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Chen Y, Chen X, Zhang J, Zhang X, Wang D, Lu N, Wang C, Yue Y, Yuan Y. Network pharmacology and experimental evidence: ERK/CREB/BDNF signaling pathway is involved in the antidepressive roles of Kaiyu Zhishen decoction. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 329:118098. [PMID: 38582152 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) emerges as a complex psychosomatic condition, notable for its considerable suicidality and mortality rates. Increasing evidence suggests the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine in mitigating depression symptoms and offsetting the adverse effects associated with conventional Western therapeutics. Notably, clinical trials have revealed the adjunctive antidepressant potential of Kaiyu Zhishen Decoction (KZD) alongside Western medication. However, the standalone antidepressant efficacy of KZD and its underlying mechanisms merit in-depth investigation. AIM OF THE STUDY This research aims to elucidate the impact of KZD on MDD and delineate its mechanistic pathways through integrated network pharmacological assessments and empirical in vitro and in vivo analyses. MATERIALS AND METHODS To ascertain the optimal antidepressant dosage and mechanism of KZD, a Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (CUMS)-induced depression model in mice was established to evaluate depressive behaviors. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and network pharmacological approaches were employed to predict KZD's antidepressant mechanisms. Subsequently, hippocampal samples were subjected to 4D-DIA proteomic sequencing and validated through Western blot, immunofluorescence, Nissl staining, and pathway antagonist applications. Additionally, cortisol-stimulated PC12 cells were utilized to simulate neuronal damage, analyzing protein and mRNA levels of MAPK-related signals and cell proliferation markers. RESULTS The integration of network pharmacology and HPLC identified kaempferol and quercetin as KZD's principal active compounds for MDD treatment. Proteomic and network pharmacological KEGG pathway analyses indicated the MAPK signaling pathway as a critical regulatory mechanism for KZD's therapeutic effect on MDD. KZD was observed to mitigate CUMS-induced upregulation of p-ERK/ERK, CREB, and BDNF protein expressions in hippocampal cells by attenuating oxidative stress, thereby ameliorating neuronal damage and exerting antidepressant effects. The administration of PD98059 counteracted KZD's improvements in depression-like behaviors and downregulated p-ERK/ERK and BDNF protein expressions in the hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS This investigation corroborates KZD's pivotal, dose-dependent role in antidepressant activity. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrate KZD's capacity to modulate the ERK-CREB-BDNF signaling pathway by diminishing ROS expression induced by oxidative stress, enhancing neuronal repair, and thus, manifesting antidepressant properties. Accordingly, KZD represents a promising herbal candidate for further antidepressant research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Chen
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Institute of Psychosomatics, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China
| | - Xiangxu Chen
- Department of Orthopaedics, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jialin Zhang
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Institute of Psychosomatics, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China
| | - Xuejun Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Institute of Psychosomatics, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China
| | - Na Lu
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Institute of Psychosomatics, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China
| | - Changsong Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine of Chinese Medicine, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yingying Yue
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Institute of Psychosomatics, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China.
| | - Yonggui Yuan
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Institute of Psychosomatics, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China.
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Tian H, Gao S, Xu M, Yang M, Shen M, Liu J, Li G, Zhuang D, Hu Z, Wang C. tiRNA-Gly-GCC-001 in major depressive disorder: Promising diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:1952-1972. [PMID: 38439581 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16319] [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: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In major depressive disorder (MDD), exploration of biomarkers will be helpful in diagnosing the disorder as well as in choosing a treatment and predicting the treatment response. Currently, tRNA-derived small ribonucleic acids (tsRNAs) have been established as promising non-invasive biomarker candidates that may enable a more reliable diagnosis or monitoring of various diseases. Herein, we aimed to explore tsRNA expression together with functional activities in MDD development. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Serum samples were obtained from patients with MDD and healthy controls, and small RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was used to profile tsRNA expression. Dysregulated tsRNAs in MDD were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The diagnostic utility of specific tsRNAs and the expression of these tsRNAs after antidepressant treatment were analysed. KEY RESULTS In total, 38 tsRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in MDD samples relative to healthy individuals (34 up-regulated and 4 down-regulated). qRT-PCR was used to validate the expression of six tsRNAs that were up-regulated in MDD (tiRNA-1:20-chrM.Ser-GCT, tiRNA-1:33-Gly-GCC-1, tRF-1:22-chrM.Ser-GCT, tRF-1:31-Ala-AGC-4-M6, tRF-1:31-Pro-TGG-2 and tRF-1:32-chrM.Gln-TTG). Interestingly, serum tiRNA-Gly-GCC-001 levels exhibited an area under the ROC curve of 0.844. Moreover, tiRNA-Gly-GCC-001 is predicted to suppress brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. Furthermore, significant tiRNA-Gly-GCC-001 down-regulation was evident following an 8-week treatment course and served as a promising baseline predictor of patient response to antidepressant therapy. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Our current work reports for the first time that tiRNA-Gly-GCC-001 is a promising MDD biomarker candidate that can predict patient responses to antidepressant therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haihua Tian
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shugui Gao
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Miaomiao Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mei Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengyuan Shen
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jimeng Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guangxue Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dingding Zhuang
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhenyu Hu
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chuang Wang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
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Mir M, Khan AU, Khan A. Pharmacological investigation of taxifolin for its therapeutic potential in depression. Heliyon 2024; 10:e30467. [PMID: 38694040 PMCID: PMC11061746 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30467] [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: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The current study aimed to investigate the influence of taxifolin on depression symptoms alleviation in Male Sprague-Dawley rats by targeting underlying pathways of depression. Molecular docking analyses were conducted to validate taxifolin's binding affinities against various targets. In silico analysis of taxifolin revealed various aspects of post docking interactions with different protein targets. Depression was induced in rats via intraperitoneal injection of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 500 μ g/Kg) for 14 alternative days. Rats (n = 6/group) were randomly assigned to four groups: (i) Saline/Control, (ii) Disease (LPS 500 μg/kg), (iii) Standard (fluoxetine 20 mg/kg), and (iv) Treatment (taxifolin 20 mg/kg). At the end of the in vivo study, brain samples were used for biochemical and morphological analysis. Taxifolin exhibited neuroprotective effects, as evidenced by behavioral studies, antioxidant analysis, histopathological examination, immunohistochemistry, ELISA and RT PCR, indicating an increase number of surviving neurons, normalization of cell size and shape, and reduction in vacuolization. Taxifolin also decreased inflammatory markers such as TNF-α, NF-κb, IL-6 and COX-2, while significantly upregulating and activating the protective PPAR-γ pathway, through which it reduces the oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, thereby ameliorating depression symptoms in experimental rat model of depression. Our finding suggests that taxifolin act as neuroprotective agent partially mediated through PPAR-γ pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha Mir
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Arif-ullah Khan
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Aslam Khan
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
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Yu K, Zhou H, Chen Z, Lei Y, Wu J, Yuan Q, He J. Mechanism of cognitive impairment and white matter damage in the MK-801 mice model of schizophrenia treated with quetiapine. Behav Brain Res 2024; 461:114838. [PMID: 38157989 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Schizophrenia has been linked to cognitive impairment and white matter damage in a growing number of studies this year. In this study, we used the MK-801-induced schizophrenia-like mice model to investigate the effects of quetiapine on behavioral changes and myelin loss in the model mice. The subjects selected for this study were C57B6/J male mice, MK-801 (1 mg/kg/d intraperitoneal injection) modeling for 1 week and quetiapine (10 mg/kg/d intraperitoneal injection) treatment for 2 weeks. Behavioral tests were then performed using the three-chamber paradigm test and the Y maze test. Moreover, western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were conducted to investigate the changes in oligodendrocyte spectrum markers. In addition, we performed some mechanism-related proteins by western blot. Quetiapine ameliorated cognitive impairment and cerebral white matter damage in MK-801 model mice, and the mechanism may be related to the PI3K/AKT pathways. The present study suggests that quetiapine has a possible mechanism for treating cognitive impairment and white matter damage caused by schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Yu
- School of Mental Health and the Affiliated Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou Key Laboratory for Basic and Translational Research in Mental Health, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Han Zhou
- School of Mental Health and the Affiliated Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou Key Laboratory for Basic and Translational Research in Mental Health, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- School of Mental Health and the Affiliated Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou Key Laboratory for Basic and Translational Research in Mental Health, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuying Lei
- School of Mental Health and the Affiliated Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou Key Laboratory for Basic and Translational Research in Mental Health, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junnan Wu
- School of Mental Health and the Affiliated Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou Key Laboratory for Basic and Translational Research in Mental Health, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qianfa Yuan
- Xiamen Xian Yue Hospital, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jue He
- School of Mental Health and the Affiliated Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou Key Laboratory for Basic and Translational Research in Mental Health, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Neurological Disease, First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China.
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Jain NK, Tailang M, Chandrasekaran B, Khazaleh N, Thangavel N, Makeen HA, Albratty M, Najmi A, Alhazmi HA, Zoghebi K, Alagusundaram M, Jain HK. Integrating network pharmacology with molecular docking to rationalize the ethnomedicinal use of Alchornea laxiflora (Benth.) Pax & K. Hoffm. for efficient treatment of depression. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1290398. [PMID: 38505421 PMCID: PMC10949534 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1290398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Alchornea laxiflora (Benth.) Pax & K. Hoffm. (A. laxiflora) has been indicated in traditional medicine to treat depression. However, scientific rationalization is still lacking. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the antidepressant potential of A. laxiflora using network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis. Materials and methods: The active compounds and potential targets of A. laxiflora and depression-related targets were retrieved from public databases, such as PubMed, PubChem, DisGeNET, GeneCards, OMIM, SwissTargetprediction, BindingDB, STRING, and DAVID. Essential bioactive compounds, potential targets, and signaling pathways were predicted using in silico analysis, including BA-TAR, PPI, BA-TAR-PATH network construction, and GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Later on, with molecular docking analysis, the interaction of essential bioactive compounds of A. laxiflora and predicted core targets of depression were verified. Results: The network pharmacology approach identified 15 active compounds, a total of 219 compound-related targets, and 14,574 depression-related targets with 200 intersecting targets between them. SRC, EGFR, PIK3R1, AKT1, and MAPK1 were the core targets, whereas 3-acetyloleanolic acid and 3-acetylursolic acid were the most active compounds of A. laxiflora with anti-depressant potential. GO functional enrichment analysis revealed 129 GO terms, including 82 biological processes, 14 cellular components, and 34 molecular function terms. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis yielded significantly enriched 108 signaling pathways. Out of them, PI3K-Akt and MAPK signaling pathways might have a key role in treating depression. Molecular docking analysis results exhibited that core targets of depression, such as SRC, EGFR, PIK3R1, AKT1, and MAPK1, bind stably with the analyzed bioactive compounds of A. laxiflora. Conclusion: The present study elucidates the bioactive compounds, potential targets, and pertinent mechanism of action of A. laxiflora in treating depression. A. laxiflora might exert an antidepressant effect by regulating PI3K-Akt and MAPK signaling pathways. However, further investigations are required to validate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nem Kumar Jain
- School of Pharmacy, ITM University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
- School of Studies in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Mukul Tailang
- School of Studies in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | | | | | - Neelaveni Thangavel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hafiz A. Makeen
- Pharmacy Practice Research Unit, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Albratty
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Asim Najmi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hassan Ahmad Alhazmi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Zoghebi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - M. Alagusundaram
- School of Pharmacy, ITM University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Hemant Kumar Jain
- Department of General Medicine, Government Medical College, Datia, Madhya Pradesh, India
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