baohuoside-i and Disease-Models--Animal

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder in airways with typical pathologic features of airflow limitation, airway inflammation and remodeling. Icariside II (IS), derived from herbal medicine Herba Epimedii, exerts an anti-inflammatory property. However, underlying mechanisms with specifically targeted molecular expression by IS in asthma have not been fully understood, and whether IS could inhibit remodeling and EMT still remains unclear.. The study aimed to clarify therapeutic efficacy of IS for attenuating airway inflammation and remodeling in asthma, and illustrate IS-regulated specific pathway and target proteins through TMT-based quantitative proteomics.. Murine model of chronic asthma was constructed with ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and then challenge for 8 weeks. Pulmonary function, leukocyte count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), lung histopathology, inflammatory and fibrotic cytokines, and markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were evaluated. TMT-based quantitative proteomics were performed on lung tissues to explore IS-regulated proteins.. IS contributed to alleviative airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) evidenced by declined R. The study demonstrated IS could ameliorate AHR, airway inflammation, remodeling and EMT in OVA-induced chronic asthma mice. Our research was the first to reveal that inhibition of LAMP2, CTSD and CTSS expression in autophagy contributed to the therapeutic efficacy of IS to asthma.

Topics: Animals; Asthma; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Inflammation; Lung; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Ovalbumin; Proteomics

Icariside II (ICA II), an active flavonoid monomer, has been proven to restore post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction in rats; however, the high cost of extraction from natural plants limits the application of ICA II.. To investigate the therapeutic effect and possible mechanism of action of YS-10, a new flavonoid compound, which was designed and synthesized based on the structure of ICA II in a rat model in of cavernous nerve injury.. Eight of 32 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were selected as the normal control (NC) group and received vehicle treatment. The remaining rats were subjected to bilateral cavernous nerve injury (BCNI) and randomized into three groups: BCNI group, BCNI + ICA II group (2.5 mg/kg/day), and BCNI + YS-10 group (2.5 mg/kg/day). The total procedure lasted for 21 days, followed by a washout period of 3 days. All animals were evaluated for erectile function, and tissues were harvested for histopathological analyses.. It was observed that in YS-10 group, the ratio of intracavernous pressure (ICP) to mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the area under the ICP/MAP curve were effectively enhanced. The maximum ICP/MAP increased by 30% in the YS-10 group (0.86 ± 0.085) compared with the BCNI group (0.66 ± 0.058), which is close to 82% of the NC group (1.05 ± 0.033). Histopathological changes demonstrated significant reduction of smooth muscle atrophy, collagen deposition, and endothelial and neural dysfunction after YS-10 treatment, which have no statistical differences compared with ICA II group. Additionally, high-protein expression levels of β-Catenin and cyclin D1 were observed in the treatment groups.. YS-10, a novel synthesized flavonoid compound, could effectively improve erectile dysfunction in rats after BCNI by alleviating pathological impairments; this effect may associate with the upregulation of β-Catenin and cyclin D1 in Wnt signaling pathway.

Topics: Animals; beta Catenin; Cyclin D1; Disease Models, Animal; Erectile Dysfunction; Flavonoids; Male; Penile Erection; Penis; Peripheral Nerve Injuries; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Up-Regulation; Wnt Signaling Pathway

We aimed to investigate the effects of icariside II (ICS II) on myocardial fibrosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and to explore the possible mechanisms.. We used SHRs as animal models, and we administered ICS II (4, 8 or 16 mg/kg) orally by gavage for 12 consecutive weeks (Fu et al., Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 100: 64). The left ventricular morphology of the rats was observed using haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The occurrence of myocardial interstitial fibrosis was detected by Masson's trichrome staining. The protein levels of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Collagen I, III, matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9, respectively), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), phospho-Smad2 (p-Smad2), phospho-Smad3 (p-Smad3) and phospho-p38 (p-p38) were examined by Western blotting.. The results suggested that ICS II improved myocardial interstitial and perivascular collagen deposition and decreased Collagen I/III and α-SMA expression. ICS II (8 and 16 mg/kg) downregulated the expression of MMP-2 and MMP9 and upregulated the expression of TIMP1. In addition, the protein levels of p-Smad2/3, TGF-β1 and p-p38 were decreased by ICS II treatment.. The results suggest that ICS II can inhibit the expression of Collagen I and Collagen III through the MMP/TIMP-1 and TGF-β1/Smad2,3/p-p38 signalling pathways and that it has therapeutic effects on myocardial fibrosis.

Topics: Animals; Cardiomyopathies; Collagen Type I; Collagen Type III; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Fibrosis; Flavonoids; Male; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Rats; Rats, Inbred SHR; Rats, Wistar; Signal Transduction; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease. Icariside II has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory effect in multiple human diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of Icariside II on airway inflammation and remodeling in asthma. We established an asthma mouse model with ovalbumin (OVA) immunization. Histological analysis using H&E, PAS and Masson staining showed that administration of Icariside II attenuated OVA-induced airway inflammation and remodeling. Icariside II reduced the numbers of total white blood cells and eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in peripheral blood and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), eotaxin-1, CC-chemokine receptor-3 (CCR-3), Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 and TLR-4 were significantly down-regulated in lung tissues of OVA-induced mouse model. These results suggested that Icariside II inhibited eosinophil activation and thus decreased eosinophils-induced airway inflammation and remodeling in asthma. Moreover, Icariside II suppressed TGF-β1-induced cell proliferation, migration, and CTGF expression in airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs). In both OVA-induced mouse model of asthma and TGF-β1-induced ASMCs, Icariside II decreased IκBα degradation, nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and STAT3 phophorylation, indicating an inactivation of NF-κB and STAT3 in the presence of Icariside II. Therefore, we demonstrate that Icariside II attenuates eosinophils-induced airway inflammation and remodeling in asthmatic mice and inhibits TGF-β1-induced cell proliferation and migration in ASMCs via suppressing NF-κB and STAT3 signalings.

Topics: Airway Remodeling; Animals; Asthma; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Connective Tissue Growth Factor; Disease Models, Animal; Eosinophils; Flavonoids; Inflammation; Lung; Male; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle; NF-kappa B; Signal Transduction; STAT3 Transcription Factor; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Flavonoids; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Mice; Models, Molecular; NF-kappa B; Signal Transduction; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Icariside II (ICAII) is a bioflavonoid compound which has demonstrated anti‑oxidative, anti‑inflammatory and anti‑apoptotic biological activities. However, to the best of our knowledge, whether ICAII can alleviate myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury (MIRI) remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to determine whether ICAII exerted a protective effect on MIRI and to investigate the potential underlying mechanism of action. A rat MIRI model was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min, followed by a 24 h reperfusion. Pretreatment with ICAII with or without a PI3K/AKT inhibitor was administered at the beginning of reperfusion. Morphological and histological analyses were detected using hematoxylin and eosin staining; the infarct size was measured using Evans blue and 2,3,5‑triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining; and plasma levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase‑myocardial band (CK‑MB) were analyzed using commercialized assay kits. In addition, the cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography and the levels of cardiomyocyte apoptosis were determined using a TUNEL staining. The protein expression levels of Bax, Bcl‑2, cleaved caspase‑3, interleukin‑6, tumor necrosis factor‑α, PI3K, phosphorylated (p)‑PI3K, AKT and p‑AKT were analyzed using western blotting analysis. ICAII significantly reduced the infarct size, decreased the release of LDH and CK‑MB and improved the cardiac function induced by IR injury. Moreover, ICAII pretreatment significantly inhibited myocardial apoptosis and the inflammatory response. ICAII also upregulated the expression levels of p‑PI3K and p‑AKT. However, the protective effects of ICAII were abolished by an inhibitor (LY294002) of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In conclusion, the findings of the present study suggested that ICAII may mitigate MIRI by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Apoptosis; Disease Models, Animal; Flavonoids; Gene Expression Regulation; Male; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Phosphorylation; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Signal Transduction; Treatment Outcome; Up-Regulation

IcarisideII (ICAII) could promote the differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) to Schwann cells (SCs), leading to improvement of erectile function (EF) and providing a realistic therapeutic option for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of ADSCs and ICAII in this process remain largely unclear.. ADSCs were treated with different concentrations of ICAII. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay. qRT-PCR and western blot were performed to detect expressions of SCs markers, signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3), and microRNA-let-7i (let-7i). Luciferase reporter assay was conducted to verify the regulatory relationship between let-7i and STAT3. The detection of intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and the ratio of ICP/mean arterial pressure (MAP) were used to evaluate the EF in bilateral cavernous nerve injury (BCNI) rat models.. ICAII promoted cell proliferation of ADSCs in a dose-dependent manner. The mRNA and protein levels of SCs markers were increased by ICAII treatment in a dose-dependent manner in ADSCs. Moreover, let-7i was significantly decreased in ICAII-treated ADSCs and upregulation of let-7i attenuated ICAII-induced promotion of SCs markers. In addition, STAT3 was a direct target of let-7i and upregulated in ICAII-treated ADSCs. Interestingly, overexpression of STAT3 abated the let-7i-mediated inhibition effect on differentiation of ADSCs to SCs and rescued the ICAII-mediated promotion effect on it. Besides, combination treatment of ADSCs and ICAII preserved the EF of BCNI rat models, which was undermined by let-7i overexpression.. ICAII was effective for preserving EF by promoting the differentiation of ADSCs to SCs via modulating let-7i/STAT3 pathway.

Topics: Adipose Tissue; Animals; Blotting, Western; Cell Differentiation; Disease Models, Animal; Erectile Dysfunction; Flavonoids; Male; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Schwann Cells; Transfection

To investigate the effects of icariside II on brain tissue oxidative stress and Nrf2/HO-1 expression in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI).. One hundred SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated, model, and 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg icariside II groups, 20 rats in each group. The middle cerebral artery occlusion model (ischemia for 2 h followed by reperfusion for 24 h) was established in the later 4 groups. In later 3 groups, at reperfusion beginning, the rats were intragastrically administrated with 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg icariside II, respectively. After 24 h of reperfusion, the neurological severity score, cerebral water content and cerebral infarction volume, brain tissue oxidative stress indexes and Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expressions were determined.. Compared with model group, in 20 mg/kg icariside II group the neurological severity score, cerebral water content and cerebral infarction volume, brain tissue ROS content and MDA level were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the brain tissue SOD, GSH-Px and catalase levels and Nrf2 and HO-1 protein levels were significantly increased (P<0.05).. Icariside II can alleviate the CIRI in rats through reducing brain tissue oxidative stress and improving Nrf2/HO-1 expression.

Topics: Animals; Brain Ischemia; Disease Models, Animal; Flavonoids; Male; Neuroprotective Agents; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Oxidative Stress; Random Allocation; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Reperfusion Injury; Severity of Illness Index

Purpose To investigate the role of ICA II in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)-  related chronic hydrocephalus. Methods A two hemorrhage injection model of SAH was created in Sprague Dawley rats (6-8 weeks). A total of 125 rats were randomly assigned into five groups: Sham group, SAH group, SAH+ ICA II (1 mg/kg) group, SAH + ICA II (5 mg/kg) group, and SAH + ICA II (10 mg/kg) group. TGF-β1, phospho-Smad2/3, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and procollagen type I carboxy-terminal propeptide (PICP) were assessed via real-time PCR, Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Lateral ventricular index, Masson staining, and Morris water maze tests were employed to evaluate subarachnoid fibrosis, hydrocephalus, and long term neurological function following SAH. Results ICA II (1, 5, 10 mg/kg) inhibited subarachnoid fibrosis, attenuated ventriculomegaly, and effectively suppressed SAH related chronic hydrocephalus. In addition, parallel reduced expression of members of the TGF-β1/Smad/CTGF signaling pathway were observed. Importantly, ICA II may improve long term neurocognitive deficits after SAH. Conclusion ICA II might suppress fibrosis via inhibition of TGF-β1/Smad/CTGF pathway, prevent the development of SAH related chronic hydrocephalus, and improve long term neurocognitive defects following SAH.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Chronic Disease; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Flavonoids; Hydrocephalus; Male; Maze Learning; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Beta-amyloid (Aβ) deposition and neuroinflammation are involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD)-type neurodegeneration with cognitive deficits. Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors have recently been studied as a potential target for cognitive enhancement by reducing inflammatory responses and Aβ levels. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of icariside II (ICS II), a novel PDE5 inhibitor derived from the traditional Chinese herb Epimedium brevicornum, on cognitive deficits, Aβ levels and neuroinflammation induced by intracerebroventricular-streptozotocin (ICV-STZ) in rats. The results demonstrated that ICV-STZ exhibited cognitive deficits and neuronal morphological damage, along with Aβ increase and neuroinflammation in the rat hippocampus. ICS II improved cognitive deficits, attenuated neuronal death, and decreased the levels of Aβ1-40, Aβ1-42 and PDE5 in the hippocampus of STZ rats. Furthermore, administration of ICS II at the dose of 10mg/kg for 21days significantly suppressed the expression of beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP), beta-secretase1 (BACE1) and increased the expressions of neprilysin (NEP) together with inhibited interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) levels. In addition, ICS II exerted a beneficial effect on inhibition of IκB-α degradation and NF-κB activation induced by STZ. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that ICS II was a potential therapeutic agent for AD treatment.

Topics: Animals; Cognition Disorders; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Flavonoids; Hippocampus; Male; Maze Learning; Neurons; Neuroprotective Agents; Nootropic Agents; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; Random Allocation; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Streptozocin

The antitumor effects of icarisid II, timosaponin A-III, neferine and salidroside were studied in PANC-1 xenograft tumor.. To establish of the nude mice xenograft tumor model, PANC-1 cells were injected. When the tumor major diameter was reached 3-5 mm, the treatment was initiated. The mice were randomized into vehicle control and treatment groups of six animals per each. Chinese medicine monomer was injected intraperitoneally every day. In 23th day, mice were killed once a day, tumor tissue were isolated and weighed and divided into two parts. One part was fixed with formaldehyde for tissue section and immunohistochemistry, the another of tissue was frozen in liquid nitrogen then in - 80 degrees C refrigerator for gene and protein expression analysis.. In PANC-1 tumor xenograft experiment, compared with model group, timosaponin A-III (1.0 mg x kg (-1)) exerted significant inhibitory effects on tumor growth. Timosaponin A-III suppressed mRNA expressions of VEGF (P < 0.05), reduced protein expressions of VEGF (P < 0.05), activated Caspase-3 protein. Icarisid II, neferine and salidroside had not an excelled antitumor effect.. Timosaponin A-III exerted an excelled antitumor effect. The antitumor mechanisms include anti-angiogenesis, apoptosis promotion.

Topics: Animals; Benzylisoquinolines; Caspase 3; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Disease Models, Animal; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Flavonoids; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Glucosides; Humans; Male; Mice; Mice, Nude; Phenols; Random Allocation; RNA, Messenger; RNA, Neoplasm; Saponins; Steroids; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays