Paeoniflorin Ameliorates Atherosclerosis by Suppressing TLR4-Mediated NF-κB Activation

Genus Paeonia monoterpene glycosides: A systematic review on their pharmacological activities and molecular mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Genus Paeonia, which is the main source of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Paeoniae Radix Rubra (Chishao in Chinese), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao in Chinese) and Moutan Cortex (Mudanpi in Chinese), is rich in active pharmaceutical ingredient such as monoterpenoid glycosides (MPGs). MPGs from Paeonia have extensive pharmacological effects, but the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of MPGs has not been comprehensively reviewed.

PURPOSE

MPGs compounds are one of the main chemical components of the genus Paeonia, with a wide variety of compounds and strong pharmacological activities, and the structure of the mother nucleus-pinane skeleton is similar to that of a cage. The purpose of this review is to summarize the pharmacological activity and mechanism of action of MPGs from 2012 to 2023, providing reference direction for the development and utilization of Paeonia resources and preclinical research.

METHODS

Keywords and phrases are widely used in database searches, such as PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and X-Mol to search for citations related to the new compounds, extensive pharmacological research and molecular mechanisms of MPGs compounds of genus Paeonia.

RESULTS

Modern research confirms that MPGs are the main compounds in Paeonia that exert pharmacological effects. MPGs with extensive pharmacological characteristics are mainly concentrated in two categories: paeoniflorin derivatives and albiflflorin derivatives among MPGs, which contains 32 compounds. Among them, 5 components including paeoniflorin, albiflorin, oxypaeoniflorin, 6'-O-galloylpaeoniflorin and paeoniflorigenone have been extensively studied, while the other 28 components have only been confirmed to have a certain degree of anti-inflammatory and anticomplementary effects. Studies of pharmacological effects are widely involved in nervous system, endocrine system, digestive system, immune system, etc., and some studies have identified clear mechanisms. MPGs exert pharmacological activity through multilateral mechanisms, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, inhibition of cell apoptosis, regulation of brain gut axis, regulation of gut microbiota and downregulation of mitochondrial apoptosis, etc. CONCLUSION: This systematic review delved into the pharmacological effects and related molecular mechanisms of MPGs. However, there are still some compounds in MPGs whose pharmacological effects and pharmacological mechanisms have not been clarified. In addition, extensive clinical randomized trials are needed to verify the efficacy and dosage of MPGs.

Paeoniflorin alleviated muscle atrophy in cancer cachexia through inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB signaling and activating AKT/mTOR signaling

Cancer cachexia is a progressive wasting syndrome, which is mainly characterized by systemic inflammatory response, weight loss, muscle atrophy, and fat loss. Paeoniflorin (Pae) is a natural compound extracted from the dried root of Paeonia lactiflora Pallas, which is featured in anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunoregulatory pharmacological activities. While, the effects of Pae on cancer cachexia had not been reported before. In the present study, the effects of Pae on muscle atrophy in cancer cachexia were observed both in vitro and in vivo using C2C12 myotube atrophy cell model and C26 tumor-bearing cancer cachexia mice model. In the in vitro study, Pae could alleviate myotubes atrophy induced by conditioned medium of C26 colon cancer cells or LLC Lewis lung cancer cells by decreasing the expression of Atrogin-1 and inhibited the decrease of MHC and MyoD. In the in vivo study, Pae ameliorated weight loss and improved the decrease in cross-sectional area of muscle fibers and the impairment of muscle function in C26 tumor-bearing mice. The inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB pathway and the activation of AKT/mTOR pathway was observed both in C2C12 myotubes and C26 tumor-bearing mice treated by Pae, which might be the main basis of its ameliorating effects on muscle atrophy. In addition, Pae could inhibit the release of IL-6 from C26 tumor cells, which might also contribute to its ameliorating effects on muscle atrophy. Overall, Pae might be a promising candidate for the therapy of cancer cachexia.

Arsenic trioxide alleviates atherosclerosis by inhibiting CD36-induced endocytosis and TLR4/NF-κB-induced inflammation in macrophage and ApoE-/- mice

BACKGROUND

Inflammation and lipid accumulation are key events in atherosclerosis progression. Despite arsenic trioxide's (ATO) toxicity, at appropriate doses, it is a useful treatment for various diseases treatment. ATO prevents vascular restenosis; however, its effects on atherosclerotic plaque development and instability remain unclear.

METHODS

ApoE-/- mice were fed high-fat diet for 4 months, and starting at the third month, ATO was intravenously administered every other day. Atherosclerotic lesion size, histological characteristics, and related protein and lipid profiles were assessed using samples from the aorta, carotid artery, and serum. The anti-inflammatory and anti-pyroptosis effects of ATO were investigated by stimulating RAW264.7 and THP-1 cell lines with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

RESULTS

ATO reduced atherosclerotic lesion formation and plasma lipid levels in ApoE-/- mice. In the serum and aortic plaques, ATO reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory factors, including interleukin (IL) 6 and tumor necrosis factor α, but increased IL-10 levels. Mechanistically, ATO promoted the CD36-mediated internalization of ox-LDL in a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ-dependent manner. Furthermore, ATO downregulated Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression in plaques and macrophages and inhibited p65 nuclear translocation and IκBα degradation. ATO reduced macrophage pyroptosis by downregulating NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) expression and caspase 1 activation.

CONCLUSION

ATO has potential atheroprotective effects, especially in macrophages. The mechanisms were inhibition of CD36-mediated foam cell formation and suppression of inflammatory responses and pyroptosis mediated by TLR4/nuclear factor κB and NLRP3 activation. Our findings provide evidence supporting the potential atheroprotective value of ATO.

Chinese Herbal Medicines for Coronary Heart Disease: Clinical Evidence, Pharmacological Mechanisms, and the Interaction with Gut Microbiota

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a common type of cardiovascular disease (CVD) that has been on the rise in terms of both incidence and mortality worldwide, presenting a significant threat to human health. An increasing body of studies has shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), particularly Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs), can serve as an effective adjunctive therapy to enhance the efficacy of Western drugs in treating CHD due to their multiple targets and multiple pathways. In this article, we critically review data available on the potential therapeutic strategies of CHMs in the intervention of CHD from three perspectives: clinical evidence, pharmacological mechanisms, and the interaction with gut microbiota. We identified 20 CHMs used in clinical practice and it has been found that the total clinical effective rate of CHD patients improved on average by 17.78% with the intervention of these CHMs. Subsequently, six signaling pathways commonly used in treating CHD have been identified through an overview of potential pharmacological mechanisms of these 20 CHMs and the eight representative individual herbs selected from them. CHMs could also act on gut microbiota to intervene in CHD by modulating the composition of gut microbiota, reducing trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) levels, increasing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and maintaining appropriate bile acids (BAs). Thus, the therapeutic potential of CHMs for CHD is worthy of further study in view of the outcomes found in existing studies.

Yi Mai granule improve energy supply of endothelial cells in atherosclerosis via miRNA-125a-5p regulating mitochondrial autophagy through Pink1-Mfn2-Parkin pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Yi Mai granule (YMG) consists of two classic Chinese medicine formulas used to treat cardiovascular disease for centuries. The Pink1-Mfn2-Parkin pathway, a well-recognized mechanism that mediates mitochondrial autophagy, plays a big part in mitochondrial quality control and the maintenance of heart function. However, the effects of YMG on endothelial dysfunction and mitochondrial autophagy remain unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Here, we focused on the therapeutic effects of YMG in improving mitochondrial autophagy and the mechanism of YMG against cardiovascular disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, rats were fed high-fat diet (HFD) for 21 weeks and were given high, medium, and low doses of YMG in stomach. The open field test was used to evaluate the rats' behavior. Atherosclerotic plaques, blood lipids, and cytokine levels were measured. Mitochondrial autophagy changes were observed by Transmission electron microscope (TEM). Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were injured by angiotensinⅡ(AngⅡ) and were given high, medium, and low doses of YMG medicated serum in cell culture medium. Pink1-Mfn2-Parkin expression and miRNA 125a-5p expression were measured by RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that the atherosclerosis model group tended to exhibit reduced vitality behaviors. We proved that the atherosclerosis model group showed obvious atherosclerotic plaques, endothelial cells destruction, and high level of blood lipid and cytokines (including hs-CRP, ET). Mitochondria were reduced, and mitophagy was inhibited in aortic cells of the model group. MiRNA-125a-5p was up-regulated; at the same time, Pink1-Mfn2-Parkin-mediated mitochondrial autophagy was prevented. We also proved that AngⅡinjured HUVEC showed obviously low mRNA levels of Pink1, Mfn2, and Parkin. Interestingly, we found that miRNA-125a-5p was significantly down regulated in Ang II-induced HUVECs. In addition, miRNA-125a-5p significantly reduced the protective effect of YiMai Granules against Ang II injury.

CONCLUSION

Our finding indicated that Pink1-Mfn2-Parkin-mediated mitochondrial autophagy plays a crucial role in alleviating atherosclerosis. YMG alleviated atherosclerosis by potentially activating mitochondrial autophagy may via miRNA-125a-5p, regulating Pink1-Mfn2-Parkin pathway, and regulating proinflammatory factors, vasoconstriction cytokine, and blood lipids.

Promoting reverse cholesterol transport contributes to the amelioration of atherosclerosis by paeoniflorin

Reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) offers a practical approach to mitigating atherosclerosis. Paeoniflorin, a monoterpenoid glycoside found in plants of the Paeoniaceae family, has shown various effects on cardiovascular and liver diseases. Nevertheless, its impact on atherosclerosis in vivo remains poorly understood. The objective of this study is to examine the effect of paeoniflorin on atherosclerosis using apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice and explore the underlying mechanisms, with a specific focus on its modulation of RCT. ApoE-/- mice were continuously administered paeoniflorin by gavage for three months. We assessed lipid parameters in serum and examined pathological changes and gene expressions related to RCT pathways in the aorta, liver, and intestine. In an in vitro study, we utilized RAW264.7 macrophages to investigate the inhibitory effect of paeoniflorin on foam cell formation and its potential to promote RCT. The results revealed that paeoniflorin reduced atherosclerosis, alleviated hyperlipidemia, and mitigated hepatic steatosis. Paeoniflorin may promote RCT by stimulating cholesterol efflux from macrophages via the liver X receptor alpha pathway, enhancing serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I levels, and regulating key genes in hepatic and intestinal RCT. Additionally, treatment ApoE-/- mice with paeoniflorin suppressed the expression of inflammation-related genes, including CD68, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and mitigated oxidative stress in both the aorta and liver. Our results indicated that paeoniflorin has the potential to be a more effective and safer treatment for atherosclerosis, thanks to its promotion of RCT and its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects.

PLGA nanoparticles enhanced cardio-protection of scutellarin and paeoniflorin against isoproterenol-induced myocardial ischemia in rats

This study aims to examine the impact of the microfluidic preparation process on the quality of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) co-delivered with scutellarin (SCU) and paeoniflorin (PAE) in comparison to a conventional emulsification method and to evaluatethe potential cardio-protective effect of SCU-PAE PLGA NPs produced through emulsification method. As compared with microfluidics, the nanoparticles prepared by emulsification method exhibited a smaller size, higher encapsulation efficiency, higher drug loading and lower viscosity for injection. Subsequently, a rat myocardial ischemia (MI) was established using male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (250 ± 20 g) subcutaneously injected with 85 mg/kg isoproterenol (ISO) for two consecutive days. The pharmacokinetic findings demonstrated that our SCU-PAE PLGA NPs exhibited prolonged blood circulation time in MI rats, leading to increased levels of SCU and PAE in the heart. This resulted in significant improvements in electrocardiogram and cardiac index, as well as reduced serum levels of CK, LDH, AST. Histopathological analysis using H&E and TUNEL staining provided further evidence of improved cardiac function and decreased apoptosis. Additionally, experiments measuring SOD, MDA, GSH, NO, TNF-α and IL-6 levels indicated that SCU-PAE PLGA NPs may effectively treat MI through oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways, thereby establishing it as a promising therapeutic intervention.

Effect of miR-663 on atherosclerosis by regulating the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in lipid plaques

OBJECTIVES

Atherosclerosis (AS) is the main cause of coronary heart disease, cerebral infarction, and peripheral vascular disease. microRNAs (miRNAs) are widely distributed in the human body and closely related to the pathological progress of AS. This study probed into the function of miR-663 in AS.

METHODS

The atherosclerotic plaques, cholesterol (CHOL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), inflammatory factors, and miR-663 expression in ApoE-/- mice on high-fat diet were evaluated. The overexpressing miR-663 adenovirus was injected into ApoE-/- mice, followed by measurement of type III collagen (Col III), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, α-SMA, osteopontin, and CD31. miR-663 mimic or inhibitor was introduced into vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) stimulated by oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL), and cell proliferation and IL-6 and IL-18 secretion were evaluated. The binding relationship between miR-663 and HMGA2 was verified, followed by the determination of HMGA2 role in VSMC proliferation.

RESULTS

Atherosclerotic plaques appeared in ApoE-/- mice on high-fat diet, with increased CHOL, LDL, osteopontin, MMP-2 and Col III and decreased miR-663, α-SMA and CD31. miR-663 overexpression downregulated osteopontin, MMP-2 and Col III and upregulated α-SMA and CD31 in ApoE-/- mice on high-fat diet. With Ox-LDL concentration increase, VSMC proliferation was promoted and miR-663 was downregulated. miR-663 overexpression inhibited proliferation of Ox-LDL-stimulated VSMCs and reduced levels of inflammatory factor levels, whereas silencing miR-663 did the opposite. miR-663 targeted HMGA2. HMGA2 overexpression partially reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-663 overexpression on VSMC proliferation.

CONCLUSION

miR-663 targeted HMGA2 to inhibit VSMC proliferation and AS development, which may offer insights into AS treatment.

Paeoniflorin suppresses the apoptosis and inflammation of human coronary artery endothelial cells induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway

CONTEXT

Paeoniflorin (PF) contributes to improving coronary artery disease (CAD).

OBJECTIVE

This study clarified the efficiency of PF in CAD and the molecular mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) were treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL; 20, 40, 80 and 160 μg/mL) and PF (0.05, 0.1 0.2 and 0.4 mM). To study cell phenotypes, HCAECs were treated with 80 μg/mL ox-LDL with or without 0.1 mM PF for 24 h, and cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and flow cytometry, respectively. In addition, inflammatory cytokines levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot evaluated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related factors.

RESULTS

ox-LDL and PF (0.2 and 0.4 mM) suppressed cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. The IC50 value of PF was 722.9 nM. PF facilitated cell viability (115.76%), inhibited apoptosis (46.28%), reduced IL-6 (63.43%) and IL-8 (66.70%) levels and increased IL-10 levels (181.15%) of ox-LDL-treated HCAECs. Additionally, PF inactivated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and XAV939 treatment further promoted cell viability (120.54%), suppressed apoptosis (56.92%), reduced the levels of IL-6 (76.16%) and IL-8 (86.82%) and increased the IL-10 levels (120.22%) of ox-LDL-induced HCAECs after PF treatment. Moreover, PF alleviated plaque lesions of the aorta and aorta root and serum lipid of ApoE-/- mice with a high-fat diet.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

This study first revealed that PF inhibited ox-LDL-induced HCAECs apoptosis and inflammation via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and alleviated CAD, suggesting the potential of PF as a drug for CAD treatment.

HOXA1 participates in VSMC-to-macrophage-like cell transformation via regulation of NF-κB p65 and KLF4: a potential mechanism of atherosclerosis pathogenesis

BACKGROUND

Macrophage-like transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a risk factor of atherosclerosis (AS) progression. Transcription factor homeobox A1 (HOXA1) plays functional roles in differentiation and development. This study aims to explore the role of HOXA1 in VSMC transformation, thereby providing evidence for the potential mechanism of AS pathogenesis.

METHODS

High fat diet (HFD)-fed apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE^-/-) mice were applied as an in vivo model to imitate AS, while 1-palmitoyl-2-(5-oxovaleroyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POV-PC)-treated VSMCs were applied as an in vitro model. Recombinant adeno-associated-virus-1 (AAV-1) vectors that express short-hairpin RNAs targeting HOXA1, herein referred as AAV1-shHOXA1, were generated for the loss-of-function experiments throughout the study.

RESULTS

In the aortic root of AS mice, lipid deposition was severer and HOXA1 expression was higher than the wide-type mice fed with normal diet or HFD. Silencing of HOXA1 inhibited the AS-induced weight gain, inflammatory response, serum and liver lipid metabolism disorder and atherosclerotic plaque formation. Besides, lesions from AS mice with HOXA1 knockdown showed less trans-differentiation of VSMCs to macrophage-like cells, along with a suppression of krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB RelA (p65) expression. In vitro experiments consistently confirmed that HOXA1 knockdown suppressed lipid accumulation, VSMC-to-macrophage phenotypic switch and inflammation in POV-PC-treated VSMCs. Mechanism investigations further illustrated that HOXA1 transcriptionally activated RelA and KLF4 to participate in the pathological manifestations of VSMCs.

CONCLUSIONS

HOXA1 participates in AS progression by regulating VSMCs plasticity via regulation of NF-κB p65 and KLF4. HOXA1 has the potential to be a biomarker or therapeutic target for AS.

Pathomorphological Manifestations and the Course of the Cervical Cancer Disease Determined by Variations in the TLR4 Gene

Cervical cancer (CC) is often associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). Chronic inflammation has been described as one of the triggers of cancer. The immune system fights diseases, including cancer. The genetic polymorphism of pathogen recognition receptors potentially influences the infectious process, development, and disease progression. Many candidate genes SNPs have been contradictory demonstrated to be associated with cervical cancer by association studies, GWAS. TLR4 gene activation can promote antitumor immunity. It can also result in immunosuppression and tumor growth. Our study aimed to investigate eight selected polymorphisms of the TLR4 gene (rs10759932, rs1927906, rs11536898, rs11536865, rs10983755, rs4986790, rs4986791, rs11536897) and to determine the impact of polymorphisms in genotypes and alleles on the pathomorphological characteristics and progression in a group of 172 cervical cancer subjects with stage I-IV. Genotyping was performed by RT-PCR assay. We detected that the CA genotype and A allele of rs11536898 were significantly more frequent in patients with metastases (p = 0.026; p = 0.008). The multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed this link to be significant. The effect of rs10759932 and rs11536898 on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) has been identified as important. In univariate and multivariate Cox analyses, AA genotype of rs11536898 was a negative prognostic factor for PFS (p = 0.024; p = 0.057, respectively) and OS (p = 0.008; p = 0.042, respectively). Rs11536898 C allele predisposed for longer PFS (univariate and multivariate: p = 0.025; p = 0.048, respectively) and for better OS (univariate and multivariate: p = 0.010; p = 0.043). The worse prognostic factor of rs10759932 in a univariate and multivariate Cox analysis for survival was CC genotype: shorter PFS (p = 0.032) and increased risk of death (p = 0.048; p = 0.015, respectively). The T allele of rs10759932 increased longer PFS (univariate and multivariate: p = 0.048; p = 0.019, respectively) and longer OS (univariate and multivariate: p = 0.037; p = 0.009, respectively). Our study suggests that SNPs rs10759932 and rs11536898 may have the potential to be markers contributing to the assessment of the cervical cancer prognosis. Further studies, preferably with larger groups of different ethnic backgrounds, are needed to confirm the results of the current study.

Protective effects of paeoniflorin on cardiovascular diseases: A pharmacological and mechanistic overview

Background and ethnopharmacological relevance: The morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the highest of all diseases, necessitating the search for effective drugs and the improvement of prognosis for CVD patients. Paeoniflorin (5beta-[(Benzoyloxy)methyl] tetrahydro-5-hydroxy-2-methyl-2,5-methano-1H-3,4-dioxacyclobuta [cd] pentalen-1alpha (2H)-yl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, C₂₃H₂₈O₁₁) is mostly derived from the plants of the family Paeoniaceae (a single genus family) and is known to possess multiple pharmacological properties in the treatment of CVDs, making it a promising agent for the protection of the cardiovascular system. Aim of the study: This review evaluates the pharmacological effects and potential mechanisms of paeoniflorin in the treatment of CVDs, with the aim of advancing its further development and application. Methods: Various relevant literatures were searched in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and Web of Science. All eligible studies were analyzed and summarized in this review. Results: Paeoniflorin is a natural drug with great potential for development, which can protect the cardiovascular system by regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, exerting anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, and anti-arteriosclerotic activities, improving cardiac function, and inhibiting cardiac remodeling. However, paeoniflorin was found to have low bioavailability, and its toxicology and safety must be further studied and analyzed, and clinical studies related to it must be carried out. Conclusion: Before paeoniflorin can be used as an effective therapeutic drug for CVDs, further in-depth experimental research, clinical trials, and structural modifications or development of new preparations are required.

Ethanol extract of Piper wallichii ameliorates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice: Involvement of TLR4/NF-κB/COX-2 signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Piper wallichii (family: Piperaceae), a folk herbal medicine with anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic properties, has been traditionally used to treat rheumatic arthralgia, lumbocrural pain, gastrointestinal flatulence, and other intestinal diseases in China, Thailand, and India. However, there is no scientific report on the efficacy and potential mechanisms of Piper wallichii for ulcerative colitis (UC).

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect and possible molecular mechanisms of the ethanol extract of Piper wallichii (EEPW) on DSS-induced UC in BALB/c mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The main components in EEPW were characterized by UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS. Subsequently, the anti-inflammatory effect of EEPW in vitro was preliminarily evaluated in RAW264.7 cells stimulated with LPS. UC model mice were triggered by free access to 4% DSS aqueous solution for 12 consecutive days, and simultaneously, EEPW (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) and tofacitinib (positive control, 30 mg/kg) were orally administrated, respectively. The therapeutic efficacy of EEPW on UC was assessed by body weight, DAI, colon length, and pathological morphology. Besides, we investigated the effects of EEPW on intestinal barrier function, inflammatory factors, and immune systems of UC mice through immunohistochemistry (IHC), flow cytometry, and other techniques. Moreover, the expression of related proteins in the TLR4/NF-κB/COX-2 pathway was analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTS

A total of 14 components were identified in the positive and negative modes, including isofutoquinol A (11), hancinone C (12), and futoquinol (14) which characterized by references. In the RAW264.7 cells experiments, the extract significantly suppressed the levels of TNF-α and IL-6. More importantly, EEPW distinctly improved the symptoms of DSS-induced UC mice as reflected by a significant recovery from body weight, colon length, pathological injuries of the colon, and so on. Further research found that EEPW remarkably restored the levels of occludin, promoted proliferation, and inhibited apoptosis in colon to maintain the integrity of intestinal barrier. In addition, the down-regulation of TNF-α and IL-1β in colon, Th1 and Th17 cells in spleen, as well as the up-regulation of IL-10 in colon and Th2 cells in spleen were distinctly observed in EEPW-treated groups. Furthermore, the protein expression of TLR4, p-IκB-α, p-p65, and COX-2 were significantly inhibited by EEPW.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed for the first time that EEPW effectively ameliorated DSS-induced UC in mice, which might be related to improving intestinal barrier function, maintaining the levels of inflammatory factors, and regulating the immune system. In addition, we found that the anti-inflammatory effect of EEPW on UC mice was involved in the TLR4/NF-κB/COX-2 signaling pathway. In conclusion, Piper wallichii can be used as a candidate for the treatment of UC.

Mechanisms of paeoniaceae action as an antidepressant

Paeoniflorin (PF) has been widely used for the treatment of depression in mice models, some Chinese herbal compound containing PF on treating depression, such as Xiaoyao San, Chaihu-Shugan-San, Danggui Shaoyao San etc. Many experiments are also verifying whether PF in these powders can be used as an effective component in the treatment of depression. Therefore, in this review the antidepressant effect of PF and its mechanism of action are outlined with particular focus on the following aspects: increasing the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters, inhibiting the HPA axis, promoting neuroprotection, enhancing neurogenesis in the hippocampus, and elevating levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This review may be helpful for the application of PF in the treatment of depression.

Recent advances of traditional Chinese medicine for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a common systemic disease with increasing morbidity and mortality worldwide. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with characteristics of multiple pathways and targets, presents advantages in the diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis.

AIM OF THE STUDY

With the modernization of TCM, the active ingredients and molecular mechanisms of TCM for AS treatment have been gradually revealed. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the existing studies on TCM therapies aimed at regulating AS over the past two decades.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using "atherosclerosis" and "Traditional Chinese medicine" as keywords, all relevant TCM literature published in the last 10 years was collected from electronic databases (such as Elsevier, Springer, PubMed, CNKI, and Web of Science), books and papers until March 2022, and the critical information was statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

In this review, we highlighted extracts of 8 single herbs, a total of 41 single active ingredients, 20 TCM formulae, and 25 patented drugs, which were described with chemical structure, source, model, efficacy and potential mechanism.

CONCLUSION

We summarized the cytopathological basis for the development of atherosclerosis involving vascular endothelial cells, macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells, and categorically elaborated the medicinal TCM used for AS, all of which provide the current evidence on the better management of atherosclerosis by TCM.

Glycoside combinations of Buyang Huanwu decoction ameliorate atherosclerosis via STAT3, HIF-1, and VEGF

Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD) is a classical traditional prescription. Glycosides are effective extracts of BYHWD, which have been proven to protect blood vessels and prevent atherosclerosis (AS). However, the mechanism of glycosides in inhibiting abnormal angiogenesis in atherosclerosis is still unclear. The specific amygdalin (AG), paeoniflorin (PF), and astragaloside IV (ASV) contents in the BYHWD-containing serum were detected using mass spectrometry. Network pharmacology and molecular docking are used to screen the targets of glycosides for treating atherosclerosis. The predicted targets were validated in an AS model of rat thoracic aortic endothelial cells (RTAEC) induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). According to the mass spectrometry data, the specific contents of AG, PF, and ASV in the serum were 24.11 ng/ml, 20.94 ng/ml, and 69.87 ng/ml, respectively. Results of bioinformatics analysis show that signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1, and vascular endothelial-derived growth factor (VEGF) may be involved in the treatment of AS with glycosides. The results of cell experiments revealed that glycoside combinations could treat atherosclerosis by inhibiting STAT3, HIF-1, and VEGF. AG, PF, and ASV are the effective ingredients of BYHWD. Glycoside combinations significantly ameliorate atherosclerosis by inhibiting STAT3, HIF-1, and VEGF.

Therapeutic potential of paeoniflorin in atherosclerosis: A cellular action and mechanism-based perspective

Epidemiological studies have shown that the incidence, prevalence and mortality of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) are increasing globally. Atherosclerosis is characterized as a chronic inflammatory disease which involves inflammation and immune dysfunction. P. lactiflora Pall. is a plant origin traditional medicine that has been widely used for the treatment of various diseases for more than a millennium in China, Japan and Korean. Paeoniflorin is a bioactive monomer extracted from P. lactiflora Pall. with anti-atherosclerosis effects. In this article, we comprehensively reviewed the potential therapeutic effects and molecular mechanism whereby paeoniflorin protects against atherosclerosis from the unique angle of inflammation and immune-related pathway dysfunction in vascular endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, monocytes, macrophages, platelets and mast cells. Paeoniflorin, with multiple protective effects in atherosclerosis, has the potential to be used as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of atherosclerosis and its complications. We conclude with a detailed discussion of the challenges and future perspective of paeoniflorin in translational cardiovascular medicine.

Tetramethylpyrazine and Paeoniflorin Synergistically Attenuate Cholesterol Efflux in Macrophage Cells via Enhancing ABCA1 and ABCG1 Expression

The formation of foam cells is a characteristic of the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis. ATP-binding cassette subfamily A1 and G1 (ABCA1 and ABCG1) and scavenger receptor B1 (SR-B1) play critical roles in promoting intracellular cholesterol efflux to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1). We attempted to test the effect of the tetramethylpyrazine-paeoniflorin pair (TP) on cholesterol outflow in foam cells derived from macrophages. In this study, RAW264.7 macrophages were treated with 80 mg/L oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) for 24 h to obtain foam cells. Then they were intervened with TP (tetramethylpyrazine 40 ug/ml plus paeoniflorin 80 ug/ml) for additional 24 h. The distribution of cholesterol in foam cells was evaluated by oil red O staining. The contents of total cholesterol (TC) and free cholesterol (FC) were assessed with commercial kits. Fluorescent imaging was observed with a fluorescent inverted microscope. The capacity of cholesterol efflux was measured with a fluorescent plate reader, and the transcript and protein levels of ABCA1, ABCG1, and SR-B1 were detected by Western blot and quantitative polymerase chain reactions (Q-PCRs). Cytokines in the medium were detected by ELISA and adjusted by total cellular proteins. The results showed that TP decreased ox-LDL-induced cholesterol deposition and foam cell formation by promoting cholesterol efflux to apoA1, which was related to the upregulation of ABCA1 and ABCG1. Moreover, TP decreased the secretion of ox-LDL-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), an important profoam cell cytokine in atherosclerosis.

Bioactive compounds modulating Toll-like 4 receptor (TLR4)-mediated inflammation: pathways involved and future perspectives

Chronic inflammation is associated with the development and progression of several noncommunicable diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, cancer, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Evidence suggests that pattern recognition receptors that identify pathogen-associated molecular patterns and danger-associated molecular patterns are crucial in chronic inflammation. Among the pattern recognition receptors, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) stimulates several inflammatory pathway agonists, such as nuclear factor-κB, interferon regulator factor 3, and nod-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 pathways, which consequently trigger the expression of pro-inflammatory biomarkers, increasing the risk of noncommunicable disease development and progression. Studies have focused on the antagonistic potential of bioactive compounds, following the concept of food as a medicine, in which nutritional strategies may mitigate inflammation via TLR4 modulation. Thus, this review discusses preclinical evidence concerning bioactive compounds from fruit, vegetable, spice, and herb extracts (curcumin, resveratrol, catechin, cinnamaldehyde, emodin, ginsenosides, quercetin, allicin, and caffeine) that may regulate the TLR4 pathway and reduce the inflammatory response. Bioactive compounds can inhibit TLR4-mediated inflammation through gut microbiota modulation, improvement of intestinal permeability, inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-TLR4 binding, and decreasing TLR4 expression by modulation of microRNAs and antioxidant pathways. The responses directly mitigated inflammation, especially nuclear factor-κB activation and inflammatory cytokines release. These findings should be considered for further clinical studies on inflammation-mediated diseases.

Natural products of traditional Chinese medicine treat atherosclerosis by regulating inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a prevalent arteriosclerotic vascular disease that forms a pathological basis for coronary heart disease, stroke, and other diseases. Inflammatory and oxidative stress responses occur throughout the development of AS. Treatment for AS over the past few decades has focused on administering high-intensity statins to reduce blood lipid levels, but these inevitably damage liver and kidney function over the long term. Natural medicines are widely used to prevent and treat AS in China because of their wide range of beneficial effects, low toxicity, and minimal side effects. We searched for relevant literature over the past 5 years in databases such as PubMed using the keywords, “atherosclerosis,” “traditional Chinese medicine,” “natural medicines,” “inflammation,” and “oxidative stress.” We found that the PI3K/AKT, TLR4, JAK/STAT, Nrf2, MAPK, and NF-κB are the most relevant inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways in AS. This review summarizes studies of the natural alkaloid, flavonoid, polyphenol, saponin, and quinone pathways through which natural medicines used to treat AS. This study aimed to update and summarize progress in understanding how natural medicines treat AS via inflammatory and oxidative stress-related signaling pathways. We also planned to create an information base for the development of novel drugs for future AS treatment.

NLRC5 modulates phenotypic transition and inflammation of human venous smooth muscle cells by activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway via TLR4 in varicose veins

In varicose veins, abnormal phenotypic transition and inflammatory response is commonly found in venous smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). We aimed to explore the potential role and mechanism of NLRC5 exerted on VSMCs phenotypic transition and inflammation. NLRC5 expression was detected in varicose veins and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced VSMCs by RT-qPCR and Western bolt assays. A loss-of-function assay was performed to evaluate the effects of NLRC5 knockdown on VSMC proliferation, migration, and phenotypic transition. ELISA was used to detect the contents of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the supernatant. The modulation of NLRC5 on TLR4 expression and Wnt/β-catenin signaling was also evaluated. We found that the expressions of NLRC5 in varicose veins and PDGF-induced VSMCs were upregulated. NLRC5 knockdown inhibited VSMC proliferation and migration. Extracellular matrix transformation was blocked by downregulating NLRC5 with increasing SM-22α expression and MMP-1/TIMP-1 ratio, as well as decreasing OPN and collagen I expressions. Besides, NLRC5 silencing reduced the contents of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, we found that NLRC5 regulated TLR4 expression, as well as subsequently activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway and nuclear translocation of β-catenin, which was involved in NLRC5-mediated phenotypic transition and inflammatory in VSMCs. In conclusion, silencing NLRC5 depressed VSMCs' phenotypic transition and inflammation by modulating Wnt/β-catenin pathway via TLR4. This may provide a theoretical basis for treatment of varicose veins.

Liver X Receptor: a potential target in the treatment of atherosclerosis

INTRODUCTION

Liver X receptors (LXRs) are master regulators of atherogenesis. Their anti-atherogenic potential has been attributed to their role in the inhibition of macrophage-mediated inflammation and promotion of reverse cholesterol transport. Owing to the significance of their anti-atherogenic potential, it is essential to develop and test new generation LXR agonists, both synthetic and natural, to identify potential LXR-targeted therapeutics for the future.

AREAS COVERED

This review describes the role of LXRs in atherosclerotic development, provides a summary of LXR agonists and future directions for atherosclerosis research. We searched PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar for relevant reports, from last 10 years, using atherosclerosis, liver X receptor, and LXR agonist as keywords.

EXPERT OPINION

LXRα has gained widespread recognition as a regulator of cholesterol homeostasis and expression of inflammatory genes. Further research using models of cell type-specific knockout and specific agonist-targeted LXR isoforms is warranted. Enthusiasm for therapeutic value of LXR agonists has been tempered due to LXRα-mediated induction of hepatic lipogenesis. LXRα agonism and LXRβ targeting, gut-specific inverse LXR agonists, investigations combining LXR agonists with other lipogenesis mitigating agents, like IDOL antagonists and synthetic HDL, and targeting ABCA1, M2 macrophages and LXRα phosphorylation, remain as promising possibilities.

The inhibitory effect of paeoniflorin on reactive oxygen species alleviates the activation of NF-κB and MAPK signalling pathways in macrophages

Paeoniflorin (PF) has been proven to possess a protective effect in some inflammatory diseases, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Macrophages play central roles in inflammatory responses and LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage is an ideal model for studying the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of drugs. Thus, it was used to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of PF in this study. The results showed that PF markedly attenuated the activation of NF-κB, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38) signalling pathways induced by LPS exposure. In addition, PF pretreatment dose-dependently suppressed the production of cytokines and the expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Concomitantly, PF pretreatment dramatically inhibited the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) without affecting the phagocytosis of macrophages. Furthermore, it has proved the scavenging effect of PF on ROS was involved in the anti-inflammatory process. This study provides a novel aspect to the understanding of the anti-inflammatory mechanism of PF.

Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Analysis of the Mechanism Underlying Yikunyin's Therapeutic Effect on Menopausal Syndrome

Objective

Yikunyin is an empirical prescription that exhibits good efficacy in the clinical treatment of menopausal syndrome; however, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study investigates the mechanism implicated in the therapeutic effect of Yikunyin by identifying its hub genes, central pathways, and key active ingredients.

Method

The active ingredients and targets of Yikunyin were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database, whereas the targets related to menopausal syndrome were obtained from GeneCards, PharmGKB, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), and Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). To reveal the pharmacological mechanism, the component-target and the intersecting protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed, and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed. Finally, molecular docking was carried out to assess the strength of binding between the key active ingredients and key targets.

Results

A total of 418 targets and 121 active ingredients were identified in Yikunyin. The intersection of Yikunyin's 418 targets with the 2822 targets related to menopausal syndrome shows that there are 247 common targets that can be considered potential targets of Yikunyin in the treatment of menopausal syndrome. The topology analysis of the constructed PPI network conducted using the Cytoscape software shows that there are 15 hub genes implicated in the therapeutic effect of Yikunyin: AKT1, PRKCA, TLR9, CXCL10, PRKCD, PARP1, ABCB1, TP53, CAV1, MAPK8, PPARA, GRB2, EGFR, IL-6, and JAK2. Moreover, the key active components acting on these genes are paeoniflorin, luteolin, quercetin, beta-sitosterol, and kaempferol. GO and KEGG analyses indicate that Yikunyin can treat menopausal syndrome by regulating cellular response to chemical stress (GO:0062197), cellular response to oxidative stress (GO:0034599), phosphatase binding (GO:0019902), cytokine receptor binding (GO:0005126), PI3K-Akt signaling (hsa04151), lipid and atherosclerosis (hsa05417), and hepatitis B (hsa05161). Finally, the results of molecular docking suggest that the key active ingredients and key targets can bind well, with binding energies of less than −5 kJ/mol.

Conclusion

The research conducted herein reveals that Yikunyin treats menopausal syndrome by targeting AKT1 and IL-6 and by regulating the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Moreover, it provides a new idea for understanding the therapeutic effects of traditional Chinese medicines.

Effect of Dietary Paeoniae Radix Alba Extract on the Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Metabolism, Serum Biochemistry, and Small Intestine Histomorphology of Raccoon Dog During the Growing Period

Paeoniae radix alba extract (PRA extract) has the functions of regulating immunity, resisting inflammation, and has antioxidant properties. However, current recommendations of dietary PRA extract levels for raccoon dogs were inadequate. The purpose of this experimental study was to gain information allowing for better estimating the effects of PRA extract on raccoon dogs, and their PRA requirements. Fifty healthy male raccoon dogs of (120 ± 5) days old were randomly divided into 5 groups (group PRA0, PRA1, PRA2, PRA4, PRA8) with 10 animals in each group and 1 in each replicate. Five kinds of experimental diets were prepared with five levels of Paeoniae radix alba extract (0, 1, 2, 4, 8 g/kg) in the basic diet. The prefeeding period was 7 days and the experimental period was 40 days. The results showed that the average daily feed intake in group PRA1 and PRA2 was significantly higher than that in other groups (P < 0.01). The dry matter excretion in group PRA8 was significantly higher than that in other groups (P < 0.01), while the dry matter digestibility and protein digestibility in group PRA8 were significantly lower than those in other groups (P < 0.01). Nitrogen retention in group PRA1 and PRA2 was significantly higher than that in group PRA8 (P < 0.05). With the increase of the content of Paeoniae radix alba extract in diet, the activity of alkaline phosphatase in group PRA2 was significantly higher than that in group PRA0 (P < 0.05); The activity of serum SOD in group PRA4 was significantly higher than that in other groups (P < 0.01). The content of serum IgA in group PRA2 was significantly higher than that in other groups (P < 0.05). The content of TNF-α in intestinal mucosa in group PRA1 and group PRA2 was significantly lower than that in group PRA0 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, we found that dietary Paeoniae radix alba extract intake significantly improved the feed intake and nitrogen deposition of Ussuri raccoon dog, increased the content of serum IgA and reduced the content of TNF-α in the small intestinal mucosa. We suggest that an estimated dietary Paeoniae radix alba extract level of 1 to 2 g/kg could be used as a guide to achieve the optimal performance of raccoon dogs.

Paeoniflorin ameliorates cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease via JNK/p53 signaling

Paeoniflorin (PF) has numerous benefits, including anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis effects. However, it is not clear if it has neuroprotective effects against cognitive impairment (CI) in Parkinson's disease (PD). Through network pharmacology, we identified probable targets as well as signal pathways through which PF might affect CI in PD. Then, we experimentally validated our findings. The core genes of the protein-protein interactions (PPI) network include MAPK8 (JNK), TP53, CASP3 (caspase-3), postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95) and synaptophysin (SYN). Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that genes involved in apoptosis and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling were significantly enriched. Because JNK is a key mediator of p53-induced apoptosis, we wondered if JNK/p53 pathway influences the effects of PF against apoptosis in mouse model of PD. Molecular docking analysis showed that PF had good affinity for JNK/p53. The results of the experiments indicated that PF ameliorated behavioral impairments and upregulated the expression of the dopamine (DA) neurons, suppressed cell apoptosis in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of PD. Additionally, PF improved 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced neuronal injury by inhibiting apoptosis in hippocampal neurons of the CA1 and CA3, and upregulating PSD-95 as well as SYN protein levels. Similar protective effects were observed upon JNK/p53 pathway inhibition using SP600125. Overall, PF improved CI in PD by inhibiting JNK/p53 pathway.

Nature against Diabetic Retinopathy: A Review on Antiangiogenic, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Phytochemicals

Background and Purpose. Diabetes mellitus (DM), hyperglycemia, and hypertension can result in diabetic retinopathy (DR), which is a major cause of blindness on a global scale. Development of DR is associated with decreased endothelial cells, increased basal membrane thickness, permeation of the retinal blood barrier, and neovascularization in patients. The purpose of the present review is to provide an overview of the findings regarding applications of phytochemicals for DR treatment and could be a beneficial resource for further clinical studies and also a basis for pharmaceutical purposes for drug design. Materials and Methods. A narrative literature review was performed from electronic databases including Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus to analyze the effects of different phytochemicals to prevent or treat oxidation, angiogenesis, and inflammation in diabetic retinopathy. The inclusion criteria were original studies, which included the effects of different phytochemicals on diabetic retinopathy. The exclusion criteria included studies other than original articles, studies which assessed the effects of phytochemicals on nondiabetic retinopathy, and studies which used phytochemical-rich extracts. Results and Conclusions. Studies have shown that increased levels of inflammatory cytokines, angiogenic, and oxidative stress factors are involved in the progression and pathogenesis of DR. Therefore, phytochemicals with their anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic, and antioxidant properties can prevent DR progression and retinal damage through various cellular mechanisms. It is also shown that some phytochemicals can simultaneously affect the inflammation, oxidation, and angiogenesis in DR.

PF-PLC micelles ameliorate cholestatic liver injury via regulating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB and PXR/CAR/UGT1A1 signaling pathways in EE-induced rats

Paeoniflorin (PF) has a certain therapeutic effect on cholestasis liver injury. To further improve the bioavailability of PF and play its pharmacological role in liver protection, PF-phospholipid complex micelles (PF-PLC micelles) were prepared based on our previous research on PF-PLC. The protective effects of PF and PF-PLC micelles on cholestasis liver injury induced by 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE) were compared, and the possible mechanisms were further explored. Herein, we showed that PF-PLC micelles effectively improved liver function, alleviated liver pathological damage, and localized infiltration of inflammatory cells. Mechanism studies indicated that PF-PLC micelles treatment could suppress the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway, and further reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory factors. Meanwhile, our experimental results demonstrated that the beneficial effect of PF-PLC micelles on EE-induced cholestasis may be achieved by the upregulation of nuclear receptors and metabolic enzymes (PXR/CAR/UGT1A1). All these results indicate that PF-PLC micelles have great potential in the treatment of cholestatic liver disease.

The Role of the VEGF Family in Atherosclerosis Development and Its Potential as Treatment Targets

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family, the crucial regulator of angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, lipid metabolism and inflammation, is involved in the development of atherosclerosis and further CVDs (cardiovascular diseases). This review discusses the general regulation and functions of VEGFs, their role in lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis development and progression. These functions present the great potential of applying the VEGF family as a target in the treatment of atherosclerosis and related CVDs. In addition, we discuss several modern anti-atherosclerosis VEGFs-targeted experimental procedures, drugs and natural compounds, which could significantly improve the efficiency of atherosclerosis and related CVDs' treatment.

Paeoniflorin Ameliorates Hyperprolactinemia-Induced Inhibition of Osteoblastogenesis by Suppressing the NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Hyperprolactinemia is a common endocrine disease in women of reproductive age. Research has shown that patients with hyperprolactinemia often have decreased bone mineral density and an increased risk of fractures. However, there is still a lack of effective treatments. Paeoniflorin, one of the primary bioactive components in peony, is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Research has shown that paeoniflorin promotes osteoblast differentiation. However, whether paeoniflorin plays a role in hyperprolactinemia-induced osteoblastogenesis inhibition is not yet clear. In this study, we investigated the effect of paeoniflorin on prolactin (PRL)-mediated inhibition of osteoblast function. Our results showed that prolactin significantly reduced the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Osterix, and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) in MC3T3-E1 cells cultured in an osteoblast differentiation medium, suggesting that prolactin inhibited osteoblast function. After treatment with paeoniflorin (PF), the expression of these osteoblast markers was upregulated. In addition, our findings proved that paeoniflorin increased the absorbance values of ALP-positive cells and the areas of alizarin red S (ARS) deposition compared to those in the prolactin group, suggesting that paeoniflorin reversed the PRL-induced reduction in osteoblast differentiation. The PRL-induced activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) was significantly reversed by paeoniflorin, indicating that paeoniflorin promoted osteoblast function by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. In summary, these results showed that paeoniflorin alleviated the inhibitory effect of prolactin on osteoblastogenesis by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Paeoniflorin ameliorates chronic stress-induced depression-like behavior in mice model by affecting ERK1/2 pathway

Depression is a mental and emotional disorder that has made an opening great burden to the society. Paeoniflorin showed remarkable antidepressant-like effects in multiple animal models with depressive disorders. However, the molecule of paeoniflorin on depression is less studied. This study aims to explore the effect and the molecular mechanism of paeoniflorin on depression in a chronic restraint stress (CRS) mice model. CRS model of C57BL/6 J mice was set up. Sucrose preference test (SPT), tail suspension test (TST), open field test (OFT) and forced swimming test (FST) were used to assess depression symptoms. Immunofluorescence staining, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting were implemented to detect the expression changes of the proteins involved in extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway. Results showed that paeoniflorin treatment decreased the degree of depression in the CRS mice. Further analysis showed that the expression of ERK1/2 proteins was significantly downregulated, while paeoniflorin could elevate the expression of ERK1/2 proteins in CRS mice. Finally, it showed that inhibiting signaling ERK1/2 pathway could aggravate the depressive behavior when treatment with ERK-specific inhibitor U0126, while the condition could be partially relieved when treated with paeoniflorin. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that paeoniflorin attenuated chronic stress-induced depression-like behavior in mice by affecting the ERK1/2 pathway. These findings provided the basis for the molecular mechanism of paeoniflorin on the effect of depression, which support paeoniflorin might act as an important drug in the treatment of depression.

A strategy of screening and binding analysis of bioactive components from traditional Chinese medicine based on surface plasmon resonance biosensor

Elucidating the active components of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is essential for understanding the mechanisms of TCM and promote its rational use as well as TCM-derived drug development. Recent studies have shown that surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology is promising in this field. In the present study, we propose an SPR-based integrated strategy to screen and analyze the major active components of TCM. We used Radix Paeoniae Alba (RPA) as an example to identify the compounds that can account for its anti-inflammatory mechanism via tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1 (TNF-R1). First, RPA extraction was analyzed using an SPR-based screening system, and the potential active ingredients were collected, enriched, and identified as paeoniflorin and paeonol. Next, the affinity constants of paeoniflorin and paeonol were determined as 4.9 and 11.8 μM, respectively. Then, SPR-based competition assays and molecular docking were performed to show that the two compounds could compete with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) while binding to the subdomain 1 site of TNF-R1. Finally, in biological assays, the two compounds suppressed cytotoxicity and apoptosis induced by TNF-α in the L929 cell line. These findings prove that SPR technology is a useful tool for determining the active ingredients of TCM at the molecular level and can be used in various aspects of drug development. The SPR-based integrated strategy is reliable and feasible in TCM studies and will shed light on the elucidation of the pharmacological mechanism of TCM and facilitate its modernization.

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A surface plasmon resonance-based integrated strategy was established to analyze traditional Chinese medicine.

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Surface plasmon resonance technology can be used for ligand screening, affinity detection, and binding site confirmation.

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Paeoniflorin and paeonol were identified as TNF-R1-bound ingredients in RPA.

Atheroprotective Effects and Mechanisms of Postmarketing Chinese Patent Formulas in Atherosclerosis Models: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Some postmarketing Chinese patent formulas have been widely used to treat atherosclerosis (AS) and play critical roles in Chinese healthcare. However, the usage of these herbs is yet controversial due to unclear effects and lack of understanding of the mechanism of action. With the modernization of traditional Chinese formulas, we are to elucidate the atheroprotective properties of these remedies from successful postmarketing experiments in vivo.

METHODS

In this systematic review, we critically searched the databases, applied stringent criteria, assessed the methodological quality, and examined the current evidence in vivo.

RESULTS

Consequently, 60 studies were included in the present qualitative synthesis. Data on models, high-fat diet, intervention time, outcome measures, efficacy, and mechanisms were collected. Finally, 23 formulas that could alleviate AS were correlated to the amelioration of plaques, improvement of plaque stability, modification of lipid level and lipid metabolism, and the effects of anti-inflammation and antioxidant stress with multiple components and targets. However, the methodological quality was low and incomplete among the included literature.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, taken together, the studies on postmarketing Chinese patent formulas would provide a novel approach to improve the treatment of AS, and rigorously designed studies would provide high-quality evidence.

Protease-Activated Receptor 2 (PAR-2) Antagonist AZ3451 Mitigates Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein (Ox-LDL)-Induced Damage and Endothelial Inflammation

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced endothelial dysfunction plays an important role in the initiation and development of cardiovascular diseases, especially atherosclerosis (AS). Protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) is a receptor for inflammatory proteases. However, the biological function of PAR-2 in endothelial cells and the pathophysiological process of AS are still unknown. In the current study, we found that treatment with ox-LDL increased the gene and protein expressions of PAR-2 in EA.hy926 endothelial cells. Interestingly, we found that antagonism of PAR-2 with its specific antagonist AZ3451 could ameliorate ox-LDL-induced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Treatment with AZ3451 considerably improved the mitochondrial function by restoring the mitochondrial membrane potential and increasing the levels of intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Also, we found that AZ3451 attenuated ox-LDL-induced expression and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-8 (IL-8). Treatment with AZ3451 also mitigated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Notably, our results demonstrated that the presence of AZ3451 alleviated ox-LDL-induced expression of the endothelial cell adhesion molecules vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Mechanistically, we found that AZ3451 attenuated ox-LDL-induced activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) by reducing the levels of intracellular NF-κB p65 and the luciferase activity of NF-κB promoter. Based on these findings, we conclude that PAR-2 might become a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of AS.

Systems pharmacological study based on UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-HRMS, network pharmacology and experimental validation to explore the potential mechanisms of Danggui-Shaoyao-San against atherosclerosis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Atherosclerosis (AS) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Danggui-Shaoyao-San (DSS) is not only a representative Chinese formula to treat gynecological disorder, but also found its use in AS-related diseases. However, the active ingredients and the anti-AS effects are vague yet.

AIM OF THE STUDY

An integrated strategy combined ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-HRMS), network pharmacology and experiments was carried out to investigate the potential materials and pharmacological mechanisms of DSS for AS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

First, UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-HRMS was applied to identify the active compositions of DSS. Then, the putative targets of DSS relevant to AS were predicted from TCMSP and BATMAN, which were further determined through bioinformatic analyses, including protein-protein interactions (PPI), Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Finally, Western blot, qPCR and ELISA were carried out for target validation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

RESULTS

A total of 37 active ingredients of DSS, connecting 47 key targets were identified. The functional enrichment showed that DSS may treat AS through regulating a series of signaling pathways which involving inflammatory responses, immune systems and metabolism. The in vitro experiment revealed that DSS ameliorated AS mainly through anti-inflammatory effects, by reducing the levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1), IL-6, TNF-α, cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) and IL-1β. DSS also inhibited the phosphorylation of IκB-α, NF-κB (p65), p38 and JNK in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced HUVEC injury model. Moreover, as the main bioactive compounds of DSS, paeoniflorin (PF), ferulic acid (FA) and pachymic acid (PA) inhibited IL-6 and TNF-α secretion as well as IκB-α, NF-κB (p65), p38 and JNK activation. All these findings were consistent with the predicted targets and pathways.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, the basic pharmacological effects and relevant mechanisms of DSS in the treatment of AS were revealed. The results suggest that DSS is a potential drug for AS treatment, and PF, FA, PA may be the core compositions contributing to the pharmacological function of this formula.

Recent Insights Into the Protective Mechanisms of Paeoniflorin in Neurological, Cardiovascular, and Renal Diseases

ABSTRACT

The monoterpene glycoside paeoniflorin (PF) is the principal active constituent of the traditional Chinese herbal medicines, Radix Paeoniae Alba and Radix Paeoniae Rubra, which have been used for millennia to treat cardiovascular diseases (eg, hypertension, bleeding, and atherosclerosis) and neurological ailments (eg, headaches, vertigo, dementia, and pain). Recent evidence has revealed that PF exerts inhibitory effects on inflammation, fibrosis, and apoptosis by targeting several intracellular signaling cascades. In this review, we address the current knowledge about the pharmacokinetic properties of PF and its molecular mechanisms of action. We also present results from recent preclinical studies supporting the utility of PF for the treatment of pain, cerebral ischemic injury, and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Moreover, new evidence suggests a general protective role of PF in heart attack, diabetic kidney, and atherosclerosis. Mechanistically, PF exerts multiple anti-inflammatory actions by targeting toll-like receptor-mediated signaling in both parenchymal and immune cells (in particular, macrophages and dendritic cells). A better understanding of the molecular actions of PF may lead to the expansion of its therapeutic uses.

Exploring the Mechanism of Gyejibokryeong-hwan against Atherosclerosis Using Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Gyejibokryeong-hwan (GBH) is a traditional formula comprised of five herbal medicines that is frequently used to treat blood stasis and related complex multifactorial disorders such as atherosclerosis. The present study used network pharmacology and molecular docking simulations to clarify the effect and mechanism of the components of GBH. Active compounds were selected using Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS) and the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), and target genes linked to the selected components were retrieved using Search Tool for Interacting Chemicals (STITCH) and GeneCards. Functional analysis of potential target genes was performed through the Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) database and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, and molecular docking confirmed the correlation between five core compounds (quercetin, kaempferol, baicalein, ellagic acid, and baicalin) and six potential target genes (AKT1, CASP3, MAPK1, MAPK3, NOS2, and PTGS2). Molecular docking studies indicated that quercetin strongly interacted with six potential target proteins. Thus, these potential target proteins were closely related to TNF, HIF-1, FoxO, and PI3K-Akt signal pathways, suggesting that these factors and pathways may mediate the beneficial effects of GBH on atherosclerosis. Our results identify target genes and pathways that may mediate the clinical effects of the compounds contained within GBH on atherosclerosis.

Ameliorative effects of the traditional Chinese medicine formula Qing-Mai-Yin on arteriosclerosis obliterans in a rabbit model

CONTEXT

Qing-Mai-Yin (QMY) is a clinically used herbal formula for treating arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the chemical constituents and effects of QMY on ASO rabbit model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-eight New Zealand rabbits were divided into six groups (n = 8): normal (normal rabbits treated with 0.5% CMC-Na), vehicle (ASO rabbits treated with 0.5% CMC-Na), positive (simvastatin, 1.53 mg/kg), and QMY treatment (300, 600, and 1200 mg/kg). ASO rabbit model was prepared by high fatty feeding, roundly shortening artery, and bovine serum albumin immune injury. QMY (300, 600 and 1200 mg/kg) was orally administered for 8 weeks. The effects and possible mechanisms of QMY on ASO rabbits were evaluated by pathological examination, biochemical assays, and immunohistochemical assays. The compositions of QMY were analysed using HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis.

RESULTS

Compared to the vehicle rabbit, QMY treatment suppressed plaque formation and intima thickness in aorta, and decreased intima thickness, whereas increased lumen area of femoral artery. Additionally, QMY treatment decreased TC, TG and LDL, decreased CRP and ET, and increased NO and 6-K-PGF1α in serum. Furthermore, the potential mechanisms studied revealed that QMY treatment could suppress expression of TNF-α, IL-6, ICAM-1 and NF-κB in endothelial tissues, and increase IκB. In addition, HPLC analysis showed QMY had abundant anthraquinones, stilbenes, and flavonoids.

CONCLUSION

QMY has ameliorative effects on ASO rabbit, and the potential mechanisms are correlated to reducing inflammation and down-regulating NF-κB. Our study provides a scientific basis for the future application and investigation of QMY.

A Preferable Approach for the Quality Control of Xiaoer Chiqiao Qingre Granules Based on the Combination of Chromatographic Fingerprints and Chemometrics

A preferable approach of a combination of a multiwavelength fusion HPLC fingerprint and chemometrics for the quality control of Xiaoer Chiqiao Qingre granules (XCQG) was established in this study. A single-wavelength HPLC fingerprint was performed to identify 18 peaks as common peaks in the beginning, and 12 of them were recognized by HPLC-Q/TOF-MS. To overcome the limitation of the single-wavelength HPLC fingerprint, a three-wavelength (230 nm, 250 nm, and 330 nm) fusion fingerprint was established for a more thorough quality assessment. Six main active ingredients (geniposide, paeoniflorin, forsythin, forsythoside A, baicalin, and wogonoside) were selected as chemical markers for simultaneous quantitative analysis, while the results indicated that the content of other five ingredients except forsythoside A presented comparatively stable. Chemometrics including hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were performed to evaluate the homogeneity and heterogeneity of sixteen batches of XCQG. The results of the multiwavelength fingerprint were clearly classified into two clusters by HCA, whereas the single-wavelength fingerprint showed no distinct difference between them. OPLS-DA was further employed to prove that the above six main active ingredients made great contributions to clustering. In summary, this integrated analysis provided a better promoted and more comprehensive method to control the quality of XCQG.

A review on the pharmacokinetics of paeoniflorin and its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects

Increasing pharmacological evidence supports that paeoniflorin, a water-soluble monoterpene glycoside isolated from Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (Shaoyao in Chinese), has a wide range of medicinal properties including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antithrombotic, anticonvulsive, analgesic, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, antidepressant-like, antitumoral, and immune-regulatory activities; as well as enhancing cognition and attenuating learning impairment. In addition to pharmacodynamic studies, information on pharmacokinetics is also significant for the further development and utilization of paeoniflorin. The present review focuses on the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of paeoniflorin, especially main pharmacological activities of paeoniflorin on inflammation and immune function. According to the findings obtained both in vitro and in vivo, a broad application prospect has been opened for paeoniflorin. However, further studies are needed to clarity the direct molecular mechanisms and key targets underlying the beneficial effects of paeoniflorin on inflammation and immunity.

Systemic Delivery of siRNA Specific for Silencing TLR4 Gene Expression Reduces Diabetic Cardiomyopathy in a Mouse Model of Streptozotocin-Induced Type 1 Diabetes

INTRODUCTION

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a cardiac dysfunction in patients with diabetes which may lead to overt heart failure and death. Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling triggers diabetic cardiomyopathy through various mechanisms, one of which is the upregulation of TLR4 expression. The aim of this study was to delineate the role of TLR4 in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were injected with streptozotocin to induce diabetes. The experimental and control groups were treated with 5 μg of TLR4 small interfering RNA (siRNA) or scrambled siRNA. Cardiac histopathology was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin, Sirius red, and immunofluorescence staining after treatment with TLR4 siRNA. The myocardial fibrosis and inflammatory factors were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction after treatment with TLR4 siRNA. The myocardial function was evaluated by echocardiography after treatment with TLR4 siRNA.

RESULTS

Compared with non-diabetic mouse hearts, hypertrophy, fibrosis, inflammation of cardiomyocytes, and myocardial dysfunction were significantly increased in diabetic mice (p < 0.05). Knockdown of TLR4 decreased hypertrophy, fibrosis, inflammation of cardiomyocytes, and myocardial dysfunction (p < 0.05). Cardiomyocytic cross-sectional areas in hearts of TLR4 siRNA-treated diabetic mice were similar to those of the sham-treated mice (p > 0.05). The induction of expression of cardiac fetal genes, beta-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), which are two markers of cardiac hypertrophy, was significantly reduced in TLR4 siRNA-treated hearts compared with controls (p < 0.05). Moreover, siRNA-mediated silencing of TLR4 reduced diabetes-induced collagen deposition (p < 0.05). Paralleled with changes in collagen deposition and the expression of collagen I and collagen III, knockdown of TLR4 also reduced the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) mRNA (p < 0.05). The increased expression of intercellular cell adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) was significantly attenuated by TLR4 siRNA treatment in the hearts of diabetic mice (p < 0.05). Furthermore, both fractional shortening (FS) and ejection fraction (EF) values were preserved in TLR4 siRNA-treated diabetic mice compared with control siRNA-treated mice (31.80% ± 2.82% vs. 28.50% ± 5.83% for FS, p < 0.05) (57.95% ± 6.48% vs. 45.34% ± 4.25% for EF, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our study used siRNA to specifically silence TLR4 gene expression in the diabetic mouse heart in vivo and to investigate the role that TLR4 plays in diabetic cardiomyopathy. It is likely that silencing of the TLR4 gene through siRNA could prevent the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Paeoniflorin Attenuates Myocardial Fibrosis in Isoprenaline-induced Chronic Heart Failure Rats via Inhibiting P38 MAPK Pathway

Paeoniforin (Pae) is a monoterpenoid glycoside compound and has many biological activities, such as immunosuppression, anti-inflammation and anti-cell proliferation. However, the effects and mechanisms of Pae on chronic heart failure (CHF) remain unclear. This study was conducted to assess the effects and mechanisms of Pae on myocardial fbrosis in isoprenaline (Iso)-induced CHF rats. Pae (20 mg/kg) was intragastrically administrated to CHF rats for 6 weeks. Cardiac structure and function were assessed. The protein and mRNA levels of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and p38 were detected. Compared to Iso group, Pae could alleviate myocardial fibrosis and improve cardiac function in CHF rats. The levels of collagen volume fraction (13.75%±3.77% vs. 30.97%±4.22%, P<0.001) and perivascular collagen volume area (14.32%±2.50% vs. 28.31%±3.16%, P<0.001) were signifcantly reduced in Pae group as compared with those in Iso group. The expression of TGF-β1 protein (0.30±0.07 vs. 0.66±0.07, P<0.05) and mRNA (3.51±0.44 vs. 7.58±0.58, P<0.05) decreased signifcantly in Pae group as compared with that in Iso group. The expression of p38 protein (0.36±0.12 vs. 0.81±0.38, P<0.05) and mRNA (3.84±0.05 vs. 4.40±0.17, P<0.05) also decreased markedly in Pae group as compared with that in Iso group. Pae could attenuate myocardial fbrosis and improve cardiac function in CHF rats by down-regulating the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic potential of microglial inhibitors in neuropathic pain and morphine tolerance

Microglia are important cells involved in the regulation of neuropathic pain (NPP) and morphine tolerance. Information on their plasticity and polarity has been elucidated after determining their physiological structure, but there is still much to learn about the role of this type of cell in NPP and morphine tolerance. Microglia mediate multiple functions in health and disease by controlling damage in the central nervous system (CNS) and endogenous immune responses to disease. Microglial activation can result in altered opioid system activity, and NPP is characterized by resistance to morphine. Here we investigate the regulatory mechanisms of microglia and review the potential of microglial inhibitors for modulating NPP and morphine tolerance. Targeted inhibition of glial activation is a clinically promising approach to the treatment of NPP and the prevention of morphine tolerance. Finally, we suggest directions for future research on microglial inhibitors.

Xuebijing Injection Alleviates Pam3CSK4-Induced Inflammatory Response and Protects Mice From Sepsis Caused by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

A leading cause of death worldwide is sepsis that develops as a dysregulated immune response to infection. Serious infection caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) increases the difficulty of treatment in septic patients. Host-directed therapy (HDT) is an emerging approach to bacterial infections. Xuebijing injection (XBJ), a commercialized injectable prescription from traditional Chinese medicine, has been used as adjuvant therapy for sepsis with a history of 15 years. Whether it plays a protective role in severe infection caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria is still unknown. In this study, XBJ significantly improved the survival of MRSA-induced sepsis mice. In MRSA-infected mouse model, XBJ down-regulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, MCP-1, MIP-2, and IL-10 in sera. Besides that, it decreased the bacterial load in spleens, livers, and alleviated tissue damage of lung, liver, and kidney. The combination of XBJ with vancomycin or dexamethasone exhibited a better down-regulatory role of the inflammatory response. Then, the protective mechanism of XBJ was further investigated. XBJ inhibited heat-killed MRSA-induced IL-6 and TNF-α production in mouse macrophages. XBJ also decreased Pam3CSK4 (a synthetic tripalmitoylated lipopeptide mimicking bacterial lipoproteins)-stimulated expression of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-12, etc. in mouse macrophages. Furthermore, XBJ down-regulated the activation of NF-κB, MAPK, and PI3K/Akt pathways in Pam3CSK4-stimulated mouse macrophages. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that XBJ played a protective role in MRSA-challenged mice and down-regulated the inflammatory response and the activation of signaling pathways initiated by Pam3CSK4. It enlarged the clinical application of XBJ in the treatment of severe bacterial infection, e.g. caused by MRSA.

Soyasaponins A1 and A2 exert anti-atherosclerotic functionalities by decreasing hypercholesterolemia and inflammation in high fat diet (HFD)-fed ApoE-/- mice

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease causing coronary heart attacks and strokes. Soyasaponins (SS), the phytochemicals naturally existing in soybeans and their products, have been shown to reduce hypercholesterolemia and inflammation, which are intimately related to the genesis and development of atherosclerosis. However, the anti-atherosclerotic functionality of soyasaponins remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the supplementation of two types of soyasaponin monomers (A1 and A2) on atherosclerotic plaque formation, serum lipid profiles, and inflammation in ApoE gene knockout (ApoE-/-) mice. Sixty 5-week-old ApoE-/- male mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) and intervened by SSA1 and SSA2 (10 and 20 μmol per kg BW, respectively) or simvastatin (10 μmol per kg BW) for 24 weeks. The atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta, aortic root, and innominate artery, lipid profile and inflammatory markers in serum, and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling in arterial tissues were determined. SSA1 and SSA2 decreased the plaque ratio in the aortic root and innominate artery but not in the entire aorta. In serum, SSA1 reduced TG, TC, and LDL-C but increased HDL-C; SSA2 decreased TC, TG, and LDL-C but did not affect HDL-C. Meanwhile, SSA1 increased TG, SSA2 increased TC, and both of them increased bile acids in the feces. SSA1 and SSA2 lowered TNF-α, MCP-1, and hs-crp in serum. Furthermore, SSA1 and SSA2 reduced the TLR4 and MyD88 expressions in the aorta and innominate artery and inhibited NF-κB p65 and IκBα phosphorylation in the aorta. These results suggest that SSA1 and SSA2 exert anti-atherosclerotic functionalities by decreasing hypercholesterolemia and inflammation in HFD-fed ApoE-/- mice.

Antineuropathic pain actions of Wu-tou decoction resulted from the increase of neurotrophic factor and decrease of CCR5 expression in primary rat glial cells

Wu-tou decoction (WTD), a classic Traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been extensively used in the treatment of neuropathic pain (NP) such as chronic inflammatory pain, trigeminal neuralgia, and cancer-induced pain. Our previous studies have shown that the severity of mechanical allodynia and thermo hypersensitivity in NP rats are reduced by WTD, of which analgesic candidates are paeoniflorin (Pae) and liquiritin (Liq). The aim of this study was to clarify the molecular mechanisms of WTD, Pae and Liq against NP based on the primary rat glial cells in vitro. The gene expression levels of neurotrophic factors such as nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and Artemin and C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) were augmented by inflammatory cytokines, while chemokines increased only CCR5 gene expression. The constitutive and cytokine-augmented neurotrophic factor gene expression was enhanced by WTD, Pae, and Liq through PI3K- and PKA-dependent pathways in rat glial cells, leading to the increase of NGF and BDNF production. Furthermore, the CCR5 gene expression under basal and chemokine-treated conditions was suppressed by these reagents, in which signal pathway(s) was independent on the activation of PI3K and PKA. Moreover, there was no cytotoxicity in the WTD, Pae, and Liq treatments in glial cells. Thus, these results provide a novel evidence that WTD may exert the anti-NP actions by predominantly increasing the production of neurotrophic factors through PI3K- and PKA-signaling pathways in rat glial cells. Furthermore, Pae and Liq may play as analgesic candidates in WTD-mediated NP management.

Paeoniflorin Alleviates H2O2-Induced Oxidative Injury Through Down-Regulation of MicroRNA-135a in HT-22 Cells

Paeoniflorin (PF) has been reported to possess neuroprotective influences on cognitive dysfunction illness. In current research, we attempted to probe into the protective influences of PF against H₂O₂-induced damage and the underlying regulating mechanisms on hippocampal HT-22 cells. HT-22 cells were pretreated with PF, and then induced by H₂O₂. Afterwards, the influences of PF pretreatment were examined using CCK-8 assay, apoptosis assay, western blot and ROS assay, respectively. In addition, the expression of microRNA-135a (miR-135a) was analyzed and altered by qRT-PCR and cell transfection, respectively. After overexpression of miR-135a, the effects of miR-135a mimic on cell functions were detected again. Moreover, influences of H₂O₂, PF and miR-135a overexpression on JAK2/STAT3 and ERK1/2 signal pathways were further investigated. Further experiments verified that PF pretreatment alleviated H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress through increasing cell viability, inhibiting cell apoptosis, reducing ROS generation and activating JAK2/STAT3 and ERK1/2 pathways. Besides, expression of miR-135a was declined by PF pretreatment. Whereas, miR-135a mimic abrogated the protective effects triggered by PF pretreatment. These results indicated that PF can alleviate H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress by down-regulation of miR-135a via activation of JAK2/STAT3 and ERK1/2 pathways.