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Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Rational Application of Cinnabar, Realgar, and Their Formulations. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:6369150. [PMID: 36204126 PMCID: PMC9532072 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6369150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological Relevance. Mineral medicines are widely used traditional Chinese medicines with curative effects. These medicines are used for many refractory diseases. Aim of the Review. In this review, cinnabar (HgS) and realgar (As₂S₂) serve as examples of mineral medicines, and their pharmacology, therapeutic toxicity, use in traditional medicine mixtures, and research perspectives are discussed. Materials and Methods. A search was performed for the literature on cinnabar and realgar in PubMed, the Chinese Pharmacopeia, Google, and other sources. The search included studies using single herbs, traditional formulations, or novel dosage forms. Results. Cinnabar and cinnabar formulas exhibit good efficacy for sedation, sleep improvement, anxiety alleviation, and brain protection. However, previous studies on neurotransmitters have reached different conclusions, and detailed pharmacological mechanisms are lacking. Realgar and its formulas exert promising antitumor activity through regulation of cell cycle arrest, intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis, induction of differentiation, autophagy, metabolic reprogramming, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) signaling, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In addition, realgar can be used to treat a variety of refractory diseases by regulating immunity and exerting antibacterial, antiviral, and other effects. However, the existing pharmacological research on the use of realgar for epidemic prevention is insufficient, and animal experiments and research at the cellular level are lacking. Inappropriate applications of cinnabar and realgar can cause toxicity, including neurotoxicity, liver toxicity, kidney toxicity, and genotoxicity. The toxicological mechanism is complex, and molecular-level research is limited. For clinical applications, theory and clinical experience must be combined to guide scientific and rational drug use and to achieve reduced toxicity and increased efficacy through the use of modern preparation methods or combined drugs. Notably, when cinnabar and realgar are used to treat targeted diseases, these agents have a bidirectional effect of “treatment” and “toxicity” on the central nervous system in pathological and normal states. The pharmacological and toxicological mechanisms need to be elucidated in greater detail in the future. Overall, systematic research is needed to provide a basis for better promotion of the rational use of cinnabar and realgar in the clinic. Conclusion. Mineral medicines are multicomponent, multiactivity, and multitargeted substances. The pharmacology and mechanisms of the toxicity and action of realgar and cinnabar are extremely complex. A number of Chinese medicinal preparations of realgar and cinnabar have demonstrated unique efficacy in the treatment of refractory diseases.
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Zhu Y, Ouyang Z, Du H, Wang M, Wang J, Sun H, Kong L, Xu Q, Ma H, Sun Y. New opportunities and challenges of natural products research: When target identification meets single-cell multiomics. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:4011-4039. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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Zhong X, Di Z, Xu Y, Liang Q, Feng K, Zhang Y, Di L, Wang R. Mineral medicine: from traditional drugs to multifunctional delivery systems. Chin Med 2022; 17:21. [PMID: 35144660 PMCID: PMC8830990 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-022-00577-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Mineral drugs are an important constituent of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Taking minerals that contain heavy metals as drugs is a very national characteristic part of TCM. However, the safety and scientific nature of mineral drugs are controversial owing to their heavy metals and strong toxicity. In 2000, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized arsenic trioxide (ATO) as first-line therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia. This makes the development and utilization of mineral drugs become a research hotspot. The development of nanomedicine has found a great prospect of mineral drugs in nano-delivery carriers. And that will hold promise to address the numerous biological barriers facing mineral drug formulations. However, the studies on mineral drugs in the delivery system are few at present. There is also a lack of a detailed description of mineral drug delivery systems. In this review, the advanced strategies of mineral drug delivery systems in tumor therapy are summarized. In addition, the therapeutic advantages and research progress of novel mineral drug delivery systems are also discussed. Here, we hope that this will provide a useful reference for the design and application of new mineral drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Zhong
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.,Jiangsu Provincial TCM Engineering Technology Research Center of High Efficient Drug Delivery System, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Zhenning Di
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.,Jiangsu Provincial TCM Engineering Technology Research Center of High Efficient Drug Delivery System, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yuanxin Xu
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.,Jiangsu Provincial TCM Engineering Technology Research Center of High Efficient Drug Delivery System, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Qifan Liang
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.,Jiangsu Provincial TCM Engineering Technology Research Center of High Efficient Drug Delivery System, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Kuanhan Feng
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.,Jiangsu Provincial TCM Engineering Technology Research Center of High Efficient Drug Delivery System, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yuting Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.,Jiangsu Provincial TCM Engineering Technology Research Center of High Efficient Drug Delivery System, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Liuqing Di
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China. .,Jiangsu Provincial TCM Engineering Technology Research Center of High Efficient Drug Delivery System, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Ruoning Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China. .,Jiangsu Provincial TCM Engineering Technology Research Center of High Efficient Drug Delivery System, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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Zhang S, Jiang X, Wang Y, Lin K, Zhang Z, Zhang Z, Zhu P, Ng ML, Qu S, Sze SCW, Yung KKL. Protective Effect of An-Gong-Niu-Huang Wan Pre-treatment Against Experimental Cerebral Ischemia Injury via Regulating GSK-3β/HO-1 Pathway. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:640297. [PMID: 33935731 PMCID: PMC8085595 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.640297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
An-Gong-Niu-Huang Wan (AGNHW), a famous formula in traditional Chinese medicine, has been clinically used for centuries for treating cerebral diseases, but the protective effects of pre-treatment with AGNHW on cerebral ischemia have not yet been reported. The present study aimed to test such protective effects and elucidate the underlying mechanisms on cerebral ischemia in rats by phenotypic approaches (i.e. including the neurological functional score, cerebral infarct area, neuron apoptosis, and brain oxidative stress status) and target-based approaches (i.e. involving the GSK-3β/HO-1 pathway). AGNHW was administered orally at the doses of 386.26, 772.52, and 1545.04 mg/kg respectively for 7 days to male Sprague-Dawley rats and then cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 1.5 h. Pre-treatment with AGNHW significantly ameliorated ischemic damage to the brain in a dose-dependent manner, including reduction of the neurological deficit score and infarct area. AGNHW pre-treatment increased the number of Nissl+ cells, NeuN+ and DCX+ cells, and decreased the number of Tunel+ cells. Moreover, AGNHW reversed the up-regulation of ROS and MDA induced by cerebral ischemia. AGNHW pre-treatment increased the expression of p-GSK-3β(Ser9)/GSK-3β (glycogen synthase kinase-3β) ratio and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). These results firstly revealed that short-term pre-treatment of AGNHW could significantly protect the rats from injury caused by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, which support further clinical studies for disease prevention. The in vivo protective effect of AGNWH pre-treatment could be associated with its antioxidant properties by the activation of GSK-3β-mediated HO-1 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqing Zhang
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Kowloon Tong, China.,HKBU Shenzhen Research Institute and Continuing Education, Shenzhen, China.,Golden Meditech Center for NeuroRegeneration Sciences, HKBU, HKSAR, Kowloon Tong, China
| | - Xiaoli Jiang
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Kowloon Tong, China.,Golden Meditech Center for NeuroRegeneration Sciences, HKBU, HKSAR, Kowloon Tong, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Kowloon Tong, China.,Golden Meditech Center for NeuroRegeneration Sciences, HKBU, HKSAR, Kowloon Tong, China
| | - Kaili Lin
- School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Kowloon Tong, China.,Golden Meditech Center for NeuroRegeneration Sciences, HKBU, HKSAR, Kowloon Tong, China
| | - Zhang Zhang
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Kowloon Tong, China.,Golden Meditech Center for NeuroRegeneration Sciences, HKBU, HKSAR, Kowloon Tong, China
| | - Zhu Zhang
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Kowloon Tong, China.,HKBU Shenzhen Research Institute and Continuing Education, Shenzhen, China.,Golden Meditech Center for NeuroRegeneration Sciences, HKBU, HKSAR, Kowloon Tong, China
| | - Peili Zhu
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Kowloon Tong, China.,HKBU Shenzhen Research Institute and Continuing Education, Shenzhen, China.,Golden Meditech Center for NeuroRegeneration Sciences, HKBU, HKSAR, Kowloon Tong, China
| | - Man Ling Ng
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Kowloon Tong, China.,Golden Meditech Center for NeuroRegeneration Sciences, HKBU, HKSAR, Kowloon Tong, China
| | - Shaogang Qu
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Stephen Cho Wing Sze
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Kowloon Tong, China.,HKBU Shenzhen Research Institute and Continuing Education, Shenzhen, China.,Golden Meditech Center for NeuroRegeneration Sciences, HKBU, HKSAR, Kowloon Tong, China
| | - Ken Kin Lam Yung
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Kowloon Tong, China.,HKBU Shenzhen Research Institute and Continuing Education, Shenzhen, China.,Golden Meditech Center for NeuroRegeneration Sciences, HKBU, HKSAR, Kowloon Tong, China
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The Herbal Constituents in An-Gong-Niu-Huang Wan (AGNH) Protect against Cinnabar- and Realgar-Induced Hepatorenal Toxicity and Accumulations of Mercury and Arsenic in Mice. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:5566078. [PMID: 33868437 PMCID: PMC8035015 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5566078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
An-Gong-Niu-Huang Wan (AGNH) has been a well-known cinnabar- and realgar-containing compound recipe for cerebral diseases. Unfortunately, its clinical practice is often restrained by the specific hepatorenal toxicity of cinnabar and realgar (C + R). In previous research studies, we have found that the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of its herbal constituents could mitigate the risks from the toxicity. The underlying detoxification mechanisms are still unsolved. The present study investigated the protective effects of AGNH's herbal constituents on hepatorenal injury induced by C + R. For the mice treated with C + R, the increased expression levels of sensitive biomarkers of metal exposure and hepatorenal toxicity, including metallothionein (MT) in both hepatorenal tissues and kidney induced molecule-1 (KIM-1) in the kidney, were simultaneously reduced when C + R coadministered with other herbal medicines. In addition, the contents of trivalent As (AsIII), pentavalent As (Asv), and mercury (Hg) in hepatorenal tissues of mice were also significantly reduced benefiting from the herbal constituents in AGNH. Further mechanism studies showed that the herbal constituents in AGNH could downregulate the expressions of uptake transporters (AQP9 and OAT1) and upregulate the expressions of efflux transporters (P-gp, MRP2, and MRP4) in mice intoxicated by C + R. Our results suggested that AGNH's herbal constituents protect the body against C + R-induced hepatorenal toxicity and accumulations of Hg and As, which could be associated with the reestablishment of heavy metal homeostasis and the detoxification system.
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Traditional Chinese Medicine "Pill", an Ancient Dosage Form with Surprising Modern Pharmaceutical Characteristics. Pharm Res 2021; 38:199-211. [PMID: 33604785 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-021-03007-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Currently, the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for healthy living in daily practice is widely accepted across the world. However, not much attention has been paid to the particular characteristics of TCM "pills", one of the classic dosage forms in TCM. For a better understanding, this review was undertaken to provide a modern pharmaceutical overview of pills. Over many centuries, pills have been developed in different types (honeyed pill, water-honeyed pill, watered pill, pasted pill, waxed pill, concentrated pill, and dripping pill) to achieve varying intended TCM release patterns. It suggests that knowledge relating to the impact of binders and excipients on drug release from TCM pills can be traced back to before dissolution testing was invented. Therefore, although Pills may be considered as an ancient and outdated dosage form compared to current drug delivery systems, they have surprisingly modern pharmaceutical properties that is highlighted in this article. In addition, this review found that the quality control standards for TCM pill are globally substantially different. Hence, greater effort should be taken to establish an internationally harmonized and proper standard to safeguard the quality of this dosage form and to ensure the alignment with TCM use.
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Liu Y, Xu S, Bian H, Qian Y, Li H, Shu S, Chen J, Cao X, Gu Y, Jin J, Zhang X, Xu Y, Zhu X. Xingnaojing ameliorates synaptic plasticity and memory deficits in an Aβ 1-42 induced mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. J Pharmacol Sci 2020; 143:245-254. [PMID: 32482409 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphs.2020.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The accumulation of insoluble amyloid β (Aβ) peptides is one of the pathological changes in Alzheimer's disease (AD), which induced synaptic plasticity impairment and excitatory amino acid toxicity associated with decreased memory function. Xingnaojing (XNJ), a well-known prescription in traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for the treatment of stroke for many years in China. In this study, we aim to investigate the therapeutic effects of XNJ in a hippocampus of Aβ1-42 induced mouse model of AD which showed significant memory loss and impaired synaptic morphology and function. Treatment of XNJ could attenuate spatial and working memory dysfunction, increase dendritic spine density and improve long-term potential (LTP) induction. In addition, XNJ treatment significantly increased the level of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and inhibit the NMDA/α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA) ratio in AD mice. XNJ treatment also activated the AKT/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, while inhibition of the mTOR pathway by rapamycin could reverse the protective effects of XNJ treatment. In conclusion, XNJ protected against synaptic plasticity and memory impairment in AD mice via the activation of AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, suggesting XNJ as an alternative treatment for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Liu
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Brain Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Siyi Xu
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Brain Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huijie Bian
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Brain Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi Qian
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Brain Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huiya Li
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Brain Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shu Shu
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Brain Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiang Chen
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Brain Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiang Cao
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Brain Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Gu
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Brain Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiali Jin
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Brain Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Brain Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yun Xu
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Brain Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Xiaolei Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Brain Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
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Hu AL, Song S, Li Y, Xu SF, Zhang F, Li C, Liu J. Mercury sulfide-containing Hua-Feng-Dan and 70W (Rannasangpei) protect against LPS plus MPTP-induced neurotoxicity and disturbance of gut microbiota in mice. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 254:112674. [PMID: 32105745 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Mercury sulfides (HgS) are frequently included in Ayurveda, Tibetan and Chinese medicines to assist the presumed therapeutic effects, but the ethnopharmacology remains elusive. The present study examined the protective effects of α-HgS-containing Hua-Feng-Dan and β-HgS-containing 70 Wei-Zhen-Zhu-Wan (70W, Rannasangpei) against Parkinson's disease mice induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). METHOD A single injection of LPS (5 mg/kg ip) was given to adult male C57BL/6 mice, and 150 days later, the low dose of MPTP (15 mg/kg, ip, for 4 days) was given to produce the "two-hit" Parkinson's disease model. Together with MPTP treatment, mice were fed with clinically-relevant doses of Hua-Feng-Dan (0.6 g/kg) and 70W (0.2 g/kg) for 35 days. Rotarod test was performed to examine muscle coordination capability. At the end of the experiment, brain was transcardially perfused with paraformaldehyde, the substantia nigra was sectioned for microglia (Iba1 staining) and dopaminergic neuron (THir staining) determination. Colon bacterial DNA was extracted and subjected to qPCR analysis with 16S rRNA probes. RESULTS The low-grade, chronic neuroinflammation produced by LPS aggravated MPTP neurotoxicity, as evidenced by decreased motor activity, intensified microglia activation and loss of dopaminergic neurons. Both Hua-Feng-Dan and 70W increased rotarod activity and ameliorated the pathological lesions in the brain. In gut microbiomes examined, LPS plus MPTP increased Verrucomicrobiaceae, Methanobacteriaceae, Pronicromonosporaceae, and Clostridaceae species were attenuated by Hua-Feng-Dan and 70W. CONCLUSIONS α-HgS-containing Hua-Feng-Dan and β-HgS-containing 70W at clinical doses protected against chronic LPS plus MPTP-induced toxicity to the brain and gut, suggesting HgS-containing traditional medicines could target gut microbiota as a mechanism of their therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- An-Ling Hu
- Key Lab for Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China.
| | - Sheng Song
- Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Yi Li
- Key Lab for Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China.
| | - Shang-Fu Xu
- Key Lab for Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China.
| | - Feng Zhang
- Key Lab for Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China.
| | - Cen Li
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810008, China.
| | - Jie Liu
- Key Lab for Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China.
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Tsoi B, Wang S, Gao C, Luo Y, Li W, Yang D, Yang D, Shen J. Realgar and cinnabar are essential components contributing to neuroprotection of Angong Niuhuang Wan with no hepatorenal toxicity in transient ischemic brain injury. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2019; 377:114613. [PMID: 31207256 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2019.114613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Realgar and cinnabar are commonly used mineral medicine containing arsenic and mercury in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Angong Niuhuang Wan (AGNHW) is a representative realgar- and cinnabar-containing TCM formula for treating acute ischemic stroke, but its toxicology and neuropharmacological effects are not well addressed. In this study, we compared the neuropharmacological effects of AGNHW and modified AGNHW in an experimental ischemic stroke rat model. Male SD rats were subjected to 2 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) plus 22 h of reperfusion. Although oral administration of AGNHW for 7 days in the rats increased arsenic level in the blood and liver tissue, there were no significant changes in the arsenic level in kidney, mercury level in the blood, liver and kidney as well as hepatic and renal functions in MCAO rats. AGNHW revealed neuroprotective properties by reducing infarction volume, preserving blood-brain barrier integrity and improving neurological functions against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Interestingly, removing realgar and/or cinnabar from AGNHW abolished the neuroprotective effects. Meanwhile, AGNHW could scavenge peroxynitrite, down-regulate the expression of p47phox, 3-NT and MMP-9 and up-regulate the expression of ZO-1 and claudin-5 in the ischemic brains, which were abolished by removing realgar and/or cinnabar from AGNHW. Notably, realgar or cinnabar had no neuroprotection when used alone. Taken together, oral administration of AGNHW for one week should be safe for treating ischemic stroke with neuroprotective effects. Realgar and cinnabar are necessary elements with synergetic actions with other herbal materials for the neuroprotective effects of AGNHW against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bun Tsoi
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Songlin Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chong Gao
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yunhao Luo
- School of Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wenting Li
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dan Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Depo Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiangang Shen
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Tsoi B, Chen X, Gao C, Wang S, Yuen SC, Yang D, Shen J. Neuroprotective Effects and Hepatorenal Toxicity of Angong Niuhuang Wan Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Brain Injury in Rats. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:593. [PMID: 31191319 PMCID: PMC6548905 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Angong Niuhuang Wan (AGNHW) is a classic prescription in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used for stroke treatment, but its efficacies remain to be confirmed. With its arsenic- and mercury-containing materials, the application of AGNHW raises great safety concerns. Herein, we aim to explore the neuropharmacological effects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and evaluate the toxicological effects of AGNHW for better use. Male SD rats were subjected to 2 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and following 22 h of reperfusion. AGNHW (257 mg/kg, 1× AGNHW) were orally administered for pharmacological effects and 257, 514, and 1,028 mg/kg (equivalent to 1×, 2×, 4× AGNHW) were used for the toxicological study. The results revealed that AGNHW treatment reduced the infarct size and protected the blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity in the MCAO rat ischemic stroke model. AGNHW treatment up-regulated bcl-2 expression and down-regulated the expressions of Bax, p47phox, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), and inhibited the expressions and activities of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, and reserved tight junction protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and claudin-5 in the ischemic brains. These results indicated that the neuroprotective mechanisms of AGNHW could be associated with its antioxidant properties by inhibiting oxidative/nitrative stress-mediated MMP activation and protecting tight junction proteins in the ischemic brains. Administration of 1× AGNHW for 7 days would not induce the accumulation of mercury in blood, liver, and kidney at day 14. Administration of 2× AGNHW and 4× AGNHW for 7 days increased the level of mercury in the kidney. For arsenic level, administration of 1× AGNHW for 7 days would increase the level of arsenic in the liver and blood without increase of arsenic in the kidney at day 14. Administration of 2× AGNHW and 4× AGNHW for 7 days would further increase the level of arsenic in the liver and blood. There is no influence on body weight, organ index, histological structures, and renal and liver functions. These results suggest that short-term treatment of AGNHW within 1 week should be safe and has neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bun Tsoi
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Xingmiao Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Chong Gao
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Songlin Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Sau Chu Yuen
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Depo Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiangang Shen
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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11
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Wang Y, Zhou S, Ma H, Shi JS, Lu YF. Investigation of the differential transport mechanism of cinnabar and mercury containing compounds. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2019; 66:83-90. [PMID: 30639899 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2018.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2018] [Revised: 12/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cinnabar has a long history of uses in Chinese traditional medicines as an ingredient in various remedies. However, the detailed mechanism of cinnabar in medication remains unclear, and the toxicity of cinnabar has been a debate due to its containing mercury sulfide. This study was designed to investigate the differential transport mechanism of cinnabar and other Hg-containing compounds HgCl2, MeHg and HgS, and to determine if organic anion transporters OAT1 and OAT3 were involved in the differential transport mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS The 293T cells were employed to investigate and compare the differential transport mechanism of cinnabar and HgCl2, MeHg and HgS. Cells were incubated with a low dose (5 μM HgCl2 and MeHg, 200 μM HgS and cinnabar), medium dose (10 μM HgCl2 and MeHg, 400 μM HgS and cinnabar), and high dose (20 μM HgCl2 and MeHg, 800 μM HgS and cinnabar) of HgCl2, MeHg, HgS and cinnabar for 24 h. Following treatment, the cells were collected and the cell viability was determined by MTT assay. The intracellular mercury content was measured at 1, 4, and 24 h after treatment with 10 μM of the tested agents by an atomic fluorescence spectrophotometer. The effect of these tested agents on mitochondrial respiration was determined in a high-resolution oxygraphyat 24 h following treatment. Furthermore, the effect of modulation of expression of transporters OAT1 and OAT3 on the transport and cytotoxicity of the tested agents was evaluated. The up and down regulation of OAT1 and OAT3 were achieved by overexpression and siRNA transfection, respectively. RESULTS Compared with HgCl2 and MeHg, the cytotoxicity of cinnabar and HgS was lower, with cell viability at the high dose cinnabar and HgS being about 65%, while MeHg and HgCl2 were 40% and 20%, respectively. The intracellular mercury accumulation was time-dependent. At 24 h the intracellular concentrations of HgCl2 and MeHg were about 7 and 5 times higher, respectively, than that of cinnabar. No significant difference was found in the intracellular mercury content in cells treated with cinnabar compared to HgS. The knockdown and overexpression of the transporter OAT1 resulted in significant reduction and increase, respectively, in mercury accumulation in HgCl2 -treated cells in relative to control cells, while no significant changes were observed in cells treated with cinnabar, MeHg, and HgS. In addition, the knockdown and overexpression of the transporter OAT3 caused significant reduction and increase, respectively, in mercury accumulation in both HgCl2 and MeHg-treated cells in relative to control cells, while no significant changes were observed in cells treated with cinnabar and HgS. Furthermore, it was found that cells transfected with siOAT1 caused significant resistance to the cytotoxicity induced by HgCl2, while no noticeable changes in cell viability were observed in cells treated with other tested agents. Additionally, cells transfected with OAT3 did not change cell sensitivity to cytotoxicity induced by all of the four tested agents. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that differential transport and accumulation of mercury in 293T cells exists among cinnabar and the three mercury-containing compounds HgCl2, MeHg and HgS, leading to distinct sensitivity to mercury induced cytotoxicity. The kidney organic anion transporters OAT1 and OAT3 are partially involved in the regulation of the transport of HgCl2 and MeHg, but not in the regulation of the transport of cinnabar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical College, Guizhou, China
| | - Shaoyu Zhou
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical College, Guizhou, China; Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Honghong Ma
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical College, Guizhou, China
| | - Jing-Shan Shi
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical College, Guizhou, China
| | - Yuan-Fu Lu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical College, Guizhou, China.
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12
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Xia F, Li A, Chai Y, Xiao X, Wan J, Li P, Wang Y. UPLC/Q-TOFMS-Based Metabolomics Approach to Reveal the Protective Role of Other Herbs in An-Gong-Niu-Huang Wan Against the Hepatorenal Toxicity of Cinnabar and Realgar. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:618. [PMID: 29950994 PMCID: PMC6008407 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
An-Gong-Niu-Huang Wan (AGNH) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) recipe containing cinnabar (HgS) and realgar (As2S2). However, the application of AGNH is limited by the hepato- and nephrotoxicity of cinnabar and realgar. It should be noted that cinnabar and realgar in AGNH are not used alone, but rather combined with other herbs as formula to use. In this study, the protective effects and mechanisms of the other herbs in AGNH against the hepatorenal toxicity induced by cinnabar and realgar were investigated. The combination use of the other herbs in AGNH alleviated inflammatory cell infiltration and damage in the liver and kidney and restored the disturbed serum metabolic profile induced by cinnabar and realgar insults. By UPLC/Q-TOFMS combined with pattern recognition approaches, we identified 41 endogenous metabolites in the sera of mice that were related to the hepatorenal toxicity of cinnabar and realgar, 36 of which were restored to normal levels when various kinds of herbs were combined as compound recipe. These metabolites function as modulators in inflammation-associated glycerophospholipid, arachidonic acid, linoleic acid, sphingolipid, and ether lipid metabolic pathways. Notably, lysophosphatidylcholines (LysoPCs) were the most elevated among all of the metabolites detected after cinnabar and realgar treatment, while these LysoPCs did not show overt differences between the AGNH and saline control groups, which was associated with relatively unaffected or even up-regulated expression of lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1) and autotaxin (ATX). These findings indicated that other herbs in AGNH could have a protective effect against cinnabar- and realgar-induced hepatic and renal damage via modulating the disordered homeostasis of the glycerophospholipid, arachidonic acid, linoleic acid, ether lipid, and sphingolipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangbo Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Ao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.,College of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing, China
| | - Yushuang Chai
- Guangzhou Baiyunshan Zhongyi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Xiao
- College of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing, China
| | - Jianbo Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Peng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Yitao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
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13
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Zhao Y, Onda K, Yuan B, Tanaka S, Kiyomi A, Sugiyama K, Sugiura M, Takagi N, Hirano T. Arsenic disulfide‑induced apoptosis and its potential mechanism in two‑ and three‑dimensionally cultured human breast cancer MCF‑7 cells. Int J Oncol 2018; 52:1959-1971. [PMID: 29620191 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2018.4357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
In China, arsenic disulfide (As2S2) has been used for the treatment of hematological malignancies. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of As2S2 on the human breast cancer MCF‑7 cell line cultured in both two‑dimensional (2D) monolayers and three‑dimensional (3D) spheroids to explore its therapeutic potential in breast cancer treatment. Cellular viability and the induction of apoptosis were examined with a cell counting kit‑8 (CCK‑8) assay and flow cytometric analysis, respectively. Alterations in the expression levels of apoptosis‑associated proteins, including Bcl‑2‑associated X protein (Bax), B‑cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‑2), p53, and caspase‑7, as well as the cell survival‑associated proteins, phosphatidylinositol 3‑kinase (PI3K), Akt, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), were assessed by western blotting. Although a dose‑dependent reduction in cell viability, which occurred in association with the induction of apoptosis triggered by the addition of 2‑24 µM As2S2, was observed in both 2D‑ and 3D‑culture systems, 3D spheroids were less sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of As2S2 compared with the 2D cultured cells. A significant increase in the expression levels of Bax, p53, and caspase‑7 was observed in treated 2D‑cultured cells, whereas a similar increase in the expression levels of Bax was only confirmed in treated 3D spheroids, although there was a trend towards the increased expression of p53 and caspase‑7 in the 3D spheroids. These results suggested that these molecules are closely associated with As2S2‑mediated cytotoxicity in the two culture systems, and further suggested that the difference in the sensitivity to As2S2 between 2D monolayers and 3D spheroids may be attributed to the differential alterations in the expression levels of proteins associated with cell mortality. Significant downregulation of the expression levels of Bcl‑2, PI3K, Akt and mTOR was observed in the two culture systems. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrated that As2S2 inhibits cell viability and induces apoptosis in both 2D‑ and 3D‑ cultured MCF‑7 cells, which may be associated with activation of the pro‑apoptotic pathway and the inhibition of pro‑survival signaling. These results have provided novel insights into clinical applications of As2S2 in the treatment of patients with breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxue Zhao
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo 192‑0392, Japan
| | - Kenji Onda
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo 192‑0392, Japan
| | - Bo Yuan
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Sachiko Tanaka
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo 192‑0392, Japan
| | - Anna Kiyomi
- Department of Drug Safety and Risk Management, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Kentaro Sugiyama
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo 192‑0392, Japan
| | - Munetoshi Sugiura
- Department of Drug Safety and Risk Management, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Norio Takagi
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Hirano
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo 192‑0392, Japan
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14
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Liu J, Wei LX, Wang Q, Lu YF, Zhang F, Shi JZ, Li C, Cherian MG. A review of cinnabar (HgS) and/or realgar (As 4S 4)-containing traditional medicines. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2018; 210:340-350. [PMID: 28864167 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2017] [Revised: 08/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMOCOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Herbo-metallic preparations have a long history in the treatment of diseases, and are still used today for refractory diseases, as adjuncts to standard therapy, or for economic reasons in developing countries. AIM OF THE REVIEW This review uses cinnabar (HgS) and realgar (As4S4) as mineral examples to discuss their occurrence, therapeutic use, pharmacology, toxicity in traditional medicine mixtures, and research perspectives. MATERIALS AND METHODS A literature search on cinnabar and realgar from PubMed, Chinese pharmacopeia, Google and other sources was carried out. Traditional medicines containing both cinnabar and realgar (An-Gong-Niu-Huang Wan, Hua-Feng-Dan); mainly cinnabar (Zhu-Sha-An-Shen Wan; Zuotai and Dangzuo), and mainly realgar (Huang-Dai Pian; Liu-Shen Wan; Niu-Huang-Jie-Du) are discussed. RESULTS Both cinnabar and realgar used in traditional medicines are subjected to special preparation procedures to remove impurities. Metals in these traditional medicines are in the sulfide forms which are different from environmental mercurials (HgCl2, MeHg) or arsenicals (NaAsO2, NaH2AsO4). Cinnabar and/or realgar are seldom used alone, but rather as mixtures with herbs and/or animal products in traditional medicines. Advanced technologies are now used to characterize these preparations. The bioaccessibility, absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of these herbo-metallic preparations are different from environmental metals. The rationale of including metals in traditional remedies and their interactions with drugs need to be justified. At higher therapeutic doses, balance of the benefits and risks is critical. Surveillance of patients using these herbo-metallic preparations is desired. CONCLUSION Chemical forms of mercury and arsenic are a major determinant of their disposition, efficacy and toxicity, and the use of total Hg and As alone for risk assessment of metals in traditional medicines is insufficient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Key Lab for Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563006, China.
| | - Li-Xin Wei
- Key Lab of Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Tibetan Medicine, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yuan-Fu Lu
- Key Lab for Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563006, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Key Lab for Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563006, China
| | - Jing-Zhen Shi
- Central Lab of Guiyang Traditional Medical College, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Cen Li
- Key Lab of Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Tibetan Medicine, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China
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15
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Su G, Wang H, Gao Y, Chen G, Pei Y, Bai J. ¹H-NMR-Based Metabonomics of the Protective Effect of Coptis chinensis and Berberine on Cinnabar-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Nephrotoxicity in Rats. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22111855. [PMID: 29099071 PMCID: PMC6150353 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22111855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 10/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Coptis chinensis Franch has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treating infectious and inflammatory diseases for over two thousand years. Berberine (BN), an isoquinoline alkaloid, is the main component of Coptis chinensis. The pharmacological basis for its therapeutic effects, which include hepatoprotective effects on liver injuries, has been studied intensively, yet the therapy of liver injuries and underlying mechanism remain unclear. We investigated the detoxification mechanism of Coptis chinensis and berberine using metabolomics of urine and serum in the present study. After the treatment with Coptis chinensis and berberine, compared with the cinnabar group, Coptis chinensis and berberine can regulate the concentration of the endogenous metabolites. PLS-DA score plots demonstrated that the urine and serum metabolic profiles in rats of the Coptis chinensis and berberine groups were similar those of the control group, yet remarkably apart from the cinnabar group. The mechanism may be related to the endogenous metabolites including energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism and metabolism of intestinal flora in rats. Meanwhile, liver and kidney histopathology examinations and serum clinical chemistry analysis verified the experimental results of metabonomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyue Su
- School of Functional Food and Wine, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Haifeng Wang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Yuxian Gao
- Department of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Yuehu Pei
- Department of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Jiao Bai
- Department of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
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16
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Luo J, Han X, Dou X, Zhang L, Yang S, Yang M. Accumulation of Arsenic Speciation and In Vivo Toxicity Following Oral Administration of a Chinese Patent Medicine Xiao-Er-Zhi-Bao-Wan in Rats. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:491. [PMID: 28790918 PMCID: PMC5524916 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Realgar-containing traditional Chinese medicines such as Xiao-Er-Zhi-Bao-Wan (XEZBW), have been widely used for thousands of years. However, events associated with arsenic-induced ailments have increasingly become a public concern. To address the toxicity of XEZBW, we studied the histopathology and blood biochemistry of rats exposed to XEZBW using technology like high-performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled mass spectrometry to determine arsenic speciation. Our results demonstrated that dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) increased from 18.57 ± 7.45 to 22.74 ± 7.45 ng/g in rat kidney after oral administration for 7 and 14 days, which was 10-fold higher than the levels observed in controls. Trivalent arsenite As(III) showed a large increase on day 7 (26.99 ± 1.98 ng/g), followed by a slight decrease on day 14 (13.67 ± 6.48 ng/g). Total arsenic levels on day 7 (185.52 ± 24.56 ng/g) and day 14 (198.57 ± 26.26 ng/g) were nearly twofold higher than that in the control group (92.77 ± 14.98 ng/g). Histopathological analysis showed mild injury in the liver and kidney of rats subjected to oral administration of realgar for 14 days. As in the XEZBW groups, a mild injury in these organs was observed after administration for 14 days. This study inferred that the toxicity of arsenic was concentration- and time-dependent. The accumulation of DMA, a byproduct of choline metabolism, was responsible for inducing higher toxicity. Therefore, we concluded that measuring the levels of DMA, instead of total arsenic, might be more suitable for evaluating the toxicity of realgar-containing traditional Chinese medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaoyang Luo
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijing, China
| | - Xu Han
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijing, China.,College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jilin Agricultural UniversityChangchun, China
| | - Xiaowen Dou
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijing, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijing, China
| | - Shihai Yang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jilin Agricultural UniversityChangchun, China
| | - Meihua Yang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijing, China
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17
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Xu HH, Hao FR, Wang MX, Ren SJ, Li M, Tan HL, Wang YG, Tang XL, Xiao CR, Liang QD, Gao Y, Ma ZC. Influences of Realgar- Indigo naturalis, A Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula, on the Main CYP450 Activities in Rats Using a Cocktail Method. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2017; 2017:2374624. [PMID: 28421119 PMCID: PMC5379094 DOI: 10.1155/2017/2374624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this work was to study the influences of Realgar-Indigo naturalis (RIF) and its principal element realgar on 4 main cytochrome P450 enzymes activities in rats. A simple and efficient cocktail method was developed to detect the four probe drugs simultaneously. In this study, Wistar rats were administered intragastric RIF and realgar for 14 days; mixed probe drugs were injected into rats by caudal vein. Through analyzing the pharmacokinetic parameter of mixed probe drugs in rats, we can calculate the CYPs activities. The results showed that RIF could inhibit CYP1A2 enzyme activity and induce CYP2C11 enzyme activity significantly. Interestingly, in realgar high dosage group, CYP3A1/2 enzyme activity was inhibited significantly, and different dosage of realgar manifested a good dose-dependent manner. The RIF results indicated that drug coadministrated with RIF may need to be paid attention in relation to drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Realgar, a toxic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), does have curative effect on acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Its toxicity studies should be focused on. We found that, in realgar high dosage group, CYP3A1/2 enzymes activity was inhibited. This phenomenon may explain its potential toxicity mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan-Hua Xu
- Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, AMMS, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Fei-Ran Hao
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, AMMS, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Mei-Xi Wang
- Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, AMMS, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Si-Jia Ren
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, AMMS, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Ming Li
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, AMMS, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Hong-Ling Tan
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, AMMS, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Yu-Guang Wang
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, AMMS, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Xiang-Lin Tang
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, AMMS, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Cheng-Rong Xiao
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, AMMS, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Qian-De Liang
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, AMMS, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Yue Gao
- Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, AMMS, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Zeng-Chun Ma
- Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, AMMS, Beijing 100850, China
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18
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Li X, Wu Z, Feng X, Liu S, Yu X, Ma Q, Qiao Y. Quality-by-Design: Multivariate Model for Multicomponent Quantification in Refining Process of Honey. Pharmacogn Mag 2017; 13:193-198. [PMID: 28216906 PMCID: PMC5307907 DOI: 10.4103/0973-1296.196310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: A method for rapid analysis of the refining process of honey was developed based on near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Methods: Partial least square calibration models were built for the four components after the selection of the optimal spectral pretreatment method and latent factors. Results: The models covered the samples of different temperatures and time points, therefore the models were robust and universal. Conclusions: These results highlighted that the NIR technology could extract the information of critical process and provide essential process knowledge of the honey refining process. SUMMARY A method for rapid analysis of the refining process of honey was developed based on near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy.
Abbreviation used: NIR: Near-infrared; 5-HMF: 5-hydroxymethylfurfural; RMSEP: Root mean square error of prediction; R: correlation coefficients; PRESS: prediction residual error-sum squares; TCM: Traditional Chinese medicine; HPLC: High-performance liquid chromatography; HPLC-DAD: HPLC-diode array detector; PLS: Partial least square; MSC: multiplicative scatter correction; RMSECV: Root mean square error of cross validation; RPD: Residual predictive deviation; 1D: 1st order derivative; SG: Savitzky-Golay smooth; 2D: 2nd order derivative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Li
- Department of Science and Technology Development of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Zhisheng Wu
- Department of Science and Technology Development of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Xin Feng
- Department of Science and Technology Development of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Shanshan Liu
- Department of Science and Technology Development of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojie Yu
- Department of Science and Technology Development of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Qun Ma
- Department of Science and Technology Development of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Yanjiang Qiao
- Department of Science and Technology Development of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China
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Mercury sulfides are much less nephrotoxic than mercury chloride and methylmercury in mice. Toxicol Lett 2016; 262:153-160. [PMID: 27720909 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2016.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Revised: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Mercury sulfides (α-HgS, β-HgS) are frequently included in traditional medicines. Mercury is known for nephrotoxicity, their safety is of concern. To address this question, mice were orally administrated with Zuotai (54% β-HgS, 30mg/kg), α-HgS (HgS, 30mg/kg), HgCl2 (33.6mg/kg), or MeHgCl (3.1mg/kg) for 7days, and nephrotoxicity was examined. Animal body weights were decreased by HgCl2 and to a lesser extent by MeHg, but unaltered after Zuotai and HgS. HgCl2 and MeHg produced renal tubular vacuolation, interstitial inflammation and cell degeneration with protein cysts in the tubular lumen, while these pathological lesions were mild in Zuotai and HgS-treated mice. Electron microscopy showed that HgCl2 and MeHg produced spotted swelling endothelium reticulum, while these lesions were mild or absent in Zuotai and HgS-treated mice. Renal Hg contents reached 250-300ng/mg kidney in HgCl2 and MeHg groups as compared to 2-3ng/mg in Zuotai and HgS groups. The expression of kidney injury biomarkers, kidney injury molecule-1 (Kim-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (Ngal), were increased after HgCl2 and MeHg, but unaltered after Zuotai and HgS. The expression of renal influx transporters Oat3 and Oatp4c1 was decreased, while the expression of renal efflux transporter such as Mrp2, Mrp4, and Mate2 was increased following HgCl2 and MeHg. These gene expressions were unchanged after Zuotai and HgS. In summary, both α-HgS and β-HgS are less nephrotoxic than HgCl2 and MeHg, indicating that chemical forms of mercury are a major determinant of mercury disposition and toxicity.
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Tinggi U, Sadler R, Ng J, Noller B, Seawright A. Bioavailability study of arsenic and mercury in traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) using an animal model after a single dose exposure. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2016; 76:51-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2016.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Revised: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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The Tibetan medicine Zuotai differs from HgCl2 and MeHg in producing liver injury in mice. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2016; 78:1-7. [PMID: 27032305 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2016.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2016] [Revised: 03/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Zuotai is composed mainly of β-HgS, while cinnabar mainly contains α-HgS. Both forms of HgS are used in traditional medicines and their safety is of concern. This study aimed to compare the hepatotoxicity potential of Zuotai and α-HgS with mercury chloride (HgCl2) and methylmercury (MeHg) in mice. Mice were orally administrated with Zuotai (30 mg/kg), α-HgS (HgS, 30 mg/kg), HgCl2 (33.6 mg/kg), or CH3HgCl (3.1 mg/kg) for 7 days, and liver injury and gene expressions related to toxicity, inflammation and Nrf2 were examined. Animal body weights were decreased by HgCl2 and to a less extent by MeHg. HgCl2 and MeHg produced spotted hepatocyte swelling and inflammation, while such lesions are mild in Zuotai and HgS-treated mice. Liver Hg contents reached 45-70 ng/mg in HgCl2 and MeHg groups; but only 1-2 ng/mg in Zuotai and HgS groups. HgCl2 and MeHg increased the expression of liver injury biomarker genes metallothionein-1 (MT-1) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1); the inflammation biomarkers early growth response gene (Egr1), glutathione S-transferase (Gst-mu), chemokine (mKC) and microphage inflammatory protein (MIP-2), while these changes were insignificant in Zuotai and HgS groups. However, all mercury compounds were able to increase the Nrf2 pathway genes NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (Nqo1) and Glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit (Gclc). In conclusion, the Tibetan medicine Zuotai and HgS are less hepatotoxic than HgCl2 and MeHg, and differ from HgCl2 and MeHg in hepatic Hg accumulation and toxicological responses.
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Liu L, Zhang Y, Yun Z, He B, Jiang G. Estimation of bioaccessibility and potential human health risk of mercury in Chinese patent medicines. J Environ Sci (China) 2016; 39:37-44. [PMID: 26899642 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2015.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Revised: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg), mainly in cinnabar species, has been used in medicine for thousands of years in China, and worldwide concern has been raised on its toxicity. In this work, the amount of bioaccessible mercury in 16 Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) was measured by using an in vitro simulated digestion system, consisting of simulated gastric and intestinal fluid, to investigate the bioavailability of mercury in CPMs and evaluate its potential risk to human health. Total mercury and mercury in the gastrointestinal extracts were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The levels of total Hg in 16 CPMs ranged from not detected to 11.89 mg/g, with a mean value of 1.13 mg/g, while the extractable Hg ranged from not detected to 4.37 μg/g, with a mean value of 0.42 μg/g. Mercury bioaccessibility varied significantly in the investigated CPMs, depending on the ingredient. Compared to the CPMs without cinnabar (2.5%-30.9%), the percentage of mercury in the gastrointestinal supernatants for CPMs with cinnabar was quite a bit lower (0.037%). By comparing with the Food and Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (FAO/WHO) safety guideline, the average daily intake dose (ADD) of Hg in the medicines was then calculated to access the risk of mercury to human health from taking CPMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China.
| | - Yu Zhang
- Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Zhaojun Yun
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Bin He
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China.
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China
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Yu WH, Zhang N, Qi JF, Sun C, Wang YH, Lin M. Arsenic and Mercury Containing Traditional Chinese Medicine (Realgar and Cinnabar) Strongly Inhibit Organic Anion Transporters, Oat1 and Oat3, In Vivo in Mice. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:863971. [PMID: 26788513 PMCID: PMC4695662 DOI: 10.1155/2015/863971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Toxic heavy metals, including mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As), accumulate preferentially in kidneys and always cause acute renal failure. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these samples affect organic anion transporters, Oat1 and Oat3, in vivo in mice kidney. Mice (n = 10) were orally treated with investigational samples. After last administration, all mice were i.v. p-aminohippuric acid (PAH), and the blood and kidneys samples were collected. The concentrations of PAH were quantified by spectrophotometry. mRNA expressions of Oat1 and Oat3 were assayed by real-time PCR. In comparison with corresponding control, major pharmacokinetic parameters of PAH in sera were significantly changed by investigational samples (p < 0.05), PAH accumulations in the kidney tissues were significantly higher (p < 0.05), PAH uptake by renal slices was greatly reduced, Oat1 and Oat3 mRNA expression were significantly inhibited in investigational sample groups. Arsenic and mercury containing traditional Chinese medicine (Realgar and Cinnabar) probably induce kidney damage through inhibiting several members of the organic anion transporters (such as OAT1 and OAT3).
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Hao Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Na Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jin-Feng Qi
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chen Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yong-Hui Wang
- Pharmacy Department, Zhumadian People's Hospital, Zhumadian, Henan 463000, China
| | - Mei Lin
- Pharmacy Department, Nanhai Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Foshan, Guangdong 528200, China
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Liu X, Ma Q, Liu S, Shi X, Zhang Q, Wu Z, Qiao Y. Monitoring As and Hg variation in An-Gong-Niu-Huang Wan (AGNH) intermediates in a pilot scale blending process using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2015; 151:547-552. [PMID: 26162343 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2015.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Revised: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was used to assess the cinnabar and realgar blending of An-Gong-Niu-Huang Wan (AGNH) in a pilot-scale experiment, including the blending end-point. The blending variability of two mineral medicines, cinnabar and realgar, were measured by signal relative intensity changing rate (RICR) and moving window standard deviation (MWSD) based on LIBS. Meanwhile, relative concentration changing rate (RCCR) was obtained based on the reference method involving inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The LIBS result was consistent with ICP-OES at blending end-point determinations of both mineral medicines. Unlike the ICP-OES method, LIBS does not have an elaborate digestion procedure. LIBS is a promising and rapid technique to understand the blending process of Chinese Materia Medica (CMM) containing cinnabar and realgar. These results demonstrate the potential of LIBS in monitoring CMM pharmaceutical production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Liu
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100102, China; Pharmaceutical Engineering and New Drug Development of TCM of Ministry of Education, 100102, China; Key Laboratory of TCM-information Engineering of State Administration of TCM, Beijing 100102, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Basic and Development Research on Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Qun Ma
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100102, China; Pharmaceutical Engineering and New Drug Development of TCM of Ministry of Education, 100102, China; Key Laboratory of TCM-information Engineering of State Administration of TCM, Beijing 100102, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Basic and Development Research on Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Shanshan Liu
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100102, China; Pharmaceutical Engineering and New Drug Development of TCM of Ministry of Education, 100102, China; Key Laboratory of TCM-information Engineering of State Administration of TCM, Beijing 100102, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Basic and Development Research on Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Xinyuan Shi
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100102, China; Pharmaceutical Engineering and New Drug Development of TCM of Ministry of Education, 100102, China; Key Laboratory of TCM-information Engineering of State Administration of TCM, Beijing 100102, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Basic and Development Research on Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Qiao Zhang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100102, China; Pharmaceutical Engineering and New Drug Development of TCM of Ministry of Education, 100102, China; Key Laboratory of TCM-information Engineering of State Administration of TCM, Beijing 100102, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Basic and Development Research on Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Zhisheng Wu
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100102, China; Pharmaceutical Engineering and New Drug Development of TCM of Ministry of Education, 100102, China; Key Laboratory of TCM-information Engineering of State Administration of TCM, Beijing 100102, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Basic and Development Research on Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China.
| | - Yanjiang Qiao
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100102, China; Pharmaceutical Engineering and New Drug Development of TCM of Ministry of Education, 100102, China; Key Laboratory of TCM-information Engineering of State Administration of TCM, Beijing 100102, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Basic and Development Research on Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China.
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Cinnabar induces renal inflammation and fibrogenesis in rats. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:280958. [PMID: 25734058 PMCID: PMC4334861 DOI: 10.1155/2015/280958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Revised: 01/24/2015] [Accepted: 01/24/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether cinnabar causes renal inflammation and fibrosis in rats. Rats were dosed orally with cinnabar (1 g/kg/day) for 8 weeks or 12 weeks. The control rats were treated with solvent (5% carboxymethylcellulose solution) over the same time periods, respectively. Renal mercury (RHg), urinary mercury (UHg), serum creatinine (SCr), urine kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1), renal pathology, and renal mediators were examined. At both 8 weeks and 12 weeks, RHg, UHg, and urine KIM-1 were significantly higher in the cinnabar group than in the control group, although SCr was unchanged. Kidney lesions in the cinnabar-treated rats occurred mainly in the tubules and interstitium, including vacuolization, protein casts, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and slight increase in interstitial collagen. In addition, mild mesangial proliferation was observed in glomeruli. Moreover, the expression of inflammatory and fibrogenic mediators was upregulated in the cinnabar group. In conclusion, cinnabar may cause kidney damage due to the accumulation of mercury, and renal inflammation and slight fibrogenesis may occur in rats. In the clinic, the potential risk of renal injury due to the prolonged consumption of cinnabar should be considered even though the agent is relatively nontoxic.
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Cinnabar-induced subchronic renal injury is associated with increased apoptosis in rats. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:278931. [PMID: 25629042 PMCID: PMC4300031 DOI: 10.1155/2015/278931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the role of apoptosis in cinnabar-induced renal injury in rats. To test this role, rats were dosed orally with cinnabar (1 g/kg/day) for 8 weeks or 12 weeks, and the control rats were treated with 5% carboxymethylcellulose solution. Levels of urinary mercury (UHg), renal mercury (RHg), serum creatinine (SCr), and urine kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) were assessed, and renal pathology was analyzed. Apoptotic cells were identified and the apoptotic index was calculated. A rat antibody array was used to analyze expression of cytokines associated with apoptosis. Results from these analyses showed that UHg, RHg, and urine KIM-1, but not SCr, levels were significantly increased in cinnabar-treated rats. Renal pathological changes in cinnabar-treated rats included vacuolization of tubular cells, formation of protein casts, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and increase in the number of apoptotic tubular cells. In comparison to the control group, expression of FasL, Fas, TNF-α, TRAIL, activin A, and adiponectin was upregulated in the cinnabar-treated group. Collectively, our results suggest that prolonged use of cinnabar results in kidney damage due to accumulation of mercury and that the underlying mechanism involves apoptosis of tubular cells via a death receptor-mediated pathway.
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A 90-day subchronic feeding study of genetically modified rice expressing Cry1Ab protein in Sprague-Dawley rats. Transgenic Res 2014; 24:295-308. [PMID: 25367203 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-014-9844-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2014] [Accepted: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) transgenic rice line (mfb-MH86) expressing a synthetic cry1Ab gene can be protected against feeding damage from Lepidopteran insects, including Sesamia inferens, Chilo suppressalis, Tryporyza incertulas and Cnaphalocrocis medinalis. Rice flour from mfb-MH86 and its near-isogenic control MH86 was separately formulated into rodent diets at concentrations of 17.5, 35 and 70 % (w/w) for a 90-day feeding test with rats, and all of the diets were nutritionally balanced. In this study, the responses of rats fed diets containing mfb-MH86 were compared to those of rats fed flour from MH86. Overall health, body weight and food consumption were comparable between groups fed diets containing mfb-MH86 and MH86. Blood samples were collected prior to sacrifice and a few significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in haematological and biochemical parameters between rats fed genetically modified (GM) and non-GM diets. However, the values of these parameters were within the normal ranges of values for rats of this age and sex, thus not considered treatment related. In addition, upon sacrifice a large number of organs were weighed, macroscopic and histopathological examinations were performed with only minor changes to report. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that no toxic effect was observed in the conditions of the experiment, based on the different parameters assessed. GM rice mfb-MH86 is as safe and nutritious as non-GM rice.
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Wang GH, Lan R, Zhen XD, Zhang W, Xiang J, Cai DF. An-Gong-Niu-Huang Wan protects against cerebral ischemia induced apoptosis in rats: up-regulation of Bcl-2 and down-regulation of Bax and caspase-3. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2014; 154:156-162. [PMID: 24690773 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.03.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Revised: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/22/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The An-Gong-Niu-Huang Wan (AGNH), a Chinese traditional medicine, has been used for treatment of cerebral diseases for centuries in China and other Asian countries, and is approved by the State Food and Drug Administration of China for the treatment of stroke. The aim of present study is to test the neuroprotective effects of AGNH on cerebral ischemia in rats and to explore the underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS 75 Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: sham, ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), and I/R plus 0.065 g/kg/d AGNH, 0.125 g/kg/d AGNH and 0.25 g/kg/d AGNH. Cerebral ischemia was induced by 1.5h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Neurological functional deficits were evaluated according to Zea longa׳s score, cerebral infarct area was measured by tetrazolium staining. Cell injury and apoptosis were assessed by Nissl staining and DNA fragmentation assay. The expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 were analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS Rats subjected to MCAO exhibited worsened neurological score, infarct area, cell damage and apoptosis. These were all attenuated by AGNH (0.125 and 0.25 g/kg/d). Moreover, AGNH reversed cerebral ischemia induced decreases in Bcl-2 expression and increases in Bax and caspase-3 expression. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that AGNH exerts neuroprotective effects, and the neuroprotection is likely to relate to depressed Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 level, leading to inhibition of apoptotic cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Hua Wang
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, and Laboratory of Neurology, Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Rui Lan
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, and Laboratory of Neurology, Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xin-De Zhen
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, and Laboratory of Neurology, Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jun Xiang
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, and Laboratory of Neurology, Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Ding-Fang Cai
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, and Laboratory of Neurology, Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Zhang F, Lu Y, Wu Q, Yan J, Shi J, Liu J. Role of cinnabar and realgar of WSHFD in protecting against LPS-induced neurotoxicity. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2012; 139:822-828. [PMID: 22207210 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2011] [Revised: 11/29/2011] [Accepted: 12/13/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Wan-Sheng-Hua-Feng-Dan (WSHFD) is a traditional Chinese medicine used for the treatment of neurological disorders. Cinnabar (HgS) and realgar (As(4)S(4)) are included in WSHFD. Are they remedies or poisons? AIM OF STUDY To investigate the role of cinnabar and realgar in the protective effects of WSHFD on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neurotoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Rat primary midbrain neuron-glia cultures were used to explore the effects of WSHFD on LPS-induced dopamine (DA) neurodegeneration. The experiment was randomly divided into control, LPS, LPS+removed (cinnabar and realgar in WSHFD were removed), LPS+reduced (cinnabar and realgar in WSHFD were reduced by 65%) and LPS+original (10% cinnabar and 10% realgar in WSHFD) groups. Dopaminergic neurotoxicity was assessed by [(3)H]DA uptake assay and the quantification of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons. Microglial activation was evaluated using an anti-OX-42 antibody. The release of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was quantified via the DCFH-DA probe. The transcripts and production of pro-inflammatory factors were examined by real-time RT-PCR analysis and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS WSHFD (original) significantly attenuated LPS-induced decrease of DA uptake capacity and TH-positive neuron number, inhibited microglial activation, decreased LPS-induced ROS production, ameliorated LPS-induced elevations of the mRNA expressions of TNFα, iNOS, IL-1β and COX-2 and the subsequent production of TNFα, NO, IL-1β and PGE(2) in neuron-glia cultures. However, WSHFD (removed) and (reduced) failed to protect against LPS-induced neurotoxicity. CONCLUSION Cinnabar and realgar were active ingredients of WSHFD in producing protective effects against LPS-induced neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Key Lab of Basic Pharmacology of Guizhou, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi, PR China.
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Miao JW, Liang SX, Wu Q, Liu J, Sun AS. Toxicology evaluation of realgar-containing niu-huang-jie-du pian as compared to arsenicals in cell cultures and in mice. ISRN TOXICOLOGY 2011; 2011:250387. [PMID: 23724280 PMCID: PMC3658795 DOI: 10.5402/2011/250387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2011] [Accepted: 07/07/2011] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Niu-Huang-Jie-Du Pian (NHJD) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine containing realgar (As4S4). Realgar has been included in many traditional medicines, but is often taken as arsenite for risk assessment. To evaluate true risk of realgar and realgar-containing NHJD, their toxicity was compared with common arsenicals. In cultured cells, the LC50 for NHJD (1200 μM) and realgar (2000 μM) was much higher than arsenite(35 μM), arsenic trioxide (280 μM), and arsenate (400 μM). Acute toxicity in mice showed more severe liver and kidney injury after arsenite or arsenate, but was mild after realgar and NHJD, corresponding to cellular and tissue arsenic accumulation. The expressions of arsenic-sensitive stress gene metallothionein-1 were increased 3–7-folds after arsenite or arsenate, but were unaltered after NHJD and realgar. Thus, realgar and NHJD are much less toxic than arsenite and arsenate. The use of total arsenic to evaluate the safety of realgar and realgar-containing NHJD is inappropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Wei Miao
- Key Lab of Basic Pharmacology, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi 563000, China ; Chongqing Three Gorges Medical College, Chongqing 404120, China
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Evaluation of hepatotoxicity potential of cinnabar-containing An-Gong-Niu-Huang Wan, a patent traditional Chinese medicine. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2011; 60:206-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2011.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2011] [Revised: 03/15/2011] [Accepted: 03/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Wu J, Shao Y, Liu J, Chen G, Ho PC. The medicinal use of realgar (As₄S₄) and its recent development as an anticancer agent. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2011; 135:595-602. [PMID: 21497649 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.03.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2010] [Revised: 03/30/2011] [Accepted: 03/30/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Arsenicals have been known as poisons and paradoxically as therapeutic agents. In the early 1970s, Chinese physicians from Harbin revived the medicinal use of arsenicals as anticancer agents. Notable success was observed in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with arsenic trioxide (ATO). The FDA approved ATO injection in the year 2000 for the treatment of APL. In contrast, the clinical use of the other arsenical, realgar (As₄S₄), is currently much less established, though it has also long been used in medical history. According to ancient medical records and recent findings in clinical trials, realgar was found as effective as ATO, but with relatively good oral safety profiles even on chronic administration. These give realgar an advantage over ATO in maintenance treatment. Though there is increasing understanding on the mechanisms of action and metabolic profiles of ATO, similar aspects of realgar are unclear to date. MATERIALS AND METHODS We outline the use of realgar in traditional medicines, especially in traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) from ancient times to present. The clinical and experimental observations on realgar as a therapeutic agent are described with an emphasis on those findings that may imply the rationale and future directions of realgar as a potential anticancer drug candidate. RESULTS There is an increasing understanding in the mechanisms of action of realgar as an antileukemic agent. However, there is still sparse information on its metabolism and toxicity profiles. CONCLUSIONS Realgar is poorly soluble in water. Recently, several types of realgar nanoparticles (NPs) have been developed. Some of these realgar NPs also possess the unique optical properties of quantum dots. The activities and bioavailability of realgar NPs are much influenced by their sizes, making realgar an interesting biomedical and pharmaceutical research candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinzhu Wu
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, No. 92 West DaZhi Street, Harbin 150001, People's Republic of China.
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