Project description:Dysregulated lipid metabolism is a prominent feature of prostate cancers (PCas); several enzymes involved in lipid accumulation are highly expressed. Here, we elucidated efficacy of TJ001, a traditional herbal decoction, in inhibiting de novo lipogenesis. TJ001 had significant cytotoxicity against DU145 but not PC3 and LNCaP cells and, similarly, TJ001 markedly AMPK phosphorylation only in DU145 cells. This was accompanied by the downregulation of phosphorylated-acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) expression and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) proteolytic cleavage, thereby inhibiting its role as a transcription factor to induce lipid biosynthesis. When Oil Red O staining was performed, it is reflected in the reduction of lipid droplets (LDs). TJ001 also induced G1/S cell cycle arrest via a cell cycle inhibitor (CKI) p21WAF1/CIP1 upregulation. Although p53 proteins remained unchanged, both cyclin E and cyclin D1 were decreased. Moreover, TJ001 suppressed the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Generally, the prolonged G1/S phase arrest accompanies apoptosis, but TJ001 failed to work as a trigger apoptosis in DU145 cells. We showed that mutant p53 proteins were required for the survival of DU145 cells. In presence of TJ001, inhibition of endogenous mutant p53 by RNAi led to cell viability reduction and induction of the p-AMPK/AMPK ratio. In addition, it induced apoptotic cell death in DU145 cells. At the cellular level, induction of PARP, caspase-3, and caspase-9 cleavages was observed, and caspase-3 activity was increased in the p53 knockdown cells treated with TJ001. Taken together, we demonstrated that TJ001 inhibited cell growth in DU145 prostate cancer cells as indicated by blocking lipogenesis and induction in G1/S cell cycle arrest. In addition, we may provide an evidence that mutant p53 protein has potential role as an oncogenic action in DU145 cells. Collectively, the combination of mutant p53 targeting and TJ001 treatment resulted in decreased cell growth in DU145 cells.
Project description:The Chinese herbal formula Tongluo Jiunao, containing the active components Panax notoginseng and Gardenia jasminoides, has recently been patented and is in use clinically. It is known to be neuroprotective in cerebral ischemia, but the underlying pathway remains poorly understood. In the present study, we established a rat model of cerebral ischemia by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery, and administered Tongluo Jiunao, a positive control (Xuesai Tong, containing Panax notoginseng) or saline intraperitoneally to investigate the pathway involved in the action of Tongluo Jiunao injection. 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining showed that the cerebral infarct area was significantly smaller in model rats that received Tongluo Jiunao than in those that received saline. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed significantly greater expression of neurotrophin 3 and growth-associated protein 43 in ischemic cerebral tissue, and serum levels of neurotrophin 3, in the Tongluo Jiunao group than in the saline group. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining showed that after treatment with Tongluo Jiunao or Xuesai Tong, tropomyosin-related kinase C gene expression and immunoreactivity were significantly elevated compared with saline, with the greatest expression observed after Tongluo Jiunao treatment. These findings suggest that Tongluo Jiunao injection exerts a neuroprotective effect in rats with cerebral ischemia by activating the neurotrophin 3/tropomyosin-related kinase C pathway.
Project description:BackgroundYin Zhi Huang (YZH) is a formula composed of Artemisia scoparia, Gardeniae fructus, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, and Lonicerae Japonicae Flos. Most of the components are eaten as food in Asia. Here, we evaluated the role of YZH on a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis.MethodsMale C57BL/6J mice were fed with normal-chow diet, HFD, and HFD with low- or high-dose YZH for 16 weeks. Body weight gain, adipose mass, and plasma lipids levels were measured to evaluate the effect of YZH on obesity. Liver weight and staining methods on liver tissues were used to determine hepatic steatosis. The expression of involved genes and proteins were screened with qRT-PCR and immunoblotting, respectively.ResultsThe results showed that YZH significantly reduced body weight gain, adipose mass, and the size of adipocytes, while did not affect food intake in HFD-fed mice. H&E staining, bodipy staining, and oil red O staining displayed that YZH alleviates hepatic lipid accumulation. It also effectively restored elevated plasma levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase in HFD-fed mice. Mechanistically, these effects of YZH have associated with a decrease of AMPK/SREBP-1 pathway-mediated de novo lipogenesis and an increase of AMPK/ACC/CPT1A pathway-mediated mitochondrial fatty acid β oxidation.ConclusionsYZH supplementation ameliorated diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis by decreasing AMPK/SREBP-1 pathway-mediated de novo lipogenesis and increasing AMPK/ACC/CPT1A pathway-mediated mitochondrial fatty acid β oxidation.
Project description:Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a threat on the fatal ARDS with an incidence rate of 41.8%, or irreversible pulmonary fibrosis, without specific effective therapeutic drugs. The infection causes dysregulation of the immune system with a cytokine storm in lung tissue. To define the drug candidate of Virofree to COVID-19 induced-ARDS, we treated 66.67 ug/ml and 500 ug/ml in epithelial cell line, BEAS-2B, and compared the PBS control group to obtain Virofree expression profiles.
Project description:Background: Treatment for adult patients with refractory idiopathic membranous nephropathy (RIMN) by conventional immunosuppressive regimens is not satisfactory. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine, Shulifenxiao formula, as a promising regimen. Methods: A total of 31 RIMN patients resistant to corticosteroid or immunosuppressive agents were retrospectively analyzed. Shulifenxiao treatment lasted a minimum of 12°months in all patients and extended to 24°months in 11 patients. The primary outcomes [the complete remission (CR) and partial remission (PR)] and secondary outcomes (the serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels) were measured at 6, 12, 18, and 24°months. Results: The data provided an average follow-up of 21 ± 9.16°months from baseline. The remission was attained in 25/31 patients (80.7%: CR 29.0% and PR 51.6%) at 12°months and in 10/11 patients (90.9%: CR 54.6% and PR 36.4%) at 24°months, respectively. Proteinuria reduced from 6.02 g/d at baseline to 0.98 g/d at 12°months (p < 0.001) and to 0.27 g/d at 24°months (p = 0.003); serum albumin increased from 28 g/L to 37.2 g/L at 12°months (p < 0.001) and to 41.3 g/L at 24°months (p = 0.003); eGFR improved from 100.25 ml/min/1.73 m2 to 118.39 ml/min/1.73 m2 at 6°months (p < 0.001) and finally to 111.62 ml/min/1.73 m2at 24°months (p = 0.008). Only two patients developed subsequent relapse. Conclusion: Shulifenxiao formula as a clinical cocktail therapy serves as an alternative therapeutic option for steroid and immunosuppressant-resistant RIMN patients, with a favourable safety profile, though further studies are warranted. Clinical Trial registration: http://www.chictr.org.cn, Chinese Clinical Trials Registry [ChiCTR1800019351].
Project description:Potential mechanism was discovered through expression profiling of a total of 3545 miRNAs in liver of rats fed with high fat diet after HTG treatment. MiRNAs in liver of rats(3 group, normal fat diet group, 3, high fat diet group, 3, high fat diet + HTG treatment, 3) were detected, and differentially expressed miRNAs were analyzed to reveal potential mechanism of HTG in treating dyslipidaemia.
Project description:mRNA expression in liver of rats(3, high fat diet group, 3, high fat diet + HTG treatment, 3) were detected, and differentially expressed mRNAs were analyzed to reveal potential mechanism of HTG in treating dyslipidaemia.
Project description:Breast cancer is a common cancer in women worldwide. The existing clinical treatment strategies have been able to limit the progression of breast cancer and cancer metastasis, but abnormal metabolism, immunosuppression, and multidrug resistance involving multiple regulators remain the major challenges for the treatment of breast cancer. Adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) can regulate metabolic reprogramming and reverse the "Warburg effect" via multiple metabolic signaling pathways in breast cancer. Previous studies suggest that the activation of AMPK suppresses the growth and metastasis of breast cancer cells, as well as stimulating the responses of immune cells. However, some other reports claim that the development and poor prognosis of breast cancer are related to the overexpression and aberrant activation of AMPK. Thus, the role of AMPK in the progression of breast cancer is still controversial. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of AMPK, particularly the comprehensive bidirectional functions of AMPK in cancer progression; discuss the pharmacological activators of AMPK and some specific molecules, including the natural products (including berberine, curcumin, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, ginsenosides, and paclitaxel) that influence the efficacy of these activators in cancer therapy; and elaborate the role of AMPK as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of breast cancer.
Project description:BackgroundFood Allergy Herbal Formula-2 (FAHF-2) is a 9-herb formula based on traditional Chinese medicine that blocks peanut-induced anaphylaxis in a murine model. In phase I studies FAHF-2 was found to be safe and well tolerated.ObjectiveWe sought to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of FAHF-2 as a treatment for food allergy.MethodsIn this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study 68 subjects aged 12 to 45 years with allergies to peanut, tree nut, sesame, fish, and/or shellfish, which were confirmed by baseline double-blind, placebo-controlled oral food challenges (DBPCFCs), received FAHF-2 (n = 46) or placebo (n = 22). After 6 months of therapy, subjects underwent DBPCFCs. For those who demonstrated increases in the eliciting dose, a repeat DBPCFC was performed 3 months after stopping therapy.ResultsTreatment was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events. By using intent-to-treat analysis, the placebo group had a higher eliciting dose and cumulative dose (P = .05) at the end-of-treatment DBPCFC. There was no difference in the requirement for epinephrine to treat reactions (P = .55). There were no significant differences in allergen-specific IgE and IgG4 levels, cytokine production by PBMCs, or basophil activation between the active and placebo groups. In vitro immunologic studies performed on subjects' baseline PBMCs incubated with FAHF-2 and food allergen produced significantly less IL-5, greater IL-10 levels, and increased numbers of regulatory T cells than untreated cells. Notably, 44% of subjects had poor drug adherence for at least one third of the study period.ConclusionFAHF-2 is a safe herbal medication for subjects with food allergy and shows favorable in vitro immunomodulatory effects; however, efficacy for improving tolerance to food allergens is not demonstrated at the dose and duration used.