Effects Of SchB Research Articles

Schisandrin B enhances embryo competence and potentially mitigates endoplasmic reticulum stress during porcine preimplantation development

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induced by agents such as tunicamycin (TM) substantially impedes the developmental progression of porcine embryos. Lignan compounds such as Schisandrin B (Sch-B), may have the potential to mitigate this stress. However, there are few studies on the effects of Sch-B on embryo development. To address this research gap, this study evaluates the protective efficacy of Sch-B against TM-induced ER stress during pivotal stages of porcine embryogenesis. Notably, embryos treated with Sch-B exhibited pronounced resistance to TM-induced developmental arrest, particularly at the 4-cell stage, facilitating progression to the 8-cell stage and subsequent blastocyst formation. It was also observed that Sch-B effectively reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and improved mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Furthermore, Sch-B positively influenced the expression of several stress-related genes. These findings highlight the promising role of Sch-B in improving porcine embryo development and mitigating ER stress.

Schisandrin B and Alantolactone ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice

Abstract Schisandrin B (Sch-B) and Alantolactone (ALT) are two distinct molecules each of which could be extracted from herbs Schisandra chinensis and Inula helenium, respectively, commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. Previous studies have revealed that both molecules impact STAT3, Nrf2 and Smad-mediated signaling pathways, and that Sch-B has protective effects in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis models. However, besides a single paper studying Sch-B’s impact on murine Th17/Treg balance, the effects of Sch-B and ALT on human and murine Th17/Treg cells’ ontogeny and functions have not been investigated. In this study, we demonstrated that every other day administration of Sch-B or ALT during induction phase of myelin oligodendrocyte (MOG)35–55-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) dramatically and significantly reduced EAE disease scores, demyelination, disease incidence, and infiltration of leukocytes into central nervous system, particularly IFN-γ+, IL-17+, GM-CSF+ T cells in C57BL/6 mice. Protection from disease correlated with elevated Treg and IL-10 levels. To our knowledge this is the first report demonstrating a prophylactic benefit for Sch B and ALT in a Multiple Sclerosis model and our results warrant further studies as to the use of both molecules after disease onset and mechanism of action.

Schisandrin B inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory response in human umbilical vein endothelial cells by activating Nrf2

Schisandrin B (SchB), an active ingredient extracted from Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill, has been known to have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism of SchB in LPS-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The effects of SchB on VCAM-1, ICAM-1, NF-κB and Nrf2 expression were detected by western blot analysis. The effects of SchB on TNF-α and IL-8 production were detected by ELISA. The results showed that SchB strongly suppressed the production of TNF-α and IL-8 in HUVECs stimulated with LPS. SchB also inhibited LPS-induced VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression. Furthermore, SchB blocked the activation of NF-κB induced by LPS. In addition, SchB increased the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in a concentration-dependent manner. And the inhibition of TNF-α and IL-8 production by SchB was blocked by transfection with Nrf2 siRNA. Our findings showed that SchB inhibited LPS-induced inflammation in HUVECs by activating Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Effects of schisandrin B on reversing multidrug resistance in human breast cancer cells transfected with mdr1 gene

To investigate the multidrug resistance (MDR) reversal activity of schisandrin B (SchB) in transfected human breast cancer cell line MCF-7/MDR1. Human breast cancer cells of the line MCF-7 were cultured and transfected with mdr1 gene so as to establish a P-glycoprotein (P-gp) stable-expressing cell line MCF-7/MDR1. The expression of P-gp in the MCF-7/mdr1 cells was assayed by flow cytometry using fluorescent antibody. MCF-7 cells transfected with blank plasmid MCF-7/neo was used as controls. Adriamycin (ADR), verapamil (VER), pacilitaxel (taxol), and homoharringtonine (HHT) were added into the culture fluid of the MCF-7/mdr1 cells and MTT method was used to detect the IC(50) of these drugs. The culture fluid of the MCF-7/MDR1 cells was added with SchB of the concentrations of 2.5, 12.5, 25, and 50 micromol/L and then added with ADR1 cells, MTT method was used to calculate the reversal effect (RF) of SchB on the MDR phenotype of the MCF-7/mdr1 cells. MTT method was used to calculate the RF. Another culture fluid of MCF-7/mdr1 cells was added with 25 micromol/L SchB and then with ADR, vincristine (VCR), pacilitaxel, and HHT with that added with 10 micromol/L VER as control. After treatment with SchB the MF7/mgr1 cells were co-incubated with 5 micromol/L rhodamine (Rh)-123, then flow cytometry was used to detect the accumulation of Rh-123 within the cells. After treatment with 25 micromol/L SchB for 0, 0.5, 1, 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours flow cytometry was used to detect the P-gp expression in the MF7/mgr1 cells. The transfected MCF-7/MDR1 cells overexpressed P-gp and exhibited resistance to multiple drugs, including ADR, VCR, pacilitaxel and HHT. SchB (25 micromol/L) significantly enhanced the sensitivity of the MCF-7/MDR1 cells to above mentioned chemotherapeutic agents, with a reversal factors of 6.03 to 23.94 times. The effect of SchB (25 micromol/L) on Rh-123 accumulation in MDR cells was equivalent to that of 10 micromol/L VER, however no significant difference was found in the effect of SchB (25 micromol/L) on the P-gp expression in the MCF-7/MDR1 cells. SchB is able to restore the drug sensitivity in the transfected MCF7/MDR1 cells, with a possible mechanism of increasing the drug influx via inhibiting the P-gp function.