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Xu J, Zhou L, Chen H, He Y, Zhao G, Li L, Efferth T, Ding Z, Shan L. Aerosol inhalation of total ginsenosides repairs acute lung injury and inhibits pulmonary fibrosis through SMAD2 signaling-mediated mechanism. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 133:155871. [PMID: 39098168 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155871] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressive lung disease caused by previous acute lung injury (ALI), but there is currently no satisfactory therapy available. Aerosol inhalation of medicine is an effective way for treating PF. Total ginsenosides (TG) shows potential for the treatment of ALI and PF, but the effects of inhaled TG remain unclear. PURPOSE To determine the therapeutic effects of TG in ALI and PF, to assess the superiority of the inhaled form of TG over the routine form, and to clarify the mechanism of action of inhaled TG. METHODS Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-QE-MS) was applied to determine the chemoprofile of TG. A mouse model of ALI and PF was established to evaluate the effects of inhaled TG by using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) analysis, histopathological observation, hydroxyproline assay, and immunohistochemical analysis. Primary mouse lung fibroblasts (MLF) and human lung fibroblast cell line (HFL1) were applied to determine the in vitro effects and mechanism of TG by using cell viability assay, quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) assay, and western blot (WB) analysis. RESULTS The UPLC-QE-MS results revealed the main types of ginsenosides in TG, including Re (14.15 ± 0.42%), Rd (8.42 ± 0.49%), Rg1 (6.22 ± 0.42%), Rb3 (3.28 ± 0.01%), Rb2 (3.09 ± 0.00%), Rc (2.33 ± 0.01%), Rg2 (2.09 ± 0.04%), Rb1 (1.43 ± 0.24%), and Rf (0.13 ± 0.06%). Inhaled TG, at dosages of 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg significantly alleviated both ALI and PF in mice. Analyses of BALF and HE staining revealed that TG modulated the levels of IFN-γ, IL-1β, and TGF-β1, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, and restored the alveolar architecture of the lung tissues. Furthermore, HE and Masson's trichrome staining demonstrated that TG markedly decreased fibroblastic foci and collagen fiber deposition, evidenced by the reduction of blue-stained collagen fibers. Hydroxyproline assay and immunohistochemical analyses indicated that TG significantly decreased hydroxyproline level and down-regulated the expression of Col1a1, Col3a1, and α-sma. The inhaled administration of TG demonstrated enhanced efficacy over the oral route when comparable doses were used. Additionally, inhaled TG showed superior safety and therapeutic profiles compared to pirfenidone, as evidenced by a CCK8 assay, which confirmed that TG concentrations ranging from 20 to 120 μg/ml were non-cytotoxic. qPCR and WB analyses revealed that TG, at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 μg/ml, significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of smad2 induced by TGF-β1 and down-regulated the expression of fibrotic genes and proteins, including α-sma, Col1a1, Col3a1, and FN1, suggesting an anti-fibrotic mechanism mediated by the smad2 signaling pathway. In vitro, TG's safety and efficacy were also found to be superior to those of pirfenidone. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates, for the first time, the therapeutic efficacy of inhaled TG in treating ALI and PF. Inhaled TG effectively inhibits inflammation and reduces collagen deposition, with a particular emphasis on its role in modulating the Smad2 signaling pathway, which is implicated in the anti-fibrotic mechanism of TG. The study also highlights the superiority of inhaled TG over the oral route and its favorable safety profile in comparison to pirfenidone, positioning it as an ideal alternative for ALI and PF therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaan Xu
- Fuyang Academy of Research, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China; College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Li Zhou
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Huixin Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Yuzhou He
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Xinhua Hospital of Zhejiang Province), Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Guoping Zhao
- Fuyang Academy of Research, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Lan Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Zhishan Ding
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China; College of Medical Technology, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China.
| | - Letian Shan
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Xinhua Hospital of Zhejiang Province), Hangzhou 310053, China.
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Guo X, Su L, Shi M, Sun L, Chen W, Geng J, Li J, Zong Y, He Z, Du R. Network Pharmacology and Transcriptomics to Explore the Pharmacological Mechanisms of 20(S)-Protopanaxatriol in the Treatment of Depression. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7574. [PMID: 39062817 PMCID: PMC11276827 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Depression is one of the most common psychological disorders nowadays. Studies have shown that 20(S)-protopanaxatriol (PPT) can effectively improve depressive symptoms in mice. However, its mechanism needs to be further explored. In this study, we used an integrated approach combining network pharmacology and transcriptomics to explore the potential mechanisms of PPT for depression. First, the potential targets and pathways of PPT treatment of depression were screened through network pharmacology. Secondly, the BMKCloud platform was used to obtain brain tissue transcription data of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model mice and screen PPT-altered differential expression genes (DEGs). Gene ontology (GO) analysis and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were performed using network pharmacology and transcriptomics. Finally, the above results were verified by molecular docking, Western blotting, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). In this study, we demonstrated that PPT improved depression-like behavior and brain histopathological changes in CUMS mice, downregulated nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, and elevated serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) after PPT treatment compared to the CUMS group. Eighty-seven potential targets and 350 DEGs were identified by network pharmacology and transcriptomics. Comprehensive analysis showed that transthyretin (TTR), klotho (KL), FOS, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-AKT) signaling pathway were closely associated with the therapeutic effects of PPT. Molecular docking results showed that PPT had a high affinity for PI3K, AKT, TTR, KL, and FOS targets. Gene and protein level results showed that PPT could increase the expression of PI3K, phosphorylation of PI3K (p-PI3K), AKT, phosphorylation of AKT (p-AKT), TTR, and KL and inhibit the expression level of FOS in the brain tissue of depressed mice. Our data suggest that PPT may achieve the treatment of depression by inhibiting the expression of FOS, enhancing the expression of TTR and KL, and modulating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Zhongmei He
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; (X.G.); (L.S.); (M.S.); (L.S.); (W.C.); (J.G.); (J.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Rui Du
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; (X.G.); (L.S.); (M.S.); (L.S.); (W.C.); (J.G.); (J.L.); (Y.Z.)
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Liu R, Xu LX, Tong LJ, Wu HY, Guo Q, Sun ZM, Yan H. Therapeutic effects of ginsenosides on osteoporosis for novel drug applications. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 974:176604. [PMID: 38649090 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176604] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Osteoporosis (OP) is a metabolic bone disease with a high incidence rate worldwide. Its main features are decreased bone mass, increased bone fragility and deterioration of bone microstructure. It is caused by an imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption. Ginsenoside is a safe and effective traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) usually extracted from ginseng plants, having various therapeutic effects, of which the effect against osteoporosis has been extensively studied. We searched a total of 44 relevant articles with using keywords including osteoporosis, ginsenosides, bone mesenchymal cells, osteoblasts, osteoclasts and bone remodeling, all of which investigated the cellular mechanisms of different types of ginsenosides affecting the activity of bone remodeling by mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts and osteoclasts to counteract osteoporosis. This review describes the different types of ginsenosides used to treat osteoporosis from different perspectives, providing a solid theoretical basis for future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Liu
- Clinical College of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neurorehabilitation, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Li-Xia Xu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebral Vascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin Neurosurgical Institute, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Lin-Jian Tong
- Clinical College of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neurorehabilitation, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Hai-Yang Wu
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Qiang Guo
- Department of Orthopedics, Baodi Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 301800, China
| | - Zhi-Ming Sun
- Clinical College of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neurorehabilitation, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.
| | - Hua Yan
- Clinical College of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neurorehabilitation, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.
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Jin F, Fan P, Wu Y, Yang Q, Li J, Liu H. Efficacy and Mechanisms of Natural Products as Therapeutic Interventions for Chronic Respiratory Diseases. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2024; 52:57-88. [PMID: 38353634 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x24500034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Chronic respiratory diseases are long-term conditions affecting the airways and other lung components that are characterized by a high prevalence, disability rate, and mortality rate. Further optimization of their treatment is required. Natural products, primarily extracted from organisms, possess specific molecular and structural formulas as well as distinct chemical and physical properties. These characteristics grant them the advantages of safety, gentleness, accessibility, and minimal side effects. The numerous advances in the use of natural products for treating chronic respiratory diseases have provided a steady source of motivation for new drug research and development. In this paper, we introduced the pathogenesis of chronic respiratory diseases and natural products. Furthermore, we classified natural products according to their mechanism for treating chronic respiratory diseases and describe the ways in which these products can alleviate the pathological symptoms. Simultaneously, we elaborate on the signal transduction pathways and biological impacts of natural products' targeting. Additionally, we present future prospects for natural products, considering their combination treatment approaches and administration methods. The significance of this review extends to both the research on preventing and treating chronic respiratory diseases, as well as the advancement of novel drug development in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanli Jin
- Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases, Co-Constructed by Henan Province and Education Ministry of China Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Pengbei Fan
- Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases, Co-Constructed by Henan Province and Education Ministry of China Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Wu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases, Co-Constructed by Henan Province and Education Ministry of China Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Qingzhen Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an, P. R. China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC) Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Jiansheng Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases, Co-Constructed by Henan Province and Education Ministry of China Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Han Liu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases, Co-Constructed by Henan Province and Education Ministry of China Zhengzhou, P. R. China
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Gheitasi H, Sabbaghian M, Shekarchi AA, Mirmazhary AA, Poortahmasebi V. Exosome-mediated regulation of inflammatory pathway during respiratory viral disease. Virol J 2024; 21:30. [PMID: 38273382 PMCID: PMC10811852 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02297-y] [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: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Viruses have developed many mechanisms by which they can stimulate or inhibit inflammation and cause various diseases, including viral respiratory diseases that kill many people every year. One of the mechanisms that viruses use to induce or inhibit inflammation is exosomes. Exosomes are small membrane nanovesicles (30-150 nm) released from cells that contain proteins, DNA, and coding and non-coding RNA species. They are a group of extracellular vesicles that cells can take up to produce and mediate communication. Intercellular effect exosomes can deliver a broad confine of biological molecules, containing nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids, to the target cell, where they can convey therapeutic or pathogenic consequences through the modulation of inflammation and immune processes. Recent research has shown that exosomes can deliver entire virus genomes or virions to distant target cells, then the delivered viruses can escape the immune system and infect cells. Adenoviruses, orthomyxoviruses, paramyxoviruses, respiratory syncytial viruses, picornaviruses, coronaviruses, and rhinoviruses are mostly related to respiratory diseases. In this article, we will first discuss the current knowledge of exosomes. We will learn about the relationship between exosomes and viral infections, and We mention the inflammations caused by viruses in the airways, the role of exosomes in them, and finally, we examine the relationship between the viruses as mentioned earlier, and the regulation of inflammatory pathways that play a role in causing the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamidreza Gheitasi
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Sabbaghian
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Shekarchi
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amir Ali Mirmazhary
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Vahdat Poortahmasebi
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Research Center for Clinical Virology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Wang L, Zhang Y, Song Z, Liu Q, Fan D, Song X. Ginsenosides: a potential natural medicine to protect the lungs from lung cancer and inflammatory lung disease. Food Funct 2023; 14:9137-9166. [PMID: 37801293 DOI: 10.1039/d3fo02482b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the malignancy with the highest morbidity and mortality. Additionally, pulmonary inflammatory diseases, such as pneumonia, acute lung injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pulmonary fibrosis (PF), also have high mortality rates and can promote the development and progression of lung cancer. Unfortunately, available treatments for them are limited, so it is critical to search for effective drugs and treatment strategies to protect the lungs. Ginsenosides, the main active components of ginseng, have been shown to have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. In this paper, we focus on the beneficial effects of ginsenosides on lung diseases and their molecular mechanisms. Firstly, the molecular mechanism of ginsenosides against lung cancer was summarized in detail, mainly from the points of view of proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, angiogenesis, metastasis, drug resistance and immunity. In in vivo and in vitro lung cancer models, ginsenosides Rg3, Rh2 and CK were reported to have strong anti-lung cancer effects. Then, in the models of pneumonia and acute lung injury, the protective effect of Rb1 was particularly remarkable, followed by Rg3 and Rg1, and its molecular mechanism was mainly associated with targeting NF-κB, Nrf2, MAPK and PI3K/Akt pathways to alleviate inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis. Additionally, ginsenosides may also have a potential health-promoting effect in the improvement of COPD, asthma and PF. Furthermore, to overcome the low bioavailability of CK and Rh2, the development of nanoparticles, micelles, liposomes and other nanomedicine delivery systems can significantly improve the efficacy of targeted lung cancer treatment. To conclude, ginsenosides can be used as both anti-lung cancer and lung protective agents or adjuvants and have great potential for future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Northwest University, 229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, 710069, China.
| | - Yanxin Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Northwest University, 229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, 710069, China.
| | - Zhimin Song
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Northwest University, 229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, 710069, China.
| | - Qingchao Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Northwest University, 229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, 710069, China.
| | - Daidi Fan
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Degradable Biomedical Materials, School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, 229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an 710069, China.
- Shaanxi R&D Center of Biomaterials and Fermentation Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, 229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an 710069, China
- Biotechnology & Biomedicine Research Institute, Northwest University, 229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Xiaoping Song
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Northwest University, 229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, 710069, China.
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