Polysaccharides from Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae: A Review on Their Extraction, Purification, Structure, and Bioactivities

Rhizoma Atractylodes macrocephala polysaccharide (RAMP), the main bioactive compound extracted from Rhizoma Atractylodes macrocephala (RAM), exhibits various biological activities in in vivo and in vitro methods, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective effects, and other functions. This review systematically summarizes the recent research progress on the extraction, purification, structural characteristics, and biological activities of RAMP. We hope to provide a theoretical basis for further research on the application of RAMP in the fields of biomedicine and food.

Atractylenolide inhibits apoptosis and oxidative stress of HTR-8/SVneo cells by activating MAPK/ERK signalling in preeclampsia

BACKGROUND

Preeclampsia (PE) is a severe hypertension-related disorder occurring during pregnancy that leads to significant mortality and morbidity in both the foetus and mother. Atractylenolide (ATL), a traditional Chinese natural agent isolated from the herb Atractylodes macrocephala, exhibits a series of pharmacological activities, including anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory effects.

PURPOSE

The impacts of ATL on apoptosis and oxidative stress in HTR-8/SVneo cells during PE development was investigated.

STUDY DESIGN

We identified ATL by an overlap analysis of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) database using the keyword 'gestational hypertension' and Traditional Chinese Medicine (Batman-TCM) database using the keyword 'Atractylodes macrocephala'.

METHODS

Cell viability, proliferation, and migration were detected by CCK-8, EdU, and transwell assays. Flow cytometry and 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate were used to assess apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.

RESULTS

EdU and CCK-8 assays demonstrated that ATL significantly enhanced the viability of HTR-8/SVneo cells. Transwell assays showed that ATL remarkably induced the migration of HTR-8/SVneo cells. Moreover, ROS production in HTR-8/SVneo cells was induced by H₂O₂, whilst ATL alleviated this H₂O₂-induced ROS production and apoptosis in cells.

CONCLUSION

ATL attenuated apoptosis and oxidative stress in HTR-8/SVneo cells in PE by activating the MAPK/ERK signalling pathway. ATL has potential to be utilized as a potential therapeutic candidate for PE.

Research Advances in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease with Polysaccharides of Danggui-Shaoyao-San

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common progressive neurodegenerative disease. In recent years, the research on the treatment of AD with Chinese medicine is increasing and the results are optimistic, which may provide some new options for the treatment of AD. Existing animal and clinical studies have found that Danggui Shaoyao San (DSS), which has been used in gynecological diseases, is effective in the treatment of AD. As the main component of DSS, macromolecular polysaccharide plays an indispensable role in the treatment of AD. In addition to anti-inflammatory, anti-neuronal injury, and immune regulation, polysaccharides extracted from Danggui Shaoyao San (p-DSS) also have good activities in hypoglycemia, and participate in the physiological regulation of ubiquitination, iron metabolism, intestinal flora, estrogen, and autophagy. Given that there is little systematic analysis of p-DSS, this paper reviews the possible mechanism of p-DSS in the treatment of AD, so as to provide reference for further research.

Herbal medicine (Hepad) prevents dopaminergic neuronal death in the rat MPTP model of Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. The purpose of this study was to examine neuroprotective effects of Hepad S1, an herbal medicine used for the treatment of PD, in in vitro and in vivo models of PD.

METHODS

Differentiated neuronal PC12 cells underwent a cytotoxicity assay and oxidative stress analysis including DCF-DA staining, glutathione, and malondialdehyde, after exposure to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridium (MPP+). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used as 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD models. After 4-week oral administration of Hepad S1 (200, 300, 400, and 500 mg/kg/day), the levels of complex enzyme I activity and dopamine, and dopaminergic neuronal cell number in substantia nigra were measured by enzyme linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA) and microscopic observation, respectively. Circulating serotonin and orexin A were also examined by ELISA.

RESULTS

Hepad S1 pretreatment prevented the ability of MPP+ challenge to decrease glutathione and increase lipid peroxidation in cells, indicating antioxidant activity. Hepad S1 recovered MPTP-induced decreases in complex I enzyme activity and enhanced dopamine availability in substantia nigra. Serum levels of serotonin and orexin A were increased by Hepad S1 treatment in model animals. Hepad S1 treatment was associated with the preservation of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells in the substantia nigra of MPTP-treated rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Hepad S1 exerts antioxidant and neuroprotective effects on neurons of the substantia nigra in a rodent model of PD.

Enhancement of neuroprotective activity of Sagunja-tang by fermentation with lactobacillus strains

BACKGROUND

Sagunja-tang (SGT) is widely used in traditional herbal medicine to treat immune system and gastrointestinal disorders and reportedly has protective effects against inflammation, cancer, and osteoporosis. In this study, we fermented SGT with different Latobacillus strains and investigated the change in phytochemical compositions in SGT and enhancement of it neuroprotective effects in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma.

METHODS

Marker components, including ginsenoside Rg₁, glycyrrhizin, liquiritin, liquiritigenin, atractylenolide I, atractylenolide II, atractylenolide III, and pachymic acid, in SGT, were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. SGT was fermented with eight different Lactobacillus strains to yield eight fermented SGTs (FSGTs). The conversion efficiencies of SGT marker components were determined in each FSGT. To detect the protective effect of SGT and FSGT, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay and mitochondrial membrane potentials (MMPs) assay were performed in SH-SY5Y cells.

RESULTS

Compared with the other FSGTs, SGT166, i.e., SGT fermented with L. plantarum 166, had high conversion efficiency, as indicated by increased amounts of glycyrrhizin, liquiritigenin, and atractylenolides I-III. In SH-SY5Y cells, protection against cell death induced by H₂O₂ and etoposide was high using SGT166 and very low using SGT. Furthermore, ROS production and mitochondrial membrane potential disruption in SH-SY5Y cells were markedly suppressed by SGT166 treatment, which demonstrated that inhibition of ROS generation may be one of the neuroprotective mechanisms of SGT166.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that fermentation of SGT with L. plantarum 166 enhanced suppression of oxidative stress and MMP loss. This enhanced neuroprotective effect was thought to be caused by the conversion of SGT phytochemicals by fermentation. SGT166 shows potential for treating neurological damage-related diseases.

Management of IFN-beta-induced flu-like symptoms with Chinese herbal medicine in a patient with multiple sclerosis: A case report

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this case report was to elucidate how Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) was used safely in this patient undergoing interferon beta (IFNβ-1a) treatment and was associated with reduction in the side effects the patient had experienced when using IFNβ-1a treatment alone.

CLINICAL FEATURES AND OUTCOME

A 30-year-old man was diagnosed with MS in December 2014. For two years, he suffered from severe flu-like symptoms as side effects of IFNβ-1a treatment. He subsequently received treatment with Chinese herbal medicine. During a two-month period of treatment with CHM, the patient responded well, with most of the symptoms induced by IFNβ-1a ameliorated. The fever subsided. Incidence rates of dizziness and headaches were reduced. The health condition compared to the prior year increased by 50%. According to CCMQ and SF-36 assessments, CHM had the beneficial effects of recovering the yin-yang balance, harmonizing the qi, and regulating the blood state; essentially, improving the patient's comfort level and quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

IFNβ-1a injections will damage qi and cause blood stasis in MS patients, thereby causing various side effects and weakening the body's immune system. Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang, associated with Salvia miltiorrhiza, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Angelica dahurica and Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., is an effective prescription to ameliorate such symptoms and signs in patients with MS.

BDNF/PI3K/Akt and Nogo-A/RhoA/ROCK signaling pathways contribute to neurorestorative effect of Houshiheisan against cerebral ischemia injury in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Houshiheisan (HSHS), a classic traditional medicine prescription, has notable effects on patients with stroke AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the neurorestorative effects of HSHS on ischemic stroke and explore its mode of action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Focal cerebral ischemia models were induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO). Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 5 experimental groups: sham vehicle, ischemia vehicle, pMCAO+HSHS at 5.1, 10.2g/kg, and pMCAO+Ginaton 0.028g/kg. HSHS or Ginaton was administrated 6h after pMCAO onset. Neurological function was assessed and then rats were sacrificed 7 days after MCAO. Cerebral ischemic injury was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and Neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN) immunofluorescence analysis. The levels of BDNF were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression levels of PI3K/Akt and Nogo-A/RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathway were detected by western blot and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

Compared with those results of pMCAO group, HSHS 5.1 and HSHS 10.2 groups markedly improved neurological function, alleviated pathological damage, promoted the neuronal survival, increased the expression of BDNF, PI3K, Akt, in protein and mRNA, decreased the expression of Nogo-A, NgR, RhoA and ROCK2 in protein and mRNA 7 days after pMCAO.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings demonstrate that HSHS had significant therapeutic effects on ischemic stroke and it perhaps worked through the activation of BDNF/PI3K/Akt and down-regulation of Nogo-A/RhoA/ROCK signaling pathways.

Neuroprotective effect of biatractylenolide against memory impairment in D-galactose-induced aging mice

Biatractylenolide, a sesquiterpene lactone, which exerted the neuroprotective effect against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity, was isolated from Atractylodis macrocephala in our previous study. In this study, we evaluated the neuroprotective effect of biatractylenolide against D-galactose-induced memory impairment and explored the potential mechanism of its action. The results showed that administration of biatractylenolide could significantly improve behavioral performance of D-galactose-treated mice in passive avoidance test and spatial learning-memory test. Administration of biatractylenolide could significantly decrease the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), decrease the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and increase the expression of synapsin I and protein kinase C (PKC) in D-galactose-treated mice. Our findings provide first evidence for the neuroprotective effect of biatractylenolide against D-galactose-induced memory impairment. The potential mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effect of biatractylenolide in D-galactose-treated mice might be (i) attenuating oxidative damage via decreasing ROS formation, (ii) restoring cholinergic neurotransmission via decreasing AChE activity, and (iii) increasing the expression of memory-related proteins (synapsin I and PKC). Biatractylenolide may have therapeutic potential in aging-related memory impairment.

Neuroprotection of atractylenolide III from Atractylodis macrocephalae against glutamate-induced neuronal apoptosis via inhibiting caspase signaling pathway

Glutamate-induced excitotoxicity appears to play a crucial role in neurological disorders. Neuroprotection against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy for preventing and/or treating these excitotoxicity-mediated diseases. In the present study, atractylenolide III, which exhibited significantly neuroprotective effect against glutamate-induced neuronal apoptosis, was isolated from Atractylodes macrocephala by means of bioactivity-guided fractionation. The inhibitory effect of atractylenolide III on glutamate-induced neuronal apoptosis was in a concentration-dependent manner. The anti-apoptotic property of atractylenolide III might be mediated, in part, via inhibiting caspase signaling pathway. Atractylenolide III may have therapeutic potential in excitotoxicity-mediated neurological diseases.

Neuroprotective effect of the fermented Gumiganghwal-tang

Gumiganghwal-tang (GT) is a traditional herbal prescription widely used to treat inflammatory diseases in Asia. In this study, we evaluated neuroprotective effect and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity of GT and compared with fermented GT (FGT). In order to better understand the neuroprotective mechanism, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was investigated and high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) analysis of contents of GT and FGT were conducted. As a result, FGT showed more potent protective effect against glutamate-induced HT22 cell death than GT and inhibited AChE activity. The neuroprotective effect of FGT is associated with inhibition of ROS production. The HPLC-DAD analytical results indicated that FGT contains higher content of bergapten and atractylenolide III than that of GT. In conclusion, FGT have neuroprotective effect and AChE inhibition, and may be useful source for treatment of neurodegenerative disease.

Open Randomized Clinical Trial on JWSJZ Decoction for the Treatment of ALS Patients

Objective. To investigate the efficacy and safety of the traditional Chinese medicine Jiawei Sijunzi (JWSJZ) decoction for the treatment of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods. Forty-eight patients with ALS were divided into a JWSJZ group (n = 24) and a control group (n = 24) using a randomized number method. Together with the basic treatment for ALS, JWSJZ decoction was added to the treatment regimen of patients in the JWSJZ group or Riluzole was administered to the control group for 6 months. Neurologists evaluated the treated and control patients using the ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS) before, 3 and 6 months after starting the additional treatments. Results. The ALSFRS scores in both groups were lower 3 and 6 months after treatment than before. There was a significant difference at 6 months after treatment between the subgroups of patients with ALS whose limbs were the initial site of attack. No serious adverse effects were observed in the JWSJZ group. Conclusion. JWSJZ decoction may be a safe treatment for ALS, and may have delayed the development of ALS, especially in the subgroup of patients in whom the limbs were attacked first when compared with Riluzole treatment.

Ethanol extract of Atractylodes macrocephala protects bone loss by inhibiting osteoclast differentiation

The rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala has been used mainly in Traditional Chinese Medicine for invigorating the functions of the stomach and spleen. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of the 70% ethanol extract of the rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala (AMEE) on osteoclast differentiation. We found that AMEE inhibits osteoclast differentiation from its precursors induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), an essential cytokine required for osteoclast differentiation. AMEE attenuated RANKL-induced activation of NF-κB signaling pathway, subsequently inhibiting the induction of osteoclastogenic transcription factors, c-Fos and nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic 1. Consistent with the in vitro results, administration of AMEE protected RANKL-induced bone loss in mice. We also identified atractylenolide I and II as active constituents contributing to the anti-osteoclastogenic effect of AMEE. Taken together, our results demonstrate that AMEE has a protective effect on bone loss via inhibiting osteoclast differentiation and suggest that AMEE may be useful in preventing and treating various bone diseases associated with excessive bone resorption.

Cell-based screening of traditional Chinese medicines for proliferation enhancers of mouse embryonic stem cells

A high-throughput cell-based method was developed for screening traditional Chinese herbal medicines (TCHMs) for potential stem cell growth promoters. Mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) were cultured in growth media supplemented with various TCHM extracts. The dosage-dependent effects of TCHM extracts on cell growth, including proliferation and cytotoxicity, were assessed via EGFP fluorescence measurement. Seven TCHMs were investigated, and among them Panax notoginseng (PN), Rhizoma Atractylodis macrocephalae, Rhizoma chuanxiong, and Ganoderma lucidum spores (GLS) showed potential to improve mES cell proliferation. Eleven mixtures of these four TCHMs were then studied, and the results showed that the mixture of PN and GLS had the strongest growth promoting effect, increasing the specific growth rate of mES cells by 29.5% at a low dosage of 0.01% (wt/vol) PN/GLS (P<0.01) and 34.2% at 0.1% (wt/vol) PN/GLS (P<0.05) compared to the control. The growth promoting effect of PN/GLS was further confirmed with ES cells cultured in spinner flasks. A 29.3-fold increase in the total cell number was achieved in the medium supplemented with 0.01% PN/GLS after 5 days, while the control culture only gave a 16.8-fold increase. This cell-based screening method thus can provide an efficient and high-throughput way to explore potential stem cell growth promoters from TCHMs.

The effect of PN-1, a Traditional Chinese Prescription, on the Learning and Memory in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete medical system that has been practiced for more than 3000 years. Prescription number 1 (PN-1) consists of several Chinese medicines and is designed according to TCM theories to treat patients with neuropsychiatric disorders. The evidence of clinical practice suggests the benefit effects of PN-1 on cognitive deficits of dementia patients. We try to prove and explain this by using contemporary methodology and transgenic animal models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The behavioral studies were developed to evaluate the memory of transgenic animals after intragastric administration of PN-1 for 3 months. Amyloid beta-protein (A β ) neuropathology was quantified using immunohistochemistry and ELISA. The western blotting was used to detect the levels of plasticity associated proteins. The safety of PN-1 on mice was also assessed through multiple parameters. Results showed that PN-1 could effectively relieve learning and memory impairment of transgenic animals. Possible mechanisms showed that PN-1 could significantly reduce plaque burden and A β levels and boost synaptic plasticity. Our observations showed that PN-1 could improve learning and memory ability through multiple mechanisms without detectable side effects on mice. We propose that PN-1 is a promising alternative treatment for AD in the future.