Browsing by Author "Vinita Pandey"

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Blocking μ-opioid receptor by naltrexone exaggerates oxidative stress and airway inflammation via the MAPkinase pathway in a murine model of asthma
(Elsevier Inc., 2024) Vinita Pandey; Vandana Yadav; Atul Srivastava; Pratikkumar Gaglani; Rashmi Singh; Subhashini
Opioids regulate various physiological and pathophysiological functions, including cell proliferation, immune function, obesity, and neurodegenerative disorders. They have been used for centuries as a treatment for severe pain, binding to opioid receptors a specific G protein-coupled receptor. Common opioids, like β-endorphin, [D-Ala2, N-MePhe4, Gly-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO), and dynorphins, have analgesic effects. The use of a potent antagonist, like naltrexone hydrochloride, to block the effects of mu Opioid Receptor (μOR) may result in the withdrawal of physiological effects and could potentially impact immune responses in many diseases including respiratory disease. Asthma is a respiratory disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation, bronchoconstriction, chest tightness, stress generation and release of various cytokines. Airway inflammation leads recruitment and activation of immune cells releasing mediators, including opioids, which may modulate inflammatory response by binding to their respective receptors. The study aims to explore the role of μOR antagonist (naltrexone) in regulating asthma pathophysiology, as the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses in asthma remains unclear. Balb/c mice were sensitized intranasally by 1% TDI and challenged with 2.5% TDI. Naltrexone hydrochloride (1 mg/kg body weight) was administered through intraperitoneal route 1 h before TDI induction. Blocking μOR by naltrexone exacerbates airway inflammation by recruiting inflammatory cells (lymphocytes and neutrophils), enhancing intracellular Reactive oxygen species in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and inflammatory mediator (histamine, Eosinophil peroxidase and neutrophil elastase) in lungs. Naltrexone administration modulated inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17A), and enhanced IgE and CRP levels. Naltrexone administration also increased the expression of NF-κB, and phosphorylated p-P38, p-Erk, p-JNK and NF-κB by inhibiting the μOR. Docking study revealed good binding affinity of naltrexone with μOR compared to δ and κ receptors. In future it might elucidate potential therapeutic against many respiratory pathological disorders. In conclusion, μOR blocking by naltrexone regulates and implicates inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and lung physiology. © 2023 Elsevier Inc.
Dual blockade of TLR-4 and mu-opioid receptor by very low-dose naltrexone prevents respiratory depression via modulating redox homeostasis and airway inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(Elsevier Inc., 2025) Soni; Vandana Yadav; Vinita Pandey; Atul Kumar Srivastava; Pratikkumar Gaglani; Subhashini
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), is characterized by poorly irreversible airflow obstruction and abnormal inflammatory response in lungs. It represents an innate and adaptive immune response to long term exposure to noxious particles and gases, particularly cigarette smoke (CS). The current pharmacological treatment of COPD is symptomatic and mainly based on the use of bronchodilators reducing the lung function progression. The present study explores a comprehensive exploration into the therapeutic potential of Naltrexone (NTX), an FDA-approved non-peptide opioid antagonist, in managing COPD pathogenesis. NTX exhibits distinct responses across varying dosages where it implies a dose pharmacological profile, with dose-dependent targets yielding diverse effects. The study aims to uncover its efficacy in experimental mice model of COPD by observing redox homeostasis, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis encompassing variable doses. Our findings reveal promising outcomes, particularly with VLDN (100 μg/kgbw and 50 μg/kgbw), where a significant reduction in ROS, NO and positive impacts on TOS and TAS, was observed which indicates its potential as an oxidative stress modulator. Furthermore, VLDN modulated the antioxidant enzymatic activity thereby reducing the apoptotic phenomenon via caspase-3. VLDN significantly reduced the inflammatory response by inhibiting the inflammatory mediators (histamine, LDH and CRP) and suppressing cytokine production (TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-6). The study also delved into intricate pathway where mechanistically VLDN exerted anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the activation of NF-kB/MAPK signalling via TLR4. These findings collectively highlight VLDN multifaceted impact in mitigating oxidative stress, inflammation influencing apoptosis in COPD management, offering valuable insights for future therapeutic strategies. © 2025
Inhibiting SIRT-2 by AK-7 restrains airway inflammation and oxidative damage promoting lung resurgence through NF-kB and MAP kinase signaling pathway
(Frontiers Media SA, 2024) Vandana Yadav; Vinita Pandey; Pratikkumar Gaglani; Atul Srivastava; Soni; Subhashini
Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major global cause of mortality with limited effective treatments. Sirtuins (SIRT) are histone deacetylases that are involved in the regulation of redox and inflammatory homeostasis. Hence, the present study aims to investigate the role of SIRT-2 in modulating inflammation in a murine model of COPD. Methods: COPD in mice was established by cigarette smoke (CS) exposure for 60 days, and AK-7 was used as the specific SIRT-2 inhibitor. AK-7 (100 µg/kg and 200 µg/kg body weight) was administered intranasally 1 h before CS exposure. Molecular docking was performed to analyze the binding affinity of different inflammatory proteins with AK-7. Results: Immune cell analysis showed a significantly increased number of macrophages (F4/80), neutrophils (Gr-1), and lymphocytes (CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+) in the COPD, group and their population was declined by AK-7 administration. Total reactive oxygen species, total inducible nitric oxide synthase, inflammatory mediators such as neutrophil elastase, C-reactive protein, histamine, and cytokines as IL4, IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α were elevated in COPD and declined in the AK-7 group. However, IL-10 showed reverse results representing anti-inflammatory potency. AK-7 administration by inhibiting SIRT-2 decreased the expression of p-NF-κB, p-P38, p-Erk, and p-JNK and increased the expression of Nrf-2. Furthermore, AK-7 also declined the lung injury by inhibiting inflammation, parenchymal destruction, emphysema, collagen, club cells, and Kohn pores. AK-7 also showed good binding affinity with inflammatory proteins. Discussion: The current study reveals that SIRT-2 inhibition mitigates COPD severity and enhances pulmonary therapeutic interventions, suggesting AK-7 as a potential therapeutic molecule for COPD medication development. Copyright © 2024 Yadav, Pandey, Gaglani, Srivastava, Soni and Subhashini.
Network pharmacology and molecular docking insights into Sirtuin-2 inhibitors (AK-7 and AGK-2): A synergistic strategy for COPD treatment
(Elsevier B.V., 2025) Vandana Yadav; Vinita Pandey; Pratikkumar Gaglani; Atul Kumar Srivastava; Soni; Subhashini
Objective: In the present study network pharmacology analysis of AGK-2 and AK-7 (SIRT-2 inhibitors) were performed to elucidate their mechanism in regulating COPD pathogenesis. Methods: Different database (Swiss Target Prediction, GeneCards and DisGeNet) were used for predicting targets of compound and disease. Drug-Target network was constructed using Cytoscape while functional enrichment and pathway analyses were performed using STRING database. ShinnyGo database was utilized for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery, along with Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Pathway (KEGG). Molecular docking was performed to assess the binding affinities of AGK-2 and AK-7 to key proteins. Results: AK-7 and AGK2 revealed 43 and 41 targets while 3392 targets related to COPD were found. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network revealed 43 nodes and 133 edges for AK-7 and 41 nodes and 110 edges for AGK-2. Enrichment analysis highlighted distinct involvement of AGK-2 and AK-7 in various aspects of respiratory physiology including molecular signaling and neuronal secretions. AGK-2 revealed to influence pathways as EGFR and Ras/Raf/MAPK, while AK-7 targeted pathways like nitric oxide synthatase and tuberculosis, as well as regulating calcium signaling and neuro-immune interactions associated with COPD. Finally molecular docking revealed that AGK-2 showed good binding affinity with MAPK14 and STAT3. Whereas AK-7 with CASP3 and CXCL8. The findings highlight potency of AGK-2 and AK-7 in modulating inflammation, reactive oxygen species, and neuroimmune interactions, suggesting their efficacy in COPD management through SIRT-2 regulation. Conclusion: The study offers novel insights into the potential of SIRT-2 inhibitors to modulate disease mechanisms at a molecular level. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.
Pharmacological inhibition of SIRT-2 by AK-7 modulates redox status and apoptosis via regulating Nrf2 in an experimental model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an invivo and insilico study
(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2023) Vandana Yadav; Vinita Pandey; Atul Srivastava; Sangita Singh; Subhashini
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is defined by inflammation and emphysema. Sirtuins (SIRT) are NAD+-dependent histone deacetylases that regulate oxidative stress and inflammation. The present work investigates the modulatory role of SIRT-2 in experimental COPD model. Insilico comparative assessment of SIRT-2 inhibitors (AK-7 and AGK-2) by ADMET and molecular docking revealed AK-7 as suitable candidate for invivo application. COPD in mice was established by cigarette smoke (CS) exposure for 2 months. AK-7 (100 µg/kg and 200 µg/kg body weight) was administered intranasally one hour before CS exposure. The present investigation demonstrates that CS exposure increases total cell count, and free radical production (total reactive oxygen species, total oxidant status, myeloperoxidase, and nitric oxide), which were decreased by AK-7. It also altered antioxidant enzymatic activity (total antioxidant status, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-s-transferase, glutathione reductase, and reduced glutathione), hence preserving the redox balance. AK-7 significantly decreases apoptosis, protein carbonylation, lipid peroxidation, TNF-α and IFN-ﻻ levels represent COPD generation in mice and were dramatically decreased by AK-7. Histopathological studies shows that CS exposure damages alveoli and produces peribronchiolar inflammation; both of these events were reduced by AK-7. The antioxidative potency of AK-7 was confirmed by observing Nrf2 and Keap1 proteins. Keap-dependent Nrf2 regulation was observed, with cytosolic Nrf2 and Keap1 expression elevated in COPD and reduced in the AK-7 group while nuclear Nrf2 was reduced in COPD and increased in the AK-7 group. The present study concludes that inhibition of SIRT-2 minimizes COPD severity and mediates therapeutic effects in the lungs. © 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Potential of hydroethanolic leaf extract of Ocimum sanctum in ameliorating redox status and lung injury in COPD: an in vivo and in silico study
(Nature Research, 2023) Atul Srivastava; Subhashini; Vinita Pandey; Vandana Yadav; Sangita Singh; Ragini Srivastava
Oxidative stress and inflammation are hypothesised as the main contributor for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Cigarette smoke (CS), a major cause of COPD leads to inflammation resulting in recruitment of neutrophils and macrophages which are rich sources of oxidants. Activation of these cells produces excess oxidants and depletes antioxidants resulting in stress. Presently, effective drug for COPD is limited; therefore, novel compounds from natural sources, including plants are under exploration. The present study aims to investigate the protective effect of Ocimum sanctum leaf extract (OLE) in CS − induced model of COPD. Exposure to CS was performed thrice a week for 8 weeks and OLE (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) was administered an hour before CS exposure. Control group (negative control) were exposed to ambient air while COPD group was exposed to CS (positive control). Administration of OLE doses reduced inflammation, decreased oxidant concentration and increased antioxidant concentration (p < 0.01). Molecular docking studies between the major phytocompounds of OLE (Eugenol, Cyclohexane and Caryophyllene) and antioxidant enzymes Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase, Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Glutathione reductase (GR) and Glutathione S Transferase (GST) showed strong binding interaction in terms of binding energy. In vivo and in silico findings for the first time indicates that OLE extract significantly alleviates oxidative stress by its potent free radical scavenging property and strong interaction with antioxidant enzymes. OLE extract may prove to be a therapeutic option for COPD prevention and treatment. © 2023, The Author(s).
SIRT-2 inhibition by AK-7 orchestrates fibrotic cascades in airways through neuroimmune interaction via TRPA1, TRPM8 and TGF-β signalling
(Elsevier Inc., 2025) Vandana Yadav; Vinita Pandey; Pratikkumar Gaglani; Atul Kumar Srivastava; Soni; Subhashini
Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) is characterized by airflow limitation, chronic inflammation and airway remodeling (AR) in airways and lung parenchyma. AR, a lung response, involves mucus production, airflow issues, and structural changes. It is exacerbated by neurogenic inflammation from activated sensory nerves, highlighting the interplay between neuronal and immune regulation in COPD. Sirtuins play a crucial role in lung remodeling, with SIRT-2 being the least studied. Present study explores how SIRT-2 regulates neurogenic inflammation and fibrosis in experimental BALB/c mice with cigarette smoke-induced COPD. Mice from each group, except the control, were exposed to CS for 60 days and AK-7 (100ug/kg and 200ug/kg) was administered intranasally. The study evaluated lung injury and inflammation marked by increased Cortisol, ACTH, COX-2 and LDH in COPD group with its attenuation by SIRT-2 inhibition. Additionally, CS exposure exhibited neurogenic inflammation represented by activated TPRV1 and TRPM8, elevated neuromediators levels (dopamine, acetylcholine, substance P, serotonin) and their respective receptors which were mitigated by AK-7. CS exposure enhanced fibrosis by targeting the fibrotic cascade, enhancing MMP-9, total collagen, hydroxyproline, and upregulating αSMA, MUC5AC, TGF-β, PKA, GATA-3, FOXO3, and STAT-6. SIRT-2 inhibition effectively reversed all these factors suppressing fibrosis further supported by downregulated SIRT-2 expression and histopathological studies where collagen deposition and mucus production were also attenuated by AK-7. Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinity of certain protein such as COX-2, D5DR and 5HT with AK-7. Overall, targeting SIRT-2 to modulate neuro-immune interplay presents a promising therapeutic approach for addressing AR in COPD. © 2024 Elsevier Inc.
β-Endorphin (an endogenous opioid) inhibits inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis via Nrf-2 in asthmatic murine model
(Nature Research, 2023) Vinita Pandey; Vandana Yadav; Rashmi Singh; Atul Srivastava; Subhashini
Asthma, a chronic respiratory disease is characterized by airway inflammation, remodelling, airflow limitation and hyperresponsiveness. At present, it is considered as an umbrella diagnosis consisting several variable clinical presentations (phenotypes) and distinct pathophysiological mechanisms (endotypes). Recent evidence suggests that oxidative stress participates in airway inflammation and remodelling in chronic asthma. Opioids resembled by group of regulatory peptides have proven to act as an immunomodulator. β-Endorphin a natural and potent endogenous morphine produced in the anterior pituitary gland play role in pain modulation. Therapeutic strategy of many opioids including β-Endorphin as an anti‑inflammatory and antioxidative agent has not been yet explored despite its promising analgesic effects. This is the first study to reveal the role of β-Endorphin in regulating airway inflammation, cellular apoptosis, and oxidative stress via Nrf-2 in an experimental asthmatic model. Asthma was generated in balb/c mice by sensitizing with 1% Toulene Diisocyanate on day 0, 7, 14 and 21 and challenging with 2.5% Toulene Diisocyanate from day 22 to 51 (on every alternate day) through intranasal route. β-Endorphin (5 µg/kg) was administered through the nasal route 1 h prior to sensitization and challenge. The effect of β-Endorphin on pulmonary inflammation and redox status along with parameters of oxidative stress were evaluated. We found that pre-treatment of β-Endorphin significantly reduced inflammatory infiltration in lung tissue and cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Also, pre-treatment of β-Endorphin reduced reactive oxygen species, Myeloperoxidase, Nitric Oxide, Protein and protein carbonylation, Glutathione Reductase, Malondialdehyde, IFN-γ, and TNF-α. Reversely, β-Endorphin significantly increased Superoxide dismutase, Catalase, glutathione, Glutathione-S-Transferase, and activation of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) via Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), independent pathway in the lung restoring architectural alveolar and bronchial changes. The present findings reveal the therapeutic potency of β-END in regulating asthma by Keap-1 independent regulation of Nrf-2 activity. The present findings reveal the therapeutic potency of β-Endorphin in regulating asthma. © 2023, The Author(s).