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Wu J, Yu H, Jin Y, Wang J, Zhou L, Cheng T, Zhang Z, Lin B, Miao J, Lin Z. Ajugol's upregulation of TFEB-mediated autophagy alleviates endoplasmic reticulum stress in chondrocytes and retards osteoarthritis progression in a mouse model. Chin Med 2023; 18:113. [PMID: 37679844 PMCID: PMC10483732 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-023-00824-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative disease with a high global prevalence, is characterized by the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the apoptosis of chondrocytes. Ajugol, a extract derived from the herb Rehmannia glutinosa, has not yet been investigated for its potential in modulating the development of OA. METHODS We employed techniques such as western blotting, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, X-ray imaging, HE staining, and SO staining to provide biological evidence supporting the role of Ajugol as a potential therapeutic agent for modulating OA. Furthermore, in an in vivo experiment, intra-peritoneal injection of 50 mg/kg Ajugol effectively mitigated the progression of OA following destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery. RESULTS Our findings revealed that treatment with 50 μM Ajugol activated TFEB-mediated autophagy, alleviating ER stress-induced chondrocyte apoptosis and ECM degradation caused by TBHP. Furthermore, in an in vivo experiment, intra-peritoneal injection of 50 mg/kg Ajugol effectively mitigated the progression of OA following destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery. CONCLUSION These results provide compelling biological evidence supporting the role of Ajugol as a potential therapeutic agent for modulating OA by activating autophagy and attenuating ER stress-induced cell death and ECM degradation. The promising in vivo results further suggest the potential of Ajugol as a treatment strategy for OA progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingtao Wu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Perinatal Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
- The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Heng Yu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Perinatal Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
- The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yangcan Jin
- Department of Orthopaedics, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Perinatal Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
- The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jingquan Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Perinatal Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
- The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Liwen Zhou
- The First School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Teng Cheng
- Department of Orthopaedics, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Perinatal Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
- The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhao Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Perinatal Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
- The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Binghao Lin
- Department of Orthopaedics, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Perinatal Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
- The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jiansen Miao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Perinatal Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
- The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhongke Lin
- Department of Orthopaedics, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Perinatal Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China.
- Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China.
- The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China.
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Yu H, Huang X, Xie C, Song J, Zhou Y, Shi H, Chen M, Wu Y, Ruan Z, Deng L, Deng X, Lv Y, Luo Q, Dong J. Transcriptomics reveals apigenin alleviates airway inflammation and epithelial cell apoptosis in allergic asthma via MAPK pathway. Phytother Res 2023; 37:4002-4017. [PMID: 37128812 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Persistent chronic inflammation of the lungs and airway remodeling are important pathological features that cannot be ignored in patients with chronic asthma. Apigenin (API) is a natural small molecule compound with good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity that has been widely reported in recent years, but its role in chronic asthma is not well defined. Our study began with oral gavage intervention using API (10, 20 mg/kg) or dexamethasone (DEX, 2 mg/kg) in a BALB/c mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization. Different doses of API intervention effectively reduced airway resistance in the administered group. Additionally, inflammation was downregulated, mucus secretion was reduced, and airway remodeling was inhibited in the API intervention group compared with the model group. Asthma-related inflammatory cytokines, such as IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-17, were downregulated in alveolar lavage fluid. Moreover, the apoptosis level of the administered group was found to be lower than that of the model group in the Tunel staining experiment. By analyzing transcriptome sequencing results, we found that API may exert anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects by inhibiting the MAPK pathway. Our subsequent results supported this conclusion, showing that the phosphorylation levels of ERKs, JNKs, and p38 MAPKs were inhibited in the administered group relative to the model group. Downstream expression of the apoptosis-related protein B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) was upregulated, and the expression of Bcl-2-associated × protein (Bax) and cleaved caspase-3 was downregulated. To further investigate the specific mechanism by which API acted, we established an in vitro model with house dust mite (HDM) stimulation, using API (10, 20 μM) for administration intervention. The results showed that API was able to improve cell viability, inhibit ROS production, and reverse HDM-induced decreases in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and apoptosis in airway epithelial cells via the MAPK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Yu
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Huang
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cong Xie
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingrong Song
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaolong Zhou
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hanlin Shi
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengmeng Chen
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yueren Wu
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenhui Ruan
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingling Deng
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohong Deng
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yubao Lv
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingli Luo
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingcheng Dong
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Wang J, Wei F, Wang Y, Liu Q, He R, Huang Y, Wei K, Xie X, Zhang M. Exploring the quality markers and mechanism of Bushen Huoxue Prescription in prevention and treatment of diabetic retinopathy based on Chinmedomics strategy. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 306:116131. [PMID: 36610675 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.116131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Chinese herbal medicines have complex chemical composition; therefore, revealing the effective substances of Chinese herbal medicine becomes a prerequisite for scientific elucidation of the mechanism of action of Bushen Huoxue Prescription (BHP) against diabetic retinopathy (DR) and the development of new drugs. AIM OF THE STUDY The Chinmedomics technique was used to evaluate the pharmacodynamic ingredients and mechanism of action of BHP against DR rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS The overall physiological condition of the rats, including body weight, blood glucose, inflammatory factor levels, histological staining, and urine metabolic profile were examined to evaluate the model and its effects. The chemical composition of BHP in vivo and ex vivo was fully analyzed utilizing UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS in conjunction with TCM serum pharmacochemistry. Finally, correlation analysis between biomarkers, and serum migration components was used to identify Quality markers (Q-markers) that were significantly associated with effectiveness. RESULTS The UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS platform was used to identify a total of 29 chemicals in serum, 17 of which were highly linked with effectiveness and can be potentially employed as pharmacodynamic substances for BHP against DR. In addition, 14 biomarkers related to galactose metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism were identified. These pathways reveal that DR may be inextricably linked to levels of oxidative stress and inflammation in the organism. Finally, five active ingredients were identified as potential Q-markers of BHP against DR, namely ajugol, protocatechuic acid, tanshinone IIA, panaxatriol and puerarin. CONCLUSION This study successfully clarified the efficacy and Q-markers of BHP through the Chinmedomics strategy, which is of great significance in determining the quality standards of BHP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China.
| | - Fangyong Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China.
| | - Yu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China.
| | - Qingze Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China.
| | - Runxi He
- Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 39 Shi-er-qiao Road, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan Province, PR China.
| | - Yuxia Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China.
| | - Kuang Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China.
| | - Xuejun Xie
- Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 39 Shi-er-qiao Road, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan Province, PR China.
| | - Mei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China.
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Shen Y, Li L, Chen W, Li Q, Xu Y, He F, Wang C, Tian Z, Chen Y, Yang Y. Apolipoprotein E negatively regulates allergic airway inflammation and remodeling in mice with OVA-induced chronic asthma. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 116:109776. [PMID: 36731155 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.109776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a corticosteroid-unresponsive gene that negatively regulates ovalbumin (OVA) -induced allergic airway inflammation in mice with acute asthma. However, whether ApoE negatively regulates airway remodeling in mice with OVA-induced chronic asthma remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ApoE on OVA-induced chronic asthma in a murine model. ApoE knockout (ApoE-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA for 10 weeks to establish the chronic asthma model. Compared with WT mice, the results demonstrated that ApoE deficiency exacerbated OVA-induced airway inflammation, including elevated numbers of inflammatory cells in the blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), as well as increased T helper type 2 (Th2) cells in lung tissue, Th2 cytokines in BALF, and total IgE levels in plasma. Importantly, ApoE deficiency aggravated OVA-induced airway remodeling, as evidenced by higher plasma transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 levels, airway goblet cell hyperplasia, and collagen deposition compared with WT mice. These results revealed that ApoE deficiency aggravates airway remodeling and inflammation in mice with OVA-induced chronic allergic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunqin Shen
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Nutrition Translation, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lingjie Li
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Nutrition Translation, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wushi Chen
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Nutrition Translation, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qin Li
- Zhuhai Center for Maternal and Child Health Care, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yixuan Xu
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Nutrition Translation, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fang He
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Nutrition Translation, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Guangzhou, China
| | - Caixia Wang
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Nutrition Translation, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zezhong Tian
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Nutrition Translation, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanqiu Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology, Guangzhou Women and Children Medical Centre, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Nutrition Translation, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Guangzhou, China.
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