Corilagin protects the acute lung injury by ameliorating the apoptosis pathway

Corilagin alleviated intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury by modulating endoplasmic reticulum stress via bonding with Bip

BACKGROUND

Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (II/R) injury is a common clinical emergency with high morbidity and mortality. Given the absence of efficacious prophylactic and therapeutic interventions and specific drugs, sustained efforts are essential to develop new targeted drugs. Corilagin, a naturally polyphenolic tannic acid widespread in longan, rambutan and many other edible economic crops with medicinal properties in China, is of interest due to its multiple bioactivities, including the potential to mitigate II/R injuries. Nevertheless, a clear understanding of its molecular targets and the intricate mechanisms against II/R injury remains obscure and requires further elucidation.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate corilagin's pharmacological impact and molecular mechanism for II/R injury.

METHODS

An animal II/R model was established by clamping superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and the therapeutic efficacy of corilagin against II/R was evaluated by biochemical and pathological analysis. Next, integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses was performed to identify key targets. Moreover, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) damage was respectively observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM), immunohistochemistry, TUNEL, flow cytometry and western blotting (WB). Finally, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) assays were utilized to assess the interaction between corilagin and binding immunoglobulin protein (Bip, Grp78 or Hspa5), and co-IP assay was conducted to investigate the interaction between Bip and its substrate proteins.

RESULTS

Corilagin exhibited robust protection against II/R injuries, effectively alleviating intestinal tissue damage and oxidative stress induced by II/R. The modulation of ERS as a potential regulatory mechanism was investigated through an integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analysis, identifying Bip as a key target contributing to corilagin's protective effects. Further experimental evidence using molecular docking, MD simulation, CETSA, and DARTS assays confirmed the potentially direct interaction of corilagin with Bip. This interaction promoted the ubiquitin-dependent degradation of the Bip-substrate complex, thereby suppressing ERS-related signalling pathways, including the IRE1 branch, PERK branch, and ATF6 branch, to alleviate tissue damage.

CONCLUSION

This study confirmed that corilagin could selectively bind to Bip, facilitating its ubiquitin-dependent recognition and degradation, thereby inhibiting severe endoplasmic reticulum stress signalling and alleviating II/R injury. A detailed mechanistic insight into the action mode of corilagin had been proposed, supporting its potential usage as an ERS inhibitor.

Integrated network pharmacology, molecular docking and pharmacodynamic study reveals protective effects and mechanisms of corilagin against cerebral ischemia-induced injury

BACKGROUND

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability worldwide. Previous studies have found that corilagin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic and other pharmacological activities and has a protective effect against cardiac and cerebrovascular injury.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of corilagin against ischemic stroke and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal and cell experiments.

METHODS

We investigated the potential of corilagin to ameliorate cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury using in vivo rat middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) and in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) models.

RESULTS

Our results suggest that corilagin may exert its anti-ischemic stroke effect by interacting with 92 key targets, including apoptosis-associated proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3) and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway-related proteins. In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that corilagin treatment improved neurological deficits, attenuated cerebral infarct volume, and mitigated neuronal damage in MCAO/R rats. Corilagin treatment also enhanced the survival of PC12 cells exposed to OGD/R, reduced the rate of LDH leakage, inhibited cell apoptosis, and activated the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Importantly, the effects of corilagin on the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and apoptosis-associated proteins were reversed by the PI3K-specific inhibitor LY294002.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that the molecular mechanism of the anti-ischemic effect of corilagin involves inhibiting neuronal apoptosis and activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. These findings provide a theoretical and experimental basis for the further development and application of corilagin as a potential anti-ischemic stroke agent.

Targeting cell death pathways in intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury: a comprehensive review

Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is a multifaceted pathological process, and there is a lack of clear treatment for intestinal I/R injury. During intestinal I/R, oxidative stress and inflammation triggered by cells can trigger a variety of cell death mechanisms, including apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and necrosis. These cell death processes can send a danger signal for the body to be damaged and prevent intestinal I/R injury. Therefore, identifying key regulatory molecules or markers of these cell death mechanisms when intestinal I/R injury occurs may provide valuable information for the treatment of intestinal I/R injury. This paper reviews the regulatory molecules and potential markers that may be involved in regulating cell death during intestinal I/R and elaborates on the cell death mechanism of intestinal I/R injury at the molecular level to provide a theoretical basis for discovering new molecules or markers regulating cell death during intestinal I/R injury and provides ideas for drug development for the treatment of intestinal I/R injury.

Corilagin enhances the anti-tumor activity of 5-FU by downregulating the expression of GRP 78

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Although initially effective, patients who receive chemotherapy ultimately experience various complications and develop chemo-resistance, leading to cancer recurrence. Therefore, we aimed to find a drug with good efficacy and low toxicity that could enhance the treatment with 5-Fluorouracil (a commonly used clinical drug) and reduce its dosing. Corilagin, an anti-tumor natural product, has received widespread attention. Glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) is overexpressed in colorectal cancer cells and plays a key role in the proliferation, migration and drug resistance of cancer cells. Importantly, GRP78 can affect the apoptosis induced by 5-fluorouracil in CRC cells. In the present study, we determined the synergistic anti-tumor activity of the combination treatment by cell proliferation assay, apoptosis assay, fluorescent staining, cell cycle analysis, WB and PCR assays. This synergistic effect was associated with S-phase blockade, intracellular reactive oxygen species production and downregulation of GRP78. Taken together, our results indicate that Corilagin acts as a potentiator of 5-fluorouracil and may have therapeutic potential for patients with CRC.

Corilagin alleviates intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury by relieving oxidative stress and apoptosis via AMPK/Sirt1-autophagy pathway

Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (II/R) injury is a common pathological process with high clinical morbidity and mortality. Autophagy plays an important role in the pathological development of II/R. Corilagin (CA) is a natural ellagitannin with various pharmacological effects such as autophagy regulation, antioxidant, and antiapoptosis. However, whether CA alleviates II/R injury is still unclear. In this study, we had found that CA significantly attenuated II/R induced intestinal tissue pathological damage, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis in rats. Further studies showed that CA significantly promoted AMPK phosphorylation and sirt1 expression, and thus activated autophagy by upregulating protein expression of autophagy-related proteins Beclin1 and LC3II and promoting SQSTM1/P62 degradation both in vivo and in vitro. Inhibition of AMPK phosphorylation by its inhibitor compound C(CC) significantly abolished CA-mediated autophagy activation and the relievable effects on oxidative stress and apoptosis in vitro, suggesting the excellent protective activity of CA against II/R injury via AMPK/Sirt1-autophagy pathway. These findings confirmed the potent effects of CA against II/R injury, and provided novel insights into the mechanisms of the compound as a potential candidate for the treatment of II/R.

Corilagin alleviates intestinal ischemia/reperfusion-induced intestinal and lung injury in mice via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis

Intestinal ischemia reperfusion (II/R) is a clinical emergency that frequently occurs in a variety of clinical conditions. Severe intestinal injury results in the release of cytotoxic substances and inflammatory mediators which can activate local inflammatory response and bacterial translocation. This triggers multi-organ failure, including lung injury, which is a common complication of II/R injury and contributes to the high mortality rate. Corilagin (Cor) is a natural ellagitannin found in a variety of plants. It has many biological and pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis activities. However, no studies have evaluated the effects and molecular mechanisms of Cor in alleviating II/R-induced intestinal and lung damage. In this study, Cor was found to significantly alleviate II/R-induced pathological damage, inflammatory response, oxidative stress, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and pyroptosis in intestinal and lung tissues both in vivo and in vitro. Further, Cor inhibited the NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis in RAW264.7 and MLE-12 cells induced by LPS/nigericin and that in IEC-6 cells induced by nigericin, indicating an amelioration of Cor in II/R-induced intestinal and lung injury via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis. Thus, Cor might be a potential therapeutic agent for II/R-induced inflammation and tissue injury.

Polyphenols from Chinese Herbal Medicine: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets in Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a highly confounding and fatal pathological process with finite treatment options. Multiple factors such as oxidative and immune/inflammation involve key pathological processes in chronic lung disease, and their intimate interactions mediate chronic lung damage, denudation of the alveolar epithelium, hyperproliferation of type II alveolar epithelial cells (AECIIs), proliferation and differentiation of fibroblasts, and the permeability of microvessels. We reviewed the classic mechanism of PF and highlighted a few emerging mechanisms for studying complex networks in lung disease pathology. Polyphenols, as a multi-target drug, has excellent potential in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. We then reviewed recent advances in discovering phenolic compounds from fruits, tea, and medical herbs with the bioactivities of simultaneously regulating multiple factors (e.g., oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy, apoptosis, pyroptosis) for minimizing pulmonary fibrosis injury. These compounds include resveratrol, curcumin, salvianolic acid B, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, gallic acid, corilagin. Each phenolic compound can exert its anti-PF effect through various mechanisms, and the signaling pathways involved in different phenolic compounds are not the same. This review summarized the available evidence on phenolic compounds' effectiveness in pulmonary diseases and explored the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets of phenolic compounds from Chinese herbal medicine with the properties of inhibition of ongoing fibrogenesis and resolution of existing fibrosis.

Corilagin Ameliorates Con A-Induced Hepatic Injury by Restricting M1 Macrophage Polarization

Immune-mediated hepatic injury plays a key role in the initiation and pathogenesis of diverse liver diseases. However, treatment choice for immune-mediated hepatic injury remains limited. Corilagin, a natural ellagitannin extracted from various traditional Chinese medicines, has been demonstrated to exhibit multiple pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and hepatoprotective properties. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of corilagin on immune-mediated hepatic injury using a murine model of concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis, which is well-characterized to study acute immune-mediated hepatitis. Herein, mice were administered corilagin (25 mg/kg) intraperitoneally twice at 12 h intervals, and 1 h later, the mice were challenged with Con A (20 mg/kg body weight); serum and liver samples were collected after 12 h. The results showed that corilagin significantly increased the survival of mice and reduced serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels. In addition, corilagin markedly improved histopathological damage, hepatocyte apoptosis, and oxidative stress in the liver. The activation of M1 macrophages in the hepatic mononuclear cells was also significantly reduced compared with that in the control group. The expression of M1 macrophage-associated proinflammatory cytokines and genes, including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), was also decreased after corilagin treatment. Finally, the results demonstrated that corilagin regulated macrophage polarization by modulating the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and interferon regulatory factor (IRF) signaling pathways. Thus, the findings indicate that corilagin protects mice from Con A-induced immune-mediated hepatic injury by limiting M1 macrophage activation via the MAPK, NF-κB, and IRF signaling pathways, suggesting corilagin as a possible treatment choice for immune-mediated hepatic injury.

Corilagin alleviates hypertrophic scars via inhibiting the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/Smad signal pathway

AIMS

Exploring the effects of corilagin on hypertrophic scar (HS) and its underlying mechanisms.

MAIN METHODS

Human HS-derived fibroblasts (HSFs) were isolated and treated with corilagin. To investigate the effects of corilagin on HSFs, quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blotting, wound healing, and immunofluorescence assays were performed. These effects were confirmed in a rabbit ear scar model by histological and immunohistochemical studies. Lastly, western blot assay was performed to detect the protein levels of several components of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/Smad signaling pathway, as well as the protein levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs).

KEY FINDINGS

Corilagin showed multiple effects on HSFs, including does-dependent inhibition of collagen production, cell proliferation, and migration, besides suppression of the activation of HSFs. Moreover, corilagin suppressed HS formation and collagen deposition in a rabbit ear scar model. Corilagin also inhibited fibroblast proliferation and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression in vivo. Finally, western blot analysis revealed that corilagin downregulated the protein levels of TGF-β1 and TGF-β receptor type I (TGFβRI), thus lowering the level of p-smad2/3, also affected the protein levels of MMPs and TIMP1.

SIGNIFICANCE

Corilagin could be a potential agent for HS treatment through the inhibition of extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and multiple functions of fibroblasts.

Therapeutic potential of plant-derived tannins in non-malignant respiratory diseases

Respiratory diseases are the major cause of human illness and death around the world. Despite advances in detection and treatment, very few classes of safe and effective therapy have been introduced to date. At present, phytochemicals are getting more attention because of their diverse beneficial activities and minimal toxicity. Tannins are polyphenolic secondary metabolites with high molecular weights, which are naturally present in a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, cereals, and leguminous seeds. Many tannins are endowed with well-recognized protective properties, such as anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, and many others. This review summarizes a large body of experimental evidence implicating that tannins are helpful in tackling a wide range of non-malignant respiratory diseases including acute lung injury (ALI), pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, pulmonary hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Mechanistic pathways by which various classes of tannins execute their beneficial effects are discussed. In addition, clinical trials and our perspective on future research with tannins are also reviewed.

Corilagin induces apoptosis and autophagy in NRF2‑addicted U251 glioma cell line

Corilagin, extracted from the Euphorbiaceae and Phyllanthus plants, inhibits the growth of a number of types of tumors. Compared with temozolomide, the traditional chemotherapy drug, corilagin has demonstrated stronger antitumor activity. However, the pharmaceutical mechanism of corilagin in glioma remains unclear. Nuclear factor erythroid 2 like 2 (NFE2L2 or NRF2) is positively associated with several types of tumor including glioma. In the present study, NRF2 expression was higher in glioma tissues compared with non-glioma specimens. Therefore, it was hypothesized that corilagin targets NRF2 regulation of U251 cell apoptosis. The present study used Hoechst 33258 staining to demonstrate that corilagin induced glioma cell apoptosis and observed that the expression of the apoptosis-related gene Bcl-2 was reduced. In addition, corilagin induced autophagy and promoted the conversion of light chain 3 (LC3) protein from LC3I to LC3II. NRF2 expression was downregulated by corilagin stimulation. Furthermore, the gene expression pattern following knockdown of NRF2 in U251 cells using siRNA was consistent with corilagin stimulation. Therefore, it was preliminarily concluded that corilagin induces apoptosis and autophagy by reducing NRF2 expression.

Natural product derived phytochemicals in managing acute lung injury by multiple mechanisms

Acute lung injury (ALI) and its more severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) as common life-threatening lung diseases with high mortality rates are mostly associated with acute and severe inflammation in lungs. With increasing in-depth studies of ALI/ARDS, significant breakthroughs have been made, however, there are still no effective pharmacological therapies for treatment of ALI/ARDS. Especially, the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) is ravaging the globe, and causes severe respiratory distress syndrome. Therefore, developing new drugs for therapy of ALI/ARDS is in great demand, which might also be helpful for treatment of COVID-19. Natural compounds have always inspired drug development, and numerous natural products have shown potential therapeutic effects on ALI/ARDS. Therefore, this review focuses on the potential therapeutic effects of natural compounds on ALI and the underlying mechanisms. Overall, the review discusses 159 compounds and summarizes more than 400 references to present the protective effects of natural compounds against ALI and the underlying mechanism.

Corilagin suppresses RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and inhibits oestrogen deficiency-induced bone loss via the NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signalling pathways

Over‐activated osteoclastogenesis, which is initiated by inflammation, has been implicated in osteoporosis. Corilagin, a natural compound extracted from various medicinal herbaceous plants, such as Cinnamomum cassia, has antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities. We found that Corilagin suppressed osteoclast differentiation in a dose‐dependent manner, significantly decreased osteoclast‐related gene expression and impaired bone resorption by osteoclasts. Moreover, phosphorylation of members of the nuclear factor‐kappaB (NF‐κB) and PI3K/AKT signalling pathways was reduced by Corilagin. In a murine model of osteoporosis, Corilagin inhibited osteoclast functions in vivo and restored oestrogen deficiency‐induced bone loss. In conclusion, our findings suggested that Corilagin inhibited osteoclastogenesis by down‐regulating the NF‐κB and PI3K/AKT signalling pathways, thus showing its potential possibility for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Early Protection by Resveratrol in Rat Lung Transplantation

BACKGROUND Resveratrol is a multifunctional bioactive substance that has effects in anti-inflammation and prevention of ischemia-reperfusion injury. This study compared the inflammation and expression of related proteins during the early stages after transplantation to explore the effects and mechanisms of resveratrol on transplanted lung. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to receive pretreatment of resveratrol suspension (60 mg/kg; RES group), dexamethasone (1 mg/kg; DEM group), or normal saline solution (2 mL/kg; control group) 1 h before lung transplantation. The cytokine concentration in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of the recipients was determined 24 h after transplantation. Histopathologic evaluation, including lung injury score, and the expression of necroptosis-associated proteins was assessed. RESULTS Histopathologic evaluation showed pneumocyte damage and endothelialitis associated with hemorrhage in the alveoli in the control group, the severity of which was greater than that in the other 2 groups. The levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-a in the serum and BALF of the RES and DEM groups were lower than those in the control group. The expression of necroptosis-associated proteins in the RES group was lower than that in the control group, and was inversely proportional to lung injury. CONCLUSIONS Pretreatment with resveratrol protected rat lung in the early stages after transplantation. We determined a relationship between necroptosis-associated proteins and transplanted lung injury, which suggests that the mechanism of lung transplantation-associated ischemia-reperfusion injury may be related to necroptosis.

Mechanism of MCP-1 in Acute Lung Injury and Advanced Therapy by Drug-Loaded Dextrin Nanoparticle

Objective. To observe the expression of monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) in acute lung injury (ALI) rat model, to characterize its effect on the development and progression of ALI, and to identify the potential new drug delivery approach during in vivo experiment. Method. The effects of different doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAEC) were tested. For the animal experiments, thirty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into physiological saline control group (NC group), the LPS model group (L group), the antagonist RS102895 combined with LPS group (R + L group), and the antagonist RS102895-loaded polyaldehyde dextran nanoparticles combined with LPS group (DNPR + L group). The blood gas analysis and dry/wet weight ratio were detected 24 hours after interventions. The levels of inflammatory factors, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), were tested by ELISA. The expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in lung tissues was examined through Western blot, and the change of MCP-1 mRNA expression level was detected by performing RT-PCR. Result. LPS was responsible for inducing ALI in rats, and the degree of cell damage was dose-dependent. Blood gas analysis of L group showed that PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 levels were significantly lower than those of the NC group (P<0.05), while the dry/wet weight ratio of lung tissues in L group increased (P<0.05). Inflammatory factors including TNF-α and IL-1β and the expression of MCP-1 in both protein and mRNA levels were higher in L group than in the NC group (P<0.05). The inhibition of the interaction between MCP-1 and chemokines receptor 2 (CCR2) by antagonist RS102895 can significantly alleviate the ALI in rats, which is accompanied by a significant decrease of inflammatory factors and MCP-1 expression (P<0.05). Compared with R + L group, treatment with DNPR and LPS combination significantly improved the condition of rats and decreased the level of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MCP-1 expression (P<0.05). Conclusion. In ALI, RS102895 can inhibit the MCP-1/CCR2 interaction, therefore, retarding the progress of ALI. Because of the high transfection efficiency of inhibitor RS102895packgaed by polyaldehyde dextran nanoparticles, this phenomenon particularly reached a significant level. The results imply new insights for the treatment of ALI.

P2X7 receptor is involved in lung injuries induced by ischemia-reperfusion in pulmonary arterial hypertension rats

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease that ultimately leads to right heart failure and death. Current strategies are ineffective to prevent and cure PAH, especially in those who undergo cardiopulmonary bypass. P2 × 7 receptors (P2 × 7Rs) have been implied to participate in the pathogenesis of PAH and injuries induced by ischemia-reperfusion (IR). In the present study, we aimed to assess the potential therapeutic effects of anti-P2 × 7Rs on PAH and IR-induced lung injuries in rats and explore their underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. In the present study, we have successfully established rat models with PAH and/or lung IR injuries. Immunohistochemical staining, western blot, and polymerase chain reaction were performed to detect the P2 × 7R expression in these models; P2 × 7R-specific inhibitor, Brilliant Blue G (BBG), was used to antagonize P2 × 7R, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to help evaluate the P2 × 7R-mediated function in PAH with or without IR. Moreover, BBG, SB203580 (p38/MAPK inhibitor), and CD39 (adenosine triphosphate hydrolase) were applied to explore the inner signal pathway in vitro and in vivo. Our findings showed that P2 × 7R was involved in the development of PAH. By applying BBG, we have shown that the severity of PAH and IR was ameliorated through reducing the release of proinflammatory cytokines. Moreover, our results in vitro and in vivo indicated that P2 × 7R regulated the release of inflammatory mediators by the p38/MAPK signal pathway. Most important, CD39 showed the most dominant potential in improving inflammation in lung injuries caused by PAH and IR. In conclusion, the inhibition of P2 × 7R could effectively attenuate inflammation in lung injuries caused by PAH and IR in rats by reducing proinflammatory cytokines through regulating the p38/MAPK pathway.