Protective role of berberine on ulcerative colitis through modulating enteric glial cells-intestinal epithelial cells-immune cells interactions

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Allocryptopine via the Target on the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis/GNB5/AKT/NF-κB/Apoptosis in Dextran Sulfate-Induced Mice

Allocryptopine (ALL) is an isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Macleaya cordata(Willd). R. Br., which has been claimed to have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotection properties. However, the mechanism by which ALL ameliorates inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains unclear. Here, we used network pharmacology and quantitative proteomic approaches to investigate the effect of ALL on IBD pathogenesis. Network pharmacology predicted potential targets and signaling pathways of ALL's anti-IBD effects. As predicted by network pharmacology, gene ontology (GO) analysis, in terms of the proteomic results, showed that the immune response in mucosa and antimicrobial humoral response were enriched. Further study revealed that the ALL-related pathways were the chemokine signaling pathway and apoptosis in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). In addition, we identified AKT1 as a hub for the critical pathways through protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Similar to mesalazine (MES), Western blot verified that ALL downregulated upstream chemokine CX3CL1 and GNB5 content to reduce phosphorylation of AKT and NF-κB, as well as the degree of apoptosis, to improve inflammatory response in the colon. Our research may shed light on the mechanism by which ALL inhibits the CX3CL1/GNB5/AKT2/NF-κB/apoptosis pathway and improves the intestinal barrier to reduce colitis response and act on the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis to achieve neuroprotection.

Harnessing polymer-derived drug delivery systems for combating inflammatory bowel disease

The inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is incurable, chronic, recrudescent disorders in the inflamed intestines. Current clinic treatments are challenged by systemic exposure-induced severe side effects, inefficiency after long-term treatment, and increased risks of infection and malignancy due to immunosuppression. Fortunately, naturally bioactive small molecules, reactive oxygen species scavengers (or antioxidants), and gut microbiota modulators have emerged as promising candidates for the IBD treatment. Polymeric systems have been engineered as a delivery vehicle to improve the bioavailability and efficacy of these therapeutic agents through targeting the mucosa and enhancing intestinal adhesion and retention, and reduce their systemic toxicity. Herein we survey polymer-derived drug delivery systems for combating the IBD. Advanced delivery technologies, therapeutic intervention strategies, and the principles for the construction of hierarchical, mucosa-targeting, and bioresponsive systems are elaborated, providing insights into design and development of from-bench-to-bedside drug delivery polymeric systems for the IBD treatment.

A tactical nanomissile mobilizing antitumor immunity enables neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy to minimize postsurgical tumor metastasis and recurrence

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has become an indispensable weapon against high-risk resectable cancers, which benefits from tumor downstaging. However, the utility of chemotherapeutics alone as a neoadjuvant agent is incapable of generating durable therapeutic benefits to prevent postsurgical tumor metastasis and recurrence. Herein, a tactical nanomissile (TALE), equipped with a guidance system (PD-L1 monoclonal antibody), ammunition (mitoxantrone, Mit), and projectile bodies (tertiary amines modified azobenzene derivatives), is designed as a neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy setting, which aims at targeting tumor cells, and fast-releasing Mit owing to the intracellular azoreductase, thereby inducing immunogenic tumor cells death, and forming an in situ tumor vaccine containing damage-associated molecular patterns and multiple tumor antigen epitopes to mobilize the immune system. The formed in situ tumor vaccine can recruit and activate antigen-presenting cells, and ultimately increase the infiltration of CD8⁺ T cells while reversing the immunosuppression microenvironment. Moreover, this approach provokes a robust systemic immune response and immunological memory, as evidenced by preventing 83.3% of mice from postsurgical metastasis or recurrence in the B16-F10 tumor mouse model. Collectively, our results highlight the potential of TALE as a neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy paradigm that can not only debulk tumors but generate a long-term immunosurveillance to maximize the durable benefits of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Enhancing intestinal barrier efficiency: A novel metabolic diseases therapy

Physiologically, the intestinal barrier plays a crucial role in homeostasis and nutrient absorption and prevents pathogenic entry, harmful metabolites, and endotoxin absorption. Recent advances have highlighted the association between severely damaged intestinal barriers and diabetes, obesity, fatty liver, and cardiovascular diseases. Evidence indicates that an abated intestinal barrier leads to endotoxemia associated with systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, diabetes, and lipid accumulation, accelerating obesity and fatty liver diseases. Nonetheless, the specific mechanism of intestinal barrier damage and the effective improvement of the intestinal barrier remain to be explored. Here, we discuss the crosstalk between changes in the intestinal barrier and metabolic disease. This paper also highlights how to improve the gut barrier from the perspective of natural medicine, gut microbiota remodeling, lifestyle interventions, and bariatric surgery. Finally, potential challenges and prospects for the regulation of the gut barrier-metabolic disease axis are discussed, which may provide theoretical guidance for the treatment of metabolic diseases.

Angelica oil restores the intestinal barrier function by suppressing S100A8/A9 signalling in mice with ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis (UC) progression is driven by the activation of immune cells that release pro-inflammatory mediators to disrupt intestinal epithelial barrier integrity. This study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of Angelica oil (AO) on the intestinal epithelial barrier in mice with UC and the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Improvement of the disease state and protective effect of AO on the intestinal epithelial barrier were observed in mice with dextran sulphate sodium salt (DSS)-induced UC. Protein microarrays were used to screen AO-affected cytokine pools and their recruited immune cells for accumulation in the tissues. Furthermore, quantitative proteomics was applied to search for AO-acting molecules and to verify in vitro the functions of key molecules between inflammation and the intestinal mucosal barrier.

RESULTS

AO significantly alleviated intestinal inflammation, reduced intestinal permeability, and retained barrier function in mice with UC. Furthermore, cytokines inhibited by AO mainly promoted monocyte and neutrophil activation or chemotaxis. Moreover, proteomic screening revealed that S100A8/A9 was a key molecule significantly regulated by AO, and its mediated TLR4/NF-κB pathway was also inhibited. Finally, we verified that AO inhibited the activation of the S100A8/A9/TLR4 signalling pathway and enhanced the expression of tight junctions (TJs) proteins using a cellular model of intestinal barrier damage induced by S100A8/A9 or macrophage-derived medium. And the enhancement of TJs in intestinal epithelial cells and the inhibition of inflammatory signalling by AO were significantly attenuated due to the application of S100A8/A9 monoclonal antibody.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrated that AO improves intestinal mucosal barrier damage in the inflammatory environment of mice with UC by inhibiting the expression of S100A8/A9 and the activation of its downstream TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway.

Enteric-Coated Cologrit Tablet Exhibit Robust Anti-Inflammatory Response in Ulcerative Colitis-like In-Vitro Models by Attuning NFκB-Centric Signaling Axis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects the patients' colorectal area culminating in an inflamed 'leaky gut.' The majority of UC treatments only provide temporary respite leading to its relapse. Therefore, this study investigated the efficacy of the enteric-coated 'Cologrit' (EC) tablet in alleviating UC-like inflammation. Cologrit is formulated using polyherbal extracts that have anti-inflammatory qualities according to ancient Ayurveda scriptures. Phytochemical profiling revealed the presence of gallic acid, rutin, ellagic acid, and imperatorin in Cologrit formulation. Cologrit treatment decreased inflammation in LPS-induced transformed THP-1 macrophages, and TNF-α-stimulated human colorectal (HT-29) cells through the modulation of NFκB activity, IL-6 production, and NFκB, IL-1β, IL-8, and CXCL5 mRNA expression levels. Cologrit also lessened human monocytic (U937) cell adhesion to HT29 cells. Methacrylic acid-ethylacrylate copolymer-coating of the enteric Cologrit tablets (EC) supported their dissolution, and the release of phytochemicals in the small intestine pH 7.0 environment in a simulated gastrointestinal digestion model. Small intestine EC digestae effectively abridged dextran sodium sulfate (2.5% w/v)-induced cell viability loss and oxidative stress in human colon epithelial Caco-2 cells. In conclusion, the enteric-coated Cologrit tablets demonstrated good small intestine-specific phytochemical delivery capability, and decreased UC-like inflammation, and oxidative stress through the regulation of TNF-α/NFκB/IL6 signaling axis.

Berberine a traditional Chinese drug repurposing: Its actions in inflammation-associated ulcerative colitis and cancer therapy

Berberine (BBR), an isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Coptidis Rhizoma, has a long history of treating dysentery in the clinic. Over the past two decades, the polytrophic, pharmacological, and biochemical properties of BBR have been intensively studied. The key functions of BBR, including anti-inflammation, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-obesity, and even antitumor, have been discovered. However, the underlying mechanisms of BBR-mediated regulation still need to be explored. Given that BBR is also a natural nutrition supplement, the modulatory effects of BBR on nutritional immune responses have attracted more attention from investigators. In this mini-review, we summarized the latest achievements of BBR on inflammation, gut microbes, macrophage polarization, and immune responses associated with their possible tools in the pathogenesis and therapy of ulcerative colitis and cancer in recent 5 years. We also discuss the therapeutic efficacy and anti-inflammatory actions of BBR to benefit future clinical applications.

Potential mechanisms of Lian-Zhi-Fan solution for TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis in rats via a metabolomics approach

Lian-Zhi-Fan (LZF) decoction is a hospital-prescribed traditional Chinese medicine botanical drug prepared by the fermentation of decocted Coptidis Rhizome (Huanglian), Gardeniae Fructus (Zhizi), and alum (Baifan). It has been used clinically in China for the treatment of anal fistula, perianal abscess, ulcerative colitis (UC), and other anorectal diseases for hundreds of years. However, due to the complexity of traditional Chinese medicine, the potential mechanisms of LZF in the treatment of UC have remained unknown. This study primarily investigated the remarkable pharmacological effects of LZF on TNBS-induced UC rats. To explore the complex targets and regulatory mechanisms of metabolic networks under LZF intervention, a metabolomics approach mediated by HPLC/Q-TOF-MS analysis was used to screen the different metabolites and their metabolic pathways in the serum in order to characterize the possible anti-UC mechanisms of LZF. After rectal administration of LZF for seven consecutive days, significant amelioration effects on body weight loss, DAI score, and colon inflammation were found in UC rats. Based on this, further metabolomics identified 14 potential biomarkers in the treatment of UC with LZF, of which five possessed diagnostic significance: L-alanine, taurocholic acid, niacinamide, cholic acid, and L-valine. These metabolites are mainly involved in 12 metabolic pathways, including nicotate and nicotinamide metabolism, glycospholipid metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis. These metabolic pathways suggest that LZF ameliorates UC by regulating amino acid metabolism, fat metabolism, and energy production. This study provides a useful approach for exploring the potential mechanisms of herbal prescription in UC treatment mediated by metabolomics.

Green tea EGCG effectively alleviates experimental colitis in middle-aged male mice by attenuating multiple aspects of oxi-inflammatory stress and cell cycle deregulation

Age-dependent increased risk of inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis is being increasingly realized, and yet therapies targeting this disorder within the purview of aging are limited. The present study attempted to assess the efficacy of green tea epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) consumption in preventing the severity and progression of dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis in 18 months old middle-aged male mice. Acute colitis was induced in animals using DSS and protective effects of EGCG consumption were examined. Different parameters related to disease progression and molecular markers related to oxi-inflammatory stress, localized and systemic cytokine response, epithelial barrier integrity, and cell cycle progression profile were evaluated. DSS treatment induced rapid and severe symptoms of colitis such as consistently increased DAI score, shortened and inflamed colon accompanied by increased levels of inflammatory proteins (TNFα/IL-6/IL-1β) in both the colon tissue and cultured splenocytes indicating exaggerated Th1 immune response. Markers of oxidative stress increased while antioxidant defences and the expression of tight junction genes in the colonic cells were attenuated. Dysregulation in the expression of cell cycle inhibitory genes (p53/p21^WAF1/p16^Ink4a) indicated possible induction of colitis-induced dysplasia. On the other hand, EGCG consumption strongly attenuated all the measured ostensible as well as molecular markers of the disease progression as evidenced by improved DAI score, cellular antioxidant capacity, attenuated Th1 cytokine response both in the colon and cultured splenocytes, enhanced expression of tight junction genes, and cell cycle inhibitors thereby suggesting systemic effects of EGCG. Together, these observations suggest that drinking EGCG-rich green tea can be a significant way of managing the severity of colitis during aging.

Qingchang Wenzhong Decoction reduce ulcerative colitis in mice by inhibiting Th17 lymphocyte differentiation

BACKGROUND

Qingchang Wenzhong Decoction (QCWZD), a chinese herbal prescription, is widely used for ulcerative colitis (UC). Nevertheless, the active ingredients and mechanism of QCWZD in UC have not yet been explained clearly.

PURPOSE

This research focuses on the identification of the effective ingredients of QCWZD and the prediction and verification of their potential targets.

METHODS

The UC mice were established by adding 3.0% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to sterile water for one week. Concurrently, mice in the treatment group were gavage QCWZD or mesalazine. LC-MS analyzed the main components absorbed after QCWZD treatment, and network pharmacology predicted their possible targets. ELISA, qPCR, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence experiments were used to evaluate the colonic inflammation level and the intestinal barrier completeness. The percentage of Th17 and Treg lymphocytes was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

After QCWZD treatment, twenty-seven compounds were identified from the serum. In addition, QCWZD treatment significantly reduced the increased myeloperoxidase (MPO) and inflammatory cell infiltration caused by DSS in the colonic. In addition, QCWZD can reduce the secretion of inflammatory factors in serum and promote the expression of mRNAs and proteins of occludin and ZO-1. Network pharmacology analysis indicated that inhibiting IL-6-STAT3 pathway may be necessary for QCWZD to treat UC. Flow cytometry analysis showed that QCWZD can restore the normal proportion of Th17 lymphocytes in UC mice. Mechanistically, QCWZD inhibited the phosphorylation of JAK2-STAT3 pathway, reducing the transcriptional activation of RORγT and IL-17A.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, for the first time, our work revealed the components of QCWZD absorbed into blood, indicated that the effective ingredients of QCWZD may inhibit IL-6-STAT3 pathway and inhibit the differentiation of Th17 lymphocytes to reduce colon inflammation.

Small molecule-based immunomodulators for cancer therapy

Immunotherapy has led to a paradigm shift in the treatment of cancer. Current cancer immunotherapies are mostly antibody-based, thus possessing advantages in regard to pharmacodynamics (e.g., specificity and efficacy). However, they have limitations in terms of pharmacokinetics including long half-lives, poor tissue/tumor penetration, and little/no oral bioavailability. In addition, therapeutic antibodies are immunogenic, thus may cause unwanted adverse effects. Therefore, researchers have shifted their efforts towards the development of small molecule-based cancer immunotherapy, as small molecules may overcome the above disadvantages associated with antibodies. Further, small molecule-based immunomodulators and therapeutic antibodies are complementary modalities for cancer treatment, and may be combined to elicit synergistic effects. Recent years have witnessed the rapid development of small molecule-based cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we describe the current progress in small molecule-based immunomodulators (inhibitors/agonists/degraders) for cancer therapy, including those targeting PD-1/PD-L1, chemokine receptors, stimulator of interferon genes (STING), Toll-like receptor (TLR), etc. The tumorigenesis mechanism of various targets and their respective modulators that have entered clinical trials are also summarized.

Berberine ameliorates chronic kidney disease through inhibiting the production of gut-derived uremic toxins in the gut microbiota

At present, clinical interventions for chronic kidney disease are very limited, and most patients rely on dialysis to sustain their lives for a long time. However, studies on the gut-kidney axis have shown that the gut microbiota is a potentially effective target for correcting or controlling chronic kidney disease. This study showed that berberine, a natural drug with low oral availability, significantly ameliorated chronic kidney disease by altering the composition of the gut microbiota and inhibiting the production of gut-derived uremic toxins, including p-cresol. Furthermore, berberine reduced the content of p-cresol sulfate in plasma mainly by lowering the abundance of g_Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and inhibiting the tyrosine-p-cresol pathway of the intestinal flora. Meanwhile, berberine increased the butyric acid producing bacteria and the butyric acid content in feces, while decreased the renal toxic trimethylamine N-oxide. These findings suggest that berberine may be a therapeutic drug with significant potential to ameliorate chronic kidney disease through the gut-kidney axis.

Regulation of Yujin Powder alcoholic extracts on ILC3s-TD IgA-colonic mucosal flora axis of DSS-induced ulcerative colitis

The intestinal flora maintained by the immune system plays an important role in healthy colon. However, the role of ILC3s-TD IgA-colonic mucosal flora axis in ulcerative colitis (UC) and whether it could become an innovative pathway for the treatment of UC is unknown. Yujin Powder is a classic prescription for treatment of dampness-heat type intestine disease in traditional Chinese medicine and has therapeutic effects on UC. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanism of Yujin Powder alcoholic extracts (YJP-A) on UC via ILC3s-TD IgA-colonic mucosal flora axis. The UC mouse model was induced by drinking 3.5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), meanwhile, YJP-A was given orally for prevention. During the experiment, the clinical symptoms of mice were recorded. Then the intestinal injury and inflammatory response of mice about UC were detected after the experiment. In addition, the relevant indicators of ILC3s-TD IgA-colonic mucosal flora axis were detected. The results showed that YJP-A had good therapy effects on DSS-induced mice UC: improved the symptoms, increased body weight and the length of colon, decreased the disease activity index score, ameliorated the intestinal injury, and reduced the inflammation etc. Also, YJP-A significantly increased the ILC3s proportion and the expression level of MHC II; significantly decreased the proportion of Tfh cells and B cells and the expression levels of Bcl6, IL-4, Aicda in mesenteric lymph nodes of colon in UC mice and IgA in colon. In addition, by 16S rDNA sequencing, YJP-A could restore TD IgA targets colonic mucus flora in UC mice by decreasing the relative abundance of Mucispirillum, Lachnospiraceae and increasing the relative abundance of Allprevotella, Alistipes, and Ruminococcaceae etc. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that the ILC3s-TD IgA-colonic mucosal flora axis was disordered in UC mice. YJP-A could significantly promote the proliferation of ILC3s to inhibit Tfh responses and B cells class switching through MHC II, further to limit TD IgA responses toward colonic mucosal flora. Our findings suggested that this axis may be a novel and promising strategy to prevent UC.

CSE/H2S ameliorates colitis in mice via protection of enteric glial cells and inhibition of the RhoA/ROCK pathway

The enteric glial cells (EGCs) participate in the homeostasis of the gastrointestinal tract, and RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway plays a vital role in colonic tight junctions. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has been reported to alleviate colitis. However, the effect and mechanism of endogenous H₂S on colitis remain unclear. This study established a Cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) knockout mouse model, a significant source of H₂S production in the gut. The role of CSE-produced H₂S on EGCs and the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway was investigated in experimental colitis using CSE knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. CSE gene knockout animals presented with disease progression, more deteriorated clinical scores, colon shortening, and histological damage. EGCs dysfunction, characterized by decreased expression of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), C3, and S100A10, was observed in the colon of WT and KO mice, especially in KO mice. RhoA/ROCK pathway was significantly upregulated in colon of colitis mice, which was more evident in KO mice. Pretreatment with NaHS, an exogenous H₂S donor, significantly ameliorated mucosal injury and inhibited the expression of proinflammatory factors. Furthermore, we found that NaHS promoted the transformation of EGCs from “A1” to “A2” type, with decreased expression of C3 and increased expression of S100A10. These findings suggest that CSE/H₂S protects mice from colon inflammation, which may be associated with preserving EGCs function by promoting EGCs transformation and inhibiting the RhoA/ROCK pathway.

Pharmacological effects of berberine on models of ulcerative colitis: A meta-analysis and systematic review of animal studies

Berberine (BBR) is the main active constituent of the Rhizoma coptidis (Huanglian) and has multiple biological activities. Although current evidence suggests that the BBR has a multi-target effect in ulcerative colitis (UC), its action and mechanism are unclear. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to assess the pharmacological effects and potential mechanisms of BBR in UC models. Studies were searched from four databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) until March 2022. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used for the adjudication of outcomes. Stata 15.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Twenty-eight publications and 29 studies involving 508 animals were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that BBR reduced disease activity index (DAI) scores, alleviated UC-induced colon length (CL) loss, prevented weight loss, and reduced histological colitis score (HCS). Mechanistically, BBR was found to reduce myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, reduce levels of pro-inflammatory factors interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and mRNA expression of interleukin 17, increase levels of anti-inflammatory factor interleukin 10 (IL-10), and to increase levels of tight junction protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin, which may involve antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, neuromodulation, anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory, barrier protection, and flora regulation aspects. However, additional attention should be paid to these outcomes due to the heterogeneity and methodological quality of the studies.

A potential therapeutic target in traditional Chinese medicine for ulcerative colitis: Macrophage polarization

Intestinal macrophages are the main participants of intestinal immune homeostasis and intestinal inflammation. Under different environmental stimuli, intestinal macrophages can be polarized into classical activated pro-inflammatory phenotype (M1) and alternative activated anti-inflammatory phenotype (M2). Its different polarization state is the “guide” to promoting the development and regression of inflammation. Under normal circumstances, intestinal macrophages can protect the intestine from inflammatory damage. However, under the influence of some genetic and environmental factors, the polarization imbalance of intestinal M1/M2 macrophages will lead to the imbalance in the regulation of intestinal inflammation and transform the physiological inflammatory response into pathological intestinal injury. In UC patients, the disorder of intestinal inflammation is closely related to the imbalance of intestinal M1/M2 macrophage polarization. Therefore, restoring the balance of M1/M2 macrophage polarization may be a potentially valuable therapeutic strategy for UC. Evidence has shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has positive therapeutic effects on UC by restoring the balance of M1/M2 macrophage polarization. This review summarizes the clinical evidence of TCM for UC, the vital role of macrophage polarization in the pathophysiology of UC, and the potential mechanism of TCM regulating macrophage polarization in the treatment of UC. We hope this review may provide some new enlightenment for the clinical treatment, fundamental research, and research and development of new Chinese medicine of UC.

Structural modifications of berberine and their binding effects towards polymorphic deoxyribonucleic acid structures: A review

Berberine (BBR) is a plant derived quaternary benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, which has been widely used in traditional medicines for a long term. It possesses broad pharmacological effects and is widely applied in clinical. In recent years, the anti-tumor effects of BBR have attracted more and more attention of the researchers. The canonical right-handed double-stranded helical deoxyribonucleic acid (B-DNA) and its polymorphs occur under various environmental conditions and are involved in a plethora of genetic instability-related diseases especially tumor. BBR showed differential binding effects towards various polymorphic DNA structures. But its poor lipophilicity and fast metabolism limited its clinical utility. Structural modification of BBR is an effective approach to improve its DNA binding activity and bioavailability in vivo. A large number of studies dedicated to improving the binding affinities of BBR towards different DNA structures have been carried out and achieved tremendous advancements. In this article, the main achievements of BBR derivatives in polymorphic DNA structures binding researches in recent 20 years were reviewed. The structural modification strategy of BBR, the DNA binding effects of its derivatives, and the structure activity relationship (SAR) analysis have also been discussed.

Involvement of nitrergic neurons in colonic motility in a rat model of ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

The mechanisms underlying gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility with ulcerative colitis (UC) have not been fully elucidated. The enteric nervous system (ENS) plays an essential role in the GI motility. As a vital neurotransmitter in the ENS, the gas neurotransmitter nitric oxide (NO) may impact the colonic motility. In this study, dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC rat model was used for investigating the effects of NO by examining the effects of rate-limiting enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS) changes on the colonic motility as well as the role of the ENS in the colonic motility during UC.

AIM

To reveal the relationship between the effects of NOS expression changes in NOS-containing nitrergic neurons and the colonic motility in a rat UC model.

METHODS

Male rats (n = 8/each group) were randomly divided into a control (CG), a UC group (EG1), a UC + thrombin derived polypeptide 508 trifluoroacetic acid (TP508TFA; an NOS agonist) group (EG2), and a UC + NG-monomethyl-L-arginine monoacetate (L-NMMA; an NOS inhibitor) group (EG3). UC was induced by administering 5.5% DSS in drinking water without any other treatment (EG1), while the EG2 and EG3 were gavaged with TP508 TFA and L-NMMA, respectively. The disease activity index (DAI) and histological assessment were recorded for each group, whereas the changes in the proportion of colonic nitrergic neurons were counted using immunofluorescence histochemical staining, Western blot, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. In addition, the contractile tension changes in the circular and longitudinal muscles of the rat colon were investigated in vitro using an organ bath system.

RESULTS

The proportion of NOS-positive neurons within the colonic myenteric plexus (MP), the relative expression of NOS, and the NOS concentration in serum and colonic tissues were significantly elevated in EG1, EG2, and EG3 compared with CG rats. In UC rats, stimulation with agonists and inhibitors led to variable degrees of increase or decrease for each indicator in the EG2 and EG3. When the rats in EGs developed UC, the mean contraction tension of the colonic smooth muscle detected in vitro was higher in the EG1, EG2, and EG3 than in the CG group. Compared with the EG1, the contraction amplitude and mean contraction tension of the circular and longitudinal muscles of the colon in the EG2 and EG3 were enhanced and attenuated, respectively. Thus, during UC, regulation of the expression of NOS within the MP improved the intestinal motility, thereby favoring the recovery of intestinal functions.

CONCLUSION

In UC rats, an increased number of nitrergic neurons in the colonic MP leads to the attenuation of colonic motor function. To intervene NOS activity might modulate the function of nitrergic neurons in the colonic MP and prevent colonic motor dysfunction. These results might provide clues for a novel approach to alleviate diarrhea symptoms of UC patients.

Berberine Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis and Inhibits the Secretion of Gut Lysozyme via Promoting Autophagy

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the primary types of inflammatory bowel disease, the occurrence of which has been increasing worldwide. Research in recent years has found that the level of lysozyme in the feces and blood of UC patients is abnormally elevated, and the bacterial product after the action of lysozyme can be used as an agonist to recognize different cell pattern receptors, thus regulating the process of intestinal inflammation. Berberine (BBR), as a clinical anti-diarrhea and anti-inflammatory drug, has been used in China for hundreds of years. In this study, results showed that BBR can significantly inhibit the expression and secretion of lysozyme in mice. Therefore, we try to investigate the mechanism behind it and elucidate the new anti-inflammatory mechanism of BBR. In vitro, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to establish an inflammatory cell model, and transcriptomic was used to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the LPS group and the LPS + BBR treatment group. In vivo, dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS) was used to establish a UC mice model, and histologic section and immunofluorescence trails were used to estimate the effect of BBR on UC mice and the expression of lysozyme in Paneth cells. Research results showed that BBR can inhibit the expression and secretion of lysozyme by promoting autophagy via the AMPK/MTOR/ULK1 pathway, and BBR promotes the maturation and expression of lysosomes. Accordingly, we conclude that inhibiting the expression and secretion of intestinal lysozyme is a new anti-inflammatory mechanism of BBR.

Therapeutic Mechanisms of Berberine to Improve the Intestinal Barrier Function via Modulating Gut Microbiota, TLR4/NF-κ B/MTORC Pathway and Autophagy in Cats

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a disease that seriously harms human and animal health, has attracted many researchers’ attention because of its complexity and difficulty in treatment. Most research has involved rats and dogs, and very little was cats. We should know that gut microbiota varies significantly from animal to animal. Traditional Chinese Medicine and its monomer component have many advantages compared with antibiotics used in pet clinics. Numerous studies have shown berberine (berberine hydrochloride) therapeutic value for IBD. However, the specific mechanism remains to consider.

Results

We assessed gut pathology and analyzed fecal bacterial composition using Histological staining and 16S rRNA sequence. Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS) administration destroyed intestinal mucosal structure and changed the diversity of intestinal flora relative to control. RT-PCR and western blot confirmed specific molecular mechanisms that trigger acute inflammation and intestinal mucosal barrier function disruption after DSS treatment. And autophagy inhibition is typical pathogenesis of IBD. Interestingly, berberine ameliorates inflammation during the development of the intestinal by modulating the toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway and activating autophagy. Berberine significantly reduces tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β expression in cats’ serum. Enhancing the antioxidant effect of IBD cats is one of the protective mechanisms of berberine. We demonstrated that berberine repairs intestinal barrier function by activating the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex (MTORC), which inhibits autophagy.

Conclusion

Berberine can restore intestinal microbiota homeostasis and regulate the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, thereby controlling inflammatory responses. We propose a novel mechanism of berberine therapy for IBD, namely, berberine therapy can simultaneously activate MTORC and autophagy to restore intestinal mucosal barrier function in cats, which should be further studied to shed light on berberine to IBD.

Pharmacokinetic Study of Four Major Bioactive Components of Liandan Xiaoyan Formula in Ulcerative Colitis and Control Rats Using UPLC-MS/MS

Liandan Xiaoyan Formula (LXF), a classic Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is composed of two Chinese herbal medicines for treating bowel disease under the TCM theory. This study aimed to develop a rapid, stable, sensitive, and reliable method based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) to simultaneously determine four major bioactive components of LXF (andrographolide, dehydroandrographolide, 1-methoxicabony-β-carboline, 4-methoxy-5-hydroxy-canthin-6-one) in rat serum and evaluate the pharmacokinetic characteristics of LXF in ulcerative colitis (UC) and control rats. After pretreating by protein precipitation with methanol, separation was performed on a UPLC C18 column using gradient elution with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid at a flowing rate of 0.4 ml/min. Detection was performed on Triple-TOF™ 5600 mass spectrometry set at the positive ionization and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The validated method showed good linearity (R² ≥ 0.9970), the intra- and inter-day accuracy were within ±11.58%, whereas the intra- and inter-day precision were less than 13.79%. This method was validated and applied to compare the pharmacokinetic profiles of the analytes in serum of UC induced by dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) and control rats after oral administration of LXF. The results showed that four major bioactive components of LXF were quickly absorbed after oral administration in both groups, with higher exposure levels in the UC group. This relationship between the active ingredients’ pharmacokinetic properties provided essential scientific information for applying LXF in clinical.

The Pathological Mechanism Between the Intestine and Brain in the Early Stage of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common chronic progressive neurodegenerative disease. The main pathological features are progressive degeneration of neurons and abnormal accumulation of α-synuclein. At present, the pathogenesis of PD is not completely clear, and many changes in the intestinal tract may be the early pathogenic factors of PD. These changes affect the central nervous system (CNS) through both nervous and humoral pathways. α-Synuclein deposited in the intestinal nerve migrates upward along the vagus nerve to the brain. Inflammation and immune regulation mediated by intestinal immune cells may be involved, affecting the CNS through local blood circulation. In addition, microorganisms and their metabolites may also affect the progression of PD. Therefore, paying attention to the multiple changes in the intestinal tract may provide new insight for the early diagnosis and treatment of PD.

Paeoniflorin prevents aberrant proliferation and differentiation of intestinal stem cells by controlling C1q release from macrophages in chronic colitis

The pathological features of inflammatory bowel disease necessitate therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring intestinal mucosal barrier function in addition to controlling inflammation. Paeoniflorin, a bioactive herbal constituent isolated from the root of Paeonia albiflora Pall, has been reported to protect against acute colitis in mice. However, the direct molecular target of paeoniflorin in preventing colitis remains elusive. Here, we evaluated the therapeutical effects of Paeoniflorin using IL-10^-/- chronic colitis model, and explored the precise mechanism of action involved. Our results demonstrated that intragastric administration of Paeoniflorin significantly ameliorated inflammatory response and restored the aberrant intestinal proliferation and differentiation in IL-10^-/-colitis mice. By utilizing a chemical biology approach, we identified C1qa, a crucial component of C1q, is the direct target of Paeoniflorin. Binding of Paeoniflorin to C1qa prevented the cleavage of C1q on macrophages, resulting in the aggregation of surface membrane-anchored C1q and the diminished C1q secretion. The excessive surface membrane-anchored C1q significantly enhanced the phagocytic capability of macrophages and promoted the elimination of infiltrated bacteria and inflammatory cells in mouse colon. The reduced C1q secretion conferred by Paeoniflorin dampened Wnt/β-catenin signaling activation, thereby rectifying the aberrant proliferation and differentiation of intestinal stem cells (ISCs). In summary, our study demonstrates that Paeoniflorin can orchestrate mucosal healing and intestinal inflammation elimination through C1q-bridged macrophage-ISCs crosstalk, highlighting a novel strategy to treat chronic colitis by restoring mucosal homeostasis via targeting C1q.

Anti-Hyperglycemic Agents in the Adjuvant Treatment of Sepsis: Improving Intestinal Barrier Function

Intestinal barrier injury and hyperglycemia are common in patients with sepsis. Bacteria translocation and systemic inflammatory response caused by intestinal barrier injury play a significant role in sepsis occurrence and deterioration, while hyperglycemia is linked to adverse outcomes in sepsis. Previous studies have shown that hyperglycemia is an independent risk factor for intestinal barrier injury. Concurrently, increasing evidence has indicated that some anti-hyperglycemic agents not only improve intestinal barrier function but are also beneficial in managing sepsis-induced organ dysfunction. Therefore, we assume that these agents can block or reduce the severity of sepsis by improving intestinal barrier function. Accordingly, we explicated the connection between sepsis, intestinal barrier, and hyperglycemia, overviewed the evidence on improving intestinal barrier function and alleviating sepsis-induced organ dysfunction by anti-hyperglycemic agents (eg, metformin, peroxisome proliferators activated receptor-γ agonists, berberine, and curcumin), and summarized some common characteristics of these agents to provide a new perspective in the adjuvant treatment of sepsis.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Organoid-Based Models (and Never Dared to Ask)

Homeostatic functions of a living tissue, such as the gastrointestinal tract, rely on highly sophisticated and finely tuned cell-to-cell interactions. These crosstalks evolve and continuously are refined as the tissue develops and give rise to specialized cells performing general and tissue-specific functions. To study these systems, stem cell-based in vitro models, often called organoids, and non-stem cell-based primary cell aggregates (called spheroids) appeared just over a decade ago. These models still are evolving and gaining complexity, making them the state-of-the-art models for studying cellular crosstalk in the gastrointestinal tract, and to investigate digestive pathologies, such as inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and liver diseases. However, the use of organoid- or spheroid-based models to recapitulate in vitro the highly complex structure of in vivo tissue remains challenging, and mainly restricted to expert developmental cell biologists. Here, we condense the founding knowledge and key literature information that scientists adopting the organoid technology for the first time need to consider when using these models for novel biological questions. We also include information that current organoid/spheroid users could use to add to increase the complexity to their existing models. We highlight the current and prospective evolution of these models through bridging stem cell biology with biomaterial and scaffold engineering research areas. Linking these complementary fields will increase the in vitro mimicry of in vivo tissue, and potentially lead to more successful translational biomedical applications. Deepening our understanding of the nature and dynamic fine-tuning of intercellular crosstalks will enable identifying novel signaling targets for new or repurposed therapeutics used in many multifactorial diseases.

Berberine mediates tumor cell death by skewing tumor-associated immunosuppressive macrophages to inflammatory macrophages

BACKGROUND

Berberine is a plant-derived alkaloid with potent anti-cancer activities. Berberine may redirect the tumor-promoting immunosuppressive M2 macrophages, to tumoricidal activated M1 macrophages. But such an anti-tumor function remains to be demonstrated.

HYPOTHESIS

Polarization of macrophages to an immunosuppressive phenotype within the tumor microenvironment promotes tumor growth and contributes to resistance to chemotherapy. We examined if berberine would target macrophage polarization to reinstate anti-tumor immune response.

STUDY DESIGN

Using a B16F10 mouse melanoma model, we assessed berberine-induced re-polarization of immunosuppressive M2 macrophages to anti-tumor M1 macrophages and subsequent T-cell activation within the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

METHODS

The B16F10 culture supernatant along with tumor antigen was used as tumor mimicking conditioned medium (CM). The bone marrow-derived macrophages were cultured in CM for 5 days. The CM-induced skewing of macrophages to M2-like phenotype was confirmed by flow cytometry and ELISA. The T-cells were co-cultured with macrophages to decipher the effect of berberine on T-cell differentiation. In vivo efficacy of berberine was analyzed using melanoma model of solid tumor.

RESULTS

Berberine inhibited rIL-6-induced STAT-3 phosphorylation and IL-10 release from B16F10 cells. It enhanced tumor antigen-induced IL-1β, IL-12 and TNFα, but suppressed IL-6 and TGF-β release. Berberine significantly prevented the tumor antigen-mediated IL-10-enhanced IL-6 and TGF-β expression. The CM skewed the bone marrow-derived macrophages to CD206-high but MHC-II-low M2-like tumor-associated macrophages. Berberine partially prevented the generation of these macrophages and was associated with reduced C/EBPβ and Egr2 mRNA expression and lowered IL-10 and TGF-β production. Berberine significantly reduced Arginase-1 expression in CM-treated M1 and M2-like macrophages. Berberine increased MHC-II and CD40 expression on the macrophages augmenting the CTL activity and the number of IFNγ-producing CD4+ T-cells. Berberine significantly lowered tumor volume, weight and enhanced the frequency of M1-like macrophages in mice.

CONCLUSION

These data indicate that berberine interferes with pro-tumor macrophage polarization and IL-10 and TGF-β release but restores Tcell anti-tumor cytotoxicity in the tumor microenvironment.

Gut Microbiota: The Potential Key Target of TCM's Therapeutic Effect of Treating Different Diseases Using the Same Method-UC and T2DM as Examples

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine often exerts the therapeutic effect of "treating different diseases with the same method" in clinical practice; in other words, it is a kind of herbal medicine that can often treat two or even multiple diseases; however, the biological mechanism underlying its multi-path and multi-target pharmacological effects remains unclear. Growing evidence has demonstrated that gut microbiota dysbiosis plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of several diseases, and that the root cause of herbal medicine plays a therapeutic role in different diseases, a phenomenon potentially related to the improvement of the gut microbiota. We used local intestinal diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, and systemic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, as examples; comprehensively searched databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure; and summarized the related studies. The results indicate that multiple individual Chinese herbal medicines, such as Rhizoma coptidis (Huang Lian), Curcuma longa L (Jiang Huang), and Radix Scutellariae (Huang Qin), and Chinese medicinal compounds, such as Gegen Qinlian Decoction, Banxia Xiexin Decoction, and Shenling Baizhu Powder, potentially treat these two diseases by enriching the diversity of the gut microbiota, increasing beneficial bacteria and butyrate-producing bacteria, reducing pathogenic bacteria, improving the intestinal mucosal barrier, and inhibiting intestinal and systemic inflammation. In conclusion, this study found that a variety of traditional Chinese herbal medicines can simultaneously treat ulcerative colitis and type 2 diabetes, and the gut microbiota may be a significant target for herbal medicine as it exerts its therapeutic effect of "treating different diseases with the same method".

All-in-one theranostic nano-platform based on polymer nanoparticles for BRET/FRET-initiated bioluminescence imaging and synergistically anti-inflammatory therapy for ulcerative colitis

Background

Ulcerative colitis (UC), a subtype of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), has evolved into a global burden given its high incidence. There is a clinical need to create better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to UC.

Results

We fabricated P-selectin binding peptide-decorated poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PBP-PLGA-NP) doped with two lipophilic dyes, DiL and DiD. Meanwhile, two low-toxic anti-inflammatory natural products (betulinic acid [BA] and resveratrol [Res]) were co-loaded in the PBP-PLGA-NP system. The BA/Res-loaded NPs had an average size of around 164.18 nm with a negative zeta potential (− 25.46 mV). Entrapment efficiencies of BA and Res were 74.54% and 52.33%, respectively, and presented a sustained drug release profile. Further, the resulting PBP-PLGA-NP could be internalized by RAW 264.7 cells and Colon-26 cells efficiently in vitro and preferentially localized to the inflamed colon. When intravenously injected with luminol, MPO-dependent bioluminescence imaging to visualize tissue inflammation was activated by the bioluminescence and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (BRET-FRET) effect. Importantly, injected NPs could remarkably alleviate UC symptoms yet maintain intestinal microbiota homeostasis without inducing organ injuries in the mice models of colitis.

Conclusions

This theranostic nano-platform not only serves as a therapeutic system for UC but also as a non-invasive and highly-sensitive approach for accurately visualizing inflammation.

Graphical Abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12951-022-01299-8.

Effect of Coptis chinensis franch and Magnolia officinalis on intestinal flora and intestinal barrier in a TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis rats model

BACKGROUND

In folk medicine Coptis chinensis Franch (Huanglian in Chinese, HL) and Magnoliae officinalis (Houpo, HP) have been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders over hundreds of years, such as ulcers and inflammation.

PURPOSE

To investigate the therapeutic effects of HL and HP on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) rats, and investigated its effect on the intestinal flora of UC rats.

METHOD

TNBS 40 mg/kg was utilized to establish UC model. Rats were sacrificed after gavage for 7 days. Body weight loss, disease activity index (DAI), colonic mucosal damage index (CMDI) and histopathology were measured. Intestinal content samples were collected, and analyzed by 16 S rRNA sequencing. Western blot, immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to evaluate the regulation mechanism of HL+HP in UC model rats.

RESULTS

The results showed that the DAI score, CMDI score and histological score were significantly decreased in each group. The symptoms of diarrhea, hematochezia, colonic mucosal injury and congestion and edema were improved. Sequencing results of intestinal flora showed that the abundance of probiotics such as Akkermansia and Blautia was increased in HL group and HL+HP group, while probiotics such as Allobaculum and Alloprevotella were increased in HP group. The intestinal pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia-Shigella and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 were decreased. In addition, HL+HP could also inhibit the inflammatory response and protect the integrity of the tight junction to play an anti-UC effect.

CONCLUSION

Coptis chinensis Franch and Magnolia officinalis might prevent intestinal barrier damage by regulating intestinal flora imbalance and inhibit the inflammatory response.

The Attenuation of Chronic Ulcerative Colitis by (R)-salbutamol in Repeated DSS-Induced Mice

Racemic salbutamol ((RS)-sal), which consist of the same amount of (R)-sal and (S)-sal, has been used for asthma and COPD due to its bronchodilation effect. However, the effect of (R)-sal on repeated dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced chronic colitis has not yet been investigated. In this study evaluated the potential effect of (R)-, (S)-, and (RS)-sal in mice with repeated DSS-induced chronic colitis and investigated the underlying mechanisms. Here, we verified that chronic colitis was significantly attenuated by (R)-sal, which was evidenced by notably mitigated body weight loss, disease activity index (DAI), splenomegaly, colonic lengths shortening, and histopathological scores. (R)-sal treatment noticeably diminished the levels of inflammatory cytokines (such as TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and IFN-γ). Notably, the efficacy of (R)-sal was better than that of (RS)-sal. Further research revealed that (R)-sal mitigated colonic CD4 leukocyte infiltration, decreased NF-κB signaling pathway activation, improved the Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling pathway, and increased the expression of ZO-1 and occludin. In addition, (R)-sal suppressed the levels of TGF-β1, α-SMA, and collagen in mice with chronic colitis. Furthermore, the 16S rDNA sequences analyzed of the intestinal microbiome revealed that (R)-sal could mitigate the intestinal microbiome structure and made it more similar to the control group, which mainly by relieving the relative abundance of pathogens (such as Bacteroides) and increasing the relative abundance of probiotics (such as Akkermansia). Therefore, (R)-sal ameliorates repeated DSS-induced chronic colitis in mice by improving inflammation, suppressing oxidative stress, mitigating intestinal barrier function, relieving intestinal fibrosis, and regulating the intestinal microbiome community. These results indicate that (R)-sal maybe a novel treatment alternative for chronic colitis.

(RS)-bambuterol and its enantiomers: Potential improvement of (R)-bambuterol in mice with colitis

Bambuterol (BMB) has been used clinically to treat asthma due to its bronchodilation activity. However, the effect of BMB on ulcerative colitis (UC) has not been examined. The present work focused on the effects of enantiomeric BMB on UC. Acute UC was induced in mice by 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), and (R)-, (S) and (RS)-BMB were orally administered. Body weight loss and the disease activity index (DAI) were measured once a day. Inflammatory factors were detected by ELISA and qRT-PCR. Histological evaluations of colon samples were performed. IL-6, STAT3, and RORγt pathway-related proteins were analyzed by western blotting. The results verified that colitis severity was dramatically ameliorated by (R)-BMB, which was significantlybetter than the effect of (RS)-BMB or (S)-BMB, as evidenced by body weight loss, DAI, colon length, spleen/body weight ratio and histopathological manifestations. Furthermore, (R)-BMB treatment significantly diminished the levels of inflammatory cytokines and macrophages infiltration in mice with colitis. Besides, treated with (R)-BMB obviously elevated the level of β2AR. In addition, (R)-BMB decreased the expression of IL-6, IL-17, retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor-gamma t (RORt), and phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) in a dose-dependent manner in the colon tissues. The efficacy of (R)-BMB was more notable than aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA). (R)-BMB is either butyrilcholinesterase inhibitor or β2AR agonist which offers new treatment of colitis.

Berberine and its derivatives represent as the promising therapeutic agents for inflammatory disorders

Berberine, with the skeleton of quaternary ammonium, has been considered as the well-defined natural product in treating multiple diseases, including inflammation, acute and chronic infection, autoimmune diseases, and diabetes. However, due to the low bioavailability and systemic exposure, broad clinical applications of berberine have been largely impeded. Numerous studies have been conducted to further explore the therapeutic capacities of berberine in preclinical and clinical trials. Over the past, berberine and its derivatives have been shown to possess numerous pharmacological activities, as evidenced in intestinal, pulmonary, skin, and bone inflammatory disorders. In the present review, the pharmacological impact of berberine on inflammatory diseases are fully discussed, with indication that berberine and its potential derivatives represent promising natural therapeutic agents with anti-inflammatory properties.

Structural characterization and protective effect of Lonicerae flos polysaccharide on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in mice

This study aimed to investigate the structure characteristics Lonicera flos polysaccharides (LP) and the protective effects of LP on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in mice. The results showed the yield and purity of LP was 1.41% and 94.15%, the molecular weight was 53 kDa, and composed of arabinose, rhamnose, ribose, xylose, mannose, fructose, galactose and glucose; and LP had typical polysaccharide structural characteristics via ultraviolet and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. Furthermore, LP obviously alleviated the injury of spleen and thymus; significantly promoted Interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG and IgM) secretion; and improved the richness of gut microbiota and the contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in immunosuppressive mice. Taken together, these results suggested that LP possessed strong protective effect on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in mice via modulating gut microbiota.

Hydrogen sulphide protects mice against the mutual aggravation of cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion injury and colitis

This study was undertaken to determine whether ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced brain injury and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice are related. A cerebral I/R model of mice was established by blocking the bilateral common carotid arteries; 3% DSS in drinking water was administered to mice for 7 days to induce colitis; mice with cerebral I/R and colitis were administered DSS for 7 days from the third day onwards after acute cerebral I/R. Brain damage and intestinal inflammation were also tested. The results revealed that cerebral I/R induced brain damage and a marked increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression and upregulation of Rho-associated coiled coil-forming protein kinase (RhoA/ROCK) pathway in mouse hippocampal tissues. However, in the colon tissues of mice with colitis, we found a reduction in GFAP. In addition, the expression of endogenous hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) synthase reduced in mice brain tissues with cerebral I/R injury, as well. as in mouse colon tissues with colitis. Interestingly, the cerebral I/R-induced pathological changes in mouse brain tissues were aggravated by colitis, colitis mediated colon inflammation, and pathological changes in intestinal tissues had deteriorated when the mice suffered cerebral I/R 2 days before DSS administration. However, brain injury and colon inflammation in mice suffering from both cerebral I/R and colitis were ameliorated by NaHS, an exogenous H₂S donor. Furthermore, we found that NaHS promoted the transformation of astrocytes from "A1" to "A2" type. These findings reveal that cerebral I/R injury and colitis are related, the mechanism is correlated with endogenous H₂S deficiency.

Current Advances in Coptidis Rhizoma for Gastrointestinal and Other Cancers

Cancer is a serious disease with an increasing number of reported cases and high mortality worldwide. Gastrointestinal cancer defines a group of cancers in the digestive system, e.g., liver cancer, colorectal cancer, and gastric cancer. Coptidis Rhizoma (C. Rhizoma; Huanglian, in Chinese) is a classical Chinese medicinal botanical drug for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and has been shown to have a wide variety of pharmacological activity, including antifungal, antivirus, anticancer, antidiabetic, hypoglycemic, and cardioprotective effects. Recent studies on C. Rhizoma present significant progress on its anticancer effects and the corresponding mechanisms as well as its clinical applications. Herein, keywords related to C. Rhizoma, cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and omics were searched in PubMed and the Web of Science databases, and more than three hundred recent publications were reviewed and discussed. C. Rhizoma extract along with its main components, berberine, palmatine, coptisine, magnoflorine, jatrorrhizine, epiberberine, oxyepiberberine, oxyberberine, dihydroberberine, columbamine, limonin, and derivatives, are reviewed. We describe novel and classic anticancer mechanisms from various perspectives of pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, and pharmaceutics. Researchers have transformed the chemical structures and drug delivery systems of these components to obtain better efficacy and bioavailability of C. Rhizoma. Furthermore, C. Rhizoma in combination with other drugs and their clinical application are also summarized. Taken together, C. Rhizoma has broad prospects as a potential adjuvant candidate against cancers, making it reasonable to conduct additional preclinical studies and clinical trials in gastrointestinal cancer in the future.

Self-assembly of berberine and a boron cluster for antibacterial regulation

B12H122− and BBR can quickly form rod-shaped particles in aqueous solution with enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation ability.

Targeting PDE4 as a promising therapeutic strategy in chronic ulcerative colitis through modulating mucosal homeostasis

Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) functions as a catalyzing enzyme targeting hydrolyzation of intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and inhibition of PDE4 has been proven to be a competitive strategy for dermatological and pulmonary inflammation. However, the pathological role of PDE4 and the therapeutic feasibility of PDE4 inhibitors in chronic ulcerative colitis (UC) are less clearly understood. This study introduced apremilast, a breakthrough in discovery of PDE4 inhibitors, to explore the therapeutic capacity in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental murine chronic UC. In the inflamed tissues, overexpression of PDE4 isoforms and defective cAMP-mediating pathway were firstly identified in chronic UC patients. Therapeutically, inhibition of PDE4 by apremilast modulated cAMP-predominant protein kinase A (PKA)–cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) signaling and ameliorated the clinical symptoms of chronic UC, as evidenced by improvements on mucosal ulcerations, tissue fibrosis, and inflammatory infiltrations. Consequently, apremilast maintained a normal intestinal physical and chemical barrier function and rebuilt the mucosal homeostasis by interfering with the cross-talk between human epithelial cells and immune cells. Furthermore, we found that apremilast could remap the landscape of gut microbiota and exert regulatory effects on antimicrobial responses and the function of mucus in the gut microenvironment. Taken together, the present study revealed that intervene of PDE4 provided an infusive therapeutic strategy for patients with chronic and relapsing UC.

Identification of diagnostic signatures in ulcerative colitis patients via bioinformatic analysis integrated with machine learning

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an immune-related disorder with enhanced prevalence globally. Early diagnosis is critical for the effective treatment of UC. However, it still lacks specific diagnostic signatures. The aim of our study was to explore efficient signatures and construct the diagnostic model for UC. Microarray data of GSE87473 and GSE48634, which were obtained from tissue biopsy samples, were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and differently expressed genes (DEGs), GO, and KEGG analyses were performed. We constructed the PPI network via STRING database. The immune infiltration of the samples was evaluated using CIBERSORT methods combined with the LM22 feature matrix. The logistic regression model was constructed, with the expression of selected genes as the predictor variable, and the UC occurrence as the responsive variable. As a result, a total of 126 DEGs between the UC patients and normal counterparts were identified. The GO and KEGG analysis revealed that multiple biological processes, such as antimicrobial humoral immune response mediated by antimicrobial peptide and IL-17 signaling pathway, were enriched. The infiltration of eight immune cell types (B cells naive, Dendritic.cells.activated, Macrophages.M0, Macrophages.M2, Mast.cells.resting, Neutrophils, Plasma.cells, and T.cells.follicular.helper) was significantly different between patients with UC and normal counterparts. The top 50 most significant DEGs were selected for the construction of the PPI network. The average AUC of the logistic regression model in the fivefold cross-validation was 0.8497 in the training set, GSE87473. The AUC of another independent verification set of GSE48634 from the GEO database was 0.7208. In conclusion, we identified potential hub genes, including REG3A, REG1A, DEFA6, REG1B, and DEFA5, which might be significantly associated with UC progression. The logistic regression model based on the five genes could reliably diagnose UC patients.

DNA damage repair promotion in colonic epithelial cells by andrographolide downregulated cGAS‒STING pathway activation and contributed to the relief of CPT-11-induced intestinal mucositis

Gastrointestinal mucositis is one of the most debilitating side effects of the chemotherapeutic agent irinotecan (CPT-11). Andrographolide, a natural bicyclic diterpenoid lactone, has been reported to possess anti-colitis activity. In this study, andrographolide treatment was found to significantly relieve CPT-11-induced colitis in tumor-bearing mice without decreasing the tumor suppression effect of CPT-11. CPT-11 causes DNA damage and the release of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) from the intestine, leading to cyclic-GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)‒stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-mediated colitis, which was significantly decreased by andrographolide both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistic studies revealed that andrographolide could promote homologous recombination (HR) repair and downregulate dsDNA‒cGAS‒STING signaling and contribute to the improvement of CPT-11-induced gastrointestinal mucositis. These results suggest that andrographolide may be a novel agent to relieve gastrointestinal mucositis caused by CPT-11.

Photodynamic Therapy of Novel Photosensitizer Ameliorates TNBS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis via Inhibition of AOC1

Ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic, nonspecific inflammatory bowel disease characterized by continuous and diffuse inflammatory changes in the colonic mucosa, requires novel treatment method. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), as a promising physico-chemical treatment method, were used to treat UC rats’ model with novel photosensitizer LD₄ in this paper, the treatment effect and mechanism was investigated. LD₄-PDT could improve the survival rate of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced UC model rats, decrease expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and increase the expression of glutathione (GSH) and superoxide oxidase (SOD), while protecting the integrity of the intestinal epithelium. LD₄-PDT treatment could rebuild the intestinal microflora composition and reprogram the colonic protein profiles in TNBS-induced rats to almost the normal state. Proteomics analysis based upon TNBS-induced UC model rats revealed that Amine oxidase copper-containing 1 (AOC₁) was a potential target of LD₄-PDT. Novel photosensitizer agent LD₄-PDT represents an efficient treatment method for UC, and AOC₁ may be a promising target.

Natural-derived alkaloids exhibit great potential in the treatment of ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic nonspecific inflammatory disease of colon and rectum with unknown etiology, and the lesions are mainly confined to the mucosa and submucosa of large intestine. The main clinical features of UC include diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloody purulent stool and tenesmus, which seriously affect patients' quality of life. Most of UC patients would receive drug therapy with the exception of surgery for some severe cases. However, current drugs for the treatment of UC have certain limitations including difficulty of radical treatment, adverse reactions and drug resistance after long-term use and exorbitant price of some drugs. The research and development of new drugs for the treatment of UC is urgent, and natural alkaloids are an important source. This research paid close attention to the progress of natural alkaloids from diverse medicinal plants for treating UC in the last twenty years. The potential mechanisms for the natural alkaloids in the treatment of UC was closely related to its modulation of oxidative stress, immune response, intestinal flora and improvement of the gut barrier function. Remarkable effectiveness and safety of natural-derived alkaloids make them potential candidates of UC therapy.

A recent update on the use of Chinese medicine in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic idiopathic disease that is characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Proper management of IBD requires both early diagnosis and novel therapies and management programs. Many reports have suggested that Chinese medicine has unique properties favorable to the treatment of IBD. However, there are no systematic analyses on this topic.

PURPOSE

This review summarizes recent studies that assessed the effects and mechanisms of Chinese medicine in the treatment of IBD in order to fully understand the advantages of Chinese medicine in the management of IBD.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted using peer-reviewed and clinical databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Springer LINK, Wan-fang database, the Chinese Biomedicine Database, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Keywords used were inflammatory bowel disease (including Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease) and Chinese medicine. All selected articles were from 1997 to 2021, and each were assessed critically for our exclusion criteria. Studies describing the pathogenesis of IBD, the effects and mechanisms of Chinese medicine in the treatment of IBD, in particular their roles in immune regulation, intestinal flora regulation, and improvement of intestinal barrier function, were included.

CONCLUSION

This review highlights recent progress in the use of Chinese medicine in the treatment of IBD. It also provides a reference for further evaluation and exploration of the potential of classical multi-herbal Chinese medicine in the treatment of IBD.

IF1 inactivation attenuates experimental colitis through downregulation of neutrophil infiltration in colon mucosa

IF1 is a mitochondrial protein involved in the regulation of ATP synthase activity. The role of IF1 remains to be established in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). In this study, we report that IF1 gene inactivation generated protection against IBD in the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) model. IF1 gene knockout (IF1-KO) mice developed less severe colitis than the wild type (WT) mice as judged by parameters including disease activity index (DAI), body weight loss, inflammatory cytokines, leukocyte infiltration and bacterial invasion in the colon tissue. The intestinal barrier integrity was protected in the colon tissue of IF1-KO mice through a reduction in apoptosis and inflammasomal activity. The protection was abolished in the KO mice after substitution of the immune cells with the wild type cells following bone marrow transplantation. Depletion of neutrophils with anti-Gr-1 antibody abolished the protection from colitis in IF1-KO mice. Neutrophil number was decreased in the peripheral blood of IF1-KO mice, which was associated with a reduction in LC3A/B proteins in the KO neutrophils in Rapamycin-induced autophagy response. Inhibition of autophagy with the lysosome inhibitor Chloroquine (CQ) decreased the absolute number of neutrophils in WT mice and protected the mice from colitis. Taken together, these findings suggest that IF1 may contribute to the pathogenesis of IBD through acceleration of neutrophil autophagy. The activity is attenuated in the IF1-KO mice through reduction of autophagy in neutrophils leading to resistance to IBD.

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice via a macrophage-mediated pathway

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been reported to protect mice from intestinal inflammation, but its anti-inflammatory mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we found that there was a downregulation in intestinal expression of GDNF accompanied by an increase of M1 macrophages in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. GDNF treatment could facilitate the macrophages polarization towards the M2-like phenotype in DSS-treated mice and LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines and increase anti-inflammatory cytokines. Mechanistically, the activation of PI3K/AKT pathway might contribute to the regulation of GDNF on macrophage phenotypes and inflammatory response. Moreover, the administration of GDNF significantly ameliorated colitis in DSS-treated mice, but this benefit of GDNF was diminished by macrophage depletion. Therefore, we propose a new mechanism whereby GDNF suppresses DSS-induced colitis in mice via a macrophage-mediated pathway.

Lonicerin targets EZH2 to alleviate ulcerative colitis by autophagy-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome inactivation

Aberrant activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in colonic macrophages strongly associates with the occurrence and progression of ulcerative colitis. Although targeting NLRP3 inflammasome has been considered to be a potential therapy, the underlying mechanism through which pathway the intestinal inflammation is modulated remains controversial. By focusing on the flavonoid lonicerin, one of the most abundant constituents existed in a long historical anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious herb Lonicera japonica Thunb., here we report its therapeutic effect on intestinal inflammation by binding directly to enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) histone methyltransferase. EZH2-mediated modification of H3K27me3 promotes the expression of autophagy-related protein 5, which in turn leads to enhanced autophagy and accelerates autolysosome-mediated NLRP3 degradation. Mutations of EZH2 residues (His129 and Arg685) indicated by the dynamic simulation study have found to greatly diminish the protective effect of lonicerin. More importantly, in vivo studies verify that lonicerin dose-dependently disrupts the NLRP3–ASC–pro-caspase-1 complex assembly and alleviates colitis, which is compromised by administration of EZH2 overexpression plasmid. Thus, these findings together put forth the stage for further considering lonicerin as an anti-inflammatory epigenetic agent and suggesting EZH2/ATG5/NLRP3 axis may serve as a novel strategy to prevent ulcerative colitis as well as other inflammatory diseases.

Berberine inhibits non-small cell lung cancer cell growth through repressing DNA repair and replication rather than through apoptosis

At present, there are still many problems in the treatment of lung cancer, such as high cost, side effects and low quality of life. The advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of lung cancer are reflected. Berberine has been increasingly popular in colorectal cancer treatment, but little is known about its bioactivity against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, cDNA microarray, gene and protein expression, and NSCLC transplanted tumour growth were performed. Berberine suppressed NSCLC cell proliferation and colony formation in vitro and inhibited NSCLC tumour growth in subcutaneously transplanted tumour lung tumour models, leading to prolonged survival of tumour-bearing mice. However, berberine did not induce the cleavage of Caspase 3 and PARP1, and could not induce apoptosis in all NSCLC cells. Moreover, 646 genes were differentially expressed upon berberine administration, which were involved in seven signal pathways, such as DNA replication. In cDNA microarray, berberine downregulated the expression of RRM1, RRM2, LIG1, POLE2 that involving DNA repair and replication. Our findings demonstrate that berberine inhibits NSCLC cells growth through repressing DNA repair and replication rather than through apoptosis. Berberine could be used as a promising therapeutic candidate for NSCLC patients.

Nutraceuticals and Enteric Glial Cells

Until recently, glia were considered to be a structural support for neurons, however further investigations showed that glial cells are equally as important as neurons. Among many different types of glia, enteric glial cells (EGCs) found in the gastrointestinal tract, have been significantly underestimated, but proved to play an essential role in neuroprotection, immune system modulation and many other functions. They are also said to be remarkably altered in different physiopathological conditions. A nutraceutical is defined as any food substance or part of a food that provides medical or health benefits, including prevention and treatment of the disease. Following the description of these interesting peripheral glial cells and highlighting their role in physiological and pathological changes, this article reviews all the studies on the effects of nutraceuticals as modulators of their functions. Currently there are only a few studies available concerning the effects of nutraceuticals on EGCs. Most of them evaluated molecules with antioxidant properties in systemic conditions, whereas only a few studies have been performed using models of gastrointestinal disorders. Despite the scarcity of studies on the topic, all agree that nutraceuticals have the potential to be an interesting alternative in the prevention and/or treatment of enteric gliopathies (of systemic or local etiology) and their associated gastrointestinal conditions.

Exploring the Mechanism of Berberine Intervention in Ulcerative Colitis from the Perspective of Inflammation and Immunity Based on Systemic Pharmacology

Background

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic nonspecific inflammatory disease of the colon and rectum. Recent studies found that berberine had effects on inflammatory diseases and immune diseases.

Methods

The PharmMapper database was used to predict the berberine potential target and GeneCards database and OMIM database were utilized to collect UC genes. The Cytoscape software was used to construct and analyze the networks and DAVID was utilized to perform enrichment analysis. Then, animal experiments were performed to validate the prediction results. The experimental rats were randomly divided into normal group (control group), model group, and berberine group. The general condition, body weight, gross morphology of colon tissue, and colonic mucosal damage index (CMDI) score were observed. The pathological changes of colon tissue were observed by H&E staining. The levels of serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-4 were detected by ELISA. The expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-4 protein in colon tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry.

Results

A total of 211 Berberine's potential targets and 210 UC genes were obtained. The enrichment analysis showed that berberine may regulate inflammation, inflammatory cytokines, and their mediated inflammation signal pathways such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, TNF, T cell receptor, Toll-like receptor, and JAK/STAT signaling pathway. Compared with the model group, the body mass of rats in the berberine group was significantly increased (P < 0.05); the general morphology and pathological changes of colon tissue were significantly improved; CMDI score, serum and colon tissue IL-1β, TNF-α content, and protein expression were decreased significantly (P < 0.05); and IL-4 content and protein expression increased significantly (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Berberine can interfere with UC through related biological processes and signal pathways related to inflammation and immunity. In-depth exploration of the mechanism of berberine in the treatment of UC will provide a basis for clinical application.

Discovery of chiral N-2'-aryletheryl-1'-alkoxy-ethyl substituted arylisoquinolones with anti-inflammatory activity from the nucleophilic addition reactions of the thiophenols and oxazolinium

Herein we disclosed the novel nucleophilic addition reactions of the thiophenols and oxazolinium (DCZ0358) to produce N-2'-aryletheryl-1'-alkoxy-ethyl substituted arylisoquinolones. After evaluating the anti-inflammatory activity in vitro, 2d was found having significant anti-TNFα activity. Through the amplified synthesis of 2d, four monomers (3a-b and 4a-d) were obtained by chiral separation of the product. The reaction mechanism was proposed and explored by the control experiments. However, only the R-stereoisomers 3b and 4b have significant anti-TNFα activity in vitro (IC₅₀ = 56 and 14 nM, respectively). Moreover, 4b exerts potent therapeutic effects on ulcerative colitis in vivo (30 mg/kg bw, qd, i. g.). The subsequent bio-target exploration of compound 4bvia molecular docking and the experimental validation disclosed that 4b has 3-fold selectivity of binding activity on estrogen receptor (ER) beta (β) (Ki = 760.86 nM) vs. alpha (α) (Ki = 2320.58 nM). Thus, it provides a novel type of non-steroidal leads for developing anti-inflammatory drugs.