Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation via suppressing nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Tanshinone IIA: a Chinese herbal ingredient for the treatment of atherosclerosis

Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) is a fat-soluble compound extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza, which has a protective effect against atherosclerosis (AS). Tan IIA can inhibit oxidative stress and inflammatory damage of vascular endothelial cells (VECs) and improve endothelial cell dysfunction. Tan IIA also has a good protective effect on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). It can reduce vascular stenosis by inhibiting the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and improve the stability of the fibrous cap of atherosclerotic plaque by inhibiting apoptosis and inflammation of VSMCs. In addition, Tan IIA inhibits the inflammatory response of macrophages and the formation of foam cells in atherosclerotic plaques. In summary, Tan IIA improves AS through a complex pathway. We propose to further study the specific molecular targets of Tan IIA using systems biology methods, so as to fundamentally elucidate the mechanism of Tan IIA. It is worth mentioning that there is a lack of high-quality evidence-based medical data on Tan IIA treatment of AS. We recommend that a randomized controlled clinical trial be conducted to evaluate the exact efficacy of Tan IIA in improving AS. Finally, sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) can cause adverse drug reactions in some patients, which needs our attention.

Preparation and performance of random- and oriented-fiber membranes with core-shell structures via coaxial electrospinning

The cells and tissue in the human body are orderly and directionally arranged, and constructing an ideal biomimetic extracellular matrix is still a major problem to be solved in tissue engineering. In the field of the bioresorbable vascular grafts, the long-term functional prognosis requires that cells first migrate and grow along the physiological arrangement direction of the vessel itself. Moreover, the graft is required to promote the formation of neointima and the development of the vessel walls while ensuring that the whole repair process does not form a thrombus. In this study, poly (l-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) shell layers and polyethylene oxide (PEO) core layers with different microstructures and loaded with sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) were prepared by coaxial electrospinning. The mechanical properties proved that the fiber membranes had good mechanical support, higher than that of the human aorta, as well as great suture retention strengths. The hydrophilicity of the oriented-fiber membranes was greatly improved compared with that of the random-fiber membranes. Furthermore, we investigated the biocompatibility and hemocompatibility of different functional fiber membranes, and the results showed that the oriented-fiber membranes containing sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate had an excellent antiplatelet adhesion effect compared to other fiber membranes. Cytological analysis confirmed that the functional fiber membranes were non-cytotoxic and had significant cell proliferation capacities. The oriented-fiber membranes induced cell growth along the orientation direction. Degradation tests showed that the pH variation range had little change, the material mass was gradually reduced, and the fiber morphology was slowly destroyed. Thus, results indicated the degradation rate of the oriented-fiber graft likely is suitable for the process of new tissue regeneration, while the random-fiber graft with a low degradation rate may cause the material to reside in the tissue for too long, which would impede new tissue reconstitution. In summary, the oriented-functional-fiber membranes possessing core-shell structures with sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate/polyethylene oxide loading could be used as tissue engineering materials for applications such as vascular grafts with good prospects, and their clinical application potential will be further explored in future research.

An overview of natural products that modulate the expression of non-coding RNAs involved in oxidative stress and inflammation-associated disorders

Oxidative stress is a state in which oxidants are produced in excess in the body's tissues and cells, resulting in a biological imbalance amid the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) from redox reactions. In case of insufficient antioxidants to balance, the immune system triggers signaling cascades to mount inflammatory responses. Oxidative stress can have deleterious effects on major macromolecules such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, hence, Oxidative stress and inflammation are among the multiple factors contributing to the etiology of several disorders such as diabetes, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) which were once referred to as dark matter have been found to function as key regulators of gene expression through different mechanisms. They have dynamic roles in the onset and development of inflammatory and oxidative stress-related diseases, therefore, are potential targets for the control of those diseases. One way of controlling those diseases is through the use of natural products, a rich source of antioxidants that have drawn attention with several studies showing their involvement in combating chronic diseases given their enormous gains, low side effects, and toxicity. In this review, we highlighted the natural products that have been reported to target ncRNAs as mediators of their biological effects on oxidative stress and several inflammation-associated disorders. Those natural products include Baicalein, Tanshinone IIA, Geniposide, Carvacrol/Thymol, Triptolide, Oleacein, Curcumin, Resveratrol, Solarmargine, Allicin, aqueous extract or pulp of Açai, Quercetin, and Genistein. We also draw attention to some other compounds including Zanthoxylum bungeanum, Canna genus rhizome, Fuzi-ganjiang herb pair, Aronia melanocarpa, Peppermint, and Gingerol that are effective against oxidative stress and inflammation-related disorders, however, have no known effect on ncRNAs. Lastly, we touched on the many ncRNAs that were found to play a role in oxidative stress and inflammation-related disorders but have not yet been investigated as targets of a natural product. Shedding more light into these two last points of shadow will be of great interest in the valorization of natural compounds in the control and therapy of oxidative stress- and inflammation-associated disorders.

Tanshinone IIA protects against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease via exosome‑shuttled miR‑486‑5p

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the major causes of death worldwide today, and its related morbidity has been predicted to show an increase in subsequent years. Recent studies have shown that Danshen, a Chinese herbal medicine, is a potential drug in the treatment of inflammation-related lung diseases. COPD was induced in this study using cigarette smoke (CS) exposure plus intranasal inhalation of lipopolysaccharide to ascertain whether the main pharmacological component from Danshen, tanshinone IIA (TIIA), and its water soluble form, sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS), protect against the development of COPD. The weight, lung function, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and Masson Trichrome determinations revealed that TIIA inhalation attenuated lung dysfunction in COPD mice induced by cigarette smoke and lipopolysaccharide exposure. In addition, exosomes derived from TIIA-treated COPD mice exerted similar protective effects against COPD, suggesting that TIIA may protect against COPD through exosome-shuttled signals. miR-486-5p was found to be a key molecule in mediating the protective effects of exosomes derived from TIIA-treated COPD mice using miRNA sequencing and cellular screening. Treatment of COPD mice with an agomiR of miR-486-5p protected lung function in COPD mice, and treatment of COPD mice with an antagomir of miR-486-5p abolished the protective effects of TIIA. Moreover, luciferase activity reporter assay, RT-qPCR, and western blot analyses showed that miR-486-5p exerted protective effects against COPD via targeting phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 1 (PIK3R1). These results suggest that STS protects against COPD through upregulation of miR-486-5p, and that TIIA or miR-486-5p is a potential drug for the treatment of COPD.

Tanshinone IIA sodium sulfonate attenuates inflammation by upregulating circ-Sirt1 and inhibiting the entry of NF-κB into the nucleus

Inflammation is a biological process that exists in a large number of diseases. NF-κB has been proven to play a pivotal role in the development of inflammation. New drugs aimed at inhibiting the expression of NF-κB have gained attention from researchers. Sirt1 has an anti-inflammatory function, and the circRNA encoded by the Sirt1 gene may also play roles in the anti-inflammatory reaction of Sirt1. In the present study, LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells were used as an inflammatory cell model, and tanshinone IIA sodium sulfonate (TSS) was used as a therapeutic drug. We found that TSS downregulated LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-1β expression nearly threefold. LPS reduced Circ-sirt1 mRNA expression by one-third, while TSS started this phenomenon. In addition, overexpression/knockdown of Circ-sirt1 neutralized the function of TSS by regulating the translocation of NF-κB. Thus, we proved that TSS has an anti-inflammatory function by upregulating circ-Sirt1 and subsequently inhibiting the translocation of NF-κB. An in vivo experiment was also performed to confirm the protective function of TSS on inflammation. These results indicated that TSS is a potential treatment for inflammation.

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate promotes spinal cord injury repair by inhibiting blood spinal cord barrier disruption in vitro and in vivo

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to microvascular damage and the destruction of the blood spinal cord barrier (BSCB), which can progress into secondary injuries, such as apoptosis and necrosis of neurons and glia, culminating in permanent neurological deficits. BSCB restoration is the primary goal of SCI therapy, although very few drugs can repair damaged barrier structure and permeability. Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) is commonly used to treat cardiovascular disease. However, the therapeutic effects of STS on damaged BSCB during the early stage of SCI remain uncertain. Therefore, we exposed spinal cord microvascular endothelial cells to H₂ O₂ and treated them with different doses of STS. In addition to protecting the cells from H₂ O₂ -induced apoptosis, STS also reduced cellular permeability. In the in vivo model of SCI, STS reduced BSCB permeability, relieved tissue edema and hemorrhage, suppressed MMP activation and prevented the loss of tight junction and adherens junction proteins. Our findings indicate that STS treatment promotes SCI recovery, and should be investigated further as a drug candidate against traumatic SCI.

Sodium Tanshinone IIA Sulfonate Ameliorates Injury-Induced Oxidative Stress and Intervertebral Disc Degeneration in Rats by Inhibiting p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway

Objective

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) is a water-soluble derivative of tanshinone IIA, a representative traditional Chinese medicine. The aim of the study was to investigate the capability of STS to reverse injury-induced intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) and explore the potential mechanisms.

Methods

Forty adult rats were randomly allocated into groups (control, IDD, STS10, and STS20). An IDD model was established by puncturing the Co8-9 disc using a needle. Rats in the STS groups were administered STS by daily intraperitoneal injection (10 or 20 mg/kg body weight) while rats in the control and IDD groups received the same quantity of normal saline. After four weeks, the entire spine from each rat was scanned for X-ray and MRI analysis. Each Co8-9 IVD underwent histological analysis (H&E, Safranin-O Fast green, and alcian blue staining). A tissue was analyzed by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining to determine the expression levels of collagen II (COL2), aggrecan, matrix metalloproteinase-3/13 (MMP-3/13), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Levels of oxidative stress were measured using an ELISA while activity of the p38 MAPK pathway was assessed using Western blot analysis.

Results

Compared with the control group, needle puncture significantly decreased IVD volume and T-2 weighted MR signal intensity, confirming disc degeneration. These alterations were significantly attenuated by treatment with 10 or 20 mg/kg STS. Lower COL2 and aggrecan and higher MMP-3/13, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in the IDD group were substantially reversed by STS. In addition, treatment with STS increased antioxidative enzyme activity and decreased levels of oxidative stress induced by needle puncture. Furthermore, STS inhibited the p38 MAPK pathway in the rat model of IDD.

Conclusions

STS ameliorated injury-induced intervertebral disc degeneration and displayed anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties in a rat model of IDD, possibly via inhibition of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

The Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Phytochemicals and Their Effects on Epigenetic Mechanisms Involved in TLR4/NF-κB-Mediated Inflammation

Innate immune response induces positive inflammatory transducers and regulators in order to attack pathogens, while simultaneously negative signaling regulators are transcribed to maintain innate immune homeostasis and to avoid persistent inflammatory immune responses. The gene expression of many of these regulators is controlled by different epigenetic modifications. The remarkable impact of epigenetic changes in inducing or suppressing inflammatory signaling is being increasingly recognized. Several studies have highlighted the interplay of histone modification, DNA methylation, and post-transcriptional miRNA-mediated modifications in inflammatory diseases, and inflammation-mediated tumorigenesis. Targeting these epigenetic alterations affords the opportunity of attenuating different inflammatory dysregulations. In this regard, many studies have identified the significant anti-inflammatory properties of distinct naturally-derived phytochemicals, and revealed their regulatory capacity. In the current review, we demonstrate the signaling cascade during the immune response and the epigenetic modifications that take place during inflammation. Moreover, we also provide an updated overview of phytochemicals that target these mechanisms in macrophages and other experimental models, and go on to illustrate the effects of these phytochemicals in regulating epigenetic mechanisms and attenuating aberrant inflammation.

The protective effect of tanshinone IIa on endothelial cells: a generalist among clinical therapeutics

INTRODUCTION

Tanshinone IIa (TSA) has been approved to treat cardiovascular diseases by the China State Food and Drug Administration. TSA has exhibited a variety of pharmacological effects, including vasodilator, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties. Endothelial cells play an important physiological role in vascular homeostasis and control inflammation, coagulation, and thrombosis. Accumulating studies have shown that TSA can improve endothelial function through various pathways.

AREAS COVERED

The PubMed database was reviewed for relevant papers published up to 2020. This review summarizes the current clinical and pharmaceutical studies to provide a systemic overview of the pharmacological and therapeutic effects of TSA on endothelial cells.

EXPERT OPINION

TSA is a representative monomeric compound extracted from Danshen and it exhibits significant pharmacological and therapeutic properties to improve endothelial cell function, including alleviating oxidative stress, attenuating inflammatory injury, modulating ion channels and so on. TSA represents a spectrum of agents that are extracted from plants and can restore the endothelial function to establish the beneficial and harmless molecular therapeutics. This also suggests the possible detection of endothelial cells for very early diagnosis of diseases. In future, precise therapeutic methods will be developed to repair endothelial cells injury and recover endothelial dysfunction.

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate protects against acute exacerbation of cigarette smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in mice

Exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by acute airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion, which is by far the most costly aspect of its management. Thus, it is essential to develop therapeutics with low side effects for CODP exacerbation. Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) is a water-soluble derivative of tanshinone IIA isolated as the major active component of Chinese herbal medicine Danshen. Although it possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic properties, it remains unknown whether STS protects against COPD exacerbation. In this study, we challenged cigarette smoke (CS)-exposed mice with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and then treated these mice with STS. We found that STS significantly ameliorated pulmonary inflammatory responses, mucus hypersecretion and lung function decline in CS-exposed mice challenged with LPS. STS treatment also significantly attenuated increased IL-6 and IL-8 releases from cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-treated human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) challenged with LPS. Mechanistically, STS reduced activation of ERK1/2 and NF-κB in lungs of CS-exposed mice and CSE-treated 16HBE cells challenged with LPS. Taken together, STS protects against acute exacerbation of CS-induced lung injury, which provides a promising and potential therapeutic avenue to halt acute exacerbation of COPD.

Tanshinone IIA attenuates Aβ-induced neurotoxicity by down-regulating COX-2 expression and PGE2 synthesis via inactivation of NF-κB pathway in SH-SY5Y cells

Amyloid-β (Aβ)-induced neurotoxicity is a major pathological mechanism of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA), extracted from traditional Chinese herb Radix salvia miltiorrhiza, possesses anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, as well as neuroprotective effects. The present study aims to explore the possible mechanism by which Tan IIA attenuated Aβ-induced neurotoxicity. Exposure of SH-SY5Y cells to different concentrations of Aβ led to neurotoxicity by reducing cell viability, inducing cell apoptosis and increasing neuroinflammation in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, Aβ treatment promoted cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) secretion, and activated nuclear transcription factor kappa (NF-κB) pathway in SH-SY5Y cells. However, pretreatment of SH-SY5Y cells with Tan IIA prior to Aβ prevented these Aβ-induced cellular events noticeably. These data suggested that Tan IIA exerted its neuroprotective action by alleviating Aβ-induced increase in COX-2 expression and PGE2 secretion via inactivation of NF-κB pathway.

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate: A review of pharmacological activity and pharmacokinetics

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) is a water-soluble derivate of tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) which is an active lipophilic constitute of Chinese Materia Medica Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. (Danshen). STS presents multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis, and has been approved for treatment of cardiovascular diseases by China State Food and Drug Administration (CFDA). In this review, we comprehensively summarized the pharmacological activities and pharmacokinetics of STS, which could support the further application and development of STS. In the recent decades, numerous experimental and clinical studies have been conducted to investigate the potential treatment effects of STS in various diseases, such as heart diseases, brain diseases, pulmonary diseases, cancers, sepsis and so on. The underlying mechanisms were most related to anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of STS via regulating various transcription factors, such as NF-κB, Nrf2, Stat1/3, Smad2/3, Hif-1α and β-catenin. Iron channels, including Ca²⁺, K⁺ and Cl^- channels, were also the important targets of STS. Additionally, we emphasized the differences between STS and Tan IIA despite the interchangeable use of Tan IIA and STS in many previous studies. It is promising to improve the efficacy and reduce side effects of chemotherapeutic drug by the combination use of STS in canner treatment. The application of STS in pregnancy needs to be seriously considered. Moreover, the drug-drug interactions between STS and other drugs needs to be further studied as well as the complications of STS.

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate inhibits proliferation, migration, invasion and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes

Our study aimed to determine the effects of sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) on proliferation, migration, invasion, and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-HFLSs). Firstly, results demonstrated STS reduced proliferation, migration, invasion in HFLSs. Also, we found that STS could alleviate the reorganizations of F-actin cytoskeleton in TNF-α-treated HFLSs. In addition, STS decreased the production of IL-1β, IL-6, MMP-1, and MMP-3 in TNF-α-treated RA-HFLSs. Further study showed that STS blocked MAPK/NF-κB activations in TNF-α-stimulated RA-HFLSs. Moreover, we illustrated that STS could alleviate rheumatoid arthritis progression and prevent inflammation damage in joint tissues of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice. Taken together, this study suggested that STS inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, and inflammation of RA-HFLSs by blocking MAPK/NF-κB pathways.

Bioactive Ingredients in Chinese Herbal Medicines That Target Non-coding RNAs: Promising New Choices for Disease Treatment

Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) are widely used in China and have long been a powerful method to treat diseases in Chinese people. Bioactive ingredients are the main components extracted from herbs that have therapeutic properties. Since artemisinin was discovered to inhibit malaria by Nobel laureate Youyou Tu, extracts from natural plants, particularly bioactive ingredients, have aroused increasing attention among medical researchers. The bioactive ingredients of some CHMs have been found to target various non-coding RNA molecules (ncRNAs), especially miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, which have emerged as new treatment targets in numerous diseases. Here we review the evidence that, by regulating the expression of ncRNAs, these ingredients exert protective effects, including pro-apoptosis, anti-proliferation and anti-migration, anti-inflammation, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-infection, anti-senescence, and suppression of structural remodeling. Consequently, they have potential as treatment agents in diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, nervous system disease, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, infectious diseases, and senescence-related diseases. Although research has been relatively limited and inadequate to date, the promising choices and new alternatives offered by bioactive ingredients for the treatment of the above diseases warrant serious investigation.

Tanshinone IIA inhibits lipopolysaccharide‑induced inflammatory responses through the TLR4/TAK1/NF‑κB signaling pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells

To aim of the present study was to determine whether Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‑induced inflammation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from rats and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism. VSMCs were primarily cultured and then treated with LPS (1 µg/l) and Tan IIA (25, 50 and 100 µmol/l) for 24 h. Monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)‑1, interleukin (IL)‑6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‑α levels were detected by ELISA and reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Nitric oxide (NO) production was measured using the Griess reaction. The expression of Toll‑like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor (NF)‑κB (p65), and inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and the phosphorylation of transforming growth factor‑β‑activated kinase 1 (TAK1) were detected by western blot analysis. Tan IIA inhibited the LPS‑induced expression of MCP‑1, IL‑6, and TNF‑α in a concentration‑dependent manner and inhibited iNOS‑mediated NO production. In addition, Tan IIA suppressed the expression of TLR4, the phosphorylation of TAK1, and the nuclear translocation of NF‑κB (p65). The anti‑TLR4 antibody and TAK1 inhibitor 5Z‑7‑oxozeaenol partially attenuated the LPS‑induced expression of proinflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, Tan IIA inhibits LPS‑induced inflammatory responses in VSMCs in vitro through the partial suppression of the TLR4/TAK1/NF‑κB signaling pathway.

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate protects ARPE-19 cells against oxidative stress by inhibiting autophagy and apoptosis

Oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is considered to be a major contributor to the development and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Previous investigations have shown that sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) can alleviate oxidative stress in haemorrhagic shock-induced organ damage and cigarette smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in mice. However, whether STS has a protective effect in ARPE-19 cells under oxidative stress and its exact mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. In the present study, we utilized H₂O₂ to establish an oxidative stress environment. Our findings show that STS activated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway to inhibit autophagy and diminished the expression of the autophagic proteins Beclin 1, ATG3, ATG7 and ATG9 in ARPE-19 cells under oxidative stress. Detection of the intrinsic apoptosis-related factors BAX, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), caspase-9, caspase-3 and BCL-2, as well as the extrinsic apoptosis-related factors c-FLIP, v-FLIP and caspase-8, confirmed that STS inhibited the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways, and attenuated apoptosis in ARPE-19 cells under oxidative stress conditions. These findings shed new light on the protective effects of STS in ARPE-19 cells and its mechanisms under oxidative stress to provide novel and promising therapeutic strategies for AMD.

Mitochondria-Targeting Small Molecules Effectively Prevent Cardiotoxicity Induced by Doxorubicin

Doxorubicin (Dox) is a chemotherapeutic agent widely used for the treatment of numerous cancers. However, the clinical use of Dox is limited by its unwanted cardiotoxicity. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been associated with Dox-induced cardiotoxicity. To mitigate Dox-related cardiotoxicity, considerable successful examples of a variety of small molecules that target mitochondria to modulate Dox-induced cardiotoxicity have appeared in recent years. Here, we review the related literatures and discuss the evidence showing that mitochondria-targeting small molecules are promising cardioprotective agents against Dox-induced cardiac events.

Sodium Tanshinone IIA Sulfonate Improves Hemodynamic Parameters, Cytokine Release, and Multi-Organ Damage in Endotoxemia Rabbits

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) on hemodynamic parameters, cytokine release, and multiple organ damage in an animal model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia.

Material/Methods

Twenty-four rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups: control (n=8), LPS (n=8), and STS pretreatment + LPS (n=8) groups. With arterial invasive monitoring, hemodynamic variables were observed at 30 min before and at 0, 10, 20, 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 min after LPS injection. Circulatory inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10), and relevant biochemical markers, including arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂), plasma cardiac troponin I (cTnI), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and creatinine (Cr), were measured at each time point. At the end of the experiment, all rabbits were sacrificed; histopathological examination of the heart, lung, liver, and kidney tissue was performed and organ injury was semi-quantitatively scored for each organ.

Results

Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) significantly decreased within 30 min and again after 120 min following LPS injection. However, STS pretreatment gradually normalized MAP and HR after 120 min following LPS injection. In addition, STS ameliorated LPS-induced decrease of PaO₂, LPS-induced increase of TNF-α, cTnI, and ALT, and enhanced LPS-induced increase of IL-10. Moreover, STS reduced heart, lung, and liver histopathologic injury.

Conclusions

STS can significantly stabilize LPS-induced hemodynamic deterioration, regulate inflammatory cytokine secretion, and protect heart, lung, and liver in rabbits.

Sodium Tanshinone IIA Sulfonate Decreases Cigarette Smoke-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress via Blocking the Activation of MAPK/HIF-1α Signaling Pathway

Aberrant activation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α is frequently encountered and promotes oxidative stress and inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The present study investigated whether sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS), a water-soluble derivative of tanshinone IIA, can mediate its effect through inhibiting HIF-1α–induced oxidative stress and inflammation in cigarette smoke (CS)-induced COPD in mice. Here, we found that STS improved pulmonary function, ameliorated emphysema and decreased the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lungs of CS-exposed mice. STS reduced CS- and cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced upregulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β in the lungs and macrophages. STS also inhibited CSE-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, as well as the upregulation of heme oxygenase (HO)-1, NOX1 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in macrophages. In addition, STS suppressed HIF-1α expression in vivo and in vitro, and pretreatment with HIF-1α siRNA reduced CSE-induced elevation of TNF-α, IL-1β, and HO-1 content in the macrophages. Moreover, we found that STS inhibited CSE-induced the phosphorylation of ERK, p38 MAPK and JNK in macrophages, and inhibition of these signaling molecules significantly repressed CSE-induced HIF-1α expression. It indicated that STS inhibits CSE-induced HIF-1α expression likely by blocking MAPK signaling. Furthermore, STS also promoted HIF-1α protein degradation in CSE-stimulated macrophages. Taken together, these results suggest that STS prevents COPD development possibly through the inhibition of HIF-1α signaling, and may be a novel strategy for the treatment of COPD.

Salvia miltiorrhizaBurge (Danshen): a golden herbal medicine in cardiovascular therapeutics

Salvia miltiorrhiza Burge (Danshen) is an eminent medicinal herb that possesses broad cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protective actions and has been used in Asian countries for many centuries. Accumulating evidence suggests that Danshen and its components prevent vascular diseases, in particular, atherosclerosis and cardiac diseases, including myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, arrhythmia, cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac fibrosis. The published literature indicates that lipophilic constituents (tanshinone I, tanshinone IIa, tanshinone IIb, cryptotanshinone, dihydrotanshinone, etc) as well as hydrophilic constituents (danshensu, salvianolic acid A and B, protocatechuic aldehyde, etc) contribute to the cardiovascular protective actions of Danshen, suggesting a potential synergism among these constituents. Herein, we provide a systematic up-to-date review on the cardiovascular actions and therapeutic potential of major pharmacologically active constituents of Danshen. These bioactive compounds will serve as excellent drug candidates in small-molecule cardiovascular drug discovery. This article also provides a scientific rationale for understanding the traditional use of Danshen in cardiovascular therapeutics.