Protective effects of notoginsenoside R1 on acute lung injury in rats with sepsis

Notoginsenoside R1 improves intestinal microvascular functioning in sepsis by targeting Drp1-mediated mitochondrial quality imbalance

CONTEXT

Sepsis can result in critical organ failure, and notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1) offers mitochondrial protection.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether NGR1 improves organ function and prognosis after sepsis by protecting mitochondrial quality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A sepsis model was established in C57BL/6 mice using cecum ligation puncture (CLP) and an in vitro model with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 µg/mL)-stimulated primary intestinal microvascular endothelial cells (IMVECs) and then determine NGR1's safe dosage. Groups for each model were: in vivo-a control group, a CLP-induced sepsis group, and a CLP + NGR1 treatment group (30 mg/kg/d for 3 d); in vitro-a control group, a LPS-induced sepsis group, and a LPS + NGR1 treatment group (4 μM for 30 min). NGR1's effects on survival, intestinal function, mitochondrial quality, and mitochondrial dynamic-related protein (Drp1) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Sepsis resulted in approximately 60% mortality within 7 days post-CLP, with significant reductions in intestinal microvascular perfusion and increases in vascular leakage. Severe mitochondrial quality imbalance was observed in IMVECs. NGR1 (IC50 is 854.1 μM at 30 min) targeted Drp1, inhibiting mitochondrial translocation, preventing mitochondrial fragmentation and restoring IMVEC morphology and function, thus protecting against intestinal barrier dysfunction, vascular permeability, microcirculatory flow, and improving sepsis prognosis.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Drp1-mediated mitochondrial quality imbalance is a potential therapeutic target for sepsis. Small molecule natural drugs like NGR1 targeting Drp1 may offer new directions for organ protection following sepsis. Future research should focus on clinical trials to evaluate NGR1's efficacy across various patient populations, potentially leading to novel treatments for sepsis.

Notoginsenoside R1 restrains the proliferation and migration of airway smooth muscle cells isolated from rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

OBJECTIVE

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disorder that is characterized by systemic and lung inflammation. Notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1) displays anti-inflammatory properties in numerous diseases. We aimed to explore the function and mechanism of NGR1 in COPD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

COPD rats were established through cigarette smoke exposure, lipopolysaccharide injection, and cold stimulation. Rat airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) were separated and identified. Then, ASMCs were treated with NGR1 (25 or 50 μM) and cigarette smoke extract (CSE). Thereafter, the vitality, proliferation, and migration of ASMCs were measured. Additionally, cell cycle, inflammation-related factors, α-SMA, and PI3K/AKT pathway-related marker expressions of the ASMCs were also detected. Molecular docking experiments were conducted to explore the interaction of NGR1 to PI3K, TGF-β, p65, and AKT. Moreover, 740 Y-P (a PI3K/Akt pathway agonist) were used to validate the mechanism of NGR1 on COPD.

RESULTS

NGR1 inhibited the proliferation and migration, but caused cell cycle arrest for CSE-triggered ASMCs. Furthermore, NGR1 not only decreased IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α contents, but also reduced α-SMA expression in CSE-stimulated ASMCs. Moreover, NGR1restrainedTGF-β1 expression, PI3K, p65, and AKT phosphorylation in CSE-stimulated ASMCs. Molecular docking experiments showed NGR1 exhibited a strong binding ability to PI3K, TGF-β1, p65, and AKT. Notably, the effects of NGR1 on the proliferation and migration of CSE-induced ASMCs were reversed by 740 Y-P.

CONCLUSIONS

NGR1 can restrain the proliferation and migration of CSE-induced ASMCs, indicating that NGR1 may be a therapeutic candidate for treating COPD.

Therapeutic targeting of Ras/Raf/MAPK pathway by natural products: A systematic and mechanistic approach for neurodegeneration

BACKGROUND

Multiple dysregulated pathways are behind the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs); however, the crucial targets are still unknown. Oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and inflammation are the most dominant pathways that strongly influence neurodegeneration. In this way, targeting the Ras/Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathway appears to be a developing strategy for combating NDDs like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, aging, and other NDDs. Accordingly, plant secondary metabolites have shown promising potentials for the simultaneous modulation of the Ras/Raf/MAPKs pathway and play an essential role in NDDs. MAPKs include p38 MAPK, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), which are important molecular players in neurodegeneration. Ras/Raf, which is located the upstream of MAPK pathway influences the initiation and progression of neurodegeneration and is regulated by natural products.

PURPOSE

Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective roles of plant- and marine-derived secondary metabolites against several NDDs through the modulation of the Ras/Raf/MAPK signaling pathway.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A systematic and comprehensive review was performed to highlight the modulatory roles of natural products on the Ras/Raf/MAPK signaling pathway in NDDs, according to the PRISMA guideline, using scholarly electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences. Associated reference lists were also searched for the literature review.

RESULTS

From a total of 1495 results, finally 107 articles were included in the present study. The results show that several natural compounds such as alkaloid, phenolic, terpenoids, and nanoformulation were shown to have modulatory effects on the Ras/Raf/MAPKs pathway.

CONCLUSION

Natural products are promising multi-targeted agents with on NDDs through Ras/Raf/MAPKs pathway. Nevertheless, additional and complementary studies are necessary to check its efficacy and potential side effects.

Notoginsenoside R1 Promotes Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of hPDLSCs via Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

Purpose

To investigate the roles of Notoginsenoside R1 (NG-R1) on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) and explore its possible mechanism.

Methods

hPDLSCs were isolated and, then characterized by flow cytometry. Cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony assays were used to validate the effect of different NG-R1 concentrations on hPDLSCs proliferation and the optimal concentration was determined. Quantitative detection of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity at optimal concentration and the mineralization of the cells was investigated by Alizarin Red S staining. qRT-PCR and Western blot were utilized to examine the factors expression levels of ALP, Runx Family Transcription Factor 2 (RUNX2), Collagen I (Col-1) and catenin beta 1 (CTNNB1; β-catenin). In addition, the tankyrase inhibitor XAV-939 was used to explore NG-R1's role in canonical Wnt signaling.

Results

hPDLSCs were positive for surface antigens CD90 while negative for CD34 and CD45, which indicated that we have successfully isolated the hPDLSCs. Furthermore, a concentration of 20μmol NG-R1 dramatically enhanced hPDLSCs proliferation, ALP activity, and mineral deposition. ALP, RUNX2, COL-1, and β-catenin expression were all rised in comparison to control group. After XAV-939 was added to disrupt the canonical Wnt signaling, the impact of NG-R1 appeared to be reversed.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that NG-R1 can stimulate osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs, which is probably attributable to canonical Wnt signaling activation.

Protective effects of lavender oil on sepsis-induced acute lung injury via regulation of the NF-κB pathway

CONTEXT

Lavender oil (Lav) from Lavandula angustifolia L. (Lamiacease) exhibits antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties against various diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The study explores the effect of Lav pre-treatment on sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into Sham, caecal ligation and puncture (CLP), CLP + Lav (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg) groups. Lav was administered by gavage, once a day, for 7 days. Histological analysis was performed using haematoxylin and eosin staining. Cytokine and nitrite levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits and Griess reagent. Gene and protein expression were tested by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot.

RESULTS

The levels of tumour necrosis factor-α (BALF: 64%, serum: 59%), interleukin (IL)-1β (BALF: 63%, serum: 66%) and IL-6 (BALF: 54%, serum: 59%), and nitrite (40%) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (51%), and the level of myeloperoxidase (66%) and malondialdehyde (59%), and cleaved-caspase 3 (84%) and Bax expression (74%) induced by CLP were decreased when given Lav. Additionally, the level of superoxide dismutase (211%) and glutathione (139%), and the expression of Bcl-2 (980%) induced by CLP were increased when given Lav. The increased p-nuclear factor (NF)-κB/NF-κB (72%) and p-inhibitor of κBα (IκBα)/IκBα (77%) induced by CLP could be reversed by Lav.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Lav pre-treatment might protect rats from sepsis-induced ALI via deactivation of the NF-κB pathway. Our research demonstrated the regulatory mechanisms of Lav in sepsis-induced ALI and can provide a theoretical basis for the use of Lav in the treatment of sepsis-induced ALI.