MOLECULES
·
2018
·Vol. 23
·期 1
·215
·
IF 3.098
Xinyan Peng,Chongshan Dai,Quanwen Liu,Junke Li,Jingru Qiu
This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of curcumin against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury in a mouse model, and to explain the underlying mechanism. Curcumin at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day were administered orally once daily for seven days prior to CCl4exposure. At 24 h, curcumin-attenuated CCl4induced elevated serum transaminase activities and histopathological damage in the mouse’s liver. Curcumin pre-treatment at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly ameliorated CCl4-induced oxidative stress, characterized by decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) formations, and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities and glutathione (GSH) content, followed by a decrease in caspase-9 and -3 activities. Curcumin pre-treatment significantly decreased CCl4-induced inflammation. Furthermore, curcumin pre-treatment significantly down-regulated the expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3 mRNAs (bothp< 0.01), and up-regulated the expression of nuclear-factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and HO-1 mRNA (bothp< 0.01) in the liver. Inhibition of HO-1 attenuated the protective effect of curcumin on CCl4-induced acute liver injury. Given these outcomes, curcumin could protect against CCl4-induced acute liver injury by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation, which may partly involve the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 and inhibition of TGF-β1/Smad3 pathways.Keywords:curcumin;acute liver injury;Nrf2/HO-1 pathway;oxidative stress;TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway
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Antioxidants
·
2024
·Vol. 13
·期 11
·1296
·
IF 6
Yue Liu,Chunhong Chen,Zhihui Hao,Jianzhong Shen,Shusheng Tang,Chongshan Dai
Exposure to cadmium sulfate (CdSO4) can lead to neurotoxicity. Nevertheless, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain unclear, and effective treatment strategies are scarce. This study explored the protective effects of ellagic acid (EA), a natural polyphenolic compound, against CdSO4exposure-induced neurotoxicity in HT22 cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Our findings demonstrated that exposure of HT22 cells to CdSO4resulted in apoptosis, which was effectively reversed by EA in a dose-dependent manner. EA supplementation also decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial ROS production, reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and restored the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Additionally, EA supplementation at 5–20 μM significantly counteracted Cd-induced the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and the decrease of ATP and reduced the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and cleaved-caspase-3 protein expression. Furthermore, EA supplementation resulted in the upregulation of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein and mRNAs while simultaneously downregulating the phosphorylation of JNK and p38 proteins. The pharmacological inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) partially attenuated the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway induced by CdSO4and exacerbated its cytotoxic effects. In conclusion, our findings suggest that ethyl acetate (EA) supplementation offers protective effects against CdSO4-induced apoptosis in HT22 cells by inhibiting oxidative stress and activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Furthermore, the activation of the JNK pathway appears to play a protective role in CdSO4-induced apoptosis in HT22 cells.
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Redox Biology
·
2025
·
IF 11.9
Lu Li,Yu Cao,Xiangsheng Zhang,Jiayi Guo,Ziqiang Lin,Pengyu Zhou,Chuyin Chen,Jiahao Chen,Yike Liu,Danzhi Luo,Jiurong Chen,Yingdong Deng,Peng Sun,Zhiwen Zeng,Jun Zhou
Spinal cord injury (SCI) induced neuropathic pain (NP) remains a major clinical challenge due to persistent neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. We developed an injectable methacrylated and thiolated gelatin hydrogel loaded with quercetin (MSQ) to synergistically scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibit microglial ferroptosis for NP alleviation and neural repair. The MSQ hydrogel exhibited rapid photocrosslinking, sustained quercetin release, and robust ROS scavenging via thiol groups and quercetin, maintaining intracellular redox homeostasis. MSQ attenuated LPS-induced ferroptosis in BV2 microglia by upregulating Nrf2 expression, promoting its nuclear translocation, and activating the Slc7a11/Gpx4 pathway, thereby reducing lipid peroxidation and inflammatory cytokine release. Network pharmacology and molecular dynamics simulations confirmed quercetin's high-affinity binding to Nrf2. In a murine SCI model, MSQ implantation significantly reduced lesion area, suppressed microglial ferroptosis, and decreased pro-inflammatory mediators (TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6), while enhancing neuronal survival (Nissl/NeuN + cells) and axonal regeneration (MAP2/5-HT + expression). Motor functional recovery assays revealed improved BMS scores, gait regularity, and mechanical/thermal pain thresholds in MSQ-treated mice. This study highlights MSQ hydrogel as a multifunctional therapeutic platform that targets ROS homeostasis and microglial ferroptosis via the Nrf2/Slc7a11/Gpx4 axis, offering a promising strategy for post-SCI NP management and neural regeneration.
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Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
·
2020
·
IF 5.186
Chen Xiao,Liang Huaibin,Xi Zhiyu,Yang Yong,Shan Huimin,Wang Baofeng,Zhong Zhihong,Xu Canxin,Yang Guo-Yuan,Sun Qingfang,Sun Yuhao,Bian Liuguan
Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a particularly severe form of stroke, and reactive astrogliosis is a common response following injury to the central nervous system (CNS). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are reported to promote neurogenesis and alleviate the late side effects in injured brain regions. Gap junctions (Gjs) are abundant in the brain, where the richest connexin (Cx) is Cx43, most prominently expressed in astrocytes. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is an essential transcription factor regulating antioxidant reactions. Here, we aimed to explore whether bone marrow MSCs (BM-MSCs) could alleviate brain injury and protect astrocytes from apoptosis, by regulating Cx43 and Nrf2. We validated the effect of BM-MSC transplantation in an ICH model in vivo and in vitro and detected changes using immunofluorescence, as well as protein and mRNA expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vimentin (VIM), Cx43, Nrf2, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Our results showed that BM-MSC transplantation attenuated brain injury after ICH and upregulated VIM expression in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, Cx43 upregulation and Nrf2 nuclear translocation were observed in astrocytes cocultured with BM-MSC. Knockdown of Cx43 by siRNA restrained Nrf2 nuclear translocation. Cx43 and Nrf2 had a connection as determined by immunofluorescence and coimmunoprecipitation. We demonstrated that astrocytes undergo astroglial-mesenchymal phenotype switching and have anti-apoptotic abilities after BM-MSC transplantation, where Cx43 upregulation triggers Nrf2 nuclear translocation and promotes its phase II enzyme expression. The Cx43/Nrf2 interaction of astrocytes after BM-MSC transplantation may provide an important therapeutic target in the management of ICH.
研究领域:
神经科学
·
干细胞研究
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神经病学
·
分子生物学
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BIOFACTORS
·
2019
·Vol. 45
·期 4
·563-574
·
IF 3.598
Fuqiang Liang,Weiwei Cao,Yuting Huang,Yajing Fang,Yuxin Cheng,Siyi Pan,Xiaoyun Xu
Isoflavones are one group of the major flavonoids and possess multiple biological activities due to their antioxidant properties. However, a clear antioxidant mechanism of dietary isoflavones is still remained to be answered. In this study, the effects of isoflavones on the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)–antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathway and the underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated. Results showed that isoflavones are potential Nrf2–ARE activators while their activities were structure dependent. Biochanin A (BCA), an O -methylated isoflavone with low direct antioxidant activity, can effectively protect HepG2 cells against tert -butyl hydroperoxide ( t -BHP)-induced oxidative damage via activation of the Nrf2 signaling, and thereby the induction of downstream cytoprotective enzymes including NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase-1, heme oxygenasae-1, and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit. A molecular docking study revealed that BCA could directly bind into the pocket of Kelch-like erythroid cell-derived protein with CNC homology (ECH)-associated protein 1 (Keap1), a cytoplasmic suppressor of Nrf2, to facilitate Nrf2 activation. The upstream mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways were also involved in the activation of Nrf2 signaling. These findings indicate that the protective actions of dietary isoflavones against oxidative damage may be at least partly due to their ability to enhance the intracellular antioxidant response system by modulating the Nrf2−ARE signaling pathway.
研究领域:
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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Antioxidants
·
2026
·Vol. 15
·期 7
·888
·
IF 8.2
Yin Liu,Yan Wang,Xinyu Shi,Ruomei Che,Xiaoli He
Background:Danshen–Gegen is a classic herb pair in traditional Chinese medicine, which has been used to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Ischemic stroke (IS) is a prevalent cerebrovascular condition; ferroptosis is one of the contributing factors driving the progression of IS. This study aims to determine the underlying mechanism and examine if Danshen–Gegen (DG) extract may prevent cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury by preventing ferroptosis.Methods:The comprehensive compositional characterization of DG was analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-orbitrap MS). The experiments were conducted in middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) rats and oxygen-glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation (OGD/R) cells. The neuroprotective effects of DG on IS were assessed by examining rat survival rates, infarct volume, behavioral scores, and cerebral water content. Then, we tested the accumulation of Fe2+and lipid peroxidation products such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) in rats and cells. The expression of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2), Solute Carrier Family 7 Member 11 (-xCT), Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), Transferrin Receptor 1 (TFR1), and Long-chain-fatty-acid–CoA ligase 4 (ACSL4) was also assessed in vivo and in vitro.Results:UPLC-Q-orbitrap MS analysis was performed to characterize the chemical profile of DG, and a total of 33 chemical constituents were successfully identified. DG significantly alleviated the ischemic damage to brain tissue, reduced infarct volume, and improved neurological dysfunction. The content of Fe2+and lipid peroxidation products was markedly decreased. Furthermore, DG could restore the expression of Nrf2, -xCT, and GPX4 with the inhibition of COX-2, TFR1, and ACSL4, thus achieving a suppressive effect on ferroptosis.Conclusions:The regulatory influence of DG via the Nrf2/System xc-/GPX4 axis may play a crucial role in alleviating ferroptosis and enhancing recovery from cerebral ischemia injury.
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PHYTOMEDICINE
·
2026
·
IF 11.3
Li Zhen,Jianhong Peng,Huimin Cui,Junhong Tao,Yaping Liu,Jianxin Cao,Hesham R El-Seedi,Guiguang Cheng,Zhengxuan Wang
Background The flowers of Rosa chinensis cv. ‘JinBian’ (RCF) has been utilized as a herbal tea for millennia to prevent aging-related diseases. RCF is enriched in flavonoids and exhibits significant antioxidant effects for anti-aging potential. However, the specific bioactive compounds and their underlying anti-aging mechanisms remain unclear. Purpose This study aimed to investigate the bioactive ingredients and neuroprotective mechanisms of RCF extracts. Methods The study obtained dichloromethane (RD), ethyl acetate (RE), n-butanol (RB), and residual water (RW) fractions from RCF after liquid-liquid extraction. It investigated their neuroprotective effect in in vitro and in vivo experiments. UHPLC-ESI-HRMS/MS analysis was used to identify phytochemicals in RE. In vitro assays included measuring phenolic and flavonoid contents, ABTS⁺ and DPPH + scavenging capacities, and effects on H₂O₂-induced SHSY-5Y cells. In vivo , D-galactose-induced mice were used and assessed through the Morris water maze test and the crucifixion anxiety test. Molecular pathways and gut microbiota were analyzed. Results Among the fractions, RE had the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents, the strongest ABTS⁺ and DPPH + scavenging capacities, and significantly inhibited ROS accumulation by increasing antioxidants (glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase) in H₂O₂-induced SHSY-5Y cells. UHPLC-ESI-HRMS/MS analysis identified 28 phytochemicals in RE, primarily gallic acid derivatives and flavonoid derivatives. In D-galactose-induced mice, RE alleviated memory impairment and anxiety-like behavior. RE ameliorated brain damage by activating the Keap1/Nrf2-regulated antioxidant pathway (increasing T-AOC, GSH, GPX4, NQO1, SOD1, HO-1), suppressing ferroptosis, inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity, attenuating GSK-3β/Tau/Bcl-2 axis-regulated apoptosis, and modulating AMPK-regulated autophagy. Additionally, RE improved gut microbiota diversity, particularly increasing beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium . Conclusions Therefore, RE could alleviate the cognitive deficit associated with age-related neurodegenerative diseases by targeting ferroptosis-related oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy, as well as modulating the gut microbiota.
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BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
·
2026
·
IF 6.5
Tianyue Guan,Audrey Dela,Yichen Jin,Juqin Song,Tingyan Wang,Yu Zhu,Jingquan Dong,Panpan Zhao
Sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI) remains a critical factor contributing to mortality in intensive care units, and effective therapeutic strategies are still lacking. The present research explores the defensive impacts and associated mechanisms of Tubuloside A (TA), an active phenanthrenoid glycoside extracted from Cistanche deserticola, in sepsis-induced ALI. Utilizing both a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) mouse model and LPS-stimulated MLE-12 alveolar epithelial cells, we found that TA markedly attenuated lung injury, as indicated by improved histopathological features, reduced pulmonary edema, and maintenance of alveolar structure. Mechanistically, TA provided multifaceted protection by concurrently inhibiting oxidative stress, ferroptosis, and inflammatory signaling—critical drivers of sepsis-induced ALI. Treatment with TA diminished lipid peroxidation, restored GPX4 expression, and inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β). Network pharmacology identified NFKB1 as a therapeutic target of TA against ALI. Molecular docking predicted and SPR analysis verified that TA binds to NF-κB p50. Notably, functional validation via NF-κB p50 overexpression abolished TA-mediated protection and re-sensitized cells to ferroptosis, confirming NF-κB p50 as a central regulatory node. Furthermore, TA activated Nrf2 signaling in an NF-κBp50–dependent manner, as demonstrated by nuclear translocation assays and rescue experiments. Calcein AM imaging and iron chelation studies confirmed that TA’s anti-ferroptotic effect requires functional NF-κB/Nrf2/GPX4 crosstalk. Collectively, our findings reveal that TA ameliorates sepsis-ALI by targeting the NF-κBp50–Nrf2/GPX4 axis to coordinately inhibit inflammation, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis, highlighting its potential as a multi-target phytotherapeutic agent for acute respiratory disorders
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Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
·
2023
·
IF 2.2
Junyuan Li,Gang Wang,Yehao Zhang,Xiaodi Fan,Mingjiang Yao
Objective(s): To explore the ability and underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the protective effects of Baicalin (BA) against L-Glutamate-induced mouse hippocampal neuron cell line HT-22. Materials and Methods: The cell injury model of HT-22 cells was induced by L-glutamate, and cell viability and damage were detected by CCK-8 and LDH assays. Generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured by DCFH-DA in situ fluorescence method. The SOD activity and MDA concentration in the supernatants were determined by WST-8 and colorimetric method, respectively. Furthermore, Western blot and real-time qPCR analysis were utilized to detect the expression levels of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome proteins and genes. Results: L-Glutamate exposure induced cell injuries in HT-22 cells, and the concentration of 5 mM L-Glutamate was chosen to be the modeling condition. Co-treatment with BA significantly promoted cell viability and reduced LDH release in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, BA attenuated the L-Glutamate-induced injuries by decreasing the ROS production and MDA concentration, while increasing the SOD activity. Moreover, we also found that BA treatment up-regulated the gene and protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1, and then inhibited the expression of NLRP3. Conclusion: Our study found that BA could relieve oxidative stress damage of HT-22 cells induced by L-Glutamate, and the mechanism might be related to the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 and inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome.
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BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
·
2023
·
IF 5.8
Runhong Zhou,Jianan Hu,Jingnan Qiu,Shengsheng Lu,Haixing Lin,Ruifeng Huang,Shaofen Zhou,Guoqing Huang,Jian He
Influenza A virus (IAV) is one of the leading causes of respiratory illness and continues to cause pandemics around the world. Against this backdrop, drug resistance poses a challenge to existing antiviral drugs, and hence, there is an urgent need for developing new antiviral drugs. In this study, we obtained a phenolic compound SG -7, a derivative of natural compound 2-hydroxymethyl-1,4-hydroquinone, which exhibits inhibitory activity toward a panel of influenza viruses and has low cellular toxicity. Mechanistic studies have shown that SG -7 exerts its anti-IAV properties by acting on the virus itself and modulating host signaling pathways. Namely, SG -7 targets the HA2 subunit of hemagglutinin (HA) to block the fusion of viral-cellular membranes and inhibits IAV-induced oxidative stress and overexpression of pro-inflammatory factors by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and reducing NF-κB activation. In addition, SG -7 can enhance type I IFN antiviral response by inducing Nrf2 expression. Importantly, SG-7 showed the ability to inhibit viral replication in the lungs of IAV-infected mice and reduce their mortality. Therefore, SG-7 may be a promising lead compound for anti-influenza drug development .
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INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
·
2023
·
IF 5.6
Pingchuan Wang,Tianming Li,Changping Niu,Siyu Sun,Dongyan Liu
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage to the intestinal barrier is a side effect of prolonged hyperoxia therapy in neonates, which impairs growth and development of the intestine and promotes intestinal diseases. However, the research on clinical prevention and treatment is lacking. Therefore, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of the neonate intestinal response against hyperoxia-derived ROS to find targets for intestinal barrier damage prevention. Human intestinal epithelial cells were incubated under hyperoxia (85% oxygen) to build an in vitro model. ROS and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway were inhibited to detect the MAPK/ERK pathway, nuclear factor erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (Hif-1α), and interleukin-17D (IL-17D) expression. Nrf2 was inhibited to detect Hif-1α and IL-17D expression. Hif-1α was inhibited to detect Nrf2, IL-17D, and tight junction proteins expression and apoptosis. Cells were treated with human recombinant IL-17D to detect TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10, and tight junction proteins expression. ROS, Nrf2, Hif-1α, and IL-17D were upregulated and the MAPK/ERK pathway was activated under hyperoxia. But ROS inhibition downregulated the MAPK/ERK pathway, Nrf2, Hif-1α, and IL-17D. MAPK/ERK pathway inhibition downregulated Nrf2, Hif-1α, and IL-17D. Nrf2 inhibition downregulated Hif-1α and IL-17D. Hif-1α inhibition downregulated Nrf2, IL-17D, tight junction proteins, and exacerbated apoptosis. The recombinant IL-17D downregulated TNF-α, IL-1β, but upregulated IL-10 and tight junction proteins. We concluded that Hyperoxia-generated ROS activated the MAPK/ERK pathway to regulate Nrf2, Hif-1α, and IL-17D expression. Nrf2 and Hif-1α were interdependent and promoted IL-17D. Importantly, Hif-1α and IL-17D expression protected the intestinal epithelial barrier.
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Nutrients
·
2022
·Vol. 14
·期 19
·3928
·
IF 6.706
Guopeng Li,Shugang Li,Huanhuan Liu,Lihua Zhang,Jingzhu Gao,Siteng Zhang,Yue Zou,Xiaodong Xia,Xiaomeng Ren
Plant polysaccharide intervention has shown significant potential to combat obesity. However, studies on animal polysaccharides are indeed rare. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential functions of CIP (IL) on obesity, intestinal microflora dysbiosis, and the possible protection of intestinal barrier in mice fed with high-fat diet (HFD). Our results revealed that after 13 weeks, the HFD+L (high-fat diet + 25 mg/kg CIP) group showed significantly more weight loss and fat accumulation relative to the HFD+H (high-fat diet + 50 mg/kg CIP) group. Furthermore, CIP intervention modulated lipid metabolism and mRNA levels of inflammatory mediators in liver. Overall, CIP clearly improved the intestinal barrier in HFD-fed mice. Additionally, we observed that CIP intervention improved intestinal microbiota community richness and diversity in HFD-fed mice. The CIP intervention mice group showed a relatively lowFirmicutestoBacteroidetesratio compared to the HFD group. This study concluded that CIP could be used as a functional food to prevent adipocyte accumulation, reduce systemic inflammation, and protect the intestinal barrier.Keywords:crude isinglass polysaccharides (CIP);intestinal barrier;inflammation;HO-1/Nrf2 pathway;intestinal flora
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