Salvianolic Acid B Attenuates Apoptosis of HUVEC Cells Treated with High Glucose or High Fat via Sirt1 Activation

Inhibition of vascular calcification by Compound Danshen Dripping Pill through multiple mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Vascular calcification refers to the abnormal accumulation of calcium in the walls of blood vessels and is a risk factor often overlooked in cardiovascular disease. However, there is currently no specific drug for treating vascular calcification. Compound Danshen Dripping Pill (CDDP) is widely used to treat cardiovascular diseases, but its effect on vascular calcification has not been reported.

PURPOSE

We investigated the effects of CDDP on vascular calcification in ApoE-/- mice and in vitro and elucidated its mechanism of action.

STUDY DESIGN

Firstly, we found that CDDP has the potential to improve calcification based on network pharmacology analysis. Then, we performed the following experiments: in vivo, ApoE-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet randomly supplemented with CDDP for 16 weeks. Atherosclerosis and vascular calcification were determined. In vitro, human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs), human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were used to determine the mechanisms for CDDP-inhibited vascular calcification.

RESULTS

In this study, we observed that CDDP reduced intimal calcification in atherosclerotic lesions of ApoE-deficient mice fed a high-fat diet, as well as the calcification in cultured SMCs and ECs. Mechanistically, CDDP inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by up-regulating the expression of DKK1 and LRP6, which are upstream inhibitors of Wnt, leading to a reduction in the expression of osteoblastic transition markers (ALP, OPN, BMP2, and RUNX2). Furthermore, CDDP enhanced the secretion of DKK1, which plays a role in mediating EC-SMC crosstalk in calcification. Additionally, VC contributes to vascular aging by inhibiting Sirt1 and increasing senescence parameters (SA-β-gal, p21, and p16). However, CDDP reversed these changes by activating Sirt1. CDDP also reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype in vivo and in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that CDDP reduces vascular calcification by regulating the DKK1/LRP6/β-catenin signaling pathway in ECs/SMCs and interactions with the crosstalk of ECs and SMCs. It also reduces the senescence of ECs/SMCs, contributing to the Sirt1 activation, indicating CDDP's novel role in ameliorating vascular calcification.

Salvianolic Acid B: A Review of Pharmacological Effects, Safety, Combination Therapy, New Dosage Forms, and Novel Drug Delivery Routes

Salvianolic acid B is extracted from the roots and rhizomes of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge., family Labiatae). It is a water-soluble, weakly acidic drug that has demonstrated antitumor and anti-inflammatory effects on various organs and tissues such as the lung, heart, kidney, intestine, bone, liver, and skin and protective effects in diseases such as depression and spinal cord injury. The mechanisms underlying the protective effects of salvianolic acid B are mainly related to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti- or pro-apoptotic, anti- or pro-autophagy, anti-fibrotic, and metabolism-regulating functions. Salvianolic acid B can regulate various signaling pathways, cells, and molecules to achieve maximum therapeutic effects. This review summarizes the safety profile, combination therapy potential, and new dosage forms and delivery routes of salvianolic acid B. Although significant research progress has been made, more in-depth pharmacological studies are warranted to identify the mechanism of action, related signaling pathways, more suitable combination drugs, more effective dosage forms, and novel routes of administration of salvianolic acid B.

Involvement of the SIRT1-NLRP3 pathway in the inflammatory response

The silent information regulator 2 homolog 1-NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (SIRT1-NLRP3) pathway has a crucial role in regulation of the inflammatory response, and is closely related to the occurrence and development of several inflammation-related diseases. NLRP3 is activated to produce the NLRP3 inflammasome, which leads to activation of caspase-1 and cleavage of pro-interleukin (IL)-1β and pro-IL-18 to their active forms: IL-1β and IL-18, respectively. They are proinflammatory cytokines which then cause an inflammatory response.SIRT1 can inhibit this inflammatory response through nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and nuclear factor-kappa B pathways. This review article focuses mainly on how the SIRT1-NLRP3 pathway influences the inflammatory response and its relationship with melatonin, traumatic brain injury, neuroinflammation, depression, atherosclerosis, and liver damage. Video Abstract.

The Pathogenesis of HCC Driven by NASH and the Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Natural Products

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a clinical syndrome with pathological changes that are similar to those of alcoholic hepatitis without a history of excessive alcohol consumption. It is a specific form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that is characterized by hepatocyte inflammation based on hepatocellular steatosis. Further exacerbation of NASH can lead to cirrhosis, which may then progress to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There is a lack of specific and effective treatments for NASH and NASH-driven HCC, and the mechanisms of the progression of NASH to HCC are unclear. Therefore, there is a need to understand the pathogenesis and progression of these diseases to identify new therapeutic approaches. Currently, an increasing number of studies are focusing on the utility of natural products in NASH, which is likely to be a promising prospect for NASH. This paper reviews the possible mechanisms of the pathogenesis and progression of NASH and NASH-derived HCC, as well as the potential therapeutic role of natural products in NASH and NASH-derived HCC.

Small molecules as modulators of regulated cell death against ischemia/reperfusion injury

Ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury contributes to disability and mortality worldwide. Due to the complicated mechanisms and lack of proper therapeutic targets, few interventions are available that specifically target the pathogenesis of IR injury. Regulated cell death (RCD) of endothelial and parenchymal cells is recognized as the promising intervening target. Recent advances in IR injury suggest that small molecules exhibit beneficial effects on various RCD against IR injury, including apoptosis, necroptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and parthanatos. Here, we describe the mechanisms behind these novel promising therapeutic targets and explain the machinery powering the small molecules. These small molecules exert protection by targeting endothelial or parenchymal cells to alleviate IR injury. Therapies of the ideal combination of small molecules targeting multiple cell types have shown potent synergetic therapeutic effects, laying the foundation for novel strategies to attenuate IR injury.

Dapagliflozin attenuates high glucose-induced endothelial cell apoptosis and inflammation through AMPK/SIRT1 activation

Hyperglycemia is a major cause of pathophysiological processes such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in diabetes. Dapagliflozin (DAPA), a novel hypoglycemic drug, has been shown to have anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects in multiple experimental studies. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of DAPA in the hyperglycemic condition to identify associated molecular mechanisms. HUVEC endothelial cells were treated with 40 mM glucose for 72h to establish in vitro high glucose (HG) condition model, and then additional groups co-treated with or without DAPA before glucose treatment. Then, cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS), proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α), apoptosis, and SIRT1 expression were measured. The results showed that DAPA pretreatment resulted in increased cell viability. Additionally, DAPA pretreatment decreased endothelial ROS, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in endothelial cells subjected to HG conditions. Moreover, DAPA pretreatment significantly prevented HG-induced apoptosis and caspase-3 activity in HUVECs. Furthermore, DAPA increased the expression of SIRT1, PGC-1α, and increased the phosphorylation levels of AMPK (p-AMPK) in a set of HG conditions in HUVEC cells. However, the endothelial protective effects of DAPA were abolished when cells were subjected to the SIRT1 inhibitor (EX-527) and AMPK inhibitor (Compound C). These findings suggest that DAPA can abrogate HG-induced endothelial cell dysfunction by AMPK/SIRT1 pathway up-regulation. Therefore, suggesting that the activation of AMPK/SIRT1 axis by DAPA may be a novel target for the treatment of HG-induced endothelial cell injury. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Attenuation of Oxidative Stress-Induced Cell Apoptosis and Pyroptosis in RSC96 Cells by Salvianolic Acid B

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether salvianolic acid B (Sal B) exerts protective effects on diabetic peripheral neuropathy by attenuating apoptosis and pyroptosis.

METHODS

RSC96 cells were primarily cultured with DMEM (5.6 mmol/L glucose), hyperglycemia (HG, 125 mmol/L glucose) and Sal B (0.1, 1, and 10 µ mol/L). Cells proliferation was measured by 3-(4, 5-cimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-dilphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and apoptosis rate were detected by flow cytometry analysis. Western blot was performed to analyze the expressions of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), cleaved-caspase 3, cleaved-caspase 9, Bcl-2, Bax, NLRP3, ASC, and interleukin (IL)-1 β.

RESULTS

Treatment with HG at a concentration of 125 mmol/L attenuated cellular proliferation, while Sal B alleviated this injury (P<0.05). In addition, Sal B inhibited HG-induced ROS production and apoptosis rate (P<0.05). Furthermore, treatment with Sal B down-regulated HG-induced PARP, cleaved-caspase 3, cleaved-caspase 9, Bax, NLRP3, ASC, and IL-1 β expression, but mitigated HG-mediated down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Sal B may protect RSC96 cells against HG-induced cellular injury via the inhibition of apoptosis and pyroptosis activated by ROS.

Exploring the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza in diabetic nephropathy using network pharmacology and molecular docking

The mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) on diabetic nephropathy (DN) were examined using a systematic network pharmacology approach and molecular docking. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database was used to screen active ingredients of SM. Targets were obtained using the SwissTargetPrediction and TCMSP databases. Proteins related to DN were retrieved from the GeneCards and DisGeNET databases. A protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using common SM/DN targets in the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) database. The Metascape platform was used for Gene Ontology (GO) function analysis, and the Cytoscape plug-in ClueGO was used for Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Molecular docking was performed using iGEMDOCK and AutoDock Vina software. Pymol and LigPlos were used for network mapping. Sixty-six active ingredients and 189 targets of SM were found. Sixty-four targets overlapped with DN-related proteins. The PPI network revealed that AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1), VEGFA, interleukin 6 (IL6), TNF, mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), tumor protein p53 (TP53), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14), and JUN were the ten most relevant targets. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that the common targets of DN and SM were mainly involved in advanced glycation end-products, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and immune regulation. Molecular docking revealed that potential DN-related targets, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), NOS2, and AKT1, more stably bound with salvianolic acid B than with tanshinone IIA. In conclusion, the present study revealed the active components and potential molecular therapeutic mechanisms of SM in DN and provides a reference for the wide application of SM in clinically managing DN.

Inhibitory Effect of Paeonol on Apoptosis, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammatory Response in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Induced by High Glucose and Palmitic Acid Induced Through Regulating SIRT1/FOXO3a/NF-κB Pathway

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by high glucose and high fat of diabetes mellitus (DM) finally caused the occurrence and progression of atherosclerosis and other macrovascular complications. Paeonol (Pae) exhibits anti-inflammation, antioxidation, and antiatherosclerosis activities. However, the role of Pae in diabetic cardiopathy has not been fully understood. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of Pae in diabetic cardiovascular diseases. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to high glucose and palmitic acid (HG/HP), a model DM environment and different doses of Pae. The viability and apoptotic rate of HUVECs were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and flow cytometry assay, respectively. Oxidative indicators (ROS, malondiadehyde [MDA], superoxide dismutase [SOD]), and inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6) were detected by 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, colorimetry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The protein levels of Sirtuin type 1 (SIRT1), Bcl-2, Bax, Cleaved caspase-3, p-p65, and p-65 were detected by Western blot. The mRNA levels of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The acetylation and protein levels of forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a) were detected by immunoprecipitation assay. SIRT1 silencing was used to confirm the role of Pae in the resistance to apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response. Pae increased SIRT1 expression, cell viability, and SOD activity and suppressed apoptosis, the levels of p-p65/p-65, ROS, MDA, and inflammatory cytokines, and the expression of acetylated-FOXO3a induced by HG/HP in HUVECs. SIRT1 silencing abrogated the effect of Pae on HG/HP-mediated HUVECs. Inhibitory effect of Pae on apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response in HUVECs induced by HG/HP induced through regulating SIRT1/FOXO3a/NF-κB pathway.

The Emerging Role of TXNIP in Ischemic and Cardiovascular Diseases; A Novel Marker and Therapeutic Target

Thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) is a metabolism- oxidative- and inflammation-related marker induced in cardiovascular diseases and is believed to represent a possible link between metabolism and cellular redox status. TXNIP is a potential biomarker in cardiovascular and ischemic diseases but also a novel identified target for preventive and curative medicine. The goal of this review is to focus on the novelties concerning TXNIP. After an overview in TXNIP involvement in oxidative stress, inflammation and metabolism, the remainder of this review presents the clues used to define TXNIP as a new marker at the genetic, blood, or ischemic site level in the context of cardiovascular and ischemic diseases.

Ginsenoside Rb1, salvianolic acid B and their combination modulate gut microbiota and improve glucolipid metabolism in high-fat diet induced obese mice

Background

To observe the effect of ginsenoside Rb1, salvianolic acid B and their combination on glucolipid metabolism and structural changes of gut microbiota.

Methods

Eight-week-old C57BL/6J mice were fed 45% high-fat diet to induce obesity. The obese mice were randomly divided into four groups, Con group as model control, ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1) group, salvianolic acid B (SalB) group and ginsenoside Rb1+ salvianolic acid B (Rb1SalB) group. Mice in Rb1, SalB and Rb1SalB group were treated by gavage with ginsenoside Rb1, salvianolic acid B and the combination of the two ingredients, respectively. While mice in Con group were given the same amount of sterile water. The intervention lasted 8 weeks. Body weight and fasting blood glucose were measured every 2 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance test was conducted on the 4th and 8th week of drug intervention. At the end of the experiment, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and non-esterified fatty acid content as well as glycated hemoglobin were measured and feces were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing.

Results

Both ginsenoside Rb1 and Rb1SalB combination decreased body weight significantly (P < 0.05). Ginsenoside Rb1, salvianolic acid B and their combination alleviated fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin and blood lipid profiles effectively (P < 0.05, compared with the corresponding indicators in Con group). Oral glucose tolerance test results at the 8th week showed that glucose tolerance was significantly improved in all three treatment groups. Ginsenoside Rb1, salvianolic acid B and their combination reduced the overall diversity of gut microbiota in feces and changed the microbial composition of the obese mice. LDA effect size (LefSe) analysis revealed the key indicator taxa corresponding to the treatment.

Conclusion

Ginsenoside Rb1, salvianolic acid B and their combination could lower blood glucose and lipid level, and improve glucose tolerance of obese mice. The above effect may be at least partially through modulation of gut microbial composition.

Pharmacokinetics of Active Ingredients of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Carthamus tinctorius in Compatibility in Normal and Cerebral Ischemia Rats: A Comparative Study

Background and Objective

Dan-Hong injection, which comprises extracts of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Carthamus tinctorius, promotes blood circulation and reduces blood stasis. Combination of S. miltiorrhiza and C. tinctorius is more effective in treating cerebral ischemia than S. miltiorrhiza alone. This study aimed to examine the pharmacokinetic characteristics of four active ingredients of S. miltiorrhiza and C. tinctorius, namely danshensu (DSS), hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), and salvianolic acid A (SAA) and B (SAB) in normal and cerebral ischemia rats.

Methods

Normal and cerebral ischemia rats were injected via the tail vein with each active ingredient, and blood was collected through the jaw vein at different time points. The plasma concentration of the compatibility group was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using Pharmacokinetic Kinetica 4.4 software.

Results

The pharmacokinetics of the four active ingredients in the normal and cerebral ischemia rats were consistent with a two-compartment model. The area under the concentration–time curve was higher in normal rats than in cerebral ischemia rats, with a highly significant difference for SAA (P < 0.01). Clearance rates were lower in normal rats than in cerebral ischemia rats, with DSS showing the most significant difference (P < 0.01). Furthermore, there were significant differences between normal and cerebral ischemia rats in the distribution phase-elimination half life for DSS, SAA, and HSYA, as well as in the apparent volume of distribution for the central compartment for DSS and HSYA (P < 0.01). The plasma concentrations of the four active ingredients were higher in normal rats than in cerebral ischemia rats.

Conclusion

Cerebral ischemia rats showed higher drug clearance rates and longer retention times than normal rats, which may be due to destruction of the blood–brain barrier during cerebral ischemia–reperfusion. The four active ingredients likely integrated and interacted with each other to affect target sites in the brain to protect against cerebral ischemic injury.