Synergy effects of Asperosaponin VI and bioactive factor BMP-2 on osteogenesis and anti-osteoclastogenesis

Enhancing the Biopharmacological Characteristics of Asperosaponin VI: Unveiling Dynamic Self-Assembly Phase Transitions in the Gastrointestinal Environment

Purpose

Asperosaponin VI (ASP VI) as an active ingredient of Dipsacus asperoides, which has a wide range of biological and pharmacological activity. However, its development and application are restricted due to the poor gastrointestinal permeability and oral bioavailability. This investigation aims to reveal the influence of the self-assembled structure by the interaction between ASP VI and endogenous components NaTC and/or DOPC in the gastrointestinal environment on its biopharmaceutical properties, and novelty elucidated the molecular mechanism for the formation of self-assembled nanomicelles.

Methods

This change in phase state in gastrointestinal fluids is characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used to analyze the composition of phase components and the exposure of nanomicelles in vivo. Molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) was applied to preliminarily elucidate the self-assembly mechanism of ASP VI in the gastrointestinal environment. Furthermore, theS8 promoting absorption mechanism of nanomicelles were investigated through in vivo pharmacokinetic experiments, parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA), quadruple single-pass intestinal perfusion in rats, and Caco-2 cell monolayer model.

Results

We demonstrated that the ASP VI could spontaneously form dynamic self-assembled structures with sodium taurocholate (NaTC) and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DOPC) during gastrointestinal solubilization, which promoted the gastrointestinal absorption and permeability of ASP VI and increased its exposure in vivo, thus improving the biopharmacological characteristics of ASP VI. Moreover, ASP VI-NaTC-DOPC-self-assembled nanostructures (ASP VI-NaTC-DOPC-SAN) manifested higher cellular uptake in Caco-2 cells as evidenced by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, and this study also preliminarily revealed the mechanism of self-assembly formation of ASP VI with endogenous components NaTC and DOPC driven by electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that the dynamic self-assembled phase transition may play a key role in improving the biopharmacological characteristics of insoluble or low permeability active ingredients during the gastrointestinal dissolution of Chinese medicines.

Unraveling the potential mechanisms of the anti-osteoporotic effects of the Achyranthes bidentata-Dipsacus asper herb pair: a network pharmacology and experimental study

Background: Osteoporosis is a prevalent bone metabolism disease characterized by a reduction in bone density, leading to several complications that significantly affect patients' quality of life. The Achyranthes bidentata-Dipsacus asper (AB-DA) herb pair is commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat osteoporosis. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic compounds and potential mechanisms of AB-DA using network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and experimental verification. Methods: Identified compounds of AB-DA were collected from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), Traditional Chinese Medicine Information Database (TCM-ID), TCM@Taiwan Database, BATMAN-TCM, and relevant literature. The main bioactive ingredients were screened based on the criteria of "OB (oral bioavailability) ≥ 30, DL (drug-likeness) ≥ 0.18." Potential targets were predicted using the PharmMapper and SwissTargetPrediction websites, while disease (osteoporosis)-related targets were obtained from the GeneCards, DisGeNET, and OMIM databases. The PPI network and KEGG/GO enrichment analysis were utilized for core targets and pathway screening in the STRING and Metascape databases, respectively. A drug-compound-target-pathway-disease network was constructed using Cytoscape software to display core regulatory mechanisms. Molecular docking and dynamics simulation techniques explored the binding reliability and stability between core compounds and targets. In vitro and in vivo validation experiments were utilized to explore the anti-osteoporosis efficiency and mechanism of sitogluside. Results: A total of 31 compounds with 83 potential targets for AB-DA against osteoporosis were obtained. The PPI analysis revealed several hub targets, including AKT1, CASP3, EGFR, IGF1, MAPK1, MAPK8, and MAPK14. GO/KEGG analysis indicated that the MAPK cascade (ERK/JNK/p38) is the main pathway involved in treating osteoporosis. The D-C-T-P-T network demonstrated therapeutic compounds that mainly consisted of iridoids, steroids, and flavonoids, such as sitogluside, loganic acid, and β-ecdysterone. Molecular docking and dynamics simulation analyses confirmed strong binding affinity and stability between core compounds and targets. Additionally, the validation experiments showed preliminary evidence of antiosteoporosis effects. Conclusion: This study identified iridoids, steroids, and flavonoids as the main therapeutic compounds of AB-DA in treating osteoporosis. The underlying mechanisms may involve targeting core MAPK cascade (ERK/JNK/p38) targets, such as MAPK1, MAPK8, and MAPK14. In vivo experiments preliminarily validated the anti-osteoporosis effect of sitogluside. Further in-depth experimental studies are required to validate the therapeutic value of AB-DA for treating osteoporosis in clinical practice.

Functionalized Decellularized Bone Matrix Promotes Bone Regeneration by Releasing Osteogenic Peptides

The decellularized bone matrix (DCB) provides a promising bone substitute for the treatment of bone defects because of its similar biochemical, biophysical, and mechanical properties to normal bone tissue. However, the decellularized procedure also greatly reduced its osteogenic induction activity. In this study, peptides derived from the knuckle epitope of bone morphogenetic protein-2 were incorporated into the thermo-sensitive hydrogel poloxamer 407, and the peptide-loaded hydrogel was then filled into the pores of DCB to construct a functionalized scaffold with enhanced osteogenesis. In vitro studies have shown that the functionalized DCB scaffold possessed appropriate mechanical properties and biocompatibility and exhibited a sustained release profile of osteogenic peptide. These performances critically facilitated cell proliferation and cell spreading of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and upregulated the expression of osteogenic-related genes by activating the Smad/Runx2 signaling pathway, thereby promoting osteogenic differentiation and extracellular matrix mineralization. Further in vivo studies demonstrated that the functionalized DCB scaffold accelerated the repair of critical radial defects in rabbits without inducing excessive graft-related inflammatory responses. These results suggest a clinically meaningful strategy for the treatment of large segmental bone defects, and the prepared osteogenic peptide modified composite DCB scaffold has great application potential for bone regeneration.

Exploring active ingredients of anti-osteoarthritis in raw and wine-processed Dipsaci Radix based on spectrum-effect relationship combined with chemometrics

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Dipsaci Radix (DR) is the dry root of the Dipsacus asper Wall. ex DC., which has the function of tonifying the liver and kidney, continuing tendons and bones, and regulating blood vessels. However, there are few reports on the main active ingredients.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to find the main active components of DR in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) by spectrum-effect relationship and compare the differences between RDR and WDR.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Firstly, the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was used to establish the fingerprint of DR, and 10 peaks of them were determined by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS. Then, the OA rat model was established by injecting sodium iodoacetate to study the effect of DR on OA. The spectrum-effect relationship was analyzed by grey relational analysis (GRA) and Pearson correlation analysis.

RESULTS

According to the pharmacological results, compared with the model group, the cartilage score, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Mankin score of rats in low, medium and high dose groups were decreased, and the therapeutic effect of wine-processed DR tended to be better than raw DR at the same dose. Finally, the active components of DR were preliminarily determined as 4 (loganic acid), 6 (chlorogenic acid), 8 (caffeic acid), 14 (dipsanoside B), 16, and 17 (asperosaponin VI) which had a large correlation in GRA and Pearson correlation analysis.

CONCLUSION

This study established the spectrum-effect relationship between the raw and wine-processed DR for the first time, which provided a theoretical basis for the study of the pharmacodynamic substance basis of DR before and after processing. This research provided a reference for the subsequent study of DR.

Myosin heavy chain-derived peptide of Gadus morhua promotes proliferation and differentiation in osteoblasts and bone formation and maintains bone homeostasis in ovariectomized mice

Gadus morhua is an important commercial fish rich in nutrients required for daily metabolism. However, the regulation of G. morhua peptides (GMP) on osteoblast growth remains unclear. In order to clarify the regulatory effects of GMP on osteoblasts, the effects of GMP on the growth of MC3T3-E1 cells were investigated, and the osteogenic peptides were identified and screened. The results showed that GMP promoted the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts by regulating the BMP/WNT signaling pathway at concentrations of 1-100 μg mL^-1. Molecular docking studies showed that a decapeptide, MNKKREAEFQ (P-GM-1), had a high affinity for integrins 3VI4 and 1L5G (-CDOCKER interaction energy: 161.30, 212.27 kcal mol^-1). Additionally, the proliferation rate of MC3T3-E1 cells was increased by 27%, and ALP activity was significantly increased under P-GM-1 treatment (100 μg mL^-1). Moreover, P-GM-1 promotes bone formation, maintains bone homeostasis, and prevents osteoporosis in ovariectomized mice by regulating the BMP/Smad signaling pathway. This study confirmed the potential of GMP in the regulation of bone mineral density and provided a certain theoretical basis for the development of anti-osteoporosis active factors from GMP.

Dipsacus and Scabiosa Species-The Source of Specialized Metabolites with High Biological Relevance: A Review

The genera Dipsacus L. and Scabiosa L. of the Caprifoliaceae family are widely distributed in Europe, Asia, and Africa. This work reviews the available literature on the phytochemical profiles, ethnomedicinal uses, and biological activities of the most popular species. These plants are rich sources of many valuable specialized metabolites with beneficial medicinal properties, such as triterpenoid derivatives, iridoids, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. They are also sources of essential oils. The genus Dipsacus has been used for centuries in Chinese and Korean folk medicines to treat bone (osteoporosis) and joint problems (rheumatic arthritis). The Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Chinese Pharmacopoeia include Dipsaci radix, the dried roots of D. asperoides C.Y.Cheng & T.M.Ai. In addition, S. comosa Fisch. ex Roem & Schult. and S. tschiliiensis Grunning are used in traditional Mongolian medicine to treat liver diseases. The current scientific literature data indicate that these plants and their constituents have various biological properties, including inter alia antiarthritic, anti-neurodegenerative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities; they have also been found to strengthen tendon and bone tissue and protect the liver, heart, and kidney. The essential oils possess antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticidal properties. This paper reviews the key biological values of Dipsacus and Scabiosa species, as identified by in vitro and in vivo studies, and presents their potential pharmacological applications.

Kidney tonifying traditional Chinese medicine: Potential implications for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis

The aging global population is increasingly affected by osteoporosis (OP), which is one of the most significant threats to the elderly. Moreover, its prevention and treatment situations have become increasingly severe. Therefore, it is imperative to develop alternatives or complementary drugs for preventing and treating osteoporosis. Kidney tonifying traditional Chinese medicine (KTTCM) has been used for the treatment of osteoporosis for a long time. Pharmacological studies have shown that kidney tonifying traditional Chinese medicine can promote osteoblasts, inhibit osteoclasts, and regulate the level of estrogen and plays vital roles in stimulating osteogenesis, restraining adipogenesis of marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), regulating the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus, and inhibiting oxidative stress. These effects are mediated by OPG/RANKL/RANK, BMP/Smads, MAPKs, and Wnt/β-catenin systems. To develop a safe, synergistic, effective, and homogenized TCM formula with robust scientific evidence to provide faster and more economical alternatives, the anti-osteoporosis ingredients and pharmacological mechanisms of kidney tonifying traditional Chinese medicine are recapitulated from the perspective of molecular and cell biology, and the safety and toxicity of kidney tonifying traditional Chinese medicine have also been reviewed in this paper.

Chitosan-based scaffolds as drug delivery systems in bone tissue engineering

The bone tissue engineering approach for treating large bone defects becomes necessary when the tissue damage surpasses the threshold of the inherent regenerative ability of the human body. A myriad of natural biodegradable polymers and scaffold fabrication techniques have emerged in the last decade. Chitosan (CS) is especially attractive as a bone scaffold material to support cell attachment and proliferation and mineralization of the bone matrix. The primary amino groups in CS are responsible for properties such as controlled drug release, mucoadhesion, in situ gelation, and transfection. CS-based smart drug delivery scaffolds that respond to environmental stimuli have been reported to have a localized sustained delivery of drugs in the large bone defect area. This review outlines the recent advances in the fabrication of CS-based scaffolds as a pharmaceutical carrier to deliver drugs such as antibiotics, growth factors, nucleic acids, and phenolic compounds for bone tissue regeneration.

A 3D-printed molybdenum-containing scaffold exerts dual pro-osteogenic and anti-osteoclastogenic effects to facilitate alveolar bone repair

The positive regulation of bone-forming osteoblast activity and the negative feedback regulation of osteoclastic activity are equally important in strategies to achieve successful alveolar bone regeneration. Here, a molybdenum (Mo)-containing bioactive glass ceramic scaffold with solid-strut-packed structures (Mo-scaffold) was printed, and its ability to regulate pro-osteogenic and anti-osteoclastogenic cellular responses was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. We found that extracts derived from Mo-scaffold (Mo-extracts) strongly stimulated osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and inhibited differentiation of osteoclast progenitors. The identified comodulatory effect was further demonstrated to arise from Mo ions in the Mo-extract, wherein Mo ions suppressed osteoclastic differentiation by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibiting mitochondrial biogenesis in osteoclasts. Consistent with the in vitro findings, the Mo-scaffold was found to significantly promote osteoblast-mediated bone formation and inhibit osteoclast-mediated bone resorption throughout the bone healing process, leading to enhanced bone regeneration. In combination with our previous finding that Mo ions participate in material-mediated immunomodulation, this study offers the new insight that Mo ions facilitate bone repair by comodulating the balance between bone formation and resorption. Our findings suggest that Mo ions are multifunctional cellular modulators that can potentially be used in biomaterial design and bone tissue engineering.

Akebia saponin D protects hippocampal neurogenesis from microglia-mediated inflammation and ameliorates depressive-like behaviors and cognitive impairment in mice through the PI3K-Akt pathway

Given the ability of akebia saponin D (ASD) to protect various types of stem cells, in the present study, we hypothesized that ASD could promote the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of neural stem/precursor cells (NSPCs), even in a microglia-mediated inflammatory environment, thereby mitigating inflammation-related neuropsychopathology. We established a mouse model of chronic neuroinflammation by exposing animals to low-dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.25 mg/kg/d) for 14 days. The results showed that chronic exposure to LPS strikingly reduced hippocampal levels of PI3K and pAkt and neurogenesis in mice. In the presen of a microglia-mediated inflammatory niche, the PI3K-Akt signaling in cultured NSPCs was inhibited, promoting their apoptosis and differentiation into astrocytes, while decreasing neurogenesis. Conversely, ASD strongly increased the levels of PI3K and pAkt and stimulated NSPC proliferation, survival and neuronal differentiation in the microglia-mediated inflammatory niche in vitro and in vivo. ASD also restored the synaptic function of hippocampal neurons and ameliorated depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors and cognitive impairment in mice chronically exposed to LPS. The results from network pharmacology analysis showed that the PI3K-AKT pathway is one of the targets of ASD to against major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). And the results from molecular docking based on computer modeling showed that ASD is bound to the interaction interface of the PI3K and AKT. The PI3K-Akt inhibitor LY294002 blocked the therapeutic effects of ASD in vitro and in vivo. These results suggested that ASD protects NSPCs from the microglia-mediated inflammatory niche, promoting their proliferation, survival and neuronal differentiation, as well as ameliorating depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors and cognitive impairment by activating the PI3K-AKT pathway. Our work suggests the potential of ASD for treating Alzheimer’s disease, depression and other cognitive disorders involving impaired neurogenesis by microglia-mediated inflammation.

TBX3 regulates the transcription of VEGFA to promote osteoblasts proliferation and microvascular regeneration

Objective

Osteochondral decellularization can promote local vascular regeneration, but the exact mechanism is unknown. The aim of this study is to study osteogenic microvascular regeneration in single cells.

Methods

The scRNA-seq dataset of human periosteal-derived cells (hPDCs) were analyzed by pySCENIC. To examine the role of TBX3 in osteogenesis and vascularization, cell transfection, qRT-PCR, western blot, and CCK-8 cell proliferation assays were performed.

Results

TCF7L2, TBX3, FLI1, NFKB2, and EZH2 were found to be transcription factors (TFs) most closely associated with corresponding cells. The regulatory network of these TFs was then visualized. Our study knocked down the expression of TBX3 in human osteoblast cell lines. In the TBX3 knockdown group, we observed decreased expression of VEGFA, VEGFB, and VEGFC. Moreover, Western blot analysis showed that downregulating TBX3 resulted in a reduction of VEGFA expression. And TBX3 stimulated osteoblast proliferation in CCK-8 assays.

Conclusion

TBX3 regulates VEGFA expression and promotes osteoblast proliferation in skeletal microvasculature formation. The findings provide a theoretical basis for investigating the role of TBX3 in promoting local vascular regeneration.

The "Three in One" Bone Repair Strategy for Osteoporotic Fractures

In aging society, osteoporotic fractures have become one major social problem threatening the health of the elderly population in China. Compared with conventional fractures, low bone mass, bone defect and retarded healing issues of osteoporotic fractures lead to great difficulties in treatment and rehabilitation. Addressing major concerns in clinical settings, we proposed the "three in one" bone repair strategy focusing on anti-osteoporosis therapies, appropriate bone grafting and fracture healing accelerating. We summarize misconceptions and repair strategies for osteoporotic fracture management, expecting improvement of prognosis and clinical outcomes for osteoporotic fractures, to further improve therapeutic effect and living quality of patients.