Ginsenoside Rh2 administration produces crucial antidepressant-like effects in a CUMS-induced mice model of depression

Production and pharmaceutical research of minor saponins in Panax notoginseng (Sanqi): Current status and future prospects

Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen is a traditional medicinal herb known as Sanqi or Tianqi in Asia and is commonly used worldwide. It is one of the main raw ingredients of Yunnan Baiyao, Fu fang dan shen di wan, and San qi shang yao pian. It is also a source of cardiotonic pill used to treat cardiovascular diseases in China, Korea, and Russia. Approximately 270 Panax notoginseng saponins have been isolated and identified as the major active components. Although the absorption and bioavailability of saponins are predominantly dependent on the gastrointestinal biotransformation capacity of an individual, minor saponins are better absorbed into the bloodstream and act as active substances than major saponins. Notably, minor saponins are absent or are present in minimal quantities under natural conditions. In this review, we focus on the strategies for the enrichment and production of minor saponins in P. notoginseng using physical, chemical, enzyme catalytic, and microbial methods. Moreover, pharmacological studies on minor saponins derived from P. notoginseng over the last decade are discussed. This review serves as a meaningful resource and guide, offering scholarly references for delving deeper into the exploration of the minor saponins in P. notoginseng.

Ginsenosides: an immunomodulator for the treatment of colorectal cancer

Ginsenosides, the primary bioactive ingredients derived from the root of Panax ginseng, are eagerly in demand for tumor patients as a complementary and alternative drug. Ginsenosides have increasingly become a "hot topic" in recent years due to their multifunctional role in treating colorectal cancer (CRC) and regulating tumor microenvironment (TME). Emerging experimental research on ginsenosides in the treatment and immune regulation of CRC has been published, while no review sums up its specific role in the CRC microenvironment. Therefore, this paper systematically introduces how ginsenosides affect the TME, specifically by enhancing immune response, inhibiting the activation of stromal cells, and altering the hallmarks of CRC cells. In addition, we discuss their impact on the physicochemical properties of the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, we discuss the application of ginsenosides in clinical treatment as their efficacy in enhancing tumor patient immunity and prolonging survival. The future perspectives of ginsenoside as a complementary and alternative drug of CRC are also provided. This review hopes to open up a new horizon for the cancer treatment of Traditional Chinese Medicine monomers.

Advancements in research on the effects of panax notoginseng saponin constituents in ameliorating learning and memory disorders

Learning and memory disorder is a cluster of symptoms caused by neuronal aging and other diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) are a series of saponins derived from the natural active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that have neuroprotective effects on the central nervous system. In this paper, we review the ameliorative effects and mechanisms of Panax notoginseng saponin-like components on learning and memory disorders to provide valuable references and insights for the development of new drugs for the treatment of learning and memory disorders. Our summary results suggest that Panax ginseng saponins have significant effects on improving learning and memory disorders, and these effects and potential mechanisms are mediated by their anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, β-amyloid lowering, mitochondrial homeostasis in vivo, neuronal structure and function improving, neurogenesis promoting, neurotransmitter release regulating, and probiotic homeostasis in vivo activities. These findings suggest the potential of Panax notoginseng saponin-like constituents as drug candidates for improving learning and memory disorders.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation ameliorates cognitive deficits in mice with radiation-induced brain injury by attenuating microglial pyroptosis and promoting neurogenesis via BDNF pathway

BACKGROUND

Radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI) is a common and severe complication during radiotherapy for head and neck tumor. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a novel and non-invasive method of brain stimulation, which has been applied in various neurological diseases. rTMS has been proved to be effective for treatment of RIBI, while its mechanisms have not been well understood.

METHODS

RIBI mouse model was established by cranial irradiation, K252a was daily injected intraperitoneally to block BDNF pathway. Immunofluorescence staining, immunohistochemistry and western blotting were performed to examine the microglial pyroptosis and hippocampal neurogenesis. Behavioral tests were used to assess the cognitive function and emotionality of mice. Golgi staining was applied to observe the structure of dendritic spine in hippocampus.

RESULTS

rTMS significantly promoted hippocampal neurogenesis and mitigated neuroinflammation, with ameliorating pyroptosis in microglia, as well as downregulation of the protein expression level of NLRP3 inflammasome and key pyroptosis factor Gasdermin D (GSDMD). BDNF signaling pathway might be involved in it. After blocking BDNF pathway by K252a, a specific BDNF pathway inhibitor, the neuroprotective effect of rTMS was markedly reversed. Evaluated by behavioral tests, the cognitive dysfunction and anxiety-like behavior were found aggravated with the comparison of mice in rTMS intervention group. Moreover, the level of hippocampal neurogenesis was found to be attenuated, the pyroptosis of microglia as well as the levels of GSDMD, NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1β were upregulated.

CONCLUSION

Our study indicated that rTMS notably ameliorated RIBI-induced cognitive disorders, by mitigating pyroptosis in microglia and promoting hippocampal neurogenesis via mediating BDNF pathway.

Exploring the mechanism of Icariin in the treatment of depression through BDNF-TrkB pathway based on network pharmacology

Depression has increasingly become a disease that seriously harms people's mental health around the world. Icariin is the main active component of Epimedii Herba and effective on protecting the central nervous system. The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanism of icariin against depression based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. The potential targets related to icariin and depression were obtained by accessing network databases. The Metascape database was used for the enrichment analysis of GO function and KEGG pathways. A common target-pathway network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.0 software. Schrödinger Maestro 12.8 was adopted to evaluate the binding ability of icariin to core targets. Mice were induced by the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model, and the prediction results of this study were verified by in vivo experiments. A total of 109 and 3294 targets were identified in icariin and depression, respectively. The common target-pathway network was constructed, and 7 core target genes were obtained. The molecular docking results of the 7 core target genes with icariin showed good affinity. In a CUMS-induced depression model, we found that icariin could effectively improve depression-like behavior of mice, increase the expression of monoamine neurotransmitters 5-hydroxytryptamine, dopamine, and norepinephrine, decrease the secretion of inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β, and upregulate the relative expression levels of BDNF, p-TrkB/TrkB, p-Akt/Akt, p-CREB/CREB, MAPK3, MAPK1, Bcl-2, EGFR, and mTOR. The results suggest that icariin has certain antidepressant effects, and may be mediated by the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway. It provides new ideas for the treatment of depression in the future.

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis: pharmacological mechanisms of antidepressant active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine

Depression is characterized by prominent indicators and manifestations, such as anhedonia, which refers to the inability to experience pleasure, and persistent feelings of hopelessness. In clinical practice, the primary treatment approach involves the utilization of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and related pharmacological interventions. Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognize that these agents are associated with significant adverse effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) adopts a multifaceted approach, targeting diverse components, multiple targets, and various channels of action. TCM has potential antidepressant effects. Anomalies in adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) constitute a pivotal factor in the pathology of depression, with the regulation of AHN emerging as a potential key measure to intervene in the pathogenesis and progression of this condition. This comprehensive review presented an overview of the pharmacological mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of active ingredients found in TCM. Through examination of recent studies, we explored how these ingredients modulated AHN. Furthermore, we critically assessed the current limitations of research in this domain and proposed novel strategies for preclinical investigation and clinical applications in the treatment of depression in future.

Role of BDNF-TrkB signaling in the antidepressant-like actions of loganin, the main active compound of Corni Fructus

AIMS

Corni Fructus (CF) and some CF-contained prescriptions are commonly used in clinical treatment of depression. This investigation aims to evaluate the main active compound of CF in antidepressant properties and its key target.

METHODS

Firstly, this study established a behavioral despair model and used high-performance liquid chromatography method to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of water extract, 20%, 50%, and 80% ethanol extracts of CF, and its main active compound. Then, this study created chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model to assess loganin's antidepressant-like properties, and its target was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, Immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) inhibitor.

RESULTS

Results showed that the different extracts of CF significantly shortened the immobility time in forced swimming and tail suspension tests. Moreover, loganin alleviated CUMS-induced depression-like behavior, promoted neurotrophy and neurogenesis, and inhibited neuroinflammation. Furthermore, K252a blocked the improvement of loganin on depression-like behavior, and eliminated the enhancement of neurotrophy and neurogenesis and the inhibition of neuroinflammation.

CONCLUSION

Overall, these results indicated that loganin could be used as a major active compound of CF for the antidepressant-like properties and exerted antidepressant-like actions by regulating brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-TrkB signaling, and TrkB could be used as key target for itsantidepressant-like actions.

Evaluation of the Anti-Inflammatory Pain Effect of Ginsenoside-Conjugated O-Carboxymethyl Chitosan Particles

Nanoparticle delivery of functional molecules or vaccines is an effective method for the treatment of many diseases. This study aims to design ginsenoside Rh2-conjugated O-carboxymethyl chitosan (O-CMC/Rh2) as a drug delivery system and explore its anti-nociceptive effects. O-CMC/Rh2 was synthesized with an esterification reaction, and its chemical composition and morphology were evaluated using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), the attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, the in vitro cumulative release of Rh2 from the O-CMC/Rh2 was also evaluated under different pH conditions. The results showed that the ginsenoside Rh2 was successfully conjugated to the O-CMC matrix and exhibited a highly porous structure after conjugation, facilitating the release of Rh2 from O-CMC. Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and burn injury-induced pain models were used to evaluate the anti-nociceptive effects of O-CMC/Rh2 on inflammatory pain. O-CMC/Rh2 reduced CFA-induced pain hypersensitivity in a dose-dependent manner and had a longer analgesic effect than Rh2. In addition, O-CMC/Rh2 also relieved the chronic pain induced by bury injury. These results indicated that O-CMC/Rh2 could be useful in reducing inflammatory pain, thus possessing a potential medicinal application in pain therapy.

Suppressive effects of bilobalide on depression-like behaviors induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress in mice

Background: Depression is a psychiatric disorder with depressed mood and even suicide attempts as the main clinical symptoms, and its pathogenesis has not yet been fully elucidated. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of depression. Purpose: The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness and reveal the potential mechanisms of bilobalide (BB) intervention in alleviating depression-like behaviors by using chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mice via mediating the BDNF pathway. Methods: Behavioral assessments were carried out by using the sucrose preference test (SPT), tail suspension test (TST), and forced swimming test (FST). CUMS mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: CUMS + solvent, CUMS + BB low, CUMS + BB medium, CUMS + BB high and CUMS + fluoxetine. Total serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured by ELISA. Expression of TNF-α, IL-6, AKT, GSK3β, β-catenin, Trk-B and BDNF in the mouse hippocampus was assessed by western blotting. Results: BB treatment reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) and increased the protein expression of BDNF in the hippocampus region of the CUMS mice. Moreover, BB treatment enhanced the AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway which is downstream of the BDNF receptor Trk-B in the hippocampus of these mice. Conclusions: Overall, the experimental results indicated that BB reverses CUMS-induced depression-like behavior. BB exerts antidepressant-like effects by inhibiting neuroinflammation and enhancing the function of neurotrophic factors.

Anti-depression-like effect of Mogroside V is related to the inhibition of inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways

Siraitia grosvenorii (SG) is an edible medicinal plant found mainly in Guangxi, China, and Mogroside V (MGV) is the main component of SG extract. Previous research has shown that SG and MGV exert anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and neuroprotective effects. However, it is not clear whether MGV has anti-depression-like effect. In this study, we evaluated the neuroprotective effects and anti-depression-like effect of MGV both in vitro and in vivo. By performing in vitro tests, we evaluated the protective effects of MGV on PC12 cells with corticosterone-induced injury. In vivo tests, we used the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) depression model. Fluoxetine (10 mg/kg/day) and MGV (10 or 30 mg/kg/day) were administered by gavage for 21 days, and the open field test (OFT), novelty suppressed feeding test (NSFT), Tail suspension test (TST), and forced Swimming test (FST) were used to evaluate the depressive-like behaviors. In addition, we investigated the role of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-4) in the hippocampal and cortex tissues. The levels of Superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in hippocampal and cortex tissues were also measured. Pathological changes in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and cortex regions were detected by immunofluorescence and Western blotting was used to measure the protein expression of BDNF, TrkB, TNF-α, and AKT. The results showed that MGV had a protective effect on PC12 cells with corticosterone-induced incurred injury. In addition, MGV treatment relieved the depressive symptoms and significantly reduced inflammatory levels (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α). MGV also significantly reduced oxidative stress damage and reduced the levels of apoptosis in hippocampal nerve cells. These results suggested that the anti-depressive effect of MGV may occur through the inhibition of inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways and the BDNF/TrkB/AKT pathway. These findings provide a new concept for the identification of new anti-depressive strategies.

Ginsenoside Rh2: A shining and potential natural product in the treatment of human nonmalignant and malignant diseases in the near future

BACKGROUND

Ginseng is well-known as one of the most valuable and commonly used Chinese medicines not only in ancient China but also worldwide including East, Russia, Southeast Asia, North America and some Western European countries. Ginsenosides, as one of the main high active components of Ginseng, have various pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antianaphylaxis, anti-depression, and anticancer activities. Ginsenoside Rh2 (Rh2), one of the major bioactive ginsenosides in Panax ginseng, also exhibits versatile pharmacological activities, such as increasing non-specific resistance and specific immune response, improving cardiac function and fibrosis, anti-inflammatory effects and antitumor effects, which may serve as an excellent medicinal potential.

PURPOSE

As one of hundreds of ginsenosides being identified from ginseng, Rh2 exerts a markedly pharmacological effect on various diseases without severe toxicity, it has attracted many researchers 'attention. Although Rh2 plays important roles in some animal models and cell lines to simulate human diseases, its underlying molecular mechanisms have yet to be determined. During the past ten years, nearly 450 studies on Rh2 in the treatment of complex disease have been reported, however, up to now, no comprehensive reviews about the roles of Rh2 in animal models and cellular lines of human nonmalignant and malignant diseases have been conducted.

METHOD

We searched articles on ginsenoside-related diseases from December 2010 to February 2023 in peer-reviewed and nonclinical databases, which include Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, China national knowledge internet and Medline, and using the following keywords: Ginsenoside Rh2, Human diseases, Cancer, Mechanisms, Chinese herbal medicine, Natural products and Signaling pathway.

RESULTS

Therefore, in this review, we make a comprehensive summary on the roles of Rh2 and support the potential mechanisms of Rh2 according to the disease classification, including nonmalignant disease such as ulcerative colitis, neuropathic pain, Asthma, myocardial injury, depression and malignant disease such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and gastric cancer. Finally, the combination therapy of Rh2 and other medications in human diseases are summarized, apart from that, there are other problems such as the bioavailability of oral administration Rh2 to be overcome in following research.

CONCLUSION

These findings provide strong evidence that Ginsenoside Rh2 plays important roles in the treatment of nonmalignant and malignant diseases.

Research progress of traditional Chinese medicine compound "Xiaochaihu Decoction" in the treatment of depression

Depression is a common psychiatric disorder under the category of depression syndrome in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory. Meanwhile, Xiaochaihu Decoction is a classical TCM formulation regulating Qi, resolving and dissipating stagnation. Clinically, the formulation has long been adopted to treat Shaoyang stagnation syndrome for depression syndrome. In this review, potential targets of action and the corresponding pathways of Xiaochaihu Decoction are explored for depression treatment via network pharmacology. The article also systematically summarizes the active components and pharmacological mechanisms of seven Chinese herbal medicine components in Xiaochaihu Decoction and guides the future study direction of Xiaochaihu Decoction, which may serve a promising treatment for depression.