MOLECULES
·
2022
·Vol. 27
·期 22
·7743
·
IF 4.927
Qian Zhou,Shanshan Zhang,Xue Geng,Haiqiang Jiang,Yanpeng Dai,Ping Wang,Min Hua,Qi Gao,Shiyue Lang,Lijing Hou,Dianhua Shi,Meng Zhou
Licorice (Gan-Cao, licorice) is a natural antioxidant and roasted licorice is the most common processing specification used in traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions. Traditional Chinese medicine theory deems that the honey-roasting process can promote the efficacy of licorice, including tonifying the spleen and augmenting “Qi” (energy). The antioxidant activity and mechanisms underlying roasted licorice have not yet been reported. In this study, we found that roasted licorice could relieve the oxidative stress injury induced by metronidazole (MTZ) and could restrain the production of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by 2,2′-azobis (2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH) in a zebrafish model. It was further found that roasted licorice could exert its oxidative activity by upregulating the expression of key genes such as heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1), glutamate–cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM), and glutamate–cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) in the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) signaling pathway both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, consistent results were obtained showing that rat serum containing roasted licorice was estimated to reduce cell apoptosis induced by H2O2. Then, the UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS analysis results elucidated the chemical composition of rat plasma containing roasted licorice extracts, including ten prototype chemical components and five metabolic components. Among them, six compounds were found to have binding activity with Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), which plays a crucial role in the transcriptional activity of NRF2, using a molecular docking simulation. The results also showed that liquiritigenin had the strongest binding ability with KEAP1. Immunofluorescence further confirmed that liquiritigenin could induce the nuclear translocation of NRF2. In summary, this study provides a better understanding of the antioxidant effect and mechanisms of roasted licorice, and lays a theoretical foundation for the development of a potential antioxidant for use in clinical practice.Keywords:roasted licorice;antioxidant;NRF2;KEAP1;UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS;zebrafish model
研究领域:
药理学
·
分子生物学
·
中医
·
生物化学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
TOXICOLOGY
·
2026
·
IF 4.6
Jin Chen,Hanwen Hu,Jing Fu,Yaolin He,Hui Zhou,Jingwei Lei,Ming Huang,Jianqi Wang,Anfei Liu,Zhenzhong Liu
Trimethyltin chloride (TMT), a pervasive environmental organic tin pollutant, has been implicated in cardiac injury, though its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. TMT exposure triggers excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, a key inducer of ferroptosis—a regulated form of cell death driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), highly expressed during cardiac development, plays a critical role in myocardial ROS production, while the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway regulates cellular ROS homeostasis. We hypothesized that TMT induces cardiac developmental defects by activating NOX4/Keap1/ROS-mediated ferroptosis. TMT exposure induced cardiac malformations, pericardial edema, and reduced heart rate in zebrafish embryos. Further studies revealed that TMT upregulated nox4 expression in embryonic hearts. Notably, pharmacological inhibition or genetic knockdown of nox4 markedly attenuated TMT-induced cardiac defects. Moreover, nox4 suppression antagonized TMT-triggered dysregulation of the Keap1/Nrf2 axis, ROS overaccumulation, mitochondrial damage, and ferroptosis-related abnormalities—including Fe²⁺ accumulation, elevated lipid peroxidation, and downregulated glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression. Crucially, inhibition or knockdown of keap1 similarly mitigated TMT-induced ROS bursts, mitochondrial injury, and ferroptosis progression. Intervention with ferroptosis-specific inhibitors (Liproxstatin-1 and Myricetin) confirmed that ferroptosis directly contributes to TMT-induced cardiac developmental defects. This study demonstrates that TMT induces cardiac malformations by activating ferroptosis via the nox4/Keap1/Nrf2/ROS signaling axis. These findings reveal a novel mechanism underlying TMT cardiotoxicity, provide theoretical insights for assessing TMT exposure as a risk factor for congenital heart disease, and identify potential molecular targets for therapeutic intervention.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Scientific Reports
·
2025
·Vol. 15
·期 1
·1-12
·
IF 3.9
Cheng Chunfang,Zhang Shasha,Chen Chong,Gong Yanchun,Ding Kaizhi,Li Guoyin,Jiang Wei,Zhang Zhenyu,He Bin,Hu Zhihong,Li Yuhua,Yao Lihua
Excessive exercise can lead to physical fatigue and disruption of the antioxidant system, resulting in neurological damage and cognitive decline. Cordycepin, the main component of Cordyceps militaris , has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. In this study, the anti-fatigue effect and potential mechanism of action of cordycepin were investigated using a forced exercise mouse model. The results showed that oral administration of cordycepin enhanced exercise endurance, increased liver and muscle glycogen content, and simultaneously decreased serum levels of lactic acid, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, and blood urea nitrogen ( p < 0.05). In addition, cordycepin had antioxidant effects, increasing superoxide dismutase activity and decreasing serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels ( p < 0.01). In vitro experiments further demonstrated the antioxidant and anti-fatigue effects of cordycepin. Behavioral tests showed that the learning and memory ability of mice in the excessive exercise model group decreased to 40% compared with the control group. Cordycepin alleviated the learning and memory deficits in the over-exercised mice, significantly reduced the levels of fatigue metabolites and oxidative stress in vivo ( p < 0.05), and altered the levels of neurotransmitters levels ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, cordycepin modulated Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1-mediated oxidative stress and enhanced BDNF levels ( p < 0.05). These findings suggest that cordycepin can alleviate excessive exercise-induced fatigue by modulating the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and BDNF expression, providing strong supporting evidence for the development of cordycepin-functional foods or anti-fatigue drugs.
研究领域:
运动生理学
·
药理学
·
神经科学
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
·
2024
·
IF 7
Xinya Qi,Lingling Tong,Hui Lian,Zilei Chen,Linhui Yang,Yang Wu,Suxing Jin,Dongsheng Guo
Here, a high molecular weight polysaccharide preparation from Ophiocordyceps gracilis was utilized as a stabilizer and dispersant to create nanocomposites based on selenium nanoparticles (GSP-1a-SeNPs). The NPs showed the highest stability at a selenium/polysaccharide mass ratio of 1:1, with no significant change after 28 days of storage at 4 ℃. The NPs exhibited a symmetrical spheroid structure with an average diameter of 85.4 nm. Next, the anti-inflammatory properties and mechanisms of the GSP-1a-SeNPs were examined in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells, which efficiently internalized the NPs. In the anti-inflammatory assays, GSP-1a-SeNPs significantly reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α and IL-6, and lowered ROS levels by activating the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway. This pathway regulates selenoprotein expression, thereby balancing the immune microenvironment of RAW264.7 cells and mitigating inflammation. These results suggest that GSP-1a-SeNPs could serve as potential therapeutic agents or adjuvants for treating LPS-induced inflammation.
研究领域:
药理学
·
纳米医学
·
免疫学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
APOPTOSIS
·
2021
·Vol. 26
·期 1
·111-131
·
IF 4.677
Li Na,Wang JuYuan,Zang XiaoLing,Wang ZhaoYang,Zhang Tao,Zhao BaoXiang,Miao JunYing,Lin ZhaoMin
H 2 S is actual an endogenous signaling gas molecule and involved in a range of cell physiological processes. However, the mechanism of endogenous H 2 S regulating autophagy and apoptosis has not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we try to address this issue by using a H 2 S probe, (E)-2-(4-(4-(7-(diethylamino)-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carbonyl)-piperazin-1-yl)-styryl)-1, 3, 3-trimethyl-3H-indol-1-ium iodide (CPC), which could react with endogenous H 2 S. Herein, we reported that CPC inhibited autophagy and decreased the expression and activity of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), then induced cell apoptosis. CPC inhibited autophagy and promoted apoptosis by inhibiting Nrf2 activation, which was H 2 S dependent. Furthermore, we found that CPC inhibited Nrf2 nucleus translocation by inhibiting glutathionylation of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) at the Cys434 residue. CPC also inhibited various cancer cell growth, but had no effect on normal cell growth in vitro, and inhibited A549 cancer growth, but did not affect normal angiogenesis in vivo . Therefore, we not only found a new inhibitor of autophagy and Nrf2, but also suggested a novel mechanism that endogenous H 2 S could regulate autophagy, apoptosis and Nrf2 activity through regulating glutathionylation of Keap1 at the Cys434 residue.
研究领域:
细胞生物学
·
分子生物学
·
药理学
·
肿瘤学
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Heliyon
·
2024
·
IF 3.4
Lina Ba,Mingyao E,Ruixuan Wang,Nan Wu,Rui Wang,Renling Liu,Xiang Feng,Hanping Qi,Hongli Sun,Guofen Qiao
Background Cardiac remodeling is a common pathological feature in many cardiac diseases, characterized by cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Triptolide (TP) is a natural compound derived from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F. However, the related mechanism of it in cardiac remodeling has not been fully understood. Methods and results Transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced cardiac hypertrophic mouse model and angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cardiomyocytes hypertrophic model were performed. Firstly, the results indicate that TP can improve cardiac function, decreased cardiomyocyte surface area and fibrosis area, as well as lowered the protein expressions of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), β-major histocompatibility complex (β-MHC), type I and III collagen (Col I and III). Secondly, TP suppressed cardiac pyroptosis, and decreased the levels of Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), Interleukin-18 (IL-18) by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and pyroptosis-associated proteins. Furthermore, TP enhanced the expressions of Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1). Interestingly, when Nrf2 was silenced by siRNA, TP lost its properties of reducing pyroptosis and cardiac hypertrophy. In addition, in the Transforming Growth Factor β1 (TGF-β1)-induced primary human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) model, TP was found to inhibit the process of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), characterized by the loss of endothelial-specific markers and the gain of mesenchymal markers. This was accompanied by a suppression of Slug, Snail, and Twist expression. Meanwhile, the inhibitory effect of TP on EndMT was weakened when Nrf2 was silenced by siRNA. Lastly, potential targets of TP were identified through network pharmacology analysis, and found that Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 14 (USP14) was one of them. Simultaneously, the data indicated that decrease the upregulation of USP14 and Kelch-like ECH-Associated Protein 1 (Keap1) caused by cardiac remodeling. However, Keap1 was decreased and Nrf2 was increased when USP14 was silenced. Furthermore, CoIP analysis showed that USP14 directly interacts with Keap1. Conclusion TP can observably reduce pyroptosis and EndMT by targeting the USP14/Keap1/Nrf2 pathway, thereby significantly attenuating cardiac remodeling.
研究领域:
心脏病学
·
药理学
·
分子生物学
·
细胞生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
·
2026
·
IF 5.7
Meng Wang,Che Wang,Zhihao Liu,Xiaoyu Du,Lu Tian,Qi Li,Feng Zhang,Yingxiang Chen,Chengzhi Lu
Acteoside attenuates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and ferroptosis. • Acteoside preserves mitochondrial function in doxorubicin-exposed cardiomyocytes. • Acteoside promotes KEAP1 degradation and activates NRF2 signaling. • NRF2 inhibition attenuates the cardioprotective and anti-ferroptotic effects of ACT. : Doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) is a major limitation to the clinical use of DOX, highlighting the need for effective cardioprotective strategies. Although acteoside (ACT), a natural compound with antioxidant properties, has shown potential cardioprotective effects, its role in DIC, particularly in the regulation of ferroptosis, remains unclear. This study therefore investigated the protective effects of ACT against DIC and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Using C57BL/6 mice in vivo and H9c2 cells in vitro, we evaluated cardiac function, myocardial injury and histopathological alterations, ferroptosis-related changes, and key regulatory proteins. ACT significantly attenuated DOX-induced cardiac dysfunction, myocardial injury, and fibrosis. These protective effects were accompanied by suppression of ferroptosis, as evidenced by reduced iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation and restored expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and the cystine/glutamate transporter (xCT). ACT also preserved mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, thereby alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction. Mechanistically, ACT may interact with Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) and promoted KEAP1 degradation, thereby facilitating the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and increasing the expression of downstream antioxidant proteins, including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Moreover, the NRF2 inhibitor ML385 significantly attenuated the protective effects of ACT, supporting the involvement of NRF2 signaling in ACT-mediated cardioprotection. Collectively, these findings suggest that ACT protects against DIC, at least in part, by promoting KEAP1 degradation, activating NRF2 signaling, and suppressing ferroptosis. This figure summarizes the mechanism by which ACT alleviates DOX-induced cardiotoxicity through the suppression of ferroptosis. ACT promotes KEAP1 degradation, reduces KEAP1-mediated NRF2 degradation, and enhances NRF2 nuclear translocation and downstream antioxidant and anti-ferroptotic signaling. These effects upregulate HO-1, xCT, and GPX4, reduce lipid ROS accumulation, improve mitochondrial function, and suppress cardiomyocyte ferroptosis. Collectively, the cardioprotective effects of ACT are mediated, at least in part, through activation of the KEAP1/NRF2 axis. Download: Download high-res image (175KB) Download: Download full-size image
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
Journal of Cancer
·
2022
·
IF 4.478
Kezhong Tang,Qing Chen,Yanmo Liu,Lantian Wang,Wenjie Lu
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal cancers in the world. Sorafenib is the first small-molecule multi-kinase inhibitors approved by FDA for treatment of advanced HCC. Metformin has been demonstrated to have benefit for preventing cancer progression. In human recurrent HCCs, NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was overexpressed and associated with poor survival. Nrf2 related signaling pathway plays central role to mediate cellular resistance to sorafenib through protecting HCC cells from ferroptosis. The effect of Combination treatment for HCC cells and the intrinsic mechanism have not been reported. In this study, metformin augmented the anti-tumor effect of sorafenib for HCC through ferroptosis induction by inhibiting Nrf2 related pathway. Based on the results of Nrf2 knockdown and p62 knockdown study, the combination of sorafenib and metformin suppressed proliferation of HCC cells through p62-Keap1-Nrf2/HO1 signaling way. Size of xenografts treated with the combination of sorafenib and metformin was smaller than other groups in vivo . Moreover, the combination treatment greatly induced ferroptosis in HCC cells through inhibiting Nrf2 expression. Based on our findings, the combination treatment suppressed proliferation of HCC cells through ferroptosis induction, by p62-Keap1-Nrf2/HO1 signaling way.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
·
分子生物学
·
药理学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
FOOD CHEMISTRY
·
2024
·
IF 8.5
Chaonan Sun,Yingnan Liu,Shiyang Liu,Ying Bu,Wenhui Zhu,Xuepeng Li
Fish sauce, derived from fermented fish, exhibits a notable antioxidant effect after a six-month fermentation process, and we propose that potential antioxidant peptides were present in the fish sauce. We isolated, purified, and identified potential bioactive antioxidant peptides by using fish sauce fermented for 6 months. Additionally, molecular simulation was employed to investigate the antioxidant action mechanism of these bioactive peptides. The molecular docking results revealed that FS4-1 (MHQLSKK), FS4-2 (VLDNSPER), FS4-3 (MNPPAASIK), FS6-1(VLKQAAAGR), and FS6-2 (SPDVSPRR), could dock with the Keap1 receptor. The primary force (Van der Waals' force and hydrogen bonds) and key sites (GLY509 and ALA510) of Keap1 binding to peptides were determined. The active center was located in the side chain of amino acid Met at positions C7H78 and C7H79. We here identified antioxidant peptides in fish sauce and revealed the antioxidant mechanism through molecular simulations.
研究领域:
食品科学
·
分子生物学
·
量子化学
·
分子模拟
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
BIOLOGICAL & PHARMACEUTICAL BULLETIN
·
2023
·Vol. 46
·期 11
·1527-1534
·
IF 2
Bowen Li,Wentao Yu,Lan Yang
Osmundacetone (DHBAc) is an antioxidant compound that has been shown to have neuroprotective and immunomodulatory activities. However, few studies have estimated its effect on cerebral ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of DHBAc on the brain tissue of rats with cerebral I/R injury. Rats were respectively given nimodipine (NI), low dose (L-DHBAc) and high dose (H-DHBAc) Osmundacetone, and they were killed under anesthesia after 24 h of reperfusion. And neurological impairment scores, cerebral infarct size and cerebral pathological changes were respectively detected, and mRNA expression of recombinant kelch like ECH associated protein 1 (Keap1) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), protein expression levels of caspase 3, cleaved caspase 3, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and quinone oxidoreductase1 (NQO1) in ischemic brain tissue were measured. Compared with the I/R group, neurological impairment scores of the DHBAc groups were significantly decreased, and their infarct sizes were significantly smaller. DHBAc could improve the pathological status of brain tissue with cerebral I/R injury, including reducing number of inflammatory cells and area of vacuoles and restoring number of normal neurons. Expression levels of Keap1 mRNA and proteins of cleaved caspase3 were significantly decreased in the DHBAc groups than those of the I/R group, while expression levels of Nrf2 mRNA, HO-1 and NQO1 proteins were remarkably increased. The effect of H-DHBAc was similar to those of NI. These results suggest that DHBAc could mitigate damage to brain tissue in rats with cerebral I/R injury.
研究领域:
神经科学
·
药理学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Advanced Science
·
2025
·
IF 14.1
Runyu Dong,Yao Fei,Yiren He,Peng Gao,Bo Zhang,Menglin Zhu,Zhixiong Wang,Longfei Wu,Shuai Wu,Xiaoming Wang,Juan Cai,Zhiqiang Chen,Xueliang Zuo
Drug resistance remains a major hurdle for the therapeutic efficacy of lenvatinib in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely undetermined. Unbiased proteomic screening is performed to identify the potential regulators of lenvatinib resistance in HCC. Patient-derived organoids, patient-derived xenograft mouse models, and DEN/CCl 4 induced HCC models are constructed to evaluate the effects of HECTD2 both in vitro and in vivo. HECTD2 is found to be highly expressed in lenvatinib-resistant HCC cell lines, patient tissues, and patient-derived organoids and xenografts. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that overexpression of HECTD2 limits the response of HCC to lenvatinib treatment. Mechanistically, HECTD2 functions as an E3 ubiquitin ligase of KEAP1, which contributes to the degradation of KEAP1 protein. Subsequently, the KEAP1/NRF2 signaling pathway initiates the antioxidative response of HCC cells. Lactylation of histone 3 on lysine residue 18 facilitates the transcription of HECTD2. Notably, a PLGA-PEG nanoparticle-based drug delivery system is synthesized, effectively targeting HECTD2 in vivo. The NPs achieved tumor-targeting, controlled-release, and biocompatibility, making them a promising therapeutic strategy for mitigating lenvatinib resistance. This study identifies HECTD2 as a nanotherapeutic target for overcoming lenvatinib resistance, providing a theoretical basis and translational application for HCC treatment.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
·
分子生物学
·
药物研发
·
纳米医学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
·
2026
·
IF 3.5
Chenghao He,Jiaxin Jiang,Shuguang Hou,Runchun Xu,Qinwan Huang
Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), a prevalent short-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance, has been implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but mechanisms remain unclear. We integrated transcriptomic analyses of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) liver cancer cohort and an HCC single-cell dataset with molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations and in vitro assays to examine a PFHxS-relevant hypothesis involving KEAP1–NRF2 signaling. Across clinical datasets, higher NQO1, an NRF2-associated gene, was linked to adverse clinicopathologic features; NQO1-high tumor cells showed elevated NRF2-activity signatures and computationally inferred increased MIF signaling toward macrophages. Because exposure information is unavailable, these observations indicate association and define a PFHxS-relevant vulnerability axis rather than PFHxS-driven tumor states. Docking/dynamics suggested PFHxS can bind the KEAP1 Kelch domain near the NRF2-binding site. In HepG2 cells, PFHxS modestly increased viability/DNA-synthesis readouts and enhanced NRF2 nuclear localization, NQO1 protein abundance, and MIF secretion; pharmacologic NRF2 inhibition partially attenuated NRF2/NQO1 readouts and reduced MIF secretion. Together, the data support the hypothesis that PFHxS may engage a KEAP1–NRF2-related vulnerability axis, accompanied by NRF2/NQO1 pathway readouts and increased MIF secretion, motivating exposure-characterized and genetic studies to establish causality.
✓ 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）