Saikosaponin d (SSD) alleviates diabetic peripheral neuropathy by regulating the AQP1/RhoA/ROCK signaling in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Advances of traditional Chinese medicine preclinical mechanisms and clinical studies on diabetic peripheral neuropathy

CONTEXT

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) results in an enormous burden and reduces the quality of life for patients. Considering there is no specific drug for the management of DPN, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has increasingly drawn attention of clinicians and researchers around the world due to its characteristics of multiple targets, active components, and exemplary safety.

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the current status of TCM in the treatment of DPN and provide directions for novel drug development, the clinical effects and potential mechanisms of TCM used in treating DPN were comprehensively reviewed.

METHODS

Existing evidence on TCM interventions for DPN was screened from databases such as PubMed, the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group Specialized Register (CENTRAL), and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI). The focus was on summarizing and analyzing representative preclinical and clinical TCM studies published before 2023.

RESULTS

This review identified the ameliorative effects of about 22 single herbal extracts, more than 30 herbal compound prescriptions, and four Chinese patent medicines on DPN in preclinical and clinical research. The latest advances in the mechanism highlight that TCM exerts its beneficial effects on DPN by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress and improving mitochondrial function.

CONCLUSIONS

TCM has shown the power latent capacity in treating DPN. It is proposed that more large-scale and multi-center randomized controlled clinical trials and fundamental experiments should be conducted to further verify these findings.

Bupleurum in Treatment of Depression Disorder: A Comprehensive Review

The incidence of depression has been steadily rising in recent years, making it one of the most prevalent mental illnesses. As the pursuit of novel antidepressant drugs captivates the pharmaceutical field, the therapeutic efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been widely explored. Chaihu (Bupleurum) has been traditionally used for liver conditions such as hepatitis, liver inflammation, liver fibrosis, and liver cancer. It is believed to have hepatoprotective effects, promoting liver cell regeneration and protecting against liver damage. In addition, Bupleurum has also been used as a Jie Yu (depression-relieving) medicine in China, Japan, Republic of Korea, and other Asian countries for centuries. This review article aims to summarize the research conducted on the antidepressant properties and mechanisms of Bupleurum, as well as discuss the potential of TCM formulas containing Bupleurum. This review highlights various antidepressant ingredients isolated from Bupleurum, including saikosaponin A, saikosaponin D, rutin, puerarin, and quercetin, each with distinct mechanisms of action. Additionally, Chinese herb prescriptions and extracts containing Bupleurum, such as Chaihu Shugansan, Xiaoyaosan, and Sinisan, are also included due to their demonstrated antidepressant effects. This review reveals that these Bupleurum compounds exhibit antidepressant effects through the regulation of neurotransmitter mechanisms (such as 5-HT and DA), the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) system, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and other intracellular signaling pathways. Collectively, this comprehensive review provides insights into the multiple applications of Bupleurum in the treatment of depression and highlights its potential as an alternative or complementary approach to traditional therapies. However, it is essential to consider the potential adverse effects and clinical restrictions of Bupleurum despite its promising potential. Further research is needed to elucidate its specific mechanisms of action and evaluate its effectiveness in human subjects.

The therapeutic effects of saikosaponins on depression through the modulation of neuroplasticity: From molecular mechanisms to potential clinical applications

Depression is a major global health issue that urgently requires innovative and precise treatment options. In this context, saikosaponin has emerged as a promising candidate, offering a variety of therapeutic benefits that may be effective in combating depression. This review delves into the multifaceted potential of saikosaponins in alleviating depressive symptoms. We summarized the effects of saikosaponins on structural and functional neuroplasticity, elaborated the regulatory mechanism of saikosaponins in modulating key factors that affect neuroplasticity, such as inflammation, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, oxidative stress, and the brain-gut axis. Moreover, this paper highlights existing gaps in current researches and outlines directions for future studies. A detailed plan is provided for the future clinical application of saikosaponins, advocating for more targeted researches to speed up its transition from preclinical trials to clinical practice.

Traditional herbs: mechanisms to combat cellular senescence

Cellular senescence plays a very important role in the ageing of organisms and age-related diseases that increase with age, a process that involves physiological, structural, biochemical and molecular changes in cells. In recent years, it has been found that the active ingredients of herbs and their natural products can prevent and control cellular senescence by affecting telomerase activity, oxidative stress response, autophagy, mitochondrial disorders, DNA damage, inflammatory response, metabolism, intestinal flora, and other factors. In this paper, we review the research information on the prevention and control of cellular senescence in Chinese herbal medicine through computer searches of PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct and CNKI databases.