Ginsenoside Rg3 ameliorates acute pancreatitis by activating the NRF2/HO‑1‑mediated ferroptosis pathway

Ginsenoside Rg3 attenuates neuroinflammation and hippocampal neuronal damage after traumatic brain injury in mice by inactivating the NF-kB pathway via SIRT1 activation

This investigation examined the potential of ginsenoside Rg3 in addressing traumatic brain injury (TBI). A TBI mouse model underwent treatment with ginsenoside Rg3 and nicotinamide (NAM). Neurological and motor functions were assessed using modified neurological severity score and rotarod tests. Brain water content in mice was detected. Primary mouse microglia were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), ginsenoside Rg3, and NAM. Nissl and immunofluorescence staining were utilized to investigate hippocampal damage, and localization of P65, Iba1 and INOS in microglia. Hippocampal neurons were grown in a culture medium derived from microglia. CCK-8 and TUNEL assays were employed to evaluate the viability and apoptosis of hippocampal neurons. Proinflammatory factors and proteins were tested using ELISA, western blot and immunofluorescence staining. As a result, ginsenoside Rg3 enhanced neurological and motor functions in mice post-TBI, reduced brain water content, alleviated hippocampal neuronal neuroinflammation and damage, activated SIRT1, and deactivated the NF-kB pathway. In LPS-stimulated microglia, ginsenoside Rg3 diminished inflammation, activated SIRT1, deactivated the NF-kB pathway, and facilitated nuclear localization of P65 and co-localization of Iba1 and INOS. The effects of ginsenoside Rg3 were countered by NAM in both TBI mice and LPS-stimulated microglia. Hippocampal neurons cultured in a medium containing LPS, ginsenoside Rg3, and NAM-treated microglia showed improved viability and reduced apoptosis compared to those cultured in a medium with LPS and ginsenoside Rg3-treated microglia alone. Ginsenoside Rg3 was effective in reducing neuroinflammation and damage in hippocampal neurons following TBI by modulating the SIRT1/NF-kB pathway, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for TBI.

Ferroptosis exacerbates hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis by enhancing lipid peroxidation and modulating the immune microenvironment

Abnormal activation of ferroptosis worsens the severity of acute pancreatitis and intensifies the inflammatory response and organ damage, but the detailed underlying mechanisms are unknown. Compared with other types of pancreatitis, hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (HLAP) is more likely to progress to necrotizing pancreatitis, possibly due to peripancreatic lipolysis and the production of unsaturated fatty acids. Moreover, high levels of unsaturated fatty acids undergo lipid peroxidation and trigger ferroptosis to further exacerbate inflammation and worsen HLAP. This paper focuses on the malignant development of hyperlipidemic pancreatitis with severe disease combined with the core features of ferroptosis to explore and describe the mechanism of this phenomenon and shows that the activation of lipid peroxidation and the aberrant intracellular release of many inflammatory mediators during ferroptosis are the key processes that regulate the degree of disease development in patients with HLAP. Inhibiting the activation of ferroptosis effectively reduces the intensity of the inflammatory response, thus reducing organ damage in patients and preventing the risk of HLAP exacerbation. Additionally, this paper summarizes the key targets and potential therapeutic agents of ferroptosis associated with HLAP deterioration to provide new ideas for future clinical applications.

Liproxstatin-1 attenuates acute hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis through inhibiting ferroptosis in rats

Ferroptosis is closely associated with inflammatory diseases, including acute pancreatitis (AP); however, the involvement of ferroptosis in hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis (HTGP) remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to explore the relationship between lipid metabolism and ferroptosis in HTGP and the alleviating effect of liproxstatin-1 (Lip-1) in vivo. This study represents the first exploration of lipid metabolism and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in HTGP, targeting ferroptosis as a key factor in HTGP. Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) was induced under high-fat diet conditions. Cerulein was then injected to establish AP and HTGP models. Lip-1, a specific ferroptosis inhibitor, was administered before the induction of AP and HTGP in rats, respectively. Serum triglyceride, amylase, inflammatory factors, pathological and ultrastructural structures, lipid peroxidation, and iron overload indicators related to ferroptosis were tested. Moreover, the interaction between ferroptosis and ERS was assessed. We found HTG can exacerbate the development of AP, with an increased inflammatory response and intensified ferroptosis process. Lip-1 treatment can attenuate pancreatic injury by inhibiting ferroptosis through lipid metabolism and further resisting activations of ERS-related proteins. Totally, our results proved lipid metabolism can promote ferroptosis in HTGP by regulating ACSL4/LPCAT3 protein levels. Additionally, ERS may participate in ferroptosis via the Bip/p-EIF2α/CHOP pathway, followed by the alleviating effect of Lip-1 in the rat model.

circ_UTRN inhibits ferroptosis of ARJ21 cells to attenuate acute pancreatitis progression by regulating the miR-760-3p/FOXO1/GPX4 axis

Aim

To explore the function of circ_UTRN in acute pancreatitis (AP).

Methods

After exposing AR42J cells to caerulein, the levels of circ_UTRN, miR-760-3p, and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, GPX4 and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) protein levels were assessed by western blot. The levels of oxidative stress and ferroptosis in the supernatant of the treated AR42J cells were also assessed using commercial kits.

Results

circ_UTRN inhibited caerulein-induced oxidative stress and ferroptosis by binding with miR-760-3p. Additionally, miR-760-3p directly targeted FOXO1, thereby regulating GPX4 levels. Furthermore, GPX4 knockdown abolished the effect of miR-760-3p downregulation in AP.

Conclusion

circ_UTRN inhibited oxidative stress and ferroptosis by regulating the miR-760-3p/FOXO1/GPX4 axis. This is a potential new treatment strategy for AP.

PRMT7-Dependent Transcriptional Activation of Hmgb2 Aggravates Severe Acute Pancreatitis by Promoting Acsl1-Induced Ferroptosis

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a highly fatal abdominal emergency, and its association with protein arginine methyltransferase 7 (PRMT7), the sole known type III enzyme responsible for the monomethylation of arginine residue, remains unexplored. In this study, we observe an increase in the PRMT7 levels in the pancreas of SAP mice and Cerulein-LPS-stimulated AR42J cells. Overexpression of Prmt7 exacerbated pancreatic damage in SAP, while the inhibition of PRMT7 improved SAP-induced pancreatic damage. Furthermore, PRMT7 overexpression promoted inflammation, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis during SAP. Mechanically, PRMT7 catalyzed monomethylation at histone H4 arginine 3 (H4R3me1) at the promoter region of high mobility group proteins 2 (HMGB2), thereby enhancing its transcriptional activity. Subsequently, HMGB2 facilitated Acyl CoA synthase long-chain family member 1 (ACSL1) transcription by binding to its promoter region, resulting in the activation of ferroptosis. Inhibition of PRMT7 effectively alleviated ferroptosis in Cerulein-LPS-induced AR42J cells by suppressing the HMGB2-ACSL1 pathway. Overall, our study reveals that PRMT7 plays a crucial role in promoting SAP through its regulation of the HMGB2-ACSL1 pathway to accelerate ferroptosis.

Natural product-derived ferroptosis mediators

It has been 11 years since ferroptosis, a new mode of programmed cell death, was first proposed. Natural products are an important source of drug discovery. In the past five years, natural product-derived ferroptosis regulators have been discovered in an endless stream. Herein, 178 natural products discovered so far to trigger or resist ferroptosis are classified into 6 structural classes based on skeleton type, and the mechanisms of action that have been reported are elaborated upon. If pharmacodynamic data are sufficient, the structure and bioactivity relationship is also presented. This review will provide medicinal chemists with some effective ferroptosis regulators, which will promote the research of natural product-based treatment of ferroptosis-related diseases in the future.

Ferroptosis: A new view on the prevention and treatment of diabetic kidney disease with traditional Chinese medicine

Diabetic kidney disease is one of the complications of diabetes mellitus, which can eventually progress to end-stage kidney disease. The increasing prevalence of diabetic kidney disease has brought huge economic burden to society and seriously jeopardized public health. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent, non-apoptosis-regulated form of cell death. The regulation of ferroptosis involves different molecular mechanisms and multiple cellular metabolic pathways. In recent years, ferroptosis has been proved to be closely related to the occurrence and development of diabetic kidney disease, and can interact with pathological changes such as fibrosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism, destroying the structure, form and function of the inherent cells of the kidney, and promoting the progression of the disease. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of treating diabetic kidney disease with remarkable curative effect. Current scholars have shown that the oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine and the external treatment of Chinese medicine can regulate GPX4, Nrf2, ACSL4, PTGS2, TFR1 and other key signaling molecules, curb ferroptosis, and prevent the progressive deterioration of diabetic kidney disease. In this paper, the mechanism of ferroptosis and diabetic kidney disease and the prevention and treatment of traditional Chinese medicine are analyzed and summarized, in order to provide new ideas and new plans for the treatment of diabetic kidney disease.

Therapeutic Applications of Ginseng Natural Compounds for Health Management

Ginseng is usually consumed as a daily food supplement to improve health and has been shown to benefit skeletal muscle, improve glucose metabolism, and ameliorate muscle-wasting conditions, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and the effects of aging and cancers. Ginseng has also been reported to help maintain bone strength and liver (digestion, metabolism, detoxification, and protein synthesis) and kidney functions. In addition, ginseng is often used to treat age-associated neurodegenerative disorders, and ginseng and ginseng-derived natural products are popular natural remedies for diseases such as diabetes, obesity, oxidative stress, and inflammation, as well as fungal, bacterial, and viral infections. Ginseng is a well-known herbal medication, known to alleviate the actions of several cytokines. The article concludes with future directions and significant application of ginseng compounds for researchers in understanding the promising role of ginseng in the treatment of several diseases. Overall, this study was undertaken to highlight the broad-spectrum therapeutic applications of ginseng compounds for health management.

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol level as an independent protective factor against aggravation of acute pancreatitis: a case-control study

Background and aims

At present, evidence on the association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and aggravation of acute pancreatitis (AP) is limited. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the lowest HDL-C level during intensive care units (ICU) stay and AP aggravation and to determine the optimum cutoff lowest HDL-C level.

Methods

Patients admitted to the ICU of the Shandong Provincial Hospital for AP from 2015 to 2021 were included. The lowest HDL-C level during ICU stay was set as the independent variable, and the progression or non-progression to severe AP (SAP) was set as the dependent variable. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the relationship between the two variables, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to analyze the predictive ability of the lowest HDL-C level for progression to SAP.

Results

This study included 115 patients. The difference in the lowest HDL-C level between the SAP and moderately SAP groups was significant (P < 0.05). After adjusting for covariates, the lowest HDL-C level showed a negative correlation with the occurrence of SAP, with a relative risk of 0.897 (95% confidence interval: 0.827-0.973). The area under the ROC curve for prediction of AP aggravation by the lowest HDL-C level was 0.707, and the optimum cutoff lowest HDL-C level was 0.545 mmol/L.

Conclusion

No less than 0.545 mmol/L of the HDL-C level during ICU stay may be an independent protective factor for the aggravation of AP.

Ginsenoside Rg3 improves microcystin-induced cardiotoxicity through the miR-128-3p/MDM4 axis

Microcystin (MC) is the byproduct of cyanobacteria metabolism that is associated with oxidative stress and heart damage. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on MC-induced cardiotoxicity. A mouse model of myocardial infarction was constructed by oral MC administration. H9C2 cells were used for in vitro analysis. Cellular oxidative stress, apoptosis, and the relationship between miR-128-3p and double minute 4 protein (MDM4) were analyzed. MiR-128-3p expression was upregulated in vitro and in vivo after MC treatment, which was downregulated after Rg3 treatment. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) were increased and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was decreased after Rg3 treatment. Moreover, Rg3 alleviated MC-induced pathological changes and apoptosis in myocardial tissues. Meanwhile, Rg3 treatment decreased the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and inhabited cell apoptosis and oxidative stress in MC-treated myocardial cells. MiR-128-3p overexpression attenuated the protective effect of Rg3 on MC-induced cardiotoxicity. MiR-128-3p negatively regulated MDM4 expression. This study revealed that Rg3 alleviated MC-induced cardiotoxicity through the miR-128-3p/MDM4 axis, which emphasized the potential of Rg3 as a therapeutic agent for MC-induced cardiotoxicity, and miR-128-3p as a target for the Rg3 therapy.

An in-Depth Exploration of the Genetic Interaction Network Between Ferroptosis and Acute Pancreatitis

Background

Ferroptosis plays an important role in a variety of disease processes and is equally important in pancreatic diseases. However, the role of ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) in acute pancreatitis (AP) remains unknown, and their specific potential mechanisms still need to be explored extensively.

Methods

AP-related gene microarray data were obtained from the GEO database, while FRGs were obtained from the ferroptosis database (FerrDb). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened by the "limma" package, and GSEA was performed. The corresponding ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (FRDEGs) were screened, and GO and KEGG pathway analyses were performed. A PPI network was constructed to identify hub FRDEGs by CytoHubba, MCODE and CTD scores. Transcription factors and miRNAs predicted using the NetworkAnalyst database were used to establish the regulatory network. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed by the R package "ssGSEA" algorithm. The hub genes were validated by transcriptome sequencing of AP model mice and immunohistochemistry in rats and mice.

Results

A total of 82 FRDEGs were screened, and these genes were mainly associated with ferroptosis, hypoxic response, autophagy, mitophagy and immune inflammation. However, we also found that these genes are also jointly involved in other cell death modalities, such as apoptosis and necroptosis. Further analysis obtained 7 hub genes from 82 genes, and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) showed that the hub genes are closely associated with the infiltration of specific immune cells and the activation of immune pathways.

Conclusion

This study reveals the complex functions and important roles of ferroptosis-related genes in AP and provides gene targets for further studies of AP.

The effects of Korean Red Ginseng on heme oxygenase-1 with a focus on mitochondrial function in pathophysiologic conditions

Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) plays a key role in heme oxygenase (HO)-1 induction under physical and moderate oxidative stress conditions. The transient and mild induction of HO-1 is beneficial for cell protection, mitochondrial function, regeneration, and intercellular communication. However, chronic HO-1 overexpression is detrimental in severely injured regions. Thus, in a chronic pathological state, diminishing HO-1-mediated ferroptosis is beneficial for a therapeutic approach. The molecular mechanisms by which KRG protects various cell types in the central nervous system have not yet been established, especially in terms of HO-1-mediated mitochondrial functions. Therefore, in this review, we discuss the multiple roles of KRG in the regulation of astrocytic HO-1 under pathophysiological conditions. More specifically, we discuss the role of the KRG-mediated astrocytic HO-1 pathway in regulating mitochondrial functions in acute and chronic neurodegenerative diseases as well as physiological conditions.

ETS1 Ameliorates Hyperoxia-Induced Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Mice by Activating Nrf2/HO-1 Mediated Ferroptosis

PURPOSE

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is associated with hyperoxia-induced oxidative stress-associated ferroptosis. This study examined the effect of E26 oncogene homolog 1 (ETS1) on oxidative stress-associated ferroptosis in BPD.

METHODS

Hyperoxia-induced A549 cells and neonatal mice were used to establish BPD models. The effects of ETS1 on hyperoxia-induced ferroptosis-like changes in A549 cells were investigated by overexpression of ETS1 plasmid transfection and erastin treatment. Glucose consumption, lactate production, and NADPH levels were assessed by the glucose, lactate, and NADP+/NADPH assay kits, respectively. The potential regulatory relationship between ETS1 and Nrf2/HO-1 was examined by treating hyperoxia-induced A549 cells with the Nrf2 inhibitor ML385. ETS1 effect on the Nrf2 promoter was explored by dual-luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. The effect of ETS1 on the symptoms of BPD mice was examined by injecting an adenovirus overexpressing ETS1.

RESULTS

ETS1 overexpression increased hyperoxia-induced cell viability, glucose consumption, lactate production, and NADPH levels and reduced inflammation and apoptosis in A549 cells. In animal experiments, ETS1 overexpression prevented weight loss, airway enlargement, and reductions in radial alveolar counts in BPD mice, while reducing the mean linear intercept, mean alveolar diameter and inflammation. ETS1 overexpression suppressed PTGS2 and CHAC1 expression, reduced ROS, MDA and ferrous iron (Fe2+) production and increased GSH levels in hyperoxia-induced A549 cells and BPD mice. In addition, ETS1 can bind to the Nrf2 promoter region and thus promote Nrf2 transcription. ETS1 overexpression increased the mRNA and protein levels of Nrf2, HO-1, xCT, and GPX4 in hyperoxia-induced A549 cells and BPD mice. In hyperoxia-induced A549 cells, erastin and ML385 treatment abolished the effect of ETS1 overexpression.

CONCLUSION

ETS1 is important in oxidative stress-related ferroptosis in a hyperoxia-induced BPD model, and the effect is partially mediated by the Nrf2/HO-1 axis.

Ginsenoside Rh2 promotes hepatic stellate cell ferroptosis and inactivation via regulation of IRF1-inhibited SLC7A11

BACKGROUND

Sustained liver fibrosis may lead to cirrhosis. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are crucial for liver fibrosis development. Ferroptosis, a newly iron-dependent regulated cell death, has been demonstrated to be involved in HSC inactivation.

PURPOSE

Ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2), a natural bioactive product derived from ginseng, has been shown to promote HSC inactivation. However, the effect of GRh2 on HSC ferroptosis remains unclear.

METHODS

We explored the effects of GRh2 on liver fibrosis in vivo and in vitro. RNA-sequence analysis was performed in HSCs after GRh2 treatment. The crosstalk between ferroptotic HSCs and macrophages was also explored.

RESULTS

GRh2 alleviated liver fibrosis in vivo. In vitro, GRh2 reduced HSC proliferation and activation via ferroptosis, with increased intracellular iron, reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde and glutathione depletion. The expression of SLC7A11, a negative regulator of ferroptosis, was obviously reduced by GRh2. Interestingly, interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1), a transcription factor, was predicted to bind the promoter region of SCL7A11. The interaction between IRF1 and SCL7A11 was further confirmed by the results of chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays. Furthermore, loss of IRF1 led to an increase in SCL7A11, which contributed to the suppression of HSC ferroptosis and the enhancement of HSC activation in GRh2-treated HSCs. Further studies revealed that GRh2-induced HSC ferroptosis contributed to the inhibition of macrophage recruitment via regulation of inflammation-related genes. Moreover, GRh2 caused a reduction in liver inflammation in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, GRh2 up-regulates IRF1 expression, resulting in the suppression of SLC7A11, which contributes to HSC ferroptosis and inactivation. GRh2 ameliorates liver fibrosis through enhancing HSC ferroptosis and inhibiting liver inflammation. GRh2 may be a promising drug for treating liver fibrosis.

Ginsenosides for therapeutically targeting inflammation through modulation of oxidative stress

Ginsenosides are steroid glycosides derived from ginseng plants such as Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolium, and Panax notoginseng. Advances in recent studies have identified numerous physiological functions of each type of ginsenoside, i.e., immunomodulatory, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory functions, in the context of inflammatory diseases. Accumulating evidence has revealed the molecular mechanisms by which the single or combined ginsenoside(s) exhibit anti-inflammatory effects, although it remains largely unclear. It is well known that excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is associated with pathological inflammation and cell death in a variety of cells, and that inhibition of ROS generation ameliorates the local and systemic inflammatory responses. The mechanisms by which ginsenosides attenuate inflammation are largely unknown; however, targeting ROS is suggested as one of the crucial mechanisms for the ginsenosides to control the pathological inflammation in the immune and non-immune cells. This review will summarize the latest progress in ginsenoside studies, particularly in the context of antioxidant mechanisms for its anti-inflammatory effects. A better understanding of the distinct types and the combined action of ginsenosides will pave the way for developing potential preventive and therapeutic modalities in treating various inflammation-related diseases.

Pentoxifylline treats Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis by reducing fungal burden and suppressing corneal inflammation

Fungal keratitis (FK) is a blinding ocular disease, which mainly results from fungal damage and excessive inflammation. Pentoxifylline, a kind of methylxanthine, has been discovered to have anti-inflammatory properties in various infectious diseases, hinting a potential therapeutic effect on treating corneal fungal infection. Whereas, the therapeutic impact of pentoxifylline on fungal keratitis is still uncertain. This study investigated the antifungal capability against Aspergillus fumigatus and the anti-inflammatory role of pentoxifylline by activating nuclear factor, erythroid 2 like 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase1 (HO1) pathway in the process of FK. In our research, we demonstrated that pentoxifylline could effectively inhibit fungal growth and inflammatory reaction. Pentoxifylline reduced the production of pro-inflammatory factors by stimulating the Nrf2/HO1 pathway. Although there was no statistical difference between the curative efficacy of pentoxifylline and natamycin application to FK, pentoxifylline could promote corneal epithelial repair and was less toxicity to the ocular surface than natamycin. In conclusion, pentoxifylline performs antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects by lessening the fungus burden and activating the Nrf2/HO1 pathway, hinting that it has the potential to be a new therapeutic medication for Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis.

Integration of transcriptomics and metabolomics to reveal the effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on allergic rhinitis in mice

Increasing studies have demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of various diseases, including allergic lower airway inflammation such as asthma. To investigate the role of Rg3 in allergic upper airway disease, the effect and therapeutic mechanism of Rg3 in allergic rhinitis (AR) were studied. Ovalbumin-induced AR model mice were intragastrically administered with Rg3. Nasal symptoms, levels of IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, SOD and MDA in serum, and histopathological analysis of nasal mucosa were used to evaluate the effect of Rg3 on ameliorating AR in mice. Moreover, nasal mucosa samples from the normal control group, AR model group and high dosage of Rg3 were collected to perform omics analysis. The differentially expressed genes and significantly changed metabolites were screened based on transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses, respectively. Integrative analysis was further performed to confirm the hub genes, metabolites and pathways. After Rg3 intervention, the nasal symptoms and inflammatory infiltration were effectively improved, the levels of IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and MDA were significantly reduced, and the level of SOD was obviously increased. The results of the qRT-PCR assay complemented the transcriptomic findings. Integrated analysis showed that Rg3 played an anti-AR role mainly by regulating the interaction network, which was constructed by 12 genes, 8 metabolites and 4 pathways. Our findings suggested that Rg3 had a therapeutic effect on ovalbumin-induced AR in mice by inhibiting inflammation development and reducing oxidative stress. The present study could provide a potential natural agent for the treatment of AR.

Edaravone Attenuates Aβ 1-42-Induced Inflammatory Damage and Ferroptosis in HT22 Cells

Ferroptosis and neuroinflammation play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Edaravone (EDA) has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective effects in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the relationship between EDA and ferroptosis in AD is unidentified. This research aimed to elucidate the mechanism of EDA in AD with Aβ 1-42-induced HT22 cells as in vitro cell model. The results showed that EDA could significantly reduce Aβ_1-42-induced apoptosis of HT22 cells and formation of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, prevent the activation of TLR4/NF-κB /NLRP3 signaling pathway, and inhibit ferroptosis and lipid peroxidation. Taken together, EDA contributes to inhibiting neuroinflammatory injury and ferroptosis in Aβ 1-42-induced HT22 cells, and thus may be a potential candidate for the treatment of AD.

Panax ginseng against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury: A review of preclinical evidence and potential mechanisms

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (P. ginseng) is effective in the prevention and treatment of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. The mechanism by which P. ginseng exerts cardioprotective effects is complex. P. ginseng contains many pharmacologically active ingredients, such as molecular glycosides, polyphenols, and polysaccharides. P. ginseng and each of its active components can potentially act against myocardial I/R injury. Myocardial I/R was originally a treatment for myocardial ischemia, but it also induced irreversible damage, including oxygen-containing free radicals, calcium overload, energy metabolism disorder, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, microvascular injury, autophagy, and apoptosis.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to clarify the protective effects of P. ginseng and its active ingredients against myocardial I/R injury, so as to provide experimental evidence and new insights for the research and application of P. ginseng in the field of myocardial I/R injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This review was based on a search of PubMed, NCBI, Embase, and Web of Science databases from their inception to February 21, 2022, using terms such as "ginseng," "ginsenosides," and "myocardial reperfusion injury." In this review, we first summarized the active ingredients of P. ginseng, including ginsenosides, ginseng polysaccharides, and phytosterols, as well as the pathophysiological mechanisms of myocardial I/R injury. Importantly, preclinical models with myocardial I/R injury and potential mechanisms of these active ingredients of P. ginseng for the prevention and treatment of myocardial disorders were generally summarized.

RESULTS

P. ginseng and its active components can regulate oxidative stress related proteins, inflammatory cytokines, and apoptosis factors, while protecting the myocardium and preventing myocardial I/R injury. Therefore, P. ginseng can play a role in the prevention and treatment of myocardial I/R injury.

CONCLUSIONS

P. ginseng has a certain curative effect on myocardial I/R injury. It can prevent and treat myocardial I/R injury in several ways. When ginseng exerts its effects, should be based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine and with the help of modern medicine; the clinical efficacy of P. ginseng in preventing and treating myocardial I/R injury can be improved.

Insights on Ferroptosis and Colorectal Cancer: Progress and Updates

Patients with advanced-stage or treatment-resistant colorectal cancer (CRC) benefit less from traditional therapies; hence, new therapeutic strategies may help improve the treatment response and prognosis of these patients. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent type of regulated cell death characterized by the accumulation of lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS), distinct from other types of regulated cell death. CRC cells, especially those with drug-resistant properties, are characterized by high iron levels and ROS. This indicates that the induction of ferroptosis in these cells may become a new therapeutic approach for CRC, particularly for eradicating CRC resistant to traditional therapies. Recent studies have demonstrated the mechanisms and pathways that trigger or inhibit ferroptosis in CRC, and many regulatory molecules and pathways have been identified. Here, we review the current research progress on the mechanism of ferroptosis, new molecules that mediate ferroptosis, including coding and non-coding RNA; novel inducers and inhibitors of ferroptosis, which are mainly small-molecule compounds; and newly designed nanoparticles that increase the sensitivity of cells to ferroptosis. Finally, the gene signatures and clusters that have predictive value on CRC are summarized.

Molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis and the potential therapeutic targets of ferroptosis signaling pathways for glioblastoma

Ferroptosis is a newly identified form of cell death that differs from autophagy, apoptosis and necrosis, and its molecular characteristics include iron-dependent lipid reactive oxygen species accumulation, mitochondrial morphology changes, and membrane permeability damage. These characteristics are closely related to various human diseases, especially tumors of the nervous system. Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignant tumor of the adult central nervous system, and the 5-year survival rate is only 4%-5%. This study reviewed the role and mechanism of ferroptosis in glioblastoma and the research status and progress on ferroptosis as a potential therapeutic target. The mechanism of ferroptosis is related to the intracellular iron metabolism level, lipid peroxide content and glutathione peroxidase 4 activity. It is worth exploring how ferroptosis can be applied in disease treatment; however, the relation between ferroptosis and other apoptosis methods is poorly understood and methods of applying ferroptosis to drug-resistant tumors are insufficient. Ferroptosis is a promising therapeutic target for glioblastoma. In-depth studies of its mechanism of action in glioblastoma and applications for clinical treatment are expected to provide insights for glioblastoma patients.

Ginsenoside Rg1 ameliorates sepsis-induced acute kidney injury by inhibiting ferroptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells

Acute kidney injury (AKI) represents a prevailing complication of sepsis, and its onset involves ferroptosis. Ginsenoside Rg1 exerts a positive effect on kidney diseases. This study explored the action of ginsenoside Rg1 in sepsis-induced AKI (SI-AKI) by regulating ferroptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs). Sepsis rat models were established using cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and cell models were established by treating human renal TECs (HK-2) with LPS to induce ferroptosis. Serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and urine KIM1 contents in rats were determined by ELISA kits. Kidney tissues were subjected to immunohistochemical and H&E stainings. Iron concentration, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and ferroptosis-related protein (ferritin light chain [FTL], ferritin heavy chain [FTH], GSH peroxidase 4 [GPX4], and Ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 [FSP1]) levels in kidney tissues and HK-2 cells were measured using ELISA kits and Western blotting. HK-2 cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8, and cell death was observed via propidium iodide staining. Reactive oxygen species accumulation in cells was detected using C11 BODIPY 581/591 as a molecular probe. In CLP rats, ginsenoside Rg1 reduced SCr, BUN, KIM1, and NGAL levels, thus palliating SI-AKI. Additionally, ginsenoside Rg1 decreased iron content, FTL, FTH, and MDA levels, and elevated GPX4, FSP1, and GSH levels, thereby inhibiting lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis. Moreover, FSP1 knockdown annulled the inhibition of ginsenoside Rg1 on ferroptosis. In vitro experiments, ginsenoside Rg1 raised HK-2 cell viability and lowered iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation during ferroptosis, and its antiferroptosis activity was dependent on FSP1. Ginsenoside Rg1 alleviates SI-AKI, possibly resulting from inhibition of ferroptosis in renal TECs through FSP1.

Involvement of Ferroptosis in Diabetes-Induced Liver Pathology

Cell death plays an important role in diabetes-induced liver dysfunction. Ferroptosis is a newly defined regulated cell death caused by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Our previous studies have shown that high glucose and streptozotocin (STZ) cause β-cell death through ferroptosis and that ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), an inhibitor of ferroptosis, improves β-cell viability, islet morphology, and function. This study was aimed to examine in vivo the involvement of ferroptosis in diabetes-related pathological changes in the liver. For this purpose, male C57BL/6 mice, in which diabetes was induced with STZ (40 mg/kg/5 consecutive days), were treated with Fer-1 (1 mg/kg, from day 1–21 day). It was found that in diabetic mice Fer-1 improved serum levels of ALT and triglycerides and decreased liver fibrosis, hepatocytes size, and binucleation. This improvement was due to the Fer-1-induced attenuation of ferroptotic events in the liver of diabetic mice, such as accumulation of pro-oxidative parameters (iron, lipofuscin, 4-HNE), decrease in expression level/activity of antioxidative defense-related molecules (GPX4, Nrf2, xCT, GSH, GCL, HO-1, SOD), and HMGB1 translocation from nucleus into cytosol. We concluded that ferroptosis contributes to diabetes-related pathological changes in the liver and that the targeting of ferroptosis represents a promising approach in the management of diabetes-induced liver injury.