Mesenchymal stem cells improve cardiac function in diabetic rats by reducing cardiac injury biomarkers and downregulating JAK/STAT/iNOS and iNOS/Apoptosis signaling pathways

Cistanche deserticola polysaccharides protect against cyclophosphamide-induced premature ovarian failure in mice by regulating the JAK-STAT pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Classical Chinese medical texts, notably the Compendium of Materia Medica (Ben Cao Gang Mu) and Zhong Hua Ben Cao (Chinese Herbal Medicine), have historically documented Cistanche deserticola's application as a tonic herb for addressing reproductive disorders including male impotence, reduced fertility and female menstrual infertility, among other conditions. Polysaccharides from Cistanche deserticola are recognized as the plant's principal bioactive components. Nevertheless, the therapeutic potential and mechanistic actions of Cistanche deserticola polysaccharides (CDPs) in premature ovarian failure (POF) remain unexplored.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to determine the protective role of CDPs in POF and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

POF mouse models were developed through intraperitoneal administration of cyclophosphamide (CTX) at a high dose of 120 mg/kg/day and followed by 8 mg/kg/day (low maintenance dose) administered daily for 14 consecutive days. In a prophylactic therapeutic regimen, CDPs received pre-treatment initiation two weeks before model establishment, with phased administration maintained throughout three distinct temporal parameters (2-, 6-, and 8-week intervals) during pharmacological intervention. Upon anesthetization of the mice, ovarian tissues were collected for subsequent histopathological and molecular investigations. These analyses included immunohistochemistry to detect apoptotic proteins, Proliferative index mapping through Ki67 immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy to assess mitochondrial status and other pertinent indicators. RNA-seq elucidated the core regulatory pathway governing POF and potential protective targets for CDPs.

RESULTS

Experimental evidence established that intragastric administration of CDPs ameliorate histopathological ovarian lesions and rescue endocrine homeostasis, thereby enhancing the health of offspring in CTX-induced POF mice. This effect is facilitated by the promotion of follicular development, the proliferation of follicles, and the suppression of granulosa cell apoptosis. Furthermore, CDPs significantly attenuation of oxidative stress via ROS scavenging and restore mitochondrial morphology and function. In conclusion, the protective role of CDPs are closely linked to the JAK-STAT signaling pathway in POF models.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate that CDPs are capable of protecting protect the ovary tissue against CTX-induced damages through suppression of the activation of the JAK-STAT pathway and attenuation of granulosa cells (GCs) apoptosis.

Experimental Models of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Induced by Combining Hyperlipidemic Diet (HFD) and Streptozotocin Administration in Rats: An Integrative Review

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia associated with low insulin production and/or insulin resistance. A high-fat diet (HFD) combined with a low dose of streptozotocin (STZ) in an animal model produces a disease that mimics type 2 diabetes mellitus in humans. However, there is wide variation in the methods of inducing diabetes in terms of the dose of STZ, the duration of the induction period, and the composition of the diet used, all of which could result in biological responses that are not typical of the disease. This review aims to investigate the characteristics of an experimental model of type 2 diabetes mellitus by combining a high-fat diet with low doses of streptozotocin in Wistar rats. This is an integrative review conducted by searching in the Medline, Lilacs, and Embase databases using the keywords "type 2 diabetes mellitus", "high-fat diet", "streptozotocin" and "Wistar rats". Articles published in English between 2018 and 2025 were included. The induction of DM2 in young male rats with a high-fat HFD for a period of at least 3 weeks followed by a low dose of STZ resulted in metabolic, histological, inflammatory, and oxidative changes, and alterations in the signaling pathways of glycemic and lipid metabolism in different tissues, replicating the characteristics observed in humans. HFD-fed + STZ-induced Wistar rats constitute an effective animal model for studying DM2.

Andrographolide as a Multi-Target Therapeutic Agent in Diabetic Nephropathy: Insights into STAT3/PI3K/Akt Pathway Modulation

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains a leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), driven by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Current therapies targeting glycemic and blood pressure control fail to address the underlying molecular mechanisms of DN. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of andrographolide (AD), a diterpenoid lactone from Andrographis paniculata, in mitigating DN by modulating key molecular pathways. Through integrative network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vivo/in vitro experiments, 107 overlapping DN-related targets were identified, with STAT3, PI3K, and AKT1 emerging as core nodes. Molecular docking revealed high binding affinities between AD and these targets, supporting its modulatory potential. In vivo, AD significantly improved renal function in streptozotocin-induced DN rats, reducing proteinuria, glomerular hypertrophy, and renal fibrosis. AD also attenuated oxidative stress, decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, demonstrating systemic anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects. In vitro studies further confirmed that AD alleviates podocyte oxidative stress and apoptosis under high glucose conditions by suppressing the RAGE-NF-κB and STAT3/PI3K/Akt pathways. Histological analyses revealed substantial improvements in renal architecture, including reductions in fibrosis and mesangial expansion. These results underscore AD's multi-target mechanism, directly addressing DN's core pathological drivers, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. As a natural compound with notable safety and efficacy, AD holds promise as an adjunct or standalone therapeutic agent for DN. This study establishes a robust preclinical foundation for AD, warranting further exploration in clinical trials and its potential application in other diabetic complications.

ZIPK collaborates with STAT5A in p53-mediated ROS accumulation in hyperglycemia-induced vascular injury

In this study we investigate the role of Zipper-interacting protein kinase (ZIPK) in high glucose-induced vascular injury, focusing on its interaction with STAT5A and its effects on p53 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) expression. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are cultured under normal (5 mM) and high (25 mM) glucose conditions. Protein and gene expression levels are assessed by western blot analysis and qPCR respectively, while ROS levels are measured via flow cytometry. ZIPK expression is manipulated using overexpression plasmids, siRNAs, and shRNAs. The effects of the ZIPK inhibitor TC-DAPK6 are evaluated in a diabetic rat model. Our results show that high glucose significantly upregulates ZIPK, STAT5A, p53, and NOS2 expressions in HUVECs, thus increasing oxidative stress. Silencing of STAT5A reduces p53 and NOS2 expressions and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. ZIPK is essential for high glucose-induced p53 expression and ROS accumulation, while silencing of ZIPK reverses these effects. Overexpression of ZIPK combined with STAT5A silencing attenuates glucose-induced alterations in p53 and NOS2 expression, thereby preventing cell damage. Coimmunoprecipitation reveals a direct interaction between ZIPK and STAT5A in the nucleus under high-glucose condition. In diabetic rats, TC-DAPK6 treatment significantly decreases ZIPK, p53, and NOS2 expressions. Our findings suggest that ZIPK plays a critical role in high glucose-induced vascular injury via STAT5A-mediated pathways, proposing that ZIPK is a potential therapeutic target for diabetic vascular complications.