1
|
Jo HG, Baek CY, Song HS, Lee D. Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verifications to Discover Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi's Effects on Joint Inflammation, Destruction, and Pain in Osteoarthritis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2127. [PMID: 38396803 PMCID: PMC10889325 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, characterized by joint pain and a decline in physiological function. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SB) is potentially effective against osteoarthritis because of its wide range of anti-inflammatory pharmacological activities. This study aimed to identify the mode of action of SB against osteoarthritis using network pharmacology prediction and experimental verification. Networks were constructed to key compounds, hub targets, and pathways essential for SB's effectiveness against osteoarthritis. Additionally, in vivo and in vitro tests were performed, including investigations on weight bearing in hind limbs, the acetic acid-induced writhing response, lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, and serum cytokine responses. We identified 15 active compounds and 14 hub targets, supporting the anti-osteoarthritis effects of SB. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis indicated that fluid shear stress, atherosclerosis, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt signaling, and cellular senescence pathways were important. SB showed substantial anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and joint tissue-protective effects against osteoarthritis. Our study shows that SB has the potential value to be further investigated as a candidate material for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hee-Geun Jo
- Department of Herbal Pharmacology, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnamdae-ro, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of Korea; (H.-G.J.); (C.-Y.B.)
- Naturalis Inc., 6 Daewangpangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13549, Republic of Korea
| | - Chae-Yun Baek
- Department of Herbal Pharmacology, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnamdae-ro, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of Korea; (H.-G.J.); (C.-Y.B.)
| | - Ho Sueb Song
- Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnamdae-ro, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghun Lee
- Department of Herbal Pharmacology, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnamdae-ro, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of Korea; (H.-G.J.); (C.-Y.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jo HG, Baek CY, Kim D, Kim S, Han Y, Park C, Song HS, Lee D. Network analysis, in vivo, and in vitro experiments identified the mechanisms by which Piper longum L. [Piperaceae] alleviates cartilage destruction, joint inflammation, and arthritic pain. Front Pharmacol 2024; 14:1282943. [PMID: 38328576 PMCID: PMC10847597 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1282943] [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: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by irreversible joint destruction, pain, and dysfunction. Piper longum L. [Piperaceae] (PL) is an East Asian herbal medicine with reported anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, anti-stress, and anti-osteoporotic effects. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of PL in inhibiting pain and progressive joint destruction in OA based on its anti-inflammatory activity, and to explore its potential mechanisms using in vivo and in vitro models of OA. We predicted the potential hub targets and signaling pathways of PL through network analysis and molecular docking. Network analysis results showed that the possible hub targets of PL against OA were F2R, F3, MMP1, MMP2, MMP9, and PTGS2. The molecular docking results predicted strong binding affinities for the core compounds in PL: piperlongumine, piperlonguminine, and piperine. In vitro experiments showed that PL inhibited the expression of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory factors, such as F2R, F3, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-13, NOS2, PTGS2, PGE2, and TNF-β. These mechanisms and effects were dose-dependent in vivo models. Furthermore, PL inhibited cartilage degradation in an OA-induced rat model. Thus, this study demonstrated that multiple components of PL may inhibit the multilayered pathology of OA by acting on multiple targets and pathways. These findings highlight the potential of PL as a disease-modifying OA drug candidate, which warrants further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hee Geun Jo
- Department of Herbal Pharmacology, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
- Naturalis Inc., Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Chae Yun Baek
- Department of Herbal Pharmacology, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghwan Kim
- Department of Clinical Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangjin Kim
- National Institute for Korean Medicine Development, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Yewon Han
- National Institute for Korean Medicine Development, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Chanlim Park
- Smart Software Lab Inc., Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Sueb Song
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghun Lee
- Department of Herbal Pharmacology, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|