Exploring the mechanisms underlying quercetin, a key component of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, against intervertebral disc degeneration - PubMed
3 hours ago
- #PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway
- #quercetin
- #intervertebral disc degeneration
- Quercetin (QUE), a key bioactive component of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (ABR), shows therapeutic effects against intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD).
- Network pharmacology and RNA-seq identified 30 overlapping hub genes enriched in pathways related to hypoxia, collagen biosynthesis, inflammation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and PI3K-Akt signaling.
- Molecular docking and dynamics simulations revealed QUE has strong binding affinity to NOS3 (eNOS).
- In vitro, QUE improved nucleus pulposus cell viability and mitigated IL-1β-induced oxidative stress, ECM degradation, inflammation, apoptosis, and cellular senescence.
- QUE suppressed PI3K, Akt, and eNOS phosphorylation, indicating modulation of the PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway, with Nos3 as an essential downstream component.
- In vivo, QUE attenuated IDD in a puncture-induced rat model, suggesting its potential for therapeutic application in IDD management.