1.Knock-down of long intergenic noncoding RNA cyclooxygenase 2 (lincRNA-COX2) inhibits apoptosis and polarization into M1 in Listeria monocytogenes-infected macrophages.
Yurong ZHU ; Shuang HUANG ; Lin LIN ; Fengyuan ZHANG ; Xugan JIANG ; Shengxia CHEN
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2023;39(4):289-294
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To investigate the effect of long intergenic non-coding RNA COX2 (lincRNA-COX2) on apoptosis and polarization of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm)-infected RAW264.7 cells. Methods RAW264.7 cells were cultured and divided into control group (uninfected cells), Lm infection group, negative control of small interfering RNA (si-NC) group, si-NC and Lm infection group, small interfering RNA of lincRNA-COX2 (si-lincRNA-COX2) group, si-lincRNA-COX2 and Lm infection group. RAW264.7 cells were infected with MOI=10 Lm for 6 hours, and then the inhibition efficiency of siRNA transfection was detected by fluorescence microscope and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The expression levels of cleaved-caspase-3(c-caspase-3), caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl2), Bcl2 associated X protein (BAX), arginase 1 (Arg1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were detected by Western blot analysis. Results c-caspase-3/caspase-3, BAX/Bcl2 and iNOS were significantly up-regulated, while the level of Arg1 was down-regulated in Lm-infected RAW264.7 cells compared with control group. LincRNA-COX2 knockdown inhibited the increase of protein levels for BAX/Bcl2, c-caspase-3/caspase-3 and iNOS in Lm-infected RAW264.7 cells, while the level of Arg1 in Lm-infected RAW264.7 cells was up-regulated. Conclusion Knockdown of lincRNA-COX2 can inhibit cell apoptosis and suppress the macrophage polarization into M1 type in Lm-infected RAW264.7 cells.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Apoptosis/genetics*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Caspase 3/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Listeria monocytogenes/pathogenicity*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Macrophages/microbiology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			RNA, Small Interfering/genetics*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Mice
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
2.Chrysin alleviates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting ferroptosis in rats.
Jin-Feng SHANG ; Jia-Kang JIAO ; Qian-Nan LI ; Ying-Hui LU ; Jing-Yi WANG ; Ming-Xue YAN ; Yin-Lian WEN ; Gui-Jin-Feng HUANG ; Xiao-Lu ZHANG ; Xin LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(6):1597-1605
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			The purpose of this study is to investigate whether chrysin reduces cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIRI) by inhi-biting ferroptosis in rats. Male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham group, a model group, high-, medium-, and low-dose chrysin groups(200, 100, and 50 mg·kg~(-1)), and a positive drug group(Ginaton, 21.6 mg·kg~(-1)). The CIRI model was induced in rats by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion(tMCAO). The indexes were evaluated and the samples were taken 24 h after the operation. The neurological deficit score was used to detect neurological function. The 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining was used to detect the cerebral infarction area. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological structure of brain tissues. Prussian blue staining was used to observe the iron accumulation in the brain. Total iron, lipid pero-xide, and malondialdehyde in serum and brain tissues were detected by biochemical reagents. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR), immunohistochemistry, and Western blot were used to detect mRNA and protein expression of solute carrier fa-mily 7 member 11(SLC7A11), transferrin receptor 1(TFR1), glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4), acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4(ACSL4), and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2(PTGS2) in brain tissues. Compared with the model group, the groups with drug intervention showed restored neurological function, decreased cerebral infarction rate, and alleviated pathological changes. The low-dose chrysin group was selected as the optimal dosing group. Compared with the model group, the chrysin groups showed reduced content of total iron, lipid peroxide, and malondialdehyde in brain tissues and serum, increased mRNA and protein expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4, and decreased mRNA and protein expression levels of TFR1, PTGS2, and ACSL4. Chrysin may regulate iron metabolism via regulating the related targets of ferroptosis and inhibit neuronal ferroptosis induced by CIRI.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Rats
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Male
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Rats, Sprague-Dawley
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Ferroptosis
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Signal Transduction
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Brain Ischemia/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			RNA, Messenger
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Cerebral Infarction
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Reperfusion Injury/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Malondialdehyde
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
3.Therapeutic effect of Leonuri Herba aqueous decoction on primary dysmenorrhea in rats and its metabolomic analysis.
Liu-Jun WU ; Yan CHEN ; Zi-Wei LIN ; Chen SUN ; Liang XIONG ; Xiao-Fang XIE ; Cheng PENG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(22):6093-6106
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of Leonuri Herba aqueous decoction on primary dysmenorrhea(PD) and explore the underlying mechanism in conjunction with untargeted metabolomics. Forty adult female rats were randomly divi-ded into a normal group, a model control group, ibuprofen(0.12 g·kg~(-1)) group, and high-and low-dose Leonuri Herba aqueous decoction(5 and 2.5 g·kg~(-1)) groups, with eight rats in each group. The PD rat model was prepared using intramuscular injection of estradiol benzoate combined with intraperitoneal injection of pitocin. Drugs were administered by gavage from the 4th day of modeling for 7 d. After the last administration, pitocin was injected intraperitoneally, and the writhing latency and writhing times within 30 min were recorded. The uterine and ovarian coefficients were determined. Estradiol(E_2), progesterone(Prog), oxytocin(OT), cyclooxyge-nase 2(COX-2), prostaglandin E_2(PGE_2), prostaglandin F_(2α)(PGF_(2α)), and Ca~(2+) levels in uterine tissues were measured by ELISA and biochemical kits. Morphological changes in uterine and ovarian tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The protein expression of oxytocin receptor(OTR), prostaglandin E_2 receptor 3(EP3), and estrogen receptor alpha(ERα) in uterine tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression of OTR, PGE_2 receptors 1-4(EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4), and PGF_(2α) receptor(FP) in uterine tissues was detected by quantitative real-time PCR. Untargeted metabolomics analysis was performed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(LC-QTOF-MS) technology to screen potential biomarkers and enrich metabolic pathways. The results showed that Leonuri Herba was able to significantly reduce the writhing times in PD rats(P<0.05 or P<0.01), significantly reduce the uterine and ovarian coefficients(P<0.01), and improve their histomorphology. After treatment with Leonuri Herba, PGE_2 content was significantly increased(P<0.05), COX-2, PGF_(2α) and Ca~(2+) content, and PGF_(2α)/PGE_2 was significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01), and OT content was decreased, while E_2 and Prog content tended to further increase in uterine tissues of PD rats. Correspondingly, OTR and EP3 protein expression was significantly downregulated(P<0.05 or P<0.01) and ERα protein expression was upregulated(P<0.05) in uterine tissues. The mRNA expression of FP and EP4 in uterine tissues was significantly downregulated(P<0.01), and the mRNA expression of EP1, EP3, and OTR showed a decreasing trend. The untargeted metabolomics results showed that 10 differential metabolites were restored in the plasma of PD rats after Leonuri Herba treatment. The results indicate that Leonuri Herba is effective in the prevention and treatment of PD, and the underlying mechanism may be attributed to the regulation of PGs synthesis and corresponding receptor binding.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Humans
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Rats
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Female
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Estrogen Receptor alpha
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Oxytocin
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Dysmenorrhea/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Cyclooxygenase 2
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Dinoprostone
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			RNA, Messenger/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Dinoprost
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
4.Hepatocyte steatosis activates macrophage inflammatory response accelerating atherosclerosis development.
Yue LI ; Xize WU ; Jiaxiang PAN ; Lihong GONG ; Dongyu MIN
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2023;52(6):751-765
		                        		
		                        			OBJECTIVES:
		                        			To investigate the mechanism of comorbidity between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and atherosclerosis (AS) based on metabolomics and network pharmacology.
		                        		
		                        			METHODS:
		                        			Six ApoE-/- mice were fed with a high-fat diet for 16 weeks as a comorbid model of NAFLD and AS (model group). Normal diet was given to 6 wildtype C57BL/6J mice (control group). Serum samples were taken from both groups for a non-targeted metabolomics assay to identify differential metabolites. Network pharmacology was applied to explore the possible mechanistic effects of differential metabolites on AS and NAFLD. An in vitro comorbid cell model was constructed using NCTC1469 cells and RAW264.7 macrophage. Cellular lipid accumulation, cell viability, morphology and function of mitochondria were detected with oil red O staining, CCK-8 assay, transmission electron microscopy and JC-1 staining, respectively.
		                        		
		                        			RESULTS:
		                        			A total of 85 differential metabolites associated with comorbidity of NAFLD and AS were identified. The top 20 differential metabolites were subjected to network pharmacology analysis, which showed that the core targets of differential metabolites related to AS and NAFLD were STAT3, EGFR, MAPK14, PPARG, NFKB1, PTGS2, ESR1, PPARA, PTPN1 and SCD. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes showed the top 10 signaling pathways were PPAR signaling pathway, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, alcoholic liver disease, prolactin signaling pathway, insulin resistance, TNF signaling pathway, hepatitis B, the relax in signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway and NAFLD. Experimental validation showed that lipid metabolism-related genes PPARG, PPARA, PTPN1, and SCD were significantly changed in hepatocyte models, and steatotic hepatocytes affected the expression of macrophage inflammation-related genes STAT3, NFKB1 and PTGS2; steatotic hepatocytes promoted the formation of foam cells and exacerbated the accumulation of lipids in foam cells; the disrupted morphology, impaired function, and increased reactive oxygen species production were observed in steatotic hepatocyte mitochondria, while the formation of foam cells aggravated mitochondrial damage.
		                        		
		                        			CONCLUSIONS
		                        			Abnormal lipid metabolism and inflammatory response are distinctive features of comorbid AS and NAFLD. Hepatocyte steatosis causes mitochondrial damage, which leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, increased reactive oxygen species and activation of macrophage inflammatory response, resulting in the acceleration of AS development.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Mice
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			PPAR gamma/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Mice, Inbred C57BL
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Hepatocytes
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Macrophages/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Liver
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
5.Anti-oxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Ethanol Extract from Polygala sibirica L. var megalopha Fr. on Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW264.7 Cells.
Cheng-Liu YANG ; Shi-Bo WANG ; Wen-Ping HE ; Jin-Juan LIU
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2023;29(10):905-913
		                        		
		                        			OBJECTIVE:
		                        			To investigate the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extract of Polygala sibirica L. var megalopha Fr. (EEP) on RAW264.7 mouse macrophages.
		                        		
		                        			METHODS:
		                        			RAW264.7 cells were pretreated with 0-200 µg/mL EEP or vehicle for 2 h prior to exposure to 1 µg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h. Nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin (PGE2) production were determined by Griess reagent and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), and IL-6 were determined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Western blot assay was used to determine the protein expressions of iNOS, COX-2, phosphorylation of extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), inhibitory subunit of nuclear factor Kappa B alpha (Iκ B-α) and p38. Immunofluorescence was used to observe the nuclear expression of nuclear factor-κ B p65 (NF-κ B p65). Additionally, the anti-oxidant potential of EEP was evaluated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl (OH), superoxide anion (O2-) radical and nitrite scavenging activity were also measured.
		                        		
		                        			RESULTS:
		                        			The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of EEP were 23.50±2.16 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g and 43.78±3.81 mg rutin equivalent/100 g. With EEP treatment (100 and 150 µg/mL), there was a notable decrease in NO and PGE2 production induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells by downregulation of iNOS and COX-2 mRNA and protein expressions (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Furthermore, with EEP treatment (150 µg/mL), there was a decrease in the mRNA expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, as well as in the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK, P<0.01 or P<0.05), by blocking the nuclear translocation of NF-κ B p65 in LPS-stimulated cells. In addition, EEP (100 and 150 µg/mL) led to an increase in the anti-oxidant enzymes activity of SOD and CAT, with a concomitant decrease in ROS production (P<0.01 or P<0.05). EEP also indicated the DPPH, OH, O2- radical and nitrite scavenging activity.
		                        		
		                        			CONCLUSION
		                        			EEP inhibited inflammatory responses in activated macrophages through blocking MAPK/NF-κ B pathway and protected against oxidative stress.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Mice
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Antioxidants/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Polygala
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Transcription Factor RelA/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Ethanol/chemistry*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Interleukin-6/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemistry*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Nitrites/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			NF-kappa B/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Nitric Oxide/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			RNA, Messenger
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/metabolism*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
6.Bear bile powder alleviates Parkinson's disease-like behavior in mice by inhibiting astrocyte-mediated neuroinflammation.
Lupeng WANG ; Yuyan BAI ; Yanlin TAO ; Wei SHEN ; Houyuan ZHOU ; Yixin HE ; Hui WU ; Fei HUANG ; Hailian SHI ; Xiaojun WU
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2023;21(9):710-720
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease in middle-aged and elderly people. In particular, increasing evidence has showed that astrocyte-mediated neuroinflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of PD. As a precious traditional Chinese medicine, bear bile powder (BBP) has a long history of use in clinical practice. It has numerous activities, such as clearing heat, calming the liver wind and anti-inflammation, and also exhibits good therapeutic effect on convulsive epilepsy. However, whether BBP can prevent the development of PD has not been elucidated. Hence, this study was designed to explore the effect and mechanism of BBP on suppressing astrocyte-mediated neuroinflammation in a mouse model of PD. PD-like behavior was induced in the mice by intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) (30 mg·kg-1) for five days, followed by BBP (50, 100, and 200 mg·kg-1) treatment daily for ten days. LPS stimulated rat C6 astrocytic cells were used as a cell model of neuroinflammation. THe results indicated that BBP treatment significantly ameliorated dyskinesia, increased the levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and inhibited astrocyte hyperactivation in the substantia nigra (SN) of PD mice. Furthermore, BBP decreased the protein levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and up-regulated the protein levels of takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) in the SN. Moreover, BBP significantly activated TGR5 in a dose-dependent manner, and decreased the protein levels of GFAP, iNOS and COX2, as well as the mRNA levels of GFAP, iNOS, COX2, interleukin (IL) -1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in LPS-stimulated C6 cells. Notably, BBP suppressed the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT), inhibitor of NF-κB (IκBα) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) proteins in vivo and in vitro. We also observed that TGR5 inhibitor triamterene attenuated the anti-neuroinflammatory effect of BBP on LPS-stimulated C6 cells. Taken together, BBP alleviates the progression of PD mice by suppressing astrocyte-mediated inflammation via TGR5.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Humans
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Mice
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Rats
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Aged
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Middle Aged
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Parkinson Disease/pathology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Astrocytes/pathology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Powders/therapeutic use*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Ursidae/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			NF-kappa B/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Neuroinflammatory Diseases
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Neurodegenerative Diseases/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Bile
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Mice, Inbred C57BL
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Microglia
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Disease Models, Animal
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
7.Bioactive compounds of Jingfang Granules against SARS-CoV-2 virus proteases 3CLpro and PLpro.
Zhan Peng SHANG ; Yang YI ; Rong YU ; Jing Jing FAN ; Yi Xi HUANG ; Xue QIAO ; Min YE
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2022;54(5):907-919
		                        		
		                        			OBJECTIVE:
		                        			Jingfang Granules have been recommended for the prevention and treatment of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Through chemical analysis and bioactivity evaluation, this study aims to elucidate the potential effective components of Jingfang Granules.
		                        		
		                        			METHODS:
		                        			The inhibitory acti-vities of Jingfang Granules extract against 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro), papain like protease (PLpro), spike protein receptor-binding domain (S-RBD) and human cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were evaluated using enzyme assay. The antitussive effects were evaluated using the classical ammonia-induced cough model. The chemical constituents of Jingfang Granules were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS). The 3CLpro and PLpro inhibitory activities of the major compounds were determined by enzyme assay, molecular docking, and site-directed mutagenesis.
		                        		
		                        			RESULTS:
		                        			Jingfang Granules exhibited 3CLpro and PLpro inhibitory activities, as well as COX-2 inhibitory and antitussive activities. By investigating the MS/MS behaviors of reference standards, a total of fifty-six compounds were characterized in Jingfang Granules. Sixteen of them were unambiguously identified by comparing with reference standards. The contents of the 16 major compounds were also determined, and their total contents were 2 498.8 μg/g. Naringin, nodakenin and neohesperidin were three dominating compounds in Jingfang Granules, and their contents were 688.8, 596.4 and 578.7 μg/g, respectively. In addition, neohesperidin and naringin exhibited PLpro inhibitory activities, and the inhibition rates at 8 μmol/L were 53.5% and 46.1%, respectively. Prim-O-glucosylcimifugin showed significant inhibitory activities against 3CLpro and PLpro, and the inhibitory rates at 8 μmol/L were 76.8% and 78.2%, respectively. Molecular docking indicated that hydrogen bonds could be formed between prim-O-glucosylcimifugin and amino acid residues H163, E166, Q192, T190 of 3CLpro (binding energy, -7.7 kcal/mol) and K157, D164, R166, E167, T301 of PLpro(-7.3 kcal/mol), respectively. Site-directed mutagenesis indicated amino acid residue K157 was a key active site for the interaction between prim-O-glucosylcimifugin and PLpro.
		                        		
		                        			CONCLUSION
		                        			Prim-O-glucosylcimifugin, neohesperidin, and naringin as the major compounds from Jingfang Granules could inhibit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus proteases 3CLpro and PLpro. The results are valuable for rational clinical use of Jingfang Granules.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Amino Acids
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Ammonia
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Antitussive Agents
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			COVID-19
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Chymases
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Coronavirus 3C Proteases
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Cyclooxygenase 2
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Cysteine Endopeptidases/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Humans
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Molecular Docking Simulation
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Papain
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Peptide Hydrolases
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			SARS-CoV-2
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Tandem Mass Spectrometry
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
8.WDSUB1 knockdown alleviates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice by inhibiting nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway.
Shao Xin WANG ; Li Hong CUI ; Xin Yao LIU ; Zhe LUO ; Hui LI ; Jiang PU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2022;42(8):1119-1125
		                        		
		                        			OBJECTIVE:
		                        			To explore the effect of WDSUB1 on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced inflammatory colon injury in mice and the underlying mechanism.
		                        		
		                        			METHODS:
		                        			Different WDSUB1 siRNA sequences were transfected into mouse fibroblast L929 cells and the optimal sequence was selected by Western blotting. Twelve male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into two groups for injection of siWDSUB1 or siControl via the caudal vein, followed by treatment with 2.5% DSS in drinking water to establish mouse models of DSS- induced colitis (n=6). The expression level of WDSUB1 in the colon tissue of the mice was detected with Western blotting and RT-PCR, the changes in body weight and fecal condition were recorded, and the clinical symptoms of the mice were evaluated. The mRNA expression levels of IL-6, COX-2 and TNF-α and the protein expression of IκBα and P65 in the colon tissues were detected with RT- PCR and Western blotting, respectively.
		                        		
		                        			RESULTS:
		                        			The mRNA and protein expressions of WDSUB1 in the colon tissues were significantly lower in colitis mice with WDSUB1 knock-down than in the control mice. Compared with the control mice, the mice receiving siWDSUB1 injection showed obviously milder weight loss, diarrhea and hematochezia with significantly lower mRNA expressions of COX2, IL-6 and TNFα (P < 0.05) and protein expression of IκBα but without obvious changes in P65 expression in the colon tissue.
		                        		
		                        			CONCLUSION
		                        			WDSUB1 knockdown can alleviate DSS- induced colitis in mice possibly by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway and decreasing the expression of inflammatory factors in the colon tissues.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Colitis/chemically induced*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Dextran Sulfate/adverse effects*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Interleukin-6/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Male
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Mice
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Mice, Inbred C57BL
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			NF-kappa B/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			RNA, Messenger
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Signal Transduction
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
9.Effects of Isorhapontigenin on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice.
Peiyu YAO ; Ruibing DENG ; Zhenzhu LI ; Zhuo ZHANG
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2022;44(5):794-801
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of isorhapontigenin (ISO) in the protection of mice from the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). Methods RAW264.7 cells were cultured in vitro with different concentrations of ISO and the viability of the cells was measured by CCK-8 assay.Further,RAW264.7 cells were induced with 200 ng/ml LPS and then treated with ISO and the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA).Western blotting was employed to determine the expression of inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1β,IL-6,tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),P65,phospho-P56 (p-P65),IκB,phospho-IκB (p-IκB),inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS),cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2),and high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1)] and autophagy markers (LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ,Beclin1,and P62).The reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of the cells was measured with the DCFH-DA probe.The mouse model of ALI was established by intraperitoneal injection of LPS (15 mg/kg).The pathological changes of the lung tissue were observed via HE staining.The expression of inflammatory cytokines and autophagy markers in the lung tissue was determined by Western blotting and the content of ROS in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by flow cytometry. Results ISO down-regulated the expression of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,iNOS,COX-2,and HMGB1 and inhibited the ROS production in the LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells (all P<0.05).Furthermore,it promoted the expression of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ and Beclin1 and inhibited the expression of P62,thereby activating autophagy (all P<0.05).However,the addition of 3-MA up-regulated the expression of p-P65/P65,p-IκB,iNOS,COX-2,and HMGB1,down-regulated that of IκB (all P<0.001),and promote the production of ROS.ISO mitigated the pathological changes in the lung tissue of ALI mice.It down-regulated the expression of p-P65/P65,p-IκB,iNOS,COX-2,and HMGB1 and up-regulated that of IκB in the lung tissue (all P<0.001) and decreased the ROS production in BALF.However,such protective effect was reversed by 3-MA. Conclusion ISO may induce autophagy of macrophages to protect mice from LPS-induced ALI.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Mice
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Acute Lung Injury/pathology*
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		                        			Beclin-1/pharmacology*
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		                        			Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Cytokines
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			HMGB1 Protein/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Interleukin-6
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Lipopolysaccharides
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Lung/pathology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			NF-kappa B/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
10.Anti-osteoarthritis components and mechanism of Fufang Duzhong Jiangu Granules.
Zi-Jun CHEN ; Xiao-Qian HUO ; Yue REN ; Zhan SHU ; Yan-Ling ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2022;47(15):4156-4163
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Osteoarthritis is a common disease characterized by degenerative lesions of articular cartilage in the elderly.Fufang Duzhong Jiangu Granulues(FDJG), a classical prescription for the treatment of osteoarthritis, has the effects of nourishing liver and kidney, nourishing blood and sinew, and dredging collaterals and relieving pain.In this study, molecular simulation technology was combined with molecular biology methods to explore and verify the potential pharmacodynamic substances and molecular mechanism of FDJG in the treatment of osteoarthritis.Arachidonic acid(AA) metabolic pathway is a typical anti-inflammatory pathway, and secretory phospholipase A2 group ⅡA(sPLA2-ⅡA), 5-lipoxygenase(5-LOX), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), and leukotriene A4 hydrolase(LTA4 H) are the key targets of the pathway.Therefore, in this study, based on the pharmacophores and molecular docking models of the four key targets in AA pathway, a total of 1 522 chemical components in 12 medicinals of FDJG were virtually screened, followed by weighted analysis of the screening results in combination with the proportions of the medicinals in the prescription.The results showed that mainly 73 components in the preparation could act on the above four targets, suggesting they might be the potential anti-osteoarthritis components of FDJG.Considering the predicted effectiveness, availability, and compatibility of the medicinals, coniferyl ferulate, olivil, and baicalin were selected for further verification.Specifically, lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced RAW264.7 inflammatory cell model was used to verify the anti-inflammatory activity of the three components.The results showed that the three can effectively inhibit the release of NO, supporting the above selection.In addition, targets 5-LOX, COX-2, and LTA4 H had high activity, which suggested that they may be the key anti-osteoarthritis targets of FDJG.The comprehensive activity values of Eucommiae Cortex, Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus, and Astragali Radix were much higher than that of other medicinals in the prescription, indicating that they may be the main effective medicinals in FDJG acting on the AA pathway.In this study, the potential anti-osteoarthritis components of FDJG were obtained.Moreover, it was clarified that the anti-osteoarthritis mechanism of FDJG was to act on LOX and COX pathway in AA metabolic pathway, which provided a reference for the study of pharmacodynamic substances and molecular mechanism of FDJG.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Aged
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use*
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		                        			Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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		                        			Humans
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		                        			Leukotriene A4/analysis*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Lipopolysaccharides
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		                        			Molecular Docking Simulation
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		                        			Osteoarthritis/drug therapy*
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		                        			Rhizome/chemistry*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
            
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