Sophocarpine Alleviates Injury-Induced Intima Hyperplasia of Carotid Arteries by Suppressing Inflammation in a Rat Model

Formononetin Alleviates the Inflammatory Response Induced by Carotid Balloon Injury in Rats via the PP2A/MAPK Axis

BACKGROUND

Carotid arteriosclerosis is common, with interventional therapy being the primary treatment. However, postoperative restenosis and poor stent patency, related to vascular inflammation involving MAPK and PP2A, limit success. Formononetin (FOR) may offer a novel approach by activating PP2A and inhibiting MAPK, reducing inflammation and improving outcomes.

METHODS

Rats were divided into sham and carotid artery balloon injury (CABI) groups, with the latter receiving various concentrations of FOR. Vascular damage and inflammation were assessed using HE staining, ELISA, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. HUVECs were treated with Ox-LDL to induce injury, followed by FOR (10-40 μM) and the MAPK inhibitor U0126. PP2A and MAPK expression were analyzed via Western blot and immunofluorescence.   .

RESULTS

HE staining showed carotid lumen narrowing and tissue damage in the model group, which improved with FOR treatment. ELISA revealed reduced IL-6 and TNF-α levels post-CABI with FOR. FOR also reversed the decrease of PP2A and increased MAPK expression, along with reduced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Conclusion FOR reduces vascular damage and inflammation after CABI via the PP2A/MAPK axis, enhancing vascular remodeling and restoring protein expression. FOR shows promise as a therapeutic agent for vascular injuries.

CONCLUSION

FOR can effectively reduce vascular damage and inflammation after coronary artery bypass grafting through the PP2A/MAPK axis, enhance vascular remodeling, and restore protein expression profiles. These findings suggest FOR as a promising therapeutic agent for vascular injuries.

Network pharmacology and animal experiments revealed the protective effects of Guilong prescription on chronic prostatitis and its possible mechanisms

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the protective effects of Guilong prescription (, GL) on chronic prostatitis (CP) and unravel the underlying mechanisms of its pharmacological effects.

METHODS

The composition of GL was determined via linear ion trap/electrostatic field orbital trap tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry, and the identified compounds were performed network pharmacological analysis to predict possible pathways of the effects of GL on CP. A CP rat model was established by carrageenan, and rats were randomly assigned into a Control group, Sham group, CP group, GL low dose (3.5 g/kg) group, GL medium dose (7 g/kg) group, and GL high dose (14 g/kg) group. Hematoxylin-eosin staining of the prostate, and prostate blood -perfusion measured by laser speckle contrast analysis were used to evaluate the efficacy of GL. Expression of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and induce nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were determined by immunohistochemistry, and the content of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by electro-chemiluminescence assays. The expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), ribosome-associated complex-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (Akt), nuclear factor-κ-gene binding p65 (NF-κB p65), inhibitor of NF-κB-α (IκBα), glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), and their phosphorylated forms were tested by Western blot.

RESULTS

In GL, a total of 48 compounds were identified, including 14 flavonoids, 14 alkaloids, 11 carboxylic acids, 4 lactones, 2 glycosides, 2 terpenoids and 1 aldehyde. Network pharmacological analysis suggested that the mechanism of GL may be related to PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and cytokine expression. After treatment with GL, inflammatory pathological changes in the prostate of rats were significantly improved, and blood perfusion of the prostate was significantly decreased. GL reduced the expression of IFN-γ, CXCL1, TNF-α, IL-1β, iNOS, ICAM-1, p38 MAPK, p-p38 MAPK, PI3K, p-PI3K, NF-κB, p-NF-κB, IκBα, p-IκBα, GSK-3β, p-GSK-3β, p-Akt in CP rats, and increased the expression of IL-4 and IL-10 in CP rats.

CONCLUSION

The chemical compositions of GL were first identified. GL can improve pathological changes in the prostate and recover the prostate blood perfusion of CP rats. The possible mechanisms of GL on CP involve increasing the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10, inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ, and down regulating the expression of CXCL1, iNOS, and ICAM-1 via inhibiting PI3K-Akt and NF-κB signaling pathway.

A review on the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and toxicity of sophocarpine

Sophocarpine is a natural compound that belongs to the quinolizidine alkaloid family, and has a long history of use and widespread distribution in traditional Chinese herbal medicines such as Sophora alopecuroides L., Sophora flavescens Ait., and Sophora subprostrata. This article aims to summarize the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of sophocarpine, evaluate its potential pharmacological effects in various diseases, and propose the necessity for further research and evaluation to promote its clinical application. A large number of studies have shown that it has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiviral, antiparasitic, anticancer, endocrine regulatory, and organ-protective effects as it modulates various signaling pathways, such as the NF-κB, MAPK, PI3K/AKT, and AMPK pathways. The distribution of sophocarpine in the body conforms to a two-compartment model, and sophocarpine can be detected in various tissues with a relatively short half-life. Although the pharmacological effects of sophocarpine have been confirmed, toxicity and safety assessments and reports on molecular mechanisms of its pharmacological actions have been limited. Given its significant pharmacological effects and potential clinical value, further research and evaluation are needed to promote the clinical application of sophocarpine.

Expression of TLR4 Is Upregulated in Patients with Sporadic Acute Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection

Sporadic acute Stanford type A aortic dissection (TAAD) is a serious condition that requires urgent treatment to avoid catastrophic consequences. The purpose of the present study was to explore, firstly, whether TLR4-regulated immune signalling molecules were activated in TAAD patients and, secondly, whether TLR4-regulated inflammatory products interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and CC chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) could be a promising biomarker for diagnosis in patients with TAAD. Full-thickness ascending aortic wall specimens from TAAD patients (n = 12) and control donors (n = 12) were examined for the expression of TLR4 and its major signalling molecules, in terms of immunity and inflammation. Blood samples from TAAD (n = 49) and control patients (n = 53) were collected to detect the circulating plasma cytokine levels of IL-1β and CCL5. We demonstrated that expression levels of TLR4 and its downstream signalling cascade molecules were significantly elevated. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curve analyses showed that elevated IL-1β levels and decreased plasma CCL5 may have diagnostic value for TAAD. In summary, this current study suggests a more generalized pattern of inflammation in TAAD. In addition, TLR4-mediated inflammatory product, such as IL-1β and CCL5, could be novel and promising biomarkers with important diagnostic and predictive value in the identification of sporadic TAAD diseases.