BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
·
2024
·
IF 2.5
Juanjuan Zhu,Wenmin Tang,Xian Wu,Mao Mu,Quan Zhang,Xueke Zhao
Tectorigenin (TEC) as a plant extract has the advantage of low side effects on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) treatment. Our previous study have shown that tRNA-derived RNA fragments (tRFs) associated with autophagy and pyroptosis in MASH, but whether TEC can mitigate MASH through tRFs-mediated mitophagy is not fully understood. This study aims to investigate whether TEC relies on tRFs to adjust the crosstalk of hepatocyte mitophagy with pyroptosis in MASH. Immunofluorescence results of PINK1 and PRKN with MitoTracker Green-labeled mitochondria verified that TEC enhanced mitophagy. Additionally, TEC inhibited pyroptosis, as reflected by the level of GSDME, NLRP3, IL-1β, and IL-18 decreased after TEC treatment, while the effect of pyroptosis inhibition by TEC was abrogated by Pink1 silencing. We found that the upregulation expression of tRF-3040b caused by MASH was suppressed by TEC. The promotion of mitophagy and the suppression of pyroptosis induced by TEC were abrogated by tRF-3040b mimics. TEC reduced lipid deposition, inflammation, and pyroptosis, and promoted mitophagy in mice, but tRF-3040b agomir inhibited these effects. In summary, our findings provided that TEC significantly reduced the expression of tRF-3040b to enhance mitophagy, thereby inhibiting pyroptosis in MASH. We elucidated a powerful theoretical basis and provided safe and effective potential drugs for MASH with the prevention and treatment.
研究领域:
药理学
·
肝病学
·
分子生物学
·
细胞生物学
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY
·
2022
·
IF 3.889
Zhongmei He,He Yu,Hong Wu,Lili Su,Kun Shi,Yan Zhao,Ying Zong,Weijia Chen,Rui Du
Context Fibraurea recisa Pierre. (Menispermaceae) (FR) is a traditional Chinese medicine known as “Huangteng.” The total alkaloids of FR (AFR) are the main active ingredients. However, the pharmacological effects of AFR in the treatment of depression have not been reported.Objectives This study investigates the antidepressant effects of AFR by network pharmacology and verification experiments.Materials and methods Compound-Target-Pathway (C-P-T) network of FR and depression was constructed through network pharmacology. In vitro, HT-22 cells were treated with corticosterone (CORT) solution (0.35 mg/mL), then AFR (0.05 mg/mL) solution and inhibitor AZD6244 (14 μM/mL) or BAY11-7082 (10 μM/mL) were added, respectively. The cell viability was detected by CCK-8. In vivo, C57BL/6 mice were divided into 5 groups, namely the normal group, the CUMS group, the AFR (400 mg/kg) group, and the 2 groups that were simultaneously administered the inhibitory group AZD6244 (8 mg/kg) and BAY11-7082 (5 mg/kg). Western blotting was used to assess the expression level of the proteins.Results AFR could protect HT-22 cells from CORT-induced damage and increase the cell viability from 49.12 ± 3.4% to 87.26 ± 1.5%. Moreover, AFR significantly increased the levels of BDNF (1.3, 1.4-fold), p-ERK (1.4, 1.2-fold) and p-CERB (1.6, 1.3-fold), and decreased the levels of NLRP3 (11.3%, 31.6%), ASC (19.2%, 34.2%) and caspase-1 (18.0%, 27.6%) in HT-22 cells and the hippocampus, respectively.Discussion and conclusions AFR can improve depressive-like behaviours and can develop drugs for depression treatment. Further studies are needed to validate its potential in clinical medicine.
研究领域:
药理学
·
神经科学
·
中医药
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
RESEARCH IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
·
2022
·
IF 2.554
Mohammad Reza Tabandeh,Sadegh Jozaie,Zohre Ghotbedin,Saad Gorani
The stimulation of pro-inflammatory pathways by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxins is a key player in the pathological mechanisms involved in the development of ovarian dysfunctions in dairy cows. Dimethyl itaconate acid (DMIA) is a novel immunometabolite that has recently emerged as a regulator of inflammatory responses in mammals. The present study was undertaken to determine the anti-inflammatory effects of DMIA on bovine granulosa cells (GCs) and to explore its possible molecular mechanisms. The ovarian GCs were obtained from small follicles of dairy cows. The GCs were stimulated with 1 μg/mL LPS for 4 h and then treated with 250 μM DMIA for 12 h. The viability, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, activation of inflammatory signaling pathways and synthesis of steroid hormones were evaluated in treated GCs. Our results showed that DMIA reduced the inflammatory responses in LPS stimulated GCs by down-regulating the expression of nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasome , and toll-like receptor 4 and by suppressing the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B and c-Jun N-terminal kinase proteins . DMIA also attenuated the increased production of pro inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 1 beta ( p < 0.01) in LPS stimulated GCs. Exposure of LPS stimulated GCs to DMIA improved the impaired steroidogenesis by up-regulation of steroid synthesis genes including 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, follicle stimulating hormone receptor and cytochrome P450 aromatase . The results of the present study highlight the potential role of itaconic acid for the improvement of GCs inflammation in dairy cows with ovarian dysfunctions.
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
·
2024
·
IF 4.8
Dandan Zhang,Hao Wan,Ran Zhao,Yu Zhang,Hong Chen
The therapeutic effect of 5-amino salicylic acid (5-ASA), a first-line therapeutic agent for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC), is limited by the modest bioavailability afforded by its oral administration. In this study, a 5-ASA oral delivery system was developed using Eudragit S100-coated iron oxide-chitosan nanocomposites (ES-IOCS/5-ASA) to address this issue. According to drug release studies in vitro, ES-IOCS/5-ASA only released a small amount of drug in simulated gastric fluid with a pH of 1.2. However, in a medium with a pH of 7.5, a relatively rapid and complete release was noted. 5-ASA-loaded iron oxide-chitosan nanocomposites (IOCS/5-ASA) could be effectively taken up by NCM460 cells and performed better anti-inflammatory effects than free 5-ASA. At the same time, IOCS/5-ASA improved barrier damage in DSS-induced NCM460 cells. In vivo models of dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis were used to assess the therapeutic efficacy of oral administration of ES-IOCS/5-ASA. ES-IOCS/5-ASA significantly relieved DSS-induced colitis and enhanced the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier. ES-IOCS/5-ASA also reduced the expression of NLRP3, ASC and IL-1β. Additionally, iron oxide nanoparticles used as nanozymes could alleviate inflammation. In summary, this study indicates that ES-IOCS/5-ASA exert anti-inflammatory effects on DSS-induced colitis by improving intestinal barrier function and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome expression, presenting a viable therapeutic choice for the treatment of UC.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
·
2025
·
IF 4.9
Heng Zhou,Yueming Long,Fangmei Yu,Chenhui Ji,Li Gui,Yunxia Lu
Resveratrol (RSV) ameliorates endothelial dysfunction (ED) primarily through sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). Increasing evidence shows pyroptosis as a novel mechanism in palmitic acid (PA)-induced ED. p66Shc is an adaptor protein involved in oxidative stress. However, whether RSV attenuates the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome via p66Shc remains elusive. This study aims to evaluate whether the anti-pyroptotic effect of RSV and the SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 are related to p66Shc. High-fat diet (HFD) induced obesity in mice, and RSV was administered intragastrically with 400mg/kg/d for 22 successive weeks. The serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 were analyzed, and the expression of related proteins were assayed with immunohistochemistry in the thoracic aorta. human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were induced by PA, then treated with RSV and EX527 respectively, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and expression of p66Shc, NLRP3, GSDMD and pyroptosis-related genes were assayed. RSV administration ameliorated endothelial cell pyroptosis by decreasing serum IL-1β and IL-18, the expression of NLRP3, p66Shc, and gasdermin D (GSDMD), and increasing the expression of SIRT1 in the HFD-treated thoracic aorta. PA promoted GSDMD-mediated endothelial cell pyroptosis by ROS production, LDH release, decreased MMP and SIRT1 expression, increased expression of p66Shc and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in a dose-dependent manner. RSV attenuated PA-induced pyroptosis, whereas EX527 reversed the antipyroptotic effect of RSV in PA-treated HUVECs. Our results suggested a new mechanism that RSV improves PA-induced pyroptosis in endothelial cells via the SIRT1-p66Shc-NLRP3 pathway.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
·
2025
·
IF 2.7
Yarong Yan,Shulei Xing,Jinghua Liu,Xinlin Yan,Yi Guan,Zhixin Jiang,Wei Zhang,Xuan Li
Lycium barbarum glycopeptide (LbGp), derived from the Chinese medicinal plant Lycium barbarum, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties; however, its precise role and mechanism in corneal repair following injury remain elusive. The present research investigated the mechanisms and effects of LbGp on corneal repair following alkali burn injury using in vivo mouse models of corneal alkali burn and in vitro human keratocyte fibrosis models. Corneal inflammation, opacity, and epithelial defects were assessed via a slit lamp microscope. Results showed that LbGp-treated mice exhibited reduced edema, accelerated re-epithelialization, and decreased corneal opacity compared to the phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-treated controls. Proteomic analysis revealed altered proteins enriched in the extracellular matrix among the control, injury, and LbGp treatment groups. Moreover, LbGp significantly attenuated TGFβ-1-induced myofibroblasts transdifferentiation from keratocytes. Consistently, LbGp treatment inhibited the upregulation of fibrosis markers (αSMA, fibronectin, and collagen III) at both the protein and mRNA levels after corneal alkali burns. LbGp also effectively suppressed the activation of the NF-κB/NLRP3/IL-1β signaling pathway and neutrophil infiltration following corneal alkali burn injury. Additionally, miR-21 was upregulated in TGFβ-1-stimulated keratocytes and in the alkali-burned mouse cornea. LbGp decreased miR-21 expression, while increasing expression of its target, Smad7, thereby dampening the TGFβ/Smad2/3 signaling pathway. This research demonstrates that LbGp promotes corneal healing by inhibiting inflammation and fibrosis after alkali burns, suggesting its potential as a supplementary therapy for corneal injury repair.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
·
2019
·Vol. 2019
·期 1
·2969364
·
IF 1.984
Zi-cong Wu,Qiang Xue,Zhen-ling Zhao,Peng-jun Zhou,Qun Zhou,Zhen Zhang,Jian-ping Deng,Ke Yang,Hua Fan,Yi-fei Wang,Zhi-ping Wang
Background . Huzhentongfeng (HZTF) is an extract from four Chinese medical herbs for treating gout. This study aims to evaluate its antigout activity and preliminary explore its mechanism in vivo and in vitro . Methods . The rats were intragastrically administered with HZTF for 5 days and then injected 0.1 ml (10 mg) of MSU crystals to their joints for generating a gout model to analyze the paw volume and histopathology of joint synovial tissues of rats with different doses. We also investigated the antioxidant capacity of HZTF in vitro using indication including lipid peroxidation, DPPH · , and ABTS + radical-scavenging capacity; besides, we used qRT-PCR to measure the effect of HZTF on interleukin (IL)-1 β , caspase-1, NLRP3, and NQO1 expression in hydrogen peroxide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and IL-1 β , IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- α in MSU crystal-induced THP-1 monocytes. Confocal microscopy analysis was used to observe the dimerization of ASC adapter proteins. In addition, we also established quality standard of HZTF by using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Results . HZTF could significantly suppress the paw swelling and neutrophil infiltration induced by MSU intra-articular injection in rats compared with the control group. HZTF also showed inhibition effects of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 β , IL-6, and TNF- α ) secretion at 25.00 and 50.00 μ g/ml in MSU-induced THP-1 cells but showed no effects of IL-1 β , IL-6, and TNF- α mRNA expression in MSU-induced THP-1 cells. Furthermore, confocal microscopy analysis showed that HZTF could prevent the oligomerization of ASC. Moreover, HZTF also showed effects in cell-free and cell-base tests of antioxidant capacity. Conclusion . The results prove that HZTF possessed the potential preventive effect against gout arthritis, and the effect may be attributed to its preventing effect on neutrophil infiltration and proinflammatory cytokines secretion such as IL-1 β , IL-6, and TNF- α which were caused by the activation of inflammasome.
研究领域:
药理学
·
免疫学
·
风湿病学
·
中医药学
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
LIPIDS
·
2026
·
IF 1.6
Xujiao Hu,Yu Fang
In atherosclerosis (AS), the conversion of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to a macrophage-like phenotype is a key contributor to plaque instability. Although retinoic acid receptor responder 2 (RARRES2) has been identified as an adipokine implicated in inflammation and metabolism, its role in VSMC phenotypic transformation remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate whether RARRES2 regulates the macrophage-like transformation and dysfunction of VSMCs. In the in vitro AS model, RARRES2 expression was significantly upregulated. Knockdown of RARRES2 inhibited VSMC proliferation and migration, reduced the secretion of inflammatory factors, decreased lipid accumulation, and the number of CD68-positive cells, and suppressed the activation of key proteins in the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway. In the AS model, RARRES2 expression was found to be significantly upregulated. Knockdown of RARRES2 inhibited the proliferation and migration of VSMCs, reduced the secretion of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and MMP-2, reduced lipid accumulation, decreased the number of CD68-positive cells (indicating an acquisition of partial macrophage-like features, though further lineage markers are needed to confirm full partial macrophage-like phenotype), and inhibited the activation of key proteins (p-p65, NLRP3, ASC) in the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway. RARRES2 knockdown suppresses NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling and attenuates macrophage-like transformation, inflammatory responses, and lipid accumulation in VSMCs, suggesting that RARRES2 may represent a potential therapeutic target for AS.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
·
2025
·
IF 4.7
Dake Huang,Ke Shen,Li Gui,Qiongqiong Cao,Fangmei Yu,Yunxia Lu
Given resveratrol's (RES) potential as an anti-aging agent, this study explored its ability to inhibit the NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome through the miR-217/SIRT1 axis in senescent endothelial cells. Male C57BL/6 mice were administered a customized regular diet supplemented with 0.04 % RES for 64 consecutive weeks. Subsequently, the effects of RES on senescent human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by H 2 O 2 were evaluated. Gene expression analyses were conducted following SIRT1 knockdown in HUVECs treated with H 2 O 2 and RES, or transfected with miR-217 mimics and inhibitors. The study found that RES reduced body weight, improved endothelial function, enhanced SIRT1 expression, and suppressed the expression of miR-217, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), and NLRP3 in the senescent thoracic aorta. Additionally, RES significantly reduced the expression of NOX4, X-box binding protein 1 spliced (XBP1s), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in a dose-dependent manner in senescent HUVECs. SIRT1 knockdown resulted in the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by upregulating NOX4 and XBP1s expression, an effect that was partially attenuated by RES pretreatment. RES also suppressed the expression of miR-217 induced by H 2 O 2 . The miR-217 mimic facilitated cellular senescence; however, RES mitigated this effect, which was further amplified by the miR-217 inhibitor.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
·
2024
·Vol. 25
·期 8
·4276
·
IF 4.9
Chenyang Li,Xinxin Qi,Lei Xu,Yuan Sun,Yan Chen,Yuhan Yao,Jun Zhao
This study aimed to investigate the preventive effects of the total polyphenols fromNymphaea candida(NCTP) on LPS-induced septic acute lung injury (ALI) in mice and its mechanisms. NCTP could significantly ameliorate LPS-induced lung tissue pathological injury in mice as well as lung wet/dry ratio and MPO activities (p< 0.05). NCTP could significantly decrease the blood leukocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, basophil, and eosinophil amounts and LPS contents in ALI mice compared with the model group (p< 0.05), improving lymphocyte amounts (p< 0.05). Moreover, compared with the model group, NCTP could decrease lung tissue TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels (p< 0.05) and downregulate the protein expression of TLR4, MyD88, TRAF6, IKKβ, IκB-α, p-IκB-α, NF-κB p65, p-NF-κB p65, NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase1 in lung tissues (p< 0.05). Furthermore, NCTP could inhibit ileum histopathological injuries, restoring the ileum tight junctions by increasing the expression of ZO-1 and occludin. Simultaneously, NCTP could reverse the gut microbiota disorder, restore the diversity of gut microbiota, increase the relative abundance of Clostridiales and Lachnospiraceae, and enhance the content of SCFAs (acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid) in feces. These results suggested that NCTP has preventive effects on septic ALI, and its mechanism is related to the regulation of gut microbiota, SCFA metabolism, and the TLR-4/NF-κB and NLRP3 pathways.
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
·
2026
·
IF 5.1
Wenyu Xie,Ke Wu,Lin Zhang,Xiyu Feng,Shangshen Yang,Siyu Jia,Yutong Li,Xiaoming Wang
Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) plays a crucial neuroprotective role in Parkinson's disease (PD). Cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS), a key enzyme involved in H₂S biosynthesis, exhibits expression deficiencies that are closely linked to PD progression. This suggests that enhancing the CBS–H₂S signaling axis to restore H₂S homeostasis may be a critical approach for preventing and treating PD. In the present study, the H₂S donor sulforaphane (SFN) was investigated to elucidate its neuroprotective mechanisms through activation of the CBS–H₂S axis. siRNA-mediated silencing of Nrf2 and CBS was employed to clarify the role of each in SFN's effects. Our findings demonstrate that SFN promotes CBS expression and H₂S synthesis, activates mitophagy to clear damaged mitochondria, reduces mitochondrial-derived reactive oxygen species (mtROS) levels, and inhibits the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes and caspase-1. In the MPTP-induced PD mouse model, SFN improved motor performance, increased the survival rate of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, and restored dopamine metabolism in the striatum, normalizing the DOPAC/DA and 5-HIAA/5-HT ratios. Electron microscopy revealed that SFN facilitated the clearance of damaged mitochondria through autophagosomes and blocked mtROS-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In the MPP + -induced BV-2 microglial cell model, SFN upregulated CBS expression, enhanced H₂S synthesis, increased the LC3-II/I ratio, and inhibited p62 degradation, thereby promoting the recovery of mitochondrial membrane potential and reducing ROS release. These effects were still observed under Nrf2 silencing conditions, indicating that SFN's neuroprotective effects are mediated through the CBS–H₂S axis independently of Nrf2 signaling. Collectively, these findings indicate that SFN reshapes the CBS–H₂S signaling axis, activates mitochondrial autophagy, and suppresses inflammation, offering novel insights into multi-target therapeutic approaches for PD and underscoring the essential role of H₂S in neuroprotection.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Journal of Natural Medicines
·
2020
·Vol. 75
·期 1
·37-47
·
IF 2.055
Han Jieru,Shi Guangyu,Li Wenhao,Xie Ying,Li Fuzhen,Jiang Deyou
Monosodium urate (MSU)-mediated inflammation is closely related to gouty arthritis (GA). Dioscin, an active ingredient, has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory property. Nevertheless, the role of dioscin in GA and the underlying mechanism have not been fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of dioscin on MSU-induced GA through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Histopathological analysis showed that dioscin alleviated the severity of GA concomitant with the lowered uric acid and creatinine levels. Moreover, the increasing IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels induced by MSU were decreased via administration of dioscin in mice and human synoviocytes. Western blotting results suggested that dioscin inhibited the activation of NLRP3 through down-regulating the protein expressions of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), cleaved-caspase-1, as well as IL-1β. In addition, TLR4, myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88), p-IKKβ, p-p65, and NF-κB p65 in nuclei levels were significantly reduced by dioscin. Importantly, dioscin remarkably lowered the NF-κB p65-DNA activity in MSU-treated mice utilizing electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) analysis. Taken together, dioscin had a protective effect against MSU-initiated inflammatory response via repressing the production of inflammatory cytokines and the activation of inflammasome NLRP3 and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. The above findings revealed that dioscin could be a potential drug for the treatment of GA.
✓ 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）