Determination of the antidiabetic chemical basis of Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex by integrating hepatic disposition in vivo and hepatic gluconeogenese inhibition in vitro

Integrated HPLC, pharmacodynamics, and immunoprofiling to explore active components and mechanism of Zhi Bai Heye Fang on glycolipid metabolic disorders in mice

Zhi Bai Heye Fang (AR-PCC-NF) exerts a positive effect on glycolipid metabolic disorders in the clinical setting; however, its efficacy components and mechanisms of action remain unclear. Glycolipid metabolic disorders in mice were used to evaluate the therapeutic effects of AR-PCC-NF and its individual components, and the chemical components of AR-PCC-NF were detected by HPLC. An insulin-resistant cell model was then treated with 12 biological components in vitro, and seven candidate active components were administered to mice with glycolipid metabolic disorders to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of AR-PCC-NF. AR-PCC-NF improved glucolipid metabolism more effectively than did the individual components. The protein expression of INSR and GLUT4 was elevated, and FOXO1 expression and impaired mitochondrial debris in the liver were reduced by AR-PCC-NF. Furthermore, neomangiferin, chlorogenic acid, isomangiferin, 2-hydroxy-1-methoxyaporphine, hyperoside, nuciferine, and berberine improved glucose consumption or T-CHO in vitro. Interestingly, in vivo, neomangiferin, chlorogenic acid, isomangiferin, 2-hydroxy-1-methoxyaporphine, hyperoside, nuciferine, and berberine partially improved abnormal glucolipid metabolism in mice when used separately, but the effects were equivalent to those of AR-PCC-NF when the seven active components were used in combination. Moreover, AR-PCC-NF and its efficacy components upregulated the protein expression of p-AMPK/AMPK and PGC-1α, decreased the levels PPARα, and reduced mitochondrial debris in the liver. In conclusion, neomangiferin, chlorogenic acid, isomangiferin, 2-hydroxy-1-methoxyaporphine, hyperoside, nuciferine, and berberine are the main active components of AR-PCC-NF in the treatment of glycolipid metabolic diseases, and the mechanism is related to the regulation of the AMPK/PGC-1α.

Relationship between metabolomics of T2DM patients and the anti-diabetic effects of Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex-Anemarrhenae Rhizoma herb pair in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) poses significant threats to public health. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex-Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (PCC/AR) herb pair has long been used for T2DM treatment, although its specific anti-diabetic mechanisms remain unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between metabolomics of T2DM patients and the anti-diabetic effects of PCC/AR herb pair in mice through clinical metabolomics and both in vitro and in vivo experiments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, a T2DM mouse model was established via high-fat feeding (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ) injection. The effects of PCC/AR on blood glucose, lipid metabolism, and inflammatory markers were evaluated. High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) was performed for metabolomics analysis of T2DM patients.

RESULTS

Serum metabolomics analysis identified significant alterations in metabolites linked to the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and purine metabolism in T2DM patients, with elevated 2-hydroxyvaleric acid (2HB) levels. In T2DM mice, PCC/AR intervention normalized FBG, GHbA1c, TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, TNF-α and IL-1β levels, while improving insulin sensitivity and pancreatic β-cell function in T2DM mice. Notably, PCC/AR reduced key enzymes in gluconeogenesis and fatty acid synthesis, PEPCK and ACC1.

CONCLUSION

PCC/AR herb pair exerts an anti-diabetes effect in T2DM mice by regulating 2HB through ACC1 inhibition, thereby reducing FFA and TG synthesis. Additionally, PCC/AR may also exert its effects by modulating glucose and lipid metabolism and reducing inflammation. These results support further investigation into the PCC/AR herb pair as a complementary therapy for T2DM.

Biological Importance of Phellodendrine in Traditional and Modern Medicines: An Update on Therapeutic Potential in Medicine

BACKGROUND

Herbal medicines have been used for the preparation of numerous pharmaceutical products for the treatment of human disorders. Plant-derived products have been used in medicine, nutraceuticals, perfumery, beverages, and cosmetics industries for different purposes. Herbal medicines are mainly derived from different parts of plant materials. Phellodendron bark has been widely known as one of the fundamental herbs of traditional Chinese medicine. Phellodendron bark contains phellodendrine as a main active phytochemical. Phellodendrine ((7S,13aS)-3,10-dimethoxy-7-methyl-6,8,13,13atetrahydro-5H-isoquinolino[2,1-b]isoquinolin-7- ium-2,11-diol), is a quaternary ammonium alkaloid.

METHODS

This present study aimed to investigate the biological potential and therapeutic effectiveness of phellodendrine in medicine through scientific data analysis of different research works on phellodendrine. The therapeutic value of phellodendrine was analyzed in the present work through scientific data available in Google, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and PubMed. All the scientific data on phellodendrine were collected from these databases using the terms herbal drugs and phellodendrine. Pharmacological and analytical data of phellodendrine were analyzed in the present work in order to know the medicinal importance of phellodendrine.

RESULTS

Scientific data analysis of phellodendrine in the present work signified the biological importance of phellodendrine in medicine. Phellodendrine has numerous beneficial aspects in medicine due to its potential benefits in ulcerative colitis, inflammation, pancreatic cancer, nephritis, immune response, acetylcholinesterase activity, psoriasis, arthritis, atopic dermatitis, and oxidative stress. However, it also has significant effects on eicosanoid generation, neuraminidase-1, inflammasome generation, cytochrome p450, taste receptors, and hepatic gluconeogenesis. Furthermore, scientific data has indicated the presence of phellodendrine in different natural sources, including Phellodendri cortex. Analytical data on phellodendrines has signified their importance in the isolation and separation of pure phytochemicals in medicine. Pharmacokinetic parameters have highlighted the tissue distribution of phellodendrine in different tissue of human beings and higher animals.

CONCLUSION

In the present work, scientific data analysis has indicated the biological importance, pharmacological activities, and analytical aspects of phellodendrine in medicine.

San-Huang-Chai-Zhu Formula Ameliorates Liver Injury in Intrahepatic Cholestasis through Suppressing SIRT1/PGC-1α-Regulated Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress

Background

Chinese herbal formulae possess promising applications in treating intrahepatic cholestasis.

Objective

Our study aims to explore the protective effect of the San-Huang-Chai-Zhu formula (SHCZF) on liver injury in intrahepatic cholestasis (IC) and investigate the underlying mechanism related to mitochondrial oxidative stress.

Methods

An IC rat model was established by α-naphthyl isothiocyanate induction. Hepatic histomorphology was observed through hematoxylin and eosin staining. Levels of biochemical indexes of hepatic function and oxidative stress were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cell apoptosis in liver tissues was detected by the TUNEL assay. The mRNA expression of mtDNA, SIRT1, and PGC-1α was measured by qRT-PCR, and the protein expression of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, SIRT1, and PGC-1α was determined by Western blotting.

Results

SHCZF treatment attenuated liver injury in IC. Levels of hepatic function parameters were decreased after SHCZF administration. In addition, the decreased level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the increased levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in hepatic mitochondria confirmed that SHCZF could attenuate oxidative stress in IC. SHCZF treatment also reduced the apoptosis in the liver tissues of IC rats. Furthermore, SHCZF administration upregulated the expression of mtDNA, SIRT1, and PGC-1α in IC.

Conclusions

SHCZF exerts a protective effect on liver injury in IC via alleviating SIRT1/PGC-1α-regulated mitochondrial oxidative stress.

Intestinal Glucuronidation, Prior to Hepatic Glucuronidation, Plays an Important Role in the Low Circulating Levels of Calycosin

Calycosin is a dietary flavonoid with favorable activities, which seems to be inconsistent with its low circulating levels in vivo. To address this issue, we developed a strategy to understand calycosin distribution by integrating qualitative and quantitative analyses of calycosin and its metabolites in portal vein plasma, the liver, and systemic plasma after oral administration to rats. Consequently, 21 metabolites were characterized in total, including the first report of a reductive biotransformation and 14 new metabolites. Compared with the low levels of calycosin, calycosin glucuronides were predominant in circulation, and both the hepatic and intestinal regions contributed to the high exposure of these calycosin glucuronides. However, intestinal glucuronidation, prior to hepatic glucuronidation, plays a key role in the low circulating levels of calycosin.

Structural elucidation and anti-diabetic osteoporotic activity of an arabinogalactan from Phellodendron chinense Schneid

Phellodendron chinense Schneid. was widely used as a medicinal herb for the treatment of diabetic osteoporosis in China. In this study, an arabinogalactan, named as PPCP-1, was isolated from the bark of Phellodendron chinense Schneid., and purified by DEAE-cellulose DE52 and Sephacryl S-200 HR column chromatography. The structure of PPCP-1 was characterized as a repeating unit consisting of →3)-β-d-Galp-(1→, →3,6)-β-d-Galp-(1→, →5)-α-l-Araf-(1→, →4)-α-d-Glcp-(1→, →3)-α-d-Glcp-(1→, →4)-α-d-Manp-(1→ with branches of →5)-α-l-Araf-(1→, →3,5)-α-l-Araf-(1→ and terminal α-l-Araf. Pharmacologically, the oral administration of PPCP-1 preserved osteoporosis associated with hyperglycemia by inhibiting α-glucosidase activity, improving glucose tolerance, decreasing the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), as well as down-regulating the expression of receptor for AGEs in tibias of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Collectively, the present study suggested that the arabinogalactan PPCP-1 from Phellodendron chinense Schneid. might potentially be used as functional foods for bone health and/or developed for drug discovery for alleviating diabetic osteoporosis.

Systematic investigation on the anti-rheumatoid arthritis material basis and mechanism of Juan Bi Tang. Part 1: Integrating metabolic profiles and network pharmacology

Previously, our cooperative team confirmed the chemical composition and anti-rheumatoid arthritis (RA) efficacy of Juanbi-Tang (JBT), a clinically and historically used traditional Chinese medicine formula, in two model animals. In this study, we developed an in vivo-in silico strategy to elucidate the anti-RA material basis and mechanism of JBT. With the aid of high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF), the metabolic profiles were investigated in normal and collagen-induced arthritis RA rats following oral administration of JBT. Based on the absorbed constituents in RA rats, network pharmacology was employed to predict the anti-RA mechanisms, followed by molecular docking validation. Consequently, there were 18 absorbed compounds with 6 chemical structures, which were absolutely identified by matching with standard compounds in plasma, and 17 generated metabolites involved of 7 biotransformation pathways, including glucuronidation, sulfation, hydroxylation, deglycosylation, methylation, taurine, and glycine conjugation. Moreover, RA disease affected the absorption and metabolism of the constituents in JBT, given the undetected 2 absorbed compounds and 4 metabolites in RA rats. The analysis of network pharmacology indicated that those absorbed compounds in JBT may fight against RA through the MAPK, FoxO, and Rap1 pathways. Molecular docking also validated these results. Overall, this is the first study to describe the metabolic profiles of JBT-treated healthy and RA rats, and it provides a possible anti-RA mechanism through multiple absorbed compounds and targets by network pharmacology.