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Wu Y, Feng K, Chen Y, Zhang H, Zhang M, Han B, Chen X, Yang L, Wang X, Li W, Tang J. Exploring the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory potential of licochalcone B against psoralidin-induced liver injury. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 335:118600. [PMID: 39053714 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Herb-induced liver injury (HILI) represents an exacerbated inflammatory response, with Psoraleae fructus (PF) and its preparations recently associated with hepatotoxicity. Licorice, historically recognized as a detoxifying herbal remedy, is considered to possess hepatoprotective properties. Our previous research identified bavachin, bakuchiol, and psoralidin (PSO) as potential toxic constituents in PF, while licochalcone B (LCB) and echinatin were identified as bioactive components in licorice. However, evidence regarding the interactions of active compounds in herbs and their underlying mechanisms remains limited. AIM OF THE STUDY The objective of this study is to assess the potential mechanisms through which LCB modulates immunological and anti-inflammatory responses to treat PSO-induced liver injury by using human hepatocyte cells (L02) and LPS-primed mice. METHODS The ameliorative effects of LCB and echinatin on bavachin, bakuchiol, and PSO-induced liver injury were demonstrated in L02 cells. Subsequently, the efficacy of LCB on PSO-induced idiosyncratic liver injury was further validated in C57BL/6 mice under moderate inflammatory stress induced by LPS priming. The mechanisms were preliminarily explored with an integrated strategy of molecular docking, RT-PCR verification, and untargeted metabolomics. RESULTS The study shows that LCB significantly reduced cell injury induced by the three chemicals in PF and provided substantial protection against PSO-induced hepatic damage, as indicated by the levels of ALT, AST, and LDH. LCB normalized liver function and remarkedly alleviated hepatic lesions and inflammation caused by PSO in mice under moderate inflammatory stress. The mRNA profiles of both L02 cells and mice liver tissue revealed that LCB mitigated PSO-induced hepatotoxicity by regulating the gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL1B and TNF, as well as immunoinflammatory genes PIK3CA, AKT1, NFKB1, and NLRP3. Furthermore, untargeted metabolomics of liver tissue indicated that LCB could reverse the abnormal expression of 11 discriminatory metabolites, with the interrelationship between differential metabolites and target genes primarily clustering in glycerophospholipid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and phosphatidylinositol signaling system. CONCLUSION LCB demonstrated a superior anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect on PSO-induced hepatotoxicity by modulating the inflammatory response and metabolic signaling system. Key interactive targets included phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidic acid, and subunit isoforms of PI3K.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yali Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450003, China; Henan Province Engineering Research Center for Clinical Application, Evaluation and Transformation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory for Clinical Pharmacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Safety Evaluation and Risk Management of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Keran Feng
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450003, China; Henan Province Engineering Research Center for Clinical Application, Evaluation and Transformation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory for Clinical Pharmacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Safety Evaluation and Risk Management of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Yulong Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China; College Pharmaceutical Engineering of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450003, China; Henan Province Engineering Research Center for Clinical Application, Evaluation and Transformation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory for Clinical Pharmacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Safety Evaluation and Risk Management of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Mingliang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450003, China; Henan Province Engineering Research Center for Clinical Application, Evaluation and Transformation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory for Clinical Pharmacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Safety Evaluation and Risk Management of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Bing Han
- School of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaofei Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450003, China; Henan Province Engineering Research Center for Clinical Application, Evaluation and Transformation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory for Clinical Pharmacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Safety Evaluation and Risk Management of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Liuqing Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450003, China; Henan Province Engineering Research Center for Clinical Application, Evaluation and Transformation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory for Clinical Pharmacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Safety Evaluation and Risk Management of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450003, China; Henan Province Engineering Research Center for Clinical Application, Evaluation and Transformation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory for Clinical Pharmacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Safety Evaluation and Risk Management of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450003, China; School of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Weixia Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450003, China; Henan Province Engineering Research Center for Clinical Application, Evaluation and Transformation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory for Clinical Pharmacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Safety Evaluation and Risk Management of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450003, China; School of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Jinfa Tang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450003, China; Henan Province Engineering Research Center for Clinical Application, Evaluation and Transformation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory for Clinical Pharmacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Safety Evaluation and Risk Management of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450003, China; School of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China.
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Dong B, Peng Y, Wang M, Peng C, Li X. Multi-omics integrated analyses indicated that non-polysaccharides of Sijunzi decoction ameliorated spleen deficiency syndrome via regulating microbiota-gut-metabolites axis and exerted synergistic compatibility. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 331:118276. [PMID: 38697408 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE As a classical traditional Chinese medicine formula to invigorating spleen and replenishing qi, Sijunzi decoction (SJZD) is composed of four herbs, which is applied to cure spleen deficiency syndrome (SDS) clinically. The non-polysaccharides (NPSs) of SJZD (SJZD_NPS) are important pharmacodynamic material basis. However, the amelioration mechanism of SJZD_NPS on SDS has not been fully elaborated. Additionally, the contribution of herbs compatibility to efficacy of this formula remains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim was to explore the underlying mechanisms of SJZD_NPS on improving SDS, and uncover the scientific connotation in SJZD compatibility. MATERIALS AND METHODS A strategy integrating incomplete formulae (called "Chai-fang" in Chinese) comparison, pharmacodynamics, gut microbiome, and metabolome was employed to reveal the role of each herb to SJZD compatibility against SDS. Additionally, the underlying mechanism harbored by SJZD_NPS was further explored through targeted metabolomics, network pharmacology, molecular docking, pseudo-sterile model, and metagenomics. RESULTS SJZD_NPS significantly alleviated diarrhea, disordered secretion of gastrointestinal hormones and neurotransmitters, damage of ileal morphology and intestinal barrier in SDS rats, which was superior to the NPSs of Chai-fang. 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolomics analyses revealed that SJZD_NPS effectively restored the disturbed gut microbiota community and abnormal metabolism caused by SDS, showing the most evident recovery. Moreover, SJZD_NPS recalled the levels of partial amino acids, short chain fatty acids and bile acids, which possessed strong binding affinity towards potential targets. The depletion of gut microbiota confirmed that the SDS-amelioration efficacy of SJZD_NPS is dependent on the intact gut microbiome, with the relative abundance of potential probiotics such as Lactobacillus_johnsonii and Lactobacillus_taiwanensis been enriched. CONCLUSION NPSs in SJZD can improve SDS-induced gastrointestinal-nervous system dysfunction through regulating microbiota-gut-metabolites axis, with four herbs exerting synergistic effects, which indicated the compatibility rationality of SJZD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bangjian Dong
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Ying Peng
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Mengyue Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Chongsheng Peng
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xiaobo Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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Sun Y, Zhou W, Zhu M. Serum Metabolomics Uncovers the Mechanisms of Inulin in Preventing Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:895. [PMID: 39065745 PMCID: PMC11279973 DOI: 10.3390/ph17070895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Inulin may be a promising therapeutic molecule for treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the underlying mechanisms of its therapeutic activity remain unclear. To address this issue, a high-fat-diet-induced NAFLD mouse model was developed and treated with inulin. The NAFLD phenotype was evaluated via histopathological analysis and biochemical parameters, including serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, liver triglycerides, etc. A serum metabolomics study was conducted using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The results revealed that inulin mitigated NAFLD symptoms such as histopathological changes and liver cholesterol levels. Through the serum metabolomics study, 347 differential metabolites were identified between the model and control groups, and 139 differential metabolites were identified between the inulin and model groups. Additionally, 48 differential metabolites (such as phosphatidylserine, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid, L-carnitine, and 13-HODE) were identified as candidate targets of inulin and subjected to pathway enrichment analysis. The results revealed that these 48 differential metabolites were enriched in several metabolic pathways such as fatty acid biosynthesis and cardiolipin biosynthesis. Taken together, our results suggest that inulin might attenuate NAFLD partially by modulating 48 differential metabolites and their correlated metabolic pathways, constituting information that might help us find novel therapies for NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhong Sun
- School of Public Health, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China;
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wenjun Zhou
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Mingzhe Zhu
- School of Public Health, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China;
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Jiang FY, Yue SR, Tan YY, Tang N, Xu YS, Zhang BJ, Mao YJ, Xue ZS, Lu AP, Liu BC, Wang RR. Gynostemma pentaphyllum Extract Alleviates NASH in Mice: Exploration of Inflammation and Gut Microbiota. Nutrients 2024; 16:1782. [PMID: 38892715 PMCID: PMC11174846 DOI: 10.3390/nu16111782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) is a severe liver disease characterized by hepatic chronic inflammation that can be associated with the gut microbiota. In this study, we explored the therapeutic effect of Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract (GPE), a Chinese herbal extract, on methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) diet-induced NASH mice. Based on the peak area, the top ten compounds in GPE were hydroxylinolenic acid, rutin, hydroxylinoleic acid, vanillic acid, methyl vanillate, quercetin, pheophorbide A, protocatechuic acid, aurantiamide acetate, and iso-rhamnetin. We found that four weeks of GPE treatment alleviated hepatic confluent zone inflammation, hepatocyte lipid accumulation, and lipid peroxidation in the mouse model. According to the 16S rRNA gene V3-V4 region sequencing of the colonic contents, the gut microbiota structure of the mice was significantly changed after GPE supplementation. Especially, GPE enriched the abundance of potentially beneficial bacteria such as Akkerrmansia and decreased the abundance of opportunistic pathogens such as Klebsiella. Moreover, RNA sequencing revealed that the GPE group showed an anti-inflammatory liver characterized by the repression of the NF-kappa B signaling pathway compared with the MCD group. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) also showed that GPE downregulated the pathogen-induced cytokine storm pathway, which was associated with inflammation. A high dose of GPE (HGPE) significantly downregulated the expression levels of the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (Myd88), cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14), and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) genes, as verified by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Our results suggested that the therapeutic potential of GPE for NASH mice may be related to improvements in the intestinal microenvironment and a reduction in liver inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Yan Jiang
- Shanghai Innovation Center of TCM Health Service, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; (F.-Y.J.); (S.-R.Y.); (Y.-Y.T.); (N.T.); (Y.-S.X.); (B.-J.Z.)
| | - Si-Ran Yue
- Shanghai Innovation Center of TCM Health Service, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; (F.-Y.J.); (S.-R.Y.); (Y.-Y.T.); (N.T.); (Y.-S.X.); (B.-J.Z.)
| | - Yi-Yun Tan
- Shanghai Innovation Center of TCM Health Service, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; (F.-Y.J.); (S.-R.Y.); (Y.-Y.T.); (N.T.); (Y.-S.X.); (B.-J.Z.)
| | - Nan Tang
- Shanghai Innovation Center of TCM Health Service, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; (F.-Y.J.); (S.-R.Y.); (Y.-Y.T.); (N.T.); (Y.-S.X.); (B.-J.Z.)
| | - Yue-Song Xu
- Shanghai Innovation Center of TCM Health Service, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; (F.-Y.J.); (S.-R.Y.); (Y.-Y.T.); (N.T.); (Y.-S.X.); (B.-J.Z.)
- Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Bao-Jun Zhang
- Shanghai Innovation Center of TCM Health Service, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; (F.-Y.J.); (S.-R.Y.); (Y.-Y.T.); (N.T.); (Y.-S.X.); (B.-J.Z.)
| | - Yue-Jian Mao
- China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited, Hohhot 010000, China; (Y.-J.M.); (Z.-S.X.)
| | - Zheng-Sheng Xue
- China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited, Hohhot 010000, China; (Y.-J.M.); (Z.-S.X.)
| | - Ai-Ping Lu
- School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong 999077, China;
| | - Bao-Cheng Liu
- Shanghai Innovation Center of TCM Health Service, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; (F.-Y.J.); (S.-R.Y.); (Y.-Y.T.); (N.T.); (Y.-S.X.); (B.-J.Z.)
| | - Rui-Rui Wang
- Shanghai Innovation Center of TCM Health Service, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; (F.-Y.J.); (S.-R.Y.); (Y.-Y.T.); (N.T.); (Y.-S.X.); (B.-J.Z.)
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Lin J, Chen R, Liao H, Zhang Y, Zheng Z, Hong C. Mechanisms of cordycepin in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension in rats based on metabonomics and transcriptomics. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12431. [PMID: 38816406 PMCID: PMC11139979 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62163-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a fatal disease featured by high morbidity and mortality. Although Cordycepin is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune-enhancing effects, its role in PAH treatment and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The therapeutic effects of Cordycepin on rats with PAH were investigated using a monocrotaline (MCT)-induced rat model. The metabolic effects of Cordycepin were assessed based on the plasma metabolome. The potential mechanisms of Cordycepin in PAH treatment were investigated through transcriptome sequencing and validated in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC). Evaluations included hematoxylin and eosin staining for pulmonary vascular remodeling, CCK-8 assay, EDU, and TUNEL kits for cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis, respectively, and western blot for protein expression. Cordycepin significantly reduced right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI) in PAH rats, and mitigated pulmonary vascular remodeling. Plasma metabolomics showed that Cordycepin could reverse the metabolic disorders in the lungs of MCT-induced PAH rats, particularly impacting linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid metabolism pathways. Transcriptomics revealed that the P53 pathway might be the primary pathway involved, and western blot results showed that Cordycepin significantly increased P53 and P21 protein levels in lung tissues. Integrated analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics suggested that these pathways were mainly enriched in linoleic acid metabolism and alpha-linolenic acid metabolism pathway. In vitro experiments demonstrated that Cordycepin significantly inhibited the PDGFBB (PD)-induced abnormal proliferation and migration of PASMC and promoted PD-induced apoptosis. Meanwhile, Cordycepin enhanced the expression levels of P53 and P21 proteins in PD-insulted PASMC. However, inhibitors of P53 and P21 eliminated these effects of Cordycepin. Cordycepin may activate the P53-P21 pathway to inhibit abnormal proliferation and migration of PASMC and promote apoptosis, offering a potential approach for PAH treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangpeng Lin
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524003, Guangdong, China
- Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Riken Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524003, Guangdong, China
- Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Huizhao Liao
- Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuzhuo Zhang
- National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- Nanshan School, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Zhenzhen Zheng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524003, Guangdong, China.
| | - Cheng Hong
- Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China.
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Wu H, Lou T, Pan M, Wei Z, Yang X, Liu L, Feng M, Shi L, Qu B, Cong S, Chen K, Yang H, Liu J, Li Y, Jia Z, Xiao H. Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang Decoction attenuates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by enhancing intestinal barrier integrity and ameliorating PPARα mediated lipotoxicity. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 326:117841. [PMID: 38310988 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a prominent cause of liver-related death that poses a threat to global health and is characterized by severe hepatic steatosis, lobular inflammation, and ballooning degeneration. To date, no Food and Drug Administration-approved medicine is commercially available. The Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang Decoction (CGGD) shows potential curative effects on regulation of blood lipids and blood glucose, mitigation of organism inflammation, and amelioration of hepatic function. However, the overall regulatory mechanisms underlying its effects on NASH remain unclear. PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of CGGD on methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD)-induced NASH and unravel its underlying mechanisms. METHODS A NASH model of SD rats was established using an MCD diet for 8 weeks, and the efficacy of CGGD was evaluated based on hepatic lipid accumulation, inflammatory response, and fibrosis. The effects of CGGD on the intestinal barrier, metabolic profile, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) profile were analyzed by integrating gut microbiota, metabolomics, and transcriptome sequencing to elucidate its mechanisms of action. RESULTS In MCD-induced NASH rats, pathological staining demonstrated that CGGD alleviated lipid accumulation, inflammatory cell infiltration, and fibrosis in the hepatic tissue. After CGGD administration, liver index, liver weight, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) contents, liver triglycerides (TG), and free fatty acids (FFAs) were decreased, meanwhile, it down-regulated the level of proinflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1), and up-regulated the level of anti-inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-10), and the expression of liver fibrosis markers TGFβ, Acta2, Col1a1 and Col1a2 were weakened. Mechanistically, CGGD treatment altered the diversity of intestinal flora, as evidenced by the depletion of Allobaculum, Blautia, norank_f_Erysipelotrichaceae, and enrichment of the probiotic genera Roseburia, Lactobacillus, Lachnoclostridium, etc. The colonic histopathological results indicated that the gut barrier damage recovered in the CGGD treatment group, and the expression levels of colonic short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-specific receptors FFAR2, FFAR3, and tight junction (TJs) proteins ZO-1, Occludin, Claudin-1 were increased compared with those in the model group. Further metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses suggested that CGGD mitigated the lipotoxicity caused by glycerophospholipid and eicosanoid metabolism disorders by decreasing the levels of PLA2G4A, LPCAT1, COX2, and LOX5. In addition, CGGD could activate the inhibitory lipotoxic transcription factor PPARα, regulate the proteins of FABP1, APOC2, APOA2, and LPL to promote fatty acid catabolism, and suppress the TLR4/MyD88/NFκB pathway to attenuate NASH. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that CGGD improved steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis on NASH through enhancing intestinal barrier integrity and alleviating PPARα mediated lipotoxicity, which makes it an attractive candidate for potential new strategies for NASH prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Tianyu Lou
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Mingxia Pan
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Zuying Wei
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xiaoqin Yang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Lirong Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Menghan Feng
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Lixia Shi
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Biqiong Qu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Shiyu Cong
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Kui Chen
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Haolan Yang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yueting Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Zhixin Jia
- Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Hongbin Xiao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China; Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
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Zhang K, Peng P, Huang J, Chen M, Liu F, Zhu C, Lu Q, Wang M, Lin C. Integrating plasma metabolomics and gut microbiome to reveal the mechanisms of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction intervene diabetic peripheral neuropathy. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 319:117301. [PMID: 37820997 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction (HGWD) is a classic traditional Chinese herbal formula from "Synopsis of Golden Chamber," which is used to treat blood stagnation and has been used for alleviating diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in the clinic. However, the mechanisms of HGWD intervention DPN are still to be discovered. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aims to explore the mechanism of HGWD intervention DPN by integrating plasma metabolomics and gut microbiome. MATERIALS AND METHODS BKS Cg-m+/+Leprdb/J (db/db) mice with DPN were at 16 weeks of age. The indices of DPN phenotypes in db/db mice, pathomorphology of the sciatic nerve, intraepithelial nerve fibers (IENF) of the foot pad, levels of blood lipids and oxidative stress, and inflammatory reaction were used to appraise the HGWD efficacy. Finally, the pharmacological mechanisms of HGWD intervening DPN were explored by metabolomics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. RESULTS HGWD reversed DPN phenotypes in db/db mice, improved peripheral nerve structure, ameliorated the level of blood lipids and nerve growth factor in plasma, enhanced antioxidant capacity, and alleviated inflammatory responses. Plasma metabolomics disclosed that HGWD remarkably regulated the unusual levels of thirty-seven metabolites involved in sphingolipid metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, arachidonic acid metabolism, and amino acid biosynthesis pathways. The gut microbiome showed that nine bacteria were highly correlated with the efficacy of HGWD in DPN. Integrating analysis of microbiome and metabolomics demonstrated that the interaction of four bacteria with four metabolic pathways might be the significant mechanism of HGWD intervention in DPN. CONCLUSIONS The mediation of gut microbiota and plasma metabolism may be the potential mechanism of HGWD ameliorating DPN in db/db mice. The interaction of Lactobacillus, Alloprevotella, Bacteroides, and Desulfovibio with four metabolic pathways might be the critical mechanism for HGWD treating DPN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaihui Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Peng Peng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Jinhao Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Ming Chen
- Guangzhou BaiYunShan PanGaoShou Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Guangzhou, 511400, PR China
| | - Fangle Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, PR China
| | - Chenchen Zhu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Qifu Lu
- Guangzhou BaiYunShan PanGaoShou Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Guangzhou, 511400, PR China.
| | - Meiqi Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
| | - Chaozhan Lin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
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Xia Z, Li Q, Tang Z. Network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental pharmacology explored Ermiao wan protected against periodontitis via the PI3K/AKT and NF-κB/MAPK signal pathways. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 303:115900. [PMID: 36414214 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Ermiao Wan (EMW), a classic and famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-based herbal formula combined Phellodendron chinense C.K.Schneid. (Cortex Phellodendri Chinsis, CP) and Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. (Rhizoma Atractylodis, RA) with the weight composition of 1:1, has been used for the treatment of periodontitis in China for a long time. However, its efficacy and mechanism of action are still unclear now. AIM OF THE STUDY This study explored the efficacy and pharmaceutical mechanism of action of EMW against periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The efficacy of EMW against periodontitis was evaluated using the ligature-induced periodontitis (LIP) mice, and inflammatory-related factors in gingiva and alveolar bone loss were determined using the qRT-PCR and micro-CT assays. The potential pharmacological mechanisms were predicted by bioinformatics analysis and further confirmed by the qRT-PCR and western blotting assays. RESULTS EMW exhibited inhibitory effects on periodontitis in the LIP mice. Bio-informational analysis showed the core compounds (berberine and chlorogenic acid) targeted the key genes (AKT, MAPK1, MAPK14, NF-κB, TNF, IL-2, and IL1B) through regulating the PI3K/AKT and NF-κB/MAPK signal pathways, which were validated using the qRT-PCR and western blotting assays. CONCLUSIONS EMW could eliminate alveolar bone loss and inhibit inflammation, thereby preventing the development of periodontitis. The mechanism of action may be achieved by regulating the PI3K/AKT and NF-κB/MAPK signal pathways. Therefore, EMW was a potential therapy for the treatment of periodontitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengxiang Xia
- Department of Pharmacy, Stomatological Hospital and Dental School of Tongji University, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration, 399 Middle Yan Chang Road, Shanghai, 200072, China.
| | - Qin Li
- Department of Implantology, Stomatological Hospital and Dental School of Tongji University, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration, Shanghai, 200072, China.
| | - Zhongyan Tang
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Jin Shan Hospital, Fudan University, 1508 Longhan Road, Shanghai, 201508, China.
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