Deciphering the effective combinatorial components from Si-Miao-Yong-An decoction regarding the intervention on myocardial hypertrophy

Sweroside alleviates pressure overload-induced heart failure through targeting CaMKⅡδ to inhibit ROS-mediated NF-κB/NLRP3 in cardiomyocytes

Ongoing inflammation in the heart is positively correlated with adverse remodeling, characterized by elevated levels of cytokines that stimulate activation of cardiac fibroblasts. It was found that CaMKIIδ response to Ang II or TAC triggers the accumulation of ROS in cardiomyocytes, which subsequently stimulates NF-κB/NLRP3 and leads to an increase in IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-18. This is an important causative factor in the occurrence of adverse remodeling in heart failure. Sweroside is a biologically active natural iridoids extracted from Lonicerae Japonicae Flos. It shows potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity in various cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we found that sweroside inhibited ROS-mediated NF-κB/NLRP3 in Ang II-treated cardiomyocytes by directly binding to CaMKIIδ. Knockdown of CaMKⅡδ abrogated the effect of sweroside regulation on NF-κB/NLRP3 in cardiomyocytes. AAV-CaMKⅡδ induced high expression of CaMKⅡδ in the myocardium of TAC/Ang II-mice, and the inhibitory effect of sweroside on TAC/Ang Ⅱ-induced elevation of NF-κB/NLRP3 was impeded. Sweroside showed significant inhibitory effects on CaMKIIδ/NF-κB/NLRP3 in cardiomyocytes from TAC/Ang Ⅱ-induced mice. This would be able to mitigate the adverse events of myocardial remodeling and contractile dysfunction at 8 weeks after the onset of the inflammatory response. Taken together, our findings have revealed the direct protein targets and molecular mechanisms by which sweroside improves heart failure, thereby supporting the further development of sweroside as a therapeutic agent for heart failure.

Exploring the mechanism of Si-Miao-Yong-An decoction on heart failure based on molecular docking and network pharmacology

The SwissTargetPrediction was employed to predict the potential drug targets of the active component of Si-Miao-Yong-An decoction (SMYAD). The therapeutic targets for HF were searched in the Genecard database, and Cytoscape3.9.1 software was used to construct the "drug-component-target-disease network" diagram. In addition, the String platform was used to construct Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network, and the DAVID database was used for GO and KEGG analysis. AutoDockTools-1.5.6 software was used for molecular docking verification. Network pharmacology studies have shown that AKT 1, ALB, and CASP 3 are the key targets of action of SMYAD against heart failure. The active compounds are quercetin and kaempferol.

Dynamic Formation of Green Tea Cream and the Identification of Key Components Using the "Knock-Out/Knock-In" Method

The composition of green tea cream is extremely complex, and identification of key components is a prerequisite for elucidating its microstructure formation mechanism. This study examined the dynamic changes in the content of components and properties of colloid particles during the formation process of tea cream by chemical analysis and dynamic laser scattering (DLS). A "knock-out/knock-in" method was developed and used to further explore the relationship between the interaction of these components and the microstructure formation of tea cream. The results revealed that polysaccharides, proteins, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and caffeine were the main components involved in tea cream formation. These components participated in the formation process in the form of polysaccharide-protein and EGCG-caffeine colloidal particles. Consequently, there were synchronized dynamic changes in the levels of polysaccharides, proteins, EGCG, and caffeine. The "knock-out/knock-in" experiment revealed that the interactions between EGCG or caffeine and macro-molecule components were not the key factors in tea cream microstructure formation. However, it was found that the complexation between EGCG and caffeine played a crucial role in the formation of tea cream. The findings suggested that decreasing the concentrations of EGCG and caffeine could be useful in controlling tea cream formation during tea beverage processing and storage.

Effects of Si-Miao-Yong-An decoction on myocardial I/R rats by regulating gut microbiota to inhibit LPS-induced TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is primarily caused by inflammation which is closely linked to the gut microbiota. Si-Miao-Yong-An (SMYA) decoction is a traditional Chinese herbal formula with anti-inflammatory properties that found to be effective against CAD. However, it is still unclear whether SMYA can modulate gut microbiota and whether it contributes to the improvement of CAD by reducing inflammation and regulating the gut microbiota.

METHODS

The identification of components in the SMYA extract was conducted using the HPLC method. A total of four groups of SD rats were orally administered with SMYA for 28 days. The levels of inflammatory biomarkers and myocardial damage biomarkers were measured through ELISA, while echocardiography was used to assess heart function. Histological alterations in the myocardial and colonic tissues were examined following H&E staining. Western blotting was performed to evaluate protein expression, whereas alterations in gut microbiota were determined by 16 s rDNA sequencing.

RESULTS

SMYA was found to enhance cardiac function and decrease the expression of serum CK-MB and LDH. SMYA was also observed to inhibit the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway by downregulating the protein expression of myocardial TLR4, MyD88, and p-P65, leading to a reduction in serum pro-inflammatory factors. SMYA modified the composition of gut microbiota by decreasing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, modulating Prevotellaceae_Ga6A1 and Prevotellaceae_NK3B3 linked to the LPS/TLR4/NF-κB pathway, and increasing beneficial microbiota such as Bacteroidetes, Alloprevotella, and other bacterial species. Moreover, SMYA was found to safeguard the intestinal mucosal and villi structures, elevate the expression of tight junction protein (ZO-1, occludin), and reduce intestinal permeability and inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that SMYA has the potential to modulate the gut microbiota and protect the intestinal barrier, thereby reducing the translocation of LPS into circulation. SMYA was also found to inhibit the LPS-induced TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, leading to a decrease in the release of inflammatory factors, which ultimately mitigated myocardial injury. Hence, SMYA holds promise as a therapeutic agent for the management of CAD.

Systematic investigation of the material basis, multiple mechanisms and quality control of Simiao Yong'an decoction combined with antibiotic in the treatment of sepsis

BACKGROUND

Sepsis is one of the major threats to human health with high mortality. Simiao Yong'an decoction (SMYAD) has the efficacy of anti-inflammation, improving coagulation and microcirculation, which is applicable for the clinical assistance treatment of sepsis. Yet, its material basis and relevant mechanisms are still vague.

PURPOSE

Explore the quality markers (Q-markers), biomarkers and potential mechanisms of SMYAD combined with imipenem/cilastatin sodium for anti-sepsis.

METHODS

Linear-Trap-LC/MSⁿ was employed to profile the compounds in the extract and medicated serum of SMYAD. Then, the components and targets obtained from databases were applied to network pharmacology. Q-markers' range was narrowed via the affinity of three times docking and determined as per its screening criteria. Also, the content of them was detected by HPLC. Next, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model was reproduced to observe the effect of SMYAD united antibiotic by survival rate, histopathology score, ELISA, western blot and qPCR. Finally, metabolomics based upon GC-MS was exerted to discover the differential endogenous metabolites, metabolic pathway and joint pathway of SMYAD combined with antibiotic for sepsis.

RESULTS

The 25 serum migrant ingredients derived from 113 chemical compounds of SMYAD were identified for the first time, and 6 components were determined as the Q-markers of SMYAD. The enrichment analysis indicated that the potential mechanism was mainly associated with the IL-17 signaling pathway, complement-coagulation cascades signaling pathway and VEGF signaling pathway. Then, SMYAD united antibiotic declined the mortality of septic rats, restored cytokine levels, ameliorated histopathological lesions and decreased the mRNA and protein expression of target proteins in a dose-dependent way. Furthermore, 8 differential metabolites were regarded as latent biomarkers related to the antiseptic effect of SMYAD united antibiotic, which were mainly involved in the Citrate cycle (TCA cycle) metabolic pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Different skeletons of compounds, including iridoids, phenylpropanoids, organic acids, triterpenes and others, were the main compositions of SMYAD. Among them, 6 components were determined as the Q-markers, which provided a basis for the construction of quality standards for this ancient classic formula. The combination therapy of SMYAD and antibiotic obviously ameliorated inflammatory reaction, coagulation dysfunction and microcirculation abnormalities for sepsis by inhibiting IL-17 signaling pathway, complement-coagulation cascades signaling pathway and VEGF signaling pathway.

Jia-Wei-Si-Miao-Yong-An Fang stimulates the healing of acute radiation-induced cutaneous wounds through MAPK/ERK pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

A famous traditional oral Chinese medicine formula, Si-Miao-Yong-An decoction, has been used to treat thromboangiitis obliterans from the Qing Dynasty. Because its therapeutic principles including clearing away heat, detoxification, accelerating blood circulation and relieving pains are consistent with acute radiation-induced cutaneous wounds in traditional Chinese medicine, we tried to add herbs and improve them into an external dosage form, called Jia-Wei-Si-Miao-Yong-An Fang (JWSMYA). However, its mechanism on radiation-induced cutaneous wounds is still unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study evaluated the therapeutic effect of JWSMYA and investigated the mechanism of repair and anti-fibrosis on acute radiation-induced cutaneous wounds with JWSMYA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Firstly, we prepared JWSMYA, and determined the composition through UHPLC LC-MS/MS. Then we used ionizing radiation to make a cutaneous wound model of rats, and observed wound healing through their skin injury score, wound contraction percentage and histological staining. In addition, immunohistochemical staining, Western blot analysis, qRT-PCR and Elisa were used to explore wound rehabilitation and anti-fibrosis mechanisms.

RESULTS

An in vivo assay revealed that JWSMYA promoted the repairment of acute radiation-induced cutaneous wounds, facilitated MAPK/ERK phosphorylation, inhibited PI3K/AKT activation, reduced the level of alpha-smooth muscle actin (a-sma), collagen type-I alpha 2 (Col1a2) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) in cutaneous tissues. However, no statistical difference was found in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

CONCLUSION

JWSMYA accelerated the repair of acute radiation-induced cutaneous wounds, which might be associated with the MAPK/ERK pathway. In addition, PI3K/AKT might be associated with the inhibition of fibrosis and the promotion of high-quality wound healing.

The Efficacy and Safety of the Shouzu Ning Decoction Treatment Versus Halometasone Plus Celecoxib Treatment in Patients With Grade 2 HFSR: A Randomized Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effects of the Shouzu Ning Decoction (SND) and Halometasone plus Celecoxib (Hal/Cxb) as therapy in patients with grade 2 hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty patients with grade 2 HFSR participated in a randomized, single-center, open-label study. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive the SND or Hal/Cxb treatment, twice daily for 4 weeks, followed by 4 weeks of post-treatment follow-up. The primary endpoint was clinical remission of HFSR at the end of the fourth week (W4). The secondary endpoints were recurrence rate, quality of life (QoL), pain intensity, and safety.

RESULTS

In this study, 46 patients successfully completed the study, and 4 patients were excluded. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups on demographic and baseline clinical characteristics. In the SND group, 56.52% of patients showed clinical remission at W4, which was significantly superior to that achieved in the Hal/Cxb group (26.09%, P = .036). In addition, the HF-QoL score was statistically lower in the SND group compared to the Hal/Cxb group at W2 (P = .007), W3 (P = .005), and W4 (P = .005), respectively. In line with this, the inter-group difference in NRS score was statistically significant (P = .004).

CONCLUSION

In the present study, SND treatment has been observed to be effective and well tolerated for patients with grade 2 HFSR. Thus, SND treatment could be considered a suitable option for HFSR patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900027518. Registered on 17 Nov 2019.

The metabolic profile elucidation of Lonicera japonica flos water extract and the metabolic characteristics evaluation of bioactive compounds in human gastrointestinal tract in vitro

Lonicera japonica Flos (LJF) is taken orally as a health food and medicinal plant in China for a long time. The gastrointestinal metabolism of LJF was investigated in vitro by three independent models (gastric juice, intestinal juice, and human intestinal bacteria), qualitative analyzed by UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MSⁿ and quantified by HPLC-DAD. 72 prototype compounds were detected in LJF water extraction (LJF-WE), including 14 organic acids, 43 iridoids, 14 flavonoids and one other compound. The prototype and metabolic components of LJF-WE bio-transformed by simulated gastric fluid (70 and 12), intestinal fluid (69 and 12) and human fecal bacteria (29 and 70) were characterized, respectively. The metabolites were formed through desaccharization, isomerization, hydrogenation, methylation, dehydration, and then cyclization, glucuronization and dimethylation followed. 8 bioactive compounds including neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, sweroside, secoxyloganin, isochlorogenic acid B, isochlorogenic acid A and isochlorogenic acid C were much stable in simulated gastric fluid and intestinal fluid, compared with human fecal bacteria. Especially, sweroside and secoxyloganin with glucoside bonds degradated extraordinarily fast, because of the abundant β-glucosidases in human fecal bacteria.

Comparative Pharmacokinetics of Seven Major Compounds in Normal and Atherosclerosis Mice after Oral Administration of Simiao Yong'an Decoction

Simiao Yong'an decoction (SMYAD), a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been used to treat atherosclerosis (AS) in clinical in China, but its therapeutic mechanism and pharmacodynamic material basis are not clear. In this study, the AS model was caused by a high-fat diet and perivascular carotid collar placement (PCCP), and SMYAD was orally administered to the model and normal mice. A rapid, sensitive, selective, and reliable method using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) system combined with a Q Exactive HF-X mass spectrometer (UHPLC-Q Exactive HF-X MS) was established and validated for the simultaneous determination of seven compounds, including harpagide, chlorogenic acid, swertiamarin, sweroside, angoroside C, liquiritin, and isoliquiritigenin in the plasma of normal and AS mice. The specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, recovery, and stability of the method were all within the acceptable criteria. The results showed that some pharmacokinetic behaviors of harpagide, chlorogenic acid, and isoliquiritigenin were significantly different among the two groups of mice. The specific parameter changes were harpagide (AUC_0–t and AUC_0–∞ were 11075.09 ± 2132.38 and 16221.95 ± 5622.42 ng·mL⁻¹·h, respectively; CLz/F was 2.45 ± 0.87 L/h/mg), chlorogenic acid (t_1/2 was 21.59 ± 9.16 h; AUC_0–∞ was 2637.51 ± 322.54 ng·mL⁻¹·h; CLz/F was 13.49 ± 1.81 L/h/mg) and isoliquiritigenin (AUC_0–t and AUC_0–∞ were 502.25 ± 165.65 and 653.68 ± 251.34 ng·mL⁻¹·h, respectively; CLz/F was 62.16 ± 23.35 L/h/mg) were altered under the pathological status of AS. These differences might be partly ascribed to the changes in gastrointestinal microbiota, nonspecific drug transporters, and cytochrome P450 activity under the AS state, providing research ideas and experimental basis for pharmacological effects and pharmacodynamic material basis.

Systematic exploration of the potential material basis and molecular mechanism of the Mongolian medicine Nutmeg-5 in improving cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Nutmeg-5, which consists of Myristica fragrans Houtt., Aucklandia lappa Decne., Inula helenium L., Fructus Choerospondiatis and Piper longum L., is an ancient and classic formula in traditional Mongolian medicine that is widely used in the treatment of ischemic heart disease. However, its material basis and pharmacological mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to explore the potential material basis and molecular mechanism of Nutmeg-5 in improving cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The constituents of Nutmeg-5 absorbed into the blood were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). A mouse MI model was induced in male Kunming mice by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LDA) ligation. Echocardiography was performed to assess cardiac function. The protective effect of Nutmeg-5 and compound Danshen dripping pills as positive control medicine on post-MI cardiac remodeling was evaluated by tissue histology and determination of the serum protein levels of biomarkers of myocardial injury. RNA sequencing analysis of mouse left ventricle tissue was performed to explore the molecular mechanism of Nutmeg-5 in cardiac remodeling after MI.

RESULTS

A total of 27 constituents absorbed into blood were identified in rat plasma following gavage administration of Nutmeg-5 (0.54 g/kg) for 1 h. We found that ventricular remodeling after MI was significantly improved after Nutmeg-5 treatment in mice, which was demonstrated by decreased mortality, better cardiac function, decreased heart weight to body weight and heart weight to tibia length ratios, and attenuated cardiac fibrosis and myocardial injury. RNA sequencing revealed that the protective effect of Nutmeg-5 on cardiac remodeling after MI was associated with improved heart metabolism. Further study found that Nutmeg-5 treatment could preserve the ultrastructure of mitochondria and upregulate gene expression related to mitochondrial function and structure. HIF-1α (hypoxia inducible factor 1, alpha subunit) expression was significantly upregulated in the hearts of MI mice and significantly suppressed in the hearts of Nutmeg-5-treated mice. In addition, Nutmeg-5 treatment significantly activated the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha signaling pathway, which was inhibited in the hearts of MI mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Nutmeg-5 attenuates cardiac remodeling after MI by improving heart metabolism and preserving mitochondrial dysfunction by inhibiting HIF-1α expression in the mouse heart after MI.

Cryptochlorogenic acid and its metabolites ameliorate myocardial hypertrophy through a HIF1α-related pathway

Cryptochlorogenic acid (4-CQA) is a phenolic acid that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Our preliminary study found that 4-CQA has a good effect on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial hypertrophy, while the mechanism remains largely unknown. This study aimed at delineating the metabolites and metabolic pathways of 4-CQA using liquid mass spectrometry and molecular biotechnology, exploring possible active metabolites and the mechanism of myocardial hypertrophy amelioration in H9c2 cells, and finally, investigating the pharmacokinetics of 4-CQA and its active metabolites in vivo. In summary, 56 potential effective metabolites were distinguished in rat urine, feces, plasma samples and heart tissue after intragastric administration of 4-CQA, and the main metabolic reaction types of 4-CQA included hydrogenation, methylation, glucuronidation, sulfation, hydration and their composite reactions in in vivo biotransformation. Besides, 4-CQA and its main active metabolites, caffeic acid and 4-O-feruloylquinic acid, significantly ameliorated pathological cardiac hypertrophy of H9c2 cells treated with ISO based on the Akt/mTOR/HIF-1α pathway. In addition, this study demonstrated that the prototype drugs 4-CQA and 4-O-ferulylquinic acid generally exhibit similar pharmacokinetic characteristics and caffeic acid presents relatively late peak time and low peak concentration in rats, which make them suitable candidate drugs.

Liquiritin from Radix Glycyrrhizae Protects Cardiac Mitochondria from Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Damage

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of liquiritin (LIQ) from Radix Glycyrrhizae on cardiac mitochondria against hypoxia/reoxygenation (HR) injury.

METHODS

H9C2 cells were subject to the HR model. LIQ purified from Radix Glycyrrhizae (purity > 95%) was administrated to reoxygenation period. Cell viability, mitochondrial mass, mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species, and mitochondrial Ca2⁺ level were then assessed by using Cell Counting kit-8 and suitable fluorescence probe kits.

RESULTS

LIQ administration remarkably reduced the rate of HR damage via increasing H9C2 cell viability level and preserving mitochondria after HR. Particularly, 60 μM of LIQ posthypoxic treatment markedly reduced cell death in HR-subjected H9C2 cell groups (p < 0.05). Interestingly, posthypoxic treatment of LIQ significantly prevented the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, the decrease in mitochondrial mass, the increase in reactive oxygen species production, and the elevation of mitochondrial Ca2⁺ level in HR-treated H9C2 cells.

CONCLUSION

The present study provides for the first time the cardioprotective of LIQ posthypoxic treatment via reducing H9C2 cell death and protecting cardiac mitochondria against HR damage.