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Moreno-Campos R, Singleton EW, Uribe RA. A targeted CRISPR-Cas9 mediated F0 screen identifies genes involved in establishment of the enteric nervous system. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0303914. [PMID: 38809858 PMCID: PMC11135701 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate enteric nervous system (ENS) is a crucial network of enteric neurons and glia resident within the entire gastrointestinal tract (GI). Overseeing essential GI functions such as gut motility and water balance, the ENS serves as a pivotal bidirectional link in the gut-brain axis. During early development, the ENS is primarily derived from enteric neural crest cells (ENCCs). Disruptions to ENCC development, as seen in conditions like Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), lead to the absence of ENS in the GI, particularly in the colon. In this study, using zebrafish, we devised an in vivo F0 CRISPR-based screen employing a robust, rapid pipeline integrating single-cell RNA sequencing, CRISPR reverse genetics, and high-content imaging. Our findings unveil various genes, including those encoding opioid receptors, as possible regulators of ENS establishment. In addition, we present evidence that suggests opioid receptor involvement in the neurochemical coding of the larval ENS. In summary, our work presents a novel, efficient CRISPR screen targeting ENS development, facilitating the discovery of previously unknown genes, and increasing knowledge of nervous system construction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Moreno-Campos
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Eileen W. Singleton
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Rosa A. Uribe
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
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2
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Huang M, Wu Y, Li Y, Chen X, Feng J, Li Z, Li J, Chen J, Lu Y, Feng Y. Circadian clock-related genome-wide mendelian randomization identifies putatively genes for ulcerative colitis and its comorbidity. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:130. [PMID: 38302916 PMCID: PMC10832088 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10003-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circadian rhythm is crucial to the function of the immune system. Disorders of the circadian rhythm can contribute to inflammatory diseases such as Ulcerative colitis (UC). This Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis applies genetic tools to represent the aggregated statistical results of exposure to circadian rhythm disorders and UC and its comorbidities, allowing for causal inferences. METHODS Summary statistics of protein, DNA methylation and gene expression quantitative trait loci in individuals of European ancestry (pQTL, mQTL, and eQTL, respectively) were used. Genetic variants located within or near 152 circadian clock-related genes and closely related to circadian rhythm disorders were selected as instrumental variables. Causal relationships with UC and its comorbidities were then estimated through employed Summary data-based Mendelian Randomization (SMR) and Inverse-Variance-Weighted MR (IVW-MR). RESULTS Through preliminary SMR analysis, we identified a potential causal relationship between circadian clock-related genes and UC along with its comorbidities, which was further confirmed by IVW-MR analysis. Our study identified strong evidence of positive correlation involving seven overlapping genes (CSNK1E, OPRL1, PIWIL2, RORC, MAX, PPP5C, and AANAT) through MWAS and TWAS in UC, four overlapping genes (OPRL1, CHRNB2, FBXL17, and SIRT1) in UC with PSC, and three overlapping genes (ARNTL, USP7, and KRAS) in UC with arthropathy. CONCLUSIONS This SMR study demonstrates the causal effect of circadian rhythm disorders in UC and its comorbidities. Furthermore, our investigation pinpointed candidate genes that could potentially serve as drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengfen Huang
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan Wu
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiting Li
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xueru Chen
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jieni Feng
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zuming Li
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiqiang Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jiankun Chen
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yue Lu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yan Feng
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, China.
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3
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Kitaeva KV, Solovyeva VV, Blatt NL, Rizvanov AA. Eternal Youth: A Comprehensive Exploration of Gene, Cellular, and Pharmacological Anti-Aging Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:643. [PMID: 38203812 PMCID: PMC10778954 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The improvement of human living conditions has led to an increase in average life expectancy, creating a new social and medical problem-aging, which diminishes the overall quality of human life. The aging process of the body begins with the activation of effector signaling pathways of aging in cells, resulting in the loss of their normal functions and deleterious effects on the microenvironment. This, in turn, leads to chronic inflammation and similar transformations in neighboring cells. The cumulative retention of these senescent cells over a prolonged period results in the deterioration of tissues and organs, ultimately leading to a reduced quality of life and an elevated risk of mortality. Among the most promising methods for addressing aging and age-related illnesses are pharmacological, genetic, and cellular therapies. Elevating the activity of aging-suppressing genes, employing specific groups of native and genetically modified cells, and utilizing senolytic medications may offer the potential to delay aging and age-related ailments over the long term. This review explores strategies and advancements in the field of anti-aging therapies currently under investigation, with a particular emphasis on gene therapy involving adeno-associated vectors and cell-based therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina V. Kitaeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (K.V.K.); (V.V.S.); (N.L.B.)
| | - Valeriya V. Solovyeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (K.V.K.); (V.V.S.); (N.L.B.)
| | - Nataliya L. Blatt
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (K.V.K.); (V.V.S.); (N.L.B.)
| | - Albert A. Rizvanov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (K.V.K.); (V.V.S.); (N.L.B.)
- Division of Medical and Biological Sciences, Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 420111 Kazan, Russia
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Ahmadzadeh AM, Pourali G, Mirheidari SB, Shirazinia M, Hamedi M, Mehri A, Amirbeik H, Saghebdoust S, Tayarani-Najaran Z, Sathyapalan T, Forouzanfar F, Sahebkar A. Medicinal Plants for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain: A Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2024; 25:534-562. [PMID: 37455451 DOI: 10.2174/1389201024666230714143538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is a disabling condition caused by various diseases and can profoundly impact the quality of life. Unfortunately, current treatments often do not produce complete amelioration and can be associated with potential side effects. Recently, herbal drugs have garnered more attention as an alternative or a complementary treatment. In this article, we summarized the results of randomized clinical trials to evaluate the effects of various phytomedicines on neuropathic pain. In addition, we discussed their main bioactive components and potential mechanisms of action to provide a better view of the application of herbal drugs for treating neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Mahmoud Ahmadzadeh
- Transplant Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ghazaleh Pourali
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Matin Shirazinia
- Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Hamedi
- Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Mehri
- Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Surgery Research Center, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hesam Amirbeik
- Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Zahra Tayarani-Najaran
- Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Medical Toxicology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Thozhukat Sathyapalan
- Academic Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Allam Diabetes Centre Hull Royal Infirmary Anlaby Road HU3 2JZ, Hull, UK.m
| | - Fatemeh Forouzanfar
- Neuroscience Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Moreno-Campos R, Singleton EW, Uribe RA. A targeted CRISPR-Cas9 mediated F0 screen identifies genes involved in establishment of the enteric nervous system. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.28.573581. [PMID: 38234831 PMCID: PMC10793464 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.28.573581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The vertebrate enteric nervous system (ENS) is a crucial network of enteric neurons and glia resident within the entire gastrointestinal tract (GI). Overseeing essential GI functions such as gut motility and water balance, the ENS serves as a pivotal bidirectional link in the gut-brain axis. During early development, the ENS is primarily derived from enteric neural crest cells (ENCCs). Disruptions to ENCC development, as seen in conditions like Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), lead to absence of ENS in the GI, particularly in the colon. In this study, using zebrafish, we devised an in vivo F0 CRISPR-based screen employing a robust, rapid pipeline integrating single-cell RNA sequencing, CRISPR reverse genetics, and high-content imaging. Our findings unveil various genes, including those encoding for opioid receptors, as possible regulators of ENS establishment. In addition, we present evidence that suggests opioid receptor involvement in neurochemical coding of the larval ENS. In summary, our work presents a novel, efficient CRISPR screen targeting ENS development, facilitating the discovery of previously unknown genes, and increasing knowledge of nervous system construction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Moreno-Campos
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
| | - Eileen W. Singleton
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
| | - Rosa A. Uribe
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
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Seo EJ, Khelifi D, Fayez S, Feineis D, Bringmann G, Efferth T, Dawood M. Molecular determinants of the response of cancer cells towards geldanamycin and its derivatives. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 383:110677. [PMID: 37586545 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Geldanamycin is an ansamycin-derivative of a benzoquinone isolated from Streptomyces hygroscopicus. It inhibits tyrosine kinases and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90). Geldanamycin and 11 derivatives were subjected to molecular docking to HSP90, and 17-desmethoxy-17-N,N-dimethylamino-geldanamycin (17-DMAG) was the compound with the highest binding affinity (-7.73 ± 0.12 kcal/mol) and the lowest inhibition constant (2.16 ± 0.49 μM). Therefore, 17-DMAG was selected for further experiments in comparison to geldanamycin. Multidrug resistance (MDR) represents a major problem for successful cancer therapy. We tested geldanamycin and 17-DMAG against various drug-resistant cancer cell lines. Although geldanamycin and 17-DMAG inhibited the proliferation in all cell lines tested, multidrug-resistant P-glycoprotein-overexpressing CEM/ADR5000 cells were cross-resistant, ΔEGFR-overexpressing tumor cells and p53 knockout cells were sensitive to these two compounds. COMPARE and hierarchical cluster analyses were performed, and 60 genes were identified to predict the sensitivity or resistance of 59 NCI tumor cell lines towards geldanamycin and 17-DMAG. The distribution of cell lines according to their mRNA expression profiles indicated sensitivity or resistance to both compounds with statistical significance. Moreover, bioinformatic tools were used to study possible mechanisms of action of geldanamycin and 17-DMAG. Galaxy Cistrome analyses were carried out to predict transcription factor binding motifs in the promoter regions of the candidate genes. Interestingly, the NF-ĸB DNA binding motif (Rel) was identified as the top transcription factor. Furthermore, these 60 genes were subjected to Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) to study the signaling pathway interactions of these genes. Interestingly, IPA also revealed the NF-ĸB pathway as the top network among these genes. Finally, NF-ĸB reporter assays confirmed the bioinformatic prediction, and both geldanamycin and 17-DMAG significantly inhibited NF-κB activity after exposure for 24 h. In conclusion, geldanamycin and 17-DMAG exhibited cytotoxic activity against different tumor cell lines. Their activity was not restricted to HSP90 but indicated an involvement of the NF-KB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ean-Jeong Seo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Daycem Khelifi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Shaimaa Fayez
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Germany; Department of Pharmacognosy, Ain-Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Doris Feineis
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Mona Dawood
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128, Mainz, Germany; Department of Molecular Biology, Al-Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan.
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7
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Sun X, Zhang X, Yan H, Wu H, Cao S, Zhao W, Dong T, Zhou A. Protective effect of curcumin on hepatolenticular degeneration through copper excretion and inhibition of ferroptosis. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 113:154539. [PMID: 36898256 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatolenticular degeneration (HLD) is an autosomal recessive disorder concerning copper metabolism. Copper overload is also accompanied by iron overload in HLD patients, which can lead to ferroptosis. Curcumin, the active component in turmeric, has the potential to inhibit ferroptosis. PURPOSE The current study proposed a systematic investigation of the protective effects of curcumin against HLD and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS The protective effect of curcumin on toxic milk (TX) mice was studied. Liver tissue was observed via hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining and the ultrastructure of the liver tissue was observed through transmission electron microscopy. Copper levels in the tissues, serum, and metabolites were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). In addition, serum and liver indicators were evaluated. In cellular experiments, the effect of curcumin on the viability of rat normal liver cells (BRL-3A) was determined via the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell and mitochondrial morphology were observed in curcumin-mediated HLD model cells. The intracellular copper ion fluorescence intensity was observed via fluorescence microscopy, and intracellular copper iron content was detected using AAS. Further, oxidative stress indicators were evaluated. Cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cellular mitochondrial membrane potential were examined via flow cytometry. Furthermore, the expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) were determined via western blotting (WB). RESULTS The histopathology of the liver confirmed the hepatoprotective effects of curcumin. Curcumin improved copper metabolism in TX mice. Both serum liver enzyme markers and antioxidant enzyme levels indicated the protective effect of curcumin against HLD-related liver injury. The MTT assay results showed that curcumin was protective against excess copper-induced injury. Curcumin improved the morphology of HLD model cells and their mitochondrial morphology. The Cu2+ fluorescent probe and the AAS results indicated that curcumin reduced Cu2+ content in HLD hepatocytes. In addition, curcumin improved oxidative stress levels and prevented the decline of mitochondrial membrane potential in HLD model cells. The ferroptosis inducer Erastin reversed these effects of curcumin. WB revealed that curcumin promoted Nrf2, HO-1, and GPX4 protein expression in HLD model cells, and the Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 reversed the effects of curcumin. CONCLUSION Curcumin demonstrates a protective role by expelling copper and inhibiting ferroptosis, activating the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 signaling pathway in HLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Sun
- The Experimental Research Center, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- The Experimental Research Center, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China
| | - Hui Yan
- The Experimental Research Center, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China
| | - Hongfei Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Chinese Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Hefei, 230038, China.
| | - Shijian Cao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230031, China
| | - Wenchen Zhao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh 15219, United States
| | - Ting Dong
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230031, China
| | - An Zhou
- The Experimental Research Center, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Chinese Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Hefei, 230038, China.
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Ding X, Yu F, He X, Xu S, Yang G, Ren W. Rubbing Salt in the Wound: Molecular Evolutionary Analysis of Pain-Related Genes Reveals the Pain Adaptation of Cetaceans in Seawater. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12243571. [PMID: 36552490 PMCID: PMC9774174 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain, usually caused by a strong or disruptive stimulus, is an unpleasant sensation that serves as a warning to organisms. To adapt to extreme environments, some terrestrial animals have evolved to be inherently insensitive to pain. Cetaceans are known as supposedly indifferent to pain from soft tissue injury representatives of marine mammals. However, the molecular mechanisms that explain how cetaceans are adapted to pain in response to seawater environment remain unclear. Here, we performed a molecular evolutionary analysis of pain-related genes in selected representatives of cetaceans. ASIC4 gene was identified to be pseudogenized in all odontocetes (toothed whales) except from Physeter macrocephalus (sperm whales), and relaxed selection of this gene was detected in toothed whales with pseudogenized ASIC4. In addition, positive selection was detected in pain perception (i.e., ASIC3, ANO1, CCK, and SCN9A) and analgesia (i.e., ASIC3, ANO1, CCK, and SCN9A) genes among the examined cetaceans. In this study, potential convergent amino acid substitutions within predicted proteins were found among the examined cetaceans and other terrestrial mammals, inhabiting extreme environments (e.g., V441I of TRPV1 in cetaceans and naked mole rats). Moreover, specific amino acid substitutions within predicted sequences of several proteins were found in the studied representatives of cetaceans (e.g., F56L and D163A of ASIC3, E88G of GRK2, and F159L of OPRD1). Most of the substitutions were located within important functional domains of proteins, affecting their protein functions. The above evidence suggests that cetaceans might have undergone adaptive molecular evolution in pain-related genes through different evolutionary patterns to adapt to pain, resulting in greater sensitivity to pain and more effective analgesia. This study could have implications for diagnosis and treatment of human pain.
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Shen CL, Castro L, Fang CY, Castro M, Sherali S, White S, Wang R, Neugebauer V. Bioactive compounds for neuropathic pain: An update on preclinical studies and future perspectives. J Nutr Biochem 2022; 104:108979. [PMID: 35245654 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2022.108979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Among different types of chronic pain, neuropathic pain (NP), arising from damage to the nervous system, including peripheral fibers and central neurons, is notoriously difficult to treat and affects 7-10% of the general population. Currently available treatment options for NP are limited and opioid analgesics have severe side effects and can result in opioid use disorder. Recent studies have exhibited the role of dietary bioactive compounds in the mitigation of NP. Here, we assessed the effects of commonly consumed bioactive compounds (ginger, curcumin, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, epigallocatechin gallate, resveratrol, soy isoflavones, lycopene, and naringin) on NP and NP-related neuroinflammation. Cellular studies demonstrated that these bioactive compounds reduce inflammation via suppression of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways that regulate apoptosis/cell survival, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory responses. Animal studies strongly suggest that these regularly consumed bioactive compounds have a pronounced anti-NP effect as shown by decreased mechanical allodynia, mechanical hyperalgesia, thermal hyperalgesia, and cold hyperalgesia. The proposed molecular mechanisms include (1) the enhancement of neuron survival, (2) the reduction of neuronal hyperexcitability by activation of antinociceptive cannabinoid 1 receptors and opioid receptors, (3) the suppression of sodium channel current, and (4) enhancing a potassium outward current in NP-affected animals, triggering a cascade of chemical changes within, and between neurons for pain relief. Human studies administered in this area have been limited. Future randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm the findings of preclinical efficacies using bioactive compounds in patients with NP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chwan-Li Shen
- Department of Pathology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA; Center of Excellence for Integrative Health, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA; Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA.
| | - Luis Castro
- School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Chih-Yu Fang
- School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Maribel Castro
- School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Samir Sherali
- School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Steely White
- Department of Microbiology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Pathology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Volker Neugebauer
- Center of Excellence for Integrative Health, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA; Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA; Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA
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10
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Noor F, Tahir ul Qamar M, Ashfaq UA, Albutti A, Alwashmi ASS, Aljasir MA. Network Pharmacology Approach for Medicinal Plants: Review and Assessment. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:572. [PMID: 35631398 PMCID: PMC9143318 DOI: 10.3390/ph15050572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural products have played a critical role in medicine due to their ability to bind and modulate cellular targets involved in disease. Medicinal plants hold a variety of bioactive scaffolds for the treatment of multiple disorders. The less adverse effects, affordability, and easy accessibility highlight their potential in traditional remedies. Identifying pharmacological targets from active ingredients of medicinal plants has become a hot topic for biomedical research to generate innovative therapies. By developing an unprecedented opportunity for the systematic investigation of traditional medicines, network pharmacology is evolving as a systematic paradigm and becoming a frontier research field of drug discovery and development. The advancement of network pharmacology has opened up new avenues for understanding the complex bioactive components found in various medicinal plants. This study is attributed to a comprehensive summary of network pharmacology based on current research, highlighting various active ingredients, related techniques/tools/databases, and drug discovery and development applications. Moreover, this study would serve as a protocol for discovering novel compounds to explore the full range of biological potential of traditionally used plants. We have attempted to cover this vast topic in the review form. We hope it will serve as a significant pioneer for researchers working with medicinal plants by employing network pharmacology approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Noor
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan; (F.N.); (M.T.u.Q.)
| | - Muhammad Tahir ul Qamar
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan; (F.N.); (M.T.u.Q.)
| | - Usman Ali Ashfaq
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan; (F.N.); (M.T.u.Q.)
| | - Aqel Albutti
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ameen S. S. Alwashmi
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia; (A.S.S.A.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Mohammad Abdullah Aljasir
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia; (A.S.S.A.); (M.A.A.)
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In Silico and In Vitro Screening of 50 Curcumin Compounds as EGFR and NF-κB Inhibitors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073966. [PMID: 35409325 PMCID: PMC9000198 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The improvement of cancer chemotherapy remains a major challenge, and thus new drugs are urgently required to develop new treatment regimes. Curcumin, a polyphenolic antioxidant derived from the rhizome of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), has undergone extensive preclinical investigations and, thereby, displayed remarkable efficacy in vitro and in vivo against cancer and other disorders. However, pharmacological limitations of curcumin stimulated the synthesis of numerous novel curcumin analogs, which need to be evaluated for their therapeutic potential. In the present study, we calculated the binding affinities of 50 curcumin derivatives to known cancer-related target proteins of curcumin, i.e., epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) by using a molecular docking approach. The binding energies for EGFR were in a range of −12.12 (±0.21) to −7.34 (±0.07) kcal/mol and those for NF-κB ranged from −12.97 (±0.47) to −6.24 (±0.06) kcal/mol, indicating similar binding affinities of the curcumin compounds for both target proteins. The predicted receptor-ligand binding constants for EGFR and curcumin derivatives were in a range of 0.00013 (±0.00006) to 3.45 (±0.10) µM and for NF-κB in a range of 0.0004 (±0.0003) to 10.05 (±4.03) µM, indicating that the receptor-ligand binding was more stable for EGFR than for NF-κB. Twenty out of 50 curcumin compounds showed binding energies to NF-κB smaller than −10 kcal/mol, while curcumin as a lead compound revealed free binding energies of >−10 kcal/mol. Comparable data were obtained for EGFR: 15 out of 50 curcumin compounds were bound to EGFR with free binding energies of <−10 kcal/mol, while the binding affinity of curcumin itself was >−10 kcal/mol. This indicates that the derivatization of curcumin may indeed be a promising strategy to improve targe specificity and to obtain more effective anticancer drug candidates. The in silico results have been exemplarily validated using microscale thermophoresis. The bioactivity has been further investigated by using resazurin cell viability assay, lactate dehydrogenase assay, flow cytometric measurement of reactive oxygen species, and annexin V/propidium iodide assay. In conclusion, molecular docking represents a valuable approach to facilitate and speed up the identification of novel targeted curcumin-based drugs to treat cancer.
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12
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Zarei Ghobadi M, Mozhgani SH, Erfani Y. Identification of dysregulated pathways underlying HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis through co-expression network analysis. J Neurovirol 2021; 27:820-830. [PMID: 33405203 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-020-00919-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Human T cell lymphotropic virus-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a pathogen-caused disease which is associated with the progressive neurological disorder. HAM/TSP affects the expression level of several proteins and dysregulates some biological pathways. To identify the interaction patterns among expressed genes in HAM/TSP patients, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was applied. Three microarray datasets regarding HAM/TSP were merged, and the co-expression network was constructed among genes. A total of 38 modules were identified. Three preserved modules in HAM/TSP in comparison to the healthy subjects which also had the most connected proteins and enriched in the biological pathways were selected. These modules were enriched in pathways related to immune systems, cell cycle, viral infection, and neuronal systems. Moreover, the involvement of novel immunological-related proteins including C1QB, GBP5, PSME1, SERPING1, and UBE2C; neurological-related proteins including TUBA4A, TUBB8, and TP63; and also proteins including TRPC6, PRKG2, OPRD1, PRKACA, and TUBB4A involved in the cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, thyroid hormone synthesis, and recruitment of mitotic centrosome proteins and complexes were found. Therefore, tracing these proteins and the identified modules can shed light on the pathogenesis mechanism of HAM/TSP and help to find potential therapeutic targets. However, further experimental validation should be performed to confirm the proposed functional players.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohadeseh Zarei Ghobadi
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sayed-Hamidreza Mozhgani
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Yousef Erfani
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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13
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Peng Y, Ao M, Dong B, Jiang Y, Yu L, Chen Z, Hu C, Xu R. Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Curcumin in the Inflammatory Diseases: Status, Limitations and Countermeasures. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2021; 15:4503-4525. [PMID: 34754179 PMCID: PMC8572027 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s327378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Curcumin is a natural compound with great potential for disease treatment. A large number of studies have proved that curcumin has a variety of biological activities, among which anti-inflammatory effect is a significant feature of it. Inflammation is a complex and pervasive physiological and pathological process. The physiological and pathological mechanisms of inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, atherosclerosis, COVID-19 and other research focus diseases are not clear yet, and they are considered to be related to inflammation. The anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin can effectively improve the symptoms of these diseases and is expected to be a candidate drug for the treatment of related diseases. This paper mainly reviews the anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin, the inflammatory pathological mechanism of related diseases, the regulatory effect of curcumin on these, and the latest research results on the improvement of curcumin pharmacokinetics. It is beneficial to the further study of curcumin and provides new ideas and insights for the development of curcumin anti-inflammatory preparations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources; Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingyue Ao
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources; Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Baohua Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources; Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunxiu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources; Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingying Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources; Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhimin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources; Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Changjiang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources; Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.,Neo-Green Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Runchun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources; Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
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14
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Hsiao AF, Lien YC, Tzeng IS, Liu CT, Chou SH, Horng YS. The efficacy of high- and low-dose curcumin in knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med 2021; 63:102775. [PMID: 34537344 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to critically appraise and evaluate effects of low- and high-dose curcuminoids on pain and functional improvement in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to compare adverse events (AEs) between curcuminoids and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). METHODS We systematically reviewed all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on curcuminoids in knee osteoarthritis from the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, AMED, Cinahl, ISI Web of Science, Chinese medical database, and Indian Scientific databases from inception to June 21, 2021. RESULTS We included eleven studies with a total of 1258 participants with primary knee OA. The meta-analysis results showed that curcuminoids were significantly more effective than comparators regarding visual analogue scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) pain scores. However, no significant difference in pain relief or AEs between the high-dose (daily dose ≥1000 mg or total dose ≥42 gm) and low-dose (daily dose <1000 mg or total dose <42 gm) curcuminoid treatments was observed. When comparing curcumininoids versus NSAIDs, a significant difference in VAS pain was found. For AE analysis, three of our included studies used NSAIDs as comparators, with all reporting higher AE rates in the NSAID group, though significance was reached in only one study. CONCLUSIONS The results of our meta-analysis suggest that low- and high-dose curcuminoids have similar pain relief effects and AEs in knee OA. Curcuminoids are also associated with better pain relief than NSAIDs; therefore, using curcuminoids as an adjunctive treatment in knee OA is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- An-Fang Hsiao
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cheng Ching Hospital Chung Kang Branch, Taichung City, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yi-Chieh Lien
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cardinal Tien Hospital An Kang Branch, New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC
| | - I-Shiang Tzeng
- Department of Research, Taipei Tzu chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chien-Ting Liu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taipei Tzu chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Sheng-Hsun Chou
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taipei Tzu chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yi-Shiung Horng
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taipei Tzu chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC.
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15
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Uddin SJ, Hasan MF, Afroz M, Sarker DK, Rouf R, Islam MT, Shilpi JA, Mubarak MS. Curcumin and its Multi-target Function Against Pain and Inflammation: An Update of Pre-clinical Data. Curr Drug Targets 2021; 22:656-671. [PMID: 32981501 DOI: 10.2174/1389450121666200925150022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Pain is an unpleasant sensation that has complex and varying causative etiology. Modern drug discovery focuses on identifying potential molecules that target multiple pathways with a safer profile compared to those with a single target. The current treatment of pain and inflammation with the available therapeutics has a number of major side effects. Pain is one of the major clinical problems that need functional therapeutics which act on multiple targets and with low toxicity. Curcumin, a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound from Curcuma longa, has been used for years in Ayurvedic, Chinese, and in many other systems of traditional medicine. Pre-clinical data published thus far demonstrated that curcumin possesses multi-target biological functions, suggesting its potential use to cure different diseases. However, there is no or very brief systematic review of its potential use in pain and inflammation with underlying mechanisms for such activities. Accordingly, the aim of the current review was to update the pre-clinical data of curcumin and its multiple targeting pathways for analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, and to further propose a molecular mechanism(s). A literature study was conducted using different known databases, including Pubmed, SciFinder, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. Available pre-clinical data suggest the ameliorating effect of curcumin in pain and inflammation is rendered through the modulation of pain pathways, including inhibition of a number of pro-inflammatory mediators, inhibition of oxidative stress and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), down-regulation of Ca2+/calmodulin-depend protein kinase II (CaMKIIα) and calcium channels like transient receptor potential (TRP), modulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor-2 (mGlu2), modulation of monoamine system, inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, remodeling of extracellular matrix proteins, inhibition of apoptosis, inhibition of JNK/MAPK and ERK/CREB signaling pathway, and activation of the opioid system. Taken all together, it is evident that curcumin is one of the promising, safe, and natural polyphenolic molecules that target multiple molecular pathways in pain and can be beneficial in the treatment and management of pain and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaikh Jamal Uddin
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Biophysics, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Md Fahim Hasan
- Pharmacy Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh
| | - Mohasana Afroz
- Pharmacy Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh
| | - Dipto Kumer Sarker
- Pharmacy Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh
| | - Razina Rouf
- Department of Pharmacy, Life Science Faculty, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science & Technology University, Gopalganj (Dhaka)-8100, Bangladesh
| | - Muhammad Torequl Islam
- Department of Pharmacy, Life Science Faculty, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science & Technology University, Gopalganj (Dhaka)-8100, Bangladesh
| | - Jamil A Shilpi
- Pharmacy Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh
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16
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Chun JM, Lee AY, Nam JY, Lim KS, Choe MS, Lee MY, Kim C, Kim JS. Effects of Dipsacus asperoides Extract on Monosodium Iodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis in Rats Based on Gene Expression Profiling. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:615157. [PMID: 33927614 PMCID: PMC8076797 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.615157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The root of Dipsacus asperoides C. Y. Cheng et T. M. Ai is traditionally used as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent to treat pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and bone fractures. However, neither its effects on osteoarthritis (OA) nor its effects on the arthritic cartilage tissue transcriptome have not been fully investigated. In this study, we used a rat model of monosodium iodoacetate- (MIA-) induced OA to investigate the therapeutic effects of a Dipsacus asperoides ethanolic extract (DAE, 200 mg/kg for 21 days). The study first assessed joint diameter, micro-CT scans, and histopathological analysis and then conducted gene expression profiling using RNA sequencing in articular cartilage tissue. We found that DAE treatment ameliorates OA disease phenotypes; it reduced the knee joint diameter and prevented changes in the structural and histological features of the joint, thereby showing that DAE has a protective effect against OA. Based on the results of gene expression profiling and subsequent pathway analysis, we found that several canonical pathways were linked to DAE treatment, including WNT/β-catenin signaling. Taken together, the present results suggest molecular mechanism, involving gene expression changes, by which DAE has a protective effect in a rat model of MIA-induced OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Mi Chun
- Herbal Medicine Resources Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Naju-si, Korea
| | - A Yeong Lee
- Herbal Medicine Resources Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Naju-si, Korea
| | - Jae Yong Nam
- Bioinformatics Group, R&D Center, Insilicogen Corporation, Yongin, Korea
| | - Kyung Seob Lim
- Futuristic Animal Resource and Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Cheongju-si, Korea
| | - Mu Seog Choe
- Department of Molecular Physiology, College of Pharmacy, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Min Young Lee
- Department of Molecular Physiology, College of Pharmacy, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Chul Kim
- Korea Future Medicine Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Joong-Sun Kim
- Herbal Medicine Resources Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Naju-si, Korea
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17
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Zhang R, Zhang Q, Zou Z, Li Z, Jin M, An J, Li H, Ma J. Curcumin Supplementation Enhances Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Promote the Anabolism of Articular Chondrocytes and Cartilage Repair. Cell Transplant 2021; 30:963689721993776. [PMID: 33588606 PMCID: PMC7894692 DOI: 10.1177/0963689721993776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrows (BMSCs) and curcumin derived from turmeric were used for osteoarthritis (OA) treatment, respectively. We invested the effects of curcumin supplementation for BMSC therapeutic effects. In vitro, rat BMSCs were identified by dual-immunofluorescent staining of CD44 and CD90, and flow cytometry. Primary articular chondrocytes were identified by toluidine blue staining and immunofluorescent staining of Col2a1. EdU incorporation, migration assay, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analyses were performed to evaluate the alterations of chondrocytes cocultured with BMSCs. In vivo, the rat model of OA was established by monoiodoacetic acid. After intra-articular injection of allogeneic BMSCs, articular cartilage damage and OA progression were evaluated by histological staining, and Osteoarthritis Research Society International and Mankin score evaluation. Although curcumin alone did not improve cell viability of primary articular chondrocytes, it promoted proliferation and migration of chondrocytes when cocultured with BMSCs. Meanwhile, the expression of anabolic genes in chondrocytes was remarkably increased both at mRNA and protein levels. In OA rats, curcumin and BMSCs cooperated to greatly promote articular cartilage repair and retard OA progression. Therefore, curcumin supplementation enhanced the BMSC function for the proliferation and migration of articular chondrocytes, and anabolic gene expression of extracellular matrix in articular chondrocytes in vitro, and the generation of articular cartilage in vivo. Our study shed light on the potential clinical application of curcumin cooperated with BMSCs in cartilage repair for OA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhang
- Translational Medicine Center, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qiaoxia Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhiyu Zou
- Translational Medicine Center, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine & Western Medicine Orthopaedics, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Translational Medicine Center, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Department of Joint Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Meng Jin
- Translational Medicine Center, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,School of Basic Medicine, Shannxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jing An
- Translational Medicine Center, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Joint Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jianbing Ma
- Department of Joint Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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18
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Herbal Medicine for Pain Management: Efficacy and Drug Interactions. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13020251. [PMID: 33670393 PMCID: PMC7918078 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13020251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Complementary and alternative medicines such as herbal medicines are not currently part of the conventional medical system. As the popularity of and global market for herbal medicine grows among all age groups, with supporting scientific data and clinical trials, specific alternative treatments such as herbal medicine can be reclassified as a practice of conventional medicine. One of the most common conditions for which adults use herbal medicine is pain. However, herbal medicines carry safety concerns and may impact the efficacy of conventional therapies. Unfortunately, mechanisms of action are poorly understood, and their use is unregulated and often underreported to medical professionals. This review aims to compile common and available herbal medicines which can be used as an alternative to or in combination with conventional pain management approaches. Efficacy and safety are assessed through clinical studies on pain relief. Ensuing herb–drug interactions such as cytochrome modulation, additive and synergistic effects, and contraindications are discussed. While self-management has been recognized as part of the overall treatment strategy for patients suffering from chronic pain, it is important for practitioners to be able to also optimize and integrate herbal medicine and, if warranted, other complementary and alternative medicines into their care.
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19
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Chun JM, Lee AY, Nam JY, Lee MY, Choe MS, Lim KS, Kim C, Kim JS. Protective effects of Phlomis umbrosa extract on a monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis model and prediction of molecular mechanisms using transcriptomics. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 81:153429. [PMID: 33310311 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2020.153429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phlomis umbrosa Turczaninow root has been traditionally used to treat fractures, rheumatoid arthritis, and arthralgia. However, the effects and mechanisms of P. umbrosa on osteoarthritis (OA) remain poorly understood and a functional genomic approach has not been investigated. AIM The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of P. umbrosa extract (PUE) on OA using transcriptomic analysis. METHODS We performed joint diameter measurements, micro computed tomography, and histopathological analysis of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA rats treated with PUE (200 mg/kg) for 3 weeks. Gene expression profiling in articular cartilage tissue was then performed using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) followed by signaling pathway analysis of regulatory genes. RESULTS PUE treatment improved OA based on decreased joint diameter, increased joint morphological parameters, and histopathological features. Many genes involved in multiple signal transduction pathway and collagen activation in OA were differentially regulated by PUE. These included genes related to Wnt/β-catenin, OA pathway, and sonic hedgehog signaling activity. Furthermore, PUE treatment downregulated cartilage damage factors (MMP-9, MMP-13, ADAMTs4, and ADMATs5) and upregulated chondrogenesis (COL2A1 and SOX-9) by regulating the transcription factors SOX-9, Ctnnb1, and Epas1. CONCLUSION Based on the results of gene expression profiling, this study highlighted the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of PUE in MIA-induced OA rats. The findings provide novel insight into the mechanisms by which PUE treatment-induced gene expression changes may influence OA disease progression. Taken together, the results suggest that PUE may be used as a source of therapeutic agents for OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Mi Chun
- Herbal Medicine Resources Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Naju, Republic of Korea; Department of Life Systems, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - A Yeong Lee
- Herbal Medicine Resources Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Naju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Yong Nam
- Bioinformatics Group, R&D Center, Insilicogen Corporation, Yongin, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Young Lee
- Department of Molecular Physiology, College of Pharmacy, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Mu Seog Choe
- Department of Molecular Physiology, College of Pharmacy, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Seob Lim
- Futuristic Animal Resource and Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul Kim
- Future Medicine Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Joong-Sun Kim
- Herbal Medicine Resources Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Naju, Republic of Korea.
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20
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Rolfe V, Mackonochie M, Mills S, MacLennan E. Turmeric / curcumin and health outcomes: A meta-review of systematic reviews. Eur J Integr Med 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eujim.2020.101252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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21
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Abstract
This paper is the forty-first consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2018 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (2), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (3) and humans (4), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (5), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (6), stress and social status (7), learning and memory (8), eating and drinking (9), drug abuse and alcohol (10), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (11), mental illness and mood (12), seizures and neurologic disorders (13), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (14), general activity and locomotion (15), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (16), cardiovascular responses (17), respiration and thermoregulation (18), and immunological responses (19).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY, 11367, United States.
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22
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Abstract
Objectives: The beneficial effects of many substances have been discovered because of regular dietary consumption. This is also the case with curcumin, whose effects have been known for more than 4,000 years in Eastern countries such as China and India. A curcumin-rich diet has been known to counteract many human diseases, including cancer and diabetes, and has been shown to reduce inflammation. The effect of a curcumin treatment for neurological diseases, such as spinal muscular atrophy; Alzheimer's disease; Parkinson's disease; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; multiple sclerosis; and others, has only recently been brought to the attention of researchers and the wider population.Methods: In this paper, we summarise the studies on this natural product, from its isolation two centuries ago to its characterisation a century later.Results: We describe its role in the treatment of neurological diseases, including its cellular and common molecular mechanisms, and we report on the clinical trials of curcumin with healthy people and patients.Discussion: Commenting on the different approaches adopted by the efforts made to increase its bioavailability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Adami
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Bottai
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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23
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Deligiannidou GE, Papadopoulos RE, Kontogiorgis C, Detsi A, Bezirtzoglou E, Constantinides T. Unraveling Natural Products' Role in Osteoarthritis Management-An Overview. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:E348. [PMID: 32340224 PMCID: PMC7222394 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9040348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The natural process of aging gradually causes changes in living organisms, leading to the deterioration of organs, tissues, and cells. In the case of osteoarthritis (OA), the degradation of cartilage is a result of both mechanical stress and biochemical factors. Natural products have already been evaluated for their potential role in the prevention and treatment of OA, providing a safe and effective adjunctive therapeutic approach. This review aimed to assess the therapeutic potential of natural products and their derivatives in osteoarthritis via a systematic search of literature after 2008, including in vitro, in vivo, ex vivo, and animal models, along with clinical trials and meta-analysis. Overall, 170 papers were obtained and screened. Here, we presented findings referring to the preventative and therapeutic potential of 17 natural products and 14 naturally occurring compounds, underlining, when available, the mechanisms implicated. The nature of OA calls to initially focus on the management of symptoms, and, in that context, several naturally occurring compounds have been utilized. Underlying a global need for more sustainable natural sources for treatment, the evidence supporting their chondroprotective potential is still building up. However, arriving at that kind of solution requires more clinical research, targeting the implications of long-term treatment, adverse effects, and epigenetic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia-Eirini Deligiannidou
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece; (G.-E.D.); (R.-E.P.); (E.B.); (T.C.)
| | - Rafail-Efraim Papadopoulos
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece; (G.-E.D.); (R.-E.P.); (E.B.); (T.C.)
| | - Christos Kontogiorgis
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece; (G.-E.D.); (R.-E.P.); (E.B.); (T.C.)
| | - Anastasia Detsi
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Athens, Greece;
| | - Eugenia Bezirtzoglou
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece; (G.-E.D.); (R.-E.P.); (E.B.); (T.C.)
| | - Theodoros Constantinides
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece; (G.-E.D.); (R.-E.P.); (E.B.); (T.C.)
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Zhao C, Quan X, He J, Zhao R, Zhang Y, Li X, Sun S, Ma R, Zhang Q. Identification of significant gene biomarkers of low back pain caused by changes in the osmotic pressure of nucleus pulposus cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3708. [PMID: 32111963 PMCID: PMC7048739 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60714-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration disease, caused by changes in the osmotic pressure of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells, increases with age. In general, low back pain is associated with IVD degeneration. However, the mechanism and molecular target of low back pain have not been elucidated, and there are no data suggesting specific biomarkers of low back pain. Therefore, the research aims to identify and verify the significant gene biomarkers of low back pain. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and the identification and analysis of significant gene biomarkers were also performed with various bioinformatics programs. A total of 120 patients with low back pain were recruited. Before surgery, the degree of pain was measured by the numeric rating scale (NRS), which enables comparison of the pain scores from individuals. After surgery, IVD tissues were obtained, and NP cells were isolated. The NP cells were cultured in two various osmotic media, including iso-osmotic media (293 mOsm/kg H2O) to account for the morbid environment of NP cells in IVD degeneration disease and hyper-osmotic media (450 mOsm/kg H2O) to account for the normal condition of NP cells in healthy individuals. The relative mRNA expression levels of CCL5, OPRL1, CXCL13, and SST were measured by quantitative real-time PCR in the in vitro analysis of the osmotic pressure experiments. Finally, correlation analysis and a neural network module were employed to explore the linkage between significant gene biomarkers and pain. A total of 371 DEGs were identified, including 128 downregulated genes and 243 upregulated genes. Furthermore, the four genes (CCL5, OPRL1, SST, and CXCL13) were identified as significant gene biomarkers of low back pain (P < 0.001) based on univariate linear regression, and CCL5 (odds ratio, 34.667; P = 0.003) and OPRL1 (odds ratio, 19.875; P < 0.001) were significantly related to low back pain through multivariate logistic regression. The expression of CCL5 and OPRL1 might be correlated with low back pain in patients with IVD degeneration disease caused by changes in the osmotic pressure of NP cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changsong Zhao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100015, Beijing, China
| | - Xuemin Quan
- Department of Orthopaedics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100015, Beijing, China
| | - Jie He
- Department of Orthopaedics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100015, Beijing, China
| | - Rugang Zhao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100015, Beijing, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100015, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100015, Beijing, China
| | - Sheng Sun
- Department of Orthopaedics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100015, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Ma
- Department of Orthopaedics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100015, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100015, Beijing, China.
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Panossian A, Seo EJ, Efferth T. Effects of anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic herbal extracts on gene expression of eicosanoids signaling pathways in isolated brain cells. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2019; 60:152881. [PMID: 30987861 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2019.152881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The adaptogens modulate expression of genes playing key roles in development of aging-related disorders, which are considered as low-grade systemic inflammatory conditions characterized by an imbalance between pro-and anti-inflammatory eicosanoids. AIM OF THE STUDY We compared the effects of anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic plant extracts on the expression of genes involved in biosynthesis of eicosanoids with the purpose to find those plants, which selectively upregulated the expression of anti-inflammatory lipoxins signaling pathways and inhibited pro-inflammatory signaling pathways associated with biosynthesis of leukotrienes, prostaglandins and thromboxanes. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted transcriptome-wide RNA sequencing to profile gene expression alterations in T98G neuroglia cells upon treatment of plant extract and analyzed the relevance of deregulated genes to eicosanoids signaling pathways using in silico models. RESULTS For the first time, we demonstrated that Rhodiola rosea, Withania somnifera and Eleutherococcus senticosus downregulate the expression of key genes (ALOX5AP, DPEP2, LTC4S) involved biosynthesis of leukotrienes A, B, C, D and E, resulting in inhibition of leukotriene signaling pathway suggesting their potential benefits in Alzheimer disease. The common feature for all tested anti-inflammatory plants extracts was related to downregulation of ALOX12, which was also associated with neuroprotective action of these medicinal plants as well as their potential benefits in neurodegenerative diseases. None of tested anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic plants selectively activated the ALOX15-mediated signaling pathway, which is associated with generation anti-inflammatory lipoxins. Almost all tested plants upregulated the expression of the prostaglandin E receptor 3 gene (PTGER3) suggesting their potential benefits in the treatment of cancer. CONCLUSION Every single plant tested in this study revealed a specific "signature" on eicosanoid signaling-related gene expression, regardless of their common features as anti-inflammatory or adaptogenic activity. Further studies of the combination of Rhodiola with Withania (Adaptra) for the treatment of Alzheimer disease are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Panossian
- EuroPharma USA Inc., 955 Challenger Dr., Green Bay, WI 54311 USA; Phytomed AB, Vaxtorp, Sweden.
| | - Ean-Jeong Seo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
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Panossian A, Seo EJ, Efferth T. Novel molecular mechanisms for the adaptogenic effects of herbal extracts on isolated brain cells using systems biology. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2018; 50:257-284. [PMID: 30466987 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2018.09.204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Adaptogens are natural compounds or plant extracts that increase adaptability and survival of organisms under stress. Adaptogens stimulate cellular and organismal defense systems by activating intracellular and extracellular signaling pathways and expression of stress-activated proteins and neuropeptides. The effects adaptogens on mediators of adaptive stress response and longevity signaling pathways have been reported, but their stress-protective mechanisms are still not fully understood. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of this study was to identify key molecular mechanisms of adaptogenic plants traditionally used to treat stress and aging-related disorders, i.e., Rhodiola rosea, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Withania somnifera, Rhaponticum carthamoides, and Bryonia alba. MATERIALS AND METHODS To investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of adaptogens, we conducted RNA sequencing to profile gene expression alterations in T98G neuroglia cells upon treatment of adaptogens and analyzed the relevance of deregulated genes to adaptive stress-response signaling pathways using in silico pathway analysis software. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION At least 88 of the 3516 genes regulated by adaptogens were closely associated with adaptive stress response and adaptive stress-response signaling pathways (ASRSPs), including neuronal signaling related to corticotropin-releasing hormone, cAMP-mediated, protein kinase A, and CREB; pathways related to signaling involving CXCR4, melatonin, nitric oxide synthase, GP6, Gαs, MAPK, neuroinflammation, neuropathic pain, opioids, renin-angiotensin, AMPK, calcium, and synapses; and pathways associated with dendritic cell maturation and G-coupled protein receptor-mediated nutrient sensing in enteroendocrine cells. All samples tested showed significant effects on the expression of genes encoding neurohormones CRH, GNRH, UCN, G-protein-coupled and other transmembrane receptors TLR9, PRLR, CHRNE, GP1BA, PLXNA4, a ligand-dependent nuclear receptor RORA, transmembrane channels, transcription regulators FOS, FOXO6, SCX, STAT5A, ZFPM2, ZNF396, ZNF467, protein kinases MAPK10, MAPK13, MERTK, FLT1, PRKCH, ROS1, TTN), phosphatases PTPRD, PTPRR, peptidases, metabolic enzymes, a chaperone (HSPA6), and other proteins, all of which modulate numerous life processes, playing key roles in several canonical pathways involved in defense response and regulation of homeostasis in organisms. It is for the first time we report that the molecular mechanism of actions of melatonin and plant adaptogens are alike, all adaptogens tested activated the melatonin signaling pathway by acting through two G-protein-coupled membrane receptors MT1 and MT2 and upregulation of the ligand-specific nuclear receptor RORA, which plays a role in intellectual disability, neurological disorders, retinopathy, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cancer, which are common in aging. Furthermore, melatonin activated adaptive signaling pathways and upregulated expression of UCN, GNRH1, TLR9, GP1BA, PLXNA4, CHRM4, GPR19, VIPR2, RORA, STAT5A, ZFPM2, ZNF396, FLT1, MAPK10, MERTK, PRKCH, and TTN, which were commonly regulated by all adaptogens tested. We conclude that melatonin is an adaptation hormone playing an important role in regulation of homeostasis. Adaptogens presumably worked as eustressors ("stress-vaccines") to activate the cellular adaptive system by inducing the expression of ASRSPs, which then reciprocally protected cells from damage caused by distress. Functional investigation by interactive pathways analysis demonstrated that adaptogens activated ASRSPs associated with stress-induced and aging-related disorders such as chronic inflammation, cardiovascular health, neurodegenerative cognitive impairment, metabolic disorders, and cancer. CONCLUSION This study has elucidated the genome-wide effects of several adaptogenic herbal extracts in brain cells culture. These data highlight the consistent activation of ASRSPs by adaptogens in T98G neuroglia cells. The extracts affected many genes playing key roles in modulation of adaptive homeostasis, indicating their ability to modify gene expression to prevent stress-induced and aging-related disorders. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive look at the molecular mechanisms by which adaptogens exerts stress-protective effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ean-Jeong Seo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, Mainz 55128, Germany.
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