α-Mangostin, a Dietary Xanthone, Exerts Protective Effects on Cisplatin-Induced Renal Injury via PI3K/Akt and JNK Signaling Pathways in HEK293 Cells

The Protective Effect of Marsdenia tenacissima against Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity Mediated by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptosis

Cisplatin (Cis) is considered to be one of the most effective drugs for killing cancer cells and remains a first-line chemotherapeutic agent. However, Cis's multiple toxicities (especially nephrotoxicity) have limited its clinical use. Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Wight et Arn. (MT), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) employed extensively in China, not only enhances the antitumor effect in combination with Cis, but is also used for its detoxifying effect, as it reduces the toxic side effects of chemotherapy drugs. The aim of this study was to explore the therapeutic effect of MT on Cis-induced nephrotoxicity, along with its underlying mechanisms. In this study, liquid-mass spectrometry was performed to identify the complex composition of the extracts of MT. In addition, we measured the renal function, antioxidant enzymes, and inflammatory cytokines in mice with Cis-induced nephrotoxicity and conducted renal histology evaluations to assess renal injury. The expressions of the proteins related to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and apoptotic markers in renal tissues was detected by Western blotting (WB). MT treatment improved the renal function, decreased the mRNA expression of the inflammatory factors, and increased the antioxidant enzyme activity in mice. A better renal histology was observed after MT treatment. Further, MT inhibited the expression of the phospho-NFκB p65 protein/NFκB p65 protein (p-p65)/p65, phospho-inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B kinase beta subunit/inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B kinase beta subunit (p-IKKβ/IKKβ), Bcl-2-associated X (Bax), and Cleaved Caspase 3/Caspase 3 proteins, while the expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), Recombinant NADH Dehydrogenase, Quinone 1 (NQO1), and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) was increased. The present study showed that MT ameliorated renal injury, which mainly occurs through the regulation of the Nrf2 pathway, the NF-κB pathway, and the suppression of renal tissue apoptosis. It also suggests that MT can be used as an adjuvant to mitigate the nephrotoxicity of Cis chemotherapy.

An herbal formulation "Shenshuaifu Granule" alleviates cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by suppressing inflammation and apoptosis through inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Shenshuaifu Granule (SSF) is an in-hospital preparation approved by the Guangdong Food and Drug Administration of China. It has been clinically used against kidney diseases for more than 20 years with a definite curative effect.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Cisplatin (CDDP) is a first-line chemotherapeutic drug in clinical practice, primarily excreted by the kidney with nephrotoxicity as a common side effect. Approximately 5-20% of cancer patients develop acute kidney injury (AKI) after chemotherapy; however, prevention and control strategies are currently unavailable. Therefore, it is important to identify safe and effective drugs that can prevent the nephrotoxicity of CDDP. SSF is an herbal formulation with 8 herbs, and has been used to protect the kidney in China. Nonetheless, its mechanism in relieving CDDP nephrotoxicity remains unclear. Therefore, this work attempt to prove that SSF can alleviate CDDP nephrotoxicity. We also explore its mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

First, Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) of a few herbs in SSF were performed for quality control. Several open-access databases were used to identify the active ingredients of SSF, their corresponding targets, and CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity targets. We performed Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI), Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. Next, the results of network pharmacology were validated using CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity mouse models. Renal function in the mice was assessed by analyzing the levels of serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). On the other hand, renal damage was assessed by determining the level of tubular injury and apoptotic cells using Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and Terminal Dutp Nick End-Labeling (TUNEL) staining, respectively. The expression of inflammatory and apoptotic-related targets including IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, Cox-2, Bax, Bcl-2, Cleaved-caspase 3, and Cleaved-caspase 9 was determined using Western Blot (WB) and Immunohistochemistry (IHC). Furthermore, WB was used to analyze the expression of proteins associated with the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway in the kidneys of mice with CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity. Finally, molecular docking simulations were performed to evaluate the binding abilities between major active ingredients of SSF and core targets.

RESULT

Through network pharmacology, we identified 127 active ingredients of SSF and their corresponding 134 targets. Additional screening identified 14 active ingredients and 17 targets for further analysis. In biological process (BP), the targets were enriched in inflammation and apoptosis, among others. In KEGG terms, they were enriched in apoptosis and NF-κB pathways. Animal experiments revealed that SSF significantly reduced the levels of Scr and BUN and prevented renal tubular damage in mice treated with CDDP. In addition, SSF inhibited inflammation and apoptosis by targeting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. Molecular docking revealed good binding capacities of active ingredients and core targets.

CONCLUSION

In summary, the experimental findings were consistent with the network pharmacological predictions. SSF can inhibit inflammation and apoptosis by targeting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. Taken together, our data suggest that SSF is an alternative agent for the treatment of CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity.

Antidotal and protective effects of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) against natural and chemical toxicities: A review

Chemical and natural toxic compounds can harm human health through a variety of mechanisms. Nowadays, herbal therapy is widely accepted as a safe method of treating toxicity. Garcinia mangostana (mangosteen) is a tree in the Clusiaceae family, and isoprenylated xanthones, its main constituents, are a class of secondary metabolites having a variety of biological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, pro-apoptotic, anti-proliferative, antinociceptive, neuroprotective, hypoglycemic, and anti-obesity. In this review, the protective activities of mangosteen and its major components against natural and chemical toxicities in both in vivo and in vitro experiments were evaluated. The protective effects of mangosteen and its components are mediated primarily through oxidative stress inhibition, a decrease in the number of inflammatory cells such as lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils, reduction of inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin (PG) E2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and nuclear factor-ĸB (NF-ĸB), modulation of apoptosis and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, reducing p65 entrance into the nucleus, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1), improving histological conditions, and inhibition in acetylcholinesterase activity.

1-O-Actylbritannilactone Ameliorates Alcohol-Induced Hepatotoxicity through Regulation of ROS/Akt/NF-κB-Mediated Apoptosis and Inflammation

1-O-Acetylbritannilactone (ABL) is a marker component of Inula britannica L. and is reported to exhibit multiple pharmacological activities, including antiaging, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic properties. Although the protective effect of Inula britannica L. on animal models of liver injury has been widely reported, the effect of ABL on alcohol-induced liver damage has not been confirmed. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effect of ABL against alcohol-induced LO2 human normal liver cell injury and to further clarify the underlying mechanism. Our results revealed that ABL at concentrations of 0.5, 1, and 2 μM could remarkably suppress the decreased viability of LO2 cells stimulated by alcohol. In addition, ABL pretreatment improved alcohol-induced oxidative damage by decreasing the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the excessive consumption of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), while increasing the level of catalase (CAT) in LO2 cells. Moreover, Western blotting analysis showed that ABL pretreatment activated protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation, increased downstream antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression, and decreased the phosphorylation level of the caspase family including caspase 9 and caspase 3 proteins, thereby attenuating LO2 cell apoptosis. Importantly, we also found that ABL significantly inhibits the activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway by reducing the secretion of proinflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL-1β). In conclusion, the current research clearly suggests that the protective effect of ABL on alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity may be achieved in part through regulation of the ROS/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway to inhibit inflammation and apoptosis in LO2 cells. (The article path map has not been seen.).