PLoS One
·
2016
·Vol. 11
·期 4
·e0152371
·
IF 3.057
Wei Jiang,Tao Luo,Sheng Li,Yue Zhou,Xiu-Yin Shen,Feng He,Jie Xu,Hua-Qiao Wang
Increasing evidence shows that oxidative stress and the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein play essential roles in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Quercetin is a major flavonoid that has anti-oxidant, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated the neuroprotective effects of quercetin to HT22 cells (a cell line from mouse hippocampal neurons). We found that Okadaic acid (OA) induced the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein at Ser199, Ser396, Thr205, and Thr231 and produced oxidative stress to the HT22 cells. The oxidative stress suppressed the cell viability and decreased the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) and Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). It up-regulated malondialdehyde (MDA) production and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, phosphoinositide 3 kinase/protein kinase B/Glycogen synthase kinase3β (PI3K/Akt/GSK3β) and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) were also involved in this process. We found that pre-treatment with quercetin can inhibited OA-induced the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein and oxidative stress. Moreover, pre-treatment with quercetin not only inhibited OA-induced apoptosis via the reduction of Bax, and up-regulation of cleaved caspase 3, but also via the inhibition of PI3K/Akt/GSK3β, MAPKs and activation of NF-κB p65. Our findings suggest the therapeutic potential of quercetin to treat AD.
研究领域:
神经科学
·
药理学
·
细胞生物学
·
分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
·
2024
·
IF 5.7
Ya-wei Lu,Li-ya Xie,Meng-han Qi,Shen Ren,Yue-qi Wang,Jun-nan Hu,Zi Wang,Shan Tang,Jing-tian Zhang,Wei Li
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the ameliorative effect of platycodin D (PD) on cognitive dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its potential molecular mechanisms of action in vivo and in vitro. Materials and methods: An animal model of cognitive impairment in T2DM was established using a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (100 mg/kg) after 8 weeks of feeding a high-fat diet to C57BL/6 mice. In vitro, immunofluorescence staining and Western blot were employed to analyze the effects of PD on glucose-induced neurotoxicity in mouse hippocampal neuronal cells (HT22). Results: PD (2.5 mg/kg) treatment for 4 weeks significantly suppressed the rise in fasting blood glucose in T2DM mice, improved insulin secretion deficiency, and reversed abnormalities in serum triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein levels. Meanwhile, PD ameliorated choline dysfunction in T2DM mice and inhibited the production of oxidative stress and apoptosis-related proteins of the caspase family. Notably, PD dose-dependently prevents the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, promotes phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase and protein kinase B (Akt) in vitro, activates glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) expression at the Ser9 site, and inhibits Tau protein hyperphosphorylation. Conclusions: These findings clearly indicated that PD could alleviate the neurological damage caused by T2DM, and the phosphorylation of Akt at Ser473 may be the key to its effect.
研究领域:
药理学
·
神经科学
·
糖尿病研究
·
分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
·
2017
·
IF 4.581
Jinhua Hu,Zhao Mao,Shuangcheng He,Yuanran Zhan,Rui Ning,Wei Liu,Bingfang Yan,Jian Yang
Osteoporosis is a serious public health concern worldwide. Herba epimedii has been used for centuries and even thousands of years to treat osteoporotic conditions. Icariin , a flavonol glycoside , is one of the major active ingredients. In this study, we have shown that icariin protected against glucocorticoid-induced osteoporotic changes in SaoS-2 cells and mice. We have also shown that dexamethasone (a glucocorticoid) suppressed and icariin induced DEC1, a structurally distinct helix-loop-helix protein. DEC1 overexpression promoted whereas DEC1 knockdown decreased osteogenic activity. Likewise, DEC1 overexpression and knockdown inversely regulated the expression of β-catenin and PIK3CA, an essential player in the Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, respectively. Interestingly, DKK1, an inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibitor, and LY294002 , an inhibitor of PI3K/Akt signaling, abolished the induction of DEC1 by icariin. It is established that these two pathways are interconnected by the phosphorylation status of GSK3β. Dexamethasone decreased but icariin increased GSK3β phosphorylation. Finally, DEC1 deficient mice developed osteoporotic phenotypes. Taken together, it is concluded that DEC1 likely supports the action of icariin against glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis with an involvement of the PI3K/Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin integrated signaling pathway.
研究领域:
药理学
·
分子生物学
·
细胞生物学
·
内分泌学
·
骨生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Frontiers in Pharmacology
·
2024
·
IF 4.4
Huang Yuechang,Zhang Xingmin,Li Qian,Zheng Wende,Wu Panpan,Wu Rihui,Chen Wen-Hua,Li Chen
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is regarded as a chronic metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia. Long-term hyperglycemia may result in oxidative stress, damage pancreatic β-cell function and induce insulin resistance. Herein we explored the anti-hypoglycemic effects and mechanisms of action of N-p-coumaroyloctopamine (N-p-CO) in vitro and in vivo. N-p-CO exhibited high antioxidant activity, as indicated by the increased activity of SOD, GSH and GSH-Px in HL-7702 cells induced by both high glucose (HG) and palmitic acid (PA). N-p-CO treatment significantly augmented glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis in HG/PA-treated HL-7702 cells. Moreover, administration of N-p-CO in diabetic mice induced by both high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ) not only significantly increased the antioxidant levels of GSH-PX, SOD and GSH, but also dramatically alleviated hyperglycemia and hepatic glucose metabolism in a dose-dependent manner. More importantly, N-p-CO upregulated the expressions of PI3K, AKT and GSK3β proteins in both HG/PA-induced HL-7702 cells and HFD/STZ-induced mice. These findings clearly suggest that N-p-CO exerts anti-hypoglycemic and anti-oxidant effects, most probably via the regulation of a PI3K/AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway. Thus, N-p-CO may have high potentials as a new candidate for the prevention and treatment of diabetes.
研究领域:
药理学
·
内分泌学
·
代谢性疾病
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Chinese Medicine
·
2022
·Vol. 17
·期 1
·1-21
·
IF 4.546
Huang Qianqian,Zhang Chen,Dong Shi,Han Junwen,Qu Sihao,Xie Tianshu,Zhao Haibin,Shi Yuanyuan
Background Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a serious neurodegenerative disease and there is currently no effective treatment for AD progression. The use of TCM as a potential treatment strategy for AD is an evolving field of investigation. Asafoetida (ASF), an oleo-gum-resin isolated from Ferula assa-foetida root, has been proven to possess antioxidative potential and neuroprotective effects, which is closely associated with the neurological disorders. However, the efficacy and further mechanisms of ASF in AD experimental models are still unclear. Methods A cognitive impairment of mouse model induced by scopolamine was established to determine the neuroprotective effects of ASF in vivo , as shown by behavioral tests, biochemical assays, Nissl staining, TUNEL staining, Immunohistochemistry, western blot and qPCR. Furthermore, the PC12 cells stimulated by H 2 O 2 were applied to explore the underlying mechanisms of ASF-mediated efficacy. Then, the UPLCM analysis and integrated network pharmacology approach was utilized to identified the main constitutes of ASF and the potential target of ASF against AD, respectively. And the main identified targets were validated in vitro by western blot, qPCR and immunofluorescence staining. Results In vivo , ASF treatment significantly ameliorated cognitive impairment induced by scopolamine, as evidenced by improving learning and memory abilities, and reducing neuronal injury, cholinergic system impairment, oxidative stress and apoptosis in the hippocampus of mice. In vitro , our results validated that ASF can dose-dependently attenuated H 2 O 2 -induced pathological oxidative stress in PC12 cells by inhibiting ROS and MDA production, as well as promoting the activities of SOD, CAT, GSH. We also found that ASF can significantly suppressed the apoptosis rate of PC12 cells increased by H 2 O 2 exposure, which was confirmed by flow cytometry analysis. Moreover, treatment with ASF obviously attenuated H 2 O 2 -induced increase in caspase-3 and Bax expression levels, as well as decrease in Bcl-2 protein expression. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that the PI3K/Akt/GSK3β/Nrf2 /HO-1pathway may be involved in the regulation of cognitive impairment by ASF. The results of western blot, qPCR and immunofluorescence staining of vitro assay proved it. Conclusions Collectively, our work first uncovered the significant neuroprotective effect of ASF in treating AD in vivo . Then, we processed a series of vitro experiments to clarify the biological mechanism action. These data demonstrate that ASF can inhibit oxidative stress induced neuronal apoptosis to foster the prevention of AD both in vivo and in vitro , and it may exert the function of inhibiting AD through PI3K/Akt/GSK3β/Nrf2/HO-1pathway.
研究领域:
神经科学
·
药理学
·
分子生物学
·
细胞生物学
·
中药学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY
·
2026
·
IF 3.7
Shi Chenjun,Lu Conghua,Lin Caiyu,Lian Shaopan,Luo Huanyu,You Ziyin,Li Li
Defective alveolar re-epithelialization following acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) represents a critical barrier to clinical recovery. Intrinsic signals that could be harnessed to speed this repair remain poorly defined. Endogenous electric fields (EFs) arise immediately after epithelial injury and are recognized as mediators of cell migration and morphogenesis, but their impact on lung epithelial proliferation is unknown. Here we demonstrate that physiological-strength direct-current EFs (100–200 mV/mm) are potent pro-mitogenic signals for both human bronchial (BEAS-2B) and murine alveolar (MLE-12) epithelial cells. Within a custom live-cell electrotactic chamber, EFs exposure for 4 h doubled EdU incorporation, increased Ki-67 expression, and elevated real-time mitotic events without altering spindle orientation. RNA-seq analysis of BEAS-2B cells with EFs exposure identified 1,447 differentially expressed genes, with significant enrichment of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and immunoblotting further confirmed rapid phosphorylation of PI3K p85 (Tyr458)/p55 (Tyr199) and AKT (Ser473). Selective inhibition with Alpelisib or LY294002 abolished pathway activation and fully suppressed the pro-proliferative effect of EFs. Furthermore, EFs triggered AKT-dependent phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) at Ser9, while blockade with the GSK3β inhibitor Tideglusib or upstream PI3K inhibitors suppressed this event and attenuated EF-induced proliferation. Taken together, our findings delineate the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β signaling axis through which EFs enhance pulmonary epithelial proliferation. This work identifies physiological EFs as previously unrecognized regenerative cues in the lung and underscores bioelectric modulation as a promising therapeutic strategy to accelerate alveolar repair in ALI/ARDS.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
·
2026
·
IF 5.1
Man Li,Yuxin Jiang,Yongkang Xue,Yuanqi Duan,Yanan Liu,Xianghao Xin,Xiaoyu Wei,Zhengyu Hu,Pengcheng Yang,Shengbao Diao,Wei Zhou,Jinfeng Sun,Gao Li
Ischemic stroke (IS) is the leading cause of prevalence and mortality in China and a major global public health problem. Eupalinolide B (EB) stands as the main biologically active constituent extracted from Eupatorium lindleyanum , exhibits diverse pharmacological activities, with particular emphasis on its neuroprotective potential in neurodegenerative disorders. Nevertheless, the precise therapeutic outcomes and the specific molecular pathways mediating the protective effects of EB against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) are still not fully elucidated. This study systematically explores the potential therapeutic targets and regulatory networks of EB in CIRI treatment through an integrative approach combining network pharmacology analysis with in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) modeling in PC12 cells and in vivo middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) modeling in mice. Our findings demonstrate that EB modulates a network composed of 54 core therapeutic targets, including apoptosis regulators (Bcl-2) and components of the PI3K/Akt signaling cascade. In vitro experiments indicate that EB significantly improves the viability of PC12 cells induced by OGD/R, while attenuating intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and restoring mitochondrial membrane potential. Complementary in vivo studies reveal that the administration of EB activates the PI3K/Akt/GSK3β(Ser9) signaling pathway in MCAO/R mice, leading to reduced neurological deficits, decreased cerebral infarction area, and a mitigation of neuronal pathological changes. Collectively, these findings indicate that EB inhibits neuronal apoptosis by activating the PI3K/Akt/GSK3β(Ser9) signaling pathway, thereby exerting a preventive effect against CIRI. This provides robust experimental evidence for the potential of EB as a new anti-IS therapy.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE
·
2025
·Vol. 57
·期 1
·14
·
IF 5.8
Shuang Dou,Zhijun Li,Boyao Zheng,Zhenyu Ren,Hai Wang,Qing Zuo,Fang Fang,Yuehong Zhuang
The present study investigates the molecular mechanisms of peripheral nerve regeneration by examining the ROCK/PI3K/Akt/GSK3β pathway's role in promoting morphological and functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury (PNI). Using a mouse sciatic nerve crush (SNC) injury model and a dorsal root ganglion (DRG) explant axotomy model, mice and DRG were divided the experimental (treated with DMSO) group, Y27632 group (treated with ROCK inhibitor Y27632), Y + LY group (treated with Y27632 + PI3K inhibitor LY294002), and Y + LY + SB group (treated with Y27632 + LY294002 + GSK3β inhibitor SB216763). Immunofluorescence was used to assess axon density, diameter, myelin thickness and Schwann cell proliferation, while retrograde tracing with cholera toxin subunit B evaluated peripheral-to-central reconnection. Behavioral tests measured functional recovery, and in DRG explants, axon regeneration length and growth cone size were quantified. Protein expression analysis of RhoA, ROCK, PI3K, Akt, GSK3β, and their phosphorylated forms was conducted on day 3 post-axotomy, both in vivo and in vitro . Additionally, RSC96 Schwann cell migration and proliferation were evaluated using scratch assays and EdU staining. Results showed that ROCK inhibition with Y27632 significantly enhanced axonal regeneration, growth cone expansion, retrograde transport, and reinnervation of acetylcholine receptors and Merkel cells, and promoted Schwann cell proliferation and RSC96 migration, leading to thicker myelin sheaths after SNC. These changes mitigated gastrocnemius muscle atrophy, improved muscle strength, gait, and thermal/tactile sensitivity. Co-treatment with LY294002 blocked these effects, but adding SB216763 restored them. Protein analysis indicated that ROCK inhibition increased phosphorylated PI3K, Akt and GSK3β, whereas PI3K inhibition reduced GSK3β phosphorylation. These findings suggested that ROCK inhibition promotes axon regeneration and remyelination after PNI by enhancing PI3K/Akt phosphorylation and suppressing GSK3β activity, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting the ROCK/PI3K/Akt/GSK3β pathway for peripheral nerve repair.
研究领域:
神经科学
·
分子生物学
·
再生医学
·
周围神经修复
·
细胞信号转导
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Food Chemistry-X
·
2024
·
IF 6.5
Kangkang Liu,Junxiang Li,Wenting Hao,Jingjing Li,Israr Khan,Yibo Liang,Haijuan Wang,Xiaofeng Li,Chunjiang Zhang
Microbial fermentation is an effective method to enhance the bioavailability of herbs. This study utilized Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LZU-J-Q21 to ferment Cistanche deserticola and evaluated its metabolic properties and biological activity. Results showed that the contents of total acid and flavone, and the clearance rates of DPPH, ABTS and OH − in fermented Cistanche deserticola (FCD) were increased by 142.74 %, 56.45 %, 58.1 %, 62.3 %，51.2 %, compared with non-fermented Cistanche deserticola (NFCD). The metabolic profile of FCD had remarkable changes, especially elevated glucose and adenosine (97.31 % and 59.18 %). Further, FCD increased the weight-bearing swimming time of mice by 88.57 %, reduced fatigue markers BUN, BLA, and MDA (18.47 %, 12.92 %, and 15.16 %), and enhanced liver/muscle glycogen and SOD (28.99 %, 28.57 %, and 14.47 %). The investigation into its anti-fatigue mechanism suggested that FCD enhanced GS protein expression by activating PI3K/AKT/GSK3β signaling. These findings suggest that FCD enhances anti-fatigue effects by modifying its metabolic properties and biological activity.
研究领域:
微生物学
·
药理学
·
功能食品科学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Pharmaceuticals
·
2025
·Vol. 18
·期 6
·817
·
IF 4.8
Luqi Qin,Yixia Zhou,Bei Fan,Jiahuan Zheng,Rao Diao,Jiameng Liu,Fengzhong Wang
Background/Objectives: Endophytes can produce bioactive metabolites similar to their host plants. CM-YJ44 ( Pseudomonas protegens CHA0, 99.24% similarity), an endophyte from Dendrobium officinale , has not yet validated hypoglycemic potential. This study aimed to evaluate its anti-insulin resistance (IR) activity and metabolite profile. Methods: The fermentation broth of CM-YJ44 was separated into three fractions (CM-YJ44-1, -2, and -3) using semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (pre-HPLC). An IR HepG2 cell model was constructed to evaluate their glucose uptake capacity. CM-YJ44-3 was further tested for oxidative stress, inflammatory, and insulin signaling pathway activation. Metabolites in CM-YJ44-3 were preliminarily identified using the Q Exactive Focus LC-MS system (QE), and the dendrobine content was quantified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Molecular docking was performed to predict the binding affinities between dendrobine and target proteins. Results: Among the three fractions, CM-YJ44-3 significantly reduced nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in IR cells, enhanced glycogen synthesis, upregulated the activities of pyruvate kinase (PK) and hexokinase (HK), and suppressed the expression of inflammatory factors. Its mechanism of action was mainly through activation of the IRS1/PI3K/Akt/GSK3β/GLUT4 signaling pathway. QE analysis preliminarily identified 24 metabolites in CM-YJ44-3. Quantitative analysis by UPLC-MS/MS showed that the dendrobine content was 78.73 ± 4.29 ng/mL. Molecular docking results indicated that dendrobine exhibited binding energies below −5 kcal/mol with multiple target proteins involved in this signaling pathway, suggesting it may be a key bioactive component responsible for the anti-IR effect. Conclusions: This study provides the first evidence of hypoglycemic bioactive metabolite production by strain CM-YJ44, indicating its potential as a novel microbial candidate for alleviating IR.
研究领域:
微生物学
·
药理学
·
植物学
·
生物化学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
·
2024
·
IF 4.5
Qiuming Liu,Qingyu Ma,Jiao Li,Liping Sun,Yongliang Zhuang
Scope Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disease with a major global public health effect. Rambutan peel polyphenols (RPPs) have been reported to exert hypoglycemic activity. However, few studies have been explored from the viewpoint of gut microbiota and its metabolites. Methods and results RPPs are administered by gavage to a mice model of T2DM established by using a high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin. It finds that RPPs treatment alleviates hyperglycemia symptoms by improving glucolipid metabolism and liver function. Immunohistochemistry indicates that the antihyperglycemic effect of RPPs is regulated by the IRS-1/PI3K/AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway. RPPs treatment remodels the structure of gut microbiota ( Odoribacter , Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group , Lactobacillus , Turicibacter , Erysipelatoclostridium , and Tuzzerella ) and enriches the metabolites (RPPs-derived urolithins, short-chain fatty acids, dehydrocholic acid, (+)-catechin, dihydroberberine, pterostilbene, and artesunate) associated with diabetes regulation in T2DM mice. The effects of RPPs in ameliorating glycolipid metabolism disorders are correlated with differential gut microbiota and metabolites. Conclusion The gut microbiota and its metabolites are key targets for the hypoglycemic effects of RPPs.
研究领域:
药理学
·
营养学
·
微生物学
·
内分泌学
·
分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
·
2026
·
IF 5.6
Zhidan Shi,Xinyi Cheng,Chu Zhang,Jiayi Hu,Xinqi He,Shuting Chen,Hao Wu,Meng Tian,Chuang Yan,Ling He
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with significant sex-related differences, exhibiting a higher incidence rate in elderly women. Tau pathology has been implicated in sex-associated differences in AD susceptibility and disease progression, contributing to differential pathological burden between males and females. Vorinostat (SAHA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) used in cancer treatment, has shown potential therapeutic effects in various neurological and psychiatric disorders; however, the mechanisms underlying its regulation of tau-associated pathology remain poorly understood, with limited evidence regarding its effects in tau-related neurodegenerative conditions. In this study, we investigated the effects of SAHA treatment on an AAV-P301L-Tau-induced tauopathy model. In vivo, we observed that SAHA administration significantly improved p-Tau levels in the hippocampus and cortex of mice, reduced microglial activation and neuronal damage, and alleviated tauopathy-associated cognitive impairments. Our findings revealed sex-associated differences in Tau-related pathological alterations, with female mice exhibiting greater pathological changes and differential responses to SAHA treatment in several molecular and histological indicators. Further combined in vivo and in vitro experiments revealed that SAHA was associated with modulation of the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway, suppression of NF-κB activation, and attenuation of neuroinflammatory responses, including reductions in experimentally measured inflammatory markers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). These molecular alterations may represent important regulatory components contributing to the neuroprotective effects of SAHA, rather than acting as the sole determinants of its therapeutic efficacy. In summary, these results indicate that SAHA can improve Tau-associated pathological alterations in an AAV-P301L-Tau-induced tauopathy model. The potential mechanisms may involve coordinated regulation of multiple pathological processes, including modulation of Tau phosphorylation, neuroinflammatory responses, and aging-associated signaling pathways. The observed sex-dependent responses to SAHA provide additional insights into the potential influence of biological sex on HDACi-based therapeutic strategies, although the molecular mechanisms underlying these differences require further investigation.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）