Icariin Promotes Osteogenic Differentiation in a Cell Model with NF1 Gene Knockout by Activating the cAMP/PKA/CREB Pathway

Molecular mechanism of Chang Shen Hua volatile oil modulating brain cAMP-PKA-CREB pathway to improve depression-like behavior in rats

BACKGROUND

Depression is a common and complex mental illness that manifests as persistent episodes of sadness, loss of interest, and decreased energy, which might lead to self-harm and suicide in severe cases. Reportedly, depression affects 3.8 % of the world's population and has been listed as one of the major global public health concerns. In recent years, aromatherapy has been widely used as an alternative and complementary therapy in the prevention and treatment of depression; people can relieve anxiety and depression by sniffing plant aromatic essential oils. Acorus tatarinowii and Panax ginseng essential oils in Chang Shen Hua volatile oil (CSHVO) are derived from Acorus tatarinowii and Panax ginseng, respectively, the main medicines in the famous Chinese medicine prescription Kai Xin San (KXS), Then, these oils are combined with the essential oil of Albizia julibrissin flower to form a new Chinese medicine inhalation preparation, CSHVO. KXS has been widely used in the treatment of depression; however, whether CSHVO can ameliorate depression-like behavior, its pharmacological effects, and the underlying mechanisms of action are yet to be elucidated.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A rat model of chronic and unpredictable mild stimulation (CUMS) combined with orphan rearing was treated with CSHVO for 4 weeks. Using behavioral tests (sucrose preference, force swimming, tail suspension, and open field), the depression-like degree was evaluated. Concurrently, brain homogenate and serum biochemistry were analyzed to assess the changes in the neurotransmitters and inflammatory and neurotrophic factors. Furthermore, tissue samples were collected for histological and protein analyses. In addition, network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses of the major active compounds, potential therapeutic targets, and intervention pathways predicted a role of CSHVO in depression relief. Subsequently, these predictions were confirmed by in vitro experiments using a corticosterone (CORT)-induced PC12 cell damage model.

RESULTS

CSHVO inhalation can effectively improve the weight and depression-like behavior of depressed rats and regulate the expression of inflammatory factors and neurotransmitters. Hematoxylin-eosin, Nissl, and immunofluorescence staining indicated that compared to the model group, the pathological damage to the brain tissues of rats in the CSHVO groups was improved. The network pharmacological analysis revealed that 144 CSHVO active compounds mediate 71 targets relevant to depression treatment, most of which are rich in the cAMP signaling and inflammatory cytokine pathways. Protein-protein interaction analysis showed that TNF, IL6, and AKT are the core anti-depressive targets of CSHVO. Molecular docking analysis showed an adequate binding between the active ingredients and the key targets. In vitro experiments showed that compared to the model group, the survival rate of PC12 cells induced by CSHVO intervention was increased, the apoptosis rate was decreased, and the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the cell supernatant was improved. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining confirmed that CSHVO regulates PC12 cells in the CORT model through the cAMP-PKA-CREB signaling pathway, and pretreatment with PKA blocker H89 eliminates the protective effect of CSHVO on CORT-induced PC12 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

CSHVO improves CORT-induced injury in the PC12 cell model and CUMS combined with orphan rearing-induced depression model in rats. The antidepressant mechanism of CSHVO is associated with the modulation of the cAMP-PKA-CREB signaling pathway.

Empowering Cartilage Restructuring with Biodegradable Magnesium Doped-Silicon Based-Nanoplatforms: Sustained Delivery and Enhanced Differentiation Potential

Background

Cartilage-related diseases, such as hypoplastic chondrodysplasia a rare genetic disorder that affects newborns, causing abnormal cartilage development and restricted skeletal growth. However, the development of effective treatment strategies for chondrodysplasia still faces significant challenges due to limitations in the controlled drug delivery, biocompatibility, and biodegradability of nanomedicines.

Methods

A biodegradable magnesium doped-silicon based-nanoplatforms based on silicon nanoparticles (MON) was constructed. Briefly, the MON was modified with sulfhydryl groups using MPTMS to form MOS. Further engineering of MOS was achieved by incorporating Mg2+ ions through the "dissolution-regrowth" method, resulting in MMOS. Ica was effectively loaded into the MMOS channels, and HA was anchored on the surface of MOS to obtain MMOS-Ica@HA nanoplatforms. Additionally, in vitro cell experiments and in vivo zebrafish embryo models were used to evaluate the effect of the nanoplatforms on cartilage differentiation or formation and the efficiency of treating chondrodysplasia.

Results

A series of characterization tests including TEM, SEM, DLS, XPS, EDX, and BET analysis validate the successful preparation of MOS-Ica@HA nanoplatforms. The prepared nanoplatforms show excellent dispersion and controllable drug release behavior. The cytotoxicity evaluation reveals the good biocompatibility of MOS-Ica@HA due to the sustained and controllable release of Ica. Importantly, the presence of Ica and Mg component in MOS-Ica@HA significantly promote chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs via the Smad5/HIF-1α signaling pathway. In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that the nanoplatforms improved chondrodysplasia by promoting cartilage differentiation and formation.

Conclusion

The findings suggest the potential application of the developed biodegradable MMOS-Ica@HA nanoplatforms with acceptable drug loading capacity and controlled drug release in chondrodysplasia treatment, which indicates a promising approach for the treatment of chondrodysplasia.