Leonurine ameliorates LPS-induced acute kidney injury via suppressing ROS-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway

Pyroptosis in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury: mechanisms and therapeutic perspectives

Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (S-AKI) is a severe complication characterized by high morbidity and mortality, driven by multi-organ dysfunction. Recent evidence suggests that pyroptosis, a form of programmed cell death distinct from apoptosis and necrosis, plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of S-AKI. This review examines the mechanisms of pyroptosis, focusing on inflammasome activation (e.g., NLRP3), caspase-mediated processes, and the role of Gasdermin D in renal tubular damage. We also discuss the contributions of inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress, and potential therapeutic strategies targeting pyroptosis, including inflammasome inhibitors, caspase inhibitors, and anti-inflammatory therapies. Lastly, we highlight the clinical implications and challenges in translating these findings into effective treatments, underscoring the need for personalized medicine approaches in managing S-AKI.

Comprehensive review of leonurine: harnessing its therapeutic potential for chronic diseases

Chronic diseases (CD) pose a significant global health challenge, affecting millions of individuals and contributing to substantial morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burden. Therapeutic approaches primarily aim at symptom management through pharmacotherapy, lifestyle modifications, dietary interventions, and regular physical activity. Given the persistent challenge of limited treatment options, scientific research has increasingly focused on exploring natural compounds for their therapeutic potential. Leonurine, a natural compound first isolated from the plant Herba leonuri in 1930, has garnered significant attention due to its extensive pharmacological properties relevant to the treatment of CDs. Extensive studies over the past have revealed that leonurine exhibits anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. These effects are mediated through the modulation of various signaling pathways, including the TGF-β/Smad2, Nrf-2, JNK, NF-κB, BDNF/TrkB/CREB, TLR4/NF-κB/TNF-α, ATF4/CHOP/ASCL4, Akt, HIF-1, SHH/GLI, and mTOR/ERK, whose dysregulation is implicated in the pathogenesis of various CDs. Furthermore, leonurine regulates the levels of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines, including numerous interleukins and TNF-α, indicating its potential in treating a wide range of chronic conditions, including cardiovascular, neurological, skeletal, and renal diseases. This review seeks to present an in-depth analysis of leonurine's therapeutic potential, emphasizing its promise in the management of various CDs. It also outlines potential avenues for future research to fully harness its pharmacological advantages in treating these conditions.

Renal Health Through Medicine-Food Homology: A Comprehensive Review of Botanical Micronutrients and Their Mechanisms

BACKGROUND

As an ancient concept and practice, "food as medicine" or "medicine-food homology" is receiving more and more attention these days. It is a tradition in many regions to intake medicinal herbal food for potential health benefits to various organs and systems including the kidney. Kidney diseases usually lack targeted therapy and face irreversible loss of function, leading to dialysis dependence. As the most important organ for endogenous metabolite and exogenous nutrient excretion, the status of the kidney could be closely related to daily diet. Therefore, medicinal herbal food rich in antioxidative, anti-inflammation micronutrients are ideal supplements for kidney protection. Recent studies have also discovered its impact on the "gut-kidney" axis.

METHODS

Here, we review and highlight the kidney-protective effects of botanicals with medicine-food homology including the most frequently used Astragalus membranaceus and Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, concerning their micronutrients and mechanism, offering a basis and perspective for utilizing and exploring the key substances in medicinal herbal food to protect the kidney.

RESULTS

The index for medicine-food homology in China contains mostly botanicals while many of them are also consumed by people in other regions. Micronutrients including flavonoids, polysaccharides and others present powerful activities towards renal diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

Botanicals with medicine-food homology are widely speeded over multiple regions and incorporating these natural compounds into dietary habits or as supplements shows promising future for renal health.

Dihydromyricetin Nanoparticles Alleviate Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Kidney Injury by Decreasing Inflammation and Cell Apoptosis via the TLR4/NF-κB Pathway

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the most severe and fatal complication of sepsis resulting from infectious trauma. Currently, effective treatment options are still lacking. Dihydromyricetin is the main component extracted from Vine tea (Ampelopsis megalophylla Diels et Gilg). In our previous research, chitosan-tripolyphosphate-encapsulated nanoparticles of dihydromyricetin (CS-DMY-NPs) have been proven to have potential protective effects against cisplatin-induced AKI. Here, we investigated the protective effects and mechanisms of DMY and its nano-formulations against LPS-induced AKI by assessing pathological and inflammatory changes in mice. In mice with LPS-AKI treated with 300 mg/kg CS-DMY-NPs, the levels of creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and KIM-1 were significantly reduced by 56%, 49%, and 88%, respectively. CS-DMY-NPs can upregulate the levels of GSH, SOD, and CAT by 47%, 7%, and 14%, respectively, to inhibit LPS-induced oxidative stress. Moreover, CS-DMY-NPs decreased the levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and MCP-1 by 31%, 49%, and 35%, respectively, to alleviate the inflammatory response. TUNEL and immunohistochemistry showed that CS-DMY-NPs reduced the number of apoptotic cells, increased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio by 30%, and attenuated renal cell apoptosis. Western blot analysis of renal tissue indicated that CS-DMY-NPs inhibited TLR4 expression and downregulated the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and IκBα. In summary, DMY prevented LPS-induced AKI by increasing antioxidant capacity, reducing inflammatory responses, and blocking apoptosis, and DMY nanoparticles were shown to have a better protective effect for future applications.

Leonurine Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-Induced Endometritis by Modulating Mouse JAK-STAT/PI3K-Akt/PPAR Signaling Pathways

Endometritis is a common disease in postpartum cows, characterized by delayed uterine recovery due to endometrial inflammation. Although antibiotics and hormones are commonly used, they have certain limitations. One potential alternative is using motherwort extract, specifically leonurine, which exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. However, leonurine's exact molecular mechanism of action remains unclear. In this study, 40 mice were randomly divided into four groups: a control group, endometritis model group, LPS + leonurine group (30 mg/kg), and LPS + dexamethasone group (5 mg/kg). Transcriptomic analysis revealed that leonurine modulates multiple signaling pathways, including JAK-STAT/PI3K-Akt, and influences the expression of key genes, such as Prlr, Socs2, Col1a1, and Akt1. Furthermore, leonurine effectively reduces levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β (p < 0.01), which play a crucial role in regulating acute endometritis. Additionally, leonurine helps maintain cholesterol homeostasis and attenuates inflammation through the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway by modulating genes such as Cyp27a1, Hmgcs1, and Scd2. These findings suggest that leonurine has a protective effect against LPS-induced endometritis and that its anti-inflammatory properties involve multiple pathways and targets, which are potentially mediated by regulating signaling pathways such as JAK-STAT/PI3K-Akt and PPAR.

Unlocking renal Restoration: Mesaconine from Aconitum plants restore mitochondrial function to halt cell apoptosis in acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is characterized by a sudden decline in renal function. Traditional Chinese medicine has employed Fuzi for kidney diseases; however, concerns about neurotoxicity and cardiotoxicity have constrained its clinical use. This study explored mesaconine, derived from processed Fuzi, as a promising low-toxicity alternative for AKI treatment. In this study, we assessed the protective effects of mesaconine in gentamicin (GM)-induced NRK-52E cells and AKI rat models in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Mesaconine promotes the proliferation of damaged NRK-52E cells and down-regulates intracellular transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) to promote renal cell repair. Concurrently, mesaconine restored mitochondrial morphology and permeability transition pores, reversed the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, mitigated mitochondrial dysfunction, decreased ATP production, inhibited inflammatory factor release, and reduced early apoptosis rates. In vivo, GM-induced AKI rat models exhibited elevated AKI biomarkers, in which mesaconine was effectively reduced, indicating improved renal function. Mesaconine enhanced superoxide dismutase activity, reduced malondialdehyde content, alleviated inflammatory infiltrate, mitigated tubular and glomerular lesions, and downregulated NF-κB (nuclear factor-κb) p65 expression, leading to decreased tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-1β (interleukin-1β) levels in GM-induced AKI animals. Furthermore, mesaconine inhibited the expression of renal pro-apoptotic proteins (Bax, cytochrome c, cleaved-caspase 9, and cleaved-caspase 3) and induced the release of the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2, further suppressing apoptosis. This study highlighted the therapeutic potential of mesaconine in GM-induced AKI. Its multifaceted mechanisms, including the restoration of mitochondrial dysfunction, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and apoptosis mitigation, make mesaconine a promising candidate for further exploration in AKI management.

Novel insights into the protective effects of leonurine against acute kidney injury: Inhibition of ER stress-associated ferroptosis via regulating ATF4/CHOP/ACSL4 pathway

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and serious global health problem with high risks of mortality and the development of chronic kidney diseases. Leonurine is a unique bioactive component from Leonurus japonicus Houtt. and exerts antioxidant, antiapoptotic or anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to explore the benefits of leonurine on AKI and the possible mechanisms involved, with a particular foc on the regulation of ferroptosis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Our results showed that leonurine exhibited prominent protective effects against AKI, as evidenced by the amelioration of histopathological alterations and reduction of renal dysfunction. In addition, leonurine significantly suppressed ferroptosis in AKI both in vivo and in vitro by effectively restoring ultrastructural abnormalities in mitochondria, decreasing ASCL4 and 4-HNE levels, scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as increasing GPX4 and GSH levels. In parallel, leonurine also markedly mitigated ER stress via down-regulating PERK, eIF-2α, ATF4, CHOP and CHAC1. Further studies suggested that ER stress was closely involved in erastin-induced ferroptosis, and leonurine protected tubular epithelial cells in vitro by inhibiting ER stress-associated ferroptosis via regulating ATF4/CHOP/ASCL4 signalling pathway. Mechanistically, ATF4 silencing in vitro regulated CHOP and ACSL4 expressions, ultimately weakening both ER stress and ferroptosis. Notably, analyses of single-cell RNA sequencing data revealed that ATF4, CHOP and ASCL4 in renal tubular cells were all abnormally upregulated in patients with AKI compared to healthy controls, suggesting their contributions to the pathogenesis of AKI. Altogether, these findings suggest that leonurine alleviates AKI by inhibiting ER stress-associated ferroptosis via regulating ATF4/CHOP/ASCL4 signalling pathway, thus providing novel mechanisms for AKI treatment.

Leonurine alleviates vancomycin nephrotoxicity via activating PPARγ and inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB/TNF-α pathway

Vancomycin (VCM) is the first-line antibiotic for severe infections, but nephrotoxicity limits its use. Leonurine (Leo) has shown protective effects against kidney damage. However, the effect and mechanism of Leo on VCM nephrotoxicity remain unclear. In this study, mice and HK-2 cells exposed to VCM were treated with Leo. Biochemical and pathological analysis and fluorescence probe methods were performed to examine the role of Leo in VCM nephrotoxicity. Immunohistochemistry, q-PCR, western blot, FACS, and Autodock software were used to verify the mechanism. The present results indicate that Leo significantly alleviates VCM-induced renal injury, morphological damage, and oxidative stress. Increased intracellular and mitochondrial ROS in HK-2 cells and decreased mitochondrial numbers in mouse renal tubular epithelial cells were reversed in Leo-administrated groups. In addition, molecular docking analysis using Autodock software revealed that Leo binds to the PPARγ protein with high affinity. Mechanistic exploration indicated that Leo inhibited VCM nephrotoxicity via activating PPARγ and inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB/TNF-α inflammation pathway. Taken together, our results indicate that the PPARγ inhibition and inflammation reactions were implicated in the VCM nephrotoxicity and provide a promising therapeutic strategy for renal injury.

MicroRNA-30a inhibits cell proliferation in a sepsis-induced acute kidney injury model by targeting the YAP-TEAD complex

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a primary feature of renal complications in patients with sepsis. MicroRNA (miRNA/miR)-30a is an essential regulator of cardiovascular diseases, tumors, phagocytosis, and other physical processes, but whether it participates in sepsis-induced AKI (sepsis-AKI) is unknown. We aimed to elucidate the functions and molecular mechanism underlying miR-30a activity in sepsis-AKI.

Methods

The classical cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) method and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced Human Kidney 2 (HK-2) cells were used to establish in vivo and in vitro sepsis-AKI models. Specific pathogen-free and mature male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, aged 6-8 weeks (weight 200-250 g), were randomly divided into five-time phase subgroups. Fluid resuscitation with 30 mL/kg 37 °C saline was administered after the operation, without antibiotics. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded kidney sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. SD rat kidney tissue samples were collected for analysis by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HK-2 cells were transfected with hsa-miR-30a-3p mimics or inhibitors, and compared with untreated normal controls. RNA, protein, and cell viability were evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blot, and cell counting kit-8 methods. A Dual-Luciferase Assay Kit (Promega) was used to measure luciferase activity 48 h after transfection with miR-30a-3p mimics.

Results

Expression levels of miR-30a-3p and miR-30a-5p in renal tissues of the sepsis group were significantly reduced at 12 h and 24 h (P <0.05). Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were significantly increased in renal tissue 3 h after the operation in rats (P <0.05), and gradually decreased 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h after CLP. Levels of miR-30a-5p and miR-30a-3p were significantly down-regulated at 3 h after LPS treatment (P <0.05), and gradually decreased in HK-2 cells. One hour after LPS (10 µg/mL) treatment, TNF-α and IL-1β levels in HK-2 cells were significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05), and they were markedly down-regulated after 3 h (P <0.05). IL-6 expression levels began to rise after LPS treatment of cells, peaked at 6 h (P <0.05), and then decreased to the initial level within a few hours. Stimulation with 10 µg/mL LPS promoted HK-2 cells proliferation, which was inhibited after miR-30a-3p-mimic transfection. Bioinformatics prediction identified 37 potential miR-30a-3p target genes, including transcriptional enhanced associate domain 1 (TEAD1). After transfection of HK-2 cells with miR-30a-3p mimics and miR-30a-3p inhibitor, TEAD1 transcript was significantly up- and down-regulated, respectively (both P <0.05). After LPS treatment (24 h), expression of TEAD1 in the inhibitors group was significantly increased (P <0.01), while that in the mimics group was significantly suppressed (P <0.01). In the dual luciferase reporter experiment, miR-30a-3p overexpression decreased fluorescence intensity (P <0.01) from TEAD1-wt-containing plasmids, but did not influence fluorescence intensity from TEAD1-muta-containing plasmids. LPS may promote HK-2 cells proliferation through the miR-30a-3p/TEAD1 pathway.

Conclusion

In a background of expression of inflammatory factors, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, which were transiently increased in the sepsis-AKI model, miR-30a was down-regulated. Down-regulated miR-30a-3p may promote cell proliferation by targeting TEAD1 in LPS-induced HK-2 cells, demonstrating its potential as a biomarker for early sepsis-AKI diagnosis.

Podocin, mTOR, and CHOP dysregulation contributes to nephrotoxicity induced of lipopolysaccharide/diclofenac combination in rats: Curcumin and silymarin could afford protective effect

AIM

Sepsis is a common cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are the main gram-negative bacterial cell wall component with a well-documented inflammatory impact. Diclofenac (DIC) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with a potential nephrotoxic effect. Curcumin (CUR) and silymarin (SY) are natural products with a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ones. The objective of this study was to examine the protective impact of CUR and SY against kidney damage induced by LPS/DIC co-exposure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four groups of rats were used; control; LPS/DIC, LPS/DIC + CUR, and LPS/DIC + SY group. LPS/DIC combination induced renal injury at an LPS dose much lower than a nephrotoxic one.

KEY FINDING

Nephrotoxicity was confirmed by histopathological examination and significant elevation of renal function markers. LPS/DIC induced oxidative stress in renal tissues, evidenced by decreasing reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase, and increasing lipid peroxidation. Inflammatory response of LPS/DIC was associated with a significant increase of renal IL-1β and TNF-α. Treatment with either CUR or SY shifted measured parameters to the opposite side. Moreover, LPS/DIC exposure was associated with upregulation of mTOR and endoplasmic reticulum stress protein (CHOP) and downregulation of podocin These effects were accompanied by reduced gene expression of cystatin C and KIM-1. CUR and SY ameliorated LPS/DIC effect on the aforementioned genes and protein significantly.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study confirms the potential nephrotoxicity; mechanisms include upregulation of mTOR, CHOP, cystatin C, and KIM-1 and downregulation of podocin. Moreover, both CUR and SY are promising nephroprotective products against LPS/DIC co-exposure.

Ferroptosis: A new mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine compounds for treating acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major health concern owing to its high morbidity and mortality rates, to which there are no drugs or treatment methods, except for renal replacement therapy. Therefore, identifying novel therapeutic targets and drugs for treating AKI is urgent. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent and lipid-peroxidation-driven regulatory form of cell death and is closely associated with the occurrence and development of AKI. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has unique advantages in treating AKI due to its natural origin and efficacy. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms underlying ferroptosis and its role in AKI, and TCM compounds that play essential roles in the prevention and treatment of AKI by inhibiting ferroptosis. This review suggests ferroptosis as a potential therapeutic target for AKI, and that TCM compounds show broad prospects in the treatment of AKI by targeting ferroptosis.

Leonurine improves bovine oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development by reducing oxidative stress and improving mitochondrial function

It is acknowledged that excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) level attributes greatly to the compromised developmental potential of oocytes matured in vitro. Although agents were applied to alleviate ROS levels, results were varied because of the distinct antioxidative activity and cell toxicity. Leonurine (LEO), extracted from the natural Chinese herb motherwort, is considered to be a potent free radical scavenger. Yet, it is undetermined whether LEO is benefit for oocyte development during in vitro maturation (IVM). In the present study, the effect of LEO on the quality of bovine oocyte as well as the underlying mechanism was investigated. We found that maturation rate (P < 0.01), subsequent blastocyst formation rate (P < 0.05), and the total blastocyst cell number (P < 0.05) after parthenogenetic activation were significantly increased in the group treated with 20 μM LEO. Moreover, a dramatic decline in ROS (P < 0.01), decreased lipid content (P < 0.01), elevated MMP level (P < 0.05), increased ATP content (P < 0.05), and reduced mitochondrial temperature (P < 0.01) were observed in oocytes treated with LEO. Furthermore, the expression level of anti-apoptotic protein BCL2 was significantly higher in LEO treated oocytes (P < 0.01), and the ratio of BAX/BCL2 was obvious decreased (P < 0.01). Finally, we found that LC3B intensity was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) while the rate of EdU positive nuclei was markedly increased (P < 0.05) in embryos derived from LEO-treated oocytes. Our results demonstrate that LEO exhibits a potent protective role in the acquisition of oocyte development capacity against oxidative stress during IVM, and provides a new solution for optimizing the in vitro culture system of bovine embryos.

Renoprotective effects of ferulic acid mediated by AMPKα1 against lipopolysaccharide-induced damage

The kidney is susceptible to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced damage with sepsis, and renal dysfunction is a leading cause of mortality in patients with sepsis. However, the renoprotective effects of ferulic acid (FA) during sepsis and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. This study explored these renoprotective effects using NRK-52E cells and mice with LPS-induced renal damage. The results showed that after LPS challenge, NRK-52E cell viability decreased, whereas lactate dehydrogenase, caspase-3 activity, apoptosis, the release of the inflammatory cytokines, and reactive oxygen species generation increased. Further, the activities of endogenous enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems, and energy metabolism were inhibited, mitochondrial membrane potential was lost, mitochondrial permeability transition pores opened, renal blood flow and excretory functions were reduced, and the morphology and ultrastructure of renal tissue were seriously damaged in mice exposed to LPS. FA pretreatment upregulated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) α1 expression and phosphorylation and significantly reversed the aforementioned functional, enzymological, and morphological indexes in vivo and in vitro. However, these renoprotective effects of FA were attenuated by compound C, an AMPK inhibitor. In conclusion, FA pretreatment can upregulate AMPKα1 expression and phosphorylation, inhibit inflammatory cytokine release and oxidative stress, improve mitochondrial function and energy supply, alleviate apoptosis, and ultimately protect renal tissue against LPS damage.

Nanostructured polyvinylpyrrolidone-curcumin conjugates allowed for kidney-targeted treatment of cisplatin induced acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) leads to unacceptably high mortality due to difficulties in timely intervention and less efficient renal delivery of therapeutic drugs. Here, a series of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-curcumin nanoparticles (PCurNP) are designed to meet the renal excretion threshold (∼45 kDa), presenting a controllable delivery nanosystem for kidney targeting. Renal accumulation of the relatively small nanoparticles, ⁸⁹Zr-PCurNP M10 with the diameter between 5 and 8 nm, is found to be 1.7 times and 1.8 times higher than the accumulation of ⁸⁹Zr-PCurNP M29 (20–50 nm) and M40 (20–50 nm) as revealed by PET imaging. Furthermore, serum creatinine analysis, kidney tissues histology, and tubular injury scores revealed that PCurNP M10 efficiently treated cisplatin-induced AKI. Herein, PCurNP offers a novel and simple strategy for precise PET image-guided drug delivery of renal protective materials.

•

PVP-curcumin nanosystems were investigated for treating cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury.

•

Inherent oxygens of PCurNP nanoparticles facilitate Zr-89 radiolabeling for PET imaging.

•

Modulating the sizes of PCurNP nanoparticles allowed for adjustable kidney targeting and retention as revealed by PET imaging.

Total alkaloid fraction of Leonurus japonicus Houtt. Promotes angiogenesis and wound healing through SRC/MEK/ERK signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Leonurus japonicus Houtt., also known as motherwort, is a traditional Chinese medicine that was first identified in Shennong Bencao Jing, the first and essential pharmacy monograph in China. L. japonicus has been regarded as a good gynecological medicine since ancient times. It has been widely used in clinical settings for treatment of gynecological diseases and postnatal rehabilitation with good efficacy and low adverse effects.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The main purpose of this study was to determine the angiogenic and wound healing effects of total alkaloid fraction from L. japonicus Houtt. (TALH) in vivo and in vitro. In addition, the main bioactive components of total alkaloids were to be identified and analyzed in this study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

First, the UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS method was used to identify and quantify the major components in the TALH extract. The wound healing activity was evaluated in vivo using a rat full-thickness cutaneous wound model. Histological study of wound healing in rat model was performed via immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay. Wound healing and transwell assays were used for detection of cell migration. The effect on tube formation was determined by tube formation assay in HUVECs. Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect the expressions of relative proteins and genes respectively. Knock-down of SRC by siRNA was done to verify the crucial role of SRC in promotion of angiogenesis induced by TALH.

RESULTS

Seven characteristic peaks were recognized in the UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS spectrum, while four of the main components were quantified. The wound model in rats showed that treatment of TALH promoted wound healing by stimulating cellular proliferation and collagen deposition. In vitro experiments showed that co-treatment of TALH and VEGF increased cell proliferation, migration and tube formation in HUVECs. Mechanistic studies suggested that the co-treatment increased gene expressions of SRC, MEK1/2 and ERK1/2, as well as the phosphorylation levels of these proteins. Furthermore, the effect of co-treatment was attenuated after SRC knockdown, suggesting that SRC plays an important role in angiogenesis and wound healing induced by TALH and VEGF co-treatment.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed that TALH was one of the main active components of L. japonicus that promoted angiogenesis and wound healing by regulating the SRC/MEK/ERK pathway. Our study provided scientific basis for better clinical application of L. japonicas.

Leonurine Attenuates Obesity-Related Vascular Dysfunction and Inflammation

Oxidative stress in adipose tissue is a crucial pathogenic mechanism of obesity-associated cardiovascular diseases. Chronic low-grade inflammation caused by obesity increases ROS production and dysregulation of adipocytokines. Leonurine (LEO) is an active alkaloid extracted from Herba Leonuri and plays a protective role in the cardiovascular system. The present study tested whether LEO alleviates inflammation and oxidative stress, and improves vascular function in an obese mouse model. Here, we found that obesity leads to inflammation and oxidative stress in epididymal white adipose tissue (EWAT), as well as vascular dysfunction. LEO significantly improved inflammation and oxidative stress both in vivo and in vitro. Obesity-induced vascular dysfunction was also improved by LEO as evidenced by the ameliorated vascular tone and decreased mesenteric artery fibrosis. Using mass spectrometry, we identified YTHDF1 as the direct target of LEO. Taken together, we demonstrated that LEO improves oxidative stress and vascular remodeling induced by obesity and targets YTHDF1, raising the possibility of LEO treating other obesity-related metabolic syndromes.

Several Alkaloids in Chinese Herbal Medicine Exert Protection in Acute Kidney Injury: Focus on Mechanism and Target Analysis

Objectives

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a loose set of kidney diseases accompanied by a variety of syndromes, which is a serious threat to human life and health. Some alkaloids are derived from various Chinese herbs have been widely concerned in the improvement of AKI. This review provides the research progress of alkaloids in AKI experimental models and discusses the related molecular mechanisms. Key Findings. Alkaloids can protect AKI through various mechanisms including antioxidant stress, improvement of mitochondrial damage, reduction of cell death, induction of autophagy, and inhibition of inflammation. These mechanisms are mainly related to the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, inhibition of ferroptosis and apoptosis, regulation of PINK1/Parkin pathway, inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammatory bodies, upregulation of Klotho protein level and so on. In addition, there are a few alkaloids that have certain toxicity on the kidney.

Conclusion

Alkaloids have been shown to significantly improve AKI, but only in pharmacological studies. This paper summarizes the main experimental models currently used in AKI research and describes some representative alkaloids based on recent research. Their potential roles in the prevention and treatment of AKI through different mechanisms are highlighted.

Leonurine: A compound with the potential to prevent acute lung injury

Sepsis is an intense immune response to infection that contributes to the pathophysiological process of acute lung injury (ALI). Inflammation and oxidative stress serve an important role in the development of ALI. Leonurine (LEO) is a natural phenolic alkaloid extracted from Leonurus cardiaca, which possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the effect of LEO on sepsis-induced ALI and to investigate its underlying mechanism. MTT and Cell Counting Kit-8 assays were performed to measure cell viability. The levels of reactive oxygen species, lactate dehydrogenase and malondialdehyde, as well as the activity of superoxidase dismutase, were quantified using commercial assay kits. The expression levels of specific inflammatory cytokines were measured by using ELISA. In addition, western blotting was employed to assess the expression levels of cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1. The findings demonstrated that LEO increased the viability of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BEAS-2B human lung epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, LEO suppressed LPS-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine release in BEAS-2B cells. Treatment with Nrf2 inhibitor reversed the effects of LEO treatment on LPS-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory response in BEAS-2B cells. Taken together, the data of the present study indicated that LEO attenuated LPS-induced ALI through the inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation regulated by the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Therefore, LEO may be a novel and effective agent for the prevention of sepsis-induced ALI.

Leonurine hydrochloride alleviates ferroptosis in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Increasing evidence suggests that ferroptosis plays a key role in the pathophysiology of acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by cisplatin. The Nrf2 signaling pathway regulates oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation and positively regulates cisplatin-induced AKI (CI-AKI). However, its effect as well as an alkaloid compound leonurine hydrochloride (LH) on ferroptosis after CI-AKI remain unclear.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

The anti-ferroptotic effects of Nrf2 and LH were assessed using a mouse model of cisplatin-induced AKI. In vitro, the potential effects of LH on erastin- and RSL3-induced HK-2 human PTEC ferroptosis were examined.

KEY RESULTS

As expected, Nrf2 deletion induced ferroptosis-related protein expression and iron accumulation in vivo, further aggravating CI-AKI. LH activated Nrf2 and prevented iron accumulation, lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis in vitro, while these effects were abolished in siNrf2-treated cells. Moreover, LH potently ameliorated cisplatin-induced renal damage, as indicated by the assessment of SCr, BUN, KIM-1, and NGAL. Importantly, LH activated the Nrf2 antioxidative signaling pathway and prohibited changes in ferroptosis-related morphological and biochemical indicators, such as the MDA level, SOD and GSH depletion and GPX4 and xCT downregulation, in CI-AKI. Moreover, Nrf2 KO mice were more susceptible to ferroptosis after CI-AKI than control mice, and the protective effects of LH on AKI and ferroptosis were largely abolished in Nrf2 KO mice.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

These data suggest that the renal protective effects of Nrf2 activation on CI-AKI are achieved at least partially by inhibiting lipid peroxide-mediated ferroptosis and highlight the potential of LH as a CI-AKI treatment.

Recent Advances in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Treatment of Podocyte Injury

Podocyte is also called glomerular epithelial cell, which has been considered as the final gatekeeper of glomerular filtration barrier (GFB). As a major contributor to proteinuria, podocyte injury underlies a variety of glomerular diseases and becomes the challenge to patients and their families in general. At present, the therapeutic methods of podocyte injury mainly include angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, steroid and immunosuppressive medications. Nevertheless, the higher cost and side effects seriously disturb patients with podocyte injury. Promisingly, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has received an increasing amount of attention from different countries in the treatment of podocyte injury by invigorating spleen and kidney, clearing heat and eliminating dampness, as well enriching qi and activating blood. Therefore, we searched articles published in peer-reviewed English-language journals through Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct. The protective effects of active ingredients, herbs, compound prescriptions, acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of podocyte injury were further summarized and analyzed. Meanwhile, we discussed feasible directions for future development, and analyzed existing deficiencies and shortcomings of TCM in the treatment of podocyte injury. In conclusion, this paper shows that TCM treatments can serve as promising auxiliary therapeutic methods for the treatment of podocyte injury.

Leonurine attenuates cisplatin nephrotoxicity by suppressing the NLRP3 inflammasome, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum stress

PURPOSE

Cisplatin has been widely accepted as an effective chemotherapy drug with various side effects, including nephrotoxicity. The mechanisms of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) are complex, and there are limited renoprotective approaches. Leonurine is the main active compound of a Chinese herb and has recently been reported to have a protective effect on the kidneys. This study aimed to verify the renoprotective effect of leonurine in attenuating cisplatin-induced AKI and explore the potential associated mechanisms.

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups (Sham, Cisplatin, Leonurine, and Cisplatin + Leonurine). Mice in the leonurine-treated groups were pretreated with a daily intraperitoneal injection of 25 mg/kg leonurine. AKI was induced by injecting cisplatin once intraperitoneally at 20 mg/kg body weight. Mice were killed on day 5. Kidney injury was assessed using a serum biochemical and histological assay. Apoptosis was evaluated using a terminal deoxyribonucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining assay and Western blot. Antioxidant enzymes were detected using commercial kits. The improvement in inflammasome activation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) were assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot, respectively.

RESULTS

Leonurine treatment improved kidney function by preventing renal tubular injury and apoptosis. Expression of nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome components and inflammatory cytokines, mitochondrial dysfunction, and ERS were all alleviated by leonurine.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that leonurine plays a protective role in cisplatin-induced AKI and may represent an effective multi-targeted intervention strategy.

Protective role of nutraceuticals against myocarditis

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium that mostly affects young adults. The disease is commonly caused by viral infection, medications, autoimmune disorders, and inflammatory conditions. Nearly 50% of the cases of myocarditis are due to post-viral immune response in a setting of an identifiable or non-identifiable infection. The clinical manifestation is nonspecific ranging from asymptomatic courses to sudden death in infants and young patients. This review describes the properties of phytochemicals as plant-derived active ingredients which can be used in the prevention and treatment of myocarditis and its associated risk factors. Meanwhile, it has illustrated epidemiological analyses, mechanism of action, and the metabolism of phytochemicals in animal and human clinical trials. We also mentioned the precise mechanism of action by which phytochemicals elicit their anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects and how they regulate signal transduction pathways. Nevertheless, comprehensive clinical trials are required to study the properties of phytochemicals in vivo, in vitro, and in silico for a proper management of myocarditis. Our findings indicate that phytochemicals function as potent adjunctive therapeutic drugs in myocarditis and its related complications.

Effect of interferon regulatory factor 2 on inflammatory response and oxidative stress in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute kidney injury

Interferon regulatory factor (IRF) 2 plays an important role in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). In this study, we explored the effects of IRF2 on apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress in AKI C57BL/6 male mouse model and HEK293 cells following LPS treatment. To determine the effect of IRF2, short hairpin RNAs in mice and small interfering RNAs in cells were used to knockdown IRF2 expression. IRF2 expression, apoptosis, and severity of inflammatory and oxidative stress in mice and cells were measured. IRF2 levels were upregulated in LPS-treated mice and cells. IRF2 knockdown suppressed the levels of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and kidney injury molecule 1 and decreased the renal injury score in mice. Furthermore, IRF2 knockdown inhibited apoptosis and decreased the levels of inflammatory, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and malondialdehyde (MDA), but increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in mice and cells. Furthermore, we found that the Janus kinase (JAK)/ signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway activated by LPS was inhibited by knockdown of IRF2, and enhanced by IRF2 overexpression. IRF2 overexpression increased cell apoptosis, inflammation, and ROS and MDA levels, and decreased SOD levels. However, the effect of IRF2 overexpression was reversed by the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib. Knockdown of IRF2 reduced LPS-induced renal tissue injury in vivo and in vitro through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant stress effects.

Leonurine Preconditioning Attenuates Ischemic Acute Kidney Injury in Rats by Promoting Nrf2 Nuclear Translocation and Suppressing TLR4/NF-κB Pathway

Despite the precise mechanisms for renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) are poorly understood, nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathways were considered as the important targets. Leonurine (LEO) is a special alkaloid extracted from Chinese motherwort (Leonurus japonicus Houtt), which has an anti-inflammatory effect and reduces oxidative stress. We conducted the study to explore the efficacy of LEO against I/R-induced AKI in rats and further investigated the underlying mechanisms. Ischemic renal injury was induced by temporary vascular clamping for 45 min. We have measured the levels of inflammation-related biomarkers and antioxidative stress markers. Next, Western blot analysis and Real-time PCR were performed to analyze whether the Nrf2 and TLR4/nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) pathways were involved in this process. We found that LEO pretreatment remarkably decreased serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in I/R rats and attenuated acute tubular damage. In addition, LEO markedly increased the expression of antioxidant proteins and decreased the levels of inflammatory factors. Further study revealed that LEO promoted Nrf2 into the nucleus, promoted the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1), and suppressed the TLR4/NF-κB signal pathway in kidney tissues of ischemic AKI rats. The study reveals that LEO has a protective effect to prevent ischemic AKI through activation of Nrf2 nuclear translocation resisting oxidative stress injury and inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway mediated inflammatory gene expression.

Disulfiram attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute kidney injury by suppressing oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mice

OBJECTIVES

Disulfiram (DSF), an old drug for treating chronic alcohol addiction, has been reported to exhibit widely pharmacological actions. This study aimed to explore the protective effect of DSF on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI).

METHODS

C57BL/6J mice were treated with 15 mg/kg LPS (i.p.) with or without DSF pre-treatment (i.p.). The histopathological analysis was conducted by H&E staining and TUNEL kit assay. An automatic biochemical analyser was used to determine the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Expressions of 8-OHdG, NLRP3 and IL-1β in the kidney tissues were observed by IHC staining. The protein expressions of β-actin, Bax, Bcl-2, NLRP3, caspase-1 (p20), pro-IL-1β and IL-1β were analysed by western blot.

KEY FINDINGS

DSF attenuated the histopathologic deterioration of the kidney and inhibited the elevation of creatinine and BUN levels in mice. DSF inhibited LPS-induced cell apoptosis. Moreover, DSF treatment reversed the LPS-induced excessive oxidative stress. The NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced by the LPS, as indicated by up-regulation of NLRP3 expression, cleaved caspase-1 (p20) and IL-1β, was also suppressed by DSF.

CONCLUSIONS

The study here shows that DSF protects against the AKI induced by LPS at least partially via inhibiting oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

SCM-198 Can Regulate Autophagy Through the Bax/Bcl-2/TLR4 Pathway to Alleviate Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is frequently observed in several clinical cases. In this study, we want to investigate that SCM-198 attenuates renal injury in the renal I/R model and find out the possible mechanisms. Wistar albino 40 male rats were classified into four groups (n=10): control, DMSO, I/R, and SCM-198 30 mg/kg. In the group 4, SCM-198 was administered intraperitoneally once at the doses of 30 mg/kg following the reperfusion. Glomerular associated proteins (PCX), tubular damage factors (NGAL, KIM-1), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α), Bax/Bcl-2, TLR4, LC3B, and Beclin-1 were evaluated. SCM-198 played an essential role in mitigating kidney damage. SCM-198 alleviated tubular damage and decreased IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α levels. SCM-198 reduced the apoptosis marker Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, immune system protein TLR4, and autophagy proteins LC3B and Beclin-1. In brief, our results support the notion that SCM-198 has protective effects on I/R-induced renal injury. SCM-198 therapy may be a new alternative for the prevention and treatment of renal I/R injury.

Xiaoyu Xiezhuo Drink Protects against Ischemia-Reperfusion Acute Kidney Injury in Aged Mice through Inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad3 and HIF1 Signaling Pathways

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is responsible for significant mortality among hospitalized patients that is especially troubling aged people. An effective self-made Chinese medicine formula, Xiaoyu Xiezhuo Drink (XXD), displayed therapeutic effects on AKI. However, the compositions and underlying mechanisms of XXD remain to be elucidated. In this study, we used the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography method coupled with hybrid triple quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) to investigate the chemical components in XXD. Then, the absorbable components of XXD were identified based on the five principles and inputted into the SwissTargetPrediction and STITCH databases to identify the drug targets. AKI-related targets were collected from the GenCLiP 3, GeneCards, and DisGeNET databases. The crossover genes of XXD and AKI were identified for functional enrichment analysis. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of crossover genes was constructed, followed by the identification of hub genes. Subsequently, the effects and potential mechanisms of XXD on AKI predicted by the network pharmacology and bioinformatics analyses were experimentally validated in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury-induced AKI aged mouse models. A total of 122 components in XXD were obtained; among them, 58 components were found that could be absorbed in the blood. There were 800 potential drug targets predicted from the 58 absorbable components in AKI which shared 36 crossover genes with AKI-related targets. The results of functional enrichment analysis indicated that crossover genes mostly associated with the response to oxidative stress and the HIF1 signaling pathway. In the PPI network analysis, 12 hub genes were identified, including ALB, IL-6, TNF, TP53, VEGFA, PTGS2, TLR4, NOS3, EGFR, PPARG, HIF1A, and HMOX1. In AKI aged mice, XXD prominently alleviated I/R injury-induced renal dysfunction, abnormal renal pathological changes, and cellular senescence, inflammation, and oxidative damage with a reduction in the expression level of the inflammatory mediator, α-SMA, collagen-1, F4/80, TP53, VEGFA, PTGS2, TLR4, NOS3, EGFR, PPARG, HIF1A, ICAM-1, TGF-β1, Smad3, and p-Smad3 and an increase of nephridial tissue p-H3, Ki67, HMOX1, MMP-9, and Smad7 levels. In summary, our findings suggest that XXD has renoprotective effects against AKI in aged mice via inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad3 and HIF1 signaling pathways.

SCM-198 ameliorates endometrial inflammation via suppressing the LPS-JNK-cJUN/cFOS-TLR4-NF-κB pathway

Endometritis is an inflammatory disease of the endometrium, which is responsible for endometrial dysfunction, decidualization failure, and increased incidence of early pregnancy loss. SCM-198, a synthetic form of leonurine, is well known to possess anti-inflammatory effects. SCM-198 has been reported to display beneficial effects on endometritis. However, the specific mechanisms of SCM-198 in preventing endometritis remain unknown. In this study, we focused on the molecular mechanism of SCM-198 in inhibiting endometritis. The anti-inflammatory effects and the related signaling pathways of SCM-198 were studied in vitro using human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis results demonstrated that SCM-198 markedly inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endometrial inflammatory response by suppressing the LPS-JNK-cJUN/cFOS-TLR4-NF-κB pathway. The preventive and therapeutic effects of SCM-198 on endometrial inflammation were explored by using a mouse model of LPS-induced endometritis. SCM-198 produced essentially the same effects when administered either post-treatment (after LPS) or pre-treatment (before LPS) via vaginal or intraperitoneal administration. In vivo results indicated that SCM-198 is a potential effective drug for the treatment of endometritis.

The Therapeutic Strategies for Uremic Toxins Control in Chronic Kidney Disease

Uremic toxins (UTs) are mainly produced by protein metabolized by the intestinal microbiota and converted in the liver or by mitochondria or other enzymes. The accumulation of UTs can damage the intestinal barrier integrity and cause vascular damage and progressive kidney damage. Together, these factors lead to metabolic imbalances, which in turn increase oxidative stress and inflammation and then produce uremia that affects many organs and causes diseases including renal fibrosis, vascular disease, and renal osteodystrophy. This article is based on the theory of the intestinal-renal axis, from bench to bedside, and it discusses nonextracorporeal therapies for UTs, which are classified into three categories: medication, diet and supplement therapy, and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and other therapies. The effects of medications such as AST-120 and meclofenamate are described. Diet and supplement therapies include plant-based diet, very low-protein diet, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and nutraceuticals. The research status of Chinese herbal medicine is discussed for CAM and other therapies. This review can provide some treatment recommendations for the reduction of UTs in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Leonurine negatively modulates T cells activity by suppressing recombination activation gene protein 2 in pulmonary fibrosis

Introduction

The key transformed T cell transcription factor recombination activation gene protein 2 (RAG2) is regulated during inflammation to allow for the acquisition of effector T cells functions. The present study was designed to investigate whether stress signals elicited by leonurine (LEO) could lead to the degradation of RAG2 through v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog (AKT) signaling in lung fibrosis.

Methods

A total of 120 female mice were randomly divided into five groups (Group I–V): Normal group, bleomycin (BLM), BLM+LEO 50 mg/kg/d, BLM+LEO 100 mg/kg/d, and BLM+LEO 50 mg/kg/d+LY294002. Hematoxylin-eosin, Masson’s, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling staining were performed to observe the pathomorphological changes. The expression of CD3+, TGF-β, RAG2, and Bcl proteins was examined by immunodetection, while that of E-cadherin (ECAD), AKT, TGF-β1, alpha-actin-2, Bax, and RAG2 was detected by Western blot analysis.

Results

The level of T lymphocytes was reduced sharply in LEO-treated mice as compared to the other groups. The AKT signal was greatly inhibited in the BLM group and activated with LEO treatment on day 14. In addition, RAG2 was attenuated by LEO on day 14 and day 28. LY294002 could reverse the expression of AKT and RAG2 on day 28. Remarkably, the low dose of LEO has a greater protective efficacy as compared to the high-dose LEO group in terms of pulmonary fibrosis, T cell inactivation, and apoptosis in alveolar cells.

Conclusion

The results of the present study suggested that LEO has a protective effect on lung fibrosis with possible mechanisms of attenuating apoptosis and inflammation via the upregulation of the AKT signal in transformed T cells by suppressing the expression and activity of RAG2.

Humanized anti‑TLR4 monoclonal antibody ameliorates lipopolysaccharide‑related acute kidney injury by inhibiting TLR4/NF‑κB signaling

A humanized anti‑Toll‑like receptor 4 (TLR4) monoclonal antibody (mAb) was previously produced using phage antibody library technology, and it was found that the mAb could effectively ameliorate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‑induced damage in macrophages. The present study investigated the protective effects exerted by the humanized anti‑TLR4 mAb against LPS‑induced acute kidney injury (AKI), as well as the underlying mechanisms. Female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups (n=8 per group): i) Control; ii) LPS; iii) LPS + humanized anti‑TLR4 mAb (1 µg/g); and iv) LPS + humanized anti‑TLR4 mAb (10 µg/g). Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, IL‑6, TNFα and IL‑1β levels were then examined, followed by renal pathology assessment, immunohistochemical staining, reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR and western blotting to assess apoptosis/survival/inflammation‑related molecules and kidney injury molecule (KIM)‑1. The humanized anti‑TLR4 mAb successfully ameliorated LPS‑induced AKI and renal pathological damage. The humanized anti‑TLR4 mAb also dose‑dependently suppressed LPS‑induced elevations in serum IL‑6, TNFα and IL‑1β, and decreased the renal expression levels of myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88), IKKα/β, IκB, p65 and KIM‑1. Compared with the LPS group, renal Bax and KIM‑1 expression levels were significantly downregulated, and Bcl‑2 expression was notably upregulated by the humanized anti‑TLR4 mAb. Moreover, the humanized anti‑TLR4 mAb also significantly decreased the protein expression levels of MyD88, phosphorylated (p)‑IKKα/β, p‑IκB and p‑p65 in the renal tissues compared with the LPS group. Therefore, the present study indicated that the anti‑inflammatory effects of the humanized anti‑TLR4 mAb against LPS‑related AKI in mice were mediated via inhibition of the TLR4/NF‑κB signaling pathway.

Toll-like receptor 4: An attractive therapeutic target for acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a progressive renal complication which significantly affects the patient's life with huge economic burden. Untreated acute kidney injury eventually progresses to a chronic form and end-stage renal disease. Although significant breakthroughs have been made in recent years, there are still no effective pharmacological therapies for the treatment of acute kidney injury. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a well-characterized pattern recognition receptor, and increasing evidence has shown that TLR4 mediated inflammatory response plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury. The expression of TLR4 has been seen in resident renal cells, including podocytes, mesangial cells, tubular epithelial cells and endothelial cells. Activation of TLR4 signaling regulates the transcription of numerous pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, resulting in renal inflammation. Therefore, targeting TLR4 and its downstream effectors could serve as an effective therapeutic intervention to prevent renal inflammation and subsequent kidney damage. For the first time, this review summarizes the literature on acute kidney injury from the perspective of TLR4 from year 2010 to 2020. In the current review, the role of TLR4 signaling pathway in AKI with preclinical evidence is discussed. Furthermore, we have highlighted several compounds of natural and synthetic origin, which have the potential to avert the renal TLR4 signaling in preclinical AKI models and have shown protection against AKI. This scientific review provides new ideas for targeting TLR4 in the treatment of AKI and provides strategies for the drug development against AKI.

Leonurine Attenuates Myocardial Fibrosis Through Upregulation of miR-29a-3p in Mice Post-myocardial Infarction

ABSTRACT

Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is a pathological process that accelerates cardiac remodeling in myocardial infarction (MI), and miR-29 has become one of the foci of research into MF. As an alkaloid extracted from Herba leonuri, leonurine (LE) has been found to be an effective natural active ingredient for inhibiting fibrosis in many preclinical experiments. However, whether LE protects against MF after MI through modifying miR-29 remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of LE on MF, and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved. A mouse model of MI was established, followed by administration of LE for 4 weeks. We found that LE effectively improved cardiac function, and attenuated fibrosis and cardiac remodeling in mice post-MI. In vitro, LE simultaneously inhibited proliferation and migration of neonatal mouse cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) exposed to angiotensin II (Ang II), and the activation of collagen synthesis and myofibroblast generation was markedly suppressed by LE. Notably, we found that all mature miR-29 family members were downregulated in the myocardial tissues of mice post-MI, whereas LE significantly upregulated miR-29a-3p expression, and such upregulation was also detected in LE-treated CFs under Ang II stimulation. Knockdown of miR-29a-3p by a specific miRNA inhibitor upregulated the protein levels of TGF-β, collagen III, and collagen I in CFs, and completely reversed the antifibrotic effects of LE on CFs. Our study suggests that LE exerts cardioprotective effects against MF, possibly through the upregulation of miR-29a-3p.

Anti-anxiety properties of selected medicinal plants

Exploration of new drugs targeting anxiety treatment is a major concern worldwide. Medicinal plants are being used as a potential source of novel drugs for anxiety disorders. The objective of this review is to provide information about the healing outcomes of anxiety treatment with natural products. Valeriana officinalis, Citrus aurantium, Commelina benghalensis, Achyranthes aspera, Mimosa pudica, Achillea millefolium, Nymphaea alba, Leonurus cardiac, Camellia sinensis, Turnera aphrodisiaca, Crataegus oxyacantha and Piper methysticum showed promising effects on anxiety in animal models. In clinical studies, passion flower, kava, valerian, St John's wort, and ashwagandha showed the most positive results. More studies are needed for the exploration of the anti-anxiety of medicinal plants. In drugs derived from natural sources have explored many components that are playing an essential role in curing anxiety disorders and associated complications.

Inhibitory Effects of Standardized Leonurus japonicus Extract and Its Bioactive Leonurine on TNF-α-Induced Muscle Atrophy in L6 Myotubes

Muscle atrophy, characterized by a reduced number and size of myofibers, occurs due to immobilization, aging, and several chronic diseases. Leonurus japonicus, belonging to the Labiatae family, is widely used as a traditional medicine in Korea, China, and Japan. Previous studies have reported that L. japonicus has various physiological activities, such as anti-bacteria, anti-cancer, and liver protection. Leonurine, which is a major bioactive in L. japonicas, is known to possess biological effects including anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis, anti-angiogenesis, and anti-diabetes. However, the preventive effects of L. japonicas and leonurine on muscle have not been reported. The current study aimed to determine the inhibitory effects of standardized L. japonicus extract (LJE) and leonurine on muscle atrophy by clarifying their underlying molecular mechanisms in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-stimulated L6 myotubes. LJE and leonurine stimulated the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway that was reduced by TNF-α treatment. LJE and leonurine not only increased the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway for protein anabolism but also decreased the mRNA expression of E3 ubiquitin ligases by blocking the translocation of Forkhead box O, which is closely linked with proteolysis. Additionally, LJE and leonurine alleviated inflammatory responses by downregulating TNF-α and interleukin-6 mRNA expression and reducing the protein expression of nuclear factor-kappa B, a major transcriptional factor of proinflammatory cytokines. Collectively, LJE and leonurine have potential as therapeutic candidates for inhibiting the development of skeletal muscle atrophy by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway and reducing inflammatory responses.

Mono-macrophage-Derived MANF Protects Against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Kidney Injury via Inhibiting Inflammation and Renal M1 Macrophages

The outburst of renal inflammatory response has been found to be a crucial cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). Attenuating the renal inflammation is an effective way for AKI treatment. Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) has been proven to be an anti-inflammatory factor. However, the effect of MANF on renal inflammation induced by AKI is unknown. In this study, we have investigated the effect of mono-macrophage-derived MANF on AKI. We constructed the mono-macrophage-specific MANF knockout (Mø MANF^-/-) mouse and used lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce AKI in wild-type (WT) and Mø MANF^-/- mice. With mono-macrophage-specific MANF deficiency, Mø MANF^-/- mice had a lower survival rate, more severe renal injury, and higher serum level of pro-inflammatory TNF-α after AKI was induced by LPS. Also, compared with WT mice, there were more M1 macrophages in renal tissues of Mø MANF^-/- mice with LPS treatment, which might be attributed to the enhanced NF-κB activation in the renal microenvironment. Our study indicates the immunoregulatory role of mono-macrophage-derived MANF in the pathophysiological process of AKI, as well as the potential clinical application of MANF for AKI treatment.

HO-1/PINK1 Regulated Mitochondrial Fusion/Fission to Inhibit Pyroptosis and Attenuate Septic Acute Kidney Injury

Background

Endotoxin-associated acute kidney injury (AKI), a disease characterized by marked oxidative stress and inflammation disease, is a major cause of mortality in critically ill patients. Mitochondrial fission and pyroptosis often occur in AKI. However, the underlying biological pathways involved in endotoxin AKI remain poorly understood, especially those related to mitochondrial dynamics equilibrium disregulation and pyroptosis. Previous studies suggest that heme oxygenase- (HO-) 1 confers cytoprotection against AKI during endotoxic shock, and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) takes part in mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus, in this study, we examine the roles of HO-1/PINK1 in maintaining the dynamic process of mitochondrial fusion/fission to inhibit pyroptosis and mitigate acute kidney injury in rats exposed to endotoxin.

Methods

An endotoxin-associated AKI model induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used in our study. Wild-type (WT) rats and PINK1 knockout (PINK1KO) rats, respectively, were divided into four groups: the control, LPS, Znpp+LPS, and Hemin+LPS groups. Rats were sacrificed 6 h after intraperitoneal injecting LPS to assess renal function, oxidative stress, and inflammation by plasma. Mitochondrial dynamics, morphology, and pyroptosis were evaluated by histological examinations.

Results

In the rats with LPS-induced endotoxemia, the expression of HO-1 and PINK1 were upregulated at both mRNA and protein levels. These rats also exhibited inflammatory response, oxidative stress, mitochondrial fission, pyroptosis, and decreased renal function. After upregulating HO-1 in normal rats, pyroptosis was inhibited; mitochondrial fission and inflammatory response to oxidative stress were decreased; and the renal function was improved. The effects were reversed by adding Znpp (a type of HO-1 inhibitor). Finally, after PINK1 knockout, there is no statistical difference in the LPS-treated group and Hemin or Znpp pretreated group.

Conclusions

HO-1 inhibits inflammation response and oxidative stress and regulates mitochondria fusion/fission to inhibit pyroptosis, which can alleviate endotoxin-induced AKI by PINK1.

Diosmetin alleviates acute kidney injury by promoting the TUG1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in sepsis rats

BACKGROUND

We aimed to study the effects and the underlying mechanisms of Diosmetin (DIOS) in rats with sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI).

METHODS

The AKI model in RMCs was induced using LPS, and the cells were then treated with DIOS. Cell viability, apoptosis, inflammatory response, and antioxidant were measured using MTT, Flow cytometry, ELISA, and Lucigenin assay, respectively. The correlation between TUG1 and Nrf2 was confirmed by RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot were performed to detect the expressions of gene and proteins during the development of AKI. The effects of lncRNA-TUG1 silencing and Nrf2 silencing on cell physiological functions were detected. Moreover, a rat sepsis-induced AKI model followed by Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) and immunofluorescence staining were performed.

RESULTS

The experimental concentration of DIOS was determined to be 20 μM. After LPS treatment, the activity of RMCs was decreased, the apoptosis rate, inflammation and oxidative stress damage were increased, moreover, the expression of Nrf2/HO-1 signal axis was inhibited and caspase-3 was activated. However, DIOS significantly reversed these effects caused by LPS treatment, and increased the expression of lncRNA-TUG1, but lncRNA-TUG1 silencing effectively reversed the effects of DIOS. In addition, lncRNA-TUG1 was found to interact with Nrf2. Overexpression of TUG1 could reduce the damage of LPS caused to cell physiological functions, which were reversed by siNrf2. Thus, DIOS treatment could improve the physiological and pathological damages of renal tissues in AKI rats.

CONCLUSION

DIOS may reduce sepsis-induced AKI through enhancing the TUG1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Modulation of inflammatory response by cortisol in the kidney of spotted scat (Scatophagus argus) in vitro under different osmotic stresses

Salinity changes on renal osmoregulation have often been investigated while the immune response of the kidney under osmotic stress is poorly understood in teleosts. Acute stress is generally associated with enhancement of circulating cortisol. The effects of osmotic stress on renal immune response and its regulation by cortisol deserve more attention. In the present study, the effects of exogenous cortisol treatment on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced immune response were analyzed in renal masses of Scatophagus argus under different osmotic stresses in vitro. mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL1-β and IL-6) and immune-regulatory related genes (GR and SOCS1) was measured over a short course (15 h). Comprehensive analysis reveals that transcript abundances of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 induced by LPS, alone or in the combination of cortisol, are tightly associated with osmoregulation under acute osmotic stress. Our results showed that osmotic challenge could significantly enhance mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in renal masses in vitro. Based on our analysis, it can be inferred that cortisol suppresses the magnitude of renal inflammatory response and attenuates LPS-induced immune response through GR signaling in the face of challenging environmental conditions.

Smart Bimodal Imaging of Hypochlorous Acid In Vivo Using a Heterobimetallic Ruthenium(II)-Gadolinium(III) Complex Probe

A unique heterobimetallic Ru(II)-Gd(III) complex, Ru-AN-Gd, is reported to serve as an effective probe for bimodal phosphorescence-magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of hypochlorous acid (HClO) in vitro and in vivo. The probe was designed by incorporating a MR contrast agent, Gd-DOTA, into a HClO-responsive bipyridine-Ru(II) complex derivative. The specific reaction between Ru-AN-Gd and HClO triggers the cleavage of an ether bond in the probe molecule, resulting in phosphorescence turn-on and MR turn-off responses to HClO. The integration of MR and phosphorescence detection modes allows the probe to be employed for detecting HClO in a quite wide concentration range (0.6-2000 μM) and for imaging HClO at various resolutions ranging from the subcellular level to the whole body without a depth limit. Its applicability was demonstrated by phosphorescence imaging of lysosomal HClO in live cells, visualization of HClO generation in a mouse arthritis model, and bimodal phosphorescence-MR imaging of HClO in drug-induced acute liver and kidney injury of a mouse. The research achievements suggested the potential of Ru-AN-Gd for diagnosis and treatment monitoring of HClO-related disease.

Leonurine improves in vitro porcine embryo development competence by reducing reactive oxygen species production and protecting mitochondrial function

Leonurine (LEO) is pseudoalkaloid that has been isolated from motherwort. It has been found to have various biological activities, including an antioxidant capacity. This study aimed to confirm whether LEO could be used in porcine in vitro culture (IVC) medium for its antioxidant effect and related molecular mechanisms. The results showed that embryos in IVC medium supplemented with 40 μM LEO had an increased blastocyst formation rate, total cell number, and proliferation capacity and a low apoptosis rate. LEO supplementation decreased reactive oxygen species levels and increased glutathione levels. Moreover, LEO-treated embryos exhibited improved intracellular mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced autophagy. In addition, pluripotency related gene was up-regulated while apoptosis and autophagy related genes were down-regulated with LEO supplementation. These results suggest that LEO has a beneficial effect on pre-implantation embryo development by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing mitochondrial function.

Effect of Thymoquinone on Acute Kidney Injury Induced by Sepsis in BALB/c Mice

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of sepsis and has also been observed in some patients suffering from the new coronavirus pneumonia COVID-19, which is currently a major global concern. Thymoquinone (TQ) is one of the most active ingredients in Nigella sativa seeds. It has a variety of beneficial properties including anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities. Here, we investigated the possible protective effects of TQ against kidney damage in septic BALB/c mice. Eight-week-old male BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: control, TQ, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and TQ+CLP. CLP was performed after 2 weeks of TQ gavage. After 48 h, we measured the histopathological alterations in the kidney tissue and the serum levels of creatinine (CRE) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). We also evaluated pyroptosis (NLRP3, caspase-1), apoptosis (caspase-3, caspase-8), proinflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6)-related protein and gene expression levels. Our results demonstrated that TQ inhibited CLP-induced increased serum CRE and BUN levels. It also significantly inhibited the high levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, caspase-3, caspase-8, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 induced by CLP. Furthermore, NF-κB protein level was significantly decreased in the TQ+CLP group than in the CLP group. Together, our results indicate that TQ may be a potential therapeutic agent for sepsis-induced AKI.

The association between the diesel exhaust particle exposure from bus emission and the tubular epithelial cell deformation of rats

The diesel vehicle emissions regarding particles have become a problem due to human health adversely. Especially ultrafine particles (diameter ≤ 100 nm) can deeply penetrate the human body leading to cell deformation. Investigation of the diesel ultrafine particle exposure to the cell deformation has become a challenge to build up understanding the impacts of ultrafine particles on human health. Moreover, the relationship between high exposure to diesel ultrafine particles and the deformation of the rat's tubular epithelial cells is not clear. In this study, we investigated the impact of the diesel ultrafine particle exposure to the rat's tubular cells. Three diesel busses were used as the sources of the particles, while 50 rats were used as the experimental animals. The diesel emission was filtered using an N95 particulate filter and a suction pump. The rats were exposed to the diesel ultrafine particle emission for 100 s with three different concentrations C₁, C₂, and C₃ for eight consecutive days. All rats were sacrificed on the day after exposures to examine the histological images. The results showed that the deformation level of the tubular epithelial cells was positively associated with the concentration of the ultrafine particles.

Emerging Role of Ferroptosis in Acute Kidney Injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a heterogeneous group of critical disease conditions with high incidence and mortality. Vasoconstriction, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation are generally thought to be the main pathogenic mechanisms of AKI. Ferroptosis is a type of iron-dependent nonapoptotic cell death characterized by membrane lipid peroxide accumulation and polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption, and it plays essential roles in many diseases, including cancers and neurologic diseases. Recent studies have revealed an emerging role of ferroptosis in the pathophysiological processes of AKI. Here, in the present review, we summarized the most recent discoveries on the role of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of AKI as well as its therapeutic potential in AKI.

Fucoxanthin, a Marine Xanthophyll Isolated From Conticribra weissflogii ND-8: Preventive Anti-Inflammatory Effect in a Mouse Model of Sepsis

Background: Fucoxanthin (FX), a xanthophyll pigment which occurs in marine brown algae with remarkable biological properties, has been proven to be safe for consumption by animals. Although FX has various pharmacological effects including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-obesity, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-malarial, and anti-lipid, in vivo protective effect against sepsis has not been reported. In this study, we aimed at evaluation the efficacy of the FX in a model of sepsis mouse. Methods: FX was successfully isolated from Conticribra weissflogii ND-8 for the first time. The FX was identified by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Animals were randomly divided into 9 groups, including Sham group (mouse received an intraperitoneal injection of normal saline 1.0 ml/kg), FX-treated (0.1-1.0 ml/kg), Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated (20 mg/kg), FX+LPS-treated (0.1-10.0 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg, respectively), and urinastatin groups (10⁴ U/kg). Nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation could be potential treatment for sepsis. NF-κB signaling components were determined by western-blotting. IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α production, and NF-κB activation were evaluated by ELISA and immunofluorescent staining in vitro. Results: FX was found to decrease the expression of inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, in a prophylactic manner in the LPS-induced sepsis mouse model. Meanwhile, FX significantly inhibits phosphorylation of the NF-κB signaling pathway induced by LPS at the cellular level and reduces the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. The IC₅₀ for suppressing the expression of NF-κB was 11.08 ± 0.78 μM in the THP1-Lucia™ NF-κB cells. Furthermore, FX also inhibits the expression of inflammatory factors in a dose-dependent manner with the IC₅₀ inhibition of IL-6 production was 2.19 ± 0.70 μM in Raw267.4 macrophage cells. It is likely that the molecules with the ability of targeting NF-κB activation and inflammasome assembly, such as fucoxanthin, are interesting subjects to be used for treating sepsis.

IGFBP7 regulates sepsis-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition through ERK1/2 signaling

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process results in fibrosis of renal tubular epithelial cells and is of great importance in the development of acute kidney injury (AKI). Urinary IGF-binding protein-7 (IGFBP7) was obviously increased in AKI and is considered to be a biomarker for AKI. However, whether it has an effect on the inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced EMT in human HK2 cells and on that of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced EMT in human HK2 cells and in mice remains to be elucidated. Western blot analysis was performed to examine the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 level and expressions of IGFBP7, ERK1/2, EMT markers, such as E-cadherin, α-SMA, and vimentin, and EMT regulatory factors, such as Snail, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). The levels of IGFBP7, TGF-β1, and CTGF were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Concentrations of creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and albumin (ALB) were measured by biochemical analysis. Here, we found that LPS promoted EMT and ERK1/2 activation in HK2 cells, which were inhibited by silencing of IGFBP7. Furthermore, IGFBP7 overexpression significantly increased EMT and ERK1/2 activation in HK2 cells, which were inhibited by ERK1/2 signaling inhibitor PD98059. IGFBP7 knockdown effectively attenuated renal fibrosis, concentrations of Cr, BUN and ALB, and activation of ERK1/2 signaling in CLP-induced mice. These results suggest that inhibiting IGFBP7 can effectively protect the renal tubular epithelial cells from EMT induced by LPS or CLP both in vitro and in vivo, which may be associated with inactivation of ERK1/2 signaling.

Dietary leonurine hydrochloride supplementation attenuates lipopolysaccharide challenge-induced intestinal inflammation and barrier dysfunction by inhibiting the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway in broilers

This study was performed to evaluate the beneficial effects of dietary leonurine hydrochloride (LH) supplementation on intestinal morphology and barrier integrity and further illuminate its underlying antioxidant and immunomodulatory mechanisms in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated broilers. A total of 120 1-d-old male broilers (Ross 308) were assigned to 4 treatment groups with 6 replicates of 5 birds per cage. The experiment was designed in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with LH (0 or 120 mg/kg) and LPS (injection of saline or 1.5 mg/kg body weight) as treatments. On days 14, 16, 18, and 20 of the trial, broilers were intraperitoneally injected with LPS or physiological saline. Compared with the control group, LPS-challenged broilers showed impaired growth performance (P < 0.05) from day 15 to day 21 of the trial, increased serum diamine oxidase (DAO) and D-lactic acid (D-LA) levels coupled with reduced glutathione (GSH) content and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity (duodenal and jejunal mucosa), reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content (duodenal, jejunal, and ileal mucosa), and compromised morphological structure of the duodenum and jejunum. Additionally, LPS challenge increased (P < 0.05) the mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokine genes and reduced tight junction (TJ) protein expression in the jejunum. However, dietary LH prevented LPS-induced reductions in average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) in broilers. It also alleviated LPS challenge-induced increases in serum DAO levels, MDA content (duodenal and jejunal mucosa), and jejunal crypt depth (P < 0.05) but reduced villus height, GSH content (jejunal mucosa), and T-SOD activity (duodenal and jejunal mucosa) (P < 0.05). Additionally, LH supplementation significantly downregulated the mRNA expression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and upregulated the mRNA expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin in the jejunal mucosa induced by LPS (P < 0.05). On the other hand, LH administration prevented LPS-induced activation of the p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and attenuated IkB alpha (IκBα) phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB (p65) in the jejunal mucosa. In conclusion, dietary LH supplementation attenuates intestinal mucosal disruption mainly by accelerating the expression of TJ proteins and inhibiting activation of the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway.