The prescriptions from Shenghui soup enhanced neurite growth and GAP-43 expression level in PC12 cells

Neuroprotective effects of Shenghui decoction via inhibition of the JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway in an AlCl3-induced zebrafish (Danio rerio) model of Alzheimer's disease

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multi-factorial degenerative disease, and multi-targeted therapies targeting multiple pathogenic mechanisms should be explored. Shenghui decoction (SHD) is an ancient traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula used clinically to alleviate AD. However, the precise mechanism of action of SHD as a therapeutic agent for AD remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study investigated the neuroprotective properties and potential mechanisms of action of SHD in mitigating AD-like symptoms induced by AlCl3 in a zebrafish model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Active components of SHD were detected using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Zebrafish were exposed to AlCl3 (200 μg/L) for 30 days to establish an AD zebrafish model. AlCl3-exposed zebrafish were treated with SHD or donepezil. Behavioral tests were used to assess learning and memory, locomotor activity, and AD-related anxiety and aggression in AlCl3-exposed zebrafish. Nissl staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to evaluate histological alterations in brain neurons. The concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, TNF-α; interleukin-1β, IL-1β) were quantified using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Markers of oxidative stress and cholinergic activity (acetylcholinesterase, AChE) were detected using biochemical assays. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to detect the protein expression levels of Aβ, p-tau, PSD-95, synaptophysin, TLR4, phosphorylation of NF-κB p65, p38, and JNK.

RESULTS

Fifteen SHD compounds were identified by UPLC-MS/MS analysis. SHD improved AlCl3-induced dyskinesia, learning and memory impairment, anxiety-like behavior, and aggressive behavior in zebrafish. AlCl3-exposed zebrafish showed AD-like pathology, overexpression of Aβ, hyperphosphorylated tau protein, marked neuronal damage, decreased expression of synaptic proteins, synaptophysin, and PSD-95, and impairment of synaptic structural plasticity. These effects were reversed by the SHD treatment. We also observed that SHD ameliorated oxidative stress and decreased AChE activity and inflammatory cytokine levels. These effects are similar to those observed for donepezil. Meanwhile, SHD could decrease the protein expression of TLR4 and inhibit phosphorylation of NF-κB, JNK, and p38 MAPK. These results demonstrate that SHD has the potential to exert neuroprotective effects, which may be partly mediated via inhibition of the JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings revealed the therapeutic mechanism of SHD in mitigating AD progression and suggested that SHD is a potent neuroprotectant that contributes to the future development of TCM modernization and broader clinical applications.

P53-induced GAP-43 Upregulation in Primary Cortical Neurons of Rats

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we employed an in vitro culturing technique to investigate the impact of p53 on the modulation of growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) within the primary cortical neurons of rat specimens.

METHODS

(1) Within the first 24 hours after birth, the bilateral cortex was extracted from newborn Wistar rats and primary cortical neurons were cultured and identified. (2) The changes in the mRNA and protein expressions of GAP-43 induced by p53 in rat primary cortical neurons cultured in vitro were identified utilizing real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot techniques.

RESULTS

(1) Lentiviral transfection of p53 within primary cortical neurons of rats elicited elevated levels of both mRNA and protein expressions of GAP-43, consequently culminating in a noteworthy augmentation of p53 expression. (2) The introduction of a p53 inhibitor in rat primary cortical neurons resulted in a reduction in both mRNA and protein expressions of GAP-43.

CONCLUSION

Within primary rat cortical neurons, p53 has the potential to prompt an augmentation in both the transcriptional and protein expression levels of the GAP-43 protein.

Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, a Traditional Chinese Edible Medicinal Herb, Promotes Neuronal Differentiation, and the Morphological Maturation of Newborn Neurons in Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells

Neurogenesis in the adult brain comprises the entire set of events of neuronal development. It begins with the division of precursor cells to form a mature, integrated, and functioning neuronal network. Adult neurogenesis is believed to play an important role in animals' cognitive abilities, including learning and memory. In the present study, significant neuronal differentiation-promoting activity of 80% (v/v) ethanol extract of P. cocos (EEPC) was found in Neuro-2a cells and mouse cortical neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs). Subsequently, a total of 97 compounds in EEPC were identified by UHPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS. Among them, four major compounds-Adenosine; Choline; Ethyl palmitoleate; and L-(-)-arabinitol-were further studied for their neuronal differentiation-promoting activity. Of which, choline has the most significant neuronal differentiation-promoting activity, indicating that choline, as the main bioactive compound in P. cocos, may have a positive effect on learning and memory functions. Compared with similar research literature, this is the first time that the neuronal differentiation-promoting effects of P. cocos extract have been studied.

Ginseng adjuvant therapy on COVID-19: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading fast and it brings great pressure to the social economy. Many reports revealed that ginseng can develop immunity for respiratory disease, but there is no evidence to prove its effects on COVID-19. This protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis will clarify the safety and effectiveness of ginseng adjuvant therapy on COVID-19 patients.

METHODS

Different databases (Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, Wan fang Database, ClinicalTrials, World Health Organization Trials, and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry) will be retrieved to search related articles according to pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Clinical recovery time and effective rates will be assessed as the primary outcomes and any changes of patient's condition will be considered as the secondary outcomes. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis will be conducted to explore sources of heterogeneity. Endnote X9.3 will be used to manage data screening. The statistical analysis will be completed by RevMan5.3 and Stata/SE 15.1 software.

RESULTS

This study will assess the effects and safety for ginseng adjuvant therapy on COVID-19 patients.

CONCLUSION

The discussion will be considered to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to prove the effects of ginseng adjuvant therapy for COVID-19 patients.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO (ID: CRD42021277843).

Effects of alteplase on neurological deficits and expression of GFAP and GAP-43 in brain tissue of rats with acute cerebral infarction

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of alteplase on neurological deficits, as well as on the expressions of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) in brain tissues of rats with acute cerebral infarction (ACI).

METHODS

Sprague Dawley (SD) rats (n = 50) were enrolled in a trial to establish a ACI rat model; of these, 48 rats were succeeefully modeled and were randomized into either the model or alteplase group, whereas another 24 SD rats were included in the sham-operated group.

FINDINGS

No significant difference in scores was observed between the model and alteplase groups at T1 (P > 0.05); however, rats in the alteplase group demonstrated lower scores than those in the model group at T2, T3, and T4 (P < 0.05). Rats in the model group showed a larger cerebral infarction volume than those in the alteplase group (P < 0.05), and the infarction volume on day 1, 3, 6, and 9 was higher in rats in the alteplase group than those in the sham-operated group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Treatment with alteplase can be effective in reducing cerebral infarction volume and moderating neurological deficits in ACI modeled rats within a 6-h time window, which may be correlated with the regulation of GFAP and GAP-43 expressions by alteplase.

Majie cataplasm provides a shield against asthmatic punch from the neuroimmune system

Asthma poses a threat to human health, and its pathogenesis is closely related to the neuroimmune system. Majie cataplasm can not only regulate the immune system but also the nervous system in asthma patients for its components. We speculate that Majie cataplasm may relieve asthmatic patients with sensitivity to hormone or not by regulating the body's neuroimmune system.

Methods

In this experiment, a mouse model of asthma was well established by ovalbumin. The lung function of animals was examined and pathological changes in the lung tissue were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and neurokinin A (NKA) were measured by ELISA. The location of CGRP, CD3 and neutrophil in lung tissue and their expressions were detected by immunofluorescence staining. In addition, contents of CGRP mRNA, Substance P (SP) mRNA, interleukin (IL)-17 mRNA and interleukin(IL)-13 mRNA were detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Compared with the asthma model group, Majie cataplasm and dexamethasone can not only equivalently relieve airway hyperresponsiveness, but also make the content of serum IgE reduced. In addition, they can lower the content of serum CGRP and NKA after OVA stimulation, and this effect was more obvious for Majie cataplasm. Our results also showed that Majie Cataplasm and dexamethasone could inhibit the secretion of CGRP and the infiltration of T lymphocytes together with neutrophils in lung tissue and reduce expressions of CGRP mRNA, SP mRNA, IL-17 mRNA and IL-13 mRNA in lung tissue.

Conclusion

Majie cataplasm effectively relieves expressions of neuropeptides such as CGRP, reduces the infiltration of immune cells in lung tissue, regulates the body's neuroimmune system, and has a therapeutic potential for both Th2 asthma and neutrophilic asthma.

Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for Acute Guillain-barré Syndrome Treatment

Introduction

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a worldwide demyelinating polyradiculopathy and polyneuropathy. Currently, there is no specific drug for GBS, and established treatment is generally based on immune-modulating treatment with plasma exchange or intravenous immunoglobulin in combination with supportive care. This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of integrated Chinese and Western medicine for acute GBS treatment.

Methods

We enrolled 73 subjects, and randomly divided them into two groups: 35 cases in the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group, and 28 in the Control group. The Control group was treated with the common Western medicine for one month; and the TCM group was administrated with one month of common treatment combined with TCM medication.

Results

Compared to the controls, TCM significantly enhanced the treatment efficiency in symptom expression, including the TCM syndrome score, the activity of daily living score, Hughes functional score and sensory dysfunction assessment. The total effective rate of the TCM group was 94.29%, significantly better than controls (78.59%). Moreover, TCM provide better improvement in motor nerve conduction functions (distal motor latency and motor conduction velocity) and sensory nerve conduction functions (sensory conduction velocity and sensory nerve action potential) in median nerve, ulnar nerve, and common fibular nerve.

Conclusion

When combined with TCM administration, the GBS treatment could acquire better outcomes.

Study on the Multitarget Synergistic Effects of Kai-Xin-San against Alzheimer's Disease Based on Systems Biology

Kai-Xin-San (KXS), a classical Chinese traditional prescription, was widely applied in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), while its functional mechanisms still remain unclear. By using systems biology approaches at animal, cellular, and molecular levels, the improvement of KXS on cognitive impairment was achieved by inhibiting abnormal acetylcholinesterase. The function on the nerve skeleton was performed by regulating the Tau phosphorylation pathway. Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects by modulating the aberrant upregulation of ROS, proinflammatory factors, and apoptosis-related proteins in the brain were studied to reveal the synergistic therapeutic efficacy of KXS. Then, formula dismantling in vitro indicated that ginseng was the principal herb, whereas three other herbs served adjuvant roles to achieve the best effect. After that, the in vivo analysis of components into plasma and brain of AD rats showed that 8 of 23 components in blood and 4 of 10 components in brain were from ginseng, respectively, further verifying the principal status of ginseng and the synergistic effects of the formula. Thus, the anti-AD effects of KXS were achieved by multitargets and multichannels. The systems biology approaches presented here provide a novel way in traditional herbal medicine research.

Preparation and effects on neuronal nutrition of plasmenylethonoamine and plasmanylcholine from the mussel Mytilus edulis

Plasmenylethonoamine (pPE) and plasmanylcholine (aPC) are important phospholipid subclasses. Herein we explored optimum conditions for enzymatic purification and preparation of pPE and aPC from the mussel Mytilus edulis and bovine brain. Among them, pPE in Mytilus edulis PE was mainly p18:0-20:5 and p18:0-22:6, and its purity was 92.7%; aPC in PC was primarily a16:0-22:6 and a16:0-20:5, and aPC accounted for 90.2% of PC. We thereafter evaluated neurotrophic effects of Mytilus edulis pPE, aPC, and bovine brain pPE in a NGF-induced PC12 cell model. Morphologically, pPE and aPC could both promote differentiation, manifested in a significant increase in neurite length and number, due to increased expression of synaptophysin and growth protein GAP-43 in a dose-independent and structure-selective manner. Importantly, the effect on neuronal nutrition of pPE was better than aPC, and marine pPE was better than terrestrial pPE, which might be ascribed to vinyl-ether bond and differences in fatty acid composition.Abbreviations: AA: arachidonic acid; DHA: docosahexaenoic acid; EIC: extracted ion chromatogram; EPA: eicosapentanoic acid; GAP: growth-associated protein; HPLC: high-performance liquid chromatography; LC-MS/MS: liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry; LPC: lyso-PC; LPE: lyso-PE; MS: mass spectrometry; NGF: nerve growth factor; PC: phosphatidylcholine; aPC: plasmanylcholine; PE: phosphatidylethanolamine; pPE: plasmenylethonoamine; PG: phosphoglycerols; PLs: phospholipids; PS: phosphoserines; TIC: total ion chromatogram.

X-ray irradiation has positive effects for the recovery of peripheral nerve injury maybe through the vascular smooth muscle contraction signaling pathway

INTRODUCTION

It is well known that moderate to high doses of ionizing radiation have a toxic effect on the organism. However, there are few experimental studies on the mechanisms of LDR ionizing radiation on nerve regeneration after peripheral nerve injury.

METHODS

We established the rats' peripheral nerve injury model via repaired Peripheral nerve injury nerve, vascular endothelial growth factor a and Growth associated protein-43 were detected from different treatment groups. We performed transcriptome sequencing focusing on investigating the differentially expressed genes and gene functions between the control group and 1Gy group. Sequencing was done by using high-throughput RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) technologies.

RESULTS

The results showed the 1Gy group to be the most effective promoting repair. RNA-sequencing identified 619 differently expressed genes between control and treated groups. A Gene Ontology analysis of the differentially expressed genes revealed enrichment in the functional pathways. Among them, candidate genes associated with nerve repair were identified.

DISCUSSION

Pathways involved in cell-substrate adhesion, vascular smooth muscle contraction and cell adhesion molecule signaling may be involved in recovery from peripheral nerve injury.