Tomatidine Alleviates Osteoporosis by Downregulation of p53

Efficient evaluation of osteotoxicity and mechanisms of endocrine disrupting chemicals using network toxicology and molecular docking approaches: triclosan as a model compound

This study aimed to demonstrate the utility of a network toxicology strategy in elucidating osteotoxicity and the molecular mechanisms of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) using triclosan exposure in postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) as a case study. The potential targets of triclosan were identified using the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database, SwissTargetPrediction, and TargetNet. PMOP-related targets were obtained from GeneCards, DisGeNET, and DrugBank. A total of 478 overlapping genes between disease targets and triclosan effectors were identified. Subsequent analysis using STRING and Cytoscape, applying the Matthews correlation coefficient algorithm, identified five core genes: STAT3, TP53, EGFR, MYC, and JUN. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses performed using R revealed that triclosan-induced PMOP is primarily associated with disrupted endocrine signaling and activation of the Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-Protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. Molecular docking using CB-Dock2 confirmed strong binding affinities between triclosan and the core targets. Collectively, these results indicate that triclosan adversely affects bone health by disrupting endocrine regulation and energy metabolism through the PI3K-Akt pathway. This study establishes a theoretical framework for understanding how long-term triclosan exposure induces or exacerbates PMOP by investigating the underlying molecular mechanisms. These findings present a novel paradigm for evaluating the health risks posed by environmental pollutants.

Tomatidine Alleviates Intervertebral Disc Degeneration by Activating the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 Signaling Pathway

Purpose

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a leading cause of low back pain, and developing new molecular drugs and targets for IDD is a new direction for future treatment strategies. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects and mechanisms of tomatidine in ameliorating lumbar IDD.

Methods

Nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) exposed to lipopolysaccharides were used as an in vitro model to investigate changes in the expression of extracellular matrix components and associated signaling pathway molecules. A lumbar instability model was used to simulate IDD. Tomatidine (Td) was then administered intraperitoneally, and its effects were evaluated through histopathological analysis.

Results

In vitro, Td significantly promoted ECM anabolism, inhibited ECM catabolism, and reduced oxidative stress and ferroptosis in LPS-stimulated NPCs. When Nrf2 expression was inhibited, oxidative stress and ferroptosis were exacerbated, and the protective effects of Td on NPCs were lost, suggesting the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 axis is critical for the therapeutic effects of Td. In vivo, histopathological analysis demonstrated that Td ameliorated IDD in a murine model.

Conclusion

Td alleviates IDD in vitro and in vivo by activating the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 pathway to inhibit ferroptosis in NPCs. This mechanism suggests Td is a promising candidate for IDD treatment.

Tomatidine relieves neuronal damage in spinal cord injury by inhibiting the inflammatory responses and apoptosis through blocking the NF-κB/CXCL10 pathway activation

Background

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a neurological disease characterized by high disability and mortality rates. Tomatidine, a natural steroid alkaloid, has been evidenced to have neuroprotective properties. However, the underlying mechanisms of tomatidine in treating SCI remain ambiguous. This study aimed to illustrate the molecular mechanisms of tomatidine in modulating the inflammatory response and promoting functional rehabilitation after SCI.

Methods

Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used to construct an in vivo SCI model and were intraperitoneally injected with tomatidine (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg) for 7 days, followed by treatment with the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway agonist (PMA). In addition, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced PC-12 cells were used to establish an SCI cell model and were stimulated with tomatidine, PMA, or a CXCL10 inhibitor. The pathophysiological changes and neurological function were evaluated using blood-brain barrier (BBB) scoring, water content determination, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and TUNEL assay. Levels of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6, were measured. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, and the expression of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) were determined. Moreover, the expression of cleaved-caspase 3, caspase 3, CXCL10, p-p65, and p65 were analyzed.

Results

Our data revealed that tomatidine promoted neuronal damage recovery, reduced histopathological changes, elevated cell proliferation, and inhibited the apoptosis and inflammatory factor levels in spinal cord tissues and LPS-induced PC-12 cells. Moreover, tomatidine decreased the expression of CXCL10 in vitro and in vivo, which was accompanied by the regulation of the NF-κB pathway. However, the NF-κB pathway agonist PMA reversed the protective effect of tomatidine in vitro. PMA also enhanced the CXCL10 expression and stimulated the activation of the NF-κB pathway, as demonstrated by the upregulation of phosphorylated p65. The CXCL10 inhibitor had effects similar to tomatidine on cleaved-caspase 3 expression, CXCL10 expression, and the NF-κB pathway.

Conclusion

Tomatidine can alleviate neuronal damage in SCI by inhibiting apoptosis and inflammation through the NF-κB/CXCL10 pathway. Our findings provide a novel therapeutic target and candidate for the treatment of SCI.

Histopathological Evaluation of Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Granola Potato Peel Ethanol Extract in Rat Oral Mucosa

Introduction

Oral mucosal wounds present significant clinical challenges due to their susceptibility to infection, inflammation, and delayed healing. The limitation of standard anti-inflammatory drugs (both steroidal and non-steroidal) highlights the urgent need for plant-derived alternative therapies. Granola potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) from Pangalengan, West Java, Indonesia, has shown promise due to its bioactive compounds. However, its potential for wound healing and anti-inflammatory effects, specifically for oral mucosal wounds, remains largely unexplored.

Purpose

To evaluate the wound healing and anti-inflammatory activity of Granola potato peel ethanol extract (GPPEE) on the oral mucosa of Wistar rats based on histopathological analysis.

Materials and Methods

Forty-eight Wistar rats were wounded on the palatal mucosa using a 4 mm punch biopsy and subsequently divided into four groups: placebo gel, 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide ointment (TCA), 4% GPPEE gel, and 6% GPPEE gel. The rats were euthanized on days 0, 1, 3, 7, and 14. Histopathological parameters assessed included fibroblast proliferation, collagen deposition, angiogenesis, and the presence of inflammatory cells.

Results

Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloids in the Granola potato peel ethanol extract (GPPEE). Significant differences in the number of inflammatory cells were observed on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 (p<0.05), with the groups treated with 4% and 6% GPPEE gel initially exhibiting pro-inflammatory effects on day 3, followed by significant anti-inflammatory effects on days 7 and 14. The 6% GPPEE gel treatment demonstrated a notable increase in fibroblasts on days 1, 7, and 14 (p<0.05), as well as collagen deposition on days 7 and 14 (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in angiogenesis (p>0.05).

Conclusion

The application of 4% and 6% GPPEE gel demonstrated superior wound healing efficacy compared to 0.1% TCA and exhibited comparable anti-inflammatory activity to 0.1% TCA.

Review on toxicology and activity of tomato glycoalkaloids in immature tomatoes

Owing to the lack of selection and limited intelligence in mechanical picking, some immature tomatoes that contain alkaloids are thrown away. Tomatine alkaloids are steroidal alkaloids naturally present in Solanaceae plants, which are distributed in small amounts in immature tomato fruits and decrease as the fruits ripen. Tomato glycoalkaloids are harmful to human health. However, in small quantities, there is some evidence that these compounds might be beneficial, as other non-antioxidant bioactivities. This article considers recent research on the biological effects of tomato glycoalkaloids in immature tomatoes, providing reference value for the potential development of these compounds.

Agri-Food Waste Recycling for Healthy Remedies: Biomedical Potential of Nutraceuticals from Unripe Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Unripe tomatoes represent an agri-food waste resulting from industrial by-processing products of tomatoes, yielding products with a high content of bioactive compounds with potential nutraceutical properties. The food-matrix biological properties are attributed to the high steroidal glycoalkaloid (SGA) content. Among them, α-tomatine is the main SGA reported in unripe green tomatoes. This review provides an overview of the main chemical and pharmacological features of α-tomatine and green tomato extracts. The extraction processes and methods employed in SGA identification and the quantification are discussed. Special attention was given to the methods used in α-tomatine qualitative and quantitative analyses, including the extraction procedures and the clean-up methods applied in the analysis of Solanum lycopersicum L. extracts. Finally, the health-beneficial properties and the pharmacokinetics and toxicological aspects of SGAs and α-tomatine-containing extracts are considered in depth. In particular, the relevant results of the main in vivo and in vitro studies reporting the therapeutic properties and the mechanisms of action were described in detail.

A statistical method for image-mediated association studies discovers genes and pathways associated with four brain disorders

Brain imaging and genomics are critical tools enabling characterization of the genetic basis of brain disorders. However, imaging large cohorts is expensive and may be unavailable for legacy datasets used for genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Using an integrated feature selection/aggregation model, we developed an image-mediated association study (IMAS), which utilizes borrowed imaging/genomics data to conduct association mapping in legacy GWAS cohorts. By leveraging the UK Biobank image-derived phenotypes (IDPs), the IMAS discovered genetic bases underlying four neuropsychiatric disorders and verified them by analyzing annotations, pathways, and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs). A cerebellar-mediated mechanism was identified to be common to the four disorders. Simulations show that, if the goal is identifying genetic risk, our IMAS is more powerful than a hypothetical protocol in which the imaging results were available in the GWAS dataset. This implies the feasibility of reanalyzing legacy GWAS datasets without conducting additional imaging, yielding cost savings for integrated analysis of genetics and imaging.

Identification and validation of iron metabolism genes in osteoporosis

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease in humans. Exploring the expression difference of iron metabolism-related genes in osteoporosis can provide a new target for diagnosis and treatment.

METHODS

First, we used online databases to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to iron metabolism in patients with osteoporosis. The differential genes were comprehensively analyzed by bioinformatics method (GO, KEGG, GSEA, immune infiltration analysis, PPI). The expression levels of hub genes and important signaling pathways were verified by qRT-PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTS

A total of 23 iron metabolism-related genes with significant differences were identified, which were enriched in "regulation of protein dephosphorylation" and "negative regulation of protein dephosphorylation". The GSEA results, heme metabolism and Myc targets v1 were among the top two pathways, both upregulated. The immune infiltration analysis revealed that the expressions of genes such as ABCA5, D2HGDH, GNAI2, and CTSW were correlated with the infiltration degree of significantly different cells. The PPI network contained 12 differentially expressed iron metabolism-related genes. Additionally, YWHAE, TGFB1, PPP1R15A, TOP2A, and CALR were mined as hub genes using the Cytoscape software. qRT PCR showed that the expression of TGF-β1, YWHAE, TOP2A and CALR increased. We also verified the expression of related proteins and genes in the oxidative stress signaling pathway by qRT PCR and Western blotting. The results showed that Mob1, YAP and TAZ molecules were highly expressed at the gene and protein levels.

CONCLUSIONS

These differentially expressed iron metabolism-related genes could provide new potential targets for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.

Apoptosis pathways and osteoporosis: An approach to genomic analysis

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is a disease of the bone system that causes a decrease in skeletal density and degrades skeletal tissue. Decreased bone quality, so that bones are easily broken, damaged and fractured, is an important public health problem. Previous studies have shown that the maintenance of adult bone mass is not only due to changes in bone marrow and bone cells. By regulating apoptosis, they change the lifespan of each individual. This study influences understanding of the function of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and the importance of controlling the mechanisms of osteoporosis.

METHODS

On the National Institute of Biotechnology Information website, Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) microarray data and GSE551495 GEO profiles were collected. The gene set enrichment analysis tool was used to confirm the enrichment of genetic sets in relation to the gene set. The collection of C2 gene sets is compiled from the KEGG (https://www.gsea-msigdb.org/gsea/msigdb/human/search.jsp and https://www.kegg.jp/kegg/) online database and REACTOME (https://www.gsea-msigdb.org/gsea/msigdb/human/search.jsp and https://reactome.org/) pathway analysis. The Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interaction Genes (STRING) website was used to construct and select proteins and genes. The comparative toxicological genomic database (CTD) tools can be used to predict the relationship between apoptosis, osteoporosis-related genes and interactions between central genes and osteoporosis.

RESULTS

These results generally expand our understanding of the path of apoptosis in osteoporosis. We have discovered genes CASP9, CASP8, CASP3, BAX and TP53 associated with osteoporosis. In activation of KEGG apoptosis and REACTOME, caspase activation through the extrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway is characterized by the identification of a subcollection of C2. Other STRINGs show the formation of protein networks and central gene selection, and CTD can accurately predict the relationship between these apoptosis pathways and central genes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research has highlighted the importance of the osteoporosis pathway associated with osteoporosis apoptosis with several analytical approaches. These results have broadened our understanding of the pathways of osteoporosis apoptosis. It is particularly possible to predict the sensitivity and vulnerability to osteoporosis.

The Therapeutic Value of Solanum Steroidal (Glyco)Alkaloids: A 10-Year Comprehensive Review

Steroidal (glycol)alkaloids S(G)As are secondary metabolites made of a nitrogen-containing steroidal skeleton linked to a (poly)saccharide, naturally occurring in the members of the Solanaceae and Liliaceae plant families. The genus Solanum is familiar to all of us as a food source (tomato, potato, eggplant), but a few populations have also made it part of their ethnobotany for their medicinal properties. The recent development of the isolation, purification and analysis techniques have shed light on the structural diversity among the SGAs family, thus attracting scientists to investigate their various pharmacological properties. This review aims to overview the recent literature (2012-2022) on the pharmacological benefits displayed by the SGAs family. Over 17 different potential therapeutic applications (antibiotic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, etc.) were reported over the past ten years, and this unique review analyzes each pharmacological effect independently without discrimination of either the SGA's chemical identity or their sources. A strong emphasis is placed on the discovery of their biological targets and the subsequent cellular mechanisms, discussing in vitro to in vivo biological data. The therapeutic value and the challenges of the solanum steroidal glycoalkaloid family is debated to provide new insights for future research towards clinical development.

Isomers of the Tomato Glycoalkaloids α-Tomatine and Dehydrotomatine: Relationship to Health Benefits

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of three commercial tomatine samples and another isolated from green tomatoes revealed the presence of two small peaks in addition to those associated with the glycoalkaloids dehydrotomatine and α-tomatine. The present study investigated the possible structures of the compounds associated with the two small peaks using HPLC-mass spectrophotometric (MS) methods. Although the two peaks elute much earlier on chromatographic columns than the elution times of the known tomato glycoalkaloids dehydrotomatine and α-tomatine, isolation of the two compounds by preparative chromatography and subsequent analysis by MS shows the two compounds have identical molecular weights, tetrasaccharide side chains, and MS and MS/MS fragmentation patterns to dehydrotomatine and α-tomatine. We suggest the two isolated compounds are isomeric forms of dehydrotomatine and α-tomatine. The analytical data indicate that widely used commercial tomatine preparations and those extracted from green tomatoes and tomato leaves consist of a mixture of α-tomatine, dehydrotomatine, an α-tomatine isomer, and a dehydrotomatine isomer in an approximate ratio of 81:15:4:1, respectively. The significance of the reported health benefits of tomatine and tomatidine is mentioned.

Anticancer activity of glycoalkaloids from Solanum plants: A review

Cancer is still one of the main causes of death worldwide. For this reason, new compounds that have chemotherapeutic potential have been identified. One such group of substances is Solanaceae glycoalkaloids (GAs). They are natural compounds produced by plants widely used in traditional medicine for healing many disorders. Among others, GAs exhibit significant antitumor properties, for example, a strong inhibitory effect on cancer cell growth. This activity can result in the induction of tumor cell apoptosis, which can occur via different molecular pathways. The molecular mechanisms of the action of GAs are the subject of intensive research, as improved understanding could lead to the development of new cancer therapies. The genetic basis for the formation of neoplasms are mutations in protooncogenes, suppressors, and apoptosis-controlling and repair genes; therefore, substances with antineoplastic properties may affect the levels of their expression or the levels of their expression products. Therapeutic compounds can be applied separately or in combination with other drugs to increase the efficiency of cancer therapy; they can act on the cell through various mechanisms at different stages of carcinogenesis, inducing the process of apoptosis, blocking cell proliferation and migration, and inhibiting angiogenesis. This review summarizes the newest studies on the anticancer properties of solanine (SN), chaconine (CH), solasonine (SS), solamargine (SM), tomatine (TT) and their extracts from Solanum plants.

Therapeutic effects of shaogan fuzi decoction in rheumatoid arthritis: Network pharmacology and experimental validation

Shaogan Fuzi Decoction (SGFD), one of the classical prescriptions of Chinese Medicine, has a long history in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but definitive studies on its efficacy and mechanism of action are lacking. This study aims to elucidate the pharmacodynamic role of SGFD against RA and the potential mechanisms based on a combination of network pharmacology and experimental verification. The RA model in rats was induced by intradermal injection of bovine type Ⅱ collagen and incomplete Freund’s adjuvant at the tail root. SGFD was administered once a day by oral gavage for 4 weeks. After SGFD administration, rat’s arthritis index (AI) score and paw swelling decreased to some extent, and synovial inflammation, vascular hyperplasia, and cartilage destruction of the ankle joint were improved. Simultaneously, thymus and spleen index and serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were lowered. Network pharmacology revealed that quercetin, kaempferol, naringenin, formononetin isorhamnetin and licochalcone A were the potentialiy active components, and IL6, TP53, TNF, PTGS2, MAPK3 and IL-1β were potential key targets for SGFD in the treatment of RA. Ingredients-targets molecular docking showed that the components had the high binding activity to these target proteins. The mechanism of SGFD for RA involves various biological functions and is closely correlated with TNF signaling pathway, Osteoclast differentiation, T cell receptor signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, toll-like receptor signaling pathway, and so on. Western blot and ELISA showed that the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) p65, phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), p-p38, phosphorylated extracellular regulated kinase (p-ERK) and TNF-α was significantly upregulated in the synovium of RA rats, and the levels of serum inflammatory factors were significantly increased. SGFD inhibits the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB/MAPK pathway and the expression/production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In summary, SGFD could improve the symptoms and inflammatory response in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model. The mechanism might be related to the regulation of TLR4/MAPKs/NF-κB signaling pathway and the reduction of inflammatory factor release, which partially confirms the results predicted by network pharmacology.

The Genetic Association Identified Between Intervertebral Disc Degeneration and Associated Risk Factors Based on a Systems Biology Approach

STUDY DESIGN

Genetic cross-over study of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) and its associated risk factors.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose is to identify molecular biomarkers that may be involved in the IDD process and to provide effective recommendations in combination with drug analysis via systems biology methods.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The pathogenesis and genetic links of IDD are still unclear. Related research is mainly based on a single data set or gene, and the impact of related risk factors on IDD is often ignored.

METHODS

Identifying disease-associated biomarkers and therapeutic targets through a systems biology approach that Integrative network-based gene and multi-omics analysis. In this study, the differential expression of genes was analyzed through NCBI datasets, followed by enrichment analysis. The central protein was identified through the establishment of protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Key genes were screened out by VENN diagram and reasonable suggestions were put forward based on gene-chemical drug analysis.

RESULTS

The IDD database analysis revealed 669 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) which were 22, 26, 168, 5, 38, 36, and 16 common DEGs with AG, SM, DEP, NAD, CED, OB, and HFD, respectively. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis may reveal the pathway by which these DEGs were involved. PPI network identified 10 central proteins including CCNB1, RETN, HMMR, BUB1, MPO, OIP5, HP, KIF11, BUB1B, and CDC25A. Three key genes BUB1, BUB1B, and CCNB1 were screened out and their expression might be related to the pathogenesis of IDD. According to the three chemical Dexamethasone, Nicotine, and Resvera-trol obtained from the analysis of genes-chemical drugs, reasonable treatment suggestions were put forward.

CONCLUSION

Genetic association between IDD and risk factors in the general population was revealed by association network. Important gene-related molecular pathways and chemical drugs closely related to IDD have been found. Further study can provide guidance for the treatment and prognosis of IDD.Level of Evidence: N/A.

Hesperidin Ameliorates Dexamethasone-Induced Osteoporosis by Inhibiting p53

Osteoporosis is one of the most frequent skeletal disorders and a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the expanding aging population. Evidence suggests that hesperidin may have a therapeutic impact on osteoporosis. Nevertheless, little is known about the role of hesperidin in the development of osteoporosis. Bioinformatics analyses were carried out to explore the functions and possible molecular mechanisms by which hesperidin regulates osteogenic differentiation. In the present study, we screened and harvested 12 KEGG pathways that were shared by hesperidin-targeted genes and osteoporosis. The p53 signaling pathway was considered to be a key mechanism. Our in vitro results showed that hesperidin partially reversed dexamethasone-induced inhibition of osteogenic differentiation by suppressing the activation of p53, and suggest that hesperidin may be a promising candidate for the treatment against dexamethasone-induced osteoporosis.

The steroidal alkaloids α-tomatine and tomatidine: Panorama of their mode of action and pharmacological properties

The steroidal glycoalkaloid α-tomatine (αTM) and its aglycone tomatidine (TD) are abundant in the skin of unripe green tomato and present in tomato leaves and flowers. They mainly serve as defensive agents to protect the plant against infections by insects, bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi. In addition, the two products display a range of pharmacological properties potentially useful to treat various human diseases. We have analyzed all known pharmacological activities of αTM and TD, and the corresponding molecular targets and pathways impacted by these two steroidal alkaloids. In experimental models, αTM displays anticancer effects, particularly strong against androgen-independent prostate cancer, as well as robust antifungal effects. αTM is a potent cholesterol binder, useful as a vaccine adjuvant to improve delivery of protein antigens or therapeutic oligonucleotides. TD is a much less cytotoxic compound, able to restrict the spread of certain viruses (such as dengue, chikungunya and porcine epidemic diarrhea viruses) and to provide cardio and neuro-protective effects toward human cells. Both αTM and TD exhibit marked anti-inflammatory activities. They proceed through multiple signaling pathways and protein targets, including the sterol C24 methyltransferase Erg6 and vitamin D receptor, both directly targeted by TD. αTM is a powerful regulator of the NFkB/ERK signaling pathway implicated in various diseases. Collectively, the analysis shed light on the multitargeted action of αTM/TD and their usefulness as chemo-preventive or chemotherapeutic agents. A novel medicinal application for αTM is proposed.

Targeting Bacterial Membrane Proteins to Explore the Beneficial Effects of Natural Products: New Antibiotics against Drug Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is currently a world health crisis that urges the development of new antibacterial substances. To this end, natural products, including flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, peptides and organic acids that play a vital role in the development of medicines and thus constitute a rich source in clinical practices, provide an important source of drugs directly or for the screen of lead compounds for new antibiotic development. Because membrane proteins, which comprise more than 60% of the current clinical drug targets, play crucial roles in signal transduction, transport, bacterial pathogenicity and drug resistance, as well as immunogenicity, it is our aim to summarize those natural products with different structures that target bacterial membrane proteins, such as efflux pumps and enzymes, to provide an overview for the development of new antibiotics to deal with antibiotic resistance.

Identification of Potential Therapeutic Targets and Molecular Regulatory Mechanisms for Osteoporosis by Bioinformatics Methods

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass, deterioration of bone tissue structure, and susceptibility to fracture. New and more suitable therapeutic targets need to be discovered.

METHODS

We collected osteoporosis-related datasets (GSE56815, GSE99624, and GSE63446). The methylation markers were obtained by differential analysis. Degree, DMNC, MCC, and MNC plug-ins were used to screen the important methylation markers in PPI network, then enrichment analysis was performed. ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic effect of osteoporosis. In addition, we evaluated the difference in immune cell infiltration between osteoporotic patients and control by ssGSEA. Finally, differential miRNAs in osteoporosis were used to predict the regulators of key methylation markers.

RESULTS

A total of 2351 differentially expressed genes and 5246 differentially methylated positions were obtained between osteoporotic patients and controls. We identified 19 methylation markers by PPI network. They were mainly involved in biological functions and signaling pathways such as apoptosis and immune inflammation. HIST1H3G, MAP3K5, NOP2, OXA1L, and ZFPM2 with higher AUC values were considered key methylation markers. There were significant differences in immune cell infiltration between osteoporotic patients and controls, especially dendritic cells and natural killer cells. The correlation between MAP3K5 and immune cells was high, and its differential expression was also validated by other two datasets. In addition, NOP2 was predicted to be regulated by differentially expressed hsa-miR-3130-5p.

CONCLUSION

Our efforts aim to provide new methylation markers as therapeutic targets for osteoporosis to better treat osteoporosis in the future.

Integration of Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation to Explore the Pharmacological Mechanisms of Zhuanggu Busui Formula Against Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis (OP) is a common skeletal disease, characterized by decreased bone formation and increased bone resorption. As a novel Chinese medicine formula, Zhuanggu Busui formula (ZGBSF) has been proved to be an effective prescription for treating OP in clinic, however, the pharmacological mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects remain obscure. In this study, we explored the pharmacological mechanisms of ZGBSF against OP via network pharmacology analysis coupled with in vivo experimental validation. The results of the network pharmacology analysis showed that a total of 86 active ingredients and 164 targets of ZGBSF associated with OP were retrieved from the corresponding databases, forming an ingredient-target-disease network. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network manifested that 22 core targets, including Caspase-3, BCL2L1, TP53, Akt1, etc, were hub targets. Moreover, functional enrichment analyses revealed that PI3K-Akt and apoptosis signalings were significantly enriched by multiple targets and served as the targets for in vivo experimental study validation. The results of animal experiments revealed that ZGBSF not only reversed the high expression of Caspase-3, Bax, Prap, and low expression of Bcl-2 in osteoblasts of the OP mouse model but also contributed to the phosphorylation of Akt1 and expression of PI3K, thereby promoting osteogenesis and ameliorating the progression of OP. In conclusion, this study systematically and intuitively illustrated that the possible pharmacological mechanisms of ZGBSF against OP through multiple ingredients, targets, and signalings, and especially the inhibition of the apoptosis and the activation of PI3K-Akt signaling.

Prediction of Targets of Curculigoside A in Osteoporosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis Using Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification

Purpose

Network pharmacology is considered to be the next-generation drug development model that uses bioinformatics to predict and identify multiple drug targets and interactions in diseases. Here, network pharmacology was used to investigate the mechanism by which Curculigoside A (CA) acts in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoporosis.

Methods

First, TCMSP and SwissADME were applied to predict the druggability of CA. Then, potential targets were identified from overlapping data in SwissTarget and TargetNet, and targets were analyzed using Genemania and DAVID6.8 to obtain information about the GO and KEGG pathways. Ultimately, the drug-target-pathway network was identified after using Cytoscape 3.0 for visualization. Besides, qPCR was used to validate the predicted five major genes targets (EGFR, MAP2K1, MMP2, FGFR1, and MCL1).

Results

The results of TCMSP and SwissADME demonstrated that CA exhibits good druggability; 26 potential protein targets were classified by SwissTarget and TargetNet. The results of Genemania and DAVID6.8 indicated that CA probably caused anti-osteoporosis and anti-RA effects by regulating some biological pathways, especially nitrogen metabolism, estrogen signaling pathway, Rap1 signaling pathway, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Besides, the result of Cytoscape 3.0 showed that the 26 targets participate in osteoporosis and RA-related pathways, metabolism, and other physiological processes. In vitro induced inflammation cell model experiments, the qPCR results showed that CA pretreatment significantly decreased the expression of EGFR, MAP2K1, MMP2, FGFR1, and MCL1 genes.

Conclusion

These results suggested that network pharmacology may provide possible mechanism of how CA exerts therapeutic effects in osteoporosis and RA.