Antidepressant-like effects of Jieyu Chufan capsules in the olfactory bulbectomy rat model.

The olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) animal model of depression reproduces the behavioral and neurochemical changes observed in depressed patients. We assessed the therapeutic effects of the Jieyu Chufan (JYCF) capsule on OBX rats. JYCF ameliorated the hedonic and anxiety-like behavior of OBX rats and attenuated the cortical and hippocampal damage. JYCF enhanced the expression of neurotrophic factors, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), and adiponectin (ADPN) in the cortex and hippocampus of OBX rats. JYCF also reduced cortisol levels and restored the levels of excitatory neurotransmitters, such as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), acetylcholine (ACH), and glutamic acid (Glu), in the brain tissue of OBX rats. Our results suggest that JYCF preserves the synaptic structure by increasing the levels of synaptophysin (SYN) and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) and alleviates the histological alterations of brain tissue by activating AKT/PKA-CREB-BDNF pathways, and by upregulating ADPN and FGF2 expression in OBX rats. JYCF exerts multiple therapeutic effects on depression, including modulating neurotransmitters, repairing neuronal damage, and maintaining synaptic integrity. These findings support the potential of JYCF as a novel antidepressant agent with therapeutic effects on depression and related neurological disorders.

Acupuncture Treatment in a Mouse Model of Chronic Hypoxia-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction.

The treatment of central nervous disorders has consistently posed significant challenges to the medical field. Acupuncture, a non-pharmacological practice rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, entails the insertion of fine needles into precise points on the body and is commonly employed for the management of diverse conditions. Recently, acupuncture has emerged as a promising therapeutic intervention for a range of neurological diseases, including anxiety and respiratory disorders. However, the potential of acupuncture in treating cognitive dysfunction induced by chronic hypoxia has not yet been explored. This paper presents a comprehensive protocol for establishing a mouse model of chronic hypoxia-induced cognitive impairment, administering mild anesthesia, performing acupuncture treatment, and assessing behavioral changes and memory abilities using open field tests and water mazes. The step-by-step protocol provides detailed instructions on accurately locating and positioning acupoints and needles for cognitive improvement. By employing this protocol, researchers can conduct systematic studies to thoroughly evaluate the therapeutic potential of acupuncture for cognitive dysfunction.

Sophoridine manifests as a leading compound for anti-arrhythmia with multiple ion-channel blocking effects.

BACKGROUND: Sophoridine (SR) has shown the potential to be an antiarrhythmic agent. However, SR's electrophysiological properties and druggability research are relatively inadequate, which limits the development of SR as an antiarrhythmic candidate. PURPOSE: To facilitate the development process of SR as an antiarrhythmic candidate, we performed integrated studies on the electrophysiological properties of SR in vitro and ex vivo to gain more comprehensive insights into the multi-ion channel blocking effects of SR, which provided the foundation for the further drugability studies in antiarrhythmic and safety studies. Firstly, SR's electrophysiological properties and antiarrhythmic potentials were recorded and assessed at the cell and tissue levels by comprehensively integrating the patch clamp with the Electrical and Optical Mapping systems. Subsequently, the antiarrhythmic effects of SR were validated by aconitine and ouabain-induced arrhythmia in vivo. Finally, the safety of SR as an antiarrhythmic candidate compound was evaluated based on the guidelines of the Comprehensive in Vitro Proarrhythmia Assay (CiPA). STUDY DESIGN: The antiarrhythmic effect of SR was evaluated at the in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo levels. METHODS: Isolated primary cardiomyocytes and stable cell lines were prepared to explore the electrophysiologic properties of being a multiple ion-channel blocker in vitro by whole-cell patch clamp. Using electrical and optical mapping, the negative chronotropic effect of SR was determined in langendorff-perfused rat or guinea-pig hearts.The antiarrhythmic activity of SR was assessed by the ex vivo tachyarrhythmia models induced by left coronary artery ligation (LCAL) and isoproterenol (ISO). Canonical models of aconitine and ouabain-induced arrhythmia were used to verify the antiarrhythmic effects in vivo. Finally, the pro-arrhythmic risk of SR was detected in Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes (hSCCMs) using a Microelectrode array (MEA). RESULTS: Single-cell patch assay validated the multiple ion-channel blockers of SR in transient outward current potassium currents (Ito), l-type calcium currents (ICa-l), and rapid activation delayed rectifier potassium currents (IKr). SR ex vivo depressed heart rates (HR) and ventricular conduction velocity (CV) and prolonged Q-T intervals in a concentration-dependent manner. Consistent with the changes in HRs, SR extended the active time of hearts and increased the action potential duration measured at 90% repolarization (APD90). SR could also significantly lengthen the onset time and curtail the duration of spontaneous ventricular tachycardia (VT) in the ex vivo arrhythmic model induced by LCAL. Meanwhile, SR could also significantly upregulate the programmed electrical stimulation (PES) frequency after the ISO challenge in forming electrical alternans and re-entrant excitation. Furthermore, SR exerted antiarrhythmic effects in the tachyarrhythmia models induced by aconitine and ouabain in vivo. Notably, the pro-arrhythmic risk of SR was shallow for a moderate inhibition of the human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) channel. Moreover, SR prolonged field potential duration (FPDc) of hSCCMs in a concentration-dependent manner without early after depolarization (EAD) and arrhythmia occurrence. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that SR manifested as a multiple ion-channel blocker in the electrophysiological properties and exerts antiarrhythmic effects ex vivo and in vivo. Meanwhile, due to the low pro-arrhythmic risk in the hERG inhibition assay and the induction of EAD, SR has great potential as a leading candidate in the treatment of ventricular tachyarrhythmia.

Scalp Electroacupuncture Promotes Angiogenesis after Stroke in Rats by Activation of Wnt/ß-Catenin Signal Pathway.

Background: Scalp acupuncture is a contemporary acupuncture method based on the fundamental theories of traditional acupuncture, which has been widely used in patients with stroke in China. However, the effectiveness is controversial due to lack of solid experimental evidence. Methods: In this study, a rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) was established by the middle cerebral artery occlusion/recirculation. The efficacy of scalp acupuncture against CIRI was evaluated by the mNSS scores, TTC staining for brain slices, and laser Doppler perfusion imaging. Immunohistochemical staining for angiogenetic factors indicated the vascularization after CIRI, including VEGF, Ang2, and bFGF. Activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway and p-GSK3ß (ser9)/VEGF pathway in the injured brain tissues was assessed by western blotting and qRT-PCR. Results: On the 7, 14, and 21 days after CIRI, scalp acupuncture could reduce the mNSS scores, decrease the cerebral infarction area, and accelerate the recirculation of ischemic brain tissues. VEGF, FLK1, bFGF, and Ang2 were upregulated on both the mRNA and protein levels in the ischemic brain tissues of the AC group, suggesting that the recirculation might result from angiogenesis, which was also confirmed with the IHC staining in the angiogenetic markers of VEGF, Ang2, and bFGF. Moreover, Wnt3a, ß-catenin, and cyclin D1 were also upregulated on both the mRNA and protein levels in the ischemic brain tissues of the AC group on day 7, 14, and 21, indicating that the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway was activated after the treatment of scalp acupuncture. In contrast, dikkoppf-1 (DKK1) pretreatment, a specific inhibitor for the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, inactivated the Wnt3a/ß-catenin signaling pathway and exacerbated the infarct size induced by the cerebral IR injury on day 7. Conclusion: Together, our findings demonstrated a mechanism whereby scalp acupuncture led to the activation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, promoting angiogenetic factor expression and restoring blood perfusion in the ischemic zone.

Jinlida granules ameliorate the high-fat-diet induced liver injury in mice by antagonising hepatocytes pyroptosis.

CONTEXT: Jinlida (JLD) as a traditional Chinese medicine formula has been used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and studies have shown its anti-obesity effect. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effects of JLD in a mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups and fed a low-diet diet (LFD), high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD + JLD (3.8 g/kg) for 16 weeks, respectively. The free fatty acids-induced lipotoxicity in HepG2 cells were used to evaluate the anti-pyroptotic effects of JLD. The pharmacological effects of JLD on NAFL were investigated by pathological examination, intraperitoneal glucose and insulin tolerance tests, western blotting, and quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: In vivo studies showed that JLD ameliorated HFD-induced liver injury, significantly decreased body weight and enhanced insulin sensitivity and improved glucose tolerance. Furthermore, JLD suppressed both the mRNA expression of caspase-1 (1.58 vs. 2.90), IL-1ß (0.93 vs. 3.44) and IL-18 (1.34 vs. 1.60) and protein expression of NLRP3 (2.04 vs. 5.71), pro-caspase-1 (2.68 vs. 4.92) and IL-1ß (1.61 vs. 2.60). In vitro, JLD inhibited the formation of lipid droplets induced by 2 mM FFA (IC50 = 2.727 mM), reduced the protein expression of NLRP3 (0.74 vs. 2.27), caspase-1 (0.57 vs. 2.68), p20 (1.67 vs. 3.33), and IL-1ß (1.44 vs. 2.41), and lowered the ratio of p-IKB-α/IKB-α (0.47 vs. 2.19). CONCLUSION: JLD has a protective effect against NAFLD, which may be related to its anti-pyroptosis, suggesting that JLD has the potential as a novel agent in the treatment of NAFLD.

Si-Miao-Yong-An Decoction Maintains the Cardiac Function and Protects Cardiomyocytes from Myocardial Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether Si-Miao-Yong-An decoction (SMYAD) could protect cardiomyocytes from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were used to establish a model of myocardial infarction by I/R injury and treated by SMYAD for 4 weeks. Then, the cardiac functions of mice were evaluated by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Histopathological analysis for the heart remodeling was detected by H&E and Masson staining. The protein expression of collagen I, MMP9, and TNFα was detected by western blot in the heart tissues. H9C2 cells were used to establish the hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model and SMYAD intervention. MTT assays detected the cell viability of myocardial cells. The expression level of IL-1ß was evaluated by ELISA. The expression levels of LC3B-II/LC3B-I, p-mTOR, mTOR, NLRP3, procaspase 1, and cleaved-caspase 1 in H9C2 cells were evaluated by Western blot. RESULTS: SMYAD improved cardiac functions such as ventricular volume and ejection fraction of the rats with ischemia/reperfusion injury. Morphological assay indicated that SMYAD reduced the scar size and inhibited fibrosis formation. It was found that SMYAD could regulate collagen I, MMP9, and TNFα protein expression levels in the heart tissues. SMYAD improved the survival rate of H9C2 cardiomyocytes in the H/R injury model. SMYAD elevated the rate of LC3B-II/LC3B-I protein expression, decreased the rate of p-mTOR/mTOR protein expression, and reduced expressions of caspase 1, NLRP3, and IL-1ß in H/R cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSION: SMYAD exerted protective effects on ischemia/reperfusion injury in myocardial cells by activating autophagy and inhibiting pyroptosis. This might be the reason why SMYAD protected myocardial tissue and improved cardiac function in mice with ischemia/reperfusion.

Bufei Decoction Alleviated Bleomycin-Induced Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice by Anti-Inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the mechanistic action and therapeutic effects of Bufei decoction on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) after inhalation of bleomycin. METHODS: Pulmonary fibrosis model in mice was prepared by atomization inhalation of bleomycin. Then, the mice were randomly divided into five groups (control group, model group, positive group, and treatment group) and administrated the drugs for 4 weeks. H&E and Masson's staining of lung tissues were used to observe the morphological changes and deposition of fibers, and the degree of fibrosis was evaluated by hydroxyproline content. The expression and activation of NF-κB were determined by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The infiltration of macrophages was detected by immunostaining of CD45 and F4/80 in lung tissues. RESULTS: In mouse IPF, Bufei decoction alleviated the pathological changes and the deposition of fibrosis by decreasing the content of hydroxyproline of lung tissues. The antipulmonary fibrosis might rely on the effects of preventing the infiltration of inflammatory cells and inhibiting the expression and activation of NF-κB in lung tissue. CONCLUSION: Bufei decoction improved the process of pulmonary fibrosis by regulating the activation and expression of the NF-κB signal transduction pathway, which provided a therapeutic option for IPF patients.