Bioactive components of ethnomedicine Eerdun Wurile regulate the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines in microglia

Rehabilitation training enhanced the therapeutic effect of calycosin on neurological function recovery of rats following spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND

Calycosin (CA), a flavonoids component, has demonstrated potential neuroprotection effects by inhibiting oxidative stress in spinal cord injury (SCI) models. This study aims to investigate the impact of combined rehabilitation training (RT) and calycosin therapy on neurological function following SCI, primarily by assessing changes in motor function recovery, neuronal survival, neuronal oxidative stress levels, and neural proliferation, in order to provide novel insights for the treatment of SCI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The SCI model was constructed by compressing the spinal cord using vascular clamps. Calycosin was injected intraperitoneally into the SCI model rats, and a group of 5 rats underwent RT. The motor function of rats after SCI was evaluated using the Basso Beattle Bresnaha (BBB) score and the inclined plate test. Histopathological changes were evaluated by NeuN immunohistochemistry, HE and Nissl staining. Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining. The antioxidant effect of combined treatment was assessed by measuring changes in oxidative stress markers after SCI. Western blot analysis was conducted to examine changes in Hsp90-Akt/ASK1-p38 pathway-related proteins. Finally, cell proliferation was detected by BrdU and Ki67 assays.

RESULTS

RT significantly improved the BBB score and angle of incline promoted by calycosin, resulting in enhanced motor function recovery in rats with SCI. Combining rehabilitation training with calycosin has a positive effect on morphological recovery. Similarly, combined RT enhanced the Nissl and NeuN staining signals of spinal cord neurons increased by calycosin, thereby increasing the number of neurons. TUNEL staining results indicated that calycosin treatment reduced the apoptosis signal in SCI, and the addition of RT further reduced the apoptosis. Moreover, RT combined with calycosin reduced oxidative stress by increasing SOD and GSH levels, while decreasing MDA, NO, ROS, and LDH expressions compared to the calycosin alone. RT slightly enhanced the effect of calycosin in activating Hsp90 and Akt and inhibiting the activation of ASK1 and p38, leading to enhanced inhibition of oxidative stress by calycosin. Additionally, the proliferation indexes (Ki67 and BrdU) assays showed that calycosin treatment alone increased both, whereas the combination treatment further promoted cell proliferation.

CONCLUSION

Our research findings demonstrate that rehabilitation training enhances the ability of calycosin to reduce oxidative stress, resulting in a decrease in neuronal apoptosis and an increase in proliferation, ultimately promoting neuronal survival.

Study on the Mechanism of Eerdun Wurile's Effects on Post-operative Cognitive Dysfunction by the TLR4/NF-κB Pathway

The object of our work was to observe whether the Mongolian medicine Eerdun Wurile (EW) improve postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) by affecting the TLR4/NF-κB. Mice (6-8-week-old male C57BL/6 J) were selected to establish an animal model of POCD by combining intracerebroventricular injection of lipopolysaccharide and nephrectomy; EW formulation and EW basic formulation were administered intra-gastrically for 7 consecutive days. The cognitive performance was assessed by Morris water maze test. H&E staining was examined to detect alterations in hippocampal tissue. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to evaluate MyD88, NF-κB, TLR4, iNOS, and IBA-1 expressions; Western blotting and RT-qPCR were performed to evaluate MyD88, NF-κB, and TLR4. The expressions of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α were evaluated by ELISA. Intracerebroventricular injection of lipopolysaccharide combined with nephrectomy induced cognitive dysfunction in mice, stimulated TLR4/NF-κB and microglia, and promoted the secretion of murine TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. EW formulation and EW basic formulation treatment are able to suppress the TLR4/NF-κB pathway activation and microglia, and the serum cytokine secretions related to proinflammation, and restore the cognitive performance. EW formulation and EW basic formulation can improve POCD in mice, and TLR4/NF-κB pathway seems to be one of the important mechanisms in EW's improvement of POCD.

Mechanism of the Mongolian medicine Eerdun Wurile basic formula in improving postoperative cognitive dysfunction by inhibiting apoptosis through the SIRT1/p53 signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The Mongolian medicine Eerdun Wurile is a commonly used Mongolian in folk medicine used to treat cerebral nervous system diseases such as cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral thrombosis, nerve injury and cognitive function, cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and coronary heart disease. Eerdun wurile may effect anti-postoperative cognitive function.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the molecular mechanism of the Mongolian medicine Eerdun Wurile Basic Formula (EWB) in improving postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) based on Network pharmacology, and to confirm involvement of the SIRT1/p53 signal pathway, one of the key signal pathways, by using the POCD mouse model.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Obtain compounds and disease-related targets through TCMSP, TCMID, PubChem, PharmMapper platforms, GeneCards, and OMIM databases, and screen intersection genes; Use Cytoscape software to build a "drug-ingredient-disease-target" network, and the STRING platform for protein interaction analysis.; R software was used to analyze the function of gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment.; AutoDock Vina software for active components and core targets to Perform molecular docking. The POCD mouse model was prepared by intracerebroventricular injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the morphological changes of hippocampal tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Western blot, immunofluorescence and TUNEL were used to verify the results of network pharmacological enrichment analysis.

RESULTS

There were 110 potential targets for improving POCD by EWB, 117 items were enriched by GO, and 113 pathways were enriched by KEGG, among which the SIRT1/p53 signaling pathway was related to the occurrence of POCD. Quercetin, kaempferol, vestitol, β-sitosterol and 7-methoxy-2-methyl isoflavone in EWB can form stable conformations with low binding energy with core target proteins IL-6, CASP3, VEGFA, EGFR and ESR1. Animal experiments showed that compared with the POCD model group, the EWB group could significantly improve the apoptosis in the hippocampus of the mice, and significantly down-regulate the expression of Acetyl-p53 protein (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

EWB can improve POCD with the characteristics of multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway synergistic effects. Studies have confirmed that EWB can improve the occurrence of POCD by regulating the expression of genes related to the SIRT1/p53 signal pathway, which provides a new target and basis for the treatment of POCD.

Exploring the Active Compounds of Traditional Mongolian Medicine Baolier Capsule (BLEC) in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Based on Network Pharmacology Analysis, Molecular Docking and Experimental Validation

Objective

Baolier Capsule (BLEC) is a Traditional Mongolian Medicine comprising fifteen herbs. This study aims to illustrate the synergistic mechanism of BLEC in the treatment of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) by using network pharmacology method, molecular docking and experimental validation.

Methods

Searching and screening the active ingredients of different herbs in BLEC and target genes related to CAD in multiple databases. Subsequently, Protein-Protein Interactions Network (PPI-Net), gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment were used to identify the key targets. AutoDock was used to verify the binding ability between the active ingredient and key target through molecular docking. Reverse Transcription-Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to verify the effect of active ingredient of BLEC on the key target gene. Finally, effect of BLEC on the degree of blood lipids and atherosclerosis was validated by animal experiment.

Results

There are 144 active components and 80 CAD-related targets that are identified in BLEC in the treatment of CAD. What is more, 8 core genes were obtained by clustering and topological analysis of PPI-Net. Further, GO and KEGG analysis showed that fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis are the key pathways for BLEC to treat CAD. These results were validated by molecular docking method. In vitro, active compounds of BLEC (Quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, naringenin, tanshinone IIA, β-carotene, 7-O-methylisomucronulatol, piperine, isorhamnetin and Xyloidone) can inhibit 8 core gene (AKT1, EGFR, FOS, MAPK1, MAPK14, STAT3, TP53 and VEGFA) expression. Moreover, BLEC not only improve blood lipid levels but also inhibit the development of atherosclerosis in ApoE-knockout mice.

Conclusion

Our research first revealed the basic pharmacological effects and related mechanisms of in the treatment of CAD. The predicted results provide some theoretical support for BLEC or its important active ingredients to treat CAD.

Analysis and identification of key anti-inflammatory molecules in Eerdun Wurile and exploration of their mechanism of action in microglia

Ethnomedicine Eerdun Wurile (EW) can significantly promote poststroke neuro-recovery through modulation of microglia polarization. Fraction 4-6 (F4-6) isolated from EW via serial fractionation inhibits the expression of pro-inflammatory genes in LPS stimulated microglia. However, the key active molecules of F4-6 have not been identified. Herein, we identified alantolactone (Ala) and dehydrodiisoeugenol (Deh) as the active anti-inflammatory components of F4-6 by UPLC-qTof MS analysis. We confirmed that, F4-6, Ala, Deh and mixture of Ala and Deh (Mix) downregulate the expression of several pro-inflammatory genes including Ccl2, Cox2 and Il6 in LPS-treated microglia in a similar pattern. At the same time upregulate the expression of anti-inflammatory genes including Hmox1, Tgfβ, Igf1 and Creb1. Moreover, the conditioned culture media obtained from F4-6 treated microglia significantly enhanced proliferation of N2a cells, and promoted neurite outgrowth possibly through upregulation of Nefh and Dlg4. Mechanistically, F4-6 strongly downregulated the expression of NF-κB p65, while also inhibiting the nuclear translocation of p65, leading to the suppression of transcription of pro-inflammatory genes initiated by NF-κB. Collectively, our data identified and quantified the key chemicals of EW and provide insights into the optimization of the herbal composition for neuroprotection.

The Traditional Mongolian Medicine Qiqirigan-8 Effects on Lipid Metabolism and Inflammation in Obesity: Pharmacodynamic Evaluation and Relevant Metabolites

Objective: Traditional Mongolian Medicine Qiqirigan-8 (MMQ-8) is a Chinese botanical drug with effective pharmacological properties in obesity. However, the pharmacological mechanism of MMQ-8 remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the active metabolites of MMQ-8 and its therapeutic effects on lipid metabolism and inflammation.

Methods: The active metabolites of MMQ-8 were identified by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatograph Q extractive mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QE-MS) assay and network analysis. An obesity rat model induced by high-fat diet was used in the study. Serum levels of lipids and inflammatory factors were detected using biochemical analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pathological analysis of liver tissues and arteries was conducted with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry. Protein expression of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway was investigated by Western-blot. Simultaneously, bone marrow cells were used for RNA sequencing and relevant results were validated by cell culture and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

Results: We identified 69 active metabolites and 551 target genes of MMQ-8. Of these, there are 65 active metabolites and 225 target genes closely related to obesity and inflammation. In vivo, we observed that MMQ-8 had general decreasing effects on body weight, white adipose tissue weight, and serum lipids. MMQ-8 treatment notably decreased the liver function markers and hepatic steatosis, and significantly decreased inflammation. In serum, it notably decreased TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (INOS), while elevating IL-10 levels. MMQ-8 treatment also significantly inhibited proteins phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa B inhibitor alpha (IκBα), mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38), extracellular regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2), and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK), and decreased vascular endothelium damage and macrophage infiltration and polarization to M1. These findings coincide with the RNA-sequencing data of bone marrow cells and results of in vitro experiments.

Conclusion: We determined the pharmacological actions and relevant metabolites of MMQ-8 in obesity for the first time. Our study revealed MMQ-8 can optimize lipid metabolism and reduce chronic inflammation in obesity. However, more in-depth research is needed, for example, to understand the principle of compound compatibility and the inhibition effects on hepatic steatosis, T cell differentiation, and inflammatory signal transduction.

Alantolactone: A sesquiterpene lactone with diverse pharmacological effects

Alantolactone (Ala) is a sesquiterpene lactone that can be isolated from many herbal plants belonging to Asteraceae. Besides the antimicrobial activities against bacteria, fungi and viruses, Ala has also demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects in various models by inhibiting NF-κB and MAPKs to decrease the pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. The antitumor effects of Ala have been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo via inducing intrinsic apoptosis, oxidative stress, ER stress, cell cycle arrest and inhibiting autophagy and STAT3 phosphorylation, which are also involved in its combination or synergy with other antitumor drugs. Ala also has neuroprotective activity through attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation, besides its modulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. This review summarizes the recent advances of the pharmacological effects of Ala, including anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antimicrobial, neuroprotective activities, as well as the underlying mechanisms. Ala might be employed as a potential lead to develop drugs for multiple diseases.

Pharmacological and Therapeutic Potential of Myristicin: A Literature Review

Natural products have been used by humanity for many centuries to treat various illnesses and with the advancement of technology, it became possible to isolate the substances responsible for the beneficial effects of these products, as well as to understand their mechanisms. In this context, myristicin, a substance of natural origin, has shown several promising activities in a large number of in vitro and in vivo studies carried out. This molecule is found in plants such as nutmeg, parsley, carrots, peppers, and several species endemic to the Asian continent. The purpose of this review article is to discuss data published in the last 10 years at Pubmed, Lilacs and Scielo databases, reporting beneficial effects, toxicity and promising data of myristicin for its future use in medicine. From 94 articles found in the literature, 68 were included. Exclusion criteria took into account articles whose tested extracts did not have myristicin as one of the major compounds.

Synergistic Regulation of Microglia Gene Expression by Natural Molecules in Herbal Medicine

The activated microglia contribute to stroke-induced neuroinflammation by upregulating the expression of a pleura of genes that are characterized as either proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory. The natural products alantolactone (Ala) and dehydrodiisoeugenol (Deh) found in Inula helenium L. and Myristica fragrans Houtt., respectively, are regularly used in traditional herb medicine, which play anti-inflammatory and antioxidant roles via regulation of canonical pathways such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in microglia and microphages. To illustrate the full spectra of gene expression alteration in microglia treated with Ala, Deh, and the mixture of Ala and Deh (denoted as Mix), we performed RNA-seq analysis of total RNA extracted from lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) treated microglia subsequently exposed to Ala, Deh, and Mix. While both chemicals regulated the gene expression that facilitates an anti-inflammatory polarization, the mixture exerted some distinctive synergic regulatory effect, which differed from either of the chemicals alone. Our data provide important evidence for further research on the therapeutic mechanism of traditional medicine including Eerdun Wurile (EW).

Zhenbao pill attenuates hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis by inhibiting autophagy in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The Zhenbao pill (ZBP) is composed of 29 traditional Chinese medicines and has been proven to exhibit a valid therapeutic effect in nervous system diseases, such as stroke and hemiplegia sequelae.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Whether ZBP has a protective effect on vascular endothelial cells remains unknown. In this study, we established hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) as an in vitro model to investigate the pharmacological effects of ZBP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Following the intragastric administration of ZBP (0.25, 0.5, and 1 g/kg for seven days) in rats, drug-containing serum was obtained and cultivated with HUVECs before H2O2 treatment. The viability of HUVECs in the presence of H2O2 was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, lactate dehydrogenase assay, and flow cytometry. Furthermore, we estimated the effects of ZBP on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Autophagic puncta were detected using a fluorescence microscope. Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the expression levels of several genes associated with apoptosis and autophagy.

RESULTS

Drug-containing serum separated from rats at 1 h after intragastric administration of ZBP (0.5 g/kg) significantly offered a protective effect to HUVECs and reduced cell apoptosis rates. Meanwhile, ZBP-containing serum also repressed ROS production induced by H2O2 exposure and maintained MMP. Further investigation revealed that ZBP-containing serum effectively reduced the accumulation of autophagic puncta. ZBP-mediated inhibition on cell autophagy was found to contribute to ameliorating cell apoptosis. Western blotting also confirmed that ZBP maintained AKT and mTOR phosphorylation and antagonized the imbalance of BCL2/BAX, thereby protecting cells from apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, our data indicate that ZBP inhibits ROS production, mitochondrial damage, cell autophagy, and cell apoptosis. ZBP can offer protection to vascular endothelial cells against oxidative injury through the antagonism of apoptosis and autophagy. Thus, this study enhances the understanding of the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of ZBP in the process of recovery from myocardial and cerebral ischemic stroke.

Next Chapter in the Legend of Silphion: Preliminary Morphological, Chemical, Biological and Pharmacological Evaluations, Initial Conservation Studies, and Reassessment of the Regional Extinction Event

Silphion was an ancient medicinal gum-resin; most likely obtained from a Ferula species growing in the Cyrene region of Libya ca. 2500 years ago. Due to its therapeutic properties and culinary value, silphion became the main economic commodity of the Cyrene region. It is generally believed that the source of silphion became extinct in the first century AD. However, there are a few references in the literature about the cultivated silphion plant and its existence up to the fifth century. Recently, a rare and endemic Ferula species that produces a pleasant-smelling gum-resin was found in three locations near formerly Greek villages in Anatolia. Morphologic features of this species closely resemble silphion, as it appears in the numismatic figures of antique Cyrenaic coins, and conform to descriptions by ancient authors. Initial chemical and pharmacological investigations of this species have confirmed the medicinal and spice-like quality of its gum-resin supporting a connection with the long-lost silphion. A preliminary conservation study has been initiated at the growth site of this rare endemic Ferula species. The results of this study and their implications on the regional extinction event, and future development of this species will be discussed.

Modulation of Microglia Polarization through Silencing of NF-κB p65 by Functionalized Curdlan Nanoparticle-Mediated RNAi

Microglia polarization plays an important role in poststroke recovery. Inhibition of proinflammatory (M1) polarization and promotion of anti-inflammatory (M2) polarization of microglia are potential therapeutic strategies for inflammation reduction and neuronal recovery after stroke. Here, we evaluated the central nervous system (CNS)-targeted short interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery ability of functionalized curdlan nanoparticles (CMI) and investigated the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 silencing efficiency of CMI-mediated siRNA in microglia, as well as the resulting neuroprotective effect of microglia polarization and neuroprotection in vitro and in vivo. The systemic delivery of NF-κB p65 siRNA (sip65) complexed to CMI nanoparticles in the mouse model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) resulted in the distribution of siRNA in microglia and significant silencing in NF-κB p65 in the peri-infarct region. Knockdown of NF-κB p65 resulted in M1 to M2 phenotypic transition of microglia, evidenced by the change in the expression pattern of signature cytokines as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase and CD206. Moreover, the CMI-mediated silencing of p65 increased the density of neurons and decreased pyknosis and edema in the peri-infarct region. Assessment of the neurological deficit score on the Bederson scale revealed a significantly reduced score in the mouse model of tMCAO treated with the sip65/CMI complex. Collectively, our data suggest that CMI nanoparticles are a promising CNS-targeting siRNA delivery system, and NF-κB p65 may be a potential therapeutic target for inflammation reduction and poststroke recovery.