JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
·
2025
·
IF 5.4
Nana Gao,Zongyu Huang,Jianjie Xie,Shuang Gao,Biaobiao Wang,Huicong Feng,Cuifen Bao,He Tian,Xia Liu
Ethnopharmacological relevance The Cryptotanshinone (CT) is a kind of Chinese medicine extracted from salvia miltiorrhiza, which has various pharmacological activities and is widely used in the treatment of diseases. Aim of the study The objective is to delve into the mechanism by which cryptotanshinone (CT) exerts its effects on rats with the middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model. Additionally, it aims to further assess the interplay between inflammation and oxidative stress, along with the underlying mechanism of CT's anti-ferroptosis function. Materials and methods We constructed the middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model in rats. The effects of cryptotanshinone (CT) were evaluated using 2,3,5 - triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, behavioral assays, immunofluorescence, hematoxylin - eosin (HE) staining, and Nissl staining. Additionally, in vitro, cell viability was assessed by the Cell Counting Kit - 8 (CCK - 8) assay following experimental dosing. Oxygen - glucose deprivation/oxidation (OGD/R) models were established in PC12 and BV2 cells. Flow cytometry was employed to detect cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) expression. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), andMitochondrial Membrane Potential Assay Kit with JC-1(JC-1) were measured using biochemical methods. Inflammatory factor levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Immunoblotting was used to detect the levels of rat phosphatidylinositol 3 - kinase (PI3K), phosphorylated-PI3K (P-PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), phosphorylated - AKT (P-AKT), nuclear factor erythroid 2related factor 2 (Nrf2), solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Results In rats with the MCAO/R model, CT demonstrated the ability to decrease ROS levels, enhance the activity of glutathione (GSH), mitigate inflammation, augment the activity of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), inhibit ferroptosis, safeguard neurons, and facilitate the restoration of nerve function. Results from network pharmacology indicated that the action of CT might be mediated via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Simultaneously, in-vivo investigations revealed that CT curbs ferroptosis through the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 and SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathways. Conclusion CT can inhibit ferroptosis by inhibiting the vicious cycle between oxidative stress and inflammation, protect neurons and promote motor function recovery.
研究领域:
药理学
·
神经科学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Frontiers in Oncology
·
2025
·
IF 3.3
Qi Ouyang,Shengye Tian,Hengyu Zhou,Ying Mao,Xiang Li,Feng Yan,Ailong Liu,Xiang Hu,Changqiao You,Jun He
Background Melanomas are caused by the malignant transformation of melanocytes. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the tyrosol components of salidroside inhibit tyrosinase activity. The PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway plays a crucial role in biological pigment synthesis. However, how salidroside achieves its anti-melanoma effect in melanoma by regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR remains poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the effect of salidroside on PI3K/Akt/mTOR in melanoma, which plays a role in regulating melanogenesis. Methods Network pharmacology was predicted that salidroside may exert an anti-melanoma effect through modulating melanin synthesis functions and signaling pathways. Zebrafish whole-embryo in situ hybridization, RT-qPCR, melanin synthesis and tumorigenesis assays, and were performed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of salidroside in melanin synthesis. The mechanism of salidroside in anti-melanoma activity was examined by RT-qPCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence, in vivo imaging, immunohistochemistry. Results We confirmed salidroside may exert an anti-melanoma effect through modulating melanin synthesis-related gene expression and PI3K/Akt pathway by Network pharmacology. Furthermore, salidroside slowed melanin synthesis in zebrafish embryos and H 2 O 2 -induced B16F10 cells by inhibited oxidative stress. Moreover, we determined the effect of salidroside on anti-melanin synthesis via PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in vitro , and western blot results showed that salidroside increased the expression of Nrf2 in the nucleus, as well as inhibited the phosphorylation of mTOR and PI3K/Akt pathway. Finally, intratumoral administration showed salidroside suppressed melanoma growth. Conclusion Salidroside inhibits melanin synthesis and melanoma development most likely by its antioxidant properties and downregulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Our results may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of melanoma.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
·
药理学
·
生物化学
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细胞生物学
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分子生物学
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皮肤病学
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生物医学研究
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Molecular Medicine Reports
·
2024
·Vol. 30
·期 6
·1-11
·
IF 3.4
Weiwei Miao,Zhixiong Wang,Jianwen Gao,Yuko Ohno
Paridis Rhizoma saponins (PRS) are significant components of Rhizoma Paridis and have inhibitory effects on various tumors, such as bladder, breast, liver and colon cancer. Polyphyllin II (PPII), one of the PRS, has an unclear effect on breast cancer. The present study aimed to explore the effect and mechanism of PPII in breast cancer. A network pharmacology approach was employed to predict the core components and breast cancer‑related targets of PRS. Moreover, a xenograft tumor model was established to determine the anti‑breast cancer effect of PPII in vivo. The viability of MDA‑MB‑231 cells was determined by a Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay. Apoptosis was analyzed using annexin V/PI double staining. Additionally, Transwell and scratch assays were performed to evaluate invasion and migration. The potential mechanism was predicted by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis and molecular docking analysis and verified by western blot analysis. The effect of PPII on aerobic glycolysis in breast cancer cells was detected by lactic acid and pyruvate kits and Western blotting of glycolytic rate‑limiting enzymes. Network pharmacology analysis revealed 26 core targets involved in breast cancer and that PPII was the core active component of PRS. The in vivo studies showed that PPII could inhibit the growth of breast cancer in mice. In vitro experiments confirmed that PPII induced cancer cell apoptosis and inhibited invasion and migration. Furthermore, PPII was capable of suppressing the expression of key proteins in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, reducing the generation of aerobic glycolytic products, and diminishing the protein expression levels of hexokinase 2 and pyruvate kinase M2. The results indicated that PPII inhibited aerobic glycolysis in breast cancer cells through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting breast cancer growth.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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细胞生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Food & Nutrition Research
·
2022
·
IF 3.221
Tongxu Guan,Yingce Zheng,Shengzi Jin,Shuang Wang,Mengxin Hu,Xingyao Liu,Siqi Huang,Yun Liu
Background Troxerutin is a flavonoid compound and possesses potential anti-cancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Besides, cisplatin is one of the most widely used therapeutic agents, but the clinical uses of cisplatin are often associated with multiple side effects, among which nephrotoxicity is more common. Objective and design This study explored the protective effects of troxerutin (150 mg kg −1 day −1 for 14 days) against cisplatin-induced kidney injury and the potential mechanism using Wistar rats as an experimental mammalian model. Results We discovered that troxerutin could significantly alleviate cisplatin-induced renal dysfunction, such as increased levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine ( P < 0.01), as well as improved abnormal renal tissue microstructure and ultrastructure. Additionally, troxerutin significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), NO, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels ( P < 0.01), p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65, TNF-α, Pro-IL-1β, IL-6, B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)/Bcl-xl associated death promoter (Bad), Cytochrome C (Cyt C), Cleaved-caspase 9, Cleaved-caspase 3, and Cleaved-caspase 8 protein levels ( P < 0.01) in the kidney tissues of cisplatin-treated rats; and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activities ( P < 0.01), IL-10, Bcl-2 protein levels ( P < 0.01). Conclusion These results suggested that the underlying mechanism might be attributed to the regulation of Phosphoinositide 3 kinase/Protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway via enhancing MAP4 expression to attenuate cellular apoptosis, alleviating oxidative stress and inflammatory response.
研究领域:
药理学
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毒理学
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分子生物学
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细胞生物学
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肾脏病学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
XENOBIOTICA
·
2025
·
IF 1.2
Junling Zhu,Rilian Lai,Qin Zheng,Shuying Huang,Shenghua Hu,Zhangfei Xu,Huixia Sun
1. To study the effects of calycosin on palmitic acid-induced HepG2 cells, as well as the potential mechanisms of action.2. Potential targets of calycosin for the alleviation of insulin resistance were predicted by network pharmacology. Glucose concentration in the culture medium was determined by the GOD-POD method. The model of insulin resistance was established by palmitic acid-induced HepG2 cells. Effects of palmitic acid and calycosin on HepG2 cell activity were determined using an MTT assay kit. The expression levels of AKT1 and FOXO3a were detected by western blot.The expression level of hsa-miR-324-3p was detected by RT-qPCR. Dual luciferase reporter assay to detect targeting of AKT1 by hsa-miR-324-3p.3. AKT1 was predicted and validated as a potential target of calycosin for treatment of insulin resistance. The model of insulin resistance was successfully established by palmitic acid-induced HepG2 cells. Up-regulation of AKT1 expression inhibits FOXO3a entry into the nucleus. Calycosian was demonstrated to concentration-dependently increase the sensitivity of insulin resistance cells to insulin. The hsa-miR-324-3p was proven to exist in insulin-resistant cells. Hsa-miR-324-3p was found to target AKT1 involved in the alleviation of insulin resistance.4. Calycosin inhibits FOXO3a nuclear translocation by regulating the hsa-miR-324-3p/AKT pathway, thus alleviating insulin resistance.
研究领域:
药理学
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分子生物学
·
内分泌学
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细胞生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
·
2023
·
IF 5.4
Jiao Wei,Zongmei Zheng,Xinxin Hou,Fengjing Jia,Yuan Yuan,Fuwen Yuan,Feng He,Liang Hu,Ling Zhao
Ethnopharmacological relevance Echinacoside (ECH) is the dominant phenylethanoid glycoside-structured compound identified from our developed herbal formula Huangci granule, which has been previously reported to inhibit the invasion and metastasis of CRC and prolong patients’ disease-free survival duration. Though ECH has inhibitory activity against aggressive colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, its anti-metastasis effect in vivo and the action mechanism is undetermined. Given that ECH has an extremely low bioavailability and gut microbiota drives the CRC progression, we hypothesized that ECH could inhibit metastatic CRC by targeting the gut microbiome . Aim of the study The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of ECH on colorectal cancer liver metastasis in vivo and its potential mechanisms. Materials and methods An intrasplenic injection-induced liver metastatic model was established to examine the efficiency of ECH on tumor metastasis in vivo . Fecal microbiota from the model group and the ECH group were separately transplanted into pseudo-sterile CRLM mice in order to verify the role of gut flora in the ECH anti-metastatic effect. The 16S rRNA gene sequence was applied to analyze the structure and composition of the gut microbiota after ECH intervention, and the effect of ECH on short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs)-producing bacteria growth was proven by anaerobic culturing in vitro . GC-MS was applied to quantitatively analyze the serum SCFAs levels in mice. RNA-seq was performed to detect the gene changes involving tumor-promoting signaling pathway. Results ECH inhibited CRC metastasis in a dose-dependent manner in the metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) mouse model. Manipulation of gut bacteria in the mCRC mouse model further proved that SCFA-generating gut bacteria played an indispensable role in mediating the antimetastatic action of ECH. Under an anaerobic condition, ECH benefited SCFA-producing microbiota without affecting the total bacterial load, presenting a dose-dependent promotion on the growth of a butyrate producer, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii ( F.p ). Furthermore, ECH-reshaped or F.p -colonized microbiota with a high butyrate-producing capability inhibited liver metastasis by suppressing PI3K/AKT signaling and reversing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, whereas this anti-metastatic ability was abrogated by the butyrate synthase inhibitor heptanoyl-CoA. Conclusion This study demonstrated that ECH exhibits oral anti-metastatic efficacy by facilitating butyrate-producing gut bacteria, which downregulates PI3K/AKT signaling and EMT. It hints at a novel role for ECH in CRC therapy.
研究领域:
药理学
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肿瘤学
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微生物学
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
·
2025
·
IF 3.7
Biao-Hu Quan,Xin-Yue Liu,Zhou-Yan Li,Sheng-Zhong Han,Qi-Chao Cui,Shuang-Yan Chang,Si-Tong Lv,Xi-Jun Yin,Shuang Liang
Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic interstitial lung disease characterized by irreversible, progressive lung scarring and eventual respiratory failure. Fibroblast activation plays a crucial role in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling contributes to pulmonary fibrosis by regulating lung fibroblast activation. Currently, most studies focus on TGF-β1 regulatory effects on fibroblasts, with limited reports on myostatin (MSTN), another member of the same family. This study used MSTN gene knockout (MSTN −/− ) boars as animal models to explore MSTN regulatory effects on pulmonary fibrosis by modulating lung fibroblast activation. Studies have demonstrated that MSTN is significantly upregulated in the lungs during pulmonary fibrosis, promoting the activation of downstream Smad and AKT signaling pathways. MSTN −/− inhibits alveolar collapse and interstitial thickening in pulmonary fibrosis pigs and suppresses downstream Smad and AKT signaling. In vitro experiments showed that MSTN −/− inhibits lung fibroblast activation by blocking Smad/AKT signaling. These findings suggest that the MSTN/Smad/AKT signaling axis suppresses pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting lung fibroblast activation, indicating that MSTN could be a potential therapeutic target for pulmonary fibrosis.
研究领域:
分子生物学
·
医学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH
·
2025
·Vol. 103
·期 7
·e70064
·
IF 3.4
Sun Hong,Liu GuoYan,Wu JiaWen,Yu Xin,Zhan ShuQin,Reng HongWei,Chen MengYing,Cheng YuXuan
Chronic epilepsy is mainly characterized by spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS). The peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma/phosphatase and tensin homolog/protein kinase B (PPARγ/PTEN/Akt) pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of SRS and neuronal loss. Curcumin is a natural compound, and previous studies have shown it provides neuroprotection via anti-inflammation and anti-oxidant effects in many central nervous system (CNS) diseases. In the present study, we show that curcumin regulates the abnormal expression of PTEN and Akt in the SRS phase, improves the neuronal loss in the hippocampus, and suppresses SRS development and seizure spike activity in epileptic rats. More importantly, these effects are reversed by the PPARγ antagonist, T0070907, suggesting that curcumin exerts neuroprotective and anti-epileptic effects through the PPARγ/PTEN/Akt signaling pathway. Other studies have shown that curcumin can cross the BBB and has a safety profiles and pleiotropic pharmacological effects. Thus, our data support the proposition that curcumin might be a potential neuroprotective and anti-epileptic agent for chronic epilepsy.
研究领域:
神经病学
·
分子生物学
·
药理学
·
转化医学
·
中枢神经系统疾病
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY
·
2018
·Vol. 46
·期 4
·389-397
·
IF 2.092
Hao Yuan,Hongyan Zhao,Jiafeng Wang,Hong Zhang,Lihua Hong,He Li,Hongze Che,Zhimin Zhang
Summary Pulpitis suppressed the level of let-7c-5p that promotes osteogenesis and bone formation by repressing HMGA2. In the current study, the function of let-7c-5p in the inflammation and osteogenesis in dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) was explored. The level of let-7c-5p in DPSCs was up-regulated, and the cells were subjected to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation. The effect of let-7c-5p on cell proliferation potential, osteogenic differentiation potential, and activity of HMGA2/PI3K/Akt pathway was detected. The administration of LPS suppressed the cell proliferation of DPSCs and suppressed calcium deposition, activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and levels of OCN, OPN, OSX, MSX2, and RUNX2 in inflamed DPSCs. The impaired osteogenic differentiation of inflamed DPSCs was associated with the increased levels of HMGA2, p-PI3K, and p-Akt. In let-7c-5p-overexpressed inflamed DPSCs, the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation potential of DPSCs were restored, and the activation of HMGA2/PI3K/Akt signalling was inhibited. In rat pulpitis models, the injection of let-7c-5p agomir restored the osteogenic differentiation potential of dental pulp cells and inhibited HMGA2/PI3K/Akt signalling. The findings demonstrated the anti-inflammation and pro-osteogenesis effect of let-7c-5p during the attack of pulpitis, which depended on the inhibition of HMGA2/PI3K/Akt signalling.
研究领域:
牙科学
·
分子生物学
·
干细胞研究
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
NanoImpact
·
2025
·
IF 5.5
Feng-Jie Shen,Wei-Nan Cao,Xue-Chun Han,Qiu-Yue Pan,Yuan Wang,Rong Zhang,Gang Wei,Jin-Kui Yang
Microplastics (MPs) are environmental pollutants with potential health risks. This study examined the effect of MPs on wound healing in both diabetic and non-diabetic mice. MPs exposure significantly delayed wound healing, particularly in diabetic mice, with reduced epidermal thickness and impaired collagen deposition. Mechanistically, MPs suppressed cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and increased apoptosis. Transcriptomic analysis identified dysregulation of critical wound healing pathways, especially those involved in inflammation, extracellular matrix remodeling, and lipid metabolism. Notably, the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was inhibited. In vitro experiments using human dermal fibroblasts confirmed that MPs disrupted the PI3K/AKT pathway, reducing cell proliferation and migration. Further investigation revealed that MPs suppressed N -acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) expression, leading to reduced ac4C-dependent stabilization of Fasn mRNA, which in turn diminished lipid synthesis and further inhibited the PI3K/AKT pathway. Our findings reveal a novel interaction between MPs and diabetes in impairing wound healing and suggest the NAT10-FASN-PI3K/AKT axis as a potential therapeutic target.
研究领域:
环境毒理学
·
分子生物学
·
皮肤科学
·
内分泌学
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药理学
·
细胞生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
·
2018
·
IF 3.909
Wan Li,Zheng-Nan Cai,Shomaila Mehmood,Ya Wang,Wen-Juan Pan,Wen-Na Zhang,Yong-Ming Lu,Yan Chen
Oxidative stress is considered to involve cell death in severe pulmonary diseases like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Polysaccharide FMP-1 from Morchella esculenta can exert significant antioxidant activity. However, its effects on alveolar epithelial cells remain unperceived. Herein, the effects of FMP-1 against H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative damage in human alveolar epithelial A549 cells were investigated. FMP-1 could inhibit H 2 O 2 -induced cytochrome C and Caspase-3 release to prevent cell apoptosis via attenuation of MDA and ROS levels, and enhancement the enzymatic activities of SOD and T-AOC. Furthermore, the underlying molecular mechanisms were clarified. The phosphorylation of AKT and the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 were observed to be promoted by FMP-1 as well as the level of HO-1. These findings suggested that FMP-1 attenuate cellular oxidative stress through PI3K/AKT pathway, and FMP-1 could be explored as natural potential antioxidants to lower oxidative stress relevant to the progression of IPF.
研究领域:
药理学
·
细胞生物学
·
呼吸病学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
CELL BIOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
·
2019
·Vol. 44
·期 2
·402-411
·
IF 2.127
Guiling Zhu,Bin Ma,Penghong Dong,Junjun Shang,Xiaochuan Gu,Ying Zi
Melatonin has been reported to participate in bone metabolism in recent studies. However, the underlying mechanism in melatonin-mediated osteoblastic differentiation remains largely unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of melatonin in osteoblastic differentiation. In the present study, additional melatonin significantly promoted osteoblastic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells as evidenced by increased messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of osteogenic markers, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen type I α1 chain, osteocalcin, and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2). It was noteworthy that the expression level of platelet-derived growth factor subunit B (PDGFB) and content of its homodimer PDGF-BB were remarkably increased after melatonin administration. Moreover, the mRNA levels of phosphorylated PDGFRβ (PDGF receptor β) and Akt, a serine/threonine-specific protein kinase, were significantly upregulated in melatonin-treated MC3T3-E1 cells determined by a real-time polymerase chain reaction. Besides, by performing alizarin red staining, osteoblastic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells was conspicuously promoted by melatonin, which could be partially attenuated by crenolanib, a PDGFR inhibitor. Similarly, results from immunofluorescence and western blot assay showed that melatonin-induced upregulation of Runx2 and phosphorylated Akt was suppressed by crenolanib. Akt inhibition by MK-2206 also suppressed osteoblastic differentiation. Furthermore, by in vivo assay, additional melatonin promoted osteoblastic differentiation in mice with femoral fracture, and obvious callus formation was observed in melatonin-treated mice 5 weeks after fracture. Melatonin supplement also inhibited osteoclastic differentiation in mice. All statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism and a P < 0.05 was deemed to be significant. To summarize, we demonstrate that melatonin promotes osteoblastic differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells and enhances fracture healing in mouse femoral fracture model and regulates PDGF/AKT signaling pathway.
研究领域:
骨骼生物学
·
药理学
·
细胞信号传导
·
分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）