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Wang W, Chen H, Zhang W, Fan D, Deng J, Yang H. Ginsenoside Rk3 Ameliorates Obesity-Induced Colitis by Modulating Lipid Metabolism in C57BL/6 Mice. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:2997-3007. [PMID: 38300824 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c08253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Lipid metabolism is closely related to obesity and its complications. Our previous study found that ginsenoside Rk3 (Rk3), a natural bioactive substance derived from ginseng, can effectively alleviate obesity-induced colitis, while its impact on the improvement of the lipid metabolism disorder remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that Rk3 significantly alleviated inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid dysregulation in high-fat diet-induced colitis C57BL/6 mice. The potential mechanism by which Rk3 mitigated colon inflammation in the context of obesity may involve the modulation of polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism with specific attention to n-6 fatty acids, linoleic acid, and arachidonic acid. Rk3 intervention markedly reduced the production of pro-inflammatory factors (PGE2, PGD2, TXB2, HETE, and HODE) by inhibiting cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways, while enhancing the production of anti-inflammatory factors (EET and diHOME) via cytochrome P450 pathways. Our findings suggest that Rk3 is a potential anti-inflammatory natural drug that can improve obesity-induced intestinal inflammation by regulating lipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Wang
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Hongwei Chen
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Degradable Biomedical Materials, Shaanxi R&D Center of Biomaterials and Fermentation Engineering, Biotech & Biomed Research Institute, School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Wenyuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Daidi Fan
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Degradable Biomedical Materials, Shaanxi R&D Center of Biomaterials and Fermentation Engineering, Biotech & Biomed Research Institute, School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Jianjun Deng
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Degradable Biomedical Materials, Shaanxi R&D Center of Biomaterials and Fermentation Engineering, Biotech & Biomed Research Institute, School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Haixia Yang
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
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Yang M, Mao L, Yang X, Xu X, Tang C, Wei W, Chen J. Ginsenoside compound K exerts anti-inflammatory effects through transcriptional activation and transcriptional inhibition of glucocorticoid receptor in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 125:111080. [PMID: 37883815 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Ginsenoside compound K (GCK) has anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects, and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) has been considered as its potential target. But the mechanism by which GCK exerts its anti-inflammatory effects after GR activation remains unclear. In this study, molecular docking, isothermal titration calorimetry, siRNA of GR and GRA458T mutation were used to confirm the anti-inflammatory mechanism of GCK targeting GR in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). The results showed that the key binding sites of GR and GCK were identified as ASN564, MET560 and ASN638, with binding levels at the μm level. In addition, the inhibitory effect of GCK on the proliferation of FLS and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1β) were mediated by transcriptional activation of GR, but on the migration, invasion, and TNF-α secretion of FLS were mediated by transcriptional inhibition of GR. These actions exert anti-inflammatory effects through indirect and direct inhibition of NF-κB transcriptional activity, respectively. In conclusion, this study elucidates that GCK can directly bind to and activate GR. Furthermore, after activation, GR mediates the anti-inflammatory effects of GCK through two mechanisms: transcriptional activation and transcriptional inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Yang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Anti-inflammatory Immune Drugs Collaborative Innovation Center, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Lijuan Mao
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Anti-inflammatory Immune Drugs Collaborative Innovation Center, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Xingyue Yang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Anti-inflammatory Immune Drugs Collaborative Innovation Center, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Xiujin Xu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Anti-inflammatory Immune Drugs Collaborative Innovation Center, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Caihong Tang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Anti-inflammatory Immune Drugs Collaborative Innovation Center, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Anti-inflammatory Immune Drugs Collaborative Innovation Center, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China.
| | - Jingyu Chen
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Anti-inflammatory Immune Drugs Collaborative Innovation Center, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China.
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Shoaib RM, Ahsan MZ, Akhtar U, Ahmad KA, Ali U, Deng MY, Li XY, Wang YX. Ginsenoside Rb1, a principal effective ingredient of Panax notoginseng, produces pain antihypersensitivity by spinal microglial dynorphin A expression. Neurosci Res 2023; 188:75-87. [PMID: 36368461 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2022.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Panax notoginseng (Chinese ginseng, Sanqi), one of the major ginseng species, has been traditionally used to alleviate different types of chronic pain. The raw P. notoginseng powder is commonly available in China as a non-prescription drug to treat various aliments including arthritic pain. However, strong scientific evidence is needed to illustrate its pain antihypersensitive effects, effective ingredients and mechanism of action. The oral P. notoginseng powder dose-dependently alleviated formalin-induced tonic hyperalgesia, and its total ginsenosides remarkably inhibited neuropathic pain hypersensitivity. Ginsenoside Rb1, the most abundant ginsenoside of P. notoginseng, dose-dependently produced neuropathic pain antihypersensitivity. Conversely, ginsenosides Rg1, Re and notoginseng R1, the other major saponins from P. notoginseng, failed to inhibit formalin-induced tonic pain or mechanical allodynia in neuropathic pain. Ginsenoside Rb1 metabolites ginsenosides Rg3, Compound-K and protopanaxadiol also had similar antineuropathic pain efficacy to ginsenoside Rb1. Additionally, intrathecal ginsenoside Rb1 specifically stimulated dynorphin A expression which was colocalized with microglia but not neurons or astrocytes in the spinal dorsal horn and primary cultured cells. Pretreatment with microglial metabolic inhibitor minocycline, dynorphin A antiserum and specific κ-opioid receptor antagonist GNTI completely blocked Rb1-induced mechanical antiallodynia in neuropathic pain. Furthermore, the specific glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist Dex-21-mesylate (but not GPR30 estrogen receptor antagonist G15) also entirely attenuated ginsenoside Rb1-related antineuropathic pain effects. All these results, for the first time, show that P. notoginseng alleviates neuropathic pain and ginsenoside Rb1 is its principal effective ingredient. Furthermore, ginsenoside Rb1 inhibits neuropathic pain by stimulation of spinal microglial dynorphin A expression following GR activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Muhammad Shoaib
- King's Lab, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Pharmacy, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | | | - Usman Akhtar
- Department of Pharmacy, Forman Christian College, A Chartered University, Zahoor Elahi Road, Gulberg III, Lahore, Punjab 54600, Pakistan
| | - Khalil Ali Ahmad
- King's Lab, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Pharmacy, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Usman Ali
- Department of Pharmacology, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Men-Yan Deng
- King's Lab, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Pharmacy, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xin-Yan Li
- King's Lab, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Pharmacy, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yong-Xiang Wang
- King's Lab, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Pharmacy, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China.
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Chang SR, Liu JG, Li H, Liu MX, Shi DD, Zhou LJ. Pharmaceutical and pharmacological studies of Shen Ma Yi Zhi granule for prevention of vascular dementia: A review. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1044572. [PMID: 36507350 PMCID: PMC9731835 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1044572] [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: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: With dementia significantly increasing hospitalization and disability rates, worldwide aging of the population presents major challenges to public health. The majority of cases of cognitive dysfunction among the elderly, however, are characterized by an identifiable, preventable and treatable vascular component. As such, increased study of preventative methods in the context of dementia is warranted. Traditional Chinese medicine compounds have been reported to be neuroprotective and improve cognitive function via a variety of mechanisms. Shen Ma Yi Zhi granule (SMYZG) is one such collection of compounds that has been proven clinically effective. Pharmacological mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics and clinical applications of SMYZG have been previously studied using a variety of vascular dementia animal models. SMYZG activates and regulates four main signaling pathways relevant to vascular dementia including the AMPK/PPARα/PGC-1α/UCP2, Nrf2/HO-1, HIF-1/VEGF/Notch, and VEGF/Flk-1/p8 MAPK pathways. Furthermore, SMYZG influences anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant stress responses, reverses demyelination of brain white matter and vascular endothelium, regulates pericyte function and normalizes mitochondrial metabolism. Neuroprotective effects of SMYZG, as well as those promoting regeneration of vascular endothelium, have also been reported in studies of rat models of vascular dementia. Future research concerning SMYG is warranted for development of vascular dementia preventative management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-rui Chang
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China,Graduate School, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-gang Liu
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China,National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Cardiology, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Jian-gang Liu,
| | - Hao Li
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China,Institute of Geriatrics of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China,Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China,Hao Li,
| | - Mei-xia Liu
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China,Institute of Geriatrics of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dan-dan Shi
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China,Institute of Geriatrics of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li-juan Zhou
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China,Institute of Geriatrics of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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Liang Y, Zhang T, Zhao J, Li C, Zou H, Li F, Zhang J, Ren L. Glucocorticoid receptor-mediated alleviation of inflammation by berberine: in vitro, in silico and in vivo investigations. Food Funct 2021; 12:11974-11986. [PMID: 34747965 DOI: 10.1039/d1fo01612a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
As a natural dietary ingredient, berberine possesses multiple biological activities including anti-inflammatory effects. In this work, glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-mediated alleviation of inflammation by berberine was investigated by a combination of in vitro, in silico, and in vivo approaches. The fluorescence polarization assay showed that berberine bound to GR with an IC50 value of 9.14 ± 0.16 pM. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation suggested that berberine bound stably to the active site of GR via hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Berberine induced GR nuclear translocation but did not activate the glucocorticoid response element in HeLa cells. Furthermore, both gene and protein expressions of PEPCK were significantly attenuated by berberine in HepG2 cells. Interestingly, berberine downregulated CBG mRNA and protein levels without up-regulating TAT mRNA and protein levels in HepG2 cells, demonstrating its dissociated characteristics that could separate transrepression from transactivation. In addition, the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of berberine were confirmed in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 cells and in a mouse model of allergic contact dermatitis, respectively. In conclusion, berberine might serve as a potential selective GR modulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
| | - Tiehua Zhang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
| | - Jingqi Zhao
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
| | - Chenfei Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
| | - Haoyang Zou
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
| | - Fangyu Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
| | - Jie Zhang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
| | - Li Ren
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
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6
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Leng Y, Sun Y, Lv C, Li Z, Yuan C, Zhang J, Li T, Wang Y. Characterization of β-Sitosterol for Potential Selective GR Modulation. Protein Pept Lett 2021; 28:276-281. [PMID: 32798371 DOI: 10.2174/0929866527666200813204833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although glucocorticoids (GCs) are characterized as powerful agents to treat inflammatory afflictions, they are accompanied by metabolic side effects which limit their usage. β-Sitosterol, as a minor component found in extraction of vegetable oil, was reported to have anti-inflammatory effects in RAW 264.7 cells. OBJECTIVE To test whether β-sitosterol has an effect to dissociate transrepression from transactivation as a selective novel GR binder, this work evaluated the dissociated characteristics of β-sitosterol. METHODS The probable binding interaction between β-sitosterol and GR was explored by molecular docking. The GR transcriptional activity of β-sitosterol was assessed in the reporter gene assay. The ability of β-sitosterol to modulate the transactivation and transrepression of GR was evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR analysis. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION In the present study, β-sitosterol treatment cannot induce GR-mediated transactivation. β-Sitosterol exerted a potential to inhibited the expression of GR target transrepressed gene without activating the expression of GR transactivation dependent gene. Molecular docking demonstrated that β-Sitosterol was able to bind the ligand binding domain of GR but unable to induce GR activation. CONCLUSION This work offers evidence that β-sitosterol may serve as a selective GR modulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Leng
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Yonghai Sun
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Chengyu Lv
- Institute of Agro-Food Technology, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130033, Jilin, China
| | - Zhuolin Li
- Institute of Agro-Food Technology, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130033, Jilin, China
| | - Cuiping Yuan
- Institute of Agro-Food Technology, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130033, Jilin, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Institute of Agro-Food Technology, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130033, Jilin, China
| | - Tiezhu Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Yongjun Wang
- Institute of Agro-Food Technology, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130033, Jilin, China
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Zhang J, Zhao J, Sun Y, Liang Y, Zhao J, Zou H, Zhang T, Ren L. GR-mediated anti-inflammation of α-boswellic acid: Insights from in vitro and in silico studies. Food Chem Toxicol 2021; 155:112379. [PMID: 34197882 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Although multiple bioactivities of α-boswellic acid have been reported, the molecular mechanism of its anti-inflammatory action is not yet clear. Hence, glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-mediated anti-inflammation of α-boswellic acid was investigated in this work. Fluorescence polarization assay suggested that α-boswellic acid bound to GR with IC50 value of 658.00 ± 0.21 μM. Upon binding to α-boswellic acid, GR translocated from cytoplasm into nucleus of HeLa cells, facilitating sequential transcriptional regulation of GR-related genes. Luciferase reporter assay suggested that α-boswellic acid lacked GR transcriptional activity, indicating its potential as a dissociative GR ligand. Interestingly, α-boswellic acid selectively modulated the anti-inflammatory gene CBG (marker for GR transrepression), while leaving the "side-effect" gene TAT (marker for GR transactivation) unaffected in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, α-boswellic acid inhibited lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cytokines production in U937 macrophages, confirming its anti-inflammation property in vitro. Molecular docking showed that both hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic interactions helped to stabilize α-boswellic acid-GR binding. Their binding stability was further confirmed in a 70-ns dynamics simulation. In summary, α-boswellic acid could bind to and translocate GR but did not induce glucocorticoid response element-mediated transcription. Since α-boswellic acid showed the dissociated characteristic that separated transrepression from transactivation, it might be a selective GR modulator against inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Jiarui Zhao
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Yantong Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Yuan Liang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Jingqi Zhao
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Haoyang Zou
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Tiehua Zhang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Li Ren
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
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Ginsenoside compound K- a potential drug for rheumatoid arthritis. Pharmacol Res 2021; 166:105498. [PMID: 33609698 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease, if prescription of effective delayed, the articular disturbances may lead to disability. Ginsenoside compound K (GCK) is the main degradation product of oral ginsenosides in the human intestine. Numerous researches in vitro and in vivo have recorded the anti-arthritic effect of GCK, we discuss the mechanisms from the following three aspects, including anti-inflammatory, immune-regulatory, and bone-protective, respectively, in this review, and the anti-arthritic mechanism of GCK may be related to the effect on TNF-α-TNFR2, glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and β-arrestin1/2. We also describe the anti-anemia effect of GCK to open the possibility that GCK can be used as an effective disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD).
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He M, Halima M, Xie Y, Schaaf MJM, Meijer AH, Wang M. Ginsenoside Rg1 Acts as a Selective Glucocorticoid Receptor Agonist with Anti-Inflammatory Action without Affecting Tissue Regeneration in Zebrafish Larvae. Cells 2020; 9:cells9051107. [PMID: 32365641 PMCID: PMC7290513 DOI: 10.3390/cells9051107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are effective anti-inflammatory drugs, but their clinical use is complicated due to the wide range of side effects they induce. Patients requiring glucocorticoid therapy would benefit from more selective glucocorticoid receptor (GR) agonists, capable of attenuating the immune response without causing these side effects. Ginsenosides, such as the compound Rg1, are natural plant compounds with structural similarity to classical glucocorticoids and well-documented anti-inflammatory effects. Here, we have investigated the activity of the ginsenoside Rg1 using a zebrafish larval model, in which amputation of the tail fin allows us to assess drug effects on inflammation, while the ability to regenerate the wounded tissue serves as a readout for side effects. We found that Rg1 attenuates neutrophilic inflammation at the amputation site, similarly to a classical glucocorticoid, beclomethasone. Mutation of the Gr abolishes this anti-inflammatory effect of Rg1. Rg1 and beclomethasone differentially modulate gene expression, suggesting that Rg1 induces transrepression, but not transactivation, activity of Gr. Interestingly, we found no effect of Rg1 on tissue regeneration, whereas beclomethasone inhibits tissue regeneration entirely. We conclude that Rg1 is a promising candidate for development as a selective glucocorticoid drug, and that zebrafish larvae provide a useful model system for screening of such GR agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min He
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, 2333CC Leiden, The Netherlands; (M.H.); (M.H.); (Y.X.)
- Leiden University—European Center for Chinese Medicine, Leiden University, 2333CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mahmoud Halima
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, 2333CC Leiden, The Netherlands; (M.H.); (M.H.); (Y.X.)
- Leiden University—European Center for Chinese Medicine, Leiden University, 2333CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Yufei Xie
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, 2333CC Leiden, The Netherlands; (M.H.); (M.H.); (Y.X.)
| | - Marcel J. M. Schaaf
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, 2333CC Leiden, The Netherlands; (M.H.); (M.H.); (Y.X.)
- Correspondence: (M.J.M.S.); (A.H.M.); (M.W.)
| | - Annemarie H. Meijer
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, 2333CC Leiden, The Netherlands; (M.H.); (M.H.); (Y.X.)
- Correspondence: (M.J.M.S.); (A.H.M.); (M.W.)
| | - Mei Wang
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, 2333CC Leiden, The Netherlands; (M.H.); (M.H.); (Y.X.)
- Leiden University—European Center for Chinese Medicine, Leiden University, 2333CC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: (M.J.M.S.); (A.H.M.); (M.W.)
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Herbal Active Ingredients: An Emerging Potential for the Prevention and Treatment of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:1340153. [PMID: 32090065 PMCID: PMC7013308 DOI: 10.1155/2020/1340153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common subtype of differentiated thyroid cancers in Asian coastal cities, where the patients have increased risk of potentially high or excessive iodine intake. Given the high metastasis and recurrence of patients with BRAFV600E mutation, the mortality rate of thyroid cancer has recently shown an upward trend. A variety of therapies, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, have been used to treat thyroid cancer, but these therapies still have limitations, including postoperative complications, drug resistance, poor efficacy, or serious side effects. Recent studies have shown the potential of active ingredients derived from herbal medicine in inhibiting PTC via various cell signaling pathways. Some plant-derived compounds, such as apigenin, genistein, and curcumin, are also known to prevent and treat PTC. This article summarizes the recent advances in the structure-functional impact of anti-PTC active ingredients and their effects on PTC cells and tumor microenvironments with an emphasis on their challenges from basic research to clinical practice.
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Liu Y, Deng J, Fan D. Ginsenoside Rk3 ameliorates high-fat-diet/streptozocin induced type 2 diabetes mellitus in mice via the AMPK/Akt signaling pathway. Food Funct 2020; 10:2538-2551. [PMID: 30993294 DOI: 10.1039/c9fo00095j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Ginsenoside Rk3 (G-Rk3) is a main active ingredient of ginsenosides. Several recent studies demonstrated that ginsenosides have potential anti-type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) properties. To evaluate the anti-T2DM effect of G-Rk3 and verify its potential mechanism, a high-fat-diet/streptozocin (HFD/STZ) induced model of T2DM in C57BL/6 mice and a high glucose induced insulin resistance model of HepG2 cells were applied in this research. Our analysis indicated that G-Rk3 reduced HFD/STZ induced hyperglycemia, and serum insulin and inflammation levels, and ameliorated glucose tolerance and insulin resistance, and prevented liver histological changes. Furthermore, it also significantly reduced lipid accumulation as shown by lower TG, LDL-C and TC serum concentrations and Oil Red O staining in liver tissues. The hypoglycemic effect of G-Rk3 seemed to be partially mediated via the inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis, which was supported by the activated p-Akt, p-FoxO1 and GLUT2 and inhibited FoxO1, PEPCK and G6pase protein expressions in the liver as well as increased glucose uptake in high glucose induced HepG2 cells. The gene expressions of hepatic gluconeogenesis were also down-regulated by G-Rk3 in HFD/STZ induced T2DM mice. In addition, G-Rk3 suppressed HFD/STZ induced lipid accumulation by regulating related gene and protein expressions such as p-ACC, FAS and SREBP-1, which are the downstream targets of AMPK. AMPK and Akt inhibitors significantly reversed G-Rk3 mediated hepatic gluconeogenesis and lipid accumulation. Thus, our study is the first to illustrate that G-Rk3 mediates hepatic gluconeogenesis and lipid accumulation via activating the AMPK/Akt signaling pathway in HFD/STZ induced T2DM mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Liu
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Degradable Biomedical Materials, School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, 229 North Taibai Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China.
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Williams S, Ghosh C. Neurovascular glucocorticoid receptors and glucocorticoids: implications in health, neurological disorders and drug therapy. Drug Discov Today 2019; 25:89-106. [PMID: 31541713 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2019.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) are ubiquitous transcription factors widely studied for their role in controlling events related to inflammation, stress and homeostasis. Recently, GRs have reemerged as crucial targets of investigation in neurological disorders, with a focus on pharmacological strategies to direct complex mechanistic GR regulation and improve therapy. In the brain, GRs control functions necessary for neurovascular integrity, including responses to stress, neurological changes mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and brain-specific responses to corticosteroids. Therefore, this review will examine GR regulation at the neurovascular interface in normal and pathological conditions, pharmacological GR modulation and glucocorticoid insensitivity in neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherice Williams
- Brain Physiology Laboratory/Cerebrovascular Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Chaitali Ghosh
- Brain Physiology Laboratory/Cerebrovascular Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine and Biomedical Engineering at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Liu Q, Liu L, Liu H, Jiang J, Guo S, Wang C, Jia Y, Tian Y. Compound K attenuated hepatectomy-induced post-operative cognitive dysfunction in aged mice via LXRα activation. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 119:109400. [PMID: 31514067 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) occurs after major surgery in elderly patients and affects the quality of patients' lives. The present study aims to explore the protective effects and possible mechanisms of compound K in old mice with POCD caused by partial hepatectomy. METHODS Sixteen month-old mice were administered different doses of compound K from the 8th day to 14th day after partial hepatectomy. Cognitive function was subsequently measured with a Morris water-maze (MWM) test. Serum inflammatory cytokine levels were measured by magnetic bead panel; levels of cytokines in the hippocampus were analyzed using immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. The mRNA levels of target genes were measured using real-time PCR. RESULTS Compared with the model group, MWM scores were significantly attenuated at days 10 and 14 post-surgery in mice receiving compound K (10, 30 mg/kg) in a dose-dependent manner. Both systemic and local cytokine levels were reduced after treatment of compound K. The alterations in serum lipids were independent of the attenuation of POCD syndrome. An inhibitor of liver X receptor-α (LXRα), GGPP, reversed the effects of compound K. CONCLUSIONS The results provide evidence for an alleviation of POCD by compound K via local inflammation inhibition in hippocampus tissue; furthermore, the data suggests the mechanism involves the LXRα pathway. The present study supports further evaluation of compound K as a potential effective modulator for POCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qifang Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Lidan Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Hongmei Liu
- Institute of Materia Medica and Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, 30 Gaotanyan Street, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Jingjing Jiang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Shanbin Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Yi Jia
- Institute of Materia Medica and Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, 30 Gaotanyan Street, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yue Tian
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004, China.
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Potential Dissociative Glucocorticoid Receptor Activity for Protopanaxadiol and Protopanaxatriol. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 20:ijms20010094. [PMID: 30591629 PMCID: PMC6337468 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20010094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones that regulate inflammation, growth, metabolism, and apoptosis via their cognate receptor, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). GR, acting mainly as a transcription factor, activates or represses the expression of a large number of target genes, among them, many genes of anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory molecules, respectively. Transrepression activity of glucocorticoids also accounts for their anti-inflammatory activity, rendering them the most widely prescribed drug in medicine. However, chronic and high-dose use of glucocorticoids is accompanied with many undesirable side effects, attributed predominantly to GR transactivation activity. Thus, there is a high need for selective GR agonist, capable of dissociating transrepression from transactivation activity. Protopanaxadiol and protopanaxatriol are triterpenoids that share structural and functional similarities with glucocorticoids. The molecular mechanism of their actions is unclear. In this study applying induced-fit docking analysis, luciferase assay, immunofluorescence, and Western blot analysis, we showed that protopanaxadiol and more effectively protopanaxatriol are capable of binding to GR to activate its nuclear translocation, and to suppress the nuclear factor-kappa beta activity in GR-positive HeLa and HEK293 cells, but not in GR-low level COS-7 cells. Interestingly, no transactivation activity was observed, whereas suppression of the dexamethasone-induced transactivation of GR and induction of apoptosis in HeLa and HepG2 cells were observed. Thus, our results indicate that protopanaxadiol and protopanaxatriol could be considered as potent and selective GR agonist.
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