UPLC-MS-based metabonomic analysis of intervention effects of Da-Huang-Xiao-Shi decoction on ANIT-induced cholestasis

Metabolomics and serum pharmacochemistry combined with network pharmacology uncover the potential effective ingredients and mechanisms of Yin-Chen-Si-Ni Decoction treating ANIT-induced cholestatic liver injury

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Yin-Chen-Si-Ni Decoction is a classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription that is used clinically for treating cholestatic liver injury (CLI) and other hepatic diseases. However, the material basis and underlying mechanisms of YCSND are not clear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate effective components and mechanisms of YCSND in the treatment of CLI using serum pharmacochemistry, metabolomics, and network pharmacology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Biochemical indicators, liver index, and histopathology analysis were adopted to evaluate the protective effect of YCSND on ANIT-induced CLI rats. Then, a UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS/MS analysis of the migrant components in serum and liver including prototype and metabolic components was performed in YCSND. In addition, a study of the endogenous metabolites using serum and liver metabolomics was performed to discover potential biomarkers, metabolic pathways, and associated mechanisms. Further, the network pharmacology oriented by in vivo migrant components was also used to pinpoint the active ingredients, core targets, and signaling pathways of YCSND. Finally, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) were used to predict the binding ability between components and core targets, and a real-time qPCR (RT-qPCR) experiment was used to measure the mRNA expression of the core target genes.

RESULTS

Pharmacodynamic studies suggest that YCSND could exert obvious hepatoprotective effects on CLI rats. Furthermore, 68 compounds, comprising 32 prototype components and 36 metabolic components from YCSND, were found by serum pharmacochemistry analysis. Network pharmacology combining molecular docking and MDS showed that apigenin, naringenin, 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid, and isoformononetin have better binding ability to 6 core targets (EGFR, AKT1, IL6, MMP9, CASP3, PPARG). Additionally, PI3K, TNF-α, MAPK3, and six core target genes in liver tissues were validated with RT-qPCR. Metabolomics revealed the anti-CLI effects of YCSND by regulating four metabolic pathways of primary bile acid and biosynthesis, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism. Integrating metabolomics and network pharmacology identified four pathways related to CLI, including the PI3K-Akt, HIF-1, MAPK, and TNF signaling pathway, which revealed multiple mechanisms of YCSND against CLI that might involve anti-inflammatory and apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

The research based on serum pharmacochemistry, network pharmacology, and metabolomics demonstrates the beneficial hepatoprotective effects of YCSND on CLI rats by regulating multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways, and provides a potent means of illuminating the material basis and mechanisms of TCM prescriptions.

The therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine on breast cancer through modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Breast cancer, the most prevalent malignant tumor among women globally, is significantly influenced by the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which plays a crucial role in its initiation and progression. While conventional chemotherapy, the standard clinical treatment, suffers from significant drawbacks like severe side effects, high toxicity, and limited prognostic efficacy, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provides a promising alternative. TCM employs a multi-targeted therapeutic approach, which results in fewer side effects and offers a high potential for effective treatment. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the therapeutic impacts of TCM on various subtypes of breast cancer, focusing on its interaction with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Additionally, it explores the effectiveness of both monomeric and compound forms of TCM in the management of breast cancer. We also discuss the potential of establishing biomarkers for breast cancer treatment based on key proteins within the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Our aim is to offer new insights into the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and to contribute to the standardization of TCM.

Integration of pharmacodynamics, network pharmacology and metabolomics to elucidate effect and mechanism of Artemisia capillaris Thunb. in the treatment of jaundice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

As one of the most commonly used herbs, Artemisia capillaris Thunb. (ACT) display favorable effect in the treatment of jaundice. However, mechanism of ACT in the treatment of jaundice remains unclear at present, which limits its development and application.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate effect and mechanism of Artemisia capillaris Thunb. (ACT) in the treatment of jaundice using pharmacodynamics, network pharmacology and metabolomics.

METHODS

Effect of ACT in treating jaundice was evaluated by biochemical assays and pathological observation using the α-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced mice. Jaundice-relieving mechanism of ACT was investigated by integration of network pharmacology and metabolomics.

RESULTS

After the mice with jaundice were administrated ACT extract for 9 days, compared to that of the model group, serum D-BIL, T-BIL and ALP levels of the mice in the low, medium, high dose of ACT group decreased by 39.81%, 15.30% and 16.92%; 48.06%, 42.54% and 36.91%; 26.90%, 12.34% and 16.90%, respectively. The pathologic study indicated that ACT improved the symptoms of liver injury of the mice with jaundice. The network of herb (i.e., ACT)-components-targets-disease (i.e., jaundice) was established, which consisted of 17 components classified in flavonoids, chromones, organic acids, terpenoids, and 234 targets related to treatment of jaundice. Metabolomics analysis showed that, compared to that in the model group, level of 8 differential metabolites were upregulated and level of 29 differential metabolites were downregulated in the mice liver in the ACT group, respectively. The main metabolic pathways involved in treatment of jaundice by ACT were pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, glutathione metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, primary bile acid biosynthesis in the liver, respectively. The integrated analysis of network pharmacology and metabolomics showed that 3α,7α,12α a-Trihydroxy-5β-cholanate, glycocholate, taurocholate, pantetheine 4'-phosphate, and d-4'-phosphopantothenate were the potential biomarkers for treatment of jaundice, and AKR1C4, ALDH2 and HSD11B were the potential drug targets in the treatment of jaundice by ACT.

CONCLUSION

The study based on metabolomics and network pharmacology indicated that ACT can display favorable jaundice-relieving effect by its multiple components regulating multiple biomarkers, multiple targets and multiple pathways, and may be a rational therapy for the treatment of jaundice.

The IDI1/SREBP2 axis drives intrahepatic cholestasis and is a treatment target of San-Huang-Cai-Zhu formula identified by sequencing and experiments

San-Huang-Chai-Zhu formula (SHCZF), originates from Da-Huang-Xiao-Shi decoction (DHXSD) for the treatment of jaundice as recorded in the Chinese traditional Chinese medicine book Jin Gui Yao Lue. In the clinic, SHCZF has been used to treat cholestasis-related liver disease by improving intrahepatic cholestasis, but the treatment mechanism has not been elucidated. In this study, 24 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to the normal, acute intrahepatic cholestasis (AIC), SHCZF, and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) groups. In addition, 36 SD rats were divided into dynamic groups, namely, normal 24 h, AIC 24 h, normal 48 h, AIC 48 h, normal 72 h, and AIC 72 h groups. Alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) was used to induce an AIC rat model. Serum biochemical indices and hepatic pathology were detected. Part of the hepatic tissues was used for sequencing, and others were used for subsequent experiments. Sequencing data combined with bioinformatics analysis were used to screen target genes and identify the mechanisms of SHCZF in treating AIC rats. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting (WB) were used to detect the RNA/Protein expression levels of screened genes. Rats in the dynamic group were used to determine the sequence of cholestasis and liver injury. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the representative bioingredients of SHCZF. Sequencing and bioinformatics analysis suggested that IDI1 and SREBP2 are hub target genes of SHCZF to ameliorate ANTI-induced intrahepatic cholestasis in rats. The treatment mechanism is associated with the regulation of lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) to reduce cholesterol intake and 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), and 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl-CoA synthase 1 (HMGCS1) to decrease cholesterol synthesis. Animal experiments showed that SHCZF significantly reduced the expression levels of the above genes and proinflammatory cytokine lipocalin 2 (LCN2), inflammatory cytokines interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), thereby improving intrahepatic cholestasis and inflammation and liver injury.

Transcriptome and Gut Microbiota Profiling Analysis of ANIT-Induced Cholestasis and the Effects of Da-Huang-Xiao-Shi Decoction Intervention

Cholestasis is characterized by bile acid (BA) circulation disorders, which is usually related to damage of hepatocyte barrier function. Currently, patients with cholestasis face several obstacles in seeking diagnosis and therapy. Da-Huang-Xiao-Shi decoction (DHXSD) is an ancient classic formula that has been used clinically for cholestasis treatment. Nevertheless, the underlying biological activities and therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, an alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholestasis rat model was established to examine the anticholestatic effects of DHXSD using histopathological and molecular analyses. Transcriptomic analysis combined with 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis was systematically applied to study the mechanism of action of DHXSD. Simultaneously, the effect of DHXSD on gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and intestinal barrier function were evaluated based on the ANIT-induced cholestasis model in rats. The results showed that DHXSD effectively attenuated ANIT-induced cholestasis by reducing liver function indicators (alanine transaminase [ALT], P < 0.05; alkaline phosphatase [ALP], P < 0.05; total bile acid [TBA], P < 0.01; γ-glutamyl transpeptidase [GGT], P < 0.001) and levels of hepatotoxicity-related enzymes (P < 0.05), thus improving the recovery of histopathological injuries, and regulating levels of inflammatory cytokines (P < 0.05). In addition, 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis combined with intestinal barrier function analysis revealed that the DHXSD significantly ameliorated ANIT-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis. Significantly altered genes in the model and treatment groups were screened using transcriptomic analysis. Sixty-eight genes and four microbial genera were simultaneously altered with opposing trends in variation after ANIT and DHXSD treatments. We built a framework for predicting targets and host-microbe interaction mechanisms, as well as identifying alternative treatment for cholestasis, which should be validated further for clinical application. In conclusion, DHXSD appears to be a promising agent for protection against liver injury. IMPORTANCE Cholestasis is a serious manifestation of liver diseases resulting in liver injury, fibrosis, and liver failure with limited therapies. To date, only ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of cholestasis. However, approximately one-third of patients with cholestasis are unresponsive to UDCA. Therefore, it is urgent to search for appropriate therapeutic agents for restoring stoppage status of the bile components to treat cholestasis. In this study, we investigated how the microbiome and transcriptome data sets correlated with each other to clarify the role of microbiome alterations in host metabolism. In combination, this research offers potential molecular biomarkers that should be validated for more accurate diagnosis of cholestasis and the clinical utilisation of gut microbiota as a target for treatment.

Promising traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of cholestatic liver disease process (cholestasis, hepatitis, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cholestatic liver disease (CLD) is mainly characterized by cholestasis. If not treated, it will deteriorate to cholestatic hepatitis, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, and even liver failure. CLD has a high clinical incidence, and limited treatment with single therapy. In the long-term clinical exploration, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been corroborated with unique therapeutic effects on the CLD process.

AIM OF THIS REVIEW

This paper summarizes the effective single and compound TCMs for the treatment of CLD. According to 4 important clinical stages of CLD: cholestasis, hepatitis, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, pharmacological effects and mechanisms of 5 typical TCM examples are reviewed, aims to provide basis for clinical drug selection in different processes of CLD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relevant scientific articles regarding therapeutic effects of TCM for the CLD were collected from different databases. We collated three single herbs including Artemisia scoparia Waldst. et Kit. or Artemisia capillaris Thunb. (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba, Yin Chen in Chinese), Paeonia lactiflora Pall. or Paeonia veitchii Lynch. (Paeoniae radix rubra, Chi Shao in Chinese), Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (Poria, Fu Ling in Chinese), and two compound herbs of Huang Qi Decoction (HQD) and Yin Chen Hao Decoction (YCHD) to studied and analyzed.

RESULTS

We proposed five promising TCMs treatments for the important developmental stages of CLD. Among them, Yin Chen is an essential medicine for protecting liver and gallbladder, and its TCM prescription is also a promising strategy for cholestasis. Based on clinical evidence, high-dose application of Chi Shao is a clinical special treatment of cholestasis hepatitis. Fu Ling can regulate immune cells and increase antibody levels in serum, which is expected to be an emerging therapy to prevent cholestatic liver fibrosis to cirrhosis. HQD can be used as routine clinical medicine for liver fibrosis. In addition, YCHD can exert better comprehensive advantages with multiple components, can treat the whole course of CLD and prevent it from developing to the end-stage.

CONCLUSION

Yin Chen, Chi Shao, Fu Ling, HQD and YCHD have shown good clinical efficacy in controlling the development of CLD. Clinically, it is easier to curb the development of CLD by adopting graded diagnosis and treatment measures. We suggest that CLD should be risk stratified in clinical treatment to ensure personalized treatment for patients, so as to slow down the development of the disease.

IL-25 ameliorates acute cholestatic liver injury via promoting hepatic bile acid secretion

Cholestasis caused by bile secretion and excretion disorders is a serious manifestation of hepatopathy. Interleukin (IL)-25 is a member of the IL-17 cytokine family, which involves in mucosal immunity and type 2 immunity via its receptor-IL-17RB. Our previous studies have shown that IL-25 improves non-alcoholic fatty liver via stimulating M2 macrophage polarization and promotes development of hepatocellular carcinoma via alternative activation of macrophages. These hepatopathy are closely associated with cholestasis. However, whether IL-25 play an important role in cholestasis remains unclear. IL-25 treatment and IL-25 knockout (Il25^-/-) mice were injected intragastrically with α-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT) to determine the biological association between IL-25 and cholestasis. Here, we found that IL-25 and IL-17RB decreased in ANIT-induced cholestatic mice. Il25^-/- mice showed exacerbated ANIT-induced parenchymal injury and IL-25 treatment significantly alleviated cholestatic liver injury induced by ANIT. We found that IL-25 reduced the level of hepatic total bile acids and increased the expression of multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 (MRP3) in liver. In conclusion, IL-25 exhibited a protective effect against ANIT-induced cholestatic liver injury in mice, which may be related to the regulation on bile acids secretion. These results provide a theoretical basis for the use of IL-25 in the treatment of cholestatic hepatopathy.

Combination of resveratrol and luteolin ameliorates α-naphthylisothiocyanate-induced cholestasis by regulating the bile acid homeostasis and suppressing oxidative stress

Cholestasis is a common liver injury without any effective therapeutic drugs so far. Resveratrol (RES) and luteolin (LUT) are natural polyphenols that exert protective effects on multiple liver injuries. Coadministration of RES and LUT could significantly improve the bioavailability of LUT and increase the systemic exposure to RES, and the combined treatment could also benefit from their multi-component and multi-target characteristics. Our current aim is to study the protective effects of coadministration of RES and LUT on α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholestasis. Serum biochemical indices and liver histopathology in rats indicated that coadministration of RES and LUT could improve liver function by suppressing oxidative stress. Dysregulated bile acid (BA) homeostasis is a significant pathological feature of cholestasis, which was determined to explore the potential biomarkers and to clarify the protection mechanism of coadministration of RES and LUT. The levels of cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, taurine conjugates and glycine conjugates, and the ratios of taurine conjugates to their free forms could be used as diagnosis indicators for cholestasis in rats. Furthermore, the coadministration of RES and LUT could restore the BA levels and exert better protective effects than administration alone. This study suggested that the coadministration of RES and LUT could protect against ANIT-induced cholestasis and the mechanism was closely related to regulating BA homeostasis and suppressing oxidative stress.

Determination of multiple active constituents in Da-Huang-Xiao-Shi decoction using HPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometry: Application in comparing the differences in the formula and its constituent herbs

Da-Huang-Xiao-Shi decoction (DHXSD) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula and is used to treat cholestasis. In this study, we developed a reliable and comprehensive HPLC coupled with linear ion trap-Orbitrap mass spectrometry method for the separation and determination of 21 components including six alkaloids, five anthraquinones, three tannins, three terpenes, two iridoid glycosides, one organic acid, and one flavonoid in DHXSD. A C₁₈ column was eluted by a gradient mobile phase containing at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Detection was operated with electrospray ionization source in positive and negative ion modes using selective ion monitoring (SIM). The calibration curves for all analytes showed good linearity (r >0.9901), and the inter- and intra-day precision did not exceed 4.98%. The recoveries, repeatability, and stability were also within the acceptable limits. The method was successfully applied to determine multiple active constituents in DHXSD and its constituent herbs. Compared to Da Huang, the total contents of the five anthraquinones were significantly higher in DHXSD. However, the changes of components from Zhi Zi/Huang Bo were complicated in DHXSD. The study could serve as a fundamental reference for establishing comprehensive DHXSD quality control measures and be helpful to understand some compatibility laws of DHXSD.

Untargeted GC-MS-Based Metabolomics for Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant gastrointestinal cancers in the world with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 68%. Although researchers accumulated many scientific studies, its pathogenesis remains unclear yet. Detecting and removing these malignant polyps promptly is the most effective method in CRC prevention. Therefore, the analysis and disposal of malignant polyps is conducive to preventing CRC.

METHODS

In the study, metabolic profiling as well as diagnostic biomarkers for CRC was investigated using untargeted GC-MS-based metabolomics methods to explore the intervention approaches. In order to better characterize the variations of tissue and serum metabolic profiles, orthogonal partial least-square discriminant analysis was carried out to further identify significant features. The key differences in tR-m/z pairs were screened by the S-plot and VIP value from OPLS-DA. Identified potential biomarkers were leading in the KEGG in finding interactions, which show the relationships among these signal pathways.

RESULTS

Finally, 17 tissue and 13 serum candidate ions were selected based on their corresponding retention time, p-value, m/z, and VIP value. Simultaneously, the most influential pathways contributing to CRC were inositol phosphate metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, phosphatidylinositol signaling system, and linoleic acid metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

The preliminary results suggest that the GC-MS-based method coupled with the pattern recognition method and understanding these cancer-specific alterations could make it possible to detect CRC early and aid in the development of additional treatments for the disease, leading to improvements in CRC patients' quality of life.

Mechanism of Paeoniflorin on ANIT-Induced Cholestatic Liver Injury Using Integrated Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology

Background: Paeoniflorin (PF), the major active compound isolated from the roots of Paeonia lactiflora Pall., has been used in the treatment of severe hepatic diseases for several decades and displays bright prospects in liver protective effect. However, its biological mechanism that regulates bile acid metabolism and cholestatic liver injury has not been fully elucidated. Our study aims to investigate the mechanism by which PF in the treatment of cholestatic liver injury using a comprehensive approach combining metabolomics and network pharmacological analysis.

Methods: The hepatoprotective effect of PF against cholestasis liver injury, induced by α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT), was evaluated in rats. The serum biochemical indices including ALT, AST, TBA, TBIL, ALP, ALB, and the pathological characteristics of the liver were analyzed. Moreover, UHPLC-Q-TOF was performed to explore the feces of rats with ANIT-induced cholestatic liver injury treated with PF and the potential biomarkers were screened by metabolomics. The targets for the regulation of potential biomarkers by PF were screened by network pharmacology, and then the relevant key targets were verified by immunohistochemical and western blotting methods.

Results: PF significantly improved serum indexes and alleviated liver histological damage. Metabolomics analyses showed that the therapeutic effect of PF is mainly associated with the regulation of 13 metabolites involved in 16 metabolic pathways. The “PF-targets-metabolites” interaction network was constructed, and then five key targets including CDC25B, CYP2C9, MAOB, mTOR, and ABCB1 that regulated the potential biomarkers were obtained. The above five targets were further verified by immunohistochemistry and western blotting, and the results showed that PF significantly improved the expression of key proteins regulating these biomarkers.

Conclusion: Our study provides direct evidence for the modulatory properties of PF treatment on ANIT-induced cholestatic liver injury using metabolomics and network pharmacology analyses. PF exhibits favorable pharmacological effect by regulating related signal pathways and key targets for biomarkers. Therefore, these findings may help better understand the complex mechanisms and provide a new and effective approach to the treatment of cholestatic liver injury.

UHPLC-MS-based metabolomics and chemoinformatics study reveals the neuroprotective effect and chemical characteristic in Parkinson's disease mice after oral administration of Wen-Shen-Yang-Gan decoction

Parkinson's disease (PD), the typical neurodegenerative disease, is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). However, no therapeutic agent used currently could slow down neuronal cell loss so as to decelerate or halt the progression of PD. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been utilized to treat the dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Wen-Shen-Yang-Gan decoction (WSYGD) has a good effect on the clinical treatment of PD with constipation. However, it is not clear which ingredients and what mechanism are responsible for the therapeutic effect. In this study, the pharmacodynamic study of WSYGD in PD mice was applied. Concurrently, a novel method for the identification of metabolic profiles of WSYGD has been developed. Finally, we found that WSYGD could protect the PD mice induced by rotenone. The underlying mechanism of the protective effect may be related to the reduction of the DA neurons apoptosis via reducing inflammatory reaction. By virtue of UPLC-MS and chemoinformatics method, 35 prototype compounds and 27 metabolites were filtered out and tentatively characterized. In conclusion, this study provides an insight into the metabolism of WSYGD in vivo to enable understanding of the metabolic process and therapeutic mechanism of PD.

Network pharmacology-based mechanism prediction and pharmacological validation of Xiaoyan Lidan formula on attenuating alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate induced cholestatic hepatic injury in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The well-known Chinese prescription, Xiaoyan Lidan Formula (XYLDF), possesses efficiency of heat-clearing, dampness-eliminating and jaundice-removing. It has long been used clinically for the treatment of hepatobiliary diseases due to intrahepatic cholestasis (IHC). However, the mechanism of XYLDF for its therapeutic effects remains elusive.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study aimed to explore the potential targets for liver protective mechanism of XYLDF based on network pharmacology and experimental assays in ANIT-induced cholestatic hepatic injury (CHI) in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

On the basis of the 29 serum migrant compounds of XYLDF elucidated by UPLC-TOF-MS/MS, a network pharmacology approach was applied for the mechanism prediction. Systematic networks were constructed to identify potential molecular targets, biological processes, and signaling pathways. And the interactions between significantly potential targets and active compounds were simulated by molecular docking. For the mechanism validation, an ANIT-induced rat model was used to evaluate the effects of XYLDF on CHI according to serum biochemistry, bile flow rates, histopathological examination, and the gene and protein expression including enzymes related to synthesis, export, and import of bile acid in liver and ileum, and those of inflammatory cytokines, analyzed by RT-qPCR and WB.

RESULTS

The results of network pharmacology research indicated TNF (TNF-α), RELA (NF-κB), NR1H4 (FXR), and ICAM1 (ICAM-1) to be the important potential targets of XYLDF for cholestatic liver injury, which are related to bile metabolism and NF-κB-mediated inflammatory signaling. And the molecular docking had pre-validated the prediction of network pharmacology, as the core active compounds of XYLDF had shown strong simulation binding affinity with FXR, followed by NF-κB, TNF-α, and ICAM-1. Meanwhile, the effects of XYLDF after oral administration on ANIT-induced CHI in rats exhibited the decreased levels of transaminases (ALT and AST), TBA, and TBIL in serum, raised bile flow rates, and markedly improved hepatic histopathology. Furthermore, consistent to the above targets prediction and molecular docking, XYLDF significantly up-regulated the expression of FXR, SHP, BSEP, and MRP2, and down-regulated CYP7A1 and NTCP in liver, and promoted expression of IBABP and OSTα/β in ileum, suggesting the activation of FXR-mediated pathway referring to bile acid synthesis, transportation, and reabsorption. Moreover, the lower levels of TNF-α in plasma and liver, as well as the reduced hepatic gene and protein expression of NF-κB, TNF-α, and ICAM-1 after XYLDF treatment revealed the suppression of NF-κB-mediated inflammatory signaling pathway, as evidenced by the inhibition of nuclear translocation of NF-κB.

CONCLUSIONS

XYLDF exhibited an ameliorative liver protective effect on ANIT-induced cholestatic hepatic injury. The present study has confirmed its mechanism as activating the FXR-regulated bile acid pathway and inhibiting inflammation via the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Da-Huang-Xiao-Shi decoction protects against3, 5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydroxychollidine-induced chronic cholestasis by upregulating bile acid metabolic enzymes and efflux transporters

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Chronic cholestasis is a usual clinical pathological process in hepatopathy and has few treatment options; it is classified under the category of jaundice in Chinese medicine. Da-Huang-Xiao-Shi decoction (DHXSD) is a classic Chinese prescription which is used to treat jaundice.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We aimed to examine the protective effect of DHXSD on liver and its potential mechanism of action against chronic cholestasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chronic cholestasis was induced using 3, 5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydroxychollidine (DDC) in mice. Mice were then administered DHXSD intragastrically at doses of 3.68, 7.35, and 14.70 g/kg for four weeks followed by further analyses. Serum biochemical indices and liver pathology were explored. Eighteen individual bile acids (BAs) in mice serum and liver were quantified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The expression of BA related metabolic enzymes, transporters, along with nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) was detected by real-time qPCR and Western blot.

RESULTS

DHXSD treatment reduced the serum biochemical indices, ameliorated pathological injury, and improved the disordered BA homeostasis. Mice treated with DHXSD showed significantly upregulated expression of the metabolic enzymes, cytochrome P450 2b10 (Cyp2b10), Cyp3a11, and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1a1 (Ugt1a1); and the bile acid transporters, multidrug resistance protein 2 (Mdr2), bile salt export pump (Bsep), and multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 (Mrp3). DHXSD treatment also significantly upregulated FXR expression in mice with DDC-induced chronic cholestasis.

CONCLUSIONS

DHXSD exerted protective effects on chronic cholestasis in DDC-treated mice by alleviating the disordered homeostasis of BAs through increased expression of BA related metabolic enzymes and efflux transporters.

Protective effects of n-Butanol extract and iridoid glycosides of Veronica ciliata Fisch. Against ANIT-induced cholestatic liver injury in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Veronica ciliata Fisch. is a traditional medical herb that present in more than 100 types of Tibetan medicine prescriptions, most of which are used for liver disease therapy. Iridoid glycosides have been identified as the major active components of V.ciliata with a variety of biological activities.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is to explore the protective effect and potential mechanism of n-Butanol extract (BE) and iridoid glycosides (IG) from V.ciliata against ɑ-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced hepatotoxicity and cholestasis in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice were intragastrically (i.g.) given BE and IG at different dose or positive control ursodeoxycholic acid (UCDA) once a day for 14 consecutive days, and were treated with ANIT to cause liver injury on day 12th. Serum levels of hepatic injury markers and cholestasis indicators, liver index and liver histopathology were measured to evaluate the effect of BE and IG on liver injury caused by ANIT. The protein levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB), interleukin-6 (IL-6), Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), bile salt export pump (BSEP), multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2), and the levels of oxidative stress indicators in liver tissue were investigated to reveal the underlying protective mechanisms of BE and IG against ANIT-induced hepatotoxicity and cholestasis.

RESULTS

The n-Butanol extract (BE) and iridoid glycosides (IG) isolated from V.ciliata significantly decreased serum level of cholestatic liver injury markers aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), total bile acid (TBA), total bilirubin (TBIL), and direct bilirubin (DBIL) in ANIT-treated mice. Histopathology of the liver tissue showed that pathological damages were relieved upon BE and IG treatment. Meanwhile, the results indicated BE and IG notably restored relative liver weights, inhibited oxidative stress induced by ANIT through increasing hepatic level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and decreasing hepatic content of malondialdehyde (MDA). Western blot revealed that BE and IG inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory factors TGF-α, IL-6 and NF-κB. Furthermore, the decreased protein expression of bile acid transporters NTCP, BSEP, MRP2 were upregulated by BE and IG in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

The results have demonstrated that BE and IG exhibited a dose-dependently protective effect against ANIT-induced liver injury with acute intrahepatic cholestasis in mice, which might be related to the regulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory response and bile acid transport. In addition, these findings pointed out that iridoid glycosides as main active components of V.ciliata play a critical role in hepatoprotective effect of V.ciliata.

Evaluation of the effect of Dahuang-Mudan decoction on TNBS-induced colitis using UPLC-QTOF/MS-based metabolomic analysis

Dahuang-Mudan decoction (DMD) is a formula that has been widely used as a complementary treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the mechanism of action of DMD in IBD has not been clearly elucidated. Therefore, we developed a metabolomics-based method to evaluate the effects and potential mechanisms of DMD in a 2,4,6-trinitobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis model. The ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/QTOF-MS) method combined with multiple analysis approaches including principal component analysis, partial least square discriminant analysis and orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis were used to investigate the different urinary metabolites. We identified 29 potential biomarkers of TNBS-induced colitis that returned to normal conditions after DMD administration. Pathway analysis indicated that changes in these metabolites were associated with cysteine and methionine metabolism, citric acid cycle, glycolysis and glycolic regeneration, pyruvate metabolism, biosynthesis of valine, leucine and isoleucine, biosynthesis of primary bile acids, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, caffeine metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism and phenylalanine metabolism. It is worth noting that DMD has potential therapeutic effects on TNBS-induced colitis, which functions by restoring the balance of multiple disturbed pathways to a normal condition. This study suggests the reliability of metabolomics-based approaches to identifying biomarkers and pathways, which facilitate further investigation of the potential mechanisms of DMD.

Scoparone alleviates hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting the TLR-4/NF-κB pathway

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of scoparone (SCO) in hepatic fibrosis. For this, we conducted in vivo and in vitro experiments. In vivo rats that were divided into six groups, control, carbon tetrachloride, and colchicine, as well as SCO groups, SCO50, SCO100, and SCO200 treated with 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg SCO doses, respectively. Furthermore, SCO was shown to inhibit Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB; TLR-4/NF-κB) signals by inhibiting TLR-4, which in turn downregulates the expression of MyD88, promotes NF-κB inhibitor-α, NF-κB inhibitor-β, and NF-κB inhibitor-ε activation, while inhibiting NF-κB inhibitor-ζ. Subsequently, the decrease of phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB levels leads to the downregulation of the downstream inflammatory factors' tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1 beta, thus weakening hepatic fibrosis. Notably, the SCO200 treated group presented the most significant improvement. Hence, we conclude that SCO alleviates hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting TLR-4/NF-κB signals.

Metabolomic and Lipidomic Biomarkers for Premalignant Liver Disease Diagnosis and Therapy

In recent years, there has been a plethora of attempts to discover biomarkers that are more reliable than α-fetoprotein for the early prediction and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Efforts have involved such fields as genomics, transcriptomics, epigenetics, microRNA, exosomes, proteomics, glycoproteomics, and metabolomics. HCC arises against a background of inflammation, steatosis, and cirrhosis, due mainly to hepatic insults caused by alcohol abuse, hepatitis B and C virus infection, adiposity, and diabetes. Metabolomics offers an opportunity, without recourse to liver biopsy, to discover biomarkers for premalignant liver disease, thereby alerting the potential of impending HCC. We have reviewed metabolomic studies in alcoholic liver disease (ALD), cholestasis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Specificity was our major criterion in proposing clinical evaluation of indole-3-lactic acid, phenyllactic acid, N-lauroylglycine, decatrienoate, N-acetyltaurine for ALD, urinary sulfated bile acids for cholestasis, cervonoyl ethanolamide for fibrosis, 16α-hydroxyestrone for cirrhosis, and the pattern of acyl carnitines for NAFL and NASH. These examples derive from a large body of published metabolomic observations in various liver diseases in adults, adolescents, and children, together with animal models. Many other options have been tabulated. Metabolomic biomarkers for premalignant liver disease may help reduce the incidence of HCC.