No abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDD) are typically associated with neuron loss in nervous system areas. Interventions with related death mechanisms may ameliorate NDD progression. Oxidative stress plays an important role in NDD cell death routines. However, tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP), a widely used oxidative stress stimulus, induces neural cell death through a mechanism that remains elusive. In our study, the ferroptosis marker events occurred after co-treatment with 100 μM t-BHP for 1 h, all of which were reversed in the presence of the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) and the iron chelator deferoxamine, implying the occurrence of ferroptosis. Moreover, mitochondrial dysfunction accompanied by a decreased in membrane potential and ATP production, increased mitochondrial ROS generation. Furthermore, this mitochondrial dysfunction could be reversed by Fer-1. In addition, JNK1/2 and ERK1/2 were activated upstream of the ferroptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction. In summary, these data suggest that ferroptosis, coupled with mitochondrial dysfunction, was involved in t-BHP-induced PC12 death. JNK1/2 and ERK1/2 played important roles in t-BHP-induced cell death. Overall, this study might provide clues to the oxidative stress-based strategies for cell protection in NDD.

No abstract

Microenvironmental regulation has become a promising strategy for complex disease treatment. The neurovascular unit (NVU), as the key structural basis to maintain an optimal brain microenvironment, has emerged as a new paradigm to understand the pathology of stroke. In this study, we investigated the effects of galangin, a natural flavonoid isolated from the rhizome of Alpina officinarum Hance, on NVU microenvironment improvement and associated signal pathways in rats impaired by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Galangin ameliorated neurological scores, cerebral infarct volume and cerebral edema and reduced the concentration of Evans blue (EB) in brain tissue. NVU ultrastructural changes were also improved by galangin. RT-PCR and western blot revealed that galangin protected NVUs through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway coupled with HIF-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF and β-catenin could be the key nodes of these two coupled pathways. In conclusion, Galangin might function as an anti-ischemic stroke drug by improving the microenvironment of NVUs.

No abstract

No abstract

Curcuma, a valuable genus in the family Zingiberaceae, includes approximately 110 species. These plants are native to Southeast Asia and are extensively cultivated in India, China, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Peru, Australia, and the West Indies. The plants have long been used in folk medicine to treat stomach ailments, stimulate digestion, and protect the digestive organs, including the intestines, stomach, and liver. In recent years, substantial progress has been achieved in investigations regarding the chemical and pharmacological properties, as well as in clinical trials of certain Curcuma species. This review comprehensively summarizes the current knowledge on the chemistry and briefly discusses the biological activities of Curcuma species. A total of 720 compounds, including 102 diphenylalkanoids, 19 phenylpropene derivatives, 529 terpenoids, 15 flavonoids, 7 steroids, 3 alkaloids, and 44 compounds of other types isolated or identified from 32 species, have been phytochemically investigated. The biological activities of plant extracts and pure compounds are classified into 15 groups in detail, with emphasis on anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities.

No abstract