Protective effects and mechanism of puerarin targeting PI3K/Akt signal pathway on neurological diseases

Effects and mechanisms of puerarin against neuroblastoma: insights from bioinformatics and in vitro experiments

BACKGROUND

Neuroblastoma, a prevalent solid tumor in children, often manifests with hidden onset sites, rapid growth, and high metastatic potential. The prognosis for children with high-risk neuroblastoma remains poor, highlighting the urgent need for novel prognostic models and therapeutic avenues. In recent years, puerarin, as a kind of small molecule drug extracted from Chinese medicine Pueraria lobata, has demonstrated significant anticancer effects on various cancer cell types. In this study, through bioinformatics analysis and in vitro experiments, the potential and mechanism of puerarin in the treatment of neuroblastoma were investigated, and a prognostic model was established.

METHODS

A total of 9 drug-disease related targets were observed by constructing a database of drug targets and disease genes. Besides, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis was performed to explore the potential mechanism of its therapeutic effect. To construct the prognostic model, risk regression analysis and LASSO analysis were carried out for validation. Finally, the prognostic genes were identified. Parachute test and immunofluorescence staining were performed to verify the potential mechanism of puerarin in neuroblastoma treatment.

RESULTS

Three prognostic genes, i.e., BIRC5, TIMP2 and CASP9, were identified. In vitro studies verified puerarin's impact on BIRC5, TIMP2, and CASP9 expression, inhibiting proliferation in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Puerarin disrupts the cytoskeleton, boosts gap junctional communication, curtailing invasion and migration, and induces mitochondrial damage in SH-SY5Y cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on network pharmacology and bioinformatics analysis, combined with in vitro experimental verification, puerarin was hereby observed to enhance GJIC in neuroblastoma, destroy cytoskeleton and thus inhibit cell invasion and migration, cause mitochondrial damage of tumor cells, and inhibit cell proliferation. Overall, puerarin, as a natural medicinal compound, does hold potential as a novel therapy for neuroblastoma.

Development of a Non-Target Screening and Quantitative Analysis Strategy Based on UPLC-Q-TOF/MS and UPLC-QQQ/MS to Improve the Quality Control of Wuling Capsule

Herbal medicine has been widely valued because of its remarkable efficacy and minimal side effects. The quantitative analysis of herbal medicines is essential to ensure their safety and efficacy. The simultaneous detection of multiple quality markers (Q-markers) has emerged as an important approach and trend in herbal medicine quality control. In recent years, non-targeted screening has become an effective strategy for the discovery and identification of unknown compounds. This study developed a non-targeted screening and quantitative analysis strategy to discover, identify and quantify the multiple components that truly represent the efficacy of Wuling capsule. Within this strategy, 18 types of flavonoids were tentatively discovered and identified from Wuling capsule by analyzing mass cleavage pathways, the precise molecular weights of compounds, and comparing the data with a database. Ten types of flavonoids were determined after the comparison of the standards. Additionally, following the evaluation of the regression equation, linear range, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantitation (LOQ), precision, repeatability, and recovery of the proposed quantitative method, six flavonoids were quantified. This method successfully screened, identified, and quantified the potential active components in Wuling capsule, providing insights for improving the quality control standards in other herbal medicines.

LYC inhibits the AKT signaling pathway to activate autophagy and ameliorate TGFB-induced renal fibrosis

Renal fibrosis is a typical pathological change in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the predominant stage. Activation of macroautophagy/autophagy plays a crucial role in the process of EMT. Lycopene (LYC) is a highly antioxidant carotenoid with pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis and mediation of autophagy. In this study, we demonstrated the specific mechanism of LYC in activating mitophagy and improving renal fibrosis. The enrichment analysis results of GO and KEGG showed that LYC had high enrichment values with autophagy. In this study, we showed that LYC alleviated aristolochic acid I (AAI)-induced intracellular expression of PINK1, TGFB/TGF-β, p-SMAD2, p-SMAD3, and PRKN/Parkin, recruited expression of MAP1LC3/LC3-II and SQSTM1/p62, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and ameliorated renal fibrosis in mice. When we simultaneously intervened NRK52E cells using bafilomycin A1 (Baf-A1), AAI, and LYC, intracellular MAP1LC3-II and SQSTM1 expression was significantly increased. A similar result was seen in renal tissue and cells when treated in vitro and in vivo with CQ, AAI, and LYC, and the inhibitory effect of LYC on the AAI-activated SMAD2-SMAD3 signaling pathway was attenuated. Molecular docking simulation experiments showed that LYC stably bound to the AKT active site. After intervention of cells with AAI and GSK-690693, the expression of PINK1, PRKN, MAP1LC3-II, BECN1, p-SMAD2 and p-SMAD3 was increased, and the expression of SQSTM1 was decreased. However, SC79 inhibited autophagy and reversed the inhibitory effect of LYC on EMT. The results showed that LYC could inhibit the AKT signaling pathway to activate mitophagy and reduce renal fibrosis.Abbreviation: AA: aristolochic acid; ACTA2/α-SMA: actin alpha 2, smooth muscle, aorta; ACTB: actin beta; AKT/protein kinase B: thymoma viral proto-oncogene; BAF-A1: bafilomycin A1; BECN1: beclin 1, autophagy related; CCN2/CTGF: cellular communication network factor 2; CDH1/E-Cadherin: cadherin 1; CKD: chronic kidney disease; COL1: collagen, type I; COL3: collagen, type III; CQ: chloroquine; ECM: extracellular matrix; EMT: epithelial-mesenchymal transition; FN1: fibronectin 1; LYC: lycopene; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3; MMP: mitochondrial membrane potential; MTOR: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase ; PI3K: phosphoinositide 3-kinase; PINK1: PTEN induced putative kinase 1; PRKN/Parkin: parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin protein ligase; PPI: protein-protein interaction; SMAD2: SMAD family member 2; SMAD3: SMAD family member 3; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; TGFB/TGFβ: transforming growth factor, beta; VIM: vimentin.

PI3K/AKT signaling activation by roflumilast ameliorates rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease in rats

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common progressive age-related neurodegenerative disorder. Paramount evidence shed light on the role of PI3K/AKT signaling activation in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. PI3K/AKT signaling can be activated via cAMP-dependent pathways achieved by phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibition. Roflumilast is a well-known PDE4 inhibitor that is currently used in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Furthermore, roflumilast has been proposed as a favorable candidate for the treatment of neurological disorders. The current study aimed to unravel the neuroprotective role of roflumilast in the rotenone model of PD in rats. Ninety male rats were allocated into six groups as follows: control, rotenone (1.5 mg/kg/48 h, s.c.), L-dopa (22.5 mg/kg, p.o), and roflumilast (0.2, 0.4 or 0.8 mg/kg, p.o). All treatments were administrated for 21 days 1 h after rotenone injection. Rats treated with roflumilast showed an improvement in motor activity and coordination as well as preservation of dopaminergic neurons in the striatum. Moreover, roflumilast increased cAMP level and activated the PI3K/AKT axis via stimulation of CREB/BDNF/TrkB and SIRT1/PTP1B/IGF1 signaling cascades. Roflumilast also caused an upsurge in mTOR and Nrf2, halted GSK-3β and NF-ĸB, and suppressed FoxO1 and caspase-3. Our study revealed that roflumilast exerted neuroprotective effects in rotenone-induced neurotoxicity in rats. These neuroprotective effects were mediated via the crosstalk between CREB/BDNF/TrkB and SIRT1/PTP1B/IGF1 signaling pathways which activates PI3K/AKT trajectory. Therefore, PDE4 inhibition is likely to offer a reliable persuasive avenue in curing PD via PI3K/AKT signaling activation.

Effects of Tiliroside and Lisuride Co-Treatment on the PI3K/Akt Signal Pathway: Modulating Neuroinflammation and Apoptosis in Parkinson's Disease

Researchers are actively exploring potential bioactive compounds to enhance the effectiveness of Lisuride (Lis) in treating Parkinson's disease (PD) over the long term, aiming to mitigate the serious side effects associated with its extended use. A recent study found that combining the dietary flavonoid Tiliroside (Til) with Lis has potential anti-Parkinson's benefits. The study showed significant improvements in PD symptoms induced by 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) when Til and Lis were given together, based on various behavioral tests. This combined treatment significantly improved motor function and protected dopaminergic neurons in rats with PD induced by MPTP. It also activated important molecular pathways related to cell survival and apoptosis control, as indicated by the increased pAkt/Akt ratio. Til and Lis together increased B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), decreased caspase 3 activity, and prevented brain cell decay. Co-administration also reduced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin-1 (IL-1). Antioxidant markers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and reduced glutathione significantly improved compared to the MPTP-induced control group. This study shows that using Til and Lis together effectively treats MPTP-induced PD in rats, yielding results comparable to an 8 mg/kg dose of levodopa, highlighting their potential as promising Parkinson's treatments.

Progression of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by a slow progression and caused by the inhalation of harmful particulate matter. Cigarette smoke and air pollutants are the primary contributing factors. Currently, the pathogenesis of COPD remains incompletely understood. The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway has recently emerged as a critical regulator of inflammation and oxidative stress response in COPD, playing a pivotal role in the disease's progression and treatment. This paper reviews the association between the PI3K/Akt pathway and COPD, examines effective PI3K/Akt inhibitors and novel anti-COPD agents, aiming to identify new therapeutic targets for clinical intervention in this disease.

LncRNA TSIX aggravates spinal cord injury by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway via the miR-532-3p/DDOST axis

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)-X-inactive-specific transcript (TSIX) expression is upregulated in spinal cord tissues following spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the role of lncRNA-TSIX in SCI remains elusive. SCI animal model was established using C57BL/6 mice. LncRNA TSIX and miR-532-3p expression were determined using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Apoptosis, cell proliferation, and migration were evaluated by transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining, CCK-8, and Transwell assays, respectively. The interaction of miR-532-3p with lncRNA TSIX and DDOST was explored via a dual-luciferase reporter system. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan locomotor rating (BBB) scale were performed to investigate SCI progression. The expression of the lncRNA TSIX was found to be significantly upregulated in the serum of SCI patients and spinal cord tissues of SCI mice. The overexpression of lncRNA TSIX enhanced spinal cord neural stem cell (SC-NSC) proliferation and migration in vitro while inhibiting apoptosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in vivo. Moreover, lncRNA TSIX acted as a molecular sponge for miR-532-3p, and the knockdown of miR-532-3p promoted proliferation and migration and inhibited apoptosis of SC-NSCs. Moreover, DDOST was found to be the downstream target of miR-532-3p, and DDOST overexpression showed a similar effect as miR-532-3p silencing on the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of SC-NSCs. Furthermore, we found that lncRNA TSIX overexpression promoted the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. LncRNA TSIX aggravates SCI by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway via the miR-532-3p/DDOST axis, indicating potential applications for targeted therapy of SCI regeneration.

PCDH7 as the key gene related to the co-occurrence of sarcopenia and osteoporosis

Sarcopenia and osteoporosis, two degenerative diseases in older patients, have become severe health problems in aging societies. Muscles and bones, the most important components of the motor system, are derived from mesodermal and ectodermal mesenchymal stem cells. The adjacent anatomical relationship between them provides the basic conditions for mechanical and chemical signals, which may contribute to the co-occurrence of sarcopenia and osteoporosis. Identifying the potential common crosstalk genes between them may provide new insights for preventing and treating their development. In this study, DEG analysis, WGCNA, and machine learning algorithms were used to identify the key crosstalk genes of sarcopenia and osteoporosis; this was then validated using independent datasets and clinical samples. Finally, four crosstalk genes (ARHGEF10, PCDH7, CST6, and ROBO3) were identified, and mRNA expression and protein levels of PCDH7 in clinical samples from patients with sarcopenia, with osteoporosis, and with both sarcopenia and osteoporosis were found to be significantly higher than those from patients without sarcopenia or osteoporosis. PCDH7 seems to be a key gene related to the development of both sarcopenia and osteoporosis.

An updated patent review of AKT inhibitors (2020 - present)

INTRODUCTION

Protein kinase B (Akt), an essential protein in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, plays a crucial role in tumor progression. Over the past two years, different types of Akt modulators have continued to emerge in the patent literature.

AREAS COVERED

This review focuses on the patent literature covering small molecule inhibitors, peptides, PROTACs, and antisense nucleic acids targetingAkt from 2020 to present. Also, we discuss the outcomes of several clinical trials, combination strategies for different mechanisms, and the application of Akt regulators in other non-oncology indications.Our search for relevant information was conducted using various databases, including the European Patent Office, SciFinder, andPubMed, from 01.2020 to 04.2023.

EXPERT OPINION

In recent years, some combination therapeutic strategies involvingAkt inhibitors have shown promising clinical outcomes. Future research can be directed toward developing new applications of Akt inhibitors, which may have implications for other diseases beyond cancer. New attempts suggest that targeting allosteric sites may be a potential solution to the problem of isoform selectivity.Furthermore, directly knocking out Akt protein by using the degraderssuggests a promising direction for future development.

Elucidating the mechanism of Hongjinshen decoction in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

BACKGROUND

To explore the mechanism of compound Hongginshen decoction in improving pulmonary fibrosis based on network pharmacology.

METHODS

The active components and targets of ginseng and Salvia miltiorrhiza were screened from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) database. The chemical components of Rhodiola, Ophiopogon japonicus, and Dendrobium were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database (TCMID), and the target compounds were predicted by the Swisstargets method. The related target genes of pulmonary fiber (PF) were screened by the Genecards database and the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. The protein-protein interaction network was drawn using the string database and Cytoscape software, and the network topology was analyzed. Then, using R3.6.3 software, biological processes, molecular function, cell component enrichment, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment were carried out on the common targets of drugs and diseases. The network diagram of the "traditional Chinese medicine composition disease target" of Compound Hongginshen Decoction was constructed and analyzed with the software of Cytoscape 3.6.1.

RESULTS

We identified 159 active components and 2820 targets in Compound Hongginshen Decoction, and 2680 targets in pulmonary fibrosis. A total of 343 common targets were obtained by the intersection of drug targets and disease targets. protein-protein interaction protein interaction network analysis showed that PIK3CA, PIK3R1, MAPK1, SRC, AKT1, and so on may be the core targets of the compound Hongjingshen recipe in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis identified 3463 items, and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis identified 181 related signaling pathways, including the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, HCMV pathway, Hb pathway, PGs pathway, and KSHV signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

Compound Hongginshen Decoction has the characteristics of a multichannel and multitargeted effect in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. Radix Ophiopogonis and Dendrobium officinale play a key role in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. The whole compound prescription may play a therapeutic role by affecting cell metabolism, being anti-inflammatory, regulating the immune system, promoting angiogenesis, and improving anaerobic metabolism.