1
|
Zhou S, Li W, Lv R, Zhang M, Liu W. Neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of action of artemisinin in retinal ganglion cells in a mouse model of traumatic optic neuropathy. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31378. [PMID: 38828288 PMCID: PMC11140598 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Traumatic optic neuropathy is known to be a critical condition that can cause blindness; however, the specific mechanism underlying optic nerve injury is unclear. Recent studies have reported that artemisinin, considered vital in malaria treatment, can also be used to treat neurodegenerative diseases; however, its precise role and mechanism of action remain unknown. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the impact and probable mechanism of action of artemisinin in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in a mouse model of traumatic optic neuropathy induced by optic nerve crush (ONC). Methods ONC was induced in the left eye of mice by short-term clamping of the optic nerve; oral artemisinin was administered daily. The neuroprotective effect of the drug was assessed using Tuj-1 staining in RGCs. In addition, the inflammatory response and the expression levels of phosphorylated tau protein and tau oligomers were observed using RT-qPCR, TUNEL assay, and fluorescence staining to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Results Artemisinin increased the survival rate of RGCs 14 days after ONC. Artemisinin significantly reduced the levels of inflammatory factors such as CXCL10, CXCR3, and IL-1β in the retina and decreased the apoptosis of RGCs. Moreover, downregulation of the phosphorylation of tau proteins and the expression of tau oligomers were observed after artemisinin treatment. Conclusion Our results suggest that artemisinin can increase the survival rate of RGCs after ONC and reduce their apoptosis. This effect may be achieved by inhibiting the inflammatory response it triggers and downregulating tau protein phosphorylation and tau oligomer expression. These findings suggest the potential application of artemisinin as a therapeutic agent for neuropathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shirui Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wangzi Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ruohan Lv
- Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - MingChang Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yang C, Ge L, Yu X, Lazarovici P, Zheng W. Artemisinin Confers Cytoprotection toward Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Cell Apoptosis in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells in Correlation with the Increased Acetylation of Histone H4 at Lysine 8. Molecules 2024; 29:1789. [PMID: 38675608 PMCID: PMC11051841 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29081789] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Increased oxidative stress is one of the critical pathologies inducing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), characterized by retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell damage and death. The unbalanced acetylation and deacetylation of histones have been implicated in AMD pathogenesis or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cell damage. Therefore, strategies aimed at controlling the balance between acetylation and deacetylation may effectively protect RPE cells from oxidative damage. Artemisinin is an antimalarial lactone drug derived from Artemisia annua, with antioxidant activity known to modulate histone acetylation in the brain, but its effect on the retina is unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether Artemisinin exerts a cytoprotective effect on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in RPE cells by regulating histone acetylation. We hypothesized that Artemisinin confers cytoprotection toward H2O2-induced apoptosis in RPE cells through this mechanism. In the present study, we found that Artemisinin at a sub-clinic dosage of 20 μM inhibited the H2O2-induced cell viability decrease and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein level decrease and attenuated the H2O2-induced decrease in the histone H4 lysine (Lys) 8 acetylation [Acetyl-H4 (Lys 8)] level in the retinal RPE cell line D407. As expected, histone deacetylase inhibitor Trichostatin A at the concentration of 250 nM increased the Acetyl-H4 (Lys 8) level in D407 cells and attenuated the H2O2-induced cell viability decrease and apoptosis. Similar findings were obtained using adult RPE (ARPE)19 cells, another human RPE cell line, and primary human RPE cell cultures. In conclusion, these results confirmed our hypothesis and indicated that Artemisinin attenuated H2O2-induced apoptosis in apparent correlation with the increase in the Acetyl-H4 (Lys 8) level, which is associated with gene transcription and cell survival. By modulating histone acetylation, Artemisinin may restore the balance between acetylation and deacetylation and enhance the resistance and survival of RPE cells under oxidative stress. Our study provides novel mechanistic insights into the effect of Artemisinin on histone acetylation and apoptosis in RPE cells and supports the potential application of Artemisinin in the prevention and/or treatment of AMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau, China; (C.Y.); (L.G.)
| | - Lijun Ge
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau, China; (C.Y.); (L.G.)
- College of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Xiyong Yu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China;
| | - Philip Lazarovici
- School of Pharmacy Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112002, Israel;
| | - Wenhua Zheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau, China; (C.Y.); (L.G.)
- Zhuhai UM Science & Technology Research Institute, Zhuhai 519000, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li Q, Li S, Fang J, Yang C, Zhao X, Wang Q, Zhou W, Zheng W. Artemisinin Confers Neuroprotection against 6-OHDA-Induced Neuronal Injury In Vitro and In Vivo through Activation of the ERK1/2 Pathway. Molecules 2023; 28:5527. [PMID: 37513399 PMCID: PMC10385954 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28145527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is an age-related, progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the gradual and massive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). We have recently reported that artemisinin, an FDA-approved first-line antimalarial drug, possesses a neuroprotective effect. However, the effects and underlying mechanisms of artemisinin on Parkinson's disease remain to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of artemisinin on 6-OHDA and MPP+ in neuronal cells and animal models, as well as the underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that artemisinin significantly attenuated the loss of cell viability, LDH release, elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the collapse of the mitochondria trans-membrane potential and cell apoptosis in PC12 cells. Western blot results showed that artemisinin stimulated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, its upstream signaling proteins c-Raf and MEK and its downstream target CREB in PC12 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the protective effect of artemisinin was significantly reduced when the ERK pathway was blocked using the ERK pathway inhibitor PD98059 or when the expression of ERK was knocked down using sgRNA. These results indicate the essential role of ERK in the protective effect of artemisinin. Similar results were obtained in SH-SY5Y cells and primary cultured neurons treated with 6-OHDA, as well as in cellular models of MPP+ injury. More interestingly, artemisinin attenuated PD-like behavior deficit in mice injected with 6-OHDA evaluated by behavioral tests including swimming test, pole-test, open field exploration and rotarod tests. Moreover, artemisinin also stimulated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, inhibited apoptosis, and rescued dopaminergic neurons in SNc of these animals. Application of ERK pathway inhibitor PD98059 blocked the protective effect of artemisinin in mice during testing. Taking these results together, it was indicated that artemisinin preserves neuroprotective effects against 6-OHDA and MPP+ induced injury both in vitro and in vivo by the stimulation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Our findings support the potential therapeutic effect of artemisinin in the prevention and treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qin Li
- Center of Reproduction, Development & Aging and Institute of Translation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Room 3057, Building E12, Taipa, Macau SAR 999078, China
- School of pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310059, China
| | - Shuai Li
- Center of Reproduction, Development & Aging and Institute of Translation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Room 3057, Building E12, Taipa, Macau SAR 999078, China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Jiankang Fang
- Center of Reproduction, Development & Aging and Institute of Translation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Room 3057, Building E12, Taipa, Macau SAR 999078, China
| | - Chao Yang
- Center of Reproduction, Development & Aging and Institute of Translation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Room 3057, Building E12, Taipa, Macau SAR 999078, China
| | - Xia Zhao
- Center of Reproduction, Development & Aging and Institute of Translation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Room 3057, Building E12, Taipa, Macau SAR 999078, China
- School of pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310059, China
| | - Qing Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Wenshu Zhou
- Center of Reproduction, Development & Aging and Institute of Translation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Room 3057, Building E12, Taipa, Macau SAR 999078, China
| | - Wenhua Zheng
- Center of Reproduction, Development & Aging and Institute of Translation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Room 3057, Building E12, Taipa, Macau SAR 999078, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Posadino AM, Giordo R, Pintus G, Mohammed SA, Orhan IE, Fokou PVT, Sharopov F, Adetunji CO, Gulsunoglu-Konuskan Z, Ydyrys A, Armstrong L, Sytar O, Martorell M, Razis AFA, Modu B, Calina D, Habtemariam S, Sharifi-Rad J, Cho WC. Medicinal and mechanistic overview of artemisinin in the treatment of human diseases. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 163:114866. [PMID: 37182516 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin (ART) is a bioactive compound isolated from the plant Artemisia annua and has been traditionally used to treat conditions such as malaria, cancer, viral infections, bacterial infections, and some cardiovascular diseases, especially in Asia, North America, Europe and other parts of the world. This comprehensive review aims to update the biomedical potential of ART and its derivatives for treating human diseases highlighting its pharmacokinetic and pharmacological properties based on the results of experimental pharmacological studies in vitro and in vivo. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of action, tested doses and toxic effects of artemisinin were also described. The analysis of data based on an up-to-date literature search showed that ART and its derivatives display anticancer effects along with a wide range of pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antiviral, antimalarial, antioxidant and cardioprotective effects. These compounds have great potential for discovering new drugs used as adjunctive therapies in cancer and various other diseases. Detailed translational and experimental studies are however needed to fully understand the pharmacological effects of these compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Posadino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Roberta Giordo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Pintus
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro, 07100 Sassari, Italy; Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, and Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, University City Rd, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Soheb Anwar Mohammed
- Center for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Ilkay Erdogan Orhan
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, 06330 Ankara, Turkey; Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA), Vedat Dalokay Cad., No. 112, 06670 Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Farukh Sharopov
- V.I. Nikitin Chemistry Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, Ayni 299/2, 734063 Dushanbe, Tajikistan
| | - Charles Oluwaseun Adetunji
- Applied Microbiology, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Edo State University Uzairue, Iyamho, PMB 04 Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria
| | - Zehra Gulsunoglu-Konuskan
- Faculty of Health Science, Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Istanbul Aydin University, Istanbul 34295, Turkey
| | - Alibek Ydyrys
- Biomedical Research Centre, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi ave. 71, 050040 Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Lorene Armstrong
- State University of Ponta Grossa, Departament of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 84030900 Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil; Federal University of Paraná, Department of Pharmacy, 80210170 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Oksana Sytar
- Institute of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Miquel Martorell
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Pharmacy, and Centre for Healthy Living, University of Concepción, 4070386 Concepción, Chile; Universidad de Concepción, Unidad de Desarrollo Tecnológico, UDT, 4070386 Concepción, Chile.
| | - Ahmad Faizal Abdull Razis
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Babagana Modu
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Maiduguri, 1069 Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
| | - Daniela Calina
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania.
| | - Solomon Habtemariam
- Pharmacognosy Research & Herbal Analysis Services UK, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham-Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK
| | | | - William C Cho
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhu R, Liang Y, Luo H, Cao H, Liu Y, Huang S, Xiao Q. Investigations of interaction mechanism and conformational variation of serum albumin affected by artemisinin and dihydroartemisinin. J Mol Recognit 2023; 36:e3000. [PMID: 36315411 DOI: 10.1002/jmr.3000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
In this work, binding interactions of artemisinin (ART) and dihydroartemisinin (DHA) with human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated thoroughly to illustrate the conformational variation of serum albumin. Experimental results indicated that ART and DHA bound strongly with the site I of serum albumins via hydrogen bond (H-bond) and van der Waals force and subsequently statically quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of serum albumins through concentration-dependent manner. The quenching abilities of two drugs on the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA were much higher than the quenching abilities of two drugs on the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA. Both ART and DHA, especially DHA, caused the conformational variation of serum albumins and reduced the α-helix structure content of serum albumins. DHA with hydrophilic hydroxyl group bound with HSA more strongly, suggesting the important roles of the chemical polarity and the hydrophilicity during the binding interactions of two drugs with serum albumins. These results reveal the molecular understanding of binding interactions between ART derivatives and serum albumins, providing vital information for the future application of ART derivatives in biological and clinical areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rukui Zhu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, College of Chemistry and Materials, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Liang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, College of Chemistry and Materials, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, People's Republic of China
| | - Huajian Luo
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, College of Chemistry and Materials, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, People's Republic of China
| | - Huishan Cao
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, College of Chemistry and Materials, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Liu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, College of Chemistry and Materials, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Huang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, College of Chemistry and Materials, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Xiao
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, College of Chemistry and Materials, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Arthur R, Navik U, Kumar P. Repurposing artemisinins as neuroprotective agents: a focus on the PI3k/Akt signalling pathway. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2022; 396:593-605. [PMID: 36464748 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-022-02350-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Artemisinin and its derivatives, since their discovery by professor Tu Youyou in the early 1970s, have been the bedrock for the management of malaria globally. Recent works have implied that they could be used to manage other diseases including neurodegenerative disorders. Neurodegenerative disorders mainly occur in the adult population resulting from a progressive deterioration of neuronal structures. These include Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Huntington's disease (HD), and Multiple sclerosis (MS), among others. The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway plays a significant role in the central nervous system. It has been investigated extensively for its role in central nervous system physiological processes such as cell survival, autophagy, neuronal proliferation, and synaptic plasticity. Therefore, the modulation of this pathway will be crucial in the management of neurodegenerative disorders. This review seeks to compile most of the research findings on the possible neuroprotective role of artemisinins with special emphasis on their modulatory role on the PI3k/Akt pathway. A literature survey was conducted on PubMed, EBSCO, Web of Science, and EMBASE using the keyword artemisinins, and a total of 10,281 articles were retrieved from 1956 to 2022. Among these, 120 articles were examined using Mesh words like PI3k/Akt, neurodegeneration, and neuroinflammation coupled with boolean operators. Most research revealed that artemisinins could help neurodegenerative disorders by modulating the PI3k/Akt with subsequent inhibition of oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis. This paper illustrates that artemisinins could be repurposed as a neuroprotective agent.
Collapse
|
7
|
Sailike B, Omarova Z, Jenis J, Adilbayev A, Akbay B, Askarova S, Jin WL, Tokay T. Neuroprotective and anti-epileptic potentials of genus Artemisia L. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1021501. [DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1021501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Genus Artemisia L. is one of the largest genera in the Asteraceae family growing wild over in Europe, North America, and Central Asia and has been widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of various ailments. Phytochemical and psychopharmacological studies indicated that the genus Artemisia extracts contain various antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds and possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antimalarial, and antitumor activity. Recently, increasing experimental studies demonstrated that many Artemisia extracts offer a great antiepileptic potential, which was attributed to their bioactive components via various mechanisms of action. However, detailed literature on the antiepileptic properties of the genus Artemisia and its mechanism of action is segregated. In this review, we tried to gather the detailed neuroprotective and antiepileptic properties of the genus Artemisia and its possible underlying mechanisms. In this respect, 63 articles were identified in the PubMed and Google scholars databases, from which 18 studies were examined based on the pharmacological use of the genus Artemisia species in epilepsy. The genus Artemisia extracts have been reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neurotransmitter-modulating, anti-apoptotic, anticonvulsant, and pro-cognitive properties by modulating oxidative stress caused by mitochondrial ROS production and an imbalance of antioxidant enzymes, by protecting mitochondrial membrane potential required for ATP production, by upregulating GABA-A receptor and nACh receptor activities, and by interfering with various anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic signaling pathways, such as mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, ERK/CREB/Bcl-2 pathway and Nrf2 pathway. This review provides detailed information about some species of the genus Artemisia as potential antiepileptic agents. Hence, we recommend further investigations on the purification and identification of the most biological effective compounds of Artemisia and the mechanisms of their action to cure epilepsy and other neurological diseases.
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhang L, Li N, Zhang H, Wang Y, Gao T, Zhao Y, Wang G, Yu Y, Wang C, Li Y. Artesunate Therapy Alleviates Fracture-Associated Chronic Pain After Orthopedic Surgery by Suppressing CCL21-Dependent TREM2/DAP12 Inflammatory Signaling in Mice. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:894963. [PMID: 35721188 PMCID: PMC9202025 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.894963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain after bone fracture and orthopedic surgery is often refractory to most analgesics currently in use, thus emphasizing the urgent need for improved therapeutic medications. Chemokine-dependent neuroinflammation is critical for excitatory synaptic plasticity and central nociception sensitization. Recent studies have focused on the inhibition of inflammatory responses by artesunate, the first anti-malaria drug extracted from artemisinin. The present study investigated the analgesic effects and potential targets of artesunate in a mouse model of chronic pain induced by tibial fracture and orthopedic surgery. Three injections of artesunate were intrathecally administered on a daily basis from days 4 to 6 after fracture. We reported that repetitive exposure to artesunate (10 and 100 μg but not 1 μg) dose-dependently prevented fracture-induced mechanical and cold allodynia. Moreover, single intrathecal injection of artesunate (100 μg) alleviated the established chronic pain on day 14 after fracture surgery. Intraperitoneal artesunate (10 and 50 mg kg-1) therapy was effective against chronic fracture pain. Intriguingly, artesunate inhibited the upregulation of spinal chemokine CCL21, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) and DNAX-activating protein of 12 kDa (DAP12) expressions and microglia activation in fracture mice. Furthermore, spinal CCL21 neutralization attenuated the severity of fracture-associated post-surgical pain. Exogenous CCL21-induced acute inflammatory pain was impaired by artesunate therapy. Additionally, the pharmacological blockage of TREM2 reduced recombinant CCL21-elicited behavioral hypernociception. The present findings demonstrate that artesunate therapy reduces the initiation and maintenance of fracture-associated chronic postoperative pain by inhibiting CCL21-dependent TREM2/DAP12 inflammatory signaling and microglia activation, thus suggesting that artesunate could emerge as a therapeutic strategy for fracture pain management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin, China
| | - Nan Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin, China
| | - Haoyue Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin, China
| | - Yigang Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin, China
| | - Tianyu Gao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuying Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin, China
| | - Guolin Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin, China
| | - Yonghao Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin, China
| | - Chunyan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin, China
| | - Yize Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Xiong Q, Li X, Xia L, Yao Z, Shi X, Dong Z. Dihydroartemisinin attenuates hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal rats by inhibiting oxidative stress. Mol Brain 2022; 15:36. [PMID: 35484595 PMCID: PMC9052669 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-022-00921-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) induced by perinatal asphyxia is a major cause of neurological disability among infants. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), derived from artemisinin, well known as an anti-malarial medicine, was proved to be able to inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation. However, whether those functions of DHA play roles in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD), an animal model of HIE in patient which also been observed to have oxidative stress and inflammation, is unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that the DHA treatment on newborn rats significantly relieved the neuron loss and motor and cognitive impairment caused by HIBD. One of the underlying mechanisms is that DHA enhanced the anti-oxidant capacity of HIBD rats by up-regulating the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), gluathione reductase (GR) and catalase (CAT) while down regulating the pro-oxidative substances including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), total nitric oxide synthase (T-NOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Thus, our study illustrated that DHA could alleviate the damage of brains and improve the cognitive and motor function of HIBD rats by inhibiting oxidative stress, provided an opportunity to interrogate potential therapeutics for affected HIE patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Xiong
- Pediatric Research Institute, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Xiaohuan Li
- Pediatric Research Institute, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Lei Xia
- Pediatric Research Institute, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Zhengyu Yao
- Pediatric Research Institute, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Xiuyu Shi
- Pediatric Research Institute, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China.
| | - Zhifang Dong
- Pediatric Research Institute, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhang L, Zhao Y, Gao T, Zhang H, Li J, Wang G, Wang C, Li Y. Artesunate Reduces Remifentanil-induced Hyperalgesia and Peroxiredoxin-3 Hyperacetylation via Modulating Spinal Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5 in Rats. Neuroscience 2022; 487:88-98. [PMID: 35026318 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The experimental investigations on the pathogenesis of remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia (RIH) have been primarily conducted, but the effective treatment of RIH remains unclear. Recent reports highlight the necessity of ionotropic glutamate receptors in oxidative damage in spinal nociceptive transduction. Artesunate, the 1st-line anti-malaria drug, has been identified to be valid in removing superoxide in several pathological conditions. This study evaluated whether artesunate inhibits RIH via regulating metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) and mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme peroxiredoxin-3 in rats. Artesunate was injected intrathecally 10 min before intravenous infusion of remifentanil (1 μg·kg-1·min-1 for 60 min) in rats. The antinociception of artesunate was verified by assessment of paw withdrawal mechanical threshold and paw withdrawal thermal latency. Spinal mGluR5 expression and peroxiredoxin-3 hyperacetylation were examined. Also, both the mGluR5 agonist DHPG and antagonist MPEP were utilized to explore the involvement of mGluR5 in the anti-hyperalgesic property of artesunate. Here, we found that artesunate (10 μg and 100 μg but not 1 μg) prevented RIH in a dose-dependent manner. Artesunate reduced remifentanil-related spinal over-expression of mGluR5 gene and protein, and hyperacetylation of peroxiredoxin-3. Intrathecal application of MPEP (10 nmol and 100 nmol but not 1 nmol) inhibited behavioral RIH and peroxiredoxin-3 acetylation. Moreover, hyperalgesia and peroxiredoxin-3 hyperacetylation were attenuated after the combination of artesunate (1 μg) and MPEP (1 nmol). Additionally, artesunate treatment reversed acute pain and peroxiredoxin-3 hyperacetylation following spinal exposure to DHPG. In conclusion, intrathecal injection of artesunate impairs RIH by down-regulating spinal mGluR5 expression and peroxiredoxin-3 hyperacetylation-mediated oxidative stress in rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Yuying Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Tianyu Gao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Haoyue Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Guolin Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Chunyan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Yize Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin 300052, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Shukal DK, Malaviya PB, Sharma T. Role of the AMPK signalling pathway in the aetiopathogenesis of ocular diseases. Hum Exp Toxicol 2022; 41:9603271211063165. [PMID: 35196887 DOI: 10.1177/09603271211063165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a precise role as a master regulator of cellular energy homeostasis. AMPK is activated in response to the signalling cues that exhaust cellular ATP levels such as hypoxia, ischaemia, glucose depletion and heat shock. As a central regulator of both lipid and glucose metabolism, AMPK is considered to be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of various diseases, including eye disorders. OBJECTIVE To review all the shreds of evidence concerning the role of the AMPK signalling pathway in the pathogenesis of ocular diseases. METHOD Scientific data search and review of available information evaluating the influence of AMPK signalling on ocular diseases. RESULTS Review highlights the significance of AMPK signalling in the aetiopathogenesis of ocular diseases, including cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinoblastoma, age-related macular degeneration, corneal diseases, etc. The review also provides the information on the AMPK-associated pathways with reference to ocular disease, which includes mitochondrial biogenesis, autophagy and regulation of inflammatory response. CONCLUSION The study concludes the role of AMPK in ocular diseases. There is growing interest in the therapeutic utilization of the AMPK pathway for ocular disease treatment. Furthermore, inhibition of AMPK signalling might represent more pertinent strategy than AMPK activation for ocular disease treatment. Such information will guide the development of more effective AMPK modulators for ocular diseases.[Formula: see text].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dhaval K Shukal
- 534329Iladevi Cataract and IOL Research Centre, Memnagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.,76793Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Pooja B Malaviya
- 534329Iladevi Cataract and IOL Research Centre, Memnagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.,76793Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Tusha Sharma
- 534329Iladevi Cataract and IOL Research Centre, Memnagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Chen S, Wu L, He B, Zhou G, Xu Y, Zhu G, Xie J, Chen S, Yao L, Huang J, Wu H, Xiao Z. Artemisinin Facilitates Motor Function Recovery by Enhancing Motoneuronal Survival and Axonal Remyelination in Rats Following Brachial Plexus Root Avulsion. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:3148-3156. [PMID: 34465091 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin (ART), a well-known antimalarial medicine originally isolated from the plant Artemisia annua, exerts neuroprotective effects in the nervous system owing to an antioxidant effect. Here, we determined whether ART is capable of inhibiting the oxidative stress to enhance motoneuronal (MN) survival to promote motor function recovery of rats following brachial plexus root avulsion (BPRA) with reimplantation surgery. Rats following BPRA and reimplantation were subcutaneously injected with 500 μL of PBS or 16 mg/mL ART once daily for 7 days after surgery. Terzis grooming test (TGT), histochemical staining, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot were conducted to determine the recovery of motor function of the upper limb, the survival rate of MNs, the oxidative stress levels in the ventral horn of the spinal cord, the morphology of abnormal musculocutaneous nerve fibers, the remyelination of axons in musculocutaneous nerves, and the degree of bicep atrophy. ART significantly increased TGT score, improved the survival of MNs, inhibited the oxidative stress, ameliorated the abnormal morphology of fibers in the musculocutaneous nerve, promoted the remyelination of axons, and alleviated muscle atrophy. Take together, ART can improve the survival of MNs and axonal remyelination to promote the motor function recovery via inhibiting oxidative stress, suggesting that ART may represent a new approach to the therapy of spinal root avulsion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuangxi Chen
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, P.R. China
| | - Lin Wu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, P.R. China
| | - Bing He
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, P.R. China
| | - Guijuan Zhou
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, P.R. China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, P.R. China
| | - Guanghua Zhu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, P.R. China
| | - Juan Xie
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, P.R. China
| | - Shuangqin Chen
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, P.R. China
| | - Lan Yao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, P.R. China
| | - Jianghua Huang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, P.R. China
| | - Heng Wu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, P.R. China
| | - Zijian Xiao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Artemether confers neuroprotection on cerebral ischemic injury through stimulation of the Erk1/2-P90rsk-CREB signaling pathway. Redox Biol 2021; 46:102069. [PMID: 34303216 PMCID: PMC8327154 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.102069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability among adults. Despite the economic burden of the disease, available treatment options are still very limited. With the exception of anti-thrombolytics and hypothermia, current therapies fail to reduce neuronal injury, neurological deficits and mortality rates, suggesting that the development of novel and more effective therapies against ischemic stroke is urgent. In the present study, we found that artemether, which has been used in the clinic as an anti-malarial drug, was able to improve the neurological deficits, attenuate the infarction volume and the brain water content in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) animal model. Furthermore, artemether treatment significantly suppressed cell apoptosis, stimulated cell proliferation and promoted the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), P90rsk and cAMP responsive element-binding protein (CREB). Artemether protective effect was attenuated by PD98059, an ERK1/2 inhibitor, administration. Similarly, in oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/RP) cell models, artemether pre-treatment induced the suppression of the intracellular ROS, the down-regulation of LDH activity, the reduction of caspase 3 activity and of the apoptosis cell rate and reversed the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential. As with MCAO animal model, artemether promoted the activation of Erk1/2-P90rsk-CREB signaling pathway. This effect was blocked by the inhibition or knock-down of ERK1/2. The present study provides evidences of the neuroprotective effect of artemether unravelling its potential as a new therapeutic candidate for the prevention and treatment of stroke. Artemether conferred neuroprotection in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) animal model. Artemether conferred neuroprotection on oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion-induced cell injury model. Artemether promoted the activation of Erk1/2-P90rsk-CREB signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo.
Collapse
|
14
|
Zhang L, Chen C, Fu J, Lilley B, Berlinicke C, Hansen B, Ding D, Wang G, Wang T, Shou D, Ye Y, Mulligan T, Emmerich K, Saxena MT, Hall KR, Sharrock AV, Brandon C, Park H, Kam TI, Dawson VL, Dawson TM, Shim JS, Hanes J, Ji H, Liu JO, Qian J, Ackerley DF, Rohrer B, Zack DJ, Mumm JS. Large-scale phenotypic drug screen identifies neuroprotectants in zebrafish and mouse models of retinitis pigmentosa. eLife 2021; 10:e57245. [PMID: 34184634 PMCID: PMC8425951 DOI: 10.7554/elife.57245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and associated inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are caused by rod photoreceptor degeneration, necessitating therapeutics promoting rod photoreceptor survival. To address this, we tested compounds for neuroprotective effects in multiple zebrafish and mouse RP models, reasoning drugs effective across species and/or independent of disease mutation may translate better clinically. We first performed a large-scale phenotypic drug screen for compounds promoting rod cell survival in a larval zebrafish model of inducible RP. We tested 2934 compounds, mostly human-approved drugs, across six concentrations, resulting in 113 compounds being identified as hits. Secondary tests of 42 high-priority hits confirmed eleven lead candidates. Leads were then evaluated in a series of mouse RP models in an effort to identify compounds effective across species and RP models, that is, potential pan-disease therapeutics. Nine of 11 leads exhibited neuroprotective effects in mouse primary photoreceptor cultures, and three promoted photoreceptor survival in mouse rd1 retinal explants. Both shared and complementary mechanisms of action were implicated across leads. Shared target tests implicated parp1-dependent cell death in our zebrafish RP model. Complementation tests revealed enhanced and additive/synergistic neuroprotective effects of paired drug combinations in mouse photoreceptor cultures and zebrafish, respectively. These results highlight the value of cross-species/multi-model phenotypic drug discovery and suggest combinatorial drug therapies may provide enhanced therapeutic benefits for RP patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liyun Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Conan Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Jie Fu
- The Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Brendan Lilley
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Cynthia Berlinicke
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Baranda Hansen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Ding Ding
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Guohua Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Tao Wang
- The Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- School of Chemistry, Xuzhou College of Industrial TechnologyXuzhouChina
- College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Nanjing Forestry UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Daniel Shou
- The Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Ying Ye
- The Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Timothy Mulligan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Kevin Emmerich
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Meera T Saxena
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Kelsi R Hall
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of WellingtonWellingtonNew Zealand
| | - Abigail V Sharrock
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of WellingtonWellingtonNew Zealand
| | - Carlene Brandon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of South CarolinaCharlestonUnited States
| | - Hyejin Park
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Tae-In Kam
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Valina L Dawson
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Ted M Dawson
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Joong Sup Shim
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, TaipaMacauChina
| | - Justin Hanes
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- The Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Hongkai Ji
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Jun O Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Jiang Qian
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - David F Ackerley
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of WellingtonWellingtonNew Zealand
| | - Baerbel Rohrer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of South CarolinaCharlestonUnited States
| | - Donald J Zack
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- The Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Jeff S Mumm
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- The Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Artemisinin Protects Porcine Mammary Epithelial Cells against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Injury by Regulating the NF-κB and MAPK Signaling Pathways. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11061528. [PMID: 34073895 PMCID: PMC8225056 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Sow mastitis is a serious breast disease that can cause severe inflammation, agalaxia and even lead to death of piglets. Porcine mammary epithelial cells (pMECs) are the main cell types that affect sow milk secretion, therefore, when swine mastitis occurs, the inflammatory response of pMECs directly affects the mammary gland health and sow’s lactation ability. Promoting the health of mammary gland epithelial cells is an important method for treating mastitis. Thus, in the current study, we investigated the effects of artemisinin on the inflammatory response of pMECs induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and proposed a potential anti-inflammatory mechanism. We confirmed that artemisinin can reduce the inflammatory damage of pMECs induced by LPS by inhibiting MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. Pretreatment of pMECs with artemisinin showed enhanced anti-inflammatory activity against LPS-induced inflammation. Artemisinin could be a useful, safe and natural anti-inflammatory feed additive to prevent sow mastitis. Abstract Artemisinin performs a variety of biological functions, such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-oxidant effects. However, the effects of artemisinin on sow mastitis have not been studied. The results of the current study showed that mRNA expression abundance and content of the inflammatory factors interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were significantly increased when using 50 μg/mL LPS to stimulate pMECs for 24 h (p < 0.05). Pretreatment with 20 μM artemisinin weakened LPS-induced inflammatory damage in pMECs and decreased mRNA expression abundance and the content of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) in pMECs (p < 0.05). Mechanistically, artemisinin inhibited LPS-induced activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways. In summary, the pretreatment of pMECs with artemisinin showed enhanced anti-inflammatory activity against LPS-induced inflammation.
Collapse
|
16
|
Liang Z, Currais A, Soriano-Castell D, Schubert D, Maher P. Natural products targeting mitochondria: emerging therapeutics for age-associated neurological disorders. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 221:107749. [PMID: 33227325 PMCID: PMC8084865 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria are the primary source of energy production in the brain thereby supporting most of its activity. However, mitochondria become inefficient and dysfunctional with age and to a greater extent in neurological disorders. Thus, mitochondria represent an emerging drug target for many age-associated neurological disorders. This review summarizes recent advances (covering from 2010 to May 2020) in the use of natural products from plant, animal, and microbial sources as potential neuroprotective agents to restore mitochondrial function. Natural products from diverse classes of chemical structures are discussed and organized according to their mechanism of action on mitochondria in terms of modulation of biogenesis, dynamics, bioenergetics, calcium homeostasis, and membrane potential, as well as inhibition of the oxytosis/ferroptosis pathway. This analysis emphasizes the significant value of natural products for mitochondrial pharmacology as well as the opportunities and challenges for the discovery and development of future neurotherapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhibin Liang
- Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States; The Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States.
| | - Antonio Currais
- Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - David Soriano-Castell
- Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - David Schubert
- Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States; The Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Pamela Maher
- Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
He Y, Xu L, Li Y, Tang Y, Rao S, Lin R, Liu Z, Chen H. Synergistic integration of dihydro-artemisinin with γ-aminobutyric acid results in a more potential anti-depressant. Bioorg Chem 2021; 110:104769. [PMID: 33677247 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.104769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Three hybrids of dihydro-artemisinin (DHA) with β-aminopropionic acid, γ-aminobutyric acid, and histamine have been designed and synthesized. The conjugate of DHA with GABA labelled as 5b was confirmed the most active candidate against both Cort- and SNP-induced PC12 cell impairments with EC50 value of 8.04 ± 0.35, and 9.38 ± 0.56 μM, respectively. 5b was clearly highlighted as a good modulator on protein expression of Akt, Bcl-2, and Bax, indicating its functions against programmed cell apoptosis. 5b significantly reversed the Cort-induced excessive calcium influx and release from internal organelles. It was demonstrated the ability to express increased levels of β-tubulin III and to up-regulate phosphorylation level of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), leading to cell differentiation. It can penetrate blood - brain barrier (BBB) with propriate stability. Altogether, these data strongly support that 5b is a potential anti-depressant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yepu He
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Product, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Liyu Xu
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Product, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Yanbing Li
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Product, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Yinying Tang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Product, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Shuwen Rao
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Product, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Rongtian Lin
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Product, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Zhijun Liu
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Product, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Heru Chen
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Product, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, Guangzhou 510632, PR China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Yan J, Ma H, Lai X, Wu J, Liu A, Huang J, Sun W, Shen M, Zhang Y. Artemisinin attenuated oxidative stress and apoptosis by inhibiting autophagy in MPP +-treated SH-SY5Y cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 28:6. [PMID: 33632304 PMCID: PMC7908802 DOI: 10.1186/s40709-021-00137-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease. The oxidative stress is an important component of the pathogenesis of PD. Artemisinin (ART) has antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. The purpose of this study is to explore the neuroprotective effect of ART on 1-methyl-4-phenyliodine iodide (MPP +)-treated SH-SY5Y cells and underlying mechanism. METHODS We used MPP+-treated SH-SY5Y cells to study the neuroprotective effect of ART. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay after incubating the cells with MPP+ and/or ART for 24 h. DCFH-DA was used to detect the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and WST-8 was used to detect the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD). The level of intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH) was detected with 5,5΄-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid), and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was assessed based on the reaction of MDA and thiobarbituric acid. A mitochondrial membrane potential detection kit (JC-1) was used to detect changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and an Annexin V-FITC cell apoptosis kit was used to detect cell apoptosis. The expression levels of caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3 and the autophagy-related proteins LC3, beclin-1, and p62 were detected by Western blotting. In addition, to verify the change in autophagy, we used immunofluorescence to detect the expression of LC3 and p62. RESULTS No significant cytotoxicity was observed at ART concentrations up to 40 μM. ART could significantly increase the viability of SH-SY5Y cells treated with MPP+ and reduce oxidative stress damage and apoptosis. In addition, the Western blotting and immunofluorescence results showed that MPP+ treatment could increase the protein expression of beclin1 and LC3II/LC3I and decrease the protein expression of p62, indicating that MPP+ treatment could induce autophagy. Simultaneous treatment with ART and MPP+ could decrease the protein expression of beclin1 and LC3II/LC3I and increase the protein expression of p62, indicating that ART could decrease the level of autophagy induced by MPP+. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that ART has a protective effect on MPP+-treated SH-SY5Y cells by the antioxidant, antiapoptotic activities and inhibition of autophagy. Our findings may provide new hope for the prevention and treatment of PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junqiang Yan
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Jinghua Road 24, Luoyang, Henan, 471003, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471003, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hongxia Ma
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471003, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyi Lai
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Jinghua Road 24, Luoyang, Henan, 471003, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiannan Wu
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Jinghua Road 24, Luoyang, Henan, 471003, People's Republic of China
| | - Anran Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471003, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiarui Huang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471003, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjie Sun
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471003, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Yude Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471003, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Wang P, Tian X, Tang J, Duan X, Wang J, Cao H, Qiu X, Wang W, Mai M, Yang Q, Liao R, Yan F. Artemisinin protects endothelial function and vasodilation from oxidative damage via activation of PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway. Exp Gerontol 2021; 147:111270. [PMID: 33556535 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2021.111270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Previous studies showed that artemisinin (ART) may be useful in the protection against the early development of atherosclerosis, but the effects of ART on vasodilation and eNOS remained unclear. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS In the current study, we investigated the protective effect of ART on endothelial cell injury induced by oxidative stress and its underlying mechanism via MTT assay, Flow Cytometry Assay, Vasodilation study, Western blotting and vivo assay. RESULTS We found that pretreatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with ART significantly suppressed H2O2-induced cell death by decreasing the extent of oxidation and MDA activity, activating SOD, increasing NO production and inhibiting caspase 3/7 activity. Meanwhile, we also found that ART was able to activate PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway. PI3K inhibitor LY294002 or Akt kinase specific inhibitor Akt inhibitor VIII blocked the protective effect of ART. To explore the effect of ART in the damage of vasodilation induced by H2O2 in mice, we treated the aortic ring from C57BL/6 mice with H2O2 with or without ART, the results demonstrated that ART ameliorated endothelium-dependent vasodilation damage induced by H2O2. CONCLUSION Taken together, these data suggest that ART is able to protect endothelial function and vasodilation from oxidative damage, at least in part through activation of PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway. Our findings indicate that artemisinin maybe as a potential therapeutic agent for patients with atherosclerosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoying Tian
- School of Medical Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Juxian Tang
- Department of Hematology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Xiao Duan
- Department of Rehabilitation, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinying Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Huan Cao
- School of Medical Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Qiu
- School of Medical Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenxuan Wang
- School of Medical Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengfei Mai
- School of Medical Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiaohong Yang
- School of Medical Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Rifang Liao
- Department of pharmacy, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Fengxia Yan
- School of Medical Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Jiang YY, Shui JC, Zhang BX, Chin JW, Yue RS. The Potential Roles of Artemisinin and Its Derivatives in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:585487. [PMID: 33381036 PMCID: PMC7768903 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.585487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease that has become a global public health problem. Studies on T2DM prevention and treatment mostly focus on discovering therapeutic drugs. Artemisinin and its derivatives were originally used as antimalarial treatments. In recent years, the roles of artemisinins in T2DM have attracted much attention. Artemisinin treatments not only attenuate insulin resistance and restore islet ß-cell function in T2DM but also have potential therapeutic effects on diabetic complications, including diabetic kidney disease, cognitive impairment, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic cardiovascular disease. Many in vitro and in vivo experiments have confirmed the therapeutic utility of artemisinin and its derivatives on T2DM, but no article has systematically demonstrated the specific role artemisinin plays in the treatment of T2DM. This review summarizes the potential therapeutic effects and mechanism of artemisinin and its derivatives in T2DM and associated complications, providing a reference for subsequent related research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Yi Jiang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jia-Cheng Shui
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo-Xun Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Guang'anmen Hospital of China, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jia-Wei Chin
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ren-Song Yue
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Zhao X, Li S, Gaur U, Zheng W. Artemisinin Improved Neuronal Functions in Alzheimer's Disease Animal Model 3xtg Mice and Neuronal Cells via Stimulating the ERK/CREB Signaling Pathway. Aging Dis 2020; 11:801-819. [PMID: 32765947 PMCID: PMC7390534 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2019.0813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease which is characterized by memory loss and cognitive disorders. The pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease is not known at present but toxicity of amyloid-beta is one of the central hypotheses. Amyloid-beta can stimulate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), cause oxidative stress, damage mitochondrial, cause inflammatory reactions and activate apoptosis related factors which lead to the neuronal death. In this study, we found that artemisinin, a first line antimalarial drug used in clinic for decades, improved the cognitive functions in Alzheimer’s disease animal model 3xTg mice. Further study showed that artemisinin reduced the deposition of amyloid-beta and tau protein, reduced the release of inflammation factors and apoptosis factors, and thereby reduced the neuronal cell death. Western blot assay showed that artemisinin stimulated the activation of ERK/CREB signaling pathway. Consistent with these results, artemisinin concentration-dependently promoted the survival of SH-SY5Y cell against toxicity of amyloid-beta protein 1-42 induced ROS accumulation, caspase activation and apoptosis. Artemisinin also stimulated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and CREB in SH-SY5Y cells in time and concentration-dependent manner. Inhibition of ERK/CREB pathway attenuated the protective effect of artemisinin. These data put together suggested that artemisinin has the potential to protect neuronal cells in vitro as well as in vivo animal model 3xTg mice via, at least in part, the activation of the ERK/CREB pathway. Our findings also strongly support the potential of artemisinin as a new multi-target drug that can be used for preventing and treating the Alzheimer’s disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xia Zhao
- Center of Reproduction, Development & Aging and Institute of Translation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Shuai Li
- Center of Reproduction, Development & Aging and Institute of Translation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Uma Gaur
- Center of Reproduction, Development & Aging and Institute of Translation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Wenhua Zheng
- Center of Reproduction, Development & Aging and Institute of Translation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Artemisinin protects motoneurons against axotomy-induced apoptosis through activation of the PKA-Akt signaling pathway and promotes neural stem/progenitor cells differentiation into NeuN + neurons. Pharmacol Res 2020; 159:105049. [PMID: 32598944 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Brachial plexus axotomy is a common peripheral nerve trauma. Artemisinin, an FDA-approved antimalarial drug, has been described to possess neuroprotective properties. However, the specific mechanisms by which artemisinin protects neurons from axotomy-induced neurotoxicity remain to be elucidated. In this study, we assessed the neuroprotective effects of artemisinin on an experimental animal model of brachial plexus injury and explored the possible mechanisms involved. Artemisinin treatment restored both athletic ability and sensation of the affected upper limb, rescued motoneurons and attenuated the inflammatory response in the ventral horn of the spinal cord. Additionally, artemisinin inhibited the molecular signals of apoptosis, activated signaling pathways related to cell survival and induced NSCPs differentiation into NeuN-positive neurons. Further validation of the involved key signaling molecules, using an in vitro model of hydrogen peroxide-induced neurotoxicity, revealed that both the inhibition of PKA signaling pathway or the silencing of Akt reversed the neuroprotective action of artemisinin on motoneurons. Our results indicate that artemisinin provides neuroprotection against axotomy and hydrogen peroxide-induced neurotoxicity, an effect that might be mediated by the PKA-Akt signaling pathway.
Collapse
|
23
|
Lu BW, Xie LK. Potential applications of artemisinins in ocular diseases. Int J Ophthalmol 2019; 12:1793-1800. [PMID: 31741871 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2019.11.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin, also named qinghaosu, is a family of sesquiterpene trioxane lactone originally derived from the sweet wormwood plant (Artemisia annua), which is a traditional Chinese herb that has been universally used as anti-malarial agents for many years. Evidence has accumulated during the past few years which demonstrated the protective effects of artemisinin and its derivatives (artemisinins) in several other diseases beyond malaria, including cancers, autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, viral and other parasite-related infections. Recently, this long-considered anti-malarial agent has been proved to possess anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-excitotoxic properties, which make it a potential treatment option for the ocular environment. In this review, we first described the overview of artemisinins, highlighting the activity of artemisinins to other diseases beyond malaria and the mechanisms of these actions. We then emphasized the main points of published results of using artemisinins in targeting ocular disorders, including uveitis, retinoblastoma, retinal neurodegenerative diseases and ocular neovascularization. To conclude, we believe that artemisinins could also be used as a promising therapeutic drug for ocular diseases, especially retinal vascular diseases in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bing-Wen Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100400, China
| | - Li-Ke Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100400, China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Fang J, Zhao X, Li S, Xing X, Wang H, Lazarovici P, Zheng W. Protective mechanism of artemisinin on rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells against apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide via activation of c-Raf-Erk1/2-p90 rsk-CREB pathway. Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 10:312. [PMID: 31655619 PMCID: PMC6815409 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-019-1419-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) transplantation is one of the new therapeutic strategies for treating ischemic brain and heart tissues. However, the poor survival rate of transplanted BMSCs in ischemic tissue, due to high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), limits the therapeutic efficacy of this approach. Considering that BMSC survival may greatly enhance the effectiveness of transplantation therapy, development of effective therapeutics capable of mitigating oxidative stress-induced BMSC apoptosis is an important unmet clinical need. Methods BMSCs were isolated from the 4-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats by whole bone marrow adherent culturing, and the characteristics were verified by morphology, immunophenotype, adipogenic, and osteogenic differentiation potential. BMSCs were pretreated with artemisinin, and H2O2 was used to induce apoptosis. Cell viability was detected by MTT, FACS, LDH, and Hoechst 33342 staining assays. Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was measured by JC-1 assay. The apoptosis was analyzed by Annexin V-FITC/PI and Caspase 3 Activity Assay kits. ROS level was evaluated by using CellROX® Deep Red Reagent. SOD, CAT, and GPx enzymatic activities were assessed separately using Cu/Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD Assay Kit with WST-8, Catalase Assay Kit, and Total Glutathione Peroxidase Assay Kit. The effects of artemisinin on protein expression of BMSCs including p-Erk1/2, t-Erk1/2, p-c-Raf, p-p90rsk, p-CREB, BCL-2, Bax, p-Akt, t-Akt, β-actin, and GAPDH were measured by western blotting. Results We characterized for the first time the protective effect of artemisinin, an anti-malaria drug, using oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in vitro, in rat BMSC cultures. We found that artemisinin, at clinically relevant concentrations, improved BMSC survival by reduction of ROS production, increase of antioxidant enzyme activities including SOD, CAT, and GPx, in correlation with decreased Caspase 3 activation, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and apoptosis, all induced by H2O2. Artemisinin significantly increased extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) phosphorylation, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. PD98059, the specific inhibitor of the Erk1/2 pathway, blocked Erk1/2 phosphorylation and artemisinin protection. Similarly, decreased expression of Erk1/2 by siRNA attenuated the protective effect of artemisinin. Additionally, when the upstream activator KRAS was knocked down by siRNA, the protective effect of artemisinin was also blocked. These data strongly indicated the involvement of the Erk1/2 pathway. Consistent with this hypothesis, artemisinin increased the phosphorylation of Erk1/2 upstream kinases proto-oncogene c-RAF serine/threonine-protein kinase (c-Raf) and of Erk1/2 downstream targets p90 ribosomal s6 kinase (p90rsk) and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). In addition, we found that the expression of anti-apoptotic protein B cell lymphoma 2 protein (BcL-2) was also upregulated by artemisinin. Conclusion These studies demonstrate the proof of concept of artemisinin therapeutic potential to improve survival in vitro of BMSCs exposed to ROS-induced apoptosis and suggest that artemisinin-mediated protection occurs via the activation of c-Raf-Erk1/2-p90rsk-CREB signaling pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiankang Fang
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Xia Zhao
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Shuai Li
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Xingan Xing
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Haitao Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sothern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Philip Lazarovici
- School of Pharmacy Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Wenhua Zheng
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Gessi S, Merighi S, Bencivenni S, Battistello E, Vincenzi F, Setti S, Cadossi M, Borea PA, Cadossi R, Varani K. Pulsed electromagnetic field and relief of hypoxia-induced neuronal cell death: The signaling pathway. J Cell Physiol 2019; 234:15089-15097. [PMID: 30656694 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.28149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Low-energy low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) exert several protective effects, such as the regulation of kinases, transcription factors as well as cell viability in both central and peripheral biological systems. However, it is not clear on which bases they affect neuroprotection and the mechanism responsible is yet unknown. In this study, we have characterized in nerve growth factor-differentiated pheochromocytoma PC12 cells injured with hypoxia: (i) the effects of PEMF exposure on cell vitality; (ii) the protective pathways activated by PEMFs to relief neuronal cell death, including adenylyl cyclase, phospholipase C, protein kinase C epsilon and delta, p38, ERK1/2, JNK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinases, Akt and caspase-3; (iii) the regulation by PEMFs of prosurvival heat-shock proteins of 70 (HSP70), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and Bcl-2 family proteins. The results obtained in this study show a protective effect of PEMFs that are able to reduce neuronal cell death induced by hypoxia by modulating p38, HSP70, CREB, BDNF, and Bcl-2 family proteins. Specifically, we found a rapid activation (30 min) of p38 kinase cascade, which in turns enrolles HSP70 survival chaperone molecule, resulting in a significant CREB phosphorylation increase (24 hr). In this cascade, later (48 hr), BDNF and the antiapoptotic pathway regulated by the Bcl-2 family of proteins are recruited by PEMFs to enhance neuronal survival. This study paves the way to elucidate the mechanisms triggered by PEMFs to act as a new neuroprotective approach to treat cerebral ischemia by reducing neuronal cell death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Gessi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Stefania Merighi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Serena Bencivenni
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Fabrizio Vincenzi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | | | - Pier Andrea Borea
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Katia Varani
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,University Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Lu BW, Baum L, So KF, Chiu K, Xie LK. More than anti-malarial agents: therapeutic potential of artemisinins in neurodegeneration. Neural Regen Res 2019; 14:1494-1498. [PMID: 31089038 PMCID: PMC6557089 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.255960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin, also called qinghaosu, is originally derived from the sweet wormwood plant (Artemisia annua), which is used in traditional Chinese medicine. Artemisinin and its derivatives (artemisinins) have been widely used for many years as anti-malarial agents, with few adverse side effects. Interestingly, evidence has recently shown that artemisinins might have a therapeutic value for several other diseases beyond malaria, including cancers, inflammatory diseases, and autoimmune disorders. Neurodegeneration is a challenging age-associated neurological disorder characterized by deterioration of neuronal structures as well as functions, whereas neuroinflammation has been considered to be an underlying factor in the development of various neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. Recently discovered properties of artemisinins suggested that they might be used to treat neurodegenerative disorders by decreasing oxidation, inflammation, and amyloid beta protein (Aβ). In this review, we will introduce artemisinins and highlight the possible mechanisms of their neuroprotective activities, suggesting that artemisinins might have therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bing-Wen Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administration Region, China
| | - Larry Baum
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administration Region, China
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Hong Kong Special Administration Region, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Hong Kong Special Administration Region, China
| | - Kwok-Fai So
- Department of Ophthalmology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administration Region, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administration Region, China
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Hong Kong Special Administration Region, China
- GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Kin Chiu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administration Region, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administration Region, China
| | - Li-Ke Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Zhang X, Wang L, Peng L, Tian X, Qiu X, Cao H, Yang Q, Liao R, Yan F. Dihydromyricetin protects HUVECs of oxidative damage induced by sodium nitroprusside through activating PI3K/Akt/FoxO3a signalling pathway. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 23:4829-4838. [PMID: 31111658 PMCID: PMC6584490 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The damage of vascular endothelial cells induced by oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Dihydromyricetin (DMY) is considered as a natural antioxidant. However, the mechanism of DMY on endothelial cell injury induced by oxidative stress remains unclear. In this study, we found that DMY could reduce the oxidative damage of HUVECs induced by sodium nitroprusside (SNP), HUVECs pre-treated with DMY suppressed SNP-induced apoptosis by reduced ROS overproduction of intracellular, decreased MDA level and elevated the superoxide dismutase activity. Meanwhile, we found that DMY could promote the expression of phosphorylated FoxO3a and Akt, and affect the nuclear localization of FoxO3a, when treated with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002, the effect of DMY was blocked. These data suggest that DMY protects HUVECs from oxidative stress by activating PI3K/Akt/FoxO3a signalling pathway. Therefore, DMY may have great therapeutic potential as a new drug for atherosclerosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of MedicineXizang Minzu UniversityXianyangChina
| | - Lifang Wang
- School of Medical ScienceJinan UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Lizhi Peng
- Department of PharmacyThe Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐Sen UniversityShenzhenChina
| | - Xiaoying Tian
- School of Medical ScienceJinan UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xiaoyuan Qiu
- School of Medical ScienceJinan UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Huan Cao
- School of Medical ScienceJinan UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Qiaohong Yang
- School of Medical ScienceJinan UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Rifang Liao
- Department of PharmacySun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Fengxia Yan
- School of Medical ScienceJinan UniversityGuangzhouChina
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Resolving neuroinflammation, the therapeutic potential of the anti-malaria drug family of artemisinin. Pharmacol Res 2018; 136:172-180. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 09/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
|
29
|
Lin SP, Li W, Winters A, Liu R, Yang SH. Artemisinin Prevents Glutamate-Induced Neuronal Cell Death Via Akt Pathway Activation. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:108. [PMID: 29731711 PMCID: PMC5919952 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin is an anti-malarial drug that has been in use for almost half century. Recently, novel biological effects of artemisinin on cancer, inflammation-related disorders and cardiovascular disease were reported. However, neuroprotective actions of artemisinin against glutamate-induced oxidative stress have not been investigated. In the current study, we determined the effect of artemisinin against oxidative insult in HT-22 mouse hippocampal cell line. We found that pretreatment of artemisinin declined reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, attenuated the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential induced by glutamate and rescued HT-22 cells from glutamate-induced cell death. Furthermore, our study demonstrated that artemisinin activated Akt/Bcl-2 signaling and that neuroprotective effect of artemisinin was blocked by Akt-specific inhibitor, MK2206. Taken together, our study indicated that artemisinin prevented neuronal HT-22 cell from glutamate-induced oxidative injury by activation of Akt signaling pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Peng Lin
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, United States.,Department of Emergency, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjun Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, United States
| | - Ali Winters
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, United States
| | - Ran Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, United States
| | - Shao-Hua Yang
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Huang B, Liang JJ, Zhuang X, Chen SW, Ng TK, Chen H. Intravitreal Injection of Hydrogen Peroxide Induces Acute Retinal Degeneration, Apoptosis, and Oxidative Stress in Mice. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2018; 2018:5489476. [PMID: 30533172 PMCID: PMC6250010 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5489476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Oxidative stress is a common pathological condition for multiple retinal diseases. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has been applied as an oxidative stress inducer for the in vitro studies. Here, we report the in vivo effect of H2O2 exposure to the mouse retina and its underlying mechanism. METHODS The H2O2 or saline solution was intravitreally injected into the eyes of female C57BL/6J mice for two consecutive days. The retinal structure was evaluated by in vivo imaging using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and validated by histological assessment as well as retinal marker expression. In addition, retinal stress, cell apoptosis, and antioxidant enzyme expression were also determined. RESULTS Retinal and outer nuclear layer thickness thinning was observed at days 7 and 14 by OCT imaging with the treatment of 10 μg H2O2, which was confirmed by the histopathological analysis. The expressions of photoreceptor (Rho, Rora, Rorb, and Rcvrn), bipolar cell (Chat and Calb2), and retinal pigment epithelial (Rpe65) markers were reduced in the H2O2-treated group, whereas the expression of retinal ganglion cell marker (Tubb3) was increased. TUNEL-positive cells were obviously found in the outer nuclear layer and inner nuclear layer of H2O2-treated mice but sparely found in the ganglion cell layer. Coherently, apoptotic gene expressions (Casp3, Casp9, Bax, and Parp8) were significantly increased in the retina with increasing dosages of H2O2, while Bcl2 expression was mildly decreased. In addition, the expressions of Gfap and antioxidant enzyme genes (Txn2, Sod2, and Gpx4) were significantly upregulated in the retina after the H2O2 treatment, compared to the vehicle control group. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed that intravitreal injection of H2O2 induces acute retinal damage by increasing oxidative stress and cell apoptosis in the retina. This acute retinal degeneration mouse model could provide a platform for drug screening against oxidative stress and retinal diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bing Huang
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center of Shantou University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jia-Jian Liang
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center of Shantou University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xi Zhuang
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center of Shantou University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shao-Wan Chen
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center of Shantou University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Tsz Kin Ng
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center of Shantou University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Haoyu Chen
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center of Shantou University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|