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Zhang ZY, Yang ZH, Wang S, Feng SL, Wang XL, Mao JY. Regulation of optimized new Shengmai powder on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ferroptosis in ischemic heart failure rats: The mediating role of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/tumor protein 53 signaling pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 330:118264. [PMID: 38692417 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Optimized New Shengmai Powder (ONSMP) is a sophisticated traditional Chinese medicinal formula renowned for bolstering vital energy, optimizing blood circulation, and mitigating fluid retention. After years of clinical application, ONSMP has shown a significant impact in improving myocardial injury and cardiac function and has a positive effect on treating heart failure. However, many unknowns exist about the molecular biological mechanisms of how ONSMP exerts its therapeutic effects, which require further research and exploration. AIM OF THE STUDY Exploring the potential molecular biological mechanisms by which ONSMP ameliorates cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ferroptosis in ischemic heart failure (IHF). MATERIALS AND METHODS First, we constructed a rat model of IHF by inducing acute myocardial infarction through surgery and using echocardiography, organ coefficients, markers of heart failure, antioxidant markers, and histopathological examination to assess the effects of ONSMP on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ferroptosis in IHF rats. Next, we used bioinformatics analysis techniques to analyze the active components, signaling pathways, and core targets of ONSMP and calculated the interactions between core targets and corresponding elements. Finally, we detected the positive expression of apoptosis and ferroptosis markers and core indicators of signaling pathways by immunohistochemistry; detected the mean fluorescence intensity of core indicators of signaling pathways by immunofluorescence; detected the protein expression of signaling pathways and downstream effector molecules by western blotting; and detected the mRNA levels of p53 and downstream effector molecules by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS ONSMP can activate the Ser83 site of ASK by promoting the phosphorylation of the PI3K/AKT axis, thereby inhibiting the MKK3/6-p38 axis and the MKK4/7-JNK axis signaling to reduce p53 expression, and can also directly target and inhibit the activity of p53, ultimately inhibiting p53-mediated mRNA and protein increases in PUMA, SAT1, PIG3, and TFR1, as well as mRNA and protein decreases in SLC7A11, thereby inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ferroptosis, effectively improving cardiac function and ventricular remodeling in IHF rat models. CONCLUSION ONSMP can inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ferroptosis through the PI3K/AKT/p53 signaling pathway, delaying the development of IHF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze-Yu Zhang
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300381, PR China; Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, PR China
| | - Zhi-Hua Yang
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300381, PR China; Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, PR China.
| | - Shuai Wang
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300381, PR China.
| | - Shao-Ling Feng
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300381, PR China; Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, PR China.
| | - Xian-Liang Wang
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300381, PR China.
| | - Jing-Yuan Mao
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300381, PR China.
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Naidu G, Tripathi DK, Nagar N, Mishra A, Poluri KM. Targeting chemokine-receptor mediated molecular signaling by ethnopharmacological approaches. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 325:117837. [PMID: 38310985 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Infection and inflammation are critical to global human health status and the goal of current pharmacological interventions intends formulating medications/preventives as a measure to deal with this situation. Chemokines and their cognate receptors are major regulatory molecules in many of these ailments. Natural products have been a keen source to the drug development industry, every year contributing significantly to the growing list of FDA approved drugs. A multiverse of natural resource is employed as a part of curative regimen in folk/traditional/ethnomedicine which can be employed to discover, repurpose, and design potent medications for the diseases of clinical concern. AIM OF THE STUDY This review aims to systematically document the ethnopharmacologically active agents targeting the infectious-inflammatory diseases through the chemokine-receptor nexus. MATERIALS AND METHODS Articles related to chemokine/receptor modulating ethnopharmacological anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious natural sources, bioactive compounds, and formulations have been examined with special emphasis on women related diseases. The available literature has been thoroughly scrutinized for the application of traditional medicines in chemokine associated experimental methods, their regulatory outcomes, and pertinence to women's health wherever applicable. Moreover, the potential traditional regimens under clinical trials have been critically assessed. RESULTS A systematic and comprehensive review on the chemokine-receptor targeting ethnopharmaceutics from the available literature has been provided. The article discusses the implication of traditional medicine in the chemokine system dynamics in diverse infectious-inflammatory disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, allergic diseases, inflammatory diseases, neuroinflammation, and cancer. On this note, critical evaluation of the available data surfaced multiple diseases prevalent in women such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, breast cancer, cervical cancer and urinary tract infection. Currently there is no available literature highlighting chemokine-receptor targeting using traditional medicinal approach from women's health perspective. Moreover, despite being potent in vitro and in vivo setups there remains a gap in clinical translation of these formulations, which needs to be strategically and scientifically addressed to pave the way for their successful industrial translation. CONCLUSIONS The review provides an optimistic global perspective towards the applicability of ethnopharmacology in chemokine-receptor regulated infectious and inflammatory diseases with special emphasis on ailments prevalent in women, consecutively addressing their current status of clinical translation and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goutami Naidu
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, Uttarakhand, India.
| | - Deepak Kumar Tripathi
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Nupur Nagar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Amit Mishra
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur, 342011, Rajasthan, India
| | - Krishna Mohan Poluri
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, Uttarakhand, India; Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, Uttarakhand, India.
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Peng Z, Wei C, Cai J, Zou Z, Chen J. Characterization of an antimicrobial peptide family from the venom gland of Heteropoda venatoria. Toxicon 2024; 241:107657. [PMID: 38428753 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Spider venom boasts extensive peptide diversity, constituting a natural biochemical arsenal for defense and predation. The new family HvAMPs, including 9 homologous members, were identified from the unnormalized cDNA library of Heteropoda venatoria venom gland by Sanger sequencing. The putative mature peptide is composed of 22 aliphatic amino acid residues. The mature peptides of HvAMP1 and HvAMP5, with 3 different amino acids, were synthesized and both were shown to adopt an amphipathic α-helical structure and amphipathicity in SDS buffer by CD spectroscopy. In comparison to HvAMP1, HvAMP5 exhibits higher antibacterial activity, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria, coupled with reduced hemolytic activity and cytotoxicity. Results from SYTO 9/PI staining indicate that HvAMP5 acts by disrupting bacterial cell membranes. Analysis of the relationships between structures and functions suggests that HvAMP5 enhances antibacterial activity and reduces mammalian cell toxicity by increasing positive charge and proline substitution. The three residues variation can augment the electrostatic attraction of antibacterial peptides to the bacterial phospholipid bilayer. The present study suggests that the HvAMPs may exert lytic action against cells of different origins to increase cellular and tissue barrier permeability to facilitate spider's defense or predation. Moreover, HvAMP5 holds promise as a novel antibacterial agent for treating Gram-positive bacterial infections. Simultaneously, the numerous diverse amino acid residue substitutions within the HvAMP family offer a template for future study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Peng
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Chao Wei
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Jisen Cai
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Zhaoxia Zou
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410000, China; School of Public Health & Laboratory Medicine, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua, 418000, China.
| | - Jinjun Chen
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410000, China; Hunan Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Cell Mechanics and Function Analysis, Changsha, 418000, China.
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4
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Zhang H, Wu H, Lu W, Chang Y, Li C, Chu D, Chen Y, Han X, Li N. Morphological changes in the digestive tract of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle ( Pelodiscus sinensis) during embryonic development. J Histotechnol 2023; 46:28-38. [PMID: 35912945 DOI: 10.1080/01478885.2022.2105490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
The digestive tract development of the Pelodiscus sinensis embryo is described through the observation of the embryonic morphology on hematoxylin and eosin stained tissue sections. During the first 9 days of embryonic development, the anterior intestine of the embryo divides into the oral cavity, pharyngeal cavity, esophagus, stomach, and small intestine, while the caudal intestine differentiates into the cloaca, the anterior and caudal tubes of the large intestine. Between days 10-24, the wall of the digestive tract forms a two-layer structure consisting of mucosa and submucosa. The endoderm evolves into epithelial tissue in each part of the digestive tract, the mesoderm goes from a dense cluster of cells to looser mesenchymal tissue then divides into loose connective tissue, mesothelium, and muscle tissue. There is no clear temporal boundary between development of mesenchymal tissue and the early loose connective tissue, which is a gradual process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haili Zhang
- College of Agriculture and Bioengineering, Heze University, Heze, Shandong, China
| | - Hongsong Wu
- College of Agriculture and Bioengineering, Heze University, Heze, Shandong, China
| | - Wen Lu
- College of Agriculture and Bioengineering, Heze University, Heze, Shandong, China
| | - Yanli Chang
- Boshan First Middle School, Zibo, Shandong, China
| | - Chunhua Li
- Logistics Management Office, Heze University, Heze, Shandong, China
| | - Dechang Chu
- College of Agriculture and Bioengineering, Heze University, Heze, Shandong, China
| | - Yan Chen
- College of Agriculture and Bioengineering, Heze University, Heze, Shandong, China
| | - Xue Han
- College of Agriculture and Bioengineering, Heze University, Heze, Shandong, China
| | - Na Li
- College of Agriculture and Bioengineering, Heze University, Heze, Shandong, China
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5
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Xia S, Li Y, You P, Hu C. Screening of anti-liver fibrosis peptides from turtle shell protein using two-enzyme hydrolysis by molecular docking. Food Funct 2023; 14:1476-1483. [PMID: 36648420 DOI: 10.1039/d2fo03307k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Turtle shell as a food residue of Pelodiscus sinensis (a type of edible aquatic animal) is widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for hepatic fibrosis therapy. Previous studies have demonstrated that the peptides (<6 kDa) derived from turtle shells are considered effective components. The protein of turtle shells has important potential as a source of bioactive peptides which may play a role as ingredients in functional foods. In the present study, the protein of turtle shell was hydrolyzed using a two-enzyme combination. It was found that the hydrolysates obtained by a combination of pepsin and trypsin showed the highest anti-liver fibrosis activity relative to other combinations in a cell viability assay. The hydrolysates were separated and purified by ultra-filtration (<6 kDa), gel filtration chromatography (GFC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Subsequently, the sequences of purified peptides were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Molecular docking was used to analyze the interaction of these peptides with the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) receptor. Two (GPPGVPGPGPL, TSLPVPAPV) of these novel peptides displayed lower binding energies to the TGF-β1 receptor (-8.18 kcal mol-1, -8 kcal mol-1). Finally, the above two peptides were synthesized chemically and their in vitro anti-liver fibrosis activity was verified by MTT assay. Among them, GPPGVPGPGPL showed a better in vitro anti-liver fibrosis activity (IC50: 80.13 μM). We established a method to obtain anti-liver fibrosis peptides from turtle shells by using bioactivity-guided isolation with molecular docking. Turtle shell protein is an excellent source of anti-liver fibrosis peptides which can offer therapeutic and commercial benefits as an ingredient in functional foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shufan Xia
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, 16 Huangjiahu Road West, Wuhan, 430065, People's Republic of China
| | - Yao Li
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, 16 Huangjiahu Road West, Wuhan, 430065, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengtao You
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Resources and Chemistry of Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, 16 Huangjiahu Road West, Wuhan 430065, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunling Hu
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, 16 Huangjiahu Road West, Wuhan, 430065, People's Republic of China
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Wang F, Zhan Y, Li M, Wang L, Zheng A, Liu C, Wang H, Wang T. Cell-Permeable PROTAC Degraders against KEAP1 Efficiently Suppress Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation through the Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Pathway. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2022; 6:76-87. [PMID: 36654751 PMCID: PMC9841780 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.2c00165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in the physiopathology of liver fibrogenesis. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a key transcription factor, which regulates the expression of redox regulators to establish cellular redox homeostasis. The Nrf2 modulator can serve as a primary cellular defense against the cytotoxic effects of oxidative stress. We designed a chimeric Keap1-Keap1 peptide (KKP1) based on the proteolysis-targeting chimera technology. The KKP1 peptide not only can efficiently penetrate into the rat hepatic stellate cell line (HSC-T6) cells but also can induce Keap1 protein degradation by the ubiquitination-proteasome degradation pathway, which releases Nrf2 and promotes the transcriptional activity of the Nrf2/antioxidant response element pathway. It then activates the protein expression of the downstream antioxidant factors, the glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Finally, Keap1 protein degradation inhibits the nuclear factor-kappaB inflammatory signal pathway, the downstream inflammatory factor tumor necrosis factor alpha, and the interleukin-1beta protein expression and further inhibits the expression of the fibrosis biomarker gene. The current research suggests that our designed KKP1 may provide a new avenue for the future treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengqin Wang
- Hubei
Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China
| | - Ying Zhan
- Hubei
Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China
| | - Manman Li
- Hubei
Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China
| | - Lidan Wang
- Hubei
Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China,Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China
| | - Austin Zheng
- Institute
of Cell Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21215, United States
| | - Changbai Liu
- Hubei
Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China
| | - Hu Wang
- Hubei
Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China,Institute
of Cell Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21215, United States,
| | - Tao Wang
- The
First College of Clinical Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443003, China,
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7
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Wu J, Qi C, Wang H, Wang Q, Sun J, Dong J, Yu G, Gao Z, Zhang B, Tian G. Curcumin and berberine co-loaded liposomes for anti-hepatocellular carcinoma therapy by blocking the cross-talk between hepatic stellate cells and tumor cells. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:961788. [PMID: 36188590 PMCID: PMC9515508 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.961788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), quiescent hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) could be activated to become CAFs, which play a critical role in tumor progression and drug resistance. Therefore, recent efforts have been focused on combining anti-HSC and pro-apoptotic activities to improve anti-tumor efficacy of drugs. In this study, glycyrrhetinic acid and hyaluronic acid–modified liposomes (GA-HA-Lip) were prepared for co-delivery of curcumin (CUR) and berberine (BBR) for the treatment of HCC. Furthermore, we established the LX-2+BEL-7402 co-cultured cell model and implanted the m-HSCs+H22 cells into a mouse to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of CUR&BBR/GA-HA-Lip both in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that CUR&BBR/GA-HA-Lip could accumulate in tumor tissues and be taken up by HSCs and BEL-7402 cells simultaneously. Compared with free CUR, the combination therapy based on GA-HA-Lip exhibits stronger pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferation effect both in vitro and in vivo. The anti-tumor mechanistic study revealed that CUR&BBR/GA-HA-Lip could inhibit the activation of HSCs and restrain drug resistance of tumor cells. In summary, CUR&BBR/GA-HA-Lip could be a promising nano-sized formulation for anti-tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingliang Wu
- School of Nursing, Weifang University of Science and Technology, Weifang, China
| | - Cuiping Qi
- School of Nursing, Weifang University of Science and Technology, Weifang, China
- School of Nursing, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Oncology, Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Qing Wang
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Jingui Sun
- School of Nursing, Weifang University of Science and Technology, Weifang, China
| | - Jinping Dong
- School of Nursing, Weifang University of Science and Technology, Weifang, China
| | - Guohua Yu
- Department of Oncology, Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Zhiqin Gao
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
- *Correspondence: Bo Zhang, ; Guixiang Tian,
| | - Guixiang Tian
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
- *Correspondence: Bo Zhang, ; Guixiang Tian,
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8
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Chen XF, Wang Y, Ji S, Sun X, Feng Q, Yu H, Liu C. Hepatoprotective Efficacy and Interventional Mechanism of Qijia Rougan Decoction in Liver Fibrosis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:911250. [PMID: 35846987 PMCID: PMC9283647 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.911250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a leading contributor to chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer, which pose a serious health threat worldwide, and there are no effective drugs to treat it. Qijia Rougan decoction was modified from Sanjiasan, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) described in the “Wenyilun” manuscript. Qijia Rougan decoction possesses hepatoprotective and antifibrotic effects for clinical applications. However, its underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, fibrotic rats induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) were treated with two doses of Qijia Rougan decoction. Histopathological and serum biochemical analyses were carried out to assess liver structure and function, respectively. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) was performed to identify bioactive compositions in Qijia Rougan decoction. Transcriptome analysis using mRNA-sequencing (mRNA-Seq) was used to explore the underlying mechanisms and verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Qijia Rougan decoction significantly attenuated CCl4-induced hepatic fibrotic injury, supported by promoted liver function and improved liver fibrosis. Eight main representative components originating from raw materials in the Qijia Rougan decoction were found to possess an antifibrotic role. Mechanistically, Qijia Rougan decoction regulated biological processes such as oxidation–reduction, fatty acid metabolism, cell adhesion, and transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling. We determined that Qijia Rougan decoction reversed the expression of inflammatory cytokines and inhibited the activation of fibrosis-related TGFβ signaling. It also reversed the deterioration of liver structure and function in rats induced by CCl4. Overall, Qijia Rougan decoction significantly mediated metabolism-associated processes, inhibited inflammatory reactions, and repressed fibrosis-related TGFβ signaling, which prevented liver fibrosis deterioration. Our study deepens our understanding of TCM in the diagnosis and treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Han Yu
- *Correspondence: Han Yu, ; Chao Liu,
| | - Chao Liu
- *Correspondence: Han Yu, ; Chao Liu,
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yingBai Y, meiCheng Y, Wang W, Yang L, Yang Y. In vivo and in vitro studies of Alloimperatorin induced autophagy in cervical cancer cells via reactive oxygen species pathway. Bioengineered 2022; 13:14299-14314. [PMID: 36708242 PMCID: PMC9995126 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2084243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Alloimperatorin (Alloi) has been shown to have anti-proliferative effects in our previous studies. we aimed to investigate whether Alloimperatorin induces autophagy through the reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway and anticancer activity in vivo. The anti-proliferative effect of Alloimperatorin was evaluated using a cell counting kit (CCK-8 kit). Apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry. Confocal microscopy, immunofluorescence, and mRFP-GFP-LC3 lentivirus transfection were used to verify autophagy. Electron microscopy detection of autophagosomes was induced by Alloimperatorin. Western blotting was used to detect autophagy proteins in HeLa and SiHa cells. A xenograft model was used to monitor the inhibitory effect of Alloimperatorin on tumor growth in nude mice. The results showed that Alloimperatorin induced ROS production and inhibited the proliferation of HeLa and SiHa cells. Furthermore, Alloimperatorin increased the apoptosis rate in HeLa and SiHa cells. Confocal microscopy fluorescence indicated that Alloimperatorin increased autophagy fluorescence of HeLa and SiHa cells. mRFP-GFP-LC3 lentivirus transfection and electron microscopy demonstrated that Alloimperatorin increased autophagy in HeLa and SiHa cells. Western blotting showed that Alloimperatorin induced the expression of autophagy proteins in HeLa and SiHa cells. However, N-acetylcysteine reversed the autophagy. These results demonstrate that Alloimperatorin can induce autophagy in HeLa and SiHa cells through the ROS pathway. In vivo xenograft experiments showed that Alloimperatorin could inhibit tumor growth in nude mice. Alloimperatorin is expected to be an effective new drug for cervical cancer treatment.Abbreviations: ROS, reactive oxygen species; Alloi, Alloimperatorin; CCK-8, Cell Counting Kit-8; NAC, N-acetyl-L-cysteine; DCFH-DA, 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate; OD, optical density; PBS, phosphate buffer solution; BCA, bicinchoninic acid; DAPI, 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole; DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying yingBai
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Yue meiCheng
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Wenhua Wang
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Lijuan Yang
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Yongxiu Yang
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
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Liu Z, Zhou S, Zhang Y, Zhao M. Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) inhibit liver fibrosis by activating GSK3β and inhibiting the Wnt3a/β-catenin pathway. Infect Agent Cancer 2022; 17:17. [PMID: 35440002 PMCID: PMC9017036 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-022-00432-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can effectively alleviate liver fibrosis, which is a pathological injury caused by various chronic liver diseases. This study aimed to investigate the antifibrotic effects of BMSCs and elucidate the underlying mechanism by which BMSCs affect liver fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. Methods After the rat liver fibrosis model was induced by continuous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), BMSCs were administered for 4 weeks, and histopathological analysis and liver function tests were performed. T6 hepatic stellate cells (HSC-T6 cells) were stimulated by TGF-β1, and the activation and proliferation of cells were analyzed by CCK-8 assays, flow cytometry, real-time PCR, western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Our data demonstrated that BMSCs effectively reduced the accumulation of collagen, enhanced liver functionality and ameliorated liver fibrosis in vivo. BMSCs increased the sub-G1 population in HSC-T6 cells. In addition, coculture with BMSCs reduced the expression of α-SMA, collagen I, cyclin-D1, and c-Myc in HSC-T6 cells and activated the phosphorylation of GSK3β. The GSK3β inhibitor SB216763 reversed the effect of BMSCs. The Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway was involved in BMSC-mediated inhibition of HSC-T6 cell activation. Conclusions Our data suggested that BMSCs exerted antifibrotic effects by activating the expression of GSK3β and inhibiting the Wnt3a/β-catenin signalling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoguo Liu
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.,Liuzhou Worker's Hospital, Liuzhou, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Song Zhou
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ya Zhang
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ming Zhao
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China. .,Department of Organ Transplantation, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong Province, China.
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Chen TY, Mai JY, Zhang P, Xue JH, He SL, Xi J, Chen JJ, Cheng Y. Efficacy of erzhu jiedu recipe on hepatitis B cirrhosis with hyperalphafetoproteinemia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e27231. [PMID: 34559118 PMCID: PMC10545361 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000027231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B cirrhosis with hyperalphafetoproteinemia is the intermediate stage of liver cirrhosis progressing to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), there is no effective way to treat precancerous lesions of liver in modern medicine. In recent decades, clinical and experimental evidence shows that Chinese medicine (CM) has a certain beneficial effect on Hepatitis B Cirrhosis. Therefore, this trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a CM erzhu jiedu recipe (EZJDR) for the treatment of Hepatitis B Cirrhosis with Hyperalphafetoproteinemia. METHODS We designed a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 72 patients of Hepatitis B Cirrhosis with hyperalphafetoproteinemia were randomized in 2 parallel groups. Patients in the control group received placebo granules similar to the EZJDR. In the EZJDR group, patients received EZJDR twice a day, after meals, for 48 weeks. The primary efficacy measures were changes in serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and alpha-fetoprotein alloplasm (AFP-L3); The secondary indicators of efficacy are changes in liver function indicators, HBV-DNA level; Liver stiffness measurement (LSM); Hepatic portal vein diameter; T lymphocyte subgroup indexes during treatment. All data will be recorded in case report forms and analyzed by Statistical Analysis System software. Adverse events will also be evaluated. RESULTS The results showed that EZJDR can significantly inhibit the levels of AFP and AFP-L3 in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis and hyperalphafetoproteinemia and have good security. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study protocol was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Shuguang Hospital, affiliated with University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai (NO.2018-579-08-01). TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial was registered on Chinese Clinical Trial Center (NO.ChiCTR1800017165).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Yang Chen
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.528 Zhangheng Road, Pudong District, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing-Yin Mai
- Shanghai Guanghua Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, No.40 Xinhua Road, Changning District, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- Foreign Language Center of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.1200 Cailun Road, Pudong District, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian-Hua Xue
- Department of Liver Disease, Hospital for Infectious Diseases of Pudong District, No.46 East Huaxia Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Sheng-Li He
- Minhang Branch of Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, No.106 Ruili Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Xi
- Department of Liver Disease, Hospital for Infectious Diseases of Pudong District, No.46 East Huaxia Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian-Jie Chen
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.528 Zhangheng Road, Pudong District, Shanghai, China
- Department of Liver Disease, Hospital for Infectious Diseases of Pudong District, No.46 East Huaxia Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Cheng
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.528 Zhangheng Road, Pudong District, Shanghai, China
- Department of Liver Disease, Hospital for Infectious Diseases of Pudong District, No.46 East Huaxia Road, Shanghai, China
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Wang H, Che J, Cui K, Zhuang W, Li H, Sun J, Chen J, Wang C. Schisantherin A ameliorates liver fibrosis through TGF-β1mediated activation of TAK1/MAPK and NF-κB pathways in vitro and in vivo. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 88:153609. [PMID: 34126414 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUD Schisandra chinensis, a traditional Chinese medicine for liver protection, can significantly improve liver fibrosis. However, it is still unclear which active components in Schisandra chinensis play an anti-fibrosis role. PURPOSE The purpose of present study was to observe the anti-fibrosis effect of schisantherin A (SCA) on liver fibrosis and explore its underlying mechanism. METHODS The liver fibrosis model of mice was constructed by the progressive intraperitoneal injection of thioacetamide (TAA), and SCA (1, 2, and 4 mg/kg) was administered by gavage for 5 weeks. The biochemical indicators and inflammatory cytokines were measured, changes in the pathology of the mice liver were observed by hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) and Masson stainings for studying the anti-fibrosis effect of SCA. A hepatic stellate cell (HSCs) activation model induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) was established, and the effect of SCA on the HSCs proliferation was observed by MTT assay. The expressions of target proteins related to transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathways were evaluated by western blotting, immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence analysis, to explore the potential mechanism of SCA. RESULTS SCA could significantly ameliorate the pathological changes of liver tissue induced by TAA, and reduce the serum transaminase level, the hydroxyproline level and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen 1A1 (COL1A1) proteins in the liver tissue. SCA could significantly lower the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the serum and liver tissue, and down-regulate the expression of target proteins related to TAK1/MAPK and NF-κB pathways in the liver tissue. The in vitro studies demonstrated that SCA significantly inhibited the proliferation and activation of HCS-T6 cells induced by TGF-β1, decreased TNF-α and IL-6 levels, and inhibited the TAK1 activation induced by TGF-β1 and then the expression of MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins. CONCLUSION Together, SCA can ameliorate the liver fibrosis induced by TAA and the HSC-T6 cell activation induced by TGF-β1 in mice, and its mechanism may be to inhibit the HSCs activation and inflammatory response by inhibiting TGF-β1 mediated TAK1/MAPK and signal pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haili Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Affiliated Hospital of Beihua University, Jilin, Jilin Province, 132013, China
| | - Jinying Che
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Beihua University, No. 3999 Binjiang East Road, Jilin, Jilin Province, 132013, China
| | - Kai Cui
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital, Beihua University, Jilin, Jilin Province, 132013, China
| | - Wenyue Zhuang
- Department of Molecular Biology Test Technique, College of Medical Technology, Beihua University, Jilin, Jilin Province, 132013, China
| | - He Li
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Beihua University, No. 3999 Binjiang East Road, Jilin, Jilin Province, 132013, China
| | - Jinghui Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Beihua University, No. 3999 Binjiang East Road, Jilin, Jilin Province, 132013, China
| | - Jianguang Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Beihua University, No. 3999 Binjiang East Road, Jilin, Jilin Province, 132013, China
| | - Chunmei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Beihua University, No. 3999 Binjiang East Road, Jilin, Jilin Province, 132013, China.
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Chen X, Wang S, Chen G, Wang Z, Kan J. The immunomodulatory effects of Carapax Trionycis ultrafine powder on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in Balb/c mice. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2021; 101:2014-2026. [PMID: 32949169 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.10819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are abundant resources of Carapax Trionycis from soft-shelled turtle processing wastes each year in China. Our preliminary work showed that Carapax Trionycis ultrafine powder (CTUP) obtained using ball-milling with a particle size of 2.24 μm (D0.025) contained more active ingredients. The CTUP D0.025 has a good bioaccessibility, but there has been no report about the immunomodulatory function of CTUP. Therefore, using a cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression mice model, we investigated the immunomodulatory effects of CTUP D0.025. RESULTS The results indicated that CTUP D0.025 administration significantly improved the immune organ (bone marrow, thymus and spleen) indices, ameliorated spleen tissue morphology and increased the capacity of splenocyte proliferation and the activity of macrophage phagocytosis. CTUP D0.025 also significantly promoted the secretion of cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IFN-γ and TNF-α), improved the related mRNA expression levels of IL2, IFN-γ, T-bet and GATA3 in immunosuppressed mice and increased the production of serum hemolysin and the levels of IgG, IgM as well as complement C3 . Moreover, CTUP D0.025 administration enhanced the antioxidant capacity of mice, exhibited a moderating effect on the damage of bone and skeletal muscle and improved the recovery of bone mineral density and calcium metabolism. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrated that CTUP D0.025 had an effective immune-enhancing function in immunosuppressive Balb/c mice and also exhibited anti-osteoporosis properties. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuhui Chen
- College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China
- Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Agro-products on Storage and Preservation (Chongqing), Ministry of Agriculture, Chongqing, PR China
- Chinese-Hungarian Cooperative Research Centre for Food Science, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Shasha Wang
- College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China
- Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Agro-products on Storage and Preservation (Chongqing), Ministry of Agriculture, Chongqing, PR China
- Chinese-Hungarian Cooperative Research Centre for Food Science, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Guangjing Chen
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, PR China
| | - Zhirong Wang
- College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China
- Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Agro-products on Storage and Preservation (Chongqing), Ministry of Agriculture, Chongqing, PR China
- Chinese-Hungarian Cooperative Research Centre for Food Science, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Jianquan Kan
- College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China
- Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Agro-products on Storage and Preservation (Chongqing), Ministry of Agriculture, Chongqing, PR China
- Chinese-Hungarian Cooperative Research Centre for Food Science, Chongqing, PR China
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14
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Liu SH, Chen PS, Huang CC, Hung YT, Lee MY, Lin WH, Lin YC, Lee AYL. Unlocking the Mystery of the Therapeutic Effects of Chinese Medicine on Cancer. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:601785. [PMID: 33519464 PMCID: PMC7843369 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.601785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, the rise of cancer immunotherapy has coincided with a remarkable breakthrough in cancer therapy, which attracted increased interests in public. The scientific community clearly showed that the emergence of immunotherapy is an inevitable outcome of a holistic approach for cancer treatment. It is well established that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) utilizes the principle of homeostasis and balance to adjust the healthy status of body. TCM treatment toward cancer has a long history, and the diagnosis and treatment of tumors were discussed in the ancient and classical literatures of Chinese medicine, such as the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon. Precious heritage has laid the foundation for the innovation and development of cancer treatment with TCM. The modern study indicated that TCM facilitates the treatment of cancer and enhances the survival rate and life expectancy of patients. However, the pharmacological mechanisms underlying these effects are not yet completely understood. In addition, physicians cannot always explain why the TCM treatment is effective and the mechanism of action cannot be explained in scientific terms. Here, we attempted to provide insights into the development of TCM in the treatment and interpret how TCM practitioners treat cancer through six general principles of TCM by using modern scientific language and terms based on newly discovered evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Hsiang Liu
- Celgen Biotech, Taipei, Taiwan.,Taiwan Instrument Research Institute, National Applied Research Laboratories, Zhubei, Taiwan
| | | | - Chun-Chieh Huang
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Taitung Christian Hospital, Taitung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Tu Hung
- HanPoo Chinese Medical Clinic, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Ying Lee
- Chinese Medicine Women Doctors Association, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | | | - Alan Yueh-Luen Lee
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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15
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Cheng Y, Chen T, Chen J. Erzhu Jiedu decoction ameliorates liver precancerous lesions in a rat model of liver cancer. J Cancer 2020; 11:7302-7311. [PMID: 33193894 PMCID: PMC7646158 DOI: 10.7150/jca.49554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Precancerous lesions are the intermediate stage in the development of liver cancer from cirrhosis. Early intervention measures can effectively prevent the occurrence of liver cancer and prolong the lives of patients, resulting in greater economic effects. Erzhu Jiedu decoction (EJD) is a semiempirical formula that is used in the treatment of cirrhosis and liver cancer according to the academic philosophy of "Preventive treatment of disease" and has achieved good curative effects in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of EJD on liver precancerous lesions induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in rats. The results showed that EJD improved the general conditions (body weight, ALT, AST, and GGT) and reduced the number of precancerous lesions in the rat model. Notably, the medium dose of EJD (1.05 g/kg) had better treatment effects than the low dose of EJD, and the high dose of EJD did not further improve the liver lesions compared to the medium dose of EJD. Moreover, EJD effectively reduced the DEN-induced GST-Pi, AFP, CK19, c-Myc, and Ki67 protein expression in liver precancerous tissues. Interestingly, EJD significantly reduced YAP and TAZ mRNA expression in the liver precancerous lesions. Collectively, EJD protects against in the initiation of liver cancer and the regulation of c-Myc and Hippo signaling pathways may be the underlying mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Cheng
- Department of liver disease, Hospital for Infectious Diseases of Pudong District, Shanghai 201299, P.R. China.,Institute of liver disease, Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, P.R. China
| | - Tianyang Chen
- Institute of liver disease, Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, P.R. China
| | - Jianjie Chen
- Department of liver disease, Hospital for Infectious Diseases of Pudong District, Shanghai 201299, P.R. China.,Institute of liver disease, Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, P.R. China
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16
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Xiong Y, Lu H, Xu H. Galangin Reverses Hepatic Fibrosis by Inducing HSCs Apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt, Bax/Bcl-2, and Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway in LX-2 Cells. Biol Pharm Bull 2020; 43:1634-1642. [PMID: 32893252 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b20-00258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a common disease, with currently no available treatment. Galangin, a natural flavonoid extracted from Alpinia officinaruim Hance, has multiple effects demonstrated in previous studies. The aim of the present study was to explore the anti-fibrogenic effect of galangin in vitro, and research its potential molecular mechanisms. LX-2 cells were chosen as an in vitro HF model, and were treated with galangin in different concentrations. Cell viability was analyzed using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, cell apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry, and the anti-fibrogenic effect of galangin was determined using RT-quantitative (q)PCR, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting. The results show that the proliferation of LX-2 cells was efficiently inhibited by galangin, and apoptosis was induced in a dose-dependent manner. Both the mRNA and protein expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen I were markedly downregulated. Galangin also inhibited the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways and increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. The results of this study suggest that galangin has an anti-fibrogenic effect and may represent a promising agent in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanguo Xiong
- School of Pharmaceuticals, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Hao Lu
- School of Pharmaceuticals, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Hanlin Xu
- School of Pharmaceuticals, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine
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17
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Choi JH, Kim SM, Lee GH, Jin SW, Lee HS, Chung YC, Jeong HG. Platyconic Acid A, Platycodi Radix-Derived Saponin, Suppresses TGF-1-induced Activation of Hepatic Stellate Cells via Blocking SMAD and Activating the PPAR Signaling Pathway. Cells 2019; 8:cells8121544. [PMID: 31795488 PMCID: PMC6952772 DOI: 10.3390/cells8121544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Platycodi radix is a widely sold health food worldwide, which contains numerous phytochemicals that are beneficial to health. Previously, we reported that saponin from the roots of Platycodi radix-derived saponin inhibited toxicant-induced liver diseases. Nevertheless, the inhibitory effect of platyconic acid A (PA), the active component of Platycodi radix-derived saponin, on the anti-fibrotic activity involving the SMAD pathway remains unclear. We investigated the inhibitory effects of PA on TGF-β1-induced activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). PA inhibited TGF-β1-enhanced cell proliferation, as well as expression of α-SMA and collagen Iα1 in HSC-T6 cells. PA suppressed TGF-β1-induced smad2/3 phosphorylation and smad binding elements 4 (SBE4) luciferase activity. Reversely, PA restored TGF-β1-reduced expression of smad7 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ. PA also repressed TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation of Akt and MAPKs. In summary, the results suggest that the inhibitory effect of PA on HSCs occurs through the blocking of SMAD-dependent and SMAD-independent pathways, leading to the suppression of α-SMA and collagen Iα1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Ho Choi
- Department of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (J.H.C.); (S.M.K.); (G.H.L.); (S.W.J.)
| | - Seul Mi Kim
- Department of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (J.H.C.); (S.M.K.); (G.H.L.); (S.W.J.)
| | - Gi Ho Lee
- Department of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (J.H.C.); (S.M.K.); (G.H.L.); (S.W.J.)
| | - Sun Woo Jin
- Department of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (J.H.C.); (S.M.K.); (G.H.L.); (S.W.J.)
| | - Hyun Sun Lee
- Natural Medicine Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Ochang 28116, Korea;
| | - Young Chul Chung
- Department of Food and Medicine, College of Public Health and Natural Science, International University of Korea, Jinju 52833, Korea;
| | - Hye Gwang Jeong
- Department of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (J.H.C.); (S.M.K.); (G.H.L.); (S.W.J.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-42-821-5936
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18
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Yu Gan Long reduces rat liver fibrosis by blocking TGF-β1/Smad pathway and modulating the immunity. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 106:1332-1338. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.07.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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19
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Ye Y, Zhang Y, Wang B, Walana W, Wei J, Gordon JR, Li F. CXCR1/CXCR2 antagonist G31P inhibits nephritis in a mouse model of uric acid nephropathy. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 107:1142-1150. [PMID: 30257327 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.07.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of gout is relatively high worldwide, and many gout patients suffer from uric acid nephropathy (UAN) concomitantly. ELR-CXC chemokines such as CXCL8 and CXCL1 have a elevated expression in UAN. In this research, a mouse UAN model was established for a 12 week duration, and uric acid-related crystals were observed. CXCL8(3-72)K11R/G31P (G31P) is a mutant protein of CXCL8/interleukin 8 (IL-8), which has been reported to have therapeutic efficacy in both inflammatory diseases and malignancies for it acts as a selective antagonist towards CXCR1/CXCR2. In this study, G31P-treated mice showed declined production of the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level and urine volume in UAN mice compared with G31P-untreated UAN counterparts. In addition, G31P effectively improved renal fibrosis, and reduced uric acid accumulation and leukocyte infiltration in UAN kidneys. Furthermore, the expressions of CXCL1 and CXCL2 were reduced and the activation of NOD-like receptors protein 3 (NLRP3) was inhibited by G31P treatment. This study has demonstrated that G31P attenuates inflammatory progression in chronic UAN, and plays a renoprotective function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Ye
- Department of Immunology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Bing Wang
- Department of Immunology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Williams Walana
- Department of Immunology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Jing Wei
- Department of Immunology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - John R Gordon
- Division of Respirology, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Royal University Hospital, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Immunology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China.
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20
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Yang H, Yu P, Lu Y, Jiao Z, Chen L, Zhou Y, Shen Y, Jia X. A novel non-sequencing approach for rapid authentication of Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum and Trionycis Carapax by species-specific primers. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2018; 5:172140. [PMID: 29765667 PMCID: PMC5936932 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.172140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
A novel non-sequencing approach was developed to detect short DNA fragments (ca 100 bp) for rapid authentication of two natural products, namely Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum and Trionycis Carapax, based on the difference in mitochondrial genome. Five specifically designed primer reactions were established to target species for reliable identification of their commercial products. They were confirmed to have a high level of inter-species-specificity and good intra-species stability. The limit of detection was estimated to be 1 ng of genomes for all of five assays. Also, the validation results demonstrated that the raw materials and processed products in addition to some of the highly processed products can be conveniently authenticated with good sensitivity and precision by this newly proposed approach. Especially, when reference sample mixtures were assayed, these primer sets have still performed well but not the prevailing COI barcoding technology. These could assist in the discrimination and identification of other animal-derived medicines for their form of raw material, the pulverized and the complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People's Republic of China
| | - Pingtian Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaoqun Jiao
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People's Republic of China
| | - Liqun Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuping Shen
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People's Republic of China
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551Singapore
- Authors for correspondence: Yuping Shen e-mail:
| | - Xiaobin Jia
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People's Republic of China
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
- Authors for correspondence: Xiaobin Jia e-mail:
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21
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Balancing Effect of Biejiajian Oral Liquid () on ACE-Ang II-AT1R Axis and ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas Axis in Rats with CCl 4-Induced Hepatic Fibrosis. Chin J Integr Med 2018; 24:853-859. [PMID: 29335866 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-017-2909-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of Biejiajian Oral Liquid (, BOL) on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats by detecting the changes in the levels of angiotensin II (Ang II), angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)], angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), ACE2, angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R), Mas, etc. METHODS: A total of 180 Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups by random digital table method: prevention experiment and treatment experiment. Each group was further subdivided into the following 6 subgroups: normal control group, model group, vitamin E [100 mg/(kg·d), VE] group, enalapril [10 mg/(kg·g), Ena] group, high-dosage [20 g/(kg·d)] BOL group, and low-dosage [10 g/(kg·d)] BOL group. The hepatic fibrosis rat model was established by subcutaneous injection of CCl4 for 6 weeks. Prevention experiment and treatment experiment were administered with specific drugs at different times. At the end of treatment experiment, the pathological changes of liver were observed after hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expressions of ingredients in renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) such as AngII, Ang-(1-7), ACE, ACE2, AT1R, Mas, renin, CYP11B2 and angen in liver were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry method or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS The levels of AngII and Ang-(1-7) at the 6th week increased by 496.10% and 73.64%, respectively, compared with those at the 2nd week in the model group (P<0.01). With prevention or treatment with high-dosage BOL, there was an evident reduction of AngII level but an improvement of Ang-(1-7) level. Specifically, AngII level of high-dosage group decreased by 77.50% in prevention experiment (P=0.000) and by 76.93% in treatment experiment (P=0.002) compared with that in the model group. Ang-(1-7) level increased by 91.69% in prevention experiment (P=0.006) and by 70.77% in the treatment experiment (P=0.010) compared with that in the model group. The expression levels of mRNA of renin, ACE, CYP11B2, angen and AT1R decreased by 58.15%, 99.90%, 99.84%, 99.99% and 99.99% (all P<0.01), respectively. CONCLUSIONS BOL could help resist liver fibrosis in rats by enhancing the level of each ingredient in ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas axis, while decreasing the level of each ingredient in ACE-AngII-AT1R axis. To some extent, BOL could enhance the regulation of RAAS in rats with CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis.
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