Baicalein attenuates pancreatic inflammatory injury through regulating MAPK, STAT 3 and NF-κB activation

Therapeutic potential of flavonoids from traditional Chinese medicine in pancreatic cancer treatment

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with rising mortality rates globally. Its diagnosis is often challenging due to its asymptomatic nature in the early stages. Consequently, most patients receive a poor prognosis, with low survival rates within 5 years, as the disease is typically detected at an advanced stage, complicating effective treatment. Flavonoids, especially those derived from traditional Chinese herbal medicines, have attracted considerable attention for their potent anti-PC properties. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of these bioactive compounds, which modulate key biological pathways, making them promising candidates for PC intervention. Their mechanisms of action include the regulation of autophagy, apoptosis, cell growth, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and oxidative stress, as well as enhancing chemotherapeutic sensitivity, exerting antiangiogenic effects, and potentially boosting immunomodulatory responses. The demonstrated benefits of these natural compounds in cancer management have spurred extensive academic interest. Beyond their role as anti-cancer agents, flavonoids may provide both preventive and therapeutic advantages for PC, resonating with the core principles of traditional Chinese medicine for disease prevention and holistic treatment.

Protective Effects of Baicalein on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced AR42J PACs through Attenuation of Both Inflammation and Pyroptosis via Downregulation of miR-224-5p/PARP1

Background

Baicalein has been used to treat inflammation-related diseases; nevertheless, its specific mechanism of action is unclear. Therefore, we examined the protective effects of baicalein on lipopolysaccharide-induced damage to AR42J pancreatic acinar cells (PACs) and determined its mechanism of action for protection.

Methods

An in vitro cell model of acute pancreatitis (AP) was established using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 mg/L)-induced PACs (AR42J), and the relative survival rate was determined using the 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo(-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) technique. Flow cytometry was applied to evaluate the apoptotic rates of AR42J PACs. The RNA and protein expression of miR-224-5p, poly ADP-ribose polymerase-1 (PARP1), nuclear transcription factor-κB65 (NF-κB65), phospho-kappa B alpha(p-IκB-α), interleukin(IL)-18R, NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain-associated protein 3 (NLRP3), gasdermin D (GSDMD), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), and caspase-1 was detected based on the WB and RT-PCR assays. IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α expression levels in AR42J cells were measured via ELISA method. The cell morphology was examined using the AO/EB method.

Results

The experiment confirmed a significant increase in the activity of AR42J cells treated with various doses of baicalein. Moreover, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-18 expression levels in AR42J cells were dramatically reduced (P  < 0.05), while miR-224-5p level was obviously enhanced. The protein and gene expression of PARP1, NF-κB65, p-IκB-α, IL-18R, GSDMD, ASC, NLRP3, and caspase-1 was obviously decreased (P < 0.05). Apoptosis in AR42J cells was significantly reduced with significant improvement in cell morphology.

Conclusion

Baicalein may significantly alleviate LPS-induced AR42J PAC damage by inhibiting the inflammatory response and pyroptosis. Its mode of action might be linked to higher miR-224-5p expression, which inhibits the PARP1/NF-κB and NLPR3/ASC/caspase-1/GSDMD pathways.

The Effect of the Extraction Conditions on the Antioxidant Activity and Bioactive Compounds Content in Ethanolic Extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis Root

Ethanolic extracts of Baikal skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) root were obtained using various techniques, such as maceration, maceration with shaking, ultrasound-assisted extraction, reflux extraction, and Soxhlet extraction. The influence of the type and time of isolation technique on the extraction process was studied, and the quality of the obtained extracts was determined by spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods to find the optimal extraction conditions. Radical scavenging activity of the extracts was analyzed using DPPH assay, while total phenolic content (TPC) was analyzed by the method with the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Application of gas chromatography with mass selective detector (GC-MS) enabled the identification of some bioactive substances and a comparison of the composition of the particular extracts. The Baikal skullcap root extracts characterized by both the highest antioxidant activity and content of phenolic compounds were obtained in 2 h of reflux and Soxhlet extraction. The main biologically active compounds identified in extracts by the GC-MS method were wogonin and oroxylin A, known for their broad spectrum of biological effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer, and others.

Rheum palmatum L. and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. Alleviates Acute Pancreatitis by Regulating Th17 Cell Differentiation: An Integrated Network Pharmacology Analysis, Molecular Dynamics Simulation and Experimental Validation

OBJECTIVE

To identify the core targets of Rheum palmatum L. and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge., (Dahuang-Danshen, DH-DS) and the mechanism underlying its therapeutic efficacy in acute pancreatitis (AP) using a network pharmacology approach and validate the findings in animal experiments.

METHODS

Network pharmacology analysis was used to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of DH-DS in AP. The reliability of the results was verified by molecular docking simulation and molecular dynamics simulation. Finally, the results of network pharmacology enrichment analysis were verified by immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis and real-time quantitative PCR, respectively.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven common targets of DH-DS in AP were identified and mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3), Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), protein c-Fos (FOS) were identified as core targets in the protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Gene ontology analysis showed that cellular response to organic substance was the main functions of DH-DS in AP, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that the main pathway included Th17 cell differentiation. Molecular docking simulation confirmed that DH-DS binds with strong affinity to MAPK3, STAT3 and FOS. Molecular dynamics simulation revealed that FOS-isotanshinone II and STAT3-dan-shexinkum d had good binding capacity. Animal experiments indicated that compared with the AP model group, DH-DS treatment effectively alleviated AP by inhibiting the expression of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, and blocking the activation of Th17 cell differentiation (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

DH-DS could inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors and protect pancreatic tissues, which would be functioned by regulating Th17 cell differentiation-related mRNA and protein expressions.

The Pathogenesis of Pancreatitis and the Role of Autophagy

The pathogenesis of acute and chronic pancreatitis has recently evolved as new findings demonstrate a complex mechanism operating through various pathways. In this review, the current evidence indicating that several mechanisms act in concert to induce and perpetuate pancreatitis were presented. As autophagy is now considered a fundamental mechanism in the pathophysiology of both acute and chronic pancreatitis, the fundamentals of the autophagy pathway were discussed to allow for a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of pancreatitis. The various aspects of pathogenesis, including trypsinogen activation, ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, the implications of inflammation, and macrophage involvement in innate immunity, as well as the significance of pancreatic stellate cells in the development of fibrosis, were also analyzed. Recent findings on exosomes and the miRNA regulatory role were also presented. Finally, the role of autophagy in the protection and aggravation of pancreatitis and possible therapeutic implications were reviewed.

Advances in Flavonoid Research: Sources, Biological Activities, and Developmental Prospectives

At present, the occurrence of a large number of infectious and non-communicable diseases poses a serious threat to human health as well as to drug development for the treatment of these diseases. One of the most significant challenges is finding new drug candidates that are therapeutically effective and have few or no side effects. In this respect, the active compounds in medicinal plants, especially flavonoids, are potentially useful compounds with a wide range of pharmacological activities. They are naturally present in nature and valuable in the treatment of many infectious and non-communicable diseases. Flavonoids are divided into fourteen categories and are mainly derived from plant extraction, chemical synthesis and structural modification, and biosynthesis. The structural modification of flavonoids is an important way to discover new drugs, but biosynthesis is currently considered the most promising research direction with the potential to revolutionize the new production pipeline in the synthesis of flavonoids. However, relevant problems such as metabolic pathway analyses and cell synthesis protocols for flavonoids need to be addressed on an urgent basis. In the present review, new research techniques for assessing the biological activities of flavonoids and the mechanisms of their biological activities are elucidated and their modes of interaction with other drugs are described. Moreover, novel drug delivery systems, such as nanoparticles, bioparticles, colloidals, etc., are gradually becoming new means of addressing the issues of poor hydrophilicity, lipophilicity, poor chemical stability, and low bioavailability of flavonoids. The present review summarizes the latest research progress on flavonoids, existing problems with their therapeutic efficacy, and how these issues can be solved with the research on flavonoids.

Function and inhibition of P38 MAP kinase signaling: Targeting multiple inflammation diseases

Inflammation is a natural host defense mechanism that protects the body from pathogenic microorganisms. A growing body of research suggests that inflammation is a key factor in triggering other diseases (lung injury, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.). However, there is no consensus on the complex mechanism of inflammatory response, which may include enzyme activation, mediator release, and tissue repair. In recent years, p38 MAPK, a member of the MAPKs family, has attracted much attention as a central target for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. However, many p38 MAPK inhibitors attempting to obtain marketing approval have failed at the clinical trial stage due to selectivity and/or toxicity issues. In this paper, we discuss the mechanism of p38 MAPK in regulating inflammatory response and its key role in major inflammatory diseases and summarize the synthetic or natural products targeting p38 MAPK to improve the inflammatory response in the last five years, which will provide ideas for the development of novel clinical anti-inflammatory drugs based on p38 MAPK inhibitors.

Research Progress of Scutellaria baicalensis in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancer

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer stands as one of the most prevalent forms of cancer globally, presenting a substantial medical and economic burden on cancer treatment. Despite advancements in therapies, it continues to exhibit the second highest mortality rate, primarily attributed to drug resistance and post-treatment side effects. There is an urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches to tackle this persistent challenge. Scutellaria baicalensis, widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), holds a profound pharmaceutical legacy. Modern pharmacological studies have unveiled its anticancer, antioxidant, and immune-enhancing properties. S. baicalensis contains hundreds of active ingredients, with flavonoids, polysaccharides, phenylethanoid glycosides, terpenoids, and sterols being the principal components. These constituents contribute to the treatment of GI cancer by inducing apoptosis in tumor cells, arresting the cell cycle, inhibiting tumor proliferation and metastasis, regulating the tumor microenvironment, modulating epigenetics, and reversing drug resistance. Furthermore, the utilization of modern drug delivery technologies can enhance the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of TCM. The treatment of GI cancer with S. baicalensis is characterized by its multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway advantages, and S. baicalensis has a broad prospect of becoming a clinical adjuvant or even the main therapy for GI cancer.

Improved Bioavailability and Hepatoprotective Activity of Baicalein Via a Self-assembled Solutol HS15 Micelles System

BACKGROUND

Baicalein (BA) is a flavonoid extract from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi with excellent biological activities, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, its poor water solubility limits its further development.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to prepare BA-loaded Solutol HS15 (HS15-BA) micelles, evaluate the bioavailability, and explore protective effects on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced acute liver injury.

METHODS

The thin-film dispersion method was used to prepare HS15-BA micelles. The physicochemical, in vitro release, pharmacokinetics, and hepatoprotective effects of HS15-BA micelles were studied.

RESULTS

The optimal formulation showed a spherical shape by characterization of the transmission electron microscope (TEM) with an average small size (12.50 nm). The pharmacokinetic results illustrated that HS15-BA increased the oral bioavailability of BA. The in vivo results showed that HS15-BA micelles significantly inhibited the activity of the CCl4-induced liver injury marker enzymes aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT). Also, CCl4 induced oxidative damage to liver tissue, leading to increased L-glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) activity, while HS15-BA significantly reversed the above changes. Moreover, BA also had a hepatoprotective effect through anti-inflammatory activity; the results of ELISA and RT-PCR revealed that HS15-BA pretreatment significantly inhibited the increase in the expression of inflammatory factors induced by CCl4.

CONCLUSION

In summary, our study confirmed that HS15-BA micelles enhanced the bioavailability of BA, and showed hepatoprotective effects through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. HS15 could be considered a promising oral delivery carrier in treating liver disease.

TiO2-MXene/PEDOT:PSS Composite as a Novel Electrochemical Sensing Platform for Sensitive Detection of Baicalein

In this work, TiO2-MXene/poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) composite was utilized as an electrode material for the sensitive electrochemical detection of baicalein. The in-situ growth of TiO2 nanoparticles on the surface of MXene nanosheets can effectively prevent their aggregation, thus presenting a significantly large specific surface area and abundant active sites. However, the partial oxidation of MXene after calcination could reduce its conductivity. To address this issue, herein, PEDOT:PSS films were introduced to disperse the TiO2-MXene materials. The uniform and dense films of PEDOT:PSS not only improved the conductivity and dispersion of TiO2-MXene but also enhanced its stability and electrocatalytic activity. With the advantages of a composite material, TiO2-MXene/PEDOT:PSS as an electrode material demonstrated excellent electrochemical sensing ability for baicalein determination, with a wide linear response ranging from 0.007 to 10.0 μM and a lower limit of detection of 2.33 nM. Furthermore, the prepared sensor displayed good repeatability, reproducibility, stability and selectivity, and presented satisfactory results for the determination of baicalein in human urine sample analysis.

Anti-inflammatory potential of baicalein combined with silk fibroin protein in a zebrafish model (Danio rerio)

Baicalein (BA) is a flavonoid with wide-ranging pharmacological activity. However, its biological evaluation is hampered by its low solubility in aqueous medium, making forms of incorporation that improve its solubility necessary. In the present study, BA was combined with a solution of silk fibroin protein (SF), a biomaterial used too as a drug carrier, to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of this combination, in vivo, in an experimental model, zebrafish (Danio rerio). Baicalein-silk fibroin (BASF) improved the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate) free radical scavenging rate (95%) in comparison with BA in solution. The acute toxicity study and histopathological analysis in zebrafish showed that BASF has low cytotoxic potential, except for the maxim dose of 2000 mg/kg. The use of BA in combination with SF enhanced the anti-inflammatory effect of flavonoids by inducing inflammatory peritoneal edema through carrageenan and achieved 77.6% inhibition of abdominal edema at a dose of 75 mg/kg. The results showed that the BASF, significantly increases the bioavailability and therapeutic effect of flavonoids and several results observed in this study may help in the development of new drugs.

Cellular senescence of renal tubular epithelial cells in renal fibrosis

Renal fibrosis (RF) is the common pathological manifestation of virtually all chronic kidney diseases (CKD) and one of the major causes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), but the pathogenesis of which is still unclear. Renal tubulointerstitial lesions have been identified as a key pathological hallmark of RF pathology. Renal tubular epithelial cells are the resident cells of the tubulointerstitium and play an important role in kidney recovery versus renal fibrosis following injury. Studies in recent years have shown that senescence of renal tubular epithelial cells can accelerate the progression of renal fibrosis. Oxidative stress(OS), telomere attrition and DNA damage are the major causes of renal tubular epithelial cell senescence. Current interventions and therapeutic strategies for cellular senescence include calorie restriction and routine exercise, Klotho, senolytics, senostatics, and other related drugs. This paper provides an overview of the mechanisms and the key signaling pathways including Wnt/β-catenin/RAS, Nrf2/ARE and STAT-3/NF-κB pathway involved in renal tubular epithelial cell senescence in RF and therapies targeting renal tubular epithelial cell senescence future therapeutic potential for RF patients. These findings may offer promise for the further treatment of RF and CKD.

Citrus flavanone metabolites protect pancreatic β-cells against cholesterol stress through a multi-proteomic mechanism

Citrus flavanones may improve oxidative stress and insulin resistance induced by western diets. However, there is a paucity of studies investigating the change in protein expression levels. This study evaluated the protection and the mechanisms of action of citrus flavanone metabolites, hesperetin 7-glucuronide (H7G) and 3-(4'-hydroxyphenyl) propanoic acid (PA), on pancreatic β-cell function under oxidative stress induced by cholesterol using the global proteomics approach. Cholesterol induced changes in the global proteomic profile in the pancreatic β-cell line Min6. On the other hand, proteomics analysis identified 254 proteins differentially expressed with H7G and 352 with PA treatments, most of them were opposite to the changes induced by cholesterol. Bioinformatics analysis showed that these proteins are implicated in cell functions like cell signaling (insulin signaling, p30MAPK signaling, and others), metabolism (glucokinase and glutathione metabolisms), and inflammation pathways (TNF-α and NF-κB pathways). Also, the results of molecular docking suggest that H7G and PA could bind to putative transcription factors (PPAR-γ, STAT-3, CREB1, NF-κB, NFYA) and cell signaling proteins (IKK, RAS, Pi3K, ERK), which results in changes in protein expression observed. Altogether, these data suggest that the treatment with H7G and PA protects pancreatic β-cells against stress induced by cholesterol through multi-proteomic mechanisms of action.

Phytochemicals with protective effects against acute pancreatitis: a review of recent literature

CONTEXT

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an acute abdominal inflammatory disease with episodes ranging from mild to fulminant symptoms which could include necrosis, systemic inflammation and multiple organ dysfunction. Increasing experimental evidence demonstrates that specific bioactive ingredients from natural plants have a favourable therapeutic effect on AP.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review is to summarize the protective effects and potential mechanisms of action of phytochemicals on the attenuation of AP.

METHODS

Experimental studies in vivo or in vitro between January 2016 and June 2021 were sought in PubMed and Web of Science using the following search terms: ('phytochemicals' OR 'medicinal plant' OR 'traditional medicine') AND ('pancreatitis' OR 'pancreatic damage' OR 'pancreatic injury'). Data concerning the basic characteristics of phytochemicals, therapeutic dose and potential molecular mechanisms related to AP were extracted in this study.

RESULTS

A total of 30 phytochemicals with potential therapeutic effects were reviewed and summarized systematically. According to their molecular pathways in AP, the underlying mechanisms of the phytochemicals were illustrated in detail.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The phytochemicals with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant abilities may be efficient candidate drugs for AP treatment. Importantly, more preclinical investigations are needed to illustrate the efficacy of future phytochemicals.

Demystifying phytoconstituent-derived nanomedicines in their immunoregulatory and therapeutic roles in inflammatory diseases

In the past decades, phytoconstituents have appeared as critical mediators for immune regulations among various diseases, both in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. These bioactive molecules, showing a broad range of biological functions, would hold tremendous promise for developing new therapeutics. The discovery of phytoconstituents' capability of functionally regulating immune cells and associating cytokines, suppressing systemic inflammation, and remodeling immunity have rapidly promoted the idea of their employment as anti-inflammatory agents. In this review, we discuss various roles of phyto-derived medicines in the field of inflammatory diseases, including chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and acute inflammatory disease such as COVID-19. Nevertheless, traditional phyto-derived medicines often concurred with their clinical administration limitations, such as their lack of cell specificity, inefficient cytoplasmic delivery, and rapid clearance by the immune system. As alternatives, phyto-derived nano-approaches may provide significant benefits. Both unmodified and engineered nanocarriers present the potential to serve as phytoconstituent delivery systems to improve therapeutic physio-chemical properties and pharmacokinetic profiles. Thus, the development of phytoconstituents' nano-delivery designs, their new and perspective approaches for therapeutical applications are elaborated herein.

Transcriptomics and Network Pharmacology Reveal the Protective Effect of Chaiqin Chengqi Decoction on Obesity-Related Alcohol-Induced Acute Pancreatitis via Oxidative Stress and PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway

Obesity-related acute pancreatitis (AP) is characterized by increasing prevalence worldwide and worse clinical outcomes compared to AP of other etiologies. Chaiqin chengqi decoction (CQCQD), a Chinese herbal formula, has long been used for the clinical management of AP but its therapeutic actions and the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. This study has investigated the pharmacological mechanisms of CQCQD in a novel mouse model of obesity-related alcohol-induced AP (OA-AP). The mouse OA-AP model was induced by a high-fat diet for 12 weeks and subsequently two intraperitoneal injections of ethanol, CQCQD was administered 2 h after the first injection of ethanol. The severity of OA-AP was assessed and correlated with changes in transcriptomic profiles and network pharmacology in the pancreatic and adipose tissues, and further docking analysis modeled the interactions between compounds of CQCQD and their key targets. The results showed that CQCQD significantly reduced pancreatic necrosis, alleviated systemic inflammation, and decreased the parameters associated with multi-organ dysfunction. Transcriptomics and network pharmacology analysis, as well as further experimental validation, have shown that CQCQD induced Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant protein response and decreased Akt phosphorylation in the pancreatic and adipose tissues. In vitro, CQCQD protected freshly isolated pancreatic acinar cells from H₂O₂-elicited oxidative stress and necrotic cell death. The docking results of AKT1 and the active compounds related to AKT1 in CQCQD showed high binding affinity. In conclusion, CQCQD ameliorates the severity of OA-AP by activating of the antioxidant protein response and down-regulating of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the pancreas and visceral adipose tissue.

Qingfei Litan Decoction Against Acute Lung Injury/Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: The Potential Roles of Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Oxidative Effects

Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) is an acute respiratory failure syndrome characterized by progressive arterial hypoxemia and dyspnea. Qingfei Litan (QFLT) decoction, as a classic prescription for the treatment of acute respiratory infections, is effective for the treatment of ALI/ARDS. In this study, the compounds, hub targets, and major pathways of QFLT in ALI/ARDS treatment were analyzed using Ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) and systemic pharmacology strategies. UHPLC-MS identified 47 main components of QFLT. To explore its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative mechanisms, gene ontology (Go) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment and network pharmacological analysis were conducted based on the main 47 components. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that TNF signaling pathway and Toll-like receptor signaling pathway may be the key pathways of ALI/ARDS. We explored the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative pharmacological effects of QFLT in treatment of ALI/ARDS in vivo and in vitro. QFLT suppressed the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and alleviated oxidative stress in LPS-challenged mice. In vitro, QFLT decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β secreted by LPS-activated macrophages, increased GSH level and decreased the LPS-activated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in lung epithelial A549 cells. This study suggested that QFLT may have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects on ALI/ARDS, combining in vivo and in vitro experiments with systemic pharmacology, providing a potential therapeutic strategy option.

Scutellaria baicalensis and its constituents baicalin and baicalein as antidotes or protective agents against chemical toxicities: a comprehensive review

Scutellaria baicalensis (SB), also known as the Chinese skullcap, has a long history of being used in Chinese medicine to treat a variety of conditions ranging from microbial infections to metabolic syndrome and malignancies. Numerous studies have reported that treatment with total SB extract or two main flavonoids found in its root and leaves, baicalin (BA) and baicalein (BE), can prevent or alleviate the detrimental toxic effects of exposure to various chemical compounds. It has been shown that BA and BE are generally behind the protective effects of SB against toxicants. This paper aimed to review the protective and therapeutic effects of SB and its main components BA and BE against chemical compounds that can cause intoxication after acute or chronic exposure and seriously affect different vital organs including the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys. In this review paper, we had a look into a total of 221 in vitro and in vivo studies from 1995 to 2021 from the scientific databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science which reported protective or therapeutic effects of BA, BE, or SB against drugs and chemicals that one might be exposed to on a professional or accidental basis and compounds that are primarily used to simulate disease models. In conclusion, the protective effects of SB and its flavonoids can be mainly attributed to increase in antioxidants enzymes, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, reduction of inflammatory cytokines, and suppression of apoptosis pathway.

New Therapeutic Horizon of Graves' Hyperthyroidism: Treatment Regimens Based on Immunology and Ingredients From Traditional Chinese Medicine

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease characterized by goiter and hyperthyroidism, and 25% patients develop GO. Traditional treatment options, such as antithyroid drugs, radioiodine or thyroidectomy, have remained largely unchanged over the past 70 years. For many patients, there is a high rate of recurrence after antithyroid drugs and lifelong hypothyroidism after ablation and thyroidectomy. The symptoms and quality of life of some patients have not been effectively improved. The clinical demand for new therapeutic regimens, coupled with a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology and immunobiology of Graves’ disease, has led to the emergence of several new therapeutic ideas, including biologics, small molecule peptides, immunomodulators and teprotumumab, a specific antibody targeting IGF-1R. Besides, the elements of TCM have attracted more and more interests in modern medicine, because some effective components have been successfully used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Based on the pathophysiology and efficacy of clinical management and treatment in Graves’ hyperthyroidism, here we review the new strategies under investigation and summarize the effective components of traditional Chinese medicine used for Graves’ hyperthyroidism, and explore their mechanisms. These therapies have opened a new window for the treatment of Graves’ disease, but the exact mechanism and the research direction still need to be further explored.

[Role of CaMK II in pancreatic injury in mice with severe acute pancreatitis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK Ⅱ) in pancreatic tissues of mice with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and explore the protective effect of KN93, a CaMK Ⅱ inhibitor, against pancreatic injury in SAP and the possible mechanism.

METHODS

Thirty-six healthy male C57 mice were randomly divided into sham operation group, SAP group, KN93 group and SAP + KN93 group (n=9). Serum and pancreatic tissue samples were collected 24 h after modeling. The pathological changes in the pancreatic tissues were observed using HE staining. Serum lipase and amylase activities and the levels of inflammatory factors were detected using ELISA. Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of CaMK Ⅱ, p-CaMK Ⅱ, p-NF-κB, MAPK and p-MAPK in mouse pancreas.

RESULTS

Compared with those in sham operation group, the expressions of p-CaMK Ⅱ, p-NF-κB and p-MAPK were significantly increased in SAP group (P < 0.05). KN93 treatment obviously alleviated pathological injuries of the pancreas in SAP mice, and significantly lowered serum levels of lipase, amylase and inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-6) and phosphorylation levels of NF-κB, ERK and MAPK proteins (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The activity of CaMK Ⅱ is significantly increased in the pancreatic tissue of SAP mice. KN93 can alleviate pancreatic injury and inflammation in SAP mice possibly through the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway.

Study of Baicalin toward COVID-19 Treatment: In silico Target Analysis and in vitro Inhibitory Effects on SARS-CoV-2 Proteases

Negative impacts of COVID-19 on human health and economic and social activities urge scientists to develop effective treatments. Baicalin is a natural flavonoid, extracted from a traditional medicinal plant, previously reported with anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we used pharmacophore fitting and molecular docking to screen and determine docking patterns and the binding affinity of baicalin on 3 major targets of SARS-CoV-2 (3-chymotrypsin-like cysteine protease [3CLpro], papain-like protease [PLpro], and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase). The obtained data revealed that baicalin has high pharmacophore fitting on 3CLpro and predicted good binding affinity on PLpro. Moreover, using the enzymatic assay, we examined the inhibitory effect of baicalin in vitro on the screened enzymes. Baicalin also exhibits inhibitory effect on these proteases in vitro. Additionally, we performed pharmacophore-based screening of baicalin on human targets and conducted pathway analysis to explore the potential cytoprotective effects of baicalin in the host cell that may be beneficial for COVID-19 treatment. The result suggested that baicalin has multiple targets in human cell that may induce multiple pharmacological effects. The result of pathway analysis implied that these targets may be associated with baicalin-induced bioactivities that are involved with signals of pro-inflammation factors, such as cytokine and chemokine. Taken together with supportive data from the literature, the bioactivities of bailalin may be beneficial for COVID-19 treatment by reducing cytokine-induced acute inflammation. In conclusion, baicalin is potentially a good candidate for developing new therapeutic to treat COVID-19.

Network pharmacology-based strategy to investigate the active ingredients and molecular mechanisms of Scutellaria Barbata D. Don against radiation pneumonitis

INTRODUCTION

Herbal medicines combined with radiotherapy significantly reduced the incidence of radiation pneumonitis (RP), and the Scutellaria barbata D. Don (SBD) is a perennial herb that has been reported to protect against radiation-induced pneumonitis. However, the exact molecular mechanism is not known. The objective of this research was to investigate the against radiation pneumonitis ingredients and their functional mechanisms in SBD.

METHODS

Based on the network pharmacology approaches, we collected active ingredients and target genes in SBD against RP through Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology (TCMSP) Database, and the "Herb-Ingredients-Target Genes-Disease" Network was constructed by using of Cytoscape. STRING analysis was performed to reveal the protein-protein interactions, and then we applied enrichment analysis on these target proteins, gene function, and pathways.

RESULTS

A total of 18 ingredients in SBD regulate 65 RP related target proteins, which show that quercetin, luteolin, baicalein, wogonin may be the key active ingredients, while IL6, AKT1, VEGFA, MMP9, CCL2, prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) (cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2]), CXCL8, IL1B, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK1), and IL10 were identified as critical targets. Besides, the results of Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis indicated that predicted targets of SBD are mostly associated with the pathological process of oxidative stress and inflammation. AGE- Receptor of Advanced Glycation Endproducts (RAGE) signaling pathway in diabetic complications, IL-17 signaling pathway, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway, NF-kappa B signaling pathway might serve as the principal pathways for RP treatment.

CONCLUSION

In our study, the pharmacological and molecular mechanism of SBD against RP was predicted from a holistic perspective, and the results provided theoretical guidance for researchers to explore the mechanism in further research.

Baicalein alleviates pyroptosis and inflammation in hyperlipidemic pancreatitis by inhibiting NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway through the miR-192-5p/TXNIP axis

OBJECTIVE

Hyperlipidemia is a main reason of pancreatitis. Baicalein can ameliorate the pathological manifestations of pancreatitis. This study evaluated underlying molecular mechanism of baicalein in hyperlipidemic pancreatitis (HP).

METHODS

HP rat model was successfully established and treated with baicalein. Amylase (AMY) activity and concentrations of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) were detected. Levels of pyroptosis-related proteins (GSDMD, IL-1β, IL-18) were detected by Western blot. Expressions of inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-4) were detected by ELISA. Toxicity of baicalein on pancreatic acinar cells (PACs) was detected by MTT assay. HP cell model was established by 0.1 mM palmitic acid and CCK-8 stimulation. Target relation of miR-192-5p and TXNIP was predicted and verified by RNA22 v2 database and dual-luciferase reporter assay. Expressions of miR-192-5p and TXNIP were detected by RT-qPCR. Pyroptosis and inflammation in PACs were detected after baicalein treatment combined with silencing miR-192-5p or TXNIP overexpression. Protein levels of NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway in vivo and vitro were detected.

RESULTS

Baicalein reduced concentrations of TG and TC, AMY activity, and pathological scores in HP rat model, reduced LDH activity, pyroptosis and alleviated inflammation in vivo and in vitro. Mechanically, miR-192-5p targeted TXNIP, and baicalein inhibited pyroptosis and inflammation by up-regulating miR-192-5p and down-regulating TXNIP. Silencing miR-192-5p or TXNIP overexpression partially abolished the anti-pyroptosis and anti-inflammatory effect of baicalein on PACs. Baicalein attenuated HP by inhibiting the NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway.

CONCLUSION

Baicalein alleviated pyroptosis and inflammation in HP by inhibiting the NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway through miR-192-5p upregulation and TXNIP inhibition.

Exploring the Mechanism of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi Efficacy against Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Analysis

BACKGROUND

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SBG) has been widely shown to induce apoptosis and inhibit invasion and migration of various cancer cells. Increased evidence shows that SBG may be useful to treat oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the biological activity and possible mechanisms of SBG in the treatment of OSCC have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to clarify the bioactive component and multitarget mechanisms of SBG against OSCC using network pharmacology and molecular docking.

METHODS

Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database was used to predict the active components in SBG, and putative molecular targets of SBG were identified using the Swiss Target Prediction database. OSCC-related targets were screened by GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and Therapeutic Target Database (TTD). Then, we established protein-protein interaction (PPI), compound-target-disease (C-T-D), and compound-target-pathway (C-T-P) networks by Cytoscape to identify the main components, core targets, and pharmacological pathways of SBG against OSCC via applying data mining techniques and topological parameters. Metascape database was utilized for Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis. The potential interaction of the main components with core targets was revealed by molecular docking simulation, and for the correlation between core targets and OSCC prognosis analysis, the Kaplan-Meier Plotter online database was used.

RESULTS

There were 25 active compounds in SBG and 86 genes targeted by OSCC. A total of 141 signaling pathways were identified, and it was found that the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway may occupy core status in the anti-OSCC system. GO analysis revealed that the primary biological processes were related to apoptosis, proliferation, and migration. Molecular docking results confirmed that core targets of OSCC had a high affinity with the main compounds of SBG.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated multicomponent, multitarget, and multipathway characteristics of SBG in the treatment of OSCC and provided a foundation for further drug development research.

Baicalein Protects Against Aspergillus fumigatus Keratitis by Reducing Fungal Load and Inhibiting TSLP-Induced Inflammatory Response

Purpose

To investigate the antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects of baicalein on Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) keratitis and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

The noncytotoxic antifungal concentration of baicalein was determined using CCK8, cell scratch assay, minimum inhibitory concentration, biofilm formation, scanning electron microscopy, propidium iodide uptake test and adherence assay in vitro and Draize test in vivo. In fungal keratitis (FK) mouse models, clinical score and plate count were used to evaluate FK severity, and myeloperoxidase assay and immunofluorescence staining were performed to examine neutrophil infiltration and activity. Real-time PCR, ELISA, and Western blot were performed to explore the anti-inflammatory activity of baicalein and the underlying mechanisms in vivo and in vitro.

Results

Baicalein at 0.25 mM (noncytotoxic) significantly inhibited A. fumigatus growth, biofilm formation, and adhesion in vitro. In A. fumigatus keratitis mice, baicalein mitigated FK severity, reduced fungal load, and inhibited neutrophil infiltration and activity. Baicalein not only suppressed mRNA and protein levels of proinflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, but also inhibited the expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and TSLP receptor (TSLPR) in vivo and in vitro. In HCECs, mRNA and protein levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly lower in the TSLP siRNA–treated group, while higher in the rTSLP-treated group than in the corresponding control. Baicalein treatment significantly inhibited rTSLP induced the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α.

Conclusions

Baicalein plays a protective role in mouse A. fumigatus keratitis by inhibiting fungal growth, biofilm formation, and adhesion, and suppressing inflammatory response via downregulation of the TSLP/TSLPR pathway.

Qing-Yi Decoction in the Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis: An Integrated Approach Based on Chemical Profile, Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking and Experimental Evaluation

Background: Qing-Yi Decoction (QYD) is a classic precompounded prescription with satisfactory clinical efficacy on acute pancreatitis (AP). However, the chemical profile and overall molecular mechanism of QYD in treating AP have not been clarified.

Methods: In the present study, a rapid, simple, sensitive and reliable ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS)-based chemical profile was first established. An integration strategy of network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking based identified ingredients was further performed to screen out the potential targets and pathways involved in the treatment of QYD on AP. Finally, SD rats with acute pancreatitis were constructed to verify the predicted results through a western blot experiment.

Results: A total of 110 compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, monoterpenes, iridoids, triterpenes, phenylethanoid glycosides, anthraquinones and other miscellaneous compounds were identified, respectively. Eleven important components, 47 key targets and 15 related pathways based on network pharmacology analysis were obtained. Molecular docking simulation indicated that ERK1/2, c-Fos and p65 might play an essential role in QYD against AP. Finally, the western blot experiments showed that QYD could up-regulate the expression level of ERK1/2 and c-Fos, while down-regulate the expression level of p65.

Conclusion: This study predicted and validated that QYD may treat AP by inhibiting inflammation and promoting apoptosis, which provides directions for further experimental studies.

A narrative review of acute pancreatitis and its diagnosis, pathogenetic mechanism, and management

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease that can progress to severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), which increases the risk of death. AP is characterized by inappropriate activation of trypsinogen, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and destruction of secretory cells. Other contributing factors may include calcium (Ca²⁺) overload, mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired autophagy, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In addition, exosomes are also associated with pathophysiological processes of many human diseases and may play a biological role in AP. However, the pathogenic mechanism has not been fully elucidated and needs to be further explored to inform treatment. Recently, the treatment guidelines have changed; minimally invasive therapy is advocated more as the core multidisciplinary participation and "step-up" approach. The surgical procedures have gradually changed from open surgery to minimally invasive surgery that primarily includes percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD), endoscopy, small incision surgery, and video-assisted surgery. The current guidelines for the management of AP have been updated and revised in many aspects. The type of fluid to be used, the timing, volume, and speed of administration for fluid resuscitation has been controversial. In addition, the timing and role of nutritional support and prophylactic antibiotic therapy, as well as the timing of the surgical or endoscopic intervention, and the management of complications still have many uncertainties that could negatively impact the prognosis and patients' quality of life. Consequently, to inform clinicians about optimal treatment, we aimed to review recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of AP and its diagnosis and management.

Baicalin Protects Against Acute Pancreatitis Involving JNK Signaling Pathway via Regulating miR-15a

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a kind of reversible inflammatory process of the exocrine pancreas. During the process, systemic inflammatory syndromes are involved, which relates closely to inflammatory mediators. Baicalin is a type of flavone compound extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and exhibits anti-inflammation effect in several cancers. In this study, baicalin displayed a suppressing role on IL-1[Formula: see text], TNF[Formula: see text] and IL-6 in both cell and mice models. Necrosis was decreased in the baicalin treatment group and got a markedly lower pathological score. In this study, miR-15a is the core intermediate in baicalin regulation, which increased through baicalin treatment and protected pancreas cells and tissues, inhibiting the JNK signaling pathway by targeting MAP2K4. The long non-coding RNA MALAT1 is also a direct target of miR-15a and forms a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network with MAP2K4, which can be regulated by baicalin. In addition, upstream genes, including CDC42 and MAP3K1, were also regulated by baicalin, of which CDC42 was confirmed to form the second ceRNA network with MALAT1 and miR-15a. In conclusion, baicalin exhibits therapeutic activity towards AP by pumping up miR-15a level and inhibiting CDC42/MAP3K1, which affects AP as a brake by targeting MAP2K4 and inhibiting the JNK signaling pathway.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway contributes to baicalein-mediated inhibition of dextran sulfate sodium-induced experimental colitis in mice

Background:

Baicalein has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. However, the mechanisms underlying its anti-inflammatory effect on colitis remain unclear.

Methods:

A dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced model of acute colitis was established in BALB/c mice (6–8 weeks old, weighing 18–22 g). Six groups of mice received: (1) water for 10 days (control), n = 6; (2) DSS 4% solution in the drinking water for 7 days, followed by normal water for 3 days, n = 7; (3), (4), and (5) as for group 2 plus baicalein (10, 20, 40 mg/kg) administered once daily starting on day 1, n = 6; and (6) as for (2) plus 5-aminosalicylic acid (50 mg/kg) administered once daily starting on day 1, n = 6. Body weights, stool consistency, and hematochezia were recorded, and the severity of colitis was evaluated using a disease activity index. On day 11, the mice were euthanized, and organs and blood were collected for analysis. Serum inflammatory factors were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; CD11b-positive cells were analyzed by immunofluorescence microscopy; expression of retinoic-acid-receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor gamma, sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1), and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) was detected by immunohistochemistry; and expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2), SPHK1, sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1), total STAT3, and p-STAT3 were detected by western blotting analysis. Inter-group differences were compared using Student's t test.

Results:

Baicalein treatment dose-dependently reduced DSS-induced weight loss (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), splenomegaly (P < 0.01), and colonic damage, as reflected by amelioration of diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and colonic ulceration, congestion, edema (shown as colon length, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and inflammatory cell infiltration. Baicalein also significantly decreased the levels of inflammatory mediators in the serum (P < 0.01) and colon, and significantly inhibited expression of NOD2 SPHK1, S1PR1, and p-STAT3 in the colon (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Baicalein treatment ameliorated colitis in mice by inhibiting S1P-STAT3 signaling, suggesting that this flavonoid might be beneficial in the treatment of colitis.

Applications, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects, pharmacokinetics, toxicity of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. and its probably potential therapeutic effects on COVID-19: a review

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. (SB) is a common heat-clearing medicine in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It has been used for thousands of years in China and its neighboring countries. Clinically, it is mostly used to treat diseases such as cold and cough. SB has different harvesting periods and processed products for different clinical symptoms. Botanical researches proved that SB included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (1st, 2020) was consistent with the medicinal SB described in ancient books. Modern phytochemical analysis had found that SB contains hundreds of active ingredients, of which flavonoids are its major components. These chemical components are the material basis for SB to exert pharmacological effects. Pharmacological studies had shown that SB has a wide range of pharmacological activities such as antiinflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, liver protection, etc. The active ingredients of SB were mostly distributed in liver and kidney, and couldn't be absorbed into brain via oral absorption. SB's toxicity was mostly manifested in liver fibrosis and allergic reactions, mainly caused by baicalin. The non-medicinal application prospects of SB were broad, such as antibacterial plastics, UV-resistant silk, animal feed, etc. In response to the Coronavirus Disease In 2019 (COVID-19), based on the network pharmacology research, SB's active ingredients may have potential therapeutic effects, such as baicalin and baicalein. Therefore, the exact therapeutic effects are still need to be determined in clinical trials. SB has been reviewed in the past 2 years, but the content of these articles were not comprehensive and accurate. In view of the above, we made a comprehensive overview of the research progress of SB, and expect to provide ideas for the follow-up study of SB.

Deceased serum bilirubin and albumin levels in the assessment of severity and mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis

Background: Our study investigated the diagnostic and prognostic role of serum antioxidant indexes in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods: This study included 708 AP patients from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-III (MIMIC-III) database and 477 patients from the eICU Collaborative Research Database (eICU-CRD). X-tile software was applied to determine the best cutoff values for serum antioxidant indexes. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were employed to select variables associated with severe AP (SAP) and in-hospital mortality. Finally, the nomograms were also externally validated in the eICU-CRD. Results: The best cutoff values for serum total bilirubin (TBIL) and albumin were 1.1 mg/dL and 2.1 g/dL in the training set, respectively. Multivariate logistical regression indicated that both TBIL (odds ratio [OR]=0.740, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.616-0.889, P=0.001) and albumin (OR=0.890, 95%CI: 0.819-0.967, P=0.006) were independent risk factors for SAP. Similarly, multivariate Cox analysis revealed that serum TBIL (hazard ratio [HR]=0.768, 95%CI:0.635-0.928, P=0.006) and albumin (HR=0.962, 95%CI:0.927-0.998, P=0.037) were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality in AP patients. The diagnostic nomogram containing TBIL, albumin, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and urea nitrogen and prognostic nomogram combining TBIL, albumin, white blood count, SOFA score, and age obtained good discrimination, calibration and clinical utility in both the MIMIC-III and eICU-CRD. Conclusion: Serum TBIL and albumin were independent predictors for SAP and in-hospital mortality in AP patients. The nomograms combining serum TBIL and albumin with other significant features exerted favorable predictive performance for SAP and in-hospital mortality.

Protective effects of Coenzyme Q10 against acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis (AP) refers to inflammation in the pancreas, which may lead to death in severe cases. Coenzyme Q10 (Q10), generally known to generate energy, plays an important role as an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effector. Here, we showed the effect of Q10 on inflammatory response in murine AP model. For this study, we induced AP by injection of cerulein intraperitoneally or pancreatic duct ligation (PDL) in mice. The level of cytokines and digestive enzymes were measured in pancreas, and blood. All pancreatic tissues were excised for investigation such as histological changes, infiltration of immune cells. Administration of Q10 attenuated the severity of AP and its associated pulmonary complication as shown by reduction of acinar cell death, parenchymal edema, inflammatory cell infiltration and alveolar thickening in both cerulein-induced AP and PDL-induced AP. Moreover, reduction of the cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were observed in pancreas and pancreatic acinar cells by Q10. Furthermore, Q10 reduced the infiltration of immune cells such as monocytes and neutrophils and augmentation of chemokines such as CC chemokine-2 (CCL2) and C-X-C chemokine-2 (CXCL2) in pancreas of AP mice. In addition, Q10 deactivates the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-jun NH₂-terminal kinase (JNK) in pancreas. In conclusion, these observations suggest that Q10 could attenuate the pancreatic damage and its associated pulmonary complications via inhibition of inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory cell infiltration and that the deactivation of ERK and JNK by Q10 might contribute to the attenuation of AP.

Chung Hun Wha Dam Tang attenuates atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice via the NF-κB pathway

Chung Hun Wha Dam Tang (CHWDT), a traditional Korean herbal formula, has been used for hundreds of years for alleviating dizziness, phlegm, and inflammation. The inhibitory effects of CHWDT on obesity have been reported. However, the effects of CHWDT in atherosclerosis have not yet been explored. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate whether CHWDT could confer protection from oxidative stress and inflammation in a high fat diet (HFD)-induced atherosclerosis model. Atherosclerosis was induced by feeding ApoeE^-/- mice with HFD for 6 weeks. To examine the in vivo effects of CHWDT on HFD-induced atherosclerosis, mice on HFD for 6 weeks were orally administrated with CHWDT (400 or 800 mg/kg) every other day for an additional 6 weeks and histological features of aorta were determined by Sudan IV and H&E staining. The mRNA levels of TNF-α, SOD1, SOD2, iNOS or eNOS were determined with RT-PCR analysis or western blot analysis for protein levels. ROS generation was measured by CM-2DCFDA or MitoSox staining using FACS analysis or confocal microscopy. CHWDT decreased the mRNA levels of TNF-α and increased the mRNA levels of SOD1, SOD2 and catalase in both aorta and liver tissues of atherosclerotic mice. CHWDT attenuated TNF-α and iNOS expression in RAW 264.7 cells, U937 cells and HUVECs, and restored eNOS expression in HUVECs. CHWDT decreased H₂O₂-induced cellular ROS generation in RAW 264.7 cells and U937 cells, and also decreased H₂O₂-induced mitochondrial ROS generation in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, SOD1, SOD2 and catalase mRNA levels were increased by pre-treatment with CHWDT in H₂O₂ and LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, as well as in LPS-treated U937 and HUVECs. CHWDT not only decreased LPS-induced NF-κB p65 phosphorylation but also inhibited the translocation of p65 from the cytosol to the nucleus in RAW 264.7 macrophages. These results suggest that CHWDT exerts inhibitory effects on atherosclerosis-induced oxidative stress and inflammation via the NF-κB pathway.

Research on the Potential Mechanism of Gypenosides on Treating Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy Based on Network Pharmacology

Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy is the commonest orbital disease in adults. However, shortcomings still exist in treatments. The aim of this study was to identify the efficacy and potential mechanism of gypenosides in the treatment of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform was screened for active compounds of gypenosides, and targets were predicted using Swiss Target Prediction. The targets of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy were obtained from Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, Comparative Toxicogenomic Database and GeneCards Human gene database. Gene Ontology (GO), the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Reactome Pathways were determined based on the common targets. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to further understand of relationship among target genes, compounds and proteins. Molecular docking was performed to investigate the binding ability between gypenosides and hub genes. A total of 70 targets for gypenosides and 804 targets for thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy were obtained with 8 common targets identified. GO analysis and KEGG pathway analysis revealed that the hub genes were enriched in JAK-STAT, while Reactome pathways analysis indicated genes enriched in interleukin pathways. PPI network showed STAT1, STAT3, and STAT4 were at the center. Additionally, molecular docking indicated that STAT1 and STAT3 display good binding forces with gypenosides. This study indicates that target genes mainly enriched in JAK-STAT signaling pathway, particularly in STATs, which can be combined with gypenosides. This may suggest that gypenosides have curative effect on thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy via the JAK-STAT pathway.

Baicalein administered in the subacute phase ameliorates ischemia-reperfusion-induced brain injury by reducing neuroinflammation and neuronal damage

Ischemic stroke is a cerebrovascular disease with high morbidity, high mortality, and high disability, representing a serious threat to human life and health. Clinically, the extensive injury caused by ischemic stroke results from ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury thrombolytic treatment. However, there are few reports on the use of medications in the subacute stage of cerebral I/R. Baicalein (5,6,7-trihydroxyflavone) is a biologically active ingredient extracted from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of baicalein administered in the subacute phase of cerebral I/R injury in a rat model of ischemia induced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Rats were treated daily with baicalein (200 mg/kg, i.g.) in the subacute phase (24 h after reperfusion) for 7 days. The results showed that baicalein significantly reduced neurobehavioral deficits and decreased brain infarct volume from 18.99% to 7.41%. Immunofluorescence analysis of the ischemic penumbra showed that baicalein significantly reduced expression of the M1 marker, cluster of differentiation (CD) 16 and CD86, and increased expression of the M2 marker, CD 163 and CD206, indicating that baicalein inhibited M1 transformation and promoted M2 transformation of microglia/macrophage to inhibit neuroinflammation. Moreover, baicalein suppressed NF-κB signaling by reducing IκBα phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB/p65, which decreased the release of the pro-inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α. In addition, baicalein reduced phosphorylation of JNK, ERK and p38, which are involved modulation of microglia/macrophage M1/M2 polarization. Western blot analysis of apoptosis- and autophagy-related proteins showed that baicalein increased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and reduced caspase-3 expression to decrease neuronal apoptosis and ameliorate neuronal loss. Baicalein also decreased the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio and promoted phosphorylation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway which implied inhibition of autophagy. These observations suggest that baicalein exerts neuroprotective effects by reducing neuroinflammation, apoptosis and autophagy, and protects against cerebral I/R injury in the subacute phase in vivo.