Bergapten inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis via promoting mitophagy

Inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation produces potent therapeutic effects in a wide array of inflammatory diseases. Bergapten (BeG), a furocoumarin phytohormone present in many herbal medicines and fruits, exibits anti-inflammatory activity. In this study we characterized the therapeutic potential of BeG against bacterial infection and inflammation-related disorders, and elucidated the underlying mechanisms. We showed that pre-treatment with BeG (20 μM) effectively inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation in both lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-primed J774A.1 cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), evidenced by attenuated cleaved caspase-1 and mature IL-1β release, as well as reduced ASC speck formation and subsequent gasdermin D (GSDMD)-mediated pyroptosis. Transcriptome analysis revealed that BeG regulated the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial and reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism in BMDMs. Moreover, BeG treatment reversed the diminished mitochondrial activity and ROS production after NLRP3 activation, and elevated the expression of LC3-II and enhanced the co-localization of LC3 with mitochondria. Treatment with 3-methyladenine (3-MA, 5 mM) reversed the inhibitory effects of BeG on IL-1β, cleaved caspase-1 and LDH release, GSDMD-N formation as well as ROS production. In mouse model of Escherichia coli-induced sepsis and mouse model of Citrobacter rodentium-induced intestinal inflammation, pre-treatment with BeG (50 mg/kg) significantly ameliorated tissue inflammation and injury. In conclusion, BeG inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis by promoting mitophagy and maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis. These results suggest BeG as a promising drug candidate for the treatment of bacterial infection and inflammation-related disorders.

Electroacupuncture in treatment of Parkinson disease: A protocol for meta-analysis and systematic review

BACKGROUND

Parkinson disease (PD) is a worldwide spread neurodegenerative disorder. Dopamine replacement therapy is currently the mainstream treatment, which can alleviate the symptoms but induces motor complications. Electroacupuncture (EA) is beneficial for PD as an alternative medicine. However, few reliable clinical trials or objective systematic reviews are available to give a verdict on the effectiveness of EA in the treatment of PD. Thus, we evaluate the evidence for EA in PD patients by conducting this meta-analysis.

METHODS

PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Scientific and Technology Journal database, WanFang Digital Periodicals, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (SinoMed) will be systematically searched for evidence by 2 authors individually. The analysis will be conducted by RevMan 5.3 software according to Cochrane Handbook.

RESULTS

The efficacy and safety of EA for PD will be comprehensively assessed from the outcomes, including the effectiveness rate, scores of Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale, and Webster scale, superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxides, and dopamine content.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review will provide evidence for whether EA can treatment PD.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

PROSPERO CRD42019120956.