1
|
Shamsan E, Almezgagi M, Gamah M, Khan N, Qasem A, Chuanchuan L, Haining F. The role of PI3k/AKT signaling pathway in attenuating liver fibrosis: a comprehensive review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1389329. [PMID: 38590313 PMCID: PMC10999701 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1389329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components within the liver leads to a pathological condition known as liver fibrosis. Alcohol abuse, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), autoimmune issues, and viral hepatitis cause chronic liver injury. Exploring potential therapeutic targets and understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in liver fibrosis are essential for the development of effective interventions. The goal of this comprehensive review is to explain how the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway contributes to the reduction of liver fibrosis. The potential of this pathway as a therapeutic target is investigated through a summary of results from in vivo and in vitro studies. Studies focusing on PI3K/AKT activation have shown a significant decrease in fibrosis markers and a significant improvement in liver function. The review emphasizes how this pathway may prevent ECM synthesis and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, ultimately reducing the fibrotic response. The specific mechanisms and downstream effectors of the PI3K/AKT pathway in liver fibrosis constitute a rapidly developing field of study. In conclusion, the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway plays a significant role in attenuating liver fibrosis. Its complex role in regulating HSC activation and ECM production, demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo, underscores its potential as a effective therapeutic approach for managing liver fibrosis and slowing disease progression. A comprehensive review of this field provides valuable insights into its future developments and implications for clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emad Shamsan
- College of Clinical Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- College of Medical Science, Taiz University, Taiz, Yemen
| | - Maged Almezgagi
- College of Clinical Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Mohammed Gamah
- College of Clinical Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Naveed Khan
- College of Clinical Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | | | - Liu Chuanchuan
- College of Clinical Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, Xining, China
| | - Fan Haining
- College of Clinical Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, Xining, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li Q, Huang D, Liao W, Su X, Li J, Zhang J, Fang M, Liu Y. Tanshinone IIA regulates CCl 4 induced liver fibrosis in C57BL/6J mice via the PI3K/Akt and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2024; 38:e23648. [PMID: 38348705 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.23648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Chronic liver diseases caused by various factors may develop into liver fibrosis (LF). Early stage of LF could be reversible. Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA), an extract from Salvia miltiorrhiza, has been reported to be hepatoprotective. However, the potential targets and mechanism of Tan IIA in the treatment of LF are still unclear. Our study aims at the anti-LF mechanism of Tan IIA through network pharmacological analysis combined with LF-related experiments. Serum biochemical indicators and histopathological examination showed that Tan IIA could ameliorate the process of LF in the CCl4 -induced mouse model. Western blot and immunohistochemical assays showed that Tan IIA decreased the expression of Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS), phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1). Compared with the model group, the Tan IIA groups increased the decreased superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione content, while decreasing the increased malondialdehyde content. These results indicate that Tan IIA may play an antioxidant role by inhibiting the expression of KRAS, PI3K/Akt, and Nrf2/HO-1 to ameliorate the progression of LF, which to some extent explains the pharmacological mechanism of Tan IIA in LF. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that Tan IIA could regulate LF via PI3K/Akt and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways. It may be an effective therapeutic compound for the treatment of LF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Li
- School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Dongrui Huang
- School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenjing Liao
- School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinyue Su
- School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jin Li
- School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinwei Zhang
- School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Meng Fang
- School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuwei Liu
- School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jiao Y, Shi C, Sun Y. The use of Xuanbai Chengqi decoction on monkeypox disease through the estrone-target AR interaction. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1234817. [PMID: 37808322 PMCID: PMC10553791 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1234817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction After COVID-19, there was an outbreak of a new infectious disease caused by monkeypox virus. So far, no specific drug has been found to treat it. Xuanbai Chengqi decoction (XBCQD) has shown effects against a variety of viruses in China. Methods We searched for the active compounds and potential targets for XBCQD from multiple open databases and literature. Monkeypox related targets were searched out from the OMIM and GeneCards databases. After determining the assumed targets of XBCQD for monkeypox treatment, we built the PPI network and used R for GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis. The interactions between the active compounds and the hub targets were investigated by molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Results In total, 5 active compounds and 10 hub targets of XBCQD were screened out. GO enrichment and KEGG analysis demonstrated that XBCQD plays a therapeutic role in monkeypox mainly by regulating signaling pathways related to viral infection and inflammatory response. The main active compound estrone binding to target AR was confirmed to be the best therapy choice for monkeypox. Discussion This study systematically explored the interactions between the bioactive compounds of XBCQD and the monkeypox-specific XBCQD targets using network pharmacological methods, bioinformatics analyses and molecular simulations, suggesting that XBCQD could have a beneficial therapeutic effect on monkeypox by reducing the inflammatory damage and viral replication via multiple pathways. The use of XBCQD on monkeypox disease was confirmed to be best worked through the estrone-target AR interaction. Our work could provide evidence and guidance for further research on the treatment of monkeypox disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanqi Jiao
- School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, China
| | - Chengcheng Shi
- School of Science/State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, China
| | - Yao Sun
- School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Deng J, Qin L, Zhou Z. Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Reveal the Mechanism of Isodon ternifolius (D. Don) Kudo Against Liver Fibrosis. Drug Des Devel Ther 2023; 17:2335-2351. [PMID: 37576085 PMCID: PMC10416792 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s412818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim Many studies have demonstrated the hepatoprotective or anti-fibrotic effects of Isodon ternifolius, but its pharmacological basis and mechanism remain unclear. In this study, we used in vitro models to validate the predicted results and revealed the potential mechanism of action and active ingredients through network pharmacology methods and molecular docking. Methods The chemical components of Isodon ternifolius were identified by literatures. Potential targets of Isodon ternifolius were predicted by Swiss Target Prediction. The disease targets were collected through the databases of Gene Card. Common targets of Isodon ternifolius and liver fibrosis were obtained by online tool Venny 2.1. PPI protein interaction network was obtained using String database, and target protein interaction network was drawn using Cytoscape software. Signaling pathway enrichment analysis was performed on drug-disease targets with of DAVID database. Results Twenty-one potential active ingredients and 298 potential targets were predicted by Swiss Target Prediction platform. Ninety pathways related to liver fibrosis were obtained by KEGG enrichment. The TLR4, MAPK and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways are mostly associated with liver fibrosis. Molecular docking techniques were used to validate the core target proteins TNF, Akt1, MAPK1, EGFR and TLR4 binding to the ingredients of Isodon ternifolius, which showed that a multitude of ingredients of Isodon ternifolius were able to bind to the above target proteins, especially 2α-hydroxy oleanolic acid and (-)-Lambertic acid. Our experimental validation results showed that Isodon ternifolius inhibited the activation of PI3K-Akt and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. Conclusion Through a network pharmacology approach and in vitro cell assay, we predicted and validated the active compounds of Isodon ternifolius and its potential targets for LF treatment. The results suggest that the mechanism of Isodon ternifolius treating LF by inhibiting angiogenesis may be related to the ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiasheng Deng
- School of Pharmacy, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Le Qin
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhipin Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Liuzhou People’s Hospital, Liuzhou, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Odhiambo P, Okello H, Wakaanya A, Wekesa C, Okoth P. Mutational signatures for breast cancer diagnosis using artificial intelligence. J Egypt Natl Canc Inst 2023; 35:14. [PMID: 37184779 DOI: 10.1186/s43046-023-00173-4] [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: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the most common female cancer worldwide. Its diagnosis and prognosis remain scanty, imprecise, and poorly documented. Previous studies have indicated that some genetic mutational signatures are suspected to lead to progression of various breast cancer scenarios. There is paucity of data on the role of AI tools in delineating breast cancer mutational signatures. This study sought to investigate the relationship between breast cancer genetic mutational profiles using artificial intelligence models with a view to developing an accurate prognostic prediction based on breast cancer genetic signatures. Prior research on breast cancer has been based on symptoms, origin, and tumor size. It has not been investigated whether diagnosis of breast cancer can be made utilizing AI platforms like Cytoscape, Phenolyzer, and Geneshot with potential for better prognostic power. This is the first ever attempt for a combinatorial approach to breast cancer diagnosis using different AI platforms. METHOD Artificial intelligence (AI) are mathematical algorithms that simulate human cognitive abilities and solve difficult healthcare issues such as complicated biological abnormalities like those experienced in breast cancer scenarios. The current models aimed to predict outcomes and prognosis by correlating imaging phenotypes with genetic mutations, tumor profiles, and hormone receptor status and development of imaging biomarkers that combine tumor and patient-specific features. Geneshotsav 2021, Cytoscape 3.9.1, and Phenolyzer Nature Methods, 12:841-843 (2015) tools, were used to mine breast cancer-associated mutational signatures and provided useful alternative computational tools for discerning pathways and enriched networks of genes of similarity with the overall goal of providing a systematic view of the variety of mutational processes that lead to breast cancer development. The development of novel-tailored pharmaceuticals, as well as the distribution of prospective treatment alternatives, would be aided by the collection of massive datasets and the use of such tools as diagnostic markers. RESULTS Specific DNA-maintenance defects, endogenous or environmental exposures, and cancer genomic signatures are connected. The PubMed database (Geneshot) search for the keywords yielded a total of 21,921 genes associated with breast cancer. Then, based on their propensity to result in gene mutations, the genes were screened using the Phenolyzer software. These platforms lend credence to the fact that breast cancer diagnosis using Cytoscape 3.9.1, Phenolyzer, and Geneshot 2021 reveals high profile of the following mutational signatures: BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, CHEK2, PTEN, CDH1, BRIP1, RAD51C, CASP3, CREBBP, and SMAD3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Odhiambo
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 190, Kakamega, 50100, Kenya.
| | - Harrison Okello
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 190, Kakamega, 50100, Kenya
| | - Annette Wakaanya
- Department of Mathematics, School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 190, Kakamega, 50100, Kenya
| | - Clabe Wekesa
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 190, Kakamega, 50100, Kenya
| | - Patrick Okoth
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 190, Kakamega, 50100, Kenya
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Jin J, Yang H, Hu L, Wang Y, Wu W, Hu C, Wu K, Wu Z, Cheng W, Huang Y. Inonotsuoxide B suppresses hepatic stellate cell activation and proliferation via the PI3K/AKT and ERK1/2 pathway. Exp Ther Med 2022; 23:417. [PMID: 35601068 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2022.11344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Jin
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Hui Yang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Lili Hu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Yinghong Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Anhui Provincial Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
| | - Wenyong Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Anhui No. 2 Provincial People's Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230041, P.R. China
| | - Chengmu Hu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Kun Wu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Zehua Wu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Wenming Cheng
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Yan Huang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang L, Yin Q, Liu C, Tang Y, Sun C, Zhuang J. Nanoformulations of Ursolic Acid: A Modern Natural Anticancer Molecule. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:706121. [PMID: 34295253 PMCID: PMC8289884 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.706121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Ursolic acid (UA) is a natural pentacyclic triterpene derived from fruit, herb, and other plants. UA can act on molecular targets of various signaling pathways, inhibit the growth of cancer cells, promote cycle stagnation, and induce apoptosis, thereby exerting anticancer activity. However, its poor water-solubility, low intestinal mucosal absorption, and low bioavailability restrict its clinical application. In order to overcome these deficiencies, nanotechnology, has been applied to the pharmacological study of UA. Objective: In this review, we focused on the absorption, distribution, and elimination pharmacokinetics of UA in vivo, as well as on the research progress in various UA nanoformulations, in the hope of providing reference information for the research on the anticancer activity of UA. Methods: Relevant research articles on Pubmed and Web of Science in recent years were searched selectively by using the keywords and subheadings, and were summarized systematically. Key finding: The improvement of the antitumor ability of the UA nanoformulations is mainly due to the improvement of the bioavailability and the enhancement of the targeting ability of the UA molecules. UA nanoformulations can even be combined with computational imaging technology for monitoring or diagnosis. Conclusion: Currently, a variety of UA nanoformulations, such as micelles, liposomes, and nanoparticles, which can increase the solubility and bioactivity of UA, while promoting the accumulation of UA in tumor tissues, have been prepared. Although the research of UA in the nanofield has made great progress, there is still a long way to go before the clinical application of UA nanoformulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Longyun Wang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Qianqian Yin
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Cun Liu
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Ying Tang
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Changgang Sun
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, China.,Qingdao Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao, China
| | - Jing Zhuang
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Du JJ, Sun JC, Li N, Li XQ, Sun WY, Wei W. β-Arrestin2 deficiency attenuates oxidative stress in mouse hepatic fibrosis through modulation of NOX4. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2021; 42:1090-1100. [PMID: 33116250 PMCID: PMC8209231 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-00545-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is a disease characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the liver. Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is responsible for most of ECM production. Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) may be important factors leading to liver fibrosis. NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) is the main source of ROS in hepatic fibrosis, but the mechanism by which NOX4 regulates oxidative stress is not fully understood. β-Arrestin2 is a multifunctional scaffold protein that regulates receptor endocytosis, signaling and trafficking. In this study, we investigated whether β-arrestin2 regulated oxidative stress in hepatic fibrosis. Both β-arrestin2 knockout (Arrb2 KO) mice and wild-type mice were intraperitoneally injected with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) to induce hepatic fibrosis. Arrb2 KO mice showed significantly attenuated liver fibrosis, decreased ROS levels and NOX4 expression, and reduced collagen levels in their livers. In vitro, NOX4 knockdown significantly inhibited ROS production, and decreased expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin in angiotensin II-stimulated human HSC cell line LX-2. Through overexpression or depletion of β-arrestin2 in LX-2 cells, we revealed that decreased β-arrestin2 inhibited ROS levels and NOX4 expression, and reduced collagen production; it also inhibited activation of ERK and JNK signaling pathways. These results demonstrate that β-arrestin2 deficiency protects against liver fibrosis by downregulating ROS production through NOX4. This effect appears to be mediated by ERK and JNK signaling pathways. Thus, targeted inhibition of β-arrestin2 might reduce oxidative stress and inhibit the progression of liver fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Jia Du
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jia-Chang Sun
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Nan Li
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xiu-Qin Li
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Wu-Yi Sun
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Wei Wei
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, 230032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Li Q, Hu S, Huang L, Zhang J, Cao G. Evaluating the Therapeutic Mechanisms of Selected Active Compounds in Cornus Officinalis and Paeonia Lactiflora in Rheumatoid Arthritis via Network Pharmacology Analysis. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:648037. [PMID: 33967784 PMCID: PMC8097135 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.648037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cornus officinalis Sieb et. Zucc and Paeonia lactiflora Pall. have exhibited favorable therapeutic effects against rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the specific mechanisms of their active compounds remain unclear. The aim of this study was to comprehensively analyze the therapeutic mechanisms of selected active compounds in Cornus officinalis (loganin, ursolic acid, and morroniside) and Paeonia lactiflora (paeoniflorin and albiflorin) via network pharmacology. The pharmacological properties of the five active compounds were evaluated and their potential target genes were identified by database screening. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes functional analysis were performed to determine the enriched molecular pathways associated with the active compounds. Using network pharmacology tools, eight genes (IL1β, VEGFA, STAT3, TP53, IL6, TNF, FOS, and LGALS3) were identified as common targets between RA and the five active compounds. Molecular docking simulation revealed the compound-target relationship between the five active compounds and three selected targets from the eight common ones (LGALS3, STAT3, and VEGFA). The compound-target relationships were subsequently validated via preliminary in vivo experiments in a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis. Rats subjected to collagen-induced arthritis showed increased protein expression of LGALS3, STAT3, and VEGFA in synovial tissues. However, treatment using Cornus officinalis or/and Paeonia lactiflora, as well as their most drug-like active compounds (ursolic acid or/and paeoniflorin, respectively, identified based on pharmacological properties), attenuated the expression of these three targets, as previously predicted. Collectively, network pharmacology allowed the pharmacological and molecular roles of Cornus officinalis and Paeonia lactiflora to be systematically revealed, further establishing them as important candidate drugs in the treatment and management of RA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qinglin Li
- Scientific Research Department, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, China.,College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shaoqi Hu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lichuang Huang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jida Zhang
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Gang Cao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Li C, Zhang Y, Liu R, Mai Y. Anagliptin Protected against Hypoxia/Reperfusion-Induced Brain Vascular Endothelial Permeability by Increasing ZO-1. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:7771-7777. [PMID: 33778288 PMCID: PMC7992143 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c00242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury is commonly induced during the treatment of ischemic stroke and is reported to be related to the blood-brain barrier destruction and brain vascular endothelial cell dysfunction. Anagliptin is a novel antidiabetic agent recently reported to protect neurons from oxidative stress. In the present study, we aim to investigate the protective property of anagliptin against oxygen-glucose deprivation and reperfusion (OGD/R)-induced injury on endothelial cells and clarify the potential underlying mechanism. METHODS OGD/R modeling was established on bEnd.3 brain endothelial cells. Cell viability was detected using the MTT assay, and the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was measured using the mitoses red staining assay. The endothelial monolayer permeability was determined using an FITC-dextran permeation assay. The expression levels of NOX-4 and ZO-1 were evaluated using qRT-PCR and Western blot assays. The expressions of MLC-2, p-MLC-2, and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) were determined using Western blot. RESULTS First, the decreased cell viability, upregulated NOX-4, and elevated mitochondrial ROS level in the endothelial cells induced by OGD/R were reversed by treatment with anagliptin. Second, the enlarged endothelial permeability and the decreased expression level of ZO-1 in the endothelial cells induced by OGD/R were alleviated by anagliptin. Third, the downregulation of ZO-1 and enlarged brain endothelial monolayer permeability induced by OGD/R were ameliorated by an MLCK inhibitor, ML-7. Lastly, the elevated expressions of MLCK and p-MLC-2 induced by OGD/R were suppressed by anagliptin. CONCLUSION Anagliptin protected against hypoxia/reperfusion-induced brain vascular endothelial permeability by increasing the expression ZO-1, mediated by inhibition of the MLCK/MLC-2 signaling pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chuo Li
- Department
of Neurology, Guangzhou Eighth People’s
Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510440, China
- . Phone/Fax: +86-020-36473145
| | - Yusheng Zhang
- Department
of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First
Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Rongrong Liu
- Department
of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First
Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Yuzhen Mai
- Department
of Neurology, Guangzhou Eighth People’s
Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510440, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Cytotoxic Fractions from Hechtia glomerata Extracts and p-Coumaric Acid as MAPK Inhibitors. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26041096. [PMID: 33669666 PMCID: PMC7922350 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26041096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Preliminary bioassay-guided fractionation was performed to identify cytotoxic compounds from Hechtia glomerata, a plant that is used in Mexican ethnomedicine. Organic and aqueous extracts were prepared from H. glomerata’s leaves and evaluated against two cancer cell lines. The CHCl3/MeOH (1:1) active extract was fractionated, and the resulting fractions were assayed against prostate adenocarcinoma PC3 and breast adenocarcinoma MCF7 cell lines. Active fraction 4 was further analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight–mass spectrometry analysis to identify its active constituents. Among the compounds that were responsible for the cytotoxic effects of this fraction were flavonoids, phenolic acids, and aromatic compounds, of which p-coumaric acid (p-CA) and its derivatives were abundant. To understand the mechanisms that underlie p-CA cytotoxicity, a microarray assay was performed on PC3 cells that were treated or not with this compound. The results showed that mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) that regulate many cancer-related pathways were targeted by p-CA, which could be related to the reported effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS). A molecular docking study of p-CA showed that this phenolic acid targeted these protein active sites (MAPK8 and Serine/Threonine protein kinase 3) at the same binding site as their inhibitors. Thus, we hypothesize that p-CA produces ROS, directly affects the MAPK signaling pathway, and consequently causes apoptosis, among other effects. Additionally, p-CA could be used as a platform for the design of new MAPK inhibitors and re-sensitizing agents for resistant cancers.
Collapse
|
12
|
Wan S, Luo F, Huang C, Liu C, Luo Q, Zhu X. Ursolic acid reverses liver fibrosis by inhibiting interactive NOX4/ROS and RhoA/ROCK1 signalling pathways. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:10614-10632. [PMID: 32496208 PMCID: PMC7346053 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is the reversible deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) and scar formation after liver damage by various stimuli. The interaction between NOX4/ROS and RhoA/ROCK1 in liver fibrosis is not yet clear. Ursolic acid (UA) is a traditional Chinese medicine with anti-fibrotic effects, but the molecular mechanism underlying these effects is still unclear. We investigated the interaction between NOX4/ROS and RhoA/ROCK1 during liver fibrosis and whether these molecules are targets for the anti-fibrotic effects of UA. First, we confirmed that UA reversed CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. In the NOX4 intervention and RhoA intervention groups, related experimental analyses confirmed the decrease in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. Next, we determined that the expression of NOX4 and RhoA/ROCK1 was decreased in UA-treated liver fibrotic mice. Furthermore, RhoA/ROCK1 expression was decreased in the NOX4 intervention group, but there was no significant change in the expression of NOX4 in the RhoA intervention group. Finally, we found that liver fibrotic mice showed a decline in their microbiota diversity and abundance, a change in their microbiota composition, and a reduction in the number of potential beneficial bacteria. However, in UA-treated liver fibrotic mice, the microbiota dysbiosis was ameliorated. In conclusion, the NOX4/ROS and RhoA/ROCK1 signalling pathways are closely linked to the development of liver fibrosis. UA can reverse liver fibrosis by inhibiting the NOX4/ROS and RhoA/ROCK1 signalling pathways, which may interact with each other.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sizhe Wan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Fangyun Luo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Chenkai Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Cong Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Qingtian Luo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xuan Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhang D, Zhang Y, Gao Y, Chai X, Pi R, Chan G, Hu Y. Translating traditional herbal formulas into modern drugs: a network-based analysis of Xiaoyao decoction. Chin Med 2020; 15:25. [PMID: 32190105 PMCID: PMC7075005 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-020-00302-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) encompasses numerous herbal formulas which play critical therapeutic roles through "multi-components, multi-targets and multi-pathways" mechanisms. Exploring the interaction among these mechanisms can certainly help to depict the core therapeutic function of herbal formulas. Xiaoyao decoction (XYD) is one of the most well-known traditional Chinese medicine formulas which has been widely applied to treat various diseases. In this study, taking XYD as an example, we proposed a network pharmacology-based method to identify the main therapeutic targets of this herbal concoctions. Methods Chemical data of XYD were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database (TCMSP), Traditional Chinese Medicines Integrated Database (TCMID) and Compound Reference Database (CRD) and screened oral bioavailability attributes from SwissADME using Veber's filter. Targets of sample chemicals were identified using the online tool similarity ensemble approach (SEA), and pathways were enriched using STRING database. On the basis of targets-pathways interactions from the enrichment, a "targets-pathways-targets" (TPT) network was constructed. In the TPT network, the importance of each target was calculated by the declining value of network efficiency, which represents the influential strength of a specific set-off target on the whole network. Network-based predictive results were statistically validated with existing experimental evidence. Results The TPT network was comprised of 279 nodes and 6549 edges. The declining value of network efficiency of the sample targets was significantly correlated with their involvement frequency in existing studies of XYD using Spearman's test (p < 0.001). The top 10% of candidate targets, such as AKT1, PIK3R1, NFKB1 and RELA, etc., were chosen as XYD's main therapeutic targets, which further show pharmacological functions synergistically through 11 main pathways. These pathways are responsible for endocrine, nutritional or metabolic diseases, neoplasms and diseases of the nervous system, etc. Conclusions The network pharmacology-based approach in the present study shows promising potential for identifying the main therapeutic targets from TCM formulas. This study provides valuable information for TCM researchers and clinicians for better understanding the main therapeutic targets and therapeutic roles of herbal decoctions in clinical settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daiyan Zhang
- 1State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Yun Zhang
- 1State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Yan Gao
- 1State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Xingyun Chai
- 2Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029 China
| | - Rongbiao Pi
- 3School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006 China
| | - Ging Chan
- 1State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Yuanjia Hu
- 1State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wan SZ, Liu C, Huang CK, Luo FY, Zhu X. Ursolic Acid Improves Intestinal Damage and Bacterial Dysbiosis in Liver Fibrosis Mice. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1321. [PMID: 31736766 PMCID: PMC6838135 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a reversible process of extracellular matrix deposition or scar formation after liver injury. Intestinal damage and bacterial dysbiosis are important concomitant intestinal changes in liver fibrosis and may in turn accelerate the progression of liver fibrosis through the gut-liver axis. RhoA, an important factor in the regulation of the cytoskeleton, plays an important role in intestinal damage. We investigated the effects of ursolic acid (UA), a traditional Chinese medicine with anti-fibrotic effects, on intestinal damage and bacterial disorder through the RhoA pathway. UA treatment reduced intestinal damage by inhibiting the inflammatory factor TNF-α and increasing the expression of tight junction proteins and antibacterial peptides to protect the intestinal barrier. Moreover, the corrective effect of UA on bacterial dysbiosis was also confirmed by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Potential beneficial bacteria, such as the phylum Firmicutes and the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, were increased in the UA group compared to the CCl4 group. In liver fibrosis mice with RhoA inhibition via injection of adeno-associated virus, the liver fibrosis, intestinal damage, and flora disturbances were improved. Moreover, UA inhibited the expression of RhoA pathway components. In conclusion, UA improves intestinal damage and bacterial dysbiosis partly via the RhoA pathway. This may be a potential mechanism by which UA exerts its anti-fibrotic effects and provides effective theoretical support for the future use of UA in clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Si-Zhe Wan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Cong Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Chen-Kai Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Fang-Yun Luo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xuan Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Active Ingredients and Action Mechanisms of Yi Guan Jian Decoction in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients with Liver Fibrosis. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2019; 2019:2408126. [PMID: 31565062 PMCID: PMC6745137 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2408126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Background and Aim The progression of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients is currently insufficiently controlled worldwide. The Yi Guan Jian decoction (YGJD) has been widely used in the treatment of liver fibrosis in CHB cases. Although animal studies have reported the antifibrotic effects of the decoction, the active ingredients of the YGJD remain unknown. This study aimed at identifying the potential active ingredients and exploring the mechanisms of action (MOA) of the decoction when treating CHB patients with fibrosis. Methods Using data mining techniques and a structural clustering analysis, the potential active ingredients were determined. A network analysis of the differentially expressed genes was conducted to identify the potential targets. Selected compounds were docked to the potential targets for the compound-target interaction simulation. In vitro validation, including a cell proliferation assay and Western blot analysis, was conducted to evaluate the prediction results. Results In the microarray data, 224 differentially expressed genes related to liver fibrosis were considered to be potential targets. Thirty active ingredients of the YGJD and 15 main targets and relevant pathways were identified. Among them, two active ingredients, methylophiopogonone A and 8-geranyloxypsoralen, were validated as exhibiting antifibrotic effects on hepatic stellate cells. Conclusions We identified the potential active ingredients of the YGJD and proposed the possible explanation for the MOA in the treatment of CHB patients with liver fibrosis. Moreover, this study provides a methodological reference for the systematic investigation of the bioactive compounds and related MOA of a traditional Chinese medicine formula in a clinical context.
Collapse
|
16
|
Chen H, Wu X, Duan Y, Zhi D, Zou M, Zhao Z, Zhang X, Yang X, Zhang J. Ursolic acid isolated from Isodon excisoides induces apoptosis and inhibits invasion of GBC-SD gallbladder carcinoma cells. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:1467-1474. [PMID: 31423212 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is a relatively rare but terminal malignancy, and drug/chemical development is an important aspect of prevention and treatment of GBC. Ursolic acid (UA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid, has been reported to exhibit various pharmaceutical effects. In the present study, the antiproliferative and anti-invasive effects of UA and the associated mechanisms in GBC were examined. UA was isolated from Isodon excisoides. The GBC cells (GBC-SD and NOZ) were treated with UA and subjected to a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. The GBC-SD cells were subsequently selected for an Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide assay, Transwell chamber assay, RT2 profiler polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array and western blot analysis. The results indicated that UA inhibited the proliferation and invasion and induced the apoptosis of GBC-SD cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the PCR arrays demonstrated that there were 24 differentially expressed genes between the UA-treated and untreated groups. These differentially expressed genes suggested that UA induced the apoptosis of GBC-SD cells through activation of the cell extrinsic pathway. According to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis of these differentially expressed genes, the suppression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathways was further validated. In summary, UA induces the apoptosis and inhibits the invasion of GBC-SD cells, which may be associated with the suppression of NF-κB and Akt signaling pathways. These results may offer a potential therapeutic strategy for the chemoprevention or chemotherapy of GBC in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huiping Chen
- Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Xiujuan Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital (Henan Provincial People's Hospital), Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R. China
| | - Yitao Duan
- Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Dexian Zhi
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology and Food Science, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin 300134, P.R. China
| | - Min Zou
- Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Zhihong Zhao
- Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojun Zhang
- Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoang Yang
- Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Jianying Zhang
- Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Zhang W, Gan D, Jian J, Huang C, Luo F, Wan S, Jiang M, Wan Y, Wang A, Li B, Zhu X. Protective Effect of Ursolic Acid on the Intestinal Mucosal Barrier in a Rat Model of Liver Fibrosis. Front Physiol 2019; 10:956. [PMID: 31417419 PMCID: PMC6682626 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress mediated by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX) plays an important role in intestinal mucosal barrier damage in various disease states. Recent evidence suggests that intestinal mucosal barrier damage and intestinal dysbiosis occur in mice with hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl4 or bile duct ligation. Another study showed that ursolic acid (UA) attenuates experimental colitis via its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of UA on the intestinal mucosal barrier in CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats and identify its associated mechanisms. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following 3 groups (n = 10/group): the control, CCl4 model and UA treatment groups. Rats were sacrificed at 72 h after the hepatic fibrosis model was established and assessed for liver fibrosis, intestinal injury, enterocyte apoptosis, bacterial translocation, system inflammation, intestinal oxidative stress, and tight junction protein and NOX protein expression. The results demonstrated that UA attenuated the following: (i) liver and intestinal pathological injury; (ii) cleaved caspase-3 expression in the ileal epithelial cells; (iii) serum lipopolysaccharide and procalcitonin levels; (iv) intestinal malondialdehyde levels; and (v) the expression of the NOX protein components NOX2 and P67phox in ileal tissues. Furthermore, our results suggested that UA improved intestinal dysbiosis and the expression of the tight junction proteins Claudin 1 and Occludin in the ileum of rats. These results indicate that UA has protective effects on the intestinal mucosal barrier in rats with CCl4-induced liver fibrosis by inhibiting intestinal NOX-mediated oxidative stress. Our findings may provide a basis for further clinical studies of UA as a novel and adjuvant treatment to cure liver fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wang Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Dakai Gan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Department of Liver Disease, The Ninth Hospital of Nanchang, Nanchang, China
| | - Jie Jian
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Chenkai Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Fangyun Luo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Sizhe Wan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Meichun Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yipeng Wan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Anjiang Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Bimin Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xuan Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Huang C, Gan D, Luo F, Wan S, Chen J, Wang A, Li B, Zhu X. Interaction Mechanisms Between the NOX4/ROS and RhoA/ROCK1 Signaling Pathways as New Anti- fibrosis Targets of Ursolic Acid in Hepatic Stellate Cells. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:431. [PMID: 31130857 PMCID: PMC6510285 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Studies have shown that both NOX4 and RhoA play essential roles in fibrosis and that they regulate each other. In lung fibrosis, NOX4/ROS is located upstream of the RhoA/ROCK1 signaling pathway, and the two molecules are oppositely located in renal fibrosis. Currently, no reports have indicated whether the above mechanisms or other regulatory mechanisms exist in liver fibrosis. Objectives To investigate the effects of the NOX4/ROS and RhoA/ROCK1 signaling pathways on hepatic stellate cell (HSC)-T6 cells, the interaction mechanisms of the two pathways, and the impact of UA on the two pathways to elucidate the role of UA in the reduction of hepatic fibrosis and potential mechanisms of HSC-T6 cell proliferation, migration, and activation. Methods Stable cell lines were constructed using the lentiviral transduction technique. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were examined using the MTS, TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling, cell scratch, and Transwell invasion assays, respectively. The DCFH-DA method was used to investigate the ROS levels in each group. RT-qPCR and western blotting techniques were utilized to assess the mRNA and protein expression in each group. CoIP and the Biacore protein interaction analysis systems were used to evaluate protein interactions. Results The NOX4/ROS and RhoA/ROCK1 signaling pathways promoted the proliferation, migration, and activation of HSCs. UA inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and activation by inhibiting the activation of the two signaling pathways, but the mechanism of apoptosis was independent of these two pathways. The NOX4/ROS pathway was upstream of and positively regulated the RhoA/ROCK1 pathway in HSCs. No direct interaction between the NOX4 and RhoA proteins was detected. Conclusion The NOX4/ROS and RhoA/ROCK1 signaling pathways are two critical signaling pathways in a series of behavioral processes in HSCs, and NOX4/ROS regulates RhoA/ROCK1 through an indirect pathway to control the activation of HSCs. Additionally, NOX4/ROS and RhoA/ROCK1 constitute a new target for UA antifibrosis treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chenkai Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Dakai Gan
- Department One of Liver Disease, The Ninth Hospital of Nanchang, Nanchang, China
| | - Fangyun Luo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Sizhe Wan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jiang Chen
- Digestive Disease Research Institute of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, China
| | - Anjiang Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Bimin Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xuan Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Mi XJ, Hou JG, Jiang S, Liu Z, Tang S, Liu XX, Wang YP, Chen C, Wang Z, Li W. Maltol Mitigates Thioacetamide-induced Liver Fibrosis through TGF-β1-mediated Activation of PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2019; 67:1392-1401. [PMID: 30644744 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b05943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Our previous study has confirmed that maltol can attenuate alcohol-induced acute hepatic damage and prevent oxidative stress in mice. Therefore, maltol might have the capacity to improve thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis. The purpose of this work was to explore the antifibrotic efficacy and underlying mechanisms of maltol for TAA-treated mice. Progressive liver fibrosis was established with a dose-escalating protocol in which the mice received TAA intraperitoneal three times a week for a total duration of 9 weeks. The injection doses of TAA were 50 mg/kg for the first week, 100 mg/kg for the second and third weeks, and 150 mg/kg for the rest of the injections. Maltol with doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg was given by gavage after 4 weeks of intraperitoneal injection of TAA, respectively, once daily for 5 weeks. Results indicated that TAA intraperitoneal injection significantly increased serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (52.93 ± 13.21 U/L vs 10.22 ± 3.36 U/L) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (67.58 ± 25.84 U/L vs 39.34 ± 3.89 U/L); these elevations were significantly diminished by pretreatment with maltol. Additionally, maltol ameliorated TAA-induced oxidative stress with attenuation in MDA ( p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) content; evident elevation in the GSH levels, GSH/GSSG ratio ( p < 0.05 or p < 0.01), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) ( p < 0.01); and restored liver histology accompanied by a decrease of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression. Furthermore, maltol significantly suppressed the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) expression and the PI3K/Akt pathway. This study suggested that maltol alleviated experimental liver fibrosis by suppressing the activation of HSCs and inducing apoptosis of activated HSCs through TGF-β1-mediated PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. These findings further clearly suggested that maltol is a potent therapeutic candidate for the alleviation of liver fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Jie Mi
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials , Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118 , China
| | - Jin-Gang Hou
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials , Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118 , China
- Intelligent Synthetic Biology Center , Daejeon 34141 , Republic of Korea
| | - Shuang Jiang
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials , Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118 , China
| | - Zhi Liu
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials , Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118 , China
| | - Shan Tang
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials , Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118 , China
| | - Xiang-Xiang Liu
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials , Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118 , China
| | - Ying-Ping Wang
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials , Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118 , China
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Ginseng Breeding and Development , Changchun 130118 , China
| | - Chen Chen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland Brain Institute , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Queensland 4072 , Australia
| | - Zi Wang
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials , Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118 , China
| | - Wei Li
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials , Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118 , China
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Ginseng Breeding and Development , Changchun 130118 , China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Gan D, Zhang W, Huang C, Chen J, He W, Wang A, Li B, Zhu X. Ursolic acid ameliorates CCl4-induced liver fibrosis through the NOXs/ROS pathway. J Cell Physiol 2018; 233:6799-6813. [PMID: 29672850 PMCID: PMC6055678 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a reversible wound-healing response that occurs after liver injury. NADPH oxidases (NOXs) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are expressed in hepatocytes (HCs), hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and Kupffer cells (KCs) play an important role in the development of hepatic fibrosis. In in vitro studies, we had shown that ursolic acid (UA) could reverse liver fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of NOX-mediated fibrotic signaling networks in HSCs. In this study, we verified that UA could alleviate CCl4-induced liver fibrosis by reducing the expression of NOXs/ROS in HCs, HSCs, KCs. Meanwhile, the phagocytic index α and clearance index K which represent phagocytosis of KCs were unchanged. Together, all our data demonstrated that UA induced the proliferation of HCs, promoted apoptosis in HSCs, and prevented activation of KCs in vivo by reducing the expression of NOXs/ROS in HCs, HSCs, KCs. Besides, UA had no effect on the host defense function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dakai Gan
- Department One of Liver DiseaseThe Ninth Hospital of NanchangNanchangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Wang Zhang
- Department of GastroenterologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Chenkai Huang
- Department of GastroenterologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jiang Chen
- Department of GastroenterologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Wenhua He
- Department of GastroenterologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Anjiang Wang
- Department of GastroenterologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Bimin Li
- Department of GastroenterologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xuan Zhu
- Department of GastroenterologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangPeople's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Chinese herbal formula Fuzheng Huayu alleviates CCl 4-induced liver fibrosis in rats: a transcriptomic and proteomic analysis. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2018; 39:930-941. [PMID: 29094729 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2017.150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease that can progress to liver cirrhosis or even hepatocarcinoma. Fuzheng Huayu (FZHY), a Chinese herbal formula, has been shown to exert anti-fibrotic effects. To better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-fibrotic effects of FZHY, we analyzed transcriptomic and proteomic combination profiles in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats, which were treated with extracted FZHY powder (0.35 g·kg-1·d-1, ig) for 3 weeks. We showed that FZHY administration significantly improved liver function, alleviated hepatic inflammatory and fibrotic changes, and decreased the hydroxyproline content in the livers of CCl4-treated rats. When their liver tissues were examined using microarray and iTRAQ, we found 255 differentially expressed genes (fold change ≥1.5, P<0.05) and 499 differentially expressed proteins (fold change ≥1.2, P<0.05) in the FZHY and model groups. Functional annotation with DAVID (The Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery) showed that 15 enriched gene ontology terms, including drug metabolic process, response to extracellular stimulus, response to vitamins, arachidonic acid metabolic process, response to wounding, and oxidation reduction might be involved in the anti-fibrotic effects of FZHY; whereas KEGG pathway analysis revealed that eight enriched pathways, including arachidonic acid metabolism, retinol metabolism, metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, and drug metabolism might also be involved. Moreover, the protein-protein interaction network demonstrated that 10 core genes/proteins overlapped, with Ugt2a3, Cyp2b1 and Cyp3a18 in retinol metabolism pathway overlapped to a higher degree. Compared to the model rats, the livers of FZHY-treated rats had significantly higher mRNA and protein expression levels of Ugt2a3, Cyp2b1 and Cyp3a18. Furthermore, the concentration of retinoic acid was significantly higher in the FZHY-treated rats compared with the model rats. The results suggest that the anti-fibrotic effects of FZHY emerge through multiple targets, multiple functions, and multiple pathways, including FZHY-regulated retinol metabolism, xenobiotic metabolism by cytochrome P450, and drug metabolism through up-regulated Ugt2a3, Cyp2b1, and Cyp3a18. These genes may play important anti-fibrotic roles in FZHY-treated rats.
Collapse
|
22
|
Yu SS, Chen B, Huang CK, Zhou JJ, Huang X, Wang AJ, Li BM, He WH, Zhu X. Ursolic acid suppresses TGF-β1-induced quiescent HSC activation and transformation by inhibiting NADPH oxidase expression and Hedgehog signaling. Exp Ther Med 2017; 14:3577-3582. [PMID: 29042951 PMCID: PMC5639307 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.5001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of quiescent hepatic stellate cells (q-HSCs) and their transformation to myofibroblasts (MFBs) is a key event in liver fibrosis. Hedgehog (Hh) signaling stimulates q-HSCs to differentiate into MFBs, and NADPH oxidase (NOX) may be involved in regulating Hh signaling. The author's preliminary study demonstrated that ursolic acid (UA) selectively induces apoptosis in activated HSCs and inhibits their proliferation in vitro via negative regulation of NOX activity and expression. However, the effect of UA on q-HSCs remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of UA on q-HSC activation and HSC transformation and to observe alterations in the NOX and Hh signaling pathways during q-HSC activation. q-HSC were isolated from adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Following culture for 3 days, the cells were treated with or without transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1; 5 µg/l); intervention groups were pretreated with UA (40 µM) or diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI; 10 µM) for 30 min prior to addition of TGF-β1. mRNA and protein expression of NOX and Hh signaling components and markers of q-HSC activation were examined by western blotting and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. TGF-β1 induced activation of q-HSCs, with increased expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type I collagen. In addition, expression of NOX subunits (gp91phox, p67phox, p22phox, and Rac1) and Hh signaling components, including sonic Hh, sterol-4-alpha-methyl oxidase, and Gli family zinc finger 2, were upregulated in activated HSCs. Pretreatment of q-HSCs with UA or DPI prior to TGF-β1 significantly downregulated expression of NOX subunits and Hh signaling components and additionally inhibited expression of α-SMA and type I collagen, thereby preventing transformation to MFBs. UA inhibited TGF-β1-induced activation of q-HSCs and their transformation by inhibiting expression of NOX subunits and the downstream Hh pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Shan Yu
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Biao Chen
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Chen-Kai Huang
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Juan-Juan Zhou
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Xin Huang
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - An-Jiang Wang
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Bi-Min Li
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Wen-Hua He
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Xuan Zhu
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Schisandrin B Prevents Hind Limb from Ischemia-Reperfusion-Induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammation via MAPK/NF- κB Pathways in Rats. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:4237973. [PMID: 28706944 PMCID: PMC5494555 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4237973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Revised: 05/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Schisandrin B (ScB), isolated from Schisandra chinensis (S. chinensis), is a traditional Chinese medicine with proven cardioprotective and neuroprotective effects. However, it is unclear whether ScB also has beneficial effects on rat hind limb ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury model. In this study, ScB (20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, and 80 mg/kg) was administered via oral gavage once daily for 5 days before the surgery. After 6 h ischemia and 24 h reperfusion of left hind limb, ScB reduced I/R induced histological changes and edema. ScB also suppressed the oxidative stress through decreasing MDA level and increasing SOD activity. Moreover, above changes were associated with downregulated TNF-α mRNA expression and reduced level of IL-1β in plasma. Meanwhile, ScB treatment downregulated activation of p38MAPK, ERK1/2, and NF-κB in ischemic skeletal muscle. These results demonstrate that ScB treatment could prevent hind limb I/R skeletal muscle injury possibly by attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation via p38MAPK, ERK1/2, and NF-κB pathways.
Collapse
|
24
|
Tang Q, Liu Y, Li T, Yang X, Zheng G, Chen H, Jia L, Shao J. A novel co-drug of aspirin and ursolic acid interrupts adhesion, invasion and migration of cancer cells to vascular endothelium via regulating EMT and EGFR-mediated signaling pathways: multiple targets for cancer metastasis prevention and treatment. Oncotarget 2016; 7:73114-73129. [PMID: 27683033 PMCID: PMC5341967 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis currently remains the predominant cause of breast carcinoma treatment failure. The effective targeting of metastasis-related-pathways in cancer holds promise for a new generation of therapeutics. In this study, we developed an novel Asp-UA conjugate, which was composed of classical "old drug" aspirin and low toxicity natural product ursolic acid for targeting breast cancer metastasis. Our results showed that Asp-UA could attenuate the adhesion, migration and invasion of breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells in a more safe and effective manner in vitro. Molecular and cellular study demonstrated that Asp-UA significantly down-regulated the expression of cell adhesion and invasion molecules including integrin α6β1, CD44 ,MMP-2, MMP-9, COX-2, EGFR and ERK proteins, and up-regulated the epithelial markers "E-cadherin" and "β-catenin", and PTEN proteins. Furthermore, Asp-UA (80 mg/kg) reduced lung metastasis in a 4T1 murine breast cancer metastasis model more efficiently, which was associated with a decrease in the expression of CD44. More importantly, we did not detect side effects with Asp-UA in mice such as weight loss and main viscera tissues toxicity. Overall, our research suggested that co-drug Asp-UA possessed potential metastasis chemoprevention abilities via influencing EMT and EGFR-mediated pathways and could be a more promising drug candidate for the prevention and/or treatment of breast cancer metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Tang
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yajun Liu
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Tao Li
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiang Yang
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Guirong Zheng
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hongning Chen
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Lee Jia
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jingwei Shao
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, Pharmaceutical Photocatalysis of State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Shan J, Xuan Y, Zhang Q, Zhu C, Liu Z, Zhang S. Ursolic acid synergistically enhances the therapeutic effects of oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer. Protein Cell 2016; 7:571-85. [PMID: 27472952 PMCID: PMC4980335 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-016-0295-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxaliplatin is a key drug in chemotherapy of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, its efficacy is unsatisfied due to drug resistance of cancer cells. In this study, we tested whether a natural agent, ursolic acid, was able to enhance the efficacy of oxaliplatin for CRC. Four CRC cell lines including SW480, SW620, LoVo, and RKO were used as in vitro models, and a SW620 xenograft mouse model was used in further in vivo study. We found that ursolic acid inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of all four cells and enhanced the cytotoxicity of oxaliplatin. This effect was associated with down-regulation of Bcl-xL, Bcl-2, survivin, activation of caspase-3, 8, 9, and inhibition of KRAS expression and BRAF, MEK1/2, ERK1/2, p-38, JNK, AKT, IKKα, IκBα, and p65 phosphorylation of the MAPK, PI3K/AKT, and NF-κB signaling pathways. The two agents also showed synergistic effects against tumor growth in vivo. In addition, ursolic acid restored liver function and body weight of the mice treated with oxaliplatin. Thus, we concluded that ursolic acid could enhance the therapeutic effects of oxaliplatin against CRC both in vitro and in vivo, which offers an effective strategy to minimize the burden of oxaliplatin-induced adverse events and provides the groundwork for a new clinical strategy to treat CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhen Shan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Yanyan Xuan
- Cancer Institute of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Chunpeng Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Cancer Institute of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Suzhan Zhang
- Cancer Institute of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
El-Ashmawy NE, Khedr EG, El-Bahrawy HA, Abd El-Fattah EE. Sorafenib effect on liver neoplastic changes in rats: more than a kinase inhibitor. Clin Exp Med 2016; 17:185-191. [PMID: 27085325 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-016-0416-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Although sorafenib was approved as antiangiogenic agent in case of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the pathways mediating its antitumorigenic effects were not fully examined in vivo. This study was conducted to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the antineoplastic effect of sorafenib in livers of rats exposed to the hepatocarcinogen diethyl nitrosamine (DENA) regarding oxidative stress, proliferation, and apoptotic pathways. Male albino rats were divided into three groups: normal control, DENA group, and sorafenib group. Sorafenib (10 mg/kg) was given daily to rats orally for 2 weeks, started 6 weeks after DENA (200 mg/kg, single i.p. dose). The histopathological results proved that sorafenib corrected neoplastic changes in the liver as evidenced by a decrease in size of hepatocellular foci. The liver index, glutathione, as well as Bcl-2 were significantly decreased in sorafenib group compared with DENA group. Sorafenib also exhibited antiproliferative effect through suppression of gene expression of cyclin D1 and β-catenin. Thus, the apoptotic and proliferative pathways in HCC could be interrupted by sorafenib, supporting the role of sorafenib as antineoplastic agent and nominating it as a candidate drug for other neoplasms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nahla E El-Ashmawy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Eman G Khedr
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Hoda A El-Bahrawy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Lee SY, Kim YJ, Chung SO, Park SU. Recent studies on ursolic acid and its biological and pharmacological activity. EXCLI JOURNAL 2016; 15:221-8. [PMID: 27231476 PMCID: PMC4874314 DOI: 10.17179/excli2016-159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sook Young Lee
- Regional Innovation Center for Dental Science and Engineering, Chosun University, 309 Pilmun-daero, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 501-759, Korea
| | - Yong Joo Kim
- Department of Biosystems Machinery Engineering, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-764, Korea
| | - Sun Ok Chung
- Department of Biosystems Machinery Engineering, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-764, Korea
| | - Sang Un Park
- Department of Crop Science, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-764, Korea
| |
Collapse
|