Hericenone C attenuates the second phase of formalin-induced nociceptive behavior by suppressing the accumulation of CD11c-positive cells in the paw epidermis via phosphorylated P65.

Hericenone C is one of the most abundant secondary metabolites derived from Hericium erinaceus, under investigation for medicinal properties. Here, we report that Hericenone C inhibits the second phase of formalin-induced nociceptive behavior in mice. As the second phase is involved in inflammation, in a mechanistic analysis on cultured cells targeting NF-κB response element (NRE): luciferase (Luc)-expressing cells, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NRE::Luc luciferase activity was found to be significantly inhibited by Hericenone C. Phosphorylation of p65, which is involved in the inflammatory responses of the NF-κB signaling pathway, was also induced by LPS and significantly reduced by Hericenone C. Additionally, in mice, the number of CD11c-positive cells increased in the paw during the peak of the second phase of the formalin test, which decreased upon Hericenone C intake. Our findings confirm the possibility of Hericenone C as a novel therapeutic target for pain-associated inflammation.

Circadian rhythms in CYP2A5 expression underlie the time-dependent effect of tegafur on breast cancer.

The chemotherapeutic agent tegafur, a prodrug that prolongs the half-life of fluorouracil (5-FU), exerts antitumor effects against various cancers. Since tegafur is metabolized to 5-FU by CYP2A6 in the liver, the expression of CYP2A6 determines the effect of tegafur. Here, we report that the expression rhythm of Cyp2a5, a homolog of human CYP2A6, in female mice causes dosing time-dependent differences in tegafur metabolism. In the livers of female mice, CYP2A5 expression showed a circadian rhythm, peaking during the dark period. This rhythm is regulated by RORA, a core clock component, and abrogation of the CYP2A5 activity abolished the time-dependent difference in the rate of tegafur metabolism in female mice. Furthermore, administration of tegafur to mice transplanted with 4T1 breast cancer cells during the dark period suppressed increases in tumor size compared to female mice treated during the light period. Our findings reveal a novel relationship between 5-FU prodrugs and circadian clock machinery, potentially influencing antitumor effects, and contributing to the development of time-aware chemotherapy regimens for breast cancer.

Time-Dependent Differences in Vancomycin Sensitivity of Macrophages Underlie Vancomycin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury.

Although vancomycin (VCM)-frequently used to treat drug-resistant bacterial infections-often induces acute kidney injury (AKI), discontinuation of the drug is the only effective treatment; therefore, analysis of effective avoidance methods is urgently needed. Here, we report the differences in the induction of AKI by VCM in 1/2-nephrectomized mice depending on the time of administration. Despite the lack of difference in the accumulation of VCM in the kidney between the light (ZT2) and dark (ZT14) phases, the expression of AKI markers due to VCM was observed only in the ZT2 treatment. Genomic analysis of the kidney suggested that the time of administration was involved in VCM-induced changes in monocyte and macrophage activity, and VCM had time-dependent effects on renal macrophage abundance, ATP activity, and interleukin (IL)-1ß expression. Furthermore, the depletion of macrophages with clodronate abolished the induction of IL-1ß and AKI marker expression by VCM administration at ZT2. This study provides evidence of the need for time-dependent pharmacodynamic considerations in the prevention of VCM-induced AKI as well as the potential for macrophage-targeted AKI therapy. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: There is a time of administration at which vancomycin (VCM)-induced renal injury is more and less likely to occur, and macrophages are involved in this difference. Therefore, there is a need for time-dependent pharmacodynamic considerations in the prevention of VCM-induced acute kidney injury as well as the potential for macrophage-targeted acute kidney injury therapy.