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Liu W, Tian X, Gu L, Yu B, Wang Z, Chi M, Lin J, Wang Q, Liu G, Zhao G, Cui Li. Oxymatrine mitigates Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis by suppressing fungal activity and restricting pyroptosis. Exp Eye Res 2024; 240:109830. [PMID: 38364932 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109830] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Fungal keratitis (FK) is a refractory keratitis caused by excessive inflammation and fungal damage. Excessive inflammation can lead to tissue damage and corneal opacity, resulting in a poor prognosis for FK. Oxymatrine (OMT) is a natural alkaloid, which has rich pharmacological effects, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammation. However, its antifungal activity and the mechanism of action in FK have not been elucidated. This study confirmed that OMT suppressed Aspergillus fumigatus growth, biofilm formation, the integrity of fungal cell and conidial adherence. OMT not only effectively reduced corneal fungal load but also inflammation responses. OMT lessened the recruitment of neutrophils and macrophages in FK. In addition, OMT up-regulated the expression of Nrf2 and down-regulated the expression of IL-18, IL-1β, caspase-1, NLRP3 and GSDMD. Pre-treatment with Nrf2 inhibitor up-regulated the expression of IL-1β, IL-18, caspase-1, NLRP3 and GSDMD supressed by OMT. In conclusion, OMT has efficient anti-inflammatory and antifungal effects by suppressing fungal activity and restricting pyroptosis via Nrf2 pathway. OMT is considered as a potential option for the treatment of FK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weichen Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xue Tian
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Lingwen Gu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Bing Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Ziyi Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Menghui Chi
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jing Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Guibo Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Guiqiu Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.
| | - Cui Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.
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Lan T, Wu Y, Zhang Y, Li S, Zhu Z, Wang L, Mao X, Li Y, Fan C, Wang W, Yu SY. Agomelatine rescues lipopolysaccharide-induced neural injury and depression-like behaviors via suppression of the Gαi-2-PKA-ASK1 signaling pathway. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:117. [PMID: 35610704 PMCID: PMC9131561 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02479-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Agomelatine has been shown to be effective in the treatment of depression, but the molecular mechanisms underlying its antidepressant effects have yet to be elucidated. Identification of these molecular mechanisms would not only offer new insights into the basis for depression but also provide the foundation for the development of novel treatments for this disorder. METHODS Intraperitoneal injection of LPS was used to induce depression-like behaviors in rats. The interactions of the 5-HT2C reporter and Gαi-2 were verified by immunoprecipitation or immunofluorescence assay. Inflammatory related proteins, autophagy related proteins and apoptosis markers were verified by immunoblotting or immunofluorescence assay. Finally, electron microscopy analysis was used to observe the synapse and ultrastructural pathology. RESULTS Here, we found that the capacity for agomelatine to ameliorate depression and anxiety in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced rat model of depression was associated with an alleviation of neuroinflammation, abnormal autophagy and neuronal apoptosis as well as the promotion of neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) region of these rats. We also found that the 5-HT2C receptor is coupled with G alphai (2) (Gαi-2) protein within hippocampal neurons and, agomelatine, acting as a 5-HT2C receptor antagonist, can up-regulate activity of the Gαi-2-cAMP-PKA pathway. Such events then suppress activation of the apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) pathway, a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family involved in pathological processes of many diseases. CONCLUSION Taken together, these results suggest that agomelatine plays a neuroprotective role in regulating neuroinflammation, autophagy disorder and apoptosis in this LPS-induced rat model of depression, effects which are associated with the display of antidepressant behaviors. These findings provide evidence for some of the potential mechanisms for the antidepressant effects of agomelatine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Lan
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 Wenhuaxilu Road, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhan Wu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 Wenhuaxilu Road, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Yulei Zhang
- Jinan International Travel Healthcare Center, Wenhuadonglu Road 62#, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuhan Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 Wenhuaxilu Road, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhanpeng Zhu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 Wenhuaxilu Road, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Liyan Wang
- Morphological Experimental Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 Wenhuaxilu Road, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueqin Mao
- Department of Psychology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhuaxilu Road, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 Wenhuaxilu Road, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Cuiqin Fan
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 Wenhuaxilu Road, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjing Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 Wenhuaxilu Road, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Shu Yan Yu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 Wenhuaxilu Road, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, People's Republic of China. .,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, School of Basic Medical Sciences, 44 Wenhuaxilu Road, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, People's Republic of China.
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Ubiquitinated gasdermin D mediates arsenic-induced pyroptosis and hepatic insulin resistance in rat liver. Food Chem Toxicol 2021; 160:112771. [PMID: 34920032 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
As an environmental toxicant, arsenic exposure may cause insulin resistance (IR). Previous studies have shown that pyroptosis plays an important role in the occurrence and development of IR. Although gasdermin D (GSDMD) functions as an executor of pyroptosis, the relationship between GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis and hepatic IR remains unclear. Here, we observed that sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) activated NOD-like receptors containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes, promoted GSDMD activation, induced pyroptosis and hepatic IR, while GSDMD knockdown attenuated pyroptosis and hepatic IR caused by NaAsO2. However, GSDMD interference did not affect NLRP3 activation. Ubiquitination modification is widely involved in protein regulation and intracellular signal transduction, and whether it regulates GSDMD and affects its degradation, and exerts effects on arsenic-induced pyroptosis remain unclear. We observed that NaAsO2 reduced the K48- and K63-linked ubiquitination of GSDMD, thereby inhibiting its degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and the autophagy-lysosome pathway (ALP), causing GSDMD to accumulate and lyse into GSDMD-N, which promoted pyroptosis. In summary, we demonstrated that GSDMD participated in arsenic-induced hepatic IR. Moreover, NaAsO2 reduced GSDMD ubiquitination and decreased its intracellular degradation, aggravating pyroptosis and hepatic IR. We have revealed the molecular mechanism underpinning arsenic-induced IR, and we provide potential solutions for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D).
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An P, Zhang LJ, Peng W, Chen YY, Liu QP, Luan X, Zhang H. Natural products are an important source for proteasome regulating agents. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 93:153799. [PMID: 34715511 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural medicines have a long history in the prevention and treatment of various diseases in East Asian region, especially in China. Modern research has proved that the pharmacological effects of numerous natural medicines involve the participation of ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). UPS can degrade the unwanted and damaged proteins widely distributed in the nucleus and cytoplasm of various eukaryotes. PURPOSE The objective of the present study was to review and discuss the regulatory effects of natural products and extracts on proteasome components, which may help to find new proteasome regulators for drug development and clinical applications. METHODS The related information was compiled using the major scientific databases, such as CNKI, Elsevier, ScienceDirect, PubMed, SpringerLink, Wiley Online, and GeenMedical. The keywords "natural product" and "proteasome" were applied to extract the literature. Nature derived extracts, compounds and their derivatives involved in proteasome regulation were included, and the publications related to synthetic proteasome agents were excluded. RESULTS The pharmacological effects of more than 80 natural products and extracts derived from phytomedicines related to the proteasome regulation were reviewed. These natural products were classified according to their chemical properties. We also summarized some laws of action of natural products as proteasome regulators in the treatment of diseases, and listed the action characteristics of the typical natural products. CONCLUSION Natural products derived from nature can induce the degradation of damaged proteins through UPS or act as regulators to directly regulate the activity of proteasome. But few proteasome modulators are applied clinically. Summary of known rules for proteasome modulators will contribute to discover, modify and synthesize more proteasome modulators for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei An
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1200, Cailun Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Li-Jun Zhang
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1200, Cailun Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Wei Peng
- School of pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Yu-Ying Chen
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1200, Cailun Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qiu-Ping Liu
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1200, Cailun Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xin Luan
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1200, Cailun Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Hong Zhang
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1200, Cailun Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China.
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Ganesan M, Mathews S, Makarov E, Petrosyan A, Kharbanda KK, Kidambi S, Poluektova LY, Casey CA, Osna NA. Acetaldehyde suppresses HBV-MHC class I complex presentation on hepatocytes via induction of ER stress and Golgi fragmentation. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2020; 319:G432-G442. [PMID: 32755306 PMCID: PMC7654643 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00109.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol consumption worsens hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection pathogenesis. We have recently reported that acetaldehyde suppressed HBV peptide-major histocompatibility complex I (MHC class I) complex display on hepatocytes, limiting recognition and subsequent removal of the infected hepatocytes by HBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). This suppression was attributed to impaired processing of antigenic peptides by the proteasome. However, in addition to proteasome dysfunction, alcohol may induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and Golgi fragmentation in HBV-infected liver cells to reduce uploading of viral peptides to MHC class I and/or trafficking of this complex to the hepatocyte surface. Hence, the aim of this study was to elucidate whether alcohol-induced ER stress and Golgi fragmentation affect HBV peptide-MHC class I complex presentation on HBV+ hepatocytes. Here, we demonstrate that, while both acetaldehyde and HBV independently cause ER stress and Golgi fragmentation, the combined exposure provided an additive effect. Thus we observed an activation of the inositol-requiring enzyme 1α-X-box binding protein 1 and activation transcription factor (ATF)6α, but not the phospho PKR-like ER kinase-phospho eukaryotic initiation factor 2α-ATF4-C/EBP homologous protein arms of ER stress in HBV-transfected cells treated with acetaldehyde-generating system (AGS). In addition, Golgi proteins trans-Golgi network 46, GM130, and Giantin revealed punctate distribution, indicating Golgi fragmentation upon AGS exposure. Furthermore, the effects of acetaldehyde were reproduced by treatment with ER stress inducers, thapsigargin and tunicamycin, which also decreased the display of this complex and MHC class I turnover in HepG2.2.15 cells and HBV-infected primary human hepatocytes. Taken together, alcohol-induced ER stress and Golgi fragmentation contribute to the suppression of HBV peptide-MHC class I complex presentation on HBV+ hepatocytes, which may diminish their recognition by CTLs and promote persistence of HBV infection in hepatocytes.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our current findings show that acetaldehyde accelerates endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by activating the unfolded protein response arms inositol-requiring enzyme 1α-X-box binding protein 1 and activation transcription factor (ATF)6α but not phospho PKR-like ER kinase-p eukaryotic initiation factor 2α-ATF4-C/EBP homologous protein in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-transfected HepG2.2.15 cells. It also potentiates Golgi fragmentation, as evident by punctate distribution of Golgi proteins, GM130, trans-Golgi network 46, and Giantin. While concomitantly increasing HBV DNA and HBV surface antigen titers, acetaldehyde-induced ER stress suppresses the presentation of HBV peptide-major histocompatibility complex I complexes on hepatocyte surfaces, thereby promoting the persistence of HBV infection in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murali Ganesan
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Saumi Mathews
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Edward Makarov
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Armen Petrosyan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Kusum K Kharbanda
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Srivatsan Kidambi
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Nebraska
| | | | - Carol A Casey
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Natalia A Osna
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
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Wang H, Ding Y, Zhang W, Wei K, Pei Y, Zou C, Zhang C, Ding J, Fang H, Tan S. Oxymatrine Liposomes for Intervertebral Disc Treatment: Formulation, in vitro and vivo Assessments. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2020; 14:921-931. [PMID: 32184561 PMCID: PMC7053530 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s242493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is the main cause of modern low back pain, leading to high societal economic costs. To find an effective medical treatment for this disease, oxymatrine liposomes (OMT-LIP) were prepared with the pH-gradient method. Materials and Methods Nucleus pulposus (NP) cells from Sprague–Dawley rats were used for the cell experiments. Kunming mice were used for in vivo imaging. LIP were employed to deliver OMT, and the particle size, ζ-potential, morphology, in vitro stability and in vitro release characteristics were evaluated. The OMT-LIP targeting effect was measured by in vivo imaging. Cell Counting Kit-8 assays were used to detect the cytotoxicity of OMT and OMT-LIP on NP cells. Therapeutic efficacy was measured by Western blot, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and apoptosis assays. Radiologic analysis was performed to evaluate the therapeutic effects in vivo. Results Orthogonal test results revealed that the mass ratio of egg yolk phosphatidylcholine to cholesterol was the key factor to effectively trap OMT in LIP. Optimal OMT-LIP showed multivesicular structure with entrapment efficiency of 73.4 ± 4.1%, particle size of 178.1 ± 2.9 nm, and ζ-potential of –13.30 ± 2.34 mV. OMT-LIP manifested excellent stability in vitro and presented significantly longer sustained release compared to OMT solution in phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.4). OMT-LIP conspicuously increased OMT accumulation in the degenerative disc, attenuated NP cell apoptosis, reduced the expression of matrix metalloproteinases 3/9 and interleukin-6, and decreased degradation of type II collagen. In in vivo study, X-ray demonstrated that OMT-LIP inhibited IVDD. Conclusion OMT-LIP may be a useful treatment to alleviate disc inflammation and IVDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Wang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Yifan Ding
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Kang Wei
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaping Pei
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenming Zou
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Chong Zhang
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiahui Ding
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Huang Fang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Songwei Tan
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
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Shi J, Han X, Wang J, Han G, Zhao M, Duan X, Mi L, Li N, Yin X, Shi H, Li C, Gao J, Xu J, Yin F. Matrine prevents the early development of hepatocellular carcinoma like lesions in rat liver. Exp Ther Med 2019; 18:2583-2591. [PMID: 31555367 PMCID: PMC6755378 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.7875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Matrine (C15H24N2O) is an alkaloid extracted from the Chinese herb Sophora flavescens that has anti-fibrotic and anti-cancer properties. The aim of the present study was to determine the chemopreventive effect of matrine on the development of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its possible association with the suppression of the Notch signaling pathway. The rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control, model, low-dose matrine and high-dose matrine groups. The model was established by combining a partial hepatectomy with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) + 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF). Low- and high-dose matrine groups received intragastric administration of matrine (0.25 and 2.5 g/l of matrine, respectively). DEN + 2-AAF injections and hepatectomy were not performed in the control group. All rats were sacrificed 2, 4 and 7 weeks after hepatectomy. HCC-like histopathological lesions were detected using hematoxylin and eosin staining. The expression levels of α-1-fetoprotein (AFP), albumin (ALB), Notch1 and Hes1 were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Hepatic lobule structure loss, liver tissue necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration, and edema degeneration were observed in the model group. By contrast, hepatocyte cord structure was restored and hepatocyte edema degeneration was significantly reduced after 7 weeks of treatment with matrine. In addition, compared with the model group, matrine reduced the expression of AFP, increased the expression of ALB and reduced the expression of Notch1 and Hes1 (only for high-dose matrine; all P<0.05). The findings suggested that matrine could prevent the early development of HCC-like lesions in a rat model, possibly by modulating Notch pathway activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfei Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050019, P.R. China
| | - Xin Han
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050019, P.R. China
| | - Jinfeng Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050019, P.R. China
| | - Guangjie Han
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050019, P.R. China
| | - Man Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050019, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoling Duan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050019, P.R. China
| | - Lili Mi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050019, P.R. China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050019, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolei Yin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050019, P.R. China
| | - Huacun Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050019, P.R. China
| | - Cuizhen Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050019, P.R. China
| | - Jintan Gao
- Department of Tuberculosis, Hebei Chest Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050041, P.R. China
| | - Jinsheng Xu
- Department of Nephrology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050019, P.R. China
| | - Fei Yin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050019, P.R. China
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