Regulation of chlorogenic acid, flavonoid, and iridoid biosynthesis by histone H3K4 and H3K9 methylation in Lonicera japonica

Lonicerae Japonicae Caulis: a review of its research progress of active metabolites and pharmacological effects

Lonicerae Japonicae Caulis is the aboveground stem part of the Lonicera Japonica Thunb, which belongs to the medicine food homology species in China. It has the effects of clearing away heat, toxic material, dredging wind and unblocking collaterals. Modern research shows that it contains various active metabolites and a wide range of pharmacological effects, which is of great research and clinical application value. It mainly contains organic acids, volatile oils, flavonoids, triterpenes, triterpene saponins and other active metabolites. Its pharmacological effects mainly include anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antitumor, antioxidant, and repairing bone and soft tissue. Based on the literature reports in recent years, the active metabolites, pharmacological effects and mechanisms of Lonicerae Japonicae Caulis were sorted out and summarized. It lays a foundation for explaining the efficacy material basis and application value of Lonicerae Japonicae Caulis. It aims to provide a reference for the in-depth research, development and utilization of Lonicerae Japonicae Caulis.

Investigation of the potential mechanism of the Shugan Xiaozhi decoction for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease based on network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic disease, the incidence of which increases annually. Shugan Xiaozhi (SGXZ) decoction, a composite traditional Chinese medicinal prescription, has been demonstrated to exert a therapeutic effect on NAFLD. In this study, the potential bioactive ingredients and mechanism of SGXZ decoction against NAFLD were explored via network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation.

Methods

Compounds in SGXZ decoction were identified and collected from the literature, and the corresponding targets were predicted through the Similarity Ensemble Approach database. Potential targets related to NAFLD were searched on DisGeNET and GeneCards databases. The compound-target-disease and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed to recognize key compounds and targets. Functional enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) was performed on the targets. Molecular docking was used to further screen the potent active compounds in SGXZ. Finally, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was applied to verify and validate the binding between the most potent compound and targets.

Results

A total of 31 active compounds and 220 corresponding targets in SGXZ decoction were collected. Moreover, 1,544 targets of NAFLD were obtained, of which 78 targets intersected with the targets of SGXZ decoction. Key compounds and targets were recognized through the compound-target-disease and PPI network. Multiple biological pathways were annotated, including PI3K-Akt, MAPK, insulin resistance, HIF-1, and tryptophan metabolism. Molecular docking showed that gallic acid, chlorogenic acid and isochlorogenic acid A could combine with the key targets. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that isochlorogenic acid A might potentially bind directly with RELA, IL-6, VEGFA, and MMP9 in the regulation of PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.

Conclusion

This study investigated the active substances and key targets of SGXZ decoction in the regulation of multiple-pathways based on network pharmacology and computational approaches, providing a theoretical basis for further pharmacological research into the potential mechanism of SGXZ in NAFLD.

Potential Application of Lonicera japonica Extracts in Animal Production: From the Perspective of Intestinal Health

Lonicera japonica (L. japonica) extract is rich in active substances, such as phenolic acids, essential oils, flavones, saponins, and iridoids, which have a broad spectrum of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial effect. Previous studies have demonstrated that L. japonica has a good regulatory effect on animal intestinal health, which can be used as a potential antibiotic substitute product. However, previous studies about intestinal health regulation mainly focus on experimental animals or cells, like mice, rats, HMC-1 Cells, and RAW 264.7 cells. In this review, the intestinal health benefits including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity, and its potential application in animal production were summarized. Through this review, we can see that the effects and mechanism of L. japonica extract on intestinal health regulation of farm and aquatic animals are still rare and unclear. Further studies could focus on the regulatory mechanism of L. japonica extract on intestinal health especially the protective effects of L. japonica extract on oxidative injury, inflammation, and regulation of intestinal flora in farm animals and aquatic animals, thereby providing references for the rational utilization and application of L. japonica and its extracts in animal production.