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Qi Z, Deng S, Wu Y, Ye B. The effects of Ganoderma leucocontextum triterpenoids treatment on the D-galactose and aluminum chloride-induced Alzheimer-like pathology in mouse brain. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 334:118530. [PMID: 38977221 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE Ganoderma leucocontextum T.H. Li, W. Q. Deng M. Wang & H.P.Hu. is a highland herbal medicine that has been shown to nourish the nervesand prolong life. Nevertheless, there is no evidence to indicate that Ganoderma leucocontextum triterpenoids (GLTs) reduce the damage triggered by Alzheimer's disease (AD). AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of this investigation was to ascertain the protective effects of GLTs on AD mice models and cells, as well as to look into potential pathways. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, the phytochemical characterization of GLTs was performed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The AD mouse model was induced by injecting intraperitoneally with D-galactose (120 mg/kg) and administering orally with aluminum chloride (20 mg/kg) daily for 28 days. After that, donepezil (5 mg/kg) and GLTs (0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 g/kg) were administered orally for 35 days. During the treatment period, aluminum chloride (20 mg/kg) and D-galactose (120 mg/kg) were continuously administered. And the behavior of the animals and the molecular changes of the hippocampus were determined after the whole experimental procedure. Furthermore, BV-2 cells were employed to validate GLTs' anti-neuroinflammatory properties. RESULTS The total triterpenoids content was 443.12 ± 0.21 g/kg and was inferred to contain 19 classes of substances such as organic acids, amino acids, vitamins, flavonoids, and other chemicals in GLTs. Treatment of D-galactose/aluminum chloride-induced mouse with GLTs can ameliorate AD symptoms, counteract cognitive decline, improve Aβ1-42 deposition, reduce the expression level of pro-apoptotic proteins, and attenuate the activation of hippocampal microglia and astrocytes. GLTs significantly increased the expression of antioxidant enzymes and significantly reduced the expression of inflammatory factors. GLTs inhibits nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) nuclear translocation and preserves myd88/traf6-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation. Furthermore, GLTs (2 and 5 mg/mL) inhibited the generation of nitric oxide and protected lipopolysaccharide (1 mg/L)-induced neuroinflammation in BV-2 cells. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, Ganoderma leucocontextum triterpenoids can improve cognitive functions, including learning and memory, by reducing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, preventing apoptosis, and controlling amyloid genesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongzhi Qi
- Nuclear Medicine Department of West China Hospital of Sichuan University, China.
| | - Shizhan Deng
- Medical College of Tibet University, Lasa, 850002, China.
| | - Yexin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Bengui Ye
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China; Medical College of Tibet University, Lasa, 850002, China.
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Zhao A, Guo C, Wang L, Chen S, Xu Q, Cheng J, Zhang J, Jiang J, Di J, Zhang H, Chen F, Su J, Jiang L, Liu L, Liu Y, Liu A. Xiebai San alleviates acute lung injury by inhibiting the phosphorylation of the ERK/Stat3 pathway and regulating multiple metabolisms. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 128:155397. [PMID: 38547623 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute lung injury (ALI) often leads to serious respiratory diseases with high incidence rates and mortality. For centuries, Xiebai San (XBS) has been a classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) about respiratory illness such as pneumonia in children. However, the related mechanism of XBS against ALI remains indistinct. PURPOSE To reveal specific targets of XBS in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI mice using integrated pharmacology. STUDY DESIGN The integrated method was to expound mechanism and targets of XBS inhibited ALI. METHODS The primary components in XBS were identified by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS). The potential drug targets were established using network pharmacology. The anti-ALI effect of XBS was evaluated in mice. Additionally, therapeutic targets were screened by integrating metabolome and transcriptome and verified in lung tissue. RESULTS In total, 163 chemical components were identified in XBS, and a network of "3 drugs-18 components-86 targets" for XBS against ALI was constructed. In ALI mice, XBS alleviated lung inflammation by decreasing permeation and expression of neutrophils, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), serum, and lung tissue. Next, the transcriptome of lung tissue was analyzed and enriched, indicating the importance of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT), and others, which was consistent with network pharmacology prediction. Also, western blotting and immunohistochemistry results showed that XBS was against ALI mainly by inhibiting extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) phosphorylation. In addition, the metabolome of lung tissue revealed that XBS mainly regulated pathways involved in arachidonic acid, glycerophospholipid, and tryptophan metabolisms. The expression levels of leukotriene, phosphatidylcholine, kynurenine, and others were also verified. CONCLUSION XBS alleviated inflammation of ALI by inhibiting the phosphorylation of the ERK/Stat3 pathway and regulating arachidonic acid, glycerophospholipid, and tryptophan metabolisms. This study will guide clinical precision medicine and promote modernization of XBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anyi Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Cong Guo
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Lianmei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Sha Chen
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Qingxia Xu
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Jintang Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Jinzhu Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Jipeng Di
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Shandong Xianhe Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Dongying, Shandong 257237, China
| | - Fangfang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Jiangmin Su
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Liang Jiang
- Shandong Xianhe Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Dongying, Shandong 257237, China
| | - Li Liu
- Shandong Xianhe Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Dongying, Shandong 257237, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - An Liu
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
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Xue JS, Li JQ, Wang CC, Ma XH, Dai H, Xu CB, Meng XL. Dauricine alleviates cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease mice induced by D-galactose and AlCl 3 via the Ca 2+/CaM pathway. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2023; 474:116613. [PMID: 37414289 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2023.116613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease in the elderly. Dysregulation of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis plays a critical role in the pathological development of AD. Dauricine (DAU) is a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from Menispermum dauricum DC., which can prevent the influx of extracellular Ca2+ and inhibit the release of Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum. DAU has a potential for anti-AD. However, it is unclear whether DAU can exert its anti-AD effect in vivo by regulating the Ca2+ related signaling pathways. Here, we investigated the effect and mechanism of DAU on D-galactose and AlCl3 combined-induced AD mice based on the Ca2+/CaM pathway. The results showed that DAU (1 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg for 30 days) treatment attenuated learning and memory deficits and improved the nesting ability of AD mice. The HE staining assay showed that DAU could inhibit the histopathological alterations and attenuate neuronal damage in the hippocampus and cortex of AD mice. Studies on the mechanism indicated that DAU decreased the phosphorylation of CaMKII and Tau and reduced the formation of NFTs in the hippocampus and cortex. DAU treatment also reduced the abnormally high expression of APP, BACE1, and Aβ1-42, which inhibited the deposition of Aβ plaques. Moreover, DAU could decrease Ca2+ levels and inhibit elevated CaM protein expression in the hippocampus and cortex of AD mice. The molecular docking results showed that DAU may have a high affinity with CaM or BACE1. DAU has a beneficial impact on pathological changes in AD mice induced by D-galactose and AlCl3 and may act by negative regulation of the Ca2+/CaM pathway and its downstream molecules such as CaMKII and BACE1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Su Xue
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jin-Qiu Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang, China
| | - Cheng-Cheng Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiao-Han Ma
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hui Dai
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang, China
| | - Cheng-Bin Xu
- School of Environmental Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xue-Lian Meng
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang, China.
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Lin NH, Goh A, Lin SH, Chuang KA, Chang CH, Li MH, Lu CH, Chen WY, Wei PH, Pan IH, Perng MD, Wen SF. Neuroprotective Effects of a Multi-Herbal Extract on Axonal and Synaptic Disruption in Vitro and Cognitive Impairment in Vivo. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2023; 7:51-76. [PMID: 36777330 PMCID: PMC9912829 DOI: 10.3233/adr-220056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial disorder characterized by cognitive decline. Current available therapeutics for AD have limited clinical benefit. Therefore, preventive therapies for interrupting the development of AD are critically needed. Molecules targeting multifunction to interact with various pathlogical components have been considered to improve the therapeutic efficiency of AD. In particular, herbal medicines with multiplicity of actions produce cognitive benefits on AD. Bugu-M is a multi-herbal extract composed of Ganoderma lucidum (Antler form), Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., Ziziphus jujuba Mill., and Dimocarpus longan, with the ability of its various components to confer resilience to cognitive deficits. Objective To evaluate the potential of Bugu-M on amyloid-β (Aβ) toxicity and its in vitro mechanisms and on in vivo cognitive function. Methods We illustrated the effect of Bugu-M on Aβ25-35-evoked toxicity as well as its possible mechanisms to diminish the pathogenesis of AD in rat cortical neurons. For cognitive function studies, 2-month-old female 3×Tg-AD mice were administered 400 mg/kg Bugu-M for 30 days. Behavioral tests were performed to assess the efficacy of Bugu-M on cognitive impairment. Results In primary cortical neuronal cultures, Bugu-M mitigated Aβ-evoked toxicity by reducing cytoskeletal aberrations and axonal disruption, restoring presynaptic and postsynaptic protein expression, suppressing mitochondrial damage and apoptotic signaling, and reserving neurogenic and neurotrophic factors. Importantly, 30-day administration of Bugu-M effectively prevented development of cognitive impairment in 3-month-old female 3×Tg-AD mice. Conclusion Bugu-M might be beneficial in delaying the progression of AD, and thus warrants consideration for its preventive potential for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni-Hsuan Lin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Angela Goh
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Shyh-Horng Lin
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Kai-An Chuang
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hsuan Chang
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Han Li
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chu-Hsun Lu
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Yin Chen
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Hsuan Wei
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - I-Hong Pan
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Der Perng
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan,
School of Medicine, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan,Correspondence to: Shu-Fang Wen, Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, 321, Section 2, Kuang-Fu Road, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan. Tel.: +886 35743946; E-mail: and Ming-Der Perng, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, 101, Section 2, Kuang-Fu Road, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan. Tel.: +886 35742024; E-mail:
| | - Shu-Fang Wen
- Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan,Correspondence to: Shu-Fang Wen, Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, 321, Section 2, Kuang-Fu Road, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan. Tel.: +886 35743946; E-mail: and Ming-Der Perng, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, 101, Section 2, Kuang-Fu Road, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan. Tel.: +886 35742024; E-mail:
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Neuroprotective effect of histamine H3 receptor blockade on methamphetamine-induced cognitive impairment in mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2023; 222:173512. [PMID: 36572112 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Methamphetamine (METH) exposure is commonly believed to result in cognitive impairment. Histamine H3 receptor (H3R) antagonists reportedly have potential applications for treating cognitive impairment accompanied by various neuropsychiatric disorders. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of H3R blockade by Thioperamide (THIO) on METH-induced cognitive impairment and the underlying mechanism. METHODS In Experiment 1, C57BL/6 mice received daily injections of saline or 5 mg/kg METH for 5 consecutive days. The Novel Object Recognition (NOR) and Morris water maze (MWM) tasks were used to assess cognitive functions of mice. H3R protein expression and apoptosis were subsequently measured in the hippocampus. In Experiment 2, HT22 cells were first treated with ddH2O or 3 mM METH. The cell survival rate and H3R protein level were subsequently assessed. In Experiment 3, the animals were first treated with saline or 20 mg/kg THIO for 7 days, followed by co-administration of either saline or 5 mg/kg METH for an additional 5 days. The remaining experiments were carried out in the same manner as Experiment 1. In Experiment 4, HT22 cells were pretreated with either ddH2O or 5 mM THIO for 2 h, followed by ddH2O or 3 mM METH treatment for an additional 12 h. The remaining experiments were carried out in the same manner as Experiment 2. In Experiment 5, the changes in MEK1/2, p-MEK1/2, ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 protein levels were examined in the hippocampus of all mice from Experiment 3 and HT22 cells from Experiment 4. RESULTS METH-treated mice showed significantly worsened NOR and MWM performance, along with markably hippocampal apoptosis. A significantly lower cell survival rate was observed in METH-treated HT22 cells. Increased levels of H3R protein were found in both METH-treated mice and HT22 cells. THIO significantly improved METH-induced cognitive impairment in mice and toxicity in HT22 cells. METH significantly increased the level of p-MEK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 proteins in the hippocampus of mice and HT22 cells, which was reversed by THIO pretreatment. CONCLUSION Our findings reveal that H3R blockade by THIO yields a neuroprotective effect against METH-induced cognitive impairment in mice and toxicity in HT22 cells via the raf-MEK-ERK signaling pathway.
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Yan YH, Huang ZH, Xiong QP, Song YW, Li SY, Yang BW, Sun L, Zhang MY, Ji Y. Effects of Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L'Hér. ex Vent. fruits water extract on hippocampal neurogenesis in the treatment of APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1056614. [DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1056614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Adult neurogenesis plays an important role in repairing damaged neurons and improving cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). B. Papyrifera (L.) L'Hér. ex Vent. fruits (BL), a traditional Chinese medicine for tonifying the kidney, has been reported to improve cognitive function in AD mice, but the underlying mechanisms have not been clearly illuminated. This study aimed to provide an overview of the differential compounds in the brain of APP/PS1 mice after BL water extract (BLWE) treatment through metabolomics technology and to elucidate whether the therapeutic effect and mechanism are through the enhancement of neurogenesis.Methods: APP/PS1 transgenic mice were treated with different doses of BLWE. After 6 weeks of intragastric injection, the therapeutic effects of BLWE on APP/PS1 transgenic mice were determined by the Morris water maze test, immunohistochemistry, hematoxylin & eosin and Nissl staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining. Subsequently, metabolomics technology was used to analyze the regulatory effect of BLWE on differential compounds in the brain of APP/PS1 mice, and on this basis, its molecular mechanism of BLWE was screened. Finally, the protein expression of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was detected by Western blotting.Results: After BLWE treatment, the learning and memory function of APP/PS1 mice were significantly improved, which was related to the increase in the number of Nestin+/BrdU+ and NeuN+/BrdU+ cells, and the decrease in the number of apoptotic cells in the hippocampus. BLWE treatment could also up-regulate the expression of synapse-associated proteins. Moreover, BLWE could modulate endogenous metabolic compounds in the brains of AD mice, including N-acetyl-aspartate, glutamine, etc. Furthermore, BLWE inhibited the phosphorylation of Tyr216-GSK-3β and β-catenin protein while increased CyclinD1 protein expression.Conclusion: We demonstrated that BLWE can enhance neural stem cells proliferation and improve neurogenesis, thereby efficiently repairing damaged neurons in the hippocampus and ameliorating cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. The mechanism is at least partly through activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
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A Herbal Mixture of Sesami Semen Nigrum and Longan Arillus Induces Neurite Outgrowth in Cultured Neurons and Shows Anti-Depression in Chronic Mild Stress-Induced Rats. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:8809546. [PMID: 35754681 PMCID: PMC9225919 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8809546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Medicinal food homology is referring to a group of food itself being considered as herbal medicine without a boundary of usage. Under the guidance of this food/medicine principle, the current study aims to develop anti-depressant from this food/medicine catalog. The herbal mixture of Sesami Semen Nigrum and Longan Arillus was evaluated in cultured PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cells, rat primary cortical neurons, and in chronic mild stress (CMS)-induced depressive rat model. The combination of two ethanolic extracts of Sesami Semen Nigrum and Longan Arillus in 1 : 1 ratio mimicked the function of nerve growth factor (NGF) and synergistically induced neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells. Besides, the expression and phosphorylation of tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) of the cultured cells were also elevated. This neurotrophic activity of herbal mixture was further supported by the increased expressions of biomarkers for neurogenesis and synaptogenesis in cortical neurons. Moreover, the depressed rats were soothed by the intake of herbal mixture, showing improved performance in behavior tests, as well as reversed levels of neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors. Our results provide a new way to make full use of the current food/medicine resources, as to accelerate the development of therapeutics for depression.
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He LL, Wang YC, Ai YT, Wang L, Gu SM, Wang P, Long QH, Hu H. Qiangji Decoction Alleviates Neurodegenerative Changes and Hippocampal Neuron Apoptosis Induced by D-Galactose via Regulating AMPK/SIRT1/NF-κB Signaling Pathway. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:735812. [PMID: 34630111 PMCID: PMC8495211 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.735812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Qiangji Decoction (QJD), a classic formula, has been widely used to treat brain aging-related neurodegenerative diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying QJD's improvement in cognitive impairment of neurodegenerative diseases remain unclear. In this study, we employed D-galactose to establish the model of brain aging by long-term D-galactose subcutaneous injection. Next, we investigated QJD's effect on cognitive function of the model of brain aging and the mechanisms that QJD suppressing neuroinflammation as well as improving neurodegenerative changes and hippocampal neuron apoptosis. The mice of brain aging were treated with three different dosages of QJD (12.48, 24.96, and 49.92 g/kg/d, respectively) for 4 weeks. Morris water maze was used to determine the learning and memory ability of the mice. HE staining and FJB staining were used to detect the neurodegenerative changes. Nissl staining and TUNEL staining were employed to detect the hippocampal neuron apoptosis. The contents of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the hippocampus were detected by using ELISA. Meanwhile, we employed immunofluorescence staining to examine the levels of GFAP and IBA1 in the hippocampus. Besides, the protein expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, AMPKα, p-AMPKα-Thr172, SIRT1, IκBα, NF-κB p65, p-IκBα-Ser32, and p-NF-κB p65-Ser536 in the hippocampus of different groups were detected by Western blot (WB). Our findings showed that the QJD-treated groups, especially the M-QJD group, mitigated learning and memory impairments of the model of brain aging as well as the improvement of neurodegenerative changes and hippocampal neuron apoptosis. Moreover, the M-QJD markedly attenuated the neuroinflammation by regulating the AMPK/SIRT1/NF-κB signaling pathway. Taken together, QJD alleviated neurodegenerative changes and hippocampal neuron apoptosis in the model of brain aging via regulating the AMPK/SIRT1/NF-κB signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ling He
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Yun-Cui Wang
- School of Nursing, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Ya-Ting Ai
- School of Nursing, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Ling Wang
- School of Nursing, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Si-Meng Gu
- Department of Psychology, Jiangsu University Medical School, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Ping Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing-Hua Long
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Hu
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China.,School of Nursing, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
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