Total flavonoids from the Carya cathayensis Sarg. leaves inhibit HUVEC senescence through the miR-34a/SIRT1 pathway

Network Pharmacology Approaches Used to Identify Therapeutic Molecules for Chronic Venous Disease Based on Potential miRNA Biomarkers

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a prevalent condition in adults, significantly affecting the global elderly population, with a higher incidence in women than in men. The modulation of gene expression through microRNA (miRNA) partly regulated the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Previous research identified a functional analysis of seven genes (CDS2, HDAC5, PPP6R2, PRRC2B, TBC1D22A, WNK1, and PABPC3) as targets of miRNAs related to CVD. In this context, miRNAs emerge as essential candidates for CVD diagnosis, representing novel molecular and biological knowledge. This work aims to identify, by network analysis, the miRNAs involved in CVD as potential biomarkers, either by interacting with small molecules such as toxins and pollutants or by searching for new drugs. Our study shows an updated landscape of the signaling pathways involving miRNAs in CVD pathology. This latest research includes data found through experimental tests and uses predictions to propose both miRNAs and genes as potential biomarkers to develop diagnostic and therapeutic methods for the early detection of CVD in the clinical setting. In addition, our pharmacological network analysis has, for the first time, shown how to use these potential biomarkers to find small molecules that may regulate them. Between the small molecules in this research, toxins, pollutants, and drugs showed outstanding interactions with these miRNAs. One of them, hesperidin, a widely prescribed drug for treating CVD and modulating the gene expression associated with CVD, was used as a reference for searching for new molecules that may interact with miRNAs involved in CVD. Among the drugs that exhibit the same miRNA expression profile as hesperidin, potential candidates include desoximetasone, curcumin, flurandrenolide, trifluridine, fludrocortisone, diflorasone, gemcitabine, floxuridine, and reversine. Further investigation of these drugs is essential to improve the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, supporting the clinical use of miRNAs as biomarkers for diagnosing and predicting CVD is crucial.

miR34a-5p impedes CLOCK expression in chronodisruptive C57BL/6J mice and potentiates pro-atherogenic manifestations

INTRODUCTION

Altered circadian rhythms underlie manifestation of several cardiovascular disorders, however a little is known about the mediating biomolecules. Multiple transcriptional-translational feedback loops control circadian-clockwork wherein; micro RNAs (miRNAs) are known to manifest post transcriptional regulation. This study assesses miR34a-5p as a mediating biomolecule.

METHOD

8-10-week-old male C57BL/6J mice (n = 6/group) were subjected to photoperiodic manipulation induced chronodisruption and thoracic aortae were examined for miRNA, gene (qPCR) and protein (Immunoblot) expression studies. Histomorphological changes were assessed for pro-atherogenic manifestations (fibrillar arrangement, collagen/elastin ratio, intima-media thickening). Computational studies for miRNA-mRNA target prediction were done using TargetScan and miRDB. Correlative in vitro studies were done in serum synchronized HUVEC cells. Time point based studies were done at five time points (ZT 0, 6, 12, 18, 24) in 24h.

RESULTS

Chronodisruption induced hypomethylation in the promoter region of miR34a-5p, in the thoracic aortae, culminating in elevated miRNA titers. In a software-based detection of circadian-clock-associated targets of miR34a-5p, Clock and Sirt1 genes were identified. Moreover, miR34a-5p exhibited antagonist circadian oscillations to that of its target genes CLOCK and SIRT1 in endothelial cells. Luciferase reporter gene assay further showed that miR34a-5p interacts with the 3'UTR of the Clock gene to lower its expression, disturbing the operation of positive arm of circadian clock system. Elevated miR34a-5p and impeded SIRT1 expression in a chronodisruptive aortae exhibited pro-atherogenic changes observed in form of gene expression, increased collagen/elastin ratio, fibrillar derangement and intimal-media thickening.

CONCLUSION

The study reports for the first time chronodisruption mediated miR34a-5p elevation, its circadian expression and interaction with the 3'UTR of Clock gene to impede its expression. Moreover, elevated miR34a-5p and lowered SIRT1 expression in the chronodisruptive aortae lead off cause-consequence relationship of chronodisruption mediated proatherogenic changes.

Emerging Role of Non-Coding RNAs in Senescence

Senescence is defined as a gradual weakening of functional features of a living organism. Cellular senescence is a process that is principally aimed to remove undesirable cells by prompting tissue remodeling. This process is also regarded as a defense mechanism induced by cellular damage. In the course of oncogenesis, senescence can limit tumor progression. However, senescence participates in the pathoetiology of several disorders such as fibrotic disorders, vascular disorders, diabetes, renal disorders and sarcopenia. Recent studies have revealed contribution of different classes of non-coding RNAs in the cellular senescence. Long non-coding RNAs, microRNAs and circular RNAs are three classes of these transcripts whose contributions in this process have been more investigated. In the current review, we summarize the available literature on the impact of these transcripts in the cellular senescence.

Nutrition Interventions of Herbal Compounds on Cellular Senescence

When cells undergo large-scale senescence, organ aging ensues, resulting in irreversible organ pathology and organismal aging. The study of senescence in cells provides an important avenue to understand the factors that influence aging and can be used as one of the useful tools for examining age-related human diseases. At present, many herbal compounds have shown effects on delaying cell senescence. This review summarizes the main characteristics and mechanisms of cell senescence, age-related diseases, and the recent progress on the natural products targeting cellular senescence, with the aim of providing insights to aid the clinical management of age-related diseases.

Generation and characterization of nanobubbles in ionic liquid for a green extraction of polyphenols from Carya cathayensis Sarg

Nanobubbles (NBs) generated-nanojets membrane poration have gained enormous attention. In this study, NBs were fabricated as a novel green approach to assist ionic liquid (IL) [C₄C₁im][BF₄] extraction of polyphenols from Carya cathayensis Sarg. husk. NBs were successfully generated with mean size of 85.47 ± 5 nm, zeta potential of +39 ± 2.24 mV, and concentration of 21.15 ± 0.75 × 10⁸ particles/mL (stable for over 48 h in IL solution). Compared to common solutions extract, IL-NBs extract showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) antioxidant activity and polyphenols yields with a total polyphenol, total flavonoid, and total tannins contents of 85.67 ± 2.05 mg GAE/g DW, 42.44 ± 1.17 mg CE/g DW, and 8.2 ± 0.05 mg TAE/g DW, respectively. The SEM results confirmed that NBs' nanojets caused morphological destruction of the husk powder. Overall, IL-NBs solution showed better extraction efficiency of polyphenols than other solutions, giving insight into a new "green" nanotechnology-based extraction method.

Total flavonoids of Rhizoma drynariae ameliorate steroid‑induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head via the PI3K/AKT pathway

Steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head (SANFH) is a common orthopaedic disease that is difficult to treat. The present study investigated the effects of total flavonoids of Rhizoma drynariae (TFRD) on SANFH and explored its underlying mechanisms. The SANFH rat model was induced by intramuscular injection of lipopolysaccharides and methylprednisolone. Osteoblasts were isolated from the calvariae of neonatal rats and then cultured with dexamethasone (Dex). TFRD was used in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Haematoxylin and eosin staining was used to assess the pathological changes in the femoral head. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labelling assay and flow cytometry were conducted to detect apoptosis of osteoblasts. The 2,7-dichlorofluorescein-diacetate staining method was used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in osteoblasts and the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was used to detect osteoblast proliferation. The expression of caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, VEGF, runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteoprotegerin (OPG), osteocalcin (OCN), receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway related-proteins were detected via western blotting. It was found that TFRD reduced the pathological changes, inhibited apoptosis, increased the expression of VEGF, RUNX2, OPG and OCN, decreased RANKL expression and activated the PI3K/AKT pathway in SANFH rats. TFRD promoted proliferation, inhibited apoptosis and reduced ROS levels by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway in osteoblasts. In conclusion, TFRD protected against SANFH in a rat model. In addition, TFRD protected osteoblasts from Dex-induced damage through the PI3K/AKT pathway. The findings of the present study may contribute to find an effective treatment for the management of SANFH.

MicroRNA-34a: the bad guy in age-related vascular diseases

The age-related vasculature alteration is the prominent risk factor for vascular diseases (VD), namely, atherosclerosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, vascular calcification (VC) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The chronic sterile low-grade inflammation state, alias inflammaging, characterizes elderly people and participates in VD development. MicroRNA34-a (miR-34a) is emerging as an important mediator of inflammaging and VD. miR-34a increases with aging in vessels and induces senescence and the acquisition of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in vascular smooth muscle (VSMCs) and endothelial (ECs) cells. Similarly, other VD risk factors, including dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia and hypertension, modify miR-34a expression to promote vascular senescence and inflammation. miR-34a upregulation causes endothelial dysfunction by affecting ECs nitric oxide bioavailability, adhesion molecules expression and inflammatory cells recruitment. miR-34a-induced senescence facilitates VSMCs osteoblastic switch and VC development in hyperphosphatemia conditions. Conversely, atherogenic and hypoxic stimuli downregulate miR-34a levels and promote VSMCs proliferation and migration during atherosclerosis and PAH. MiR34a genetic ablation or miR-34a inhibition by anti-miR-34a molecules in different experimental models of VD reduce vascular inflammation, senescence and apoptosis through sirtuin 1 Notch1, and B-cell lymphoma 2 modulation. Notably, pleiotropic drugs, like statins, liraglutide and metformin, affect miR-34a expression. Finally, human studies report that miR-34a levels associate to atherosclerosis and diabetes and correlate with inflammatory factors during aging. Herein, we comprehensively review the current knowledge about miR-34a-dependent molecular and cellular mechanisms activated by VD risk factors and highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of modulating its expression in order to reduce inflammaging and VD burn and extend healthy lifespan.

Molecular docking simulation and in vitro studies on estrogenic activities of flavonoids from leaves of Carya cathayensis Sarg

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the estrogenic properties of total flavonoids (TFs) and five flavonoid monomers (cardamonin (Car), pinostrobin chalcone (PC), wogonin (Wo), chrysin (Chr) and Pinocembrin (PI)) from leaves of Carya cathayensis Sarg (LCC). TFs from LCC were isolated and determined using HPLC. The 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry were performed to assess the effects of flavonoids on cell proliferation and cell cycle, respectively. The molecular docking technique was applied to investigate binding conformations of the monomers from LCC to the estrogen receptor ERα and ERβ. Gene and protein expression patterns were assessed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot, respectively. The results showed that TFs, Car, PC, Wo and Chr promoted proliferation of MCF-7 cells and cell transition from the G1 to S phase, and inhabitation of MCF-7 cell proliferation was observed after the treatment of PI. Molecular docking studies confirmed ERs as molecular targets for the monomers. TFs, Car, PC, Wo and Chr from LCC promoted gene expression of ERα, ERβ, progesterone receptor (PR) and pS2. Our collective results demonstrated that TFs and monomers from LCC may exert ER agonist activity through competitively bind to ER, inducing ER upregulation and active ER to estrogen response element (ERE)- independent gene regulation. As an abundant natural product, LCC may provide a novel medicinal source for treatment of diseases caused by estrogen deficiency.