Punicalagin Attenuates Disturbed Flow-Induced Vascular Dysfunction by Inhibiting Force-Specific Activation of Smad1/5

Modulation of atherosclerosis-related signaling pathways by Chinese herbal extracts: Recent evidence and perspectives

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains a preeminent cause of morbidity and mortality globally. The onset of atherosclerosis underpins the emergence of ischemic cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease (CHD). Its pathogenesis entails multiple factors such as inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, vascular endothelial damage, foam cell formation, and platelet activation. Furthermore, it triggers the activation of diverse signaling pathways including Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), NF-E2-related factor 2/antioxidant response element (Nrf2/ARE), the Notch signaling pathway, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), nucleotide oligo-structural domain-like receptor thermoprotein structural domain-associated protein 3 (NLRP3), silencing information regulator 2-associated enzyme 1 (Sirt1), nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), Circular RNA (Circ RNA), MicroRNA (mi RNA), Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT). Over recent decades, therapeutic approaches for atherosclerosis have been dominated by the utilization of high-intensity statins to reduce lipid levels, despite significant adverse effects. Consequently, there is a growing interest in the development of safer and more efficacious drugs and therapeutic modalities. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers a vital strategy for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Numerous studies have detailed the mechanisms through which TCM active ingredients modulate signaling molecules and influence the atherosclerotic process. This article reviews the signaling pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and the advancements in research on TCM extracts for prevention and treatment, drawing on original articles from various databases including Google Scholar, Medline, CNKI, Scopus, and Pubmed. The objective is to furnish a reference for the clinical management of cardiovascular diseases.

Analysis of the Molecular Mechanism of Punicalagin in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease by Computer-Aided Drug Research Technology

The objective of this work is to explore the effect and potential mechanism of Punicalagin (Pun) in managing Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on computer-aided drug technology. The following methods were used: the intersection genes of Pun and AD were retrieved from the database and subjected to PPI analysis, GO, and KEGG enrichment analyses. Preliminary verification was performed by molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and combined free energy calculation. The motor coordination and balance ability, anxiety degree, spatial learning, and memory ability of mice were measured by a rotating rod fatigue instrument, elevated cross maze, and Y maze, respectively. The amyloid β protein (Aβ) in the hippocampus was examined by immunohistochemistry, and the phosphorylation of serine at position 404 of the tau protein (Tau-pS404) was examined by western blot in the mouse brain. The PPI network of Pun showed that the intersection genes were closely related and enriched in muscle cell proliferation and the response to lipopolysaccharide. Results of molecular docking, MD simulations, and MM-GBSA demonstrated that Pun was closely bound to the target protein. Pun could improve the cognitive function of AD mice, as well as reduce Aβ_1-42 deposition and Tau phosphorylation in the brain (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). It can be concluded that Pun holds great promise in improving the cognitive function of AD mice. Mechanistically, Pun potentially acts on ALB, AKT1, SRC, EGFR, CASP3, and IGF-1 targets and mediates proteoglycan, lipid, and atherosclerosis in cancer, so as to reduce the accumulation of neurotoxic proteins in the brain.