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Garg A, Bandyopadhyay S. Role of an interdependent Wnt, GSK3-β/β-catenin and HB-EGF/EGFR mechanism in arsenic-induced hippocampal neurotoxicity in adult mice. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 352:141375. [PMID: 38325618 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141375] [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: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
We previously reported the neurotoxic effects of arsenic in the hippocampus. Here, we explored the involvement of Wnt pathway, which contributes to neuronal functions. Administering environmentally relevant arsenic concentrations to postnatal day-60 (PND60) mice demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in hippocampal Wnt3a and its components, Frizzled, phospho-LRP6, Dishevelled and Axin1 at PND90 and PND120. However, p-GSK3-β(Ser9) and β-catenin levels although elevated at PND90, decreased at PND120. Additionally, treatment with Wnt-inhibitor, rDkk1, reduced p-GSK3-β(Ser9) and β-catenin at PND90, but failed to affect their levels at PND120, indicating a time-dependent link with Wnt. To explore other underlying factors, we assessed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway, which interacts with GSK3-β and appears relevant to neuronal functions. We primarily found that arsenic reduced hippocampal phosphorylated-EGFR and its ligand, Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), at both PND90 and PND120. Moreover, treatment with HB-EGF rescued p-GSK3-β(Ser9) and β-catenin levels at PND120, suggesting their HB-EGF/EGFR-dependent regulation at this time point. Additionally, rDkk1, LiCl (GSK3-β-activity inhibitor), or β-catenin protein treatments induced a time-dependent recovery in HB-EGF, indicating potential inter-dependent mechanism between hippocampal Wnt/β-catenin and HB-EGF/EGFR following arsenic exposure. Fluorescence immunolabeling then validated these findings in hippocampal neurons. Further exploration of hippocampal neuronal survival and apoptosis demonstrated that treatment with rDkk1, LiCl, β-catenin and HB-EGF improved Nissl staining and NeuN levels, and reduced cleaved-caspase-3 levels in arsenic-treated mice. Supportively, we detected improved Y-Maze and Passive Avoidance performances for learning-memory functions in these mice. Overall, our study provides novel insights into Wnt/β-catenin and HB-EGF/EGFR pathway interaction in arsenic-induced hippocampal neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmita Garg
- Systems Toxicology Group, Food, Drug & Chemical, Environment and Systems Toxicology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay
- Systems Toxicology Group, Food, Drug & Chemical, Environment and Systems Toxicology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
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Bangar A, Khan H, Kaur A, Dua K, Singh TG. Understanding mechanistic aspect of the therapeutic role of herbal agents on neuroplasticity in cerebral ischemic-reperfusion injury. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 319:117153. [PMID: 37717842 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability. The only FDA-approved therapy for treating stroke is tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), exhibiting a short therapeutic window. Due to this reason, only a small number of patients can be benefitted in this critical period. In addition, the use of endovascular interventions may reverse vessel occlusion more effectively and thus help further improve outcomes in experimental stroke. During recovery of blood flow after ischemia, patients experience cognitive, behavioral, affective, emotional, and electrophysiological changes. Therefore, it became the need for an hour to discover a novel strategy for managing stroke. The drug discovery process has focused on developing herbal medicines with neuroprotective effects via modulating neuroplasticity. AIM OF THE STUDY We gather and highlight the most essential traditional understanding of therapeutic plants and their efficacy in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. In addition, we provide a concise summary and explanation of herbal drugs and their role in improving neuroplasticity. We review the pharmacological activity of polyherbal formulations produced from some of the most frequently referenced botanicals for the treatment of cerebral ischemia damage. MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic literature review of bentham, scopus, pubmed, medline, and embase (elsevier) databases was carried out with the help of the keywords like neuroplasticity, herbal drugs, neural progenitor cells, neuroprotection, stem cells. The review was conducted using the above keywords to understand the therapeutic and mechanistic role of herbal neuroprotective agents on neuroplasticity in cerebral ischemic-reperfusion injury. RESULTS Neuroplasticity emerged as an alternative to improve recovery and management after cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury. Neuroplasticity is a physiological process throughout one's life in response to any stimuli and environment. Traditional herbal medicines have been established as an adjuvant to stroke therapy since they were used from ancient times and provided promising effects as an adjuvant to experimental stroke. The plants and phytochemicals such as Curcuma longa L., Moringa oliefera Lam, Panax ginseng C.A. Mey., and Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) DC., etc., have shown promising effects in improving neuroplasticity after experimental stroke. Such effects occur by modulation of various molecular signalling pathways, including PI3K/Akt, BDNF/CREB, JAK/STAT, HIF-1α/VEGF, etc. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we gave a perspective on plant species that have shown neuroprotective effects and can show promising results in promoting neuroplasticity with specific targets after cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury. In this review, we provide the complete detail of studies conducted on the role of herbal drugs in improving neuroplasticity and the signaling pathway involved in the recovery and management of experimental stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annu Bangar
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, 140401, India.
| | - Heena Khan
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, 140401, India.
| | - Amarjot Kaur
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, 140401, India.
| | - Kamal Dua
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia; Faculty of Health, Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
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Zhang M, Liu Q, Meng H, Duan H, Liu X, Wu J, Gao F, Wang S, Tan R, Yuan J. Ischemia-reperfusion injury: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:12. [PMID: 38185705 PMCID: PMC10772178 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01688-x] [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: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury paradoxically occurs during reperfusion following ischemia, exacerbating the initial tissue damage. The limited understanding of the intricate mechanisms underlying I/R injury hinders the development of effective therapeutic interventions. The Wnt signaling pathway exhibits extensive crosstalk with various other pathways, forming a network system of signaling pathways involved in I/R injury. This review article elucidates the underlying mechanisms involved in Wnt signaling, as well as the complex interplay between Wnt and other pathways, including Notch, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B, transforming growth factor-β, nuclear factor kappa, bone morphogenetic protein, N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor-Ca2+-Activin A, Hippo-Yes-associated protein, toll-like receptor 4/toll-interleukine-1 receptor domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β, and hepatocyte growth factor/mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor. In particular, we delve into their respective contributions to key pathological processes, including apoptosis, the inflammatory response, oxidative stress, extracellular matrix remodeling, angiogenesis, cell hypertrophy, fibrosis, ferroptosis, neurogenesis, and blood-brain barrier damage during I/R injury. Our comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms involved in Wnt signaling during I/R reveals that activation of the canonical Wnt pathway promotes organ recovery, while activation of the non-canonical Wnt pathways exacerbates injury. Moreover, we explore novel therapeutic approaches based on these mechanistic findings, incorporating evidence from animal experiments, current standards, and clinical trials. The objective of this review is to provide deeper insights into the roles of Wnt and its crosstalk signaling pathways in I/R-mediated processes and organ dysfunction, to facilitate the development of innovative therapeutic agents for I/R injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Zhang
- The Collaborative Innovation Center, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, 272067, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Clinical Medical College, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, 272067, China
| | - Hui Meng
- Clinical Medical College, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, 272067, China
| | - Hongxia Duan
- Clinical Medical College, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, 272067, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Second Clinical Medical College, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, 272067, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Gao
- The Collaborative Innovation Center, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, 272067, China
- Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shijun Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Rubin Tan
- Department of Physiology, Basic medical school, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China.
| | - Jinxiang Yuan
- The Collaborative Innovation Center, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, 272067, China.
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Du X, Amin N, Xu L, Botchway BOA, Zhang B, Fang M. Pharmacological intervention of curcumin via the NLRP3 inflammasome in ischemic stroke. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1249644. [PMID: 37915409 PMCID: PMC10616488 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1249644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Ischemic-induced neuronal injury arises due to low oxygen/nutrient levels and an inflammatory response that exacerbates neuronal loss. NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) is an important regulator of inflammation after ischemic stroke, with its inhibition being involved in nerve regeneration. Curcumin, a main active ingredient in Chinese herbs, plays a positive role in neuronal repair and neuroprotection by regulating the NLRP3 signaling pathway. Nevertheless, the signaling mechanisms relating to how curcumin regulates NLRP3 inflammasome in inflammation and neural restoration following ischemic stroke are unknown. In this report, we summarize the main biological functions of the NLRP3 inflammasome along with the neuroprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of curcumin via impairment of the NLRP3 pathway in ischemic brain injury. We also discuss the role of medicinal interventions that target the NLRP3 and potential pathways, as well as possible directions for curcumin therapy to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and hinder inflammation in ischemic stroke. This report conclusively demonstrates that curcumin has neuroprotective properties that inhibit inflammation and prevent nerve cell loss, thereby delaying the progression of ischemic brain damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Du
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nashwa Amin
- Institute of System Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt
| | - Linhao Xu
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Benson O. A. Botchway
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Centre for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
- Pharmacy Department, Bupa Cromwell Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Marong Fang
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Centre for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
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Lee Y, Park HR, Lee JY, Kim J, Yang S, Lee C, Kim K, Kim HS, Chang SC, Lee J. Low-dose curcumin enhances hippocampal neurogenesis and memory retention in young mice. Arch Pharm Res 2023; 46:423-437. [PMID: 36947339 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-023-01440-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Adult neurogenesis generates new functional neurons from adult neural stem cells in various regions, including the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles and subgranular zone (SGZ) of hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). Available evidence shows hippocampal neurogenesis can be negatively or positively regulated by dietary components. In a previous study, we reported that curcumin (diferuloylmethane; a polyphenolic found in curry spice) stimulates the proliferation of embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs) by activating adaptive cellular stress responses. Here, we investigated whether subchronic administration of curcumin (once daily at 0.4, 2, or 10 mg/kg for 14 days) promotes hippocampal neurogenesis and neurocognitive function in young (5-week-old) mice. Oral administration of low-dose curcumin (0.4 mg/kg) increased the proliferation and survival of newly generated cells in hippocampus, but surprisingly, high-dose curcumin (10 mg/kg) did not effectively upregulate the proliferation or survival of newborn cells. Furthermore, hippocampal BDNF levels and phosphorylated CREB activity were elevated in only low-dose curcumin-treated mice. Passive avoidance testing revealed that low-dose curcumin increased cross-over latency times, indicating enhanced memory retention, and an in vitro study showed that low-concentration curcumin increased the proliferative activity of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) by upregulating NF1X levels. Collectively, our findings suggest that low-dose curcumin has neurogenic effects and that it may prevent age and neurodegenerative disease-related cognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujeong Lee
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
- Cognitive Science Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Ra Park
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
- Department of KM Science Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM), 1672 Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34054, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Yeon Lee
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehoon Kim
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Seonguk Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Chany Lee
- Cognitive Science Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Kipom Kim
- Research Strategy Office, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Sik Kim
- Division of Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Cheol Chang
- Department of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, College of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaewon Lee
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea.
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Caffo M, Fusco R, Siracusa R, Caruso G, Barresi V, Di Paola R, Cuzzocrea S, Germanò AF, Cardali SM. Molecular Investigation of DKK3 in Cerebral Ischemic/Reperfusion Injury. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030815. [PMID: 36979794 PMCID: PMC10045463 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Dickkopf-3 (Dkk3) is an atypical member of the Dkk family of Wnt inhibitors, which has been implicated in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders. Its role in the mechanisms of cellular degeneration and protection is still unknown. The aim of our work is to investigate the endogenous activation of the DKK3 pathway in a model of transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in rats. In particular, the animals were subjected to 1 h of ischemia followed by different reperfusion times (1 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h) to evaluate the downstream pathway and the time course of its activation. Western blot analysis showed increased Dkk3 expression in animals with the highest time of reperfusion. The increased levels of Dkk3 were accompanied by reduced Wnt3a, Frz1 and PIWI1a expression in the cytosol while FOXM1 and β-catenin decreased in the nucleus. These molecular changes led to an increase in the apoptotic pathway, as showed by the increased expression of Caspase 3 and Bax and the reduced levels of Bcl-2, and to a decrease in neurogenesis, as shown by the decreased expression of Tbr2, Ngn2 and Pax6. In the second part of the study, we decided to employ curcumin, an activator of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling, to investigate its effect on Dkk3. In particular, curcumin was administered 1 and 6 h after ischemia, and animals were sacrificed 24 h later when the expression of Dkk3 was higher. Our data displayed that curcumin administration decreased Dkk3 expression, and increased Wnt3a, Frz1 and PIWI1a levels. Well in line with these data, curcumin administration increased nuclear β-catenin and FOXM1 expression. The down-regulation of Dkk3 by curcumin led to reduced apoptosis and increased neurogenesis. Summarizing, our results showed that Dkk3 acts as an inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling during cerebral ischemia. Additionally, its inhibition and the contextual activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway are protective against ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Caffo
- Department of Biomedical, Dental and Morphological and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Fusco
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres, n 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Rosalba Siracusa
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres, n 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Gerardo Caruso
- Department of Biomedical, Dental and Morphological and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Valeria Barresi
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Piazzale Ludovico Antonio Scuro, 37124 Verona, Italy
| | - Rosanna Di Paola
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Annunzita, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres, n 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Antonino Francesco Germanò
- Department of Biomedical, Dental and Morphological and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Massimo Cardali
- Department of Biomedical, Dental and Morphological and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
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Wu F, Lai S, Fu D, Liu J, Wang C, Feng H, Liu J, Li Z, Li P. Neuroprotective Effects and Metabolomics Study of Protopanaxatriol (PPT) on Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury In Vitro and In Vivo. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021789. [PMID: 36675303 PMCID: PMC9861888 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Stroke, one of the leading causes of disability and death worldwide, is a severe neurological disease that threatens human life. Protopanaxatriol (PPT), panaxatriol-type saponin aglycone, is a rare saponin that exists in Panax ginseng and Panax Noto-ginseng. In this study, we established an oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-PC12 cell model and middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of PPT in vitro and in vivo. In addition, metabolomics analysis was performed on rat plasma and brain tissue samples to find relevant biomarkers and metabolic pathways. The results showed that PPT could significantly regulate the levels of LDH, MDA, SOD, TNF-α and IL-6 factors in OGD-PC12 cells in vitro. PPT can reduce the neurological deficit score and infarct volume of brain tissue in rats, restore the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, reduce pathological damage, and regulate TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MDA, and SOD factors. In addition, the results of metabolomics found that PPT can regulate 19 biomarkers involving five metabolic pathways, including amino acid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. Thus, it could be inferred that PPT might serve as a novel natural agent for MCAO/R treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulin Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Sihan Lai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Dongxing Fu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Juntong Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Cuizhu Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Hao Feng
- College of Basic Medicine Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Jinping Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Zhuo Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
- Correspondence: (Z.L.); (P.L.); Tel.: +86-0431-8561-9803 (P.L.)
| | - Pingya Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
- Correspondence: (Z.L.); (P.L.); Tel.: +86-0431-8561-9803 (P.L.)
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Mhalhel K, Sicari M, Pansera L, Chen J, Levanti M, Diotel N, Rastegar S, Germanà A, Montalbano G. Zebrafish: A Model Deciphering the Impact of Flavonoids on Neurodegenerative Disorders. Cells 2023; 12:cells12020252. [PMID: 36672187 PMCID: PMC9856690 DOI: 10.3390/cells12020252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past century, advances in biotechnology, biochemistry, and pharmacognosy have spotlighted flavonoids, polyphenolic secondary metabolites that have the ability to modulate many pathways involved in various biological mechanisms, including those involved in neuronal plasticity, learning, and memory. Moreover, flavonoids are known to impact the biological processes involved in developing neurodegenerative diseases, namely oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus, several flavonoids could be used as adjuvants to prevent and counteract neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Zebrafish is an interesting model organism that can offer new opportunities to study the beneficial effects of flavonoids on neurodegenerative diseases. Indeed, the high genome homology of 70% to humans, the brain organization largely similar to the human brain as well as the similar neuroanatomical and neurochemical processes, and the high neurogenic activity maintained in the adult brain makes zebrafish a valuable model for the study of human neurodegenerative diseases and deciphering the impact of flavonoids on those disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamel Mhalhel
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab., Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci snc, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Mirea Sicari
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab., Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci snc, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Lidia Pansera
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab., Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci snc, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Jincan Chen
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Campus North, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Maria Levanti
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab., Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci snc, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Nicolas Diotel
- Université de la Réunion, UMR 1188 Diabète Athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), Plateforme CYROI, F-97490 Sainte-Clotilde, France
| | - Sepand Rastegar
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Campus North, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
- Correspondence: (S.R.); (G.M.); Tel.: +49-721-608-22507 (S.R.); +39-090-6766822 (G.M.)
| | - Antonino Germanà
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab., Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci snc, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Montalbano
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab., Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci snc, 98168 Messina, Italy
- Correspondence: (S.R.); (G.M.); Tel.: +49-721-608-22507 (S.R.); +39-090-6766822 (G.M.)
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Gao J, Yao M, Chang D, Liu J. mTOR (Mammalian Target of Rapamycin): Hitting the Bull's Eye for Enhancing Neurogenesis After Cerebral Ischemia? Stroke 2023; 54:279-285. [PMID: 36321454 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.122.040376] [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: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Ischemic stroke remains a leading cause of morbidity and disability around the world. The sequelae of serious neurological damage are irreversible due to body's own limited repair capacity. However, endogenous neurogenesis induced by cerebral ischemia plays a critical role in the repair and regeneration of impaired neural cells after ischemic brain injury. mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) kinase has been suggested to regulate neural stem cells ability to self-renew and differentiate into proliferative daughter cells, thus leading to improved cell growth, proliferation, and survival. In this review, we summarized the current evidence to support that mTOR signaling pathways may enhance neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and synaptic plasticity following cerebral ischemia, which could highlight the potential of mTOR to be a viable therapeutic target for the treatment of ischemic brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiale Gao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences of Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, China (J.G., M.Y., J.L.)
| | - Mingjiang Yao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences of Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, China (J.G., M.Y., J.L.)
| | - Dennis Chang
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia (D.C.)
| | - Jianxun Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences of Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, China (J.G., M.Y., J.L.)
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Zhang S, Kong DW, Ma GD, Liu CD, Yang YJ, Liu S, Jiang N, Pan ZR, Zhang W, Kong LL, Du GH. Long-term administration of salvianolic acid A promotes endogenous neurogenesis in ischemic stroke rats through activating Wnt3a/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2022; 43:2212-2225. [PMID: 35217812 PMCID: PMC9433393 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-021-00844-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Stroke is the major cause of death and disability worldwide. Most stroke patients who survive in the acute phase of ischemia display various extents of neurological deficits. In order to improve the prognosis of ischemic stroke, promoting endogenous neurogenesis has attracted great attention. Salvianolic acid A (SAA) has shown neuroprotective effects against ischemic diseases. In the present study, we investigated the neurogenesis effects of SAA in ischemic stroke rats, and explored the underlying mechanisms. An autologous thrombus stroke model was established by electrocoagulation. The rats were administered SAA (10 mg/kg, ig) or a positive drug edaravone (5 mg/kg, iv) once a day for 14 days. We showed that SAA administration significantly decreased infarction volume and vascular embolism, and ameliorated pathological injury in the hippocampus and striatum as well as the neurological deficits as compared with the model rats. Furthermore, we found that SAA administration significantly promoted neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) proliferation, migration and differentiation into neurons, enhanced axonal regeneration and diminished neuronal apoptosis around the ipsilateral subventricular zone (SVZ), resulting in restored neural density and reconstructed neural circuits in the ischemic striatum. Moreover, we revealed that SAA-induced neurogenesis was associated to activating Wnt3a/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway and downstream target genes in the hippocampus and striatum. Edaravone exerted equivalent inhibition on neuronal apoptosis in the SVZ, as SAA, but edaravone-induced neurogenesis was weaker than that of SAA. Taken together, our results demonstrate that long-term administration of SAA improves neurological function through enhancing endogenous neurogenesis and inhibiting neuronal apoptosis in ischemic stroke rats via activating Wnt3a/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. SAA may be a potential therapeutic drug to promote neurogenesis after stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Targets Identification and Drug Screening, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - De-Wen Kong
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Targets Identification and Drug Screening, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Guo-Dong Ma
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Targets Identification and Drug Screening, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Cheng-di Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Targets Identification and Drug Screening, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yu-Jiao Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Targets Identification and Drug Screening, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
- School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Shan Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Targets Identification and Drug Screening, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Nan Jiang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Targets Identification and Drug Screening, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
- School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Zhengzhou, 475004, China
| | - Zi-Rong Pan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Targets Identification and Drug Screening, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Targets Identification and Drug Screening, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Ling-Lei Kong
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Targets Identification and Drug Screening, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Guan-Hua Du
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Targets Identification and Drug Screening, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
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11
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Marques MS, Marinho MAG, Vian CO, Horn AP. The action of curcumin against damage resulting from cerebral stroke: a systematic review. Pharmacol Res 2022; 183:106369. [PMID: 35914679 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Stroke is the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Treatments for stroke are limited, and preventive treatments are scarce. Curcumin (CUR) has several biological effects, as described in the literature, which highlight its antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. Therefore, this qualitative systematic review aimed to investigate the effects of CUR on damage caused by stroke in rodent models. A systematic search was performed on three databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. In addition, the risk-of-bias and quality of the studies were assessed using SYRCLE and Collaborative Approach for Meta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data from Experimental Studies, respectively. The selection, inclusion, and exclusion criteria were established by the authors. At the end of our systematic search of the three databases, we found a total of 728 articles. After excluding duplicates and triplicates and reading the abstracts, keywords, and full texts, 53 articles were finally included in this systematic review. CUR exerts several beneficial effects against the damage caused by both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, via different pathways. However, because of its low bioavailability, Free-form CUR only exerted significant effects when it was administered at high concentrations. In contrast, when CUR was administered using nanostructured systems, positive responses were observed even at low concentrations. The mechanisms of action of CUR, free or in nanostructure, are extremely important for the recovery of injured brain tissue after a stroke; CUR has neuroprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects and helps to maintain the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. Finally, we concluded that CUR presents an extremely important and significant response profile against the damage caused by stroke, making it a possible therapeutic candidate for individuals affected by this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Marques
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Rio Grande, RS, 96210-900, Brazil; Laboratório de Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, FURG, Rio Grande, RS, 96210-900, Brazil.
| | - M A G Marinho
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Rio Grande, RS, 96210-900, Brazil; Laboratório de Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, FURG, Rio Grande, RS, 96210-900, Brazil
| | - C O Vian
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Rio Grande, RS, 96210-900, Brazil; Laboratório de Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, FURG, Rio Grande, RS, 96210-900, Brazil
| | - A P Horn
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Rio Grande, RS, 96210-900, Brazil; Laboratório de Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, FURG, Rio Grande, RS, 96210-900, Brazil
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12
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Fan F, Lei M. Mechanisms Underlying Curcumin-Induced Neuroprotection in Cerebral Ischemia. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:893118. [PMID: 35559238 PMCID: PMC9090137 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.893118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide, and restoring the blood flow to ischemic brain tissues is currently the main therapeutic strategy. However, reperfusion after brain ischemia leads to excessive reactive oxygen species production, inflammatory cell recruitment, the release of inflammatory mediators, cell death, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and blood–brain barrier damage; these pathological mechanisms will further aggravate brain tissue injury, ultimately affecting the recovery of neurological functions. It has attracted the attention of researchers to develop drugs with multitarget intervention effects for individuals with cerebral ischemia. A large number of studies have established that curcumin plays a significant neuroprotective role in cerebral ischemia via various mechanisms, including antioxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, protection of the blood–brain barrier, and restoration of mitochondrial function and structure, restoring cerebral circulation, reducing infarct volume, improving brain edema, promoting blood–brain barrier repair, and improving the neurological functions. Therefore, summarizing the results from the latest literature and identifying the potential mechanisms of action of curcumin in cerebral ischemia will serve as a basis and guidance for the clinical applications of curcumin in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Fan
- Department of Interventional Neuroradiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Meng Lei
- Department of Neurology, The Third People's Hospital of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
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13
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Subedi L, Gaire BP. Neuroprotective Effects of Curcumin in Cerebral Ischemia: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:2562-2572. [PMID: 34251185 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite being a major global health concern, cerebral ischemia/stroke has limited therapeutic options. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is the only available medication to manage acute ischemic stroke, but this medication is associated with adverse effects and has a narrow therapeutic time window. Curcumin, a polyphenol that is abundantly present in the rhizome of the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa), has shown promising neuroprotective effects in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, including cerebral ischemia. In the central nervous system (CNS), neuroprotective effects of curcumin have been experimentally validated in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral ischemia. Curcumin can exert pleiotropic effects in the postischemic brain including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, vasculoprotective, and direct neuroprotective efficacies. Importantly, neuroprotective effects of curcumin has been reported in both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke models. A broad-spectrum neuroprotective efficacy of curcumin suggested that curcumin can be an appealing therapeutic strategy to treat cerebral ischemia. In this review, we aimed to address the pharmacotherapeutic potential of curcumin in cerebral ischemia including its cellular and molecular mechanisms of neuroprotection revealing curcumin as an appealing therapeutic candidate for cerebral ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lalita Subedi
- Department of Anesthesiology and Neurology, Shock Trauma and Anesthesiology Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Bhakta Prasad Gaire
- Department of Anesthesiology and Neurology, Shock Trauma and Anesthesiology Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
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14
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Cao W, Zhang Y, Li A, Yu P, Song L, Liang J, Cao N, Gao J, Xu R, Ma Y, Tang X. Curcumin reverses hepatic epithelial mesenchymal transition induced by trichloroethylene by inhibiting IL-6R/STAT3. Toxicol Mech Methods 2021; 31:589-599. [PMID: 34233590 DOI: 10.1080/15376516.2021.1941463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and inflammation have been identified as carcinogenic agents. This study aims to investigate whether inhibition of trichloroethylene (TCE) associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by curcumin is associated with inflammation and EMT. METHODS In the current study, TCE sub-chronic cell model was induced in vitro, and the effects of TCE on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and expression of functional proteins were verified by Western blot, MTT, clone formation, wound healing, Transwell. The detoxification effect of curcumin on TCE was explored by a mouse tumor-bearing experiment. RESULTS TCE induces hepatocyte migration, colony formation, and EMT in vitro. In vivo studies have shown that curcumin significantly reduces the mortality of mice and control the occurrence and size of liver tumors by inhibiting the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway. In vitro, curcumin inhibits the proliferation of HepG2 cells as determined by MTT assay. In addition, curcumin significantly inhibited the protein expression of IL-6R, STAT3, snail, survivin, and cyclin D1 in THLE-2 and HepG2 cells induced by IL-6. CONCLUSION Curcumin has anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects, and inhibits the development of HCC induced by TCE by reversing IL-6/STAT3 mediated EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiya Cao
- Medical School, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Institute of Environment-friendly Materials and Occupational Health, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Wuhu, China
| | - Yinci Zhang
- Medical School, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Institute of Environment-friendly Materials and Occupational Health, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Wuhu, China
| | - Amin Li
- Medical School, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Institute of Environment-friendly Materials and Occupational Health, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Wuhu, China
| | - Pan Yu
- Medical School, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Institute of Environment-friendly Materials and Occupational Health, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Wuhu, China
| | - Li Song
- Medical School, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Institute of Environment-friendly Materials and Occupational Health, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Wuhu, China
| | - Jiaojiao Liang
- Medical School, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Institute of Environment-friendly Materials and Occupational Health, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Wuhu, China
| | - Niandie Cao
- Medical School, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Institute of Environment-friendly Materials and Occupational Health, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Wuhu, China
| | - Jiafeng Gao
- Medical School, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Institute of Environment-friendly Materials and Occupational Health, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Wuhu, China
| | - Ruyue Xu
- Medical School, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Institute of Environment-friendly Materials and Occupational Health, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Wuhu, China
| | - Yongfang Ma
- Medical School, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Institute of Environment-friendly Materials and Occupational Health, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Wuhu, China
| | - Xiaolong Tang
- Medical School, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Institute of Environment-friendly Materials and Occupational Health, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Wuhu, China
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15
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Xiao Z, Cao Z, Yang J, Jia Z, Du Y, Sun G, Lu Y, Pei L. Baicalin promotes hippocampal neurogenesis via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in a chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced mouse model of depression. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 190:114594. [PMID: 33964281 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Hippocampal neurogenesis is known to be related to depressive symptoms. Increasing evidence indicates that Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulates multiple aspects of adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Baicalin is a major flavonoid compound with multiple pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and neuroprotective effects. The current study aimed to explore the antidepressant effects of baicalin and its possible molecular mechanisms affecting hippocampal neurogenesis via the regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. A chronic mild unpredictable stress (CUMS) model of depression was used in the study. The CUMS-induced mice were treated with baicalin (50 and 100 mg/kg) for 21 days, orally, and the fluoxetine was used as positive control drug. The results indicated that baicalin alleviated CUMS-induced depression-like behaviour, and improved the nerve cells' survival of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) in CUMS-induced depression of model mice and increased Ki-67- and doublecortin (DCX)-positive cells to restore CUMS-induced suppression of hippocampal neurogenesis. The related proteins in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which declined in the CUMS-induced depression model of mice, were upregulated after baicalin treatment, including Wingless3a (Wnt3a), dishevelled2 (DVL2), and β-catenin. Further study found that the phosphorylation rate of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) and β-catenin nuclear translocation increased, as the levels of the β-catenin target genes cyclinD1, c-myc, NeuroD1, and Ngn2 upregulated after baicalin treatment. In conclusion, these findings suggest that baicalin may promote hippocampal neurogenesis, thereby exerting the antidepressant effect via regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhigang Xiao
- Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China; Hebei Province Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050031, China
| | - Zhuoqing Cao
- Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China; Hebei Province Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050031, China
| | - Jiali Yang
- Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China; Hebei Province Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050031, China
| | - Zhixia Jia
- Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China; Hebei Province Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050031, China
| | - Yuru Du
- Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Guoqiang Sun
- Hebei Province Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050031, China
| | - Ye Lu
- Hebei Province Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050031, China.
| | - Lin Pei
- Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China; Hebei Province Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050031, China.
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