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Lv X, Liu Y, Liu S, Liu Y, Qu Y, Cai Q. Metabonomics and pharmacodynamics studies of Gentiana radix and wine-processed Gentiana radix in damp-heat jaundice syndrome rats. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 332:118291. [PMID: 38705427 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Gentiana radix (GR) and wine-processed Gentiana radix (WGR) have been commonly used in folk medicine for the treatment of bile or liver disorders, including jaundice, hepatitis, swelling and inflammation for thousands of years. However, the therapeutic effects of gentian root (GR) and wine-made gentian root (WGR) treatment on damp-heat jaundice syndrome (DHJS) have not been studied in animal experiments. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of GR and WGR on DHJS in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a high-fat and high-sugar diet in a humidified hot environment, hepatic injury induced by giving alpha-naphthalene isothiocyanate (ANIT) in rats were used as a DHJS model. Histological analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), PCR analysis, and metabolomics were used to elucidate the mechanism of GR and WGR for DHJS. RESULTS The results indicated that GR and WGR affected DHJS by inhibiting the release of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), direct bilirubin (D-BIL), total bilirubin (TBIL), total bile acid (TBA), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione S-transferase (GST) (P < 0.05). In addition, they significantly reduced the gene expression levels of Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), bile salt export pump (BESP), multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 (MRP3) (P < 0.05). The WGR group improved the above function indicators better than the GR group. GR and WGR could restore 11 potential biomarkers in rats with DHJS tended to return to normal levels, these biomarkers were involved in arachidonic acid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism, retinol metabolism, arginine biosynthesis. The results of the metabolic pathway showed that WGR was significantly better than GR in the improvement of porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that treatment with GR and WGR has a beneficial effect on DHJS in rats, the major mechanisms may be involved in improving functional indicators of the body and endogenous metabolism, and WGR is more effective than GR. It provides important evidence for the clinical application of GR and WGR in the treatment of DHJS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Lv
- Department of Chinese Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 77, 1st Life Road, D D Port, Dalian, 116600, People's Republic of China; Department of Chemical Engineering and Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean and Life Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, 2, Dagong Road, Liaodongwan New District, Panjin, 124221, People's Republic of China
| | - Yangzhi Liu
- Department of Chinese Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 77, 1st Life Road, D D Port, Dalian, 116600, People's Republic of China; Department of Chemical Engineering and Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean and Life Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, 2, Dagong Road, Liaodongwan New District, Panjin, 124221, People's Republic of China
| | - Shujing Liu
- Shenyang Institute for Food and Drug Control, 67, Qiuyue Lake Street, Shenbei New District, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhan Liu
- Department of Chinese Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 77, 1st Life Road, D D Port, Dalian, 116600, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Qu
- Department of Chinese Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 77, 1st Life Road, D D Port, Dalian, 116600, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qian Cai
- Department of Chinese Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 77, 1st Life Road, D D Port, Dalian, 116600, People's Republic of China.
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Mosaoa RM, Al-Rabia MW, Asfour HZ, Alhakamy NA, Mansouri RA, El-Agamy DS, Abdulaal WH, Mohamed GA, Ibrahim SRM, Elshal M. Targeting SIRT1/AMPK/Nrf2/NF-кB by sitagliptin protects against oxidative stress-mediated ER stress and inflammation during ANIT-induced cholestatic liver injury. Toxicology 2024; 507:153889. [PMID: 39029735 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2024.153889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Intrahepatic cholestasis is a common clinical form of hepatobiliary injury characterized by the intrahepatic accumulation of toxic bile acids. Besides its antidiabetic activity, the dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor sitagliptin (SG) has been recently assigned diverse pharmacological activities and therapeutic potential against different disorders owing to its emerging antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The current study explored the potential hepatoprotective effect of SG on α-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholestatic liver injury (CLI) in mice and investigate its possible targeted signaling pathways. Mice received SG (10 and 20 mg/kg) for four consecutive days, two days before and after a single oral administration of ANIT (75 mg/kg). Our results revealed that SG administration remarkably prevented ANIT-induced histopathological lesions in the liver and maintained hepatic functions and oxidative/antioxidant balance. Ultimately, SG counteracted the inflammatory response in the liver, as indicated by the marked suppression of hepatic expression of NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-6. Moreover, it inhibited the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response in the liver. These beneficial effects of SG were accompanied by upregulation of SIRT1, p-AMPK, and Nrf2 expressions while downregulating keap1 expression in the liver. In conclusion, this study is the first to demonstrate the ability of SG to protect against ANIT-induced CLI through modulating multiple signaling cascades, including SIRT1/AMPK, Nrf2/keap1, and NF-кB, which resulted in enhanced antioxidant capacity and repressed inflammatory and ER stress responses in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rami M Mosaoa
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22254, Saudi Arabia; Experimental Biochemistry Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Center of Artificial Intelligence for Precision Medicines, king Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Mohammed W Al-Rabia
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Hani Z Asfour
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Nabil A Alhakamy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Mohamed Saeed Tamer Chair for Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Center of Excellence for Drug Research and Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Rasha A Mansouri
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22254, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Dina S El-Agamy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
| | - Wesam H Abdulaal
- Center of Excellence for Drug Research and Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Cancer and Mutagenesis Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Gamal A Mohamed
- Department of Natural Products and Alternative Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Sabrin R M Ibrahim
- Preparatory Year Program, Department of Chemistry, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Mahmoud Elshal
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
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Xu X, Liu J, Li X, Feng Q, Su Y. Integrated network pharmacology and metabolomics to study the potential mechanism of Jiawei Yinchenhao decoction in chronic hepatitis B. Heliyon 2024; 10:e36267. [PMID: 39224343 PMCID: PMC11367511 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) is a major risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) globally and continues to pose a significant global health challenge. Jiawei Yinchenhao decoction (JWYCH) is a modified version of Yinchenhao decoction (YCHD), which is widely used to treat liver diseases including icteric hepatitis, cholelithiasis, and hepatic ascites. However, the effectiveness and underlying mechanism of JWYCH on CHB are still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of JWYCH on CHB and explore the underlying mechanism via network pharmacology and metabolomics. C57BL/6 mice were administered rAAV-HBV1.3 via hydrodynamic injection (HDI) to establish the CHB model. The infected mice were orally administered JWYCH for 4 weeks. HBsAg, HBeAg, HBV DNA, the serum liver function index, and histopathology were detected. In addition, network pharmacology was used to investigate potential targets, whereas untargeted metabolomics analysis was employed to explore the hepatic metabolic changes in JWYCH in CHB mice and identify relevant biomarkers and metabolic pathways. JWYCH was able to reduce HBeAg levels and improve liver pathological changes in mice with CHB. Additionally, metabolomics analysis indicated that JWYCH can influence 105 metabolites, including pipecolic acid, alpha-terpinene, adenosine, and L-phenylalanine, among others. Bile acid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and retinol metabolism are suggested to be potential targets of JWYCH in CHB. In conclusion, JWYCH demonstrated a hepatoprotective effect on a mouse model of CHB, suggesting a potential alternative therapeutic strategy for CHB. The effect of JWYCH is associated mainly with regulating the metabolism of bile acid, arachidonic acid, and retinol. These differentially abundant metabolites may serve as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Xu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Jin Liu
- College of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Xue Li
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - QuanSheng Feng
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Yue Su
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
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Abdulaal WH, Omar UM, Zeyadi M, El-Agamy DS, Alhakamy NA, Ibrahim SRM, Almalki NAR, Asfour HZ, Al-Rabia MW, Mohamed GA, Elshal M. Pirfenidone ameliorates ANIT-induced cholestatic liver injury via modulation of FXR, NF-кB/TNF-α, and Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathways. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2024; 490:117038. [PMID: 39019095 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2024.117038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Cholestasis is a hepatobiliary disorder characterized by the excessive accumulation of toxic bile acids in hepatocytes, leading to cholestatic liver injury (CLI) through multiple pathogenic inflammatory pathways. Currently, there are limited therapeutic options for the management of cholestasis and associated CLI; therefore, new options are urgently needed. Pirfenidone (PF), an oral bioavailable pyridone analog, is used for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. PF has recently demonstrated diverse potential therapeutic activities against different pathologies. Accordingly, the present study adopted the α-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced CLI model in mice to explore the potential protective impact of PF and investigate the underlying mechanisms of action. PF intervention markedly reduced the serum levels of ALT, AST, LDH, total bilirubin, and total bile acids, which was accompanied by a remarkable amelioration of histopathological lesions induced by ANIT. PF also protected the mice against ANIT-induced redox imbalance in the liver, represented by reduced MDA levels and elevated GSH and SOD activities. Mechanistically, PF inhibited ANIT-induced downregulated expressions of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR), as well as the bile salt export pump (BSEP) and the multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) bile acid efflux channels. PF further repressed ANIT-induced NF-κB activation and TNF-α and IL-6 production. These beneficial effects were associated with its ability to dose-dependently inhibit Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin/cyclin D1 signaling. Collectively, PF protects against ANIT-induced CLI in mice, demonstrating powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities as well as an ability to oppose BA homeostasis disorder. These protective effects are primarily mediated by modulating the interplay between FXR, NF-κB/TNF-α/IL-6, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesam H Abdulaal
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Cancer and Mutagenesis Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Center of Excellence for Drug Research and Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ulfat M Omar
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Princess Dr. Najla Bint Saud Al-Saud Center for Excellence Research in Biotechnology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Mustafa Zeyadi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Dina S El-Agamy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
| | - Nabil A Alhakamy
- Center of Excellence for Drug Research and Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Mohamed Saeed Tamer Chair for Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Sabrin R M Ibrahim
- Preparatory Year Program, Department of Chemistry, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Naif A R Almalki
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Experimental Biochemistry Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Hani Z Asfour
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Mohammed W Al-Rabia
- Center of Excellence for Drug Research and Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Gamal A Mohamed
- Department of Natural Products and Alternative Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Mahmoud Elshal
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
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Zou B, Zhang S, Li F, Weng F, Zhao J, Jin J, Yan D, Xu X, Chen G, Liu C, Yao C, Li Y, Qiu F. Gancao decoction attenuates hepatic necroptosis via activating caspase 8 in cholestatic liver injury. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 326:117909. [PMID: 38350503 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Gancao Decoction (GCD) is widely used to treat cholestatic liver injury. However, it is unclear whether is related to prevent hepatocellular necroptosis. AIM OF THE STUDY The purpose of this study is to clarify the therapeutic effects of GCD against hepatocellular necroptosis induced by cholestasis and its active components. MATERIALS AND METHODS We induced cholestasis model in wild type mice by ligating the bile ducts or in Nlrp3-/- mice by intragastrical administering Alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT). Serum biochemical indices, liver pathological changes and hepatic bile acids (BAs) were measured to evaluate GCD's hepatoprotective effects. Necroptosis was assessed by expression of hallmarkers in mice liver. Moreover, the potential anti-necroptotic effect of components from GCD were investigated and confirmed in ANIT-induced cholestasis mice and in primary hepatocytes from WT mouse stimulated with Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α) and cycloheximide (CHX). RESULTS GCD dose-dependently alleviated hepatic necrosis, reduced serum aminotranferase activity in both BDL and ANIT-induced cholestasis models. More importantly, the expression of hallmarkers of necroptosis, including MLKL, RIPK1 and RIPK3 phosphorylation (p- MLKL, p-RIPK1, p-RIPK3) were reduced upon GCD treatment. Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), the main bioactive metabolite of GCD, effectively protected against ANIT-induced cholestasis, with decreased expression of p-MLKL, p-RIPK1 and p-RIPK3. Meanwhile, the expression of Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD), long isoform of cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein (cFLIPL) and cleaved caspase 8 were upregulated upon GA treatment. Moreover, GA significantly increased the expression of active caspase 8, and reduced that of p-MLKL in TNF-α/CHX induced hepatocytes necroptosis. CONCLUSIONS GCD substantially inhibits necroptosis in cholestatic liver injury. GA is the main bioactive component responsible for the anti-necroptotic effects, which correlates with upregulation of c-FLIPL and active caspase 8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zou
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201213, China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201213, China
| | - Fengling Li
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201213, China
| | - Fengyi Weng
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201213, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201213, China
| | - Jingyi Jin
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201213, China
| | - Dongming Yan
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201213, China
| | - Xiaoqing Xu
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201213, China
| | - Gaofeng Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201213, China
| | - Chenghai Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201213, China
| | - Chengzeng Yao
- Cardiology Deparment, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201213, China.
| | - Yue Li
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201213, China.
| | - Furong Qiu
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201213, China.
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Mao J, Tan L, Tian C, Wang W, Zhang H, Zhu Z, Li Y. Research progress on rodent models and its mechanisms of liver injury. Life Sci 2024; 337:122343. [PMID: 38104860 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The liver is the most important organ for biological transformation in the body and is crucial for maintaining the body's vital activities. Liver injury is a serious pathological condition that is commonly found in many liver diseases. It has a high incidence rate, is difficult to cure, and is prone to recurrence. Liver injury can cause serious harm to the body, ranging from mild to severe fatty liver disease. If the condition continues to worsen, it can lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, ultimately resulting in liver failure or liver cancer, which can seriously endanger human life and health. Therefore, establishing an rodent model that mimics the pathogenesis and severity of clinical liver injury is of great significance for better understanding the pathogenesis of liver injury patients and developing more effective clinical treatment methods. The author of this article summarizes common chemical liver injury models, immune liver injury models, alcoholic liver injury models, drug-induced liver injury models, and systematically elaborates on the modeling methods, mechanisms of action, pathways of action, and advantages or disadvantages of each type of model. The aim of this study is to establish reliable rodent models for researchers to use in exploring anti-liver injury and hepatoprotective drugs. By creating more accurate theoretical frameworks, we hope to provide new insights into the treatment of clinical liver injury diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxin Mao
- Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Chongqing 400030, China; College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Lihong Tan
- Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Chongqing 400030, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of High Active Traditional Chinese Drug Delivery System, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Cheng Tian
- Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Chongqing 400030, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of High Active Traditional Chinese Drug Delivery System, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Wenxiang Wang
- Chongqing Three Gorges Medical College, Chongqing 404120, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Chongqing 400030, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of High Active Traditional Chinese Drug Delivery System, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Zhaojing Zhu
- Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Chongqing 400030, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of High Active Traditional Chinese Drug Delivery System, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Yan Li
- Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Chongqing 400030, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of High Active Traditional Chinese Drug Delivery System, Chongqing 400030, China.
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Song G, Zou B, Zhao J, Weng Y, Li Y, Xu X, Zhang S, Yan D, Jin J, Sun X, Liu C, Qiu F. Yinchen decoction protects against cholic acid diet-induced cholestatic liver injury in mice through liver and ileal FXR signaling. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 313:116560. [PMID: 37149065 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Cholestasis is a pathophysiological syndrome characterized by the accumulation of bile acids (BAs) that leads to severe liver disease. Artemisia capillaris is documented in Chinese Pharmacopoeia as the authentic resources for Yinchen. Although Yinchen (Artemisia capillaris Thunb.) decoction (YCD) has been used in China for thousands of years to treat jaundice, the underlying mechanisms to ameliorate cholestatic liver injury have not been elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the molecular mechanism of how YCD protects against 1% cholic acid (CA) diet-induced intrahepatic cholestasis through FXR signaling. MATERIALS AND METHODS Wild-type and Fxr-deficient mice were fed a diet containing 1% CA to establish the intrahepatic cholestasis model. The mice received low-, medium-, or high-dose YCD for 10 days. Plasma biochemical markers were analyzed, liver injury was identified by histopathology, and hepatic and plasma BA content was analyzed. Western blot was used to determine the expression levels of transporters and enzymes involved in BA homeostasis in the liver and intestine. RESULTS In wild-type mice, YCD significantly improved plasma transaminase levels, multifocal hepatocellular necrosis, and hepatic and plasma BA contents, upregulated the expression of hepatic FXR and downstream target enzymes and transporters. Meanwhile, YCD significantly induced the expressions of intestinal FXR and FGF15 and hepatic FGFR4. In contrast, the hepatic protective effect of YCD on cholestasis was abolished in Fxr-deficient mice. CONCLUSION YCD protects against cholestatic liver injury induced by a CA diet by restoring the homeostasis of BAs via activation of the liver FXR/SHP and ileal FXR/FGF15 signaling pathways. Furthermore, chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid may be the pharmacological agents in YCD responsible for protecting against cholestatic liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guochao Song
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Bin Zou
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yifeng Weng
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yue Li
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xiaoqing Xu
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Dongming Yan
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jingyi Jin
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xin Sun
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Chenghai Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Furong Qiu
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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Khayat MT, Mohammad KA, Mohamed GA, El-Agamy DS, Elsaed WM, Ibrahim SRM. γ-Mangostin abrogates AINT-induced cholestatic liver injury: Impact on Nrf2/NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β/GSDMD signalling. Life Sci 2023; 322:121663. [PMID: 37023956 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
γ-Mangostin (γ-MN) is one of the abundant xanthones separated from Garcinia mangostana (Clusiaceae) pericarps that has been reported to have varied bioactivities such as neuroprotective, cytotoxic, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammation. Yet, its effect on cholestatic liver damage (CLI) has not been investigated. This study explored the protective activity of γ-MN against alpha-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced CLI in mice. The results showed that γ-MN protected against ANIT-induced CLI as indicated by reduced serum levels of hepatic injury parameters (e.g., ALT, AST, γ-GT, ALP, LDH, bilirubin, and total bile acids). ANIT-induced pathological lesions were improved in γ-MN pre-treated groups. γ-MN exerted potent antioxidant effects as it lowered the parameters of lipid peroxidation (4-HNE, PC, and MDA) and intensified the content and activity of antioxidants (TAC, GSH, GSH-Px, GST, and SOD) in the hepatic tissue. Furthermore, γ-MN enhanced the signalling of Nrf2/HO-1 as it augmented the mRNA expression of Nrf2/downstream genes (HO-1/GCLc/NQO1/SOD). The binding capacity and the immuno-expression of Nrf2 were also increased. γ-MN showed anti-inflammatory capacity as it suppressed the activation of NF-κB signalling, it decreased mRNA expression and levels of NF-κB/TNF-α/IL-6 and the immuno-expression of NF-κB/TNF-α. In addition, γ-MN inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome as it lowered the mRNA expression of NLRP3/caspase-1/IL-1β along with their levels as well as the immuno-expression of caspase-1/IL-1β. γ-MN also reduced the level of the pyroptotic parameter GSDMD. Collectively, this study demonstrated the potent hepatoprotective potential of γ-MN against CLI which was linked to its ability to potentiate Nrf2/HO-1 and to offset NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β/GSDMD. Hence, γ-MN may be suggested as a new candidate for cholestatic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maan T Khayat
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Khadijah A Mohammad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Gamal A Mohamed
- Department of Natural Products and Alternative Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Dina S El-Agamy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
| | - Wael M Elsaed
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
| | - Sabrin R M Ibrahim
- Department of Chemistry, Preparatory Year Program, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt.
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9
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Luo Y, Kang J, Luo J, Yan Z, Li S, Lu Z, Song Y, Zhang X, Yang J, Liu A. Hepatocytic AP-1 and STAT3 contribute to chemotaxis in alphanaphthylisothiocyanate-induced cholestatic liver injury. Toxicol Lett 2023; 373:184-193. [PMID: 36460194 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2022.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
The development of cholestatic liver injury (CLI) involves inflammation, but the dominant pathway mediating the chemotaxis is not yet established. This work explored key signaling pathway mediating chemotaxis in CLI and the role of Kupffer cells in the inflammatory liver injury. Probe inhibitors T-5224 (100 mg/kg) for AP-1 and C188-9 (100 mg/kg) for STAT3 were used to validate key inflammatory pathways in alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT, 100 mg/kg)-induced CLI. Two doses of GdCl3 (10 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg) were used to delete Kupffer cells and explore their role in CLI. Serum and liver samples were collected for biochemical and mechanism analysis. The liver injury in ANIT-treated mice were significantly increased supported by biochemical and histopathological changes, and neutrophils gathering around the necrotic loci. Inhibitor treatments down-regulated liver injury biomarkers except the level of total bile acid. The chemokine Ccl2 increased by 170-fold and to a less degree Cxcl2 by 45-fold after the ANIT treatment. p-c-Jun and p-STAT3 were activated in the group A but inhibited by the inhibitors in western blot analysis. The immunofluorescence results showed AP-1 not STAT3 responded to inhibitors in ANIT-induced CLI. With or without GdCl3, there was no significant difference in liver injury among the CLI groups. In necrotic loci in CLI, CXCL2 colocalized with hepatocyte biomarker Albumin, not with the F4/80 in Kupffer cells. Conclusively, AP-1 played a more critical role in the inflammation cascade than STAT3 in ANIT-induced CLI. Hepatocytes, not the Kupffer cells released chemotactic factors mediating the chemotaxis in CLI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yishuang Luo
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, 315211 Ningbo, China; Ningbo Haishu District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 315000 Ningbo, China
| | - Jinyu Kang
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, 315211 Ningbo, China; The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, 315000 Ningbo, China
| | - Jia Luo
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, 315211 Ningbo, China
| | - Zheng Yan
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, 315211 Ningbo, China
| | - Shengtao Li
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, 315211 Ningbo, China
| | - Zhuoheng Lu
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, 315211 Ningbo, China
| | - Yufei Song
- The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, 315000 Ningbo, China
| | - Xie Zhang
- The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, 315000 Ningbo, China
| | - Julin Yang
- Ningbo College of Health Sciences, 315100 Ningbo, China
| | - Aiming Liu
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, 315211 Ningbo, China.
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10
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Tang D, Wang RY, Sun KW, Wu Y, Ding L, Mo Y. Network pharmacology-based prediction of active compounds in the Wenyang Jiedu Huayu formula acting on acute-on-chronic liver failure with experimental support in vitro and in vivo. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1003479. [PMID: 36339606 PMCID: PMC9631206 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1003479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is characterized by undermined liver function, massive necrosis/apoptosis of hepatocytes, and hepatic inflammatory cell recruitment, leading to multiorgan failure. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely applied in clinical and experimental studies of ACLF. In this study, 23 compounds with 6,386 drug targets were obtained from Wenyang Jiedu Huayu (WYJDHY), and 8,096 genes were identified as ACLF disease targets, among which 3,132 were overlapping co-targets. Expression profile analysis identified 105 DEGs among the co-targets, which were associated with biological activities such as lymphocyte activation, immune response regulation, and pathways such as Th17 cell differentiation and NF-κB signaling. After PPI analysis and network construction, atractylenolide I (AT-1) has been identified as the hub active ingredient of the WYJDHY formula. LPS stimulation inhibited rat hepatocytes’ BRL 3A cell viability, promoted cell apoptosis, increased the levels of ALT, AST, IL-6, and VCAM-1 within the culture medium, and activated NF-κB signaling, whereas AT-1 treatment significantly attenuated LPS-induced toxicity on BRL 3A cells. Furthermore, the NF-κB signaling inhibitor PDTC exerted effects on LPS-stimulated BRL 3A cells similar to those of AT-1, and the combination of PDTC and AT-1 further attenuated LPS-induced toxicity on BRL 3A cells. In vivo, AT-1 alone or with PDTC improved the symptoms and local inflammation in ACLF model rats. In conclusion, 23 active ingredients of six herbs in the WYJDHY formula were retrieved, and 105 co-targets were differentially expressed in ACLF. AT-1 exerts protective effects on LPS-stimulated hepatocytes and ACLF rats, possibly by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Tang
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Ruo-Yu Wang
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Ke-Wei Sun
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Ke-Wei Sun,
| | - Yunan Wu
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Lin Ding
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Yang Mo
- Academic Affairs Office, Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
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11
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Wang Q, Song GC, Weng FY, Zou B, Jin JY, Yan DM, Tan B, Zhao J, Li Y, Qiu FR. Hepatoprotective Effects of Glycyrrhetinic Acid on Lithocholic Acid-Induced Cholestatic Liver Injury Through Choleretic and Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:881231. [PMID: 35712714 PMCID: PMC9194553 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.881231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholestasis is a clinical syndrome triggered by the accumulation and aggregation of bile acids by subsequent inflammatory responses. The present study investigated the protective effect of glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) on the cholestatic liver injury induced by lithocholic acid (LCA) from both anti-inflammatory and choleretic mechanistic standpoints. Male C57BL/6 mice were treated with LCA twice daily for 4 days to induce intrahepatic cholestasis. GA (50 mg/kg) and pregnenolone 16α-carbonitrile (PCN, 45 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally injected 3 days before and throughout the administration of LCA, respectively. Plasma biochemical indexes were determined by assay kits, and hepatic bile acids were quantified by LC-MS/MS. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of liver sections was performed for pathological examination. Protein expression of the TLRs/NF-κB pathway and the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were examined by Western blotting and PCR, respectively. Finally, the hepatic expression of pregnane X receptor (PXR) and farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and their target genes encoding metabolic enzymes and transporters was evaluated. GA significantly reversed liver necrosis and decreased plasma ALT and ALP activity. Plasma total bile acids, total bilirubin, and hepatic bile acids were also remarkably preserved. More importantly, the recruitment of inflammatory cells to hepatic sinusoids was alleviated. Additionally, the protein expression of TLR2, TLR4, and p-NF-κBp65 and the mRNA expression of CCL2, CXCL2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly decreased. Moreover, GA significantly increased the expression of hepatic FXR and its target genes, including BSEP, MRP3, and MRP4. In conclusion, GA protects against LCA-induced cholestatic liver injury by inhibiting the TLR2/NF-κB pathway and upregulating hepatic FXR expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wang
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guo-Chao Song
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng-Yi Weng
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Zou
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing-Yi Jin
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dong-Ming Yan
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Tan
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Li
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fu-Rong Qiu
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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