Network pharmacology and molecular docking reveal the mechanism of resveratrol in oral squamous cell carcinoma treatment / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#To explore the molecular mechanism of resveratrol (RES) in the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) through the use of biological information methods such as network pharmacology and molecular docking and to provide a theoretical reference for the clinical application of RES in the treatment of OSCC.@*Methods@#The Swiss Target Prediction(http://www.swisstargetprediction.ch), SEA (http://sea.bkslab.org)database, and Pharm mapper database(http://lilab-ecust.cn) were used to retrieve RES-related targets, and the DISGENET (www.disgenet.org), OMIM (https://omim.org) and GeneCards (https://www.genecards.org) databases were used to screen OSCC disease targets. The intersection of drugs and disease targets was determined, and Cytoscape 3.7.2 software was used to construct a "drug-diseasetarget pathway" network. The Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) database was used to construct a target protein interaction network, and the DAVID database was used for enrichment analysis of key proteins. Finally, molecular docking validation of key proteins was performed using AutoDock and PyMOL. The enrichment analysis and molecular docking results were integrated to predict the possible molecular mechanisms of RES treatment in OSCC; western blot was used to determine the effect of resveratrol at different concentrations (50, 100) μmol/L on the expression of Src tyrosine kinase (SRC), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), estrogen receptor gene 1 (ESR1), and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway proteins in OSCC HSC-3 cells.@*Results@#A total of 243 targets of RES drugs and 6 094 targets of OSCC were identified. A total of 116 potential common targets were obtained by intersecting drugs with disease targets. These potential targets mainly participate in biological processes such as in vivo protein self-phosphorylation, peptide tyrosine phosphorylation, transmembrane receptor protein tyrosine kinase signaling pathway, and positive regulation of RNA polymerase Ⅱ promoter transcription, and they interfere with the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to exert anti-OSCC effects. The docking results of resveratrol with OSCC molecules indicated that key targets, such as EGFR, ESR1, and SRC, have good binding activity. The results of cell-based experiments showed that resveratrol inhibited the protein expression of SRC, EGFR, ESR1, p-PI3K, and p-AKT in HSC-3 cells in a dose-dependent manner.@*Conclusion@#RES can inhibit the expression of its targets EGFR, ESR1, SRC, p-PI3K, and p-AKT in OSCC cells.

Analysis of Antidepressant Quality Markers of Bupleuri Radix Before and After Vinegar-processing Based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and Network Pharmacology / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo analyze the antidepressant quality markers（Q-Marker） of Bupleuri Radix（BP） before and after vinegar-processing by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS）， multivariate statistical analysis and network pharmacology. MethodUPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used to analyze the chemical basis of raw and vinegar-processed products of BP， and principal component analysis（PCA） orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） were used to identify the differential components in BP that changed significantly before and after vinegar-processing， which were regarded as candidate quality markers（Q-Marker）. Then the disease-drug-component-target network related to antidepressant effect of BP was constructed by network pharmacology， and the antidepressant Q-Marker of raw and vinegar-processed products of BP was determined. Rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， fluoxetine group（2.67 mg·kg-1） and total saponin group（0.72 mg·kg-1）， except the blank group， rats in the other groups were subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress（CUMS）. Three weeks after the start of modeling， rats in each administration group were given the corresponding dose of drugs once a day for 4 weeks， and rats in the blank and model groups were given normal saline with dose of 10 mL·kg-1. At 1 day before modeling， 21 days and 28 days after administration， body mass weighing， sucrose preference test and open field test were performed on each group . After 28 days of administration， real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase（PI3K）， protein kinase B（Akt）， mammalian target of rapamycin（mTOR）， glycogen synthase kinase-3β（GSK-3β）， forkhead box transcription factor O3a（FoxO3a） and β-catenin in hippocampal tissues of rats in each group， while protein expression levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR and FoxO3a in hippocampal tissues of rats in each group were detected by Western blot. ResultThere were 19 components in BP showed significant changes before and after vinegar-processing， and 9 components such as saikosaponin A， saikosaponin B1， saikosaponin B2， saikosaponin C and saikosaponin D were identified as potential Q-Marker through S-plot differential marker screening. Combined with the disease-drug-component-target network， saikosaponin A， saikosaponin B1， saikosaponin B2 and saikosaponin D were identified as antidepressant Q-Marker of raw and vinegar-processed products of BP. According to the results of pharmacodynamic tests， after 28 d of administration， compared with the blank group， the body mass， sucrose preference index and open field total score of rats in model group， fluoxetine group and total saponin group decreased significantly（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the body mass， sucrose preference index and open field total score in total saponin group increased significantly（P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR and β-catenin in hippocampus of rats in the model group decreased significantly（P<0.05）， while mRNA expression levels of GSK-3β and FoxO3a increased significantly（P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR and β-catenin in hippocampus of rats in the total saponin group were increased significantly（P<0.05）， while mRNA expression levels of GSK-3β and FoxO3a decreased significantly（P<0.05）. Compared with the blank group， the protein expression levels of Akt and mTOR in hippocampus of the model group decreased significantly（P<0.01）， while the protein expression levels of PI3K and FoxO3a increased significantly（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the expression level of Akt in hippocampus of the total saponin group increased significantly（P<0.01）， the mTOR expression level was increased but not statistically significant， while the protein expression levels of PI3K and FoxO3a decreased significantly（P<0.01）. ConclusionThe chemical constituents of BP changed greatly after vinegar-processing， and the antidepressant Q-Marker of raw and vinegar-processed products of BP was determined by chemical basis， pharmacodynamics， network pharmacology and signaling pathway， which provided a reference for further research on quality control， pharmacodynamic substance basis and processing mechanism of BP.

Effect of Qiwei Baizhusan on Cognitive Dysfunction in Rats with Diabetic Encephalopathy Based on PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the therapeutic effect of Qiwei Baizhusan（QWBZS） on diabetic encephalopathy（DE） rat model， and to explore the possible mechanism of QWBZS in the treatment of DE based on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase（PI3K）/protein kinase B（Akt）/glycogen synthase kinase-3β（GSK-3β） signaling pathway. MethodForty-eight SPF male Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank group（8 rats） and high-fat diet group（40 rats）. After 12 weeks of feeding， rats in the high-fat diet group were intraperitoneally injected with 35 mg·kg-1 of 1% streptozotocin（STZ） for 2 consecutive days to construct a DE model， and rats in the blank group were injected with the same amount of sodium citrate buffer. After successful modeling， according to blood glucose and body weight， model rats were randomly divided into model group， low， medium and high dose groups of QWBZS（3.15， 6.3， 12.6 g·kg-1）， combined western medicine group（metformin+rosiglitazone， 0.21 g·kg-1）， with 6 rats in each group. The administration group was given the corresponding dose of drug by gavage， and the blank group and the model group were given an equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution by gavage， 1 time/day for 6 weeks. Morris water maze was used to detect the spatial memory ability of DE rats. Fasting insulin （FINS） level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） and insulin resistance index（HOMA-IR） was calculated. Hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining was used to observe the morphological changes of hippocampus in rats， ELISA was used to detect the indexes of oxidative stress in hippocampal tissues， real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） was used to detect mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， nuclear transcription factor-κB（NF-κB）， tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α） and interleukin-1β（IL-1β） in hippocampus， and Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of PI3K， Akt， phosphorylated（p）-Akt， GSK-3β and p-GSK-3β in hippocampus of rats. ResultCompared with the blank group， FINS and HOMA-IR values of the model group were significantly increased（P<0.01）， the path of finding the original position of the platform was significantly increased， and the escape latency was significantly prolonged（P<0.01）， the morphology of neuronal cells in hippocampal tissues was disrupted， the levels of reactive oxygen species（ROS） and malondialdehyde（MDA） in hippocampus of rats were increased， and the activity of superoxide dismutase（SOD） was decreased（P<0.05， P<0.01）， mRNA expression levels of PI3K and Akt were decreased（P<0.01）， mRNA expression levels of NF-κB， TNF-α and IL-1β were increased（P<0.05， P<0.01）， the protein expression levels of PI3K， p-Akt and p-GSK-3β were significantly decreased， and the protein expression of GSK-3β was significantly increased（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the FINS and HOMA-IR values of the medium dose group of QWBZS and the combined western medicine group were significantly decreased（P<0.01）， the path of finding the original position of the platform and the escape latency were significantly shortened（P<0.01）， the hippocampal tissue structure of rats was gradually recovered， and the morphological damage of nerve cells was significantly improved， the contents of ROS and MDA in hippocampus of rats decreased and the level of SOD increased（P<0.01）， the mRNA expression levels of PI3K and Akt were increased（P<0.01）， and the mRNA expression levels of NF-κB， TNF-α and IL-1β were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， the protein expression levels of PI3K， p-Akt and p-GSK-3β were significantly increased（P<0.01）， and the expression of GSK-3β was significantly decreased（P<0.01）. ConclusionQWBZS can alleviate insulin resistance in DE rats， it may repair hippocampal neuronal damage and improve learning and cognitive ability of DE rats by activating PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway.

Earthworm Protein Protects Vascular Endothelial Function in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats via PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of earthworm protein on the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 （PI3K/Akt/Nrf2） pathway in the aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHR） and explore mechanism of earthworm protein in treating hypertensive vascular endothelial dysfunction （VED）. MethodTen 10-week-old Wistar Kyoto （WKY） rats and fifty SHR rats were selected for a week of adaptive feeding. WKY rats were selected as the normal group， and fifty SHR rats were randomized according to body weight into model， valsartan （8×10-3 g·kg-1·d-1）， and high-， medium-， and low-dose （0.2， 0.1， 0.05 g·kg-1·d-1， respectively） earthworm protein groups. The normal and model groups were administrated with equal volume of double distilled water by gavage. During the drug intervention period， the general situations of rats in each group were observed and their blood pressure was monitored at specific time points every other week before and after administration. After 8 weeks of drug intervention， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of angiotensin-Ⅱ （Ang-Ⅱ） and endothelin-1 （ET-1） in the serum of rats in each group. The corresponding kits were used to determine the levels of nitric oxide （NO）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， glutathione peroxidase （GPX）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and ferrous ion （Fe2+）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was employed to observe the changes in the intima of the aorta. Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to measure the mRNA levels of PI3K， Akt， Nrf2， heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）， and glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4） in the aortic tissue. Western blotting was used to determine the protein levels of p-PI3K （Tyr467/199）， PI3K， p-Akt （Ser473）， Akt， Nrf2， HO-1， and GPX4 in the thoracic aorta. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group had decreased body mass， increased irritability， severe endothelial damage， elevated blood pressure and serum levels of Ang-Ⅱ， ET1， MDA， and Fe2+ （P<0.01）， lowered NO level （P<0.01）， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of p-PI3K （Tyr467/199）， PI3K， p-Akt （Ser473）， Akt， Nrf2， HO-1， and GPX4 in the aortic tissue （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， drug intervention caused no significant change in the body mass， calmed the rats， alleviated the endothelial damage， lowered blood pressure and serum levels of Ang-Ⅱ， ET1， MDA， and Fe2+ （P<0.01）， elevated the NO level （P<0.05）， and up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of p-PI3K （Tyr467/199）， PI3K， p-Akt （Ser473）， Akt， Nrf2， HO-1， and GPX4 （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe earthworm protein can exert antihypertensive effects by ameliorating VED in SHR. Specifically， it may regulate the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway to inhibit oxidative stress and ferroptosis.

Effect of Faeces Bombycis Extract on Cajal Interstitial Cells in Diabetic Gastroparesis Rats Based on PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

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.

Hydroxysafflor Yellow A Promotes HaCaT Cell Proliferation and Migration by Regulating HBEGF/EGFR and PI3K/AKT Pathways and Circ_0084443 / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect and possible mechanism of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) on human immortalized keratinocyte cell proliferation and migration.@*METHODS@#HaCaT cells were treated with HSYA. Cell proliferation was detected by the cell counting kit-8 assay, and cell migration was measured using wound healing assay and Transwell migration assay. The mRNA and protein expression levels of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factor (HBEGF), EGF receptor (EGFR), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot, respectively. Circ_0084443-overexpressing HaCaT cells and empty plasmid HaCaT cells were constructed using the lentiviral stable transfection and treated with HSYA. The expression of circ_0084443 was detected by qRT-PCR.@*RESULTS@#HSYA (800 µmol/L) significantly promoted HaCaT cell proliferation and migration (P<0.05 or P<0.01). It also increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of HBEGF, EGFR, PI3K, AKT, mTOR and HIF-1α, and increased the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Furthermore, HSYA promoted HaCaT cell proliferation and migration via the HBEGF/EGFR and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways (P<0.01). Circ_0084443 attenuated the mRNA expression levels of HBEGF, EGFR, PI3K, AKT, mTOR and HIF-1α (P<0.05). HSYA inhibited the circ_0084443 expression, further antagonized the inhibition of circ_0084443 on HBEGF, EGFR, PI3K, AKT, mTOR and HIF-1α, and promoted the proliferation of circ_0084443-overexpressing HaCaT cells (P<0.05 or P<0.01). However, HSYA could not influence the inhibitory effect of circ_0084443 on HaCaT cell migration (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#HSYA played an accelerative role in HaCaT cell proliferation and migration, which may be attributable to activating HBEGF/EGFR and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, and had a particular inhibitory effect on the keratinocyte negative regulator circ_0084443.

Role of Eukaryotic Translation Elongation Factor 1 Family Members in the Tumorigenesis and Progression of Lung Adenocarcinoma / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1(EEF1) family members (EEF1D,EEF1A1,and EEF1A2) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) based on public databases.Methods We examined EEF1 member expression levels in human LUAD samples via The Cancer Genome Atlas in the UCSC Xena browser and the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium.We analyzed the mRNA and protein levels of EEF1D,EEF1A1,and EEF1A2 and their correlations with pathological variables via the Mann-Whitney U test.The Kaplan-Meier curves were established to assess the prognostic values of EEF1D,EEF1A1,and EEF1A2.The single-sample gene set enrichment analysis algorithm was employed to explore the relationship between the expression levels of EEF1 members and tumor immune cell infiltration.Spearman and Pearson correlation analyses were performed to examine the relationship between the expression levels of EEF1 members and those of the genes in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway.The immunohistochemical assay was employed to determine the expression levels of EEF1D,EEF1A1,and EEF1A2 in the LUAD tissue (n=75) and paracancer tissue (n=75) samples.Results The mRNA and protein levels of EEF1D,EEF1A1,and EEF1A2 showed significant differences between tumor and paracancer tissues (all P<0.001).The patients with high protein levels of EEF1A1 showed bad prognosis in terms of overall survival (P=0.039),and those with high protein levels of EEF1A2 showed good prognosis in terms of overall survival (P=0.012).The influence of the mRNA level of EEF1D on prognosis was associated with pathological characteristics.The expression levels of EEF1 members were significantly associated with the infiltration of various immune cells and the expression of key molecules in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway.Conclusion EEF1D,EEF1A1,and EEF1A2 are associated with the progression of LUAD,serving as the candidate prognostic markers for LUAD.

Effect of Shionone on Neuron Apoptosis After Spinal Cord Injury in Mice / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To explore the effect of shionone(SHI)on motor function in the mouse model of spinal cord injury(SCI)and probe into the underlying molecular mechanism.Methods C57BL/6 mice were treated to induce the SCI model and then assigned into a model group(SCI group),a SCI+SHI group,and a sham surgery(control)group.The Basso mouse scale(BMS)score was determined to evaluate the recovery of motor function in SCI mice.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,Nissl staining,and immunofluorescence staining were employed to examine the fibrosis,morphological changes of neurons,and neuron apoptosis in the spinal cord tissue of SCI mice,respectively.The mouse hippocampal neuronal cell line HT22 was cultured in vitro and then classified into tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)induction and SHI groups.Western blotting was employed to determine the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins.Network pharmacology,gene ontology annotation,and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment were employed to predict the possible molecular targets and signaling pathways of SHI in promoting functional recovery from SCI.Furthermore,the prediction results were verified by in vitro and in vivo experiments.Results Compared with the SCI group,the SCI+SHI group showed increased BMS score on days 21,28,35,and 42(P=0.003,P=0.004,P=0.023,and P=0.007,respectively),reduced area of spinal cord fibrosis(P=0.021),increased neurons survived(P=0.001),and down-regulated expression of cleaved cysteine aspastic acid-specific protease 3(cleaved Caspase-3)(P=0.017).Compared with the TNF-α group,the SHI group presented down-regulated expression levels of cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax(P=0.010,P=0.001)and up-regulated expression level of Bcl-2(P=0.001).The results of bioinformatics analysis showed that SHI might improve the motor function of SCI mice via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)signaling pathway.The results of in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that SHI inhibited the phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt in SCI mice or HT22 cells exposed to TNF-α(all P<0.05).The number of apoptotic HT22 cells after treatment with insulin-like growth factor 1 was higher than that in the SHI group(P=0.003).Conclusion SHI may inhibit neuron apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,thereby promoting the recovery of motor function in SCI mice.

Effect of altitude hypoxia on blood-brain barrier after subarachnoid hemorrhage based on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/nuclear factor κB pathway in rats / 解剖学报

Objective To investigate the effect of plateau hypoxia on the blood-brain barrier after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rats. Methods Adult male SD rats (n = 78) were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham group (sham), SAH model group (SAH), plateau hypoxia sham group (Hp sham) and plateau hypoxia SAH model group (Hp SAH). The rat model of plateau hypoxia was established through low-pressure simulation chamber (altitude 5000 m), and the SAH model was established by endovascular perforation method. At 24 hours after SAH, neurobehavior score and SAH grade were assessed. The morphological changes of neurons and apoptosis of nerve cells in the CA1 region of hippocampal were observed by the staining of Nissl and TUNEL. The expression of phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K), PI3K, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), Akt, phosphorylated nuclear factor κB (p-NF-κB), NF-κB, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), occludin and claudin-5 in hippocampal were detected by the method of Western blotting. The expression of occludin and claudin-5 proteins in the CA1 region of hippocampal were observed by immunofluorescent staining. Results At 24 hours after SAH, the neurobehavior score decreased significantly and SAH grade increased significantly in the SAH and Hp SAH group (P< 0.05). Neurobehavior score decreased significantly in the Hp SAH group compared with the SAH group (P < 0.05). In the SAH group, neurons in the CA1 region of hippocampus were atrophied and deformed, the arrangement were disordered, the number of neurons decreased significantly, and the apoptosis of nerve cells increased significantly(P< 0.05). Plateau hypoxia could aggravate the morphological damage of neurons and apoptosis of nerve cells. The expression of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, occludin and claudin-5 proteins decreased significantly, while the expression of p-NF-κB/NF-κB and MMP-9 proteins increased significantly in the SAH and Hp SAH group (P< 0.05). The expression of p-PI3K/PI3K and MMP-9 proteins increased significantly in Hp SAH group compared with the SAH group. The expression of claudin-5 protein increased significantly in Hp sham group compared with the sham group (P < 0.05). Immunofluorescent staining showed that the expression of occludin and claudin-5 proteins in the CA1 region of hippocampus decreased in the SAH group. Plateau hypoxia could further decreased the expression of occludin and claudin-5 proteins. Conclusion Plateau hypoxia aggravates blood-brain barrier disruption after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats through inhibiting PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway.

Mechanism of melatonin regulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling in hypothalamus delaying the initiation of puberty in female mice / 解剖学报

Objective To explore the effect of melatonin ( MLT) on the initiation of puberty in female mice and on the expression level of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases ( PI3K)/protein kinase B ( Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in the frypothalamus. Methods Seventy-eight 20-day-old female KM mice were randomly divided into melatonin (MLT) group and normal saline (NS) group, with 39 mice in each group. Starting at 22 days of age, the MLT group was given a subcutaneous injection of 1 mg/kg melatonin and the NS group was given an equal volume of saline. Thirty-two days of age were selected as the sampling point before puberty initiation and 13 mice were executed in each of the two groups, while 37 and 42 days of age were selected as the sampling point after puberty initiation and 13 mice were executed in each of the two groups. Observation of vaginal opening time in mice, weighing of ovaries and uterus to calculate organ indices. HE staining to observe the number of ovarian corpora lutea. The levels of serum luteinizing hormone (LH)were determined by ELISA. The mRNA and protein expression levels of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in frypothalamus were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blotting. Results Compared with the normal saline group, mice in the melatonin group had significantly delayed vaginal opening time ( P < 0. 05 ) , decreased significantly ovarian and uterine volume and index (P<0. 05) , decreased significantly serum LH levels (P<0. 05) , and decreased significantly mRNA and protein expression levels of the frypothalamic PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway (P<0. 05). Conclusion Melatonin delays puberty initiation in mice by a mechanism that ma)' be related to inhibition of the hypothalamic PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway.

Role of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway-mediated macrophage autophagy in affecting the phenotype transformation of lung fibroblasts induced by silica dust exposure / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVES@#The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) pathway is one of the main signaling pathways related to autophagy. Autophagy plays a key role in the formation of silicosis fibrosis. The phenotypic transformation of lung fibroblasts into myofibroblasts is a hallmark of the transition from the inflammatory phase to the fibrotic phase in silicosis. This study aims to investigate whether the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway affects the phenotypic transformation of silicosis-induced lung fibroblasts into myofibroblasts via mediating macrophage autophagy.@*METHODS@#The human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 cells were differentiated into macrophages by treating with 100 ng/mL of phorbol ester for 24 h. Macrophages were exposed to different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 μg/mL) and different times (0, 6, 12, 24, 48 h) of SiO2 dust suspension. The survival rate of macrophages was measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the contents of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the cell supernatant. The co-culture system of macrophages and HFL-1 cells was established by transwell. A blank control group, a SiO2 group, a LY294002 group, a SC79 group, a LY294002+SiO2 group, and a SC79+SiO2 group were set up in this experiment. Macrophages in the LY294002+SiO2 group were pretreated with LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) for 18 hours, and macrophages in the SC79+SiO2 group were pretreated with SC79 (Akt activator) for 24 hours, and then exposed to SiO2 (100 μg/mL) dust suspension for 12 hours. The expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) protein in macrophages was detected by the immunofluorescence method. The protein expressions of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, Beclin-1, LC3 in macrophages, and collagen III (Col III), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin (FN), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), tissue metalloproteinase inhibitor-1 (TIMP-1) in HFL-1 cells were measured by Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#After the macrophages were exposed to SiO2 dust suspension of different concentrations for 12 h, the survival rates of macrophages were gradually decreased with the increase of SiO2 concentration. Compared with the 0 μg/mL group, the survival rates of macrophages in the 100, 200, and 400 μg/mL groups were significantly decreased, and the concentrations of TGF-β1 and TNF-α in the cell supernatant were obviously increased (all P<0.05). When 100 μg/mL SiO2 dust suspension was applied to macrophages, the survival rates of macrophages were decreased with the prolonged exposure time. Compared with the 0 h group, the survival rates of macrophages were significantly decreased (all P<0.05), the concentrations of TGF-β1 and TNF-α in the cell supernatant were significantly increased, and the protein expression levels of Beclin-1 and LC3II were increased markedly in the 6, 12, 24, and 48 h groups (all P<0.05). Immunofluorescence results demonstrated that after exposure to SiO2 (100 μg/mL) dust for 12 h, LC3 exhibited punctate aggregation and significantly higher fluorescence intensity compared to the blank control group (P<0.05). Compared with the blank control group, the protein expressions of Col III, FN, α-SMA, MMP-1, and TIMP-1 in HFL-1 cells were up-regulated in the SiO2 group (all P<0.05). Compared with the SiO2 group, the protein expressions of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR were down-regulated and the protein expressions of LC3II and Beclin-1 were up-regulated in macrophages (all P<0.05), the contents of TNF-α and TGF-β1 in the cell supernatant were decreased (both P<0.01), and the protein expressions of Col III, FN, α-SMA, MMP-1, and TIMP-1 in HFL-1 cells were down-regulated (all P<0.05) in the LY294002+SiO2 group. Compared with the SiO2 group, the protein expressions of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR were up-regulated and the protein expressions of LC3II and Beclin-1 were down-regulated in macrophages (all P<0.05), the contents of TNF-α and TGF-β1 in the cell supernatant were increased (both P<0.01), and the protein expressions of Col III, FN, α-SMA, MMP-1, and TIMP-1 in HFL-1 cells were up-regulated (all P<0.05) in the SC79+SiO2 group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Silica dust exposure inhibits the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, increases autophagy and concentration of inflammatory factors in macrophages, and promotes the phenotype transformation of HFL-1 cells into myofibroblasts. The regulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway can affect the autophagy induction and the concentration of inflammatory factors of macrophages by silica dust exposure, and then affect the phenotype transformation of HFL-1 cells into myofibroblasts induced by silica dust exposure.

Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides Inhibit Malignant Phenotype of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Regulating PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides （GLP） on the proliferation， migration， cycle， and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma SK­HEP­1 and Huh­7 cells and to explore the underlying mechanism. MethodSK-HEP-1 and Huh-7 cells were classified into the blank group and low-， medium-， and high-dose GLP groups （3.5， 7， 14 g·L-1）. The proliferation of the cells was examined by cell counting kit-8 （CCK­8） assay， and the migration by scratch assay. Cell cycle was measured by flow cytometry and apoptosis was detected based on Hoechst33258 staining. In addition， the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）， protein kinase B （Akt）， phosphorylated PI3K （p­PI3K）， and phosphorylated Akt （p­Akt） in the cells was determined by Western blot. ResultCompared with the blank group， the three doses of GLP reduced the proliferation and migration of SK­HEP­1 and Huh­7 cells （P<0.05）， increased the percentage of cells in G1 phase （P<0.05）， and decreased percentage of cells in S and G2 phase （P<0.05）. In addition， the three doses can induce apoptosis of both SK-HEP-1 and Huh-7 cells， particularly the high dose. Moreover， the three doses of GLP lowered the levels of p­PI3K and p­Akt （P<0.05）. ConclusionGLP significantly inhibited the malignant phenotype of SK-HEP-1 and Huh-7 cells through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Effect of Baihu Jia Renshen Tang on PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway in Liver of MKR Diabetic Mice / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Baihu Jia Renshen Tang （BHRS） on the related molecules on the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B（PI3K/Akt）signaling pathway in the liver of MKR diabetic model mice. MethodThirty 6-week-old MKR mice were selected and fed on a high-fat diet for four weeks，followed by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin（STZ）for the diabetes model establishment. The model was properly induced in the case of the fasting blood glucose （FBG） of ≥11.1 mmol·L-1. After modeling，the mice were randomly divided into a model group，a BHRS group （12.09 g·kg-1·d-1），and a metformin group （0.065 g·kg-1·d-1），with 10 mice in each group. Ten FVB mice were assigned to the control group. The mice in the groups with drug intervention were continuously administered correspondingly for 28 days. After administration，the mice were sacrificed，followed by the oral glucose tolerance test （OGTT） and FBG detection. Serum very low-density lipoprotein（VLDL）content was determined by semi-quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Four indexes related to blood lipid were determined by the biochemistry analyzer. Liver tissues were subjected to pathological examination by hematoxylin-eosin（HE）staining. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of PI3K，Akt，phosphorylated（p）-PI3K，p-Akt，forkhead box protein O1 （FoxO1），insulin receptor（InsR），and insulin receptor substrate-2（IRS-2） in liver tissues of mice. Real-time polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of PI3K，Akt，FoxO1，InsR，and IRS-2 in liver tissues of mice. ResultCompared with the control group，the model group showed poor general conditions，abnormal glucose tolerance （P<0.05），increased FBG （P<0.01），abnormal blood lipid metabolism，increased serum total cholesterol （TC），triglyceride（TG），low-density lipoprotein cholesterol（LDL-C），and VLDL （P<0.05），decreased level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol（HDL-C）（P<0.05），fatty degeneration and obvious pathological changes of liver cells，reduced protein expression of PI3K，Akt，p-PI3K/PI3K，p-Akt/Akt，IRS-2，and InsR in liver tissues（P<0.05），increased protein expression of FoxO1（P<0.05），decreased mRNA expression of PI3K，Akt，IRS-2，and InsR in liver tissues （P<0.05），and increased FoxO1 mRNA expression（P<0.05）. Compared with the model group，the BHRS group showed improved general conditions and glucose and lipid metabolism （P<0.05），improved pathological state of liver cells，increased protein expression of PI3K，Akt，p-PI3K/PI3K，p-Akt/Akt，IRS-2，and InsR in liver tissues（P<0.05），decreased protein expression of FoxO1（P<0.05），increased mRNA expression of PI3K，Akt，IRS-2，and InsR in liver tissues （P<0.05），and reduced FoxO1 mRNA expression（P<0.05）. ConclusionBHRS can effectively reduce blood glucose，regulate blood lipid metabolism，and improve the pathological state of the liver in MKR diabetic mice，and its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of the activity of molecules on the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Inhibitory Effect of Water Extract of Broussonetiae Fructus on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Induced by Diethylnitrosamine in Mice and Effect of PTEN/PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the inhibitory effect of water extract of Broussonetiae Fructus on hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） induced by diethyl nitrosamine （DEN） in mice based on homologous phosphatase and tensin homolog/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PTEN/PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway. MethodThe primary HCC mouse model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of DEN solution， and the HCC mice were randomly divided into model group， sorafenib group （0.01 g·kg-1·d-1）， low-dose Broussonetiae Fructus water extract group （0.9 g·kg-1·d-1）， medium-dose Broussonetiae Fructus water extract group （1.8 g·kg-1·d-1）， and high-dose Broussonetiae Fructus water extract group （3.6 g·kg-1·d-1）， with 10 mice in each group. Another 10 C57BL/6 mice were selected as a control group and intraperitoneally injected with an equal volume of normal saline. Mice were treated with different concentrations of Broussonetiae Fructus water extract when liver cancer-like white nodules appeared. sorafenib group was treated with sorafenib. The control group and model group were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline. The activities of alkaline phosphatase （ALP）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， and γ-glutamyl transferase （γ-GT） in the serum of mice were detected by the biochemical analyzer. The expression levels of alpha-fetoprotein （AFP） and carcinoembryonic antigen （CEA） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The degree of hepatocyte canceration and hepatocyte injury were observed by Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Masson staining. The proliferation of HCC cells was observed by immunohistochemical staining. The apoptosis of HCC cells in mice was observed by erminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labelling （TUNEL） staining. The expression levels of PTEN， PI3K， Akt， and p-Akt proteins related to the PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway were detected by Western blot. ResultCompared with the control group， the activities of ALP， AST， ALT， and γ-GT， as well as the expression levels of AFP and CEA in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Carcinogenesis and inflammatory cell infiltration were obvious in liver tissue of mice， and a large number of blue collagen fiber hyperplasia was found. The number of Ki67 positive cells was significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the expression level of PTEN protein was significantly decreased， while PI3K and p-Akt protein expression was increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the activities of ALP， AST， ALT， and γ-GT， as well as the expression levels of AFP and CEA in the medium-dose and high-dose Broussonetiae Fructus water extract groups were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The degree of carcinogenesis and inflammatory cell infiltration in liver tissue were reduced， and the collagen fiber hyperplasia was significantly reduced. The number of Ki67 positive cells was significantly decreased， and the number of TUNEL positive apoptotic cells was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. PTEN protein expression was increased， while p-Akt protein expression was significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe water extract of Broussonetiae Fructus has a significant inhibitory effect on DEN-induced primary HCC in mice， and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of key protein expressions in the PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Wendantang Treats Inflammation in Obesity （Syndrome of Phlegm-dampness） by Regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway-mediated Adipocyte Autophagy / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Wendantang on the expression of inflammatory cytokines， autophagy markers， and key molecules of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin （PI3K/Akt/mTOR） signaling pathway in the adipocytes of the rat model of obesity （syndrome of phlegm-dampness） and to explore the material basis of inflammation in obesity （syndrome of phlegm-dampness） and the underlying mechanism of Wendantang intervention. MethodA total of 126 SD rats were randomized into 2 groups： 16 rats in the blank group and 110 rats in the modeling group. The blank group was fed with a basic diet while the modeling group with a high-fat diet to establish the animal model of obesity （syndrome of phlegm-dampness） for 8 weeks. After successful modeling， 48 obese rats were selected according to their body mass and randomized into a model control group， an orlistat （ORLI， 32.40 mg·kg-1） group， a rapamycin （RAPA， 2 mg·kg-1） group， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （4.45， 8.90， 17.80 g·kg-1， respectively） Wendantang groups， with 8 rats in each group. In addition， 8 rats were randomly selected from the blank group to be set as the normal control group. The corresponding agents in each group were administrated by gavage and the model and control groups were administrated with equal amounts of distilled water once daily for 6 weeks. The body mass， Lee's index， body fat ratio， and obesity rate were measured or calculated. The expression of UNC51-like kinase-1 （ULK1）， Beclin1， human autophagy-related protein 5 （Atg5）， p62， and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3） Ⅰ/Ⅱ （markers of autophagy in adipocytes） was detected by the immunohistochemical two-step method. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to determine the expression of tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， IL-1β， monocyte chemotactic protein-1 （MCP-1）， IL-4， IL-10， IL-13， and transforming growth factor （TGF）-β in adipocytes. Western blot was employed to measure the protein levels of classⅠ-PI3K， phosphatidylinositol triphosphate （PIP3）， Akt， mTORC1， ULK1， TSC1， and TSC2 in adipocytes. ResultCompared with the blank group， the modeling group showed increased body mass and Lee's index （P<0.01）， the obesity rate >20%， and phlegm-dampness syndrome manifestations such as physical obesity， decreased mobility， decreased appetite， lusterless and tight fur， loose stools， decreased responsiveness to the outside world， and decreased water intake. Compared with the normal control group， the model control group showed increased body mass， Lee's index， body fat ratio， adipocyte autophagy marker expression， pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）， down-regulated protein levels of classⅠ-PI3K， PIP3， Akt， mTORC1， TSC1， and TSC2 （P<0.01）， and up-regulated protein level of ULK1 （P<0.01）. The intervention groups showed lower body mass， body fat ratio， adipocyte autophagy marker protein expression， and protein levels of TNF-α， IL-6， IL-1β， MCP-1， IL-4， and IL-13 than the model control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， the RAPA and Wendantang （medium and high dose） groups showed lowered levels of IL-10 and TGF-β （P<0.01）， and the ORLI group showed down-regulated expression of TGF-β （P<0.01）. The expression of key molecules of the signaling pathway was up-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01） while that of ULK1 was down-regulated （P<0.01） in all the intervention groups. Compared with the RAPA group， the Wendantang groups showed up-regulated expression of all autophagy marker proteins in adipocytes （P<0.01）. In addition， the low-dose Wendantang group showed elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines （except TNF-α） （P<0.05， P<0.01） and down-regulated expression of all key molecules of the signaling pathway （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The levels of inflammatory cytokines （except IL-16， MCP-1， and IL-10） were elevated in the medium-dose Wendantang group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expression of key molecules except PI3K of the signaling pathway was down-regulated in the medium- and high-dose Wendantang groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the ORLI group， low- and medium-dose Wendantang groups showed up-regulated expression of autophagy markers in adipocytes （P<0.01）， and the low-dose group showed elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines （IL-6， IL-4， and TGF-β） （P<0.01） and down-regulated expression of all key molecules of the signaling pathway （P<0.01）. The medium-dose Wendantang group showed up-regulated expression of IL-4 （P<0.01） and down-regulated expression of key molecules except PI3K of the signaling pathway （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The high-dose Wendantang group showed increased body mass， up-regulated expression levels of autophagy markers （ULK1， LC3 Ⅰ/Ⅱ） （P<0.05， P<0.01）， down-regulated expression of PIP3， mTORC1， and TSC1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and lowered levels of Beclin1， Atg5， TNF-α， and IL-13 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe inflammation in obesity （syndrome of phlegm-dampness） is closely associated with the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway-mediated adipocyte autophagy. Wendantang can treat the chronic inflammation in obese rats with the syndrome of phlegm-dampness by regulating this signaling pathway and thus improve adipocyte autophagy.

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.

MEX3A promotes proliferation and migration of colorectal cancer cells via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway / 解剖学报

Objective To investigate the expression of MEX3A in colorectal cancer (CRC), and to explore the effect and mechanism of MEX3A on the proliferation and migration of colorectal cancer cells. Methods Totally 327 cases of data(41 normal tissues and 286 tumor tissues) were obtained from TCGA database, and 104 cases of clinical samples (77 cases tissues and 27 paracancerous tissues) were collected for immunohistochemistry, then analysed the differences in MEX3A expression between CRC tissues and normal tissues. Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were used to evaluate the differential expression of MEX3A in CRC cell lines. CL187 cells were selected as the follow-up research vector. Small interfering RNA of MEX3A(siMEX3A) was transfected into CL187 cells to inhibit the expression of MEX3A. The proliferation and migration of CL187 cells were measured by MTT, colony formation assay and Transwell assay. The expression of PI3K, p-PI3K, Akt and p-Akt were detected by Western blotting. Results TCGA database, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting analysis showed that MEX3A was highly expressed in colorectal cancer. The result of immunofluorescence staining showed that MEX3A was concentrated in the cytoplasm and the nucleus. In MTT, colony formation assay and Transwell assay, the proliferation and migration ability of CL187 cells in siMEX3A group decreased significantly than those in control group (P<0.05). Western blotting result showed that the expression of p-PI3K and p-Akt in siMEX3A group down-regulated significantly (P<0.05), and the inhibition of proliferation and migration ability of CL187 cells induced by siMEX3A group could be reversed by 740 Y-P via activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Conclusion MEX3A is highly expressed in colorectal cancer and promotes the proliferation and migration of CRC cells via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Effect of Baofeikang Granules on PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway in Pulmonary Fibrosis： Prediction Based on Network Pharmacology and Verification Based on Animal Experiment / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the targets and mechanism of Baofeikang granules in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis based on network pharmacology and verify the predicted mechanism based on animal experiment. MethodThe active ingredients and targets of Baofeikang granules were screened via the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform， and the targets of pulmonary fibrosis were searched in various disease databases. The common targets shared by Baofeikang granules and the disease were extracted for the establishment of the protein-protein interaction （PPI） network in STRING. Cytoscape 3.8.0 was used to analyze the network topology of the key targets and to establish the ''active ingredient-target'' network. Gene ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） enrichment analyses were performed on the core targets to explore their possible molecular mechanisms. The rats were assigned into four groups： normal group， model group， prednisone acetate group， and Baofeikang granules group. The rat model of interstitial lung fibrosis was established by tracheal instillation of bleomycin. After 21 days of gavage， the lung tissues of rats were stained with hemotoxylin and eosin （HE） for the observation of morphological changes， and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K） and protein kinase B （Akt） were detected via immunohistochemical （IHC） staining. ResultBased on network pharmacology， 18 key targets of Baofeikang granules were identified for the treatment of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis， including Akt1， mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） 1， myelocytomatosis oncogene （MYC）， hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）， cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A （CDKN1A）， epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR）， and Runt-related transcription factor （RUNX2）. KEGG pathway enrichment predicted that Baofeikang granules exerted anti-fibrotic effect mainly through PI3K/Akt， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）， and interleukin-17 （IL-17） signaling pathways. The IHC results in animal experiment showed that the protein levels of PI3K and Akt were lower in the Baofeikang granules group than in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionBaofeikang granules has low toxicity， multiple targets， and multiple pathways in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. It may alleviate pulmonary fibrosis through regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway， so as to improve the lung function.

Apigenin Induces Apoptosis of Human Colorectal Cancer CL187 Cells via PI3K/Akt and MAPK Signaling Pathways / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo study the effect of apigenin on the proliferation and apoptosis of human colon cancer CL187 cells and the underlying mechanisms. MethodHuman colorectal cancer CL187 cells were treated with different concentrations of apigenin （0， 30， 45， 60 mg·L-1） according to the results of the preliminary experiment. The proliferation of CL187 cells was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） and colony formation assays， and the apoptosis was observed via Hoechst 33258 staining. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was conducted to determine the mRNA levels of cysteine protease-3 （Caspase-3）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） in the CL187 cells treated with apigenin. Western blot was employed to measure the protein levels of Caspase-3， Bcl-2， and Bax associated with apoptosis， protein kinase B （Akt） and phosphorylated Akt （p-Akt） in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） pathway， and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 （ERK1/2）， p-ERK1/2， c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK）， p-JNK， p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， and p-p38 MAPK protein in MAPK pathway. ResultCompared with the blank group， the apigenin groups had low cell survival rates and high inhibition rates on cell proliferation （P<0.01）. Apigenin decreased the cell clone number and clone formation rate， and increased the inhibition rate on clone formation （P<0.01）. After CL187 cells were treated with different concentrations of apigenin for 48 h， typical apoptosis characteristics such as nuclear pyknosis， chromatin condensation， and enhanced fluorescence reaction were observed. Compared with blank group， 45， 60 mg·L-1 apigenin treatments down-regulated the mRNA level of anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 （P<0.01） and all the apigenin treatments up-regulated those of the pro-apoptotic genes Bax and Caspase-3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Similarly， apigenin treatments down-regulated the protein level of Bcl-2 （P<0.05， P<0.01） and up-regulated those of Caspase-3 （P<0.05， P<0.01） and Bax （P<0.01， 45， 60 mg·L-1）. The blank group had higher protein level of Akt than the 60 mg·L-1 apigenin group （P<0.01）， higher protein levels of p-Akt， ERK1/2， and p-ERK1/2 than the 45， 60 mg·L-1 apigenin groups （P<0.01）， and higher protein levels of JNK and p-JNK than the apigenin groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with blank group， 60 mg·L-1 apigenin up-regulated the protein level of p38 MAPK （P<0.05）， and all the apigenin groups up-regulated that of p-p38 MAPK （P<0.01）. Furthermore， apigenin lowered the p-Akt/Akt ratio （P<0.05， P<0.01） and p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 ratio （P<0.01）， while it increased the p-JNK/JNK ratio （45， 60 mg·L-1； P<0.05， P<0.01） and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK ratio （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionApigenin can inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of CL187 cells by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and regulating the expression of proteins in the MAPK signaling pathway.

Apigenin Induces Apoptosis of Human Colorectal Cancer CL187 Cells via PI3K/Akt and MAPK Signaling Pathways / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo study the effect of apigenin on the proliferation and apoptosis of human colon cancer CL187 cells and the underlying mechanisms. MethodHuman colorectal cancer CL187 cells were treated with different concentrations of apigenin （0， 30， 45， 60 mg·L-1） according to the results of the preliminary experiment. The proliferation of CL187 cells was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） and colony formation assays， and the apoptosis was observed via Hoechst 33258 staining. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was conducted to determine the mRNA levels of cysteine protease-3 （Caspase-3）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） in the CL187 cells treated with apigenin. Western blot was employed to measure the protein levels of Caspase-3， Bcl-2， and Bax associated with apoptosis， protein kinase B （Akt） and phosphorylated Akt （p-Akt） in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） pathway， and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 （ERK1/2）， p-ERK1/2， c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK）， p-JNK， p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， and p-p38 MAPK protein in MAPK pathway. ResultCompared with the blank group， the apigenin groups had low cell survival rates and high inhibition rates on cell proliferation （P<0.01）. Apigenin decreased the cell clone number and clone formation rate， and increased the inhibition rate on clone formation （P<0.01）. After CL187 cells were treated with different concentrations of apigenin for 48 h， typical apoptosis characteristics such as nuclear pyknosis， chromatin condensation， and enhanced fluorescence reaction were observed. Compared with blank group， 45， 60 mg·L-1 apigenin treatments down-regulated the mRNA level of anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 （P<0.01） and all the apigenin treatments up-regulated those of the pro-apoptotic genes Bax and Caspase-3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Similarly， apigenin treatments down-regulated the protein level of Bcl-2 （P<0.05， P<0.01） and up-regulated those of Caspase-3 （P<0.05， P<0.01） and Bax （P<0.01， 45， 60 mg·L-1）. The blank group had higher protein level of Akt than the 60 mg·L-1 apigenin group （P<0.01）， higher protein levels of p-Akt， ERK1/2， and p-ERK1/2 than the 45， 60 mg·L-1 apigenin groups （P<0.01）， and higher protein levels of JNK and p-JNK than the apigenin groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with blank group， 60 mg·L-1 apigenin up-regulated the protein level of p38 MAPK （P<0.05）， and all the apigenin groups up-regulated that of p-p38 MAPK （P<0.01）. Furthermore， apigenin lowered the p-Akt/Akt ratio （P<0.05， P<0.01） and p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 ratio （P<0.01）， while it increased the p-JNK/JNK ratio （45， 60 mg·L-1； P<0.05， P<0.01） and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK ratio （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionApigenin can inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of CL187 cells by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and regulating the expression of proteins in the MAPK signaling pathway.