Aim: Paeoniflorin has shown to attenuate bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF) in mice. Because the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in type 2 lung endothelial cells contributes to excessive fibroblasts and myofibroblasts during multiple fibrosis of tissues, we investigated the effects of paeoniflorin on TGF-β mediated pulmonary EMT in bleomycin-induced PF mice. Methods: PF was induced in mice by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin (5 mg/kg). The mice were orally treated with paeoniflorin or prednisone for 21 d. After the mice were sacrificed, lung tissues were collected for analysis. An in vitro EMT model was established in alveolar epithelial cells (A549 cells) incubated with TGF-β1 (2 ng/mL). EMT identification and the expression of related proteins were performed using immunohistochemistry, transwell assay, ELISA, Western blot and RT-qPCR. Results: In PF mice, paeoniflorin (50, 100 mg·kg -1 ·d -1 ) or prednisone (6 mg·kg -1 ·d -1 ) significantly decreased the expression of FSP-1 and α-SMA, and increased the expression of E-cadherin in lung tissues. In A549 cells, TGF-β1 stimulation induced EMT, as shown by the changes in cell morphology, the increased cell migration, and the increased vimentin and α-SMA expression as well as type I and type III collagen levels, and by the decreased E-cadherin expression. In contrast, effects of paeoniflorin on EMT disappeared when the A549 cells were pretreated with TGF-β1 for 24 h. TGF-β1 stimulation markedly increased the expression of Snail and activated Smad2/3, Akt, ERK, JNK and p38 MAPK in A549 cells. Co-incubation with paeoniflorin (1-30 µmol/L) dose-dependently attenuated TGF-β1-induced expression of Snail and activation of Smad2/3, but slightly affected TGF-β1-induced activation of Akt, ERK, JNK and p38 MAPK. Moreover, paeoniflorin markedly increased Smad7 level, and decreased ALK5 level in A549 cells. Conclusion: Paeoniflorin suppresses the early stages of TGF-β mediated EMT in alveolar epithelial cells, likely by decreasing the expression of the transcription factors Snail via a Smad-dependent pathway involving the up-regulation of Smad7.

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This study aimed to explore the protective effects of madecassoside (Mad), a triterpenoid saponin isolated from Centella asiatica herbs, on experimental pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and underlying mechanisms. PF model was established in mice by endotracheal instillation with bleomycin (5 mg/kg). Mice were orally administered with Mad (10, 20, 40 mg/kg) and prednisone (5 mg/kg) for 7 or 21 days. Mad (20, 40 mg/kg) significantly improved lung pathological changes and reduced collagen deposition. In the aspect of collagen synthesis, Mad (20, 40 mg/kg) reduced the expressions of α-smooth muscle actin and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and inhibited the phosphorylations of Smad2 and Smad3 in the lung tissues. However, in vitro, Mad showed little effect on TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation of either Smad2 or Smad3 in primary mouse lung fibroblasts. Moreover, Mad (20, 40 mg/kg) attenuated oxidative damage and inflammation presented at the early stage of PF, evidenced by reduced total leukocytes in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, decreased myeloperoxidase activity and malondialdehyde level, and increased super-oxide dismutase activity and glutathione level in lung tissues. On the other hand, Mad (40 mg/kg) elevated the matrix metalloproteinase 1/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 ratio in lung tissues of PF mice mainly by downregulating tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 expression. The present study demonstrated that Mad can ameliorate PF by preventing the deposition of extracellular matrix, which might be achieved mainly through attenuating inflammation and oxidative stress and consequent TGF-β1 overexpression.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) has been reported in gastric cancer to be a prognostic factor. However, miR-497-targeted FGFR1 has not been explored in the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer. The present study intended to revalidate the prognostic significance of FGFR1 in patients with gastric cancer, and the mechanism of miR-497-regulated FGFR1 was investigated in gastric cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis. The messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels were assayed by RT-qPCR and western blotting, respectively. The targeted genes were predicted by a bioinformatics algorithm and confirmed by a dual luciferase reporter assay. Cell proliferation was analyzed by CCK-8 assay. Annexin V-FITC/PI staining was used to evaluate the apoptosis in AGS and SGC-7901 cells. FGFR1 was frequently up-regulated in gastric cancer tissues and associated with poor overall survival in patients with gastric cancer. Interestingly, FGFR1 loss-of-function resulted in a significant growth inhibition and apoptosis in AGS and SGC-7901 cells. In addition, we found that miR-497 was inhibited in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines, while overexpression of miR-497 could suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis in AGS and SGC-7901 cells. Importantly, bioinformatics analysis and experimental data suggested that FGFR1 was a direct target of miR-497, which could inhibit FGFR1 expression when transfected with miR-497 mimics. Furthermore, we found that overexpression of FGFR1 reversed the growth inhibition and apoptosis of miR-497 mimics in AGS and SGC-7901 cells. These findings suggested that overexpression of miR-497 inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in gastric cancer through the suppression of FGFR1.

Fagopyrum cymosum (Trev.) Meisn (Fag), which belongs to the Polygonaceae family, has been widely used to treat inflammatory diseases. Previous studies have revealed that Fag components exhibit anti-inflammatory activities; however, their potential use in treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not been explored. In the present study, mice with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis were used as a model of IBD. Fag extract was orally administered for 3 days following the induction of colitis and the conventional drug, salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP), was used as a control. The results revealed that Fag significantly ameliorated TNBS-induced body weight loss and colonic shortening in mice (P<0.05). Furthermore, Fag suppressed levels of proinflammatory cytokines and reduced macrophage infiltration into colonic tissues (P<0.05). To further verify the anti-inflammatory effects of Fag at the molecular level, a murine macrophage cell line, Raw264.7, was used. Nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 and the phosphorylation of inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB) were assessed using western blotting. The results demonstrated that Fag inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines via inhibiting NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation and IκB phosphorylation (P<0.05). Furthermore, the clinical study results revealed that Fag had significantly fewer side effects (P<0.05) and served as a better anti-inflammatory drug for ulcerative colitis compared with SASP.

Total polyphenol of Anemarrhena asphodeloides inhibited AGEs-induced ROS-associated inflammation and ameliorated endothelial dysfunction through beneficial regulation of AMPK activation.

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