A Network-Based Approach to Investigate the Neuroprotective Effects and Mechanisms of Action of Huangqi-Chuanxiong and Sanleng-Ezhu Herb Pairs in the Treatment of Cerebral Ischemic Stroke

Differentially Expressed Genes in Rat Brain Regions with Different Degrees of Ischemic Damage

Ischemic stroke is a multifactorial disease that leads to brain tissue damage and severe neurological deficit. Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) models are actively used for the molecular, genetic study of stroke. Previously, using high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), we revealed 3774 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the penumbra-associated region of the frontal cortex (FC) of rats 24 h after applying the tMCAO model. Here, we studied the gene expression pattern in the striatum that contained an ischemic focus. Striatum samples were obtained from the same rats from which we previously obtained FC samples. Therefore, we compared DEG profiles between two rat brain tissues 24 h after tMCAO. Tissues were selected based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histological examination (HE) data. As a result, 4409 DEGs were identified 24 h after tMCAO in striatum. Among them, 2609 DEGs were overlapped in the striatum and FC, whereas more than one thousand DEGs were specific for each studied tissue. Furthermore, 54 DEGs exhibited opposite changes at the mRNA level in the two brain tissues after tMCAO. Thus, the spatial regulation of the ischemic process in the ipsilateral hemisphere of rat brain at the transcriptome level was revealed. We believe that the targeted adjustment of the genome responses identified can be the key for the induction of regeneration processes in brain cells after stroke.

Chuanxiong Rhizoma regulates ferroptosis and the immune microenvironment in ischemic stroke through the JAK-STAT3 pathway

Ferroptosis is linked to various pathological conditions; however, the specific targets and mechanisms through which traditional Chinese medicine influences ischemic stroke (IS)-induced ferroptosis remain poorly understood. In this study, data from the Gene Expression Omnibus and disease target databases (OMIM, GeneCards, DisGeNet, TTD, and DrugBank) were integrated with ferroptosis-related gene datasets. To identify key molecular targets of Chuanxiong Rhizoma (CX), drug ingredient databases, including PubChem and TCMBank, were employed to map CX-related targets (CX-DEGs-FRG and CX-IS-FRG). Gene targets and relevant signaling pathways were analyzed using weighted gene co-expression network analysis, protein-protein interaction networks, Gene Ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and support vector machine methods were utilized to identify intersecting genes, and the predictive accuracy of core targets was evaluated through receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Immune cell infiltration in the IS microenvironment was assessed using CIBERSORT, followed by molecular docking of CX's active components with key targets. The JAK-STAT3 pathway was identified as a critical regulatory mechanism, and five key targets (ALOX5, PTGS2, STAT3, G6PD, and HIF1A) emerged as central to the IS-induced ferroptosis. Elevated infiltration of CD8 + T cells and neutrophils was significantly correlated with IS. Notably, the active components mandenol and myricanone demonstrated strong binding affinities with these five targets, which validated the results from network-based analysis. In conclusion, the JAK-STAT3 pathway, through its regulation of ALOX5, PTGS2, STAT3, G6PD, and HIF1A, could play a crucial role in modulating ferroptosis and immune responses in IS. These findings suggest that CX could serve as a potential therapeutic approach for IS, targeting the regulation of IS-induced ferroptosis and the immune microenvironment.

Active compounds from Calendula officinalis flowers act via PI3K and ERK signaling pathways to offer neuroprotective effects against Parkinson's disease

Calendula officinalis flowers, associated with diverse biological effects, could be utilized as functional food ingredients to play a crucial role in human health. In this study, we examined the anti-PD activity of C. officinalis flower extracts and investigated their bioactive compounds and molecular mechanisms based on LC-MS/MS assay, bioinformatic exploration and in vitro treatment of SH-SY5Y cells. C. officinalis extracts exhibited significant positive effects on the length and fluorescence density of the dopaminergic neuron region in zebrafish larvae. At 10 μg/mL, the extract restored the length to 96.54% and fluorescence density to 87.77% of the control values, which was equivalent to the effect of a positive drug, indicating the extract's powerful potential to alleviate PD symptoms. Five active compounds, including chlorogenic acid, 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid (DA), rutin, isorhamnetin 3-O-glucoside (IG) and calenduloside E (CE) were identified in extracts by LC-QTOF-MS/MS. Hsp90α, PI3K and ERK were revealed as core targets of DA, IG and CE in relation to anti-PD activity. The compounds docked deeply within the pocket region of Hsp90α protein, and their binding energies (∆G b) were -6.93 kcal/mol (DA), -6.51 kcal/mol (IG) and -3.03 kcal/mol (CE), respectively. Subsequently, they concurrently activated the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and inhibited the ERK signaling pathway, thereby preventing neuronal death and alleviating neuronal degeneration. These compounds from C. officinalis could be potent nutraceutical agents with protective properties that may shield dopaminergic neurons against the damage caused by PD. Our findings provide a basis for utilizing the C. officinalis flowers in functional foods.