Asiaticoside Alleviates Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via NOD2/Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK)/Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-κB) Signaling Pathway

Fritillaria steroidal alkaloids and their multi-target therapeutic mechanisms: insights from network pharmacology

Medicinal Fritillaria herbs, known for their rich content of steroidal alkaloids, have emerged as promising candidates in the treatment of chronic diseases due to their diverse pharmacological properties. Leveraging advancements in network pharmacology and molecular docking, this study explores the multi-target mechanisms through which these alkaloids exert therapeutic effects. The integration of bioinformatics, systems biology, and pharmacology in drug discovery has provided insights into the molecular interactions and pathways influenced by Fritillaria steroidal alkaloids. This review synthesizes comprehensive literature from 1985 to 2024, revealing the potential of these compounds in addressing respiratory diseases, inflammation, and cancer. The integration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with modern pharmacological techniques underscores the relevance of these compounds in next-generation drug discovery. While initial findings are promising, further empirical validation is necessary to fully harness the therapeutic potential of Fritillaria steroidal alkaloids.

Modulating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Gastrointestinal Cancers: Insights from Traditional Chinese Medicine

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR) play critical roles in tumorigenesis, cancer progression, and drug resistance. Persistent activation of the ER stress system enhances the survival capacities of malignant tumor cells, including increased proliferation, invasion, and resistance to treatment. Dysregulation of ER function and the resultant stress is a common cellular response to cancer therapies and may lead to cancer cell death. Currently, growing evidence suggests that Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), either as a monotherapy or in combination with other treatments, offers significant advantages in preventing cancer, inhibiting tumor growth, reducing surgical complications, improving drug sensitivity, and mitigating drug-induced damage. Some of these natural products have even entered clinical trials as primary or complementary anticancer agents. In this review, we summarize the anticancer effects of TCM monomers/natural products on the gastrointestinal (GI) tumors and explore their mechanisms through ER stress modulation. We believe that ongoing laboratory research and the clinical development of TCM-based cancer therapies hold considerable potential for advancing future cancer treatments.

Asiaticoside ameliorates uterine injury induced by zearalenone in mice by reversing endometrial barrier disruption, oxidative stress and apoptosis

Zearalenone (ZEA) is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium fungi that has been shown to have adverse effects on human and animal health, particularly on the fertility of females. As a saponin derived from the medicinal plant Centella asiatica, asiaticoside (AS) has multiple bioactivities. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of AS on ZEA-induced uterine injury and the underlying mechanism. In the present study, we demonstrated that AS could rescue ZEA-induced uterine histopathological damage and modulate the secretion of sex hormones, including progesterone (P4), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E2), in ZEA-treated mice. Moreover, AS alleviated ZEA-induced damage to endometrial barrier function by upregulating the expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-3). Further mechanistic investigations indicated that ZEA reduces the antioxidant capacity of uterine tissues, whereas AS improves the antioxidant capacity through activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Most notably, the protective effect of AS was blocked in Nrf2 gene knockout (Nrf2-/-) mice. Moreover, the p38/ERK MAPK pathway has been implicated in regulating ZEA toxicity and the beneficial effect of AS. Additionally, an Nrf2 inhibitor (ML385) weaken the suppressive effect of AS on the oxidative stress and MAPK pathway. AS also inhibits ZEA-induced apoptosis in uterine tissues via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. However, when the PI3K small molecule inhibitor LY294002 was co-administered, the ability of AS to suppress the expression of apoptosis-related proteins and inhibit ZEA-induced apoptosis decreased. Collectively, these findings reveal the involvement of multiple pathways and targets in the protective effect of AS against ZEA-induced uterine injury, providing a new perspective for the application of AS and the development of a ZEA antidote.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury paradoxically occurs during reperfusion following ischemia, exacerbating the initial tissue damage. The limited understanding of the intricate mechanisms underlying I/R injury hinders the development of effective therapeutic interventions. The Wnt signaling pathway exhibits extensive crosstalk with various other pathways, forming a network system of signaling pathways involved in I/R injury. This review article elucidates the underlying mechanisms involved in Wnt signaling, as well as the complex interplay between Wnt and other pathways, including Notch, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B, transforming growth factor-β, nuclear factor kappa, bone morphogenetic protein, N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor-Ca2+-Activin A, Hippo-Yes-associated protein, toll-like receptor 4/toll-interleukine-1 receptor domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β, and hepatocyte growth factor/mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor. In particular, we delve into their respective contributions to key pathological processes, including apoptosis, the inflammatory response, oxidative stress, extracellular matrix remodeling, angiogenesis, cell hypertrophy, fibrosis, ferroptosis, neurogenesis, and blood-brain barrier damage during I/R injury. Our comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms involved in Wnt signaling during I/R reveals that activation of the canonical Wnt pathway promotes organ recovery, while activation of the non-canonical Wnt pathways exacerbates injury. Moreover, we explore novel therapeutic approaches based on these mechanistic findings, incorporating evidence from animal experiments, current standards, and clinical trials. The objective of this review is to provide deeper insights into the roles of Wnt and its crosstalk signaling pathways in I/R-mediated processes and organ dysfunction, to facilitate the development of innovative therapeutic agents for I/R injury.

Butylphthalide improves brain damage induced by renal ischemia-reperfusion injury rats through Nrf2/HO-1 and NOD2/MAPK/NF-κB pathways

Renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury leads to irreversible brain damage with serious consequences. Activation of oxidative stress and release of inflammatory mediators are considered potential pathological mechanisms. Butylphthalide (NBP) has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on I/R injuries. However, it is unclear whether NBP can effectively mitigate renal I/R secondary to brain injury as well as its mechanism, which are the aims of this study. Both renal I/R injury rats and oxygen and glucose deprivation cell models were established and pre-intervened NBP. The Morris water maze assay was used to detect behavior. Hippocampal histopathology and function were examined after renal I/R. Apoptosis and tube-forming capacity of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVECs) were tested. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to measure protein expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway and NOD-like receptor C2 (NOD2)/Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK)/Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway. NBP treatment attenuated renal I/R-induced brain tissue damage and learning and memory dysfunction. NBP treatment inhibited apoptosis and promoted blood-brain barrier restoration and microangiogenesis. Also, it decreased oxidative stress levels and pro-inflammatory factor expression in renal I/R rats. Furthermore, NBP enhanced BMVECs' viability and tube-forming capacity while inhibiting apoptosis and oxidative stress. Notably, the alleviating effects of NBP were attributed to Nrf2/HO-1 pathway activation and NOD2/MAPK/NF-κB inhibition. This study demonstrates that NBP maintains BBB function by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and inhibiting the NOD2/MAPK/NF-κB pathway to suppress inflammation and oxidative stress, thereby alleviating renal I/R-induced brain injury.

Anti-apoptosis effect of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

Cerebral ischemia, one of the leading causes of neurological dysfunction of brain cells, muscle dysfunction, and death, brings great harm and challenges to individual health, families, and society. Blood flow disruption causes decreased glucose and oxygen, insufficient to maintain normal brain tissue metabolism, resulting in intracellular calcium overload, oxidative stress, neurotoxicity of excitatory amino acids, and inflammation, ultimately leading to neuronal cell necrosis, apoptosis, or neurological abnormalities. This paper summarizes the specific mechanism of cell injury that apoptosis triggered by reperfusion after cerebral ischemia, the related proteins involved in apoptosis, and the experimental progress of herbal medicine treatment through searching, analyzing, and summarizing the PubMed and Web Of Science databases, which includes active ingredients of herbal medicine, prescriptions, Chinese patent medicines, and herbal extracts, providing a new target or new strategy for drug treatment, and providing a reference for future experimental directions and using them to develop suitable small molecule drugs for clinical application. With the research of anti-apoptosis as the core, it is important to find highly effective, low toxicity, safe and cheap compounds from natural plants and animals with abundant resources to prevent and treat Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury (CIR) and solve human suffering. In addition, understanding and summarizing the apoptotic mechanism of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, the microscopic mechanism of CIR treatment, and the cellular pathways involved will help to develop new drugs.

Therapeutic properties and pharmacological activities of asiaticoside and madecassoside: A review

Centella asiatica is an ethnomedicinal herbaceous species that grows abundantly in tropical and sub-tropical regions of China, India, South-Eastern Asia and Africa. It is a popular nutraceutical that is employed in various forms of clinical and cosmetic treatments. C. asiatica extracts are reported widely in Ayurvedic and Chinese traditional medicine to boost memory, prevent cognitive deficits and improve brain functions. The major bioactive constituents of C. asiatica are the pentacyclic triterpenoid glycosides, asiaticoside and madecassoside, and their corresponding aglycones, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Asiaticoside and madecassoside have been identified as the marker compounds of C. asiatica in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and these triterpene compounds offer a wide range of pharmacological properties, including neuroprotective, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, wound healing, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-allergic, anti-depressant, anxiolytic, antifibrotic, antibacterial, anti-arthritic, anti-tumour and immunomodulatory activities. Asiaticoside and madecassoside are also used extensively in treating skin abnormalities, burn injuries, ischaemia, ulcers, asthma, lupus, psoriasis and scleroderma. Besides medicinal applications, these phytocompounds are considered cosmetically beneficial for their role in anti-ageing, skin hydration, collagen synthesis, UV protection and curing scars. Existing reports and experimental studies on these compounds between 2005 and 2022 have been selectively reviewed in this article to provide a comprehensive overview of the numerous therapeutic advantages of asiaticoside and madecassoside and their potential roles in the medical future.

Asiaticoside attenuates oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation-caused injury of cardiomyocytes by inhibiting autophagy

Asiaticoside is a natural triterpene compound derived from Centella asiatica, possessing confirmed cardioprotective property. However, the roles of asiaticoside in regulating oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-caused cardiomyocyte dysfunction remain largely obscure. Human cardiomyocyte AC16 cells were stimulated with OGD/R to mimic myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury and treated with asiaticoside. Cytotoxicity was investigated by CCK-8 assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release analysis. Autophagy- and Wnt/β-catenin signaling-related protein levels were measured via western blotting. Asiaticoside (0-20 μM) did not induce cardiomyocyte cytotoxicity. Asiaticoside (20 μM) mitigated OGD/R-induced autophagy, cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and myocardial injury. Rapamycin, an autophagy inductor, reversed the influences of asiaticoside on autophagy, cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and myocardial injury, whereas 3-methyadanine, an autophagy inhibitor, played an opposite effect. Asiaticoside (20 μM) attenuated OGD/R-induced Wnt/β-catenin signaling inactivation, which was reversed after transfection with si-β-catenin. Transfection with si-β-catenin attenuated the influences of asiaticoside on autophagy, cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and myocardial injury. In conclusion, asiaticoside protected against OGD/R-induced cardiomyocyte cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and myocardial injury via blunting autophagy through activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling, indicating the therapeutic potential of asiaticoside in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Neuroprotective Effect of Corosolic Acid Against Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Experimental Rats

Several therapeutic approaches were also urgently needed as ischaemic stroke was one of the most common brain disorders. Many phytochemicals have recently been discovered for the advancement of lead-like libraries that are concentrated on the peripheral and central nervous systems. Science does not yet understand how these drugs work, nor do they comprehend their in vivo characteristics. We investigated the potential benefits of corosolic acid (CA) in the treatment of brain injury caused by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Injury occurs after a 2-hour transient occlusion of the posterior cerebral artery and subsequent reperfusion (after 20 hours). Furthermore, the experiment assessed the size of the infarct, the amount of brain water present, as well as the neurofunctional conditions in rats. In the study, several markers of inflammation and cytokines associated with brain injury were measured. The Elisa kit was used in this study to measure the mRNA expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin 1β, TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and nitrous oxide (NO). The CA treatment significantly reduced brain water content, brain infarction volume, neurological scores, and Evans blue leakage (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). Experimental rats were treated with CA after a significantly reduced level of anti-inflammatory, pro-inflammatory, and oxidative stress mediators was noted in their body tissues and serum (p < 0.001). By suppressing inflammatory responses in rats, CA demonstrated anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties.

Therapeutic targets by traditional Chinese medicine for ischemia-reperfusion injury induced apoptosis on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a significant role in treating and preventing human diseases. Ischemic heart and cerebrovascular injuries are two types of diseases with different clinical manifestations with high prevalence and incidence. In recent years, it has been reported that many TCM has beneficial effects on ischemic diseases through the inhibition of apoptosis, which is the key target to treat myocardial and cerebral ischemia. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the mechanisms of various TCMs in treating ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases through anti-apoptotic targets and pathways. However, clinical investigations into elucidating the pharmacodynamic ingredients of TCM are still lacking, which should be further demystified in the future. Overall, the inhibition of apoptosis by TCM may be an effective strategy for treating ischemic cardio-cerebrovascular diseases.

Asiaticoside Suppresses Gastric Cancer Progression and Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress through the miR-635/HMGA1 Axis

Objective

Gastric cancer is a prevalent malignant tumor with high morbidity and poor prognosis. Asiaticoside (AC) has antitumor effects, while its role in gastric cancer is elusive. Thus, this study investigated the effect of AC on gastric cancer progression.

Methods

Cell viability and migration were determined using the CCK-8 and Transwell migration assay. Endoplasmic reticulum stress was detected through measuring the expressions of GRP78, Chop, and hnRNPA1 by Western blot. The luciferase assay confirmed the relationship between miR-635 and High Mobility Group AT-Hook 1 (HMGA1). The effect of AC on tumor growth was evaluated by establishing a xenograft tumor. The survival rate of mice was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results

AC suppressed gastric cancer cell viability and restrained cell migration. AC inhibited the expressions of the cell proliferation marker PCNA and EMT-related marker N-cadherin and increased E-cadherin expression. AC elevated the levels of GRP78 and Chop and suppressed the level of hnRNPA1. In addition, AC restrained gastric cancer proliferation and migration ability and induced endoplasmic reticulum stress by upregulating miR-635 expression. Furthermore, HMGA1 was proven to be a target of miR-635. AC constrained gastric cancer cell proliferation and migration and promoted endoplasmic reticulum stress by regulating HMGA1. Moreover, AC suppressed in vivo tumor growth and improved the survival time of mice. Additionally, AC elevated the expressions of miR-635, E-cadherin, GRP78, and Chop and inhibited Ki-67, HMGA1, N-cadherin, and hnRNPA1 expressions in tumor tissues of mice.

Conclusion

AC suppressed gastric cancer progression and induced endoplasmic reticulum stress via the miR-635/HMGA1 axis, providing a valuable drug against gastric cancer.

Asiaticoside alleviates cardiomyocyte apoptosis and oxidative stress in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury via activating the PI3K-AKT-GSK3β pathway in vivo and in vitro

Background

Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) is one of the most important links in myocardial injury, causing damage to cardiac tissues including cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, and other serious consequences. Asiaticoside (AS), a new compound synthesized from genistein, is cardioprotective. This paper presents new evidence for the protective role of AS against MI/R injury in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

First, BALB/c mice underwent surgical ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery to establish an MI/R animal model, and HL-1 cells were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) to establish an in vitro model. Myocardial infarct size was examined by triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, histopathological changes detected in heart tissues were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson staining, heart tissue apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to analyze cardiac troponin I (CTnI), creatine kinase-muscle and brain (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced glutathione (GSH). Cell viability was evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and live/dead assay. Cell apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial superoxide were detected by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Both the protein expression in myocardial tissues and cardiomyocytes were examined by western blot.

Results

In the in vivo MI/R experiments,pretreatment of AS reduced myocardial infarct size, decrease leakage of myocardial enzyme, suppressed myocardial apoptosis, myocardial collagen deposition, and oxidative stress. In the in vitro OGD/R experiments, HL-1 cells pretreated with AS had increased cell viability, decreased apoptosis rates and depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, and attenuated intracellular ROS and mitochondrial superoxide. Moreover, AS downregulated the expression of apoptotic protein, and promoted phosphorylation of PI3K, AKT, and GSK3β, which was reversed by PI3K inhibitor LY294002.

Conclusions

The AS compound protects against MI/R injury by attenuating oxidative stress and apoptosis via activating the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β pathway in vivo and vitro.

Neuroprotective and Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Pterostilbene Against Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury via Suppression of COX-2

Background: The incidence of cerebral ischemia disease leading cause of death in human population worldwide. Treatment of cerebral ischemia remains a clinical challenge for researchers and mechanisms of cerebral ischemia remain unknown. During the cerebral ischemia, inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress plays an important role. The current investigation scrutinized the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory role of pterostilbene against cerebral ischemia in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rodent model and explore the underlying mechanism.

Methods: The rats were divided into following groups viz., normal, sham, MCAO and MCAO + pterostilbene (25 mg/kg) group, respectively. The groups received the oral administration of pterostilbene for 30 days followed by MCAO induction. The neurological score, brain water content, infarct volume and Evan blue leakage were estimated. Hepatic, renal, heart, inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators were estimated.

Results: Pterostilbene treatment significantly (p < 0.001) improved the body weight and suppressed the glucose level and brain weight. Pterostilbene significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the hepatic, renal and heart parameters. Pterostilbene significantly (p < 0.001) decreased the level of glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and decreased the level of malonaldehyde (MDA), 8-Hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Pterostilbene significantly (p < 0.001) inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory parameters such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxidase synthase (iNOS) and prostaglandin (PGE₂). Pterostilbene significantly (p < 0.001) down-regulated the level of metalloproteinases (MMP) such as MMP-2 and MMP-9. Pterostilbene suppressed the cellular swelling, cellular disintegration, macrophage infiltration, monocyte infiltration and polymorphonuclear leucocyte degranulation in the brain.

Conclusion: In conclusion, Pterostilbene exhibited the neuroprotective effect against cerebral ischemia in rats via anti-inflammatory mechanism.

Overexpression of microRNA-202-3p in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells improves cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by promoting angiogenesis and inhibiting inflammation

BACKGROUND

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) can cause brain tissue inflammation, neuronal degeneration, and apoptosis. There is increasing evidence that microRNAs (miRNA) exert neuroprotective effects by regulating the inflammatory process during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Additionally, it is increasingly acknowledged that neuroinflammation is regulated by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). However, it is unclear whether miRNA can exert its neuroprotective effects by regulating TLR4-mediated inflammation.

METHODS

The effects of BMSCs over-expressing miR-202-3p on CIRI, angiogenesis in midbrain tissue, and the release of inflammatory factors (IFs) in the serum were measured using in vivo rat models. We also used SH-SY5Y cells to establish an ischemia-reperfusion in vitro cell model. The interaction between miR-202-3p and TLR4 was analyzed by overexpressing miR-202-3p and knocking down TLR4. Knockdown of TLR4 was performed using siRNA.

RESULTS

Overexpression of miR-202-3p in BMSCs could significantly improve brain function and reduce brain damage. Simultaneously, miR-202-3p could significantly promote angiogenesis, increase the expression of vWF and VEGF, and reduce the expression of IFs. When the expression of TLR4 was significantly reduced in SH-SY5Y cells, the expression of IFs increased. Therefore, miRNA-202-3p may interact with TLR4 to modulate inflammation.

CONCLUSION

Our data indicated that miR-202-3p potentially exerts its neuroprotective effects and protects against CIRI by regulating TLR4-mediated inflammation.

Neuroprotective Effect for Cerebral Ischemia by Natural Products: A Review

Natural products have a significant role in the prevention of disease and boosting of health in humans and animals. Stroke is a disease with high prevalence and incidence, the pathogenesis is a complex cascade reaction. In recent years, it’s reported that a vast number of natural products have demonstrated beneficial effects on stroke worldwide. Natural products have been discovered to modulate activities with multiple targets and signaling pathways to exert neuroprotection via direct or indirect effects on enzymes, such as kinases, regulatory receptors, and proteins. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the established pharmacological effects and multiple target mechanisms of natural products for cerebral ischemic injury in vitro and in vivo preclinical models, and their potential neuro-therapeutic applications. In addition, the biological activity of natural products is closely related to their structure, and the structure-activity relationship of most natural products in neuroprotection is lacking, which should be further explored in future. Overall, we stress on natural products for their role in neuroprotection, and this wide band of pharmacological or biological activities has made them suitable candidates for the treatment of stroke.

Electroacupuncture Attenuates Cognitive Impairment in Rat Model of Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion via miR-137/NOX4 Axis

Electroacupuncture has shown protective effects on cognitive decline. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not clear. The present study was conducted to determine whether the cognitive function was ameliorated in cerebral hypoperfusion rats following electroacupuncture and to investigate the role of miR-137/NOX4 axis. In this study, chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) model was established by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion. Electroacupuncture treatment attenuated brain injury in CCH model group via regulating miR-137/NOX4 axis. Furthermore, the data of neuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress were observed. Our findings indicated that (1) neuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress in CCH rats were significantly increased compared with control group; (2) the animal cognitive performance was evaluated using the Morris water maze (MWM). The results showed that electroacupuncture therapy ameliorated spatial learning and memory impairment in cerebral hypoperfusion rats; and (3) electroacupuncture therapy reduces neuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress by activating miR-137/NOX4 axis. These results suggest that electroacupuncture therapy for CCH may be mediated by miR-137/NOX4 axis. Electroacupuncture therapy may act as a potential therapeutic approach for chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.

Orexin-A alleviates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis

Orexin‑A (OXA) protects neurons against cerebral ischemia‑reperfusion injury (CIRI). Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) induces apoptosis after CIRI by activating caspase‑12 and the CHOP pathway. The present study aimed to determine whether OXA mitigates CIRI by inhibiting ERS‑induced neuronal apoptosis. A model of CIRI was established, in which rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion with ischemic intervention for 2 h, followed by reperfusion for 24 h. Neurological deficit examination and 2,3,5‑triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining were performed to assess the level of CIRI and neuroprotection by OXA. Expression levels of ERS‑related proteins and cleaved caspase‑3 were measured via western blotting, while the rate of neuronal apoptosis in the cortex was determined using a TUNEL assay. OXA treatment decreased the infarct volume of rats after CIRI and attenuated neuron apoptosis. Furthermore, administration of OXA decreased the expression levels of GRP78, phosphorylated (p)‑PERK, p‑eukaryotic initiation factor‑2α, p‑inositol requiring enzyme 1α, p‑JNK, cleaved caspase‑12, CHOP and cleaved caspase‑3, all of which were induced by CIRI. Collectively, these findings suggested that OXA attenuated CIRI by inhibiting ERS‑mediated apoptosis, thus clarifying the mechanism underlying its neuroprotective effect and providing a novel therapeutic direction for the treatment of CIRI.

The Alteration of M6A-Tagged Transcript Profiles in the Retina of Rats After Traumatic Optic Neuropathy

Messager RNA (mRNA) can be modified in a variety of ways, among which the modification of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most common ones. Recent studies have found that the m6A modification in mRNA could functionally regulate the splicing, localization, translation, and stability of mRNA, which might be closely related to multiple diseases. However, the roles of m6A modification in traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) are unknown. Herein, we detected the expression of m6A-related genes via quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and performed methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) as well as RNA-sequencing to analyze the alteration profiles of m6A modification after TON. The results showed that the expression of m6A-related genes (METTL3, WTAP, FTO, and ALKBH5) were all upregulated after TON. In all, 2,810 m6A peaks were differentially upregulated and 689 m6A peaks were downregulated. In addition, the hypermethylated and hypomethylated profiles of mRNA transcripts were also identified. To sum up, our study revealed the differentially expressed m6A modification in the early stage of TON, which may provide novel insights into the mechanism and treatment of TON.

Asiaticoside inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition and stem cell-like properties of pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells by blocking the activation of p65 and p38MAPK

BACKGROUND

To analyze the inhibitory effects of Asiaticoside (ATS) on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stem cell-like properties of a pancreatic cancer cell line (PANC-1) by blocking the activation of p65 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK).

METHODS

ATS concentrations were set at 0, 10, 25, and 50 µmol/L. The survival rate of PANC-1 cells in each group was detected by CCK-8, and CD133 and CD44 positive cells were detected by flow cytometry. The levels of Ki67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. The expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, sex-determining region Y-box2 (SOX2), and octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) proteins, and the phosphorylation levels of p65 and p38MAPK were detected by western blot. Nude mouse xenograft models of the tumor were established by subcutaneous injection of PANC-1 cells (1×106-1×108/mL), and they were randomly divided into the control group (0 mg/kg), and low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose ATS groups (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg). Apoptosis in xenograft tissue was detected by TUNEL, and the expression of vimentin and SOX2 proteins was detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

As the ATS concentration increased to 25 µmol/L, cell survival rate, levels of Ki67 and PCNA mRNA, expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, SOX2, OCT4, p-p65/p65, and p-p38MAPK/p38MAPK proteins, and the proportions of CD44+ and CD133+ positive cells significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the expression of E-cadherin protein significantly increased (P<0.05). The results of tumor formation in nude mice showed that with the increase of ATS concentration, at 5 mg/kg the volume of the xenograft significantly decreased (P<0.05), the apoptosis rate significantly increased (P<0.05), and positive expression rates of vimentin and SOX2 proteins significantly decreased (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

ATS may inhibit the proliferation, EMT, and stem cell-like properties of pancreatic cancer cells by blocking the phosphorylation of p38MAPK and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/p65 in PANC-1 cells.

COP9 Signalosome Subunit 3 Restricts Neuroinflammatory Responses During Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Through Stabilizing Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein

BACKGROUND

The suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) is a specific negative regulator of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling, which is predominantly activated to induce neuroinflammatory response in microglia and functions essential roles during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Constitutive photomorphogenesis 9 (COP9) signalosome (CSN) is a signaling platform controlling protein stability by remodeling of cullin-RING ubiquitin ligases, which is recently reported to specifically recognize proteins with SOCS-box domains. However, whether SOCS3 is related to COP9 signalosome in neuroinflammation during cerebral I/R injury is completely unclear.

METHODS

Mice subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion, and BV2 microglia cells treated with oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R) were used to mimic cerebral I/R injury. Western blot, qRTPCR, immunofluorescence, and co-Immunoprecipitation assays were performed to explore the regulatory mechanism of SOCS3 on neuroinflammation and the relationship of SOCS3 and COP9 signalosome during cerebral I/R injury.

RESULTS

SOCS3 expression is significantly upregulated in microglia during OGD/R treatment, and overexpression of SOCS3 suppresses OGD/R-induced STAT3 activation and inflammatory factor expression. Furthermore, we find that COP9 signalosome subunit 3 (CSN3) interacts with SOCS3 protein to enhance its stability, thereby resulting in restricting OGD/R-induced STAT3 activation and inflammatory response. Moreover, we find that knockdown of CSN3 evidently accelerates STAT3 activation, and aggravates cerebral I/R injury in vivo.

CONCLUSION

CSN3 restricts neuroinflammatory responses during cerebral I/R injury through stabilizing SOCS3 protein and indicates that CSN3 a potential therapeutic target for cerebral I/R injury.

Asiaticoside produces an antidepressant‑like effect in a chronic unpredictable mild stress model of depression in mice, involving reversion of inflammation and the PKA/pCREB/BDNF signaling pathway

Asiaticoside is one of the triterpenoid components found in Centella asiatica that has promising neuroprotective properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the antidepressant‑like properties of asiaticoside and to investigate the possible mechanisms underlying its mode of action using a mouse model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CMS). Behavioral tests, including sucrose preference test, forced swimming test and tail suspension test, were performed to evaluate symptoms of depression. The expression levels of neurotransmitters, 5‑hydroxytryptamine (5‑HT) and norepinephrine (NE), in the hippocampus were measured by high‑performance liquid chromatography. ELISA and western blotting were used to detect protein expression. It was demonstrated that asiaticoside treatment (20 and 40 mg/kg; intragastric) significantly reversed the decrease in sucrose consumption, and reduced the immobility time in tail suspension tests and forced swimming tests in CMS mice. Furthermore, asiaticoside treatment upregulated the expression of 5‑HT and NE in the CMS mouse model. Asiaticoside administration also downregulated the levels of interleukin (IL)‑1β, IL‑6 and tumor necrosis factor‑α in the hippocampus, and reduced the phosphorylation of nuclear factor (NF)‑κBp65 and the expression of nod‑like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), thus decreasing the expression of mature caspase‑1. Furthermore, asiaticoside significantly increased the levels of cAMP and protein kinase A (PKA), and enhanced phosphorylation of the cAMP‑related specific marker vasodilator‑stimulated phosphoprotein at serine 157. Therefore, asiaticoside may activate the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway to inhibit NF‑κB‑ and NLRP3‑related inflammation. Moreover, phosphorylation of the cAMP‑responsive element‑binding protein at serine 133 and the expression of brain‑derived neurotrophic factor were increased after asiaticoside administration. Collectively, the present results suggested that asiaticoside may play a vital role as an antidepressant and anti‑inflammatory agent in the CMS mouse model by regulating the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway.

Terpenoids as Potential Geroprotectors

Terpenes and terpenoids are the largest groups of plant secondary metabolites. However, unlike polyphenols, they are rarely associated with geroprotective properties. Here we evaluated the conformity of the biological effects of terpenoids with the criteria of geroprotectors, including primary criteria (lifespan-extending effects in model organisms, improvement of aging biomarkers, low toxicity, minimal adverse effects, improvement of the quality of life) and secondary criteria (evolutionarily conserved mechanisms of action, reproducibility of the effects on different models, prevention of age-associated diseases, increasing of stress-resistance). The number of substances that demonstrate the greatest compliance with both primary and secondary criteria of geroprotectors were found among different classes of terpenoids. Thus, terpenoids are an underestimated source of potential geroprotectors that can effectively influence the mechanisms of aging and age-related diseases.