Screening of allergic components mediated by H1R in homoharringtonine injection through H1R/CMC-HPLC/MS

Calcium Ions Aggravate Alzheimer's Disease Through the Aberrant Activation of Neuronal Networks, Leading to Synaptic and Cognitive Deficits

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by the production and deposition of β-amyloid protein (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau, leading to the formation of β-amyloid plaques (APs) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Although calcium ions (Ca²⁺) promote the formation of APs and NFTs, no systematic review of the mechanisms by which Ca²⁺ affects the development and progression of AD has been published. Therefore, the current review aimed to fill the gaps between elevated Ca²⁺ levels and the pathogenesis of AD. Specifically, we mainly focus on the molecular mechanisms by which Ca²⁺ affects the neuronal networks of neuroinflammation, neuronal injury, neurogenesis, neurotoxicity, neuroprotection, and autophagy. Furthermore, the roles of Ca²⁺ transporters located in the cell membrane, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), mitochondria and lysosome in mediating the effects of Ca²⁺ on activating neuronal networks that ultimately contribute to the development and progression of AD are discussed. Finally, the drug candidates derived from herbs used as food or seasoning in Chinese daily life are summarized to provide a theoretical basis for improving the clinical treatment of AD.

Homoharringtonine Inhibits Allergic Inflammations by Regulating NF-κB-miR-183-5p-BTG1 Axis

Homoharringtonine (HHT) is a drug for treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. However, the role of HHT in allergic inflammations remains unknown. Mouse model of atopic dermatitis (AD) induced by 2, 4,-dinitroflurobenzene (DNFB) and anaphylaxis employing 2,4-dinitropheny-human serum albumin (DNP-HSA) were used to examine the role of HHT in allergic inflammations. HHT inhibited in vitro allergic reactions and attenuated clinical symptoms associated with AD. DNFB induced features of allergic reactions in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL2H3) cells. HHT suppressed effect of AD on the expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines. HHT inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and passive systemic anaphylaxis. MiR-183-5p, increased by antigen stimulation, was downregulated by HHT in RBL2H3 cells. MiR-183-5p inhibitor suppressed anaphylaxis and AD. B cell translocation gene 1 (BTG1) was shown to be a direct target of miR-183-5p. BTG1 prevented antigen from inducing molecular features of in vitro allergic reactions. AD increased the expression of NF-κB, and NF-κB showed binding to the promoter sequences of miR-183-5p. NF-κB and miR-183 formed positive feedback to mediate in vitro allergic reactions. Thus, HHT can be an anti-allergy drug. We present evidence that NF-κB-miR-183-5p-BTG1 axis can serve as target for development of anti-allergy drug.

Multi targeted cell membrane chromatography: A comprehensive method for screening the anaphylactoid components from complex samples

Anaphylactoid reactions induced by drugs are serious and can be life-threatening, and screening the anaphylactoid ingredients especially in complex samples is challenging. Here, a multi targeted cell membrane chromatography method, based on the Mas-related G protein coupled receptor X2, Fc epsilon RI and H₁ receptors, online coupled with LC-MS system provides a comprehensive solution for screening the anaphylactoid components from complex samples. The validation including selectivity and suitability of this system has been evaluated, and it shows promising results. With optimized conditions, this method has been utilized to screen the anaphylactoid ingredients from Shenmai Injection. Ginsenoside Rb₁, ginsenoside Rb₂, ginsenoside Rc, ginsenoside Rd and 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 were identified as anaphylactoid components. The anaphylactoid effects of these five components were further verified by the in vitro sensitization assay, showing promising effects on some or all sensitization cells. In conclusion, the multi targeted cell membrane chromatography online coupled with LC-MS system developed throughout this study could be used to fully screen anaphylactoid components in complex samples. Moreover, it also provides new insights for drug quality control.

Screening of bioactive components from traditional Chinese medicines using cell membrane chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry

INTRODUCTION

Cell membrane chromatography (CMC), as a highly selective type of affinity chromatography, has been demonstrated as an effective method to screen bioactive components acting on specific receptor from a complicated biological system.

OBJECTIVE

To review the recent research progress and the technical applications of these analytical methods using CMC combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, (GC/MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS).

METHODOLOGY

In this review, we briefly introduce the CMC offline GC/MS, CMC online GC/MS, CMC offline LC/MS, and CMC online LC/MS system. And the practical application of these technologies is also enumerated. Then the future of these technologies and research methods were discussed.

RESULTS

Many bioactive components interacting with specific receptors have been screened and identified in traditional Chinese medicines.

CONCLUSION

CMC technique has been combined with GC/MS and HPLC/MS and these combined systems have been successfully used to screen bioactive components acting on specific receptors from a complicated biological system.

Cephalotaxus Alkaloids

Cephalotaxus alkaloids represent a family of plant secondary metabolites known for 60 years. Significant activity against leukemia in mice was demonstrated for extracts of Cephalotaxus. Cephalotaxine (CET) (1), the major alkaloid of this series was isolated from Cephalotaxus drupacea species by Paudler in 1963. The subsequent discovery of promising antitumor activity among new Cephalotaxus derivatives reported by Chinese, Japanese, and American teams triggered extensive structure elucidation and biological studies in this family. The structural feature of this cephalotaxane family relies mainly on its tetracyclic alkaloid backbone, which comprises an azaspiranic 1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane unit (rings C and D) and a benzazepine ring system (rings A and B), which is linked by its C3 alcohol function to a chiral oxygenated side chain by a carboxylic function alpha to a tetrasubstituted carbon center. The botanical distribution of these alkaloids is limited to the Cephalotaxus genus (Cephalotaxaceae). The scope of biological activities of the Cephalotaxus alkaloids is mainly centered on the antileukemic activity of homoharringtonine (HHT) (2), which in particular demonstrated marked benefits in the treatment of orphan myeloid leukemia and was approved as soon as 2009 by European Medicine Agency and by US Food and Drug Administration in 2012. Its exact mechanism of action was partly elucidated and it was early recognized that HHT (2) inhibited protein synthesis at the level of the ribosome machinery. Interestingly, after a latency period of two decades, the topic of Cephalotaxus alkaloids reemerged as a prolific source of new natural structures. To date, more than 70 compounds have been identified and characterized. Synthetic studies also regained attention during the past two decades, and numerous methodologies were developed to access the first semisynthetic HHT (2) of high purity suitable for clinical studies, and then high grade enantiomerically pure CET (1), HHT (2), and analogs.

Sinomenine potentiates P815 cell degranulation via upregulation of Ca2+ mobilization through the Lyn/PLCγ/IP3R pathway

Mast cells are vital mediators of drug allergy and, therefore, studying the relationship between drug allergy and mast cells is essential. Sinomenine is the principal active component of Sinomenium acutum, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-immune effects, and is used to treat various rheumatoid diseases. However, allergic responses to sinomenine are frequently reported. Therefore, this study assessed the effects of sinomenine on mast cell activation to characterize its allergic effects and the underlying mechanisms. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blot analyses, and degranulation assays were performed to measure pro-inflammatory and allergic mediators in P815 cells. The allergenic effects of sinomenine were also determined in mice by using active general anaphylaxis (ASA). The results indicated that sinomenine induced inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP₃) production and the release of histamine, interleukin (IL)-6, and endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ in P815 cells. Furthermore, sinomenine upregulated the phosphorylation of sarcoma (Src), phospholipase C (PLC)-γ1, and IP₃ receptor (R). Therefore, sinomenine induced concentration-dependent mast cell activation directly in vitro Furthermore, our in vivo data identified an appropriate intravenous dose that did not induce these allergic effects, thereby providing information for the potential safe clinical use of sinomenine.

Interactions between histamine H1 receptor and its antagonists by using cell membrane chromatography method

Objectives

A high histamine H1 receptor (H1R) expression cell membrane chromatography (CMC) method was developed to investigate the affinity of ligands for H1R.

Methods

The affinity of ligands for H1R was evaluated by frontal analysis. Competition studies and molecular docking study were utilized to study the interactions that occurred at specific binding sites on H1R.

Key findings

The KD values measured by frontal analysis were (8.72 ± 0.21) × 10−7 M for azelastine, (9.12 ± 0.26) × 10−7 M for cyproheptadine, (9.90 ± 0.18) × 10−7 M for doxepin, (1.42 ± 0.13) × 10−6 M for astemizole, (2.25 ± 0.36) × 10−6 M for chlorpheniramine and (3.10 ± 0.27) × 10−6 M for diphenhydramine. The results had a positive correlation with those from radioligand binding assay. The ability of displacement order measured on the binding sites occupied by doxepin was doxepin (KD, (2.95 ± 0.21) × 10−8 M) > astemizole (KD, (5.03 ± 0.18) × 10−7 M) > chlorpheniramine (KD, (1.27 ± 0.16) × 10−6 M) > cyproheptadine (KD, (1.61 ± 0.27) × 10−6 M), whose order met with the scores by molecular docking study.

Conclusions

The studies showed CMC could be applied to investigate drug–receptor interactions.