JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
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2021
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IF 4.36
Fengming Shen,Zhujin Song,Pan Xie,Lei Li,Bin Wang,Daiyin Peng,Guoqi Zhu
Ethnopharmacological relevance According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory ( Yi Xue Zheng Zhuan ), the main factors associated with the pathogenesis of depression are deficiencies relating to five zang organs, Qi, and blood. Polygonatum sibiricum F. Delaroche (PS), which may avert these pathological changes, has been used in a variety of formulas to treat depression. However, the effects and mechanism of action of PS, alone, and especially those of its main active component PS polysaccharide (PSP), on depression remain unexplored. Aim of the study To determine the effects of PSP on depression-like behaviors and to elucidate its mechanism of action. Methods PSP was isolated from dried PS rhizomes and qualified using transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy . Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression models were used to evaluate the antidepressive effects of PSP. Veinal blood and brain tissue were collected to determine the levels of hippocampal 5-HT, serum cortisol (CORT), brain and serum cytokines, and hippocampal oxidation-related indicators. The protein expression levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK1/2), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), phosphorylation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), caspase-3, GluA1 and GluA2, and GluN2A and GluN2B were determined using western blotting and immunofluorescence. Nissl staining was performed to detect histopathological changes in brain tissues. Results Injection of LPS ( i.p. ) induced depression-like behaviors, reduced the level of hippocampal 5-HT, increased the serum CORT level and hippocampal oxidative stress (ROS), and prompted the activation of ERK1/2, NF-κB, and GFAP and an inflammatory response. Conversely, PSP administration reduced these changes and prevented depression-like behaviors. PSP administration also promoted hippocampal expression of p-Akt, p-mTOR, GluA1, and GluA2; reduced the expression of caspase-3, GluN2A, and GluN2B; and prohibited the loss of granular cells in the DG region. Conclusion These results indicate that PSP prevents depression-like behaviors, and synaptic and neuronal damage probably by reducing ROS/HPA axis hyperfunction and the inflammatory response.
研究领域:
药理学
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神经科学
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中医
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
·
2020
·Vol. 295
·期 20
·6958-6971
·
IF 4.238
Chunyan Liao,Binxiang Cai,Yufeng Feng,Jingmeng Chen,Yiping Wu,Jingbin Zhuang,Zuguo Liu,Yalin Wu
Disrupted clearance of all-trans-retinal (atRAL), a component of the visual (retinoid) cycle in the retina, may cause photoreceptor atrophy in autosomal recessive Stargardt disease (STGD1) and dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, the mechanisms underlying atRAL-induced photoreceptor loss remain elusive. Here, we report that atRAL activates c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling at least partially through reactive oxygen species production, which promoted mitochondria-mediated caspase- and DNA damage-dependent apoptosis in photoreceptor cells. Damage to mitochondria in atRAL-exposed photoreceptor cells resulted from JNK activation, leading to decreased expression of Bcl2 apoptosis regulator (Bcl2), increased Bcl2 antagonist/killer (Bak) levels, and cytochrome c (Cyt c) release into the cytosol. Cytosolic Cyt c specifically provoked caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation and thereby initiated apoptosis. Phosphorylation of JNK in atRAL-loaded photoreceptor cells induced the appearance of γH2AX, a sensitive marker for DNA damage, and was also associated with apoptosis onset. Suppression of JNK signaling protected photoreceptor cells against atRAL-induced apoptosis. Moreover, photoreceptor cells lacking Jnk1 and Jnk2 genes were more resistant to atRAL-associated cytotoxicity. The Abca4−/− Rdh8−/− mouse model displays defects in atRAL clearance that are characteristic of STGD1 and dry AMD. We found that JNK signaling was activated in the neural retina of light-exposed Abca4−/−Rdh8−/− mice. Of note, intraperitoneal administration of JNK–IN-8, which inhibits JNK signaling, effectively ameliorated photoreceptor degeneration and apoptosis in light-exposed Abca4−/−Rdh8−/− mice. We propose that pharmacological inhibition of JNK signaling may represent a therapeutic strategy for preventing photoreceptor loss in retinopathies arising from atRAL overload.
研究领域:
眼科学
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细胞生物学
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分子生物学
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神经科学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
TOXICOLOGY
·
2023
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IF 4.5
Xinyu Wu,Yeyun Ma,Xueqing Li,Nana He,Tianmeng Zhang,Feixue Liu,Huimiao Feng,Jingquan Dong
Indiscriminate use of pesticides not only leads to environmental pollution problems, but also causes poisoning of non-target organisms. Abamectin (ABM), a widely used insecticide worldwide, is of wide concern due to its persistence in the environment and its high toxicity to fish. The kidney, as a key organ for detoxification, is more susceptible to the effects of ABM. Unfortunately, few studies investigated the mechanisms behind this connection. In this study, carp was used as an indicator organism for toxicological studies to investigate renal damage caused by ABM residues in carp. In this work, carp were exposed to ABM (0, 3.005, and 12.02 μg/L) for 4 d and the nephrotoxicity was assessed. Histopathological findings revealed that ABM exposure induced kidney damage in carp, as well as an increase Creatinine and BUN levels. Meanwhile, ABM as a reactive oxygen species (ROS) stimulator, boosted ROS bursts and lowered antioxidant enzyme activity while activating the body's antioxidant system, the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway. The accumulation of ROS can also lead to the imbalance of the body's oxidation system, leading to oxidative stress. At the same time, NF-κB signaling pathway associated with inflammation was activated, which regulated expression levels of inflammatory cytokines ( TNF-α , IL-6 , IL-1β , and iNOS increased, while IL-10 and TGF-β1 decreased). In addition, ABM exposure caused structural damage to kidney mitochondria of carp, resulting in decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production capacity, and mediated apoptosis through endogenous pathways Bax/Bcl-2/Caspase-9/Caspase-3. In conclusion, ABM caused kidney damage in carp by inducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway. These findings will be useful for future research into molecular mechanisms of ABM-induced nephrotoxicity in aquatic organisms.
研究领域:
毒理学
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环境科学
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水生生物学
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
·
2023
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IF 6.8
Wei-yu Guo,Ding-yan Lu,Zhi-zhong Guan,Lin Zheng,Shuai-shuai Chen,Ting Liu
To investigate the impact of the ethanoic fractions of Periploca forrestii Schltr. (P. forrestii) in ameliorating the liver injury caused by fluoride ingestion and to explore the potential mechanisms. Initially, an in vitro fluorosis cell model was constructed using the human normal liver cell line (L-02) induced by fluoride. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay kit. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay kit was utilized to measure LDH content in the cell supernatant, while the malonic dialdehyde (MDA) assay kit was employed to determine MDA levels within the cells. Subsequently, a fluorosis rat model was established, and LDH content in the cell supernatant was measured using the LDH assay kit. Various parameters, including MDA, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) content within the cells, were detected using appropriate assay kits. Additionally, cell apoptosis rate was determined using the Annexin V-FITC/PI cell apoptosis assay kit. The protein expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), Caspase-3, Cleaved Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and Cleaved Caspase-9 were analyzed through Western blotting. Compared to the model group, the ethanolic fraction D of P.forrestii (Fr.D) increased cell viability ( P < 0.01) and decreased LDH and MDA levels ( P < 0.01). In the high-dose Fr.D treatment group of fluoride-poisoned rats, serum ALT, AST, LDH and MDA levels significantly decreased ( P < 0.01). Results from rat primary cells exhibited that the Fr.D administration group exhibited significantly higher cell survival rates than the fluoride group ( P < 0.01). Similarly, primary rat cells treated with Fr.D showed enhanced cell viability ( P < 0.05) and reduced apoptosis rate, LDH, MDA, SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, and ROS levels ( P < 0.05) compared to the model group. Western blot analysis indicated that the Fr.D treatment group elevated the Bcl-2/Bax protein expression ratio and reduced Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 activation levels ( P < 0.01) compared to the model group. The results suggest that components within the Fr.D from Periploca forrestii may alleviate fluoride-induced liver injury by potentially counteracting oxidative stress and cell apoptosis.
研究领域:
药理学
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毒理学
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细胞生物学
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生物化学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Advanced Science
·
2025
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IF 14.1
Yanan Wang,Xutao Ma,Xinyuan Wang,Liru Liu,Xue Zhang,Qiuyue Wang,Yingfei Zhu,Huanhua Xu,Liangmin Yu,Zhiyu He
The scarcity of effective neuroprotective agents and the presence of blood-brain barrier (BBB)-mediated extremely inefficient intracerebral drug delivery are predominant obstacles to the treatment of cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS). Herein, ROS-responsive borneol-based amphiphilic polymeric NPs are constructed by using traditional Chinese medicine borneol as functional blocks that served as surface brain-targeting ligand, inner hydrophobic core for efficient drug loading of membrane-permeable calcium chelator BAPTA-AM, and neuroprotective structural component. In MCAO mice, the nanoformulation (polymer: 3.2 mg·kg −1 , BAPTA-AM: 400 µg·kg −1 ) reversibly opened the BBB and achieved high brain biodistribution up to 12.7%ID/g of the total administered dose after 3 h post single injection, effectively restoring intracellular Ca 2+ and redox homeostasis, improving cerebral histopathology, and inhibiting mitochondrial PI3K/Akt/Bcl-2/Bax/Cyto-C/Caspase-3,9 apoptosis pathway for rescuing dying neurons (reduced apoptosis cell from 59.5% to 7.9%). It also remodeled the inflammatory microenvironment in cerebral ischemic penumbra by inhibiting astrocyte over-activation, reprogramming microglia polarization toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype, and blocking NF-κB/TNF- α /IL-6 signaling pathways. These interventions eventually reduced the cerebral infarction area by 96.3%, significantly improved neurological function, and restored blood flow reperfusion from 66.2% to ≈100%, all while facilitating BBB repair and avoiding brain edema. This provides a potentially effective multiple-stage sequential treatment strategy for clinical CIS.
研究领域:
药学
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神经科学
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药物递送系统
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传统中药
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中风治疗
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
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2019
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IF 4.315
JiaJia Wang,YanJun Li,Ke Lai,QiMei Zhong,Konstantin A. Demin,Allan V. Kalueff,Cai Song
Neuroinflammation and metabolic deficits contribute to the etiology of human affective disorders, such as anxiety and depression. The zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) has recently emerged as a powerful new model organism in CNS disease modeling. Here, we exposed zebrafish to 2% glucose and 10% cholesterol for 19 days to experimentally induce type 2 diabetes (DM) and to assess stress responses, microglia , inflammation and apoptosis . We analyzed zebrafish anxiety-like behavior in the novel tank and light-dark box (Days 15–16) tests, as well as examined their biochemical and genomic biomarkers (Day 19). Confirming DM-like state in zebrafish, we found higher whole-body glucose, triglyceride , total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein levels and glucagon mRNA expression, and lower high-density lipoprotein levels. DM zebrafish also showed anxiety-like behavior, elevated whole-body cortisol and cytokines IFN-γ and IL-4, as well as higher brain mRNA expression of the glucocorticoid receptor , CD11b (a microglial biomarker), pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α (but not IL-1β or anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10), GFAP (an astrocytal biomarker), neurotrophin BDNF , its receptors p75 and TrkB, as well as apoptotic Bax and Caspase-3 (but not BCl-2 ) genes. Collectively, this supports the overlapping nature of DM-related affective pathogenesis and emphasizes the role of peripheral and central inflammation and apoptosis in DM-related affective and neuroendocrine deficits in zebrafish.
研究领域:
神经科学
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代谢紊乱
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行为科学
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炎症研究
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Cancer Cell International
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2021
·Vol. 21
·期 1
·1-12
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IF 5.722
Jiang Dongxiao,Ding Shufei,Mao Zhujun,You Liyan,Ruan Yeping
Background Colon cancer is a malignant gastrointestinal tumour with high incidence, mortality and metastasis rates worldwide. Aloe-emodin is a monomer compound derived from hydroxyanthraquinone. Aloe-emodin produces a wide range of antitumour effects and is produced by rhubarb, aloe and other herbs. However, the mechanism by which aloe-emodin influences colon cancer is still unclear. We hope these findings will lead to the development of a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of colon cancer in the clinic.Methods We identified the overlapping targets of aloe-emodin and colon cancer and performed protein–protein interaction (PPI), Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses. In addition, we selected apoptosis pathways for experimental verification with cell viability, cell proliferation, caspase-3 activity, DAPI staining, cell cycle and western blotting analyses to evaluate the apoptotic effect of aloe-emodin on colon cancer cells.Results The MTT assay and cell colony formation assay showed that aloe-emodin inhibited cell proliferation. DAPI staining confirmed that aloe-emodin induced apoptosis. Aloe-emodin upregulated the protein level of Bax and decreased the expression of Bcl-2, which activates caspase-3 and caspase-9. Furthermore, the protein expression level of cytochrome C increased in a time-dependent manner in the cytoplasm but decreased in a time-dependent manner in the mitochondria.Conclusion These results indicate that aloe-emodin may induce the apoptosis of human colon cancer cells through mitochondria-related pathways.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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细胞生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
·
2024
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IF 7.7
Yan Li,Jiaai Fu,Huiwen Hou,Wen Tang,Zengmei Liu,Didi Gao,Feiyan Zhao,XinQing Gao,Feng Sun,Haining Tan
Tumor growth and metastasis heavily rely on angiogenesis, crucial for solid tumor development. Inhibiting angiogenesis associated with tumors emerges as a potent therapeutic approach. Our previous work synthesized the chondroitin sulfate-modified antiangiogenic peptide CS-ES2-AF (CS-EA), which exhibited better antiangiogenic activity, longer half-life, and more robust targeting. In this work, we further evaluated the stability in vitro , cellular uptake mechanism, cell apoptosis mechanism, antitumor activity in vivo, and safety of CS-EA. The stability of CS-EA was consistently superior to that of EA at different temperatures and in different pH ranges. Furthermore, CS-EA mainly entered EAhy926 cells through the clathrin-mediated endocytosis pathway. CS-EA inhibited endothelial cell proliferation, and induced cell apoptosis through downregulating the Bcl-2, reducing mitochondria membrane potential, upregulating cytochrome c , Caspase 3, and reactive oxygen species levels. CS-EA showed better antitumor activity in the B16 xenografted tumor model, with a tumor inhibition rate 1.92 times higher than EA. Simultaneously, it was observed that CS-EA did not cause any harmful effects on the vital organs of the mice. These findings indicate that CS-EA holds significant promise for the treatment of tumors.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
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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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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
RSC Advances
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2018
·Vol. 8
·期 31
·17389-17398
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IF 2.936
Yunquan Zheng,Qisheng Pan,Liuda Mo,Wenyi Zhang,Yunjian Duan,Chengqun Chen,Haijun Chen,Yanghao Guo,Xianai Shi,Jianmin Yang
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an extremely complex disease, characterized by several pathological features including oxidative stress and amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation. Blockage of Aβ-induced injury has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach for AD. Our previous efforts resulted in the discovery of Monascus pigment rubropunctatin derivative FZU-H with potential neuroprotective effects. This novel lead compound significantly diminishes toxicity induced by Aβ(1-42) in Neuro-2A cells. Our further mechanism investigation revealed that FZU-H inhibited Aβ(1-42)-induced caspase-3 protein activation and the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, treatment of FZU-H was proven to attenuate Aβ(1-42)-induced cell redox imbalance and Tau hyperphosphorylation which caused by okadaic acid in Neuro-2A cells. These results indicated that FZU-H shows promising neuroprotective effects for AD.
研究领域:
神经科学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
·
2024
·
IF 13.3
Xiaodi Gong,Xin Pu,Jinghai Gao,Jianhong Dang,Zhifeng Wang,Zhijun Jin,Jichang Liu,Yudong Wang,Xiaojun Liu
Considerable attention has been devoted to developing anti-cancer treatments targeted mitochondria. However, there is a dearth of literature on using luminescent metal–organic frameworks for the transportation of anti-cancer drugs to organelles. A luminescent nanotherapeutic platform known as UiO-DOX@FA/TPP has been engineered with a membrane-mitochondrial stepwise targeting strategy for the delivery of doxorubicin (DOX). DOX administration caused mitochondrial dysfunction, increased Caspase-3 activity, and cell apoptosis. The UiO-DOX@FA/TPP system improved drug sensitivity, requiring only 10.8 % of the free DOX dose. It showed strong anti-tumor effects in vivo, with over 98 % tumor growth inhibition and commendable biocompatibility. The system also enabled in vivo imaging by emitting fluorescence at around 500 nm, highlighting its transport and targeted distribution to tumor sites. Furthermore, treating cells with UiO-DOX@FA/TPP nanosystem led to extensive gene expression changes, primarily enriched in Ca 2+ signaling and autophagy regulation. The stepwise targeted luminescent UiO-DOX@FA/TPP nanosystem allow for the precise identification and delineation of ovarian cancer boundaries, monitoring of drug transport in real-time, and targeted delivery to mitochondria for inducing apoptosis. This innovative approach provides a theoretical and methodological basis for integrating ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment.
研究领域:
纳米技术
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癌症治疗
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药物递送系统
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生物医学工程
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分子生物学
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药理学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
·
2020
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IF 4.679
Hang Qu,Shuang Liu,Cuilin Cheng,Haitian Zhao,Xin Gao,Zhenyu Wang,Juanjuan Yi
Previously, we obtained a purified polysaccharide (PNP40c-1) from Pinus koraiensis pine nut and reported its protective effect on carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )-induced liver injury in vitro . The object of this study is to investigate its hepatoprotective activity in vivo and elucidate the mechanism underlying the hepatoprotection . PNP40c-1 effectively prevented the accumulation of serum liver injury biomarkers including alanine aminotransferase , aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phpsphatase and total bilirubin stimulated by CCl 4 . The pathological changes in PNP40c-1-treated mice livers were also markedly ameliorated. Results showed that PNP40c-1 suppressed the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation, upregulated Nrf2/ARE pathway and enhanced the antioxidant capacity of hepatocytes. Furthermore, the reaction between Nrf2 and ARE promoted the generation of Mkp1 , which inhibited the activation of JNK induced by CCl 4 , and suppressed hepatocytes apoptosis by regulating the protein expression of Bax, cleaved-Caspase-3 and Bcl2, exerting hepatoprotective activity. Taken together, upregulation of Nrf2/ARE pathway and suppression of JNK activation via Nrf2/ARE/Mkp1/JNK signaling pathways are the main mechanisms underlying the hepatoprotective effect of PNP40c-1 against CCl 4 -induced mice liver injury. These results indicated that PNP40c-1 has potential to serve as a hepatoprotective agent against chemical induced hepatotoxicity.
研究领域:
药理学
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毒理学
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生物化学
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分子生物学
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病理学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
·
2022
·
IF 5.395
Yu Wen,Zuxian Zhang,Zhongmou Cai,Baoning Liu,Zhehao Wu,Yude Liu
Our team’s pharmacological and clinical trials proved that ligustrazine/borneol spray had a definite effect on ischemic stroke (IS). To solve the shortcomings of ligustrazine/borneol spray, such as low bioavailability, short half-life, and poor compatibility between borneol and ligustrazine, ligustrazine-loaded borneol liposomes (LIP@TMP) were successfully prepared by a thin-film ultrasonication method. The average particle size of LIP@TMP was 282.4 ± 3.6 nm, the drug loading rate was 14.5 ± 0.6%, and the entrapment efficiency was 42.7 ± 1.0%, which had excellent stability and sustained release ability. In addition, live/dead fluorescent staining and the CCK-8 test confirmed that LIP@TMP had good biocompatibility. Moreover, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model experiments further demonstrated that LIP@TMP could significantly alleviate cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury by improving neurological scores, reducing cerebral infarct volume, promoting neurogenesis, inhibiting inflammation, and reducing tissue damage. In addition, LIP@TMP enhanced neuronal marker doublecortin (DCX) and neuronal nuclei (NEUN), inhibited inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-1β), and reduced apoptosis signal molecules (TUNEL and caspase-3). The findings of this study suggested that the prepared LIP@TMP had tremendous potential for the treatment of cerebral ischemia.
研究领域:
药理学
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神经科学
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药物递送系统
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中风研究
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生物技术
✓ 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）