PHYTOMEDICINE
·
2022
·
IF 6.656
Zhenhao Li,Haitao Pan,Jihong Yang,Dongjie Chen,Yu Wang,Han Zhang,Yiyu Cheng
Background Xuanfei Baidu Formula (XBF) is an effective traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) remedy for treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China. This herbal medicine has shown effects in reducing clinical symptoms and shortening the average length of hospital stay for COVID-19 patients. Previous studies have demonstrated that XBF alleviates acute lung injury (ALI) by regulating macrophage-mediated immune inflammation, but the mechanisms of action remain elusive. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the lung-protective and anti-inflammatory effects of XBF and its underlying mechanisms. Methods Here, XBF's effects were investigated in an ALI mouse model induced by inhalation of atomized lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Besides, the LPS-induced inflammation model in RAW264.7 cells was used to clarify the underlying mechanisms of XBF against ALI. Results Our results showed that XBF treatment alleviated LPS-induced lung injury, as evidenced by reduced histopathological changes, pulmonary alveoli permeability, fibrosis, and apoptosis in the lung tissues. In addition, inflammation was alleviated as shown by decreased levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and reduced white blood cell (WBC) count in BALF. Furthermore, consistent with the in vivo assay, XBF inhibited LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines release and pro-inflammatory polarization in RAW264.7 cells. Mechanistically, XBF increased mitochondrial fusion by upregulating Mfn1 and attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome activation by repressing Casp11, respectively, to inhibit NF-κB and MAPK pathways, thus repressing pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization. Conclusion In this study, we demonstrate that XBF exerts anti-ALI and -inflammatory effects by recovering mitochondrial dynamics and reducing inflammasome activation, providing a biological illustration of the clinical efficacy of XBF in treating COVID-19 patients.
研究领域:
药理学
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免疫学
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细胞生物学
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中医
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE
·
2016
·Vol. 38
·期 6
·1871-1878
·
IF 2.348
Xusheng Yuan,Junjun Chen,Min Dai
Paeonol (2'-hydroxy-4'-methoxyacetophenone) is an active component isolated from the root of Paeonia Suffruticosa Andrews. We previously found that paeonol inhibited vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM‑1) expression, and thus may be useful for the prevention and treatment of rabbit atherosclerosis (AS); however, the underlying mechanisms are not yet well known. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) have been reported to play an important role in the pathogenesis of AS. In the present study, we examined the effects of paeonol on miRNA-126 (miR‑126) expression, and its ability to inhibit monocyte adhesion to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-injured vascular endothelial cells (VECs). VECs were isolated from the rat thoracic aorta and stimulated with ox-LDL (20 mg/l) in the presence of paeonol. We found that miR‑126 had a lower expression in the ox-LDL-injured VECs, and VCAM‑1 was identified as a target gene of miR‑126. Furthermore, paeonol promoted miR‑126 expression and suppressed VCAM‑1 expression at the mRNA and protein level. It also inhibited monocyte adhesion to ox-LDL-injured VECs through the promotion of miR‑126 expression. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that paeonol blocked the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway by promoting miR-126 expression. Taken together, and to the best of our knowledge, the findings of this study provide the first evidence that paeonol promotes miR‑126 expression to inhibit monocyte adhesion to ox-LDL-injured VECs and block the activation of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway. Our data suggest that miR‑126 plays a crucial role in vascular inflammation and may be an important therapeutic target in the treatment of AS with the use of paeonol.
研究领域:
药理学
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分子生物学
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心血管疾病
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
·
2025
·
IF 5.4
Ruyue Wang,Chunping Yu,Xin Wang,Minfei Yang,Yang Gao,Hailong Zhang
Ethnopharmacological relevance Lonicera caerulea var. edulis is an Oroqen medicine with fever relief, detoxification, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, pharmacological and chemical research on its leaves is limited. Aim of the study Focusing on L. caerulea var. edulis leaves, the research involved identification of active constituents, examination of anti-inflammatory effects in mice, and analysis of mechanisms. Materials and methods Based on activity-guided fractionation, the phytochemicals were separated via various chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. The anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated in mice with LPS-stimulated acute lung injury. Antioxidant capacity was determined through DPPH • and OH • scavenging, ferric-reducing and lipid peroxidation assay. The active compounds were screened in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Then, the anti-inflammatory mechanisms were investigated via RT-qPCR, western blot analysis, and molecular docking experiments. Results The EtOAc fraction (EF) displayed the strongest anti-inflammatory activity, with a pronounced inhibitory effect on cellular NO production, markedly decreasing the levels of inflammatory factors, effectively improving acute lung injury, and alleviating pulmonary edema in mice. Meanwhile, EF was also the strongest antioxidant layer which could effectively scavenge free radicals. Phytochemical investigation of EF resulted in the isolation of one new diterpenoid and 19 known constituents, of which ten compounds are lignans. Among them, a lignan ( 8 ) significantly reduced NO production, inhibited the IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS, and COX-2 gene expression, and decreased the phosphorylation levels of p65 and IκBα in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Additionally, 8 could tightly interact with the p65 and IκBα proteins of NF-κB. Conclusion The leaves of L . caerulea var. edulis have significant anti-inflammatory properties, and lignans are the main active components, whose anti-inflammatory mechanisms are mainly through inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway.
研究领域:
植物化学
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药理学
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民族药理学
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炎症研究
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
·
2024
·
IF 7.7
Jiqi Huang,Yifan Su,Qianyu Wang,Mingxiao Feng,Dawei Zhang,Qian Yu,Chunyan Yan
Ganoderma lucidum spores are tiny mature germ cells ejected from the abaxial side of the pileus and were responsible for multiple pharmacological properties. The defatted G. lucidum spores are the byproducts after the extraction of G. lucidum spores oil by supercritical fluid extraction technology, which have not been given sufficient attention. In order to fully utilize the resources of G. lucidum spores, a glucomannan (SGL90–1, 6.4 kDa) was isolated from the defatted G. lucidum spores. SGL90–1 was composed of mannose, glucose, galactose, and fucose in a molar ratio of 23.9:28.7:9.0:1.0. The backbone of SGL90–1 was consisted of →2,4)- α -D-Man p -(1→, →6)- β -D-Man p -(1→, →2,6)- α -D-Man p -(1→, →2)- α -D-Glc p -(1→, and →3,6)- β -D-Glc p -(1 → with seven side chains, and terminated with β -D-Man p -(1→, β -D-Glc p -(1→, α -L-Fuc p -(1→, and β -D-Gal f -(1→. Moreover, SGL90–1 could significantly elevate the phagocytic capability of RAW264.7 macrophages and promote the levels of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α ), and interlrukin-6 (IL-6) through activating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. Collectively, these findings demonstrated the potential of SGL90–1 as a natural functional food with strong immune-enhancing effect.
研究领域:
真菌学
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免疫学
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药理学
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生物化学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Biochemistry and Cell Biology
·
2017
·Vol. 95
·期 6
·
IF 1.895
Xilin Xu,Hang Lv,Xiaodong Li,Hui Su,Xiaofeng Zhang,Jun Yang
Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) is a traditional Chinese medicine herb that can alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA) (Söder et al. 2006) in animals. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood and require further investigation. In this study, rabbits with experimentally induced OA were given an intra-articular injection of danshen (0.7 mL/day) for 5 weeks. In addition to attenuating the cartilage degeneration of OA in the rabbits, danshen decreased the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and MMP-13, and increased the expression of their natural inhibitors: tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) and TIMP-2. Apoptosis in osteoarthritic cartilage tissues was attenuated by danshen, accompanied with increased expression of B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and decreased levels of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). Further, danshen inhibited the nuclear accumulation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) p65 in osteoarthritic cartilage. The therapeutic effects of danshen in vivo were comparable to that of sodium hyaluronate, which is a drug used clinically for the treatment OA. In vitro, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was used to stimulate apoptosis in primary rabbit chondrocytes. We found that the SNP-induced apoptosis was mitigated by danshen. BAY11-7028, an inhibitor of the NF-κB pathway, augmented danshen’s anti-apoptotic effects in cells exposed to SNP. When these results are considered together, they indicate that danshen alleviates the cartilage injury in rabbit OA through inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway.
研究领域:
药理学
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骨科
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分子生物学
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中医
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Translational Andrology and Urology
·
2024
·Vol. 13
·期 9
·1971
·
IF 1.9
Jiahao Jiang,Fei Xiao,Lanxin Yang,Yan Zeng,Jing Chen,Hengcheng Zhu,Lingqi Liu
Background Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common male urological disease characterized by chronic pelvic pain and various discomforts. Astaxanthin (AST) has multiple functions, including anti-inflammatory property, but it is unclear whether AST plays a key role in CP/CPPS and how it works. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of AST on CP/CPPS in rats and the underlying mechanism. Methods A CP/CPPS rat model was induced by intraprostatic injection of carrageenan and the blood specimens and prostates were harvested for further research after oral administration of AST for 4 weeks. Results Tactile allodynia test showed that AST ameliorated chronic pelvic pain in a dose-depended manner. In addition, histological evaluation indicated that AST alleviated CP/CPPS rat prostate histological inflammation. Meanwhile, AST suppressed the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Besides, AST inhibited the activities of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2). Furthermore, AST decreased the activation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Conclusions Our study has shown that AST exerts an anti-inflammatory and protective effect against CP/CPPS and the function is mediated at least through the suppression of NF-κB signaling pathway. These results provide evidence of AST as the potential agents for the treatment of CP/CPPS.
研究领域:
泌尿科
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药理学
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炎症研究
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Aging-US
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2021
·
IF 5.682
Qin Wu,Yuhua Wang,Qingfang Li
Brain injury is a familiar complication of severe sepsis, in which excessive inflammation and oxidative stress are the main mechanisms leading to acute brain injury. Here, we focus on probing the function and mechanism of Matairesinol (Mat) in sepsis-mediated brain injury. We established a rat sepsis model by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) and constructed an in vitro sepsis model by treating neurons and microglia with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Rats and cells were treated with varying concentrations of Mat, and the changes of neural function, neuronal apoptosis, microglial activation, neuroinflammation and the expression of oxidative stress factors in brain tissues were examined. Additionally, the activation of the MAPK, NF-κB and AMPK pathways in brain tissues and cells was evaluated by Western blot (WB) and/or immunohistochemistry (IHC). Our findings illustrated that Mat improved neuronal apoptosis and weakened microglial activation in CLP rats. Meanwhile, Mat hampered the expression of pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-8, and MCP1) and facilitated the contents of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in brain tissues and microglia. Mechanistically, Mat concentration-dependently dampened the phosphorylation of MAPK, JNK and NF-κB in CLP rats and LPS-stimulated microglia and up-regulated Nrf2 and HO-1. Besides, Mat facilitated the AMPK expression. Meanwhile, Compound C, a specific inhibitor of the AMPK pathway, substantially reduced the neuronal protection and anti-inflammatory effects mediated by Mat. Overall, Mat exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress effects by up-regulating AMPK, thereby ameliorating sepsis-mediated brain injury.
研究领域:
药理学
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神经科学
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炎症研究
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
IN VITRO CELLULAR & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY-ANIMAL
·
2024
·
IF 1.5
Zheng Zhen,Fan Ying,Zhang Jingyun,Wang Jian,Li Zhenyu
Pharmacological studies have shown that Cedrol (CE) exhibits extensive biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and analgesic. Moreover, it can inhibit the NF-κB pathway and the expression of various associated proteins. This study aimed to investigate the role of CE in postmenopausal osteoporosis. The results showed that intragastric administration of CE (10 and 20 mg/kg) significantly improved the bone microstructure damage and increased bone mineral density, trabecular bone volume, and bone trabecular thickness in ovariectomized (OVX) rats ( p < 0.05). CE treatment additionally made a well-organized arrangement of bone trabeculae and improved its thickness and density. Compared with the OVX group, the levels of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase from 5b and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen were significantly reduced by 42.75% and 49.27% in the OVX + CE rats ( p < 0.05). TRAP staining visually showed that the number of osteoclasts in the femur tissue of CE-treated rats was less than that of the OVX group. The expressions of nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1, acid phosphatase 5, and cathepsin K in OVX + CE rats were significantly decreased by 51.61%, 46.07%, and 50.34% compared to the OVX group ( p < 0.01). In addition, CE intervention effectively reduced the phosphorylation levels of P65 and IκBα and inhibited the NF-κB signaling pathway. Meanwhile, CE diminished the number of multinucleated osteoclasts induced by receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand and hindered cell fusion as well as nuclear translocation of osteoclast precursor cells P65. In conclusion, CE inhibits osteoclastogenesis by suppressing the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby alleviating postmenopausal osteoporosis.
研究领域:
药理学
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生物学
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医学
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内分泌学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Journal of Functional Foods
·
2015
·
IF 3.574
Dongli Li,Zhiyun Du,Chenyue Li,Yue Liu,Susan Goodin,Huarong Huang,Yan He,Yuan Zhang,Huaqian Wang,Xi Zheng,Kun Zhang
Five terpenoids ( 1 – 5 ) from a vegetable plant Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L.) Merr. were investigated for their effects on human prostate cancer cells. The diterpenoid ( 3 ) and triterpenoids ( 4 and 5 ) were found to inhibit the growth and stimulate apoptosis in PC-3 cells. The effects of these terpenoids on PC-3 cells were associated with strong suppression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). These terpenoids also inhibited the expression of survivin, a downstream target of NF-κB and STAT3. The in vivo study using a xenograft mouse model showed that 5 strongly inhibited the formation and growth of PC-3 tumours. Moreover, treatment with 5 strongly decreased the expression of phospho-STAT3 and survivin in PC-3 tumours. Our results indicate that 5 has preventive efficacy on the development of PC-3 xenograft tumours. This terpenoid may serve as a candidate for future development as a novel agent for prostate cancer prevention.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
·
药理学
·
分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
Advanced Science
·
2025
·
IF 14.1
Doudou Lei,Lin Liao,Tao Qin,Xiaoxuan Guan,Kunpeng Duan,Zhiwei Gao,Weiqian Jin,Mingjing Yin,Ke Zhang,Yan Liu,Yin Chen,Huyang Gao,Jiaxiao Li,Feifei Huang,Wenjing Liu,Chengde Xia,Bailei Wang,Hualin Huang,Shengqiu Lv,Qiang Zhi,Jiahao Huang,Ming Gao,Junyu Lu
Acute lung injury (ALI) refers to damage to lung related cells, typically caused by an uncontrollable inflammatory response, and over-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS). Increasing evidence suggests that reprogramming lung redox homeostasis holds significant potentials for the clinical treatment of ALI. Herein, the simple synthesis of ultra-small Pd loaded covalent organic framework (COF) (TP@Pd) is reported, which, when combined with near infrared (NIR) irradiation, exhibits nanozyme functionalities, including multiple enzyme mimicking activities and broad spectrum ROS scavenging, thereby promoting tissue repair for ALI immunotherapy. Mechanistically, through the therapeutic strategy of TP@Pd+NIR, the damaged cells and tissues are ameliorated by decreasing intracellular ROS levels (total ROS, ·OH and ·O 2 − ), downregulating inflammatory cytokines levels (IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β), upregulating antioxidant factor level (SOD2), inducing macrophage M2 directional polarization (downregulation of iNOS and CD86, and upregulation of IL-10 and CD206), activating immunoregulation (CD4 + /CD8 + ratio increase), promoting tissue repair factor levels (upregulation of HSP70 and CD31), and suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway (downregulation of phosphorylated p65 and IκBα). Furthermore, following intravenous (IV) injection in rats, TP@Pd accumulated in lung tissue for 6 h, indicating the promising therapeutic efficacy via this administration route. Notably, the TP@Pd+NIR strategy demonstrated the excellent synergistic effects in alleviating lung inflammation storms, reducing diffuse alveolar damage, and accelerating lung tissue repair. Summarily, this work has designed a novel TP@Pd+NIR strategy for the synergistic enhancement of ALI amelioration, which may serve as a promising therapeutic approach for other ROS related diseases.
研究领域:
药理学
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免疫学
·
纳米技术
·
肺科学
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治疗学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Nutrients
·
2024
·Vol. 16
·期 4
·514
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IF 4.8
Xiao Wang,Yongjie Liang,Bohan Zhang,Lixin He,Wenxuan Li,Wenwen Zhang,Chengzong Li,Lihong Luo,Talha Umar,Huili Feng,Changwei Qiu
2’-Hydroxychalcone is a hydroxyl derivative of chalcones, which are biosynthetic precursors of flavonoids and rich in the human diet. The anticancer activity of 2’-hydroxychalcone has been reported in several cancers but remains to be investigated in breast cancer. In the current study, 2’-hydroxychalcone showed significant cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and CMT-1211. It could inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro and suppress tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistic investigation revealed that the NF-κB pathway was significantly inhibited by 2’-hydroxychalcone treatment accompanied by an excessive intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species, induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress, and activation of JNK/MAPK. In addition, 2’-hydroxychalcone elevated the autophagic levels in breast cancer cells equipped with increasing numbers of autophagy vesicles and complete autophagic flux. Finally, autophagy-dependent apoptosis was observed in 2’-hydroxychalcone-induced cell death. In conclusion, 2’-hydroxychalcone enhances the autophagic levels and induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells, which could be contributed to the inhibition of the pro-survival NF-κB signaling, indicating a promising potential for 2’-hydroxychalcone in future anticancer drug development.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
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药理学
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细胞生物学
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Frontiers in Pharmacology
·
2025
·
IF 4.8
Sheng Li,Shiyi Lu,Jiahui Xiong,Liang Chen,Yanting Lin,Xiaohui Chen,Xinyi Wang,Lijing Lin,Xiaoliang Cai,Xiaoyu Yang
Here, we systematically evaluated the therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of action of in-house synthesized hydroxyethyl starch-curcumin nanoparticles (HES-CUR NPs) in ulcerative colitis (UC). Using a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced UC mouse model, we analyzed the effect of HES-CUR NPs on colonic tissue and the gut microbiota through the assessment of organ indices and serum biochemical markers, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and 16S rRNA sequencing. We found that HES-CUR NPs significantly suppressed the TLR4/NF-κB inflammatory pathway (downregulated TLR4, p-IKKβ, IL-1β, IL-6, NFKB, MyD88, and p-IKKB/IKKB; p < 0.01), activated the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway (enhanced Nrf2 nuclear translocation and HO-1 expression), and upregulated the expression of tight junction proteins (claudin-1, occludin, ZO-1), thereby restoring intestinal barrier integrity. Microbiota analysis revealed that HES-CUR NPs increased gut microbiota diversity (elevated Chao1, Shannon, and ACE indices) and enriched beneficial bacteria abundance (Ligilactobacillus murinus, Lactobacillus johnsonii). Antibiotic intervention partially attenuated the therapeutic effects of the HES-CUR NPs, confirming that their effects involved microbiota-dependent mechanisms. Compared to CUR and SASP, HES-CUR NPs exhibited significantly enhanced bioavailability and efficacy (p < 0.01), attributed to the targeted delivery and sustained-release properties of the hydroxyethyl starch nanocarrier. No toxicity was observed, as indicated by normal spleen, liver, and thymus indices and stable levels of TP, ALT, AST, ALB, GLB, and ALB/GLB. Our findings indicated that HES-CUR alleviates UC through a synergistic, multi-target mechanism involving inflammatory pathway suppression, antioxidant pathway activation, intestinal barrier repair, and microbiota modulation, providing a theoretical foundation for developing efficient and safe natural nanomedicines targeting UC.
研究领域:
纳米医学
·
胃肠病学
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免疫学
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药理学
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微生物学
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分子生物学
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药物递送系统
✓ 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）