Can Hedysari Radix replace Astragali Radix in Danggui Buxue Tang, a Chinese herbal decoction for woman aliment?

Danggui Buxue Tang improves therapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin in triple negative breast cancer via ferroptosis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) has been used for over 800 years to enhance Qi and nourish Blood, and it is particularly beneficial for cancer patients. Recent research has shown that combining DBT with chemotherapy agents leads to superior anti-cancer effects, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a combination therapy involving doxorubicin (DOX) and Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vitro experiments were performed using MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells, while in vivo experiments were carried out using MDA-MB-231 xenograft mice. The therapeutic effects of the combination therapy were evaluated using various techniques, including MTT assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, transwell assay, immunofluorescence, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), histological analysis, western blotting, and bioluminescence assay.

RESULTS

DBT was found to enhance DOX's anti-TNBC activity in vitro by promoting ferroptosis, as evidenced by the observed mitochondrial morphological changes using TEM. The combination therapy was also found to reduce the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and GPX4, which are all targets for ferroptosis induction, while simultaneously increasing ROS production. Additionally, the combination therapy reduced nuclear accumulation and constitutive activation of Nrf2, which is a significant cause of chemotherapy resistance and promotes cancer growth. In vivo experiments using an MDA-MB-231 xenograft animal model revealed that the combination therapy significantly reduced tumor cell proliferation and accelerated TNBC deaths by modulating the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 axis, with no evidence of tissue abnormalities. Moreover, the combination therapy exhibited a liver protective effect, and administration of Fer-1 was able to reduce the ROS formation produced by the DBT + DOX combination therapy.

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence that the combination therapy of DOX and DBT has the potential to treat TNBC by promoting ferroptosis through the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 axis.

Identifications of metabolic differences between Hedysari Radix Praeparata Cum Melle and Astragali Radix Praeparata Cum Melle for spleen-qi deficiency rats: A comparative study

Hedysari Radix Praeparata Cum Melle (HRPCM) and Astragali Radix Praeparata Cum Melle (ARPCM) are capable of improving spleen-qi deficiency (SQD) syndrome especially in the gastrointestinal dysfunction and decreased immunity in traditional Chinese medicine clinically. This study aims to compare and reveal the metabolic differences between HRPCM and ARPCM for SQD rats. Firstly, HRPCM (12.6 g/kg) and ARPCM (12.6 g/kg) were used to intervene SQD rats to further evaluate the effect. The results showed that HRPCM and ARPCM were able to improve the spleen pathology, increase the body weight, the rectal temperature, the spleen index, the thymus index, the levels of GAS and D-xylose in serum, and decrease the levels of IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-α in serum for SQD rats. Then, the studies of metabolic differences in serum and spleen were carried out using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. The findings emphasized that HRPCM and ARPCM not only regulated metabolic profiling of serum and spleen in SQD rats, but also existed differences. HRPCM and ARPCM regulated metabolic pathways mainly including lipid metabolism, energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, sugar metabolism and other types of metabolism for SQD rats. However, the metabolite profiles in SQD rats changed significantly, mainly involving abnormal glycine synthesis occurred in SQD rats. The expression trends of metabolites in HRPCM and ARPCM intervention for SQD rats were partly the same. Interestingly, there are similarities and differences in metabolic profiling between HRPCM and ARPCM for SQD rats. The differences were mainly in the synthesis of L-glutamine in amino acid metabolism.

Investigation of facile spectroscopic approaches for rapid calycosin determination in invitro biological samples and pharmaceuticals; application to the content uniformity of capsules

Calycosin, the major bioactive isoflavonoid inAstragali Radix and an important anti-viral drug with a variety of pharmacological actions, is being determined by five different spectroscopic methods. Two spectrophotometric methods have been investigated including measuring the absorption spectra at λ^max = 270 nm and the first derivative spectra at λ = 288 nm for methods I and II, respectively. For the first time; the native fluorescence of calycosin is measured without adding any reagents. The fluorescence intensity was measured at 340 nm after excitation at 282 nm in method III. The fourth method involves the direct measuring of a first derivative spectrofluorimetric emission peak at 292 nm. In method V synchronous fluorescence spectra were recorded in methanol at Δλ = 70 nm. The linear range for the fluorescence-based methods was 0.05-1.0 µg/mL and for the UV-based methods was 0.5-10.0 µg/mL. The methods were validated per International Council of Harmonization (ICHQ2R1) guidelines. The limits of detection were found to be down to 0.11 and 0.12 µg/mL for the spectrophotometric methods, and 15.0, 18.0,16.0 ng/ mL, for the spectrofluorimetric approaches respectively, representing the high sensitivity. Accordingly, this permitted the quantitation of calycosin in spiked human plasma samples with satisfactory percentage recoveries (94.50.-102.50 %). The methods were utilized for calycosin analysis in different matrices including plasma and capsules with high precision and accuracy.

Comparative study on the gastrointestinal- and immune- regulation functions of Hedysari Radix Paeparata Cum Melle and Astragali Radix Praeparata cum Melle in rats with spleen-qi deficiency, based on fuzzy matter-element analysis

CONTEXT

Hedysari Radix Praeparata Cum Melle (HRPCM) and Astragali Radix Praeparata Cum Melle (ARPCM) are used interchangeably in clinics to treat spleen-qi deficiency (SQD) symptom mainly including gastrointestinal dysfunction and decreased immunity, which has unknown differences in efficacy.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the differences between HRPCM and ARPCM on intervening gastrointestinal- and immune-function with SQD syndrome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After the SQD model was established, the Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into nine groups (n = 10): normal; model; Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi Pills; 18.9, 12.6 and 6.3 g/kg dose groups of HRPCM and ARPCM. Gastrointestinal function including d-xylose, gastrin, amylase vasoactive intestinal peptide, motilin, pepsin, H⁺/K⁺-ATPase, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, sodium-glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1), glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) and immune function including spleen and thymus index, blood routine, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), immunoglobulin (Ig) M, IgA, IgG and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) were detected. Finally, the efficacy differences were analysed comprehensively by the fuzzy matter-element method.

RESULTS

In regulating immune, the doses differences in efficacy between HRPCM and ARPCM showed in the high-dose (18.9 g/kg), but there were no differences in the middle- and low- dose (12.6 and 6.37 g/kg); the efficacy differences were primarily reflected in levels of IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IgM in serum, and the mRNA expression of IL-6 and IFN-γ in the spleen. In regulating gastrointestinal, the efficacy differences were primarily reflected in the levels of D-xylose, MTL, and GAS in serum, and the mRNA and protein expression of SGLT1 and GLUT2 in jejunum and ileum.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

HRPCM is more effective than ARPCM on regulating gastrointestinal function and immune function with SQD syndrome. Therefore, we propose that HRPCM should be mainly used to treat SQD syndrome in the future.

Anti-angiogenesis Function of Ononin via Suppressing the MEK/Erk Signaling Pathway

Angiogenesis is a complicated pathological process and plays an important role in modulating tumor development. Flavonoids, sharing the basic functional group with estrogen, have been utilized as chemopreventive agents to inhibit endothelial cell angiogenesis and also suppress tumor cell proliferation. Ononin, also referred to as formononetin-7-O-β-d-glucoside, is one of the bioactive chemicals found within many functional food or plants. The anticancer functions of ononin have been reported both in vitro and in vivo. However, the anti-angiogenetic properties of ononin have not been reported. The possible efficacies of ononin against angiogenesis was verified in cultured endothelial cells. Ononin suppressed vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced HUVEC migration, invasion. and tube formation activity after 48 h. The apoptosis rate and specific markers, i.e., Bax/Bc-2 ratio, cleaved caspase 3/9 (Cl-caspase 3/9), and cytochrome c (Cyto c), were enhanced in the ononin-treated group. On the other hand, the protein expressions levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) were restricted after ononin treatment for 2 days in VEGF-pretreated endothelial cells. In summary, ononin acts as a candidate for angiogenetic-related disease prevention and treatment.

Pharmaceutical Values of Calycosin: One Type of Flavonoid Isolated from Astragalus

Astragalus is a popular Materia Medica in China, and it could be applied in the treatment of various diseases. It contains a variety of chemically active ingredients, such as saponins, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. Plant-derived bioactive chemicals are considered natural, safe, and beneficial. Among the infinite plant-identified and isolated molecules, flavonoids have been reported to have positive effects on human health. Calycosin is the most important active flavonoid substance identified predominantly within this medicinal plant. In recent years, calycosin has been reported to have anticancer, antioxidative, immune-modulatory, and estrogenic-like properties. This review collected recent relevant literatures on calycosin and summarized its potential pharmaceutical properties and working mechanism involved, which provided solid basis for future clinical research.

Fermentation of Danggui Buxue Tang, an ancient Chinese herbal mixture, together with Lactobacillus plantarum enhances the anti-diabetic functions of herbal product

Background

Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), an ancient Chinese herbal decoction containing Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix at a ratio of 5: 1, is prescribed for menopausal women. Flavonoids and its flavonoid glycosides are considered as the major active ingredients within the herbal decoction; however, their amount is not controllable during the preparation. Besides, the aglycons within DBT are believed to have better gut absorption and pharmacological efficacy.

Methods

The herbal extract of DBT was fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum. The amounts of flavonoid glucosides and its aglycones in the fermented product were analyzed by using UPLC-MS/MS. In addition, in vitro assays were employed to evaluate the efficacy of the fermented DBT in regulating the activities of α-glucosidase, α-amylase and lipase, as well as their antioxidant capacity (DPPH and T-AOC assays) and anti-glycation property (BSA-methylglyoxal, BSA-fructose, and arginine-methylglyoxal models).

Results

The fermentation of DBT with L. plantarum drove a completed conversion of calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside and ononin to calycosin and formononetin, respectively. The chemical transformation could be probably mediated by β-glycosidase within the fermented product. Several in vitro assays corresponding to anti-diabetic functions were compared between parental DBT against its fermented product, which included the activities against α-glucosidase, α-amylase and lipase, as well as anti-oxidation and anti-glycation. The fermented DBT showed increased activities in inhibiting α-glycosidase, suppressing DPPH radical-scavenging and anti-glycation, as compared to the original herbal product.

Conclusion

These results suggested that DBT being fermented with the probiotic L. plantarum could pave a new direction for fermentation of herbal extract, as to strengthen its pharmacological properties in providing health benefits.

Metabolomic Determination of Specialized Metabolites Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry in the Traditional Chinese Medicines Astragali Radix and Hedysari Radix

The Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) Astragali Radix (AR) derived from Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao and A. membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge., and Hedysari Radix (HR) derived from Hedysarum polybotrys Hand.-Mazz. (family Leguminosae) are well-known for increasing the tonic effects on “Qi.” A better insight into the specialized (secondary) metabolites is essential to understand the effects of TCM; however, such metabolites remain largely unknown. Here, we performed a metabolomics-based analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in 3 plant tissues—periderm, phloem, and xylem—to identify potential bioactive metabolites. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed 29 metabolites showing a significant difference between groups and 10 biomarker candidates of AR and HR. An anti-inflammatory assay showed that the xylem of both AR and HR and the phloem of HR showed higher anti-inflammatory activity than the positive control quercetin in terms of nitric oxide inhibition.

Effects of Astragalus Combined with Angelica on Bone Marrow Hematopoiesis Suppression Induced by Cyclophosphamide in Mice

Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a combination of Astragalus and Angelica at a 5 : 1 ratio, mainly promotes hematopoiesis. However, in the clinic, the combination ratio of Astragalus and Angelica to treat low hematopoietic function is not an absolute 5 : 1 ratio, suggesting that the herbs may promote hematopoiesis better after being combined at a certain range of ratios. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of different ratio combinations of Astragalus and Angelica on bone marrow hematopoiesis suppression induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX) and to probe the interaction and mechanism of Astragalus combined with Angelica in promoting hematopoiesis. Following establishment of the model, mice were administered with Astragalus (6.00 g·kg^-1), Angelica (3.00 g·kg^-1), and combinations of Astragalus and Angelica at different ratios, including 10 : 1 (Astragalus 9.81 g·kg^-1+Angelica 0.98 g·kg^-1), 5 : 1 (Astragalus 9.00 g·kg^-1+Angelica 1.80 g·kg^-1), 2 : 1 (Astragalus 7.71 g·kg^-1+Angelica 3.08 g·kg^-1), 1 : 1 (Astragalus 5.40 g·kg^-1+Angelica 5.40 g·kg^-1), 1 : 2.5 (Astragalus 3.08 g·kg^-1+Angelica 7.71 g·kg^-1), 1 : 5 (Astragalus 1.80 g·kg^-1+Angelica 9.00 g·kg^-1), and 1 : 10 (Astragalus 0.98 g·kg^-1+Angelica 9.81 g·kg^-1). Our results suggested that Astragalus mixed with Angelica synergistically promoted hematopoiesis best when the combination ratio of Astragalus and Angelica was 1 : 1, 1 : 2.5 or 1 : 5; moreover, the effect of Angelica was greater than that of Astragalus. The potential mechanisms of the combinations of Astragalus and Angelica that promote hematopoiesis include the dissolution of the effective components, promoting the synthesis and secretion of hematopoietic growth factor (HGF) and the proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs).

Estrogenic Potentials of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Estrogen, a steroid hormone, is associated with several human activities, including environmental, industrial, agricultural, pharmaceutical and medical fields. In this review paper, estrogenic activity associated with traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) is discussed first by focusing on the assays needed to detect estrogenic activity (animal test, cell assay, ligand-binding assay, protein assay, reporter-gene assay, transcription assay and yeast two-hybrid assay), and then, their sources, the nature of activities (estrogenic or anti-estrogenic, or other types), and pathways/functions, along with the assay used to detect the activity, which is followed by a summary of effective chemicals found in or associated with TCM. Applications of estrogens in TCM are then discussed by a comprehensive search of the literature, which include basic study/pathway analysis, cell functions, diseases/symptoms and medicine/supplements. Discrepancies and conflicting cases about estrogenicity of TCM among assays or between TCM and their effective chemicals, are focused on to enlarge estrogenic potentials of TCM by referring to omic knowledge such as transcriptome, proteome, glycome, chemome, cellome, ligandome, interactome and effectome.

Danggui Buxue Tang (Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix) for menopausal symptoms: A review

BACKGROUND

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has contributed greatly to human health in past several thousand years. Today, the development of TCM is facing two obstacles: (i) quality control of herbal extract; and (ii) action mechanisms not known.

OBJECTIVES

Among thousands of complex TCM formulations, Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) is the simplest one. DBT is used to treat ailments in women and contains only two herbs, Astragali Radix (Huangqi; AR) and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui; ASR). The weight ratio of AR to ASR in DBT must be 5:1, as stipulated in AD 1247. By using DBT as a model formula, we develop a strategy to reveal the complexity of a traditional TCM formula.

RESULTS

There are 3 levels of research directions: (i) the preparation of DBT and its rationale behind; (ii) the traditional theory of DBT is elucidated by chemical and biological determinations; and (iii) the action mechanisms of DBT are revealed.

CONCLUSION

Through the chemical, biological, genomic and proteomic studies, a possible direction in resolving the preparation mythologies, pharmacological and mechanistic analyses of a TCM decoction is being proposed here.

Ferulic Acid Orchestrates Anti-Oxidative Properties of Danggui Buxue Tang, an Ancient Herbal Decoction: Elucidation by Chemical Knock-Out Approach

Ferulic acid, a phenolic acid derived mainly from a Chinese herb Angelica Sinensis Radix (ASR), was reported to reduce the formation of free radicals. Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a herbal decoction composing of Astragali Radix (AR) and ASR, has been utilized for more than 800 years in China having known anti-oxidative property. Ferulic acid is a major active ingredient in DBT; however, the role of ferulic acid within the herbal mixture has not been resolved. In order to elucidate the function of ferulic acid within this herbal decoction, a ferulic acid-depleted herbal decoction was created and named as DBT_Δfa. The anti-oxidative properties of chemically modified DBT decoction were systemically compared in cultured H9C2 rat cardiomyoblast cell line. The application of DBT and DBT_Δfa into the cultures showed functions in (i) decreasing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, detected by laser confocal; (ii) increasing of the activation of Akt; (iii) increasing the transcriptional activity of anti-oxidant response element (ARE); and (iv) increasing the expressions of anti-oxidant enzymes, i.e. NQO1 and GCLM. In all scenario, the aforementioned anti-oxidative properties of DBT_Δfa in H9C2 cells were significantly reduced, as compared to authentic DBT. Thus, ferulic acid could be an indispensable chemical in DBT to orchestrate multi-components of DBT as to achieve maximal anti-oxidative functions.

The estrogenic properties of Danggui Buxue Tang, a Chinese herbal decoction, are triggered predominantly by calycosin in MCF-7 cells

BACKGROUND

Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a Chinese herbal decoction containing Astragali Radix (AR; roots of Astragalus memebranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge var. mongholicus (Bunge) Hsiao) and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR; roots of Angelica sinensis Oliv.) at a weight ratio of 5:1, is used to improve menopausal syndromes in women. Several lines of evidence indicate that DBT has strong estrogenic property; however, the action mechanism of this herbal decoction is not known. Calycosin, a major flavonoid in AR, shares similar structure with β-estradiol, and thus which is hypothesized to be the key compound of DBT in responsible for such estrogenic properties.

AIMS

We aimed to determine the role of calycosin in DBT in terms of its estrogenic functions by the creation of calycosin-depleted DBT (DBTΔcal) and calycosin-added DBT (DBT+cal) herbal extracts.

METHODS

The signalings triggered by DBT∆cal, DBT+cal, and parental DBT were compared in cultured MCF-7 cells by determining: (i) the activation of estrogen responsive element; (ii) the phosphorylation of estrogen receptor α (ERα); and (iii) the phosphorylation of Erk1/2. The DBT-induced responses were in dose- and/or time-dependent manners.

RESULTS

The estrogenic signals triggered by DBT were markedly reduced in DBTΔcal, and in contrast the addition of calycosin in DBT, i.e. DBT+cal, enhanced the responses by 2-5 folds; however, calycosin alone did not show such properties. In parallel, the DBT-induced responses could be significantly blocked by inhibitors for estrogen receptor and mitogen activated protein kinases.

CONCLUSION

Thus, we hypothesize that calycosin is an indispensable chemical in DBT, and which plays a linker in orchestrating multi-components of DBT as to achieve the maximal estrogenic functions. These discoveries should be invaluable in drug development and in investigating the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine from a new perspective.

Calycosin orchestrates the functions of Danggui Buxue Tang, a Chinese herbal decoction composing of Astragali Radix and Angelica Sinensis Radix: An evaluation by using calycosin-knock out herbal extract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) is a classical Chinese herbal decoction containing two herbs, Astragali Radix (AR) and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR), which serves as dietary supplement for treating women menopausal syndromes. Pharmacological studies indicate that DBT has estrogenic, erythropoietic and osteogenic properties; however, the action mechanism for this complex herbal decoction is not known. Calycosin, a major flavonoid in AR, shares similar structure with β-estradiol, and thus which is hypothesized to be the critical compound of DBT. Here, we aim to investigate the role of calycosin in DBT in terms of its biological functions by using a calycosin-depleted DBT decoction (DBT(Δcal)). The biological functions of DBT(Δcal) and parental DBT were systematically compared.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In order to standardize DBT decoction, four chemical markers were determined and quantified by HPLC. A semi-preparative HPLC method was utilized to prepare DBT(Δcal). The authenticity of DBT(Δcal) was evaluated by LC-QQQ-MS/MS. To reveal the effect of calycosin on DBT functions, several cell assays related to the known properties of DBT were revealed, including estrogenic, erythropoietic and osteogenic functions.

RESULTS

As compared to parental DBT, the estrogenic, erythropoietic and osteogenic abilities were markedly reduced in DBT(Δcal). However, calycosin alone did not show significant responses.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that calycosin is a bioactive chemical in DBT decoction, and which could play a key linker in orchestrating multi-components of DBT as to achieve maximal functions. These discoveries should be invaluable in drug development and in investigating the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine from a new perspective.

Identification of Angelica oil as a suppressor for the biological properties of Danggui Buxue Tang: a Chinese herbal decoction composes of Astragali Radix and Angelica Sinensis Radix

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a Chinese herbal decoction commonly used in treating women׳s ailments, contains two herbs: Angelica Sinensis Radix (ASR) and Astragali Radix (AR). Traditionally, ASR had to be pre-treated with yellow wine before the herbal preparation, which reduced the amount of volatile oil in water extract of ASR and DBT, and meanwhile the volatile oil-reduced DBT processed better bioactivities in cell cultures. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of volatile oil from ASR (Angelica oil) on the solubility of AR-derived ingredients and the biological properties of DBT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To standardize Angelica oil, four marker chemicals in ASR were determined by GC-QQQ-MS/MS. Subsequently, fifteen gram of AR was boiled with different amounts of Angelica oil. The amounts of astragaloside IV, calycosin, formononetin, total polysaccharides, total saponins and total flavonoids, all derived from AR, were extracted and determined by HPLC-UV/ELSD. To reveal the effect of Angelica oil on DBT functions, several cell assays related to the traditional functions of DBT were selected, including anti-platelet aggregation, induction of NO production, hematopoetic, estrogenic and osteogenic properties.

RESULTS

The inclusion of Angelica oil in AR during preparation significantly decreased the amount of AR-derived astragaloside IV, calycosin, formononetin, total saponins and total flavonoids in the final water extract. In parallel, an inclusion of Angelica oil caused a decrease of DBT׳s estrogenic and hematopoetic activities in cultured cells. Moreover, the Angelica oil decreased DBT-induced cell proliferation of cultured MG-63 and endothelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that Angelica oil was a negative regulator for DBT chemically and biologically, which supported the traditional practice of preparing DBT by using the wine-treated ASR.

Chemical profile analysis and comparison of two versions of the classic TCM formula Danggui Buxue Tang by HPLC-DAD-ESI-IT-TOF-MSn

Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula primarily used to treat symptoms associated with menopause in women. Usually, DBT is composed of one portion of Radix Angelicae Sinensis (RAS) and five portions of Radix Astragali (RA). Clinically, Radix Hedysari (RH) is sometimes used by TCM physicians to replace RA in DBT. In order to verity whether the chemical constituents of the DBT1 (RA:RAS = 5:1, w/w) and DBT2 (RH:RAS = 5:1, w/w) share similarities the chemical profiles of the two DBTs crude extracts and urine samples were analyzed and compared with the aid of HPLC-DAD-ESI-IT-TOF-MSⁿ, which determines the total ion chromatogram (TIC) and multi-stage mass spectra (MSⁿ). Then, the DBT1 and DBT2 were identified and compared on the basis of the TIC and the MSⁿ. In the first experiment (with crude extracts), 69 compounds (C1–C69) were identified from the DBT1; 46 compounds (c1–c46) were identified from the DBT2. In the second experiment(with urine samples), 44 compounds (M1–M44) were identified from the urine samples of rats that had been administered DBT1, and 34 compounds (m1–m34) were identified from the urine samples of rats that had been administered DBT2. Identification and comparison of the chemical compositions were carried out between the DBT1 and DBT2 of the crude extracts and urine samples respectively. Our results showed that the two crude extracts of the DBTs have quite different chemical profiles. The reasons for their differences were that the special astragalosides in DBT1 and the isoflavonoid glycosides formed the malonic acid esters undergo single esterification and acetyl esters undergo acetylation in DBT1. In contrast, the urine from DBT1-treated rats strongly resembled that of DBT2-treated rats. These metabolites originate mainly from formononetin, calycosin and their related glycosides, and they were formed mainly by the metabolic process of reduction, deglycosylation, demethylation, hydrogenation and sulfation. The HPLC-DAD-ESI-IT-TOF-MSⁿ method was successfully applied for the rapid chemical profiles evaluation of two DBTs and their related urine samples.

The volatile oil of Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma inhibits the oxidative stress-induced cell injury via reactive oxygen species scavenging and Akt activation in H9c2 cardiomyocyte

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma (NRR; the root and rhizome of Nardostachys jatamansi DC.) is a well-known medicinal herb widely used in Chinese, Uyghur and Ayurvedic medicines for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. The oxidative stress-induced cardiomyocyte loss is the major pathogenesis of heart disorders. Here, the total volatile oil of NRR was isolated, and its function in preventing the cell death of cardiomyocyte was demonstrated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cyto-protective effect of volatile oil of NRR against tBHP-induced H9c2 cardiomyocyte injury was measured by MTT assay. A promoter-report construct (pARE-Luc) containing four repeats of antioxidant response element (ARE) was applied to study the transcriptional activation of ARE. The amounts of phase ΙΙ antioxidant enzymes were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymer chain reaction (qPCR) upon the volatile oil treatment at 30 μg/mL for 24 h. The activation of Akt pathway was analyzed by western blot.

RESULTS

In cultured H9c2 cardiomyocytes, application of NRR volatile oil exhibited strong potency in preventing tBHP-induced cell death and accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the application of NRR volatile oil in cultures stimulated the gene expressions of self-defense antioxidant enzymes, which was mediated by the transcriptional activation of antioxidant response element (ARE). The induced genes were glutathione S-transferase, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase, glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic and modulatory subunits. In addition, the volatile oil of NRR activated the phosphorylation of Akt in cultured H9c2 cells. The treatment of LY294002, an Akt inhibitor, significantly inhibited the volatile oil-mediated ARE transcriptional activity, as well as the cell protective effect of NRR oil.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrated that NRR volatile oil prevented the oxidative stress-induced cell death in H9c2 cells by (i) reducing intracellular ROS production, (ii) inducing antioxidant enzymes and (iii) activating Akt phosphorylation.