The Efficacy Mechanism of Epigallocatechin Gallate against Pre-Eclampsia based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

EGCG, a Green Tea Compound, Increases NO Production and Has Antioxidant Action in a Static and Shear Stress In Vitro Model of Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia (PE) is a gestational hypertensive disease characterized by endothelial dysfunction. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the main compound in green tea, is a promising therapeutic target for the disease. By activating eNOS, EGCG increased NO production and exerted an important antioxidant action, but its specific impact in the context of PE remains understudied. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of EGCG on endothelial function in static and shear stress in in vitro models of PE. Endothelial cells were incubated with healthy (HP) and preeclamptic (PE) pregnant women's plasma, and the latter group was treated with EGCG. Additionally, NOS (L-NAME) and PI3K protein (LY249002) inhibitors were also used. The levels of NO, ROS, and O2•- were evaluated, as well as the antioxidant potential. These investigations were also carried out in a shear stress model. We found that EGCG increases the NO levels, which were reduced in the PE group. This effect was attenuated with the use of L-NAME and LY249002. Furthermore, EGCG increased the antioxidant capacity of PE, but its action decreased with LY294002. In cells subjected to shear stress, EGCG increased nitrite levels in the PE group and maintained its action on the antioxidant capacity. This is the first study of the effects of EGCG in this experimental model, as well as the investigation of its effects along with shear stress. Our findings suggest that EGCG improves parameters of endothelial dysfunction in vitro, making it a promising target in the search for treatments for the disease.

Research on the mechanisms of Shu Yu wan in the treatment of cervical cancer based on network pharmacology analyses and molecular docking technology

Combining network pharmacology with molecular docking, our study revealed the candidate targets and mechanisms of Shu Yu Wan (SYW) for treating cervical cancer (CC). The targets associated with CC and active compounds in SYW were identified through TCGA, GeneCards and TCMSP databases. Consequently, a total of 16 active compounds in SYW and 38 common targets related to CC were predicted. Genes TP53 and CDK2 are among the hub genes in the PPI network. The results of GO and KEGG enrichment analyses suggested that SYW exerted pharmacological effects on CC by regulating cellular senescence, p53 signaling pathway, cell cycle, apoptosis, viral carcinogenesis and human papillomavirus infection (HPV) signaling pathway. Finally, molecular docking confirmed a strong binding affinity between the main active compounds of SYW with the core target proteins.

RAGE against the Machine: Can Increasing Our Understanding of RAGE Help Us to Battle SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Pregnancy?

The receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a receptor that is thought to be a key driver of inflammation in pregnancy, SARS-CoV-2, and also in the comorbidities that are known to aggravate these afflictions. In addition to this, vulnerable populations are particularly susceptible to the negative health outcomes when these afflictions are experienced in concert. RAGE binds a number of ligands produced by tissue damage and cellular stress, and its activation triggers the proinflammatory transcription factor Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-κB), with the subsequent generation of key proinflammatory cytokines. While this is important for fetal membrane weakening, RAGE is also activated at the end of pregnancy in the uterus, placenta, and cervix. The comorbidities of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity are known to lead to poor pregnancy outcomes, and particularly in populations such as Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. They have also been linked to RAGE activation when individuals are infected with SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, we propose that increasing our understanding of this receptor system will help us to understand how these various afflictions converge, how forms of RAGE could be used as a biomarker, and if its manipulation could be used to develop future therapeutic targets to help those at risk.