Glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid directly modulate rat cardiac performance

Microfluidic fabricated bisdemethoxycurcumin thermosensitive liposome with enhanced antitumor effect

Bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) is the main active ingredient that is isolated from Zingiberaceae plants, wherein it has excellent anti-tumor effects. However, insolubility in water limits its clinical application. Herein, we reported a microfluidic chip device that can load BDMC into the lipid bilayer to form BDMC thermosensitive liposome (BDMC TSL). The natural active ingredient glycyrrhizin was selected as the surfactant to improve solubility of BDMC. Particles of BDMC TSL had small size, homogenous size distribution, and enhanced cultimulative release in vitro. The anti-tumor effect of BDMC TSL on human hepatocellular carcinomas was investigated via 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method, live/dead staining, and flowcytometry. These results showed that the formulated liposome had a strong cancer cell inhibitory, and presented a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on migration. Further mechanistic studies showed that BDMC TSL combined with mild local hyperthermia could significantly upregulate B cell lymphoma 2 associated X protein levels and decrease B cell lymphoma 2 protein levels, thereby inducing cell apoptosis. The BDMC TSL that was fabricated via microfluidic device were decomposed under mild local hyperthermia, which could beneficially enhance the anti-tumor effect of raw insoluble materials and promote translation of liposome.

To Explore the Key Active Compounds and Therapeutic Mechanism of Guizhi Gancao Decoction in Coronary Heart Disease by Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Objective. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death from cardiovascular disease and has become an important public health problem worldwide. Guizhi Gancao Decoction (GGD) has been shown to be used in the treatment of CHD with good efficacy, but its specific therapeutic mechanism and active ingredients have not been fully clarified. This study aims to identify the active compounds and key targets of GGD in the treatment of CHD, explore the therapeutic mechanism of GGD, and provide candidate compounds for anti-CHD drug development. Methods. The main compounds of GGD were determined by UPLC-MS/MS analysis and screened by SwissADME. The corresponding targets of GGD compounds were obtained from SwissTargetPrediction, and the targets of CHD were obtained from the HERB and GeneCards databases. The STRING 11.5 database was used to analyze the PPI (Protein-Protein Interactions) network of potential therapeutic targets of GGD compounds. Cytoscape 3.7.2 was used to construct target-related networks and find core targets. The GEO database was used to validate the differential expression of core targets. The PANTHER Classification System was used to functionally classify potential therapeutic targets for GGD. The GO biological process analysis and KEGG pathway analysis of targets were completed by DAVID 6.8 database. AutoDockTools 1.5.6 and PyMol 2.5.2 were used to perform molecular docking of core targets with the active GGD compounds. Results. 7 active GGD compounds were obtained based on UPLC-MS/MS and pharmacological parameter evaluation, which corresponded to 131 CHD-related targets. Among them, EGFR, MAPK3, RELA, CCND1, ESR1, PTGS2, NR3C1, CYP3A4, MMP9, and PTPN11 were considered core targets. According to the targets related to CHD, glycyrrhetinic acid, liquiritigenin, and schisandrin are considered key active ingredients. GO biological process and KEGG analysis indicated that the potential targets of GGD in the treatment of CHD involve a variety of biological processes and therapeutic mechanisms. Molecular docking results showed that both the core targets and the corresponding compounds had the good binding ability. Conclusions. This study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the therapeutic mechanism and active ingredients of GGD for CHD and provides candidate compounds for drug development of CHD.

Preclinical Evidence for the Pharmacological Actions of Glycyrrhizic Acid: A Comprehensive Review

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Family: Fabaceae) is one of the important traditional medicinal plant used extensively in folk medicine. It is known for its ethnopharmacological value in curing a wide variety of ailments. Glycyrrhizin, an active compound of G. glabra, possesses anti-inflammatory activity due to which it is mostly used in traditional herbal medicine for the treatment and management of chronic diseases. The present review is focused extensively on the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and potential effects of Glycyrrhizic Acid (GA). A thorough literature survey was conducted to identify various studies that reported on the GA on PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar.

Pharmacokinetics study of 16 active ingredients from Tabson-2 decoction in normal and d-galactose induced osteoporosis rats by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Tabson-2 decoction is the traditional Mongolian formula for anti-osteoporosis, and the ambiguous of active ingredient is an important factor in restricting its modernization and globalization. Although pharmacokinetic profiles research is a viable approach to find the components being responsible for formula efficacy, the pharmacokinetics study of Tabson-2 decoction has not been elucidated yet. Owing to the existence of isomers, low bioavailability of some small molecule and interference of endogenous, the pharmacokinetics study of Tabson-2 decoction are more difficult than that of chemical drugs. In our experiment, a specific and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of 16 active ingredients in Tabson-2 decoction, which could fulfill the requirements of multi-compounds pharmacokinetic study of Tabson-2 decoction. Additionally, the ingredients with significant distributions in rats were gentianic acid, chlorogenic acid, and aucubin, which could be the main potential active components in Tabson-2 decoction. The components with a significant bioavailability difference between normal and d-galactose induced osteoporosis rats were achieved as well. These data offer useful information for screening the active ingredients in Tabson-2 decoction, and assessing the bioavailability of these active ingredients in different physiological status, which might provide a possible mechanism of anti-osteoporosis efficacy of Tabson-2 decoction.

Simultaneous Determination of Twenty-Five Compounds in Rat Plasma Using Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Polarity Switching Tandem Mass Spectrometry and Its Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study

An attempt was made to characterize the pharmacokinetic profiles of Qishen Keli (QSKL) that has been widely proved to be effective in clinical practice. A method using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) for the simultaneous determination of 25 analytes in rat plasma was developed and validated. Satisfactory chromatographic separation was achieved on an ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 column with gradient elution using mobile phase consisting of 0.02% aqueous formic acid (A) and acetonitrile fortified with 0.02% formic acid (B), and analyte detection was carried out using polarity-switching multiple reaction monitoring mode. Method validation assays in terms of selectivity, linearity, inter- and intra-day variations, matrix effect, and recovery demonstrated the newly developed method to be specific, sensitive, accurate, and precise. Following the oral administration of QSKL at a single dose, the qualified method was successfully applied for pharmacokinetic investigations in sham and model rats. Mild differences occurred for the pharmacokinetic patterns of most components between those two groups, whereas significant differences were observed for glycyrrhizic acid and glycyrrhetic acid. The obtained findings could provide meaningful information for the clarification of the effective material basis of QSKL.

Voluntary liquorice ingestion increases blood pressure via increased volume load, elevated peripheral arterial resistance, and decreased aortic compliance

We investigated the haemodynamic effects of two-week liquorice exposure (glycyrrhizin dose 290-370 mg/day) in 22 healthy volunteers during orthostatic challenge. Haemodynamics were recorded during passive 10-minute head-up tilt using radial pulse wave analysis, whole-body impedance cardiography, and spectral analysis of heart rate variability. Thirty age-matched healthy subjects served as controls. Liquorice ingestion elevated radial systolic (p < 0.001) and diastolic (p = 0.018) blood pressure and systemic vascular resistance (p = 0.037). During orthostatic challenge, heart rate increased less after the liquorice versus control diet (p = 0.003) and low frequency power of heart rate variability decreased within the liquorice group (p = 0.034). Liquorice intake increased central pulse pressure (p < 0.001) and augmentation index (p = 0.002) supine and upright, but in the upright position the elevation of augmentation index was accentuated (p = 0.007). Liquorice diet also increased extracellular fluid volume (p = 0.024) and aortic to popliteal pulse wave velocity (p = 0.027), and aortic characteristic impedance in the upright position (p = 0.002). To conclude, in addition to increased extracellular fluid volume and large arterial stiffness, two weeks of liquorice ingestion elevated systemic vascular resistance and augmentation index. Measurements performed at rest may underestimate the haemodynamic effects of liquorice ingestion, as enhanced central wave reflection and reduced chronotropic response were especially observed in the upright position.

Characteristics of Chinese herbal medicine usage in ischemic heart disease patients among type 2 diabetes and their protection against hydrogen peroxide-mediated apoptosis in H9C2 cardiomyoblasts

Evidence for long-term use of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) as an adjuvant treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains limited. This study aimed to assess the frequency of use, utilization patterns, and therapeutic effects of adjuvant CHM for ischemic heart disease (IHD) in patients with T2D in Taiwan. We identified 4620 IHD patients with T2D. After matching for age, gender, and insulin use, 988 subjects each were allocated to a CHM group and a non-CHM group. There were no differences in baseline characteristics except for comorbidities. The CHM group contained more cases with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hepatitis, ulcer disease, and hyperlipidemia. The cumulative survival probability was higher in CHM users than in matched non-CHM users aged 60 years or older (P < .0001, log rank test) regardless of gender (P = .0046 for men, P = .0010 for women, log rank test). Among the top 12 CHM combinations, Shu-Jing-Huo-Xue-Tang and Shao-Yao-Gan-Cao-Tang (13.6%) were the most common. This dual combination improved antiapoptotic activity in H₂O₂-exposed H9C2 cells by enhancing phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and could increase the survival of myocardial cells. Our study suggests that adjuvant CHM therapy may increase the survival probability and provides a comprehensive list for future investigations of the safety and efficacy of CHM for IHD patients with T2D.

The Effects of Guizhi Gancao Decoction on Pressure Overload-Induced Heart Failure and Posttranslational Modifications of Tubulin in Mice

Guizhi Gancao Decoction (GGD), a traditional Chinese medical recipe, has been widely used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in China for centuries. The present study was carried out to determine whether GGD exerts direct protective effects against pressure overload-induced heart failure. Moreover, we investigated whether GGD affects tubulin expression and posttranslational modifications. We demonstrated that GGD ameliorated TAC caused cardiac hypertrophy by gravimetric and echocardiography analysis in C57BL/6 mice. We found that GGD abrogated TAC-induced myocardium fibrosis by Masson's staining and collagen volume fraction (CVF) analysis. By using pressure-volume hemodynamic measurements, we found that GGD prevented TAC-induced cardiac systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Immunoblotting and immunofluorescent analysis revealed that GGD abrogated TAC-induced detyrosination and acetylation abnormalities on microtubules. Our present study demonstrated potential therapeutic effects of GGD against pressure overload-induced heart failure.

Glycyrrhizic Acid Reduces Heart Rate and Blood Pressure by a Dual Mechanism

Beta adrenergic receptors are crucial for their role in rhythmic contraction of heart along with their role in the pathological conditions such as tachycardia and high risk of heart failure. Studies report that the levels of beta-1 adrenergic receptor tend to decrease by 50%, whereas, the levels of beta-2 adrenergic receptor remains constant during the risk of heart failure. Beta blockers—the antagonistic molecules for beta-adrenergic receptors, function by slowing the heart rate, which thereby allows the left ventricle to fill completely during tachycardia incidents and hence helps in blood pumping capacity of heart and reducing the risk of heart failure. In the present study, we investigate the potential of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) as a possible principal drug molecule for cardiac arrhythmias owing to its ability to induce reduction in the heart rate and blood pressure. We use in vitro and in silico approach to study GA′s effect on beta adrenergic receptor along with an in vivo study to examine its effect on heart rate and blood pressure. Additionally, we explore GA′s proficiency in eliciting an increase in the plasma levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide, which by dilating the blood vessel consequently, can be a crucial aid during the occurrence of a potential heart attack. Therefore, we propose GA as a potential principal drug molecule via its potential in modulating heart rate and blood pressure.

Glycyrrhizic acid in the treatment of liver diseases: literature review

Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) is a triterpene glycoside found in the roots of licorice plants (Glycyrrhiza glabra). GA is the most important active ingredient in the licorice root, and possesses a wide range of pharmacological and biological activities. GA coupled with glycyrrhetinic acid and 18-beta-glycyrrhetic acid was developed in China or Japan as an anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antiallergic drug for liver disease. This review summarizes the current biological activities of GA and its medical applications in liver diseases. The pharmacological actions of GA include inhibition of hepatic apoptosis and necrosis; anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory actions; antiviral effects; and antitumor effects. This paper will be a useful reference for physicians and biologists researching GA and will open the door to novel agents in drug discovery and development from Chinese herbs. With additional research, GA may be more widely used in the treatment of liver diseases or other conditions.

Inhibitory effects of glycyrrhetinic Acid on the delayed rectifier potassium current in Guinea pig ventricular myocytes and HERG channel

Background. Licorice has long been used to treat many ailments including cardiovascular disorders in China. Recent studies have shown that the cardiac actions of licorice can be attributed to its active component, glycyrrhetinic acid (GA). However, the mechanism of action remains poorly understood. Aim. The effects of GA on the delayed rectifier potassium current (I_K), the rapidly activating (I_Kr) and slowly activating (I_Ks) components of I_K, and the HERG K⁺ channel expressed in HEK-293 cells were investigated. Materials and Methods. Single ventricular myocytes were isolated from guinea pig myocardium using enzymolysis. The wild type HERG gene was stably expressed in HEK293 cells. Whole-cell patch clamping was used to record I_K (I_Kr, I_Ks) and the HERG K⁺ current. Results. GA (1, 5, and 10 μM) inhibited I_K (I_Kr, I_Ks) and the HERG K⁺ current in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion. GA significantly inhibited the potassium currents in a dose- and voltage-dependent manner, suggesting that it exerts its antiarrhythmic action through the prolongation of APD and ERP owing to the inhibition of I_K (I_Kr, I_Ks) and HERG K⁺ channel.