Anti-tumor effects and mechanisms of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) and its specific immunopotentiation: Status and prospect

Exploring the role of a novel postbiotic bile acid: Interplay with gut microbiota, modulation of the farnesoid X receptor, and prospects for clinical translation

The gut microbiota, mainly resides in the colon, possesses a remarkable ability to metabolize different substrates to create bioactive substances, including short-chain fatty acids, indole-3-propionic acid, and secondary bile acids. In the liver, bile acids are synthesized from cholesterol and then undergo modification by the gut microbiota. Beyond those reclaimed by the enterohepatic circulation, small percentage of bile acids escaped reabsorption, entering the systemic circulation to bind to several receptors, such as farnesoid X receptor (FXR), thereby exert their biological effects. Gut microbiota interplays with bile acids by affecting their synthesis and determining the production of secondary bile acids. Reciprocally, bile acids shape out the structure of gut microbiota. The interplay of bile acids and FXR is involved in the development of multisystemic conditions, encompassing metabolic diseases, hepatobiliary diseases, immune associated disorders. In the review, we aim to provide a thorough review of the intricate crosstalk between the gut microbiota and bile acids, the physiological roles of bile acids and FXR in mammals' health and disease, and the clinical translational considerations of gut microbiota-bile acids-FXR in the treatment of the diseases.

Exploring the mechanism of luteolin improving immune and inflammatory responses in systemic sclerosis based on systems biology and cell experiments

There is a growing trend of applying traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat immune diseases. This study reveals the possible mechanism of luteolin, an active ingredient in the core prescription of TCM, in alleviating systemic sclerosis (SSc) inflammation. Bibliometrics was performed to retrieve the core keywords of SSc inflammation. The key inflammatory indicators in the serum samples of 50 SSc patients were detected by ELISA. Data mining was applied for correlation analysis, association rule analysis, and binary logistic regression analysis on the clinical indicators and medication of 50 SSc patients before and after treatment to determine the core prescription. Network pharmacology was used for identifying candidate genes and pathways; molecular docking was conducted to determine the core monomer components of the prescription, providing a basis for subsequent in vitro molecular mechanism research. The effect of luteolin on SSc-human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) viability and inflammatory factors was evaluated by means of ELISA, RT-PCR, and Western blot. The role of TNF in inflammation was explored by using a TNF overexpression vector, NF-κB inhibitor (PKM2), and SSc-HDF. The involvement of TNF/NF-κB pathway was validated by RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. TCM treatment partially corrected the inflammatory changes in SSc patients, indicating its anti-inflammatory effects in the body. Atractylodes, Yam, Astragalus root, Poria cocos, Pinellia ternata, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Safflower, Cassia twig, and Angelica were identified as the core prescriptions for improving inflammatory indicators. Luteolin was the main active ingredient in the prescription and showed a strong binding energy with TNF and NF-κB. Luteolin exerted anti-inflammatory effects in vitro by reducing inflammatory cytokines in SSc-HDF and inhibiting the activation of TNF/NF-κB. Mechanistically, luteolin inhibited the activation of the TNF/NF-κB pathway in SSc-HDF, as manifested by an increase in extranuclear p-P65 and TNF but a decrease in intranuclear p-P65. Interestingly, the addition of PKM2 augmented the therapeutic function of luteolin against inflammation in SSc-HDF. Our study showed the TCM alleviates the inflammatory response of SSc by inhibiting the activation of the TNF/NF-κB pathway and is an effective therapeutic agent for the treatment of SSc.

Influence of extraction solvents on the chemical constituents and biological activities of Astragalus aduncus from Turkey flora: In vitro and in silico insights

The n-hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, ethanol/water (70% ethanol), and water extracts of Astragalus aduncus aerial parts were investigated for their antioxidant potential, enzyme inhibition activity (anti-acetylcholinesterase [AChE], anti-butyrylcholinesterase [BChE], antityrosinase, antiamylase, and antiglucosidase) and antiproliferative effect (against colon adenocarcinoma cell line [HT-29], gastric cancer cell line [HGC-27], prostate carcinoma cell line [DU-145], breast adenocarcinoma cell line [MDA-MB-231], and cervix adenocarcinoma cell line [HeLa]). In addition, the phytochemical profile of the extracts was evaluated using validated spectrophotometric and high-pressure liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/tandem mass spectroscopy methods. Generally, the 70% ethanol extract demonstrated the strongest antioxidant properties, and it was the richest source of total phenolic constituents. Our findings indicated that the ethyl acetate extract was the most potent BChE inhibitor (11.44 mg galantamine equivalents [GALAE]/g) followed by the ethanol extract (8.51 mg GALAE/g), while the ethanol extract was the most promising AChE inhibitor (3.42 mg GALAE/g) followed by the ethanol/water extract (3.17 mg GALAE/g). Excellent tyrosinase inhibitory activity (66.25 mg kojic acid equivalent/g) was observed in ethanol/water extracts of the aerial part of A. aduncus. Тhese results showed that the most cytotoxic effects were exhibited by the ethyl acetate extract against HGC-27 cells (IC50: 36.76 µg/mL), the ethanol extract against HT-29 cells (IC50: 30.79 µg/mL), and the water extract against DU-145 cells (IC50: 37.01 µg/mL). A strong correlation was observed between the highest total flavonoid content and the highest content of individual compounds in the ethanol extract, including rutin, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, delphinidin-3,5-diglucoside (delphinidin-3,5-O-diglucoside), and kaempferol-3-glucoside (kaempferol-3-O-glucoside). In the present study, the A. aduncus plant was considered a new source of antioxidants, enzyme inhibitors, and anticancer agents and could be used as a future health-benefit natural product.

Isolation and purification of carbohydrate components in functional food: a review

Medicinal plants, increasingly utilized in functional foods, possess potent therapeutic properties and health-promoting functions, with carbohydrates playing a crucial role and exhibiting a range of effects, such as antioxidant, antitumor, immune-enhancing, antibacterial, anticoagulant, and hypoglycemic activities. However, comprehensively, accurately, rapidly, and economically assessing the quality of carbohydrate components is challenging due to their diverse and complex nature. Additionally, the purification and identification of carbohydrates also guarantee related efficacy research. This paper offers a thorough review of research progress carried out by both domestic and international scholars in the last decade on extracting, purifying, separating, identifying, and determining the content of carbohydrate components from functional foods, which are mainly composed of medicinal plants, and also explores the potential for achieving comprehensive quantitative analysis and evaluating structure-activity relationships of carbohydrate components. These findings aim to serve as a valuable reference for the future development and application of natural carbohydrate components in functional food and medicine.

Research Progress on the Anti-Cancer Effects of Astragalus membranaceus Saponins and Their Mechanisms of Action

Astragalus membranaceus saponins are the main components of A. membranaceus, a plant widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Recently, research on the anti-cancer effects of A. membranaceus saponins has received increasing attention. Numerous in vitro and in vivo experimental data indicate that A. membranaceus saponins exhibit significant anti-cancer effects through multiple mechanisms, especially in inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and induction of apoptosis, etc. This review compiles relevant studies on the anti-cancer properties of A. membranaceus saponins from various databases over the past two decades. It introduces the mechanism of action of astragalosides, highlighting their therapeutic benefits in the management of cancer. Finally, the urgent problems in the research process are highlighted to promote A. membranaceus saponins as an effective drug against cancer.

Screening of potential α-glucosidase inhibitors from astragalus membranaceus by affinity ultrafiltration screening coupled with UPLC-ESI-Orbitrap-MS method

Astragalus membranaceus is a traditional Chinese medicine with multiple pharmacological activities. Modern pharmacological research has found that Astragalus membranaceus extract has an inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase, however, which component can inhibit the activity of α-glucosidase and its degree of inhibition are unknown. To address this issue, this study used affinity ultrafiltration screening combined with UPLC-ESI-Orbitrap-MS technology to screen α-glucosidase inhibitors in Astragalus membranaceus. Using affinity ultrafiltration technology, we obtained the active components, and using UPLC-ESI-Orbitrap-MS technology, we quickly analyzed and identified them. As a result, a total of 8 ingredients were selected as α-glucosidase inhibitors.

Structural elucidation and immunomodulatory activities in vitro of type I and II arabinogalactans from different origins of Astragalus membranaceus

Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharide (APS) possesses excellent immunomodulatory activity. However, there are several studies on the structural characterization of APS. Here, we aimed to elucidate the repeating units of polysaccharides (APS1, 106.5 kDa; APS2, 114.5 kDa) obtained from different Astragalus membranaceus origins and further investigated their immunomodulatory activities. Based on structural analysis, types of the two polysaccharides were identified as arabinogalactan-I (AG-I) and arabinogalactan-II (AG-II), and co-elution of arabinogalactans (AGs) and α-glucan was observed. The backbone of AG-I was 1,4-linked β-Galp occasionally substituted by α-Araf at O-2 and/or O-3. AG-II was a highly branched polysaccharide with long branches of α-Araf, which were attached to the O-3 of 1,6-linked β-Galp of the backbone. The presence of AGs in A. membranaceus was confirmed for the first time. The two polysaccharides could promote the expression of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in RAW264.7 cells via MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways. The constants for APS1 and APS2 binding to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) were 1.83 × 10-5 and 2.08 × 10-6, respectively. Notably, APS2 showed better immunomodulatory activity than APS1, possibly because APS2 contained more AGs. Hence, the results suggested that AGs were the vital components of APS in the immunomodulatory effect.

Sophora flavescens-Astragalus mongholicus herb pair in the progression of hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma: a possible mechanisms and relevant therapeutic substances

Background

Both Sophora flavescens (SF) and Astragalus mongholicus (AM) are known for their anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and anticancer activities. However, the efficacy, multi-target mechanisms, and therapeutic substances of SF-AM herb pair on the progression of hepatitis-cirrhosis-hepatocellular carcinoma hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear.

Purpose

To investigate the efficacy, mechanisms, and potential therapeutic substances of SF-AM herb pair in the progression of hepatitis-cirrhosis-HCC.

Methods

Firstly, diethylnitrosamine was used to establish the hepatitis-cirrhosis-HCC model. HE staining and non-targeted metabolomics were used to evaluate the efficacy of SF-AM herb pair. Subsequently, the absorbed components of SF-AM herb pair in the plasma of rats were determined through HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis. Flow cytometry, Western blot, and qRT-PCR were then employed to assess CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, PI3K/Akt signaling pathway-related proteins, and their corresponding mRNAs. Simultaneously, the efficacy and mechanism of SF-AM herb pair on HCC were confirmed by in vitro experiments. Finally, Pearson correlation analysis was performed between pharmacodynamic indicators and in vivo components to identify the potential therapeutic substances of SF-AM herb pair.

Results

SF-AM herb pair can alleviate the pathological damage and reverse metabolic abnormalities in hepatitis, cirrhosis, and HCC rats, particularly during the hepatitis and cirrhosis stages. Pharmacological researches have demonstrated that SF-AM herb pair can increase the proportion of CD8+ T lymphocytes, inhibit the expression of PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, NF-κB p65, NF-κB pp65, and Bcl-2, as well as increase the expression of IκBα, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3. These findings suggest that SF-AM herb pair has the ability to enhance immunity, anti-inflammation and promote apoptosis. Cell experiments have shown that SF-AM herb pair can inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cell and regulate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Moreover, 23 absorbed prototypical components and 53 metabolites of SF-AM herb pair were identified at different stages of HCC rats. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that matrine, cytisine, wogonoside, and isoastragaloside are potential therapeutic substances in SF-AM herb pair for the prevention and treatment of hepatitis, cirrhosis, and HCC.

Conclusion

In summary, this study revealed the efficacy, mechanisms, and potential therapeutic substances of SF-AM herb pair in the hepatitis-cirrhosis-HCC axis and provided a reference for its clinical application.

Treatment of peritoneal fibrosis: Therapeutic prospects of bioactive Agents from Astragalus membranaceus

Peritoneal dialysis is one of the renal replacement treatments for patients with end-stage renal disease. Peritoneal dialysis-related peritoneal fibrosis is a pathological change in peritoneal tissue of peritoneal dialysis patients with progressive, non-suppurative inflammation accompanied by fibrous tissue hyperplasia, resulting in damage to the original structure and function, leading to peritoneal function failure. Currently, there is no specific drug in the clinic. Therefore, it is necessary to find a drug with good effects and few adverse reactions. Astragalus membranaceus (AMS) is the dried root of the Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. AMS and its active ingredients play a significant role in anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis, regulation of immune function and regulation of blood pressure. Studies have shown that it can alleviate peritoneal fibrosis by reducing inflammatory response, inhibiting oxidative stress, degrading extracellular matrix deposition, regulating apoptosis, and regulating Transforming Growth Factor-β. The author summarized the relationship between AMS and its active ingredients by referring to relevant literature at home and abroad, in order to provide some theoretical basis for further clinical research.

Anticancer Mechanism of Astragalus Polysaccharide and Its Application in Cancer Immunotherapy

Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) derived from A. membranaceus plays a crucial role in traditional Chinese medicine. These polysaccharides have shown antitumor effects and are considered safe. Thus, they have become increasingly important in cancer immunotherapy. APS can limit the spread of cancer by influencing immune cells, promoting cell death, triggering cancer cell autophagy, and impacting the tumor microenvironment. When used in combination with other therapies, APS can enhance treatment outcomes and reduce toxicity and side effects. APS combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors, relay cellular immunotherapy, and cancer vaccines have broadened the application of cancer immunotherapy and enhanced treatment effectiveness. By summarizing the research on APS in cancer immunotherapy over the past two decades, this review elaborates on the anticancer mechanism of APS and its use in cancer immunotherapy and clinical trials. Considering the multiple roles of APS, this review emphasizes the importance of using APS as an adjunct to cancer immunotherapy and compares other polysaccharides with APS. This discussion provides insights into the specific mechanism of action of APS, reveals the molecular targets of APS for developing effective clinical strategies, and highlights the wide application of APS in clinical cancer therapy in the future.

Mechanism of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix against ovarian cancer via new pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental verification

The study aims to elucidate the pharmacological mechanisms of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix (SFR, Kushen) against ovarian cancer (OV) by employing an integrated approach that encompasses network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation. The effective components and potential targets of SFR were identified through screening the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TSMSP) public database using network pharmacology. Core anti-OV targets were pinpointed using protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. Datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the Human Protein Atlas (HPA), and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) were used to investigate the mRNA and protein expressions of critical target genes in both normal and cancerous ovarian tissues, alongside their relationship to overall ovarian survival. Functional and pathway enrichment assessments of putative targets were carried out with Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). The assessment of stable binding effects was conducted through molecular docking with quercetin, luteolin, and formononetin, and validated by anti-OV cell activity. The investigation identified 22 active SFR components yielding 152 potential targets following the intersection with known OV targets. Analysis of PPI network highlighted 13 crucial target genes, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1A (IL-1A). GO enrichment analysis covered 703 biological activities, 72 cellular components, and 144 chemical functions. The KEGG enrichment analysis suggested that anti-cancer effects of SFR are mediated by the TNF, interleukin-17 (IL-17), and AGE-RAGE signaling pathways. Molecular docking demonstrated that TNF and IL-1A were stable and strong binding to quercetin, luteolin, and formononetin, indicating that these stable structures significantly inhibited A2780 OV cell viability. This study demonstrated the ability of TNF and IL-1A combined with quercetin, luteolin, and formononetin to decrease the activity of OV cells, suggesting potential therapeutic effect against OV.

Astragaloside IV alleviates macrophage senescence and d-galactose-induced bone loss in mice through STING/NF-κB pathway

BACKGROUND

Senile osteoporosis (SOP) is an age-related metabolic bone disease that currently lacks specific therapeutic interventions. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) on macrophage senescence, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) osteogenesis, and SOP progression.

METHODS

A senescent macrophage model was established and treated with varying concentrations of AS-IV. Cell activity was measured using the CCK8 assay. The senescence levels of macrophages were evaluated through β-galactosidase staining, PCR, and immunofluorescence. Macrophage mitochondrial function was assessed using ROS and JC-1 staining. Macrophage polarization was evaluated through PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. The inhibitory effects of AS-IV on macrophage senescence were investigated using Western blot analysis. Furthermore, the effects of macrophage conditioned medium (CM) on BMSCs osteogenic were detected using ALP, alizarin red, and PCR.

RESULTS

AS-IV inhibited macrophage senescence and M1 polarization, alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction, and promoted M2 polarization. Mechanistically, it suppressed the STING/NF-κB pathway in H2O2-activated macrophages. Conversely, the STING agonist c-di-GMP reversed the effects of AS-IV on macrophage senescence. Additionally, AS-IV-induced macrophage CM promoted BMSC osteogenic differentiation. In vivo, AS-IV treatment ameliorated aberrant bone microstructure and bone mass loss in the SOP mouse model, inhibited macrophage senescence, and promoted M2 polarization.

CONCLUSIONS

By modulating the STING/NF-κB signaling pathway, AS-IV potentially inhibited macrophage senescence and stimulated osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, thus exerting an anti-osteoporotic effect. Consequently, AS-IV may serve as an effective therapeutic candidate for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Advances in research on the anti-tumor mechanism of Astragalus polysaccharides

The dry root of the soybean plant Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge) Hsiao or A. membranaceus (Fisch) Bge, Astragali Radix (AR) has a long medicinal history. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS), the natural macromolecule that exhibits immune regulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and other pharmacological activities, is an important active ingredient extracted from AR. Recently, APS has been increasingly used in cancer therapy owing to its anti-tumor ability as it prevents the progression of prostate, liver, cervical, ovarian, and non-small-cell lung cancer by suppressing tumor cell growth and invasion and enhancing apoptosis. In addition, APS enhances the sensitivity of tumors to antineoplastic agents and improves the body's immunity. This macromolecule has prospects for broad application in tumor therapy through various pathways. In this article, we present the latest progress in the research on the anti-tumor effects of APS and its underlying mechanisms, aiming to provide novel theoretical support and reference for its use in cancer therapy.

Unveiling the potential anti-cancer activity of calycosin against multivarious cancers with molecular insights: A promising frontier in cancer research

BACKGROUND

Calycosin may be a potential candidate regarding chemotherapeutic agent, because already some studies against multivarious cancer have been made with this natural compound.

AIM

This review elucidated a brief overview of previous studies on calycosin potential effects on various cancers and its potential mechanism of action.

METHODOLOGY

Data retrieved by systematic searches of Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Scopus by using keywords including calycosin, cancer types, anti-cancer mechanism, synergistic, and pharmacokinetic and commonly used tools are BioRender, ChemDraw Professional 16.0, and ADMETlab 2.0.

RESULTS

Based on our review, calycosin is available in nature and effective against around 15 different types of cancer. Generally, the anti-cancer mechanism of this compound is mediated through a variety of processes, including regulation of apoptotic pathways, cell cycle, angiogenesis and metastasis, oncogenes, enzymatic pathways, and signal transduction process. These study conducted in various study models, including in silico, in vitro, preclinical and clinical models. The molecular framework behind the anti-cancer effect is targeting some oncogenic and therapeutic proteins and multiple signaling cascades. Therapies based on nano-formulated calycosin may make excellent nanocarriers for the delivery of this compound to targeted tissue as well as particular organ. This natural compound becomes very effective when combined with other natural compounds and some standard drugs. Moreover, proper use of this compound can reverse resistance to existing anti-cancer drugs through a variety of strategies. Calycosin showed better pharmacokinetic properties with less toxicity in human bodies.

CONCLUSION

Calycosin exhibits excellent potential as a therapeutic drug against several cancer types and should be consumed until standard chemotherapeutics are available in pharma markets.

Extract of Astragali Radix and Solanum nigrum Linne regulates microglia and macrophage polarization and inhibits the growth and infiltration of C6 glioblastoma

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The polarization of glioma-associated microglia/macrophages (GAMs) affects the growth and infiltration of glioma. Astragali Radix (AR) and Solanum nigrum L. (SN) are traditional antitumor combinations in Chinese herbal medicine, but their roles and mechanisms against glioma are not yet clear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The effects of AR and SN compound (ARSN) on the polarization of GAMs and glioma cells in vitro and in vivo were studied, providing new ideas for the treatment of glioma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The UPLC-QTOF-MS method was used to examine the quality of ARSN extracts. The effects of ARSN on proliferation, migration and apoptosis of C6 cells were investigated using CCK-8 assay, colony-forming assay, wound healing assay and flow cytometry. The impact of ARSN on the polarization of GAMs was verified by PCR, ELISA, and flow cytometry. In addition, a rat glioma model was established to assess the effects of ARSN on glioma growth, infiltration, and polarization of GAMs.

RESULTS

In vitro experiments, ARSN can effectively inhibit the proliferation and migration of C6 cells and promote apoptosis. In the rat orthotopic tumor model, ARSN also effectively inhibited tumor growth and infiltration. The SN part of ARSN has strong cytotoxicity. Meanwhile the AR part can effectively inhibit the M2 polarization of GAMs and chemokine production induced by tumor, promote the M1 phenotype of GAMs, and regulate the tumor immune microenvironment to indirectly kill glioma.

CONCLUSIONS

ARSN inhibited glioma growth both in vitro and in vivo. SN takes effect through direct cytotoxicity, while AR works by regulating GAMs polarization. ARSN extracts can be used as a potential agent for glioma treatment.

Astragalus saponins protect against extrahepatic and intrahepatic cholestatic liver fibrosis models by activation of farnesoid X receptor

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cholestatic Liver Fibrosis (CLF) is a hepatobiliary disease that typically arises as a late-stage complication of cholestasis, which can have multiple underlying causes. There are no satisfactory chemical or biological drugs for CLF. Total Astragalus saponins (TAS) are considered to be the main active constituents of the traditional Chinese herb Astragali Radix (AR), which has the obvious improvement effects for treating CLF. However, the mechanism of anti-CLF effects of TAS is still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study was undertaken to investigate the therapeutic effects of TAS against bile duct ligation (BDL) and 3, 5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydroxychollidine (DDC) -induced CLF models and to reveal the potential mechanism to support its clinic use with scientific evidence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, BDL-induced CLF rats were treated with TAS (20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg) and DDC-induced CLF mice were treated with 56 mg/kg TAS. The therapeutic effects of TAS on extrahepatic and intrahepatic CLF models were evaluated by serum biochemical analysis, liver histopathology and hydroxyproline (Hyp). Thirty-nine individual bile acids (BAs) in serum and liver were quantified by using UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap HRMS. qRT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis were used to measure the expression of liver fibrosis and ductular reaction markers, inflammatory factors and BAs related metabolic transporters, along with nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR).

RESULTS

The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBiL), direct bilirubin (DBiL) and contents of liver Hyp were dose-dependently improved after treatment for TAS in BDL and DDC- induced CLF models. And the increased levels of ALT and AST were significantly improved by total extract from Astragali radix (ASE) in BDL model. The liver fibrosis and ductular reaction markers, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and cytokeratin 19 (CK19), were significantly ameliorated in TAS group. And the liver expression of inflammatory factors: interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) were significantly decreased after TAS treatment. In addition, TAS significantly ameliorated taurine-conjugated BAs (tau-BAs) levels, particularly α-TMCA, β-TMCA and TCA contents in serum and liver, which correlated with induced expressions of hepatic FXR and BAs secretion transporters. Furthermore, TAS significantly improved short heterodimer partner (SHP), cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (Cyp7a1), Na+ taurocholate cotransport peptide (NTCP) and bile-salt export pump (BSEP) mRNA and protein expression.

CONCLUSIONS

TAS exerted a hepatoprotective effect against CLF by ameliorating liver injury, inflammation and restoring the altered tau-BAs metabolism to produce a positive regulatory effect on FXR-related receptors and transporters.

Astragaloside IV regulates circ_0001615 and miR-873-5p/LASP1 axis to suppress colorectal cancer cell progression

Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) has exhibited pivotal anti-cancer efficacy in multiple types of cancer, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Meanwhile, circular RNA (circRNA) circ_0001615 has been reported to be involved in the malignant development of CRC. Herein, this study is expected to figure out the interaction between circ_0001615 and AS-IV on CRC progression. The 50% inhibition concentration (IC50), proliferation, apoptosis, and migration were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), flow cytometry, and wound healing assays. The expression of related proteins was examined by western blot. Circ_0001615, microRNA-873-5p (miR-873-5p), and LIM and SH3 protein 1 (LASP1) levels were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The binding between miR-873-5p and circ_0001615, or LASP1, was predicted by Starbase, followed by verification by dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. The biological role of circ_0001615 and AS-IV on CRC tumor growth was detected by the xenograft tumor model in vivo. According to the IC50 of AS-IV in CRC cells, the 100 ng/mL AS-IV treatment for 24 h was chosen for the following research: Our data confirmed that AS-IV is a beneficial anti-cancer agent in CRC cells. Furthermore, circ_0001615 and LASP1 expression were increased, and miR-873-5p was decreased in CRC patients and cell lines, whereas their expression exhibited an opposite trend in AS-IV-treated cells. Functionally, applying AS-IV might act as a beneficial anti-cancer effect by downregulating circ_0001615 in CRC cells in vitro. Mechanically, circ_0001615 serves as a sponge for miR-873-5p to affect LASP1 expression. In addition, AS-IV inhibited CRC cell growth in vivo by modulating circ_0001615. Overall, AS-IV could mitigate CRC development, at least in part, through the circ_0001615/miR-873-5p/LASP1 axis. These findings support a theoretical basis for an in-depth study of the function of AS-IV and the clinical treatment of CRC.

Evaluation of pharmacological and pharmacokinetic herb-drug interaction between irinotecan hydrochloride injection and Kangai injection in colorectal tumor-bearing mice and healthy rats

Introduction: Kangai (KA) injection, a Chinese herbal injection, is often used in combination with irinotecan (CPT-11) to enhance the effectiveness of anti-colorectal cancer treatment and alleviate side effects. However, the combined administration of this herb-drug pair remains controversial due to limited pre-clinical evidence and safety concerns. This study aimed to determine the pre-clinical herb-drug interactions between CPT-11 and KA injection to provide a reference for their clinical co-administration. Methods: In the pharmacological study, BALB/c mice with CT26 colorectal tumors were divided into four groups and treated with vehicle alone (0.9% saline), CPT-11 injection (100 mg/kg), KA injection (10 mL/kg), or a combination of CPT-11 and KA injection, respectively. The tumor volume of mice was monitored daily to evaluate the therapeutic effect. Daily body weight, survival rate, hematopoietic toxicity, immune organ indices, and gut toxicity were analyzed to study the adverse effects. Healthy Sprague-Dawley rats in the pharmacokinetic study were administered KA injection only (4 mL/kg), or a combination of CPT-11 injection (20 mg/kg) and KA injection, respectively. Six key components of KA injection (oxymatrine, matrine, ginsenoside Rb1, Rg1, Re, and astragaloside IV) in rat plasma samples collected within 24 h after administration were determined by LC-MS/MS. Results: The pharmacological study indicated that KA injection has the potential to enhance the anti-colorectal cancer efficacy of CPT-11 injection and alleviate the severe weight loss induced by CPT-11 injection in tumor-bearing mice. The pharmacokinetic study revealed that co-administration resulted in inhibition of oxymatrine metabolism in rats, evidenced by the significantly reduced Cmax and AUC0-t of its metabolite, matrine (p < 0.05), from 2.23 ± 0.24 to 1.38 ± 0.12 μg/mL and 8.29 ± 1.34 to 5.30 ± 0.79 μg h/mL, respectively. However, due to the similar efficacy of oxymatrine and matrine, this may not compromise the anti-cancer effect of this herb-drug pair. Discussion: This study clarified the pre-clinical pharmacology and pharmacokinetic benefits and risks of the CPT-11-KA combination and provided a reference for their clinical co-administration.

Identification of the Metabolites of Both Formononetin in Rat Hepatic S9 and Ononin in Rat Urine Samples and Preliminary Network Pharmacology Evaluation of Their Main Metabolites

Astragalus membranaceus is a traditional Chinese medicine derived from the roots of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge., which has the same medicinal and edible uses in China. It is also widely used in daily food, and its pharmacological effects mainly include antioxidant effects, vascular softening effects, etc. Currently, it is increasingly widely used in the prevention of hypertension, cerebral ischemia, and stroke in China. Formononetin and its glucopyranoside (ononin) are both important components of Astragalus membranaceuss and may play important roles in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This study conducted metabolic studies using formononectin and its glucopyranoside (ononin), including a combination of the in vitro metabolism of Formonetin using rat liver S9 and the in vivo metabolism of ononin administered orally to rats. Five metabolites (Sm2, 7, 9, 10, and 12) were obtained from the solution incubated with formononetin and rat hepatic S9 fraction using chromatographic methods. The structures of the five metabolites were elucidated as (Sm2)6,7,4'-trihydroxy-isoflavonoid; (Sm7)7,4'-dihydroxy-isoflavonoid; (Sm9)7,8,4'-trihydroxy-isoflavonoid; (Sm10)7,8,-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-isoflavonoid; and (Sm12)6,7-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy- isoflavonoid on the basis of UV, NMR, and MS data. Totally, 14 metabolites were identified via HPLC-DAD-ESI-IT-TOF-MSn analysis, from which the formononetin was incubated with rat hepatic S9 fraction, and the main metabolic pathways were hydroxylation, demethylation, and glycosylation. Then, 21 metabolites were identified via HPLC-DAD-ESI-IT-TOF-MSn analysis from the urine samples from SD rats to which ononin was orally administered, and the main metabolic pathways were glucuronidation, hydroxylation, demethylation, and sulfonation. The main difference between the in vitro metabolism of formononetin and the in vivo metabolism of ononin is that ononin undergoes deglycemic transformation into Formonetin in the rat intestine, while Formonetin is absorbed into the bloodstream for metabolism, and the metabolic products also produce combined metabolites during in vivo metabolism. The six metabolites obtained from the aforementioned separation indicate the primary forms of formononetin metabolism, and due to their higher contents of similar isoflavone metabolites, they are considered the main active compounds that are responsible for pharmacological effects. To investigate the metabolites of the active ingredients of formononetin in the rat liver S9 system, network pharmacology was used to evaluate the cardiovascular disease (CVD) activities of the six primary metabolites that were structurally identified. Additionally, the macromolecular docking results of six main components and two core targets (HSP90AA1 and SRC) related to CVD showed that formononetin and its main metabolites, Sm10 and Sm12, may have roles in CVD treatment due to their strong binding activities with the HSP90AA1 receptor, while the Sm7 metabolite may have a role in CVD treatment due to its strong binding activity with the SRC receptor.

Anticancer Effect of Active Component of Astragalus Membranaceus Combined with Olaparib on Ovarian Cancer Predicted by Network-Based Pharmacology

In China, a traditional Chinese medicine formulation called astragalus membranaceus (AM) has been utilised for more than 20 years to treat tumors with extraordinary effectiveness. The fundamental mechanisms, nevertheless, are still not well understood. The aim of this study is identifying its possible therapeutic targets and to evaluate the effects of AM in combination with a PARP inhibitor (olaparib) in the treatment of BRCA wild-type ovarian cancer. Significant genes were collected from Therapeutic Target Database and Database of Gene-Disease Associations. The components of AM were analyzed using the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology (TCMSP) database to screen the active ingredients of AM based on their oral bioavailability and drug similarity index. In order to find intersection targets, Venn diagrams and STRING website diagrams were employed. STRING was also used to create a protein-protein interaction network. In order to create the ingredient-target network, Cytoscape 3.8.0 was used. DAVID database was utilized to carry out enrichment and pathway analyses. The binding ability of the active compounds of AM to the core targets of AM-OC was verified with molecular docking using AutoDock software. Experimental validations, including cell scratch, cell transwell, cloning experiment, were conducted to verify the effects of AM on OC cells. A total of 14 active ingredients of AM and 28 AM-OC-related targets were screened by network pharmacology analysis. The ten most significant Gene Ontology (GO) biological function analyses, as well as the 20 foremost Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment pathways were selected. Moreover, molecular docking results showed that bioactive compound (quercetin) demonstrated a good binding ability with tumor protein p53 (TP53), MYC, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1) and cyclin D1 (CCND1) oncogenes. According to experimental methods, in vitro OC cell proliferation and migration appeared to be inhibited by quercetin, which also increased apoptosis. In addition, the combination with olaparib further enhanced the effect of quercetin on OC. Based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation, the combination of PARP inhibitor and quercetin enhanced the anti-proliferative activity in BRCA wild-type ovarian cancer cells, which supplies the theoretical groundwork for additional pharmacological investigation.

Simultaneous determination and pharmacokinetics study of three triterpenoid saponins in rat plasma by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry after oral administration of Astragalus Membranaceus leaf extract

A selective and sensitive ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the determination of three triterpenoid saponins isolated from Astragalus membranaceus leaf extract. In this article, a method for simultaneous determination of Huangqiyenin A, Huangqiyenin E, and Huangqiyenin K was established for the first time. The method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of Astragalus membranaceus leaf extract after oral administration. Liquid-liquid extraction was applied to plasma sample preparation. Multiple reaction monitoring mode with an electrospray ion source in positive electrospray ionization was chosen to quantify the analytes. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Waters HSS T3 column, using gradient elution with a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile and 5 mM ammonium acetate/water. The pharmacokinetic results showed that all three compounds had the characteristics of rapid absorption-slow metabolism trend. The time of maximum plasma concentration of Huangqiyenin A is higher than Huangqiyenin E and Huangqiyenin K. And the maximum plasma concentration of Huangqiyenin A is higher as well. The pharmacokinetic results revealed the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the three analytes in rat plasma, which could provide a helpful reference for the further study of Astragalus membranaceus leaf extract.

Network module analysis and molecular docking-based study on the mechanism of astragali radix against non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Most lung cancer patients worldwide (stage IV non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC) have a poor survival: 25%-30% patients die < 3 months. Yet, of those surviving > 3 months, 10%-15% patients survive (very) long. Astragali radix (AR) is an effective traditional Chinese medicine widely used for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the pharmacological mechanisms of AR on NSCLC remain to be elucidated.

METHODS

Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography system coupled with Q-Orbitrap HRMS (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) was performed for the qualitative analysis of AR components. Then, network module analysis and molecular docking-based approach was conducted to explore underlying mechanisms of AR on NSCLC. The target genes of AR were obtained from four databases including TCMSP (Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology) database, ETCM (The Encyclopedia of TCM) database, HERB (A high-throughput experiment- and reference-guided database of TCM) database and BATMAN-TCM (a Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular mechanism of TCM) database. NSCLC related genes were screened by GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) database. The STRING database was used for protein interaction network construction (PIN) of AR-NSCLC shared target genes. The critical PIN were further constructed based on the topological properties of network nodes. Afterwards the hub genes and network modules were analyzed, and enrichment analysis were employed by the R package clusterProfiler. The Autodock Vina was utilized for molecular docking, and the Gromacs was utilized for molecular dynamics simulations Furthermore, the survival analysis was performed based on TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) database.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven AR components absorbed in blood were obtained. The critical network was constructed with 1447 nodes and 28,890 edges. Based on topological analysis, 6 hub target genes and 7 functional modules were gained. were obtained including TP53, SRC, UBC, CTNNB1, EP300, and RELA. After module analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis showed that AR may exert therapeutic effects on NSCLC by regulating JAK-STAT signaling pathway, PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, ErbB signaling pathway, as well as NFkB signaling pathway. After the intersection calculation of the hub targets and the proteins participated in the above pathways, TP53, SRC, EP300, and RELA were obtained. These proteins had good docking affinity with astragaloside IV. Furthermore, RELA was associated with poor prognosis of NSCLC patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This study could provide chemical component information references for further researches. The potential pharmacological mechanisms of AR on NSCLC were elucidated, promoting the clinical application of AR in treating NSCLC. RELA was selected as a promising candidate biomarker affecting the prognosis of NSCLC patients.

Astragaloside IV antagonizes the malignant progression of breast cancer induced by macrophage M2 polarization through the TGF-β-regulated Akt/Foxo1 pathway

BACKGROUND

Astragaloside IV (AS‑IV) was used for breast cancer (BC) treatment in China from ancient times; however, the mechanism of the prevention effect of AS-IV on BC remains not entirely clear.

METHODS

qRT-PCR, western blot and flow cytometry were employed to validate the expression of gene and protein expressions. CCK-8 assay, scratch assay, and transwell assay were used to assess the BC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Co-culture of conditional medium from macrophages and BC were performed.

RESULTS

AS-IV suppressed macrophage polarized to M2 phenotype and thereby inhibited M2 macrophage-induced BC progression. The inhibitory effect of AS-IV on M2 macrophage polarization was exerted via the deactivation of the Akt/Foxo1 signaling pathway in macrophages by suppressing TGF-β. The addition of TGF-β or the treatment with Akt activator SC79 reversed the regulatory effect of AS-IV on M2 macrophage polarization, which increased M2 macrophage polarization-induced BC cell proliferation, migration and invasion.

CONCLUSION

This present study revealed a new mechanism of AS-IV inhibited M2 macrophage polarization-induced BC progression and may provide a potential target for the treatment of BC.

Using UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS and HPLC-CAD to Identify Impurities in Cycloastragenol, Which Is a Pre-Clinical Candidate for COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a highly prevalent disease that has become the third leading cause of death worldwide. Cycloastragenol (CAG), which is the genuine sapogenin of the main active triterpene saponins in Astragali radix, is a bioavailable pre-clinical candidate for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and it was investigated in our previous study. In order to progress medical research, it was first efficiently produced on a 2.5-kg scale via Smith degradation from astragaloside IV (AS-IV). Simultaneously, since the impurity profiling of a drug is critical for performing CMC documentation in pre-clinical development, a study on impurities was carried out. As these structures do not contain chromophores and possess weak UV absorption characteristics, HPLC-CAD and UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS were employed to carry out the quality control of the impurities. Then, column chromatography (CC), preparative thin-layer chromatography (PTLC), and crystallization led to the identification of 15 impurities from CAG API. Among these impurities, compounds 1, 4, 9, 10, 14, and 15 were elucidated via spectroscopic analysis, and 2-3, 5-8, and 11-13 were putatively identified. Interestingly, the new compounds 9 and 14 were rare 10, 19-secocycloartane triterpenoids that displayed certain anti-inflammatory activities against LPS-induced lymphocyte cells and CSE-induced MLE-12 cells. Additionally, a plausible structural transformation pathway of the degradation compounds from CAG or AS IV was proposed. The information obtained will provide a material basis to carry out the quality control and clinical safety assurance of API and related prescriptions. Reasonable guidance will also be provided regarding the compounds with weak UV absorption characteristics.

The Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Cancer Immunotherapy: Current Status and Future Directions

The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in the development of tumors. Immunoregulatory cells and cytokines facilitate cancer cells to avoid immune surveillance. Overexpression of immune checkpoint molecules such as CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibits immune function and enables cancer cells to avoid clearance by the immune system. Thus, minimizing tumor immunosuppression could be an important strategy for cancer therapy. Currently, many immune checkpoint-targeted drugs, such as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, have been approved for marketing and have shown unique advantages in the clinical treatment of cancers. The concept of "strengthening resistance to eliminate pathogenic factors" in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is consistent with the immunotherapy of cancer. According to previous studies, the role of TCM in tumor immunotherapy is mainly associated with the positive regulation of natural killer cells, CD8/CD4 T cells, dendritic cells, M2 macrophages, interleukin-2, tumor necrosis factor-[Formula: see text], and IFN-[Formula: see text], as well as with the negative regulation of Tregs, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, PD-1/PD-L1, transforming growth factor-[Formula: see text], and tumor necrosis factor-[Formula: see text]. This paper summarizes the current research on the effect of TCM targeting the TME, and further introduces the research progress on studying the effects of TCM on immune checkpoints. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that TCM can directly or indirectly affect the TME by inhibiting the overexpression of immune checkpoint molecules and enhancing the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy. TCM with immunomodulatory stimulation could be the key factor to achieve benefits from immunotherapy for patients with non-inflammatory, or "cold", tumors.

Radical Scavenging Capability and Mechanism of Three Isoflavonoids Extracted from Radix Astragali: A Theoretical Study

As a valuable traditional Chinese herbal medicine, Radix Astragali has attracted much attention due to its extensive pharmacological activities. In this study, density functional theory (DFT) was used thermodynamically and kinetically in detail to predict the antioxidant activity and reaction mechanisms involved in the free radical scavenging reactions of three representative isoflavonoids (formononetin, calycosin, and calycosin-7-glucoside) extracted from Radix Astragali. Three main mechanisms, including hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), proton transfer after electron transfer (SET-PT), and sequential proton loss electron transfer (SPLET) were examined by calculating the thermodynamic parameters. It was found that HAT is the predominant mechanism in the gas phase, while SPLET is supported in the solvent environment. The isoflavonoids' order of antioxidant activity was estimated as: calycosin > calycosin-7-glucoside > formononetin. For the calycosin compound, the result revealed the feasibility of double HAT mechanisms, which involve the formation of stable benzodioxazole with significantly reduced energy in the second H⁺/e^- reaction. In addition, the potential energy profiles and kinetic calculations show that the reaction of ^•OH into the 3'-OH site of calycosin has a lower energy barrier (7.2 kcal/mol) and higher rate constant (4.55 × 10⁹ M^-1 s^-1) compared with other reactions in the gas phase.

Research progress of Astragalus membranaceus in treating peritoneal metastatic cancer

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Peritoneal metastasis is a manifestation of advanced cancer often associated with a poor prognosis and poor response to treatment. Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge is a commonly used medicinal material in traditional Chinese medicine with various biological activities. In patients with cancer, Astragalus membranaceus has demonstrated anti-tumor effects, immune regulation, postoperative recurrence and metastasis prevention, and survival prolongation.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Peritoneal metastasis results from tumor cell and peritoneal microenvironment co-evolution. We aimed to introduce and discuss the specific mechanism of action of Astragalus membranaceus in peritoneal metastasis treatment to provide a new perspective for treatment and further research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We consulted reports on the anti-peritoneal metastases effects of Astragalus membranaceus from PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang databases, as well as Google Scholar. Meanwhile, we also obtained data from published medical works and doctoral and master's theses. Then, we focused on the research progress of Astragalus membranaceus in peritoneal metastatic cancer treatment. Plant names are provided in accordance with "The Plant List" (www.theplantlist.org).

RESULTS

To date, more than 200 compounds have been isolated from Astragalus membranaceus. Among them, Astragalus polysaccharides, saponins, and flavonoids are the main bioactive components, and their effects on cancer have been extensively studied. In this review, we systematically summarize the effects of Astragalus membranaceus on the peritoneal metastasis microenvironment and related mechanisms, including maintaining the integrity of peritoneal mesothelial cells, restoring the peritoneal immune microenvironment, and inhibiting the formation of tumor blood vessels, matrix metalloproteinase, and dense tumor spheroids.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis demonstrates that Astragalus membranaceus could be a potential therapeutic for preventing the occurrence of peritoneal metastasis. However, it might be too early to recommend its use owing to the paucity of reliable in vivo experiment, clinical data, and evidence of clinical efficacy. In addition, previous studies of Astragalus membranaceus report inconsistent and contradictory findings. Therefore, detailed in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies on the mechanism of Astragalus membranaceus in peritoneal metastatic cancer treatment are warranted.

Calycosin-7-glucoside promotes mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting thioredoxin 1 to regulate oxidative stress

Thioredoxin1 (TRX1) is a key protein that regulates redox and is considered to be a key target for cancer therapy. Flavonoids have been proven to have good antioxidant and anticancer activities. This study aimed to investigate whether the flavonoid calycosin-7-glucoside (CG) exerts an anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) role by targeting TRX1. Different doses of CG were used to treat HCC cell lines Huh-7 and HepG2 to calculate the IC₅₀. On this basis, the effects of low, medium and high doses of CG on cell viability, apoptosis, oxidative stress and TRX1 expression of HCC cells were investigated in vitro. Also, HepG2 xenograft mice were used to evaluate the role of CG on HCC growth in vivo. The binding mode of CG and TRX1 was explored by molecular docking. Then si-TRX1 was used to further discover the effects of TRX1 on CG inhibition of HCC. Results found that CG dose-dependent decreased the proliferation activity of Huh-7 and HepG2 cells, induced apoptosis, significantly activated oxidative stress and inhibited TRX1 expression. In vivo experiments also showed that CG dose-dependent regulated oxidative stress and TRX1 expression, and promoted the expression of apoptotic proteins to inhibit HCC growth. Molecular docking confirmed that CG had a good binding effect with TRX1. Intervention with TRX1 significantly inhibited the proliferation of HCC cells, promoted apoptosis, and further promoted the effect of CG on the activity of HCC cells. In addition, CG significantly increased ROS production, reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, regulated the expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved-caspase-3, and activated mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. And si-TRX1 enhanced the effects of CG on mitochondrial function and apoptosis of HCC, suggesting that TRX1 participated in the inhibitory effect of CG on mitochondria-mediated apoptosis of HCC. In conclusion, CG exerts anti-HCC activity by targeting TRX1 to regulate oxidative stress and promote mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.

Blue LED light promoting the growth, accumulation of high-value isoflavonoids and astragalosides, antioxidant response, and biosynthesis gene expression in Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge hairy root cultures

The root of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge is one of the most frequently used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulae for fighting COVID-19 infections, due to the presence of isoflavonoids and astragalosides associated with antiviral and immune-enhancing activities. For the first time, the exposure of A. membranaceus hairy root cultures (AMHRCs) to different colors of LED lights i.e., red, green, blue, red/green/blue (1/1/1, RGB), and white, was conducted to promote the root growth and accumulation of isoflavonoids and astragalosides. LED light treatment regardless of colors was found beneficial for root growth, which might be a result of the formation of more root hairs upon light stimulation. Blue LED light was found most effective for enhancing phytochemical accumulation. Results showed that the productivity of root biomass in blue-light grown AMHRCs with an initial inoculum size of 0.6% for 55 days was 1.40-fold higher than that in dark (control), and yields of high-value isoflavonoids and astragalosides including calycosin, formononetin, astragaloside IV, and astragaloside I increased by 3.17-fold, 2.66-fold, 1.78-fold, and 1.52-fold relative to control, respectively. Moreover, the photooxidative stress together with transcriptional activation of biosynthesis genes might contribute to the enhanced accumulation of isoflavonoids and astragalosides in blue-light grown AMHRCs. Overall, this work offered a feasible approach for obtaining higher yields of root biomass and medicinally important compounds in AMHRCs via the simple supplementation of blue LED light, which made blue-light grown AMHRCs industrially attractive as plant factory in controlled growing systems.

Graphical abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11240-023-02486-7.

The Protective Effect of a Functional Food Consisting of Astragalus membranaceus, Trichosanthes kirilowii, and Angelica gigas or Its Active Component Formononetin against Inflammatory Skin Disorders through Suppression of TSLP via MDM2/HIF1α Signaling Pathways

An herbal mixture (SH003) of Astragalus membranaceus, Trichosanthes kirilowii, and Angelica gigas exhibits therapeutic effects on carcinomas and immunosuppression. However, the role of JRP-SNF102, which is an advanced mixture of SH003, in regulating inflammatory responses is unexplored. We aim to substantiate the therapeutic potential of JRP-SNF102 and its active component, formononetin (FMN), as a functional food that moderates inflammatory responses. The inhibitory effects of JRP-SNF102 or FMN on thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) levels were evaluated in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus A23187-activated human mast cell line-1 (HMC-1) cells and a mouse model of PMA-induced ear edema. The JRP-SNF102 or FMN inhibited the secretion and mRNA expression of TSLP and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the activated HMC-1 cells. The expression levels of murine double minute 2 (MDM2), hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α), and NF-κB were also suppressed by JRP-SNF102 or FMN in the activated HMC-1 cells. The JRP-SNF102 or FMN inhibited TSLP and VEGF levels, attenuating redness and ear thickness in mice with acute ear edema; JRP-SNF102 or FMN reduced the expression levels of MDM2, HIF1α, and NF-κB in the ear tissues. These findings suggest the potential for JRP-SNF102 as a functional food in the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders through suppression of TSLP and VEGF.

Protective effect of astragalus membranaceus and its bioactive compounds against the intestinal inflammation in Drosophila

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic and relapsing intestinal inflammation, which currently lacks safe and effective medicines. Astragalus membranaceus (AM), also named Huangqi, is one of the most commonly used fundamental herbs in China. Here, we aimed to investigate mechanism and bioactive compounds of AM on treating sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)- induced colitis in Drosophila flies. Our data showed that AM extract (AME) supplementation had no toxic effect in flies, and protected flies against SDS-induced lifespan shortening, intestinal morphological damage, and colon length shortening. Moreover, AME supplementation remarkably rescued SDS-induced intestinal stem cell (ISC) overproliferation and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in the intestine. Mechanistically, AME remarkably rescued the altered expression levels of genes and proteins in c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and JAK-STAT signaling pathways induced by SDS in gut. Additionally, formononetin, isoliquiritigenin, isorhamnetin, astragaloside I, astragaloside III, vanillic acid, and caffeic acid in AM had protection against SDS-induced inflammatory damage in flies. Taken together, AME could ameliorate the intestinal inflammation partially by suppressing oxidative stress-associated JNK signaling and JAK-STAT signaling pathways. AME may provide a theoretical basis for natural medicine toward treating intestinal inflammatory disease in human.

A Protective Role of Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase from Astragalus membranaceus against Saline-Alkali Stress

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL, E.C.4.3.1.5) catalyzes the benzene propane metabolism and is the most extensively studied enzyme of the phenylpropanoid pathway. However, the role of PAL genes in Astragalus membranaceus, a non-model plant showing high capability toward abiotic stress, is less studied. Here, we cloned AmPAL and found that it encodes a protein that resides in the cytoplasmic membrane. The mRNA of AmPAL was strongly induced by NaCl or NaHCO₃ treatment, especially in the root. Overexpressing AmPAL in Nicotiana tabacum resulted in higher PAL enzyme activities, lower levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), and better root elongation in the seedlings under stress treatment compared to the control plants. The protective role of AmPAL under saline-alkali stress was also observed in 30-day soil-grown plants, which showed higher levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), proline, and chlorophyll compared to wild-type N. Tabacum. Collectively, we provide evidence that AmPAL is responsive to multiple abiotic stresses and that manipulating the expression of AmPAL can be used to increase the tolerance to adverse environmental factors in plants.

Bidirectional effects and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The bidirectional property of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) was recorded in the classic work Medicine Origin (Yi Xue Qi Yuan) as early as the Jin and Yuan dynasties of ancient China. Since then, this imperative theory has been applied to guide the clinical application of TCMs. Studies have been performed to investigate this phenomenon only over the last three decades. A limited number of reviews on the bidirectional role of TCMs have been published, and almost all current studies are published in the Chinese language.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The aim of this review is to provide the first comprehensive evidence regarding the bidirectional effects and the underlying mechanisms of TCMs and their active compounds.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Information relevant to opposing pharmacological activities or opposing properties exerted by TCM prescriptions, herbal medicines, and their active compound, as well as their mechanisms was summarized by searching Chinese and English databases, including the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan Fang Data, Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Wiley Online Library.

RESULTS

Although the bidirectional regulation of TCMs has been applied in the clinic since ancient times in China, only limited reviews have been published in Chinese. The existing data showed that bidirectional effects can be found in TCM prescriptions, herbal medicines, and pure active compounds. Additionally, the bidirectional role of TCMs was primarily reported in the modulation of immune function, blood circulation and hemostasis, gastrointestinal motility, the central nervous system and blood pressure. This may because the therapeutic outcomes of these disorders are more obvious than those of other complicated diseases. Intriguingly, some herbal medicines have multiple bidirectional activities; for instance, Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer showed bidirectional regulation of immune function and the central nervous system; Astragalus membranaceus can bidirectionally regulate blood pressure and immune function; and Rheum officinale Baill exerts bidirectional effects on blood circulation and hemostasis, gastrointestinal motility and immune function. The mechanisms underlying the bidirectional effects of TCMs are largely attributed to the complexity of herbal constituents, dosage differences, the processing of herbal medicine, and compatibility of medicines, the physiological conditions of patients and adaptogenic effects.

CONCLUSION

Uncovering the bidirectional effects and mechanisms of TCMs is of great importance for both scientific research and clinical applications. This review may help to facilitate the recognition of the bidirectional role of TCMs, to explain some seemingly-opposite phenomena in the pharmacological study of herbal medicines and to provide guidance for TCM practitioners.

A glutathione-sensitive drug delivery system based on carboxymethyl chitosan co-deliver Rose Bengal and oxymatrine for combined cancer treatment

At present, monotherapy of tumor has not met the clinical needs, due to high doses, poor efficacy, and the emergence of drug resistance. Combination therapy can effectively solve these problems, which is a better option for tumor suppression. Based on this, we developed a novel glutathione-sensitive drug delivery nanoparticle system (OMT/CMCS-CYS-RB NPs) for oral cancer treatment. Briefly, carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) was used as a carrier to simultaneously load Rose Bengal (RB) and oxymatrine (OMT). The OMT/CMCS-CYS-RB NPs prepared by ion crosslinking were spheres with a stable structure. In addition, the nanoparticles can be excited in vitro to generate a large amount of singlet oxygen, which has a good photodynamic effect. In vitro anti-tumor activity study showed that the nanoparticles after the laser enhanced therapeutic efficacy on tumor cells compared with the free drug and exhibited well security. Furthermore, OMT/CMCS-CYS-RB NPs could inhibit the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in oxidative stress, and realize tumor apoptosis through mitochondria-related pathways. In conclusion, this combination delivery system for delivering RB and OMT is a safe and effective strategy, which may provide a new avenue for the tumor treatment.

Astramalabaricosides A-T, Highly Oxygenated Malabaricane Triterpenoids with Migratory Inhibitory Activity from Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus

Twenty new malabaricane triterpenoids, astramalabaricosides A-T (1-20), were isolated from the roots of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus (Astragali Radix). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis, and the use of the circular dichroism exciton chirality method, quantum chemical calculations, and chemical methods. Malabaricane triterpenoids, an unusual group with the 6-6-5-tricyclic core, are distributed in plants (e.g., Simaroubaceae, Polypodiaceae, and Fabaceae), a marine sponge, and fungi, and their number obtained to date is limited. Compounds 1-20 were characterized as glycosides with a highly oxygenated side chain, and 13-20 were the first cyclic carbonate derivatives among the malabaricane triterpenoids. The stereocluster formed from the continuous hydroxylated chiral carbons in each highly oxygenated side chain and the 6-6-5-tricyclic core system were entirely segregated, and the independent identification of their stereoconfigurations required considerable effort. The migratory inhibitory and antiproliferative activities of 1-20 were evaluated by wound-healing and cell-viability assays, respectively. Most compounds showed significant migratory inhibitory activity, and a preliminary structure-activity relationship was developed. Malabaricane triterpenoids are being reported in the genus Astragalus for the first time.

Anticancer Secondary Metabolites: From Ethnopharmacology and Identification in Native Complexes to Biotechnological Studies in Species of Genus Astragalus L. and Gloriosa L

Some of the most effective anticancer compounds are still derived from plants since the chemical synthesis of chiral molecules is not economically efficient. Rapid discovery of lead compounds with pronounced biological activity is essential for the successful development of novel drug candidates. This work aims to present the chemical diversity of antitumor bioactive compounds and biotechnological approaches as alternative production and sustainable plant biodiversity conservation. Astragalus spp., (Fabaceae) and Gloriosa spp. (Liliaceae) are selected as research objects within this review because they are known for their anticancer activity, because they represent two of the largest families respectively in dicots and monocots, and also because many of the medicinally important plants are rare and endangered. We summarized the ethnobotanical data concerning their anticancer application, highlighted the diversity of their secondary metabolites possessing anticancer properties such as saponins, flavonoids, and alkaloids, and revealed the potential of the in vitro cultures as an alternative way of their production. Since the natural supply is limited, it is important to explore the possibility of employing plant cell or organ in vitro cultures for the biotechnological production of these compounds as an alternative.

Investigation of the mechanism of the anti-cancer effects of Astragalus propinquus Schischkin and Pinellia pedatisecta Schott (A&P) on melanoma via network pharmacology and experimental verification

Melanoma is a commonly malignant cutaneous tumor in China. Astragalus propinquus Schischkin and Pinellia pedatisecta Schott (A&P) have been clinically used as adjunctive drugs in the treatment of malignant melanoma. However, the effect and mechanism of A&P on melanoma have yet to be explored. The current investigation seeks to characterize the active components of A&P and their potential roles in treating malignant melanoma using network pharmacology and in vitro and in vivo experiments. We first used the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology (TCMSP) database and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) to identify a total of 13 effective compounds within A&P. 70 common genes were obtained by matching 487 potential genes of A&P with 464 melanoma-related genes, and then we built up protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of these 70 genes, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. The results revealed that A&P might influence the pathobiology of melanoma through the PI3K/Akt pathway. Molecular docking also confirmed that higher content of ingredients in A&P, including hederagenin, quercetin, beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol, had a strong binding activity (affinity < −5 kcal/mol) with the core targets AKT1, MAPK3 and ESR1. Furthermore, we confirmed A&P could inhibit melanoma cells proliferation and induce cells apoptosis through suppressing the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by in vitro and in vivo xenograft model experiments. These findings indicate that A&P may function as a useful therapy for melanoma through the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Roots of Astragalus propinquus Schischkin Regulate Transmembrane Iron Transport and Ferroptosis to Improve Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Background

The dried roots of the Astragalus propinquus Schischkin (RAP) plant, as a traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used to treat stroke, cerebral ischemia, qi deficiency, and hypertension. Buyang Huanwu decoction is traditionally used to treat stroke in China for more than 200 years and has a significant effect on cerebral ischemia, and RAP is monarch medicine of Buyang Huanwu decoction. Therefore, this study was designed to observe the regulatory effect of RAP on transmembrane iron transporters and ferroptosis-related factors in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) in rats.

Methods

Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was used to block blood flow in the blood supply area of the middle cerebral artery in seventy male SD rats to induce focal CIRI to establish a rat model of CIRI. RAP was administered to explore the regulatory effect of RAP on iron transmembrane transport under the condition of CIRI. The infarct size was measured using 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, the pathological structure of brain tissue was observed by HE staining, and neuronal injury was evaluated by Nissl staining after treatment. Then, changes in the iron transporters ferritin (Fn), ferritin heavy chain (FHC), ferritin light chain (FLC), transferrin (Tf), transferrin receptor (TfR), divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), L-type calcium channel (LTCC), transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6), and ferroportin 1 (FPN1) were observed by immunohistochemistry staining (IHC) and Western blotting. The expression of key factors of ferroptosis, including the membrane sodium-dependent cystine/glutamate antiporter System Xc⁻ (System Xc⁻) light chain subunit (XCT) and heavy chain subunit (SLC3A2), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (NRF2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and iron-responsive element-binding protein 2 (IREB2) in the brain tissues of rats was assessed by Western blotting. RAP decreased the infarct size and neuronal injury after CIRI in rats. Similarly, RAP treatment regulated the expression of iron transporters. As such, RAP was able to reduce the expression of Fn, FHC, FLC, Tf, TfR, DMT1, and TRPC6 and increase the expression of FPN1 through a Tf/TfR-independent pathway after CIRI in rats.

Conclusion

RAP stimulation inhibited ferroptosis by regulating the expression of the key ferroptosis factors XCT, SLC3A2, GPX4, NRF2, HO-1, and IREB2. In conclusion, RAP regulates transmembrane iron transport and ferroptosis to improve CIRI.

Bioactive pterocarpans from the root of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus

Eleven undescribed and three known pterocarpans were isolated and identified from the traditional Chinese medicine "Huang-qi", Astragali Radix (the root of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus (Bunge) P.K.Hsiao). The structures of these pterocarpans were determined using spectroscopic, X-ray crystallographic, quantum chemical calculation, and chemical methods. Pterocarpans, almost exclusively distributed in the family of Leguminosae, are the second largest subgroup of isoflavanoids. However, pterocarpan glycoside number is limited, most of which are glucosides, and only one pterocarpan apioside was isolated from nature. Notably, nine rare apiosyl-containing pterocarpan glycosides were isolated and identified. The hypoglycemic activities of all these compounds were evaluated using α-glucosidase and DPP-IV inhibitory assays respectively, and some isolates displayed the α-glucosidase inhibitory function. The antioxidant activities of all compounds were evaluated using the ORAC and DPPH radical scavenging assays, respectively. All compounds exhibited varying degrees of oxygen radical absorbance capacity, and some compounds displayed DPPH radical scavenging ability.

A precise efficacy determination strategy of traditional Chinese herbs based on Q-markers: Anticancer efficacy of Astragali radix as a case

BACKGROUND

As a "multi-components and multi-efficacy" complex system, traditional Chinese herbs are universally distributed and applied in treating clinical diseases. However, the efficacy deviation and ambiguous clinical location are affected by different effects and content of components caused by uncertain factors in the production process. It further restricts resource allocation and clinical medication and hinders modernization and globalization. In this study, a precise efficacy determination strategy was innovatively proposed, aiming to quantitatively predict the efficacy of herbs and obtain precise medicinal materials. Quality-markers (Q-markers) characterizing the efficacy are conducive to achieving precise efficacy determination.

PURPOSE

With the anticancer efficacy of Astragali radix (AR) as a case, the present study was designed to establish a methodology for precise efficacy determination based on Q-markers characterizing specific efficacy.

METHODS

Guided by the basic principles of Q-markers, the potential Q-markers characterizing the anticancer efficacy of AR were screened through molecular simulation and network pharmacology. The activity of Q-markers was evaluated on MDA-MB-231 cells, and the content of Q-markers was determined by HPLC. A quantitative efficacy prediction model of the relationship between the influencing factors and anticancer efficacy was further constructed through the effect-constituents index (ECI) and machine learning and verified by biotechnology, which can be directly applied to predict the efficacy in numerous samples.

RESULTS

Astragaloside I, astragaloside II, and astragaloside III inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells and were successfully quantified in AR samples, reflecting the effectiveness and measurability of Q-markers. Gradient Boost Regression showed the best performance in the quantitative efficacy prediction model with EV_test= 0.815, R²_test= 0.802. The results of precise efficacy determination indicated that 1-2-3 (Wuzhai, Shanxi, two years, C segment) sample performed best in 54 batches of AR samples with biased anticancer efficacy. Furthermore, AR samples with higher ECI had higher anticancer efficacy and vice versa.

CONCLUSION

The precise efficacy determination strategy established in the present study is reliable and proved in the AR case, which is expected to support resource allocation optimization, efficacy stability improvement, and precise clinical medication achievement.

Syringin exerts anti-breast cancer effects through PI3K-AKT and EGFR-RAS-RAF pathways

Background

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignant tumors with the highest mortality in the world. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Syringin has an inhibitory effect on many tumors, but its anti-BC efficacy and mechanism are still unclear.

Methods

First, Syringin was isolated from Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Harms (ASH) by systematic solvent extraction and silica gel chromatography column. The plant name is composed of genus epithet, species additive words and the persons’ name who give its name. Then, the hub targets of Syringin against BC were revealed by bioinformatics. To provide a more experimental basis for later research, the hub genes which could be candidate biomarkers of BC and a ceRNA network related to them were obtained. And the potential mechanism of Syringin against BC was proved in vitro experiments.

Results

Syringin was obtained by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Bioinformatics results showed that MAP2K1, PIK3CA, HRAS, EGFR, Caspase3, and PTGS2 were the hub targets of Syringin against BC. And PIK3CA and HRAS were related to the survival and prognosis of BC patients, the PIK3CA-hsa-mir-139-5p-LINC01278 and PIK3CA-hsa-mir-375 pathways might be closely related to the mechanism of Syringin against BC. In vitro experiments confirmed that Syringin inhibited the proliferation and migration and promoted apoptosis of BC cells through the above hub targets.

Conclusions

Syringin against BC via PI3K-AKT-PTGS2 and EGFR-RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathways, and PIK3CA and HRAS are hub genes for adjuvant treatment of BC.

Graphical Abstract

Based on network pharmacology and molecular docking to predict the mechanism of Huangqi in the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer

Background

As a kind of traditional Chinese medicine, HQ is widely mentioned in the treatment of cancerous diseases in China, which has been proven to have a therapeutic effect on cancerous diseases, such as prostate cancer. To predict the specific mechanism of HQ in the treatment of CRPC, we will conduct preliminary verification and discussion based on a comprehensive consideration of network pharmacology and molecular docking.

Methods

TCMSP was used to obtain the compounds and reach the effective targets of HQ. The targets of CRPC were reached based on GeneCards database and CTD database. GO and KEGG were utilized for the analysis of overlapping targets. The software of Openbabel was used to convert the formats of ligands and reporters. In addition, molecular docking studies were performed by using the software of Autodock Vina.

Result

It can be seen from the database results that there were 87 active compounds (20 key active compounds) in HQ, and 33 targets were screened out for CRPC treatment. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses identified 81 significant GO terms and 24 significant KEGG pathways. There is a difference in terms of the expression of core protein between cancer patients and healthy people. The expression of core protein in patients also has an impact on the life cycle. The results of molecular docking showed that the docking activity of drug molecules and core proteins was better.

Conclusions

It is concluded from the results of this network pharmacology and molecular docking that HQ makes a multi-target and multi-biological process, and results in the multi-channel synergistic effect on the treatment of CRPC by regulating cell apoptosis, proliferation and metastasis, which still needs further verification by experimental research.

COVID-19 Crisis, Herbal Medicines, and Natural Products - Concerns and Suggestions

: Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the last days of 2019 in China, medical experts and organizations worldwide have proposed guidelines for its prevention and treatment. However, despite the availability of state-of-the-art technologies, modern medicine specialists have so far not been successful in controlling it. This has led traditional medicine experts to propagate their knowledge to prevent and cure COVID-19, creating an open debate. According to scientific literature, traditional medicine experts claim beneficial effects of herbal medicines against viral infections and their effectiveness in controlling the symptoms of respiratory disorders. Modern medicine specialists express their concerns about the quality, safety, and efficacy of herbal medicines, in addition to the risk of herb-drug interactions and the lack of randomized clinical studies. Herbal medicines have been popular since prehistoric times, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, they are increasingly used worldwide. The lack of definite cure and the high cost of available modern medicines have also promoted the use of herbal medicines. An evidence-based approach using herbal medicines with proven antiviral activities or containing compounds providing symptomatic relief in COVID-19 can be considered for clinical studies. The interaction of herbal medicines with modern drugs should also be considered in patients taking them. Traditional and modern medicine aim to provide effective and safe treatment and prevent COVID-19 infection. Considering the ground realities of the COVID-19 crisis and keeping in view the worldwide use of herbal medicines, in our opinion, the pros and cons of their use should be carefully weighed, and practical solutions should be considered.

Nano-Drug Delivery Systems Entrapping Natural Bioactive Compounds for Cancer: Recent Progress and Future Challenges

Cancer is a prominent cause of mortality globally, and it becomes fatal and incurable if it is delayed in diagnosis. Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that is used to eliminate, diminish, or restrict tumor progression. Chemotherapeutic medicines are available in various formulations. Some tumors require just one type of chemotherapy medication, while others may require a combination of surgery and/or radiotherapy. Treatments might last from a few minutes to many hours to several days. Each medication has potential adverse effects associated with it. Researchers have recently become interested in the use of natural bioactive compounds in anticancer therapy. Some phytochemicals have effects on cellular processes and signaling pathways with potential antitumor properties. Beneficial anticancer effects of phytochemicals were observed in both in vivo and in vitro investigations. Encapsulating natural bioactive compounds in different drug delivery methods may improve their anticancer efficacy. Greater in vivo stability and bioavailability, as well as a reduction in undesirable effects and an enhancement in target-specific activity, will increase the effectiveness of bioactive compounds. This review work focuses on a novel drug delivery system that entraps natural bioactive substances. It also provides an idea of the bioavailability of phytochemicals, challenges and limitations of standard cancer therapy. It also encompasses recent patents on nanoparticle formulations containing a natural anti-cancer molecule.

Future Directions for the Discovery of Natural Product-Derived Immunomodulating Drugs

Drug discovery from natural sources is going through a renaissance, having spent many decades in the shadow of synthetic molecule drug discovery, despite the fact that natural product-derived compounds occupy a much greater chemical space than those created through synthetic chemistry methods. With this new era comes new possibilities, not least the novel targets that have emerged in recent times and the development of state-of-the-art technologies that can be applied to drug discovery from natural sources. Although progress has been made with some immunomodulating drugs, there remains a pressing need for new agents that can be used to treat the wide variety of conditions that arise from disruption, or over-activation, of the immune system; natural products may therefore be key in filling this gap. Recognising that, at present, there is no authoritative article that details the current state-of-the-art of the immunomodulatory activity of natural products, this in-depth review has arisen from a joint effort between the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR) Natural Products and Immunopharmacology, with contributions from a Powered by Editorial Manager® and ProduXion Manager® from Aries Systems Corporation number of world-leading researchers in the field of natural product drug discovery, to provide a "position statement" on what natural products has to offer in the search for new immunomodulatory argents. To this end, we provide a historical look at previous discoveries of naturally occurring immunomodulators, present a picture of the current status of the field and provide insight into the future opportunities and challenges for the discovery of new drugs to treat immune-related diseases.

Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi) and Rhizoma curcumae (Ezhu) decoction suppresses colorectal cancer via downregulation of Wnt5/β-Catenin signal

Background

The decoction of Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi) and Rhizoma curcumae (Ezhu) has been reported as a potential antitumor agent for colorectal cancer (CRC) in experimental and clinical studies, but its underlying mechanism is still unclear.

Methods

The current research aims to explore the potential of Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi) and Rhizoma curcumae (Ezhu) decoction (AR decoction) in the treatment of CRC and explore the underlying mechanism. SW620 cells were transient transfection to overexpress or knock down wnt 5 or β-Catenin. Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi) and Rhizoma curcumae (Ezhu) -containing serum (AR-CS) was used to interfere with SW620 cells. Additional AR-CS, Wnt5 inhibitor (IWP-4), and β-Catenin inhibitor (JW55) were used to intervene in SW620 cells. Furthermore, subcutaneously injection of SW620 cells into the right flank of nude mice replicated xenograft mice, which were treated with AR decoction for 21 days.

Results

AR-CS significantly reduced the mRNA and protein expression levels of Wnt5, β-Catenin, ARF6, and N-Cadherin in SW620 cells, while inhibiting the proliferation and migration of SW620 cells. In cells overexpressing Wnt5 or β-Catenin, these effects of AR-CS were significantly suppressed. On the contrary, the inhibitory effect of AR-CS on the mRNA and protein levels of ARF6 and N-Cadherin and cell proliferation and migration of SW620 was enhanced, when Wnt5 or β-Catenin were knocked down or suppressed by the inhibitors. Moreover, in the mouse model of xenograft tumors, AR decoction not only reduced the tumor volume and inhibited the mRNA levels and protein levels of Wnt5, β-Catenin, ARF6, and N-Cadherin in the tumor, but also inhibit the protein levels of LRP5, LRP6, TCF-4, and LEF1.The histopathology of mice also showed increased apoptosis in tumor tissues, and AR decoction treatment did not cause pathological damage to the kidney and liver.

Conclusions

Our results provide evidence that AR decoction inhibits Wnt5/β-catenin signaling and inhibits the development of CRC, which is a promising traditional medicine in the clinical treatment of CRC.

Combining network pharmacology with chromatographic fingerprinting and multi-component quantitative analysis for the quality evaluation of Astragali Radix

Nowadays, the cultivated variant and adulterant of Astragali Radix (AR) have flooded the market, causing the quality of AR to be challenging to distinguish. To address this issue, we combined network pharmacology with chromatographic fingerprinting and multi-component quantitative analysis for the quality evaluation of AR. Specifically, through network pharmacology, a complete understanding of the active components and pharmacological activities of AR was established. In addition, the establishment of the fingerprint profiles and multi-component quantitation by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is convenient and comprehensive, which can more fully reflect the overall situation of the distribution of various chemical components. To evaluate and differentiate AR from different origins, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed. The result showed that AR acts synergistically through multiple targets and pathways. And the content of chemical components in AR from different origins varied significantly. Combining network pharmacology and multi-component quantification results, astragaloside II, astragaloside IV and formononetin can be used as quality markers for quality control of AR. This study provides a comprehensive and reliable strategy for the quality evaluation of AR and identifies its quality markers to ensure the quality of the herb.

Astragalus mongholicus Bunge Water Extract Exhibits Anti-inflammatory Effects in Human Neutrophils and Alleviates Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis-Like Skin Inflammation in Mice

Neutrophils are the primary immune cells in innate immunity, which are related to various inflammatory diseases. Astragalus mongholicus Bunge is a Chinese medicinal herb used to treat various oxidative stress-related inflammatory diseases. However, there are limited studies that elucidate the effects of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge in human neutrophils. In this study, we used isolated human neutrophils activated by various stimulants to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge water extract (AWE). Cell-free assays were used to examine free radicals scavenging capabilities on superoxide anion, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nitrogen-centered radicals. Imiquimod (IMQ) induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation mouse model was used for investigating anti-psoriatic effects. We found that AWE inhibited superoxide anion production, ROS generation, and elastase release in human neutrophils, which exhibiting a direct anti-neutrophil effect. Moreover, AWE exerted a ROS scavenging ability in the 2,2’-Azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride assay, but not superoxide anion in the xanthine/xanthine oxidase assay, suggesting that AWE exhibited anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory capabilities by both scavenging ROS and by directly inhibiting neutrophil activation. AWE also reduced CD11b expression and adhesion to endothelial cells in activated human neutrophils. Meanwhile, in mice with psoriasis-like skin inflammation, administration of topical AWE reduced both the affected area and the severity index score. It inhibited neutrophil infiltration, myeloperoxidase release, ROS-induced damage, and skin proliferation. In summary, AWE exhibited direct anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting neutrophil activation and anti-psoriatic effects in mice with IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation. Therefore, AWE could potentially be a pharmaceutical Chinese herbal medicine to inhibit neutrophilic inflammation for anti-psoriasis.

Suppression of stemness and enhancement of chemosensibility in the resistant melanoma were induced by Astragalus polysaccharide through PD-L1 downregulation

Chemotherapy is commonly used in the clinical treatment of melanoma, but it is prone to resistance leading to the poor effectiveness. The mechanisms of resistance are complicated including the cancer stemness. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) is one of the active components of traditional Chinese herbal medicine Astragalus Membranaceus. Our previous work was reported that APS had an inhibitory effect on the stemness of melanoma. In this study we established chemo-resistant melanoma cells and found that expression of stemness genes were upregulated in the resistant melanoma cells. And APS could downregulate expression of stemness genes. Furthermore, APS combined with cisplatin (DDP) could significantly slow down the tumor growth in the mouse model induced by DDP-resistant cells. In addition, we found that programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression could be downregulated and the PI3K/AKT signaling could be affected by APS. These results suggested that APS could be a potential candidate in combination with chemotherapeutic agents, which might play a role in reducing the occurrence of resistance and improving the prognosis of melanoma patients.