Effect of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch polysaccharide on growth performance and immunologic function in mice in Ural City, Xinjiang

Effects of supplemental Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide on growth performance and intestinal health in weaned piglets

In this study, we investigated the effects of supplemental Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide (GCP) on growth performance and intestinal health of weaned piglets. Ninety piglets weaned at 28 days of age were randomly allocated to three groups with five replicates per treatment. Piglets were fed the following diets for 28 days: (1) CON (control group), basal diet; (2) G500, CON + 500 mg/kg GCP; (3) G1000, CON + 1000 mg/kg GCP. The results showed that supplementation with 1000 mg/kg GCP increased the average daily gain (ADG) and decreased the feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) (P < 0.05). Serum diamine oxidase (DAO) and D-lactic acid (DL-A) levels were lower in the G1000 group (P < 0.05). Dietary GCP 1000 mg/kg improved mucosal trypsin activity in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum and increased lipase and amylase activity in the jejunum (P < 0.05). Moreover, in the G1000 group, ZO-1, claudin 1 and occludin levels were increased in the jejunum mucosa, whereas interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 levels were decreased (P < 0.05). The 16S rRNA gene analysis indicated that dietary 1000 mg/kg GCP altered the jejunal microbial community, with increased relative abundances of beneficial bacteria. In conclusion, dietary GCP 1000 mg/kg can improve growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, intestinal immunity, barrier function and microbial community in weaned piglets.

Combining cashew gum with cyclophosphamide in murine melanoma model: A strategy for the reduction of side effects

The understanding of cancer immunity and antitumor factors generated by natural polysaccharides is not yet fully comprehended. Polysaccharides, like cashew gum (CG), can exhibit immunomodulatory action and may assist in the antitumor process and side effects relieve. This study aimed to determine the antitumor effect of CG alone or in combination with cyclophosphamide (CTX), and its interactions with immune cells, in a murine melanoma model, using the B16-F10 cell line. Tumor growth inhibition, hematological, histopathological, ELISA, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and qRT-PCR analyses were performed to elucidate the antitumor potential, involvement of immune cells, and potential toxic effects. CG showed significant tumor growth inhibition, reaching up to 42.9 % alone and 51.4 % in combination with CTX, with mild toxicity to organs. CG enhanced leukocyte count, even in the presence of CTX. Furthermore, CG influenced the activation of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM), characterized by an increase in Il4, as well as a reduction in Ifng, Il1b, Tgfb, and Il6 gene expression. Nevertheless, these effects did not compromise the antitumor activity of CG. In summary, the combination of CG with CTX is a promising approach for leukopenia, one of the most important side effects of cancer treatment and deserves further investigation.

The traditional use, structure, and immunostimulatory activity of bioactive polysaccharides from traditional Chinese root medicines: A review

As research on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has expanded, our understanding of the role it can have in controlling the immune system has increased. Polysaccharides from medicinal plants exhibit numerous beneficial therapeutic properties, presumably owing to their modulation of innate immunity and macrophage function. Numerous studies have demonstrated the multiple ways whereby certain polysaccharides can affect the immune system. In addition to stimulating immune cells, such as T cells, B lymphocytes, macrophages, and natural killer cells, polysaccharides stimulate complements and increase cytokine secretion. The biological functions of polysaccharides are directly correlated with their structures. This paper summarizes the sources, TCM uses, extraction and purification methods, structural characterization, in vitro and in vivo immune activities, and underlying molecular mechanisms of TCM root polysaccharides. Moreover, the structure-activity relationships of TCM root polysaccharides are emphasized and discussed. This review can provide a scientific basis for the research and industrial utilization of TCM root polysaccharides.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides improve lipid metabolism disorders of spotted sea bass Lateolabrax maculatus induced by high lipid diet

This experiment explored the effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on lipid metabolism of spotted sea bass Lateolabrax maculatus. Blank and experimental control diets with 100 and 150 g/kg lipid were designed, respectively, and three dosages of LBP (0.75, 1.00, 1.25 g/kg) were supplemented in the experimental control diet. A total 375 of spotted sea bass (19.33 ± 0.15) g were divided into 5 groups, and were given experimental diets for 56 days, respectively. Results showed fish were induced to lipid metabolism disorders with dietary 150 g/kg lipid intake, which manifested in reduced feeding, oxidative stress, elevated serum lipid, and more severe hepatic damage. Dietary LBP improved the lipid metabolism disorders of fish, as indicated by significant enhancements in weight gain, digestion, superoxide dismutase activity, and decreases in malonaldehyde content, and activity of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. Accordingly, an improvement in the hepatic morphological and expression of lipid metabolism related genes, including FAS, PPAR-α, CPT1 and ATGL, was observed. Nevertheless, no significant variation in serum triglyceride and total cholesterol was observed. Overall, dietary LBP can improve the growth, digestion, antioxidant capacity, and liver health of spotted sea bass, thereby improving the lipid metabolism disorders induced by 150 g/kg dietary lipid intake.

Preparation and structural characterization of acid-extracted polysaccharide from Grifola frondosa and antitumor activity on S180 tumor-bearing mice

In this study, an acid-extracted polysaccharide (GFP-A) was extracted from the fruiting bodies of G. frondosa with 1 % hydrochloric acid solution. Our study aimed to imitate the processes of digestion, absorption and antitumor activities of polysaccharides from G. frondosa under the acid environment of stomach in the body. The preliminary structural analysis resulted that GFP-A (about 1.10 × 10⁶ Da) was a neutral polysaccharide composed of xylose, mannose, glucose (molar ratio: 0.12:1.00:6.98) with α-type glycosidic linkages. Additionally, antitumor activities on S180 tumor-bearing mice showed that GFP-A could effectively inhibit the growth of S180 tumor cells by protecting immune organs (thymus and spleen), activating immune cells (NK cells, lymphocytes and macrophages), upregulating the secretion of serum cytokines (TNF-α, IL-2 and IFN-γ) in vivo. H & E staining and cell cycle determination further demonstrated that GFP-A could induce S180 tumor cells apoptosis via arresting them in G₁ phase. These results demonstrated that GFP-A could provide a theoretical basis for treatment of cancer.

Dietary Polysaccharide-Rich Extract from Noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) Fruit Modified Ruminal Fermentation, Ruminal Bacterial Community and Nutrient Digestion in Cashmere Goats

In two consecutive studies, we evaluated the effects of polysaccharide-rich noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) fruit extract (NFP) on ruminal fermentation, ruminal microbes and nutrient digestion in cashmere goats. In Exp. 1, the effects of a diet containing NFP of 0, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.55% on in vitro ruminal fermentation at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 h were determined, whereas in Exp. 2, fourteen cashmere goats (46.65 ± 3.36 kg of BW ± SD) were randomly assigned to two treatments: the basal diet with or without (CON) supplementation of NFP at 4 g per kg DM (0.4%). The in vitro results showed that NFP linearly increased concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFA), quadratically decreased ammonia-N concentration, and changed pH, protozoa number, gas production and the microbial protein (MCP) concentration, and was more effective at 0.4% addition, which yielded similar results in ruminal fermentation in Exp. 2. In addition, NFP increased the apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein and the abundance of Firmicutes, and reduced the abundance of Bacteroides and Actinobacteria. Ruminococcus_1 was positively associated with VFA concentration. The Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group was positively correlated with protozoa and negatively correlated with MCP concentration. Thus, NFP has potential as a ruminal fermentation enhancer for cashmere goats.

Immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects of Glycyrrhiza uralensis polysaccharide in Lohmann Brown chickens

Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide extract 1 (GPS-1) is a bioactive component isolated from Glycyrrhiza uralensis, also known as Chinese licorice. It appears to be pharmacologically active as an antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-tumor agent. GPS-1 has also been shown to buffer liver health and regulate the immune system. Moreover, GPS-1 is low cost and easy to extract. More study was needed to elucidate the biochemical pathways underlying the immunomodulatory and antioxidant benefits observed in Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide extract 1 (GPS-1). in vitro experiments on chicken lymphocytes and dendritic cells (DCs) show that GPS-1 significantly promotes the proliferation of immune cells and is linked to lymphocytes' secretion of IL-12, IFN-γ, and TNF-α by. DC secretion of NO, IL-2, IL-1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-12p70 was also increased significantly. Additionally, GPS-1 also displayed a significant antioxidant effect in vitro, able to scavenge DPPH, hydrogen peroxide, ABTS, and other free radicals like superoxide anions. Separately, GPS-1 was tested in vivo in combination with the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) - attenuated vaccine. 120 Lohmann Brown chickens were vaccinated, while another 30 became the unvaccinated blank control (BC) group. For three consecutive days 1 mL of GPS-1 was administered at doses of 19.53 μg/mL, 9.77 μg/mL, or 4.88 μg/mL to the ND-vaccinated birds, except for the vaccine control (VC), where n = 30 per group. In vivo results show that GPS-1 combined with Newcastle disease (ND) vaccine had the best efficacy at significantly increasing chickens' body weight and ND serum antibody titer, enhancing their secretion of IL-2 and IFN- γ, and promoting the development of immune organs. The results also indicate that GPS-1 was able increase the proliferation of in vitro immune cells and elevate their cytokine secretion, which enhances the body's immune response. GPS-1 also clearly has the potential to be used as an immune adjuvant alongside ND vaccination.

Isolation, Characterization, Pharmacology and Biopolymer Applications of Licorice Polysaccharides: Review

Licorice is known as "Gan-Cao" in traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), belonging to the genus Glycyrrhiza (Family: Fabaceae/Leguminosae). It has a long medicinal history and wide applications in China. Polysaccharides of licorice (LPs) are one of the key bioactive components. As herbal polysaccharides attracted increasing interest in the past several decades, their extraction, isolation, structural characterization, pharmacological activities, and medicinal application have been explored extensively. It is worth heeding that the method of extraction and purification effects LPs, apart from specie and origin specificity. This review evaluates the method of extraction and purification and demonstrates its performance in gaining specific composition and its structure-activity relationship, which might lead the readers to a fresh horizon for developing advanced treatment strategies. It is recently reported that the conformation of LPs plays a vital role as biopolymers, such as selenized modification, microencapsulation, nanocomposite, liposome formulation, drug/hydrogel combinations, biosensor device, and synergistic effect with a vaccine. In addition, LPs showed a good thermodynamics profile, as these properties enable them to interact with additional supramolecular interaction by chemical modifications or copolymerization. Functional polymers that are responsive to various external stimuli, such as physical, chemical, and biological signals, are a promising study topic. Thus, LPs are emerging as a new biomaterial that can enhance intended formulation along exerting its inherent medicinal effects. It is hoped that this review will provide a basis for the utilization and further developments of licorice polysaccharides in the vast medium.

Immunometabolism modulation, a new trick of edible and medicinal plants in cancer treatment

The edible and medicinal plants (EMPs) are becoming an abundant source for cancer prevention and treatment since the natural and healthy trend for modern human beings. Currently, there are more than one hundred species of EMPs widely used and listed by the national health commission of China, and most of them indicate immune or metabolic regulation potential in cancer treatment with numerous studies over the past two decades. In the present review, we focused on the metabolic influence in immunocytes and tumor microenvironment, including immune response, immunosuppressive factors and cancer cells, discussing the immunometabolic potential of EMPs in cancer treatment. There are more than five hundred references collected and analyzed through retrieving pharmacological studies deposited in PubMed by medical subject headings and the corresponding names derived from pharmacopoeia of China as a sole criterion. Finally, the immunometabolism modulation of EMPs was sketch out implying an immunometabolic control in cancer treatment.

TiaochangXiaoliu decoction inhibits azomethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colorectal cancer by regulating immune response

Background

TiaochangXiaoliu decoction (TXD) has an anti-tumor effect in clinical practice. We further investigated the role of TXD in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

Mouse models of CRC were induced by azomethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), with sixty male C57BL/6 mice randomly divided into six groups (10 mice/group): a control group, AOM/DSS group, TXD at low dose (L-dose) group, middle dose (M-dose) group, high dose (H-dose) group, and Celecoxib (Cel) group. The colorectum, serum, and plasma of mice in each group was collected following sacrifice to record the number of tumors. HE staining was utilized for observing pathological damage to colorectal tissues, ELISA used for detecting INF-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α expression in serum, and flow cytometry used for measuring the proportion of CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD4⁺/CD8⁺, and NK cells in plasma.

Results

Compared with the control group, the AOM/DSS group showed tumor masses in the colorectum and different degrees of pathological damage in the intestine. AOM/DSS induction also resulted in an increase in INF-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α expression in serum, and a decrease in the percentages of CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD4⁺/CD8⁺, and NK cells(P<0.05). In comparison with the AOM/DSS group, with the increase of TXD dose, the number of tumors decreased significantly, and intestinal structure and mucosal inflammatory cell infiltration also improved. Further, in comparison with the AOM/DSS group, all three doses of TXD and celecoxib caused an increase in the contents of CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD4⁺/CD8⁺, and NK cells in plasma. In addition, in the M-dose, H-dose, and Cel groups, INF-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α expression showed a marked decrease, and the reduction in these two groups treated with TXD was dose-dependent.

Conclusions

TXD leads to a marked reduction in the number of tumors and inflammatory cell infiltration in CRC mice. This decoction significantly decreased the levels of INF-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α in serum, and increased the contents of CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD4⁺/CD8⁺, and NK cell in the plasma of mice with AOM/DSS-induced CRC.

Natural deep eutectic solvents as tailored and sustainable media for the extraction of five compounds from compound liquorice tablets and their comparison with conventional organic solvents

An efficient and environmentally friendly ultrasound-assisted (UAE) natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) extraction method was applied for the extraction of five bioactive compounds (liquiritin, isoliquiritin, liquiritigenin, glycyrrhizic acid and isoliquiritigenin) from compound liquorice tablets (CPLTs), and the antioxidant activities of these compounds were evaluated. In this study, eighteen different NADES systems based on either two or three components were tested and a 1,4-butanediol–levulinic acid system (1 : 3 molar ratio) was selected as a topgallant solvent for maximizing analyte extraction yields. Various extraction parameters, such as water content, liquid/solid ratio, extraction time and temperature, were systematically optimized by single-factor and response surface methodology (RSM) experiments. The results indicated that the optimum extraction conditions for the analytes featured a water content of 17%, a liquid/solid ratio of 42 mL g⁻¹ and an extraction time of 30 min. The extracted amounts of liquiritin, isoliquiritin, liquiritigenin, glycyrrhizic acid and isoliquiritigenin reached 5.60, 3.17, 1.27, 74.62 and 1.34 mg g⁻¹, respectively, under optimized conditions, which were much higher than those extracted using conventional organic solvents. In addition, antioxidant tests revealed that the NADES extracts showed higher DPPH and hydroxyl radical-scavenging capacity than the conventional solvent extracts used for comparison. This study provides a suitable approach for efficiently extracting the bioactive compounds of CPLTs. Meanwhile, NADESs can be extended to other natural products as green extraction media.

A 1,4-butanediol–levulinic acid system was selected as a topgallant solvent and extraction parameters were optimized. NADES extracts exhibited higher extraction efficiency and in vitro antioxidant activities than conventional solvent extracts.

Effects of dietary Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide on growth, serum biochemistry, immunity, and egg laying in quail

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide (GCP) on growth performance, serum biochemistry, immunity, and egg laying in female quail. 300 1-day-old female quail were sorted into four dietary treatments with five replicate cages of 15 birds each. The basic diet in the four treatment groups was supplemented with 0, 500, 1000 and 1500 mg/kg GCP, and the experiment continued for 80 days. Results showed that dietary supplementation with GCP significantly (p < 0.05) increased average daily gain in a dose-dependent fashion, and decreased (p < 0.05) the feed-to-gain ratio and mortality. The relative weights of the thymus and bursa of Fabricius increased (p < 0.05) linearly with increasing dose of GCP from 0 to 1500 mg/kg on day 20. GCP birds showed higher serum levels of protein, glucose, immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin M, but lower serum triglycerides (p < 0.05) on day 50. GCP increased (p < 0.05) average laying rate and average egg weight linearly from days 60 to 80, whereas feed to egg ratio was decreased (p < 0.05). Taken together, these results revealed that GCP could improve growth performance, serum biochemistry, immunity, and egg laying in female quail. Therefore, GCP may be a potential replacement for antibiotic growth promoters in poultry.

Effects of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides on Immunity and the Gut Microbiota in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Mice

The mechanism of immunoregulation by Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) was assessed by studying the effect of LBP on the immunity and the gut microbiota. LBP isolated and purified in this study was composed of nine monosaccharides, with an Mw 1,207 kDa. LBP showed immunomodulatory activity in cyclophosphamide (Cy)-treated mice by restoring the damaged immune organs and adjusting the T lymphocyte subsets. We also found that LBP increased the diversity of the gut microbiota and the relative abundances of bacteria, such as Rickenellaceae, Prevotellaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae, and so on, which were positively associated with immune traits. In addition, Caco2 cells model was used to explore the intestinal absorption of LBP. Results showed that LBP was hardly absorbed in the intestine, which suggesting that most LBP may interact with gut microbiota. These findings suggest that the immune response induced by LBP is associated with the regulation of the gut microbiota.

Protective effects of a polysaccharide from Boletus aereus on S180 tumor-bearing mice and its structural characteristics

A polysaccharide from the aqueous extract of Boletus aereus fruit (BAP) was isolated. The antitumor activities of BAP and/or cyclophosphamide (CTX) were investigated using the model of S180 tumor-bearing mice. Results indicated that BAP could effectively inhibit the growth of S180 solid tumors and protect the immune organs. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, and mitochondrial membrane potential analysis demonstrated that BAP could induce the apoptosis of S180 tumor cells. In combination with CTX, BAP exhibited a significant synergistic antitumor effect on S180 cells. Furthermore, a novel polysaccharide, namely, BAPF, was purified from BAP by using DEAE Cellulose-52 column and Sephadex G-100 gel column. Structural characterization revealed that BAPF was primarily composed of mannose, glucuronic acid, glucose, galactose, arabinose, and fucose at a proportion of 12.98:1:16.8:16.48:1.08:9.1. Its average molecular weight was 1.79 × 10⁶ Da. FTIR and NMR analyses demonstrated that BAPF was a pyranose with α-type and β-type glycosidic residues.

Effects of Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide in diet on growth performance, serum antioxidant capacity, and biochemistry of broilers

In the present study, we analyzed the effects of Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide (GCP) on growth performance, serum antioxidant capacity, and biochemistry of broilers. A total of 600, one-day-old AA broilers randomly divided into 5 treatment groups with 6 replicate pens of 20 birds per cage received dietary supplementation with GCP (0, 200, 500, 1,000, and 1,500 mg/kg) for 42 d. The supplementation of GCP linearly decreased (P < 0.05) feed conversion rate on day 22 to 42. Dietary supplementation with GCP reduced (P < 0.05) serum total cholesterol on day 21 and 42 and linearly improved (P < 0.05) albumin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Dietary supplementation with 1,000 or 1,500 mg/kg GCP significantly increased (P < 0.05) serum total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity on day 21 and 42 and reduced (P < 0.05) serum malondialdehyde content on 21 d. Dietary supplementation with 1,000 or 1,500 mg/kg GCP significantly improved (P < 0.05) interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) expressions in liver on day 21 and 42. At the end of the experiment, we randomly selected 20 broilers from 3 treatment groups (0, 1,000, and 1,500 mg/kg), respectively, to perform an lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute stress experiment. The 60 broilers were divided into 6 treatment groups with 10 birds per cage. The experiment was designed as a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement with GCP (0, 1,000, or 1,500 mg/kg) and LPS (injection of saline or 1 mg/kg body weight) levels as treatments. When the grouping was finished, the broilers were immediately intraperitoneally injected with LPS or normal saline. Six hours after challenged, serum antioxidant and liver immunity were analyzed. The results showed that dietary GCP prevented LPS-induced reductions in T-SOD activity and increases in malonaldehyde content (P < 0.05). Also, dietary GCP supplementation mitigated the LPS-induced increase in IL-1β and IFN-γ in the liver. Supplementation with 1,500 mg/kg GCP showed the most optimal effect in broilers. GCP has the potential to be used as feed additive in broilers.

Structural characterization of a novel polysaccharide from Pleurotus citrinopileatus and its antitumor activity on H22 tumor-bearing mice

In this research, a novel polysaccharide (PCP) was extracted from Pleurotus citrinopileatus and purified by Sephadex G-150 gel column, and its antitumor activity was investigated using the model H22 tumor-bearing mice. PCP was found to be composed of arabinose, galactose, glucose, xylose, mannose and glucuronic acid in a proportion of 0.66: 14.59: 10.77: 1: 0.69: 0.23 with average molecular weight of 7.30 × 10⁵ Da. Further analysis suggested that PCP was a pyranose with α-type and β-type glycosidic residues. The antitumor assays in vivo indicated that PCP could effectively suppress H22 solid tumor growth, protect immune organs and improve inflammation and anemia. Besides, Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining and JC-1 staining demonstrated that PCP could induce apoptosis of H22 hepatoma cells. The PI staining assay revealed that PCP induced H22 hepatoma cells apoptosis by arresting cell cycle in S phase. These results suggest that the polysaccharide from Pleurotus citrinopileatus possesses potential value in the treatment of liver cancer.

Polysaccharides from Hemp Seed Protect against Cyclophosphamide-Induced Intestinal Oxidative Damage via Nrf2-Keap1 Signaling Pathway in Mice

Hemp seed has been used as a traditional oriental medicine and health food in China for centuries. Polysaccharides from hemp seed (HSP) exhibit important properties of intestinal protection, but there are limited data on the specific underlying mechanism. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the protective effect of HSP on intestinal oxidative damage induced by cyclophosphamide (Cy) in mice. The results showed that pretreatment with HSP significantly increased the average daily gain, thymus index, spleen index, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in serum and ileal homogenate and significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content in ileal homogenate. In addition, the expression levels of SOD, GSH-Px, Nrf2, heme oxidase-1 (HO-1), and quinoneoxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) mRNA in ileal homogenate were significantly increased. Western blot results showed that HSP significantly upregulated the expression of Nrf2 protein and downregulated the expression of Keap1 protein in the ileum. Collectively, our findings indicated that HSP had protective effects on intestinal oxidative damage induced by Cy in mice, and its mechanism might be related to the activation of Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway.

Deciphering the multicomponent synergy mechanisms of SiNiSan prescription on irritable bowel syndrome using a bioinformatics/network topology based strategy

BACKGROUND

SiNiSan (SNS) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription that has been widely used in the clinical treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, the underlying active substances and molecular mechanisms remain obscure.

PURPOSE

A bioinformatics/topology based strategy was proposed for identification of the drug targets, therapeutic agents and molecular mechanisms of SiNiSan against irritable bowel syndrome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this work, a bioinformatics/network topology based strategy was employed by integrating ADME filtering, text mining, bioinformatics, network topology, Venn analysis and molecular docking to uncover systematically the multicomponent synergy mechanisms. In vivo experimental validation was executed in a Visceral Hypersensitivity (VHS) rat model.

RESULTS

76 protein targets and 109 active components of SNS were identified. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that 116 disease pathways associated with IBS therapy could be classified into the 19 statistically enriched functional sub-groups. The multi-functional co-synergism of SNS against IBS were predicted, including inflammatory reaction regulation, oxidative-stress depression regulation and hormone and immune regulation. The multi-component synergetic effects were also revealed on the herbal combination of SNS. The hub-bottleneck genes of the protein networks including PTGS2, CALM2, NOS2, SLC6A3 and MAOB, MAOA, CREB1 could become potential drug targets and Paeoniflorin, Naringin, Glycyrrhizic acid may be candidate agents. Experimental results showed that the potential mechanisms of SiNiSan treatment involved in the suppression of activation of Dopaminergic synapse and Amphetamine addiction signaling pathways, which are congruent with the prediction by the systematic approach.

CONCLUSION

The integrative investigation based on bioinformatics/network topology strategy may elaborate the multicomponent synergy mechanisms of SNS against IBS and provide the way out to develop new combination medicines for IBS.

The role of PERK and IRE1 signaling pathways in excessive fluoride mediated impairment of lymphocytes in rats' spleen in vivo and in vitro

Fluoride is capable of inducing immunotoxicity, but its molecular mechanisms remain elusive. This study aimed to explore the roles of Protein kinase receptor-like ER kinase (PERK) and inositol requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) signaling pathways in excessive fluoride-induced immunotoxicity, focusing on the regulatory roles of these two pathways in cell division and apoptosis. Firstly, we assessed the changes in cell division and apoptosis in rats exposed to 0, 50, or 100 mg/L fluoride, and detected the expression of PERK and IRE1 signaling-related proteins in spleen. Additionally, to validate the role of these two pathways, we evaluated the changes in cell division and apoptosis of primary lymphocytes from rat's spleen to 4 mM fluoride after knockdown of PERK and IRE1 in vitro. In vivo results confirmed that fluoride inhibited cell division, promoted the apoptosis and resulted in histological and ultrastructural abnormalities of rat spleen. In addition, fluoride induced activation of the PERK and IRE1 signalings and the associated apoptosis. Moreover, the in vitro results further verified the findings in vivo that fluoride activated these two signalings in B lymphocytes. Importantly, after knockdown of PERK and IRE1 in lymphocytes, the cell division ability was restored, and apoptosis decreased in fluoride-treated lymphocytes; the results correlated well with the expression of PERK and IRE1 signaling-related proteins, thus confirming the pivotal role of these pathways in immunosuppression by excessive fluoride. This study indicates that the mechanisms underlying the deleterious effects of fluoride on immune system are related to activation of the PERK and IRE1 signaling pathways.