Lipopolysaccharide induced altered signaling pathways in various neurological disorders

The role of the hypothalamus in the development of cancer cachexia

Cachexia is a complex multiorgan syndrome associated with various chronic diseases, characterized by anorexia and increased tissue wasting in the context of chronic inflammation. A specific form of this syndrome, known as cancer cachexia (CC), occurs alongside different types of tumors. The pathogenesis of CC is multifactorial. Inflammatory mediators and hormones released by both tumor and host cells have a relevant role in driving the peripheral catabolic process through several direct mechanisms. Accumulating evidence indicates that the central nervous system (CNS) plays an integral role in the pathogenesis of CC. The hypothalamus has emerged as a critical brain region that senses and amplifies peripheral stimuli, generating inappropriate neuronal signaling and leading to the dysregulation of energy homeostasis under cachexia conditions. Circulating cytokines may act in concert with hormones and neurotransmitters and perturb critical hypothalamic neurocircuits shifting their activity towards the anorexigenic pathway and increase of energy expenditure. This review discusses the mechanisms mediating the hypothalamic homeostatic imbalance in the context of anorexia and cachexia associated with cancer.

Study on the pharmacokinetics and brain tissue distribution of eight anti-inflammatory active components in normal and neuroinflammatory rats orally administered with extract of Tinospora sinensis (Lour.) Merr. using the UPLC-MS/MS method

Tinospora sinensis (Lour.) Merr. (Tinospora sinensis) is a traditional Chinese medicine commonly used by Tibetan people in China to prevent and treat diseases such as senile dementia, neuroinflammatory, and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the pharmacokinetic characteristics and tissue distribution of Tinospora sinensis active components in vivo, especially the distribution of brain regions, are unclear. Herein, a stable and accurate ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated to compare the pharmacokinetic patterns and differences in brain tissue distribution of eight anti-inflammatory active components in normal and neuroinflammatory rats after oral administration of extracts from Tinospora sinensis. ACE Excel 3 C18-AR (100 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) column was used for gradient elution with 0.1 % formic acid water (A) and acetonitrile (B), rifampicin as an internal standard, electrospray ionization (ESI) positive and negative ion mode scanning, multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) determination, and DAS 2.0 software analysis. The UPLC-MS/MS method established through verification is accurate and reliable, and the methodology can meet the quantitative requirements. The pharmacokinetic results showed differences in the pharmacokinetic process and brain tissue distribution between normal rats and rats with neuroinflammation. All eight anti-inflammatory active components can be rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream (Tmax ≤ 2 h), but the plasma metabolism rate of rats with neuroinflammation is faster and the brain content is lower. Neuroinflammation has a significant impact on the in vivo process of oral administration of Tinospora sinensis in rats. The study provides experimental evidence for the quality control and clinical application of Tinospora sinensis.

Study on the Influence and Mechanism of Resveratrol on Cognitive Impairment in Chronic Kidney Disease Rats Through Regulating Gut Microbiota and the TLR4/NFκB Pathway

Objective

To investigate the mechanism by which resveratrol (Res) ameliorates cognitive impairment (CI) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) rats through modulation of gut microbiota and suppression of inflammation.

Methods

A CKD model was established in rats via two intravenous injections of doxorubicin (4 mg/kg, 2 weeks apart). After 8 weeks, renal function and histopathological assessments were performed to confirm the establishment of the CKD model.Rats were divided into control, CKD, and CKD+Res groups. The CKD+Res group received intragastric Res for 6 weeks. Cognitive function was assessed using the Morris water maze. Serum Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels were measured via ELISA. Histopathology evaluated kidney, colon, and hippocampal damage. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, and hippocampal Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4)/ the Nuclear Factor-κB (NFκB) pathway proteins were quantified via Western blot.

Results

CKD groups exhibited elevated 24-hour urinary albumin, serum urea nitrogen, and creatinine (P < 0.01), with glomerular atrophy. During water maze navigation (days 3-4), CKD groups showed prolonged escape latency and increased swimming distance versus controls (P < 0.05), which Res intervention alleviated (P < 0.05). In the spatial probe test, CKD rats had fewer platform crossings and shorter target quadrant occupancy (P < 0.01; P < 0.05), both improved by Res (P < 0.05). Hippocampal neuronal damage and elevated serum IL-6, TNF-α, and LPS levels (P < 0.01) were observed in CKD rats, while Res reduced IL-6 and LPS (P < 0.05). Western blot revealed upregulated TLR4/NFκB pathway activation in the CKD group (P < 0.01), suppressed by Res (P < 0.05). Gut microbiota analysis showed increased Gram-negative bacteria in CKD rats and higher Gram-positive bacteria abundance in the Res group. LPS biosynthesis was enhanced in CKD rats (P < 0.05) but attenuated by Res.

The Role of Probiotics in Modulating the Gut Microbiome in Alzheimer's Disease: A Review

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has emerged as a global public health priority characterized by escalating prevalence and the limited efficacy of current therapeutic approaches. Although the pathological complexity of AD is well-recognized, its underlying etiology remains incompletely elucidated. Current research highlights a bidirectional gut-brain axis (GBA) interaction, wherein gut microbiome perturbations may impair intestinal barrier stability, influence immune responses, and blood-brain barrier permeability through microbial metabolite-mediated pathways, thereby contributing to AD pathophysiology. Notably, probiotics demonstrate therapeutic potential by restoring gut microbiome homeostasis, reinforcing intestinal barrier integrity, and mitigating neuroinflammatory responses via GBA. This review focuses on investigating the gut microbiome alterations in AD pathogenesis, the interaction of probiotics with GBA, and its significance in AD pathogenesis. By synthesizing current clinical evidence, this review aims to establish a scientific foundation for probiotic-based interventions as a novel therapeutic strategy in AD management.

Potential multiple disease progression pathways in female patients with Alzheimer's disease inferred from transcriptome and epigenome data of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

Late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a typical type of dementia for which therapeutic strategies have not yet been established. The database of the Rush Alzheimer's Disease study by the ENCODE consortium contains transcriptome and various epigenome data. Although the Rush AD database may contain a satisfactory amount of data for women, the amount of data for men remains insufficient. Here, based on an analysis of publicly available data from female patients, this study found that AD pathology appears to be nonuniform; AD patients were divided into several groups with differential gene expression patterns, including those related to cognitive function. First, cluster analysis was performed on individuals diagnosed with "No Cognitive Impairment (NCI)," "Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)," and "Alzheimer's Disease (AD)" stages in clinical trials using gene expression, and multiple substages were identified across AD progression. The epigenome data, in particular genome-wide H3k4me3 distribution data, also supported the existence of multiple AD substages. However, APOE gene polymorphisms of individuals seemed to not correlate with disease stage. An inference of adjacency networks among substages, evaluated via partition-based graph abstraction using the gene expression profiles of individuals, suggested the possibility of multiple typical disease progression pathways from NCI to different AD substages through various MCI substages. These findings could refine biomarker discovery or inform personalized therapeutic approaches.

A glucan from Ganoderma lucidum: Structural characterization and the anti-inflammatory effect on Parkinson's disease via regulating dysfunctions of intestinal microecology and inhibiting TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst (G. lucidum) is a traditional Chinese medicinal fungus, used to exert a beneficial effect on central nervous system, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Polysaccharide is its main active ingredient, but the structural characterization and the mechanisms of the beneficial effect on PD remain to be elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To obtain a purified G. lucidum polysaccharide and elucidate its structure, investigate the anti-inflammatory effect on PD and explore its potential mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The structure of polysaccharide was analyzed through methylation analysis and NMR analysis. The anti-inflammatory effect on PD were explored in a MPTP-induced mouse model. A comprehensive microbiota-gut-metabolomics analysis was executed and subsequently deliberated, focusing on the regulation of dysfunctions of intestinal microecology. The potential mechanisms were investigated using a LPS-induced Caco-2 cell model.

RESULTS

A purified glucan, GLPZ-2 was obtained. GLPZ-2 was with triple helical structure and its backbone was found to be primarily composed of 1,6-α-D-Glcp, 1,4-α-D-Glcp, 1,4,6-α-D-Glcp and 1,3,6-β-D-Glcp, with branches at the C-3 and C-4 position by t-α-D-Glcp. PD mice experiments showed that GLPZ-2 could improve motor symptoms, reduce pathological damage and decrease brain protein expression of α-Syn, IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α. GLPZ-2 also could regulate the gut microbiota and fecal metabolites to restore to normal trend, increase SCFAs content and inhibit TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway in intestine.

CONCLUSIONS

GLPZ-2 exhibits an anti-inflammatory effect on PD, which provide a foundational basis for the application of GLPZ-2 as an effective drug to prevent and delay PD.

Blackberry extract prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced depressive-like behavior in female mice: implications for redox status, inflammation, and brain enzymes

This study evaluated the effects of Rubus sp. extract on behavioral and neurochemical parameters in female mice submitted to experimental model of depression induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results indicated that Rubus sp. extract protected against depressive-like behavior induced by LPS. Moreover, the administration of Rubus sp. extract was effective in preventing the increase in reactive species and nitrites levels, as well as the decrease in catalase activity induced by LPS in the cerebral cortex. In the serum, the Rubus sp. extract was effective in preventing the decrease in catalase activity induced by LPS. Treatment with Rubus sp. extract attenuated the increase in acetylcholinesterase activity induced by LPS in the cerebral cortex. Finally, blackberry extract also downregulated IL-1β levels in cerebral cortex. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that treatment with Rubus sp. exerted antidepressant, antioxidant, anticholinesterase and anti-inflammatory effects in a model of depressive - like behavior induced by LPS in female mice. This highlights Rubus sp. as a potential therapeutic agent for individuals with major depressive disorder.

Irisin Attenuates Neuroinflammation Targeting the NLRP3 Inflammasome

Neuroinflammation is defined as an immune response involving various cell types, particularly microglia, which monitor the neuroimmune axis. Microglia activate in two distinct ways: M1, which is pro-inflammatory and capable of inducing phagocytosis and releasing pro-inflammatory factors, and M2, which has anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammasomes are large protein complexes that form in response to internal danger signals, activating caspase-1 and leading to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1β. Irisin, a peptide primarily released by muscles during exercise, was examined for its effects on BV2 microglial cells in vitro. Even at low concentrations, irisin was observed to influence the NLRP3 inflammasome, showing potential as a neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory agent after stimulation with lipopolysaccharides (LPSs). Irisin helped maintain microglia in their typical physiological state and reduced their migratory capacity. Irisin also increased Arg-1 protein expression, a marker of M2 polarization, while downregulating NLRP3, Pycard, caspase-1, IL-1β, and CD14. The results of this study indicate that irisin may serve as a crucial mediator of neuroprotection, thus representing an innovative tool for the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.

Cortisol suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced in vitro inflammatory response of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) via the glucocorticoid receptor and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are well-established anti-inflammatory agents, with cortisol, an endogenous GC, exerting pivotal regulatory effects on normal physiological processes. However, the immune regulatory role of cortisol in teleost fish, particularly in inflammation induced by pathogenic infection, remains largely unexplored. Here, we revealed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) triggers a pro-inflammatory response in the large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea), as evidenced by increased expression of key pro-inflammatory cytokines and activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. We further explored the immunosuppressive capacity of cortisol in LPS-stimulated large yellow croaker kidney cells (PCK cells) and in vitro tissues of the large yellow croaker. Our findings indicated that cortisol effectively suppresses LPS-induced overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and p38 MAPK pathway activation. Moreover, the immunosuppressive effects of cortisol were reversed by pretreatment with mifepristone, a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist. Collectively, this study delineated the inhibitory role of cortisol in the LPS-induced inflammatory cascade in large yellow croaker and underscores the significance of GR in mediating this response. These insights advance our comprehension of GCs-mediated immune modulation and provide a theoretical basis for the application of cortisol in disease prevention and the selective breeding of disease-resistant traits in aquaculture.

Nebulized Lipopolysaccharide Causes Delayed Cortical Neuroinflammation in a Murine Model of Acute Lung Injury

Lung injury caused by respiratory infection is a major cause of hospitalization and mortality and a leading origin of sepsis. Sepsis-associated encephalopathy and delirium are frequent complications in patients with severe lung injury, yet the pathogenetic mechanisms remain unclear. Here, 70 female C57BL/6 mice were subjected to a single full-body-exposure with nebulized lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Neuromotor impairment was assessed repeatedly and brain, blood, and lung samples were analyzed at survival points of 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h after exposure. qRT-PCR revealed increased mRNA-expression of TNFα and IL-1β 24 h and 48 h after LPS-exposure in the lung, concomitantly with increased amounts of proteins in bronchoalveolar lavage and interstitial lung edema. In the cerebral cortex, at 72 h and/or 96 h after LPS exposure, the inflammation- and activity-associated markers TLR4, GFAP, Gadd45b, c-Fos, and Arc were increased. Therefore, single exposure to nebulized LPS not only triggers an early inflammatory reaction in the lung but also induces a delayed neuroinflammatory response. The identified mechanisms provide new insights into the pathogenesis of sepsis-associated encephalopathy and might serve as targets for future therapeutic approaches.

Microbial Heterogeneity Identification of Cerebral Thrombi Via Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing-Based Strategy

BACKGROUND

Diagnosis of the cause of cerebral thrombi is vital for recurrence prevention but also challenging. The presence of the microbiome has recently been confirmed in thrombus, suggesting a novel approach to distinguish cerebral thrombi of different origins. However, little is known about whether there is heterogeneity in microbiological colonization of cerebral thrombi of different sources.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Forty patients experiencing acute ischemic stroke were included and clinical data were collected. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing was adopted to detect bacterial and genomic signatures of human cerebral thrombi samples. We found similar species diversity between the large-artery atherosclerosis thrombi and cardioembolic thrombi but different species composition and distribution of cerebral thrombus microbiota. Compared with the group with cardioembolism, the group with large-artery atherosclerosis showed a significantly higher relative abundance of Ralstonia insidiosa among the top 10 bacterial species in cerebral thrombi. Twenty operational taxonomy units were correlated with 11 clinical indicators of ischemic stroke. The Gene Ontology enrichment analysis revealed 9 different enriched biological processes (translation and carbohydrate metabolic process, etc). The enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways included ribosome, butanoate metabolism, and sulfur metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

This study, based on the approach of metagenomic next-generation sequencing, provides a diagnostic microbiological method to discriminate individuals with cardioembolic thrombi from those with large-artery atherosclerosis thrombi with human cerebral thrombi samples. Our findings provide a fresh perspective on microbial heterogeneity of cerebral thrombi and demonstrate biological processes and pathway features of cerebral thrombi.

Biological role of mitochondrial TLR4-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway in central nervous system injury

Previous studies suggested that central nervous system injury is often accompanied by the activation of Toll-like receptor 4/NF-κB pathway, which leads to the upregulation of proapoptotic gene expression, causes mitochondrial oxidative stress, and further aggravates the inflammatory response to induce cell apoptosis. Subsequent studies have shown that NF-κB and IκBα can directly act on mitochondria. Therefore, elucidation of the specific mechanisms of NF-κB and IκBα in mitochondria may help to discover new therapeutic targets for central nervous system injury. Recent studies have suggested that NF-κB (especially RelA) in mitochondria can inhibit mitochondrial respiration or DNA expression, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. IκBα silencing will cause reactive oxygen species storm and initiate the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Other research results suggest that RelA can regulate mitochondrial respiration and energy metabolism balance by interacting with p53 and STAT3, thus initiating the mitochondrial protection mechanism. IκBα can also inhibit apoptosis in mitochondria by interacting with VDAC1 and other molecules. Regulating the biological role of NF-κB signaling pathway in mitochondria by targeting key proteins such as p53, STAT3, and VDAC1 may help maintain the balance of mitochondrial respiration and energy metabolism, thereby protecting nerve cells and reducing inflammatory storms and death caused by ischemia and hypoxia.

Intermittent fasting along with hydroalcoholic extract of Centella-asiatica ameliorates sub-acute hypoxia-induced ischemic stroke in adult zebrafish

Reduced blood flow (hypoxia) to the brain is thought to be the main cause of strokes because it deprives the brain of oxygen and nutrients. An increasing amount of evidence indicates that the Centella-Asiatica (HA-CA) hydroalcoholic extract has a variety of pharmacological benefits, such as antioxidant activity, neuroprotection, anti-inflammatory qualities, and angiogenesis promotion. Intermittent fasting (IF) has neurological benefits such as anti-inflammatory properties, neuroprotective effects, and the ability to enhance neuroplasticity. The current study evaluates the combined effect of IF (for 1, 6, and 12 days) along with HA-CA (daily up to 12 days) in adult zebrafish subjected to hypoxia every 5 min for 12 days followed by behavioral (novel tank and open-field tank test), biochemical (SOD, GSH-Px, and LPO), inflammatory (IL-10, IL-1β, and TNF-α), mitochondrial enzyme activities (Complex-I, II, and IV), signaling molecules (AMPK, MAPK, GSK-3β, Nrf2), and imaging/staining (H&E, TTC, and TEM) analysis. Results show that sub-acute hypoxia promotes the behavioral alterations, and production of radical species and alters the oxidative stress status in brain tissues of zebrafish, along with mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and alteration of signaling molecules. Nevertheless, HA-CA along with IF significantly ameliorates these defects in adult zebrafish as compared to their effects alone. Further, imaging analysis significantly provided evidence of infarct damage along with neuronal and mitochondrial damage which was significantly ameliorated by IF and HA-CA. The use of IF and HA-CA has been proven to enhance the physiological effects of hypoxia in all dimensions.

The role of molecular chaperones in the mechanisms of epileptogenesis

Epilepsy is a group of neurological diseases which requires significant economic costs for the treatment and care of patients. The central point of epileptogenesis stems from the failure of synaptic signal transmission mechanisms, leading to excessive synchronous excitation of neurons and characteristic epileptic electroencephalogram activity, in typical cases being manifested as seizures and loss of consciousness. The causes of epilepsy are extremely diverse, which is one of the reasons for the complexity of selecting a treatment regimen for each individual case and the high frequency of pharmacoresistant cases. Therefore, the search for new drugs and methods of epilepsy treatment requires an advanced study of the molecular mechanisms of epileptogenesis. In this regard, the investigation of molecular chaperones as potential mediators of epileptogenesis seems promising because the chaperones are involved in the processing and regulation of the activity of many key proteins directly responsible for the generation of abnormal neuronal excitation in epilepsy. In this review, we try to systematize current data on the role of molecular chaperones in epileptogenesis and discuss the prospects for the use of chemical modulators of various chaperone groups' activity as promising antiepileptic drugs.

Discovery of acylated isoquercitrin derivatives as potent anti-neuroinflammatory agents in vitro and in vivo

Neuroinflammation is considered as an important pathological mechanism in neurodegenerative diseases. The natural isoquercitrin (IQ) was reported to have potential anti-neuroinflammatory activity. The acylation of glycoside in IQ enhanced its hydrophobicity, which was expected to enhance the protective effect against inflammation. In this study, three carboxylic acids with anti-neuroinflammatory effects including cinnamic acid, ibuprofen (IBU) and acetylsalicylic acid were introduced into the 6''-OH of IQ through the corresponding vinyl esters intermediates (8a-8c). Ultimately, the acylated IQ derivatives (Compound 9a-9c) were obtained with 35-42% yields using immobilized lipase Novozym 435 as catalyst. Subsequently, their anti-neuroinflammatory activities were evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV2 cells. Compound 9b improved cell viability in the range of ≤50 μM and significantly decreased NO, PGE2 production and TNF-α, IL-1β release and oxidative stress level with a concentration-dependent manner. Also, it could downregulate iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α and IL-1β expression levels, approximately 40% reduction were achieved when 15μM compound 9b was employed. In addition, compound 9b resisted phosphorylation and degradation of IkBαs, suppressing the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway, exhibiting excellent neuroinflammatory inhibition. Moreover, the administration of compound 9b (30, 60 mg/kg) alleviated behavioral disorders and neuronal damages in LPS-induced neuroinflammatory mice. Meanwhile, the decreased TNF-α, IL-1β release, expression and the inhibited glial cells activation were obtained in compound 9b-treated group, which was superior to that of IQ or IBU. Overall, these findings demonstrated that compound 9b, formed by the introduction of ibuprofen into IQ, can serve as a novel promising therapeutic agent for anti-neuroinflammation.

Nimbolide Targets Multiple Signalling Pathways to Reduce Neuroinflammation in BV-2 Microglia

Nimbolide, a limonoid compound found in the neem plant, was investigated for effects on neuroinflammation in BV-2 microglia activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cultured BV-2 cells were treated with nimbolide (125, 250 and 500 nM) followed by stimulation with LPS (100 ng/ml). Results showed that nimbolide caused a significant reduction in the levels of TNFα, IL-6, IFNγ, NO/iNOS and PGE2/COX-2 in LPS-activated BV-2 cells. Further experiments revealed that LPS-induced increased expression of phospho-p65 and phospho-IκBα proteins were reduced in the presence of nimbolide. Also, LPS-induced NF-κB acetylation, increased binding to consensus sites and transactivation, as well as phosphorylation of p38 and JNK MAPKs were reduced by nimbolide. Reduction of cellular ROS generation by nimbolide was accompanied by a reduction in gp91phox protein levels, while antioxidant effects were also observed through elevation in protein levels of HO-1 and NQO-1. It was observed that treatment of BV-2 microglia with nimbolide resulted in reduced levels of cytoplasmic Nrf2, which was accompanied by increased levels in the nucleus. Furthermore, treatment with this compound resulted in increased binding of Nrf2 to antioxidant responsive element (ARE) consensus sites accompanied by enhanced ARE luciferase activity. Knockdown experiments revealed a loss of anti-inflammatory activity by nimbolide in cells transfected with Nrf2 siRNA. Treatment with nimbolide resulted in nuclear accumulation of SIRT-1, while siRNA knockdown of SIRT-1 resulted in the reversal of anti-inflammatory activity of nimbolide. It is proposed that nimbolide reduces neuroinflammation in BV-2 microglia through mechanisms resulting in dual inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK pathways. It is also proposed that activation of Nrf2 antioxidant mechanisms may be contributing to its anti-inflammatory activity.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Saussurea costus as Therapeutic Agents against a Diabetic Rat Model-Approaches to Investigate Pharmacophore Modeling of Human IkB Kinase and Molecular Interaction with Dehydrocostus Lactone of Saussurea costus

Lactic acid bacteria is well-known as a vital strategy to alleviate or prevent diabetes. Similarly, the plant Saussurea costus (Falc) Lipsch is a preventive power against diabetes. Here, we aimed to determine whether lactic acid bacteria or Saussurea costus is more effective in treating a diabetic rat model in a comparative study manner. An in vivo experiment was conducted to test the therapeutic activity of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (MW719476.1) and S. costus plants against an alloxan-induced diabetic rat model. Molecular, biochemical, and histological analyses were investigated to evaluate the therapeutic characteristics of different treatments. The high dose of S. costus revealed the best downregulated expression for the IKBKB, IKBKG, NfkB1, IL-17A, IL-6, IL-17F, IL-1β, TNF-α, TRAF6, and MAPK genes compared to Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and the control groups. The downregulation of IKBKB by S. costus could be attributed to dehydrocostus lactone as an active compound with proposed antidiabetic activity. So, we performed another pharmacophore modeling analysis to test the possible interaction between human IkB kinase beta protein and dehydrocostus lactone as an antidiabetic drug. Molecular docking and MD simulation data confirmed the interaction between human IkB kinase beta protein and dehydrocostus lactone as a possible drug. The target genes are important in regulating type 2 diabetes mellitus signaling, lipid and atherosclerosis signaling, NF-κB signaling, and IL-17 signaling pathways. In conclusion, the S. costus plant could be a promising source of novel therapeutic agents for treating diabetes and its complications. Dehydrocostus lactone caused the ameliorative effect of S. costus by its interaction with human IkB kinase beta protein. Further, future studies could be conducted to find the clinical efficacy of dehydrocostus lactone.

Fasting: From Physiology to Pathology

Overnutrition is a risk factor for various human diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, and cancers. Therefore, targeting overnutrition represents a simple but attractive strategy for the treatment of these increasing public health threats. Fasting as a dietary intervention for combating overnutrition has been extensively studied. Fasting has been practiced for millennia, but only recently have its roles in the molecular clock, gut microbiome, and tissue homeostasis and function emerged. Fasting can slow aging in most species and protect against various human diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, and cancers. These centuried and unfading adventures and explorations suggest that fasting has the potential to delay aging and help prevent and treat diseases while minimizing side effects caused by chronic dietary interventions. In this review, recent animal and human studies concerning the role and underlying mechanism of fasting in physiology and pathology are summarized, the therapeutic potential of fasting is highlighted, and the combination of pharmacological intervention and fasting is discussed as a new treatment regimen for human diseases.

In Vitro Anti-Influenza A Virus H1N1 Effect of Sesquiterpene-Rich Extracts of Carpesium abrotanoides

Due to a high content of sesquiterpenes, Carpesium abrotanoides has been investigated to fully explore its health-promoting properties. Therefore, this work aimed to assess, for the first time, the anti-influenza A virus H1N1 potential of sesquiterpene-targeted fractions of the herb derived from C. abrotanoides. Five compounds, including four sesquiterpenes and one aldehyde, were isolated and identified from the sesquiterpene-rich extracts of C. abrotanoides (SECA), and the contents of three main sesquiterpenes in the SECA were determined. Furthermore, SECA showed a significant protective effect in the MDCK cells infected with influenza A virus (H1N1) in three different conditions: premixed administration, prophylactic administration, and therapeutic administration. SECA can significantly decrease the mRNA expressions of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-6, as well as the protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB. This result suggests that SECA can resist the influenza A virus H1N1 through the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signal pathway.

Mechanisms of Qing-Gan Li-Shui Formulation in Ameliorating Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: An Analysis Based on Network Pharmacology

Objective

In this study, we investigated the mechanism of Qing-Gan Li-Shui formulation (QGLSF) in treating primary open glaucoma (POAG) by network pharmacology and in vitro experiments.

Methods

The active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) of GLQSF (prepared with Prunella vulgaris, Kudzu root, Plantago asiatica, and Lycium barbarum) were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and Yet Another Traditional Chinese Medicine database (YATCM). The targets of POAG were screened out with GeneCards, OMIM, PharmGKB, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), and DrugBank databases. The Venny platform was used to summarize the core targets. Topological analysis was performed using Cytoscape3.8.0. A protein-protein interaction network was plotted by STRING online. The key targets were subjected to GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. Finally, the effects of APIs were verified by a model of chloride hexahydrate (CoCl₂)-induced retinal ganglion cells-5 (RGC-5).

Results

The main APIs were selected as quercetin (Que) by network pharmacology. Nine clusters of QGLSF targets were obtained by the PPI network analysis, including AKT-1, TP53, and JUN. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that these targets were mainly involved in the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway. By in vitro experiments, Que promoted cell proliferation. The secretion of AKT-1, TP53, JUN, AGE, and RAGE in the cell culture supernatant decreased, as shown by ELISA. The mRNA levels of AKT-1, TP53, JUN, and RAGE decreased, as shown by RT-PCR. QGLSF may employ the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway to counter POAG.

Conclusion

This study preliminarily elucidates the efficacy and mechanism of QGLSF in the treatment of POAG.

Effects of astrocytes and microglia on neuroinflammation after spinal cord injury and related immunomodulatory strategies

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic event which is still without adequate therapies. Neuroinflammation is the main pathogenesis of secondary damage post-SCI, leading to tissue loss and neurological dysfunction. Previous studies have shown that microglia and astrocytes are the major immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS) and play a crucial role in modulating neuroinflammatory responses. In this study, we mainly review the effects of neuroinflammation in SCI, focusing on the contributions of microglia and astrocytes and their cross-talk. Furthermore, we will also discuss therapeutic strategies on how to regulate their immunophenotype to suppress robust inflammation and facilitate injury prognosis.

The Neuroprotection of Verbascoside in Alzheimer’s Disease Mediated through Mitigation of Neuroinflammation via Blocking NF-κB-p65 Signaling

Verbascoside (VB) is a phenylethanoid glycoside extracted from the herbaceous plant Verbascum sinuatum and plays a neuroprotective role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The goal of this study was to explore the neuroprotective mechanism of VB. Based on the proteomics analysis, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western blot, and ELISA were utilized to explore the neuroprotective mechanism of VB in context of neuroinflammation in APP/PS1 mice, LPS-induced BV2 cells, and/or Aβ_1-42-stimulated N2a cells. Proteomic analysis demonstrated that the neuroprotection of VB correlated closely to its anti-inflammatory effect. VB significantly blocked microglia and astrocyte against activation in brains of APP/PS1 mice, suppressed the generation of IL-1β as well as IL-6, and boosted that of IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β in vivo, which were analogous to results acquired in vitro. Furthermore, VB effectively restrained the phosphorylation of IKKα+β, IκBα, and NF-κB-p65 in APP/PS1 mice; LPS-induced BV2 cells, and Aβ_1-42-stimulated N2a cells and lowered the tendency of NF-κB-p65 translocation towards nucleus in vitro. These results demonstrate that the neuroprotective effect of VB correlates to the modulation of neuroinflammation via NF-κB-p65 pathway, making VB as a hopeful candidate drug for the prevention and treatment of AD.