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Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Zhang J, Lai W, He G, Shi J, Zhang C, Xiong L, Wang T, Ye F, Jiang X. Integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics unravel the key metabolic pathways involved in the therapeutic mechanism of Salvianic acid A against hepatic fibrosis. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2025; 500:117398. [PMID: 40389097 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2025.117398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2025] [Revised: 05/13/2025] [Accepted: 05/15/2025] [Indexed: 05/21/2025]
Abstract
Effective drugs for the clinical treatment of hepatic fibrosis have not yet been identified. Salvianic acid A (SAA) protective mechanisms primarily include anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative stress, and modulation of immune system function. Metabolic dysfunction is well recognized as the driver for hepatic fibrosis. However, the precise action mode and underlying mechanism of SAA in modulating hepatic metabolism to combat hepatic fibrosis remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate the metabolic mechanism by which SAA improves hepatic fibrosis based on metabolomics and transcriptomics profiling. A mouse model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic fibrosis mouse model was established, and protective effects of SAA were evaluated through pathological characteristics. Integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis revealed three key altered metabolic pathways: bile secretion, carbohydrate digestion and absorption, and regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes. SAA modulated the bile secretion pathway, dependent on reducing water channel protein Aqp1, cholesterol synthesis enzyme Hmgcr and Na+/K+-ATPase enzyme Atp1a3, accompanied by up-regulating metabolites glutathione and glucose levels. SAA also regulated carbohydrate digestion and absorption by decreasing the glucose homeostasis-related Akt3, essential enzyme G6pc for gluconeogenesis/glycogenolysis and glucose transporter Atp1a3 with a concomitant increase of metabolites D-galactose, maltose, and sucrose levels. Moreover, SAA improved lipolysis in adipocytes in liver fibrosis through inhibiting lipolysis related Prkg1, lipid transporter Fabp4, lipolysis-associated Akt3 and increasing lipolysis mediator Adrb3, along with upregulated levels of metabolites adenosine monophosphate and norepinephrine. In conclusion, SAA alleviates hepatic fibrosis through modulating metabolic disorders, mainly relying on the metabolic improvements of bile secretion, carbohydrate digestion and absorption and adipocyte lipolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunan Zhang
- School of Medicine Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Department of Infectious Disease, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Dingli Clinical College of Wenzhou Medical University, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shanghai University, Wenzhou Sixth People's Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Jianan Zhang
- School of Medicine Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Wenfang Lai
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Guiqing He
- School of Medicine Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Department of Infectious Disease, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Dingli Clinical College of Wenzhou Medical University, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shanghai University, Wenzhou Sixth People's Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Jichan Shi
- School of Medicine Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Department of Infectious Disease, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Dingli Clinical College of Wenzhou Medical University, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shanghai University, Wenzhou Sixth People's Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Chuan Zhang
- School of Medicine Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Shanghai Zhongshi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201908, China
| | - Liyan Xiong
- School of Medicine Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Shanghai Zhongshi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201908, China.
| | - Tingfang Wang
- School of Medicine Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Shanghai Zhongshi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201908, China.
| | - Fei Ye
- School of Medicine Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Shanghai Zhongshi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201908, China.
| | - Xiangao Jiang
- School of Medicine Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Department of Infectious Disease, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Dingli Clinical College of Wenzhou Medical University, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shanghai University, Wenzhou Sixth People's Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China.
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Xiang X, Shao Y, Xiang L, Jiao Q, Zhang W, Qin Y, Chen Y. Suppression of Liver Fibrogenesis with Photothermal Sorafenib Nanovesicles via Selectively Inhibiting Glycolysis and Amplification of Active HSCs. Mol Pharm 2025; 22:1939-1957. [PMID: 40053386 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.4c01135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2025]
Abstract
As the major driving factor of hepatic fibrosis, the activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) rely on active glycolysis to support their aberrant proliferation and secretion of the extracellular matrix. Sorafenib (Sor) can combat liver fibrosis by suppressing HIF-1α and glycolysis, but its poor solubility, rapid metabolism, and low bioavailability restrict such a clinical application. Here, Sor was loaded onto polydopamine nanoparticles and then encapsulated by a retinoid-decorated red blood cell membrane, yielding HSC-targeted Sor nanovesicles (PDA/Sor@RMV-VA) with a high Sor-loading capacity and photothermally controlled drug release for antifibrotic treatment. These Sor RMVs not only exhibited a good particle size, dispersity and biocompatibility, prolonged circulation time, enhanced aHSC targetability, and hepatic accumulation both in vitro and in vivo, but also displayed a mild photothermal activity proper for promoting sorafenib release and accumulation in CCl4-induced fibrotic mouse livers without incurring phototoxicity. Compared with nontargeting Sor formulations, PDA/Sor@RMV-VA more effectively downregulated HIF-1α and glycolytic enzyme in both cultured aHSCs and fibrotic mice and reversed myofibroblast phenotype and amplification of aHSCs and thus more significantly improved liver damage, inflammation, and fibrosis, all of which could be even further advanced with NIR irradiation. These results fully demonstrate the antifibrotic power and therapeutic potential of PDA/Sor@RMV-VA as an antifibrotic nanomedicine, which would support a new clinical treatment for hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianjing Xiang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang 410001, China
| | - Yaru Shao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang 410001, China
| | - Li Xiang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang 410001, China
- Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 410001, China
| | - Qiangqiang Jiao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang 410001, China
| | - Wenhui Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang 410001, China
| | - Yuting Qin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang 410001, China
| | - Yuping Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang 410001, China
- Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 410001, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Rare Pediatric Diseases, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 410001, China
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Zhang R, Wang J, Wu C, Wang L, Liu P, Li P. Lipidomics-based natural products for chronic kidney disease treatment. Heliyon 2025; 11:e41620. [PMID: 39866478 PMCID: PMC11758422 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e41620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2024] [Revised: 12/17/2024] [Accepted: 12/31/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2025] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is by far the most prevalent disease in the world and is now a major global public health problem because of the increase in diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Traditional biomarkers of kidney function lack sensitivity and specificity for early detection and monitoring of CKD progression, necessitating more sensitive biomarkers for early diagnostic intervention. Dyslipidemia is a hallmark of CKD. Advancements in mass spectrometry (MS)-based lipidomics platforms have facilitated comprehensive analysis of lipids in biological samples and have revealed changes in the lipidome that are associated with metabolic disorders, which can be used as new biomarkers for kidney diseases. It is also critical for the discovery of new therapeutic targets and drugs. In this article, we focus on lipids in CKD, lipidomics methodologies and their applications in CKD. Additionally, we introduce novel biomarkers identified through lipidomics approaches and natural products derived from lipidomics for the treatment of CKD. We believe that our study makes a significant contribution to literature by demonstrating that natural products can improve CKD from a lipidomic perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhang
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Heilongjiang Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Heilongjiang Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Chenguang Wu
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Heilongjiang Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Lifan Wang
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Heilongjiang Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Shunyi Hospital, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Li
- Beijing Key Lab for Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
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Pan M, Li H, Shi X. A New Target for Hepatic Fibrosis Prevention and Treatment: The Warburg Effect. FRONT BIOSCI-LANDMRK 2024; 29:321. [PMID: 39344326 DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2909321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is a major public health problem that endangers human wellbeing. In recent years, a number of studies have revealed the important impact of metabolic reprogramming on the occurrence and development of hepatic fibrosis. Among them, the Warburg effect, as an intracellular glucose metabolism reprogramming, can promote the occurrence and development of hepatic fibrosis by promoting the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and inducing the polarization of liver macrophages (KC). Understanding the Warburg effect and its important role in the progression of hepatic fibrosis will assist in developing new strategies for the prevention and treatment of hepatic fibrosis. This review focuses on the Warburg effect and the specific mechanism by which it affects the progression of hepatic fibrosis by regulating HSCs activation and KC polarization. In addition, we also summarize and discuss the related experimental drugs and their mechanisms that inhibit the Warburg effect by targeting key proteins of glycolysis in order to improve hepatic fibrosis in the hope of providing more effective strategies for the clinical treatment of hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Pan
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, 712046 Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Huanyu Li
- Second Clinical Medical College, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, 712046 Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaoyan Shi
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, 712046 Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
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Chang C, Gao P, Li J, Liang J, Xiang S, Zhang R. Embryonic dexamethasone exposure exacerbates hepatic steatosis and APAP-mediated liver injury in zebrafish. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 282:116657. [PMID: 38968869 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Dexamethasone (DXMS), a synthetic glucocorticoid, is known for its pharmacological effects on anti-inflammation, stress response enhancement and immune suppression, and has been widely used to treat potential premature delivery and related diseases. However, emerging evidence has shown that prenatal DXMS exposure leads to increased susceptibility to multiple diseases. In the present study, we used zebrafish as a model to study the effects of embryonic DXMS exposure on liver development and disease. We discovered that embryonic DXMS exposure upregulated the levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides in the liver, increased the glycolysis process and ultimately caused hepatic steatosis in zebrafish larvae. Furthermore, DXMS exposure exacerbated hepatic steatosis in a zebrafish model of fatty liver disease. In addition, we showed that embryonic DXMS exposure worsened liver injury induced by paracetamol (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP), increased the infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils, and promoted the expression of inflammatory factors, leading to impeded liver regeneration. Taken together, our results provide new evidence that embryonic DXMS exposure exacerbates hepatic steatosis by activating glycolytic pathway, aggravates APAP-induced liver damage and impeded regeneration under a persistent inflammation, calling attention to DXMS administration during pregnancy with probable clinical implications for offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Chang
- TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Gao
- TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiayi Li
- TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jieling Liang
- TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shupeng Xiang
- TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ruilin Zhang
- TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, China.
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Wang J, Wu Z, Chen X, Sun Y, Ma S, Weng J, Zhang Y, Dong K, Shao J, Zheng S. Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking Analysis and Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Scutellaria baicalensis in the Treatment of Liver Fibrosis. Curr Pharm Des 2024; 30:1326-1340. [PMID: 38616754 DOI: 10.2174/0113816128297074240327090020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traditional Chinese medicine Scutellaria Baicalensis (SB), one of the clinical firstline heat-clearing drugs, has obvious symptomatic advantages for hepatic fibrosis with dampness-heat stasis as its syndrome. We aim to predict and validate the potential mechanism of Scutellaria baicalensis active ingredients against liver fibrosis more scientifically and effectively. METHODS The underlying mechanism of Scutellaria baicalensis in inhibiting hepatic fibrosis was studied by applying network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Expression levels of markers in activated Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSC) after administration of three Scutellaria baicalensis extracts were determined by Western blot and Real-time PCR, respectively, in order to verify the anti-fibrosis effect of the active ingredients Results: There are 164 common targets of drugs and diseases screened and 115 signaling pathways obtained, which were mainly associated with protein phosphorylation, senescence and negative regulation of the apoptotic process. Western blot and Real-time PCR showed that Scutellaria baicalensis extracts could reduce the expression of HSC activation markers, and Oroxylin A had the strongest inhibitory effect on it. Molecular docking results showed that Oroxylin A had high binding activity to target proteins. Molecular dynamics simulation demonstrates promising stability of the Oroxylin A-AKT1 complex over the simulated MD time of 200 ns. CONCLUSION Scutellaria baicalensis active ingredients may inhibit HSC proliferation, reduce the generation of pro-inflammatory factors and block the anti-inflammatory effect of inflammatory signal transduction by inducing HSC apoptosis and senescence, thus achieving the effect of anti-fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junrui Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhuoqing Wu
- Nanjing Foreign Language School, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaolei Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ying Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuyao Ma
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingdan Weng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuxin Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Keke Dong
- PharmaBlock Sciences (Nanjing), Inc, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiangjuan Shao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shizhong Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Li S, Hao L, Hu X. Natural products target glycolysis in liver disease. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1242955. [PMID: 37663261 PMCID: PMC10469892 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1242955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in the occurrence and development of different liver diseases. Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) dysfunction and production of reactive oxygen species are closely related to mitochondrial dysfunction, forcing glycolysis to become the main source of energy metabolism of liver cells. Moreover, glycolysis is also enhanced to varying degrees in different liver diseases, especially in liver cancer. Therefore, targeting the glycolytic signaling pathway provides a new strategy for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver fibrosis associated with liver cancer. Natural products regulate many steps of glycolysis, and targeting glycolysis with natural products is a promising cancer treatment. In this review, we have mainly illustrated the relationship between glycolysis and liver disease, natural products can work by targeting key enzymes in glycolysis and their associated proteins, so understanding how natural products regulate glycolysis can help clarify the therapeutic mechanisms these drugs use to inhibit liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenghao Li
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Liyuan Hao
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoyu Hu
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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