Cepharanthine suppresses osteoclast formation by modulating the nuclear factor-κB and nuclear factor of activated T-cell signaling pathways

Potential mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis therapy: Focus on macrophage polarization

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects multiple organs and systems in the human body, often leading to disability. Its pathogenesis is complex, and the long-term use of traditional anti-rheumatic drugs frequently results in severe toxic side effects. Therefore, the search for a safer and more effective antirheumatic drug is extremely important for the treatment of RA. As important immune cells in the body, macrophages are polarized. Under pathological conditions, macrophages undergo proliferation and are recruited to diseased tissues upon stimulation. In the local microenvironment, they polarize into different types of macrophages in response to specific factors and perform unique functions and roles. Previous studies have shown that there is a link between macrophage polarization and RA, indicating that certain active ingredients can ameliorate RA symptoms through macrophage polarization. Notably, Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) monomer component and compounds demonstrate a particular advantage in this process. Building upon this insight, we reviewed and analyzed recent studies to offer valuable and meaningful insights and directions for the development and application of anti-rheumatic drugs.

Cepharanthine as an effective small cell lung cancer inhibitor: integrated insights from network pharmacology, RNA sequencing, and experimental validation

Background

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive malignancy with limited treatment options and poor prognosis, underscoring the need for new therapeutic agents.

Methods

A library of 640 natural products was screened for anti-proliferative activity in SCLC cells. The effects of Cepharanthine (CE) on SCLC cells were assessed in vitro and in vivo. Network pharmacology and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) were used to elucidate the molecular mechanisms. Pathway enrichment analysis was performed using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) with Hallmark and Reactome gene sets. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, along with the Cytoscape cytoHubba plugin, were used to identify key hub genes. RT-PCR and Western blotting were employed to validate mRNA and protein expression. Molecular docking studies assessed the binding affinity of CE to potential targets. Bioinformatics analyses, including expression profiling, prognostic evaluation, and loss-of-function studies, were used to explore the role of specific genes in SCLC.

Results

CE was identified as a promising SCLC inhibitor. In vitro, CE significantly inhibited SCLC cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion, while promoting apoptosis. In vivo, CE treatment notably reduced tumor volume in xenograft models. Network pharmacology identified 60 potential target genes, with enrichment analysis indicating their involvement in cholesterol metabolism regulation. RNA-seq and experimental validation further confirmed that CE inhibits cholesterol synthesis in SCLC cells by downregulating key enzymes, including HMGCR, HMGCS1, IDI1, FDFT1, and SQLE. Molecular docking studies confirmed the binding of CE to these enzymes. Additionally, these enzymes were found to be highly expressed in SCLC cells, with elevated levels of HMGCS1, HMGCR, and IDI1 correlating with poor prognosis. Functional assays revealed that silencing these genes significantly suppressed SCLC cell proliferation.

Conclusion

This study identifies CE as a potential therapeutic agent for SCLC, acting through the suppression of cholesterol synthesis, and uncovers novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of this aggressive cancer.

Neuroprotective potential of traditionally used medicinal plants of Manipur against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R. Br. ex DC., Eryngium foetidum L., and Stephania japonica (Thunb.) Miers plants are traditionally used to treat various central nervous system disorders like paralysis, epilepsy, seizure, convulsion, chronic pain, headache, sleep disturbances, sprain, and mental disorders. However, their possible neuroprotective effects have not been evaluated experimentally so far.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study aims to examine the neuroprotective potential of the three plants against cytotoxicity induced by rotenone in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and assess its plausible mechanisms of neuroprotection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The antioxidant properties of the plant extracts were determined chemically by DPPH and ABTS assay methods. The cytotoxicity of rotenone and the cytoprotective activities of the extracts were evaluated using MTT assays. Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) expression studies in cells were performed to assess neuronal survival after rotenone and extract treatments. Mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species were evaluated using Rhodamine 123 and DCF-DA dye, respectively. Catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities were also measured. Apoptotic nuclei were examined using DAPI staining. Liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) analysis of the plant extracts was also performed.

RESULTS

The methanol extracts of A. sessilis, S. japonica, and E. foetidum showed excellent free radical scavenging activities. MAP2 expression studies show that A. sessilis and S. japonica have higher neuroprotective effects against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells than E. foetidum. Pre-treating cells with the plant extracts reverses the rotenone-induced increase in intracellular ROS. The plant extracts could also restore the reduced mitochondrial membrane potential induced by rotenone treatment and reinstate rotenone-induced increases in catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities. All the extracts inhibited rotenone-induced changes in nuclear morphology and DNA condensation, an early event of cellular apoptosis. LC-QTOF-MS analysis of the plant extracts shows the presence of neuroprotective compounds.

CONCLUSIONS

The plant extracts showed neuroprotective activities against rotenone-treated SH-SY5Y cells through antioxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. These findings support the ethnopharmacological uses of these plants in treating neurological disorders. They probably are a good source of neuroprotective compounds that could be further explored to develop treatment strategies for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease.

Herbal compound cepharanthine attenuates inflammatory arthritis by blocking macrophage M1 polarization

OBJECTIVE

Cepharanthine (CEP) is a drug candidate for tumor, viral infection, and some inflammatory diseases, but its effect on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the underlying mechanism are incompletely understood.

METHODS

CEP was administered intraperitoneally to a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. Joints went radiological and histological examination and serum cytokines were examined with cytometry-based analysis. M1 macrophages were induced from THP-1 cells or mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages with LPS and IFN-γ. Bulk RNA-seq was performed on macrophage undergoing M1-polarizatioin. Western blotting was applied to determine pathways involved in monocyte chemotaxis and polarization. Glycolysis metabolites were measured by chemiluminescence while glycolytic enzymes were examined by quantitative PCR.

RESULTS

We found CEP significantly ameliorated synovial inflammation and joint destruction of CIA mice. It downregulated TNF-α levels in serum and in joints. The number of M1 macrophages were reduced in CEP-treated mice. In vitro, CEP inhibited monocyte chemotaxis to MCP-1 by downregulating CCR2 and reducing ERK1/2 signaling. Additionally, CEP suppressed M1 polarization of macrophages induced by LPS and IFN-γ. Genes involved in IFN-γ signaling, IL-6-JAK/STAT3 signaling, glycolysis, and oxidative phosphorylation process were downregulated by CEP. Several enzymes critically involved in glycolytic metabolism were suppressed by CEP, which resulted in reduced citrate in M1-polarizing macrophages. The inhibitory effect of CEP on macrophage polarization might be attributed to the blockage of TLRs-MyD88/IRAK4-IRF5 signaling pathway together with suppression of overactivated glycolytic metabolism in M1-polarizing macrophages.

CONCLUSION

CEP attenuated joint inflammation by suppressing monocyte chemotaxis and proinflammatory differentiation. It has the potential to be developed into a complementary or alternative therapy for RA.

The brief overview, antivirus and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, quantitative methods, and pharmacokinetics of cepharanthine: a potential small-molecule drug against COVID-19

To effectively respond to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), an increasing number of researchers are focusing on the antiviral activity of cepharanthine (CEP), which is a clinically approved drug being used for over 70 years. This review aims to provide a brief overview of CEP and summarize its recent findings in quantitative analysis, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic potential, and mechanism in antiviral and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. Given its remarkable capacity against SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro and in vivo, with its primary target organ being the lungs, and its good pharmacokinetic profile; mature and stable manufacturing technique; and its advantages of safety, effectiveness, and accessibility, CEP has become a promising drug candidate for treating COVID-19 despite being an old drug.

Pharmacological Activity of Cepharanthine

Cepharanthine, a natural bisbenzylisoquinoline (BBIQ) alkaloid isolated from the plant Stephania Cephalantha Hayata, is the only bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid approved for human use and has been used in the clinic for more than 70 years. Cepharanthine has a variety of medicinal properties, including signaling pathway inhibitory activities, immunomodulatory activities, and antiviral activities. Recently, cepharanthine has been confirmed to greatly inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, we aimed to describe the pharmacological properties and mechanisms of cepharanthine, mainly including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-pathogen activities, inhibition of bone resorption, treatment of alopecia, treatment of snake bite, and other activities. At the same time, we analyzed and summarized the potential antiviral mechanism of cepharanthine and concluded that one of the most important anti-viral mechanisms of cepharanthine may be the stability of plasma membrane fluidity. Additionally, we explained its safety and bioavailability, which provides evidence for cepharanthine as a potential drug for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Finally, we further discuss the potential new clinical applications of cepharanthine and provide direction for its future development.

Disturbing effect of cepharanthine on valve interstitial cells calcification via regulating glycolytic metabolism pathways

Osteogenic differentiation of valve interstitial cells (VICs) directly leads to aortic valve calcification, which is a common cardiovascular disease caused by inflammation and metabolic disorder. There is still no ideal drug for its treatment and prevention. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect and molecular mechanism of cepharanthine (CEP), a natural product, on inhibiting the osteogenic differentiation of VICs. First, CCK8 assay was used to evaluate cell viability of CEP on VICs. CEP concentration of 10 μM was the effective dose with slight cytotoxicity, which was used for further study. The alizarin red staining analysis showed that CEP significantly inhibited calcium deposition caused by osteogenic medium related calcification induction. In order to explore the anti-calcification molecular mechanism of CEP, transcriptome and metabolome were synchronously used to discover the possible molecular mechanism and target of CEP. The results showed that CEP inhibited valve calcification by regulating the glycolytic pathway. The molecular docking of CEP and selected key factors in glycolysis showed significant binding energies for GLUT1 (-11.3 kcal/mol), ENO1 (-10.6 kcal/mol), PKM (-9.8 kcal/mol), HK2 (-9.2 kcal/mol), PFKM (-9.0 kcal/mol), and PFKP (-8.9 kcal/mol). The correlation analysis of RUNX2 expression and cellular lactate content showed R2 of 0.7 (p < 0.001). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that CEP inhibited osteoblastic differentiation of VICs by interfering with glycolytic metabolisms via downregulation of the production of lactate and glycolysis-associated metabolites.

Prussian Blue Nanozyme Normalizes Microenvironment to Delay Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis (OP) is the most common orthopedic disease in the elderly and the main cause of age-related mortality and disability. However, no satisfactory intervention is currently available in clinical practice. Thus, an effective therapy to prevent or delay the development of OP should be devised. Osteoclastogenesis overactivation and excessive bone resorption are the main characteristics of OP. Accordingly, a paradigm for nanozyme-mediated normalization of the disease microenvironment to regulate osteoclast differentiation and delay OP is proposed. Hollow Prussian blue nanozymes (HPBZs) are prepared via template-free hydrothermal synthesis and selected as representative nanozymes. The intrinsic osteoclast activity-remodeling bioactivities of the HPBZs are explored in vitro and in vivo, focusing on their impact on osteogenesis and specific molecular mechanisms using an OP murine model. The HPBZs significantly normalize the OP microenvironment, thereby inhibiting osteoclast formation and osteoclast resorption, possibly owing to the suppression of intracellular reactive oxygen species generation, the mitogen-activated protein kinase, and nuclear factor κB signaling pathways. Consistently, in an ovariectomy-induced OP murine model, HPBZ treatment significantly attenuates osteoporotic bone loss in vivo. The findings confirm the HPBZ-mediated normalization of the disease microenvironment for the treatment of OP and suggest its application to other inflammation-related diseases.

Mechanism of miRNA-based Aconitum leucostomum Worosch. Monomer inhibition of bone marrow-derived dendritic cell maturation

Delvestidine (DLTD) is a monomeric compound isolated from Aconitum leucostomum Worosch, a widely used medicine for local treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Studies have shown that Aconitum leucostomum Worosch. can inhibit maturation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). Further, microRNAs (miRNAs) have regulatory effects on DC maturity and function. However, the mechanism underlying DLTD effects on DC maturity and RA remains to be elucidated. This study investigated whether DLTD-mediated inhibition of DC maturation is regulated by miRNAs. LPS-induced mature BMDCs were treated with DLTD for 48 h. CD80 and CD86 expression on BMDCs was detected by flow cytometry, and levels of inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-23, IL-1β, and TNF-α were detected by ELISA and PCR. Further, gene expression and miRNA expression profiles were investigated by bioinformatics analysis and verified by PCR. DLTD was found to inhibit CD80 and CD86 expression on the surface of BMDCs and secretion of inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-23, IL-1β, and TNF-α. In total, 54 differentially expressed miRNAs were detected, including 29 up-regulated and 25 down-regulated miRNAs after DLTD treatment. Analysis of biological information revealed that the differentially expressed target genes mainly regulated biological processes, including cell differentiation, cell cycle, and protein kinase complexes. Additionally, miR-511-3p downstream targets Calcr, Fzd10, and Eps8, were closely related to BMDCs maturation. DLTD may induce BMDCs maturity through regulation of miRNAs that affect Calcr, Fzd10, and Eps8 gene signals.

A critical review: traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Stephania tetrandra S. Moore (Fen Fang Ji)

ABSTRACT

Stephania tetrandra S. Moore (S. tetrandra) is distributed widely in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and Africa. The root of this plant is known in Chinese as "Fen Fang Ji". It is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat arthralgia caused by rheumatism, wet beriberi, dysuria, eczema and inflamed sores. Although promising reports have been published on the various chemical constituents and activities of S. tetrandra, no review comprehensively summarizes its traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. Therefore, the review aims to provide a critical and comprehensive evaluation of the traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties, pharmacokinetics and toxicology of S. tetrandra in China, and meaningful guidelines for future investigations.