Anti-Parkinson's Disease Activity of Sanghuangprous vaninii Extracts in the MPTP-Induced Zebrafish Model

Widely targeted metabolomics analysis of Sanghuangporus vaninii mycelia and fruiting bodies at different harvest stages

Sanghuangprous vaninii is a medicinal macrofungus cultivated extensively in China. Both the mycelia and fruiting bodies of S. vaninii have remarkable therapeutic properties, but it remains unclear whether the mycelia may serve as a substitute for the fruiting bodies. Furthermore, S. vaninii is a perennial fungus with therapeutic components that vary significantly depending on the growing year of the fruiting bodies. Hence, it is critical to select an appropriate harvest stage for S. vaninii fruiting bodies for a specific purpose. With the aid of Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), metabolomics based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QQQ-MS) was used to preliminarily determine 81 key active metabolites and 157 active pharmaceutical metabolites in S. vaninii responsible for resistance to the six major diseases. To evaluate the substitutability of the mycelia and fruiting bodies of S. vaninii and to select an appropriate harvest stage for the fruiting bodies of S. vaninii, we analyzed the metabolite differences, especially active metabolite differences, among the mycelia and fruiting bodies during three different harvest stages (1-year-old, 2-year-old, and 3-year-old). Moreover, we also determined the most prominent and crucial metabolites in each sample of S. vaninii. These results suggested that the mycelia show promise as a substitute for the fruiting bodies of S. vaninii and that extending the growth year does not necessarily lead to higher accumulation levels of active metabolites in the S. vaninii fruiting bodies. This study provided a theoretical basis for developing and using S. vaninii.

Sanghuangporus vaninii extract ameliorates hyperlipidemia in rats by mechanisms identified with transcriptome analysis

The increasing incidence of hyperlipidemia is a serious threat to public health. The development of effective and safe lipid-lowering drugs with few side effects is necessary. The purpose of this study was to assess the lipid-lowering activity of Sanghuangporus vaninii extract (SVE) in rat experiments and reveal the molecular mechanism by transcriptome analysis. Hyperlipidemia was induced in the animals using a high-fat diet for 4 weeks. At the end of the 4th week, hyperlipidemic rats were assigned into two control groups (model and positive simvastatin control) and three treatment groups that received SVE at 200, 400, or 800 mg kg-1 day-1 for another 4 weeks. A last control group comprised normal chow-fed rats. At the end of the 8th week, rats were sacrificed and lipid serum levels, histopathology, and liver transcriptome profiles were determined. SVE was demonstrated to relieve the lipid disorder and improve histopathological liver changes in a dose-dependent manner. The transcriptomic analysis identified changes in hepatocyte gene activity for major pathways including steroid biosynthesis, bile secretion, cholesterol metabolism, AMPK signaling, thyroid hormone signaling, and glucagon signaling. The changed expression of crucial genes in the different groups was confirmed by qPCR. Collectively, this study revealed that SVE could relieve hyperlipidemia in rats, the molecular mechanism might be to promote the metabolism of lipids and the excretion of cholesterol, inhibit the biosynthesis of cholesterol by activating the AMPK signaling pathway, the thyroid hormone signaling pathway, and the glucagon signaling pathway.

Evaluation of Bioactive Effects of Five Plant Extracts with Different Phenolic Compositions against Different Therapeutic Targets

Plant extracts rich in phenolic compounds have been reported to exert different bioactive properties. Despite the fact that there are plant extracts with completely different phenolic compositions, many of them have been reported to have similar beneficial properties. Thus, the structure-bioactivity relationship mechanisms are not yet known in detail for specific classes of phenolic compounds. In this context, this work aims to demonstrate the relationship of extracts with different phenolic compositions versus different bioactive targets. For this purpose, five plant matrices (Theobroma cacao, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Silybum marianum, Lippia citriodora, and Olea europaea) were selected to cover different phenolic compositions, which were confirmed by the phytochemical characterization analysis performed by HPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS. The bioactive targets evaluated were the antioxidant potential, the free radical scavenging potential, and the inhibitory capacity of different enzymes involved in inflammatory processes, skin aging, and neuroprotection. The results showed that despite the different phenolic compositions of the five matrices, they all showed a bioactive positive effect in most of the evaluated assays. In particular, matrices with very different phenolic contents, such as T. cacao and S. marianum, exerted a similar inhibitory power in enzymes involved in inflammatory processes and skin aging. It should also be noted that H. sabdariffa and T. cacao extracts had a low phenolic content but nevertheless stood out for their bioactive antioxidant and anti-radical capacity. Hence, this research highlights the shared bioactive properties among phenolic compounds found in diverse matrices. The abundance of different phenolic compound families highlights their elevated bioactivity against diverse biological targets.

ErbB2pY -1248 as a predictive biomarker for Parkinson's disease based on research with RPPA technology and in vivo verification

AIMS

This study aims to reveal a promising biomarker for Parkinson's disease (PD) based on research with reverse phase protein array (RPPA) technology for the first time and in vivo verification, which gains time for early intervention in PD, thus increasing the effectiveness of treatment and reducing disease morbidity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We employed RPPA technology which can assess both total and post-translationally modified proteins to identify biomarker candidates of PD in a cellular PD model. As a result, the phosphorylation (pY-1248) of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ErbB2 is a promising biomarker candidate for PD. In addition, lapatinib, an ErbB2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was used to verify this PD biomarker candidate in vivo. We found that lapatinib-attenuated dopaminergic neuron loss and PD-like behavior in the zebrafish PD model. Accordingly, the expression of ErbB2pY-1248 significantly increased in the MPTP-induced mouse PD model. Our results suggest that ErbB2pY-1248 is a predictive biomarker for PD.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we found that ErbB2pY-1248 is a predictive biomarker of PD by using RPPA technology and in vivo verification. It offers a new perspective on PD diagnosing and treatment, which will be essential in identifying individuals at risk of PD. In addition, this study provides new ideas for digging into biomarkers of other neurodegenerative diseases.

Active compounds from Calendula officinalis flowers act via PI3K and ERK signaling pathways to offer neuroprotective effects against Parkinson's disease

Calendula officinalis flowers, associated with diverse biological effects, could be utilized as functional food ingredients to play a crucial role in human health. In this study, we examined the anti-PD activity of C. officinalis flower extracts and investigated their bioactive compounds and molecular mechanisms based on LC-MS/MS assay, bioinformatic exploration and in vitro treatment of SH-SY5Y cells. C. officinalis extracts exhibited significant positive effects on the length and fluorescence density of the dopaminergic neuron region in zebrafish larvae. At 10 μg/mL, the extract restored the length to 96.54% and fluorescence density to 87.77% of the control values, which was equivalent to the effect of a positive drug, indicating the extract's powerful potential to alleviate PD symptoms. Five active compounds, including chlorogenic acid, 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid (DA), rutin, isorhamnetin 3-O-glucoside (IG) and calenduloside E (CE) were identified in extracts by LC-QTOF-MS/MS. Hsp90α, PI3K and ERK were revealed as core targets of DA, IG and CE in relation to anti-PD activity. The compounds docked deeply within the pocket region of Hsp90α protein, and their binding energies (∆G b) were -6.93 kcal/mol (DA), -6.51 kcal/mol (IG) and -3.03 kcal/mol (CE), respectively. Subsequently, they concurrently activated the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and inhibited the ERK signaling pathway, thereby preventing neuronal death and alleviating neuronal degeneration. These compounds from C. officinalis could be potent nutraceutical agents with protective properties that may shield dopaminergic neurons against the damage caused by PD. Our findings provide a basis for utilizing the C. officinalis flowers in functional foods.

Brassisterol A, a new ergosterol from co-cultivation of fungi attenuates neuroinflammation via targeting NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pathway

Three new ergosterol derivatives brassisterol A-C (1-3) and two new epimeric bicycle-lactones brassictones A and B (4 and 5), were isolated from the co-cultivation of Alternaria brassicicola and Penicillium granulatum. The absolute configurations of these isolates were confirmed by extensive NMR spectra, TD-DFT ECD calculation, and the single crystal XRD data analysis. Amongst the metabolites, compound 1 exhibited potential anti-Parkinson's disease activity in both MPTP-induced zebrafish and MPP+-induced SH-SY5Y cells. Molecular mechanism studies in vitro showed that 1 attenuated the increase of α-synuclein, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18, and GSDMD expression in the MPP+ induced PD model. Molecular docking in silico simulations exhibited that 1 was well accommodated to one of the binding pockets of NLRP3 8ETR in an appropriate conformation via forming typical hydrogen bonds as well as possessing a high negative binding affinity (-8.97 kcal/mol). Thus, our work suggested that 1 protected dopaminergic cell from neuroinflammation via targeting NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway.

The Neuroprotective Effect of Isotetrandrine on Parkinson's Disease via Anti-Inflammation and Antiapoptosis In Vitro and In Vivo

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most influential diseases in the world, and the current medication only can relieve the clinical symptoms but not slow the progression of PD. Therefore, we intend to examine the neuroprotective activity of plant-derived compound isotetrandrine (ITD) in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, cells were cotreated with ITD and LPS to detect the inflammatory-related protein and mRNA. In vivo, zebrafish were pretreated with ITD and inhibitors prior to 6-OHDA treatment. Then, the behavior was monitored at 5 dpf. Our result showed ITD inhibited LPS-induced upregulation of iNOS, COX-2 protein expression, and iL-6, inos, cox-2, and cd11b mRNA expression in BV2 cells. The data in zebrafish also demonstrated a significant improvement of ITD on the 6-OHDA-induced locomotor deficiency. ITD also improved 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis in zebrafish PD. We also pharmacologically validated the mechanism with three inhibitors, including LY294002, PI3K inhibitor; LY32141996, ERK inhibitor, SnPP, and HO-1 inhibitors. All of these inhibitors could abolish the neuroprotective effect of ITD partially in locomotor activity. Besides, the molecular level also showed the same trend. Treatment of these inhibitors could significantly abolish ITD-induced antineuroinflammatory and antioxidative stress effects in zebrafish PD. Our study showed ITD possessed a neuroprotective activity in zebrafish PD. The mRNA level also supported our arguments. The neuroprotection of ITD might be through antineuroinflammation and antiapoptosis pathways via PI3K, ERK, and HO-1.

Metabolites of Moringa oleifera Activate Physio-Biochemical Pathways for an Accelerated Functional Recovery after Sciatic Nerve Crush Injury in Mice

In this study, the functional metabolites of Moringa oleifera (MO) were screened to evaluate their possible role in accelerated functional retrieval after peripheral nerve injury (PNI). MO leaves were used for extract preparation using solvents of different polarities. Each dry extract was uniformly mixed in rodents' chow and supplemented daily at a dose rate of 2 g/kg body weight from the day of nerve crush until the completion of the trial. The sciatic functional index (SFI) and muscle grip strength were performed to assess the recovery of motor functions, whereas the hotplate test was performed to measure the regain of sensory functions. An optimal level of oxidative stress and a controlled glycemic level mediates a number of physio-biochemical pathways for the smooth progression of the regeneration process. Therefore, total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and glycemic levels were analyzed in metabolite-enriched extract-treated groups compared to the control. The supplementation of polar extracts demonstrated a significantly high potential to induce the retrieval of sensory and motor functions. Further, they were highly effective in controlling oxidative stress, facilitating accelerated nerve generation. This study has highlighted MO as a sustainable source of nutritive metabolites and a valuable target for drug development.

Dopamine Release Impairments Accompany Locomotor and Cognitive Deficiencies in Rotenone-Treated Parkinson's Disease Model Zebrafish

In this work, we carried out neurochemical and behavioral analysis of zebrafish (Danio rerio) treated with rotenone, an agent used to chemically induce a syndrome resembling Parkinson's disease (PD). Dopamine release, measured with fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) at carbon-fiber electrodes in acutely harvested whole brains, was about 30% of that found in controls. Uptake, represented by the first order rate constant (k) and the half-life (t1/2) determined by nonlinear regression modeling of the stimulated release plots, was also diminished. Behavioral analysis revealed that rotenone treatment increased the time required for zebrafish to reach a reward within a maze by more than 50% and caused fish to select the wrong pathway, suggesting that latent learning was impaired. Additionally, zebrafish treated with rotenone suffered from diminished locomotor activity, swimming shorter distances with lower mean velocity and acceleration. Thus, the neurochemical and behavioral approaches, as applied, were able to resolve rotenone-induced differences in key parameters. This approach may be effective for screening therapies in this and other models of neurodegeneration.

Non-targeted metabonomics and transcriptomics revealed the mechanism of mulberry branch extracts promoting the growth of Sanghuangporus vaninii mycelium

Sanghuangprous vaninii is a wood-inhabiting fungus, and its mycelium and fruiting body show excellent medicinal values. Mulberry is one of the major hosts of S. vaninii, however, the mechanism of mulberry affecting the growth of S. vaninii has not been reported. In the present study, a mulberry-inhabiting strain of S. vaninii was selected to explore the effects of mulberry branch extracts (MBE) on the growth of the strain. Results showed that MBE could significantly promote the growth of S. vaninii mycelium at the concentration of 0.2 g/l. After 16 days of liquid culture, the dry weight of mycelium in 0.2 g/l MBE medium was higher by three times compared with that in the control. The non-targeted metabonomic analysis of the culture medium at different culture times and concentrations was conducted to find the key components in MBE that promoted the growth of S. vaninii mycelium. Under the different concentrations of MBE culture for 10 and 16 days, 22 shared differential metabolites were identified. Next, in accordance with the peak value trend of these metabolites, HPLC–MS and liquid culture validation, four components derived from MBE (i.e., scopoletin, kynurenic acid, 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid) could significantly increase the growth rate of mycelium at the concentration of 2 mg/l. Transcriptomic and qRT-PCR analyzes showed that MBE could upregulate hydrolase-related genes, such as serine–glycine–asparaginate–histidine (SGNH) hydrolase, alpha-amylase, poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) depolymerase, glycosyl hydrolase family 61, cerato-platanin protein and Fet3, which might enhance the nutrient absorption ability of S. vaninii. Importantly, MBE could significantly increase the content of harmine, androstenedione and vesamicol, which have been reported to possess various medicinal effects. Results suggested that MBE could be an excellent additive for liquid culture of S. vaninii mycelium, and these hydrolase-related genes also provided candidate genes for improving the nutrient absorption capacity of S. vaninii.