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Long JY, Wang ZY, Zuo MT, Huang SJ, Ma X, Qi XJ, Huang CY, Liu ZY. Effect of cytochrome P450 3A4 on tissue distribution of humantenmine, koumine, and gelsemine, three alkaloids from the toxic plant Gelsemium. Toxicol Lett 2024; 397:34-41. [PMID: 38734219 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2024.05.002] [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: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Humantenmine, koumine, and gelsemine are three indole alkaloids found in the highly toxic plant Gelsemium. Humantenmine was the most toxic, followed by gelsemine and koumine. The aim of this study was to investigate and analyze the effects of these three substances on tissue distribution and toxicity in mice pretreated with the Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inducer ketoconazole and the inhibitor rifampicin. The in vivo test results showed that the three alkaloids were absorbed rapidly and had the ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. At 5 min after intraperitoneal injection, the three alkaloids were widely distributed in various tissues and organs, the spleen and pancreas were the most distributed, and the content of all tissues decreased significantly at 20 min. Induction or inhibition of CYP3A4 in vivo can regulate the distribution and elimination effects of the three alkaloids in various tissues and organs. Additionally, induction of CYP3A4 can reduce the toxicity of humantenmine, and vice versa. Changes in CYP3A4 levels may account for the difference in toxicity of humantenmine. These findings provide a reliable and detailed dataset for drug interactions, tissue distribution, and toxicity studies of Gelsemium alkaloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang-Yu Long
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China; Hunan Engineering Technology Research Center of Veterinary Drugs, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China
| | - Zi-Yuan Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China; Hunan Engineering Technology Research Center of Veterinary Drugs, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China
| | - Meng-Ting Zuo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China; Hunan Engineering Technology Research Center of Veterinary Drugs, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China
| | - Si-Juan Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China; Hunan Engineering Technology Research Center of Veterinary Drugs, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China
| | - Xiao Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China; Hunan Engineering Technology Research Center of Veterinary Drugs, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China
| | - Xue-Jia Qi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China; Hunan Engineering Technology Research Center of Veterinary Drugs, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China
| | - Chong-Yin Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China; Hunan Engineering Technology Research Center of Veterinary Drugs, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China
| | - Zhao-Ying Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China; Hunan Engineering Technology Research Center of Veterinary Drugs, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China.
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Wu Z, Zhang J, Wu Y, Chen M, Hu H, Gao X, Li C, Li M, Zhang Y, Lin X, Yang Q, Chen L, Chen K, Zheng L, Zhu A. Gelsenicine disrupted the intestinal barrier of Caenorhabditis elegans. Chem Biol Interact 2024; 395:111036. [PMID: 38705443 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2024.111036] [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: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Gelsemium elegans Benth. (G. elegans) is a traditional medicinal herb that has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, sedative, and detumescence effects. However, it can also cause intestinal side effects such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. The toxicological mechanisms of gelsenicine are still unclear. The objective of this study was to assess enterotoxicity induced by gelsenicine in the nematodes Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). The nematodes were treated with gelsenicine, and subsequently their growth, development, and locomotion behavior were evaluated. The targets of gelsenicine were predicted using PharmMapper. mRNA-seq was performed to verify the predicted targets. Intestinal permeability, ROS generation, and lipofuscin accumulation were measured. Additionally, the fluorescence intensities of GFP-labeled proteins involved in oxidative stress and unfolded protein response in endoplasmic reticulum (UPRER) were quantified. As a result, the treatment of gelsenicine resulted in the inhibition of nematode lifespan, as well as reductions in body length, width, and locomotion behavior. A total of 221 targets were predicted by PharmMapper, and 731 differentially expressed genes were screened out by mRNA-seq. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed involvement in redox process and transmembrane transport. The permeability assay showed leakage of blue dye from the intestinal lumen into the body cavity. Abnormal mRNAs expression of gem-4, hmp-1, fil-2, and pho-1, which regulated intestinal development, absorption and catabolism, transmembrane transport, and apical junctions, was observed. Intestinal lipofuscin and ROS were increased, while sod-2 and isp-1 expressions were decreased. Multiple proteins in SKN-1/DAF-16 pathway were found to bind stably with gelsenicine in a predictive model. There was an up-regulation in the expression of SKN-1:GFP, while the nuclear translocation of DAF-16:GFP exhibited abnormality. The UPRER biomarker HSP-4:GFP was down-regulated. In conclusion, the treatment of gelsenicine resulted in the increase of nematode intestinal permeability. The toxicological mechanisms underlying this effect involved the disruption of intestinal barrier integrity, an imbalance between oxidative and antioxidant processes mediated by the SKN-1/DAF-16 pathway, and abnormal unfolded protein reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zekai Wu
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China; Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Yajiao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Mengting Chen
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Hong Hu
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China; Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Xinyue Gao
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Chutao Li
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Maodong Li
- Institute of Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China
| | - Youbo Zhang
- State key laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs and Department of Natural Medicines, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xiaohuang Lin
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Qiaomei Yang
- Department of Gynecology, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital (Fujian Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Gynecology, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital (Fujian Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, China
| | - Kunqi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China.
| | - Lifeng Zheng
- Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China.
| | - An Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China.
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Pedroni L, Dorne JLCM, Dall'Asta C, Dellafiora L. An in silico insight on the mechanistic aspects of gelsenicine toxicity: A reverse screening study pointing to the possible involvement of acetylcholine binding receptor. Toxicol Lett 2023; 386:1-8. [PMID: 37683806 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2023.09.003] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Gelsedine-type alkaloids are highly toxic plant secondary metabolites produced by shrubs belonging to the Gelsemium genus. Gelsenicine is one of the most concerning gelsedine-type alkaloids with a lethal dose lower than 1 mg/Kg in mice. Several reported episodes of poisoning in livestock and fatality cases in humans due to the usage of Gelsemium plants extracts were reported. Also, gelsedine-type alkaloids were found in honey constituting a potential food safety issue. However, their toxicological understanding is scarce and the molecular mechanism underpinning their toxicity needs further investigations. In this context, an in silico approach based on reverse screening, docking and molecular dynamics successfully identified a possible gelsenicine biological target shedding light on its toxicodynamics. In line with the available crystallographic data, it emerged gelsenicine could target the acetylcholine binding protein possibly acting as a partial agonist against α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR). Overall, these results agreed with evidence previously reported and prioritized AChR for further dedicated analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Pedroni
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Jean Lou C M Dorne
- Scientific Committee and Emerging Risks Unit, European Food Safety Authority, Via Carlo Magno 1A, Parma 43124, Italy
| | - Chiara Dall'Asta
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Luca Dellafiora
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy.
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Sex Differences in the In Vivo Exposure Process of Multiple Components of Gelsemium elegans in Rats. Metabolites 2022; 13:metabo13010033. [PMID: 36676958 PMCID: PMC9865510 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13010033] [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: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Asian Gelsemium elegans (G. elegans) has a wide range of pharmacological activities. However, its strong toxicity limits its potential development and application. Interestingly, there are significant gender differences in G. elegans toxicity in rats. This work aimed to elucidate the overall absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of whole G. elegans crude extract in female and male rats using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC/QqTOF-MS), which facilitates determining the reasons for the gender differences in toxicity. A total of 25 absorbed bioactive components and 3 related produced metabolites were tentatively identified in female rats, while only 17 absorbed bioactive components and 3 related produced metabolites were identified in male rats. By comparison of peak intensities, most compounds were found to be more active in absorption, distribution and excretion in female rats than in male rats, which showed that female rats were more sensitive to G. elegans. This study was the first to investigate the multicomponent in vivo process of G. elegans in rats and compare the differences between sexes. It was hypothesized that differences in the absorption of gelsedine-type alkaloids were one of the main reasons for the sex differences in G. elegans toxicity.
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Grint I, Crea F, Vasiliadou R. The Combination of Electrochemistry and Microfluidic Technology in Drug Metabolism Studies. ChemistryOpen 2022; 11:e202200100. [PMID: 36166688 PMCID: PMC9716038 DOI: 10.1002/open.202200100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Drugs are metabolized within the liver (pH 7.4) by phase I and phase II metabolism. During the process, reactive metabolites can be formed that react covalently with biomolecules and induce toxicity. Identifying and detecting reactive metabolites is an important part of drug development. Preclinical and clinical investigations are conducted to assess the toxicity and safety of a new drug candidate. Electrochemistry coupled to mass spectrometry is an ideal complementary technique to the current preclinical studies, a pure instrumental approach without any purification steps and tedious protocols. The combination of microfluidics with electrochemistry towards the mimicry of drug metabolism offers portability, low volume of reagents and faster reaction times. This review explores the development of microfluidic electrochemical cells for mimicking drug metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isobel Grint
- School of Life, Health and Chemical SciencesThe Open UniversityWalton Hall, Karen HillsMilton KeynesMK7 6AAUK
| | - Francesco Crea
- School of Life, Health and Chemical SciencesThe Open UniversityWalton Hall, Karen HillsMilton KeynesMK7 6AAUK
| | - Rafaela Vasiliadou
- School of Life, Health and Chemical SciencesThe Open UniversityWalton Hall, Karen HillsMilton KeynesMK7 6AAUK
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Li YJ, Hu PP, Zhang Z, Yuan ZH, Yang K, Sun ZL. Protective autophagy alleviates neurotoxin-gelsenicine induced apoptosis through PERK signaling pathway in Neuro-2a cells. Toxicology 2022; 474:153210. [PMID: 35588915 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2022.153210] [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: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Gelsemium elegans Benth. (G. elegans) showed significant biological activities, but it has the side effects of neurotoxicity, predominantly in the form of respiratory depression. Gelsenicine is the main toxic constituent of G. elegans which is highly neurotoxic to humans and animals. Although the acute neurotoxicity of gelsenicine has been widely reported, but neurotoxicity mechanisms have not been elucidated and its direct effect on nerve cells remains poorly characterized. In this study, Neuro-2a cells were used to be our object of study for determining the mechanism by which gelsenicine induced neurotoxicity. We found that gelsenicine is neurotoxic to Neuro-2a cells; indeed cell proliferation was inhibited and apoptosis was induced in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, gelsenicine markedly promoted autophagy and activated autophagic flux. Additionally, promoting autophagy with rapamycin decreased apoptosis, whereas blocking autophagy with 3-methyladenine (3-MA) increased apoptosis. Furthermore, the protein kinase ribose nucleic acid (RNA)-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)/eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2α)/activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) signaling pathway was involved in the induction of protective autophagy in Neuro-2a cells. Inhibition of PERK using small interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibited gelsenicine-induced autophagy and aggravated apoptosis. These data indicate that gelsenicine not only exhibited cytotoxicity and induced apoptosis, but it also induced protective autophagy via PERK signaling pathway to alleviate gelsenicine-mediated apoptosis in Neuro-2a cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Juan Li
- Hunan Engineering Technology Research Center of Veterinary Drugs, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China; Department of Basic Medicine, Xiangnan University, Chenzhou, Hunan 423000, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China
| | - Pei-Pei Hu
- College of Animal Medicine, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economics, Zhengzhou, Henan 400045, China
| | - Zhiqiang Zhang
- College of Animal Medicine, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economics, Zhengzhou, Henan 400045, China
| | - Zhi-Hang Yuan
- Hunan Engineering Technology Research Center of Veterinary Drugs, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China
| | - Kun Yang
- College of Animal Medicine, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economics, Zhengzhou, Henan 400045, China.
| | - Zhi-Liang Sun
- Hunan Engineering Technology Research Center of Veterinary Drugs, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China; National Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China.
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