Frontiers in Pharmacology
·
2025
·
IF 4.8
Lili Huang,Yinqi Chen,Hua Zhou,Huihui Chen,Xiping Wu,Zhuochao Wu,Zhoudi Liu,Zhiwei Zheng
Background: Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) is a secondary brain injury that occurs after thrombolysis and is a primary cause of death in ischemic stroke patients. Antioxidants that effectively reduce oxidative stress are an efficient treatment approach for CIRI. Here, a novel diimide compound was synthesized using the chemical structure of previously designed anti-inflammatory skeletons.Methods and results: The antioxidant activities of five compounds (Z1–Z5) were preliminarily evaluated using the hydrogen peroxide-induced PC12 cell damage model, of which Z3 exhibited the best antioxidant effect, even exceeding that of the positive control (tert-butylhydroquinone). Enrichment analysis using network targeting and network pharmacology methods predicted seven candidate core target genes of Z3 in CIRI. Of these targets, computer molecular docking analysis predicted that Z3 has the strongest binding affinity for nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2). MTT and colony formation assays, reactive oxygen species analysis, immunofluorescence, and immunoblotting experiments verified that Z3 reduced reactive oxygen species to play a protective antioxidant role via the Nrf2/hemoxygenase 1 (HO-1) pathway. The protective effect of Z3 in vivo was explored through TTC staining and neurobehavioral scoring of CIRI model mice.Conclusion: This study provides a new drug development strategy and candidate drug for the treatment of CIRI, offering ideas for the design of new antioxidants.
研究领域:
神经科学
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药理学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
·
2023
·
IF 5.6
Zhehuan Wang,Huiru Zhang,Caihong Qi,Hui Guo,Xiangyue Jiao,Jia Yan,Yifei Wang,Qiangsheng Li,Mingming Zhao,Xinhao Guo,Baoluo Wan,Xiaotian Li
Background Ursolic acid (UA) is a triterpenoid compound found in natural plants. It has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. However, its role in atopic dermatitis (AD) is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of UA in AD mice and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods Balb/c mice were treated with 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) to induce AD-like lesions. During modeling and medication administration, dermatitis scores and ear thickness were measured. Subsequently, histopathological changes, levels of T helper cytokines, and oxidative stress markers levels were evaluated. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to assess changes in the expression of the nuclear factor of kappa B (NF-κB) and NF erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Furthermore, CCK8 assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, real-time PCR, and western blotting were employed to evaluate the effects of UA on ROS levels, inflammatory mediator production, and the NF-κB and Nrf2 pathways in TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. Results The results showed that UA significantly reduced dermatitis score and ear thickness, effectively inhibited skin proliferation and mast cell infiltration in AD mice, and decreased the expression level of T helper cytokines. Meanwhile, UA improved oxidative stress in AD mice by regulating lipid peroxidation and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. In addition, UA inhibited ROS accumulation and chemokine secretion in TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. It might exert anti-dermatitis effects by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Conclusion Taken together, our results suggest that UA may have potential therapeutic effects on AD and could be further studied as a promising drug for AD treatment.
研究领域:
药理学
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免疫学
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皮肤科
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Frontiers in Pharmacology
·
2024
·
IF 4.4
Shu Long,Fu Hangjie,Pi Aiwen,Feng Yuliang,Dong Hui,Si Caijuan,Li Songtao,Zhu Feiye,Zheng Peifen,Zhu Qin
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a recurring inflammatory bowel disease, in which oxidative stress plays a role in its progression, and regulation of the oxidative/antioxidative balance has been suggested as a potential target for the treatment of UC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of andrographolide against UC and its potential antioxidant properties by modulating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) -induced UC mice and the LPS-induced HT29 inflammatory cell model were established to uncover the potential mechanisms of andrographolide. ML385, a Nrf2 inhibitor, was used in both models to assess whether andrographolide exerts a protective effect against UC through the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. The in vivo experiment showed that andrographolide ameliorated the symptoms and histopathology of DSS-induced mice and restored the expressions of ZO-1, Occludin-1 and Claudin-1. Meanwhile, DSS-induced oxidative stress and inflammation were suppressed by andrographolide treatment, along with the upregulation of key proteins in the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. In vitro experiments showed that andrographolide attenuated LPS-induced excessive generation of ROS in HT29 cells, reduced inflammatory factors, and upregulated the expression of proteins related to tight junctions and Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. In addition, ML385 abolished the beneficial effect of andrographolide. In conclusion, the protective effect of andrographolide against UC may involve the suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation via the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.
研究领域:
药理学
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炎症性肠病
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Journal of Functional Foods
·
2022
·
IF 5.223
Jinyuan Wang,Yinyan Yin,Nuo Xu,Bangyue Zhou,Tao Qin
In the bacterial infection of humans, sepsis is of great concern based on its high fatality rate. Correction of immune dysfunction by targeting dendritic cells (DCs) is a promising strategy for sepsis therapy. Royal jelly, a natural health product, is produced by worker bees for feeding queens. In the study, we evaluated whether royal jelly could attenuate LPS-induced immune dysfunction of DCs. We found that royal jelly reduced the expression levels of mature phenotype (MHCII, CD40, CD80, and CD86), activation marker (CD69), and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10) in LPS-induced DCs. In addition, royal jelly enhanced the endocytosis levels and abrogated allogeneic CD4 + T cell proliferation in LPS-induced DCs. Finally, we found that the Nrf2/HO-1 axis played a vital role in the inhibition of LPS-induced immune dysfunction of DCs by royal jelly. These results indicated that royal jelly had a potential application in sepsis therapy by regulating DC function.
研究领域:
免疫学
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药理学
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细胞生物学
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传染病学
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产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
·
2016
·
IF 3.584
Chongshan Dai,Bin Li,Yan Zhou,Daowen Li,Shen Zhang,Hui Li,Xilong Xiao,Shusheng Tang
The potential toxicity of quinocetone (QCT) has raised widely concern, but its mechanism is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of curcumin on QCT induced apoptosis and the underlying mechanism in human hepatocyte L02 cells. The results showed that QCT treatment significantly decreased the cell viability of L02 cell and increased the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), which was attenuated by curcumin pre-treatment at 1.25, 2.5 and 5 μM. Compared to the QCT alone group, curcumin pre-treatment significantly attenuated QCT induced oxidative stress , mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. In addition, curcumin pretreatment markedly attenuated QCT-induced increase of iNOS activity and NO production in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, curcumin pretreatment markedly down-regulated the expression of nuclear factor –kB (NF-kB) and iNOS mRNAs, but up-regulated the expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 mRNAs, compared to the QCT alone group. Zinc protoporphyrin IX , a HO-1 inhibitor, markedly partly abolished the cytoprotective effect of curcumin against QCT-induced caspase activation, NF-kB mRNA expression. These results indicate that curcumin could effectively inhibit QCT induced apoptosis and inflammatory response in L02 cells, which may involve the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 and inhibition of NF-kB pathway.
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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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
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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
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细胞生物学
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呼吸病学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Drug Design Development and Therapy
·
2022
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IF 4.319
Zhenming Gao,Jidong Sui,Rong Fan,Weikun Qu,Xuepeng Dong,Deguang Sun
Aim Lung injury is a common complication of acute pancreatitis (AP), which leads to the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome and causes high mortality. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of emodin on AP-induced lung injury and explored the molecular mechanisms involved.Materials and Methods Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into AP (n=24) and normal (n=6) groups. Rats in the AP group received a retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate into the biliary-pancreatic duct and then randomly assigned to untreated, emodin, combined emodin and ML385, and dexamethasone (DEX) groups. Pancreatic and pulmonary injury was assessed using H&E staining. In in vitro study, rat alveolar epithelial cell line L2 cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide and treated with emodin. Nrf2 siRNA pool was applied for the knockdown of Nrf2. The contents of the pro-inflammatory cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of related mRNAs and proteins in the lung or L2 cells were detected using real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.Key Findings Emodin administration alleviated pancreatic and pulmonary injury of rats with AP. Emodin administration suppressed the production of proinflammatory cytokines, downregulated NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 expressions and inhibited NF-κB nuclear accumulation in the lung. In addition, Emodin increased Nrf2 nuclear translocation and upregulated HO-1 expression. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory effect of emodin was blocked by Nrf2 inhibitor ML385.Conclusion Emodin effectively protects rats against AP-associated lung injury by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation via Nrf2/HO-1 signaling.
研究领域:
药理学
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免疫学
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病理生理学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Antioxidants
·
2022
·Vol. 11
·期 8
·1498
·
IF 7.675
Chongshan Dai,Qinzhi Zhang,Linjie Shen,Gaurav Sharma,Haiyang Jiang,Zhanhui Wang,Jianzhong Shen
Quinocetone (QCT), a member of the quinoxaline 1,4-di-N-oxides (QdNOs) family, can cause genotoxicity and hepatotoxicity, however, the precise molecular mechanisms of QCT are unclear. This present study investigated the protective effect of quercetin on QCT-induced cytotoxicity and the underlying molecular mechanisms in human L02 and HepG2 cells. The results showed that quercetin treatment (at 7.5–30 μM) significantly improved QCT-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative damage in human L02 and HepG2 cells. Meanwhile, quercetin treatment at 30 μM significantly inhibited QCT-induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, an increase in the expression of the CytC protein and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and an increase in caspases-9 and -3 activity, and finally improved cell apoptosis. Quercetin pretreatment promoted the expression of the phosphorylation of p38, Nrf2, and HO-1 proteins. Pharmacological inhibition of p38 significantly inhibited quercetin-mediated activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Consistently, pharmacological inhibitions of the Nrf2 or p38 pathways both promoted QCT-induced cytotoxicity and partly abolished the protective effects of quercetin. In conclusion, for the first time, our results reveal that quercetin could improve QCT-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis by activating the p38/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and inhibiting the ROS/mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Our study highlights that quercetin may be a promising candidate for preventing QdNOs-induced cytotoxicity in humans or animals.Keywords:quercetin;quinocetone;oxidative stress;apoptosis;p38/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway;NF-κB pathway
研究领域:
毒理学
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细胞生物学
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药理学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
·
2022
·Vol. 103
·期 2
·779-791
·
IF 4.125
Huanhuan Teng,Yi Zhang,Chuanshan Jin,Tongsheng Wang,Shengzhuo Huang,Lei Li,Songzi Xie,Deling Wu,Fengqing Xu
BACKGROUND Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua is cultivated for its edible and medical value. The steam-processed rhizome of P. cyrtonema is the main form for daily consumption and it has been used traditionally in tonics for treating various age-related disorders. The aim of our study was to compare the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides respectively extracted from crude P. Cyrtonema (PCPC), and steam-processed P. cyrtonema (PCPS), and to explore a possible underlying antioxidant mechanism. RESULTS The PCPC with a molecular weight of 4.35 × 10 3 Da mainly consisted of fructose and trace amounts of glucose, whereas PCPS with 4.24 × 10 4 Da was composed of fructose, arabinose, glucose, xylose, mannose, galacturonic acid and glucuronic acid. The PCPC had a triple-helical conformation whereas PCPS was a random coil. Both exhibited free radicals- scavenging activity in vitro . In a mouse model of oxidative damage, PCPC or PCPS treatment significantly reversed histopathological alterations, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and the reduction of antioxidant enzyme activity. They both also promoted Nrf2 nuclear transport by decreasing Keap-1 expression and increasing HO-1 expression. Both in vitro and in vivo , PCPS exhibited more potent antioxidant activity than PCPC. CONCLUSION Overall, the results suggest that PCPS has a stronger effect on the prevention of oxidative damage by activating Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant signaling. This study demonstrates the role of steam-processed P. cyrtonema rhizome and provides valuable perspective for PCPS as a functional agent. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
研究领域:
药理学
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生物化学
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
MOLECULAR PHARMACOLOGY
·
2025
·
IF 3
Shixin Li,Jingyan Wei,Shaofen Zhou,Shuaiqi Ma,Peihang Jiang,Jian He
The rise of drug-resistant influenza A virus (IAV) strains and severe lung injury caused by excessive inflammation highlight the need for new antivirals that combine antiviral and immunomodulatory effects. Adamantane, an established anti-IAV agent, targets the viral M2 matrix protein, but widespread mutations have limited its clinical utility. Previously, we identified that 2,5-dihydroxybenzylalcohol and its derivatives possess anti-IAV activity. In this study, we synthesized a series of adamantane-2,5-dihydroxy-benzylalcohol derivatives via reductive amination. Among these, Amt-1 demonstrated strong antiviral activity against both amantadine-sensitive (H1N1 PR8) and clinical isolates IAV strains (-log IC 50 =6.12–6.51 M). Mechanistic analyses, including immunofluorescence, ITC, qPCR, ELISA, luciferase assays, and Western blotting, revealed that Amt-1 not only interacts with the peptide segment of M2 ion channel protein (-log Kd = 5.08 M) but also activates Nrf2, leading to increased HO-1 expression and reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Additionally, Amt-1 inhibited IAV-induced NF-κB activation, thereby suppressing viral replication. In vivo , Amt-1 reduced lung viral titers and mitigated histopathological damage in mice, surpassing amantadine in controlling inflammation and increased survival to 33%. In summary, Amt-1 is the first adamantane derivative shown to exert anti-IAV effects by modulating Nrf2/HO-1-mediated anti-inflammatory pathways and NF-κB-driven antiviral responses, while retaining M2 ion channel inhibition. This host-directed mechanism addresses drug resistance and limits immunopathology, making Amt-1 a promising therapeutic candidate for resistant influenza infections.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
·
2024
·
IF 7.1
Deshan Yao,Liuxiang Bao,Sichuan Wang,Meng Tan,Yuanyuan Xu,Tianxu Wu,Zhengang Zhang,Kaizheng Gong
Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, a multifaceted pathological process, occurs when the prolongation of reperfusion duration triggers ferroptosis-mediated myocardial damage. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL), a single flavonoid from licorice, exhibits a wide range of pharmacological impacts, but its function in ferroptosis caused by myocardial I/R injury remains unclear. This study delved into the protective effect of ISL on myocardial I/R injury-induced ferroptosis and its mechanism. Neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes (NMCM) underwent hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) to simulate the pathological process of myocardial I/R. ISL significantly attenuated H/R-triggered production of reactive oxygen species in NMCM, reduced the expression of malondialdehyde and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase, enhanced superoxide dismutase and catalase activity, and increased the expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its downstream heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), thereby mitigating oxidative stress damage. CCK8 experiment revealed that the ferroptosis inhibitor Ferrostatin-1 significantly improved myocardial cell viability after 24 h of reoxygenation, and ISL treatment showed a similar effect. ISL reduced intracellular free iron accumulation, up-regulated glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) expression, and inhibited lipid peroxidation accumulation, thereby alleviating ferroptosis. The Nrf2-specific inhibitor ML385 counteracted ISL's defensive role against H/R-triggered oxidative stress damage and ferroptosis. In vivo experiments further confirmed that by regulating the translocation of Nrf2 into the nucleus, ISL treatment increased the levels of HO-1, GPX4, and SLC7A11, inhibited the expression of ACSL4, Drp1 to exert the antioxidant role, alleviated mitochondrial damage, and ferroptosis, ultimately reducing myocardial infarction area and injury induced by I/R. ML385 nearly abolished ISL's protective impact on the I/R model by inhibiting Nrf2 function. In summary, ISL is capable of mitigating oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, and cardiomyocyte ferroptosis caused by I/R, thereby reducing myocardial injury. A key mechanism includes triggering the Nrf2/HO-1/SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway to prevent oxidative stress damage and cardiomyocyte ferroptosis caused by I/R.
研究领域:
药理学
·
心脏病学
·
分子生物学
·
细胞生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
FEBS Open Bio
·
2021
·Vol. 11
·期 8
·2118-2126
·
IF 2.693
Na Wei,Tan Lu,Libin Yang,Yonghan Dong,Xiaotan Liu
Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent programmed cell death, which participates in the pathogenesis of spinal cord injury (SCI). Our previous study has revealed that Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) exerts a protective role in SCI. Here, we investigated whether LXA4 can protect SCI through inhibiting neuronal ferroptosis. We treated primary spinal cord neurons with Erastin (ferroptosis activator) to induce ferroptosis. Erastin treatment reduced cell viability and enhanced cell death of primary spinal cord neurons, which was rescued by ferrostatin-1 (ferroptosis inhibitor). Moreover, Erastin repressed glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression and the levels of glutathione and cysteine in primary spinal cord neurons. Erastin also enhanced the expression of ferroptosis biomarkers (PTGS2 and ACSL4) and the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in primary spinal cord neurons. The influence conferred by Erastin was effectively abolished by LXA4 treatment. Furthermore, LXA4 enhanced the protein expression of p-AKT, nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and haem-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in primary spinal cord neurons. LXA4-mediated inhibition of ferroptosis of primary spinal cord neurons was prohibited by LY294002 (AKT inhibitor), brusatol (Nrf2 inhibitor) or zinc protoporphyrin (HO-1 inhibitor). In conclusion, this work demonstrated that LXA4 exerted a neuroprotective effect in Erastin-induced ferroptosis of primary spinal cord neurons by activating the Akt / Nrf2 / HO-1 signaling pathway. Thus, this work provides novel insights into the mechanisms of action of LXA4 in ferroptosis of primary spinal cord neurons and indicates that LXA4 may be a potential therapeutic agent for SCI.
研究领域:
神经科学
·
药理学
·
细胞生物学
·
神经病学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
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