Protective effect of a cysteine prodrug and antioxidant, L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate, against ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats

The active components and potential mechanisms of Wuji Wan in the treatment of ethanol-induced gastric ulcer: An integrated metabolomics, network pharmacology and experimental validation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Wuji Wan (WJW) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula that can be found in the "Prescriptions of Taiping Benevolent Dispensary" that has been employed in treating gastric discomfort, burning epigastric pain, and gastric reflux for hundreds of years and has shown promise for treating gastric ulcers (GUs). However, the active components and mechanism of action against GUs remain unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to explore the active components of WJW and elucidate the underlying mechanism involved in treating GUs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Initially, cell viability was measured by a cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay to evaluate the efficacy of WJW-containing serum in vitro. The gastric ulcer index, ulcer inhibition rate, hematoxylin and staining (H&E), and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of WJW in vivo. Subsequently, the levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress factors were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) on in vitro and in vivo samples. Additionally, UPLC-Q Exactive Plus Orbitrap HRMS was used to analyze the components that were absorbed into the blood of WJW and its metabolites. Network pharmacology and metabolomics were subsequently used to identify the targets and pathways. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT‒qPCR) and Western blotting were used to verify the mRNA and protein levels of the key targets and pathways. Finally, the active components were identified by molecular docking to verify the binding stability of the components and key targets.

RESULTS

WJW-containing serum ameliorated ethanol-induced damage in GES-1 cells and promoted cell healing. WJW-containing serum reduced IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, and LDH levels while increasing IL-10, SOD, and T-AOC levels in the cells. Moreover, WJW treatment resulted in decreased IL-6, TNF-α, and MDA levels and increased IL-10, SOD, PGE2, and NO levels in GUs rats. In addition, eight components of WJW were absorbed into the blood. The network pharmacology results revealed 192 common targets for blood entry components and GUs, and KEGG analysis revealed that apoptosis signaling pathways were the main pathways involved in WJW activity against GUs. Metabolomic screening was used to identify 13 differential metabolites. There were 23 common targets for blood entry components, GUs, and differential metabolites, with the key targets TNF (TNF-α), AKT1, PTGS2 (COX2) and MAPK1. WJW significantly inhibited the expression of Bax, Caspase-9, Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-9, cleaved Caspase-3, TNF-α, COX2, and p-p44/42 MAPK while promoting the expression of Bcl-2 and p-AKT1. Molecular docking revealed that the active components of WJW for the treatment of GUs are berberine, palmatine, coptisine, evodiamine, rutaecarpine, evocarpine, and paeoniflorin.

CONCLUSIONS

WJW treatment reduces inflammation and oxidative stress injury and inhibits apoptosis signaling pathways. The main active components are berberine, palmatine, coptisine, evodiamine, rutaecarpine, evocarpine, and paeoniflorin. In this paper, we provide a new strategy for exploring the active components of traditional Chinese medicine formulas for the treatment of diseases based on target mechanisms.

Investigation of Two New Grafting Techniques for Dorsal Augmentation Rhinoplasty: An Experimental Study with New Zealand White Rabbits

INTRODUCTION

Cartilage is an important source in supporting the structure of the nose for dorsal augmentation rhinoplasty. However, it is known that its viability is not always on the ideal level. Various wrapping materials are used to increase the strength of cartilage. Donor site morbidity, which develops following the harvesting of both cartilage and fascia as one such cover material, has attracted interest in recent years.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential of dermis and tendon autografts as alternatives to fascia and cartilage.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The sample of the study included 16 New Zealand white rabbits. The right auricular cartilage of all rabbits was amputated, and it was transformed into diced cartilage autografts. The dermis autografts from the right gluteal areas of the rabbits were deepithelialized, and lumbosacral fascia autografts were harvested from the same incision. Additionally, the Achilles tendon of each rabbit was harvested and transformed into diced tendon autografts. Four different autografts were embedded under the skin of each rabbit from 4 different pouches opened in the back of the rabbit. These autografts included diced cartilage alone (Intervention 1), fascia-wrapped cartilage (Intervention 2), dermis-wrapped cartilage (Intervention 3) and fascia-wrapped tendon (Intervention 4) autografts.

RESULTS

Intervention 1 had the most irregular appearance, the outcomes in Intervention 4 were volumetrically smaller and softer. Connective tissue formed between the diced pieces in all interventions, and it was observed that the dermis and fascia had a capsule-like appearance, and their viability was preserved. The differences between the initial and final measurements of the volumes of interventions 1, 2 and 3 were statistically significant (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the initial and final volumetric measurements of intervention 4 (p > 0.05). More peripheral proliferation was observed in the interventions of fascia-wrapped and dermis-wrapped diced cartilage compared to the other interventions. The intervention including fascia-wrapped diced tendon grafts had displayed more fibrosis, fragmentation and collagen fibers, while it showed a lower amount of elastic fiber. There were no significant differences among the intervention in terms of other histological parameters.

CONCLUSION

Tendon autografts may be a good option for dorsal augmentation rhinoplasty as they are easily harvested and have minimal donor site morbidity. Dermis autograft usage is more advantageous than fascia usage in terms of accessibility and convenience.

NO LEVEL ASSIGNED

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The effect of mesenchymal stem cell lyophilizate on the recovery of the zone of stasis following thermal burns

INTRODUCTION AND AIM

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are known to contribute to wound healing by increasing tissue regeneration. This study examined the effect of MSC-Lyophilizate (MSC-L) on the recovery of the zone of stasis in thermal burns.

METHODS

A comb was used to induce second-degree thermal burns (1 × 2 cm) on the dorsum of the rats. Within 30 min after the burn, MSC-L derived from the umbilical cord was administered to the experimental group and 1.5 ml of 0.9% isotonic sodium chloride to the sham group. The control group did not receive any intervention. Tissue samples were collected on postoperative day 7. Histopathological assessments were made using a microscope with digital camera attachment. SPSS for IBM 25 was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

Epithelial loss and subepidermal bullae were observed in the control and sham groups on day 7. In the experimental group, the MSC-L administration was found to increase epithelial tissue formation and neovascularization in the dermis. We found no significant pathological findings in the epidermis and dermis in the experimental group.

CONCLUSION

Administration of umbilical cord-derived MSC-L is of potential importance in wound healing. In our study, we observed that MSC-L that contained 1.5 million cells contributed significantly to the recovery of the stasis zone of burn.

Cysteine Donor-Based Brain-Targeting Prodrug: Opportunities and Challenges

Overcoming blood-brain barrier (BBB) to improve brain bioavailability of therapeutic drug remains an ongoing concern. Prodrug is one of the most reliable approaches for delivering agents with low-level BBB permeability into the brain. The well-known antioxidant capacities of cysteine (Cys) and its vital role in glutathione (GSH) synthesis indicate that Cys-based prodrug could potentiate therapeutic drugs against oxidative stress-related neurodegenerative disorders. Moreover, prodrug with Cys moiety could be recognized by the excitatory amino acid transporter 3 (EAAT3) that is highly expressed at the BBB and transports drug into the brain. In this review, we summarized the strategies of crossing BBB, properties of EAAT3 and its natural substrates, Cys and its donors, and Cys donor-based brain-targeting prodrugs by referring to recent investigations. Moreover, the challenges that we are faced with and future research orientations were also addressed and proposed. It is hoped that present review will provide evidence for the pursuit of novel Cys donor-based brain-targeting prodrug.

Gastroprotective effect and mechanisms of Chinese sumac fruits (Rhus chinensis Mill.) on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in mice

This paper aimed to study the effect of the phenol-rich fraction from Chinese sumac fruits on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in mice and to further elucidate the potential mechanisms. The results showed that the phenol-rich fraction of the fruits significantly decreased the ulcer index, restored the levels of prostaglandin E-2, heat shock protein 70, glutathione and superoxide dismutase, and reduced the malondialdehyde content. Further analyses revealed that the fraction significantly alleviated the gastric oxidative stress by upregulating the Nrf2 protein pathway to increase the HO-1 and NQO1 expression levels, suppressed the inflammation by reducing the expression levels of p-NF-κB and p-IκBα and inhibited the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6. In addition, the fraction remarkably prevented gastric mucous cell apoptosis by upregulating Bcl-2 and downregulating Bax and cleaved caspase3. This experiment clarified for the first time that the phenol-rich fraction from Chinese sumac fruits can prevent ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in mice by inhibiting the oxidative stress, inflammatory response and cell apoptosis. The results obtained from the current work indicated that the phenol-rich fraction from Chinese sumac fruits could be applied as a kind of natural resource for producing new functional foods to prevent and/or improve gastric ulcers induced by ethanol.

The effect of mesenchymal stem cells lyophilisate femoral artery of rat anastomosis: A histopathological and histomorphometric study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are well known for their tissue regeneration enhancing effect and their contribution to immune regulation. However, their contribution to the healing process of femoral artery anastomosis, especially to endothelialization, has not been studied sufficiently in the clinic. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of MSC-lyophilisate from the human umbilical cord on anastomosis experimental study in rats histopathologically.

METHOD

After intraperitoneal anesthesia was applied to the rats, the femoral artery was exposed with a 2 cm incision in the right femoral region. After the artery was cut in the experiment and sham groups, femoral artery end-to-end anastomosis was performed using the primary suture technique. MSC-lyophilisate was poured in powder form onto the anastomosed outer surface of the vessel in the treatment group and saline solution was poured to the sham group. No intervention was made to the control group. The data analysis was performed with IBM SPSS Statistics 25.

RESULTS

In the experiment group, flattening of the inner elastic lamina, morphological changes and vacuolization in the muscle fibers, inflammation in the adventitia and significant vascular wall thickening were observed in the femoral arteries of the rats after the intervention. According to the histopathological scoring results, tissue samples belonging to sham and experimental groups showed marked pathological findings such as endothelial damage, flattened areas where the folded structure in the inner elastic lamina disappeared, muscle fiber degeneration and inflammation in the adventitia.

CONCLUSION

Human umbilical cord-origin MSC-lyophilisate application holds an important place in femoral artery surgery. We evaluate that it will be meaningful to determine the MSC-lyophilisate dose for hemostasis without creating thrombus after anastomosis. MSC-lyophilisate will be used to provide hemostasis in areas with local bleeding in the future. In addition, it is recommended to make plans for an in-depth examination of possible problems and cases in future studies.

Chemical constituents and gastro-protective potential of Pachira glabra leaves against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in experimental rat model

Gastric ulcer is a very common illness that adversely affects a significant number of people all over the globe. Phytochemical investigation of P. glabra leaf alcohol extract (PGLE) resulted in the isolation and Characterization of a new nature compound, quercetin-3- O-α -L-rhamnosyl-(1'''-6'')-(4''- O -acetyl)-β -D-galactoside (4), in addition to seven known compounds. They are ferulic acid (1), p- coumaric acid (2), quercetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnoside-3'-O-β-D-glucoside (3), quercetin-3- O-α -L-rhamnosyl-(1'''-6'')-(4''- O -acetyl)- β -Dgalactoside (4), quercetin-3- O-β -D-galactoside (5), 7-hydroxy maltol-3-O-β-D-glucoside (6), maltol-3- O-β -D-glucoside (7), and methyl coumarate (8) that were first to be isolated from the genus Pachira. PGLE demonstrated in vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori activity. Moreover, the in vivo gastroprotective assessment of PGLE at different dosses, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg against ethanol induced ulceration revealed a dose-dependent gastroprotection comparable to omeprazole. PGLE attenuated gastric lesions and histopathological changes triggered by ethanol. Interestingly, PGLE exhibited an anti-inflammatory effect through down-regulating the expression of nuclear factor-ĸB and pro-inflammatory enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 in the ulcer group. It also hindered apoptosis through decreasing Bax and increasing Bcl-2 expression hence decreasing Bax/Bcl2 ratio with a subsequent reduction in caspase 3 expression. Collectively, P. glabra is a rich reservoir of various phytochemicals reflecting a promising potential for alleviation of gastric ulcer through the mediation of inflammatory and apoptotic cascades.

Analysis of candidate biomarkers and related transcription factors involved in the development and restoration of stress-induced gastric ulcer by transcriptomics

Stress-induced gastric ulcer is one of the common complications affecting patients after trauma, mainly leading to gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation, and severe cases may be life-threatening. However, the molecular mechanism of stress-induced gastric ulcer remains unclear. In the present study, RNA-sequencing was performed on gastric tissues of normal rats (C), stress-induced gastric ulcer rats (T0), and rats recovered from gastric ulcer for 3 days (T3), and bioinformatics analysis was performed to determine changes in gene expression and biological pathways. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were constructed by STRING and visualized by the Cytoscape software. The associated transcriptional factor (TFs)-gene regulatory network of the hub DEGs was also constructed. Pairwise comparisons obtained 103 (T0_C), 127 (T3_T0), and 13 (T3_C) DEGs, respectively. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis indicated DEGs in T0_C and T3_T0 were significantly enriched in response to oxygen-containing compound, response to organic substance, and response to external stimulus. Pathway analysis suggested that DEGs were enriched in TNF signaling pathway, PPAR signaling pathway, apoptosis, and IL-17 signaling pathway. Seven hub genes (Fos, Jun, Nfkbia, Dusp1, Pim3, Junb, and Fosb) were obtained from the PPI networks of T0_C and T3_T0. Key TFs with close interactions, such as Fos, Jun, Nfkbia, Junb, Egr1, and Fosb, were screened This study used RNA-sequencing and bioinformatics analysis to screen out genes associated with gastric ulcer, which can help reveal the molecular mechanism of gastric ulcer development and restoration, and provide reference for the treatment of human gastric ulcers.

Prophylactic efficacy of patchoulene epoxide against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats: Influence on oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis

Patchoulene epoxide (PAO), a tricyclic sesquiterpene isolated from the long-stored patchouli oil, has been demonstrated the anti-inflammatory activity in vivo based on our previous study. However, the gastric protective effect of PAO still remains unknown. Therefore, in the present study, ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model was carried out to evaluate the anti-ulcerogenic activity of PAO and to elucidate the potential mechanisms that involves. According to our results, macroscopic examination revealed that PAO could significantly reduce ethanol-induced gastric ulcer areas as compared with the vehicle group, which was also supported by the histological evaluation result. As for its potential mechanism, the anti-inflammatory activity of PAO contributed to gastric protection through reversing the imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and modulating the expressions of NF-κB pathway-related proteins including p-IκBα, IκBα, p-p65 and p65. Besides, PAO was able to enhance the expressions of antioxidant enzymes including glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and down-regulate malonaldehyde (MDA), an indicator of lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry analysis exhibited potent anti-apoptosis effect of PAO, as evidence by down-regulating the protein expression of caspase-3, Fas and Fasl. Additionally, we also demonstrated that PAO could replenish PGE₂ and NO mucosal defense. In conclusion, these findings suggested that PAO has gastric protective activity against ethanol and this might be related to its influence on inflammatory response, oxidative stress, apoptosis cascade and gastric mucosal defense.

Protective effect of salusin-α and salusin-β against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats

BACKGROUND

Alcohol consumption has been found to be associated with gastric ulcers, including gastric mucosal lesions. Salusin-α and salusin-β are bioactive peptides having 28 and 20 amino acids, respectively. Salusin-α and salusin-β immunoreactivity has been detected in the stomach and in the intestines. It has been reported that the salusins regulate the cytokine levels and decrease the infarct area in the heart tissue after ischemia. In this study, we investigated the effects of the salusins in the gastric injury formed with ethanol.

METHODS

Thirty-two sprague Dawley male rats were randomly divided into four groups, including eight rats in each group as follows: Group 1: control; Group 2: ethanol 5 mL/kg; Group 3: ethanol 5 mL/kg+5 nmol/kg salusin-α; Group 4: ethanol 5 mL/kg+5 nmol/kg salusin-β.

RESULTS

The salusin-α level increased at a significant level in the ulcer group formed with ethanol (p<0.001); the change in the salusin-β level is not significant. As for malondialdehyde (p<0.05) and myeloperoxidase (p<0.001), when compared with the control group, tumor necrosis factor-α (p<0.05) levels increased in the group to which ethanol was applied and decreased significantly with the application of salusins. Levels of GSH and IL-1β did not change at a significant level. In addition, histopathologic analysis demonstrated that, in salusin-administered groups, mucosal injury and caspase-3 expressions were reduced.

CONCLUSIONS

The suppression of salusin-α and salusin-β on caspase-3 expression by means of their effects on oxidative injury and TNF-α levels shows that these two hormones could serve as anti-ulcerative agents.

Diosmin protects against ethanol-induced gastric injury in rats: novel anti-ulcer actions

Alcohol consumption has been commonly associated with gastric mucosal lesions including gastric ulcer. Diosmin (DIO) is a natural citrus flavone with remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory features that underlay its protection against cardiac, hepatic and renal injuries. However, its impact on gastric ulcer has not yet been elucidated. Thus, the current study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of DIO against ethanol-induced gastric injury in rats. Pretreatment with DIO (100 mg/kg p.o.) attenuated the severity of ethanol gastric mucosal damage as evidenced by lowering of ulcer index (UI) scores, area of gastric lesions, histopathologic aberrations and leukocyte invasion. These actions were analogous to those exerted by the reference antiulcer sucralfate. DIO suppressed gastric inflammation by curbing of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels along with nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 expression. It also augmented the anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels. Meanwhile, DIO halted gastric oxidative stress via inhibition of lipid peroxides with concomitant enhancement of glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC). With respect to gastric mucosal apoptosis, DIO suppressed caspase-3 activity and cytochrome C (Cyt C) with enhancement of the anti-apoptotic B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) in favor of cell survival. These favorable actions were associated with upregulation of the gastric cytoprotective prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and nitric oxide (NO). Together, these findings accentuate the gastroprotective actions of DIO in ethanol gastric injury which were mediated via concerted multi-pronged actions, including suppression of gastric inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis besides boosting of the antioxidant and the cytoprotective defenses.