[Neuroprotective effect and mechanism of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula on diabetes mellitus complicated with depression model rats based on CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis].

Based on the CX3C chemokine ligand 1(CX3CL1)-CX3C chemokine receptor 1(CX3CR1) axis, this study explored the potential mechanism by which Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula(ZGJTJY) improved neuroinflammation and enhanced neuroprotective effect in a rat model of diabetes mellitus complicated with depression(DD). The DD rat model was established by feeding a high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin(STZ) intraperitoneal injection for four weeks and chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) combined with isolated cage rearing for five weeks. The rats were divided into a control group, a model group, a positive control group, an inhibitor group, and a ZGJTJY group. The open field test and forced swimming test were used to assess the depression-like behaviors of the rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was performed to measure the expression levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1ß(IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in plasma. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1(Iba1), postsynaptic density protein-95(PSD95), and synapsin-1(SYN1) in the hippocampus. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, Nissl staining, and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) fluorescence staining were performed to assess hippocampal neuronal damage. Western blot was used to measure the expression levels of CX3CL1, CX3CR1, A2A adenosine receptor(A2AR), glutamate receptor 2A(NR2A), glutamate receptor 2B(NR2B), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in the hippocampus. Compared with the model group, the ZGJTJY group showed improved depression-like behaviors in DD rats, enhanced neuroprotective effect, increased expression of PSD95, SYN1, and BDNF(P<0.01), and decreased expression of Iba1, IL-1ß, and TNF-α(P<0.01), as well as the expression of CX3CL1, CX3CR1, A2AR, NR2A, and NR2B(P<0.01). These results suggest that ZGJTJY may exert its neuroprotective effect by inhibiting the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis and activation of hippocampal microglia, thereby improving neuroinflammation and abnormal activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor(NMDAR) subunits, and ultimately enhancing the expression of synaptic-related proteins PSD95, SYN1, and BDNF in the hippocampus.

Fast determination of two atractylenolides in Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae by Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy with partial least squares.

Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (RAM) is a commonly used food and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which traditionally strengthens the spleen, benefits vital energy, eliminates dampness, and promotes hidroschesis. Its primary effective constituents are polysaccharides and volatile oil, whose main components are atractylenolide I and III. Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy (FT-NIR) is widely used in TCM research. However, determination of atractylenolides in RAM using FT-NIR has not been described. In this study, a new method for the determination of atractylenolides I and III in RAM by NIR was established. The spectral characteristics of atractylenolides I and III were obtained by second derivative multiple scattering correction, and its chart to the original absorbance spectra. Additionally, in combination with the partial least squares (PLS) algorithm, the calibration process was performed for the quantitation of the samples. The root mean square error of cross-validation of the PLS models for atractylenolides I and III was 0.0387 and 0.0358, and the determination coefficient of quantitative models was 96.63 and 96.16, respectively. This study demonstrated that NIR spectroscopy can be used to analyze quickly and efficiently the contents of atractylenolides I and III in RAM.

Baicalein protects against cardiac hypertrophy through blocking MEK-ERK1/2 signaling.

Baicalein, a flavonoid present in the root of Scutellaria baicalensis, is well known for its antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and antioxidant effects. Here we show that baicalein also attenuates cardiac hypertrophy. Aortic banding (AB) was performed to induce cardiac hypertrophy secondary to pressure overload in mice. Mouse chow containing 0.05% baicalein (dose: 100 mg/kg/day baicalein) was begun 1 week prior to surgery and continued for 8 weeks after surgery. Our data demonstrated that baicalein prevented cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis induced by AB, as assessed by echocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters and by pathological and molecular analysis. The inhibitory action of baicalein on cardiac hypertrophy was mediated by effects on mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)-extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) signaling and GATA-4 activation. In vitro studies performed in rat cardiac H9c2 cells confirmed that baicalein attenuated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by angiotensin II, which was associated with inhibiting MEK-ERK1/2 signaling. In conclusion, our results suggest that baicalein has protective potential for targeting cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis through suppression of MEK-ERK1/2 signaling. Baicalein warrants further research as a potential antihypertrophic agent that might be clinically useful to treat cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.