Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2025

Reverse Yeast Two-hybrid System to Identify Mammalian Nuclear Receptor Residues that Interact with Ligands and/or Antagonists
10:51

Reverse Yeast Two-hybrid System to Identify Mammalian Nuclear Receptor Residues that Interact with Ligands and/or Antagonists

Published on: November 15, 2013

12.7K

Network analysis and experimental validation analysis reveal the mechanism by which psoralen improves

Wenxiang Zeng1, Ying Zhao2, Qingyu Tu1

  • 1The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China; Hangzhou Xiaoshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou 311200, China.

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis
|March 19, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Psoralen (PSO) may treat glucocorticoid-induced growth retardation (GIGR) in children. This study found PSO enhances growth plate chondrocyte proliferation and bone growth by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway, offering a potential therapeutic strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Endocrinology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Glucocorticoids (GCs) are widely used medications with significant side effects, including growth retardation in pediatric patients.
  • GC-induced growth retardation (GIGR) negatively impacts skeletal development by inhibiting endochondral ossification in growth plate chondrocytes.
  • Psoralen (PSO) has demonstrated potential in preserving cartilage homeostasis and enhancing chondrocyte proliferation, but its mechanisms against GIGR are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the therapeutic potential of psoralen (PSO) in mitigating glucocorticoid-induced growth retardation (GIGR).
  • To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms by which PSO affects GC-damaged growth plate chondrocytes.

Main Methods:

  • Network pharmacology and molecular docking were employed to identify potential therapeutic targets of PSO.
  • Experimental validation in a rat model and in vitro cell cultures assessed PSO's effects on growth plate chondrocytes.
  • Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to analyze protein expression and signaling pathway activation.

Main Results:

  • PSO treatment significantly increased femoral length and growth plate size in rats compared to controls.
  • In vitro studies showed PSO enhances growth plate chondrocyte proliferation and maintains cellular homeostasis.
  • PSO activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, increased cartilage-related protein expression, and reduced apoptotic protein levels.

Conclusions:

  • Psoralen (PSO) demonstrates a protective effect against GC-induced damage in growth plate chondrocytes.
  • PSO promotes skeletal growth and chondrocyte proliferation by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
  • PSO represents a promising therapeutic candidate for managing GC-induced growth retardation (GIGR).

Keywords:
GlucocorticoidGrowth retardationMolecular dockingNetwork pharmacologyPI3K/AKT pathwayPsoralen

More Related Videos

A Chemical Screening Procedure for Glucocorticoid Signaling with a Zebrafish Larva Luciferase Reporter System13:22

A Chemical Screening Procedure for Glucocorticoid Signaling with a Zebrafish Larva Luciferase Reporter System

Published on: September 10, 2013

11.9K
A Flexible Low Cost Hydroponic System for Assessing Plant Responses to Small Molecules in Sterile Conditions11:27

A Flexible Low Cost Hydroponic System for Assessing Plant Responses to Small Molecules in Sterile Conditions

Published on: August 25, 2018

10.5K

Related Concept Videos

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.7K
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
3.3K
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
6.2K