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Zhang H, Zhu C, Zhao J, Zheng R, Xing J, Li Z, Zhang Y, Xu Q. The enhanced hepatotoxicity of isobavachalcone in depigmented zebrafish due to calcium signaling dysregulation and lipid metabolism disorder. J Appl Toxicol 2024; 44:919-932. [PMID: 38400677 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4593] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Isobavachalcone (IBC) is a flavonoid component derived from Psoraleae Fructus that can increase skin pigmentation and treat vitiligo. However, IBC has been reported to be hepatotoxic. Current studies on IBC hepatotoxicity are mostly on normal organisms but lack studies on hepatotoxicity in patients. This study established the depigmented zebrafish model by using phenylthiourea (PTU) and investigated the difference in hepatotoxicity between normal and depigmented zebrafish caused by IBC and the underlying mechanism. Morphological, histological, and ultrastructural examination and RT-qPCR verification were used to evaluate the effects of IBC on the livers of zebrafish larvae. IBC significantly decreased liver volume, altered lipid metabolism, and induced pathological and ultrastructural changes in the livers of zebrafish with depigmentation compared with normal zebrafish. The RNA-sequencing and RT-qPCR results showed that the difference in hepatotoxicity between normal and depigmented zebrafish caused by IBC was closely related to the calcium signaling pathway, lipid decomposition and metabolism, and oxidative stress. This work delved into the mechanism of the enhanced IBC-induced hepatotoxicity in depigmented zebrafish and provided a new insight into the hepatotoxicity of IBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiwen Zhang
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, China
| | - Chengyue Zhu
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, China
| | - Jingcheng Zhao
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, China
- College of Medicine, Xin Jiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Ruifang Zheng
- Institute of Medicine of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
| | - Jianguo Xing
- Institute of Medicine of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
| | - Zhijian Li
- College of Medicine, Xin Jiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
- Hospital of Xin Jiang Traditional UYGMJR Medicine, Urumqi, China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, China
| | - Qian Xu
- Jinan Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
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Gao SY, Zhao JC, Xia Q, Sun C, Aili M, Talifu A, Huo SX, Zhang Y, Li ZJ. Evaluation of the hepatotoxicity of Psoralea corylifolia L. based on a zebrafish model. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1308655. [PMID: 38449808 PMCID: PMC10914953 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1308655] [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: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: Psoralea corylifolia L. (FP) has received increasing attention due to its potential hepatotoxicity. Methods: In this study, zebrafish were treated with different concentrations of an aqueous extract of FP (AEFP; 40, 50, or 60 μg/mL), and the hepatotoxic effects of tonicity were determined by the mortality rate, liver morphology, fluorescence area and intensity of the liver, biochemical indices, and pathological tissue staining. The mRNA expression of target genes in the bile acid metabolic signaling pathway and lipid metabolic pathway was detected by qPCR, and the mechanism of toxicity was initially investigated. AEFP (50 μg/mL) was administered in combination with FXR or a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) agonist/inhibitor to further define the target of toxicity. Results: Experiments on toxic effects showed that, compared with no treatment, AEFP administration resulted in liver atrophy, a smaller fluorescence area in the liver, and a lower fluorescence intensity (p < 0.05); alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and γ-GT levels were significantly elevated in zebrafish (p < 0.01), and TBA, TBIL, total cholesterol (TC), TG, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were elevated to different degrees (p < 0.05); and increased lipid droplets in the liver appeared as fatty deposits. Molecular biological validation revealed that AEFP inhibited the expression of the FXR gene, causing an increase in the expression of the downstream genes SHP, CYP7A1, CYP8B1, BSEP, MRP2, NTCP, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), ME-1, SCD-1, lipoprotein lipase (LPL), CPT-1, and CPT-2 and a decrease in the expression of PPARα (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that tonic acid extracts are hepatotoxic to zebrafish through the inhibition of FXR and PPARα expression, thereby causing bile acid and lipid metabolism disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Yan Gao
- Uyghur Medical Hospital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Ürümqi, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Evidence-Based and Translation, Hospital Preparation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ürümqi, China
| | - Jing-Cheng Zhao
- College of Pharmacy, Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China
| | - Qing Xia
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, China
| | - Chen Sun
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, China
| | - Maimaiti Aili
- Uyghur Medical Hospital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Ürümqi, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Evidence-Based and Translation, Hospital Preparation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ürümqi, China
| | - Ainiwaer Talifu
- Uyghur Medical Hospital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Ürümqi, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Evidence-Based and Translation, Hospital Preparation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ürümqi, China
| | - Shi-Xia Huo
- Uyghur Medical Hospital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Ürümqi, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Evidence-Based and Translation, Hospital Preparation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ürümqi, China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, China
| | - Zhi-Jian Li
- Uyghur Medical Hospital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Ürümqi, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Evidence-Based and Translation, Hospital Preparation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ürümqi, China
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Huang CS, Deng HF, Zhou L, Shen P, Ni YH, Wang NN, Li GF, Yue LX, Zhou YQ, Zhou W, Gao Y. Undesirable ER stress induced by bavachin contributed to follicular atresia in zebrafish ovary. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 166:115322. [PMID: 37586115 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Fructus psoraleae (FP) is a commonly used herb with potential reproductive toxicity. Bavachin (BV), one of essential active ingredients of FP, was found to exhibit estrogenic activity, but its effect on female reproductive system remains unknown. In this study, the impact of BV on the female zebrafish reproductive system and underlying molecular mechanism were determined in vivo and ex vivo. The results showed that BV could accumulate in zebrafish ovary, leading to obvious follicular atresia and increase in gonadal index and vitellogenin content. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) swelling and hypertrophy were observed in the BV-treated zebrafish ovary, accompanied by an increase in the expressions of ER stress and unfolded protein response (UPR) related genes, namely atf6, ire-1α and xbp1s. In the ex vivo study, BV was found to decrease the survival rate and maturation rate of oocytes, while increasing the expression of Ca2+. Additionally, BV led to an elevation in the level of estrogen receptor ESR1 and the expressions of genes involved in ER stress and UPR, including atf6, ire-1α, xbp1s, chop and perk. Moreover, molecular docking revealed that BV could directly bind to immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein (BiP) and estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1). Besides, the alterations induced by BV could be partially reversed by fulvestrant (FULV) and 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA), respectively. Thus, long-termed BV-containing medicine treatment could generate reproductive toxicity in female zebrafish by causing follicular atresia through BiP- and ESR-mediated ER stress and UPR, providing a potential target for the prevention of reproductive toxicity caused by BV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong-Shu Huang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Hui-Fang Deng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Lei Zhou
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Pan Shen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Yu-Hao Ni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Ning-Ning Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Gao-Fu Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Lan-Xin Yue
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Yong-Qiang Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China.
| | - Yue Gao
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China.
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Gao C, Liu C, Wei Y, Wang Q, Ni X, Wu S, Fang Y, Hao Z. The acute oral toxicity test of ethanol extract of salt-processed Psoraleae Fructus and its acute hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity risk assessment. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 309:116334. [PMID: 36863638 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Psoraleae Fructus is a well-known Traditional Chinese Medicine which has long been used to warm and tonify the kidney and treat diseases such as osteoporosis and diarrhea. However, it may cause multiorgan injury, which limited its use. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of this study was to identify the components of ethanol extract of salt-processed Psoraleae Fructus (EEPF) and systematically investigate its acute oral toxicity and the mechanism underlying its acute hepatotoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, the UHPLC-HRMS analysis was carried out for components identification. Followed by acute oral toxicity test in Kunming mice, which received oral gavage of EEPF from 3.85 to 78.00 g/kg. Body weight, organ indexes, biochemical analysis, morphology, histopathology, oxidative stress state, TUNEL, mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway were evaluated to study the EEPF-induced acute hepatotoxicity and its underlying mechanisms. RESULTS The results showed that 107 compounds such as psoralen and isopsoralen were identified in EEPF. And the acute oral toxicity test demonstrated the LD50 of EEPF was 15.95 g/kg in Kunming mice. The survival mice displayed non-significant difference in body weight compared with Control at the end of the observation period. And the organ indexes of heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney showed no significant difference. However, the morphological and histopathological changes of these organs in high-dose-groups mice indicated that the liver and kidney might be the main target toxic organs of EEPF, which showed hepatocyte degeneration with lipid droplets and protein cast in kidney. It could be confirmed by the significant increases of liver and kidney function parameters such as AST, ALT, LDH, BUN, and Crea. In addition, the oxidative stress markers, MDA in the liver and kidney was significantly increased while SOD, CAT, GSH-Px (only liver), and GSH were significantly decreased. Furthermore, EEPF increased the TUNEL-positive cells and the mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, ASC and GSDMD in liver with increased protein expression of IL-1β and IL-18. Notably, cell viability test showed that the specific inhibitor of Caspase-1 could reverse the Hep-G2 cell death induced by EEPF. CONCLUSION To summarize, this study analyzed the 107 compounds of EEPF. The acute oral toxicity test demonstrated the LD50 value of EEPF was 15.95 g/kg in Kunming mice and the liver and kidney might be the main target toxic organs of EEPF. It caused liver injury through oxidative stress and pyroptotic damage via NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Gao
- Innovation Center for Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Innovation Center for Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; College of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wei
- Innovation Center for Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Qingtao Wang
- Innovation Center for Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, China
| | - Xuan Ni
- Innovation Center for Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, China
| | - Shaofeng Wu
- Innovation Center for Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yizhuo Fang
- Innovation Center for Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zhihui Hao
- Innovation Center for Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
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Liu B, Fang S, Zhou K, Ma L, Shi Y, Wang Y, Gao X. Unveiling hepatotoxicity distinction of coumarin-related compounds from glycosides to aglycones in Fructus Psoraleae by integrating UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and high content analysis. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023:116664. [PMID: 37253395 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Fructus Psoraleae (FP), the dried and ripe fruit of Cullen corylifolium (L.) Medik., is widely used due to its various clinical pharmacological effects, but its hepatotoxicity restricts its clinical application. So far, its hepatotoxic components and their underlying mechanism have not been systematically elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY This study was undertaken to reveal the hepatotoxicity distinction of coumarin-related compounds from glycosides to aglycones in FP and elucidate their potential mechanism. METHODS Rats were administrated with the aqueous extract of Fructus Psoraleae (AEFP), in which eight coumarin-related compounds were focused. Subsequently, compounds exposed in rats' livers were detected by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, and the identified hepatotoxic compounds were evaluated to elaborate their possible mechanism by the aid of high content analysis (HCA). RESULTS Eight coumarin-related compounds were identified, among which psoralenoside (PO), isopsoralenoside (IPO), psoralen (P), and isopsoralen (IP) were the principally exposed compounds in rats' livers. Furocoumarinic acid glucoside (FAG), (E)-3-(4-(((2S, 3R, 4S, 5S, 6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl) tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl) oxy) benzofuran-5-yl) acrylic acid (isofurocoumarinic acid glucoside, IFAG), furocoumarinic acid (FA), and (E)-3-(4-hydroxybenzofuran-5-yl) acrylic acid (isofurocoumarinic acid, IFA) were also detected in low abundance. P, IP, FA, and IFA were identified as the hepatotoxic compounds, while their glycosides were almost non-hepatotoxic. The HCA's results showed that hepatotoxic compounds disrupted the balance in reactive oxygen species (ROS), nuclear area, and mitochondrial membrane potential of HepG2 cells, leading to the occurrence of hepatotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS P, IP, FA, and IFA were identified as hepatotoxic compounds, from which P and IP were proposed as the important risk components for hepatotoxicity. The conversion from glycosides to aglycones played an essential role in FP-induced hepatotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of TCM Chemistry and Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Shiming Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of TCM Chemistry and Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Kun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of TCM Chemistry and Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Pharmacology, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Lulu Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of TCM Chemistry and Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Yaling Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of TCM Chemistry and Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Yuefei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of TCM Chemistry and Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.
| | - Xiumei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of TCM Chemistry and Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Pharmacology, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.
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SHI Z, GAO J, PAN J, ZHANG Z, ZHANG G, WANG Y, GAO Y. A systematic review on the safety of Psoraleae Fructus: potential risks, toxic characteristics, underlying mechanisms and detoxification methods. Chin J Nat Med 2022; 20:805-813. [DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(22)60234-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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A new strategy for the rapid identification and validation of direct toxicity targets of psoralen-induced hepatotoxicity. Toxicol Lett 2022; 363:11-26. [PMID: 35597499 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The interaction between small-molecule compounds of traditional Chinese medicine and their direct targets is the molecular initiation event, which is the key factor for toxicity efficacy. Psoralen, an active component of Fructus Psoraleae, is toxic to the liver and has various pharmacological properties. Although the mechanism of psoralen-induced hepatotoxicity has been studied, the direct target of psoralen remains unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to discover direct targets of psoralen. To this end, we initially used proteomics based on drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) technology to identify the direct targets of psoralen. Next, we used surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis and verified the affinity effect of the 'component-target protein'. This method combines molecular docking technology to explore binding sites between small molecules and proteins. SPR and molecular docking confirmed that psoralen and tyrosine-protein kinase ABL1 could be stably combined. Based on the above experimental results, ABL1 is a potential direct target of psoralen-induced hepatotoxicity. Finally, the targets Nrf2 and mTOR, which are closely related to the hepatotoxicity caused by psoralen, were predicted by integrating proteomics and network pharmacology. The direct target ABL1 is located upstream of Nrf2 and mTOR, Nrf2 can influence the expression of mTOR by affecting the level of reactive oxygen species. Immunofluorescence experiments and western blot results showed that psoralen could affect ROS levels and downstream Nrf2 and mTOR protein changes, whereas the ABL1 inhibitor imatinib and ABL1 agonist DPH could enhance or inhibit this effect. In summary, we speculated that when psoralen causes hepatotoxicity, it acts on the direct target ABL1, resulting in a decrease in Nrf2 expression, an increase in ROS levels and a reduction in mTOR expression, which may cause cell death. We developed a new strategy for predicting and validating the direct targets of psoralen. This strategy identified the toxic target, ABL1, and the potential toxic mechanism of psoralen.
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Wu Y, Min L, Xu Y, Liu H, Zhou N, Hua Z, Mei C, Jiang Z, Li W. Combination of molecular docking and liver transcription sequencing analysis for the evaluation of salt-processed psoraleae fructus-induced hepatotoxicity in ovariectomized mice. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 288:114955. [PMID: 35032590 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Salt-processed Psoraleae fructus (SPF) is widely used as a phytoestrogen-like agent in the treatment of osteoporosis. However, SPF-associated hepatotoxicity is a known health hazard. Cholestasis is often associated with SPF-induced hepatotoxicity. Notably, clinical liver injury is a common side effect of SPF in the treatment of osteoporosis; however, the exact mechanism underlying this phenomenon is unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY To evaluate SPF-induced hepatotoxicity in an ovariectomized murine model of estrogen deficiency and examine the mechanisms underlying this process. MATERIALS AND METHODS To explore the molecular mechanism of SPF-induced cholestatic liver injury, different concentrations of SPF (5 and 10 g/kg) were intragastrically administered to ovariectomized and non-ovariectomized female ICR mice for 30 days. RESULTS SPF-treated mice showed noticeably swollen hepatocytes, dilated bile ducts, and elevated levels of serum biochemical markers. Compared to ovariectomized mice, these changes were more prominent in non-ovariectomized mice. According to the sequence data, a total of 6689 mRNAs were identified. Compared with the control group, 1814 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified in the group treated with high SPF doses (SPHD), including 939 upregulated and 875 downregulated mRNAs. Molecular docking and Western blot experiments showed that liver injury was closely related to the estrogen levels. Compared with the negative control group, the expression levels of FXR, Mrp2, CYP7a1, BSEP, SULT1E1, HNF4a, and Nrf2 decreased in the estradiol-treated (E2), low-dose SPF-treated (SPLD), and SPHD groups. Interestingly, the expression levels of FXR, CYP7a1, SULT1E1, and HNF4α were significantly higher in the ovariectomized groups than in the non-ovariectomized groups (#P < 0.05; ###P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Overall, this study demonstrates that SPF downregulates key enzymes involved in cholesterol and bile acid biosyntheses, posing a risk for cholestatic liver injury. SPF also regulates the FXR-SULT1E signaling pathway via HNF4α, which is an important causative factor of cholestasis. Moreover, the severity of liver damage was significantly lower in the ovariectomized groups than in the non-ovariectomized group. These results suggest that the estrogen level is the most critical factor determining liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Processing, Engineering Center of State Ministry of Education for Standardization of Chinese Medicine Processing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, PR China; Nantong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nantong, 226001, PR China; Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, PR China
| | - LingTian Min
- Nantong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nantong, 226001, PR China; Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, PR China
| | - Yan Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Processing, Engineering Center of State Ministry of Education for Standardization of Chinese Medicine Processing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Heng Liu
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Entomological Biopharmaceutical R&D, Dali University, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Nong Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Processing, Engineering Center of State Ministry of Education for Standardization of Chinese Medicine Processing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, PR China; Chongqing Engineering Laboratory of Green Planting and Deep Processing of Famous-region Drug in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region, College of Biology and Food Engineering, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Chongqing, 404120, PR China
| | - ZhengYing Hua
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Processing, Engineering Center of State Ministry of Education for Standardization of Chinese Medicine Processing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - ChunMei Mei
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Processing, Engineering Center of State Ministry of Education for Standardization of Chinese Medicine Processing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Ziyu Jiang
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, PR China.
| | - Weidong Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Processing, Engineering Center of State Ministry of Education for Standardization of Chinese Medicine Processing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, PR China.
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Risk compounds, potential mechanisms and biomarkers of Traditional Chinese medicine‐induced reproductive toxicity. J Appl Toxicol 2022; 42:1734-1756. [DOI: 10.1002/jat.4290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Guo Z, Li P, Wang C, Kang Q, Tu C, Jiang B, Zhang J, Wang W, Wang T. Five Constituents Contributed to the Psoraleae Fructus-Induced Hepatotoxicity via Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Apoptosis. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:682823. [PMID: 34950022 PMCID: PMC8688997 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.682823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds: Psoraleae Fructus (PF)-induced hepatotoxicity has been reported in clinical and animal experiments. However, the hepatotoxic constituents and mechanisms underlying PF-induced toxicity have remained unclear. Therefore, this study explored the potentially toxic PF components and revealed their relative mechanisms. Methods: The hepatotoxicity of PF water (PFW) and ethanol (PFE) extracts was compared using Kunming mice. The different compositions between PFW and PFE, which were considered toxic compositions, were identified using the UHPLC-Q-Exactive MS method. Then, L02 and HepG2 cell lines were used to evaluate the toxicity of these compositions. Cell viability and apoptosis were determined through the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry, respectively. An automatic biochemical analyzer detected the aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Lastly, we used high-content screening (HCS) to determine the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Results: The ethanol extraction process aggravated the hepatotoxicity of PF, causing more severe injuries. The content of psoralen, isopsoralen, bavachin, psoralidin, bavachinin, neobavaisoflavone, and bakuchiol was higher in the PFE than PFW. Bavachin, psoralidin, bavachinin, neobavaisoflavone, and bakuchiol induced cell apoptosis and the AST, ALT, and ALP leakages. Furthermore, these five constituents increased intracellular lipid accumulation and ROS levels but decreased the MMP level. Conclusion: The ethanol extraction process could induce severe PF hepatotoxicity. Bavachin, psoralidin, bavachinin, neobavaisoflavone, and bakuchiol are the main hepatotoxic ingredients. This mechanism could be associated with oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage-mediated apoptosis. Taken together, this study provides a basis for the clinical application of PF that formulates and improves its herbal standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaojuan Guo
- Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Pin Li
- Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Chunguo Wang
- Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Qianjun Kang
- Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Can Tu
- Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Bingqian Jiang
- Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jingxuan Zhang
- Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Weiling Wang
- Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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Ding J, Gao X, Zhang F, Zhou Y, Li S, Lu Y, Liu Q. Toxicological safety evaluation of Qiguiyin formula in rats at the treatment phase and recovery phase. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 279:114364. [PMID: 34175446 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Qiguiyin, a hospital preparation of traditional Chinese medicinal formula, is a combination of Astragalus hamosus L., Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, Lonicera sempervirens L., Artemisia annua L., and Polygonum cuspidatum Siebold & Zucc. at a ratio of 12:3:3:2:2. It has been used to treat severe pneumonia caused by drug-resistant bacteria in clinical practice, while studies on its toxicological safety are rare in the literature. AIM OF THE STUDY In the present study, we aimed to develop a new application of Qiguiyin according to the general research routine of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and the toxicological effects of the Qiguiyin formula at the treatment phase and recovery phase were also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS The rats were administered with the Qiguiyin formula at 10, 30, and 50 times of the corresponding dosage in humans for 13 consecutive weeks. During 13 weeks of the treatment phase and 4 weeks of the recovery phase, the general signs of toxicity and mortality were monitored daily, and the body weight and food consumption were determined every week. Moreover, the hematology, biochemistry, urine, organ weights, and histopathology were analyzed, and the reproductive system was examined at the end of the treatment phase or recovery phase, respectively. RESULTS The toxicological results showed no deaths and no changes in general behavior. Moreover, there was no clinically significant effect of the Qiguiyin formula on body weight or food consumption in rats. Although the Qiguiyin formula resulted in some changes in hematological, biochemical, and urinary indexes, these alterations were not related to the treatment because they remained within normal ranges throughout the 17 weeks. Besides, the main organs were not affected basically. All the above-mentioned results showed no gender difference. Furthermore, a clinical dosage of 50 times of the Qiguiyin formula did not affect the reproductive system of female rats, while it could lead to atrophied seminiferous tubules in two out of 10 male rats. However, such abnormality could not be found at the end of the recovery phase. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the Qiguiyin formula could be used safely. The administration at doses of less than 1000 g/day for 13 weeks showed no distinct toxicity or side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junying Ding
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Basic Research with Traditional Chinese Medicine on Infectious Diseases, Beijing Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100010, China.
| | - Xiang Gao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100010, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Basic Research with Traditional Chinese Medicine on Infectious Diseases, Beijing Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100010, China
| | - Yunxin Zhou
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Basic Research with Traditional Chinese Medicine on Infectious Diseases, Beijing Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100010, China
| | - Siyang Li
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Youran Lu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Basic Research with Traditional Chinese Medicine on Infectious Diseases, Beijing Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100010, China
| | - Qingquan Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Basic Research with Traditional Chinese Medicine on Infectious Diseases, Beijing Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100010, China.
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UPLC-MS/MS-Based Rat Serum Metabolomics Reveals the Detoxification Mechanism of Psoraleae Fructus during Salt Processing. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:5597233. [PMID: 34567215 PMCID: PMC8457953 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5597233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Psoraleae Fructus (PF) is a botanical medicine widely used in Asian countries, of which salt products have higher safety and efficacy. However, the biological mechanism of the detoxification of salt-processing Psoraleae Fructus (SPF) has not yet been revealed. In this study, UPLC-MS/MS technology was used to explore the metabolic differences between SPF and PF in normal rats and reveal the mechanism of salt processing. The histopathological results of rat liver and kidney showed that the degree of liver and kidney injure in the SPF group was less than that in the PF group. The results of metabolomics showed that the detoxification mechanism of PF by salt processing might be related to glycerophospholipid metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, arginine and proline metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, and linoleic acid metabolism. PF-induced inflammation could be reduced by regulating the expression of metabolites to achieve the purpose of salt processing and detoxification. It included reducing the production of metabolites such as 1-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, tyrosine, arginine, linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, and phenylacetylglycine/hippuric acid ratio and upregulating the expression of metabolites such as creatine.
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Evaluation of toxicity and anti-osteoporosis effect in rats treated with the flavonoids of Psoraleae Fructus. J Funct Foods 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2020.104262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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Duan J, Dong W, Xie L, Fan S, Xu Y, Li Y. Integrative proteomics-metabolomics strategy reveals the mechanism of hepatotoxicity induced by Fructus Psoraleae. J Proteomics 2020; 221:103767. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2020.103767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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