Mannitol inhibits the proliferation of neural stem cell by a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent signaling pathway / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

PURPOSE@#Mannitol is one of the first-line drugs for reducing cerebral edema through increasing the extracellular osmotic pressure. However, long-term administration of mannitol in the treatment of cerebral edema triggers damage to neurons and astrocytes. Given that neural stem cell (NSC) is a subpopulation of main regenerative cells in the central nervous system after injury, the effect of mannitol on NSC is still elusive. The present study aims to elucidate the role of mannitol in NSC proliferation.@*METHODS@#C57 mice were derived from the animal house of Zunyi Medical University. A total of 15 pregnant mice were employed for the purpose of isolating NSCs in this investigation. Initially, mouse primary NSCs were isolated from the embryonic cortex of mice and subsequently identified through immunofluorescence staining. In order to investigate the impact of mannitol on NSC proliferation, both cell counting kit-8 assays and neurospheres formation assays were conducted. The in vitro effects of mannitol were examined at various doses and time points. In order to elucidate the role of Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in the suppressive effect of mannitol on NSC proliferation, various assays including reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunocytochemistry were conducted on control and mannitol-treated groups. Additionally, the phosphorylated p38 (p-p38) was examined to explore the potential mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of mannitol on NSC proliferation. Finally, to further confirm the involvement of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent (MAPK) signaling pathway in the observed inhibition of NSC proliferation by mannitol, SB203580 was employed. All data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 software (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL). The statistical analysis among multiple comparisons was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Turkey's post hoc test in case of the data following a normal distribution using a Shapiro-Wilk normality test. Comparisons between 2 groups were determined using Student's t-test, if the data exhibited a normal distribution using a Shapiro-Wilk normality test. Meanwhile, data were shown as median and interquartile range and analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, if the data failed the normality test. A p < 0.05 was considered as significant difference.@*RESULTS@#Primary NSC were isolated from the mice, and the characteristics were identified using immunostaining analysis. Thereafter, the results indicated that mannitol held the capability of inhibiting NSC proliferation in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner using cell counting kit-8, neurospheres formation, and immunostaining of Nestin and Ki67 assays. During the process of mannitol suppressing NSC proliferation, the expression of AQP4 mRNA and protein was downregulated, while the gene expression of p-p38 was elevated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunostaining, and western blotting assays. Subsequently, the administration of SB203580, one of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway inhibitors, partially abrogated this inhibitory effect resulting from mannitol, supporting the fact that the p38 MAPK signaling pathway participated in curbing NSC proliferation induced by mannitol.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Mannitol inhibits NSC proliferation through downregulating AQP4, while upregulating the expression of p-p38 MAPK.

Chaihu Longgu Mulitang Relieves Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Rats via p38 MAPK/NF-κB Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo study whether Chaihu Longgu Mulitang can inhibit hypothalamic inflammation， mitigate anxiety-like behavior， and alleviate anxiety symptoms by regulating the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase/nuclear factor-κB （p38 MAPK/NF-κB） signaling pathway in the rat model of generalized anxiety disorder （GAD）. MethodTwelve out of 74 Wistar rats were randomly selected as the blank group， and the remaining rats were subjected to chronic restraint stress for the modeling of GAD. The open field test （OFT） and elevated Porteus maze test （PMT） were conducted 14 days after modeling to detect the anxiety-like behaviors. Sixty successfully modeled rats were selected and randomized into model， low-， medium-， and high-dose （6， 12， and 24 g·kg-1， respectively） Chaihu Longgu Mulitang， and diazepam （1 mg·kg-1） groups （n=12） and administrated with corresponding drugs for 14 consecutive days. OFT and PMT were then carried out to examine the anxiety-like behaviors of the rats. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） in the hypothalamus and serum of rats were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）was conducted to determine the mRNA levels of p38 MAPK， NF-κB p65， nuclear factor κB inhibitor α （IκBα）， and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 （Iba-1）. The protein levels of p38 MAPK， phosphorylated （p）-p38 MAPK， NF-κB p65， p-NF-κB p65， and IκBα in the hypothalamus of rats were determined by Western blot. The expression of Iba-1 in the hypothalamic microglia was detected by immunofluorescence assay. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group had decreased body weight， scattered dark yellow fur， increased irritability， and preference to hibernation in the corner. In addition， the modeled rats showed increased edge movement distance and time in OFT （P<0.01） and decreased movement distance and time and the number of entries in the open arm in PMT （P<0.01）. The modeling increased the fluorescence intensity of Iba-1 in paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus （P<0.01）， elevated the levels of IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α in the serum and hypothalamus （P<0.01）， up-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of p38 MAPK， NF-κB p65， p-p38 MAPK， p-NF-κB p65， and Iba-1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of IκBα （P<0.01） in the hypothalamus. Compared with the model group， medium- and high-dose Chaihu Longgu Mulitang and diazepam increased the body weight， improved the fur and behaviors， decreased the edge movement distance and time in OFT （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and increased the movement distance and time in the open arm in PMT （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， they decreased the fluorescence intensity of Iba-1 in hypothalamic microglia （P<0.05， P<0.01）， lowered the levels of IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α in the serum and hypothalamic tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of p38 MAPK， NF-κB p65， p-p38 MAPK， p-NF-κB p65， and Iba-1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of IκBα （P<0.05， P<0.01） in the hypothalamus. ConclusionChaihu Longgu Mulitang can mitigate anxiety-like behaviors and relieve anxiety in GAD rats by inhibiting the p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway and reducing the activation of microglia and the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the hypothalamus.

Effect of Guipitang on ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in Rats with Myocardial Ischemia / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Guipitang on rats with myocardial ischemia. MethodFifty SD rats were divided into five groups： a control group， a model group， low and high-dose Guipitang （7.52， 15.04 g·kg-1） groups， and a trimetazidine group （0.002 g·kg-1）. By intragastric administration of vitamin D3 and feeding rats with high-fat forage and injecting isoproterenol， the rat model of myocardial ischemia was established. After drug treatment of 15 d， an electrocardiogram （ECG） was performed to analyze the degree of myocardial injury. A fully automatic biochemical analyzer was used to detect the changes in the serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， triglyceride （TG）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Masson staining were used to observe myocardial histopathological changes. TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL） staining was used to detect cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Western blot was adopted to detect the protein levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 （ERK1/2）， phospho-ERK1/2 （p-ERK1/2）， p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK）， phospho-p38 MAPK （p-p38 MAPK）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）-associated X （Bax）， Bcl-2， and cleaved cysteine aspartate proteolytic enzyme （cleaved Caspase-3）. ResultCompared with the control group， the ECG S-T segment decreased in the model group. The serum levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C were increased significantly （P<0.05）. The arrangement of myocardial tissue was disordered， and the proportion of cardiomyocyte apoptosis increased. The protein levels of cleaved Caspase-3， Bax， and p-p38 MAPK in the heart were increased， and the Bcl-2 expression was decreased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the S-T segment downward shift was restored in the low and high-dose Guipitang groups and trimetazidine group， and the levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C were decreased. The protein expression of cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax in the heart dropped， and p-p38 MAPK and p-ERK1/2 protein expressions increased significantly （P<0.05）. The degree of myocardial injury was alleviated， and the proportion of cardiomyocyte apoptosis decreased. Bcl-2 protein expression was increased significantly in the low-dose Guipitang group （P<0.05）. ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK proteins had no significant difference among different groups. ConclusionGuipitang could alleviate myocardial injury and inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis in rats by activating the expression of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK.

Effect and Mechanism of Action of Epimedii Folium Polysaccharides on Mice with Exercise-induced Fatigue Based on p38 MAPK/NF-κB Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo study the effects of Epimedii Folium polysaccharides on mice with exercise-induced fatigue and explore its possible mechanism of action. MethodICR male mice screened by swimming training were randomly divided into a control group， model group， vitamin C group， and low， medium， and high dose groups of Epimedii Folium polysaccharides， with eight mice in each group. The exercise-induced fatigue model was established by weight-bearing swimming training in each group except for the control group. After two weeks of weight-bearing swimming， the Epimedii Folium polysaccharide groups were given 100， 200， 400 mg∙kg-1 of Epimedii Folium polysaccharides by gavage， and the vitamin C group was given 200 mg∙kg-1 of vitamin C by gavage. The control group and the model group were given equal amounts of saline for 14 d. At the end of the experimental period， the body mass of the mice in each group and the time of last swimming due to exhaustion were recorded. Serum urea nitrogen （BUN）， lactic acid （LA）， lactate dehydrogenase （LDH）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， glutathione peroxidation （GSH-Px）， myoglycogen （MG） in skeletal muscle， hepatic glycogen （HG） in the liver were detected by kits. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes in muscle tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK）， phosphorylation （p）-p38 MAPK， extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 （ERK1/2）， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， p-NF-κB， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in muscle tissue. The immunofluorescence （IF） method was used to detect the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in skeletal muscle tissue of mice in each group. ResultCompared with the control group， the body mass of mice in the model group decreased， and the time of last swimming due to exhaustion decreased （P<0.01）. In addition， there were significantly higher serum levels of the fatigue metabolites LA， LDH， BUN， and lipid peroxidation product MDA （P<0.01） and decreased levels of MG， HG， SOD， and GSH-Px （P<0.01）. The protein expressions of p-p38 MAPK， ERK1/2， p-NF-κB， IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α in skeletal muscle tissue were significantly higher than those of the control group （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the body mass and time of last swimming due to exhaustion of the mice in the low， medium， and high dose groups of Epimedii Folium polysaccharides and the vitamin C group were increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the contents of LA， LDH， BUN， and MDA were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The levels of MG， HG， SOD， and GSH-Px increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the protein expression levels of p-p38 MAPK， ERK， p-NF-κB， IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α in skeletal muscle tissue decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionEpimedii Folium polysaccharides can play a role in alleviating exercise-induced fatigue by inhibiting the p38 MARK/NF-κB signaling pathway， thereby reducing the accumulation of metabolites， improving the activity of antioxidant enzymes， increasing the glycogen content of the body， and reducing inflammation in skeletal muscle.

Mechanism of Ruanmai decoction in treating atherosclerosis based on YWHAZ/p38MAPK/CASP3 signaling pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the mechanism of action of Ruanmai decoction in treating atherosclerosis through network pharmacology. Methods The chemical components and targets of Ruanmai decoction were queried using TCMSP. Relevant targets for atherosclerosis were retrieved from DrugBank, GeneCards, OMIM, and TTD databases. The " Drug-Active Ingredient-Target" PPI network was constructed using Cyto-scape software. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed using the David database. Molecular docking verification of key components with core targets was conducted using the Seesar software. Atherosclerosis mouse models were established by feeding ApoE mice with a high-fat diet, and Ruanmai decoction granules were administered orally. Aortic pathological sections were stained, blood lipids were measured, and immunofluorescence was used to detect Mac2 and YWHAZ protein expression. Western blot was used to detect p-p38MAPK and C-CASP3 protein expression. Results Ruanmai decoction screened a total of 72 active drug components corresponding to 168 target genes for the treatment of atherosclerosis. The targets were primarily enriched in biological processes related to lip-id metabolism, inflammation and immunity, oxidative stress, vascular endothelial function, cell proliferation and apoptosis, glycolysis, and ubiquitination. Signaling pathways such as МАРК, TNF, PDK-Akt, and IL-17 were also involved. Animal experiments verified that RMJ could regulate the p38MAPK signaling pathway by down-regulating key targets YWHAZ, p-p38MAPK, and C-CASP3, thereby reducing AS inflammation and inflammation-induced apoptosis. Conclusions Ruanmai decoction can inhibit the expression of YWHAZ and activate the p38MAPK signaling pathway, potentially improving vascular inflammation, lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and other pathological processes by regulating the МАРК, TNF, PDK-Akt, and IL-17 signaling pathways, thus preventing and treating atherosclerosis.

Clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medication for recurrent implantation failure infertility of kidney deficiency and blood stasis and its effects on serum p38MAPK and JAK/STAT protein expression / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVES@#To observe the effects of acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medication on pregnancy outcomes in patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) infertility of kidney deficiency and blood stasis, and to explore its effects on the protein expression of serum p38MAPK and JAK/STAT.@*METHODS@#Sixty-two patients with RIF infertility of kidney deficiency and blood stasis who were scheduled for artificial cycle frozen-thawed embryo transfer were randomly divided into an observation group (31 cases, 4 cases dropped out) and a control group (31 cases, 3 cases were eliminated). The patients in the control group were treated with conventional artificial cycle frozen-thawed embryo transfer. On the basis of the control group, the patients in the observation group were treated with acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medication. Acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV 20), Guanyuan (CV 4) and bilateral Neiguan (PC 6), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Guilai (ST 29), Zusanli (ST 36), Taichong (LR 3), Shenshu (BL 23), Ciliao (BL 32), with each session lasting for 30 minutes, once every other day. Chinese herbal medication was administered to Bushen Huoxue (tonifing the kidney and activating blood circulation) decoction, with one dose per day, starting from the 3rd to 5th day of the menstrual cycle and continuing until 1 day before embryo transfer. Clinical pregnancy rate, embryo implantation rate, live birth rate, and biochemical pregnancy rate were compared between the two groups. TCM symptom score, platelet count (PLT), and plasma D-dimer level were assessed before treatment and 1 day before embryo transfer. Western blot method was used to detect the expression of serum P38MAPK, JAK, and STAT proteins before treatment and 1 day before embryo transfer.@*RESULTS@#In the observation group, the clinical pregnancy rate, embryo implantation rate, and live birth rate were higher (P<0.05), while the biochemical pregnancy rate was lower (P<0.05) than those in the control group. One day before embryo transfer, both groups showed a decrease in TCM symptom scores, PLT, and plasma D-dimer levels compared to those before treatment (P<0.05), and the observation group had lower TCM symptom scores and plasma D-dimer levels than the control group (P<0.05). One day before embryo transfer, the expression levels of serum p38MAPK, JAK, and STAT proteins in both groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the observation group had lower serum p38MAPK protein expression than the control group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medication can improve the clinical pregnancy rate, embryo implantation rate, live birth rate, and reduce the biochemical pregnancy rate in RIF infertility patients of kidney deficiency and blood stasis. Its mechanism of action may be related to down-regulating plasma D-dimer level and protein expression of serum p38MAPK.

Analysis of the effect of midazolam on pain in a rat model of lumbar disc herniation based on the p38 MAPK signaling pathway / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of midazolam on pain in lumbar disc herniation model rats based on p38 MAPK signaling pathway.@*METHODS@#Fifty SPF-grade Sprague-Dawley healthy rats, half male and half female, were selected and randomly divided into normal group, model group, and low-dose, medium-dose, high-dose groups. Model group and low-dose, medium-dose, high-dose groups were initially modeled for lumbar disc herniation. Intraperitoneal injection of saline was performed in rats of normal and model groups; and in the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups, intraperitoneal injection of midazolam was performed with doses of 30, 60, and 90 mg/kg, respectively. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), β-endorphin (β-EP), substance P (SP), neuropeptide Y (NPY) were detected in the serum of rats by enzyme-linked immunoassay. The expression of p38 MAPK and matrix metalloproteinase-3(MMP-3) protein were detected by Western blot in the tissues of rats of each group.@*RESULTS@#The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and β-EP were higher and the level of 5-HT was lower in the model group than in the normal group(P<0.05);the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and β-EP were lower and the level of 5-HT was higher in the low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups than in the model group(P<0.05). The levels of SP and NPY increased in the model group compared with the normal group (P<0.05) and the levels of SP and NPY decreased in the low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups compared with the model group (P<0.05). The expression of p38 MAPK and MMP-3 increased in the model group compared with the normal group (P<0.05); the expression of p38 MAPK and MMP-3 decreased in the low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose compared with the model group(P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Midazolam may ameliorate the immune inflammatory response in rats with a model of lumbar disc herniation, possibly regulated through the p38MAPK signaling pathway.

Role of p38 MAPK Pathway in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy and Chinese Medicine Intervention： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy （DPN） is a symptom and/or sign of peripheral nerve dysfunction that occurs in patients with diabetes mellitus when other causes are excluded. DPN， one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus， can lead to disability， foot ulcers， and amputation at a later stage. Its pathogenesis is closely related to high glucose-induced inflammatory damage， oxidative stress， mitochondrial disorders， and apoptosis in neural tissues. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK） signaling pathway is a key mechanism mediating the expression of inflammatory factors， oxidative factors， and apoptotic factors of neural tissues in DPN. The inflammatory response， oxidative stress damage， and apoptosis， induced by the activation of p38 MAPK phosphorylation by factors such as high glucose， can cause cell lipid peroxidation， protein modification， and nucleic acid damage， which results in axonal degeneration and demyelination changes. The current treatment of DPN with western medicine has obvious shortcomings such as adverse effects and addictive tendencies. In recent years， the research on traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in the prevention and treatment of DPN has gradually increased， and the exploration of Chinese medicine intervention in the p38 MAPK pathway transduction to improve DPN has advanced. The present study reviewed the relations of the p38 MAPK pathway with insulin resistance and peripheral neuropathy and summarized the molecular biological mechanisms involved in the pathological process of DPN， such as inflammation regulation， oxidative stress， polyol pathway regulation， and Schwann cell apoptosis in the past 10 years. In addition， the literature on Chinese medicine monomers， Chinese patent medicines， and Chinese medicine compounds in inhibiting inflammatory reactions， oxidative injury， and apoptosis of DPN peripheral nerves based on the p38 MAPK pathway， resisting axonal degeneration and demyelination changes， improving sensory and motor abnormalities， relieving peripheral pain sensitization， and facilitating nerve conduction mechanism to provide references for the development of new drugs for clinical prevention and treatment of DPN.

Effect of Stemona tuberosa Alkaloids on Apoptosis and PI3K/Akt and JNK/MAPK Signaling Pathways of Human Lung Cancer A549 Cells / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Stemona tuberosa alkaloids （STA） on apoptosis and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） and c-Jun N-terminal kinase/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （JNK/p38 MAPK） signaling pathways in human lung cancer A549 cells. MethodA549 cells were classified into blank group and STA groups （100， 150， 200， 250， 300 mg⋅L-1）. Thiazole blue （MTT） assay and colony formation assay were used to evaluate the proliferation of A549 cells. Apoptosis was observed based on Hoechst 33258 staining， flow cytometry， and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. Western blot was employed to detect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins cysteine-aspartic acid protease-3 （Caspase-3）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）-associated X protein （Bax）， and Bcl-2， and the expression of PI3K， phosphorylated （p）-PI3K， Akt， p-Akt， JNK， p-JNK， p38 MAPK， and p-p38 MAPK. ResultCompared with the blank group， STA groups （150， 200， 250， 300 mg⋅L-1） demonstrated the increase in inhibition rate of cell proliferation （P<0.01） and cell clone inhibition rate， and decrease in cell clone formation rate （P<0.01）. In comparison with the blank group， STA groups showed typical characteristics of apoptosis， such as chromatin condensation and enhanced fluorescence reaction. The apoptosis rate of STA groups was significantly higher than that of the blank group （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， STA （150， 200， 250， 300 mg⋅L-1） significantly up-regulated the protein expression of Caspase-3 and Bax （P<0.05， P<0.01） and down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 protein （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， STA had no significant influence on the total protein expression of PI3K， Akt， JNK， and p38 MAPK. However， STA （150， 200， 250， 300 mg⋅L-1） significantly decreased the levels of p-PI3K and p-Akt （P<0.05， P<0.01） and increased the level of p-p38 MAPK （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， STA （200， 250， 300 mg⋅L-1） significantly raised the level of p-JNK （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionSTA can inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of A549 cells by inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and activating JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Cangxi Tongbi Capsules promote chondrocyte autophagy by regulating circRNA＿0008365/miR-1271/p38 MAPK pathway to inhibit development of knee osteoarthritis / 中国中药杂志

To investigate the mechanism by which Cangxi Tongbi Capsules promote chondrocyte autophagy to inhibit knee osteoarthritis(KOA) progression by regulating the circRNA＿0008365/miR-1271/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) pathway. The cell and animal models of KOA were established and intervened with Cangxi Tongbi Capsules, si-circRNA＿0008365, si-NC, and Cangxi Tongbi Capsules combined with si-circRNA＿0008365. Flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy were employed to determine the level of apoptosis and observe autophagosomes, respectively. Western blot was employed to reveal the changes in the protein levels of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC3)Ⅱ/Ⅰ, Beclin-1, selective autophagy junction protein p62/sequestosome 1, collagen Ⅱ, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5(ADAMTS-5), and p38 MAPK. The mRNA levels of circRNA＿0008365, miR-1271, collagen Ⅱ, and ADAMTS-5 were determined by qRT-PCR. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to reveal the pathological changes of the cartilage tissue of the knee, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α). The chondrocytes treated with IL-1β showed down-regulated expression of circRNA＿0008365, up-regulated expression of miR-1271 and p38 MAPK, lowered autophagy level, increased apoptosis rate, and accelerated catabolism of extracellular matrix. The intervention with Cangxi Tongbi Capsules up-regulated the expression of circRNA＿0008365, down-regulated the expression of miR-1271 and p38 MAPK, increased the autophagy level, decreased the apoptosis rate, and weakened the catabolism of extracellular matrix. However, the effect of Cangxi Tongbi Capsules was suppressed after interfering with circRNA＿0008365. The in vivo experiments showed that Cangxi Tongbi Capsules dose-dependently inhibited the p38 MAPK pathway, enhanced chondrocyte autophagy, and mitigated articular cartilage damage and inflammatory response, thereby inhibiting the progression of KOA in rats. This study indicated that Cangxi Tongbi Capsules promoted chondrocyte autophagy by regulating the circRNA＿0008365/miR-1271/p38 MAPK pathway to inhibit the development of KOA.

Mechanism of Stemona tuberosa Alkaloids in Inhibiting Proliferation and Inducing Apoptosis of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer NCI-H460 Cells / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo study the effect and underlying mechanism of Stemona tuberosa alkaloids on the proliferation and apoptosis of human non-small cell lung cancer NCI-H460 cells. MethodNon-small cell lung cancer NCI-H460 cells were divided into a blank group and S. tuberosa alkaloids groups （50， 100， 150， 200， and 250 mg·L-1）. The effect of S. tuberosa alkaloids on the proliferation of human NCI-H460 cells was observed by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide （MTT） assay and colony formation assay. Cell apoptosis was observed by Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry. Real-time fluorescence-based polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the effect of S. tuberosa alkaloids on the mRNA expression of cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease 3 （Caspase-3）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， and epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR）. The protein expression levels of Caspase-3， Bax， Bcl-2， protein kinase B （Akt）， phosphorylated （p-）Akt， EGFR， c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK）， p-JNK， p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK）， and p-p38 MAPK were measured by Western blot. ResultCompared with the blank group， the S. tuberosa alkaloids groups showed increased inhibition rate on cell proliferation （P<0.01）， reduced number of cell clones formed and the rate of cell clonal formation （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and increased karyopyknosis， cytoplasmic aggregation， and cell apoptosis rate （P<0.01）. The S. tuberosa alkaloids groups at 100， 150， 200， and 250 mg·L-1 showed increased Caspase-3 mRNA expression （P<0.05）， decreased EGFR mRNA expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）， up-regulated protein expression of Caspase-3 and p-JNK （P<0.01）， and down-regulated protein expression of EGFR and p-Akt （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Additionally， compared with the blank group， the S. tuberosa alkaloids groups showed increased expression of Bax mRNA （P<0.01）， decreased expression of Bcl-2 mRNA （P<0.01）， up-regulated protein expression of Bax and p-p38 MAPK （P<0.01）， and down-regulated protein expression of Bcl-2 （P<0.01）. ConclusionsS. tuberosa alkaloids can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of human non-small cell lung cancer NCI-H460 cells， and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of EGFR protein expression and phosphorylation of Akt protein， as well as the activation of the JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Effects of icariin on cognitive function and astrocytic pyroptosis in hemorrhagic shock resuscitation model mice / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To investigate the icariin on cognitive function and astrocytic pyroptosis in hemorrhagic shock resuscitation model mice.Methods:Forty-eight SPF grade C57BL/6 mice (male) were randomly divided into four groups ( n=12 in each group): Sham operation control group (Group C), hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation group (Group H), hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation plus icariin group (Group HI) and hemorrhagic shock resuscitation plus icariin and SSK1 group (Group HIS, SSK1 was a phosphorylation agonist of mitogen-activated protein kinase p38(p38MAPK). The mice in Group H, HI and HIS were subjected to hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation model by bleeding and retransfusion via left femoral vein; the mice in Group HI and HIS were administered with icariin (10 mg/kg) intragastrically for 7 days; the mice in Group C and H were administered with the same amount of normal saline containing dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO). The mice in Group HIS were administered with SSK1 (0.5 mg/kg) intraperitoneally, but the mice in Group C, H and HI were only administered with the same amount of normal saline containing DMSO.At 15 days after resuscitation, novel objective recognition test and fear conditioning test were used to assess cognitive dysfunction of mice.Microtubule-associated protein 2(MAP2), a specific marker protein of neurons reflecting astrocytic pyroptosis in the hippocampus of mice, were detected by immunofluorescence assay so as to assess neuronal injury and astrocytic pyroptosis.The levels of IL-1β, IL-18, the ratio of phosphorylated p38MAPK to total p38MAPK in the hippocampus were evaluated by Western blot.SPSS 21.0 software was used for data analysis, multiple samples among groups were compared by one-way ANOVA, and SNK- q test was used for further pairwise comparison. Results:The results of new object recognition test showed that the difference of new object recognition index among the four groups was statistically significant ( F=50.75, P<0.05). The new object recognition indexes in H group(22.7±6.9), HI group(40.1±7.0) and HIS group (22.5±7.5) were significantly lower than that in C group (58.5±11.2). The index in HI group was higher than that in H group, while the index in HIS group was lower than that in HI group (all P<0.05). The results of the fear conditioning test showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the percentage of freezing time among the four groups of mice ( F=60.54, P<0.05). And the percentage of freezing time in H group((21.8±5.0)%), HI group ((38.4±7.4) %)and HIS group((21.3±4.2)%)were lower than that in C group((49.1±7.0)%), which in HI group was higher than that in H group ( P<0.05)and which in HIS group was lower than that in HI group(all P<0.05). The results of immunofluorescence showed that there were significant decreases of MAP2 intensity ((35.3±9.3)%, (63.3±6.1)%, (28.7±10.3)%) but increases of pyroptotic astrocytes ((24.5±4.2)%, (9.3±1.5)%, (22.1±3.3)%) in the H, HI and HIS groups compared with those of C group ((106.7±19.7) %, (3.4±2.0)%). There was an increase of MAP2 intensity but a decrease of pyroptotic astrocytes in the HI group compared with those in H group, and there was a decrease of MAP2 intensity but an increase of pyroptotic astrocytes in the HIS group compared with those of HI group (all P<0.05). The Western blot results showed that there were significant increases of IL-1β, IL-18, the ratio of phosphorylated p38MAPK to total p38MAPK in the H, HI and HIS groups compared with C group, there were decreases of IL-1β, IL-18, the ratio of phosphorylated p38MAPK to total p38MAPK in the HI group compared with H group, and there were increases of IL-1β, IL-18, the ratio of phosphorylated p38MAPK to total p38MAPK in the HIS group compared with those in HI group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Icariin alleviates hemorrhage shock and resuscitation-induced cognitive dysfunction and astrocytic pyroptosis in mice, and the mechanism may be associated with inhibition of phosphorylated p38MAPK.

Role of free radicals in cerebral ischemic tolerance of rats induced by limb ischemic preconditioning / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To explore whether free radicals participate in cerebral ischemic tolerance and the up-regula-tion of p38 MAPK and ERK signaling pathways in rats induced by limb ischemic preconditioning (LIP). METHODS: A total of 128 Wistar rats with permanent occlusion of bilateral vertebral arteries were randomly divided into sham group (n=16), cerebral ischemia (CI) group (n=16), LIP+CI group (n=16), DMTU (a free radical scavenger)+LIP+CI group (n=64) and DMTU+sham group (n=16). Six rats in each group were used to observe the delayed neuronal death (DND) in hippocampal CA1 region by thionin staining at 7 d after the end of operation. Other 10 rats in each group were used to de-tect the expression of p38 MAPK and ERK in hippocampal CA1 region by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RE-SULTS: Lethal CI resulted in obvious DND in hippocampal CA1 region. However, LIP reversed the above injurious changes, represented by the decrease in histological grade and the increase in neuronal density compared with CI group (P<0. 01). Moreover, LIP significantly up-regulated the expression of p38 MAPK and ERK in hippocampal CA1 region com-pared with CI group (P<0. 01). Administration of free radical scavenger DMTU via femoral vein before LIP partially re-versed the neuroprotective effect of LIP, and blocked the up-regulation of p38 MAPK and ERK expression in hippocampal CA1 region in rats compared with LIP+CI group (P<0. 01). CONCLUSION: Free radicals are involved in the neuropro-tection and up-regulation of p38 MAPK and ERK expression induced by LIP in rats.

Chinese Medicines Regulate p38 MAPK， ERK1/2， and JNK in Treatment of Osteoporosis： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

With the aging of population， osteoporosis has become one of the main diseases endangering the health of the elderly in China. Therefore， the research on osteoporosis has become a hot spot. Since Chinese medicines demonstrate significant therapeutic effects on osteoporosis， this issue is attracting increasing attention from researchers， especially in the deciphering of the molecular mechanism. This paper introduces the mechanism of the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis by Chinese medicines via the mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） signaling pathway， aiming to provide a theoretical basis for deciphering the mechanism of Chinese medicines in the treatment of osteoporosis and promoting their clinical application. MAPK signaling pathway mainly involves p38 MAPK， extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 （ERK1/2）， c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK）， and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 （ERK5）. Studies have shown that these proteins play a role in the progression of osteoporosis by regulating cell proliferation， differentiation， and apoptosis. Chinese medicines as a unique therapy with Chinese characteristics has definite efficacy， high safety， and mild side effects. Researchers have proved by experiments that the extracts or compounds of Chinese medicines can significantly mitigate osteoporosis by regulating the proteins involved in the MAPK signaling pathway. Therefore， this article reviews the relevant studies with focus on these proteins.

Chinese Medicine Intervenes in Diabetic Kidney Disease Based on p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway：A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Diabetic kidney disease （DKD）， a major microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus， serves as the most common cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide. The progression of DKD is closely related to oxidative stress， inflammatory response， apoptosis， and fibrosis in renal tissues activated by high glucose. Numerous studies have shown that the transduction of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK） signaling pathway is involved in the pathological process of DKD in renal tissues， activating various pathological mechanisms， such as oxidation， inflammation， apoptosis， and fibrosis. Therefore， blocking the transduction of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway is beneficial to alleviating DKD. At present， the main treatment principles of western medicine are glucose lowering， lipid lowering， and blood pressure lowering， as well as medications with new drugs renal sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 （SGLT2）， mineralocorticoid receptor， and endothelin receptor， but the progression of DKD still cannot be stopped. The treatment of DKD by traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has the advantages of simplicity， low cost， and convenience， and the symptoms and root causes can be both treated. In recent years， the basic research on Chinese medicine intervention in DKD has greatly advanced， and p38 MAPK is the key factor of Chinese medicine intervention in DKD. The present study searched and reviewed the literature on the Chinese medicine intervention in the p38 MAPK signaling pathway in DKD treatment in the past decade. The results showed that p38 MAPK interacted with transforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 （Caspase-3）， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， and other factors to activate fibrosis， inflammation， oxidative stress， and apoptosis. By acting on p38 MAPK and its upstream and downstream factors， Chinese medicine blocked the pathological processes of DKD and inhibited the pathological injury of DKD and the deterioration of renal function. This study is expected to provide new ideas and directions for the prevention and treatment of DKD with Chinese medicine.

Protective Effect of Jianpi Huogu Prescription on Functional Injury of Vascular Endothelial Cells Caused by Alcohol Based on Akt/JNK/p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of Jianpi Huogu prescription （JPHGP） on the functional injury of vascular endothelial cells caused by alcohol and explore its mechanism based on protein kinase B/c-Jun amino-terminal kinase/p38 MAPK （Akt/JNK/p38 MAPK） signaling pathway. MethodThrough chick embryo allantoic membrane， thoracic aortic ring， and migration， invasion， adhesion， and lumen formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVEC）， the effect of JPHGP with different concentrations （8， 16 and 32 μg·L-1） on angiogenesis was observed in the presence or absence of alcohol. The expression levels of phosphorylation of Akt， JNK， and p38 MAPK were determined by Western blot. ResultAs compared with the normal group， the number and length of capillaries around the arterial ring in the model group were decreased， and the migration， invasion， and lumen formation capacity of HUVEC were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. After treatment with 16 and 32 μg·L-1 JPHGP， the length of neovascularization in chick embryo allantoic membrane was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the 8， 16， and 32 μg·L-1 JPHGP groups increased the number of capillaries around the thoracic aortic ring in a concentration-dependent manner （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the 32 μg·L-1 JPHGP group increased the length of capillaries around the thoracic aortic ring （P<0.05）. The 16 and 32 μg·L-1 JPHGP groups enhanced the migration， invasion， and lumen formation capacity of HUVEC. The results of Western blot showed that， as compared with the normal group， the protein expression levels of p-JNK/JNK， p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK， and p-Akt/Akt were significantly decreased in the model group （P<0.01）， and as compared with the model group， the protein expression levels of p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK and p-Akt/Akt were significantly increased in the 8， 16， and 32 μg·L-1 JPHGP groups （P<0.01） and the protein expression level of p-JNK/JNK was increased significantly in the 16 and 32 μg·L-1 JPHGP groups （P<0.01）. ConclusionJPHGP has a protective effect on the functional injury of vascular endothelial cells caused by alcohol， and its mechanism may be related to the activation of Akt/JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Relevant research results will provide certain scientific basis for clarifying the effect of JPHGP on 'invigorating spleen and promoting blood circulation'.

LASS2/TMSG1 overexpression inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of human lung cancer A549 cells possibly by upregulating ceramide and p38 MAPK to activate a signaling cascade / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of LASS2/TMSG1 gene overexpression on proliferation and apoptosis of human lung cancer A549 cells and explore the possible mechanism.@*METHODS@#We examined LASS2/TMSG1 expression level in a previously constructed A549 cell line overexpressing LASS2/TMSG1 using Western blotting. The proliferation and apoptosis of the cells were detected using colony-forming assay, CCK-8 assay, Hoechst/PI double staining and flow cytometry. Fourteen nude mice were randomized into 2 groups (n=7) to receive subcutaneous injection of A549 cells with or without LASS2/TMSG1 overexpression on the back of the neck, and the cell proliferation in vivo was observed. The expression levels of p38 MAPK protein and p-p38 MAPK protein in the xenografts were detected with Western blotting. ELISA was used to detect the levels of ceramide and p38 MAPK protein in cultured A549 cell supernatants and the xenografts in nude mice.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the negative control cells, A549 cells with LASS2/TMSG1 overexpression had significantly lowered proliferation ability in vitro with increased early apoptosis rate (P < 0.05), and showed obvious growth inhibition after inoculation in nude mice(P < 0.05). Western blotting showed that in both cultured A549 cells and the xenografts in nude mice, LASS2/TMSG1 gene overexpression significantly increased the expression levels of p38 MAPK protein and p-p38 MAPK protein (P < 0.05); the results of ELISA also revealed significantly increased levels of ceramide and p38 MAPK protein in the cell supernatant andxenografts as well (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Overexpression of LASS2/TMSG1 gene can significantly inhibit the proliferation and promote early apoptosis of human lung cancer A549 cells both in vitro and in vivo possibly by upregulating the expressions of ceramide and p38 MAPK protein to activate a signal transduction cascade.

Exploring the mechanism of elemene synergistic bortezomib against multiple myeloma by ROS-NF-κB-p38MAPK pathway / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

AIM: To investigate the mechanism of elemene synergistic bortezomib against multiple myeloma based on ROS-NF-κB-p38MAPK signaling pathway. METHODS: CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell activity. Nude mice were randomly divided into control group, bortezomib (BTZ) group, elemene (ELE) group and combination group. Each group was treated with BTZ, ELE and BTZ combined with ELE, respectively. Tunel staining was performed to observe the apoptosis of tumor tissues. The expressions of Caspase-3, Bcl-2, NF-κB and p38 MAPK were detected by Western Blot. Cell cycle, apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) expression were detected by flow cytometry using human myeloma U266 cells. RESULTS: When 4.0 μmol/L ELE combined with 50 nmol/L BTZ treated U266, the cell activity was significantly reduced compared with that of NC, BTZ and ELE groups (P< 0.05). The tumor volume of nude mice in BTZ group, ELE group and combined group was significantly reduced compared with the control group (P <0.05), and the combined group was the smallest. Tunel staining results showed that the apoptosis level in the control group was lower than that in the BTZ group, ELE group and the combined group (P<0.05), and the combined group had the lowest apoptosis level. Compared with the control group, the expressions of Caspase-3 and p38 MAPK in BTZ group, ELE group and combination group were significantly increased, while the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly decreased. The apoptosis level and expression of ROS in BTZ group, ELE group and the combined group was significantly increased compared with the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: ELE can enhance the role of BTZ in promoting apoptosis of myeloma cells, which may be achieved by regulating ROS/NF-κB/p38 MAPK signaling pathway to enhance the level of apoptosis of tumor cells to achieve anti-tumor effect.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptors regulate pyocyanin-induced inflammatory factor expression in macrophages via p38MAPK/p65NF-κB signaling pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effect of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) on the expression of inflammatory factors in macrophages RAW264. 7 induced by pyocyanin (PCN) and the regulatory mechanism of its signaling pathway. Methods RAW264. 7 cells were treated with different concentrations of PCN for 24 h, respectively, and the effect of PCN on cell activity was detected by CCK8 assay to determine the optimal PCN concentration for manufacturing infection models. The cells were divided into the control group (given 0. 1% dimethyl sulfoxide DMSO), PCN group, PCN + AhR inhibitor (CH223191) group, and PCN + AhR agonist (FICZ) group, and the expression of AhR was detected by immunofluorescence. The expression levels of inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) were detected by ELISA. The protein expression of AhR, pp38 MAPK and p-p65NF-κB, was detected by Western blotting. Results PCN induced a significant quantitative effect on AhR expression in RAW264. 7 cells. CH223191 increased PCN-induced inflammatory factor secretion and enhanced the phosphorylation of p38MAPK and p65NF-κB compared with the control group. FICZ decreased PCN-induced inflammatory factor production and reduced the phosphorylation of p38MAPK and p65NF-κB phosphorylation capacity. Conclusions AhR can regulate PCN-induced inflammatory factor expression in RAW264. 7 cells, and the p38MAPK/p65NF-κB signaling pathway may be an essential pathway for the involvement of AhR in immune regulation.

Role of FoxO1/p38MAPK signaling pathway in acute lung injury induced by LPS / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effect of forkhead transcription factors of O classl (FoxO1) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced acute lung injury and its regulatory mechanism. Methods The model of acute lung injury (ALI) was simulated by LPS. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of lung tissues. The contents of tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in lung tissues were determined by ELISA. The expression of FoxOl in mouse lung tissues was observed by immunohistochemical staining. The phosphorylation levels of FoxOl, DNA methyltransferase and p38 MAPK were detected by Western blot. The mRNA levels of FoxOl, IL-6, TNF-a and DNA methyltransferase were detected by qRT-PCR. DNA methylation in FoxOl promoter region in lung tissues was detected by nested methylation specific PCR (nMS-PCR). Pulmonary vascular endothelial cells (PVECs) were cultured and transfected with FoxOl siRNA, and the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK was detected by Western blot. The correlation between FoxOl methylation level and inflammatory factors was analyzed by Pearson method. Results Compared with control group, alveolar inflammatory cells increased significantly in LPS group, and pulmonary edema and hyperemia were obvious. TNF-α and IL-6 levels increased by 52. 2% and 150. 4% (P < 0. 05), respectively. The phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK and FoxOl expression increased by 134. 1% and 61. 8% (P < 0. 05), respectively, while the DNA methylation level of Fox0l promoter region decreased by 17. 2% (P < 0. 05). After transfection of FoxOl siRNA in vitro, the phosphorylation level of p38 decreased. Pearson analysis showed that FoxOl methylation level was negatively correlated with inflammatory factors. Conclusion The regulation of FoxOl/p3 8 MAPK signaling pathway by hypomethylation of FoxOl promoter is an important mechanism of LPS-induced acute lung injury.