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Ballester Roig MN, Mongrain V. Sleep-inducing effect of Rhynchophylline in EphA4 knockout mice. SLEEP ADVANCES : A JOURNAL OF THE SLEEP RESEARCH SOCIETY 2023; 4:zpad037. [PMID: 37840649 PMCID: PMC10572089 DOI: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpad037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
We have recently demonstrated that the alkaloid rhynchophylline (RHY; purified from Uncaria plants) induces sleep and modifies electrocorticographic (ECoG) activity throughout the 24-h day in a vigilance state-dependent manner in wild-type mice. We here asked whether this alkaloid impacts wake/sleep variables in the absence of the cell adhesion protein EPHA4, via ECoG recording in EphA4 knockout (KO) mice submitted to the same RHY treatment contemporaneously to the wild-type mice (littermates). We uncover that RHY decreases time spent awake and increases time spent in slow wave sleep in EphA4 KO mice and alters the 24-h time course of ECoG activity during wakefulness and sleep states. These observations are similar to the reported effects of RHY in wild-type littermate animals, which strongly supports that RHY-driven sleep alterations are not dependent on the presence of EPHA4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Neus Ballester Roig
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Recherche CIUSSS-NIM, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Valérie Mongrain
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Recherche CIUSSS-NIM, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
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Ballester Roig MN, Leduc T, Dufort-Gervais J, Maghmoul Y, Tastet O, Mongrain V. Probing pathways by which rhynchophylline modifies sleep using spatial transcriptomics. Biol Direct 2023; 18:21. [PMID: 37143153 PMCID: PMC10161643 DOI: 10.1186/s13062-023-00377-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhynchophylline (RHY) is an alkaloid component of Uncaria, which are plants extensively used in traditional Asian medicines. Uncaria treatments increase sleep time and quality in humans, and RHY induces sleep in rats. However, like many traditional natural treatments, the mechanisms of action of RHY and Uncaria remain evasive. Moreover, it is unknown whether RHY modifies key brain oscillations during sleep. We thus aimed at defining the effects of RHY on sleep architecture and oscillations throughout a 24-h cycle, as well as identifying the underlying molecular mechanisms. Mice received systemic RHY injections at two times of the day (beginning and end of the light period), and vigilance states were studied by electrocorticographic recordings. RESULTS RHY enhanced slow wave sleep (SWS) after both injections, suppressed paradoxical sleep (PS) in the light but enhanced PS in the dark period. Furthermore, RHY modified brain oscillations during both wakefulness and SWS (including delta activity dynamics) in a time-dependent manner. Interestingly, most effects were larger in females. A brain spatial transcriptomic analysis showed that RHY modifies the expression of genes linked to cell movement, apoptosis/necrosis, and transcription/translation in a brain region-independent manner, and changes those linked to sleep regulation (e.g., Hcrt, Pmch) in a brain region-specific manner (e.g., in the hypothalamus). CONCLUSIONS The findings provide support to the sleep-inducing effect of RHY, expose the relevance to shape wake/sleep oscillations, and highlight its effects on the transcriptome with a high spatial resolution. The exposed molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of a natural compound should benefit sleep- and brain-related medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Neus Ballester Roig
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Recherche CIUSSS-NIM, Montréal, QC, H4J 1C5, Canada
| | - Tanya Leduc
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Recherche CIUSSS-NIM, Montréal, QC, H4J 1C5, Canada
| | - Julien Dufort-Gervais
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Recherche CIUSSS-NIM, Montréal, QC, H4J 1C5, Canada
| | - Yousra Maghmoul
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Recherche CIUSSS-NIM, Montréal, QC, H4J 1C5, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Olivier Tastet
- Centre de Recherche, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 900 rue St-Denis, Tour Viger, Montréal, QC, H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Valérie Mongrain
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Recherche CIUSSS-NIM, Montréal, QC, H4J 1C5, Canada.
- Centre de Recherche, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 900 rue St-Denis, Tour Viger, Montréal, QC, H2X 0A9, Canada.
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Zhang C, Xue Z, Zhu L, Zhou J, Zhuo L, Zhang J, Zhang X, Liu W, Han L, Liao W. Rhynchophylline alleviates neuroinflammation and regulates metabolic disorders in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Food Funct 2023; 14:3208-3219. [PMID: 36919954 DOI: 10.1039/d2fo02939a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder with limited therapeutic agents. Rhynchophylline (RIN), a tetracyclic oxindole alkaloid isolated from Uncaria rhynchophylla, has multiple neuropharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-depression, anti-neurodegenerative disease, and anti-drug addiction. Though it is reported that RIN exerts a neuroprotective effect against PD, the underlying protective mechanism remains obscure. In this study, a mass spectrometry-based metabolomic strategy combined with neurobehavioral tests, serum biochemical assays, and immunohistochemistry were employed to decipher the protective mechanism of RIN against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride (MPTP)-induced subacute PD in mice. Our results indicated that RIN significantly improved the MPTP-induced behavioral abnormalities, reduced the loss of dopaminergic neurons, and reversed the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress indicators. Further studies showed that RIN significantly suppressed the expression of toll-like receptor 4, NOD-like receptor protein 3, and cyclooxygenase 2 in the mouse striatum. The results of serum metabolomics showed that RIN could ameliorate metabolic disorders in PD mainly through the regulation of retinol metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and purine metabolism. These pieces of evidence revealed that RIN is a promising drug candidate for PD by alleviating neuroinflammation and maintaining metabolic homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxia Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, China Pharmaceutical University, Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210009, China. .,Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhen Xue
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, China Pharmaceutical University, Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210009, China. .,Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lingmeng Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, China Pharmaceutical University, Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210009, China. .,Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jiayu Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, China Pharmaceutical University, Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210009, China. .,Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lingxin Zhuo
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, China Pharmaceutical University, Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210009, China. .,Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jiayi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, China Pharmaceutical University, Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210009, China. .,Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xinchen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, China Pharmaceutical University, Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210009, China. .,Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Wenyuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, China Pharmaceutical University, Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210009, China. .,Zhejiang Center for Safety Study of Drug Substances (Industrial Technology Innovation Platform), Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Lingfei Han
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, China Pharmaceutical University, Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210009, China. .,Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Wenting Liao
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, China Pharmaceutical University, Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210009, China. .,Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
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Zeng P, Su HF, Ye CY, Qiu SW, Tian Q. Therapeutic Mechanism and Key Alkaloids of Uncaria rhynchophylla in Alzheimer’s Disease From the Perspective of Pathophysiological Processes. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:806984. [PMID: 34975502 PMCID: PMC8715940 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.806984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Presently, there is a lack of effective disease-modifying drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR) and its predominant active phytochemicals alkaloids have been studied to treat AD. This study used a novel network pharmacology strategy to identify UR alkaloids against AD from the perspective of AD pathophysiological processes and identified the key alkaloids for specific pathological process. The analysis identified 10 alkaloids from UR based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) that corresponded to 127 targets correlated with amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology, tau pathology and Alzheimer disease pathway. Based on the number of targets correlated with AD pathophysiological processes, angustoline, angustidine, corynoxine and isocorynoxeine are highly likely to become key phytochemicals in AD treatment. Among the 127 targets, JUN, STAT3, MAPK3, CCND1, MMP2, MAPK8, GSK3B, JAK3, LCK, CCR5, CDK5 and GRIN2B were identified as core targets. Based on the pathological process of AD, angustoline, angustidine and isocorynoxeine were identified as the key UR alkaloids regulating Aβ production and corynoxine, isocorynoxeine, dihydrocorynatheine, isorhynchophylline and hirsutine were identified as key alkaloids that regulate tau phosphorylation. The findings of this study contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the key alkaloids and mechanisms of UR in the treatment of AD, as well as provide candidate compounds for drug research and development for specific AD pathological processes.
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de Silva NH, Pyreddy S, Blanch EW, Hügel HM, Maniam S. Microwave-assisted rapid synthesis of spirooxindole-pyrrolizidine analogues and their activity as anti-amyloidogenic agents. Bioorg Chem 2021; 114:105128. [PMID: 34225163 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
A library of Sox-pyrrolizidines was rapidly prepared by microwave-assisted, one-pot, three-component, 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides from l-proline and isatin, with various β-nitrostyrenes. Nitro-Sox compounds, 4b, 4d and 4e inhibit HEWL amyloid fibril formation by ThT studies with percentages of fluorescence intensity of 55.4, 42.9 and 40.3%, respectively. Further studies with MTT assay, Raman spectroscopy, TEM and molecular docking supported these promising candidates for activity against amyloid misfolding, a phenomenon leading to Alzheimer's disease pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilamuni H de Silva
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Suneela Pyreddy
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Ewan W Blanch
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Helmut M Hügel
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia.
| | - Subashani Maniam
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia.
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Cellular Effects of Rhynchophylline and Relevance to Sleep Regulation. Clocks Sleep 2021; 3:312-341. [PMID: 34207633 PMCID: PMC8293156 DOI: 10.3390/clockssleep3020020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Uncaria rhynchophylla is a plant highly used in the traditional Chinese and Japanese medicines. It has numerous health benefits, which are often attributed to its alkaloid components. Recent studies in humans show that drugs containing Uncaria ameliorate sleep quality and increase sleep time, both in physiological and pathological conditions. Rhynchophylline (Rhy) is one of the principal alkaloids in Uncaria species. Although treatment with Rhy alone has not been tested in humans, observations in rodents show that Rhy increases sleep time. However, the mechanisms by which Rhy could modulate sleep have not been comprehensively described. In this review, we are highlighting cellular pathways that are shown to be targeted by Rhy and which are also known for their implications in the regulation of wakefulness and sleep. We conclude that Rhy can impact sleep through mechanisms involving ion channels, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, tyrosine kinase receptors, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)/mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/RAC serine/threonine-protein kinase (AKT), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathways. In modulating multiple cellular responses, Rhy impacts neuronal communication in a way that could have substantial effects on sleep phenotypes. Thus, understanding the mechanisms of action of Rhy will have implications for sleep pharmacology.
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Sustained-Release Hydrogel-Based Rhynchophylline Delivery System Improved Injured Tendon Repair. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2021; 205:111876. [PMID: 34087778 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2021.111876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
During the injured flexor tendon healing process, tendon tissue is easy to form extremely dense adhesion with the surrounding tissue, which causes the serious influence of hand function recovery. Uncaria is widely used in clinic and its main composition, Rhynchophylline (Rhy), has been reported on its good therapeutic effect, which could effectively inhibit the intra-abdominal adhesion formation. However, the therapeutic effect of Rhy on tendon healing and adhesion formation is still unclear. Due to the short half-life of Rhy, hyaluronic acid (HA) sustained-release system for Rhy delivery was constructed and it could also avoid drug from the undesired loss during the transit. After Rhy delivery system was applied around the injured tendons, adhesion formation, gliding function and healing strength of tendons were evaluated. Our results showed that the gliding excursion and healing strength of repaired tendons were both significantly increased, as well as the adhesion was inhibited. From in vivo experiments, Rhy could be able to increase the expression of Col Ⅰ/Col Ⅲ and helped fibroblasts to ordered organization for tendon tissues. But for adhesion tissues, Rhy promoted the apoptosis and accelerated the degradation of extracellular matrix. In vitro study showed Rhy could help tenocytes stimulated with TGF-β1 to recover to normal cell functions involving cell proliferation and apoptosis level. Through high-throughput sequencing, we found that Rhy was involved in the regulation of Extracellular Matrix (ECM) signaling pathway. We draw a conclusion that Rhy enhanced the tendon healing and prevented adhesion formation through inhibiting the phosphorylation of Smad2. In a word, this sustained release system of Rhy may be a promising strategy for the treatment of injured tendons.
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Yang CN, Peng WY, Lin LC, Tsai TH. Protein unbound pharmacokinetics of ambroxol in the blood and brains of rats and the interaction of ambroxol with Polygala tenuifolia by multiple microdialysis. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 269:113764. [PMID: 33383115 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Ambroxol elevates glucocerebrosidase (GCase) activity and reduces nigrostriatal alpha-synuclein burden to better ameliorate motor function in Parkinson's disease (PD). Polygala tenuifolia is a potential alternative botanical medicine for the treatment of many nonmotor symptoms of PD commonly used in Taiwanese patients. Co-administration of these two medicines pose potential herb-drug interaction. AIM OF THE STUDY Our hypothesis is that ambroxol and P. tenuifolia may potentially possess herbal drug synergetic effects in the blood and brain. MATERIALS AND METHODS To investigate this hypothesis, a multiple microdialysis system coupled with validated ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for rat blood and brain samples. Experimental rats were divided into three groups: low-dose and high-dose ambroxol alone (10 mg/kg, i.v. and 30 mg/kg, i.v., respectively) and ambroxol (10 mg/kg, i.v.) pretreated with P. tenuifolia extract (1 g/kg, p.o. for 5 consecutive days). RESULTS Ambroxol easily penetrated into the brain and reached a maximum concentration in the striatum at approximately 60 min after low- and high-dose treatment. The area under the concentration curve (AUC) ratio increased proportionally at the doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg, which suggested a linear pharmacokinetic manner of ambroxol. The brain penetration of ambroxol was approximately 30-34%, which was defined as the ambroxol AUC blood-to-brain distribution ratio (AUCbrain/AUCblood). The P. tenuifolia extract did not significantly alter the pharmacokinetics of ambroxol in the blood and brain of rats. CONCLUSION The present study suggests that it is safety without pharmacokinetic interactions for this dosing regimen to use P. tenuifolia extract and ambroxol together.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Nan Yang
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan; Department of Neurology, China Medical University Hospital-Taipei Branch, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Ya Peng
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Lie-Chwen Lin
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Hu Tsai
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan; School of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan.
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9
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Yang W, Ip SP, Liu L, Xian YF, Lin ZX. Uncaria rhynchophylla and its Major Constituents on Central Nervous System: A Review on Their Pharmacological Actions. Curr Vasc Pharmacol 2020; 18:346-357. [PMID: 31272356 DOI: 10.2174/1570161117666190704092841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jacks (Rubinaceae), a common herbal medicine known as Gou-teng in Chinese, is commonly used in Chinese medicine practice for the treatment of convulsions, hypertension, epilepsy, eclampsia and other cerebral diseases. The major active components of U. rhynchophylla are alkaloids, terpenoids and flavonoids. The protective effects of U. rhynchophylla and its major components on central nervous system (CNS) have become a focus of research in recent decades. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to systematically summarize the pharmacological activities of U. rhynchophylla and its major components on the CNS. METHODS This review summarized the experimental findings from our laboratories, together with other literature data obtained through a comprehensive search of databases including the Pubmed and the Web of Science. RESULTS U. rhynchophylla and its major components such as rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline have been shown to have neuroprotective effects on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression, cerebral ischaemia through a number of mechanisms including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory actions and regulation on neurotransmitters. CONCLUSION U. rhynchophylla and its major components have multiple beneficial pharmacological effects on CNS. Further studies on U. rhynchophylla and its major components are warranted to fully illustrate the underlying molecular mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, and toxicological profiles of these naturally occurring compounds and their potential for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Yang
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Siu-Po Ip
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Brain Research Centre, School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ling Liu
- Basic Medical College, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yan-Fang Xian
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Brain Research Centre, School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhi-Xiu Lin
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Brain Research Centre, School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Hong Kong Institute of Integrative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Lee CJ, Kapelemera AM, Tsai YZ, Lee CT, Xu MY, Wang CC. Evaluating the Therapeutic Efficacy of Si-Wu-Tang Decoction and Concentrated Extract in Follicular Maldevelopment-Related Menstrual Disorders Through Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Studies. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:1245. [PMID: 33013359 PMCID: PMC7500464 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Si-Wu-Tang (SWT), a traditional Chinese formula, is commonly used to relieve menstrual discomfort and climacteric syndrome. Water decoction (WD) and concentrated herbal extract (CHE) are the two most common formulations of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, few studies have reported the equivalency of these two formulations. In this study, 23 healthy volunteers were included to determine the pharmacokinetic (PK) equivalent dosage of WD and CHE, and 25 infertile women with follicular maldevelopment to evaluate the pharmacodynamic (PD) effects on menstrual disorders. The randomized, two-way crossover comparative PK study of SWT-WD and SWT-CHE analyzed the active component, ferulic acid. The results showed that clinical doses of 170 mL SWT-WD and 18 g SWT-CHE produced the same amount of ferulic acid in the blood. The PD study showed that patients who took both of these formulations had an initial luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio of <1; however, the value returned to normal and their symptoms all improved after taken SWT. Our results showed that WD and CHE, both prepared from 40 g of SWT, displayed bioequivalence upon PK/PD analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Jung Lee
- Graduate Institute of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,PhD Program in Clinical Drug Development of Herbal Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Traditional Herbal Medicine Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Alinafe Magret Kapelemera
- PhD Program in Clinical Drug Development of Herbal Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Zhe Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Tzu Lee
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Yi Xu
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Chiung Wang
- Graduate Institute of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,PhD Program in Clinical Drug Development of Herbal Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Traditional Herbal Medicine Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Hu S, Mak S, Zuo X, Li H, Wang Y, Han Y. Neuroprotection Against MPP +-Induced Cytotoxicity Through the Activation of PI3-K/Akt/GSK3β/MEF2D Signaling Pathway by Rhynchophylline, the Major Tetracyclic Oxindole Alkaloid Isolated From Uncaria rhynchophylla. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:768. [PMID: 30072894 PMCID: PMC6060423 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhynchophylline is a major tetracyclic oxindole alkaloid in Uncaria rhynchophylla, which has been extensively used as traditional herb medicine for the prevention of convulsions and hypertension. However, there is still little evidence about the neuroprotective effects of rhynchophylline for Parkinson’s disease (PD), a neurodegenerative condition currently without any effective cure. In this present study, the neuroprotective molecular mechanisms of rhynchophylline were investigated in a cellular model associated with PD. It is shown that rhynchophylline (10–50 μM) greatly prevented neurotoxicity caused by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) in primary cerebellar granule neurons, as evidenced by the promotion of cell viability as well as the reversal of dysregulated protein expression of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Very encouragingly, we found that rhynchophylline markedly enhanced the activity of the transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D) at both basal and pathological conditions using luciferase reporter gene assay, and reversed the inhibition of MEF2D caused by MPP+. Additionally, pharmacological inhibition of PI3-Kinase or short hairpin RNA-mediated gene down-regulation of MEF2D abrogated the protection provided by rhynchophylline. Furthermore, Western blot analysis revealed that rhynchophylline could potentiate PI3-K/Akt to attenuate GSK3β (the MEF2D inhibitor) in response to MPP+ insult. In conclusion, rhynchophylline inhibits MPP+-triggered neurotoxicity by stimulating MEF2D via activating PI3-K/Akt/GSK3β cascade. Rhynchophylline is served as a novel MEF2D enhancer and might be a potential candidate for further preclinical study in the prevention of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengquan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology (Incubation), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Institute of Modern Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | - Shinghung Mak
- State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology (Incubation), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Institute of Modern Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | - Xialin Zuo
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Institute of Modern Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | - Haitao Li
- Institute of New Drug Research and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Innovative Chemical Drug Research in Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuqiang Wang
- Institute of New Drug Research and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Innovative Chemical Drug Research in Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases, Jinan University College of Pharmacy, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yifan Han
- State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology (Incubation), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Institute of Modern Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
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Song MF, Guan YH, Li HT, Wei SG, Zhang LX, Zhang ZL, Ma XJ. The effects of genetic variation and environmental factors on rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline in Uncaria macrophylla Wall. from different populations in China. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0199259. [PMID: 29953548 PMCID: PMC6023176 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Uncaria macrophylla Wall. is an important Chinese medicinal herb. Rhynchophylline (RIN) and isorhynchophylline (IRN) are its major active compounds. We investigated the influence of genetic differentiation and environmental factors on the RIN and IRN to find the main influencing factors of their contents and lay the foundation for the following cultivation and breeding. We used inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers to investigate the genetic diversity, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to measure the contents of RIN and IRN in 200 samples of U. macrophylla obtained from nine natural populations, and then to analyze the correlation between genetic differentiation, environmental factors of sampling sites and the contents of RIN and IRN. We found that High intra-population (80.05%) and low inter-population (19.95%) genetic diversity existed in the samples of U. macrophylla. To some extent, genetic differentiation and the contents of RIN and IRN had correlation in individual populations (such as JH, MH, XM, and ML). The RIN and IRN contents were significant negatively correlated with the precipitation in May (RIRN = -0.771, p = 0.015) and June (RRIN = -0.814, p = 0.008; RIRN = -0.921, p = 0.000), indicating that precipitation was the main affecting factor of their contents. Interestingly, the analysis results showed that the RIN content had a significant positive correlation (r = 0.585, p = 0.000) with the IRN content (they are isomers); the proportion of RIN had a significant negative correlation with the sum of the two (r = -0.390, p<0.0001), while the proportion of IRN had a significant positive correlation (r = 0.390, p<0.0001). It meant that, with the total quantity of the two compounds increased, the proportion of RIN decreased and the proportion of IRN increased, illustrating that their conversion exist some regularity. Moreover, the content ratio of RIN and IRN was significant positively correlated with the January precipitation (r = 0.716, p = 0.030), implying that January may be the key period for the mutual transformation of RIN and IRN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Fang Song
- The Key Laboratory of Dai and Southern Medicine of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous prefecture, Yunnan Branch of Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Jinghong, China
| | - Yan-Hong Guan
- The Key Laboratory of Dai and Southern Medicine of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous prefecture, Yunnan Branch of Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Jinghong, China
| | - Hai-Tao Li
- The Key Laboratory of Dai and Southern Medicine of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous prefecture, Yunnan Branch of Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Jinghong, China
| | - Shu-Gen Wei
- Guangxi Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants, Nanning, China
| | - Li-Xia Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Dai and Southern Medicine of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous prefecture, Yunnan Branch of Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Jinghong, China
| | - Zhong-Lian Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Dai and Southern Medicine of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous prefecture, Yunnan Branch of Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Jinghong, China
- * E-mail: (ZLZ); (XJM)
| | - Xiao-Jun Ma
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (ZLZ); (XJM)
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Lee K, Joo H, Sun M, Kim M, Kim B, Lee BJ, Cho JH, Jung JY, Park JW, Bu Y. Review on the characteristics of liver-pacifying medicinal in relation to the treatment of stroke: from scientific evidence to traditional medical theory. J TRADIT CHIN MED 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcm.2018.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Shao H, Yang Y, Mi Z, Zhu GX, Qi AP, Ji WG, Zhu ZR. Anticonvulsant effect of Rhynchophylline involved in the inhibition of persistent sodium current and NMDA receptor current in the pilocarpine rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Neuroscience 2016; 337:355-369. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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Jiang M, Chen Y, Li C, Peng Q, Fang M, Liu W, Kang Q, Lin Y, Yung KKL, Mo Z. Inhibiting effects of rhynchophylline on zebrafish methamphetamine dependence are associated with amelioration of neurotransmitters content and down-regulation of TH and NR2B expression. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2016; 68:31-43. [PMID: 27009763 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2016.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2015] [Revised: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Others and we have reported that rhynchophylline reverses amphetamine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) effect which may be partly mediated by amelioration of central neurotransmitters and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor 2B (NR2B) levels in the rat brains. The current study investigated the inhibiting effects of rhynchophylline on methamphetamine-induced (METH-induced) CPP in adult zebrafish and METH-induced locomotor activity in tyrosine hydroxylase-green fluorescent protein (TH-GFP) transgenic zebrafish larvae and attempted to confirm the hypothesis that these effects were mediated via regulation of neurotransmitters and dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems. After baseline preference test (on days 1-3), zebrafish were injected intraperitoneally METH (on days 4, 6 and 8) or the same volume of fish physiological saline (on days 5 and 7) and were immediately conditioned. Rhynchophylline was administered at 12h after injection of METH. On day 9, zebrafish were tested for METH-induced CPP. Results revealed that rhynchophylline (100mg/kg) significantly inhibited the acquisition of METH-induced CPP, reduced the content of dopamine and glutamate and down-regulated the expression of TH and NR2B in the CPP zebrafish brains. Furthermore, the influence of rhynchophylline on METH-induced locomotor activity was also observed in TH-GFP transgenic zebrafish larvae. Results showed that rhynchophylline (50mg/L) treatment led to a significant reduction on the locomotor activity and TH expression in TH-GFP transgenic zebrafish larvae. Taken together, these data indicate that the inhibition of the formation of METH dependence by rhynchophylline in zebrafish is associated with amelioration of the neurotransmitters dopamine and glutamate content and down-regulation of TH and NR2B expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjin Jiang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Yifei Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Chan Li
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Qiuxian Peng
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Miao Fang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Wei Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Qunzhao Kang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Seventh People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518081, China
| | - Yingbo Lin
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Ken Kin Lam Yung
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Zhixian Mo
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
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Xian JW, Choi AYT, Lau CBS, Leung WN, Ng CF, Chan CW. Gastrodia and Uncaria (tianma gouteng) water extract exerts antioxidative and antiapoptotic effects against cerebral ischemia in vitro and in vivo. Chin Med 2016; 11:27. [PMID: 27252774 PMCID: PMC4888490 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-016-0097-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastrodia and Uncaria decoction (tianma gouteng yin) is commonly used in Chinese medicine to treat cerebral ischemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of a water extract (GUW) of Gastrodia elata (tianma; GE) and Uncaria rhynchophylla (gouteng; UR) against ischemic insult using oxygen-glucose-deprived neuronal differentiated PC12 cells and rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). METHODS GUW was prepared by boiling raw GE and UR in water, followed by the lyophilization of the resulting extract. Neuronal differentiated PC12 cells were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation with or without GUW. The neuroprotective effects of GUW were compared with those of the corresponding GE and UR extracts to tease apart the effects of the different herbs. The synergistic effect of GE and UR in GUW was measured using a modified version of Burgi's formulae. The neuroprotective mechanisms via Nrf2 and anti-apoptotic pathways were investigated using real time PCR and enzyme activity assays. The neuroprotective effects of GUW were studied in vivo using a rat MCAO model. Neurofunctional outcome and brain infarct volume we assessed. H&E staining, cresyl violet staining and immunohistochemistry were performed to assess the histological outcome. RESULTS The results of lactate dehydrogenase assay showed that GUW protected cells in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.001). Moreover, the neuroprotective effects of GUW were greater than those of GE + UR (P = 0.018). Burgi's formula showed that the herbs in GUW acted synergistically to protect cells from ischemic injury. GUW significantly upregulated Bcl-2 expression (P = 0.0130) and reduced caspase-3 activity by 60 % (P < 0.001). GUW upregulated Nrf-2 expression (P = 0.0066) and the antioxidant response element pathway genes. The infarct volume was reduced by 55 % at day 7 of reperfusion (P < 0.001), and significant improvements were observed in the neurological deficit score and beam-walking test at 7 days (P < 0.001). H&E and cresyl violet staining revealed higher tissue integrity in the GUW treatment group compared with MCAO rats. CONCLUSION GUW modulated the antioxidant system and antiapoptotic genes in oxygen-glucose deprived neuronal differentiated PC12 cells and MCAO sprague-dawley rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wen Xian
- School of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Angus Yiu-Ting Choi
- School of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Clara Bik-San Lau
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China ; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Wing Nang Leung
- School of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun Fai Ng
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun Wai Chan
- School of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
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Rhynchophylline Protects Against the Amyloid β-Induced Increase of Spontaneous Discharges in the Hippocampal CA1 Region of Rats. Neurochem Res 2015; 40:2365-73. [DOI: 10.1007/s11064-015-1730-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Zhang Q, Zhao JJ, Xu J, Feng F, Qu W. Medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Uncaria. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2015; 173:48-80. [PMID: 26091967 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Revised: 05/31/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The genus Uncaria belongs to the family Rubiaceae, which mainly distributed in tropical regions, such as Southeast Asia, Africa and Southeast America. Their leaves and hooks have long been thought to have healing powers and are already being tested as a treatment for asthma, cancer, cirrhosis, diabetes, hypertension, stroke and rheumatism. The present review aims to provide systematically reorganized information on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Uncaria to support for further therapeutic potential of this genus. To better understanding this genus, information on the stereo-chemistry and structure-activity relationships in indole alkaloids is also represented. MATERIAL AND METHODS The literature study of this review is based on various databases search (SCIFinder, Science Direct, CNKI, Wiley online library, Spring Link, Web of Science, PubMed, Wanfang Data, Medalink, Google scholar, ACS, Tropicos, Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria, The New York Botanical Garden, African Plants Database at Genera Botanical Garden, The Plant List and SEINet) and library search for Biological Abstract and some local books on ethnopharmacology. RESULTS 19 species of the genus Uncaria are found to be important folk medicines in China, Malaysia, Phillippines, Africa and Southeast America, etc, and have been served for the treatment of asthma, rheumatism, hyperpyrexia, hypertension and headaches, etc. More than 200 compounds have been isolated from Uncaria, including indole alkaloids, triterpenes, flavonoids, phenols, phenylpropanoids, etc. As characteristic constituents, indole alkaloids have been considered as main efficacy component for hypertension, epilepsy, depressant, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. In addition, pharmacokinetic and metabolism investigation reveal that the indole alkaloids are likely to be absorbed, metabolized and excreted at early time points. Moreover, the specific inhibition of CYP isozymes can regulate their hydroxylation metabolites at C-10 and C-11. CONCLUSION Preliminary investigations on pharmacological properties of the Uncaria species have enlightened their efficacious remedy for hypertension, asthma, cancer, diabetes, rheumatism and neurodegenerative diseases. To ensure the safety and effectiveness in clinical application, research on bioactive compounds, pharmacological mechanisms and toxicity of the genus Uncaria as well as the stereo-chemistry and structure-activity relationships of indole alkaloids seem very important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jiao Jiao Zhao
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jian Xu
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Feng Feng
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Wei Qu
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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