Okanin from Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. alleviates cognitive impairment in bilateral common carotid artery occlusion mice by regulating the miR-7/NLRP3 axis in microglia

Zhongfeng Xingnao Liquid ameliorates post-stroke cognitive impairment through sirtuin1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) pathway

The activation of the sirtuin1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) pathway has been shown to mitigate oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and mitochondrial damage by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Zhongfeng Xingnao Liquid (ZFXN) ameliorates post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). However, the underlying mechanism, particularly whether it involves protecting mitochondria and inhibiting apoptosis through the SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, remains unclear. This study employed an oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) cell model using SH-SY5Y cells and induced PSCI in rats through modified bilateral carotid artery ligation (2VO). The effects of ZFXN on learning and memory, neuroprotective activity, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and the SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway were evaluated both in vivo and in vitro. Results indicated that ZFXN significantly increased the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2)/Bcl2-associated X (Bax) ratio, reduced terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end-labeling (TUNEL)+ cells, and markedly improved cognition, synaptic plasticity, and neuronal function in the hippocampus and cortex. Furthermore, ZFXN exhibited potent antioxidant activity, evidenced by decreased ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA) content and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) levels. ZFXN also demonstrated considerable enhancement of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), Tom20 fluorescence intensity, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and energy charge (EC) levels, and mitochondrial complex I and III activity, thereby inhibiting mitochondrial damage. Additionally, ZFXN significantly increased SIRT1 activity and elevated SIRT1, nuclear Nrf2, and HO-1 levels. Notably, these effects were substantially counteracted when SIRT1 was suppressed by the inhibitor EX-527 in vitro. In conclusion, ZFXN alleviates PSCI by activating the SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and preventing mitochondrial damage.

Flavaglines with anti-neuroinflammatory activity from Aglaia edulis (Roxb.) Wall. and structure revision of related flavaglines

Eight cyclopenta[b]benzofurans (1, 2, 4, and 5-9) and eight cyclopenta[bc]benzopyrans (3, 10-16), including a revised (4) and three undescribed compounds (1-3), were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Aglaia edulis (Roxb.) Wall. Their structures were determined by a combination of spectral analysis in conjunction with NMR and ECD calculations. Moreover, based on the findings from 13C NMR calculations and DP4+ statistical analysis, an empirical guideline was established to differentiate the structures of cyclopenta[bc]benzopyrans and cyclopenta[b]benzofurans by aggregating chemical shift data from known compounds. This guideline facilitated the proposal of structural revisions for three previously reported analogs (R-1, R-2, R-3). Biological assay indicated that cyclopenta[b]benzofuran flavalines (2, and 4-8) could significantly inhibit NO production in LPS-induced BV-2 cells with IC50 values from 0.002 to 0.05 μM.

Kellerin alleviates cerebral ischemic injury by inhibiting ferroptosis via targeting Akt-mediated transcriptional activation of Nrf2

BACKGROUND

Ischemic stroke (IS) is characterized as a detrimental cerebrovascular disease with high mortality and disability. Ferroptosis is a novel mechanism involved in neuronal death. There is a close connection between IS and ferroptosis, and inhibiting ferroptosis may provide an effective strategy for treating IS. Our previous investigations have discovered that kellerin, the active compound of Ferula sinkiangensis K. M. Shen, possesses the capability to shield against cerebral ischemia injury.

PURPOSE

Our objective is to clarify the relationship between the neuroprotective properties of kellerin against IS and its ability to modulate ferroptosis, and investigate the underlying regulatory pathway.

STUDY DESIGN

We investigated the impact and mechanism of kellerin in C57BL/6 mice underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) as well as SH-SY5Y cells exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation/ re-oxygenation (OGD/R).

METHODS

The roles of kellerin on neurological severity, cerebral infarction and edema were investigated in vivo. The regulatory impacts of kellerin on ferroptosis, mitochondrial damage and Akt/Nrf2 pathway were explored. Molecular docking combined with drug affinity responsive target stability assay (DARTS) and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) were performed to analyze the potential target proteins for kellerin.

RESULTS

Kellerin protected against IS and inhibited ferroptosis in vivo. Meanwhile, kellerin improved the neuronal damage caused by OGD/R and suppressed ferroptosis by inhibiting the production of mitochondrial ROS in vitro. Further we found that kellerin directly interacted with Akt and enhanced its phosphorylation, leading to the increase of Nrf2 nuclear translocation and its downstream antioxidant genes expression. Moreover, kellerin's inhibitory effect on ferroptosis and mitochondrial ROS release was eliminated by inhibiting Akt/Nrf2 pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study firstly demonstrates that the neuroprotective properties of kellerin against IS are related to suppressing ferroptosis through inhibiting the production of mitochondrial ROS, in which its modulation on Akt-mediated transcriptional activation of Nrf2 plays an important role. This finding shed light on the potential mechanism that kellerin exerts therapeutic effects in IS.

Integrated network pharmacology and experimental validation-based approach to reveal the underlying mechanisms and key material basis of Jinhua Qinggan granules against acute lung injury

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Jinhua Qinggan granules (JHQG), the traditional Chinese formula come into the market in 2016, has been proved clinically effective against coronavirus disease. Acute lung injury (ALI) is a major complication of respiratory infection such as coronavirus and influenza virus, with a high clinical fatality rate. Macrophage activation-induced inflammatory response plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of ALI. However, the participation of inflammatory response in the efficacy of JHQG and its material basis against ALI is still unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The research aims to investigate the inflammatory response-involved efficacy of JHQG on ALI, explore the "ingredient-target-pathway" mechanisms, and searching for key material basis of JHQG by integrated network pharmacology and experimental validation-based approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI mice was established to assess the protective impact of JHQG. Network pharmacology was utilized to identify potential targets of JHQG and investigate its action mechanisms related to inflammatory response in treating ALI. The therapeutic effect and mechanism of the primary active ingredient in JHQG was verified through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and a combination of wet experiments.

RESULTS

JHQG remarkably alleviated lung damage in mice model via suppressing macrophage activation, and inhibiting pro-inflammatory mediator level, p-ERK and p-STAT3 expression, TLR4/NF-κB activation. Network pharmacology combined with HPLC found luteolin is the main effective component of JHQG, and it could interact with TLR4/MD2 complex, further exerting the anti-inflammatory property and the protective role against ALI.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, our finding clarified the underlying mechanisms and material basis of JHQG therapy for ALI by integrated network pharmacology and experimental validation-based strategy.

Hyperforin ameliorates neuroinflammation and white matter lesions by regulating microglial VEGFR2 /SRC pathway in vascular cognitive impairment mice

AIM

To explore the neuroprotective potential of hyperforin and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms involved in its therapeutic effects against vascular cognitive impairment (VCI).

METHODS

The active compounds and possible targets of Hypericum perforatum L. that may be effective against VCI were found by network pharmacology in this research. We utilized bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) surgery to induce a VCI mouse model. Morris water maze (MWM) and Y-maze tests were used to assess VCI mice's cognitive abilities following treatment with hyperforin. To evaluate white matter lesions (WMLs), we utilized Luxol fast blue (LFB) stain and immunofluorescence (IF). Neuroinflammation was assessed using IF, western blot (WB), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The effects of hyperforin on microglia were investigated by subjecting the BV2 microglial cell line to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) stimulation. The expressions of VEGFR2 , p-SRC, SRC, VEGFA, and inflammatory markers including IL-10, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 were subsequently assessed.

RESULTS

The VEGFR2 /SRC signaling pathway is essential for mediating the protective properties of hyperforin against VCI according to network pharmacology analysis. In vivo findings demonstrated that hyperforin effectively improved BCCAO-induced cognitive impairment. Furthermore, staining results showed that hyperforin attenuated WMLs and reduced microglial activation in VCI mice. The hyperforin treatment group's ELISA results revealed a substantial decrease in IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels. According to the results of in vitro experiments, hyperforin decreased the release of pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) and blocked microglial M1-polarization by modulating the VEGFR2 /SRC signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

Hyperforin effectively modulated microglial M1 polarization and neuroinflammation by inhibiting the VEGFR2 /SRC signaling pathways, thereby ameliorating WMLs and cognitive impairment in VCI mice.

Optimization of preparation method of hepatoprotective active components from Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. and its action mechanism in vivo

Capitula of Coreopsis tinctoria are widely used as a flower tea with great health benefits due to rich content of flavonoids and phenolic acids. The hepatoprotective effect of C. tinctoria and its bioactive basis have seldom been investigated until now. In the present study, capitula of C. tinctoria were extracted with a method optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) and BoxBehnken design (BBD) and further purified by macroporous resin HPD-300 to obtain a fraction (CE) enriched with flavonoids and phenolic acids. The contents of the four most abundant compounds, isookanin-7-O-β-d-glucoside (1), quercetigetin-7-O-β-d-glucoside (2), okanin (3), and marein (4), were determined by HPLC as 9.98, 5.21, 41.78 and 1.85 mg/g, respectively. Seventy-four compounds including fifity-five flavonoids, fifteen organic acids (twelve of them were phenolic compounds), and three coumarins were tentatively identified in CE by LC-HRMS/MS. In vivo hepatoprotective effect and potential mechanism of CE were studied with a high-fat diet-induced NASH mouse model. CE administration decreased the amount of weight gain, hepatic lipid, and sequentially improved dyslipidemia, inflammation, oxidative stress, and IR in HFD-fed mice. Molecular data revealed that CE inhibited hepatic inflammation by reducing NFκB/iNOS/COX-2/NLRP3/MAPK in the liver tissues and ameliorated oxidative stress by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Modulation of inflammation and oxidative stress with CE may represent a promising target for the treatment of NAFLD and provide insight into the mechanism by which CE protects against obesity.