Xueshuantong injection alleviates cerebral microcirculation disorder in middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion rats by suppressing inflammation via JNK mediated JAK2/STAT3 and NF-κB signaling pathways

Interdisciplinary perspectives on diabetes and microcirculatory dysfunction: A global bibliometric analysis

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of diabetes and its association with microcirculatory dysfunction presents a significant challenge in contemporary global health. Addressing this nexus is crucial for developing targeted therapeutic interventions.

AIM

To trace the progression and delineate the current state of interdisciplinary research concerning diabetes and microcirculation.

METHODS

Employing a bibliometric approach, this study scrutinizes 12886 peer-reviewed publications retrieved from the PubMed and Web of Science databases. The focus is on elucidating the research trajectory and thematic concentrations at the confluence of diabetes and microcirculation.

RESULTS

Research outputs have surged since 2011, with the United States, China, and the United Kingdom leading in the quantity and quality of publications. This analysis revealed that journals such as Diabetes Care and The New England Journal of Medicine, along with top research institutions, have significantly contributed to advancing the understanding of microvascular processes affected by diabetes. The central themes identified include inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction, which are critical in mediating the microvascular complications of diabetes.

CONCLUSION

This bibliometric evaluation reveals an evolving landscape focusing on diabetes and microcirculatory dysfunction. The complexity of diabetic microvascular issues encouraged multidisciplinary research strategies that are imperative for global health outcomes.

Underlying mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of diabetic retinopathy: Evidences from molecular and clinical studies

As one of the most serious microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), diabetic retinopathy (DR) can cause visual impairment and even blindness. With the rapid increase in the prevalence of DM, the incidence of DR is also rising year by year. Preventing and effectively treating DR has become a major focus in the medical field. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a wealth of experience in treating DR and has achieved significant results with various herbs and TCM prescriptions. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provides a comprehensive therapeutic strategy for diabetic retinopathy (DR), encompassing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions, anti-neovascularization, neuroprotection, regulation of glucose metabolism, and inhibition of apoptosis. This review provides an overview of the current status of TCM treatment for DR in recent years, including experimental studies and clinical researches, to explore the clinical efficacy and the underlying modern mechanisms of herbs and TCM prescriptions. Besides, we also discussed the challenges TCM faces in treating DR, such as drug-drug interactions among TCM components and the lack of high-quality evidence-based medicine practice, which pose significant obstacles to TCM's application in DR.

Effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on alleviating low shear induced endothelial inflammation and thrombosis via Piezo1 signalling

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) are the major effective components of Panax notoginseng (burk) F.H.Chen which is one of the classic promoting blood circulation herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. PNS is widely used in China for the treatment of cerebral ischemic stroke. Pathological low shear stress is a causal factor in endothelial inflammation and thrombosis. However, the mechanism of PNS against low shear related endothelial inflammation is still unclear.

AIM TO THE STUDY

This study aims to investigate the effects of PNS against endothelial inflammation induced by low shear stress and to explore the underlying mechanical and biological mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mouse model of carotid partial ligation for inducing low endothelial shear stress was established, the pharmacodynamic effect and mechanism of PNS against endothelial inflammation induced by low shear stress through Piezo1 were explored. Yoda1-evoked Piezo1 activation and expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were determined at static condition. Microfluidic channel systems were used to apply shear stress on HUVECs and Piezo1 siRNA HUVECs to determine PECAM-1, p-YAP and VCAM-1 expression. And platelet rich plasma (PRP) was introduced to low shear treated endothelial cells surface to observe the adhesion and activation by fluorescence imaging and flowcytometry.

RESULTS

PNS attenuated endothelial inflammation and improved blood flow in a reasonable dose response pattern in carotid partial ligation mouse model by influencing Piezo1 and PECAM-1 expression, while suppressing yes-associated protein (YAP) nuclear translocation. We found Piezo1 sensed abnormal shear stress and transduced these mechanical signals by different pathways in HUVECs, and PNS relieved endothelial inflammation induced by low shear stress through Piezo1. We also found Piezo1 signalling has interaction with PECAM-1 under low shear stress, which were involved in platelets adhesion to endothelial cells. Low shear stress increased YAP nuclear translocation and increased VCAM-1 expression in HUVECs which might activate platelets. PNS inhibited low shear induced Piezo1 and PECAM-1 expression and YAP nuclear translocation in HUVECs, furthermore inhibited platelet adhesion and activation on dysfunctional endothelial cells induced by low shear stress.

CONCLUSION

PNS ameliorated endothelial inflammation and thrombosis induced by low shear stress through modulation of the Piezo1 channel, PECAM-1 expression, and YAP nuclear translocation. PNS might serve as a potential therapeutic candidate for ameliorating endothelial inflammation induced by abnormal blood shear stress.

Oxyresveratrol reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and oxidative stress through inactivation of MAPK and NF-κB signaling in brain endothelial cells

Inflammatory responses and oxidative stress damage the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is a primary pathological modulator of neurodegenerative diseases. Brain endothelial cells are crucial components of BBB. In the present study, the effect of oxyresveratrol on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced brain endothelial (bEnd.3) cells was assessed. Our results showed that oxyresveratrol diminished protein expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and adhesion molecules including intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), nitric oxide (NO) production, and proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in LPS-elicited bEnd.3 cells. These anti-inflammatory effects were mediated through suppressing nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. In addition, we found that oxyresveratrol reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. To conclude, the current results demonstrated the protective role of oxyresveratrol against LPS-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in bEnd.3 cells, suggesting its potential effect for mitigating neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases.

Panax notoginseng saponins promotes angiogenesis after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

Background

Ischemic stroke is a devastating disease that can result in permanent disability and death, and angiogenesis plays a critical role in the recovery and survival of patients and animal models of ischemic stroke. Panax notoginseng has been used as a key herb in the treatment of stroke diseases due to its effect in promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. However, the role of Panax notoginseng saponins, in promoting angiogenesis is unclear.

Purpose

This study is aimed to investigate the effect of Xueshuantong (XST) injection, composed of Panax notoginseng saponins in post-stroke revascularization.

Method

In the present study, a middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion model was established in Sprague-Dawley rats, with XST and the positive drug Dl-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) administered via intraperitoneal injection to observe vascular changes after stroke. The protective and pro-angiogenic effects of XST after stroke were demonstrated by Triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining and optical coherence tomography angiography. Subsequently, network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques, as well as in vitro experimental validation, were used to further analyze the potential mechanism by which XST promotes angiogenesis.

Results

The results showed that XST could reduce the cerebral infarction region in rats. And the neovascularization in the ischemic area of the rat brain significantly increased after 7 or 14 days of XST administration. Furthermore, XST could activate the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA)/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) signaling pathways.

Conclusion

XST may promote post-stroke angiogenesis by affecting the HIF1-α/VEGFA/VEGFR2 signaling pathways.

3D-Printed Stents Loaded with Panax notoginseng Saponin for Promoting Re-endothelialization and Reducing Local Inflammation in the Carotid Artery of Rabbits

Endovascular treatment (EVT) using stents has become the primary option for severe cerebrovascular stenosis. However, considerable challenges remain to be addressed, such as in-stent restenosis (ISR) and late thrombosis. Many modified stents have been developed to inhibit the hyperproliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and protect vascular endothelial cells (VECs), thereby reducing such complications. Some modified stents, such as those infused with rapamycin, have improved in preventing acute thrombosis. However, ISR and late thrombosis, which are long-term complications, remain unavoidable. Panax notoginseng saponin (PNS), a traditional Chinese medicine consisting of various compounds, is beneficial in promoting the proliferation and migration of VECs and inhibiting the proliferation of SMCs. Herein, a 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) stent loaded with PNS (PNS-PCL stent) was developed based on a previous study. In vitro studies confirmed that PNS promotes the migration and proliferation of VECs, which were damaged, by increasing the expression levels of microRNA-126, p-AKT, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase. In vivo, the PNS-PCL stents maintained the patency of the carotid artery in rabbits for up to three months, outperforming the PCL stents. The PNS-PCL stents may present a new solution for the EVT of cerebrovascular atherosclerotic stenosis in the future.

The role of JNK signaling pathway in organ fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Fibrosis is a tissue damage repair response caused by multiple pathogenic factors which could occur in almost every apparatus and leading to the tissue structure damage, physiological abnormality, and even organ failure until death. Up to now, there is still no specific drugs or strategies can effectively block or changeover tissue fibrosis. JNKs, a subset of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), have been reported that participates in various biological processes, such as genetic expression, DNA damage, and cell activation/proliferation/death pathways. Increasing studies indicated that abnormal regulation of JNK signal pathway has strongly associated with tissue fibrosis.

AIM OF REVIEW

This review designed to sum up the molecular mechanism progresses in the role of JNK signal pathway in organ fibrosis, hoping to provide a novel therapy strategy to tackle tissue fibrosis.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

Recent evidence shows that JNK signaling pathway could modulates inflammation, immunoreaction, oxidative stress and Multiple cell biological functions in organ fibrosis. Therefore, targeting the JNK pathway may be a useful strategy in cure fibrosis.

Effects of Sodium Nitroprusside on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation and Disruption of Blood-Brain Barrier

In various neurodegenerative conditions, inflammation plays a significant role in disrupting the blood-brain barrier (BBB), contributing to disease progression. Nitric oxide (NO) emerges as a central regulator of vascular function, with a dual role in inflammation, acting as both a pro- and anti-inflammatory molecule. This study investigates the effects of the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in protecting the BBB from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation, using bEnd.3 endothelial cells as a model system. Additionally, Raw 264.7 macrophages were employed to assess the effects of LPS and SNP on their adhesion to a bEnd.3 cell monolayer. Our results show that LPS treatment induces oxidative stress, activates the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, and increases pro-inflammatory markers. SNP administration effectively mitigates ROS production and IL-6 expression, suggesting a potential anti-inflammatory role. However, SNP did not significantly alter the adhesion of Raw 264.7 cells to bEnd.3 cells induced by LPS, probably because it did not have any effect on ICAM-1 expression, although it reduced VCAM expression. Moreover, SNP did not prevent BBB disruption. This research provides new insights into the role of NO in BBB disruption induced by inflammation.

A comprehensive review of stroke-related signaling pathways and treatment in western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine

This review provides insight into the complex network of signaling pathways and mechanisms involved in stroke pathophysiology. It summarizes the historical progress of stroke-related signaling pathways, identifying potential interactions between them and emphasizing that stroke is a complex network disease. Of particular interest are the Hippo signaling pathway and ferroptosis signaling pathway, which remain understudied areas of research, and are therefore a focus of the review. The involvement of multiple signaling pathways, including Sonic Hedgehog (SHH), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), PI3K/AKT, JAK/STAT, and AMPK in pathophysiological mechanisms such as oxidative stress and apoptosis, highlights the complexity of stroke. The review also delves into the details of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapies such as Rehmanniae and Astragalus, providing an analysis of the recent status of western medicine in the treatment of stroke and the advantages and disadvantages of TCM and western medicine in stroke treatment. The review proposes that since stroke is a network disease, TCM has the potential and advantages of a multi-target and multi-pathway mechanism of action in the treatment of stroke. Therefore, it is suggested that future research should explore more treasures of TCM and develop new therapies from the perspective of stroke as a network disease.