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Wei H, Wang X, Zhong H, Kong X, Zhu J, Li B. Artesunate improves learning and memory impairment in rats with vascular cognitive impairment by down-regulating the level of autophagy in cerebral cortex neurons. Heliyon 2024; 10:e33068. [PMID: 38948049 PMCID: PMC11211894 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is the second leading cause of dementia. Cognitive impairment is a common consequence of VCI. However, there is no effective treatment for VCI and the underlying mechanism of its pathogenesis remains unclear. This study to investigate whether artesunate (ART) can improve the learning and memory function in rats with VCI by down-regulating he level of autophagy in cerebral cortex neurons. Methods The models for VCI were the rat bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BACCO), which were randomized into three groups including the sham operation group (Sham), model + vehicle group (Model) and model + ART group (ART). Then the animal behaviors were recorded, as well as staining the results of cortical neurons. Western blot was performed to determine the protein expressions of LC3BⅡ/Ⅰ, p-AMPK, p-mTOR, and Beclin-1. Results Behavioral outcomes and the protein expressions in Model group were supposedly affected by the induction of autophagy in cerebral cortex neurons. Compared to the Model group, ART improved memory impairment in VCI rats. And the expression of LC3BⅡ/Ⅰ, p-AMPK/AMPK, Beclin-1 is significant decreased in the ART group, while significant increases of p-mTOR/mTOR were showed. These results suggest that ART improved learning and memory impairment in VCI rats by down-regulating the level of autophagy in cerebral cortex neurons. Conclusion The results suggest that autophagy occurs in cerebral cortex neurons in rats with VCI. It is speculated that ART can improve learning and memory impairment in VCI rats by down-regulating the level of autophagy in cerebral cortex neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honqiao Wei
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530022, China
| | - Xiaokun Wang
- Research Center for Clinical Medicine, Jinshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China
| | - Hequan Zhong
- Research Center for Clinical Medicine, Jinshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China
| | - Xiangyu Kong
- Research Center for Clinical Medicine, Jinshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China
| | - Bing Li
- Research Center for Clinical Medicine, Jinshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China
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Zhu M, Wang Y, Han J, Sun Y, Wang S, Yang B, Wang Q, Kuang H. Artesunate Exerts Organ- and Tissue-Protective Effects by Regulating Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Autophagy, Apoptosis, and Fibrosis: A Review of Evidence and Mechanisms. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:686. [PMID: 38929125 PMCID: PMC11200509 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The human body comprises numerous organs and tissues operating in synchrony, it facilitates metabolism, circulation, and overall organismal function. Consequently, the well-being of our organs and tissues significantly influences our overall health. In recent years, research on the protective effects of artesunate (AS) on various organ functions, including the heart, liver, brain, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, bones, and others has witnessed significant advancements. Findings from in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that AS may emerge as a newfound guardian against organ damage. Its protective mechanisms primarily entail the inhibition of inflammatory factors and affect anti-fibrotic, anti-aging, immune-enhancing, modulation of stem cells, apoptosis, metabolic homeostasis, and autophagy properties. Moreover, AS is attracting a high level of interest because of its obvious antioxidant activities, including the activation of Nrf2 and HO-1 signaling pathways, inhibiting the release of reactive oxygen species, and interfering with the expression of genes and proteins associated with oxidative stress. This review comprehensively outlines the recent strides made by AS in alleviating organismal injuries stemming from various causes and protecting organs, aiming to serve as a reference for further in-depth research and utilization of AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingtao Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Application Research of Beiyao (Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine), Ministry of Education, Harbin 150040, China; (M.Z.); (Y.W.); (J.H.); (Y.S.); (S.W.); (B.Y.)
| | - Yu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Application Research of Beiyao (Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine), Ministry of Education, Harbin 150040, China; (M.Z.); (Y.W.); (J.H.); (Y.S.); (S.W.); (B.Y.)
| | - Jianwei Han
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Application Research of Beiyao (Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine), Ministry of Education, Harbin 150040, China; (M.Z.); (Y.W.); (J.H.); (Y.S.); (S.W.); (B.Y.)
| | - Yanping Sun
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Application Research of Beiyao (Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine), Ministry of Education, Harbin 150040, China; (M.Z.); (Y.W.); (J.H.); (Y.S.); (S.W.); (B.Y.)
| | - Shuang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Application Research of Beiyao (Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine), Ministry of Education, Harbin 150040, China; (M.Z.); (Y.W.); (J.H.); (Y.S.); (S.W.); (B.Y.)
| | - Bingyou Yang
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Application Research of Beiyao (Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine), Ministry of Education, Harbin 150040, China; (M.Z.); (Y.W.); (J.H.); (Y.S.); (S.W.); (B.Y.)
| | - Qiuhong Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510024, China
| | - Haixue Kuang
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Application Research of Beiyao (Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine), Ministry of Education, Harbin 150040, China; (M.Z.); (Y.W.); (J.H.); (Y.S.); (S.W.); (B.Y.)
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Wen Q, Wang C, Chen D, Luo N, Fan J, Zhou Y, Yu X, Chen W. Proteomics-Based Identification of Potential Therapeutic Targets of Artesunate in a Lupus Nephritis MRL/lpr Mouse Model. J Proteome Res 2024; 23:1150-1162. [PMID: 38394376 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00558] [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] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to identify potential therapeutic targets of artesunate in an MRL/lpr lupus nephritis mouse model by quantitative proteomics. We detected serum autoimmune markers and proteinuria in 40 female mice that were divided into 4 groups (n = 10): normal C57BL/6 control group; untreated MRL/lpr lupus; 9 mg/kg/day prednisone positive control MRL/lpr lupus; and 15 mg/kg/day artesunate-treated MRL/lpr lupus groups. Renal pathology in the untreated MRL/lpr lupus and artesunate groups was examined by Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. Artesunate treatment in lupus mice decreased serum autoantibody levels and proteinuria while alleviating lupus nephritis pathology. Through tandem mass tag-tandem mass spectrometry (TMT-MS/MS) analyses, differentially expressed proteins were identified in the artesunate group, and subsequent functional prediction suggested associations with antigen presentation, apoptosis, and immune regulation. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with the identifier PXD046815. Parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) analysis of the top 19 selected proteins confirmed the TMT-MS/MS results. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting of an enriched protein from PRM analysis, cathepsin S, linked to antigen presentation, highlighted its upregulation in the untreated MRL/lpr lupus group and downregulation following artesunate treatment. This study suggests that artesunate holds potential as a therapeutic agent for lupus nephritis, with cathepsin S identified as a potential target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Wen
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Clinical Nephrology (Sun Yat-Sen University) and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Clinical Nephrology (Sun Yat-Sen University) and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Dongni Chen
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Clinical Nephrology (Sun Yat-Sen University) and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Department of Nephrology, Center of Kidney and Urology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Ning Luo
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Clinical Nephrology (Sun Yat-Sen University) and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jinjin Fan
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Clinical Nephrology (Sun Yat-Sen University) and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Clinical Nephrology (Sun Yat-Sen University) and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xueqing Yu
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Clinical Nephrology (Sun Yat-Sen University) and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Clinical Nephrology (Sun Yat-Sen University) and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou 510080, China
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Zhao Z, Yan J, Huang L, Yang X. Phytochemicals targeting Alzheimer's disease via the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway, effects, and mechanisms of action. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 173:116373. [PMID: 38442672 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116373] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), characterized by cognitive dysfunction and other behavioral abnormalities, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that occurs due to aging. Currently, effective drugs to mitigate or treat AD remain unavailable. AD is associated with several abnormalities in neuronal energy metabolism, such as decreased glucose uptake, mitochondrial dysfunction, and defects in cholesterol metabolism. Amp-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an important serine/threonine protein kinase that regulates the energy status of cells. AMPK is widely present in eukaryotic cells and can sense and regulate energy metabolism to maintain energy supply and demand balance, making it a promising target for energy metabolism-based AD therapy. Therefore, this review aimed to discuss the molecular mechanism of AMPK in the pathogenesis of AD to provide a theoretical basis for the development of new anti-AD drugs. To review the mechanisms of phytochemicals in the treatment of AD via AMPK pathway regulation, we searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Embase databases using specific keywords related to AD and phytochemicals in September 2023. Phytochemicals can activate AMPK or regulate the AMPK pathway to exert therapeutic effects in AD. The anti-AD mechanisms of these phytochemicals include inhibiting Aβ aggregation, preventing Tau hyperphosphorylation, inhibiting inflammatory response and glial activation, promoting autophagy, and suppressing anti-oxidative stress. Additionally, several AMPK-related pathways are involved in the anti-AD mechanism, including the AMPK/CaMKKβ/mTOR, AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α, AMPK/NF-κB/NLRP3, AMPK/mTOR, and PERK/eIF2α pathways. Notably, urolithin A, artemisinin, justicidin A, berberine, stigmasterol, arctigenin, and rutaecarpine are promising AMPK agonists with anti-AD effects. Several phytochemicals are effective AMPK agonists and may have potential applications in AD treatment. Overall, phytochemical-based drugs may overcome the barriers to the effective treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Jun Yan
- Department of Neurology, Fushun Central Hospital, Fushun, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Lei Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, PR China.
| | - Xue Yang
- Department of Neurology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, PR China.
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Fukuyama Y, Kubo M, Harada K. Neurotrophic Natural Products. PROGRESS IN THE CHEMISTRY OF ORGANIC NATURAL PRODUCTS 2024; 123:1-473. [PMID: 38340248 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-42422-9_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Neurotrophins (NGF, BDNF, NT3, NT4) can decrease cell death, induce differentiation, as well as sustain the structure and function of neurons, which make them promising therapeutic agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. However, neurotrophins have not been very effective in clinical trials mostly because they cannot pass through the blood-brain barrier owing to being high-molecular-weight proteins. Thus, neurotrophin-mimic small molecules, which stimulate the synthesis of endogenous neurotrophins or enhance neurotrophic actions, may serve as promising alternatives to neurotrophins. Small-molecular-weight natural products, which have been used in dietary functional foods or in traditional medicines over the course of human history, have a great potential for the development of new therapeutic agents against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. In this contribution, a variety of natural products possessing neurotrophic properties such as neurogenesis, neurite outgrowth promotion (neuritogenesis), and neuroprotection are described, and a focus is made on the chemistry and biology of several neurotrophic natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiyasu Fukuyama
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan.
| | - Miwa Kubo
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan
| | - Kenichi Harada
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan
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Kattan D, Barsa C, Mekhijian S, Shakkour Z, Jammoul M, Doumit M, Zabala MCP, Darwiche N, Eid AH, Mechref Y, Wang KK, de Rivero Vaccari JP, Munoz Pareja JC, Kobeissy F. Inflammasomes as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in traumatic brain injury and related-neurodegenerative diseases: A comprehensive overview. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 144:104969. [PMID: 36423707 PMCID: PMC9805531 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Given the ambiguity surrounding traumatic brain injury (TBI) pathophysiology and the lack of any Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved neurotherapeutic drugs, there is an increasing need to better understand the mechanisms of TBI. Recently, the roles of inflammasomes have been highlighted as both potential therapeutic targets and diagnostic markers in different neurodegenerative disorders. Indeed, inflammasome activation plays a pivotal function in the central nervous system (CNS) response to many neurological conditions, as well as to several neurodegenerative disorders, specifically, TBI. This comprehensive review summarizes and critically discusses the mechanisms that govern the activation and assembly of inflammasome complexes and the major methods used to study inflammasome activation in TBI and its implication for other neurodegenerative disorders. Also, we will review how inflammasome activation is critical in CNS homeostasis and pathogenesis, and how it can impact chronic TBI sequalae and increase the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, we discuss the recent updates on inflammasome-related biomarkers and the potential to utilize inflammasomes as putative therapeutic targets that hold the potential to better diagnose and treat subjects with TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dania Kattan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Chloe Barsa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sarin Mekhijian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Zaynab Shakkour
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; Program for Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, Department of Child Health, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, USA
| | - Maya Jammoul
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Physiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mark Doumit
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Maria Camila Pareja Zabala
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Nadine Darwiche
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ali H Eid
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Yehia Mechref
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Kevin K Wang
- Morehouse School of Medicine, Department of Neurobiology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Juan Pablo de Rivero Vaccari
- Department of Neurological Surgery and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
| | - Jennifer C Munoz Pareja
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
| | - Firas Kobeissy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; Morehouse School of Medicine, Department of Neurobiology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Huang S, Galaj E, Wang J, Guo Y, Wang S, Shi M, Yin X, Liu K, Luo Y, Meng L, Shi H. Repurposing antimalarial artesunate for the prophylactic treatment of depression: Evidence from preclinical research. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e2833. [PMID: 36573693 PMCID: PMC9847619 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Several studies have linked inflammation and oxidative stress with the pathogenesis of depression. Artesunate is a commonly used medication to treat malaria and has been shown to produce antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. However, its prophylactic effects on depression and depression-related brain pathology are unknown. METHODS In Experiment 1, using a PC12 cell line, we investigated whether artesunate can prevent hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 )-induced oxidative injury that mimics oxidative stress commonly observed in the depressed brain. Next, using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse model of depression, we investigated whether artesunate can prevent behavioral deficits observed in the open field test, novelty-suppressed feeding test, sucrose preference test, forced swimming test, and tail suspension procedure. RESULTS We found that artesunate significantly prevented a H2 O2 -induced reduction in PC12 cell activity, suggesting its antioxidant potential. We also found that mice pretreated with artesunate (5, 15 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (i.p.) prior to the LPS (.8 mg/kg, i.p.) treatment showed fewer and less severe depression- and anxiety-like behaviors than the LPS-treated control mice. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that artesunate produces antioxidant effect, as well as antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. Importantly, our findings first demonstrate that artesunate can prevent LPS-induced depression- and anxiety-like symptoms, strongly suggesting its prophylactic potential in the treatment of depression and, perhaps, other psychiatric disorders associated with inflammation and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihao Huang
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ewa Galaj
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Colgate University, Hamilton, New York, USA
| | - Jinfeng Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The No.1 Hospital of Yongnian District Handan City, Handan, China
| | - Yi Guo
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Hebei Key laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Hebei Key laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Mengxu Shi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xueyong Yin
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Hebei Key laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Keyao Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Yixiao Luo
- Hunan Province People's Hospital, The First-affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Li Meng
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Hebei Key laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Haishui Shi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Hebei Key laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, China
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Zhang K, Yang Y, Ge H, Wang J, Lei X, Chen X, Wan F, Feng H, Tan L. Neurogenesis and Proliferation of Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells Conferred by Artesunate via FOXO3a/p27Kip1 Axis in Mouse Stroke Model. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:4718-4729. [PMID: 35596896 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02710-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Promoting neurogenesis and proliferation of endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) is considered a promising strategy for neurorehabilitation after stroke. Our previous study revealed that a moderate dose of artesunate (ART, 150 mg/kg) could enhance functional recovery in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mice. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ART treatment on neurogenesis and proliferation of NSPCs using a rodent MCAO model. MRI results indicated that the ischemic brain volume of MCAO mice was reduced by ART treatment. The results of diffusion tensor imaging, electron microscopic, and immunofluorescence of Tuj-1 also revealed that ischemia-induced white matter lesion was alleviated by ART treatment. After ischemia/reperfusion, the proportion of Brdu + endogenous NSPCs in the ipsilateral subventricular zone and peri-infarct cortex was increased by ART treatment. Furthermore, the neuro-restorative effects of ART were abolished by the overexpression of FOXO3a. These findings suggested that ART could rescue ischemia/reperfusion damage and alleviate white matter injury, subsequently contributing to post-stroke functional recovery by promoting neurogenesis and proliferation of endogenous NSPCs via the FOXO3a/p27Kip1 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyuan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, the Third Military Medical University (Army Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Xinjiang Military Command, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, the Third Military Medical University (Army Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, 904Th Hospital of the PLA, Medical School of Anhui Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongfei Ge
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, the Third Military Medical University (Army Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Ju Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, the Third Military Medical University (Army Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xuejiao Lei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, the Third Military Medical University (Army Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xuezhu Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, the Third Military Medical University (Army Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Feng Wan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Hua Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, the Third Military Medical University (Army Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Liang Tan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, the Third Military Medical University (Army Military Medical University), Chongqing, China.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Macau, China.
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Wang J, Yin J, Zheng X. Artemisinin upregulates neural cell adhesion molecule L1 to attenuate neurological deficits after intracerebral hemorrhage in mice. Brain Behav 2022; 12:e2558. [PMID: 35349764 PMCID: PMC9120716 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a subtype of stroke and results in neurological deficits in patients without any effective treatments. Artemisinin (ART), a well-known antimalarial Chinese medicine, exerts multiple essential roles in the central and peripheral nervous system due to its antioxidative and anti-inflammation properties. Neural cell adhesion molecule L1 (L1CAM, L1) is considered to be implicated in neural development, functional maintenance, and neuroprotection during disease. However, whether these two essential molecules are neuroprotective in ICH remains unclear. METHODS Therefore, the present study investigated the influence of ART on the recovery of neurological deficits in a mouse model of ICH induced by collagenase and the underlying mechanism. RESULTS It was revealed that ART is capable of upregulating L1 expression to alleviate brain edema, reduce oxidative stress, and inhibit inflammation to alleviate ICH-induced brain injury to improve the neurological outcome in mice suffering from ICH. CONCLUSION These results may lay the foundation for ART to be a novel candidate treatment for ICH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjiang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Xinjiang Military Region, Urumqi, China
| | - Jie Yin
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Xinjiang Military Region, Urumqi, China
| | - Xi Zheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Xinjiang Military Region, Urumqi, China
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Zhang S, Li J, Nong X, Zhan Y, Xu J, Zhao D, Ma C, Wang Y, Li Y, Li Z, Li J. Artesunate Combined With Metformin Ameliorate on Diabetes-Induced Xerostomia by Mitigating Superior Salivatory Nucleus and Salivary Glands Injury in Type 2 Diabetic Rats via the PI3K/AKT Pathway. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:774674. [PMID: 34987398 PMCID: PMC8722737 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.774674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Polydipsia and xerostomia are the most common complications that seriously affect oral health in patients with diabetes. However, to date, there is no effective treatment for diabetic xerostomia. Recent studies have reported that artesunate (ART) and metformin (Met) improve salivary gland (SG) hypofunction in murine Sjögren's syndrome. Therefore, aim of this study was to investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of artesunate (ART) alone and in combination with metformin (Met) on hyposalivation in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats. T2DM rats were induced using a high-fat diet and streptozotocin. SPF male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following five groups: normal control group, untreated diabetic group, ART-treated diabetic group (50 mg/kg), Met-treated diabetic group (150 mg/kg), and ART/Met co-treated diabetic group (50 mg/kg ART and 150 mg/kg Met). ART and Met were intragastrically administered daily for 4 weeks. The general conditions, diabetes parameters and serum lipids were evaluated after drug treatment. Furthermore, we observed changes in the central superior salivatory nucleus (SSN) and SG, and changes in the AQP5 expression, parasympathetic innervation (AChE and BDNF expression), and PI3K/AKT pathway- (p-AKT, and p-PI3K), apoptosis- (Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase3), and autophagy- (LC3 and P62) related markers expression in T2DM rats after treatment. Our results showed that ART or Met alone and ART/Met combination attenuated a range of diabetic symptoms, including weight loss, urine volume increase, water consumption increase, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance and dyslipidemia. More importantly, we found that these three treatments, especially ART/Met combination, mitigated hyposalivation in the T2DM rats via improving the central SSN and SGs damage in hyperglycemia. Our data also indicated that ART/Met attenuated SG damage though regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway to inhibit apoptosis and autophagy of SGs in the T2DM rats. Moreover, ART/Met preserved parasympathetic innervation (AChE and BDNF expression) in SGs to alleviate diabetes-induced hyposalivation likely through rescuing central SSN damage. Taken together, these findings might provide a novel rationale and treatment strategy for future treatment of diabetes-induced xerostomia in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqin Zhang
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Jiarui Li
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Xiaolin Nong
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Disease Treatment, Nanning, China
| | - Yuxiang Zhan
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Jiazhi Xu
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Danni Zhao
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Chubin Ma
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yuchen Wang
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yixing Li
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Zhan Li
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Jiaquan Li
- Medical Science Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Life Science Institute, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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11
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Zeng J, Bao T, Yang K, Zhu X, Wang S, Xiang W, Ge A, Zeng L, Ge J. The mechanism of microglia-mediated immune inflammation in ischemic stroke and the role of natural botanical components in regulating microglia: A review. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1047550. [PMID: 36818470 PMCID: PMC9933144 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1047550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke (IS) is one of the most fatal diseases. Neuroimmunity, inflammation, and oxidative stress play important roles in various complex mechanisms of IS. In particular, the early proinflammatory response resulting from the overactivation of resident microglia and the infiltration of circulating monocytes and macrophages in the brain after cerebral ischemia leads to secondary brain injury. Microglia are innate immune cells in the brain that constantly monitor the brain microenvironment under normal conditions. Once ischemia occurs, microglia are activated to produce dual effects of neurotoxicity and neuroprotection, and the balance of the two effects determines the fate of damaged neurons. The activation of microglia is defined as the classical activation (M1 type) or alternative activation (M2 type). M1 type microglia secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines and neurotoxic mediators to exacerbate neuronal damage, while M2 type microglia promote a repairing anti-inflammatory response. Fine regulation of M1/M2 microglial activation to minimize damage and maximize protection has important therapeutic value. This review focuses on the interaction between M1/M2 microglia and other immune cells involved in the regulation of IS phenotypic characteristics, and the mechanism of natural plant components regulating microglia after IS, providing novel candidate drugs for regulating microglial balance and IS drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsong Zeng
- The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Tingting Bao
- Institute of Metabolic Diseases, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kailin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | | | - Shanshan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Wang Xiang
- Department of Rheumatology, The First People's Hospital Changde City, Changde, Hunan, China
| | - Anqi Ge
- The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Liuting Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Jinwen Ge
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China.,Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Wang X, Du H, Li X. Artesunate attenuates atherosclerosis by inhibiting macrophage M1-like polarization and improving metabolism. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 102:108413. [PMID: 34891003 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.108413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECT Atherosclerosis (AS) is caused by chronic inflammation. Artesunate (ART), a sesquiterpene lactone endoperoxide isolated from Chinese herbal medicine, displays excellent anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we investigated the effects of artesunate on atherosclerosis in ApoE knock-out mice, and used untargeted metabolomics to determine metabolite changes in these mice following ART treatment. METHODS ApoE knock-out mice were fed a western diet and administered ART for eight weeks. Untargeted metabolomics was used to detect differential metabolites following the administration of ART. Oil Red O was used to assess plaque size, western blot and ELISA were used to detect inflammatory factors, and flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of markers on macrophages. RESULTS Results of the in vivo experiment suggested that ART reduced atherosclerotic plaques in murine aortic root. In addition both in vivo and vitro experiments suggested that ART reduced the expression levels of inflammating cytokines, but enhanced those of the anti-inflammatory cytokines in macrophages. Untargeted metabolomic analysis demonstrated that multiple metabolic pathways, which were blocked in AS mice, showed different degrees of improvement following ART treatment. Furthermore, bioinformatic analyses showed that the HIF-1α pathway was altered in the AS mice and the ART treatment mice. In vitro experiments confirmed that LPS-induced upregulation of HIF-1α expression and activation of the NF-κB signaling pathways was significantly inhibited by ART treatment. CONCLUSION These results suggest that ART exerts anti-atherosclerosis effects by inhibiting M1 macrophage polarization. One of the molecular mechanisms is that ART inhibits M1-like macrophage polarization via regulating HIF-1α and NF-κB signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxu Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, PR China
| | - Hongjiao Du
- Department of Cardiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, PR China
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Department of Cardiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, PR China.
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Yang ZB, Qiu LZ, Chen Q, Lin JD. Artesunate alleviates the inflammatory response of ulcerative colitis by regulating the expression of miR-155. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2021; 59:97-105. [PMID: 33524272 PMCID: PMC8871614 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2020.1867196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a recrudescent and chronic inflammatory disease. Artesunate (ART) has shown its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties in severe diseases, including UC. OBJECTIVE The present study investigates the molecular mechanisms for effects of ART on UC, and the role of miR-155 in this process. MATERIALS AND METHODS The in vitro UC model was established by using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. For BALB/c mice model, different concentrations/doses of ART were treated once a day for 7 days. The apoptosis and viability were measured by CCK-8 and flow cytometry assay, respectively. The expressions and concentrations of inflammatory factors were detected by qRT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. Colon tissues of mice were used for detecting the activity of MPO, and the histological changes were observed by H&E staining. RESULTS The IC50 of ART for RAW264.7 cells was 107.3 μg/mL. In LPS-induced cells, ART treatment inhibited the cell apoptosis and promoted cell viability compared with the model group. Besides, ART treatment also reduced the expressions of pro-inflammatory factors and miR-155. However, overexpression of miR-155 showed opposite effects and attenuated the effects of ART. Meanwhile, inhibiting miR-155 expression also improved the inflammatory response induced by LPS. In UC mice model, ART treatment also alleviated the mice's survival and alleviated the inflammatory response. In addition, the expression of p-NF-κB was suppressed by ART. CONCLUSION ART reduced the inflammatory response by inhibiting the expression of miR-155 in UC to inhibit the NF-κB pathway. This research showed ART might have potential in UC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Bin Yang
- Department of Medical Intensive Care Unit, Zhangzhou Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Zhangzhou, Fujian, P. R China
| | - Lu-Zhen Qiu
- Department of Medical Intensive Care Unit, Zhangzhou Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Zhangzhou, Fujian, P. R China
- CONTACT Lu-Zhen Qiu Department of Medical Intensive Care Unit, Zhangzhou Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, No. 59, Shenglixi Road, Xiangcheng, Zhangzhou363000, Fujian, P. R China
| | - Quan Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, P. R China
| | - Jian-Dong Lin
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, P. R China
- Jian-Dong Lin Department of Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, No. 20, Chazhong Road, Taijiang, Fuzhou350005, Fujian, P. R China
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Liu Y, Dang W, Zhang S, Wang L, Zhang X. Artesunate attenuates inflammatory injury and inhibits the NF-κB pathway in a mouse model of cerebral ischemia. J Int Med Res 2021; 49:3000605211053549. [PMID: 34743632 PMCID: PMC8579345 DOI: 10.1177/03000605211053549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Inflammation is an important factor in the pathological process of cerebral ischemia. Artesunate exhibits a broad range of anti-inflammatory properties in many diseases. We investigated the potential protective effect of artesunate against cerebral ischemia and the related mechanisms. METHODS Mice were divided into distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (dMCAO), sham, low dose, and high dose groups and subjected to dMCAO, except for the sham group. The low and high dose groups were administered artesunate (15 and 30 mg/kg), and the neuroprotective effects were analyzed by evaluating infarct volumes and neurological deficits. Microglial activation and neutrophil infiltration were evaluated by immunofluorescence, immunohistochemical staining, and western blotting. Inflammatory mediators were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Nuclear factor (NF)-κB nuclear translocation was detected by immunofluorescence and western blotting. RESULTS Compared with the dMCAO group, artesunate significantly improved neurological deficit scores and infarct volumes and ameliorated inflammation by reducing neutrophil infiltration, suppressing microglial activation, and downregulating tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β expression. Furthermore, artesunate inhibited nuclear translocation of NF-κB and inhibitor protein α proteolysis. CONCLUSIONS Artesunate protected against inflammatory injury by reducing neutrophil infiltration and microglial activation, suppressing inflammatory cytokines, and inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. Therefore, artesunate is a potential ischemic stroke treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- Department of Neurology, 71213Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.,Hebei Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease
| | - Wei Dang
- Linxi County People's Hospital, Linxi, Hebei, China
| | - Shiyang Zhang
- Shijiazhuang People's Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Lina Wang
- Department of Neurology, 71213Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.,Hebei Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease
| | - Xiangjian Zhang
- Department of Neurology, 71213Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.,Hebei Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease
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Abstract
Amongst the several types of brain cancers known to humankind, glioma is one of the most severe and life-threatening types of cancer, comprising 40% of all primary brain tumors. Recent reports have shown the incident rate of gliomas to be 6 per 100,000 individuals per year globally. Despite the various therapeutics used in the treatment of glioma, patient survival rate remains at a median of 15 months after undergoing first-line treatment including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy with Temozolomide. As such, the discovery of newer and more effective therapeutic agents is imperative for patient survival rate. The advent of computer-aided drug design in the development of drug discovery has emerged as a powerful means to ascertain potential hit compounds with distinctively high therapeutic effectiveness against glioma. This review encompasses the recent advances of bio-computational in-silico modeling that have elicited the discovery of small molecule inhibitors and/or drugs against various therapeutic targets in glioma. The relevant information provided in this report will assist researchers, especially in the drug design domains, to develop more effective therapeutics against this global disease.
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Pooventhiran T, Al-Zaqri N, Alsalme A, Bhattacharyya U, Thomas R. Structural aspects, conformational preference and other physico-chemical properties of Artesunate and the formation of self-assembly with graphene quantum dots: A first principle analysis and surface enhancement of Raman activity investigation. J Mol Liq 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2020.114810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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A novel ligand of the translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) identified by virtual drug screening for cancer differentiation therapy. Invest New Drugs 2021; 39:914-927. [PMID: 33492639 PMCID: PMC8280061 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-020-01042-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Differentiation therapy is a promising strategy for cancer treatment. The translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is an encouraging target in this context. By now, this field of research is still at its infancy, which motivated us to perform a large-scale screening for the identification of novel ligands of TCTP. We studied the binding mode and the effect of TCTP blockade on the cell cycle in different cancer cell lines. Methods Based on the ZINC-database, we performed virtual screening of 2,556,750 compounds to analyze the binding of small molecules to TCTP. The in silico results were confirmed by microscale thermophoresis. The effect of the new ligand molecules was investigated on cancer cell survival, flow cytometric cell cycle analysis and protein expression by Western blotting and co-immunoprecipitation in MOLT-4, MDA-MB-231, SK-OV-3 and MCF-7 cells. Results Large-scale virtual screening by PyRx combined with molecular docking by AutoDock4 revealed five candidate compounds. By microscale thermophoresis, ZINC10157406 (6-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-[(8-methoxy-4-methyl-2-quinazolinyl)amino]-4(3H)-pyrimidinone) was identified as TCTP ligand with a KD of 0.87 ± 0.38. ZINC10157406 revealed growth inhibitory effects and caused G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in MOLT-4, SK-OV-3 and MCF-7 cells. ZINC10157406 (2 × IC50) downregulated TCTP expression by 86.70 ± 0.44% and upregulated p53 expression by 177.60 ± 12.46%. We validated ZINC10157406 binding to the p53 interaction site of TCTP and replacing p53 by co-immunoprecipitation. Discussion ZINC10157406 was identified as potent ligand of TCTP by in silico and in vitro methods. The compound bound to TCTP with a considerably higher affinity compared to artesunate as known TCTP inhibitor. We were able to demonstrate the effect of TCTP blockade at the p53 binding site, i.e. expression of TCTP decreased, whereas p53 expression increased. This effect was accompanied by a dose-dependent decrease of CDK2, CDK4, CDK, cyclin D1 and cyclin D3 causing a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in MOLT-4, SK-OV-3 and MCF-7 cells. Our findings are supposed to stimulate further research on TCTP-specific small molecules for differentiation therapy in oncology.
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Kavak E, Mutlu D, Ozok O, Arslan S, Kivrak A. Design, synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of novel Artemisinin-Thymol. Nat Prod Res 2021; 36:3511-3519. [PMID: 33416016 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2020.1865954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A molecular hybridization of natural products is a new concept in drug discovery and having critical roles to design new molecules with improved biological properties. Hybrid molecules display higher biological activities when compared to the parent drugs. In the present study, two natural products (thymol and artemisinin (ART)) are used for the synthesis of new hybrid thymol-artemisinin. After characterization, the cytotoxic activity of ART-thymol was tested against different cancer cell lines and non-cancerous human cell line. ART-Thymol show the cytotoxic effect with EC50 values 70,96μM for HepG2, 97,31μM for LnCap, 6,03μM for Caco-2, 77,98μM for HeLa and 62,28μM for HEK293 cells, respectively. Moreover, ART-Thymol was checked for drug-likeness, and the kinase inhibitory activity. ART-Thymol is investigated by using molecular docking. The results of qPCR was indicated CDK2 and P38 were inhibited by ART-Thymol. These results improved that thymol-artemisinin may be new candidates as an anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emrah Kavak
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Van Yüzüncü Yil University, Van, Turkey
| | - Dogukan Mutlu
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Omruye Ozok
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Van Yüzüncü Yil University, Van, Turkey.,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Sciences, Van Yüzüncü Yil University, Van, Turkey
| | - Sevki Arslan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Arif Kivrak
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Van Yüzüncü Yil University, Van, Turkey
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Zhou Z, Hou J, Li Q. Artesunate attenuates traumatic brain injury-induced impairments in rats. Transl Neurosci 2020; 11:309-318. [PMID: 33335770 PMCID: PMC7712024 DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2020-0136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction and neuroinflammation induced by traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) cause a succession of secondary brain damage events and finally lead to a massive and progressive cerebral neuronal destruction. Artesunate, a semisynthetic artemisinin derivative, is a potential candidate for the management of cerebral damage induced by TBI due to its protective function to BBB and cerebral neurons. Methods To demonstrate the effect of artesunate to TBI-induced BBB dysfunction and neural damage, TBI rat model was constructed by cortical impact injury. Behavioral experiments were used to estimate the impact of the combined treatment on rats. Western blotting was performed to demonstrate the protein levels in the brain tissues of rats. Quantitative real-time PCRs were utilized to investigate the alteration in the expression of various RNA levels. The chemokine levels were estimated by ELISA. Results Artesunate treatment attenuated the impact caused by TBI on rat brain and improved the long-term neurological recover. Artesunate treatment protected the integrity of BBB and inhibited neuroinflammation. Artesunate treatment promoted the phosphorylation of Akt and inhibited the phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β in TBI rat model. Conclusion Artesunate protected rats from TBI-induced impairments of BBB and improved longer-term neurological outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhike Zhou
- Department of Dermatology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, No. 21 Anhui Road, Qingdao 266001, Shandong, China
| | - Jun Hou
- Department of Dermatology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, No. 21 Anhui Road, Qingdao 266001, Shandong, China
| | - Qinghua Li
- Department of Dermatology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, No. 21 Anhui Road, Qingdao 266001, Shandong, China
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Uzun T, Toptaş O, Aydın Türkoğlu Ş. Could Artesunate Have a Positive Effect on the Neurological Complications Related to Infection When It Is Used in the Treatment of COVID-19? ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:4001-4006. [PMID: 33269910 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Artesunate is a safe noncytotoxic drug with low side effects which is used in the treatment of chloroquine-resistant malaria. In addition to being an antimalarial drug, artesunate also has immunomodulatory, anticarcinogenic, and antiviral activity. There are in vivo and in vitro studies reporting that artesunate may have a positive effect on the treatment of COVID-19. Artesunate may be effective based on its effect on the anti-inflammatory activity, chloroquine-like endocytosis inhibition mechanism, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signal pathway. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may cause neurological complications in addition to targeting the respiratory system. In this study, we have discussed the possible neuroprotective action mechanisms of artesunate. We think that systemic and intranasal topical artesunate administration may have a positive effect on neurological complications resulting from COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuğçenur Uzun
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Trabzon Oral and Dental Health Hospital, Trabzon 61000, Turkey
| | - Orçun Toptaş
- Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu 14000, Turkey
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AMG900 as novel inhibitor of the translationally controlled tumor protein. Chem Biol Interact 2020; 334:109349. [PMID: 33259807 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2020.109349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Classical cytotoxic chemotherapy exerts high side effects and low tumor selectivity. Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is a target for differentiation therapy, a promising, new therapeutic approach, which is expected to be more selective and less toxic than cytotoxic chemotherapy. The aim of the present investigation was to identify novel TCTP inhibitors. METHODS We performed in silico screening and molecular docking using a chemical library of more than 31,000 compounds to identify a novel inhibitor of TCTP. We tested AMG900 in vitro for binding to TCTP by microscale thermophoresis and co-immunoprecipitation. Additionally, we examined the effect of TCTP blockade on cell cycle progression by flow cytometry and Western blotting and cancer cell survival by resazurin assays in MCF-7, SK-OV3 and MOLT-4 cell lines. RESULTS We identified AMG900 as new inhibitor of TCTP. AMG900 bound to the p53 binding site of TCTP with a free binding energy of -9.63 ± 0.01 kcal/mol. This compound decreased TCTP expression to 23.4 ± 1.59% and increased p53 expression to 194.29 ± 24.27%. Furthermore, AMG900 induced G0/G1 arrest as shown by flow cytometry and Western blot of relevant cell cycle proteins. AMG900 decreased CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, cyclin D1 and cyclin D3 expression, whereas p18, p21 and p27 expression increased. Moreover, AMG900 disturbed TCTP-p53 complexation as shown by co-immunoprecipitation and increased expression of free p53. DISCUSSION AMG900 may serve as novel lead compound for the development of differentiation therapy approaches against cancer.
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Jiang YY, Shui JC, Zhang BX, Chin JW, Yue RS. The Potential Roles of Artemisinin and Its Derivatives in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:585487. [PMID: 33381036 PMCID: PMC7768903 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.585487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease that has become a global public health problem. Studies on T2DM prevention and treatment mostly focus on discovering therapeutic drugs. Artemisinin and its derivatives were originally used as antimalarial treatments. In recent years, the roles of artemisinins in T2DM have attracted much attention. Artemisinin treatments not only attenuate insulin resistance and restore islet ß-cell function in T2DM but also have potential therapeutic effects on diabetic complications, including diabetic kidney disease, cognitive impairment, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic cardiovascular disease. Many in vitro and in vivo experiments have confirmed the therapeutic utility of artemisinin and its derivatives on T2DM, but no article has systematically demonstrated the specific role artemisinin plays in the treatment of T2DM. This review summarizes the potential therapeutic effects and mechanism of artemisinin and its derivatives in T2DM and associated complications, providing a reference for subsequent related research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Yi Jiang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jia-Cheng Shui
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo-Xun Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Guang'anmen Hospital of China, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jia-Wei Chin
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ren-Song Yue
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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The potential of artemisinins as anti-obesity agents via modulating the immune system. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 216:107696. [PMID: 33022301 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Artemisinin and its derivatives are the most effective antimalarial drugs. Besides anti-malarial activity, artemisinin and its derivatives have displayed wide-spectrum bioactivities such as anti-parasite, anti-tumor, and anti-obesity effects. Obesity is an epidemic worldwide which is a big threat to human health, but there are only a few approved anti-obesity drugs in the world. Also, these drugs are efficient to limited patients partly because their safety and efficacy are questioned. Anti-inflammatory therapies may be valuable in obesity treatment since growing evidence shows chronic metabolic inflammation is implicated in metabolic disease pathogenesis. As artemisinin and its derivatives display effective anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties with less toxicity, it provides an insight for novel drug development in obesity therapeutic strategies via immune-regulatory mechanisms. In this review, the potential of artemisinin and its derivatives to treat various metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes is discussed.
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Mandal SK, Debnath U, Kumar A, Thomas S, Mandal SC, Choudhury MD, Palit P. Natural Sesquiterpene Lactones in the Prevention and Treatment of Inflammatory Disorders and cancer: A Systematic Study of this Emerging Therapeutic Approach based on Chemical and Pharmacological Aspect. LETT DRUG DES DISCOV 2020. [DOI: 10.2174/1570180817999200421144007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background and Introduction:
Sesquiterpene lactones are a class of secondary metabolite
that contains sesquiterpenoids and lactone ring as pharmacophore moiety. A large group of bioactive
secondary metabolites such as phytopharmaceuticals belong to this category. From the Asteraceae
family-based medicinal plants, more than 5,000 sesquiterpene lactones have been reported so
far. Sesquiterpene lactone-based pharmacophore moieties hold promise for broad-spectrum biological
activities against cancer, inflammation, parasitic, bacterial, fungal, viral infection and other functional
disorders. Moreover, these moiety based phytocompounds have been highlighted with a new
dimension in the natural drug discovery program worldwide after the 2015 Medicine Nobel Prize
achieved by the Artemisinin researchers.
Objective:
These bitter substances often contain an α, β-unsaturated-γ-lactone as a major structural
backbone, which in recent studies has been explored to be associated with anti-tumor, cytotoxic, and
anti-inflammatory action. Recently, the use of sesquiterpene lactones as phytomedicine has been
increased. This study will review the prospect of sesquiterpene lactones against inflammation and
cancer.
Methods:
Hence, we emphasized on the different features of this moiety by incorporating its structural
diversity on biological activities to explore structure-activity relationships (SAR) against inflammation
and cancer.
Results:
How the dual mode of action such as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer has been exhibitedby
these phytopharmaceuticals will be forecasted in this study. Furthermore, the correlation of
anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity executed by the sesquiterpene lactones for fruitful phytotherapy
will also be revealed in the present review in the milieu of pharmacophore activity relation
and pharmacodynamics study as well.
Conclusion:
So, these metabolites are paramount in phytopharmacological aspects. The present discussion
on the future prospect of this moiety based on the reported literature could be a guide for
anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer drug discovery programs for the upcoming researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudip Kumar Mandal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Dr. B.C. Roy College of Pharmacy & Allied Health Sciences, Durgapur- 713206, India
| | - Utsab Debnath
- School of Pharmaceutical Technology, Adamas University, Kolkata 700126, India
| | - Amresh Kumar
- Department of Life Science and Bioinformatics, Biotech Hub, Assam University, Silchar, Assam-788011, India
| | - Sabu Thomas
- Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam-686560, Kerala, India
| | - Subhash Chandra Mandal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy Research Laboratory, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Manabendra Dutta Choudhury
- Department of Life Science and Bioinformatics, Biotech Hub, Assam University, Silchar, Assam-788011, India
| | - Partha Palit
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Drug Discovery Research Laboratory, Division of Pharmacognosy, Assam University (A Central University), Silchar-788011, India
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Zhao X, Li S, Gaur U, Zheng W. Artemisinin Improved Neuronal Functions in Alzheimer's Disease Animal Model 3xtg Mice and Neuronal Cells via Stimulating the ERK/CREB Signaling Pathway. Aging Dis 2020; 11:801-819. [PMID: 32765947 PMCID: PMC7390534 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2019.0813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease which is characterized by memory loss and cognitive disorders. The pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease is not known at present but toxicity of amyloid-beta is one of the central hypotheses. Amyloid-beta can stimulate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), cause oxidative stress, damage mitochondrial, cause inflammatory reactions and activate apoptosis related factors which lead to the neuronal death. In this study, we found that artemisinin, a first line antimalarial drug used in clinic for decades, improved the cognitive functions in Alzheimer’s disease animal model 3xTg mice. Further study showed that artemisinin reduced the deposition of amyloid-beta and tau protein, reduced the release of inflammation factors and apoptosis factors, and thereby reduced the neuronal cell death. Western blot assay showed that artemisinin stimulated the activation of ERK/CREB signaling pathway. Consistent with these results, artemisinin concentration-dependently promoted the survival of SH-SY5Y cell against toxicity of amyloid-beta protein 1-42 induced ROS accumulation, caspase activation and apoptosis. Artemisinin also stimulated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and CREB in SH-SY5Y cells in time and concentration-dependent manner. Inhibition of ERK/CREB pathway attenuated the protective effect of artemisinin. These data put together suggested that artemisinin has the potential to protect neuronal cells in vitro as well as in vivo animal model 3xTg mice via, at least in part, the activation of the ERK/CREB pathway. Our findings also strongly support the potential of artemisinin as a new multi-target drug that can be used for preventing and treating the Alzheimer’s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Zhao
- Center of Reproduction, Development & Aging and Institute of Translation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Shuai Li
- Center of Reproduction, Development & Aging and Institute of Translation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Uma Gaur
- Center of Reproduction, Development & Aging and Institute of Translation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Wenhua Zheng
- Center of Reproduction, Development & Aging and Institute of Translation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
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Afolayan FI, Adegbolagun O, Mwikwabe NN, Orwa J, Anumudu C. Cytokine modulation during malaria infections by some medicinal plants. SCIENTIFIC AFRICAN 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2020.e00428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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Effect of Artesunate on Leishmania Amazonesis Induced Neuroinflammation and Nociceptive Behavior in Male Balb/C Mice. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10040557. [PMID: 32230725 PMCID: PMC7222374 DOI: 10.3390/ani10040557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Leishmaniasis is a multisystemic zoonotic disease with several symptoms, and treating this disease is a great challenge for veterinary medicine. Artemisinin derivatives are currently the most widely used drugs for the treatment of malaria, especially for their excellent safety profile and low cost. Artesunate is a more stable derivative of its precursor, artemisin, and has been shown to be a pluripotent agent with different pharmacological actions. In this study, we evaluated the role of neuroinflammation in leishmaniasis and its correlation with pain and sickness behavior, and the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of artesunate in a murine model of Leishmania amazonensis infection in BALB/c mice. The results from this study indicate that artesunate is a good candidate for treatment and/or as an adjuvant in anti- leishmaniasis therapy, and for preventing and alleviating leishmaniasis-induced pain and neuroinflammation. Abstract Background: Leishmaniasis is a multisystemic zoonotic disease with several symptoms, including neurological disorders. Leishmaniasis is accompanied by an increase in nociceptive behaviors, linked to the presence of a chronic inflammatory state, in both peripheral tissue and the central nervous system. Artesunate is a more stable derivative of its precursor artemisin and has been shown to be a pluripotent agent with different pharmacological actions. Methods: In this study, we investigated the effects of artesunate in Leishmaniaamazonensi- infected BALB/c mice, evaluating its effectiveness in reducing inflammation, neuroinflammation, and nociceptive and sickness behaviors. Results: Our results demonstrate a significant increase in pain sensitivity and sickness behaviors after L. amazonensis infection. Moreover, the infection induced a significant increase in inflammatory response at both the paw and spinal cord level. Treatment with artesunate was able to induce a significant decrease in tissue inflammation and neuroinflammation and thus induce a significant decrease in pain sensitivity and sickness behaviors. Conclusions: The results from this study indicate that artesunate is a good candidate for treatment and/or as an adjuvant in leishmanicidal therapy, and to prevent and alleviate leishmaniasis-induced pain and neuroinflammation and thereby improve the quality of life of leishmaniasis patients.
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Zheng C, Shan L, Tong P, Efferth T. Cardiotoxicity and Cardioprotection by Artesunate in Larval Zebrafish. Dose Response 2020; 18:1559325819897180. [PMID: 31975974 PMCID: PMC6958657 DOI: 10.1177/1559325819897180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Although artesunate (ART) is generally accepted as a safe and well-tolerated
first-line treatment of severe malaria, cases of severe side effects and
toxicity of this compound are also documented. This study applied larval
zebrafishes to determine the acute toxicity and efficacy of ART and performed
RNA-sequencing analyses to unravel the underlying signaling pathways
contributing to ART’s activities. Results from acute toxicity assay showed that
a single-dose intravenous injection of ART from 3.6 ng/fish (1/9 maximum
nonlethal concentration) to 41.8 ng/fish (lethal dose 10%) obviously induced
pericardial edema, circulation defects, yolk sac absorption delay, renal edema,
and swim bladder loss, indicating acute cardiotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and
developmental toxicity of ART. Efficacy assay showed that ART at 1/2 lowest
observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) exerted cardioprotective effects on
zebrafishes with verapamil-induced heart failure. Artesunate significantly
restored cardiac malformation, venous stasis, cardiac output decrease, and blood
flow dynamics reduction. No adverse events were observed with this treatment,
indicating that ART at doses below LOAEL was effective and safe. These results
indicate that ART at low doses was cardioprotective, but revealed cardiotoxicity
at high doses. RNA-sequencing analysis showed that gene expression of
frizzled class receptor 7a (fzd7a) was
significantly upregulated in zebrafishes with verapamil-induced heart failure
and significantly downregulated if ART at 1/2 LOAEL was coadministrated,
indicating that fzd7a-modulated Wnt signaling may mediate the
cardioprotective effect of ART. For the first time, this study revealed the
biphasic property of ART, providing in-depth knowledge on the pharmacological
efficacy-safety profile for its therapeutic and safe applications in clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanrui Zheng
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Letian Shan
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Peijian Tong
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
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Mota TC, Garcia TB, Bonfim LT, Portilho AJS, Pinto CA, Burbano RMR, Bahia M. Markers of oxidative‐nitrosative stress induced by artesunate are followed by clastogenic and aneugenic effects and apoptosis in human lymphocytes. J Appl Toxicol 2019; 39:1405-1412. [DOI: 10.1002/jat.3826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tatiane C. Mota
- Laboratory of Human Cytogenetic and Genetic Toxicology, Institute of Biological SciencesFederal University of Pará (UFPA) Belém‐ Pará Brazil
| | - Tarcyane B. Garcia
- Laboratory of Human Cytogenetic and Genetic Toxicology, Institute of Biological SciencesFederal University of Pará (UFPA) Belém‐ Pará Brazil
| | - Laís T. Bonfim
- Laboratory of Human Cytogenetic and Genetic Toxicology, Institute of Biological SciencesFederal University of Pará (UFPA) Belém‐ Pará Brazil
| | - Adrhyann J. S. Portilho
- Laboratory of Human Cytogenetic and Genetic Toxicology, Institute of Biological SciencesFederal University of Pará (UFPA) Belém‐ Pará Brazil
| | - Camila A. Pinto
- Laboratory of Human Cytogenetic and Genetic Toxicology, Institute of Biological SciencesFederal University of Pará (UFPA) Belém‐ Pará Brazil
| | - Rommel M. R. Burbano
- Laboratory of Human Cytogenetic and Genetic Toxicology, Institute of Biological SciencesFederal University of Pará (UFPA) Belém‐ Pará Brazil
| | - Marcelo Bahia
- Laboratory of Human Cytogenetic and Genetic Toxicology, Institute of Biological SciencesFederal University of Pará (UFPA) Belém‐ Pará Brazil
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Artemisinin Attenuated Hydrogen Peroxide (H 2O 2)-Induced Oxidative Injury in SH-SY5Y and Hippocampal Neurons via the Activation of AMPK Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20112680. [PMID: 31151322 PMCID: PMC6600327 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20112680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is believed to be one of the main causes of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The pathogenesis of AD is still not elucidated clearly but oxidative stress is one of the key hypotheses. Here, we found that artemisinin, an anti-malarial Chinese medicine, possesses neuroprotective effects. However, the antioxidative effects of artemisinin remain to be explored. In this study, we found that artemisinin rescued SH-SY5Y and hippocampal neuronal cells from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cell death at clinically relevant doses in a concentration-dependent manner. Further studies showed that artemisinin significantly restored the nuclear morphology, improved the abnormal changes in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential, and caspase-3 activation, thereby attenuating apoptosis. Artemisinin also stimulated the phosphorylation of the adenosine monophosphate -activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway in SH-SY5Y cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Inhibition of the AMPK pathway attenuated the protective effect of artemisinin. These data put together suggested that artemisinin has the potential to protect neuronal cells. Similar results were obtained in primary cultured hippocampal neurons. Cumulatively, these results indicated that artemisinin protected neuronal cells from oxidative damage, at least in part through the activation of AMPK. Our findings support the role of artemisinin as a potential therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative diseases.
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RIZKI FADHIL PRATAMA MOHAMMAD, HADI TJAHJONO DARYONO, GUSDINAR TUTUS. The Antifungal Activity of Artesunate toward Candida albicans: Two Opposite Activities. MICROBIOLOGY INDONESIA 2019. [DOI: 10.5454/mi.13.3.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Crosstalk of toll-like receptors signaling and Nrf2 pathway for regulation of inflammation. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 108:1866-1878. [PMID: 30372892 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2018] [Revised: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation as a second line of defense of innate immunity plays a crucial role in eliminating invading pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi as well as other parasites). The inflammatory response may also activate adaptive immune system involving lymphocytes to mount either antibody dependent or cell-mediated immune responses to clear pathogenic insult. However, if continued, the inflammatory processes may become uncontrolled culminating in cellular injury and tissue destruction, thereby manifesting itself in chronic form. The chronic inflammation has been associated with numerous human pathological conditions like allergies and autoimmune diseases, atherosclerosis, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes, schizophrenia, neuro-degenerative diseases and numerous others. The dysregulated inflammatory process is associated with overproduction of free radicals leading to oxidative stress and activation of different cell signaling pathways. The regulation of inflammation by TLR signaling as well as Nrf2 pathways separately is widely documented. Since both these major signaling pathways modulate inflammation, they may crosstalk to bring about coordinated inflammatory responses. The linkage between TLR signaling and Nrf2-Keap1 pathway may serve as a bridge between immune regulation and oxidative stress responses through regulation of inflammation. Also, inflammation is reportedly responsible for the plethora of diseased conditions; a study of its regulation by targeting the TLR-Nrf2 cross-talks may also be beneficial for the development of therapeutic therapies or prophylactic treatments. Hence, present review focuses on the crosstalk between TLR signaling and Nrf2 pathway with respect to their role in modulation of inflammation in normal as well as pathologic conditions.
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Gugliandolo E, D'Amico R, Cordaro M, Fusco R, Siracusa R, Crupi R, Impellizzeri D, Cuzzocrea S, Di Paola R. Neuroprotective Effect of Artesunate in Experimental Model of Traumatic Brain Injury. Front Neurol 2018; 9:590. [PMID: 30108544 PMCID: PMC6079305 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are an important public health challenge. In addition, subsequent events at TBI can compromise the quality of life of these patients. In fact, TBI is associated with several complications for both long and short term, some evidence shows how TBI is associated with a decline in cognitive functions such as the risk of developing dementia, cerebral atrophy, and Parkinson disease. After the direct damage from TBI, a key role in TBI injury is played by the inflammatory response and oxidative stress, that contributes to tissue damage and to neurodegenerative processes, typical of secondary injury, after TBI. Given the complex series of events that are involved after TBI injury, a multitarget pharmacological approach is needed. Artesunate is a more stable derivative of its precursor artemisin, a sesquiterpene lactone obtained from a Chinese plant Artemisia annua, a plant used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. artesunate has been shown to be a pluripotent agent with different pharmacological actions. therefore, in this experimental model of TBI we evaluated whether the treatment with artesunate at the dose of 30 mg\Kg, had an efficacy in reducing the neuroinflammatory process after TBI injury, and in inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, which plays a key role in the inflammatory process. We also assessed whether treatment with artesunate was able to exert a neuroprotective action by modulating the release of neurotrophic factors. our results show that artesunate was able to reduce the TBI-induced lesion, it also showed an anti-inflammatory action through the inhibition of Nf-kb, release of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α and through the inhibition NLRP3 inflammasome complex, furthermore was able to reduce the activation of astrocytes and microglia (GFAP, Iba-1). Finally, our results show that the protective effects of artesunate also occur through the modulation of neurotrophic factors (BDNF, GDNF, NT-3) that play a key role in neuronal survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Gugliandolo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Ramona D'Amico
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Marika Cordaro
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Fusco
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Rosalba Siracusa
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Rosalia Crupi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Daniela Impellizzeri
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Science, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Rosanna Di Paola
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Lin SP, Li W, Winters A, Liu R, Yang SH. Artemisinin Prevents Glutamate-Induced Neuronal Cell Death Via Akt Pathway Activation. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:108. [PMID: 29731711 PMCID: PMC5919952 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin is an anti-malarial drug that has been in use for almost half century. Recently, novel biological effects of artemisinin on cancer, inflammation-related disorders and cardiovascular disease were reported. However, neuroprotective actions of artemisinin against glutamate-induced oxidative stress have not been investigated. In the current study, we determined the effect of artemisinin against oxidative insult in HT-22 mouse hippocampal cell line. We found that pretreatment of artemisinin declined reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, attenuated the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential induced by glutamate and rescued HT-22 cells from glutamate-induced cell death. Furthermore, our study demonstrated that artemisinin activated Akt/Bcl-2 signaling and that neuroprotective effect of artemisinin was blocked by Akt-specific inhibitor, MK2206. Taken together, our study indicated that artemisinin prevented neuronal HT-22 cell from glutamate-induced oxidative injury by activation of Akt signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Peng Lin
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, United States.,Department of Emergency, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjun Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, United States
| | - Ali Winters
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, United States
| | - Ran Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, United States
| | - Shao-Hua Yang
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, United States
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Raffetin A, Bruneel F, Roussel C, Thellier M, Buffet P, Caumes E, Jauréguiberry S. Use of artesunate in non-malarial indications. Med Mal Infect 2018; 48:238-249. [PMID: 29422423 DOI: 10.1016/j.medmal.2018.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Artesunate and other artemisinin derivatives are used in various infectious and non-infectious diseases. We aimed to analyze available data on artesunate and artemisinin derivatives activity in humans and their potential clinical benefits in non-malarial indications. MATERIAL AND METHODS Literature review performed on PubMed and the Cochrane Library databases using the PRISMA method. We analyzed studies published in English from January 2008 to August 2017 using the same indicators of drug efficacy. RESULTS We included 19 studies performed in humans (1 meta-analysis, 1 literature review, 4 randomized controlled trials, 3 prospective controlled trials, 3 prospective uncontrolled trials, 2 exploratory phase 1 or 2 trials, 1 case series, and 4 case reports). Artesunate and artemisinin derivatives demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of schistosomiasis in combination with praziquantel (P=0.003). Artesunate monotherapy was less effective than praziquantel alone (P<0.001) probably because its activity only affects the early stages of Schistosoma parasites. Artesunate monotherapy could be interesting as a chemoprophylactic drug against schistosomiasis (P<0.001). Findings seem promising but are still controversial in the treatment of multidrug-resistant CMV infections. Studies do not conclude on artesunate and artemisinin derivatives efficacy in the treatment of cervix, breast, colorectal, and lung cancers. CONCLUSION Artesunate and artemisinin derivatives in combination with praziquantel were effective against schistosomiasis, and could be used as a chemoprophylactic drug alone. They could be interesting as anti-CMV and anti-tumor treatment. Additional trials in humans are required to assess the efficacy of artesunate and artemisinin derivatives in diseases other than malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Raffetin
- Service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales et de médecine interne, CHI Lucie-et-Raymond-Aubrac, 94190 Villeneuve Saint-Georges, France
| | - F Bruneel
- Service de réanimation médicale, centre hospitalier de Versailles, hôpital André-Mignot, 78150 Le Chesnay, France
| | - C Roussel
- Inserm, unité biologie intégrée du globule rouge, laboratoire d'excellence GR-Ex, Sorbonne universités, université Paris Descartes, INTS, 75015 Paris, France
| | - M Thellier
- Centre national de référence pour le paludisme, 75013 Paris, France; Service de parasitologie-mycologie, groupe hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, 75013 Paris, France
| | - P Buffet
- Inserm, unité biologie intégrée du globule rouge, laboratoire d'excellence GR-Ex, Sorbonne universités, université Paris Descartes, INTS, 75015 Paris, France; Centre national de référence pour le paludisme, 75013 Paris, France
| | - E Caumes
- Service des maladies infectieuses et tropicales, groupe hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, 75013 Paris, France; Inserm, institut Pierre-Louis d'épidémiologie et de santé publique (UMRS 1136), Sorbonne universités, UPMC université Paris 06, 75013 Paris, France
| | - S Jauréguiberry
- Centre national de référence pour le paludisme, 75013 Paris, France; Service des maladies infectieuses et tropicales, groupe hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, 75013 Paris, France; Inserm, institut Pierre-Louis d'épidémiologie et de santé publique (UMRS 1136), Sorbonne universités, UPMC université Paris 06, 75013 Paris, France.
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