Antiatherogenic property of triterpenoids-enriched extract from the aerial parts of Salvia miltiorrhiza

Screening and Analysis of Hypolipidemic Components from Shuangdan Capsule Based on Pancreatic Lipase

Background:

Some natural pancreatic lipase inhibitors with fewer side effects are proposed. As a traditional Chinese medicine, Shuangdan Capsule (SDC) has been used for the treatment of higher lipid in blood, which is mainly composed by Radix Salviae and Peony skin.

Objective:

This work is aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of the constituents from this SDC against metabolic disorders, the molecular flexibility and intermolecular interactional characteristics of these components in the active sites.

Methods:

The small molecules were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Database TCM database, the systems-level pharmacological database for Traditional Chinese Medicine TCMSP server was used to calculate the ADME-related properties. Autodock Vina was used to perform virtual screening of the selected molecules and to return energy values in several ligand conformations. The network parameters were calculated using the network analyzer plug-in in Cytoscape.

Results:

The most active six molecules are all enclosed by amino acids ASP79, TYR114, GLU175, PRO180, PHE215, GLY216 and LUE264, among which, hydrophobic interaction, hydrogen bond and repulsive forces play extremely important roles. It is worth noting that most of the local minima of molecular electrostatic potentials on van der Waals (vdW) surface are increased while the maxima negative ones are decreased simultaneously, implying that the electrostatic potential tends to be stable. From the topological analysis of the Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network, PNLIP related genes are also proved to be pivotal targets for hyperlipidemia, such as LPL, AGK, MGLL, LIPE, LIPF and PNPLA2. Further GO analysis indicated that lipophilic terpenoid compounds may reduce the blood lipid by taking part in the lipid catabolic process, the extracellular space and the cellular components of the extracellular region part and the triacylglycerol lipase activity.

Conclusion:

This study provides some useful information for the development and application of natural hypolipidemic medcines. Further pharmacologically active studies are still needed both in vivo and in vitro.

Separation of Five Flavonoids from Aerial Parts of Salvia Miltiorrhiza Bunge Using HSCCC and Their Antioxidant Activities

The aerial parts of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, as the non-medicinal parts, are always discarded during harvesting, resulting in a huge waste of resources and environmental pressure. Due to the high flavonoid content and their antioxidant activities characteristics, the aerial parts of S. miltiorrhiza can be developed into natural antioxidants and used in foods. A high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) method, using a two-phase solvent system composed of tert-butyl methyl ether/n-butanol/acetonitrile/water (3:1:1:20, v/v), was the first to successfully isolate five flavonoids from the aerial parts of S. miltiorrhiza in one attempt, and separately categorized as rutin (1), isoquercitrin (2), kaempferol-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (3), kaempferol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (4) and apigenin-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (5) after identification. The purities of these plant isolates were 97.3%, 99.5%, 92.8%, 98.1% and 98.7%, respectively. All the flavonoids were identified by HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR. Compounds 3 and 5 were firstly isolated from the plant of S. miltiorrhiza. Results from antioxidant assays showed that rutin (1) and isoquercitrin (2) had higher antioxidant capacities compared to L-ascorbic acid as the positive control.

Bioactive Triterpenes from the Root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge

Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) is a well-known medicinal herb in the oriental medicine. The current study on bioactive triterpenoid in the root of S. miltiorrhiza led to the isolation of a new highly hydroxylated ursane-type triterpene, urs-12-ene-2α,3β,7β,16α-tetraol (1) and five known ones including 2β-hydroxypomolic acid (2), maslinic acid (3), asiatic acid (4), ursolic acid (5), and oleanolic acid (6). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses and comparison with literature data. The antiproliferative testing against HL-60 cells revealed that the new compound 1 and ursolic acid (5) showed weak and moderate activities with IC50 values of 42.2 and 11.7 μM. In addition, compounds 1-3 showed inhibitory effect on ghrelin activity. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Tanshinone inhibits neuronal cell apoptosis and inflammatory response in cerebral infarction rat model

We aimed to investigate the effect and mechanisms of tanshinone (TSN) IIA in cerebral infarction. The cerebral infarction rat model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). After pretreatment with TSN, cerebral infarct volume, cerebral edema, and neurological deficits score were evaluated, as well as cell apoptosis in hippocampus and cortex of the brain was examined with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). In addition, rat primary neuronal cells were isolated and cultured in oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) conditions. After pretreatment with TSN, cell viability and apoptosis were observed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. The expressions of Bax and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) were detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting. Compared with untreated cerebral infarction rat, TSN treatment significantly reduced cerebral infarct volume, cerebral edema, and neurological deficits score ( P < 0.05). Cell apoptosis as well as the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP in hippocampus and cortex of cerebral infarction rat were inhibited after pretreatment with TSN ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, TSN remarkably increased cell viability and inhibited cell apoptosis ratio ( P < 0.05) in OGD-induced rat neuronal cells. Besides, TSN significantly downregulated the expression of Bax and upregulated Bcl-2 ( P < 0.05). TSN IIA has a preventive effect on cerebral infarction by inhibiting neuronal cell apoptosis and inflammatory response in vitro and in vivo.

Comparative Analysis of the Major Chemical Constituents in Salvia miltiorrhiza Roots, Stems, Leaves and Flowers during Different Growth Periods by UPLC-TQ-MS/MS and HPLC-ELSD Methods

Salvia miltiorrhiza is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine containing multiple components that contribute to its notable bioactivities. This article investigated the distribution and dynamic changes of chemical constituents in various parts of S. miltiorrhiza from different growth periods. An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (UPLC-TQ-MS/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-ELSD) methods were developed for accurate determination of 24 compounds (including phenolic acids, flavonoids, triterpenes, and saccharides) in S. miltiorrhiza. The established methods were validated with good linearity, precision, repeatability, stability, and recovery. Results indicated that there were category and quantity discrepancies in different parts of the plant, for the roots mainly contained salvianolic acids and tanshinones, and most of the saccharides are stachyose. In the aerial parts, salvianolic acids, flavonoids, and triterpenes, except the tanshinones, were detected, and the saccharides were mainly monosaccharides. Dynamic accumulation analysis suggested the proper harvest time for S. miltiorrhiza Bunge was the seedling stage in spring, and for the aerial parts was July to August. This study provided valuable information for the development and utilization value of the aerial parts of S. miltiorrhiza and was useful for determining the optimal harvest time of the plant.

Atheroprotective Effects and Molecular Targets of Tanshinones Derived From Herbal Medicine Danshen

Medicinal plant-derived bioactive compounds modulate multiple therapeutic targets in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), rendering herb-derived phytochemicals effective against one of the major CVDs-atherosclerosis. Danshen (Salvia milthiorriza Bunge) is a Chinese medicine that has been used in cardio- and cerebro-vascular therapeutic remedies in Asian countries for many years. Emerging evidence from cellular, animal, and clinical studies suggests that major lipophilic tanshinones from Danshen can treat atherosclerotic CVDs. In this review, we highlight recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of tanshinones in treating atherosclerosis, ranging from endothelial dysfunction to chronic inflammation. We also overview new molecular targets of tanshinones, including endothelial nitric oxide synthase, AMP-activated protein kinase, ABC transporter A1, heme oxygenase 1, soluble epoxide hydrolase, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, estrogen receptor, and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9. Thus, this review provides a new perspective for advancing our understanding of the "ancient" herb Danshen from "modern" biomedical perspectives, supporting the possibility of exploiting tanshinones and derivatives as effective therapeutics against atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Antihypercholesterolemic and antioxidant effect of sterol rich methanol extract of stem of Musa sapientum (banana) in cholesterol fed wistar rats

Musa sapientum Linn. (English 'Banana' family Musaceae), is a plant with nutritive, as well as medicinal value. Antihypercholesterolemic and antioxidant effect of methanolic extract of stem of this plant was investigated in hypercholesterolemic rats. Rats were made hypercholesterolemic by feeding cholesterol (100 mg/kg/day) suspended in soya oil. Treatment groups received extract at a dose of 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg/day in addition to cholesterol orally once daily. Fasting blood samples were collected before and after 6 weeks treatment. Animals were sacrificed and liver stored at -80 °C. Total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerol were estimated in blood. Malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase were measured in blood and liver. Total lipids, HMG CoA redutase and lipoprotein lipase were investigated in liver. Most effective dose was found to be 20 mg/kg/day. Rise in total cholesterol, LDL + VLDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerol in animals receiving only cholesterol was 179 %, 417 % and 74 % respectively, while in animals receiving 20 mg/kg dose rise in these parameters was restricted to 40 %, 106 % and 24 %. HDL-cholesterol decreased by 12 % in extract treated group, while it decreased to 36 % in untreated hypercholesterolemic rats. Malonaldialdehyde, marker of lipid peroxidation decreased while reduced glutathione and enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase increased significantly in blood and liver (p < 0.01). Total lipids in liver decreased and enzymes of lipid metabolism viz. HMG CoA redutase and lipoprotein lipase were restored to near normal. Gas chromatography mass spectroscopy indicated high content of sterols in extract. Study demonstrated that methanol extract of stem of Musa sapientum has significant antihypercholesterolemic and antioxidant effects.

Medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory activities

Medicinal plants have been the main remedy to treat various ailments for a long time and nowadays, many drugs have been developed from traditional medicine. This paper reviews some medicinal plants and their main constituents which possess anti-inflammatory activities useful for curing joint inflammation, inflammatory skin disorders, cardiovascular inflammation and other inflammatory diseases. Here, we provide a brief overview of quick and easy reading on the role of medicinal plants and their main constituents in these inflammatory diseases. We hope that this overview will shed some light on the function of these natural anti-inflammatory compounds and attract the interest of investigators aiming at the design of novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of various inflammatory conditions.

Possible therapeutic uses of Salvia triloba and Piper nigrum in Alzheimer's disease-induced rats

This study aimed to investigate the role of Salvia triloba L. and Piper nigrum extracts in ameliorating neuroinflammatory insults characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in an experimentally induced rat model. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were classified into Group 1 (n=10): normal healthy animals serving as the negative control group; Group 2 (n=60): the AD-induced group. After AD induction, animals in the AD-induced group were divided randomly and equally into 6 subgroups. The first subgroup served as AD control; the second one, which served as positive control, was treated orally with the conventional therapy for AD (rivastigmine) at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) daily for 3 months. The third and fourth subgroups were, respectively, treated orally with the S. triloba extract at a dose of 750 and 375 mg/kg b.w. daily for 3 months. The fifth and sixth subgroups were, respectively, treated orally with the P. nigrum extract at a dose of 187.5 and 93.75 mg/kg b.w. daily for 3 months. Levels of brain acetylcholine (Ach), serum and brain acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity, C-reactive protein (CRP), total nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were estimated. The results showed that administration of AlCl3 resulted in a significant elevation in the levels of AchE activity, CRP, NF-κB, and MCP-1 accompanied with a significant depletion in the Ach level. Treatment of AD rats with each of the selected medicinal plant extracts caused marked improvement in the measured biochemical parameters. In conclusion, S. triloba and P. nigrum methanolic extracts have potent anti-inflammatory effects against neuroinflammation characterizing AD.

Retinol-binding protein 4 : a possible role in cardiovascular complications

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is an adipocyte-secreted hormone proposed to link obesity with insulin resistance. However, the role of RBP4 in cardiovascular complications is yet to be fully understood. The present study is aimed to decipher the association between RBP4 with pro-inflammatory cytokines and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in diet-induced obese and hyperlipidaemic mice. To understand the correlation, rimonabant, an anti-obesity drug, has been used to relieve the atherosclerotic predisposition.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Adipose and/or aortic tissue expressions of RBP4, pro-inflammatory cytokine genes and circulating LDL levels were measured in high fat (HF)-fed female C57BL/6 and high cholesterol (HC)-fed apolipoprotein E3 (ApoE3) Leiden mice.

KEY RESULTS

Mice fed a HF diet had a significantly increased adipose expression of RBP4, TNF-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and down-regulated adiponectin mRNA levels. A significant increase in aortic RBP4 and MCP-1 expression and circulating levels of LDL and C-reactive protein (CRP) was found in the ApoE3 mice fed a HC diet. Interestingly, rimonabant treatment lowered the elevated aortic RBP4, MCP-1 expressions and significantly reduced the serum levels of LDL, CRP, RBP4 and MCP-1.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Our results indicate that RBP4 is positively associated with markers of inflammation in obese and pro-atherogenic conditions and could play a role in a predisposition to atherosclerosis. Furthermore, our results indicate that rimonabant may improve vascular function by modulating RBP4 along with pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Systematic review on the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines for vascular dementia

We present a systematic review of existing research that aims to assess the efficacy and safety of herbal medications (HM), as either monotherapy or adjunct to orthodox medications (OM), mainly comprised of cholinesterase inhibitors, for vascular dementia (VaD). We included 47 studies conducted in mainland China, each testing different HM. Of 43 HM monotherapy studies, 37 reported HM to be significantly better than OM or placebo; six reported similar efficacy between HM and OM. All four HM adjuvant studies reported significant efficacy. No major adverse events for HM were reported. Heterogeneity in diagnostic criteria, interventions and outcome measures hindered comprehensive data analysis. Studies suggested that HM can be a safe and effective treatment for VaD, either alone or in conjunction with OM. However, methodological flaws in the design of the studies limited the extent to which the results could be interpreted. Thirty most commonly used herbal constituents, including Rhizoma Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong in Chinese), Radix Polygoni Multiflori (Heshouwu in Chinese) and Radix Astragali (Huangqi in Chinese). were ranked. Further multi-center trials with large sample sizes, high methodological quality and standardized HM ingredients are necessary for clinical recommendations to be made.

Pharmacological effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) on cerebral infarction

Danshen, the dried root of Salvia miltiorrhiza, is a Chinese medicine used to promote blood flow and treat vascular disease. The present article reviews the pharmacological effects of Danshen on cerebral infarction and possible interactions between Danshen and Western drugs. Danshen may reduce or prolong the development of atherosclerosis and may have anti-hypertensive and anti-platelet aggregation effects, which prevent cerebral infarction. Danshen may enhance endogenous anti-oxidative enzyme activities such as the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and may scavenge oxygen free radicals. Prevention and treatment of cerebral infarction by Danshen involves multiple pathways, including anti-atherosclerosis, anti-hypertension, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects.