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Xiang ZD, Guan HD, Zhao X, Xie Q, Cai FJ, Xie ZJ, Dang R, Li ML, Wang CH. Protoberberine alkaloids: A review of the gastroprotective effects, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 126:155444. [PMID: 38367423 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stomach diseases have become global health concerns. Protoberberine alkaloids (PBAs) are a group of quaternary isoquinoline alkaloids from abundant natural sources and have been shown to improve gastric disorders in preclinical and clinical studies. The finding that PBAs exhibit low oral bioavailability but potent pharmacological activity has attracted great interest. PURPOSE This review aims to provide a systematic review of the molecular mechanisms of PBAs in the treatment of gastric disorders and to discuss the current understanding of the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of PBAs. METHODS The articles related to PBAs were collected from the Web of Science, Pubmed, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases using relevant keywords. The collected articles were screened and categorized according to their research content to focus on the gastroprotective effects, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of PBAs. RESULTS Based on the results of preclinical studies, PBAs have demonstrated therapeutic effects on chronic atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer by activating interleukin-4 (IL-4)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) pathway and suppressing transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1)/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), Janus kinase-2 (JAK2)/signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. The major PBAs exhibit similar pharmacokinetic properties, including rapid absorption, slow elimination, and low bioavailability. Notably, the natural organ-targeting property of PBAs may account for the finding of their low blood levels and high pharmacological activity. PBAs interact with other compounds, including conventional drugs and natural products, by modulation of metabolic enzymes and transporters. The potential tissue toxicity of PBAs should be emphasized due to their high tissue accumulation. CONCLUSION This review highlights the gastroprotective effects, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of PBAs and will contribute to the evaluation of drug properties and clinical translational studies of PBAs, accelerating their transfer from the laboratory to the bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze-Dong Xiang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The MOE Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai R&D Center for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hui-Da Guan
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The MOE Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai R&D Center for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiang Zhao
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The MOE Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai R&D Center for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qi Xie
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The MOE Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai R&D Center for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Fu-Jie Cai
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The MOE Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai R&D Center for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhe-Jun Xie
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The MOE Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai R&D Center for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Rui Dang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The MOE Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai R&D Center for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Man-Lin Li
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The MOE Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai R&D Center for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Chang-Hong Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The MOE Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai R&D Center for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China.
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Luo Z, Liu C, Hu Y, Xia T, Zhang B, Chen F, Tan X, Zheng Z. Gegen Qinlian decoction restores the intestinal barrier in bacterial diarrhea piglets by promoting Lactobacillus growth and inhibiting the TLR2/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 155:113719. [PMID: 36152417 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute bacterial diarrhea is a severe global problem with a particularly high incidence rate in children. The microecology inhabiting the intestinal mucosa is the key factor leading to diarrhea. Gegen Qinlian decoction (GQD) is used to treat bacterial diarrhea, however, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to clarify the restorative effect of GQD on the intestinal barrier from the perspective of gut microbiota. A Tibetan piglet model with bacterial diarrhea was established through orally administered Escherichia coli, and diarrheal piglets were treated with GQD for three days. After treatment, GQD significantly ameliorated the diarrheal symptoms. GQD decreased the levels of IL-6, LPS, and DAO, and increased SIgA, ZO-1, and occludin levels in intestinal mucosa, indicating the restoration of intestinal barrier. GQD modulated the microbial compositions inhabited on the intestinal mucosa, especially an increase of the Lactobacillus. Spearman analysis showed that Lactobacillus was the key genus of intestinal barrier-related bacteria. Bacterial culture in vitro validated that GQD directly promoted Lactobacillus growth and inhibited E. coli proliferation. Moreover, the expressions of TLR2, MyD88, and NF-κB in the colon decreased after GQD treatment. In conclusion, GQD may treat diarrhea and restore the intestinal mucosal barrier by facilitating Lactobacillus growth and inhibiting the TLR2/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenye Luo
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutics, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Preparation Technology, Guangzhou 510515, PR China.
| | - Changshun Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutics, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Preparation Technology, Guangzhou 510515, PR China.
| | - Yannan Hu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutics, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Preparation Technology, Guangzhou 510515, PR China.
| | - Ting Xia
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutics, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Preparation Technology, Guangzhou 510515, PR China.
| | - Baoping Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutics, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Preparation Technology, Guangzhou 510515, PR China.
| | - Feilong Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutics, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Preparation Technology, Guangzhou 510515, PR China.
| | - Xiaomei Tan
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutics, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Preparation Technology, Guangzhou 510515, PR China.
| | - Zezhong Zheng
- South China Agricultural University College of Veterinary Medicine, Guangzhou 510642, PR China.
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Zheng F, Xu J, Gu H. Focal Microscopy Observe the Mechanism of Gegen Qinlian Decoction Treating Type 2 Diabetic Nephropathy in Nude Mice. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:1636301. [PMID: 35978629 PMCID: PMC9377932 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1636301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of diabetes is increasing year by year; among them, the rising trend of T2D is particularly obvious, and because it has many complications and poor prognosis, it has become one of the diseases that seriously endanger human health. Gegen Qinlian Decoction (GQD) has achieved good results in the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). It can not only improve the anti-insulin effect of nude mice with type 2 diabetic, but also has the characteristics of small side effects and remarkable curative effect; it can improve the function of tissues and organs by multiple target spots and multiple ways. The method was to raise 30 nude mice with high fat and high sugar and inject small doses of streptozotocin (STZ). The treated nude mice were randomly divided into rosiglitazone group, Gegen Qinlian group, and model group, normally rearing 10 nude mice as a control group. The model group and the blank group were treated with 0.9% sodium chloride solution at 10 mL/kg, and the rosiglitazone group was intragastric administration with 3 mg/kg rosiglitazone solution. The GQD group was treated with 18.2 g/kg GQD, once a day, and lasting for 4 weeks. Use blood glucose meter to detect the FBG content in nude mice, use the radioimmunoassay to detect the amount of FINS, and calculate HOMA-IR. Use immunoenzyme linked assay method to detect the level of serum inflammatory factors. The experimental results showed that compared with the model group, the FBG of the rosiglitazone group mice was significantly decreased; the levels of the rosiglitazone group and the Gegen Qinlian group were significantly lower. Therefore, it is concluded that GQD can treat T2D in nude mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Zheng
- Department of Pharmacy, Medical Supplies Center of PLA General Hospital, the Second Military Medical University of PLA, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Juan Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, Medical Supplies Center of PLA General Hospital, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Hao Gu
- First People's Hospital of Chenzhou City, Southern Medical University, Chenzhou, 423000 Hunan, China
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Xie G, Zhou R, Huang L, Zhang S, Tan Z. In Vitro Biotransformation of Total Glycosides in Qiwei Baizhu Powder by the Gut Microbiota of Normal and Diarrheal Mice: Novel Insight Into the Biotransformation of Multi-Glycosides by the Gut Microbiota. Front Chem 2022; 10:907886. [PMID: 35795223 PMCID: PMC9251009 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.907886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota (GM) is involved in the metabolism of glycosides and is beneficial for enhancing their bioactivity. However, the metabolism of multi-glycosides by the GM under normal and pathological conditions is unclear. In this study, the total glycosides (TG) of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula Qiwei Baizhu Powder (QWBZP) were extracted to represent a multi-glycoside system. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was used to rapidly identify the components and in vitro metabolites of QWBZP-TG. The metabolic profiles of QWBZP-TG in the GM of normal and diarrheal mice were also compared. A total of 68 compounds and seven metabolites were identified in the QWBZP-TG and metabolic samples, respectively. Deglycosylation was the main metabolic pathway of in vitro multi-glycoside metabolism. Liquiritin apioside, isoliquiritin apioside, liquiritin, protopanaxadiol (PPD)-type, and oleanane (OLE)-type ginsenosides were relatively easy to metabolize by the GM. At first, the deglycosylation capability of the GM of normal mice was superior to that of diarrheal mice, but the deglycosylation capability of diarrheal mice gradually recovered and produced abundant deglycosylation metabolites. In conclusion, deglycosylation metabolites may be the bioactive components of QWBZP. Glycoside-bacteria interaction may be a key mechanism for QWBZP to therapy diarrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guozhen Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Rongrong Zhou
- The Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Lili Huang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Shuihan Zhang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Zhoujin Tan
- College of Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Zhoujin Tan, , , orcid.org/0000-0003-3193-073X
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Wu Y, Cheng Y, Yang Y, Wang D, Yang X, Fu C, Zhang J, Hu Y. Mechanisms of Gegen Qinlian Pill to ameliorate irinotecan-induced diarrhea investigated by the combination of serum pharmacochemistry and network pharmacology. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 276:114200. [PMID: 33989737 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Traditional Chinese medicine suggests the use of natural extracts and compounds is a promising strategy to prevent irinotecan (CPT-11)-induced gut toxicity and resulting diarrhea. Previous work from our lab indicated the protective effect of Gegen Qinlian decoction; given this, we further speculated that Gegen Qinlian Pill (GQP) would exhibit similar therapeutic effects. The effective material basis as well as potential mechanisms underlying the effect of GQP for the treatment of CPT-11-induced diarrhea have not been fully elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY The application of natural extracts or compounds derived from Chinese medicine is deemed to a promising strategy to prevent irinotecan (CPT-11)-induced gut toxicity. The aim of this study was to investigated the beneficial effects of GQP on CPT-11-induced gut toxicity and further explored its anti-diarrheal mechanism. METHODS First, the beneficial effect of GQP in alleviating diarrhea in mice following CPT-11 administration was investigated. We also obtained the effective ingredients in GQP from murine serum samples using HPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis. Based on these active components, we next established an interaction network linking "compound-target-pathway". Finally, a predicted mechanism of action was obtained using in vivo GQP validation based on Gene Ontology (GO) functional and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. RESULTS A total of 19, GQP-derived chemical compounds were identified in murine serum samples. An interaction network linking "compound-target-pathway" was then established to illuminate the interaction between the components present in serum and their targets that mitigated diarrhea. These results indicated GQP exerted a curative effect on diarrhea and diarrhea-related diseases through different targets, which cumulatively regulated inflammation, oxidative stress, and proliferation processes. CONCLUSION Taken together, this study provides a feasible strategy to elucidate the effective constituents in traditional Chinese medicine formulations. More specifically, this work detailed the basic pharmacological effects and underlying mechanism behind GQP's effects in the treatment of CPT-11-induced gut toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihan Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
| | - Yanfen Cheng
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
| | - Yuhan Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China.
| | - Di Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
| | - Xiaoqin Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
| | - Chaomei Fu
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
| | - Jinming Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
| | - Yichen Hu
- School of Medicine, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, China.
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Lu JZ, Ye D, Ma BL. Constituents, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacology of Gegen-Qinlian Decoction. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:668418. [PMID: 34025427 PMCID: PMC8139575 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.668418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gegen-Qinlian decoction (GQD) is a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula. It is composed of four TCMs, including Puerariae Lobatae Radix, Scutellariae Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle. GQD is traditionally and clinically used to treat both the "external and internal symptoms" of diarrhea with fever. In this review, key words related to GQD were searched in the Web of Science, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and other databases. Literature published mainly from 2000 to 2020 was screened and summarized. The main constituents of GQD could be classified into eight groups according to their structures: flavonoid C-glycosides, flavonoid O-glucuronides, benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, free flavonoids, flavonoid O-glycosides, coumarins, triterpenoid saponins, and others. The parent constituents of GQD that enter circulation mainly include puerarin and daidzein from Puerariae Lobatae Radix, baicalin and wogonoside from Scutellariae Radix, berberine and magnoflorine from Coptidis Rhizoma, as well as glycyrrhetinic acid and glycyrrhizic acid from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle. GQD is effective against inflammatory intestinal diseases, including diarrhea, ulcerative colitis, and intestinal adverse reactions caused by chemotherapeutic agents. Moreover, GQD has significant effects on metabolic diseases, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, GQD can be used to treat lung injury. In brief, the main constituents, the pharmacokinetic and pharmacological profiles of GQD were summarized in this review. In addition, several issues of GQD including effective constituents, interactions between the constituents, pharmacokinetics, interaction potential with drugs and pharmacological effects were discussed, and related future researches were prospected in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Ze Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Ye
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bing-Liang Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Self-assembled natural phytochemicals for synergistically antibacterial application from the enlightenment of traditional Chinese medicine combination. Acta Pharm Sin B 2020; 10:1784-1795. [PMID: 33088696 PMCID: PMC7564035 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2019.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The application of nanotechnology for antimicrobial delivery has capacity to improve antibacterial efficacy. Currently, the usage of various inorganic and organic carriers, such as metal ions, nano-silicon and surfactants, might increase the potential toxicity of nanoparticles and make their clinical transformation more difficult. Herein, a nano-delivery system was constructed by direct self-assembly of antibacterial phytochemicals (berberine and rhein) originated from traditional Chinese medicine Coptis chinensis Franch. and Rheum palmatum L., respectively. Combining X-ray single crystal diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance and other spectra characterizations, the stacked structure of nanoparticles was profoundly demonstrated. Briefly, rhein acted as the layered backbone and berberine embedded in it. In vitro bacteriostasis experiment showed the minimum bactericidal concentration of nanoparticles was 0.1 μmol/mL, which was lower than that of berberine and rhein. The results of confocal laser scanning microscope, biofilm quantitive assay and scanning electron microscopy indicated that nanoparticles had strong inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus biofilm. More importantly, transmission electron microscopy and mass spectra indicated the further bacteriostatic mechanism of nanoparticles. Meanwhile, the nanoparticles had well biocompatibility and safety. Current study will open up new prospect that the design of self-assemblies between active phytochemicals can be originated from traditional Chinese medicine combination.
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Shi Y, Xu H, Xiao Y, Liu P, Pang P, Wu S, Deng L, Chen X. Gegen Qinlian Decoction Downregulates the TLR7 Signalling Pathway to Control Influenza A Virus Infection. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 121:109471. [PMID: 31707346 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 09/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE In recent years, Gegen Qinlian decoction (GQD) has been applied to treat influenza virus infection, and its clinical effectiveness has been shown. However, the potential mechanism by which GQD acts on influenza A virus (IAV) has not been fully elucidated. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas are well known to have multiple targets and effects. Our previous experiments examined the mechanism by which TCM can be used to treat influenza from the perspective of the influenza immune mechanism. AIM OF THE STUDY To explore the possible mechanism by which GQD affects mice infected with the FM1 strain of influenza virus. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-eight C57BL/6 mice were divided randomly into four groups: a normal control (NG) group, an IAV infection (VG) group, an IAV + oseltamivir (30.44 mg/kg) treatment (VO) group, and an IAV + GQD (9.74 g/kg) treatment (VQ) group. We also grouped forty-eight Toll-like receptor 7 knockout (TLR7-/-) mice in the same manner. The pulmonary mRNA expression of TLR7, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 was measured by RT-qPCR, and the pulmonary protein expression of TLR7, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 was measured by western blot. The proportions of T helper (Th) 1, Th2, Th17 and regulatory T (Treg) cells were measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS IAV infection led to low body weights and high viral load. Compared with those in the NG group, the mRNA expression levels of TLR7, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 in the VG group were upregulated (P < 0.05). However, the mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR7, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 were lower in the VO and VQ groups than in the VG group (P < 0.05). IAV infection led to increased proportions of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg cells in the VG group. In the VO and VQ groups, both Th2 and Th1 cell numbers were increased, resulting in a lower Th1/Th2 proportion than that in the VG group. CONCLUSIONS GQD downregulated the expression of some key TLR signalling pathway factors. GQD also affected the differentiation of CD4+ T cells, thereby exerting a protective systemic effect on influenza virus infection. In conclusion, GQD activated a balanced inflammatory response in the host to limit immune pathological injury and improve clinical and survival outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yucong Shi
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China.
| | - Huachong Xu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China.
| | - Yike Xiao
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China.
| | - Pei Liu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China.
| | - Peng Pang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China.
| | - Sizhi Wu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China.
| | - Li Deng
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China.
| | - Xiaoyin Chen
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China.
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Ancuceanu R, Dinu M, Dinu-Pirvu C, Anuţa V, Negulescu V. Pharmacokinetics of B-Ring Unsubstituted Flavones. Pharmaceutics 2019; 11:E370. [PMID: 31374885 PMCID: PMC6723510 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics11080370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
B-ring unsubstituted flavones (of which the most widely known are chrysin, baicalein, wogonin, and oroxylin A) are 2-phenylchromen-4-one molecules of which the B-ring is devoid of any hydroxy, methoxy, or other substituent. They may be found naturally in a number of herbal products used for therapeutic purposes, and several have been designed by researchers and obtained in the laboratory. They have generated interest in the scientific community for their potential use in a variety of pathologies, and understanding their pharmacokinetics is important for a grasp of their optimal use. Based on a comprehensive survey of the relevant literature, this paper examines their absorption (with deglycosylation as a preliminary step) and their fate in the body, from metabolism to excretion. Differences among species (inter-individual) and within the same species (intra-individual) variability have been examined based on the available data, and finally, knowledge gaps and directions of future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Ancuceanu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany and Cell Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mihaela Dinu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany and Cell Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Cristina Dinu-Pirvu
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Colloidal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020956 Bucharest 020956, Romania
| | - Valentina Anuţa
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Colloidal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020956 Bucharest 020956, Romania
| | - Vlad Negulescu
- Department of Toxicology, Clinical Pharmacology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
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