1
|
Mao Q, Zhang H, Zhang Z, Lu Y, Pan J, Guo D, Huang L, Tian H, Ma K. Co-decoction of Lilii bulbus and Radix Rehmannia Recens and its key bioactive ingredient verbascoside inhibit neuroinflammation and intestinal permeability associated with chronic stress-induced depression via the gut microbiota-brain axis. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 129:155510. [PMID: 38696921 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155510] [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: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gut microbiota plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of depression and are a therapeutic target via maintaining the homeostasis of the host through the gut microbiota-brain axis (GMBA). A co-decoction of Lilii bulbus and Radix Rehmannia Recens (LBRD), in which verbascoside is the key active ingredient, improves brain and gastrointestinal function in patients with depression. However, in depression treatment using verbascoside or LBRD, mechanisms underlying the bidirectional communication between the intestine and brain via the GMBA are still unclear. PURPOSE This study aimed to examine the role of verbascoside in alleviating depression via gut-brain bidirectional communication and to study the possible pathways involved in the GMBA. METHODS Key molecules and compounds involved in antidepressant action were identified using HPLC and transcriptomic analyses. The antidepressant effects of LBRD and verbascoside were observed in chronic stress induced depression model by behavioural test, neuronal morphology, and synaptic dendrite ultrastructure, and their neuroprotective function was measured in corticosterone (CORT)-stimulated nerve cell injury model. The causal link between the gut microbiota and the LBRD and verbascoside antidepressant efficacy was evaluate via gut microbiota composition analysis and faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). RESULTS LBRD and Verbascoside administration ameliorated depression-like behaviours and synaptic damage by reversing gut microbiota disturbance and inhibiting inflammatory responses as the result of impaired intestinal permeability or blood-brain barrier leakiness. Furthermore, verbascoside exerted neuroprotective effects against CORT-induced cytotoxicity in an in vitro depression model. FMT therapy indicated that verbascoside treatment attenuated gut inflammation and central nervous system inflammatory responses, as well as eliminated neurotransmitter and brain-gut peptide deficiencies in the prefrontal cortex by modulating the composition of gut microbiota. Lactobacillus, Parabacteroides, Bifidobacterium, and Ruminococcus might play key roles in the antidepressant effects of LBRD via the GMBA. CONCLUSION The current study elucidates the multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway therapeutic effects of LBRD on depression by remodeling GMBA homeostasis and further verifies the causality between gut microbiota and the antidepressant effects of verbascoside and LBRD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiancheng Mao
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, PR China
| | - Hongxiu Zhang
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, PR China; Institute of Virology, Jinan Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan 250021, PR China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, PR China
| | - Yanting Lu
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, PR China
| | - Jin Pan
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, PR China
| | - Dongjing Guo
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, PR China
| | - Liuxuan Huang
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, PR China
| | - Haoquan Tian
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, PR China
| | - Ke Ma
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen L, Jiang L, Shi X, Yang J, Wang R, Li W. Constituents, pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetic studies, clinical applications, and safety profile on the classical prescription Kaixinsan. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1338024. [PMID: 38362144 PMCID: PMC10867185 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1338024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Kaixinsan (KXS) is a noteworthy classical prescription, which consists of four Chinese medicinal herbs, namely Polygalae Radix, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Poria, and Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma. KXS was initially documented in the Chinese ancient book Beiji Qianjin Yaofang written by Sun Simiao of the Tang Dynasty in 652 A.D. As a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, it functions to nourish the heart and replenish Qi, calm the heart tranquilize the mind, and excrete dampness. Originally used to treat amnesia, it is now also effective in memory decline and applied to depression. Although there remains an abundance of literature investigating KXS from multiple aspects, few reviews summarize the features and research, which impedes better exploration and exploitation of KXS. This article intends to comprehensively analyze and summarize up-to-date information concerning the chemical constituents, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical applications, and safety of KXS based on the scientific literature, as well as to examine possible scientific gaps in current research and tackle issues in the next step. The chemical constituents of KXS primarily consist of saponins, xanthones, oligosaccharide esters, triterpenoids, volatile oils, and flavonoids. Of these, saponins are the predominant active ingredients, and increasing evidence has indicated that they exert therapeutic properties against mental disease. Pharmacokinetic research has illustrated that the crucial exposed substances in rat plasma after KXS administration are ginsenoside Re (GRe), ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1), and polygalaxanthone III (POL). This article provides additional descriptions of the safety. In this review, current issues are highlighted to guide further comprehensive research of KXS and other classical prescriptions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liping Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Department of Pharmacy, The 940th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA, Lanzhou, China
| | - Lin Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xiaoyu Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Jihong Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Rong Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The 940th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wenbin Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The 940th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA, Lanzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gong W, Chen J, Xu S, Li Y, Zhou Y, Qin X. The regulatory effect of Angelicae Sinensis Radix on neuroendocrine-immune network and sphingolipid metabolism in CUMS-induced model of depression. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 319:117217. [PMID: 37769886 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117217] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Conventional antidepressants therapy remains unsatisfactory due to the disadvantages of delayed clinical onset of action and side effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with good efficacy and higher safety have received much attention. Angelicae Sinensis Radix (AS), a well-known TCM, has been proved to exhibit the efficacy of antidepression recently. AIM OF THE STUDY The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential anti-depressant mechanisms of AS based on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, behavioral experiments, molecular biology techniques, and ultra performance liquid chromatography-triple-time of flight mass spectrometer (UPLC-Triple-TOF/MS) were combined to explore the potential antidepressant mechanisms of AS based on CUMS rat model. RESULTS The results demonstrated that AS could reduce the contents of serum hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hormones in CUMS rats, including corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol (CORT). In addition, AS regulated the percentage of CD4+ T lymphocytes, the ratio of CD4+/CD8+, and the levels of serum cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, and TNF-α in CUMS rats. Lipidomics showed that 31 lipids were related to depression and AS could regulate the lipid metabolism alteration induced by CUMS, particularly sphingolipid metabolism. Finally, the key proteins in sphingolipid metabolic pathways in hippocampus of CUMS rats could be back-regulated by AS, including serine palmitoyl transferase (SPTLC2), ceramide synthase (CerS2), sphingomyelinase (SPHK1), and neutral sphingomyelinase (nSMase). CONCLUSION AS could alleviate NEI network disorder and restore the levels of sphingolipid metabolites and key proteins in CUMS rats. The underlying mechanism by which AS relieved depression-like behavior in CUMS rats may be through modulation of NEI and disturbances in sphingolipid metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenxia Gong
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shanxi University, China; Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, China; Key Laboratory of Effective Substances Research and Utilization in TCM of Shanxi Province, China.
| | - Jinlong Chen
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shanxi University, China
| | - Shaohua Xu
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shanxi University, China
| | - Yuanji Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quantum Optics and Quantum Optics Devices, Institute of Opto-Electronics, Shanxi University, China
| | - Yuzhi Zhou
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shanxi University, China; Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, China; Key Laboratory of Effective Substances Research and Utilization in TCM of Shanxi Province, China
| | - Xuemei Qin
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shanxi University, China; Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, China; Key Laboratory of Effective Substances Research and Utilization in TCM of Shanxi Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wang Y, Huang Y, Zhao M, Yang L, Su K, Wu H, Wang Y, Chang Q, Liu W. Zuojin pill improves chronic unpredictable stress-induced depression-like behavior and gastrointestinal dysfunction in mice via the theTPH2/5-HT pathway. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 120:155067. [PMID: 37716030 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155067] [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: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The complex bidirectional communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain is associated with mental disorders such as depression; serotonin, as a crucial neurotransmitter in the communication system between the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract, has effects on regulating gastrointestinal motility and sensation and improving psychosomatic status. Zuojin pill is used as a traditional Chinese medicine formula for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. This study explored the effects of Zuojin pill on the improvement of depression and gastrointestinal function in CUMS mice via TPH2 and its mechanism. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate whether Zuojin pill could improve depression and concomitant gastrointestinal dysfunction, and to reveal whether Zuojin pill could work through the regulation of the tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) pathway. METHODS The CUMS model was established to observe the effects of Zuojin pill on depression-like behavior and gastrointestinal function in mice. Nissler staining and HE staining were used to observe the structure of hippocampal neurons and intestinal mucosa respectively. 5-HT levels in serum, hippocampus, and intestinal tissues were measured by ELISA, and TPH2 expression in hippocampus and intestinal nerves was observed by WB and immunofluorescence. In order to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Zuojin pill on PC12 cells, CORT used an in vitro model to produce PC12 cell damage. RESULTS Our study showed that Zuojin pill ameliorated depression-like behavior and gastrointestinal dysfunction in CUMS mice, elevated BDNF, 5-HT, and TPH2 expression in the hippocampus, and restored the ratio of dopaminergic and GABAergic neurons between intestinal muscles. In vitro experiments showed that Zuojin pill exerted a protective effect on neurons by regulating TPH2 ubiquitination and thus inhibiting CORT-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells. CONCLUSION Zuojin pill improves chronic unpredictable stress-induced depression-like behavior and gastrointestinal dysfunction in mice via the TPH2/5-HT pathway. Therefore, TPH2 may be a potential therapeutic target for depression with gastrointestinal dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Yuzhen Huang
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Min Zhao
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Lu Yang
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Kunhan Su
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Yuting Wang
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Qing Chang
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Wanli Liu
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Li C, Zhang J, Liu H, Yuan H, Cai J, Fogaça MV, Zhang YW. The synergistic mechanism of action of Dajianzhong decoction in conjunction with ketamine in the treatment of depression. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115137. [PMID: 37453197 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression is a multifactorial syndrome with a variety of underlying pathological mechanisms. While ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, exhibits a rapid antidepressant action in the central never system (CNS), the potential addiction and psychotomimetic adverse effects of ketamine limit its chronic use in clinical practice. Therefore, it is necessary to discover an additional agent that shows a synergistic antidepressant activity with ketamine to sustain its therapeutic action so as to reduce its use frequency in depression treatment. The present study indicated that Dajianzhong decoction (DJZT), an empirical herbal formula used for the clinical treatment of several inflammation-related intestinal disorders, sustains behavioral and synaptic action of ketamine in depressive mouse models. Additionally, ketamine was also demonstrated to exert a synergistic action with DJZT to alleviate the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced abnormalities in gut barrier proteins and colonic histology, and subsequently to normalize the diversity and composition of gut microbiota. Furthermore, DJZT was shown to possess an anti-inflammatory activity to prevent activation of NF-κB from releasing proinflammatory cytokines, specifically through inhibiting Th17 cells/IL-17A pathway. Our results uncovered the mechanism of action of DJZT in conjunction with ketamine in depression treatment by which these agents target different pathological factors across biological systems and exert a synergistic activity through a bidirectional communication in the gut-brain axis, and also provided new insights into the systematic treatment of depression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chan Li
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jiping Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Hanhe Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Huijie Yuan
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jianxin Cai
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Manoela V Fogaça
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Yuan-Wei Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Jiang H, Deng S, Zhang J, Chen J, Li B, Zhu W, Zhang M, Zhang C, Meng Z. Acupuncture treatment for post-stroke depression: Intestinal microbiota and its role. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1146946. [PMID: 37025378 PMCID: PMC10070763 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1146946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Stroke-induced depression is a common complication and an important risk factor for disability. Besides psychiatric symptoms, depressed patients may also exhibit a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms, and even take gastrointestinal symptoms as the primary reason for medical treatment. It is well documented that stress may disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome in patients suffering from post-stroke depression (PSD), and that disruption of the gut microbiome is closely related to the severity of the condition in depressed patients. Therefore, maintaining the balance of intestinal microbiota can be the focus of research on the mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of PSD. Furthermore, stroke can be effectively treated with acupuncture at all stages and it may act as a special microecological regulator by regulating intestinal microbiota as well. In this article, we reviewed the studies on changing intestinal microbiota after acupuncture treatment and examined the existing problems and development prospects of acupuncture, microbiome, and poststroke depression, in order to provide new ideas for future acupuncture research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hailun Jiang
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Shizhe Deng
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Jieying Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Junjie Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Boxuan Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Weiming Zhu
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Menglong Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Chao Zhang,
| | - Zhihong Meng
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Zhihong Meng,
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Tsolaki M, Arcan C, Zahid S. Editorial: The role of natural products in neurological disorders. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1163282. [PMID: 37122298 PMCID: PMC10134746 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1163282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Magda Tsolaki
- Alzheimer Hellas and Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTh), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Chrisa Arcan
- Epidemiology Division, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Richmond, VA, United States
- *Correspondence: Chrisa Arcan
| | - Saadia Zahid
- Department of Healthcare Biotechnology, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|