Quality marker discovery of Danggui Jianzhong decoction for treating primary dysmenorrhoea based on chinmedomics strategy

Danggui Buxue decoction alleviates primary dysmenorrhea in rats by regulating the MEK1/2/ERK1/2/NF-κB pathway

The study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Danggui Buxue Decoction (DBD) in treating primary dysmenorrhea (PD) and uncover its mechanisms, thereby validating its traditional use. Using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS), 38 compounds in DBD were identified. PD model rats were established via cold stimulation, estradiol benzoate, and oxytocin injections. DBD treatment improved behavioral parameters, reduced writhing response, and alleviated histopathological changes in uterus and ovary. Biochemical markers (PGE2, SOD and MDA, among others) were assessed using ELISA, and Western blot was employed to analyze protein levels in rat uteri. Results showed that DBD modulated these proteins, indicating its protective effects. The study provides scientific evidence for DBD's role in nourishing "qi" or enriching "blood" during PD treatment by affecting the MEK1/2/ERK1/2/NF-κB signaling pathway, thus reducing oxidative stress and proinflammatory factors in PD rats.

Integrated metabolomics and lipidomics investigation of the mechanism of Danggui Sini Decoction on improving lipid homeostasis in primary dysmenorrhea

BACKGROUND

Danggui Sini Decoction (DGSND) is a classic prescription for treating primary dysmenorrhea (PD), while, the ameliorating effects of DGSND on PD and its mechanisms are not yet fully understood.

PURPOSE

The present study is devoted to investigate the protective effect of DGSND against PD and the possible mechanism from the perspective of metabolomics as well as lipidomics.

METHODS

DGSND was characterized by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS. The PD rat model was induced by estradiol benzoate and oxytocin, and traditional pharmacology, including writhing times, latency time, biochemical index, organ index, and histopathology were performed to evaluated the efficacy of DGSND on PD. Urine metabolomics strategy combined with functional analysis was adopted to delineate the therapeutic effect of DGSND on PD rats and anchor the crucial pathway, and lipidomics analysis was further performed with the uterine tissue as the research object to elucidate the protective mechanism of DGSND from the perspective of lipid homeostasis. Finally, western blot analysis was used to validate the expression of key metabolic enzymes in lipid metabolism.

RESULTS

DGSND was effective in ameliorating writhing times, latency time, the value of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α)/PGE2, uterus index, and morphological changes of PD rats. Metabolic signature of PD rats was primarily characterized by the disturbance of steroid hormone metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and lipid metabolism. Functional analysis revealed the urine biomarkers of PD were most related with lipid abnormality. Further lipidomics analysis indicated DGSND exerted anti-PD effects by remodeling lipid homeostasis, which might be due to the significant correlations between different kinds of lipids, especially the extremely high correlation of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, and fatty acids. Moreover, the key metabolic enzymes expression of CK, PLA2, LPCAT3, COX-2, and 5-LOX can be greatly downregulated by DGSND.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrated a novel protective mechanism of DGSND against PD by regulating lipid homeostasis.

Comprehensive Quality Evaluation of Danggui-Jianzhong Decoction by Fingerprint Analysis, Multi-Component Quantitation and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS

Danggui-Jianzhong decoction (DGJZ) is a famous classical traditional Chinese medicine formula, which ingredients are complex and the quality is difficult to control. Our study aimed to identify the overall chemical profile of DGJZ qualitatively by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and UPLC. A total of 77 components, including terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, gingerols and other components, were firstly detected and characterized by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and 18 peaks marked after analyzing the UPLC fingerprint. Finally, paeoniflorin, liquiritin, ferulic acid, cinnamic acid, glycyrrhizic acid and 6-gingerol were quantified, which was validated in terms of linearity, precision, accuracy, repeatability and recovery. Taken together, the chemical constitutes of DGJZ were systematically identified and a reliable quantitative method coupled with fingerprint analysis was successfully employed for evaluating the holistic quality, which will provide a robust foundation for the quality control of DGJZ.

Metabolomics study of graphene nuangong acupoint plaster for primary dysmenorrhea

Primary dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological disease with typical clinical symptoms and diverse treatment methods. Acupoint patch therapy is one of the traditional external treatments of traditional Chinese medicine, with a long history, and has been widely used in the treatment of many diseases in China. Graphene nuangong acupoint plaster (GNGAP) developed based on traditional acupoints and new materials have been used in the clinical treatment of primary dysmenorrhea, and satisfactory therapeutic effects have been achieved. However, the underlying mechanisms of GNGAP still need further investigation. In this study, we used estradiol benzoate combined with oxytocin intraperitoneally to establish dysmenorrhea model rats, and observed the torsion response, uterine organ coefficients, prostaglandin levels and metabolite changes of rats with dysmenorrhea model after the intervention of GNGAP, to elucidate the mechanism of the effect of GNGAP. Compared with normal rats, the dysmenorrhea model rats exhibited increased writhing response and latency time, increased uterine organ coefficient, and significant changes in 79 metabolites. Twenty-three significantly enriched pathways were discovered, including amino acid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, and ovarian steroidogenesis, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of primary dysmenorrhea. Compared with the model group, the torsion response, latency time and uterine organ coefficient of rats in the acupoint patch group were significantly improved, and nine uterine metabolites were significantly altered, among which metabolites such as 4-pyridoxic acid, d-glucarate and Phenol were identified as potential biomarkers for the therapeutic effects of GNGAP. Vitamin B6 metabolism, Ascorbate and aldarate metabolism and Tyrosine metabolism were enriched in nine metabolic pathways. These findings contribute to the screening study of potential pathological metabolic pathways in primary dysmenorrhea. Additionally, they reveal the biological effects of GNGAP in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea at the metabolite level.

Unraveling the anti-primary dysmenorrhea mechanism of Ainsliaea fragrans Champ. extract by the integrative approach of network pharmacology and experimental verification

BACKGROUND

The plant Ainsliaea fragrans Champ. (A. fragrans) named "Xingxiang Tuerfeng", is a traditional herb with a long history of therapeutic practice in southern China in the treatment of gynecological diseases.

PURPOSE

The anti-inflammatory extract of Ainsliaea fragrans Champ. (AF-ext) exhibited anti-primary dysmenorrhea (PD) activity in oxytocin-induced mice. This study aimed to unravel the underlying mechanisms of AF-ext on PD by the integrative approach of network pharmacology and experimental verification.

METHODS

First, the therapeutic targets of AF-ext are predicted using network pharmacology and molecular docking methods. Second, activity screening and immunoblotting methods were used for target validation. Then, the therapeutic effect of AF-ext on PD was evaluated using oxytocin-induced mice and uterine strips model.

RESULTS

AF-p1, and AF-p2, the active ingredients of AF-ext, showed inhibitory effects on COX1/2 and EGFR, and all five active components showed antagonistic activity on TRPV1. AF-ext (25, 50, 100 mg/kg) could significantly reduce the number of writhing times and prolong writhing latencies in a dose-dependent manner. AF-ext inhibited spasmolytic activity in uterine strips induced by oxytocin and Ca2+ stimulation. AF-ext inhibited NF-κB/COX-2/PG pathway and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in PD mice. It significantly downregulated the PD-induced overexpression of p-p65/p65, p-IκBα, and COX-2 by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. Moreover, the overexpression of NLRP3, p20/pro-Caspase 1, and p17/pro-IL-1β was greatly downregulated.

CONCLUSIONS

AF-ext demonstrated anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and spasmolytic activity in the treatment of PD. It inhibited the NF-κB/COX-2/PG pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in PD mice with a multi-target approach.