Inhalable FN-binding liposomes or liposome-exosome hybrid bionic vesicles encapsulated microparticles for enhanced pulmonary fibrosis therapy.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic, progressive and irreversible interstitial lung disease that seriously threatens human life and health. Our previous study demonstrated the unique superiority of traditional Chinese medicine cryptotanshinone (CTS) combined with sustained pulmonary drug delivery for treating PF. In this study, we aimed to enhance the selectivity, targeting efficiency and sustained-release capability based on this delivery system. To this end, we developed and evaluated CTS-loaded modified liposomes-chitosan (CS) microspheres SM(CT-lipo) and liposome-exosome hybrid bionic vesicles-CS microspheres SM(LE). The prepared nano-in-micro particles system integrates the advantages of the carriers and complements each other. SM(CT-lipo) and SM(LE) achieved lung myofibroblast-specific targeting through CREKA peptide binding specifically to fibronectin (FN) and the homing effect of exosomes on parent cells, respectively, facilitating efficient delivery of anti-fibrosis drugs to lung lesions. Furthermore, compared with daily administration of conventional microspheres SM(NC) and positive control drug pirfenidone (PFD), inhaled administration of SM(CT-lipo) and SM(LE) every two days still attained similar efficacy, exhibiting excellent sustained drug release ability. In summary, our findings suggest that the developed SM(CT-lipo) and SM(LE) delivery strategies could achieve more accurate, efficient and safe therapy, providing novel insights into the treatment of chronic PF.

Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenpi): A multi-efficacy pericarp in treating cardiovascular diseases.

Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP) has been utilized as a versatile medicinal herb with wide cardiovascular benefits in Asian nations for centuries. Accumulating evidence suggests that CRP and its components are effective in preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia, arrhythmia, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, and hypertension. Studies show that the two most bioactive components of CRP are flavonoids and volatile oils. The cardiovascular protective effects of CRP have attracted considerable research interest due to its hypolipidemic, antiplatelet activity, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Hereby, we provide a rigorous and up-to-date overview of the cardiovascular protective properties and the potential molecular targets of CRP, and finally highlight the pharmacokinetics and the therapeutic potential of the main pharmacologically active components of CRP to treat CVDs.

Disturbance of Fatty Acid Metabolism Promoted Vascular Endothelial Cell Senescence via Acetyl-CoA-Induced Protein Acetylation Modification.

Endothelial cell senescence is the main risk factor contributing to vascular dysfunction and the progression of aging-related cardiovascular diseases. However, the relationship between endothelial cell metabolism and endothelial senescence remains unclear. The present study provides novel insight into fatty acid metabolism in the regulation of endothelial senescence. In the replicative senescence model and H2O2-induced premature senescence model of primary cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), fatty acid oxidation (FAO) was suppressed and fatty acid profile was disturbed, accompanied by downregulation of proteins associated with fatty acid uptake and mitochondrial entry, in particular the FAO rate-limiting enzyme carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1A (CPT1A). Impairment of fatty acid metabolism by silencing CPT1A or CPT1A inhibitor etomoxir facilitated the development of endothelial senescence, as implied by the increase of p53, p21, and senescence-associated ß-galactosidase, as well as the decrease of EdU-positive proliferating cells. In the contrary, rescue of FAO by overexpression of CPT1A or supplement of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) acetate and propionate ameliorated endothelial senescence. In vivo, treatment of acetate for 4 weeks lowered the blood pressure and alleviated the senescence-related phenotypes in aortas of Ang II-infused mice. Mechanistically, fatty acid metabolism regulates endothelial senescence via acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA), as implied by the observations that suppression of acetyl-CoA production using the inhibitor of ATP citrate lyase NDI-091143 accelerated senescence of HUVECs and that supplementation of acetyl-CoA prevented H2O2-induced endothelial senescence. Deficiency of acetyl-CoA resulted in alteration of acetylated protein profiles which are associated with cell metabolism and cell cycle. These findings thus suggest that improvement of fatty acid metabolism might ameliorate endothelial senescence-associated cardiovascular diseases.

GDH promotes isoprenaline-induced cardiac hypertrophy by activating mTOR signaling via elevation of α-ketoglutarate level.

Numerous studies reveal that metabolism dysfunction contributes to the development of pathological cardiac hypertrophy. While the abnormal lipid and glucose utilization in cardiomyocytes responding to hypertrophic stimuli have been extensively studied, the alteration and implication of glutaminolysis are rarely discussed. In the present work, we provide the first evidence that glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), an enzyme that catalyzes conversion of glutamate into ɑ-ketoglutarate (AKG), participates in isoprenaline (ISO)-induced cardiac hypertrophy through activating mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. The expression and activity of GDH were enhanced in cultured cardiomyocytes and rat hearts following ISO treatment. Overexpression of GDH, but not its enzymatically inactive mutant, provoked cardiac hypertrophy. In contrast, GDH knockdown could relieve ISO-triggered hypertrophic responses. The intracellular AKG level was elevated by ISO or GDH overexpression, which led to increased phosphorylation of mTOR and downstream effector ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K). Exogenous supplement of AKG also resulted in mTOR activation and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. However, incubation with rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, attenuated hypertrophic responses in cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, GDH silencing protected rats from ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy. These findings give a further insight into the role of GDH in cardiac hypertrophy and suggest it as a potential target for hypertrophy-related cardiomyopathy.

Rhamnocitrin extracted from Nervilia fordii inhibited vascular endothelial activation via miR-185/STIM-1/SOCE/NFATc3.

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial activation is pivotal for the pathological development of various infectious and inflammatory diseases. Therapeutic interventions to prevent endothelial activation are of great clinical significance to achieve anti-inflammatory strategy. Previous studies indicate that the total flavonoids from the endemic herbal medicine Nervilia fordii (Hance) Schltr exerts potent anti-inflammatory effect and protective effect against endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury, and shows clinical benefit in severe acute respiratory syndromes (SARS). However, the exact effective component of Nervilia fordii and its potential mechanism remain unknown. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of rhamnocitrin (RH), a flavonoid extracted from Nervilia fordii, on LPS-induced endothelial activation. METHODS: The in vitro endothelial cell activation model was induced by LPS in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Cell viability was measured to determine the cytotoxicity of RH. RT-PCR, Western blot, fluorescent probe and immunofluorescence were conducted to evaluate the effect and mechanism of RH against endothelial activation. RESULTS: RH was extracted and isolated from Nervilia fordii. RH at the concentration from 10-7 M-10-5 M inhibited the expressions of interlukin-6 (IL-6) and -8 (IL-8), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell-adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in response to LPS challenge. Mechanistically, RH repressed calcium store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) induced by LPS, which is due to downregulation of stromal interaction molecule-1 (STIM-1) following upregulating microRNA-185 (miR-185). Ultimately, RH abrogated LPS-induced activation of SOCE-mediated calcineurin/NFATc3 (nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic 3) signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: The present study identifies RH as a potent inhibitor of endothelial activation. Since vascular endothelial activation is a pivotal cause of excessive cytokine production, leading to cytokine storm and severe pathology in infectious diseases such as SARS and the ongoing COVID-19 pneumonia disease, RH might suggest promising therapeutic potential in the management of cytokine storm in these diseases.

Cryptotanshinone protects against pulmonary fibrosis through inhibiting Smad and STAT3 signaling pathways.

Cryptotanshinone (CTS), a lipophilic compound extracted from root of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), has demonstrated multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammation, anti-proliferation and anti-infection. However, the effect of CTS on pulmonary fibrosis is unknown. This study aims to investigate the effects of CTS treatment on pulmonary fibrosis and its underlying mechanism. The pulmonary fibrosis model was established by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin (5 mg/kg) in Sprague-Dawley rats (in vivo) and stimulating human fetal lung fibroblasts (HLFs) with transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1) (in vitro). CTS (7.5, 15, 30, 60 mg/kg/day) and pirfenidone (150 mg/kg/day, positive control) were administered by oral gavage for 28 days. In this study, we found CTS treatment improved pulmonary function, relieved pathological changes and attenuated the accumulation of extracellular matrix in pulmonary fibrosis rat model induced by bleomycin. Mechanistically, CTS suppressed phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and STAT3 induced by TGF-ß1 in HLFs. Stattic, a 1-benzothiophene based small-molecule STAT3 inhibitor, resulted in a significant down-regulation of fibrosis biomarkers including fibronectin, collagen type I and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Overexpression of STAT3 promoted expression of fibrosis biomarkers in HLFs cell model induced by TGF-ß1 and partially blocked the inhibitory effect of CTS on TGF-ß1-induced fibrosis response. Taken together, these results suggested that CTS protects against pulmonary fibrosis via inhibition of Smad and STAT3 signaling pathways. Thus, CTS may represent a promising drug candidate for treating pulmonary fibrosis.

Astragaloside exerts anti-photoaging effects in UVB-induced premature senescence of rat dermal fibroblasts through enhanced autophagy.

BACKGROUND: Astragalus membranaceus is a fundamental herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine and has attracted significant attention due to its anti-inflammatory, and longevity effects. However, its anti-photoaging property remains to be defined. Autophagy plays important roles in regulating cell homeostasis and aging processes. Whether regulation of autophagy could be an efficient way for anti-photoaging is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects and the possible mechanism of astragaloside on anti-photoaging in UVB-induced photoaging cell model. METHODS: Primary rat dermal fibroblasts were prepared by repeated exposures to UVB irradiation. The expression levels of cytokines and signal molecules were determined by RT-PCR and western blot. SA-ß-gal staining was performed to indicate senescence level. Intracellular reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential were monitored by fluorescent probes DCFH-DA and JC-1. The cell viability was determined using Cell Counting Kit-8. RESULTS: Astragaloside increases the expression of collagen-I (Col1) downregulated by UVB. UVB-induced oxidative stress and photoaging could be inhibited by astragaloside. The degradation of Col1 caused by UVB irradiation through activated ERK and p38 signals could be suppressed by astragaloside. Importantly, autophagy was induced by astragaloside. Col1 could be further accumulated by chloroquine but decreased by 3-methyladenine in photoaged cell after treatment of astragaloside. CONCLUSION: Autophagy play essential roles, at least partially, in modulating the formation and degradation of Col1 in photoaging cell model. Astragaloside increases the accumulation of Col1 and protects UVB-induced photoaging cells through not only ERK and p38 inhibition but also autophagy activation, indicating the potential application of astragaloside for anti-photoaging therapy.

Protocatechuic aldehyde protects against isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy via inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Protocatechuic aldehyde (PCA) is a natural compound found in the Chinese herb Salvia miltiorrhiza. It has been shown to possess multiple biological activities and to protect the cardiovascular system against oxidative stress, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. However, the potential effects of PCA on cardiac hypertrophy remain to be investigated. In this study, we showed that isoproterenol treatment (ISO, 10 µM for 24 h) induced significant hypertrophy in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, as manifested by enlargement of cell surface area (1.74-fold greater than that of the control, p < 0.05) and upregulation of hypertrophic gene markers (2.44- to 2.75-fold increase in ANF and ß-MHC protein expression, p < 0.05). These ISO-induced hypertrophic responses were attenuated by PCA (50-200 µM, p < 0.05). Furthermore, intragastric administration of PCA (10-100 mg/kg/day) ameliorated cardiac hypertrophy in ISO-treated rats (1.5 mg/kg/day, s.c., for 7 days). PCA inhibited the abnormal changes in echocardiographic parameters and suppressed ISO-induced increase in cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area and collagen content (p < 0.05). It also ameliorated ISO-mediated elevation of HW/BW, LVW/BW, and HW/TL ratios (p < 0.05). Mechanistically, ISO facilitated JAK2 and STAT3 phosphorylation, increased STAT3 nuclear translocation, and enhanced STAT3 transcriptional activity. All these changes were attenuated by PCA. Taken together, these findings showed that PCA could protect against cardiac hypertrophy induced by ISO possibly via inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, suggesting the potential of PCA as a therapeutic candidate for hypertrophy-associated heart diseases.

Salvia miltiorrhizaBurge (Danshen): a golden herbal medicine in cardiovascular therapeutics.

Salvia miltiorrhiza Burge (Danshen) is an eminent medicinal herb that possesses broad cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protective actions and has been used in Asian countries for many centuries. Accumulating evidence suggests that Danshen and its components prevent vascular diseases, in particular, atherosclerosis and cardiac diseases, including myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, arrhythmia, cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac fibrosis. The published literature indicates that lipophilic constituents (tanshinone I, tanshinone IIa, tanshinone IIb, cryptotanshinone, dihydrotanshinone, etc) as well as hydrophilic constituents (danshensu, salvianolic acid A and B, protocatechuic aldehyde, etc) contribute to the cardiovascular protective actions of Danshen, suggesting a potential synergism among these constituents. Herein, we provide a systematic up-to-date review on the cardiovascular actions and therapeutic potential of major pharmacologically active constituents of Danshen. These bioactive compounds will serve as excellent drug candidates in small-molecule cardiovascular drug discovery. This article also provides a scientific rationale for understanding the traditional use of Danshen in cardiovascular therapeutics.

Therapeutic effect of Cryptotanshinone on experimental rheumatoid arthritis through downregulating p300 mediated-STAT3 acetylation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The balance between T helper 17 (Th17) cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells, plays a critical role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The differentiation of Th17 cells requires the activation of STAT3, which determines the balance of Th17/Treg. Here, we investigated the therapeutic effect of Cryptotanshinone (CTS) on collagen induced mouse arthritis and explored the underlying mechanisms. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Arthritis was induced in DBA/1 mice with bovine collagen type II and complete Freund's adjuvant. CTS was given at 20mgkg-1d-1 or 60mgkg-1d-1 by gavage for 6weeks. The immuno-inflammation and joint destruction were evaluated and the balance of Th17/Treg was determined. STAT3 acetylation and phosphorylation were detected by western blotting, and the involvement of p300 was investigated by siRNA and plasmid overexpression. KEY RESULTS: CTS at a dose of 60mgkg-1d-1 ameliorated the inflammation and joint destruction in CIA mice. It improved Th17/Treg imbalance, and inhibited both acetylation and phosphorylation of STAT3. CTS reduced p300 expression and its binding to STAT3, but increased phosphorylated AMPK. Knockdown of p300 mimicked the inhibitory effect of CTS on STAT3 acetylation and phosphorylation, which could be partially rescued by overexpression of p300-WT, but not p300-dominant negative (DN) construct. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Our study suggested that the anti-arthritis effects of CTS were attained through suppression of p300-mediated STAT3 acetylation. Our data suggest that CTS might be a potential immune modulator for RA treatment.

Polydatin attenuates AGEs-induced upregulation of fibronectin and ICAM-1 in rat glomerular mesangial cells and db/db diabetic mice kidneys by inhibiting the activation of the SphK1-S1P signaling pathway.

We previously demonstrated that activation of sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1)- sphingosine 1- phosphate (S1P) signaling pathway by high glucose (HG) plays a pivotal role in increasing the expression of fibronectin (FN), an important fibrotic component, by promoting the DNA-binding activity of transcription factor activator protein 1 (AP-1) in glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) under diabetic conditions. As a multi-target anti-oxidative drug, polydatin (PD) has been shown to have renoprotective effects on experimental diabetes. However, whether PD could resist diabetic nephropathy (DN) by regulating SphK1-S1P signaling pathway needs further investigation. Here, we found that PD significantly reversed the upregulated FN and ICAM-1 expression in GMCs exposed to AGEs. Simultaneously, PD dose-dependently inhibited SphK1 levels at the protein expression and kinase activity and attenuated S1P production under AGEs treatment conditions. In addition, PD reduced SphK activity in GMCs transfected with wild-type SphK(WT) plasmid and significantly suppressed SphK1-mediated increase of FN and ICAM-1 levels under normal conditions. Furthermore, we found that the AGEs-induced upregulation of phosphorylation of c-Jun at Ser63 and Ser73 and c-Fos at Ser32, DNA-binding activity and transcriptional activity of AP-1 were blocked by PD. In comparison with db/db model group, PD treatment suppressed SphK1 levels (mRNA, protein expression, and activity) and S1P production, reversed the upregulation of FN, ICAM-1, c-Jun, and c-Fos in the kidney tissues of diabetic mice, and finally ameliorated renal injury in db/db mice. These findings suggested that the downregulation of SphK1-S1P signaling pathway is probably a novel mechanism by which PD suppressed AGEs-induced FN and ICAM-1 expression and improved renal dysfunction of diabetic models.

Polydatin ameliorates lipid and glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus by downregulating proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9).

BACKGROUND: Abnormalities in lipid and glucose metabolism are constantly observed in type 2 diabetes. However, these abnormalities can be ameliorated by polydatin. Considering the important role of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) in metabolic diseases, we explore the possible mechanism of polydatin on lipid and glucose metabolism through its effects on PCSK9. METHODS: An insulin-resistant HepG2 cell model induced by palmitic acid (PA) and a db/db mice model were used to clarify the role of polydatin on lipid and glucose metabolism. RESULTS: In insulin-resistant HepG2 cells, polydatin upregulated the protein levels of LDLR and GCK but repressed PCSK9 protein expression, besides, polydatin also inhibited the combination between PCSK9 and LDLR. Knockdown and overexpression experiments indicated that polydatin regulated LDLR and GCK expressions through PCSK9. In the db/db mice model, we found that polydatin markedly enhanced GCK and LDLR protein levels, and inhibited PCSK9 expression in the liver. Molecular docking assay was further performed to analyze the possible binding mode between polydatin and the PCSK9 crystal structure (PDB code: 2p4e), which indicated that steady hydrogen bonds formed between polydatin and PCSK9. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that polydatin ameliorates lipid and glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus by downregulating PCSK9.

Effects of cryptotanshinone on the expression levels of inflammatory factors in myocardial cells caused by Ang II and its mechanism.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the effects of the traditional Chinese medicine monomer cryptotanshinone (CTS) on the expression levels of inflammatory factors in myocardial cells caused by Ang II and its mechanism. METHODS: The neonatal rat myocardial cells were cultured in vitro in this study. Their purities were identified by immunocytochemical method. The cellular viability in different groups was determined by MTT assay. The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the supernatant of cell culture were detected with ELISA method. The levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by Dihydrogen ethidium (DHE) staining method. The location changes of NF-κB in cells were detected by immunofluorescence method. RESULTS: The purity of primary cultured neonatal rat myocardial cells was over 95%, CTS had no obvious effect on the viability of cells while it inhibited the increased levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and ROS caused by Ang II with dose dependent. NF-κB mainly distributed in the cytoplasmic region in normal cells, it translocated to the nucleus after Ang II stimulation while CTS inhibited the translocation. CONCLUSIONS: CTS could inhibit the inflammatory factors such as TNF-α and IL-6 in myocardial cells induced by Ang II with dose dependent, its mechanism may be related with that CTS could decrease the levels of ROS in myocardial cells and inhibit NF-κB translocation into the nucleus.

AMDE-1 is a dual function chemical for autophagy activation and inhibition.

Autophagy is the process by which cytosolic components and organelles are delivered to the lysosome for degradation. Autophagy plays important roles in cellular homeostasis and disease pathogenesis. Small chemical molecules that can modulate autophagy activity may have pharmacological value for treating diseases. Using a GFP-LC3-based high content screening assay we identified a novel chemical that is able to modulate autophagy at both initiation and degradation levels. This molecule, termed as Autophagy Modulator with Dual Effect-1 (AMDE-1), triggered autophagy in an Atg5-dependent manner, recruiting Atg16 to the pre-autophagosomal site and causing LC3 lipidation. AMDE-1 induced autophagy through the activation of AMPK, which inactivated mTORC1 and activated ULK1. AMDE-1did not affect MAP kinase, JNK or oxidative stress signaling for autophagy induction. Surprisingly, treatment with AMDE-1 resulted in impairment in autophagic flux and inhibition of long-lived protein degradation. This inhibition was correlated with a reduction in lysosomal degradation capacity but not with autophagosome-lysosome fusion. Further analysis indicated that AMDE-1 caused a reduction in lysosome acidity and lysosomal proteolytic activity, suggesting that it suppressed general lysosome function. AMDE-1 thus also impaired endocytosis-mediated EGF receptor degradation. The dual effects of AMDE-1 on autophagy induction and lysosomal degradation suggested that its net effect would likely lead to autophagic stress and lysosome dysfunction, and therefore cell death. Indeed, AMDE-1 triggered necroptosis and was preferentially cytotoxic to cancer cells. In conclusion, this study identified a new class of autophagy modulators with dual effects, which can be explored for potential uses in cancer therapy.

Therapeutic effect of Cryptotanshinone on collagen-induced arthritis in rats via inhibiting nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway.

The discovery of new therapeutic drugs with the ability of preventing inflammation and joint destruction with less adverse effects is extremely urgent for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Cryptotanshinone (CTS), an active component isolated from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, has been reported to have antibacterial and antitumor effects. However, its effects on RA have not been clearly elucidated. Here, we investigated the therapeutic effect of CTS on type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats and explored the underlying mechanisms. Our results revealed that CTS treatment efficaciously ameliorated inflammation and joint destruction of rats with CIA. Both in vivo and in vitro studies showed that CTS suppressed the production of proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin 1ß, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin 17α production and downregulated the production and activity of matrix metalloproteinase 9. By receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) ligand-induced bone marrow macrophages, we observed that CTS could inhibit osteoclast differentiation, which is critic for joint destruction. Further studies on inflammatory signaling revealed that CTS could inhibit the degradation of inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB) α in vivo and in vitro, prevent the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 induced by lipopolysaccharide in a time- and dose-dependent manner. By electrophoretic mobility shift assay and luciferase reporter assay, we found that CTS distinctively inhibited the NF-κB DNA binding activity and NF-κB-dependent luciferase activity. These results indicate that the therapeutic effect of CTS on CIA is accomplished mainly through the inhibition of NF-κB signaling. Our findings provide the evidence to develop CTS as a potential therapeutic agent for patients with RA.

Cryptotanshinone, an orally bioactive herbal compound from Danshen, attenuates atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice: role of lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cryptotanshinone (CTS) is a major bioactive diterpenoid isolated from Danshen, an eminent medicinal herb that is used to treat cardiovascular disorders in Asian medicine. However, it is not known whether CTS can prevent experimental atherosclerosis. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of CTS on atherosclerosis and its molecular mechanisms of action. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice, fed an atherogenic diet, were dosed daily with CTS (15, 45 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) by oral gavage. In vitro studies were carried out in oxidized LDL (oxLDL)-stimulated HUVECs treated with or without CTS. KEY RESULTS: CTS significantly attenuated atherosclerotic plaque formation and enhanced plaque stability in ApoE(-/-) mice by inhibiting the expression of lectin-like oxLDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) and MMP-9, as well as inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and NF-κB activation. CTS treatment significantly decreased the levels of serum pro-inflammatory mediators without altering the serum lipid profile. In vitro, CTS decreased oxLDL-induced LOX-1 mRNA and protein expression and, thereby, inhibited LOX-1-mediated adhesion of monocytes to HUVECs, by reducing the expression of adhesion molecules (intracellular adhesion molecule 1 and vascular cellular adhesion molecule 1). Furthermore, CTS inhibited NADPH oxidase subunit 4 (NOX4)-mediated ROS generation and consequent activation of NF-κB in HUVECs. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: CTS was shown to have anti-atherosclerotic activity, which was mediated through inhibition of the LOX-1-mediated signalling pathway. This suggests that CTS is a vasculoprotective drug that has potential therapeutic value for the clinical treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.

Vitamin E conditionally inhibits atherosclerosis in ApoE knockout mice by anti-oxidation and regulation of vasculature gene expressions.

Lipid deposition in artery walls is implied in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and imbalance between uptake and efflux of cholesterol favors the deposition. We investigated the effect of vitamin E with the same dose and duration on the different stages of atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE KO) mice and explored the potential mechanisms. The results showed that the ApoE KO mouse spontaneously develops atherosclerosis in an age-dependent manner from 14 to 46 weeks on the regular chow. Vitamin E (100 mg/kg) supplementation to ApoE KO mice at 6, 14, and 22 weeks for 8 weeks significantly reduced the atherosclerotic lesion area by 41, 29 and 19% respectively compared to the age-matched control mice; however had no significant effect on the lesion when given at 30 and 38 weeks. In addition, vitamin E supplemented at the ages from 6 to 30 weeks decreased the contents of serum oxLDL and TBARS without affecting the TC and TAG contents in serum and liver. Furthermore, vitamin E supplemented at 6, 14 and 22 weeks down-regulated vasculature mRNA expressions of scavenger receptor CD36 and up-regulated mRNA expressions of PPARγ, LXRα and ABCA1 which are involved in reverse cholesterol transportation; however had no significant effects on these genes when given at 30 and 38 weeks. In conclusion, vitamin E with same dose and duration inhibits the early but not advanced atherosclerotic lesion in ApoE KO mice by anti-oxidation and regulation of mRNA expression of genes involved in cholesterol uptake and efflux, which favors the improvement of atherosclerosis.

Polydatin improves glucose and lipid metabolism in experimental diabetes through activating the Akt signaling pathway.

Recently, the effect of polydatin on lipid regulation has gained considerable attention. And previous study has demonstrated that polydatin has hypoglycemic effect on experimental diabetic rats. Repressed Akt pathway contributes to glucose and lipid disorders in diabetes. Thus, whether polydatin regulates glucose and lipid metabolism in experimental diabetic models through the Akt pathway arouses interest. The purpose was to explore the regulatory mechanism of polydain on glucose and lipid through Akt pathway. We used a diabetic rat model induced by high-fat and -sugar diet with low-dose of streptozocin and an insulin resistant HepG2 cell model induced by palmitic acid to clarify the role of polydatin on glucose and lipid metabolism. Here, we found that polydatin significantly attenuated fasting blood­glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, glycosylated serum protein, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in diabetic rats. Furthermore, polydatin significantly increased glucose uptake and consumption and decreased lipid accumulation in insulin resistant HepG2 cells. Polydatin markedly increased serum insulin levels in diabetic rats, and obviously activated the Akt signaling pathway in diabetic rat livers and insulin resistant HepG2 cells. Polydatin markedly increased phosphorylated GSK-3ß, decreased the protein levels of G6Pase and SREBP-1c, and increased protein levels of GCK, LDLR, and phosphorylated IRS in livers and HepG2 cells. Overall, the results indicate that polydatin regulates glucose and lipid metabolism in experimental diabetic models, the underlying mechanism is probably associated with regulating the Akt pathway. The effect of polydatin on increased Akt phosphorylation is independent of prompting insulin secretion, but dependent of increasing IRS phosphorylation.

[Study on prevention effect of huoluotongnao tablet on stroke (II)].

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevention effect of Huoluotongnao tablet on stroke. METHODS: Bilateral common carotid artery ligation and reperfusion injury model and reperfusion injury in focal cerebral ischemia-induced thrombosis line method rat model were used. RESULTS: Huoluotongnao tablet could significantly reduce the pathological injury of rat brain tissue changes of these two models, and increase the activity of SOD and decrease the content of MDA in the brain tissue and plasma of rats. The brain water content of treatment groups were significantly reduced. The behavioral index and cerebral infarction range index were effectively improved in the middle cerebral artery occlusion reperfusion model rats. CONCLUSION: Huoluotongnao tablet has certain prevention effect on stroke.