Kavain Alleviates Choroidal Neovascularization Via Decreasing the Activity of the HIF-1α/VEGF-A/VEGFR2 Signaling Pathway and Inhibiting Inflammation

Purpose: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is a prevalent cause of blindness in the elderly. Standard treatment includes anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs, such as aflibercept. However, anti-VEGF drugs may have limited efficacy and cause drug resistance. Thi...

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Main Authors: Xi Chen, Xun Qin, Wen Bai, Junsong Ren, Yang Yu, Huiling Nie, Xiumiao Li, Zhangyu Liu, Jiayu Huang, Juxue Li, Jin Yao, Qin Jiang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences 2024-07-01
Series:Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin
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Online Access:https://apb.tbzmed.ac.ir/PDF/apb-14-469.pdf
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author Xi Chen
Xun Qin
Wen Bai
Junsong Ren
Yang Yu
Huiling Nie
Xiumiao Li
Zhangyu Liu
Jiayu Huang
Juxue Li
Jin Yao
Qin Jiang
author_facet Xi Chen
Xun Qin
Wen Bai
Junsong Ren
Yang Yu
Huiling Nie
Xiumiao Li
Zhangyu Liu
Jiayu Huang
Juxue Li
Jin Yao
Qin Jiang
author_sort Xi Chen
collection DOAJ
description Purpose: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is a prevalent cause of blindness in the elderly. Standard treatment includes anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs, such as aflibercept. However, anti-VEGF drugs may have limited efficacy and cause drug resistance. This study explores whether Kavain, an anti-inflammatory molecule from Piper methysticum, can treat choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Methods: Various experiments were conducted to assess the Kavain’s toxicity. The impact of Kavain on in vitro cultured endothelial cells was examined through 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays, transwell migration assays, and tube formation assays. The therapeutic effects of Kavain on CNV were investigated using a laser-induced CNV mice model. To elucidate the mechanism of Kavain, network pharmacology analysis, molecular docking, and western blots were performed. Results: Kavain exhibited no apparent toxicity both in vitro and in vivo. Kavain significantly decreased endothelial cell viability, proliferation, migration, and tube formation ability in a dose-dependent manner compared to the hypoxia groups (P<0.05). Kavain alleviated CNV in the laser-induced CNV mouse model compared to the control groups (P<0.05). These effects were statistically significantly enhanced in the Kavain plus aflibercept groups (P<0.05). Following Kavain administration, the expression levels of various inflammatory factors were markedly reduced in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid complexes (P<0.05). Mechanistically, Kavain decreased the activity of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α)/VEGF-A/ VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) signaling pathway. Conclusion: Our study is the first to demonstrate Kavain’s potential as a promising treatment for nAMD, owing to its dual effects of anti-inflammation and anti-angiogenesis.
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publishDate 2024-07-01
publisher Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
record_format Article
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spelling doaj-art-15ca9c6c9bbd4d9da2725c86e942dedf2025-08-20T03:11:26ZengTabriz University of Medical SciencesAdvanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin2228-58812251-73082024-07-0114246948210.34172/apb.2024.036apb-42520Kavain Alleviates Choroidal Neovascularization Via Decreasing the Activity of the HIF-1α/VEGF-A/VEGFR2 Signaling Pathway and Inhibiting InflammationXi Chen0Xun Qin1Wen Bai2Junsong Ren3Yang Yu4Huiling Nie5Xiumiao Li6Zhangyu Liu7Jiayu Huang8Juxue Li9Jin Yao10Qin Jiang11The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China.The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.Purpose: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is a prevalent cause of blindness in the elderly. Standard treatment includes anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs, such as aflibercept. However, anti-VEGF drugs may have limited efficacy and cause drug resistance. This study explores whether Kavain, an anti-inflammatory molecule from Piper methysticum, can treat choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Methods: Various experiments were conducted to assess the Kavain’s toxicity. The impact of Kavain on in vitro cultured endothelial cells was examined through 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays, transwell migration assays, and tube formation assays. The therapeutic effects of Kavain on CNV were investigated using a laser-induced CNV mice model. To elucidate the mechanism of Kavain, network pharmacology analysis, molecular docking, and western blots were performed. Results: Kavain exhibited no apparent toxicity both in vitro and in vivo. Kavain significantly decreased endothelial cell viability, proliferation, migration, and tube formation ability in a dose-dependent manner compared to the hypoxia groups (P<0.05). Kavain alleviated CNV in the laser-induced CNV mouse model compared to the control groups (P<0.05). These effects were statistically significantly enhanced in the Kavain plus aflibercept groups (P<0.05). Following Kavain administration, the expression levels of various inflammatory factors were markedly reduced in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid complexes (P<0.05). Mechanistically, Kavain decreased the activity of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α)/VEGF-A/ VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) signaling pathway. Conclusion: Our study is the first to demonstrate Kavain’s potential as a promising treatment for nAMD, owing to its dual effects of anti-inflammation and anti-angiogenesis.https://apb.tbzmed.ac.ir/PDF/apb-14-469.pdfneovascular age-related macular degenerationkavainanti-inflammationanti-angiogenesischoroidal neovascularization
spellingShingle Xi Chen
Xun Qin
Wen Bai
Junsong Ren
Yang Yu
Huiling Nie
Xiumiao Li
Zhangyu Liu
Jiayu Huang
Juxue Li
Jin Yao
Qin Jiang
Kavain Alleviates Choroidal Neovascularization Via Decreasing the Activity of the HIF-1α/VEGF-A/VEGFR2 Signaling Pathway and Inhibiting Inflammation
Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin
neovascular age-related macular degeneration
kavain
anti-inflammation
anti-angiogenesis
choroidal neovascularization
title Kavain Alleviates Choroidal Neovascularization Via Decreasing the Activity of the HIF-1α/VEGF-A/VEGFR2 Signaling Pathway and Inhibiting Inflammation
title_full Kavain Alleviates Choroidal Neovascularization Via Decreasing the Activity of the HIF-1α/VEGF-A/VEGFR2 Signaling Pathway and Inhibiting Inflammation
title_fullStr Kavain Alleviates Choroidal Neovascularization Via Decreasing the Activity of the HIF-1α/VEGF-A/VEGFR2 Signaling Pathway and Inhibiting Inflammation
title_full_unstemmed Kavain Alleviates Choroidal Neovascularization Via Decreasing the Activity of the HIF-1α/VEGF-A/VEGFR2 Signaling Pathway and Inhibiting Inflammation
title_short Kavain Alleviates Choroidal Neovascularization Via Decreasing the Activity of the HIF-1α/VEGF-A/VEGFR2 Signaling Pathway and Inhibiting Inflammation
title_sort kavain alleviates choroidal neovascularization via decreasing the activity of the hif 1α vegf a vegfr2 signaling pathway and inhibiting inflammation
topic neovascular age-related macular degeneration
kavain
anti-inflammation
anti-angiogenesis
choroidal neovascularization
url https://apb.tbzmed.ac.ir/PDF/apb-14-469.pdf
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