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SUMMARY: The objective of this study was to investigate the therapeutic wound healing potential and molecular mechanisms of shikonin as small molecules in vitro. A mouse burn model was used to explore the potential therapeutic effect of shikonin; we traced proliferating cells in vivo to locate the active area of skin cell proliferation. Through the results of conventional pathological staining, we found that shikonin has a good effect on the treatment of burned skin and promoted the normal distribution of skin keratin at the damaged site. At the same time, shikonin also promoted the proliferation of skin cells at the damaged site; importantly, we found a significant increase in the number of fibroblasts at the damaged site treated with shikonin. Most importantly, shikonin promotes fibroblasts to repair skin wounds by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This study shows that shikonin can effectively promote the proliferation of skin cell, and local injection of fibroblasts in burned skin can play a certain therapeutic role.
El objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar el potencial terapéutico de cicatrización de heridas y los mecanismos moleculares de la shikonina como moléculas pequeñas in vitro. Se utilizó un modelo de quemaduras en ratones para explorar el posible efecto terapéutico de la shikonina; Rastreamos las células en proliferación in vivo para localizar el área activa de proliferación de células de la piel. A través de los resultados de la tinción para patología convencional, encontramos que la shikonina tiene un buen efecto en el tratamiento de la piel quemada y promueve la distribución normal de la queratina de la piel en el sitio dañado. Al mismo tiempo, la shikonina también promovió la proliferación de células de la piel en el sitio dañado. Es importante destacar que encontramos un aumento significativo en la cantidad de fibroblastos en el sitio dañado tratado con shikonina. Lo más importante es que la shikonina promueve la función reparadora de fibroblastos en las heridas de la piel regulando la vía de señalización PI3K/ AKT. Este estudio muestra que la shikonina puede promover eficazmente la proliferación de células de la piel y que la inyección local de fibroblastos en la piel quemada puede desempeñar un cierto papel terapéutico.
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Animals , Mice , Wound Healing/drug effects , Burns/drug therapy , Naphthoquinones/administration & dosage , Skin , In Vitro Techniques , Naphthoquinones/pharmacology , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Disease Models, Animal , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt , Fibroblasts , Mice, Inbred C57BLABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and mechanism of gracillin from Reineckia carnea on autophagy in non- small cell lung cancer A549 cells. METHODS Using A549 cells as subjects， the effects of different concentrations of gracillin （0.25， 0.5， 1， 2， 4 μmol/L） on the proliferation of cells were detected by CCK-8 after being treated for different time （12， 24， 48 h）. Compared with the control group without medication， the effect of gracillin （2 μmol/L） on the formation of autophagosomes in cells was observed by transmission electron microscope after 24 h of exposure. The aggregation of GFP-LC3 on autophagosome membrane was detected by GFP-LC3 plasmid transfection after being treated with gracillin （0.25， 0.5， 1， 2 μmol/L） for 24 h. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot assay were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of family with sequence similarity 102 member A（FAM102A）， the expressions of autophagy-related proteins [p62， Beclin-1， microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B （LC3B）]， and the expressions of phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway-related proteins in A549 cells after being treated with gracillin （0.25， 0.5， 1 and 2 μmol/L） for 24 h. RESULTS Gracillin significantly inhibited the proliferation of A549 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The IC50 was 2.55 μmol/L at 24 h. After 24 h of gracillin treatment， autophagosomes with bilayer membrane structure were found in the cell cytoplasm， and GFP-LC3 green fluorescent spots on autophagosome membrane were obvious， representing an increasing trend as drug concentration. Compared with the control group， mRNA and protein expressions of FAM102A （0.5， 1， 2 μmol/L groups）， protein expression of Beclin-1 （1， 2 μmol/L groups） and LC3B-Ⅱ/LC3B-Ⅰ ratio （2 μmol/L group） were significantly increased in different concentrations of gracillin groups， while the protein expression of p62 （1， 2 μmol/L groups）， and the protein phosphorylations of Akt （1， 2 μmol/L groups） and PI3K （2 μmol/L group） were all decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Gracillin can promote excessive autophagy in A549 cells by up-regulating mRNA and protein expressions of FAM102A and inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling pathway， thus inhibiting cell proliferation.
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@#[摘 要] 三阴性乳腺癌（TNBC）是最具侵袭性的乳腺癌亚型，PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路失调是TNBC最常见的致癌突变之一，靶向PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路是治疗TNBC的重要方向。本文着重介绍了PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路的机制，TNBC中出现的PIK3CA、AKT1或mTOR的突变，以及失活张力PTEN、PIK3R1或INPP4B的突变或丢失，也展现了布帕尼西、帕他色替、依维莫司等PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路靶向药物在治疗TNBC中单独、联合应用和与化疗或免疫疗法联用的疗效，同时论述了目前正在进行的各类临床试验及其未来的前景。
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@#[摘 要] 目的：探究核受体辅阻遏物2（NCOR2）基因对食管鳞状细胞癌（ESCC）发生发展的影响及其潜在的分子调控机制。方法: 收集2017年5月至2018年7月间在山西省肿瘤医院确诊的155例ESCC患者的癌及癌旁组织标本及临床资料，利用患者的转录组和临床病理数据进行生存预后分析及临床关联性分析。采用qPCR法检测6种ESCC细胞（TE-1、TE-5、TE-9、KYSE150、KYSE180和KYSE450）中NCOR2基因的表达水平，筛选NCOR2基因高表达的KYSE450细胞进行siRNA敲低实验，构建敲降NCOR2的细胞模型。利用CCK-8、克隆形成、细胞划痕和Transwell实验检测敲低NCOR2对 KYSE450细胞增殖活性、克隆形成、迁移和侵袭能力的影响。对NCOR2敲低的KYSE450细胞进行转录组测序分析，筛选差异表达基因，进行GO和KEGG富集分析，解析NCOR2可能影响的信号调控网络。结果：NCOR2在ESCC组织中表达水平显著高于癌旁组织（P<0.01），NCOR2高表达ESCC患者的预后较差（P<0.05）。敲低NCOR2基因表达后，KYSE450细胞划痕愈合率、迁移和侵袭能力均显著降低（均P<0.01），对细胞的增殖活力及克隆形成能力均无显著影响（均P>0.05）。在KYSE450细胞中敲低NCOR2基因后，转录组测序分析后发现54个基因发生了显著上调、127个基因发生了显著下调。KEGG分析发现，显著差异基因富集于PI3K/AKT分子信号通路（P<0.01），该通路中的4个基因PIK3R3、IL4R、COL1A1、EFNA1的表达水平在155例ESCC患者临床样本的转录组数据中与NCOR2呈显著正相关（均P<0.01），与转录组测序结果相吻合。结论：NCOR2可以通过影响PI3K/AKT信号通路并促进KYSE450细胞迁移与侵袭，进而影响ESCC的发生与发展。
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ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism of Sanhuang Xiexintang （SHXXT） in protecting stress gastric ulcer （SGU） in rats through network pharmacology， molecular docking， and animal experiments. MethodThe active ingredients and corresponding targets in SHXXT were collected and screened from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP）， Traditional Chinese Medicine Information Database （TCMID）， Bioinformation Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine （BATMAN-TCM）， and Swiss Target Prediction database. SGU-related targets were screened from the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man （OMIM）， Therapeutic Target Database （TTD）， GeneCards database， and PharmGKB database. Herbal-ingredient-target （H-C-T） network was constructed by using Cytoscape 3.9.1 software. Protein-protein interaction （PPI） of drug and disease intersection targets was analyzed by using the Protein Interaction Platform （STRING） database. Gene ontology （GO） enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway analysis were conducted through the Database for Annotation Visualization and Integrated Discovery （DAVID）. The active ingredients and key targets were validated using AutodockVina 1.2.2 molecular docking software， and the experimental results were further validated through animal experiments. ResultThe 55 active ingredients were screened， and 255 potential target genes for SHXXT treatment of SGU were predicted. The PPI analysis showed that protein kinase B （Akt）， phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten （PTEN）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2） are the core targets of SHXXT for protecting SGU. GO and KEGG analyses showed that SHXXT may affect the development of SGU by regulating various biological processes such as the phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K）/Akt signaling pathway and inflammatory processes. The molecular docking results showed that both the active ingredients and key targets had good binding ability. Animal experiments showed that compared with the blank group， the ulcer index （UI） of the model group was significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β significantly increased （P<0.01）. The phosphorylation level of PTEN in gastric mucosal tissue was significantly down-regulated （P<0.05）. The phosphorylation levels of PI3K， Akt， and nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） were significantly up-regulated （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the UI of the treatment group was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. The phosphorylation level of PTEN in gastric mucosal tissue was significantly up-regulated （P<0.01）， and the phosphorylation levels of PI3K， Akt， and NF-κB were significantly downregulated （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe application of network pharmacology prediction， molecular docking simulation， and animal experimental validation confirms that SHXXT regulates the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway to regulate the inflammatory response of rats and thus protects the gastric mucosa of SGU rats.
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AIM: To study the effect and mechanism of Di'ao Xinxuekang (DXXK) on insulin resistance in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) mice. METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal group and model group. After 16 weeks of high-fat diet, the model group was randomly divided into model group and Pioglitazone group (6.0 mg · kg
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AIM: To explore the mechanism of osthole on elderly spontaneously hypertensive rats. METHODS: 20-month-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and healthy Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were purchased. SHRs were treated with osthole (i.g.) for 8 weeks. The systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure of rats were monitored. Hematoxylin-eosin staining (H&E), periodic acid-schiff staining (PAS) and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes of rat kidney tissues. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in rat kidney was detected by ELISA kit. PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway related proteins were detected by western blot. RESULTS: Osthole reduced the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of SHRs, improved the histopathological changes of SHRs kidney, reduced the activity of MDA in SHRs kidney, and increased the activity of SOD and GSH. Osthole reduced the levels of p-PI3K, p-Akt and p-mTOR. CONCLUSION: Osthole reduces the activity of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and exerts a protective effect on renal oxidative stress injury in aged spontaneously hypertensive rats.
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Aim To explore the effect of oxaliplatin combined with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG1478 on autophagy in non-small cell lung cancer H1975 cells. Methods H1975 cells were cultured in vitro using gradient concentrations of AG1478 (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 jjimol • IT
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Aim To predict the mechanism of Fufang Congrong Yizhi Capsules (FCYC) in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by network pharmacology method, and further validate it in combination with cellular experiments. Methods TCMSP, Gene-Cards, OMIM and TTD databases, Chinese Pharmacopoeia and related literature were used to screen the active ingredients of FCYC and the targets of MCI treatment. The TCM-compound-target-disease network and PPI of intersection targets were constructed, and the GO and KEGG analysis were performed by the Ehamb bioinformation platform. GO and KEGG analysis were performed through Yihanbo biological information platform. Cell model of MCI was established by PC-12 injury induced by Aβ
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Aim To investigate the effect of ellagic acid (EA) on cognitive function in APP/PS 1 double- transgenic mice, and to explore the regulatory mechanism of ellagic acid on the level of oxidative stress in the hippocampus of double-transgenic mice based on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/glycogen synthase kinase-3 (PI3K/AKT/GSK-3 β) signaling pathway. Methods Thirty-two SPF-grade 6-month-old APP/PS 1 double transgenic mice were randomly divided into four groups, namely, APP/PS 1 group, APP/PS1 + EA group, APP/PS1 + LY294002 group, APP/PS 1 + EA + LY294002 group, with eight mice in each group, and eight SPF-grade C57BL/6J wild type mice ( Wild type) were selected as the blank control group. The APP/PS 1 + EA group was given 50 mg · kg
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Aim To predict and validate the mechanism of wenshen xuanbi tang(WSXBT) in treatment of osteoporosis (OP) based on network pharmacology, molecular docking techniques and in vivo experimental techniques. Methods Network pharmacology was used to screen the key ingredients and core targets of WSXBT for the treatment of osteoporosis. Metascape database was used for gene ontology (GO) biological process enrichment analysis and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) signaling pathway enrichment analysis of core targets. AutoDockTools 1. 5. 7 software was applied in molecular docking to simulate the binding activity of key active ingredients to core targets. To study the efficacy of WSXBT on rats with osteoporosis and to verify the related targets and pathways, rat models of osteoporosis were established by excising the bilateral ovaries of rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum OPG, PINP and RANKL content. Biomechanical tester was applied to test the biomechanics of rat femurs. Micro-CT was applied to detect the femoral bone density. Then, Western blot was employed to measure the protein expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (Akt). Results A total of 156 active ingredients of WSXBT were screened, involving 229 potential targets, 23 core targets and 145 signaling pathways. The molecular docking results showed that five key ingredients, including quercetin, kaempferol, naringenin, isobavachin and licochalcone a, possessed good binding ability to the core targets of PIK3R1 and AKT1. The results of in vivo experiments showed that WSXBT could significantly increase bone density, improve bone tissue microstructure, enhance femur biomechanics and increase PINP expression and OPG/RANKL ratio in rats with osteoporosis. Results of WB showed that WSXBT significantly increased p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt ratios. Conclusions WSXBT could improve bone mineral density in postmenopausal osteoporotic rats through PI3K/ Akt signaling pathway and increasing OPG/RANKL ratio.
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@#[摘 要] PI3K-Akt信号通路作为肿瘤相关十大信号通路之一，在调控肿瘤恶性进展中扮演着重要角色。PIK3CA编码PI3K复合体蛋白催化亚基P110α，是一种典型的致癌突变，对实体瘤的发生和发展至关重要。PIK3CA突变可导致肿瘤对一线抗癌药物产生耐药性，其机制可能与PIK3CA突变激活PI3K-Akt信号通路相关。目前，几种靶向PIK3CA突变的抑制剂在临床研究中取得了一定进展，特别是PI3Kα特异性抑制剂阿培利司已被FDA批准作为PIK3CA突变乳腺癌的治疗药物。本文就PIK3CA突变促进肿瘤药物耐药的机制，以及逆转耐药的治疗策略作一综述，以期更全面了解PIK3CA突变在肿瘤耐药方面的进展以及最新治疗策略。
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ObjectiveExploring the role of microRNA126 （miRNA126） in chronic kidney disease combined with atherosclerosis （CKD AS） by regulating the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway and the mechanism of Shenshuai Xiezhuo decoction in the intervention of CKD AS rats with 5/6 nephrectomy combined with high-fat feeding. MethodA total of 60 SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group， model group， losartan group， and low， medium， and high dose groups of Shenshuai Xiezhuo decoction. The CKD AS rat model was established by 5/6 nephrectomy combined with high-fat feeding for 10 weeks. The low， medium， and high dose groups （6.0， 12.0， 24.0 g·kg-1·d-1） of Shenshuai Xiezhuo decoction and the losartan group （20 mg·kg-1·d-1） were gavaged， and the corresponding intervention was carried out for eight weeks. Then， the rats were killed， and samples were collected for corresponding detection. Fully automated biochemical analyzers were used to detect kidney function and blood lipids in rats： blood creatinine （SCr）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） levels. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Masson staining of aortic tissue and pathological observation under a light microscope were carried out， and autophagosomes and autophagy lysosomes were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to determine the mRNA levels of miRNA126， PI3K， Akt， and mTOR in rats， and Western blot was used to determine the protein expression levels of phosphorylated （p）-PI3K， PI3K， p-Akt， Akt， p -mTOR， mTOR， benzyl chloride 1 （Beclin-1）， and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3Ⅱ/Ⅰ （LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ）. ResultCompared with the sham operation group， the serum SCr， BUN， TC， TG， and LDL-C in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the SCr， BUN， TC， TG， and LDL-C were decreased in the losartan group and low， medium， and high dose groups of Shenshuai Xiezhuo decoction （P<0.05）. Compared with the sham operation group， thickening plaques， infiltration of mononuclear macrophages， a small number of foam cells， disordered arrangement of smooth muscle fibers in the tunica media， and increased collagen fibers were observed in the model group， and the lesions in the losartan group and Shenshuai Xiezhuo decoction groups were alleviated compared with those in the model group. Compared with the model group， the number of autophagosomes and autophagy lysosomes increased in the medium and high dose groups of Shenshuai Xiezhuo decoction. Compared with the sham operation group， the expression of miRNA126 in the aortic tissue of the model group was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and the mRNA expressions of PI3K， Akt， and mTOR were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the expression of miRNA126 in the aortic tissue of rats in high， medium， and low dose groups of Shenshuai Xiezhuo decoction and losartan group was significantly increased （P<0.01）， while the mRNA expressions of PI3K， Akt， and mTOR were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the sham operation group， the protein expressions of p-PI3K， PI3K， p-Akt， Akt， p-mTOR， and mTOR in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while the protein levels of Beclin-1， LC3Ⅰ， and LC3Ⅱ were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the protein expressions of p-PI3K， PI3K， p-Akt， Akt， p-mTOR， and mTOR in the losartan group and low， medium， and high dose groups of Shenshuai Xiezhuo decoction were decreased （P<0.05）， while the protein levels of Beclin-1 and LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ were increased （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe expression of miRNA126 is decreased in the aortic tissue of CKD AS rats， and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is activated to inhibit autophagy flux. Shenshuai Xiezhuo decoction regulates the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway through miRNA126， restores the autophagy of aortic endothelial cells， protects the damage of CKD vessels， reduces the formation of As plaques， and slows the development of cardiovascular complications.
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As one of the most difficult-to-cure neuropsychiatric disorders in clinical practice， schizophrenia is mainly manifested by behavioral abnormalities and multidimensional cognitive dysfunction， and the recurrence rate and disability rate of the disease are increasing year by year， which seriously affects patients' social functioning and quality of life， and even threatens the physical and mental health of the surrounding population. At present， the treatment of schizophrenia is mainly based on antipsychotic drugs combined with psychotherapeutic techniques， which have limited long-term therapeutic effects and a high relapse rate. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） boasts the advantages of multi-targets， multi-pathways， multi-links， and multi-levels， and plays a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of schizophrenia and its prognosis. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K） is widely present in cells and is involved in the regulation of protein synthesis and apoptosis， and the different isoforms of protein kinase B （Akt） are of great significance in cell growth， oxidative stress， neuronal development and other processes. In recent years， a large number of studies have found that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is closely related to schizophrenia. Through regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway， TCM monomers and TCM compounds mainly affect key signaling molecules such as mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）， glycogen synthase kinase （GSK）， glucose transporter （GLUT） for glucose uptake and transport， and nuclear factor E2-associated factor 2 （Nrf2）， which organize the intracellular network of centers and regulate the formation and plasticity of neuronal synapse， and they play an important role in mitigating schizophrenia by regulating the processes of cell proliferation， migration and apoptosis of neurons， and has the advantages of multi-targets， all-encompassing and low toxicity. This article analyzes and explains the mechanism of TCM intervention in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway against schizophrenia， in order to provide a theoretical basis and reference for the prevention and treatment of schizophrenia by TCM.
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ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic mechanism of Faeces Bombycis on diabetic gastroparesis （DGP） rats based on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian rapamycin target protein （PI3K/Akt/mTOR） signaling pathway. MethodDGP rat model was prepared by random selection of 15 out of 105 rats as blank group. The rats successfully constructed were randomly divided into model group， high-，medium- and low- dose groups （3.2， 1.6， 0.8 g·kg-1） and moxapride group （1.5 mg·kg-1）， with 12 rats in each group， and were given gavage for 4 weeks. The gastric emptying rate and random blood glucose were measured. The morphological changes of gastric antrum were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， and the expression of the c-Kit gene was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The apoptosis of Cajal interstitial cells was observed by in situ end labeling （TUNEL） staining， and the protein expressions of PI3K， phosphorylation（p）-PI3K， Akt， p-Akt， mTOR， and p-mTOR were detected by Western blot. ResultCompared with the blank group， the gastric emptying rate of the model group decreased significantly （P<0.01）， and the glandular structure of the gastric antrum was destroyed. The expression of c-Kit decreased （P<0.01）， and the apoptosis of Cajal interstitial cells （ICC） increased. Compared with the model group， the gastric emptying rate in the high， middle， and low-dose groups of Faeces Bombycis extract and mosapride group increased significantly （P<0.01）. The glandular structure of the gastric antrum became closer， and the apoptosis of ICC decreased. The expression of c-Kit in the high dose group of Faeces Bombycis extract increased significantly. After Western blot testing， compared with the blank group， the protein expression of p-Akt/Akt， p-PI3K/PI3K， and p-mTOR/mTOR in the model group increased. Compared with the model group， the protein expression of p-Akt/Akt in the high dose group of Faeces Bombycis extract decreased （P<0.01）， and the protein expression of p-PI3K/PI3K decreased in the middle and low dose groups of Faeces Bombycis extract and mosapride group decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein expression of p-mTOR/mTOR decreased in the low dose group of Faeces Bombycis extract （P<0.05）. In terms of random blood glucose， compared with the blank group， the random blood glucose in the model group increased significantly （P<0.01）， and compared with the model group， the random blood glucose in the high and middle dose groups of Faeces Bombycis extract decreased significantly （P<0.05）. Compared with mosapride group， the protein expression of p-Akt/Akt decreased in the high dose group of Faeces Bombycis extract （P<0.05）， and the protein expression of p-PI3K/PI3K increased in the high， middle， and low dose groups of Faeces Bombycis extract （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionFaeces Bombycis extract can increase gastric emptying rate， reduce ICC apoptosis， and lower random blood glucose in DGP rats. The high dose group of Faeces Bombycis extract has a significant effect on inhibiting ICC apoptosis， and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
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Cognitive impairment refers to the abnormality of the hippocampus， cortex and other parts of the brain， which is manifested by the decline of cognitive abilities such as learning， memory and attention. With the increase in people's work pressure and bad living habits， the incidence of cognitive impairment is getting higher and higher， which seriously affects people's normal life. However， there are adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal reactions and extrapyramidal reactions in Western drug treatment for cognitive impairment. Therefore， the development of a drug with relatively minimal adverse reactions is of great significance. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has the characteristics of "multi-component， multi-pathway and multi-target"， and the incidence of adverse reactions is relatively low. Studies have shown that the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment is closely related to oxidative stress， inflammation， apoptosis， autophagy and other processes of neurons in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）-protein kinase B （Akt） signal pathway plays an important role in the transmission of intracellular and intracellular signals， and in the regulation of cellular inflammation， apoptosis， autophagy， etc. TCM monomers， TCM extracts， and TCM compounds exert anti-inflammatory， antioxidant， anti-apoptotic and autophagy regulation effects by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to improve cognitive impairment. This review first summarized the composition and regulatory process of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway， and then discussed the research progress on the improvement of cognitive impairment through the improvement of oxidative stress， inflammation， apoptosis and autophagy of neurons. Finally， the recent research status of the regulation of this signaling pathway by TCM extracts， TCM monomers and TCM compounds to improve cognitive impairment was summarized. This study provides a theoretical basis for the future study of new TCM related to cognitive impairment.
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OBJECTIVE@#This study is designed to investigate the mode of action of the synergistic effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and magnolol against cervical cancer.@*METHODS@#Network pharmacological approach was applied to predict the molecular mechanism of 5-FU combined with magnolol against cervical cancer. CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, immunofluorescence staining, adhesion assay, wound healing mobility assay, cell migration and invasion assay and Western blot analysis were conducted to validate the results of in silico study.@*RESULTS@#Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway was identified as the key pathway in silico study. The experimental results showed that 5-FU combined with magnolol strongly inhibited cervical cancer cell proliferation, induced the morphological change of HeLa cells by down-regulating the expression of α-actinin, tensin-2 and vinculin. Moreover, magnolol enhanced inhibitory effect of 5-FU on the cell adhesion, migration and invasion. The phosphorylation of AKT and PI3K and the expression of mTOR were strongly inhibited by the combination of 5-FU and magnolol. Moreover, the expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin was upregulated and the expression of Snail, Slug and vimentin was down-regulated by the 5-FU together with magnolol.@*CONCLUSION@#Taken together, this study suggests that 5-FU combined with magnolol exerts a synergistic anti-cervical cancer effect by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signaling pathways.
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OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Setaria italica extract on improving insomnia model mice and to explore its potential mechanisms. METHODS The mice were randomly assigned into blank group， model group， positive control group （diazepam， 2.6 mg/kg）， and S. italica extract low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （1.2， 2.4， 4.8 g/kg）， with 10 mice in each group. Except for the blank group， all other groups received intraperitoneal injection of para-chlorophenylalanine （PCPA） to establish the insomnia model. After modeling， the blank group and model group were given a constant volume of normal saline intragastrically， and administration groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically， with a volume of 0.01 mL/g， once a day， for 7 consecutive days. After the administration， the open-field test was conducted to observe the praxiological changes of mice， and to determine the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid （5-HTAA） in the hippocampal tissue， as well as the contents of 5-HT， brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）， interleukin-2 （IL-2）， IL-6， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl- 2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） in the serum. The expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/nuclear factor- κB （PI3K/Akt/NF-κB） signaling pathway related protein was determined in the hippocampus of mice. RESULTS Compared with the model group， the total exercise time of mice in S. italica extract high-dose group was significantly prolonged， but the total rest time was significantly shortened （P＜0.01）； the number of standing times and modification times were significantly reduced （P＜ 0.01）. The contents of 5-HT， BDNF， and Bcl-2 in serum， and Bcl-2/Bax were significantly increased， while the contents of IL-2， IL-6， and Bax were significantly reduced （P＜0.05 or P＜ 0.01）. The content of 5-HTAA in the hippocampal tissue and 202104010910029）；the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt proteins were increased significantly， while the phosphorylation level of NF-κB p65 protein was decreased significantly （P＜0.05）.CONCLUSIONS High-dose of S. italica extract demonstrates significant therapeutic effects on insomnia in mice， and the mechanism of which may be associated with the regulation of PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.
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OBJECTIVE To explore the effect and mechanism of the alcoholic extract from Scabiosa comosa against hepatic fibrosis （HF）. METHODS Intragastrical administration of carbon tetrachloride was given to induce HF model. By observing the pathological changes in liver tissue， mRNA and protein expressions of HF indexes [α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， collagen type Ⅰ] and phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） pathway-related factors were detected， and the improvement effects and possible mechanism of low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose （50， 100， 200 mg/kg） of alcoholic extract from S. comosa on HF model rats were investigated. Drug-containing serum was prepared by intragastrical administration of alcoholic extract from S. comosa at a concentration of 1 800 mg/（kg·d） （calculated by the amount of raw material）. The effects of drug- containing serum of alcoholic extract from S. comosa on the expression of miRNA-21 were observed through the intervention of HSC-T6 cells with low， medium and high concentrations of drug-containing serum of alcoholic extract from S. comosa （diluted to 10%， 15%， 20%）. miRNA-21 mimics or inhibitors were used to transfect HSC-T6 cells， and the mRNA and protein expressions of factors related to the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway were detected. RESULTS The results of in vivo experiments showed that low， medium and high doses of alcoholic extract from S. comosa significantly ameliorated the histopathological changes in liver tissue of HF rats， and the percentage of collagen was significantly reduced （P＜0.01）； mRNA and protein expressions of the indicators related to HF as well as PI3K and Akt were significantly reduced （P＜0.01）， and mRNA and protein expressions of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten （PTEN） were increased in liver tissue of rats （P＜0.01）. The results of in vitro experiments showed that drug-containing serum of alcoholic extract from S. comosa significantly inhibited the expression of miRNA-21 at low， medium and high concentrations （P＜0.01）； whereas after transfection with miRNA-21 mimics， it was found that miRNA-21 mimics significantly increased mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K and Akt （P＜0.01）， while significantly decreased mRNA and protein expressions of PTEN （P＜0.01）； after transfection with miRNA-21 inhibitor， the changes of above indexes were opposite to the above results （P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Alcoholic extracts of S. comosa may inhibit the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by affecting the expression of miRNA-21， so as to achieve the effect of anti-hepatic fibrosis.
ABSTRACT
Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury （CIRI） is a complex cascade reaction process in which the blood flow and oxygen supply of brain tissue in the infarcted area recover after cerebral ischemia， resulting in secondary injury of ischemic brain tissue. At present， thrombolysis as soon as possible and restoration of cerebral blood supply are still the only strategies for the treatment of stroke， but a considerable number of patients' symptoms will be more serious after reperfusion， making patients face adverse outcomes such as neurological function injury and even death and seriously affecting the quality of life and safety of patients. Therefore， an in-depth exploration of the mechanism and treatment strategy of CIRI has important clinical significance. The phosphatidylinositol 3- kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway is one of the classic anti-apoptosis/reproductive-promoting signal transduction pathways， which is responsible for cell proliferation， growth， and differentiation. It is the key cascade signaling pathway of CIRI， located at the core site in many mechanisms such as mitochondrial disorder， apoptosis， autophagy， oxidative stress， and inflammation. It is closely related to the occurrence and development of CIRI. Traditional Chinese medicine has been used in the clinical treatment of stroke and its complications for thousands of years， and the clinical effect of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of CIRI has been affirmed by a large number of research results in recent years. It is further clarified that the monomers， active components， and their compound prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine can directly or indirectly regulate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by virtue of the biological advantages of multi-targets， multi-components， and multi-pathways and play an overall protective role in CIRI. By analyzing the related research progress of traditional Chinese medicine in China and abroad in recent years， the authors summarized the role and mechanism of regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the prevention and treatment of CIRI， so as to provide further theoretical basis for the study of the mechanism of clinical prevention and treatment of CIRI.