1
|
Li Y, Li S, Shou Z, Li Y, Li A, Liu W, Zhang X, Zhou C, Xu D, Li L. Integration of network pharmacology with experimental validation to reveal the mechanism of action of Longdan Xiegan Decoction against HSV2 infection and determine its effective components. J Ethnopharmacol 2024; 325:117861. [PMID: 38316223 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has made enormous strides recently in the discovery of anti-herpes simplex virus (HSV) drugs under the guidance of TCM theory. Longdan Xiegan Decoction (LXD), a formulation recorded in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, has proved to be effective against HSV infection. However, its effective components and action mechanism remain unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the effective components and mechanisms of LXD in treating HSV infection based on network pharmacology and experimental validation. MATERIALS AND METHODS The anti-HSV activities of key compounds predicted by network analysis were detected by antiviral tests. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied to identify the main components of the LXD aqueous extract. Time-of-addition assay and infectivity inhibition reversibility assay were conducted to identify the potential antiviral mechanisms of licochalcone B (LCB). Additionally, we assessed the antiviral effect of LCB in vivo by use of body weight, viral load, histological analysis, and scoring of genital lesions in an HSV2-infected mouse model. RESULTS Our data demonstrated that some components exhibited significant anti-HSV1/2 activity in vitro, including quercetin, kaempferol, wogonin, formononetin, naringenin, baicalein, isorhamnetin, glabridin, licochalcone A, echinatin, oroxylin A, isoliquiritigenin, pinocembrin, LCB and acacetin. HPLC analysis showed that LCB was the main component of LXD aqueous extract. In vitro experiments revealed that LCB not only inactivated HSV2 particles, but also inhibited HSV2 multiplication through the inhibition of the phosphorylation of Akt and its downstream targets. In vivo experiments confirmed that LCB could significantly reduce viral titer, delay weight loss, and alleviate pathological changes in vaginal tissue in vaginal infection mouse models. CONCLUSION LCB acted as the main component of LXD, with significant anti-HSV2 infection effects both in vivo and in vitro. This study provides additional evidence of the healing efficacy of LXD against HSV infection and presents an efficient analytical method for further investigation of the mechanisms of TCM in prevention and treatment of various diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuyun Li
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Pharmacy Development, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523808, China
| | - Siyan Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Guangzhou Xinhua University, Guangzhou, 510520, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zeren Shou
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yibin Li
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Axin Li
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Wenli Liu
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Chengliang Zhou
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Daohua Xu
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Pharmacy Development, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523808, China.
| | - Lin Li
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ahmad K, Lee EJ, Ali S, Han KS, Hur SJ, Lim JH, Choi I. Licochalcone A and B enhance muscle proliferation and differentiation by regulating Myostatin. Phytomedicine 2024; 125:155350. [PMID: 38237512 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myostatin (MSTN) inhibition has demonstrated promise for the treatment of diseases associated with muscle loss. In a previous study, we discovered that Glycyrrhiza uralensis (G. uralensis) crude water extract (CWE) inhibits MSTN expression while promoting myogenesis. Furthermore, three specific compounds of G. uralensis, namely liquiritigenin, tetrahydroxymethoxychalcone, and Licochalcone B (Lic B), were found to promote myoblast proliferation and differentiation, as well as accelerate the regeneration of injured muscle tissue. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to build on our previous findings on G. uralensis and demonstrate the potential of its two components, Licochalcone A (Lic A) and Lic B, in muscle mass regulation (by inhibiting MSTN), aging and muscle formation. METHODS G. uralensis, Lic A, and Lic B were evaluated thoroughly using in silico, in vitro and in vivo approaches. In silico analyses included molecular docking, and dynamics simulations of these compounds with MSTN. Protein-protein docking was carried out for MSTN, as well as for the docked complex of MSTN-Lic with its receptor, activin type IIB receptor (ACVRIIB). Subsequent in vitro studies used C2C12 cell lines and primary mouse muscle stem cells to acess the cell proliferation and differentiation of normal and aged cells, levels of MSTN, Atrogin 1, and MuRF1, and plasma MSTN concentrations, employing techniques such as western blotting, immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, cell proliferation and differentiation assays, and real-time RT-PCR. Furthermore, in vivo experiments using mouse models focused on measuring muscle fiber diameters. RESULTS CWE of G. uralensis and two of its components, namely Lic A and B, promote myoblast proliferation and differentiation by inhibiting MSTN and reducing Atrogin1 and MuRF1 expressions and MSTN protein concentration in serum. In silico interaction analysis revealed that Lic A (binding energy -6.9 Kcal/mol) and B (binding energy -5.9 Kcal/mol) bind to MSTN and reduce binding between it and ACVRIIB, thereby inhibiting downstream signaling. The experimental analysis, which involved both in vitro and in vivo studies, demonstrated that the levels of MSTN, Atrogin 1, and MuRF1 were decreased when G. uralensis CWE, Lic A, or Lic B were administered into mice or treated in the mouse primary muscle satellite cells (MSCs) and C2C12 myoblasts. The diameters of muscle fibers increased in orally treated mice, and the differentiation and proliferation of C2C12 cells were enhanced. G. uralensis CWE, Lic A, and Lic B also promoted cell proliferation in aged cells, suggesting that they may have anti-muslce aging properties. They also reduced the expression and phosphorylation of SMAD2 and SMAD3 (MSTN downstream effectors), adding to the evidence that MSTN is inhibited. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that CWE and its active constituents Lic A and Lic B have anti-mauscle aging potential. They also have the potential to be used as natural inhibitors of MSTN and as therapeutic options for disorders associated with muscle atrophy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khurshid Ahmad
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, South Korea; Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, South Korea
| | - Eun Ju Lee
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, South Korea; Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, South Korea
| | - Shahid Ali
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, South Korea; Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, South Korea
| | - Ki Soo Han
- Neo Cremar Co., Ltd., Seoul 05702, South Korea
| | - Sun Jin Hur
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, South Korea
| | - Jeong Ho Lim
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, South Korea; Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, South Korea
| | - Inho Choi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, South Korea; Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Luo W, Song Z, Xu G, Wang H, Mu W, Wen J, Zhang P, Qin S, Xiao X, Bai Z. LicochalconeB inhibits cGAS-STING signaling pathway and prevents autoimmunity diseases. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 128:111550. [PMID: 38232536 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Cytosolic DNA activates the STING (stimulator of interferon genes) signaling pathway to trigger interferon and inflammatory responses that protect against microbial infections and cancer. However, Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) persistently activates the STING signaling pathway, which can lead to severe autoimmune diseases. We demonstrate herein that Licochalcone B (LicoB), the main component of traditional licorice, is an inhibitor of the STING signaling pathway. We observed that LicoB inhibited the activation of the STING signaling pathway in macrophages. Mechanically, LicoB affected the STING-TBK1-IRF3 signal axis and inhibited the activation of the STING downstream signaling pathway. Furthermore, LicoB inhibited the increase in type I interferon levels in mice induced by the STING agonist CMA. LicoB significantly reduced systemic inflammation in Trex1-/- mice. Our results show that LicoB, a STING signaling pathway inhibitor, is a promising candidate for the treatment of diseases related to STING signaling pathway activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Luo
- Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; School of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, China
| | - Zheng Song
- Peking University 302 Clinical Medical School, Beijing 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Guang Xu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Hongbo Wang
- Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Wenqing Mu
- Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Jincai Wen
- Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Medical Supplies Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Shuanglin Qin
- Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; School of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, China.
| | - Xiaohe Xiao
- Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China.
| | - Zhaofang Bai
- Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Huang J, Zhu Y, Li S, Jiang H, Chen N, Xiao H, Liu J, Liang D, Zheng Q, Tang J, Meng X. Licochalcone B confers protective effects against LPS-Induced acute lung injury in cells and mice through the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway. Redox Rep 2023; 28:2243423. [PMID: 37565601 PMCID: PMC10424628 DOI: 10.1080/13510002.2023.2243423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute lung injury (ALI) is a severe and often fatal pulmonary disease. Current treatments for ALI and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are limited. Natural product metabolites have shown promise as therapeutic alternatives. However, the effects of Licochalcone B (LCB) on ALI are largely unknown. METHODS We investigated the effects of LCB on lipopolysaccharide-challenged mice and human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells. Cell viability, apoptosis, and ROS production were assessed. Lung tissue histopathology and oxidative stress and inflammation markers were evaluated. Protein expression levels were measured. RESULTS LCB had no cytotoxic effects on cells and increased cell viability. It reduced apoptosis and ROS levels in cells. In mice with ALI, LCB decreased lung tissue weight and improved oxidative stress and inflammation markers. It also enhanced expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 while reducing Keap1. CONCLUSION LCB protects against LPS-induced acute lung injury in cells and mice. The Keap1/Nrf2 pathway may be involved in its protective effects. LCB shows potential as a strategy to alleviate ALI caused by LPS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ju Huang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu Zhu
- Chengdu sport university, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Songtao Li
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huanyu Jiang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Nianzhi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hang Xiao
- Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingwen Liu
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dan Liang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiao Zheng
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianyuan Tang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiangrui Meng
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Fang M, Su K, Wang X, Guan P, Hu X. Study on molecular mechanisms of destabilizing Aβ(1-42) protofibrils by licochalcone A and licochalcone B using molecular dynamics simulations. J Mol Graph Model 2023; 122:108500. [PMID: 37094420 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2023.108500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid-beta (Aβ) protofibrils are closely related to Alzheimer's disease. Their behaviors with or without the presence of Aβ fibrillization inhibitors have been intensively studied by molecular dynamics simulations. In this work, the molecular mechanisms of licochalcone A and licochalcone B on destabilizing Aβ(1-42) protofibrils are explored. It is found that both two licochalcones can disorder the configuration of the Aβ(1-42) protofibril. The stable interactions between the Aβ(1-42) protofibril and licochalcone A or licochalcone B are able to be formed. A reduction of the β-sheet structure contents and an increment of the random coil structures of Aβ(1-42) protofibril are observed in the presence of either licochalcone A or licochalcone B. The hydrogen bonds inside the Aβ(1-42) protofibril could be partially collapsed to varying degrees by two licochalcones. Furthermore, the van der Waals interactions between Aβ(1-42) protofibril and licochalcone A make an important contribution to the binding free energy, while the contribution of the electrostatic interactions between Aβ(1-42) protofibril and licochalcone B is more prominent in the binding affinity. Our work may help in the development of new drug candidates for disrupting the Aβ protofibril.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mei Fang
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China.
| | - Kehe Su
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China
| | - Ping Guan
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China.
| | - Xiaoling Hu
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Li Q, Feng H, Wang H, Wang Y, Mou W, Xu G, Zhang P, Li R, Shi W, Wang Z, Fang Z, Ren L, Wang Y, Lin L, Hou X, Dai W, Li Z, Wei Z, Liu T, Wang J, Guo Y, Li P, Zhao X, Zhan X, Xiao X, Bai Z. Licochalcone B specifically inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome by disrupting NEK7-NLRP3 interaction. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e53499. [PMID: 34882936 PMCID: PMC8811655 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202153499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The activation of the nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor (NLR) family, pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is related to the pathogenesis of a wide range of inflammatory diseases, but drugs targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome are still scarce. In the present study, we demonstrated that Licochalcone B (LicoB), a main component of the traditional medicinal herb licorice, is a specific inhibitor of the NLRP3 inflammasome. LicoB inhibits the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages but has no effect on the activation of AIM2 or NLRC4 inflammasome. Mechanistically, LicoB directly binds to NEK7 and inhibits the interaction between NLRP3 and NEK7, thus suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Furthermore, LicoB exhibits protective effects in mouse models of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated diseases, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced septic shock, MSU-induced peritonitis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Our findings indicate that LicoB is a specific NLRP3 inhibitor and a promising candidate for treating NLRP3 inflammasome-related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Li
- School of PharmacyFujian University of Traditional Chinese MedicineFuzhouChina,Department of HepatologyFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina,China Military Institute of Chinese MateriaFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Hui Feng
- Department of UltrasoundFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Hongbo Wang
- Department of HepatologyFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Yinghao Wang
- School of PharmacyFujian University of Traditional Chinese MedicineFuzhouChina
| | - Wenqing Mou
- China Military Institute of Chinese MateriaFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Guang Xu
- Department of HepatologyFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina,China Military Institute of Chinese MateriaFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Ping Zhang
- Department of HepatologyFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina,China Military Institute of Chinese MateriaFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Ruisheng Li
- Research Center for Clinical and Translational MedicineFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Wei Shi
- China Military Institute of Chinese MateriaFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Zhilei Wang
- China Military Institute of Chinese MateriaFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Zhie Fang
- China Military Institute of Chinese MateriaFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Lutong Ren
- China Military Institute of Chinese MateriaFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Yan Wang
- China Military Institute of Chinese MateriaFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Li Lin
- China Military Institute of Chinese MateriaFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Xiaorong Hou
- China Military Institute of Chinese MateriaFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Wenzhang Dai
- China Military Institute of Chinese MateriaFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Zhiyong Li
- China Military Institute of Chinese MateriaFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Ziying Wei
- China Military Institute of Chinese MateriaFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Tingting Liu
- China Military Institute of Chinese MateriaFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Jiabo Wang
- China Military Institute of Chinese MateriaFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Yuming Guo
- Department of HepatologyFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina,China Military Institute of Chinese MateriaFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Pengyan Li
- Department of HepatologyFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina,China Military Institute of Chinese MateriaFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Xu Zhao
- Department of HepatologyFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina,China Military Institute of Chinese MateriaFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Xiaoyan Zhan
- Department of HepatologyFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina,China Military Institute of Chinese MateriaFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Xiaohe Xiao
- School of PharmacyFujian University of Traditional Chinese MedicineFuzhouChina,Department of HepatologyFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina,China Military Institute of Chinese MateriaFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Zhaofang Bai
- Department of HepatologyFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina,China Military Institute of Chinese MateriaFifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhou B, Wang H, Zhang B, Zhang L. Licochalcone B attenuates neuronal injury through anti-oxidant effect and enhancement of Nrf2 pathway in MCAO rat model of stroke. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 100:108073. [PMID: 34454290 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.108073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Investigating anti-oxidant therapies that lead to the diminution of oxidative injury is priority in clinical. We herein aimed to explore whether and how Licochalcone B (Lico B) act as an anti-oxidant in the stroke model. METHODS Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was constructed as stroke model and exposed to various doses of Lico B. Behavioral tests and neurological behavior status were detected for neurological function examination. Histological staining was used for evaluating cerebral injury, and neuronal apoptosis or damage. Levels of oxidative stress and inflammation were also assessed by biochemical analysis and expression analysis. Nrf2 knockdown induced by lentiviral vector was used for the research on mechanism. RESULTS Lico B had improvement effects on cerebral infarction size, memory impairments, and neurological deficits after MCAO. Histological evaluation also revealed the amelioration of neuronal injury and apoptosis by Lico B, along with down-regulation of apoptosis-related proteins. Additionally, Lico B rescued the down-regulation of BDNF and NGF after MCAO. Moreover, Lico B suppressed the oxidative stress and inflammation, manifesting as the enhancement of SOD, GSH and IL-4, but the decline of MDA, iNOS, and TNF-α. Finally, Nrf2 knockdown reversed the Lico B-caused improvement in neuronal injury, apoptosis and oxidative stress levels. CONCLUSIONS The present study revealed the neuroprotective effects of Lico B in MCAO rats. Importantly, we proposed a potential mechanism that Lico B activated the Nrf2 pathway, thereby acting as anti-oxidant to attenuate neuronal injury and apoptosis after stroke. The proposed mechanism provided an encouraging possibility for anti-oxidant therapy of stroke.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baosheng Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Honglin Wang
- Department of Interventional Medicine, Dazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The people's hospital of Zhao Yuan city, Zhao Yuan, China
| | - Lianlian Zhang
- Department of Ultrasonography, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, The First people's Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng, Jiangsu Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wang J, Wang CY. Integrated miRNA and mRNA omics reveal the anti-cancerous mechanism of Licochalcone B on Human Hepatoma Cell HepG2. Food Chem Toxicol 2021; 150:112096. [PMID: 33647349 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
To unravel the potential of Licochalcone B as an anti-tumour phytochemical agent and evaluate its underlying mechanisms, we analyzed the mRNAs and miRNAs expression profiles of HepG2 cells in response to Licochalcone B (120 μM). mRNA and miRNA expression libraries were conducted and functional analysis for differential expression mRNAs was carried out utilizing Clue GO. We found 763 Licochalcone B -responsive differently expressed genes, among them, 572 mRNAs were up-regulated and 191 mRNAs were down-regulated, many of which were related to the MAPK signaling pathway. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed to discover the hub genes, and IL6, FOS, JUN, NOTCH1, UBC, UBB, CXCL8, CDKN1A, IL1B, ATF3, and GATA3 genes were screened out. Additionally, miRNAs engaged in Licochalcone B -mediated regulation on HepG2 cells were also studied. 85 differential expression miRNAs were identified, including 39 up-regulated miRNAs and 46 down-regulated miRNAs. Co-expression of miRNA-mRNA network was created and two key miRNAs (hsa-miR-29b-3p and hsa-miR-96-5p) were identified. These recognized key genes, miRNA, and the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network may provide clues to understand the molecular mechanism of Licochalcone B as an apoptotic inducer which may offer hint for its application as a functional food component.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- School of Biological Food and Environment, Hefei University, Hefei, 230601, China.
| | - Chu-Yan Wang
- School of Biological Food and Environment, Hefei University, Hefei, 230601, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Song M, Yoon G, Choi JS, Kim E, Liu X, Oh HN, Chae JI, Lee MH, Shim JH. Janus kinase 2 inhibition by Licochalcone B suppresses esophageal squamous cell carcinoma growth. Phytother Res 2020; 34:2032-2043. [PMID: 32144852 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the leading causes to cancer death in the worldwide and major population of EC is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Still, ESCC-targeted therapy has not been covered yet. In the present study we have identified that Licochalcone B (Lico B) inhibited the ESCC growth by directly blocking the Janus kinase (JAK) 2 activity and its downstream signaling pathway. Lico B suppressed KYSE450 and KYSE510 ESCC cell growth, arrested cell cycle at G2/M phase and induced apoptosis. Direct target of Lico B was identified by kinase assay and verified with in vitro and ex vivo binding. Computational docking model predicted for Lico B interaction to ATP-binding pocket of JAK2. Furthermore, treatment of JAK2 clinical medicine AZD1480 to ESCC cells showed similar tendency with Lico B. Thus, JAK2 downstream signaling proteins phosphorylation of STAT3 at Y705 and S727 as well as STAT3 target protein Mcl-1 expression was decreased with treatment of Lico B. Our results suggest that Lico B inhibits ESCC cell growth, arrests cell cycle and induces apoptosis, revealing the underlying mechanism involved in JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways after Lico B treatment. It might provide potential role of Lico B in the treatment of ESCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengqiu Song
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Goo Yoon
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Muan-gun, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon-Seok Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Daegu Catholic University, Gyeongsan-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunae Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Xuejiao Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ha-Na Oh
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Muan-gun, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Il Chae
- Department of Dental Pharmacology, School of Dentistry, BK21 Plus, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Mee-Hyun Lee
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, China.,College of Korean Medicine, Dongshin University, 85 Geonjae-ro, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do 58245, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hyun Shim
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Muan-gun, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sadek K, Abouzed T, Nasr S, Shoukry M. Licochalcone B Ameliorates Liver Cancer via Targeting of Apoptotic Genes, DNA Repair Systems, and Cell Cycle Control. Iran J Pharm Res 2020; 19:372-386. [PMID: 33841550 PMCID: PMC8019863 DOI: 10.22037/ijpr.2020.1101292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor-1 (APE1/Ref-1) is a ubiquitous multifunctional protein required in the DNA base excision repair pathway and a noteworthy reducing-oxidizing factor that regulates the activity of various transcription factors. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) assume a key role in directing the progression of the cell- cycle. The present study evaluated the synergistic efficacy of using licochalcone B (LCB) and fullerene C60 (FnC60) nanoparticles against diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocarcinoma in rats and relevant signaling pathways, with APE1/Ref-1 and CDK-4, as novel anti-cancer- targeting. LCB alone and in combination with FnC60 significantly decreased DNA fragmentation, oxidative DNA damage (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels), APE1/Ref-1, CDK-4, retinoblastoma, B- cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), B-cell lymphoma-xL (Bcl-xL), and β-arrestin-2 mRNA expression, and APE1/Ref-1 and CDK-4 protein expression. In contrast, these treatments significantly increased the expression of protein 53 (p53), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and caspase-3. These data suggest that LCB either alone or in combination with FnC60 elicited significant protective effects against DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis, which may have occurred because of the regulation of enzymes involved in DNA repair and cell-cycle control at S phase progression as well as the induction of apoptosis at the gene and protein expression levels. Furthermore, FnC60 potentiated the effect of LCB at the molecular level, possibly through targeting of cancerous cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kadry Sadek
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhur University, Egypt.
| | - Tarek Abouzed
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafr El-Sheikh University, Egypt.
| | - Sherif Nasr
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhur University, Egypt.
| | - Moustafa Shoukry
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafr El-Sheikh University, Egypt.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Oh HN, Lee MH, Kim E, Yoon G, Chae JI, Shim JH. Licochalcone B inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of human non-small-cell lung cancer cells by dual targeting of EGFR and MET. Phytomedicine 2019; 63:153014. [PMID: 31323446 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2019.153014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene alterations are associated with sensitization to tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as gefitinib in lung cancer. Some patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have difficulty in treating the cancer due to resistance acquired to gefitinib with MET amplification. Therefore EGFR and MET may be attractive targets for lung cancer therapy. PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the anti-cancer activity of Licochalcone (LC)B extracted from Glycyrrhiza inflata, in gefitinib-sensitive or gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cells, and to define its mechanisms. STUDY DESIGN We investigated the mechanism of action of LCB by targeting EGFR and MET in human NSCLC cells. METHODS We used the HCC827 and HCC827GR lines as gefitinib-sensitive and -resistant cells respectively, and determined the effects of LCB on both, by performing cell proliferation assay, flow cytometry analysis and Western blotting. Targets of LCB were identified by pull-down/kinase assay and molecular docking simulation. RESULTS LCB inhibited both EGFR and MET kinase activity by directly binding to their ATP-binding pockets. The ability of this interaction was verified by computational docking and molecular dynamics simulations. LCB suppressed viability and colony formation of both HCC827 and HCC827GR cells while exhibiting no cytotoxicity to normal cells. The induction of G2/M cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis by LCB was confirmed by Annexin V/7-AAD double staining, ER stress and reactive oxygen species induction, mitochondrial membrane potential loss and caspase activation as well as related-proteins regulation. Inhibition of EGFR and MET by LCB decreased ERBB3 and AKT axis activation. CONCLUSION We provide insights into the LCB-mediated mechanisms involved in reducing cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis in NSCLC cells. This occurs through dual inhibition of EGFR and MET in NSCLC cells regardless of their sensitivity or resistance to gefitinib. LCB may be a promising novel therapeutic medicine for gefitinib-sensitive or resistant NSCLC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ha-Na Oh
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam 58554, Republic of Korea
| | - Mee-Hyun Lee
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan 450008, PR China; Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, PR China
| | - Eunae Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea
| | - Goo Yoon
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam 58554, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Il Chae
- Department of Dental Pharmacology, School of Dentistry and Institute of Oral Bioscience, BK21 Plus, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jung-Hyun Shim
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam 58554, Republic of Korea; China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan 450008, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Teng H, Chen M, Zou A, Jiang H, Han J, Sun L, Feng C, Liu J. Hepatoprotective effects of licochalcone B on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver toxicity in mice. Iran J Basic Med Sci 2016; 19:910-915. [PMID: 27746874 PMCID: PMC5048128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of licochalcone B (LCB) in a mice model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Hepatotoxicity was induced in mice by a single subcutaneous injection (SC) of CCl4. The LCB was administered orally once a day for seven days (PO) as pretreatment at three doses of 1, 5, and 25 mg/kg/day. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were analyzed by ELISA. The protein expression degrees of p38 mitogen activated protein kinases (p38) and nuclear factor-k-gene binding (NF-κB) were assayed by western blotting. RESULTS CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity was manifested by an increase in the levels of ALT, AST, MDA, IL-6, CRP, and TNF-ɑ, and a decrease in the SOD level and GSH/GSSG ratio in the serum. The histopathological examination of the liver sections revealed necrosis and inflammatory reactions. Pretreatment with LCB decreased the levels of ALT, AST, MDA, GSSG, IL-6, CRP, TNF-ɑ, and the protein expression of p38 and NF-κB, increased the level of SOD and GSH, and normalized the hepatic histo-architecture. CONCLUSION LCB protected the liver from CCl4-induced injury. Protection may be due to inhibition of p38 and NFκB signaling, which subsequently reduced inflammation in the liver.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haifeng Teng
- Weihai Municipal Hospital, China,Corresponding author: Haifeng Teng. Weihai Municipal Hospital, China. Tel: 15856439807;
| | - Meng Chen
- Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Laishan Branch, China
| | - Ansheng Zou
- Yantai City Hospital for Infectious Diseases, China
| | - Haili Jiang
- Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Jichun Han
- Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, China
| | | | | | - Ju Liu
- Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Yuan X, Li T, Xiao E, Zhao H, Li Y, Fu S, Gan L, Wang Z, Zheng Q, Wang Z. Licochalcone B inhibits growth of bladder cancer cells by arresting cell cycle progression and inducing apoptosis. Food Chem Toxicol 2013; 65:242-51. [PMID: 24384411 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2013.12.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2013] [Revised: 11/21/2013] [Accepted: 12/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
To examine the mechanisms by which licochalcone B (LCB) inhibits the proliferation of human malignant bladder cancer cell lines (T24 and EJ) in vitro and antitumor activity in vivo in MB49 (murine bladder cancer cell line) tumor model. Exposure of T24 or EJ cells to LCB significantly inhibited cell lines proliferation in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner, and resulted in S phase arrest in T24 or EJ cells, respectively. LCB treatment decreased the expression of cyclin A, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK1 and CDK2) mRNA, cell division cycle 25 (Cdc25A and Cdc25B) protein. In addition, LCB treatment down-regulated Bcl-2 and survivin expression, enhanced Bax expression, activated caspase-3 and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein. Consistently, the tumorigenicity of LCB-treated MB49 cells was limited significantly by using the colony formation assay in vitro and the MB49 tumor model performed in C57BL/6 mice in vivo. These findings provide support for the use of LCB in chemoprevention and bladder cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Yuan
- Institute of Urology, Second Hospital, Lanzhou University, 730030 Lanzhou, China
| | - Tao Li
- Institute of Urology, Second Hospital, Lanzhou University, 730030 Lanzhou, China
| | - Erlong Xiao
- Institute of Urology, Second Hospital, Lanzhou University, 730030 Lanzhou, China
| | - Hong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic Phytomedicine Resources, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shihezi University, 832002 Shihezi, China
| | - Yongqian Li
- Institute of Urology, Second Hospital, Lanzhou University, 730030 Lanzhou, China
| | - Shengjun Fu
- Institute of Urology, Second Hospital, Lanzhou University, 730030 Lanzhou, China
| | - Lu Gan
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 730000 Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhenhua Wang
- Life Science School, Yantai University, 264000 Yantai, China
| | - Qiusheng Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic Phytomedicine Resources, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shihezi University, 832002 Shihezi, China; Life Science School, Yantai University, 264000 Yantai, China.
| | - Zhiping Wang
- Institute of Urology, Second Hospital, Lanzhou University, 730030 Lanzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|