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Fang B, Wang L, Liu S, Zhou M, Ma H, Chang N, Ning G. Sarsasapogenin regulates the immune microenvironment through MAPK/NF-kB signaling pathway and promotes functional recovery after spinal cord injury. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25145. [PMID: 38322941 PMCID: PMC10844052 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25145] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs as a result of traumatic events that damage the spinal cord, leading to motor, sensory, or autonomic function impairment. Sarsasapogenin (SA), a natural steroidal compound, has been reported to have various pharmacological applications, including the treatment of inflammation, diabetic nephropathy, and neuroprotection. However, the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanisms of SA in the context of SCI are still unclear. This research aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of SA against SCI by integrating network pharmacology analysis and experimental verification. Network pharmacology results suggested that SA may effectively treat SCI by targeting key targets such as TNF, RELA, JUN, MAPK14, and MAPK8. The underlying mechanism of this treatment may involve the MAPK (JNK) signaling pathway and inflammation-related signaling pathways such as TNF and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of SA in SCI treatment and provide valuable insights into its molecular mechanisms of action. In vivo experiments confirmed the reparative effect of SA on SCI in rats and suggested that SA could repair SCI by modulating the immune microenvironment. In vitro experiments further investigated how SA regulates the immune microenvironment by inhibiting the MAPK/NF-kB pathways. Overall, this study successfully utilized a combination of network pharmacology and experimental verification to establish that SA can regulate the immune microenvironment via the MAPK/NF-kB signaling pathway, ultimately facilitating functional recovery from SCI. Furthermore, these findings emphasize the potential of natural compounds from traditional Chinese medicine as a viable therapy for SCI treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Fang
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Department of Othopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Department of Othopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao Binhai University, Qingdao, China
| | - Liyue Wang
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Department of Othopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Song Liu
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Department of Othopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Mi Zhou
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Department of Othopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongpeng Ma
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Department of Othopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Nianwei Chang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Guangzhi Ning
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Department of Othopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
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Sciaccotta R, Murdaca G, Caserta S, Rizzo V, Gangemi S, Allegra A. Circular RNAs: A New Approach to Multiple Sclerosis. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2883. [PMID: 38001884 PMCID: PMC10669154 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11112883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis, a condition characterised by demyelination and axonal damage in the central nervous system, is due to autoreactive immune cells that recognise myelin antigens. Alteration of the immune balance can promote the onset of immune deficiencies, loss of immunosurveillance, and/or development of autoimmune disorders such as MS. Numerous enzymes, transcription factors, signal transducers, and membrane proteins contribute to the control of immune system activity. The "transcriptional machine" of eukaryotic cells is a complex system composed not only of mRNA but also of non-coding elements grouped together in the set of non-coding RNAs. Recent studies demonstrate that ncRNAs play a crucial role in numerous cellular functions, gene expression, and the pathogenesis of many immune disorders. The main purpose of this review is to investigate the role of circular RNAs, a previously unknown class of non-coding RNAs, in MS's pathogenesis. CircRNAs influence post-transcriptional control, expression, and functionality of a microRNA and epigenetic factors, promoting the development of typical MS abnormalities such as neuroinflammation, damage to neuronal cells, and microglial dysfunction. The increase in our knowledge of the role of circRNAs in multiple sclerosis could, in the future, modify the common diagnostic-therapeutic criteria, paving the way to a new vision of this neuroimmune pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Sciaccotta
- Hematology Unit, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy; (R.S.); (S.C.); (A.A.)
| | - Giuseppe Murdaca
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 16132 Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico S. Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Santino Caserta
- Hematology Unit, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy; (R.S.); (S.C.); (A.A.)
| | - Vincenzo Rizzo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Allegra
- Hematology Unit, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy; (R.S.); (S.C.); (A.A.)
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Capra AP, Ardizzone A, Crupi L, Calapai F, Campolo M, Cuzzocrea S, Esposito E. Efficacy of Palmitoylethanolamide and Luteolin Association on Post-Covid Olfactory Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Studies. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2189. [PMID: 37626685 PMCID: PMC10452638 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-Covid Olfactory Dysfunction (PCOD) is characterized by olfactory abnormalities, hyposmia, and anosmia, which are among the most often enduring symptoms in individuals who have recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection. This disorder has been reported to persist in subsets of patients well after 12 months following infection, significantly affecting their quality of life. Despite the high prevalence of PCOD among patients who suffered from SARS-CoV-2 infection, specific therapeutic strategies are still limited. Among these, emerging evidence seems to indicate the administration of CoUltraPEALut, a combination of micronized Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), an endogenous fatty acid amide, and Luteolin, a natural antioxidant flavonoid, as a viable therapy, especially when given as an adjuvant to olfactory training. Based on the above, a systematic review and a meta-analysis of the literature were conducted, with the aim of evaluating the efficacy of CoUltraPEALut as an addition to olfactory training (OT), in treating PCOD symptoms. Pubmed (MEDLINE), Embase (OVID), and Web of Science scientific databases were screened from the inception until 31 May 2023, and a total of 407 articles were recovered; only five of these studies (441 total patients between treated and control groups) were included in the systematic review. CoUltraPEALut demonstrated significant efficacy in the overall recovery of the olfactory function, compared to the conventional therapy, suggesting that it could represent a possible future adjuvant treatment for PCOD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Paola Capra
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.P.C.); (A.A.); (L.C.); (F.C.); (M.C.); (S.C.)
| | - Alessio Ardizzone
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.P.C.); (A.A.); (L.C.); (F.C.); (M.C.); (S.C.)
| | - Lelio Crupi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.P.C.); (A.A.); (L.C.); (F.C.); (M.C.); (S.C.)
| | - Fabrizio Calapai
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.P.C.); (A.A.); (L.C.); (F.C.); (M.C.); (S.C.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Michela Campolo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.P.C.); (A.A.); (L.C.); (F.C.); (M.C.); (S.C.)
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.P.C.); (A.A.); (L.C.); (F.C.); (M.C.); (S.C.)
| | - Emanuela Esposito
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.P.C.); (A.A.); (L.C.); (F.C.); (M.C.); (S.C.)
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Armeli F, Bonucci A, Maggi E, Pinto A, Businaro R. Mediterranean Diet and Neurodegenerative Diseases: The Neglected Role of Nutrition in the Modulation of the Endocannabinoid System. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11060790. [PMID: 34073983 PMCID: PMC8225112 DOI: 10.3390/biom11060790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders are a widespread cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, characterized by neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and neuronal depletion. The broad-spectrum neuroprotective activity of the Mediterranean diet is widely documented, but it is not yet known whether its nutritional and caloric balance can induce a modulation of the endocannabinoid system. In recent decades, many studies have shown how endocannabinoid tone enhancement may be a promising new therapeutic strategy to counteract the main hallmarks of neurodegeneration. From a phylogenetic point of view, the human co-evolution between the endocannabinoid system and dietary habits could play a key role in the pro-homeostatic activity of the Mediterranean lifestyle: this adaptive balance among our ancestors has been compromised by the modern Western diet, resulting in a “clinical endocannabinoid deficiency syndrome”. This review aims to evaluate the evidence accumulated in the literature on the neuroprotective, immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties of the Mediterranean diet related to the modulation of the endocannabinoid system, suggesting new prospects for research and clinical interventions against neurodegenerative diseases in light of a nutraceutical paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Armeli
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Corso della Repubblica, 79, 04100 Latina, Italy; (F.A.); (A.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Alessio Bonucci
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Corso della Repubblica, 79, 04100 Latina, Italy; (F.A.); (A.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Elisa Maggi
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Corso della Repubblica, 79, 04100 Latina, Italy; (F.A.); (A.B.); (E.M.)
| | - Alessandro Pinto
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Rita Businaro
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Corso della Repubblica, 79, 04100 Latina, Italy; (F.A.); (A.B.); (E.M.)
- Correspondence:
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Alternative Targets to Fight Alzheimer's Disease: Focus on Astrocytes. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11040600. [PMID: 33921556 PMCID: PMC8073475 DOI: 10.3390/biom11040600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The available treatments for patients affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are not curative. Numerous clinical trials have failed during the past decades. Therefore, scientists need to explore new avenues to tackle this disease. In the present review, we briefly summarize the pathological mechanisms of AD known so far, based on which different therapeutic tools have been designed. Then, we focus on a specific approach that is targeting astrocytes. Indeed, these non-neuronal brain cells respond to any insult, injury, or disease of the brain, including AD. The study of astrocytes is complicated by the fact that they exert a plethora of homeostatic functions, and their disease-induced changes could be context-, time-, and disease specific. However, this complex but fervent area of research has produced a large amount of data targeting different astrocytic functions using pharmacological approaches. Here, we review the most recent literature findings that have been published in the last five years to stimulate new hypotheses and ideas to work on, highlighting the peculiar ability of palmitoylethanolamide to modulate astrocytes according to their morpho-functional state, which ultimately suggests a possible potential disease-modifying therapeutic approach for AD.
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