1.Antidepressant mechanism of Shenling Kaixin Granules based on BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway.
Yan XU ; Dong-Guang LIU ; Ting-Bo NING ; Jian-Guo ZHU ; Ru YAO ; Xue MENG ; Jing-Chun YAO ; Wen-Xue ZHAO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(8):2184-2192
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			To investigate the antidepressant mechanism of Shenling Kaixin Granules(SLKX) in treating chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) model rats. Ninety male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, Shugan Jieyu Capsules(110 mg·kg~(-1)) group and SLKX low-(90 mg·kg~(-1)), medium-(180 mg·kg~(-1)), and high-dose(360 mg·kg~(-1)) groups. Depression rat model was replicated by CUMS method. After treatment, the behavioral changes of rats were evaluated by sugar preference, open field, elevated cross maze and forced swimming experiments. The contents of interleukin 1 beta(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) in serum were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase(CAT) in hippocampal CA1 region were also detected. Pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 region were detected by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and Western blot was used to determine the expression of nerve growth factor(NGF), BDNF, phospho-tyrosine kinase receptor(p-TrkB)/TrkB, phospho-cAMP-response element binding protein(p-CREB)/CREB, nuclear factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1(HO-1), B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)/Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax) and caspase-3 in hippocampal CA1 region. RESULTS:: showed that compared with the control group, the model group had decreased sugar preference, reduced number of entries and time spent in the center of open field and shortened total distance of movement, reduced number of entries and proportion of time spent in open arm, and increased number and time of immobility in forced swimming experiment. Additionally, the serum contents of IL-1β and TNF-α and the expression of caspase-3 were higher, while the contents of BDNF and 5-HT, the activities of SOD and CAT in hippocampal CA1 region, the expressions of NGF, BDNF, p-TrkB/TrkB, p-CREB/CREB, HO-1 and Bcl-2/Bax, and the Nrf2 nuclear translocation were lower in model group than in control group. Compared with the conditions in model group, the sugar preference, the number of entries and time spent in the center of open, total distance of movement, and the number of entries and proportion of time spent in open arm in treatment groups were increased while the number and time of immobility in forced swimming experiment were decreased; the serum contents of IL-1β and TNF-α and the expression of caspase-3 were down regulated, while the contents of BDNF and 5-HT, the activities of SOD and CAT in hippocampal CA1 region, the expressions of NGF, BDNF, p-TrkB/TrkB, p-CREB/CREB, HO-1, Bcl-2/Bax, and Nrf2 nuclear translocation were enhanced. In conclusion, SLKX might regulate the Nrf2 nucleus translocation by activating BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway, lower oxidative stress damage in hippocampus, inhibit caspase-3 activity, and reduce apoptosis of hippocampal nerve cells, thereby playing an antidepressant role.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Rats
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Male
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Caspase 3/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Nerve Growth Factor/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Signal Transduction
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Serotonin/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Rats, Sprague-Dawley
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Antidepressive Agents/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Hippocampus/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Sugars/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Depression/genetics*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Stress, Psychological/metabolism*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
2.Neuroprotective effect of ginsenoside Re on drosophila model of Parkinson's disease.
Yan XU ; Xue MENG ; Wen-Xue ZHAO ; Dong-Guang LIU ; Jian-Guo ZHU ; Ru YAO ; Jing-Chun YAO ; Gui-Min ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(7):1927-1935
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			This study aims to explore the neuroprotective mechanism of ginsenoside Re(GS-Re) on drosophila model of Parkinson's disease(PD) induced by rotenone(Rot). To be specific, Rot was used to induce PD in drosophilas. Then the drosophilas were grouped and respectively treated(GS-Re: 0.1, 0.4, 1.6 mmol·L~(-1); L-dopa: 80 μmol·L~(-1)). Life span and crawling ability of drosophilas were determined. The brain antioxidant activity [content of catalase(CAT), malondialdehyde(MDA), reactive oxygen species(ROS), superoxide dismutase(SOD)], dopamine(DA) content, and mitochondrial function [content of adenosine triphosphate(ATP), NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit B8(NDUFB8) Ⅰ activity, succinate dehydrogenase complex, subunit B(SDHB) Ⅱ activity] were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The number of DA neurons in the brains of drosophilas was measured with the immunofluorescence method. The levels of NDUFB8 Ⅰ, SDHB Ⅱ, cytochrome C(Cyt C), nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2(Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1(HO-1), B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 2(Bcl-2)/Bcl-2-assaciated X protein(Bax), and cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 in the brain were detected by Western blot. The results showed that model group [475 μmol·L~(-1) Rot(IC_(50))] demonstrated significantly low survival rate, obvious dyskinesia, small number of neurons and low DA content in the brain, high ROS level and MDA content, low content of SOD and CAT, significantly low ATP content, NDUFB8 Ⅰ activity, and SDHB Ⅱ activity, significantly low expression of NDUFB8 Ⅰ, SDHB Ⅱ, and Bcl-2/Bax, large amount of Cyt C released from mitochondria to cytoplasm, low nuclear transfer of Nrf2, and significantly high expression of cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 compared with the control group. GS-Re(0.1, 0.4, and 1.6 mmol·L~(-1)) significantly improved the survival rate of PD drosophilas, alleviated the dyskinesia, increased DA content, reduced the loss of DA neurons, ROS level, and MDA content in brain, improved content of SOD and CAT and antioxidant activity in brain, maintained mitochondrial homeostasis(significantly increased ATP content and activity of NDUFB8 Ⅰ and SDHB Ⅱ, significantly up-regulated expression of NDUFB8 Ⅰ, SDHB Ⅱ, and Bcl-2/Bax), significantly reduced the expression of Cyt C, increased the nuclear transfer of Nrf2, and down-regulated the expression of cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3. In conclusion, GS-Re can significantly relieve the Rot-induced cerebral neurotoxicity in drosophilas. The mechanism may be that GS-Re activates Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway by maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis, improves antioxidant capacity of brain neurons, then inhibits mitochondria-mediated caspase-3 signaling pathway, and the apoptosis of neuronal cells, thereby exerting the neuroprotective effect.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Antioxidants/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Oxidative Stress
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Caspase 3/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Parkinson Disease/genetics*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Drosophila/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Apoptosis
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Adenosine Triphosphate/pharmacology*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
3.Eucommia lignans alleviate the progression of diabetic nephropathy through mediating the AR/Nrf2/HO-1/AMPK axis in vivo and in vitro.
Qi HUANG ; Yinfan ZHANG ; Yueping JIANG ; Ling HUANG ; Qiong LIU ; Dongsheng OUYANG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2023;21(7):516-526
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Lignans derived from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver (Eucommia lignans) inhibit the progression of inflammatory diseases, while their effect on the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN) remained unclear. This work was designed to assess the function of Eucommia lignans in DN. The major constituents of Eucommia lignans were analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. The binding between Eucommia lignans and aldose reductase (AR) was predicted by molecular docking. Eucommia lignans (200, 100, and 50 mg·kg-1) were used in model animals to evaluate their renal function changes. Rat glomerular mesangial cells (HBZY-1) were transfected with sh-AR, sh-AMPK, and oe-AR in the presence of high glucose (HG) or HG combined with Eucommia lignans to evaluate whether Eucommia lignans affected HG-induced cell injury and mitochondrial dysfunction through the AR/Nrf2/HO-1/AMPK axis. Eucommia lignans significantly attenuated the progression of DN in vivo. Eucommia lignans notably reversed HG-induced upregulation of inflammatory cytokines and mitochondrial injury, while downregulating the levels of Cyto c, caspase 9, AR, and NOX4 in HBZY-1 cells. In contrast, HG-induced downregulation of Nrf2, HO-1 and p-AMPKα levels were abolished by Eucommia lignans. Meanwhile, knockdown of AR exerted similar therapeutic effect of Eucommia lignans on DN progression, and AR overexpression reversed the effect of Eucommia lignans. Eucommia lignans alleviated renal injury through the AR/Nrf2/HO-1/AMPK axis. Thus, these findings might provide evidence for the use of Eucommia lignans in treating DN.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Rats
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Diabetes Mellitus
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Diabetic Nephropathies/prevention & control*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Eucommiaceae/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Lignans/therapeutic use*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Molecular Docking Simulation
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Tandem Mass Spectrometry
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
4.Research Progress of Nrf2 and Ferroptosis in Tumor Drug Resistance.
Shuning HU ; Xinru ZOU ; Yixuan FANG ; Chengrui LIU ; Rui CHEN ; Lili JI
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2023;26(10):765-773
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, and its treatment strategy is mainly surgery combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, long-term chemotherapy will result in drug resistance, which is also one of the difficulties in the treatment of lung cancer. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent and lipid peroxidation-driven non-apoptotic cell death cascade, occurring when there is an imbalance of redox homeostasis in the cell. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is key for cellular antioxidant responses. Numerous studies suggest that Nrf2 assumes an extremely important role in regulation of ferroptosis, for its various functions in iron, lipid, and amino acid metabolism, and so on. In this review, a brief overview of the research progress of ferroptosis over the past decade will be presented. In particular, the mechanism of ferroptosis and the regulation of ferroptosis by Nrf2 will be discussed, as well as the role of the Nrf2 pathway and ferroptosis in tumor drug resistance, which will provide new research directions for the treatment of drug-resistant lung cancer patients.
.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Humans
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Ferroptosis
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Lung Neoplasms/genetics*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Iron
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
5.Sulforaphane, an NRF2 agonist, alleviates ferroptosis in acute liver failure by regulating HDAC6 activity.
Yan-Qiong ZHANG ; Chun-Xia SHI ; Dan-Mei ZHANG ; Lu-Yi ZHANG ; Lu-Wen WANG ; Zuo-Jiong GONG
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2023;21(5):464-473
		                        		
		                        			OBJECTIVE:
		                        			Acute liver failure (ALF) is characterized by severe liver dysfunction, rapid progression and high mortality and is difficult to treat. Studies have found that sulforaphane (SFN), a nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) agonist, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer effects, and has certain protective effects on neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and liver fibrosis. This paper aimed to explore the protective effect of SFN in ALF and it possible mechanisms of action.
		                        		
		                        			METHODS:
		                        			Lipopolysaccharide and D-galactosamine were used to induce liver injury in vitro and in vivo. NRF2 agonist SFN and histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) inhibitor ACY1215 were used to observe the protective effect and possible mechanisms of SFN in ALF, respectively. Cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Fe2+, glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected. The expression of HDAC6, NRF2, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) were detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence.
		                        		
		                        			RESULTS:
		                        			Our results show that NRF2 was activated by SFN. LDH, Fe2+, MDA and ACSL4 were downregulated, while GSH, GPX4 and SLC7A11 were upregulated by SFN in vitro and in vivo, indicating the inhibitory effect of SFN on ferroptosis. Additionally, HDAC6 expression was decreased in the SFN group, indicating that SFN could downregulate the expression of HDAC6 in ALF. After using the HDAC6 inhibitor, ACY1215, SFN further reduced HDAC6 expression and inhibited ferroptosis, indicating that SFN may inhibit ferroptosis by regulating HDAC6 activity.
		                        		
		                        			CONCLUSION
		                        			SFN has a protective effect on ALF, and the mechanism may include reduction of ferroptosis through the regulation of HDAC6. Please cite this article as: Zhang YQ, Shi CX, Zhang DM, Zhang LY, Wang LW, Gong ZJ. Sulforaphane, an NRF2 agonist, alleviates ferroptosis in acute liver failure by regulating HDAC6 activity. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(5): 464-473.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Humans
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Ferroptosis
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Liver Failure, Acute/drug therapy*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Isothiocyanates/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Glutathione
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Histone Deacetylase 6
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
6.Isoliquiritigenin induces HMOX1 and GPX4-mediated ferroptosis in gallbladder cancer cells.
Zeyu WANG ; Weijian LI ; Xue WANG ; Qin ZHU ; Liguo LIU ; Shimei QIU ; Lu ZOU ; Ke LIU ; Guoqiang LI ; Huijie MIAO ; Yang YANG ; Chengkai JIANG ; Yong LIU ; Rong SHAO ; Xu'an WANG ; Yingbin LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2023;136(18):2210-2220
		                        		
		                        			BACKGROUND:
		                        			Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the most common malignant tumor of biliary tract. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a natural compound with chalcone structure extracted from the roots of licorice and other plants. Relevant studies have shown that ISL has a strong anti-tumor ability in various types of tumors. However, the research of ISL against GBC has not been reported, which needs to be further investigated.
		                        		
		                        			METHODS:
		                        			The effects of ISL against GBC cells in vitro and in vivo were characterized by cytotoxicity test, RNA-sequencing, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection, lipid peroxidation detection, ferrous ion detection, glutathione disulphide/glutathione (GSSG/GSH) detection, lentivirus transfection, nude mice tumorigenesis experiment and immunohistochemistry.
		                        		
		                        			RESULTS:
		                        			ISL significantly inhibited the proliferation of GBC cells in vitro . The results of transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis showed that ferroptosis was the main pathway of ISL inhibiting the proliferation of GBC, and HMOX1 and GPX4 were the key molecules of ISL-induced ferroptosis. Knockdown of HMOX1 or overexpression of GPX4 can reduce the sensitivity of GBC cells to ISL-induced ferroptosis and significantly restore the viability of GBC cells. Moreover, ISL significantly reversed the iron content, ROS level, lipid peroxidation level and GSSG/GSH ratio of GBC cells. Finally, ISL significantly inhibited the growth of GBC in vivo and regulated the ferroptosis of GBC by mediating HMOX1 and GPX4 .
		                        		
		                        			CONCLUSION
		                        			ISL induced ferroptosis in GBC mainly by activating p62-Keap1-Nrf2-HMOX1 signaling pathway and down-regulating GPX4 in vitro and in vivo . This evidence may provide a new direction for the treatment of GBC.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Mice
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Carcinoma in Situ
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Chalcones/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Ferroptosis
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Gallbladder Neoplasms/genetics*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Glutathione Disulfide
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Mice, Nude
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Reactive Oxygen Species
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Humans
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
7.Total triterpenes of Euphorbium alleviates rheumatoid arthritis via Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 pathway.
Mao-Jie ZHOU ; Wei TAN ; Ha-Mu-la-Ti HASIMU ; Lei XU ; Zheng-Yi GU ; Jun ZHAO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(18):4834-4842
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			This study aims to investigate the effect and mechanism of total triterpenes of Euphorbium in treating rheumatoid arthritis(RA). The rat model of RA was established with Freund's complete adjuvant(FCA). Male rats were randomly assigned into control, model, Tripterygium glycosides(7.5 mg·kg~(-1)), and low-, medium-, and high-dose total triterpenes of Euphorbium(32, 64, and 128 mg·kg~(-1), respectively) groups, with 10 rats in each group. In other groups except the control group, 0.2 mL FCA was injected into the right hind toe. Rats in the intervention groups were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage, and the control group and the model group with the same volume of 0.5% CMC-Na solution once a day. During the treatment period, the swelling degree of the hind paw was measured and the arthritis was scored until day 30. At the end of drug administration, the pathological changes of the joint tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The content of malondialdehyde(MDA), glutathione(GSH), and Fe~(2+) and the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) in the joint tissue were measured by biochemical colorimetry. RT-PCR was performed to determine the mRNA levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2), glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4), and acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4(ACSL4) in the joint tissue. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of Nrf2, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1), heme oxygenase-1(HO-1), NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1), SOD2, GPX4, and ACSL4 in the joint tissue. The results showed that the treatment with Tripterygium glycosides(7.5 mg·kg~(-1)) and total triterpenes of Euphorbium(32, 64, and 128 mg·kg~(-1)) alleviated the swelling degree of bilateral hind limbs, decreased the arthritis score, reduced joint tissue lesions and the content of MDA and Fe~(2+) in the joint tissue, and increased GSH content and SOD activity. Furthermore, the interventions up-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of Nrf2 and GPX4, down-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of ACSL4, and up-regulated the protein levels of Keap1, NQO1, HO-1, and SOD2 in the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4. In summary, the total triterpenes of Euphorbium can treat RA by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and abnormal ferroptosis, which may involve the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 signaling pathway.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Rats
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Male
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Rats, Sprague-Dawley
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Triterpenes/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Oxidative Stress
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Arthritis, Rheumatoid/genetics*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Glutathione
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Glycosides/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			RNA, Messenger/metabolism*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
8.Pathogenesis of chronic heart failure in rats based on ferroptosis-mediated oxidative stress and intervention effect of Shenfu Injection.
Zi-Yi WANG ; Qian ZHANG ; Jin GUO ; Shu-Min HUANG ; Li-Chong MENG ; Zhi-Xi HU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(19):5285-5293
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			This study aims to investigate the pathogenesis of chronic heart failure based on ferroptosis-mediated oxidative stress and predict the targets of Shenfu Injection in treating chronic heart failure. A rat model of chronic heart failure was established by the isoproterenol induction method. According to the random number table method, the modeled rats were assigned into three groups: a model group, a Shenfu Injection group, and a ferrostatin-1(ferroptosis inhibitor) group. In addition, a normal group was designed. After 15 days of intervention, the cardiac mass index and left ventricular mass index were determined. Echocardiography was employed to eva-luate the cardiac function. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining were employed to reveal the pathological changes and fibrosis of the heart, and Prussian blue staining to detect the aggregation of iron ions in the myocardial tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe the mitochondrion ultrastructure in the myocardial tissue. Colorimetry was adopted to measure the levels of iron metabolism, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant indicators. Flow cytometry was employed to measure the content of lipid-reactive oxygen species(ROS) and the fluorescence intensity of ROS. Western blot and RT-qPCR were employed to determine the protein and mRNA levels, respectively, of ferroptosis-related factors in the myocardial tissue. The results showed that the rats in the model group had reduced cardiac function, elevated levels of total iron and Fe~(2+), lowered level of glutathione(GSH), increased malondialdehyde(MDA), decreased superoxide dismutase(SOD) and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px), and rising levels of ROS and lipid-ROS. In addition, the model group showed fibrous tissue hyperplasia with inflammatory cell infiltration and myocardial fibrosis, iron ion aggregation, and characteristic mitochondrial changes specific for iron death. Moreover, the model group showcased upregulated protein and mRNA levels of p53 and COX2 and downregulated protein and mRNA levels of GPX4, FTH1, SLC7A11, and Nrf2 in the myocardial tissue. The intervention with Shenfu Injection significantly improved the cardiac function, recovered the iron metabolism, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant indicators, decreased iron deposition, improved mitochondrial structure and function, and alleviated inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis. Furthermore, Shenfu Injection downregulated the mRNA and protein levels of p53 and COX2 and upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of GPX4, FTH1, SLC7A11, and Nrf2 in the myocardial tissue. Shenfu Injection can improve the cardiac function by regulating iron metabolism, inhibiting ferroptosis, and reducing oxidative stress injury.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Rats
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Antioxidants
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Reactive Oxygen Species
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Cyclooxygenase 2
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Ferroptosis
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			NF-E2-Related Factor 2
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Heart Failure/genetics*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Oxidative Stress
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Chronic Disease
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Glutathione
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Fibrosis
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Iron
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			RNA, Messenger
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Lipids
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
9.Shenqi Dihuang Decoction inhibits high-glucose induced ferroptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells via Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 pathway.
Zhi-Bin WANG ; Xiao-Ling ZOU ; Yi-Xian ZOU ; Li-Huai WANG ; Yuan-Tao WU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(19):5337-5344
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			This study aims to explore the effects of Shenqi Dihuang Decoction on high-glucose induced ferroptosis and the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)/glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4) axis in human renal tubular epithelial cells(HK-2) and to clarify the underlying mechanism. The cell injury model was established by exposing HK-2 to high glucose, and the Shenqi Dihuang Decoction-medicated serum was prepared. The optimal concentration and intervention time of Shenqi Dihuang Decoction were determined. HK-2 were divided into normal, high glucose, and low-, medium-, and high-dose Shenqi Dihuang Decoction groups. After interventions, the cell proliferation rate in each group was determined and the cell morphology and mitochondrial ultrastructure were observed. Then, the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS), ferrous ion(Fe~(2+)), glutathione(GSH), and malondialdehyde(MDA) and the protein levels of Nrf2, HO-1, GPX4, and xCT were measured. The optimal concentration and intervention time of Shenqi Dihuang Decoction-medicated serum were determined to be 10% and 24 h, respectively. Compared with the high glucose group, high-dose Shenqi Dihuang Decoction promoted the proliferation of HK-2. The cells in the low-, medium-, and high-dose Shenqi Dihuang Decoction groups presented tight arrangement, an increased cell count, improved morphology from a spindle-fiber shape to a cobblestone shape, and improved morphology and structure of mitochondrial membrane and cristae, compared with those in the high glucose group. Meanwhile, all the doses of Shenqi Dihuang Decoction inhibited ROS elevation to mitigate the peroxidation damage, lowered the Fe~(2+) and MDA levels and elevated the GSH level to inhibit lipid peroxidation, and activated the antioxidant pathway to upregulate the protein levels of Nrf2, HO-1, xCT, and GPX4. In conclusion, Shenqi Dihuang Decoction-medicated serum can inhibit high-glucose induced ferroptosis of HK-2 in vitro, which involves the antioxidant effect and the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 pathway.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Humans
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Ferroptosis
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Reactive Oxygen Species
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Epithelial Cells
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Antioxidants
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Glutathione
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Glucose
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
10.Study on protective effect of Chaihu Shugan Powder against liver injury in rats with intrahepatic cholestasis by regulating FXR/Nrf2/ARE pathway.
Jing LOU ; Lei ZHAO ; Yan-Jie ZHU ; Shuai-Qiang YUAN ; Fei WANG ; Hang-Zhou ZHANG ; Jiao-Jiao XU ; Xiao-Ke YU ; Liu-Fa HOU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2022;47(20):5610-5616
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			This study aims to investigate the effect of Chaihu Shugan Powder(CHSG) on liver injury in rats with intrahepatic cholestasis by regulating farnesoid X receptor(FXR)/nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor(Nrf2)/antioxidant response element(ARE) pathway. Eighty-four SD rats were classified into normal group, model group, CHSG-L group(0.5 g·kg~(-1)), CHSG-H group(2.5 g·kg~(-1)), ursodeoxycholic acid group(UDCA group, 100 mg·kg~(-1)), CHSG-H+sh-NC group(2.5 g·kg~(-1) CHSG+subcutaneous injection of sh-NC lentivirus), CHSG-H+sh-FXR group(2.5 g·kg~(-1) CHSG+subcutaneous injection of sh-FXR lentivirus), with 12 rats in each group. Rats were treated with corresponding drugs except for the normal group and the model group, once a day, for 7 days. On 5 th day, rats, except the normal group, were given α-naphthalene isothiocyanate(ANIT) at a dose of 100 mg·kg~(-1), once a day for 3 days to induce intrahepatic cholestasis, and the normal group was given the same amount of normal saline. Rats were anesthetized 1 h after the last administration and the 2 h bile flow was measured. Aeroset chemistry analyzer was employed to detect the levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), total bilirubin(TBIL), and total bile acid(TBA) in rat serum. Based on hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining, the pathological changes of rat liver tissue were observed. Glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase(SOD), and malondialdehyde(MDA) in rat liver tissue homogenate were monitored with corresponding kits. Western blot was used to detect the expression of FXR, Nrf2, and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) proteins in rat liver tissue. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed many spots or concentrated necrotic areas in the liver tissue, infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells, swelling liver cells with nuclear shrinkage. The 2 h bile flow, levels of GSH-Px and SOD, and relative expression of FXR, Nrf2, and HO-1 proteins were significantly lower, and the levels of ALT, AST, TBIL, TBA and MDA were significantly higher in the model group than in the normal group. Compared with the model group, CHSG-L group, CHSG-H group, and UDCA group demonstrated significant alleviation of pathological damage of the liver tissue, significantly high 2 h bile flow, levels of GSH-Px and SOD, and expression of FXR, Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins, and significantly low levels of ALT, AST, TBIL, TBA and MDA. Compared with the CHSG-H group, the CHSG-H+sh-FXR group had worse liver pathological damage, significantly low levels of 2 h bile flow, levels of GSH-Px and SOD, and expression of FXR, Nrf2, and HO-1 proteins, and significantly high levels of ALT, AST, TBIL, TBA, and MDA. CHSG may protect against liver injury in rats with intrahepatic cholestasis by activating the FXR/Nrf2/ARE pathway.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Rats
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		                        			Animals
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		                        			1-Naphthylisothiocyanate/toxicity*
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		                        			Powders
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics*
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		                        			Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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		                        			Cholestasis, Intrahepatic/drug therapy*
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		                        			Liver
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		                        			Superoxide Dismutase
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Oxidative Stress
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
            
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