SiNiSan alleviates liver injury by promoting hepatic stem cell differentiation via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

A comprehensive review of bupleuri radix and its bioactive components： with a major focus on treating chronic liver diseases

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Bupleuri Radix (BR) has been recognized as an essential herbal medicine for relieving liver depression for thousands of years. Contemporary research has provided compelling evidence of its pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, metabolic regulation, and anticancer properties, positioning it as a promising treatment option for various liver diseases. Hepatitis, steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer are among the prevalent and impactful liver diseases worldwide. However, there remains a lack of comprehensive systematic reviews that explore the prescription, bio-active components, and underlying mechanisms of BR in treating liver diseases.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

To summarize the BR classical Chinese medical prescription and ingredients in treating liver diseases and their mechanisms to inform reference for further development and research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Literature in the last three decades of BR and its classical Chinese medical prescription and ingredients were collated and summarized by searching PubMed, Wiley, Springer, Google Scholar, Web of Science, CNKI, etc. RESULTS: BR and its classical prescriptions, such as Xiao Chai Hu decoction, Da Chai Hu decoction, Si Ni San, and Chai Hu Shu Gan San, have been utilized for centuries as effective therapies for liver diseases, including hepatitis, steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. BR is a rich source of active ingredients, such as saikosaponins, polysaccharides, flavonoids, sterols, organic acids, and so on. These bioactive compounds exhibit a wide range of beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and lipid metabolism regulation. However, it is important to acknowledge that BR and its constituents can also possess hepatotoxicity, which is associated with cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes and oxidative stress. Therefore, caution should be exercised when using BR in therapeutic applications to ensure the safe and appropriate utilization of its potential benefits while minimizing any potential risks.

CONCLUSIONS

To sum up, BR, its compounds, and its based traditional Chinese medicine are effective in liver diseases through multiple targets, multiple pathways, and multiple effects. Advances in pharmacological and toxicological investigations of BR and its bio-active components in the future will provide further contributions to the discovery of novel therapeutics for liver diseases.

Si-Ni-San inhibits hepatic Fasn expression and lipid accumulation in MAFLD mice through AMPK/p300/SREBP-1c axis

BACKGROUND

Soothing the liver and regulating qi is one of the core ideas of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of fatty liver. Si-Ni-San (SNS) is a well-known herbal formula in TCM for liver soothing and qi regulation in fatty liver treatment. However, its efficacy lacks modern scientific evidence.

PURPOSE

This study was aimed to investigate the impact of SNS on metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in mice and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms, particularly its effects on lipid metabolism in hepatocytes.

METHODS

The therapeutic effect of SNS was evaluated using in vivo and in vitro models of high-fat/high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet-induced mice and palmitic acid (PA)-induced hepatocytes, respectively. Molecular biological techniques such as RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq), co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP), and western blotting were employed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of SNS in regulating lipid metabolism in hepatocytes.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed that SNS effectively reduced lipid accumulation in the livers of HFHC diet-induced mice and PA-induced hepatocytes. RNA-seq analysis demonstrated that SNS significantly down-regulated the expression of fatty acid synthase (Fasn) in the livers of HFHC-fed mice. Mechanistically, SNS inhibited Fasn expression and lipid accumulation by activating adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Activation of AMPK suppressed the activity of the transcriptional coactivator p300 and modulated the protein stability of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c). Importantly, p300 was required for the inhibition of Fasn expression and lipid accumulation by SNS. Furthermore, SNS activated AMPK by decreasing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in hepatocytes.

CONCLUSION

This study provided novel evidence on the regulatory mechanisms underlying the effects of SNS on Fasn expression. Our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that SNS exerts suppressive effects on Fasn expression through modulation of the AMPK/p300/SREBP-1c axis. Consequently, this regulatory pathway mitigates excessive lipid accumulation and ameliorates MAFLD in mice.

Radix Bupleuri-Radix Paeoniae Alba Inhibits the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma through Activation of the PTEN/PD-L1 Axis within the Immune Microenvironment

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated how Radix Bupleuri-Radix Paeoniae Alba (BP) was active against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

Traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology (TCMSP) database was employed to determine the active ingredients of BP and potential targets against HCC. Molecular docking analysis verified the binding activity of PTEN with BP ingredients. H22 cells were used to establish an HCC model in male balb/c mice. Immunofluorescence staining, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and real-time quantitative PCR were used to study changes in proliferation, apoptosis, PTEN levels, inflammation, and T-cell differentiation in male balb/c mice.

RESULTS

The major active ingredients in BP were found to be quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, stigmasterol, and beta-sitosterol. Molecular docking demonstrated that these five active BP ingredients formed a stable complex with PTEN. BP exhibited an anti-tumor effect in our HCC mouse model. BP was found to increase the CD8+ and IFN-γ+/CD4+ T cell levels while decreasing the PD-1+/CD8+ T and Treg cell levels in HCC mice. BP up-regulated the IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α levels but down-regulated the IL-10 levels in HCC mice. After PTEN knockdown, BP-induced effects were abrogated.

CONCLUSION

BP influenced the immune microenvironment through activation of the PTEN/PD-L1 axis, protecting against HCC.

Si-Ni-San Reduces Hepatic Lipid Deposition in Rats with Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease by AMPK/SIRT1 Pathway

Background

Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a chronic disease characterized by excessive lipid deposition in the liver without alcohol or other clear liver-damaging factors. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/silencing information regulator (SIRT)1 signaling pathway plays an important role in MAFLD development. Si-Ni-San (SNS), a traditional Chinese medicine, has shown reducing hepatic lipid deposition in MAFLD rats, however, the underlying mechanisms of SNS are barely understood.

Purpose

The aim of this research was to investigate the mechanisms of SNS in reducing hepatic lipid deposition in MAFLD rats by regulating AMPK/SIRT1 signaling pathways.

Methods

The components of SNS were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) analysis. MAFLD rats were induced by high-fat and high-cholesterol diet (HFHCD), and treated by SNS. SNS-containing serum and Compound C (AMPK inhibitor) were used to treat palmitic acid (PA)-induced HepG2 cells. To elucidate the potential mechanism, lipid synthesis-related proteins (SREBP-1c and FAS), fatty acid oxidation (PPARα and CPT-1), and AMPK/SIRT1 signaling pathway (p-AMPK and SIRT1) were assessed by Western blot.

Results

SNS improved serum lipid levels, liver function and reduced hepatic lipid deposition in MAFLD rats. SNS-containing serum reduced lipid deposition in PA-induced HepG2 cells. SNS could up-regulate protein expressions of PPARα, CPT-1, p-AMPK and SIRT1, and down-regulate protein expressions of SREBP-1c and FAS. Similar effects of SNS-containing serum were observed in PA-induced HepG2 cells. Meanwhile, Compound C weakened the therapeutic effects of SNS-containing serum on lipid deposition.

Conclusion

SNS could reduce hepatic lipid deposition by inhibiting lipid synthesis and promoting fatty acid oxidation, which might be related with activating the AMPK/SIRT1 signaling pathway. This study could provide a theoretical basis for the clinical use of SNS to treat MAFLD.

The pharmacology and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine in promoting liver regeneration: A new therapeutic option

BACKGROUND

The liver is renowned for its remarkable regenerative capacity to restore its structure, size and function after various types of liver injury. However, in patients with end-stage liver disease, the regenerative capacity is inhibited and liver transplantation is the only option. Considering the limitations of liver transplantation, promoting liver regeneration is suggested as a new therapeutic strategy for liver disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history of preventing and treating various liver diseases, and some of them have been proven to be effective in promoting liver regeneration, suggesting the therapeutic potential in liver diseases.

PURPOSE

This review aims to summarize the molecular mechanisms of liver regeneration and the pro-regenerative activity and mechanism of TCM formulas, extracts and active ingredients.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library databases using "TCM", "liver regeneration" or their synonyms as keywords, and classified and summarized the retrieved literature. The PRISMA guidelines were followed.

RESULTS

Forty-one research articles met the themes of this review and previous critical studies were also reviewed to provide essential background information. Current evidences indicate that various TCM formulas, extracts and active ingredients have the effect on stimulating liver regeneration through modulating JAK/STAT, Hippo, PI3K/Akt and other signaling pathways. Besides, the mechanisms of liver regeneration, the limitation of existing studies and the application prospect of TCM to promote liver regeneration are also outlined and discussed in this review.

CONCLUSION

This review supports TCM as new potential therapeutic options for promoting liver regeneration and repair of the failing liver, although extensive pharmacokinetic and toxicological studies, as well as elaborate clinical trials, are still needed to demonstrate safety and efficacy.

Si-Ni-SAN ameliorates obesity through AKT/AMPK/HSL pathway-mediated lipolysis: Network pharmacology and experimental validation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Si-Ni-San (SNS) is a famous Chinese herbal formula used in China for thousands of years. It has clinical effects on a variety of lipid metabolism disorders, but the ameliorating effects of SNS on obesity and underlying mechanisms remained poorly elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of SNS on obesity from multiple perspectives in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mouse model was established to evaluate the effect of SNS. Then network pharmacologic methods were performed to predict underlying mechanisms, and the core pathways were verified in animal and cell studies.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrated that SNS significantly reduced body weight, body fat content, white adipose tissue (WAT) expansion in obese mice, and lipid accumulation in primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) cells. Network pharmacologic analysis identified 66 potential therapeutic targets, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis of these genes revealed that the most important signaling pathway includes AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes, lipid and atherosclerosis. Western blot assay confirmed that SNS activated hormone-sensitive triglyceride lipase (HSL) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) activity and promoted lipolysis through AMPK signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

The results confirmed that SNS improves lipid accumulation through AKT/AMPK/HSL axis mediated lipolysis, which opens a new option for clinical treatment of obesity and associated complications.

Sinisan alleviates depression-like behaviors by regulating mitochondrial function and synaptic plasticity in maternal separation rats

BACKGROUND

Sinisan (SNS) consists of four kinds of herbs, which is the core of antidepressant prescription widely used in traditional Chinese medicine clinic treatment for depression induced by early life stress. However, the role and precise mechanism of SNS antidepressant have not yet been elucidated.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism SNS on antidepressant of regulating mitochondrial function to improve hippocampal synaptic plasticity.

METHODS

90 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats male pups on Post-Natal Day (PND) 0 were randomly divided into Control group (ddH₂0), Model group (ddH₂0), Fluoxetine group (5.0 mg/kg fluoxetine), and SNS-L group (2.5 g/kg SNS), SNS-M group (5.0 g/kg SNS) and SNS-H group (10.0 g/kg SNS), 15 animals per group. Maternal separation (MS) from PND1 to PND21, drug intervention from PND60 to PND90, and behavior tests including sucrose preference test, open field test and forced swimming test from PND83 to PND90 were performed. Synaptic structure and mitochondrial structure were observed by TEM. The expression levels of PSD-95 and SYN were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blot test, the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content in the hippocampus was detected by assay kits, and the expression levels of Mfn2, Drp1 and Fis1 protein were detected by western bolt test.

RESULTS

SNS can alleviate depression-like and anxiety-like behaviors in MS rats, improve the damage of synapses and mitochondria, reduce the decrease of ATP in hippocampus, and reverse the expression levels of PSD-95, SYN, Mfn2, Drp1, and Fis1 proteins.

CONCLUSION

SNS reduced the risk of early life stress induced depression disorder via regulating mitochondrial function and synaptic plasticity. Targeting mitochondrial may be a novel prospective therapeutic avenue for antidepressant.

Determination of six core components from Mahuang Xuanfei Zhike syrup in rat plasma and tissues by UPLC-MS/MS: Application to the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution study

Mahuang Xuanfei Zhike (MXZ) syrup, a Chinese patent medicine, has been widely used in clinical treatment of cough. However, there is no reported method for quantitative analysis of the effective components of MXZ syrup in biological samples. In this study, the effective components of MXZ syrup were screened by network pharmacology and molecular docking technology, a sensitive and rapid method of ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was established to test the active components of MXZ syrup in rat plasma and tissue homogenates, including ephedrine, amygdalin, chlorogenic acid, harpagoside, forsythin and forsythoside A. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Waters Acquity UPLC HSS T3 column (2.1 × 50 mm, 1.8 μm) and the mass analysis was conducted in a Waters Xevo TQ mass spectrometer using multiple reaction positive and negative ion simultaneous monitoring mode (MRM). The results expounded that the linearity ranged from 0.3 ng/mL to 409.4 ng/mL, The extraction recoveries were all less than 8.33%, and the matrix effects were all less than 8.45, which met the requirements. The pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution results indicated that the main active components of MXZ syrup were absorbed quickly and eliminated slowly in vivo, and there may be a reabsorption process.