Achyranthes bidentata polypeptides promotes migration of Schwann cells via NOX4/DUOX2-dependent ROS production in rats

Therapeutic Potential of Complementary and Alternative Medicines in Peripheral Nerve Regeneration: A Systematic Review

Despite the progressive advances, current standards of treatments for peripheral nerve injury do not guarantee complete recovery. Thus, alternative therapeutic interventions should be considered. Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) are widely explored for their therapeutic value, but their potential use in peripheral nerve regeneration is underappreciated. The present systematic review, designed according to guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols, aims to present and discuss the current literature on the neuroregenerative potential of CAMs, focusing on plants or herbs, mushrooms, decoctions, and their respective natural products. The available literature on CAMs associated with peripheral nerve regeneration published up to 2020 were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. According to current literature, the neuroregenerative potential of Achyranthes bidentata, Astragalus membranaceus, Curcuma longa, Panax ginseng, and Hericium erinaceus are the most widely studied. Various CAMs enhanced proliferation and migration of Schwann cells in vitro, primarily through activation of MAPK pathway and FGF-2 signaling, respectively. Animal studies demonstrated the ability of CAMs to promote peripheral nerve regeneration and functional recovery, which are partially associated with modulations of neurotrophic factors, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and anti-apoptotic signaling. This systematic review provides evidence for the potential use of CAMs in the management of peripheral nerve injury.

DUOX2 participates in skin aging induced by UVB in HSF2 cells by activating NF-κB signaling

Skin and in particular photoaging or premature aging, are caused by a variety of factors, including hormone imbalance and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The aim of the present study was to explore the roles of Dual oxidase 2 (DUOX2) and related NF-κB signals in skin photoaging. Cell models of photoaging were constructed by irradiating human skin fibroblast lines (HSF2) with ultraviolet B (UVB) of different doses (0, 15, 30 and 60 mj/cm²). The cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) was used to determine cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to determine the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). A biochemical method was to determine the content of hydrogen peroxide, and the quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to determine the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), Col-Ⅰ and α-SMA in the cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Western blot analysis was performed to determine the expression of DUOX2, p65 and p-p65. The results showed that,UVB irradiation dose- and time-dependently inhibited the proliferation of HSF2 cells. Cellular inflammatory response, ROS production and hydrogen peroxide increase was promoted. Col-Ⅰ and α-SMA were downregulated, MMP2 and MMP9 were upregulated, and the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 was promoted. The above indicators were all reversed by interference with DUOX2. Overexpression of DUOX2 has an effect that is similar to UVB irradiation, but the effects can be significantly weakened by NF-κB inhibitor, NAC. Upregulation of DUOX2 expression plays a crucial role in UVB-induced aging of HSF2 cells. The specific mechanism is related to the promotion of ROS production and cellular inflammatory response and activation of NF-κB signals.

SFPQ is involved in regulating arsenic-induced oxidative stress by interacting with the miRNA-induced silencing complexes

Arsenic exposure contributed to the development of human diseases. Arsenic exerted multiple organ toxicities mainly by triggering oxidative stress. However, the signaling pathway underlying oxidative stress is unclear. We previously found that the expression of SFPQ, a splicing factor, was positively associated with urinary arsenic concentration in an arsenic-exposed population, suggesting an oxidative stress regulatory role for SFPQ. To test this hypothesis, we established cell models of oxidative stress in human hepatocyte cells (L02) treated with NaAsO₂. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) synthesis displayed a time- and dose-dependent increase with NaAsO₂ treatment. SFPQ suppression resulted in a 36%-53% decrease in ROS generation, leading to enhanced cellular damage determined by 8-OHdG, comet tail moment, and micronucleus analysis. Particularly, SFPQ deficiency attenuated expression of the oxidase genes DUOX1, DUOX2, NCF2, and NOX2. A fluorescent-based RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assay (FREMSA) and dual-luciferase reporter system revealed that miR-92b-5p targeted DUOX2 mRNA degradation. An RNA immunoprecipitation assay showed an interaction between SFPQ and miR-92b-5p of the miRNA-induced silencing complex (miRISC). Notably, NaAsO₂ treatment diminished the interaction between SFPQ and miR92b-5p, accompanied by decreased binding between miR-92b-5p and 3'-UTR of DUOX2. However, SFPQ deficiency suppressed the dissociation of miR-92b-5p from 3'-UTR of DUOX2, indicating that miR-92b-5p regulated the SFPQ-dependent DUOX2 expression. Taken together, we reveal that SFPQ responds to arsenic-induced oxidative stress by interacting with the miRISC. These findings offer new insight into the potential role of SFPQ in regulating cellular stress response.