Emodin alleviates high glucose-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and extracellular matrix accumulation of mesangial cells by the circ_0000064/miR-30c-5p/Lmp7 axis

Current status and trend of global research on the pharmacological effects of emodin family: bibliometric study and visual analysis

Emodin, as a natural active ingredient, has shown great application potential in the fields of medicine, food and cosmetics due to its unique pharmacological effects, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, etc. In recent years, with the development of science and technology and the increase of people's demand for natural medicine, emodin research has been paid more and more attention by the global scientific research community. The bibliometric analysis of emodin and the construction of knowledge map are still blank. We searched the publications of emodin related studies in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database from 2004 to 2024 and conducted a bibliometric analysis. Data processing was done using the R packages Bibliometrix, VOSviewer and CiteSpace. The consensus identified 4,125 emodin related articles from multiple countries, with China being the main contributor. The number of publications in this field is increasing year by year. China Medical University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine are all prominent research institutions in this field. The Journal of ethnopharmacology published the most articles on the subject. The total number of authors of these articles has reached 14,991, among which Yi Wang is the author with the most output and Xiaoxv Dong is the author with the most cited times. "emodin", "apoptosis", and "liver injury" were the main research focuses. Topics such as "pharmacology", "photodynamic therapy", "advancing drug discovery" and "gallbladder cancer cell" may represent emerging areas of research in medicine. The results of this study help to identify the latest research frontiers and hot topics, and provide a valuable reference for the study of emodin family.

Circular RNA PIP5K1A Promotes Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders and Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism are an important cause of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Identifying the molecular mechanism of metabolic disorders is key to the treatment of T2DM. The study was to investigate the effect of circRNA PIP5K1A (circPIP5K1A) on glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammation in T2DM rats. A T2DM rat model was established, and then the T2DM rats were injected with lentiviral vectors that interfere with circPIP5K1A, miR-552-3p, or ENO1 expression. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and fasting insulin (FINS) levels of rats were detected by an automatic analyzer and insulin detection kit, and HOMA-IR was calculated. Lipid metabolism was assessed by measuring serum levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, leptin, and resistin. Serum levels of inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-6) were detected by ELISA. The pathological conditions of pancreatic tissue were observed by HE staining. circPIP5K1A, miR-552-3p and ENO1 levels were recorded. The experimental results showed that circPIP5K1A and ENO1 were up-regulated, and miR-552-3p was down-regulated in T2DM rats. Down-regulating circPIP5K1A or up-regulating miR-552-3p reduced blood glucose and lipid levels, inhibited inflammation, and improved pancreatic histopathological changes in T2DM rats. In addition, up-regulating ENO1 rescued the ameliorating effects of down-regulated circPIP5K1A on T2DM rats. In general, downregulating circPIP5K1A improves insulin resistance and lipid metabolism disorders and inhibits inflammation by targeting miR-552-3p to mediate ENO1 expression.

The LAMB3-EGFR signaling pathway mediates synergistic Anti-Cancer effects of berberine and emodin in Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal malignancy, primarily due to the intrinsic development of chemoresistance. The most apparent histopathological feature associated with chemoresistance is the alterations in extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Natural dietary botanicals such as berberine (BBR) and emodin (EMO) have been shown to possess chemo-preventive potential by regulating ECM in various cancers. Herein, we further investigated the potential synergistic effects of BBR and EMO in enhancing anticancer efficacy by targeting ECM proteins in pancreatic cancer. Genomewide transcriptomic profiling identified that LAMB3 was significantly upregulated in PDAC tissue and highly associated with poor overall survival (OS, hazard ratio [HR], 2.99, 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.46-6.15; p = 0.003) and progress-free survival (PFS, HR, 2.59; 95 % CI, 1.30-5.18; p = 0.007) in PDAC. A systematic series of functional experiments in BxPC-3 and MIA-PaCa-2 cells revealed that the combination of BBR and EMO exhibited synergistic anti-tumor potential, as demonstrated by cell proliferation, clonogenicity, migration, and invasion assays (p < 0.05-0.001). The combination also altered the expression of key proteins involved in apoptosis, EMT, and EGFR/ERK1,2/AKT signaling. These findings were further supported by patient-derived organoids (PDOs), where the combined treatment resulted in fewer and smaller organoids compared to each compound individually (p < 0.05-0.001). Our results suggest that BBR combined with EMO exerts synergistic anti-cancer effects by modulating the EGFR-signaling pathway through interference with LAMB3 in PDAC.

Oxidative Stress: A Culprit in the Progression of Diabetic Kidney Disease

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the principal culprit behind chronic kidney disease (CKD), ultimately developing end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and necessitating costly dialysis or kidney transplantation. The limited therapeutic efficiency among individuals with DKD is a result of our finite understanding of its pathogenesis. DKD is the result of complex interactions between various factors. Oxidative stress is a fundamental factor that can establish a link between hyperglycemia and the vascular complications frequently encountered in diabetes, particularly DKD. It is crucial to recognize the essential and integral role of oxidative stress in the development of diabetic vascular complications, particularly DKD. Hyperglycemia is the primary culprit that can trigger an upsurge in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), ultimately sparking oxidative stress. The main endogenous sources of ROS include mitochondrial ROS production, NADPH oxidases (Nox), uncoupled endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), xanthine oxidase (XO), cytochrome P450 (CYP450), and lipoxygenase. Under persistent high glucose levels, immune cells, the complement system, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), protein kinase C (PKC), polyol pathway, and the hexosamine pathway are activated. Consequently, the oxidant-antioxidant balance within the body is disrupted, which triggers a series of reactions in various downstream pathways, including phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), transforming growth factor beta/p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (TGF-β/p38-MAPK), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling. The disease might persist even if strict glucose control is achieved, which can be attributed to epigenetic modifications. The treatment of DKD remains an unresolved issue. Therefore, reducing ROS is an intriguing therapeutic target. The clinical trials have shown that bardoxolone methyl, a nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activator, blood glucose-lowering drugs, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists can effectively slow down the progression of DKD by reducing oxidative stress. Other antioxidants, including vitamins, lipoic acid, Nox inhibitors, epigenetic regulators, and complement inhibitors, present a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of DKD. In this review, we conduct a thorough assessment of both preclinical studies and current findings from clinical studies that focus on targeted interventions aimed at manipulating these pathways. We aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research in this area and identify key areas for future exploration.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cell low molecular mass protein 7 in acute ischemic stroke: vertical change from admission to discharge and correlation with disability, stroke recurrence, and death

Objective

Low molecular mass protein 7 (LMP7) aggravates abnormal T cell differentiation and atherosclerosis, but its clinical role in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the correlation of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) LMP7 with T cell subsets, disease severity, and prognosis in AIS patients.

Methods

A total of 162 AIS patients were enrolled for detecting PBMC LMP7 and T helper (Th) 1, Th2, and Th17 cells via reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry, respectively. In addition, PBMC LMP7 at discharge was also quantified.

Results

Increased LMP7 at admission was associated with decreased Th2 cells (P=0.014), elevated Th17 cells (P<0.001), C-reactive protein (P=0.005), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (P=0.007), and disease severity (defined by NIHSS score) (P=0.010). LMP7 at admission reflected a high risk of stroke recurrence (area under curve (AUC): 0.748, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.564-0.932), but not mRS score at month 3 (M3) >2 (AUC: 0.585, 95%CI: 0.479-0.691), or death (AUC: 0.723, 95%CI: 0.338-1.000). LMP7 at discharge was reduced compared to that at admission (P<0.001). LMP7 at discharge was positively correlated with the risk of stroke recurrence (AUC: 0.849, 95%CI: 0.735-0.963) and death (AUC: 0.919, 95%CI: 0.836-1.000), but had a weak capacity to reflect mRS score at M3 >2 (AUC: 0.671, 95%CI: 0.578-0.765).

Conclusion

PBMC LMP7 positively correlates with Th17 cells, inflammation, and disease severity in AIS patients, meanwhile, its level at discharge shows a good ability to reflect the risks of stroke recurrence and death.

Oxidative stress and inflammation in diabetic nephropathy: role of polyphenols

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) often leads to end-stage renal disease. Oxidative stress demonstrates a crucial act in the onset and progression of DN, which triggers various pathological processes while promoting the activation of inflammation and forming a vicious oxidative stress-inflammation cycle that induces podocyte injury, extracellular matrix accumulation, glomerulosclerosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, renal tubular atrophy, and proteinuria. Conventional treatments for DN have limited efficacy. Polyphenols, as antioxidants, are widely used in DN with multiple targets and fewer adverse effects. This review reveals the oxidative stress and oxidative stress-associated inflammation in DN that led to pathological damage to renal cells, including podocytes, endothelial cells, mesangial cells, and renal tubular epithelial cells. It demonstrates the potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties by targeting Nrf2, SIRT1, HMGB1, NF-κB, and NLRP3 of polyphenols, including quercetin, resveratrol, curcumin, and phenolic acid. However, there remains a long way to a comprehensive understanding of molecular mechanisms and applications for the clinical therapy of polyphenols.

Epigenetic modification in diabetic kidney disease

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common microangiopathy in diabetic patients and the main cause of death in diabetic patients. The main manifestations of DKD are proteinuria and decreased renal filtration capacity. The glomerular filtration rate and urinary albumin level are two of the most important hallmarks of the progression of DKD. The classical treatment of DKD is controlling blood glucose and blood pressure. However, the commonly used clinical therapeutic strategies and the existing biomarkers only partially slow the progression of DKD and roughly predict disease progression. Therefore, novel therapeutic methods, targets and biomarkers are urgently needed to meet clinical requirements. In recent years, increasing attention has been given to the role of epigenetic modification in the pathogenesis of DKD. Epigenetic variation mainly includes DNA methylation, histone modification and changes in the noncoding RNA expression profile, which are deeply involved in DKD-related inflammation, oxidative stress, hemodynamics, and the activation of abnormal signaling pathways. Since DKD is reversible at certain disease stages, it is valuable to identify abnormal epigenetic modifications as early diagnosis and treatment targets to prevent the progression of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Because the current understanding of the epigenetic mechanism of DKD is not comprehensive, the purpose of this review is to summarize the role of epigenetic modification in the occurrence and development of DKD and evaluate the value of epigenetic therapies in DKD.

Emodin protects against apoptosis and inflammation by regulating reactive oxygen species-mediated NF-κB signaling in interleukin-1β-stimulated human nucleus pulposus cells

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a complex degradative disorder associated with inflammation. Emodin, an anthraquinone derivative, possesses strong anti-inflammatory activity. This study focused on the in vitro therapeutic action of emodin in a cellular model of IDD. Human nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) were stimulated with interleukin-1β (IL-1β) to induce inflammation. Cell Counting Kit-8 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining assays were performed to evaluate the viability and apoptosis of NPCs, respectively. Caspase-3 activity was measured to indirectly assess cell apoptosis. Western blot analysis was performed to detect protein expression levels. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed for the detection of relative mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-6. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to analyze TNF-α and IL-6 secretion. Our results showed that emodin treatment mitigated IL-1β-induced reduction of cell viability in NPCs. Moreover, the increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, apoptotic rate, and caspase-3 activity in IL-1β-stimulated NPCs was reduced by emodin treatment. Treatment with emodin also abolished IL-1β-induced inflammation in NPCs, as indicated by reduced secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α. Besides, the increase in expression levels of phosphorylated p65 and nuclear p65 in IL-1β-stimulated NPCs was suppressed by emodin treatment. Furthermore, inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate aggravated the protective effects of emodin. These results suggested that emodin protected NPCs against IL-1β-induced apoptosis and inflammation via inhibiting ROS-mediated activation of NF-κB.

Emerging Role of MicroRNA-30c in Neurological Disorders

MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate the expression of target genes by interacting with 3' untranslated regions of target mRNAs to induce mRNA degradation and translational repression. The miR-30 family members are involved in the development of many tissues and organs and participate in the pathogenesis of human diseases. As a key member of the miR-30 family, miR-30c has been implicated in neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke. Mechanistically, miR-30c may act as a multi-functional regulator of different pathogenic processes such as autophagy, apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, oxidative stress, thrombosis, and neurovascular function, thereby contributing to different disease states. Here, we review and discuss the biogenesis, gene regulation, and the role and mechanisms of action of miR-30c in several neurological disorders and therapeutic potential in clinics.

Effects of Anthraquinones on Immune Responses and Inflammatory Diseases

The anthraquinones (AQs) and derivatives are widely distributed in nature, including plants, fungi, and insects, with effects of anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation, antibacterial and antiviral, anti-osteoporosis, anti-tumor, etc. Inflammation, including acute and chronic, is a comprehensive response to foreign pathogens under a variety of physiological and pathological processes. AQs could attenuate symptoms and tissue damages through anti-inflammatory or immuno-modulatory effects. The review aims to provide a scientific summary of AQs on immune responses under different pathological conditions, such as digestive diseases, respiratory diseases, central nervous system diseases, etc. It is hoped that the present paper will provide ideas for future studies of the immuno-regulatory effect of AQs and the therapeutic potential for drug development and clinical use of AQs and derivatives.

Circ_0000064 promotes high glucose-induced renal tubular epithelial cells injury to facilitate diabetic nephropathy progression through miR-532-3p/ROCK1 axis

BACKGROUND

Circular RNA (circRNA) has been shown to mediate diabetic nephropathy (DN) development by regulating renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) injury. However, the role and mechanism of circ_0000064 in high glucose (HG)-induced RTECs injury have not been fully elucidated.

METHODS

Human RTECs (HK-2) were exposed to HG to induce cell injury. Cell oxidative stress was assessed by detecting the levels of oxidative stress-markers. Moreover, cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined by CCK8 assay, EDU assay and flow cytometry. The protein levels of proliferation markers, apoptosis markers and Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing kinase 1 (ROCK1) were measured using western blot analysis. Furthermore, quantitative real-time PCR was performed to assess the expression of circ_0000064, microRNA (miR)-532-3p and ROCK1. The interaction between miR-532-3p and circ_0000064 or ROCK1 was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down assay.

RESULTS

Our results revealed that HG treatment could promote HK-2 cells oxidative stress, apoptosis, fibrosis, and inhibit proliferation. Circ_0000064 expression was increased in the serum of DN patients and HG-induced HK-2 cells, and silenced circ_0000064 could relieve HG-induced HK-2 cells injury. MiR-532-3p could be sponged by circ_0000064, and its overexpression also alleviated HG-induced HK-2 cells injury. Besides, the regulation of circ_0000064 knockdown on HG-induced HK-2 cells injury could be reversed by miR-532-3p inhibitor. Additionally, ROCK1 was a target of miR-532-3p, and its expression was inhibited by circ_0000064 knockdown. The inhibition effect of circ_0000064 knockdown on HG-induced HK-2 cells injury also could be reversed by overexpressing ROCK1.

CONCLUSION

In summary, circ_0000064 knockdown might alleviate HG-induced HK-2 cells injury via regulating the miR-532-3p/ROCK1 axis, which provided a new perspective for DN treatment.

Circular RNAs in diabetes mellitus and its complications

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an endocrine disorder characterized by a relative or absolute lack of insulin due to the dysfunction or destruction of β-cells. DM is one of the fastest growing challenges to global health in the 21^st century and places a tremendous burden on affected individuals and their families and countries. Although insulin and antidiabetic drugs have been used to treat DM, a radical cure for the disease is unavailable. The pathogenesis of DM remains unclear. Emerging roles of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in DM have become a subject of global research. CircRNAs have been verified to participate in the onset and progression of DM, implying their potential roles as novel biomarkers and treatment tools. In the present review, we briefly introduce the characteristics of circRNAs. Next, we focus on specific roles of circRNAs in type 1 diabetes mellitus, type 2 diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes mellitus and diabetes-associated complications.

Regulatory roles of phytochemicals on circular RNAs in cancer and other chronic diseases

As novel non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an essential role in the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases, and the regulation of these functional molecules has become a research hotspot gradually. Within the past decade, phytochemicals were reported to regulate the expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) in various chronic diseases, and more recently, most studies focus on the regulatory roles of phytochemicals on circRNAs. Abnormal expression of circRNAs has been identified in chronic diseases like cancer, heart failure, depression and atherosclerosis, and numerous studies have revealed the modulation of circRNAs by phytochemicals including berberine, celastrol, cinnamaldehyde, curcumin, et al. The expression of circRNAs, such as circSATB2 and circFOXM1, were modulated by phytochemicals, and these regulations further affected cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, autophagy, chemosensitivity, radiosensitivity and other biological processes. Mechanismly, the circRNAs mainly functioned as miRNA sponge, subsequently affecting miRNA-mediated regulation of target genes and related cell signaling pathways. In this review, we summarized the impact of phytochemicals on circRNAs expression and biological function, and discussed the mechanisms underlying phytochemicals regulating circRNAs in cancer and other chronic diseases.