Effects of M2000 (D-Mannuronic Acid) on Learning, Memory Retrieval, and Associated Determinants in a Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Potential Natural Biomolecules Targeting JAK/STAT/SOCS Signaling in the Management of Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease caused by the dysregulation of cytokines and other immune mediators. JAK/STAT is a classical signal transduction pathway involved in various biological processes, and its dysregulation contributes to the key aspects of AD pathogenesis. Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins negatively regulate the immune-related inflammatory responses mediated by the JAK/STAT pathway. JAK/STAT-mediated production of cytokines including IL-4, IL-13, IL-31, and TSLP inhibits the expression of important skin barrier proteins and triggers pruritus in AD. The expression of SOCS proteins regulates the JAK-mediated cytokines and facilitates maintaining the skin barrier disruptions seen in AD. STATs are crucial in dendritic-cell-activated Th2 cell differentiation in the skin, releasing inflammatory cytokines, indicating that AD is a Th2-mediated skin disorder. SOCS proteins aid in balancing Th1/Th2 cells and, moreover, regulate the onset and maintenance of Th2-mediated allergic responses by reducing the Th2 cell activation and differentiation. SOCS proteins play a pivotal role in inflammatory cytokine-signaling events that act via the JAK/STAT pathway. Therapies relying on natural products and derived biomolecules have proven beneficial in AD when compared with the synthetic regimen. In this review, we focused on the available literature on the potential natural-product-derived biomolecules targeting JAK/STAT/SOCS signaling, mainly emphasizing the SOCS family of proteins (SOCS1, SOCS3, and SOCS5) acting as negative regulators in modulating JAK/STAT-mediated responses in AD pathogenesis and other inflammatory disorders.

Tau and amyloid beta differentially affect the innate immune genes expression in Drosophila models of Alzheimer's disease and β- D Mannuronic acid (M2000) modulates the dysregulation

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and neuroinflammation is considered as one of the main culprits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the independent role of Aβ42 and tau on the inflammatory pathway in the Drosophila models of AD and investigating the potential modulating effect of M2000 as a novel NSAIDs in those flies. The expression levels of relish, orthologs of NF-κB, antimicrobial peptide (AMP) including attacin A, diptericin B and a dual oxidase (Duox) as a ROS mediator, were evaluated in both M2000 treated and untreated groups followed by brain histology analysis to assess the extent of neurodegeneration. The potential inhibitory role of M2000 (β-D Mannuronic acid) on the aggregation of tau protein was also investigated in vitro. According to the result, there was a significant induction of Duox, AMPs and its transcription factor expression in both aged and Drosophila models of AD which was in accordance with the increase in the number of vacuoles in the brain section of Drosophila models of AD. Interestingly M2000 treatment revealed a significant reduction in all neurodegeneration indexes; in vivo and anti-aggregating property; in vitro. Findings suggest that M2000 has potential to be an AD therapeutic agent.

Etiology and management of Alzheimer's disease: Potential role of gut microbiota modulation with probiotics supplementation

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading type of dementia in aging people and is a progressive condition that causes neurodegeneration, resulting in confusion, memory loss, and deterioration of mental functions. AD happens because of abnormal twisting of the microtubule tau protein in neurons into a tangled neurofibrillary structure. Different factors responsible for AD pathogenesis include heavy metals, aging, cardiovascular disease, and environmental and genetic factors. Market available drugs for AD have several side effects that include hepato-toxicity, accelerated cognitive decline, worsened neuropsychiatric symptoms, and triggered suicidal ideation. Therefore, an emerging alternative therapeutic approach is probiotics, which can improve AD by modulating the gut-brain axis. Probiotics modulate different neurochemical pathways by regulating the signalling pathways associated with inflammation, histone deacetylation, and microglial cell activation and maturation. In addition, probiotics-derived metabolites (i.e., short-chain fatty acid, neurotransmitters, and antioxidants) have shown ameliorative effects against AD. Probiotics also modulate gut microbiota, with a beneficial impact on neural signalling and cognitive activity, which can attenuate AD progression. Therefore, the current review describes the etiology and mechanism of AD progression as well as various treatment options with a focus on the use of probiotics. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In an aging population, dementia concerns are quite prevalent globally. AD is one of the most commonly occurring cognition disorders, which is linked to diminished brain functions. Scientific evidence supports the findings that probiotics and gut microbiota can regulate/modulate brain functions, one of the finest strategies to alleviate such disorders through the gut-brain axis. Thus, gut microbiota modulation, especially through probiotic supplementation, could become an effective solution to ameliorate AD.

Efficient roles of miR-146a in cellular and molecular mechanisms of neuroinflammatory disorders: An effectual review in neuroimmunology

Known as one of the most sophisticated systems of the human body, the nervous system consists of neural cells and controls all parts of the body. It is closely related to the immune system. The effects of inflammation and immune reactions have been observed in the pathogenesis of some neurological disorders. Defined as the gene expression regulators, miRNAs participate in cellular processes. miR-146a is a mediator in the neuroimmune system, leaving substantial effects on the homeostasis of immune and brain cells, neuronal identities acquisition, and immune responses regulation in the nervous system. Its positive efficiency has been proven in modulating inflammatory reactions, hemorrhagic complications, and pain. Moreover, the miR-146a targets play a key role in the pathogenesis of these illnesses. Based on the performance of its targets, miR-146a can have various effects on the disease progress. The abnormal expression/function of miR-146a has been reported in neuroinflammatory disorders. There is research evidence that this molecule qualifies as a desirable biomarker for some disorders and can even be a therapeutic target. This study aims to provide a meticulous review regarding the roles of miR-146a in the pathogenesis and progression of several neuroinflammatory disorders such as multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, temporal lobe epilepsy, ischemic stroke, etc. The study also considers its eligibility for use as an ideal biomarker and therapeutic target in these diseases. The awareness of these mechanisms can facilitate the disease management/treatment, lead to patients' amelioration, improve the quality of life, and mitigate the risk of death.

Tantalizing role of p53 molecular pathways and its coherent medications in neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are incongruous, commonly age-related disorders characterized by progressive neuronal loss, comprising the most prevalent being Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. Perilous health states are anticipated following the neurodegeneration. Their etiology remains largely ambiguous, while various mechanisms are ascribed to their pathogenesis. A recommended conception is regarding the role of p53, as a transcription factor regulating numerous cellular pathways comprising apoptosis. Neuronal fates are a feasible occurrence that contributes to all neurodegenerative diseases. In this work, we review the research investigated the potential role of p53 in the pathogenesis of these diseases. We put special emphasis on intricate We not only describe aberrant changes in p53 level/activity observed in CNS regions affected by particular diseases but, most importantly, put special attention to the complicated reciprocal tuning connections prevailing between p53 and molecules considered in pathological hallmarks of these disorders. Natural and synthetic medications regulating p53 expression are regarded as well.

Influence of β-D-mannuronic Acid, as a New Member of Non-steroidal Anti- Inflammatory Drugs Family, on the Expression Pattern of Chemokines and their Receptors in Rheumatoid Arthritis

BACKGROUND

Based on the encouraging results of phase III clinical trial of β-Dmannuronic acid (M2000) (as a new anti-inflammatory drug) in patients with RA, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of this drug on the expression of chemokines and their receptors in PBMCs of RA patients.

METHODS

PBMCs of RA patients and healthy controls were separated and the patients' cells were treated with low, moderate and high doses (5, 25 and 50 μg/mL) of M2000 and optimum dose (1 μg/mL) of diclofenac, as a control in RPMI-1640 medium. Real-time PCR was used for evaluating the mRNA expression of CXCR3, CXCR4, CCR2, CCR5 and CCL2/MCP-1. Cell surface expression of CCR2 was investigated using flow cytometry.

RESULTS

CCR5 mRNA expression reduced significantly, after treatment of the patients' cells with all three doses of M2000 and optimum dose of diclofenac. CXCR3 mRNA expression was downregulated significantly followed by the treatment of these cells with moderate and high doses of M2000 and optimum dose of diclofenac. CXCR4 mRNA expression declined significantly after the treatment of these cells with moderate and high doses of M2000. CCL2 mRNA expression significantly reduced only followed by the treatment of these cells with a high dose of M2000, whereas, mRNA and cell surface expressions of CCR2 diminished significantly followed by the treatment of these cells with a high dose of M2000 and optimum dose of diclofenac.

CONCLUSION

According to our results, M2000 through the down-regulation of chemokines and their receptors may restrict the infiltration of immune cells into the synovium.

Forsythoside B attenuates memory impairment and neuroinflammation via inhibition on NF-κB signaling in Alzheimer's disease

Background

Neuroinflammation is a principal element in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis, so anti-inflammation may be a promising therapeutic strategy. Forsythoside B (FTS•B), a phenylethanoid glycoside isolated from Forsythiae fructus, has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory effects. However, no studies have reported whether the anti-inflammatory properties of FTS•B have a neuroprotective effect in AD. In the present study, these effects of FTS•B were investigated using amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) mice, BV-2 cells, and HT22 cells.

Methods

APP/PS1 mice were administered FTS•B intragastrically for 36 days. Behavioral tests were then carried out to examine cognitive functions, including the Morris water maze, Y maze, and open field experiment. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the deposition of amyloid-beta (Aβ), the phosphorylation of tau protein, and the levels of 4-hydroxynonenal, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 in the hippocampus. Proteins that showed marked changes in levels related to neuroinflammation were identified using proteomics and verified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot. BV-2 and HT22 cells were also used to confirm the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of FTS•B.

Results

In APP/PS1 mice, FTS•B counteracted cognitive decline, ameliorated the deposition of Aβ and the phosphorylation of tau protein, and attenuated the activation of microglia and astrocytes in the cortex and hippocampus. FTS•B affected vital signaling, particularly by decreasing the activation of JNK-interacting protein 3/C-Jun NH2-terminal kinase and suppressing WD-repeat and FYVE-domain-containing protein 1/toll-like receptor 3 (WDFY1/TLR3), further suppressing the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling. In BV-2 and HT22 cells, FTS•B prevented lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation and reduced the microglia-mediated neurotoxicity.

Conclusions

FTS•B effectively counteracted cognitive decline by regulating neuroinflammation via NF-κB signaling in APP/PS1 mice, providing preliminary experimental evidence that FTS•B is a promising therapeutic agent in AD treatment.

Rapid action of mechanism investigation of Yixin Ningshen tablet in treating depression by combinatorial use of systems biology and bioinformatics tools

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Yixin Ningshen tablet is a CFDA-approved TCM formula for treating depression clinically. However, little is known about its active compounds and related potential target proteins, so far, no researches have been performed to investigate its mechanism of action for the treatment of depression.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Here we develop an original bioinformatics pipeline composed of text mining tools, database querying and systems biology combinatorial analysis, which is applied to rapidly explore the mechanism of action of Yixin Ningshen tablet in treating depression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Text mining and database query were applied to identify active compounds in Yixin Ningshen tablet for the treatment of depression. Then SwissTargetPrediction was used to predict their potential target proteins. PubMed was retrieved to summarize known depression related systems biology results. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) tools and STRING were applied to construct a compound-target protein-gene protein-differential protein-differential metabolite network with the integration of compound-target interaction and systems biology results, as well as enrich the target proteins related pathways. ChEMBL and CDOCKER were used to validate the compound-target interactions.

RESULTS

62 active compounds and their 286 potential target proteins were identified in Yixin Ningshen tablet for the treatment of depression. The construction of compound-target protein-gene protein-differential protein-differential metabolite network shrinked the number of potential target proteins from 286 to 133. Pathway enrichment analysis of target proteins indicated that Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, Calcium signaling pathway, Serotonergic synapse, cAMP signaling pathway and Gap junction were the common primary pathways regulated by both Yixin Ningshen Tablet and anti-depressant drugs, and MAPK, Relaxin, AGE-RAGE, Estrogen, HIF-1, Jak-STAT signaling pathway, Endocrine resistance, Arachidonic acid metabolism and Regulation of actin cytoskeleton were the specifically main pathways regulated by Yixin Ningshen tablet for the treatment of depression. Further validations based on references and molecular docking results demonstrated that Yixin Ningshen tablet could primarily target MAPT, CHRM1 and DRD1, thus regulating serotonergic neurons, cholinergic transmission, norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake for the treatment of depression.

CONCLUSIONS

This study displays the power of extensive mining of public data and bioinformatical repositories to provide answers for a specific pharmacological question. It furthermore demonstrates how the usage of such a combinatorial approach is advantageous for the biologist in terms of experimentation time and costs.

The Effect of β-d-Mannuronic Acid in Animal Model of Epilepsy

In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of β-d-mannuronic acid (M2000) in a rat model of epilepsy. Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced kindling model was applied in 30 Wistar rats divided into 3 groups through a total of 14 injections, while the rats in the drug-tested group were treated with M2000. Animals were observed for various seizure stages, delay that the rats developed in stages 2 and 5, and the duration of stage 5 seizures. After the last injection, the animals were euthanized and analysis was conducted in the brain for the various gene expression profiles along with histopathology assessments. Pretreatment of animals with M2000 has significantly accelerated epilepsy outcomes promptly following the first PTZ injection (mean ± standard deviation [SD] for seizure stage in the M2000 group was 3.12 ± 1.55 vs 0.75 ± 1.03 for control, P = 0.004). Notably, the mean (±SD) on the latency phase 2 and 5 seizures was lower in the M2000 group compared with control group (79.4 ± 30.7 vs 133.0 ± 38.4, P < 0.001, and 126.1 ± 27.6 vs 233.3 ± 142.8, P = 0.001, respectively). Finally, the mean (±SD) duration of phase 5 seizures was significantly higher in the M2000 pretreated group compared with control rats (344 ± 54 vs 197 ± 94, P < 0.001). Histological findings on the hippocampus showed no significant differences among all groups. Elevated expression level of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, and cyclooxygenase-2 was seen in the PTZ-induced kindling group. An elevated expression level of IL-10 was observed in the brains of rats in the M2000 treat group. Our results indicated that rats pretreated with M2000 were predisposed to epilepsy promptly after the first PTZ injection.

β-D-Mannuronic Acid (M2000) as a Landmark in Pharmacology

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this article is to retrace the studies of β-D-Mannuronic Acid (M2000) as a new immunosuppressive drug with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) property in miscellaneous aspects including in vitro, in vivo examinations, clinical trials and related to clinical trials studies. Our goal is to compare the effect of this drug with other similar drugs through varied researches and to follow tolerability, biocompatibility, potency, safety, and efficacy of this medication in different studies, as well as to evaluate its therapeutic effectiveness in various diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Different methods were applied in the studies of β-D-Mannuronic Acid under in vitro, in vivo examinations, and clinical trials phase I, II and III and related investigations to these clinical trials using different techniques showing the efficacy of this medication in the treatment of various diseases.

RESULTS

The administration of β -D-Mannuronic Acid showed the greatest tolerability and biocompatibility compared to diclofenac, piroxicam, and dexamethasone without or very low side effects. The drug has shown a punchy effect on many molecules which participate either in physiologic or in pathogenic activities in animal models and human. This new drug not only revealed the anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties but also based on the results of various investigations, β-D-Mannuronic Acid showed the antidiabetic, cardioprotective and anti-tumoral effects.

CONCLUSION

β-D-Mannuronic Acid (M2000) as a novel immunosuppressive drug with NSAID properties along with antidiabetic, cardioprotective and anti-tumoral efficacy showed great tolerability and safety profile. In addition, it has no or mild adverse events compared with many other medicines, therefore this medicament could be considered as a landmark in pharmacology and represent turn point in the treatment of different diseases based on the experimental and in vitro studies explained and clinical and related studies proved.

Angelica polysaccharide ameliorates memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease rat through activating BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharides (ASP) on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and its underlying mechanisms. In our study, we build the AD model by injecting Aβ25–35. Morris water maze (MWM) was applied to investigate learning and memory. Moreover, neurotransmitters, free radical, and inflammatory factors were also measured. Pathological change and neuronal death in hippocampus CA1, CA3, and DG region were detected by HE staining and Nissl staining. The neuronal apoptosis was detected by TUNEL. The expressions of caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax were measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The expressions of BDNF, TrkB, p-Akt, Akt, p-CREB, and CREB were measured by Western blot. Our results showed that ASP could ameliorate spatial learning and memory deficiency in AD rats. ASP decreased AchE level and increased the levels of Ach and chAT in AD rats. ASP could increase the activity of SOD and CAT, decrease MDA activity, and inhibit the expression levels of inflammatory factors and neurons apoptosis in AD rats. Pathological change of hippocampus CA1, CA3, and DG region was ameliorated by ASP. In addition, the effects of ASP were reversed by K252a (TrkB inhibitor). Our study demonstrated that ASP could ameliorate memory impairment in AD rat through activating BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway.

Impact statement

The present study demonstrated that ASP could ameliorate memory impairment through regulation of the balance of neurotransmitters, free radical metabolism, inflammation, and neurons apoptosis. Moreover, the mechanism of ASP on memory impairment may be related to BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway in AD. Our research provides an innovatively regulatory mechanism about the ASP in AD rat and points a new way to the treatment of AD.

International multicenter randomized, placebo-controlled phase III clinical trial of β-D-mannuronic acid in rheumatoid arthritis patients

BACKGROUND

The oral administration of drug β-D-mannuronic acid (M2000) showed a potent therapeutic effect in phase I/II study in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Here, our aim is to assess the efficacy and safety of this new drug in RA patients under a multinational, randomized placebo-controlled phase III clinical trial.

METHOD

Patients (n = 288) with active disease at baseline and inadequate response to conventional drugs were randomly allocated to three groups; (1) receiving mannuronic acid at a dose of two capsules (500 mg) per day orally for 12 weeks, (2) placebo-controlled, and (3) conventional. The primary endpoints were the America College of Rheumatology 20 response (ACR20), 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) and Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (M-HAQ-DI). In addition, the participants were followed-up for safety assessment.

RESULTS

In this phase III trial, after 12 weeks of treatment, there was a significant reduction in ACR20 between mannuronic-treated patients compared to placebo and conventional groups. Moreover, there was a similar significant improvement for DAS28 following mannuronic therapy. The statistical analysis showed a significant reduction in the swollen and tender joint count in mannuronic-treated patients compared with the placebo group. On the other side, mannuronic acid showed no-to-very low adverse events in comparison to placebo.

CONCLUSION

The results of this multinational, phase III clinical trial provided a potent evidence base for the use of β-D-mannuronic acid as a new highly safe and efficient drug in the treatment of RA.

Pharmacological Basis for Use of Armillaria mellea Polysaccharides in Alzheimer's Disease: Antiapoptosis and Antioxidation

Armillaria mellea, an edible fungus, exhibits various pharmacological activities, including antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties. However, the effects of A. mellea on Alzheimer's disease (AD) have not been systemically reported. The present study aimed to explore the protective effects of mycelium polysaccharides (AMPS) obtained from A. mellea, especially AMPSc via 70% ethanol precipitation in a L-glutamic acid- (L-Glu-) induced HT22 cell apoptosis model and an AlCl₃ plus D-galactose- (D-gal-) induced AD mouse model. AMPSc significantly enhanced cell viability, suppressed nuclear apoptosis, inhibited intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation, prevented caspase-3 activation, and restored mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). In AD mice, AMPSc enhanced horizontal movements in an autonomic activity test, improved endurance times in a rotarod test, and decreased escape latency time in a water maze test. Furthermore, AMPSc reduced the apoptosis rate, amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition, oxidative damage, and p-Tau aggregations in the AD mouse hippocampus. The central cholinergic system functions in AD mice improved after a 4-week course of AMPSc administration, as indicated by enhanced acetylcholine (Ach) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) concentrations, and reduced acetylcholine esterase (AchE) levels in serum and hypothalamus. Our findings provide experimental evidence suggesting A. mellea as a neuroprotective candidate for treating or preventing neurodegenerative diseases.