Alleviative effects of 20(R)-Rg3 on HFD/STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy via MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathways in C57BL/6 mice

Ginsenoside Rg3 induces mesangial cells proliferation and attenuates apoptosis by miR-216a-5p/MAPK pathway in diabetic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

Ginsenoside Rg3 is an active saponin isolated from ginseng, which can reduce renal inflammation. However, the role and mechanism of Rg3 in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) are far from being studied.

METHODS

The effects of Rg3 and miR-216a-5p on the proliferation, apoptosis, and MAPK pathway in high glucose (HG)-induced SV40 MES 13 were monitored by CCK-8, TUNEL staining, and western blot.

RESULTS

Rg3 treatment could accelerate proliferation and suppress apoptosis in HG-induced SV40 MES. Moreover, miR-216a-5p inhibition also could alleviate renal injury, prevent apoptosis, and activate the MAPK pathway in kidney tissues of diabetic model mice.

CONCLUSION

Rg3 could attenuate DKD progression by downregulating miR-216a-5p, suggesting Rg3 and miR-216a-5p might be the potential drug and molecular targets for DKD therapy.

Integrated network pharmacology and pharmacological investigations to discover the active compounds of Toona sinensis pericarps against diabetic nephropathy

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Toona sinensis (A. Juss.) Roem. Is a deciduous woody plant native to Eastern and Southeastern Asia. Different parts of this plant have a long history of being applied as traditional medicines to treat various diseases. The fruits have been used for antidiabetic, antidiabetic nephropathy (anti-DN), antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other activities.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of EtOAc (PEAE) and n-BuOH extracts (PNBE) from T. sinensis pericarps (TSP) on kidney injury in high-fat and high-glucose diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DN mice by network pharmacology and pharmacological investigations, as well as to further discover active compounds that could ameliorate oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby delaying DN progression by regulating the Nrf2/NF-κB pathway in high glucose (HG)-induced glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The targets of TSP 1-16 with DN were analyzed by network pharmacology. HFD/STZ-induced DN mouse models were established to evaluate the effects of PEAE and PNBE. Six groups were divided into normal, model, PEAE100, PEAE400, PNBE100, and PNBE400 groups. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, organ indices, plasma MDA, SOD, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels, as well as renal tissue Nrf2, HO-1, NF-κB, TNF-α, and TGF-β1 levels were determined, along with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of kidney sections. Furthermore, GMC activity screening combined with molecular docking was utilized to discover active compounds targeting HO-1, TNF-α, and IL-6. Moreover, western blotting assays were performed to validate the mechanism of Nrf2 and NF-κB in HG-induced GMCs.

RESULTS

Network pharmacology predicted that the main targets of PEAE and PNBE in the treatment of DN include IL-6, INS, TNF, ALB, GAPDH, IL-1β, TP53, EGFR, and CASP3. Additionally, major pathways include AGE-RAGE and IL-17. In vivo experiments, treatment with PEAE and PNBE effectively reduced FBG levels and organ indices, while plasma MDA, SOD, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels, renal tissue Nrf2, HO-1, NF-κB, TNF-α, and TGF-β1 levels, and renal function were significantly improved. PEAE and PNBE significantly improved glomerular and tubule injury, and inhibited the development of DN by regulating the levels of oxidative stress and inflammation-related factors. In vitro experiments, compound 11 strongly activated HO-1 and inhibited TNF-α and IL-6. The molecular docking results revealed that compound 11 exhibited a high binding affinity towards the targets HO-1, TNF-α, and IL-6 (<-6 kcal/mol). Western blotting results showed compound 11 effectively regulated Nrf2 and NF-κB p65 protein levels, and significantly improved oxidative stress damage and inflammatory responses in HG-induced GMCs.

CONCLUSION

PEAE, PNBE, and their compounds, especially compound 11, may have the potential to prevent and treat DN, and are promising natural nephroprotective agents.

Platycodin D Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Mice via Regulating PI3K/Akt/GSK3β Signaling Pathway

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the ameliorative effect of platycodin D (PD) on cognitive dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its potential molecular mechanisms of action in vivo and in vitro. Materials and methods: An animal model of cognitive impairment in T2DM was established using a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (100 mg/kg) after 8 weeks of feeding a high-fat diet to C57BL/6 mice. In vitro, immunofluorescence staining and Western blot were employed to analyze the effects of PD on glucose-induced neurotoxicity in mouse hippocampal neuronal cells (HT22). Results: PD (2.5 mg/kg) treatment for 4 weeks significantly suppressed the rise in fasting blood glucose in T2DM mice, improved insulin secretion deficiency, and reversed abnormalities in serum triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein levels. Meanwhile, PD ameliorated choline dysfunction in T2DM mice and inhibited the production of oxidative stress and apoptosis-related proteins of the caspase family. Notably, PD dose-dependently prevents the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, promotes phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase and protein kinase B (Akt) in vitro, activates glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) expression at the Ser9 site, and inhibits Tau protein hyperphosphorylation. Conclusions: These findings clearly indicated that PD could alleviate the neurological damage caused by T2DM, and the phosphorylation of Akt at Ser473 may be the key to its effect.

The mechanisms underlying Chinese medicines to treat inflammation in diabetic kidney disease

ETHNIC PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the main cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which is a public health problem with a significant economic burden. Serious adverse effects, such as hypotension, hyperkalemia, and genitourinary infections, as well as increasing adverse cardiovascular events, limit the clinical application of available drugs. Plenty of randomized controlled trials(RCTs), meta-analysis(MAs) and systematic reviews(SRs) have demonstrated that many therapies that have been used for a long time in medical practice including Chinese patent medicines(CPMs), Chinese medicine prescriptions, and extracts are effective in alleviating DKD, but the mechanisms by which they work are still unknown. Currently, targeting inflammation is a central strategy in DKD drug development. In addition, many experimental studies have identified many Chinese medicine prescriptions, medicinal herbs and extracts that have the potential to alleviate DKD. And part of the mechanisms by which they work have been uncovered.

AIM OF THIS REVIEW

This review aims to summarize therapies that have been proven effective by RCTs, MAs and SRs, including CPMs, Chinese medicine prescriptions, and extracts. This review also focuses on the efficiency and potential targets of Chinese medicine prescriptions, medicinal herbs and extracts discovered in experimental studies in improving immune inflammation in DKD.

METHODS

We searched for relevant scientific articles in the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. We summarized effective CPMs, Chinese medicine prescriptions, and extracts from RCTs, MAs and SRs. We elaborated the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms by which Chinese medicine prescriptions, medicinal herbs and extracts alleviate inflammation in DKD according to different experimental studies.

RESULTS

After overviewing plenty of RCTs with the low hierarchy of evidence and MAs and SRs with strong heterogeneity, we still found that CPMs, Chinese medicine prescriptions, and extracts exerted promising protective effects against DKD. However, there is insufficient evidence to prove the safety of Chinese medicines. As for experimental studies, Experiments in vitro and in vivo jointly demonstrated the efficacy of Chinese medicines(Chinese medicine prescriptions, medicinal herbs and extracts) in DKD treatment. Chinese medicines were able to regulate signaling pathways to improve inflammation in DKD, such as toll-like receptors, NLRP3 inflammasome, Nrf2 signaling pathway, AMPK signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, JAK-STAT, and AGE/RAGE.

CONCLUSION

Chinese medicines (Chinese medicine prescriptions, medicinal herbs and extracts) can improve inflammation in DKD. For drugs that are effective in RCTs, the underlying bioactive components or extracts should be identified and isolated. Attention should be given to their safety and pharmacokinetics. Acute, subacute, and subchronic toxicity studies should be designed to determine the magnitude and tolerability of side effects in humans or animals. For drugs that have been proven effective in experimental studies, RCTs should be designed to provide reliable evidence for clinical translation. In a word, Chinese medicines targeting immune inflammation in DKD are a promising direction.

Therapeutic Effect of Desmodium caudatum Extracts on Alleviating Diabetic Nephropathy Mice

Desmodium caudatum extracts (DCE) were investigated for their potential therapeutic effects on diabetic nephropathy (DN). In our study, the high-fat diet (HFD) / streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DN model in C57BL/6 mice was treated with 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg DCE. The results showed that DCE decreased biochemical parameters and proteinuria levels. The kidney sections staining indicated that DCE treatment recovered glomerular atrophy and alleviated lipid droplets in the glomerular. Additionally, DCE inhibited lipid and glycogen accumulation down-regulated the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) proteins. DCE also reduced collagenous fibrous tissue and the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) through Masson's trichrome staining and immunohistochemical analysis. We found that DCE alleviated hydroxyproline content, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Besides, the results shown that DCE enhanced the antioxidant enzymes to mitigate fibrosis by reducing oxidative stress. In conclusion, our study provided evidence of the protective effect of DCE which down-regulated hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and inhibition of TGF-β1 and EMT pathway but elevated antioxidant, suggesting its therapeutic implication for DN.

Protopanaxadiol improves lupus nephritis by regulating the PTX3/MAPK/ERK1/2 pathway

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a kidney disease that occurs after systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) affects the kidneys. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is highly expressed in the serum of patients with LN. Renal PTX3 deposition is directly related to clinical symptoms such as proteinuria and inflammation. The excessive proliferation of mesangial cells (MCs) is one of the representative pathological changes in the progression of LN, which is closely related to its pathogenesis. Protopanaxadiol (PPD) is the main component of ginsenoside metabolism and has not been reported in LN. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between PTX3 and mesangial cell proliferation and to evaluate the potential role and mechanism of PPD in improving LN. PTX3 is highly expressed in the kidneys of LN patients and LN mice and is positively correlated with renal pathological indicators, including proteinuria and PCNA. The excessive expression of PTX3 facilitated the proliferation of MCs, facilitated the activation of the MAPK/ERK1/2 signaling pathway, and increased the expression of HIF-1α. Further studies showed that PPD can effectively inhibit the abnormal proliferation of MCs with high expression of PTX3 and significantly improve LN symptoms such as proteinuria in MRL/lpr mice. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the PTX3/MAPK/ERK1/2 pathway. In this study, both in vitro, in vivo, and clinical sample results show that PTX3 is involved in the regulation of MCs proliferation and the early occurrence of LN. Natural active compound PPD can improve LN by regulating the PTX3/MAPK/ERK1/2 pathway.

Multiomic study of the protective mechanism of Persicaria capitata (Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) H.Gross against streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy in Guizhou miniature pigs

BACKGROUND

Persicaria capitata (Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) H.Gross (P. capitata, PCB), a traditional drug of the Miao people in China, is potential traditional drug used for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy (DN).

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to investigate the function of P. capitata and clarify its protective mechanism against DN.

METHODS

We induced DN in the Guizhou miniature pig with injections of streptozotocin, and P. capitata was added to the pigs' diet to treat DN. In week 16, all the animals were slaughtered, samples were collected, and the relative DN indices were measured. 16S rRNA sequencing, metagenomics, metabolomics, RNA sequencing, and proteomics were used to explore the protective mechanism of P. capitata against DN.

RESULTS

Dietary supplementation with P. capitata significantly reduced the extent of the disease, not only in term of the relative disease indices but also in hematoxylin-eosin-stained tissues. A multiomic analysis showed that two microbes (Clostridium baratii and Escherichia coli), five metabolites (oleic acid, linoleic acid, 4-phenylbutyric acid, 18-β-glycyrrhetinic acid, and ergosterol peroxide), four proteins (ENTPD5, EPHX1, ARVCF and TREH), four important mRNAs (encoding ENTPD5, EPHX1, ARVCF, and TREH), six lncRNAs (TCONS_00024194, TCONS_00085825, TCONS_00006937, TCONS_00070981, TCONS_00074099, and TCONS_00097913), and two circRNAs (novel_circ_0001514 and novel_circ_0017507) are all involved in the protective mechanism of P. capitata against DN.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide multidimensional theoretical support for the study and application of P. capitata.

Recent trends in ginseng research

Ginseng, the dried root of Panax ginseng, contains ginsenosides and has long been used in Korea, China, and Japan to treat various symptoms. Many studies on the utility of ginseng have been conducted and in this paper we investigate recent trends in ginseng research. P. ginseng studies were collected from scientific databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and SciFindern) using the keywords "Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer", "ginsenosides", "genetic diversity", "biosynthesis", "cultivation", and "pharmacology". We identified 1208 studies up to and including September 2023: 549 studies on pharmacology, 262 studies on chemical components, 131 studies on molecular biology, 58 studies on cultivation, 71 studies on tissue culture, 28 studies on clinical trials, 123 reviews, and 49 studies in other fields. Many researchers focused on the characteristic ginseng component ginsenoside to elucidate the mechanism of ginseng's pharmacological action, the relationship between component patterns and cultivation areas and conditions, and gene expression.

NF-ĸB axis in diabetic neuropathy, cardiomyopathy and nephropathy: A roadmap from molecular intervention to therapeutic strategies

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic illness defined by elevated blood glucose levels, mediating various tissue alterations, including the dysfunction of vital organs. Diabetes mellitus (DM) can lead to many consequences that specifically affect the brain, heart, and kidneys. These issues are known as neuropathy, cardiomyopathy, and nephropathy, respectively. Inflammation is acknowledged as a pivotal biological mechanism that contributes to the development of various diabetes consequences. NF-κB modulates inflammation and the immune system at the cellular level. Its abnormal regulation has been identified in several clinical situations, including cancer, inflammatory bowel illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and Diabetes Mellitus (DM). The purpose of this review is to evaluate the potential impact of NF-κB on complications associated with DM. Enhanced NF-κB activity promotes inflammation, resulting in cellular harm and compromised organ performance. Phytochemicals, which are therapeutic molecules, can potentially decline the NF-κB level, therefore alleviating inflammation and the progression of problems correlated with DM. More importantly, the regulation of NF-κB can be influenced by various factors, such as TLR4 in DM. Highlighting these factors can facilitate the development of novel therapies in the future.

Platycodin D Ameliorates Type 2 Diabetes-Induced Myocardial Injury by Activating the AMPK Signaling Pathway

The current study aimed to assess the effectiveness of pharmacological intervention with Platycodin D (PD), a critically active compound isolated from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum, in mitigating cardiotoxicity in a murine model of type 2 diabetes-induced cardiac injury and in H9c2 cells in vitro. Following oral administration for 4 weeks, PD (2.5 mg/kg) significantly suppressed the elevation of fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, improved dyslipidemia, and effectively inhibited the rise of the cardiac injury markers creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT). PD treatment could ameliorate energy metabolism disorders induced by impaired glucose uptake by activating AMPK protein expression in the DCM mouse model, thereby promoting the GLUT4 transporter and further activating autophagy-related proteins. Furthermore, in vitro experiments demonstrated that PD exerted a concentration-dependent increase in cell viability while also inhibiting palmitic acid and glucose (HG-PA)-stimulated H9c2 cytotoxicity and activating AMPK protein expression. Notably, the AMPK activator AICAR (1 mM) was observed to upregulate the expression of AMPK in H9c2 cells after high-glucose and -fat exposure. Meanwhile, we used AMPK inhibitor Compound C (20 μM) to investigate the effect of PD activation of AMPK on cells. In addition, the molecular docking approach was employed to dock PD with AMPK, revealing a binding energy of -8.2 kcal/mol and indicating a tight interaction between the components and the target. PD could reduce the expression of autophagy-related protein p62, reduce the accumulation of autophagy products, promote the flow of autophagy, and improve myocardial cell injury. In conclusion, it has been demonstrated that PD effectively inhibits cardiac injury-induced type 2 diabetes in mice and enhances energy metabolism in HG-PA-stimulated H9c2 cells by activating the AMPK signaling pathway. These findings collectively unveil the potential cardioprotective effects of PD via modulation of the AMPK signaling pathway.

Ginsenoside Rg3, enriched in red ginseng extract, improves lipopolysaccharides-induced suppression of brown and beige adipose thermogenesis with mitochondrial activation

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) which is a critical regulator of energy homeostasis, and its activity is inhibited by obesity and low-grade chronic inflammation. Ginsenoside Rg3, the primary constituent of Korean red ginseng (steamed Panax ginseng CA Meyer), has shown therapeutic potential in combating inflammatory and metabolic diseases. However, it remains unclear whether Rg3 can protect against the suppression of browning or activation of BAT induced by inflammation. In this study, we conducted a screening of ginsenoside composition in red ginseng extract (RGE) and explored the anti-adipogenic effects of both RGE and Rg3. We observed that RGE (exist 0.25 mg/mL of Rg3) exhibited significant lipid-lowering effects in adipocytes during adipogenesis. Moreover, treatment with Rg3 (60 μM) led to the inhibition of triglyceride accumulation, subsequently promoting enhanced fatty acid oxidation, as evidenced by the conversion of radiolabeled 3H-fatty acids into 3H-H2O with mitochondrial activation. Rg3 alleviated the attenuation of browning in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated beige adipocytes and primary brown adipocytes by recovered by uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and the oxygen consumption rate compared to the LPS-treated group. These protective effects of Rg3 on inflammation-induced inhibition of beige and BAT-derived thermogenesis were confirmed in vivo by treating with CL316,243 (a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist) and LPS to induce browning and inflammation, respectively. Consistent with the in vitro data, treatment with Rg3 (2.5 mg/kg, 8 weeks) effectively reversed the LPS-induced inhibition of brown adipocyte features in C57BL/6 mice. Our findings confirm that Rg3-rich foods are potential browning agents that counteract chronic inflammation and metabolic complications.

TRPM2 knockdown attenuates myocardial apoptosis and promotes autophagy in HFD/STZ-induced diabetic mice via regulating the MEK/ERK and mTORC1 signaling pathway

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major complication of diabetes. Transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) activity increases in diabetic oxidative stress state, and it is involved in myocardial damage and repair. We explore the protective effect of TRPM2 knockdown on the progression of DCM. A type 2 diabetes animal model was established in C57BL/6N mice by long-term high-fat diet (HFD) feeding combined with a single injection of 100-mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). Genetic knockdown of TRPM2 in heart was accomplished by the intravenous injection via the tail vein of adeno-associated virus type 9 carrying TRPM2 shRNA. Neonatal rat ventricular myocytes was exposed to 45 mM of high-glucose (HG) stimulation for 72 h in vitro to mimic the in vivo conditions. Western blot, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), immunohistochemistry and fluorescence, electron, CCK-8, and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the phenotype of cardiac inflammation, fibrosis, apoptosis, and autophagy. Mice with HFD/STZ-induced diabetes exhibited systolic and diastolic dysfunction, as demonstrated by increased myocardial apoptosis and autophagy inhibition in the heart. Compared to control group, the protein expression of TRPM2, bax, cleaved caspase-3, and P62 was significantly elevated, and the protein expression of bcl-2 and LC3-II was significantly decreased in the myocardial tissues of the HFD/STZ-induced diabetes group. Knockdown of TRPM2 significantly reversed the HFD/STZ-induced myocardial apoptosis and autophagy inhibition. TRPM2 silencing attenuated HG-induced apoptosis and autophagy inhibition in primary cardiomyocytes via regulating the MEK/ERK mTORC1 signaling pathway. TRPM2 knockdown attenuates hyperglycemia-induced myocardial apoptosis and promotes autophagy in HFD/STZ-induced diabetic mice or HG-stimulated cardiomyocytes via regulating the MEK/ERK and mTORC1 signaling pathway.

A Newly Synbiotic Combination Alleviates Obesity by Modulating the Gut Microbiota-Fat Axis and Inhibiting the Hepatic TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

SCOPE

Obesity has been recognized as a worldwide public health crisis, this is accompanied by dysregulation of the intestinal microbiota and upregulation of liver steatosis and adipose inflammation. Synbiotic as a novel alternative therapy for obesity have recently gained much attention.

METHODS

This study innovatively research the anti-obesity properties of a newly synbiotic composed of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium infantis and konjac glucomannan oligosaccharides.

RESULTS

The synbiotic treatment can reduce body weight, fat mass, blood sugar, liver steatosis and adipose inflammation in obesity mice fed by high-fat diet (HFD). Meanwhile, synbiotic treatment activated brown adipose tissue and improve energy, glucose and lipid metabolism. In addition, synbiotic treatment not solely enhanced the protection of intestinal barrier, but also ameliorated gut microbiota dysbiosis directly by enhancing beneficial microbes and reducing potentially harmful bacteria. Furthermore, the microbiome phenotype and functional prediction showed that synbiotic treatment can improve the gut microbiota functions involving inflammatory state, immune response, metabolism and pathopoiesia.

CONCLUSION

The synbiotic may be an effective candidate treatment strategy for the clinical prevention and treatment of obesity and other associated metabolic diseases such as hyperlipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases by alleviating inflammatory response, regulating energy metabolism and maintaining the balance of intestinal microecology.

Alleviation of D-gal-induced senile liver injury by Rg3, a signature component of red ginseng

To investigate the mechanism by which ginsenoside Rg3 regulates oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation through NF/KB pathway to delay mouse liver injury. This work randomized Balbc mice as four groups: Normal, D-gal, Rg3-L, Rg3-H. Paraffin-embedded liver tissue sections were prepared, later, BAX/BCL-2 protein expression was observed by HE, Sirius red, TUNEL and immunofluorescence to detect apoptotic injury and α-SMA/TGF-β protein expression to detect fibrosis, and liver inflammation-related protein NF-KB was detected. HE and TUNEL staining showed that Rg3 reduced necrotic cells and fibrosis in liver-injured mice, Rg3 increased anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-18 and reduced TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 expression. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rg3 can effectively antagonize D-gal's role in mouse liver injury, and its mechanism may be associated with regulating inflammatory pathway by Rg.

Ginsenoside Rg3 Protects Mouse Islet β-Cells Injured by High Glucose

To investigate the effect of Ginsenoside Rg3 on insulin secretion in mouse MIN6 cells and the possible mechanism. The cultured mouse pancreatic islet MIN6 cells were divided into control group (NC), Rg3 group (Rg3, 50 μg/L), high glucose group (HG, 33 mmol/L), High glucose and Rg3 group (HG + Rg3), after 48 h of continuous culture, CCK-8 was used to detect cell viability; mouse insulin enzyme-linked immunoassay kit to detect insulin release; ATP content detection kit to detect ATP; DCFH-DA to detect intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels; total glutathione (T-GSH)/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) assay kit to detect the ratio of GSH/GSSG; Using the mitochondrial membrane channel pore (MPTP) fluorescence detection kit in MIN6 cells and collect the intensity of green fluorescence; Western blot to detect the expression of antioxidant proteins Glutathione reductase (GR). The results showed that compared with the NC group, the cell viability of the HG was decreased (P < 0.05), insulin release decreased (P < 0.001), ATP content decreased significantly (P < 0.001), and ROS content increased (P < 0.01), the GSH/GSSH ratio of pancreatic islet cells decreased (P < 0.05),the green fluorescence intensity decreased (P < 0.001), indicating that the permeability of mitochondria increased and the content of antioxidant protein in the cells decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the HG group, the cell viability of the HG + Rg3 group was significantly increased (P < 0.05), the amount of insulin released was significantly increased (P < 0.001), ATP content was significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the ROS content was significantly decreased (P < 0.01), GSH/GSSH ratio increased significantly (P < 0.05), the green fluorescence intensity was increased (P < 0.001), indicating that the permeability of mitochondria decreased and antioxidant protein GR content increased significantly (P < 0.05). Taken together, our results suggest that Rg3 has an antioxidant protective effect on mouse pancreatic islet cells damaged by high glucose and maintains pancreatic islet cell function and promotes insulin secretion.

Platycodin D inhibits HFD/STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy via inflammatory and apoptotic signaling pathways in C57BL/6 mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The dried root of Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A.DC. (PG) is a traditional herb used in Asian countries and is widely used in formulas for the treatment of diabetes. Platycodin D (PD) is one of the most important components of PG.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the improvement effects and regulatory mechanisms of PD on kidney injury in a high-fat diet (HFD) combined with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy (DN).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Model mice were treated with oral gavage of the PD (2.5, 5 mg/kg) for 8 weeks. Determination of serum lipid and renal function-related indexes creatinine (CRE), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels in mice, and histopathological section analysis of kidney. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics were utilized to study the binding ability of PD to target NF-κB and apoptosis signaling pathway-related proteins. Moreover, western blot was used to test the expressions of NF-κB and apoptosis-related proteins. Vitro experiments were performed to validate the related mechanisms using RAW264.7 cells and HK2 cells cultured by high glucose.

RESULTS

In vivo experiments, the administration of PD (2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg) reduced fasting blood glucose (FBG) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels in DN mice, while lipid levels and renal function were significantly improved. Furthermore, PD significantly inhibited the development of DN in the model mice by regulating NF-κB and apoptotic signaling pathways, reduced the abnormal elevation of serum inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β, and repaired renal cell apoptosis. In vitro experiments, NF-κB inhibitor ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) was used to confirm that PD can alleviate high glucose-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 cells and inhibit the release of inflammatory factors. And in HK2 cell experiments, it was verified that PD can inhibit ROS generation, reduce the loss of JC-1 and suppress HK2 cell injury by regulating NF-κB and apoptotic pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggested that PD has the potential to prevent and treat DN and is a promising natural nephroprotective agent.

Ginsenosides from Panax ginseng as Key Modulators of NF-κB Signaling Are Powerful Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Agents

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways progress inflammation and immune cell differentiation in the host immune response; however, the uncontrollable stimulation of NF-κB signaling is responsible for several inflammatory illnesses regardless of whether the conditions are acute or chronic. Innate immune cells, such as macrophages, microglia, and Kupffer cells, secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, via the activation of NF-κB subunits, which may lead to the damage of normal cells, including neurons, cardiomyocytes, hepatocytes, and alveolar cells. This results in the occurrence of neurodegenerative disorders, cardiac infarction, or liver injury, which may eventually lead to systemic inflammation or cancer. Recently, ginsenosides from Panax ginseng, a historical herbal plant used in East Asia, have been used as possible options for curing inflammatory diseases. All of the ginsenosides tested target different steps of the NF-κB signaling pathway, ameliorating the symptoms of severe illnesses. Moreover, ginsenosides inhibit the NF-κB-mediated activation of cancer metastasis and immune resistance, significantly attenuating the expression of MMPs, Snail, Slug, TWIST1, and PD-L1. This review introduces current studies on the therapeutic efficacy of ginsenosides in alleviating NF-κB responses and emphasizes the critical role of ginsenosides in severe inflammatory diseases as well as cancers.

Renal function protection and the mechanism of ginsenosides: Current progress and future perspectives

Nephropathy is a general term for kidney diseases, which refers to changes in the structure and function of the kidney caused by various factors, resulting in pathological damage to the kidney, abnormal blood or urine components, and other diseases. The main manifestations of kidney disease include hematuria, albuminuria, edema, hypertension, anemia, lower back pain, oliguria, and other symptoms. Early detection, diagnosis, and active treatment are required to prevent chronic renal failure. The concept of nephropathy encompasses a wide range of conditions, including acute renal injury, chronic kidney disease, nephritis, renal fibrosis, and diabetic nephropathy. Some of these kidney-related diseases are interrelated and may lead to serious complications without effective control. In serious cases, it can also develop into chronic renal dysfunction and eventually end-stage renal disease. As a result, it seriously affects the quality of life of patients and places a great economic burden on society and families. Ginsenoside is one of the main active components of ginseng, with anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antioxidant, and other pharmacological activities. A variety of monomers in ginsenosides can play protective roles in multiple organs. According to the difference of core structure, ginsenosides can be divided into protopanaxadiol-type (including Rb1, Rb3, Rg3, Rh2, Rd and CK, etc.), and protopanaxatriol (protopanaxatriol)- type (including Rg1, Rg2 and Rh1, etc.), and other types (including Rg5, Rh4, Rh3, Rk1, and Rk3, etc.). All of these ginsenosides showed significant renal function protection, which can reduce renal damage in renal injury, nephritis, renal fibrosis, and diabetic nephropathy models. This review summarizes reports on renal function protection and the mechanisms of action of these ginsenosides in various renal injury models.

Exploring the mechanism of active components from ginseng to manage diabetes mellitus based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

A large body of literature has shown that ginseng had a role in diabetes mellitus management. Ginsenosides are the main active components of ginseng. But what ginsenosides can manage in diabetic are not systematic. The targets of these ginsenosides are still incomplete. Our aim was to identify which ginsenosides can manage diabetes mellitus through network pharmacology and molecular docking. To identify the targets of these ginsenosides. In this work, we retrieved and screened ginsenosides and corresponding diabetes mellitus targets across multiple databases. PPI networks of the genes were constructed using STRING, and the core targets were screened out through topological analysis. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses were performed by using the R language. Finally, molecular docking was performed after bioinformatics analysis for verification. Our research results showed that 28 ginsenosides in ginseng might be against diabetes mellitus by modulating related proteins such as VEGFA, Caspase 3, and TNF-α. Among the 28 ginsenosides, 20(R)-Protopanaxatriol, 20(R)-Protopanaxadiol, and Ginsenoside Rg1 might play a significant role. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Ontology enrichment analysis showed that the management of diabetes mellitus by ginsenosides may be related to the positive regulation of reactive oxygen metabolic processes, associated with the insulin signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, and AMPK signaling pathway. Molecular docking results and molecular dynamics simulation showed that most ginsenosides could stably bind to the core target, mainly hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic bond. This study suggests the management of ginseng on diabetes mellitus. We believe that our results can contribute to the systematic study of the mechanism of ginsenosides for the management of diabetes mellitus. At the same time, it can provide a theoretical basis for subsequent studies on the management of ginsenosides in diabetes mellitus.

Platycodin D ameliorates hyperglycaemia and liver metabolic disturbance in HFD/STZ-induced type 2 diabetic mice

In this work, we investigated the ameliorative effects of platycodin D (PD), a major active chemical ingredient isolated from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum (PG), on high-fat diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetes (T2D) mice. PD treatment (2.5 and 5.0 mg kg^-1) improved HFD-induced body weight gain. PD administration also decreased the fasting blood glucose (FBG) level and improved glucose and insulin tolerance levels. These data collectively showed that PD could maintain glucose homeostasis. In addition, the diabetic mice with PD treatment also showed fewer pathological changes in liver tissues and improved hepatic functional indexes with respect to the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and recovery of abnormal liver function caused by T2D. Except for these, PD decreased the decomposition of hepatic glycogen. The results from western blot analysis showed that PD treatment might regulate the hepatic gluconeogenesis pathway with the increased phosphorylation/expression of AMPK and decreased expressions of PCK1 and G6Pase. In the aspect of lipid metabolism, PD decreased the whole-body lipid levels, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and reduced the hepatic fat accumulation induced by T2D through the AMPK/ACC/CPT-1 fatty acid anabolism pathway. In addition, the results of molecular docking showed that PD may have a potential direct effect on AMPK and other key glycolipid metabolism proteins. To summarize, PD modulation of hepatic glycolipid metabolism abnormalities is promising for T2D therapy in the future.

Chemical Constituents and Antidiabetic Activity of Dichloromethane Extract from Ficus carica Leaves

PURPOSE

To evaluate the dichloromethane extract of Ficus carica leaves (FCL) had a hypoglycemic impact in diabetic mice, as well as to identify the bioactive components in the extract and analyze their anti-hyperglycemia potential in HepG2 cells.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The antidiabetic activity of dichloromethane extract of Ficus carica leaves was evaluated in diabetic mice induced by streptozotocin (STZ,100 mg/kg) combined with high-fat diet. The fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood lipids, oral glucose tolerance, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and pathological change effects of the extract were measured after administering two doses of the extract (500 and 1000 mg/kg). On the other hand, we used column chromatography to isolate the dichloromethane extract, and we structurally identified the compounds based on ¹H NMR and ³C NMR spectra. The hypoglycemic activity of isolated compounds was investigated in palmitic acid (PA)-induced HepG2 cells.

RESULTS

FCL extract lowers blood glucose and improves blood lipids and the pancreatic β-cell also tend to recover whether the psoralen is removed or not. Meanwhile, three coumarins except psoralen were isolated from dichloromethane extract: 3,4-dihydropsoralen, umbelliferone and 7-hydroxyl-6-methylcoumarin. Psoralen and umbelliferone promoted glucose uptake in HepG2 cells.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

In vivo experiments, dichloromethane extract of FCL has potential antidiabetic activity, mainly by lowering blood glucose, improving blood lipids, glucose tolerance and repairing pancreatic islet damage, which justifies its use in the treatment of diabetes in Spanish folklore. Additionally, in vitro experiments, psoralen and umbelliferone demonstrated substantial glucose-lowering activity.

Hypolipidemic effect and molecular mechanism of ginsenosides: a review based on oxidative stress

Hyperlipidemia is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular and endocrine diseases. However, effective approaches for treating this common metabolic disorder remain limited. Ginseng has traditionally been used as a natural medicine for invigorating energy or "Qi" and has been demonstrated to possess antioxidative, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. A large number of studies have shown that ginsenosides, the main active ingredient of ginseng, have lipid-lowering effects. However, there remains a lack of systematic reviews detailing the molecular mechanisms by which ginsenosides reduce blood lipid levels, especially in relation to oxidative stress. For this article, research studies detailing the molecular mechanisms through which ginsenosides regulate oxidative stress and lower blood lipids in the treatment of hyperlipidemia and its related diseases (diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and atherosclerosis) were comprehensively reviewed. The relevant papers were search on seven literature databases. According to the studies reviewed, ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Re, Rg1, Rg3, Rh2, Rh4, and F2 inhibit oxidative stress by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, promoting fatty acid β-oxidation and autophagy, and regulating the intestinal flora to alleviate high blood pressure and improve the body's lipid status. These effects are related to the regulation of various signaling pathways, such as those of PPARα, Nrf2, mitogen-activated protein kinases, SIRT3/FOXO3/SOD, and AMPK/SIRT1. These findings suggest that ginseng is a natural medicine with lipid-lowering effects.

Monkfish (Lophius litulon) Peptides Ameliorate High-Fat-Diet-Induced Nephrotoxicity by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Inflammation via Regulation of Intestinal Flora

BACKGROUND

Renal damage and intestinal flora imbalance due to lipotoxicity are particularly significant in terms of oxidative stress and inflammation, which can be alleviated with bioactive peptides. The monkfish (Lophius litulon) is rich in proteins, which can be used as a source of quality bioactive peptides. This study aimed to examine the protective effect of monkfish peptides on renal injury and their potential role in regulating gut microbiota.

METHODS

Monkfish meat was hydrolyzed using neutral protease and filtered, and the component with the highest elimination rate of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl was named lophius litulon peptides (LPs). Lipid nephrotoxicity was induced via high-fat diet (HFD) feeding for 8 weeks and then treated with LPs. Oxidative stress, inflammatory factors, and intestinal flora were evaluated.

RESULTS

LP (200 mg/kg) therapy reduced serum creatinine, uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen levels by 49.5%, 31.6%, and 31.6%, respectively. Renal vesicles and tubules were considerably improved with this treatment. Moreover, the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and total antioxidant capacity increased significantly by 198.7%, 167.9%, 61.5%, and 89.4%, respectively. LPs attenuated the upregulation of HFD-induced Toll-like receptor 4 and phospho-nuclear factor-kappa B and increased the protein levels of heme oxygenase 1, nicotinamide quinone oxidoreductase 1, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2. The dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota improved after LP treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

LPs significantly improve antioxidant activity, reduce inflammatory cytokine levels, and regulate intestinal dysbiosis. Thus, LPs are potential compounds that can alleviate HFD-induced renal lipotoxicity.

Chrysin improves diabetic nephropathy by regulating the AMPK-mediated lipid metabolism in HFD/STZ-induced DN mice

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a highly prevalent and severe diabetic complication. It is urgent to explore high efficiency and minor side effects therapy for DN. Chrysin is a natural flavonoid with various biological activities found in honey and propolis, and has considerable potential to improve DN. The study was designed to explore the effects and the specific underlying mechanism of chrysin for DN in high-fat-diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ) induced DN mice. Firstly, the study revealed that chrysin effectively improved obesity, insulin resistance (IR), renal function, and pathological injury in DN mice. Secondly, the study found that chrysin improved the key indices and markers of lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation which are closely related to the development or progression of DN. Moreover, chrysin markedly modulated lipid metabolism by regulating Adenosine 5' monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and essential downstream proteins. Furthermore, AMPK inhibitor (Dorsomorphin) intervention partially suppressed the positive effects of chrysin on all testing indicators, indicating that activated AMPK is crucial for chrysin action on DN. The present study demonstrated that chrysin may improve DN by regulating lipid metabolism, and activated AMPK plays a critical role in the regulation of chrysin. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The study verified the positive effects of chrysin on obesity, insulin resistance, kidney injury, renal function, lipid accumulation, inflammation, and oxidative stress, which are closely related to the development or progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Moreover, we explored that chrysin improves DN by regulating AMPK-mediated lipid metabolism. Furthermore, the AMPK inhibitor was used to confirm that activated AMPK plays a critical role in the effects of chrysin. These results could offer a full explanation and a potential option for adjuvant therapy of DN diabetes with chrysin.

The Interaction of Food Allergy and Diabetes: Food Allergy Effects on Diabetic Mice by Intestinal Barrier Destruction and Glucagon-like Peptide 1 Reduction in Jejunum

The increase in food allergies and diabetes leads to the assumption that they are related. This study aimed to (1) verify the interaction between food allergy and diabetes and (2) explore the potential mechanisms by which food allergy promotes diabetes. Female BALB/c mice were grouped into a control group (CK), an ovalbumin-sensitized group (OVA), a diabetes group (STZ), and a diabetic allergic group (STZ + OVA) (Mice were modeled diabetes with STZ first, then were given OVA to model food allergies), and an allergic diabetic group (OVA + STZ) (Mice were modeled food allergies with OVA first, then were given STZ to model diabetes). The results showed that OVA + STZ mice exhibited a more serious Th2 humoral response, and they were more susceptible to diabetes. Furthermore, when the OVA + STZ mice were in the sensitized state, the intestinal barrier function was severely impaired, and mast cell activation was promoted. Moreover, we found that the effect of food allergy on diabetes is related to the inhibition of GLP-1 secretion and the up-regulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/NF-κB P65 signaling pathway in the jejunum. Overall, our results suggest that food allergies have interactions with diabetes, which sheds new light on the importance of food allergies in diabetes.

Diphenyl Diselenide Alleviates Tert-Butyl Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress and Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation in Rat Glomerular Mesangial Cells

Hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and inflammation play key roles in the onset and development of diabetic complications such as diabetic nephropathy (DN). Diphenyl diselenide (DPDS) is a stable and simple organic selenium compound with anti-hyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative activities. Nevertheless, in vitro, the role and molecular mechanism of DPDS on DN remains unknown. Therefore, we investigated the effects of DPDS on tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative stress and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in rat glomerular mesangial (HBZY-1) cells and explored the underlying mechanisms. DPDS attenuated t-BHP-induced cytotoxicity, concurrent with decreased intracellular ROS and MDA contents and increased SOD activity and GSH content. Moreover, DPDS augmented the protein and mRNA expression of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, and GCLC in t-BHP-stimulated HBZY-1 cells. In addition, DPDS suppressed LPS-induced elevations of intracellular content and mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and TNF-α. Furthermore, LPS-induced NFκB activation and high phosphorylation of JNK and ERK1/2 were markedly suppressed by DPDS in HBZY-1 cells. In summary, these data demonstrated that DPDS improves t-BHP-induced oxidative stress by activating the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway, and also improves LPS-induced inflammation via inhibition of the NFκB/MAPK pathways in HBZY-1 cells, suggesting that DPDS has the potential to be developed as a candidate for the prevention and treatment of DN.

Pharmacological properties, molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential of ginsenoside Rg3 as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent

Inflammation and oxidative stress lead to various acute or chronic diseases, including pneumonia, liver and kidney injury, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, and cancer. Ginseng is a well-known and widely used ethnic medicine in Asian countries, and ginsenoside Rg3 is a saponin isolated from Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, Panax notoginseng, or Panax quinquefolius L. This compound has a wide range of pharmacological properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, which have been evaluated in disease models of inflammation and oxidative stress. Rg3 can attenuate lung inflammation, prevent liver and kidney function damage, mitigate neuroinflammation, prevent cerebral and myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury, and improve hypertension and diabetes symptoms. The multitarget, multipathway mechanisms of action of Rg3 have been gradually deciphered. This review summarizes the existing knowledge on the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of ginsenoside Rg3, suggesting that ginsenoside Rg3 may be a promising candidate drug for the treatment of diseases with inflammatory and oxidative stress conditions.

Jiedu Tongluo Baoshen formula enhances podocyte autophagy and reduces proteinuria in diabetic kidney disease by inhibiting PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been applied to diabetic kidney disease (DKD). A large number of animal trials each year focus on TCM for DKD, but the evidence for these preclinical studies is not clear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to study the therapeutic effect of Jiedu Tongluo Baoshen formula (JTBF) on DKD proteinuria and renal protection. At the same time, it is verified that JTBF can reduce podocyte injury by enhancing autophagy function, and then achieve the effect of proteinuria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We use high performance liquid chromatography to detect and analyze the fingerprint of JTBF to find the chemical composition. Subsequently, we constructed a DKD rat model induced by high-fat diet and streptozocin (HFD + STZ). Urine and blood biochemical automatic analyzer were used to detect 24-h urine protein quantification (24 h-UP) and renal function. The renal pathological changes were observed by H&E and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the levels of autophagy-related proteins and mRNA in podocytes were detected by immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR and Western Blot. The chemical composition of JTBF was screened from traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacol (TCMSP) and PubChem databases, and the potential targets and associated pathways of JTBF were predicted using kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis in network pharmacology, and confirmed in animal experiments and histopathological methods.

RESULTS

We discovered 77 active ingredients of JTBF. Through animal experiments, it was found that JTBF reduced 24 h-UP and promoted the expression of podocin, nephrin, and WT-1 in podocytes, thereby reducing podocyte damage. At the same time, JTBF activates the expression of podocyte autophagy-related proteins (beclin-1, LC3 and P62). Subsequently, through network pharmacology predictions, 208 compounds were obtained from JTBF, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) was a potential signal pathway. JTBF was obtained in DKD rat kidney tissue to inhibit the expression of PI3K, Akt and mTOR related proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

JTBF enhance podocyte autophagy to reduce podocyte damage, thereby effectively treating DKD proteinuria and protecting kidney function.

Oxidative Stress and Ginsenosides: An Update on the Molecular Mechanisms

Ginsenosides are a class of active components extracted from ginseng plants (such as Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolium, and Panax notoginseng). Ginsenosides have significant protective effects on the nervous system, cardiovascular system, and immune system, so they have been widely used in the treatment of related diseases. Entry of a variety of endogenous or exogenous harmful substances into the body can lead to an imbalance between the antioxidant defense system and reactive oxygen species, thus producing toxic effects on a variety of tissues and cells. In addition, oxidative stress can alter multiple signaling pathways, including the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE, PI3K/AKT, Wnt/β-catenin, and NF-κB pathways. With the deepening of research in this field, various ginsenoside monomers have been reported to exert antioxidant effects through multiple signaling pathways and thus have good application prospects. This article summarized the research advancements regarding the antioxidative effects and related mechanisms of ginsenosides, providing a theoretical basis for experimental research on and clinical treatment with ginsenosides.

Astragalus mongholicus Bunge and Panax notoginseng formula (A&P) improves renal mesangial cell damage in diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting the inflammatory response of infiltrated macrophages

BACKGROUND

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the main causes of end-stage renal disease with scantly effective treatment. Numerous evidences indicated that macrophages play an important role in the occurrence and pathogenesis of DN by secreting inflammatory cytokines. Mincle is mainly expressed in macrophages and promotes kidney inflammation and damage of acute kidney injury. However, the role of Mincle in DN is unclear. In this study, we aim to investigate the effect of Mincle-related macrophage inflammation on DN, and whether it can be identified as the therapeutic target for Astragalus mongholicus Bunge and Panax notoginseng Formula (A&P), a widely used Chinese herbal decoction for DN treatment.

METHODS

In vivo experiments high-fat and high-sugar diet and streptozotocin was used to establish a diabetic nephropathy model, while in vitro experiments inflammation model was induced by high-glucose in mouse Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages (BMDM) cells and mouse mesangial (MES) cells. Kidney pathological staining is used to detect kidney tissue damage and inflammation, Western blotting, Real-time PCR and ELISA are performed to detect Mincle signaling pathway related proteins and inflammatory cytokines.

RESULTS

Mincle was mainly expressed in infiltrated macrophage of DN kidney, and was significant decreased after A&P administration. The in vitro experiments also proved that A&P effectively down-regulated the expression of Mincle in macrophage stimulated by high glucose. Meanwhile, the data demonstrated that A&P can reduce the activation of NFκB, and the expression and secretion of inflammatory cytokines in DN kidney or BMDM cells. Notably, we set up a co-culture system to conform that BMDM cells can aggravate the inflammatory response of mesangial (MES) cells under high glucose stimulation. Furthermore, we found that the anti-injury role of A&P in MES cells was dependent on inhibition of the Mincle in macrophage.

CONCLUSION

In summary, our study found that A&P is effective in reducing renal pathological damage and improving renal function and inflammation in diabetic nephropathy by a mechanism mainly related to the inhibition of the Mincle/Card9/NFκB signaling pathway.

Identification and Verification of Diagnostic Biomarkers for Glomerular Injury in Diabetic Nephropathy Based on Machine Learning Algorithms

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is regarded as the leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide and lacks novel therapeutic targets. To screen and verify special biomarkers for glomerular injury in patients with DN, fifteen datasets were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, correspondingly divided into training and testing cohorts and then merged. Using the limma package, 140 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened out between 81 glomerular DN samples and 41 normal ones from the training cohort. With the help of the ConsensusClusterPlus and WGCNA packages, the 81 glomerular DN samples were distinctly divided into two subclusters, and two highly associated modules were identified. By using machine learning algorithms (LASSO, RF, and SVM-RFE) and the Venn diagram, two overlapping genes (PRKAR2B and TGFBI) were finally determined as potential biomarkers, which were further validated in external testing datasets and the HFD/STZ-induced mouse models. Based on the biomarkers, the diagnostic model was developed with reliable predictive ability for diabetic glomerular injury. Enrichment analyses indicated the apparent abnormal immune status in patients with DN, and the two biomarkers played an important role in the immune microenvironment. The identified biomarkers demonstrated a meaningful correlation between the immune cells' infiltration and renal function. In conclusion, two robust genes were identified as diagnostic biomarkers and may serve as potential targets for therapeutics of DN, which were closely associated with multiple immune cells.

Glucose metabolism enhancement by 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in high-fat-diet/streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetic mice

Here, we used high fat diet (HFD) combined with streptozotocin (STZ) injection to establish a diabetes model, with the aim of exploring the hypoglycemic effects of 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA), and...

Structural modulation of gut microbiota during alleviation of experimental passive Heymann nephritis in rats by a traditional Chinese herbal formula

BACKGROUND

Jianpi-Qushi-Heluo formula (JQHF) has been used to treat idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) in hospitals for many years.

PURPOSE

Elucidating the protective effect and exploring the potential mechanism of JQHF against IMN.

METHODS

Passive Heymann nephritis (PHN) was induced in rats by a single tail vein injection of anti-Fx1A antiserum. Then, the animals were treated with JQHF at 16.2 g/kg or 32.4 g/kg, with benzepril (10 mg/kg) as a positive control. Renal function was evaluated by biochemical measurements and pathological testing. Fecal samples were collected before and after treatment to analyze the gut microbiota composition by shotgun whole metagenome sequencing.

RESULTS

JQHF exhibited potent efficacy in ameliorating PHN at both doses, as revealed by decreasing the deposition of IgG and C5b-9, relieving podocyte injury, and reducing glomerular and tubular cell apoptosis. The lower dose was corresponding to the clinical dosage and showed better therapeutic effects than the higher dose. Metagenomic analysis showed that gavage with 16.2 g/kg of JQHF shifted the structure of the gut microbiota in PHN rats and significantly increased the relative abundances of Prevotella copri, Lactobacillus vaginalis and Subdoligranulum variabile. Particularly, S. variabile was strongly negatively correlated with serum levels of TC and TG, the deposition of IgG and C5b-9, and apoptosis of glomerular cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The JQHF is an effective agent for the treatment of experimental PHN. The PHN-allevating effect of JQHF is associated with specific alternation of gut microbiota.

Knockdown of transient receptor potential melastatin 2 reduces renal fibrosis and inflammation by blocking transforming growth factor-β1-activated JNK1 activation in diabetic mice

BACKGROUND

Diabetic nephropathy is a major complication of diabetes. We explore the protective effect of TRPM2 knockdown on the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

METHODS

A type 2 diabetes animal model was established in C57BL/6N mice by long-term high-fat diet (HFD) feeding combined with a single injection of 100 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). Genetic knockdown of TRPM2 in mouse kidneys was accomplished by the intravenous injection via the tail vein of adeno-associated virus type 2 carrying TRPM2 shRNA.

RESULTS

Mice with HFD/STZ-induced diabetes exhibited kidney dysfunction, as demonstrated by increased blood creatinine and urea nitrogen levels, accompanied by glomerulus derangement, tubule damage and extracellular matrix deposition in the interstitium. The protein expression of TRPM2, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), connective tissue growth factor, α-smooth muscles actin, fibronectin, collagen I and collagen III, and the mRNA expression and contents of inflammatory factors, including interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interferon-α, tumour necrosis factor -α and monocyte chemotactic protein -1, were significantly elevated in the renal tissues of the HFD/STZ-induced diabetes group compared to those of the two control groups. Furthermore, fluorescent staining of TRPM2 was markedly increased in the renal tubular epithelial cells from diabetic mice. Knockdown of TRPM2 significantly attenuated HFD/STZ-induced renal inflammatory responses and fibrosis, which was accompanied by activation of TGF-β1-activated c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase-1 (JNK1) signalling. JNK1 inactivation reversed hyperglycaemia-induced fibrosis and inflammation in HK-2 cells.

CONCLUSION

TRPM2 silencing significantly attenuated fibrosis and inflammation in the kidneys of mice with HFD/STZ-induced diabetes, which was largely achieved via the inhibition of TGF-β1-activated JNK1 activation.

Phillyrin ameliorates diabetic nephropathy through the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β signalling pathway in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Diabetic nephropathy is a progressive kidney disease resulting from long-term hyperglycaemia in diabetic patients, and the underlying mechanism is complex and lacks effective treatments. Various active ingredients in Chinese herbs have been shown to alleviate renal injury and improve DN in recent years. Phillyrin, a natural medicinal active compound extracted from the Oleaceae family, has various pharmacological effects, including antioxidative, antiapoptotic and antiobesity effects. However, the role of phillyrin and its underlying mechanism in DN have not yet been explored. To investigate the effects of phillyrin on DN and its potential mechanisms of action, we performed experiments using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DN mice as models. Phillyrin significantly reduced the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), downregulated the levels of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), serum and urine β2-microglobulins (β2-MG) and improved the pathological changes of the kidney in a DN mouse model. Phillyrin also increased the level of antioxidants and attenuated oxidative damage in DN model mice. In addition, phillyrin inhibited Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) activity by activating the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway, increased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, reduced the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm, subsequently inhibited the activation of caspase-3 and ultimately suppressed renal cell apoptosis. These findings suggested that phillyrin could be a new promising therapeutic strategy for DN, and this protective effect might be related to suppressing oxidative stress and apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway.

Panax Ginseng C.A.Mey. as Medicine: The Potential Use of Panax Ginseng C.A.Mey. as a Remedy for Kidney Protection from a Pharmacological Perspective

Panax ginseng C.A.Mey. has been widely consumed as food/diet supplements from natural sources, and its therapeutic properties have also aroused widespread concern. Therapeutic properties of Panax ginseng C.A.Mey. such as anti-inflammatory, ameliorating chronic inflammation, enhancing the immunity, resisting the oxidation again, and regulating the glucose and lipid metabolism have been widely reported. Recent years, lots of interesting studies have reported the potential use of Panax ginseng C.A.Mey. in the management of DKD. DKD has become the leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide, which increases the risk of premature death and poses a serious financial burden. Although DKD is somehow controllable with different drugs such as Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEI), Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB) and lowering-glucose agents, modern dietary changes associated with DKD have facilitated research to assess the preventive and therapeutic merits of diet supplements from natural sources as medicine including Panax ginseng C.A.Mey. Findings from many scientific evidences have suggested that Panax ginseng C.A.Mey. can relieve the pathological status in cellular and animal models of DKD. Moreover, a few studies showed that alleviation of clinical phenotype such as reducing albuminuria, serum creatinine and renal anemia in DKD patients after application or consumption of Panax ginseng C.A.Mey.. Therefore, this review aims to discuss the effectiveness of Panax ginseng C.A.Mey. as medicine for targeting pathological phenotypes in DKD from a pharmacological perspective. This review will provide new insights into the potential understanding use of Panax ginseng C.A.Mey. in the management of DKD in clinical settings.

Downregulation of Salusin-β protects renal tubular epithelial cells against high glucose-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis and lipid accumulation via suppressing miR-155-5p

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the main contributor to the excess mortality for patients suffering from diabetes. Here, C57BL/6 mice received 4 weeks of high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of STZ (100 mg/kg). Mice with random blood glucose level ≥16.7 mmol/L and positive urine protein were recognized as successful DN model. To construct an in vitro model, HK-2 cells were incubated with 30 mM glucose. RT-qPCR and western blot were employed to measure Salusin-β levels in kidney tissues of DN mice and HG-induced HK-2 cells. Meanwhile, RT-qPCR was performed to detect miR-155-5p level in kidney tissues of DN mice and HG-induced HK-2 cells. TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, ROS, SOD and CAT levels were assessed using commercial assay kits. Furthermore, apoptosis of HK-2 cells was assessed via flow cytometric analysis and TUNEL staining. In addition, intracellular lipid accumulation and total cholesterol levels were detected using Oil red O staining and TC ELISA kit. Herein, Salusin-β and miR-155-5p levels were distinctly upregulated in kidney tissues of DN mice and HG-induced HK-2 cells. Downregulation of Salusin-β reduced miR-155-5p expression. Salusin-β silencing dramatically relieved inflammatory and oxidative injury, suppressed apoptosis as well as lipid accumulation induced by HG in HK-2 cells. Besides, miR-155-5p elevation partially abrogated the alleviating effects Salusin-β silencing on HG-induced RTEC injury. In summary, downregulation of Salusin-β protected HK-2 cells against HG-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis and ameliorated lipid accumulation through suppressing miR-155-5p, which indicated that Salusin-β could be a potential therapeutic drug for DN.