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Zhang Z, Sun Y, Wang H, Yang Y, Dong R, Xu Y, Zhang M, Lv Q, Chen X, Liu Y. Melatonin pretreatment can improve the therapeutic effect of adipose-derived stem cells on CCl 4-induced liver fibrosis. TOXIN REV 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/15569543.2023.2191263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
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Vijayan N, Perumal MK. A critical review on anti-fibrotic phytochemicals targeting activated hepatic stellate cells. J Food Biochem 2022; 46:e14438. [PMID: 36209494 DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.14438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a major health concern occurring worldwide. It arises due to prolonged wound healing response of various insults like viral, autoimmune, cholestatic, drug-induced, and metabolic diseases. Currently, there is no clinically approved drug for liver fibrosis treatment. Hepatic stellate cells are the principal liver cells that are activated during liver fibrosis, and targeting these activated cells is an ideal therapeutic strategy. Numerous phytochemicals have been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo treating experimental liver fibrosis; however, none of them have been clinically approved for therapeutic use. This review mainly focuses on such hepatoprotective phytochemicals reported inhibiting major signaling pathways that are dysregulated in activated hepatic stellate cells. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Liver fibrosis is a global health concern and there is no FDA approved drug to treat liver fibrosis. Although notable pharmacological agents like pentoxifylline, gliotoxin, imatinibmesylate, Gleevec, and so on are reported to exhibit anti-fibrotic effect, the major concern is their side effect. Hence, phytochemicals are promising candidates that could be employed against liver fibrosis. In this review, the anti-fibrotic potential of phytochemicals targeting activated HSCs are summarized. Understanding these phytochemicals will further help in the development of agents that are more effective against liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nivya Vijayan
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Madan Kumar Perumal
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
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Physiological Effects of Ferroptosis on Organ Fibrosis. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:5295434. [PMID: 36238649 PMCID: PMC9553398 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5295434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a new type of programmed cell death with unique morphological, biochemical, and genetic features. From the initial study of histomorphology to the exploration of subcellular organelles and even molecular mechanisms, a net connecting ferroptosis and fibrosis is being woven and formed. Inflammation may be the bridge between both processes. In this review, we will discuss the ferroptosis theory and process and the physiological functions of ferroptosis, followed by a description of the pathological effects and the underlying mechanisms of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of tumorigenesis, ischemic damage, degenerative lesions, autoimmune diseases, and necroinflammation. We then focus on the role of ferroptosis in the fibrosis process in the liver, lung, kidney, heart, and other organs. Although the molecular mechanism of ferroptosis has been explored extensively in the past few years, many challenges remain to be resolved to translate this information into antifibrotic practice, which is becoming a promising new direction in the field of fibrotic disease prevention and treatment.
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Xiong Y, Huang J. Anti-malarial drug: the emerging role of artemisinin and its derivatives in liver disease treatment. Chin Med 2021; 16:80. [PMID: 34407830 PMCID: PMC8371597 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-021-00489-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin and its derivatives belong to a family of drugs approved for the treatment of malaria with known clinical safety and efficacy. In addition to its anti-malarial effect, artemisinin displays anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects in vivo and in vitro. Recently, much attention has been paid to the therapeutic role of artemisinin in liver diseases. Several studies suggest that artemisinin and its derivatives can protect the liver through different mechanisms, such as those pertaining to inflammation, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and induction of apoptosis and autophagy. In this review, we provide a comprehensive discussion of the underlying molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of artemisinin and its derivatives in treating liver diseases. Further pharmacological research will aid in determining whether artemisinin and its derivatives may serve as promising medicines for the treatment of liver diseases in the future. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Xiong
- The Department of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Jianrong Huang
- The Department of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
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Xiong B, Chen Y, Liu Y, Hu X, Han H, Li Q. Artesunate-loaded porous PLGA microsphere as a pulmonary delivery system for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2021; 206:111937. [PMID: 34198232 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2021.111937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has emerged to be a significant cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Artesunate (ART) extracted from Chinese herb Artemisia annua L, has been proven to possess desirable anti-cancer efficacy, especially for the metastatic NSCLC treatment. Moreover, the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microsphere has been considered to be a potential pulmonary delivery system for the sustained drug release to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of lung cancer. Herein, the ART-loaded porous PLGA microsphere was prepared through the emulsion solvent evaporation approach. The microsphere was demonstrated to possess highly porous structure and ideal aerodynamic diameter for the pulmonary administration. Meanwhile, sustained ART release was obtained from the porous microsphere within 8 days. The release solution collected from the microsphere could be effectively uptake by the cells and further induce the cell apoptosis and the cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase to execute the anti-proliferative effect, using human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 as a model. Additionally, strong inhibitory effect on the cell migration and invasion could be obtained after the treatment with release solution. Taken together, our results demonstrated that the ART-loaded PLGA porous microsphere could achieve excellent anti-cancer efficacy, providing a potential approach for the NSCLC treatment via the pulmonary administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyu Xiong
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Yanxu Chen
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Xiaolin Hu
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Haobo Han
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China.
| | - Quanshun Li
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China.
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Shen S, Luo J, Ye J. Artesunate alleviates schistosomiasis-induced liver fibrosis by downregulation of mitochondrial complex Ⅰ subunit NDUFB8 and complex Ⅲ subunit UQCRC2 in hepatic stellate cells. Acta Trop 2021; 214:105781. [PMID: 33264632 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a key role in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis. Inhibition of the HSCs activity is an ideal strategy in the treatment of fibrosis, but there is no drug yet for this strategy. Artesunate (ART) has been shown to protect liver from fibrosis through inhibition of HSCs activity. However, the mechanism of ART activity remains to be fully uncovered. In this study, we tested ART in a mouse model of hepatic fibrosis established in the schistosomiasis-infected mice. The mechanism of ART action was investigated in the HSC cell line LX-2. ART significantly inhibited hepatic fibrosis. In LX-2 cells, ART efficiently inhibited the cell activity in proliferation and mRNA expression of fibrosis marker genes including Col1a1 and Col3a1. An impact of ART on mitochondria was observed for suppression of enzymes in the citric acid cycle (TCA), such as citrate synthase (CS), isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH2), and alpha ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH) in a dose-dependent manner. ART decreased the mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and the protein levels of mitochondrial complex Ⅰ subunit NDUFB8 and complex Ⅲ subunit UQCRC2 in HSCs. All of these alterations were observed with an increase in HSC apoptosis. This study suggests that ART may alleviate liver fibrosis by downregulation of HSC activity through suppression of NDUFB8 and UQCRC2 in mitochondria. This study provides a new insight into the mechanism of the ART activity in the inhibition of schistosomiasis-induced liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Shen
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China; Central laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital East Campus, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Juntao Luo
- Central laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital East Campus, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianping Ye
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China; Central laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital East Campus, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
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Dolivo D, Weathers P, Dominko T. Artemisinin and artemisinin derivatives as anti-fibrotic therapeutics. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:322-339. [PMID: 33643815 PMCID: PMC7893118 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2020.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a pathological reparative process that can occur in most organs and is responsible for nearly half of deaths in the developed world. Despite considerable research, few therapies have proven effective and been approved clinically for treatment of fibrosis. Artemisinin compounds are best known as antimalarial therapeutics, but they also demonstrate antiparasitic, antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-fibrotic effects. Here we summarize literature describing anti-fibrotic effects of artemisinin compounds in in vivo and in vitro models of tissue fibrosis, and we describe the likely mechanisms by which artemisinin compounds appear to inhibit cellular and tissue processes that lead to fibrosis. To consider alternative routes of administration of artemisinin for treatment of internal organ fibrosis, we also discuss the potential for more direct oral delivery of Artemisia plant material to enhance bioavailability and efficacy of artemisinin compared to administration of purified artemisinin drugs at comparable doses. It is our hope that greater understanding of the broad anti-fibrotic effects of artemisinin drugs will enable and promote their use as therapeutics for treatment of fibrotic diseases.
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Key Words
- ALP, alkaline phosphatase
- ALT, alanine aminotransferase
- AMPK, AMP-activated protein kinase
- ASP, aspartate aminotransferase
- Artemisia
- Artemisinin
- Artesunate
- BAD, BCL-2-associated agonist of cell death
- BDL, bile duct ligation
- BSA, bovine serum albumin
- BUN, blood urea nitrogen
- CCl4, carbon tetrachloride
- CTGF, connective tissue growth factor
- Col I, type I collagen
- DHA, dihydroartemisinin
- DLA, dried leaf Artemisia
- ECM, extracellular matrix
- EMT, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
- FLS, fibroblast-like synoviocyte
- Fibroblast
- Fibrosis
- HA, hyaluronic acid
- HSC, hepatic stellate cell
- HUVEC, human umbilical vein endothelial cell
- LAP, latency-associated peptide
- LDH, lactate dehydrogenase
- MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase
- MI, myocardial infarction
- MMP, matrix metalloproteinase
- Myofibroblast
- NAG, N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase
- NICD, Notch intracellular domain
- PCNA, proliferating cell nuclear antigen
- PHN, passive heymann nephritis
- ROS, reactive oxygen species
- STZ, streptozotocin
- Scar
- TGF, β-transforming growth factor-β
- TGF-β
- TIMP, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase
- UUO, unilateral ureteral obstruction
- i.p., intraperitoneal
- mTOR, mechanistic target of rapamycin
- sCr, serum creatinine
- α-SMA, smooth muscle α-actin
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Affiliation(s)
- David Dolivo
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern University-Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Pamela Weathers
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609, USA
| | - Tanja Dominko
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609, USA
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Ghoneim MES, Abdallah DM, Shebl AM, El-Abhar HS. The interrupted cross-talk of inflammatory and oxidative stress trajectories signifies the effect of artesunate against hepatic ischemia/reperfusion-induced inflammasomopathy. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 409:115309. [PMID: 33130049 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The antimalarial drug artesunate (Art) has proven its beneficial effects against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in diverse organs, but its potential role against hepatic I/R is still obscure. This study, hence, examined whether treatment with Art alone or in combination with rapamycin (Rapa), an mTOR inhibitor, can ameliorate hepatic I/R injury via targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway. Rats were divided into hepatic sham- and I/R-operated rats. The latter were either left untreated (I/R group) or treated with Art, Rapa, or their combination. On the molecular level, all treatment regimens succeeded to hinder inflammasome assembly and activation, assessed as NLRP3, ASC, cleaved caspase-1, caspase-11, N-terminal cleaved gasdermin-D (GSDMD-N), IL-1β, and IL-18. This effect was associated by the inhibition in the harmful signaling pathways HMGB1/RAGE and TLR4/MyD88/TRAF6 to inactivate the transcription factor NF-κB and the production of its pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-18, IL-6, and TNF-α. Additionally, this effect entailed the inhibition of ICAM-1/MPO/ROS cascade, which in turn hampered cell demise induced by apoptosis, manifested as correction of the imbalanced Bcl2/Bax, as well as pyroptosis (LDH, cleaved caspase-1, caspase-11, GSDMD-N, IL-1β, and IL-18), and necrosis. The corrected pathways were reflected on the improved liver function (serum ALT, AST, and LDH) and microscopical hepatic architecture. Noteworthy, the effect of Art on all parameters exceeded significantly that of Rapa and even improved the effect of the latter in the combination group. In conclusion, our results suggest novel roles for Art in abating functional and structural I/R-induced hepatic abnormalities via several traversing cross-talking pathways that succeeded to abate NLRP3 inflammasome and cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai El-Sayed Ghoneim
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sadat City (USC), Menoufia, Egypt.
| | - Dalaal M Abdallah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Κasr El-Aini Str., 11562 Cairo, Egypt.
| | | | - Hanan S El-Abhar
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Industries, Future University in Egypt (FUE), 11835 Cairo, Egypt
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Fan S, Zhang D, Liu F, Yang Y, Xu H. Artesunate alleviates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial necrosis in rats and hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis in H9C2 cells via regulating the FAK/PI3K/Akt pathway. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2020; 8:1291. [PMID: 33209871 PMCID: PMC7661874 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-5182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background The various anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant effects of Artesunate (Art) have been explored in numerous studies. This study aimed to evaluate the function of Art on myocardial necrosis in apoptotic cardiomyocytes in vivo and in vitro. Methods Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into groups: a control group, a myocardial ischemia reperfusion (MI/R) group, and MI/R+ Art groups. To establish a MI/R model, rats were subjected to left anterior descending artery ischemia for 45 minutes, and then reperfusion for 2 hours. Hypoxia was induced in H9C2 cells by subjecting them to hypoxic conditions at 37 °C for 4 hours, before placing them in a normoxic chamber for 2 hours. The test methods were used in this test, such as echocardiography, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), HE staining, TUNEL staining, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, western blot, and CCK-8 assay. Results Art improved myocardial systolic function caused by MI/R injury in vivo. Simultaneously, Art reduced the levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnl), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and myohemoglobin (Mb) in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, Art inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. The focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/phosphatidylinositide-3 kinases (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway was also activated by Art in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, after inhibitor PF573228 was added, Art inhibited apoptosis in H9C2 cells via activation of the FAK/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in vitro. Conclusions This study confirms that Art alleviated MI/R injury and inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. Art exerted an inhibitory effect on cardiomyocyte apoptosis by activating the FAK/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Therefore, Art may serve as an alternative treatment for MI/R injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunyang Fan
- Department of Heart Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Deyin Zhang
- Department of Galactphore, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fuyun Liu
- Department of Pediatric Orthopaedic, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuqi Yang
- Department of Heart Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongliang Xu
- Department of Heart Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Ma X, Jiang Y, Wen J, Zhao Y, Zeng J, Guo Y. A comprehensive review of natural products to fight liver fibrosis: Alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, coumarins and other compounds. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 888:173578. [PMID: 32976828 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of drugs to treat liver fibrosis has long been a challenge over the past decades due to its complicated pathogenesis. As a primary approach for drug development, natural products account for 30% of clinical drugs used for disease treatment. Therefore, natural products are increasingly important for their medicinal value in liver fibrosis therapy. In this part of the review, special focus is placed on the effect and mechanism of natural compounds, including alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, coumarins and others. A total of 36 kinds of natural compounds demonstrate significant antifibrotic effects in various liver fibrosis models in vivo and in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro. Revealing the mechanism will provide further basis for clinical conversion, as well as accelerate drug discovery. The mechanism was further summarized with the finding of network regulation by several natural products, such as oxymatrine, paeoniflorin, ginsenoside Rg1 and taurine. Moreover, there are still improvements needed in investigating clinical efficacy, determining mechanisms, and combining applications, as well as semisynthesis and modification. Therefore, natural products area promising resource for agents that protect against liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Yinxiao Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Jianxia Wen
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China; Department of Pharmacy, Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Yanling Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Jinhao Zeng
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610072, China.
| | - Yaoguang Guo
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610072, China.
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Novel use for old drugs: The emerging role of artemisinin and its derivatives in fibrosis. Pharmacol Res 2020; 157:104829. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Chan YT, Wang N, Tan HY, Li S, Feng Y. Targeting Hepatic Stellate Cells for the Treatment of Liver Fibrosis by Natural Products: Is It the Dawning of a New Era? Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:548. [PMID: 32425789 PMCID: PMC7212390 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a progressive liver damage condition that is worth studying widely. It is important to target and alleviate the disease at an early stage before turning into later cirrhosis or liver cancer. There are currently no direct medicines targeting the attenuation or reversal of liver fibrosis, and so there is an urgent need to look into this area. Traditional Chinese Medicine has a long history in using herbal medicines to treat liver diseases including fibrosis. It is time to integrate the ancient wisdom with modern science and technology to look for the best solution to the disease. In this review, the principal concept of the pathology of liver fibrosis will be described, and then some of the single compounds isolated from herbal medicines, including salvianolic acids, oxymatrine, curcumin, tetrandrine, etc. will be discussed from their effects to the molecular mechanism behind. Molecular targets of the compounds are analyzed by network pharmacology approach, and TGFβ/SMAD was identified as the most common pathway. This review serves to summarize the current findings of herbal medicines combining with modern medicines in the area of fibrosis. It hopefully provides insights in further pharmaceutical research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yau-Tuen Chan
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Ning Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Hor Yue Tan
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Sha Li
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yibin Feng
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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13
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Wan Q, Chen H, Xiong G, Jiao R, Liu Y, Li X, Sun Y, Wang J, Yan L. Artesunate protects against surgery-induced knee arthrofibrosis by activating Beclin-1-mediated autophagy via inhibition of mTOR signaling. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 854:149-158. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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14
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Sun X, Huang X, Zhu X, Liu L, Mo S, Wang H, Wei X, Lu S, Bai F, Wang D, Lin X, Lin J. HBOA ameliorates CCl 4-incuded liver fibrosis through inhibiting TGF-β1/Smads, NF-κB and ERK signaling pathways. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 115:108901. [PMID: 31079002 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.108901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
An ingredient was isolated from Acanthus ilicifolius and identified as 4-hydroxy-2(3H)-benzoxazolone (HBOA). Its protective effects and underlying mechanism on liver fibrosis were investigated. Briefly, rats were intragastrically administrated with 50% CCl4 twice a week for 12 weeks to induce liver fibrosis. Meanwhile, the animals were treated with various medicines from weeks 8 to 12. Then the histological change, serum biochemical index, inflammatory factors and hepatocyte apoptosis were detected. Moreover, the TGF-β1/Smads, NF-κB and ERK signaling pathways were also detected to illustrate the underlying mechanism. The results showed that HBOA significantly ameliorated CCl4-induced liver injury and collagen accumulation in rats, as evidenced by the histopathologic improvement. Moreover, HBOA markedly decreased hepatocyte apoptosis by regulating the expression levels of caspase-3, -9 and -12, as well as the Bcl-2 family. The mechanism study showed that HBOA significantly decreased the expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen and inhibited the generation of excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) components by restoring the balance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and its inhibitor (TIMPs). HBOA markedly alleviated oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines through inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. In addition, HBOA significantly down-regulated the levels of TGF-β1, Smad2/3, Smad4 and up-regulated the level of Smad7, inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway. Moreover, HBOA significantly blocked the ERK signaling pathway, leading to the inactivation of hepatic stellate cells. This study suggests that HBOA exerts a protective effect against liver fibrosis via modulating the TGF-β1/Smads, NF-κB and ERK signaling pathways, which will be developed as a potential agent for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xiukun Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xunshuai Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Siyan Mo
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Hongyuan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xiugui Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Shunyu Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Facheng Bai
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Dandan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xing Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China.
| | - Jun Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China.
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Wei Y, Zhang X, Wen S, Huang S, Huang Q, Lu S, Bai F, Nie J, Wei J, Lu Z, Lin X. Methyl helicterate inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation through downregulating the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. J Cell Biochem 2019; 120:14936-14945. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.28756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Wei
- Life Sciences Institute and Pharmaceutical College Guangxi Medical University Nanning China
| | - Xiaolin Zhang
- Life Sciences Institute and Pharmaceutical College Guangxi Medical University Nanning China
| | - Shujuan Wen
- Life Sciences Institute and Pharmaceutical College Guangxi Medical University Nanning China
| | - Shaode Huang
- Pharmaceutical College Guangxi Agricultural Vocational College Nanning China
| | - Quanfang Huang
- Department of Pharmacy The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine Nanning China
| | - Shengjuan Lu
- Life Sciences Institute and Pharmaceutical College Guangxi Medical University Nanning China
| | - Facheng Bai
- Life Sciences Institute and Pharmaceutical College Guangxi Medical University Nanning China
| | - Jinlan Nie
- Life Sciences Institute and Pharmaceutical College Guangxi Medical University Nanning China
| | - Jinbin Wei
- Life Sciences Institute and Pharmaceutical College Guangxi Medical University Nanning China
| | - Zhongpeng Lu
- Department of Pharmacy The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine Nanning China
- Pharmaceutical College University of Arkansas Medical School Little Rock Arkansas
| | - Xing Lin
- Life Sciences Institute and Pharmaceutical College Guangxi Medical University Nanning China
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16
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Artemisinin and its derivatives: a potential therapeutic approach for oral lichen planus. Inflamm Res 2019; 68:297-310. [DOI: 10.1007/s00011-019-01216-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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Parvaresh Anbar A, Piran T, Farhadi M, Karimi P. Iranian crack induces hepatic injury through mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in the liver of Wistar rat. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2018; 21:1179-1185. [PMID: 30483393 PMCID: PMC6251400 DOI: 10.22038/ijbms.2018.23543.5930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Iranian crack (IC) is a heroin-based substance manifesting various pathologic side effects. Herein, we aimed to investigate the mechanism of IC-induced liver injuries in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: control, and IC (0.9 mg/kg/day/IP, for 30 days). Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured by DCF fluorescence staining. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (c-JNK) were assessed by immunoblotting assay. The intensity of collagen fiber in the liver was also determined by Trichrome-Masson staining. Furthermore, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were measured using colorimetric methods. Results Our results showed that ROS production, p38 MAPK, c-JNK phosphorylation levels, and expression of TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly elevated in the liver tissue of IC group as compared to the control group. Moreover, collagen fiber and ALT activity were increased in the liver tissue of IC group compared to the control group. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the levels of ALP between two groups. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the intensity of collagen fiber and the ALT activity, and the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β and liver enzymes activities including ALP, ALT, and AST. Conclusion Our findings revealed that IC-induced liver cells injury is partially mediated by MAPK stress kinases. Therefore, regular liver examination in substance abuse is strongly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tayyebeh Piran
- Higher Academic Education Institute of Rab-e Rashid, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Farhadi
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Pouran Karimi
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Artesunate alleviates liver fibrosis by regulating ferroptosis signaling pathway. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 109:2043-2053. [PMID: 30551460 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.11.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a progression of chronic liver disease, which lacks effective therapies in the world. Attractively, more and more evidences show that natural products are safe and effective in the prevention and treatment of hepatic fibrosis. Artesunate, a water-soluble hemisuccinate derivative of artemisinin, exerts various pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and immunomodulating abilities. However, the effects of artesunate on hepatic fibrosis are little-known. Here our study was performed to investigate the effect of artesunate on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced mouse liver fibrosis and elucidate whether artesunate could alleviate liver fibrosis by regulating ferritinophagy- mediated ferroptosis in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Firstly, our results demonstrated that artesunate treatment could induce activated HSC ferroptosis in fibrotic livers. Moreover, primary HSCs isolated from different animal groups were cultured to detect biomarkers of ferroptosis including iron, lipid peroxidation, glutathione (GSH) and prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2 (ptgs2) levels. The results revealed that artesunate remarkably promoted ferroptosis of activated HSCs. Furthermore, consistent with the experimental results in vivo, the data in vitro still indicated that artesunate treatment markedly induced ferroptosis in activated HSCs, which mainly embodied as declined cell vitality, increased cell death rate, accumulated iron, elevated lipid peroxides and reduced antioxidant capacity. Conversely, inhibition of ferroptosis by deferoxamine (DFO) completely abolished artesunate-induced anti-fibrosis effect. Surprisingly, artesunate also evidently triggered ferritinophagy accompanied by up-regulation of LC3 (microtubule-associated protein light chain 3), Atg3, Atg5, Atg6/beclin1, Atg12 (autophagy related genes) and down-regulation of p62, FTH1 (ferritin heavy chain), NCOA4 (nuclear receptor co-activator 4) in activated HSCs. Nevertheless, depletion of ferritinophagy by specific inhibitor lysosomal lumen alkalizer-chloroquine (CQ) inhibited artesunate-induced ferroptosis and anti-fibrosis function. These results suggested that ferritinophagy-mediated HSC ferroptosis was responsible for artesunate-induced anti-fibrosis efficacy, which provided new clues for further pharmacological study of artesunate.
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Wan Q, Chen H, Li X, Yan L, Sun Y, Wang J. Artesunate inhibits fibroblasts proliferation and reduces surgery-induced epidural fibrosis via the autophagy-mediated p53/p21 waf1/cip1 pathway. Eur J Pharmacol 2018; 842:197-207. [PMID: 30391745 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.10.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblast proliferation is considered to be a major cause in the process of epidural fibrosis formation. Autophagy is a tightly-regulated catabolic process in charge of degrading intracellular components. Although autophagy has been associated with fibrosis of different tissues, the effect of autophagy on epidural fibrosis is still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the function and mechanism of autophagy induced by Artesunate (ART), a classical antimalarial agent extracted from the Chinese medicinal herb. In vitro, the effect of ART on inducing fibroblast autophagy was evaluated via LC3 immunofluorescent staining, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and western blotting analysis. Moreover, the effect of ART on inhibiting fibroblast proliferation was investigated by CCK-8 assay, EdU incorporation assay, flow cytometry and western blotting analysis. Results indicated that ART could induce autophagy and inhibit proliferation in fibroblasts. The inhibitory effect of ART on fibroblast proliferation was associated with the upregulation of p53 and p21waf1/cip1 proteins. Intriguingly, 3-MA, a classical autophagy inhibitor, attenuated ART-induced p53/p21waf1/cip1 pathway activation and fibroblast proliferation inhibition. In vivo, the effect of ART on reducing epidural fibrosis was detected by histological macroscopic assessment, hydroxyproline content analysis, histological and immunohistochemical staining. The results revealed that ART had significant suppressive effects on epidural fibrosis following laminectomy in rats. In conclusion, this research demonstrated that ART could inhibit fibroblast proliferation and reduce epidural fibrosis formation after laminectomy, and the potential mechanism might through autophagy cascade-mediated p53/p21waf1/cip1 pathway. It might provide a novel reagent for reducing epidural fibrosis after spinal laminectomy surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wan
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Institute, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, China
| | - Xiaolei Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Institute, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, China
| | - Lianqi Yan
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Institute, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Institute, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, China.
| | - Jingcheng Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Institute, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, China.
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Lv J, Bai R, Wang L, Gao J, Zhang H. Artesunate may inhibit liver fibrosis via the FAK/Akt/β-catenin pathway in LX-2 cells. BMC Pharmacol Toxicol 2018; 19:64. [PMID: 30326962 PMCID: PMC6192352 DOI: 10.1186/s40360-018-0255-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An increasing number of studies are investigating the effects of Chinese medicine on hepatic fibrosis, but only few studies have examined the anti-fibrogenic properties of Artesunate (ART). The aim of the present study was to explore the anti-fibrotic effects of ART on LX-2 cells, the human HSC cell line, and to determine potential molecular mechanisms via the focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/ protein kinase B (Akt)/ β-catenin pathway. METHODS LX-2 cells were stimulated with different concentration of ART (0, 12.5, 25 and 50 μg/ml) for 12, 24, 48 or 72 h, their proliferation was analyzed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. LX-2 cells were treated with different doses of ART (0, 12.5, 25 and 50 μg/ml) for 24 h, their apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry, the levels of mRNAs encoding collagen I or α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and the levels of key proteins in the FAK/Akt/β-catenin signaling pathway were assessed by western blotting. Specific inhibitors of FAK were added to the LX-2 cells cultures to explore the potential signaling. RESULTS Exposing LX-2 cells to ART efficiently inhibited their proliferation, significantly promoted early apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, and markedly downregulated the mRNA expression of α-SMA and collagen I. In addition, ART, similar to FAK inhibitor PF562271 significantly inhibited the FAK/Akt/β-catenin signaling pathway by reducing the levels of phosphorylated FAK, Akt and GSK-3β. CONCLUSIONS Our present study shows that ART could regulate the proliferation, apoptosis and activation of LX-2. Meanwhile, the anti-fibrogenic mechanisms of ART was correlated with FAK/Akt/β-catenin pathway. Future research should verify and extend these findings, as well as explore other molecules and therefore serve as useful therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Lv
- Department of Pharmacy, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruidan Bai
- Department of Pharmacy, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiefang Gao
- Department of Pharmacy, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China.
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Sui M, Jiang X, Chen J, Yang H, Zhu Y. Magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate ameliorates liver fibrosis and hepatic stellate cell activation by regulating ferroptosis signaling pathway. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 106:125-133. [PMID: 29957462 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.06.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis is recently reported as a new mode of regulated cell death. It is triggered by disturbed redox homeostasis, overloaded iron and increased lipid peroxidation. Howerver, the role of ferroptosis in hepatic fibrosis remains obscure. In the current study, we attempted to investigate the effect of Magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate (MgIG) on ferroptosis in liver fibrosis, and to further clarify the possible mechanisms. Our data showed that MgIG treatment markedly attenuated liver injury and reduced fibrotic scar formation in the rat model of liver fibrosis. Moreover, experiments in vitro also confirmed that MgIG treatment significantly decreased expression of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation markers. Interestingly, HSCs treated by MgIG presented morphological features of ferroptosis. Furthermore, MgIG treatment remarkably induced HSC ferroptosis by promoting the accumulation of iron and lipid peroxides, whereas inhibition of ferroptosis by specific inhibitor ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) completely abolished MgIG-induced anti-fibrosis effect. More importantly, our results determined that heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was in the upstream position of MgIG-induced HSC ferroptosis. Conversely, HO-1 knockdown by siRNA evidently blocked MgIG-induced HSC ferroptosis and in turn exacerbated liver fibrosis. Overall, our research revealed that HO-1 mediated HSC ferroptosis was necessary for MgIG to ameliorate CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Sui
- Xuzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Xuzhou 221009, China
| | - Xiaofei Jiang
- Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Xuzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Xuzhou 221009, China.
| | - Haiyan Yang
- Xuzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Xuzhou 221009, China
| | - Yan Zhu
- Xuzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Xuzhou 221009, China
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Bai F, Huang Q, Wei J, Lv S, Chen Y, Liang C, Wei L, Lu Z, Lin X. Gypsophila elegans isoorientin-2″-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl ameliorates porcine serum-induced immune liver fibrosis by inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway and suppressing HSC activation. Int Immunopharmacol 2018; 54:60-67. [PMID: 29107862 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2017.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The present study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of Gypsophila elegans isoorientin-2″-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl (GEI) on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), to reveal the underlying mechanism of GEI against hepatic fibrosis. Our study showed that GEI significantly alleviated liver injury induced by porcine serum (PS) in rats; it notably alleviated collagen accumulation as evidenced by a significant decrease in the levels of collagen biomarkers including hyaluronic acid, laminin, hydroxyproline and procollagen III N-terminal peptide. Moreover, GEI treatment markedly decreased the secretion of inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway and significantly inhibited the generation of excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) components by restoring the balance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Additionally, the cell experiments in vitro showed that GEI strongly inhibited HSC proliferation, migration and clonogenicity and markedly induced HSC apoptosis. Moreover, GEI caused cell cycle arrest at G2 phase. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that GEI significantly alleviates PS-induced hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, restoring the balance between MMPs and TIMPs, and suppressing HSC activation.
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Effects of Artesunate prevent nephritis via the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway in rats. Mol Med Rep 2017; 16:6389-6395. [DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.7362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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Liu Y, Huang G, Mo B, Wang C. Artesunate ameliorates lung fibrosis via inhibiting the Notch signaling pathway. Exp Ther Med 2017; 14:561-566. [PMID: 28672967 PMCID: PMC5488411 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.4573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to determine the underlying molecular mechanism of the antifibrotic effect of artesunate in pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Primary lung fibroblasts were isolated from the lung tissues of rats, and treated with artesunate (8 µg/ml) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 (5 ng/ml). For in vivo experiments, the rats were administered bleomycin intratracheally, followed by daily intraperitoneal artesunate injections for 27 days. Western blotting, and immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining were used to assess the expression of key components of the Notch signaling pathway, including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type IV collagen. Artesunate (8 µg/ml) was identified to inhibit TGF-β1-induced α-SMA and collagen protein expression, and repress the Notch signaling pathway, in primary lung fibroblasts. Downregulation of α-SMA and collagen by artesunate was associated with inhibition of the Notch signaling pathway. The daily intraperitoneal injection of artesunate (1 mg/kg) in rats was determined to inhibit bleomycin-induced overexpression of α-SMA and type IV collagen proteins, and inhibit the Notch signaling pathway, in lung tissues. In conclusion, the results of the current study indicate that artesunate inhibits the TGF-β1-induced differentiation of rat primary lung fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and ameliorates bleomycin-induced PF. In addition, the results of the present study suggest that the underlying molecular mechanism for these effects of artesunate is repression of the Notch signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujuan Liu
- Division of Respiratory Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541001, P.R. China
| | - Guojin Huang
- Division of Respiratory Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541001, P.R. China
| | - Biwen Mo
- Division of Respiratory Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541001, P.R. China
| | - Changming Wang
- Division of Respiratory Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541001, P.R. China
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The Potential Therapeutic Effects of Artesunate on Stroke and Other Central Nervous System Diseases. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:1489050. [PMID: 28116289 PMCID: PMC5223005 DOI: 10.1155/2016/1489050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Artesunate is an important agent for cerebral malaria and all kinds of other severe malaria because it is highly efficient, lowly toxic, and well-tolerated. Loads of research pointed out that it had widespread pharmacological activities such as antiparasites, antitumor, anti-inflammation, antimicrobes activities. As we know, the occurrence and development of neurological disorders usually refer to intricate pathophysiologic mechanisms and multiple etiopathogenesis. Recent progress has also demonstrated that drugs with single mechanism and serious side-effects are not likely the candidates for treatment of the neurological disorders. Therefore, the pluripotent action of artesunate may result in it playing an important role in the prevention and treatment of these neurological disorders. This review provides an overview of primary pharmacological mechanism of artesunate and its potential therapeutic effects on neurological disorders. Meanwhile, we also briefly summarize the primary mechanisms of artemisinin and its derivatives. We hope that, with the evidence presented in this review, the effect of artesunate in prevention and curing for neurological disorders can be further explored and studied in the foreseeable future.
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Wu YB, Zhang L, Li WT, Yang Y, Zhao JM. Artesunate restores spatial learning of rats with hepatic encephalopathy by inhibiting ammonia-induced oxidative damage in neurons and dysfunction of glutamate signaling in astroglial cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2016; 84:972-978. [PMID: 27764760 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.09.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Revised: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Artesunate (ART) is an antimalarial drug with potential anti-inflammatory effect. This study aimed to explore the potential protective role of ART in hepatic encephalopathy (HE), involving its function against ammonia toxicity. METHODS HE rats were induced by the administration of thioacetamide (TAA, 300mg/kg/day). Spatial learning ability was tested in both Morris water and eight-arm radial maze. Rat cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) were prepared for ammonia treatment in vitro, in line with SH-SY5Y and C6 cells. ART was administrated at 50 or 100mg/kg/day in vivo or added at 50 or 100μM in vitro. Oxidative damages were evaluated by the changes of cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and glutathione (GSH) content, while glutamate uptake and release, and the activities of glutamine synthetase (GS) and Na+K+-ATPase were measured to indicate the dysfunction of glutamate signaling. RESULTS Decreased escape latency and increased numbers of working errors were observed in TAA-induced HE rats, which could be significantly restored by ART at a dosage-dependent manner. Decreased cell viability and GSH content and increased ROS accumulation were detected in ammonia-treated SH-SY5Y and CGNs, while ammonia-treated C6 cells showed reduced glutamate uptake, increased glutamate release, and decrease of GSH content, GS and Na+K+-ATPase activity. In contrast, ART, especially at 100μM, strongly reversed all changes induced by ammonia, showing a similar dosage-dependent manner in vitro. CONCLUSION This study revealed a new neuroprotective role of ART in the pathogenesis of HE, by protecting neurons and astroglial cells from ammonia-induced damages and dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Bo Wu
- Department of Neurology, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, HeFei 230001, Anhui Province, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, HeFei 230001, Anhui Province, China
| | - Wen-Ting Li
- Department of Infectious Disease, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, HeFei 230001, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Neurology, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, HeFei 230001, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jiang-Ming Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, HeFei 230001, Anhui Province, China.
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Artesunate attenuates unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced renal fibrosis by regulating the expressions of bone morphogenetic protein-7 and uterine sensitization-associated gene-1 in rats. Int Urol Nephrol 2016; 48:619-29. [DOI: 10.1007/s11255-016-1232-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Lai L, Chen Y, Tian X, Li X, Zhang X, Lei J, Bi Y, Fang B, Song X. Artesunate alleviates hepatic fibrosis induced by multiple pathogenic factors and inflammation through the inhibition of LPS/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2015; 765:234-41. [PMID: 26318197 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.08.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Revised: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The current study was performed in order to explore the effect of artesunate (Art) on experimental hepatic fibrosis and the potential mechanism involved. Art, a water-soluble hemisuccinate derivative of artemisinin extracted from the Chinese herb Artemisia Annua, is a safe and effective antimalarial drug. Hepatic fibrosis was induced in SD rats by multiple pathogenic factors. Rats were treated concurrently with Art (28.8 mg/kg) given daily by oral gavage for 6 or 8 weeks to evaluate its protective effects. Our data demonstrated that Art treatment obviously attenuated hepatic fibrosis, characterized by less inflammatory infiltration and accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Art remarkably decreased endotoxin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels as well. Art significantly downregulated protein and mRNA expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1). Art also significantly inhibited the nuclear transcription factor kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65) translocation into the nucleus. In addition, there were no remarkable differences between the N group and the NA group. In conclusion, we found that Art could alleviate hepatic fibrosis induced by multiple pathogenic factors and inflammation through the inhibition of LPS/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in rats, suggesting that Art may be a potential candidate for the therapy of hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Lai
- Department of Pharmacology, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi 046000, China
| | - Yunxia Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi 046000, China
| | - Xiaoxia Tian
- Department of Pathophysiology, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi 046000, China
| | - Xujiong Li
- Department of Physiology, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi 046000, China
| | - Xiaojing Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi 046000, China
| | - Jingwen Lei
- Department of Pharmacology, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi 046000, China
| | - Yanghui Bi
- Undergraduate of Clinical Medicine Department, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi 046000, China
| | - Buwu Fang
- Department of Pharmacology, Tianjin Medical University, TianJin 300070, China
| | - Xiaoliang Song
- Department of Pharmacology, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi 046000, China.
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