Effects of three different formulae of Gamisoyosan on lipid accumulation induced by oleic acid in HepG2 cells

Assessment of Pharmacokinetic Effects of Herbal Medicines on Escitalopram

Purpose

Herbal medicines are occasionally used in combination with conventional antidepressants to mitigate various depression-associated symptoms. However, there is limited information on herb-antidepressant interactions. In this study, we investigated the pharmacokinetic (PK) effects of four herbal medicines (Gami-soyosan, Banhasasim-tang, Ojeok-san, and Bojungikgi-tang) on escitalopram, a commonly used antidepressant.

Patients and Methods

In this open-label, fixed-sequence, three-period, crossover study, 18 participants were enrolled and divided into two groups. Each group received a 10 mg oral dose of escitalopram in period 1. Participants took escitalopram once daily and their assigned herbal medicines thrice a day for 7 d in periods 2 (group 1: Gami-soyosan, group 2: Ojeok-san) and 3 (group 1: Banhasasim-tang; group 2: Bojungikgi-tang). The primary endpoints were Cmax,ss and AUCtau,ss of escitalopram. Cmax,ss and AUCtau,ss in period 1 were obtained using nonparametric superposition from single-dose data. The PK endpoints were classified according to the CYP2C19 phenotype.

Results

Of 18 participants, 16 completed the study. Systemic exposure to escitalopram resulted in a minor increase in the presence of each herbal medicine. The geometric mean ratios (GMRs, combination with herbal medicines/escitalopram monotherapy) and their 90% confidence intervals (CIs) for Cmax,ss and AUCtau,ss were as follows: Gamisoyosan- 1.1454 (0.9201, 1.4258) and 1.0749 (0.8084, 1.4291), Banhasasim-tang-1.0470 (0.7779, 1.4092) and 1.0465 (0.7035, 1.5568), Ojeok-san-1.1204 (0.8744, 1.4357) and 1.1267 (0.8466, 1.4996), and Bojungikgi-tang-1.1264 (0.8594, 1.4762) and 1.1400 (0.8515, 1.5261), respectively. Furthermore, no significant differences in the GMRs of Cmax,ss and AUCtau,ss were observed across different CYP2C19 phenotypes in any of the groups.

Conclusion

The co-administration of escitalopram with Gami-soyosan, Banhasasim-tang, Ojeok-san, or Bojungikgi-tang did not exert significant PK effects on escitalopram. These findings provide valuable insights into the safe use of herbal medicines along with escitalopram.

Enhancement of Growth and Secondary Metabolites by the Combined Treatment of Trace Elements and Hydrogen Water in Wheat Sprouts

This study aimed to evaluate the response of Triticum aestivum to hydrogen water (HW) and trace elements treated with HW. A pot experiment was conducted to assess the growth indices, secondary metabolites, and antioxidant levels. The response surface methodology (RSM) approach was used to ascertain the concentrations and significant interaction between treatments. The outcomes demonstrated that the combined treatment of Se acid and Mo oxide exhibited a notable positive effect on the growth and secondary metabolites, when treated with HW as compared to distilled water (DW). Notably, the interaction between these two treatments is significant, and the higher response was observed at the optimal concentration of 0.000005% for Se acid and 0.06% for Mo oxide. Additionally, an in vitro experiment revealed that the mixture treatment inhibits the accumulation of lipids in HepG2 hepatocytes cells. Moreover, metabolic analysis revealed that upregulated metabolites are linked to the inhibition of lipid accumulation. In addition, the analysis emphasizes that the continued benefits of higher plants as a renewable supply for chemicals compounds, especially therapeutic agents, are being expanded and amplified by these state-of-the-art technologies.

Antioxidant Effect of Wheat Germ Extracts and Their Antilipidemic Effect in Palmitic Acid-Induced Steatosis in HepG2 and 3T3-L1 Cells

Wheat germ (WG) is a by-product of wheat milling and comprises many bioactive compounds. This study aimed to compare the antioxidant and antilipidemic effects of different WG extracts (WGEs) by analyzing candidate bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, tocopherols, γ-oryzanol, and biogenic amines by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Antioxidant activity was determined using the ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. The antilipidemic effect was evaluated in palmitic acid-induced steatosis in HepG2 hepatocytes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Cellular lipid accumulation was assessed by Oil Red O staining and a cellular triglyceride content assay. All analyzed WGEs showed significant antioxidant potential, although some bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids, tocopherols, and γ-oryzanol, were the highest in the ethanol extract. Correlation analysis revealed the antioxidant potential of all identified biogenic amines except for spermidine. Ethanol and n-hexane extracts significantly inhibited cellular lipid accumulation in cell models. These results suggest that WGEs exhibit promising antioxidant potential, with a variety of bioactive compounds. Collectively, the findings of this study suggest that bioactive compounds in WGEs attenuate plasma lipid and oxidation levels. In conclusion, WG can be used as a natural antioxidant and nutraceutical using appropriate solvents and extraction methods.

Hepatoprotective effects of Gamisoyo-san against acetaminophen-induced liver injuries

Background

Acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP) is a safe and effective analgesic at therapeutic dosage. However, APAP overdose is a major cause of acute liver injury. Gamisoyo-san (GMSYS; Jiaweixiaoyao-san in Chinese, Kamishoyo-san in Japanese), a traditional herbal formula, is used to treat phlegm and cough in Korea. The purpose of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of GMSYS against APAP-induced liver injury in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

We evaluated the effect of GMSYS on APAP-induced hepatotoxicity by measuring cell viability in murine BNL CL.2 liver cells. Additionally, BALB/c mice were orally administered with GMSYS once daily for 7 days. Eighteen hours after the last administration, mice were intraperitoneally injected with 200 mg/kg APAP. Plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, hepatic antioxidants, and histological changes were examined.

Results

Pretreatment with GMSYS attenuated the decrease in cell viability induced by APAP in BNL CL.2 cells. In mice, pre-administration with GMSYS alleviated APAP-induced hepatotoxicity by decreasing plasma ALT and AST activities and hepatic malondialdehyde, and by increasing the total glutathione (GSH)/reduced GSH ratio and the activities of several antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, GSH peroxidase, GSH reductase, GSH-S-transferase, and heme oxygenase-1.

Conclusion

GMSYS has a protective effect against APAP-induced acute liver injury by decreasing plasma transaminases and increasing antioxidants. GMSYS may be an effective candidate for the prevention of acute liver injury.

Paeonol, an Ingredient of Kamishoyosan, Reduces Intracellular Lipid Accumulation by Inhibiting Glucocorticoid Receptor Activity in 3T3-L1 Cells

Excessive triglyceride accumulation in lipid-metabolizing tissues is associated with an increased risk of a variety of metabolic diseases. Kamishoyosan (KSS) is a Kampo composed of 10 constituent herbs, and contains moutan cortex (MC) and paeonol (PN) as the major ingredient of MC. Here, we demonstrate the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of KSS on the differentiation of mouse preadipocytes (3T3-L1 cells). KSS inhibited the accumulation of triglycerides in a dose-dependent manner in 3T3-L1 cells that were induced to differentiate into adipocytes. We also found that MC and PN were responsible for the anti-adipogenetic effect of KSS and significantly suppressed the expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins-δ (C/EBP-δ) mRNA 3 days after the induction of differentiation. Thus, PN may contribute to the anti-adipogenetic property of MC in 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, PN inhibited dexamethasone (Dex)-induced glucocorticoid receptor (GR) promoter activity. Taken together, these results suggest that PN suppresses C/EBP-δ expression by inhibiting Dex-induced GR promoter activity at the early stage of differentiation and, consequently, delays differentiation into mature adipocytes. Our results suggest that the habitual intake of Kampo-containing PN contributes to the prevention of the onset of metabolic diseases by decreasing the excessive accumulation of triglycerides in lipid-metabolizing tissues.

Herbal medicines for metabolic diseases with blood stasis: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Herbal medicines have the potential to be alternative treatments for metabolic diseases. This systematic review will assess the efficacy of herbal medicines in treating metabolic diseases with blood stasis.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will search MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, 2 Korean medical databases (OASIS, NDSL), a Chinese database (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, CNKI), and a Japanese database (J-STAGE) for relevant literature. We will include all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs evaluating the effectiveness of herbal medicine. Participants of both sexes and of any age with clinically diagnosed metabolic disease with blood stasis will be included. Primary outcomes will include Blood-stasis syndrome score, TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C. Secondary outcomes will Blood pressure, FBS. ECG, prevalence rate of heart disease, and response rate. The risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane tool for assessing risk of bias.

DISCUSSION

The findings of this study will provide a summary of the current state of evidence regarding the effectiveness of types of herbal medicine in managing metabolic disease with blood stasis. In addition, this review will be expected to provide a base for clinical trials to confirm the efficacy of herbal medicine for treatments of metabolic disease with blood stasis.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO 2018 CRD42018090179.