Protective effect of taraxasterol on ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury via inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis

Exploring the antinociceptive effect of taraxasterol in mice: Possible mechanisms

OBJECTIVES

Taraxasterol is the active ingredient of Taraxacum officinale which has been used in traditional medicine for its several therapeutic effects. This study aims first to evaluate the potential spinal/supraspinal and peripheral/visceral antinociceptive effect of taraxasterol and then to investigate the contribution of GABAergic, opioidergic systems, and KATP channels to its antinociceptive effect.

METHODS

The antinociceptive activity of taraxasterol (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg i.p.) was investigated with hot-plate, tail-immersion, and acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing tests (for supraspinal, spinal, peripheral/visceral pain evaluation, respectively) in BALB/c male mice, and percentage of possible maximum effect (MPE%) values were calculated. Mechanism of action studies were performed by pre-administering bicuculline, naloxone, and glibenclamide.

RESULTS

Taraxasterol increased the MPE% values in hot-plate and tail-immersion tests at 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg doses (P < 0.001) and decreased the mean number of writhes at 10 mg/kg in the abdominal writhing test (P < 0.05). Naloxone and bicuculline pre-administration reversed the antinociceptive effect of taraxasterol in hot-plate and tail-immersion tests and it had no effect in the abdominal writhing test. Pre-administration of glibenclamide reversed the antinociceptive effect of taraxasterol in all tests.

CONCLUSION

Our study is the first to show the involvement of GABAergic and opioidergic systems in the antinociceptive effect of taraxasterol in supraspinal and spinal pain tests, and KATP channels in tests evaluating supraspinal, spinal, and peripheral pain pathways. Taraxasterol is a potential new herbal medicine that can be used for pain control.

Dioscin exerts nephroprotective effects by attenuating oxidative stress and necroptosis-induced inflammation

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a syndrome characterized by the rapid loss of the renal function and has high morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet there is no satisfactory means of prevention and treatment at present. Dioscin, a natural steroidal saponin, has been found to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. In this experiment, we pretreated cisplatin-induced AKI rats with dioscin and found that dioscin significantly enhanced renal function and reduced renal pathological injury in AKI rats. We also found that dioscin improved renal antioxidant capacity by suppressing the accumulation of oxides such as ROS, MDA and H2O2, and increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT. In addition, dioscin down-regulated the expression of inflammation-related proteins (IL-1β, TNF-α, NF-κB) and necroptosis-critical proteins RIP1/RIP3, whereas up-regulated Caspase-8 protein levels in the kidney of AKI rats. Mechanistically, dioscin promoted the nuclear transcription of Nrf2 and activated Nrf2/HO-1 signaling axis to play a positive role in the kidney of AKI rats, while the reno-protective effect of dioscin was significantly attenuated after inhibiting Nrf2. In conclusion, our data indicate that dioscin decreases cisplatin-induced renal oxidative stress and thwarts necroptosis induced inflammation via regulating the Nrf2/HO-1pathway. Our study provides more data and theoretical support for the study of natural drugs to improve AKI.

Hypoxia Activates FGF-23-ERK/MAPK Signaling Pathway in Ischemia-Reperfusion-Induced Acute Kidney Injury

INTRODUCTION

Both hypoxia and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) are key factors in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). This study aimed to explore the relationship between hypoxia and FGF-23 in AKI.

METHODS

An I/R-AKI animal model was established using male BALB/c mice. HK-2 cells, a part of the human proximal tubular epithelial cell line, were subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). qPCR was used to measure FGF-23 and HIF1α, and ELISA was used to measure inflammatory and oxidative stress cytokines. Western blotting was used to measure the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) level.

RESULTS

In I/R mice, the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), and the phosphorylation of ERK (p-ERK) were increased, whereas the levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and klotho were decreased, compared to the sham-operated mice. Silencing the FGF-23 expression in I/R mice normalized the levels of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, MDA, SOD, GPx, and p-ERK. In HK-2 cells, hypoxia-reperfusion (H/R) elevated the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, and p-ERK, but reduced IL-10, SOD, GPx, and klotho levels. Hypoxia induced apoptosis in HK-2 cells, but silencing of FGF-23 expression blocked the effects of hypoxia on cell apoptosis, pro-inflammatory factor levels, oxidative stress response, and p-ERK levels.

CONCLUSION

FGF-23 is a key molecule in AKI, and hypoxia plays a crucial role in AKI by inducing cell apoptosis; however, its role is regulated by FGF-23. FGF-23 affects oxidative stress and the inflammatory response of kidney tissues by activating the ERK/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway.

Taraxasterol attenuates zearalenone-induced kidney damage in mice by modulating oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress

Taraxasterol is one of the bioactive ingredients from traditional Chinese herb Taraxacum, which exhibits multiple pharmacological activities and protective effects. However, the underlying influence and mechanism of its use against kidney damage caused from zearalenone (ZEA) remain unexplored. The ZEA-induced kidney damage model of mice was established by feeding diets containing ZEA (2 mg/kg), and taraxasterol (5 and 10 mg/kg) was administered by gavage for 28 days. Results demonstrated taraxasterol increased average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI), reduced feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) and kidney index of mice induced by ZEA. Taraxasterol alleviated histopathological changes of kidney, reduced ZEA residue and the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), and creatinine (CRE). Concurrently, taraxasterol reduced the contents of oxidative stress indicator reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Further, taraxasterol up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), GSH-Px, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and down-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of KELCH like ECH associated protein (Keap1) in Nrf2/Keap1 pathway. Taraxasterol down-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of immunoglobulin binding protein (Bip), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), Bcl-2 associated X (Bax), cysteine protease (Caspase)-12, and Caspase-3, and up-regulated B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression in endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway. This study suggests that taraxasterol attenuates ZEA-induced mouse kidney damage through the modulation of Nrf2/Keapl pathway to play antioxidant role and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway to enhance anti-apoptotic ability. It will provide a basis for taraxasterol as a potential drug to prevent and treat ZEA-induced kidney damage.

Natural products: A potential immunomodulators against inflammatory-related diseases

The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory-related diseases (IRDs) are increasing worldwide. Current approved treatments for IRDs in the clinic are combat against inhibiting the pro-inflammatory cytokines. Though significant development in the treatment in the IRDs has been achieved, the severe side effects and inefficiency of currently practicing treatments are endless challenge. Drug discovery from natural sources is efficacious over a resurgence and also natural products are leading than the synthetic molecules in both clinical trials and market. The use of natural products against IRDs is a conventional therapeutic approach since it is a reservoir of unique structural chemistry, accessibility and bioactivities with reduced side effects and low toxicity. In this review, we discuss the cause of IRDs, treatment of options for IRDs and the impact and adverse effects of currently practicing clinical drugs. As well, the significant role of natural products against various IRDs, the limitations in the clinical development of natural products and thus pave the way for development of natural products as immunomodulators against IRDs are also discussed.

ISL1-overexpressing BMSCs attenuate renal ischemia-reperfusion injury by suppressing apoptosis and oxidative stress through the paracrine action

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major event in renal transplantation, leading to adverse outcomes. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are novel promising therapeutics for repairing kidney injuries. The therapeutic efficacy of BMSCs with ISL1 overexpression in renal IRI and its underlying mechanism need to be investigated. The unilateral renal IRI rat model was established to mimic clinical acute kidney injury. Rats were injected with PBS, BMSCs-Scrambled or BMSCs-ISL1 via the tail vein at the timepoint of reperfusion, and then sacrificed after 24 h of reperfusion. The administration of BMSCs-ISL1 significantly improved renal function, inhibited tubular cells apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress in rats. In vitro, HKC cells subjected to H2O2 stimulation were pretreated with the conditioned medium (CM) of BMSCs-Scrambled or BMSCs-ISL1. The pretreatment of ISL1-CM attenuated apoptosis and oxidative stress induced by H2O2 in HKC cells. Our proteomic data suggested that haptoglobin (Hp) was one of the secretory proteins in ISL1-CM. Subsequent experiments confirmed that Hp was the important paracrine factor from BMSCs-ISL1 that exerted anti-apoptotic and antioxidant functions. Mechanistically, Hp played a cytoprotective role via the inhibition of ERK signaling pathway, which could be abrogated by Ro 67-7476, the ERK phosphorylation agonist. The results suggested that paracrine action may be the main mechanism for BMSCs-ISL1 to exert protective effects. As an important anti-apoptotic and antioxidant factor in ISL1-CM, Hp may serve as a new therapeutic agent for treating IRI, providing new insights for overcoming the long-term adverse effects of stem cell therapy.

Exposure to the environmental pollutant chlorpyrifos induces hepatic toxicity through activation of the JAK/STAT and MAPK pathways

Chlorpyrifos (CHP) is an inexpensive highly effective organophosphate insecticide used worldwide. The unguided and excessive use of CHP by farmers has led to its significant accumulation in crops as well as contamination of water sources, causing health problems for humans and animals. Therefore, this study evaluated the toxicological effects of exposure to the environmental pollutant CHP at low, medium, and high (2.5, 5, and 10 mg·kg-1 BW) levels on rat liver by examining antioxidant levels, inflammation, and apoptosis based on the no observed adverse effect levels (NOAEL) (1 mg·kg-1 BW) and the CHP dose that does not cause any visual symptoms (5 mg·kg-1 BW). Furthermore, the involvement of the JAK/STAT and MAPK pathways in CHP-induced toxic effects was identified. The relationship between the expression levels of key proteins (p-JAK/JAK, p-STAT/STAT, p-JNK/JNK, p-P38/P38, and p-ERK/ERK) in the pathways and changes in the expression of markers associated with inflammation [inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α), chemokines (GCLC and GCLM), and inflammatory signaling pathways (NF-кB, TLR2, TLR4, NLRP3, ASC, MyD88, IFN-γ, and iNOS)] and apoptosis [Bad, Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase3, Caspase9, and the cleavage substrate of Caspase PARP1] were also determined. The results suggest that CHP exposure disrupts liver function and activates the JAK/STAT and MAPK pathways via oxidative stress, exacerbating inflammation and apoptosis. Meanwhile, the JAK/STAT and MAPK pathways are involved in CHP-induced hepatotoxicity. These findings provide a novel direction for effective prevention and amelioration of health problems caused by CHP abuse in agriculture and households.

Protective effects and mechanisms of dapagliflozin on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND

Renal diseases have a significant negative impact on human health and the quality of life. Renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is considered as one of the leading causes of renal dysfunction and tissue damage. Oxidative stress and inflammation are responsible for cellular apoptosis playing critical roles in renal I/R injury. Recent studies suggested that dapagliflozin-a medication used to treat Type 2 Diabetes-may exert protective effects on I/R injury in kidneys by alleviating oxidative stress and inflammation. Our study evaluated the protective effects of dapagliflozinon in renal I/R injury.

METHODS

A group of 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: 1) control group without any manipulation; 2) sham-operated control group with surgery but without I/R injury; 3) experimental group with 30-min I/R injury; and 4) therapeutic group with 30-min IR injury and dapagliflozin therapy. The fourth therapeutic group received 1 mg/kg dapagliflozin delivered once daily by oral gavage. All rats were evaluated by measurements of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), creatinine kinase (CR), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), myoglobin (MYO), creatinine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) LD, GSH, superoxide dismutase (SOD), MDA, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels. TUNEL and flow cytometry assays evaluated apoptosis.

RESULTS

Overall, the 30-min exposure to I/R injury significantly elevated levels of NGAL, CR, BUN, CK, LDH, KIM-1, and MYO (all p < 0.05). Inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-6 and TNF-a) were also increased after I/R injury (p > 0.05). At the same time, I/R injury decreased levels of SOD and GSH-Px (p > 0.05). In contrast, administration of dapagliflozin following I/R injury reduced renal damage, enhanced antioxidant capacity, and suppressed inflammatory responses (all p > 0.05), thus improving renal function, while reducing oxidative stress status and inflammatory responses. Further investigations revealed that dapagliflozin exerted its protective effects on renal tissues by activating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-AKT) signaling pathway, inhibiting cellular apoptosis, and promoting proliferation and autophagy through bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4).

CONCLUSION

These findings documented that dapagliflozin protected kidneys from I/R injury suggesting its therapeutic potential.

The relationship between aflatoxin B1 with the induction of extrinsic/intrinsic pathways of apoptosis and the protective role of taraxasterol in TM3 leydig cell line

Aflatoxins B1 (AFB1) a dangerous type of aflatoxin, poses a serious threat to human health. Meanwhile, Taraxasterol, a bioactive compound in dandelion, exhibits strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of AFB1 on the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis, as well as evaluate the protective role of taraxasterol in the TM3 Leydig cell line. Cell viability was evaluated using an MTT assay, measuring the effects of 3.6 µM AFB1 and varying concentrations of taraxasterol. Expression levels of Caspase 3,8, and 9 were analyzed with RT-qPCR, and flow cytometry was used to assess cell cycle progression and apoptotic alterations. The findings of this study demonstrated that exposure to 3.6 µM of AFB1 resulted in an upregulation of Caspase 3 and Caspase 9 expression, indicating an activation of apoptotic pathways in TM3 cells. Additionally, the analysis of apoptosis revealed a significant increase in cellular apoptosis at this AFB1 concentration. However, when TM3 cells were exposed to 5 µM of taraxasterol, a downregulation of Caspase 3 and Caspase 9 expression was observed, suggesting a protective effect against apoptosis. Moreover, the apoptotic rate in TM3 cells was reduced in the presence of 5 µM of taraxasterol. Consequently, this study highlights the potential of taraxasterol as a protective agent against AFB1-induced apoptosis and suggest its potential application in regulating cell survival and apoptosis-related processes. Further investigations are necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and evaluate the clinical implications of taraxasterol in the context of fertility disorders and other conditions associated with AFB1 exposure.

Pharmacological Action and Research Progress of Taraxasterol

Primarily sourced from Asteraceae family herbs such as the Dandelion, Taraxasterol is a pentacyclic triterpenoid lauded for its extensive biological functionalities. Its therapeutic potency is demonstrated in various disease models, encompassing enteritis, arthritis, acute hepatic injury, and pneumonia. Scientific literature underscores its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antineoplastic attributes. The primary aim of this study is to thoroughly explore the diseasemodulating mechanisms and effects of taraxasterol. We endeavor to provide an exhaustive review of the experimental subjects, intervention components, distinct action modalities, contributing factors, and protein pathway expressions associated with taraxasterol, systematically represented via diagrams and tables. Such a schematic representation encourages a continued academic dialogue concerning taraxasterol's pharmacological characteristics. This review is envisioned as a practical guide for the selection of experimental subjects and methodologies in prospective research. It is intended to further illuminate taraxasterol's pharmacodynamics, thereby offering theoretical and empirical justification for its clinical application.

Inhibition of MiR-106b-5p mediated by exosomes mitigates acute kidney injury by modulating transmissible endoplasmic reticulum stress and M1 macrophage polarization

Acute kidney injury (AKI), mainly caused by Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI), is a common and severe life-threatening disease with high mortality. Accumulating evidence suggested a direct relationship between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response and AKI progression. However, the role of the transmissible ER stress response, a new modulator of cell-to-cell communication, in influencing intercellular communication between renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) and macrophages in the AKI microenvironment remains to be determined. To address this issue, we first demonstrate that TECs undergoing ER stress are able to transmit ER stress to macrophages via exosomes, promoting macrophage polarization towards the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype in vitro and in vivo. Besides, the miR-106b-5p/ATL3 signalling axis plays a pivotal role in the transmission of ER stress in the intercellular crosstalk between TECs and macrophages. We observed an apparent increase in the expression of miR-106b-5p in ER-stressed TECs. Furthermore, we confirmed that ALT3 is a potential target protein of miR-106b-5p. Notably, the inhibition of miR-106b-5p expression in macrophages not only restores ATL3 protein level but also decreases transmissible ER stress and hinders M1 polarization, thus alleviating AKI progression. Additionally, our results suggest that the level of exosomal miR-106b-5p in urine is closely correlated with the severity of AKI patients. Taken together, our study sheds new light on the crucial role of transmissible ER stress in the treatment of AKI through the regulation of the miR-106b-5p/ATL3 axis, offering new ideas for treating AKI.

Anti-metastatic effect of taraxasterol on prostate cancer cell lines

Background and purpose

Prostate cancer is the second cause of death among men. Nowadays, treating various cancers with medicinal plants is more common than other therapeutic agents due to their minor side effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of taraxasterol on the prostate cancer cell line.

Experimental approach

The prostate cancer cell line (PC3) was cultured in a nutrient medium. MTT method and trypan blue staining were used to evaluate the viability of cells in the presence of different concentrations of taraxasterol, and IC50 was calculated. Real-time PCR was used to measure the expression of MMP-9, MMP-2, uPA, uPAR, TIMP-2, and TIMP-1 genes. Gelatin zymography was used to determine MMP-9 and MMP-2 enzyme activity levels. Finally, the effect of taraxasterol on cell invasion, migration, and adhesion was investigated.

Findings/Results

Taraxasterol decreased the survival rate of PC3 cells at IC50 time-dependently (24, 48, and 72 h). Taraxasterol reduced the percentage of PC3 cell adhesion, invasion, and migration by 74, 56, and 76 percent, respectively. Real-time PCR results revealed that uPA, uPAR, MMP-9, and MMP-2 gene expressions decreased in the taraxasterol-treated groups, but TIMP-2 and TIMP-1 gene expressions increased significantly. Also, a significant decrease in the level of MMP-9 and MMP-2 enzymes was observed in the PC3 cell line treated with taraxasterol.

Conclusion and implications

The present study confirmed the therapeutic role of taraxasterol in preventing prostate cancer cell metastasis in the in-vitro study.

Protection of taraxasterol against acetaminophen-induced liver injury elucidated through network pharmacology and in vitro and in vivo experiments

BACKGROUND

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is primarily caused by drugs or their metabolites. Acetaminophen (APAP) is an over-the-counter antipyretic analgesic that exhibits high hepatotoxicity when used for long-term or in overdoses. Taraxasterol is a five-ring triterpenoid compound extracted from traditional Chinese medicinal herb Taraxacum officinale. Our previous studies have demonstrated that taraxasterol exerts protective effects on alcoholic and immune liver injuries. However, the effect of taraxasterol on DILI remains unclear.

HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE

This study aimed to elucidate the effects and mechanisms of action of taraxasterol on APAP-induced liver injury using network pharmacology and in vitro and in vivo experiments.

METHODS

Online databases of drug and disease targets were used to screen the targets of taraxasterol and DILI, and a protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed. Core target genes were identified using the tool of Analyze of Cytoscape, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed. Oxidation, inflammation and apoptosis were evaluated to determine the effect of taraxasterol on APAP-stimulated liver damage in AML12 cells and mice. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting were used to explore the potential mechanisms of taraxasterol against DILI.

RESULTS

Twenty-four intersection targets for taraxasterol and DILI were identified. Among them, 9 core targets were identified. GO and KEGG analysis showed that core targets are closely related to oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammatory response. The in vitro findings showed that taraxasterol alleviated mitochondrial damage in AML12 cells treated with APAP. The in vivo results revealed that taraxasterol alleviated pathological changes in the livers of mice treated with APAP and inhibited the activity of serum transaminases. Taraxasterol increased the activity of antioxidants, inhibited the production of peroxides, and reduced inflammatory response and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Taraxasterol promoted Nrf2 and HO-1 expression, suppressed JNK phosphorylation, and decreased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 expression in AML12 cells and mice.

CONCLUSION

By integrating network pharmacology with in vitro and in vivo experiments, this study indicated that taraxasterol inhibits APAP-stimulated oxidative stress, inflammatory response and apoptosis in AML12 cells and mice by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, JNK phosphorylation, and apoptosis-related protein expression. This study provides a new evidence for the use of taraxasterol as a hepatoprotective drug.

Identification of hub genes associated with acute kidney injury induced by renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a severe clinical syndrome, and ischemia-reperfusion injury is an important cause of acute kidney injury. The aim of the present study was to investigate the related genes and pathways in the mouse model of acute kidney injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI-AKI). Method: Two public datasets (GSE39548 and GSE131288) originating from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were analyzed using the R software limma package, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genomes (KEGG) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed using the differentially expressed genes. Furthermore, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to investigate hub genes, and transcription factor (TF)-hub gene and miRNA-hub gene networks were constructed. Drugs and molecular compounds that could interact with hub genes were predicted using the DGIdb. Result: A total of 323 common differentially expressed genes were identified in the renal ischemia-reperfusion injury group compared with the control group. Among these, 260 differentially expressed genes were upregulated and 66 differentially expressed genes were downregulated. Gene Ontology enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis results showed that these common differentially expressed genes were enriched in positive regulation of cytokine production, muscle tissue development, and other biological processes, indicating that they were involved in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), PI3K-Akt, TNF, apoptosis, and Epstein-Barr virus infection signaling pathways. Protein-protein interaction analysis showed 10 hub genes, namely, Jun, Stat3, MYC, Cdkn1a, Hif1a, FOS, Atf3, Mdm2, Egr1, and Ddit3. Using the STRUST database, starBase database, and DGIdb database, it was predicted that 34 transcription factors, 161 mi-RNAs, and 299 drugs or molecular compounds might interact with hub genes. Conclusion: Our findings may provide novel potential biomarkers and insights into the pathogenesis of ischemia-reperfusion injury-acute kidney injury through a comprehensive analysis of Gene Expression Omnibus data, which may provide a reliable basis for early diagnosis and treatment of ischemia-reperfusion injury-acute kidney injury.

The phytochemical and pharmacological profile of taraxasterol

Taraxasterol is one of the bioactive triterpenoids found in dandelion, a member of the family Asteraceae. In the animal or cellular models of several ailments, including liver damage, gastritis, colitis, arthritis, pneumonia, tumors, and immune system diseases, taraxasterol has been shown to have significant preventive and therapeutic effects. This review aims to evaluate the current state of research and provide an overview of the possible applications of taraxasterol in various diseases. The reported phytochemical properties and pharmacological actions of taraxasterol, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-carcinogenic properties, and its potential molecular mechanisms in developing these diseases are highlighted. Finally, we further explored whether taraxasterol has protective effects on neuronal death in neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, more animal and clinical studies are also required on the metabolism, bioavailability, and safety of taraxasterol to support its applications in pharmaceuticals and medicine.

Tubular Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Oxidative Stress, and Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease

Acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are interconnected conditions, and CKD is projected to become the fifth leading global cause of death by 2040. New therapeutic approaches are needed. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress have emerged as drivers of kidney injury in acute and chronic settings, promoting the AKI-to-CKD transition. In this work, we review the role of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in AKI and CKD progression and discuss novel therapeutic approaches. Specifically, evidence for mitochondrial dysfunction in diverse models of AKI (nephrotoxicity, cytokine storm, and ischemia-reperfusion injury) and CKD (diabetic kidney disease, glomerulopathies) is discussed; the clinical implications of novel information on the key role of mitochondria-related transcriptional regulators peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha, transcription factor EB (PGC-1α, TFEB), and carnitine palmitoyl-transferase 1A (CPT1A) in kidney disease are addressed; the current status of the clinical development of therapeutic approaches targeting mitochondria are updated; and barriers to the clinical development of mitochondria-targeted interventions are discussed, including the lack of clinical diagnostic tests that allow us to categorize the baseline renal mitochondrial dysfunction/mitochondrial oxidative stress and to monitor its response to therapeutic intervention. Finally, key milestones for further research are proposed.

Small molecules as modulators of regulated cell death against ischemia/reperfusion injury

Ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury contributes to disability and mortality worldwide. Due to the complicated mechanisms and lack of proper therapeutic targets, few interventions are available that specifically target the pathogenesis of IR injury. Regulated cell death (RCD) of endothelial and parenchymal cells is recognized as the promising intervening target. Recent advances in IR injury suggest that small molecules exhibit beneficial effects on various RCD against IR injury, including apoptosis, necroptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and parthanatos. Here, we describe the mechanisms behind these novel promising therapeutic targets and explain the machinery powering the small molecules. These small molecules exert protection by targeting endothelial or parenchymal cells to alleviate IR injury. Therapies of the ideal combination of small molecules targeting multiple cell types have shown potent synergetic therapeutic effects, laying the foundation for novel strategies to attenuate IR injury.

Taraxasterol ameliorates dextran sodium sulfate-induced murine colitis via improving intestinal barrier and modulating gut microbiota dysbiosis

Taraxasterol (TAX) has been proven to prevent and treat inflammatory diseases. However, the effects of TAX on intestinal barrier and the diversity, structure, and function of gut microbiota have yet to be elucidated in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mice. Our objectives are to evaluate the effect of TAX on intestinal barrier and its impact on gut microbiota. Herein, immunofluorescence analysis is conducted to determine the expressions of tight junction (ZO-1) and mucin (Mucin-2) proteins. The abundance, diversity, and function of fecal colonies are investigated by using 16S rDNA sequencing, and the influence of TAX on the gut microbiota in mice is also analyzed. Our results suggest that TAX attenuates the symptoms in DSS-induced colitis mice by reducing the DAI score, increasing colon length, alleviating histopathological damage of colon tissues, and improving intestinal barrier. 16S rDNA sequencing of fecal samples indicates that TAX intervention has a regulatory effect on DSS-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis at different taxonomic levels. TAX increases microbial diversity that is reduced by DSS. It normalizes the relative abundance of and the ratio of /. In addition, treatment with TAX has a better effect on the function of metabolisms, such as nucleotide, lipid, and bile acid metabolism. These findings suggest that TAX may be a good candidate for the remission of colitis, which is related to improving intestinal barrier and modulating gut microbiota.

Taraxasterol attenuates melanoma progression via inactivation of reactive oxygen species-mediated PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Background: Taraxasterol (TX), a pentacyclic triterpene, is one of the main active constituents isolated from Taraxacum officinale. A growing number of studies have reported that TX exhibits a wide range of biological activities such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and neuro-protective effects. Recently, TX has been demonstrated to be a potential drug candidate for treatment of some types of cancers. However, the specific role of TX in melanoma remains unclear.Purpose: In this study, we aimed at exploration of the effect of TX on melanoma cell viability, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as well as the underlying mechanisms.Research design: A375 and SK-MEL-28 cells were treated with various concentrations of TX for different times. Cell viability was measured using CCK-8 assay. Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. Transwell assays were performed to measure cell migration and invasion. The expression of E-cadherin, α-catenin, N-cadherin, vimentin, p-PI3K, PI3K, p-Akt and Akt was detected using western blot.Results: The study showed that TX induced A375 and SK-MEL-28 cell apoptosis. Furthermore, exposure to TX inhibited A375 and SK-MEL-28 cell migration and invasion. Besides, the EMT process was reversed in A375 and SK-MEL-28 cells after TX treatment. We also observed that TX reduced the protein expression of p-PI3K and p-Akt; thus, inhibiting activity of the PI3K/Akt pathway in A375 and SK-MEL-28 cells. In addition, TX treatment increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in A375 and SK-MEL-28 cells, and treatment with the ROS scavenger NAC significantly rescued TX-induced down-regulation of p-PI3K and p-Akt in A375 and SK-MEL-28 cells.Conclusions: In conclusion, our study demonstrated that TX induced ROS accumulation followed by inactivation of the PI3K/Akt pathway and subsequently attenuated melanoma progression, suggesting that TX may be a potential candidate for treatment of melanoma.

Effects of cytokine signaling inhibition on inflammation-driven tissue remodeling

Fibrosis is a common condition that can affect all body tissues, driven by unresolved tissue inflammation and resulting in tissue dysfunction and organ failure that could ultimately lead to death. A myriad of factors are thought to contribute to fibrosis and, although it is relatively common, treatments focusing on reversing fibrosis are few and far between. The process of fibrosis involves a variety of cell types, including epithelial, endothelial, and mesenchymal cells, as well as immune cells, which have been shown to produce pro-fibrotic cytokines. Advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of inflammation-driven tissue fibrosis and scar formation have led to the development of targeted therapeutics aiming to prevent, delay, or even reverse tissue fibrosis. In this review, we describe promising targets and agents in development, with a specific focus on cytokines that have been well-described to play a role in fibrosis: IL-1, TNF-α, IL-6, and TGF-β. An array of small molecule inhibitors, natural compounds, and biologics have been assessed in vivo, in vivo, and in the clinic, demonstrating the capacity to either directly interfere with pro-fibrotic pathways or to block intracellular enzymes that control fibrosis-related signaling pathways. Targeting pro-fibrotic cytokines, potentially via a multi-pronged approach, holds promise for the treatment of inflammation-driven fibrotic diseases in numerous organs. Despite the complexity of the interplay of cytokines in fibrotic tissues, the breadth of the currently ongoing research targeting cytokines suggests that these may hold the key to mitigating tissue fibrosis and reducing organ damage in the future.

Folic acid-induced animal model of kidney disease

The kidneys are a vital organ that is vulnerable to both acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) which can be caused by numerous risk factors such as ischemia, sepsis, drug toxicity and drug overdose, exposure to heavy metals, and diabetes. In spite of the advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of AKI and CKD as well AKI transition to CKD, there is still no available therapeutics that can be used to combat kidney disease effectively, highlighting an urgent need to further study the pathological mechanisms underlying AKI, CKD, and AKI progression to CKD. In this regard, animal models of kidney disease are indispensable. This article reviews a widely used animal model of kidney disease, which is induced by folic acid (FA). While a low dose of FA is nutritionally beneficial, a high dose of FA is very toxic to the kidneys. Following a brief description of the procedure for disease induction by FA, major mechanisms of FA-induced kidney injury are then reviewed, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial abnormalities such as impaired bioenergetics and mitophagy, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and increased expression of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). Finally, application of this FA-induced kidney disease model as a platform for testing the efficacy of a variety of therapeutic approaches is also discussed. Given that this animal model is simple to create and is reproducible, it should remain useful for both studying the pathological mechanisms of kidney disease and identifying therapeutic targets to fight kidney disease.

Sinensetin attenuates oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion-induced neurotoxicity by MAPK pathway in human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells

Sinensetin is a polymethoxylated flavone with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. This work aimed to explore the function and mechanism of sinensetin in oxygen and glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R)-induced neurotoxicity. The overlapping target genes of cerebral stroke and sinensetin were determined according to GeneCards and ParmMapper tools and were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) annotations and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (HCMECs) were stimulated with OGD/R. Neurotoxicity was investigated by Cell Counting Kit-8, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, qRT-PCR, and TUNEL analysis. The proteins (p38, JNK, and ERK) in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling were measured using Western blotting. Total of 50 overlapping target genes of cerebral stroke and sinensetin were predicted. Pathway analysis showed they might be involved in the MAPK pathway. Sinensetin attenuated OGD/R-induced neurotoxicity by mitigating viability reduction, LDH release, ROS generation, inflammatory response, and apoptosis in HCMECs. Sinensetin weakened OGD/R-induced activation of the MAPK pathway via decreasing the phosphorylation of p38, JNK, and ERK. The pathway inhibitors mitigated the activation of the MAPK signaling, and sinensetin exacerbated this effect. The inhibitors reversed OGD/R-induced neurotoxicity in HCMECs, and sinensetin contributed to this role. Overall, sinensetin prevents OGD/R-induced neurotoxicity through decreasing the activation of MAPK pathway.

Nephroprotective Role of Chrysophanol in Hypoxia/Reoxygenation-Induced Renal Cell Damage via Apoptosis, ER Stress, and Ferroptosis

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is caused by hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R), which is a kidney injury produced by a variety of causes, resulting in the remaining portion of the kidney function being unable to maintain the balance for performing the tasks of waste excretion metabolism, and electrolyte and acid-base balance. Many studies have reported the use of Chinese medicine to slow down the progression and alleviate the complications of chronic renal failure. Chrysophanol is a component of Rheum officinale Baill, a traditional Chinese medicine that has been clinically used to treat renal disease. We aimed to study the nephroprotective effect of chrysophanol on hypoxia/ reoxygenation (H/R)-induced cell damage. The results showed that chrysophanol prevented H/R-induced apoptosis via downregulation of cleaved Caspase-3, p-JNK, and Bax but upregulation of Bcl-2 expression. In contrast, chrysophanol attenuated H/R-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress via the downregulation of CHOP and p-IRE1α expression. Our data demonstrated that chrysophanol alleviated H/R-induced lipid ROS accumulation and ferroptosis. Therefore, we propose that chrysophanol may have a protective effect against AKI by regulating apoptosis, ER stress, and ferroptosis.

The Suppression of Pin1-Alleviated Oxidative Stress through the p38 MAPK Pathway in Ischemia- and Reperfusion-Induced Acute Kidney Injury

Background

Pin1, as the peptidyl-prolyl isomerase, plays a vital role in cellular processes. However, whether it has a regulatory effect on renal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury still remains unknown.

Methods

The hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model in human kidney (HK-2) cells and the I/R model in rats were assessed to investigate the role of Pin1 on I/R-induced acute kidney injury. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to establish the I/R model for 15, 30, and 45 min ischemia and then 24 h reperfusion, with or without the Pin1 inhibitor, to demonstrate the role of Pin1 in acute kidney injury. HK-2 cells were cultured and experienced the H/R model to identify the molecular mechanisms involved.

Results

In this study, we found that Pin1 and oxidative stress were obviously increased after renal I/R. Inhibition of Pin1 with juglone decreased renal structural and functional injuries, as well as oxidative stress. Besides, Pin1 inhibition with the inhibitor, juglone, or the small interfering RNA showed significant reduction on oxidative stress markers caused by the H/R process in vitro. Furthermore, the results indicated that the expression of p38 MAPK was increased during H/R in vitro and Pin1 inhibition could reduce the increased expression of p38 MAPK.

Conclusion

Our results illustrated that Pin1 aggravated renal I/R injury via elevating oxidative stress through activation of the p38 MAPK pathway. These findings indicated that Pin1 might become the potential treatment for renal I/R injury.