Mangiferin inhibits apoptosis and oxidative stress via BMP2/Smad-1 signaling in dexamethasone-induced MC3T3-E1 cells

Activation of Heme Oxygenase-1 by Mangiferin in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Contributes to Blocking Oxidative Damage

Mangiferin is a kind of natural xanthone glycosides and is known to have various pharmacological activities. However, since the beneficial efficacy of this compound has not been reported in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, this study aimed to evaluate whether mangiferin could protect human RPE ARPE-19 cells from oxidative injury mimicked by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The results showed that mangiferin attenuated H2O2-induced cell viability reduction and DNA damage, while inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and preserving diminished glutathione (GSH). Mangiferin also antagonized H2O2-induced inhibition of the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes such as manganese superoxide dismutase and GSH peroxidase, which was associated with inhibition of mitochondrial ROS production. In addition, mangiferin protected ARPE-19 cells from H2O2-induced apoptosis by increasing the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, decreasing caspase-3 activation, and blocking poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. Moreover, mangiferin suppressed the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, which was achieved by interfering with mitochondrial membrane disruption. Furthermore, mangiferin increased the expression and activity of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor-erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2). However, the inhibition of ROS production, cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic effects of mangiferin were significantly attenuated by the HO-1 inhibitor, indicating that mangiferin promoted Nrf2-mediated HO-1 activity to prevent ARPE-19 cells from oxidative injury. The results of this study suggest that mangiferin, as an Nrf2 activator, has potent ROS scavenging activity and may have the potential to protect oxidative stress-mediated ocular diseases.

Mangiferin promotes osteogenic differentiation and alleviates osteoporosis in the ovariectomized mouse via the AXL/ERK5 pathway

Mangiferin is a xanthone glucoside extracted from multiple plants, which has been shown to inhibit bone resorption and alleviate osteoporosis. However, the effect of purified Mangiferin on osteoporosis and its specific mechanisms is unknown. This study aimed to explore whether Mangiferin can promote osteogenic differentiation and alleviate osteoporosis in ovariectomized (OVX) mice and explore the potential mechanisms. Different concentrations and durations of Mangiferin were applied to MC3T3-E1 cells. The optimal concentration and duration of Mangiferin were determined by evaluating the cell viability via cell count kit-8 (CCK-8). The gene and protein expressions of AXL, ERK5, and osteogenic differentiation markers, including BMP2, Collagen1, OPN, Osterix, and Runx2, were detected using western blotting, qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry. Mangiferin was administered to OVX mice, and the severity of osteoporosis was evaluated by H and E staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC), microscopic computed-tomography (micro-CT) scanning, western blotting, and immunofluorescence of bone tissue. We found that Mangiferin promoted osteogenic differentiation in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations less than 30 μM. The 30 μM Mangiferin significantly upregulated the expression of AXL, ERK5, and osteogenic differentiation, including the ALP activity, percentage of alizarin red, and the levels of osteogenic differentiation markers. However, these expression levels decreased when AXL was knocked down in MC3T3-E1 cells and it could not be rescued by Mangiferin. Mangiferin relieved osteoporosis in OVX mice without causing severe organ damage. This study concluded that Mangiferin promoted osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells and alleviated osteoporosis in OVX mice. The potential mechanism was via the AXL/ERK5 pathway.

Reno-protective effect of mangiferin against methotrexate-induced kidney damage in male rats: PPARγ-mediated antioxidant activity

Methotrexate (MTX) is an immunosuppressant used for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. MTX has a major adverse effect, acute kidney injury, which limits its use. Mangiferin (MF) is a natural bioactive xanthonoid used as a traditional herbal supplement to boost the immune system due to its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. The present study evaluates the protective effect of MF against MTX-induced kidney damage. Male Wistar rats received MTX to induce nephrotoxicity or were pretreated with MF for 10 constitutive days before MTX administration. MF dose-dependently improved renal functions of MTX-treated rats and this activity was correlated with increased renal expression of PPARγ, a well-known transcriptional regulator of the immune response. Pretreating rats with PPARγ inhibitor, BADGE, reduced the reno-protective activity of MF. Furthermore, MF treatment significantly reduced MTX-induced upregulation of the pro-inflammatory (NFκB, interleukin-1ß, TNF-α, and COX-2), oxidative stress (Nrf-2, hemoxygenase-1, glutathione, and malondialdehyde), and nitrosative stress (nitric oxide and iNOS) markers in the kidney. Importantly, BADGE treatment significantly reduced the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of MF. Therefore, our data suggest that the reno-protective effect of MF against MTX-induced nephrotoxicity is due to inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress in a PPAR-γ-dependent manner.

CDKN2B antisense RNA 1 expression alleviates idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by functioning as a competing endogenouse RNA through the miR-199a-5p/Sestrin-2 axis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an idiopathic interstitial lung disease. At present, the pathogenesis of IPF has not been fully elucidated, which has affected the development of effective treatment methods. Here, we explored the function and potential mechanism of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) CDKN2B antisense RNA 1 (CDKN2B-AS1) in IPF.Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and bleomycin (BLM) were used to induce IPF in cells and animal models. Real Time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) showed the expression of CDKN2B-AS1, miR-199a-5p and Sestrin-2 (SESN2) in cells and tissues. The double luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed the targeting relationship among CDKN2B-AS1, miR-199a-5p, and SESN2. Related protein levels were detected by Western blot combined with Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), wound healing, and flow cytometry to analyze cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. The pathological characteristics of mouse lung tissue were determined by Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining. We found that the expression of CDKN2B-AS1 was decreased in TGF-β-treated cells and BLM-treated mice. Overexpression of CDKN2B-AS1 inhibited cell proliferation and migration, promoted apoptosis, decreased the expression of fibrosis-related proteins and promoted autophagy. In addition, overexpression of CDKN2B-AS1 alleviated pulmonary fibrosis in BLM-treated mice. Mechanistically, CDKN2B-AS1 acts as a miR-199a-5p sponge to regulate SESN2 expression. Our results indicate the importance of the CDKN2B-AS1/miR-199a-5p/SESN2 axis.

Identification of Novel Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor Agonists from Botanical Compounds and Preliminary Evaluation of Their Anti-Osteoporotic Effects

As cannabinoid CB2 receptors (CB2R) possess various pharmacological effects—including anti-epilepsy, analgesia, anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis, and regulation of bone metabolism—without the psychoactive side effects induced by cannabinoid CB1R activation, they have become the focus of research and development of new target drugs in recent years. The present study was intended to (1) establish a double luciferase screening system for a CB2R modulator; (2) validate the agonistic activities of the screened compounds on CB2R by determining cAMP accumulation using HEK293 cells that are stably expressing CB2R; (3) predict the binding affinity between ligands and CB2 receptors and characterize the binding modes using molecular docking; (4) analyze the CB2 receptors–ligand complex stability, conformational behavior, and interaction using molecular dynamics; and (5) evaluate the regulatory effects of the screened compounds on bone metabolism in osteoblasts and osteoclasts. The results demonstrated that the screening system had good stability and was able to screen cannabinoid CB2R modulators from botanical compounds. Altogether, nine CB2R agonists were identified by screening from 69 botanical compounds, and these CB2R agonists exhibited remarkable inhibitory effects on cAMP accumulation and good affinity to CB2R, as evidenced by the molecular docking and molecular dynamics. Five of the nine CB2R agonists could stimulate osteoblastic bone formation and inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption. All these findings may provide useful clues for the development of novel anti-osteoporotic drugs and help elucidate the mechanism underlying the biological activities of CB2R agonists identified from the botanical materials.

Overexpression of FGF2 delays the progression of osteonecrosis of the femoral head activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the current study was to explore the role and underlying mechanism of FGF-2 in dexamethasone (DEX)-induced apoptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells.

METHODS

GSE21727 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by the limma/R package. MC3T3-E1 cells were exposed to DEX at different concentrations (0, 10^-8, 10^-7, 10^-6, 10^-5 and 10^-4 mol/L), and cell viability, flow cytometry and TUNEL assay were used to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis. An FGF-2-pcDNA3 plasmid (oe-FGF-2) was used to overexpress FGF-2, and western blotting was conducted to detect protein expression.

RESULTS

We found that FGF-2 was downregulated in the DEX-treated group. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses indicated that DEGs were associated with PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. DEX downregulated FGF-2 gene and protein expression, inhibited viability and induced MC3T3-E1 cell apoptosis. Overexpression of FGF-2 reversed DEX-induced apoptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells. FGF-2-mediated anti-apoptosis was impaired by inactivating the PI3K/AKT pathway with LY294002. Moreover, overexpression of FGF2 delayed the progression of DEX-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) animal model by regulation PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, FGF-2 is effective at inhibiting DEX-induced MC3T3-E1 cell apoptosis through regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Botanicals in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a systemic bone disease characterized by reduced bone mass and the deterioration of bone microarchitecture leading to bone fragility and an increased risk of fractures. Conventional anti-osteoporotic pharmaceutics are effective in the treatment and prophylaxis of osteoporosis, however they are associated with various side effects that push many women into seeking botanicals as an alternative therapy. Traditional folk medicine is a rich source of bioactive compounds waiting for discovery and investigation that might be used in those patients, and therefore botanicals have recently received increasing attention. The aim of this review of literature is to present the comprehensive information about plant-derived compounds that might be used to maintain bone health in perimenopausal and postmenopausal females.

Mangiferin inhibits cell migration and angiogenesis via PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in high glucose‑ and hypoxia‑induced RRCECs

Mangiferin is a prominent active component that can be derived from several traditional herbs, including Mangifera indica L., Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge., and Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC., which displays antidiabetic properties. Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a serious complication caused by diabetes, is the leading cause of blindness. The present study aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of mangiferin on high glucose (HG)/hypoxia‑induced rat retinal capillary endothelial cell (RRCEC) angiogenesis, as well as the underlying mechanisms. To establish an in vitro model of DR, RRCECs were exposed to 30 mM glucose and hypoxia. Following treatment with different doses of mangiferin (0.05, 0.1 or 0.2 µM), RRCEC viability, migration and angiogenesis were assessed by performing Cell Counting Kit 8, immunofluorescence, wound healing, Transwell and tube formation assays. Western blotting was conducted to evaluate protein expression levels. Furthermore, LY294002 and IGF‑1, an inhibitor and activator of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, respectively, were used to verify the potential mechanisms underlying mangiferin. The results demonstrated that mangiferin notably inhibited HG/hypoxia‑induced RRCEC migration and angiogenesis. HG/hypoxia‑induced upregulation of hypoxia‑inducible factor‑1α, vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)2 and MMP9 expression levels and the phosphorylation of PI3K, AKT and mTOR in RRCECs was significantly reversed following treatment with mangiferin. Additionally, further activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by IGF‑1 inhibited the beneficial effects of mangiferin on RRCECs, whereas deactivation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by LY294002 displayed the opposite results. Collectively, the results of the present study suggested that mangiferin suppressed RRCEC angiogenesis via modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, which could serve as an effective treatment strategy for DR.

Protection of Icariin Against Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced MC3T3-E1 Cell Oxidative Damage

Objective

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential protective mechanism of icariin against oxidative damage caused by hydrogen peroxide in MC3T3‐E1 cells.

Methods

MC3T3‐E1 cells were treated with different concentrations of icariin to explore the optimal dose of icariin. MC3T3‐E1 cells were divided into groups treated with various concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂; 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2 mM) for 24 h to induce oxidative damage and cell viability was assessed by Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8) assay. Then, cells were divided into five groups: control, H₂O₂ (0.2 mM), icariin (0.1 μM) and H₂O₂ (0.2 mM), + icariin (0.1 μM). Cell viability was detected by CCK‐8 assay. In addition, the content of glutathione and superoxide dismutase and the activity level of malondialdehyde in these treatment groups were determined. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alizarin red S (ARS) staining were also performed to measure the early and late osteogenesis, respectively. Protein expression of β‐catenin and cyclin D1 was measured by western blot assay. Then, we used an antagonist of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway (DKK‐1) and western blot analysis to further explore potential mechanism.

Results

After 24 h of exposure to 0.2 mM H₂O₂, the viability of MC3T3‐E1 cells was significantly decreased compared to that of the control cells. We first found that icariin can promote cell proliferation of MC3T3‐E1 cells in a dose‐dependent manner, with the dosage 0.1 μM showing the best pro‐proliferative effect. Furthermore, icariin could promote the protein expression of OSX and RUNX2. The results showed that icariin can reverse the inhibitory osteogenic effects of MC3T3‐E1 caused by H₂O₂. In addition, icariin could increase the Wnt‐signaling related proteins. The results showed that MC3T3‐E1 cells in the H₂O₂ (0.2 mM) + icariin (0.1 μM) + Wnt‐signaling antagonist (DKK‐1) group had weaker ALP and ARS staining compared with that observed in the control and H₂O₂ (0.2 mM) + icariin (0.1 μM) groups. The ALP activity and calcium content were decreased in the 0.2 mM H₂O₂ + 0.1 μM icariin + DKK‐1 group compared to that observed in the 0.2 mM H₂O₂ + 0.1 μM icariin group.

Conclusion

The results showed that icariin can increase the viability of MC3T3‐E1 cells, reverse the oxidative stress induced by H₂O₂ and protect MC3T3‐E1 cells against H₂O₂‐induced inhibition of osteogenic differentiation, which may occur through the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway.

Natural Antioxidants Improve the Vulnerability of Cardiomyocytes and Vascular Endothelial Cells under Stress Conditions: A Focus on Mitochondrial Quality Control

Cardiovascular disease has become one of the main causes of human death. In addition, many cardiovascular diseases are accompanied by a series of irreversible damages that lead to organ and vascular complications. In recent years, the potential therapeutic strategy of natural antioxidants in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases through mitochondrial quality control has received extensive attention. Mitochondria are the main site of energy metabolism in eukaryotic cells, including myocardial and vascular endothelial cells. Mitochondrial quality control processes ensure normal activities of mitochondria and cells by maintaining stable mitochondrial quantity and quality, thus protecting myocardial and endothelial cells against stress. Various stresses can affect mitochondrial morphology and function. Natural antioxidants extracted from plants and natural medicines are becoming increasingly common in the clinical treatment of diseases, especially in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Natural antioxidants can effectively protect myocardial and endothelial cells from stress-induced injury by regulating mitochondrial quality control, and their safety and effectiveness have been preliminarily verified. This review summarises the damage mechanisms of various stresses in cardiomyocytes and vascular endothelial cells and the mechanisms of natural antioxidants in improving the vulnerability of these cell types to stress by regulating mitochondrial quality control. This review is aimed at paving the way for novel treatments for cardiovascular diseases and the development of natural antioxidant drugs.

Protective Effects of Medicinal Plant Decoctions on Macrophages in the Context of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a hallmark of most cardiovascular diseases. The implication of macrophages in this pathology is widely documented, notably for their contribution to lipid accumulation within the arterial wall, associated with oxidative stress and inflammation processes. In order to prevent or limit the atherosclerosis damage, nutritional approaches and medicinal plant-based therapies need to be considered. In Reunion Island, medicinal plant-based beverages are traditionally used for their antioxidant, lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of our study was to assess the protective effects of eight medicinal plant decoctions in an in vitro model of RAW 264.7 murine macrophages exposed to pro-atherogenic conditions (oxidized low-density lipoproteins—ox-LDL—E. coli Lipopolysaccharides—LPS). The impact of polyphenol-rich medicinal plant decoctions on cell viability was evaluated by Neutral Red assay. Fluorescent ox-LDL uptake was assessed by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Activation of NF-κB was evaluated by quantification of secreted alkaline phosphatase in RAW-Blue™ macrophages. Our results show that medicinal plant decoctions limited the cytotoxicity induced by ox-LDL on macrophages. Flow cytometry analysis in macrophages demonstrated that medicinal plant decoctions from S. cumini and P. mauritianum decreased ox-LDL uptake and accumulation by more than 70%. In addition, medicinal plant decoctions also inhibited NF-κB pathway activation in the presence of pro-inflammatory concentrations of E. coli LPS. Our data suggest that medicinal plant decoctions exert protective effects on ox-LDL-induced cytotoxicity and limited macrophage lipid uptake. Moreover, herbal preparations displayed anti-inflammatory properties on macrophages that can be of interest for limiting the atherosclerotic process.

Up-regulation of TβRIII facilitates the osteogenesis of supraspinous ligament-derived fibroblasts from patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Spinal supraspinous ligament (SL) osteogenesis is the key risk of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), with an unclear pathogenesis. We previously found that transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1), bone morphogenetic proteins (eg BMP2) and type III TGF‐β1 receptor (TβRIII) expression were markedly up‐regulated in AS‐SLs. However, the roles of these closely related molecules in AS are unknown. Here, we showed that BMP2, TGF‐β1, TβRIII and S100A4 (a fibroblast marker) were abundant in active osteogenic AS‐SL tissues. In vitro, AS‐SL fibroblasts (AS‐SLFs) showed high BMP2, TGF‐β1 and TβRIII expression and auto‐osteogenic capacity. We further evaluated the role of TβRIII in the osteogenesis of normal SLFs. BMP2 combined with TGF‐β1 induced the osteogenesis of TβRIII‐overexpressing SLFs, but the activity was lost in SLFs upon TβRIII knockdown. Moreover, our data suggested that BMP2 combined with TGF‐β1 significantly activated both TGF‐β1/Smad signalling and BMP2/Smad/RUNX2 signalling to induce osteogenesis of SLFs with TβRIII up‐regulation. Furthermore, our multi‐strategy molecular interaction analysis approach indicated that TGF‐β1 presented BMP2 to TβRIII, sequentially facilitating BMP2 recognition by BMPR1A and promoting the osteogenesis of TβRIII‐overexpressing SLFs. Collectively, our results indicate that TGF‐β1 combined with BMP2 may participate in the osteogenic differentiation of AS‐SLF by acting on up‐regulated TβRIII, resulting in excessive activation of both TGF‐β1/Smad and BMP2/BMPR1A/Smad/RUNX2 signalling.

Mangiferin Inhibits Apoptosis and Autophagy Induced by Staphylococcus aureus in RAW264.7 Cells

Purpose

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is an important bacterial pathogen, which creates infective inflammation to human being and animals. Mangiferin (MG) is one of the natural flavonoids with anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-oxidative properties. However, the anti-apoptosis and anti-autophagy of MG are unknown. Hence, this study was aimed to research the inhibition of MG on S. aureus-induced apoptosis and autophagy in RAW264.7 cells.

Methods

The RAW264.7 cells were pretreated with MG, or pretreated with SP600125 or anisomycin synchronously, and then infected with S. aureus (MOI=100:1). The viability and proliferation status of RAW264.7 cells were detected by MTT and EdU assay. The relative expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 protein was tested with ELISA. The levels of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular-regulated protein kinase (ERK), p38, LC3, Beclin-1, p62, phosphorylated JNK, phosphorylated p38 and phosphorylated ERK in cells were detected by Western blotting. The apoptosis rate of RAW264.7 cells was analyzed by flow cytometric assay.

Results

The study showed that MG significantly attenuated RAW264.7 cells apoptosis and autophagy caused by S. aureus. MG alleviated S. aureus-induced apoptosis by down-regulating the protein level of active caspase-3 and Bax and up-regulating the level of Bcl-2. MG also inhibited S. aureus-induced autophagy via decreasing the protein level of LC3-II/LC3-I and Beclin-1 or increasing the protein expression of p62. This protective role was dependent on the up-regulation of JNK signal pathway, which was confirmed by using JNK agonist and inhibitor.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that MG might protect RAW264.7 cells from S. aureus-induced apoptosis and autophagy via inhibiting JNK/Bax-dependent signal pathway. Therefore, MG may be a potential agent against pathological cell damage induced by S. aureus infection.

Jingui Shenqi Pills Regulate Bone-Fat Balance in Murine Ovariectomy-Induced Osteoporosis with Kidney Yang Deficiency

Jingui Shenqi Pills (JGSQP) have been a staple of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years, used primarily as a treatment for kidney yang deficiency (KYD). In vitro analyses of JGSQP revealed strong induction of osteogenic differentiation and inhibition of adipogenic differentiation in bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells. However, the mechanisms by which JGSQP regulate the bone-fat balance in murine ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis with KYD have not been reported. Materials and Methods. Two-month-old female C57BL/6 mice were divided randomly into three groups: those receiving a sham operation (Sham); those undergoing bilateral ovariectomy and selection of KYD syndrome (Model); and those subjected to both bilateral ovariectomy and KYD syndrome selection for 8 weeks, followed by JGSQP treatment for 4 weeks (JGSQP). In the Sham and Model groups, mice were given the same dose of distilled water orally for 4 weeks. Animals from all three groups were euthanised at the 12th week. Vertebral microarchitecture and histomorphology were examined by micro-CT and H&E staining, respectively. In addition, we examined the mRNA expression of Akt, Wnt10b, Osterix (Osx), Fndc5, PPARγ, and Fabp4, as well as the protein of AKT, phosphorylation-AKT (p-AKT), BMP2, COL1A1, and FNDC5. Results. JGSQP treatment improved bone microarchitecture and mitigated histomorphological damage relative to the Model group. The osteoblast number (Ob.N/BS) and area (Ob.S/BS) were increased, whereas adipocyte number (adipocyte/tissue area) and area (adipocyte area/tissue area) were decreased in the JGSQP group. JGSQP treatment reduced the mRNA expression of Akt and adipogenesis-related genes (Fndc5, PPARγ, and Fabp4) while promoting osteogenesis-related genes (Wnt10b and Osx) mRNA expression. Additionally, the expression of p-AKT, BMP2, and COL1A1 proteins was increased and FNDC5 protein expression was decreased after JGSQP treatment. Conclusions. JGSQP treatment reversed murine ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis with KYD by controlling bone-fat balance via AKT pathway.

A Signaling Crosstalk between BMP9 and HGF/c-Met Regulates Mouse Adult Liver Progenitor Cell Survival

During chronic liver disease, hepatic progenitor cells (HPC, oval cells in rodents) become activated, proliferate, and differentiate into cholangiocytes and/or hepatocytes contributing to the final outcome of the regenerative process in a context-dependent fashion. Here, we analyze the crosstalk between the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-Met signaling axis, key for liver regeneration, and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)9, a BMP family ligand that has emerged as a critical regulator of liver pathology. Our results show that HGF/c-Met signaling blocks BMP9-mediated apoptotic cell death, while it potentiates small mothers against decapentaplegic (SMAD)1 signaling triggered by BMP9 in oval cells. Interestingly, HGF-induced overactivation of SMAD1, -5, -8 requires the upregulation of TGF-β type receptor activin receptor-like kinase (ALK)1, and both ALK1 and SMAD1 are required for the counteracting effect of HGF on BMP9 apoptotic activity. On the other hand, we also prove that BMP9 triggers the activation of p38MAPK in oval cells, which drives BMP9-apoptotic cell death. Therefore, our data support a model in which BMP9 and HGF/c-Met signaling axes establish a signaling crosstalk via ALK1 that modulates the balance between the two pathways with opposing activities, SMAD1 (pro-survival) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38MAPK; pro-apoptotic), which determines oval cell fate. These data help delineate the complex signaling network established during chronic liver injury and its impact on the oval cell regenerative response.

Xanthones, A Promising Anti-Inflammatory Scaffold: Structure, Activity, and Drug Likeness Analysis

Inflammation is the body's self-protective response to multiple stimulus, from external harmful substances to internal danger signals released after trauma or cell dysfunction. Many diseases are considered to be related to inflammation, such as cancer, metabolic disorders, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases. Current therapeutic approaches include mainly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticoids, which are generally of limited effectiveness and severe side-effects. Thus, it is urgent to develop novel effective anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents. Xanthones, a unique scaffold with a 9H-Xanthen-9-one core structure, widely exist in natural sources. Till now, over 250 xanthones were isolated and identified in plants from the families Gentianaceae and Hypericaceae. Many xanthones have been disclosed with anti-inflammatory properties on different models, either in vitro or in vivo. Herein, we provide a comprehensive and up-to-date review of xanthones with anti-inflammatory properties, and analyzed their drug likeness, which might be potential therapeutic agents to fight against inflammation-related diseases.

Mangiferin ameliorates placental oxidative stress and activates PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in mouse model of preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is an inflammatory disease which can induce oxidative stress in placenta. Oxidative stress in preeclampsia is regulated by the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) pathway. Mangiferin, an anti-oxidative molecule, is reported to ameliorate oxidative stress in the kidney and brain through activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. We aimed to investigate the effects of mangiferin in a mouse model of preeclampsia, which was induced by phosphatidylserine/dioleoyl-phosphatidycholine (PS/PC) from day 5 to 17 of pregnancy. The female pregnant mice were divided into five groups according to drug treatment. Animals received mangiferin orally at doses of 10, 20, 40 mg/kg/day from day 0.5 to 17. In preeclampsia mouse model, elevated systolic blood pressure and proteinuria were ameliorated by mangiferin treatment. Mangiferin attenuated fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and placental growth factor expression and oxidative stress in both blood and placenta of preeclampsia mice. The suppressed PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in placenta was activated by mangiferin treatment. This study demonstrates that mangiferin ameliorates placental oxidative stress and activates PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in a mouse model of preeclampsia.

Systems Pharmacology Uncovers Multiple Mechanisms of Erxian Decoction () for Treatment of Premature Ovarian Failure

OBJECTIVE

To predict the chemical compositions and drug targets and to systematically dissect the pharmacological mechanism of Erxian Decoction (, EXD) as a treatment for premature ovarian failure (POF) using a systems pharmacology approach.

METHODS

The compounds present in EXD were obtained from three databases. The active ingredient was identified by analyzing the values of oral bioavailability (OB), drug-likeness (DL), and Lipinski's rule (LR). The active ingredients were further searched in research articles, drug targets in the DrugBank database, and the C-T and T-P networks, as well as by pathway analysis using the Cytoscape platform.

RESULTS

A total of 728 compounds were identified in EXD. Of these, 59 were identified as active compounds that conformed to the criteria with OB ⩾30% and DL ⩾0.18. By further searches in the literature, 126 related targets were identified that could interact with the active compounds. Additionally, it was found that the beneficial effects of EXD in POF are probably exerted via regulation of the immune system, modulation of estrogen levels, and anti-oxidative activities, and that it may act in a synergistic or cooperative manner with other therapeutic agents.

CONCLUSIONS

The systems pharmacology approach is a comprehensive system that was used to elucidate the pharmacological mechanism of EXD as a treatment for POF. The results of this study will also facilitate the application of traditional medicine in modern treatment strategies.

Effect of risperidone on proliferation and apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells

This aim of this study was to assess the molecular mechanism of osteoporosis in schizophrenia patients with risperidone use. Here, we investigated the effects of risperidone on cellular proliferation and apoptosis of a preosteoblast cell line, MC3T3-E1. Cell viability and apoptotic rate of MC3T3-E1 were detected by cell counting kit-8 and flow cytometry at a serial dose of risperidone and at different time points, respectively. Bone transformation relevant gene serum osteocalcin (BGP), collagen 1, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) mRNA levels were determined by real-time PCR (qPCR). Their protein expression patterns were evaluated using western blot. The results revealed that risperidone dramatically inhibited MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. It also significantly induced MC3T3-E1 cell apoptosis. TNF-α gene and protein levels were greatly enhanced after risperidone treatment. In contrast, BGP, collagen 1, OPG, and RANKL gene and protein levels were markedly downregulated. Our study indicated that risperidone suppressed MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. It also regulated BGP gene and protein expression.