Quercetin Mitigates Methamphetamine-Induced Anxiety-Like Behavior Through Ameliorating Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Neuroinflammation

Exploration of the mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine for anxiety and depression in patients with diarrheal irritable bowel syndrome based on network pharmacology and meta-analysis

Background

The efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in managing irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) accompanied by anxiety and depression remains uncertain. Thus, a systematic review was carried out employing meta-analysis and network pharmacology to ascertain the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of CHM therapy.

Methods

By conducting a systematic review, including literature search, screening, and data extraction, we identified 25 randomized controlled trials to assess CHM's effectiveness in treating irritable bowel syndrome alongside anxiety and depression. Network pharmacology was utilized to scrutinize the metabolite utility of CHM in addressing this condition. Potential primary mechanisms were synthesized using information sourced from the PubMed database.

Results

Twenty-five studies, including 2055 patients, were analyzed, revealing significant treatment efficacy for IBS-D in the trial group compared to controls [OR = 4.01, 95% CI (2.99, 5.36), I2 = 0%] Additionally, treatment for depression [SMD = -1.08, 95% CI (-1.30, -0.86), p < 0.00001, I2 = 68%; SDS: SMD = -1.69, 95% CI (-2.48, -0.90), p < 0.0001, I2 = 96%] and anxiety [HAMA: SMD = -1.29, 95% CI (-1.68, -0.91), p < 0.00001, I2 = 89%; SAS: SMD = -1.75, 95% CI (-2.55, -0.95), p < 0.00001, I2 = 96%] significantly improved in the trial group. Furthermore, the trial group exhibited a significantly lower disease relapse rate [OR = 0.30, 95% CI (0.20, 0.44), p < 0.00001, I2 = 0%]. CHM treatment consistently improved IBS severity (IBS-SSS) and symptom scores. Network pharmacology analysis identified key chemical metabolites in traditional Chinese medicine formulations, including Beta-sitosterol, Stigmasterol, Quercetin, Naringenin, Luteolin, Kaempferol, Nobiletin, Wogonin, Formononetin, and Isorhamnetin. Utilizing the STRING database and Cytoscape v3.9.0 software, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network revealed the top eight key targets: IL-6, TNF, PPARG, PTGS2, ESR1, NOS3, MAPK8, and AKT1, implicated in anti-inflammatory responses, antioxidant stress modulation, and neurotransmitter homeostasis maintenance.

Conclusion

Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) offers a promising and safe treatment approach for patients dealing with Diarrheal Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS-D) accompanied by anxiety and depression; thus, indicating its potential for practical implementation. The most active metabolites of CHM could simultaneously act on the pathological targets of IBS-D, anxiety, and depression.The diverse scope of CHM's therapeutic role includes various aspects and objectives, underscoring its potential for broad utilization.

Postovulatory Aging of Mouse Oocytes Impairs Offspring Behavior by Causing Oxidative Stress and Damaging Mitochondria

Information on long-term effects of postovulatory oocyte aging (POA) on offspring is limited. Whether POA affects offspring by causing oxidative stress (OS) and mitochondrial damage is unknown. Here, in vivo-aged (IVA) mouse oocytes were collected 9 h after ovulation, while in vitro-aged (ITA) oocytes were obtained by culturing freshly ovulated oocytes for 9 h in media with low, moderate, or high antioxidant potential. Oocytes were fertilized in vitro and blastocysts transferred to produce F1 offspring. F1 mice were mated with naturally bred mice to generate F2 offspring. Both IVA and the ITA groups in low antioxidant medium showed significantly increased anxiety-like behavior and impaired spatial and fear learning/memory and hippocampal expression of anxiolytic and learning/memory-beneficial genes in both male and female F1 offspring. Furthermore, the aging in both groups increased OS and impaired mitochondrial function in oocytes, blastocysts, and hippocampus of F1 offspring; however, it did not affect the behavior of F2 offspring. It is concluded that POA caused OS and damaged mitochondria in aged oocytes, leading to defects in anxiety-like behavior and learning/memory of F1 offspring. Thus, POA is a crucial factor that causes psychological problems in offspring, and antioxidant measures may be taken to ameliorate the detrimental effects of POA on offspring.

Investigating the mechanism of Sinisan formula in depression treatment: a comprehensive analysis using GEO datasets, network pharmacology, and molecular docking

The herbal formula Sinisan (SNS) is a commonly used treatment for depression; however, its mechanism of action remains unclear. This article uses a combination of the GEO database, network pharmacology and molecular docking technologies to investigate the mechanism of action of SNS. The aim is to provide new insights and methods for future depression treatments. The study aims to extract effective compounds and targets for the treatment of depression from the T CMSP database. Relevant targets were searched using the GEO, Disgenet, Drugbank, PharmGKB and T T D databases, followed by screening of core targets. In addition, GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed to explore potential pathways for the treatment of depression. Molecular docking was used to evaluate the potential targets and compounds and to identify the optimal core protein-compound complex. Molecular dynamics was used to further investigate the dynamic variability and stability of the complex. The study identified 118 active SNS components and 208 corresponding targets. Topological analysis of P P I networks identified 11 core targets. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses revealed that the mechanism of action for depression involves genes associated with inflammation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and the MAP K3 and P I3K-Akt signalling pathways. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations showed a strong binding affinity between these compounds and the screened targets, indicating promising biological activity. The present study investigated the active components, targets and pathways of SNS in the treatment of depression. Through a preliminary investigation, key signalling pathways and compounds were identified. These findings provide new directions and ideas for future research on the therapeutic mechanism of SNS and its clinical application in the treatment of depression.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Study on the mechanism of Gastrodiae Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus, and Ziziphi Spinosae Semen in sedation and tranquillising mind

This study analysed the pharmacological mechanism of Gastrodiae Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus, and Ziziphi Spinosae Semen in sedation and tranquillising mind using network pharmacology methods. The findings of this study aimed to serve as a reference for the development of novel drugs and the clinical expansion and application of traditional Chinese medicine formulas. The chemical constituents and therapeutic targets of Gastrodiae Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus, and Ziziphi Spinosae Semen were acquired from TCMSP, HERB, and ETCM databases. Active components were identified using ADME criteria, while the primary targets associated with sedation and mental tranquillity were obtained from GENECARDS, OMIM, and DRUGBANK databases. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was conducted using the STRING platform to investigate potential functional protein modules by the network. The METASCAPE platform was employed for the study of the "component-target" and its associated biological processes and pathways. Subsequently, the "component-target" network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.1 software. Finally, the validation of molecular docking was conducted through AUTODOCK. The findings revealed that Quercetin, Atropine, Dauricine, (S)-Coclaurine, and other active ingredients were identified as the core constituents of Gastrodiae Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus, and Ziziphi Spinosae Semen. Additionally, PTGS2, PTGS1, MAOB, GABRA1, SLC6A2, ADRB2, CHRM1, HTR2A, and other targets were identified as the core targets. The results of the molecular docking analysis demonstrated that Quercetin, Atropine, Dauricine, and (S)-Coclaurine exhibited binding solid affinity towards PTGS2 and PTGS1. The predominant biological pathways associated with sedation and tranquilisation primarily involved Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and activation of receptors involved in chemical carcinogenesis. This study provided initial findings on the multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway mechanism underlying the sedative and tranquillising effects of Gastrodiae Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus, and Ziziphi Spinosae Semen. These findings had the potential to serve as a foundation for the future development and utilisation of Gastrodiae Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus, and Ziziphi Spinosae Semen.

Natural Polyphenols-Resveratrol, Quercetin, Magnolol, and β-Catechin-Block Certain Aspects of Heroin Addiction and Modulate Striatal IL-6 and TNF-α

We have examined the effects of four different polyphenols in attenuating heroin addiction using a conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats received heroin (alternating with saline) in escalating doses starting from 10 mg/kg, i.p. up to 80 mg/kg/d for 14 consecutive days. The rats were treated with distilled water (1 mL), quercetin (50 mg/kg/d), β-catechin (100 mg/kg/d), resveratrol (30 mg/kg/d), or magnolol (50 mg/kg/d) through oral gavage for 7 consecutive days, 30 min before heroin administration, starting on day 8. Heroin withdrawal manifestations were assessed 24 h post last heroin administration following the administration of naloxone (1 mg/kg i.p). Heroin CPP reinstatement was tested following a single dose of heroin (10 mg/kg i.p.) administration. Striatal interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were quantified (ELISA) after naloxone-precipitated heroin withdrawal. Compared to the vehicle, the heroin-administered rats spent significantly more time in the heroin-paired chamber (p < 0.0001). Concomitant administration of resveratrol and quercetin prevented the acquisition of heroin CPP, while resveratrol, quercetin, and magnolol blocked heroin-triggered reinstatement. Magnolol, quercetin, and β-catechin blocked naloxone-precipitated heroin withdrawal and increased striatal IL-6 concentration (p < 0.01). Resveratrol administration was associated with significantly higher withdrawal scores compared to those of the control animals (p < 0.0001). The results of this study show that different polyphenols target specific behavioral domains of heroin addiction in a CPP model and modulate the increase in striatal inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 observed during naloxone-precipitated heroin withdrawal. Further research is needed to study the clinical utility of polyphenols and to investigate the intriguing finding that resveratrol enhances, rather than attenuates naloxone-precipitated heroin withdrawal.

Specific Inhibition of Interpeduncular Nucleus GABAergic Neurons Alleviates Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Male Mice after Prolonged Abstinence from Methamphetamine

Anxiety is one of the most common withdrawal symptoms of methamphetamine (METH) abuse, which further drives relapse to drugs. Interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) has been implicated in anxiety-like behaviors and addiction, yet its role in METH-abstinence-induced anxiety remains unknown. Here, we found that prolonged abstinence from METH enhanced anxiety-like behaviors in male mice, accompanied by more excited IPN GABAergic neurons, as indicated by the increased c-fos expression and the enhanced neuronal excitability by electrophysiological recording in the GABAergic neurons. Using the designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs method, specific inhibition of IPN GABAergic neurons rescued the aberrant neuronal excitation of IPN GABAergic neurons and efficiently reduced anxiety-like behaviors, whereas it did not induce depression-like behaviors in male mice after prolonged abstinence from METH. These findings reveal that IPN GABAergic neurons should be a promising brain target to alleviate late withdrawal symptoms from METH with few side effects.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Prolonged abstinence from METH triggers IPN GABAergic neurons and ultimately increases anxiety in male mice. Suppressing IPN GABAergic neurons rescues METH abstinence-induced aberrant neuronal excitation of IPN GABAergic neurons and efficiently reduces anxiety in mice.

Anxiety and Metabolic Disorders: The Role of Botanicals

Anxiety and anxiety-related disorders are becoming more evident every day, affecting an increasing number of people around the world. Metabolic disorders are often associated with anxiety. Furthermore, anxiety branches into metabolic disorders by playing multiple roles as a cofactor, symptom, and comorbidity. Taken together, these considerations open the possibility of integrating the therapy of metabolic disorders with specific drugs for anxiety control. However, anxiolytic compounds often cause disabling effects in patients. The main goal could be to combine therapeutic protocols with compounds capable of reducing side effects while performing multiple beneficial effects. In this article we propose a group of bioactive ingredients called botanicals as a healthy supplement for the treatment of metabolic disorders related to anxiety.

Neuroprotective Potentials of Flavonoids: Experimental Studies and Mechanisms of Action

Neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, particularly those related to aging, are on the rise, but drug therapies are rarely curative. Functional disorders and the organic degeneration of nervous tissue often have complex causes, in which phenomena of oxidative stress, inflammation and cytotoxicity are intertwined. For these reasons, the search for natural substances that can slow down or counteract these pathologies has increased rapidly over the last two decades. In this paper, studies on the neuroprotective effects of flavonoids (especially the two most widely used, hesperidin and quercetin) on animal models of depression, neurotoxicity, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease are reviewed. The literature on these topics amounts to a few hundred publications on in vitro and in vivo models (notably in rodents) and provides us with a very detailed picture of the action mechanisms and targets of these substances. These include the decrease in enzymes that produce reactive oxygen and ferroptosis, the inhibition of mono-amine oxidases, the stimulation of the Nrf2/ARE system, the induction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor production and, in the case of AD, the prevention of amyloid-beta aggregation. The inhibition of neuroinflammatory processes has been documented as a decrease in cytokine formation (mainly TNF-alpha and IL-1beta) by microglia and astrocytes, by modulating a number of regulatory proteins such as Nf-kB and NLRP3/inflammasome. Although clinical trials on humans are still scarce, preclinical studies allow us to consider hesperidin, quercetin, and other flavonoids as very interesting and safe dietary molecules to be further investigated as complementary treatments in order to prevent neurodegenerative diseases or to moderate their deleterious effects.

Dysfunctional mitochondrial processes contribute to energy perturbations in the brain and neuropsychiatric symptoms

Mitochondria are complex endosymbionts that evolved from primordial purple nonsulfur bacteria. The incorporation of bacteria-derived mitochondria facilitates a more efficient and effective production of energy than what could be achieved based on previous processes alone. In this case, endosymbiosis has resulted in the seamless coupling of cytochrome c oxidase and F-ATPase to maximize energy production. However, this mechanism also results in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), a phenomenon that can have both positive and negative ramifications on the host. Recent studies have revealed that neuropsychiatric disorders have a pro-inflammatory component in which ROS is capable of initiating damage and cognitive malfunction. Our current understanding of cognition suggests that it is the product of a neuronal network that consumes a substantial amount of energy. Thus, alterations or perturbations of mitochondrial function may alter not only brain energy supply and metabolite generation, but also thought processes and behavior. Mitochondrial abnormalities and oxidative stress have been implicated in several well-known psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BPD). As cognition is highly energy-dependent, we propose that the neuronal pathways underlying maladaptive cognitive processing and psychiatric symptoms are most likely dependent on mitochondrial function, and thus involve brain energy translocation and the accumulation of the byproducts of oxidative stress. We also hypothesize that neuropsychiatric symptoms (e.g., disrupted emotional processing) may represent the vestiges of an ancient masked evolutionary response that can be used by both hosts and pathogens to promote self-repair and proliferation via parasitic and/or symbiotic pathways.