Atractylenolide III Ameliorates TNBS-Induced Intestinal Inflammation in Mice by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Regulating Intestinal Flora

Chemopreventive effects of atractylenolide-III on mammary tumorigenesis via activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway through autophagic degradation of Keap1

The incidence of breast cancer is increasing annually, making it a major health threat for women. Chemoprevention using natural, dietary, or synthetic products has emerged as a promising approach to address this growing burden. Atractylenolide-III (AT-III), a sesquiterpenoid present in various medicinal herbs, has demonstrated potential therapeutic effects against several diseases, including tumors, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cerebral ischemic injury. However, its impact on breast cancer chemoprevention remains unexplored. In this study, we used an N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU)-induced rat breast cancer model and 17β-estradiol (E2)-treated MCF-10A cells to evaluate the chemopreventive potential of AT-III on mammary tumorigenesis. AT-III inhibited mammary tumor progression, evidenced by reduced tumor volume and multiplicity, prolonged tumor latency, and the reversal of NMU-induced weight loss. Furthermore, AT-III suppressed NMU-induced inflammation and oxidative stress through the Nrf2/ARE pathway in breast cancer tissues. In vitro, AT-III effectively suppressed E2-induced anchorage-independent growth and cell migration in MCF-10A cells. Nrf2 knockdown attenuated the protective effects of AT-III, highlighting the pivotal role of Nrf2 in AT-III-mediated suppression of tumorigenesis. The mechanism involves the induction of Nrf2 expression by AT-III through the autophagic degradation of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1). Overall, the results of this study indicate that AT-III is a promising candidate for breast cancer chemoprevention and provide valuable insights into its molecular interactions and signaling pathways.

The effects of Atractylodes macrocephala extract BZEP self-microemulsion based on gut-liver axis HDL/LPS signaling pathway to ameliorate metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in rats

OBJECTIVES

To elucidate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Atractylodes macrocephala extract crystallize (BZEP) and BZEP self-microemulsion (BZEPWR) on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) induced by "high sugar, high fat, and excessive alcohol consumption" based on the gut-liver axis HDL/LPS signaling pathway.

METHODS

In this study, BZEP and BZEPWR were obtained via isolation, purification, and microemulsification. Furthermore, an anthropomorphic MAFLD rat model of "high sugar, high fat, and excessive alcohol consumption" was established. The therapeutic effects of BZEPWR and BZEP on the model rats were evaluated in terms of liver function, lipid metabolism (especially HDL-C), serum antioxidant indexes, and liver and intestinal pathophysiology. To determine the lipoproteins in the serum sample, the amplitudes of a plurality of NMR spectra were derived via deconvolution of the composite methyl signal envelope to yield HDL-C subclass concentrations. The changes in intestinal flora were detected via 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. In addition, the gut-liver axis HDL/LPS signaling pathway was validated using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and western blot.

RESULTS

The findings established that BZEPWR and BZEP improved animal signs, serum levels of liver enzymes (ALT and AST), lipid metabolism (TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C), and antioxidant indexes (GSH, SOD, and ROS). In addition, pathological damage to the liver, colon, and ileum was ameliorated, and the intestinal barrier function of the model rats was restored. At the genus level, BZEPWR and BZEP exerted positive effects on beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and norank_f__Muribaculaceae, and inhibitory effects on harmful bacteria, such as unclassified_f__Lachnospiraceae and Blautia. Twenty HDL-C subspecies were detected, and their levels were differentially increased in both BZEPWR and BZEP groups, with BZEPWR exhibiting a stronger elevating effect on specific HDL-C subspecies. Also, the gut-liver axis HDL/LPS signaling pathway was studied, which indicated that BZEPWR and BZEP significantly increased the expressions of ABCA1, LXR, occludin, and claudin-1 proteins in the gut and serum levels of HDL-C. Concomitantly, the levels of LPS in the serum and TLR4, Myd88, and NF-κB proteins in the liver were decreased.

CONCLUSION

BZEPWR and BZEP exert restorative and reversal effects on the pathophysiological damage to the gut-liver axis in MAFLD rats, and the therapeutic mechanism may be related to the regulation of the intestinal flora and the HDL/LPS signaling pathway.

Molecular targets associated with ulcerative colitis and the benefits of atractylenolides-based therapy

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines that can significantly impact quality of life and lead to various complications. Currently, 5-aminosalicylic acid derivatives, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and biologics are the major treatment strategies for UC, but their limitations have raised concerns. Atractylenolides (ATs), sesquiterpene metabolites found in Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz., have shown promising effects in treating UC by exerting immune barrier modulation, alleviating oxidative stress, gut microbiota regulation, improving mitochondrial dysfunction and repairing the intestinal barrier. Furthermore, ATs have been shown to possess remarkable anti-fibrosis, anti-thrombus, anti-angiogenesis and anti-cancer. These findings suggest that ATs hold important potential in treating UC and its complications. Therefore, this review systematically summarizes the efficacy and potential mechanisms of ATs in treating UC and its complications, providing the latest insights for further research and clinical applications.

Study on environmental factors affecting the quality of codonopsis radix based on MaxEnt model and all-in-one functional factor

Owing to the increasing market demand of Codonopsis Radix, the cropper blindly cultivates to expand planting area for economic benefits, which seriously affects the quality of Codonopsis Radix. Therefore, this study synthesized 207 batches of Codonopsis Radix and 115 ecological factors, and analyzed the suitable planting areas of Codonopsis pilosula under current and future climate change based on Geographic Information System (GIS) and MaxEnt model. Secondly, we evaluated the quality of Codonopsis Radix based on the all-in-one functional factor including chromatographic fingerprint, the index components, the effective compounds groups, the nutritional components, and the nutritional elements, and the quality regionalization of Codonopsis Radix was analyzed. Finally, the ecological factors affecting the accumulation of effective components of Codonopsis Radix were analyzed. This study found for the first time that the highly suitable area of Codonopsis pilosula was mainly distributed in the Weihe River system and the Bailongjiang River system in Gansu Province. There were differences in the quality of Codonopsis Radix from different ecologically suitable areas based on the all-in-one functional factors, and the comprehensive high-quality area of Codonopsis Radix was mainly distributed in Longnan and Longxi district of Gansu Province. The precipitation, temperature and altitude play a key role in the accumulation of chemical components in the 10 ecological factors affecting the distribution of Codonopsis pilosula. Under future climatic conditions, the highly suitable area of Codonopsis pilosula is decreased.

Inhibition of IEC-6 Cell Proliferation and the Mechanism of Ulcerative Colitis in C57BL/6 Mice by Dandelion Root Polysaccharides

An exploration was conducted on the potential therapeutic properties of dandelion polysaccharide (DP) in addressing 3% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in murine models. Subsequent assessments focused on DP's influence on inflammation, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis in IEC-6 cells damaged by H2O2. Results highlighted the efficacy of DP in mitigating weight loss, improving disease activity index scores, normalizing colon length, and alleviating histological abnormalities in the affected mice. DP repaired colonic mitochondrial damage by enhancing iron transport and inhibited iron death in colonic cells. Moreover, DP played a pivotal role in enhancing the antioxidant potential. This was evident from the increased expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO-1, and GSH, coupled with a decrease in MDA and 4-HNE markers in the UC-afflicted mice. Concurrently, DP manifested inhibitory effects on MPO activation and transcription levels of inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and iNOS. An upsurge in the expression of occludin and ZO-1 was also observed. Restoration of intestinal tightness resulted in decreased serum LPS and LDH levels. Thereafter, administration of DP by gavage increased fecal flora diversity and relative abundance of probiotics in UC mice. Analysis of metabolites indicated that DP counteracted metabolic disturbances and augmented the levels of short-chain fatty acids in ulcerative colitis-affected mice. In vitro studies underscored the role of DP in triggering Nrf2 activation, which in turn exhibited anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-ferroptotic properties. Summarily, DP's capacity to activate Nrf2 contributes to the suppression of ferroptotic processes in intestinal epithelial cells of UC-affected mice, enhancing the intestinal barrier's integrity. Beyond that, DP possesses the ability to modulate the gut microbiome, rectify metabolic imbalances, rejuvenate short-chain fatty acid levels, and bolster the intestinal barrier as a therapeutic approach to UC.

Predictive Analysis of Quality Markers of Atractylodis Rhizoma Based on Fingerprint and Network Pharmacology

BACKGROUND

Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. (A. chinensis) is a perennial herbaceous plant that is widely used as a Chinese medicine herb for gastric diseases. However, the bioactive compounds of this herbal medicine have not been defined, and quality control is imperfect.

OBJECTIVE

Although the method of quality evaluation method for A. chinensis by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprinting has been reported in related papers, it remains unknown whether the chemical markers selected are representative of their clinical efficacy. To develop methods for qualitative analysis and improved quality evaluation of A. chinensis.

METHOD

In this study, HPLC was used to establish fingerprints and conduct similarity evaluation. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to reveal the differences of these fingerprints. Network pharmacology was used to analyze the corresponding targets of the active ingredients. Meantime, an active ingredient-target-pathway network was constructed to investigate the characteristics of the medical efficacy of A. chinensis and to predict potential Q-markers.

RESULTS

Combining network pharmacological effectiveness and composition specificity with the Q-marker concept, atractylodin (ATD), β-eudesmol, atractylenolide Ι (AT-I) and atractylenolide III (AT-III) were predicted to be potential Q-markers of A. chinensis that showed anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, anti-gastric, and antiviral effects by acting on 10 core targets and 20 key pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

The HPLC fingerprinting method established in this study is straightforward, and the identified four active constituents can be used as Q-markers of A. chinensis. These findings facilitate effective quality evaluation of A. chinensis and suggest this approach could be applied to evaluate the quality of other herbal medicines.

HIGHLIGHTS

The fingerprints of Atractylodis rhizoma were organically combined with network pharmacology to further clarify its criteria for quality control.

Potential herb‒drug interactions between anti-COVID-19 drugs and traditional Chinese medicine

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread worldwide. Effective treatments against COVID-19 remain urgently in need although vaccination significantly reduces the incidence, hospitalization, and mortality. At present, antiviral drugs including Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir (Paxlovid^TM), Remdesivir, and Molnupiravir have been authorized to treat COVID-19 and become more globally available. On the other hand, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used for the treatment of epidemic diseases for a long history. Currently, various TCM formulae against COVID-19 such as Qingfei Paidu decoction, Xuanfei Baidu granule, Huashi Baidu granule, Jinhua Qinggan granule, Lianhua Qingwen capsule, and Xuebijing injection have been widely used in clinical practice in China, which may cause potential herb-drug interactions (HDIs) in patients under treatment with antiviral drugs and affect the efficacy and safety of medicines. However, information on potential HDIs between the above anti-COVID-19 drugs and TCM formulae is lacking, and thus this work seeks to summarize and highlight potential HDIs between antiviral drugs and TCM formulae against COVID-19, and especially pharmacokinetic HDIs mediated by metabolizing enzymes and/or transporters. These well-characterized HDIs could provide useful information on clinical concomitant medicine use to maximize clinical outcomes and minimize adverse and toxic effects.

Chemical Constitution, Pharmacological Effects and the Underlying Mechanism of Atractylenolides: A Review

Atractylenolides, comprising atractylenolide I, II, and III, represent the principal bioactive constituents of Atractylodes macrocephala, a traditional Chinese medicine. These compounds exhibit a diverse array of pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and organ-protective effects, underscoring their potential for future research and development. Recent investigations have demonstrated that the anti-cancer activity of the three atractylenolides can be attributed to their influence on the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Additionally, the TLR4/NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK signaling pathways primarily mediate the anti-inflammatory effects of these compounds. Atractylenolides can protect multiple organs by modulating oxidative stress, attenuating the inflammatory response, activating anti-apoptotic signaling pathways, and inhibiting cell apoptosis. These protective effects extend to the heart, liver, lung, kidney, stomach, intestine, and nervous system. Consequently, atractylenolides may emerge as clinically relevant multi-organ protective agents in the future. Notably, the pharmacological activities of the three atractylenolides differ. Atractylenolide I and III demonstrate potent anti-inflammatory and organ-protective properties, whereas the effects of atractylenolide II are infrequently reported. This review systematically examines the literature on atractylenolides published in recent years, with a primary emphasis on their pharmacological properties, in order to inform future development and application efforts.

Effects of Medicinal Plants and Phytochemicals in Nrf2 Pathways during Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and Related Colorectal Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are related to nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) dysregulation. In vitro and in vivo studies using phytocompounds as modulators of the Nrf2 signaling in IBD have already been published. However, no existing review emphasizes the whole scenario for the potential of plants and phytocompounds as regulators of Nrf2 in IBD models and colitis-associated colorectal carcinogenesis. For these reasons, this study aimed to build a review that could fill this void. The PubMed, EMBASE, COCHRANE, and Google Scholar databases were searched. The literature review showed that medicinal plants and phytochemicals regulated the Nrf2 on IBD and IBD-associated colorectal cancer by amplifying the expression of the Nrf2-mediated phase II detoxifying enzymes and diminishing NF-κB-related inflammation. These effects improve the bowel environment, mucosal barrier, colon, and crypt disruption, reduce ulceration and microbial translocation, and consequently, reduce the disease activity index (DAI). Moreover, the modulation of Nrf2 can regulate various genes involved in cellular redox, protein degradation, DNA repair, xenobiotic metabolism, and apoptosis, contributing to the prevention of colorectal cancer.

Huoxiang Zhengqi alleviates azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis-associated cancer by regulating Nrf2/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling

Colitis-associated cancer (CAC) is a subtype of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated colorectal cancer. Huoxiang Zhengqi (HXZQ) is a classical Chinese herbal medicine and has been used to treat intestinal disorders, however, anti-CAC effects and underlying mechanisms of HXZQ have not been reported. An azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium-induced CAC mice model was used to investigate the anti-CAC effect of HXZQ. HXZQ significantly reduced colonic inflammation, suppressed the size and number of tumors, and reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-21, IL-23, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, and tumor necrosis factor-α) and oxidative stress markers (reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde), and increased the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and IL-27) in CAC mice. Intestinal microbiota and serum metabolomics analyses indicated that HXZQ altered the gut microbial composition and the abundance of 29 serum metabolites in CAC mice. Additionally, HXZQ activated the nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway and increased the levels of antioxidants such as catalase (CAT), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductases-1 (NQO-1), and superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1). HXZQ inhibited the activation of the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway and decreased the expression of NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) by inhibiting the phosphorylation of inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B (IκB), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase (IKK), and NF-κB. In conclusion, HXZQ alleviated CAC in mice by modulating the intestinal microbiota and metabolism, activating Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response, and inhibiting NF-κB-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation against inflammation. The present data provide a reference for the use of HXZQ as a therapeutic or combination agent for clinical CAC treatment.

Holism of Chinese herbal medicine prescriptions for inflammatory bowel disease: A review based on clinical evidence and experimental research

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic nonspecific inflammatory disease that causes a heavy burden and lacks effective treatments. Chinese herbal medicine prescriptions (CHMPs), which are characterized by a synergistic usage of herbs, are widely used in the management of IBD. The molecular mechanisms of action of CHMP are still ambiguous as the canonical "one-compound-one-target" approach has difficulty describing the dynamic bioreactions among CHMP objects. It seems more flexible to define the holism of CHMP for IBD by employing high-throughput analysis. However, studies that discuss the development of CHMP in treating IBD in a holistic view are still lacking.

PURPOSE

This review appraised preclinical and clinical research to fully describe the anti-IBD capacity of CHMPs and discussed CHMPs' holistic characteristics that can contribute to better management of IBD.

METHODS & RESULTS

We screened clinical and preclinical references of CHMP being used as treatments for IBD. We discussed the complexity of IBD and the development of CHMP to present the sophistication of CHMP treatments. To describe the clinical effectiveness of CHMPs against IBD, we performed an umbrella review of CHMP-associated META analyses, in which 1174 records were filtered down to 12 references. Then, we discussed 14 kinds of CHMPs that had a long history of use and analyzed their mechanisms of action. Representative herbs were employed to provide a subordinate explanation for the whole prescription. As holism is the dominant characteristic of CHMPs, we explored applications of CHMPs for IBD with the help of omics, gut microbiome, and network pharmacology, which are potential approaches to a dynamic figure of bioactions of CHMPs.

CONCLUSION

This review is the first to discuss the potential of CHMPs to manage IBD in a holistic context and will provide inspiring explanations for CHMP applications for further product transformation and application to other diseases.

Herbal Formula Shenling Baizhu San for Chronic Diarrhea in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background:

Shenling Baizhu San (SBS), a well-known Chinese medicine herbal formula, has been widely used for treating chronic diarrhea for thousands of years. However, the efficacy and safety of SBS in treating chronic diarrhea have not been fully assessed.

Objective:

This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of the herbal formula SBS in symptomatic relief of chronic diarrhea.

Methods:

English and Chinese language databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, Wanfang Data, and SinoMed electronic databases) were searched through April 2020 for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The outcomes in these RCTs included stool frequency, stool consistency, patient-reported satisfaction of chronic diarrhea treatment, quality of life and adverse events. Paired reviewers independently extracted data and conducted qualitative and quantitative analyses. The Cochrane revised risk of bias RoB-2 tool was applied to assess the risk of bias for each trial whereas the RevMan 5.3 software was used for outcomes data synthesis and meta-analysis. Mean difference (MD) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to measure continuous data. The dichotomous data were analyzed via the relative risk (RR) with 95% CIs.

Results:

Fourteen RCTs including 1158 participants (54% males) with chronic diarrhea were included. Shenling Baizhu San combined with or without conventional medicine (CM) was associated with greater patient-reported satisfaction than CM alone. There was no increased risk of adverse events (AEs) during treatment.

Conclusion:

Treatment with SBS was associated with significant improvement in patient-reported satisfaction, irrespective of conventional medicine use. Rigorous and powered RCTs with objective outcome measures are needed to confirm the effects of SBS in specific gastrointestinal disease populations with chronic diarrhea symptoms.

Systematic review registration number (PROSPERO):

CRD42020178073

Shenling Baizhu Powder Alleviates TNBS-Induced Colitis in Rats by Improving Intestinal Epithelial Permeability and Inhibiting Inflammation Through the TLR5/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway

Aim of the study: To evaluate the protective effect and mechanism of shenling baizhu powder (SBP) on TNBS-induced colitis.

Methods: Rats were given TNBS to establish the model of colitis and subsequently treated with different doses of SBP or mesalamine (MES). In addition, the expression of the TLR5/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and critical targets of the intestinal mucosal barrier was detected by immunochemical analysis techniques.

Results: SBP significantly ameliorated the symptoms of TNBS-induced colitis in rats and reduced the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. SBP could effectively strengthen epithelial barrier integrity in TNBS-induced colitis by increasing the secretion of mucin and tight junction and inhibiting apoptosis. Furthermore, we identified the crucial role of the TLR5/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in exerting the therapeutic effect of SBP.

Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that SBP has therapeutic effects on TNBS-induced colitis and potential value in treating and maintaining remission of colitis.

Quality markers of Baizhu dispensing granules based on multi-component qualitative and quantitative analysis combined with network pharmacology and chemometric analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The dispensing granules of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) is an innovative form of medicinal material for TCMs decoction, which is gradually recognized in the clinic due to being suitable for production on a large scale and convenient to take for patients. However, the quality control of TCMs dispensing granules is being challenged, because they contain too many unrevealed hydrophilic components.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Here, the dispensing granules produced from the rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala (Baizhu dispensing granules), were explored as a case to explore the quality markers correlated to the clinical efficacy of TCMs dispensing granules by a comprehensive strategy of integrating chemical profiling, network pharmacology, and chemometric analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

First, the chemical profiling of Baizhu dispensing granules was characterized by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS). Subsequently, the potential active components responsible for the efficacy of Baizhu dispensing granules were screened via network pharmacology, and the ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detector (UPLC-PDA) method was developed for quantitative analysis of the potential active components in 26 batches of Baizhu dispensing granules. Finally, the quality markers of Baizhu dispensing granules were deciphered based on content variations of potential active components and chemometric analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 69 components were identified from Baizhu dispensing granules. Network pharmacology analysis further revealed that eight of them including five caffeoylquinic acids (31, 32, 36, 42, 44) and three sesquiterpenoids (63, 67, 76) were intimately connected to the core targets of dyspepsia, enteritis, gastritis and immunity. The contents of eight components differed greatly among 26 batches of Baizhu dispensing granules. Chlorogenic acid (31), cryptochlorogenic acid (32) and atractylenolide III (63) have higher concentrations and make great contributions to distinguish different batches of the Baizhu dispensing granules based on principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminate analysis (OPLS-DA), and could be used as the quality markers of Baizhu dispensing granules.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study defined the quality markers of Baizhu dispensing granules, which will benefit further investigation on the quality evaluation of TCMs dispensing granules containing Baizhu. The strategy used in this study will be helpful for discovering the quality markers of other TCMs dispensing granules.

The Role of Oxidative Stress in Skeletal Muscle Myogenesis and Muscle Disease

The contractile activity, high oxygen consumption and metabolic rate of skeletal muscle cause it to continuously produce moderate levels of oxidant species, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Under normal physiological conditions, there is a dynamic balance between the production and elimination of ROS/RNS. However, when the oxidation products exceed the antioxidant defense capacity, the body enters a state of oxidative stress. Myogenesis is an important process to maintain muscle homeostasis and the physiological function of skeletal muscle. Accumulating evidence suggests that oxidative stress plays a key role in myogenesis and skeletal muscle physiology and pathology. In this review, we summarize the sources of reactive oxygen species in skeletal muscle and the causes of oxidative stress and analyze the key role of oxidative stress in myogenesis. Then, we discuss the relationship between oxidative stress and muscle homeostasis and physiopathology. This work systematically summarizes the role of oxidative stress in myogenesis and muscle diseases and provides targets for subsequent antioxidant therapy and repair of inflammatory damage in noninflammatory muscle diseases.

Atractylenolide-1 targets SPHK1 and B4GALT2 to regulate intestinal metabolism and flora composition to improve inflammation in mice with colitis

BACKGROUND

Atractylenolide-1, an active component of Atractylodes Lancea, which is widely used to improve the gastrointestinal function. However, the efficacy and mechanism remain unclear in treating ulcerative colitis (UC).

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and the underlying mechanism of atractylenolide-1in UC.

METHODS

A dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC mouse model was used to investigate the efficacy of atractylenolide-1. 16S DNA sequencing, GC-MS technique and transcriptome sequencing were used to detect the composition of mouse intestinal flora, the changes of metabolites and gene expression in mouse intestine. Compound-reaction-enzyme-gene network was used to find drug targets. Recombinant plasmid overexpression was used to verify drug targets in DSS mouse models.

RESULTS

The results showed that Atractylenolide-1 could significantly improve weight loss, diarrhea, blood in the stool, shortening of the colon, the loss of colonic goblet cells, reduction in mucoprotein MUC2, and tight junction proteins (zo-1, occludin) in mice with colitis. It reduced the inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β as well. The 16S sequencing showed that Atractylenolide-1 regulated the diversity and abundance of the intestinal flora in mice with colitis, and the analysis of flora enrichment indicated that the regulation of intestinal flora by atractylenolide-1 may be related to the regulation of metabolism. Correlation analysis of metabolomics and transcriptome showed that two genes SPHK1 and B4GALT2 related to the metabolism of fructose and galactose were regulated by atractylenolide-1. Further verification showed that atractylenolide-1 significantly inhibited the aberrance of SPHK1 and B4GALT2 in the colon with colitis. Meanwhile, it inhibited the activation of the PI3K-AKT pathway. SPHK1 and B4GALT2 overexpressing reversed the therapeutic effect of atractylenolide-1 in mice with colitis.

CONCLUSION

Atractylenolide-1 is a potential drug for the treatment of colitis by suppressing inflammation via the SPHK1/PI3K/AKT axis and by targeting SPHK1 and B4GAT2 to regulate fructose/galactose-related metabolism, thereby regulating the composition of the intestinal flora.