Herbal Compatibility of Ginseng and Rhubarb Exerts Synergistic Neuroprotection in Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury of Rats

Systematic review of neurological diseases and carbenoxolone: A double-edged sword?

In this systematic review, we aim to clarify common findings on carbenoxolone's effects on neurological conditions, including stroke, across studies and identify areas where knowledge remains incomplete. We searched several electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, from their inception and finally included 60 studies in our review. This review reveals carbenoxolone's neuroprotective properties, such as gap junction inhibition, inhibiting the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) type I, inducing heat shock proteins, and inhibiting amyloid β42 aggregation. Conversely, it highlights carbenoxolone's neurotoxic potential, including inhibiting the enzyme 11β-HSD type II, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired astrocytic uptake of excitotoxic substances. Gap junctions also act as a pathway for neurotrophic factors and drugs that provide neuroprotection, and their inhibition by carbenoxolone may be detrimental to neuronal survival. In the systematic review, the comparison of carbenoxolone concentrations used in in vitro experiments that reported inhibition of 11β-HSD and gap junctions showed significant differences, with higher concentrations noted for gap junction inhibition. Induction of heat shock proteins and inhibition of amyloid-β were limited to long-term administration. Studies related to stroke demonstrated that all instances of hemorrhagic stroke exhibited neurotoxic effects. Additionally, studies administering carbenoxolone after cerebral ischemia reported poor outcomes in experiments with higher dosages and in chronic phases. In conclusion, carbenoxolone presents both neuroprotective and neurotoxic potential, necessitating cautious application in clinical settings. Future research should prioritize comprehensive, high-throughput studies to elucidate carbenoxolone's diverse mechanisms and long-term impacts, optimizing its therapeutic potential for neurological diseases.

Endothelial-specific deletion of connexin 43 improves renal function and structure after acute kidney injury

BACKGROUND

We have previously reported that the gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43) was upregulated in chronic renal disease in humans and rodents and plays a crucial role in the progression of experimental nephropathy. In this study, we investigated its role after renal ischemia/reperfusion (rIR), which is a major mechanism of injury in acute renal injury (AKI) and renal transplant graft dysfunction.

METHODS

Wild-type mice (WT) and mice in which Cx43 expression was genetically reduced by half (Cx43 ±) were unilaterally nephrectomized. The left renal artery was subsequently clamped, with reperfusion of varying duration. Mice with tubular- or endothelial-specific deletion of Cx43 were also used to assess the effect of this connexin in each cell type after rIR. Kidneys were assessed for histological evaluation, immunohistochemistry, and RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Blood urea nitrogen and creatininemia were progressively elevated in WT mice and picked up 48 h after rIR. At the same time point, severe tubular necrosis and dilation occurred in the cortico-medullary junction of the injured kidneys with accompanying massive neutrophil infiltration. Interestingly, Cx43 expression was progressively increased within the tubulointerstitial compartment during kidney damage progression and was paralleled closely by that of markers of renal dysfunction. Cx43 ± mice showed fewer tubular lesions, less inflammation, and further improved renal function. Similar results were observed in mice where Cx43 was specifically deleted within the vascular endothelium. In contrast, Cx43 deletion in renal tubules did not significantly improve renal structure and function after rIR.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that endothelial Cx43 plays a crucial role in AKI.

Aquaporin proteins: A promising frontier for therapeutic intervention in cerebral ischemic injury

Cerebral ischemic injury is characterized by reduced blood flow to the brain, remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite improvements in therapeutic approaches, there is an urgent need to identify new targets to lessen the effects of ischemic stroke. Aquaporins, a family of water channel proteins, have recently come to light as promising candidates for therapeutic intervention in cerebral ischemic injury. There are 13 aquaporins identified, and AQP4 has been thoroughly involved with cerebral ischemia as it has been reported that modulation of AQP4 activity can offers a possible pathway for therapeutic intervention along with their role in pH, osmosis, ions, and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) as possible therapeutic targets for cerebral ischemia injury. The molecular pathways which can interacts with particular cellular pathways, participation in neuroinflammation, and possible interaction with additional proteins thought to be involved in the etiology of a stroke. Understanding these pathways offers crucial information on the diverse role of AQPs in cerebral ischemia, paving the door for the development of focused/targeted therapeutics.

Study on the mechanism of ischemic stroke treatment based on network pharmacology and Raman spectroscopy in the larval zebrafish model, Calculus Bovis as a case

Calculus Bovis (C. bovis) is a precious traditional Chinese medicine of animal origin, and it is one of the traditional medicines for treating cerebral inflammatory diseases such as stroke. However, the pharmacological action of C. bovis on ischemic stroke (IS) and its mechanism are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential mechanism to treat IS. Chemical constituents of different varieties of C. bovis were analyzed and confirmed by HPLC-MS/MS technique. We constructed a component and corresponding target network and drug-disease target protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed. The molecular docking of the main compound with the target protein. Subsequently, the potential mechanism of therapy for IS was verified in vivo by zebrafish model. We introduced Raman spectroscopy to detect changes in the biochemical composition of zebrafish. 13 active chemical constituents and 129 potential targets were selected. 122 KEGG signaling pathways were obtained. The binding energy of the main compounds is less than -4.5. The results of animal experiments showed that C. bovis could significantly improve Ponatinib-induced IS, decrease the aggregation degree of brain macrophages, reduce the number of macrophage migrations, and significantly increase the expression level of NR3C1. Raman information indicated that the biochemical composition in the brain of the Ponatinib-induced group shifted to the control group. The mechanism may be related to anti-inflammatory process and regulation of lipid metabolism. This study demonstrates that Raman spectroscopy has great potential as a drug evaluation tool in living larval zebrafish.

Intracerebral hemorrhage with massive milk-like serous fluid: a rare case report

Computed tomography (CT) scans of acute cerebral hemorrhage are often characterized by high-density imaging with occasional mixed density and low-density imaging features. Possible reasons for this are a lack of blood coagulation, extravasation of cerebrospinal fluid, and brain tissue edema. It is rarely due to the accumulation of lipid components associated with hyperlipidemia. In the present case, preoperative lipid tests and the intraoperative finding of a large amount of milky white fluid surrounding the hematoma confirmed that the low-density imaging surrounding the hematoma visible on the CT scan represented a rare case of lipid accumulation.

Lab-on-a-chip: an advanced technology for the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine

Benefiting from the complex system composed of various constituents, medicament portions, species, and places of origin, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) possesses numerous customizable and adaptable efficacies in clinical practice guided by its theories. However, these unique features are also present challenges in areas such as quality control, screening active ingredients, studying cell and organ pharmacology, and characterizing the compatibility between different Chinese medicines. Drawing inspiration from the holistic concept, an integrated strategy and pattern more aligned with TCM research emerges, necessitating the integration of novel technology into TCM modernization. The microfluidic chip serves as a powerful platform for integrating technologies in chemistry, biology, and biophysics. Microfluidics has given rise to innovative patterns like lab-on-a-chip and organoids-on-a-chip, effectively challenging the conventional research paradigms of TCM. This review provides a systematic summary of the nature and advanced utilization of microfluidic chips in TCM, focusing on quality control, active ingredient screening/separation, pharmaceutical analysis, and pharmacological/toxicological assays. Drawing on these remarkable references, the challenges, opportunities, and future trends of microfluidic chips in TCM are also comprehensively discussed, providing valuable insights into the development of TCM.

The Water Extract of Rhubarb Prevents Ischemic Stroke by Regulating Gut Bacteria and Metabolic Pathways

Rhubarb (RR), Chinese name Dahuang, is commonly used in the treatment of ischemic stroke (IS). However, its potential mechanism is not fully elucidated. This study intended to verify the effect of RR on IS and investigate the possible mechanism of RR in preventing IS. IS in male rats was induced by embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) surgery, and drug administration was applied half an hour before surgery. RR dramatically decreased the neurological deficit scores, the cerebral infarct volume, and the cerebral edema rate, and improved the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and histopathological changes in the brain of MCAO rats. The 16S rRNA analysis showed the harmful microbes such as Fournierella and Bilophila were decreased, and the beneficial microbes such as Enterorhabdus, Defluviitaleaceae, Christensenellaceae, and Lachnospira were significantly increased, after RR pretreatment. 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) was used to detect serum metabolomics, and RR treatment significantly changed the levels of metabolites such as isoleucine, valine, N6-acetyllysine, methionine, 3-aminoisobutyric acid, N, N-dimethylglycine, propylene glycol, trimethylamine N-oxide, myo-inositol, choline, betaine, lactate, glucose, and lipid, and the enrichment analysis of differential metabolites showed that RR may participate in the regulation of amino acid metabolism and energy metabolism. RR exerts the role of anti-IS via regulating gut bacteria and metabolic pathways.

The glymphatic system: a new perspective on brain diseases

The glymphatic system is a brain-wide perivascular pathway driven by aquaporin-4 on the endfeet of astrocytes, which can deliver nutrients and active substances to the brain parenchyma through periarterial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) influx pathway and remove metabolic wastes through perivenous clearance routes. This paper summarizes the composition, overall fluid flow, solute transport, related diseases, affecting factors, and preclinical research methods of the glymphatic system. In doing so, we aim to provide direction and reference for more relevant researchers in the future.

The Qi-Bang-Yi-Shen formula ameliorates renal dysfunction and fibrosis in rats with diabetic kidney disease <em>via</em> regulating PI3K/AKT, ERK and PPARγ signaling pathways

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a growing public health problem worldwide. Losartan potassium (Los), an angiotensin II receptor blocker, has been used to treat DKD clinically. Recently, multi-herbal formula has been shown to exhibit therapeutic activities in DKD in China. Thus, we aimed to explore the protective effects of combination of Los and Qi-Bang-Yi-Shen formula (QBF) on DKD rats. Streptozotocin (STZ) injection was used to establish a rat model of DKD. Next, the bloodurea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CRE) and uric acid (UA) levels were detected in serum samples from DKD rats. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) and Masson staining were performed to observe glomerular injury and glomerular fibrosis in DKD rats. In this study, we found that QBF or Los treatment could decrease serum BUN, CRE, UA levels and reduce urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) in DKD rats. Additionally, QBF or Los treatment obviously inhibited glomerular mesangial expansion and glomerular fibrosis, attenuated glomerular injury in kidney tissues of DKD rats. Moreover, QBF or Los treatment significantly reduced PI3K, AKT and ERK1/2 protein expressions, but increased PPARγ level in kidney tissues of DKD rats. As expected, combined treatment of QBF and Los could exert enhanced reno-protective effects compared with the single treatment. Collectively, combination of QBF and Los could ameliorate renal injury and fibrosis in DKD rats via regulating PI3K/AKT, ERK and PPARγ signaling pathways. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of QBF to prevent DKD progression.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the bioactive components of "ginseng-polygala" drug pair against PC12 cell injury based on UHPLC-QTOF-MS and HPLC

Aβ_25-35-induced PC12 cells were used as the in vitro injury model to evaluate the effects on PC12 cells after intervention with the "ginseng-polygala" drug pair. The results showed that the drug pair could significantly increase cell activity and reduce the level of reactive oxygen species and the concentration of inflammatory factors to improve the Alzheimer's disease treatment process. Furthermore, to rapidly identify and classify complicated bioactive components of the drug pair, a liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry method combined with a molecular network strategy was established. With this strategy, 40 constituents were preliminarily identified and a database of the compounds was successfully established. Among them, 12 compounds of different categories were accurately identified by comparison with reference substances. The content of the aforementioned active components was simultaneously determined by HPLC to control the quality of compatible medicinal materials, and the verification results of the analytical method met the content determination requirements. The results revealed that after compatibility, the content change of the components is not the simple addition of quantity but the comprehensive effect of the two medicines. In conclusion, this study could provide a generally applicable strategy for pharmacological activity, structural identification, and content determination in traditional Chinese medicine and its compatibility.

Intravenous Administration of Scutellarin Nanoparticles Augments the Protective Effect against Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats

This study investigates the protective effect of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with scutellarin (SCU), a flavone isolated from the traditional Chinese medicineErigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand.-Mazz., in reducing cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in vivo. The focal cerebral I/R injury model was established by occluding the middle cerebral artery for 1 h in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Our SCU-PLGA NPs exhibited an extended in vitro release profile and prolonged blood circulation in rats with cerebral ischemia. More importantly, when administered intravenously once a day for 3 days, SCU-PLGA NPs increased the SCU level in the ischemic brain, compared to free SCU, resulting in a significant reduction of the cerebral infarct volume after cerebral I/R. Furthermore, SCU-PLGA NPs reversed the histopathological changes caused by cerebral I/R injury, as well as attenuated cell apoptosis in the brain tissue, as confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin, and TUNEL staining. Our findings have revealed that our injectable SCU-PLGA NPs provide promising protective effects against cerebral I/R injury, which could be used in combination with the existing conventional thrombolytic therapies to improve stroke management.

Xuesaitong exerts long-term neuroprotection for stroke recovery by inhibiting the ROCKII pathway, in vitro and in vivo

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Xuesaitong (XST) is a traditional Chinese medicine injection with neuroprotective properties and has been extensively used to treat stroke for many years. The main component of XST is Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS), which is the main extract of the Chinese herbal medicine Panax notoginseng.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In this study, we investigated whether XST provided long-term neuroprotection by inhibiting neurite outgrowth inhibitor-A (Nogo-A) and the ROCKII pathway in experimental rats after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and in SH-SY5Y cells exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats with permanent MCAO were administered XST, Y27632, XST plus Y27632, and nimodipine for 14 and 28 days. Successful MCAO onset was confirmed by 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Neurological deficit score (NDS) was used to assess neurological impairment. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of synaptophysin (SYN) and postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95) were performed to evaluate cerebral ischemic injury and the neuroprotective capability of XST. Nogo-A levels and the ROCKII pathway were detected by IHC analysis, western blotting, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to explore the protective mechanism of XST. OGD/R model was established in SH-SY5Y cells. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) was applied to detect the optimum OGD time and XST concentration. The expression levels Nogo-A and ROCKII pathway were determined using western blotting.

RESULTS

Our results showed that XST reduced neurological dysfunction and pathological damage, promoted weight gain and synaptic regeneration, reduced Nogo-A mRNA and protein levels, and inhibited the ROCKII pathway in MCAO rats. CCK8 assay displayed that the optimal OGD time and optimal XST concentration were 7 h and 20 μg/mL respectively in SH-SY5Y cells. XST could evidently inhibit OGD/R-induced Nogo-A protein expression and ROCKII pathway activation in SH-SY5Y cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggested that XST exerted long-term neuroprotective effects that assisted in stroke recovery, possibly through inhibition of the ROCKII pathway.

Anti-IL-23 exerted protective effects on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury through JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway

Ischemia-reperfusion frequently occurs in ischemic cerebral vascular disease, during which the inflammatory signaling plays essential roles. The aim of this study was to discover the efficacy of the antibody to a key immune cytokine IL-23 (anti-IL-23) for the therapy of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. We established the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Anti-IL-23 injection attenuated lesions indicated by histology study. RT-PCR and Western blot were employed to detect the mRNA and protein expression of JAK2 and STAT3 after anti-IL-23 treatment. ELISA was utilized to measure the levels of MDA (malondialdehyde) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Moreover, curcumin and IL-6 were implicated in the endogenous intervention of IL-23 signaling in vivo. Our data demonstrated that the treatment of anti-IL-23 might transcriptionally activate the classic immune pathway in the brain. Anti-IL-23 augmented phosphorylation levels of both JAK2 and STAT3, suggesting the amplification signaling of JAK/STAT after exogenous IL-23 intervention. Anti-IL-23 reduced ROS molecules of STAT downstream in the serum and brain. It also alleviated the injury by bringing down levels of MDA and SOD in the serum. JAK2 inhibitor could abolish the effect of anti-IL-23 whereas JAK3 ameliorated the injury. The combination of anti-IL-23 and JAK3i could reduce infarct volume more effectively. In summary, this study indicated that anti-IL-23 had protective effects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by targeting the immune specific JAK2-STAT3 in JAK/STAT pathway.

Bioactive compound from the Tibetan turnip (Brassica rapa L.) elicited anti-hypoxia effects in OGD/R-injured HT22 cells by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway

Cerebral stroke, a common clinical problem, is the predominant cause of disability and death worldwide. Its prevalence increases and infarctions exacerbate with age. A Tibetan plant, Brassica rapa L., possesses multiple medicinal effects, such as anti-altitude sickness, anti-hyperlipidemia and anti-fatigue, as mentioned in the noted ancient Tibet pharmacopeia "The Four Medical Tantras". Our preliminary studies also showed the anti-hypoxia protection mechanism of B. rapa L., implying its possible relationship with anti-ischemic neuroprotection. However, the potential molecular mechanism of the active constituent of turnip against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion remains unclear. In our study, oxidative stress markers, including LDH, ROS, SOD, GPx and CAT were assayed. In controlled in vitro assays, we found that the turnip's active constituent had remarkable anti-hypoxia capability. We further showed the profound effects of the active constituent of turnip on the levels of apoptosis-related proteins, including Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3, which contributed to its anti-inflammatory activity. Western blot analysis results also implied that active-constituent pretreatment reversed the diminished expression of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway mediated by oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R); further experimental evidence showed that the protective role was limited in the PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) treatment group. Our results demonstrated that the functional monomer of B. rapa L. exerted a neuroprotective effect against OGD/R-induced HT22 cell injury, and its potential mechanism provides a scientific basis for future clinical applications and its use as a functional food.

Neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion by dietary phytochemical extracts from Tibetan turnip (Brassica rapa L.)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The Tibetan turnip (Brassica rapa L.) has a wide array of medicine properties including heat-clearing, detoxifying and anti-hypoxia as listed in the famous centuries-old Tibetan medicine classic "The Four Medical Tantras". Evidence-based medicine also indicated the anti-hypoxic effect of turnips, suggesting a potential link to neuroprotective effect on ischemic stroke. This thereby enables turnips to serve as a novel nontoxic agent in related treatment.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect and elucidate the mechanism of aqueous extract of turnip (AET) on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experimental models of cerebral ischemia included transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO) in C57BL/6J mice and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) in HT-22 cells. Long-term effect of AET on infarct volume was evaluated by microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) immunofluorescence 28 days after MCAO, and on neurofunctional outcomes determined by rotarod, grid walking, and cylinder tests in the meantime. Efficacy of AET was determined by the cell viability, the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neurons. The underlying mechanism of AET rescued OGD/R cells were characterized by PI3K, Akt and mTOR expressions, which were further used to validate AET's role in the pathway.

RESULTS

AET can reduce cerebral infarct volume and ameliorate behavioral deficits of MCAO/R mice dose-dependently. In vitro experiment further demonstrated that suitable concentrations of AET inhibited ROS, LDH production and restored mitochondrial expression induced by OGD/R. AET pretreatment can reverse the OGD/R-induced decreased level of phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, whereas this effect was blocked in the LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) treatment group.

CONCLUSIONS

AET improved the survival of OGD/R-injured HT-22 cells by activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Based on the results above, aqueous extract of turnip has a protective effect on focal cerebral ischemic injury.

Mechanism of Radix Rhei Et Rhizome Intervention in Cerebral Infarction: A Research Based on Chemoinformatics and Systematic Pharmacology

OBJECTIVE

To explore the therapeutic targets, network modules, and coexpressed genes of Radix Rhei Et Rhizome intervention in cerebral infarction (CI), and to predict significant biological processes and pathways through network pharmacology. To explore the differential proteins of Radix Rhei Et Rhizome intervention in CI, conduct bioinformatics verification, and initially explain the possible therapeutic mechanism of Radix Rhei Et Rhizome intervention in CI through proteomics.

METHODS

The TCM database was used to predict the potential compounds of Radix Rhei Et Rhizome, and the PharmMapper was used to predict its potential targets. GeneCards and OMIM were used to search for CI-related genes. Cytoscape was used to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and to screen out core genes and detection network modules. Then, DAVID and Metascape were used for enrichment analysis. After that, in-depth analysis of the proteomics data was carried out to further explore the mechanism of Radix Rhei Et Rhizome intervention in CI.

RESULTS

(1) A total of 14 Radix Rhei Et Rhizome potential components and 425 potential targets were obtained. The core components include sennoside A, palmidin A, emodin, toralactone, and so on. The potential targets were combined with 297 CI genes to construct a PPI network. The targets shared by Radix Rhei Et Rhizome and CI include ALB, AKT1, MMP9, IGF1, CASP3, etc. The biological processes that Radix Rhei Et Rhizome may treat CI include platelet degranulation, cell migration, fibrinolysis, platelet activation, hypoxia, angiogenesis, endothelial cell apoptosis, coagulation, and neuronal apoptosis. The signaling pathways include Ras, PI3K-Akt, TNF, FoxO, HIF-1, and Rap1 signaling pathways. (2) Proteomics shows that the top 20 proteins in the differential protein PPI network were Syp, Syn1, Mbp, Gap43, Aif1, Camk2a, Syt1, Calm1, Calb1, Nsf, Nefl, Hspa5, Nefh, Ncam1, Dcx, Unc13a, Mapk1, Syt2, Dnm1, and Cltc. Differential protein enrichment results show that these proteins may be related to synaptic vesicle cycle, vesicle-mediated transport in synapse, presynaptic endocytosis, synaptic vesicle endocytosis, axon guidance, calcium signaling pathway, and so on.

CONCLUSION

This study combined network pharmacology and proteomics to explore the main material basis of Radix Rhei Et Rhizome for the treatment of CI such as sennoside A, palmidin A, emodin, and toralactone. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of biological processes (such as synaptic vesicle cycle, vesicle-mediated transport in synapse, presynaptic endocytosis, and synaptic vesicle endocytosis) and signaling pathways (such as Ras, PI3K-Akt, TNF, FoxO, HIF-1, Rap1, and axon guidance).

A comprehensive application: Molecular docking and network pharmacology for the prediction of bioactive constituents and elucidation of mechanisms of action in component-based Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used for more than 2000 years in China. TCM has received wide attention recently due to its unique charm. At the same time, its main obstacles have attracted wide attention, including vagueness of drug composition and treatment mechanism. With the development of virtual screening technology, more and more Chinese medicine compounds have been studied to discover the potential active components and mechanisms of action. Molecular docking is a computer technology based on structural design. Network pharmacology establishes powerful and comprehensive databases to understand the relationship between TCM and disease network. In this review, emergent uses and applications of two techniques and further superiorities of the two techniques when embarked to boil down into a tidy system were illustrated. A combination of the two provides a theoretical basis and technical support for the construction of modern TCM based on the compatibility of components and accelerates the realization of two basic elements as well, including the clearness of the pharmacodynamic substances and explanation of the effect of TCM.

Mfn2 Overexpression Attenuates Cardio-Cerebrovascular Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Through Mitochondrial Fusion and Activation of the AMPK/Sirt3 Signaling

Mitochondria are potential targets for the treatment of cardio-cerebrovascular ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the role of the mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) protein in regulating mitochondrial fusion and cell survival has not been investigated. In the present study, an adenovirus-mediated Mfn2 overexpression assay was performed to understand the effects of Mfn2 on mitochondrial function and cell damage during cardio-cerebrovascular I/R injury. After exposure to I/R injury in vitro, the transcription and expression of Mfn2 were significantly downregulated, which correlated with decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis. By contrast, overexpression of Mfn2 significantly repressed I/R-mediated cell death through modulation of glucose metabolism and oxidative stress. Furthermore, Mfn2 overexpression improved mitochondrial fusion in cells, an effect that was followed by increased mitochondrial membrane potential, improved mitophagy, and inhibition of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Our data also demonstrated that Mfn2 overexpression was associated with activation of the AMPK/Sirt3 signaling pathway. Inhibition of the AMPK/Sirt3 pathway abolished the protective effects of Mfn2 on I/R-induced cell injury arising from mitochondrial damage. Our results indicate that Mfn2 protects against cardio-cerebrovascular I/R injury by augmenting mitochondrial fusion and activating the AMPK/Sirt3 signaling pathway.

Taoren-dahuang herb pair reduces eicosanoid metabolite shifts by regulating ADORA2A degradation activity in ischaemia/reperfusion injury rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Peach kernel (taoren: TR) is the dried mature seed of peach, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which belongs to the Rosaceae family. Rhubarb (dahuang: DH) is the dried root and rhizome of rhubarb (Rheum palmatum L., Rheum officinale Baill., or Rheum tanguticum Maxim. ex Balf.). TR-DH (TD) is a traditional Chinese medicine herb pair that promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis. In recent years, TD has shown definite benefits in the cardio-cerebrovascular system, but its specific mechanism is not very clear.

AIM OF STUDY

The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanism by which TD affects cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and to optimize the mixture ratio.

METHODS

The affected metabolic pathways in rat brain tissues after I/R were analysed by network pharmacology and verified with animal pharmacological experiments.

RESULTS

TD had a certain therapeutic effect on cerebral I/R injury. TD with a TR:DH ratio of 1:1 had the best therapeutic effect. Metabolic pathway analysis showed that the protective mechanism of TD against I/R injury involves mainly regulation of brain tissue ADORA2A protein levels and action on the arachidonic acid (AA) pathway.

CONCLUSION

TD can ameliorate cerebral I/R injury by regulating ADORA2A degradation in the AA metabolic pathway to attenuate AA metabolic dysfunction and the inflammatory response.

Role of the neurovascular unit in the process of cerebral ischemic injury

Cerebral ischemic injury exhibits both high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Traditional research of the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemic injury has focused on separate analyses of the involved cell types. In recent years, the neurovascular unit (NVU) mechanism of cerebral ischemic injury has been proposed in modern medicine. Hence, more effective strategies for the treatment of cerebral ischemic injury may be provided through comprehensive analysis of brain cells and the extracellular matrix. However, recent studies that have investigated the function of the NVU in cerebral ischemic injury have been insufficient. In addition, the metabolism and energy conversion of the NVU depend on interactions among multiple cell types, which make it difficult to identify the unique contribution of each cell type. Therefore, in the present review, we comprehensively summarize the regulatory effects and recovery mechanisms of four major cell types (i.e., astrocytes, microglia, brain-microvascular endothelial cells, and neurons) in the NVU under cerebral ischemic injury, as well as discuss the interactions among these cell types in the NVU. Furthermore, we discuss the common signaling pathways and signaling factors that mediate cerebral ischemic injury in the NVU, which may help to provide a theoretical basis for the comprehensive elucidation of cerebral ischemic injury.

Protection against acute cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by QiShenYiQi via neuroinflammatory network mobilization

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CI/RI) is a common feature of ischemic stroke, involving a period of impaired blood supply to the brain, followed by the restoration of cerebral perfusion through medical intervention. Although ischemia and reperfusion brain damage is a complex pathological process with an unclear physiological mechanism, more attention is currently focused on the neuroinflammatory response of an ischemia/reperfusion origin, and anti-inflammatory appears to be a potential therapeutic strategy following ischemic stroke. QiShenYiQi (QSYQ), a component-based Chinese medicine with Qi-tonifying and blood-activating property, has pharmacological actions of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, mitochondrial protectant, anti-apoptosis, and antiplatelet aggregation. We have previously reported that the cardioprotective effect of QSYQ against ischemia/reperfusion injury is via improvement of mitochondrial functional integrity. In this research work, we aimed to investigate the possible mechanism involved in the neuroprotection of QSYQ in mice model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury based on the inflammatory pathway. The cerebral protection was evaluated in the stroke mice after 24 h reperfusion by assessing the neurological deficit, cerebral infarction, brain edema, BBB functionality, and via histopathological assessment. TCM-based network pharmacology method was performed to establish and analyze compound-target-disease & function-pathway network so as to find the possible mechanism linking to the role of QSYQ in CI/RI. In addition, RT-qPCR was used to verify the accuracy of predicted signaling gene expression. As a result, improvement of neurological outcome, reduction of infarct volume and brain edema, a decrease in BBB disruption, and amelioration of histopathological alteration were observed in mice pretreated with QSYQ after experimental stroke surgery. Network pharmacology analysis revealed neuroinflammatory response was associated with the action of QSYQ in CI/RI. RT-qPCR data showed that the mice pretreated with QSYQ could significantly decrease IFNG-γ, IL-6, TNF-α, NF-κB p65, and TLR-4 mRNA levels and increase TGF-β1 mRNA level in the brain compared to the untreated mice after CI/RI (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our study indicated the cerebral protective effect of pretreatment with QSYQ against CI/RI, which may be partly related to its potential to the reduction of neuroinflammatory response in a stroke subject.