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Ding W, Wang L, Li L, Li H, Wu J, Zhang J, Wang J. Pathogenesis of depression and the potential for traditional Chinese medicine treatment. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1407869. [PMID: 38983910 PMCID: PMC11231087 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1407869] [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: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Depression is a prevalent mental disorder that significantly diminishes quality of life and longevity, ranking as one of the primary causes of disability globally. Contemporary research has explored the potential pathogenesis of depression from various angles, encompassing genetics, neurotransmitter systems, neurotrophic factors, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, inflammation, and intestinal flora, among other contributing factors. In addition, conventional chemical medications are plagued by delayed onset of action, persistent adverse effects, and restricted therapeutic efficacy. In light of these limitations, the therapeutic approach of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has gained increasing recognition for its superior effectiveness. Numerous pharmacological and clinical studies have substantiated TCM's capacity to mitigate depressive symptoms through diverse mechanisms. This article attempts to summarize the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of depression and to describe the characteristics of herbal medicines (including compounded formulas and active ingredients) for the treatment of depression. It further evaluates their effectiveness by correlating with the multifaceted pathogenesis of depression, thereby furnishing a reference for future research endeavors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weixing Ding
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicinal Material, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Lulu Wang
- School of Medicine, Changchun Sci-Tech University, Changchun, China
| | - Lei Li
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicinal Material, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Hongyan Li
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicinal Material, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Jianfa Wu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicinal Material, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicinal Material, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
- Jilin Provincial International Joint Research Center for the Development and Utilization of Authentic Medicinal Materials, Changchun, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Jilin Province Faw General Hospital, Changchun, China
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2
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Zeng NX, Li H, Su MY, Chen X, Yang XY, Shen M. Therapeutic potential of Erxian decoction and its special chemical markers in depression: a review of clinical and preclinical studies. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1377079. [PMID: 38915473 PMCID: PMC11194323 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1377079] [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: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of depression is a major societal burden. The etiology of depression involves multiple mechanisms. Thus, the outcomes of the currently used treatment for depression are suboptimal. The anti-depression effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulations have piqued the interest of the scientific community owing to their multi-ingredient, multi-target, and multi-link characteristics. According to the TCM theory, the functioning of the kidney is intricately linked to that of the brain. Clinical observations have indicated the therapeutic potential of the kidney-tonifying formula Erxian Decoction (EXD) in depression. This review aimed to comprehensively search various databases to summarize the anti-depression effects of EXD, explore the underlying material basis and mechanisms, and offer new suggestions and methods for the clinical treatment of depression. The clinical and preclinical studies published before 31 August 2023, were searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Database. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Clinical studies have demonstrated that EXD exhibits therapeutic properties in patients with menopausal depression, postpartum depression, and maintenance hemodialysis-associated depression. Meanwhile, preclinical studies have reported that EXD and its special chemical markers exert anti-depression effects by modulating monoamine neurotransmitter levels, inhibiting neuroinflammation, augmenting synaptic plasticity, exerting neuroprotective effects, regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, promoting neurogenesis, and altering cerebrospinal fluid composition. Thus, the anti-depression effects of EXD are mediated through multiple ingredients, targets, and links. However, further clinical and animal studies are needed to investigate the anti-depression effects of EXD and the underlying mechanisms and offer additional evidence and recommendations for its clinical application. Moreover, strategies must be developed to improve the quality control of EXD. This review provides an overview of EXD and guidance for future research direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning-Xi Zeng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, People’s Hospital of Longhua, Shenzhen, China
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Han Li
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Bao’an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Meng-Yuan Su
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Urology Surgery, Guangzhou Baiyun District Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, People’s Hospital of Longhua, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Yang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, People’s Hospital of Longhua, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mei Shen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, People’s Hospital of Longhua, Shenzhen, China
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3
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Peng F, Han Z, Chen H, Zhang Q, Liu C, Liang X. The Effects of Treatment with Icariin on Immune Tolerance in the Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion Mice. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:2794-2804. [PMID: 36890410 PMCID: PMC10480255 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01185-0] [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: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is the most common pregnancy-related complication, affecting 1-5% of pregnancies. Currently, immune imbalance at the maternal-fetal interface is one of the main causes of recurrent abortion. Icariin (ICA) can exert immunomodulatory effects in a variety of autoimmune diseases. Nevertheless, it has not been reported for use in recurrent abortion. In this study, to clarify the effects and mechanisms of ICA for recurrent abortion, female mice CBA/J were randomly divided into Normal group, RSA group and RSA + ICA group. From 0.5 days of pregnancy to 12.5 days, the RSA + ICA group was subjected to orally ICA (50 mg/Kg) daily, and the Normal group and the RSA group were given with an equal volume of distilled water. The results showed the amount of reabsorbed embryo in the RSA group was significantly higher than that in the normal-pregnancy group. However, ICA treatment showed a rescue effect on spontaneous abortion in RSA mice. ICA was able to increase the ratio of the labyrinth to total placental area in abortion-prone model. Further investigation showed that ICA treatment can expand the regulatory T cell (Treg) population in mice prone to abortion, significantly decrease the populations of Th1 cells, and reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory factors. Additionally, ICA treatment was able to decrease the expression of mechanical target of rapamycin (mTOR) in the placenta. ICA may increase Treg cell expansion and reducing pro-inflammatory factors expression via the mTOR pathway, then reducing placental inflammation and improving pregnancy outcomes in abortion-prone mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Peng
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhongyu Han
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Haoran Chen
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Qinxiu Zhang
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Chi Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Sichuan Renal Disease Clinical Research Center, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, 610072, China.
| | - Xin Liang
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
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4
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Malekpour M, Shekouh D, Safavinia ME, Shiralipour S, Jalouli M, Mortezanejad S, Azarpira N, Ebrahimi ND. Role of FKBP5 and its genetic mutations in stress-induced psychiatric disorders: an opportunity for drug discovery. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1182345. [PMID: 37398599 PMCID: PMC10313426 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1182345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress-induced mental health disorders are affecting many people around the world. However, effective drug therapy for curing psychiatric diseases does not occur sufficiently. Many neurotransmitters, hormones, and mechanisms are essential in regulating the body's stress response. One of the most critical components of the stress response system is the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The FKBP prolyl isomerase 51 (FKBP51) protein is one of the main negative regulators of the HPA axis. FKBP51 negatively regulates the cortisol effects (the end product of the HPA axis) by inhibiting the interaction between glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) and cortisol, causing reduced transcription of downstream cortisol molecules. By regulating cortisol effects, the FKBP51 protein can indirectly regulate the sensitivity of the HPA axis to stressors. Previous studies have indicated the influence of FKBP5 gene mutations and epigenetic changes in different psychiatric diseases and drug responses and recommended the FKBP51 protein as a drug target and a biomarker for psychological disorders. In this review, we attempted to discuss the effects of the FKBP5 gene, its mutations on different psychiatric diseases, and drugs affecting the FKBP5 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Malekpour
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Dorsa Shekouh
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Shadi Shiralipour
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Maryam Jalouli
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sahar Mortezanejad
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Negar Azarpira
- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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5
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Regulatory mechanism of icariin in cardiovascular and neurological diseases. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 158:114156. [PMID: 36584431 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and neurological diseases are widespread diseases with substantial rates of morbidity and mortality around the world. For the past few years, the preventive effects of Chinese herbal medicine on CVDs and neurological diseases have attracted a great deal of attention. Icariin (ICA), the main constituent of Epimedii Herba, is a flavonoid. It has been shown to provide neuroprotection, anti-tumor, anti-osteoporosis, and cardiovascular protection. The endothelial protection, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, antioxidative stress, and anti-apoptosis properties of ICA can help stop the progression of CVDs and neurological diseases. Therefore, our review summarized the known mechanisms and related studies of ICA in the prevention and treatment of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (CCVDs), to better understand its therapeutic potential.
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Sun Y, Zhao J, Rong J. Dissecting the molecular mechanisms underlying the antidepressant activities of herbal medicines through the comprehensive review of the recent literatures. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1054726. [PMID: 36620687 PMCID: PMC9813794 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1054726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is clinically defined as a mood disorder with persistent feeling of sadness, despair, fatigue, and loss of interest. The pathophysiology of depression is tightly regulated by the biosynthesis, transport and signaling of neurotransmitters [e.g., serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, or γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)] in the central nervous system. The existing antidepressant drugs mainly target the dysfunctions of various neurotransmitters, while the efficacy of antidepressant therapeutics is undermined by different adverse side-effects. The present review aimed to dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying the antidepressant activities of herbal medicines toward the development of effective and safe antidepressant drugs. Our strategy involved comprehensive review and network pharmacology analysis for the active compounds and associated target proteins. As results, 45 different antidepressant herbal medicines were identified from various in vivo and in vitro studies. The antidepressant mechanisms might involve multiple signaling pathways that regulate neurotransmitters, neurogenesis, anti-inflammation, antioxidation, endocrine, and microbiota. Importantly, herbal medicines could modulate broader spectrum of the cellular pathways and processes to attenuate depression and avoid the side-effects of synthetic antidepressant drugs. The present review not only recognized the antidepressant potential of herbal medicines but also provided molecular insights for the development of novel antidepressant drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilu Sun
- Department of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jia Zhao
- Department of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jianhui Rong
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
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7
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Feng KP, Chen RD, Xie KB, Chen DW, Liu JM, Dai JG. Enzymatic synthesis of anhydroicaritin, baohuoside and icariin. JOURNAL OF ASIAN NATURAL PRODUCTS RESEARCH 2022:1-7. [PMID: 36272133 DOI: 10.1080/10286020.2022.2131549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Anhydroicaritin (1a), baohuoside (1b) and icariin (1c) were recognized as major pharmacologically active ingredients of Epimedium plants. Their primary means of acquisition were chemical isolation from plants. However, it suffers from low yield, environmental pollution and shortage of plants. Herein, to remedy these problems, biosynthesis was explored to obtain the three active ingredients. Fortunately, with SfFPT as 8-prenyltransferase, EpPF3RT and Ep7GT as glycosyltransferases, kaempferide (1) was transferred to 1a, 1b and 1c enzymatically. Thus, we report the details of this method. This approach represents a promising environmental friendly alternative for the production of these compounds from an abundant analogue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-Ping Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines; CAMS Key Laboratory of Enzyme and Biocatalysis of Natural Drugs; and NHC Key Laboratory of Biosynthesis of Natural Products, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biodiagnosis and Biotherapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, China
| | - Ri-Dao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines; CAMS Key Laboratory of Enzyme and Biocatalysis of Natural Drugs; and NHC Key Laboratory of Biosynthesis of Natural Products, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Ke-Bo Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines; CAMS Key Laboratory of Enzyme and Biocatalysis of Natural Drugs; and NHC Key Laboratory of Biosynthesis of Natural Products, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Da-Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines; CAMS Key Laboratory of Enzyme and Biocatalysis of Natural Drugs; and NHC Key Laboratory of Biosynthesis of Natural Products, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Ji-Mei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines; CAMS Key Laboratory of Enzyme and Biocatalysis of Natural Drugs; and NHC Key Laboratory of Biosynthesis of Natural Products, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jun-Gui Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines; CAMS Key Laboratory of Enzyme and Biocatalysis of Natural Drugs; and NHC Key Laboratory of Biosynthesis of Natural Products, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
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8
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Phang YL, Liu S, Zheng C, Xu H. Recent advances in the synthesis of natural products containing the phloroglucinol motif. Nat Prod Rep 2022; 39:1766-1802. [PMID: 35762867 DOI: 10.1039/d1np00077b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Covering: June 2009 to 2021Natural products containing a phloroglucinol motif include simple and oligomeric phloroglucinols, polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols, phloroglucinol-terpenes, xanthones, flavonoids, and coumarins. These compounds represent a major class of secondary metabolites which exhibit a wide range of biological activities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and hypoglycaemic properties. A number of these compounds have been authorized for therapeutic use or are currently being studied in clinical trials. Their structural diversity and utility in both traditional and conventional medicine have made them popular synthetic targets over the years. In this review, we compile and summarise the recent synthetic approaches to the natural products bearing a phloroglucinol motif. Focus has been given on ingenious strategies to functionalize the phloroglucinol moiety at multiple positions. The isolation and bioactivities of the compounds are also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yee Lin Phang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China. .,Engineering Research Center of Shanghai Colleges for TCM New Drug Discovery, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Song Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China. .,Engineering Research Center of Shanghai Colleges for TCM New Drug Discovery, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Changwu Zheng
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China. .,Engineering Research Center of Shanghai Colleges for TCM New Drug Discovery, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hongxi Xu
- Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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Luo Z, Dong J, Wu J. Impact of Icariin and its derivatives on inflammatory diseases and relevant signaling pathways. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 108:108861. [PMID: 35597118 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Herba Epimedii is a famous herb collected from China and Korea. It has been used for impotency, osteoporosis, and amnestic treatment for thousands of years. Icariin, a typical flavonoid compound isolated from Herba Epimedii, was reported as a potential anti-inflammatory drug. Icariside and icaritin are the two metabolites of icariin. Icariin and its metabolites have been used to treat a wide range of inflammatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, depression, osteoarthritis, and asthma. They exert powerful suppression of proinflammatory signaling, such as NF-κB and MAPKs. More importantly, they can upregulate anti-inflammatory signaling, such as GR and Nrf2. In this study, we review the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of icariin and its metabolites in inflammatory diseases and provide novel insights into these potential anti-inflammatory drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuyu Luo
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, PR China
| | - Jingcheng Dong
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, PR China.
| | - Jinfeng Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, PR China.
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10
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Huffman MA. Folklore, Animal Self-Medication, and Phytotherapy-Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Some Things True. PLANTA MEDICA 2022; 88:187-199. [PMID: 34624907 DOI: 10.1055/a-1586-1665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The use of medicines was long considered by Western schools of thought to be a a domain unique to humans; however, folklore/Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) from around the world suggests that animals have also long provided inspiration for the discovery of some medicinal plants used to treat humans and their livestock. Searching for medicinal knowledge from animals depends on the recognition of their ability to select and effectively use medicinal plants to prevent or actively ameliorate disease and other homeostatic imbalances. The interdisciplinary field of animal self-medication is providing scientific evidence for this ability in species across the animal kingdom and lends support to animal-origin medicinal plant folklore and recent ethnomedicinal information. Here, 14 case studies of purported animal-inspired plant medicines used by cultures around the world are presented together with ethnomedicinal and pharmacological evidence. Based on this evidence, the diversity and potential mode of self-medicative behaviors are considered. Over 20 animal species, including llama, sloth and jaguar in South America, reindeer and yak in Eurasia, langur and macaque in Asia, and chimpanzee, wild boar, porcupine and elephant in Africa, are linked to these case studies, representing a variety of potential preventative or therapeutic self-medicative behaviors. These examples provide an important perspective on what is likely to have been a much wider practice in the development of human traditional medicine. A role for animal self-medication research in the rejuvenation of old therapies and possible new discoveries of phytotherapies for human and livestock health is encouraged.
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Li LR, Sethi G, Zhang X, Liu CL, Huang Y, Liu Q, Ren BX, Tang FR. The neuroprotective effects of icariin on ageing, various neurological, neuropsychiatric disorders, and brain injury induced by radiation exposure. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:1562-1588. [PMID: 35165207 PMCID: PMC8876913 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Epimedium brevicornum Maxim, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been used for the treatment of impotence, sinew and bone disorders, “painful impediment caused by wind-dampness,” numbness, spasms, hypertension, coronary heart disease, menopausal syndrome, bronchitis, and neurasthenia for many years in China. Recent animal experimental studies indicate that icariin, a major bioactive component of epimedium may effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral ischemia, depression, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, as well as delay ageing. Our recent study also suggested that epimedium extract could exhibit radio-neuro-protective effects and prevent ionizing radiation-induced impairment of neurogenesis. This paper reviewed the pharmacodynamics of icariin in treating different neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases, ageing, and radiation-induced brain damage. The relevant molecular mechanisms and its anti-neuroinflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant, as well as pro-neurogenesis roles were also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Rui Li
- The School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, Hubei, China
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
| | - Xing Zhang
- The School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, Hubei, China
| | - Cui Liu Liu
- The School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, Hubei, China
| | - Yan Huang
- The School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, Hubei, China
| | - Qun Liu
- The School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, Hubei, China
| | - Bo Xu Ren
- The School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, Hubei, China
| | - Feng Ru Tang
- Radiation Physiology Lab, Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative, National University of Singapore, Singapore 138602, Singapore
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12
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Culbert BM, Ligocki IY, Salena MG, Wong MYL, Hamilton IM, Aubin-Horth N, Bernier NJ, Balshine S. Rank- and sex-specific differences in the neuroendocrine regulation of glucocorticoids in a wild group-living fish. Horm Behav 2021; 136:105079. [PMID: 34717080 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.105079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Individuals that live in groups experience different challenges based on their social rank and sex. Glucocorticoids have a well-established role in coordinating responses to challenges and glucocorticoid levels often vary between ranks and sexes. However, the neuroendocrine mechanisms regulating glucocorticoid dynamics in wild groups are poorly understood, making it difficult to determine the functional consequences of differences in glucocorticoid levels. Therefore, we observed wild social groups of a cooperatively breeding fish (Neolamprologus pulcher) and evaluated how scale cortisol content (an emerging method to evaluate cortisol dynamics in fishes) and expression of glucocorticoid-related genes varied across group members. Scale cortisol was detectable in ~50% of dominant males (7/17) and females (7/15)-but not in any subordinates (0/16)-suggesting that glucocorticoid levels were higher in dominants. However, the apparent behavioural and neuroendocrine factors regulating cortisol levels varied between dominant sexes. In dominant females, higher cortisol was associated with greater rates of territory defense and increased expression of corticotropin-releasing factor in the preoptic and hypothalamic regions of the brain, but these patterns were not observed in dominant males. Additionally, transcriptional differences in the liver suggest that dominant sexes may use different mechanisms to cope with elevated cortisol levels. While dominant females appeared to reduce the relative sensitivity of their liver to cortisol (fewer corticosteroid receptor transcripts), dominant males appeared to increase hepatic cortisol breakdown (more catabolic enzyme transcripts). Overall, our results offer valuable insights on the mechanisms regulating rank- and sex-based glucocorticoid dynamics, as well as the potential functional outcomes of these differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett M Culbert
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Isaac Y Ligocki
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Biology, Millersville University, Millersville, PA, USA
| | - Matthew G Salena
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marian Y L Wong
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ian M Hamilton
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Mathematics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Nadia Aubin-Horth
- Département de Biologie and Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Québec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nicholas J Bernier
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sigal Balshine
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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13
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Chinese Herbal Medicine for the Treatment of Depression: Effects on the Neuroendocrine-Immune Network. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14010065. [PMID: 33466877 PMCID: PMC7830381 DOI: 10.3390/ph14010065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuroimmune and neuroendocrine systems are two critical biological systems in the pathogenesis of depression. Clinical and preclinical studies have demonstrated that the activation of the neuroinflammatory response of the immune system and hyperactivity of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis of the neuroendocrine system commonly coexist in patients with depression and that these two systems bidirectionally regulate one another through neural, immunological, and humoral intersystem interactions. The neuroendocrine-immune network poses difficulties associated with the development of antidepressant agents directed toward these biological systems for the effective treatment of depression. On the other hand, multidrug and multitarget Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) has great potential to assist in the development of novel medications for the systematic pharmacotherapy of depression. In this narrative essay, we conclusively analyze the mechanisms of action of CHM antidepressant constituents and formulas, specifically through the modulation of the neuroendocrine-immune network, by reviewing recent preclinical studies conducted using depressive animal models. Some CHM herbal constituents and formulas are highlighted as examples, and their mechanisms of action at both the molecular and systems levels are discussed. Furthermore, we discuss the crosstalk of these two biological systems and the systems pharmacology approach for understanding the system-wide mechanism of action of CHM on the neuroendocrine-immune network in depression treatment. The holistic, multidrug, and multitarget nature of CHM represents an excellent example of systems medicine in the effective treatment of depression.
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Ko YH, Kim SK, Lee SY, Jang CG. Flavonoids as therapeutic candidates for emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression. Arch Pharm Res 2020; 43:1128-1143. [DOI: 10.1007/s12272-020-01292-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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15
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Sun X, Cheng H, Liu B, Du Y, Dong J, Huang J. Icariin reduces LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice undergoing bilateral adrenalectomy by regulating GRα. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 876:173032. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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16
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Li C, Huang J, Cheng YC, Zhang YW. Traditional Chinese Medicine in Depression Treatment: From Molecules to Systems. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:586. [PMID: 32457610 PMCID: PMC7221138 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is a multigenetic or multifactorial syndrome. The central neuron system (CNS)-orientated, single target, and conventional antidepressants are insufficient and far from ideal. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has historically been used to treat depression up till today, particularly in Asia. Its holistic, multidrug, multitarget nature fits well with the therapeutic idea of systems medicine in depression treatment. Over the past two decades, although efforts have been made to understand TCM herbal antidepressants at the molecular level, many fundamental questions regarding their mechanisms of action remain to be addressed at the systems level in order to better understand the complicated herbal formulations in depression treatment. In this Mini Review, we review and discuss the mechanisms of action of herbal antidepressants and their acting targets in the pathological systems in the brain, such as monoamine neurotransmissions, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, neurotropic factor brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) cascade, and glutamate transmission. Some herbal molecules, constituents, and formulas are highlighted as examples to discuss their mechanisms of action and future directions for comprehensive researches at the systems level. Furthermore, we discuss pharmacological approaches to integrate the mechanism of action from the molecular level into the systems level for understanding of systems pharmacology of TCM formulations. Integration of the studies at the molecular level into the systems level not only represents a trend in TCM study but also promotes our understanding of the system-wide mechanism of action of herbal antidepressant formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan Li
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Junying Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yung-Chi Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Yuan-Wei Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
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17
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He C, Wang Z, Shi J. Pharmacological effects of icariin. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2020; 87:179-203. [PMID: 32089233 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2019.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Icariin (ICA) is a principal active component from traditional Chinese medicine Epimedium grandiflorum. To explain its traditional medical usages by modern science, a variety of pharmacological effects have been studied for ICA. In this review, we summarized the pharmacokinetics of ICA as well as its pharmacological mechanisms in neurodegenerative disease, cardiovascular disease, anti-osteoporosis, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative stress, anti-depression and anti-tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyang He
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, P.R. China; Generic Drug Research Center of Guizhou Province, School of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, P.R. China
| | - Ze Wang
- Generic Drug Research Center of Guizhou Province, School of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, P.R. China
| | - Jingshan Shi
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, P.R. China; Generic Drug Research Center of Guizhou Province, School of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, P.R. China.
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18
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Nandam LS, Brazel M, Zhou M, Jhaveri DJ. Cortisol and Major Depressive Disorder-Translating Findings From Humans to Animal Models and Back. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:974. [PMID: 32038323 PMCID: PMC6987444 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a global problem for which current pharmacotherapies are not completely effective. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction has long been associated with MDD; however, the value of assessing cortisol as a biological benchmark of the pathophysiology or treatment of MDD is still debated. In this review, we critically evaluate the relationship between HPA axis dysfunction and cortisol level in relation to MDD subtype, stress, gender and treatment regime, as well as in rodent models. We find that an elevated cortisol response to stress is associated with acute and severe, but not mild or atypical, forms of MDD. Furthermore, the increased incidence of MDD in females is associated with greater cortisol response variability rather than higher baseline levels of cortisol. Despite almost all current MDD treatments influencing cortisol levels, we could find no convincing relationship between cortisol level and therapeutic response in either a clinical or preclinical setting. Thus, we argue that the absolute level of cortisol is unreliable for predicting the efficacy of antidepressant treatment. We propose that future preclinical models should reliably produce exaggerated HPA axis responses to acute or chronic stress a priori, which may, or may not, alter baseline cortisol levels, while also modelling the core symptoms of MDD that can be targeted for reversal. Combining genetic and environmental risk factors in such a model, together with the interrogation of the resultant molecular, cellular, and behavioral changes, promises a new mechanistic understanding of MDD and focused therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Sanjay Nandam
- Mental Health Unit, Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- *Correspondence: L. Sanjay Nandam, ; Dhanisha J. Jhaveri,
| | - Matthew Brazel
- Mental Health Unit, Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Mei Zhou
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Dhanisha J. Jhaveri
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- *Correspondence: L. Sanjay Nandam, ; Dhanisha J. Jhaveri,
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19
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Feng K, Chen R, Xie K, Chen D, Liu J, Du W, Yang L, Dai J. Ep7GT, a glycosyltransferase with sugar donor flexibility from Epimedium pseudowushanense, catalyzes the 7-O-glycosylation of baohuoside. Org Biomol Chem 2019; 17:8106-8114. [DOI: 10.1039/c9ob01352k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A novel glycosyltransferase from Epimedium pseudowushanense, Ep7GT, regiospecifically catalyzes the 7-O-glucosylation of baohuoside to form icariin and shows sugar donor/acceptor promiscuity to yield different flavonoid glycosides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keping Feng
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences
- Minzu University of China
- Beijing 100081
- China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines
| | - Ridao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines
- Institute of Materia Medica
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
- Beijing
- China
| | - Kebo Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines
- Institute of Materia Medica
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
- Beijing
- China
| | - Dawei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines
- Institute of Materia Medica
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
- Beijing
- China
| | - Jimei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines
- Institute of Materia Medica
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
- Beijing
- China
| | - Wenyu Du
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines
- Institute of Materia Medica
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
- Beijing
- China
| | - Lin Yang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences
- Minzu University of China
- Beijing 100081
- China
| | - Jungui Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines
- Institute of Materia Medica
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
- Beijing
- China
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20
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Sahoo S, S. B. Pharmacogenomic assessment of herbal drugs in affective disorders. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 109:1148-1162. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.10.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 10/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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Jin J, Wang H, Hua X, Chen D, Huang C, Chen Z. An outline for the pharmacological effect of icariin in the nervous system. Eur J Pharmacol 2018; 842:20-32. [PMID: 30342950 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Icariin is a major active component of the traditional herb Epimedium, also known as Horny Goat Weed. It has been extensively studied throughout the past several years and is known to exert anti-oxidative, anti-neuroinflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. It is now being considered as a potential therapeutic agent for a wide variety of disorders, ranging from neoplasm to cardiovascular disease. More recent studies have shown that icariin exhibits potential preventive and/or therapeutic effects in the nervous system. For example, icariin can prevent the production of amyloid β (1-42) and inhibit the expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE-1) in animal models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Icariin has been shown to mitigate pro-inflammatory responses of microglia in culture and in animal models of cerebral ischemia, depression, Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Icariin also prevents the neurotoxicity induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, ibotenic acid, and homocysteine. In addition, icariin is implicated in facilitating learning and memory in both normal aging animals and disease models. To date, we still have no consolidated source of knowledge about the pharmacological effects of icariin in the nervous system, though its roles in other tissues have been reviewed in recent years. Here, we summarize the pharmacological development of icariin as well as its possible mechanisms in prevention and/or therapy of disorders afflicting the nervous system in hope of expanding the knowledge about the preventive and/or therapeutic effect of icariin in brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Jin
- Invasive Technology Department, Nantong First People's Hospital, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, #6 North Road Hai'er Xiang, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, #19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China; Department of Neuroscience & Cell Biology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes lane, Piscataway, 08854 New Jersey, United States
| | - Xiaoying Hua
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuxi Ninth People's Hospital, #999 Liangxi Road, Wu xi, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Dongjian Chen
- Invasive Technology Department, Nantong First People's Hospital, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, #6 North Road Hai'er Xiang, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Chao Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, #19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Invasive Technology Department, Nantong First People's Hospital, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, #6 North Road Hai'er Xiang, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China.
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22
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Xiang L, Li Y, Deng X, Kosanovic D, Schermuly RT, Li X. Natural plant products in treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Pulm Circ 2018; 8:2045894018784033. [PMID: 29869936 PMCID: PMC6055327 DOI: 10.1177/2045894018784033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe disease characterized by
progressive remodeling of distal pulmonary arteries and persistent elevation of
pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), which leads to right ventricular
dysfunction, heart failure, and eventually death. Although treatment
responsiveness for this disease is improving, it continues to be a
life-threatening condition. With the clinical efficacy of natural plant products
being fully confirmed by years of practice, more and more recognition and
attention have been obtained from the international pharmaceutical industry.
Moreover, studies over the past decades have demonstrated that drugs derived
from natural plants show unique advantages and broad application prospects in
PAH treatment, not to mention the historical application of Chinese traditional
medicine in cardiopulmonary diseases. In this review, we focus on summarizing
natural plant compounds with therapeutic properties in PAH, according to the
extracts, fractions, and pure compounds from plants into categories, hoping it
to be helpful for basic research and clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Xiang
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ying Li
- 2 Department of Health Management, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,3 Hunan Key Laboratory for Bioanalysis of Complex Matrix Samples, Changsha, China
| | - Xu Deng
- 4 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Djuro Kosanovic
- 5 Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ralph Theo Schermuly
- 5 Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Giessen, Germany
| | - Xiaohui Li
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China.,3 Hunan Key Laboratory for Bioanalysis of Complex Matrix Samples, Changsha, China
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23
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Antigen-adjuvant effects of icariin in enhancing tumor-specific immunity in mastocytoma-bearing DBA/2J mice. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 99:810-816. [PMID: 29710479 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.01.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has attracted much attention in recent years because of the ability of immune system to identify tumor cells and limit their growth. Icariin (ICA) is a natural flavonoid glucoside isolated from Epimedium plants and has shown a variety of pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory effects, immunological regulation and anticancer potency. Furthermore, it has immunoadjuvant effects on enhancing Th1-immune response, suggesting that ICA may serve as an adjuvant for cancer immunotherapy. In this study, we used P815 mouse mastocytoma tumor model and immunized them with P815AB peptide and/or ICA. Our results demonstrated that ICA could increase the cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) response for P815AB peptide on the tumor-bearing DBA/2J mice. In addition, the percentage of CD4+CD8+/CD3+CD69+/CD69+NKG2D+ positive cells in splenocytes of the tumor-bearing mice all significantly increased after combined immunization with ICA and P815AB peptide. This illustrated that ICA could enhance the immunogenicity of P815AB and improve the ability of T cells and CTLs in recognizing the tumor cells. Moreover, ICA improved the function of peritoneal macrophages with effects of inhibition on tumor growth. Besides, we discussed the possible mechanism of ICA to enhance body immunity by detecting the expression level of MHC-I and related genes in B16-F10 and RMA/S cells. The results suggested that ICA has the potential to up-regulate LMP/TAP related molecules and induce the expression of MHC-I, which increase the immune surveillance and keep cancer in remission. In conclusion, ICA showed an anti-tumor effect both in vitro and in vivo and may be an effective antigen adjuvant for cancer treatment by enhancing tumor-specific immunity.
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Icariin Improves Cognitive Impairment after Traumatic Brain Injury by Enhancing Hippocampal Acetylation. Chin J Integr Med 2018; 24:366-371. [PMID: 29327125 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-2823-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of icariin (ICA) on the cognitive impairment induced by traumatic brain injury (TBI) in mice and the underlying mechanisms related to changes in hippocampal acetylation level. METHODS The modifified free-fall method was used to establish the TBI mouse model. Mice with post-TBI cognitive impairment were randomly divided into 3 groups using the randomised block method (n=7): TBI (vehicle-treated), low-dose (75 mg/kg) and high-dose (150 mg/kg) of ICA groups. An additional sham-operated group (vehicle-treated) was employed. The vehicle or ICA was administrated by gavage for 28 consecutive days. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was conducted. Acetylcholine (ACh) content, mRNA and protein levels of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), and protein levels of acetylated H3 (Ac-H3) and Ac-H4 were detected in the hippocampus. RESULTS Compared with the sham-operated group, the MWM performance, hippocampal ACh content, mRNA and protein levels of ChAT, and protein levels of Ac-H3 and Ac-H4 were signifificantly decreased in the TBI group (P<0.05). High-dose of ICA signifificantly ameliorated the TBI-induced weak MWM performance, increased hippocampal ACh content, and mRNA and protein levels of ChAT, as well as Ac-H3 protein level compared with the TBI group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION ICA improved post-TBI cognitive impairment in mice by enhancing hippocampal acetylation, which improved hippocampal cholinergic function and ultimately improved cognition.
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Sun X, Deng X, Cai W, Li W, Shen Z, Jiang T, Huang J. Icariin inhibits LPS-induced cell inflammatory response by promoting GRα nuclear translocation and upregulating GRα expression. Life Sci 2018; 195:33-43. [PMID: 29317219 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2017] [Revised: 12/31/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Icariin (ICA) is a flavonoid isolated from certain plant species in the genus Epimedium, especially Epimedium brevicornum. Previous studies indicated that ICA has certain regulatory effects on some inflammatory diseases, and that ICA regulates the activity of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and NF-κB. But the causal link between GR and NF-κB and other downstream pathways in effects of ICA remained elusive, therefore here we have investigated whether ICA could promote GR function, in turn, to regulate NF-κB and/or other factors to achieve its anti-inflammatory effect. MAIN METHODS Inflammatory cell models were induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW 264.7 and HeLa cell line. Observation of GRα nuclear translocation by confocal laser scanning microscopy. GRα and inflammatory cytokines expression was detected by RT-qPCR, Western Blotting and ELISA. Co-immunoprecipitation technique was used to detect the binding of GRα to downstream transcription factors. GRα activity was blocked by GRα antagonist RU486, and GR downstream transcription factors including NF-κB, c-Jun, and Stat3 were silenced by corresponding RNA interference. KEY FINDINGS In both inflammatory cell models, ICA decreased LPS-induced production of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α). While ICA up-regulated the amount of GRα and promoted its nucleus translocation. The increased GRα in the nucleus by ICA bound more NF-κB, c-Jun, and Stat3. Blockade GRα and silence of NF-κB, c-Jun, and Stat3 expression partially abolished the anti-inflammatory effects of ICA. SIGNIFICANCE Promoted GR function and the consequent inhibition of pro-inflammatory transcription factors contribute a main mechanism by which ICA exerts its anti-inflammatory effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianjun Sun
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Xiaohong Deng
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Waijiao Cai
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Wenwei Li
- Department of Integrated Chinese and Western medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ziyin Shen
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Tinghui Jiang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200050, China.
| | - Jianhua Huang
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
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Feng K, Chen R, Xie K, Chen D, Guo B, Liu X, Liu J, Zhang M, Dai J. A regiospecific rhamnosyltransferase from Epimedium pseudowushanense catalyzes the 3-O-rhamnosylation of prenylflavonols. Org Biomol Chem 2018; 16:452-458. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ob02763j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A novel rhamnosyltransferase and a UDP-rhamnose synthase were characterized and applied to the biosynthesis of bioactive prenylflavonol rhamnosides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keping Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines
- Institute of Materia Medica
- Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
- Beijing 100050
- China
| | - Ridao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines
- Institute of Materia Medica
- Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
- Beijing 100050
- China
| | - Kebo Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines
- Institute of Materia Medica
- Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
- Beijing 100050
- China
| | - Dawei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines
- Institute of Materia Medica
- Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
- Beijing 100050
- China
| | - Baolin Guo
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development
- Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
- Beijing 100193
- China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
- Beijing 100029
- China
| | - Jimei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines
- Institute of Materia Medica
- Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
- Beijing 100050
- China
| | - Min Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines
- Institute of Materia Medica
- Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
- Beijing 100050
- China
| | - Jungui Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines
- Institute of Materia Medica
- Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
- Beijing 100050
- China
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Sun Y, Wang D, Salvadore G, Hsu B, Curran M, Casper C, Vermeulen J, Kent JM, Singh J, Drevets WC, Wittenberg GM, Chen G. The effects of interleukin-6 neutralizing antibodies on symptoms of depressed mood and anhedonia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and multicentric Castleman's disease. Brain Behav Immun 2017; 66:156-164. [PMID: 28676350 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2017.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 06/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), modulate neuronal plasticity and stress coping. Depressive symptoms and major depressive disorder (MDD) have been associated with changes in cytokines and their signaling. The current study examined the effect of IL-6 monoclonal antibody administration on depressive symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD). The data were obtained from two phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials designed to test the efficacy of sirukumab in RA (N=176) or of siltuximab in MCD (N=65), and were analyzed post hoc to investigate the effects of these IL-6 antibodies on depressive symptoms. The SF-36 questionnaire items on depressed-mood and anhedonia were combined as the measure for depressive symptoms. The study participants were grouped by the presence/absence of prevalent depressed mood and anhedonia (PDMA, meaning either depressed mood or anhedonia was present at least 'most of the time' and the other at least 'some of the time' for four weeks) at baseline; 26.1% of the RA sample and 15.4% of the MCD sample met criteria for PDMA at baseline. Compared with placebo, sirukumab and siltuximab produced significantly greater improvements on depressive symptoms. To account for an effect on mood due to changes in RA or MCD, the analysis was (1) adjusted for symptom severities using DAS28-CRP for RA and MCDOS for MCD alone or together with bodily pain and physical functioning, and (2) performed within RA and MCD non-responders. Improvement in depressive symptoms remained significant in the treated group for both drugs. The significance over placebo was also observed in the siltuximab study. The improvement in depressive symptoms by sirukumab correlated positively with the baseline soluble IL-6 receptor levels. The data together suggest that the IL-6 antibodies improve depressive symptoms in patients with RA and MCD. Further studies are needed to elucidate to what extents the IL-6 antibodies improve depressive symptoms through improving primary disease dependent and independent mechanisms, especially in RA patients, and the brain mechanisms underlying depressive symptom improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Sun
- Neuroscience Therapeutic Areas, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, United States
| | - Dai Wang
- Neuroscience Therapeutic Areas, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, United States
| | - Giacomo Salvadore
- Neuroscience Therapeutic Areas, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, United States
| | - Benjamin Hsu
- Immunology Therapeutic Areas, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, United States
| | - Mark Curran
- Immunology Therapeutic Areas, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, United States
| | - Corey Casper
- Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center, United States
| | - Jessica Vermeulen
- Oncology Therapeutic Areas, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, United States
| | - Justine M Kent
- Neuroscience Therapeutic Areas, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, United States
| | - Jaskaran Singh
- Neuroscience Therapeutic Areas, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, United States
| | - Wayne C Drevets
- Neuroscience Therapeutic Areas, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, United States
| | - Gayle M Wittenberg
- Neuroscience Therapeutic Areas, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, United States
| | - Guang Chen
- Neuroscience Therapeutic Areas, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, United States.
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Kong L, Zhang H, Cao Y, Le J, Wu J, Liu B, Chen M, Du Y, Wang J, Wang G, Yi T, Zhou X, Wang G, Miao Q, Li S, Zhao N, Dong J. The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Invigorating Kidney and Supplementing Qi Chinese Herbal Formulae in Asthma Patients. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2017; 2017:3754145. [PMID: 28740537 PMCID: PMC5504930 DOI: 10.1155/2017/3754145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The theories of Shen-reinforcement and Qi-supplementation are important in asthma treatment based on traditional Chinese medicine theories. Early studies suggested that Invigorating Kidney and Supplementing Qi herbal formulae, Bu Shen Fang Chuan (BSFC) and Bu Shen Yi Qi (BSYQ), conveyed promising results in asthma treatment. However, the efficacy and safety of the formulae need to be further investigated by a randomized double-blind clinical trial. METHODS 328 eligible patients were randomly sent to BSFC, BSYQ, and placebo group. The two formulae were received as add-on therapy. The primary endpoints were rate of asthma exacerbation and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) score. The secondary endpoints included HPA axis function and inflammatory cytokine production profile. All indexes were measured before and after treatment. RESULTS The primary endpoints were not improved in both groups; however, the depression levels of subgroup patients with HAM-D score > 5 were improved in BSFC group. HPA axis functions and inflammatory cytokines level were also improved by two formulae. The incidences of adverse events were similar among groups. CONCLUSIONS The two formulae had multiple advantage effects on neuroendocrine-immune system. They are worth used as a replacement therapy in asthma. TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial is registered with clinical trial number ChiCTR-PRC-09000529.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingwen Kong
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Hongying Zhang
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Yuxue Cao
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Jingjing Le
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Jinfeng Wu
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Baojun Liu
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Meixia Chen
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Yijie Du
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Genfa Wang
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Tao Yi
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Xianmei Zhou
- Pneumology Department, Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of TCM, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Pneumology Department, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qing Miao
- Pneumology Department, Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Suyun Li
- Pneumology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of TCM, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province 450008, China
| | - Naiqing Zhao
- Department of Statistics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jingcheng Dong
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
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Liu C, Wang J, Xu S, An S, Tang S, He J, Liu Y, Lee RJ, Wang D. Paecilomyces tenuipes extract prevents depression-like behaviors in chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced rat model via modulation of neurotransmitters. Mol Med Rep 2017; 16:2172-2178. [PMID: 28656300 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.6807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The medicinal fungus Paecilomyces tenuipes exhibits a variety of pharmacological effects, including antidepressive effects. The chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)‑induced rat model has served an important role in studies involving antidepressants screening. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antidepressant‑like activity of P. tenuipes N45 aqueous extract (PTNE) in a CUMS‑induced rat model of behavioral despair depression. Following 4 weeks of PTNE treatment, behavioral tests were conducted to investigate the antidepressant‑like activities, and the levels of neurotransmitters and hormones in blood and hypothalamus were measured. The results demonstrated that PTNE treatment significantly increased movement in the forced running test, whereas the immobility time was reduced in the hotplate test and the forced swim test in depression‑model rats. PTNE treatment was able to normalize the levels of hormones and neurotransmitters in serum and hypothalamus of CUMS rats. The data demonstrated that PTNE treatment may be a potential pharmaceutical agent in treatment‑resistant depression, and the effects of PTNE may be partly mediated through normalizing the levels of neurotransmitters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chungang Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, P.R. China
| | - Juan Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, P.R. China
| | - Shiqi Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, P.R. China
| | - Shengshu An
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, P.R. China
| | - Siying Tang
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, P.R. China
| | - Jian He
- Center for Translational Medicine, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Dalian, Liaoning 116023, P.R. China
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, P.R. China
| | - Robert J Lee
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, P.R. China
| | - Di Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, P.R. China
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Salvianolic acid B ameliorates depressive-like behaviors in chronic mild stress-treated mice: involvement of the neuroinflammatory pathway. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2016; 37:1141-53. [PMID: 27424655 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2016.63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating mental disorder associated with dysfunction of the neurotransmitter-neuroendocrine system and neuroinflammatory responses. Salvianolic acid B (SalB) has shown a variety of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. In this study, we examined whether SalB produced antidepressant-like actions in a chronic mild stress (CMS) mouse model, and explored the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant-like actions of SalB. METHODS Mice were subjected to a CMS paradigm for 6 weeks. In the last 3 weeks the mice were daily administered SalB (20 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1), ip) or a positive control drug imipramine (20 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1), ip). The depressant-like behaviors were evaluated using the sucrose preference test, the forced swimming test (FST), and the tail suspension test (TST). The gene expression of cytokines in the hippocampus and cortex was analyzed with RT-PCR. Plasma corticosterone (CORT) and cerebral cytokines levels were assayed with an ELISA kit. Neural apoptosis and microglial activation in brain tissues were detected using immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS Administration of SalB or imipramine reversed the reduced sucrose preference ratio of CMS-treated mice, and significantly decreased their immobility time in the FST and TST. Administration of SalB significantly decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α, and markedly increased the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β in the hippocampus and cortex of CMS-treated mice, and normalized their elevated plasma CORT levels, whereas administration of imipramine did not significantly affect the imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus and cortex of CMS-treated mice. Finally, administration of SalB significantly decreased CMS-induced apoptosis and microglia activation in the hippocampus and cortex, whereas administration of imipramine had no significant effect on CMS-induced apoptosis and microglia activation in the hippocampus and cortex. CONCLUSION SalB exerts potent antidepressant-like effects in CMS-induced mouse model of depression, which is associated with the inhibiting microglia-related apoptosis in the hippocampus and the cortex.
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Gong MJ, Han B, Wang SM, Liang SW, Zou ZJ. Icariin reverses corticosterone-induced depression-like behavior, decrease in hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and metabolic network disturbances revealed by NMR-based metabonomics in rats. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2016; 123:63-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2016.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Revised: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Xiao H, Wignall N, Brown ES. An open-label pilot study of icariin for co-morbid bipolar and alcohol use disorder. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2016; 42:162-7. [DOI: 10.3109/00952990.2015.1114118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Sun E, Xu F, Qian Q, Cui L, Tan X, Jia X. Metabolite Profiles of Icariin in Rat Feces, Bile and Urine by Ultraperformance Liquid-Chromatography/Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. J Chromatogr Sci 2016; 54:158-64. [DOI: 10.1093/chromsci/bmv121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Wei Z, Wang M, Hong M, Diao S, Liu A, Huang Y, Yu Q, Peng Z. Icariin exerts estrogen-like activity in ameliorating EAE via mediating estrogen receptor β, modulating HPA function and glucocorticoid receptor expression. Am J Transl Res 2016; 8:1910-8. [PMID: 27186315 PMCID: PMC4859920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Estrogen exerts neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in EAE and multiple sclerosis (MS), but its clinical application is hindered due to side effects and risk of tumor. Phytoestrogen structurally or functionally mimics estrogen with fewer side effects than endogenous estrogen. Icariin (ICA), an active component of Epimedium extracts, demonstrates estrogen-like neuroprotective effects. However, it is unclear whether ICA is effective in EAE and what are the underlying mechanisms. OBJECTIVE To determine the therapeutic effects of ICA in EAE and explore the possible mechanisms. METHODS C57BL/6 EAE mice were treated with Diethylstilbestrol, different dose of ICA and mid-dose ICA combined with ICI 182780. The clinical scores and serum Interleukin-17 (IL-17), Corticosterone (CORT) concentrations were then analyzed. Western blot were performed to investigate the expressions of glucocorticoid receptor (GR), estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and ERβ in the cerebral white matter of EAE mice. RESULTS High dose ICA is equally effective in ameliorating neurological signs of EAE as estrogen. Estrogen and ICA has no effects on serum concentrations of IL-17 in EAE. While the CORT levels were decreased by ICA at mid or high doses, the expressions of GR, ERα and ERβ were up-regulated by estrogen or different doses of ICA in a dosedependent manner. Estrogen induced the elevation of ERα more markedly than ICA. In contrast, ICA at mid and high doses promoted ERβ more significantly than estrogen. CONCLUSION ICA exerts estrogen-like activity in ameliorating EAE via mediating ERβ, modulating HPA function and up-regulating the expression of GR in cerebral white matter. ICA may be a promising therapeutic option for MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhisheng Wei
- Department of Neurology, School of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical UniversityGuangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mengxia Wang
- Intensive Care Unit, Guangdong No. 2 Provincial People’s HospitalGuangzhou 510317, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingfan Hong
- Department of Neurology, School of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical UniversityGuangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shengpeng Diao
- Department of Neurology, School of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical UniversityGuangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Aiqun Liu
- Department of Neurology, School of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical UniversityGuangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yeqing Huang
- Department of Neurology, School of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical UniversityGuangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qingyun Yu
- Department of Neurology, School of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical UniversityGuangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhongxing Peng
- Department of Neurology, School of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical UniversityGuangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China
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Chen XJ, Tang ZH, Li XW, Xie CX, Lu JJ, Wang YT. Chemical Constituents, Quality Control, and Bioactivity of Epimedii Folium (Yinyanghuo). THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2015; 43:783-834. [DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x15500494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Epimedii Folium (Yinyanghuo in Chinese) is one of the most commonly used traditional Chinese medicines. Its main active components are flavonoids, which exhibit multiple biological activities, such as promotion of bone formation and sexual function, protection of the nervous system, and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Flavonoids also show anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Various effective methods, including genetic and chemical approaches, have been developed for the quality control of Yinyanghuo. In this review, the studies conducted in the last decade about the chemical constituents, quality control, and bioactivity of Yinyanghuo are summarized and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Jia Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Zheng-Hai Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Xi-Wen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Cai-Xiang Xie
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jin-Jian Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Yi-Tao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
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Mei Q, Wang C, Zhao Z, Yuan W, Zhang G. Synthesis of icariin from kaempferol through regioselective methylation and para-Claisen-Cope rearrangement. Beilstein J Org Chem 2015; 11:1220-5. [PMID: 26425179 PMCID: PMC4578360 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.11.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 06/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The hemisynthesis of the naturally occurring bioactive flavonoid glycoside icariin (1) has been accomplished in eleven steps with 7% overall yield from kaempferol. The 4′-OH methylation of kaempferol, the 8-prenylation of 3-O-methoxymethyl-4′-O-methyl-5-O-prenyl-7-O-benzylkaempferol (8) via para-Claisen–Cope rearrangement catalyzed by Eu(fod)3 in the presence of NaHCO3, and the glycosylation of icaritin (3) are the key steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinggang Mei
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China ; Chengdu Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Chun Wang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zhigang Zhao
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Protection Engineering, Southwest University for Nationalities, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Weicheng Yuan
- Chengdu Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Guolin Zhang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
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Liu B, Xu C, Wu X, Liu F, Du Y, Sun J, Tao J, Dong J. Icariin exerts an antidepressant effect in an unpredictable chronic mild stress model of depression in rats and is associated with the regulation of hippocampal neuroinflammation. Neuroscience 2015; 294:193-205. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.02.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Revised: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Kong L, Wu J, Lin Y, Wang G, Wang J, Liu J, Chen M, Du X, Sun J, Lin J, Dong J. BuShenYiQi granule inhibits atopic dermatitis via improving central and skin Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis function. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0116427. [PMID: 25658752 PMCID: PMC4319736 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 12/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysfunction of central and skin Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis play important roles in pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). Our previous studies showed that several Chinese herbs could improve HPA axis function. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of BuShenYiQi granule (BSYQ), a Chinese herbs formula, in AD mice and explored the effective mechanism from regulation of HPA axis. METHODS The ovalbumin (OVA) induced AD mice model were established and treated with BSYQ. We evaluated dermatitis score and histology analysis of dorsal skin lesions, meanwhile, serum corticosterone (CORT), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and inflammatory cytokines were determined by ELISA. The changes of CRH/proopiomelanocortin(POMC) axis elements, corresponding functional receptors and crucial genes of glucocorticosteroidogenesis in the skin were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and western blot, respectively. RESULTS The symptoms and pathological changes in skin of AD mice were significantly improved and several markers of inflammation and allergy descended obviously after BSYQ treatment. We found that AD mice had insufficient central HPA tone, but these conditions were markedly improved after BSYQ treatment. The AD mice also showed a disturbed expression of skin HPA. In lesion skin of AD mice, the mRNA and protein expressions of CRH decreased significantly, on the contrary, POMC and cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (CYP11A1) increased markedly, meanwhile, NR3C1 (mouse GR), CRHR2 and 11-hydroxylase type 1(CYP11B1) were reduced locally. Most of these tested indexes were improved after BSYQ treatment. CONCLUSIONS AD mice displayed the differential expression pattern of central and skin HPA axis and BSYQ treatment significantly alleviated the symptoms of AD mice and presented anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects via regulating the expression of central and skin HPA axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingwen Kong
- Department of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
- Institute of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jingfeng Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yanhua Lin
- Department of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
- Institute of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Genfa Wang
- Department of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
- Institute of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
- Institute of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jiaqi Liu
- Department of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
- Institute of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Meixia Chen
- Department of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
- Institute of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Xin Du
- Department of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
- Institute of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jing Sun
- Department of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
- Institute of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jinpei Lin
- Department of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
- Institute of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jingcheng Dong
- Department of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
- Institute of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
- * E-mail:
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Li C, Li Q, Mei Q, Lu T. Pharmacological effects and pharmacokinetic properties of icariin, the major bioactive component in Herba Epimedii. Life Sci 2015; 126:57-68. [PMID: 25634110 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2015.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2014] [Revised: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 01/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Herba Epimedii is an important medicinal plant which has been used in various traditional Chinese formulations for thousands of years as well as in modern proprietary traditional Chinese medicine products. It has extensive clinical indications, especially for the treatment of sexual dysfunction and osteoporosis. There have been more than 260 chemical moieties identified in the genus Epimedium most of which belong to flavonoids. Icariin is the most abundant constituent in Herba Epimedii. Icariin is pharmacologically bioactive and demonstrates extensive therapeutic capacities such as osteoprotective effect, neuroprotective effect, cardiovascular protective effect, anti-cancer effect, anti-inflammation effect, immunoprotective effect and reproductive function. Particularly, the significant osteogenic effect of icariin made it a promising drug candidate in bone tissue engineering. The current review paper aims to summarize the literatures reporting the pharmacological effects of icariin. The pharmacokinetic properties of bioactive ingredients in Herba Epimedii have also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenrui Li
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences & Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Radiology, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qibing Mei
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences & Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tingli Lu
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences & Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
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Marcinkiewcz CA, Devine DP. Modulation of OCT3 expression by stress, and antidepressant-like activity of decynium-22 in an animal model of depression. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2015; 131:33-41. [PMID: 25597272 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2015.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2014] [Revised: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The organic cation transporter-3 (OCT3) is a glucocorticoid-sensitive uptake mechanism that has been shown to regulate the bioavailability of monoamines in brain regions that are implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. In the present study, the relative impacts of acute stress alone and acute stress with a history of repeated stress (chronic+acute) were evaluated in two strains of rats: the stress-vulnerable Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) strain and the somewhat more stress-resilient Long-Evans (LE) strain. OCT3 mRNA was significantly upregulated in the hippocampus of LE rats 2h after exposure to acute restraint stress, but not in acutely-restrained rats with a history of repeated social defeat stress. WKY rats exhibited a very different pattern. OCT3 mRNA was unaffected by acute restraint stress alone but was robustly upregulated after repeated+acute stress. There was also a corresponding increase in cytosolic OCT3 protein following repeated+acute stress in WKY rats 3h after presentation of the acute stressor. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that altered expression of the OCT3 may play a role in stress coping, and strain differences in regulation of this expression may contribute to differences in physiological and behavioral responses to stress. Furthermore, the OCT3 inhibitor, decynium 22 (1 and 10μg/kg, i.p.) reduced immobility of WKY rats, but not that of LE rats, in the forced swim test, suggesting that blockade of the OCT3 has antidepressant-like effects. Since WKY rats also appear to be resistant to the behavioral effects of traditional antidepressants, this also suggests that OCT3 antagonism may be an alternative therapeutic strategy for the treatment of depression in individuals who do not respond to conventional antidepressants.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Marcinkiewcz
- University of Florida, Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, Gainesville, FL 32610-0015, USA
| | - D P Devine
- University of Florida, Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, Gainesville, FL 32610-0015, USA; University of Florida, Department of Psychology, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Program, Gainesville, FL 32611-2250, USA.
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Wei Z, Deng X, Hong M, Su Q, Liu A, Huang Y, Yu Q, Peng Z. Icariin has synergistic effects with methylprednisolone to ameliorate EAE via modulating HPA function, promoting anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. Int J Clin Exp Med 2015; 8:20188-97. [PMID: 26884931 PMCID: PMC4723776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-dose methylprednisolone (MP) is a clinically recommended therapeutic regimen for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), whereas some dreadful complications induced by it remain inevitable. Studies implied that estrogens might play neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory roles in EAE and MS and promote glucocorticoid efficacy. Icariin (ICA), a primary active component of Epimedium extracts, also possesses neuroprotective and estrogen-like effects with less adverse complication than estrogen. However, rare study focuses ICA's effects on MS or EAE. OBJECTIVE Our purpose is to determine whether ICA has synergistic effects with MP in treating EAE and explore the possible mechanisms. METHODS C57BL/6 EAE mice were received different dose of ICA combined with MP and single MP treatment. Then, the clinical scores and serum Interleukin-17 (IL-17), Corticosterone (CORT), Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) concentrations were analyzed. Western blot and Flow Cytometry were used to investigate the expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and cell apoptosis. RESULTS ICA has cooperative effects with MP in decreasing serum IL-17 and CORT concentrations, up-regulating the expression of GR in cerebral white matter and attenuating the cell apoptosis in spinal cord, especially high-dose ICA combined with MP. CONCLUSION ICA has synergistic effects with MP to ameliorate EAE via modulating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function, promoting anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. ICA could be considered as a promising therapeutic option for MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhisheng Wei
- Department of Neurology, School of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical UniversityNo. 19 Nonglinxia Road, Guangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuemei Deng
- Department of Neurology, The Third Hospital of WuhanNo. 241 Peng Liuyang Road, Wuhan 430060, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingfan Hong
- Department of Neurology, School of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical UniversityNo. 19 Nonglinxia Road, Guangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Quanxi Su
- Department of Neurology, School of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical UniversityNo. 19 Nonglinxia Road, Guangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Aiqun Liu
- Department of Neurology, School of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical UniversityNo. 19 Nonglinxia Road, Guangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yeqing Huang
- Department of Neurology, School of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical UniversityNo. 19 Nonglinxia Road, Guangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qingyun Yu
- Department of Neurology, School of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical UniversityNo. 19 Nonglinxia Road, Guangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhongxing Peng
- Department of Neurology, School of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical UniversityNo. 19 Nonglinxia Road, Guangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China
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Liu L, Liu C, Wang Y, Wang P, Li Y, Li B. Herbal Medicine for Anxiety, Depression and Insomnia. Curr Neuropharmacol 2015; 13:481-93. [PMID: 26412068 PMCID: PMC4790408 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x1304150831122734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Revised: 01/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence and comorbidity of psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety and insomnia are very common. These well-known forms of psychiatric disorders have been affecting many people from all around the world. Herb alone, as well as herbal formula, is commonly prescribed for the therapies of mental illnesses. Since various adverse events of western medication exist, the number of people who use herbs to benefit their health is increasing. Over the past decades, the exploration in the area of herbal psychopharmacology has received much attention. Literatures showed a variety of herbal mechanisms of action used for the therapy of depression, anxiety and insomnia, involving reuptake of monoamines, affecting neuroreceptor binding and channel transporter activity, modulating neuronal communication or hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis (HPA) etc. Nonetheless, a systematic review on herbal pharmacology in depression, anxiety and insomnia is still lacking. This review has been performed to further identify modes of action of different herbal medicine, and thus provides useful information for the application of herbal medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Liu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory on Molecular and Chemical Genetic, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130024, China
- Life Sciences Institute, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China 130024
| | - Changhong Liu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory on Molecular and Chemical Genetic, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130024, China
- Life Sciences Institute, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China 130024
| | - Yicun Wang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory on Molecular and Chemical Genetic, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130024, China
- Life Sciences Institute, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China 130024
| | - Pu Wang
- Life Sciences Institute, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China 130024
| | - Yuxin Li
- Life Sciences Institute, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China 130024
| | - Bingjin Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory on Molecular and Chemical Genetic, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130024, China
- Life Sciences Institute, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China 130024
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Li L, Sun J, Xu C, Zhang H, Wu J, Liu B, Dong J. Icariin ameliorates cigarette smoke induced inflammatory responses via suppression of NF-κB and modulation of GR in vivo and in vitro. PLoS One 2014; 9:e102345. [PMID: 25089961 PMCID: PMC4121073 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the effects of icariin, a major constituent of flavonoids isolated from the herb Epimedium, on cigarette smoke (CS) induced inflammatory responses in vivo and in vitro. Methods In vivo, BALB/c mice were exposed to smoke of 15 cigarettes for 1 h/day, 6 days/week for 3 months and dosed with icariin (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) or dexamethasone (1 mg/kg). In vitro, A549 cells were incubated with icariin (10, 50 and 100 µM) followed by treatments with CSE (2.5%). Results We found that icariin significantly protected pulmonary function and attenuated CS-induced inflammatory response by decreasing inflammatory cells and production of TNF-α, IL-8 and MMP-9 in both the serum and BALF of CS-exposed mice and decreasing production of TNF-α and IL-8 in the supernatant of CSE-exposed A549 cells. Icariin also showed properties in inhibiting the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 protein and blocking the degradation of IΚB-α protein. Further studies revealed that icariin administration markedly restore CS-reduced GR protein and mRNA expression, which might subsequently contribute to the attenuation of CS-induced respiratory inflammatory response. Conclusion Together these results suggest that icariin has anti-inflammatory effects in cigarette smoke induced inflammatory models in vivo and in vitro, possibly achieved by suppressing NF-κB activation and modulating GR protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Li
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Sun
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Changqing Xu
- Hangzhou Normal University, School of medicine, Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongying Zhang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinfeng Wu
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Baojun Liu
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingcheng Dong
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail:
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Icariin attenuates glucocorticoid insensitivity mediated by repeated psychosocial stress on an ovalbumin-induced murine model of asthma. Int Immunopharmacol 2014; 19:381-90. [PMID: 24462390 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2014.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2013] [Revised: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Evidence shows that psychosocial stress exacerbates asthma, but there is little intervention to alleviate negative effects of psychosocial stress on asthma. We investigated the role of icariin in anti-inflammation and anti-anxiety potential in a murine model combined psychosocial stress with allergic exposure. The results indicated that icariin administered remarkable increased activity in the center of the open field, reversed airway hyperresponsivenesss, reduced inflammatory cytokine infiltration to the lung and whole body and also in part recovered glucocorticoid responsiveness. Furthermore, our data also showed that icariin significantly inhibited increases of corticosterone and markedly increased glucocorticoid receptor mRNA and protein expression in the lungs of mice exposed to both stress and allergen. Collectively, we speculate that inducing glucocorticoid receptor modulation might be the potential mechanisms of icariin to facilitate corticosteroid responsiveness of cytokine production.
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Wang X, Li J, Qian L, Zang XF, Zhang SY, Wang XY, Jin JL, Zhu XL, Zhang XB, Wang ZY, Xu Y. Icariin promotes histone acetylation and attenuates post-stroke cognitive impairment in the central cholinergic circuits of mice. Neuroscience 2013; 236:281-8. [PMID: 23370322 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.12.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2012] [Revised: 12/08/2012] [Accepted: 12/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Post-stroke dementia (PSD) is a common clinical disease and the central cholinergic circuits are important to cognitive function. Icariin (ICA), a flavonoid isolated from Herba Epimedii, was reported to improve cognitive function through modulating the cholinergic system. But there were no studies exploring the role of ICA in PSD animal models. In this study, we used transient middle cerebral artery occlusion mice with cognitive dysfunction in the PSD model. PSD mice were then randomly divided into six groups: Sham-operated+placebo group, Sham-operated+ICA group (60mg/kg), PSD model+placebo group, PSD model+ICA group (30, 60, or 120mg/kg). We observed spatial learning ability and memory by Morris water maze test. The levels of acetylcholine (ACH) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the degree of histone acetylation and the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation in the central cholinergic circuits were investigated by Western blot and immunofluorescence. After the administration of various doses of ICA, the escape latency and searching distance of the PSD mice were reduced significantly compared with those without ICA treatment. While the levels of ACH and ChAT declined, the degree of histone acetylation and the CREB phosphorylation was improved in a dose-dependent manner in central cholinergic circuits. In conclusion, ICA can improve post-stroke dementia, and the mechanism is likely to enhance CREB phosphorylation in the central cholinergic circuits, thus improving the damage in cholinergic circuits histone acetylation homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Wang
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, PR China.
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Inhibition of Th1/Th17 responses via suppression of STAT1 and STAT3 activation contributes to the amelioration of murine experimental colitis by a natural flavonoid glucoside icariin. Biochem Pharmacol 2012; 85:798-807. [PMID: 23261528 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2012.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2012] [Revised: 12/04/2012] [Accepted: 12/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder in the intestine which involves overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and excessive functions of inflammatory cells. However, current treatments for IBD may have potential adverse effects including steroid dependence, infections and lymphoma. Therefore new therapies or drug candidates for the treatment of IBD are desperately needed. In the present study we found that icariin, a major bioactive compound from plants in Epimedium family, exerted protective effect on intestinal inflammation in mice induced by dextran sulfate sodium. Oral administration of icariin significantly attenuated the disease progression and alleviated the pathological changes of colitis. It also inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and expression of p-p65, p-STAT1 and p-STAT3 in colon tissues. Further study showed that icariin dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation and activation of T lymphocytes, and suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine levels of activated T cells. Moreover, icariin treatment inhibited the phosphorylations of STAT1 and STAT3 in CD4(+) T cells, which were the crucial transcription factors for Th1 and Th17 respectively. Taken together, these results indicate that icariin is a potential therapeutic agent for IBD.
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Zhang H, Liu B, Wu J, Xu C, Tao J, Duan X, Cao Y, Dong J. Icariin inhibits corticosterone-induced apoptosis in hypothalamic neurons via the PI3-K/Akt signaling pathway. Mol Med Rep 2012; 6:967-72. [PMID: 22923091 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2012.1041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2012] [Accepted: 08/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive corticosterone (CORT) is acknowledged to induce neuronal damage in a number of regions of the brain, particularly the hippocampus, the main area implicated in depression. However, little research has been conducted on alterations to hypothalamic neurons in depression and the cellular and molecular basis for these changes. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether CORT causes apoptosis in primary cultured hypothalamic neurons, and to investigate the protective effects of icariin, an active natural ingredient from the Chinese plant, Epimedium sagittatum Maxim. Our study demonstrates that exposure of hypothalamic neurons to CORT causes a significant loss in viability, a significant decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, an increase in caspase-3 activity, an elevation in intracellular reactive oxygen species elevation and decreased superoxide dismutase activity. However, pretreatment of cells with icariin prior to CORT exposure was identified to noticeably suppress these CORT-induced events. Furthermore, icariin may prevent CORT-induced cell death via activation of the PI3-K/Akt pathway. In conclusion, icariin is able to prevent CORT-induced hypothalamic cell apoptosis via activation of the PI3-K/Akt pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongying Zhang
- Laboratory of Lung, Inflammation and Cancers, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, PR China
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Effects of a putative antidepressant with a rapid onset of action in defeated mice with different coping strategies. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2012; 38:317-27. [PMID: 22561232 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2012.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2011] [Revised: 04/22/2012] [Accepted: 04/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
There is evidence suggesting that stressful social events may result in depressive-like disorders, but the development of these disorders depend on the way in which people cope with stress. Although antidepressants are useful their drawback is a delay in the therapeutic effects, moreover not all the patients show an adequate response to this treatment. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of RS 67333, which is a 5-HT(4) receptor partial agonist and a putative antidepressant which exhibits a rapid onset of action and to determine whether this drug reverses the behavioural and physiological effects that are generated by chronic defeat in subjects who manifest a more vulnerable profile in their response to stress. Male mice were exposed to defeat for 21 consecutive days using a sensorial contact model. After 18 days of defeat, 2 groups of subjects were established, active and passive, in accordance with the behaviour that was manifested during social confrontation, and drug treatment was initiated for 5 days. Finally, the animals were subjected to a forced swimming test (FST). The results revealed higher corticosterone levels in passive mice after the last defeat. Additionally, 3 days after the last defeat, they showed lower corticosterone levels and higher splenic IL-6 and TNF-α levels and hypothalamic GR mRNA levels when compared to their active and manipulated control counterparts. Passive mice had higher 5-HT(1A) receptor mRNA levels than the manipulated controls and a lower MR/GR ratio than active mice. Similar to stress, the drug increased hypothalamic GR mRNA levels, but it did not affect other measured physiological variables or social behaviour, which suggested that the mechanism of this drug is not the most adequate for reversing stress-induced effects in this model. Nevertheless, the treatment increased swimming and decreased immobility in the FST, suggesting an antidepressant potential for this drug.
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Chen Y, Huang JH, Ning Y, Shen ZY. [Icariin and its pharmaceutical efficacy: research progress of molecular mechanism]. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 9:1179-84. [PMID: 22088582 DOI: 10.3736/jcim20111104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Icariin is one of the key active components of Epimedium species, which is most widely applied to supplement the kidney in traditional Chinese medicine. Scientific research has found that icariin possesses extensive therapeutic effects such as protecting neurons from injury, promoting growth of neuronal synapse, improving sexual dysfunction and bone morphogenesis, as well as anti-inflammation, anti-tumor and anti-depression functions. Considering that molecular mechanism is the fundamental basis for pharmaceutical efficacy of icariin, in this article, the authors retrospectively retrieved 122 scientific papers recorded in the PubMed database with "icariin" in the title from January 1, 1995 to January 5, 2011. It was found that icariin has been closely highlighted in the intervention of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signal pathways, inhibition of phosphodiesterase 5, and regulation of nuclear receptors. Besides, the authors also discussed the main orientation for molecular mechanism of icariin in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Chen
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
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