Quercetin prevents hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation and reducing autophagy via the TGF-β1/Smads and PI3K/Akt pathways

Ba-Qi-Rougan formula alleviates hepatic fibrosis by suppressing hepatic stellate cell activation via the MSMP/CCR2/PI3K pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The Ba-Qi-Rougan formula (BQRGF) is a traditional and effective compound prescription from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) utilized in treating hepatic fibrosis (HF).

AIM OF THE STUDY

We aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of BQRGF on HF and explore the underlying mechanisms of action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technology was employed to identify the material basis of BQRGF. Mice with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced HF received BQRGF at three doses (3.87, 7.74, and 15.48 g/kg per day). We examined serum and liver biochemical indicators and liver histology to assess the therapeutic impact. Primary mouse cells were isolated and utilized for experimental analysis. MSMP expression levels were examined in vitro and in vivo experimental models, including human and mouse tissue. Furthermore, lentivirus and small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfections were employed to manipulate microseminoprotein (MSMP) expression in LO2 cells (human normal liver cells). These manipulated LO2 cells were then co-cultured with LX2 human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Through the modulation of MSMP expression in co-cultured cells, administering recombinant MSMP (rMSMP) with or without BQRGF-medicated serum, and using specific pathway inhibitors or agonists in LX2 cells, we elucidated the underlying mechanisms.

RESULTS

A total of 48 compounds were identified from BQRGF, with 12 compounds being absorbed into the bloodstream and 9 compounds being absorbed into the liver. Four weeks of BQRGF treatment in the HF mouse model led to significant improvements in biochemical and molecular assays and histopathology, particularly in the medium and high-dose groups. These improvements included a reduction in the level of liver injury and fibrosis-related factors. MSMP levels were elevated in human and mouse fibrotic liver tissues, and this increase was mitigated in HF mice treated with BQRGF. Moreover, primary cells and co-culture studies revealed that BQRGF reduced MSMP expression, decreased the expression of the hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation markers, and suppressed critical phosphorylated protein levels in the CCR2/PI3K/AKT pathway. These findings were further validated using CCR2/PI3K/AKT signaling inhibitors and agonists in MSMP-activated LX2 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, our results suggest that BQRGF combats HF by diminishing MSMP levels and inhibiting MSMP-induced HSC activation through the CCR2/PI3K/AKT pathway.

Quercetin influences intestinal dysbacteriosis and delays alveolar epithelial cell senescence by regulating PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling in pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic and progressive lung disease with high mortality. This study aims to explore the protective mechanism of quercetin against pulmonary fibrosis regarding cell senescence and gut microbiota. Rats were intratracheally injected with bleomycin (BLM) to establish a pulmonary fibrosis rat model. RLE-6TN cells were stimulated with BLM to build the model of alveolar epithelial cell senescence, and RLE-6TN-derived conditional medium (CM) was harvested to further culture fibroblasts. Histopathological changes were assessed by H&E and Masson staining. α-SMA expression was assessed by immunofluorescence assay. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) cytokine assay were conducted to assess cellular senescence. Gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The fibrosis-, senescence-, and PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling-related proteins were examined by western blot. In BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis rats, quercetin exerted its protective effects by reducing histological injury and collagen deposition, lessening cellular senescence, and regulating gut microbiota. In BLM-induced alveolar epithelial cell senescence, quercetin inhibited senescence, lessened SASP cytokine secretion of alveolar epithelial cells, and further ameliorated collagen deposition in fibroblasts. In addition, quercetin might exert its functional effects by regulating the PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Moreover, quercetin regulated intestinal dysbacteriosis in BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis rats, especially boosting the abundance of Akkermansia. To conclude, our findings provide an in-depth understanding of the potential mechanism behind the protective role of quercetin against pulmonary fibrosis.

Novel protein C6ORF120 promotes liver fibrosis by activating hepatic stellate cells through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The role of C6ORF120 in promoting CCL4-induced hepatic fibrosis and its possible mechanisms were explored in C6orf120 knockout rats (C6orf120-/-) and LX-2 cells (a type of human hepatic stellate cell line).

METHODS

In vivo experiments, wild-type and C6orf120-/- rats were used to investigate the function of C6ORF120. In the in vitro experiments, C6ORF120 recombinant protein (rC6ORF120) at a concentration of 200 ng/mL was used to stimulate LX-2 cells. Sirius Red staining, Masson staining, western blotting, polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were used to explore fibrosis-associated factors.

RESULTS

C6orf120-/- rats showed mild fibrosis and liver injury in the CCL4-induced liver fibrosis model. Furthermore, RNA-seq revealed that C6orf120-/- rats had less extracellular matrix deposition and activated stellate cells. Consistent with the in vivo, the rC6ORF120 induced LX-2 cell activation. Moreover, mechanistic studies revealed that the p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and p-mTOR/mTOR levels were significantly elevated and LY294002 (a PI3K/Akt/mTOR typical pathway inhibitor) reversed the function of C6ORF120 in activating LX-2 cells.

CONCLUSION

C6ORF120 could activate hepatic stellate cells and promote hepatic fibrosis via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Naringin inhibits cisplatin resistance of ovarian cancer cells by inhibiting autophagy mediated by the TGF-β2/smad2 pathway

Background

Resistance to cisplatin (DDP) in patients with ovarian cancer (OC) poses a great challenge to improving the quality of life of patients. Past reports have revealed that naringin can induce apoptosis of OC cells and delay the occurrence of drug resistance in OC cells. However, the molecular role by which naringin inhibits DDP resistance in OC has not been definitively proven by researchers. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of naringin on DDP resistance in OC cells and the specific mechanism of naringin mediating autophagy.

Methods

3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry were selected to evaluate the role of naringin or DDP on the proliferation and apoptosis of human OC cells (SKOV3/A2780). The protein levels of Sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1/p62, hereinafter referred to as p62), microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) and SMAD family member 2 (smad2) were detected with Western blotting assay. Immunofluorescence assay was also used to evaluate the level of LC3 in different groups of cells. Besides, functional analyses were performed in vivo.

Results

Naringin was shown to promote DDP sensitivity and apoptosis of human OC DDP-resistant cell line (SKOV3/A2780-DDP cells). Significantly increased p62 expression and reduced LC3 expression were found in naringin-treated cells. The autophagy agonist, rapamycin, reversed the effect of naringin on the resistance of SKOV3-DDP cells to DDP. Naringin inhibited levels of TGF-β2/smad2 pathway-related proteins, and regulated autophagy in SKOV3-DDP cells. In vivo experiments demonstrated that injection of naringin inhibited DDP resistance and autophagy in mice xenograft model.

Conclusions

In summary, naringin inhibits DDP resistance in OC cells by inhibiting autophagy mediated by the TGF-β2/smad2 pathway.

A comprehensive review of miR-21 in liver disease: Big impact of little things

microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of non-coding RNA with 20-24 nucleotides, are defined as the powerful regulators for gene expression. miR-21 is a multifunctional miRNA enriched in the circulatory system and multiple organs, which not only serves as a non-invasive biomarker in disease diagnosis, but also participates in many cellular activities. In various chronic liver diseases, the increase of miR-21 affects glycolipid metabolism, viral infection, inflammatory and immune cell activation, hepatic stellate cells activation and tissue fibrosis, and autophagy. Moreover, miR-21 is also a liaison in the deterioration of chronic liver disease to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and it impacts on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, immune escape, and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation by regulating target genes expression in different signaling pathways. In current research on miRNA therapy, some natural products can exert the hepatoprotective effects depending on the inhibition of miR-21 expression. In addition, miR-21-based therapeutic also play a role in regulating intracellular miR-21 levels and enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs. Herein, we systemically summarized the recent progress of miR-21 on biosynthesis, biomarker function, molecular mechanism and miRNA therapy in chronic liver disease and HCC, and looked forward to outputting some information to enable it from bench to bedside.

Mechanistic insight into the hepatoprotective effect of Moringa oleifera Lam leaf extract and telmisartan against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis: plausible roles of TGF-β1/SMAD3/SMAD7 and HDAC2/NF-κB/PPARγ pathways

The increasing prevalence and limited therapeutic options for liver fibrosis necessitates more medical attention. Our study aims to investigate the potential molecular targets by which Moringa oleifera Lam leaf extract (Mor) and/or telmisartan (Telm) alleviate carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Liver fibrosis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by intraperitoneal injection of 50% CCl4 (1 ml/kg) every 72 hours, for 8 weeks. Intoxicated rats with CCl4 were simultaneously orally administrated Mor (400 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks) and/or Telm (10 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks). Treatment of CCl4-intoxicated rats with Mor/Telm significantly reduced serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities compared to CCl4 intoxicated group (P < 0.001). Additionally, Mor/Telm treatment significantly reduced the level of hepatic inflammatory, profibrotic, and apoptotic markers including; nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-βeta1 (TGF-β1), and caspase-3. Interestingly, co-treatment of CCl4-intoxicated rats with Mor/Telm downregulated m-RNA expression of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) (71.8%), and reduced protein expression of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (p-SMAD3) (70.6%) compared to untreated animals. Mor/Telm regimen also elevated p-SMAD7 protein expression as well as m-RNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) (3.6 and 3.1 fold, respectively p < 0.05) compared to CCl4 intoxicated group. Histopathological picture of the liver tissue intoxicated with CCl4 revealed marked improvement by Mor/Telm co-treatment. Conclusively, this study substantiated the hepatoprotective effect of Mor/Telm regimen against CCl4-induced liver fibrosis through suppression of TGF-β1/SMAD3, and HDAC2/NF-κB signaling pathways and up-regulation of SMAD7 and PPARγ expression.

Plant-derived flavonoids are a potential source of drugs for the treatment of liver fibrosis

Liver fibrosis is a dynamic pathological process that can be triggered by any chronic liver injury. If left unaddressed, it will inevitably progress to the severe outcomes of liver cirrhosis or even hepatocellular carcinoma. In the past few years, the prevalence and fatality of hepatic fibrosis have been steadily rising on a global scale. As a result of its intricate pathogenesis, the quest for pharmacological interventions targeting liver fibrosis has remained a formidable challenge. Currently, no pharmaceuticals are exhibiting substantial clinical efficacy in the management of hepatic fibrosis. Hence, it is of utmost importance to expedite the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of this condition. Various research studies have revealed the ability of different natural flavonoid compounds to alleviate or reverse hepatic fibrosis through a range of mechanisms, which are related to the regulation of liver inflammation, oxidative stress, synthesis and secretion of fibrosis-related factors, hepatic stellate cells activation, and proliferation, and extracellular matrix synthesis and degradation by these compounds. This review summarizes the progress of research on different sources of natural flavonoids with inhibitory effects on liver fibrosis over the last decades. The anti-fibrotic effects of natural flavonoids have been increasingly studied, making them a potential source of drugs for the treatment of liver fibrosis due to their good efficacy and biosafety.

A detailed overview of quercetin: implications for cell death and liver fibrosis mechanisms

Background

Quercetin, a widespread polyphenolic flavonoid, is known for its extensive health benefits and is commonly found in the plant kingdom. The natural occurrence and extraction methods of quercetin are crucial due to its bioactive potential.

Purpose

This review aims to comprehensively cover the natural sources of quercetin, its extraction methods, bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and its role in various cell death pathways and liver fibrosis.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was performed across several electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang database, and ClinicalTrials.gov, up to 10 February 2024. The search terms employed were "quercetin", "natural sources of quercetin", "quercetin extraction methods", "bioavailability of quercetin", "pharmacokinetics of quercetin", "cell death pathways", "apoptosis", "autophagy", "pyroptosis", "necroptosis", "ferroptosis", "cuproptosis", "liver fibrosis", and "hepatic stellate cells". These keywords were interconnected using AND/OR as necessary. The search focused on studies that detailed the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of quercetin, its role in different cell death pathways, and its effects on liver fibrosis.

Results

This review details quercetin's involvement in various cell death pathways, including apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis, with particular attention to its regulatory influence on apoptosis and autophagy. It dissects the mechanisms through which quercetin affects these pathways across different cell types and dosages. Moreover, the paper delves into quercetin's effects on liver fibrosis, its interactions with hepatic stellate cells, and its modulation of pertinent signaling cascades. Additionally, it articulates from a physical organic chemistry standpoint the uniqueness of quercetin's structure and its potential for specific actions in the liver.

Conclusion

The paper provides a detailed analysis of quercetin, suggesting its significant role in modulating cell death mechanisms and mitigating liver fibrosis, underscoring its therapeutic potential.

Salidroside alleviates cholestasis-induced liver fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic stellate cells via activation of the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway and regulating intestinal flora distribution

Salidroside (SAL), a phenylpropanoid bioactive compound, has various pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects. However, the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of action of SAL on cholestatic liver injury are unclear. This study investigated the mechanism and effects of salidroside (SAL) on intestinal flora distribution and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation in cholestatic hepatic fibrosis. Bile duct ligation was used to cause cholestasis BALB/c mice. The therapeutic efficacy of SAL in liver fibrosis was assessed via serum/tissue biochemical analyses and liver tissue hematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining. Inflammation and oxidative stress were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blotting. HSC were activated in vitro using lipopolysaccharide, and the effects of SAL on HSC migration and inflammatory factor expression were detected via scratch, transwell, and western blotting assays. The effects of SAL on the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β pathway in vivo and in vitro were detected using western blotting. 16sRNA sequencing was used to detect the effect of SAL on the diversity of the intestinal flora. Ileal histopathology and western blotting were used to detect the protective effect of SAL on the intestinal mucosal barrier. SAL reduces liver inflammation and oxidative stress and protects against liver fibrosis with cholestasis. It inhibits HSC activation and activates the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β pathway in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, SAL restores the abundance of intestinal flora, which contributes to the repair of the intestinal mucosal barrier, inhibits endotoxin translocation, and indirectly inhibits HSC activation, reversing the course of cholestatic liver fibrosis. SAL inhibits HSC activation through the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β pathway and improves intestinal flora distribution, thereby protecting and reversing the progression of hepatic fibrosis.

Exploring the therapeutic potential of quercetin: A focus on its sirtuin-mediated benefits

As the global population ages, preventing lifestyle- and aging-related diseases is increasing, necessitating the search for safe and affordable therapeutic interventions. Among nutraceuticals, quercetin, a flavonoid ubiquitously present in various plants, has garnered considerable interest. This review aimed to collate and analyze existing literature on the therapeutic potentials of quercetin, especially its interactions with SIRTs and its clinical applicability based on its bioavailability and safety. This narrative review was based on a literature survey spanning from 2015 to 2023 using PUBMED. The keywords and MeSH terms used were: "quercetin" AND "bioavailability" OR "metabolism" OR "metabolites" as well as "quercetin" AND "SIRTuin" OR "SIRT*" AND "cellular effects" OR "pathway" OR "signaling" OR "neuroprotective" OR "cardioprotective" OR "nephroprotective" OR "antiatherosclerosis" OR "diabetes" OR "antidiabetic" OR "dyslipidemia" AND "mice" OR "rats". Quercetin demonstrates multiple therapeutic activities, including neuroprotective, cardioprotective, and anti-atherosclerotic effects. Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties are well-established. At a molecular level, it majorly interacts with SIRTs, particularly SIRT1 and SIRT6, and modulates numerous signaling pathways, contributing to its therapeutic effects. These pathways play roles in reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy regulation, mitochondrial biogenesis, glucose utilization, fatty acid oxidation, and genome stability. However, clinical trials on quercetin's effectiveness in humans are scarce. Quercetin exhibits a wide range of SIRT-mediated therapeutic effects. Despite the compelling preclinical data, more standardized clinical trials are needed to fully understand its therapeutic potential. Future research should focus on addressing its bioavailability and safety concerns.

[Arbutin ameliorates liver fibrosis in mice by inhibiting macrophage recruitment and regulating the Akt/NF-κB and Smad signaling pathways]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the protective effect of arbutin against CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice and explore the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Twenty-four C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, and low- and high-dose arbutin treatment (25 and 50 mg/kg, respectively) groups. Mouse models of liver fibrosis were established by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4, and arbutin was administered daily via gavage for 6 weeks. After the treatments, serum biochemical parameters of the mice were tested, and liver tissues were taken for HE staining, Sirius Red staining and immunohistochemical staining. RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of α-SMA, Pdgfb, Col1α1, Timp-1, Ccl2 and Tnf-a, and Western blotting was performed to detect α-SMA protein expression in the liver tissues. In the cell experiment, the effect of arbutin treatment for 24 h on THP-1 and RAW264.7 cell migration and recruitment was examined using Transwell migration assay and DAPI staining; The changes in protein levels of Akt, p65, Smad3, p-Akt, p-p65, p-Smad3 and α-SMA in arbutintreated LX-2 cells were detected with Western blotting.

RESULTS

Arbutin treatment significantly lowered serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, alleviated liver tissue damage and collagen deposition, and reduced macrophage infiltration and α-SMA protein expression in the liver of the mouse models (P < 0.05 or 0.001). Arbutin treatment also significantly reduced CCl4-induced elevation of a-SMA, Pdgfb, Col1α1, Timp-1, Ccl2 and Tnf-a mRNA levels in mice (P < 0.05). In the cell experiment, arbutin treatment obviously inhibited migration and recruitment of THP-1 and RAW264.7 cells and lowered the phosphorylation levels of Akt, p65 and Smad3 and the protein expression level of α-SMA in LX-2 cells.

CONCLUSION

Arbutin ameliorates liver inflammation and fibrosis in mice by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation via reducing macrophage recruitment and infiltration and suppressing activation of the Akt/NF-κB and Smad signaling pathways.

Long noncoding RNA and messenger RNA profiling in epicardial adipose tissue of patients with new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting

BACKGROUND

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) constitutes a significant complication following coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), potentially linked to epicardial adipose tissue (EAT). This investigation seeks to elucidate the association between POAF and EAT at the genetic level.

METHODS

EAT and clinical data from patients undergoing CABG were systematically acquired, adhering to established inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were categorized into POAF and Non-POAF groups based on the presence or absence of POAF. High-throughput sequencing data of EAT were subjected to differential expression analysis and gene function assessment. A random selection of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) underwent quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for validation of the high-throughput sequencing findings. Coexpression analysis was employed to elucidate the interactions between lncRNAs and messenger RNAs (mRNAs).

RESULTS

RNA sequencing yielded a total of 69,685 transcripts (37,740 coding and 31,945 noncoding sequences), representing 16,920 genes. Within this dataset, 38 mRNAs and 12 lncRNAs exhibited differential expression between the POAF and Non-POAF groups (P < 0.05, fold change > 1.5). The qRT-PCR results for lncRNAs corroborated the sequencing findings (P < 0.01). Functional enrichment analysis of genes and the coexpression network indicated that these differentially expressed RNAs were primarily implicated in processes such as cell growth, differentiation, signal transduction, as well as influencing tissue fibrosis and ion transmembrane transport.

CONCLUSIONS

This study unveils a potential association between myocardial fibrosis and ion channels co-regulated by mRNAs and lncRNAs, closely linked to the emergence of new-onset POAF, after accounting for clinical risk factors. This discovery holds promise for further advances in clinical and fundamental research.

Yangyinghuoxue decoction exerts a treatment effect on hepatic fibrosis by PI3K/AKT pathway in rat model: based on the network pharmacology and molecular docking

BACKGROUND

Yangyinghuoxue decoction (YYHXD) is a Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound with satisfactory clinical efficacy in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis (HF). However, the pharmacological molecular mechanisms of YYHXD in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis have not yet been clarified.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the pharmacological mechanisms of YYHXD for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis via network pharmacology analysis combined with experimental verification.

METHODS

First, the bioactive ingredients and potential targets of YYHXD and HF-related targets were retrieved from the online databases and literatures. Next, the "herb-ingredient-target-disease" network and PPI network were constructed for topological analyses and key active compounds and targets screening. Enrichment analyses were performed to identify the critical biological processes and signaling pathways. Then, the molecular docking experiment was performed to initially validate the network pharmacology prediction results. Finally, the antifibrotic effect and pharmacological mechanisms of YYHXD were investigated in CCl4 induced liver fibrosis in rats.

RESULTS

In total, 141 active compounds in YYHXD, 637 YYHXD-related targets and 1598 liver fibrosis-related targets were identified. Among them, 69 overlapped targets were finally obtained. Network analysis screened 5 critical bioactive components and 34 key targets. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that YYHXD obviously influenced biological processes such as oxidative stress, cellular inflammation and hepatocyte apoptosis and signaling pathways such as PI3K-Akt, Apoptosis, and JAK-STAT in the treatment of HF. The molecular docking results suggested that the YYHXD may have a direct impact on the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Further, in vivo experiment indicated that YYHXD treatment not only reduced liver injury and protected liver function, but also decrease the apoptosis of hepatic parenchyma cells, reducing inflammatory and attenuating oxidative stress. Moreover, YYHXD significantly attenuated the upregulation of target proteins enriched in PI3K signaling pathway, including P-PI3K, P-Akt1, HSP90, MYC, p53.

CONCLUSIONS

The mechanisms of YYHXD against liver fibrosis were involved in multiple ingredients, multiple targets and multiple signaling pathways. The PI3K/Akt pathway could be the most important pharmacological mechanism of YYHXD therapy for liver fibrosis.

Investigation of miR-26b and miR-27b expressions and the effect of quercetin on fibrosis in experimental pulmonary fibrosis

In this study, investigation of the effects of Quercetin on Bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and fibrosis-associated molecules miR-26b and miR-27b was aimed. Control group was given 10% saline on the 0th day, and saline was administered for 21 days starting from the 8th day. Group 2 was given 50 mg/kg Quercetin for 21 days starting from the 8th day. Group 3 was given 10 mg/kg Bleomycin Sulfate on day 0, and sacrificed on the 22nd and 29th day. Group 4 was given 10 mg/kg Bleomycin Sulfate on the 0th day, and was given 50 mg/kg Quercetin for 14 days, and 21 days starting from day 8. Lung tissues were examined using light and electron microscopic, immunohistochemical and molecular biological methods. Injury groups revealed impaired alveolar structure, collagen accumulation and increased inflammatory cells in interalveolar septum. Fibrotic response was decreased and the alveolar structure was improved with Quercetin treatment. α-SMA expressions were higher in the injury groups, but lower in the treatment groups compared to the injury groups. E-cadherin expressions were decreased in the injury groups and showed stronger immunoreactivity in the treatment groups compared to the injury groups. miR-26b and miR-27b expressions were lower in the injury groups than the control groups, and higher in the treatment groups than the injury groups. Quercetin can be considered as a new treatment agent in the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, since it increases the expression levels of miR-26b and miR-27b which decrease in fibrosis, and has therapeutic effects on the histopathological changes.

Maimendong decoction regulates M2 macrophage polarization to suppress pulmonary fibrosis via PI3K/Akt/FOXO3a signalling pathway-mediated fibroblast activation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Mai Men Dong decoction (MMDD), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, is relevant to ethnopharmacology due to its constituents and therapeutic properties. The formula contains herbs like Ophiopogon japonicus (Thunb.) Ker Gawl., Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Makino, Panax ginseng C.A.Mey, Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, and Ziziphus jujuba Mill, Oryza sativa L., which have been used for centuries in Chinese medicine. These herbs provide a comprehensive approach to treating respiratory conditions by addressing dryness, cough, and phlegm. Ethnopharmacological studies have explored the scientific basis of these herbs and identified active compounds that contribute to their medicinal effects. The traditional usage of MMDD by different ethnic groups reflects their knowledge and experiences. Examining this formula contributes to the understanding and development of ethnopharmacology.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In the case of pulmonary fibrosis (PF), treating it can be challenging due to the limited treatment options available. This study aimed to assess the potential of MMDD as a treatment for PF by targeting macrophages and the PI3K/Akt/FOXO3a signaling pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a mouse model of PF, we investigated the effects of MMDD on inflammation, fibrosis, and M2 macrophage infiltration in lung tissue. Additionally, we examined the modulation of pro-fibrotic factors and key proteins in the PI3K/Akt/FOXO3a pathway. In vitro experiments involved inducing M2-type macrophages and assessing the impact of MMDD on fibroblast activation and the PI3K/Akt/FOXO3a pathway.

RESULTS

Results demonstrated that MMDD improved weight, reduced inflammation, and inhibited M2 macrophage infiltration in mouse lung tissue. It downregulated pro-fibrotic factors, such as TGF-β1 and PDGF-RB, as well as markers of fibroblast activation. MMDD also exhibited regulatory effects on key proteins in the PI3K/Akt/FOXO3a signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

MMDD inhibited M2 macrophage polarization and released profibrotic factors that inhibited pulmonary fibrosis. As a result, the PI3K/Akt/FOXO3a signaling pathway is suppressed. MMDD is proving to be a successful treatment for PF. However, further research is needed to validate its effectiveness in clinical practice.

Chinese herbal medicines: The modulator of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease targeting oxidative stress

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Plants are a natural treasure trove; their secondary metabolites participate in several pharmacological processes, making them a crucial component in the synthesis of novel pharmaceuticals and serving as a reserve resource foundation in this process. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with the risk of progression to hepatitis and liver cancer. The "Treatise on Febrile Diseases," "Compendium of Materia Medica," and "Thousand Golden Prescriptions" have listed herbal remedies to treat liver diseases.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

Chinese herbal medicines have been widely used for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD owing to their efficacy and low side effects. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during NAFLD, and the impact and potential mechanism of ROS on the pathogenesis of NAFLD are discussed in this review. Furthermore, common foods and herbs that can be used to prevent NAFLD, as well as the structure-activity relationships and potential mechanisms, are discussed.

METHODS

Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI database, Google Scholar, and WanFang database were searched for natural products that have been used to treat or prevent NAFLD in the past five years. The primary search was performed using the following keywords in different combinations in full articles: NAFLD, herb, natural products, medicine, and ROS. More than 400 research papers and review articles were found and analyzed in this review.

RESULTS

By classifying and discussing the literature, we obtained 86 herbaceous plants, 28 of which were derived from food and 58 from Chinese herbal medicines. The mechanism of NAFLD was proposed through experimental studies on thirteen natural compounds (quercetin, hesperidin, rutin, curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, salvianolic acid B, paeoniflorin, ginsenoside Rg1, ursolic acid, berberine, honokiol, emodin). The occurrence and progression of NAFLD could be prevented by natural antioxidants through several pathways to prevent ROS accumulation and reduce hepatic cell injuries caused by excessive ROS.

CONCLUSION

This review summarizes the natural products and routinely used herbs (prescription) in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. Firstly, the mechanisms by which natural products improve NAFLD through antioxidant pathways are elucidated. Secondly, the potential of traditional Chinese medicine theory in improving NAFLD is discussed, highlighting the safety of food-medicine homology and the broader clinical potential of multi-component formulations in improving NAFLD. Aiming to provide theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

Preclinical evidence of reno-protective effect of quercetin on acute kidney injury: a meta-analysis of animal studies

Objective: This study evaluated the reno-protective effects of quercetin in animal models of acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods: We conducted a systematic search of literature published before April 2023 in PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases. Methodological quality was assessed by SYRCLE's RoB tool. Funnel plot, Egger's test, and Begg's test were used to determine publication bias. Results: A total of 19 studies with 288 animals were included in this meta-analysis. The methodology quality scores of the included studies ranged from 4 to 7. The results indicated that quercetin reduced blood urea nitrogen (SMD = -4.78; 95% CI: 6.45, -3.12; p < 0.01; I2 = 84%) and serum creatinine (SMD: 2.73, 95% CI: 3.66, -1.80; p < 0.01; I2 = 80%) in AKI models. The result of sensitivity analysis was stable, while the results of funnel plot indicated asymmetric. In addition, we further analyzed inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress levels, and kidney injury scores, and found that quercetin treatment had antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and improved kidney injury scores in animal models of AKI. Conclusion: Quercetin exhibited a promising reno-protective effect in AKI animal models. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42023433333).

Fate tracking reveals differences between Reelin+ hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and Desmin+ HSCs in activation, migration and proliferation

The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the main cause of liver fibrogenesis in response to different etiologies of chronic liver injuries. HSCs are heterogeneous, but the lack of specific markers to distinguish different HSC subset hinders the development of targeted therapy for liver fibrosis. In this study, we aim to reveal new HSC subsets by cell fate tracking. We constructed a novel ReelinCreERT2 transgenic mouse model to track the fate of cells expressing Reelin and their progeny (Reelin+ cells). And we investigated the property of Reelin+ cells, such as differentiation and proliferation, in hepatotoxic (carbon tetrachloride; CCl4 ) or cholestatic (bile duct ligation; BDL) liver injury models by immunohistochemistry. Our study revealed that Reelin+ cells were a new HSC subset. In terms of activation, migration, and proliferation, Reelin+ HSCs displayed different properties from Desmin+ HSCs (total HSCs) in cholestatic liver injury model but shared similar properties to total HSCs in hepatotoxic liver injury model. Besides, we did not find evidence that Reelin+ HSCs transdifferentiated into hepatocytes or cholangiocytes through mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). In this study, our genetic cell fate tracking data reveal that ReelinCreERT2-labelled cells are a new HSC subset, which provides new insights into targeted therapy for liver fibrosis.

Protective mechanisms of quercetin in neonatal rat brain injury induced by hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD)

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) is a leading cause of infant mortality worldwide. This study explored whether quercetin (Que) exerts neuroprotective effects in a rat model of HIBD. A total of 36 seven-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control, Que, HI, and HI + Que groups. The Rice method was used to establish HIBD in HI and HI + Que rats, which were treated with hypoxia (oxygen concentration of 8%) for 2 h after ligation of the left common carotid artery. The rats in the HI + Que group were intraperitoneally injected with Que (30 mg/kg) 1 h before hypoxia, and the rats in the Que group were only injected with the same amount of Que. Brain tissues were harvested 24 h postoperation and assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling assay; relative gene and protein levels were evaluated by RT-qPCR, IHC, or western blot (WB) assay. Brain tissue morphologies were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM); LC3B protein levels were assessed by immunofluorescence staining. Escape latencies and platform crossing times were significantly improved (p < .05) in HI + Que groups; infarct volume significantly decreased (p < .001), whereas the numbers of autophagic bodies and apoptotic cells increased and decreased, respectively. Meanwhile, NLRX1, ATG7, and Beclin1 expressions were significantly upregulated, and mTOR and TIM23 expressions, LC3B protein level, and LC 3II/LC 3I ratio were significantly downregulated. Que exerted neuroprotective effects in a rat model of HIBD by regulating NLRX1 and autophagy.

Evaluation of the flavonol-rich fraction of Rosa damascena in an animal model of liver fibrosis by targeting the expression of fibrotic cytokines, antioxidant/oxidant ratio and collagen cross-linking

INTRODUCTION

The flavonoid-rich fraction of Rosa damascena (FRFRD) contains antioxidant and active compounds. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of FRFRD, rich in quercetin and kaempferol, in liver fibrosis induced by CCl4.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The FRFRD fraction was separated and standardized by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) based on the levels of quercetin and kaempferol. Liver fibrosis was induced over CCl4 over 12 weeks in 30 male Wistar rats, and three concentrations of FRFRD were administered to them during the last four weeks. Subsequently, after evaluation of liver serum markers and fibrotic parameters, the relative expression of transforming growth factor-beta-1 (TGF-β1), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and lysyl oxidase homolog 2 (Loxl2) genes were assessed, along with the measurement of lysyl oxidase activity and oxidative markers.

RESULTS

Fibrotic markers demonstrated progressive recovery of liver damage in the treated group compared to the non-treatment group (p < 0.01). These results were accompanied by a significant decrease in the expression of TGF-β1, PDGF, and Loxl2 genes, as well as, a reduction in lysyl oxidase activity (p < 0.001). The antioxidant effects of the treatment were observed through a significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and an increase in catalase enzyme (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in the treatment group compared to the fibrotic group (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The flavonoid-rich fraction of Rosa damascena ameliorates liver damage by affecting collagen cross-linking and lowering oxidative and inflammatory levels.

Mechanism of triterpenoids from Alismatis Rhizoma against liver fibrosis based on an integrated approach using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and luciferase assay

Protostane-type triterpenoids are antifibrotic nature components with unique structures in Alismatis Rhizoma. However, the underlying mechanisms of them against liver fibrosis are not well illustrated. The present study aims to study the targets and mechanisms of Alismatis Rhizoma triterpenes responsible for their antifibrotic effects by network pharmacology, molecular docking, and luciferase assay. As a result, six molecular targets responsible for the antifibrotic effects of alisols against liver fibrosis were uncovered by network pharmacology, among which the activation of farnesoid X receptor (FXR/NR1H4) was highlighted and further confirmed by molecular docking and luciferase assay. Our present study provides a scientific basis for treating liver fibrosis by using Alismatis Rhizoma, especially via the FXR activation effects of alisols.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of carbonyl-hydrazine-1-carboxamide derivatives as anti-hepatic fibrosis agents targeting Nur77

Hepatic fibrosis remains a great challenge clinically. The orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 is recently suggested as the critical regulator of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling, which plays a central role in multi-organic fibrosis. Herein, we optimized our previously reported Nur77-targeted compound 9 h for attempting to develop effective and safe anti-hepatic fibrosis agents. The critical pharmacophore scaffold of pyridine-carbonyl-hydrazine-1-carboxamide was retained, while the naphthalene ring was replaced with an aromatic ring containing pyridyl or indole groups. Four series of derivatives were thus generated, among which the compound 16f had excellent binding activity toward Nur77-LBD (KD = 470 nM) with the best inhibitory activity against the TGF- β 1 activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and low cytotoxicity to normal mice liver AML-12 cells (IC50 > 80 μM). In mice, 16f displayed potent activity against CCl4-induced liver fibrosis with improved liver function. Mechanistically, 16f-mediated inactivation of HSC and suppression of liver fibrosis were associated with its enhancement of autophagic flux in a Nur77-dependent manner. Together, 16f was identified as a potential anti-liver fibrosis agent. Our study suggests that Nur77 may serve as a critical anti-hepatic fibrosis target.

[Quercetin induces hepatic stellate cell apoptosis by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway via upregulating miR-146]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether quercetin induces apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells by regulating miR-146 to inhibit the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

METHODS

Rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC-T6) were treated with TGF-β and different concentrations (40, 60 and 80 μmol/L) of quercetin, and the changes in cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected using CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of miR-146 and mRNA expressions of α-SMA, collagenⅠ, TRAF6, PI3K and Akt in the treated cells, and the protein expressions of α-SMA, collagenⅠ, TRAF6, PI3K, Akt and p-Akt were detected using Western blotting. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the protein expression of α-SMA and collagenⅠ. The effects of transfection with miR-146 mimic and inhibitor on the protein expressions of the cells were also examined using Western blotting.

RESULTS

Treatment with quercetin dose- and time-dependently inhibited the proliferation of HSC-T6 cells and significantly increased the total cell apoptosis rate (P<0.01). TGF-β-stimulated HSC-T6 cells showed significantly increased mRNA and protein expression levels of α-SMA, collagenⅠ, TRAF6, PI3K and Akt (P<0.05), which were significantly down-regulated by quercetin treatment (P<0.05). Quercetin significantly upregulated the expression of miR-146 in HSC-T6 cells (P<0.01), Transfection of the cells with miR-146 mimic significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-SMA, collagen Ⅰ, TRAF6, PI3K and Akt (P<0.05), and miR- 146 inhibitor produced the opposite effects (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Quercetin inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of HSCs by upregulating miR-146 to inhibit the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Quercetin attenuates avermectin-induced cardiac injury in carp through inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis and autophagy

As an important antibiotic, avermectin (AVM) has been widely used in China, but its unreasonable application has caused serious harm to the water environment. In view of the various pharmacological effects of quercetin (QUE), such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, the scientific hypothesis that "QUE may cause carp poisoning by inhibiting AVM" was proposed in this study. However, its protective effect in AVM -induced heart damage has not been reported. QUE reduced the symptoms of AVM toxicity and decreased the levels of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase in the serum of carp. By histological observation, QUE was found to significantly reduce cardiac fiber swelling in carp. A DHE fluorescence probe study showed that QUE was able to inhibit AVM -induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in carp myocardium. We found that QUE significantly increased the intracellular antioxidant enzymes CAT, T-AOC and GSH enzyme activity and reduced intracellular MDA content. In addition, QUE significantly increased il-10 and tgf-β1 expression, and significantly down-regulated tnf-α, il-6, il-1β and inos expression. Tunel assay showed that QUE attenuated AVM -induced apoptosis, significantly decreased the transcript levels of pro-apoptosis-related genes, and increased the expression of anti-apoptosis-related genes. We also detected the protein expression of LC3 in the AVM group and QUE + AVM group, and found that the expression of LC3 was significantly increased in both groups compared with the Control group, but after adding QUE, the expression of LC3 was significantly decreased compared with the AVM group. In addition, the transcript levels of p62 and atg5 were also detected by qPCR. QUE significantly increased the expression of p62 and decreased the expression of atg5, suggesting that QUE could attenuate AVM -induced cardiac autophagy in carp. This study will provide preliminary evidence of the principle of QUE attenuating AVM -induced myocardial injury in carp from four aspects, including oxidative stress, inflammatory response, apoptosis and autophagy, and provide a theoretical basis for its prevention and treatment.

Fluorofenidone alleviates liver fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell autophagy via the TGF-β1/Smad pathway: implications for liver cancer

Objectives

Liver fibrosis is a key stage in the progression of various chronic liver diseases to cirrhosis and liver cancer, but at present, there is no effective treatment. This study investigated the therapeutic effect of the new antifibrotic drug fluorofenidone (AKF-PD) on liver fibrosis and its related mechanism, providing implications for liver cancer.

Materials and Methods

The effects of AKF-PD on hepatic stellate cell (HSC) autophagy and extracellular matrix (ECM) expression were assessed in a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced rat liver fibrosis model. In vitro, HSC-T6 cells were transfected with Smad2 and Smad3 overexpression plasmids and treated with AKF-PD. The viability and number of autophagosomes in HSC-T6 cells were examined. The protein expression levels of Beclin-1, LC3 and P62 were examined by Western blotting. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used for comprehensively analyzing the prognostic values of SMAD2 and SMAD3 in liver cancer. The correlation between SMAD2, SMAD3, and autophagy-related scores in liver cancer was explored. The drug prediction of autophagy-related scores in liver cancer was explored.

Results

AKF-PD attenuated liver injury and ECM deposition in the CCl4-induced liver fibrosis model. In vitro, the viability and number of autophagosomes in HSCs were reduced significantly by AKF-PD treatment. Meanwhile, the protein expression of FN, α-SMA, collagen III, Beclin-1 and LC3 was increased, and P62 was reduced by the overexpression of Smad2 and Smad3; however, AKF-PD reversed these effects. SMAD2 and SMAD3 were hazardous factors in liver cancer. SMAD2 and SMAD3 correlated with autophagy-related scores in liver cancer. Autophagy-related scores could predict drug response in liver cancer.

Conclusions

AKF-PD alleviates liver fibrosis by inhibiting HSC autophagy via the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smadpathway. Our study provided some implications about how liver fibrosis was connected with liver cancer by SMAD2/SMAD3 and autophagy.

Expression profiles of circular RNAs and interaction networks of competing endogenous RNAs in neurogenic bladder of rats following suprasacral spinal cord injury

Background

Neurogenic bladder (NB) following suprasacral spinal cord injury (SSCI) is an interstitial disease with the structural remodeling of bladder tissue and matrix over-deposition. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in fibrotic disease development through their post-transcriptional regulatory functions. This study aimed to use transcriptome high-throughput sequencing to investigate the process of NB and bladder fibrosis after SSCI.

Methods

Spinal cord transection at the T10-T11 level was used to construct the SSCI model in rats (10-week-old female Wistar rats, weighing 200 ± 20 g). The bladders were collected without (sham group) and with (SSCI 1-3 groups) NB status. Morphological examination was conducted to assess the extent of bladder fibrosis. Additionally, RNA sequencing was utilized to determine mRNAs and circRNAs expression patterns. The dynamic changes of differentially expressed mRNAs (DEMs) and circRNAs (DECs) in different periods of SSCI were further analyzed.

Results

Bladder weight, smooth muscle cell hypertrophy, and extracellular matrix gradually increased after SSCI. Compared with the sham group, 3,255 DEMs and 1,339 DECs, 3,449 DEMs and 1,324 DECs, 884 DEMs, and 1,151 DECs were detected in the SSCI 1-3 groups, respectively. Specifically, circRNA3621, circRNA0617, circRNA0586, and circRNA4426 were significant DECs common to SSCI 1-3 groups compared with the sham group. Moreover, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment suggested that inflammatory and chronic inflammatory responses were the key events in NB progression following SSCI. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways enrichment associated with the "Chemokine signaling pathway", the "IL-17 signaling pathway", and the "TGF-beta signaling pathway" suggests their potential involvement in regulating biological processes. The circRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction networks of DECs revealed rno-circ-2239 (micu2) as the largest node, indicating that the rno-circ-2239-miRNA-mRNA-mediated network may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of SSCI-induced NB.

Conclusions

This study offers a comprehensive outlook on the possible roles of DEMs and DECs in bladder fibrosis and NB progression following SSCI. These findings have the potential to serve as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Suaeda glauca Attenuates Liver Fibrosis in Mice by Inhibiting TGFβ1-Smad2/3 Signaling in Hepatic Stellate Cells

Chronic liver injury due to various hepatotoxic stimuli commonly leads to fibrosis, which is a crucial factor contributing to liver disease-related mortality. Despite the potential benefits of Suaeda glauca (S. glauca) as a natural product, its biological and therapeutic effects are barely known. This study investigated the effects of S. glauca extract (SGE), obtained from a smart farming system utilizing LED lamps, on the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the development of liver fibrosis. C57BL/6 mice received oral administration of either vehicle or SGE (30 or 100 mg/kg) during CCl4 treatment for 6 weeks. The supplementation of SGE significantly reduced liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 in mice as evidenced by histological changes and a decrease in collagen accumulation. SGE treatment also led to a reduction in markers of HSC activation and inflammation as well as an improvement in blood biochemical parameters. Furthermore, SGE administration diminished fibrotic responses following acute liver injury. Mechanistically, SGE treatment prevented HSC activation and inhibited the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad2/3, which are induced by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in HSCs. Our findings indicate that SGE exhibits anti-fibrotic effects by inhibiting TGFβ1-Smad2/3 signaling in HSCs.

Salvianolic acid B attenuates inflammation and prevent pathologic fibrosis by inhibiting CD36-mediated activation of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder (FS) is characterized by pain and limited range of motion (ROM). Inflammation and fibrosis are accepted as main pathologic processes associated with the development of FS. However, the intrinsic mechanisms underlying pathologic fibrosis remain unclear. We aimed to elucidate the key molecules involved in pathologic fibrosis and explore new therapeutic targets for FS. Synovial fibroblasts isolated from patient biopsies were identified using immunofluorescence. Western blotting, RT-qPCR, cell adhesion tests, and would-healing assays were used to evaluate the fibrosis-related functions of synovial fibroblasts. Elevated cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) expression was detected in FS using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Salvianolic acid b (SaB) inhibited CD36, blocking synovial fibroblast-induced inflammation and fibrosis. Our RNA-seq data showed that knocking down CD36 dramatically impaired the capacity of synovial fibroblasts for cell adhesion and that the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway may be crucial to the fibrotic process of FS. By up-regulating CD36 and inhibiting the phosphorylation of Akt, we demonstrated that CD36 promotes pathologic fibrosis by activating the PI3k-Akt pathway. Finally, rats treated with SaB had improved ROM and less collagen fiber deposition than the FS model group. Conclusion: SaB attenuates inflammation and inhibited the CD36-mediated activation of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway to block pathologic fibrosis of FS in vitro and in vivo models.

Anti-Angiogenic Effects of Natural Compounds in Diet-Associated Hepatic Inflammation

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are the most common causes of chronic liver disease and are increasingly emerging as a global health problem. Such disorders can lead to liver damage, resulting in the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the activation of infiltrating immune cells. These are some of the common features of ALD progression in ASH (alcoholic steatohepatitis) and NAFLD to NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis). Hepatic steatosis, followed by fibrosis, lead to a continuous progression accompanied by angiogenesis. This process creates hypoxia, which activates vascular factors, initiating pathological angiogenesis and further fibrosis. This forms a vicious cycle of ongoing damage and progression. This condition further exacerbates liver injury and may contribute to the development of comorbidities, such as metabolic syndrome as well as hepatocellular carcinoma. Increasing evidence suggests that anti-angiogenic therapy may have beneficial effects on these hepatic disorders and their exacerbation. Therefore, there is a great interest to deepen the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of natural anti-angiogenic products that could both prevent and control liver diseases. In this review, we focus on the role of major natural anti-angiogenic compounds against steatohepatitis and determine their potential therapeutic benefits in the treatment of liver inflammation caused by an imbalanced diet.

Liver Fibrosis Resolution: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Opportunities

The liver is a critical system for metabolism in human beings, which plays an essential role in an abundance of physiological processes and is vulnerable to endogenous or exogenous injuries. After the damage to the liver, a type of aberrant wound healing response known as liver fibrosis may happen, which can result in an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and then cause cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), seriously endangering human health and causing a great economic burden. However, few effective anti-fibrotic medications are clinically available to treat liver fibrosis. The most efficient approach to liver fibrosis prevention and treatment currently is to eliminate its causes, but this approach's efficiency is too slow, or some causes cannot be fully eliminated, which causes liver fibrosis to worsen. In cases of advanced fibrosis, the only available treatment is liver transplantation. Therefore, new treatments or therapeutic agents need to be explored to stop the further development of early liver fibrosis or to reverse the fibrosis process to achieve liver fibrosis resolution. Understanding the mechanisms that lead to the development of liver fibrosis is necessary to find new therapeutic targets and drugs. The complex process of liver fibrosis is regulated by a variety of cells and cytokines, among which hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the essential cells, and their continued activation will lead to further progression of liver fibrosis. It has been found that inhibiting HSC activation, or inducing apoptosis, and inactivating activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) can reverse fibrosis and thus achieve liver fibrosis regression. Hence, this review will concentrate on how HSCs become activated during liver fibrosis, including intercellular interactions and related signaling pathways, as well as targeting HSCs or liver fibrosis signaling pathways to achieve the resolution of liver fibrosis. Finally, new therapeutic compounds targeting liver fibrosis are summarized to provide more options for the therapy of liver fibrosis.

Exploring the potential of treating chronic liver disease targeting the PI3K/Akt pathway and polarization mechanism of macrophages

Chronic liver disease is a significant public health issue that can lead to considerable morbidity and mortality, imposing an enormous burden on healthcare resources. Understanding the mechanisms underlying chronic liver disease pathogenesis and developing effective treatment strategies are urgently needed. In this regard, the activation of liver resident macrophages, namely Kupffer cells, plays a vital role in liver inflammation and fibrosis. Macrophages display remarkable plasticity and can polarize into different phenotypes according to diverse microenvironmental stimuli. The polarization of macrophages into M1 pro-inflammatory or M2 anti-inflammatory phenotypes is regulated by complex signaling pathways such as the PI3K/Akt pathway. This review focuses on investigating the potential of using plant chemicals targeting the PI3K/Akt pathway for treating chronic liver disease while elucidating the polarization mechanism of macrophages under different microenvironments. Studies have demonstrated that inhibiting M1-type macrophage polarization or promoting M2-type polarization can effectively combat chronic liver diseases such as alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and liver fibrosis. The PI3K/Akt pathway acts as a pivotal modulator of macrophage survival, migration, proliferation, and their responses to metabolism and inflammatory signals. Activating the PI3K/Akt pathway induces anti-inflammatory cytokine expression, resulting in the promotion of M2-like phenotype to facilitate tissue repair and resolution of inflammation. Conversely, inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling could enhance the M1-like phenotype, which exacerbates liver damage. Targeting the PI3K/Akt pathway has tremendous potential as a therapeutic strategy for regulating macrophage polarization and activity to treat chronic liver diseases with plant chemicals, providing new avenues for liver disease treatment.

Isoquercitrin Attenuates Steatohepatitis by Inhibition of the Activated NLRP3 Inflammasome through HSP90

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease with a global prevalence of 25%. However, the medicines approved by the FDA or EMA are still not commercially available for the treatment of NAFLD. The NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain-associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays a crucial role in inflammatory responses, and the mechanisms related to steatohepatitis have been sufficiently clarified. NLRP3 has been widely evaluated as a potential target for multiple active agents in treating NAFLD. As a quercetin glycoside, isoquercitrin (IQ) has a broad inhibitory effect on oxidative stress, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and allergic reactions in vitro and in vivo. This study aimed to investigate the undercover mechanism of IQ in the treatment of NAFLD, particularly in anti-steatohepatitis, by suppressing the NLRP3 inflammasome. In this study, a methionine-choline-deficient induced steatohepatitis mice model was used to explore the effect of IQ on NAFLD treatment. Further mechanism exploration based on transcriptomics and molecular biology revealed that IQ inhibited the activated NLRP3 inflammasome by down-regulating the expression of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) and suppressor of G-two allele of Skp1 (SGT1). In conclusion, IQ could alleviate NAFLD by inhibiting the activated NLRP3 inflammasome by suppressing the expression of HSP90.

Treatment of liver fibrosis in hepatolenticular degeneration with traditional Chinese medicine: systematic review of meta-analysis, network pharmacology and molecular dynamics simulation

Background

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is widely used in the clinical treatment of hepatolenticular degeneration (HLD) and liver fibrosis (LF). In the present study, the curative effect was assessed using meta-analysis. The possible mechanism of TCM against LF in HLD was investigated using network pharmacology and molecular dynamics simulation.

Methods

For literature collection, we searched several databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals (VIP) and Wan Fang database until February 2023, and the Review Manager 5.3 was used to analyze the data. Network pharmacology and molecular dynamics simulation were used to explore the mechanism of TCM in treating LF in HLD.

Results

The results of the meta-analysis revealed that the addition of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in treating HLD resulted in a higher total clinical effective rate than western medicine alone [RR 1.25, 95% CI (1.09, 1.44), p = 0.002]. It not only has a better effect on liver protection [Alanine aminotransferase: SMD = -1.20, 95% CI (-1.70, -0.70), p < 0.00001; Aspartate aminotransferase: SMD = -1.41, 95% CI (-2.34, -0.49), p = 0.003; Total bilirubin: SMD = -1.70, 95% CI (-3.36, -0.03), p = 0.05] but also had an excellent therapeutic effect on LF through four indexes [Hyaluronic acid: SMD = -1.15, 95% CI (-1.76, -0.53), p = 0.0003; Procollagen peptide III: SMD = -0.72, 95% CI (-1.29, -0.15), p = 0.01; Collagen IV: SMD = -0.69, 95% CI (-1.21, -0.18), p = 0.008; Laminin: SMD = -0.47, 95% CI (-0.95, 0.01), p = 0.06]. Concurrently, the liver stiffness measurement decreased significantly [SMD = -1.06, 95% CI (-1.77, -0.36), p = 0.003]. The results of network pharmacological experiments and molecular dynamics simulation indicate that the three high-frequency TCMs (Rhei Radix Et Rhizoma-Coptidis Rhizoma-Curcumae Longae Rhizoma, DH-HL-JH) primarily act on the core targets (AKT1, SRC, and JUN) via the core components (rhein, quercetin, stigmasterol, and curcumin), regulate the signal pathway (PI3K-Akt, MAPK, EGFR, and VEGF signaling pathways), and play a role of anti-LF.

Conclusion

Meta-analysis indicates that TCM is beneficial in treating HLD patients and improving LF. The present study successfully predicts the effective components and potential targets and pathways involved in treating LF for the three high-frequency CHMs of DH-HL-JH. The findings of the present study are hoped to provide some evidence support for clinical treatment.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42022302374.

Anti-Fibrotic Efficacy of Apigenin in a Mice Model of Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatic Fibrosis by Modulation of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Fibrogenesis: A Preclinical Study

BACKGROUND

Hepatic fibrosis is a major health problem all over the world, and there is no effective treatment to cure it. Hence, the current study sought to assess the anti-fibrotic efficacy of apigenin against CCl₄-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice.

METHODS

Forty-eight mice were put into six groups. G1: Normal Control, G2: CCl₄ Control, G3: Silymarin (100 mg/kg), G4 and G5: Apigenin (2 &20 mg/Kg), G6: Apigenin alone (20 mg/Kg). Groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 were given CCl₄ (0.5 mL/kg. i.p.) twice/week for six weeks. The level of AST, ALT, TC, TG, and TB in serum and IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in tissue homogenates were assessed. Histological studies by H&E staining and Immunostaining of liver tissues were also performed.

RESULTS

The CCl₄-challenged group showed increased serum AST (4-fold), ALT (6-fold), and TB (5-fold). Both silymarin and apigenin treatments significantly improved these hepatic biomarkers. The CCl₄-challenged group showed reduced levels of CAT (89%), GSH (53%), and increased MDA (3-fold). Both silymarin and apigenin treatments significantly altered these oxidative markers in tissue homogenates. The CCl₄-treated group showed a two-fold increase in IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels. Silymarin and apigenin treatment considerably decreased the IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels. Apigenin treatment inhibited angiogenic activity, as evidenced by a decrease in VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) expression in liver tissues, and a decline in vascular endothelial cell antigen expression (CD34).

CONCLUSIONS

Finally, these data collectively imply that apigenin may have antifibrotic properties, which may be explained by its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiangiogenic activities.

Pathogenetic Pathways in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: An Incomplete Jigsaw Puzzle

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-a condition of excess fat accumulation in hepatocytes associated with metabolic dysfunction-has surpassed viral hepatitis to become the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide. As of now, only modestly effective pharmacological therapies for NAFLD exist. The uncomplete understanding of the pathophysiology underlying the heterogeneous disease spectrum known as NAFLD remains one of the major obstacles to the development of novel therapeutic approaches. This review compiles current knowledge on the principal signaling pathways and pathogenic mechanisms involved in NAFLD, which are analyzed in relation to its main pathological hallmarks (ie, hepatic steatosis, steatohepatitis, and liver fibrosis).

Matrix metalloproteinases induce extracellular matrix degradation through various pathways to alleviate hepatic fibrosis

Liver fibrosis is the common consequence of various chronic liver injuries and is mainly characterized by the imbalance between the production and degradation of extracellular matrix, which leads to the accumulation of interstitial collagen and other matrix components. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their specific inhibitors, that is, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), play a crucial role in collagen synthesis and lysis. Previous in vivo and in vitro studies of our laboratory found repressing extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation by restoring the balance between MMPs and TIMPs can alleviate liver fibrosis. We conducted a review of articles published in PubMed and Science Direct in the last decade until February 1, 2023, which were searched for using these words "MMPs/TIMPs" and "Hepatic Fibrosis." Through a literature review, this article reviews the experimental studies of liver fibrosis based on MMPs/TIMPs, summarizes the components that may exert an anti-liver fibrosis effect by affecting the expression or activity of MMPs/TIMPs, and attempts to clarify the mechanism of MMPs/TIMPs in regulating collagen homeostasis, so as to provide support for the development of anti-liver fibrosis drugs. We found the MMP-TIMP-ECM interaction can result in better understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of hepatic fibrosis from a different angle, and targeting this interaction may be a promising therapeutic strategy for hepatic fibrosis. Additionally, we summarized and analyzed the drugs that have been found to reduce liver fibrosis by changing the ratio of MMPs/TIMPs, including medicine natural products.

Therapeutic outcome of quercetin nanoparticles on Cerastes cerastes venom-induced hepatorenal toxicity: a preclinical study

Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of quercetin (QT) and QT-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (QT-NPs) on Cerastes cerastes venom-mediated inflammation, redox imbalance, hepatorenal tissue damage and local hemorrhage. Methods: The developed QT-NPs were first submitted to physicochemical characterization and then evaluated in the 'challenge then treat' and 'preincubation' models of envenoming. Results: QT-NPs efficiently alleviated hepatorenal toxicity, inflammation and redox imbalance and significantly attenuated venom-induced local hemorrhage. Interestingly, QT-NPs were significantly more efficient than free QT at 24 h post-envenoming, pointing to the efficacy of this drug-delivery system. Conclusion: These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of QT-NPs on venom-induced toxicity and open up the avenue for their use in the management of snakebite envenoming.

Mechanical homeostasis imbalance in hepatic stellate cells activation and hepatic fibrosis

Chronic liver disease or repeated damage to hepatocytes can give rise to hepatic fibrosis. Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a pathological process of excessive sedimentation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as collagens, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans (PGs) in the hepatic parenchyma. Changes in the composition of the ECM lead to the stiffness of the matrix that destroys its inherent mechanical homeostasis, and a mechanical homeostasis imbalance activates hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into myofibroblasts, which can overproliferate and secrete large amounts of ECM proteins. Excessive ECM proteins are gradually deposited in the Disse gap, and matrix regeneration fails, which further leads to changes in ECM components and an increase in stiffness, forming a vicious cycle. These processes promote the occurrence and development of hepatic fibrosis. In this review, the dynamic process of ECM remodeling of HF and the activation of HSCs into mechanotransduction signaling pathways for myofibroblasts to participate in HF are discussed. These mechanotransduction signaling pathways may have potential therapeutic targets for repairing or reversing fibrosis.

Dihydrokaempferol attenuates CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting PARP-1 to affect multiple downstream pathways and cytokines

The pathophysiological mechanism of hepatic fibrosis (HF) is related to the excessive activation of the DNA repair enzyme poly ADP-ribose polymerase-1 (PARP-1). The drugs, targeting PARP-1, are scarce. Therefore, the lead compound, moderately inhibiting PARP-1, with anti-HF properties should be identified. This study screened dihydrokaempferol (DHK) from herbs based on preliminary studies to intervene in a CCl₄-induced liver injury and HF model in mice. In vitro, the expression levels of PARP-1-regulated related proteins and phosphorylation were examined. The binding pattern of DHK and PARP-1 was analyzed using molecular docking and molecular dynamics platforms. The results showed that DHK could significantly attenuate CCl₄-induced liver injury and HF in mice. Moreover, it could also attenuate the toxic effects of CCl₄ on HepG2 and inhibit α-SMA and Collagen 1/3 synthesis of LX-2 cells in-vitro. Molecular docking revealed that DHK could competitively bind to the Glu-988 and His-862 residues of the upstream DNA repair enzyme PARP-1, moderately inhibiting its overactivation. This led to maintaining NAD⁺ levels and energy metabolism in hepatocytes and inhibiting the activation of PARP-1-regulated downstream signaling pathways (TGF-β1, etc.), related proteins (p-Smd2/3, etc.), and inflammatory mediators while acting indirectly. Thus, DHK could attenuate CCl₄-induced liver injury and HF in mice in a different mechanism from those of the existing reported flavonoids. It was associated with inhibiting the expression of downstream pathways and related cytokines by competitively binding to PARP-1. This study might provide a basis and direction for the design and exploration of anti-HF lead compounds.

Exploration of potential mechanism of Rougan formula against hepatic fibrosis by network analysis and experimental assessment

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Rougan Formula (RG) has long been clinically applied to treat hepatic fibrosis in patients with different chronic liver diseases. However, the core active substances and the potential pharmacological mechanisms of RG remain unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study is to explore bioactive components, key targets, and potential mechanisms of RG by performing network pharmacological analyses and experimental model validation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All chemical components in RG extract were identified using ultraperformance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time-of-flight tandem mass technology. The candidate components and drug targets of RG, as well as disease-related genes, were extracted from TCMSP and GeneCards databases. The potential pathways related to genes were predicted by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses. The core bioactive components, key targets, and signaling pathways were ultimately obtained by analyzing protein-protein interaction (PPI) and component-target-pathway (C-T-P) networks. Subsequently, the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of RG on hepatic fibrosis were experimentally validated in transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1)-induced hepatic stellate cell activation model and CCL₄-induced hepatic fibrosis mouse model.

RESULTS

A total of 52 components in RG extract were obtained, and 22 of them were selected as the core bioactive components. Five hundred and thirty-nine overlapped targets were determined by matching drug targets with disease-related targets. The results of PPI and C-T-P network analyses revealed 100 key targets and 19 signaling pathways associated with RG efficacy. In vitro and in vivo studies further verified that RG exerted a significant anti-hepatic fibrotic effect by suppressing the activation of hepatic stellate cells by downregulating the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

These results may provide some evidence for further clinical research and development of RG formula as an effective and safe drug for hepatic fibrosis treatment.

Beneficial effects of quercetin on vincristine-induced liver injury in rats: Modulating the levels of Nrf2/HO-1, NF-kB/STAT3, and SIRT1/PGC-1α

Our experimental objective was to investigate the hepatotoxic effect of vincristine (VCR) administration in rats and determined whether combined therapy with Quercetin (Quer) ensured protection. Five groups with seven rats each were used for this purpose, and experimental groups were formulated as follows: Control group; Quer group; VCR group; VCR plus Quer 25 group; VCR plus Quer 50 group. The results showed that VCR significantly increased the activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes. Besides, VCR caused considerable increases in the malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, along with significant decreases in reduced glutathione levels, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase enzyme activities in the rat livers. Quer treatment in VCR toxicity markedly decreased the activity of ALT, AST, ALP enzymes, and MDA contents and enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes. The results also showed that VCR significantly increased the levels of NF-kB, STAT3, and the expression of caspase 3, Bax, and MAP LC3 and decreased the expression of Bcl2 and levels of Nrf2, HO-1, SIRT1, and PGC-1α. Compared to the VCR group, Quer treatment exhibited significantly lower levels of NF-kB, STAT3, and the expression of caspase 3, Bax, and MAP LC3, and higher levels of Nrf2, HO-1, SIRT1, and PGC-1α. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that Quer could alleviate the harmful effects of VCR via activation of NRf2/HO-1 and SIRT1/PGC-1α pathways, and via attenuation of oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and NF-kB/STAT3 pathways.

A review of edible plant-derived natural compounds for the therapy of liver fibrosis

Liver fibrosis has a high incidence worldwide and is the common pathological basis of many chronic liver diseases. Liver fibrosis is caused by the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix and concomitant collagen accumulation in livers and can lead to the development of liver cirrhosis and even liver cancer. A large number of studies have provided evidence that liver fibrosis can be blocked or even reversed by appropriate medical interventions. However, the antifibrosis drugs with ideal clinical efficacy are still insufficient. The edible plant-derived natural compounds have been reported to exert effective antifibrotic effects with few side-effects, representing a kind of promising source for the treatment of liver fibrosis. In this article, we reviewed the current progress of the natural compounds derived from dietary plants in the treatment of liver fibrosis, including phenolic compounds (capsaicin, chlorogenic acid, curcumin, ellagic acid, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, resveratrol, sinapic acid, syringic acid, vanillic acid and vitamin E), flavonoid compounds (genistein, hesperidin, hesperetin, naringenin, naringin and quercetin), sulfur-containing compounds (S-allylcysteine, ergothioneine, lipoic acid and sulforaphane) and other compounds (betaine, caffeine, cucurbitacin B, lycopene, α-mangostin, γ-mangostin, ursolic acid, vitamin C and yangonin). The pharmacological effects and related mechanisms of these compounds in in-vivo and in-vitro models of liver fibrosis are focused.

Red-fleshed apple flavonoid extract alleviates CCl4-induced liver injury in mice

In recent years, the global incidence of liver damage has increased. Despite the many known health benefits of red-fleshed apple flavonoids, their potential liver-protective effects have not yet been investigated. In this study, we analyzed the composition of red-fleshed apple flavonoid extract (RAFE) by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). We then induced liver damage in mice with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and performed interventions with RAFE to analyze its effect on liver damage, using bifendate as a positive control. The results showed that catechin was the most abundant flavonoid in 'XJ4' RAFE (49.346 mg/100 g). In liver-injured mice, the liver coefficients converged to normal levels following RAFE intervention. Moreover, RAFE significantly reduced the enzymatic activity levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (ALT), glutamic alanine transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in mouse serum. Furthermore, RAFE significantly increased the content or enzyme activity level of total glutathione, total antioxidant capacity, and superoxide dismutase, and significantly decreased the content of malondialdehyde in the liver of mice. In parallel, we performed histopathological observations of mouse livers for each group. The results showed that RAFE restored the pathological changes caused by CCl4 around the central hepatic vein in mice and resulted in tightly bound hepatocytes. The recovery effect of RAFE was dose-dependent in the liver tissue. Regarding intestinal microorganisms, we found that RAFE restored the microbial diversity in liver-injured mice, with a similar microbial composition in the RAFE intervention group and normal group. RAFE reduced the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes, increased the levels of probiotic bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Clostridium, and reduced the levels of harmful bacteria, such as Erysipelothrix Rosenbach. Therefore, RAFE ameliorated CCl4-induced liver damage by modulating the abundance and composition of intestinal microorganisms in mice. In conclusion, RAFE alleviated CCl4-induced liver damage in mice, with H-RAFE (5 mg kg-1) significantly improving liver damage in mice but M-RAFE (1 mg kg-1) significantly improving the imbalance of intestinal microorganisms in mice. Our research suggests that RAFE could be employed for the adjuvant treatment and prevention of liver damage, and may have important applications in food and medicine.

Protective effects of a chemically characterized extract from solanum torvum leaves on acetaminophen-induced liver injury

Distinct parts of Solanum torvum Swartz. (Solanaceae) are popularly used for a variety of therapeutic purposes. This study determined the phytochemical composition of a phenolic fraction of S. torvum leaf aqueous extract and investigated its antioxidant and liver-protective properties. A phenolic compound-enriched fraction, or phenolic fraction (STLAE-PF) of an infusion (STLAE) of S. torvum leaves, was tested in vitro (antagonism of H₂O₂ in cytotoxicity and DCF assays with HepG2/C3A cells), and in vivo for antioxidant activity and protective effects against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury in mice. Thirty-eight compounds (flavonoids, esters of hydroxycinnamic acid, and chlorogenic acid isomers) were tentatively identified (high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution electrospray mass spectrometry) in the STLAE-PF fraction. In vitro assays in HepG2/C3A cells showed that STLAE-PF and some flavonoids contained in this phenolic fraction, at noncytotoxic levels, antagonized in a concentration-dependent manner the effects of a powerful oxidant agent (H₂O₂). In C57BL/6 mice, oral administration of STLAE (600 and 1,200 mg/kg bw) or STLAE-PF (300 mg/kg bw) prevented the rise in serum transaminases (ALT and AST), depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) and elevation of thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARs) levels in the liver caused by APAP (600 mg/kg bw, i.p.). The hepatoprotective effects of STLAE-PF (300 mg/kg bw) against APAP-caused liver injury were comparable to those of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC 300 or 600 mg/kg bw i.p.). These findings indicate that a phenolic fraction of S. torvum leaf extract (STLAE-PF) is a new phytotherapeutic agent potentially useful for preventing/treating liver injury caused by APAP overdosing.

Quercetin inhibits the amphiregulin/EGFR signaling-mediated renal tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition and renal fibrosis in obstructive nephropathy

Quercetin is a widely distributed, bioactive flavonoid compound, which displays potential to inhibit fibrosis in several diseases. The purpose of our study was to determine the effect of quercetin treatment on renal fibrosis and investigate the mechanism. Human proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) stimulated by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and a rat model of unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO) that contributes to fibrosis were used to investigate the role and molecular mechanism of quercetin. PD153035 (N-[3-Bromophenyl]-6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-amine) was used to inactivate EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor). The level of fibrosis, proliferation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress in HK-2 were measured. All data are presented as means ± standard deviation (SD). p-value < .05 was considered statistically significant. In UUO rats, quercetin reduced the area of fibrosis as well as inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis. In cultured HK-2 cells, quercetin significantly ameliorated the EMT induced by TGF-β1, which was accompanied by increased amphiregulin (AREG) expression. Moreover, quercetin inhibited AREG binding to the EGFR receptor, thereby further affecting other downstream pathways. Quercetin may alleviate fibrosis in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting the activation of AREG/EGFR signaling indicating a potential therapeutic effect of quercetin in renal fibrosis.

Antifibrotic effects of Quercetin on TGF-β1-induced vocal fold fibroblasts

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of Quercetin on vocal fold fibroblasts induced by TGF-β1 and vocal fold injury.

METHODS

The effects of Quercetin on collagen type I (COL-I), collagen type III (COL-III), and fibronectin (FN) expressions in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced human vocal fold fibroblasts were examined by the quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The Cell Counting Kit-8 was used to assess the influence of Quercetin on cell proliferation. A rat vocal fold injury model was developed. These rats were divided into a control group, a model group, and a Quercetin group. Pathorphological observations from Hematoxylin-eosin staining, the density of fibroblasts, and hypertrophic index were compared among the three groups.

RESULTS

Compared with cells untreated with TGF-β1, the mRNA and protein expression levels of COL-I, COL-II, and FN and proliferation ability in TGF-β1-induced human vocal fold fibroblasts were increased (all P<0.05). Compared with human vocal fold fibroblasts induced by TGF-β1, the mRNA and protein expression levels of COL-I, COL-II, and FN and proliferation ability in TGF-β1-induced human vocal fold fibroblasts following Quercetin stimulation were decreased (all P<0.05). There were no statistical differences between human vocal fold fibroblasts treated with or without Quercetin regarding cell proliferation and COL-I, COL-II, and FN expressions. Compared with the model group, Quercetin suppressed the fibrosis of the vocal fold following injury and the protein levels of COL-I, COL-II, and FN in tissue samples (all P<0.001). The density of fibroblasts and hypertrophic index in the vocal fold scar from the Quercetin group were lower than those in the model group (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Quercetin inhibited TGF-β1-induced fibrotic changes and proliferation in human vocal fold fibroblasts and had an antifibrotic effect in vocal fold after injuries.

Ameliorative effects of quercetin against hepatic toxicity of oral sub-chronic co-exposure to aluminum oxide nanoparticles and lead-acetate in male rats

The present study was designed to evaluate the probable ameliorative role of quercetin (QCN) against oxidative hepatotoxicity induced by aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3NPs) with a diameter < 30 nm and lead acetate (Pb) co-exposure in adult male Sprague–Dawley rats. Rats were weighed and allocated to seven groups (n = 10 each) and were treated orally via orogastric gavage for 60 successive days: rats of the 1st group were kept as control given distilled water (1 ml/kg), rats of the 2nd group received 2 ml/kg BW/day corn oil; rats of the 3rd group were administered 20 mg/kg BW QCN/day; rats of the 4th group received 100 mg/kg BW Al2O3NPs; rats of the 5th group received 50 mg/kg BW Pb; rats of the 6th group co-received Al2O3NPs and Pb at the same previous doses; and rats of the 7th group were co-administered Al2O3NPs, Pb, and QCN at the same previous doses. At the end of the experiment, serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total, direct, indirect bilirubin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL, VLDL, and LDL were estimated. The hepatic oxidative stress biomarkers as superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), were also evaluated. Finally, the histopathological and histomorphometric evaluations and the residues of Al and Pb in hepatic tissues were assessed. Al2O3NPs and/or Pb exposure significantly elevated lipid peroxidation levels and considerably altered the hepatic biochemical parameters; nevertheless, QCN significantly reduced hepatic enzymes compared to toxicant exposed groups. Additionally, QCN significantly improved Al2O3NPs-afforded liver tissue damage, as established in microscopic findings on the liver in the group treated with Al2O3NPs + Pb. Conclusively, QCN could be a candidate natural agent to safeguard the liver versus the co-harmful impacts of Al2O3NPs and Pb toxicity.

Network-based pharmacology and molecular docking exploring the "Bupleuri Radix-Scutellariae Radix" mechanism of action in the viral hepatitis B treatment

Viral hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus, which is characterized by liver lesions. Bupleuri Radix and Scutellariae Radix are the main traditional medicine pairs with remarkable efficacy in hepatitis B. However, their molecular mechanisms are incompletely understood. The main active components of Bupleuri Radix and Scutellariae Radix, as well as therapeutic targets for the treatment of hepatitis B, were identified through network pharmacology techniques. We identified viral hepatitis B targets using the GeneCards, online mendelian inheritance in man, and therapeutic target databases. We discovered the active components of Bupleuri Radix and Scutellariae Radix as well as therapeutic targets using the encyclopedia of traditional Chinese medicine, HERB, traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database, and a bioinformatics analysis tool for molecular mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine databases. VENNY obtained the intersections. Cytoscape and STRING were used to create the "active ingredient-potential target" network and protein interaction network. The DAVID database was used to enrich GO and KEGG pathways. The results were confirmed using the molecular docking method. There were 1827 viral hepatitis B targets, and 37 active ingredients for Bupleuri and Scutellariae Radix, with the main components being quercetin, wogonin, baicalein, and kaempferol. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3), interleukin-6 (IL-6), vascular endothelial growth factor A, cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3, transcription factor AP-1 (JUN), RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase, and cellular tumor antigen p53 are among the 78 common targets of Bupleuri Radix and Scutellariae Radix intervention in viral hepatitis B. KEGG enrichment resulted in 107 pathways, including cancer, hepatitis B, and TNF signaling pathways. According to the molecular docking technique, quercetin, wogonin, baicalein, and kaempferol had strong binding activities with TNF, MAPK3, and IL-6. In this study, we initially identified various molecular targets and multiple pathways involved in hepatitis B treatment with Bupleuri Radix and Scutellariae Radix.