Chemical characteristics of Rhodiola Crenulata and its mechanism in acute mountain sickness using UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS combined with network pharmacology analysis

Integrated multicomponent analysis based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry and network pharmacology to elucidate the effective constituents and potential mechanism of Zhibai Dihuang pill in treating childhood precocious puberty

RATIONALE

Childhood precocious puberty (CPP) is a common pediatric endocrine disorder with significant associated risks. Zhibai Dihuang pill (ZBDHP), a classic recipe of the Qing dynasty with its efficacy of nourishing yin and clearing heat, can downregulate the expression of ESR1 in the uterus and ovaries, thereby inhibiting CPP. However, as of now, the main active ingredients and pharmacological mechanisms of ZBDHP remain unclear.

METHODS

A comprehensive approach was proposed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS) and network pharmacology to explore the potentially active constituents of ZBDHP and reveal the underlying mechanisms against CPP. Molecular docking was used to verify the possible mechanisms.

RESULTS

A total of 214 constituents derived were identified via UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS, and 12 of them were definitely characterized using reference standards. Subsequently, compounds tetrahydropalmatine, alisol C, 25-anhydroalisol A 11-acetate, hispidone, cavidine, alisol E, melianone, neogitogenin, denudatin B, and 16β-hydroperoxyalisol B with related targets PIK3CA, HSD11B1, CYP19A1, AR, PTGS2, CDK2, NR3C1, MMP2, MMP1, and MAPK1 were regarded as key components and targets for ZBDHP treating CPP using the compound-target-pathway network. Besides, the results revealed that the pathways conduced obviously to therapeutic efficacy, including pathways in cancer, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate（cAMP） signaling pathways. Molecular docking indicated that PIK3CA, HSD11B1, and CYP19A1 exhibited high affinities to corresponding compounds. Overall, the study determined the multicomponent, multitarget, and multipathway mechanisms of ZBDHP against CPP.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provided a new method for exploring the chemical constituents and pharmacology mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Rhodiola sachalinensis and comparative analysis with its congeneric plants

Rhodiola, belonging to the Crassulaceae family, is a perennial herbaceous plant genus. There are about 90 Rhodiola species worldwide, some of which have been reported to have medicinal properties. Rhodiola sachalinensis is a perennial medicinal herb within this genus and, in the present study, its chloroplast genome was sequenced, assembled, annotated and compared with 24 other Rhodiola species. The results obtained show that the chloroplast genome of R. sachalinensis is 151 595 bp long and has a CG content of 37.7%. The inverted repeats (IR) region of the Rhodiola chloroplast genome is the most conserved region, with the main differences being observed in the ycf1 and ndhF genes at the IRb-small single copy boundary, and rps19 and trnH genes at the IRa-large single copy boundary. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Rhodiola species form two major clades, and species with recorded medicinal properties, clustered together in one branch except for R. dumulosa. Within the genus, R. sachalinensis is most closely related to Rhodiola rosea, although comparative analyses showed that only R. sachalinensis and Rhodiola subopposita contained the psbZ gene, which encodes a highly conserved protein subunit of the Photosystem II core complex. Overall, the present study contributes to the understanding of the chloroplast genome of Rhodiola species, and provides a theoretical basis for the study of their genetic diversity and possible use as medicinal plants.

A SARS-CoV-2 Mpro fluorescent sensor for exploring pharmacodynamic substances from traditional Chinese medicine

The main protease of SARS-CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2 Mpro) plays a critical role in the replication and life cycle of the virus. Currently, how to screen SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors from complex traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the bottleneck for exploring the pharmacodynamic substances of TCM against SARS-CoV-2. In this study, a simple, cost-effective, rapid, and selective fluorescent sensor (TPE-S-TLG sensor) was designed with an AIE (aggregation-induced emission) probe (TPE-Ph-In) and the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro substrate (S-TLG). The TPE-S-TLG sensor was characterized using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta potential, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy techniques. The limit of detection of this method to detect SARS-CoV-2 Mpro was measured to be 5 ng mL-1. Furthermore, the TPE-S-TLG sensor was also successfully applied to screen Mpro inhibitors from Xuebijing injection using the separation and collection of the HPLC-fully automatic partial fraction collector (HPLC-FC). Six active compounds, including protocatechualdehyde, chlorogenic acid, hydroxysafflower yellow A, caffeic acid, isoquercetin, and pentagalloylglucose, were identified using UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS that could achieve 90% of the Mpro inhibition rate for the Xuebijing injection. Accordingly, the strategy can be broadly applied in the detection of disease-related proteases as well as screening active substances from TCM.

Potential therapeutic effects of traditional Chinese medicine in acute mountain sickness: pathogenesis, mechanisms and future directions

Background and objectives

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a pathology with different symptoms in which the organism is not adapted to the environment that occurs under the special environment of high altitude. Its main mechanism is the organism's tissue damage caused by acute hypobaric hypoxia. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory focuses on the holistic concept. TCM has made remarkable achievements in the treatment of many mountain sicknesses. This review outlines the pathogenesis of AMS in modern and traditional medicine, the progress of animal models of AMS, and summarizes the therapeutic effects of TCM on AMS.

Methods

Using the keywords "traditional Chinese medicine," "herbal medicine," "acute mountain sickness," "high-altitude pulmonary edema," "high-altitude cerebral edema," "acute hypobaric hypoxia," and "high-altitude," all relevant TCM literature published up to November 2023 were collected from Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases, and the key information was analyzed.

Results

We systematically summarised the effects of acute hypobaric hypoxia on the tissues of the organism, the study of the methodology for the establishment of an animal model of AMS, and retrieved 18 proprietary Chinese medicines for the clinical treatment of AMS. The therapeutic principle of medicines is mainly invigorating qi, activating blood and removing stasis. The components of botanical drugs mainly include salidroside, ginsenoside Rg1, and tetrahydrocurcumin. The mechanism of action of TCM in the treatment of AMS is mainly through the regulation of HIF-1α/NF-κB signaling pathway, inhibition of inflammatory response and oxidative stress, and enhancement of energy metabolism.

Conclusion

The main pathogenesis of AMS is unclear. Still, TCM formulas and components have been used to treat AMS through multifaceted interventions, such as compound danshen drip pills, Huangqi Baihe granules, salidroside, and ginsenoside Rg1. These components generally exert anti-AMS pharmacological effects by inhibiting the expression of VEGF, concentration of MDA and pro-inflammatory factors, down-regulating NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway, and promoting SOD and Na + -K + -ATPase activities, which attenuates acute hypobaric hypoxia-induced tissue injury. This review comprehensively analyses the application of TCM in AMS and makes suggestions for more in-depth studies in the future, aiming to provide some ideas and insights for subsequent studies.

Rhodiola crenulata alleviates hypobaric hypoxia-induced brain injury by maintaining BBB integrity and balancing energy metabolism dysfunction

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Rhodiola crenulata (Hook. f. et Thoms.) H. Ohba (R. crenulate), a famous and characteristic Tibetan medicine, has been demonstrated to exert an outstanding brain protection role in the treatment of high-altitude hypoxia disease. However, the metabolic effects of R. crenulate on high-altitude hypoxic brain injury (HHBI) are still incompletely understood. Herein, the anti-hypoxic effect and associated mechanisms of R. crenulate were explored through both in vivo and in vitro experiments.

STUDY DESIGN/METHODS

The mice model of HHBI was established using an animal hypobaric and hypoxic chamber. R. crenulate extract (RCE, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg) and salidroside (Sal, 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) was given by gavage for 7 days. Pathological changes and neuronal apoptosis of mice hippocampus and cortex were evaluated using H&E and TUNEL staining, respectively. The effects of RCE and Sal on the permeability of blood brain barrier (BBB) were detected by Evans blue staining and NIR-II fluorescence imaging. Meanwhile, the ultrastructural BBB and cerebrovascular damages were observed using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The levels of tight junction proteins Claudin-1, ZO-1 and occludin were detected by immunofluorescence. Additionally, the metabolites in mice serum and brain were determined using UHPLC-MS and MALDI-MSI analysis. The cell viability of Sal on hypoxic HT22 cells induced by CoCl2 was investigated by cell counting kit-8. The contents of LDH, MDA, SOD, GSH-PX and SDH were detected by using commercial biochemical kits. Meanwhile, intracellular ROS, Ca2+ and mitochondrial membrane potential were determined by corresponding specific labeled probes. The intracellular metabolites of HT22 cells were performed by the targeted metabolomics analysis of the Q300 kit. The cell apoptosis and necrosis were examined by YO-PRO-1/PI, Annexin V/PI and TUNEL staining. In addition, mitochondrial morphology was tested by Mito-tracker red with confocal microscopy and TEM. Real-time ATP production, oxygen consumption rate, and proton efflux rate were measured using a Seahorse analyzer. Subsequently, MCU, OPA1, p-Drp1ser616, p-AMPKα, p-AMPKβ and Sirt1 were determined by immunofluorescent and western blot analyses.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that R. crenulate and Sal exert anti-hypoxic brain protection from inhibiting neuronal apoptosis, maintaining BBB integrity, increasing tight junction protein Claudin-1, ZO-1 and occludin and improving mitochondrial morphology and function. Mechanistically, R. crenulate and Sal alleviated HHBI by enhancing the tricarboxylic acid cycle to meet the demand of energy of brain. Additionally, experiments in vitro confirmed that Sal could ameliorate the apoptosis of HT22 cells, improve mitochondrial morphology and energy metabolism by enhancing mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis. Meanwhile, Sal-mediated MCU inhibited the activation of Drp1 and enhanced the expression of OPA1 to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis, as well as activation of AMPK and Sirt1 to enhance ATP production.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, the findings suggested that RCE and Sal may afford a protective intervention in HHBI through maintaining BBB integrity and improving energy metabolism via balancing MCU-mediated mitochondrial homeostasis by activating the AMPK/Sirt1 signaling pathway.

Mitigation of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion-induced chronic heart failure via Shexiang Baoxin Pill-mediated regulation of the S1PR1 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Well-defined and effective pharmacological interventions for clinical management of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury are currently unavailable. Shexiang Baoxin Pill (SBP), a traditional Chinese medicine Previous research on SBP has been confined to single-target treatments for MI/R injury, lacking a comprehensive examination of various aspects of MI/R injury and a thorough exploration of its underlying mechanisms.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of SBP for MI/R injury and its preventive effects on consequent chronic heart failure (CHF). Furthermore, we elucidated the specific mechanisms involved, contributing valuable insights into the potential pharmacological interventions for the clinical treatment of MI/R injury.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive identification of SBP components using high-performance liquid chromatography. Subsequently, we performed a network pharmacology analysis based on the identification results, elucidating the key genes influenced by SBP. Thereafter, through bioinformatics analysis of the key genes and validation through mRNA and protein assays, we ultimately determined the centralized upstream targets. Lastly, we conducted in vitro experiments using myocardial and endothelial cells to elucidate and validate potential underlying mechanisms.

RESULTS

SBP can effectively mitigate cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation, as well as promote vascular regeneration following MI/R, resulting in improved cardiac function and reduced CHF risk. Mechanistically, SBP treatment upregulates sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) expression and activates the S1PR1 signaling pathway, thereby regulating the expression of key molecules, including phosphorylated Protein Kinase B (AKT), phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, epidermal growth factor receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor A, tumor necrosis factor-α, and p53.

CONCLUSION

This study elucidated the protective role of SBP in MI/R injury and its potential to reduce the risk of CHF. Furthermore, by integrating downstream effector proteins affected by SBP, this research identified the upstream effector protein S1PR1, enhancing our understanding of the pharmacological characteristics and mechanisms of action of SBP. The significance of this study lies in providing compelling evidence for the use of SBP as a traditional Chinese medicine for MI/R injury and consequent CHF prevention.

The mechanism of Chebulae Fructus Immaturus promote diabetic wound healing based on network pharmacology and experimental verification

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Diabetic ulcers (DUs) are commonly seen in the lower limbs, especially the feet. Long-term hyperglycaemia in diabetic patients may cause peripheral microvascular damage, which affects local blood flow reconstruction when the skin is ruptured. This results in delayed or even non-healing of skin wounds. Chebulae Fructus Immaturus (CFI) is a traditional Chinese medicine. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, CFI belongs to the lung channel and large intestine channel. Clinical data confirm a significant clinical effect of CFI in the treatment of skin diseases. CFI can be safely used to treat wounds due to its natural active ingredients.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study utilised HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS combined with network pharmacology to investigate the mechanism of Chebulae Fructus Immaturus extract (CFIE) in the treatment of DU. Moreover, the efficacy of CFIE on DU was verified in vitro and in vivo by constructing cell models and mouse models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The main ingredients of CFIE were identified by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. The targets of these ingredients were predicted by database analysis and intersected with the DU targets. Gene ontology (GO) was used for functional enrichment of differential genes, and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) was used for enrichment of signalling pathways related to the differential genes. The network pharmacology findings were validated in vivo and in vitro, and the affinity of key targets and active components was assessed using molecular docking.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine compounds of CFIE were identified by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS, and their potential targets were predicted. Among these, 41 targets were associated with DU. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the PI3K/AKT and HIF-1α signalling pathways were significantly enriched, which may be related to the promotion of wound angiogenesis. In vitro cell experiments showed that CFIE promoted the proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of HUVECs, and also affected the expression of pathway-related proteins. In vivo experiments showed that CFIE increased the expression of pathway-related proteins in wound tissue and promoted the formation of blood vessels.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, this study systematically demonstrated the possible therapeutic effects and mechanisms of CFIE on DU through network pharmacology analysis and experimental verification. The results revealed that CFIE can accelerate the angiogenesis of diabetic wounds through the PI3K/AKT and HIF-1α signalling pathways, ultimately promoting the healing of diabetic wounds.

Proanthocyanidin Structure-Activity Relationship Analysis by Path Analysis Model

To fully explore the influence mechanism of interactions between different monomer units of proanthocyanidins (PAs) on biological activity, a path analysis model of the PA structure-activity relationship was proposed. This model subdivides the total correlation between each monomer unit and activity into direct and indirect effects by taking into account not only each monomer unit but also the correlation with its related monomer units. In addition, this method can determine the action mode of each monomer unit affecting the activity by comparing the direct and total indirect effects. Finally, the advantage of this model is demonstrated through an influence mechanism analysis of Rhodiola crenulata PA monomer units on antioxidant and anti-diabetes activities.