1.Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction inhibits ferroptosis by regulating Nrf2/GPX4 pathway to ameliorate atherosclerotic lesions in ApoE~(-/-) mice.
Di GAO ; Teng-Hui TIAN ; Ke-Ying YU ; Xiao SHAO ; Wen XUE ; Zhi-Xuan ZHAO ; Yue DENG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):1908-1919
The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction on atherosclerosis(AS) injury in ApoE~(-/-) mice by regulating the ferroptosis pathway. Seventy-five ApoE~(-/-) mice were randomly divided into model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose of Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction groups, and evolocumab group(n=15), and 15 C57BL/6J mice were selected as the blank group. Mice in the blank group were fed with a normal diet, and those in the other groups were fed with a high-fat diet to induce AS. From the 9th week, mice in Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction groups were administrated with Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction at corresponding doses by gavage, and those in the blank group and the model group were given an equal volume of distilled water. Mice in the evolocumab group were treated with evolocumab 18.2 mg·kg~(-1 )by subcutaneous injection every 2 weeks. After 8 weeks of continuous intervention, oil red O staining and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining were employed to observe the lipid deposition and plaque formation in the aortic root. Masson staining was used to evaluate the collagen content in the aortic root. The serum levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) were determined by biochemical kits. The levels of Fe~(2+), superoxide dismutase(SOD), malondialdehyde(MDA), and glutathione(GSH) in the aorta were measured by colorimetry. The protein and mRNA levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2), glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4), solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11), and acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4(ACSL4) in the aorta were detected by Western blot and RT-qPCR, respectively. The expression of Nrf2, GPX4, and SLC7A11 was localized by immunofluorescence. The results showed that low-, medium-, and high-dose Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction reduced the plaque formation of aortic root and increased the collagen content in AS mice. At the same time, Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction improved the lipid metabolism by lowering the levels of TC, LDL-C, and TG and elevating the level of HDL-C in the serum. Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction enhanced the antioxidant capacity by elevating the levels of GSH and SOD and lowering the level of MDA in the aorta and inhibiting the accumulation of Fe~(2+) in the aorta. In addition, Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction up-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of Nrf2, GPX4, and SLC7A11, while down-regulating the protein and mRNA levels of ACSL4. In summary, Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction can effectively alleviate AS lesions in ApoE~(-/-) mice by activating the Nrf2/GPX4 pathway, reducing lipid peroxidation, and inhibiting ferroptosis.
Animals
;
Ferroptosis/drug effects*
;
Atherosclerosis/metabolism*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics*
;
Mice
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Apolipoproteins E/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase/genetics*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Humans
;
Mice, Knockout
2.Fexolone inhibits neuronal ferroptosis through the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 pathway to alleviates sepsis-associated brain injury.
Rao SUN ; Jinyao ZHOU ; Yang JIAO ; Kaixuan NIU ; Cheng YUAN ; Ximing DENG
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(5):452-457
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the protective effect of Fisetin on sepsis-associated brain injury and explore its possible mechanism from the perspective of ferroptosis.
METHODS:
Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (6-8-week-old male) were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation group (Sham group), colonic ligation and puncture (CLP) induced sepsis model group (CLP group) and Fisetin preprocessing group (CLP+Fisetin group), with 18 rats in each group (12 for observing survival rate and 6 for indicator testing). The CLP+Fisetin group was given Fisetin solution 50 mg×kg-1×d-1 by gavage continuously for 5 days before CLP, with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as the solute, while Sham group and CLP group were given the same dose of DMSO. The model was established at 2 hours after the last gavage. The general condition of each group of rats were observed, and the 10-day mortality were record. The behavioral testing (new object recognition experiment, elevated cross maze experiment) were performed after 7 days of modeling. After 24 hours of modeling, nerve reflex scoring was performed, and then the rats were euthanized and brain tissue was collected. The pathological changes of brain tissue were observed under a microscope by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, the deposition of iron ion in brain tissue was observed by Prussian blue staining. The content of iron in brain tissue was determined by tissue iron kit, and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in brain tissue was determined by colorimetry. The expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), neuron damage marker S100β, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenases-1 (HO-1) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) were detected by Western blotting.
RESULTS:
On day 10 post-operation, 12, 3, and 7 animals survived in the Sham group, CLP group, and CLP+Fisetin group, respectively. Compared with the Sham group, rats in the CLP group showed significantly decreased nerve reflex score, new object discrimination index and open arm dwell time. HE staining showed arranged disorderly of neuronal cells, cytoplasm deep staining, nuclear condensation, unclear structures, neuron loss, and significant inflammation in the hippocampus in the hippocampus. Prussian blue staining showed iron ion deposition in the brain tissue. The contents of iron and MDA in brain tissue were elevated, and the expressions of TNF-α and S100β were up-regulated, while the expressions of Nrf2, HO-1, and GPX4 were down-regulated. Compared with the CLP group, the CLP+Fisetin group showed significantly increased neurological reflex score (7.33±1.15 vs. 4.67±1.53), improved new object discrimination index (0.44±0.02 vs. 0.32±0.04), and longer open arm dwell time (minutes: 78.33±9.29 vs. 41.15±9.64). Neuronal cells in the hippocampus were more organized, with less cytoplasmic staining, nuclear condensation, reduced neuronal loss, and fewer inflammatory cells. Iron ion deposition was reduced, and the contents of iron ions and MDA in brain tissue were decreased [iron ion (μg/g): 151.27±14.90 vs. 224.69±17.64, MDA (μmol/g): 470.0±44.3 vs. 709.3±65.4]. The expressions of TNF-α and S100β were significantly decreased (TNF-α/GAPDH: 0.651±0.060 vs. 0.896±0.022, S100β/GAPDH: 0.685±0.032 vs. 0.902±0.014), while the expressions of Nrf2, HO-1, and GPX4 were significantly increased (Nrf2/GAPDH: 0.708±0.108 vs. 0.316±0.112, HO-1/GAPDH: 0.694±0.022 vs. 0.538±0.024, GPX4/GAPDH: 0.620±0.170 vs. 0.317±0.039). All differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Fisetin pretreatment can inhibit ferroptosis and reduce sepsis-associated brain injury by Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 pathway.
Animals
;
Ferroptosis/drug effects*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism*
;
Sepsis/complications*
;
Male
;
Rats
;
Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase
;
Neurons/drug effects*
;
Signal Transduction
;
Brain Injuries/metabolism*
;
Flavonols
;
Flavonoids/pharmacology*
;
Heme Oxygenase-1/metabolism*
;
Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing)
3.Esculetin triggers ferroptosis via inhibition of the Nrf2-xCT/GPx4 axis in hepatocellular carcinoma.
Zhixin QU ; Jing ZENG ; Laifeng ZENG ; Xianmei LI ; Fenghua ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(4):443-456
Esculetin, a natural dihydroxy coumarin derived from the Chinese herbal medicine Cortex Fraxini, has demonstrated significant pharmacological activities, including anticancer properties. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, has garnered considerable attention due to its lethal effect on tumor cells. However, the exact role of ferroptosis in esculetin-mediated anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) effects remains poorly understood. This study investigated the impact of esculetin on HCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. The findings indicate that esculetin effectively inhibited the growth of HCC cells. Importantly, esculetin promoted the accumulation of intracellular Fe2+, leading to an increase in ROS production through the Fenton reaction. This event subsequently induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) and triggered ferroptosis within the HCC cells. The occurrence of ferroptosis was confirmed by the elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, the depletion of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, and the disruption of mitochondrial morphology. Notably, the inhibitor of ferroptosis, ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), attenuated the anti-tumor effect of esculetin in HCC cells. Furthermore, the findings revealed that esculetin inhibited the Nrf2-xCT/GPx4 axis signaling in HCC cells. Overexpression of Nrf2 upregulated the expression of downstream SLC7A11 and GPX4, consequently alleviating esculetin-induced ferroptosis. In conclusion, this study suggests that esculetin exerts an anti-HCC effect by inhibiting the activity of the Nrf2-xCT/GPx4 axis, thereby triggering ferroptosis in HCC cells. These findings may contribute to the potential clinical use of esculetin as a candidate for HCC treatment.
Umbelliferones/administration & dosage*
;
Ferroptosis/drug effects*
;
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/physiopathology*
;
NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Liver Neoplasms/physiopathology*
;
Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase/genetics*
;
Animals
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Mice
;
Amino Acid Transport System y+/genetics*
;
Mice, Inbred BALB C
;
Male
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects*
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Mice, Nude
4.mTOR promotes oxLDL-induced vascular smooth muscle cell ferroptosis by inhibiting autophagy.
Yi LI ; Lijun ZHANG ; Yuke ZHANG ; Qi ZHANG ; Lijun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(8):687-694
Objective To explore the role and mechanism of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced ferroptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Methods A model of oxLDL-induced VSMC ferroptosis was established. VSMCs were co-treated with either the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin or the autophagy inducer carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), followed by detection of autophagy and ferroptosis-related indexes. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used respectively to analyze the expression of mTOR, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), sequestosome 1 (p62), and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3). Flow cytometry was employed to assess VSMC death. C11 BODIPY fluorescent staining was used to measure cellular lipid peroxidation levels. Colorimetric assays were performed to determine the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), ferrous ion (Fe2+) and glutathione (GSH). Results oxLDL significantly upregulated mTOR expression in VSMCs, while increasing p62 expression and reducing LC3 expression, thereby suppressing VSMC autophagy. Compared with oxLDL treatment alone, rapamycin co-treatment reversed oxLDL-induced VSMC ferroptosis, as characterized by reduced VSMC death, increased GPX4 expression and GSH contents, along with decreased MDA content, Fe2+ content and lipid peroxidation levels. Similarly, CCCP co-treatment activated autophagy characterized by reduced p62 expression and elevated LC3 expression, which subsequently alleviated oxLDL-induced ferroptosis, showing reduced VSMC death, increased GPX4 expressions and GSH contents, and decreased MDA content, Fe2+ content and lipid peroxidation levels. Moreover, mTOR inhibition by rapamycin significantly reversed the oxLDL-induced upregulation of p62 and downregulation of LC3. Conclusion mTOR may promote oxLDL-induced VSMC ferroptosis by suppressing autophagy.
Ferroptosis/drug effects*
;
Lipoproteins, LDL/metabolism*
;
TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/physiology*
;
Autophagy/drug effects*
;
Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
Rats
;
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/cytology*
;
Cells, Cultured
;
Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects*
;
Sequestosome-1 Protein/genetics*
;
Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism*
;
Microtubule-Associated Proteins/genetics*
;
Sirolimus/pharmacology*
5.Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Analysis to Explore the Ferroptosis Susceptibility of Venetoclax-Resistant AML Cells.
Yue LI ; Jia-Qi WAN ; Xin-Tong YANG ; Bao-Quan SONG ; Fei LI ; Hong-Wei PENG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(3):621-632
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the susceptibility of venetoclax-resistant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines to ferroptosis and to uncover the underlying molecular mechanisms using transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis methods.
METHODS:
Venetoclax-resistant AML cell lines were constructed using a low-dose concentration escalation method. The sensitivity of cells to chemotherapeutic drugs was detected by CCK-8 assay. The susceptibility of drug-resistant cell lines to ferroptosis was assessed using transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis methods. The expression of cellular GPX4 and SLC7A11 protein was detected by Western blot, and cell death and lipid peroxidation levels were measured by flow cytometry. Depmap database and TCGA cohort were applied to explore the effect of ferroptosis-related genes expression on prognosis.
RESULTS:
Venetoclax-resistant cell lines exhibited sensitivity to ferroptosis inducers RSL3, APR246, and sorafenib. The ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 partially inhibited cell death induced by these inducers. Compared with the parental cells, significant changes in metabolites and gene expression levels related to ferroptosis were observed in the resistant cell lines. In particular, deregulated expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 may play critical role in ferroptosis susceptibility. Besides, GPX4 was identified as more important for AML cell survival and higher GPX4 expression may predict shortened overall survival, NPM1 mutant and IDH1 R132 mutation positive patients may prone to possess higher GPX4 expression.
CONCLUSION
Venetoclax-resistant AML cell lines remain susceptible to ferroptosis, higher GPX4 expression maybe a critical marker for poor prognosis. Regulating the expression of ferroptosis-related genes and metabolites may enhance the efficacy of venetoclax and provide new treatment options for AML patients.
Humans
;
Ferroptosis
;
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism*
;
Sulfonamides/pharmacology*
;
Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/pharmacology*
;
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
;
Metabolomics
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase
;
Amino Acid Transport System y+/metabolism*
;
Transcriptome
6.Bear Bile Powder Ameliorates LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury by Inhibiting CD14 Pathway and Improving Intestinal Flora: Exploration of "Fei (Lung)-Dachang (Large Intestine) Interaction" Theory.
Long CHENG ; Hui-Ling TIAN ; Hong-Yuan LEI ; Ying-Zhou WANG ; Ma-Jing JIAO ; Yun-Hui LIANG ; Zhi-Zheng WU ; Xu-Kun DENG ; Yong-Shen REN
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(9):821-829
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the effect of bear bile powder (BBP) on acute lung injury (ALI) and the underlying mechanism.
METHODS:
The chemical constituents of BBP were analyzed by ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). After 7 days of adaptive feeding, 50 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups by a random number table (n=10): normal control (NC), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), dexamethasone (Dex), low-, and high-dose BBP groups. The dosing cycle was 9 days. On the 12th and 14th days, 20 µL of Staphylococcus aureus solution (bacterial concentration of 1 × 10-7 CFU/mL) was given by nasal drip after 1 h of intragastric administration, and the mice in the NC group was given the same dose of phosphated buffered saline (PBS) solution. On the 16th day, after 1 h intragastric administration, 100 µL of LPS solution (1 mg/mL) was given by tracheal intubation, and the same dose of PBS solution was given to the NC group. Lung tissue was obtained to measure the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, the lung wet/dry weight ratio and expressions of CD14 and other related proteins. The lower lobe of the right lung was obtained for pathological examination. The concentrations of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α ) and IL-1β in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and the number of neutrophils was counted. The colonic contents of the mice were analyzed by 16 sRNA technique and the contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were measured by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS).
RESULTS:
UPLC-MS revealed that the chemical components of BBP samples were mainly tauroursodeoxycholic acid and taurochenodeoxycholic acid sodium salt. BBP reduced the activity of MPO, concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, and inhibited the expression of CD14 protein, thus suppressing the activation of NF-κB pathway (P<0.05). The lung histopathological results indicated that BBP significantly reduced the degree of neutrophil infiltration, cell shedding, necrosis, and alveolar cavity depression. Moreover, BBP effectively regulated the composition of the intestinal microflora and increased the production of SCFAs, which contributed to its treatment effect (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
BBP alleviates lung injury in ALI mouse through inhibiting activation of NF-κB pathway and decreasing expression of CD14 protein. BBP may promote recovery of ALI by improving the structure of intestinal flora and enhancing metabolic function of intestinal flora.
Animals
;
Acute Lung Injury/pathology*
;
Lipopolysaccharides
;
Ursidae
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
;
Bile/chemistry*
;
Lipopolysaccharide Receptors/metabolism*
;
Powders
;
Male
;
Lung/drug effects*
;
Mice
;
Peroxidase/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Cytokines/metabolism*
7.Salvianolic Acid B Exerts Antiphotoaging Effect on Ultraviolet B-Irradiated Human Keratinocytes by Alleviating Oxidative Stress via SIRT1 Protein.
Qiao-Ju ZHANG ; Xi LUO ; Yu-Wen ZHENG ; Jun-Qiao ZHENG ; Xin-Ying WU ; Shu-Mei WANG ; Jun SHI
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(11):1021-1028
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the anti-photoaging properties of salvianolic acid B (Sal B).
METHODS:
The optimal photoaging model of human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) were constructed by expose to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. The cells were divided into control, model and different concentrations of Sal B groups. Cell viability was measured via cell counting kit-8. Subsequently, the levels of oxidative stress, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydroxyproline (Hyp), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were detected using the relevant kits. Silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) protein level was detected using Western blot. The binding pattern of Sal B and SIRT1 was determined via molecular docking.
RESULTS:
Sal B significantly increased the viability of UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Sal B effectively scavenged the accumulation of ROS induced by UVB (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, Sal B modulated oxidative stress by increasing the intracellular concentrations of Hyp and CAT and the activity of GSH-Px (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The Western blot results revealed a substantial increase in SIRT1 protein levels following Sal B administration (P<0.05). Moreover, Sal B exhibited good binding affinity toward SIRT1, with a docking energy of -7.5 kCal/mol.
CONCLUSION
Sal B could improve the repair of photodamaged cells by alleviating cellular oxidative stress and regulating the expression of SIRT1 protein.
Humans
;
Sirtuin 1/metabolism*
;
Ultraviolet Rays
;
Oxidative Stress/radiation effects*
;
Keratinocytes/metabolism*
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Benzofurans/pharmacology*
;
Skin Aging/radiation effects*
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Cell Survival/radiation effects*
;
HaCaT Cells
;
Hydroxyproline/metabolism*
;
Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism*
;
Catalase/metabolism*
;
Depsides
8.Expression of SLC7A11, GPX4 and ACSL4 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and their correlation with radiotherapy resistance.
Donghui YAN ; Yanyan ZHENG ; Ningxiang ZENG ; Hongxun GONG ; Yanqiu HUANG ; Maoxin WANG
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(5):462-469
Objective:To explore the correlation between ferroptosis-related proteins SLC7A11, GPX4, ACSL4 and the radiosensitivity and prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. And to investigate the potential of these proteins as molecular markers for predicting the radiosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 52 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (nasopharyngeal carcinoma group) and 20 cases of chronic nasopharyngiti s(control group). The relevant clinical data were reviewed, and paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were collected for study. The expressions of SLC7A11, GPX4, and ACSL4 in pathological specimens were detected by immunohistochemical staining. The expression differences of ferroptosis-related proteins between the nasopharyngeal carcinoma group and the control group were analyzed. The nasopharyngeal carcinoma group was further divided based on the protein expression levels into high and low expression subgroups for SLC7A11, GPX4, and ACSL4. Subsequently, a differential analysis of clinical data and survival analysis was conducted for each of these subgroups. Finally, logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors influencing radiotherapy resistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Results:①The differential analysis revealed that, compared to the control group, the nasopharyngeal carcinoma group exhibited significantly higher expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4, and lower expression of ACSL4 (P<0.05). ②Notably, the proportion of patients displaying radioresistance was higher in the SLC7A11 and GPX4 high expression groups compared to their respective low expression groups (P<0.05). However, the proportion of radioresistance in the ACSL4 high expression group was lower than that in the ACSL4 low expression group (P<0.05). Survival analysis indicated that the 5-year overall survival rate was lower in the SLC7A11 and GPX4 high expression groups compared to their respective low expression groups(P<0.05). However, the 5-year overall survival rate of the ACSL4 high expression group was higher than that of the ACSL4 low expression group(P<0.05). ③logistic regression analysis showed that SLC7A11 and GPX4 was an independent risk factor for radioresistance in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma(P<0.05). Conclusion:Nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues over-express SLC7A11, GPX4, and under-express ACSL4. Over-expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 are independent risk factors for radioresistance in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The inhibition of ferroptosis may be related to the occurrence, progression and radioresistance of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Detection of the expression of SLC7A11, GPX4, and ACSL4 has guiding significance for the evaluation of radiosensitivity and prognosis of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Humans
;
Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma/radiotherapy*
;
Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Coenzyme A Ligases/metabolism*
;
Radiation Tolerance
;
Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase
;
Amino Acid Transport System y+/metabolism*
;
Prognosis
;
Long-Chain-Fatty-Acid-CoA Ligase
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Ferroptosis
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
9.Catalpol reduces liver toxicity of triptolide in mice by inhibiting hepatocyte ferroptosis through the SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway: testing the Fuzheng Zhidu theory for detoxification.
Linluo ZHANG ; Changqing LI ; Lingling HUANG ; Xueping ZHOU ; Yuanyuan LOU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(4):810-818
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the protective effect of catalpol against triptolide-induced liver injury and explore its mechanism to test the Fuzheng Zhidu theory for detoxification.
METHODS:
C57BL/6J mice were randomized into blank control group, catalpol group, triptolide group and triptolide+catalpol group. After 13 days of treatment with the agents by gavage, the mice were examined for liver tissue pathology, liver function, hepatocyte subcellular structure, lipid peroxidation, ferrous ion deposition and expressions of ferroptosis-related proteins in the liver. In a liver cell line HL7702, the effect of catalpol or the ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 on triptolide-induced cytotoxicity was tested by examining cell functions, Fe2+ concentration, lipid peroxidation, ROS level and the ferroptosis-related proteins.
RESULTS:
In C57BL/6J mice, catalpol significantly alleviated triptolide-induced hepatic injury, lowered the levels of ALT, AST and LDH, and reversed the elevation of Fe2+ concentration and MDA level and the reduction of GPX level. In HL7702 cells, inhibition of ferroptosis by Fer-1 significantly reversed triptolide-induced elevation of ALT, AST and LDH levels. Western blotting and qRT-PCR demonstrated that catalpol reversed abnormalities in expressions of SLC7A11, FTH1 and GPX4 at both the mRNA and protein levels in triptolide-treated HL7702 cells.
CONCLUSIONS
The combined use of catalpol can reduce the hepatotoxicity of triptolide in mice by inhibiting excessive hepatocyte ferroptosis through the SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway.
Animals
;
Phenanthrenes/toxicity*
;
Ferroptosis/drug effects*
;
Diterpenes/toxicity*
;
Epoxy Compounds/toxicity*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Hepatocytes/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase
;
Iridoid Glucosides/pharmacology*
;
Liver/metabolism*
;
Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/prevention & control*
;
Male
;
Amino Acid Transport System y+/metabolism*
10.Shuangshu Decoction inhibits growth of gastric cancer cell xenografts by promoting cell ferroptosis via the P53/SLC7A11/GPX4 axis.
Xinyuan CHEN ; Chengting WU ; Ruidi LI ; Xueqin PAN ; Yaodan ZHANG ; Junyu TAO ; Caizhi LIN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(7):1363-1371
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the mechanism of Shuangshu Decoction (SSD) for inhibiting growth of gastric cancer xenografts in nude mice.
METHODS:
Network pharmacology analysis was conducted to identify the common targets of SSD and gastric cancer cell ferroptosis, and bioinformatics analysis and molecular docking were used to validate the core targets. In the cell experiment, AGS cells were treated with SSD-medicated serum, Fer-1 (a ferroptosis inhibitor), or both, and the changes in cell viability, ferroptosis markers (ROS, Fe2+ and GSH), expressions of P53, SLC7A11 and GPX4, and mitochondrial morphology were examined. In a nude mouse model bearing gastric cancer xenografts, the effects of gavage with SSD, intraperitoneal injection of Fer-1, or their combination on tumor volume/weight, histopathology, and expressions of P53, SLC7A11 and GPX4 levels were evaluated.
RESULTS:
The active components in SSD (quercetin and wogonin) showed strong binding affinities to P53. In AGS cells, SSD treatment dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation, increased ROS and Fe2+ levels, upregulated P53 expression, and downregulated the expressions of SLC7A11 and GPX4, but these effects were effectively attenuated by Fer-1 treatment. SSD also induced mitochondrial shrinkage and increased the membrane density, which were alleviated by Fer-1. In the tumor-bearing mouse models, gavage with SSD significantly reduced tumor size and weight, caused tumor cell necrosis, upregulated P53 and downregulated SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression in the tumor tissue, and these effects were obviously mitigated by Fer-1 treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
SSD inhibits gastric cancer growth in nude mice by inducing cell ferroptosis via the P53/SLC7A11/GPX4 axis.
Ferroptosis/drug effects*
;
Animals
;
Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism*
;
Mice, Nude
;
Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Humans
;
Amino Acid Transport System y+/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

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