1.Effect of Shixiaosan on Neurological Function and Ferroptosis in Rats with Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury Based on Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 Signaling Pathway
Ying WEI ; Lixia WANG ; Junjun YIN ; Xiaohong CHEN ; Lijuan SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):22-31
ObjectiveTo investigate whether Shixiaosan can improve neurological function and inhibit ferroptosis in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) by regulating the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) pathway. MethodsA rat model of CIRI was established using the intraluminal filament method. Briefly, cervical blood vessels were separated, branches of the external carotid artery were ligated, and the common carotid artery and internal carotid artery were clamped. A nylon filament was inserted through the opening of the external carotid artery to the origin of the middle cerebral artery to block blood flow and induce cerebral ischemia. After 60-120 min of ischemia, the filament was withdrawn to restore blood flow, and the external carotid artery incision was ligated. The rats were divided into a CIRI group, a Shixiaosan low-dose (-L) group (intragastric administration of 1.26 g·kg-1 Shixiaosan), a Shixiaosan high-dose (-H) group (intragastric administration of 2.52 g·kg-1 Shixiaosan), a donepezil hydrochloride tablet (DON) group (intragastric administration of 0.45 mg·kg-1 DON), and a Shixiaosan -H + Nrf2 inhibitor (ML385) group (intragastric administration of 2.52 g·kg-1 Shixiaosan combined with intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg·kg-1 ML385). An additional 12 rats underwent cervical artery separation followed by incision suturing and served as the control group. Equal volumes of double-distilled water were administered to the CIRI and control groups. Neurological function impairment was assessed using the modified Garcia JH score. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine the cerebral infarct volume ratio. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Prussian blue staining were performed to observe neuronal injury and iron accumulation in the ischemic penumbra, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the ultrastructure of neuronal mitochondria in the ischemic penumbra. Commercial kits were used to measure ferrous iron (Fe2+), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) content, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity in the ischemic penumbra. The BODIPY (581/591) C11 fluorescent probe was used to detect intracellular lipid peroxidation levels. Western blot was performed to detect protein expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, GPX4, transferrin receptor 1 (TFRC), ferritin heavy chain (FHC), and ferritin light chain (FLC) in the ischemic penumbra. ResultsCompared with the control group, the CIRI group exhibited neuronal injury in the ischemic penumbra, characterized by reduced neuron numbers, nucleolar shrinkage, and interstitial edema. Marked iron accumulation was observed in the tissue. Neuronal mitochondria showed atrophy and rupture, with reduced mitochondrial cristae and increased membrane density. The cerebral infarct volume ratio, Fe2+ content, MDA content, ROS activity, and lipid peroxidation levels were increased, whereas the modified Garcia JH score, GSH content, and protein expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, GPX4, FHC, and FLC were decreased, and TFRC protein expression was increased (P<0.05). Compared with the CIRI group, the Shixiaosan -L group, Shixiaosan -H group, and DON group showed attenuated neuronal injury in the ischemic penumbra, reduced iron accumulation, alleviated mitochondrial damage, decreased cerebral infarct volume ratio, Fe2+ and MDA contents, ROS activity, and lipid peroxidation levels, as well as increased modified Garcia JH scores, GSH content, and protein expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, GPX4, FHC, and FLC, while TFRC protein expression was decreased (P<0.05). The magnitude of changes in all indicators was greater in the Shixiaosan -H group than in the Shixiaosan -L group (P<0.05). Compared with the Shixiaosan -H group, all measured indicators in the Shixiaosan -H + ML385 group showed opposite trends (P<0.05). ConclusionShixiaosan may inhibit ferroptosis and restore neurological function in rats with CIRI by activating the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway.
2.Influenza A virus infection activates TLR3-mediated necroptosis
Weijie LI ; Congying HUANG ; Ziling ZENG ; Xiang LI ; Jia XU ; Tian GONG ; Hao ZHANG ; Xinyan ZHANG ; Ping WANG ; Yuanjia HU ; Haiyu XU ; Lijuan SONG
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(1):40-49
Background: Influenza A virus (IAV) is a negative-sense RNA virus of the Orthomyxoviridae family and is the etiological agent of a highly contagious acute respiratory disease that can lead to acute lung injury. Objective: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of IAV infection, an integrative research approach combining gene expression profiling, multinetwork analysis, and in vivo experimental validations was employed. Methods: First, a series of network-based analyses were performed, including protein-protein interaction network construction, weighted gene co-expression network analysis, and subsequent gene set enrichment analysis, to identify the major underlying mechanisms of IAV infection. Following gene expression analysis, core targets, both direct and indirect regulators, were screened. An IAV (H1N1) strain A/PR/8/34-induced acute lung injury mouse model was constructed for in vivo validations. Batch one included two groups to evaluate findings from the multi-network analysis: Mock (n = 10; 5 males and 5 females) and IAV (n = 10; 5 males and 5 females). Batch two included three groups to assess the role of toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) in IAV infection: Mock (n = 6; 3 males and 3 females), IAV (n = 6; 3 males and 3 females), and TLR3 inhibitor (n = 6; 3 males and 3 females). Body weight was measured on days 0, 3, and 5 after infection. On day 5, lung tissues were collected to assess viral load and histopathological changes. Key targets were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining, both in sera and lung tissues. Results: IAV infection was significantly associated with dysregulation of the immune-inflammation system, such as the LTR, nucle-otide-binding oligomerization domain-(NOD) like receptor, retinoic acid-inducible gene I-like receptor, and nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathways. Gene set enrichment analysis further indicated that the TLR and necroptosis signaling pathways played crucial roles in the progression of IAV infection (TLR signaling pathway normalized enrichment score = 2.3941, P = 1.00 × 10 −10; necroptosis normalized enrichment score = 1.9421, P = 6.21 × 10 −7). Among the core targets, TLR3 and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) may regulate gene expression at the transcriptional level (all P < 0.05). In vivo validation using an IAV (PR8) infected acute lung injury mouse model demonstrated increased viral load and lung index, alveolar structural damage, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Immunofluorescence staining exhibited large gaps in Lamin B1 staining and breaches in Emerin signals following IAV-PR8 infection. Expression levels of TLR3, p-receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 3 (RIPK3)/RIPK3, and p-mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL)/MLKL proteins in lung tissues, as well as proinflammatory factors and mediators in sera, were significantly elevated after IAV infection. Moreover, enhanced neutrophil infiltration (myeloperoxidase) and citrullinated histone H3 (a neutrophil extracellular trap-specific marker), both established indicators of neutrophil extracellular trap formation, were observed. Notably, treatment with a TLR3 inhibitor significantly ameliorated IAV-induced acute lung injury by regulating necroptosis-related targets. Conclusion: Our study provides network-based in vivo evidence that TLR3-receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 3-MLKL-mediated necroptosis may underlie IAV-induced acute lung injury and could serve as a potential therapeutic target in severe influenza cases.
3.Epidemiological characteristics and prediction analysis of hand, foot and mouth disease in Shanxi Province in 2012 - 2024
Wenjun WANG ; Xiaohong ZHANG ; Lijuan LIU ; Yaqiong SONG ; Qing TAN ; Yanzhen NIU
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(3):14-18
Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in Shanxi Province from 2012 to 2024, and predict the incidence trend for 2025, and to provide a scientific basis for the formulation of prevention and control strategies. Methods Based on the surveillance data of HFMD in Shanxi Province from 2012 to 2024, the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics and time trends of the disease were analyzed. The ARIMA model was constructed and used to predict the incidence trend in 2025. Results From 2012 to 2024, a total of 254 028 HFMD cases were reported in Shanxi Province, with an average annual incidence rate of 54.17 per 100 000 population, a severe case rate of 0.56%, and a case fatality rate (CFR) of 12.60 per 100 000 population. Joinpoint regression analysis showed that the incidence rate, severe case rate, mortality rate, and case fatality rate all presented a downward trend. The epidemic exhibited obvious seasonal distribution characteristics, with the peak period from April to November, and two incidence peaks in June-July and October-November. The male-to-female incidence ratio was 1.41:1. Children aged 1-5 years accounted for 89.24% of the total cases, among which scattered children (58.48%) and nursery children (33.54%) were the high-risk groups. Linfen City (96.06 /100 000) and Taiyuan City (88.54 /100 000) had relatively high incidence rates. After 2017, the proportion of enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) decreased, while coxsackievirus A16 (Cox-A16) and other enteroviruses became the main epidemic strains. The ARIMA(1,0,1)(0,1,1)₁₂ model predicted that the incidence of HFMD in 2025 would remain at the level of 2023-2024, and the dual-peak characteristic would continue. Conclusion From 2012 to 2024, the overall HFMD epidemic in Shanxi Province generally shows a significant downward trend. The high-risk population includes scattered children and nursery children under 5 years old, with high-incidence areas concentrated in the central and southern regions, requiring focused attention. The seasonal ARIMA model can effectively fit the evolutionary trend of HFMD incidence in Shanxi Province and possesses short-term predictive capability.
4.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates AMPK Signaling Pathway to Prevent and Treat Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Review
Lijuan DAN ; Shuanglan CHEN ; Tianyuan WANG ; Xiaojie YOU ; Xiuyan LI ; Hongfei SONG ; Dong WANG ; Jie MU ; Qiao LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):133-143
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most prevalent forms of liver diseases globally. Its progression can lead to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease, and there is currently a lack of effective pharmacological treatments. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), as a regulatory hub for maintaining cellular energy homeostasis, can coordinate key cellular processes such as adipogenesis, glucose metabolism, and mitochondrial functions. Its activation exerts metabolic regulatory effects through pathways including inhibiting lipogenesis, enhancing mitochondrial β-oxidation, regulating inflammation and oxidative stress, and promoting autophagy. Accordingly, AMPK emerges as a potential target for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with low toxicity, high accessibility, and multi-component, multi-target synergistic effects, has demonstrated unique value in NAFLD treatment, particularly showing notable advantages in regulating the AMPK signaling pathway. Sichuan is known as the treasure house of TCM, and the active components of its authentic medicinal materials such as Coptidis Rhizoma not only reflect regional characteristics in AMPK signaling regulation but also form a multi-level metabolic regulatory network through crosstalk with pathways such as sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). They can achieve specific regulation by directly activating AMPK and modulating upstream and downstream targets, exerting prominent effects in ameliorating hepatic steatosis and inflammation. This study systematically reviews the research findings on TCM for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD over the past five years, elaborating the mechanisms by which TCM treats NAFLD through regulating the AMPK signaling pathway. It aims to provide new perspectives and references for clinical diagnosis and treatment, basic research, and drug development.
5.Inhibitory effect of hydroxy safflower yellow A on neuronal pyroptosis after glucose-oxygen deprivation/reglucose-reoxygenation treatment
Zeqian WANG ; Yanzhe DUAN ; Yige WU ; Dong MA ; Jianjun HUANG ; Yuqing YAN ; Lijuan SONG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(19):4044-4051
BACKGROUND:Hydroxy safflower yellow A has anti-ischemia,anti-oxidation,anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory effects.Whether it affects neuronal pyroptosis after glucose-oxygen deprivation/reglucose-reoxygenation is still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the protective effect of hydroxy safflower yellow A on neuronal pyroptosis and its mechanism. METHODS:HT22 cells in logarithmic growth phase were randomly divided into five groups:normal group,model group,hydroxy safflower yellow A group,colivelin group,and colivelin+hydroxy safflower yellow A group.HT22 cells were treated with glucose-oxygen deprivation/reglucose-reoxygenation to establish neuronal pyroptosis model,and then treated with STAT3 agonist Colivelin and hydroxy safflower yellow A.JC-1 probe was employed to assess changes in mitochondrial membrane potential.Reactive oxygen species kit was used to determine the content of reactive oxygen species in cells.GSDMD/TUNEL staining was conducted to observe cell pyroptosis.Immunofluorescence analysis was performed to detect STAT3 and GSDMD protein expression.RT-PCR was utilized for assessing mRNA expression levels of STAT3,NLRP3,and Caspase-1.Western blot assay was utilized to measure the protein expression levels of p-STAT3,NLRP3,GSDMD,Cleaved-caspase-1,and interleukin-1β. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the normal group,the number of pyroptotic cells increased in HT22 cells in the model group along with a significant increase in protein expression levels of p-STAT3,NLRP3,Cleaved-caspase-1,GSDMD,and interleukin-1β.Compared with the model group,the number of pyroptotic cells reduced,and the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins significantly decreased in the hydroxy safflower yellow A group.(2)In comparison with the model group,pyroptosis worsened in the colivelin group where mitochondrial membrane potential decreased along with elevated reactive oxygen species content and increased mRNA expression levels of STAT3,NLRP3,and Caspase-1,as well as increased protein expression levels of p-STAT3,NLRP3,GSDMD,Cleaved-caspase-1,and interleukin-1β.Compared with the Colivelin group,above indexes were improved in the colivelin+hydroxy safflower yellow A group.These results suggest that hydroxy safflower yellow A plays a neuroprotective role through STAT3 signaling pathway to inhibit HT22 pyroptosis after glucose-oxygen deprivation/reglucose-reoxygenation treatment.
6.Analysis of the correlation between sex hormones and micropenis after mild hypospadias surgery in children
Jiayi WANG ; Haiyang ZHANG ; Lijuan GUO ; Hui LIU ; Hongxia LIU ; Ru JIA ; Yakai LIU ; Dan SU ; Cuiping SONG
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2025;40(8):619-624
Objective:To analyze the correlation between sex hormone levels and micropenis after mild hypospadias surgery in children.Methods:A case control study was carried out.The clinical data of 71 children aged 1 to 13 years who underwent mild hypospadias surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from April 2022 to April 2024 were analyzed.Preoperatively, the children were divided into a mild hypospadias group (Group A) and a mild hypospadias with micropenis group (Group B) based on the stretched penile length (SPL).Prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone, and testosterone (TES) levels of the 2 groups were measured.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to construct a risk prediction model.The discrimination capability of the model was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.SPL and sex hormone levels were measured again 6 months after surgery.The children were divided into a normal penile group (Group AA) and a micropenis group (Group BB) after mild hypospadias according to SPL.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to construct a risk prediction model, which was evaluated using the ROC curve.Results:The levels of FSH, LH and TES in group A before the operation were 3.28(2.02, 4.46) IU/L, 0.53(0.25, 0.79) IU/L and 25.24(17.94, 36.67) ng/dL, respectively, and those in group B were 1.42(1.10, 1.84) IU/L, 0.14(0.09, 0.23) IU/L and 15.73 (12.92, 17.00) ng/dL, respectively.The difference was all statistically significant (all P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed statistical significance ( OR=0.515, 95% CI: 0.271-0.977; OR=0.035, 95% CI: 0.002-0.542; OR=0.883, 95% CI: 0.796-0.980).The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the prediction model was 0.906, with a sensitivity of 75.00% and a specificity of 95.74%.The levels of FSH, LH and TES in the postoperative AA group were 2.97 (1.88, 4.28) IU/L, 0.46 (0.23, 0.78) IU/L and 20.92 (17.34, 33.27) ng/dL, respectively.The median levels of FSH, LH and TES in the BB group were 1.52 (1.27, 1.82) IU/L, 0.17 (0.12, 0.26) IU/L and 15.08(11.68, 16.68) ng/dL, respectively.The difference was all statistically significant (all P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed statistical significance ( OR=0.484, 95% CI: 0.236-0.992; OR=0.061, 95% CI: 0.004-0.939; OR=0.891, 95% CI: 0.795-0.999).The AUC of the prediction model constructed was 0.877, with a sensitivity of 94.12% and a specificity of 68.52%. Conclusions:Lower FSH, LH and TES levels are risk factors for the micropenis after mild hypospadias surgery, and preoperative hormone levels have higher predictive value.
7.Andrographolide sulfonate alleviates rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting glycolysis-mediated activation of PI3K/AKT to restrain Th17 cell differentiation.
Chunhong JIANG ; Xi ZENG ; Jia WANG ; Xiaoqian WU ; Lijuan SONG ; Ling YANG ; Ze LI ; Ning XIE ; Xiaomei YUAN ; Zhifeng WEI ; Yi GUAN
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(4):480-491
Andrographolide sulfonate (AS) is a sulfonated derivative of andrographolide extracted from Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees, and has been approved for several decades in China. The present study aimed to investigate the novel therapeutic application and possible mechanisms of AS in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Results indicated that administration of AS by injection or gavage significantly reduced the paw swelling, improved body weights, and attenuated pathological changes in joints of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis. Additionally, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β in the serum and ankle joints were reduced. Bioinformatics analysis, along with the spleen index and measurements of IL-17 and IL-10 levels, suggested a potential relationship between AS and Th17 cells under arthritic conditions. In vitro, AS was shown to block Th17 cell differentiation, as evidenced by the reduced percentages of CD4+ IL-17A+ T cells and decreased expression levels of RORγt, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, and IL-22, without affecting the cell viability and apoptosis. This effect was attributed to the limited glycolysis, as indicated by metabolomics analysis, reduced glucose uptake, and pH measurements. Further investigation revealed that AS might bind to hexokinase2 (HK2) to down-regulate the protein levels of HK2 but not glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) or pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), and overexpression of HK2 reversed the inhibition of AS on Th17 cell differentiation. Furthermore, AS impaired the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signals in vivo and in vitro, which was abolished by the addition of lactate. In conclusion, AS significantly improved adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) in rats by inhibiting glycolysis-mediated activation of PI3K/AKT to restrain Th17 cell differentiation.
Animals
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Th17 Cells/immunology*
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Diterpenes/pharmacology*
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology*
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Glycolysis/drug effects*
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Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
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Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics*
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Rats
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Male
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Humans
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Andrographis paniculata/chemistry*
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Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy*
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Interleukin-17/immunology*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
8.Mechanism by which hydroxysafflor yellow A alleviates demyelination in cuprizone mice
Ying CHEN ; Jian LIU ; Yajie LIANG ; Yanqing LI ; Lijuan SONG ; Jianjun HUANG ; Jiezhong YU ; Qing WANG ; Cungen MA
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(25):5311-5319
BACKGROUND:In the occurrence and development of demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system,neuroinflammation caused by microglia is the main pathological feature,so inhibiting the inflammatory response is very important to alleviate demyelination.Hydroxysafflor yellow A can protect the blood-brain barrier,inhibit neuronal apoptosis,and improve neurological function.OBJECTIVE:To explore the mechanism of hydroxysafflor yellow A inhibiting bicyclohexanone oxalyl dihydrazone-induced demyelination in mice.METHODS:(1)In vivo:Thirty healthy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups:normal group,cuprizone group,and hydroxysafflor yellow A group.The mice in the cuprizone group and the hydroxysafflor yellow A group were fed with 0.2%cuprizone diet for 6 weeks to establish mouse models of demyelination.The mice in the normal group were fed with normal diet.At the end of the 4th week,the mice in the hydroxysafflor yellow A group were intraperitoneally injected with hydroxysafflor yellow A 20 mg/kg per day.The mice in the normal and cuprizone groups were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline for 2 weeks.The behavioral changes of mice were evaluated by open field test and elevated plus maze test.The loss of myelin sheath in corpus callosum was detected by black gold staining,myelin basic protein and degraded myelin basic protein immunofluorescence staining.The activation of microglia and the expression of inflammatory factors were detected by I ba-1 immunofluorescence staining and ELISA,respectively.The protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4,myeloid differentiation factor 88,and nuclear factor κB p65 in the brain of mice in each group were detected by western blot assay.(2)In vitro experiment:The inflammation model of BV2 microglia was established by lipopolysaccharide induction.BV2 cells were divided into normal group,lipopolysaccharide group(1 μg/mL),and lipopolysaccharide(1 μg/mL)+hydroxysafflor yellow A(25 μmol/L)group.The expression levels of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 in the supernatant were detected by ELISA.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the normal group,the mice in the cuprizone group had severe anxiety,abnormal autonomic movement ability,and a large amount of myelin sheath loss in the corpus callosum.The average fluorescence intensity of myelin basic protein was significantly reduced,and the average fluorescence intensity of degraded myelin basic protein was significantly increased.The number of lba1+microglia increased,the contents of interleukin 1β,tumor necrosis factor α,and interleukin 6 in the brain increased,and the protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4,myeloid differentiation factor 88,and nuclear factor κB p65 increased significantly.The above symptoms and indexes of mice were reversed after hydroxysafflor yellow A treatment.(2)Hydroxysafflor yellow A significantly inhibited the expression of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor α,and interleukin 6 induced by lipopolysaccharide in BV2 microglia.(3)The above results demonstrate that hydroxysafflor yellow A can significantly improve cuprizone-induced demyelination in mice.The mechanism of action is related to the inhibition of microglial activation-mediated inflammatory response through the Toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation factor 88/nuclear factor κB p65 signaling pathway.
9.Lycium barbarum polysaccharide intervenes in SH-SY5Y cell injury induced by beta-amyloid protein 1-42:protective effect of mitochondrial autophagy
Qin SU ; Siwei JIA ; Minfang GUO ; Tao MENG ; Yanbing LI ; Bingtao MU ; Lijuan SONG ; Cungen MA ; Jiezhong YU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(31):6688-6696
BACKGROUND:Neurodegenerative diseases are closely related to the imbalance of mitochondrial autophagy regulation.Previous studies by the research group have shown that lycium barbarum polysaccharide has neuroprotective effects,but whether it can improve the damage of SH-SY5Y cells induced byβ-amyloid protein 1-42 by regulating mitochondrial autophagy is still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To explore the protective effect and mechanism of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on SH-SY5Y cells induced by β-amyloid protein 1-42.METHODS:An Alzheimer's disease cell model was established by inducing SH-SY5Y cells with β-amyloid protein 1-42,and then intervening with Lycium barbarum polysaccharide.SH-SY5Y cells were divided into three groups:control group,β-amyloid protein 1-42 group(20 μmol/L β-amyloid protein 1-42 for 24 hours),and Lycium barbarum polysaccharide group(1 g/L Lycium barbarum polysaccharide was added 1 hour in advance to form a protective effect,and then 20 μmol/L β-amyloid protein 1-42 was added to intervene with Lycium barbarum polysaccharide for 24 hours).CCK8 assay was used to detect cell viability.Mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1.TUNEL staining was used to detect cell apoptosis.Immunofluorescence and western blot assay were used to detect the expression of synaptic,apoptosis,and mitophagy-related indicators.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control group,the cell viability of the β-amyloid protein 1-42 group decreased(P<0.05);cell apoptosis rate increased(P<0.05);mitochondrial membrane potential decreased(P<0.05);the expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Caspase3 increased(P<0.05);the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 decreased(P<0.05);the expression levels of synaptic-related proteins Syn and PSD-95 decreased(P<0.05);the expression levels of mitochondrial autophagy-related proteins Pink1,LC3A/B,Parkin,and Beclin-1 decreased(P<0.05);and the expression of P62 increased(P<0.05).(2)Compared with the β-amyloid protein 1-42 group,the cell viability in the Lycium barbarum polysaccharide group was increased(P<0.05);the apoptosis rate was decreased(P<0.05);the mitochondrial membrane potential was increased(P<0.05);the expression levels of Bax and Caspase3 were decreased(P<0.05);the expression of Bcl-2 was increased(P<0.05);the expressions of Syn and PSD-95 were increased(P<0.05);the expression levels of Pink1,LC3A/B,Parkin,and Beclin-1 were increased(P<0.05),and the expression of P62 was decreased(P<0.05).These findings indicate that Lycium barbarum polysaccharide may inhibit β-amyloid protein 1-42-induced damage to SH-SY5Y cells by regulating mitophagy,reduce cell apoptosis,and increase neuronal synaptic plasticity.
10.Hydroxylsafflower Yellow A inhibits microglial NLRP3-mediated neural function injury after ischemic stroke through JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway
Lijun YIN ; Yige WU ; Cunyan DAN ; Kexin LIU ; Jiaxu ZHANG ; Cungen MA ; Dong MA ; Lijuan SONG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(8):1820-1825,1832
Objective:To explore effects and mechanism of Hydroxylsafflower Yellow A(HSYA)on expression of NLRP3 in glial cells after cerebral ischemic injury.Methods:A middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R)model was established in male SD rats.After successfully modeling for 24 h,Longa scoring and corner test were used to evaluate degree of neurological dys-function.Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to detect expressions of JAK2/STAT3 molecules and NLRP3,ELISA was used to measure IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α levels.A glucose-oxygen deprivation/reperfusion(OGD/R)model was established in microg-lia,and JAK2 and STAT3 inhibitor AG490 was used to further verify action of HSYA on NLRP3.Results:Compared with sham group,neurological dysfunction aggravated in MCAO/R group(P<0.01),HSYA treatment improved neurological function(P<0.01).Expres-sions of p-JAK2,p-STAT3 and NLRP3 in MCAO/R group were higher than those in the sham group(P<0.01);and HSYA treatment reduced expressions of p-JAK2,p-STAT3 and NLRP3(P<0.01).Levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α were higher in MCAO/R group than sham group(P<0.01),and HSYA inhibited expressions of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α(P<0.01 or P<0.05).In vi-tro experiments showed expressions of p-JAK2,p-STAT3 and NLRP3 in OGD/R group were significantly higher than normal control group(P<0.01),after adding AG490,phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 decreased,NLRP3 expression was inhibited(P<0.01).Inflammatory cytokines IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α levels were higher in OGD/R group than normal control group(P<0.01),and HSYA inhibited expressions of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Conclusion:HSYA alleviates brain damage,probably by regu-lating JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and inhibiting NLRP3 expression in microglia after cerebral ischemia and hypoxia.


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