Comparative study of anti-inflammatory effects of different processed products through the COX-2/PGE2 signaling pathway: based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

Background:Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata(Fu-zi)is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb,which has been widely used in the clinic and has potent anti-inflammatory activities.we aimed to explore the mechanisms of extract containing alkaloids from different Fu-zi Processed Products(FPP)in treating inflammation,especially rheumatoid arthritis(RA).Methods:Firstly,using network pharmacology technology,the ingredients,and targets of Fu-zi were obtained by searching and screening,the targets involving RA were acquired,the intersection targets were constructed a"component-target-pathway"network.A comprehensive investigation was conducted on the anti-rheumatoid arthritis mechanisms of 5 FPPs in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)induced RAW264.7 cells,which serve as a model for RA.The production of NO and inflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit.Quantitative Real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)was utilized to measure the mRNA levels.COX-2/PGE2 signaling pathway-associated proteins were determined by western blot.Results:According to a network pharmacological study,16 chemical components and 43 common targets were found in Fu-zi and 6 key targets including PTGS2 were closely related to the mechanism of Fu-zi in treating RA.The in vitro study revealed that the levels of NO,TNF-α,and IL-1βwere substantially decreased by the 5 FPPs.The 5 FPPs significantly suppressed the expression of proteins COX-2,iNOS,and NF-κB,with particularly notable effects observed for PFZ and XFZ.Conclusion:Altogether,these results demonstrated that the 5 PPS containing alkaloids have a good anti-RA-related inflammatory effect,and the mechanism may be related to COX-2/PGE2 signaling pathway,particularly,Fu-zi prepared utilizing a traditional Chinese technique.

Calcineurin,NFAT2,COX-2和VEGF-A在体外培养正常黑素细胞和不同黑素瘤细胞系中的表达

目的检测Calcineurin/NFAT信号途径中Calcineurin,NFAT2,COX-2和VEGF-A分子在正常人黑素细胞和不同黑素瘤细胞系中的表达,初步探讨它们与黑素瘤发生、发展的关系。方法选取正常人原代黑素细胞(MC)及来源于原位(WM793B)、侵袭性(LIBR)及转移性(SK-MEL-5)的黑素瘤细胞系,采用RT-PCR,Westernblot检测四种细胞中Calcineurin,NFAT2,COX-2和VEGF-A的表达情况。结果与正常人黑素细胞相比,在不同黑素瘤细胞系中Calcineurin,NFAT2,COX-2和VEGF-A4个分子明显高表达。结论 Calcineurin/NFAT信号途径可能与黑素瘤的发生有关。

Hypothesis of the osthol intervention in osteoarthritis treatment through COX-2 specific pathway

Osteoarthritis(OA)is a joint degenerative disease characterized by softening and peeling of articular cartilage,reactive hyperplasia of subchondral bone,and narrowing of joint space,which seriously affects the quality of daily life of patients.Drug therapy is one of the effective means to treat osteoarthritis,it mainly includes the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs,hormones and painkillers.These methods have a certain effect on alleviating symptoms,but there are also some obvious adverse reactions,and are not easy to take for a long time.Osthol is a natural coumarin isolated from Pinaceae plants.It has pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory,antioxidant and neuroprotective.A large number of studies and experiments show that Osthol has a good effect in the treatment of osteoarthritis,and no obvious harmful effect has been found.Therefore,by analyzing and sorting out the relevant experiments and literatures published in recent years,this paper puts forward some scientific hypotheses on the possible specific ways of regulating COX-2 mRNA expression,one of the important roles of Osthol in the treatment of osteoarthritis,in order to clarify the possible potential mechanism and inspire subsequent related research.

雷公藤多苷对糖尿病肾病大鼠肾组织NFAT2/COX-2表达的影响

目的:基于活化T细胞核因子2(NFAT2)/环氧化酶-2(COX-2)通路探讨雷公藤多苷片(TWPT)防治糖尿病肾病(DN)肾脏损伤的可能作用机制。方法:选取雄性清洁级SD大鼠42只,适应性喂养1周后随机分为正常组8只,造模组34只。正常组予以正常饲养,造模组采用高脂高糖饮食喂养1周后予腹腔注射链脲佐菌素(STZ)法建立DN大鼠模型,除去造模过程中死亡及失败,选取造模成功的24只随机分为模型组、缬沙坦(8.33 mg·kg^(-1)·d^(-1))组、TWPT(5 mg·kg^(-1)·d^(-1))组。正常组和模型组均予等体积生理盐水灌胃,6周后测量体质量,收集大鼠尿液,腹主动脉取血后处死取材,生化检测血清中的尿素氮(BUN)、肌酐(SCr)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、血脂血糖及尿液中的24 h尿蛋白总量(24 h UTP),苏木素-伊红(HE)及马松(Masson)染色观察肾脏病理,酶联免疫吸附测定法(ELISA)检测血清中的NFAT2、COX-2表达水平,蛋白免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测肾组织中NFAT2、COX-2蛋白表达,实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(Real-time PCR)检测肾组织中NFAT2、COX-2 mRNA表达。结果:与正常组比较,模型组大鼠24 h UTP、BUN、SCr、CHO、TG、FBG及血清NFAT2、COX-2表达显著升高(P<0.01),肾组织中的NFAT2、COX-2蛋白及mRNA表达显著升高(P<0.01),肾脏病理示肾小球体积增大,系膜细胞轻度增生,系膜基质增宽;与模型组比较,TWPT组大鼠24 h UTP、BUN、SCr、CHO、TG、FBG均明显降低(P<0.05,P<0.01);肾脏病理示肾小球形态基本正常,血清中NFAT2、COX-2表达显著降低(P<0.01),肾组织中的NFAT2、COX-2 mRNA和蛋白表达显著下降(P<0.01)。结论:TWPT可减轻DN大鼠24 h UTP、保护肾功能、改善肾脏病理,其作用机制可能与下调血清及肾组织NFAT2/COX-2表达相关。

益气养阴活血方对糖尿病肾病大鼠NFAT2/COX-2的影响

目的:探讨益气养阴活血方对糖尿病肾病(DN)大鼠肾脏保护作用及其机制。方法:50只雄性SD大鼠随机分为正常组8只、造模组42只。除正常组外,造模组腹腔注射链脲佐菌素(STZ)诱导建立DN大鼠模型,造模成功的32只DN大鼠随机分为模型组、缬沙坦组、益气养阴活血方低剂量组及益气养阴活血方高剂量组,每组8只。灌胃6周后全自动生化分析仪检测各组大鼠血肌酐(Scr)、尿素氮(BUN)、空腹血糖(FBG)、24 h尿蛋白总量(24 h-UTP);Western blot及荧光定量PCR分别检测肾脏NFAT2、COX-2相关蛋白及其mRNA表达;苏木素-伊红(HE)染色观察大鼠肾脏病理变化。结果:与正常组比较,模型组大鼠肾小球、肾小管病理损伤较重,血清Scr、BUN、FBG、24 h-UTP、肾组织NFAT2、COX-2相关蛋白及其mRNA表达水平均升高(P<0.01);与模型组比较,益气养阴活血方干预组大鼠肾脏病理明显改善,血清Scr、BUN、FBG、24 h-UTP、肾组织NFAT2、COX-2相关蛋白及其mRNA表达水平均降低(P<0.01,P<0.05)。结论:益气养阴活血方可能通过下调NFAT2/COX-2信号通路而减轻肾脏病理损害,保护肾功能,降低尿蛋白。