Longevity Effect of Liuwei Dihuang in Both Caenorhabditis Elegans and Aged Mice

Small organism models for mode of action research on anti-ageing and nootropic herbs, foods, and formulations

With global increase in ageing population along with increasing age-related neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), development of sustainable, safe and effective solutions for promoting healthy ageing and preventing diseases has become a priority. Traditional healthcare systems/medicines prescribe several herbs, foods and formulations to promote healthy ageing and prevent and/or treat age-related diseases. However, the scientific data elucidating their mechanism of action is very limited and deeper research using different models is warranted for timely and wider use. The clinical studies and research with higher model organisms, although useful, have several practical, technical, and financial limitations. Conversely, small organism models like Yeast, Roundworm, Fruit fly, and Zebrafish, which have genetic similarities to humans, can replicate the disease features and provide behavioural, cellular and molecular insights. The common features of ageing and NDs, like amyloid protein aggregations, oxidative stress, energy dysregulation, inflammation and neurodegeneration can be mimicked in the small organism models for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's diseases, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. This review focuses on small organism model- based research unveiling interesting modes of action and synergistic effects of herbal extracts, foods, and formulations, which are indicated especially for healthy ageing and management of NDs. This will provide leads for the quick and sustainable development of scientifically evaluated solutions for clinically relevant, age-related conditions.

FN1, a reliable prognostic biomarker for thyroid cancer, is associated with tumor immunity and an unfavorable prognosis

Thyroid cancer (THCA) is a malignant tumor that affects the endocrine system. At present, an effective treatment for THCA remains elusive, particularly for medullary carcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma, due to the lack of suitable medications and prognostic markers. Patient RNA-sequencing and clinical data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotype-Tissue Expression databases. Protein-protein interaction analyses were performed for differentially expressed genes related to THCA. Moreover, the associations between fibronectin 1 (FN1), clinical data, immune checkpoint genes and immune cell infiltration was assessed. The potential functional role of the FN1 gene was evaluated through gene set enrichment analysis. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess FN1 expression in 103 cases of THCA, comprising 32 with papillary carcinoma, 30 with follicular carcinoma, 35 with medullary carcinoma and 6 with undifferentiated carcinoma. Finally, 11 co-expression modules were constructed and the expression of five identified hub genes (FN1, mucin-1, keratin 19, intracellular adhesion molecule 1 and neural cell adhesion molecule) were evaluated. The results demonstrated that higher FN1 gene expression levels were strongly associated with a higher pathologic stage and tumor stage, and were significantly associated with immune cell infiltration in THCA. Significant increases in FN1 protein expression levels were noted among patients diagnosed with four types of THCA, comprising papillary carcinoma, follicular carcinoma, medullary carcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma. Patients diagnosed with medullary carcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma, and with low FN1 expression levels, exhibited a significant survival advantage compared with those with high FN1 expression levels. In conclusion, the present study identified five hub genes involved in the onset and progression of THCA. Furthermore, FN1 could serve as a candidate biomarker and a therapeutic target for THCA and may be a key gene mediating THCA immune infiltration.

Hormesis determines lifespan

This paper addresses how long lifespan can be extended via multiple interventions, such as dietary supplements [e.g., curcumin, resveratrol, sulforaphane, complex phytochemical mixtures (e.g., Moringa, Rhodiola)], pharmaceutical agents (e.g., metformin), caloric restriction, intermittent fasting, exercise and other activities. This evaluation was framed within the context of hormesis, a biphasic dose response with specific quantitative features describing the limits of biological/phenotypic plasticity for integrative biological endpoints (e.g., cell proliferation, memory, fecundity, growth, tissue repair, stem cell population expansion/differentiation, longevity). Evaluation of several hundred lifespan extending agents using yeast, nematode (Caenorhabditis elegans), multiple insect and other invertebrate and vertebrate models (e.g., fish, rodents), revealed they responded in a manner [average (mean/median) and maximum lifespans] consistent with the quantitative features [i.e., 30-60% greater at maximum (Hormesis Rule)] of the hormetic dose response. These lifespan extension features were independent of biological model, inducing agent, endpoints measured and mechanism. These findings indicate that hormesis describes the capacity to extend life via numerous agents and activities and that the magnitude of lifespan extension is modest, in the percentage, not fold, range. These findings have important implications for human aging, genetic diseases/environmental stresses and lifespan extension, as well as public health practices and long-term societal resource planning.

Sex differences in pharmacological interventions and their effects on lifespan and healthspan outcomes: a systematic review

With an increasing aging population, the burden of age-related diseases magnifies. To alleviate this burden, geroprotection has been an area of intense research focus with the development of pharmacological interventions that target lifespan and/or healthspan. However, there are often sex differences, with compounds mostly tested in male animals. Given the importance of considering both sexes in preclinical research, this neglects potential benefits for the female population, as interventions tested in both sexes often show clear sexual dimorphisms in their biological responses. To further understand the prevalence of sex differences in pharmacological geroprotective intervention studies, we performed a systematic review of the literature according to the PRISMA guidelines. Seventy-two studies met our inclusion criteria and were classified into one of five subclasses: FDA-repurposed drugs, novel small molecules, probiotics, traditional Chinese medicine, and antioxidants, vitamins, or other dietary supplements. Interventions were analyzed for their effects on median and maximal lifespan and healthspan markers, including frailty, muscle function and coordination, cognitive function and learning, metabolism, and cancer. With our systematic review, we found that twenty-two out of sixty-four compounds tested were able to prolong both lifespan and healthspan measures. Focusing on the use of female and male mice, and on comparing their outcomes, we found that 40% of studies only used male mice or did not clarify the sex. Notably, of the 36% of pharmacologic interventions that did use both male and female mice, 73% of these studies showed sex-specific outcomes on healthspan and/or lifespan. These data highlight the importance of studying both sexes in the search for geroprotectors, as the biology of aging is not the same in male and female mice. Systematic Review Registration: [website], identifier [registration number].

Bazi Bushen mitigates epigenetic aging and extends healthspan in naturally aging mice

Bazi Bushen (BZBS), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been proven effective in the treatment of age-related disease in mouse models. However, whether its therapeutic effects are due to antiaging mechanism has not yet been explored. In the present study, we investigated the antiaging effects of BZBS in naturally aging mice by using behavioral tests, liver DNA methylome sequencing, methylation age estimation, and frailty index assessment. The methylome analysis revealed a decrease of mCpG levels in the aged mouse liver. BZBS treatment tended to restore age-associated methylation decline and prune the methylation pattern toward that of young mice. More importantly, BZBS significantly rejuvenated methylation age of the aged mice, which was computed by an upgraded DNA methylation clock. These results were consistent with enhanced memory and muscular endurance, as well as decreased frailty score and liver pathological changes. KEGG analysis together with aging-related database screening identified methylation-targeted pathways upon BZBS treatment, including oxidative stress, DNA repair, MAPK signaling, and inflammation. Upregulation of key effectors and their downstream effects on elevating Sod2 expression and diminishing DNA damage were further investigated. Finally, in vitro experiments with senescent HUVECs proved a direct effect of BZBS extracts on the regulation of methylation enzymes during cellular aging. In summary, our work has revealed for the first time the antiaging effects of BZBS by slowing the methylation aging. These results suggest that BZBS might have great potential to extend healthspan and also explored the mechanism of BZBS action in the treatment of age-related diseases.

The Application of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Infertility

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a lifelong reproductive endocrine disease, which is the most common cause of anovular infertility. Modern medicine mainly treats infertile patients with PCOS by improving living habits, ovulation induction therapy, and assisted reproductive technology (ART), but the effect is not satisfied. Complementary alternative medicine (CAM) has conspicuous advantages in the treatment of PCOS infertility due to its good clinical efficacy, wide mechanism of action, and no obvious adverse reactions, but its safety and effectiveness in the treatment of PCOS infertility have not been proved. Based on the existing clinical and experimental studies, this paper looks for the therapeutic effect and the mechanism behind it, and explores the safety and effectiveness of its treatment in PCOS infertility, in order to provide reference for future clinical treatment and experimental research.

Research on the Mechanism of Liuwei Dihuang Decoction for Osteoporosis Based on Systematic Biological Strategies

Background

Osteoporosis is an important health problem worldwide. Liuwei Dihuang Decoction (LDD) and its main ingredients may have a good clinical effect on osteoporosis. Meanwhile, its mechanism for treating osteoporosis needs to be further revealed in order to provide a basis for future drug development.

Methods

A systematic biological methodology was utilized to construct and analyze the LDD-osteoporosis network. After that, the human transcription data of LDD intervention in patients with osteoporosis and protein arrays data of LDD intervention in osteoporosis rats were collected. The human transcription data analysis, protein arrays data analysis, and molecular docking were performed to validate the findings of the prediction network (LDD-osteoporosis PPI network). Finally, animal experiments were conducted to verify the prediction results of systematic pharmacology.

Results

(1) LDD-osteoporosis PPI network shows the potential compounds, potential targets (such as ALB, IGF1, SRC, and ESR1), clusters, biological processes (such as positive regulation of calmodulin 1-monooxygenase activity, estrogen metabolism, and endothelial cell proliferation), and signaling and Reactome pathways (such as JAK-STAT signaling pathway, osteoclast differentiation, and degradation of the extracellular matrix) of LDD intervention in osteoporosis. (2) Human transcriptomics data and protein arrays data validated the findings of the LDD-osteoporosis PPI network. (3) The animal experiments showed that LDD can improve bone mineral density (BMD), increase serum estradiol (E2) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, and upregulate Wnt3a and β-catenin mRNA expression (P < 0.05). (4) Molecular docking results showed that alisol A, dioscin, loganin, oleanolic acid, pachymic acid, and ursolic acid may stably bind to JAK2, ESR1, and CTNNB1.

Conclusion

LDD may have a therapeutic effect on osteoporosis through regulating the targets (such as ALB, IGF1, SRC, and ESR1), biological processes (such as positive regulation of calmodulin 1-monooxygenase activity, estrogen metabolism, and endothelial cell proliferation), and pathways (such as JAK-STAT signaling pathway, osteoclast differentiation, and degradation of the extracellular matrix) found in this research.

Liuwei Dihuang Decoction Alleviates Cognitive Dysfunction in Mice With D-Galactose-Induced Aging by Regulating Lipid Metabolism and Oxidative Stress via the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis

Background

Aging is an important cause of cognitive dysfunction. Liuwei Dihuang decoction (LW), a commonly applied Chinese medicine formula, is widely used for the treatment of aging-related diseases in China. Previously, LW was confirmed to be effective in prolonging life span and reducing oxidative stress in aged mice. Unfortunately, the underlying mechanism of LW remains unclear. The aim of this study was to interpret the mechanism by which LW alleviates cognitive dysfunction related to aging from the perspective of the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

Method

All C57BL/6 mice (n = 60) were randomly divided into five groups: the control, model, vitamin E (positive control group), low-dose LW and high-dose LW groups (n = 12 in each group). Except for those in the control group, D-galactose was subcutaneously injected into mice in the other groups to induce the aging model. The antiaging effect of LW was evaluated by the water maze test, electron microscopy, 16S rRNA sequencing, combined LC–MS and GC–MS metabolomics, and ELISA.

Results

Liuwei Dihuang decoction ameliorated cognitive dysfunction and hippocampal synaptic ultrastructure damage in aging mice. Moreover, LW decreased Proteobacteria abundance and increased gut microbiota diversity in aging mice. Metabolomic analysis showed that LW treatment was associated with the significantly differential abundance of 14 metabolites, which were mainly enriched in apelin signaling, sphingolipid metabolism, glycerophospholipid and other metabolic pathways. Additionally, LW affected lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in aging mice. Finally, we also found that LW-regulated microbial species such as Proteobacteria and Fibrobacterota had potential relationships with lipid metabolism, oxidative stress and hippocampal metabolites.

Conclusion

In brief, LW improved cognitive function in aging mice by regulating lipid metabolism and oxidative stress through restoration of the homeostasis of the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

Natural products improve healthspan in aged mice and rats: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Over the last decades a decrease in mortality has paved the way for late onset pathologies such as cardiovascular, metabolic or neurodegenerative diseases. This evidence has led many researchers to shift their focus from researching ways to extend lifespan to finding ways to increase the number of years spent in good health; "healthspan" is indeed the emerging concept of such quest for ageing without chronic or disabling diseases and dysfunctions. Regular consumption of natural products might improve healthspan, although the mechanisms of action are still poorly understood. Since preclinical studies aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of these compounds are growing, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of natural products on healthspan in mouse and rat models of physiological ageing. Results indicate that natural compounds show robust effects improving stress resistance and cognitive abilities. These promising data call for further studies investigating the underlying mechanisms in more depth.

Exploring the Pharmacological Mechanism of Liuwei Dihuang Decoction for Diabetic Retinopathy: A Systematic Biological Strategy-Based Research

OBJECTIVE

To explore the pharmacological mechanism of Liuwei Dihuang decoction (LDD) for diabetic retinopathy (DR).

METHODS

The potential targets of LDD were predicted by PharmMapper. GeneCards and other databases were used to collect DR genes. Cytoscape was used to construct and analyze network DR and LDD's network, and DAVID was used for Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis. Finally, animal experiments were carried out to verify the results of systematic pharmacology.

RESULTS

Five networks were constructed and analyzed: (1) diabetic retinopathy genes' PPI network; (2) compound-compound target network of LDD; (3) LDD-DR PPI network; (4) compound-known target network of LDD; (5) LDD known target-DR PPI network. Several DR and treatment-related targets, clusters, signaling pathways, and biological processes were found. Animal experiments found that LDD can improve the histopathological changes of the retina. LDD can also increase erythrocyte filtration rate and decrease the platelet adhesion rate (P < 0.05) and decrease MDA and TXB2 (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the retinal VEGF and HIF-1α expression in the LDD group decreased significantly (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The therapeutic effect of LDD on DR may be achieved by interfering with the biological processes (such as response to insulin, glucose homeostasis, and regulation of angiogenesis) and signaling pathways (such as insulin, VEGF, HIF-1, and ErbB signaling pathway) related to the development of DR that was found in this research.

A robust and miniaturized screening platform to study natural products affecting metabolism and survival in Caenorhabditis elegans

In this study a robust, whole organism screening based on Caenorhabditis elegans is presented for the discovery of natural products (NP) with beneficial effects against obesity and age-related diseases. Several parameters of the elaborated workflow were optimized to be adapted for probing multicomponent mixtures combining knowledge from traditional medicine and NP chemistry by generating optimized small-scale extracts considering scarcity of the natural source, solubility issues, and potential assay interferences. The established miniaturized assay protocol allows for in vivo probing of small amounts of even complex samples (~ 1 mg) to test their ability to increase the nematodes' survival time and the suppression of fat accumulation assessed by Nile red staining as hall marks of "healthy aging". The workflow was applied on 24 herbal and fungal materials traditionally used against symptoms of the metabolic syndrome and revealed promising results for the extracts of Gardenia jasminoides fruits and the sclerotia from Inonotus obliquus. Tested at 100 µg/mL they were able to significantly reduce the Nile red fluorescence and extend the 50% survival rate (DT50) compared to the control groups. This phenotype-directed in vivo approach opens up new horizons for the selection of natural starting materials and the investigation of their active principles as fast drug discovery tool with predictive value for human diseases.