Acteoside attenuates acute lung injury following administration of cobra venom factor to mice

Complement system is activated in acute inflammatory response to environmental particulates in the lungs

Short-term exposure (typically ranging from a few hours to 7 days) to particulate matter (PM) elicits acute inflammatory responses with significant activation of complement component C5. However, the relationship between PM-induced complement system activation, acute inflammation, and the contributing factors remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the intensity of acute inflammatory responses, as well as the activation levels of complement C5 and its related products, C5aR1 and C5b-9, following exposure to different types of PM. Acute inflammatory responses and complement activation were assessed in mice intratracheally administered four types of PM: titanium dioxide (TiO₂), diesel exhaust particles (DEP), Asian sand dust (ASD), and ambient PM with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5). Complement system and inflammatory markers were evaluated by analyzing increased C5 protein levels, C5b-9 deposition, and C5aR1 expression. Additionally, dark-field microscopy and Raman microscopy were used to detect PM components adjacent to infiltrating neutrophils, and elemental composition was quantified using ICP-MS and EDXRF. ASD, DEP, and PM2.5 exposure significantly increased C5b-9 deposition in lung tissues. All PM-exposed groups exhibited substantial upregulation of C5aR1 expression, primarily in neutrophils. Raman spectroscopic analysis revealed Si, K, Mg, Al, and Fe adjacent to infiltrating neutrophils in ASD-exposed lungs. Furthermore, elemental analysis identified Si, Mg, Al, and K as the most potent contributors to complement activation and inflammatory responses. Of the four types of PM, ASD induced the most severe acute inflammatory response and complement system activation. Therefore, ASD-induced complement system activation, driven at least partly by its mineral components, may play a critical role in neutrophil activation and acute pulmonary inflammation. These findings highlight the differential impact of PM types on complement system activation and underscore the importance of PM composition in the evaluation of air pollution-related health risks, particularly acute pulmonary inflammation.

Exploring antithrombotic mechanisms and effective constituents of Lagopsis supina using an integrated strategy based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, metabolomics, and experimental verification in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Thrombosis is a common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Lagopsis supina (Stephan ex Willd.) Ikonn.-Gal. ex Knorring is an ancient Chinese herbal medicine used for treating thrombotic diseases. Nevertheless, the antithrombotic mechanisms and effective constituents of this plant have not been clarified.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This work aimed to elucidate the pharmacodynamics and mechanism of L. supina against thrombosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Systematic network pharmacology was used to explore candidate effective constituents and hub targets of L. supina against thrombosis. Subsequently, the binding affinities of major constituents with core targets were verified by molecular docking analysis. Afterward, the therapeutic effect and mechanism were evaluated in an arteriovenous bypass thrombosis rat model. In addition, the serum metabolomics analysis was conducted using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q-Exactive mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

A total of 124 intersected targets of L. supina against thrombosis were predicted. Among them, 24 hub targets were obtained and their mainly associated with inflammation, angiogenesis, and thrombosis approaches. Furthermore, 9 candidate effective constituents, including (22E,24R)-5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3β-ol, aurantiamide, (22E,24R)-5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,9 (11),22-trien-3β-ol, lagopsinA, lagopsin C, 15-epi-lagopsin C, lagopsin D, 15-epi-lagopsin D, and lagopsin G in L. supina and 6 potential core targets (TLR-4, TNF-α, HIF-1α, VEGF-A, VEGFR-2, and CLEC1B) were acquired. Then, these 9 constituents demonstrated strong binding affinities with the 6 targets, with their lowest binding energies were all less than -5.0 kcal/mol. The antithrombotic effect and potential mechanisms of L. supina were verified, showing a positively associated with the inhibition of inflammation (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10) and coagulation cascade (TT, APTT, PT, FIB, AT-III), promotion of angiogenesis (VEGF), suppression of platelet activation (TXB2, 6-keto-PGF1α, and TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α), and prevention of fibrinolysis (t-PA, u-PA, PAI-1, PAI-1/t-PA, PAI-1/u-PA, and PLG). Finally, 14 endogenous differential metabolites from serum samples of rats were intervened by L. supina based on untargeted metabolomics analysis, which were closely related to amino acid metabolism, inflammatory and angiogenic pathways.

CONCLUSION

Our integrated strategy based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, metabolomics, and in vivo experiments revealed for the first time that L. supina exerts a significant antithrombotic effect through the inhibition of inflammation and coagulation cascade, promotion of angiogenesis, and suppression of platelet activation. This paper provides novel insight into the potential of L. supina as a candidate agent to treat thrombosis.

Luteolin Alleviates the TNF-α-Induced Inflammatory Response of Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells via the Akt/MAPK/NF-κB Pathway

Endothelial dysfunction and pathological alterations are pivotal in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. To date, effective interventions for these endothelial changes are lacking. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is known to significantly contribute to these alterations. It has been reported the potential of luteolin to mitigate TNF-α-induced inflammation, yet its specific mechanisms and targets still remain to be elucidated. This study aims to investigate the effects and mechanisms of luteolin on TNF-α-induced inflammatory injury in human microvascular endothelial cells, thereby advancing the understanding of luteolin's medicinal properties. Our findings demonstrate that luteolin notably inhibits TNF-α-induced phosphorylation of Akt, mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), and the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) p65. It significantly reduces the transcriptional activity of NF-κB p65 and AP-1 and decreases the expression of mRNA and proteins related to adhesion molecules and inflammatory mediators. Additionally, luteolin inhibited the reduction in STAT3 phosphorylation. In conclusion, luteolin effectively suppresses TNF-α-induced inflammatory injury in endothelial cells via the Akt/MAPK/NF-κB pathway.

Baicalin relieves complement alternative pathway activation-induced lung inflammation through inhibition of NF-κB pathway

INTRODUCTION

Acute lung injury (ALI) as one kind of acute pulmonary inflammatory disorder, manifests primarily as damage to alveolar epithelial cells and microvascular endothelial cells. Activation of the complement system is a common pathological mechanism in ALI induced by diverse factors, with the complement alternative pathway assuming a pivotal role. Baicalin, a flavonoid derived from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, exhibits noteworthy biological activities. The present study attempted the interventional effects and underlying mechanisms of baicalin in microangiopathy in ALI induced by complement alternative pathway activation.

METHODS

Activation of the complement alternative pathway by cobra venom factor (CVF). HMEC cells were pretreated with baicalin and then exposed to complement activation products. The expression of inflammatory mediators was detected by ELISA, and the intranuclear transcriptional activity of NF-κB was assessed by a dual fluorescent kinase reporter gene assay kit. Before establishing the ALI mouse model, baicalin or PDTC was gavaged for 7 d. CVF was injected into the tail vein to establish the ALI model. The levels of inflammatory mediators in BALF and serum were determined by ELISA. HE staining and immunohistochemistry evaluated pathological changes, complement activation product deposition, and NF-κB p65 phosphorylation in lung tissue.

RESULTS

Baicalin reduced complement alternative activation product-induced expression of HMEC cells adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin) and cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) as well as upregulation of NF-κB intranuclear transcriptional activity. Baicalin intervention reduced the number of inflammatory cells and protein content in the BALF and decreased the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and ICAM-1 in serum and IL-6, TNF-α, ICAM-1, and P-selectin in BLAF. In addition, baicalin attenuated inflammatory cell infiltration in the lung of ALI mice and reduced the deposition of complement activation products (C5a, C5b-9) and phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 in lung tissue.

CONCLUSION

Baicalin relieves complement alternative pathway activation-induced lung inflammation by inhibition of NF-κB pathway, delaying the progression of ALI.

Neuroprotective effects of acteoside in a glaucoma mouse model by targeting Serta domain-containing protein 4

AIM

To explore the therapeutic effect and main molecular mechanisms of acteoside in a glaucoma model in DBA/2J mice.

METHODS

Proteomics was used to compare the differentially expressed proteins of C57 and DBA/2J mice. After acteoside administration in DBA/2J mice, anterior segment observation, intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring, electrophysiology examination, and hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to analyze any potential effects. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays were used to verify the proteomics results. Furthermore, retinal ganglion cell 5 (RGC5) cell proliferation was assessed with cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays. Serta domain-containing protein 4 (Sertad4) mRNA and protein expression levels were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

Proteomics analysis suggested that Sertad4 was the most significantly differentially expressed protein. Compared with the saline group, the acteoside treatment group showed decreased IOP, improved N1-P1 wave amplitudes, thicker retina, and larger numbers of cells in the ganglion cell layer (GCL). The IHC results showed that Sertad4 expression levels in DBA/2J mice treated with acteoside were significantly lower than in the saline group. Acteoside treatment could improve RGC5 cell survival and reduce the Sertad4 mRNA and protein expression levels after glutamate injury.

CONCLUSION

Sertad4 is differentially expressed in DBA/2J mice. Acteoside can protect RGCs from damage, possibly through the downregulation of Sertad4, and has a potential use in glaucoma treatment.