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Guo J, Fang M, Xiong Z, Zhou K, Zeng P. Mechanistic insights into the anti-depressant effect of curcumin based on network pharmacology and experimental validation. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:583-598. [PMID: 37490124 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02628-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Curcumin (CUR) exhibits a definite curative effect in the treatment of depression. To identify potential antidepressant targets and mechanisms of action of CUR. This study used network pharmacology to explore the signaling pathways and CUR-related targets in depression. C57BL/6 J mice (male,12-14 weeks old) were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8): saline-treated (control mice), lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 2 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally), LPS + CUR (50 mg/kg/day, intragastrically), and LPS + CUR + LY294002 (7.5 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally). After 1 week, behavioral tests were performed. Then, neuronal damage in the prefrontal cortex of mice was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. We uncovered the main active mechanism of CUR against depression using Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways showed that the most significantly enriched pathway in CUR against depression was the PI3K-Akt pathway. Moreover, 52 targets were significantly correlated with the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and CUR-related targets. In addition, among the top 50 targets ranked by degree in the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, there were 23 targets involved in the 52 intersection targets. Administration of LPS alone extended immobility time in the open field test (OFT) and tail suspension test (TST) and decreased sucrose consumption in the sucrose preference test (SPT). Pretreatment with CUR relieved LPS-induced changes in the behavioral tests, activity of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, neuronal damage in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), and inflammatory response. Moreover, inhibition of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway by LY294002 blocked the therapeutic effects of CUR. Our study indicates that CUR may be an effective antidepressant agent in an LPS-induced mouse model, partly because of its anti-inflammatory action through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Guo
- School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China
| | - Meng Fang
- School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China
| | - Zhe Xiong
- School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China
| | - Ke Zhou
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Peng Zeng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China.
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Li S, Wang Z, Zhou Z, Gao Z, Liu Y, Li J, Gao X, Liu J, Liu H, Xu Q. Molecular Mechanism of the Role of Apigenin in the Treatment of Hyperlipidemia: A Network Pharmacology Approach. Chem Biodivers 2023; 20:e202200308. [PMID: 36621947 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202200308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The therapeutic effect of apigenin (APG) on hyperlipidemia was investigated using network pharmacology combined with molecular docking strategy, and the potential targets of APG in the treatment of hyperlipidemia were explored. Genetic Ontology Biological Process (GOBP) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) Pathway enrichment analysis of common targets were performed. Then, molecular docking was used to predict the binding mode of APG to the target. Finally, Sprague Dawley rats were used to establish a hyperlipidemia model. The expression levels of insulin (INS) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) mRNA in each group were detected by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Network pharmacological studies revealed that the role of APG in the treatment of hyperlipidemia was through the regulation of INS, VEGFA, tumor necrosis factor, epidermal growth factor receptor, matrix metalloprotein 9, and other targets, as well as through the regulation of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway, fluid shear stress, and atherosclerosis signaling pathways, vascular permeability; APG also participated in the regulation of glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism, and acted on vascular endothelial cells, and regulated vascular tone. Molecular docking showed that APG binds to the target with good efficiency. Experiments showed that after APG treatment, the expression levels of INS and VEGFA mRNA in the model group were significantly decreased (p<0.01). In conclusion, APG has multiple targets and affects pathways involved in the treatment of hyperlipidemia by regulating the HIF-1 signaling pathway, fluid shear stress, and the atherosclerosis pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhan Li
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, Hebei, P. R. China
| | - Zizhao Wang
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, Hebei, P. R. China
| | - Zhengnan Zhou
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, Hebei, P. R. China
| | - Zhiyuan Gao
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, Hebei, P. R. China
| | - Yuai Liu
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, Hebei, P. R. China
| | - Jie Li
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, Hebei, P. R. China
| | - Xingbang Gao
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, Hebei, P. R. China
| | - Jing Liu
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, Hebei, P. R. China
| | - Hanbing Liu
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, Hebei, P. R. China
| | - Qian Xu
- Department of Biochemistry, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, Hebei, P. R. China
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Gao ZD, Yan HD, Wu NH, Yao Q, Wan BB, Liu XF, Zhang ZW, Chen QJ, Huang CP. Mechanistic insights into the amelioration effects of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury by baicalein: An integrated systems pharmacology study and experimental validation. Pulm Pharmacol Ther 2022; 73-74:102121. [PMID: 35283292 DOI: 10.1016/j.pupt.2022.102121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute lung injury is an acute progressive respiratory failure caused by several of non-cardiogenic factors which involves in excessive amplification or uncontrolled inflammatory response. OBJECTIVES In this study, we investigated the protective effect of baicalein against acute lung injury induced by LPS and explored the underlying mechanisms. METHODS Forty-eight SPF male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group, dexamethasone group and baicalein low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups. After 5 days of adaptive feeding, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with LPS and dissected after 12 h. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, ELISA assay, immunofluorescence assay and Western-Blot were applied to appraise microstructural changes and protein expressions of lung tissues. Systems pharmacology study was used to evaluate the protection of baicalein on acute lung injury. FINDINGS The results showed that baicalein administration could significantly inhibit LPS-induced lung morphological changes, inhibit inflammatory response and pyroptosis. A total of forty-three potential targets of baicalein and acute lung injury were obtained. And PI3K-Akt, TNF and NF-κB were mainly signaling pathways. It is worth mentioning that this experiment also confirmed that NLRP3, caspase-1 and other inflammasome are involved in pyroptosis. CONCLUSION Baicalein has protected against LPS-induced lung tissues injury via inhibiting inflammatory response and pyroptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Dan Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xiannning, 437100, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Diabetes and Angiopathy, Medicine Research Institute, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xiannning, 437100, PR China; School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xiannning, 437100, PR China
| | - Hai-Dong Yan
- Ward 2 of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Xianning Central Hospital, The First Affliated Hospital, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xiannning, 437100, PR China
| | - Ning-Hua Wu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xiannning, 437100, PR China
| | - Qing Yao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Diabetes and Angiopathy, Medicine Research Institute, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xiannning, 437100, PR China
| | - Bin-Bin Wan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Diabetes and Angiopathy, Medicine Research Institute, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xiannning, 437100, PR China
| | - Xiu-Fen Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Diabetes and Angiopathy, Medicine Research Institute, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xiannning, 437100, PR China
| | - Zhen-Wang Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Diabetes and Angiopathy, Medicine Research Institute, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xiannning, 437100, PR China
| | - Qing-Jie Chen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Diabetes and Angiopathy, Medicine Research Institute, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xiannning, 437100, PR China.
| | - Cui-Ping Huang
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xiannning, 437100, PR China.
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Zeng P, Su HF, Ye CY, Qiu SW, Shi A, Wang JZ, Zhou XW, Tian Q. A Tau Pathogenesis-Based Network Pharmacology Approach for Exploring the Protections of Chuanxiong Rhizoma in Alzheimer’s Disease. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:877806. [PMID: 35529440 PMCID: PMC9068950 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.877806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of neurodegenerative dementia and one of the top medical concerns worldwide. Currently, the approved drugs to treat AD are effective only in treating the symptoms, but do not cure or prevent AD. Although the exact causes of AD are not understood, it is recognized that tau aggregation in neurons plays a key role. Chuanxiong Rhizoma (CR) has been widely reported as effective for brain diseases such as dementia. Thus, we explored the protections of CR in AD by a tau pathogenesis–based network pharmacology approach. According to ultra-HPLC with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry data and Lipinski’s rule of five, 18 bioactive phytochemicals of CR were screened out. They were shown corresponding to 127 tau pathogenesis–related targets, among which VEGFA, IL1B, CTNNB1, JUN, ESR1, STAT3, APP, BCL2L1, PTGS2, and PPARG were identified as the core ones. We further analyzed the specific actions of CR-active phytochemicals on tau pathogenesis from the aspects of tau aggregation and tau-mediated toxicities. It was shown that neocnidilide, ferulic acid, coniferyl ferulate, levistilide A, Z-ligustilide, butylidenephthalide, and caffeic acid can be effective in reversing tau hyperphosphorylation. Neocnidilide, senkyunolide A, butylphthalide, butylidenephthalide, Z-ligustilide, and L-tryptophan may be effective in promoting lysosome-associated degradation of tau, and levistilide A, neocnidilide, ferulic acid, L-tryptophan, senkyunolide A, Z-ligustilide, and butylidenephthalide may antagonize tau-mediated impairments of intracellular transport, axon and synaptic damages, and neuron death (especially apoptosis). The present study suggests that acting on tau aggregation and tau-mediated toxicities is part of the therapeutic mechanism of CR against AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zeng
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong-Fei Su
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chao-Yuan Ye
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuo-Wen Qiu
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Anbing Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Cell Architecture Research Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jian-Zhi Wang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin-Wen Zhou
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Xin-Wen Zhou, ; Qing Tian,
| | - Qing Tian
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Xin-Wen Zhou, ; Qing Tian,
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Zeng P, Yi Y, Su HF, Ye CY, Sun YW, Zhou XW, Lu Y, Shi A, Tian Q. Key Phytochemicals and Biological Functions of Chuanxiong Rhizoma Against Ischemic Stroke: A Network Pharmacology and Experimental Assessment. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:758049. [PMID: 34992531 PMCID: PMC8724589 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.758049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Presently, the treatment options for ischemic stroke (IS) are limited due to the complicated pathological process of the disease. Chuanxiong Rhizome (CR), also known as Conioselinum anthriscoides "Chuanxiong" (rhizome), is the most widely used traditional Chinese medicine for treating stroke. This study aimed to uncover the key phytochemicals and biological functions of CR against IS through a network pharmacology approach combining with IS pathophysiology analysis. We employed permanent unilateral common carotid artery ligation to construct a mouse model of global cerebral ischemia and found that cerebral ischemia injuries were improved after 7 days of gavage treatment of CR (1,300 mg/kg/day). CR exerts protective effects on neurons mainly by acting on targets related to synaptic structure, synaptic function, neuronal survival and neuronal growth. A total of 18 phytochemicals from CR based on UHPLC-MS/MS that corresponded to 85 anti-IS targets. Coniferyl ferulate, neocnidilide and ferulic acid were identified as the key phytochemicals of CR against IS. Its brain protective effects involve anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, and anti-cell death activities and improves blood circulation. Additionally, the two most important synergistic effects of CR phytochemicals in treating IS are prevention of infection and regulation of blood pressure. In brain samples of Sham mice, L-tryptophan and vanillin were detected, while L-tryptophan, gallic acid, vanillin and cryptochlorogenic acid were detected in IS mice by UHPLC-MS/MS. Our findings provide a pathophysiology relevant pharmacological basis for further researches on IS therapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry, Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yao Yi
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry, Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong-Fei Su
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry, Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chao-Yuan Ye
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry, Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi-Wen Sun
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry, Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin-Wen Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry, Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Youming Lu
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry, Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Anbing Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Cell Architecture Research Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing Tian
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry, Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Zeng P, Su HF, Ye CY, Qiu SW, Tian Q. Therapeutic Mechanism and Key Alkaloids of Uncaria rhynchophylla in Alzheimer’s Disease From the Perspective of Pathophysiological Processes. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:806984. [PMID: 34975502 PMCID: PMC8715940 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.806984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Presently, there is a lack of effective disease-modifying drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR) and its predominant active phytochemicals alkaloids have been studied to treat AD. This study used a novel network pharmacology strategy to identify UR alkaloids against AD from the perspective of AD pathophysiological processes and identified the key alkaloids for specific pathological process. The analysis identified 10 alkaloids from UR based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) that corresponded to 127 targets correlated with amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology, tau pathology and Alzheimer disease pathway. Based on the number of targets correlated with AD pathophysiological processes, angustoline, angustidine, corynoxine and isocorynoxeine are highly likely to become key phytochemicals in AD treatment. Among the 127 targets, JUN, STAT3, MAPK3, CCND1, MMP2, MAPK8, GSK3B, JAK3, LCK, CCR5, CDK5 and GRIN2B were identified as core targets. Based on the pathological process of AD, angustoline, angustidine and isocorynoxeine were identified as the key UR alkaloids regulating Aβ production and corynoxine, isocorynoxeine, dihydrocorynatheine, isorhynchophylline and hirsutine were identified as key alkaloids that regulate tau phosphorylation. The findings of this study contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the key alkaloids and mechanisms of UR in the treatment of AD, as well as provide candidate compounds for drug research and development for specific AD pathological processes.
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