Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42106856›Full record

ArticleStem cell research & therapy2026

Awakening endogenous repair: salidroside boosts mitophagy in NPMSCs via SIRT1/FOXO3 to combat intervertebral disc degeneration.

Zhengguang Li, Yiming Wu, Benkui Hua, Hua Sun, Huofeng Wu, Shuangjia Zai, Chen Liu, Yongbo Zhang, Zhaoyu Li, Xuan You and 4 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Stem cell research & therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Zhengguang Li *Department of Orthopedics, The Yangzhou Clinical Medical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China.
Yiming Wu *Department of Pharmacy, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, Jiangsu, China.
Benkui HuaDepartment of Orthopedics, The Yangzhou Clinical Medical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China.
Hua SunDepartment of Orthopedics, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, Jiangsu, China.
Huofeng WuDepartment of Orthopedics, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, Jiangsu, China.
Shuangjia ZaiDepartment of Orthopedics, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, Jiangsu, China.
Chen LiuDepartment of Orthopedics, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, Jiangsu, China.
Yongbo ZhangDepartment of Orthopedics, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, Jiangsu, China.
Zhaoyu LiDepartment of Orthopedics, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, Jiangsu, China.
Xuan YouDepartment of Orthopedics, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, Jiangsu, China.
Yufeng HuangDepartment of Spine Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
Xuhua LuDepartment of Orthopedics, Changzheng Hospital of The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China. xuhualu@hotmail.com.
Guoyong YinDepartment of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China. guoyong_yin@sina.com.
Liang ZhangDepartment of Orthopedics, The Yangzhou Clinical Medical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China. zhangliang6320@sina.com.

Funding

Key Projects of Social development of Yangzhou City YZ2022091National Natural Science Foundation of China 82172462Postgraduate Research and Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province SJCX24_1563Postgraduate Research and Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province SJCX24_2340The Medical Discipline Construction Program of Shanghai Pudong New Area Health Commission (the Key Disciplines Program) PWZxk2022-21The Sixth "333 project" Young Talent Project of Jiangsu Province 11
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIntervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a major cause of low back pain, characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired mitophagy in nucleus pulposus-derived mesenchymal stem cells (NPMSCs). Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), a key regulator of mitochondrial quality control, is downregulated in degenerated discs. Salidroside (Sal), a natural compound from Rhodiola rosea, has shown potential in enhancing mitophagy, but its mechanism in IVDD remains unclear.

methodsUsing network pharmacology, molecular docking, and dynamics simulations, we identified SIRT1 as a key target of Sal. Human and rat NPMSCs were isolated and treated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) to induce degeneration. In vitro assays included CCK-8, EdU, SA-β-Gal, JC-1, Western blot, immunofluorescence, and transmission electron microscope (TEM). An in vivo rat IVDD model was established via needle puncture and treated with Sal and/or the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA. Histological, immunohistochemical, and imaging analyses were performed to evaluate IVDD.

resultsSal bound stably to SIRT1 and activated SIRT1/FOXO3 pathway, promoting mitophagic flux, reducing reactive oxygen species accumulation, and suppressing apoptosis in NPMSCs. SIRT1 knockdown or 3-MA treatment abolished Sal's protective effects. In vivo, Sal treatment preserved disc height, reduced apoptosis, and enhanced mitophagy, while 3-MA exacerbated degeneration.

conclusionsSal attenuates IVDD by activating SIRT1/FOXO3-mediated mitophagy, restoring mitochondrial homeostasis, and reducing NPMSCs apoptosis. These results suggest that the activation of the SIRT1/FOXO3-mitophagy axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for mitigating IVDD.

Indexed as

Forkhead Box Protein O3GlucosidesIntervertebral Disc DegenerationMesenchymal Stem CellsMitophagyNucleus PulposusPhenolsSirtuin 1AnimalsHumansMaleMitochondriaRatsRats, Sprague-Dawleytert-ButylhydroperoxideForkhead Box Protein O3FOXO3 protein, humanFOXO3 protein, ratGlucosidesPhenolsrhodiolosideSIRT1 protein, humanSirt1 protein, ratSirtuin 1tert-ButylhydroperoxideApoptosisMitophagyNucleus pulposus-derived mesenchymal stem cellsSalidrosideSIRT1/FOXO3

Identifiers

PMID42106856
PMCPMC13326421

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.