Journal of Natural Medicines
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2025
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IF 2.5
Zhou Yue,Li Yiran,Yang Zhenzhong,Zhao Lu,Wang Yule
Blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction is a well-established pathological phenotype of ischemic stroke, and targeting BBB integrity has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. Danshen-Chuanxiong formula (DS-CX), an effective herbal combination against ischemic stroke, has demonstrated regulatory effects on the BBB at various stages of ischemic stroke. However, its specific BBB-protective components and underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Recent advances in multicellular self-assembled BBB spheroids have shown distinct advantages in disease modeling and drug discovery, offering a novel approach to address these questions. To simulate ischemic stroke-induced BBB dysfunction, we developed an oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-induced BBB disruption model using multicellular spheroids. To identify the effective substances of DS-CX responsible for BBB protection, we conducted a multi-parametric evaluation to assess BBB permeability, tight junctions, cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, inflammatory markers, and apoptotic phenotypes using high-content imaging. Further immunofluorescence and transcription analyses were performed to elucidate the BBB-protective mechanisms of DS-CX and its active components. Similar to the overall effects of DS-CX on BBB protection, preliminary screening fortunately found that both protocatechuic acid, ferulic acid, and senkyunolide I significantly reduced OGD/R-induced leakage, and upregulated the protein and mRNA levels of ZO-1 and Claudin-5 in BBB spheroids. Further multi-phenotypic assessments manifested that DS-CX and its active compounds effectively improved cell survival, reduced ROS production, inhibited inflammation, and decreased apoptosis, compared to the damaged BBB spheroids without drug intervention. Molecular experiments showed that DS-CX and its active constituents not only rescued the abnormal protein levels of pivotal targets related to oxidative stress (HO-1), inflammation (MMP-9, TLR-4), and apoptosis (Caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2) in OGD/R-treated BBB spheroids, but also normalized the dysregulated mRNA levels of vWF, HO-1, MMP-9, TLR-4, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-18 caused by OGD/R stimulation. Collectively, the present work successfully identified protocatechuic acid, ferulic acid, and senkyunolide I as key BBB-protective components of DS-CX against ischemic stroke. These compounds likely exert their therapeutic effects through multi-target regulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Our findings provide a novel spheroid-based multi-parametric screening approach for discovering BBB-targeted therapies in ischemic stroke. Graphical abstract
研究领域:
神经生物学
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药理学
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中医学
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分子生物学
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转化医学
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药物筛选
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Frontiers in Pharmacology
·
2026
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IF 5.4
Yanqing Wu,Xilin Qiao,Shuaiyu Chen,Yalan Lu,Bingyan Mao,Mengdie Zhu,Xinzhi Chen,Nipi Chen,Zhishan Ding,Bo Jin
Introduction MicroRNA-29b-3p (miR-29b-3p) plays a critical role in regulating endothelial apoptosis and autophagy. We previously demonstrated that protocatechualdehyde (PCA), a water-soluble phenolic acid derived from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge., protects human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-induced injury. However, whether miR-29b-3p mediates this protective effect remains unclear. Methods Using the OGD/R in vitro model of ischemia-reperfusion injury, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying ischemic damage at the cellular level. RT-qPCR was used to measure miR-29b-3p expression, Western blotting to assess autophagy- and apoptosis-related proteins, and MDC staining and flow cytometry to evaluate autophagy and apoptosis, respectively. Results The results showed that miR-29b-3p was downregulated in OGD/R-treated HUVECs, an effect that was reversed by PCA and the ROS inhibitor N-acetylcysteine (NAC). The miR-29b-3p mimic enhanced the promoting effects of PCA and NAC on miR-29b-3p expression, whereas miR-29b-3p inhibitor reversed these effects. Similarly, PCA-induced autophagy and inhibition of apoptosis were enhanced by the miR-29b-3p mimic and reversed by the inhibitor. To determine whether SIRT1 acts downstream of miR-29b-3p, we used EX527 (a SIRT1 inhibitor) and found that it attenuated the PCA-mediated upregulation of miR-29b-3p. The miR-29b-3p mimic enhanced PCA-induced SIRT1 activity and protein expression, while the inhibitor had the opposite effect. Additional experiments revealed that NAC suppressed ROS by upregulating miR-29b-3p, leading to increased SIRT1 expression and reduced apoptosis. Disscussion Collectively, these findings demonstrate that PCA ameliorates OGD/R-induced endothelial injury by promoting autophagy and inhibiting apoptosis via the ROS/miR-29b-3p/SIRT1 regulatory axis.
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PubMed
高影响因子
MOLECULES
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2019
·Vol. 24
·期 19
·3624
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IF 3.06
Guangyun Wang,Tiezheng Wang,Yuanyuan Zhang,Fang Li,Boyang Yu,Junping Kou
The neuroprotective role of schizandrin (SA) in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) was recently highlighted. However, whether SA plays a regulatory role on autophagy in cerebral I/R injury is still unclear. This study aimed to explore whether the neuroprotective mechanisms of SA were linked to its regulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/autophagy pathway in vivo and in vitro. The present study confirmed that SA significantly improved oxygen-glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation (OGD/R)-induced PC12 cells injury. The results of immunoblotting and confocal microscope showed that SA decreased autophagy in OGD/R-injured PC12 cells, which was reflected by the decreased Beclin-1 and LC3-II expression, autophagy flux level, and LC3 puncta formation. In addition, the autophagy inducer rapamycin partially prevented the effects of SA on cell viability and autophagy after OGD/R, whereas the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) exerted the opposite effect. The results of Western blotting showed that SA markedly decreased the phosphorylation of AMPK (p-AMPK), whereas the phosphor-mTOR (p-mTOR) levels increased in the presence of OGD/R insult. Furthermore, pretreatment with the AMPK inducer AICAR partially reversed the protective effects and autophagy inhibition of SA. However, AMPK inhibitor Compound C pretreatment further promoted the inhibition of SA on autophagy induction and cell damage induced by OGD/R. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that SA protects against OGD/R insult by inhibiting autophagy through the regulation of the AMPK-mTOR pathway and that SA may have therapeutic value for protecting neurons from cerebral ischemia.Keywords:OGD/R;autophagy;AMPK/mTOR;schizandrin;ischemic stroke
研究领域:
神经科学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
CURRENT NEUROVASCULAR RESEARCH
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2025
·Vol. 22
·期 1
·70-85
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IF 1.7
Ziteng Yang,Yuanqi Zuo,Guangyun Wang,Ning Wang
Introduction: The endothelial barrier is composed of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) and tight junction (TJ) proteins. Musk is a valuable ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is used in the treatment of stroke because of its ability to induce resuscitation. The core component of musk is muscone. Previous studies have evidenced that muscone may be involved in the treatment of ischemic stroke (IS), but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. The main objective of this study was to explore the protective effect of muscone on OGD/R-induced endothelial barrier disruption and determine its underlying mechanism. Methods: OGD/R-induced damage to BMECs was assessed using the MTT and LDH assays. The apoptosis level in BMECs was determined using western blot and Hoechst staining. Western blot, immunofluorescence, and phalloidin staining were used to assess the expressions of TJ proteins and pathway proteins expression. A monolayer cell barrier was constructed using BMECs in vitro, and the permeability of the barrier was assessed by TEER as well as the transmissivity of sodium fluorescein. Molecular docking, DARTS, and CETSA were used to verify the regulatory effect of muscone on the pathway. Results: Muscone reduced OGD/R-induced apoptosis of BMEC cells, inhibited the degradation of TJ proteins, promoted the coherent expression of ZO-1 on the membrane, and restored TEER. Mechanistic studies showed that H-89 reversed the promoting effects of muscone on pathway proteins and promoted the disassembly of the actin cytoskeleton, which, in turn, promotes BMEC apoptosis and TJ protein degradation, ultimately disrupting the endothelial barrier. Discussion: The inhibition of BMEC apoptosis and improvement of endothelial barrier damage by muscone may be an important mechanism for treating ischemic stroke. Conclusion: We demonstrated that muscone could reduce OGD/R-induced hyperpermeability of the brain endothelial barrier by activating the PKA/RHOA/MLC pathway.
研究领域:
神经科学
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药理学
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中医中药
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细胞生物学
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Jove-Journal of Visualized Experiments
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2017
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IF 1.232
Yanrong Zheng,Zhe Shen,Xiaoli Wu,Lei Jiang,Weiwei Hu,Zhong Chen,Xiangnan Zhang
Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide, with limited therapeutic approaches. As an endogenous strategy for neuroprotection, postconditioning treatments have proven to be promising therapies against cerebral ischemia. However, complicated procedures and potential safety issues limit their clinical application. To overcome these disadvantages, we have developed acidic postconditioning (APC) as a therapy for experimental focal cerebral ischemia. APC refers to the mild acidosis treatment by inhaling CO2 during reperfusion following ischemia. Here we present two models to execute APC in vitro and in vivo, respectively. The oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) treatment of mice and the corticostriatal occlusion and middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) of mice were employed to mimic cerebral ischemia. APC can be simply achieved by transferring brain slices to acidic buffer bubbled with 20% CO2, or by mice inhaling 20% CO2. APC showed significant protective effects against cerebral ischemia, as reflected by tissue viability and brain infarct volume.
研究领域:
神经科学
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医学
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实验生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
MICROCIRCULATION
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2020
·Vol. 28
·期 4
·e12675
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IF 2.11
Qingbo Shao,Jing Xia,Pinwen Wu,Jiazhou Ying
Background Dexmedetomidine (Dex) exerts an effective therapeutic role in numerous diseases associated with ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury via its anti‑apoptosis properties. Therefore, this study explores the cardioprotective effects of Dex in cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) in response to oxygen-glucose deprivation and re-oxygenation (OGD/R) injury and its potential mechanism. Material and methods CMECs were pretreatment with different concentration of Dex, then exposed to OGD/R. Cell viability was measured with CCK-8 assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry, and apoptosis-related protein was determined by Western blot. Autophagy was assessed by transmission electron microscopy and autophagy-related proteins. Besides, the role peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARδ) in Dex-mediated anti-apoptosis property was validated with agonist and antagonist. Results OGD/R significantly decreased cell viability, increased reactive oxygen species, caused disorder of autophagy, and increased apoptosis in CMECs. Dex enhanced the viability of the OGD/R-treated CMECs and effectively decreased reactive oxygen species production. Autophagy in CMECs was activated by Dex, as evidenced by the increase in the ratio of LC3B-II/I, expression level of Beclin1 and number of autophagosomes in the OGD/R-induced CMECs. The mechanistic investigation indicated that PPARδ antagonist GW501516 aggravated cell damage following OGD/R, while PPARδ agonist GW6471 partly abolished the Dex-mediated protective effects. Conclusions Dex activated the PPARδ-AMPK-PGC-1α pathway-mediated autophagy in CMECs, therefore to inhibit excessive apoptosis induced by OGD/R. Dex may potentially be a therapeutic intervention for myocardial I/R injury.
研究领域:
心脏病学
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药理学
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细胞生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
NEUROPHARMACOLOGY
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2019
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IF 4.367
Xin-Chun Zhang,Ai-Ping Gu,Chun-Ye Zheng,Ying-Bin Li,Hong-Feng Liang,Hua-Jun Wang,Xia-Lin Tang,Xiao-Xin Bai,Jun Cai
Yin-Yang 1 (YY1) has been identified as playing critical roles in multiple diseases . However, little is known regarding its roles and mechanisms in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. This study is aimed to explore the roles of YY1 in regulating neuronal apoptosis in cerebral I/R injury and its underlying mechanisms. Primary mouse cerebral cortical neurons were isolated and subjected to OGD/R to mimic cerebral I/R injury in vitro . The roles of YY1 on OGD/R-induced neuronal injury were investigated by performing western blotting , quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, TUNEL , RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation , chromatin immunoprecipitation, chromatin isolation by RNA purification assay, glucose uptake assay, lactate production assay, and extracellular acidification rate assay. YY1-binding long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) in neurons subjected to OGD/R were identified by RIP and RNA sequencing . The roles of YY1 on cerebral I/R in vivo were detected by assessing neuronbehaviour, infarct size, and neuronal apoptosis. We found that YY1 expression is downregulated, and LncRNA GAS5 is upregulated in neurons subjected to OGD/R. OGD/R treatment promotes YY1 interacting with GAS5 in neurons, and YY1 negatively regulates GAS5 expression by binding to GAS5 promoter to repress its transcription. Besides, YY1 and GAS5 bind to the same region of PFKFB3 promoter to promote PFKFB3 expression and strengthen neuronal glycolysis, resulting in aggravating OGD/R-induced neuronal apoptosis. Knockdown of YY1 or GAS5 protects against I/R-induced ischemic brain damage and improves overall neurological functions in vivo. Overall, YY1 interacts with LncRNA GAS5 to promote PFKFB3 transcription to enhance neuronal glycolysis, resulting in aggravating cerebral I/R injury.
研究领域:
神经科学
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分子生物学
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细胞生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
BRAIN RESEARCH BULLETIN
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2023
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IF 3.8
Yushuang Liu,Hanshu Zhao,Nan Chen,Yuelong Li,Zeyang Zheng,Zhiyu Sun,Zhongling Zhang
Mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress occur in ischemic stroke. The disruption of these two organelles can directly lead to cell death through various signaling pathways. Thus, investigation of the associated molecular mechanisms in cerebral ischemia is a prerequisite for stroke treatment. Pleckstrin homology-like domain family A member 1 (PHLDA1) is a multifunctional protein that can modulate mitochondrial function and ER stress in cardiomyocyte and cancer cells. This work studied the role of PHLDA1 in cerebral ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury and explored the underlying mechanisms associated with mitochondrial functions and ER stress. Middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R)-treated mice and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-stimulated neurons were used as I/R models in vivo and in vitro, respectively. PHLDA1 was upregulated in ischemic penumbra of MCAO/R-induced mice and OGD/R-exposed neurons. In vitro , PHLDA1 knockdown protected neurons from OGD/R-induced apoptosis. In vivo , PHLDA1 silencing facilitated functional recovery and reduced cerebral infarct volume. Mechanistically, PHLDA1 knockdown promoted PPARγ nuclear translocation, which may mediate the effects on reversion of mitochondrial functions and alleviation of ER stress. In summary, PHLDA1 knockdown alleviates neuronal ischemic injuries in mice. PPARγ activation and mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress attenuation are involved in the underlying mechanisms.
研究领域:
神经科学
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分子生物学
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细胞生物学
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药理学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Journal of Functional Foods
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2023
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IF 5.6
Qiang Yin,Ran Yan,Yan Wang,Jia Yu
Gatrodin is an active compound with cardio-protective potentials. In the current study, the mechanism underlying the effects of gastrodin was explored. Myocardial infarction was induced and handled with gastrodin. The role of miR-30a-5p and its downstream effector, ATG5, in the cardio-protective effects of gastrodin was verified. Gastrodin induced the dys-expresseion of 72 miRs in oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD) cardiomyocytes and miR-30a-5p was selected as the potential therapeutic target. Gastrodin increased viability and suppressed autophagy in OGD cardiomyocytes, which was associated with the induction of miR-30a-5p and deactivation of ATG5. In rat models, gastrodin attenuated structure deterioration and dysfunction in heart, and suppressed autophagy. At molecular level, miR-30a-5p was induced and ATG5 were down-regulated. After the suppression of miR-30a-5p or the overexpression of ATG5, the cardio-protective effects of gastrodin were compromised. Gastrodin induced the expression of miR-30a-5p, which contributed to the attenuation of autophagy in infarcted heart tissues.
研究领域:
药理学
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心脏病学
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分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
NEUROSCIENCE
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2024
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IF 2.9
Xinyue Zhang,Xiao Wang,Le Yin,Dan Wang,Hong Jiao,Xiaodan Liu,Jiaolin Zheng
HECT domain and Ankyrin repeat-containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (HACE1) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase involving oxidative stress, an important contributor in cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury (CIRI). It was proposed to be associated with the PI3K/AKT pathway and Nrf2 nuclear translocation, which are important players of oxidative stress. Therefore, we supposed that HACE1 might affect CIRI by regulating the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 pathway. Here, we used the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion-reperfusion (tMCAO/R) model to induce CIRI in rats and found lower HACE1 expression in ischemic rats compared with the control. To explore the exact role of HACE1, the lentivirus vector carrying the HACE1 sequence was administrated to rats by intracerebroventricular injection (1 × 10 9 TU/mL, 9 μL) one week before tMCAO/R operation. HACE1 overexpression alleviated tMCAO/R-induced brain damage in rats. Further studies revealed that it reduced oxidative stress via activating the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 pathway, thereby inhibiting neuronal apoptosis in the ischemic penumbra of rats with CIRI. Then, differentiated PC12 cells were cultured in oxygen-glucose deprivation-reoxygenation (OGD/R) conditions (OGD: 1 % O 2 , 94 % N2, and 5 % CO 2 ; R: normal atmosphere) to simulate CIRI in vitro . Similarly, HACE1 overexpression inhibited neuronal apoptosis caused by OGD/R treatment. The PI3K inhibitor LY294002 reversed the inhibitory effects of HACE1 overexpression on oxidative stress in OGD/R-injured cells, accompanied by the inactivated AKT/Nrf2 pathway. Altogether, our results suggest that HACE1 protects against oxidative stress-induced neuronal apoptosis in CIRI by activating the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 pathway, providing a new insight into the CIRI treatment.
研究领域:
神经科学
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分子生物学
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细胞生物学
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药理学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
PHYTOMEDICINE
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2024
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IF 6.7
Ji Liu,Ying Han,Zhiyun Wu,Manli Chen,Wenwen Wu,Zijun Zhao,Jinjin Yuan,Zhijian Zheng,Qiang Lin,Nan Liu,Hongbin Chen
Background Perilladehyde, an extract of perillae in the Labiatae family, can produce significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Although literature evidences the favorable effect of perillaldehyde on ischemic stroke, the exact mechanism remains blurred. Purpose This study attempted to explore the impact of perillaldehyde on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and the related action mechanism. Methods The rat tMCAO and neuronal OGD/R models were established to simulate cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Lentiviruses were used to interfere with the expression of Nrf2 and Trx2 in neurons. The effects and action mechanisms of perillaldehyde were explored by various experimental methods, including chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, Western Blot, flow cytometry, dual-luciferase reporter gene assay, transmission electron microscopy, MRI, RNA-seq, and immunofluorescence staining. Results Perillaldehyde pretreatment effectively mitigated the tMCAO-induced brain injury in rats by reducing cerebral infarction, improving neuromotor function, and attenuating cell apoptosis in the ischemic penumbra. In vitro, perillaldehyde pretreatment alleviated cell death and excessive oxidative stress, preserved the mitochondrial membrane integrity, enhanced mitochondrial energy metabolism, and facilitated the restoration of mitochondrial ultrastructure after OGD/R. The mechanism probe revealed that perillaldehyde activated the Nrf2/Keap1/Trx2 signaling axis, thus promoting the transcription of Trx2 and improving mitochondrial structure and function. The aforementioned impacts of perillaldehyde were somewhat counteracted by disrupting the expression of Nrf2 and Trx2, suggesting that the neuroprotection of perillaldehyde partially involves the activation of the Nrf2/Keap1/Trx2 axis. Conclusions This study firstly demonstrates the existence of the Nrf2/Keap1/Trx2 signaling axis in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and evidences that perillaldehyde pretreatment can promote the restoration of neuronal mitochondrial structure and function by activating the Nrf2/Keap1/Trx2 axis after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. These findings signify that perillaldehyde holds great promises for clinical management of ischemic stroke.
研究领域:
神经科学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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医学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
·
2021
·
IF 5.858
Xiaodan Tan,Wenjia Guo,Zhe Peng,Chao Gu,Pu Xiang,Yujun Tu,Huizhi Fei,Xia Liu,Yi Lu,Miaomiao Li,Hong Wang,Ying Luo,Junqing Yang
Based on the previous studies, this study was carried out to explore the interaction of LncRNA-Malat1/miR-211-5p in cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (CIRI). Firstly, the expression changes of LncRNA-MALAT1 and miR-211-5p in ischemia patients’ blood were determined, and the binding sites of them were predicted by bioinformatics. Furthermore, middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) injury model was established in adult male SD rats , and primary neuronal oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygen-glucose reoxygenation (OGD/R) was established in vitro. The results showed that LncRNA-MALAT1 was significantly up-regulated and miR-211-5p down-regulated in the peripheral blood of patients with ischemic stroke, and the expression changes were negatively correlated. Bioinformatics prediction results showed that LncRNA-MALAT1 had a binding site with miR-211-5p. We also found that LncRNA-Malat1 was significantly up-regulated while miR-211-5p down-regulated in rat cortex tissue and primary neurons treated with OGD/R. In addition, lentivirus interfered with LV-Malat1-RNAi decreased the expression of LncRNA-Malat1 and promoted the up-regulation of miR-211-5p. Combination of LV-Malat1-RNAi and miR-211-5p inhibitor significantly reversed the protective effect of down-regulation of LncRNA-Malat1. Inhibition of LncRNA-Malat1 expression alleviated the neurological deficit score after MCAO/R, improved histopathological damage, and reduced the size of cerebral infarction . Combined administration of LV-Malat1-RNAi + Antagomir-211-5p reversed these effects above. In short, our data suggest that LncRNA-Malat is involved in the occurrence and development of cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury by acting on miR-211-5p and is then regulating the expression of COX-2.
研究领域:
神经科学
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分子生物学
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医学遗传学
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
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