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Yang X, Dai L, Yan F, Ma Y, Guo X, Jenis J, Wang Y, Zhang J, Miao X, Shang X. The phytochemistry and pharmacology of three Rheum species: A comprehensive review with future perspectives. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 131:155772. [PMID: 38852474 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheum palmatum, R. tanguticum, and R. officinale, integral species of the genus Rheum, are widely used across global temperate and subtropical regions. These species are incorporated in functional foods, medicines, and cosmetics, recognized for their substantial bioactive components. PURPOSE This review aims to synthesize developments from 2014 to 2023 concerning the botanical characteristics, ethnopharmacology, nutritional values, chemical compositions, pharmacological activities, mechanisms of action, and toxicity of these species. METHODS Data on the three Rheum species were gathered from a comprehensive review of peer-reviewed articles, patents, and clinical trials accessed through PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and CNKI. RESULTS The aerial parts are nutritionally rich, providing essential amino acids, fatty acids, and minerals, suitable for use as health foods or supplements. Studies have identified 143 chemical compounds, including anthraquinones, anthrones, flavonoids, and chromones, which contribute to their broad pharmacological properties such as laxative, anti-diarrheal, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular, antidiabetic, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial effects. Notably, the materials science approach has enhanced understanding of their medicinal capabilities through the evaluation of bioactive compounds in different therapeutic contexts. CONCLUSION As medicinal and economically significant herb species, Rheum species provide both edible aerial parts and medicinal underground components that offer substantial health benefits. These characteristics present new opportunities for developing nutritional ingredients and therapeutic products, bolstering the food and pharmaceutical industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaorong Yang
- Key Laboratory of New Animal Drug Project, Gansu Province, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, PR China
| | - Lixia Dai
- Key Laboratory of New Animal Drug Project, Gansu Province, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, PR China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural Univerisity, Lanzhou 730070, PR China
| | - Fengyuan Yan
- The First People`s Hospital of Lanzhou City, Lanzhou 730050, PR China
| | - Yudong Ma
- Key Laboratory of New Animal Drug Project, Gansu Province, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, PR China
| | - Xiao Guo
- College of Tibetan Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, PR China
| | - Janar Jenis
- The Research Center for Medicinal Plants, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
| | - Yu Wang
- Key Laboratory of New Animal Drug Project, Gansu Province, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, PR China
| | - Jiyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of New Animal Drug Project, Gansu Province, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, PR China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural Univerisity, Lanzhou 730070, PR China.
| | - Xiaolou Miao
- Key Laboratory of New Animal Drug Project, Gansu Province, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, PR China.
| | - Xiaofei Shang
- Key Laboratory of New Animal Drug Project, Gansu Province, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, PR China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural Univerisity, Lanzhou 730070, PR China.
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Wang S, Li C, Zhang C, Liu G, Zheng A, Qiu K, Chang W, Chen Z. Effects of Sihuang Zhili Granules on the Diarrhea Symptoms, Immunity, and Antioxidant Capacity of Poultry Challenged with Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1372. [PMID: 37507912 PMCID: PMC10376454 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12071372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A growing interest has been focused on Chinese herbs as alternatives to antimicrobial growth promoters, which are characterized by non-toxic side effects and drug resistance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the Sihuang Zhili granule (abbreviated as Sihuang) on diarrhea, immunity, and antioxidation in poultry. Thirty male Leghorn chickens, aged 21 days, were randomly assigned to one of three groups with ten animals each. The control group (CON) received intraperitoneal saline injections, while the LPS-challenged group (LPS) and Sihuang intervention group (SH) received intraperitoneal injections of LPS (0.5 mg/kg of BW) and Sihuang (5 g/kg) at d 31, d 33, d 35, respectively. The control and LPS groups were fed a basal diet, while the SH group was fed a diet supplemented with Sihuang from d 21 to d 35. Analysis of the diarrhea index showed that the addition of Sihuang inhibited the increase in the diarrhea grade and the fecal water content caused by LPS, effectively alleviating poultry diarrhea symptoms. The results of the immune and antioxidant indexes showed that Sihuang significantly reduced the contents of the pro-inflammatory factors TNF- α and IL-1 β, as well as the oxidative stress markers ROS and MDA. Conversely, it increased the contents of the anti-inflammatory factors IL-4 and IL-10, along with the activities of antioxidant enzymes GSH-Px and CAT, thereby enhancing the immune and antioxidant abilities of chickens. Furthermore, Sihuang protected the chicken's ileum, liver, and immune organs from LPS invasion and maintained their normal development. In conclusion, this study confirmed the antidiarrheal effect of Sihuang in poultry farming and demonstrated its ability to improve poultry immunity and antioxidant capacity by modulating antioxidant enzyme activity and inflammatory cytokine levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaolong Wang
- Key Laboratory for Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Chong Li
- Key Laboratory for Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
- Precision Livestock and Nutrition Laboratory, Teaching and Research Centre (TERRA), Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Chaosheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Guohua Liu
- Key Laboratory for Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Aijuan Zheng
- Key Laboratory for Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Kai Qiu
- Key Laboratory for Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Wenhuan Chang
- Key Laboratory for Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Zhimin Chen
- Key Laboratory for Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
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Efficacy of a Persian herbal medicine compound on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a randomized clinical trial. Integr Med Res 2022; 11:100869. [PMID: 35783542 PMCID: PMC9233882 DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2022.100869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The global attention to the capacities of traditional medicine for alleviating the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 has been growing. The present trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a Persian herbal medicine formula among patients with COVID-19. Methods The present trial was conducted in Afzalipour hospital, Kerman, Iran, from June to September 2020. Hospitalized COVID-19 patients were randomly divided into intervention (Persian herbal medicine formula + routine treatment) or control (only routine treatment) groups. The intervention group received both capsule number 1 and 2 every 8 hours for 7 days. Capsule number 1 contained extract of the Glycyrrhiza glabra, Punica granatum, and Rheum palmatum, and the second capsule was filled by Nigella sativa powder. Participants were followed up to 7 days. The primary outcome was the number of hospitalization days, while cough, fever, and respiratory rate, days on oxygen (O2) therapy, and mortality rate were considered as the secondary outcomes. Results Eighty-two patients were enrolled to the study, while 79 cases completed the trial and their data were analyzed (mean age: 59.1 ± 17.1 years). Based on the results, the Persian medicine formula decreased the mean hospitalization days, so that the mean difference of length of hospitalization as primary outcome was 2.95 ± 0.43 days. A significant clinical improvement was observed regarding dyspnea, need for O2) therapy, and respiratory rate in the intervention group. No adverse effects were reported. Conclusion The present study supported the use of the Persian medicine formula as an adjuvant therapy for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Study registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (www.irct.ir): IRCT20200330046899N1. Study registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (www.irct.ir): IRCT20200330046899N1.
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Shahrajabian MH, Sun W, Cheng Q. Wonderful Natural Drugs with Surprising Nutritional Values, Rheum Species, Gifts of the Nature. LETT ORG CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.2174/1570178619666220112115918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:
Nutrition therapy on the basis of traditional medicinal plants and herbs is common in many Asian countries, especially Iran and China. Rheum species, especially rhubarbs, belong to plant medicines recognized in 2500 BC. An online search of the literature was carried out at Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, and Google scholar, covering all years until April 2021. The following key terms were used, usually in combinations: Rheum species, rhubarb, natural products, pharmaceutical benefits, anthraquinones and anthranone. After performing the literature search, the bibliographies of all articles were checked for cross-references that were not found in the search databases. Articles were selected if they reported any biological effects, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical compounds and botanical description of Rheum species. The most important components of rhubarb are anthraquinones, anthranone, stilbenes, tannins and butyrophenones. Anthraquinones consist of rhein, emodin, aloe-emodin and chrysophanl, and anthranone includes sennosides and rheinosides. The most important health benefits of rhubarb are antioxidant and anticancer activities, antimicrobial activity, wound healing action, hepatoprotective and anti-diabetic effects, and nephroprotective effect, as well as anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antibacterial activities. Integration of both traditional pharmaceutical science and modern medicines may promote sustainability, lead to organic life and promote the cultivation of medicinal plants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wenli Sun
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Qi Cheng
- tate Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei, 071000; College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China; Global Alliance of HeBAU-CLS&HeQiS for BioAl-Manufacturing, Baoding, Hebei 071000, China
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Chu H, Wang J, Wang Q, Chen J, Li J, Li H, Zhang L. Protective Effect of n-Butanol Extract from Viola yedoensis on Immunological Liver Injury. Chem Biodivers 2021; 18:e2001043. [PMID: 33929783 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202001043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Viola yedoensis Makino was used to treat inflammation, viral hepatitis, acute pyogenic infection, and ulcerative carbuncles. However, the protective effect on immunological liver injury (ILI) of V. yedoensis had been rarely reported. This study aimed to explore the protective effect of n-butanol extract (BE) from V. yedoensis on ILI in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the BE significantly inhibited the secretions of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in the HepG2.2.15 cells and the replication of HBV DNA. The research data in vivo revealed that the BE reduced the levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA) in liver tissues of the ConA-induced mice, while increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and the effective contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and the BE could ameliorate liver histological lesions. These results motivated a further investigation into the chemical constituents of BE. Four coumarins (esculetin, prionanthoside, cichoriin, and esculin) and one flavonoid (quercetin-3-O-galactoside) were isolated from the BE by silica gel column chromatography and recrystallization, of which structures were eventually confirmed by 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, and MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiqing Chu
- College of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan, 750004, P. R. China
| | - Jiexin Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan, 750004, P. R. China
| | - Qian Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan, 750004, P. R. China
| | - Jie Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan, 750004, P. R. China
| | - Jiaoning Li
- College of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan, 750004, P. R. China
| | - Hangying Li
- College of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan, 750004, P. R. China.,Ningxia Engineering and Technology Research Center for Modernization of Chinese Medicine, Yinchuan, 750004, P. R. China
| | - Liming Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan, 750004, P. R. China.,Ningxia Engineering and Technology Research Center for Modernization of Chinese Medicine, Yinchuan, 750004, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Hui Ethnic Medicine Modernization, Ministry of Education (Ningxia Medical University), Yinchuan, 750004, P. R. China
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Alamri RD, Elmeligy MA, Albalawi GA, Alquayr SM, Alsubhi SS, El-Ghaiesh SH. Leflunomide an immunomodulator with antineoplastic and antiviral potentials but drug-induced liver injury: A comprehensive review. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 93:107398. [PMID: 33571819 PMCID: PMC7869628 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Leflunomide (LF) represents the prototype member of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) enzyme inhibitors. DHODH is a mitochondrial inner membrane enzyme responsible for catalytic conversion of dihydroorotate into orotate, a rate-limiting step in the de novo synthesis of the pyrimidine nucleotides. LF produces cellular depletion of pyrimidine nucleotides required for cell growth and proliferation. Based on the affected cells the outcome can be attainable as immunosuppression, antiproliferative, and/or the recently gained attention of the antiviral potentials of LF and its new congeners. Also, protein tyrosine kinase inhibition is an additional mechanistic benefit of LF, which inhibits immunological events such as cellular expansion and immunoglobulin production with an enhanced release of immunosuppressant cytokines. LF is approved for the treatment of autoimmune arthritis of rheumatoid and psoriatic pathogenesis. Also, LF has been used off-label for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. However, LF antiviral activity is repurposed and under investigation with related compounds under a phase-I trial as a SARS CoV-2 antiviral in cases with COVID-19. Despite success in improving patients' mobility and reducing joint destruction, reported events of LF-induced liver injury necessitated regulatory precautions. LF should not be used in patients with hepatic impairment or in combination with drugs elaborating a burden on the liver without regular monitoring of liver enzymes and serum bilirubin as safety biomarkers. This study aims to review the pharmacological and safety profile of LF with a focus on the LF-induced hepatic injury from the perspective of pathophysiology and possible protective agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghad D Alamri
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 47713, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Sarah M Alquayr
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 47713, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Sabah H El-Ghaiesh
- Deaprtment of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 47713, Saudi Arabia.
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Liu J, Feng W, Peng C. A Song of Ice and Fire: Cold and Hot Properties of Traditional Chinese Medicines. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:598744. [PMID: 33542688 PMCID: PMC7851091 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.598744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The theory of cold and hot properties is the basic theory of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) and has been successfully applied to combat human diseases for thousands of years. Although the theory of cold and hot is very important to guide the clinical application of TCMs, this ancient theory remains an enigma for a long time. In recent years, more and more researchers have tried to uncover this ancient theory with the help of modern techniques, and the cold and hot properties of a myriad of TCMs have been studied. However, there is no review of cold and hot properties. In this review, we first briefly introduced the basic theories about cold and hot properties, including how to distinguish between the cold and hot properties of TCMs and the classification and treatment of cold and hot syndromes. Then, focusing on the application of cold and hot properties, we take several important TCMs with cold or hot property as examples to summarize their traditional usage, phytochemistry, and pharmacology. In addition, the mechanisms of thermogenesis and antipyretic effect of these important TCMs, which are related to the cold and hot properties, were summarized. At the end of this review, the perspectives on research strategies and research directions of hot and cold properties were also offered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- State Key Laboratory of Characteristic Chinese Medicine Resources in Southwestern China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Wuwen Feng
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- State Key Laboratory of Characteristic Chinese Medicine Resources in Southwestern China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- State Key Laboratory of Characteristic Chinese Medicine Resources in Southwestern China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Ethnobotanical Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Different Rheum Species (Polygonaceae): A Review. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1308:309-352. [PMID: 33861453 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-64872-5_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Today, there is an increased tendency to use herbal remedies. Rhubarb refers to several species of the genus Rheum L. in the Polygonaceae family. This species-rich genus is mainly distributed in Asian countries. Several medicinal effects have been attributed to the Rheum spp. in the traditional and modern medicine such as healing lungs, liver, kidney, womb and bladder diseases, cancer, diabetes, insect bites, relapsing fevers, diarrhea and constipation. Various in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies have investigated the therapeutic effect of extracts, fractions and pure compounds isolated from different species of this genus. Considering the positive findings, several pharmaceutical formulations containing rhubarb extract like capsules, drops, mouthwashes and different topical formulations are now present in the market. However, there are other traditional therapeutic effects of rhubarb that have not been studied yet and it is of great importance to perform confirmatory experiments or clinical investigations. The current review summarizes general information regarding botany, phytochemistry, ethnobotany and pharmacological aspects of Rheum spp. It is hoped that the present review could motivate subsequent research on the other medicinal properties of these plants that have been neglected until today.
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Hepatoprotective Potency of Chrysophanol 8- O-Glucoside from Rheum palmatum L. against Hepatic Fibrosis via Regulation of the STAT3 Signaling Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239044. [PMID: 33261209 PMCID: PMC7730872 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhubarb is a well-known herb worldwide and includes approximately 60 species of the Rheum genus. One of the representative plants is Rheum palmatum, which is prescribed as official rhubarb due to its pharmacological potential in the Korean and Chinese pharmacopoeia. In our bioactive screening, we found out that the EtOH extract of R. palmatum inhibited hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation by transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1). Chemical investigation of the EtOH extract led to the isolation of chrysophanol 8-O-glucoside, which was determined by structural analysis using NMR spectroscopic techniques and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESIMS). To elucidate the effects of chrysophanol 8-O-glucoside on HSC activation, activated LX-2 cells were treated for 48 h with chrysophanol 8-O-glucoside, and α-SMA and collagen, HSC activation markers, were measured by comparative quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and western blotting analysis. Chrysophanol 8-O-glucoside significantly inhibited the protein and mRNA expression of α-SMA and collagen compared with that in TGF-β1-treated LX-2 cells. Next, the expression of phosphorylated SMAD2 (p-SMAD2) and p-STAT3 was measured and the translocation of p-STAT3 to the nucleus was analyzed by western blotting analysis. The expression of p-SMAD2 and p-STAT3 showed that chrysophanol 8-O-glucoside strongly downregulated STAT3 phosphorylation by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of p-STAT3, which is an important mechanism in HSC activation. Moreover, chrysophanol 8-O-glucoside suppressed the expression of p-p38, not that of p-JNK or p-Erk, which can activate STAT3 phosphorylation and inhibit MMP2 expression, the downstream target of STAT3 signaling. These findings provided experimental evidence concerning the hepatoprotective effects of chrysophanol 8-O-glucoside against liver damage and revealed the molecular basis underlying its anti-fibrotic effects through the blocking of HSC activation.
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Talebi M, Talebi M, Farkhondeh T, Samarghandian S. Molecular mechanism-based therapeutic properties of honey. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 130:110590. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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Wu S, Huang X, Sun W, Chen L, Huang Y, Wang Y, Luo E, Qin A, Zhao W, Gan J. Role of the microRNA‑214/Bax axis in the progression of acute liver failure. Mol Med Rep 2020; 22:117-126. [PMID: 32377732 PMCID: PMC7248488 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute liver failure (ALF) is a fatal liver disease characterized by severe hepatocyte destruction. MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) have been reported to serve a key role in a number of liver diseases. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of miR-214 in ALF. ALF murine and hepatocyte models were established using D-galactosamine (D-GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or D-GalN + tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, respectively. The expression levels of miR-214 and Bax were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and/or western blotting. Furthermore, an automatic biochemical analyzer was used to measure the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The levels of TNF-α and interleukin (IL)-6 were detected by ELISA and RT-qPCR. In addition, TUNEL staining and flow cytometry were used to analyze cell apoptosis, and the protein expression of caspase-3 was determined by western blotting. It was identified that the levels of AST and ALT were increased and that hepatocyte apoptosis was enhanced in the D-GalN/LPS-stimulated group compared with the control. Furthermore, higher expression of caspase-3 was observed in the D-GalN/LPS-stimulated group. In addition, it was demonstrated that miR-214 was downregulated, while Bax was upregulated in D-GalN/LPS-stimulated mice and D-GalN/TNF-α-stimulated BNLCL2 cells. Moreover, in D-GalN/TNF-α-stimulated BNLCL2 cells, miR-214 overexpression suppressed apoptosis and decreased TNF-α and IL-6 levels, and these effects were reversed by the Bax plasmid. It was also identified that overexpression of miR-214 significantly decreased Bax mRNA and protein expression levels in vitro. Collectively, the present results suggested that miR-214 inhibited hepatocyte apoptosis during ALF development via targeting Bax, thus indicating that miR-214 may be a potential target for ALF treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaohong Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoping Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Yan Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Erping Luo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Ailan Qin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Weifeng Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Jianhe Gan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
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Wang H, Wei X, Wei X, Sun X, Huang X, Liang Y, Xu W, Zhu X, Lin X, Lin J. 4-hydroxybenzo[d]oxazol-2(3H)-one ameliorates LPS/D-GalN-induced acute liver injury by inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways in mice. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 83:106445. [PMID: 32272395 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to synthesize 4-hydroxybenzo[d]oxazol-2(3H)-one (HBO) and to investigate its protective effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced acute liver injury. HBO (C7H5O3N) was synthesized based on 2-nitro-resorcinol and identified by physicochemical analysis. In the animal experiment, mice were pretreated with HBO (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) for 10 days. At the end of pretreatment, the animals were injected with LPS (10 µg/kg)/D-GalN (700 mg/kg). The results showed that HBO significantly alleviated liver injury induced by LPS/D-GalN in mice. It remarkably decreased inflammatory response by reducing the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Moreover, HBO notably attenuated hepatocyte apoptosis by inhibiting the release of Cytochrome C (Cyt C) from mitochondria into the cytoplasm and regulating the expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family. Furthermore, the result showed that HBO inhibited the expressions of nuclear factor kappa-B p50 (NF-κBp50), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), as well as the phosphorylation of inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B (IκB), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase-α/β (IKK-α/β), nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (NF-κBp65), suggesting that HBO had a certain influence on the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. In addition, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was also affected by HBO, as evidenced by the decrease in the phosphorylation levels of extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38). In conclusion, our study suggested that HBO could protect against LPS/D-GalN-induced liver injury, moreover, treatment with HBO appeared to be capable of further regulating the TLR4/NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyuan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Xiugui Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Xian Wei
- Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Youjiang, Guangxi, China
| | - Xuemei Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Xiukun Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Yingqin Liang
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Wanpeng Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Xunshuai Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Xing Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China.
| | - Jun Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China.
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Yang M, Wei Y, Ashokkumar M, Qin J, Han N, Wang Y. Effect of ultrasound on binding interaction between emodin and micellar casein and its microencapsulation at various temperatures. ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY 2020; 62:104861. [PMID: 31796325 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2019.104861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Emodin is a bioactive compound with strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Micellar casein is casein concentrates close to the native state of casein micelles. The interaction of emodin and micellar casein under heat treatment in the absence and presence of ultrasound was investigated, and the properties of microencapsulated emodin in micellar casein were compared. Fluorescence experiments proved that the major interaction between emodin and micellar casein was through hydrophobic forces under heat treatment in the absence and presence of ultrasound. However, ΔH, ΔS and ΔG of emodin-casein complexation without sonication were higher than those with sonication, in contradiction to binding constants. The particle sizes of emodin-casein complexes in the presence of ultrasound were smaller than those without sonication, while the specific surface area showed an opposite trend. As to encapsulation, emodin-casein capsules under heat-sonication treatment showed higher antioxidant properties than those of heat treatment alone under similar experimental conditions. Interestingly, micellar casein-emodin encapsulation in the presence of ultrasound showed a lower release rate of emodin in gastrointestinal conditions than that without ultrasound at the emdoin concentration of 10 μmol per gram casein. Ultrasound has been shown to be a potential processing technology for customizing the release kinetics of bioactive compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; College of Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Yanming Wei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
| | | | - Juanjuan Qin
- College of Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Na Han
- College of Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Yucheng Wang
- College of Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
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Song Y, Cui X, Zhao R, Hu L, Li Y, Liu C. Emodin protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory injury in HaCaT cells through upregulation of miR-21. ARTIFICIAL CELLS NANOMEDICINE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 2019; 47:2654-2661. [PMID: 31250665 DOI: 10.1080/21691401.2019.1629951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Background/aim: Pressure ulcers are a disastrous health issue in which inflammation is involved. Emodin possesses biological properties in inflammation. Our study investigated functions of emodin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated HaCaT cells. Methods: LPS was used to induce cell inflammation. MTT and flow cytometry were applied for cell viability and apoptosis assays, respectively. Moreover, apoptotic proteins were detected by western blot. Similarly, inflammatory factors and signalling related proteins were also determined by western blot. Results: Emodin increased cell viability and diminished apoptosis in LPS-treated HaCaT cells. Moreover, cleaved-PARP, cleaved-caspase-3 and cleaved-caspase-9 were all downregulated by emodin. Furthermore, inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, Cox-2 and iNOS were inhibited by emodin in LPS-treated cells. In addition, emodin decreased phosphorylation of p65 and IκBα and the level of PTEN while enhanced phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT. Importantly, emodin increased expression of miR-21 suppressed by LPS and miR-21 downregulation negated the protective functions of emodin. Conclusions: Emodin promoted cell growth presented by increasing viability and blocking apoptosis process with inflammation inhibition. The protective activity of emodin was mediated by miR-21 up-regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Song
- a Department of Health Management, Heze Medical College , Heze , China
| | - Xueling Cui
- b Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Heze Municipal Hospital , Heze , China
| | - Ruilan Zhao
- c Department of General Medicine, Heze Municipal Hospital , Heze , China
| | - Lanying Hu
- d Department of Joint Surgery, Heze Municipal Hospital , Heze , China
| | - Yanjun Li
- e e Department of Nursing, Heze Medical College , Heze , China
| | - Cuiling Liu
- b Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Heze Municipal Hospital , Heze , China
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Wang X, Han C, Qin J, Wei Y, Qian X, Bao Y, Shi W. Pretreatment with Salvia miltiorrhiza Polysaccharides Protects from Lipopolysaccharides/d-Galactosamine-Induced Liver Injury in Mice Through Inhibiting TLR4/MyD88 Signaling Pathway. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2019; 39:495-505. [PMID: 31074668 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2018.0137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza polysaccharides (SMPs) on lipopolysaccharides (LPS)/d-galactosamine (d-GalN)-induced liver injury in mice and its mechanism. Seventy-two mice were allocated to 6 groups of 12 each, that is, the untreated control group, the liver injury model group, the Bifendate group (Bifendate 200 mg/kg/day), and 3 SMP-treated groups at low (250 mg/kg/day), medium (500 mg/kg/day), and high doses (750 mg/kg/day). After 12 days oral treatment, liver injury was induced with LPS/d-GalN, and 1 h later the mice were sacrificed for a series of analyses. The results showed that SMPs significantly alleviated pathological changes in the hepatic tissue. Compared with the untreated control group, the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14), myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD-2), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88) detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), the protein levels of TLR4, MyD88, phosphorylated inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase alpha/beta (P-IKK-α/β), phosphorylated inhibitor of NF-κB alpha (P-IκB-α) and phosphorylated P65 (P-P65) detected by Western blot, the levels of C-X-C motif chemokine 10 (CXCL-10) and Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (ICAM-1) detected by immunohistochemistry, and the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of liver injury model group were increased significantly (P < 0.01). Compared with liver injury model group, the mRNA levels of LBP, CD14, MD-2, TLR4, and MyD88; protein levels of TLR4, MyD88, P-IKK-α/β, P-IκB-α, and P-P65; levels of CXCL-10 and ICAM-1; and the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-1β of SMP groups and Bifendate group were decreased significantly (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). In conclusion, SMPs can effectively inhibit TLR4/MyD88 inflammatory signaling pathway of LPS/d-GalN-induced liver injury in mice, and it may be part of the mechanism by which SMPs relieve excessive inflammation in the liver of mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wang
- 1College of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, China
| | - Chao Han
- 1College of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, China
| | - Jiaojiao Qin
- 1College of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wei
- 1College of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, China
| | - Xufeng Qian
- 1College of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, China
| | - Yongzhan Bao
- 1College of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, China
| | - Wanyu Shi
- 1College of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, China.,2Hebei Provincial Engineering Center for Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Baoding, China
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Qiu H, Mao D, Tang N, Long F, Zhang R, Wang M, Shi Q, Li J, Jiang Q, Chen Y, Wang X. The underlying mechanisms of Jie-Du-Hua-Yu granule for protecting rat liver failure. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2019; 13:589-600. [PMID: 30809090 PMCID: PMC6376884 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s180969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Jie-Du-Hua-Yu (JDHY) granule is a combination of six traditional Chinese medicines with known therapeutic effect in treating acute liver failure (ALF). The aim of this study was to investigate the amelioration efficacy of JDHY in lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine (LPS/D-GalN)-induced ALF in rat and explore the possible molecular mechanism underlying the therapeutic efficacy. Materials and methods The efficacy of JDHY was determined by assessing hepatic pathology and function in LPS and D-GalN challenged Wistar rat. We also evaluated the effect of JDHY on LPS-induced Kupffer cells by measuring inflammatory cytokines and determining the phenotypic function. By means of bioinformatics analysis of liver tissue and validation in Kupffer cells, we identified possible pathways involved in the pharmacologic action of mechanism of JDHY. Results JDHY could attenuate LPS-induced liver injury in rat by inhibiting apoptosis and increasing hepatic activity. In vitro study showed that JDHY could decrease the production of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, IL6, and interferon-γ), increase anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL10, IL13), and promote cell survival and proliferation, possibly due to inhibition of IκB/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway and expression of CD14 and CXCL2, which was consistent with the findings from bioinformatics analysis. Conclusion Our results revealed that JDHY protected against LPS-induced liver damage both in vitro and in vivo, by inhibiting the NF-κB-mediated inflammatory pathway, indicating its potential function to treat liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Qiu
- Department of Liver Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi 530023, China,
| | - Dewen Mao
- Department of Liver Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi 530023, China,
| | - Nong Tang
- Graduate School, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi 530200, China,
| | - Fuli Long
- Department of Liver Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi 530023, China,
| | - Rongzhen Zhang
- Department of Liver Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi 530023, China,
| | - Minggang Wang
- Department of Liver Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi 530023, China,
| | - Qinglan Shi
- Department of Liver Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi 530023, China,
| | - Jiahuan Li
- Department of Liver Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi 530023, China,
| | - Qin Jiang
- Department of Liver Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi 530023, China,
| | - Yueqiao Chen
- Department of Liver Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi 530023, China,
| | - Xiufeng Wang
- Department of Liver Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi 530023, China,
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17
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Yuan X, Bhat OM, Lohner H, Li N, Zhang Y, Li PL. Inhibitory effects of growth differentiation factor 11 on autophagy deficiency-induced dedifferentiation of arterial smooth muscle cells. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2019; 316:H345-H356. [PMID: 30462553 PMCID: PMC6397385 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00342.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Growth differentiation factor (GDF)11 has been reported to reverse age-related cardiac hypertrophy in mice and cause youthful regeneration of cardiomyocytes. The present study attempted to test a hypothesis that GDF11 counteracts the pathologic dedifferentiation of mouse carotid arterial smooth muscle cells (CASMCs) due to deficient autophagy. By real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, exogenously administrated GDF11 was found to promote CASMC differentiation with increased expression of various differentiation markers (α-smooth muscle actin, myogenin, myogenic differentiation, and myosin heavy chain) as well as decreased expression of dedifferentiation markers (vimentin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen). Upregulation of the GDF11 gene by trichostatin A (TSA) or CRISPR-cas9 activating plasmids also stimulated the differentiation of CASMCs. Either GDF11 or TSA treatment blocked 7-ketocholesterol-induced CASMC dedifferentiation and autophagosome accumulation as well as lysosome inhibitor bafilomycin-induced dedifferentiation and autophagosome accumulation. Moreover, in CASMCs from mice lacking the CD38 gene, an autophagy deficiency model in CASMCs, GDF11 also inhibited its phenotypic transition to dedifferentiation status. Correspondingly, TSA treatment was shown to decrease GDF11 expression and reverse CASMC dedifferentiation in the partial ligated carotid artery of mice. The inhibitory effects of TSA on dedifferentiation of CASMCs were accompanied by reduced autophagosome accumulation in the arterial wall, which was accompanied by attenuated neointima formation in partial ligated carotid arteries. We concluded that GDF11 promotes CASMC differentiation and prevents the phenotypic transition of these cells induced by autophagosome accumulation during different pathological stimulations, such as Western diet, lysosome function deficiency, and inflammation. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present study demonstrates that growth differentiation factor (GDF)11 promotes autophagy and subsequent differentiation in carotid arterial smooth muscle cells. Upregulation of GDF11 counteracts dedifferentiation under different pathological conditions. These findings provide novel insights into the regulatory role of GDF11 in the counteracting of sclerotic arterial diseases and also suggest that activation or induction of GDF11 may be a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment or prevention of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxu Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond, Virginia
| | - Owais M Bhat
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond, Virginia
| | - Hannah Lohner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond, Virginia
| | - Ningjun Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond, Virginia
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston , Houston, Texas
| | - Pin-Lan Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond, Virginia
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18
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Yuan X, Bhat OM, Meng N, Lohner H, Li PL. Protective Role of Autophagy in Nlrp3 Inflammasome Activation and Medial Thickening of Mouse Coronary Arteries. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2018; 188:2948-2959. [PMID: 30273598 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2018.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We hypothesized that autophagy and associated lysosome function serve as a critical modulator during Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (Nlrp3) inflammasome activation on proatherogenic stimuli. We first demonstrated that 7-ketocholesterol stimulated Nlrp3 inflammasome formation and activation as shown by increased colocalization of inflammasome components [Nlrp3 versus apoptosis associated speck-like protein (Asc) or caspase-1] and enhanced cleavage of caspase-1 into active caspase-1 to generate IL-1β in coronary artery smooth muscle cells. Deletion of the CD38 gene (CD38-/-) that regulates lysosome function and autophagic flux also led to Nlrp3 inflammasome formation and activation. In the presence of rapamycin, the effects of either 7-ketocholesterol treatment or CD38 gene deletion were abolished. The autophagy inhibitor spautin-1 and the lysosome function blocker bafilomycin A1 also enhanced Nlrp3 inflammasome formation and activation. In animal experiments, we found that increased colocalization of Nlrp3 versus Asc or caspase-1 enhanced IL-1β accumulation and caspase-1 activity in the coronary arterial wall of CD38-/- mice on the Western diet compared with CD38+/+ mice. This increased colocalization was blocked by treatment with rapamycin but enhanced by chloroquine, a water-soluble blocker of autophagic flux. Morphologic examinations confirmed that the media of coronary arteries was significantly thicker in CD38-/- mice on the Western diet than CD38+/+ mice. In conclusion, the deficiency of autophagic flux promotes Nlrp3 inflammasome formation and activation in coronary artery smooth muscle cells on proatherogenic stimulation, leading to medial thickening of the coronary arterial wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxu Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Owais M Bhat
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Nan Meng
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Hannah Lohner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Pin-Lan Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia.
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Meng N, Xia M, Lu YQ, Wang M, Boini KM, Li PL, Tang WX. Activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes in mouse hepatic stellate cells during Schistosoma J. infection. Oncotarget 2018; 7:39316-39331. [PMID: 27322427 PMCID: PMC5129935 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The major pathological changes during Schistosoma J. infection are characterized by granulomatous inflammation in the liver, a cellular immune response to schistosomal egg antigens. The molecular mechanisms initiating or promoting this schistosomal granulomatous inflammation remain poorly understood. In the present study, we first demonstrated that in mice infected with Schistosoma J. for 6 weeks exhibited increased levels of IL-1β in liver, a major product of NLRP3 inflammasomes and collagen deposition around the eosinophilic granuloma with Schistosoma J. eggs, which was substantially attenuated by caspase-1 inhibitor, YVAD. This activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome occurred in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), as shown by a marked increase in co-localization of IL-1β with HSCs marker, desmin. Using isolated, cultured mouse HSCs, we further explored the mechanisms by which soluble egg antigen (SEA) from Schistosoma J. activates NLRP3 inflammasomes. SEA induced the formation and activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes, which was associated with both redox regulation and lysosomal dysfunction, but not with potassium channel activation. These results suggest that NLRP3 inflammasome activation in HSCs may serve as an early mechanism to turn on the inflammatory response and thereby instigate liver fibrosis during Schistosoma J. infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Meng
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Xia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Ya-Qi Lu
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Mi Wang
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Krishna M Boini
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Pin-Lan Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Wang-Xian Tang
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Jang J, Jung Y, Chae S, Cho SH, Yoon M, Yang H, Shin SS, Yoon Y. Gangjihwan, a polyherbal composition, inhibits fat accumulation through the modulation of lipogenic transcription factors SREBP1C, PPARγ and C/EBPα. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2018; 210:10-22. [PMID: 28842339 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2017] [Revised: 08/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Gangjihwan (DF) which is composed of Ephedra intermedia, Lithospermum erythrorhizon, and Rheum palmatum has been used for the treatment of obesity in traditional medical clinics in Korea. AIM OF THE STUDY This study was conducted to standardize DF and elucidate its mechanism of action for inhibiting fat accumulation in adipocytes and adipose tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS The herbal ingredients of DF were extracted in water, 30% ethanol or 70% ethanol and freeze-dried followed by HPLC analyses. 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high-fat diet-induced obese mice were treated with each of the three DF preparations. Messenger RNA and protein expression levels were measured by real-time qPCR and Western blotting. RNA-Seq analyses were conducted to examine the effects of DF treatment on whole transcriptome of adipocyte. RESULTS (-)-Ephedrine and (+)-pseudoephedrine from E. intermedia, aloe-emodin and chrysophanol from R. palmatum and shikonin from L. erythrorhizon were identified as phytochemical components of DF. DF caused dose-dependent inhibition of fat accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. It also significantly reduced adipose tissue mass and adipocyte size in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. DF was found to down-regulate the expressions of the lipogenic transcription factors such as sterol regulatory element binding protein 1C (SREBP1C), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα). Among the three preparations of DF, the 70% ethanol extract was the most effective. RNA-Seq analyses showed that DF treatment decreased the expression levels of up-regulators and increased those of down-regulators of lipogenic transcription factors. CONCLUSIONS DF preparations, among which 70% ethanol extract was the most effective, reduced fat accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high-fat diet-induced obese mice through the down-regulation of lipogenic transcription factors SREBP1C, PPARγ and C/EBPα.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaewoong Jang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonju Jung
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Seyeon Chae
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Hyun Cho
- Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul 06973, Republic of Korea
| | - Michung Yoon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mokwon University, Daejon 35349, Republic of Korea
| | - Heejung Yang
- College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea.
| | - Soon Shik Shin
- Department of Formula Sciences and Research Center of Korean Medicine for Diabetes and Obesity, College of Korean Medicine, Dong-eui University, Busan 47227, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yoosik Yoon
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea.
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Zhang X, Ding J, Gou C, Wen T, Li L, Wang X, Yang H, Liu D, Lou J, Chen D, Ren F, Li X. Qingchangligan formula attenuates the inflammatory response to protect the liver from acute failure induced by d-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide in mice. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2017; 201:108-116. [PMID: 27833028 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The Qingchangligan formula, a traditional Chinese medicine comprising five herbs, is useful for treatment of patients with liver failure; however, its protective and regulatory mechanisms remain elusive. AIM OF THE STUDY To test the hypothesis that the Qingchangligan formula protects mice against acute liver failure by inhibiting liver inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Acute liver failure (ALF) was induced by intraperitoneal injection of D-GalN (700mg/kg) plus LPS (10μg/kg). The Qingchangligan formula was administered to mice in three doses of 50mg/kg (on day 1, day 2, and day 3) prior to D-GalN/LPS injection by intragastric administration. The mice in different groups were sacrificed at 6h after D-GalN/LPS injection, and liver samples and blood were collected for analysis. RESULTS Administration of the Qingchangligan formula not only ameliorated liver injury, as evidenced by reduced transaminase levels and well-preserved liver architecture, but also decreased the lethality in ALF mice. Moreover, in the ALF model, pretreatment with the Qingchangligan formula alleviated liver inflammation and decreased hepatocyte apoptosis. Further demonstrating the protective effects of the Qingchangligan formula, we found that pretreatment with the Qingchangligan formula reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokines by decreasing the expression of components of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and promoting autophagy in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrated that the Qingchangligan formula exerts a protective effect against the pathophysiology of ALF, especially in regulating liver inflammation, and provide a rationale for using the Qingchangligan formula as a potential therapeutic strategy to ameliorate ALF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangying Zhang
- Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China; Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing 100069, PR China.
| | - Jianbo Ding
- Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China.
| | - Chunyan Gou
- Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China.
| | - Tao Wen
- Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, PR China.
| | - Li Li
- Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China.
| | - Xiaojun Wang
- Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China.
| | - Huasheng Yang
- Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China.
| | - Dan Liu
- Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China.
| | - Jinli Lou
- Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China.
| | - Dexi Chen
- Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China; Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing 100069, PR China.
| | - Feng Ren
- Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China; Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing 100069, PR China.
| | - Xiuhui Li
- Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China.
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Appiah S, Revitt M, Jones H, Vu M, Simmonds M, Bell C. Antiinflammatory and Hepatoprotective Medicinal Herbs as Potential Substitutes for Bear Bile. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2017; 135:149-180. [PMID: 28807157 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2017.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) commonly prescribe medicinal formulations relying on the purported synergism of a combination of plant species, sometimes incorporating animal parts and minerals. Bear bile, obtained from either wild or farmed bears, is a commonly used constituent of traditional medicine formulations. With several bear species now listed under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora as threatened with extinction and with bear farming being actively campaigned against on ethical grounds, it is important to seek and promote alternatives to the use of bear bile as medicine. This chapter describes and evaluates the scientific data relating to the efficacy of bear bile and potential alternatives to its use, including the use of bile from other animal species, the use of synthetic chemical alternatives, and the use of herbal substitutes. Scientific studies have confirmed the efficacy of bear bile as an antiinflammatory and a hepatoprotective agent. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), the active component of bear bile is used in a synthetic form in Western medicine and can serve as an alternative to bear bile in the treatment and management of certain cholestatic liver conditions. In TCM practice, bile from domesticated animal species (such as cattle, chicken, and pig) has been used as a substitute for bear bile. Following evaluation of TCM literature and pharmacological/clinical data, the authors propose six plant species, either as single herbs or in combination, Gardenia jasminoides (zhī zi; ), Scutellaria baicalensis (huáng qín; ), Coptis chinensis (huáng lián, ), Phellodendron amurense (huáng băi; ), Andrographis paniculata (chuan xin lian; ), and Rheum palmatum (dà huang; ), two medicinal Kampo formulations, Orengedokuto, Dia-Orengedokuto (which originated from traditional Chinese herbal formula Huanglian Jiedu Tang, ), and two individual phytochemicals (berberine and andrographolide) as alternatives to bear bile. The proposed herbal alternatives are frequently found listed in traditional formulations also containing bear bile, usually with different therapeutic roles ascribed to them. The existing evidence base for the effectiveness of herbal alternatives is sufficiently strong for TCM practitioners and consumers to consider using these without the addition of bear bile. This consideration is driven by the imperative to protect populations of bears from overexploitation in the wild and when farmed. However, for the identified alternatives to be accepted by users, it is essential that researchers and TCM practitioners collaborate effectively to initiate consumer behavior change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Appiah
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, Hendon, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Mike Revitt
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, Hendon, London, United Kingdom
| | - Huw Jones
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, Hendon, London, United Kingdom
| | - Milan Vu
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, Hendon, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Celia Bell
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, Hendon, London, United Kingdom
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Herbal Compound "Jiedu Huayu" Reduces Liver Injury in Rats via Regulation of IL-2, TLR4, and PCNA Expression Levels. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2017; 2017:9819350. [PMID: 28197212 PMCID: PMC5288544 DOI: 10.1155/2017/9819350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Aim of the Study. To investigate the preventative effects of Jiedu Huayu (JDHY) on D-galactosamine (D-GalN) and lipopolysaccharide-induced acute liver failure (ALF) and to evaluate the possible mechanisms of action. Materials and Methods. ALF was induced in Wistar rats by administrating D-GalN (900 mg/kg) and lipopolysaccharide (10 μg/kg). After treatment with JDHY granules, the levels of blood alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and prothrombin time were determined. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen was detected by immunohistochemistry staining. The expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was examined by fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. Results. JDHY treatment dramatically improved liver function and increased survival rates in an ALF model in rats. We observed a decrease in IL-2 and TLR4 expression following treatment with JDHY in liver cells from ALF rats using qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Conclusion. We hypothesize that the therapeutic potential of JDHY for treating ALF is due to its modulatory effect on the suppression of inflammation and by promoting hepatocyte regeneration. Our results contribute towards validation of the traditional use of JDHY in the treatment of liver disease.
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