Nanomedicine
·
2026
·
IF 4.6
Jing Zhang,Dongdong Gao
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a highly aggressive malignancy with poor therapeutic outcomes due to drug resistance, systemic toxicity, and limited tumor-targeted drug delivery. This study aimed to develop dual-drug-loaded exosome nanocarrier encapsulating rapamycin (RAP) and Astragaloside IV (AST-IV) (RAP@AST-IV/EXO NC) to inhibit PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling and enhance mitochondrial apoptosis in HCC.Methods Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (BM-MSC-Exos) were isolated and used for co-delivery of RAP and AST-IV via sonication-assisted loading. Physicochemical properties, drug loading, and release behavior were evaluated. In vitro efficacy was assessed through cell viability, apoptosis, ROS generation, mitochondrial membrane potential, migration, and Western blot assays. In vivo therapeutic efficacy and safety were evaluated in male BALB/c mice bearing HepG2 xenografts.Results RAP@AST-IV/EXO NC showed favorable physicochemical characteristics, sustained drug release, enhanced apoptosis, increased ROS generation, mitochondrial membrane disruption, and inhibition of cancer cell migration. The RAP@AST-IV/EXO NC significantly reduced cell viability and suppressed phosphorylated PI3K, Akt, and mTOR expression while activating mitochondrial apoptotic markers. In vivo, RAP@AST-IV/EXO NC markedly inhibited tumor growth without evident systemic toxicity.Conclusion RAP@AST-IV/EXO NC represent a promising biocompatible strategy for targeted HCC therapy through combined PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibition and mitochondrial apoptosis induction.
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Pharmaceuticals
·
2025
·Vol. 18
·期 6
·791
·
IF 4.8
Xiaojie Wang,Miaomiao Chang,Kun Feng,Qingyue Wang,Bowen Li,Weijuan Gao
Background:Chronic atrophic gastritis precancerous lesions (PL-CAG) are characterized by the atrophy of gastric mucosal glands, often accompanied by intestinal metaplasia or dysplasia. Timely intervention and treatment can effectively reverse its malignant progression and prevent the onset of gastric cancer. Bombyx Batryticatus (BB) exhibits a range of pharmacological effects, including anticoagulation, antiepileptic properties, anticancer activity, and antibacterial effects. However, the pharmacological basis and mechanisms underlying BB’s efficacy in treating PL-CAG remain unclear.Methods:A three-factor modeling approach was implemented to develop a rat PL-CAG model, while the MNNG-induced PLGC (precancerous lesions of gastric cancer) cell model was served as a cell PL-CAG model. UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS/MS (Ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbital trap high-resolution mass spectrometry) was utilized to perform an in-depth analysis of the components in the plasma extract of BB. Leveraging network pharmacology, molecular docking analyses, and experimental validation, we initially elucidated the potential mechanisms through which BB mediates its therapeutic effects on PL-CAG at both in vivo and in vitro levels.Results:Prototype compounds of 42 blood-entering components were identified by UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS/MS analysis. Network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking studies indicate that the core targets are primarily enriched in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and the key components, including Nepitrin, Quercetin 3-O-neohesperidoside, Rutin, and others, exhibited stable docking conformations with the first eleven pivotal targets. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments validated that BB may effectively treat PL-CAG via modulation of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.Conclusions:The therapeutic efficacy of BB in the management of PL-CAG may be achieved through the synergistic interaction of multiple components and targets, which may be more closely related to the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This approach will establish a solid experimental foundation and provide essential data for the clinical application of BB in treating PL-CAG, while also facilitating further research initiatives.
研究领域:
药理学
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肿瘤学
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胃肠病学
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高影响因子
JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY
·
2023
·
IF 3.3
Zeng Xiangfeng,Liu Shengyao,Yang Hua,Jia Menglei,Liu Wei,Zhu Wenting
ObjectivesThe most common cause of osteosarcoma (OS) death is lung metastasis. Currently, doxorubicin is the primary chemotherapy drug used to treat OS, however, it is not effective in inhibiting metastasis, and it has obvious cardiotoxicity. The anticancer activity of ginsenoside Rg3 has been demonstrated in a variety of malignant tumours. The aim of this study was to determine the potential role of ginsenoside Rg3 and doxorubicin in OS and the possible mechanism.MethodsThe potential synergistic effects of ginsenoside Rg3 and doxorubicin on human osteosarcoma cells 143B and U2OS, human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and mice receiving 143B xenografts and lung metastases were investigated.Key findingsOur study demonstrated that the combination of ginsenoside Rg3 and doxorubicin significantly inhibited cell proliferation, metastasis and angiogenesis in vitro. Mechanically, the anti-tumour activity of ginsenoside Rg3 and doxorubicin by modulating mTOR/HIF-1α/VEGF and EMT signalling pathways. Furthermore, ginsenoside Rg3 combined with doxorubicin inhibits tumour growth and lung metastasis in 143B-derived murine osteosarcoma models. More importantly, ginsenoside Rg3 can effectively ameliorate doxorubicin-induced weight loss and cardiotoxicity in mice.ConclusionsConsequently, we concluded that the combination of ginsenoside Rg3 and doxorubicin displayed an evidently synergistic effect, which has the potential to be used as an effective and safe therapeutic approach for OS treatment.
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EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
·
2018
·
IF 4.816
Long Ma,Yuanyuan Meng,Chunhao Tu,Xiuqi Cao,Haiyue Wang,Yuyin Li,Shuli Man,Jin Zhou,Miao Li,Zhenxing Liu,Yanfang Su
Experiments have been undertaken and for the first time, we have identified that a new cardiac glycoside (CG) isolated from Helleborus thibetanus Franch. a plant endemic to China, bears potent anti-cancer activity. We have named it as HTF-1. By using in vitro cell models, we have found that HTF-1 induces apoptosis against several types of cancer cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. It is able to inhibit cancer cell in proliferation, migration and invasion. HTF-1 causes S cell cycle arrest . Further-on, we have identified that HTF-1 triggers caspase-9 dependent apoptosis pathway and double strand DNA breaks (DSBs). Additionally, HTF-1 activates JNK , but suppresses ERK and PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathways. Collectively, the above-mentioned mechanisms contribute to the anti-cancer activity of HTF-1. It is rare to discover novel anti-cancer CG during the past couple of decades. We believe that our work will enrich the understanding of CGs; also, pave the way for natural product-based anti-cancer drug development.
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ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY
·
2024
·Vol. 206
·期 6
·1-11
·
IF 2.3
Zhuang Cuicui,Zhang Ruoqing,Bai Jiangang,Zhang Xinying,Zhao Jinhui
Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) can induce severe clinical bovine mastitis, which is to blame for large losses experienced by dairy farms. Macrophage polarization into various states is in response to pathogen infections. Lycopene, a naturally occurring hydrocarbon carotenoid, relieved inflammation by controlling M1/M2 status of macrophages. Thus, we wanted to explore the effect of lycopene on polarization states of macrophages in E. coli -induced mastitis. Macrophages were cultivated with lycopene for 24, before E. coli inoculation for 6 h. Lycopene (0.5 μmol/L) significantly enhanced cell viabilities and significantly reduced lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in macrophages, whereas 2 and 3 μmol/L lycopene significantly enhanced LDH activities. Lycopene treatment significantly reduced the increase in LDH release, iNOS, CD86, TNF-α, IL-1β and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expressions in E. coli group. 0.5 μmol/L lycopene significantly increased E. coli -induced downregulation of CD206, arginase I (ARG1), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), chitinase 3-like 3 (YM1), PI3K, AKT, p-AKT, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p-mTOR, jumonji domain-containing protein-3 (JMJD3) and interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) levels. Moreover, Ginkgolic acid C17:1 (a specific PTEN inhibitor), 740YPDGFR (a specific PI3K activator), SC79 (a specific AKT activator) or CHPG sodium salt (a specific NF-κB activator) significantly decreased CD206, AGR1, IDO and YM1 expressions in lycopene and E. coli -treated macrophages. Therefore, lycopene increased M2 macrophages via inhibiting NOTCH1-PI3K-mTOR-NF-κB-JMJD3-IRF4 pathway in response to E. coli infection in macrophages. These results contribute to revealing the pathogenesis of E. coli -caused bovine mastitis, providing the new angle of the prevention and management of mastitis.
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Chemical Biology & Drug Design
·
2024
·Vol. 104
·期 4
·e70003
·
IF 3.2
Xiang Yu,Di Zhang,Chengming Hu,Zejun Yu,Yang Li,Cheng Fang,Yinsheng Qiu,Zhinan Mei,Lingyun Xu
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most prevalent malignant tumor. Hepatocellular carcinogenesis is closely linked to apoptosis, autophagy, and inflammation. Diosmetin and chrysin, are two flavonoid compounds, exhibit anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. In this study, the TCGA database was utilized to identify differentially expressed genes between normal subjects and HCC patients. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics analyses were employed to assess the binding affinity of chrysin and diosmetin to key proteins in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/NF-κB signaling pathway. Western blotting and RT-qPCR were used to measure the protein and gene expression within this pathway. The results indicated that HCC patients had elevated levels of PI3K, AKT, mTOR, and P65 proteins compared to normal subjects, which adversely affected patient survival. Molecular docking and dynamics studies demonstrated that diosmetin and chrysin are effectively bound to these four proteins. In vitro experiments revealed that the combination of diosmetin and chrysin could induce apoptosis, enhance autophagy, reduce inflammatory mediator production, and improve the tumor cell microenvironment by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/NF-κB signaling pathway. Notably, the synergy score for the combination of diosmetin (25 μM) and chrysin (10 μM) was 16. Thus, the diosmetin–chrysin combination shows promise as an effective therapeutic approach for hepatocellular carcinoma due to its strong synergistic effect.
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NEUROCHEMICAL RESEARCH
·
2021
·Vol. 46
·期 11
·3075-3084
·
IF 3.996
Chen Chunlin,Ma Hao,Fu Zhifeng
3-n-Butylphthalide (NBP), an extract from seeds of Apium graveolens Linn. (Chinese celery), has been demonstrated to have antidepressant effects in suspension chronic-stressed rats by our group. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible involvement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in the antidepressant mechanism of NBP. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was applied for 6 weeks to induced a depressive-like behavior, characterized by decreased locomotor activity, sucrose preference and the NE, DA and 5-HT levels in cortex. Oral treatment with NBP (30 or 100 mg/kg, p.o.), similarly to fluoxetine (2 mg/kg, p.o.), can prevention of these alterations. The NBP (30 or 100 mg/kg, p.o.) reversed the decrease in the BDNF, p-ERK, mTOR and synapsin-1 protein levels in rat cortex caused by CUMS. And rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, completely inhibited the antidepressant-like activity of NBP in vivo. In conclusion, these findings indicate that NBP treatment attenuated the depression-like behaviors through the modulation of serotonergic system and BDNF-ERK-mTOR signaling in rat.
研究领域:
药理学
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神经科学
·
行为科学
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PHYTOMEDICINE
·
2026
·
IF 11.3
Linyan Lang,Yiping Fu,Jinxin Miao,Yagang Song,Xiaolei Zhang,Quanyou Zhao,Yuting Liu,Yu Zhang,Mingsan Miao,Xingyi Liu,Yueyang Zhang,Xiaoran Wang,Zhanzhan Li
In this study, we report that Fresh Rehmannia glutinosa extract (RGE), effectively prevents and treats Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP) by regulating the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway to restore the Treg/Th17 balance. • RGE, a traditional "medicinal and edible homology" herb recently added to China's 2024 list, demonstrates therapeutic potential for HSP by aligning with the TCM principle of "clearing descending fire and nourishing yin" to treat blood syndromes. • RGE and its core active component catalpol significantly alleviate HSP symptoms, reducing skin and renal purpura, pathological damage, and IgA deposition in mouse models. • RGE and its core active component catalpol restore Treg/Th17 balance and suppresses inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting the PI3K-AKT-mTOR/NF-κB signaling pathway, as confirmed by network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vivo/in vitro experiments. • Multi-omics analysis reveals that RGE intervention reshapes gut microbiota structure and regulates metabolic homeostasis, suggesting a protective "gut-microbiota-immune" mechanism in HSP treatment. Background Therapeutic choices remain limited for Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), an IgA-associated vasculitis. Rehmannia glutinosa , a medicinal and edible herb traditionally used to "clear heat and cool blood," shows clinical promise, yet its precise pathogenesis remains elusive. Purpose This study was designed to examine the therapeutic impact of Rehmannia glutinosa extract (RGE) on HSP, characterize its primary active components, and explore the mechanistic basis of its activity. Study design An integrative approach encompassing in vivo and in vitro HSP models, network pharmacology, LC-MS, molecular docking, dynamics simulations, microbiomics, and metabolomics was utilized to systematically identify the anti-HSP material basis and underlying mechanisms of RGE. Methods Forty-one active components in RGE were identified via LC-MS. A multi-level computational strategy-encompassing network pharmacology, docking studies, and molecular dynamics was applied to screen and identify Catalpol (Cat) as the key active candidate. ICR mouse HSP models and cell cultures were treated with RGE or Cat. Pathological injuries, IgA deposition, and immune cell proportion changes were evaluated using RT-qPCR, Western blot, flow cytometry, and multiplex immunofluorescence. Furthermore, microbiomics and metabolomics were utilized to decipher the mechanism by which RGE exerts its effects through gut microbiota regulation. Results RGE and Cat significantly alleviated skin and kidney injuries and reduced abnormal IgA deposition. By suppressing the PI3K-AKT-mTOR/NF-κB pathway, they successfully rectified the Treg/Th17 imbalance and mitigated inflammatory cytokine production. Additionally, RGE effectively reshaped the gut microbiota ecology and regulated the metabolome. Molecular simulations further confirmed Cat as a key active compound. Conclusion RGE exerts therapeutic effects on HSP through multi-target immunomodulation and gut microbiota remodeling, with Cat identified as a critical active component. These data support the herapeutic prospects of RGE and Cat in the prophylaxis and management of HSP. Download: Download high-res image (351KB) Download: Download full-size image
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PLoS One
·
2025
·Vol. 20
·期 12
·e0337214
·
IF 2.6
Ruifang Li,Yan Sun,Drolma Kelsang,Mingzhi Feng,Hanhui Cai,Jun Zhang
Background
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic, chronic inflammatory disease of the colon that imposes a significant global public health burden due to its recurrent and refractory nature. The therapeutic effects of butyrate on UC have been documented previously, but its specific mechanisms remain unclear.
Objective
This study aimed to investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of butyrate in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC.
Methods
A UC mouse model was induced utilizing 3% DSS, followed by interventions of 300 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg, or 1200 mg/kg of butyrate. The fecal condition and colonic pathology of the mice were observed, along with measurements of body weight and colon length. The expression of serum inflammatory factors, autophagy-related proteins, and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway-related proteins were detected. Additionally, the impact of butyrate on the mouse gut microbial communities was evaluated using 16S rRNA sequencing technology.
Results
It was demonstrated that butyrate effectively alleviated UC symptoms, including bloody stools, weight loss, and colon shortening. Furthermore, butyrate reduced colonic tissue damage, decreased the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, and significantly upregulated Beclin-1, Atg5, and the LC3II/I ratio, while reducing P62 expression. Butyrate also decreased the relative expression of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and p-mTOR/mTOR. 16S rRNA sequencing results revealed that butyrate improved the intestinal microbial community structure by inhibiting harmful bacteria and accelerating the growth of beneficial bacteria.
Conclusion
This study suggests that butyrate may alleviate DSS-induced UC in mice by blocking the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway to facilitating autophagy in intestinal epithelial cells and by modulating the gut microbiota.
研究领域:
免疫学
·
胃肠病学
·
微生物学
·
分子生物学
·
营养科学
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
·
2023
·Vol. 24
·期 20
·15403
·
IF 5.6
Li Chen,Meng Tian,Jing Yang,Zhenxu Wu
Polymer microspheres have recently shown outstanding potential for bone tissue engineering due to their large specific surface area, good porosity, injectable property, good biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Their good load-release function and surface modifiability make them useful as a carrier of drugs or growth factors for the repair of bone defects in irregularly injured or complex microenvironments, such as skull defects. In this study, berberine (BBR)-encapsulated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)/hydroxyapatite (HA) microspheres were fabricated using electrified liquid jets and a phase-separation technique, followed by modification with the 3,4-hydroxyphenalyalanine-containing recombinant insulin-like growth–factor-1 (DOPA-IGF-1). Both the BBR and the IGF-1 exhibited sustained release from the IGF-1@PLGA/HA-BBR microspheres, and the composite microspheres exhibited good biocompatibility. The results of the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assays showed that the BBR and IGF-1 in the composite microspheres synergistically promoted the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Furthermore, it was confirmed that immobilized IGF-1 enhances the mRNA expression of an osteogenic-related extracellular matrix and that BBR accelerates the mRNA expression of IGF-1-mediated osteogenic differentiation and cell mineralization. Further cellular studies demonstrate that IGF-1 could further synergistically activate the IGF-1R/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway using BBR, thereby enhancing IGF-1-mediated osteogenesis. Rat calvarial defect repair experiments show that IGF-1@PLGA/HA-BBR microspheres can effectively promote the complete bony connection required to cover the defect site and enhance bone defect repair. These findings suggest that IGF-1@PLGA/HA-BBR composite microspheres show a great potential for bone regeneration.Keywords:polymer microspheres;berberine (BBR);IGF-1;bone regeneration;osteogenic differentiation
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PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
·
2019
·
IF 5.574
Jin-Feng Teng,Da-Lian Qin,Qi-Bing Mei,Wen-Qiao Qiu,Rong Pan,Rui Xiong,Ya Zhao,Betty Yuen-Kwan Law,Vincent Kam-Wai Wong,Yong Tang,Chong-Lin Yu,Feng Zhang,Jian-Ming Wu,An-Guo Wu
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancers. Our previous studies have proven that Trillium tschonoskii Maxim. (TTM), a traditional Chinese medicine , possesses potent anti-tumor effect. However, the detailed components and molecular mechanism of TTM in anti-NSCLC are still unknown. In the present experiment, polyphyllin VI (PPVI) was successfully isolated from TTM with guidance of the anti-proliferative effect in A549 cells, and the cell death of PPVI treated A549 and H1299 cells was closely linked with the increased intracellular ROS levels. In addition, PPVI induced apoptosis by promoting the protein expression of Bax/Bcl2, caspase-3 and caspase-9, and activated autophagy by improving LC3 II conversion and GFP-LC3 puncta formation in A549 and H1299 cells. The mechanism study found that the activity of mTOR which regulates cell growth, proliferation and autophagy was significantly suppressed by PPVI. Accordingly, the PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathways positively regulating mTOR were inhibited, and AMPK negatively regulating mTOR was activated. In addition, the downstream of mTOR, ULK1 at Ser 757 which downregulates autophagy was inhibited by PPVI. The apoptotic cell death induced by PPVI was confirmed, and it was significantly suppressed by the overexpression of AKT, ERK and mTOR, and the induced autophagic cell death which was depended on the Atg7 was decreased by the inhibitors, such as LY294002 (LY), Bafilomycin A1 (Baf), Compound C (CC) and SBI-0206965 (SBI). Furthermore, the mTOR signaling pathway was regulated by the increased ROS as the initial signal in A549 and H1299 cells. Finally, the anti-tumor growth activity of PPVI in vivo was validated in A549 bearing athymic nude mice . Taken together, our data have firstly demonstrated that PPVI is the main component in TTM that exerts the anti-proliferative effect by inducing apoptotic and autophagic cell death in NSCLC via the ROS-triggered mTOR signaling pathway, and PPVI may be a promising candidate for the treatment of NSCLC in future.
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PLoS One
·
2019
·Vol. 14
·期 10
·e0223760
·
IF 2.776
Pan Zhang,Dan He,Erqun Song,Mingdong Jiang,Yang Song
The current study aimed to identify the radiosensitizing effect of celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, in combination with radiotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. The combination of celecoxib potentiated radiation-induced apoptosis; however, no changes in cell cycle distribution and number of phosphorylated histone H2AX foci were detected, indicating a DNA damage-independent mechanism. In an in vivo mouse model, the tumor size was significantly decreased in the group combining celecoxib with radiation compared with the radiation only group. Phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), as well as expression of COX-2 were significantly downregulated in cells treated with the combination of celecoxib and radiation compared with the radiation only group. The result indicated that celecoxib exhibits radiosensitizing effects through COX-2 and Akt/mTOR-dependent mechanisms. Induction the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway promotes radioresistance in various cancers, including NSCLC. Therefore, the current study suggested the therapeutic potential of combination therapy of celecoxib and radiation in the prevention of radioresistance.
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