Protective effect of total saponins of ginseng stems and leaves (GSLS) on chlorpyrifos-induced brain toxicity in mice through the PTEN/PI3K/AKT axis

Ginseng in delaying brain aging: Progress and Perspectives

BACKGROUND

The Shennong Bencao Jing (Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica) records that Panax ginseng C. A. Mey (ginseng) 'lightens the body and prolongs life'. Many investigations have documented that ginseng exerts neuroprotective effects by mitigating the aging of the brain. However, a comprehensive review of the impacts of ginseng on brain aging remains lacking.

PURPOSE

This study aims to review the advances in ginseng research regarding its role in delaying brain aging, focusing on its bioactive constituents, underlying mechanisms and potential side effects. The findings provide scientific pieces of evidence to support the medical utilization of ginseng in the delaying senescence and the management of aging-related diseases.

METHODS

This review includes studies on ginseng and brain aging in humans, retrieved from English-language research articles published between 2017 and the present in the PubMed and Web of Science databases. The work focused on ginseng, brain aging, and aging-related diseases, utilizing keywords such as "Ginseng", "Brain aging", "central nervous system", "intracellular homeostasis", "peripheral system", etc. RESULTS: Ginseng comprises a varied spectrum of biologically bioactive constituents, such as ginsenosides, Maillard reaction products, ginseng polysaccharides, volatile oils, amino acids, proteins, etc. These components work to contribute to their significant medicinal value. Based on the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory that "the heart and brain are interconnected, the liver and brain are mutually supportive, the brain and spleen are related, the brain and lung are linked, and the brain and kidney work in harmony," we summarize that ginseng may sustain neural homeostasis through both central and peripheral perspectives. Additionally, the potential toxic side effects of ginseng are minimal.

CONCLUSION

Ginseng and its bioactive constituents exhibit considerable promise in delaying brain aging and treating neurodegenerative diseases. Future research should prioritize exploring the direct targets of ginseng and its active ingredients, and work toward establishing precise drug-target-efficacy relationships. This approach will facilitate the translation of these findings into clinically viable therapeutic approaches.

Chlorpyrifos-oxon induced neuronal cell death via endoplasmic reticulum stress-triggered apoptosis pathways

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is one of the organophosphorus pesticides widely used throughout the world. Epidemiological studies suggested a link between CPF exposure and neurologic disorders, while the molecular mechanisms remain inconclusive. In the present study, we investigated the impacts of chlorpyrifos-oxon (CPO), the major toxic CPF metabolite, on cell apoptosis, and explored possible mechanism associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in SH-SY5Y cells. Results showed that CPO exposure induced dose-dependent apoptosis and expression of ER stress-related proteins in SH-SY5Y cells. Pretreatment with 4-PBA (an ER stress inhibitor) effectively inhibited the expression of GRP78, GRP94, p-IRE1α, and XBP1-s, and apoptotic events. Pretreatment with STF-083010 (an IRE1α inhibitor) partially attenuated CPO-induced apoptosis. In addition, CPO exposure significantly evoked the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which could be eliminated by pretreatment of 4-PBA. Of note, buffering the ROS generation with antioxidant NAC had little impact on the expression of p-IRE1α, and only partially attenuated CPO-induced apoptosis. In contrast, co-pretreatment with NAC and STF-083010 effectively inhibited CPO-induced apoptotic events. Collectively, our results indicate that CPO exposure exerts neuronal cytotoxicity via ER stress downstream-regulated IRE1α/XBP1 signaling pathway and ROS generation-triggered apoptosis. These findings highlight the role of ER stress in CPF-induced neurotoxicity, and provide a promising target for the intervention of organophosphate-associated neurodegenerative diseases.

Improvement of chlorpyrifos-induced cognitive impairment by mountain grape anthocyanins based on PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

The organophosphorus insecticide Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is widely used worldwide due to its high effectiveness. However, when ingested through the mouth and nose, it can cause severe neurotoxic effects and cognitive impairment. Natural anthocyanins show great potential in improving cognitive impairment. In this paper, we will delve into the protective effect of anthocyanins on CPF-induced cognitive impairment and its mechanism through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Morris water maze, histopathological, ELISA and western blot analyses showed that anthocyanins effectively ameliorated CPF-induced spatial learning memory impairment in mice by ameliorating CPF-induced AChE inhibition, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation and by modulating the levels of apoptosis (Caspase-3, Caspase-9) and autophagy (LC3II/ LC3I, Beclin1, p62, mTOR) biomarkers, in order to restore damaged hippocampal tissue morphology, neuron and synapse structures. To identify the action pathway of anthocyanins, we used KEGG and GO pathway enrichment analysis for screening prediction and western blot and molecular docking to verify that anthocyanins improve CPF-induced cognitive impairment by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Protective effects of Panax ginseng as a medical food against chemical toxic agents: molecular and cellular mechanisms

Humans are exposed to different types of toxic agents, which may directly induce organ malfunction or indirectly alter gene expression, leading to carcinogenic and teratogenic effects, and eventually death. Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is the most valuable of all medicinal herbs. Nevertheless, specific data on the antidotal mechanisms of this golden herb are currently unavailable. Based on the findings of in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies, this review focused on the probable protective mechanisms of ginseng and its major components, such as protopanaxadiols, protopanaxatriols, and pentacyclic ginsenosides against various chemical toxic agents. Relevant articles from 2000 to 2023 were gathered from PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar. This literature review shows that P. ginseng and its main components have protective and antidotal effects against the deteriorative effects of pesticides, pharmaceutical agents, including acetaminophen, doxorubicin, isoproterenol, cyclosporine A, tacrolimus, and gentamicin, ethanol, and some chemical agents. These improvements occur through multi-functional mechanisms. They exhibit antioxidant activity, induce anti-inflammatory action, and block intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. However, relevant clinical trials are necessary to validate the mentioned effects and translate the knowledge from basic science to human benefit, fulfilling the fundamental goal of all toxicologists.

Network toxicology, molecular docking technology, and experimental verification revealed the mechanism of cantharidin-induced testicular injury in mice

As a protein kinase inhibitor, cantharidin (CTD) exhibits antitumor activities. However, CTD is highly toxic, thereby limiting clinical applications. Moreover, relatively few studies have investigated CTD-induced reproductive toxicity, thus the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, the toxic effects of CTD on mouse testis were confirmed in vivo and the potential mechanism was predicted by network toxicology (NT) and molecular docking technology. Proteins involved in the signaling pathways and core targets were verified. The results showed that different concentrations of CTD induced weight loss increased the testicular coefficient, and caused obvious pathological damage to testicular cells. The NT results showed that the main targets of CTD-induced testicular injury (TI) included AKT1, Caspase 3, Bcl-2, and Bax. The results of pathway enrichment analysis showed that CTD-induced TI was closely related to apoptosis and the PI3K/AKT and HIF-1 signaling pathways. Molecular docking methods confirmed high affinity between CTD and key targets. Western blot analysis showed that CTD inhibited expression of PI3K, AKT, and the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, while promoting expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Caspase 3. These results suggest that CTD-induced TI involves multiple targets and pathways, and the underlying mechanism was associated with inhibition of the apoptosis-related PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.