Similarity of therapeutic networks induced by a multi-component herbal remedy, Ukgansan, in neurovascular unit cells

Abstract

the neurovascular unit, which includes neurons, glial cells, and vascular cells, plays crucial roles in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, effective drugs against AD should be able to target the multi-cellular neurovascular unit and the therapeutic relationships among neurovascular cells should be defined. Here, we examined the therapeutic effects of Ukgansan (UGS), an herbal remedy with multi-targeting capabilities, using in vitro neurovascular unit models and an in vivo model of AD. In addition, we compared the therapeutic networks induced by UGS and its components in different neurovascular cell types. We found that UGS and its components protected neurovascular cells against diverse damaging agents and improved the behavioral patterns of AD model mice. A comparison of UGS-or its components-induced therapeutic networks, constructed from high-throughput data on gene expression, pathway activity, and protein phosphorylation, revealed similarities among neurovascular cell types, especially between BV-2 microglia and HBVP (human brain vascular pericytes). These findings, together with the functional connections between neurovascular cells, can explain the therapeutic effects of UGS. Furthermore, they suggest underlying similarities in the therapeutic mechanisms in different neurovascular cell types.

Frankincense ameliorates endometriosis via inducing apoptosis and reducing adhesion

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“…The GSEA was carried out using GSEA software from the Broad Institute (version 4.3.0, available at http://www.gsea-msigdb.org/gsea/downloads.jsp ) as described previously. 31 , 32 Analysis of the biological processes of DEGs was done using hallmark, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Gene Ontology (GO). Cytoscape was used to display the results of the network analysis of the GO gene with values of p < 0.001 and q < 0.5.…”

Differential Transcriptional Regulation of Polymorphic p53 Codon 72 in Metabolic Pathways

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Phytotherapy as Multi-Hit Therapy to Confront the Multiple Pathophysiology in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review of Experimental Interventions

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