Integrative transcriptomic and network pharmacology analysis reveals the neuroprotective role of BYHWD through enhancing autophagy by inhibiting Ctsb in intracerebral hemorrhage mice

Qingfei Jiedu Huatan Formula inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation to attenuates inflammation and pyroptosis in severe pneumonia: Integrating experimental verification, network pharmacology and transcriptomics

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Severe pneumonia (SP) represents an acute, critical condition characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates, along with numerous complications. The Qingfei Jiedu Huatan Formula (QJHF), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulation, is indicated for the treatment of severe pneumonia. However, its underlying therapeutic mechanisms remain uncertain.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the beneficial effects and molecular mechanisms of QJHF in the treatment of severe pneumonia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The anti-inflammatory properties of QJHF were assessed using a Klebsiella pneumoniae-induced rat model of SP and LPS-induced MH-S cells. Network pharmacology and transcriptomics were employed to identify potential targets and elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying QJHF's action against SP. Pyroptosis in lung tissue and MH-S cells was examined via immunofluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. The expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome and its upstream regulatory pathways was measured through Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

QJHF was found to alleviate pulmonary edema, enhance lung pathology, and improve the blood oxygenation index, while reducing inflammatory cell infiltration, expression of inflammatory factors, and lactic acidosis in SP rats. Serum containing QJHF-containing serum significantly reduced the secretion and transcription of inflammatory factors in MH-S cells. Network pharmacology and RNA-Seq analysis revealed potential targets modulated by QJHF against SP, showing a significant association between these targets and NLRP3 within the PPI network. Pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the NOD-like receptor, TNF, NF-κB, and JAK/STAT signaling pathways might regulate the NLRP3 inflammasome and coordinate the inflammatory response. Additionally, QJHF was shown to suppress NLRP3 inflammasome activation in rats with SP and in MH-S cells, which corresponded with markedly reduced levels of TNFR1, TRAF2, TAK1, phosphorylated p65, IκBα, JAK2, and STAT3.

CONCLUSIONS

QJHF effectively attenuated the inflammatory response in severe pneumonia by inhibiting macrophage-mediated inflammation and NLRP3 inflammasome activation through TNF, NF-κB, and JAK/STAT signaling pathways.

Buyang huanwu decoction promotes remyelination via miR-760-3p/GPR17 axis after intracerebral hemorrhage

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The repairment of myelin sheaths is crucial for mitigating neurological impairments of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, the current research on remyelination processes in ICH remains limited. A representative traditional Chinese medicine, Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD), shows a promising therapeutic strategy for ICH treatment.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the pro-remyelination effects of BYHWD on ICH and explore the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The collagenase-induced mice ICH model was created for investigation. BYHWD's protective effects were assessed by behavioral tests and histological staining. Transmission electron microscopy was used for displaying the structure of myelin sheaths. The remyelination and oligodendrocyte differentiation were evaluated by the expressions of myelin proteolipid protein (PLP), myelin basic protein (MBP), MBP/TAU, Olig2/CC1, and PDGFRα/proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) through RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence. Transcriptomics integrated with disease database analysis and experiments in vivo and in vitro revealed the microRNA-related underlying mechanisms.

RESULTS

Here, we reported that BYHWD promoted the neurological function of ICH mice and improved remyelination by increasing PLP, MBP, and TAU, as well as restoring myelin structure. Besides, we showed that BYHWD promoted remyelination by boosting the differentiation of PDGFRα+ oligodendrocyte precursor cells into olig2+/CC1+ oligodendrocytes. Additionally, we demonstrated that the remyelination effects of BYHWD worked by inhibiting G protein-coupled receptor 17 (GPR17). miRNA sequencing integrated with miRNA database prediction screened potential miRNAs targeting GPR17. By applying immunofluorescence, RNA in situ hybridization and dual luciferase reporter gene assay, we confirmed that BYHWD suppressed GPR17 and improved remyelination by increasing miR-760-3p.

CONCLUSIONS

BYHWD improves remyelination and neurological function in ICH mice by targeting miR-760-3p to inhibit GPR17. This study may shed light on the orchestration of remyelination mechanisms after ICH, thus providing novel insights for developing innovative prescriptions with brain-protective properties.