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Su R, Fu HL, Zhang QX, Wu CY, Yang GY, Wu JJ, Cao WJ, Liu J, Jiang ZP, Xu CJ, Rao Y, Huang L. Amplifying hepatic L-aspartate levels suppresses CCl 4-induced liver fibrosis by reversing glucocorticoid receptor β-mediated mitochondrial malfunction. Pharmacol Res 2024; 206:107294. [PMID: 38992851 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a determinant-stage process of many chronic liver diseases and affected over 7.9 billion populations worldwide with increasing demands of ideal therapeutic agents. Discovery of active molecules with anti-hepatic fibrosis efficacies presents the most attacking filed. Here, we revealed that hepatic L-aspartate levels were decreased in CCl4-induced fibrotic mice. Instead, supplementation of L-aspartate orally alleviated typical manifestations of liver injury and fibrosis. These therapeutic efficacies were alongside improvements of mitochondrial adaptive oxidation. Notably, treatment with L-aspartate rebalanced hepatic cholesterol-steroid metabolism and reduced the levels of liver-impairing metabolites, including corticosterone (CORT). Mechanistically, L-aspartate treatment efficiently reversed CORT-mediated glucocorticoid receptor β (GRβ) signaling activation and subsequent transcriptional suppression of the mitochondrial genome by directly binding to the mitochondrial genome. Knockout of GRβ ameliorated corticosterone-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and hepatocyte damage which also weakened the improvements of L-aspartate in suppressing GRβ signaling. These data suggest that L-aspartate ameliorates hepatic fibrosis by suppressing GRβ signaling via rebalancing cholesterol-steroid metabolism, would be an ideal candidate for clinical liver fibrosis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Su
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570100, China
| | - Hui-Ling Fu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570100, China
| | - Qian-Xue Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570100, China
| | - Chen-Yan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570100, China
| | - Guan-Yu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570100, China
| | - Jun-Jie Wu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570100, China
| | - Wen-Jie Cao
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570100, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570100, China
| | - Zhong-Ping Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570100, China
| | - Cong-Jun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570100, China
| | - Yong Rao
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570100, China.
| | - Ling Huang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570100, China.
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Bai YP, Zhang T, Hu ZY, Zhang Y, Wang DG, Zhou MY, Zhang Y, Zhang F, Kong X. Sesamin ameliorates nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis by inhibiting CD36-mediated hepatocyte lipid accumulation in vitro and in vivo. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 224:116240. [PMID: 38679210 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic steatosis is a critical factor in the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Sesamin (Ses), a functional lignan isolated from Sesamum indicum, possesses hypolipidemic, liver-protective, anti-hypertensive, and anti-tumor properties. Ses has been found to improve hepatic steatosis, but the exact mechanisms through which Ses achieves this are not well understood. In this study, we observed the anti-hepatic steatosis effects of Ses in palmitate/oleate (PA/OA)-incubated primary mouse hepatocytes, AML12 hepatocytes, and HepG2 cells, as well as in high-fat, high-cholesterol diet-induced NASH mice. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), a free fatty acid (FA) transport protein, was involved in the Ses-mediated inhibition of hepatic fat accumulation. Moreover, the overexpression of CD36 significantly increased hepatic steatosis in both Ses-treated PA/OA-incubated HepG2 cells and NASH mice. Furthermore, Ses treatment suppressed insulin-induced de novo lipogenesis in HepG2 cells, which was reversed by CD36 overexpression. Mechanistically, we found that Ses ameliorated NASH by inhibiting CD36-mediated FA uptake and upregulation of lipogenic genes, including FA synthase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1. The findings of our study provide novel insights into the potential therapeutic applications of Ses in the treatment of NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ping Bai
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Teng Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241001, China
| | - Zheng-Yan Hu
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241001, China
| | - De-Guo Wang
- Department of Gerontology, Geriatric Endocrinology Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241001, China
| | - Meng-Yun Zhou
- Department of Gerontology, Geriatric Endocrinology Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241001, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Gerontology, Geriatric Endocrinology Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241001, China
| | - Fang Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, Wuhu 241000, China.
| | - Xiang Kong
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China; Department of Gerontology, Geriatric Endocrinology Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241001, China.
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Lv T, Lou Y, Yan Q, Nie L, Cheng Z, Zhou X. Phosphorylation: new star of pathogenesis and treatment in steatotic liver disease. Lipids Health Dis 2024; 23:50. [PMID: 38368351 PMCID: PMC10873984 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-024-02037-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Steatotic liver disease poses a serious threat to human health and has emerged as one of the most significant burdens of chronic liver disease worldwide. Currently, the research mechanism is not clear, and there is no specific targeted drug for direct treatment. Phosphorylation is widely regarded as the most common type of protein modification, closely linked to steatotic liver disease in previous studies. However, there is no systematic review to clarify the relationship and investigate from the perspective of phosphorylation. Phosphorylation has been found to mainly regulate molecule stability, affect localization, transform molecular function, and cooperate with other protein modifications. Among them, adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), serine/threonine kinase (AKT), and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB) are considered the core mechanisms in steatotic liver disease. As to treatment, lifestyle changes, prescription drugs, and herbal ingredients can alleviate symptoms by influencing phosphorylation. It demonstrates the significant role of phosphorylation as a mechanism occurrence and a therapeutic target in steatotic liver disease, which could be a new star for future exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiansu Lv
- Department of Endocrinology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Lou
- Department of Endocrinology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Qianhua Yan
- Department of Endocrinology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Lijuan Nie
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhe Cheng
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiqiao Zhou
- Department of Endocrinology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
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Rao Y, Su R, Wu C, Yang G, Fu R, Wu J, Liang J, Liu J, Jiang Z, Xu C, Huang L. Marine fungus Aspergillus c1. sp metabolite activates the HSF1/PGC-1α axis, inducing a thermogenic program for treating obesity. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1320040. [PMID: 38333010 PMCID: PMC10851286 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1320040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and aims: Obesity is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide with less ideal approved agents in clinic. Activating the HSF1/PGC-1α axis in adipose tissues has been reported to induce thermogenesis in mice, which presents a promising therapeutic avenue for obesity treatment. The present study aimed to identified novel natural HSF1 activator and evaluated the therapeutic effects of the newly discovered compound on obesity-associated metabolic disorders and the molecular mechanisms of these effects. Methods: Our previous reported HSF1/PGC-1α activator screening system was used to identify novel natural HSF1 activator. The PGC-1α luciferase activity, immunoblot, protein nuclear-translocation, immunofluorescence, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used to evaluate the activity of compound HN-001 in activating HSF1. The experiments of mitochondrial number measurement, TG assay and imaging, cellular metabolic assay, gene assays, and CRISPR/Cas 9 were applied for investigating the metabolic effect of HN-001 in C3H10-T1/2 adipocytes. The in vivo anti-obesity efficacies and beneficial metabolic effects of HN-001 were evaluated by performing body and fat mass quantification, plasma chemical analysis, GTT, ITT, cold tolerance test, thermogenesis analysis. Results: HN-001 dose- and time-dependently activated HSF1 and induced HSF1 nuclear translocation, resulting in an enhancement in binding with the gene Pgc-1α. This improvement induced activation of adipose thermogenesis and enhancement of mitochondrial oxidation capacity, thus inhibiting adipocyte maturation. Deletion of HSF1 in adipocytes impaired mitochondrial oxidation and abolished the above beneficial metabolic effects of HN-001, including adipocyte browning induction, improvements in mitogenesis and oxidation capacity, and lipid-lowering ability. In mice, HN-001 treatment efficiently alleviated diet-induced obesity and metabolic disorders. These changes were associated with increased body temperature in mice and activation of the HSF1/PGC-1α axis in adipose tissues. UCP1 expression and mitochondrial biogenesis were increased in both white and brown adipose tissues of HN-001-treated mice. Conclusion: These data indicate that HN-001 may have therapeutic potential for obesity-related metabolic diseases by increasing the capacity of energy expenditure in adipose tissues through a mechanism involving the HSF1/PGC-1α axis, which shed new light on the development of novel anti-obesity agents derived from marine sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Rao
- *Correspondence: Yong Rao, ; Ling Huang,
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ling Huang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, China
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Rao Y, Su R, Wu C, Chai X, Li J, Yang G, Wu J, Fu T, Jiang Z, Guo Z, Xu C, Huang L. Identification of a natural PLA2 inhibitor from the marine fungus Aspergillus sp. c1 for MAFLD treatment that suppressed lipotoxicity by inhibiting the IRE-1 α/XBP-1s axis and JNK signaling. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:304-318. [PMID: 38261820 PMCID: PMC10792964 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Lipotoxicity is a pivotal factor that initiates and exacerbates liver injury and is involved in the development of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). However, there are few reported lipotoxicity inhibitors. Here, we identified a natural anti-lipotoxicity candidate, HN-001, from the marine fungus Aspergillus sp. C1. HN-001 dose- and time- dependently reversed palmitic acid (PA)-induced hepatocyte death. This protection was associated with IRE-1α-mediated XBP-1 splicing inhibition, which resulted in suppression of XBP-1s nuclear translocation and transcriptional regulation. Knockdown of XBP-1s attenuated lipotoxicity, but no additional ameliorative effect of HN-001 on lipotoxicity was observed in XBP-1s knockdown hepatocytes. Notably, the ER stress and lipotoxicity amelioration was associated with PLA2. Both HN-001 and the PLA2 inhibitor MAFP inhibited PLA2 activity, reduced lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) level, subsequently ameliorated lipotoxicity. In contrast, overexpression of PLA2 caused exacerbation of lipotoxicity and weakened the anti-lipotoxic effects of HN-001. Additionally, HN-001 treatment suppressed the downstream pro-apoptotic JNK pathway. In vivo, chronic administration of HN-001 (i.p.) in mice alleviated all manifestations of MAFLD, including hepatic steatosis, liver injury, inflammation, and fibrogenesis. These effects were correlated with PLA2/IRE-1α/XBP-1s axis and JNK signaling suppression. These data indicate that HN-001 has therapeutic potential for MAFLD because it suppresses lipotoxicity, and provide a natural structural basis for developing anti-MAFLD candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Rao
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570200, China
| | - Rui Su
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570200, China
| | - Chenyan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570200, China
| | - Xingxing Chai
- Laboratory Animal Center of Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Jinjian Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Guanyu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570200, China
| | - Junjie Wu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570200, China
| | - Tingting Fu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570200, China
| | - Zhongping Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570200, China
| | - Zhikai Guo
- Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Microbe Resources, Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences & Key Laboratory for Biology and Genetic Resources of Tropical Crops of Hainan Province, Hainan Institute for Tropical Agricultural Resources, Haikou 571101, China
| | - Congjun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570200, China
| | - Ling Huang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570200, China
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Fang QL, Qiao X, Yin XQ, Zeng YC, Du CH, Xue YM, Zhao XJ, Hu CY, Huang F, Lin YP. Flavonoids from Scutellaria amoena C. H. Wright alleviate mitochondrial dysfunction and regulate oxidative stress via Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 axis in rats with high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 158:114160. [PMID: 36571996 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is among the most common liver diseases in the world. Flavonoids from Scutellaria amoena (SAF) are used in the treatment of hepatopathy in China. However, the effect and mechanism against NASH remain unclear. We investigated the alleviating effect of SAF on NASH via regulating mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. METHODS The effects of SAF on NASH were evaluated using in vitro and in vivo methods. L02 cells were induced by fat emulsion to establish an adipocytes model, followed by treatment with SAF for 24 h. NASH rat models were established by the administration of a high-fat diet for 12 weeks and were administered SAF for six weeks. Changes in body weight, organ indexes, lipid levels, inflammatory cytokines, mitochondrial indicators, and fatty acid metabolism were investigated. RESULTS SAF significantly improved body weight, organ indexes, lipid levels, liver injury, and inflammatory infiltration in NASH rats. SAF notably regulated interleukin-6, tumor necrotic factor-alpha, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Additionally, SAF improved mitochondrial dysfunction, increased the levels of GSH, SOD, ATP synthase, complex I and II, and decreased the level of MDA in liver mitochondria. SAF regulated the expression of β-oxidation genes, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor -gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1α), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT1) A, CPT1B, medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and PPARα. CONCLUSION SAF can alleviate NASH by regulating mitochondrial function and oxidative stress via the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong-Lian Fang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicine Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Xue Qiao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicine Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Xun-Qing Yin
- School of Chinese Materia Medica & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicine Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Yong-Cheng Zeng
- School of Chinese Materia Medica & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicine Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Cheng-Hong Du
- School of Chinese Materia Medica & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicine Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Yong-Mei Xue
- School of Chinese Materia Medica & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicine Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Xiu-Juan Zhao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicine Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Chun-Yan Hu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicine Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Feng Huang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicine Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China.
| | - Yu-Ping Lin
- School of Chinese Materia Medica & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicine Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China.
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Chong PS, Poon CH, Roy J, Tsui KC, Lew SY, Phang MWL, Tan RJY, Cheng PG, Fung ML, Wong KH, Lim LW. Neurogenesis-dependent antidepressant-like activity of Hericium erinaceus in an animal model of depression. Chin Med 2021; 16:132. [PMID: 34876186 PMCID: PMC8650354 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-021-00546-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Depression is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder that affects more than 264 million people worldwide. The efficacy of conventional antidepressants are barely adequate and many have side effects. Hericium erinaceus (HE) is a medicinal mushroom that has been reported to have therapeutic potential for treating depression. Methods Animals subjected to chronic restraint stress were given 4 weeks HE treatment. Animals were then screened for anxiety and depressive-like behaviours. Gene and protein assays, as well as histological analysis were performed to probe the role of neurogenesis in mediating the therapeutic effect of HE. Temozolomide was administered to validate the neurogenesis-dependent mechanism of HE. Results The results showed that 4 weeks of HE treatment ameliorated depressive-like behaviours in mice subjected to 14 days of restraint stress. Further molecular assays demonstrated the 4-week HE treatment elevated the expression of several neurogenesis-related genes and proteins, including doublecortin, nestin, synaptophysin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB). Increased bromodeoxyuridine-positive cells were also observed in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, indicating enhanced neurogenesis. Neurogenesis blocker temozolomide completely abolished the antidepressant-like effects of HE, confirming a neurogenesis-dependent mechanism. Moreover, HE induced anti-neuroinflammatory effects through reducing astrocyte activation in the hippocampus, which was also abolished with temozolomide administration. Conclusion HE exerts antidepressant effects by promoting neurogenesis and reducing neuroinflammation through enhancing the BDNF-TrkB-CREB signalling pathway. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13020-021-00546-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pit Shan Chong
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chi Him Poon
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jaydeep Roy
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ka Chun Tsui
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sze Yuen Lew
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Michael Weng Lok Phang
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Rachael Julia Yuenyinn Tan
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Poh Guat Cheng
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Ganofarm R&D SDN BHD, 01-01, SKYPOD SQUARE, Persiaran Puchong Jaya Selatan, Bandar Puchong Jaya, 47100, Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Man-Lung Fung
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kah Hui Wong
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong SAR, China. .,Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Lee Wei Lim
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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