The screening model for dopamine receptor agonists by a dopamine sensor / 药学学报

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system due to the loss or death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Clinically, levodopa is the most effective and commonly used drug for PD treatment. However, long-term levodopa therapy is prone to motor complications and other side effects caused by excessive peripheral dopamine production, which has become an urgent problem to be solved in PD treatment. Dopamine receptor (DR) agonists are similar to dopamine. They can directly stimulate postsynaptic dopamine receptors, produce the same effect as dopamine, delay the application of levodopa as much as possible, and reduce complications caused by long-term use of levodopa. Therefore, screening effective dopamine receptor agonists has become a key issue in the study and treatment of PD. In order to establish a rapid, stable and reliable method for dopamine receptor agonist screening, this study used the human dopamine receptor 2 (DRD2) gene fused with a circular permuted EGFP (cpEGFP) to construct a recombinant gene, packaged with lentiviral vector, and the vector replaced the parted inner transmembrane domain of the third intracellular loop (ICL3) of genetically-encoded GPCR-activation based (GRAB) sensors. The fluorescence of GPCR-fused cpEGFP is regulated by conformational changes mediated by the interaction of dopamine receptor agonists with GPCRs without altering GPCR activity. The HEK293T cells were infected with viral vector, screened by puromycin to select highly expressed cells. Dopamine receptor agonists (including dopamine, bromocriptine mesylate, cabergoline, pramipexole) were used as positive drugs to explore the best screening and detection conditions, establishing a stable model to evaluate the dopamine receptor agonist. The results showed that the optimal filter for the dopamine receptor agonist in this study was the cell seeding count of 7×104, and the effective concentration of the positive drug was 1-100 µmol·L-1. In addition, pretreated with 10 µmol·L-1 dopamine receptor antagonists (including chlorprothixol hydrochloride, domperidone, and sulpiride), the positive fluorescence signal of overexpressed DRD2-cpEGFP HEK293T cells could not be detected when exposed to 10 µmol·L-1 dopamine receptor agonists, which proved that dopamine receptor antagonists could block the activity of dopamine receptor agonists, so they cannot activate dopamine receptor allosteric, indicating that the model has good specificity and can also be used for the screening and detection of new dopamine receptor antagonists. In summary, the study constructs a stable dopamine sensor detection system, which can effectively screen potential dopamine receptor agonists. The operation procedures are simple and rapid. And it can be used for a large-scale screening providing a fundamental methodology for drug development and PD treatment targeted on DRD2.

Progress on the neuroprotective effects of ginsenoside Rg1 / 药学学报

Ginsenoside Rg1 is one of the most important saponins in ginseng. It has a wide range of pharmacological activities. It is considered to be a powerful neuroprotective agent. It has neuroprotective effects such as anti-neuroinflammation, anti-oxidative stress, anti-neuronal apoptosis, and enhancing memory. Rg1 shows a good application prospect in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and mental diseases such as depression. This paper reviews the research on the neuroprotective mechanism of Rg1 at home and abroad in recent years, in order to provide new research ideas for the clinical treatment of nervous system diseases.

Establishment of a screening cell model for cannabinoid type 1 receptor agonists / 药学学报

Cannabinoid receptors are one of the most expressed G protein-coupled receptors in the central nervous system, which are potential drug targets for inflammation, pain and drug abuse. Cannabinoid receptors are composed of type 1 receptor (CB1R), type 2 receptor (CB2R) and other receptors, of which CB1R plays a vital role in regulating central memory, cognition, and motor function. Therefore, screening CB1R agonists has potential value in treating nervous system diseases. In this study, the intracellular loop 3 (ICL3) domain of CB1R was replaced with a circular-permutated enhanced green fluorescent protein (cpEGFP). After infecting HEK 293T cells with lentivirus particles, we obtained a stable cell line that was overexpressed human CB1R-cpEGFP after puromycin selection. The interaction between receptor agonists and CB1R led to the change of receptor conformation, resulting in de-protonation of the EGFP, and enhancing the fluorescence intensity. Therefore, active CB1R compounds could be verified by measuring the fluorescence intensity. Using CB1R agonist arachidonyl-2′-chloroethylamide (ACEA) as a positive control to evaluate the reliability of this model, studies have shown that ACEA could induce receptor activation and increase fluorescence intensity, while antagonist rimonabant inhibited receptor activation with unchanged fluorescence intensity. In conclusion, this study successfully constructed a fluorescent probe screening model for CB1R agonists.

Advances of Akkermansia muciniphila in regulating host functions / 中国中药杂志

Akkermansia muciniphila, abbreviated as AKK and found in 2004, is an oval-shaped gram-negative bacterium isolated from a human feal. A. muciniphila is widely present in the intestinal tract of human. Its specialization in mucin degradation makes it a key organism at the mucosal interface between the lumen and host cells. More and more studies have shown that it can play the role of probiotics. Notably, declined levels of A. muciniphila have been observed in patients with diabetes, liver disease, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, neurodegenerative diseases, etc. In addition, A. muciniphila combined with traditional Chinese medicine, exhibited higher effect on regulating host functions, but the underlying mechanism was still unclear, requiring further in-depth research. Therefore, the aims of this review are to summarize the main effects of A. muciniphila on host health and its relationship with traditional Chinese medicine, summarize the main problems, and provide a reference for the further research of A. muciniphila and traditional Chinese medicine.

The protective role of IMM-H004 on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice / 药学学报

This study investigates the protective role of IMM-H004, a novel coumarin derivative, on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) in mice. All animal experiments in this paper have been approved by the Ethics Committee of Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The experimental animals were divided into three groups, including sham group, model group, and IMM-H004 treatment group. Serum biochemical indicators were detected and H&E staining was used to assess liver damage. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) was performed to analysis the mRNA content of inflammatory factors. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to observe neutrophil infiltration. Western blot was used to examine the protein levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 (caspase-1), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). The results showed that IMM-H004 could significantly reduce the serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). H&E results showed IMM-H004 could alleviate liver damage caused by HIRI. The mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-1β, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were decreased by IMM-H004 administration. Meanwhile, IMM-H004 could markedly inhibit neutrophil infiltration. Furthermore, IMM-H004 could significantly down-regulate the protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and IL-1β, inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Our results confirmed that IMM-H004 could protect mice from HIRI and provide a theoretical foundation for IMM-H004 application for treating HIRI.

Research advances on the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on angiogenesis and vascular protection / 药学学报

Ginsenoside Rg1 is one of the most important active components of the "king of herbs" Panax ginseng, which is an important angiogenic protective agent. The research results have shown that Rg1 has a wide range of cardiovascular pharmacological effects in vivo and in vitro, mainly through promoting the proliferation of smooth muscle cells, inhibiting endothelial cell aging, antioxidant stress, inhibiting inflammatory response, activating key factors of angiogenesis, improving vasodilation and other ways. Many miRNAs participate in the process of Rg1 promoting angiogenesis, mediate the regulation of the specific expression of downstream related targets to promote angiogenesis and vascular remodeling, and have the potential to become new clinical biomarkers and therapeutic targets. New preparation technologies and materials are used to make up for the weakness of Rg1's blood-brain barrier permeability, and further promote and enrich the clinical application of Rg1.

Association of depression with dietary fatty acids and the progress of mechanism research / 药学学报

Depression is one of the diseases with the highest disability rate in the world. A large number of studies have shown that the intake of unsaturated fatty acids can deal with depression while chronic overconsumption of saturated fatty acids is a risk factor for depression. It was suggested that the mechanism of saturated fatty acids inducing depression is related to the following four aspects: regulating the function which links to depression in whole brain and specific brain regions, including the hippocampus, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the striatum, and the prefrontal cortex; stimulating the secretion of inflammatory factors; affecting the balance and function of metabolic regulatory hormones, including leptin, adiponectin, glucocorticoid, and insulin; inducing the disturbance of intestinal flora. This article reviews the relationship between dietary fatty acids and depression, and the possible mechanisms by which saturated fatty acids induce depression from the four aspects mentioned above.

Research progress on the role and mechanism of Wnt signaling pathway in neuropathic pain / 药学学报

Neuropathic pain (NP), as a kind of chronic pain syndrome, seriously endangers the quality of life of patients, and the pathogenesis is complex, clinical treatment is limited, and it is easy to relapse. More and more reports have found that Wnt signaling pathway is closely related to the occurrence and development of neuropathic pain. Therefore, further study of the Wnt signaling pathway may provide useful ideas for exploring the pathogenesis of NP and discovering effective treatment methods. This article reviews the role and mechanism of Wnt signaling pathway in neuropathic pain.

Advance in relationship between receptor gene abnormality and depression / 药学学报

Depression, a chronic syndrome with low mood, pessimism, cognitive and sleep disorders, is characterized by high incidence, high suicide rate, low consultation and treatment rate. 40%-50% of the risk of depression comes from genes, so studying on gene abnormalities serves as an important part of the research in the internal causes of depression, among which the receptor gene abnormalities are crucial factors. The study of potential receptor gene loci is expected to be new target for the treatment of depression in the future, which can provide theoretical basis for the early diagnosis, prevention and treatment of depression.

Tissue Culture and Exercising Seedlings in Scrophularia ningpoensis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:Stems,petioles,stem sections with axillary and leaves of Scrophularia ningpoensis were taken as the material in vitro to screen out the suitable plantlet regeneration system and optimal exercising seedling conditions. Method:Different explants,hormones and concentrations on the induction and proliferation of cluster bud were studied by L16(45) orthogonal test. One factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) was made on the induction of adventitious buds rooted with different concentrations of hormones. At the same time,different substrates,watering cycles and transition modes were selected to optimize key technologies of exercising seedlings of S. ningpoensis. Result:Stem sections with axillary was the best explant,which was followed by stems,leaves and petioles. The suitable media for the induction of adventitious buds was MS+6-BA 0.5 mg·L-1+NAA 0.2 mg·L-1,with the induction rate of 100.0% and the proliferation multiple of 9.84.The suitable media for root induction was 1/2 MS+IBA 0.2 mg·L-1,with the rooting rate of 100.0% and the number of roots of 39.45.For matrix,they were transplanted with nutrient soil,vermiculite and perlite (5:2:1) as the media,to keep proper matching of fertility,permeability and water retention. The container seedlings can grow well,and the survival rate was more than 95% when they were watered every 2 days,the acclimatization of plantlets took 20 days indoor and 10 days in shaded greenhouses. Conclusion:The clonal propagation system of S. ningpoensis was established to provide an effective way for the efficient,rapid and steady plantlet regeneration,the breeding of high-quality seedlings and the suitable exercising seedling conditions of S. ningpoensis.

Research progress on anti-depression effects of ginsenosides / 药学学报

Ginseng is a traditional Chinese medicine known as the "king of herbs" since ancient time in China. It was found in animal experiments that total saponins, ginsenoside monomers or glycosides from ginseng extraction all showed antidepressant effects in chronic unpredictable stress, corticosterone or lipopolysaccharide induced depression models. Taking ginsenosides as the focus, we reviewed the antidepressive mechanisms from the perspectives of various hypotheses, such as regulations of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, monoamine neurotransmitter and neuroplasticity related to the pathogenesis of depression. The mechanism, target and pharmacodynamic targets of ginsenosides for anti-depression were summarized, in order to provide references for multi-targets and multi-level development of new anti-depression drugs, and improvement of diagnosis and treatment of depression from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine and natural products.

Rg1 alleviates the cholestatic liver fibrosis throughregulation of NF-κB/VCAM-1 / 药学学报

A mouse model of cholestatic liver fibrosis was established by bile duct ligation (BDL) method. The effect of ginsenoside Rg1 in the disease progress and the mechanism of cholestatic liver fibrosis are investigated in this mouse model. All animal experiments in this paper have been approved by the Unit Ethics Committee. Analysis of serum biochemical indicators and pathological sections assessed liver function, liver damage and fibrosis in mice. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot assays were used to detect vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in BDL-induced mice. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and inflammatory factors were detected to investigate related mechanism of Rg1. The results showed that expression of VCAM-1 was up-regulated and peaked at 7 days, followed by decreased expression, but still efficiently expressed compared to the sham-operated group. Compared with the model group, 40 mg·kg-1·d-1 Rg1 treatment reduced serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and total bilirubin (T.Bili) levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01) and liver function damage,alleviated BDL-induced liver fibrosis, significantly down-regulated the expression of VCAM-1 (P<0.05), and inhibited the inflammatory response. In addition, Rg1 significantly reduced NF-κB p65 level in the cellular nucleus (P<0.05). This study demonstrates that VCAM-1 is dynamically altered during BDL-induced liver fibrosis. Rg1 could dampen inflammation and alleviate cholestatic liver fibrosis via regulation of the NF-κB/VCAM-1 pathway. The results provide an experimental basis for Rg1 application for treating liver fibrosis.

Study on effects of total saponins from Lilii Bulbus on proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis of lung cancer cells and its preliminary mechanism / 中国中药杂志

The potential role of total saponins extracted from Lilium lancifolium bulbs (TSLL) on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of human lung cancer A549 cells and its possible mechanism were discussed. Effect of TSLL on proliferation of A549 cells were detected by CCK-8, clone formation assay and EdU staining. Effect of TSLL on apoptosis morphology of A549 cells was observed by fluorescence microscope using Annexin V/PI double staining and Hoechst 33342 staining. Effect of TSLL on cell migration and invasion was detected by Transwell migration test and Transwell invasion test, respectively. Western blot was used to detect TSLL on the expression change of intracellular associated proteins. Results showed that TSLL intervention in A549 cells within 24, 48 or 72 h significantly inhibited cell growth, and its IC₅₀values were about 229, 173 and 71 mg·L⁻¹, respectively. TSLL significantly reduced the clone formation rate of A549 cells and decreased the DNA synthesis rate of A549 cells in a concentration dependent manner. TSLL induced A549 cells apoptosis and reduced the migratory behavior of A549 cells. TSLL decreased invasion of A549 cells to the artificial basement membrane. The expression level of intracellular PCNA and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax protein were down-regulated and procaspase 3 was activated. In addition, TSLL had no obvious effect on epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) related marker proteins E-cadherin and vimentin expression. The above results indicated that TSLL possess inhibitory effects against proliferation, migration and invasion of lung cancer A549 cells and apoptosis-induced effect. The anti-proliferation effect of TSLL is very likely by inhibiting intracellular DNA synthesis through reducing the expression of PCNA in lung cancer cells. And the apoptosis induction of TSLL on lung cancer cells is associated with the regulation of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins expression. Nevertheless, there is no incontestable correlation between anti-invasion and metastasis effects of TSLL and EMT in lung cancer cells.

Content Determination of As and Hg of Lilium Lancifolium Samples from Longshan County by AFS / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To analyze and discuss the content determination of As and Hg from Lilium Lancifolium in Longshan County; To optimize microwave digestion conditions. Methods Automatic microwave digestion appratus was used. Lilium Lancifolium samples from Longshan County were digested in teflon microwave tube with HNO3-H2O2, and As and Hg were measured with atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). Results The content of As was in the range of 0.031–0.507 mg/kg, and the highest content of Hg was 0.024 mg/kg. The regression equation was Y=221.23X+170.72(r=0.995 9),Y=503.52X-682.43,(r=0.999 2).For the production base,the recoveries of As and Hg were 94.32% and 92.48% in the samples, and RSD were 2.14% and 2.70%; for the breeding base, the recoveries of As and Hg were 94.95% and 93.52% in the samples, and RSD were 1.15% and 1.97%. Conclusion The method is simple and reliable, which can be used to the content determination of As and Hg from Lilium Lancifolium, and provide references for the choice of base of production and breeding of Lilium Lancifolium in Longshan County.

The mTORC1 signaling network underlying the pathogenesis and treatment of depression:new insights into rapid-acting antidepressant therapies / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

Depression is a devastating mental disorder and major depressive disorder (MDD) that afflicts 16％ of the global population at some point in their lives. Currently available classical antide-pressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs and MOIs), require a minimum of 2–4 weeks of continuous treat-ment to elicit therapeutic relief in depressed patients and are associated with high rates of non-respon-siveness, and limited duration of efficacy. Therefore, faster-acting antidepressant therapies are need-ed,particularly for patients at risk for suicide for current therapies for depression.Although the molecu-lar mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of depression are still largely unclear, previous studies have suggested that modulators of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling may have beneficial neuroprotective and antidepressant effects. Here, we review recent advances in understanding mTORC1 signaling in depression and potential therapeutic strategies resulting from modulation of the mTORC1 signaling network. We also highlight recent studies considered to support mTORC1 signaling modulation as a rapid-acting antidepressant therapy (e.g. ketamine, scopolamine, GLYX-13, (2R,6R)-HNK, Ro-256891 etc.) and discuss future research directions. Studies on prospec-tive next-generation rapid-acting antidepressant therapies should focus on developing more selective glutamate receptors(e.g.α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptors(AMPARs) agonists or activators)that activate the mTORC1 signaling pathway free of ketamine's adverse effects.

Regulation on intercross effect between Cdk5 mediated apoptosis and autophagy after cerebral ischemia / 中国药理学通报

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5),as a key neuro-nal regulator,has received extensively attention. In our previous experiments, we have preliminary confirmed the importance of the regulation on neuronal apoptosis after cerebral ischemia by Cdk5 signal path. According to the documents reported, we found that there were signal transductions between apoptosis and autophagy, which acted the"rapier"position after cerebral is-chemia. Furthermore,Cdk5 could mediate protein kinase B(Akt or PKB) to play bidirectional regulation on the intercross be-tween apoptosis and autophagy. So,there would be of great sig-nificance to reveal the signal transduction relationship between apoptosis and autophagy mediated by Cdk5. Owing to the impor-tance of the intercross-effect between the two programmed cell death paths,we aimed at the imparity viewpoints between apop-tosis and autophagy after cerebral ischemia, raising the sugges-tions as follows:it is appropriate to reveal the effects of Cdk5 on Akt kinase dynamically, and discuss the double regulation mechanism of co-regulators between apoptosis and autophagy af-ter cerebral ischemia, which would provide references for the following researches.

Mechanism of ferroptosis and its role in neurological diseases / 中国药理学通报

Ferroptosis is distinct from apoptosis,autophagy,necrosis,cornification and other cell deaths from morphological,biochemical as well as genetic aspects.Ferroptosis plays a critical role in neurological diseases and cancers.Neurological diseases,such as Alzheimer's disease,Parkinson's disease,Huntington's disease,stroke,periventricular leukomalacia and so on,are characterized by multiple etiologies and mechanisms,and are potentially correlated with ferroptosis.Based on the recent researches on ferroptosis and neurological diseases,this review investigates ferroptosis and its role in neurological diseases.

Elevated glucocorticoid damages gap junction structure and function in rat prefrontal cortex / 药学学报

In this article, we exogenously administered glucocorticoids to rats, observed changes in the structure and function of gap junctions in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and studied the effects of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) inhibitor mifepristone on these changes. Subcutaneous injection of corticosterone (CORT) was used to increase glucocorticoid levels in rats, intragastric administration of mifepristone antagonist GR. Sucrose preference test was conducted to evaluate anhedonia. Dye transfer assay and electron microscopy were used to analyze the function and ultrastructural changes of gap junctions in astrocytes of PFC. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43). Animals exposed to CORT showed behavioral deficits in sucrose preference test, exhibited significant decreases in diffusion of gap junction channel-permeable dye and abnormal gap junctional ultrastructure, as well as reductions in Cx43 puncta density in the PFC. The behavioral and cellular alterations induced by CORT were reversed or blocked by treatment with the GR antagonist mifepristone. The results suggest that mifepristone can improve the gap junction function and structural damage of astrocytes in the PFC of depressive rats induced by CORT. In conclusion, the activation of the GR receptor may contribute to gap junction dysfunction in the PFC.

Research progress of SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis in the treatment of ischemic stroke with stem cells / 药学学报

Stroke is the leading cause of death in Chinese currently, characterized by high incidence, high morbidity and high mortality, of which ischemic stroke accounted for 87%. However, it still lacks the ideal treatment. Stem cells are a class of cells with self-renewal ability and high differentiation potential. Stem cell transplantation breaks the irreversibility of nerve injury to post-stroke infarct area. However, stem cells also requiring specific chemokines to promote their directional migration to the injured tissue site after transplanted. Stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) is one of the typical chemokines. SDF-1α and its specific receptor CXCR4 can induce its migration, increase its proliferation and promote angiogenesis. In this paper, the role of SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis in the treatment of ischemic stroke in stem cells is reviewed in order to provide a theoretical basis for enhancing the efficacy of stem cell transplantation in the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Inhibitory effect of extratable petroleum ether of Polyrhachis vicina Roger on neuroinflammatory response in depressed rats / 药学学报

The main ingredient of extractable petroleum ether of Polyrhachis vicina Roger (EPPR) is octadecene unsaturated fatty acids. Mounting evidence supports that N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids can attenuate neuroinflammation, reduce oxidative stress, then protect neurons. In order to explore the effect of EPPR on the inflammatory response of depressed rats, the model of depression was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Sucrose preference test, forced swimming test were employed to investigate the anti-depressive effect of EPPR in rat. The activation of glial cells and astrocytes in the prefrontal cortex of depressed rats was observed by immunofluorescence. The levels of inflammatory factors were measured by Quantitative Real-time PCR. NF-κB was detected by immunoblotting. EPPR could significantly improve the depressive behavior of rats, decrease NF-κB translocation to the compartment of nucleus, down-regulate the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) gene expression levels, inhibit the activation of microglia and astrocytes in depressed rats. These results suggest that EPPR could notably ameliorate inflammation induced by chronic stress, and the protective effect might be linked to the regulation of NF-κB p65.