| | - Dingqiao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, China
| | - Shijun Yue
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, China
| | - Chaoqun Yan
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Wenjuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, China
| | - Ruijia Fu
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenfu Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Yuping Tang
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, China.
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Cheng T, Tai Z, Shen M, Li Y, Yu J, Wang J, Zhu Q, Chen Z. Advance and Challenges in the Treatment of Skin Diseases with the Transdermal Drug Delivery System. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2165. [PMID: 37631379 PMCID: PMC10458513 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15082165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Skin diseases are among the most prevalent non-fatal conditions worldwide. The transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) has emerged as a promising approach for treating skin diseases, owing to its numerous advantages such as high bioavailability, low systemic toxicity, and improved patient compliance. However, the effectiveness of the TDDS is hindered by several factors, including the barrier properties of the stratum corneum, the nature of the drug and carrier, and delivery conditions. In this paper, we provide an overview of the development of the TDDS from first-generation to fourth-generation systems, highlighting the characteristics of each carrier in terms of mechanism composition, penetration method, mechanism of action, and recent preclinical studies. We further investigated the significant challenges encountered in the development of the TDDS and the crucial significance of clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Cheng
- School of Pharmacy, Bengbu Medical College, 2600 Donghai Road, Bengbu 233030, China; (T.C.); (J.Y.); (J.W.)
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 1278 Baode Road, Shanghai 200443, China; (Z.T.); (M.S.); (Y.L.)
| | - Zongguang Tai
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 1278 Baode Road, Shanghai 200443, China; (Z.T.); (M.S.); (Y.L.)
| | - Min Shen
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 1278 Baode Road, Shanghai 200443, China; (Z.T.); (M.S.); (Y.L.)
| | - Ying Li
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 1278 Baode Road, Shanghai 200443, China; (Z.T.); (M.S.); (Y.L.)
| | - Junxia Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Bengbu Medical College, 2600 Donghai Road, Bengbu 233030, China; (T.C.); (J.Y.); (J.W.)
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 1278 Baode Road, Shanghai 200443, China; (Z.T.); (M.S.); (Y.L.)
| | - Jiandong Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Bengbu Medical College, 2600 Donghai Road, Bengbu 233030, China; (T.C.); (J.Y.); (J.W.)
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 1278 Baode Road, Shanghai 200443, China; (Z.T.); (M.S.); (Y.L.)
| | - Quangang Zhu
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 1278 Baode Road, Shanghai 200443, China; (Z.T.); (M.S.); (Y.L.)
| | - Zhongjian Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Bengbu Medical College, 2600 Donghai Road, Bengbu 233030, China; (T.C.); (J.Y.); (J.W.)
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 1278 Baode Road, Shanghai 200443, China; (Z.T.); (M.S.); (Y.L.)
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36
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Yang YL, Li XF, Song B, Wu S, Wu YY, Huang C, Li J. The Role of CCL3 in the Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheumatol Ther 2023; 10:793-808. [PMID: 37227653 PMCID: PMC10326236 DOI: 10.1007/s40744-023-00554-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease of unexplained causes. Its pathological features include synovial tissue hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration in joint cavity fluid, cartilage bone destruction, and joint deformation. C-C motif chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3) belongs to inflammatory cell chemokine. It is highly expressed in inflammatory immune cells. Increasingly, studies have shown that CCL3 can promote the migration of inflammatory factors to synovial tissue, the destruction of bone and joint, angiogenesis, and participate in the pathogenesis of RA. These symptoms indicate that the expression of CCL3 is highly correlated with RA disease. Therefore, this paper reviews the possible mechanism of CCL3 in the pathogenesis of RA, which may provide some new insights for the diagnosis and treatment of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Li Yang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Disease Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Li
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Disease Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Biao Song
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Sha Wu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Disease Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Wu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Disease Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Disease Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Jun Li
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Disease Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
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37
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Zhang W, Xia S, Ou J, Cao M, Cheng G, Li Z, Wang J, Yang C. A single-cell landscape of triptolide-associated testicular toxicity in mice. J Pharm Anal 2023; 13:880-893. [PMID: 37719193 PMCID: PMC10499588 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Triptolide is a key active component of the widely used traditional Chinese herb medicine Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F. Although triptolide exerts multiple biological activities and shows promising efficacy in treating inflammatory-related diseases, its well-known safety issues, especially reproductive toxicity has aroused concerns. However, a comprehensive dissection of triptolide-associated testicular toxicity at single cell resolution is still lacking. Here, we observed testicular toxicity after 14 days of triptolide exposure, and then constructed a single-cell transcriptome map of 59,127 cells in mouse testes upon triptolide-treatment. We identified triptolide-associated shared and cell-type specific differentially expressed genes, enriched pathways, and ligand-receptor pairs in different cell types of mouse testes. In addition to the loss of germ cells, our results revealed increased macrophages and the inflammatory response in triptolide-treated mouse testes, suggesting a critical role of inflammation in triptolide-induced testicular injury. We also found increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling and downregulated pathways associated with spermatid development in somatic cells, especially Leydig and Sertoli cells, in triptolide-treated mice, indicating that dysregulation of these signaling pathways may contribute to triptolide-induced testicular toxicity. Overall, our high-resolution single-cell landscape offers comprehensive information regarding triptolide-associated gene expression profiles in major cell types of mouse testes at single cell resolution, providing an invaluable resource for understanding the underlying mechanism of triptolide-associated testicular injury and additional discoveries of therapeutic targets of triptolide-induced male reproductive toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China
| | - Siyu Xia
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China
| | - Jinhuan Ou
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China
| | - Min Cao
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China
| | - Guangqing Cheng
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 10700, China
| | - Zhijie Li
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China
| | - Jigang Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 10700, China
| | - Chuanbin Yang
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China
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Guo Q, Wu J, Wang Q, Huang Y, Chen L, Gong J, Du M, Cheng G, Lu T, Zhao M, Zhao Y, Qiu C, Xia F, Zhang J, Chen J, Qiu F, Wang J. Single-cell transcriptome analysis uncovers underlying mechanisms of acute liver injury induced by tripterygium glycosides tablet in mice. J Pharm Anal 2023; 13:908-925. [PMID: 37719192 PMCID: PMC10499593 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Tripterygium glycosides tablet (TGT), the classical commercial drug of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F. has been effectively used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, nephrotic syndrome, leprosy, Behcet's syndrome, leprosy reaction and autoimmune hepatitis. However, due to its narrow and limited treatment window, TGT-induced organ toxicity (among which liver injury accounts for about 40% of clinical reports) has gained increasing attention. The present study aimed to clarify the cellular and molecular events underlying TGT-induced acute liver injury using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology. The TGT-induced acute liver injury mouse model was constructed through short-term TGT exposure and further verified by hematoxylin-eosin staining and liver function-related serum indicators, including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin. Using the mouse model, we identified 15 specific subtypes of cells in the liver tissue, including endothelial cells, hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, and hepatic stellate cells. Further analysis indicated that TGT caused a significant inflammatory response in liver endothelial cells at different spatial locations; led to marked inflammatory response, apoptosis and fatty acid metabolism dysfunction in hepatocytes; activated hepatic stellate cells; brought about the activation, inflammation, and phagocytosis of liver capsular macrophages cells; resulted in immune dysfunction of liver lymphocytes; disturbed the intercellular crosstalk in liver microenvironment by regulating various signaling pathways. Thus, these findings elaborate the mechanism underlying TGT-induced acute liver injury, provide new insights into the safe and rational applications in the clinic, and complement the identification of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for liver protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyan Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Jiangpeng Wu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, and State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China
| | - Qixin Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Yuwen Huang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Institute of Ocean, Bohai University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121013, China
| | - Lin Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Jie Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Maobo Du
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Guangqing Cheng
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Tianming Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Minghong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Yuan Zhao
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518033, China
| | - Chong Qiu
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Fei Xia
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Junzhe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Jiayun Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Feng Qiu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, and State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Jigang Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, and State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China
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Chang Y, Kang P, Cui T, Guo W, Zhang W, Du P, Yi X, Guo S, Gao T, Li C, Li S. Pharmacological inhibition of demethylzeylasteral on JAK-STAT signaling ameliorates vitiligo. J Transl Med 2023; 21:434. [PMID: 37403086 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04293-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The activation of CD8+ T cells and their trafficking to the skin through JAK-STAT signaling play a central role in the development of vitiligo. Thus, targeting this key disease pathway with innovative drugs is an effective strategy for treating vitiligo. Natural products isolated from medicinal herbs are a useful source of novel therapeutics. Demethylzeylasteral (T-96), extracted from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, possesses immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties. METHODS The efficacy of T-96 was tested in our mouse model of vitiligo, and the numbers of CD8+ T cells infiltration and melanocytes remaining in the epidermis were quantified using whole-mount tail staining. Immune regulation of T-96 in CD8+ T cells was evaluated using flow cytometry. Pull-down assay, mass spectrum analysis, molecular docking, knockdown and overexpression approaches were utilized to identify the target proteins of T-96 in CD8+ T cells and keratinocytes. RESULTS Here, we found that T-96 reduced CD8+ T cell infiltration in the epidermis using whole-mount tail staining and alleviated the extent of depigmentation to a comparable degree of tofacitinib (Tofa) in our vitiligo mouse model. In vitro, T-96 decreased the proliferation, CD69 membrane expression, and IFN-γ, granzyme B, (GzmB), and perforin (PRF) levels in CD8+ T cells isolated from patients with vitiligo. Pull-down assays combined with mass spectrum analysis and molecular docking showed that T-96 interacted with JAK3 in CD8+ T cell lysates. Furthermore, T-96 reduced JAK3 and STAT5 phosphorylation following IL-2 treatment. T-96 could not further reduce IFN-γ, GzmB and PRF expression following JAK3 knockdown or inhibit increased immune effectors expression upon JAK3 overexpression. Additionally, T-96 interacted with JAK2 in IFN-γ-stimulated keratinocytes, inhibiting the activation of JAK2, decreasing the total and phosphorylated protein levels of STAT1, and reducing the production and secretion of CXCL9 and CXCL10. T-96 did not significantly inhibit STAT1 and CXCL9/10 expression following JAK2 knockdown, nor did it suppress upregulated STAT1-CXCL9/10 signaling upon JAK2 overexpression. Finally, T-96 reduced the membrane expression of CXCR3, and the culture supernatants pretreated with T-96 under IFN-γ stressed keratinocytes markedly blocked the migration of CXCR3+CD8+ T cells, similarly to Tofa in vitro. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrated that T-96 might have positive therapeutic responses to vitiligo by pharmacologically inhibiting the effector functions and skin trafficking of CD8+ T cells through JAK-STAT signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqian Chang
- Department of Dermatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xijing Hospital, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Pan Kang
- Department of Dermatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xijing Hospital, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tingting Cui
- Department of Dermatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xijing Hospital, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Weinan Guo
- Department of Dermatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xijing Hospital, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Weigang Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xijing Hospital, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Pengran Du
- Department of Dermatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xijing Hospital, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiuli Yi
- Department of Dermatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xijing Hospital, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Sen Guo
- Department of Dermatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xijing Hospital, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tianwen Gao
- Department of Dermatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xijing Hospital, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chunying Li
- Department of Dermatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xijing Hospital, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Shuli Li
- Department of Dermatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xijing Hospital, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China.
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Yang Y, Fu X, Xia B, Zhou L, Zhang H, Li C, Ye X, Liu T. Glycyrrhizic acid glycosides reduces extensive tripterygium glycosides-induced lipid deposition in hepatocytes. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17891. [PMID: 37483744 PMCID: PMC10362073 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim Tripterygium glycosides (TG) extracted from the plant Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F has been used to treat chronic kidney diseases for many years. However, hepatotoxicity limits its clinical application. Glycyrrhizic acid glycosides (GA) can reduce TG hepatotoxicity, however, further investigation into the underlying molecular mechanisms by which GA attenuates TG-induced hepatotoxicity is required. Methods Sprague‒Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control group, the TG groups (TG189 mg/kg group, TG472.5 mg/kg group), and the TG + GA groups (TG189 mg/kg + GA20.25 mg/kg group, TG472.5 mg/kg + GA20.25 mg/kg group). After 21 consecutive days of intragastric administration, structural and molecular changes in hepatocytes were detected. Results After 21 days of TG treatment, the serum level of the total bilirubin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased in the TG189 mg/kg and TG472.5 mg/kg groups when compared to the control group. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were reduced in both TG groups. The ultrastructure of hepatocytes and the structural integrity of the liver were compromised. In addition, the relevant molecular level of the peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor α (PPARα) and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family members (ACSLs) pathway was modulated. With the addition of 20.25 mg/kg GA, the serum biochemical indexes and liver tissue structure ultrastructure of hepatocytes were improved, and the PPARα-ACSLs pathway was corrected. Conclusion The combined application of GA and TG improved abnormal lipid metabolism, repaired liver structure, reduced lipid deposition in hepatocytes, and reduced TG-induced hepatotoxicity.
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Ni X, Jiang X, Yu S, Wu F, Zhou J, Mao D, Wang H, Liu Y, Jin F. Triptonodiol, a Diterpenoid Extracted from Tripterygium wilfordii, Inhibits the Migration and Invasion of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Molecules 2023; 28:4708. [PMID: 37375263 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most prevalent oncological disease worldwide, with non-small-cell lung cancer accounting for approximately 85% of lung cancer cases. Tripterygium wilfordii is a traditional Chinese herb that is widely used to treat rheumatism, pain, inflammation, tumors, and other diseases. In this study, we found that Triptonodiol extracted from Tripterygium wilfordii inhibited the migration and invasion of non-small-cell lung cancer and inhibited cytoskeletal remodeling, which has not been previously reported. Triptonodiol significantly inhibited the motility activity of NSCLC at low toxic concentrations and suppressed the migration and invasion of NSCLC. These results can be confirmed by wound healing, cell trajectory tracking, and Transwell assays. We found that cytoskeletal remodeling was inhibited in Triptonodiol-treated NSCLC, as evidenced by the reduced aggregation of actin and altered pseudopod morphology. Additionally, this study found that Triptonodiol induced an increase in complete autophagic flux in NSCLC. This study suggests that Triptonodiol reduces the aggressive phenotype of NSCLC by inhibiting cytoskeletal remodeling and is a promising anti-tumor compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochen Ni
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Xiaomin Jiang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
- The Key Laboratory of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Gastric Cancer of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Shilong Yu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
- Yangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Feng Wu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Defang Mao
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Haibo Wang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
- The Key Laboratory of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Gastric Cancer of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Yanqing Liu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
- The Key Laboratory of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Gastric Cancer of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Feng Jin
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
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Ge JC, Qian Q, Gao YH, Zhang YF, Li YX, Wang X, Fu Y, Ma YM, Wang Q. Toxic effects of Tripterygium glycoside tablets on the reproductive system of male rats by metabolomics, cytotoxicity, and molecular docking. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 114:154813. [PMID: 37062137 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tripterygium glycoside tablets (TGT) is the most common preparation from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, which is widely used in clinical for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune diseases. However, its serious reproductive toxicity limits its application. PURPOSE This study aimed to elucidate the toxic effects of TGT on the reproductive system of male RA rats and its potential toxic components and mechanism. METHODS Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model was established, and TGT suspension was given at low, medium, and high doses. Gonadal index, pathological changes, and the number of spermatogenic cells were used to evaluate the toxic effects of TGT on the reproductive system. Non-targeted metabolomics of testicular tissue was conducted by UHPLC-QTOF/MS. Combined with network toxicology, the key targets of TGT-induced reproductive toxicity were screened and RT-qPCR was used to validation. In vitro toxicity of 19 components of TGT was evaluated using TM3 and TM4 cell lines. Molecular docking was used to predict the interaction between toxic components and key targets. RESULTS TGT reduced testicular and epididymis weight. Pathology analysis showed a lot of deformed and atrophic spermatogenic tubules. The number of spermatogenic cells decreased significantly (P<0.0001). A total of 58 different metabolites including platelet-activating factor (PAF), lysophosphatidylcholine (Lyso PC), phosphatidylinositol (PI), glutathione (GSH), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) were identified by testicular metabolomics. Glycerophospholipid metabolism, ether lipid metabolism, and glutathione metabolism were key pathways responsible for the reproductive toxicity of TGT. Ten key reproductive toxicity targets were screened by network toxicology. The cytotoxicity test showed that triptolide, triptonide, celastrol, and demethylzeylasteral could significantly reduce the viability of TM3 and TM4 cells. Alkaloids had no apparent toxic effects. Molecular docking showed that the four toxic components had a good affinity with 10 key targets. All binding energies were less than -7 kcal/mol. The RT-qPCR results showed the Cyp19a1 level was significantly up-regulated. Pik3ca and Pik3cg levels were significantly down-regulated. CONCLUSION Through testicular metabolomics, we found that TGT may cause reproductive toxicity through CYP19A1, PIK3CA, and PIK3CG three target, which was preliminarily revealed. This study laid the foundation for elucidating the toxicity mechanism of TGT and evaluating its safety and quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Chen Ge
- School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Qi Qian
- School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Yan-Hua Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Yi-Fan Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Ying-Xuan Li
- School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Xu Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Yan Fu
- School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Yu-Mei Ma
- Department of Research Centre, Hebei Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050000, PR China
| | - Qiao Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China.
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Shi Y, Shi L, Liu Q, Wang W, Liu Y. Molecular mechanism and research progress on pharmacology of ferulic acid in liver diseases. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1207999. [PMID: 37324465 PMCID: PMC10264600 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1207999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Ferulic acid (FA) is a natural polyphenol, a derivative of cinnamic acid, widely found in Angelica, Chuanxiong and other fruits, vegetables and traditional Chinese medicine. FA contains methoxy, 4-hydroxy and carboxylic acid functional groups that bind covalently to neighbouring adjacent unsaturated Cationic C and play a key role in many diseases related to oxidative stress. Numerous studies have shown that ferulic acid protects liver cells and inhibits liver injury, liver fibrosis, hepatotoxicity and hepatocyte apoptosis caused by various factors. FA has protective effects on liver injury induced by acetaminophen, methotrexate, antituberculosis drugs, diosbulbin B and tripterygium wilfordii, mainly through the signal pathways related to TLR4/NF-κB and Keap1/Nrf2. FA also has protective effects on carbon tetrachloride, concanavalin A and septic liver injury. FA pretreatment can protect hepatocytes from radiation damage, protects the liver from damage caused by fluoride, cadmium and aflatoxin b1. At the same time, FA can inhibit liver fibrosis, inhibit liver steatosis and reduce lipid toxicity, improve insulin resistance in the liver and exert the effect of anti-liver cancer. In addition, signalling pathways such as Akt/FoxO1, AMPK, PPAR γ, Smad2/3 and Caspase-3 have been shown to be vital molecular targets for FA involvement in improving various liver diseases. Recent advances in the pharmacological effects of ferulic acid and its derivatives on liver diseases were reviewed. The results will provide guidance for the clinical application of ferulic acid and its derivatives in the treatment of liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Shi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Lu Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qi Liu
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wenbo Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - YongJuan Liu
- Department of Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
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Feng W, Zhong XQ, Zheng XX, Liu QP, Liu MY, Liu XB, Lin CS, Xu Q. The Underlying Mechanism of Duanteng Yimu Decoction in Inhibiting Synovial Hyperplasia in Rheumatoid Arthritis. J Immunol Res 2023; 2023:2340538. [PMID: 37252680 PMCID: PMC10225272 DOI: 10.1155/2023/2340538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) is associated with the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our previous studies confirmed that Duanteng Yimu decoction (DTYMT) effectively inhibits RA fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) proliferation. In this study, we investigated the influence of DTYMT on miR-221 in RA individuals. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to assess histopathological alterations in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice. The expression of miR-221-3p and TLR4 in PBMC, FLS, and cartilage was measured by RT-qPCR. In the in vitro experiments, DTYMT-containing serum was incubated with FLS-transfected miR-221 mimic or inhibitor. CCK-8 was performed to determine FLS proliferation, and the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α was quantified by ELISA assay. In addition, the regulation of miR-221 expression on FLS apoptosis was assessed using flow cytometry. Finally, western blot was employed to reflect TLR4/MyD88 protein levels. HE results showed that DTYMT effectively reduced synovial hyperplasia in the joints of CIA mice. RT-qPCR assay of FLS and cartilage of the model group showed that miR-221-3p and TLR4 significantly increased compared with those in the normal group. All outcomes were improved by DTYMT. The miR-221 mimic reversed the inhibitory effect of DTYMT-containing serum on FLS proliferation, the release of IL-1β, IL-18, IL-6, and TNF-α, and FLS apoptosis, as well as TLR4/MyD88 protein levels. The results showed that miR-221 promotes the activity of RA-FLS by activating TLR4/MyD88 signaling, and DTYMT treats RA by reducing miR-221 in CIA mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Feng
- The First Clinical Medicine School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
| | - Xiao-Qin Zhong
- The First Clinical Medicine School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
| | - Xue-Xia Zheng
- The First Clinical Medicine School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
| | - Qing-Ping Liu
- The First Clinical Medicine School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
| | - Min-Ying Liu
- The First Clinical Medicine School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
| | - Xiao-Bao Liu
- The First Clinical Medicine School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
| | - Chang-Song Lin
- The First Clinical Medicine School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
| | - Qiang Xu
- The First Clinical Medicine School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
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Wu X, Ding H, Zhang Z, Zheng M, Ni H, Huang Z, Wu W, Long H, Zhou Y, Li F, Lei M, Hou J, Wu W, Guo D. An improved strategy for identification and annotation of easily in-sourced dissociation diterpene lactones from plant natural products: Taking Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) as an example. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2023; 37:e9483. [PMID: 36718976 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.9483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Diterpene lactones (DL) in Andrographis paniculata (AP) are known as "natural antibiotics" for their excellent antibacterial activity. During mass spectrometry (MS) analysis, the hydroxyl groups in the AP DL skeleton are prone to neutral loss of H2 O, producing high in-source fragment peaks and affecting the characterization of these components. METHODS Mass tags were applied during the MS data acquisition step, and special adduct ion form was used to guide the data processing and characterization steps. Besides, the total number of characterized AP DLs significantly increased when combining the number of neutrally lost H2 O from AP DLs, incorporating information on the diagnostic ions, and adopting molecular networks generated with the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking database. RESULTS Ninety-nine DLs, comprising 6 monohydroxyl groups, 20 dihydroxyl groups, 27 trihydroxy groups, and 46 DLs with more than 3 hydroxyl groups, were characterized from AP. In addition, based on the characteristic fragments in the product ions (C3 H4 , Δm/z = 40.03 Da), it could be assumed that 90 DLs had the C19-OH structure among the identified DLs. The current study provides a new approach for collecting, processing, and characterizing MS analysis of natural DLs prone to in-source fragmentation. CONCLUSIONS MS characterization of AP DLs was significantly improved, and many potential new compounds were identified in AP. This characterization provides new methods for the purification and identification of AP DLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingdong Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
- Guizhou Engineering Research Center of Industrial Key-Technology for Dendrobium Nobile, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Hongwei Ding
- Department of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
- National Engineering Research Center of TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zijia Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center of TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Man Zheng
- National Engineering Research Center of TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Ni
- National Engineering Research Center of TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyun Huang
- Guangzhou Baiyunshan Xingqun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenyong Wu
- National Engineering Research Center of TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Huali Long
- National Engineering Research Center of TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- National Engineering Research Center of TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Feifei Li
- National Engineering Research Center of TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Min Lei
- National Engineering Research Center of TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinjun Hou
- National Engineering Research Center of TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wanying Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
- National Engineering Research Center of TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dean Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
- National Engineering Research Center of TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Luo Y, Hou X, Xi A, Luo M, Wang K, Xu Z. Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F combination therapy with methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis: An updated meta-analysis. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 307:116211. [PMID: 36706936 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory arthropathy. Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF) is common herbal medicine for the treatment of RA in China. However, many important issues, such as efficacy, safety and optimal doses of the combination therapy of TwHF and Methotrexate (MTX) for RA remain to be evaluated. AIMS OF THE STUDY This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination therapy of TwHF and MTX for RA by meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs). MATERIAL AND METHODS Relevant literature was searched from English (PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane library) and Chinese databases (WanFang, VIP, CNKI) until December 2021. Response rates and rates of adverse events (AEs) were independently extracted and analyzed. RESULTS Fourteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included with a total of 1446 patients, which included eight new RCTs with a total of 803 new patients when compared with the previous meta-analysis (Wang et al., 2017). Compared to MTX monotherapy, TwHF + MTX was revealed a higher effective rate (RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.21), partial remission rate (RR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.40) and remission rate (RR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.55). The addition of TwHF benefited the clinical symptoms (such as tender joint count) and most laboratory indexes (such as the tumor necrosis factor-α). According to the subgroup analyses, the efficacy of the TwHF + MTX seems to be positively associated with the dose of TwHF (10 mg/d vs 30-60 mg/d), negatively related to the dose of MTX (∼10 mg/w vs ∼15 mg/w) and methodological risk of bias of included RCTs, and unrelated to the duration of therapy (12-week vs 24-week). For safety, the addition of TwHF did not increase the risk of most AEs and even reduced the risk of infection and liver AEs. CONCLUSION Combining TwHF with MTX may be a superior strategy in the treatment of RA compared with MTX monotherapy. The optimal combination of TwHF + MTX therapy might be TwHF at 30-60 mg/d with MTX (∼10 mg/w). Further high-quality double-blind RCTs may be able to change the conclusions of our study, which are still warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijun Luo
- Laboratory of Rheumatology & Institute of TCM Clinical Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Hou
- Laboratory of Rheumatology & Institute of TCM Clinical Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Anran Xi
- Laboratory of Rheumatology & Institute of TCM Clinical Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengxian Luo
- Laboratory of Rheumatology & Institute of TCM Clinical Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Keer Wang
- Laboratory of Rheumatology & Institute of TCM Clinical Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhenghao Xu
- Laboratory of Rheumatology & Institute of TCM Clinical Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Huang Y, Ba X, Wang H, Shen P, Han L, Lin W, Yan J, Chen Z, Tu S. Triptolide alleviates collagen-induced arthritis in mice by modulating Treg/Th17 imbalance through the JAK/PTEN-STAT3 pathway. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2023. [PMID: 37186366 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the effects of triptolide (TP) on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice and the related mechanisms. METHODS CIA mice were administered TP for 35 days. Mouse ankle joints and serum antibodies and cytokines were examined to assess the therapeutic effects of TP. The ratios of Treg, Th1, and Th17 cells were measured by flow cytometry and RT-qPCR. Reverse docking was used to characterize the binding modes of TP against target proteins. The expression of the STAT3 pathway in CIA mice was evaluated by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. Mouse spleen lymphocytes were extracted and the expression of the STAT3 pathway after IL-6 stimulation was analyzed. RESULTS TP could significantly alleviate joint swelling, reduce bone destruction, and downregulate serum inflammation levels. TP improved the imbalance of Treg/Th17 cells in CIA mice. TP could form stable complexes with target proteins. TP significantly inhibited the activation of the JAK/PTEN-STAT3 pathway in mice. Moreover, TP regulated the activation of the JAK1/2-STAT3 signaling pathway in mouse spleen lymphocytes under inflammatory stimulation. CONCLUSION TP can inhibit inflammation and alleviate bone destruction in CIA mice. The underlying mechanism is related to the regulation of the imbalance of Treg/Th17 cells through the JAK/PTEN-STAT3 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Huang
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin Ba
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Research Institute of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Pan Shen
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Liang Han
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Weiji Lin
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiahui Yan
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shenghao Tu
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Ran L, Xu B, Han HH, Wang JY, A XY, Cao BR, Meng XH, Zhang CB, Xin PF, Qiu GW, Xiang Z, Pei SQ, Gao CX, Shen J, Zhong S, Xu XR, Bian YQ, Xie J, Shi Q, Sun ST, Xiao LB. The effect of JuanBiQiangGu granules in combination with methotrexate on joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized controlled trial. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1132602. [PMID: 37180723 PMCID: PMC10167420 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1132602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) joint inflammation severely affects joint function and quality of life in patients and leads to joint deformities and limb disability. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used in the treatment of RA do not fully control the progression of joint inflammation and bone destruction and have notable adverse reactions. Traditional Chinese medicine formula JuanBiQiangGu Granules (JBQG) are commonly used for the treatment of RA inflammation and delay of bone destruction, but has not been evaluated through high-quality clinical studies. There is a pressing need for well-designed, randomized, parallel, controlled clinical studies to evaluate the exact effect of JBQG on RA joint inflammation and improvement of patient quality of life. Methods: This is a randomized, parallel, controlled clinical study in which 144 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to 2 groups in a 1:1 ratio. The JBQG group received methotrexate 7.5 mg qw and JBQG granules 8 mg tid, while the MTX group received methotrexate 7.5 mg qw. The endpoint was 12 weeks after treatment. Relevant indices at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks after treatment were observed and recorded, and DAS28-ESR, HAQ-DI, and Sharp scores were recorded for each patient. Blood samples were collected to test for CRP, ESR, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, and INF-γ, and adverse reactions and liver and kidney function (AST, ALT, Cr, BUN) were recorded for safety assessment. After 12 weeks of treatment, the effect of JBQG granules on disease activity, improvement in bone damage, and patient quality of life scores and safety in RA patients were evaluated. Results: A total of 144 subjects completed treatment (71 in the JBQG group and 73 in the MTX group) and were included in the analysis. At baseline, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the observed indicators (p > 0.05). After treatment, 76.06% of patients in the JBQG group had DAS28-ESR levels below or equal to Low, including 45.07% in Remission and 5.63% in High, compared to 53.1% in the MTX group below or equal to Low, 12.33% in Remission, and 17.81% in High. CRP was significantly reduced (8.54 ± 5.87 vs. 11.86 ± 7.92, p < 0.05, p = 0.005), ESR was significantly reduced (15.1 ± 6.11 vs. 21.96 ± 9.19, p < 0.0001), TNF-α was significantly reduced (1.44 ± 0.83 vs. 1.85 ± 1.07, p < 0.05, p = 0.011), IL-17 was significantly reduced (0.53 ± 0.33 vs. 0.71 ± 0.38, p < 0.05, p = 0.004), and INF-γ was significantly reduced (3.2 ± 1.51 vs. 3.89 ± 1.77, p < 0.05, p = 0.014). The median (IQR) OPG in the JBQG group was 2.54 (2.21-3.01), significantly higher than in the MTX group 2.06 (1.81-2.32), p < 0.0001), and the median (IQR) β-CTX in the JBQG group was 0.4 (0.32-0.43), significantly lower than in the MTX group 0.55 (0.47-0.67), p < 0.0001). The median (IQR) VSA scores were 2 (1-3), a decrease from 3 (2-4) in the MTX group (p < 0.0001). The median (IQR) Sharp scores were 1 (1-2), a decrease from 2 (1-2) in the MTX group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05, p = 0.28). The median (IQR) HAQ-DI scores were 11 (8-16), significantly lower than in the MTX group 26 (16-30) (p < 0.0001). The median (IQR) AST in the JBQG group was 16 (12-20), with a significant difference compared to the MTX group 19 (13-25) (p < 0.01, p = 0.004); the median (IQR) ALT in the JBQG group was 14 (10-18), with a significant difference compared to the MTX group 16 (11-22.5) (p < 0.05, p = 0.015). There were no statistically significant differences in Cr or BUN (p > 0.05). Conclusion: JuanBiQiangGu Granules can be used to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis, alleviate joint inflammation, reduce the incidence of adverse reactions to methotrexate, and has good safety. Clinical Trial Registration: http://www.chinadrugtrials.org.cn/index.html; identifier: ChiCTR2100046373.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Ran
- Guanghua Clinical Medical College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Xu
- Guanghua Clinical Medical College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hai-Hui Han
- Guanghua Clinical Medical College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian-Ye Wang
- Guanghua Clinical Medical College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin-Yu A
- Guanghua Clinical Medical College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo-Ran Cao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Hui Meng
- Guanghua Clinical Medical College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng-Bo Zhang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Peng-Fei Xin
- Guanghua Clinical Medical College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guo-Wei Qiu
- Guanghua Clinical Medical College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Xiang
- Guanghua Clinical Medical College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shao-Qiang Pei
- Guanghua Clinical Medical College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen-Xin Gao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Shen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Sheng Zhong
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi-Rui Xu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan-Qin Bian
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Xie
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Shi
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Song-Tao Sun
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lian-Bo Xiao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Wang X, Zhang Y, Ding Z, Du L, Zhang Y, Yan S, Lin N. Cross-talk between the RAS-ERK and mTOR signalings-associated autophagy contributes to tripterygium glycosides tablet-induced liver injury. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 160:114325. [PMID: 36738501 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) remains a critical issue and a hindrance to clinical application of Tripterygium Glycosides Tablet (TGT) despite its favorable therapeutic efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis. Herein, we aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying TGT-induced hepatotoxicity. METHODS Chemical profiling of TGT was identified by UPLC-Q/TOF-MS/MS and its putative targets were predicted based on chemical structure similarity calculation. Following "DILI-related gene-TGT putative target" interaction network construction, a list of key network targets was screened according to nodes' topological importance and functional relevance. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments were performed to determine drug hepatotoxicity and the underlying mechanisms. RESULT A total of 49 chemical components and 914 putative targets of TGTs were identified. Network calculation and functional modularization screened RAS-ERK and mTOR signalings-associated autophagy to be one of the candidate targets of TGT-induced hepatotoxicity. Experimentally, TGT significantly activated RAS-ERK axis, elevated the number of autophagosomes and the expression of LC3II protein, but reduced the expression of p62 protein and suppressed mTOR phosphorylation in the liver tissues of TGT-induced acute liver injury mice and chronic liver injury mice in vivo and AML12 cells in vitro. Moreover, TGT and mL-098 (an activator of RAS) co-treatment reduced AML12 cell viability via regulating autophagy and TGT-induced liver injury-related indicators more dramatically than TGT treatment alone, whereas Salirasib (an inhibitor of RAS) had an opposite effect. CONCLUSION RAS-ERK-mTOR cross-talk may play a crucial role in TGT-induced hepatocyte autophagy, offering a promising target for developing novel therapeutics to combat TGT-induced hepatotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyue Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Zihe Ding
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Lijing Du
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yanqiong Zhang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Shikai Yan
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Na Lin
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
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Qin Z, Zhang G, Jiang S, Ning F, Zhao Z, Huang M, Jin J. Integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics to reveal ferroptosis is involved in Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside tablet-induced testicular injury. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 304:116055. [PMID: 36539070 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.116055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside tablet (TWP), a traditional Chinese medicine preparation, has multiple pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, immune-modulatory and anti-proliferative activities. However, the reproductive toxicity of TWP greatly limits its clinical application and the mechanism of TWP-induced reproductive toxicity is not fully understood yet. AIM OF THE STUDY This study was designed to explore the mechanism of TWP-induced testis injury in male rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS The mechanism underlying TWP-induced rat testicular injury was firstly investigated by integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics. Meanwhile, histopathological analysis, Western blot and RT-qPCR were performed to confirm the damaging effects and mechanisms of TWP on rat testis. RESULTS Histopathological analysis revealed that TWP had significant testicular damage, which severely reduced the testis's tubular diameter and epithelium height. Further, TWP caused the protein level of ZO-1, CLDN11, PLZF, and OCT4 significantly downregulate, suggesting the blood-testis barrier function and spermatogenesis were damaged. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 4952 upregulated and 2626 downregulated, were found in TWP-exposed testis compared to the normal group. Moreover, 77 changed metabolites were identified from testis samples. With integrated analysis of DEGs and changed metabolites, we found that glutathione metabolism and ferroptosis played an essential role in testicular injury. Additionally, the levels of ferroptosis-related protein GPX4, SLC7A11, and NRF2 were significantly downregulated, and the protein level of 4-HNE, a leading product of lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress, was upregulated. The changes in ferroptosis-related genes indicated that TWP might promote ferroptosis in rat testis. CONCLUSION These results suggested that ferroptosis was involved in the testicular damage caused by TWP, which might provide a new strategy to alleviate TWP- induced testicular injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyan Qin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Gengyi Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Shiqin Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Fangqing Ning
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zhongxiang Zhao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Min Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jing Jin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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