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Pan Y, Li Z, Zhao X, Du Y, Zhang L, Lu Y, Yang L, Cao Y, Qiu J, Qian Y. Screening of Active Substances Regulating Alzheimer's Disease in Ginger and Visualization of the Effectiveness on 6-Gingerol Pathway Targets. Foods 2024; 13:612. [PMID: 38397589 PMCID: PMC10888025 DOI: 10.3390/foods13040612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Ginger has been reported to potentially treat Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the specific compounds responsible for this biological function and their mechanisms are still unknown. In this study, a combination of network pharmacology, molecular docking, and dynamic simulation technology was used to screen active substances that regulate AD and explore their mechanisms. The TCMSP, GeneCards, OMIM, and DisGeNET databases were utilized to obtain 95 cross-targets related to ginger's active ingredients and AD as key targets. A functional enrichment analysis revealed that the pathways in which ginger's active substances may be involved in regulating AD include response to exogenous stimuli, response to oxidative stress, response to toxic substances, and lipid metabolism, among others. Furthermore, a drug-active ingredient-key target interaction network diagram was constructed, highlighting that 6-Gingerol is associated with 16 key targets. Additionally, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was mapped for the key targets, and HUB genes (ALB, ACTB, GAPDH, CASP3, and CAT) were identified. Based on the results of network pharmacology and cell experiments, 6-Gingerol was selected as the active ingredient for further investigation. Molecular docking was performed between 6-Gingerol and its 16 key targets, and the top three proteins with the strongest binding affinities (ACHE, MMP2, and PTGS2) were chosen for molecular dynamics analysis together with the CASP3 protein as the HUB gene. The findings indicate that 6-Gingerol exhibits strong binding ability to these disease targets, suggesting its potential role in regulating AD at the molecular level, as well as in abnormal cholinesterase metabolism and cell apoptosis, among other related regulatory pathways. These results provide a solid theoretical foundation for future in vitro experiments using actual cells and animal experiments to further investigate the application of 6-Gingerol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yecan Pan
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Product Quality and Safety, Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (Y.D.); (L.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.Y.); (Y.C.); (J.Q.)
- Key Laboratory of Agri-Food Quality and Safety, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Zishu Li
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Product Quality and Safety, Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (Y.D.); (L.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.Y.); (Y.C.); (J.Q.)
- Key Laboratory of Agri-Food Quality and Safety, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Product Quality and Safety, Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (Y.D.); (L.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.Y.); (Y.C.); (J.Q.)
- Key Laboratory of Agri-Food Quality and Safety, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yang Du
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Product Quality and Safety, Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (Y.D.); (L.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.Y.); (Y.C.); (J.Q.)
- Key Laboratory of Agri-Food Quality and Safety, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Product Quality and Safety, Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (Y.D.); (L.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.Y.); (Y.C.); (J.Q.)
- Key Laboratory of Agri-Food Quality and Safety, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yushun Lu
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Product Quality and Safety, Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (Y.D.); (L.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.Y.); (Y.C.); (J.Q.)
- Key Laboratory of Agri-Food Quality and Safety, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Ling Yang
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Product Quality and Safety, Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (Y.D.); (L.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.Y.); (Y.C.); (J.Q.)
- Key Laboratory of Agri-Food Quality and Safety, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yilin Cao
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Product Quality and Safety, Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (Y.D.); (L.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.Y.); (Y.C.); (J.Q.)
- Key Laboratory of Agri-Food Quality and Safety, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jing Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Product Quality and Safety, Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (Y.D.); (L.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.Y.); (Y.C.); (J.Q.)
- Key Laboratory of Agri-Food Quality and Safety, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yongzhong Qian
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Product Quality and Safety, Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (Y.D.); (L.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.Y.); (Y.C.); (J.Q.)
- Key Laboratory of Agri-Food Quality and Safety, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China
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Novel Strategy for Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment through Oral Vaccine Therapy with Amyloid Beta. Biologics 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/biologics3010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neuropathology characterized by progressive cognitive impairment and dementia. The disease is attributed to senile plaques, which are aggregates of amyloid beta (Aβ) outside nerve cells; neurofibrillary tangles, which are filamentous accumulations of phosphorylated tau in nerve cells; and loss of neurons in the brain tissue. Immunization of an AD mouse model with Aβ-eliminated pre-existing senile plaque amyloids and prevented new accumulation. Furthermore, its effect showed that cognitive function can be improved by passive immunity without side effects, such as lymphocyte infiltration in AD model mice treated with vaccine therapy, indicating the possibility of vaccine therapy for AD. Further, considering the possibility of side effects due to direct administration of Aβ, the practical use of the safe oral vaccine, which expressed Aβ in plants, is expected. Indeed, administration of this oral vaccine to Alzheimer’s model mice reduced Aβ accumulation in the brain. Moreover, almost no expression of inflammatory IgG was observed. Therefore, vaccination prior to Aβ accumulation or at an early stage of accumulation may prevent Aβ from causing AD.
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Zeng GF, Zong SH, Zhang ZY, Fu SW, Li KK, Fang Y, Lu L, Xiao DQ. The Role of 6-Gingerol on Inhibiting Amyloid β Protein-Induced Apoptosis in PC12 Cells. Rejuvenation Res 2015; 18:413-21. [PMID: 25811848 DOI: 10.1089/rej.2014.1657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Our previous study suggests that ginger root extract can reverse behavioral dysfunction and prevent Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like symptoms induced by the amyloid-β protein (Aβ) in a rat model. 6-Gingerol is the major gingerol in ginger rhizomes, but its effect on the treatment of AD remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine if 6-gingerol had a protective effect on Aβ1-42-induced damage and apoptotic death in rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells) and to investigate the underlying mechanisms by which 6-gingerol may exert its neuroprotective effects. Our results indicated that pre-treatment with 6-gingerol significantly increased cell viability and reduced cell apoptosis in Aβ1-42-treated cells. Moreover, 6-gingerol pretreatment markedly reduced the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), the production of nitric oxide (NO), and the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity compared with the Aβ1-42 treatment group. In addition, 6-gingerol pretreatment also significantly enhanced the protein levels of phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (p-GSK-3β). Overall, these results indicate that 6-gingerol exhibited protective effects on apoptosis induced by Aβ1-42 in cultured PC12 cells by reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, suppressing the activation of GSK-3β and enhancing the activation of Akt, thereby exerting neuroprotective effects. Therefore, 6-gingerol may be useful in the prevention and/or treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gao-feng Zeng
- 1 College of Public Hygiene of Guangxi Medical University , Nanning, Guangxi, P.R. China
| | - Shao-hui Zong
- 2 Department of Osteopathia, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University , Nanning, Guangxi, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-yong Zhang
- 1 College of Public Hygiene of Guangxi Medical University , Nanning, Guangxi, P.R. China
| | - Song-wen Fu
- 1 College of Public Hygiene of Guangxi Medical University , Nanning, Guangxi, P.R. China
| | - Ke-ke Li
- 3 Graduate School of Guangxi Medical University , Nanning, Guangxi, P.R. China
| | - Ye Fang
- 3 Graduate School of Guangxi Medical University , Nanning, Guangxi, P.R. China
| | - Li Lu
- 1 College of Public Hygiene of Guangxi Medical University , Nanning, Guangxi, P.R. China
| | - De-Qiang Xiao
- 1 College of Public Hygiene of Guangxi Medical University , Nanning, Guangxi, P.R. China
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