KR20230167257A - Composition for preventing, improving or treating renal fibrosis comprising one or more active ingredients - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for preventing, improving or treating renal fibrosis. More specifically, it was confirmed that β-elemene and Z-guggulsterone each or cooperatively inhibit renal fibrosis in renal tubules and renal interstitium fibroblasts. and pharmaceutical compositions and health functional foods for preventing, improving or treating renal fibrosis containing one or more active ingredients developed by utilizing these new uses.

Description

Composition for preventing, improving or treating renal fibrosis comprising one or more active ingredients}

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for preventing, improving or treating renal fibrosis. More specifically, it was confirmed that β-elemene and Z-guggulsterone each or cooperatively inhibit renal fibrosis in renal tubules and renal interstitium fibroblasts. and pharmaceutical compositions and health functional foods for preventing, improving or treating renal fibrosis containing one or more active ingredients developed by utilizing these new uses.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most rapidly progressing causes of death worldwide and causes end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to progressive loss of kidney function. The pathogenesis of renal fibrosis that causes this is characterized by glomerular sclerosis, tubular interstitial and vascular fibrosis, and scar formation. In addition, well-known causes of chronic kidney disease and fibrosis include diabetes, hypertension, systemic diseases such as lupus, various glomerular nephritis, stones, and polycystic nephropathy. Cell damage caused by infiltration of inflammatory cells in the acute or chronic process is an important factor.

When renal fibrosis progresses to end-stage renal disease, a large amount of extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulates in the renal tubules and interstitium due to the activation of fibroblasts and proliferation of myofibroblasts, and ECM degradation and cross-linking occur. A decrease in related proteins appears and occurs in response to harmful stimuli. It represents a reaction to something. As a result, the expression of Fibronectin (adhesion glycoprotein), α-SMAα-smooth muscle actin), Vimentin, CTGF (connective tissue growth factor), etc. appears at a high level.

The Smad family that plays an important role in renal fibrosis is Smad3, which plays a key role in myofibroblast activation, ECM synthesis, stimulation of Integrin expression, and protease and antiprotease secretion that increases fibrosis in signal transmission. TGFβ When stimulated by Smad3, it is phosphorylated, moves into the nucleus, and attaches to transcription factors of proteins that increase fibrosis, such as Collagen I, CTGF, and α-SMA, and plays a role in regulating transcription. In addition, STAT3 is involved in another mechanism that increases fibrosis. When stimulated by TGFβ, JAK2 is phosphorylated and STAT3 is phosphorylated, and the phosphorylated STAT3 forms a dimer. Moves into the nucleus and causes cell inflammation, cell growth, proliferation and differentiation It acts as a polymorphic transcription factor involved in a variety of physiological and pathophysiological processes, including.

In this way, although there are many causes of acute and chronic kidney disease that progresses to fibrosis, a new treatment related to kidney disease is utilized by utilizing the mechanism of inhibiting renal fibrosis by reducing phosphorylation of STAT3 and Smad3 by engaging in the phosphorylation mechanism of STAT3 and Smad3 described above. If developed, it could be useful for patients with kidney disease.

Domestic Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0077449

As a result of research efforts to develop an agent that can prevent or treat renal fibrosis, the present inventors identified an active ingredient that can prevent or treat renal fibrosis by participating in the phosphorylation mechanism of STAT3 and Smad3, and completed the present invention. .

Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to use a completely new use of β-elemene and Z-guggulsterone, which are known to have mainly anti-inflammatory effects, that is, the compounds can work individually or in cooperation with each other to promote MyD88/STAT3/Smad3 signaling in renal tubules and interstitial fibroblasts. Kidney containing one or more active ingredients that can prevent, improve, or treat renal fibrosis that acts on this mechanism by confirming that it acts on the mechanism of reducing renal fibrosis by inhibiting delivery, and utilizing new uses of these substances. To provide a composition for preventing, improving or treating fibrosis.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a composition for preventing, improving or treating renal fibrosis that can be usefully used to suppress the progression of kidney disease caused by kidney damage by effectively inhibiting kidney cell fibrosis caused by acute or chronic kidney disease at a relatively early stage; and It provides health functional foods.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the objects mentioned above, and other objects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

In order to achieve the object of the present invention described above, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for preventing, improving or treating renal fibrosis containing β-elemene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.

Additionally, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for preventing, improving or treating renal fibrosis containing Z-guggulsterone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.

Additionally, the present invention relates to β-elemene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and Z-guggulsterone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as active ingredients. It provides a pharmaceutical composition for preventing, improving or treating renal fibrosis.

In a preferred embodiment, the β-elemene and the Z-guggulsterone are included in a weight ratio of 2:1 to 1:1.

In a preferred embodiment, the active ingredient inhibits MyD88 and thereby reduces phosphorylation of STAT3 and Smad3, thus inhibiting renal fibrosis.

Additionally, the present invention provides a method of treating renal fibrosis comprising administering any of the above-described pharmaceutical compositions to mammals other than humans.

In addition, the present invention provides a health functional food for preventing and improving renal fibrosis containing β-elemene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.

In addition, the present invention provides a health functional food for preventing and improving renal fibrosis containing Z-guggulsterone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.

Additionally, the present invention relates to β-elemene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and Z-guggulsterone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as active ingredients. It provides a health functional food for preventing and improving renal fibrosis.

In a preferred embodiment, the β-elemene and the Z-guggulsterone are included in a weight ratio of 1:1 to 2:1.

In a preferred embodiment, the dosage form is either powder, granule, tablet, capsule or beverage.

According to the present invention described above, there is a completely new use of β-elemene and Z-guggulsterone, which are known to have mainly anti-inflammatory effects, that is, the compounds individually or in cooperation with each other promote MyD88/STAT3/Smad3 signaling in renal tubules and interstitial fibroblasts. By confirming that it acts on a mechanism that reduces renal fibrosis by inhibiting , renal fibrosis can be prevented, improved, or treated by utilizing new uses for these substances.

In addition, the present invention can be effectively used to suppress the progression of chronic kidney disease caused by kidney damage by effectively suppressing renal cell fibrosis caused by acute and chronic kidney disease at a relatively early stage.

In addition, the present invention proposes a therapeutic action point that effectively inhibits the progression of cellular fibrosis in the mechanism of progression of renal tubular cells to cellular fibrosis, which is the most difficult problem to solve in kidney disease, and kidney function that appears as a side effect due to the administration of various drugs. It can be usefully used as a pharmaceutical composition and functional food material to help improve and treat the decline of.

These technical effects of the present invention are not limited to the scope mentioned above, and even if not explicitly mentioned, the effects of the invention that can be recognized by a person of ordinary skill in the art from the description of the specific contents for implementing the invention described later. Of course it is included.

Figure 1 shows the renal cell support effect and renal fibrosis inhibition obtained by injecting β-elemene in the mouse UUO model using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), and Masson's trichrome (MT). The results confirmed by the staining method are shown.
Figure 2 shows Sirius red staining showing a decrease in the cell tissue staining expression of α-SMA, which increases renal cell fibrosis obtained by injecting β-elemene in the mouse UUO model, and a decrease in the accumulation of collagen I/collagen III by β-elemene. It shows the results confirmed through .
Figure 3 shows the results of confirming the concentration-dependent decrease in cytotoxicity and fibrosis markers by treating β-elemene at different concentrations in renal fibroblasts (NRK49F cells) by comparing cell survival analysis and protein expression changes.
Figure 4 shows the results of protein expression confirming whether MyD88, P-JAK2, P-STAT3, and P-Smad3, signaling signals related to renal fibrosis, are reduced by β-elemene in the mouse UUO model.
Figure 5 shows the results of confirming protein expression to see whether MyD88, P-JAK2, P-STAT3, and P-Smad3, signaling signals related to renal fibrosis, are reduced by β-elemene in renal fibroblasts (NRK49F cells).
Figure 6 shows that P-STAT3 and P-Smad3, which were increased by TGFβ treatment in renal fibroblasts (NRK49F cells), were decreased by NSC, an inhibitor of STAT3, and SIS3, an inhibitor of Smad3, and then P- The results show that the expression of fibrosis marker proteins is reduced by inhibiting cell signaling of STAT3 and P-Smad3.
Figure 7 shows the results of protein expression confirming the decrease in the expression of P-STAT3 and P-Smad3 and the inhibition of MyD88 in kidney fibroblasts (NRK49F cells) by TGFβ treatment and MyD88 siRNA transfection.
Figure 8 shows a decrease in the expression of renal fibrosis markers α-SMA, vimentin, and CTGF in renal tubules (HK-2 cells) and whether MyD88, P-STAT3, and P-Smad3, signaling signals related to fibrosis, are decreased by Z-gugglesterone. The results confirmed by protein expression are shown.
Figures 9a and 9b show the results of confirming the expression of fibrosis protein markers by the combination treatment of β-elemene and Z-gugglesterone in renal tubules (HK-2 cells) and renal fibroblasts (NRK49F cells), respectively.
Figures 10a and 10b show the results of confirming the expression of fibrosis protein markers by combination treatment of β-elemene and Z-gugglesterone in renal tubules (HK-2 cells) and renal fibroblasts (NRK49F cells), respectively.
Figures 11a and 11b show the molecular structural formulas of β-elemene and Z-gugglesterone, respectively.
Figures 12a and 12b show that β-elemene treatment in the mouse UUO model and renal fibroblasts (NRK49F cells) inhibits MyD88, which leads to the renal fibrosis mechanism, and reduces the phosphorylation of STAT3 and Smad3 present in its subgroups, ultimately leading to renal fibrosis. This is a schematic diagram showing that treatment with Z-gugglesterone inhibits MyD88 in renal tubules (HK-2 cells) and reduces phosphorylation of STAT3 and Smad3 present in its subgroups, ultimately reducing renal fibrosis.

The terms used in the present invention are general terms that are currently widely used as much as possible. However, in certain cases, there are terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning described or used in the detailed description of the invention rather than the simple name of the term is considered. Therefore, its meaning must be understood.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related technology, and unless clearly defined in the present invention, should not be interpreted in an idealized or excessively formal sense. No.

The terms used in the present invention are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present invention, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the description of the invention, but are intended to indicate the presence of one or more other It should be understood that this does not exclude in advance the presence or addition of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Terms such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as a first component without departing from the scope of the present invention.

When interpreting a component, it is interpreted to include the margin of error even if there is no separate explicit description. In particular, when terms of degree such as "about", "substantially", etc. are used, they may be interpreted as being used at or close to that value when manufacturing and material tolerances inherent in the stated meaning are presented. .

In the case of a description of a temporal relationship, for example, if a temporal relationship is described as ‘~after’, ‘after~’, ‘~next’, ‘before’, etc., ‘immediately’ or ‘directly’ This also includes non-consecutive cases unless used.

Hereinafter, the technical configuration of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings and preferred embodiments.

However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and may be embodied in other forms. Like reference numerals used to describe the invention throughout the specification represent like elements.

The technical feature of the present invention focuses on a completely new use of β-elemene and Z-guggulsterone, which are known to have mainly anti-inflammatory effects. β-elemene and Z-guggulsterone can be used alone or in renal tubules and renal fibroblasts. When combined and processed, cellular fibrosis is suppressed, that is, these compounds suppress renal fibrosis by suppressing Myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (Myd88), which leads to the mechanism of renal fibrosis, thereby reducing the phosphorylation of STAT3 and Smad3 that exist in the subgroup. The aim is to confirm the mechanism of action and, taking this into consideration, to provide pharmaceutical compositions and health functional foods that can prevent, improve or treat renal fibrosis using the above compounds alone or in combination.

In other words, Myd88 acts as an important target to suppress fibrosis by suppressing inflammation in renal tubules and interstitial fibroblasts, so inhibiting Myd88 increases the expression of Nuclear Factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). , and the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and the nuclear protein expression of Smad4 are reduced, thereby suppressing cellular fibrosis. This is because β-elemene and Z-gugglesterone have been confirmed to be substances that inhibit Myd88.

As a result, the present invention presents MyD88, SMAD3, and STAT3 axis as one of the renal fibrosis inhibition mechanisms through which β-elemene and Z-guggulsterone act, and by elucidating their inhibitory mechanisms for fibrosis, the inhibition of β-elemene and Z-guggulsterone Since the point of action of the therapeutic agent for single and combined therapy has been established, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be used to prevent or treat the development of renal fibrosis by administering it to an individual who is likely to develop or has developed renal fibrosis.

Here, renal fibrosis is a condition in which kidney tissue becomes fibrosed and loses kidney function as a result of various causes such as excessive inflammatory response occurring in kidney tissue, oxidative stress, and fibrosis of epithelial cells. means.

Therefore, the first aspect of the pharmaceutical composition for preventing, improving or treating renal fibrosis of the present invention contains β-elemene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient. The second aspect includes Z-guggulsterone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient. The third aspect includes β-elemene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient; and Z-guggulsterone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

As can be seen in the experimental examples described later, the combination therapy combining β-elemene and Z-guggulsterone causes cell fibrosis due to TGFβ even when used at a concentration of 50% or less than that used when β-elemene or Z-guggulsterone is included alone. The synergistic effect of the two ingredients can be confirmed because the reduction of the proteins α-SMA and Fibronectin is superior compared to when β-elemene or Z-guggulsterone is used alone at high concentration. In particular, β-elemene and Z-guggulsterone can be mixed and used in a weight ratio of 1:1 to 2:1, and the mixing ratio is determined through experiment.

First, β-elemene is the root and stem extract of Curcuma longa and belongs to the elemene family, a group of natural compounds found in various plants. These elemenes include α-, β-, γ-, and δ-elemenes and form structural isomers of each other. A class of terpenes consisting of unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds composed of three isoprene units and classified as sesquiterpenes with the molecular formula C ₁₅ H ₂₄ and the structural formula shown in Figure 11a. β-elemene is responsible for the flower scent of some plants and is also used as a pheromone for some insects. The molecular weight of β-elemene is (Molecular Weight = ２０4.３５, ２０4.３５g/mol) and according to current research, β-elemene is known to act as a Rho kinase inhibitor and inhibit cancer cell proliferation in some cancers. It is known to exhibit broad anti-tumor activity. In particular, it exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by suppressing serum TNF-α and endotoxin induced by CCl4 in mice, ultimately suppressing tumor growth and proliferation, inducing cell death, and strengthening immunity. Although it is known to be controllable, its role in renal function due to renal fibrosis is unknown. However, through the present invention, as shown in Figures 12a and 12, it was found that β-elemene alone or in cooperation with Z-guggulsterone can improve renal fibrosis by suppressing MyD88 and reducing phosphorylation of STAT3 and Smad3. will be.

In addition, Z-guggulsterone is a synthetic steroid from the guggul tree plant, also called myrrh, Commiphora wightii, which has the name Indian bdellium-tree, gugal, guggul, gugul, or mukul myrrh tree, and has the structural formula shown in Figure 11b, and is used in various cancers and tissues.　and It has an anti-inflammatory effect in cells and is related to the inhibition of various signaling actions such as MAPK, AKT, and NF-κB. Guggulsterone shows the ability to lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels and is a selective antagonist of FXR (farnesoid X receptor). It is known to inhibit the transactivation of FXR, but has no effect on the transcriptional activation of LXRα (liver X receptor α), PPARγ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ), or RXRα (retinoid Additionally, the role of Z-guggulsterone in renal function due to renal fibrosis is unknown. However, through the present invention, as shown in Figures 12a and 12, it was found that Z-guggulsteron alone or in cooperation with β-elemene can improve renal fibrosis by suppressing MyD88 and reducing phosphorylation of STAT3 and Smad3. will be.

As a result, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be administered orally or parenterally and used to prevent, improve, or treat renal fibrosis in mammals, including humans.

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may contain β-elemene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and/or Z-guggulsterone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as active ingredients, depending on the formulation, method of use and purpose of use. It may further include a pharmacologically acceptable carrier or excipient. When provided as a mixture, the active ingredient may be included in the pharmaceutical composition in an amount of 0.0001 to 50% by weight.

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention containing a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier can be used in tablets, pills, powders, granules, capsules, suspensions, oral solutions, emulsions, syrups, sterilized aqueous solutions, non-aqueous solutions, suspensions, emulsions, and freeze-dried. It is any one dosage form selected from the group consisting of preparations and suppositories and may be in various oral or parenteral dosage forms. When formulated, it is prepared using diluents or excipients such as commonly used fillers, extenders, binders, wetting agents, disintegrants, and surfactants. Solid preparations for oral administration include tablets, powders, granules, capsules, etc. These solid preparations include one or more compounds and at least one excipient, such as starch, calcium carbonate, sucrose, or lactose ( It is prepared by mixing lactose, gelatin, etc. In addition to simple excipients, lubricants such as magnesium stearate and talc are also used. Liquid preparations for oral administration include suspensions, oral solutions, emulsions, and syrups. In addition to the commonly used simple diluents such as water and liquid paraffin, they contain various excipients such as wetting agents, sweeteners, fragrances, and preservatives. You can. Preparations for parenteral administration include sterilized aqueous solutions, non-aqueous solutions, suspensions, emulsions, freeze-dried preparations, and suppositories. Non-aqueous solvents and suspensions may include propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oil such as olive oil, and injectable esters such as ethyl oleate. As a base for suppositories, witepsol, macrogol, tween 61, cacao, laurel, glycerogelatin, etc. can be used.

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be administered orally or parenterally in a pharmaceutically effective amount. When administered parenterally, it can be applied topically to the skin, intravenous injection, subcutaneous injection, intramuscular injection, intraperitoneal injection, transdermal administration, etc. It can be administered. The pharmaceutical composition of the invention can be administered. In the present invention, “pharmaceutically effective amount” means an amount sufficient to treat a disease with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio applicable to medical treatment, and the effective dose level is It can be determined based on factors including type and severity, age, gender, activity of the substance, sensitivity to the substance, time of administration, route of administration and excretion rate, duration of treatment, substances used simultaneously, and other factors well known in the medical field. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be administered as an individual therapeutic agent or in combination with other therapeutic agents, and may be administered sequentially or simultaneously with conventional therapeutic agents. And it can be administered single or multiple times. It is important to consider all of the above factors and administer the amount that will achieve the maximum effect with the minimum amount without side effects.

The dosage of the pharmaceutical composition for preventing, improving or treating renal fibrosis of the present invention is determined by those skilled in the art, taking into account the purpose of use, the degree of addiction of the disease, the patient's age, weight, gender, antecedent history, or the type of substance used as an active ingredient. can decide. For example, the composition of the present invention comprising β-elemene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and/or Z-guggulsterone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as active ingredients is administered in an amount of about 0.1 ng to about 100 mg per adult. /kg, especially 1 ng to about 10 mg/kg. In some cases, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is preferably administered at about 0.0001 to 100 mg/kg, particularly 0.001 to 10 mg/kg, and more specifically 0.01 to 1 mg/kg per adult. The frequency of administration is not particularly limited, but may be administered once a day, or the dose may be divided and administered several times.

Next, the health functional food for preventing and improving renal fibrosis of the present invention contains β-elemene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and/or Z-guggulsterone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof contained in the above-mentioned pharmaceutical composition. By including it as an active ingredient, it can be used for the purpose of preventing and improving the symptoms of renal fibrosis.

In the present invention, 'health functional food' refers to a natural product or processed product containing one or more nutrients, and preferably, the function of the food is modified for a specific purpose by using physical, biochemical, biotechnological methods, etc. It refers to food that has been designed and processed to fully express the body control functions related to biological defense rhythm regulation, disease prevention and recovery, etc., which the food group or food composition has added value to act on and express in the living body. Health functional foods may include food auxiliary additives that are foodologically acceptable, and may further include appropriate carriers, excipients, and diluents commonly used in the production of health functional foods.

Health functional foods of the present invention include, for example, various foods, beverages, gum, tea, vitamin complexes, etc. Additionally, special nutritional foods (e.g., milk formula, infant and toddler food, etc.), health supplements, confectionery (e.g., snacks), dairy products (e.g., fermented milk, cheese, etc.), other processed foods, beverages (e.g., fruits, vegetables, etc.) Beverages, soy milk, fermented beverages, etc.), etc., but are not limited thereto. The above-described foods, beverages, or food additives can be manufactured by conventional manufacturing methods.

The health functional food of the present invention contains various nutrients, vitamins, minerals (electrolytes), flavoring agents such as synthetic and natural flavors, colorants and thickening agents (cheese, chocolate, etc.), pectic acid and its salts, alginic acid and its It may contain salts, organic acids, protective colloidal thickeners, pH adjusters, stabilizers, preservatives, glycerin, water, carbonating agents used in carbonated drinks, etc. These ingredients can be used independently or in combination.

As described above, the health functional food of the present invention has various formulations, and in particular, it may have any one of powder, granule, tablet, capsule, and beverage formulations.

In one embodiment, when the health functional food of the present invention is implemented as a beverage, other than containing β-elemene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and/or Z-guggulsterone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as essential ingredients. There are no particular restrictions on the ingredients, and like regular drinks, it may contain various flavoring agents or natural carbohydrates as additional ingredients. Examples of natural carbohydrates include monosaccharides, such as glucose, fructose, etc., disaccharides, such as maltose, sucrose, etc., and polysaccharides, such as common sugars such as dextrin, cyclodextrin, etc., and xylitol, Sugar alcohols such as sorbitol and erythritol. As flavoring agents other than those mentioned above, natural flavoring agents (thaumatin, stevia extract (e.g., rebaudioside A, glycyrrhizin, etc.)) and synthetic flavoring agents (saccharin, aspartame, etc.) can be advantageously used. Even in health functional foods aimed at preventing and improving renal fibrosis, the content of the active ingredients β-elemene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and/or Z-guggulsterone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof depends on the purpose of use ( (for prevention or improvement) may be appropriately determined.

In addition, the method for treating renal fibrosis of the present invention can treat renal fibrosis by including the step of orally or parenterally administering the above-described pharmaceutical composition to treat renal fibrosis in mammals other than humans. Here, if renal fibrosis is effectively suppressed, it is useful in suppressing the progression of chronic kidney disease caused by kidney damage, so it may have the effect of treating chronic kidney disease.

Example 1

In the UUO model, histopathological damage and attenuation of renal fibrosis due to β-elemene treatment were tested as follows, and the results are shown in Figure 1.

The mouse was an 8-week-old male C57BL/6J mouse weighing between 20 and 25 g. To induce chronic kidney damage, the urinary tract connected to the left kidney was tied and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) was performed. The animals were divided into 4 groups with 6 animals per group, control group, β-elemene, UUO, UUO＋β-elemene, and anesthesia was performed using ketamine. Anesthesia was performed. In the UUO + β-elemene group, mice were sacrificed on the 7th day after IP injection for 40 mg/kg/day for 6 days, 24 hours after creating the UUO model, and the left kidney was prepared for protein expression analysis and immunofluorescence analysis. Histological changes were evaluated by H&E and PAS staining, and interstitial fibrosis was evaluated by MT staining. In Figure 1, (A) is a tissue staining photograph, and (B-C) is the result of quantifying the observed cell damage, with statistical significance expressed as mean ± SD, n = 6. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ns: indicates not significant.

As shown in Figure 1, kidney cell tissue was observed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), and Masson's trichrome (MT) tissue staining in the mouse UUO model injected with β-elemene. It was confirmed that damage and fibrosis were suppressed by β-elemene injection.

Example 2

In the UUO model, histopathological damage and renal fibrosis protein expression caused by β-elemene treatment were observed as follows, and the results are shown in Figure 2. In Figure 2 (A), interstitial fibrosis in kidney tissue was evaluated by immunohistochemistry of α-SMA and Sirius red staining, and (B-C) is the result of quantifying the observed cell damage. Statistical significance was expressed as mean ± SD, n = 6. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ns: means not significant. (D) is the result of confirming the expression of α-SMA, vimentin, CTGF, and fibronectin by Western blot after protein extraction. (E-H) is the result of quantifying the observed amount of protein. Statistical significance is mean ± SD, n = 6. It was displayed. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ns: means not significant.

As shown in Figure 2, it was confirmed through tissue staining that markers related to kidney fibrosis were decreased in the mouse UUO model injected with β-elemene, and as a result, α-SMA decreased and accumulated when fibrosis progressed. Of collagen I/III As a result of checking the expression with Sirius red, it was confirmed that the expression of collagen decreased. In addition, using Western blotting, it was confirmed that the protein expression of representative fibrosis markers, α-SMA, vimentin, CTGF, and Fibronectin, was decreased by the β-elemene.

Example 3

We observed that the fibrotic changes stimulated by TGF-β in NRK49F cells were attenuated by β-elemene as follows, and the results are shown in Figure 3. In Figure 3 (A), NRK49F cells were treated with β-elemene for 24 hours. As a result of treatment and cytotoxicity analysis, toxicity was observed starting from 40 μM of β-elemene treatment. In the present invention, the β-elemene concentration was only carried out up to 20 μM. (B) shows the results of Western blot confirmation of protein expression of α-SMA, CTGF, and Vimentin in NRK49F cells stimulated with TGF-β as follows. Cells were treated with 0.5% FBS medium for 24 hours, pretreated with β-elemene for 2 hours, treated with TGF-β (10 ng/ml) for 30 minutes, and incubated in 5% FBS medium for 24 hours. (C-E) This is the result of quantifying the observed amount of protein. Statistical significance was expressed as mean ± SD, n = 6. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ns: means not significant.

As shown in Figure 3, the concentration of β-elemene in kidney fibroblasts (NRK49F cells) was found to reduce fibrosis without being cytotoxic, and α-SMA, vimentin was found at 20 μM without cell toxicity. ，Related to fibrosis such as CTGF It was observed that the markers were decreasing. From these results, the concentration of β-elemene, which has no cytotoxicity and reduces fibrosis markers, was determined to be 5-20 μM.

Example 4

In the UUO mouse model, inhibition of the fibrosis signaling pathway and reduction of MyD88 expression by β-elemene injection were observed as follows, and the results are shown in Figure 4. In Figure 4, (A) is the result of Western blot confirmation of protein expression of P-JAK2, P-STAT3, P-Smad3, and MyD88 in the UUO mouse kidney model, and (B??F) is the result of quantification, and statistical significance is the average. Expressed ± SD, n = 6. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ns: means not significant.

As shown in Figure 4, there is no change in the signaling expression of MyD88, P-JAK2, P-STAT3, and P-Smad3 in the group treated with Sham and β-elemene, and in the UUO group, it is significantly increased, and the β-elemene is significantly increased. In this injected UUO group, it was confirmed that it was well reduced. As a result of confirming the intracellular signal transmission related to the inhibition of fibrosis, the levels of MyD88, P-JAK2, P-STAT3, and P-Smad3 were determined by β-elemene in the UUO animal model.　Phosphorylation It was confirmed that it was decreasing.

Example 5

The fibrogenic signal transduction pathway caused by β-elemene treatment was observed in NRK49F cells stimulated with TGF-β, and the results are shown in Figure 5. In Figure 5 (A), NRK49F cells are converted to TGF-β by β-elemene treatment. This is the result of observing increased protein expression of P-JAK2, P-STAT3, P-Smad3, and MyD88 and decreased protein expression through Western blot, and (B??E) quantifies the amount of protein observed. Statistical significance is the average. Expressed ± SD, n = 3. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ns: means not significant.

As shown in Figure 5, there was no change in the signaling expression of MyD88, P-JAK2, P-STAT3, and P-Smad3 in cells treated with Control and β-elemene, and in cells treated with 10 ng/ml of TGFβ, Phosphorylation of signaling proteins related to fibrosis is greatly increased, and MyD88, P-JAK2, P-STAT3, and P-Smad3 are increased in cells treated with β-elemene and in cells treated with TGFβ after pretreatment with β-elemene. Check that it is well reduced. I was able to.

As a result of confirming the transmission of fibrosis signals in kidney fibroblasts (NRK49F cells), the phosphorylation of MyD88, P-JAK2, P-STAT3, and P-Smad3, which was increased by TGFβ, was decreased by β-elemene treatment. I knew what to do.

Example 6

The effect of suppressing fibrosis signaling for NSCs and SIS3 inhibitors on fibrosis stimulated with TGF-β in NRK49F cells was observed, and the results are shown in Figure 6. In Figure 6 (A), NSCs were detected by Western blotting in NRK49F cells. This is a result confirming that SIS3 inhibitor treatment reduces the protein expression of P-STAT3 and P-Smad3 stimulated by TGF-β, and (B-C) is the result of quantifying the amount of protein observed. Statistical significance was expressed as mean ± SD, n = 3. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ns: indicates not significant. (D) is the result confirming by Western blotting in NRK49F cells that treatment with NSC and SIS3 inhibitor reduces protein expression of α-SMA, Vimentin, and CTGF stimulated with TGF-β. (E-G) is the result of quantifying the observed amount of protein. Statistical significance was expressed as mean ± SD, n = 3. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ns: means not significant.

As shown in Figure 6, it was confirmed that cell signal transmission, which is increased by TGFβ treatment, decreased fibrosis markers when each inhibitor was treated. After confirming that treatment with NSC (5 nM), an inhibitor of STAT3, reduces phosphorylation of STAT3, and SIS3, a Smad3 inhibitor, suppresses Smad3, protein expression of α-SMA, vimentin, and CTGF was performed. A decrease was confirmed

Example 7

The effect of cell signal transmission by MyD88 siRNA in NRK49F cells was observed, and the results are shown in Figure 7. In Figure 7 (A), cells transfected with MyD88 siRNA were stimulated with TGF-β in NRK49F cells by Western blotting. This is the result confirming that the protein expression of P-STAT3 and P-Smad3 is reduced, and (B-D) is the result of quantifying the amount of protein observed. Statistical significance is presented as mean ± SD, n = 3. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ns: means no significance.

As shown in Figure 7, in order to confirm the order of intracellular fibrosis signal transmission, MyD88 siRNA was transfected into cells, and then phosphorylation of STAT3 and Smad3 was confirmed by protein expression. As a result, MyD88 siRNA　By　P-STAT3, P-Smad3 As a result of the decreased expression, it was found that the fibrosis signal transduction increased by TGFβ increases the phosphorylation of STAT3 and Smad3 via MyD88.

As a result, the decrease in expression of P-STAT3 and P-Smad3 through MyD88 siRNA means that MyD88 exists on top of STAT3 and Smad3, and that STAT3 and Smad3 are regulated by increased and decreased expression of MyD88. I was able to confirm that it was controlled.

Example 8

In HK-2 cells stimulated with TGF-β, the fibrosis marker and cell signal transduction inhibition effects caused by Z-guggulsterone treatment were observed, and the results are shown in Figure 8. In Figure 8 (A), Z-guggulsterone treatment in HK-2 cells The decrease in protein expression of α-SMA, Vimentin, and CTGF, which was increased by TGF-β by guggulsterone treatment, was confirmed by Western blotting, and the amount of observed protein was quantified, and (B) is quantification of Z-guggulsterone in HK-2 cells. It was confirmed through Western blot that the protein expression of MyD88, P-STAT3, and P-Smad3, which were increased by TGF-β due to the treatment, was decreased, and the amount of protein observed was quantified. Statistical significance was expressed as mean ± SD, n = 3. *p < 0.05, vs. Control, #p < 0.05, vs. TGFβ treated, ns: means not significant.

As shown in Figure 8, in cells treated with 10 ng/ml of TGFβ, phosphorylation of fibrosis-related markers and signaling proteins is significantly increased,

It was confirmed that fibrosis markers and signaling MyD88, P-STAT3, and P-Smad3 were significantly reduced in cells treated with Z-gugglesterone. Fibrosis markers and signals were also significantly reduced in kidney tubular cells (HK-2 cells). As a result of confirming delivery, TGFβ It was confirmed that the increased protein expression of α-SMA, vimentin, and CTGF and the phosphorylation of MyD88, P-STAT3, and P-Smad3 were decreased by Z-guggulsterone treatment.

Example 9

The effect of suppressing fibrosis markers by treatment with β-elemene and Z-guggulsterone was observed in HK-2 and NRK49F cells stimulated with TGF-β, and the results are shown in Figures 9A and 9B, respectively. Figure 9a shows the treatment of β-elemene (20 μM) and Z-guggulsterone (10 μM) alone and the treatment of β-elemene (5 and 10 μM) and Z-guggulsterone (2.5 and 5 μM) in HK-2 cells.　Composite This is the result of Western blotting confirming that the protein expression of α-SMA, Vimentin, and CTGF, which was increased by TGF-β, was decreased by treatment, and quantifying the observed protein amount. Figure 9b shows treatment of β-elemene (20 μM) and Z-guggulsterone (10 μM) alone and treatment of β-elemene (5 and 10 μM) and Z-guggulsterone (2.5 and 5 μM) in NRK49F cells. By complex processing This is the result of confirming the decrease in protein expression of α-SMA, Vimentin, and CTGF, which was increased by TGF-β, by Western blotting and quantifying the amount of protein observed. Statistical significance was expressed as mean ± SD, n = 3. *p < 0.05, vs. Control, #p < 0.05, vs. TGFβ treated, ns: means not significant.

As shown in Figures 9a and 9b, fibrosis markers were confirmed in kidney fibroblasts (NRK49F cells) and kidney tubule cells (HK-2 cells). As a result, α-SMA, vimentin, and CTGF proteins were increased by TGFβ.　Appearance　β When comparing the single and combined treatment of -elemene and Z-guggulsterone, it was confirmed that protein expression decreased more in the combined treatment with reduced concentration than in the single treatment.

In other words, the expression of α-SMA, vimentin, and CTGF increased significantly by TGFβ treatment in both cells, while the concentration of β-elemene and Z-gugglesterone combined treatment increased to 1/4 and 1. In the group reduced to /2 This is because it was confirmed that protein expression was significantly reduced at low concentrations compared to the group treated with β-elemene and Z-gugglesterone alone.

Example 10

In HK-2 and NRK49F cells stimulated with TGF-β, the inhibitory effect of cell signal transduction by β-elemene and Z-guggulsterone treatment was observed, and the results are shown in Figures 10a and 10b. Figure 10a shows the treatment of β-elemene (20 μM) and Z-guggulsterone (10 μM) alone and β-elemene (5 and 10 μM) and Z-guggulsterone (2.5 and 5) in HK-2 cells. Complex of 　μM) The decrease in protein expression of MyD88, P-STAT3, and P-Smad3, which was increased by TGF-β by treatment, was confirmed by Western blotting, and the results of quantifying the observed protein amount are shown. Figure 10b shows the results of quantification of protein expression in NRK49F cells. By single treatment of -elemene (20 μM) and Z-guggulsterone (10 μM) and combined treatment of β-elemene (5 and 10 μM) and Z-guggulsterone (2.5 and 5 μM) Increased by TGF-β The decrease in protein expression of MyD88, P-STAT3, and P-Smad3 was confirmed by Western blotting, and the amount of protein observed was quantified. Statistical significance was expressed as mean ± SD, n = 3. *p < 0.05, vs. Control, #p < 0.05, vs. TGFβ treated, ns: means not significant.

As shown in Figures 10a and 10b, the expression level of MyD88, P-STAT3, and P increased by TGFβ as a result of confirming fibrotic signaling in kidney fibroblasts (NRK49F cells) and kidney tubule cells (HK-2 cells). -When the phosphorylation of Smad3 was compared between the single and combined treatments of β-elemene and Z-guggulsterone, it was found that protein phosphorylation decreased more in the combined treatment with reduced concentration than in the single treatment.

That is, in both cells, the expression of signaling transduction of MyD88, P-STAT3, and P-Smad3 increased significantly by TGFβ treatment, while the concentration of the combination treatment of β-elemene and Z-gugglesterone increased. ／４ and １／２ This is because it was confirmed that protein expression in the reduced group was significantly reduced at low concentrations compared to the group treated with β-elemene and Z-gugglesterone alone.

Referring to Figures 12A and 12B, β-elemene treatment inhibits MyD88, which leads to the kidney fibrosis mechanism, and reduces the phosphorylation of STAT3 and Smad3, which exist in its subgroups, ultimately leading to kidney failure. In reducing fibrosis and in the treatment of Z-gugglesterone By suppressing MyD88 in the renal tubules (HK-2 cells) and reducing the phosphorylation of STAT3 and Smad3 existing in the subgroup, it ultimately reduces renal fibrosis. It is shown that β-elemene and Z-guggulsterone induce fibrosis in kidney fibroblasts. By controlling the transmission of related signals, fibrosis markers are reduced, and MyD88 acts as an important first target in this mechanism, indicating that the point of action for the treatment of renal cell fibrosis inhibition has been systematically revealed.

From the above-mentioned experimental results, treatment with β-elemene and Z-guggulsterone alone or in combination regulates fibrosis-related signal transmission in kidney tubules and fibroblasts, thereby reducing fibrosis markers and the related MyD88/STAT3/Smad3 signal transmission. By suppressing By revealing that β-elemene or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt and/or Z-guggulsterone or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt prevents, improves and/or treats renal fibrosis through the effects of inhibiting inflammation and fibrosis in renal cells. It can be seen that it can act as an active ingredient.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described by way of preferred embodiments as described above, it is not limited to the above-described embodiments and is intended to be used by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Various changes and modifications will be possible.

Claims (11)

A pharmaceutical composition for preventing, improving or treating renal fibrosis containing β-elemene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.
A pharmaceutical composition for preventing, improving or treating renal fibrosis containing Z-guggulsterone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.
β-elemene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and
A pharmaceutical composition for preventing, improving or treating renal fibrosis containing Z-guggulsterone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.
According to claim 3,
A pharmaceutical composition for preventing, improving or treating renal fibrosis, wherein the β-elemene and the Z-guggulsterone are contained in a weight ratio of 2:1 to 1:1.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A pharmaceutical composition for preventing, improving or treating renal fibrosis, wherein the active ingredient inhibits renal fibrosis by reducing phosphorylation of STAT3 and Smad3 by inhibiting MyD88.
A method of treating renal fibrosis comprising administering the pharmaceutical composition of claims 1 to 4 to a mammal other than a human.
A health functional food for preventing and improving renal fibrosis containing β-elemene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.
A health functional food for preventing and improving renal fibrosis containing Z-guggulsterone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.
β-elemene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and
A health functional food for preventing and improving renal fibrosis containing Z-guggulsterone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.
According to clause 9,
A health functional food for preventing and improving renal fibrosis, characterized in that the β-elemene and the Z-guggulsterone are contained in a weight ratio of 1:1 to 2:1.
The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10,
A health functional food for preventing and improving renal fibrosis, characterized in that it has any one of the following formulations: powder, granule, tablet, capsule, and beverage.