scholarly journals Effects of Gastrodin against Lead-Induced Brain Injury in Mice Associated with the Wnt/Nrf2 Pathway

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1805
Author(s):  
Chan-Min Liu ◽  
Zhi-Kai Tian ◽  
Yu-Jia Zhang ◽  
Qing-Lei Ming ◽  
Jie-Qiong Ma ◽  
...  

Gastrodin (GAS), the main phenolic glycoside extracted from Gastrodia elata Blume, exhibited potential neuroprotective properties. Here we examined the protective effects of GAS against lead(Pb)-induced nerve injury in mice, and explores its underlying mechanisms. Our research findings revealed that GAS improved behavioral deficits in Pb-exposed mice. GAS reduced the accumulation of p-tau and amyloid-beta (Aβ). GAS inhibited Pb-induced inflammation in the brain, as indicated by the decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). GAS increased the expression levels of NR2A and neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). GAS inhibited Pb-induced apoptosis of neurons in hippocampus tissue, as indicated by the decreased levels of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and cleaved caspase-3. Furthermore, the neuroprotective effects of GAS were associated with inhibiting oxidative stress by modulating nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated antioxidant signaling. GAS supplement activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and reduced the expression of Wnt inhibitor Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1). Collectively, this study clarified that GAS exhibited neuroprotective property by anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis effects and its ability to regulate the Wnt/Nrf2 pathway.

2014 ◽  
Vol 998-999 ◽  
pp. 269-274
Author(s):  
Wen Yi ◽  
Meng Qiong Shi ◽  
Guang Yao Liu ◽  
Wei Deng ◽  
Hui Lin Qin ◽  
...  

Saponins from Rhizoma Panacis Majoris (SRPM), the bioactive component in Rhizoma Panacis Majoris, were reported to possess protective effects on brain injury, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study was performed to investigate the protective effects and possible mechanism of SRPM on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (CI/R) injury. Neuroprotective effects of SPRM in CI/R mice was evaluated by infarct size, biochemical values, Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Bcl-2 family expressions. In the study, we found that SRPM exerted beneficially protective effects on CI/R injury, mainly scavenging oxidative stress-triggered overgeneration and accumulation of reactive oxygen species, improving the Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response: role of Nrf2 and Bcl-2 family expressions, and alleviating CI/R injury and cerebral cell death.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongdong Zhang ◽  
Zhe Wang ◽  
Chenxia Sheng ◽  
Weijun Peng ◽  
Shan Hui ◽  
...  

Icariin is a prenylated flavonol glycoside derived from the Chinese herbEpimedium sagittatumthat exerts a variety of pharmacological activities and shows promise in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of icariin against amyloid beta protein fragment 25–35 (Aβ25–35) induced neurotoxicity in cultured rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells and explored potential underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that icariin dose-dependently increased cell viability and decreasedAβ25–35-induced apoptosis, as assessed by MTT assay and Annexin V/propidium iodide staining, respectively. Results of western blot analysis revealed that the selective phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 suppressed icariin-induced Akt phosphorylation, suggesting that the protective effects of icariin are associated with activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. LY294002 also blocked the icariin-induced downregulation of proapoptotic factors Bax and caspase-3 and upregulation of antiapoptotic factor Bcl-2 inAβ25–35-treated PC12 cells. These findings provide further evidence for the clinical efficacy of icariin in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Liu ◽  
Mary K. Vollmer ◽  
Morgan W. Carson ◽  
Todd J. Sahagian ◽  
Hocheol Kim ◽  
...  

Introduction: Endogenous defense mechanisms by which the brain protects itself against noxious stimuli and recovers from ischemic damage are key targets of stroke research that may ultimately facilitate functional recovery. Multiple evidences indicate that the transcriptional factor Nrf2 plays a vital role in cellular defense against oxidative stress and inflammation, and consequently, targeting Nrf2 has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for disease prevention. Korean Red Ginseng (Ginseng), one of the most widely used herbal medicines in the world, has been suggested as one of the most potent Nrf2 activators, thereby making it efficacious against various acute neurological disorders, including stroke. Hypothesis: To evaluate whether Ginseng could exert protective effects against hypoxic-ischemic brain damage and whether Nrf2 activation is pivotal to the various neuroprotective effects of Ginseng. Methods: C57BL/6 WT and Nrf2 knockout mice (10-18 weeks old, n=12-16) were orally administered Ginseng (100mg/kg/d) or vehicle 7d prior to cerebral hypoxic-ischemic damage. At 6 and 24h after stroke, mice were neurologically scored. Brain lesion size and edema formation were measured at 24h. Using immunostaining, we examined which cells appeared to be most preferentially activated in a spatiotemporal pattern by this Nrf2 pathway, in particular, in the early stage of ischemic injury. Based on the results, we are further evaluating the efficacy of inducing the Nrf2 pathway and assess the extended neuroprotective effects of Ginseng at 7d after stroke. Results: Ginseng treatment significantly reduced cerebral infarct size, neuronal death, edema formation and the resultant functional neurological deficits at 24h after stroke (P<0.001); whereas, Nrf2 ablation remarkably attenuated all benefits. Notably, the above protective effects of Ginseng were significantly attenuated in Nrf2 knockouts (P<0.05). In addition, Ginseng treated mice also exhibited reduced neuronal death and delayed severe reactive astrogliosis at 6 and 12h (P<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings indicate a neuroprotective effect of Ginseng against hypoxic-ischemic brain damage, and that Nrf2-dependent cytoprotective responses appear to be more prominent in astrocytes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 489-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Jiang ◽  
Nanyang Zhou ◽  
Pian Ying ◽  
Ting Zhang ◽  
Ruojia Liang ◽  
...  

AbstractEmodin, a major component of rhubarb, has anti-tumor effects in a variety of cancers, influencing multiple steps of tumor development through modulating several signaling pathways. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of emodin on cell apoptosis and explore the underlying mechanisms in human endometrial cancer cells. Here we report that emodin can inhibit KLE cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Western blot assay found that emodin was involved in MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Specifically, emodin significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of AKT, and enhanced the phosphorylation of MAPK pathways. Furthermore, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was up-regulated in KLE cells upon treatment with emodin, while the anti-oxidant agent N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) can inhibit emodin-induced apoptosis and promote the activation of AKT and Bcl-2. Taken together, we revealed that emodin may induce apoptosis in KLE cells through regulating the PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways, indicating the importance of emodin as an anti-tumor agent.


Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (17) ◽  
pp. 3064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuzhu He ◽  
Byung-gook Kim ◽  
Hye-Eun Kim ◽  
Qiaochu Sun ◽  
Shuhan Shi ◽  
...  

Epidermal inflammation is caused by various bacterial infectious diseases that impair the skin health. Feruloylserotonin (FS) belongs to the hydroxycinnamic acid amides of serotonin, which mainly exists in safflower seeds and has been proven to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Human epidermis mainly comprises keratinocytes whose inflammation causes skin problems. This study investigated the protective effects of FS on the keratinocyte with lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced human HaCaT cells and elucidated its underlying mechanisms of action. The mechanism was investigated by analyzing cell viability, PGE2 levels, cell apoptosis, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) translocation, and TLR4/NF-κB pathway. The anti-inflammatory effects of FS were assessed by inhibiting the inflammation via down-regulating the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. Additionally, FS promoted Nrf2 translocation to the nucleus, indicating that FS showed anti-oxidative activities. Furthermore, the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of FS were found to benefit each other, but were independent. Thus, FS can be used as a component to manage epidermal inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Ren ◽  
He Su ◽  
Li-juan Lv ◽  
Le-tai Yi ◽  
Xue Gong ◽  
...  

In previous studies, Gentianella acuta (Michx.) Hulten was reported to contain xanthones, iridoids, terpenoids, and sterols and is mainly used to cure hepatitis, jaundice, fever, headache, and angina pectoris. In this study, we used bioassay guided fractionation to identify compounds from G. acuta and investigated their activity against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis of H9c2 cells using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. The levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic (GCLC) expression were assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Protein expression was evaluated using western blot. The results showed that all four compounds had protective effects on H9c2 cells. The transcription levels of HO-1 and GCLC significantly increased in H9c2 cells pretreated with norswertianolin (1), swetrianolin (2), demethylbellidifolin (3), and bellidifolin (4). However, compared to the model group, the transcription levels of Nrf2 were not enhanced by pretreatment with compounds 1, 2, and 4. The protein expression levels of HO-1 and GCLC in H9c2 cells were greater than that in the H2O2-treated group, and the expression of Nrf2 was not significantly changed except by swetrianolin treatment; inhibitors can reverse the protective effect by ZnPP (15 μM), BSO (10 μM), and brusatol (10 μM). The results indicated that the four compounds isolated from G. acuta inhibited the oxidative injury induced by H2O2 by activating the Nrf2/ARE pathway in H9c2 cells and provide evidence that G. acuta may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Jingxuan Sun ◽  
Boyu Yuan ◽  
Yancheng Wu ◽  
Yuhong Gong ◽  
Wenjin Guo ◽  
...  

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease. Aβ plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. Sodium butyrate (NaB) is a short-chain fatty acid salt that exerts neuroprotective effects such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and cognitive improvement in central nervous system diseases. The aim of this study is to research the protective effects of NaB on neurons against Aβ toxicity and to uncover the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that 2 mM NaB had a significant improvement effect on Aβ-induced N2a cell injury, by increasing cell viability and reducing ROS to reduce injury. In addition, by acting on the GPR109A receptor, NaB regulates the expression of AD-related genes such as APP, NEP, and BDNF. Therefore, NaB protects N2a cells from Aβ-induced cell damage through activating GPR109A, which provides an innovative idea for the treatment of AD.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narawat Nuamnaichati ◽  
Warisara Parichatikanond ◽  
Supachoke Mangmool

Abstract GLP-1(7–36), a major active form of GLP-1 hormone, is rapidly cleaved by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 to generate a truncated metabolite, GLP-1(9–36) which has a low affinity for GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R). GLP-1(7–36) has been shown to have protective effects on cardiovascular system through GLP-1R-dependent way. Nevertheless, the cardioprotective effects of GLP-1(9–36) have not fully understood. The present study investigated the effects of GLP-1(9–36), including its underlying mechanisms against oxidative stress and apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts. Here, we reported that GLP-1(9–36) protects H9c2 cardiomyoblasts from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress by promoting the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase-1, catalase, and heme oxygenase-1. In addition, treatment with GLP-1(9–36) suppressed H2O2-induced apoptosis by attenuating caspase-3 activity and upregulating proapoptotic proteins, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. These protective effects of GLP-1(9–36) are attenuated by blockade of PI3K-mediated Akt phosphorylation and prevention of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-induced NO production. Collectively, GLP-1(9–36) represents the potential therapeutic target for prevention of oxidative stress and apoptosis in the heart.


Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 303
Author(s):  
Haiwei Liang ◽  
Ning Liu ◽  
Renjie Wang ◽  
Yunchang Zhang ◽  
Jingqing Chen ◽  
...  

Apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells following oxidative stress is a major cause of mucosal barrier dysfunction and is associated with the pathogenesis of various gastrointestinal diseases. Although L-tryptophan (Trp) is known to improve intestinal integrity and function, a beneficial effect of N-acetyl serotonin (NAS), a metabolite of Trp, on the apoptosis of enterocytes and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. In the present study, we showed that porcine enterocytes treated with 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), a metabolite of lipid peroxidation, led to upregulation of apoptotic proteins, including Bax and cleaved caspase-3, and reduction of tight junction proteins. These effects of 4-HNE were significantly abrogated by NAS. In addition, NAS reduced ROS accumulation while increasing the intracellular concentration of glutathione (GSH), and the abundance of the Nrf2 protein in the nucleus and its downstream target proteins. Importantly, these protective effects of NAS were abrogated by Atra, an inhibitor of Nrf2, indicating a dependence on Nrf2 signaling. Taken together, we demonstrated that NAS attenuated oxidative stress-induced cellular injury in porcine enterocytes by regulating Nrf2 signaling. These findings provide new insights into a functional role of NAS in maintaining intestinal homeostasis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia-Qing Zhang ◽  
Xian-Wei Wang ◽  
Jun-Feng Chen ◽  
Qiao-Ling Ren ◽  
Jing Wang ◽  
...  

Oxidative stress is a causal factor and key promoter of all kinds of reproductive disorders related to granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis that acts by dysregulating the expression of related genes. Various studies have suggested that grape seed procyanidin B2 (GSPB2) may protect GCs from oxidative injury, though the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Therefore, whether the beneficial effects of GSPB2 are associated with microRNAs, which have been suggested to play a critical role in GC apoptosis by regulating the expression of protein-coding genes, was investigated in this study. The results showed that GSPB2 treatment protected GCs from a H2O2-induced apoptosis, as detected by an MTT assay and TUNEL staining, and increased let-7a expression in GCs. Furthermore, let-7a overexpression markedly increased cell viability and inhibited H2O2-induced GC apoptosis. Furthermore, the overexpression of let-7a reduced the upregulation of Fas expression in H2O2-treated GCs at the mRNA and protein levels. Dual-luciferase reporter assay results indicated that let-7a directly targets the Fas 3′-UTR. Furthermore, the overexpression of let-7a enhanced the protective effects of GSPB2 against GC apoptosis induced by H2O2. These results indicate that GSPB2 inhibits H2O2-induced apoptosis of GCs, possibly through the upregulation of let-7a.


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