Astragaloside and/or Hydroxysafflor Yellow A Attenuates Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation-Induced Cultured Brain Microvessel Endothelial Cell Death through Downregulation of PHLPP-1

Injectable Hydrogels Based on Hyaluronic Acid and Gelatin Combined with Salvianolic Acid B and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor for Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) leads to structural damage in the brain, and is one of the major causes of disability and death in the world. Herein, we developed a composite injectable hydrogel (HA/Gel) composed of hyaluronic acid (HA) and gelatin (Gel), loaded with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and salvianolic acid B (SAB) for treatment of TBI. The HA/Gel hydrogels were formed by the coupling of phenol-rich tyramine-modified HA (HA-TA) and tyramine-modified Gel (Gel-TA) catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). SEM results showed that HA/Gel hydrogel had a porous structure. Rheological test results showed that the hydrogel possessed appropriate rheological properties, and UV spectrophotometry results showed that the hydrogel exhibited excellent SAB release performance. The results of LIVE/DEAD staining, CCK-8 and Phalloidin/DAPI fluorescence staining showed that the HA/Gel hydrogel possessed good cell biocompatibility. Moreover, the hydrogels loaded with SAB and VEGF (HA/Gel/SAB/VEGF) could effectively promote the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). In addition, the results of H&E staining, CD31 and α-SMA immunofluorescence staining showed that the HA/Gel/SAB/VEGF hydrogel possessed good in vivo biocompatibility and pro-angiogenic ability. Furthermore, immunohistochemical results showed that the injection of HA/Gel/SAB/VEGF hydrogel to the injury site could effectively reduce the volume of defective tissues in traumatic brain injured mice. Our results suggest that the injection of HA/Gel hydrogel loaded with SAB and VEGF might provide a new approach for therapeutic brain tissue repair after traumatic brain injury.

[Hydroxysafflor yellow A attenuates heat stroke-induced acute lung injury in mice by inhibiting necroptosis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the protective effect of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) against heat stroke (HS)-induced acute lung injury and its possible mechanism.

METHODS

The optimal dose of HSYA pretreatment via intraperitoneal injection prior to HS was determined in a mice by observing heat tolerance of the mice. C57BL/6J mice were pretreated with HSYA at the optimal dose or with Nec-1 (a RIP1 activation inhibitor) before HS, and the changes in core body temperature and survival of the mice were observed during the 72-h recovery period. At different stages of recovery, lung tissues, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and blood samples were collected from the mice for assessing lung tissue pathology, wet-to-dry weight ratio and water content of the lungs; leukocyte and neutrophil counts, total protein levels and HMGB1 level in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BLF) were also detected. Serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and HMGB1 were detected with ELISA, and the expression levels of RIP1, RIP3, MLKL-s358, MLKL and MLKL-s358 proteins in the lung tissues were detected using Western blotting.

RESULTS

HSYA pretreatment at the moderate and high doses significantly improved heat tolerance of the mice with comparable effects. At the optimal dose of 2.25 mg/kg, HSYA pretreatment significantly increased heat tolerance of the mice (P<0.05), showing a similar effect with Nec-1 pretreatment. Pretreatment with HSYA and Nec-1 both significantly increased survival rate of the mice (P<0.05), lowered histopathological score and water content of the lungs, and reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and HMGB1 (P<0.05), leukocyte and neutrophil counts, and total protein and HMGB1 levels in the BLF (P<0.05). The mice during recovery from HS showed significantly increased RIP1 expression and MLKL-s358 phosphorylation level in the lung tissue (P<0.05), which were obviously lowered by HSYA pretreatment of the mice.

CONCLUSION

Severe HS results in necroptosis in the lung tissue of mice, which can be alleviated by HSYA pretreatment.

Protective potential of hydroxysafflor yellow A in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury: An overview of evidence from experimental studies

Ischemic stroke, mostly caused by thromboembolic or thrombotic arterial occlusions, is a primary leading cause of death worldwide with high morbidity and disability. Unfortunately, no specific medicine is available for the treatment of cerebral I/R injury due to its limitation of therapeutic window. Hydroxysafflor yellow A, a natural product extracted from Carthamus tinctorius, has been extensively investigated on its pharmacological properties in cerebrovascular diseases. However, review focusing on the beneficial role of HSYA against cerebral I/R injury is still lacking. In this paper, we reviewed the neuroprotective effect of HSYA in preclinical studies and the underlying mechanisms involved, as well as clinical data that support the pharmacological activities. Additionally, the sources, physicochemical properties, biosynthesis, safety and limitations of HSYA were also reviewed. As a result, HSYA possesses a wide range of beneficial effects against cerebral I/R injury, and its action mechanisms include anti-excitotoxicity, anti-oxidant stress, anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammation, attenuating BBB leakage and regulating autophagy. Collectively, HSYA might be applied as one of the promising alternatives in ischemic stroke treatment.

Therapeutic targets by traditional Chinese medicine for ischemia-reperfusion injury induced apoptosis on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a significant role in treating and preventing human diseases. Ischemic heart and cerebrovascular injuries are two types of diseases with different clinical manifestations with high prevalence and incidence. In recent years, it has been reported that many TCM has beneficial effects on ischemic diseases through the inhibition of apoptosis, which is the key target to treat myocardial and cerebral ischemia. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the mechanisms of various TCMs in treating ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases through anti-apoptotic targets and pathways. However, clinical investigations into elucidating the pharmacodynamic ingredients of TCM are still lacking, which should be further demystified in the future. Overall, the inhibition of apoptosis by TCM may be an effective strategy for treating ischemic cardio-cerebrovascular diseases.

Pharmacological Activities of Safflower Yellow and Its Clinical Applications

Background. Safflower is an annual herb used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. It consists of the dried flowers of the Compositae plant safflower. It is found in the central inland areas of Asia and is widely cultivated throughout the country. Its resistance to cold weather and droughts and its tolerance and adaptability to salts and alkalis are strong. Safflower has the effect of activating blood circulation, dispersing blood stasis, and relieving pain. A natural pigment named safflower yellow (SY) can be extracted from safflower petals. Chemically, SY is a water-soluble flavonoid and the main active ingredient of safflower. The main chemical constituents, pharmacological properties, and clinical applications of SY are reviewed in this paper, thereby providing a reference for the use of safflower in preventing and treating human diseases. Methods. The literature published in recent years was reviewed, and the main chemical components of SY were identified based on chemical formula and structure. The pharmacological properties of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), SYA, SYB, and anhydrosafflor yellow B (AHSYB) were reviewed. Results. The main chemical constituents of SY included HSYA, SYA, SYB, and AHSYB. These ingredients have a wide range of pharmacological activities. SY has protective effects on the heart, kidneys, liver, nerves, lungs, and brain. Moreover, its effects include, but are not limited to, improving cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, abirritation, regulating lipids, and treating cancer and diabetic complications. HSYA is widely recognised as an effective ingredient to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Conclusion. SY has a wide range of pharmacological activities, among which improving cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are the most significant.

Biological active ingredients of Astragali Radix and its mechanisms in treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases

BACKGROUND

With the rising age of the global population, the incidence rate of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CCVDs) is increasing, which causes serious public health burden. The efforts for new therapeutic approaches are still being sought since the treatment effects of existing therapies are not quite satisfactory. Chinese traditional medicine proved to be very efficient in the treatment of CCVDs. Well described and established in Chinese medicine, Astragali Radix, has been commonly administered in the prophylaxis and cure of CCVDs for thousands of years.

PURPOSE

This review summarized the action mode and mechanisms of Astragali Radix phytochemicals on CCVDs, hoping to provide valuable information for the future application, development and improvement of Astragali Radix as well as CCVDs treatment.

METHODS

A plenty of literature on biological active ingredients of Astragali Radix used for CCVDs treatment were retrieved from online electronic PubMed and Web of Science databases.

RESULTS

This review highlighted the effects of five main active components in Astragali Radix including astragaloside Ⅳ, cycloastragenol, astragalus polysaccharide, calycosin-7-O-β-d-glucoside, and calycosin on CCVDs. The mechanisms mainly involved anti-oxidative damage, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic through signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt, Nrf2/HO-1, and TLR4/NF-κB pathway. In addition, the majority active constituents in AR have no obvious toxic side effects.

CONCLUSION

The main active components of Astragali Radix, especially AS-IV, have been extensively summarized. It has been proved that Astragali Radix has obvious therapeutic effects on various CCVDs, including myocardial and cerebral ischemia, hypertension, atherosclerosis, cardiac hypertrophy, chronic heart failure. CAG possesses anti-ischemia activity without toxicity, indicating a worthy of further development. However, high-quality clinical and pharmacokinetic studies are required to validate the current studies.

Huangqi-Honghua Combination Prevents Cerebral Infarction with Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis Syndrome in Rats by the Autophagy Pathway

BACKGROUND

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CI/RI) contributes to the process of autophagy. Huangqi-Honghua combination (HQ-HH) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combination that has been widely used in the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases in China. The role of autophagy in HQ-HH-mediated treatment of CI/RI is unclear.

METHODS

Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used to establish the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with QDBS syndrome model and evaluate the function of HQ-HH in protecting against CI/RI.

RESULTS

HQ-HH significantly improved the neuronal pathology and reduced infarct volume, neurological deficits, and whole blood viscosity in rats with CI/RI. Western blot results showed that the expression of autophagy marker proteins LC3II/LC3I and Beclin1 in the HQ-HH group was significantly lower than that in the model group, while the expression of p62 was significantly higher in the HQ-HH group as compared with the model group. There were no significant differences in PI3K, Akt, and mTOR levels between the HQ-HH group and the model group; however, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-mTOR were significantly upregulated. In addition, HQ-HH also changed the composition and function of intestinal flora in MCAO + QDBS model rats.

CONCLUSION

HQ-HH protects from CI/RI, and its underlying mechanism may involve the activation of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway, relating to the changes in the composition of intestinal flora.

Hydroxysafflor yellows alleviate thrombosis and acetaminophen-induced toxicity in vivo by enhancing blood circulation and poison excretion

BACKGROUND

Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) from the flower of Carthamus tinctorius (Safflower) has been reported to have various pharmacological effects. However, little is known about the bioactivities of other chemical constituents in Safflower and the relationship between enhancement of blood circulation and hepatoprotection by HSYA.

PURPOSE

The present research was to evaluate the antithrombotic and hepatoprotective activities of HSYA and C, examine their mechanisms of actions, including influence on the excretion velocity of acetaminophen, and the relationship between the antithrombotic, hepatoprotective, and other bioactivities.

METHODS

The hepatoprotective activities were examined by acetaminophen (APAP)-induced zebrafish toxicity and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced mouse liver injury. The concentrations of APAP in zebrafish and APAP that was excreted to the culture media were quantified by UHPLC-MS. The anti-thrombosis effect of HSYA and C were examined by the phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced zebrafish thrombosis.

RESULTS

HSYA and HSYC showed robust protection on APAP-induced toxicity and PHZ-induced thrombosis. The hepatoprotective effects of HSYA and C were more potent than that of the positive control, acetylcysteine (61.7% and 58.0%, respectively, vs. 56.9% at 100 µM) and their antithrombosis effects were more robust than aspirin (95.1% and 86.2% vs. 52.7% at 100 µM). HSYA and C enhanced blood circulation, rescued APAP-treated zebrafish from morphological abnormalities, and mitigated APAP-induced toxicity in liver development in liver-specific RFP-expressing transgenic zebrafish. HSYC attenuated CCl4-induced mouse liver injury and regulated the levels of HIF-1α, iNOS, TNF-α, α-SMA, and NFκB in liver tissues. HSYA was also protective in a dual thrombotic and liver toxicity zebrafish model. By UHPLC-MS, HSYA accelerated the excretion of APAP.

CONCLUSION

HSYA and C are the bioactive constituents of Safflower that are responsible for the herbal drug's traditional use in promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis. Safflower and its chalcone constituents may protect from damage due to exogenous or disease-induced endogenous toxins by enhancing the excretion velocity of toxins.