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Vyas K, Patel MM. Insights on drug and gene delivery systems in liver fibrosis. Asian J Pharm Sci 2023; 18:100779. [PMID: 36845840 PMCID: PMC9950450 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajps.2023.100779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Complications of the liver are amongst the world's worst diseases. Liver fibrosis is the first stage of liver problems, while cirrhosis is the last stage, which can lead to death. The creation of effective anti-fibrotic drug delivery methods appears critical due to the liver's metabolic capacity for drugs and the presence of insurmountable physiological impediments in the way of targeting. Recent breakthroughs in anti-fibrotic agents have substantially assisted in fibrosis; nevertheless, the working mechanism of anti-fibrotic medications is not fully understood, and there is a need to design delivery systems that are well-understood and can aid in cirrhosis. Nanotechnology-based delivery systems are regarded to be effective but they have not been adequately researched for liver delivery. As a result, the capability of nanoparticles in hepatic delivery was explored. Another approach is targeted drug delivery, which can considerably improve efficacy if delivery systems are designed to target hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). We have addressed numerous delivery strategies that target HSCs, which can eventually aid in fibrosis. Recently genetics have proved to be useful, and methods for delivering genetic material to the target place have also been investigated where different techniques are depicted. To summarize, this review paper sheds light on the most recent breakthroughs in drug and gene-based nano and targeted delivery systems that have lately shown useful for the treatment of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.
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Gong L, Zhou H, Zhang S, Wang C, Fu K, Ma C, Zhang Y, Peng C, Li Y. CD44-Targeting Drug Delivery System of Exosomes Loading Forsythiaside A Combats Liver Fibrosis via Regulating NLRP3-Mediated Pyroptosis. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2202228. [PMID: 36603210 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202202228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a progressive pathological process induced by various stimuli and may progress to liver cirrhosis and cancer. Forsythiaside A (FA) is an active ingredient extracted from traditional Chinese medicine Forsythiae Fructus and has prominent hepatoprotective activities. However, the unsatisfactory pharmacokinetic properties restrict its clinical application. In this study, the nanocarrier of CD44-specific ligand Hyaluronic acid (HA)-modified milk-derived exosomes (mExo) encapsulated with FA (HA-mExo-FA) is developed. As a result, HA modification could deliver drug-loaded exosomes to the target cells and form a specific ligand-receptor interaction with CD44, thus improving the anti-liver fibrosis effect of FA. In vitro findings indicate that HA-mExo-FA could inhibit TGF-β1-induced LX2 cell proliferation, reduce α-SMA and collagen gene and protein levels, and promote the apoptosis of activated LX2 cells. In vivo results demonstrate that HA-mExo-FA could improve liver morphology and function changes in zebrafish larvae. The anti-liver fibrosis mechanism of HA-mExo-FA may be attributed to the inhibition of NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis. In addition, the effect of HA-mExo-FA on TAA-induced increase in NLRP3 production is attenuated by NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950. Collectively, this study demonstrates the promising application of HA-mExo-FA in drug delivery with high specificity and provides a powerful and novel delivery platform for liver fibrosis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihong Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Honglin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Shenglin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Ke Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Cheng Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Yafang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Yunxia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
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Luo F, Yu Y, Li M, Chen Y, Zhang P, Xiao C, Lv G. Polymeric nanomedicines for the treatment of hepatic diseases. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:488. [PMCID: PMC9675156 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01708-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver is an important organ in the human body and performs many functions, such as digestion, detoxification, metabolism, immune responses, and vitamin and mineral storage. Therefore, disorders of liver functions triggered by various hepatic diseases, including hepatitis B virus infection, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, hepatic fibrosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and transplant rejection, significantly threaten human health worldwide. Polymer-based nanomedicines, which can be easily engineered with ideal physicochemical characteristics and functions, have considerable merits, including contributions to improved therapeutic outcomes and reduced adverse effects of drugs, in the treatment of hepatic diseases compared to traditional therapeutic agents. This review describes liver anatomy and function, and liver targeting strategies, hepatic disease treatment applications and intrahepatic fates of polymeric nanomedicines. The challenges and outlooks of hepatic disease treatment with polymeric nanomedicines are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feixiang Luo
- grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 People’s Republic of China
| | - Ying Yu
- grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingqian Li
- grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuguo Chen
- grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 People’s Republic of China
| | - Peng Zhang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022 People’s Republic of China
| | - Chunsheng Xiao
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022 People’s Republic of China
| | - Guoyue Lv
- grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 People’s Republic of China
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Holsæter AM, Wizgird K, Karlsen I, Hemmingsen JF, Brandl M, Škalko-Basnet N. How docetaxel entrapment, vesicle size, zeta potential and stability change with liposome composition-A formulation screening study. Eur J Pharm Sci 2022; 177:106267. [PMID: 35872073 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2022.106267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Limitations of the anticancer drug product Taxotere® have encouraged researchers to entrap the active ingredient docetaxel (DTX) into nanocarriers such as liposomes. However, until now no DTX-liposome formulation has reached the clinic. Hence, in the present study, different Soy-PC based DTX-liposome formulations were screened in an attempt to identify lipid-compositions with promising DTX-entrapment (DTX-EE). Various other quality attributes, such as vesicle size and morphology, poly dispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), stability and in vitro drug release were also investigated. In an initial study, the inclusion of charged lipids within the liposome bilayer was observed to have a positive effect on DTX-EE. Thus, cationic DOTAP (1,2-Dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane) and anionic DMPG (1,2-Dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1'-rac-glycerol) lipids were selected for further investigations. With anionic DMPG, only a temporary rise in EE was gained with ≥ 20% (w/w) DMPG in Soy-PC lipid-based liposomes, whereas a concentration-dependent increase in EE was observed with cationic DOTAP. A DTX-EE > 95% was obtained with only 5% (w/w) DOTAP in Soy-PC, while neutral liposomes formed from Soy-PC alone, gave 41.5% DTX-EE. In the stability study, a DOTAP concentration > 10% (w/w) in Soy-PC was found to facilitate a stable DTX-EE > 90% after 12 weeks storage. The positive effect of cationic lipids on the EE was confirmed when replacing cholesterol (CHOL), initially shown to suppress DTX-entrapment, with cationic 3ß-[N-(N',N'-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl]Cholesterol (DC-CHOL). Here, DTX-EE was improved from 29.8% to 92.0% (w/w) with 10% (w/w) CHOL and DC-CHOL in Soy-PC, respectively. Finally, PEGylation of DOTAP-liposomes with DSPE-PEG2000 and DSPE-PEG750 reduced the DTX-EE relative to DOTAP-liposome with no PEGylation. As with the DMPG-liposomes, a temporarily raised affinity between DTX and liposomes was obtained with anionic DSPE-PEGylation of Soy-PC liposomes, however, this effect was not maintained after 4 weeks storage. However, in a dialysis set-up, cationic DOTAP-liposomes released DTX to a higher extent than PEGylated liposomes. Thus, the optimal formulation with regard to storage stability and in vivo performance need to be investigated further, applying conditions that are closer to mimic the in vivo-situation. Applying the Dual Asymmetric Centrifugation (DAC) method in liposome production appears favourable due to its good reproducibility. The observed increase in DTX entrapment with cationic lipids or PEGylation appears scalable into pilot manufacturing scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Mari Holsæter
- Drug Transport and Delivery Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø 9037, Norway.
| | - Kristina Wizgird
- Drug Transport and Delivery Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø 9037, Norway; Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Albert Ludwig University Freiburg, Freiburg 79085, Germany
| | - Iselin Karlsen
- Drug Transport and Delivery Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø 9037, Norway
| | - Jeanette Frimand Hemmingsen
- Drug Transport and Delivery Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø 9037, Norway; Drug Transport and Delivery, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Odense DK-5230, Denmark
| | - Martin Brandl
- Drug Transport and Delivery, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Odense DK-5230, Denmark
| | - Nataša Škalko-Basnet
- Drug Transport and Delivery Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø 9037, Norway
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Allawadhi P, Singh V, Govindaraj K, Khurana I, Sarode LP, Navik U, Banothu AK, Weiskirchen R, Bharani KK, Khurana A. Biomedical applications of polysaccharide nanoparticles for chronic inflammatory disorders: Focus on rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and organ fibrosis. Carbohydr Polym 2022; 281:118923. [PMID: 35074100 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Polysaccharides are biopolymers distinguished by their complex secondary structures executing various roles in microorganisms, plants, and animals. They are made up of long monomers of similar type or as a combination of other monomeric chains. Polysaccharides are considered superior as compared to other polymers due to their diversity in charge and size, biodegradability, abundance, bio-compatibility, and less toxicity. These natural polymers are widely used in designing of nanoparticles (NPs) which possess wide applications in therapeutics, diagnostics, delivery and protection of bioactive compounds or drugs. The side chain reactive groups of polysaccharides are advantageous for functionalization with nanoparticle-based conjugates or therapeutic agents such as small molecules, proteins, peptides and nucleic acids. Polysaccharide NPs show excellent pharmacokinetic and drug delivery properties, facilitate improved oral absorption, control the release of drugs, increases in vivo retention capability, targeted delivery, and exert synergistic effects. This review updates the usage of polysaccharides based NPs particularly cellulose, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, alginate, dextran, starch, cyclodextrins, pullulan, and their combinations with promising applications in diabetes, organ fibrosis and arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prince Allawadhi
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India
| | - Vishakha Singh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India
| | - Kannan Govindaraj
- Department of Developmental BioEngineering, Technical Medicine Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands
| | - Isha Khurana
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Lopmudra P Sarode
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur 440033, Maharashtra, India
| | - Umashanker Navik
- Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda 151401, Punjab, India
| | - Anil Kumar Banothu
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Science (CVSc), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500030, PVNRTVU, Telangana, India
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstr. 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Kala Kumar Bharani
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Science (CVSc), Warangal 506166, PVNRTVU, Telangana, India.
| | - Amit Khurana
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Science (CVSc), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500030, PVNRTVU, Telangana, India; Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstr. 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany; Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Science (CVSc), Warangal 506166, PVNRTVU, Telangana, India; Centre for Biomedical Engineering (CBME), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India.
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Poelstra K. Innovative Nanotechnological Formulations to Reach the Hepatic Stellate Cell. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s43152-020-00004-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose of Review
Treatment of liver fibrosis benefits from hepatic stellate cell (HSC)-specific delivery. Since the description of first carrier to HSC, many developments have taken place in this area. The purpose is to give an overview of the different carriers and homing moieties that are available for HSC targeting and illustrate the opportunities and hurdles they provide.
Recent Findings
There is a growing number of homing devices to deliver drugs to HSC, and options to deliver siRNA to HSC have emerged. Other developments include controlling corona formation, development of linker technology, and design of theranostic approaches. We are on the eve of reaching the clinic with innovative HSC-specific compounds.
Summary
An overview of different core molecules is presented together with an overview of targeting strategies toward different receptors on HSC, providing a versatile toolbox. Many therapeutics, ranging from small chemical entities and proteins to RNA- or DNA-modulating substances, have already been incorporated in these constructs in the recent years.
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Piras AM, Fabiano A, Sartini S, Zambito Y, Braccini S, Chiellini F, Cataldi AG, Bartoli F, de la Fuente A, Erba PA. pH-Responsive Carboxymethylcellulose Nanoparticles for 68Ga-WBC Labeling in PET Imaging. Polymers (Basel) 2019; 11:polym11101615. [PMID: 31590371 PMCID: PMC6835547 DOI: 10.3390/polym11101615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is a well-known pharmaceutical polymer, recently gaining attention in the field of nanomedicine, especially as a polyelectrolyte agent for the formation of complexes with oppositely charged macromolecules. Here, we report on the application of pH-sensitive pharmaceutical grade CMC-based nanoparticles (NP) for white blood cells (WBC) PET imaging. In this context and as an alternative to 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT labeling, the use of 68Ga3+ as PET radionuclide was investigated since, at early time points, it could provide the greater spatial resolution and patient convenience of PET tomography over SPECT clinical practices. Two operator-friendly kit-type formulations were compared, with the intention of radiolabeling within a short time (10 min), under mild conditions (physiological pH, room temperature) and in agreement with the actual clinically applied guidelines. NP were labeled by directly using 68Ga3+ eluted in HCL 0.05 N, from hospital suited 68Ge/68Ga generator and in absence of chelator. The first kit type approach involved the application of 68Ga3+ as an ionotropic gelation agent for in-situ forming NP. The second kit type approach concerned the re-hydration of a proper freeze-dried injectable NP powder. pH-sensitive NP with 250 nm average diameter and 80% labeling efficacy were obtained. The NP dispersant medium, including a cryoprotective agent, was modulated in order to optimize the Zeta potential value (−18 mV), minimize the NP interaction with serum proteins and guarantee a physiological environment for WBC during NP incubation. Time-dependent WBC radiolabeling was correlated to NP uptake by using both confocal and FT-IR microscopies. The ready to use lyophilized NP formulation approach appears promising as a straightforward 68Ga-WBC labeling tool for PET imaging applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Piras
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 33, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Angela Fabiano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 33, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Stefania Sartini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 33, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Ylenia Zambito
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 33, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Simona Braccini
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, UdR INSTM - Pisa, University of Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Federica Chiellini
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, UdR INSTM - Pisa, University of Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Angela G Cataldi
- Nuclear Medicine, Department of Translational Research and Advanced Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa and Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Francesco Bartoli
- Nuclear Medicine, Department of Translational Research and Advanced Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa and Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Ana de la Fuente
- Nuclear Medicine, Department of Translational Research and Advanced Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa and Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Paola Anna Erba
- Nuclear Medicine, Department of Translational Research and Advanced Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa and Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
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Cao G, Zhu R, Jiang T, Tang D, Kwan HY, Su T. Danshensu, a novel indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase1 inhibitor, exerts anti-hepatic fibrosis effects via inhibition of JAK2-STAT3 signaling. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2019; 63:153055. [PMID: 31377585 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2019.153055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), an important intracellular rate-limiting enzyme in the development of Hepatic fibrosis (HF), and has been proposed as a hallmark of HF. Danshensu (DSS) is a major bioactive component that isolated from a edible traditional Chinese medicinal herb Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Danshen), while, the anti-HF mode and mechanism of action of DSS have not been fully elucidated. METHODS Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced rat HF model and TGF-β1-induced hepatic stellate cell (HSC) model were employed to assess the in vivo and in vitro anti-HF effects of DSS. HSC-T6 cells stably expressing IDO1, a constitutively active IDO1 mutant, was used to determine the role of JAK2-STAT3 signaling in the DSS's anti-HF effects. RESULTS We found that intragastric administration of DSS potently reduced fibrosis, inhibited IDO1 expression and STAT3 activity both in vitro and in vivo. Using molecular docking and molecular dynamics analysis, DSS was identified as a novel IDO1 inhibitor. Mechanistic studies indicated that DSS inhibited JAK2-STAT3 signaling, it reduced IDO1 expression, STAT3 phosphorylation and STAT3 nuclear localization. More importantly, overexpression of IDO1 diminished DSS's anti-HF effects. CONCLUSION Our findings provide a pharmacological justification for the clinical use of DSS in treating HF, and suggest that DSS has the potential to be developed as a modern alternative and/or complimentary agent for HF treatment and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ruyi Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ting Jiang
- International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongxin Tang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Guiyang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Hiu Yee Kwan
- Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tao Su
- International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
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