Evaluation of the wound healing potential of Sophora alopecuroides in SD rat's skin

Total Alkaloids of Sophora alopecuroides Linn. Attenuates Rheumatoid Arthritis Through Regulating Follicular Helper T Cells

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease with abnormal differentiation of follicular helper T (Tfh) cells, Total alkaloids of Sophora alopecuroides Linn. (Leguminosae) (TASA) have potential effects on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice, while the mechanism needs further elucidation. The purpose of this study is to explore the regulation of TASA on rheumatoid arthritis and related mechanism.

Methods

The proportion of Tfh and B lymphocytes in peripheral blood lymphocytes of RA patients was examined by flow cytometry. We constructed the collagen induced arthritis DBA/1J mice model. Between days 15 and 45 following the first immunization, the mice were treated intraperitoneally with saline, TASA (100, 50, and 25 mg/kg), and dexamethasone (DXM) for 30 days. Molecular biological techniques such as FCM, PCR, ELISA, and Western-blotting were used to examine Tfh cells and associated signal pathways.

Results

Our results indicated that the follicular helper T cells and B lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis patients were significantly increased compared with the healthy control. The percentage of Tfh cells are correlated with RA related inflammatory factors. Total alkaloids of Sophora alopecuroides Linn. could significantly attenuate joint swelling. Meanwhile, it reduced the frequencies of spleen Tfh, B lymphocytes and the expression of TLR2, TLR9, p-NF-κBp65, CXCR5, Bcl-6, ICOS of ankle joints in CIA mice.

Conclusion

Total alkaloids of Sophora alopecuroides Linn. may down-regulate the frequency and function of Tfh cells and inhibit GCB cells via TLRs/NF-κB signal pathway to relieve the immune-pathological progression of CIA mice.

Strictosamide promotes wound healing through activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway

Nauclea officinalis, as a Chinese medicine in Hainan province, had the effect of treating lower limb ulcers, burn infections. In this paper, we studied the effect of Strictosamide (STR), the main bioactive compound in Nauclea officinals, on wound healing and explored its internal mechanism. Firstly, the wound healing potential of STR was evaluated in a rat model, demonstrating its ability to expedite wound healing, mitigate inflammatory infiltration, and enhance collagen deposition. Additionally, immunofluorescence analysis revealed that STR up-regulated the expression of CD31 and PCNA. Subsequently, target prediction, protein-protein interaction (PPI), gene ontology (GO), and pathway enrichment analyses were used to obtain potential targets, specific biological processes, and molecular mechanisms of STR for the potential treatment of wound healing. Furthermore, molecular docking was conducted to predict the binding affinity between STR and its associated targets. Additionally, in vivo and in vitro experiments confirmed that STR could increase the expression of P-PI3K, P-AKT and P-mTOR by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In summary, this study provided a new explanation for the mechanism by which STR promotes wound healing through network pharmacology, suggesting that STR may be a new candidate for treating wound.

The Potential of PIP3 in Enhancing Wound Healing

Given the role of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3) in modulating cellular processes such as proliferation, survival, and migration, we hypothesized its potential as a novel therapeutic agent for wound closure enhancement. In this study, PIP3 was examined in its free form or as a complex with cationic starch (Q-starch) as a carrier. The intracellular bioactivity and localization of free PIP3 and the Q-starch/PIP3 complexes were examined. Our results present the capability of Q-starch to form complexes with PIP3, facilitate its cellular membrane internalization, and activate intracellular paths leading to enhanced wound healing. Both free PIP3 and Q-starch/PIP3 complexes enhanced monolayer gap closure in scratch assays and induced amplified collagen production within HaCAT and BJ fibroblast cells. Western blot presented enhanced AKT activation by free or complexed PIP3 in BJ fibroblasts in which endogenous PIP3 production was pharmacologically inhibited. Furthermore, both free PIP3 and Q-starch/PIP3 complexes expedited wound closure in mice, after single or daily dermal injections into the wound margins. Free PIP3 and the Q-starch/PIP3 complexes inherently activated the AKT signaling pathway, which is responsible for crucial wound healing processes such as migration; this was also observed in wound assays in mice. PIP3 was identified as a promising molecule for enhancing wound healing, and its ability to circumvent PI3K inhibition suggests possible implications for chronic wound healing.

Topical metformin accelerates wound healing by promoting collagen synthesis and inhibiting apoptosis in a diabetic wound model

The wound healing process, which is a pathophysiological process that includes various phases, is interrupted in diabetes due to hyperglycemia, and since deterioration occurs in these phases, a normal healing process is not observed. The aim of the current study is to investigate the proliferative and antiapoptotic effects of metformin on wound healing after topical application on diabetic and non-diabetic wounds. For this purpose, we applied metformin topically on the full-thickness excisional wound model we created in diabetic and nondiabetic groups. We investigated the effects of metformin on the apoptotic index by the Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling method and on collagen-I, collagen-III, p53, and c-jun expression levels by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction technique in wound biopsy tissues. Our results showed that c-jun and p53 mRNA levels and apoptotic index increased with the effect of diabetes, while collagen synthesis was disrupted. As a result of the study, we showed that metformin increases cellular proliferation and has anti-apoptotic effects by increasing collagen-I/III expression and decreasing p53/c-jun level, especially in diabetic wounds and also in normal wounds. In conclusion, the topical effect of metformin on diabetic wounds reversed the adverse effects caused by diabetes, increasing the wound healing rate and improving the wound repair process.

Basic fibroblast growth factor gel preparation induces angiogenesis during wound healing

PURPOSE

This study aimed to observe the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) gel preparation on wound repair in a full-thickness skin defect rat model and to further explore its mechanism.

METHODS

The full-thickness skin defect model of Wistar rats was created with circular wounds of 20 mm or 10 mm in diameter on both sides of the spine. The animals were divided into the normal, model, control gel, and bFGF gel groups (300 IU/cm²). The effects of the bFGF gel on wound healing were evaluated and compared. Optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based angiography (OCTA) was used to investigate the effects of bFGF on angiogenesis during wound healing. Western blotting, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to detect the effect of the gel preparation on the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP2 and MMP9) on the wound surface to explore the mechanism.

RESULTS

The bFGF gel significantly reduced wound area, promoted the formation of wound granulation tissue, and accelerated wound healing in the bFGF gel group on days 7 and 14, compared with the control gel group. OCTA results showed that bFGF significantly improved wound vascular density, diameter, and circumference. Western blot, PCR, and ELISA results showed that the gel preparation could promote the expression levels of MMP2, MMP9, and VEGF on the wound surface 7 and 14 days after injury.

CONCLUSION

bFGF promotes angiogenesis in wound areas. Topical gel preparations of bFGF can be developed for use in wound repair.

Integrated network pharmacology and experimental validation to explore the mechanisms underlying naringenin treatment of chronic wounds

Naringenin is a citrus flavonoid with various biological functions and a potential therapeutic agent for skin diseases, such as UV radiation and atopic dermatitis. The present study investigates the therapeutic effect and pharmacological mechanism of naringenin on chronic wounds. Using network pharmacology, we identified 163 potential targets and 12 key targets of naringenin. Oxidative stress was confirmed to be the main biological process modulated by naringenin. The transcription factor p65 (RELA), alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (AKT1), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3) were identified as common targets of multiple pathways involved in treating chronic wounds. Molecular docking verified that these four targets stably bound naringenin. Naringenin promoted wound healing in mice in vivo by inhibiting wound inflammation. Furthermore, in vitro experiments showed that a low naringenin concentration did not significantly affect normal skin cell viability and cell apoptosis; a high naringenin concentration was cytotoxic and reduced cell survival by promoting apoptosis. Meanwhile, comprehensive network pharmacology, molecular docking and in vivo and in vitro experiments revealed that naringenin could treat chronic wounds by alleviating oxidative stress and reducing the inflammatory response. The underlying mechanism of naringenin in chronic wound therapy involved modulating the RELA, AKT1 and MAPK1/3 signalling pathways to inhibit ROS production and inflammatory cytokine expression.

Identification of active compounds and molecular mechanisms of Dalbergia tsoi Merr.et Chun to accelerate wound healing

As a traditional Chinese medicine, Dalbergia tsoi Merr.et Chun (JZX) has been used for the treatment of wounds since ancient times. However, the active compounds and molecular mechanisms of JZX in the acceleration of wound healing are still unknown. Herein, we explored the main active compounds and key molecular mechanisms by which JZX accelerates wound healing. The ethanol extract of JZX was subjected to UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS analysis to identify the main compounds. The pharmacological effect of JZX on wound healing was evaluated using a mouse excision wound model. Network pharmacology was utilized to predict the effective compounds and related signal transduction pathways of JZX that were involved in accelerating wound healing. The predicted key signaling pathways were then validated by immunohistochemical analysis. Interactions between the active compounds and therapeutic targets were confirmed by molecular docking analysis. JZX accelerated wound healing, improved tissue quality, and inhibited inflammation and oxidative stress. Moreover, our results suggested that the active components of JZX, such as butin, eriodyctiol, and formononetin, are the key compounds that facilitate wound treatment. Our studies also indicated that JZX accelerated wound healing by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and inducing the expression of TGF-β1, FGF2, VEGFA, ECM1, and α-SMA at different stages of skin wound healing. The JZX extract accelerates wound healing by reducing inflammation and inhibiting oxidative stress, regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and promoting the expression of growth factors, suggesting that JZX has potential clinical applicability in wound treatment.

Taxonomic Structure of Rhizosphere Bacterial Communities and Its Association With the Accumulation of Alkaloidal Metabolites in Sophora flavescens

Plant secondary metabolites (SMs) play a crucial role in plant defense against pathogens and adaptation to environmental stresses, some of which are produced from medicinal plants and are the material basis of clinical efficacy and vital indicators for quality evaluation of corresponding medicinal materials. The influence of plant microbiota on plant nutrient uptake, production, and stress tolerance has been revealed, but the associations between plant microbiota and the accumulation of SMs in medicinal plants remain largely unknown. Plant SMs can vary among individuals, which could be partly ascribed to the shift in microbial community associated with the plant host. In the present study, we sampled fine roots and rhizosphere soils of Sophora flavescens grown in four well-separated cities/counties in China and determined the taxonomic composition of rhizosphere bacterial communities using Illumina 16S amplicon sequencing. In addition, the association of the rhizosphere bacterial microbiota with the accumulation of alkaloids in the roots of S. flavescens was analyzed. The results showed that S. flavescens hosted distinct bacterial communities in the rhizosphere across geographic locations and plant ages, also indicating that geographic location was a larger source of variation than plant age. Moreover, redundancy analysis revealed that spatial, climatic (mean annual temperature and precipitation), and edaphic factors (pH and available N and P) were the key drivers that shape the rhizosphere bacterial communities. Furthermore, the results of the Mantel test demonstrated that the rhizosphere bacterial microbiota was remarkably correlated with the contents of oxymatrine, sophoridine, and matrine + oxymatrine in roots. Specific taxa belonging to Actinobacteria and Chloroflexi were identified as potential beneficial bacteria associated with the total accumulation of matrine and oxymatrine by a random forest machine learning algorithm. Finally, the structural equation modeling indicated that the Actinobacteria phylum had a direct effect on the total accumulation of matrine and oxymatrine. The present study addresses the association between the rhizosphere bacterial communities and the accumulation of alkaloids in the medicinal plant S. flavescens. Our findings may provide a basis for the quality improvement and sustainable utilization of this medicinal plant thorough rhizosphere microbiota manipulation.

Anti-atopic effect of Viola yedoensis ethanol extract against 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin dysfunction

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Viola yedoensis Makiho (VY, Violaceae) is a well-known medicinal herb in Chinese medicine, which is traditionally used to treat inflammation-related disorders, including allergic skin reactions. Although studies have uncovered its anti-inflammatory effects and corresponding bioactive constituents, the exact mechanism of action is still unclear in treating allergic skin reactions.

OBJECTIVE

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by severe pruritus, dry, edema and inflamed skin. It affects people's quality of life seriously and causes huge economic losses to society. This study proposes VY as a possible remedy for atopic dermatitis since its traditional usage and superior anti-inflammatory effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Atopic dermatitis-like skin lesion was induced by topical application of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in ICR mice. After treatment with Viola yedoensis Makiho ethanol extract (VYE) or dexamethasone (positive control) for 3 weeks, skin pathological observation and the molecular biological index were performed for therapeutic evaluation, including visual inspection in the change of the stimulated skin, scar formation, pathological morphology by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, the measurement of interleukin IL-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels in serum as well as spleen index. The expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were analyzed by western blot. The ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocyte in the spleen was detected by flow cytometry. Meanwhile, immunohistochemistry staining for CD68 identified the number of activated macrophages in skin lesions. Additionally, a reliable ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a Q exactive hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS) method was established for the systematic identification and characterization of main components in VYE.

RESULTS

VYE alleviated DNCB-stimulated AD-like lesions symptoms as evidenced by a significant decrease in hypertrophy, hyperkeratosis, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in dorsal skin. The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in serum were suppressed in mice treated with VYE as compared to the DNCB-induced model group. Also, the administration of VYE reduced the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocyte in the spleen and the number of activated macrophages stimulated by DNCB. Besides, the expression of iNOS and COX-2 were down-regulated in the dorsal skin.

CONCLUSIONS

VYE showed therapeutic effects on atopic dermatitis in DNCB-induced AD-like lesion mouse models by inhibiting the T cell-mediated allergic immune response. Our results indicated that VY could act as a potential remedy for atopic dermatitis.