Antihypertensive constituents in Sanoshashinto

The traditional herbal medicines mixture, Banhasasim-tang, relieves the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome via modulation of TRPA1, NaV1.5 and NaV1.7 channels

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, remains unclear. Banhasasim-tang (BHSST), a traditional herbal medicines mixture, mainly used to treat GI-related diseases, may have a potential in IBS treatment. IBS is characterized by abdominal pain as the main clinical symptom, which seriously affects the quality of life.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We conducted a study to evaluate the effectiveness of BHSST and its mechanisms of action in treating IBS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated the efficacy of BHSST in a zymosan-induced diarrhea-predominant animal model of IBS. Electrophysiological methods were used to confirm modulation of transient receptor potential (TRP) and voltage-gated Na⁺ (NaV) ion channels, which are associated mechanisms of action.

RESULTS

Oral administration of BHSST decreased colon length, increased stool scores, and increased colon weight. Weight loss was also minimized without affecting food intake. In mice administered with BHSST, the mucosal thickness was suppressed, making it similar to that of normal mice, and the degree of tumor necrosis factor-α was severely reduced. These effects were similar to those of the anti-inflammatory drug-sulfasalazine-and antidepressant-amitriptyline. Moreover, pain-related behaviors were substantially reduced. Additionally, BHSST inhibited TRPA1, NaV1.5, and NaV1.7 ion channels associated with IBS-mediated visceral hypersensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, the findings suggest that BHSST has potential beneficial effects on IBS and diarrhea through the modulation of ion channels.

Baicalin-Current Trends in Detection Methods and Health-Promoting Properties

Baicalin (7-D-glucuronic acid-5,6-dihydroxyflavone) belongs to natural flavonoids extracted from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis, the plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been proven that baicalin has various pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, and anti-apoptotic ones. However, it is essential not only to determine the medical usefulness of baicalin, but also to find and develop the most effective methods for its extraction and detection. Therefore, the aim of this review was to summarize the current methods of detection and identification of baicalin and to present the medical applications of baicalin and the underlying mechanisms of its action. Based on the review of the latest literature, it can be concluded that liquid chromatography alone or together with mass spectrometry is the most commonly used method for the determination of baicalin. Recently, also new electrochemical methods have been established, e.g., biosensors with fluorescence, which have better detection limits, sensitivity, and selectivity.

Flavonoids as Modulators of Potassium Channels

Potassium channels are widely distributed integral proteins responsible for the effective and selective transport of K+ ions through the biological membranes. According to the existing structural and mechanistic differences, they are divided into several groups. All of them are considered important molecular drug targets due to their physiological roles, including the regulation of membrane potential or cell signaling. One of the recent trends in molecular pharmacology is the evaluation of the therapeutic potential of natural compounds and their derivatives, which can exhibit high specificity and effectiveness. Among the pharmaceuticals of plant origin, which are potassium channel modulators, flavonoids appear as a powerful group of biologically active substances. It is caused by their well-documented anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic, and antidiabetic effects on human health. Here, we focus on presenting the current state of knowledge about the possibilities of modulation of particular types of potassium channels by different flavonoids. Additionally, the biological meaning of the flavonoid-mediated changes in the activity of K+ channels will be outlined. Finally, novel promising directions for further research in this area will be proposed.

Gao-Zi-Yao improves learning and memory function in old spontaneous hypertensive rats

Aims

Gao-Zi-Yao has long been a unique way for treating various diseases. The present study is to explore the effect of Gao-Zi-Yao on learning and memory function in old spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) and its possible mechanism.

Method

Male old SHR were received different doses of Gao-Zi-Yao for 4 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate were monitored. Serum levels of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, and tumor necrotic factor (TNF)-α were measured. Morris water maze was performed to test the learning and memory function of the rats. Number of neurons in hippocampus was counted by Nissl staining. Western blot was applied to detect the expressions of learning and memory function related proteins, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor 2B (NMDAR 2B), glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1), phosphorylated-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (p-CaMK II), and phosphorylated-cAMP responsive element-binding protein (p-CREB) in rat hippocampus.

Results

Data showed that Gao-Zi-Yao reduced SBP in old SHR, elevated NO level, and suppressed levels of IL-1β, IL-2, TNF-α. The results of Morris water maze experiment showed that Gao-Zi-Yao dose-dependently improved learning and memory function. Number of neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) region of the old SHR was increased by Gao-Zi-Yao treatment. In addition, Gao-Zi-Yao elevated the protein expressions of NMDAR 2B, GluR1, p-CaMK II, and p-CREB in hippocampus.

Conclusion

Gao-Zi-Yao decreases SBP and improves the learning and memory function of the old SHR by regulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory factors and neuron number in hippocampal DG area and the expression of learning and memory function related proteins.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-022-03630-0.

Effects of Daehwang-Hwanglyoun-Sasim-Tang on brain injury and cognitive function in mice caused by bilateral common carotid artery stenosis

Among geriatric diseases, cerebrovascular disease ranks fourth according to the Causes of Death Statistics in 2019, Korea, and is the most common cause of acquired disorders in adults. Daehwang-Hwanglyoun-Sasim-Tang (DHST), a herbal prescription consisting of two herbal medicines, Rhei Rhizoma and Coptidis Rhizoma, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. This study was conducted to confirm the anti-inflammatory mechanism of DHST treatment in ischemic brain injury and to confirm the role of DHST in cognitive function improvement. C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into four groups (sham operation, bilateral common carotid artery stenosis (BCAS) control, experimental group administered 5 mL/kg DHST, experimental group administered 50 mL/kg DHST), with each group containing five mice. After 1 week, DHST was orally administered for 4 weeks, 5 days a week, and then behavioral evaluation of learning and memory was performed. In addition, morphological changes in the neurons in the CA1 region of the hippocampus were observed. Inflammation-related factors were evaluated using western blot analysis. In the 50 mL/kg DHST (H-DHST) group, the expression of apoptosis-related proteins was reduced and neuronal damage was suppressed in the hippocampal CA1 region. However, cognitive improvement was observed in the H-DHST group that was attributable to anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic pathways. In the 5 mL/kg DHST group, no significant effect was observed compared with the control group.

Characterization of Contractile Machinery of Vascular Smooth Muscles in Hypertension

Hypertension is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease and it is a growing public health problem worldwide. The pathophysiological mechanisms of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) contraction contribute to the development of hypertension. Calcium (Ca²⁺)-dependent and -independent signaling mechanisms regulate the balance of the myosin light chain kinase and myosin light chain phosphatase to induce myosin phosphorylation, which activates VSM contraction to control blood pressure (BP). Here, we discuss the mechanism of the contractile machinery in VSM, especially RhoA/Rho kinase and PKC/CPI-17 of Ca²⁺ sensitization pathway in hypertension. The two signaling pathways affect BP in physiological and pathophysiological conditions and are highlighted in pulmonary, pregnancy, and salt-sensitive hypertension.

Influence of Dietary Components and Traditional Chinese Medicine on Hypertension: A Potential Role for Gut Microbiota

Hypertension (HTN) is an important worldwide public health issue affecting human health. The pathogenesis of HTN involves complex factors such as genetics, external environment, diet, and the gut microbial dysbiosis. The gut microbiota, as a medium of diet and drug metabolism, is closely correlated to host's health and disease (including HTN). Literatures were randomly collected from various databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). In this review, we elucidate the relationship between HTN and gut microbiota, as well as concerning the effects of different dietary components, diet-derived microbial metabolites, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on intestinal flora. These studies have shown that diet and TCM can regulate and balance the intestinal flora, which are inclined to increasing the abundance of Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, and Bacteroides and reducing the ratio of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Moreover, monitoring the dynamic change of gut microflora may indicate patient prognosis and personalized response to treatment. This review aims to provide novel perspectives and potential personalized interventions for future HTN management from the perspective of gut microbiota.

Applications, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects, pharmacokinetics, toxicity of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. and its probably potential therapeutic effects on COVID-19: a review

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. (SB) is a common heat-clearing medicine in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It has been used for thousands of years in China and its neighboring countries. Clinically, it is mostly used to treat diseases such as cold and cough. SB has different harvesting periods and processed products for different clinical symptoms. Botanical researches proved that SB included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (1st, 2020) was consistent with the medicinal SB described in ancient books. Modern phytochemical analysis had found that SB contains hundreds of active ingredients, of which flavonoids are its major components. These chemical components are the material basis for SB to exert pharmacological effects. Pharmacological studies had shown that SB has a wide range of pharmacological activities such as antiinflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, liver protection, etc. The active ingredients of SB were mostly distributed in liver and kidney, and couldn't be absorbed into brain via oral absorption. SB's toxicity was mostly manifested in liver fibrosis and allergic reactions, mainly caused by baicalin. The non-medicinal application prospects of SB were broad, such as antibacterial plastics, UV-resistant silk, animal feed, etc. In response to the Coronavirus Disease In 2019 (COVID-19), based on the network pharmacology research, SB's active ingredients may have potential therapeutic effects, such as baicalin and baicalein. Therefore, the exact therapeutic effects are still need to be determined in clinical trials. SB has been reviewed in the past 2 years, but the content of these articles were not comprehensive and accurate. In view of the above, we made a comprehensive overview of the research progress of SB, and expect to provide ideas for the follow-up study of SB.

Antihypertensive properties of a traditional Chinese medicine GAO-ZI-YAO in elderly spontaneous hypertensive rats

AIM

The present study aims to investigate the antihypertensive effect and the underlying mechanism of GAO-ZI-YAO, one of the traditional Chinese medicines, in elderly spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR).

METHODS

12-month-old male SHRs were randomly divided into five groups on the basis of treatment with different doses of GAO-ZI-YAO or angiotensin II receptor-1 blocker (ARB, Irbesartan) for four weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), and serum levels of nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1), angiotensin II (Ang II), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and tumor necrotic factor (TNF)-α were measured. The pathological changes of ventricular muscle and thoracic aorta were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining (H&E).

RESULTS

GAO-ZI-YAO treatment reduced SBP in a dose-dependent manner accompanied by the inhibition of the development of cardiovascular remodeling. Although GAO-ZI-YAO treatment markedly increased serum levels of NO and suppressed serum levels of Ang II, this medicine did not affect the serum levels of ET-1 and VEGF. In addition, GAO-ZI-YAO also inhibited inflammatory response parameters (inflammatory cell infiltration in cardiac tissues and serum levels of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α) in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

GAO-ZI-YAO exerts antihypertensive and anti-cardiovascular-remodeling effects in elderly SHR, which may be through regulation of NO, Ang II production, and inflammation.

Effects of Sanoshashinto on left ventricular hypertrophy and gut microbiota in spontaneously hypertensive rats

In our previous study, we found that the methanolic extract of Sanoshashinto () (SHXXTM) exhibited significant vasorelaxant effects in vitro and antihypertensive effects in vivo, and baicalin and berberine were the main antihypertensive constituents in SHXXTM. We also speculated that the baicalin-berberine (BB) combination produced vasorelaxant effects by activating the NO/cGMP pathway, and the BK_Ca channel and the DAG/PKC/CPI-17 pathway were involved. In this study, we examined the vasorelaxant effects using helical strips of rat aorta pretreated with different activators or inhibitors. The results suggested that the K_ATP channel and the voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channel (VDCC) were also involved in the vasorelaxant effects. Furthermore, we found that SHXXTM and the BB combination reduced left ventricular hypertrophy and altered gut microbiota. Together, the results indicated that Sanoshashinto might have comprehensive effects on ameliorating hypertension.