Dose-dependent target diversion of Danhong injection on the Glu-GLT-1/Gly-GlyRα dynamic balance module of cerebral ischemia

Network pharmacology combined with affinity ultrafiltration to elucidate the potential compounds of Shaoyao Gancao Fuzi Decoction for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Shaoyao Gancao Fuzi Decoction (SGFD), has been employed for thousands of years in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with remarkable clinical efficacy. However, the material basis underlying the effectiveness of SGFD still remains unclear.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This study aims to elucidate the material basis of SGFD through the application of network pharmacology and biological affinity ultrafiltration.

RESULTS

UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS was employed to characterize the components in SGFD, the identified 145 chemical components were mainly categorized into alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and monoterpenoids according to the structures. Network pharmacology method was utilized to identify potential targets and signaling pathways of SGFD in the RA treatment, and the anti-inflammatory and anti-RA effects of SGFD were validated through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Moreover, as the significant node in the pharmacology network, TNF-α, a classical therapeutic target in RA, was subsequent employed to screen the interacting compounds in SGFD via affinity ultrafiltration screening method, 6 active molecules (i.e.,glycyrrhizic acid, paeoniflorin, formononetin, isoliquiritigenin, benzoyl mesaconitine, and glycyrrhetinic acid) were exhibited significant interactions. Finally, the significant anti-inflammatory and anti-TNF-α effects of these compounds were validated at the cellular level.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, this study comprehensively elucidates the pharmacodynamic material basis of SGFD, offering a practical reference model for the systematic investigation of traditional Chinese medicine formulas.

Protective effect and mechanism of styrax on ischemic stroke rats: metabonomic insights by UPLC-Q/TOF-MS analysis

CONTEXT

Styrax is used for prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate styrax's anti-ischemic stroke protective effects and underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An ischemic-stroke rat model was established based on middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the following groups (n = 10) and administered intragastrically once a day for 7 consecutive days: sham, model, nimodipine (24 mg/kg), styrax-L (0.1 g/kg), styrax-M (0.2 g/kg) and styrax-H (0.4 g/kg). Neurological function, biochemical assessment, and ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS)-based serum metabonomics were used to elucidate styrax's cerebral protective effects and mechanisms. Pearson correlation and western blot analyses were performed to verify.

RESULTS

The addition of 0.4 g/kg styrax significantly reduced cerebral infarct volume and neurobehavioral abnormality score. Different doses of styrax also decrease MDA, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, and increase SOD and GSH-Px in ischemic-stroke rats (p < 0.05; MDA, p < 0.05 only at 0.4 g/kg dose). Biochemical indicators and metabolic-profile analyses (PCA, PLS-DA, and OPLS-DA) also supported styrax's protective effects. Endogenous metabolites (22) were identified in ischemic-stroke rats, and these perturbations were reversible via styrax intervention, which is predominantly involved in energy metabolism, glutathione and glutamine metabolism, and other metabolic processes. Additionally, styrax significantly upregulated phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase and glutaminase brain-tissue expression.

CONCLUSION

Styrax treatment could ameliorate ischemic-stroke rats by intervening with energy metabolism and glutamine metabolism. This can help us understand the mechanism of styrax, inspiring more clinical application and promotion.

Effects of Shenling Baizhu powder on pyrotinib-induced diarrhea: analysis of gut microbiota, metabonomics, and network pharmacology

BACKGROUND

Shenling Baizhu Powder (SBP) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, which has the good efficacy on gastrointestinal toxicity. In this study, we used gut microbiota analysis, metabonomics and network pharmacology to investigate the therapeutic effect of SBP on pyrotinib-induced diarrhea.

METHODS

24 Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, SBP group (3.6 g/kg /bid SBP for 10 days), pyrotinib model group (80 mg/kg/qd pyrotinib) and pyrotinib + SBP treatment group. A 16S rRNA sequencing was used to detect the microbiome of rat fecal bowel. Metabolic profiles were collected by non-targeted metabolomics and key metabolic pathways were identified using MetaboAnalyst 5.0. The antitumor effect of SBP on cells treated with pyrotinib was measured using a CCK-8 assay. Network pharmacology was used to predict the target and action pathway of SBP in treating pyrotinib-related diarrhea.

RESULTS

In vivo study indicated that SBP could significantly alleviate pyrotinib-induced diarrhea, reaching a therapeutic effect of 66.7%. SBP could regulate pyrotinib-induced microbiota disorder. LEfSe research revealed that the SBP could potentially decrease the relative abundance of Escherichia, Helicobacter and Enterobacteriaceae and increase the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae, Bacilli, Lactobacillales etc. In addition, 25-Hydroxycholesterol, Guanidinosuccinic acid, 5-Hydroxyindolepyruvate and cAMP were selected as potential biomarkers of SBP for pyrotinib-induced diarrhea. Moreover, Spearman's analysis showed a correlation between gut microbiota and metabolite: the decreased 25-hydroxycholesterol in the pyrotinib + SBP treatment group was negatively correlated with Lachnospiraceae while positively correlated with Escherichia and Helicobacter. Meanwhile, SBP did not affect the inhibitory effect of pyrotinib on BT-474 cells and Calu-3 cells in vitro. Also, the network analysis further revealed that SBP treated pyrotinib-induced diarrhea through multiple pathways, including inflammatory bowel disease, IL-17 signaling pathway, pathogenic Escherichia coli infection and cAMP signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

SBP could effectively relieve pyrotinib-induced diarrhea, revealing that intestinal flora and its metabolites may be involved in this process.

Computer-Aided Screening and Revealing Action Mechanism of Food-Derived Tripeptides Intervention in Acute Colitis

Food-derived tripeptides can relieve colitis symptoms; however, their alleviation mode has not been systematically evaluated as an alternative nutritional compound. This study aimed to reveal the potential mechanism of 8000 food-derived tripeptides against acute colitis using a computer-aided screening strategy. Forty-one potential hub targets related to colitis with a Fit score > 4.0 were screened to construct the protein-protein and protein-tripeptide network based on the PharmMapper database and STRING software (Ver. 11.5). In addition, 30 significant KEGG signaling pathways with p-values < 0.001 that the 41 hub targets mainly participated in were identified using DAVID software (Ver. 6.8), including inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and cell proliferation and differentiation-related signaling pathways, particularly in the Ras- and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. Furthermore, molecular docking was performed using the Autodock against majorly targeted proteins (AKT1, EGFR, and MMP9) with the selected 52 tripeptides. The interaction model between tripeptides and targets was mainly hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic interactions, and most of the binding energy of the tripeptide target was less than −7.13 kcal/mol. This work can provide valuable insight for exploring food-derived tripeptide mechanisms and therapeutic indications.

The add-on effects of Danhong injection among patients with ischemic stroke receiving Western medicines: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Danhong injection is widely used for treating ischemic stroke in China. However, its effects on ischemic stroke patients when given along with Western medicines (i.e., the add-on effect) were not well-established.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and three Chinese databases from inception to 20 July 2020 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the effects of Danhong injection as add-on therapy in patients with ischemic stroke. Pairs of trained reviewers independently screened for eligible studies, assessed risk of bias, and extracted the data. The outcomes were the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Score (NIHSS), Barthel index, activities of daily living (ADL), total cholesterol, and homocysteine (Hcy).

Results: Sixty-seven RCTs of 6594 patients with varying risk of bias were included. Compared with Western medicine alone, the addition of Danhong injection to Western medicine significantly lowered the NIHSS score (45 RCTs with 4565 patients; MD −4.21, 95% CI −4.96 to −3.46), total cholesterol (10 trials with 1019 patients; MD −1.14 mmol/L, 95% CI −1.57 to −0.72), and Hcy (four trials with 392 patients; MD −3.54 μmol/L, 95% CI −4.38 to −2.07). The addition of Danhong also increased the Barthel index (14 trials with 1270 patients; MD 8.71, 95% CI 3.68–13.74) and ADL (12 trials with 1114 patients; MD 14.48, 95% CI 9.04–19.92) scores. Subgroup analyses showed differential effects in the average cerebral blood flow rate by mean age of patients (<60 years: MD 0.74 cm/s, 95% CI 0.29–1.19; ≥60 years: MD 4.09 cm/s, 95% CI 2.02–6.16; interaction p = 0.002) and the NIHSS score by type of baseline Western medicines (interaction p < 0.00001).

Conclusion: The addition of Danhong injection to Western medicine may improve neurological function, self-care ability, and blood lipid level of ischemic stroke patients. However, given most included trials with unclear risk of bias, current evidence is not definitive, and more carefully designed and conducted trials are warranted to confirm our findings.

Systematic Review Registration: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/], identifier [CRD42022298628].

A multiomics and network pharmacological study reveals the neuroprotective efficacy of Fu-Fang-Dan-Zhi tablets against glutamate-induced oxidative cell death

Neuroprotective therapy after ischemic stroke remains a significant need, but current measures are still insufficient. The Fu-Fang-Dan-Zhi tablet (FFDZT) is a proprietary Chinese medicine clinically employed to treat ischemic stroke in the recovery period. This work aims to systematically investigate the neuroprotective mechanism of FFDZT. A systems strategy that integrated metabolomics, transcriptomics, network pharmacology, and in vivo and in vitro experiments was used. First, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model rats were treated with FFDZT. FFDZT treatment significantly reduced the infarct volume in the brains of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model rats. Then, samples of serum and brain tissue were taken for metabolomics and transcriptomics studies, respectively; gene expression profiles of MCF7 cells treated with FFDZT and its 4 active compounds (senkyunolide I, formononetin, drilodefensin, and tanshinone IIA) were produced for CMAP analysis. Computational analysis of metabolomics and transcriptomics results suggested that FFDZT regulated glutamate and oxidative stress-related metabolites (2-hydroxybutanoic acid and 2-hydroxyglutaric acid), glutamate receptors (NMDAR, KA, and AMPA), glutamate involved pathways (glutamatergic synapse pathway; d-glutamine and d-glutamate metabolism; alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism), as well as the reactive oxygen species metabolic process. CMAP analysis indicated that two active ingredients of FFDZT (tanshinone ⅡA and senkyunolide I) could act as glutamate receptor antagonists. Next, putative therapeutic targets of FFDZT's active ingredients identified in the brain were collected from multiple resources and filtered by statistical criteria and tissue expression information. Network pharmacological analysis revealed extensive interactions between FFDZT's putative targets, anti-IS drug targets, and glutamate-related enzymes, while the resulting PPI network exhibited modular topology. The targets in two of the modules were significantly enriched in the glutamatergic synapse pathway. The interactions between FFDZT's ingredients and important targets were verified by molecular docking. Finally, in vitro experiments validated the effects of FFDZT and its ingredients in suppressing glutamate-induced PC12 cell injury and reducing the generation of reactive oxygen species. All of our findings indicated that FFDZT's efficacy for treating ischemic stroke could be due to its neuroprotection against glutamate-induced oxidative cell death.

Action Mechanism of Zhuang Medicine Jin-mu Granules Against Chronic Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Explored Using Comprehensive Network Pharmacology and Metabolomics

Zhuang Medicine Jin-mu Granules (ZMJG) are prescriptions derived from the Zhuang nationality, which is the largest minority among 56 ethnic groups in China. They have been widely used in the treatment of chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (CPID) in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region for clearing away heat and toxins, removing dampness and poisoning. CPID is a common gynecological disease of female reproductive organs and surrounding tissues and is characterized by persistent and recurrent symptoms, causing serious physical and psychological damage to the patient. Preliminary research found that ZMJG have beneficial effects on CPID model rats, but the metabolic mechanism underlying their protective effects is unclear. In this study, we used the strategy of combining network pharmacology, pharmacodynamic, and metabolomic approaches to investigate the molecular mechanisms and potential targets of ZMJG for the treatment of CPID. First, a network diagram of “medicinal materials-components-targets-pathways” based on network pharmacology was constructed to obtain a preliminary understanding of the biologically active compounds and related targets of ZMJG and clarify their molecular mechanism in CPID. Subsequently, the in vivo efficacy of ZMJG was verified in a rat model. Furthermore, we analyzed the corresponding metabolomics profile to explore the differentially induced metabolic markers and elucidate the metabolic mechanism by which ZMJG treat CPID. The results show that the therapeutic effect of ZMJG on CPID is mediated through multiple pathways, metabolic pathways, and multi-component multi-target modes, providing a detailed theoretical basis for the development and clinical application of ZMJG and a new research idea for the treatment of CPID in Chinese medicine.

Integrated Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology Revealed Hong-Hua-Xiao-Yao Tablet's Effect of Mediating Hormone Synthesis in the Treatment of Mammary Gland Hyperplasia

Hong-Hua-Xiao-Yao Tablet (HHXYT) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula that has been approved for the treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia (MGH), but its mechanism of action is unclear. In this study, a strategy that integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology was applied to systemically reveal the mechanism of HHXYT in the treatment of MGH. Our pharmacodynamic study indicated that the proliferation of mammary gland was inhibited in rats, and serum-level disorder of estradiol and progesterone was reversed after HHXYT treatment. 54 compounds absorbed in rat plasma were identified after administration of HHXYT. The serum metabolome revealed 58 endogenous differential metabolites, of which 31% were steroid lipids metabolites, with steroid hormone biosynthesis being the most significant metabolic module. 7 targets, 6 herbs, and 17 ingredients were found to play key roles in HHXYT’s treatment of MGH. 3 of the 7 key targets (CYP11A1, HSD3B2, and CYP17A1) were directly involved in androgen synthesis, while 2 targets (AR and ESR1) were receptors for the direct action of androgens and estrogens. Molecular docking was utilized to confirm the bindings between the 5 targets and their corresponding compounds. In an in vitro test, HHXYT (50 µg/ml) and its ingredient formononetin (3.2, 6.3, and 12.5 µM) were found to significantly reduce the increase of testosterone level induced by dexamethasone (10 µM) in thecal cells. In summary, this study illustrated that the mechanism of HHXYT’s treatment of MGH was to regulate hormone disorder. HHXYT could reduce estrogen-stimulated hyperplasia by inhibiting the production of its precursor androgen.

DHI Increases the Proliferation and Migration of Schwann Cells Through the PI3K/AKT Pathway and the Expression of CXCL12 and GDNF to Promote Facial Nerve Function Repair

The facial nerve is one of the vulnerable nerves in otolaryngology. Repair and recovery of facial nerve injury have a high priority in clinical practice. The proliferation and migration of Schwann cells are considered of great significance in the process of nerve injury repair. Danhong injection (DHI), as a common drug for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, has been fully certified in neuroprotection research, but its role in facial nerve injury is still not clear. Our study found that DHI can promote the proliferation and migration of RSC96 cells, a Schwann cell line, and this effect is related to the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K, inhibits the proliferation and migration of RSC96 cells. Further studies have found that DHI can also promote the expression of CXCL12 and GDNF at gene and protein levels, and CXCL12 is, while GDNF is not, PI3K/AKT pathway-dependent. Animal experiments also confirmed that DHI could promote CXCL12 and GDNF expression and promote facial nerve function recovery and myelin regeneration. In conclusion, our in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that DHI could promote the proliferation and migration of Schwann cells through the PI3K/AKT pathway and increase the expression of CXCL12 and GDNF to promote facial nerve function repair.

Exploring biological basis of Syndrome differentiation in coronary heart disease patients with two distinct Syndromes by integrated multi-omics and network pharmacology strategy

Background

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is distinguished by Syndrome differentiation, which prescribes various formulae for different Syndromes of same disease. This study aims to investigate the underlying mechanism.

Methods

Using a strategy which integrated proteomics, metabolomics study for clinic samples and network pharmacology for six classic TCM formulae, we systemically explored the biological basis of TCM Syndrome differentiation for two typical Syndromes of CHD: Cold Congealing and Qi Stagnation (CCQS), and Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis (QSBS).

Results

Our study revealed that CHD patients with CCQS Syndrome were characterized with alteration in pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, while more extensively altered pathways including D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism; alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, were present in QSBS patients. Furthermore, our results suggested that the down-expressed PON1 and ADIPOQ might be potential biomarkers for CCQS Syndrome, while the down-expressed APOE and APOA1 for QSBS Syndrome in CHD patients. In addition, network pharmacology and integrated analysis indicated possible comorbidity differences between the two Syndromes, that is, CCQS or QSBS Syndrome was strongly linked to diabetes or ischemic stroke, respectively, which is consistent with the complication disparity between the enrolled patients with two different Syndromes. These results confirmed our assumption that the molecules and biological processes regulated by the Syndrome-specific formulae could be associated with dysfunctional objects caused by the Syndrome of the disease.

Conclusion

This study provided evidence-based strategy for exploring the biological basis of Syndrome differentiation in TCM, which sheds light on the translation of TCM theory in the practice of precision medicine.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13020-021-00521-3.

1. Our work was based on clinical samples rather than pure data analysis or animal models.

2. We conducted multiple omics studies. Especially, as for metabolomics study, we performed both untargeted and targeted metabolomics experiments.

3. We performed network pharmacological study to cross-validated the results of multi-omics study. Although the data sources of network pharmacology were completely unrelated with our omics data, they came to the same conclusion about the difference of the two Syndromes.

4. In the network pharmacological study, we made efforts to collect and screen high-quality data. We collected data from multiple TCM databases and conducted drug likeness screening. Especially, we added quality markers of each herb, whose pharmacological relevance had been validated. To enhance the reliability of targets, for each Syndrome, we only studied common targets of 3 different TCM formulae prescribed for this Syndrome.

Dose-Dependent Variation of Synchronous Metabolites and Modules in a Yin/Yang Transformation Model of Appointed Ischemia Metabolic Networks

Aim

Chinese medicine Danhong injection (DHI) is an effective pharmaceutical preparation for treating cerebral infarction. Our previous study shows that DHI can remarkably reduce the ischemic stroke-induced infarct volume in a dose-dependent manner, but the pharmacological mechanism of the DHI dose-dependent relationship is not clear. Therefore, the dose-dependent efficacy of DHI on cerebral ischemia and the underlying mechanisms were further investigated in this study.

Methods

A middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was established and the rats were randomly divided into six groups: sham, vehicle, DHI dose-1, DHI dose-2, DHI dose-3, and DHI dose-4. Forty-one metabolites in serum were selected as candidate biomarkers of efficacy phenotypes by the Agilent 1290 rapid-resolution liquid chromatography system coupled with the Agilent 6550 Q-TOF MS system. Then, the metabolic networks in each group were constructed using the Weighted Correlation Network analysis (WGCNA). Moreover, the Yang and Yin transformation of six patterns (which are defined by up- and downregulation of metabolites) and synchronous modules divided from a synchronous network were used to dynamically analyze the mechanism of the drug’s effectiveness.

Results

The neuroprotective effect of DHI has shown a dose-dependent manner, and the high-dose group (DH3 and DH4) effect is better. The entropy of the metabolic network and the Yin/Yang index both showed a consistent dose–response relationship. Seven dose-sensitive metabolites maintained constant inverse upregulation or downregulation in the four dose groups. Three synchronous modules for the DH1–DH4 full-course network were identified. Glycine, N-acetyl-L-glutamate, and tetrahydrofolate as a new emerging module appeared in DH2/DH3 and enriched in glutamine and glutamate metabolism-related pathways.

Conclusion

This study takes the DHI metabolic network as an example to provide a new method for the discovery of multiple targets related to pharmacological effects. Our results show that the three conservative allosteric module nodes, taurine, L-tyrosine, and L-leucine, may be one of the basic mechanisms of DHI in the treatment of cerebral infarction, and the other three new emerging module nodes glyoxylate, L-glutamate, and L-valine may participate in the glutamine and glutamate metabolism pathway to improve the efficacy of DHI.

The Ameliorative Effects of Arctiin and Arctigenin on the Oxidative Injury of Lung Induced by Silica via TLR-4/NLRP3/TGF-β Signaling Pathway

Silicosis remains one of the most serious diseases worldwide, with no effective drug for its treatment. Our research results have indicated that arctiin and arctigenin could increase the mitochondrial membrane potential, which in turn reduces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), blocks the polarization of macrophages, and inhibits the differentiation of myofibroblasts to reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis. Further, our study revealed that arctiin and arctigenin suppressed the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome through the TLR-4/Myd88/NF-κB pathway and the silica-induced secretion of TNF-α, IL-1β, TGF-β, and α-SMA. Besides, the silica-induced increase in the levels of serum ceruloplasmin and HYP was also inhibited. Results of metabolomics indicated that arctiin and arctigenin could regulate the abnormal metabolic pathways associated with the development of silicosis, which involve pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, cysteine and methionine metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, and arginine and proline metabolism successively. Furthermore, the analysis of metabolomics, together with network topological analysis in different phases of silicosis, revealed that urine myristic acid, serum 4-hydroxyproline, and L-arginine could be regarded as diagnosis biomarkers in the early phase and formation of pulmonary fibrosis in the latter phases of silicosis. Arctiin and arctigenin could downregulate the increased levels of myristic acid in the early phase and serum 4-hydroxyproline in the latter phase of silicosis. Interestingly, the integration of TLR-4/NLRP3/TGF-β signaling and metabolomics verified the importance of macrophage polarization in the silicosis fibrosis process. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting that arctiin and arctigenin both can ameliorate silicosis effectively, and the former is a little stronger than its aglycone arctigenin because of its high oral bioavailability, low toxicity, and multimolecular active metabolites as determined by AdmetSAR and molecular docking analysis.

Molecular evidence of herbal formula: a network-based analysis of Si-Wu decoction

INTRODUCTION

Emerging network pharmacology (NP) combines phytochemical information with bioinformatics tools allowing herbal formulae to be illustrated holistically in the context of phytochemical basis and therapeutic mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE

This study attempted to explore the holistic molecular evidence of herbal formula Si-Wu decoction (SWD) by using the method of NP.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Databases of traditional medicines combined with PubChem, SciFinder, SEA, STRING, and KEGG were employed to gather information for establishing the "compound similarity" (CS) network and the "target-(pathway)-target" (TPT) network. Gephi software was applied to visualise the networks, with further module-based and node-based network topological analysis. Moreover, the approved drugs and shortest path analysis were used to validate the TPT network.

RESULTS

The CS network presented the phytochemical profile of SWD, including the major compound groups of iridoid glycosides, glycosides, phthalide lactones, phenylpropanoids, and monoterpenoids. Furthermore, the topological analysis of TPT network depicted the holistic property of SWD in interpretable neuroendocrine immunomodulation (NIM) perspective, and the node degree analysis indicated a closer connection of SWD with endocrine or metabolism system. Moreover, by combing the analysis of the CS network and TPT network, potential active ingredients could be primarily identified.

CONCLUSION

The phytochemical profile and molecular target profile, which might pave the way for an understanding of SWD in modern science and provide a reference for relevant quality research and evaluation, were demonstrated by network analysis. Moreover, the methods could be further applied to discover the phytochemical or biomolecular evidence with distinct advantages in dealing with the tremendous separated information.

Potential targets and the action mechanism of food-derived dipeptides on colitis: network pharmacology and bioinformatics analysis

The present study provides an efficient method for screening food-derived dipeptides to attenuate colitis based on the network pharmacology and bioinformatics analysis.

Investigating the multi-target pharmacological mechanism of danhong injection acting on unstable angina by combined network pharmacology and molecular docking

Background

Danhong injection (DHI), which is one of the most well-known Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) injections, widely used to treat unstable angina (UA). However, its underlying pharmacological mechanisms need to be further clarified.

Methods

In the present study, network pharmacology was adopted. Firstly, the relative compounds were obtained by a wide-scaled literatures-mining and potential targets of these compounds by target fishing were collected. Then, we built the UA target database by DisGeNET, DigSee, TTD, OMIM. Based on data, protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed and screen the hub targets by topology. Furthermore, evaluation of the binding potential of key targets and compounds through molecular docking.

Results

The results showed that 12 ingredients of DHI and 27 putative known therapeutic targets were picked out. By systematic analysis, identified 4 hub targets (TNF, TLR4, NFKB1 and SERPINE1) mainly involved in the complex treating effects associated with coagulation and hemostasis, cell membrane region, platelet alpha granule, NF-kappa B signaling pathway and TNF signaling pathway.

Conclusion

The results of this study preliminarily explained the potential targets and signaling pathways of DHI in the treatment of UA, which may help to laid a good foundation for experimental research and further clinical application.

Pharmacokinetics of Active Ingredients of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Carthamus tinctorius in Compatibility in Normal and Cerebral Ischemia Rats: A Comparative Study

Background and Objective

Dan-Hong injection, which comprises extracts of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Carthamus tinctorius, promotes blood circulation and reduces blood stasis. Combination of S. miltiorrhiza and C. tinctorius is more effective in treating cerebral ischemia than S. miltiorrhiza alone. This study aimed to examine the pharmacokinetic characteristics of four active ingredients of S. miltiorrhiza and C. tinctorius, namely danshensu (DSS), hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), and salvianolic acid A (SAA) and B (SAB) in normal and cerebral ischemia rats.

Methods

Normal and cerebral ischemia rats were injected via the tail vein with each active ingredient, and blood was collected through the jaw vein at different time points. The plasma concentration of the compatibility group was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using Pharmacokinetic Kinetica 4.4 software.

Results

The pharmacokinetics of the four active ingredients in the normal and cerebral ischemia rats were consistent with a two-compartment model. The area under the concentration–time curve was higher in normal rats than in cerebral ischemia rats, with a highly significant difference for SAA (P < 0.01). Clearance rates were lower in normal rats than in cerebral ischemia rats, with DSS showing the most significant difference (P < 0.01). Furthermore, there were significant differences between normal and cerebral ischemia rats in the distribution phase-elimination half life for DSS, SAA, and HSYA, as well as in the apparent volume of distribution for the central compartment for DSS and HSYA (P < 0.01). The plasma concentrations of the four active ingredients were higher in normal rats than in cerebral ischemia rats.

Conclusion

Cerebral ischemia rats showed higher drug clearance rates and longer retention times than normal rats, which may be due to destruction of the blood–brain barrier during cerebral ischemia–reperfusion. The four active ingredients likely integrated and interacted with each other to affect target sites in the brain to protect against cerebral ischemic injury.

Berberine protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury: A review of evidence from animal models and clinical studies

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is accompanied with high morbidity and mortality and has seriously negative social and economic influences. Unfortunately, few effective therapeutic strategies are available to improve its outcome. Berberine is a natural medicine possessing multiple beneficial biological activities. Emerging evidence indicates that berberine has potential protective effects against I/R injury in brain, heart, kidney, liver, intestine and testis. However, up-to-date review focusing on the beneficial role of berberine against I/R injury is not yet available. In this paper, results from animal models and clinical studies are concisely presented and its mechanisms are discussed. We found that berberine ameliorates I/R injury in animal models via its anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects. Moreover, berberine also attenuates I/R injury by suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress and promoting autophagy. Additionally, regulation of periphery immune system may also contributes to the beneficial effect of berberine against I/R injury. Although clinical evidence is limited, the current studies indicate that berberine may attenuate I/R injury via inhibiting excessive inflammatory response in patients. Collectively, berberine might be used as an alternative therapeutic strategy for the management of I/R injury.

Identification of potential plasma biomarkers and metabolic dysfunction for unstable angina pectoris and its complication based on global metabolomics

Unstable angina pectoris (UA) is one of the most dangerous clinical symptoms of acute coronary syndrome due to the risk of myocardial ischemia, which can lead to high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Though there are many advantages in understanding the pathophysiology of UA, the identification of biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of UA remains a challenge in the clinic. A global metabolomics research based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) combined with Q-TOF/MS was performed to discover the metabolic profile of health controls, UA patients, and UA patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), and screen for potential biomarkers. Twenty-seven potential biomarkers were determined using pattern recognition. These biomarkers, which include free fatty acids, amino acids, lysoPE and lysoPC species, and organic acids, can benefit the clinical diagnosis of UA. Pathway analysis indicated that arginine and proline metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and purine metabolism were affected in the UA patients, uniquely. Additionally, alterations in the metabolic signatures between UA and UA-complicated DM were also explored. As a result, six differential metabolites with an area under the curve (AUC) of more than 0.85 were identified as biomarkers for the diagnosis of UA and UA complicated with DM. Pathway analysis implied tryptophan metabolism was a key metabolic pathway in UA patients with DM, which provides new insights into the pathological study and drug discovery of UA.

Danhong injection in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: Pharmacological actions, molecular mechanisms, and therapeutic potential

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are the main cause of mortality worldwide, currently with less than optimum therapeutic options. Danhong injection (DHI) is a medicinal preparation based on two eminent Chinese herbal medicines, Salviae Miltiorrhizae (Dan Shen; family: Lamiaceae) and Flos Carthami (Hong Hua; family: Compositae/Asteraceae). DHI has been mainly used in the clinical therapy of cardiovascular (such as acute coronary syndrome and angina pectoris) and cerebrovascular diseases (such as stroke) in China for many years. The pharmacological properties of DHI include anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-coagulatory, hypolipidemic, anti-apoptotic, vasodilatory, and angiogenesis-promoting actions. DHI offers a safe and effective therapeutic agent against cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases by modulating multiple disease-relevant signaling pathways and molecular targets. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of the phytochemistry, therapeutic effects, molecular mechanisms, and adverse reactions of DHI in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. We also highlight the latest pharmacological advances and therapeutic potential of this promising herb-derived cardiovascular drug preparation.