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Li D, Hu Y, Liu X, Yu G. Network pharmacology analysis and experimental validation of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma in treating Alzheimer 's disease. Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2023; 53:84-97. [PMID: 38105702 PMCID: PMC10945494 DOI: 10.3724/zdxbyxb-2023-0362] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore the mechanism of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma in treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). METHODS The active ingredients and targets of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma for treatment of AD were screened with network pharmacology methods, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and the core targets were analyzed. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways enriching analysis was performed. The peripheral blood lymphocytes were extracted and lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) were constructed and an in vitro cell model of LCL-SKNMC was established. MTT and CCK-8 methods were used to quantify SKNMC/LCL cells, 2 ´, 7 ´-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) probe was used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS), and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the generation of Aβ1-42 in a co-cultured model. Western blotting was used to detect protein expression in the co-culture model. The lifespan of N2 nematodes was observed under oxidative stress, normal state, and heat stress; ROS generated by N2 nematodes was detected by DCFH-DA probes. The paralysis time of CL4176 N2 nematodes was evaluated by paralysis assay, and Aβ deposition in the pharynx was detected by Thioflavin S staining. RESULTS Through network pharmacology, 15 potential active ingredients and 103 drug-disease targets were identified. PPI analysis showed that the Anemarrhenae Rhizoma might play anti-AD roles through albumin, Akt1, tumor necrosis factor, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), amyloid precursor protein (APP) and other related targets. KEGG analysis showed that the pharmacological effects of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma might involve the biological processes of Alzheimer's disease, endocrine resistance, insulin resistance; and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt signaling pathway, calcium signaling pathway, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetes complications, neurotrophic factor signaling pathway and others. The in vitro cell experiments showed that Anemarrhenae Rhizoma was able to reduce the production of ROS and Aβ1-42 (both P<0.01), inhibit the expression of β-secretase 1 (BACE1), APP and Aβ1-42 proteins (all P<0.05), up-regulate the expression of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT, p-GSK3β/GSK3β in SKNMC cells (all P<0.05). The in vivo studies further confirmed that Anemarrhenae Rhizoma prolonged the lifespan of C. elegans under stress and normal conditions, reduced the accumulation of ROS and the toxicity of Aβ deposition. CONCLUSIONS Anemarrhenae Rhizoma may reduce the production of Aβ in AD and inhibit its induced oxidative stress, which may be achieved by regulating the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deyu Li
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China.
| | - Yingchao Hu
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Guran Yu
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China.
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Bai X, Liu CM, Li HJ, Zhang ZP, Cui WB, An FL, Zhang ZX, Wang DS, Fei DQ. Ethyl caffeate attefnuates Aβ-induced toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans AD models via the insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling pathway. Bioorg Chem 2023; 139:106714. [PMID: 37454496 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a multifactorial progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with aging, is unclear. Ethyl caffeate is a plant polyphenol that has been reported to have neuroprotective effects, but the mechanisms by which it acts are unclear. In this study, for the first time, we investigated the molecular mechanism of its anti-AD properties using the Caernorhabditis elegans model. The results of our experiments showed that ethyl caffeate delayed the paralysis symptoms of CL4176 to a different extent and reduced the exogenous 5-hydroxytryptophan-induced paralysis phenotype. Further studies revealed that ethyl caffeate lowered Aβ plaques and depressed the expression of Aβ monomers and oligomers, but did not influence the mRNA levels of Aβ. Moreover, it was able to bring paraquat-induced ROS levels down to near-standard conditions. Real-time quantitative PCR experiment showed a significant upregulation of the transcript abundance of daf-16, skn-1 and hsf-1, key factors associated with the insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) signaling pathway (IIS), and their downstream genes sod-3, gst-4 and hsp-16.2. It was further shown that ethyl caffeate activated the translocation of DAF-16 and SKN-1 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus and enhanced the expression of sod-3::GFP, gst-4::GFP and hsp-16.2::GFP in transgenic nematodes. This meant that the protection against Aβ toxicity by ethyl caffeate may be partly through the IIS signaling pathway. In addition, ethyl caffeate suppressed the aggregation of polyglutamine proteins in AM141, which indicated a potential protective effect against neurodegenerative diseases based on abnormal folding and aggregation of amyloid proteins. Taken together, ethyl caffeate is expected to develop as a potential drug for the management of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Bai
- School of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Chun-Min Liu
- School of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Hui-Jie Li
- School of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Zong-Ping Zhang
- School of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Wen-Bo Cui
- School of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Feng-Li An
- School of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Zhan-Xin Zhang
- School of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China.
| | - Dong-Sheng Wang
- School of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China.
| | - Dong-Qing Fei
- School of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China.
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Xiao C, Chen T, Yuan M, Li Y, Wang F. A Novel Polysaccharide DSPP-1 from Durian Seed: Structure Characterization and Its Protective Effects Against Alzheimer's Disease in a Transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans Model. PLANT FOODS FOR HUMAN NUTRITION (DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS) 2023:10.1007/s11130-023-01059-5. [PMID: 36964883 DOI: 10.1007/s11130-023-01059-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Durian seeds are normally considered as agricultural waste in durian fruit processing, resulting in a huge waste of resources. The structure characterization of polysaccharide from durian seed and its neuroprotective effects against Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans model were conducted in this study. A water-soluble polysaccharide was obtained using atmospheric pressure plasma treatment, and named DSPP-1. DSPP-1 was composed of rhamnose, galactose and galacturonic acid and its molecular weight was 3.765 × 105 Da. PDSP and DSPP-1 showed considerable antioxidant activity in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging compared to the positive control (vitamin C). Besides, compared with the positive group (epigallocatechin gallate), PDSP and DSPP-1 exhibited the certain Abeta1 - 42 aggregation inhibitory effectiveness (p < 0.05). In contrast, DSPP-2 exerted a poor antioxidant and anti-aggregation effect (p < 0.05). In vivo results showed that DSPP-1 could decrease abnormal Aβ1-42 aggregation to delay the paralysis process of AD-nematodes. Moreover, DSPP-1 significantly improved the antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced lipid peroxidation in AD-nematodes. Taken together, these results indicated that DSPP-1 could be used as a potential natural source for the prevention and treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuxiang Xiao
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Tiejun Chen
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Meng Yuan
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Yu Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Fengwu Wang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
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4
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Li Q, Xiao M, Li N, Cai W, Zhao C, Liu B, Zeng F. Application of
Caenorhabditis elegans
in the evaluation of food nutrition: A review. EFOOD 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/efd2.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Quancen Li
- College of Food Science Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
| | - Meifang Xiao
- College of Food Science Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
| | - Na Li
- College of Food Science Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
| | - Wenwen Cai
- College of Food Science Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
| | - Chao Zhao
- College of Food Science Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
- College of Marine Sciences Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
- Engineering Research Center of Fujian Subtropical Fruit and Vegetable Processing Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
| | - Bin Liu
- College of Food Science Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
- Engineering Research Center of Fujian Subtropical Fruit and Vegetable Processing Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
- National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
| | - Feng Zeng
- College of Food Science Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
- Engineering Research Center of Fujian Subtropical Fruit and Vegetable Processing Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
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Komura T, Aoki M, Kotoura S, Nishikawa Y. Protective effect of Lactococcus laudensis and Pediococcus parvulus against neuropathy due to amyloid-beta in Caenorhabditis elegans. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 155:113769. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
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Jiang S, Jiang CP, Cao P, Liu YH, Gao CH, Yi XX. Sonneradon A Extends Lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans by Modulating Mitochondrial and IIS Signaling Pathways. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20010059. [PMID: 35049915 PMCID: PMC8778700 DOI: 10.3390/md20010059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is related to the lowered overall functioning and increased risk for various age-related diseases in humans. Sonneradon A (SDA), a new compound first extracted from the edible fruits of mangrove Sonneratia apetala, showed remarkable antiaging activity. However, the role of SDA in antiaging remains unclear. In this article, we studied the function of SDA in antiaging by using the animal model Caenorhabditis elegans. Results showed that SDA inhibited production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by 53%, and reduced the accumulation of aging markers such as lipids and lipofuscins. Moreover, SDA also enhanced the innate immune response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Genetic analysis of a series of mutants showed that SDA extended the lifespan of the mutants of eat-2 and glp-1. Together, this effect may be related to the enhanced resistance to oxidative stress via mitochondrial and insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling (IIS) pathways. The results of this study provided new evidence for an antiaging effect of SDA in C. elegans, as well as insights into the implication of antiaging activity of SDA in higher organisms.
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Navarro-Hortal MD, Romero-Márquez JM, Muñoz-Ollero P, Jiménez-Trigo V, Esteban-Muñoz A, Tutusaus K, Giampieri F, Battino M, Sánchez-González C, Rivas-García L, Llopis J, Forbes-Hernández TY, Quiles JL. Amyloid β-but not Tau-induced neurotoxicity is suppressed by Manuka honey via HSP-16.2 and SKN-1/Nrf2 pathways in an in vivo model of Alzheimer's disease. Food Funct 2022; 13:11185-11199. [DOI: 10.1039/d2fo01739c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's is a chronic degenerative disease of the central nervous system considered the leading cause of dementia in the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- María D. Navarro-Hortal
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Armilla, Avda. del Conocimiento s.n., 18100 Armilla, Spain
| | - Jose M. Romero-Márquez
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Armilla, Avda. del Conocimiento s.n., 18100 Armilla, Spain
| | - Pedro Muñoz-Ollero
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Armilla, Avda. del Conocimiento s.n., 18100 Armilla, Spain
| | - Victoria Jiménez-Trigo
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Armilla, Avda. del Conocimiento s.n., 18100 Armilla, Spain
| | | | - Kilian Tutusaus
- Research Group on Foods, Nutritional Biochemistry and Health, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, Isabel Torres, 21, 39011 Santander, Spain
- Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana, 24560 Campeche, Mexico
| | - Francesca Giampieri
- Research Group on Foods, Nutritional Biochemistry and Health, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, Isabel Torres, 21, 39011 Santander, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maurizio Battino
- Research Group on Foods, Nutritional Biochemistry and Health, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, Isabel Torres, 21, 39011 Santander, Spain
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, 60131, Italy
- International Joint Research Laboratory of Intelligent Agriculture and Agri-products Processing, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Cristina Sánchez-González
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Armilla, Avda. del Conocimiento s.n., 18100 Armilla, Spain
- Sport and Health Research Centre, University of Granada, C/.Menéndez Pelayo 32, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Lorenzo Rivas-García
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Armilla, Avda. del Conocimiento s.n., 18100 Armilla, Spain
- Sport and Health Research Centre, University of Granada, C/.Menéndez Pelayo 32, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Juan Llopis
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Armilla, Avda. del Conocimiento s.n., 18100 Armilla, Spain
- Sport and Health Research Centre, University of Granada, C/.Menéndez Pelayo 32, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Tamara Y. Forbes-Hernández
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Armilla, Avda. del Conocimiento s.n., 18100 Armilla, Spain
| | - José L. Quiles
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Armilla, Avda. del Conocimiento s.n., 18100 Armilla, Spain
- Research Group on Foods, Nutritional Biochemistry and Health, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, Isabel Torres, 21, 39011 Santander, Spain
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8
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Gao L, Zhang Y, Xu H, Zhao F, Wang W. Therapeutic Effects of Modified Gengnianchun Formula on Stress-Induced Diminished Ovarian Reserve Based on Experimental Approaches and Network Pharmacology. Drug Des Devel Ther 2021; 14:4975-4992. [PMID: 33239863 PMCID: PMC7680799 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s279553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim To verify the effects of modified Gengnianchun formula (MGNC), a traditional Chinese medicine, on a stressed diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) animal model and predict the underlying mechanisms through network pharmacology strategies. Methods Sexually mature female C57BL/6 mice were allocated to five groups, abbreviated as the control (C) group, stress manipulated model (M) group, stress with normal saline gavage (N) group, stress with low-dose MGNC gavage (L) group, and stress with high-dose MGNC gavage (H) group. Body weight and the estrous cycle were monitored during the stress and gavage process. Serum stress hormones and reproductive hormones were evaluated by ELISA. Ovarian follicle counts were calculated, and ovarian follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) expression were assessed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Network pharmacology strategies included active compound screening, drug and disease target analysis, gene ontology analysis, pathway analysis, and visualization of results. Results MGNC treatment significantly decreased serum corticosterone (CORT) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and increased testosterone (T) levels in the H group compared with the M and N groups. Primordial and preantral follicle counts and ovarian AMH and FSHR expression were significantly increased in the H group compared to those in the M and N groups. Through pharmacokinetic screening, we found 244 active compounds in MGNC. A total of 186 candidate intersection target genes of disease and MGNC were further screened to construct the interaction network. Gene ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis ultimately unveiled a series of key targets that mainly mediated the effects of MGNC on DOR induced by chronic stress. The PI3K-Akt pathway may serve as the critical pathway underlying this therapeutic mechanism. Conclusion MGNC is a promising formula to treat DOR induced by chronic stress, and the PI3K-Akt pathway may play an essential role in this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyun Gao
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Huangfang Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Fangui Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China.,Department of Ultrasound Diagnosis, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjun Wang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China
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9
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Zhao F, Wang W. Gengnianchun Recipe Protects Ovarian Reserve of Rats Treated by 4-Vinylcyclohexene Diepoxide via the AKT Pathway. Int J Endocrinol 2020; 2020:9725898. [PMID: 33381174 PMCID: PMC7758144 DOI: 10.1155/2020/9725898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) refers to a decrease in the number and quality of oocytes. Western treatment of DOR does not improve the ovarian reserve fundamentally, and the effect is limited. Gengnianchun recipe (GNC) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula originally applied to treat menopausal syndrome but is also found to be effective in treating clinical DOR patients. Here we aim to examine the effect of GNC in a DOR rat model induced by 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD), a chemical that selectively destroys ovarian small preantral follicles, and further investigate the possible mechanisms. Female SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group (C), model group (M), high-dose GNC group (H), and low-dose GNC group (L). Rats in M, H, and L were administered with VCD and normal saline, high-dose GNC, and low-dose GNC separately. Rat ovaries were harvested either to conduct HE staining for follicle count, immunohistochemistry, or western blot. We found that high dose of GNC significantly increased the ovarian index and sustained the number of primordial follicles and primary follicles in VCD treated rats. Moreover, high dose of GNC significantly increased the ovarian protein expression of mouse vasa homologue (MVH), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), and estrogen receptor β (ERβ) compared with that in the model group. Besides, high-dose GNC significantly increased ovarian AKT phosphorylation and the expression of downstream forkhead box O3 (FOXO3a). Proapoptosis proteins of Bax, cleaved caspase-3, and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) were significantly decreased after high-dose GNC treatment compared with those in the model group. Taken together, these findings suggest that high-dose GNC could protect ovarian reserve against VCD-induced toxicity via the activation of the AKT signaling pathway and reduced cell apoptosis in SD Rats. This effect could either be induced by the increased FSHR signaling or by the nontranscriptional activation of ERβ, which requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangui Zhao
- Department of Ultrasound Diagnosis, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Wenjun Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
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Gengnianchun Extends the Lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans via the Insulin/IGF-1 Signalling Pathway. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2018; 2018:4740739. [PMID: 29670680 PMCID: PMC5835280 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4740739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Gengnianchun (GNC), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is believed to have beneficial effects on ageing-related diseases, such as antioxidant properties and effects against Aβ-induced toxicity. We previously found that GNC extended the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans. However, the mechanism underlying this effect was unclear. In this study, we further explored the mechanisms of GNC using a C. elegans model. GNC significantly increased the lifespan of C. elegans and enhanced oxidative and thermal stress resistance. Moreover, chemotaxis increased after GNC treatment. RNA-seq analysis showed that GNC regulated genes associated with longevity. We also conducted lifespan assays with a series of worm mutants. The results showed that GNC significantly extended the lifespan of several mutant strains, including eat-2 (ad465), rsks-1 (ok1255), and glp-1 (e2144), suggesting that the prolongevity effect of GNC is independent of the function of these genes. However, GNC failed to extend the lifespan of daf-2 (e1370), age-1 (hx546), and daf-16 (mu86) mutant strains. Our findings suggest that GNC extends the lifespan of C. elegans via the insulin/IGF-1 signalling pathway and may be a potential antiageing agent.
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