Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Matias Estaras, Remigio Martinez, Alfredo Garcia, Candido Ortiz-Placin, Juan L. Iovanna, Patricia Santofimia-Castano, Antonio Gonzalez
Summary: Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) proliferate actively under hypoxia and melatonin has been shown to modulate cell responses to hypoxia by inhibiting proliferation and reducing fibrosis-related protein expression. The activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and metabolic adaptations in PSCs under hypoxic conditions were investigated in this study. The results suggest that PSCs undergo metabolic changes under hypoxia and melatonin plays a role in modulating these changes.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Zhilin Zhang, Huan Zhang, Tian Liu, Tian Chen, Daorong Wang, Dong Tang
Summary: Pancreatic cancer is associated with strong therapeutic resistance and poor prognosis, with activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) playing a crucial role in the malignant progression. By analyzing PSC population heterogeneity, researchers have identified two subtypes - myofibroblastic and inflammatory PSC - that cooperate to create a microenvironment suitable for cancer cell survival, potentially offering more effective treatment options for pancreatic cancer patients.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Physiology
Shin Hamada, Ryotaro Matsumoto, Atsushi Masamune
Summary: Pancreatic stellate cells play a pivotal role in the development of pancreatic fibrosis and cancer by sensing systemic metabolic changes and altering cell metabolism and microenvironment.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Cleverson Moraes de Oliveira, Leo Anderson Meira Martins, Arieli Cruz de Sousa, Ketlen da Silveira Moraes, Bruna Pasqualotto Costa, Moema Queiroz Vieira, Barbara Paranhos Coelho, Radovan Borojevic, Jarbas Rodrigues de Oliveira, Fatima Costa Rodrigues Guma
Summary: Resveratrol did not decrease the activation state of GRX and instead triggered a pro-activation effect at the 50 μM concentration. Despite the increase of TNF-α in culture media, the results on IL-6 and IL-10 secretion were in accordance with the anti-inflammatory role of Resveratrol in the model.
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jianwei Fan, Lifang Duan, Nan Wu, Xiaofan Xu, Jiaqi Xin, Shengnan Jiang, Cheng Zhang, Hong Zhang
Summary: Baicalin has been shown to inhibit the activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), reduce pancreatic inflammation and fibrosis, and decrease the levels of various markers associated with fibrosis in the pancreas. It inhibits the TGF-beta 1/TGF-beta R1/TAK1/NF-kappa B signaling pathway, leading to decreased MCP-1 secretion and reduced infiltration of macrophages and inflammation cells in the pancreas. This study provides a basis for the potential use of baicalin in the prevention and treatment of chronic pancreatitis.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Yu Tanaka, Shin Hamada, Ryotaro Matsumoto, Keiko Taguchi, Masayuki Yamamoto, Atsushi Masamune
Summary: Systemic Nrf2 deletion decreases pancreatic cancer progression in a mutant K-ras/p53-expressing mouse model, with pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) playing a role in this process. Nrf2-deleted PSCs exhibit lower proliferative and migration capacity, and show reduced growth-stimulating effects on pancreatic cancer cells.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-GASTROINTESTINAL AND LIVER PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Man Chang, Wenjuan Chen, Ruting Xia, Yangyue Peng, Pandi Niu, Hui Fan
Summary: This article reviews the interaction between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic fibrosis, summarizes the activation mechanisms of pancreatic stellate cells, and investigates potential therapeutic strategies targeting these cells, including anti-fibrosis therapy, antioxidant therapy, and gene therapy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Van Quy Nguyen, Dong Gil You, Chan Ho Kim, Seunglee Kwon, Wooram Um, Byeong Hoon Oh, Jae Yoon An, Jueun Jeon, Jae Hyung Park
Summary: The anti-DR5 antibody-curcumin conjugate (DCC) showed no significant difference in uptake behaviors of activated HSCs compared to the bare anti-DR5 antibodies. Due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin, DCC-treated HSCs produced lower levels of reactive oxygen species and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Additionally, DCC demonstrated more prominent anti-fibrotic effects on activated HSCs than the bare anti-DR5 antibodies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Lara Magni, Rayhana Bouazzi, Hugo Heredero Olmedilla, Patricia S. S. Petersen, Marco Tozzi, Ivana Novak
Summary: The study reveals an important interaction between PSCs and cancer cells, involving ATP and IL-6 as key players, which activate P2X7 and IL-6 receptors, respectively, potentially serving as therapeutic targets for PDAC.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Bitna Kweon, Dong-Uk Kim, Jin-Young Oh, Hyuncheol Oh, Youn-Chul Kim, Yeun-Ja Mun, Gi-Sang Bae, Sung-Joo Park
Summary: Arecae pericarpium (ARP) exhibits anti-fibrotic effects in cerulein-induced chronic pancreatitis (CP), improving glandular atrophy, inflammation, and repressing collagen deposition in the pancreas.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Toxicology
Zhiren Li, Di Lu, Tong Jin, Xinjuan Liu, Jianyu Hao
Summary: The research found that nicotine can promote the occurrence of pancreatic fibrosis in chronic pancreatitis by activating pancreatic stellate cells.
TOXICOLOGY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Madeleine M. LaRue, Seth Parker, Joseph Puccini, Michael Cammer, Alec C. Kimmelman, Dafna Bar-Sagi
Summary: Tumor-associated macrophages play a role in remodeling the extracellular matrix, which affects the growth and development of tumors.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jung Min Lee, Hyung Sun Kim, Minyoung Lee, Ho Seon Park, Shinae Kang, Ji Hae Nahm, Joon Seong Park
Summary: The study revealed that patients with severe pancreatic fibrosis are more likely to develop pancreoprivic diabetes after pancreaticoduodenectomy and have worse disease-free survival.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Li Chen, Baoyu Liang, Siwei Xia, Feixia Wang, Zhanghao Li, Jiangjuan Shao, Zili Zhang, Anping Chen, Shizhong Zheng, Feng Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the effects of emodin on senescence of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and its relationship with glutaminolysis. The results showed that emodin inhibited glutaminolysis in HSCs and promoted cellular senescence. By regulating the activity of Nur77 and GLS1 genes, emodin disrupted the glutaminolysis positive feedback loop and induced senescence in HSCs. HSC-targeted delivery of emodin is a promising therapeutic option for liver fibrosis.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matias Estaras, Manuel R. Gonzalez-Portillo, Miguel Fernandez-Bermejo, Jose M. Mateos, Daniel Vara, Gerardo Blanco-Fernandez, Diego Lopez-Guerra, Vicente Roncero, Gines M. Salido, Antonio Gonzalez
Summary: The study demonstrates that melatonin at pharmacological concentrations can diminish the proliferation of pancreatic stellate cells subjected to hypoxia by modulating the cell cycle, apoptosis, and the activation of crucial MAPKs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qi-Ji Li, Chen-Liang Zhao, Chuen Fai Ku, Yu Zhu, Xun-Jin Zhu, Jing-Jie Zhang, Stephen T. Deyrup, Lu-Tai Pan, Hong-Jie Zhang
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chuanbin Yang, Zhou Zhu, Benjamin Chun-Kit Tong, Ashok Iyaswamy, Wen-Jian Xie, Yu Zhu, Sravan Gopalkrishnashetty Sreenivasmurthy, Krishnamoorthi Senthilkumar, King-Ho Cheung, Ju-Xian Song, Hong-Jie Zhang, Min Li
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ya-Nan Duan, Xiang Ge, Hao-Wen Jiang, Hong-Jie Zhang, Yu Zhao, Jin-Long Li, Wei Zhang, Jing-Ya Li
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2020)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Md Abdul Aziz, Md Shahid Sarwar, Tahmina Akter, Md Sahab Uddin, Song Xun, Yu Zhu, Mohammad Safiqul Islam, Zhang Hongjie
Summary: Studies have shown that polyphenolic compounds have preventive and protective effects against cancer, primarily by targeting the STAT3 signaling pathway. These polyphenols exert their effects by inhibiting the activation and phosphorylation of STAT3, thereby blocking cell proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Siu Wah Wong-Deyrup, Xun Song, Tsz-Wai Ng, Xiu-Bin Liu, Jian-Guo Zeng, Zhi-Xing Qing, Stephen T. Deyrup, Zhen-Dan He, Hong-Jie Zhang
Summary: The ergosterol pathway is a key target for antifungal drugs, and modifying the MIC assay by adding oxidative stressor or antioxidant allows for screening new drugs that target ergosterol biosynthesis.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jia-Nan Zhang, Yi-Xuan Xia, Hong-Jie Zhang
Summary: Natural cyclopeptides have strong anticancer activity and great potential in the development of anticancer agents. They can serve as excellent scaffolds for the synthesis of novel derivatives for combating cancerous pathologies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Yang Zhao, Chuen-Fai Ku, Xin-Ya Xu, Nga-Yi Tsang, Yu Zhu, Chen-Liang Zhao, Kang-Lun Liu, Chuang-Chuang Li, Lijun Rong, Hong-Jie Zhang
Summary: This study isolated stable arylnaphthalene lignan atropisomers from nature for the first time and found significant differences in antiviral activity between them. The research not only provides important references for the synthesis of novel atropisomers but also offers valuable clues for the development of antiviral drugs.
JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kang He, Juan Zou, Yu-Xue Wang, Chen-Liang Zhao, Jiang-Hai Ye, Jing-Jie Zhang, Lu-Tai Pan, Hong-Jie Zhang
Summary: A phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Isodon rubescens led to the isolation of two new degraded abietane lactone diterpenoids, rubesanolides F and G. Their structures were elucidated through various spectral analyses, and their biological activities against cancer cells, fungal strains, and bacterial strains were evaluated. These compounds possess unique structural features and exhibit certain biological activities against various organisms.
Review
Plant Sciences
Xin-Ya Xu, Dong-Ying Wang, Yi-Ping Li, Stephen T. Deyrup, Hong-Jie Zhang
Summary: This review systematically evaluates the antiviral activity and mechanisms of action of 630 lignans obtained from medicinal plants and their derivatives. The compounds are classified based on structural characteristics, and details about the most active compounds within each class are discussed. Studies of synthetic lignans that provide structure-activity relationship information are also included in the review.
PHYTOCHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nga Yi Tsang, Wan-Fei Li, Elizabeth Varhegyi, Lijun Rong, Hong-Jie Zhang
Summary: This study identified a plant, Maesa perlarius, as an anti-Ebola virus candidate. The stem methanol extract of this plant showed inhibitory effects against Ebola-virus-pseudotyped particles (EBOVpp) and infectious Ebola virus. Further investigation led to the identification of a compound (1) as the most potent inhibitor against pseudovirion-bearing EBOV-GP.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiang Yu, Xun Song, Yi Zhang, Yemeng Yang, Jianghai Ye, Yahua Liu, Lutai Pan, Hongjie Zhang
Summary: A series of new derivatives were designed and synthesized based on structure modification of lophanic acid, and their structures were well characterized. The antimicrobial activities of these compounds were evaluated, and it was found that 3d and 3i showed promising inhibitory effects against a wide range of fungi and bacteria.
Review
Virology
Siva Sundara Kumar Durairajan, Abhay Kumar Singh, Udhaya Bharathy Saravanan, Mayurikaa Namachivayam, Moorthi Radhakrishnan, Jian-Dong Huang, Rahul Dhodapkar, Hongjie Zhang
Summary: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can invade the gastrointestinal system, causing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Understanding the mechanisms of infection and transmission in the gastrointestinal tract is crucial for early detection and targeted therapeutics against COVID-19-induced gastrointestinal infection and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Chu-Shing Lam, Yi-Xuan Xia, Bai-Sen Chen, Yin-Xiao Du, Kang-Lun Liu, Hong-Jie Zhang
Summary: Management of obesity is crucial for preventing diseases associated with excess body weight such as diabetes. This study investigated the effects of dihydro-resveratrol (DR2) in vitro and in vivo on oxidative stress, adipogenesis, lipogenesis, and insulin sensitivity. The results showed that DR2 can reduce pre-adipocyte maturation, alleviate oxidative stress, reduce lipid accumulation, and promote insulin sensitivity. The therapeutic potential of DR2 for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes was further confirmed in a high-fat diet-induced obesity mouse model.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lihan Zhao, Manali Rupji, Ishita Choudhary, Remus Osan, Shobhna Kapoor, Hong-Jie Zhang, Chunhua Yang, Ritu Aneja
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Xu Xin-Ya, Wang Dong-Ying, Ku Chuen-Fai, Zhao Yang, Cheng Han, Liu Kang-Lun, Rong Li-Jun, Zhang Hong-Jie
CHINESE JOURNAL OF NATURAL MEDICINES
(2019)