Effect of Jiajian Guishen Formula on the senescence-associated heterochromatic foci in mouse ovaria after induction of premature ovarian aging by the endocrine-disrupting agent 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide

Exploring the therapeutic potential of tonic Chinese herbal medicine for gynecological disorders: An updated review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Gynecological disorders have the characteristics of high incidence and recurrence rate, which sorely affects female's health. Since ancient times, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), especially tonic medicine (TM), has been used to deal with gynecological disorders and has unique advantages in effectiveness and safety.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

In this article, we aim to summarize the research progress of TMs in-vivo and in-vitro, including their formulas, single herbs, and compounds, for gynecological disorders treatment in recent years, and to offer a reference for further research on the treatment of gynecological disorders and their clinical application in the treatment of TMs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relevant information on the therapeutic potential of TMs against gynecological disorders was collected from several scientific databases including Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI, Google Scholar and other literature sources.

RESULTS

So far, there are 46 different formulas, 3 single herbs, and 24 compounds used in the treatment of various gynecological disorders such as premature ovarian failure, endometriosis breast cancer, and so on. Many experimental results have shown that TMs can regulate apoptosis, invasion, migration, oxidative stress, and the immune system. In addition, the effect of TMs in gynecological disorders treatment may be due to the regulation of VEGF, PI3K-AKT, MAPK, NF-κB, and other signaling pathways. Apparently, TMs play an active role in the treatment of gynecological disorders by regulating these signaling pathways.

CONCLUSION

TMs have a curative effect on the prevention and treatment of gynecological disorders. It could relieve and treat gynecological disorders through a variety of pathways. Therefore, the appropriate TM treatment program makes it more possible to treat gynecological disorders.

SenNet recommendations for detecting senescent cells in different tissues

Once considered a tissue culture-specific phenomenon, cellular senescence has now been linked to various biological processes with both beneficial and detrimental roles in humans, rodents and other species. Much of our understanding of senescent cell biology still originates from tissue culture studies, where each cell in the culture is driven to an irreversible cell cycle arrest. By contrast, in tissues, these cells are relatively rare and difficult to characterize, and it is now established that fully differentiated, postmitotic cells can also acquire a senescence phenotype. The SenNet Biomarkers Working Group was formed to provide recommendations for the use of cellular senescence markers to identify and characterize senescent cells in tissues. Here, we provide recommendations for detecting senescent cells in different tissues based on a comprehensive analysis of existing literature reporting senescence markers in 14 tissues in mice and humans. We discuss some of the recent advances in detecting and characterizing cellular senescence, including molecular senescence signatures and morphological features, and the use of circulating markers. We aim for this work to be a valuable resource for both seasoned investigators in senescence-related studies and newcomers to the field.

Cellular senescence in cancer: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets

Aging exhibits several hallmarks in common with cancer, such as cellular senescence, dysbiosis, inflammation, genomic instability, and epigenetic changes. In recent decades, research into the role of cellular senescence on tumor progression has received widespread attention. While how senescence limits the course of cancer is well established, senescence has also been found to promote certain malignant phenotypes. The tumor-promoting effect of senescence is mainly elicited by a senescence-associated secretory phenotype, which facilitates the interaction of senescent tumor cells with their surroundings. Targeting senescent cells therefore offers a promising technique for cancer therapy. Drugs that pharmacologically restore the normal function of senescent cells or eliminate them would assist in reestablishing homeostasis of cell signaling. Here, we describe cell senescence, its occurrence, phenotype, and impact on tumor biology. A "one-two-punch" therapeutic strategy in which cancer cell senescence is first induced, followed by the use of senotherapeutics for eliminating the senescent cells is introduced. The advances in the application of senotherapeutics for targeting senescent cells to assist cancer treatment are outlined, with an emphasis on drug categories, and the strategies for their screening, design, and efficient targeting. This work will foster a thorough comprehension and encourage additional research within this field.

Yu Linzhu alleviates primary ovarian insufficiency in a rat model by improving proliferation and energy metabolism of granulosa cells through hif1α/cx43 pathway

BACKGROUND

Yu Linzhu (YLZ) is a classical Chinese traditional formula, which has been used for more than 600 years to regulate menstruation to help pregnancy. However, the mechanism of modern scientific action of YLZ needs to be further studied.

METHODS

Thirty SD female rats were divided into three groups to prepare the blank serum and drug-containing serum, and then using UHPLC-QE-MS to identify the ingredients of YLZ and its drug-containing serum. Twenty-four SD female rats were divided into four groups, except the control group, 4-vinylcyclohexene dicycloxide (VCD) was intraperitoneally injected to establish a primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) model of all groups. Using vaginal smear to show that the estrous cycle of rats was disturbed after modeling, indicates that the POI model was successfully established. The ELISA test was used to measure the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels in the serum of rats. HE stain was used to assess the morphology of ovarian tissue. The localization and relative expression levels of CX43 protein were detected by tissue immunofluorescence. Primary ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) were identified by cellular immunofluorescence. CCK8 was used to screen time and concentration of drug-containing serum and evaluate the proliferation effect of YLZ on VCD-induced GCs. ATP kit and Seahorse XFe24 were used to detect energy production and real-time glycolytic metabolism rate of GCs. mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF1α, CX43, PEK, LDH, HK1 were detected by RT-PCR and WB.

RESULTS

UHPLC-QE-MS found 1702 ingredients of YLZ and 80 constituents migrating to blood. YLZ reduced the FSH while increasing the AMH and E2 levels. In ovarian tissues, YLZ improved ovarian morphology, follicle development, and the relative expression of CX43. In vitro studies, we found that YLZ increased the proliferative activity of GCs, ATP levels, glycolytic metabolic rate, HIF1α, CX43, PEK, HK1, LDH mRNA, and protein levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicated that YLZ increased the proliferation and glycolytic energy metabolism of GCs to improve follicular development further alleviating ovarian function.

Beneficial Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Premature Ovarian Failure

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is characterized by hormonal disorders, amenorrhea, and premature loss of fertility potential in women of reproductive age. Several studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating POF. TCM relied primarily on apoptosis, immunity, and aging to treat POF based on the studies of domestic and foreign literature. Zuogui pills inhibited mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis in the treatment of POF. Huyang Yangkun formula regulated the downstream of the Bcl-2 family to resist apoptosis through the aquaporin-1 protein. Modified Bazhen decoction regulated apoptosis in POF by regulating X-linked inhibitors of apoptosis protein. Bushen Tianjing recipe was effective in treating POF by promoting angiogenesis and preventing apoptosis. As for immunity, Bushen Jianpi prescription and Er-Xian decoction cured autoimmunity POF models and increased follicular development-related protein expression. Bushen Huoxue Tang improved ovarian function and reduced ovarian inflammation by regulating the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway and T lymphocytes. Taohong Siwu decoction promoted the proliferation and differentiation of granulosa cells of POF mice by regulating the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway. In addition, ginsenoside Rg1 and Jiajian Guisheng formula treated POF by regulating cell aging-related mechanisms. Si Wu Tang treated POF by activating the angiogenesis-related proteins. The goal of this review is to serve as a reference for in-depth research into the treatment of POF with TCM and provide inspiration for new diagnostic methods and treatment options.

Single-nucleus RNA Sequencing reveals the mechanism of cigarette smoke exposure on diminished ovarian reserve in mice

The systematic toxicological mechanism of cigarette smoke (CS) on ovarian reserve has not been extensively investigated. Female 8-week-old C57BL/6 mice at peak fertility were exposed to CS or indoor air only for 30 days (100 mice per group) and the effects of CS on ovarian reserve were assessed using Single-Nucleus RNA Sequencing (snRNA-seq). In addition, further biochemical experiments, including immunohistochemical staining, ELISA, immunofluorescence staining, transmission electron microscopy, cell counting kit-8 assay, flow cytometry analysis, senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining, and western blotting, were accomplished to confirm the snRNA-seq results. We identified nine main cell types in adult ovaries and the cell-type-specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs) induced by CS exposure. Western blot results verified that down-regulation of antioxidant genes (Gpx1 and Wnt10b) and the steroid biosynthesis gene (Fdx1) occurred in both ovarian tissue and human granulosa cell-like tumor cell line (KGN cells) after CS exposure. Five percent cigarette smoke extract (CSE) effectively stimulated the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA damage, cellular senescence and markedly inhibited KGN cell proliferation by inducing G1-phase cell cycle arrest. Moreover, down-regulation of Gja1, Lama1 and the Ferroptosis indicator (Gpx4) in granulosa cells plays a significant role in ultrastructural changes in the ovary induced by CS exposure. These observations suggest that CS exposure impaired ovarian follicle reserve might be caused by REDOX imbalance in granulosa cells. The current study systematically determined the damage caused by CS in mouse ovaries and provides a theoretical basis for early clinical prediction, diagnosis and intervention of CS exposure-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), and is of great significance in improving female reproductive health.

Grp94 Inhibitor HCP1 Inhibits Human Dermal Fibroblast Senescence

Researchers are paying more and more attention to aging, especially skin aging. Therefore, it is urgent to find an effective way to inhibit aging. Here, we report a small chemical molecule, HCP1, that inhibited the senescence of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). First, we performed morphological experiment and found that HCP1-treated HDFs were no longer elongated and flat compared to DMSO-treated groups. Next, we found that the number of β-gal positive cells decreased compared to DMSO-treated groups. Through flow cytometry, western blot, and immunofluorescence, we found that HCP1 could inhibit the senescence of HDFs. In the study of the mechanism, we found that HCP1 could regulate the AMPK/mTOR signal pathway through glucose-regulated protein 94 (Grp94). In addition, we found that HCP1 could promote the interaction between Grp94 and lysosomes, which led to an increase in the activity of lysosomes and inhibited the senescence of HDFs. At the same time, we found that HCP1 decreased the concentration of Ca²⁺ in mitochondria, inhibiting the senescence of HCP1. Therefore, we propose that HCP1 is a potential aging-inhibiting compound, and provide a new idea for the development of senescence-inhibiting drugs.

Proteomic analysis of hypothalamus in prepubertal and pubertal female goat

The functions of proteins at the onset of puberty in goats remain largely unexplored. To identify the proteins regulating puberty in goats, we analysed protein abundance and pathways in the hypothalamus of female goats. We applied tandem mass tag (TMT) labelling, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) to examine hypothalamus of pubertal (cases; n = 3) and prepubertal (controls; n = 3) goats. We identified 5119 proteins, including 69 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs), of which 35 were upregulated and 34 were downregulated. Fourteen DAPs were randomly selected to verify these results using PRM, and the results were consistent with the TMT quantitative results. DAPs were enriched in MAPK signalling pathway, Ras signalling pathway, Autophagy-animal, Endocytosis, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway categories. These pathways are related to embryogenesis, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and promoting the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the hypothalamus. In particular, PDGFRβ and MAP3K7 occupied important locations in the protein-protein interaction network. The results demonstrate that DAPs and their related signalling pathways are crucial in regulating puberty in goats. However, further research is needed to explore the functions of DAPs and their pathways to provide new insights into the mechanism of puberty onset. SIGNIFICANCE: In domestic animals, reaching the age of puberty is an event that contributes significantly to lifetime reproductive potential. And the hypothalamus functions directly in the complex systemic changes that control puberty. Our study was the first TMT proteomics analysis on hypothalamus tissues of pubertal goats, which revealed the changes of protein and pathways that are related to the onset of puberty. We identified 69 DAPs, which were enriched in the MAPK signaling pathway, the Ras signaling pathway, and the IGF-1/PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, suggesting that these processes were probably involved in the onset of puberty.

APOE4 genotype exacerbates the impact of menopause on cognition and synaptic plasticity in APOE-TR mice

The impact of sex and menopausal status in Alzheimer's disease remains understudied despite increasing evidence of greater female risk, particularly in APOE4 carriers. Utilizing female APOE-TR mice maintained on a high-fat diet background we induced ovarian failure through repeated VCD injections, to mimic human menopause. At 12 months of age, recognition memory and spatial memory were assessed using object recognition, Y-maze spontaneous alternation, and Barnes maze. A VCD*genotype interaction reduced the recognition memory (P < .05), with APOE4 VCD-treated animals unable to distinguish between novel and familiar objects. APOE4 mice displayed an additional 37% and 12% reduction in Barnes (P < .01) and Y-maze (P < .01) performance, indicative of genotype-specific spatial memory impairment. Molecular analysis indicated both VCD and genotype-related deficits in synaptic plasticity with BDNF, Akt, mTOR, and ERK signaling compromised. Subsequent reductions in the transcription factors Creb1 and Atf4 were also evident. Furthermore, the VCD*genotype interaction specifically diminished Ephb2 expression, while Fos, and Cnr1 expression reduced as a consequence of APOE4 genotype. Brain DHA levels were 13% lower in VCD-treated animals independent of genotype. Consistent with this, we detected alterations in the expression of the DHA transporters Acsl6 and Fatp4. Our results indicate that the combination of ovarian failure and APOE4 leads to an exacerbation of cognitive and neurological deficits.